Friday, 16 December 2011

Snow

With snow now affecting much of the British Isles, I'm sure many people will use the weather as an excuse to have a day off work, stop the kids from going to school and batten down the hatches. As a consequence this means many shops and businesses are forced to close during such weather.

This attitude needs to stop. There are many ways for people to get to work during snow, and much of the time there no need for the bravado and stress that is experienced during in snowy weather. Scandinavian countries have snow for much of the winter months, and they cope fine - so why can't we?

We have experienced bad winters, and snowy weather, for the past three years now; so I am hoping the public are finally getting used to operating in these conditions. Obviously, when conditions are simply too bad to risk going out, it is completely understandable. But most of the time this isn't the case.

Jealousy from the French?

Anglo-French relations have never been strong, and it seems that tensions are set to grow, with a sharp attack from the French Prime Minister. Francois Baroin described the UK's economy as "very worrying".

Do I detect a little bit of jealousy from the French side of the Channel? I believe so. While the UK has a worthy deficit-cutting plan in place, that has been approved by the IMF, and a the Pound as a currency - where exchange rates and interest rates can be altered accordingly - the French are stuck with a single currency that is in the process of collapsing, and not having the ability to print money. Therefore, the UK is a safer place to invest, meaning the credit rating can remain higher.

It is forecast that the French economy - along with other Eurozone economies - will have their currency ratings slashed in the coming weeks.

Thursday, 15 December 2011

The Disaster That Is Europe.

As many of you will have heard over the past 6 days, the UK and Prime Minister Cameron issued its veto to stop a new EU treaty, which is being developed to save the Euro. Good for him, I say. It is about time the UK stood up for its own interests, instead of taking all the crap that the EU throw in our direction.

The crucial decider for Cameron was the inclusion of a Financial Transaction Tax. Now bearing in mind that the finance and banking sector accounts for 10% of the UK's economy, and that the UK has the biggest banking sector in the whole of Europe; it is quite understandable that many people feel this is purely  'a tax on Britain'. Of course, Mr Sarkozy and Chancellor Merkel would have you believe otherwise.

The primary reason for the development of a new treaty is to save the Eurozone countries, who are currently in an historic crisis, with countries such as Greece having almost a 100% chance of defaulting within the next 5 years. So, how does their crisis affect us I hear you ask? The UK never adopted the Euro? And quite right you would be. Thankfully, the UK chose to keep the Pound, but Europe still expect us to help bail out their currency - for something that really isn't our problem. The fools, who like to call themselves the Liberal Democrats, would still like the UK to adopt the Euro, even now!

I just wanted to express my sheer relief and pride that Cameron has stood up for the interests of his country and the people. I know that many of you will be thinking that the banking sector deserve to be punished for what they have caused - the recession - but it would adversely affect the UK's economy. That must be our primary thought.

Saturday, 8 October 2011

Please Follow Me!

For anyone that is unlucky enough to come across this blog ;) , please follow me! I hope you will enjoy reading what I have to write, and equally I am sure I will enjoy reading what your blog has to offer.

My proposal is a simple one; you follow me, and I follow you back!

Friday, 7 October 2011

Greek Bailout

Okay, so from what I gather, the UK isn't paying a huge share of the EU bailout fund for Greece. Good. Greeks have avoided paying their taxes for years, and now they are suffering the consequences. Why should we be using money from OUR taxes, to bail them out!!


German MPs recently voted with a favourable majority that they would increase the EU bailout fund for Greece. I have a very good friend from Germany, whom I speak to regularly. It was expressed to me in no uncertain terms of how angry it made her, that German taxes were being used to bail out Greece, while she receives nothing while she is without work. 

Human Rights

Human Rights. The focus of much of my anger over the past few days. It angers me greatly that MPs argue that murderers deserve human rights. In my opinion, they lost that right when they abused someone else's human rights. Simple as.

A possible return to F1 for the Iceman?

Apparently the rumours are correct, guys. Kimi has visited the Williams F1 Team factory, and is speaking privately with the outfit for a possible drive in 2012. Fingers crossed that all conditions are approved by both parties, and this rumour becomes a reality :)



Change Of Topic For My Blog

So, after many months of not posting on this blog, I have decided that I want to change the subject. Instead of being focussed on car reviews - which was never really a great idea, because I was going on other people's opinion, being as I couldn't physically test-drive all of the cars myself - I have decided to turn it into a blog of my general thoughts and views of daily life.

I have a very strong opinion on a range of different topics. Whether it is Political, Economic, Technological or Environmental, I have an opinion.

I hope you enjoy reading the blog, and I welcome a discussion of the topics that are mentioned. I do not, however, accept any abusive or aggressive messages. Those who send such messages will be removed from the blog immediately - without any warning.

Monday, 25 July 2011

Volvo S60: A splash of Sweden at its finest!

Volvos have a reputation of being 'an old man's car', and this has infiltrated through many generations. However, new Volvos such as the sporty C30 supermini, which became a huge hit in the UK, has brought much needed attention from the younger population to the brand.


Their newest car on the block is the S60 saloon. Let's not beat around the bush: this is a lovely looking car - using the coupe styling that has become so popular in the saloon sector of the market. The S60, however, brings a welcome dash of Swedish charm and looks to freshen up a market that is mostly dominated by the dull, boring looks of the German rivals. The Volvos of yester-year have always had the same design as far as the rear of the car is concerned - which was well past its sale by date! The S60 has a completely new design, with the curving lights and high boot-line, which does affect visibility, but looks very nice!



The Volvo does dissapoint in one particular department, in relation to its competitors - refinement. Wind and suspension noise is very loud - but in comparison to previous Volvos that has improved dramatically. However, it is still not up to the standard that has become expected of a car in this sector, and may lose customers for this reason - especially if they intend to do a heavy amount of motorway journeys.

The best part of any Volvo is the interior. Everyone knows Sweden has just as much style as the Italians as far as furniture and houses are concerned, and to remain loyal to this Volvo have made an interior to be proud of. The use of subtle woods or chrome has really added a great touch to the interior. The blue LCD screens are also great!

Overall, this is a very good car, but isn't yet quite up to the standard of its competitors. However, this is a great alternative for those of you who like a stunning, comfortable interior to relax in.

Friday, 22 July 2011

Kia R-r-r-r-rio

Kia is a relatively new car manufacturer in the UK, and has become known for providing competant cars for incredibly low prices. The cheapness of the cars was their biggest - if not, only - selling point. However, Kia are eager to change their brand image, and are now creating truly great cars that are becoming real rivals against European competitors.

And there is yet another Kia coming to a showroom near you, and this time it is the all new Rio. The former Rio was a lacklustre car, which stood no real competition against the leaders of the super-mini class. Instantly, you can see that the new Rio has a point to prove!


Style in bounds: Gone are the days when Kia's cars were considered ugly - the Rio is a very attractive car, and will now appeal to a younger market due to its modern attributes and sportiness. The size of the car has also increased, in comparison to the former model. The length has increased by 55mm, and width by 25mm. Kia have also said that the boot space is up to 295 litres "for the hatchback" - which may suggest that the car maker is considering adding a coupe or estate version of the car to the Rio range.


The interior (above) promises a high quality finish, with a wide selection of trim options to choose from. Although it still uses dull black pastics in some areas, the overall fit is very smart and functional. The chrome areas under the steering-wheel, under the temperature controls and around the gear lever add a touch of class to the range, that enhances the feeling that this is a quality car.

The ride of the Rio is its real selling point. It is quiet and smooth at almost any speed and every road surface. Body control, grip and safety are also positive areas of the car; proving that the Rio is agile, too. One downfall is the steering - it is numb and light, making the car a little lacklustre to drive. As far as refinement is concerned, it is excellent, managing to block out wind and engine noise incredibly well.

The Rio will have its competitors quaking in their boots. Gone are the days when the wider public felt embarassed to own a Kia - you would now be a fool to not consider buying this instead of its rivals. Good looks, build quality, standard kit and refinement make this a great car to own, plus, it is likely the car will be sold with the manufacturers current 7-year warranty.

Wednesday, 20 July 2011

My Car - Luigi

Yes, although it's a thing women usually do, I have named my car. Luigi comes from my love of the little Fiat 500 in the Disney film, Cars, and also because my car is Italian and seems to suit it well.

I currently drive a  red Fiat Grande Punto, which I absolutely love. I have had the car for a year now, and it has completed long motorway journeys and the city streets successfully and reliably.



The Punto I drive has automatic transmission, which makes the car incredibly easy to drive, and with the added bonus of 'Eco' mode to use, much more fuel efficient. I didn't know what to expect when I first heard that Fiat offered an automatic version of the Punto, but after driving manual cars previously, I thought I would give it a go. I was pleasantly surprised. The gears change smoothly, making the driving almost effortless. The only downside arises as you begin to slow down - at traffic lights for example - when the gears can sometimes (not often) become clunky when sliding down the range.

The first thing that attracted me to this car was the looks. The Grande Punto was designed by a famous Italian car designer, Giugiaro, and I think he has done an excellent job. In my opinion, looks are the most important selling point of any car, and this certainly sold this car to me! The Maserati-style nose is what makes this car; the front light clusters are just beautiful, and the grille has become a real trade-mark for Fiat.

The interior could be improved upon, by using some higher quality materials, but after completing my review on the Fiat Punto Evo yesterday, I can see that Fiat have rectified this - but maybe a little on the late side. However, I still think the interior of the Punto is an excellent place to be. Unlike many of its rivals, it isn't just an environment filled with dull black plastics, but an area that compiles different colours and materials to make the interior a more visually appealing place.


Another feature of the car that I love is the Panoramic Roof. During the summer this is great thing to have. Opening the front half of the roof is simple, and makes countryside drives through the sunshine that little bit better; with the wind rustling through your hair as you drive. The kids will also love it, as they can look through the roof windows and see all the trees and buildings when driving around.

Overall, Luigi is doing himself proud. It's a great car to drive, and attracts many looks from passers-by because of its beauty and sheer brightness of the red! The Punto Evo is even better though!

Range Rover's Baby Has Been Born

Land Rover has given birth to its baby of the Range Rover range, but don't be fooled - this car is no infant, it can still keep up with it's bigger brothers in terms of strength, luxury and ability. You may be surprised to hear that this car was developed with the help of Victoria Beckham. Thankfully, we can see that Victoria has not helped in the naming department, with the name being a dominant one - to enhance the fact that this car encases big things. Range Rover Evoque.

First, let's focus on the looks of the car. I will start by saying this is recognisably a Land Rover - and this is definitely not a bad thing! The nose of the car is dominated by the grille, which reminds one of snarling teeth. Although some people may see this as "chavvy", I personally like it a lot - it adds presence and dominance to the car. The overall look of the car is clean and simple, and the lines flow endlessly. This is definitely a vehicle that will attract endless looks and attention from adoring people as it winds through British streets.


It isn't only the outside that is beautiful , the interior is a place of prestige. The interior is much like that of the Range Rover Sport, with a bold leather band running horizontally across the dashboard, which encases the LCD computer display. Due to the Coupe design of the 3-door Evoque, there is a compromise in terms of the space available in the car, but in the 5-door version there is more than enough room for 3 6-footers. All materials used are of incredibly high quality and are sure to be a pleasure to use during any journey you undertake.



Although the handling of the Evoque is excellent, there is no getting away from the fact that this is more of an SUV, with a high riding position, and therefore body roll can be found during cornering. The handling of the car is quick and has a huge amount of feeling - which is great! The ride is comfortable and will definitely make sure a refined environment during long motorway drives.

The starting price for the Evoque is £27,955, so it is expensive, but this beats all of its competitors hands down, at almost every details. This is simply a great car, and one that sends a shiver down my spin whenever I see it.

It's simply, amazing!

Tuesday, 19 July 2011

MOT - Matt On Transport

We now have another contributor on MOT - Matt On Transport, called Tom. Tom is from our Sister website, http://gadgetsntech-review.blogspot.com , and will also help to maintain this blog. I, Matt, will still be the main administrator of this website.

Everyone Loves A Pretty Face

The Fiat Punto has been a popular option in the super-mini sector for the past 15-18 years in the UK, and for good reason. The original Punto, back in 1994 turned the heads of many, with its revolutionary design and light-pods that rose up the sides of the car - paving the way for many other cars with this design such as the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa.

The latest incarnation of the Fiat Punto has been unveiled, dubbed at the Punto Evo. The Evo is an update of the Grande Punto, which oozed Italian charm and the gorgeous looks of the car made it an instant hit. However, the Evo is even better.


The biggest difference can be found in the engine department. Fiat's eagerness to continue being the "greenest" car maker in Europe has inspired the unveiling of their Stop&Start range. This inovation turns the engine off whilst the car is stationary, and automatically re-starts when the clutch and accelarator is opperated. The idea behind this is that it will save petrol and reduce CO2 emmissions.

Fiat has also invested heavily in their new 'Air' engines, which use electrohydraulic valves that can be controlled far more precisely than standard mechanical valves. The result: more power for less effort, with improved petrol consumption.

The interior of the Punto has also under-gone a huge transformation. High quality materials have been used that are designed well and feel sturdy; enhancing the feeling of a much more expensive car that it actually is.



Overall, the Punto is a beautiful car; inside and out, with a great range of fuel-efficient engines. This isn't to say there aren't flaws - such as the speedo dials being a tad on the small side - but so does every other car.

The New Jaguar Has Got Me Purring!

In recent years, Jaguar has been attempting to restore their image of a luxurious, modern and advanced option of car. Jaguar at one stage lost itself in a time warp and a combination of old designs and few technological advancements meant they were losing huge amounts of sales to the likes of Mercedes and BMW.

However, they are no longer lost, and new models such as the XF, XJ and XK has transformed the companies fortunes - and as a result Jaguar's sales have increased dramatically, especially in China and Russia.

Recently, Jaguar has announced that there is a possibility that a XF Stationwagon being added to their current range. The market has seen huge success with the Audi A6 and BMW 5-Series station wagon. This, added to the sexy stylish looks, luxurious cabin and sensational handling, make for a winning combination.

There is little comfirmed regarding the engine range of the XF Stationwagon, however, rumour suggest that there will be a Diesel range of a 3-litre V6 version with a 218 hp, as well as a 2.2 litre with 190 hp. Petrol versions can count on the 5.5 litre V8 providing 510 hp.

Welcome to MOT!

Hello and welcome to the new car review blog on the net, MOT!
MOT is an abbreviation for Matt On Transport - Matt being me.

What does this Blog focus on?
This blog will review many different types of car available on the roads - right from super-minis, all the way to super-cars. I will give an opinion of the car based on how well it will perform in everyday life - because, let's face it, we don't all have the flambouyant and wealthy lifestyles of Jeremy Clarkson, etc.

What makes this blog different to the rest?
Well, since I have been a very young teenager I have always been interested in reading reviews on cars, from all over the world. However, what I did not like were the hugely lengthy reviews that came with it. Therefore I aim to only write a small amount for each review, sum it up by bullet-pointing the advantages and disadvantages of the car, and finally providing an overall star rating. The most important part of the review is the images, and I aim to include high quality images where-ever possible.

Of course, reader input is also welcomed. I aim to make this a blog where people can discuss the cars; stating their opinions in a friendly manor.

I am based in the UK, and therefore it is likely that I will only be reviewing cars that will be sold on the British market, and built to British regulations (which may differ from other foreign countries).

I hope you enjoy reading the reviews, and please note that I will not actually be driving most of these cars, and therefore the reviews will be based purely on information and opinions from many different reviewers over the internet.

Thankyou for visiting the blog,

Matt
MOT Administrator

I would also like to take this opportunity to invite you to visit MOT's sister blog, http://gadgetsntech-review.blogspot.com/ Here you will find detailed reviews on gadgets, technology and speculation on future product releases.