< Previous70 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYCOUNTY MOTORINGJaguar XFSportbrakeJaguar’s XF Sportbrake is an executiveblend of refinement and room. At 565-litres,the boot size is respectable, and the flat floormakes loading easy. As well as a large boot, the athletically-styled XF estate has enough room to carryfour people in limousine-like luxury. Soft-touch materials and leather are everywhereinside, along with in-car WiFi, ambientlighting and touchscreen infotainment.The XF Sportbrake is a delight to drive,with sharp steering that allows you to test thelimits of the car with confidence. Most buyers will select a diesel, and wewere handed the keys to the all-wheel-drive2.0d 240ps R-Sport Auto Sportbrake. The£42,435 car returns up to 48.7mpg and willdo 0-62mph in 6.7s. Top speed is 150mph.It’s also very grippy, so will make light work ofdriving on wintry roads. 2018 was a packed year for car launches andwe will be kept just as busy in 2019. So, withoutfurther ado, let’s see some of what we’ve beendriving since the last issue. Carscarscars70-73.qxp_Layout 1 10/12/2018 12:10 Page 1Jaguar XF SportbrakeMitsubishi Outlander PHEV2019 MitsubishiOutlander PHEV Mitsubishi’s Outlander Plug-in HybridElectric Vehicle (PHEV) is a no-nonsenseexecutive-cum-family SUV that possesses avaluable electric-only resource.The main alterations for the 2019Outlander PHEV incorporate its 300VLithium-ion battery capacity being boostedby 15 per cent, the rear electric motor outputbeing heightened by 10 per cent to 95psand a bigger 2.4-litre petrol lump, whichremains hooked up to an automatic gearbox.The petrol unit also manages to be moreeconomical than before with 156.5mpgpossible when combined with the electricpower. The 0-62mph time is now 10.5s andthe top speed is 106mph.Because the £39,500 PHEV 4h 2.4 Auto,on test here, has an electric motor for everyaxle, it can give 4×4 capability all the time –even in pure EV mode. 70-73.qxp_Layout 1 10/12/2018 12:11 Page 272 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYCOUNTY MOTORING2019 Suzuki JimnyThe new Jimny’s latest 1.5-litre petrol power unit produces 101ps. This means the 40+mpg SUVwill do 0-60mph in 13.0s, and its top speed is 90mph. Off the black stuff, the Suzuki’s low-range gearing means you’re not going to get stuck in thewild. It attacks tough terrain with gusto - going where many other SUVs wouldn’t dare to tread.The Jimny’s off-the-beaten-track’s talents are due to good ground clearance and the excellenttraction provided by its four-wheel-drive arrangement.The tall driving position means you get a great view of the road – and the car’s small, squareshape and big windows means visibility is top-notch. Overall, £18,000 for a top of the range Suzuki Jimny SZ5, as driven here, is inexpensive,considering it’s an out-and-out 4x4. Suzuki Jimny70-73.qxp_Layout 1 10/12/2018 12:11 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY73COUNTY MOTORINGC&C AUTOSVolkswagen & Scooter SpecialistsTel: 01205 367565The Autobarn Broadfield Industrial Estate Broadfield Lane Boston PE21 8DR cncautos@live.co.ukwww.cncautos.co.ukNew Ford MustangGTThe latest Mustang wouldn’t be completewithout a roaring V8, so you’ll be pleased tohear Ford offers a colossal 5.0-litre one with450ps. Together with its active sports exhaust, thereare few lovelier tunes in the automotive world,and in convertible 10-speed auto guise, asreviewed here, it’ll race from 0-62mph in 4.5s.Top speed is 155mph. The view you get over the long bonnet is verymuch retro-Mustang; and, from the roomy frontseats, you get a good view of the road.The £47,645 car has a 332-litre storagecapacity, so you’ll get a suitcase plus other bitsand pieces in there no worries. Expect onlyaround 20+mpg, though.Ford Mustang GT70-73.qxp_Layout 1 10/12/2018 12:11 Page 4New Aston Martin Vantage 2018 reviewA magnificentthoroughbredAston Martin has worked like a dog to get the new Vantage right – and it’s paid off.Pros ‘n’ ConsLooks √Power √Handling √Comfort √Storage space XFast Facts(2018 Aston Martin Vantage –as tested by Tim Barnes-Clay)Max speed: 195 mph0-62 mph: 3.6 secondsCombined mpg: 26.9Engine layout: 3,982cc8-cylinder turbo petrolMax. power (PS): 510 CO2: 245 g/kmPrice: £120,90074 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYCOUNTY MOTORING74-75.qxp_Layout 1 10/12/2018 12:13 Page 1It’s awesome from the rear, with detailedlights and a rising rear spoiler. It’s a little lesslively at the front, although the Vantage’s shark-nose is aggressively appealing. What reallyworks, though, are the perfect proportions. Thetwo-seater is sinuous – almost hunter-like in theway it appears poised to pounce onunsuspecting prey. Under the metal, the up-to-date Vantage islike its sibling, the elegant DB11. Both modelshouse the Mercedes-Benz-sourced 4.0-litre V8lump. Mind you; the twin-turbo assisted enginehas been tuned so that it feels like it’s alwaysbelonged in Aston Martins. Stomp your foot onthe accelerator and the car will shoot you fromzero to 62mph in 3.6 seconds. It will thenpropel you to 195mph - if you’re in a place youcan do that without losing your licence, or yourlife. Open the Aston up, and you’re greeted withlow-slung sports seats, but they’re easy to getcomfortable in. Behind the wheel, the Vantageis cosseting, and the overall cabin is far lessclinical than a Porsche 911’s. It’s traditional, yetit’s still thrilling. What’s more, the Benz-derivedswitchgear is nicely incorporated, and thecontrols are intuitive to use. As you might expect, the sports car isn’tmeant to be the most practical vehicle – there’snot even a glovebox. And, as hinted at earlier,this is a motor without back seats, but you canjust about get some golf clubs under thetailgate. Practicality aside, the new Vantage is as closeto perfect as you can get. Pushing the AstonMartin-badged starter button brings the car tolife with a roar. It’s a fulfilling sound, particularlywith the four-pipe sports exhaust attached. Yes, a 911 will give you better practicality,but the rival Porsche won’t quite give you thefeeling you get from driving a legendary Britishmodel.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY75COUNTY MOTORING74-75.qxp_Layout 1 10/12/2018 12:13 Page 2Fixed price servicing.No surprises.from your genuine main dealer alternative.2 year Peace of Mind Guarantee on our work, this includes parts and labour.**Certain exclusions apply, excludes fair wear and tear. Clutches, flywheels and brakes excluded from guarantee. Offer is not transferable with vehicle. Subject to T&Cs.Minor ServiceMinor service + MOT from just £159£129from justUp to and including 2.0 enginesMajor ServiceMajor service + MOT from just £279£249Up to and including 2.0 enginesEvery service car receives a complimentary wash and vacuumLVSAG REV A1.001/18from justWelcome to LVS AGINDEPENDENT SPECIALISTS FOR VW AUDI SEAT SKODALVS AG Ltd, Aqua House, Lincoln Enterprise Park, Newark Road, Lincoln. LN5 9FP76-77.qxp_Layout 1 10/12/2018 12:14 Page 1Based at Lincoln Enterprise Park just off theA46 south of Lincoln, LVS AG Ltd are anindependent specialist for Audi, Volkswagen, Seat and Skoda including commercial VW,which offer everything from servicing, diagnostics, MOTs to engine remapping.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY77COUNTY MOTORINGLVS AG is a dedicated team ofspecialists committed to providing analternative solution to using main dealers.It aims to offer a service that is cost-effective, but that doesn’t compromisequality of parts or workmanship. The ethos of LVS is to put the customerat the centre of everything it does,ensuring they always experience aprofessional, friendly service with thefamiliarity and facilities expected from amain dealer environment, but without thehassles and cost. LVS’ facilities have everything to offerthat the main dealers do, from acomfortable waiting area with TV, freeWi-Fi and hot drinks, to brand-new loancars for hire should your day be a little bitbusy. The workshop, meanwhile, isequipped with dealer-trained technicians,who are constantly kept up to date withthe latest advances in technical trainingand backed up with the latest diagnosticequipment. They also sport a wide rangeof V.A.G. specific tooling to ensure yourwork is carried out correctly andprofessionally. LVS was founded back in 2006 by AndyBower due to frustrations experiencewith customer service while workingwithin the main dealer network. He feltthat customer service should be greatlyimproved along with having a more cost-effective approach to work being done,without compromising the quality ofwork, parts or technical. Starting in asmall unit as a one-man band, LVS soonbegan to grow and quickly developed areputation of excellence, with staffnumbers increasing over those earlyyears until finally, three years later, alarger premises was required in order tofulfil the work demands of a very happycustomer base. Since then, the LVS familyhas continued to grow, Patrick Barkerstarted in late 2012, to bring on theperformance side of the business. Within a few years Pat becamemanager. In 2017, Andy felt he was readyto start a new chapter in his life andmoved to New Zealand. LVS was takenover under new management, Pat andfellow customer Jim Marshall. The wholeLVS team look forward to building abigger business heading into 2019. For more information, visit www.lvsag.co.uk, email info@lvsag.co.uk, or call 01522 500745.Dedicated, friendly andprofessional servicesfrom LVS76-77.qxp_Layout 1 10/12/2018 12:14 Page 2As with most of its cousins in the owl family, the tawny isalmost entirely nocturnal, only venturing out in the light ifthey’ve been disturbed. That doesn’t mean they’re anyeasier to spot at night, though, with their wings silent asfalling snow. This makes them well suited to hunting, asdoes its round face which directs sound waves to its earsgiving it pinpoint accuracy. What will give them away, however, is the male’s iconiccall. Often the tawny’s hoot is used on radio, film and TVto capture the quintessence of night. Yet many people stillthink that these owls go “twit twoo”. Thismisunderstanding probably arose from the female’s call of“ke-wick” with the male answering “hoo-hoo-ooo”.Speaking of which, it’s very easy to imitate a tawny owl bysimply cupping one’s hands and blowing air through them.In fact, studies have shown that 90% of males were fooledAs the nation’s most abundant owl, the tawny has a specialplace in our hearts. Lincolnshire Today gets to know thesegraceful aerial hunters in closer detail.Lincolnshirewildlifeinto responding. From Athena to the wizarding world of Harry Potter, owlsare often associated with great intelligence, but this issimply unfounded. They are no less stupid than any otheranimal (or person, come to think of it). They do, however,have excellent spacial memories, meaning they’re adeptflyers within the vicinity of their nests. A reputation that is totally deserved is the tawny’s fiercedefence of their young. Yet despite this, adult owls willdrive out their young after the breeding season. Sadly, as aresult, nearly two thirds of the young birds die in their firstyear. Like most owls, the tawny can turn its head 270 degrees.It does this because it can’t move its eyes and so insteadturns its head for a better field of vision. That’d be aterrible evolutionary flaw otherwise, and the tawny has gotto eat. Typically, it will dine onsmall mammals, though the owlshave been known to eat moths,earthworms, bats and evenamphibians. Tawnies don’t like flying overwater, meaning they’re largelyabsent from many of Britain’ssmaller isles. There are plenty ofplaces to see them inLincolnshire, however, and it’sthe perfect time of year withtawnies out at night fromJanuary. So get out there withyour binoculars and thermosand get spotting. 78LINCOLNSHIRETODAY© Shutterstock / Dave Head 78-79.qxp_Layout 1 10/12/2018 12:15 Page 1© Shutterstock / craigbirdphotos78-79.qxp_Layout 1 10/12/2018 12:15 Page 2Next >