Kate Kembery
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Posts by Kate Kembery
Fiat Doblo – love the sliding doors
May 5th
One of my neighbours has an old Fiat Doblo van. He’s an occasional painter and decorator but seems to spend most of his time titillating his own home rather that driving around painting other people’s. Very neat and tidy though. So this was my mental image of the Doblo – a working vehicle for messy things, like pots of paint. And once such an image has planted itself inside your head, it’s very hard to shift.
But step inside the passenger version of the new Fiat Doblo, and the image changes to family outings and adventures done in comfort and a certain amount of style. With no worries about the car being ruined with muddy wellies and bikes, due to it’s van-like utilitarian interior, children can be returned home filthy after a secret seven-type of adventure.
Fiat describe it as an honest, credible car with great driving characteristics. Despite the name, this is a brand new car. No up-gardes, no facelift and no collaboration – it’s all Fiat. It has a new Chassis, engine, suspension and transmission and while five seats come as standard, for those adventures, seven seats are available.
Peugeot 5008 in Covent Garden
Mar 20th
Really enjoying getting the most out of the Peugeot 5008 we have at the moment.
Whizzing into town is a breeze as it’s not too big, and then this weekend six of us girls (of varying sizes) are going away for a break. That’ll be the true test, both of the car and of our friendships!
We’re testing the turbo petrol version which is incredibly refined (perhaps we’ve been driving too many diesels recently?) but at first glance seems to enjoy a drink…
Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion 1.9 TDi
Feb 6th
The Look
If like me you remember the Golf the first time round there will be no surprises in the looks department as seemingly very little has changed over the years – this is still recognisably a Golf. However, for those unfamiliar with the look it is one of understated elegance and design with the detailing of the headlamps and tail lights in particular blending in beautifully. Closing the doors gives the reassuring thud of a well-made car. In fact, everything you touch gives the impression of being very solid and well-made…
Vauxhall Meriva
Feb 6th
There’s just something so pleasant and treat-like waiting in an airport with time to kill with nothing to do apart from having a leisurely coffee and eating a whole croissant without accusing eyes coveting your last few bites. The downside of course is that it always seems to involve early morning wakings (not having to deal with the kids is a bonus) and a destination that might at first sight appear rather undesirable.
Frankfurt, I’m reliably informed by my jet-setting husband is rather dull (and I’m sure the Frankfurtians Frankfurters? might say the same about you). But that was not the final destination of the trip – instead we went on to Vauxhall/Opel’s HQ in Russelsheim for the static launch of their versatile and innovative monocab, the Meriva…
Dating a Honda FR-V
Feb 6th
Cars are like relationships. Here’s your choice:
Fast and furious: Thrills that run the risk of breaking down pretty quickly, parts strewn along the road and perhaps a long spell in the garage afterwards. Or dull, dependable partners that don’t provide those heights of excitement but who’ll always get you there in the end. And they’ll keep on doing it year after year. Great.
But then there’s the clever bloke that nobody really appreciates when you first meet him at the party.
Quiet, understated and perhaps not the best-looking guy in the room – all too easy to ignore at first glance. But you get chatting and he turns out to be really quite funny, and that cleverness is very useful. You might leave the party with the handsome tyrant, but when you find out later (thoroughly exhausted) from a friend that your clever, interesting acquaintance has left the country for a job abroad you feel more than a pang of heartache. You wish you’d made more of your time together and make a resolution not to squander missed opportunities…