Latest news with #MarkRichardson
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Automotive
- Globe and Mail
What short hybrid CUV is best for my ski trips and small garage?
I have a 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan (the sporty, R-Line version), which I am looking to replace with a hybrid CUV. I'm a skier and have family in the north and need a solid car that can handle winter conditions well. My garage isn't big so the vehicle can only be one foot (maximum) longer than my current vehicle. Any suggestions would be appreciated. – Dana Miranda Lightstone: Dana, you have many choices when it comes to hybrid CUVs, as they've become very popular with Canadian buyers. But given your previous vehicle, the Tiguan, I'd wager you're not just looking for fuel efficiency, but also build quality and some fun driving dynamics. Mark Richardson: And also something that's not much longer. The 2017 Tiguan is 4,433 millimetres long, which translates for old guys like me to 174.5 inches. So not much more than 15 feet for the new car then. Lightstone: Trust a man to bring up overall measurements… Richardson: Size matters when you're parking in a garage. Lightstone: But let's get back to shorter hybrid CUVs. And we need to remember, Dana skis so there should be a middle pass-through feature in the back of the rear seats. Richardson: Do many crossovers offer such a thing? It tends to be an SUV feature. Lightstone: This is true, but as long as there is a 60/40 backseat split, that's workable too. The Hyundai Kona Hybrid offers just such a feature, and it comes in just over 14 feet. Richardson: And it's not sold in Canada, so let's forget it right now. The Canadian-built Toyota RAV4 Hybrid fits the bill, but at 4,600 millimetres, it's a tight fit in Dana's garage. Lightstone: No one wants to struggle getting into their own garage daily. Richardson: It's not the struggle getting in – it's closing the garage door. A friend of mine had a gorgeous 1959 Cadillac Eldorado with the outrageous tail fins and it was three feet too long for his garage. He knocked a hole in the back, put up a garden shed outside against the open wall and slid the nose through into the shed whenever he parked. But I digress. Lightstone: Acceptable DIY to properly house an Eldorado, less so for a RAV4, and the RAV4 hybrid doesn't offer a ski equipment pass-through. But the Volvo XC40 does, and it's just over 14ft (4,440 millimetres). No need to knock down garage walls. Richardson: The RAV4 hybrid lets you drop just one seat in a 60:40 split, so that's the equivalent of a pass-through. Lightstone: Did I mention the Volvo is actually a mild hybrid? It's a system that uses both gas and battery to start the engine and accelerate, and recoups energy in braking to recharge the battery. Richardson: It can't actually drive on just its own battery power, though, like a true hybrid. Lightstone: No, but it boosts the power, and it also helps save on gas. Richardson: The built-in-Belgium XC40 is a pleasure to drive, and it's not as expensive as you might think, at less than $50,000 before taxes for the base model. That's a good deal for all the Volvo safety research and development that's included. Lightstone: We've been bringing up all these different makes and models, but we know Dana already enjoyed the Tiguan. What about the all-new Tiguan? You drove one recently, right? Richardson: Yes, I drove the next-generation Tiguan late last year in California. My tester was actually the European car that won't be sold here, but which Dana would love – it has a plug-in hybrid engine that's good for up to 100 kilometres on electric power alone. Lightstone: And it's shorter than the 4,509 millimetres of the North American car. Richardson: But the made-in-Mexico Tiguan we'll get in Canada doesn't even have a hybrid engine, so let's forget it for Dana. Lightstone: Oh, but what about the soon-to-be-released Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid? It has all the features Dana will love: a peppy 2.5-litre Boxer engine, with a combined output of 194 horsepower, along with Subaru's all-wheel-drive system. Richardson: I think the Crosstrek Hybrid sounds like exactly what Dana is looking for, but we won't see it in dealerships until the fall and I've not driven it. I can't recommend it because of that, but it may be worth waiting for. Lightstone: I haven't driven it either, but what about the Forester e-Boxer Hybrid Premier? I prefer the styling and extra interior space of the Forester over the Crosstrek for weekend trips (especially skiing). But it's just over the 15-foot limit at 4,640 millimetres (15.2 feet). Richardson: Have you driven it? I haven't yet. Lightstone: I haven't, but I have driven every other iteration of the Forester for more years than I'd like to admit. Subaru always manages to engineer vehicles that do precisely what they say they will. It stands to reason the e-Boxer Hybrid should be efficient and practical. Richardson: Subaru doesn't have much engineering experience with hybrids, to be able to make a better powertrain, but there's no reason why its hybrids shouldn't be as good as anything else already out there. Lightstone: It developed the all-electric Solterra with Toyota, which definitely knows about hybrids. Richardson: Either the Forester or the Crosstrek may be what Dana is looking for, but we won't recommend anything we've not driven. Chevrolet doesn't make any hybrids, but the Ford Escape hybrid would fit in the garage. It's made in Kentucky though, so its Canadian price might be affected by the current tariffs. Lightstone: I've never been a fan of the Ford Escape exterior look or its drive. There's something lacking behind the wheel, and I think Dana will lament the Escape's road feel and handling compared to the Tiguan. Richardson: It doesn't have the sportiness of the German-designed Tiguan and especially not the R-Line edition. But Dana wants a hybrid that's solid and a little larger and can handle winter conditions well. I'd say that's the Escape. Lightstone: There are some solid choices here. But if we're looking at driveability, overall design, checking all the boxes required and a tariff-free vehicle, I stand behind my Volvo XC40 recommendation. Richardson: I'm sure Dana would like the Volvo, but its premium features might be more than wanted. I'd recommend the made-in-Cambridge, Ont. Toyota RAV4 hybrid as a solid SUV that does everything well in both summer and winter. What car should you buy? Write to Mark and Miranda at globedrive@ and use 'What car' as as part of your subject line. Emails with different subject lines may not be answered. Shopping for a new car? Check out the new Globe Drive Build and Price Tool to see the latest discounts, rebates and rates on new cars, trucks and SUVs. Click here to get your price.
Scottish Sun
19-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Man, 38, charged after home linked to Scots kingpin torched amid explosive gang war
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAN has been charged with allegedly shooting at a house and carrying out a petrol-bombing on another linked to caged cocaine kingpin Mark Richardson. The suspect, 26, faces firearms and wilful fire-raising raps over the alleged targeting of the homes including one belonging to the brother of a jailed associate of the Edinburgh drugs baron. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 The home is linked to an ally of crime kingpin Mark Richardson Credit: SCOTTISH SUN 5 It is understood the property belongs to the brother of hood Michael Heeps Credit: FACEBOOK 5 Police at the scene of the alleged shooting. Credit: SCOTTISH SUN Flames were seen leaping up to the roof after an alleged attack on a property belonging to Jed Heeps, 37 — whose brother Michael Heeps was jailed earlier this month for 'out of control gangsterism'. Another man, 38, last night became the 55th to be arrested over the ongoing mob war which has seen a spat of firebombings and gun attacks and spread overseas with the murder of two kingpins in Spain. A source told The Scottish Sun: 'Police started slow but have really ramped up the pressure. 'Arresting so many people is impressive — but it's convictions that really matter. 'The problem facing police is there's an endless line of guys who are seduced by the gangster lifestyle. 'Some of them are desperate for money. 'Others want the notoriety.' Ex-Rangers ultras leader Ross 'Miami' McGill sparked the latest round of fighting when he swore revenge after being ripped off with fake notes in a £500,000 cocaine deal. The Tamo Junto gang boss vowed to 'exterminate' the Daniel clan, Richardson and their allies over being paid counterfeit cash. His crew claimed responsibility in sinister online videos showing a series of firebomb, gun and machete attacks on their enemies and their loved ones. 'Godfather' Eddie Lyons Snr bids farewell to gunned down son & kingpin pal at double gang funeral Detectives yesterday revealed a man, 26, has been charged in connection with damage at a property in The Inch, Edinburgh, on June 12. He also faces a wilful fire-raising rap after Heep's house 10 miles away in Tranent, East Lothian was torched the next day. Onlookers told how flames could be seen 'leaping up to the roof' with the front door left charred and its guttering snapped and melted. Another man, 26, has been charged in connection with two motor fires in nearby Port Seton in May. Police launched Operation Portaledge to tackle the violence which has spread across Scotland's central belt and overseas in the last five months. A boy of 16 and a girl, 17, are among those lifted in connection with gangland activity. Detective Chief Superintendent David Ferry leads the force's Specialist Crime Division has vowed to bring all those involved to justice. He said: 'Police Scotland is taking this extremely seriously. 'We're not complacent. 'There is still lots of work to do and lots of people we're looking at who we need to also bring into custody.' Dubai-based McGill is being backed by powerful gangsters sheltering from the law in the millionaires' playground. Exiled mob leader Steven Lyons, 44, whose family has been at war with the Daniels for decades, is among those who is said to have gave his blessing to the upstart hood. He has links to the Irish Kinahan cartel which has made billions flooding Europe with cocaine and heroin but saw brother Eddie Lyons Jr, 46, and close pal Ross Monaghan, 43, murdered in a hit in May. Alleged assassin Michael Riley, 44, from Huyton, Merseyside, was arrested in connection with their deaths and is fighting extradition to Spain. Richardson henchman Michael Heeps is behind bars awaiting sentencing after being convicted of eight charges — including three attempted murders — alongside five others at the High Court in Glasgow earlier this month. Earlier this month, hundreds gathered to bid farewell to Lyons Jr and Monaghan. Grieving Godfather Eddie Lyons Snr was seen at the service struggling to contain his emotion. 5 Mark Richardson Credit: SCOTTISH SUN
South Wales Argus
19-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Georgia Hunter Bell may turn to Kelly Holmes for World Championships advice
The British athlete registered a second Diamond League win at the shorter distance at the Novuna London Athletics Meet, running a season's best of one minute 56.74 seconds after outsprinting her rivals up the straight. Holmes famously won both events at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and Hunter Bell, who took bronze in the 1500m in Paris last summer, could be tempted to tackle both distances – pending consultation with the athletics great. Georgia Hunter Bell is a #LondonDL winner 🎆 She absolutely motors through the final 200m to take the 800m win 🔥#DiamondLeague @_Novuna — British Athletics (@BritAthletics) July 19, 2025 Hunter Bell said: 'I think in May, Trevor (Painter) and Jen (Meadows, coaches) just noticed that I was responding a lot better to the 800m training, so it's something that we're paying attention to. 'You've obviously got to just look strategically at the events. The 1500 has got even faster than last year – I didn't think that was possible – but it has again, whereas the 800 at the moment is not as fast as it was last year. If you're trying to get a medal, what is actually the best thing to do? 'It is technically an option because the schedule is actually quite generous for it. There's proper days off, one event completes before the second starts, it's not like switching in between the two. But I just think it's been really hard and you might stuff your chances at both. 'I might reach out to Kelly Holmes and see what she thinks because a lot of people can have their opinion, there's very few that have actually done it and done well in both and I'd like to see what she has to say about it. 'I think I can decide after the champs (next month's UK Athletics Championships). But I would need to do the 800 metres at the British champs to earn my spot.' Reigning 1500m world champion Josh Kerr vowed the title will stay in Britain despite suffering defeat at the hands of Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech, clocking a season's best of three mins 29.37 secs but ultimately falling short. He said: 'In general I really liked how I felt in the whole race. I felt like I made a solid move at 250, I just did not have my head on straight with 200 to go, and I let them go a little bit. 'The power was not quite there but it is not far away. But we have not ran a race like that for a while. To be running 3.29 at this point of the season is encouraging. 'I can make a big jump in the next couple of months, we've not got a bunch of time but we're in a solid spot. The title lives here and it will continue to live here for the next year.' Kerr confirmed he will race the 5000m at the national championships as he is already qualified for the 1500m in Tokyo. Great Britain's men's 4x400m relay team (left to right) Mark Richardson, Jamie Baulch, Roger Black, Iwan Thomas and Mark Hylton) received upgraded gold medals in London on Saturday (PA) Roger Black, Iwan Thomas, Jamie Baulch, Mark Richardson and Mark Hylton were presented with their upgraded gold medals for the 4x400m relay at the Athens World Championships in 1997 in front of the London Stadium crowd. The title was originally won by the USA, who were disqualified following an anti-doping violation by Antonio Pettigrew. Morgan Lake in the women's high jump and Charlie Dobson in the men's 400m were other home winners in Diamond League events, while Ben Sandilands triumphed in the men's 1500m para final. The women's 100m para contest went to Sophie Hahn and the men's equivalent saw Zak Skinner shade Thomas Young in a photo finish.
The Herald Scotland
19-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Georgia Hunter Bell may turn to Kelly Holmes for World Championships advice
Holmes famously won both events at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and Hunter Bell, who took bronze in the 1500m in Paris last summer, could be tempted to tackle both distances – pending consultation with the athletics great. Georgia Hunter Bell is a #LondonDL winner 🎆 She absolutely motors through the final 200m to take the 800m win 🔥#DiamondLeague @_Novuna — British Athletics (@BritAthletics) July 19, 2025 Hunter Bell said: 'I think in May, Trevor (Painter) and Jen (Meadows, coaches) just noticed that I was responding a lot better to the 800m training, so it's something that we're paying attention to. 'You've obviously got to just look strategically at the events. The 1500 has got even faster than last year – I didn't think that was possible – but it has again, whereas the 800 at the moment is not as fast as it was last year. If you're trying to get a medal, what is actually the best thing to do? 'It is technically an option because the schedule is actually quite generous for it. There's proper days off, one event completes before the second starts, it's not like switching in between the two. But I just think it's been really hard and you might stuff your chances at both. 'I might reach out to Kelly Holmes and see what she thinks because a lot of people can have their opinion, there's very few that have actually done it and done well in both and I'd like to see what she has to say about it. 'I think I can decide after the champs (next month's UK Athletics Championships). But I would need to do the 800 metres at the British champs to earn my spot.' Reigning 1500m world champion Josh Kerr vowed the title will stay in Britain despite suffering defeat at the hands of Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech, clocking a season's best of three mins 29.37 secs but ultimately falling short. He said: 'In general I really liked how I felt in the whole race. I felt like I made a solid move at 250, I just did not have my head on straight with 200 to go, and I let them go a little bit. 'The power was not quite there but it is not far away. But we have not ran a race like that for a while. To be running 3.29 at this point of the season is encouraging. 'I can make a big jump in the next couple of months, we've not got a bunch of time but we're in a solid spot. The title lives here and it will continue to live here for the next year.' Kerr confirmed he will race the 5000m at the national championships as he is already qualified for the 1500m in Tokyo. Great Britain's men's 4x400m relay team (left to right) Mark Richardson, Jamie Baulch, Roger Black, Iwan Thomas and Mark Hylton) received upgraded gold medals in London on Saturday (PA) Roger Black, Iwan Thomas, Jamie Baulch, Mark Richardson and Mark Hylton were presented with their upgraded gold medals for the 4x400m relay at the Athens World Championships in 1997 in front of the London Stadium crowd. The title was originally won by the USA, who were disqualified following an anti-doping violation by Antonio Pettigrew. Morgan Lake in the women's high jump and Charlie Dobson in the men's 400m were other home winners in Diamond League events, while Ben Sandilands triumphed in the men's 1500m para final. The women's 100m para contest went to Sophie Hahn and the men's equivalent saw Zak Skinner shade Thomas Young in a photo finish.
Glasgow Times
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Georgia Hunter Bell may turn to Kelly Holmes for World Championships advice
The British athlete registered a second Diamond League win at the shorter distance at the Novuna London Athletics Meet, running a season's best of one minute 56.74 seconds after outsprinting her rivals up the straight. Holmes famously won both events at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and Hunter Bell, who took bronze in the 1500m in Paris last summer, could be tempted to tackle both distances – pending consultation with the athletics great. Georgia Hunter Bell is a #LondonDL winner 🎆 She absolutely motors through the final 200m to take the 800m win 🔥#DiamondLeague @_Novuna — British Athletics (@BritAthletics) July 19, 2025 Hunter Bell said: 'I think in May, Trevor (Painter) and Jen (Meadows, coaches) just noticed that I was responding a lot better to the 800m training, so it's something that we're paying attention to. 'You've obviously got to just look strategically at the events. The 1500 has got even faster than last year – I didn't think that was possible – but it has again, whereas the 800 at the moment is not as fast as it was last year. If you're trying to get a medal, what is actually the best thing to do? 'It is technically an option because the schedule is actually quite generous for it. There's proper days off, one event completes before the second starts, it's not like switching in between the two. But I just think it's been really hard and you might stuff your chances at both. 'I might reach out to Kelly Holmes and see what she thinks because a lot of people can have their opinion, there's very few that have actually done it and done well in both and I'd like to see what she has to say about it. 'I think I can decide after the champs (next month's UK Athletics Championships). But I would need to do the 800 metres at the British champs to earn my spot.' Reigning 1500m world champion Josh Kerr vowed the title will stay in Britain despite suffering defeat at the hands of Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech, clocking a season's best of three mins 29.37 secs but ultimately falling short. He said: 'In general I really liked how I felt in the whole race. I felt like I made a solid move at 250, I just did not have my head on straight with 200 to go, and I let them go a little bit. 'The power was not quite there but it is not far away. But we have not ran a race like that for a while. To be running 3.29 at this point of the season is encouraging. 'I can make a big jump in the next couple of months, we've not got a bunch of time but we're in a solid spot. The title lives here and it will continue to live here for the next year.' Kerr confirmed he will race the 5000m at the national championships as he is already qualified for the 1500m in Tokyo. Great Britain's men's 4x400m relay team (left to right) Mark Richardson, Jamie Baulch, Roger Black, Iwan Thomas and Mark Hylton) received upgraded gold medals in London on Saturday (PA) Roger Black, Iwan Thomas, Jamie Baulch, Mark Richardson and Mark Hylton were presented with their upgraded gold medals for the 4x400m relay at the Athens World Championships in 1997 in front of the London Stadium crowd. The title was originally won by the USA, who were disqualified following an anti-doping violation by Antonio Pettigrew. Morgan Lake in the women's high jump and Charlie Dobson in the men's 400m were other home winners in Diamond League events, while Ben Sandilands triumphed in the men's 1500m para final. The women's 100m para contest went to Sophie Hahn and the men's equivalent saw Zak Skinner shade Thomas Young in a photo finish.
