Latest news with #Citroen2CV
The Irish Sun
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
House from HUGE 90s BBC sitcom hits market for £330k – but do YOU recognise it?
THE house that featured in a hugely popular BBC sitcom from the 90s has gone on the market with a £330,000 price tag – but can you name the show? As a clue, the main character's catchphrase was 'I don't believe it.' Advertisement 6 The famous property in Christchurch, Dorset could be yours for just over £330,000 Credit: BNPS 6 The terrace house is described as being 'well-maintained' Credit: BNPS 6 One Foot in the Grave starred Richard Wilson as Victor Meldrew alongside his long-suffering wife Margaret, played by Annette Crosbie Credit: BBC The property seen in the classic British comedy The exterior of the terraced property in Christchurch, Dorset, featured heavily in the 1990s show. Some of the hilarious scenes shot outside it included the sea of garden gnomes delivered by mistake to Victor and a Citroen 2CV car that was somehow parked in his skip. The sitcom followed the adventures of cantankerous pensioner Victor, played by Advertisement The three-bedroom home is in Tresillian Way in the Walkford suburb of Christchurch. Fans of the show have been known to turn up and take selfies outside the house. Next door to it is the home where Victor's nemesis neighbour Patrick, portrayed by The 'well-presented' property has 920 sq ft of accommodation with a hallway, lounge, kitchen/diner and conservatory on the ground floor and three bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor. Advertisement Most read in Money Outside it has a private rear garden and a garage in a nearby block. It is being sold by local estate agents Mitchells who describe it as an "attractive house in a lovely quiet location" and say it has been well maintained. Inside Graham Norton's incredible £6million New York townhouse he bought from huge supermodel as Brit star puts property on the market It was last sold in 2015 and has been rented out by the current owners, so is now being sold with vacant possession. Ben Jenkins, from Mitchells, said: "The show is always a talking point with any of the houses in that development and will always drum up a bit of interest that it was used in a television show. Advertisement "I think it got a lot of interest when it last sold ten years ago - the target buyers then were probably more the fans who remember it and it's less so with younger buyers now. "But it's an attractive house and perfect as a buy to let investment." One Foot in the Grave ran for six series and seven Christmas specials. It was set in an unnamed town in southern England although many location scenes were shot around Christchurch and Bournemouth. Advertisement The interior of the house was not used for the show, with internal scenes shot at BBC Television Centre in London. Read more on the Irish Sun If that home doesn't appeal, here are some of the cheapest three-bedroom properties currently available. This could be Britain's most cluttered home and it's for sale. 6 Fans of the show have been known to turn up to take selfies outside the property Credit: BNPS Advertisement 6 The property was last sold in 2015 and had been rented out by the owners Credit: BNPS 6 The estate agent selling the house says it would make a 'perfect' buy to let property Credit: BNPS
Scottish Sun
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
House from HUGE 90s BBC sitcom hits market for £330k – but do YOU recognise it?
Some of the show's most memorable scenes were filmed outside the Dorset property OFF THE BOX House from HUGE 90s BBC sitcom hits market for £330k – but do YOU recognise it? THE house that featured in a hugely popular BBC sitcom from the 90s has gone on the market with a £330,000 price tag – but can you name the show? As a clue, the main character's catchphrase was 'I don't believe it.' Advertisement 6 The famous property in Christchurch, Dorset could be yours for less than £350,000 Credit: BNPS 6 The terrace house is described as being 'well-maintained' Credit: BNPS 6 One Foot in the Grave starred Richard Wilson as Victor Meldrew alongside his long-suffering wife Margaret, played by Annette Crosbie Credit: BBC The property seen in the classic British comedy One Foot in the Grave was the home of the perpetually grumpy character Victor Meldrew and it could be yours for £337,500. The exterior of the terraced property in Christchurch, Dorset, featured heavily in the 1990s show. Some of the hilarious scenes shot outside it included the sea of garden gnomes delivered by mistake to Victor and a Citroen 2CV car that was somehow parked in his skip. The sitcom followed the adventures of cantankerous pensioner Victor, played by Richard Wilson, and his long-suffering wife Margaret, played by Annette Crosbie. Advertisement The three-bedroom home is in Tresillian Way in the Walkford suburb of Christchurch. Fans of the show have been known to turn up and have selfies taken outside the house. Next door to it is the home where Victor's nemesis neighbour Patrick, portrayed by Angus Deayton, lived. The 'well-presented' property has 920 sq ft of accommodation with a hallway, lounge, kitchen/diner and conservatory on the ground floor and three bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor. Advertisement Outside it has a private rear garden and a garage in a nearby block. It is being sold by local estate agents Mitchells who describe it as an "attractive house in a lovely quiet location" and say it has been well maintained. Inside Graham Norton's incredible £6million New York townhouse he bought from huge supermodel as Brit star puts property on the market It was last sold in 2015 and has been rented out by the current owners, so is now being sold with vacant possession. Ben Jenkins, from Mitchells, said: "The show is always a talking point with any of the houses in that development and will always drum up a bit of interest that it was used in a television show. Advertisement "I think it got a lot of interest when it last sold ten years ago - the target buyers then were probably more the fans who remember it and it's less so with younger buyers now. "But it's an attractive house and perfect as a buy to let investment." One Foot in the Grave ran for six series and seven Christmas specials. It was set in an unnamed town in southern England although many location scenes were shot around Christchurch and Bournemouth. Advertisement The interior of the house was not used for the show, with internal scenes shot at BBC Television Centre in London. If that home doesn't appeal, here are some of the cheapest three-bedroom properties currently available. This could be Britain's most cluttered home and it's for sale. Meanwhile, a 500-year-old rundown cottage which featured in an iconic 90s music video could be yours Advertisement 6 Fans of the show have been known to turn up to take selfies of themselves outside the property Credit: BNPS 6 The property was last sold in 2015 and had been rented out by the owners Credit: BNPS
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
New Renault 4 is no longer a cheap, simple no frills runabout – it's now a funky family crossover & a capital B bargain
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE original Renault 4 was a tin snail. Small and slow with a big boot. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 The R4 has been reimagined for the electric age as a funky family crossover with a Google brain, squishy seats and a canvas roll-back roof Credit: Supplied 5 Renault sold eight million of the original R4 over 30 years and even today it still ranks as the eighth best-selling car of all time Credit: Supplied 5 The 52kWh battery will do up to 247 miles and recharge to 80 per cent in a 30-minute tea-and-pee break Credit: Supplied The only thing it was designed to beat was a Citroen 2CV. Talk about setting the bar low. But boy did it hit the spot. Renault sold eight million over 30 years and even today it still ranks as the eighth best-selling car of all time. Now the R4 has been reimagined for the electric age as a funky family crossover with a Google brain, squishy seats and a canvas roll-back roof. Lifestyle, innit. So it's no longer the cheap, simple, no-frills runabout it once was. It's actually bigger and more expensive than a Renault 5. Yep, 4 is bigger than 5 at Planet Renault. Funny. I don't recall Manfred Mann singing, '4-5-3-2-1'. Yet it is still a capital-B bargain at £27k, undercutting battery-powered rivals from Mini, Fiat, Ford and Vauxhall by several bags. The Sun's Motors Editor Rob Gill takes the new electric Renault 5 for a spin Put an R4 through an X-ray machine and you'll see it has the same bones as an R5. Good start. The R5 is the 2025 European Car of the Year. It drives like an R5. Feels like an R5. Goes as far as an R5. The difference being that R4 is a bit longer and taller and has a bigger boot. So it's more practical. Better for dogs. It also has a low, flat loading sill like the Sixties original. As much as 10cm lower than the competition. Which tells me there's an R4 van coming soon. We're not getting that flip-down front passenger seat on UK cars right now. Which needs sorting. It would be mint for carrying long things like ladders or surfboards or chauffeuring Peter Crouch in the back. He'd have somewhere to stick his legs. This next bit is a little nerdy but braking regeneration is another area where the R4 trumps the R5. It has four modes controlled by flappy paddles on the steering wheel. So you can mimic changing down gears for a bend, and force-feed the battery with electrons. The R5 and its racy twin, the Alpine A290, don't have flappy paddles. Explain that one. The practical less sporty car gets the fun stuff. Also, there's a four-wheel-drive R4 in the pipeline for people who might actually do 'lifestyle-y' things with it at the weekend. As for range, the 52kWh battery will do up to 247 miles and recharges to 80 per cent in a 30-minute tea-and-pee break. R4 isn't taking the smaller 40kWh battery available in the R5. As for looks, yes, it's another crossover. But it does have some cool references to the original R4, if you know your French onions. 5 The new R4 is still a capital B bargain at £27k, undercutting battery-powered rivals from Mini, Fiat, Ford and Vauxhall by several bags Credit: Supplied 5 Another successful reboot on the way Credit: Supplied Like the one-piece front grille. This time with an illuminated ring around it. Not chrome. Like the upright three-part rear lights. This time as LEDs. Like the roof rack. Not just for show. It can actually carry 80kg of stuff. Renault has successfully rebooted R4 and R5 as cool, cost-friendly EVs. What's next? A titchy £17k Twingo. KEY FACTS: RENAULT 4 Price : £26,995 : £26,995 Battery : 52kWh : 52kWh Power : 150hp : 150hp 0-62mph : 8.2 secs : 8.2 secs Top speed : 93mph : 93mph Range : 247 miles : 247 miles Out: July
The Independent
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Renault 4 review: Retro icon revived as a family-friendly small SUV
The original Renault 4 of the '60s and '70s was conceived as a rival to the Citroen 2CV. This time round Renault has beaten its French rival to the punch with its revival of its small, family-friendly icon. The new 4 uses much of the same tech as the fabulously fun new Renault 5 – including pretty much the same interior – so the 4 is as great to drive as it is to look at. Once again, Renault has done a great job of designing a modern car with retro cues that don't look like a pastiche. The proportions of the car, with the trademark rear three-quarter window, are in keeping with the old car, while plenty of the design details bring it bang up to date. The full-width plastic grille is illuminated to mimic the chrome grille of the old car, while tiny LEDs mark out the circular headlights. The rear lights also hark back to the old model, as do the three ridges that run along the sides of the car that look like the protection on the original. Plenty of beefy cladding and big wheels also give the car a bit of an SUV feel. However, in spite of the longer wheelbase and greater ground clearance for that faux 4x4 look, the new Renault 4 isn't as family-friendly as we'd like. It all comes down to rear space – and in the shape of something like a Citroen C3 Aircross you can get much more for less money. The Citroen might not go as far – yet – but you'll be much more comfortable in it. Headroom is fine in the 4, but kneeroom isn't exactly generous and there's no room under the front seat for you to put your feet. That'll likely make it as uncomfortable for kids as it will for adults. The door opening isn't exactly generous either – okay in width, but a little shallow so older folk may struggle and getting a child into a child seat won't be that easy, either. It's all a bit of a shame really, as the 4 is just as characterful and colourful as the new 5 – it's good to drive with a firm yet mostly comfortable ride, the tech on board is superb and it's built nicely. The range is okay, charging speeds are okay and the prices are okay, too. If you're rear seat use is occasional, then the Renault 4 will be fine. But unless you need the 4's bigger boot, you might as well save your cash and go for the two-grand cheaper Renault 5. How we tested We spent a couple of days on the international launch of the Renault 4 driving it around the towns, country lanes and motorways of northern Portugal. We rode in the back, played around with the seating configurations, parked it at the supermarket and drove it as we would expect you would if you were buying it. Independent rating: 8/10 Pros: Characterful in the way it looks and the way it drives, great on-board tech, big boot Cons: Disappointing rear space and access, same wind noise issues as Renault 5 Renault 4 specs Price range: £26,995 to £30,995 Battery size: 52kWh Maximum claimed range: 247 miles Miles per kWh: 3.98 Maximum charging rate: 100kW Battery, range, charging, performance and drive Most Renault 5 customers are going for top-spec cars with the bigger battery, so the bigger 52kWh battery is the only one on offer in the new Renault 4. With a maximum claimed range of 247 miles, that will be plenty for most people using what is a small SUV. If you need a quick charge and can find a suitable fast charger, the 4 will top up at 100kW. Renault says the car will go from 15 to 80 per cent in around half an hour – again a reasonable if not outstanding speed. As with other Renaults, every 4 gets an on-board heat pump to improve efficiency and cabin heating during cold spells. Although the Renault 4 uses a stretched version of the 5's AMPR platform, it feels very similar on the road. So that means a nicely judged ride – you can get softer from a Citroen C3 or C3 Aircross, but you can also get a lot firmer. You'll certainly feel the worst lumps and bumps in the road, as we did in Portugal, but you won't be complaining. It feels a touch firmer in the back with rear passengers sitting so close to the rear wheels, but again it's easily comfortable enough. The steering is nicely firm and responsive – and will be beefed up slightly if you cycle through the drive modes to get to Sport – while there's not too much body roll through corners, which is impressive given the 4's raised roof and ride height. Acceleration is swift and on par with some hot hatches of old, with a 0-62mph time of 8.2 seconds bringing a smile to your face when you're behind the wheel. Slowing down can be fun, too, as this is the first Renault to feature full one-pedal driving, which slows the car to an eventual stop when you lift off the accelerator. However, Renault is persevering with its gear selector setup, which sits behind the steering wheel and does without a park setting. Instead you have to nudge the lever up or down to select neutral, then operate the parking brake in the centre console. We prefer a solution where you select park and the brake then automatically gets applied. Visibility out is okay. The windscreen – like on the Renault 5 – is a little shallow although the side windows feel deeper. The view rearward is hampered by rear headrests on the back seat and we noticed similar wind noise issues on the 4 as we did on the 5 – just a gentle rustle around the door edges that make you occasionally check that all the windows are wound up. Interior, practicality and boot space The Renault 4's front cabin is near identical to the Renault 5's, which is a good thing. The quality is impressive at the price, but it's the sense of style and retro themes that are the real stars. The seats feature a little more padding than in the 5 for added comfort, and they do feel great. However, if you're in the back, the front seats sit so low there's nowhere for you to slide your feet forward, making the foot area in the rear a little claustrophobic. Renault says the back will take three passengers, but they'll have to be narrow-hipped. This isn't an especially wide car. Knee room is no more than okay; it's hardly generous and rear passengers may find their knees pressed into the back of the front seat if the driver is tall. Headroom is fine though, even in the car with the 'plein sud' (which stands for due south) roll-back canvas roof. That fancy roof, which opens electrically to reveal a 92cm view of the sky, gives the 4 a real convertible feel. It's an option on the two top-spec cars and likely to cost around £1,500. You're also unlikely to get a car with the sunroof fitted much before the end of the year, by which time you'll be hoping that its multi-layer fabric keeps the car toasty inside. As well as limited rear space, the door openings at the back are a little shallow, making ingress a little tricky for taller adults and potentially when fitting children into their child seats. What the 4 does offer is a good size boot with 420 litres of space, rising to 1,405 litres if you flip the rear seats down. There's storage space under the boot floor and a good amount of cubby holes inside the car, too. Sadly, the UK doesn't get the flip-down front passenger seat that helps with longer loads. On the Portuguese coast, Renault showed how a surfboard could fit inside the car, but Cornish surfers won't get that opportunity. Technology, stereo and infotainment Renault has upped the tech count in the 4 with a few new features, including alerts for all passengers when opening the doors if the car senses a danger coming from behind. Otherwise, it's much as before, with twin 10in digital screens – one for driver information (that's 7in in the entry-level Evolution trim level) and one that's Google-powered for infotainment. It's one of the best systems you'll find in a small car with excellent 'hey Google' voice control, plus Renault's own virtual assistant with the wake phrase 'hey Reno'. That enables you to open the windows or the sunroof, as well as more of the car's functions than 'hey Google' can manage alone. You can sync your home Google life with your car but never fear if you're an Apple fan as wireless CarPlay is standard. There's a wireless phone charger in the centre console, too. As with the 5, there's a row of fast keys beneath the vents that sit under the screen for major heating and ventilation functions, but the touchscreen also features some constant options on it, while the usability is first rate. Like the 5, the audio system is merely okay. We can't believe Renault still isn't offering anything more premium for buyers who want it. Prices and running costs Renault has been working hard to simplify its range so there are only three trim levels available with the one 52kWh battery: Evolution, Techno and Iconic. Renault reckons that most buyers will go for the top-spec Iconic model, which should cost a reasonable £30,995 when it officially goes on sale. The nicely kitted Techno model costs £28,995 while the Evolution, itself hardly sparce with kit including the standard heat pump, starts the range at £26,995. Renault says you can either have a top-spec Renault 5 or a mid-spec Renault 4 – the bigger car with the lower number adding a £2,000 premium over the award winner. Running costs should be on par with the 5, so pretty reasonable with a claimed maximum efficiency of very close to four miles per kWh. Renault 4 rivals FAQs How long does it take to charge? With a 100kW fast charger, the Renault 4 can charge from 15 to 80 percent in about 30 minutes. How much does it cost - is it worth it? The Renault 4 is priced from just under £27,000 to just under £31,000. However, the fabulous full-length fabric roof which you'll want is likely to add another £1,500 to that. Does Renault replace batteries for free? The batteries come with a full eight-year warranty, as long as the car has been properly maintained during that time The verdict: Renault 4 I really thought I'd love the Renault 4 more than the Renault 5. But good though the 4 is, I'm disappointed with one thing: space. As the purported family-friendly face of Renault's retro range, it lacks rear room. If you're old enough for your feet to find the floor, there's no space under the front seats to put them, while kneeroom isn't exactly generous. The boot is big though, and the 4 has the same charm and characterful drive as the 5.
The Irish Sun
01-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
‘The Paris alternative that's easier to get to' – the pretty European city known for its waffles
This week's Spotlight On, we are shining a spotlight on the French city of Lille, in the Hauts-de-France region. The Sun's Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey visited the city, which is easy to get to by train. Advertisement 4 Lille is a great alternative to Paris Credit: Alamy 4 The city is known for its amazing waffles Credit: Alamy She explained: "Living in Kent , it actually took me longer to get to the Eurostar than it did to get to "Just an 1hr22 from the UK, it's the first stop for Brits leaving London - and a great alternative to Paris. "Make sure to book a retro car tour of the city, where you are driven around in a tiny vintage Citroen 2CV. "And for the best sunset, head to Nu - the only rooftop bar in the city (and a great place for first-timers trying snails... even I was hooked . Advertisement Read more on France travel "Want a fun, affordable stay? The zany Mama Shelter hotel starts from just £78 a night." Here are some of our other top picks. MUST SEE/DO The lively city of Lille is close to the Belgium border. It offers a combination of fantastic architecture , art galleries, museums and great shopping. Advertisement Most read in City breaks Stroll along the picturesque cobbled streets of the old town and be sure to visit the elegant tea room at Meert (25-27 Rue Esquermoise). It's a local institution known for its gooey, stuffed waffles. European city with flights under two hours known for its sausages and singing tours HIDDEN GEM La Piscine museum in Roubaix is a real treasure. It was cleverly converted from a former art-deco swimming pool to a fascinating art museum in 2001 with sculptures, paintings and textiles by famous artists including Picasso and Rodin. Advertisement Many features of the original pool remain, including the tiled walls and a central water display. Around the pool , the old shower cubicles have been converted into display cases all lit through stained-glass windows. BEST VIEW The Grand Place dates back to the 17th century and is renowned for its stunning architecture, making it a great spot for those all-important social-media snaps. Highlights include the Old Stock Exchange (La Vieille Bourse), a French and Flemish building, and the pretty courtyard which has booksellers running along its edge (it's one of the most photographed spots in the city). Advertisement Get a bird's-eye view from the top floor of Le Furet du Nord, which is one of the largest bookshops in France and free to enter. 4 La Piscine museum in Roubaix is a real treasure Credit: Alamy RATED RESTAURANT For classic, local dining, think generous portions of traditional carbonnade (Flemish stew) or pot'je vleesch (booze-marinated cuts of meat), washed down with delicious craft beer - head to Estaminet La Ch'tite Brigitte. The traditional estaminet (brasserie-style restaurant) in old Lille offers a rustic feel and delicious hearty food. Advertisement Little dishes such as croque monsieurs cost from €6, while larger plates are priced from €16. BEST BAR La Capsule, also in the old town, is a haven for beer lovers with 28 craft ales on draught, including local, national and international (mainly Belgian) brews. There are beers to suit all tastes - sours, IPAs, stouts and powerful Belgian ales such as Triple or Saison as well as Lambics (just be careful not to drink too many as they sure are punchy). The staff really know their biere from their bitter and will help find the perfect brew for your palate. Advertisement HOTEL PICK The 4H Hotel L'Arbre Voyageur is in a similar part of town to our recommendations. It's housed in the former Polish Consulate and is just a ten-minute walk from the Lille Europe train station. This stylish boutique hotel is the ideal base for exploring and offers contemporary rooms and two excellent restaurants - the gourmet Jane and bistro-style Ma Reine. Rooms start from £114 per night based on two adults sharing ( Advertisement 4 Make sure to do some souvenir shopping too Credit: Alamy
