Tim Bowdler
Tim Bowdler has been a journalist for over two decades, starting out as a reporter at local and national newspapers before moving on to motorsport and automotive industries. Their senior roles at brands such as Motorsport News, What Car?, and us here at Parkers has allowed him to contribute to work such as road tests and reviews.Read more
Latest from this author
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Value choice: BMW 1 Series 114d ES 3dThe BMW 1 Series range is huge: myriad engine and trim combinations can make the final selection – once you have settled for this premium hatchback – a rather onerous...31 Jan 2013 -
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Volkswagen Tiguan: Competitor comparisonOver January we have seen a lot of snow and ice, and during that time the VW Tiguan has proved it is more than up to the job in the slippery conditions. Road...22 Jan 2013 -
Family choice: Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI SE road testThis latest Skoda Octavia is tailor-made for buyers with a family. This new version is 90mm longer and 45mm wider and the wheelbase has grown by 108mm meaning more legroom,...22 Jan 2013 -
Driver's choice: Skoda Octavia 1.4 TSI 140 PS SE 5drFor driving enjoyment the new Skoda Octavia isn’t exactly up there with the likes of the VW Golf or even the Ford Focus, but the 138bhp 1.4-litre petrol version still...21 Jan 2013 -
Ford Focus ST Estate: Numberplate problemsI felt helpless. A policeman on a motorcycle had pulled me over. I wasn’t sure why, yet he asked why I thought he had. Of course, driving a bright yellow Ford...9 Jan 2013 -
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Volkswagen Tiguan: Welcome to the Parkers fleetOver the past five years I have run a number of long-termers: a Volvo C30, Volkswagen Golf, Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Passat, Kia Optima and so on, but oddly 4x4s have,...18 Dec 2012 -
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Ford Focus ST Estate: Welcome to ParkersThe Parkers car park offers a mixed bag. One week it’s full of conventional, mainstream cars that you wouldn’t even notice, then every so often there’s a headturner in there. Three weeks ago the Ford...30 Nov 2012 -
Facelifted Lexus LS road testWhen the Lexus LS was first conceived in 1983 the plan was to build the best luxury car in the world. The plan took shape and in 1989 the first LS...22 Nov 2012 -
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Kia Optima: Four-door is a strong choiceIt is with some sadness that I have had to say goodbye to the Kia Optima – one of the best mile-crunchers in the business. It’s been a fairly eventful six...8 Oct 2012 -
Kia Optima: Reader hauls Deputy Editor over the coalsBelow is an edited email exchange between myself and Parkers reader Stephen Pendle following a previous long-term report about an oil level warning light on the Kia Optima. Stephen wants...20 Sept 2012 -
Ford reveals range of new vansFord has taken the wraps off its new Transit and Transit Connect vans, as well as its Tourneo Connect people mover, at a special unveiling in Amsterdam. The new Transit and Transit Connect commercial vehicles will come...7 Sept 2012 -
Kia Optima: Wedding trip goes as plannedUntil the weekend I hadn’t taken the Optima on a long trip yet, so when Parkers road test editor Simon McBride announced that he was getting married in Northern Ireland it seemed...4 Sept 2012