Electric classic cars... a reality now! By Robin Roberts. Classic cars are being given a new life for the 21st century with a “heart” transplant and an electric powertrain by a Welsh enthusiast and engineer. Richard Morgan set up Electric Classic Cars in Newtown to give much-loved classics and popular cars a new lease of life with a modern twist. “I use to compete in the British Historic … [Read more...]
Features by Robin Roberts
Kia Optima saloon – Road Test
KIA Optima 1.6 CRDi 2 ISG Saloon… …put through its paces by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). From being an also-ran when launched in the UK in 1991, Kia has become a serious challenger to the best from Japan and mainland Europe and the latest Optima D-segment saloon is a good example of why their rivals should worry. Built for a target audience, and not necessarily down to a … [Read more...]
Sporty SEAT Ateca SUV – Road Test
SEAT Ateca FR 2.0TSI 4Drive DSG mid-sized SUV… By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). If you ever thought SUVs were boring, then the SEAT Ateca FR 2.0TSi will change your mind in an instant. It is one of the growing families of SUVs, and that includes a number from SEAT and the rest of the parent VW Group, but it brings a little extra pizzazz to the family party. The proportions … [Read more...]
Flipping Bangers – Series 2 starts soon…
More bangers galore... Robin Roberts reports... In the second series of the hit BLAZE UK commission of Flipping Bangers, petrol-head pals Will Trickett and Gus Gregory fix and ‘flip’ neglected old cars for a profit. Having ditched their day-jobs to trade in the cars that people avoid, the duo are risking it all once more, as any losses will come out of their own pockets. To cover … [Read more...]
Duckhams encourages young enthusiasts of classic cars
Helping young people to become enthusiastic about, and look after, classic cars... Robin Roberts reports. Duckhams Classic Oils were on hand to help launch this year’s Classic Car Loan Project, designed to encourage the next generation into the classic car movement. The project gives a new enthusiast the opportunity to have a classic car in their care for a whole year! The present … [Read more...]
Audi TT Roadster quattro – Road Test
Audi TT Roadster 45TFSI 2.0 S-tronic 245hp quattro. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). If you believe that life is a beach, then the Audi TT has been riding on the crest of a wave. Its success over 21 years has been awesome and the envy of many manufacturers, not because it’s particularly clever but because it’s essentially simple and satisfying in any situation. For a … [Read more...]
The number one make for ‘premium’ cars being clamped is…
Porsche is the number one 'prestige' car brand clamped last year by DVLA. Robin Roberts tells all... Porsche has topped the list of 'prestige' cars clamped for being untaxed in 2017 to 2018, according to figures released by DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency). The top four makes: Make Total clamped and … [Read more...]
Attracting young people to the classic car movement…
LEARNING FROM INDIA TO ATTRACT YOUNGSTERS TO THE CLASSIC VEHICLE MOVEMENT... By Robin Roberts. “We can learn a great deal from what’s happening in India right now, when it comes to attracting young people into the historic vehicle movement,” says FIVA President Patrick Rollet. In March, FIVA (the Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens or international federation of historic … [Read more...]
Hyundai Santa Fe seven seater – road test
The Hyundai Santa Fe Premium SE large SUV… …test-driven by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). The Hyundai Santa Fe has been the bedrock of the brand since launched in 2001, but it’s no dinosaur. The fourth generation of this highly popular large SUV is packed with the latest features and choices to please any family with the emphasis on enjoyment and living.Split over four trim … [Read more...]
Ford’s engine production facility at Bridgend has a chance of becoming the base for building the Ineos all wheel drive vehicle…
Ford Bridgend Engine plant has been shortlisted to assemble the planned Ineos successor to the famed LR Defender. Robin Roberts reports... The Welsh location is lining up against a plant in Portugal, the CEO of Ineos Automotive Dirk Heilmann has confirmed after bosses visited South Wales and looked around the Ford plant along with Welsh Government representatives. Ineos plan to … [Read more...]
Volkswagen Arteon – Road Test
VW Arteon R-Line 2.0 TDI 190hp auto. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Volkswagen is raising its game again. Introduced in late 2017, the VW Arteon large five door family hatchback is the flagship of the marque and is steadily expanding its line-up, and today runs to over 20 variants in the UK. There are seven petrol or diesel engine and powertrain options including manual, … [Read more...]
Changing vehicle technology requires new skills…
A new technology time-bomb is ticking in the used car trade. Robin Roberts reports. Rapidly changing vehicle technology means that the remarketing sector is going to have to undergo an unprecedented period of upskilling over the next decade, says the Vehicle Remarketing Association. The organisation – which represent companies that handle, sell, inspect, transport or manage more than 1.5 … [Read more...]
Turbocharged 1.0 litre automatic MG ZS – Road Test
MG ZS 1.0T GDI Executive auto SUV – with a compact but big-hearted engine. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Sometimes it’s the little things that bring the biggest surprises, like the MG ZS SUV with a sub-1.0 litre petrol engine and an automatic gearbox. Now years ago you would have baulked at a five-seat family car with a 999cc engine and lumbered with an automatic … [Read more...]
‘Our Friends Electric’?
UK drivers buy more cars but are turned away from plug-in hybrids as a vital buying incentive is withdrawn... Robin Roberts tells the story. As the Geneva motor show opens, figures show UK car sales beat expectations and rose 1.4 percent February, boosted by rising sales of petrol and alternative-fuelled cars, according to the SMMT. Sales rose to 81,969 units from 80,805 in February … [Read more...]
Financial Conduct Authority investigates customer over-charging in the car sales market
Too much interest... Robin Roberts reports... Some methods used by finance brokers to reward car dealers that end up overcharging an estimated 560,000 customers about 300 million pounds a year are to be banned. The Financial Conduct Authority found widespread use of commission models that allow brokers to set the customer interest rate and thus earn higher commission. “We found that some … [Read more...]
Commercial break… Toyota Land Cruiser LCV – Road Test
Toyota Land Cruiser SWB Light Commercial Vehicle… Road-tested by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). In recent weeks I have watched a variety of documentaries from the wildest and most remote places on earth and while the presenters change with each programme there seems to be a satisfying, reassuring continuity as they are all conveyed in a Toyota Land Cruiser. Its reputation to … [Read more...]
SsangYong Tivoli Ultimate – Road Test
The SsangYong Tivoli Ultimate petrol auto SUV with 2WD... Test-driven by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Everyone likes surprises, especially if they give you even more than expected, such as with the SsangYong Tivoli SUV. I think it’s a bit of liberty calling it an SUV when the petrol version tested is only 2WD and is little more than a taller hatchback, but the Tivoli goes … [Read more...]
Audi A4 Avant 40 TDI quattro – Road Test
2019 model year Audi A4 Avant 40TDI quattro tried and tested. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). While SUVs are the flavour of the season, there’re rich pickings for manufacturers and drivers in cars like the Audi A4 Avant. Most SUVs are rarely used to their full capacity or ability but an estate car, particularly a sporting estate like the Black Edition 40TDI quattro tested, … [Read more...]
Winners and losers in sales of new car sales in Britain…
Robin Roberts reports on the latest car sales figures... Sales of hybrid and electric cars soared over 26% last month and slowed the fall in registrations of recent months, according to figures from the car makers. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders say registrations were only 1.6% down in January at 161,013 new cars, with private buyers leading the way as business and fleet models … [Read more...]
Hyundai Kona 4WD 1.6 T-GDI Auto Premium – Road Test
The latest Hyundai SUV… …Test-driven by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). There is a lot of noise and hype generated about SUVs at the moment but the Hyundai Kona compact five door SUV does not shout about its abilities, it just delivers them. This fuss-free formula is favoured by those who need the space and equipment of a quality SUV which decides when you can get away with … [Read more...]
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