Ford face triple dilemma at Bridgend... ...By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Global demand for the Ford triple-cylinder EcoBoost petrol engine is lower than expected and has driven the decision to close its production line in Bridgend next February. Stuart Rowley (pictured left), president, Ford of Europe, in a conference call said the employees and management at Bridgend … [Read more...]
Features by Robin Roberts
Volkswagen T-Roc – Road Test
The VW T-Roc Design 1.6 TDI medium-sized SUV… …assessed by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Volkswagen was quick to enter the MPV market yet took their time when it came to the modern SUV sector, but it was worth the wait for the medium-sized T-Roc. There’s a very wide range of T-Roc models from which to choose with petrol or diesel engines, manual and automatic transmissions and … [Read more...]
Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport – Road Test
Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport Elite Nav 200 hp... Test-driven by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). When size matters, the Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport hatchback has big appeal. The market for large hatchbacks and saloons is supposed to be shrinking as ubiquitous SUVs take over, but why be like everyone else when you can be different and look the part? This large hatchback offers … [Read more...]
Peugeot 308SW estate – Road Test
Peugeot 308 SW Tech Edition 130 auto estate car… Tried and tested by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Anyone who doubts the future of estate cars should take a long look at the Peugeot 308 SW series and see what it offers for the family who want space without the bulk of an SUV. The 308 series of hatchbacks and estates has been a backbone of the range for decades with different … [Read more...]
New Land Rover Discovery Sport Landmark Edition – Road Test
The Land Rover Discovery Sport Landmark is the family 4x4. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Created to mark 30 years of the Discovery, Sport Landmark editions come with a host of features as standard which are options on others in the extremely extensive range of pure 4x4s. It’s not a cheaper alternative to the rest of the Discovery Sport range, but it’s a very good package … [Read more...]
Alfa on the up
Turning the corner with Alfa Romeo… …Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency) reports. Car sales are a series of twists and turns but there are strong signs that Alfa Romeo has turned the corner this year. A recent independent survey of owners who have used their models for some time concluded that the sporting Italian brand was second only to Lexus in terms of overall satisfaction with … [Read more...]
Audi A1 Sportback – Road Test
Audi A1 Sportback 30 TFSI S line supermini hatchback. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Audi’s experience in the premium sector also extends to its supermini sized A1. The A1 was first shown in 2010 as a 3-door, the 5-door Sportback came 12 months later and arrived in Britain in 2012, and it’s a successor to the Audi A2. Today, Audi’s entry level model comes in a … [Read more...]
Electric Classic Cars – really!
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...]
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...]
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