Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports... China’s latest entrant into Britain’s car market is also one of its oldest domestic car makers, Changan, whose name translates as “lasting safety”. After beginning as a munitions manufacturer in 1862 and then military vehicles in 1959, it eased into cars 25 years later and has worked with Suzuki, Mazda and Ford to develop models for its home … [Read more...]
Contributors
Driven: Britain’s Motoring Story – A new exhibition at the National Motor Museum Beaulieu
Chris Adamson was there at the opening and describes this exciting new approach at the National Motor Museum. All Words and Photographs © Chris Adamson. A radical reinterpretation of Britain’s motoring heritage has been unveiled, just in time for Easter visitor rush, at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in the heart of the New Forest. The £600,000 re-vamp of the first floor is the most … [Read more...]
Volkswagen Tiguan Mild Hybrid – Road Test
Volkswagen has eased off the throttle to becoming a pure electric brand and wisely continues to develop its semi-electric mild hybrid line up. Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) tells us more… The Tiguan MHEV is one of the third generation of this highly popular model, its best seller worldwide including 29,800 registered in Britain last year. In a world and market where change happens and … [Read more...]
Kim’s Tips – Avoiding brakedowns with classic brake systems…
Kim offers a brief general (and personal) perspective on keeping problems at bay, in the hope that this information may help others. All words and photographs © Kim Henson. VITAL NOTES: Observe all safety precautions, including supporting the vehicle on sturdy axle stands, not just jacks, when working on it. If in any doubt about any aspect of working on the brake system, seek help from … [Read more...]
Geely Starray EMi Hybrid – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes: The UK car market is changing forever and being transformed by the arrival of Chinese brands including the very recent Geely group. Many may not have heard of Geely, but it is the money and technology behind Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, and familiar TX London Taxi. That’s an impressive family to have on your side but a few years ago decided to introduce … [Read more...]
Geely EX5 Max – Road Test
If you think Geely is a new brand in Britain, think again, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). While it launched its first badged model, the Geely EX5, last year it has been quietly contemplating its place and plans for some years. Geely is deeply involved behind the scenes with our own Lotus sports car makers, and is providing the knowledge and expertise for Volvo and Smart electric … [Read more...]
A mixed set of UK car sales figures in February 2026
Incentives drive registrations but EV business slows. Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports... The UK new car market rose by 7.2% in February to 90,100 registrations, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, but EV demand is slowing again. The growth brings the highest February volume in 22 years, although the month is conventionally … [Read more...]
GWM Poer300 Vanta Pick-up – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports… Once upon a time pick-ups were the workhorses of the countryside and contractors. Then it changed and they became the way to save on a tax return without suffering too much in refinement. Advance a couple of years and the market reverted to tax changes which really favoured the basic pickup and many models became much more expensive and a tax … [Read more...]
Skoda Elroq SportLine 85 – Road Test
From really humble beginnings in Britain, Skoda has evolved through Volkswagen Group membership into one of the most diverse and desirable brands you can afford to buy. Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports. OK, their cars are no longer the off-cuts of a one-time communist cut-price country, but they now stand wheel to wheel with the best big brands from Europe, so you have to pay … [Read more...]
For Your Bookshelf: “BMC Farina Cars In Detail”
BMC Farina Cars In Detail – Book Review Reviewed by Kim Henson Author: Anders Ditlev Clausager Published by: Herridge & Sons Ltd. https://www.herridgeandsons.com/ 192 pages (hardback), large format (270 x 210mm), and including 360 illustrations UK Price: £45 (but currently on offer from the publishers at £32.50, with free shipping on all UK … [Read more...]
XPeng G6 M2026 – First Impressions
XPeng M2026 – First Impressions Exactly what driving and mobility will be like in future is still uncertain, but for sure, Chinese brand Xpeng aims to be part of it. Robin Roberts (WheelsWithinWales) explains... Like US rival Tesla, Xpeng has roots in technology, software and brainpower rather than horsepower, and it also set its sights on the sky and has produced not a spaceship but a flying … [Read more...]
UK Government publishes long-awaited Road Safety Strategy
Dave Moss reports… It is well over 10 years since the last formal road safety strategy was published, a gap which has led road safety professionals inside and outside officialdom to become openly and increasingly concerned about the lengthening absence of any Government-led definitive aims, topics and targets - or even guidance - to help their never-ending work to reduce deaths and … [Read more...]
Skywell BE11 – Road Test
Skywell BE11 – Road Test Competition in the UK car market is tough, very tough, and Chinese brand Skywell is ramping up the challenge. Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) puts their BE11 suv through its paces... Introduced early 2025, the firm quickly realised it had to raise its game and this year intensified its sales drive with better driver technology, improved comfort and lower prices … [Read more...]
January car sales figures in the UK – a mixed bag of numbers
There has been an encouraging start to this year’s new car registrations, but pure battery cars have slowed while Chinese makes have gained ground. Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports... Car makers now want a rethink on the support for electric cars and proposed pence-per-mile road tolls for them. It also saw a Chinese brand take second place in the UK top ten and three occupied the … [Read more...]
Genesis G80 Dynamic – Road Test
Genesis was slow coming into Britain but it has accelerated in pace and progress. Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports... After a long spell in the US, Genesis arrived in the UK in summer 2021, initially into the business-backed fleet sector where it promised unrivalled VIP buying and service arrangements through direct sales and ‘studios’ with a “we come to you” business model for … [Read more...]
Kia EV4 GT Line hatchback – Road Test
The Kia EV4 is a landmark model for the brand and possibly the UK car market, writes Robin Roberts (WheelsWithinWales). The EV4 breaks new ground for Kia as the first zero emissions model made in their Slovakian factory and their first hatchback model to have an electric powertrain. Building on the success of the more utilitarian EV3 BEV, the new model is aimed at the markets for Hatchback and … [Read more...]
Colours galore available on new vehicles; which ones are trendy?
In 2025, it was any colour you like as long as it's grey - or green... by Dave Moss. Britain's vehicle manufacturers' trade body, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), has just released details of the best selling car colours in 2025 - and for the eighth consecutive year Grey has emerged as Britain’s most popular new car colour, with no less than 558,050 cars registered. It … [Read more...]
Ford Puma Gen-E Premium – Road Test
Ford has taken a traditionally cautious approach towards its pure electric range and it’s reaping the benefits without disappointing familiar buyers and going out on a limb, writes Robin Roberts (WheelsWithinWales). It has scaled back on its pure EV future and written off £14.5Billion investment as it refocuses on future models. Broadly, it is going to fall in line with rivals who are now … [Read more...]
Watch out: Potholes galore – but is your council doing its job in fixing them properly?
Just how well is your council fixing local road potholes? - by Dave Moss. It was National pothole day on January 15th (yesterday as this was being written), and according to new analysis of the latest AA Pothole Index, last year UK drivers were hit harder than ever by repair costs associated with pothole damage. The analysis estimated the financial impact of potholes on vehicles reached £589 … [Read more...]
Motor insurance premiums shake-up – or possibly not?
Motor insurance premiums – inevitably high due to increased costs generally today, or are there other reasons that are not always appreciated? New report sends mixed messages on cheaper motor insurance - by Dave Moss Shortly before Christmas, the Government unveiled its snappily entitled "Final report of the cross-government taskforce on motor insurance", following a commitment soon after it … [Read more...]
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