Kim Henson reports… All words by Kim Henson; photographs © Kim Henson and Chris Adamson, as individually credited. (Kim adds... My personal thanks to Chris for his invaluable help, as always, in contributing his photographs and notes to enable me to complete this report promptly at the end of the event). I always feel that May is a cheerful month, not least due to the arrival of warmer weather … [Read more...]
Contributors
Lexus RZ500e – Road Test
After its British launch in 1990, Lexus raised the bar for other executive marques and today it is the oldest surviving premium brand from Japan, and still the benchmark for British buyers. Robin Roberts gives his views on the car after a week’s motoring with it... From an initial two models in the early 90s, the Lexus line up has dramatically grown to offer something in each of the main sectors … [Read more...]
Honda Civic Advance 2.0 Hybrid – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes… Honda has a lot of experience building their capable Civic, and it really shows in the latest line up of a model which can trace its ancestry over 54 years. Today, the Honda Civic hybrid comes in Elegance trim from £34,325, Sport beginning at £35,945 and our Advance version from £39,295. The entry model includes many driving safety systems and … [Read more...]
EV ‘clocking’
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports... New analysis from vehicle history platform carVertical (https://www.carvertical.com) shows electric models are now the most commonly clocked cars in the UK, with 3% of those checked showing evidence of mileage tampering. That puts EVs ahead of diesel cars (2.8%), petrol cars (2.5%) and hybrids (2%) and comes at a time when many households are … [Read more...]
The Highway Code – 95 years of safety on Britain’s roads.
Dave Moss tells the story… (All images Crown Copyright; containing public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). Driving licences were first introduced in Britain by the 1903 Motor Car Act, when the fee, payable at Post Offices, was 5 shillings (25p). This and other costs such as registration and the vehicle itself added up to quite substantial amounts of money, … [Read more...]
Toyota Urban Cruiser Design – Road Test
Toyota likes to have a finger in every pie and has cooked up something for the compact MPV or SUV buyers, the Urban Cruiser. Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) test drives the latest version... It is the second generation Urban Cruiser it developed along with Suzuki and this time it has gone full-electric as Toyota wants to offer buyers a selection of power sources which fulfil their … [Read more...]
Aion V premium – First Impressions
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes... 'The eight-year long warranty with the new Aion V is going to be a big attraction to buyers.' Back that with eight years servicing, eight years AA roadside assistance, eight years of MoTs and you have the 'great eight' incentive. What's more, each Aion V comes with the promise of an AA technician who will come to your home and do a regular … [Read more...]
Polestar 4 Long Range Dual Motor – Road Test
If you are coming around to the idea that battery electric vehicles are the new norm, the Polestar 4 SUV possibly will take you back, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). While the pure EV sector is becoming baffling with its new Chinese entitled brands, the Polestar pedigree goes back a bit further and to a surprising beginning. Polestar Racing was created from the Swedish touring car … [Read more...]
For Your Bookshelf: Skoda Octavia – The First One: 1959–71 (The Story of a Czechoslovakian Automotive Icon)
Book Review by Kim Henson: Skoda Octavia – The First One: 1959–71 Author: Miroslav Synek Published by: Veloce (in February 2026) www.veloce.co.uk 128 pages (softback), 210 x 148 mm format UK price £19.99 ISBN: SKU 9781836440406 I always find it interesting to learn more about cars that here in the UK we seldom see, and to find out more of the history behind them. Skoda’s Octavia is a case … [Read more...]
Skoda Fabia 130 – Road Test
Driving enthusiasts of a certain age will fondly remember how Skoda seriously challenged and embarrassed the most expensive works rally teams with its comparatively cheaper Flying Fabias. And in national and club rallies across Europe they can still pull out a few surprises. When skill and low weight combined, the flying Fabias really set the pace for others to follow. Now, a different set of … [Read more...]
UK car sales figures for March 2026; EV discounts rule!
Electric car registrations are accelerating driven by huge manufacturer discounts, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). The UK new car market grew by 6.6% in March, typically the busiest month of the year, with 380,627 new vehicles registered, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Registrations in Wales saw the smallest rise of just 5.85% to 12,275 cars in March … [Read more...]
SEAT Arona 1.5 TSI FR Sport 150PS DSG – Road Test
SEAT knew what they were doing when launching the original Arona compact crossover in 2017 and it has become one of the brand’s best sellers with revisions in 2021 and 2025. Using platforms and powertrains from within the Volkswagen Group it reduced costs but not quality when pitching into the all-important family sector. Being not too big under 4.2 m (just under 14 ft) long and taking up to … [Read more...]
Changan Deepal SO5 RWD – First Impressions/Road Test review
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...]
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...]
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