Kim Henson samples the latest model range from the go-ahead firm of Kia… (All words and photographs copyright Kim Henson). Kia’s progress in the U.K. in recent years has been nothing short of sensational, with an ever-broadening line-up of cars offering ‘something for everyone’, from the compact Picanto to the sophisticated Sportage (mid-size) and Sorento (large) SUVs to the gloriously sporty … [Read more...]
Features by Kim Henson
In life, sometimes there are things that you just have to do. In my case many of them relate to my twin loves of 1) motoring, and 2) using writing to convey to others (and share with) my fascination for the subject.
I have been passionate about cars for as long as I can remember, and have always had a thirst for knowledge concerning how and why they work, and how to keep them operating as they should. In addition, I’ve always enjoyed driving, and trying to fairly assess and compare the various good and bad points of different makes and models.
A welcome return for Beaulieu’s 2022 Spring Autojumble
This year’s Spring Autojumble was held at Beaulieu over the weekend of 14th and 15th May, and to the joy of attendees and stallholders, was dry for the Saturday of the event, although cloud and rain made their presence felt on the Sunday. Kim Henson was delighted to be there again, following the springtime show’s absence since May 2019, due to Covid-19 lockdowns etc. Here’s how he saw … [Read more...]
Genesis G70 ‘Sport Line’ Shooting Brake (2.2 diesel) – Road Test
Kim Henson assesses the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake, in 2.2 litre turbodiesel form… (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Kim Henson). Introduced to Britain in November 2021, The G70 ‘Shooting Brake’ from Genesis was designed and developed specifically for Europe, and was the fifth Genesis model to arrive here. As explained in my Genesis ‘range sampling’ article in December, and in … [Read more...]
Genesis GV80 large SUV (petrol) – Road Test
Kim Henson test drives the Genesis GV80 large ‘premium’ SUV, in this case with 2.5 litre turbocharged petrol power. (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Kim Henson). If you are in the market for a roomy high class SUV, of course you will find a variety of models on offer from the established makers in this sector of the market. However, there’s a relatively new contender to consider, … [Read more...]
Genesis G80 saloon – Road Test
Luxury meets practicality… Kim Henson test drives the largest premium saloon from the Genesis line-up, the G80, in this case with 2.2 litre turbo diesel power. (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Kim Henson). When driving the G80 saloon for a brief spell during a driving day last December, I liked the way that ‘new kid on the block’ (in the U.K. at least) Genesis has cleverly … [Read more...]
Genesis GV70 SUV – Road Test
Kim Henson lives with a petrol-powered Genesis GV70 SUV for a week – here’s how it went… (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Kim Henson). As I reported in December 2021 on Wheels-Alive, my first impressions after briefly sampling examples from across the Genesis line-up of vehicles, were that they were all cleverly thought-out, well-engineered, carefully put together, pleasing to … [Read more...]
Genesis Range – First Impressions/Brief Road Tests
Kim Henson reports on his brief test drives in a selection of current Genesis models… (Words and photographs by, and copyright, Kim). It is difficult to keep up with the Genesis premium brand story in the U.K, so rapid has been its development from a ‘standing start’ just a few months ago to a range that today offers a variety of ‘luxury’ models, all providing a buying proposition that is … [Read more...]
Suzuki Across Plug-in Hybrid SUV – Road Test
Suzuki’s first plug-in hybrid vehicle… driven and assessed by Kim Henson. (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Kim Henson). With four wheel drive, sophisticated plug-in hybrid technology (delivering rapid performance together with low emissions and impressive fuel consumption figures), Suzuki’s Across large SUV provides buyers in this market with a distinctive and fascinating … [Read more...]
Suzuki Swace SZ5 – Road Test
Estate of the art… Kim Henson test drives Suzuki’s Swace, in SZ5 form. (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Kim Henson). These days SUVs predominate in the family car market, but for many buyers an estate car has greater appeal in terms of aesthetics and for its arguably more user-friendly combination of passenger and load carrying abilities. A recent newcomer (from November 2020) to … [Read more...]
Wheels-Alive takes a look at… Crown Oil and their HVO fuel
Kim Henson reports on a low emissions alternative to mineral/fossil based diesel fuel... There is (almost) universal agreement that our planet is in trouble in terms of global warming and climate change, and that emissions resulting from the burning of fossil-derived fuels are unhelpful. Reducing ‘carbon footprints’ is therefore desirable and indeed necessary. The more widespread use of … [Read more...]
Latest Kia line-up – Brief road tests
Kim Henson gives his assessment of some of the company’s current models… (All words and photographs copyright Kim). Until the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted ‘everything’ in our lives, for each of the previous few years I had been fortunate to be able to attend a ‘model range’ driving day event kindly arranged by Kia for the Western Group of Motoring Writers (of which I am a long-standing and … [Read more...]
Fuel for Thought – The headlong move to electric cars may be a mixed blessing…
Kim Henson considers the implications – and alternative fuels for vehicles with internal combustion engines... At Wheels-Alive we have always felt that the future of transport, in relation to environmental and global warming aspects, needs to be thought-about and planned very carefully and in a 'big picture' manner. This seldom happens and successive British governments of all political … [Read more...]
SMMT Test Day South 2021 – First impressions of new models from across the industry
Kim Henson was in attendance and enjoyed the day… In normal times, on several occasions each year the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) brings together representatives of the car makers and motoring writers, giving us scribes the chance to drive a variety of vehicles in similar road and weather conditions. In addition it gives us a valuable opportunity to talk to our colleagues in … [Read more...]
Suzuki Swift Sport and Vitara – Brief Impressions of current models
Kim Henson briefly test drives the latest, 48 volt self-charging hybrid system versions of the Swift Sport and Vitara… (Words and photographs – all copyright, by Kim Henson). With self-charging hybrid technology, incorporating an upgraded new lithium-ion battery, applied as standard across the Suzuki line-up, the latest models all employ a compact, lightweight belt-driven ‘Integrated Starter … [Read more...]
Beaulieu International Autojumble returns to the events scene
‘New Dawn’ Beaulieu Autojumble 2021... The first International Autojumble for two years took place at Beaulieu over the weekend of 4th and 5th September. Kim Henson describes his elation at being there… (Words by Kim Henson; copyright photographs by Kim Henson and Chris Adamson; the images by Chris are individually credited). This was to be a Beaulieu International Autojumble like none of its … [Read more...]
Classic car owners offered a little hope re. DVLA registration difficulties
DVLA agrees to look again at classic car registration problems... Kim Henson says, "Dealing with the DVLA over classic car registration matters has become increasingly difficult in recent years. Indeed it has been a major worry to genuine classic enthusiasts, who have had to cope with strange interpretations of seemingly illogical rules, applied randomly. Now there is a little … [Read more...]
Could ‘E-Fuels’ make sense amidst a headlong dash towards vehicle electrification?
What about 'E-Fuels'? Vehicle electrification is widely being pushed as 'the' answer to achieving carbon neutral transportation in the near future. Yet the seemingly sensible alternative/supplementary option of using environmmentally-kind liquid 'E-Fuels' could have much to offer, while still being able to use the existing supply network and infrastructure... Kim Henson reports on a recent … [Read more...]
Historic and Classic Vehicles Alliance seeks to help classic scene survive
New organisation set up to help ensure that classic car use and the industry surrounding it continues to thrive amidst increasing bureaucracy and ill-informed legislation... Kim writes, "For some time I, together with many classic car enthusiasts and those in the classic vehicle trade, have become increasingly concerned about the multiple threats to continuing to enjoy the cherished vehicles that … [Read more...]
Porter Press offers discount to Wheels-Alive readers
Do you love motoring-related books? If so it’s well worth exploring the wide range of titles published by Porter Press – especially now that they are offering a discount for our readers, advises Kim Henson. As mentioned in my very recent review of their excellent Model T book, Porter Press International has sent up a discount code for all their titles for Wheels-Alive readers, who are entitled to … [Read more...]
For Your Bookshelf – “Ford Model T – An Enthusiast’s Guide” (1908 to 1927, all models and variants)
Reviewed by Kim Henson Author: Chas Parker (with contributions from Chris Barker and Neil Tuckett) Published by: Porter Publishing: https://porterpress.co.uk/ 160 pages (Jacketed hardback), incorporating more than 220 images UK Price: £30.00 BUT good news… the publishers have sent up a discount code for all Porter Press titles for Wheels-Alive readers, who are entitled to 10% off … [Read more...]
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