Honda HR-V e:HEV breaks cover…… Kim Henson previews the newcomer. Honda’s drive towards electrification of its range continues apace, and in fact is accelerating. During an online press unveiling of the new HR-V e:HEV this week, the firm told us that low/zero emission technology is gaining ground faster in Europe than anywhere else in the world, and that the entire Honda mainstream line-up is … [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.
Kim’s Tips – Renew those filters, to keep your car running at its best
Air, oil and fuel filters are often overlooked, but all play essential roles. Kim Henson advises checking when they were last renewed on your vehicle. Car manufacturers fit a variety of important filters on their vehicles, typically including air, engine oil, fuel and pollen filters. Recent diesel engines also have Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs). The function of each is to remove … [Read more...]
Increase in percentage of ethanol in standard grade UK petrol further threatens older vehicle fuel systems
Ethanol percentage hike means more bad news for owners of older cars... Kim Henson advises... As has been widely forecast during the last few years – including on Wheels-Alive – the imminent introduction (now confirmed by the U.K.'s Department of Transport) of 'standard grade' 95 octane fuel containing up to 10 per cent ethanol is very bad news indeed for the owners of older vehicles, and not … [Read more...]
Motoring For Fun – A tour in south-west Wales in a Rover Maestro
An idyllic autumnal trip to the far south-west of Wales… Kim Henson drove westwards in a Maestro that has been family-owned since new. (Kim adds: DO NOT GO THERE NOW!! Of course I realise that as I write this – during the 'Covid-19 lock down' – in February 2021, at the moment long-distance ‘motoring for fun’ and touring on holiday in Britain is not possible, nor even permitted. However, I feel … [Read more...]
Kim’s Tips – Run the engine frequently to avoid alternator (and other) woes…
Kim says, “Cars don’t take kindly to long periods out of use; if possible run the engine often, and on each occasion move the vehicle forwards and backwards a little, to prevent mechanical seizures”. Just one of the many unforeseen aspects of the awful pandemic through which we are living is that many cars, and especially some classics, have been used very little, if at all, during the last 10 … [Read more...]
For Your Bookshelf – Admission 7/6 – E. V. Starr Snaps the 60s Speed Merchants
Reviewed by Kim Henson. Title: Admission 7/6 – E. V. Starr Snaps the 60s Speed Merchants Authors: Tim Beavis and Guy Loveridge Published by: Douglas Loveridge Publications, Moss View, 85 Warburton, Emley, Yorkshire, HD8 9QP. (Please also see their Facebook page) 128 pages, hardback, filled with glorious colour photographs Price: £40.00 (Including postage, £45 for U.K. buyers, £55 for … [Read more...]
For Your Bookshelf – quattro – The Race and Rally Story 1980 – 2004
Reviewed by Kim Henson. Title: quattro – The Race and Rally Story 1980 – 2004 Author: Jeremy Walton (Note: Former Autocar editor and eminent international authority Ray Hutton edited the title). Published by: Evro Publishing; https://www.evropublishing.com 304 pages, including more than 334 photos, mostly colour; hardback Price: £50.00 (but please go to Evro’s website for any current … [Read more...]
For Your Bookshelf: Accessible Classics No. 1 – Austin A30/A35 – ‘Enjoying Your Austin’
Are you interested in the Austin A30/A35 models of the 1950s/60s? If the answer is 'yes' you might enjoy this book too... The Austin A30 (initially called the A30 'Seven' to deliberately make connections with the highly succcessful pre-War Austin Sevens) was introduced in October 1951 and was the first all-new compact post-War Austin saloon, featuring a unitary construction body shell (the first … [Read more...]
For Your Bookshelf – Porsche Boxster – The Practically Free Sportscar
For Your Bookshelf – Porsche Boxster – The Practically Free Sportscar... ...Reviewed by Kim Henson. (Book cover and Boxster photographs provided by Robert McGowan). Title: Porsche Boxster – The Practically Free Supercar (‘The beginner’s guide to owning the ultimate roadster’) Author: Robert McGowan Published by: Independently published 277 pages; paperback Price (typical): £13.75, … [Read more...]
STOLEN! Please keep a look out for these two beauties…
TWO much-loved modern classics stolen – have you seen either or both? Kim Henson appeals... These two much cherished modern classics have both been stolen from Chatteris in Cambridgeshire, a red Rover 214 G899 UYP (it disappeared on Sunday 22nd), and a dark blue Volvo 760 estate, F723 FEC (which was taken yesterday, Monday 23rd). If you see either of these vehicles, or have any information … [Read more...]
Esso launches Synergy Supreme+ 99 premium petrol (and currently it’s ethanol-free)
Esso ups the game in the field of higher grade unleaded petrol... Kim Henson reports... Kim writes, "I have long been a believer in using the 'premium' or superior grades of fuel produced by the main players in the forecourt industry, both petrol and diesel, in my own vehicles. I use these fuels where available because, quite simply, I find that typically performance is noticeably and … [Read more...]
For Your Bookshelf: Beneath the Trees of Eden
Reviewed by Kim Henson. Title: Beneath the Trees of Eden Author: Tim Binding Published by: Bloomsbury Publishing; www.bloomsbury.com 420 pages; hardback, eBook ISBN: HB: 978-1-5266-1660-9 TPB: 978-1-5266-16586 eBook: 978-1-5266-1656-2 Price: Hardback £16.99 (but online price via Bloomsbury, £11.89); eBook £11.89 (but online price via Bloomsbury, £7.13). The approach of … [Read more...]
Latest Suzuki Ignis 1.2 Dualjet Hybrid SZ5 ALLGRIP– Road Test
Suzuki’s revised Ignis Hybrid, in top of the range SZ5 ALLGRIP form… …test-driven by Kim Henson. (All photographs by Kim). About an hour ago, a relatively small but big-hearted blue car departed from my home after spending a week in my care, and I was as sorry to see it go as the summer skies that have also recently gone away. Here’s why… During the last few years, since its introduction … [Read more...]
Kim’s (Classic) Tips – Check your S.U. petrol pump for leaks
S.U. electric petrol pumps, used on many classic vehicles, usually survive and operate for many years, but potentially dangerous fuel leaks can develop… Kim Henson advises making frequent, regular inspections – for safety and reliability. S.U. petrol pumps have been giving sterling service for many decades on a wide variety of classic cars and light commercials, including Morris Minors, MGs … [Read more...]
Suzuki looks ahead – and introduces new models
Suzuki reveals future plans – and launches a revised Swift line-up plus a new light commercial version of the Jimny. Kim Henson tells all… In the company’s centenary year, Suzuki is planning ahead with positivity, and in an online UK ‘webinar’ (press conference) yesterday (8th September 2020), the firm provided to motoring writers a summary of their plans as they currently stand. I was … [Read more...]
For Your Bookshelf: The MGC GTS Lightweights
Reviewed by Kim Henson. Title: The MGC GTS Lightweights – Abingdon’s Last Racers Author: David Morys Published by: Veloce Publishers www.veloce.co.uk 144 pages; hardback ISBN: 978-1-787114-45-6 Price: £35.00 (but check the Veloce website for special offers) When I started reading this book, I imagined that its coverage would closely focus on the works racing MGCs, as its title … [Read more...]
Latest Suzuki SX4 S-Cross 1.4 Boosterjet Hybrid SZ5 ALLGRIP– Road Test
Suzuki’s new SX4 S-Cross Hybrid, in top spec SZ5 ALLGRIP form… …put through its paces by Kim Henson. (All words and photographs by Kim). Slightly larger than the Vitara SUV, the S-Cross ‘Crossover’ SUV (the first examples of which were sold in 2013) is intended to be a family-friendly practical multi-purpose vehicle, and, like the latest versions of the Vitara and the Swift Sport hatchback, … [Read more...]
A rare and unusual Morgan 4-4, now ready to be enjoyed again after a four decade rest…
Kim Henson and Nick Riley tell the story of Nick’s 1947 Morgan 4-4 and the fascinating history its bodywork was hiding. First, Kim sets the scene with a few words about the famous firm of Morgan and the revered models that the company produced in the early years (and of course the firm is still building its much-in-demand unique sports cars today, more than 110 years down the line). Morgan … [Read more...]
Suzuki offers buyers summer savings – and announces prices for their new 48 volt self-charging Hybrid models
Suzuki helps buyers with special summer deals, zero per cent finance on most models, new 48-Volt self-charging Hybrid drivetrains and a unique 7- day return offer for all retail customers... Kim Henson reports, and says, "As reported yesterday on Wheels-Alive, Suzuki is open for forecourt sales again from 1st June, and has set up a groundbreaking 7-day return system to reassure retail buyers. … [Read more...]
For Your Bookshelf – Motor Coaches and Charabancs
Reviewed by Kim Henson... Title: Motor Coaches and Charabancs Author: James Taylor Published by: Shire Publications, www.shirebooks.co.uk 64 pages; softback Price: £8.99 (but currently offerd for an online price of £6.29, representing a discount of 30 per cent, through the Shire Publications website; link above). ISBN: 978-1-78442 412 1 The wonderful series of motor vehicle and … [Read more...]
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