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...]
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.
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...]
Honda’s latest HR-V hybrid arrives
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...]
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...]
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