The latest money-making scheme to fleece drivers receives a hostile reception from the FairFuelUK Campaign and many people... Kim Henson elaborates. For many years British drivers have been encouraged to spend their hard-earned cash on diesel-powered vehicles, being told that they were 'Cleaner, greener, more economical, etc, etc...' As a result, many buyers have done just that, with … [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.
Mazda MX-5 RF First Impressions (and a little bit of history…)
Kim Henson samples the latest in a long line of impressive Mazda MX-5 models, in the elegant and eye-catching shape of the latest ‘RF’ or ‘Retractable Fastback’ version. (All words and photographs by Kim, except single image of roof half-open, from Mazda). First introduced 27 years ago, Mazda’s MX-5 model has long been renowned as one of the best two seater sports cars in the world. It has … [Read more...]
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles – Current Models First Impressions Round-up
Kim Henson gives his first impressions after brief drives in seven different vehicles from the 'Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' ('FCA') line-up... (All words and photos by Kim). Initially it may seem strange that the Italian Fiat concern and the American Chrysler company have joined forces and are forging what appears to be a highly successful partnership. Yet in fact the vehicles from the separate … [Read more...]
‘Fost and Frog’? Take care on those wintry roads…
Frost and fog – either can be lethal; together they make a dreadfully dangerous combination. Kim Henson advises driving with extra special care when visibility is poor and temperatures are low at the same time, as is happening right now in Britain… Yesterday evening I was obliged to make a short car journey in town, to get home, and the road conditions were awful, with thick fog reducing … [Read more...]
How to impress with motoring-related Valentine’s Day gifts…
Put the ‘Vroom’ back into Valentine’s Day… says BOTB.com Kim Henson reports. Race-track experiences and private plates are the most romantic gestures you can give your partner this Valentine’s Day. But, with February 14 approaching, steer clear of air fresheners or cleaning sets. A survey of 20,000 customers by dream car competition firm BOTB.com has revealed the Dos and Don’ts of what to … [Read more...]
Around the World in 80 Cars…
Cars of the World! Kim Henson invites you to travel the globe with Wheels-Alive in search of some fascinating motor cars… Some cars have been designed to go fast, some have put safety at the top of their priorities and others have been built on a budget, designed to simply get you from A to B. People have been manufacturing cars for over 100 years, resulting in hundreds of different … [Read more...]
News of two new Firestone tyre ranges arriving in Britain
Firestone says that they are on the right road with two new products… Kim Henson reports… Firestone is aiming to shake up the mid-price tyre segment in the UK with the launch, in the space of a few days, of a top-performing new touring tyre and a van product, it has been revealed. Roadhawk, a tyre built to perform longer and offer drivers best-in-class wet grip and best in class dry braking, … [Read more...]
KAM Servicing honoured with prestigious award
KAM Servicing wins prestigious award after fixing hundreds of cars… Kim Henson tells the story. After coming to the rescue of more than 450 stricken motorists in their hours of need, a First Stop network partner is being honoured with a prestigious award – while being praised for its attempts to revolutionise the fast-fit industry in the process. KAM Servicing, with 12 garages in the East … [Read more...]
Jaguar XJ220 on its way to having new purpose-developed Bridgestone tyres
Iconic Jaguar XJ220 undergoes extensive testing in the development of new Bridgestone tyres. Kim Henson reports... In recent months engineers from Bridgestone, working with Don Law and the legendary XJ220, chassis No. 004, have been developing all-new perfectly fitted tyres, taking full advantage of 25 years of technological progress at Bridgestone. During continuous testing, the car has been … [Read more...]
Firestone’s 2016 Battle of the Bands – and the Winner is…
Battle of the Bands Success is Music to Firestone’s Ears. Kim Henson reports… Firestone is reflecting on a supremely successful Battle of the Bands UK talent competition, which concluded in style at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham, after generating more than 400 entries. Firestone launched its search for the most talented unsigned act through its social networking channels, to … [Read more...]
Car buying – No regrets? Think before you jump…
UK Drivers Reveal Their Car Buying Regrets. OSV Ltd. finds that 20% of motorists have regretted a car purchase after their car turned out to be unreliable. Kim Henson reports... Buying a new car should be one of the most exciting things you do in life. The moment is often the culmination of saving hard and months of research to ensure you pick the right motor. However, that feeling of … [Read more...]
Golden Oldies? Many recent and future classics are not currently being used and enjoyed…
Many modern and future classics are among the nearly two million cars in Britain registered as being ‘off the road’… Kim Henson reports. A national study carried out earlier this year for Kwik Fit, one of Britain’s leading automotive service and repair companies, brought to light the fact that many of the most popular car models sold in the UK in the 1970s, 80s and 90s are currently off the road … [Read more...]
Kim’s Tips: A Good Start?
Winter's coming: Make sure that you can always get your car started. Kim Henson (with input from the Grumpy Old Mechanic) advises… Typical British winters inevitably bring with them cold and damp conditions, and it is during such times that motor cars can sometimes be reluctant to perform, or even to start at all. Of course, you cannot blame them, for if you had been sat outside all night in … [Read more...]
Grumpy Old Mechanic says… “Grease It!”
He’s having a go again – this time about people who don’t grease their old cars… Go on then, Grumpy Old Mechanic, what’s wrong now? You would never believe the number of classic cars that I have seen lately that have obviously not seen a grease gun for many a long year. Why is this important? Because in the good old days, manufacturers fitted grease nipples so that periodically fresh grease … [Read more...]
Latest developments from Bridgestone/Firestone…
News Round-up from Bridgestone/Firestone... Including Bridgestone links with Maserati, golf and Alfa Romeo, plus two new Firestone tyre ranges; all summarised by Kim Henson… Bridgestone tyres selected for the first Maserati SUV Maserati has selected Bridgestone tyres for the new Levante, the luxury brand’s first-ever SUV. The all-wheel-drive SUV started leaving the Mirafiori plant near Turin … [Read more...]
Motoring For Fun – A Wonderful Road Trip in North Borneo (Sabah)
Kim Henson describes an unforgettable automotive adventure a long way from home… Of all the places in the world, I never imagined that I would be visiting North Borneo (Sabah). From 1946 known as ‘British North Borneo Crown’ (until as recently as 1963), today the state of Sabah is part of Malaysia. However, until a few years ago I must admit that all I knew of the country was what I had gleaned … [Read more...]
Shepton Show Shines! Happy Days for Enthusiasts at This Year’s Footman James (16th) Classic Vehicle Restoration Show
Kim Henson refreshes his enthusiasm for old cars at the Footman James 16th Classic Vehicle Restoration Show, Shepton Mallet. (All words by Kim, and all photos except that of Robert Webb's Healey 3000). Held at the Royal Bath and West Showground on the weekend of 5th and 6th November, this year’s Footman James 16th Classic Vehicle Restoration Show attracted enthusiasts from far and wide. Some … [Read more...]
Suzuki SX4 S-Cross 1.4 Boosterjet SZ5 ALLGRIP Auto – Full Road Test
Kim Henson takes the wheel of the facelifted 2017 version of Suzuki’s SX4 S-Cross, in petrol-powered 1.4 litre Boosterjet form. It is now three years since the original five seater, five door Suzuki SX4 S-Cross made its UK debut. This was the company’s first ‘C’ segment ‘Crossover’ model (aimed at families as well as corporate/fleet buyers) and it impressed motoring writers and buyers alike with … [Read more...]
Devon Classic Car Firm Open Day Raises Cash for Charity
KMJ Restorations Charity Open Day Helps Hospiscare Exeter… Words and Photographs by Kim Henson. It never ceases to amaze me how generous in spirit most classic car owners, clubs and firms are… In the last few days I have attended different events in the south and west of England, at which considerable sums of money have been unselfishly raised for charitable causes, by various individuals and … [Read more...]
BRIEF IMPRESSIONS – CARS DRIVEN AT THE SOCIETY OF MOTOR MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS’ TEST DAY SOUTH 2016
The annual SMMT Test Days provide accredited motoring writers with the opportunity to drive a selection of new cars from a variety of manufacturers. Kim Henson enjoyed this year’s event, as always… Words and all photos by Kim. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) hosts an annual driving event specifically for motoring writers hailing from the south of the UK. I always find … [Read more...]
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