This year’s Beaulieu International Autojumble went ahead and those attending seemed very happy to be there. Kim Henson reports… (Words by, and copyright, Kim Henson; photographs by, and copyright, Kim Henson and Chris Adamson, as individually credited). Many classic vehicle enthusiasts were looking forward to the 2022 International Autojumble at Beaulieu, the 55th event (sponsored again by … [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.
Great Dorset Steam Fair is back at last…
The Great Dorset Steam Fair, knocked out by Covid for 2020 and 2021, came back in 2022, much to the deep joy of participants and visitors. Kim Henson reports… (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Kim Henson). They say that you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone, and it has certainly been the case that the much-loved Great Dorset Steam Fair has been much missed by devotees. … [Read more...]
For Your Bookshelf – and a Competition Prize; you can win a copy – ‘Hand Wash Only – A Beginner’s Guide to Detailing and Car Care’
YOU could win one of two copies of this top class book; please see below for details of our Wheels-Alive competition… So what is the book all about? We review the book, but first the publishers of ‘Hand Wash Only’ tell us… Car enthusiasts all over the world know that washing their vehicle by hand is the best way to keep it looking its best. In recent times 'detailing' has become the … [Read more...]
Wheels-Alive Competition, starting at 9am Tuesday 2nd August; you can win a copy – ‘Hand Wash Only – A Beginner’s Guide to Detailing and Car Care’
This comprehensive new book on vehicle 'detailing' will be reviewed at 9am tomorrow, Tuesday 2nd August 2022 on Wheels-Alive, with the chance to win a copy in a free to enter competition which closes at 8.59am on Friday, 12th August. … [Read more...]
BMC and Leyland Show attracted classics galore on a very hot summer weekend
Enthusiasts flock to the BMC and Leyland Show… …Kim Henson reports. (All text and all photographs – except one as individually credited – by, and copyright, Kim Henson). The British Motor Museum at Gaydon played host to this year’s BMC and Leyland Show (held annually, Covid-apart) on Sunday 10th July. On a blistering hot day, more than 800 classic vehicles produced by BMC BL, Leyland and … [Read more...]
Splendid Standards at Cranfield
This year’s Standard Motor Club International Rally attracted a wide variety of models and was enjoyed by participants from far and wide. Kim Henson reports… The worldwide curse of Covid meant a gap of three years since the Standard Motor Club was last able to hold its International Rally, so that there was even more than usual eager anticipation for rally-goers ahead of the 2022 event. Over … [Read more...]
Kias galore – briefly test driven in one day
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...]
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...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- …
- 20
- Next Page »