Book Review by Kim Henson: Skoda Octavia – The First One: 1959–71 Author: Miroslav Synek Published by: Veloce (in February 2026) www.veloce.co.uk 128 pages (softback), 210 x 148 mm format UK price £19.99 ISBN: SKU 9781836440406 I always find it interesting to learn more about cars that here in the UK we seldom see, and to find out more of the history behind them. Skoda’s Octavia is a case … [Read more...]
Contributors
Skoda Fabia 130 – Road Test
Driving enthusiasts of a certain age will fondly remember how Skoda seriously challenged and embarrassed the most expensive works rally teams with its comparatively cheaper Flying Fabias. And in national and club rallies across Europe they can still pull out a few surprises. When skill and low weight combined, the flying Fabias really set the pace for others to follow. Now, a different set of … [Read more...]
UK car sales figures for March 2026; EV discounts rule!
Electric car registrations are accelerating driven by huge manufacturer discounts, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). The UK new car market grew by 6.6% in March, typically the busiest month of the year, with 380,627 new vehicles registered, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Registrations in Wales saw the smallest rise of just 5.85% to 12,275 cars in March … [Read more...]
SEAT Arona 1.5 TSI FR Sport 150PS DSG – Road Test
SEAT knew what they were doing when launching the original Arona compact crossover in 2017 and it has become one of the brand’s best sellers with revisions in 2021 and 2025. Using platforms and powertrains from within the Volkswagen Group it reduced costs but not quality when pitching into the all-important family sector. Being not too big under 4.2 m (just under 14 ft) long and taking up to … [Read more...]
Changan Deepal SO5 RWD – First Impressions/Road Test review
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports... China’s latest entrant into Britain’s car market is also one of its oldest domestic car makers, Changan, whose name translates as “lasting safety”. After beginning as a munitions manufacturer in 1862 and then military vehicles in 1959, it eased into cars 25 years later and has worked with Suzuki, Mazda and Ford to develop models for its home … [Read more...]
Driven: Britain’s Motoring Story – A new exhibition at the National Motor Museum Beaulieu
Chris Adamson was there at the opening and describes this exciting new approach at the National Motor Museum. All Words and Photographs © Chris Adamson. A radical reinterpretation of Britain’s motoring heritage has been unveiled, just in time for Easter visitor rush, at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in the heart of the New Forest. The £600,000 re-vamp of the first floor is the most … [Read more...]
Volkswagen Tiguan Mild Hybrid – Road Test
Volkswagen has eased off the throttle to becoming a pure electric brand and wisely continues to develop its semi-electric mild hybrid line up. Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) tells us more… The Tiguan MHEV is one of the third generation of this highly popular model, its best seller worldwide including 29,800 registered in Britain last year. In a world and market where change happens and … [Read more...]
Kim’s Tips – Avoiding brakedowns with classic brake systems…
Kim offers a brief general (and personal) perspective on keeping problems at bay, in the hope that this information may help others. All words and photographs © Kim Henson. VITAL NOTES: Observe all safety precautions, including supporting the vehicle on sturdy axle stands, not just jacks, when working on it. If in any doubt about any aspect of working on the brake system, seek help from … [Read more...]
Geely Starray EMi Hybrid – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes: The UK car market is changing forever and being transformed by the arrival of Chinese brands including the very recent Geely group. Many may not have heard of Geely, but it is the money and technology behind Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, and familiar TX London Taxi. That’s an impressive family to have on your side but a few years ago decided to introduce … [Read more...]
Geely EX5 Max – Road Test
If you think Geely is a new brand in Britain, think again, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). While it launched its first badged model, the Geely EX5, last year it has been quietly contemplating its place and plans for some years. Geely is deeply involved behind the scenes with our own Lotus sports car makers, and is providing the knowledge and expertise for Volvo and Smart electric … [Read more...]
A mixed set of UK car sales figures in February 2026
Incentives drive registrations but EV business slows. Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports... The UK new car market rose by 7.2% in February to 90,100 registrations, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, but EV demand is slowing again. The growth brings the highest February volume in 22 years, although the month is conventionally … [Read more...]
GWM Poer300 Vanta Pick-up – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports… Once upon a time pick-ups were the workhorses of the countryside and contractors. Then it changed and they became the way to save on a tax return without suffering too much in refinement. Advance a couple of years and the market reverted to tax changes which really favoured the basic pickup and many models became much more expensive and a tax … [Read more...]
Skoda Elroq SportLine 85 – Road Test
From really humble beginnings in Britain, Skoda has evolved through Volkswagen Group membership into one of the most diverse and desirable brands you can afford to buy. Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports. OK, their cars are no longer the off-cuts of a one-time communist cut-price country, but they now stand wheel to wheel with the best big brands from Europe, so you have to pay … [Read more...]
For Your Bookshelf: “BMC Farina Cars In Detail”
BMC Farina Cars In Detail – Book Review Reviewed by Kim Henson Author: Anders Ditlev Clausager Published by: Herridge & Sons Ltd. https://www.herridgeandsons.com/ 192 pages (hardback), large format (270 x 210mm), and including 360 illustrations UK Price: £45 (but currently on offer from the publishers at £32.50, with free shipping on all UK … [Read more...]
XPeng G6 M2026 – First Impressions
XPeng M2026 – First Impressions Exactly what driving and mobility will be like in future is still uncertain, but for sure, Chinese brand Xpeng aims to be part of it. Robin Roberts (WheelsWithinWales) explains... Like US rival Tesla, Xpeng has roots in technology, software and brainpower rather than horsepower, and it also set its sights on the sky and has produced not a spaceship but a flying … [Read more...]
UK Government publishes long-awaited Road Safety Strategy
Dave Moss reports… It is well over 10 years since the last formal road safety strategy was published, a gap which has led road safety professionals inside and outside officialdom to become openly and increasingly concerned about the lengthening absence of any Government-led definitive aims, topics and targets - or even guidance - to help their never-ending work to reduce deaths and … [Read more...]
Skywell BE11 – Road Test
Skywell BE11 – Road Test Competition in the UK car market is tough, very tough, and Chinese brand Skywell is ramping up the challenge. Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) puts their BE11 suv through its paces... Introduced early 2025, the firm quickly realised it had to raise its game and this year intensified its sales drive with better driver technology, improved comfort and lower prices … [Read more...]
January car sales figures in the UK – a mixed bag of numbers
There has been an encouraging start to this year’s new car registrations, but pure battery cars have slowed while Chinese makes have gained ground. Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports... Car makers now want a rethink on the support for electric cars and proposed pence-per-mile road tolls for them. It also saw a Chinese brand take second place in the UK top ten and three occupied the … [Read more...]
Genesis G80 Dynamic – Road Test
Genesis was slow coming into Britain but it has accelerated in pace and progress. Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports... After a long spell in the US, Genesis arrived in the UK in summer 2021, initially into the business-backed fleet sector where it promised unrivalled VIP buying and service arrangements through direct sales and ‘studios’ with a “we come to you” business model for … [Read more...]
Kia EV4 GT Line hatchback – Road Test
The Kia EV4 is a landmark model for the brand and possibly the UK car market, writes Robin Roberts (WheelsWithinWales). The EV4 breaks new ground for Kia as the first zero emissions model made in their Slovakian factory and their first hatchback model to have an electric powertrain. Building on the success of the more utilitarian EV3 BEV, the new model is aimed at the markets for Hatchback and … [Read more...]
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