MG is a becoming a brand to be reckoned with and strengthening its standing in the British market by taking a step back, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). The famous octagonal badge has been seen on UK made models since 1924, but it has also been a century of change, most notably when it was saved by an unknown Chinese brand called Nanjing in 2005 and then almost immediately resold to … [Read more...]
Contributors
MG Cyberster: Highly Anticipated Electric Sports Car – First Impressions
Unveiled to the world in September 2024, the MG Cyberster sees the Chinese marque produce their first ever fully electric sports car. With breathtaking styling and competitive battery technology, is this still a proper convertible sports car? George Loveridge finds out… Well, let us address that straight away. It’s certainly a convertible! We get the choice of either a black or red folding roof. … [Read more...]
Skywell BE11 FD Long Range – First Impressions
Private buyers who want a high specification electric car and business drivers with eyes fixed on a low tax penalty are targets for the new Skywell range arriving in Britain, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). The Cirencester-based importer, Innovation Automotive, is also looking at traditional used car dealers seeking their first new car franchise in a local market area where they are … [Read more...]
November 2024 UK new car sales – makers pull back sales to avoid EV penalties
Deliveries of new cars fell by -1.9% in the UK during November with 153,610 joining the road, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. By Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). It is the second consecutive monthly decline, and the third decline in four months, as the market contracts amid the race to meet tough EV market share targets. Demand from private buyers, among … [Read more...]
Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate 1.6T PHEV – Road Test
The obvious doesn’t always stare you in the face and it’s therefore easy to overlook, at your cost, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). Take the Hyundai Santa Fe, the big, very big, seven-seater SUV which is probably eclipsed in many eyes by its Korean stablemates along with much more expensive competitors from German and British car plants. The Hyundai Santa Fe was launched as the … [Read more...]
Honda Civic i-DTEC – Genuinely economical! Retrospective road test – and buying used.
Kim Henson writes... While some drivers will only buy new cars, for others there are some excellent secondhand buys available at a fraction of the price of a new model, and running costs can be light on your wallet, BUT you need to proceed with care. Here Kim explains, using his own Honda Civic as an example… (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Kim Henson). Writing often about new … [Read more...]
Honda HR-V Advance Style Plus – Road Test
A quarter of a century after introducing the Insight as Britain’s first petrol-electric hybrid, the latest Honda HR-V is probably more relevant today, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). While rival hybrids have grown in size compared to the Insight of 25 years ago, there is not that much difference in the footprint of the HR-V. It is now in its third generation and sharing a Honda … [Read more...]
Britain’s car market is turning around
The landscape of leading car brands in Britain is looking different with the arrival of more pure electric cars… says Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) Traditional market leading brands are taking a back seat as manufacturers who were among the first to "go-electric" are making big inroads among motorists and businesses seeking to "go-green" and the Skoda Enyaq was top BEV. SMMT … [Read more...]
UK’s new car market contracts in October 2024
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports... October saw another month of contraction in the new car market, a concerning trend following August's end to two years of continuous growth. This decline is particularly worrying, as it highlights the volatility of the market right now, said Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association. UK new car buyers now … [Read more...]
Kia Picanto 1.0 GT-Line – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes: If you can remember when cars were actually fun to drive you’ll enjoy the latest Kia Picanto even more with the high specification now added to this anything but basic runabout. We briefly drove the latest baby car from the Korean family in the summer and that was an entry-level model, but we’ve just managed to get our hands on the higher specified … [Read more...]
Icy screens (and other winter woes) are now on the agenda
With the clocks now having gone back and autumn turning inexorably into winter, the weather gets colder and drivers can expect frosty windscreens and icy windows, writes Robin Roberts and WheelsWithinWales. (Photograph by, and copyright, Kim Henson). Car specialist Gold Label Car Care https://www.goldlabelcarcare.co.uk has provided expert advice with 5 ways to de-ice a windscreen for … [Read more...]
Lexus RZ450e – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes: “Lexus has just raised the game in the fierce fight for buyers looking at ‘zero-emission’ pure battery cars”. Enter the Lexus RZ450e series of nine models from £55,595 to £66,695 in Urban, Premium, Premium Plus and Takumi guises, with choices of 18 or 20 inch wheels and single or bi-tone paint finishes. The 450e has the latest electronic axles … [Read more...]
SEAT Arona FR 24 LE – Road Test
SEAT has earned its place as the stylish brand for a younger generation of drivers over the last four decades, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). On sale since 2017, the SEAT Arona is one of the new generation of ‘crossover’ models or tall hatchbacks in the B-sector and the smallest in their sub-compact range under the Ateca. Its introduction has helped SEAT pass the magic million … [Read more...]
Cars that best hold their value
Sports cars, large SUVs and premium hatchbacks tend to hold their value well... Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports... Cars that keep their value: sports cars top the list of the best car types for resale Sports cars, large SUVs and premium hatchbacks are best at holding their value Models by Alpine, Morgan and Lotus are among those which lose the least value over time Family … [Read more...]
Omoda 5 SUV petrol – First Impressions
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) shares his thoughts on his first drive with the petrol-powered OMODA 5. No-one can doubt the Chinese brand OMODA is very serious about coming to Britain and taking on the legend brands. We were impressed with a first drive of the pure electric OMODA E5 last May and now we’ve had a chance to get some initial impressions of the OMODA 5 petrol version of … [Read more...]
High depreciation rates on some electric cars under scrutiny
The Audi Q4 e-tron shows the highest annual depreciation rate, according to a recent survey from ALA Insurance. Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports... Audi’s Q4 e-tron has the highest annual depreciation rate on the market, new study shows. The Audi Q4 e-tron has the highest annual depreciation rate of any other car at 18.8% yearly The three vehicles with the lowest … [Read more...]
Volkswagen Golf Match – Road Test
The Golf has been the golden one for Volkswagen, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales)… Ever since its launch in 1974 when it set a new standard in the hatchback sector it has gone on to become the standard by which any rivals are judged and to which competitors are compared. True, some are roomier, softer sprung, sharper handling and cheaper, but overall the VW Golf is an incredibly … [Read more...]
Kim’s Tips – Ford Focus watery misfire
Does your Ford Focus misfire and stutter after wet weather? If so the problem could be easier to isolate and fix than imagined. Kim Henson tells more… This true story should really be under the ‘Steve’s Tips’ heading, rather than ‘Kim’s Tips’, and results from a conversation with my friend 'Steve on the Isle of Wight'. He told me that his family’s petrol-powered Ford Focus was running … [Read more...]
Ford Kuga ST-Line 2.5 FHEV FWD – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) test drives Ford’s Kuga SUV… After its launch in 2008, the Ford Kuga has grown from the company’s first ‘tall’ hatchback into one of their success stories among UK best sellers, and the story continues this year. Now on sale with some very significant updates and improvements to its technology, equipment and design, the Ford Kuga is taking on rivals … [Read more...]
Keep it Clean!
Kim Henson advises ensuring that the wheel arches and underbody structure of your car are kept clean, to prolong its life and make it more pleasant to work on. Recent wet weather in Britain has resulted in many roads being strewn with mud, accumulations of leaves, etc. Inevitably these deposits are transferred to the undersides of passing vehicles, via their tyres. In turn the resulting debris … [Read more...]
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