The First Stop fast fit network is continuing to evolve and expand, courtesy of an innovative approach to new member recruitment… Kim Henson reports. After increasing to a total of 72 centres by the end of 2016, the First Stop network has attracted another new outlet in the form of Hickleys in Taunton, who will now be boasting a tyre offering for motorists to benefit from, for the first … [Read more...]
Contributors
Latest Hyundai i30 Hatchback – Road Test
The new Hyundai i30 mid-sized hatchback – Bland but not basic, says David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). The all-new third generation Hyundai i30 five door hatchback range went on sale in the UK from 1 March this year and it will be followed by Tourer estate versions due this summer. The two ranges will be similar in terms of engine and specification choices, but a little more expensive – and … [Read more...]
Dave Randle goes ‘Back to Basics’ with his trusty Xantia…
BIT OF A BLOW. Dave Randle explains how it pays NOT to think the worst if an unusual breakdown occurs... So we made space in the schedule and booked up the first caravan holiday of Spring. Not an epic; just far enough away to be off the intermittent communication lines of Romney Marsh and sequestered among the Surrey Hills several times as far above sea level. We’re just getting back into … [Read more...]
Latest Honda Civic – History and First Impressions, plus Honda news
New 10th Generation Honda Civic British-built for global markets. David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) reports… News The new 10th generation Honda Civic five door family hatchback is now in production for global markets and it is only being built in the UK at the company’s Swindon factory. Production at the same location will also include the ‘hot’ Civic Type-R, but not a Civic Tourer estate, … [Read more...]
Kia Niro Hybrid – Road Test
Keith Ward test drives Kia’s first hybrid, in the form of the Niro… While accelerating sales of alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFVs) in the UK have eased with the gearing down of Government support grants, reaching 89,000 last year out of a record total of nearly 2.7m cars, they were still up by more than 20 per cent, according to official SMMT trade figures. They include petrol-electric … [Read more...]
New Ford Mondeo – Road Test
Latest Ford Mondeo Vignale 2.0 Powershift auto 4WD... Assessed by Robin Roberts (Miles Better News Agency). When a giant moves it may not be often but everyone takes notice. Ford held onto the Vignale coach-building name for 42 years before applying it to a hand-finished Mondeo which appeared in 2016, and now it’s picking up momentum and will be appearing on more bespoke cars. Ford … [Read more...]
Latest BMW 5 Series Road Test
The new seventh generation BMW 5 Series saloon… Test-driven by David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). The BMW 5 Series has gone through six generations spanning 45 years and totalling 7.9 million global sales, and its success in longevity and sales terms means it has always been the benchmark range for the executive car sector. The new seventh generation 5 Series Saloon arrived in February, … [Read more...]
‘Need to Know’ Series No 2… BS AU 7 (classic vehicle wiring standard)
‘Need to Know’ Series No 2... BS AU 7 (British classic vehicle wiring standard) – Dave Moss explains all... Note from Kim: Our 'Need to Know' Series aims to provide information about various (and sometimes-overlooked!) aspects of classic car design and construction, to help owners today in better understanding, maintaining and enjoying their vehicles. Watch this space for further articles in … [Read more...]
Renault Grand Scenic seven seater MPV Road Test
David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) assesses the new Renault Grand Scenic seven seater ‘people carrier’… Sales of MPV ‘people carriers’ have in recent years dropped in popularity due to the public’s switch to the now more desirable but less practical people-carrying SUVs and Crossover type vehicles. MPV sales dropped a further 4.3% in the UK last year and 3.1% in Europe. But the industry … [Read more...]
30 Not Out! New Forest classic event makes history – A ‘good news’ story!
On a beautiful spring Sunday in April, two south coast based UK classic car groups made happy history. Kim Henson was there with his camera (as he was in 1987!)… During the past 30 years, so many things in life have changed, and of course world events have been turbulent, but for two separate groups of classic car owners in Dorset and Hampshire respectively, an enduring and tranquil annual event … [Read more...]
Latest Suzuki Swift – First impressions with a different, scientific approach…
New Suzuki makes the running... Applying science to automotive assessment, the inimitable Dave Randle shares his own fascinating thoughts on Suzuki’s newcomer. As a classicist, I naturally turned to Swift for a quote that would do justice to the latest automotive bearer of that name. The best I could come up with was: ‘You’re lucky enough to be different, never change,’ which, while it’s true in … [Read more...]
New Audi A5 Cabriolet and Q5 SUV – First Impressions (plus latest Audi news)
Audi UK reveals a new pair of fives – The new A5 Cabriolet and Q5 SUV. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). News After seven consecutive years of record new car sales in the UK Audi has started 2017 with a record three months of sales and a record new ‘17’ registration plate month of March. Having grown their model lines from 17 to 52 across 18 ranges in the last 16 years, more new … [Read more...]
Classic Information (Kim’s Tips) – Think positive during vehicle restoration!
Classic vehicle restoration... Don’t give up! You CAN do it… Kim Henson advises. When trying to restore, recommission or even just re-invigorate a classic car, van or pick-up, to get the vehicle to its rightful place back out on the road where it can be enjoyed, there will almost certainly be times when the scale of the task weighs heavy. Indeed things can build up to the extent that sometimes … [Read more...]
Latest Vauxhall Insignia – First Impressions
First Drive of the new Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport. By Robin Roberts (Miles Better News Agency). The smooth new Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport will ruffle some feathers among rivals. Bigger, lighter, more economical and better equipped than the original Insignia launched in 2008, the Insignia Mk2 is now on sale as a five-door hatchback from £17,115 to £26,445. It will later … [Read more...]
Latest Volkswagen Golf – First Impressions (plus VW news)
Updated VW Golf – More Specification – Less Money. David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) takes a close look and samples the new versions at their UK press launch… The seventh generation VW Golf has received a mid-life refresh with more equipment, mildly refreshed styling and updated engines – and on average they cost £650 less than the corresponding outgoing models. Prices now start, (after … [Read more...]
New MINI Countryman Road Test
Largest production MINI ever – The new MINI Countryman. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). In the 58-year history of Mini as it was and MINI as it is now under the BMW Group ownership, the all-new second generation Countryman five door Crossover/SUV type is the largest production Mini or MINI ever to go on sale. UK deliveries started in February with prices from £22,465 and running … [Read more...]
New Land Rover Discovery – First Impressions
New Land Rover Discovery Breaks cover in the UK… David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) has been comprehensively test-driving the latest version. We’ve seen the pictures, read the Marketing and PR blurb, I’ve actually seen one in the flesh, but it was only last week, just as the all-new models were arriving with first customers in the UK, that I got behind the wheel of the new heavyweight seven … [Read more...]
Don’t give up! Bridgestone UK announces Olympic Partnership Campaign: “Chase Your Dream, No Matter What”
Bridgestone’s “Chase Your Dream, No Matter What” campaign heroes are Olympians who have overcome adversity to get where they are today… Kim Henson reports. Bridgestone – the world’s largest tyre company – has launched its UK activation of this campaign as an official International Olympic Committee Partner through to 2024. The motivational campaign aims to encourage people of all ages, … [Read more...]
Suzuki Ignis Road Test
Suzuki’s new Ignis city car climbs new heights. David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) gives his assessment… Is it a city car competing with the likes of the Fiat 500, Hyundai i10 or the new Ford Ka+, or is it a small SUV like the Fiat Panda 4x4 or the Fiat 500X or the Renault Captur? Actually the all-new, high-stance Suzuki Ignis is a bit of both as some versions are front wheel drive and … [Read more...]
Skoda Kodiaq First Impressions
New Skoda Kodiaq large SUV joins the sales trail. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). Yet another all-new model range joins the booming SUV market, this time it is the Skoda Kodiaq range of large five or seven seat, 2WD or 4WD on/off roaders. Prices start from an eye-catching £21,565, rising through a range of 24 derivatives to £34,050, and deliveries to UK customers start from 6 April. … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 58
- 59
- 60
- 61
- 62
- …
- 81
- Next Page »