Vauxhall’s latest… the Crossland X SUV… Assessed by Robin Roberts (Miles Better News Agency). Size really matters in the burgeoning SUV sector and the new era of sub-compact models is being joined by the Vauxhall Crossland X. It’s shorter and lower than the sibling Mokka X AWD and close to the Astra Hatch but it features an elevated seating position and a user-friendly interior to the … [Read more...]
Contributors
Bridgestone tyres for new Alfa Stelvio SUV
Bridgestone has been selected by Alfa Romeo to be a tyre supplier for its first premium mid-size SUV, it has been revealed. Kim Henson reports… Engineered with Run-Flat Technology and designed with all season capability, the Dueler H/P Sport tyre from Bridgestone will equip the all-new 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. “Bridgestone is honoured to supply tyres for the much anticipated Alfa Romeo … [Read more...]
On-line Car Buying News
Robin Roberts reports on current trends in researching and buying cars on-line. Ford is streets ahead of rivals on-line, that’s the conclusion of a marketing study by Mediaworks… The analysis by Mediaworks looks at the success of selling brands on the web and it contains a few surprises. Coming after two other reports had showed that younger buyers are most influenced by advertising, and … [Read more...]
Mazda MX-5 RF Road Test
Keith Ward test drives Mazda’s latest MX-5 with a retractable roof… SUMMER ahoy and here is the latest version of what has long been billed, virtue of its rave reputation in the huge market of the USA, the world’s all-time best selling two-seater sports car, with a crop of awards to its name, including World Car of the Year 2016. The RF (for Retractable Fastback) is a new eye-candy hard top … [Read more...]
Diesel Delusion?
Wot, NO Diesels? Wheels-Alive reports on comments made today regarding future plans for outlawing diesel cars… Alex Buttle (pictured), director, car buying website Motorway.co.uk, comments: “When it comes to his plans for diesel cars, we have to ask has Tim Farron been smoking some of the substance he’s looking to legalise? “A total ban on diesel cars is likely to be highly unpopular for the … [Read more...]
Motoring for Fun – ‘Wirral Going on a Summer Holiday’ (and to the Austin Counties Car Club Rally) – in a 1954 Austin A40 Somerset, says Kim
Wirral Going on a Summer Holiday – in a 1954 Austin A40 (Somerset) Coupé… Kim Henson explains... I have to admit that until 2014 I had never before visited the Wirral peninsula, nor indeed Liverpool, but twice in that year I made brief visits to that part of the world, and was keen to return to explore in more detail. For those who may not know, the Wirral peninsula sits between (to the west) … [Read more...]
Latest MINIs – News and First Impressions
MINI – Keeping the pedal to the metal for new model introductions. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). MINI Clubman Black Pack joins the line-up Like their parent company BMW, MINI is keeping the ‘pedal to the metal’ by introducing a raft of additional derivatives of their core model ranges. At last week’s 2017 range review Nicholas Griebner, Head of Product for MINI UK said … [Read more...]
Latest BMW models news – plus revised 4 Series Coupé First Impressions
Busy, Busy, Busy at BMW – Raft of new model changes includes 4 Series. David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) samples the latest Coupé. My email Inbox this week has been loaded with press releases about the latest changes to the 2017 BMW range of passenger cars. New is the most used word in the titles of these releases. In fact most of the amendments are for detailed styling changes, upgrades to … [Read more...]
Arranging loans against classic cars gains in popularity…
Robin Roberts reports on the growing trend for loans to be taken out against classic car values. As widely reported, the values of classic cars have been increasing in dramatic fashion over the last few years and such vehicles are currently seen by lenders as good bets as assets against which to loan money. HNW Lending is one example; here are the headlines: HNW Lending has now … [Read more...]
Volkswagen Amarok Aventura 3.0 V6 Double Cab Pick-up Road Test
VW’s Amarok Aventura 3.0 V6 Double Cab Pick-up… …assessed by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency) Big, bold and you can bet it’ll turn heads, the VW Amarok double cab pick-up is the alternative luxury SUV whether it’s for family, leisure or work use. Built with America squarely in its sight over one of the biggest bonnets you’ll ever see looming in your rear view mirror, the Amarok is … [Read more...]
Diesel dilemma for car buyers
Diesel car sales decline… with knock-on effects for secondhand models. Robin Roberts reports. The decline in diesel new car sales is forcing down used prices as well. There is a knock-on effect on financing plans increasingly being used by car makers to bolster income, report analysts to Reuters. Pollution concerns and the likelihood of city centre charging is also affecting the business … [Read more...]
Classic prices achieved at South Western Vehicle Auctions sale…
Some ‘modest’ classic commercials and cars, as well as more exclusively machinery, fetched far more than anticipated at the recent classic vehicle sale arranged by South Western Vehicle Auctions in Poole. Chris Adamson was there with his camera and notebook… (Words and photographs by Chris). A bid of £21,000 for a classic car is not normally the stuff of headlines – but it was at the recent … [Read more...]
Repair costs compared between different makes within the Volkswagen Group
Thinking of investing in a Volkswagen, an Audi, a Skoda or a SEAT? The comparative cost of repairs within the Volkswagen Group makes interesting reading... By Robin Roberts and Kim Henson Volkswagen has been in the news a lot lately, and not always for the right reasons. However, the German manufacturer still reigns supreme when it comes to car sales, with the company shifting 10.3 … [Read more...]
Air-free bicycle tyres on track for arrival in 2019…
Wot, no air for your bike tyres (and, possibly in the near future, tyres for other vehicles too...)? Kim Henson reports. In Tokyo the Bridgestone Corporation has announced that, together with the Bridgestone Cycle Co, Ltd, the company has developed a next-generation bicycle tyre in an effort to realise practical application of their “Air Free Concept”, a technology for creating tyres that do not … [Read more...]
Latest Volkswagen Beetle – Road Test
Nearly 80 years of ‘Beetling’ about… David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) test drives the 2017 VW Beetle. With more and more volume produced cars these days looking more and more alike, there are very few iconic core designs left to tempt those owners who do not want run-of-the mill designs. These buyers are independent minded, aloof to what is the latest must-have – me-too fashionable car, … [Read more...]
NEW SERIES! ‘Golden Oldies’; Kim’s Retrospective Road Test No. 1 – 1996 Vauxhall Astra 1.7 LS turbodiesel (Isuzu engine).
Astranomical! In the first of a new series on Wheels-Alive, Kim Henson assesses Vauxhall’s family hatchback of the 1990s, in the form of a 1996 Vauxhall Astra F (‘Mark 3’), powered by Isuzu’s fuel-sipping 1.7 litre turbodiesel engine. (All words and photographs by Kim). “Astra from Vauxhall. It’s every car you’ll ever need – or want.” So proclaimed Vauxhall when promoting their 1996 Astra … [Read more...]
Lexus GS 300h – Road Test
Hybrid Power – You Know it Makes Sense – Toyota and Lexus Know-how. Lexus GS 300h tested by David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). Toyota and Lexus have long been the stalwarts, you could say the pioneers, of using hybrid technology for some of their passenger car ranges to reduce CO2 emissions, improve fuel economy and boost performance. Where they led others now follow. The growth in … [Read more...]
Revised SEAT Leon range – First Impressions
SEAT updates their best-selling Leon line-up of hatchbacks and estates. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). In common with other brands in the Volkswagen Group that produce C-segment family cars based on their highly rated MQB platform, namely the VW Golf, Skoda Octavia and Audi A3, SEAT have now rolled out their ‘refreshed’ range of Leon SC three-door coupé, five-door hatchbacks and ST … [Read more...]
Circuit of Wales latest news update…
Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency) reports on the current situation regarding the proposed Circuit of Wales... Wales Audit Office said there were "significant shortcomings" in the way £9.3 Million of taxpayers' money was spent on plans for Circuit of Wales at Ebbw Vale. Funding was based on a "flawed" appraisal by Welsh Government, said the public finance watchdog. Welsh … [Read more...]
Volvo V90 D4 AWD Cross Country – Kim’s (brief) First Impressions
Kim Henson briefly samples Volvo’s state-of-the-art V90 D4 AWD Cross Country estate. In line with developments in engineering and computer systems generally, the rapid pace of change in terms of automotive technological innovation is clear when driving any vehicle produced in the last year or two, and especially so in the case of so-called ‘premium’ brands. This generalisation is certainly … [Read more...]
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