"It's terrific", says Kim Henson... Located at Gaydon in Warwickshire, the re-named British Motor Museum has just re-opened following a £5.1 million refurbishment, which has taken five and a half years to come to fruition. The work – which was delivered on time and on budget – has included the construction of two new facilities. The Museum is now proud to showcase the world’s leading … [Read more...]
Contributors
Wheels-Alive Takes a Look… At the RAC Regional HQ at Bradley Stoke
Kim Henson reports on the RAC's fascinating regional base near Bristol... I have frequently driven along the south-west sections of M4 and M5, passing and always admiring the fascinating, futuristic-looking RAC building at Bradley Stoke, just south of the M4/M5 junction near Bristol. I’ve also often wondered what goes on inside the centre. Recently I was invited to tour the … [Read more...]
Skoda Superb range-topping Laurin and Klement 4×4 estate Road Test
Skoda’s Latest Superb Estate – Mostly Lives up to its Name... says David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). (Note from Kim: Recently on Wheels-Alive, Keith Ward assessed the 150 horsepower 2.0 TDi SE L Executive manual transmission front wheel drive variant; by contrast David gives his verdict on the range-topping Laurin and Klement specification 190 horsepower 2.0 TDi four wheel drive version … [Read more...]
Ford Sierra – a classic modern classic?
The car that created or broke the mould? Kim Henson takes a look at the Ford Sierra (especially RS Cosworth versions)... In October 1982 the much-loved, angular Cortina (Mark V by then) was finally ousted and in its place Ford introduced the boldly styled five door Sierra hatchback. Initial reaction to its unconventional, rounded bodywork was mixed. Many traditionalists were outraged at the … [Read more...]
Infiniti Q30 First Impressions
New British-built Infiniti Q30 five door premium hatchback is now on sale... By David Miles (Miles Batter News Agency) Infiniti, the premium brand from Nissan, has launched their all-new UK built Infiniti Q30 C-segment five door hatchback and it’s thoroughly British. Not only is it the first Infiniti ever to be built in Europe, it was created at the Nissan-Infiniti Paddington design facility, … [Read more...]
2016 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV or Turbodiesel?
David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) road tests the turbodiesel version... Sales of SUVs in the UK showed a 21.5% increase in 2015 and sales of PHEV plug-in ultra low emission vehicles increased by 94%. In January this year PHEV sales were up by another 33%. Combine SUV design and PHEV technology together and you get the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, but there is also the latest Outlander … [Read more...]
Book Review: Jaguar Design – A Story of Style
Kieron Fennelly reviews this comprehensive volume, written by Nick Hull. Author: Nick Hull Published by: Porter Press (www.porterpress.co.uk) 512 pages (hardback) UK Price: £90 ($170 US) ISBN: 978-1-907085-29-1 Books by stylists are rare, but in recent years Roy Axe’s engaging autobiography and Graham Hull’s intriguing Inside the Styling Department at … [Read more...]
Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine Plug-in SUV First Impressions
Should we get connected with the new Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine Plug-in large SUV? asks David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) With SUV sales in Europe accelerating to the top selling market segment in Europe last year and a 21.5% increase in the UK, where it is the third largest sector, the arrival of the new Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine plug-in petrol electric hybrid is timely. Sales of PHEVs in … [Read more...]
Skoda Superb estate car Road Test
Keith Ward assesses the Skoda Superb Estate It is worth noting that Skoda has recently (January 2016) manufactured its 18 millionth vehicle since the Czech company started building cars in 1905 – two statistics which may surprise many people. And the milestone steed was a Superb Estate, the model trumpeted as “The most spacious Skoda yet”. You have to believe it. Lower the rear seats and its … [Read more...]
New Kia Sportage First Impressions
First drive of Kia's new Sportage, by Keith Ward THE Sportage sold in record numbers here of around 23,000 in 2015. That has not stopped Kia kicking off 2016 with an all-new fourth generation version of what is easily its best-selling model, and declaring a target for it of 25,000 UK sales in the next 12 months. An 18-strong range is priced between £17,995 and £31,495, so starting £495 dearer … [Read more...]
New MINI Hatch John Cooper Works – The Most Powerful MINI Ever – First Impressions
By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) Hot MINI UK Sales News With another record year of sales behind them in 2015, MINI is well placed with the introduction of their third generation range of models to continue their record breaking sales record. Last year MINI achieved 63,581 UK new car registrations, an 18.5% increase over the previous year and the sixth consecutive year of … [Read more...]
The solid, dependable, amazing Land Rover Defender finally bows out…
End of the Production Road for the Land Rover Defender – a unique and much-loved British icon. Kim Henson reports… It hardly seems possible, but as of 10 o’clock this morning, and after 68 years of production of Land Rover ‘Series’ and ‘Defender’ models, no more will be built. Reasons for the discontinuation of the model include 21st Century emissions and safety regulations. However, perhaps … [Read more...]
Jet powered cars – a fascinating history (so far!)
Retired and forgotten old lady now 66 - by Dave Moss Time to reflect on a story which began in 1941, when the Rover company received a wartime invitation to help make the experimental jet engines dreamed up by inventor Frank Whittle production-ready. Despite lacking experience in the field, Rover dutifully began work at sites in the midlands and northern England, but friction between the parties … [Read more...]
Mitsubishi Motors new L200 Pick-up – still a legend in its own lifetime
Road test by David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) A legend in its own lifetime is Mitsubishi’s L200 pick-up sold globally over six decades accounting for over four million sales. Now the fifth generation versions are with us. The first generation was launched in 1978 as a single cab body style with standard and long wheelbase body options, with two wheel drive, and 4x4 traction for SWB … [Read more...]
BMW X5 xDrive 40e First Impressions
New BMW X5 xDrive 40e joins the UK's fast-growing plug-in hybrid market. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). With a record year of UK sales behind them in 2015, when they replaced Audi as the best selling premium brand, and their centenary in front of them in 2016, BMW look fully charged to have a good year. First of their new models to be handed to the UK’s motoring media at the … [Read more...]
Give Your Battery a Helping Hand – Kim’s Tips
Kim Henson advises on getting the best from your battery, at the same time helping it to 'survive and prosper'! Whether your car is a classic or a more recent model, its battery has to take a great deal of punishment in winter, with constant demands on its output, through a wealth of electrical systems that it has to supply (particularly on modern vehicles). Low temperatures sap at battery … [Read more...]
Citroën C4 Cactus – First Impressions
Chris Adamson is your guide… The Oxford English dictionary defines cactus as: ‘a succulent plant with a thick fleshy stem which typically bears spines, lacks leaves and has brilliantly coloured flowers’. Not the most inspiring definition if you want to relate it to a car but I suppose you could reference the prickly nature of the plant to the response that some people seem to have on … [Read more...]
SEAT Leon X-PERIENCE with snow appeal – Road Test
by Keith Ward (Kim says 'Welcome aboard' to Keith – a highly experienced and very well respected motoring writer – as a new contributor to 'Wheels-Alive'). The name may be a trifle nudge-nudge over-clever, but you can see the thinking behind it. This SEAT Leon X-PERIENCE is actually based on the Spanish maker’s popular ST estate car but distinguished by electronically-controlled permanent … [Read more...]
Land Rover Discovery Sport – with Jaguar Land Rover’s own Ingenium engines.
Assessed by David Miles (Miles Better News Agency), who also highlights the continuing good news sales success story for JLR. When the Land Rover Discovery Sport premium compact SUV with permanent four wheel drive first went on sale in the UK in January 2015, with five and seven seat options, the only downside to the vehicle was that it still continued to use the long serving 2.2 litre SD4 … [Read more...]
Getting Colder… Stand by for below freezing temperatures, possibly with ice and snow. Are you and your car ready? Here are Kim’s Top 10 Tips…
Winter motoring advice which may help you cope, from Kim Henson. So far this winter in the UK, the weather has been predominantly mild and exceedingly wet, to the extent that we have all been lulled into a false sense of security as far as cold conditions are concerned. However, all that is forecast to change over the coming few days, and it is very likely that below freezing temperatures will … [Read more...]
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