Kim Henson takes to the wheel of Suzuki’s diminutive but internally spacious city car; he's impressed by the whole package, particularly the Celerio’s three cylinder Dualjet engine… but is he (at last) lost for words? SUZUKI’S SUCCESS STORY Before describing the Celerio, it is worth briefly mentioning the success story of its manufacturer. In recent times Suzuki has been doing … [Read more...]
Contributors
Porsche 924/928/944/968 the Complete Story
Author: Glen Smale Published by: Crowood Press [www.crowood.com] 264 pages UK Price: £25.00 ISBN: 978-1-78500-39-3 Twenty years after the last one rolled off the production line, the transaxle cars are almost the forgotten Porsches. Indeed some of the more ‘lifestyle’ of the Porsche magazines never refer to them. Yet for over a decade, the 924 and the 944 in particular were … [Read more...]
AC/Shelby Cobra, 1962-68: Owner’s Workshop Manual
Author: Glen Smale Published by: Haynes Publishing 156 pages Price: £22.99 ISBN: 987-0-85733-786-3 One of the greatest sports cars of all time, the AC Cobra was a sensation in a way that is simply unimaginable today. Such was the demand for this Anglo-American hybrid that it was not until November 1965 that the Autocar was able to get its hands on one. “Few readers,” it wrote in … [Read more...]
Kias Galore – Model Round-up – First Impressions
Kim Henson drives a selection of Kias, and is enthusiastic about the cars, also the company’s dynamic approach as it looks ahead. Justifiably, Kia’s reputation has been growing, with increasing respect being gained among potential purchasers for the firm’s model line-up, the boldness of its adventurous designs, and the leading edge technology incorporated into its vehicles. Within just the … [Read more...]
Ford Model T – Classic Driving Impressions
‘T’ TIME! CLASSIC DRIVING IMPRESSIONS – FORD MODEL T Given the lucky opportunity to drive a 101 year old Ford Model T, Kim Henson grabbed the chance (and the wheel) with both hands… The Ford Model T. It’s one of the most memorable automobiles ever conceived, and in the history of motoring is certainly one of the most important. While this article is primarily about driving a Model T, before … [Read more...]
Emissions Mission?
Emissions Mission? Robin Roberts reports. British politicians are discussing a possible major shake up of our vehicle emissions testing. After the Volkswagen emissions scandal, MPs are looking into current testing and its relationship to other parts of Europe. It could result in a much tougher test, possibly based around the strict United States system which one leading international … [Read more...]
Suzuki Vitara First Impressions
Kim Henson assesses the latest Vitaras from Suzuki... The UK launch of the first Suzuki Vitara took place in the autumn of 1988, and it could justifiably be said that the Vitara was the original compact ‘Sport Utility Vehicle’ (SUV). (In fact the early models have now attained something approaching cult status, and are highly valued by enthusiasts today). However, in fact the origins of the … [Read more...]
Seat Leon X-PERIENCE First Impressions
Kim Henson tries Seat’s new ‘soft roader’, on tarmac and in the forest… The Seat company was established in 1950 (in a partnership which included the Italian firm of Fiat) and produced its first model – the rear wheel drive 1400 saloon – from late 1953, at it’s Zona Franca base in Barcelona. Initially that vehicle was built primarily for chauffeur duties for Spanish government … [Read more...]
Assault and Battery? – Grumpy Old Mechanic
In our workshop, we often ask ourselves, ‘Why?’ when considering the reasons for manufacturers to make what should be a simple operation, far more complicated, time-consuming and annoying than it needs to be. The amount of time we waste, and for which we feel that we cannot reasonably charge our customers, due to such difficulties beyond our control, is quite staggering. Going back to our … [Read more...]
Audi TT Roadster and TTS Coupé First Impressions
Kim Henson drives Audi’s suave TT models… Audi’s line-up goes from strength to strength, and joining the range in the spring of 2015 were a new, third generation two seater TT Roadster (complementing the TT Coupé) plus a powerful TTS Coupé – representing the second generation of this model, priced from £31,955 to £37,555 (‘On The ‘Road’); in each case the prices are £2,185 more than … [Read more...]
Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC Sport Road Test
Civic Pride… Kim Henson assesses Honda’s 1.8 i-VTEC Sport version. Dynamically styled, providing eager performance and with an excellent, proven reputation for reliability, it is no surprise that Honda Civics are liked and respected by the buying public. The current Civic range was updated in the spring of 2015, notably featuring revised frontal styling (incorporating a new front bumper … [Read more...]
Don’t be Tyresome! – Kim’s Tips
DON'T BE TYRESOME; STAY SAFE! says Kim. The difference in the dynamic behaviour of a vehicle fitted with tyres in good condition and correctly inflated, compared with one on defective/worn out and probably under-inflated tyres is, quite simply, amazing. In order to be sure that the vehicle will respond as designed to the controls, to safely steer round a bend, brake, accelerate and so on, … [Read more...]
Motor Sport Recalled At Beaulieu…
Sir Stirling Moss opens ‘A Chequered History’ – incorporating two new motorsport sections – at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in Hampshire, Kim Henson was there… It was 53 years ago that Sir Stirling Moss retired from motor racing, after an awful accident at Goodwood, and indeed he was fortunate to survive it. Therefore it is an immense tribute to his bravery and driving skills that … [Read more...]
New Mazda 2
Kim Henson takes a close look at Mazda’s latest supermini… Whichever way you look at the figures, the Mazda brand is going from strength to strength, with U.K. sales increasing at an exponential rate in recent times. In large part this is due to the rapid and comprehensive introduction of new models, all with with built-in ‘buyer appeal’. In fact, with the launch of five new models planned during … [Read more...]
Peugeot 308 SW Allure THP 110
Big-hearted, but powered by a compact 1.2 litre three cylinder petrol engine, Peugeot’s stylish 308 estate is assessed by Kim Henson… About a year ago as I write (4th March 2015) Peugeot’s 308 was crowned ‘European Car of the Year’ at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. It won the award by a handsome margin too, scoring 307 points, compared with the runner-up BMW i3’s 223 points, and the … [Read more...]
Check your oil – save your engine!
Here at Wheels-Alive we have long appreciated the crucial importance of maintaining engine oil at the correct level (as well as carrying out regular and frequent oil and filter changes). Indeed, often we have witnessed the sad and expensive consequences of not maintaining oil at the correct level. The engine oil serves to keep apart metal components working in very close proximity, minimising … [Read more...]
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – Best Of Both Worlds?
A Plug-in Hybrid Electric Sports Utility Vehicle? What a good idea… Kim Henson test-drives Mitsubishi’s innovative 4x4 Outlander PHEV... It takes some doing to combine, within a single Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), electric propulsion (primarily for local runs), a petrol engine, four wheel drive, true practicality in a range of roles, and cost-effective operation. However, with their already … [Read more...]
BMW 218 Active Tourer
Kieron Fennelly tries BMW's stylish front wheel drive 218 Active Tourer The last decade has been a confusing time for BMW purists: the range has expanded bewilderingly and the three roundels badge now seems to adorn all manner of crossovers, hatchbacks and hunchbacks (which BMW calls ‘GT’s). Gone are the high revving, naturally aspirated straight six and V8 petrol engines, replaced by … [Read more...]
The Porsche 924 Carrera
Author: Roy Smith Published by: Veloce [www.veloce.co.uk] 320 pages Price: £75.00 ISBN: 978-1-845846-45-9 Roy Smith has a happy knack of uncovering relatively obscure chapters of motor racing history and bringing them into the light with compelling new detail. His recent series of books on Alpine was typical, researching a subject little known outside France and even there not especially … [Read more...]
Volkswagen Passat
VW's latest Passat is actually the eighth generation since they introduced the name in 1973. By Tom Scanlan It's a completely new car and, as pretty well all manufacturers are managing at the moment, offers more efficiency in terms of fuel consumption and up to 14% cleaner emissions. Some of this is down to a weight saving of up to a massive 85 kilograms. Of course, no new car would be … [Read more...]
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