Robin Roberts writes: The MoT test may need a radical shakeup to reflect the arrival of electric power and very sophisticated technology fitted to the latest vehicles. That’s the view of KwikFit, which tests about a million vehicles annually, and head of their service Eric Smith. He points out that currently hybrid models and battery electric vehicles are not tested for emissions and these and … [Read more...]
Features by Robin Roberts
Fiat 500 Hybrid – Road Test
Fiat 500 Lounge Hatchback 1.0 70hp Mild Hybrid Fiat 500 models can be a classic Italian dish for drivers claims road tester Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). The 500 put Fiat back on the road after WW2 as the Cinquecento and it saved the company again with a comprehensive make-over in 2007, since when three-million have been sold. A new refreshed line-up is going on sale Spring … [Read more...]
Jeep Renegade Trailhawk 4xe PHEV – Road Test
Hybrid electric power features in the Renegade… …Jeep’s landmark 80 year history position in the off-road sector is now joined by the Renegade’s claim to fame as the first of the brand’s electric models, writes Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). The Renegade was a defining vehicle for the brand being the first Jeep model to be made outside the US as it’s assembled in Italy, Brazil and … [Read more...]
Ford Escort Mark 1 and 2 bespoke re-creations arrive
New Welsh supercars with familiar look… …By Robin Roberts (Wheels Within Wales). (All photographs ©Images MST Cars). They’re new supercars coming out of Wales, with familiar faces… After the launch of the Aston Martin DBX from its new state of the art St Athan factory in South Wales last year, altogether different cars are being built in a small industrial unit in North Wales. While the … [Read more...]
Nissan confirms faith in Sunderland plant, and X-Trail seven seater Road Test
Nissan commits to the UK, says David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). News announced today, 22nd January 2021, the Japanese car manufacturer has committed to continuing long-term production of some of its models in the UK following the recent post Brexit trade deal with the EU. The Sunderland Plant had recently been operating at less than half its 500,000 annual capacity and has 6,000 direct … [Read more...]
TVR factory preparation and conversion starts
Welsh Government and TVR will begin work on its Ebbw Vale factory renovation and enhancement programme in mid-January, writes Robin Roberts. Jones Brothers (Henllan) Ltd has been awarded the principal contract for works including replacement of the main building’s roof, the recladding of the building, extensive groundworks and also preparation of a prototype build area at the side of the intended … [Read more...]
Volvo V90 B6 estate car – Road Test
Volvo’s V90 B6 AWD petrol engined estate given a festive outing... ...by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). The estate car has been a part of British life for decades. Originally developed to take shooting parties around estates during the grouse and deer culling seasons, they soon found new uses before and after. That was a long time ago and today’s family car of choice has become … [Read more...]
Electric cars charge ahead…
Electric cars power ahead of internal combusion engine models, as Robin Roberts explains... Despite the wider car industry suffering badly from the effects of the pandemic, 2020 was a landmark year when it came to sales of battery electric vehicles with twice as many sold last year compared to the year before, and a total of more than 200,000 registered since 2010, analysis of SMMT figures by the … [Read more...]
UK New car sales review
Review of new cars sold in Britain last year, by Robin Roberts. The UK new car market fell by almost a third (-29.4%) in 2020, with annual registrations dropping to 1,631,064 units, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. A -10.9% decline in December wrapped up a turbulent 12 months, which saw demand fall by 680,076 units to the lowest level of registrations since … [Read more...]
Aston Martin DBX – Road Test
The Aston Martin DBX premium SUV – built in Wales Aston Martin is a survivor in a world of hard knocks and is looking for a smoother ride with their latest DBX sports utility vehicle, writes Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Images courtesy and copyright Mediaphotos.co.uk After 100 years of making some of the most sought after sports cars in the world it has applied its … [Read more...]
All-electric Vauxhall Corsa – Road Test
Vauxhall Corsa-e Elite Nav 11kW plugged-in… …and driven by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Britain’s oldest car-maker is gearing up for the electric future, beginning with the Corsa-e. The highly popular small hatchback is a natural starting point aimed at those who mostly commute or have low mileage lifestyles. It has dabbled in the EV sector between 2012 and 2015 with the … [Read more...]
Toyota C-HR Dynamic Hybrid 2.0 – Road Test
HIGHER PERFORMANCE TOYOTA C-HR HYBRID COMPACT SUV TRIED AND TESTED Continuous improvement is the philosophy of Toyota and few car makers have as much experience of EVs and Hybrids, launching its Hybrid Synergy Drive in 1997, and rolling out more models every few years, writes Robin Roberts (Miles Better News Agency). The Toyota C-HR is a good example of continuous improvement, first … [Read more...]
Lexus UX 250 h – Road Test
The Lexus UX 250h Takumi E-four AWD urban SUV… …tried and tested by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Robin says, “Lexus has been a mover and shaker in the UK car market in every sector it’s entered and with the latest UX urban SUV its challenge intensifies”. Intended as an introduction SUV to the Lexus range, the UX is their first contemporary compact SUV with the urban driver in … [Read more...]
Latest motoring news round-up
Robin Roberts provides his round-up of recent automotive news... Classic cars have outperformed gold in terms of investment opportunity over the past decade. Using Hagerty’s average pricing for classic cars, Vanarama (https://www.vanarama.com/) has reviewed how much a classic car can appreciate in a mere decade compared to other … [Read more...]
Ford Fiesta ST-3 – Road Test
The latest Ford Fiesta ST-3, 3-door hot-hatch given an outing. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). More than any other car in modern times, the Ford Fiesta has defined British motoring and the high performance ST-series is the most desirable, particularly among motorsport fans. Consistently one of the top selling cars in the UK market, the Fiesta is the right size for thousands … [Read more...]
The drive towards all-electric cars
Robin Roberts reports on the headlong move towards all-electric vehicles… The UK Government’s drive towards electric cars and a low carbon future faces a bumpy journey, say experts. Car-makers said they are committed to them and invested billions but the challenge of the next nine years is “immense”, according to Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive. "We are pleased, therefore, to see … [Read more...]
Lockdowns means far fewer new cars sold…
New car sales fall in Wales and will almost certainly do so in England, due to lockdowns... The firebreak lockdown in Wales has wiped 25% off UK new car sales, revealed figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders writes Robin Roberts. It is a warning to England which has just gone into a month's lockdown as opposed to the fortnight shutdown in Wales which ends on Monday … [Read more...]
Mazda MX-5 Convertible (special edition) – Road Test
Mazda MX-5 R-Sport SE… …the modern classic tested by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). As a modern classic, the Mazda MX-5 has just become more exclusive because the new MX-5 R Sport Convertible is limited to 150 examples in the UK. The MX-5 range has consistently led its sports car sector since the 1990s with revisions and upgrades. This stand-out MX-5 Convertible version … [Read more...]
Jeep Wrangler – Road Test
Iconic Jeep Wrangler – Sahara Unlimited 4-door petrol model. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). (Photographs by Chrysler and, where individually credited, by Robin). Respect is earned not awarded in the motor industry, and one of the most influential vehicle brands is Jeep, now on the eve of celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2021. Think about that for a minute; it was born … [Read more...]
Second generation Nissan Juke – Road Test
Nissan Juke 1.0 DIG-T Tekna+ manual. Tried and tested by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Designed and built in Britain, you can expect a loyal following for the Nissan Juke which is now in its second generation after more than a decade setting the trend for family compact SUVs. Since September 2010 it has been snapped up by over 1.5 million owners around the world who wanted to … [Read more...]
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