Robin Roberts (and wheelswithinwales) reports on growing calls for MoT tests to be postponed... Kim adds: "Please see 'Stop Press' note (received this morning, 25th March 2020) to update the information given in this feature..." Garages are calling for an MoT test moratorium during the coronavirus pandemic. It is crucial that franchised dealers’ workshops stay open to help the … [Read more...]
Features by Robin Roberts
Latest Mazda CX-30 – Road Test
New Mazda CX-30 2.0 180 hp, 2WD, GT Sport SUV tried and tested. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). I have always been skeptical of the car awards bandwagon, until now. In the week I was testing the new Mazda CX-30 I learned it is one of the SUV finalists in the 2020 World Car Awards, and it is probably justified being included. Even before it was introduced, CX-30 picked up a … [Read more...]
Motoring aspects of the ‘splash the cash’ budget
Motoring groups generally welcomed the Chancellor’s “splash and dash” Budget. By Robin Roberts. He’s poured hundreds of millions of pounds into boosting the automotive sector, greener energy and road improvements, and eased borrowing for businesses while also boosting technology. Some thought, however, that he could have gone further in particular areas and the end of a tax relief for Red … [Read more...]
Skoda Superb 1.5 (petrol) – Road Test
The Skoda Superb SE L 1.5 petrol 5-door Hatch… …assessed by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). When a car-maker gives a model a name it risks being memorable, forgettable, laughable, unpronounceable or ultimately it means little, but in the case of the Skoda Superb, it actually means a lot. It’s the 125th anniversary of Skoda in 2020 and for 85 years it has been making models with … [Read more...]
Suzuki Jimny – Road Test
THE SMALL BUT MIGHTY SUZUKI JIMNY SZ5 ALLGRIP... ...Test-driven by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Every manufacturer loves to cram features into their model to make as much money as possible, but the Suzuki Jimny has something few ever include, a free smile. The standard-spec smile is something so many modern cars lack but the simple Suzuki has it in spades. And then … [Read more...]
Hyundai Ioniq PHEV (2020 model) – Road Test
The more you drive, the more energy you save with the latest Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid, says Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales)… It sounds illogical but it’s true because the familiar standard 1.6 litre petrol engine is now joined by a more sophisticated electric motor and battery system which recovers energy lost during braking. This recovered energy when transformed and pushed into … [Read more...]
Fiat 500 Rockstar – Road Test
Fiat 500 Rockstar hatchback lives up to its name. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). In my experience, if they are not larger than life, rock stars tend to be small and noisy performers, and the Fiat Rockstar lived up to expectations. Very much the noisy baby in the extensive Fiat family of city cars, the 500 has been one of its most successful and in 2019 passed the 3-million … [Read more...]
Suzuki Swift SZ5 ALLGRIP – Road Test
Robin Roberts (WheelsWithinWales) test drives Suzuki’s all wheel drive Swift… Winter weather is a great leveller for motorists. Heavy rain, snow showers, ice and mud can combine to make any possible winter journey an impossibility unless you have a big and expensive 4x4, or you cannily drive a Suzuki Swift SZ5 ALLGRIP. This is the hatch that’s a match for many winter road washouts or … [Read more...]
Skoda Kamiq SUV – Road Test
Skoda Kamiq SE 1.0 95hp compact SUV… …put through its paces by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Skoda is making sales inroads with its family-friendly SUV range. Their large Kodiaq and mid-sized Karoq have now been joined by the compact Kamiq as this SUV sector wipes away sales wise traditional saloon and hatchback models across Europe and throughout the USA. No volume … [Read more...]
Honda HR-V Sport CVT – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) assesses Honda’s likeable HR-V… The word ‘crossover model’ is often over-used and exaggerated, but not in the case of the Honda HR-V in its top Sport CVT trim. The original Hybrid Recreational Vehicle from 1999 was a more sober suited trendsetter but a lot has happened in two decades as fashions changed. More manufacturers have poured into the market … [Read more...]
Ford Mondeo Vignale – Road Test
Ford Mondeo Vignale 5-door executive hatchback 2.0 EcoBlue diesel… …tried and tested by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Size can make a world of a difference to buyers and that’s where the Ford Mondeo range packs them in. It has consistently won awards for its internal dimensions, roominess and popularity with families and business users and it’s easy to see why. The trend … [Read more...]
SEAT Ibiza FR – Road Test
Fleet of foot the SEAT Ibiza FR 1.0TSi 115 hp manual five door hatchback… …assessed by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). SEAT built its reputation on small cars although it’s now expanded the range upmarket, but it still knows how to make a good city car with the Ibiza. The Ibiza five-door hatchback range comprises three 1.0 litre petrol engined models of 80, 95 or 115 hp with a … [Read more...]
Kia XCeed 1.4 T-GDi – Road Test
THE NEW KIA XCEED 1.4 PETROL FIRST EDITION MODEL TEST DRIVEN. Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency) tells all… The Kia Ceed has been one of the outstanding success stories of the first two decades of the millennium and as we enter its third a new chapter begins with the XCeed soft SUV styled range of 2WD models. Hatchbacks have given way to SUVs over the last ten years and now this … [Read more...]
Volvo XC60 T8 PHEV SUV – Road Test
The Volvo XC60 T8 twin engine PHEV large-sized SUV... ...Test-driven by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Volvo saw record UK sales in 2019, led by its SUV family including the XC60 series. Last year British registrations went up 12% to over 56,200 with the compact XC40 taking 15,445 and the XC60 recording 11,766 sales as the brand out-performed some other premium rivals and … [Read more...]
Mazda3 2.0GT Sport – Road Test
New Mazda3 2.0GT Sport 180hp Hatchback… …test driven by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Some cars are just in your face, over-hyped and over-sold, but not the Mazda3. This refreshed and revised mid-sized hatchback model has an appeal with its restrained but attractive styling, purposeful fittings and ultra efficient powertrains. Oh and a growing list of awards, particularly with … [Read more...]
Honda Civic 1.5T Sport Plus – Road Test
New Civic 1.5T Sport Plus – the last British built Honda model range… …Test-driven by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). The Honda Civic currently made in Britain has been a cornerstone of the Japanese company, but times are changing. Honda will be exiting their Swindon factory in 2021 after 36 years as the company realigns its manufacturing and concentrates on fuller utilisation … [Read more...]
New car sales in the UK slide further during 2019
UK car sales last year hit a six-year low and the industry does not expect an early recovery. Robin Roberts reports. The SMMT said today that overall sales in 2019 were 2.4% below the previous year at 2.31M new models. Consumer confidence, confusion over clean air legislation which is tightening each year and challenging car makers, and the Brexit debate with a general election, combined to … [Read more...]
Bentley Bentayga – Road Test
The Bentley Bentayga Speed luxury huge SUV… ...Test-driven by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). The Bentley Bentayga Speed has ‘gold-plated’ the booming SUV sector. Enthusiasts of the winged-wonder-cars thought Bentley was mad to add an SUV to its luxury saloon, convertible and coupé line-up, but of course this is no ordinary SUV. Top end rival brands have gone down the … [Read more...]
Ford Mustang – Road Test
Ford Mustang Fastback GT 5.0 Manual... ...Assessed by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). At first you may not see a similarity between San Francisco and my home town of Barry, South Wales. But I’ve found a connection, they are both good places to test the Ford Mustang Fastback GT. With its burbling 5.0 V8 normally aspirated petrol engine underfoot a road test takes on a new aural … [Read more...]
Is SUV demand putting at risk meeting the net zero emissions target?
The demand for sports utility vehicles is said to be threatening the UK’s attempts to clean up the transport sector... or for potential vehicle buyers is this more down to cost, charging point availability, 'range anxiety' and restricted choices in electric vehicles? ...Robin Roberts reports. Sales of new SUVs now outnumber electric vehicle sales at a rate of 37 to 1.In its 2019 annual Review of … [Read more...]
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