Renault’s Mégane Sport Tourer... Assessed by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). The eagerly awaited estate version of the new Renault Mégane brings additional room and practicality to the range. Mechanically the same as the immensely popular Mégane Hatchback, the Sport Tourer offers a basic boot space with a low load floor of 521 litres (18.40 cu.ft), but folding away the … [Read more...]
Features by Robin Roberts
Aston Martin SUV – ‘Made in Wales’
The forthcoming Aston Martin SUV, which will go into production at St Athan, will carry a ‘Made in Wales’ identity plate... Writes Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). The decision was revealed last night by Aston Martin Lagonda CEO Andy Palmer, as guest speaker at the Welsh Automotive Forum Networking Dinner, held near Cardiff. He told guests, “All our luxury sports cars have … [Read more...]
NEW Renault SCENIC and Grand SCENIC news and first drive views
Our guide to Renault’s newcomers is Robin Roberts (Miles Better News Agency). The fourth generation Renault SCENIC and Grand SCENIC MPVs, or ‘people carriers’ are now on sale. SCENIC prices rise from £21,445 to £30,645 while the Grand SCENIC enters at £23,375 and tops at £32,445. The SCENIC five seater and Grand SCENIC seven seater models are each offered in four trim levels that owners of … [Read more...]
New Honda NSX Road Test
By Robin Roberts and Miles Better News Agency. It’s the supercar of the moment. But that moment has lasted a long time - three years in fact. The new Honda NSX two seater coupé was announced three years ago and the first UK owners will get behind the wheels of their state of art supercar just about now. Only a handful will be introduced over the coming months and just two dealers will … [Read more...]
smart fortwo prime cabrio Road Test
By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Horses for courses is a particularly apt phrase to describe the smart fortwo… There’s no denying it was ahead of its time when the original model went on sale in 1998, and now the quirky two-seater rarely gets a second glance. The original car was a product of the cooperation between Swatch and Daimler/Mercedes-Benz. But in 18 years it has … [Read more...]
Jeep Renegade 2.0 140 hp Limited – Road Test
An assessment of Jeep’s latest 4x4 machine… By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Jeep is going on the warpath with its Renegade. As the founding company of the modern four-wheel-drive sector and who provided the inspiration for the legendary Land Rover brand, Jeep knows an awful lot about off-roaders. Their UK sales are flourishing this year, showing a near 40% increase for the … [Read more...]
Hot News – Circuit of Wales Update at 16th October 2016
The Circuit of Wales Development is Moving a Step Closer to Reality. Report by Robin Roberts (WheelsWithinWales). WheelsWithinWales understands that promoters of the £370m project at Ebbw Vales have now raised additional private capital for the scheme, which should meet Welsh Government requirements. Two previous bids for Welsh Government support to fund part of the project were rejected as … [Read more...]
Vauxhall Corsa Red 1.4T Road Test
It’s a Corsa, of Course… Put through its paces by Robin Roberts (and Miles better News Agency). Sometimes it’s what you know well which can give you the biggest surprise, like the Vauxhall Corsa Red… The new Corsa Red comes from a very familiar range of supermini sized cars offering bog standard three or five door styles, with a range of petrol or diesel engines and an assortment of trim … [Read more...]
Latest Volvo S90 and V90 First Impressions
New Volvo S90 and V90 Premium Brand Executive Models Arrive. By Robin Roberts and Miles Better News Agency. Swedish swish and sophistication come as standard in the latest Volvo S90 and V90 series… The new large premium saloon and estate models in Momentum or Inscription trims embody features from the large XC90 SUV with an emphasis on “relaxed confidence” through design, driving technology, … [Read more...]
Ford to Reduce Investment at Bridgend Plant
Ford will cut its next stage of investment in Bridgend Engine Plant. Report by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). It planned to spend £180 M to safeguard 750 new jobs when 250,000 Dragon petrol engines went down the lines from 2017. But a year after making the announcement, Ford said yesterday it would now put in £100 M to build 125,000 units and protect 550 jobs. The Welsh … [Read more...]
Road Test – Ford EcoSport Titanium 1.5 TDCi
Ford EcoSport Titanium 1.5 TDCi – A Compact MPV or SUV? By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). The expression “needs must” is something that Ford assiduously adhere to in their model range. They simply cannot afford to not be represented in a model sector, particularly if it’s a growing sector. So the remodelled Ford EcoSport MPV (or is it a compact SUV? – Ford advertises it as … [Read more...]
Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Road Test
Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer... Assessed by Robin Roberts (via Miles Better News Agency). Built in Britain and voted the best sports tourer for the money, the Vauxhall Astra ST packs a hefty sales punch for the September new ‘66’ registration plate month and beyond. The car is made at Ellesmere Port and uses the familiar Astra Hatchback mechanicals and trim levels in an all new roomier body, … [Read more...]
Road Test – McLaren 570S Coupé
Cheer Up! Wheels-Alive Road-tests the McLaren 570S Coupé – Miles of Smiles. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). You know there is something special about to be experienced when you step into an entry-level car costing £143,000... With the McLaren badge on the shark-like front it is going to be different to almost anything else you’ve driven, entry level or above. Having … [Read more...]
BMW 430M Convertible Road Test
The BMW 430M Convertible – Summertime Joy. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Summer is here, at least for a few days so convertibles will be at their best whilst the sun shines, especially the new BMW 430 soft-top. If you believe cars are boring, think again. A bigger, bolder and better BMW 430 series now carries the German car-maker’s honours where the famous 3-Series left … [Read more...]
BREAKING NEWS: New Plans for Circuit of Wales Rejected by Welsh Government
Revised investment plans for the proposed Circuit of Wales have been rejected today by the Welsh Government. Robin Roberts and Miles Better News Agency give this update... Ken Skates AM, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure said in a statement that there was still too much risk put on the public purse by the £370 Million scheme outside Ebbw Vale, particularly in the light of the … [Read more...]
Proposed Circuit of Wales Decision Time
Circuit of Wales – Might it Stall? By Robin Roberts and Miles Better News Agency. The future of the proposed £375 Million Circuit of Wales will probably be decided tomorrow (Wednesday 13th July). The Welsh Government is expected to announce if it will underwrite a substantial part of the project that it said in April it couldn’t support in its entirety. Then it left the door ajar for further … [Read more...]
UK Car Sales Dip…
Euro 2016 has been an own goal for UK car sales, particularly in Wales. Robin Roberts reports... New car sales dipped in June after four years of sustained growth, and by over 6% in Wales as the national team stormed through the series. SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said the industry had seen a cooling off in showrooms for a few months and it was too soon to attribute the dip of 0.8% to the … [Read more...]
Planned Circuit of Wales project in doubt…
The multi-million pound plan to create Circuit of Wales has stalled. By ROBIN ROBERTS (via Miles Better News Agency). Developers of the £357 Million 830-acres motor sport complex above Ebbw Vale, SouthWales have failed to get Welsh Government to underwrite the project and its future is now in great doubt unless it can be refinanced, but talks are continuing to try and rescue the … [Read more...]
New BMW X1 Road Test
New BMW X1 xDrive 2.0d Sport Road Test By Robin Roberts (via Miles Better News Agency) X-marks the spot for BMW UK sales successes, with a 12.5% increase in the UK last year to a new record of 167,391 new car registrations. This allowed the German brand to take over the UK’s number one sales position for premium brand cars from Audi. Part of BMW’s growth has come from their SUV series … [Read more...]
New TVR will be built in Wales – and in further good news, the firm will be offering engineering apprenticeships…
Report by Robin Roberts (for Miles Better News Agency). Announced yesterday, Tuesday 22 March, TVR will build its new 155mph sports car in Wales. This means around 150 quality assembly and engineering jobs will be created in the £30 Million investment in the Ebbw Vale Industrial Zone over the next five years. Advance orders for the unnamed new car exceed 350 which will take it to the end of … [Read more...]