Kia has something to celebrate this Christmas as it continues to carve out a big slice of Britain’s BEV sales, a decade after launching into it with the Soul EV. Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports… At the time 10 years ago, Frozen was trending at the box-office, Pharrell Williams’ ‘Happy’ rang out across radios worldwide, and social media was awash with ALS ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ … [Read more...]
Features by Robin Roberts
Nissan future – which way will they go?
Nissan has posted a dismal prediction for its global business into next year, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). Nissan Motor’s financial performance deteriorated significantly in the second quarter of the current fiscal year, between July and September 2024, with global revenues falling by 5% year-on-year to JPY2,986bn while its operating margin dropped below 0.2%. The company … [Read more...]
MG ZS Trophy Hybrid+ Road Test
MG is a becoming a brand to be reckoned with and strengthening its standing in the British market by taking a step back, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). The famous octagonal badge has been seen on UK made models since 1924, but it has also been a century of change, most notably when it was saved by an unknown Chinese brand called Nanjing in 2005 and then almost immediately resold to … [Read more...]
Skywell BE11 FD Long Range – First Impressions
Private buyers who want a high specification electric car and business drivers with eyes fixed on a low tax penalty are targets for the new Skywell range arriving in Britain, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). The Cirencester-based importer, Innovation Automotive, is also looking at traditional used car dealers seeking their first new car franchise in a local market area where they are … [Read more...]
November 2024 UK new car sales – makers pull back sales to avoid EV penalties
Deliveries of new cars fell by -1.9% in the UK during November with 153,610 joining the road, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. By Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). It is the second consecutive monthly decline, and the third decline in four months, as the market contracts amid the race to meet tough EV market share targets. Demand from private buyers, among … [Read more...]
Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate 1.6T PHEV – Road Test
The obvious doesn’t always stare you in the face and it’s therefore easy to overlook, at your cost, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). Take the Hyundai Santa Fe, the big, very big, seven-seater SUV which is probably eclipsed in many eyes by its Korean stablemates along with much more expensive competitors from German and British car plants. The Hyundai Santa Fe was launched as the … [Read more...]
Honda HR-V Advance Style Plus – Road Test
A quarter of a century after introducing the Insight as Britain’s first petrol-electric hybrid, the latest Honda HR-V is probably more relevant today, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). While rival hybrids have grown in size compared to the Insight of 25 years ago, there is not that much difference in the footprint of the HR-V. It is now in its third generation and sharing a Honda … [Read more...]
Britain’s car market is turning around
The landscape of leading car brands in Britain is looking different with the arrival of more pure electric cars… says Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) Traditional market leading brands are taking a back seat as manufacturers who were among the first to "go-electric" are making big inroads among motorists and businesses seeking to "go-green" and the Skoda Enyaq was top BEV. SMMT … [Read more...]
UK’s new car market contracts in October 2024
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports... October saw another month of contraction in the new car market, a concerning trend following August's end to two years of continuous growth. This decline is particularly worrying, as it highlights the volatility of the market right now, said Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association. UK new car buyers now … [Read more...]
Kia Picanto 1.0 GT-Line – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes: If you can remember when cars were actually fun to drive you’ll enjoy the latest Kia Picanto even more with the high specification now added to this anything but basic runabout. We briefly drove the latest baby car from the Korean family in the summer and that was an entry-level model, but we’ve just managed to get our hands on the higher specified … [Read more...]
Icy screens (and other winter woes) are now on the agenda
With the clocks now having gone back and autumn turning inexorably into winter, the weather gets colder and drivers can expect frosty windscreens and icy windows, writes Robin Roberts and WheelsWithinWales. (Photograph by, and copyright, Kim Henson). Car specialist Gold Label Car Care https://www.goldlabelcarcare.co.uk has provided expert advice with 5 ways to de-ice a windscreen for … [Read more...]
Lexus RZ450e – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes: “Lexus has just raised the game in the fierce fight for buyers looking at ‘zero-emission’ pure battery cars”. Enter the Lexus RZ450e series of nine models from £55,595 to £66,695 in Urban, Premium, Premium Plus and Takumi guises, with choices of 18 or 20 inch wheels and single or bi-tone paint finishes. The 450e has the latest electronic axles … [Read more...]
SEAT Arona FR 24 LE – Road Test
SEAT has earned its place as the stylish brand for a younger generation of drivers over the last four decades, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). On sale since 2017, the SEAT Arona is one of the new generation of ‘crossover’ models or tall hatchbacks in the B-sector and the smallest in their sub-compact range under the Ateca. Its introduction has helped SEAT pass the magic million … [Read more...]
Cars that best hold their value
Sports cars, large SUVs and premium hatchbacks tend to hold their value well... Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports... Cars that keep their value: sports cars top the list of the best car types for resale Sports cars, large SUVs and premium hatchbacks are best at holding their value Models by Alpine, Morgan and Lotus are among those which lose the least value over time Family … [Read more...]
Omoda 5 SUV petrol – First Impressions
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) shares his thoughts on his first drive with the petrol-powered OMODA 5. No-one can doubt the Chinese brand OMODA is very serious about coming to Britain and taking on the legend brands. We were impressed with a first drive of the pure electric OMODA E5 last May and now we’ve had a chance to get some initial impressions of the OMODA 5 petrol version of … [Read more...]
High depreciation rates on some electric cars under scrutiny
The Audi Q4 e-tron shows the highest annual depreciation rate, according to a recent survey from ALA Insurance. Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports... Audi’s Q4 e-tron has the highest annual depreciation rate on the market, new study shows. The Audi Q4 e-tron has the highest annual depreciation rate of any other car at 18.8% yearly The three vehicles with the lowest … [Read more...]
Volkswagen Golf Match – Road Test
The Golf has been the golden one for Volkswagen, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales)… Ever since its launch in 1974 when it set a new standard in the hatchback sector it has gone on to become the standard by which any rivals are judged and to which competitors are compared. True, some are roomier, softer sprung, sharper handling and cheaper, but overall the VW Golf is an incredibly … [Read more...]
Ford Kuga ST-Line 2.5 FHEV FWD – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) test drives Ford’s Kuga SUV… After its launch in 2008, the Ford Kuga has grown from the company’s first ‘tall’ hatchback into one of their success stories among UK best sellers, and the story continues this year. Now on sale with some very significant updates and improvements to its technology, equipment and design, the Ford Kuga is taking on rivals … [Read more...]
KGM Torres K40 – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports… On the 70th anniversary of the founding of their business, KG is celebrating with the launch of their Torres model for today’s 2024 market. Now KG Motors mayn’t be familiar to everyone but acquired the struggling SsangYong Motors, which is undoubtedly better known and respected among owners. The cars are built in Pyeongtaek, about an hour’s … [Read more...]
Toyota GR86 sports coupé – Road Test
It’s a delicate balance building cars for the masses, for markets around the world and meeting the needs of motorists with a love of motorsports, but Toyota does all three very well, writes Robin Roberts (WheelsWithinWales)... The new GR86 is a very good example of bringing motorsport engineering into the mainstream, well almost. It has been developed from the earlier GT86, which used a 2.0 … [Read more...]
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