It’s not turned a wheel on British roads but has already been rated as one of the safest cars you can buy. So writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). The all-new Mazda6e has achieved a maximum five-star rating by Euro NCAP in its recent series of tests. In the two categories of Adult Occupant and Child Occupant protection, Mazda’s latest all-electric model scored an excellent 93%. The … [Read more...]
Wheels-Alive visits Burlen Fuel Systems at Salisbury
Kim Henson takes a trip to Salisbury, the home of Burlen Fuel Systems, to see how the firm can help classic enthusiasts keep their cars’ fuel delivery equipment in top form. (All words and photographs © Kim Henson, apart from some photographs from Burlen Fuel Systems, as individually credited.) It was back in 1971 when Burlen Services was started in the city of Salisbury by John Burnett and Mike … [Read more...]
Motoring For Fun – A Welsh Adventure with two cars – and parting with a much-loved Jaguar on its way to a new life in Ireland…
Kim Henson describes how a planned long weekend trip to mid-Wales turned into a slightly more complicated excursion over a much longer distance... (All words and photographs © Kim Henson). The Wales Adventure – setting the scene Last week my wife Elaine and I went adventuring in Wales, initially for just one day in the company of fellow members of the Guild of Motoring Writers (and their … [Read more...]
Genesis GV60 – First Impressions
The GV60 was the first all-electric car from Genesis, now it gets a substantial update that focuses on style and technology, writes Chris Pickering... It says something about the pace of change in the electric car market that Genesis now feels like one of the old guard. Among the Jaecoos, BYDs and Skywells of this world, the Korean brand – a luxury offshoot of Hyundai and Kia – is positively a … [Read more...]
VW Tayron R Line – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes: About 80 years ago, Volkswagen began building its empire making a car for the people and it’s never lost sight of that objective which is neatly fulfilled in the Tayron. It is a car very much made for today’s markets around the world and fills the gap between its top of range Touareg and five-seat Tiguan with the widest powertrain possibilities in a … [Read more...]
Klassikstadt – a motoring mecca in Frankfurt, well worth a visit if you are in Germany
Rachel Henson explored this fascinating automotive centre with plenty to offer all car enthusiasts. (All words and photographs © Rachel Henson). There is an unexpected motoring gem in the suburbs of Frankfurt, a short distance from the city centre. Klassikstadt is part workshop, part museum, part parking garage for interesting vehicles, and for those of us whose piggy bank can’t quite extend … [Read more...]
Introduction to the Wheels-Alive analysis of results from the DVLA/DfT ‘call for evidence’ on classic, kit built and radically altered vehicles, and those converted to electric power.
Dave Moss reports on this important 'call for evidence' and responses to it. Kim writes: I am greatly indebted to my colleague Dave Moss for his in-depth and very time-consuming work in analysing in detail the published results from the DVLA/DfT ‘call for evidence’, as outlined above. These results run to many pages and many thousands of words, and rather than try to include all these in one huge … [Read more...]
Toyota’s fascinating history – notably concentrating on the enduringly popular Corona model, which arrived in Britain exactly 60 years ago, on 1st October 1965
Long lives, big anniversaries - and big numbers - by Dave Moss (All photographs © Toyota). Though just pre-dated by the original Land Cruiser, Toyota's first post war passenger car was also the first to have been entirely designed and built in Japan when it appeared on its home market during 1955. Badged as the Toyopet Crown - named after the long established loom manufacturing company from … [Read more...]
Kia Sportage MY26 – First Impressions
Kia Sportage MY26 – First Impressions On the back of soaring sales in September, a new Kia Sportage has hit showrooms, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). After four generations since 1995 it has become Britain’s most popular family sized SUV and now gets a significant facelift outside and in with a number of technical improvements to build on the range’s powertrain options. The … [Read more...]
Suzuki S-Cross Ultra Allgrip MY26 – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes… The Suzuki S-Cross has been a story of evolution and survival and continues this day as one of the brand’s most popular practical multi-purpose models. It can trace its origins to 2006 and a joint venture with Fiat and a different name, the SX4, standing for Sports X-over 4 Seasons. The third generation built in Hungary for European sales has been on … [Read more...]
Lexus LM 350h Standard 2WD – Road Test
“Sometimes it’s not the first which leaves a lasting impression but the last which comes first in your mind”, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). That’s certainly the case with the Lexus LM350, a rival to the established luxury MPVs from the premium German brands. In the rarefied ranks of executive people movers chauffeuring between airports and hotels or whisking their occupants to … [Read more...]
Polestar 3 Long Range – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithWales) writes: “When you discover your car’s glovebox can only be opened by an electric switch you realise you’re driving something a bit different, a bit special and out of the ordinary.” The discovery was made as we sat transfixed by the sheer complexity of the Polestar 3’s infotainment and driving display contained in a 14.5-inch laptop-like portrait screen in the … [Read more...]
Beaulieu International Autojumble 2025 – Wheels-Alive was there
Kim Henson reports on this year’s classic extravaganza for components and complete vehicles. (Words © Kim Henson; Photographs © Kim Henson and Chris Adamson, as individually credited). Each year, as we say goodbye to summer and autumnal hints arrive in the form of mellow-coloured leaves and morning dew-drenched grass, Beaulieu International Autojumble arrives. For me this has always been a … [Read more...]
Leapmotor T03 – First Impressions
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes… The UK new car market is buzzing with electric models at high prices, so it’s worth taking a look at one of the cheapest - the Leapmotor T03. A Stellantis joint venture with the Chinese company, the car is made in Poland on lines previously producing the Fiat 500, another Stellantis brand, and the Leapmotor models are sold through the more familiar … [Read more...]
Toyota Yaris Design – Road Test
The hot-hatch has been reborn for Gen-Z, and there’s a thumbs up from their parents too if they want to enjoy driving a Toyota Yaris hybrid. It’s super-economical on fuel too... Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports. The one-time must-have cars for the young drivers of the 1970s seemed to die out in the first decade of this century, but someone forgot to tell Toyota. It … [Read more...]
Toyota Proace Max Van – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithWales) writes, "Britain runs on vans of all sizes and capacities, so the entry of the world’s biggest motor manufacturer into this booming sector must be significant." After offering small and medium sized vans through its Professional line, Toyota has added the Proace Max, its first heavy duty range in Europe and it has immediately ramped up the competition against … [Read more...]
More information to come after 26th August regarding DVLA policy changes for classic and modified vehicles
More to come after 26th August regarding DVLA updating classic and modified car registration policies - by Dave Moss. (Photograph © Kim Henson). The DVLA has announced it will introduce updated notification policies for registration of newly repaired, restored or modified vehicles - with effect from Tuesday August 26th. From that date, what it describes as "like-for-like" repairs and … [Read more...]
Historic and Classic Vehicles Alliance welcomes DVLA policy changes that support the UK historic vehicles industry for the future
Vehicle registration policies are amended, helping the classic car industry. The Historic and Classic Vehicles Alliance (HCVA) tells us: (All words and photographs from the HCVA). Historic and Classic Vehicles Alliance welcomes latest DVLA announcement confirming major changes to vehicle registration policies Previous polices, unchanged since 1980s, hindered some classic car … [Read more...]
Toyota bZ4X all-electric SUV – Road Test
Toyota fans now have a completely electric model added to the range as the industry slowly but relentlessly rolls towards the end of hybrid and internal combustion engines. Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports... After dabbling with an electric version of their RAV4 off-roader in the late 90s and pushing ahead with hybrids and stablemate Lexus electric models, it’s now the time for … [Read more...]
Jeremy Walton takes his Audi TT quattro sport to the top side of 100,000 miles… and still loves the car
'Surviving 100,000 miles and delivering plenty of smiles'... In this tenth instalment of his ever-popular series on Wheels-Alive, Jeremy Walton updates us on how his 19 year old Audi TT quattro sport endures pockmarked Britain and still provides fun a-plenty with each drive... (All words and images © Jeremy Walton). Jeremy writes… Maintenance-modest, individually stylish and at least … [Read more...]
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