Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) puts the latest version of Toyota’s legendary 4x4 through its paces… When you hit 70 years, most things that haven’t fallen off or out may be about to, but that is really the turning point in the case of the Toyota Land Cruiser. From prototypes developed before and after World War Two, the model that became the Land Cruiser was commissioned by the Japanese … [Read more...]
Hyundai i10 Advance – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) puts Hyundai’s city car through its paces… The motor industry’s headlong plunge into SUVs, MPVs and Crossovers has left the market short of compact city cars which are perfectly matched to the real-world needs of many drivers. While some manufacturers stopped making traditional small hatchbacks and are now living to regret their decisions as market share … [Read more...]
Kia Stonic GT-Line – First Impressions (model ‘revisited’)
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) assesses Kia’s Stonic compact SUV… When a prolific manufacturer keeps rolling out new models it's all too easy to overlook their older vehicles, as is the case with the Kia Stonic GT-Line S. Kia is on a roll with its brand in Britain, bringing new EVs to market in a constant stream and more are on the horizon this year as it enriches its range and wins … [Read more...]
Suzuki’s 55 Years of ALLGRIP 4×4 Technology celebrated
(Four wheel drive) ‘Love on a mountain top’… Kim Henson reports on a landmark event staged by Suzuki to highlight 55 years of their clever and effective ‘ALLGRIP’ four wheel drive systems. (All words © Kim Henson; all photographs © Kim Henson, except eVitara image, from Suzuki). At a recent test drive session held in south Wales and centred on the ‘Monster Mountain’ off-road facility near … [Read more...]
XPeng G6 long range – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) test drives this newcomer mid-size SUV… Among the newest of the Chinese car-makers coming to the UK, XPeng has partnered with the people who brought us Subaru and Isuzu in Britain, so let that be a warning to rivals. The Chinese company was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Guangzhou, Guangdong, with offices in Mountain View, California, and Munich. … [Read more...]
Legacy of Austin pedal cars honoured with Blue Plaque at original factory site in Bargoed
Austin Pedal Cars tells us... Historic Blue Plaque unveiled to celebrate Austin pedal cars factory in Bargoed, Wales Austin factory produced the J40 and Pathfinder pedal cars from 1949 until 1971 and continued to make parts up to its closure in 1999 Blue Plaque unveiling attended by councillors, dignitaries, former employees and children from the Tir-y-Berth Primary School … [Read more...]
Kia EV3 GT Line S – Road Test
Some cars immediately impress, others take a bit longer and they stand out against models which made no measurable impression after a much longer period behind the wheel, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). The Kia EV3 GT-Line S is an example of the series which seems to get better each time it’s driven. We first drove the new Kia EV3 last December and were impressed, but a lot’s … [Read more...]
National Motor Museum to take Sunbeam 350hp Blue Bird to Wales for the World Land Speed Record centenary
The National Motor Museum is taking the iconic Sunbeam 350hp vehicle to Pendine in Carmarthenshire, Wales to celebrate the centenary anniversary of its World Land Speed Record in 1925. The Museum tells us: (Photograph and all words from The National Motor Museum). The car christened ‘Blue Bird’ by its driver Sir Malcolm Campbell MBE, was the first to exceed 150 mph (240 km/h). The World … [Read more...]
Daihatsu – Gone, but far from forgotten…
Dave Moss tells the story of Daihatsu in the UK... (All words © Dave Moss). Some car brands seem like unshakeable fixtures on the British market... while others, in blink-and-you-missed-it existences - like UMM, Sao, and Lonsdale - have briefly been, and quickly gone, and seem unlikely ever to return. Then there's Daihatsu, which began building trucks in 1919, placing it amongst Japan's oldest … [Read more...]
Toyota HiLux Invincible X – Road Test
‘Reality shows are all the rage and if there was one about vehicles I think the survivor would be the Toyota HiLux’, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). It has faced and overcome challenges such as being blown up in a building, being demolished and drowned in a rising tide, only to start up with what I would term “tinkering”, apart from needing to replace a broken windscreen when it was … [Read more...]
Austin Counties Car Club 50th Anniversary Rally June 2025
Kim Henson reports on a fabulous Austins Counties Car Club celebratory get-togther for owners and enthusiasts of Austins produced between 1939 and the mid-1950s… (All words and photographs © Kim Henson and Wheels-Alive). It was in 1975 that Ian Wheater set up an organisation to support the preservation and enjoyment of Austin models built between 1939 and 1954 (and Austin A40 … [Read more...]
Standards Galore… at the Standard Motor Club’s 2025 International Rally at Daventry
'Standard procedure'… The Standard Motor Club’s annual International Rally took place over the long weekend of 13th to 15th June, and was based at Daventry. Kim Henson was there and reports on a delightful and varied event, with warm sunny weather to make it even better... (All words and photographs© Kim Henson and Wheels-Alive). Standard Motor Company vehicles were built over six decades from … [Read more...]
Toyota Corolla Excel 2.0 Hatchback – Road Test
When the world’s best selling car gets a significant makeover, you have to take a serious look at the Toyota Corolla, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). Launched in 1966, the Corolla became the best selling car in the world eight years later, overtaking the Beetle in 1997 for total sales and in 2021 went on to exceed 50 million models, being made in ten countries. It was also the … [Read more...]
Toyota C-HR 1.8 Design – Brief Impressions
Kim Henson undertakes a short test drive in Toyota’s latest, recently-introduced second generation coupé-styled C-HR SUV… Renowned for technical innovation, everyday practicality and long-term reliability, Toyota has updated the firm’s C-HR line-up of 1.8 litre hybrid and 2.0 litre plug-in hybrid models. For many potential owners the C-HR range ticks all the right boxes in terms of striking … [Read more...]
Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes, “If you have a big family I don’t think there is anything to touch the Hyundai Santa Fe when it comes to room, comfort and interior design features at this price”. Aimed squarely at the US market to begin with, this is a big, very big car, which fills and sometimes overhangs most parking bays. There is large and then there’s extra large, a category … [Read more...]
National Motor Museum’s ‘Chatty Caravan’ inspires conversations in the community
The National Motor Museum tells us... (All words and photopgraphs from the National Motor Museum). A restored classic caravan is helping the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu to engage with the local community. The ‘Chatty Caravan’ – otherwise known as ‘Caravan for the Community’ - is a small but perfectly formed 1971 Sprite 400, and a time capsule of fab 70s styling. This joyful, mobile … [Read more...]
Electrified classic Mini, developed by Fellten – Brief First Impressions
Kim Henson travels in a classic Mini converted to fully electric operation… (Text and all photographs © Kim Henson and Wheels-Alive). Recently, at a multi-vehicle driving event in Somerset, I had the chance to ride as passenger in a classic Mini modified to fully electric drive using a propulsion kit developed by Fellten of Bristol. Jerome Andre, who was at the Mini’s wheel for my brief … [Read more...]
Kia Picanto 1.2 – Brief First Impressions
Kim Henson takes the 1.2 litre version of the 2025 Picanto for a short test drive… (All words and photographs © Kim Henson and Wheels-Alive). Kia’s Picanto has been endearing itself to owners for many years, and the latest incarnation of the company’s smallest model is no exception. Deliberately compact, the Picanto is available with a 62 bhp 1.0 litre three cylinder power unit or a 77 … [Read more...]
Ford Explorer Premium AWD – Road Test
“Ford has been a hesitant entrant into the modern BEV market, but is quickly making up ground with models such as the Explorer SUV”, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) While it used its own technology for the Mustang electric sports car, to cut costs and development time it turned to Volkswagen to create the Explorer SUV derived from the ID.4 platform and powertrain. That’s not a bad … [Read more...]
Beaulieu Spring Autojumble 2025 – Sunshine, classics and components galore; another great weekend!
Kim writes: “Beaulieu’s Spring Autojumble is always in my diary as a ‘must-see’ event, and I was there again this year, thankfully with sunshine galore to help the weekend along. Here is how my visit worked out...” (All words © Kim Henson and Wheels-Alive; photographs © Kim Henson and Chris Adamson, as individually credited). This year I decided, “I will not buy any more cars or parts at the … [Read more...]
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