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...]
Subaru Forester Touring – Road Test
Revised, repriced and released this Spring, the Subaru Forester is ready to take on rivals in the serious SUV sector in 2025. Launched in 1997 on the back of a very impressive rallying impact by Subaru, the Forester was aimed squarely at the expanding SUV sector but in particular the country dweller who’d appreciate simple yet effective full-time all-wheel-drive. Here was something to pull a … [Read more...]
KGM Actyon – Brief First Impressions
Kim Henson briefly samples KGM’s Actyon coupé-style SUV… (All words and photographs © Kim Henson and Wheels-Alive). Recently I had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the KGM Actyon, driving on a variety of roads in north Wiltshire. This newcomer is powered by a 1.5 litre G-DI turbocharged engine (producing 163 PS at 5,00 to 5,500 rpm and maximum torque of 280 Nm or 207 lb.ft between … [Read more...]
Skoda Kamiq SE L Edition – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes… Skoda has something for everyone in its family friendly range beginning with their baby SUV, the Kamiq. Launched in 2019 as Skoda’s smallest SUV, the Kamiq shares its floorpan with the Seat Arona and Volkswagen T-Cross, but offers more interior room. To maintain family resemblances, the Kamiq shares a similar face to the larger Skoda SUVs, the Karoq, … [Read more...]
Mazda CX-80 seven seater – Road Test
The new flagship Mazda CX-80 is poised to make a big impression in the luxury multi-seat SUV sector, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). New car sales went and are going through a tough time but it must be said that in 2024 Mazda did better than most. Mazda UK sales director Laura Brailey told us global registrations for the brand rose 11% last year to a record 1.4 M and in Britain it … [Read more...]
Suzuki Vitara – latest 2025 version – First Impressions
Kim Henson briefly samples the recently upgraded Vitara. (All words and photographs © Kim Henson and Wheels-Alive). For many years Suzuki’s Vitara SUV has been an important mainstay within the company’s range, the model earning a justifiable reputation for reliability, practicality and cost-effective motoring. Our own Wheels-Alive road tests have confirmed that the model is a good bet in all … [Read more...]
Ford Capri Premium AWD – Road Test
The Ford Capri name is back and turning heads some 55 years after the original model, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). The first Ford Capri, designed by the same man who styled the Ford Mustang, was produced from 1969 to 1986 and covered three generations with two million models registered. Originally made in Ford’s Halewood, Liverpool plant, the new all-electric Capri uses the … [Read more...]
New Isuzu D-Max – Road Test
Kim Henson test drives the latest, boldly restyled and significantly upgraded Isuzu D-Max pick-up, in V-Cross Double Cab 4x4 form. (All words and photographs © Kim Henson and Wheels-Alive). For a long time Isuzu vehicles have rightly and widely been recognised for their reliability, toughness, practicality and reasonable running costs. Sales of the D-Max pick-up range have been rising year by … [Read more...]
Mazda CX-30s drive from Baltic to Arctic using sustainable fuel
Kim writes: "At Wheels-Alive we have been saying for a very long time that sustainable fuels have a vital role in helping to leave behind fossil fuels, while enabling internal combustion engined vehicles to play their part in reducing greenhouse gases. Mazda has just proved this point by taking 12 new CX-30s on an epic drive, powered by sustainable fuels." Mazda tells us: (Photograph and all … [Read more...]
Ford Puma ST-Line X – Road Test
The Ford Puma has consistently featured in Britain’s top ten popular cars for all the right reasons, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). From launch in 2019 as natural evolution of the Fiesta hatchback, the Puma SUV has fitted the bill for thousands of families. Its fairly compact dimensions enclose a deceptively practical and versatile body with a clever mild hybrid 48-volt power pack … [Read more...]
Britain’s drive towards electric vehicle propulsion is slowing down
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports on a backtrack on EV sales targets... Today, the Government announced a relaxation of electric vehicle sales targets to help the car industry in the face of trade tariffs from the US and a slow take up for pure electric cars without manufacturer incentives costing them millions of pounds. It is what the motor industry and component suppliers have … [Read more...]
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