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...]
First Impressions
Our brief encounters with new models on the U.K. market
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...]
Kia Sorento 2.2 CRD (2025 model) – First Impressions
Robin Roberts (WheelsWithinWales) samples the latest Sorento (2.2 diesel version). Twenty-one years after Kia's original Sorento launch the latest variant of the seven seat SUV has been taking design cues from its new all-electric stablemate, the EV9. Unlike the BEV, the Sorento is available in three grades in the UK: ‘2’, ‘3’ and ‘4’ with the choice of 190 bhp 2.2-litre common-rail diesel, … [Read more...]
Latest model (2025) Kia Picanto – First Impressions
Robin Roberts (WheelsWithinWales) gives his first impressions of the latest version of Kia's city car, the Picanto... Kia is bucking the trend and staying faithful to the city car sector with the arrival of the latest Picanto... While other manufacturers put the brake on city cars to concentrate on mid-sized models and cross-overs, claiming smaller models are unprofitable, the Kia Picanto is … [Read more...]
Honda e:Ny1 electric SUV – Brief Road Test
Kim Henson briefly test-drives Honda’s all-electric e:Ny1 Advance… (All words and photographs by, and copyright Kim Henson). The neat and stylish e:Ny1 is a fully electric SUV, with a powerful electric motor (only) which uses a water-cooled battery to ensure consistent power delivery and to help extend battery life. The battery is low-mounted within the vehicle, helping to optimise interior … [Read more...]
Omoda 5 – Brief Road Test
Kim Henson briefly test-drives the new Omoda 5 SUV… (All words and photographs by, and copyright Kim Henson). Please note: The following report has been produced based on briefly driving a non-UK spec car, and in advance of the UK’s press kit being issued; there may be differences in facts, figures and specifications for UK spec models. Founded in 2023, the Chinese firm Omoda is a new kid … [Read more...]
INEOS Grenadier Trialmaster Edition – Brief Road Test
Kim Henson briefly test-drives (on tarmac) the petrol-powered version of the INEOS Grenadier, in Trialmaster Edition form… (All words and photographs by, and copyright Kim Henson). Despite the proliferation of modern 4x4 vehicles, there are many potential users who still prefer the traditional’ non-nonsense approach to off-road machines. Enter the INEOS Grenadier, which is aimed at filling the … [Read more...]
Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Touring – Brief Road Test
Kim Henson takes the wheel of Subaru’s all wheel drive Crosstrek… (All words and photographs by, and copyright Kim Henson). I first test-drove a Subaru (an all wheel drive estate car) in the autumn of 1979, and was impressed by the performance of its horizontally-opposed ‘boxer’ engine, its versatility in everyday use, and its spectacular levels of traction (albeit without a differential … [Read more...]
Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo – Brief Road Test
Kim Henson test drive’s Maserati’s all wheel drive supercar coupé… (All words and photographs by, and copyright Kim Henson). Maserati… This famous name evokes thoughts of sleek Italian design, high performance and sophistication. All these aspects are neatly brought together in the current two door, four seater coupé GranTurismo Trofeo, which recently I was able to sample during a brief road … [Read more...]
Kia’s impressive line-up sampled…
Kim test-drives Kias – briefly driving five models from the current range, and likes what he found... It is no surprise to me that Kia is doing well in the U.K. market; to start with the firm offers a very wide range of models that currently encompass petrol power, hybrid propulsion and fully electric vehicles. Added to this wide range of buyer choice there is Kia’s market-leading seven year … [Read more...]
SMMT electric avenue of dreams?
It's green for go, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) as he provides his own personal assessment of the recent SMMT Test Day event for motoring writers to test-drive current vehicles… (At the outset Kim says: ‘Zero emissions’ in the context of BEVs in fact effectively means ‘Zero exhaust emissions’ only. For a full and accurate comparison with i.c.e. models it is important to appreciate … [Read more...]
All-new Suzuki Swift Hybrid – First Impressions
Kim Henson samples the latest, Fourth Generation of Suzuki’s compact supermini, the Swift. (Images and words by, and copyright, Kim Henson). Suzuki’s Swift has been impressing owners over the last 40 years and three generations, with more than nine million examples having been sold globally, across 119 countries. As with all Suzukis, the model has earned a justifiable reputation for … [Read more...]
BYD ATTO 3– First Impressions
Kim Henson briefly test drives BYD’s ATTO 3 (C-Segment all-electric SUV). BYD (Standing for ‘Build Your Dreams’) arrived in the UK a year ago (March 2023), with the Chinese motor manufacturer in celebratory mode after winning the ‘Rising Star’ title at the Great British Fleet Awards, on 18th April 2024. Their all-electric line-up includes the ATTO 3 SUV, DOLPHIN (C-Segment hatchback) and SEAL … [Read more...]
KIA EV9 Air RWD – First Impressions
KIA has turned the corner into a new market segment with its EV9 pure electric model, says Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). The EV9 seven-seater launches in three trim levels and an additional range-topping six-seat option from £65,025 to £78,775 in rear wheel drive or all-wheel-drive configurations depending on trim with 200 bhp single or 378 bhp twin motors. That puts it squarely into … [Read more...]
Ineos Grenadier – First Impressions from Guy Loveridge
Guy Loveridge reports from the Lake District with his impressions of the Ineos Grenadier... (All words by Guy; photographs from Guy, and PFPR). The Ineos Grenadier is simply a remarkable motor vehicle. From being sketched on a £5 note at the, of course, Grenadier pub as a dream of what could/should replace the out going Land Rover Defender to this hugely capable machine, both on and … [Read more...]
Ineos Grenadier FD – First Impressions
Robin Roberts samples the Ineos Grenadier FD, on and off road. He writes, "Inch by inch, metre by metre and after just a few miles the Ineos Grenadier impresses..." Conceived to replace the outgoing Land Rover Defender at the time, the Grenadier is the product of a multi- million pound investment by chemical firm Ineos and its owner, one of the richest men and motoring enthusiasts in … [Read more...]
BYD Dolphin hatchback – Background and First Impressions
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) tells all about this new kid on the block electric hatchback… If you have used a Nokia 3310 mobile phone, Apple i-pad or ridden on a new Transport for London electric bus, then you have already experienced BYD technology. The Chinese battery technology business which has powered these landmark products has a global footprint powering many familiar items, … [Read more...]
Mazda MX-30 E-EV Crossover – News and First Impressions
News and brief Views about the new Mazda MX-30 R-EV Crossover. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). News Mazda is never afraid to be different and it shows in their latest MX-30 R-EV Crossover launched to the UK’s motoring media recently. Keeping its quirky ‘suicide’ rear passenger doors for easy access to the back seats the real change is up front under the bonnet in the … [Read more...]
Latest Vauxhall Astra GSe hybrid – First Impressions
The new Vauxhall Astra GSe brief first drive by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). As it slips into middle-age, the latest generation Vauxhall Astra has been given a modern make-over. Originally launched in 1980, the Astra has been the bedrock of the company’s offering in the small family car sector as it moved through eight generations. This year it was given a mechanical … [Read more...]
Peugeot 508SW – First Impressions
Chris Adamson reports after test driving this hybrid conventional estate car… (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Chris Adamson). Large bulk carrying sports utilities are gradually coming to dominate the UK new car market; most makers have quietly begun to abandon traditional saloons, hatchbacks and estate cars in favour of the versatility and appeal of the SUV. Consequently, a … [Read more...]
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