Kim Henson was in attendance and enjoyed the day… In normal times, on several occasions each year the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) brings together representatives of the car makers and motoring writers, giving us scribes the chance to drive a variety of vehicles in similar road and weather conditions. In addition it gives us a valuable opportunity to talk to our colleagues in … [Read more...]
First Impressions
Our brief encounters with new models on the U.K. market
Suzuki Swift Sport and Vitara – Brief Impressions of current models
Kim Henson briefly test drives the latest, 48 volt self-charging hybrid system versions of the Swift Sport and Vitara… (Words and photographs – all copyright, by Kim Henson). With self-charging hybrid technology, incorporating an upgraded new lithium-ion battery, applied as standard across the Suzuki line-up, the latest models all employ a compact, lightweight belt-driven ‘Integrated Starter … [Read more...]
Ineos Grenadier – First Impressions
Kieron Fennelly gives his views on this classically-inspired tough-in-nature new four wheel drive machine… It was Ferry Porsche who, sixty years ago, famously said “I couldn’t find a sports car I liked, so I decided to build my own.” The man behind the Ineos Grenadier, Sir James Ratcliffe evidently had a similar idea. But unlike Porsche who saw his mission as developing his father’s consultancy … [Read more...]
Honda e – First Drive Road Test
ALL ELECTRIC HONDA e ADVANCED FIRST DRIVE… …By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). The power of dreams is going electric with the distinctive and multiple award winning Honda e. As if to really differentiate the design from anything which has gone before as the company begins its transition to full electric power, the Honda e is a completely new model from the ground up. Honda e … [Read more...]
Mazda3 GT Sport – First Impressions
The first test drive of the new Mazda3 186 PS GT Sport with new e-Skyactive X hybrid technology... By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Just when you think things couldn’t get better, Mazda has improved its acclaimed Skyactiv engine technology. Constant engine development and software revisions have improved combustion and power, reduced emissions and extended economy in the … [Read more...]
Lotus Emira Arrives
New Lotus Emira 'unboxed' and introduced at re-born Hethel HQ... Sensational Emira debut staged at Lotus’ historic home, significantly upgraded with new facilities and all-new sports car factory Emira ‘unboxed’ live in front of more than 300 guests Jenson Button, F1 World Champion and Lotus customer, was surprise special guest with world-exclusive first Emira test drive … [Read more...]
McLaren 620R – First Drive
Chris Adamson assesses Mclaren’s latest model, the new 620R… (Photos as individually credited). McLaren’s current resurgence in Formula One has put the British brand back in the sporting spotlight although for most racing enthusiasts the thrill of motorsport is still very much a long-distance connection. However, if you do want to experience some of the visceral energy of motor racing and … [Read more...]
A new McLaren arrives
First view of the McLaren Artura… …By Chris Adamson. (Photographs as individually credited, from McLaren and from Chris). Hybrid hypercar pioneers McLaren first wowed the motoring world with the 2012 debut of the P1, now, almost a decade later, they are set to go hybrid mainstream – well, if you can call a car that costs over £180,000 mainstream that is. Welcome to the Artura, a high … [Read more...]
Mazda MX-30 (fully electric) – First impressions
ALL ELECTRIC NEW MAZDA MX-30 news and first drive views by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Making its move into the electric generation of modern cars, the Mazda MX-30 lands squarely in the middle-ground of the market. Based on the stable-mate CX-30 crossover which costs about £2,500 less, the MX-30 has a 35.5 kWh lithium-ion traction battery which has added weight to the … [Read more...]
VW up! First Brief Impressions from a Wheels-Alive reader
Gerald Morgan gives his initial verdict on Volkswagen’s latest 2020 up! All variants are five door hatchbacks, powered by a 65 PS 1.0 litre petrol engine, driving the front wheels via a five speed manual gearbox. (The car featured, a ‘Black Edition' version, was equipped with VW’s Start/Stop system incorporating battery regeneration). (All word and photographs by Gerald; the opinions expressed … [Read more...]
BMW latest 4 Series Coupé – First Impressions (plus BMW model news)
BMW’S NEW 4 SERIES COUPE, FIRST DRIVE NEWS AND VIEWS. David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) reports… In these days of health and safety in this Covid era, holding mass motoring media product test driving events is not easy, you need space. And to meet that space requirements for this week’s BMW UK Media Showcase event of their new and updated models they used an aircraft hangar at the … [Read more...]
Latest Jeep Renegade PHEV – First Impressions
New Jeep Renegade 4xe news and first drive views… By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Jeep has turned a corner with its new PHEV plug-in hybrid electric Renegade. Without compromising its famous off-road abilities the Renegade 4xe adds emission lowering and power enhancing electric drive and it’s the first electrified Jeep to be sold in Britain. It uses the familiar … [Read more...]
Electric Renaults galore arriving here now (or very soon)…
RENAULT CONTINUES THEIR AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRIFICATION PATH... ...David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) tells all – and drives the new models Overview While other manufacturers have used the Hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) paths to full electric mobility, Renault took a different route 10 years ago with their first all-electric model the Twizy. The Twizy was an oddball tandem two seater city … [Read more...]
Latest BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé – First Impressions + other model news
THE NEW BMW 2 SERIES GRAN COUPE FIRST DRIVE NEWS AND VIEWS. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). This is the first ever BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé model and the smallest member of the BMW’s dour door Coupés family, which are the 4 Series Gran Coupé, 6 Series Gran Turismo and the range flagship 8 Series Gran Coupé. The new 2 Series Gran Coupé with four passenger doors, a sleek coupé … [Read more...]
Toyota RAV4 Excel AWD – First Impressions
Chris Adamson takes to the wheel of Toyota’s latest RAV4… (All words and photos by Chris). Over the years I have been on many new vehicle launches where the makers have claimed revolutionary prowess for their latest model – few have met this expectation but one I recall that did was the original Toyota RAV4. Billed as a fun town car with the ability to go off-road (Recreational All-terrain … [Read more...]
Mazda CX-30 SkyActiv – First Impressions
Kieron Fennelly puts the CX 30 through its paces – and describes its clever, innovative SkyActiv engine… Mazda is one of the smaller manufacturers, rather like Volvo. However, unlike the Swedish company which is part of the Chinese concern Geely, Mazda continues to plough an independent furrow. For many years, Ford was a major shareholder, but Dearborn gave up its 33% in 2010 when it also sold … [Read more...]
Vauxhall Astra Mk 7 1.2 petrol – First Impressions
Kieron Fennelly drives, and gives his views on, the latest Astra, in 1.2 litre petrol form… In 2019 Vauxhall/Opel’s Astra celebrated its 40th birthday (and Kim adds that he was at the UK launch of the Opel version, at Donington Park in the autumn of 1979, and remembers just how much the attending motoring writers were impressed with the new model). Many readers might recall the original Mk 1 … [Read more...]
Jaguar Land Rover – Latest Vehicles News and First Impressions Test Drives
ALL NEW THINGS JAGUAR AND LAND ROVER REVIEW… …by David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). Jaguar XE Reims very prompt first drive Jaguar set an embargo date and time last week of one minute past midnight on Wednesday 11th December to announce their special edition Jaguar XE Reims model with just 200 units for sale solely in the UK. By 0.945am the same day I was sat behind the wheel of the car … [Read more...]
New Mazda CX-30 – First Impressions
Mazda’s latest version of the CX-30 arrives in the UK in January 2020… Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency) reports. The new Mazda CX-30 enters the booming SUV sector in January. Sitting between the CX-3 small SUV and CX-5 large SUV, the newcomer will be priced from £22,895 for the 26 models in five trim levels, and with a choice of rear or all-wheel-drive depending on the buyer’s … [Read more...]
Latest Raft of BMW Plug-in Hybrids – First Impressions
BMW NOW WITH MORE VARIETY OF POWERTRAINS WITH PLUG-IN HYBRIDS… Hotfoot from this week's BMW PHEV driving event, David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) reports. (Photographs from BMW and David Miles – 330e interior and engine bay). The figures speak for themselves with the latest line-up of new BMW PHEV plug-in hybrid electric vehicles on offer, and with more models to come. To get to grips … [Read more...]
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