Lotus has always produced remarkable sporting vehicles, and 2021 sees many anniversaries for the firm... Watch this space: Wheels-Alive is aiming to bring you more information about these cars as we move through this year. There are numerous significant anniversaries for Lotus to celebrate in 2021. The firm tells us that they will deliver more detail on these cars – and the fabulous stories … [Read more...]
News & Views
Our take on what’s been happening in the world of motoring
We appreciate that these days there are vast quantities of motoring news items freely available to all, from huge numbers of global sources. It would be impossible to bring them all to you through these pages – so we are not even going to try!
Instead, we will include selected motoring-related stories which we feel will be of interest. Depending on the item, we hope that they will also inform, encourage, entertain and provoke further thought!
Each item will be dated, and as new stories arrive, older posts will be archived chronologically.
TVR factory preparation and conversion starts
Welsh Government and TVR will begin work on its Ebbw Vale factory renovation and enhancement programme in mid-January, writes Robin Roberts. Jones Brothers (Henllan) Ltd has been awarded the principal contract for works including replacement of the main building’s roof, the recladding of the building, extensive groundworks and also preparation of a prototype build area at the side of the intended … [Read more...]
Electric cars charge ahead…
Electric cars power ahead of internal combusion engine models, as Robin Roberts explains... Despite the wider car industry suffering badly from the effects of the pandemic, 2020 was a landmark year when it came to sales of battery electric vehicles with twice as many sold last year compared to the year before, and a total of more than 200,000 registered since 2010, analysis of SMMT figures by the … [Read more...]
UK New car sales review
Review of new cars sold in Britain last year, by Robin Roberts. The UK new car market fell by almost a third (-29.4%) in 2020, with annual registrations dropping to 1,631,064 units, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. A -10.9% decline in December wrapped up a turbulent 12 months, which saw demand fall by 680,076 units to the lowest level of registrations since … [Read more...]
Do you live in the EU but have a UK-issued driving licence? Read this!
Driving after Brexit: Licence exchange for UK licence holders resident in Europe... by Dave Moss. Following Britain's departure from the EU, if you live and drive in any EU country, or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, and hold a UK-issued driving licence, you will need to exchange it for a local one. To arrange this, in some cases you might need a medical examination, or have to … [Read more...]
Driving in Europe post-Brexit…
Dave Moss is your guide to what's now required when driving on the other side of the Channel... Britain's departure from the EU has prompted a flurry of information and advice from the Department for Transport, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and the DVLA on rule changes affecting Britons driving in Europe from January 1st 2021. Here we round up some important changes affecting British … [Read more...]
Snow and Ice? Five myths about road gritting, busted.
What do you know about 'gritting'? There's more to it than meets the eye... The onset of winter weather sees the return of gritting lorries on roads across the UK. In addition to clearing snow and ice, specialist operators The Gritting Company are keen to dispel five myths about road gritting: Myth 1: “The winter wagons contain grit.” Untrue. It’s not grit, it’s salt. The small stones that … [Read more...]
A look (in amazement, astonishment and wonder) at Lada, then and now… Part Two: The capable four wheel drive Niva
Niva say never... as little known best seller reaches 40 – by Dave Moss This story begins on April 5th 1977, when LHD Russian market sales of what was known there as the VAZ 2121 began. Right hand drive examples were badged "Lada Niva", with a list price just over £5000, at their 1980 British International Motor Show launch, where they were heavily overshadowed by the introduction of BL's Austin … [Read more...]
A look (in amazement, astonishment and wonder) at Lada, then and now… Part One: The story so far
Records set in a 21st century Russian Revolution – by Dave Moss. On September 24th 2020, the 30 millionth Lada rolled off a production line at one of the worlds biggest car factories – the Autovaz plant in Togliatti, on the Volga riverside almost 600 miles south east of Moscow. The plant also celebrated 50 years of production in 2020, adding up to a remarkable manufacturing performance – an … [Read more...]
Volvo V60 Recharge – Road Test (plus Volvo range electrification news)
VOLVO GOES ON EMBRACING ELECTRIFICATION FOR ITS MODELS + V60 RECHARGE ROAD TESTED. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). Volvo, part of the Chinese Geely industrial conglomerate, is now well known for their commitment to full electrification of all their models by 2025. They have recently confirmed they will develop and assemble their own electric motors at their powertrain plant in Skovde … [Read more...]
Fiat 500 Hybrid – Road Test, plus Fiat, Bentley and SMMT ‘electric’ news
FIAT’S NEW 500 HYBRID ON THE ROAD TOWARDS FULLY ELECTRIC MOTORING. David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) reports… The little and large of new models being introduced have several things in common but the most relevant is all-electric power. At one end of the size scale Fiat have recently introduced their 500 City Car petrol-electric Hybrid range and UK order books are open for their all-new … [Read more...]
Suzuki supports Computers 4 Charity
Suzuki teams up with Computers 4 Charity... Suzuki GB PLC says that it is very pleased to announce its collaboration with Computers 4 Charity, a long established and renowned not-for-profit organisation that reuses computer equipment for those in need both in the UK and around the world who otherwise would have no opportunity to own a computer or laptop. Suzuki will donate 130 of its … [Read more...]
Suzuki supports Crisis at Christmas
Suzuki lends a hand to help homeless people during this festive season... Crisis are the national charity for homeless people, formed in 1967 as an urgent response to the growing homelessness crisis and for the past two years the Suzuki Press Office says that it has been very honoured to support their volunteer team. Crisis provide vital services and supplies to so many over the … [Read more...]
Latest motoring news round-up
Robin Roberts provides his round-up of recent automotive news... Classic cars have outperformed gold in terms of investment opportunity over the past decade. Using Hagerty’s average pricing for classic cars, Vanarama (https://www.vanarama.com/) has reviewed how much a classic car can appreciate in a mere decade compared to other … [Read more...]
STOLEN! Please keep a look out for these two beauties…
TWO much-loved modern classics stolen – have you seen either or both? Kim Henson appeals... These two much cherished modern classics have both been stolen from Chatteris in Cambridgeshire, a red Rover 214 G899 UYP (it disappeared on Sunday 22nd), and a dark blue Volvo 760 estate, F723 FEC (which was taken yesterday, Monday 23rd). If you see either of these vehicles, or have any information … [Read more...]
The Motor Ombudsman names winners of inaugural Garage Star Awards
In a 'good news' story, Dukes AutoTech in St. Austell takes top honour... Over 800 customers nominations were received for individuals, teams and garages accredited to The Motor Ombudsman’s Service and Repair and Vehicle Sales Codes to win the first Garage Star Awards. 24 entries were shortlisted for a judging panel to choose the winners and highly commended entries in eight … [Read more...]
Esso launches Synergy Supreme+ 99 premium petrol (and currently it’s ethanol-free)
Esso ups the game in the field of higher grade unleaded petrol... Kim Henson reports... Kim writes, "I have long been a believer in using the 'premium' or superior grades of fuel produced by the main players in the forecourt industry, both petrol and diesel, in my own vehicles. I use these fuels where available because, quite simply, I find that typically performance is noticeably and … [Read more...]
Volvo emissions reductions, plus XC40 B5 AWD R-Design Pro – Road Test
VOLVO AHEAD OF CO2 REDUCTION TARGET + XC40 SUV TEST DRIVE. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). Volvo Cars and its sports offshoot brand of Polestar claims they will reduce fleet emissions beyond their joint CO2 target for 2020 as defined by the regulations set by the European Commission. What that target was Volvo doesn’t say. However to their credit Volvo Cars was the first … [Read more...]
British Motor Museum shortlisted in the Royal Automobile Club Historic Awards
Recognition for Museum's exhibitions arranged during a difficult year... The British Motor Museum has been selected as one of three finalists in the Collection category in this year’s Royal Automobile Club Historic Awards. The annual Awards recognise outstanding achievements within the British historic motoring and motorsport world. The judges had an impressive and diverse list of candidates … [Read more...]
New motoring news you might have missed
A round-up of the major and not so major stories of the week in a handy Glovebox guide to motoring news. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). The British built Suzuki Swace estate is about to go on sale. A badge-engineered version of the Toyota Corolla Hybrid Estate made in Derby with engines from Deesside, the newcomer will be sold in SZ-T and SZ5 trim. The nominal boot space of … [Read more...]
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