Robin Roberts (WheelsWithinWales) gives his preliminary assessment of Honda's new HR-V hybrid... The new generation HRV uses two electric motors driving the front wheels to assist the regular 1.5 litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine but it’s not a plug-in hybrid. The 131 PS maximum powertrain develops 253 Nm (187 lb.ft) at 4,500 rpm and is essentially a boosted version of that in the Honda Jazz. … [Read more...]
Honda’s latest HR-V hybrid arrives
Honda HR-V e:HEV breaks cover…… Kim Henson previews the newcomer. Honda’s drive towards electrification of its range continues apace, and in fact is accelerating. During an online press unveiling of the new HR-V e:HEV this week, the firm told us that low/zero emission technology is gaining ground faster in Europe than anywhere else in the world, and that the entire Honda mainstream line-up is … [Read more...]
Latest 2021 model Hybrid Honda CR-V – Road Test
HONDA CR-V LARGE SUV NOW JUST WITH HYBRID POWER… …explains David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) in his road test. The latest version of the Honda CR-V was announced in December for the 2021 model year and it’s available but now only with petrol electric hybrid power, but still in 2WD or 4WD forms depending on the spec level chosen. However there are still some previous model year vehicles in … [Read more...]
Latest Honda Civic Type-R – Road Test
EXTENDED HONDA CIVIC TYPE-R RANGE – THE DEVIL’S IN THE DETAIL. David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) tells all… Although the UK production of the Honda Civic family 5-door hatchback range of models, including the hot-shot Type R, ceases in the UK at their Swindon Plant in July 2021, the high performance Type R range of models available has been extended and a wide range of spec changes and … [Read more...]
Honda’s latest Jazz EX Hybrid – Road Test
HONDA’S NEW JAZZ IS SENSIBLE, PRACTICAL BUT NOT A COMPULSIVE BUY… …says David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). The previous three generations of the Honda Jazz supermini five door hatchback have in design been all about packaging of its occupants. These features include best in class space, higher seating positions, good visibility, easy access, wide opening doors, good levels of safety and … [Read more...]
New Honda Jazz Crosstar– Road Test
MORE JAZZ BUT DOES IT HIT THE RIGHT NOTE FOR HONDA? By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). It might be music to some people’s ears that Honda is bringing us more Jazz but their F1 programme looks more like hokey cokey! Announced last week Honda F1 is quitting at the end of next year. They were first involved in 1964 and out in 1968, in again in 1983 and out in 1992, back in again in 2000, … [Read more...]
Honda HR-V Sport CVT – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) assesses Honda’s likeable HR-V… The word ‘crossover model’ is often over-used and exaggerated, but not in the case of the Honda HR-V in its top Sport CVT trim. The original Hybrid Recreational Vehicle from 1999 was a more sober suited trendsetter but a lot has happened in two decades as fashions changed. More manufacturers have poured into the market … [Read more...]
Honda Civic 1.5T Sport Plus – Road Test
New Civic 1.5T Sport Plus – the last British built Honda model range… …Test-driven by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). The Honda Civic currently made in Britain has been a cornerstone of the Japanese company, but times are changing. Honda will be exiting their Swindon factory in 2021 after 36 years as the company realigns its manufacturing and concentrates on fuller utilisation … [Read more...]
Honda Civic Type R GT – Road Test
Just how good is Honda’s current Civic Type R? Kim Henson test drives the top line GT version, to find out. (All words and photographs by Kim). In the late summer of 2001 Honda introduced their original, first generation performance-orientated Civic Type R, and I was fortunate enough to be invited to the launch event for UK motoring writers, held on the Isle of Man. Unfortunately the weather … [Read more...]
Honda HR-V Sport (CVT) – Road Test
Sporty in nature, innovative and so very user-friendly with its wonderful ‘Magic Seats’ – it’s Honda’s HR-V. Kim Henson test drives the Sport version, with seven speed CVT transmission… (All words and photographs by Kim). Boldly styled, with impressive performance credentials and excellent practicality, the latest versions of Honda’s HR-V have much to offer in today’s crowded market for … [Read more...]
Honda CR-V Hybrid EX AWD – Road Test
Honda’s CR-V has been a tough, reliable contender in the SUV market for nearly 25 years... Kim Henson assesses the latest 2019 Hybrid version, in range-topping EX form, with all wheel drive and CVT automatic transmission. Before I describe the current CR-V in self-charging Hybrid form, I’d like briefly to reflect on the history and reliability of the models bearing that name so far. At the … [Read more...]
Honda Civic 1.5 VTEC Turbo Sport Plus – Road Test
Honda’s well-respected Civic line-up has been winning friends for decades. Kim Henson test-drives a current model, in 1.5 litre VTEC turbocharged ‘Sport Plus’ guise… (All words and photographs by Kim). The overall competence of Honda’s Civic models, in each of their generations, shines through when you talk to owners past and present, and, importantly, in conversations with sources in the … [Read more...]
Latest Honda HR-V – Road Test
NEW GENERATION HONDA HR-V COMPACT SUV READY TO GO. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). With only a few weeks to go until the new 69 registration plate peak sales month of September, Honda, like many other manufactures, are eager for customers and there is a whole range of offers to attract sales in a new car market still in decline. Honda, for instance, is currently offering a Test … [Read more...]
Honda Civic 1.0 VTEC Turbo EX – Road Test
LAST POST SOUNDS FOR THE BRITISH BUILT HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK. David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) reports… When the 10th generation Honda Civic hatchback was introduced in 2017 Honda proclaimed in their presentation material that, “The all-new Civic Hatchback is to be built in Europe and exported globally, Honda’s UK plant in Swindon continues key role in Civic production, €270m investment in … [Read more...]
Latest Honda Civic Type R – Road Test
2019 Honda Civic Type R… By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Honda is best known for its sensible family cars, and then there is the rebel Civic Type R. In my experience, every family has a rebel in its ranks, the wacky wayward one who may be a boisterous brother, an unconforming uncle, a shout-out-loud sister or audacious aunty. The Honda Civic Type R comprises just two … [Read more...]
Latest Honda CR-V – Hybrid – Road Test
NEW HONDA CR-V HYBRID SUV MODELS NOW ON SALE… David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) has test-driven the newcomer. Billed by Honda as the world’s best-selling SUV with over 9.0 million sales in 150 countries since the first generation model was launched in 1995, the latest generation range was introduced towards the end of last year. However the new range had no diesel and no 2.0 litre VTEC … [Read more...]
A sad day for the British motor industry as Honda announces the closure of its Swindon facility
The end of an era for Honda in Britain... by Kim Henson. This morning it has been confirmed by Honda that the company will be closing its Swindon plant in 2021, with the loss of approximately 3,500 jobs. This devastating news for those involved, and in the supply chain, and of course in the local economy in the Swindon area, amounts to one of the saddest ever days in the history of car … [Read more...]
Even better revised Honda NSX – First Impressions
Latest Honda NSX speeds into 2019… Tried and tested by Robin Roberts (Miles Better News Agency). The insanely-hot 191 mph Honda NSX with a zero to 62 mph time of just 2.9 seconds, has had a make-over for the New Year, and its handling is now better than ever. Hybrids are hot news at the moment, but none come hotter than the Honda NSX. With its twin turbo V6 3.5 litre petrol engine and … [Read more...]
Honda Civic Saloon – Road Test
Honda adds another string to the Civic’s bow… … says David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). With no Estate version in the tenth generation Honda Civic range, until now only available in five door Hatchback form, now Honda has extended the Civic’s appeal by adding four door Saloon versions. Unlike the … [Read more...]
Honda Civic 1.6 Diesel – Road Test
Honda Civic 5-door hatchback 1.6 diesel – Fuel and tax-efficient. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). Built in Britain for global sales the 10th generation Honda Civic is available in five door hatchback body style, and now a Civic four door saloon, built in Turkey for European markets, has been added to the range. Also a new 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine with manual and automatic … [Read more...]
