Jaguar's XF Sportbrake R-Dynamic SE P250 tried and tested by Robin Roberts (and Motoring Milestones). (Photographs from Jaguar and from Robin Roberts). Style and sophistication are embodied in the practical and purposeful Jaguar XF Sportbrake and a serious alternative to SUVs. Introduced in 2017 to widen the appeal of the medium sized XF saloon, it sits alongside the now expanding range … [Read more...]
New Skoda Octavia PHEV – Road Test
Skoda Octavia iV PHEV, SE L plug-in hybrid Estate... ...tried and tested by By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Skoda really is on a charge with its award winning Octavia range. The most successful Skoda ever sold in Britain, with over 500,000 delivered in four generations, has picked up a clutch of awards, notably the latest for its family values as selected by an international … [Read more...]
For Your Bookshelf: Accessible Classics No. 1 – Austin A30/A35 – ‘Enjoying Your Austin’
Are you interested in the Austin A30/A35 models of the 1950s/60s? If the answer is 'yes' you might enjoy this book too... The Austin A30 (initially called the A30 'Seven' to deliberately make connections with the highly succcessful pre-War Austin Sevens) was introduced in October 1951 and was the first all-new compact post-War Austin saloon, featuring a unitary construction body shell (the first … [Read more...]
Latest BMW 5 Series – First Impressions
48 YEARS AND STILL GOING STRONG – THE BMW 5 SERIES – NOW REFRESHED By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). The longest serving model range in the BMW line-up is the 5 Series, launched seven generations ago in 1972. Since the last new models were launched in 2017 over 66,000 of them have been sold in the UK and 600,000 of them globally, now the latest updated 5 Series cars have just gone on … [Read more...]
Skoda Octavia 1.5 petrol estate – Road Test
DRIVEN SKODA’S NEW OCTAVIA ESTATE BUT THIS TIME WITH PETROL POWER... …says David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). The all-new Skoda Octavia range of Hatch and Estate models are well and truly in circulation after the initial COVID-19 lockdown delays, and are making their way to eager UK customers with more versions just announced. The Octavia has been Skoda’s best selling global model range … [Read more...]
Latest Skoda Octavia Estate – Road Test
Skoda Octavia Estate SE L First Edition 2.0 150TDI – What’s not to like? By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). We live in a 24/7 world, expect everything to work at any time and not let us down. One guide to choosing a good car is looking at what police, ambulance and taxi companies use because they are on the road 24/7 and one of the most prolific of vehicles you’ll see is the … [Read more...]
Toyota Corolla Trek – Road Test
RIGHT CAR RIGHT TIME – THE NEW TOYOTA COROLLA TREK MIGHT BE… …By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). With staycations forced upon many of us due to the pandemic lockdown on overseas travel, activity holidays in the UK are at record levels whether it involves hotels, B&Bs, caravanning, camping, glamping, boating or hiking. UK sales and rentals of motorhomes, caravans, campers, tents and … [Read more...]
BMW 340i Touring – Road Test
SPACE AND PACE – THE NEW BMW 340i TOURING. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). (All interior photographs of the right-hand drive test car by David). BMW has a vast array of model ranges, Saloons, Touring estates, Active and Gran Tourer MPVs, Coupés and Gran Coupés, Convertibles, Sports Cars, SUV X models and an increasing number of current and future ‘I’ all-electric models. Backing up … [Read more...]
Latest Toyota Corolla – Road Test
The British Built Toyota Corolla Design 2.0 Hybrid Touring… …Tried and Tested by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). The world’s best selling car and most successful British-built model, the Toyota Corolla, goes from strength to strength. The Corolla name returned to the Toyota lineup for the 12th generation and replaced the Auris. Toyota has been building cars in Britain since 1992 … [Read more...]
BMC/BL Mini – The Clubman and 1275GT Scenario
Mini Clubman and 1275GT history and development… …Dave Moss describes what happened. In the mid 1960s, agonising began at BMC over how best to update or replace the Mini, which was turning into one of its most successful cars. The decision was ultimately overtaken by the mergers which first created British Motor Holdings and then the British Leyland Motor Corporation – bringing all the BMC … [Read more...]
Classic Clubs Series – No. 1 – Ford Anglia 105E Owners’ Club
Classic Clubs Series – No. 1 – Ford Anglia 105E Owners’ Club Do you own, drive, or are interested in… an Anglia 105E or 123E, or a Prefect 107E? If so, this club is for you… Kim Henson explains… In this new Wheels-Alive series, over time we shall be looking at the multitude of enthusiastic organisations that help their members to keep their classic vehicles (of various makes, models and types) … [Read more...]
Latest Skoda Superb estate car – Road Test
REVISED SKODA SUPERB ESTATE DOES WHAT IT SAYS IN THE TITLE… …proclaims David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). The Skoda Superb large Estate and its five door Hatchback stablemate models have over the years not only pulled in huge global sales but have received numerous awards and accolades. These have been not just for its D-segment class-leading interior passenger and load space, but for its … [Read more...]
Toyota Corolla 1.8 Touring Sport – First Impressions.
Chris Adamson test drives the latest Toyota Corolla 1.8 Touring Sport – and contrasts it with his own first Toyota.... (Photos: Toyota GB). Back in the mid-1980s the second car I ever bought was a nearly new Toyota Corolla SR liftback that I drove all round the UK and even took on holiday to France. It served me well for many years, never gave me any problems and I have to say there was a … [Read more...]
Kia Proceed 1.6 GDI GT estate – Road Test
Kia ProCeed 1.6T GDI GT family sports estate… …By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). On the back of their best-ever half-year sales performance, Kia has launched a series of updates across its range for 2020. As it prepares to roll out some new models and expand its electric model choices, the Korean car-maker cannot seem to let a wheel slip in the showrooms and takes every … [Read more...]
Latest Volkswagen Passat – First Impressions
REVISED VW PASSAT ESTATE PUT THROUGH ITS PACES... ...By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Volkswagen has treasure in its 46-year old Passat name, now brightly polished into a gleaming facelifted eighth edition. From its launch in 1973 it is now the VW with the longest-lived name-plate after the Beetle went out of production this year and it even predates the Golf name by a … [Read more...]
Peugeot 508 SW estate car – Road Test
NEW PEUGEOT 508 SW ESTATE – LOADS OF SPACE AND STYLE. Tried and tested by David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). The new Peugeot 508 SW five door five seater estates have recently come to market with prices starting from £26,845, but the wide range of engine choices and specification levels plus options can push the price up to almost £41,000. The new estate compliments the award winning … [Read more...]
Toyota Corolla 2.0 Hybrid Touring Sports – Road Test
NEW BRITISH BUILT TOYOTA COROLLA 2.0 HYBRID TOURING SPORTS. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). In March this year the Corolla name returned to the Toyota line-up of passenger cars 14 years after the Auris name replaced it. Like the Auris range it replaced, the 12th generation five-door Corolla Hatchback and Touring Sports estate petrol and hybrid models are being built in the UK at … [Read more...]
Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer – Road Test
LONG LIFE VAUXHALL INSIGNIA SPORTS TOURER STILL MEASURES UP… …By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). Launched in 2008 and facelifted in 2013, followed by continuous upgrades to specification. the Vauxhall Insignia range of five door D-segment Grand Sport hatchbacks, Sports Tourer and Country Tourer estates is a story of evolution and the latest models are still as fresh and competitive … [Read more...]
Latest Ford Focus – Road Test
FORD’S NEW FOCUS FAMILY GAINS ACTIVE MEMBERS… …by David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). Ford has added a new member to its Active family - the Ford Focus Active available as a five door hatchback or estate. It joins their Fiesta Active and Ka+ Active line-up. Ford Active models are termed crossovers models combining mild SUV styling whilst retaining the brand’s strong driving dynamics. … [Read more...]
Volvo V60 Cross Country estate – Road Test
VOLVO ADDS A CROSS COUNTRY MODEL TO THEIR V60 ESTATE CAR RANGE… …tried and tested by David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). Although it’s Volvo’s range of SUVs, the XC90, XC60 and the new XC40 that hog the limelight of the Scandinavian brand’s significant popularity and sales growth in the premium car market, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Volvo has excelled for over 60 years in producing … [Read more...]
