Author: Robin Roberts

The British MINI is as traditional as a cup of tea, and next year it will be particularly apt because it’s the Convertible’s 20th anniversary, traditionally marked with a gift of china. Launched four years after the new generation MINI hatch was unveiled by parent BMW in 2000, the MINI Convertible has moved through four generations which include a completely electric version. It’s a neat soft-top package providing four-seat open air motoring compared to most rag-tops two seats unless you go for a much more expensive and larger car from a premium maker. The MINI Convertible, tested in Cooper S…

As the motor industry increasingly turns in on itself and concentrates on niche models it’s good to see the BMW X1 arrive, genuinely offering something for everyone. Sport, xLine and M Sport trim levels span seven models including three or four cylinder petrol-hybrid units, four-cylinder diesels and an electric version to ensure there is something for every requirement or preference. To that mix you can add two or four wheel drive for soft-roading and outdoor pursuits and an enormous range of expensive accessories to personalise your car and make it your own. This is the third generation X1 which launched…

If you live in the country, the chance’s you’ll like a dark horse such as the Subaru Forester. It is an all-time four-wheel-drive model with good ground clearance, carries and tows a lot but it’ll not cost you an arm and let like most 4WD or SUVs. The Subaru Forester also comes with something rivals clamour, rarity value. You are unlikely to see as many in the lanes and towns as with competitors, and that creates an air of individuality. There are three mechanically similar models of the Forester: XE, Sport and Premium, as we tested here, but they differ…

Honda has joined the modern space race. It has tested the waters before but this time it’s launched a serious strike for the sector that is steadily capturing more sales than ever and currently takes almost 60% of UK registrations. The new Honda ZR-V is probably its strongest competitor against brands that have been reaping the rewards of the mpv and suv market for a few years. Starting with the well-equipped Elegance grade from £39,494, this features 18-inch grey alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, 11 airbags, a rear-view camera, and an eight-speaker audio system. A nine-inch touchscreen display…

New car registrations in Wales shot up 23.8% despite the atrocious July weather, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. It was the same rise as in Northern Ireland but slightly trailed the growth in England of 29.5% and was ahead of Scotland’s 21.6%. New car sales in Wales reached 4,955 registrations last month and the UK totalled 143,561. So far this year, Welsh dealers have seen a 15.6% rise in business. Wales top ten: Ford Puma Toyota Aygo X Vauxhall Mokka Nissan Qashqai Ford Fiesta Ford Kuga Kia Sportage Kia Picanto Audi A3 Nissan Juke UK top…

If you believe pure electric cars are overpriced and underperforming, you haven’t tried the MG4 Trophy. Introduced last autumn as the top model in a new series, the Trophy builds on the success of the ZS suv and MG5 estate and delivers family friendly hatchback practicality wrapped in an eye-catching style. But its beauty is more than skin deep and the versatile Modular Scalable Platform it shares with its stablemates comes with a surprisingly good specification and a price which is highly competitive against its closes rivals. There are three new MG4 EV models; SE standard or long range and…

Honda’s tightened its hold on the SUV sector with this month’s announcement of the ZR-V, squarely aimed at families and retail buyers. The Japanese car-maker has a very loyal following and while it wishes existing owners will consider the newcomer when they want to change, it also hopes to hook in buyers from other brands as the sector now accounts for almost six-in ten new cars registered. For the Honda ZR-V, the emphasis is on proven powertrain technology, very high equipment levels, sporty handling and good economy. Although Honda’s clever magic seats have disappeared in the newcomer, it does provide…

Motorists’ complaints about electric vehicles and dealers selling them are rising, reports The Motor Ombudsman. The latest increase may be put down to a greater number of consumers getting behind the wheel of pure battery-driven models, and the cost of living crisis driving more individuals to recoup financial losses, as pressures on household budgets continue to build. The trouble-shooter dedicated to the motor trade said it received 291 complaints in Q2 versus 273 in Q1, with service and purchase issues dominating concerns and taking up almost a third of complaints. In many instances the problems centered on failing new technology…

Speeding convictions and fines will rise this autumn in Wales after the new default 20mph limit is introduced and Welsh Government ordered the removal of warning repeater signs and funded more camera vans. Existing 20mph repeater signs and soon-to-be illegal 30mph repeater signs will be taken down, offered to English authorities or recycled as scrap. Wales is the first part of the UK to introduce a default 20mph limit. Answering a Freedom of Information request from WheelsWithinWales, the Welsh Government said 20mph repeater signs will not be permitted on the newly reclassified roads and councils will have 12 months to…

The Kia Soul EV was the first modern zero emission model from the Korean manufacturer, one of the earliest compact electric cars and that experience has been put to good use. Originally, the Soul Maxx zero emissions model of 2019 was affected by the pandemics but with that behind us the new third general Soul EV is poised to sweep up sales. The original Maxx powertrain has been refined and we have been testing it with the long-range 64kWh battery and stronger 210bhp motor, which is arguably more practical for many owners than the medium-range 39.2kWh battery and 134bhp motor…