Author: Robin Roberts

Over the last few years it has become the best selling urban crossover model or compact suv with 1.5 million sold in 90 countries around the world. The Captur range extends to over 20 models with choices of diesel or petrol engines, manual or automatic transmissions, in five trim levels. In the UK it’s not been seen as the leader in its field but those who have bought them know it’s a very good package, well priced and particularly well equipped as well as comfortable. It’s eschewed sportiness for softness, speed for subtlety. Although the price range is officially from…

The term Sports Utility Vehicle is definitely over-used among car-makers, but Alfa has groomed a great car which ticks all the boxes for its enthusiastic drivers. Drawing on the engine expertise of sister-brand Ferrari and its own all-wheel-drive knowledge dating from the 1950s, Alfa has delivered a truly stunning individual and serious SUV in the Quadrifoglio – which incidentally is Italian for four-leafed clover. It’s tempting to describe the Quadrifoglio Q4 as a poor man’s Ferrari SUV 4×4, but that’s wrong on two counts: Ferrari has its own serious SUV coming and this Alfa SUV is not cheap. Owners can…

The Japanese owned company announced today that a downturn in orders will lead to a restructuring of its operations in Europe and manufacturing will be transferred to Hungary, where it’s closer to many customers, by 2021. It makes door and window parts and brake and clutch cables for cars at its plant on Baglan energy park and supplies Honda, Audi, Ford and BMW among others and employs 125 people at the moment and does not anticipate making any redundancies inside a year. A statement issued by the company said the decision had been taken following a meeting at the parent…

A fresh look at problems along the M4 through Newport has been promised by the Welsh Government’s South East Wales Transport Commission. It was created after First Minister Mark Drakeford vetoed a new motorway south of the south east Wales city to relieve congestion on the current M4 through the Brynglas Tunnels. In a scoping document today (wed 16 Oct 2019), Lord Burns, Chair of the South East Wales Transport Commission, said, “A high-quality and efficient transport network helps people widen their lives – getting to work, school, hospital or places of leisure. “There is clearly an acute transport problem…

On the back of its 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 opportunity to build on its success. Part of that is completely new product while some careful marketing also means special editions and updates to firm favourites, such as the stylish Kia ProCeed. It’s a comprehensive make-over for the Kia range with the entry level Picanto getting stop &…

Maesteg-born Richard Thomas and Craig Williams, from Usk, run  Auto Vivendi, a London-based business with over £6M of exotic cars currently at the disposal of their 120 club members. As the world’s largest supercar club it not only maintains a stable of exotic sports cars which are frequently refreshed but also provides members with access to related VIP events, driving tours, and concierge services such as secure transport and even advice on buying their own models. Membership is not cheap from £1,625 + VAT joining fee with a points-based scheme from £13,500 + VAT for 15-20 days car use, but…

September sales figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show a staggering 236.4% increase in pure electric models registered, albeit from a low point 12 months earlier. But their sales would have been higher if manufacturers had supplied more and there is now a waiting list for the lowest carbon emissions models. Mercedes-Benz were the most surprising brand improvement last month with almost 30,400 sales moving them into second place behind Ford on just over 32,500 and BMW was third with 27,834 registrations, ousting Vauxhall into fourth place with 27,403 models. There were still ten-times as many diesel…

SEAT has risen from being an also ran car-maker to a pace-setter and it’s most obvious with their flagship Tarraco SUV. Heading a range of SUVs offering reasonably priced models in different sectors, the SEAT Tarraco delivers seven-seat spaciousness and a subtle all-wheel-drive ability for wintry roads and activity seeking users. Tarraco runs to over 20 models with petrol or diesel engines, manual and DSG automatics, with only higher performance 150-190ps petrol and diesel engines and a single five-door body. There are two core trim levels, SE or XCellence, but each has three sub-levels, First Edition, Technology and Lux. Prices…

The Welsh-made Aston Martin DBX high performance SUV will be unveiled in December.  Prototype models have been completed at the new multi-million-pound St Athan factory and extensive testing is entering its final stages around the world, including the famous Nurburgring, Germany, where it’s been lapping under 8mins., on a par with many sports cars. Aston Martin has confirmed the new model will be their most powerful with a 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 cylinder petrol engine developing 550PS and 700Nm torque, giving it a potential maximum speed over 180mph and 0-62mph time close to or better than its other sporting models.…

The anticipated Grenadier 4×4 vehicle will be assembled in a new factory at Brocastle, backing onto the current Ford Bridgend Engine plant which is due to close in 12 months with the loss of 1,700 jobs. Grenadier will initially create about 200 jobs in Bridgend and 300 more over time but there are likely to be still more jobs safeguarded or created in the component supply sector in Wales and the UK. The go-ahead today follows months of speculation that the so-called Projekt Grenadier’s backer and one of the UK’s richest men, Sir Jim Radcliffe, wanted to build his serious…