Author: Robin Roberts

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…

The rejuvenated Jaguar brand is on the hunt for new buyers in the booming SUV sector and its compact E-Pace is squarely aimed at the compact segment within these mushrooming models, writes Robin Roberts. To meet as many wishes as possible, the E-Pace series is available in standard or R-Dynamic styles, each trimmed to S, SE or HSE specifications and the choice of three diesel and two petrol engines based on a 2.0 litre capacity which offer between 150 and 300hp. Depending on engine, most have 9-speed automatic transmission with manual mode and are 4×4, but there is also a…

The all-electric Tesla Model 3 outsold the Ford Focus in Britain last month. In a major turnaround for battery powered cars, the mid-sized Tesla led a battalion of battery powered cars which saw registrations jump 377.5% as they powered ahead in new car sales. Fiesta and Golf topped the charts but the Tesla Model 3 achieved 2,000 registrations and beat the Focus by 196 sales to record its best ever result in the UK market. Car makers body, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reported the staggering 377.5% rise in pure battery car registrations in August, a typically quiet…

The TVR sports cars’ Welsh factory will be fitted out for assembly of its 200mph Griffith supercar, the company has told its enthusiastic owners’ club. West Wales-based Jones Brothers has been appointed to carry out the work on its site adjacent to the A465 Heads of the Valleys road and overlooking Ebbw Vale. In a statement, the TVR Car Club said, “The TVR Car Club welcome the positive news from Les Edgar at TVR in particular the appointment of Jones Brothers for the factory fit out in Ebbw Vale.“ Richard Sails TVR Car Club Chairman said, “Les’ recent statement is…

Refinement and rarity are the driving forces behind the new BMW 8 Series, and its halo has to be the convertible. Relaunching its flagship series last year after nearly two decades out of the market it means the premium German brand is better placed to tackle its rivals and raise aspirations among owners. The 8 Series comprises four-seat coupe or cabriolet body styles with a choice of 320ps six-cylinder 3.0L diesel or 530ps eight-cylinder 4.4L petrol engines, with all-wheel-drive and costing from £76,300 to £107,100. Our 840d cabriolet had the slightly more torquey 700Nm tuned version of the 3.0d which…