Author: Robin Roberts

Sometimes, the simple things in life please the most and that’s certainly the case with the Mazda MX-5. The classic yet modern sports two-seater is straightforward, front-engine and rear-wheel-drive engineering, but underneath it embodies some of the latest technology to make owning, driving and enjoying the open-air experience in safety and, when the sun’s not shining, in sophisticated style with a snuggly fitting roof. Earlier this year Mazda unveiled the current range. The eight models features four Roadster and four RF models with a choice of Prime-Line, Exclusive-Line and Homura trim grades. Prime-Line cars are powered by the 132ps 1.5-litre…

Lexus has returned to the compact executive market with its LBX petrol hybrid, and it’s anticipated to be a big player for them in the UK. The prestige brand’s first foray into the smaller executive sector was just before the new millennium when it introduced the IS200 series. That was based on a highly successful Toyota Altezza and this time around the LBX is derived from the Toyota Yaris Cross, but with some neat Lexus features you’d rightly expect to raise its game against rivals. There is a very wide 11 model LBX range from Urban at almost £30,000, through…

“Covid cars” – models made during the pandemic with irregular specifications – are causing valuation issues as they start to appear on the used market, says the Vehicle Remarketing Association. Marcus Blakemore, chair of the trade body’s Industry Trends Committee, said that dealers and traders were buying cars expecting them to meet certain equipment and specification levels, then finding key items are missing. “During the initial stages of the pandemic, there was massive supply chain disruption, especially around availability of microprocessors. As a result, manufacturers improvised on the production line, removing key items just to keep things moving. “Depending on…

The green flash on UK number plates is going to appear on more pure battery vehicles cars this year than ever before and some of the cars behind the plates are not run of the mill models but bursting with performance. potential. British motorists can enjoy more battery electric vehicle choice today than ever before, with 29.3% of models on the new car market available as zero emission, according to new analysis by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. There are now some 102 battery electric models to choose from, up from just 16 in 2014, demonstrating the massive…

The Toyota Yaris has been one of the brand’s most successful models with over 10 million made, and it’s not resting on its laurels. This Spring the familiar Yaris hatchback range was increased with the addition of the Premiere and GR models which have brought more electric power and greater refinement to the range. Toyota has launched the new Yaris in five versions from £22,640 to about £29,715. They are all highly equipped for their class and the top versions get the latest stronger electric motor to boost mid-range acceleration as well as a bigger instruments display with 12 possible…

If you thought that BMW don’t just build cars but also desires, you don’t have to look further than the new iX2 XDrive 30 sports activity coupe to appreciate the fact. Announced last autumn with the second generation X2 series including its petrol powered stablemates from £39,365, the iX2 20 and 30 series models were their first pure electric versions, and naturally there is an M Sport derivative, which we tested. The iX20 begins from £50,710 in two-wheel drive. Out car cost £56,540 and was fitted with over £9,124 of options inc. M Sport Pro pack, Technology Plus Pack,  surround…

Candidates across the UK could on average travel 25 miles for a driving test by 2030 as test centre locality and available test slots dwindle, according to new data. But that’s certainly not the case in Wales, says insurance broker Marmalade. Marmalade calculate the average distance learners will go to a test centre will rise from 12.33 miles last year to 15 miles next year and by 2030 it forecasts a distance of just under 24.5 miles. In Wales the average distance has dropped from 9.6 miles in 2019 to 9.2 miles last year and it’s forecast to fall again…

Volkswagen has been on a learning curve with electric cars but now it’s heading towards the top of the class. It has flirted with electric cars for many years and a decade ago gave us their zero emission versions of the e-Golf and e-Up, adapted models of their better known petrol and diesel hatchbacks. VW engineers knew change was coming down the line and began developing their “intelligent design” identities, a new family of pure electric models which could be the basis for other models and badges in the massive VW Group. So they created the highly variable MEB Platform…

As we look down the road towards an all-electric future, enthusiastic drivers might want to refocus on the Honda Civic Type R. It’s been with us in a few shapes for a quarter of a century and its enduring appeal is undoubtedly its very driver-focused design and engineering which has steadily matured, not really grown up, just got better with age. We tested one version exactly 12 months ago but after the current MY24 car won the prestigious UK Car of the Year award in the Performance Car category, we had to take in another whiff of its success. Many…

The independent Motor Ombudsman said more than 1,600 cases were logged in three months, the most ever and a 35% rise over Q1 last year. It also took some 24,000 telephone calls about garages and that was a 56% rise over the same period last year. The analysts say heightened cost of living with tighter margin and the realisation that the Ombudsman’s services are free are likely contributors to the rise for an Alternative Dispute Resolution. Mechanics failings to sort out technical issues with components breaking and even unauthorised work being done were highlighted. Delays in sourcing replacement parts, workshops…