This year’s WRC title may be decided in Wales as fierce competition heads towards a climax. The 2017 FIA World Rally Championship is proving to be the most exciting in years and this autumn’s Wales Rally GB 26-29 October will now be pivotal. It could even be the title decider. With just three rounds remaining on the WRC calendar – Spain, GB … [Read more...]
Newcomers from Aston, SEAT, Hyundai and BMW
Less than two years after being unveiled as a concept, Aston Martin has confirmed that the all-electric RapidE will enter production in 2019. Set for a limited production run of 155 cars, RapidE is Aston Martin’s first all-electric model and it will be sold on exclusivity in a market sector now being taken very seriously by rival sports car makers. The … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Hyundai Ioniq hybrid Premium SE
There has been a headlong rush towards hybrids, and one-time minnow Hyundai is now a big fish, writes Robin Roberts. It showed us the fuel cell ix35 over a year ago and probably more significantly it launched the Ioniq in the UK last autumn as the first car with three powertrains, a petrol-hybrid, an electric model and soon to come a plug-in hybrid … [Read more...]
Newslines 23 May
Tighter safety controls on equipment and automation will be outlined by the EU to vehicle manufacturers by the end of the year. Safety campaigners have won their fight to make more equipment standard, particularly for heavy or big vehicles. Ford is reportedly shaking up its senior management. US media reports CEO Mark Fields is leaving the car maker … [Read more...]
Welsh drivers’ outstanding performances celebrated
Demon driver Elfyn Evans almost pulled off his first WRC win in Argentina at the weekend while Tom Cave set the pace for most of the Pirelli Rally in Northern Britain. Rally Argentina had it all: more twists than The Da Vinci Code, gravel roads rougher than the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and a spectacular finish tenser than a violin bow, with Hyundai … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Hyundai i30
The all-new third generation Hyundai i30 five door hatchback range went on sale in the UK from 1 March this year and it will be followed by Tourer estate versions due this summer. The two ranges will be similar in terms of engine and specification choices, but a little more expensive and all are covered by Hyundai’s much praised five years unlimited … [Read more...]
Newslines 22 April
Primary schools in Wales now have the opportunity to receive free support from a leading walking and cycling charity to get more pupils on their bikes and scooters. Funded by Welsh Government and delivered by Sustrans Cymru, Active Journeys supports schools to get more children travelling actively, helping to increase their activity levels … [Read more...]
Newslines 4 April
Mazda MX-5 RF has won the “Best of the Best” prize at the 2017 Red Dot product design awards for its KODO – Soul of Motion styling. The unique two-seater retractable fastback thereby duplicates the success of its fourth-generation MX-5 soft-top sibling, which took away the same award for outstanding product design in 2015. Toyota is recalling a total … [Read more...]
Racing lines 23 February: Hyundai TCR plan
After successfully competing on the international rally scene, Hyundai will now use an i30 as the basis for touring car championships around the world. The racers will use a 2.0 litre engine, six speed gearbox and 100 litre fuel tank. … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Hyundai SantaFe Premium 2.2 SE
America is predictably the land of the unpredictable, and that’s not confined to politics but also people’s car buying habits. If you had said a little known Korean company would be selling one of America’s most popular models in the country which really created the sports utility, you would have been laughed at. But it is Hyundai laughing now even if … [Read more...]
