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Jeep Wrangler – The Formidable Rubicon Version On Test
Think off-roader and two manufacturers immediately spring to mind. Land Rover is of course our home-grown offering, but from across the pond there is Jeep. Best known is the Wrangler, the looks of which hark back to the Willys that began production during World War II and then became known as Jeeps.
A Master Stroke – Renault’s Capacious Electric Van On Test
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
I have been driving vans most of my adult life and am in fact the proud owner of an elderly panel van. It has not been a paragon of reliability and is probably past its use by date. Although far more refined than vans of old, my elderly load lugger is not the quietest, with wind and road noise competing with the drone of the turbo-diesel engine, now past its prime.
10:00 AM 12th October 2021
New Dacia Duster – Launch Review
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
The Duster first went on sale in Europe back in 2010 with UK sales beginning some three years later. An undoubted success for the Renault-owned Romanian brand, over 1.9 million cars have been sold thus far. When the Duster first arrived on our shores, the opening price of just £8,995 shocked many. How could a company import the cars, sell them and make a profit?
4:20 AM 9th October 2021
Levy Of Just £5 A Day Could Take Millions Of Cars Off The Road, Research Reveals
According to a nationally-representative survey into 2,000 UK workers, conducted by corporate transport technology specialist Kura, an increase of just £5 to daily travel costs may hold the key to solving the UK’s car-led climate emergency.
4:00 AM 16th October 2021
Faulty Tyres Could Land Drivers £10k Fine.... And 12 Points
October is Tyre Safety Month, the annual reminder to make sure vehicles’ wheels are roadworthy. Motorists using illegal, defective or under-inflated tyres can lead to serious outcomes and in 2019 contributed to 5 fatal collisions and 136 serious collisions according to figures from the Department for Transport.
4:00 AM 16th October 2021
Resurfacing Will Bring Smoother Journeys On The M62 In West Yorkshire
Resurfacing work on the M62 in West Yorkshire will bring safer, smoother journeys for road users. National Highways will carry out the work on both carriageways between junctions 26 (Chain Bar) and 27 (Gildersome) from Monday, 18 October to Friday, 5 November. The M62-M621 clockwise link road will also be resurfaced.
8:23 PM 11th October 2021
The Most Googled Motoring Problems In The UK
Google is often the first port of call when we have a question we don’t know the answer to, and this is no exception when it comes to dealing with the maintenance of our cars. Whether it’s changing tyres or replacing windscreen wipers, Uswitch has analysed google search data to reveal the most common motoring queries in the UK.
4:00 AM 9th October 2021
Road Users Reminded To Allow Extra Time For Their Journeys This Weekend As A64 Improvements Continue At Rillington
Road users are reminded to allow extra time for their journeys this weekend as work continues to improve the A64 at Rillington, North Yorkshire. National Highways started drainage improvements and footpath and kerb repairs last week and this weekend will begin resurfacing the route through the village.
8:53 AM 6th October 2021
Weekly Roadworks Update - 1 October
This week it was announced that essential overnight resurfacing works will be taking place from Monday 18 October as part of the multi-million-pound Stoneferry improvement scheme in Hull. The works are expected to last around two weeks and will be undertaken overnight in order to minimise disruption.
3:12 PM 2nd October 2021
Traffic Bulletin: A1(M) Slip Road Closures Near Wetherby, North Yorkshire
Drivers wanting to use junction 46 of the A1(M) near Wetherby are advised to plan their routes and allow extra time for their journeys from Monday, 4 October due to local authority roadworks. The entry and exit slip roads on both carriageways will be closed overnight to allow North Yorkshire County Council to resurface the roundabout above the junction. Wetherby Services will also be closed.
12:11 PM 2nd October 2021
Meet The Hybrid Range Rover P400e – Dressed To Impress
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
For many years the Range Rover has been the default prestige 4x4, loved by wealthy country types and city slickers in equal measure. With a combination of understated good looks, unrivalled off-road pedigree and a sumptuous cabin, a Range Rover has the ability to isolate its occupants from the world at large, whatever the terrain and deliver them unruffled to journey’s end.
4:10 AM 2nd October 2021
My Parrot Destroyed My Vehicle Registration Certificate Among Most Unusual Reasons
The most unusual reasons people have shared with DVLA for needing a replacement vehicle registration certificate (V5C)
4:00 AM 2nd October 2021
Traffic Bulletin: A64 Closure For Bridge Work In North Yorkshire
Road users on the A64 near York are advised to plan their journeys and allow extra time to travel tomorrow night. The westbound carriageway will be closed between Fulford and Askham Bar from 8pm on Friday, 1 October to 9am the following morning to allow National Highways to carry out repairs on the Bishopthorpe Bridge.
8:30 PM 30th September 2021
The Northern Group Of Motoring Writers’ Car Of The Year 2021
I am now in my third year as chairman of the Northern Group of Motoring Writers. It is the oldest regional group of automotive journalists in the UK, and I feel very honoured to be at the helm. First founded in 1973, the group is open to professional motoring writers across the North of England.
4:30 AM 25th September 2021
Daniel Craig Looks Set To Be The Most Bike-obsessed Bond Of All Time
Motorcycles have been subtly dominating Bond films ever since the 90s After No Time To Die, Daniel Craig will have introduced ten motorcycles to the Bond franchise The new film will feature two new Triumph motorcycles: the Tiger 900 and Scrambler 1200 Honda is James Bond’s all-time favourite motorcycle brand Nearly half of all Bond motorcycles come from Japanese manufacturers
4:00 AM 25th September 2021
Finding Fuel In Shortages
News this week reports fuel shortages at UK petrol stations due to HGV driver shortages, meaning some petrol stations have closed as they’ve not been able to restock.
3:30 AM 25th September 2021
Have Your Say On £1bn A66 Dualling Proposal
Plans to transform the A66 with the biggest investment on the north’s road network for a generation go under the microscope today as the public is urged to have a say on the latest designs for the £1bn project.
1:15 PM 24th September 2021
M6 Motorway Upgrade Zone Extension
Work to install a concrete central reservation barrier - the first phase of the motorway upgrade between junction 21a and junction 26 - is underway.
The construction zone for National Highways’ multi-million pounds upgrade of the M6 between Warrington and Wigan is being extended at the end of the month, as the project progresses to the next phase. National Highways, formerly Highways England, is working to provide extra lanes and new technology along the motorway between junction 21a and junction 26.
8:06 AM 23rd September 2021
Land Rover Discovery Sport – The Plug-in Hybrid Version On Test
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
I was lucky enough to watch the first Land Rover Discovery Sport roll off the production line at Halewood way back in 2014. It remains the company’s best-selling model.
4:44 PM 18th September 2021
Cool Coupe -BMW M4 Competition On Test
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
Hot on the heels of the rather swish 4-Series Convertible I tested recently, came the rather striking coupe variant, in top M4 Competition guise. M Series cars from BMW are always rather special and this new model has been much anticipated. It is not a cheap car, with a starting price of just over £76,400 before raiding the options list.
12:08 PM 7th September 2021
Transit Custom Nugget – Ford’s Compact Camper On Test
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
With foreign holidays put on hold due to the pandemic, sales of motorhomes and campervans have boomed over the last year or so. Second hand prices have risen sharply and good vehicles are in short supply.
11:08 AM 5th September 2021
Toyota GR Yaris – The Rally Bred Pocket Rocket
Much has already been written about the GR Yaris and I therefore feel somewhat late to the party. This car has been garnering praise from all quarters and the anticipation of its arrival for a week’s testing was palpable. The car is a homologation special, produced by Toyota in order to be able to go rallying.
12:27 PM 2nd September 2021
All Change For UK Petrol Supplies – Your E10 Guide
From 1st September, the standard (95 octane) petrol grade in Great Britain will become E10. The change in fuel applies to petrol only. Diesel fuel will not be changing. Almost all (95%) petrol-powered vehicles on the road today can use E10 petrol and all cars built since 2011 are compatible.
6:36 PM 1st September 2021
Opinion
E10 Petrol: New 'Green' Petrol A Cheap And Easyway To Reduce CO2 Emissions
With the introduction of E10 petrol as the standard unleaded petrol at UK petrol stations today Jun Peng, visiting Professor of Sustainable Engineering at the University of Bedfordshire, says this is a small step in the right direction providing the ethanol in the E10 fuel is actually biofuel: “We have to be realistic about the impact of this measure.
5:56 PM 1st September 2021
D-Max In The Dales – Isuzu’s New Pickup On Test
There has been a mass exodus from the pickup truck market, a little strange when not so long ago manufacturers were rushing out new offerings, keen to get a slice of the action. So, what has happened? It seems that contrary to predictions, buyers didn’t flock to trade in their SUVs. Gone is the Mercedes-Benz X-Class, Fiat Fullback, Mitsubishi L200, Nissan Navara and the Volkswagen Amarok.
4:15 AM 28th August 2021
Dining à La Car? Brits Eating Habits Revealed In New Research
New study reveals over half of UK drivers eat regularly in their vehicles Sandwiches, burgers and fish & chips are the most preferred food to eat in a car ‘Car eating’ made more popular due to COVID-19 and the British weather
4:00 AM 28th August 2021
Multi-million-pound Initiative To Improve Local Roads Across England
Councils across the country to receive millions of pounds to upgrade traffic signals  New data standard for monitoring road condition to be developed, providing more useful data for local authorities and the Department Government continues to encourage research into new and innovative technology, such as 3D printing and drones, to help find and fix potholes faster and more effectively …
4:00 AM 16th August 2021
Convertible Capers BMW Style
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
I make no secret of the fact that I love convertible cars and have been lucky enough to own a variety over the last thirty years. Most of these have been made by BMW and hiding away in my garage at present, and sadly little used, is my 2003 330Ci.
4:36 AM 14th August 2021
Historic Northern Archaeology Dig Reaches Landmark Stage
The tents above the Trinity Burial Ground in Hull are beginning to come down this week
Landmark tents which have been home to the largest-ever scientific excavation of a post-medieval burial ground in northern England are coming down. Since the two tents were erected last summer at the Trinity Burial Ground, as part of Highways England’s £355m improvements in Hull city centre, they have yielded a wealth of information from the city’s past.
8:19 AM 13th August 2021
Traffic Bulletin: A64 Remains Closed Eastbound Around Tadcaster, In Yorkshire Due To Crane Fire
Highways England is advising drivers that the A64 remains closed eastbound between the A659 junction, near junction 44, A1(M) to the A659 junction at Islington following a crane fire this morning (Thursday).
4:00 PM 12th August 2021
Hyundai Ioniq 5 – UK Launch Review
Hyundai has been offering the buying public usable electric cars for many a year. I have covered plenty of miles in the Kona Electric, an SUV that is both easy to use and demands few compromises. Forget about range anxiety with a real-world range of 250 miles, winter or summer. Some premium manufacturers have yet to manage this.
6:00 AM 7th August 2021
GC Motors Automotive Receives National Recognition For Excellence
GC Motors has been awarded the Customer Experience Award at the national Auto Trader Retailer Awards 2021. Based in Harrogate, GC Motors, has beaten competition from over 13,000 UK automotive retailers to receive the Customer Experience Award at the 14th annual Auto Trader Retailer Awards.
2:21 PM 5th August 2021
Mazda’s Latest CX-5 Under The Spotlight
The current Mazda range is one of my favourites. Each model impresses and aims to compete with the best in class. The MX-5 has long been the default choice for anyone looking for open-top fun at an affordable price. I own an elderly example and not only has it been a huge amount of fun to drive, it has also proved to be faultlessly reliable.
5:00 PM 3rd August 2021
Festival Of The Unexceptional – Show Roundup
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
Show winners Danny Wilson and Jon Coupland
At long last, I finally made it to the Festival of the Unexceptional, this year held in the stately grounds of Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire, a 1516 architectural masterpiece of Tudor and Baroque splendour. The show is unlike any other and organisers Hagerty will doubtless be pleased with a sell-out event.
1:13 PM 2nd August 2021
Volvo XC40 Plug-in Hybrid On Test
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
Volvo’s march to full electrification of its range continues apace and the popular XC40 SUV can now be had in fully electric form or as a plug-in hybrid, as tested here. The XC40 is certainly one of the more distinctive SUVs to appear on the motoring scene in recent years, joining the larger XC60 and seven-seat XC90 models.
4:20 AM 31st July 2021
Stinger – Time To Catch Up With Kia’s Range-topper
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
Kia is South Korea’s oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles, now producing over 1.5 million vehicles in 13 plants in 8 different countries. Rewind a decade or two and the cars on offer were undoubtedly worthy, affordable and just a bit dull. How times have changed as the current range encompasses stylish family hatchbacks, attractive SUVs and cute city cars.
7:57 PM 26th July 2021
Mazda6 Tourer - The Kuro Edition
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
A recent Mazda drive day presented the opportunity to try out some of their popular range of cars. It was the rather distinctive Mazda6 that immediately caught my eye, the model in question being a Kuro special edition, limited to 100 cars in the UK.
5:00 AM 24th July 2021
Don’t Let Your Tyres Ruin Your Summer Holidays
We all know that uncomfortable sun burn or a brush with a jellyfish are capable of ruining a summer holiday, but have you thought about the effects under-inflated tyres might have on your break or day trip this summer?
3:58 AM 24th July 2021
Next Phase Of M1 Bridge Improvements Set To Commence
The next phase of improvements to make South Yorkshire motorway bridges safer, more dependable and durable begins later this month (July). Highways England is investing more than £17 million this financial year to enhance bridges and structures along the M62 and M1.
9:08 PM 23rd July 2021
Cool Convertible – Honda S800 Driven
Never one to pass up the opportunity to drive something interesting, I was delighted to see that Honda had bought along a couple of classic cars to their recent range day event. The red S800 immediately caught my eye and although there were cars that I needed to drive, this was the car I wanted to drive.
6:00 AM 19th July 2021
A Honda Sort Of Day
Every now and then car manufacturers kindly stage range days. It is a chance for busy journalists to catch up on cars they have yet to drive, or indeed refresh the memory banks. The good folk at Honda have done just that, and I was delighted to take full advantage of the opportunity. First to come under my scrutiny was the Honda e, which I had driven last year at the UK launch event.
10:46 AM 18th July 2021
Charging Etiquette For Electric Car Owners
Image by Mikes-Photography from Pixabay
Unwritten rules at the charging bay Electric car owners in the UK are being offered advice on the unwritten rules at public charging points. The team of experts at LeaseElectricCar.co.uk have put together their tips for new EV owners on the etiquette rules to follow.
3:47 AM 17th July 2021
Weird Road Signs From Around The World
The world’s most unusual road signs have been named by researchers - and even the most experienced drivers could be baffled by some of them. From Kangaroos Ahead to Deaf Cat Crossing the world’s most weird and wonderful road signs have been identified in a new study by car rental experts at StressFreeCarRental.com.
3:44 AM 17th July 2021
Traffic Bulletin: A1M Closure Between Junction 60 (Bradbury) And Junction 62 (Durham)
Highways England is advising drivers that the A1M in County Durham is closed in both directions between Junction 60 (Bradbury) and Junction 62 (Durham) due to a serious incident. Drivers are asked to avoid the area and allow extra time for their journeys.
9:21 PM 15th July 2021
Volvo XC90 T8 – A Fully Charged Review!
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
Volvo is continuing its drive for full electrification of its range, with the aim to improve the quality of air in our cities and also to increase the success of the business. By 2025, some 50% of Volvo car sales will be fully electric. In the meantime, every new Volvo launched from now will have an electric motor.
7:46 AM 15th July 2021
Darlington Body Shop Enjoys Rapid Expansion
The Darlington body shop of North-East dealer group, Drive Motor Retail, has gained approved repairer status for the MG franchise alongside eight other car manufacturers in the past twelve months.
2:11 PM 13th July 2021
Lada Niva On Test – Yes Really!
I bet you had forgotten all about the Lada Niva. It would be wrong to say they were a familiar sight on UK roads, but I do remember seeing them in the 1970s and ‘80s. A little research tells me that Niva is Russian for field and undoubtedly, traversing uncompromising territory was what it was primarily designed for.
6:00 AM 12th July 2021
Suzuki Jimny Is Back In Light Commercial Form
I make no secret of the fact that I like the Suzuki Jimny. I owned several of its SJ predecessors in the 1980s and recall not only their character but also their considerable prowess off road. The fourth-generation model was launched in 2018 to much acclaim and I recall fondly the UK Media launch and also spending a week behind the wheel on home turf. I should have bought one.
4:00 AM 10th July 2021
Nissan’s European Driving Expert Delivers A Motoring Masterclass With JUKE
As many city and country dwellers look to venture onto roads familiar and new for long-overdue trips, Nissan deploys its world-class driving talent to help motorists truly unlock the fun that the open road offers.
4:00 AM 10th July 2021
Jaguar I-PACE Provides Ground Support For All-electric Flight Speed Record Bid
The all-electric Jaguar I-PACE is the towing and support vehicle for a UK-led programme aiming to claim the electric flight speed record later this year, with a target of 300+mph. The Rolls-Royce ‘Spirit of Innovation’ team has already completed key ground-testing and taxiing ahead of the first test flights in a matter of months, ably supported throughout by the I-PACE.
7:16 AM 7th July 2021
A1(M) Resurfacing Brings Safer, Smoother Journeys In Yorkshire
Resurfacing of the A1(M) between junction 35 (Wadworth Interchange) and junction 34 (Blyth Interchange) will mean safer, smoother and quieter journeys for road users. Highways England will carry out the work on the southbound carriageway from Monday, 5 July.
8:59 PM 4th July 2021
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