Lancashire Times

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Range Topping Defender OCTA In The Dales

Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor

I’m a big fan of the Land Rover Defender and have been lucky enough to drive it in all body styles and with most of the different engines too. I was therefore intrigued when Land Rover launched the OCTA edition, clearly something special, but with distinctly premium pricing.

P.ublished 29th June 2026

Nearly Time For The Festival Of The Unexceptional - Tickets Still Available

Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor

Those who like cars, will love the 2026 Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional. Thousands of memory evoking cars will return to the lawns of Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire once again on Saturday 25th July along with the best line-up of entertainment seen since the show was launched 12 years ago.

P.ublished 29th June 2026

Mazda6e – UK Launch Review

Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor

Mazda has undoubtedly been one of the slower manufacturers to electrify their range. Up until fairly recently, the MX-30 had been the company’s only fully electric offering, and it has now been discontinued. Fear not, as I have just returned from the UK media launch of the new Mazda6e, and after a long drive through North Wales, I am ready to give my verdict.

P.ublished 27th June 2026

The Morgan Coupé is Back After a Decade

Morgan have just unveiled their latest creation, once again partnering with Italian design consultancy Pininfarina. The Midsummer Coupé is a demonstration of the new chapter the Malvern-based company is entering into - coachbuilding. The Midsummer is no new name to the Morgan line-up.

P.ublished 25th June 2026

Hot Dog Season – Beware Or Risk A Fine!

As is now the case, we are being warned to expect very high temperatures this week in most parts of the UK. It is summer after all, so what do we expect. And, I’m old enough to remember the hot summer of 1976. Yes, really! Most dog owners are exceptionally responsible and will walk their dogs during the cooler parts of the day. But what if you need to travel by car?

P.ublished 22nd June 2026

Mitsubishi Returns With An All-New L200 Pickup

Mitsubishi stopped selling its range of vehicles in the UK in 2021, but now the Japanese company is back with two new vehicles. At the recent launch event, I got to sample both the L200 pickup and the Outlander PHEV. The latter is a story for another day. This is the seventh generation of the L200 and it has been on sale in other markets for quite some time.

P.ublished 20th June 2026

Honda's New Super-N Compact EV Launches

Honda has revealed that its new Super-N compact EV will be priced from just £18,995 when it goes on sale in the UK. Designed to deliver an exciting and uplifting small car experience and fine-tuned on British roads, Honda says the Super-N promises a unique dynamic performance and an affordable route to electric mobility that fully showcases the brand’s’ joy of driving’ philosophy.

P.ublished 19th June 2026

Bentley's Visitor Centre Opens To The Public

Bentley Motors is now welcoming members of the public to its visitor experience centre, CW1 House, located next to the factory in Crewe where it’s free for everyone to sit in a Bentley.

P.ublished 13th June 2026

Is Audi Saving the Desirable Supercar?

Audi this past week released their latest model, the Nuvolari a reimagination of their Concept C study car from last year. It is their replacement for the much-loved R8, and it certainly wasn't on many people's radars. The Nuvolari will be the fastest production car to ever leave the factory in Ingolstadt, reaching a top speed of 218 mph.

P.ublished 13th June 2026

Arctic Trucking – A Week Of Adventures

Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor

The Arctic Truck AT35 is designed for those who intend to boldly go where no pickup has any right to go, whether that’s wandering through the frozen wastelands of Scandinavia and Iceland or wading through deep rainforest in warmer climes.

P.ublished 13th June 2026

Time To Go Golfing!

Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor

When the Golf GTI was launched in 1976, no one could have guessed that the 108bhp Volkswagen, with its red grille surround, black wheel arch extensions and golf ball gear knob, would soon become the world’s most successful compact sports car. Only 5,000 units were planned, but in the first year alone dealers sold 10 times as many.

P.ublished 30th May 2026

Is The Ferrari Luce The Real Apple Car?

Ferrari earlier this week revealed the final stage of their three-step unveil of their brand new electric car, the Luce. It is the first electric vehicle to come out of the famous Maranello manufacturer, and it has caused quite a stir. It is such a different direction from what they have previously created, but this was supposedly by intention.

P.ublished 29th May 2026

The Upcoming Jaguar TYPE 01 – A Designer’s View

It has been over a year and a half since our screens were lit up by a pink form which was meant to be from an iconic British brand. That brand being Jaguar and it is set to announce this coming autumn the new Jaguar Type 01 production car. Until now we have only seen the concept car, the Type 00 and a few cars testing in camouflage.

P.ublished 26th May 2026

Van Life – A Week With Kia’s New PV5

I attended the launch of Kia’s PV5 van just before Christmas, and I was able to try it in both commercial and passenger guises. I came away impressed, not just by the way it drove, but also by the affordable pricing for a fully electric van. Keen to try one for an extended period, I have just enjoyed a week behind the wheel of a top-spec passenger PV5 Plus and can now report further.

P.ublished 23rd May 2026

Polo Goes Electric

The new Volkswagen ID. Polo is undoubtedly one of the most important small EVs for the UK, because it takes a familiar badge and turns it into an affordable electric hatchback aimed squarely at mainstream buyers.

P.ublished 16th May 2026

Mazda CX-5 First Drive

Eager to get behind the wheel of Mazda’s all-new CX-5, a quick trip to Scotland gave me the opportunity to put the car through a thorough test on challenging and mostly traffic-free roads.

P.ublished 9th May 2026

Warrantywise Publishes Its 2026 Reliability Index

Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor

Warrantywise – a UK provider of extended used car warranties – has released its 2026 Reliability Index, analysing 1.6 million UK repair data points and highlighting a key reality for used car retailers: higher-value vehicles do not necessarily mean lower repair risk, particularly as they move into later-life ownership, with large SUVs and executive saloons featuring heavily at the lower…

P.ublished 7th May 2026

Civilised Civic – Honda’s Hatch Get Some Updates

Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor

The Honda Civic has been around forever. Well, over fifty years to be precise. A few years ago, I got to drive a first-generation model, which was an absolute delight. A small car, with delicate controls and modest performance, it had much to commend it over its European rivals of the day.

P.ublished 2nd May 2026

Volvo ES90 Launch Review

Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor

There’s something rather reassuring about a Volvo. I’ve owned a few. Not exciting in the shouty, chest-thumping sense, nor especially concerned with turning heads, but reassuring in the way a well-built dry stone wall is reassuring – solid, purposeful, and quietly confident in its own abilities.

P.ublished 25th April 2026

Celebrate Classic Cars At Eden Camp’s Drive It Day This Weekend

Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor

Eden Camp is proudly participating in Drive It Day on Sunday 26th April, in partnership with Coast and County Radio, for what promises to be a special day celebrating classic cars and heritage. Drive It Day was established in 2005, and is now an opportunity to celebrate transport heritage.

P.ublished 22nd April 2026

Isuzu Unveils Its New D-Max Electric Pickup

Isuzu UK has shown The New Isuzu D-Max Electric Vehicle (EV) in right-hand drive at the Commercial Vehicle Show 2026. Announced in 2025 and previously shown in a European format, the new D-Max EV is the first fully electric pick-up in the UK to provide over 1-tonne payload, 3.5-tonne towing capacity and permanent four-wheel drive.

P.ublished 21st April 2026

The God’s Country Classic Car Rally 17 October 2026

Proud Yorkshiremen and women have often called our county ‘God’s Own Country’ Inspired by this description a small group of local business leaders including the Chair of the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust Ed Anderson, the former Chair Tom Ramsden and two prominent Yorkshire businessmen Jonathan Turner and Jonathan Sands OBE have come together to showcase our County with a Classic Car Rally w…

P.ublished 17th April 2026

Touring, BMW-Style. The i5 On Test

There is something quietly reassuring about a BMW Touring. For decades, it has been the thinking driver’s estate—subtle, capable, and possessed of a certain Teutonic restraint. Now, with the arrival of the BMW i5 Touring, that familiar formula is reimagined for the electric age.

P.ublished 11th April 2026

Forming A Close Bond - Daniel Craig And BYD's DENZA Brand

BYD group has announced that British actor Daniel Craig is launching a new campaign for DENZA, its premium technology-oriented automotive brand, to coincide with its global expansion in 2026.

P.ublished 30th March 2026

A Quick Peaq!

Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor

Škoda Auto is set to expand its portfolio in mid-2026 with the fully electric Peaq SUV, based on the Vision 7S concept. Built on the Modular Electrification Toolkit (MEB) platform and produced in Mladá Boleslav, the model becomes the Czech car manufacturer’s new electric flagship.

P.ublished 30th March 2026

Electric Van Life – Farizon SV On Test

Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor

The Farizon SV is a new Chinese built, all electric van that has recently entered the UK market, aiming squarely at established models like the Ford Transit, Vauxhall Vivaro and Renault Traffic. It is backed by Geely, the same automotive group behind Volvo and LEVC.

P.ublished 28th March 2026

Ineos Grenadiers Now On RNLI Duties

Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor

As an official vehicle partner of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), INEOS Automotive has delivered the first batch of Grenadier 4X4s to support the charity’s vital lifesaving search and rescue work.

P.ublished 24th March 2026

Lamborghini Life – Urus In The Dales

Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor

I’m lucky enough to get to drive and review most makes of car currently on sale in the UK, but I had the realisation that it had been many years since I had driven a Lamborghini. A few emails to the company’s PR and I was all set to enjoy a day with the latest Urus. Time was short, so I was at Lamborghini’s Leeds showroom bright and early, eager to maximise my time behind the wheel.

P.ublished 21st March 2026

BMW's New i3 Revealed.

BMW’s new i3 marks a major shift from the old city car into a fully electric 3 Series sized sports saloon aimed squarely at mainstream buyers. Built on BMW’s new “Neue Klasse” EV platform and due to arrive in the UK in the second half of 2026, it is designed to combine long distance range, ultra fast charging and the familiar 3 Series driving feel in an all electric package.

P.ublished 18th March 2026

A New Range Rover The Twisted Way

Twisted Automotive, the specialists in re-engineering iconic British 4x4s, has unveiled its first-ever Range Rover project: the Twisted interpretation of a Range Rover Classic (TRRC). Following 25 years of perfecting the Defender, Twisted has applied its ‘anti-ordinary’ philosophy to the two-door Range Rover Classic. The TRRC is a project rooted in deep personal nostalgia.

P.ublished 16th March 2026

A New Era For BMW – The iX3 Launch Review

This is an exciting time for BMW. The company’s UK CEO, David George, has confirmed that we can expect to see more than 40 new vehicles by the end of 2027. The first of the ‘Neue Klasse’ (New Class) range of cars is the iX3, recently launched to UK media at the firm’s UK base in Farnborough.

P.ublished 14th March 2026

Taycan Cross Turismo – Electrifying Speed Meets Everyday Practicality

Whether we like it or not, fast forward a decade or so and it is likely that electric cars will be the norm. What does that mean for the car enthusiast? Will we all be driving around in anonymous battery-powered boxes, devoid of any character? Well, not if Porsche has anything to do with it!

P.ublished 7th March 2026

How To Care For Your Classic Car

Cambrian Classics Cambrian Mountains

Owning a classic car is about far more than simply keeping something old on the road. It’s about stewardship; it’s important to have some understanding how these cars were built, how they age, and what they need to remain safe, reliable and enjoyable for years to come.

P.ublished 7th March 2026

Suzuki’s E Vitara – A Winter Test

Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor

Suzuki’s Vitara has been a mainstay of the Japanese company’s range since 1988, with the fourth generation launching in 2016. Recent refreshes and a move to hybrid power will ensure that it will continue on sale for many years to come. However, with more buyers now wanting a fully electric car, Suzuki has released its first offering in this rapidly growing sector, the e VITARA.

P.ublished 28th February 2026

Tickets On Sale For The Festival Of The Unexceptional 2026

Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor

Hagerty’s Festival of the Unexceptional is the only motoring event to celebrate base model brilliance, attracting owners and fans of unexceptional cars from all over the world. Twelve years after the first event, the 2026 festival returns to Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire on Saturday 25th July, where thousands of enthusiasts are expected to marvel in the magnificence of the mundane.

P.ublished 27th February 2026

Skoda Expands Its 4X4 Range

Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor

Škoda Auto continues to build on its long-standing all-wheel-drive heritage and currently offers customers its broadest 4x4 portfolio across a wide range of segments: from the Octavia and Superb, through the Karoq and Kodiaq SUVs, to the all-electric Elroq and Enyaq models. State-of-the-art all-wheel-drive technology improves traction, stability, safety and comfort by supporting driving dynamics in demanding conditions, for example on wet roads, snow and unpaved surfaces.

P.ublished 24th February 2026

Subaru’s Forester In The Dales

The latest Subaru Forester continues its legacy as a reliable, practical, and rugged SUV, but with some updates that aim to modernise its appeal. While it excels in off-road capability, spaciousness, and safety features, it faces stiff competition in the crowded compact SUV segment.

P.ublished 21st February 2026

Dales Subaru Named Overall Retailer Of The Year For 2025

Retailer network celebrates outstanding achievements across multiple performance categories. Subaru recognises local dealerships as the backbone of its personalised automotive service approach

P.ublished 18th February 2026

Inster Cross – Hyundai’s Range-Topping City EV Driven

Launched last year in the UK was Hyundai’s Inster, a distinctive little A-segment electric car. At a recent drive day, I had the opportunity to sample the range-topping ‘Cross’ model. There’s an off-road vibe, but be aware the Cross is just front-wheel drive, so perhaps it’s best not to venture too far off the beaten track.

P.ublished 14th February 2026

AA Calls For Drivers To Take Extra Care On Wet Roads As Flooding Risk Remains High

AA urges drivers to slow down as wet roads increase stopping distances. Surface water and hidden potholes raise risks for road users. “Taking a cautious approach is key in prolonged wet weather” – AA expert patrol

P.ublished 7th February 2026

Hyundai IONIQ 9 – Big, Bold And Brilliantly Electric

Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor

There comes a time when a family outgrows their regular five-seat hatchback. What next then? If the budget is generous, then a Land Rover Defender is a popular choice, as witnessed on the school run to my local independent school. The shift to fully electric motoring has seen manufacturers such as Hyundai step up and offer the perfect car for the larger family in the form of the IONIQ 9.

P.ublished 7th February 2026

Geely EX5 – Another Chinese Newcomer On Test

Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor

You may not have heard of Geely, yet! However, those with some interest in things automotive will know that the Chinese brand already owns, Volvo, Polestar and Lotus. Now it wants to bring its own offerings to the UK, and its first model is the EX5, the subject of this test. EX5 joins the already crowded fully electric C-segment SUV market and will need to be good to make an impression.

P.ublished 3rd February 2026

BYD Sealion 5 DM-i UK Launch Review

Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor

Anyone with a modicum of interest in things automotive will have noticed the increasing number of cars from Chinese manufacturer BYD on our roads. In 2024 they sold a modest 8,788 cars in the UK, rising to a heady 51,442 last year. There are now 125 dealers, with more being added each month.

P.ublished 24th January 2026

Potholes – A Costly Menace

Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor

Who should pay for pothole repairs - Kwik Fit research reveals views of drivers

Drivers across the UK are being hit harder than ever by the cost of pothole damage, as new analysis released on National Pothole Day (Thursday 15 January) reveals the total financial impact of potholes on vehicles rose to an estimated £589 million in 2025, up from £579 million in 2024 and £474 million in 2023.

P.ublished 17th January 2026

Drivers Warned Of Abandoning Cars In The Snow This Winter

Car insurance expert MoneySuperMarket has issued a warning to motorists who abandon their cars on the road in the event of heavy snowfall During this month’s icy road conditions and heavy snowfall during Storm Goretti, a storm being described by the Met Office as a "multi-hazard event", some drivers may feel forced to temporarily abandon their vehicles on the roads.

P.ublished 13th January 2026

Autobiography – Diary Of A Range Rover Driver

Why does someone buy a Range Rover? Is it because of Land Rover’s legendary off-road heritage, whereby all their cars are exceptionally capable when the going gets tough? At one time that may well have been the case, but with a steady push upmarket, this is now much less likely.

P.ublished 10th January 2026

Kia’s Exciting New Van – The PV5 Launch Review

I’ve been driving vans since I was 18. My father had an engineering business, and there always seemed to be some piece of heavy equipment which needed moving. I was charged with hiring a van and getting the job done. The Transits that I first hired were slow, extremely noisy and difficult to drive.

P.ublished 3rd January 2026

Celebrating 50 Years Of The Golf GTi

P.ublished 30th December 2025

Chery Tiggo 9 Launch Review

Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor

When my boys were younger, we always had a seven-seater car on the driveway. We had space for all their friends and our extended family for days out and general running around. People carriers were the order of the day back then, but now we have large SUVs with that all important extra row of seats.

P.ublished 20th December 2025

Automotive Ramblings

Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor

I’ve worked for myself most of my adult life which means spending a lot of time on my own. I don’t mind my own company, though it is far too easy to get distracted. Even as I write, the kettle beckons, as it must be at least an hour or so since I last had a brew. I also find it helpful to talk to myself, though doing this out loud in the local supermarket seems to be frowned upon.

P.ublished 13th December 2025

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