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Author: Rhys Gregory
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Rhys is a UK-based automotive enthusiast and writer with over 15 years of media experience. On Driven by Rhys, he shares personal car journeys, honest reviews, and insights into performance cars and EVs.
With winter (hopefully) on its way out, March welcomes the start of spring. The days are getting longer, the weather is improving (we hope), and you might be thinking about treating yourself to a car that makes the most of the sunshine. Something fun, something with a bit of character, and of course, something that won’t break the bank. If you’re looking for a car to enjoy the spring and summer months, a convertible is the way to go. The wind in your hair, a couple of B-road blasts, but also comfortable enough for some motorway cruising. It needs to…
Get ready for an unforgettable automotive extravaganza as DriveTribe Live 2025 rolls into Bicester Heritage on Saturday, 30th August 2025, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Following the success of previous events and valuable attendee feedback, this year’s gathering promises to be bigger and better, offering a more central UK location and enhanced parking flexibility. Event Highlights: Meet the Stars: Join Richard Hammond, Mike Fernie, and other familiar faces for stage appearances and exclusive content. Show & Shine Competition: Back by popular demand, showcase your pride and joy in the Show & Shine competition. Indicate your interest when booking; successful…
Get ready for a turbocharged weekend as Petrolheadonism Underground returns to Wembley Park’s Coach Parks on 29th and 30th March 2025. This annual automotive spectacle is set to showcase some of the most exciting cars from across the UK, featuring over 500+ privately owned show cars spanning multiple genres—from supercars and hypercars to retro, classic, highly modified, and Fast & Furious-style builds. What to Expect This high-octane event promises a packed schedule with something for every petrolhead, including: Content Creators & Their Rides – Meet popular automotive influencers and check out their unique builds. Over 50 Exhibitors & Showcases –…
Alpine is set to make a strong statement in the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) as it embarks on its second season in the Hypercar category with the A424. Having made impressive strides in its debut season, the French manufacturer is looking to build on its successes and challenge for podium finishes in one of motorsport’s most demanding disciplines. A424 Hypercar: The Evolution Continues The Alpine A424, the brand’s LMDh Hypercar, represents a blend of Alpine’s racing DNA and advanced engineering. Developed in collaboration with Oreca, the A424 features a 3.4-litre V6 turbocharged engine combined with a hybrid system.…
Like many modern cars, the BMW i8 comes with an interior lighting pack. Some people love it, others criticise it for the reflections in the glass, but personally, I think it’s a cool feature. You can cycle through a range of colours, but I’m sticking with blue—my favourite. The Mystery of the Missing Lights When I first bought the car, I didn’t think it had the lighting pack. The light strips that a lot of BMW i8s have simply weren’t switched on. Was it a deliberate choice by a previous owner, or just personal preference? I wasn’t sure. A few…
I absolutely love the BMW i8. The fact that it’s a hybrid and looks as cool as it does makes it almost the perfect pairing. In my previous blog, I mentioned that one of the first things I wanted to check was the condition of the 12V battery – Supercar Ownership: The Unexpected Fixes & Mods I Didn’t See Coming. I had read online that if your 12V battery is old and not holding charge well, it may start drawing power from the EV battery and, in turn, pull down its range. However, I couldn’t find too much concrete information…
Morgan Motor Company is preceding the launch of its new six-cylinder flagship with the release of exclusive photographs showing a disguised prototype during advanced on-road testing. The yet-to-be-named model – which is set to be officially unveiled in Spring – will be coach-built on a new ‘CXV’ platform, an evolution of the company’s bonded aluminium chassis. Lighter and stiffer, the new CXV platform – paired with the BMW six-cylinder turbocharged engine – encompasses a range of new technical features and engineering enhancements throughout, all contributing to greater dynamic performance and driving enjoyment. While the images do not show the final…
BMW has unveiled the first-ever M3 CS Touring, combining blistering performance with the practicality of an estate. Expanding the revered M3 CS lineage, this latest iteration delivers more power, enhanced dynamics, and track-ready capability while maintaining everyday usability. A More Potent Powertrain Under the bonnet, the 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six has been tuned to produce an exhilarating 550hp – an increase of 40hp over the standard M3 Competition Touring. Torque remains at a formidable 650Nm, ensuring explosive acceleration. Mated to an M xDrive all-wheel-drive system and an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission, the M3 CS Touring sprints from 0-62mph in just 3.4…
A full month into owning the BMW i8, and I’m already itching to see what I can do to enhance it—and maybe tackle some necessary repairs. If you’ve read my three-week ownership blog (here), you’ll recall my first impressions—from boot space to ingress and egress challenges. I briefly mentioned some niggles and my temptation to upgrade to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. While I’d still love to do that, other priorities have emerged. Nonetheless, my decision to buy a bargain £100,000 supercar (full story here) remains unwavering. In fact, I’m determined to make this the best budget supercar money can…
BMW is kicking off spring 2025 with some exciting updates across its model range. From energy-efficient electric powertrains to enhanced standard features and expanded options, the brand is keeping its line-up sharp, versatile, and ready for the future. Here’s what you can look forward to. Electric BMW i5 Models Get a Boost BMW’s all-electric i5 range, including the Sedan and Touring, is now more efficient than ever. Thanks to silicon carbide semiconductor components and low-rolling-resistance tyres paired with aerodynamic alloy wheels, the i5 gains up to 47 additional kilometres of range. Energy consumption is reduced by up to 9%, depending…