Author: Rhys Gregory

Autonomous farming, last mile delivery services and self-driving off-road vehicles will be put through their paces at a new large-scale robotic testbed at Aberystwyth University. The Aberystwyth Natural Terrain for Unconstrained Robotics – ANTUR or Welsh for ‘adventure’ – will cover 500 hectares with 11.5 kilometres of tracks. The site will span grassland, peat bog, rocks and mud. Vehicles will be able to travel to heights of up to 600 metres above sea level. Once constructed, the facility will be used to test the latest innovations in autonomous vehicles that have been developed by the University on land and in…

Putting your hazards on to thank a fellow driver, parking on the curb to leave more space for other drivers and warning other road users of upcoming speed traps are common courtesies that many drivers implement. However, a study by the car insurance team at Comparethemarket has found that common expressions of on-the-road politeness could leave drivers facing fines and penalty points. The research also reveals that many drivers are unaware that certain actions which are often perceived as good manners, are actually illegal. The driving courtesy that could land you a fine: Julie Daniels, motoring expert from Comparethemarket, shares…

A Mid Wales museum, which is home to a collection of around 5,000 model cars, is to feature on the popular BBC One TV antiques series Bargain Hunt. Show presenter Charlie Ross, an antiques expert and auctioneer, paid a visit with the film crew to the Cloverlands Model Car Museum at its new home in Llanfair Caereinion recently. Ross, who is also well known from BBC’s Antiques Road Trip and Flog It, set a new USA record in 2018 when he sold a1935 Duesenberg SSJ, formerly owned by actor Gary Cooper, for $22 million. His visit to Cloverlands Model Car…

Palé Hall, the grand Victorian mansion on the edge of Snowdonia – this week hosted The Concours of Elegance tour of Wales, a three-day event which saw a collection of some of the rarest cars from around the world – many of which will never have been seen before in the UK. The Concours entrants toured the beautiful countryside of north Wales and before their grand arrival at Hampton Court Palace for the special 10th Anniversary event on 2-4 September. Over the three days, HRH Prince Michael of Kent stayed at Palé Hall and complimented the beauty of Wales and surrounding countryside.…

Tesla’s Model Y builds on Model 3’s success, offering SUV styling and proportions for those looking for a sport utility vehicle. From the front, the Model Y doesn’t look too dissimilar from the Model 3. However, as you pan around the vehicle you’ll spot the noticeable higher ride height and large boot opening. Like every Tesla, Model Y combines safety, efficiency, performance, utility and technology. The Tesla DNA means that Model Y combines a low centre of gravity, rigid body structure and large crumple zones providing unparalleled protection. Model Y’s aerodynamic design alongside leading battery technology makes it the most…

The August bank holiday weekend is upon us and with it comes the chance to get away for a few days. However, it is important that motorists stay safe when getting away this bank holiday. The experts at National Scrap Car have put together a few tips to help motorists get through the bank holiday rush safely. Do the essential checks before setting off Before setting off on any long journey motorists should always take the time to do the essential checks on their vehicles, particularly if this is their first long trip since winter ended. The essential checks include:…

Car colour often reflect the owner’s personality. Conservative buyers are more likely to choose monochromatic vehicles, while more extroverted drivers prefer bright colors. Overall, while car manufacturers offer colors to fit any personality, most drivers prefer time-tested tones. The popularity of car colors may vary in different countries – hues adored in the US may not necessarily be popular in Germany, Spain, or Mexico. And in general, car color trends are not static – they change over time as new colors gain the limelight. Yet car color isn’t just a matter of style. For example, apparently, red cars are more…

It is said that some of the best driving roads in the UK are in Wales and I personally couldn’t agree more. If the roads are good enough for the Grand Tour to use, as well as hosting the British Rally Championship and Mid Wales Rally, there must be something pretty special about the Welsh roads that I’m missing by being in south Wales. Of course, Wales is known for its hillsides and mountainsides, its twisty roads, and incredible scenery, so you could say it’s an automotive enthusiast’s wet dream. I do love a ‘good drive’, but I’ve never been…

Buy cheap, sell dear. That’s the motto of life that follows every stockbroker, real estate agent or car salesman. Used car markets operate in the same manner. Therefore, it’s no surprise that there are countless opportunities to obtain cars as investment vehicles. However, being a collector of high-end vehicles requires a considerable investment as well as not-insignificant carrying costs. Tons of deep general knowledge about cars is a must too. The experts from the car history registry carVertical analyzed the automotive market and prepared a list of 10 cars you shouldn’t sell due to their significant growth in value. They…

New analysis has found that Barry is the easiest place to pass your driving test in Wales. The study by  A-Plan Insurance examined the pass rate percentage of each major driving test centres in Wales – since April 2020 – to determine the one with the highest pass rate. Barry came out with the highest percentage of pass rates out of all test centres in the Wales. This test centre has an average pass rate of 64.78%, when analysing the passes of all tests from April 2020 to June 2021 – of 1096 tests conducted, 710 were passed. Placing second is Llantrisant, coming in just below Barry with a pass rate of 64%. Llantrisant test centre has assessed 2,089 prospective drivers since April…