Newsletter
Get the latest automotive news from Driven By Rhys.
Author: Rhys Gregory
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.
BMW has once again set the stage for a thrilling driving experience with the release of the new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé. Blending elegance, athleticism, and innovation, this latest iteration is set to redefine the compact coupé segment. A Dynamic Design The new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé stands out with its sleek, elongated silhouette, highlighting BMW’s commitment to design that fuses sportiness and sophistication. The low, wide stance coupled with flowing lines gives the car an imposing road presence. Up front, BMW’s iconic kidney grille is more prominent, while the sharply designed LED headlights offer a modern, aggressive…
French sports car manufacturer Alpine made waves at the 2024 Paris Motor Show by unveiling three groundbreaking new models, all marking the brand’s future direction towards electric performance. The global premieres included the Alpine A424_β concept, the modernised Alpine A310, and the all-new Alpine A290. Each model underscores Alpine’s commitment to blending performance with sustainability. A424_β Concept: Alpine’s Hypercar Future Taking centre stage was the Alpine A424_β Concept, a hypercar designed to showcase Alpine’s ambitions in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Set to hit the track in 2025, this electric racer previews the next generation of high-performance cars from…
Tesla has launched a new cabin configuration in the UK on its global best-seller Model Y – the 7-Seater option. An additional extra for £2,500 on the Long-Range All Wheel Drive Model Y. Since day 1, Model Y has been designed to be the perfect family-SUV, offering a high level of versatility. Hundreds of thousands of households across the globe have chosen Model Y as their primary vehicle, covering both daily commutes and long-distance travels. With ample cargo space and the ability to tow up to 1,600 kg, Model Y is suited to every lifestyle. Family, friends and all the gear…
November is a milestone month for me, as it marks two years since I bought my first electric vehicle – a 2019 Tesla Model 3 Performance. At the time, it felt like a significant leap forward, not just in terms of the technology I’d be driving, but also in terms of how I viewed the future of cars in general. The decision to go electric had been building over time. I test-drove a Tesla the year before and was completely taken in by the speed, power, and general feel of the car. Everything about it seemed like a step ahead…
ollowing the rollout of the latest generation MINI family this year, today MINI is building on the success of the MINI Cooper Electric and MINI Aceman models with the introduction of John Cooper Works variants for both cars. Announced at the Paris Motor Show 2024, the MINI John Cooper Works Electric and MINI John Cooper Works Aceman follow a rich heritage of previous John Cooper Works models and maintain the characteristics worthy of the JCW name, but on fully-electric vehicles for the very first time. “With the new all-electric MINI John Cooper Works models, we are bringing the legendary performance…
Making the decision to tune my Mini Clubman John Cooper Works (JCW) isn’t something I’ve taken lightly. In fact, I never really saw the appeal of tuning cars, especially one like this. The internet is filled with examples of people tuning their cars, and I’ve noticed two types of enthusiasts. On one hand, you’ve got people with already powerful cars, striving to squeeze even more out of them. On the other, there are those with smaller engines, pushing them beyond their limits. The common thread? Both groups are busy chasing numbers—everyone seems to want more horsepower. But does more horsepower…
This weekend (11th – 13th October 2024), the Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre is buzzing with excitement as it hosts the Everything Electric South 2024 event. As an EV owner myself—driving a Tesla Model 3 Performance—I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to check out what’s new and what’s coming to market in 2025. Whether you’re an EV enthusiast, a sustainable tech lover, or just curious about the future of green energy, this event has it all. While this isn’t a full review, I’ve summarised our initial impressions of the EVs we had the chance to drive today. All the models tested…
Following the successful launch of the all-new MINI family throughout the past year, the new MINI Cooper Convertible completes the brands’ new model family. Offered in a choice of two new petrol models, the MINI Cooper Convertible will begin production at MINI Plant Oxford later this year, following a nine-year hiatus. “We are very proud to be able to offer our customers a true convertible in the current MINI family. Our new MINI Cooper Convertible offers unmistakable, hallmark driving fun, coupled with boundless freedom and great emotions: Always Open. Iconic design combined with modern technology and connectivity make this vehicle…
Hyundai Motor UK has announced pricing and specification for the All-new INSTER, Hyundai’s 1st small EV for the European Market. The first small SUV EV in Hyundai’s electric line-up, INSTER is not only a practical choice for urban driving but can also deliver strong performance on longer drives with a range of up to 229 miles and equipment to deliver optimised recharge times, with heat pump and battery heating system as standard. INSTER’s exterior design is characterized by its robust yet small SUV profile with flush, clean surfaces, and strong design cues. Inster share’s its pixel design on the front…
Get set for a weekend of electric vehicles [EV] fun, coupled with sustainable home tech pioneers, as the industry readies for Everything Electric, the world’s No.1 EV and home energy expo, taking place in Farnborough, UK, 11-13 October, a festival of first looks and public EV test drives. Hyundai is gearing up to display its brand new INSTER, the smallest member of the Hyundai electric vehicle family, for the first time in public, while Omoda and MG Motors will be offering the first public test drives of the Omoda E5 and Cyberster. With thousands of test-drives available on a first-come-first-serve…