iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

And because it doesn’t do solely to come on here to shamelessly self-promote, here’s another piece of news: I have bought rather a nice Volvo. So. That’s exciting.

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

Hello. Me again. Just popping back on here to tell you that I’ve started a new car-buying service. The idea is that if you’re not sure which car you want to buy, you can tell me exactly what you want and need from your next car, and then I’ll give you three great options for your budget. ⬇️

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

Been using the Buzz for Buzzy stuff this weekend. Chairs coming soon to a podcast near you (in all their hideousness).

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

There’s an ASpture too…

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

There are good reasons why I’ll always take my cars to Rich for any kind of serious fabrication or rust repair work. (Subtitle to these pics: Why You Shouldn’t Take A Punt On A Cheap Citroen D Special)

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

Only an idiot would go out and take pictures of his new black car at nighttime, right?

A black Hyundai Ioniq 5 viewed from the rear three quarter angle, down low, in a car park with a stone wall behind it. The car’s lights are on and frankly it looks bloomin’ brilliant.

A black Hyundai Ioniq 5 viewed from the front three quarter angle, down low, in a car park with a stone wall behind it. The car’s lights are on and frankly it looks bloomin’ brilliant.

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

Hey everybody, did you know the bonnet on an ID.Buzz is hinged at the bottom with a check strap at the top, so it opens like this? I didn’t, but TIL! 😃

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

(And look, I know EVs aren’t everyone’s cuppa. Different strokes, and all. But I’d have wanted one of these regardless of its powertrain. I just think they look sensational - and I’m so excited that this is now our family car!)

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

So enter Evie (the EV, geddit? Sorry.) - our new 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, finished in black with silvery bits. Looks like it’s spent it’s life in a car wash, so I may have to invest in a mop. But 23k miles, excellent battery SoH and - crucially - an extended warranty until 2030 sealed the deal.

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

…because today our new car also joined the family. It’s a car I’ve wanted since I saw it revealed in concept form at Frankfurt motor show in 2019; I’m a sucker for that synthwave styling and when it turned out it made (some) financial sense to make the switch, I didn’t need any more of an excuse.

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

A big day in the Robbins household today. After four years and 43,000 miles in our possession, Svetlana the Superb has left us. I have loved this car and I genuinely had a bit of a cry as we left it behind at the dealer. So many memories. But the news isn’t all sad…

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

There really is nothing quite like a post-vehicle purchase MaccyD’s, is there?

A McDonald’s meal on a table, with one burger box open to reveal a Big Arch.

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Look, I know motoring journalists are really bad for posting smug pics of jammy stuff we get up to, and I’m sorry. But come on. You’d want to tell people about a day like this one, wouldn’t you?

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

In Spain, where it’s hotter than it is at home somehow, to drive old Audis around. Spent two hours in this. Vague column shift, slow steering, sticky throttle and an occasional fondness for dying rather than idling made roundabouts a challenge. Emerged a sweat-drenched heap. Isn’t it pretty, though?

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

“It’s like a Duster, but bigger. I was thinking we could call it the Dustigger?” “Great idea, Steve - but I’ve got a better one…”

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

I could be wrong, but I can’t think of many other magazine covers on which you’d find these four cars. @denialvibes.bsky.social - this looks ace. Looking forward to diving into it with glee as though it were a pool filled with modified car flavoured milkshake. Buy yours at copaceticmagazine.co.uk

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

This week I’ve had the immeasurable pleasure of having Skoda’s Superb ‘Sleeper Edition’ in to muck around with. 470bhp, AP brakes, KW coilovers, top-spec Laurin & Klement trim, and Royal Green over Cognac. What a deliciously barmy device. I loved it.

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

The milk selection in our house this morning is Out Of Touch.

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

On test this week. Handsome bugger, and a big old smoothie on the motorway, but the diesel engine and electric motor are surprisingly vocal, which spoils it somewhat. I do love a big, cruise-y estate, though. With a creamy V6 diesel it’d be a joy.

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

Well here’s a thing. I bought this exact Kia Picanto for my wife six years ago. She then learned to drive in it, and kept it as her first car for a year and a half. Current owner is keeping it running for her daughter, who adores it. It has continued to be endlessly reliable. Lovely to see it again.

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

I know nobody really cares about pics people have taken from a plane, but this sunset on the way into LHR tonight was really rather lovely. (Photographed from a Canberra.)

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

Today’s hotel room is boxy, roomy, and there are many almost identical versions of it. Doesn’t have an XUD in it though. Boo.

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

It’s a proper UK-registered car with valid MOT and tax!

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

Camping again tonight. Note the attitude of the tree. It’s a bit breezy up in the loft apartment.

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

All correct! 405 T16 on the other side, too!

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

This one was rally spec, and I couldn’t stop taking pics of it!

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

Probably a good sign a car’s getting under my skin when I stop on the way home from a long trip to take pictures of it and then spam Bluesky with it.

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

The new Nissan Micra, yesterday

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

I feel like we need a cartoon series in which a Renault 5 is the hero, constantly foiling the plans of its scheming evil twin.

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

Two Saabs in the same airport hotel car park, three years apart. Seems I can’t keep away from the things.

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

Out with Robbins Jr in the Saab to visit a friend this morning. It’s been a costly month - it’s needed a clutch, spark plugs and a set of coils to get it running right. But now it is, and it’s pretty sweet to drive. Pulled 41mpg on a motorway run yesterday, too.

A Nocturne Blue Saab 9-3 Aero convertible, viewed from the offside front quarter, parked at the side of a suburban street, with the roof down.

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

Much though I dislike that deep grille A6, I think the Chrysler LHS did it worse. And first!

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

Yes I am playing with my cupholder while I wait to pick up my daughter. What of it?

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

See a BBJ, snap a BBJ. Them’s the rules. This one was departing Farnborough yesterday, on its way to Abu Dhabi.

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

Tired: the Porsche configurator Wired: the Poma ski lift configurator

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Really enjoying the new BBC News graphics this morning

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

Decided to celebrate my 40th birthday a few months early with a little present to myself - and one I can enjoy with the whole family too!

A Nocturne Blue Saab 9-3 Aero Convertiboe from the front

A Nocturne Blue Saab 9-3 Convertible from the rear

The cream leather interior of a Saab 9-3 Convertible, with a part-wood steering wheel

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

I’m not surprised. And I have this nagging feeling it’s going to be a lot of fun driving it around Brittany in it this summer…

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

Exciting news: my new long-termer arrived today. I’ll be running this VW ID.Buzz Pro Style LWB for the next six months. Already done 160 miles driving down south for podcast duties, and it’s great. Perfect for all sorts of family shenanigans, hi-jinks, mischief and suchlike. Summer’s looking fun!

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

Crikey. There’s a thing you don’t see every day.

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

You did not. Beige velour. Every time you got into it was like a hug.

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Alex Robbins @scrof.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

If you want to make me make childish squee noises and grin so hard my face hurts, the way to do it is evidently to put me in a full-cockpit 737 simulator and let me fly around for an hour 😃

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