Isuzu D-Max eV-Cross By Bill McCarthy This electrified D-Max is a bit of a motoring paradox. It looks, works, and tows like the diesel pick-up it's based on, yet glides along in near silence. The experience is slightly surreal — I found myself humming Simon & Garfunkel's The Sound of Silence within the first few miles. Having driven many versions of the D-Max over the years, I found the absence of that familiar diesel clatter strange … and welcome - even though a new 2.2 litre diesel has joined the range.

Local police will be hosting a number of surgeries over the coming days, giving residents the chance to raise local concerns and receive crime prevention advice. The first will be held at Four Oaks Baptist Church on Tuesday 13th October 2026, between 10am and 11am, where PCSO Gill Whittingham will be available to speak to residents. The second will take place at 

Fundraisers teed up a £20k plus charity donation at a recent Sutton Coldfield event. The Moor Hall Golf Day for BLESMA brought together 104 golfers for a special day of golf and fundraising. The charity day has raised an incredible £20,655.64 for BLESMA – the Limbless Veterans (formerly the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen's Association) – with further donations expected to increase the final total.

Volvo XC40 B3 By Bill McCarthy ThThere was a time when a Volvo meant vast estates with the aerodynamic grace of a garden shed. They were revered for safety: rolling fortresses and pioneers of the three-point seatbelt and side-impact protection. That reputation endures in the latest models. Volvo has softened its 2030 electric-only goal and now aims for 90–100% electrified sales by 2030.

Chinese giant Chery UK has achieved its highest ever monthly sales result, registering 9,788 vehicles in September 2026, a pretty remarkable feat as their cars only started appearing in the UK in 2024. The figure dwarfs August’s 2,380 registrations and represents almost one third of the brand’s total 2026 UK sales so far, which stand at 33,359. The record month lifted Chery UK to a 2.79% market share, its best ever in the UK and ahead of many established mainstream and premium brands.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) held its second SMMT Drive Live 2026event in late September at the picturesque Stanbrook Abbey Hotel in Worcestershire. The invite-only test-drive experience followed a successful May gathering at the Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire. I attended the event, which brought together dozens of journalists and content creators, along with representatives from more than 30 automotive brands, for a day of driving, networking and industry insight.

Lexus LBX Premium Plus By Bill McCarthy The Lexus LBX represents a bold departure for Toyota's luxury division. Starting at just £29,995, this compact SUV brings premium quality at a reasonable price. After a week of testing, here's a comprehensive Lexus LBX review covering performance, interior, practicality, and value. How good is the Lexus LBX? Yes. The LBX delivers genuine Lexus quality in a smaller, more affordable package.

PCSO Gill Whittingham to host open surgery in Four Oaks Sutton Coldfield, UK – Residents of Four Oaks and the surrounding Sutton Coldfield areas are being invited to meet their local policing team this Friday. The West Midlands Police has announced that PCSO Gill Whittingham (ID 30809) will be holding a dedicated Police Surgery at the Four Oaks Baptist Church…

Sutton Coldfield’s Gracechurch Centre has confirmed its Christmas opening hours for 2026, giving shoppers key dates for late-night shopping, Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and the New Year period. The shopping centre announced its festive schedule on Instagram, advising shoppers to plan ahead as Christmas approaches. A spokesperson for the centre said: “Planning your festive shopping? Here are our Christmas opening hours to help you make the most of the season.”

I have driven a few i20s over the years, from the entry-level cars to the firecracker i20 N. Time and again, they've proved worthy. It's one of the most rounded superminis on sale. With the 1.0-litre turbocharged 90 PS petrol engine, it promises low running costs without stripping out equipment. It isn't a hot hatch – except maybe for the now-departed N – but it's a genuinely likeable, practical, economical everyday car.

BYD Dolphin G DM-i By Bill McCarthy Let's get one thing straight: the B YD Dolphin G isn't really a supermini. Not in the traditional sense, as it is the first plug-in hybrid to appear in its segment and its bigger. At 4,160mm long with a 425-litre boot, it's closer in size to a Volkswagen Golf than a Ford Fiesta. BYD calls it a supermini; I call it plus size.

CUPRA Terramar TRIBE EDITION By Bill McCarthy Making a model stand out from the crowd is perhaps what automotive manufacturers constantly strive to achieve. In the world of the ubiquitous SUV, that’s a task and a half – but with the CUPRA Terramar’s paintwork options, the brand has given it a certain X factor. Well, it did for me anyway.

 Sutton Coldfield's first-ever Literary Arts Festival is happening tomorrow, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September 2026, and the town is invited to join a weekend celebrating creativity — with free daytime events, family activities and a special evening of live jazz. A weekend celebrating creativity The historic inaugural festival promises a packed programme of literature, music, art and performance across two days, with free daytime events for visitors of all ages.

Audi A3 Saloon 150 TSI Sportline By Bill McCarthy Marketing history proves that premium status can be bought or engineered. A well-known lager trading itself as reassuringly expensive, weaponised high pricing to signal quality, while Audi's iconic "Vorsprung durch Technik" delivered a message of technical innovation. Both cemented luxury reputations, showing consumers will pay more for emotional prestige or German engineering.

I drove my first Octavia vRS more than twenty years ago. That was the 1.8-litre turbo with 180hp and a manual gearbox, and it was a proper shock – a family hatchback that went like a hot hatch but didn't punish you for it. The latest one version is quicker, cleverer, and more expensive, but the basic formula hasn't changed: serious performance, proper space, and a price that undercuts most of its rivals.

Volkswagen T-Roc 1.5 eTSI By Bill McCarthy Volkswagen's T-Roc has been a smart, compact SUV since it hit the roads– and the new 2026 version is no different. Well, actually, it is. The latest version comes with a revised design inside and out, a significant increase in size and interior space, new drivetrain options, and the latest Volkswagen technologies and assistance systems.

West Midlands Police have renewed an appeal for information one year after the body of an unidentified man was discovered in Sutton Coldfield, as detectives remain committed to solving the mystery surrounding his death. The man was sadly found deceased at an address on Grange Lane on 27 August 2025. Despite conducting an extensive and thorough investigation, officers from the Major Crime Unit have been unable to identify the deceased man or establish the full circumstances of his death…

In a powerful show of community support, Amazon in Sutton Coldfield has donated 1,200 hygiene kits to Soroptimist International of Sutton Coldfield - a gesture that bolsters the charity’s ongoing Standing Up for Women and Girls initiative. This generous contribution will deliver essential hygiene products to local women and girls facing hardship, ensuring they have access to basic dignity and care during difficult times.

Sutton Coldfield Town Council has announced the return of its acclaimed Soul of Sutton Photography Competition for a third year. This free-to-enter contest invites local amateur photographers to capture the people, places, and moments that define life in the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield. Aligned with World Photography Day 2026 and this year’s global theme, “HOME,” the competition encourages entrants to showcase their personal interpretation of home - whether through a beloved park, a historic landmark, the bustling high street, a cherished community event, or an everyday scene that tells a story.

Chinese brands have had remarkable success over the last couple of years, with sales booming and capturing a significant share of the UK market. It's not hard to see why – they offer low prices, advanced technology (some would argue a little too. advanced), and cheap finance deals That's a heady mix for those looking for a motor in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.

Chery Tiggo 7 CSH SUmmit By Bill McCarthy This Chery Tiggo SUV has me scratching my head. Because it's genuinely good. Not "good for a Chinese car" good. Just... gp.I spent a week with it, on motorways, B-roads, the Peak District, and with a house move that seemed to go on forever. It coped with all of it. And, starting at just under thirty grand, it undercuts rivals by a margin that's hard to ignore.

The great and good of the motor industry gathered again this spring for the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) annual Test Day, held on 21 May 2026 at the UTAC Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire. For me, it was another brilliant opportunity to get behind the wheel, catch up with old colleagues and network with industry folk.

T Before and after. Top Willow and Isla before the haircut and below the twins looking smart with their new shorn locks Seven-year-old twins became 'super hairoes' when they had their knee-length hair cut for charity, inspired by a TikTok video they watched over a year ago. Willow and Isla have raised over £4,000 for cancer charities by donating their never-before-cut hair to The Little Princess Trust.

Police in Sutton Coldfield say they are stepping up their crime prevention activities as part of an ongoing commitment to keeping local communities safe. Officers from the Four Oaks and New Hall Neighbourhood Team are focusing on high-visibility patrols, community engagement, and targeted action against vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour, Here is a roundup of activity, incidents, and crime prevention advice.

Time to rock 🎸 Sutton Coldfield Town Hall is gearing up for a double dose of musical excellence this autumn, with two very different but equally unmissable shows now on sale. Rock for Heroes Returns for a Night of Anthems Fans of classic rock are in for a treat as Rock for Heroes storms back to the Town Hall stage on 

Toyota Land Cruiser Invincible By Bill McCarthy Some vehicles simply refuse to blend into the background, and Toyota's colossal off-roader is firmly in that category. Sleek it is not, yet sophistication has crept into the package in meaningful ways - though a double-decker might offer less aerodynamic drag. But for enthusiasts who crave their off-roaders bold, brash, and unadulterated, the Land Cruiser remains one of the best.

Pictured left: Councillor Alex Yip, Councillor David Pears, Neil Thorogood, Deputy Lieutenant Karen Williams, Joy Scott-Thompson, Beverley Redguard, Rachel Dutta Choudhury, and Nick Owen.) YMCA Sutton Coldfield, one of the West Midlands’ most enduring charities, recently hosted a historic celebration at Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Hall to commemorate 125 years of service to the local community. The milestone event earlier this month brought together a diverse group of attendees, including long-standing supporters, corporate partners, dedicated volunteers, staff members, and service users, all united to honour the charity’s legacy and its ongoing commitment to empowering vulnerable residents across Sutton Coldfield and the surrounding areas.

X-Peng G6 Performance By Bill McCarthy When you think of blistering performance, names like Ferrari, Porsche, Lotus and McLaren come to mind, all with price tags to match. But there are luxury models out there with impressive pace and a much more modest price. The Xpeng G6 Performance is one of those. The X what? I hear you say. Let me explain.

KGM Musso Rhino - First drive By Bill McCarthy The pick-up segment is fiercely competitive, with Great Wall Motors and Mitsubishi recently re-entering the fray. To succeed, a pick-up must deliver rugged capability for the rough stuff alongside on-road refinement and a high quality cabin. Enter KGM. Still relatively unknown in the UK since its rebrand from SsangYong, the Korean manufacturer brings seven decades of commercial vehicle expertise.

have said this before and will say it again – when it comes to SUVs, Mazda sets a very high bar and without doubt offers some of the most stylish SUVs. The original CX-5 proved that back in 2012, and with UK sales now past 100,000, it's clear British buyers agree. But the latest iteration offers big changes. Design and trim…

Geely Starray EM-i MAX By Bill McCarthy When is a Volvo not a Volvo? When it's a Geely, of course. The Geely Holding Group has owned Volvo Cars since 2010, and now it's bringing its own-brand SUVs to UK shores – the hybrid Starray and the all-electric EX5. (It's also behind a new range of vans called Farizon, but that's another story.)

Mazda 6e first drive By Bill McCarthy Mazda has never been afraid to buck the trend. The brand has continued to produce large diesel SUVs and high-capacity petrol engines, and now it makes a bold return to the D-segment with the rebirth of the Mazda6 – this time as a full-electric model. The original Mazda6 was a stylish alternative to rivals like the Ford Mondeo and VW Passat.

In a story that has melted hearts, seven‑year‑old twins Willow and Isla are preparing to chop off their knee‑length hair for charity – after a spontaneous act of kindness sparked by a TikTok video over a year ago. The sisters, who have never had their hair cut in their lives, are set to lose at least 12 inches each on July 25 to raise funds for The Little Princess Trust.

If you ventured anywhere near the tip this week, you likely found yourself stuck in a queue that stretched far beyond the entrance gates. Once again, residents are facing massive delays, and the knock-on effect is causing major disruption across the entire local area. It simply isn't good enough. It's inefficient, costly and potentially dangerous - with accidents waiting to happen.

BYD ATTO 2 Boost By Bill McCarthy As more Chinese brands arrive on UK shores, shaking up the old order like punk rock did to music in the 1970s, some are becoming victims of their own success. Newcomers are aping their breakthroughs, and even BYD – one of the first of the new wave – is facing stiff competition, despite only arriving in Britain in 2023.

Sutton Coldfield councillor Nitish Raut has spoken of his pride after being elected as the new mayor of the royal town. Cllr Raut  who has lived in Sutton Coldfield since 2009 along with his wife Dr Aarti Raut and their two children, will serve for the municipal year 2026- 2027. NHS consultant For more than 25 years, he has worked for the NHS as a Consultant Gynaecologist and is passionate about improving women’s health and healthcare standards.

GENESIS GV60 Pure By Bill McCarthy There is no doubt in my mind that Genesis, the luxury arm of Korean manufacturer Hyundai, is maturing impressively.  Parent brand Hyundai was once known for budget motors. No longer of course, but its upmarket GENESIS brand now feels thoroughly luxurious, competitive in the £50k-plus market, and packed with technology. A recent facelift sees three model specs: the new rear-wheel-drive Pure, the all-wheel-drive Sport, and the high-performance Performance.

Toyota Aygo X GR Sport hybrid By Bill McCarthy Sometimes in this industry, after many years of road testing, you can be genuinely surprised. Toyota knows a thing or two about hybrids – the Prius broke the mould for economy and reliability, which is why it remains the taxi of choice for many. But the smaller Aygo X Hybrid also broke new ground as the first full hybrid city car when it launched this year and its economy is remarkable…

JAECOO 8 SHS The first JAECOO I saw was on a trip to Devon, just after the brand's launch. A JAECOO 7 sat in a pub car park. Curious, I took a closer look and found an SUV that blended the look of a Range Rover with a 'waterfall' grille reminiscent of a Jeep. It clearly struck a chord with buyers, and a year later, it's the best-selling car in the country.

Residents at a care home in Sutton Coldfield received an unforgettable surprise this National Pet Day, thanks to a pair of gentle, four-legged guests. Care UK’s Mercia Grange, located on Lichfield Road in Four Oaks, welcomed Jack and Roo - two charming alpacas from Wildwood Alpacas - for a heartwarming session of animal therapy for the elderly. A unique sensory experience…

Parking in school areas can cause traffic chaos and be dangersous. West Midlands Police have put out this comprehensive guidance Pick-up and drop-off times are busy outside schools in the Sutton Coldfield area. This can cause an increased safety risk to both children and parents. Parking restrictions outside schools are there to keep you and your children safe. Parking inconsiderately…

BYD Sealion 5 Design PHEV By Bill McCarthy I first drove the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i at its UK launch back in January. A blast around Shropshire and into Wales delivered a favourable first impression of this sub-£30,000 challenger in the mid-size SUV market. A longer, more immersive drive a couple of months later – this time tackling the twisting Cotswolds roads and the soul-destroying stop-start drudgery of a partially closed M40 – confirmed that view.

Genesis Electrified GV70 By Bill McCarthy Genesis continues to attract attention from curious car buyers, thanks to its eye-catching, often dramatic styling. Since the brand's launch in 2020, it has sold more than 200,000 units worldwide. Genesis recently updated this electrified GV70 and it certainly looks the part. It bears more than a passing resemblance to a Bentley, with its winged badge and crest grille.

BYD ATTO 3 EVO By Bill McCarthy They say that many a good tune is played on an old fiddle. This seems to be partly true with BYD's upgraded ATTO model, the ATTO 3 Evo, which has retained one of its musical party pieces with the door pocket strings – and a couple of quirky touches. The original arrived only a couple of years ago as BYD's first model, but this new version has been so comprehensively upgraded that it feels like a revolution rather than a simple refresh.

Nissan Qashqai new e-POWER 2025 Nissan Qashqai N-Connecta e-POWER By Bill McCarthy When the Qashqai first hit the roads in the UK, few would have predicted its phenomenal success. Coming from left field nearly 20 years ago, it became a best-seller, setting a benchmark for others to follow.  A tribute to its quality and customer loyalty, it is still a top seller and, according to full-year data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the Qashqai h ranked as the third best-selling car in the UK in 2025 with 41,141 registrations.

Changan Deepal S05 By Bill McCarthy With new brands seeming to appear in the UK market almost monthly, catching the eye is essential. Chinese carmaker Changan has launched two models in just over six months, the latest, the Deepal S05, using aircraft-inspired design to deliver that eye-catching styling. Changan may be unfamiliar to most British drivers, but the company has been manufacturing cars in China for over 40 years and has operated a research and development facility in Birmingham for 11 years.

Harvey Norman, the global retail giant specialising in furniture, bedding, appliances and technology, is set to soft open its highly anticipated new store at the Gracechurch Centre. The soft launch, commencing at 11am on Thursday 2 April, offers the local community an exclusive first look at the retailer’s integrated retail concept just in time for the Easter weekend. This opening marks a significant milestone in the brand’s UK growth strategy, building on the momentum from its flagship Merry Hill location.

KGM Torres 40 Hybrid By Bill McCarthy In the crowded world of SUV rebrands, few have a story quite as intriguing as KGM. Formerly SsangYong, the Korean firm was bought out by KGM Global, which has spent the last 18 months launching a distinctive petrol and electric SUV, the Torres. Now, hot on the heels of the original comes the Torres Hybrid – and it might just be the one that makes people sit up and take notice.

Refreshing a vehicle model is usually something that occurs every three or four years. In the case of the Chinese brand Omoda, it only seems like the proverbial five minutes ago that its stylish SUV, the Omoda 5, was launched. In car-making terms, it probably was, coming less than a year after the initial model arrived. However, the carmaker has quickly moved to address earlier criticisms.

MGS6 Trophy By Bill McCarthy In recent years MG has built an impressive UK presence. It has now ventured back into the premium sector with models in the '6' range. Premium to the point that two out of three variants are over £40,000 and subject to the £410 annual Expensive Car Supplement on road tax. The MGS6 EV is a case in point.