Alex Grant

I’ve seen people reporting EV registrations were higher than petrol in October. Those figures are counting mild hybrids as full hybrids, which is a stretch.

Petrol (inc MHEV) has a 44% share, vs BEV @ 26%. Counting MHEVs as HEVs is disingenuous, especially when HEV/PHEV/BEV has a 52% share now.

I lurk. I’m trying to rein in my social media usage but I’m on here.

The underground car park at my Friday night Premier Inn was a good photo spot too. #polog40

A real privilege for the G40 to get a spot on Pall Mall with Volkswagen UK marking 50 years of the Polo at the St James Motoring Spectacular. It’s a huge event, too. Something like 10,000 visitors.

That’s a big claim. Do you have any evidence that this is going on?

If you mean advertising then should we be scrutinising EV-friendly websites for bias if they’re getting ads from companies in that space too?

I’m a pro-EV journalist. I’ve written negative things about EVs too. That’s my job.

Thanks!

Polo G40 with rainbow

Fresh MoT, and a photo opportunity.

Thanks! Had a good look around yours too - my passenger hadn’t seen one in the metal before, but has a Hot Wheels version. Was it you riding around on the Motocompo?

Thanks! It’s funny, there’s a video from Radwood ‘22 where someone walks around it and says it’s “almost standard”. It really, really isn’t. But that’s exactly what I want people to think. It’s why I left the bonnet closed yesterday. #iykyk

The Revolutions are staying too. Need a refurb, which I can now sort in my own time, but I adore those wheels (Quattro vibes) so I’m not selling them. I fancied having two different options and they’re both keepers.

Thanks! From a man who knows, that means a lot!

I think 15s are a great size for these, despite the tiny arches. Ride quality is slightly firmer than the 14s but I’ve been careful to avoid turning it into a track car so it’s still a fairly comfortable machine for long trips. My record is 4,000 miles in a month (!)

Looking back at pics of the old wheels it wasn’t much higher at the front at that point. But a few mm can make a big difference. Pic below is a photo of a photo from 2006.

Gave the car its first fitment test today - 330 miles from Cardiff to Swansea to Bicester for Radwood and then home again. The wheels suit it perfectly and, despite concerns about scrubbing, they don’t rub. Happy!

Thanks! I’ve had the 14in versions and they’re great too, but these look proportionally perfect. I just hope they don’t scrub.

Sometimes the obvious choice is the right one.

Treated myself to some 15in BBS RAs from a late Mk2 16V - 2in larger versions of the G40’s factory wheels.

Huge thanks to MK2 Spares UK for the wheels, now with Falken tyres and centre caps from OEM Car Stickers. All the details in a future PVW mag.

I have this brochure 🤣

I have some of those pics on my laptop from ages ago. It’s still around, I think.

It’s possible, I haven’t booked yet.

An underappreciated silhouette. #polog40

Sadly none of the <100 people who were at the one in Bedford filled in the blanks (but I did use it to check the Pixies).

Pixies, Cardiff, 21/05/25 by Alex Grant on Apple Music Playlist · 31 Songs

Pixies was easier. Largely from Doolittle in the first half, then some of their latest album (which I’m really enjoying) towards the end.

music.apple.com/gb/playlist/...

Phil Hartnoll @ Bedford Esquires 16/05/25 by Alex Grant on Apple Music Playlist · 17 Songs

I pieced together as much of Phil Hartnoll’s set and made a playlist here. It’s Apple Music so sorry if you have Spotify.

music.apple.com/gb/playlist/...

Feeling very lucky to have had a great music week. I saw Phil Hartnoll of Orbital DJing in Bedford (in a small venue, and met him afterwards) then Pixies as one of 5,000 in Cardiff a few days later. Very different experiences, both amazing.

I don’t know that he actually wants to be. It’s much easier to be in opposition, flinging dirt at whoever is in power while making lofty promises and getting airtime, than it is to actually deliver on what you’re saying. He has power without having to deliver at the moment. A rare privilege.

Renault Austral E-Tech Iconic Esprit Alpine — Welsh Motoring Writers An efficient hybrid family SUV, the Austral feels like an unsung hero in a Renault line-up that’s getting plenty of attention, says Alex Grant. &nbsp;

Renault took the wraps off the updated Austral #hybrid SUV this week. I’ve driven the outgoing model and I reckon it’s worth a look.

motoring.wales/news/review-...

“Neither does my razor.”

😜

Cinq. #gtaonline

Bought myself another EV on GTA Online. On trend here I think.

Still the way I listen.