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Dec 09

MG3

By Motoring Matters Road Report

We both remember the hay days of MG, when it was an aspiration to buy one. Other proud owners included Elvis Presley, James Dean and King Charles when he was a young 21 year old bachelor prince. Then the MG Rover group collapsed as the UK’s last volume car in 2005. Now owned by the Chinese, it had a go at a comeback in 2007 with the original MG3. We were not impressed then and clearly neither was anyone else. The only thing it had going for it was the price. From 2021-2023, MG has seen a gigantic 64% rise in sales…… oh how the phoenix has risen from the ashes with its new models on offer. MG4 and MG5 are already award winners and we think their stablemate, the MG3 Hybrid is creeping up behind them and may very well overtake them in the trophy cabinet.

Main rivals for this little 5 door supermini are the Toyota Yaris and the Renault Clio, both good looking cars but the MG3 can hold its own in the style department. On the inside it is smart and spacious with plenty of storage, and good tech but we wouldn’t say it was plush, some of the materials are a bit plasticy but that is reflected in the price. We don’t often have back seat passengers but on this occasion we did and 6ft 1in John agreed that there was plenty of room for him and it was a comfortable ride.

Out on the road it grips the road well, the steering is light and it is quiet, apart from when driving at higher speeds. We set off for the Cairn O’ Mount in Aberdeenshire to one of Scotland’s highest peaks. At its highest the gradient is a massive 18.6% which was indeed a challenge for the MG3. With three slightly above average occupants, the car did seem to have a bit of a wobble and we were just a tad worried that we might not make it over the other side but fear not, it found its extra wind and the journey continued. MG3 comes in two trims, the SE which is packed full of kit and costs around £18,500 and the Trophy which costs £2000 more but you get LED headlights, heated front seats and steering wheel, and 360 degrees parking camera.

MG is soon to launch a fully petrol version and given their success with electric cars, and now a hybrid compromise, we did not see that coming! It will cost around £15,000, so will be a huge competitor to rivals such as Dacia. Watch this space…………………

Ally says – Because MG3 is a hybrid, it is perfect for those not quite ready to take the jump into a fully electric car and given the competitive price and great efficiency of 64.2 mpg, it is sure to be a winner.

Lorraine says – Other than the quiver at the top of one of Scotland’s highest mountains which was exceptional, I thoroughly enjoyed the drive and would definitely recommend a test drive.

Sep 10

Renault Scenic

By Motoring Matters Road Report

If looks are anything to go by alone, then the latest Renault Scenic has to be one of the best electric cars around.

Renault has never shied away from being just a little bit different style-wise; some were very successful—just think of the original Megane—and some were perhaps just a little too contemporary for their time. Even Harry, our regular delivery man who was admiring the latest arrival into our driveway, mentioned the iconic Avantime, which we think the new Scenic resembles just a little bit.

We were testing the car in the top-of-the-range Iconic trim, which comes with 20-inch Oracle diamond-cut alloy wheels and a huge panoramic sunroof that can be either see-through or opaque at the touch of a button. You can choose which part of the car has which, so cooler in the back for the kids and clear in the front for the adults—very clever.

Once inside the Scenic, the stylish design continues, but it doesn’t just offer good looks; the practicality is excellent. There are plenty of options for the driver’s seating positions, generous space in the front and rear, and lots of storage for all the bits and bobs that families travel with. The 12-inch touchscreen is angled to face the driver and is easy to operate for entertainment, information, etc. Meanwhile, in the back, the center armrest has swivel arms with slots to hold tablets, for example, so the kids can watch movies on longer journeys. Whatever happened to buying comics to read? If you are going on extended trips, then you will have no problem loading up the car boot; it is wide and deep and will easily take several suitcases, while the seats split too if you need extra flexibility.

The Scenic was given a 5-star Euro NCAP rating for its safety features, which include eCall automatic emergency assist and a smart rearview mirror, which is really a camera.

Out on the road, the Scenic drives beautifully smooth, as you would expect. It is not the fastest horse out of the stalls at 7.9 seconds for 0-62 mph but has more than enough oomph for the average family. It is very quiet in an almost tuneful way, which we both liked. The automatic gearbox with column change on the stalk of the steering wheel, while not unusual these days, is very practical too—reminiscent of an old Renault 16 when column change was unusual.

The all-important range is officially 379 miles, but we never really got to prove that. However, as with all electric cars, we suspect that under “normal” driving conditions, the figure would more likely be in the late 200s, which for most families would be quite sufficient.

The new Scenic starts at around £37,500; the top-of-the-range model we had on test starts at £45,495.

Ally says: “The Scenic is a beautiful-looking car that drives well and is competitively priced in an exceedingly competitive sector where strong rivals prowl.”

Lorraine says: “The new Scenic bears no resemblance to the one I bought in the late ’90s, which was then merely a posh van. Now it has evolved into a stunning family vehicle. The only gripe I had was I had difficulty fitting the driver’s seatbelt, as the gap was too tight between the seats.”

Sep 04

Suzuki Swift

By Motoring Matters Road Report

We have been fortunate enough to have driven the new Suzuki Swift on a couple of occasions recently, and neither of these times disappointed. The first time was a trip to Gloucestershire for the launch of the new Swift. Not content with showing off their latest model, we were also there to celebrate 40 years of the Swift. Oh, how it has changed! Our friends at Suzuki managed to source one model from each of the previous four generations of the Swift from loyal customers, some of whom are still driving their pride and joy to this day, as well as some from their heritage fleet.

At first glance, there may not seem to be any major changes to the exterior of the car, but why change something just for the sake of change? It does get a more rounded shape, however, with newly styled headlights, sculpted bumpers, a roof spoiler, and a distinct grille.

On the inside, the aim is to be driver-focused, with a large 9-inch screen and all central controls angled toward the driver. There is ample space for two adults in the front and two smaller people in the back, and the boot compares well with other superminis.

It has more tech than you can shake a stick at, much of it coming as standard, which will give it great credibility over its rivals.

There has been additional emphasis on safety too, including lane departure warning and prevention, weaver alert, and automatic emergency braking for peace of mind.

The engine in our test car was a 1.2-litre petrol engine combined with mild hybrid technology, which delivers great fuel economy (around 64 mpg), which is attractive. We drove on rural roads as well as motorways, and the little Swift held its own in both conditions. However, it was in the towns where it really became animated; precise braking, smooth gear changes, and accurate steering made it a joy to drive.

There is also a four-wheel-drive version available in the Swift lineup, so if you need that extra reassurance in the winter or live remotely, then give it some real consideration.

Wisely or otherwise, there are no fully electric models from Suzuki at this point in time, but we are told the engineers and designers have a work in progress to be announced in the not-too-distant future. We think that may just be a wise move: perfect the batteries, range, and pricing, and then more drivers may have more confidence in purchasing all-electric cars out of their own pocket.

Ally says: “If people are clever, they will recognize that the new Swift will fill that gap left by the demise of the Ford Fiesta. It is more than just a substitute; the Swift is a great wee car in its own right.”

Lorraine says: “Suzuki is also offering an incentive of 0% finance, so some great deals to be had on the new Swift, which is an added bonus to buying a very smart city car.”

Aug 28

Honda e:Ny1

By Motoring Matters Road Report

All we could think of when we heard about the latest Honda was Einstein’s E=MC²! Could the designers not have come up with a better alphabetical name or even something with a decent integer? It sounds like a preproduction project code, and maybe that was exactly it if the industry gossip is to be believed. An unremarkable name, however, does not necessarily make it an unremarkable car.

We both liked the little Honda e, which was a really quirky attempt at Honda’s first entry into the electric market. Who could forget the moving goldfish screen?

A couple of years on, with no little swimmers evident, we see the arrival of Honda’s second electric car. To give it its correct name, the e is a mid-sized SUV that has a good-sized battery and a comparable range with its competitive rivals, such as the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Kona, Skoda Enyaq 80, and Kia Niro EV. We have not driven the Tesla, as they do not provide us with test cars, so we cannot compare.

Honda styling has a mixed assembly: there is the fabulous Civic, but perhaps the less attractive CR-V and HR-V. However, to be fair, it depends on what you are looking for as far as SUVs are concerned. We really like the !!!***!!! (or whatever it is called); it looks good from the outside, and once inside, there is substantial space for all passengers, with decent boot space too. We loved the 15-inch portrait touchscreen, which housed all the necessary controls, which were very user-friendly. It was very comfortable, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Yes, folks, this is Scotland, and we needed both even in July! Add in adaptive LED headlights, a power tailgate, and we loved the sunroof, which did allow brightness on that odd occasion when the sun made an appearance.

There is plenty of equipment available; even the entry-level Elegance trim comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, privacy glass, a 10.25-inch digital driver display, adaptive LED headlights, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, keyless start, dual-zone air-con, and adaptive cruise control.

We both enjoyed the drive of the car, perhaps more than we thought we would; in fact, we both wished we could have had it just a little bit longer to really take it through its paces.

When it comes to the all-important charging, though, the e’s maximum charging rate is 78kW, so it can be charged from 10-80% in about 45 minutes, which is fine if you have a home charger, but it means you cannot take advantage of higher chargers on offer. However, it is on par with the Niro EV.

The range is officially 256 miles, which is really good. With heater/aircon/radio/wipers running on our day trip, we managed a decent 222 miles.

Prices start from £42,195.

Ally says: “Enjoyed our time in the e. Loved the drive, and who could even question Honda’s dependable reliability record?”

Lorraine says: “I really liked this car too. It is a bit pricey compared to some others in its class, but I have it on very good authority that there are excellent deals to be had.”

Aug 22

Arnold Clark is Official Partner of SCOTY Awards 2024

By News

The Association of Scottish Motoring Writers is thrilled to confirm that motoring giant Arnold Clark is the official partner of the Scottish Car of the Year Awards 2024.

The SCOTY Awards are the pinnacle of the motoring year in Scotland and beyond, and SCOTY rewards the best cars launched in the previous 12 months. For 2024, the awards will be proudly held in association with Arnold Clark at the Dalmahoy Hotel, Edinburgh on Thursday 28 November.

ASMW President Alisdair Suttie said: “We are delighted to host the Scottish Car of the Year Awards 2024 in association with Arnold Clark. It’s the big ticket motoring awards of the year, so who better to hold it with than the biggest name in Scottish motoring. With such a diverse range of cars, and ways to power them, 2024 is set to be a fantastic year for SCOTY.”

Eddie Hawthorne, Arnold Clark Chief Executive and Group Managing Director, said: “The Scottish Car of the Year Awards is one of the biggest nights in the calendar for the automotive industry and we’re very excited to be this year’s official partner.

“Events like this are great for the industry, but also really useful for customers, providing expert insight into the cars that they believe stand out from the crowd, meaning they can visit one of our branches armed with extra knowledge to help them find the right car.

“We can’t wait to see which cars will shine and earn the judges’ praise this year.”

The Scottish Car of the Year Awards started in 1998 and the Hyundai IONIQ 6 was named the 2023 winner.

Aug 20

A Day At The Edinburgh Fringe

By News

Now, it has to be admitted that it’s very rare for Lorraine and me to find ourselves both with a free Saturday and no plans. I’ve heard people mention this work/life balance thing—I never signed up for that, really, as I’m lucky enough to have always had a job that I enjoy. I mean, being on the radio for 40 years wasn’t work; it was fun!

I get asked a lot if I miss being on the radio, and the honest answer is yes—more so now when there is so much to talk about. Oh, how Scotland’s Talk In is missed.

Anyway, I digress. Back to Saturday off (both of us): no car to road test, no grass needing cut, but hey, the Fringe is on in Edinburgh, and I’ve never been (I’m a scheme boy from Buckhynd), so that’s it—let’s go.

We both agreed (unusual) that public transport would be the way to go. We like the train, BUT a few weeks ago, we attended the Scottish Open Golf and got stranded at Waverley when the trains were all cancelled six minutes before our departure time. When I say all trains, I mean all—London, Aberdeen, Glasgow. I felt so sorry for the 20 or so young girls who arrived at the station to board a train to Glasgow for a music festival. They were so disappointed… all dressed up and nowhere to go! So come on, John Swinney—you bought the train set with a pledge to sort out ScotRail; time to extract the finger.

So, we went by bus and joined in the crowds, experiencing the fantastic atmosphere in Scotland’s capital city. It was never really in our plans to take in shows, more to soak up the vibe and maybe a few gins. Plus, there were lots of street entertainers.

One pub we went into had a lady entertaining the drinkers, and to be honest, I don’t think she left her house that morning planning to be a street entertainer, but well done, Mary from Kirkcaldy (just don’t give up your day job).

We had a great day, so if you are thinking of visiting the Fringe… don’t think—do it!

On Sunday, we had another day off… to recover. 😀

Jul 24

Genesis Scottish Open 2024

By News

The day started with an early (ish) morning trip by train to Scotland’s capital but not sunniest city, that accolade is reserved for Dundee and although it is not always obvious, it can be proved by meteorologists. The LNER was busy but comfortable and breakfast was served before we got to Leuchars.  The bacon roll may not have been the finest but the staff were warm and friendly. On arrival into Waverley station, we were amazed at the queues of people waiting to board the London bound locomotive and we were glad that we had arrived at our destination.

On exiting the station, our room for the night was just a short walk across Princes Street to the new and iconic “W” hotel, also known as the Walnut Whip for obvious reasons.  The hotel foyer was busy with mostly American golf enthusiasts heading for the Genesis Scottish Open in North Berwick.  That was where we were heading too, courtesy of our friends at Team Genesis.  We confess to not being the most clued up when it comes to golf but during our forty minute chauffeur driven ride in a beautiful Genesis G80, we did have time to Google the movers and shakers of the golfing world.

On arrival at the course, we were escorted to the Genesis hospitality building which was our home for the day along with other members of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers. The large terraced looked over the 18th hole, perfect for a bird’s eye view later in the afternoon. Although the rain was teeming down, we decided to take a walk around the course to get a feel for it and soak up the atmosphere at this major tournament whilst building up an appetite ahead of lunch. We watched several competitors along the course, and admired the way they made the art of getting a small white ball into a small hole after hitting it from faraway look so easy.

Lunch was a clever fusion of a Korean and Scottish menu expertly prepared by a top Korean chef and our very own Tom Kitchen and their teams and the food was some of the best we have ever tasted.

We had a very enjoyable day and the icing on the cake was that the tournament winner was none other than top Scot Bob McIntyre.

Back at the W hotel, we obtained the key to our room and were keen to relax after a long day. Our room was contemporary and “quirky” and even included a large volcanic rock which housed the fridge. The toilet and shower were housed in separate stalls both with opaque doors which doesn’t suit everyone, however we did enjoy the complimentary cocktails though. As with many modern hotels, the lighting was quite dark but there were controls to change the settings from work/welcome/mood to all off.  The hotel has been designed with the future in mind and one bonus is there is need to put your key into a slot to get electricity, how many of us have lost loyalty cards doing this!

After breakfast, we took a tour of the top floor terraces where the views were simply stunning with a full 360 degree view across the bridges, Fife and beyond. Time to check out in the morning and after a short stop at a gentleman’s oufitters, we meandered around a bustling Edinburgh city centre before heading back to Waverley for our train home…… or so we thought! Due to strike action, many trains were cancelled but we were feeling a little smug as ours was displayed as “on time,” until 2 minutes before it was due to leave when it was indeed cancelled. Our son-in-law came to the rescue though and we got home safe and sound but just a little annoyed.

We greatly enjoyed our time with Genesis, maybe next time we will get to drive one……….

Jul 12

KGM Torres

By Motoring Matters Road Report

The two of us must admit to not having our fingers on the pulse, as when we were informed we were taking delivery of a KGM Torres for testing, we were both quite curious and perplexed.  Then the penny dropped when it arrived in the driveway, it was of course unmistakably a SsangYong who were recently rebranded as KGM, (which is definitely much easier to spell!) and it is now launching its first new car since in the UK with the Torres which is a mid- sized SUV.

On the outside, it has a modern design, a quite sleek, less boxy look than the brand’s traditional design whilst still looking rugged and capable with powerful lines and the wide radiator grille is still symbolic of the brand’s heritage. All quite eye-catching.

Once inside, there is lots of space with plenty head and legroom, and generous storage options. The back seats split 60/40 so you can fold them down for extra storage and the boot space is huge compared to others in its class.  The dashboard features a 12.3in infotainment touchscreen, and there’s another 12.3in driver display behind the steering wheel with Android Auto and Apple Carplay as standard. Build quality feels good even although most of the materials are hard plastic, designers have managed to make it look attractive and our test car had leather upholstery whereas the K30 has to make do with faux leather.

We had the 1.5 turbocharged petrol engine, official doing 0-60 mph in 10.8 seconds, (although it did feel a bit quicker), was more than sufficient for our motorway drives and leisurely trips out in the country, visibility is reasonably good, and the ride was comfortable. KGM says it will return 33.2mpg, but we didn’t achieve that, more like 30mpg, maybe we have heavy right feet! A hybrid version is due in 2025 which will be more fuel efficient and may be attractive to some and there is also an EV available now.

The Torres has lots of safety kit that comes as standard such as automatic emergency braking, lane- departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and rear parking sensors, the K40 that we had on test adds blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert and a system that stops you from opening your door into the path of other cars and a 360-degree camera.

In conclusion, the Torres looks good, drives well but as we always say, the SUV market is busy with lots of choice.  Main rivals for the Torres are likely to be the Hyundai Tucson and the Nissan X- Trail, both excellent cars so it will need to offer something a little bit extra to steal buyers away from these favourites, which could be its looks. Unfortunately, there is no 7-seater on offer.

0-62 in 10.8 seconds

Prices start from around £35,000

Ally says – I loved the space inside, it comes with great kit as standard and I really enjoyed driving the Torres.

Lorraine says – Unlike other South Korean manufacturers, the brand has always been a niche market on our shores, but I think the Torres will make bigger inroads in the near future.

Jul 10

Dacia Jogger

By Motoring Matters Road Report

We can’t help but feel sorry for large families who are looking for a vehicle big enough to cart around not only themselves but all their belongings too. Clearly choices on offer are more limited than for those of us with 2-4 children and for many couples with 4 or 5 children, budgets can be very tight which further limits their options. Then the Dacia Jogger 5 door MPV enters the arena. The Jogger is the cheapest seven-seater available in the UK today, costing about half the price of more premium brands and it comes with a choice of petrol or hybrid engine. The Dacia Jogger engine range starts with a turbocharged 109bhp 1.0-litre petrol, which we have been driving.

The exterior design is quite attractive and a notch up from the Ford Tourneo which is the second most affordable 7 seater around.  On the inside, the detailing has some tasteful cloth trim, with satin chrome accents on air vents, door handles and dials and there is even more space in the front than you would expect with loads of leg and headroom.  The second row seats are a wee bit restricted with legroom but plenty of headroom, whilst the third row occupants have plenty of wriggle room. Boot space is limited unless you remove the third row seats, which can be done easily but that is the case with all 7-seaters, or they can be split too to give more flexibility. Driver’s seat is adjustable and the high driving position feels great.

There are 3 trims on offer, the Essential, Expression and Extreme.

Essential trim includes Bluetooth, a USB slot and a dashboard cradle for your phone, but for infotainment on this version, you need to install an app on your device and connect it up.  It comes with keyless entry, cruise control, rear parking sensors, LED headlights, manual air-conditioning and basic infotainment.

The Expression trim level adds an 8.0in colour touchscreen system and includes Android Auto and Apple Carplay smartphone mirroring so you can use apps from your phone for calls, music and navigation, front and rear parking sensors, heated and electrically-adjusted wing mirrors and automatic windscreen wipers, blind-spot monitoring and a helpful reversing camera. On Extreme versions, you also get wireless Apple CarPlay and a built-in sat-nav system.

Essential and Expression trim have steel wheels, whilst Extreme has alloys. Electric seat adjustment isn’t an option, but you do get heated seats as standard with the top trim level.  Extreme adds 16in wheels and a copper exterior and interior trim package, heated front seats, and second row seat-mounted trays.

Out on the road, the drive may not be the smoothest in the world but perfectly acceptable for a car of this price. It grips the road well and the steering is light but positive. It is a bit slow on the uptake, doing 0-62 in 11.2 seconds but trots along nicely once cruising. There is a bit more road noise than we would like whilst moving through the gears but it does calm down. Good visibility from the large windows is a bonus when reversing.

Safety is the one area that is less favourable according to Eura NCap stars, but to be fair every Jogger is fitted with tyre-pressure monitoring, six airbags, hill-start assist, Isofix child-seat mounts for the outer two places in the second row, and e-Call emergency assistance. Automatic emergency braking is included too, but it doesn’t recognise pedestrians.

MPG – from around 41-48mpg depending on which model you choose

Price from around £18,000

Ally says – The Jogger is clever, a genuine spacious 7 seater, with lots of equipment at an affordable price.

Lorraine says- I am so old, I remember the pre seat belt days when family holidays consisted of 4 adults, 4 kids and a dog plus luggage in a Morris Minor Traveller. How times have changes, wish there had been a Jogger around then!

May 29

DJ Ally Bally looks back at the glory years of Radio Tay – and tells us why it won hearts, minds and awards

By News

“This is the real Radio Tay.”

These were the first words from Gerry Quinn when Radio Tay launched in Dundee in October 1980 to bring local voices to the airwaves.

The first record he played was The Road and the Miles to Dundee by Andy Stewart.

The studio was constructed in the former TC Keay factory in North Isla Street.

The presenters at its inception included Graham Stuart, Tony Donald, Norma Gamble, Kenny Page and Dick Donnelly, who was the voice of football.

Radio Tay was the third commercial radio station in Scotland.

Presenters from the station became household names, including Mark Goodier who took over the Breakfast Beat from Gerry Quinn in January 1981.

None was more recognisable than a certain Arthur Ballingall from Buckhaven.

Ally Bally’s broadcasting career started in hospital radio in Kirkcaldy and he was a part-time weekend presenter when Radio Tay went on air.

Ally Bally became the biggest name on air

He joined the station full-time as a sales executive in May 1981 after giving up his job with B&Q to pursue a career behind the microphone.

Ally told me: “I had a good job as regional manager for B&Q, a nice house in Leven and a good salary when I jumped ship in May 1981.

“I was paid £12,000 a year and had a company car.

“I went to Radio Tay for £4,000 a year.

“The first thing I did was go out and paint a for-sale sign and stuck it in the garden and bought a cheap house in Forfar and started all over again.

“It was the unknown that was tremendously exciting.

“Commercial radio had arrived in Dundee and I wanted to be part of it.

“I would always have wondered what might have been if I didn’t move on.”

Ally stepped in for Mark Goodier when the Breakfast Show host went on holiday.

Goodier eventually left his breakfast slot in August 1981.

 

Ally landed the show.

The rest is history.

He decided to make it more family-orientated, which doubled listening figures in six months and then trebled them.

He got the kids listening to the show before school with competitions and games.

KT Tunstall was among Ally’s listeners

It was fun and joyous with Ally at breakfast.

Everyone listened.

Just ask KT Tunstall.

Ally attended the Ritz Club in London in 2009 where Dame Shirley Bassey launched a new album that included a track written by the Fife singer.

“Dame Shirley asked me what my favourite song on the album was,” said Ally.

“I picked Nice Men, which was written by KT Tunstall.

“Dame Shirley said she loved that one too but had never met KT.

“I introduced them and Dame Shirley asked her: ‘So you know each other?’

“KT smiled and told her she used to listen to my breakfast show every morning on the school bus from St Andrews to Dundee High School.

“I just thought, oh well, it worked!”

The snow would help boost listening figures

The success was reward for hard work engaging the local community.

For 13 years Ally helmed Radio Tay’s breakfast show, which became the place where parents would find out if a school was closed during bad weather.

“Councils would rely on us to get the message across to parents,” said Ally.

“I used to do a snow dance because I knew the audience figures would be sky-high!

“We were also the only radio station with a direct link to police headquarters.

“They pressed a button and spoke to the presenter when anything happened.

The Tay Talk In on Sunday drew more listeners than every radio station in Scotland combined and we got the show going national.” Ally Bally

“We could warn motorists to avoid the area.”

It was all about engagement.

Tay Action helped organise a club for the deaf, a clean-up of Broughty Ferry beach and a number of other projects for the elderly and for young people.

Caring for Kids raised thousands for disadvantaged children and young people.

The Radio Tay Roadshow was a huge success.

Ally took the show out of the studio, which had never been done before.

In July 1988 he also branched into the nightclub business by running Bally’s in Arbroath, which attracted A-list stars such as Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan.

Ally won the Sony Award for the UK’s best local radio presenter.

Tay Talk In was one of the biggest successes

Later in his career, Ally presented the mid-morning show and hosted the Tay Talk In.

“The Tay Talk In is the one show that most people ask me about,” said Ally.

“Some of the subjects we discussed were amazing and I never knew what they wanted to speak about when they came through.

“One Sunday a woman came on.

“She said she wanted to speak about drug dealers killing her daughter.

“I asked when did it happen – last night, she replied.

“That someone could come on and trust me to tell their story was very powerful.

“There were lots of calls like that.

“The Tay Talk In on Sunday drew more listeners than every radio station in Scotland combined and we got the show going national.

“First ministers were lining up to come on and face the public.”

Ally said the success of Radio Tay was a team effort.

Many careers have been launched from the studio in North Isla Street, including Eddie Mair, James Cook, Martha Fairlie and Saul Sievwright.

When the Spice Girls arrived at Radio Tay

A-list celebrities were always happy to appear on the airwaves, like Dolly Parton, Cliff Richard, Doris Day, Rod Stewart and the Spice Girls.

Posh, Scary, Baby, Ginger and Sporty Spice were interviewed in the studio by John Darroch to promote their debut single – before they were famous.

John went on holiday and when he drove back from the airport the Spice Girls were at No 1 with Wannabe and already at the cusp of mega-stardom.

Radio Tay became part of Bauer Media Group.

Nothing lasts forever.

Ally left the station in 2020.

More programmes started being broadcast from the central belt, before Tay FM and Tay 2 joined the Greatest Hits Radio network.

The Radio Tay building has since closed and been put up for sale.

“I’ve always been an advocate of local radio,” said Ally.

“Local radio works.

“That’s what we have lost in Dundee.

“It’s so sad and I think the area has lost something.

“Hopefully some day it will come back again.

“But maybe that’s progress?”

End of an era when Radio Tay left Dundee

Ally said the people he worked with during the years were brilliant with special mention for the late Kenny Page, whose talent he described as “unbelievable”.

“The station won a lot of awards and it’s a shame that’s been lost,” he said.

“It was a very successful station because it was local.

“We did so much with the community.

“Caring for Kids gave everyone a great sense of achievement.

“We did everything and anything to get people to pledge.

“We took a car across the Tay from Perth to Broughty Ferry to raise money and were plugging the holes with our wet socks while broadcasting.

“Every day was different.

“How do I remember my time there?

“It was just fun.”

 

Source: Graeme Strachan – The Courier

May 23

Scottish Car of The Year 2023

By News

Sponsored in collaboration with Macklin Motors, the annual Scottish Car of the Year Awards was held at the Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club, nestled on the outskirts of Edinburgh.

The evening was filled with excitement and anticipation as we gathered together to celebrate automotive excellence.

The Scottish Car of The Year 2023, held on the esteemed St Andrews Day, unfolded in grandeur. The evening began with a performance from the Stockbridge Pipe Band, invoking the spirit of Scottish tradition. Followed by a speech from Association president, Al Suttie, setting the tone for an evening dedicated to automotive excellence.

Attendees enjoyed a dinner that showcased the flavours of Scotland including a sampling of Haggis. ASMW member Ken Fletcher presented the dish complemented by the enchanting tunes of a piper. Given the auspicious date of the awards on the 30th of November, we made sure to celebrate St Andrews Day in style with the presence of King Robert the Bruce, who bestowed honours upon the guests.

Celebrating the annual SCOTY awards, the ASMW reflects on a remarkable journey marked by a great variety of winners over the years. The association takes great pride in the Scottish Car of the Year Awards, and manufacturers tell us how delighted they are to win a category let alone the main accolade.

The main event unfolded with a total of 17 categories, among which 7 were dedicated to special awards as a further 10 categories progressed to the overall winner vote. This year’s awards saw incredibly close competition, in some categories just a single point determined the winner and the runner-up.

The evening blended tradition, culture, and recognition of outstanding automobiles, creating a memorable milestone in the history of the awards.

Category Winners

Best Small Car: Dacia Duster

Small cars continue to be big news and this segment is larger than ever with a growing number of SUVs entering the scene. The ASMW’s top choice for 2023 is a new version of a previous SCOTY favourite. It’s a car which delivers huge improvements in quality, refinement and style yet retains outstanding value as a core attribute.

Best Family SUV: Renault Austral E-Tech

Family SUVS are undoubtedly where the action is right now and 2023 has seen the segment offer an array of talented machines. The car taking the segment honours this year though wowed the judges with its bold design, attention to detail, lively yet frugal powertrain and overall flair.

Best Family Car: Suzuki Swace

There’s something about the 2023 Family Car of the Year which struck a chord among all the judges. A subtle makeover and a little more power has made all the difference and we love the way this well-packaged and solidly-built family holdall goes about its business quietly and efficiency.

Best Executive/Premium; Lexus RX450h

Quality and reliability is absolutely key to a premium ownership experience and one manufacturer has been delivering this consistently for more than four decades. On top of this, the 2023 Executive Car of the Year boasts an exquisite cabin and a decent turn of speed without hurting at the pumps.

Best Large SUV: Mazda CX-60 Diesel

The winner of this category comes from a manufacturer which has always refused to follow the herd. Think sports saloon dynamics with a huge yet cossetting cabin, 40+mpg economy and a glorious six-cylinder soundtrack. It had to be the Mazda.

Best Performance Car: KIA EV6 GT

2023’s Performance Car favourites this year came in all shapes, sizes and powertrains However our victor is a 577bhp tyre-shredding all-wheel-drive rocketship which delivers lightning-like acceleration, a 162mph headline top speed and shifts its maker straight into the premier league.

Best Utility/4×4: Ford Ranger

Scotland has always been a strong market for tough and capable Utility and 4×4 vehicles. The 2023 shortlist witnessed three of the best battle it out for top honours. Ultimately, one all-new 4×4’s combination of model choice, pricing and mix of on and off-road prowess enabled it to edge ahead of the rest.

Best Small/Mid-size EV: Hyundai Kona Electric

The star of this category is a model which really does everything right and is nicely integrated into its maker’s line-up among a range of petrol and hybrid alternatives. Our champion looks good, has a fabulous interior and offers a choice of trim levels and battery capacities.

Best Hybrid: Suzuki Swace

Bridging the gap between petrol and full-on electrification, there were more hybrid vehicles than ever on the 2023 voting sheet. And it’s impossible not be impressed by our top choice due to the improvements in power delivery, low emission, exceptional real-world economy and high quality but fuss-free cabin environment.

Best Large EV: Hyundai IONIQ 6

In the large EV category, things start to get ultra-competitive. Succeeding here means being top of the charts in a number of areas – design, technology and range just for starters. This year’s winner has it all by the bucketload and triumphed to glory over is peers by a magnificent margin.

Best Used Car Under £15,0000: Mazda MX-5

A limited budget doesn’t have to mean limited fun, as our category winner proves. With four generations to choose from, there’s a version to suit every budget and with its legendary status as one of the most fun cars of the last 35 years, nothing offers more bang for your buck.

Best Used Car Over £15,000: BMW 520d

Our winner in the £15,000 and above used car category is the definition of a great all-rounder. Its effortless blend of a luxurious, spacious and high-tech interior, impressive driver involvement and wallet-friendly economy come together in a complete package that’s hard to beat.

Best Motability Car: MG HS-11

The Motability Scheme is a hassle-free means of leasing a new car and there are a wealth of great vehicles to choose from. Our 2023 winner stands out from the crowd thanks to its affordability, easy access, practicality and unrivalled level of standard equipment.

Overall Winner: Hyundai IONIQ 6

The overall winner Scottish Car of the Year was a clear front-runner in its category.

It’s a car that captivated our members when it was on the ASMW rota. They praised its handsome look; its well laid-out, elegant and technology-packed interior; and its excellent practicality. In addition, it has top notch ride quality and refinement, and an ability to cover long distances without any range anxiety.

ASMW President Al Suttie said “We have never known a year so closely fought for category winners and the overall title. For the IONIQ 6 to emerge as a clear winner is testament to how good it is as a car for families to embrace EV driving.”

Congratulations to Hyundai for this outstanding achievement! Here’s to another incredible year of celebrating automotive excellence, we want to say a massive thank you to all participants and enthusiasts who made this event unforgettable. Plus, a special mention to Macklin Motors for sponsoring the evening.

STOP PRESS! A date for your diary, SCOTY 2024 will be held on 28th November. More details to follow.

May 16

Isuzu D-Max Pick Up Truck

By Motoring Matters Road Report

It’s been a pleasure getting re- acquainted with the Isuzu D-Max pick- up truck particularly as it arrived just in time for the bout of stormy weather we have had recently.

It was to be a busy week with meetings all across Scotland, then came the warnings from the weather forecasters about the storms which now all seem to have to have a name!  Babet, Isha, and no doubt soon Jimmy, Tam and Hugo.

We had strong winds, heavy rain, sleet and snow but driving in this up-dated pick -up truck was a breeze.

2024 was a record- breaking year in the UK for Isuzu (45% up on the previous year) with the D-Max pick up truck the only model it sells in the UK.

The model we had on test was the V-Cross which has gone through an update with the aim being to capture a larger slice of the lifestyle market.

Only one engine is on offer across the range, the 1.9 -litre turbodiesel which delivers 162bhp and 360Nm of torque. We really enjoyed the auto box but you can go for a six speed manual which would see you making a reasonable saving. We did a fair bit of in city driving and found the speed-sensitive  steering made the D-Max `a dream to manoeuvre into many tight parking spots.

The exterior has an improved front grille and smarter alloys whilst the interior has an eight-way adjustable drivers seat, a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, heated front seats, Apple CarPlay and a nine-inch multifunction colour touchscreen.

The modifications on the D-Max result in the wheelbase being longer which gives you more space in the cabin, the rear doors are larger giving easier access.

We both enjoy driving pick -ups and the Isuzu D-Max certainly gets the thumbs up from us.

Price: £44,323

Insurance Group: 40

Warranty: Five Years /125,000 miles

MPG: 30.7mpg

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