What does AION's new UT super mini bring to an increasingly crowded EV market? And what have Adam and Tim learned from ten episodes of Kickin' Tyres?

In the series one finale of Kickin' Tyres, Adam Gray and Tim Barnes-Clay do something they haven't done before — record together in person, live from the AION UT media launch in High Wycombe.

The AION UT is the brand's second model in the UK, a B-segment electric super mini that punches above its weight. With 268 miles of range, a 204PS motor, 0–62 in 7.3 seconds, a five-star Euro NCAP rating, and a price starting at £28,950, it takes aim squarely at the Renault 5 and BYD Dolphin. The pair walk around the car, discuss the cabin, the specs, the pricing, and the Great 8 promise — eight years of warranty, servicing, roadside assistance and MOT included as standard.

They also reflect honestly on series one — what's worked, what they'd do differently, and what's coming in series two, including guest interviews, more on-location recording, and potentially a sponsor.

Topics include:

• AION UT launch — specs, pricing and first impressions
• AION UT vs Renault 5 and BYD Dolphin
• Great 8 promise — eight years of warranty and support
• £28,950 starting price and PCP deal breakdown
• Influencers vs journalists — the debate continues
• Series one reflections — ten episodes in
• What's coming in series two — guests, locations and more
• The Car Buying Coach UK — Adam's world has changed
  

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What's it really like to travel halfway around the world for a car launch? And how do Chinese brands stack up against Japanese stalwarts when you put them side by side?

In Episode 9 of Kickin' Tyres, Adam Gray and Tim Barnes-Clay are back from China — tired, busy, and with plenty to say about the XPeng G9L preview, the Geely EX2, and what the trip revealed about where the automotive industry is heading.

Tim shares his impressions of the Geely EX2 — an affordable entry-level EV that surprised him — and the Geely EX5, while Adam reflects on his second trip to Guangzhou and what makes XPeng so much more than just a car company. The pair also dig into the Lexus ES UK launch, the Lexus UX300H, the Honda Prelude, the Nissan Juke, and the Suzuki Swift — and debate which makes more sense: a Chinese EV supermini or a tried-and-tested Japanese hybrid?

There's also talk of a potential Ford Fiesta ST comeback, the Peugeot E208 GTI launch in Scotland, and what to expect from series two of Kickin' Tyres.

Topics include:

• XPeng G9L preview — China debrief
• Geely EX2 — affordable entry-level EV impressions
• Geely EX5 — real-world test verdict
• Geely EX2 vs Suzuki Swift — which would you choose?
• Lexus ES UK launch — EV only in the UK
• Lexus UX300H — underrated compact luxury crossover
• Honda Prelude — a stylish alternative to the SUV crowd
• Nissan Juke — still making a strong case
• Ford Fiesta ST — is it making a comeback?
• Series two plans — guest interviews and what's changing

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Is the XPENG L03 the car that takes Chinese EVs mainstream in the UK? And what was it really like to be at a global world premiere with a thousand guests in Munich?

In Episode 8 of Kickin' Tyres, Adam Gray and Tim Barnes-Clay are fresh from the XPENG L03 global launch in Munich — and they've got plenty to say about the car, the event, and what it means for the EV market.

The L03 is XPENG's most important car yet. Designed under former Ferrari Exterior Design Chief JuanMa Lopez, it combines SUV practicality with a coupe silhouette, a drag coefficient of just 0.228, and a cabin packed with AI technology — including an upgraded voice assistant and Google Maps integration built directly into the XPENG interface. Available as a pure EV and a range extender capable of up to 1,000km, it starts from 35,000 euros in Europe.

The pair also reflect on the realities of a thousand-person global launch and what series one of Kickin' Tyres has taught them — with two episodes to go before they plan series two.

Topics include:

• XPeng L03 world premiere — design, tech and first impressions
• Former Ferrari design chief behind the L03's styling
• AI cockpit, Google Maps integration and voice assistant tech
• Range extender variant — up to 1,000km of range
• Munich launch — a thousand guests and a few glitches
• Chinese car brands — how quickly is the landscape changing?
• Series one reflections — what's worked and what's next
• Coming up — AION, Kia, LEPAS L8, Polestar 5, and Lexus ES
  

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