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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Is the XPeng G6 a genuine Tesla Model Y rival? And what's it really like to live with for a week?

In Episode 7 of Kickin' Tyres, Adam Gray and Tim Barnes-Clay catch up ahead of a busy few weeks — Tim's just back from a Jeep launch in Germany covering the Avenger and Compass, while Adam shares his real-world verdict on the XPeng G6 long range after a week on test.

Adam gives an honest assessment of the G6's strengths and weaknesses — a great looking EV with a well-built interior, but with a fiddly infotainment system, vague steering, and a ride quality that lets it down slightly. The pair also discuss the quirky oval steering wheel, boot space, real-world range, and how it stacks up against rivals including the Tesla Model Y, BYD Seal, Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5.

There's also talk of the upcoming XPeng L03 world premiere in Munich, the rise of Chinese car brands in Europe, Jeep's 85th anniversary, and whether either of them is bothered about missing the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Topics include:

• XPeng G6 long range — honest real-world review
• XPeng G6 vs Tesla Model Y and key rivals
• Jeep Avenger and Compass — Germany launch impressions
• Jeep's 85th anniversary and the new Avenger range
• XPeng L03 world premiere — Munich preview
• Chinese car brands vs legacy manufacturers
• BYD overtaking Tesla in global sales
• Goodwood Festival of Speed — are they missing out?
• What's coming — XPeng Munich, LEPAS L8, Kia launch
  

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