November 5, 2026
The new Renault Twingo is set to be built alongside the Clio at the Revoz plant in Novo Mesto, Slovenia. That is according to the Slovenian Press Agency, which today reported that the nation’s government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Renault to build 150,000 new Twingos per year at the plant, starting in
READ MORE
The cost of charging an electric car at the kerbside fell by 12% during June, according to a new report by the AA. It found that the average peak rate for using a slow charge point (up to 8kW) – typically found in residential areas – fell from 67p per kWh in May to 59p
READ MORE
Former Ferrari Formula 1 team boss Mattia Binotto will head up Audi’s F1 project ahead of the team’s inaugural entry in 2026 with Sauber. Sacked by Ferrari at the end of the 2022 campaign after several lukewarm seasons, Binotto – who joined the Scuderia in 1995 – takes over from Andreas Seidl, who was removed after
READ MORE
Matt is Autocar’s lead features writer and presenter, is the main face of Autocar’s YouTube channel, presents the My Week In Cars podcast and has written his weekly column, Tester’s Notes, since 2013. Matt is an automotive engineer who has been writing and talking about cars since 1997. He joined Autocar in 2005 as deputy
READ MORE
Cadillac has revealed a drop-top version of the Celestiq, its hand-built rival to the Rolls-Royce Spectre. Named the Sollei – ‘sun’ and ‘leisure’ – the new concept harks back to the Eldorado from the 1950s. It has been built as a demonstration of the company’s new personalisation capabilities as it looks to challenge premium and
READ MORE
When it comes to picking an all-electric car, you probably have a pretty discerning list of must-haves. Great electric range, rapid charging and impressive day-to-day practicality almost certainly top the list. But on top of that, don’t we all want an electric car that’s fun to own and to drive – with a decent dose
READ MORE
Recently, I drove the Dacia Spring, a small electric car with a 140-mile range when new (and warm and not on a motorway). Also last week, my munchkins climbed into a 16-year-old small car and drove 140 miles to camp at a wet music festival. When they had to stop to refuel (once, on their way
READ MORE
4. Toyota Corolla 9 Our choice: Toyota Corolla 2.0 VVT-i Design Hybrid Following a very similar template to the Honda Civic, the Toyota Corolla is a family hatch that combines decent driving dynamics with level-headed practicality and refreshingly affordable running costs. Like all of Toyota’s latest generation of cars, the Corolla is based on the brand’s
READ MORE
Traction control is included as a concession to drivability – ”a sort of safety measure” – but “this is a little bit more brutal,” Lanzante says. Although the three Championship cars were not originally in the plan, Lanzante is firm in his commitment to building just 14 TAG Turbos in total. He is of course limited by
READ MORE
Inserting 35mm in the Sorento’s wheelbase liberated yet more passenger space, and any concerns we had about head room in the outgoing model have been dispelled. Width is also unusually generous and such is the expanse between the driver and front-row passenger that the car feels distinctly American. Large families will warm to the seven-seat
READ MORE
1. Hyundai i10 8 For some manufacturers, a city car should be a cheap machine, engineered down to a very low price. However, with the Hyundai i10 you get the sense that the brand has applied the same high standards as they would to a Santa Fe, just on a smaller scale. As a result,
READ MORE
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has been revised in a bid to keep it on the pace against rival electric SUVs, with its range boosted and its entry price cut to below £40,000. The 58kWh and 73kWh battery packs previously offered have been replaced with 63kWh and 84kWh units, respectively. The smaller pack officially provides 273 miles of
READ MORE
Average discounts for new electric cars in the UK now exceed those for petrol cars – a watershed moment in the new car market’s race to hit a mandated 22% of sales as electric cars in 2024. The recent half-year registrations data from the SMMT revealed a market share of 16.6% for electric cars so far in
READ MORE
And I’m already a huge fan of the electric side. The power it brings, the lag it eliminates and so on are for later reports, but right now, as I get to know the car, I treat it like a civility mode. It allows me to creep away from the house at appalling hours in
READ MORE
2. Porsche 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman 9 Even with its downsized four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, and even as we near its replacement by an all-electric Boxster and Cayman in 2025, the Porsche 718 remains by some distance the most complete mid-engined sports car on sale. Misgivings about the way the car’s crank is now
READ MORE
A plug-in hybrid powertrain with an electric-only range of 62 miles will follow next year. Autocar understands the PPC can also support range-extender EV powertrains, but Audi doesn’t have plans to offer one in the A5. The new platform also means the saloon has grown significantly, becoming 67mm longer (at 4.83m) and 13mm wider (at
READ MORE
At 4784mm long, 1938mm wide and 1622mm tall, the new electric Macan is 103mm longer, 15mm wider and a scant 2mm lower than the existing petrol model. The wheelbase is also 86mm longer, at 2893mm. The interior matches that of the current Cayenne in terms of style and layout. It features up to three digital
READ MORE
JLR will axe all Jaguar models apart from the F-Pace ahead of the marque’s reinvention as an EV-only luxury brand. That means the E-Pace and electric I-Pace, both assembled by Magna Steyr in Austria, will now be withdrawn, following on from the Castle Bromwich-made XE, XF and F-Type, which were pulled from production in June. “They’re
READ MORE
7. Volkswagen Golf R 8 Volkswagen’s highly regarded super-Golf, the four-wheel-drive Golf R, has taken a big step forward in this latest form. Unlike 20 years ago, when the V6-engined R32 vied with the Alfa Romeo 147 GTA to be the very hottest of hot hatchbacks that could be bought with a full factory warranty,
READ MORE
Asked what position it will take in the market, Taylor told Autocar: “These are premium offerings, and when we designed the car, we thought of it as a BMW 5 Series competitor.” The top-end versions of the EH7 and EHS7 share a dual-motor powertrain that offers 610bhp and 558lb ft of torque. This gives the saloon
READ MORE
Onward we sped, and it was a breeze. The car was quiet and quick. It stayed in line (which didn’t please my driver, who’s used to oversteer he can provoke with a big lever to a powerful hydraulic handbrake). We also avoided two wheels, another Paul Swift speciality. In fact, the car felt planted, docile
READ MORE
With somewhat unfortunate timing from our point of view, the Fisker Ocean nipped into Autocar’s 100 Best New Cars list in April, just as its maker ran into terminal financial trouble. A few weeks on, nice though the Ocean is, it wouldn’t make it into our most-recommended cars list any more. Due apologies to anyone
READ MORE
Fire up the S/T and you’re treated to one of the most unmistakable sounds in the world of road cars. It’s the nasal, faintly metallic gargle of Porsche’s atmospheric flat six overlaid with the uneven, snare-drum rasp of a single- mass flywheel. It’s an intensely mechanical sound at mesmerising odds with that sport-luxe cabin. From then
READ MORE
The UK hasn’t had its own official motor show for many years, but in its place the Goodwood Festival of Speed has emerged as the industry’s premier meeting place. While Goodwood is at its core a live event for the paying public rooted in motorsport, the support of car manufacturers and their seizing of the
READ MORE
The first bespoke production car to come from former Jaguar designer Ian Callum’s new eponymous outfit, the Skye is an electric Ariel Nomad rival with 247bhp. It’s said to prioritise engagement, promising both a cosseting ride and good steering feel. The Skye was shown in the Electric Avenue area. Everything we know about the Callum
READ MORE
Mercedes-Benz’s AMG performance car division has boosted its second-generation GT coupé with the new track-focused GT 63 Pro 4Matic+ variant. Unveiled at last week’s Goodwood Festival of Speed ahead of a start to UK sales later this year, the four-wheel-drive coupé receives a 603bhp version of AMG’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine, giving it 27bhp more than
READ MORE
#5 New seats with stylish contrast stitching The new Audi e-tron GT’s seats have been redesigned with a new funnel aperture design that is more dynamic, featuring an integrated inlay with an illuminated logo, and the Audi S e-tron GT now includes sports seats plus with 14-way adjustment as standard – available in a leather-free
READ MORE
JLR has marked Discovery’s 35th anniversary with an £79,990 special edition model, as well as introducing its most powerful engine to date to the range. The 35th Edition, which tops the range, will be sold in very limited numbers, JLR says, to celebrate the moniker that began with the Discovery Series 1 in 1989. The
READ MORE
Beyond its sloping roofline, though, the Capri is further differentiated from the Explorer by a bespoke front end, with distinctive LED headlights that nod to the Mk3 Capri and a wraparound contrasting ‘grille’, with a similar treatment for the rear lending an element of retro appeal. Thomas Morel, who led the exterior design of the Capri,
READ MORE
The new design increases total chassis stiffness by 60%, but even though the Nomad 2 is a shade longer than the original car, its kerb weight rises by only “a few percent”. Official figures will be issued before the first customer car leaves Crewkerne “this side of Christmas”, but preliminary data puts the new model
READ MORE
The warmed-up Veloce was revealed a few months ago with an adequate-sounding 237bhp and is now officially rated at an appreciably meatier 278bhp – identical, coincidentally, to the Veloce versions of the Giulia, Stelvio and Tonale. The floor covers a familiar 54kWh battery (net) – with enough juice for a pretty poor 208 miles of
READ MORE
Lexus has slashed thousands of pounds from the prices of most of its line-up. The Japanese brand, which serves as Toyota’s luxury arm, has most notably cut the price of its entry-level electric model, the UX 300e, by up to £7100. The range now starts at £40,795. Its EV stablemate the RZ 450e has been cut to £57,895 for
READ MORE
Some of the cheapest EVs can crack 200 miles now – but the best can do double that Early electric cars couldn’t go all that far on a single charge, and the options for topping up their batteries were often limited to draping a three-pin plug out of a kitchen window. But thanks to a decade and
READ MORE
Caterham and the Royal Air Force have partnered to build a Seven 360R with components from a retired military helicopter, in order to raise money for charitable causes. The joint project is intended to raise money for injured servicemen and women when it’s auctioned off through Collecting Cars. The car is expected to fetch more than
READ MORE
And, as regular Autocar readers will know, those engineers have nailed it: the M2 scored four and a half stars in our road test and has topped a group test of old-school, real-driven, manual-shift sports cars. It’s good, then. So my mission here is to find out what it’s like to live with over an
READ MORE
Calder believes there is no other car like the Grenadier available and the firm has found a niche, creating “a quality vehicle that people really respect” and one that’s far more sophisticated than a Defender ever was. After a year of largely selling cars to converted 4×4 enthusiasts, Ineos is now tapping into more of
READ MORE
What an ingenious idea it was to call an airport car park ‘business parking’, as they do at Heathrow. It’s nearer the terminal than the regular long-stay parking and has small but more frequent shuttles, so it’s more convenient and therefore more expensive. Yet hundreds of thousands of people flying for work each year will
READ MORE
Cars competing in this year’s Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup series will run on fuel that Porsche describes as “near carbon-neutral”. The fuel is produced at the Haru Oni plant in Chile and created by synthesising renewable hydrogen made from electrolysis using wind-generated electricity. The CO2 also used to make the e-fuel comes from bio sources,
READ MORE
BMW is priming a futuristic two-seat coupé in the vein of the famed i8, which may arrive as part of its incoming Neue Klasse electric car line-up. A new prototype has been spotted testing near the firm’s R&D base in Bavaria. Although heavily camouflaged, it clearly wears several key design cues from the Neue Klasse and
READ MORE
A great many buyers will look to the interior of the ID Buzz for a return on the car’s high showroom price by way of space and versatility. And in some respects, they’ll find both, but VW certainly hasn’t thrown very many added-practicality features in here as standard. In five-seater form, the Buzz comes
READ MORE
Close The Volkswagen Group sold more cars in Poland in just five months this year than Rivian sold globally throughout the whole of 2023. The American EV start-up lost the equivalent of £1.16 billion in the first quarter, while the German giant made a profit of £3.9bn. Rivian’s stumbles to create a credible car company have
READ MORE
Mini will showcase the EV future of its John Cooper Works programme at next week’s Goodwood Festival of Speed with the new Mini Cooper JCW E. A camouflaged version of the electric hot hatch will run up Goodwood’s famed hillclimb. The JCW E is said to feature an “advanced electric powertrain”, suggesting it will pack
READ MORE
Ineos has delayed the launch of its new Fusilier 4×4 until further notice, citing weak demand for electric vehicles and uncertainty around governmental EV policies. The second model from the 4×4 company of chemical magnate Sir Jim Ratcliffe was due to enter production in 2027, but its launch has now been pushed back indefinitely as
READ MORE
All Octa models feature a contrasting gloss black roof and tailgate. Inside, it gets new performance seats with a 3D-knit texture, an integrated headrest and a seamless finish, something that will be made available in other JLR vehicles soon. The Octa also features the top-rung 11.4in infotainment screen, a centre console fridge and Burnt Sienna
READ MORE
Departure from convention eventually became the convention in the medium-size MPV design textbook, but that was in no small part thanks to the popularity of the quirky original Xsara Picasso, a car to whose interior this Citroen C4 Picasso pays homage. But this was not all that Citroën had in mind, and you can tell because the
READ MORE
The average weight of a new car has increased by nearly 400kg over the past seven years, according to Autocar data. Analysis of weight figures from Autocar road tests shows that between 2016 and 2023 – approximately one model cycle – the mean average kerb weight of new cars rose from 1553kg to 1947kg. The increase
READ MORE
MG has given its HS a “sophisticated” overhaul, with more interior space and a class-leading electric-only range from its plug-in hybrid powertrain, in a bid to boost sales of its UK best-seller. To be revealed at next week’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, the new SUV is based on the Chinese-market Roewe RX5, according to an MG insider. It
READ MORE
In fact, it’s about the same size as the Ford Explorer. It sits on the same MEB platform too. Overall, it’s about 160mm shorter than the Skoda Enyaq. The reduction comes from reduced overhangs, because the Elroq’s wheelbase is very similar to its bigger sibling’s. The design, however, is not. It’s a new, overarching theme
READ MORE
“Our Nyobolt EV demonstrates the efficiency gains facilitated by our fast-charging, longer-life battery technology, enabling capacity to be right-sized while still delivering the required performance.” The firm has worked with Warwick-based design agency Callum – creator of the small and light Skye EV sports car – to engineer the prototype for low-volume production. It says
READ MORE
Instead, the T-shaped battery and three motors of the Folgore take up the same space as the engine, driveline and fuel tank do in the four-wheel-drive Trofeo. It’s a similar set-up to the original Mini Electric, even if the battery is rather bigger: 83kWh of usable capacity. Then again, in this big, heavy car, that’s
READ MORE
VW’s design boss relishes the challenge of refreshing the brand. We learn what goes into his ‘secret sauce’ In June 1993, Autocar asked a group of students at Coventry University’s School of Transport Design to imagine a modern reinterpretation of the Caterham Seven. Exactly 31 years later, one of the students featured – a German,
READ MORE
Suzuki will axe the Ignis, Jimny LCV, Swace and Swift Sport in the UK in the coming months as the brand gears up to launch its first electric car. It has attributed the decision to the UK’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which forces manufacturers to sell an increasing proportion of EVs over the next decade. That starts at 22%
READ MORE
The UK importer for Chinese EV brand Skywell, Innovation Automotive, has announced that it will launch a striking luxury saloon after the BE11 compact crossover. The Skyhome is a four-seater that majors on in-car entertainment and advanced technologies, with a design inspired by Chinese architecture. Its front lighting, for example, references the upswept roof on a Chinese
READ MORE
The impact – and often then despair – surprise regulatory announcements have on those running car companies was laid bare earlier this month by Ford Model E COO Marin Gjaja. While he was in the air from Dearborn to Slovenia for the launch of the new Ford Explorer, the European Commission had announced plans to impose tariffs
READ MORE
Episode 94 of the Autocar podcast My Week In Cars finds our resident car hacks Matt Prior and Steve Cropley celebrating the 2024 Autocar Awards, with winners as diverse as Martin Brundle, the Renault Clio and the Catesby Tunnel; plus they discuss Fisker, access to Tesla’s supercharger network, a century-old Autocar Handbook, and much more besides, including your
READ MORE
The Inster also gets Hyundai’s full suite of driver assistance technologies, including a 360deg parking camera and adaptive cruise control. Additionally, it receives the brand’s novel blindspot monitoring system, which projects a camera image of your rear quarter view onto the instrument panel as you indicate. Deliveries of the Inster will start by spring next year and
READ MORE
Ford has released the first teaser image of its upcoming electric coupé SUV, strongly tipped to revive the Capri name, as part of a new guerilla marketing campaign. An advert placed in several print publications for a business called ‘Comeback Cars’ calls for readers to text the phrase’ ‘COMEBACK’ to the business via Whatsapp. That
READ MORE
Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo has been given Autocar’s most prestigious award, the Issigonis Trophy, in recognition of his efforts in the astounding turnaround of the firm’s fortunes. The trophy, named after Mini inventor Sir Alec Issigonis, is awarded to individuals who have made a historically significant contribution to one of the world’s largest
READ MORE
Dutch coachbuilding outfit Heritage Customs has revealed a luxurious pick-up version of the Land Rover Defender 130. The firm, founded by well-known designer Niels van Roij, is looking to build on the “success” of its recently revealed Defender 90 convertible with its latest exclusive creation. It is priced from the equivalent of £131,000 before taxes (so
READ MORE
The Audi RS Q8 has received a new range-topping Performance variant, which becomes the brand’s most powerful ICE car yet, with 631bhp from a snarling twin-turbocharged petrol V8. The 39bhp boost over the standard 592bhp RS Q8 means the new super-SUV narrowly outpunches the 621bhp Audi RS6 Avant Performance estate and is only 10bhp shy of the
READ MORE
Italian restomod builder Kimera has released the first images of a dramatic new racer called the K39, which it claims to be the first ‘hyper retromod’ in existence. Inspired by the Group 5 Lancia Beta Montecarlo, the K39 is said to embody that car’s ‘silhouette’ construction, with bodywork that is styled to look like a
READ MORE
Ferrari has made a significant step towards the launch of its first EV next year with the opening of the new E-building production facility at its factory in Maranello. The new 42,500sqm facility, which was opened in a ceremony attended by Italian president Sergio Mattarella, is designed to maximise “production flexibility” for the Italian supercar firm. It will
READ MORE
Coppen reckons the average age of his Volvos is 12 years, but I’ve seen many around the place that are much older. He removes their lights, door mirrors, radios and parcel shelves for storage and resale. “They’re my biggest sellers,” he says. “If I left them on the cars, they’d be stolen.” He stocks rows upon rows
READ MORE
Is the Tesla Model Y an SUV? If you were, say, an activist against urban-dwelling 4x4s, would you be inclined to put a narky sticker on the windscreen of one or pop a lentil into one of its tyre valves so that it would get a flat? I ask because the popularity of SUVs has
READ MORE
BMW 5 Series vs Mercedes E-Class: Verdict If plug-in hybrids have come of age with regards to their powertrains, then they are still compromised in their packaging and the way they handle their considerable kerb weight. Ultimately, then, both of these cars are compromised: the Mercedes because it uses a platform that’s chiefly intended for
READ MORE
With the Bugatti Tourbillon now entering advanced on-road testing, the company is looking at other models that could use its V16 hybrid drivetrain – and a revival of the stunning Type 57 SC Atlantic is one likely option. Asked if the engine can be moved around in the monocoque to allow for different silhouettes, Bugatti
READ MORE
Retrofitting ageing diesel-powered commercial vehicles is already big business. UK-based company Bedeo, for example, has created a range-extender electric powertrain for vans. Costing around £25,000, it consists of two in-wheel electric motors. These can be selected, and the engine turned off, when the driver requires. The Newpower conversion process involves replacing the diesel engine with
READ MORE
“We wanted to have it very emotional. It has to feel special, because ‘if it is comparable, it is no longer Bugatti’,” he added, referencing the slogan of company founder Ettore Bugatti. Powertrain The Tourbillon takes an appropriately outlandish approach to electrification, dropping the behemoth W16 motor which powered the Chiron and Veyron for a
READ MORE
The first area where the Cupra Born makes a really clear case to pick it over an ID3 is in the interior. On a fundamental level, much is still a little too similar to what you’d find in the VW. The Born has the same minimal digital gauge cluster that is mounted on the steering column and is fused with
READ MORE
German engineering firm HWA has revealed an homage to the iconic Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo II, which is built from the ground up and set for sale next year. The original Evo II was driven by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine tuned by Cosworth, but HWA has opted for a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6, supplied by Mercedes itself.
READ MORE
Audi’s next electric performance model, the RS Q6 E-tron, will be revealed next year. An insider at the firm told Autocar that the hottest version of the new Q6 E-tron will be significantly different – and much bolder – than the warmed-up SQ6. The Q6 E-tron line-up has been developed alongside the Porsche Macan Electric,
READ MORE
While there will be an electric BMW 3 Series based on the Neue Klasse platform in 2025, combustion-engined and hybrid versions with the same look will remain – but they will be built on an updated version of the current mixed-energy rear-wheel-drive platform. Product boss Bernd Körber said BMW will retain its natively front-wheel-drive and
READ MORE
Here’s an EV that treads its own path – and we’re going to see where it leads us Why we’re running it: To see if this electric fastback saloon can outmuscle the growing SUV market Month 1 – Month 2 – Swapping into the petrol C4 X (Month 3) – Month 4 – Month 5 – Specs Life with
READ MORE
Toyota recently announced – alongside allies Mazda and Subaru – plans to “revolutionise” the packaging of the internal combustion engine, doubling down on its belief that ICE technology will continue to play a role for cars in the future, despite the wider global shift to electric cars. Toyota has long been vocal about the potential
READ MORE
I’m sure I or a nearby shop have something to convert one to the other. I don’t. The shops don’t. So I go online. A few days pass. Then everything connects. Within three seconds the nut is undone. Per hour of operation, the air gun is currently costing £180,000. The clutch pack itself comes apart
READ MORE
The truth is, the way the Eletre gets itself down the road isn’t quite as impressive as what it’s like to simply inhabit, and doesn’t feel like what, or how, it’s been made to win you over. But it’s impressive all the same. Despite all of Lotus’s preamble about ‘lightness of feel’, there are no
READ MORE
Jeep will launch an all-new electric version of its Renegade small SUV globally by 2027, with a starting price of less than £20,000. Jeep will use a lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery to bring the cost of the small SUV down, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares told journalists on a call. “It has to use LFP technology” to get
READ MORE
Previously released sketches suggest the brand has completely rethought its approach to cabin design, with upcoming cars due to adopt a minimalist, futuristic new look that heavily references the old Lingotto factory. Ovals will be a prevailing theme, in a nod to the 1920s building’s famous rooftop test track, and efforts to reduce the weight and
READ MORE
The new Smart #5 is not just the brand’s largest model yet, but by far its most powerful, putting out more than 600bhp in its most potent guise. The new Volkswagen ID 4-rivalling crossover was shown in concept form at the Beijing motor show earlier this year, but official specifications remained under wraps. Now, the
READ MORE
Despite being heavier and larger than the first generation car, it takes just 8.7sec to travel from 0-62mph, and 25.5sec to hit 100mph. That’s thanks to a powertrain that produces 180bhp and 221lb ft of torque. However, the Mirai wasn’t cheap when it launched in 2021. It commanded a price tag of £64,995, and you
READ MORE
BMW’s M division has ramped up the power and performance of the M2 as part of a series of running changes for the popular sports coupé. Planned for UK sales in August from £63,360, the upgraded 2024 model receives a more powerful version of BMW’s turbocharged 3.0-litre straight six, developing an added 20bhp, at 473bhp.
READ MORE
BYD’s first plug-in hybrid for the UK market – the BYD Seal U PHEV – will start from £33,205. That figure secures you a front-wheel drive Boost model, while all-wheel drive Design models will start from £39,905. Prices for Comfort spec cars, which combine the larger battery from the Design model with the front-wheel drive powertrain, are yet
READ MORE
However, where the initial 707 recipe was formulated for speed, noise and on-demand oversteer, this one mostly addresses the interior. It’s a critical update, not least for the tech-focused Chinese market, where the DBX had traditionally sold well but has recently slipped back a touch. Compare the original DBX’s chunky, hand-me-down Mercedes-Benz infotainment system with,
READ MORE
Ex-Nio interior designer Chan Park has joined Skoda to shape the cabins for the Czech brand’s next generation of EVs. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, Park spent time at Pininfarina, Kia, Mercedes-Benz and Audi before joining Nio in 2021. In his capacity as the Chinese EV brand’s chief interior designer, Park was
READ MORE
Hyundai has announced it will reveal a new electric city car called the Inster later this month, with the new model targeting an official range of 220 miles. The firm described the model as an “evolution” of the Casper, a petrol-powered Suzuki Ignis rival that is offered exclusively in South Korea. “Inster will set new
READ MORE
EVs remain pricier than ICE equivalents, but there are more options at the affordable end of the market than ever ‘Cheap electric car’ still feels like a contradiction. In fact, ‘cheap new car’ can often feel like a contradiction. But while electric motoring isn’t coming to the masses overnight, efforts are being made to bring down
READ MORE
Slide into the 3’s cabin and you’re greeted by a double-decker dash design, complete with a recessed vent line that runs the full width, pale recycled textiles, a wood insert and some subtle chrome touches. It’s straightforward but also oozes that classically understated, airy, Scandinavian feel. A compact digital readout behind the steering wheel gives
READ MORE
What this is, then, is a city runabout for the minted who have other things elsewhere. And on that front, it does exactly what you would want it to. With nearly 100bhp, it has a claimed 0-62mph time of 8.5sec. Driving the car exclusively in London, I didn’t get to test that, but it sounds
READ MORE
By contrast, the Renault exudes an almost premium vibe, thanks to its seemingly higher-grade materials and a smart wraparound dash that’s finished with a natty full-width fabric strip. And although its infotainment touchscreen is a little smaller than the Suzuki’s, it’s less fiddly to navigate. Still, both feature Apple and Android connectivity for enhanced ease
READ MORE
I just briefly opened LinkedIn to check on responses to a job ad I’d shared, and I scrolled quickly through some posts written in curiously short sentences. Like this. But each a new paragraph too. I noticed a picture of a car. It was only on the screen for the briefest flicker of a moment
READ MORE
Open the driver’s side door and the relationship between this new Captur and the new Clio is immediately recognisable. Like that of its supermini sibling, the compact crossover’s cabin has been thoroughly overhauled. Compared with rivals, this feels like one of the more visually appealing cars in its class. Renault says the upgrades make the
READ MORE
The first thing you notice when you open the door to the LBX is that Lexus has absolutely succeeded in making the interior feel very upmarket, just shrunken down from, say, the Lexus RX. The design is restrained and modern but not reductionist and simplistic like a Tesla or a recent Range Rover, while the materials
READ MORE
Fiat has confirmed that it will launch a new hybrid 500 in 2026, securing a long-term future for its big-selling petrol-engined city car. The new 500 Ibrida will arrive by early 2026, Fiat said in a statement, meaning it will arrive 18 years after the current petrol 500. Production will move from Tychy in Poland to the Mirafiori plant in Italy
READ MORE
1. Dacia Jogger 9 The cost of living crisis isn’t getting any easier for families, which is why the existence of the Dacia Jogger is great news for buyers on a budget. A genuine seven-seat family car you can buy for less than £15,000, the Romanian people carrier truly is a car for our times.
READ MORE
Has the decision to abandon combustion engines come too early? After all, synthetic fuel chemistry has been understood for almost as long as cars have been around, and it has the potential to be a viable alternative to what we know and are familiar with today. Electrification of cars ticks the ‘solve global warming’ box but raises
READ MORE
Exactly how – and where – do our road testers rate the latest mid-engined Ferraris, Lamborghinis and McLarens relative to one other? Read on to find out Very few cars inspire the kind of instant, childish, gleeful excitement that the best supercars do. While thirty years ago, powerful mid-engined exotics were much rarer sights on
READ MORE
In comparison, the rear of the 1 Series has had little work done. Bar a new two-part tail-light, a lowered bumper (in a black diffuser-style design on M Sport models) is the biggest change. These changes have lengthened the car by a modest 42mm to 4361mm. Its other dimensions remain unchanged. Inside is where most of the work has been
READ MORE
He joined Ford 11 years ago (when its range was several times larger than it will be by 2025) and is charged with leading the brand into its bold new electric future, starting with the Explorer. Importantly, he said, Ford’s redeploying of historic names does not herald the advent of nostalgic styling cues: “Retro designs
READ MORE
What you need to do when your car is written-off Of course, the insurer and DVLA must be notified that a vehicle has been damaged so that it can assess the damage to determine whether it should be written off, and to what extent. An insurer will offer the owner an agreed market value for the damaged
READ MORE
As bans on new pure-combustion cars approach, questions are being raised about whether alternative fuel solutions – such as e-fuels – also have a role to play in reducing transport emissions alongside electrification. Some car manufacturers and governments are working to produce alternative means of fueling a car, such as hydrogen, but others are pushing two main
READ MORE
At the back, the Clubsport sports revised 3D-effect taillights and a reworked diffuser with black detailing, plus twin pipes that can be upgraded to an Akrapovic sports exhaust as part of the Race package. Volkswagen has also extended the choice of wheels for the top-of-the-line GTI: alongside the standard 1-in Richmond design, there are now
READ MORE
Volvo L248 (1939-1954) Known as the Roundnose, the L248 drew inspiration from American, British and German trucks, and was the first Volvo commercial vehicle to differ significantly from the cars in terms of design. Its 99bhp diesel engine helped it become a popular hauler, and Volvo’s first sales smash. Volvo White Bus (1945) Currently located
READ MORE
A Lamborghini Huracán might be the stuff of lottery wins, but everyone can see themselves behind the wheel of a Hellcat. What about the Charger? Nowhere near as immediately appealing as the Challenger, the Charger was always going to be the last big Dodge left standing. When it emerged as a four-door cousin to the
READ MORE
Recently I was driving through Bakewell town centre. A lorry was coming towards me with ample room for both of us. It was mid-afternoon but wet. As I neared a T-junction, a car approached, clearly preparing, and able, to stop at the ‘give way’ line. I was doing 20-25mph, my foot on neither pedal, in
READ MORE
Well, the first suspect is, predictably, Covid. While the number of firms exhibiting had dipped in 2019 and was looking down again, the February 2020 Geneva show was still looking strong until organisers decided to cancel it at the last possible minute as the virus spread into Europe. Covid also scuppered the 2021 edition, and with
READ MORE
The Geneva motor show has been axed indefinitely as organisers cancelled next year’s edition and pulled future editions. Bosses cited difficult post-Covid market conditions as well as “too many uncertainties” currently within the automotive industry which has “eroded the attractiveness of major European shows”. Show president Alexandre de Senarclens blamed a “lack of interest from
READ MORE
A premium focus is clear from the interior of the Wagoneer S. Noting the original Wagoneer was “innovative in its time” for blending “premium touches with technology”, Jeep design chief Vince Galante said the same philosophy has been applied to the new car. Jeep cites a total of 45in of interactive screens, housed in a ‘wing’
READ MORE
1. Land Rover Defender 9 Having switched from a ladder-frame construction to a monocoque, and for plenty of reasons otherwise, this Land Rover Defender is more of a successor than a direct replacement for the old model – and some feared that it wouldn’t have quite the same kind of mud-plugging, rock-hopping, water-fording, slope-scaling and
READ MORE
The quarter panel behind the rear passenger door is another hallmark of the Optiq and is made using laminated glass. Inside, the EV majors on technology and luxury materials. The dashboard is dominated by a 33in horizontal LED display with 9K resolution. This houses the digital driver’s display and touchscreen infotainment system, which is supported by Google, and
READ MORE
The only current REx option for UK buyers is the Mazda MX-30 R-EV Close As car makers contemplate the widening gap between legislation and demand for electric cars, the spotlight has been thrown on to a petrol-electric technology that promises to bridge that gap with fewer of the downsides of plug-in hybrids. Range-extender (REx) cars
READ MORE
There is still heavy-duty hardware to manage the car’s heft. It has 48V active anti-roll bars, two-chamber air springs and a new dual-valve damper system that has a much broader spread of stiffness and response than previously. The idea is that in the default B (for Bentley) driving mode, the car’s ride response is similar
READ MORE
Mazda, Subaru and Toyota have committed to developing new engines in an attempt to decarbonise ICE cars, with a renewed focus on hybridisation and carbon-neutral fuels. The allied Japanese brands jointly confirmed they would “aim to optimise” engines with electric motors, electric drive units and batteries, which goes against the trend of brands transforming entirely to EV-only line-ups. The
READ MORE
Lancia will revive the legendary HF badge next year for an electric hot hatch based on the new Ypsilon – and which will also be used for a return to international rallying. The Italian brand has confirmed that it will return to off-road competition with a new combustion-engined Rally 4 challenger based on the Ypsilon HF in 2025,
READ MORE
As with exterior, the BMW 5 Series’ cabin is all about restraint. Beyond the joystick-style gearlever, there is little here that is likely to offend. The Mercedes E-Class’ dashboard was then dominated by two 12.3in large screens and the virtue of fewer and larger buttons, but once you’re familiar with it the 5 Series presents no problems
READ MORE
With its T-shaped nose, the G2 is the more striking Goupil. It’s actually so shaped because the battery sits inside it, whereas in the slightly more conventional-looking G4, it’s slung under the chassis. Both vehicles are front-wheel drive. With a steel ladder frame, alloy business ends and lots of tough plastic, they are hardy workhorses.
READ MORE
8. Small car – Renault Clio E-TECH Hybrid Techno 9 BiK rate: 24%Monthly BiK tax at 20%: £159Monthly BiK at 40%: £318 Sometimes it pays not to think big when choosing a company car. After all, most business users only travel one-up, while the more compact you motor the less it’s likely to cost, meaning
READ MORE
In principle, I like the idea of an autonomous car. Not for when I get into a sports car or classic car or climb onto a motorbike and want to enjoy driving and riding, which, amazingly, even on today’s roads, are still two of my hobbies. But for when I’m very old and my neck
READ MORE
Super Touring Power 2 WHERE Brands Hatch, Kent WHEN 29-30 June WHY Transport yourself back to the BTCC’s golden age The Super Touring era gave us some of the most memorable motorsport moments of all time. Gabriele Tarquini’s dramatic barrel roll, John Cleland ‘going for first’, Volvo’s 290bhp fridge on wheels, the list goes on. Super Touring Power
READ MORE
There’s a strong whiff of 7 Series about the interior of this car, flowing not only from its expansive cabin width but also the scope and style of the digital technology employed in it, and from various cabin features used more widely. BMW is creeping towards greater domination of its car interiors by their respective
READ MORE
If you’re not used to driving vans, it takes a moment to acclimatise to just how high you sit, and how perched over the front of the vehicle you feel. That’s not helped by how sharply the bonnet falls away – you can’t see the edges very easily. Once accustomed, you do start to appreciate
READ MORE
Inside, the computers underpinning the Qashqai’s digital interfaces have been significantly upgraded to boost graphic quality and processing times. The infotainment’s computer is now said to be several times more powerful, enabling a move to Google’s Android Auto operating system on higher trim levels. That means certain apps can run natively on the system and
READ MORE
The interior also features a number of storage areas, including a central unit between the front seats with a sliding table that can be used as a workspace. The boot has a capacity of 460 litres and there is also a 25-litre ‘frunk’. Both the interior trim and boot make use of sustainable materials, including recycled
READ MORE
The Jeep Avenger has gained a rugged new 4xe range-topper that features an all-wheel-drive hybrid powertrain – which brand boss Antonio Filosa promises will “go further, faster and better off-road” than any rival in its class. The Avenger launched as an EV in mid-2023, with a cheaper pure-petrol variant introduced in the UK line-up a
READ MORE
The T03 supermini is sold for the equivalent of just £5500 before taxes in China Close Leapmotor was a relative unknown among the mass of new Chinese EV companies until last October when Stellantis – owner of brands such as Alfa Romeo and Vauxhall – paid €1.5 billion for a 21% stake and to take control
READ MORE
1. Tesla Model 3 Long Range 4 BiK rate: 2%Monthly BiK tax at 20%: £17Monthly BiK at 40%: £33 With falling sales and an unpredictable CEO in Elon Musk, Tesla has been up against over the last six months or so. Yet despite the American brand’s struggles, its recently revised Model 3 is a compelling
READ MORE
Charging is possible at up to 500kW via a pantograph (overhead) connection, but conventional ports are fitted for conventional rapid charging in depots and at public stations – with the possibility to connect more than one charger at a time to boost speed. BYD remains tight-lipped on precise commercial objectives and volume projections, given the
READ MORE
JLR will use new battery management software in its upcoming electric cars that is claimed by its maker to boost their range, performance and lifespan – without the need for any additional hardware. The software developed by Elysia, the battery technology spin-off of Fortescue-owned WAE (previously Williams Advanced Engineering), is used to monitor the health
READ MORE
You might consider that to be sub-par, in light of its official 255-mile range and considering a vehicle of this shape and size should really be able to facilitate hassle-free holidays and five-up festival runs, but given I wasn’t really even trying and the energy-sapping M25 and M40 accounted for roughly half of my total
READ MORE
The hot new John Cooper Works version of the petrol-powered Mini hatchback has been revealed in camouflaged competition form ahead of its official debut later this year. The overhauled hot hatch is making its first outing at next weekend’s Nürburgring 24 Hours race. It will be entered into the loosely regulated SP 3T class by Mini
READ MORE
At the end of 1997, Tyrrell sold his team and F1 entry to the new British American Racing venture – which begat Honda, which begat Brawn GP, which begat Mercedes-AMG, based today out of not one but two much larger sheds in Brackley and Brixworth. The original one continued to be used for storage by
READ MORE
For the most part, the Quartermaster’s interior is no different from the Grenadier’s, which means panoramic visibility, a low window line, and a sense of space that’s enhanced if roof-mounted ‘safari’ window have been fitted. The Grenadier’s designers have chosen to lean into a flight deck ambience. While an array of climate controls are built
READ MORE
I think it has finally happened: I can’t keep up with the car world. Sorry. I just suddenly feel overwhelmed. Where to start? Well, Land Rover announced that it was dropping its straight-six petrol engine from the Defender, which from memory it introduced only about 30 minutes ago, in favour of a V8. Now, don’t
READ MORE
With more than ten million sold across a production run stretching more than 60 years, the Ford Mustang had a firm spot in popular culture. Which means almost everyone has their own idea about what they think it should be. Whether it’s a Boulevard cruiser, something to lazily rumble its way down a motorway or
READ MORE
BYD has quietly added a new electric MPV to its UK line-up, which looks to tempt taxi drivers with more than 250 miles of range and a capacious cabin. Autocar has found official UK specifications for the second-generation e6, a five-seat MPV based on the Chinese-market Song Max. Although BYD refused to give more details, a launch here is
READ MORE
The dynamic changes to the Born VZ – VZ is shorthand for veloz, which translates as fast – are extensive over the standard model on which it is based. On the powertrain side, the rear-mounted motor has had power increased from 228bhp to 322bhp while torque has increased from 229lb ft to 402lb ft. This
READ MORE
Bentley has released the first pictures of the next-generation Continental GT, which will pack nearly 800bhp from a new hybrid drivetrain, making it the firm’s most powerful car yet. A heavy revision of today’s third-generation car, it is the first Bentley to use the new ‘ultra-performance hybrid’ set-up, which pairs an uprated 4.0-litre V8 with a
READ MORE
The first model from Nio’s new family-focused EV brand Onvo is a Tesla Model Y-rivalling crossover that majors on practicality and efficiency. Called the L60, it’s due on sale in China from September at a starting price equivalent to just £24,000 – undercutting its chief rival by a notable margin. There’s no word yet on
READ MORE
Renault acknowledged that the integration of advanced autonomy would make such vehicles more expensive to develop and build than their manually operated counterparts but said these could be offset by not needing a paid driver. Rather, an entire fleet of vehicles could be supervised remotely by a much smaller workforce. Cementing this new ambition, Renault has
READ MORE
Judged relative to its rivals, this is quite a tall and high-waisted car – but, while it offers a big boot (almost 600 litres), five-seater cabin space isn’t so impressive. Instead, the cabin uses patterned woollen textiles that wrap around the front occupants to make you feel quite snug at the wheel, in front of
READ MORE
The Seat Leon has been updated with a range of more efficient petrol and plug-in hybrid powertrains, as well as upgraded interior technologies. The entry-level 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine has been replaced with an updated version of the larger 1.5-litre turbo unit. It sends 114bhp and 162lb ft of torque – 6bhp and 14lb ft more
READ MORE
The UK now gets a G500, huzzah. Alas, it is not a V8. The only way to get your hands on an eight-cylinder G is to go down the AMG route. The ‘regular’ G-Class, is only available with 3.0-litre inline six engines. The G500 is a 443bhp petrol, while the G450d is a 352bhp diesel.
READ MORE
While we’ve grown used to the exterior styling of the XC60, the interior was always reminiscent of Volvos in the range at the time. You’ll feel instantly at home if you’ve ever experienced one before, the location and style of the switches, dials and buttons lifted directly from other models. It’s none the worse for it either, with
READ MORE
Our drive was on both road and track, with a good amount of time dedicated to each, and on the road first, which I think is the better way around, giving good opportunity to see which modes suit it best. And on smoother asphalt, although it’s clear this is a more potent proposition, I don’t
READ MORE
Much of Sühlmann’s work since his return has been to develop a new design language, which will be reflected in three external design signatures: two symmetrical elements and a low nose at the front; a long nose, short rear and forward-leaning ‘performance line’ on the side; and an ‘open’ back end with a horizontal element.
READ MORE
It’s not an easy balance to strike, but get it right and what the driver receives is a heady blend of restorative comfort and energising involvement. It’s like listening to Dark Side of the Moon on a £20k hi-fi. Not everyone perfects this, or even attempts to. Front-engined Ferraris are too…competizione. Modern Aston Martins get closer
READ MORE
I wonder if the mock diffuser at the back of the new Kia Picanto will make it look so sporty and fast that it’ll stop it being tailgated on motorways, as is the fate of so many small cars. And will its newly beefed-up front end shoo slowcoaches from the outside lane in a way
READ MORE
Alpine has unveiled the Alpenglow Hy4, a hydrogen-combustion supercar that will be used to develop the technology for future road and track cars. An evolution of the Alpenglow concept shown two years ago, it tomorrow makes its dynamic debut at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium as a showcase of the performance potential of the emerging technology. It is powered
READ MORE
The upcoming Mercedes-AMG CLE 63 will receive a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine developing up to 585bhp, senior officials at the division’s Mercedes-Benz parent company have confirmed. The decision reverses an earlier plan to give the hot new coupé and cabriolet the same 670bhp plug-in hybrid drivetrain as the latest C63 and GLC 63, due
READ MORE
Volkswagen will retire its GTX branding for sporting EVs to make way for its first electric GTI and R models. The GTX badge was first used for warmed-up, range-topping versions of the Volkswagen ID 4 and ID 5 SUVs in 2021, and has since been extended across the wider ID family, with more potent GTX
READ MORE
Then the professor gives his audience of firefighters their first shock. Full, a cell contains 4.2V of charge, but even when empty, it still holds 2.5V. A Nissan Leaf has from around 192 cells in 24 modules and a Tesla Model S more than 7000 in 16 modules. That’s a lot of energy when the
READ MORE
Ineos Automotive is pessimistic that synthetic fuels can extend the life of the combustion engine, even after the EU decided to allow limited use of the carbon-neutral petrol alternative for new cars after 2035. “At the moment, there’s just not enough synthetic fuel to go around, and it’s going to be extremely expensive,” CEO Lynn Calder told
READ MORE
JLR (formerly known as Jaguar Land Rover) will offer £150 per month towards the cost of its in-house insurance for buyers of new Range Rovers and Range Rover Sports. The firm began offering its own policies last October following a sharp rise in premiums on Range Rovers. This was due to the high theft rate
READ MORE
You will get roughly twice the power, at 300bhp, while torque climbs more modestly to 221lb ft, but it’s enough for 0-62mph in less than 7.0sec if you go for the bigger battery. There’s KW suspension to handle the extra mass (unspecified, but “well within” the Pagoda’s 1.7-tonne gross figure) with weight distribution closely mimicking
READ MORE
Nissan remains committed to its long-term electrification objectives but will work to offer a ‘flexible’ mix of powertrain technologies in response to wavering global demand for electric cars. That’s according to CEO Makoto Uchida, who opened the 2024 Financial Times Future of the Car conference with an overview of Nissan’s global performance and evolving electrification progress.
READ MORE
The plug-in hybrid powertrain in the Grand Cherokee consists of a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine making 270bhp and 295lb ft, two electric motors and a 17.3kWh (15.0kWh usable) battery pack. The main motor is a 134bhp, 195lb ft unit mounted within the eight-speed automatic gearbox, between the clutch plates and the gears. This is
READ MORE
The cabriolet has also been given a raft of styling upgrades to match its AMG billing. Its flared front wheel arches accommodate a front track that’s 58mm wider than the standard CLE’s and there is an AMG-specific front grille, deeper front and rear bumpers, enlarged air intakes, quad exhausts and new alloy wheel designs –
READ MORE
In the late 1980s, the Eastern bloc’s communist governments realised their countries’ potential for car making and owning and strove to supersede their terrible old smokers with modern metal. “We’ve decided to increase our car production from 1.3m in 1987 to 2.5m by 1995,” said Valentin Morozov, the car industry’s first deputy minister in the
READ MORE
Insiders have suggested that Hoffmann’s move was a response to the software issues that delayed the Q6 E-tron, but Döllner says: “We decided to put more emphasis on our Formula 1 project and Oliver Hoffmann is the right person to do that. He started that project and, as we step in even more intensively, he’s
READ MORE
After a four-year absence, Caterham has revived its Drift Experience. The clue is in the name to what happens: it’s a day spent learning to drift, in a Caterham. While it’s rear-wheel drive, a Seven isn’t the most natural car in the world in which to drift. These are light cars with short wheelbases and
READ MORE
Plummeting temperatures have a negative effect on an EV’s batteries because when the lithium ions move from anode to cathode, the cold slows the rate at which this can happen, which in turn restricts battery performance. Range testing from our sibling title What Car? revealed that an XC40’s range plummeted by as much as 29.9%
READ MORE
Close What a difference a year makes. In spring last year, Tesla threw open the doors of its Texas Gigafactory to investors in order to lay out plans for global domination of the automotive industry with sales of 20 million a year. Now those plans – for a new Mexican plant, for an affordable ‘next-gen’ Model
READ MORE
Who’s going to clean up the donkeys? The big, 3.5-tonne vans and derivatives that do the biggest mileage and stay on the road for the longest amount of time, and often have been fitted with bespoke cargo areas that cost several times over that of the donor van in the first place. Camper vans, ice cream
READ MORE
“This was a smart project,” added Fabregat. “We had white space from the beginning, so we had space to find a recipe. We have an amazing platform and product with the Captur, so the goal was to take what people loved about that car and apply it to the larger C-segment. “When we designed the
READ MORE
“A V8 turbo could make it better in terms of performance. But from an emotional point of view, it’s the best you can have.” The firm has not given any details of the 812’s replacement, but a source at the company recently hinted to Autocar that it will be launched this year: “If you look
READ MORE
Fewer than 1-in-10 UK councils (8.2%) have plans to increase the size of their parking bays, despite the fact that cars are getting bigger – that’s according to data exclusively obtained by Autocar. Data from a Freedom of Information request reveals drivers of larger cars will find it increasingly hard to park their car without
READ MORE
Asked how the RB17 came about, Horner told Autocar: “Adrian wanted to do a car [for us] back in 2014, and at that point in time, we found a route through that by doing all the design work for the Valkyrie in partnership with Aston Martin. “Valkyrie is a stunning vehicle and I’m sure it
READ MORE
This approach does bear fruit, once you have the confidence to employ it, and it makes what can otherwise feel like a slightly straight-laced chassis less naturally poised and more given to understeer in certain circumstances than, say, a 296 GTB or 488 Pista, more animated and engaging when cornering just-so. The SF90 XX’s extra downforce is
READ MORE
Through bends, the Wrangler’s handling manners are entirely predictable: it’s a large car that feels its height and weight; pitches in with plenty of body roll; and has limited front-end grip with which to prevent its bluff nose from wandering progressively into understeer if you hurry it along. But nearly all of these criticisms are
READ MORE
Cupra has grafted a new face onto the Formentor and Leon to better distinguish its line-up from that of sibling brand Seat. The new ‘shark-nose’ front end brings the crossover and hatchback/estate into line with the upcoming Terramar SUV and gives the Spanish brand’s ICE cars a clearer familial link. Key to the look is
READ MORE
Electric car maker Polestar has demonstrated new technology that allows for ultra-fast charging, hitting a speed of 370kW when charging a Polestar 5 prototype. The technology, developed with battery firm Storedot, is named extreme fast charging (XFC) and uses silicon-dominant cells to charge at high speeds without degrading the battery. It also uses improved mechanics and cooling while weighing less. Its
READ MORE
Does an extra 67bhp and a host of dynamic upgrades give Mercedes’ new two-door the edge over rivals? Serving as an indirect successor to the E53 Coupé, the hot new CLE 53 Coupé wears the AMG badge but isn’t quite a full-bore, Affalterbach-made model. A new CLE 63 is on its way, but it remains to be seen
READ MORE
The car industry’s reaction to the UK’s new zero-emission vehicle mandate hasn’t been positive, not least as some makers are unable to comply – and here we can hear echoes from early-1970s America. Americans had become acutely aware of environmental damage post-war, primarily through the smog hanging over many major cities, and so it became
READ MORE
I suspect its mechanics have never encountered an EV, so I’m cautious when I turn onto the desert track that leads to the camp. Still, the Enyaq has four-wheel drive and it would be a shame not to use it. And while it’s absolutely not a dedicated off-roader, it copes with the loose gravel and
READ MORE
The Clio is also much more pleasant to drive than most big cars. It had been a while since I drove one, and the road testers told me it was the supermini class swot, but I didn’t realise it would ride with such deftness, be so absorbent, yet settle so quickly – and steer so
READ MORE
Jaguar will remain in the Formula E World Championship until the end of 2030, saying that it will continue to accelerate its development of its new generation of electric road cars. The British brand has raced in the electric single-seater series since the 2016-17 season and will contests its 100th ePrix in Monaco this weekend. Jaguar
READ MORE
It is expected to be offered with rear- or four-wheel drive, with up to 395bhp and 500lb ft for a 0-62mph time of 4.4sec. Electric range is not yet known, but in China – where it is sold as the Lighting Cat – it uses an 83kWh battery that delivers 373 miles of range. GWM Ora 07
READ MORE
Red Bull Racing design chief Adrian Newey, whose cars have dominated Formula 1 for decades, is set to leave the team, according to reports. German title Auto Motor und Sport first reported that the 65-year-old has informed Red Bull chiefs of his plan to leave Milton Keynes at the end of the year. The BBC
READ MORE
The MG EXE181 concept, our first look at a futuristic Rimac-baiting electric hypercar, has made its public debut at the Beijing motor show. It is inspired by the EX181 land speed record car driven by Stirling Moss and Phil Hill throughout the late 1950s, which was designed for optimal aerodynamic efficiency. Similarly, the EXE181 wears as little bodywork as
READ MORE
Skoda has unveiled an outlandish electric single-seater concept for the Playstation racing game Gran Turismo. The Skoda Vision Gran Turismo is a totally unique four-wheel-drive racer, designed to “attract new fans” to the Skoda brand, according to CEO Klaus Zellmer. The digital racer gets a 268bhp electric motor on each wheel for a combined output of 1072bhp and
READ MORE
Tesla has reignited speculation that it will launch an affordable electric car, following reports that plans for an entry-level Tesla Model 2 had been scrapped. Speaking on the company’s first-quarter earnings call, boss Elon Musk suggested that more on the subject would be announced on 8 August this year. Musk revealed no further details on the small EV but
READ MORE
The new Tesla Model 3 Performance has been revealed as the saloon’s fastest and most powerful variant yet, with supercar-baiting power and a host of additional equipment. Priced from £59,990 in the UK, the Model 3 Performance produces 453bhp, hitting 0-62mph in an eye-watering 3.1sec, and on to a top speed of 163mph. The model packs
READ MORE
The Smart #5 concept has been unveiled as a first look at the brand’s largest, most technologically advanced electric car to date. Sized roughly in line with the Audi Q3 and Volvo XC40, the #5 introduces a new styling direction with a harder-edged, more rugged appearance than Smart’s two smaller crossovers, the #1 and #3.
READ MORE
Fangchengbao Super 9 Very much unlike its rivals, Fangchengbao also has its sights set on the niche supercar market. The Super 9 is distinct from anything else the nascent brand has shown to date, as a two-seat electric speedster with a carbonfibre monocoque. Its designer, Wolfgang Egger, was previously responsible for cars including the Alfa Romeo
READ MORE
BYD has confirmed that its first pick-up truck will be called the Shark, ahead of its unveiling at the Beijing motor show. The Chinese giant announced the truck will introduce a new plug-in hybrid powertrain called DMO (dual-mode off-road) that’s said to optimise off-road performance. It has yet to confirm technical specifications for the powertrain, but it’s expected
READ MORE
The Porsche Cayenne GTS has been revised for 2024, gaining performance chassis technology from the Cayenne Turbo GT, improved standard equipment, and a host of exterior design changes. On sale now in the UK, the traditional SUV-bodied Cayenne GTS commands a price tag of £106,100, rising slightly to £107,700 for the Cayenne coupe variant. Changes
READ MORE
Its development was stringent. Tests included 100 hours straight at full throttle and a deep thermal shock test in which it was run at full power to a coolant temperature of 100deg C before being shut down, flushed with -30deg C coolant and then run straight back up to 110deg C no fewer than 400
READ MORE
The new plug-in hybrid version of the Mercedes-AMG GT is not just the brand’s quickest-accelerating road car yet, but also one of the fastest cars in production. Arriving just a few months before Porsche is expected to reveal the long-awaited hybrid version of the 911, the GT 63 S E Performance shares its electrified innards with
READ MORE
I’m pleased to see the government is to look into the issue of headlight brightness and glare – let’s hope they squint a bit – following a recent RAC survey that found a large number of drivers thought dazzling was a problem. There may, though, not be a quick legislative fix. The Department for Transport
READ MORE
“Without any government financial incentive, there’s no reason for the consumer to make the switch.” He was echoed by SMMT CEO Mike Hawes, who said the “government has been keen to assure the UK automotive industry’s competitiveness” but “there is little to help consumer demand”. Hawes suggested that reducing VAT on new EVs and adjusting
READ MORE
Smart has confirmed it will preview its largest and most spacious model to date, an electric SUV called the #5, at next week’s Beijing motor show. The new model, described as moving “far beyond the urban boundaries” of original Smart models, will be unveiled in concept form prior to the start of production in China later
READ MORE
It boasts a maximum towing weight of 1110kg, which is around the same as a Kia Sorento but down on premium rivals such as the BMW X5 and Land Rover Defender. Inside, a focus on usability and practicality is evident, with physical buttons and dials provided for critical functions such as the climate, radio and drive mode controls. USB ports and
READ MORE
Citroën has continued its radical range overhaul with the new C3 Aircross, which will arrive later this year with a fresh design and an electric variant for the first time. At 4390mm, the C3 Aircross is some 200mm longer than the first-generation family crossover, boosting practicality and adding the option of seven seats. It’s based on the same
READ MORE
It’s all enhanced by the uninterrupted light bar that extends the full width of the rear, connecting the ‘quattro blisters’ on either side of the car to the Audi Q6 e-tron’s amazing-looking active digital OLED rear lights. #5 Even more illuminating Audi has led the way for decades when it comes to innovative light technology,
READ MORE
The 116d Efficient Dynamics continued BMW’s trend of confusing petrolheads with its badge designation and engine capacities. Up until this facelift, all diesel 1 Series variants were powered by 2.0-litre motors, including the 116d. Come 2015, this was no longer the case. As previously mentioned, the 116d Efficient Dynamics got a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-pot diesel engine, with the rest
READ MORE
Honda has announced a new series of electric cars for China, three of which will be displayed at the Beijing motor show next week. Another three EVs will join the new crossovers and sleek saloon later to complete the Ye Series, and all six will enter the Chinese market by 2027. Ye models will all wear
READ MORE
Volkswagen is now taking orders for the new ID 7 Tourer, pricing the sleek electric estate from £52,240 – slightly higher than the ID 7 saloon. The Volkswagen ID 7 Tourer is one of few electric estates on sale today. The German brand hopes it will broaden the appeal of its flagship EV and solidify its
READ MORE
Britishvolt aimed to secure funding for battery R&D and manufacturing businesses in the UK Close News 2 mins read 15 April 2024 Plans initially set out by failed start-up Britishvolt to build £3.8 billion electric car battery gigafactory in the northeast of England look to have ended after three years. The proposed 95-hectare site for
READ MORE
The modern mind boggles, and more when it learns how reckless the US was with ‘the atom’ as it entered the 1950s rich and bullish. While the military tried nuclear bombs within sight of Las Vegas (casinos held parties for tourists to watch detonations from the roof), scientists worked on reactors to generate power (promised
READ MORE
Inside, there’s the obligatory big touchscreen, in landscape format and perched atop the dashboard. The Android-based system is far from the best. You can get to the main functions (which include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) easily from the home screen, but there’s no ‘back’ button, the graphics are a little grainy and it all
READ MORE
But the Willam beckons. Registered in 1976, it is, claims Barrett, the only road-legal Willam Cyclo in the world – which might explain why she was recently offered £20,000 for it, an offer she declined. I squeeze in behind the steering wheel, pull a knob, press a button and push the accelerator. Off we go,
READ MORE