Author: autocar.co.uk

This post was originally published on Autocar This week, Cropley and Prior talk 2035 ZEV implications for micro manufacturers, potholes, Ian Callum and more On this week’s My Week In Cars podcast join our hosts Matt Prior and Steve Cropley talk about the 2035 combustion ban on all cars, including micro manufacturers, pothole problems, The… Continue reading My Week In Cars: New Steve Cropley/Matt Prior podcast (ep.126)

This post was originally published on Autocar Wolverhampton council expects raised prices to boost its revenue by £1m per year Local authorities look to motorists in bid to “make as much revenue as possible” Councils across the UK are plotting higher parking charges as they come under pressure to achieve clean-air targets and plug gaps… Continue reading Councils hike parking costs in bid to plug budget holes

This post was originally published on Autocar British entry is the only Le Mans Hypercar based on a road-going model and the only one with a twelve cylinders Aston Martin has revealed the race car with which it will aim for its first overall victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours in more than 60 years.… Continue reading Aston Martin reveals Valkyrie LMH racer for Le Mans 2025

This post was originally published on Autocar The EV will be revealed late this year before going on sale in 2026 Ferrari’s CEO said the firm will unwrap its future at its Capital Markets Day, hinting at debut for EV Ferrari is set to reveal its long-awaited debut electric car on 9 October. In an… Continue reading First electric Ferrari to be revealed on 9 October

This post was originally published on Autocar Confused by all the new cars coming to the UK? Let Autocar guide you through the who, what, where and when If you’re a regular Autocar reader, you will have been seeing the news pinging with updates about the new car brands coming to the UK. The influx of manufacturers… Continue reading The new car brands coming to the UK this year

This post was originally published on Autocar Whole Bigster range comes in at less than £30k as firm aims to steal a chunk of Europe’s biggest segment Dacia’s new Bigster flagship has hit UK roads for the first time ahead of customer deliveries beginning in spring. Wearing only light camouflage as Dacia conducts some final… Continue reading Sub-£25k Dacia Bigster hits UK roads ahead of imminent deliveries

This post was originally published on Autocar Abstract powertrain badging didn’t work with customers and nor has separating out ICE and EV model names News that Audi has abandoned split model names for combustion and electric models represents the second time in a year that it has changed its cars’ names. Both times it has… Continue reading Audi's model name backtrack is a victory for common sense

This post was originally published on Autocar Family haulers aren’t restricted to MPVs any more. These are the 10 best seven-seaters you can buy today Do you have people, things and people with things to move? A seven-seat car is the simplest and best solution to your problem. A decade ago, this market looked slightly frumpy, due to… Continue reading The best seven-seat cars: driven and ranked

This post was originally published on Autocar The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé is the world’s most expensive car Classic cars can sell at auction for more than £25 million these days – and here are the priciest cars ever sold Think of the world’s most expensive cars and your mind might immediately go to modern,… Continue reading The most expensive cars ever sold

This post was originally published on Autocar M5 weighs in with 718bhp/738lb ft. Panamera packs 671bhp/686 lb ft The new BMW M5 is a 2.4-tonne, big-hitting PHEV, but has it met its match? The seventh-generation BMW M5 super-saloon is, right now, lurking ominously in my rear-view mirror as the winter dawn breaks slowly on the… Continue reading Thuggin' hybrids: M5 battles Panamera for V8 super-saloon crown

This post was originally published on Autocar “Every one of our sales, even today, is a conquest,” said Genesis UK brand director Jonny Miller Hyundai-owned premium brand is going EV-only as its first customers’ cars come up for renewal Genesis is gearing up for what will be a pivotal year in the UK, as it… Continue reading Genesis hits reset button ahead of pivotal year in UK

This post was originally published on Autocar SUVs comprised 48% of all cars sold globally in 2023 More than half of all cars sold globally last year were SUVs; now EU is proposing to limit the width of new vehicles The popularity of SUVs is continuing globally and especially in Europe, despite legislation aimed at… Continue reading March of SUVs continues in Europe under threat of legislative attack

This post was originally published on Autocar Combustion-engined A7 was thought to be on the way to accompany new electric A6 Under now-scrapped strategy, EVs wore even–numbered designations and combustion cars odd-numbered ones Audi has reversed its new model naming strategy that differentiated combustion-engined models from electric models using odd and even numbers. The move comes after customer… Continue reading Audi abandons split model names for ICE and EV models

This post was originally published on Autocar Powerful updated 992-generation 911 gets hybrid power with sensational performance but carries a few extra kilos The Porsche 911 has had a mid-life refresh, and the big news is that the upper-mid-level (there are many levels to the 911 range) Carrera GTS is now a hybrid.You can imagine… Continue reading Porsche 911

This post was originally published on Autocar At 4390mm, the new C3 Aircross is considerably longer than its predecessor Second-generation family crossover is larger and more practical than before; EV starts at £22,990 The new Citroën C3 Aircross has gone on sale as one of the UK market’s cheapest seven-seaters, priced from £21,005 with three… Continue reading New Citroen C3 Aircross goes on sale at £21,005 with seven seats

This post was originally published on Autocar Heated-up petrol estate is a refreshingly straightforward throwback The warmed-up, vRS-badged Skoda Octavia has been a stalwart of the ‘everyday performance’ landscape for more than two decades and during that time has been offered in several flavours, including diesel and, a little more surprisingly, plug-in hybrid.It was the… Continue reading Skoda Octavia vRS

This post was originally published on Autocar Sandero’s 268,101 sales saw it take top honours by a wide berth Sandero outsold the second-placed Renault Clio by more than 50,000 cars; Golf completes the podium The Dacia Sandero was the best-selling car in Europe by a significant margin last year, according to figures released by industry analyst… Continue reading Official: Dacia Sandero is Europe's best-selling car by a wide margin

This post was originally published on Autocar Peugeot’s small electric hatchback leaves a big impression on our news editor French carmakers have always done things a little differently. At various times they have tried – somewhat successfully to change the perception that a car needed to be a box on wheels. Remember the shark-like Citroen… Continue reading Escape hatch: 4000 miles in the Peugeot e-208

This post was originally published on Autocar Four-seat grand tourer brings yet more performance and luxury to the added-desirability super-saloon segment Jot down a list of its various attributes and it becomes clear that the subject of this road test is one of the most ambitious cars we will assess in 2025, and possibly for… Continue reading Porsche Panamera

This post was originally published on Autocar Vibrations from Valkyrie’s V12 engine could be simulated in future Aston EVs New Aston boss outlines plan to make future EVs as thrilling to drive as current combustion cars Aston Martin could use oscillating body structures on future performance EVs to simulate the experience of driving a V12-engined… Continue reading Aston Martin EVs could get vibrating bodies for V12 feel

This post was originally published on Autocar EV motors could soon be moved from the axle to the wheel in a bid to boost range Work is progressing on a new electric car motor concept that promises to extend the range of EVs without relying so much on larger batteries. In December 2023, we looked… Continue reading Lightweight in-wheel motor to revolutionise range-extender hybrids

This post was originally published on Autocar It’s looking like a buyer’s market for cheap EVs. Interested? These are the ones to go for Strong sales of new electric cars over recent years is great news for used car buyers. Growing numbers of pre-owned electric cars, combined with today’s weak residual values, mean that buying… Continue reading The best cheap used electric cars

This post was originally published on Autocar Aston’s first EV – here imagined by Autocar – was previously planned for 2027 New boss Adrian Hallmark outlines plans for the future, including mid-engined investment Aston Martin will rapidly expand its hybrid line-up and increase the number of model variants it offers in the coming years, according to… Continue reading Aston Martin to launch first EV by 2030 after hybrid model blitz

This post was originally published on Autocar Reprising an old nameplate is nothing new and has proven successful for brands like Renault To nobody’s great surprise, the other day the Renault 5 and Alpine A290 jointly won the 2025 Car of the Year award (the original and still the best of the big international car… Continue reading Renault 5 vs Ford Capri: When do retro cars hit the mark?

This post was originally published on Autocar Now that it has dropped in price to more accessible levels, is it time to invest in a 911 GT3 before it becomes a modern classic? The 911 GT3 released in 2017 is heralded as one of Porsche’s greatest hits and it still quickens pulses and turns heads… Continue reading Used Porsche 911 GT3 2017-2021 review

This post was originally published on Autocar Traditional thinking no longer holds water in the new commercial landscape Recent conversations with some of the new Chinese arrivals in the market have left me in no doubt about the commercial revolution that is underway in the automotive industry.  I’m not just talking about being able to… Continue reading Industry digest: Why the Chinese playbook is much more fundamental than low-cost EVs

This post was originally published on Autocar Nissan has brought back its performance sub-brand to spice up its electric family SUV In an effort to make their cars stand out, particularly the electric ones, manufacturers have got in the habit of dusting off old names. There are storied ones like the Ford Capri and Renault… Continue reading Nissan Ariya Nismo

This post was originally published on Autocar Supermini-sized ‘utility’ EV offers retro cheeriness at a very low price Given the Fiat Panda was taken off sale in the UK last year, you would be forgiven for thinking the Fiat Grande Panda Electric is its replacement.But no, it’s an all-new model, filling the space in the Fiat range… Continue reading Fiat Grande Panda Electric

This post was originally published on Autocar From hybrid hypercars to high-rise hatchbacks, here’s every new model that’s set to arrive this year This year is shaping up to be crucial for the car industry, as major manufacturers battle through what is perhaps the most challenging period they have ever faced. They will have to grapple with the need to slash… Continue reading New cars 2025: Your handy guide to the 159 cars coming this year

This post was originally published on Autocar James Taylor leaves British brand, having joined it on a student placement scheme in 1997 Welcome to Movers and Shakers, a new Autocar Business feature covering the latest job moves from across the automotive industry. This page will be updated regularly with all the biggest transfers, promotions and… Continue reading Vauxhall MD leaves company after 25 years

This post was originally published on Autocar Cloth interiors are back on the cards as car makers seek to bring sustainability to EV offerings Cost-cutting isn’t sexy. Journalists don’t tend to receive press releases proclaiming ‘we’ve made the new version of our car intentionally worse so we can save some money while also charging more for… Continue reading Leather interiors are overrated – cloth is just better

This post was originally published on Autocar A310 will be a stretched, more practical A110 and use new-era design cues A110 stretched into 2+2 sports car will take on the likes of Porsche and Lotus Alpine will crown its electric sports car line-up with the A310 – a 2+2 tourer that will put the French… Continue reading Alpine A310 due in 2028 as Porsche 911 rival

This post was originally published on Autocar The best superminis have evolved from small yet practical cars to ones with real dynamic prowess and versatility The onslaught of high-riding crossovers and full-size SUVs paints a different picture, but small, B-segment hatchbacks – that is, superminis – remain the best-selling cars in Europe.  In recent years, few significant… Continue reading The best superminis – driven, rated and ranked

This post was originally published on Autocar Autocar render shows what a road-going Ford hypercar could look like American firm returns to top-flight endurance racing with LMDh hypercar for World Endurance Championship Ford will return to the top echelon of endurance racing in 2027 with a view to winning the fabled 24 Hours of Le… Continue reading Ford confirms return to top class at Le Mans 2027

This post was originally published on Autocar Musk said a robotaxi will be added to a ride-hailing fleet in Austin, Texas, this summer CEO goes big on claims about robot and Cybercab after earnings deliver “significant miss” on expectation Tesla CEO Elon Musk ratcheted the hyperbole to new levels on the company’s latest earnings call,… Continue reading Musk hits new levels of hype as Tesla earnings fall short

This post was originally published on Autocar Off-roading makeover for Polestar’s electric cars brings a suspension lift, studded tyres and ski racks Polestar has given its line-up of electric cars the full-bore rally treatment in a drive to emphasise “the Swedish brand’s performance DNA”. Making their public debut, appropriately, at the annual FAT Ice Race… Continue reading Polestar gets rally-ready with beefed-up versions of 2, 3 and 4 EVs

This post was originally published on Autocar Plus Six successor (pictured) retains classic styling cues… Flagship sports car, due in the spring, uses a new aluminium platform Morgan has released the first pictures of the replacement for the Plus Six, its flagship sports car. It is a rakish coupé, melding the classical styling of the… Continue reading Morgan releases first pictures of imminent Plus Six replacement

This post was originally published on Autocar Tesla’s sales dropped from 1.81m in 2023 to 1.79m last year New cars will take elements from Models 3 and Y as well as a next-generation platform Tesla is on the cusp of launching a range of “more affordable models” in a bid to broaden its appeal after… Continue reading Tesla to launch ‘more affordable models’ by the summer

This post was originally published on Autocar Batteries made from lithium-sulphur could boost range, cut weight and cost less Claims of revolutionary breakthroughs in EV battery technology come and go on a frequent basis. But it looks as though Stellantis has turned a corner with lithium-sulphur technology, which promises to halve the cost per kWh,… Continue reading Stellantis claims new tech could slash battery costs by 2030

This post was originally published on Autocar Streamlined shape is inspired by the historic 40 CV des Records ‘Laboratory on wheels’ has been created to push the boundaries of efficiency in battery-electric vehicles The Renault Filante Record 2025 has been created as a “laboratory on wheels” to push the boundaries of energy efficiency in EVs and… Continue reading Renault shoots for EV range record with new Filante concept

This post was originally published on Autocar CS can hit 62mph from a standstill 0.1sec quicker than standard M3 Touring Track-focused version of hot estate goes on a diet and gets an extra 19bhp from its straight six The BMW M3 CS Touring has been revealed as an even hotter, track-focused version of the brand’s smaller performance… Continue reading BMW M3 CS Touring gets 542bhp and carbonfibre aplenty

This post was originally published on Autocar Track-day special still occupies a unique position in the market, as a wonderful circuit and road car There might not be a more sought-after performance derivative anywhere else in motordom than the Porsche 911 GT3.The model was almost an afterthought when it made its debut on the 996-generation… Continue reading Porsche 911 GT3

This post was originally published on Autocar The three electric vans form a €350m model range investment in partnership with Volvo and France’s CMA CGM Flexis – a joint venture between Renault, Volvo Trucks and French logistics firm CMA CGM – has revealed the trio of electric vans that it will bring to market next year. The… Continue reading Renault-backed start-up launches 249-mile electric vans

This post was originally published on Autocar Connected Kerb has installed some 10,000 chargers to date Connected Kerb receives funding intended to boost electric car uptake and therefore the wider economy Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced the UK government will invest £65 million into EV charging company Connected Kerb, as the latest measure intended to… Continue reading Government to invest £65 million in kerbside EV charging

This post was originally published on Autocar Cars such as the MG HS are fast becoming a familiar part of the British landscape This may be the year in which so many new Chinese car brands finally hit UK showrooms. Within a soup that has been augmented with new ingredients only rarely over the years,… Continue reading Chinese cars have caught up with European ones

This post was originally published on Autocar Reborn R5 goes on sale in the UK from sub-£23,000, but is this finally the plush supermini to take on the Cooper? The new Renault 5 is now officially on sale in the UK from £22,295, ahead of deliveries beginning in spring.Fresh from being named both the European… Continue reading Renault 5

This post was originally published on Autocar Clearwatt’s tech will give buyers a fuller picture of how an EV is performing Smartphone app generates report on range and degradation, making it easier to check the health of a used EV A British company is launching a smartphone app that can calculate the state of health… Continue reading British firm launches phone app to check EV battery health

This post was originally published on Autocar Car insurance can hit your wallet hard, but there are a few models out there with surprisingly low premiums Car insurance is up there with the worst drivers of the cost of living crisis, and finding the cheapest new cars to insure is a must-do, particularly for new… Continue reading The cheapest new cars to insure 2025

This post was originally published on Autocar Cropley and Prior talk about how to sell more Polestars, the merits of cloth vs. leather, and the Morgan Plus 8 On this week’s My Week In Cars podcast join our hosts Matt Prior and Steve Cropley as Polestar’s new boss talks going into a car selling mode,… Continue reading My Week In Cars: New Steve Cropley/Matt Prior podcast (ep.125)

This post was originally published on Autocar Fiat CEO Olivier François says he is “committed” to a revival of the fan-favourite off-roader Fiat plans to launch a 4×4 version of its new Grande Panda, CEO Olivier François has revealed. Speaking at a Car of the Year launch for the new supermini, François said the exact technical… Continue reading Fiat plots 4×4 version of new Grande Panda