Kia Will Build Wild Stinger Successor - but Is Waiting for Costs to Drop
Kia plans to turn its Vision Meta Turismo concept into a production flagship, positioning it as the spiritual successor to the Stinger GT S. The electric four‑door super‑GT sits on a new platform and showcases the brand’s "Opposites United: Evolution" design language aimed at the gamer‑generation. However, Kia’s design chief Karim Habib says the rollout hinges on the cost of high‑performance EVs falling to a viable level. A 90% production‑ready prototype already exists, with a fastback variant under consideration, signaling the company’s intent to expand beyond its SUV‑centric lineup.
Three Countries, One Tank of Fuel: London to Brugges in a 393bhp BMW X3
A reviewer took a BMW X3 M50, a 3.0‑litre straight‑six SUV delivering 393 bhp, on a three‑country road trip from London through France to Bruges, Belgium, and back via the Netherlands. The vehicle’s 37.5 mpg (≈15.9 L/100 km) fuel economy allowed the entire journey...
Peugeot Boss Says Bringing Back 308 GTi 'Makes a Lot of Sense'
Peugeot CEO Alain Favey told Autocar that reviving the 308 GTi as an electric model "makes a lot of sense" after the e‑208 GTi is set to launch in June at Le Mans. The e‑208 GTi will carry roughly 280 hp, marking...
Tactility Is the New Tech: Why Buttons Are More Premium than Pixels
The article argues that premium automotive brands are reverting to physical buttons and dials as a status signal, countering the industry’s screen‑heavy trend. While mainstream manufacturers adopt touchscreens for cost and regulatory reasons, luxury makers like Rolls‑Royce, Bentley, Bugatti and...
Cupra Raval
Spanish‑born Cupra has turned into a core VW Group brand, outselling Seat three‑to‑one in the UK in 2026. The new Cupra Raval, the first of four super‑mini EVs on the MEB+ platform, arrives with a sport‑tuned chassis, 10 mm wider tracks...
Car Finance Scandal Payments Face Big Delay Due to Legal Challenges
The UK Financial Conduct Authority’s Motor Finance Redress Scheme, designed to pay roughly £700 (about $900) to each of 14 million affected motorists, is now delayed by four legal challenges. The FCA warned that a "no scheme" scenario could force consumers...
Service Bills to Rise as Iran War Drives up Engine Oil Prices by 70%
Garages across the UK report that engine‑oil costs have jumped more than 70% since the Iran‑Ukraine war began, forcing them to consider higher service charges. A 200‑litre barrel that cost a garage £350 (≈$438) now costs £600 (≈$750). The price...
How the 'Wrong' Tyres Are Sabotaging Your Car’s MPG
Tyres, often overlooked, can consume 20‑30% of a vehicle’s fuel or electricity through rolling resistance. Continental estimates that a 30% rise in rolling resistance adds 3‑5% to fuel use, while Michelin confirms similar impacts for EV range. The industry is...
Renault 4 Now Available with Folding Cloth Roof for £27k
Renault has introduced the 4 Plein Sud in the UK, a variant that adds a folding cloth roof reminiscent of the 1960s model. Priced at £27,445 (about $34,900) after the £3,750 government grant, it carries a £1,500 premium over the...
Vauxhall to Launch New SUV Developed with Leapmotor
Vauxhall (Opel) will co‑develop and launch a new electric C‑segment SUV with Chinese EV start‑up Leapmotor, targeting an early 2028 debut. The model will combine Leapmotor’s core electric architecture with Vauxhall‑engineered design, chassis and interior experience, and will be assembled...
Ford E-Tourneo Courier
Ford unveiled the 2026 e‑Tourneo Courier, an electric version of its compact commercial MPV, priced at £29,940 (≈ $38,300) after the UK £3,750 grant. It packs a 43.6 kWh nickel‑manganese‑cobalt battery delivering a WLTP‑rated 178 mi (about 135 mi real‑world) range and a 134 bhp...
Volkswagen Readying 282bhp ID Polo GTI Clubsport
Volkswagen is developing a high‑performance Clubsport version of its ID Polo GTI, boosting power from 223 bhp to about 282 bhp. The upgrade will add a mechanical limited‑slip differential and software‑driven paddle‑shift simulation that mimics traditional gear changes. A lower chassis and...
The Best Pick-Up Trucks - Driven, Rated and Ranked
The article ranks the best pickup trucks on sale in the UK for 2026, with the Ford Ranger taking the top spot thanks to its blend of price, refined cabin and multiple powertrains, including a plug‑in hybrid. Recent tax changes...
New Lexus TZ Is a Luxury Six-Seater Out to Rival the Volvo EX90
Lexus unveiled the TZ, its largest ever vehicle and a six‑seat electric SUV positioned as a "driving lounge" for the premium market. Measuring 5.1 m in length, the TZ offers a 96 kWh battery that promises up to 330 miles of range and...
1973: War in the Middle East Causes Oil Crisis in Britain
In October 1973, Arab nations imposed an oil embargo after the United States air‑lifted $2.2 billion in weapons to Israel, causing global barrel prices to quadruple. Britain, though not formally targeted, responded with a 50 mph speed limit, petrol‑ration cards and saw...
Jaguar to Announce Type 00 Production Name Next Week
Jaguar will announce the production name of its upcoming electric grand tourer, currently known as Type 00, next week. The vehicle, built on the new Jaguar Electric Architecture, is set to debut in September and will feature a tri‑motor layout delivering...
Ford to Sell Part of Valencia Plant to Geely to Build New Crossover - Report
Ford is negotiating to sell the Body 3 assembly hall of its Valencia plant to China’s Geely, allowing the Chinese automaker to produce its first Europe‑built crossover. The Valencia facility, capable of 300,000 units annually, currently only builds the Kuga, leaving...
Peugeot E-408
Peugeot finally launched the e‑408 in 2026 after a three‑year delay, pricing it at £43,655 (≈$55,900) – just £1,500 above the mild‑hybrid 408 and £4,500 below the plug‑in version. The lift‑back crossover packs a 58 kWh battery, 210 bhp motor and a...
Aston Martin DB12 S
Aston Martin has launched the DB12 S, a performance‑focused upgrade of its mid‑size DB12 coupe. The S model adds 20 bhp to reach 691 bhp, trims weight by up to 50 kg, and introduces carbon‑ceramic brakes, adaptive dampers and Apple CarPlay Ultra. Pricing starts at...
Peugeot 408
Peugeot has refreshed its 2026 408, a notch‑back crossover that sits between a sedan and an SUV. The lineup now offers a mild‑hybrid Hybrid 145, a plug‑in Hybrid 240 and an all‑electric e‑408, with the PHEV delivering about 50 mi of electric range....
Nissan to Shut Production Line at Sunderland in Cost-Saving Move
Nissan will shut one of the two production lines at its Sunderland plant, consolidating Leaf, Juke and Qashqai output onto a single line. The move is part of a Europe‑wide cost‑cutting program that will eliminate 900 jobs, though no positions...
Nissan's New Solar Tech Adds 11 Miles of Free Range Every Day
Nissan unveiled solar‑enhanced versions of its Ariya crossover and the kei‑car Sakura, showing that integrated photovoltaics can add measurable range each day. In sunny Barcelona the Ariya gains an average of 11 miles, with lower but still notable boosts in...
New Restomod Pays Tribute to 1995 Audi TTS Concept
Dutch firm Autoforma unveiled a restomod that revives the radical 1995 Audi TTS concept, stripping away the production TT’s later modifications. The makeover features a squarer grille, front‑wing vents, a flush hard roof, and the removal of the post‑1998 spoiler,...
Oddball US Car Maker AMC Is a Forgotten Hero
American Motors Corporation (AMC) emerged in 1954 as an independent challenger to the Big Three, pioneering features like standard air‑conditioning, disc brakes and the first U.S. subcompact Gremlin. In 1970 AMC bought Jeep, later launching the Cherokee and Wrangler that...
1000bhp BMW M3 EV to Be Priced 'in Same Ballpark' As Petrol Twin
BMW announced that its next‑generation M3 will be offered in two parallel versions – a high‑performance quad‑motor electric model slated for 2027 and a refreshed internal‑combustion‑engine (ICE) variant. Both cars will sit on BMW’s new electric Neue Klasse architecture (EV)...
The Wild British Supercar that Beat the BMW M5 – Then Vanished
The 1989 Panther Solo was a mid‑engine, all‑wheel‑drive British supercar that out‑performed the BMW M5 in Autocar’s 1990 driver’s car contest. It combined a turbocharged 2.0‑litre Ford engine, a steel‑spaceframe bonded to an aluminium‑honeycomb chassis, and innovative features like revolving...
Road Rage Incidents Spiral as Stress Mounts for UK Drivers
Road‑rage incidents in the UK have surged, with police reports up 34% between 2021 and 2025 and aggressive behaviour linked to 10% of the 1,454 road deaths in 2023. A study by road‑safety tech firm Ooono found that sleep deprivation,...
Electric Car Interest Surges Following Spike in Fuel Prices
Fuel price spikes caused by the Iran‑U.S. conflict have sparked a sharp rise in electric‑vehicle interest across Europe, with Renault reporting a 42% jump in UK website enquiries and EVs making up just under 50% of its April registrations. Similar...
Citroen E-C3
The Citroën ë‑C3 Max is positioned as a low‑cost electric supermini, priced around $23,500 after the UK grant. It offers two battery packs—a 30 kWh unit with about 130 mi range and a 43.7 kWh unit delivering roughly 199 mi on paper, though real‑world...
We Ignored the Brilliant 370Z – Now It’s a £10k Used Bargain
The Nissan 370Z, once overlooked in the UK, has become a bargain at under £10,000 (about $12,700) on the used market. Its front‑mid V6, six‑speed manual and rear‑drive chassis deliver a Porsche‑Cayman‑like driving experience at a fraction of the price....
Porsche to End Production of ICE Macan This Summer
Porsche announced it will halt production of the internal‑combustion‑engine (ICE) Macan by mid‑2026, while stock built now will sustain sales into 2027, especially in the United States. The move follows a strong Q1 2026 demand of 10,130 ICE Macans, up...
"Does Anyone Even Know What a Software-Defined Vehicle Is?"
The article questions the meaning of a "software‑defined vehicle" (SDV), calling the term a vague industry buzzword. It uses BMW’s iX3 as a case study, noting that while the car runs on a software‑centric platform, its driving feel remains rooted...
Volkswagen Eyes Chinese-Market Cars for Europe to Boost Competitiveness
Volkswagen announced it may build its China‑only electric models, such as the ID Unyx 09, in European factories as part of a broader transformation aimed at restoring profitability. The automaker’s Q1 operating profit fell 14% to €2.5 billion (about $2.7 billion), prompting...
Volkswagen ID Polo Prototype Review
Volkswagen’s ID Polo prototype marks the brand’s push into the sub‑£30,000 electric hatchback market, built on the new MEB+ platform and sharing chassis work with the Cupra Raval. It offers two battery options—a 37 kWh LFP pack delivering about 186 mi and a 52 kWh...
Ferrari Purosangue Gets Sportier with New £407k Handling Speciale
Ferrari has introduced a Handling Speciale pack for the Purosangue SUV, featuring a firmer adaptive‑suspension calibration that trims body roll by roughly 10%. The package also re‑maps the automatic gearbox to produce more aggressive shifts, especially past 5,500 rpm, and boosts...
Leapmotor B03 Primed as Cut-Price VW ID Polo Rival for 2027
Leapmotor is set to unveil its new electric supermini, the B03 (marketed as the A05 in China), in May 2024, with a UK launch planned for early 2027. The B03 will sit on Leapmotor’s entry‑level A platform, sharing architecture with...
Jaecoo 8
Chinese automaker Jaecoo has introduced the Jaecoo 8, a full‑size plug‑in hybrid SUV priced at £47,500 (≈ $60,300) for the Executive trim. The flagship delivers 422 bhp, 0‑62 mph in 5.8 seconds, and an 83‑mile electric‑only range from a 35.5 kWh battery. With a combined WLTP...
Leapmotor B05 First Drive: China's Golf Shows Signs of Promise
Chinese EV maker Leapmotor unveiled the B05, a mid‑size electric hatchback positioned as a sub‑£30,000 alternative to the Cupra Born and VW ID.3 Neo. The UK‑spec model will deliver 215 bhp, 0‑62 mph in 6.7 seconds, a 67.1 kWh pack offering roughly 300 miles WLTP...
Leapmotor and Stellantis Considering Co-Developing New Platforms
Stellantis and Chinese EV maker Leapmotor are discussing deeper collaboration that may include co‑developing shared vehicle platforms. Stellantis currently owns about 20% of Leapmotor and a 51% stake in its international distribution arm, giving it access to Leapmotor’s dealer network...
Volkswagen to Kick Off New Era with ID Polo Unveiling Tomorrow
Volkswagen will unveil the ID Polo, an electric hatchback priced below £22,000 (about $28,000), marking the brand’s first model fully designed under chief designer Andreas Mindt. The vehicle adopts VW’s refreshed design language and features a “premium haptic” interior that...
Can We Rely on King Charles' Charm, or Should We Build Trump a Limo?
King Charles is making his first visit to the United States since 2007, a trip that could ease rising tensions with President Donald Trump over divergent foreign‑policy stances. British officials see the monarch’s presence as a diplomatic lever to protect...
EVs Actually Make Excellent Drift Cars – if only Briefly
Electric vehicles, especially dual‑motor models, can deliver impressive drift performance thanks to instant torque and finely tuned throttle response. However, many EVs restrict rear‑axle torque—often capping it at around 321 lb‑ft—and impose traction‑control or limp‑mode limits that curtail sustained slides. Brands...
Next Alfa Romeo Stelvio: Right Car, Wrong Platform?
Alfa Romeo plans a new Stelvio SUV that will be offered with both internal‑combustion and fully electric powertrains, signaling the brand’s push into the premium EV segment. The model will be built on Stellantis’s STLA Large platform, which will be...
The Forgotten 1990s Seat that Hid a VW Golf GTI Underneath
The 1990s Seat Toledo was the first five‑door model to break away from Fiat‑derived styling, featuring a design by Giorgetto Giugiaro. It borrowed the chassis, suspension and powertrains from the second‑generation VW Golf, including the 115 hp and later 126 hp 1.8‑litre...
The Rule Change that Could End Maddening Car Safety Tech
The EU’s General Safety Regulation 2 (GSR2), fully effective July 2024, forces all new cars to ship with default‑on intelligent speed assistance, autonomous emergency braking, lane‑keeping and driver‑attention systems. Euro NCAP’s upcoming 2026 testing protocol will tighten driver‑monitoring criteria, likely prompting more intrusive...
Denza Z9 GT EV
The Denza Z9 GT EV is a high‑performance electric estate from the Chinese brand, launching with a 1,140 bhp powertrain and a price tag of about $128,000 in the UK (roughly $70,000‑$77,000 in Australia and $58,000 in China). It offers a...
New BYD Atto 3 Revealed with 'Flash' Rapid-Charging Tech
BYD unveiled the next‑generation Atto 3 at the Beijing motor show, featuring sharper styling, a longer wheelbase and a new “flash” rapid‑charging system. The crossover’s boot capacity jumps to 750 L and the bonnet now opens electronically. Two rear‑wheel‑drive variants deliver 268 bhp...
Your Next Tyres Could Be Made From Orange Peels and Plastic
Major tyre manufacturers are accelerating the shift to sustainable compounds, with Pirelli unveiling a high‑performance P Zero model that is 70% bio‑based or recycled. Continental and other brands are replacing traditional carbon black with bio‑oil, tall‑oil and pyrolysis oil derived...
Volvo ES90
Volvo’s 2026 ES90 marks the brand’s first premium electric sedan, priced at £69,205 (≈$86,500). Built on an 800 V SPA2 platform, it offers a 92 kWh battery, up to 440 miles WLTP range and 350 kW fast‑charging capability. Powertrain options include a 329 bhp rear‑wheel‑drive...
New Peugeot Concepts Could Preview Next 508 and a Flagship SUV
Peugeot unveiled two electric concepts, the Concept 6 estate and Concept 8 SUV, at the Beijing Motor Show. Both models are slated for an initial launch in China through the Dongfeng partnership, with plans for global export. The Concept 6 hints at a...