German tuner Brabus has got it hands on the new Smart #5 SUV, pumping it with 637bhp and giving it the acceleration to match a Range Rover Sport SV. The flagship variant of the largest car Smart has ever produced is described as the “pinnacle” of the Geely-owned brand. It stands out from the standard #5 with a small… Continue reading Smart #5 Brabus is 637bhp SUV with Range Rover Sport SV pace
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
All-electric MINI Countryman: 7 reasons it’s the perfect family car
#5 Technology that makes driving simple When used thoughtfully, technology really can elevate the driving experience, and help make each journey easier. The all-electric Countryman is a fantastic example of that. Firstly, there’s the MINI Intelligent Personal Assistant. A proper, full-featured voice assistant. It lets you control features in the Countryman, but without needing to… Continue reading All-electric MINI Countryman: 7 reasons it’s the perfect family car
Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur gain 671bhp PHEV V8
Bentley has introduced a second plug-in hybrid V8 option to the Continental GT and Flying Spur, with enough power to outpace the previous-generation W12 cars. The new High Performance Hybrid powertrain joins the ranks as a lower-powered alternative to the existing 771bhp Ultra Performance set-up – but with a huge 671bhp and 686lb ft of… Continue reading Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur gain 671bhp PHEV V8
New single-motor Volvo EX90 shaves £14k off SUV’s starting price
The Volvo EX90 has gained a single-motor variant that trims the electric SUV‘s starting price by nearly £14,000. Available to order now from £82,660, the new Single Motor variant adds a rear-wheel-drive option to the EX90 line-up, which from launch has been exclusively four-wheel-drive. The rear-mounted motor produces 276bhp and 361lb ft for a 0-62mph time of 8.4sec,… Continue reading New single-motor Volvo EX90 shaves £14k off SUV’s starting price
Volvo EX30 Cross Country goes on sale at £47,060
The Volvo EX30 has spawned a jacked-up, off-road-focused model that has become the first EV and the first SUV to wear Volvo’s Cross Country badge. Priced at £47,060, the new EX30 Cross Country is £2000 more than the Twin Motor Performance Ultra variant of the standard EX30 on which it’s based. Compared with that car, it has been raised… Continue reading Volvo EX30 Cross Country goes on sale at £47,060
Volvo XC60 gets refreshed look and upgraded interior for £49,240
The updated Volvo XC60 has gone on sale, priced from £49,240, as the Swedish brand bids to maintain the appeal of its best-selling model. The range tops out at £69,860 in T8 Plug-in Hybrid Ultra Black Edition. Deliveries will begin in the third quarter of this year. The big changes come visually, with the SUV sporting a new grille similar to that fitted… Continue reading Volvo XC60 gets refreshed look and upgraded interior for £49,240
Forget WEC – Super Taikyu is way cooler
Think of endurance racing and your mind probably turns to the World Endurance Championship, in which bespoke hypercars rub wings with some of the world’s ultimate sports cars. It makes for stellar viewing but, given the sheer cost and complexity of the cars involved, can feel a bit samey once you’ve followed it for a… Continue reading Forget WEC – Super Taikyu is way cooler
Private EV sales finally on the rise, thanks to cheap deals, greater choice
Private customers are turning towards electric cars in greater numbers than ever before in a sign that growing choice at the cheaper end of the market is persuading customers of petrol and diesel models to make the switch. Figures seen by MG show that retail sales of electric cars were up 59% in the first two… Continue reading Private EV sales finally on the rise, thanks to cheap deals, greater choice
Ford launches EV incentives to win over buyers with new Puma
Ford UK believes the launch of the new Puma Electric can prompt buyers of its existing vehicles to make the switch to electric, and is launching a new range of incentives to help buyers do so. The manufacturer has launched a new Power Promise, giving every buyer of one of its EVs a free home… Continue reading Ford launches EV incentives to win over buyers with new Puma
Banning hybrids from 2030 would’ve been “too soon” says PM
It will follow up the revamped ZEV mandate with the unveiling of a “modern industrial strategy” in the summer, “which will help British businesses realise the potential of industries of the future”. The government is still attempting to negotiate a new trade deal with the US in a bid to neutralise the impact of the… Continue reading Banning hybrids from 2030 would’ve been “too soon” says PM