Author: Autocar Magazine UK

Meet the world’s most hardcore off-road bus

Travelling by bus can be a mixed bag. You’ll either glide quickly to your stop, or you’ll be stuck next to someone unfamiliar with deodorant. You’re also trapped on normal, Tarmac-clad roads. But what if there was a bus that could take you up a volcano without breaking a sweat? Meet the Torsus Praetorian and… Continue reading Meet the world’s most hardcore off-road bus

I love planes, but driving is just better

Steve Cropley recently said he’d rather have driven than flown home from an event, even though it would have taken longer. He absolutely, resolutely, talked my language. As I write I’m on an aeroplane. I love planes, enjoy being in the air and think modern aviation is one of humankind’s greatest achievements, shrinking the planet,… Continue reading I love planes, but driving is just better

Benefit-in-kind reporting for company cars to be phased out

HM Revenue and Customs is phasing out annual benefit-in-kind reporting for company cars. The reforms come into effect from 6 April 2026 and, with draft legislation not due until 2025, many fleets are facing short deadlines to comply with those changes. Starting with the 2026/27 tax year, employers must report the value of any workplace… Continue reading Benefit-in-kind reporting for company cars to be phased out

Car of the Year 2025 shortlist announced

The Car of the Year (CotY) shortlist for 2025 is dominated by small electric cars. Among the seven shortlisted models are the Alfa Romeo Junior, Citroën ë-C3, Hyundai Inster and Renault 5. The shortlist is completed by the Cupra Terramar, Dacia Duster and Kia EV3. The winner will be announced at the Brussels motor show on 10 January. Sixty jurors from 23 countries selected seven… Continue reading Car of the Year 2025 shortlist announced

Why the Suzuki Swift is the perfect detox to modern motoring

For the past few years, I’ve compiled a feature looking at the year’s road test stats in one of the Christmas double issues of our magazine. It was quite striking in 2023 how the average star rating had gone down from four to 3.5, and there were no five-star verdicts. Not a great vintage, then,… Continue reading Why the Suzuki Swift is the perfect detox to modern motoring

Hyundai names chief operating officer Jose Muñoz as new CEO

Hyundai has named chief operating officer Jose Muñoz as its new global CEO, taking the reins on 1 January from Jaehoon Chang, who has been promoted to vice chair of the company’s automotive division. Born in Spain, Muñoz will be the first non-Korean to lead Hyundai Motor Company since it was founded in 1967.  Joining Hyundai… Continue reading Hyundai names chief operating officer Jose Muñoz as new CEO

Can European car makers counter China by “working smarter”?

Penny for the thoughts of Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares when the bombshell news broke of the Volkswagen Group’s decision to close factories in Germany for the first time.  The seismic VW restructure is the result of slowing demand for electric vehicles, coupled with a spiralling cost base. In its development of electric vehicles, VW has… Continue reading Can European car makers counter China by “working smarter”?

Finally: First pictures of 2026 electric Jaguar super-GT revealed

The first car of Jaguar’s new era has finally broken cover as it begins road testing for a 2026 launch, just two weeks before the firm unveils a concept that will set the tone for the design of all its upcoming models. The first all-new Jaguar since the I-Pace was launched in early 2018, this… Continue reading Finally: First pictures of 2026 electric Jaguar super-GT revealed

Mazda 3

Given the technologically innovative measures it uses to go about its business, this new Skyactiv-X engine sounds and feels surprisingly ordinary during day-to-day use. When we originally road tested the Skyactiv-X, we noted that there was a vaguely rough, diesel-like edge to its timbre at idle and when accelerating through the lower reaches of the… Continue reading Mazda 3