Author: Autocar Magazine UK

BIK tax hikes for hybrid company cars and double-cab pick-ups

The Autumn Budget has extended tax incentives for electric company cars until at least April 2030 but put significant rises on the horizon for plug-in hybrids and double-cab pick-up trucks. Company car tax has incentivised low-CO2 vehicles since 2002. The benefit of having a car for personal use has what’s called a taxable value – a percentage… Continue reading BIK tax hikes for hybrid company cars and double-cab pick-ups

Jaguar no longer sells any new cars in UK as F-Pace axed from line up

New Jaguar F-Pace SUVs are no longer available in the UK, meaning the brand no longer sells any new cars in the market and won’t until its first next-generation model arrives in 2026. This follows the UK market axing of the XE, XF and F-Type, made at Castle Bromwich, and the E-Pace and I-Pace, assembled by Magna Steyr in… Continue reading Jaguar no longer sells any new cars in UK as F-Pace axed from line up

Bold Hyundai Initium concept is first look at new Nexo

Hyundai has unveiled the Initium concept, a hydrogen fuel cell SUV that is all but confirmed to showcase the styling and technology of the next-generation Nexo. Intended to demonstrate the brand’s commitment to hydrogen power, it packs a new powertrain that’s said to offer much greater performance than the one in the existing Nexo. Its… Continue reading Bold Hyundai Initium concept is first look at new Nexo

How a Mitsubishi Evo X rally car influenced Polestar’s EVs

Being careful to avoid national stereotypes is always good practice for a road tester. You know the sort: anthropomorphic nonsense about German cars being inherently efficient and resolute, Italian ones fiery and ostentatious or French ones inclined to the occasional spontaneous strike day. But sometimes you’ve just got to share. So it was that, after… Continue reading How a Mitsubishi Evo X rally car influenced Polestar’s EVs

Hot laps in the new 911 GT3: is this peak Porsche?

After Porsche GT boss Andreas Preuninger has conducted the showbiz reveal, guests gather for passenger rides. We jostle for position on the asphalted paddock-veranda behind Porsche’s towering experience centre at Hockenheim; it being 7.30pm in mid-October, the unlit test track spread out below our high vantage point is in total darkness.  Soon enough the vagaries… Continue reading Hot laps in the new 911 GT3: is this peak Porsche?

Hot laps in the new 911 GT3: absolute peak Porsche?

After Porsche GT boss Andreas Preuninger has conducted the showbiz reveal, guests gather for passenger rides. We jostle for position on the asphalted paddock-veranda behind Porsche’s towering experience centre at Hockenheim; it being 7.30pm in mid-October, the unlit test track spread out below our high vantage point is in total darkness.  Soon enough the vagaries… Continue reading Hot laps in the new 911 GT3: absolute peak Porsche?

Renault Embleme due in 2028 as first of radical new EV family

Ampere has worked with Renault’s EV platform developers to design a new cell-to-pack battery arrangement to compensate for the inherent reduced efficiency of LFP compared with NMC, so the cost reduction won’t be accompanied by any drop in energy output. The company will boost that cost reduction to 50% (compared with today) by 2028, with… Continue reading Renault Embleme due in 2028 as first of radical new EV family

Nissan primes Renault Twingo twin for Europe

Nissan is in the early stages of developing an electric city car for Europe, twinned with the upcoming Renault Twingo EV. The Japanese firm has begun talks with Alliance partner Renault’s Ampere EV division about the development of an ‘A-segment’ EV based on the Ampr Small platform that underpins the forthcoming Twingo (as well as the larger… Continue reading Nissan primes Renault Twingo twin for Europe

Fuel duty frozen but ICE car buyers face big VED hike

Fuel duty has been frozen for another year, chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced in the Autumn Budget. The current rate of 52.95p per litre will be retained through 2025-2026. Reeves said: “I have concluded that in these difficult circumstances, while the cost of living remains high, and with the backdrop of global uncertainty, increasing fuel duty would… Continue reading Fuel duty frozen but ICE car buyers face big VED hike