In this week’s magazine we take a look at McLaren W1’s biggest rival, the Ferrari F80, Porsche’s 25th Anniversary GT3 911 model, Tesla’s Robotaxi and some more updates from last week’s Paris Motor Show. Plus, Honda boss Toshihiro Mibe claims the brand’s time has come, as he shares plans for new EVs. News Steve Cropley… Continue reading Autocar magazine 23 October: on sale now
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Petrol Mini John Cooper Works brings 228bhp for £31k
Mini has completed the regeneration of its line-up with the unveiling of the new combustion-engined John Cooper Works hatchback and Convertible. Both cars use the same twin-scroll-turbocharged 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder engine. It produces 228bhp, which matches the output of the outgoing John Cooper Works, and 280lb ft, which is 44lb ft more than previously, and is mated to the… Continue reading Petrol Mini John Cooper Works brings 228bhp for £31k
Kia Xceed
Kia describes the Xceed as a crossover utility vehicle, which is a term that has a vagueness to it bordering on tautology and hints that the increase in ground clearance over the regular Kia Ceed hatchback is, at best, modest. In fact, the difference is only around 40mm, but because of the unique bodywork and plastic wheel arch extensions,… Continue reading Kia Xceed
In-wheel EV motors: Should we be reinventing the wheel?
A company about to put 39kg electric motors into wheels has concluded, thanks to a study by Lotus Engineering, that unsprung mass – the weight that lives at the road end of your suspension – doesn’t matter a bit. This will be a surprise those of us who remember reports emerging frequently from down the corridor at Lotus Cars, celebrating every time they developed… Continue reading In-wheel EV motors: Should we be reinventing the wheel?
Kia Proceed axed after 16 years on sale
The Kia Proceed has been pulled from the Korean firm’s UK line-up after 16 years due to languishing sales. Kia confirmed it was “rationalising” the Ceed model line to “focus on the most popular models”. The Proceed accounted for “a relatively small proportion” of Ceed sales, said the firm. The Ceed – in both hatchback and estate forms… Continue reading Kia Proceed axed after 16 years on sale
Comply or die: car makers must stop selling cars to keep selling cars
Stellantis has throttled sales of combustion-engined cars in the UK in a bid to hit government-mandated sales targets for electric cars this year and avoid paying fines. That’s according to the company’s new head of Europe Jean-Philippe Imparato, who added that the strategy will continue until the end of this year. The UK’s ZEV mandate, which imposes… Continue reading Comply or die: car makers must stop selling cars to keep selling cars
The all-new Skoda Superb: why it’s a great company car
Not only does that mean overheads can be kept to a minimum – it means it’s also even more compelling to spec a higher-level trim. Prefer traditional powertrains? Not to worry. The all-new Superb has petrol, mild-hybrid and diesel engine options, including a high-performance 2.0 TSI that delivers 265 PS and offers all-wheel drive. Sleek… Continue reading The all-new Skoda Superb: why it’s a great company car
Vauxhall upgrades Mokka interior as part of light update
Vauxhall has upgraded the interior of its Mokka as part of a light update to keep it competitive against a host of new rivals in the segment. The crossover – sold in ICE and EV forms – is the British brand’s second-best-seller behind the stalwart Corsa, but sales have dropped by nearly a third over the… Continue reading Vauxhall upgrades Mokka interior as part of light update
Volkswagen Polo
The styling of the Polo’s cabin is sufficiently reserved to rob it of much in the way of wow factor, but it is unquestionably a very solidly built, well-equipped and pleasant small car in which to spend time. As you’d expect from a VW Group product, everything feels solidly integrated, assiduously finished and fitted, and thoroughly well… Continue reading Volkswagen Polo
Volkswagen Financial Services fined £5.4m over vulnerable customer treatment
Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS) has been fined £5.4 million by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for failures over its treatment of customers in financial difficulty. VWFS, which manages vehicle finance agreements (such as hire purchase and PCP deals) across the whole Volkswagen Group, has also agreed to pay more than £21.5m to some 110,000 customers… Continue reading Volkswagen Financial Services fined £5.4m over vulnerable customer treatment