Technology giant Siemens has been named as the sponsor of the 2025 Autocar Awards, which will celebrate the people and organisations shaping the future of automotive – as well as the best cars on sale. This year’s awards ceremony takes place on 24 June, where Autocar and Siemens will name the industry’s most innovative and… Continue reading Volvo software boss to join free Autocar-Siemens webinar on 25 June
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Volvo reinvents seatbelts – again. Now they know your size
Volvo has invented a new type of seatbelt that could dramatically improve in-car safety – again. The firm, which pioneered the use of the three-point belt, has revealed a new ‘multi-adaptive safety belt’, which uses sensors to analyse an occupant’s height, weight, body shape and seating position and responds accordingly in the event of a crash. … Continue reading Volvo reinvents seatbelts – again. Now they know your size
Inside Alpine’s 20-year plan to become a proper Porsche rival
“The business case flies with the US, because [the US is] 40% of the market in [the E-segment]. So until we have it clearly, it’s a bit risky for us to push the button,” de Meo said. It also means sourcing a platform from outside Renault – likely Chinese partner firm Geely. The other global market that welcomed Audi was… Continue reading Inside Alpine’s 20-year plan to become a proper Porsche rival
Honda taps “world’s most efficient” ICE powertrain for hybrid blitz
The arrival of the two powertrains will coincide with a new platform that promises improvements in driver engagement, comfort and safety. For medium-sized cars, it will be 90kg lighter than the current structure and the bodies applied to the frame will bring a further 10% saving in mass. Cost-cutting is also a key directive in… Continue reading Honda taps “world’s most efficient” ICE powertrain for hybrid blitz
WATCH: We test – and JUMP! – a Monster Truck
[embedded content] “You’re going to catch some air,” says Tristan England, driver of the JCB Digatron Monster Jam truck, the subject of this year’s Christmas road test. This was unexpected. If you’ll excuse the behind-the-scenes indulgence, sometimes we get a brief go in a Christmas road test vehicle, sometimes an extended run, but often –… Continue reading WATCH: We test – and JUMP! – a Monster Truck
Facelifted Kia Sportage due in UK this summer with 236bhp hybrid
The updated Kia Sportage will arrive in UK showrooms this summer, offering a choice of petrol or hybrid power. One of the UK’s best-selling cars, the crossover has been reworked to bring its styling into line with its newer stablemates, such as the Picanto, Sorento and electric EV3. The new treatment comprises column-like headlights and a… Continue reading Facelifted Kia Sportage due in UK this summer with 236bhp hybrid
Quarter of motorists unhappy with ADAS as ‘trust gap’ widens
Widespread confusion regarding the capabilities and limitations of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) is developing a ‘trust gap’ with modern cars. That’s the conclusion of a new survey from technology specialist DG Cities, which warns that in order to buck this trend, dealers and car makers need to explain the tech better to buyers. From… Continue reading Quarter of motorists unhappy with ADAS as ‘trust gap’ widens
My Week In Cars: New Steve Cropley/Matt Prior podcast (ep.143)
This week Steve Cropley and Matt Prior meet in a top designer’s office to talk about some secret Rovers, why the upcoming death of the Ford Focus ST means too much, Steve’s newly shiny Alpine A110, the Audi A3 PHEV, and much more besides, including your correspondence. Make sure you never miss an Autocar podcast. Subscribe… Continue reading My Week In Cars: New Steve Cropley/Matt Prior podcast (ep.143)
Nio Firefly confirmed for sale in Europe; set for UK by October
The Nio Firefly, a Chinese rival for the Renault 5 and incoming Volkswagen ID 2, has been confirmed for Europe – and UK sales should soon follow. The electric supermini was launched in China in April, offering a range of 260 miles (albeit on the lenient CLTC test cycle) and a single rear-mounted 141bhp motor for… Continue reading Nio Firefly confirmed for sale in Europe; set for UK by October
New pictures of 2025 Nissan Leaf ahead of full debut this month
The new third-generation Nissan Leaf EV will be fully revealed later this month ahead of a market launch by the end of the year. In a new video showcasing some headline attributes, Nissan revealed new details and angles of the upcoming Skoda Elroq rival, which will enter production at Sunderland in the coming months. Nissan says… Continue reading New pictures of 2025 Nissan Leaf ahead of full debut this month