Author: Autocar Magazine UK

Ford Mustang

So, it’s worth sticking with the manual, then, and it’s hard to see why you would bother with the Dark Horse either. It gets only a handful of extra power and no extra torque, and this GT drives every bit as well. If anything, its damping feels a touch less rigid. The magnetorheological adaptive dampers… Continue reading Ford Mustang

Porsche regroups around combustion engines after a year to forget

A year ago, Oliver Blume lauded his decision to approve the Taycan electric saloon for production at his first ever supervisory board meeting as Porsche CEO back in 2015. “We were talking about billions in investment. It required a lot of courage,” he recalled. A decade after that meeting, however, Porsche is having to backtrack on its… Continue reading Porsche regroups around combustion engines after a year to forget

Kia to show £25k EV2, EV4 and ID Buzz rival on 27 February

Kia will reveal the production versions of the EV4 and PV5 and a concept version of the EV2 later this month. The trio will make their debuts at Kia EV Day, the Korean brand’s annual showcase event that takes place this year on 27 February. Ahead of the event, the three new models have been previewed by images that showcase aesthetics… Continue reading Kia to show £25k EV2, EV4 and ID Buzz rival on 27 February

Luxury car tax could curb EV growth as four in five cost £40k-plus

Four out of five electric company cars could be hit by an £850 ‘luxury tax’ levy from 1 April, pushing some models out of drivers’ budgets and hindering fleet uptake, leasing firm Alphabet has warned, while stressing that promised reforms are already overdue. Changes to the vehicle excise duty (VED, or ‘road tax’) system were… Continue reading Luxury car tax could curb EV growth as four in five cost £40k-plus

Hyundai to unveil solid-state battery next month

Hyundai will unveil its first solid-state battery next month, promising longer range and faster charging from packs that are sized similarly to today’s offerings. On 9 March, the Korean firm will open its new Uiwang Research Center in Gyeonggi, where the next-generation batteries will be tested on a pilot production line. There Hyundai will show the… Continue reading Hyundai to unveil solid-state battery next month

Private car park rule change to eliminate ‘five-minute fines’

Drivers who park in ANPR camera-controlled private car parks will no longer be penalised for taking too long to pay. Law changes to elimate so-called ‘five-minute fines’ are set to come in from Monday, following a review from the Private Parking Scrutiny and Advice Panel (PPSAP). Previously, drivers who used private parking sites had to pay within… Continue reading Private car park rule change to eliminate ‘five-minute fines’

Future Renault models could swap steering wheels for yokes

Renault is considering offering a steering yoke in future cars – but will pursue the technology only once buyers have sufficient trust in its reliability.  The company is using its new one-off Filante streamliner to test the technology, with a two-spoke yoke fitted around a central instrument screen. This controls the wheels through an electronic connection, rather than… Continue reading Future Renault models could swap steering wheels for yokes

Porsche 911 Dakar set to return with GTS hybrid powertrain

Porsche is set to bring back the 911 Dakar with hybrid power and the promise of even greater on- and off-road performance. Senior sources have told Autocar that the upgraded model is under development at the firm’s Weissach engineering centre and it is planned to form part of the German car maker’s facelifted 992-series 911… Continue reading Porsche 911 Dakar set to return with GTS hybrid powertrain

Smart #3 Brabus

Aside from the more overt sporting cues (clock the Alcantara steering wheel, microfibre seats and lashings of red), the Brabus interior is identical to that of the standard #3. It’s a spacious and airy environment, with plenty of room to stretch out in each row and rear head room not unduly impacted by the sloping roofline, plus… Continue reading Smart #3 Brabus