The UK automotive industry is calling for more to be done to encourage private buyers into electric cars, as the latest sales figures reveal EV uptake is falling well short of the government’s mandated targets. The 139,345 new cars registered in the UK last month included 29,634 pure-electric models, a significant 42% increase over the… Continue reading Industry calls for car tax rethink as private EV sales miss targets
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Jaecoo 7
Our Deluxe petrol test car didn’t feel as well appointed as the Luxury PHEV. Sure, it comes with plenty of standard kit, and there are softer materials draped over the top of the doors and the dash, but the tinny interior trim, plasticky seat upholstery and unusually shaped gear selector make it feel pretty austere. The PHEV… Continue reading Jaecoo 7
Autocar’s view on the planned 2030 ICE phase-out
Ever since 2020, when then prime minister Boris Johnson first outlined plans to ban the sale of new non-zero emission cars from 2030 onwards, there has been more confusion than clarity. Under various subsequent UK governments, the date has moved from 2030 to 2035 and back, and all the while there has been a plan… Continue reading Autocar’s view on the planned 2030 ICE phase-out
My Week In Cars: New Steve Cropley/Matt Prior podcast (ep.126)
On this week’s My Week In Cars podcast join our hosts Matt Prior and Steve Cropley talk about the 2035 combustion ban on all cars, including micro manufacturers, pothole problems, The Concrete Club, listening to Ian Callum, and much more besides, including your correspondence. You can make sure you never miss an Autocar podcast by… Continue reading My Week In Cars: New Steve Cropley/Matt Prior podcast (ep.126)
Councils hike parking costs in bid to plug budget holes
Councils across the UK are plotting higher parking charges as they come under pressure to achieve clean-air targets and plug gaps in their tightening finances. Planned changes also include premiums for larger vehicles, tougher parking controls, possible reductions in the numbers of on-street spaces and the introduction of parking charges in free-to-park areas in many… Continue reading Councils hike parking costs in bid to plug budget holes
Aston Martin reveals Valkyrie LMH racer for Le Mans 2025
Aston Martin has revealed the race car with which it will aim for its first overall victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours in more than 60 years. Based on the road-going Valkyrie, it has been developed to the Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) rulebook, which allows entrants to use a higher proportion of bespoke content than the… Continue reading Aston Martin reveals Valkyrie LMH racer for Le Mans 2025
First electric Ferrari to be revealed on 9 October
Ferrari is set to reveal its long-awaited debut electric car on 9 October. In an announcement accompanying the Italian firm’s 2024 financial figures, CEO Benedetto Vigna said Ferrari will “reveal more of our future on 9 October at our Capital Markets Day”. He stopped short of confirming any more details, but said it would be… Continue reading First electric Ferrari to be revealed on 9 October
Sub-£25k Dacia Bigster hits UK roads ahead of imminent deliveries
Prices top out at £29,495 for the Hybrid 155 Extreme, keeping the entire range under £30,000. Speaking to Autocar ahead of the Bigster’s price list going public, Dacia CEO Denis Le Vot explained the rationale behind pricing the Bigster so attractively. “If you take the C-segment SUV market today in Europe, these cars are trading now… Continue reading Sub-£25k Dacia Bigster hits UK roads ahead of imminent deliveries
Audi’s model name backtrack is a victory for common sense
News that Audi has abandoned split model names for combustion and electric models represents the second time in a year that it has changed its cars’ names. Both times it has been for the better, reversing misguided decisions that confused in the first place. The latest is to wind back on a decision that would… Continue reading Audi’s model name backtrack is a victory for common sense
Audi abandons split model names for ICE and EV models
Audi has reversed its new model naming strategy that differentiated combustion-engined models from electric models using odd and even numbers. The move comes after customer and dealer feedback confirmed the new system was causing confusion. Under the original plan, ICE cars, including plug-in hybrids, were assigned the numbers 1, 3, 5 and 7, while EVs were assigned 2, 4, 6 and 8. At… Continue reading Audi abandons split model names for ICE and EV models