News that Ineos Automotive has been forced to stop production of the Grenadier off-roader because of a component shortage – understood to be seats from Recaro following its insolvency – underscores the fragility of the automotive supply chain, particularly for smaller car makers. “Automotive supply chains are always complex and challenging, but this hits at… Continue reading Recaro-triggered Ineos stop exposes fragility of supply chain
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
JLR Halewood plant ready to build EV and ICE Land Rovers
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced a further £250 million investment in its plant in Halewood, Merseyside, to ready it for the production of new Range Rover models. The plant is being transformed to enable the production of new SUVs on the upcoming EMA platform, which supports pure-combustion, hybrid and battery-electric powertrains. The total investment in… Continue reading JLR Halewood plant ready to build EV and ICE Land Rovers
Skoda Elroq to be unveiled on 1 October
The new Skoda Elroq will be unveiled on 1 October, the brand has announced. It will be the first model to embody the its new Modern Solid design language, with design sketches revealing it bears the ‘Tech-Deck’ Face and fresh logo (with ‘Skoda’ lettering replacing the old emblem). Based on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform, the Elroq will be Skoda’s third EV to… Continue reading Skoda Elroq to be unveiled on 1 October
Reborn Renault 4 shows off boxy look ahead of October debut
Renault is putting the finishing touches on the revived 4 ahead of its unveiling at the Paris motor show. Two late prototypes have now been spotted testing on public roads, revealing the production car’s boxy lines. Although they are heavily camouflaged, the styling from the 4Ever concept shown at the previous Paris show is clearly visible,… Continue reading Reborn Renault 4 shows off boxy look ahead of October debut
Could India displace China as a more benign global EV leader?
Earlier this month, Tata Motors said it would build electric cars with its better-known subsidiary JLR at a plant in Gujarat, India, for export globally. The resulting models from both brands will arrive next year, based on JLR’s EMA EV platform, which will also underpin smaller Range Rover models, including the electric follow-up to the Evoque. Meanwhile, Ford announced that… Continue reading Could India displace China as a more benign global EV leader?
My Week In Cars: New Steve Cropley/Matt Prior podcast (ep.107)
This week your hosts Matt Prior and Steve Cropley meet to talk about a Coventry University design museum with Riversimple, the Mazda MX-5 turning 35 years old, and wonder what range a plug-in hybrid needs to remain on sale after pure ICE cars are banned. Then we have your correspondence: why aren’t cars more colourful?… Continue reading My Week In Cars: New Steve Cropley/Matt Prior podcast (ep.107)
Autocar magazine 25 September: on sale now
In this week’s issue, we take a look at Mercedes-AMG’s plans for a radical new electric car, give our verdict on the new Volkswagen Golf GTI, and go on a UK road trip in one of Britain’s best-selling cars. News Mercedes-AMG is hatching plans for a spectacular electric supercar inspired by the retro-styled Vision One-Eleven… Continue reading Autocar magazine 25 September: on sale now
Japanese firm shows high-tech SUV penned by Nissan GT-R designer
Japanese parts supplier THK will show a radical new electric car concept penned by Nissan GT-R designer Shiro Nakamura at the upcoming Paris motor show. Named the LSR-05, it’s a four-seat coupé-SUV conceived to show off the company’s latest technological developments. The fully functional car is powered by three electric motors: two 125bhp units are mounted in the rear… Continue reading Japanese firm shows high-tech SUV penned by Nissan GT-R designer
Why I love… the hire car lottery
Ford Edge or similar: that’s what my Avis hire car booking said. And if I really squinted, I guess the vehicle to which I was handed the key at Houston Intercontinental airport was broadly similar to a Ford Edge. Sort of. Maybe. Well, not at all, really. Because instead of a middling US-market SUV, in… Continue reading Why I love… the hire car lottery
How car makers can fake the weather to test prototypes
One of the biggest challenges manufacturers face is ensuring that each new model is robust and reliable in every market. The same car driven in the relatively benign UK climate has to function just as well in tundra as in desert. Also, ICE cars’ engines, sensitive to the oxygen content of the atmosphere, have to… Continue reading How car makers can fake the weather to test prototypes