They’re not fast, quiet, smooth, desirable or – in many obvious ways, at least – remotely ‘nice’. They don’t have enticing engines or inviting interiors. They’re not always easy to fit into a parking space and are hopeless on the supermarket run. Very often they don’t even have enough seats. Yet there’s something a bit… Continue reading Want to put the fun back into driving? Get a van
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Pay-per-mile tax on EVs slammed as ‘unreasonable’ burden on fleets
The UK government’s low-tech approach to introducing a pay-per-mile tax for electric vehicles (EVs) has come under fire from fleet experts, who warn that it could pose an “unreasonable” administrative burden for operators. Announced as part of the 2025 Autumn Budget, electric vehicle excise duty (eVED) will demand an additional 3p per mile from electric car drivers and… Continue reading Pay-per-mile tax on EVs slammed as ‘unreasonable’ burden on fleets
How GM’s ownership of Lotus went ‘appallingly wrong’
After the death of founder Colin Chapman in 1982, Lotus was in dire straits financially. Thankfully for all us petrolheads, it was saved by British Car Auctions chief David Wickens. He quickly recruited more investors and, with Hethel veteran Mike Kimberley remaining as CEO, Lotus returned to profit in 1984. However, the bosses recognised that they… Continue reading How GM’s ownership of Lotus went ‘appallingly wrong’
Zipcar’s UK exit points to failure of government policy on car sharing
News that Zipcar is poised to shut its doors on its only remaining UK operation (in London) has prompted an outpouring of frustration from loyal users. The restaurant critic Jay Rayner posted on Bluesky that he was “dismayed” by the decision. “The car club availability was at the heart of our decision to abandon car ownership around… Continue reading Zipcar’s UK exit points to failure of government policy on car sharing
The greatest hits (and misses) of designer Gerry McGovern
Land Rover Defender This was the car that JLR was scared to build. The successor to the 1983 legend, multiple prototypes and concepts were created before McGovern and his team settled on the design we first saw six years ago. The most rugged design in the current Land Rover stable, it has proved a massive hit,… Continue reading The greatest hits (and misses) of designer Gerry McGovern
So you want to be a Ferrari test driver? This is how
So you want to be a Ferrari test driver, eh? The good news, says the man who would be making this irresistible job offer, is that you have longer than you perhaps thought: Raffaele de Simone’s recruiting cut-off is 40 years old. But note that it could then take you a decade to join the… Continue reading So you want to be a Ferrari test driver? This is how
Call for speed camera revenues to be spent on road safety
Police chiefs and charities have appealed to the government to let them spend cash raised through speed camera fines on road safety measures, rather than it going straight to Treasury coffers, as hundreds of people continue to die on UK roads every year. In 2024, four people were killed each day, and 76 were seriously… Continue reading Call for speed camera revenues to be spent on road safety
Autocar Pod: Cropley on TV and writing off a Fiat Multipla!
In the new episode of the Autocar podcast Steve Cropley tells us about his (short) TV career, we find out what it takes to write off a Fiat Multipla (not a lot). Prior tells the story of doing 100 miles on less than a gallon of fuel in his Audi A2. There’s much more besides,… Continue reading Autocar Pod: Cropley on TV and writing off a Fiat Multipla!
Renault 5 and 4 among four EVs eligible for £3750 discount
Four more EVs have become eligible for the government’s £3750 Electric Car Grant (ECG), doubling the number of models in the top band. Those newly included are the Renault 4, Alpine A290, Mini Countryman and 52kWh variant of the Renault 5. Including the grant, the Renault 4 now costs from £23,455, the Renault 5 £23,945, the Countryman £25,350… Continue reading Renault 5 and 4 among four EVs eligible for £3750 discount
Who will replace McGovern at JLR? Your guess is as good as mine
News of the abrupt departure of JLR chief creative officer Gerry McGovern elicits feelings of both shock and long expectation, depending which group of commentators you consult. Reasons for the shock are clear enough: McGovern was given a huge amount of control over the “reimagination” of Jaguar when former CEO Thierry Bollore arrived to give… Continue reading Who will replace McGovern at JLR? Your guess is as good as mine