Dongfeng, one of the four biggest car makers in China, has taken its first steps into Europe with the Nammi Box budget EV. Launched in Switzerland priced from CHF 21,990 (£19,615), the hatchback is positioned as a rival to the Citroen ë-C3, currently one of the cheapest EVs on sale in Europe at £21,035. To keep… Continue reading Dongfeng Nammi Box is £19,615 budget EV for Europe
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Farewell to the Maserati V8: Last drive in 207mph Ghibli
Limited to 103 units in tribute to the Tipo 103 model code of the 5000 GT, the Ultima is a Fuoriserie special series car just like the recently unveiled Icona and Leggenda editions of the MC20. But the department – “its own little company within the company”, in the words of Fuoriserie director Davide Baldini… Continue reading Farewell to the Maserati V8: Last drive in 207mph Ghibli
How written-off cars are dangerously resold for profit
From trash to cash!’, ‘Soo cheap!’, ‘£300 gamble no keys!’… Hyperbole is alive and kicking on the popular videos posted by salvage repairers on YouTube. There are lots of them, most fronted by excitable chaps with a gift for social media supported by a grizzled ‘character’ who actually does the work. They must be profitable.… Continue reading How written-off cars are dangerously resold for profit
Global premium brands starting to struggle in China
The sharp decline in fortunes hitting global volume car brands in China is starting to be repeated among premium brands, including Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. Premiums brands typically derive a much greater share of their overall sales from the world’s largest market than than volume players do – more than a third of them in the case of Audi. … Continue reading Global premium brands starting to struggle in China
Why new cars aren’t always “better than the old one”
I used to think that ‘it’s better than the old one’ was one of the lazier tropes in this business. New reviewers would get steered away from writing things like ‘they’ve improved it’, because if a company had spent a billion quid developing a new car using the latest technology, it would be fairly catastrophic… Continue reading Why new cars aren’t always “better than the old one”
Ultra-luxurious Mercedes SL is Maybach’s first sports car
Maybach has turned its hand to the Mercedes-AMG SL, creating an ultra-luxurious sports convertible to rival the Bentley Continental GTC and Ferrari Roma Spider. Revealed at Monterey Car Week in California, the new Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series is “the sportiest model in the Maybach brand’s history”. Mercedes‘ ultra-luxury arm has previously been best known for its exclusive reworkings… Continue reading Ultra-luxurious Mercedes SL is Maybach’s first sports car
Rimac Nevera R brings 2078bhp for world-beating 0-62mph time
The new Rimac Nevera R is the fastest-accelerating road car yet, covering 0-62mph in just 1.81sec. The 2078bhp hypercar can also dispatch 0-186mph in a staggering 8.66sec. Billed as the “alter ego” of the standard 1888bhp Nevera, the R’s new monstrous power figure – courtesy of four electric motors – is surpassed by only the… Continue reading Rimac Nevera R brings 2078bhp for world-beating 0-62mph time
New Lamborghini Temerario replaces Huracan with 907bhp V8 PHEV
Lamborghini has taken the covers off the long-awaited replacement for its Huracán junior supercar: the Temerario. The revered 5.2-litre V10 that has powered Lamborghini’s mainstream supercars since 2003 has been ditched in favour of an all-new twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8, assisted by three electric motors. It has a hot-vee layout, meaning the turbos are mounted between… Continue reading New Lamborghini Temerario replaces Huracan with 907bhp V8 PHEV
Track-ready Maserati MC20 GT2 Stradale brings more power, less weight
Maserati has revealed a track-ready, GT2-inspired version of its MC20 supercar. Compared with the regular MC20, the Maserati GT2 Stradale is 60kg lighter, it gets an extra 11bhp from its twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 and it is fitted with a prominent aero kit. This leaves the rear-wheel-drive coupé weighing 1365kg and producing 632bhp at 7500rpm, giving… Continue reading Track-ready Maserati MC20 GT2 Stradale brings more power, less weight
Ferrari 550 reborn: manual V12 GT boosted and updated
Italian coachbuilder Touring Superleggera has unveiled a Ferrari 550 Maranello restomod complete with its original 5.5-litre V12 and six-speed manual gearbox. Named the Veloce 12, it’s a thorough rework of the celebrated 1990s supercar, with an engine overhaul, fresh styling and a bespoke suspension set-up. Stripped back and rebuilt to an “as-new” condition, the V12 is fitted with… Continue reading Ferrari 550 reborn: manual V12 GT boosted and updated