Renault is betting big on full-hybrid powertrains as a means of transitioning its cars and customers to pure-electric power, and has no plans to expand its PHEV offering beyond the flagship Rafale. Company CEO Fabrice Cambolive told Autocar that the decision to focus on full-hybrids – a move that contrasts starkly with heavy recent investment… Continue reading Renault bets big on full hybrids as rival firms invest in PHEVs
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Citroen C4 X
The big difference between the C4 and C4 X is the boot space. This extra 140mm of rear end increases storage below the parcel shelf to 510 litres, which is very competitive when compared with other cars in the segment, but its long and low boot shape makes this hard to utilise. You can forget transporting… Continue reading Citroen C4 X
Lexus drops LS from UK line-up after 35 years on sale
The Lexus LS, the first car launched by the Japanese brand here 35 years ago, has been dropped from the UK line-up. The decision follows a sustained period of poor sales of the hybrid V6-powered saloon, with 39 sold since the turn of the decade – including just three last year. This means the ES is… Continue reading Lexus drops LS from UK line-up after 35 years on sale
Renault 5 to stay fresh with latest EV tech but design won’t change
While these cars will be based on a new platform, separate from the 5’s CMF-BEV structure, it’s likely that the supermini will be able to take advantage of the promised technological developments – chiefly a new battery chemistry that’s claimed to cut costs by up to 50% and support sub-15min charge times in its most… Continue reading Renault 5 to stay fresh with latest EV tech but design won’t change
Renault 5 to stay fresh with latest EV tech but design won’t change
While these cars will be based on a new platform, separate from the 5’s CMF-BEV structure, it’s likely that the supermini will be able to take advantage of the promised technological developments – chiefly a new battery chemistry that’s claimed to cut costs by up to 50% and support sub-15min charge times in its most… Continue reading Renault 5 to stay fresh with latest EV tech but design won’t change
Reinvented 2026 BMW iX5 to add BEV and hydrogen options
The BMW iX5 will arrive in 2026 as the first of six new launches in three years that will fully electrify the German firm’s SUV line-up. This engineering programme is being described as one of the most comprehensive ever undertaken by BMW and its M performance car division. Notably, a hydrogen-powered iX5 will join the… Continue reading Reinvented 2026 BMW iX5 to add BEV and hydrogen options
Reinvented 2026 BMW iX5 to add BEV and hydrogen options
The BMW iX5 will arrive in 2026 as the first of six new launches in three years that will fully electrify the German firm’s SUV line-up. This engineering programme is being described as one of the most comprehensive ever undertaken by BMW and its M performance car division. Notably, a hydrogen-powered iX5 will join the… Continue reading Reinvented 2026 BMW iX5 to add BEV and hydrogen options
‘A lot of things need to change’ – new Polestar boss on brand reboot
Polestar suffered badly financially in 2024, but the brand is starting the year under a new CEO with a plan that involves, among other changes, acknowledging that even EV start-ups need to embrace some of the more time-proven ways of operating. “A lot of things need to change,” Michael Lohscheller told analysts on a call… Continue reading ‘A lot of things need to change’ – new Polestar boss on brand reboot
Does it really matter how I pronounce Hyundai?
It took two British advertising students writing directly to then Nike CEO Philip Knight to draw confirmation of how to pronounce the sports equipment brand’s name properly. In 2014, 50 years after Knight and Bill Bowerman had founded Blue Ribbon Sports, which would in 1971 be renamed Nike (after the Greek god of victory), the… Continue reading Does it really matter how I pronounce Hyundai?
2500 miles in a 513bhp Giulia Quadrifoglio: fun, fuel and failures
On the Saturday, a burst of well-known warning lights and bongs alerted him to some mysterious malady. It was still upset on the Sunday morning when some unknown turmoil had managed to drain the battery and sound the alarm. Aaron couldn’t get a response from jump leads on the boot-mounted battery. The local mechanic managed… Continue reading 2500 miles in a 513bhp Giulia Quadrifoglio: fun, fuel and failures