BYD is going after the Land Rover Defender in the UK with the new B5 – a premium plug-in hybrid 4×4 with competitive off-road stats and supercar levels of power. Launched in China last year as the Bao 5, the Defender 110 rival is one of three models from BYD’s new SUV sub-brand Fangchengbao but it is… Continue reading BYD Denza B5: plug-in hybrid Defender rival lands in UK next year
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Alpine A290 Rallye brings limited-slip diff and exterior speaker
Alpine has lifted the covers off a rally-ready version of its Renault 5-based A290 electric hot hatch. Priced from €59,990 (£52,000 excluding VAT), the A290 Rallye has been extensively modified for competition use, with a stripped-out interior, a rollcage and bucket seats among the changes. It also gains a limited-slip differential to better distribute its 217bhp… Continue reading Alpine A290 Rallye brings limited-slip diff and exterior speaker
Ariel Atom celebrates 25th birthday with wild 525bhp special edition
Ariel has marked the 25th anniversary of its Atom spaceframe sports car with the new 4RR – the most powerful version yet. With its uprated Honda four-pot sending a huge 525bhp and 406lb ft to the rear axle, the new special edition is far more powerful than even the outrageous, 475bhp Atom V8 from 2011.… Continue reading Ariel Atom celebrates 25th birthday with wild 525bhp special edition
New 2028 Polestar 7 to be built on Volvo platform in Slovakia
The company has now confirmed that “adaptations will be made” to the modular platform to ensure it offers “the driving experience and performance characteristics that Polestar is known for”. Confirming the decision to use a Volvo platform and factory for his brand’s new entry model, Lohscheller today said: “Working with Volvo Cars to develop and… Continue reading New 2028 Polestar 7 to be built on Volvo platform in Slovakia
Winner’s circle: How Protean’s in-wheel motors will reshape EVs
Surrey-based EV motor developer Protean has its roots in a firm called PML Flightlink, which made headlines in 2006 when it fitted four in-wheel motors (IWMs) to a Mini Cooper to give 640bhp, a sub-5.0sec 0-62mph time and a £200k price. The outfit was later acquired by NEVS, the Chinese-owned successor to Saab, before EV… Continue reading Winner’s circle: How Protean’s in-wheel motors will reshape EVs
Synthetic fuels will coexist with EVs, says solar fuel maker
“So it doesn’t make sense to produce fuels; you should instead use it directly,” he said. “That I fully agree with. However, the point is you don’t need to produce the fuels locally.” By instead using a solar plant in Morocco or a wind plant in Chile, Furler suggested, you could make use of electricity that… Continue reading Synthetic fuels will coexist with EVs, says solar fuel maker
Bentley priming new 641bhp Continental GT Supersports
Bentley is preparing a new range-topper for its Continental GT line-up – potentially even creating an indirect successor to the Supersports of 2013. Speaking to Autocar, Bentley R&D chief Matthias Rabe didn’t rule out the possibility of transplanting the 641bhp 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 powertrain from the new Bentayga Speed into the Continental GT. Test mules… Continue reading Bentley priming new 641bhp Continental GT Supersports
Official pics: Mercedes priming VLE as radical EQV replacement
Mercedes-Benz is putting the finishing touches to the VLE, the first in a new wave of electric vans that will arrive next year as part of a new-look V-Class range. It is based on Mercedes’ new Van Electric Architecture (VAN.EA) and will be a more focused proposition than the existing V-Class, which is based on the… Continue reading Official pics: Mercedes priming VLE as radical EQV replacement
Why did Geely’s Lotus go so wrong?
The story of Geely entering the Western market began a positive one. It has been showered with praise for how it handled Volvo for its first decade in charge, making it a mainstream premium player more than ever before. But as time has gone on, there’s been little evidence to back up that early success… Continue reading Why did Geely’s Lotus go so wrong?
New Porsche 911 Carrera 4S gets 30bhp boost and GTS brakes
The updated Porsche 911 Carrera 4S has been unveiled, packing an extra 30bhp than the previous iteration. The extra grunt comes courtesy of an intercooler borrowed from the more potent 911 Turbo, boosting the 4S to a total output of 473bhp. That allows it to complete the 0-62mph dash in 3.3sec (when fitted with the… Continue reading New Porsche 911 Carrera 4S gets 30bhp boost and GTS brakes