Author: Autocar Magazine UK

New Vauxhall Frontera EV brings seven seats and 248-mile range

The Vauxhall Frontera, a chunky electric replacement for the Crossland, will go on sale in the UK imminently with a range of up to 248 miles and the option of seven seats. It will be available with a choice of two batteries, giving either 186 miles as standard or 248 miles in the long-range version,… Continue reading New Vauxhall Frontera EV brings seven seats and 248-mile range

Report: Mercedes stops developing new platform for luxury EVs

Mercedes-Benz is set to dramatically reduce its investment in electric vehicle platform development, with a decision not to push ahead with plans for its new MB.EA Large architecture, according to reports in Germany. The new platform, planned to be launched in 2028, was earmarked to underpin successors to the existing EQE and EQS saloons and SUVs. As… Continue reading Report: Mercedes stops developing new platform for luxury EVs

Unpicking Audi’s quarta horribilis

One stat leapt out from the Audi Group’s financial results from the first quarter of 2024: Lamborghini made more money than Audi. Bentley came close, too. That’s overall operating profit, not just profit per car. We all know how good margins can be on selling luxury motors, but Lamborghini delivered just 2630 cars in the quarter, compared with Audi’s 397,000. From… Continue reading Unpicking Audi’s quarta horribilis

Mercedes-AMG G63

The biggest change is the new AMG Active Ride Control suspension system. Hydraulics replace torsion bar cross-stabilises, and the shock absorbers also gain hydraulic connections. Essentially you can decrease stiffness for off-roading, and increase it to reduce roll while cornering on road. It makes for the sweetest handling G ever. One of Merc’s engineers was… Continue reading Mercedes-AMG G63

Ferrari engineering boss: Turbocharged V12 “is not in my mind”

Ferrari has invested heavily in making its V12 compliant with new emissions regulations without the need for turbocharging – and the brand is committed to keeping its largest engine breathing freely well into the future. The Ferrari 12 Cilindri has been revealed as the firm’s new GT flagship, using an evolved version of the 6.5-litre… Continue reading Ferrari engineering boss: Turbocharged V12 “is not in my mind”

Retro Rides weekender: the joy of old-school motoring

Buttonless key. Ignition barrel. Turn once. Turn again. Turn a third time. A screeching fanbelt whines before a multi-cylinder roar takes over then settles to a lumpy idle. What has just been described encapsulates the whole premise of Retro Rides – and the experience reflects ours when we took a top-spec Volvo 850 T5-R along… Continue reading Retro Rides weekender: the joy of old-school motoring

New Porsche 911 hybrid confirmed for 28 May reveal

The new Porsche 911 hybrid has finished testing ahead of its reveal on 28 May. Porsche has released the first official images of the debut electrified 911 as the global testing programme comes to an end, and confirmed that it has clocked a Nürburgring lap time of 7mins 16.934secs. That time, Porsche says, is 8.7… Continue reading New Porsche 911 hybrid confirmed for 28 May reveal

Car sharing clubs under threat as insurance costs soar

Community car sharing clubs that aim to offer a cheaper but equally convenient alternative to car ownership for people living in remote areas are under threat by huge increases in the cost of their insurance. There are around 40 such clubs in the UK, many serving rural villages with fleets of fewer than five cars… Continue reading Car sharing clubs under threat as insurance costs soar