Stefan Sielaff has been one of the most prominent car designers of the past few decades, working mainly for the Volkswagen Group leading the design of Bentley and Audi among numerous other roles. In September 2021, he succeeded Peter Horbury as Geely’s global design boss, overseeing all of the Chinese brand’s marques. His arrival coincided… Continue reading Audi A1 designer on how he’s shaped Zeekr
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
New Volvo EX60 tipped to introduce radical production process
Fermér also said there are no concerns over safety, or potentially higher repair costs if a large mega-cast part is damaged – an issue that Tesla has been striving to resolve with some insurance firms. He noted Volvo’s long-standing commitment to safety, adding: “We end the mega-cast piece behind the wheelhouse and then have a… Continue reading New Volvo EX60 tipped to introduce radical production process
Ineos: synthetic fuels too expensive to replace petrol and diesel
Ineos Automotive is pessimistic that synthetic fuels can extend the life of the combustion engine, even after the EU decided to allow limited use of the carbon-neutral petrol alternative for new cars after 2035. “At the moment, there’s just not enough synthetic fuel to go around, and it’s going to be extremely expensive,” CEO Lynn Calder told… Continue reading Ineos: synthetic fuels too expensive to replace petrol and diesel
Bentley replaces W12 with 740bhp, 50-mile plug-in hybrid
Bentley has confirmed that it will replace its outgoing W12 engine with a V8-based plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain that puts out more than 740bhp. The firm added that the set-up will produce, in metric units, “four-figure torque over a wider plateau”, suggesting it will at least match the 738lb ft of the tuned W12 in the limited-run Batur. Bentley has… Continue reading Bentley replaces W12 with 740bhp, 50-mile plug-in hybrid
Volkswagen Polo could survive with petrol power until 2030
The Volkswagen Polo could be on sale for another five years, having been given a stay of execution by the relaxation of upcoming EU emissions legislation. Initial proposals for the Euro 7 emissions regulations, which were due to be introduced this year, were set to kill off Volkswagen’s supermini, because the cost of making it… Continue reading Volkswagen Polo could survive with petrol power until 2030
Volkswagen keeps developing PHEVs as EV demand ‘plateaus’
Volkswagen will continue to invest in plug-in hybrid technology over the coming years as a bridge towards pure electrification. The firm currently sells PHEV versions of the Golf, Passat and Tiguan, and boss Thomas Schäfer suggested the technology could be rolled out and improved in light of a “plateau” in demand for electric cars. Speaking at the Financial… Continue reading Volkswagen keeps developing PHEVs as EV demand ‘plateaus’
JLR to offer £150 per month towards Range Rover insurance
JLR (formerly known as Jaguar Land Rover) will offer £150 per month towards the cost of its in-house insurance for buyers of new Range Rovers and Range Rover Sports. The firm began offering its own policies last October following a sharp rise in premiums on Range Rovers. This was due to the high theft rate… Continue reading JLR to offer £150 per month towards Range Rover insurance
Rimac unlikely to make another electric hypercar
Rimac hasn’t sold all 150 examples of its Nevera electric hypercar, and any replacement is unlikely to be an EV. The Nevera was revealed in 2021 as an 1888bhp evolution of the C_Two concept, with deliveries beginning later that year and a build run of 150 units planned. However, the Croatian firm still hasn’t sold that number… Continue reading Rimac unlikely to make another electric hypercar
New Bugatti hypercar has a naturally aspirated, one-metre-long V16
The long-awaited replacement for the Bugatti Chiron will be revealed next month, packing well over 1000bhp from a hybrid system that’s based around a naturally aspirated V16 engine. The company recently revealed the shape and layout of the engine – as well as its screaming soundtrack (below) – but Bugatti-Rimac CEO Mate Rimac has now… Continue reading New Bugatti hypercar has a naturally aspirated, one-metre-long V16
Land Rover Defender drops six-cylinder petrol for supercharged V8
The Land Rover Defender line-up has been shuffled, with the addition of a luxurious new seven-seater, a more potent diesel engine – and a plug-in hybrid that uses a (contrary to information initially circulated by JLR) four-cylinder engine. The revamp comes four years after the launch of the L663-generation Defender and, while not as substantial as a full-blown… Continue reading Land Rover Defender drops six-cylinder petrol for supercharged V8