‘Doing the bare minimum’ as a phrase has pejorative connotations. It implies an element of coasting, refusing to surpass expectations and settling for mediocrity – even, perhaps, giving up. But here we are in 2024, when manufacturers (not just of cars) are confronted with soaring production costs and are rigidly committed to reducing their impact… Continue reading How the Czinger 21C will change car manufacturing for good
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Fiat 500 Hybrid
Apart from the gear lever, and a few updates of the multimedia system, the 500’s interior hasn’t really been touched since its major facelift in 2015. In some ways, it still strikes you as quite a neat bit of packaging. For outright space, you do feel quite tightly squeezed in at the wheel by the… Continue reading Fiat 500 Hybrid
Taking on the Wild Atlantic Way in a Kia Picanto
When I found a packet of French Fancies in the Co-op reduced to 57p on account of their rapidly approaching best-before date, I had a good feeling about this trip. As well I might have. Spoiler alert: Ireland is my new favourite driving destination. How have I not driven these roads before? There’s all the… Continue reading Taking on the Wild Atlantic Way in a Kia Picanto
Will phone payments make car park machines obsolete?
Autocar research has found that 83% of motorists would prefer to use cash or contactless payment machines in car parks over smartphone apps. Feedback revealed that people don’t like having to download so many apps (there are more than 30 across the UK), worry about online fraud and worry that the apps are too complex.… Continue reading Will phone payments make car park machines obsolete?
Inside Meyers Manx: the most fun car company in the world?
You might not know the Meyers Manx name, but you definitely know its shape. This is the original beach buggy: designed in the 1960s as a no-frills, Beetle-based hobby car that could be assembled cheaply at home. It is, if you like, America’s take on the Caterham. It’s the brainchild of the legendary Bruce Meyers,… Continue reading Inside Meyers Manx: the most fun car company in the world?
Volvo XC40
The XC40’s interior design was perhaps less bold and adventurous than that of its exterior. Nevertheless, applying the same themes that brought us the lounge-like cabins of the Volvo XC90, Volvo XC60 and Volvo V90 to a class whose last words on cabin sophistication had, by 2017 at least, been the Audi Q3 and Range… Continue reading Volvo XC40
How tread-moulded sensors are revolutionising tyres
We’re hearing a lot about intelligence these days, mainly the artificial kind that may or may not mimic a human brain and has been described as an existential threat to humankind. On a less scary level, the word is also used to describe electronic systems aimed at collecting and using information, simply to make cars… Continue reading How tread-moulded sensors are revolutionising tyres
Car makers are hitting back at ‘vocal anti-EV campaign’ with facts
“Misinformation” is what the recent House of Lords report on the UK’s bungled EV strategy called some of the mainstream media reporting about electric cars. “Several witnesses told us that media coverage of EVs was inaccurate and portrayed EVs in a disproportionately negative light – noting that even when corrected, fact checks often do not reach… Continue reading Car makers are hitting back at ‘vocal anti-EV campaign’ with facts
Peugeot 3008
Visually, the 3008 and e-3008 are as good as identical. The only changes other than that ‘E’ badge in front of the 3008 on the bootlid are that the wheel arches are slightly less flared on the hybrid, and they don’t get a gloss finish either. Full geek points if you also spot that the… Continue reading Peugeot 3008
JLR slows electric car blitz but boosts PHEV output
JLR (formerly Jaguar Land Rover) is slowing down its electric car launch plans across all its brands, partly to allow further development time but also to cater for a recent spike in demand for its plug-in hybrid vehicles. Speaking to reporters recently, CEO Adrian Mardell hinted at a slight scaling back of the EV launch plan… Continue reading JLR slows electric car blitz but boosts PHEV output