The new Renault Twingo is set to be built alongside the Clio at the Revoz plant in Novo Mesto, Slovenia. That is according to the Slovenian Press Agency, which today reported that the nation’s government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Renault to build 150,000 new Twingos per year at the plant, starting in… Continue reading New Renault Twingo to be built in Slovenia
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
AA calls for VAT cut for public charging as kerbside cost falls 12%
The cost of charging an electric car at the kerbside fell by 12% during June, according to a new report by the AA. It found that the average peak rate for using a slow charge point (up to 8kW) – typically found in residential areas – fell from 67p per kWh in May to 59p… Continue reading AA calls for VAT cut for public charging as kerbside cost falls 12%
Ex-Ferrari F1 boss moves to Audi ahead of 2026 grid entry
Former Ferrari Formula 1 team boss Mattia Binotto will head up Audi’s F1 project ahead of the team’s inaugural entry in 2026 with Sauber. Sacked by Ferrari at the end of the 2022 campaign after several lukewarm seasons, Binotto – who joined the Scuderia in 1995 – takes over from Andreas Seidl, who was removed after… Continue reading Ex-Ferrari F1 boss moves to Audi ahead of 2026 grid entry
Government “doesn’t know” if annual £1.6bn spend is improving roads
The government “does not know” if £1.6 billion per year of taxpayer money sent to local councils is actually making a difference to the state of England’s crumbling roads, a National Audit Office (NAO) report has revealed. Documents released today state that this is down to the Department for Transport (DfT) “not having a good enough… Continue reading Government “doesn’t know” if annual £1.6bn spend is improving roads
Introducing Low Octane – the Autocar Vodcast
[embedded content] Welcome to Episode 1 of Low Octane, The Autocar Vodcast. The brand-new occasional video series sees two middle-aged men (Matt Prior and James Disdale) talk about cars while trying not to complain too much about things. This week the chaps are behind the wheel of an Audi A2 – the incredibly clever, lightweight, frugal small car that Audi introduced… Continue reading Introducing Low Octane – the Autocar Vodcast
Cadillac Sollei concept previews drop-top Rolls-Royce Spectre rival
Cadillac has revealed a drop-top version of the Celestiq, its hand-built rival to the Rolls-Royce Spectre. Named the Sollei – ‘sun’ and ‘leisure’ – the new concept harks back to the Eldorado from the 1950s. It has been built as a demonstration of the company’s new personalisation capabilities as it looks to challenge premium and… Continue reading Cadillac Sollei concept previews drop-top Rolls-Royce Spectre rival
Kia Picanto
The 2024 facelift has given Kia the opportunity to update the interior materials and technology, but it hasn’t made any drastic changes. It’s still an attractively designed cabin – not as playful perhaps as the Toyota Aygo X’s or the late VW Up’s, but with enough of a styling flourish in the shape of the rounded… Continue reading Kia Picanto
ZEV mandate targets slip out of reach for major brands
Car makers including Renault, Volkswagen, Land Rover, Ford and Toyota are falling far behind targets for the UK’s ZEV mandate, which requires 22% of this year’s sales to be of zero-emission models. Those manufacturers ahead of target include Cupra, MG, Subaru, BMW, Volvo and Jeep, while all-electric brands such as Tesla, BYD and Polestar will… Continue reading ZEV mandate targets slip out of reach for major brands
First pictures: Aston Martin tests Le Mans Valkyrie
Aston Martin has released the first pictures of its Valkyrie-based Le Mans Hypercar, which has been testing ahead of its campaign in next year’s World Endurance Championship. It will be the only Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) powered by a V12, packing the same Cosworth-developed 6.5-litre unit as the road-going Valkyrie. Aston Martin said the naturally… Continue reading First pictures: Aston Martin tests Le Mans Valkyrie
Xiaomi takes aim at Taycan Turbo GT with 1527bhp super-saloon
Chinese phone maker Xiaomi has unveiled a track-focused version of its first car, the SU7 super-saloon, which packs 434bhp more than the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT. Named the SU7 Ultra, it has been designed to challenge for the lap record for series-production electric cars at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, aiming to beat the Taycan Turbo GT’s… Continue reading Xiaomi takes aim at Taycan Turbo GT with 1527bhp super-saloon