Audi will expand and upgrade its hybrid offering over the coming years because the transition from combustion cars to EVs will take “longer than initially thought”. The company is sticking to its previously announced goal of having an all-electric model range from 2033, but it will expand that line-up gradually, offering a combustion and EV… Continue reading New hybrid era at Audi as EV switch takes “longer than we thought”
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Will electric cars ever be able to go truly off grid?
Recently, I drove the Dacia Spring, a small electric car with a 140-mile range when new (and warm and not on a motorway). Also last week, my munchkins climbed into a 16-year-old small car and drove 140 miles to camp at a wet music festival. When they had to stop to refuel (once, on their way… Continue reading Will electric cars ever be able to go truly off grid?
Kia Sorento
Inserting 35mm in the Sorento’s wheelbase liberated yet more passenger space, and any concerns we had about head room in the outgoing model have been dispelled. Width is also unusually generous and such is the expanse between the driver and front-row passenger that the car feels distinctly American. Large families will warm to the seven-seat… Continue reading Kia Sorento
Mercedes upgrades PHEVs for ‘longer than envisaged’ shelf life
Mercedes-Benz will extend the life cycles of its plug-in hybrid A-Class, B-Class and CLA after ailing EV sales have “prompted a change in planning”, sources at the car maker have told Autocar. This new lease of life for the MFA-based cars will bring increased battery capacities and a rise in electric-only range. This decision represents… Continue reading Mercedes upgrades PHEVs for ‘longer than envisaged’ shelf life
Volvo EX90 may be missing Apple CarPlay, smart charging and more at launch
Volvo’s £96,255 EX90 flagship could be delivered to customers without key features such as smart charging, Apple CarPlay and some safety functions, the brand has confirmed. Instead, any missing features will be added “later via an update”, the Swedish car maker has told customers, without confirming a date. UK examples are affected and owners been contacted by… Continue reading Volvo EX90 may be missing Apple CarPlay, smart charging and more at launch
Ford Tourneo Courier
The Tourneo Courier is one of those cars that feels like it could have been designed for Victorian-era top hat wearers. Up front, there really is a lot of fresh air above your scalp, which Ford makes use of via a handy roof storage console. But even with that in place, the car’s driving position… Continue reading Ford Tourneo Courier
Cornish rally firm to offer 496bhp EV conversion for Porsche 911
Bristol-based electrification specialist Fellten has partnered with Cornish firm Rally Prep to fit classic Land Rovers, Minis and Porsches with its EV conversion kits. Its electric powertrains are designed for the 964 and G-series Porsche 911s, 1984-1996 Minis and Land Rover’s Series 2A, Series 3 and Defender. All of the conversion kits can be installed without… Continue reading Cornish rally firm to offer 496bhp EV conversion for Porsche 911
Hydrogen could still fuel the future of the combustion engine
Alpine’s exhibition of its Alpenglow prototype at the Spa 6 Hours endurance race in May demonstrated that the jury is far from out on the subject of alternative propulsion. As did the announcement shortly after from Mazda, Subaru and Toyota that they had together committed to designing new compact combustion engines with integrated electric drive… Continue reading Hydrogen could still fuel the future of the combustion engine
Ford: going all-electric in Europe by 2030 was “too ambitious”
Ford’s electric vehicle boss says the company’s plan to go all-electric by 2030 in Europe was “too ambitious”, and the firm will continue to offer a range of hybrids in light of wavering EV uptake. Marin Gjaja, chief operating officer of Ford’s Model E electrification division, has told Autocar that the company is no longer… Continue reading Ford: going all-electric in Europe by 2030 was “too ambitious”
Editor’s letter: Discounts top £20k as car makers race to shift EVs
Average discounts for new electric cars in the UK now exceed those for petrol cars – a watershed moment in the new car market’s race to hit a mandated 22% of sales as electric cars in 2024. The recent half-year registrations data from the SMMT revealed a market share of 16.6% for electric cars so far in… Continue reading Editor’s letter: Discounts top £20k as car makers race to shift EVs