In this bonus podcast episode, Autocar’s Editor-in-chief, Steve Cropley, meets Bentley CEO Frank Walliser, who previously enjoyed a long spell at Porsche, about all things Bentley – and how he won’t try to turn it into making cars that are too sporty. Make sure you never miss an Autocar podcast. Subscribe to our podcasts via Apple… Continue reading MWIC Bonus Episode 2: Autocar meets Bentley CEO Frank Walliser
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Volkswagen ID 4
The ID 4’s interior shares many hallmarks with the other cars in the ID range. That of the Volkswagen Golf loosely inspires the dashboard topography but, as with the ID 3, the cockpit is even more minimalistic. The conspicuous lack of buttons and switches might even seem quite shocking to someone coming from, say, a… Continue reading Volkswagen ID 4
Why China won’t come to the aid of European car manufacturing
One analyst on the Volkswagen Group’s annual results call this week hopefully put it to CEO Oliver Blume that Volkswagen might want to partner with a Chinese firm to build the ID 1 small EV locally. Maybe MG parent SAIC, a long-time partner of Volkswagen in China, which is looking to build cars in Europe. The… Continue reading Why China won’t come to the aid of European car manufacturing
Mercedes-Benz C43
Like the C63, the C43 tries to make up for the lack of a big engine with sheer grunt. To that end, it adopts a very clever 48V turbocharger. This uses a compact motor that acts directly on its shaft, adding up to 8bhp of assistance and capable of spinning at speeds to 175,000rpm. It… Continue reading Mercedes-Benz C43
BMW to launch 40 new or updated models by 2028
BMW is set to go on a massive product offensive, launching 40 models in the next three years. Announced by CEO Oliver Zipse during the brand’s annual results conference, the launches will be either new models or updates to current cars. At least two of these will be its first Neue Klasse models. The first will… Continue reading BMW to launch 40 new or updated models by 2028
Bold new 2026 BMW iX3 confirmed for September reveal
The next era of BMW will arrive in September, with the first Neue Klasse electric car, iX3 SUV, confirmed to be revealed at the Munich motor show. Previewed last year by the bold Neue Klasse Vision X concept (below), the second-generation iX3 will be the first of BMW’s new family of EVs, riding on the Gen6 platform, which promises significant improvements in range,… Continue reading Bold new 2026 BMW iX3 confirmed for September reveal
The Americans have transformed F1 into a pop culture icon
I recently attended the leaving drinks for an emigrating friend. We met through another friend and have few others in common, so I knew I would have to deploy my best small talk. Gulp. I was pleasantly surprised, then, when I found the main topic of conversation wasn’t a subject I knew nothing about –… Continue reading The Americans have transformed F1 into a pop culture icon
Great British Sports Cars Zero
Ollerton-based GBS is unusual among low-volume makers in that it likes to make things itself rather than assemble outsourced components, like Caterham, Ariel and others typically do. It estimates that 80% of the Zero is built in-house, including fabricating the chassis. This is less surprising when you wander through the factory to find GBS is… Continue reading Great British Sports Cars Zero
Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 to return as 500bhp EV with axial-flux motors
This is claimed to play a crucial role in the dynamic behaviour of the new CLA 45 4Matic+, allowing it to direct power to each individual wheel for more predictable cornering characteristics. It also provides scope for AMG to alter the handling, offering either more front-driven or rear-driven properties depending on the driving mode. As with… Continue reading Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 to return as 500bhp EV with axial-flux motors
Mercedes rethinks electric cars with game-changing 492-mile CLA
The CLA EV can be rapid-charged at rates of up to 320kW, thanks to its 800V electrical architecture, allowing for a 186-mile top-up in just 10 minutes. In addition to the 85kWh battery, a 58kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) pack will be added to the line- up shortly after launch. This will almost certainly bring a significant… Continue reading Mercedes rethinks electric cars with game-changing 492-mile CLA