As road testers we can only road test what’s come fresh from the assembly lines and through the garage doors at Autocar HQ, and to say oil burners have become an uncommon sight is an understatement. In the summer we now see more mid-engined supercars than we do diesel models of any creed. Genuinely, in… Continue reading Opinion: Why there is still a place for diesel cars in 2023
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Average Jaguar Land Rover car hits £70,000 in push for margins
In many minds, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is a premium maker to be considered alongside the leading German trio of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, but right now that’s far from the reality. In terms of affordability, it’s in a different stratosphere. The company said on a recent earnings call that its average transaction price globally was “over £70,000”… Continue reading Average Jaguar Land Rover car hits £70,000 in push for margins
Opinion: Why diesel cars are still needed in 2023
As road testers we can only road test what’s come fresh from the assembly lines and through the garage doors at Autocar HQ, and to say oil-burners have become an uncommon sight is an understatement. In the summer we now see more mid-engined supercars than we do diesel models of any creed. Genuinely, in June… Continue reading Opinion: Why diesel cars are still needed in 2023
Diesel car cost advantage narrows as fuel prices soar
For anyone filling up their diesel car this month, the news that 2022 registrations of pure-diesel models fell by almost 40% and mild hybrids by almost 27% will come as little surprise because the financial benefits of opting for diesel over petrol have eroded. In the first week of January last year, a litre of… Continue reading Diesel car cost advantage narrows as fuel prices soar
Audi primes rugged electric 4×4 to rival Defender in 2027
The models Lichte references as inspiration are two of the longest-standing and most successful in the SUV sphere. The Mercedes has been sold – almost visually unaltered – since 1979 and the Land Rover Defender can trace its spiritual roots right back to the firm’s eponymous debut model, launched in 1948. Each has evolved into… Continue reading Audi primes rugged electric 4×4 to rival Defender in 2027
Audi Activesphere is self-driving 4×4 saloon with pick-up bed
Virtual reality The Activesphere shuns conventional physical controls – and even touchscreens – in favour of an interactive hologram set-up called Audi Dimensions, accessible through augmented-reality headsets for the driver and passengers. Audi suggested that the car’s key displays and functions could be hosted in this virtual platform, controlled via gestures and adapted according to the driving… Continue reading Audi Activesphere is self-driving 4×4 saloon with pick-up bed
Nissan electric sports car concept coming next week
Nissan will show a new zero-emission concept car, expected to be a physical version of the Max-Out design study, on Thursday 2 February. The vehicle’s debut has been previewed via a Youtube broadcast with a picture of somebody stepping out from the passenger side, hinting that Nissan has built a physical version of the digital-only… Continue reading Nissan electric sports car concept coming next week
Exclusive: HMRC confirms new method for AER calculations
HMRC has confirmed its new methodology for calculating advisory electric rates (AERs) for business drivers using EVs. It told Autocar Business that it will use figures published in the Office for National Statistics (ONS) quarterly index for domestic electricity, which forms part of the Consumer Price Index. “The AER value is calculated using the quarterly… Continue reading Exclusive: HMRC confirms new method for AER calculations
New Renault CEO to focus on high-margin cars
Renault has named Fabrice Cambolive as its next CEO to oversee its transition upmarket, dictated by Renault Group boss Luca de Meo’s ‘Renaulution’ strategy. Effective from 1 February, de Meo will hand control of the brand to Cambolive as it transitions into the next stage of the strategy. De Meo will continue to serve as CEO… Continue reading New Renault CEO to focus on high-margin cars
Cost of living crisis dampens demand for EVs
The cost of living crisis has significantly reduced buyer interest in electric cars, data from What Car? Insight has revealed. Between March and July 2022, more buyers signalled their intent to buy an EV than they did a pure petrol or diesel model. The proportion of buyers who planned to go electric peaked at 41.8% in July,… Continue reading Cost of living crisis dampens demand for EVs