Volkswagen will launch the ID 4 saloon as a slick technological showpiece aimed at stealing sales from the most popular electric cars on the market, but at the other end of the line-up the brand is set to unveil a compact urban EV pricedat around the £17,000 mark. The German car maker gave a hint of… Continue reading 2025 Volkswagen ID 1 is Spanish-built, £17,000 entry EV
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Autocar Notebook: Billions of ways to build a Bentley
Autocar’s journalists have emptied their notebooks with some of the best stories you might have missed this week. This week: Bentley’s vast customisation options, and Stellantis on making EVs more affordable. Spoiled for choice Have you ever wavered on buying a new car because it isn’t offered with 18k gold-plated organ stops? Step forward Bentley, which… Continue reading Autocar Notebook: Billions of ways to build a Bentley
Skoda Afriq is one-off, Kamiq-based Dakar weapon
Skoda has revealed a rally-ready one-off version of its Kamiq SUV, which has been designed by 25 of its apprentices. Called the Skoda Afriq, it features a wider front to the Skoda Kamiq, along with a single central exhaust, welded roll-cage and chunky rally-spec tyres. Front floodlights and a rear wing have also been added,… Continue reading Skoda Afriq is one-off, Kamiq-based Dakar weapon
New 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor brings 284bhp petrol V6 for £57,340
The new version of the hardcore Ford Ranger Raptor pick-up has swapped its 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine for a substantially more powerful 3.0-litre petrol V6 and undergone a radical redesign influenced by the US-market F-150 Raptor. Available to order now from £57,340, it is the first version of the new fourth-generation Ranger to go on sale in Europe,… Continue reading New 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor brings 284bhp petrol V6 for £57,340
New Mercedes-Maybach SL to rival Bentley Continental GT
Mercedes is readying an ultra-luxurious Maybach version of its new SL roadster to rival the Bentley Continental GT Convertible as part of its greater focus on its highest-margin products. Previewed on Instagram by Mercedes design boss Gorden Wagener, the first-ever Mercedes-Maybach SL will be distinguished by a fully chromed grille, Maybach emblems imprinted on the bonnet and a freestanding three-pointed… Continue reading New Mercedes-Maybach SL to rival Bentley Continental GT
Formula 1 talking points from the Spanish GP
Max Verstappen leads the Formula 1 World Championship for the first time this season after victory in the Spanish Grand Prix. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc looked assured of an easy win, dominating the race from pole position until his engine let go with an unspecified problem on lap 27. As such, Red Bull earned a one-two… Continue reading Formula 1 talking points from the Spanish GP
Rovanpera extends WRC lead with victory in Portugal
With the dust having settled over Rally Portugal, the result is that 21-year-old Toyota driver Kalle Rovanperä extends his championship lead – the youngest ever to head the series. But that’s far from the full story. Portugal – always known for being the first proper indicator of what the real pecking order is, after a series of… Continue reading Rovanpera extends WRC lead with victory in Portugal
Polestar 3 to be shown in October before 2023 deliveries
The new Polestar 3 SUV will be unveiled in October this year, before deliveries start in the first quarter of 2023. Polestar mentioned the reveal date as part of its Q1 2022 earnings report, in which it also announced that it had achieved record sales in the first four months of the year, despite ongoing supply-chain issues. The… Continue reading Polestar 3 to be shown in October before 2023 deliveries
Greatest road tests ever: Mercedes-Benz 300SL-24
Despite its stratospheric price, the R129-gen Mercedes-Benz SL had a three year waiting list when we tested the six-cylinder automatic in 1990. But we couldn’t quite understand why. The 300SL-24 auto used the world’s first five-speed self-shifter. It employed an extra planetary gear set as an overdrive ratio and worked beautifully with the exceptionally smooth… Continue reading Greatest road tests ever: Mercedes-Benz 300SL-24
Opinion: Mercedes EVs will get you home on the range
The first ‘car’ ever built may have worn a Benz badge, but Mercedes-Benz didn’t lead the EV charge a century later. When we think of pioneers of the mass-produced EV, it’s General Motors, Tesla, Nissan and BMW that will be pictured next to that entry in the eventual encyclopedia of the 21st century – but… Continue reading Opinion: Mercedes EVs will get you home on the range