Two-stroke engines have become topical again after news emerged that Mazda has applied for a patent on a supercharged two-stroke engine design. Two-strokes differ from four-strokes (all current production car piston engines) in that each cylinder in a two-stroke engine produces power twice as often as a four-stroke for the same number of cycles. The most… Continue reading Under the skin: Mazda makes a super-efficient two-stroke engine
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Porsche scales up e-bike ambitions with new investments
Porsche is best known for the legendary 911 sports car – but with the recent Taycan line it has proven it know how to make a great electric car too. And the firm’s electric ambitions extend beyond that: it has recently upped its interest in the e-bike world – and is set to expand its line-up… Continue reading Porsche scales up e-bike ambitions with new investments
2023 Lamborghini Urus ‘Evo’: super-SUV to gain power, lose weight
Lamborghini is preparing to update the Urus SUV for the first time since it was launched in 2018, and it has now been confirmed that a power hike and reduced kerb weight are among the changes. Company CEO Stephan Winkelmann told Autocar that there will be two important rounds of updates for the Urus before 2024.… Continue reading 2023 Lamborghini Urus ‘Evo’: super-SUV to gain power, lose weight
Peugeot readies 9X8 hypercar for race debut at 2022 Le Mans
Peugeot will return to the Le Mans 24 Hours in June with its new 9X8 hypercar, which features a 670bhp hybrid powertrain – and unusually not a rear wing. The French firm last competed at Le Mans in 2011. It will campaign a pair of the Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) machines in the FIA World Endurance… Continue reading Peugeot readies 9X8 hypercar for race debut at 2022 Le Mans
New Aston Martin DBX variant is “world’s most powerful luxury SUV”
Aston Martin is preparing to reveal a hot new version of its DBX, which it says will be “the world’s most powerful luxury SUV”. Scheduled for an unveiling on 1 February, the new model will be the range-topping performance version of the DBX promised by Aston Martin CEO Tobias Moers last year. The company has… Continue reading New Aston Martin DBX variant is “world’s most powerful luxury SUV”
Smart EQ ForFour ends production ahead of Concept #1 SUV launch
Smart has removed its EQ ForFour electric supermini from sale in the UK, ahead of the expected launch of the road-going Concept #1 SUV later this year. The EQ ForFour had been on sale since 2017, when it was launched as the ForFour Electric Drive. It was given a facelift as recently as 2019, although its 80bhp electric motor and 17.6kWh… Continue reading Smart EQ ForFour ends production ahead of Concept #1 SUV launch
Tesla Model 3 on track to be Europe’s top-selling EV in 2021
The Tesla Model 3 is on course to become Europe’s best-selling electric vehicle in 2021, amid huge growth in overall electric vehicle sales. Tesla sold 112,687 Model 3s from January through to November, according to JATO Dynamics figures, easily making it the top-selling EV. The Volkswagen ID 3 is likely to be the second most… Continue reading Tesla Model 3 on track to be Europe’s top-selling EV in 2021
Winners and losers in the 2021 UK car market
BMW – up 2020 market share: 7.08%, 2021 market share: 7.16% Another fine year, with the stars the 3 Series and the X3, which is for the first time outselling Land Rover’s Discovery Sport. Citroen – up 2020 market share: 1.72%, 2021 market share: 1.87% The cars that have increased sales are its smallest: the C1 and… Continue reading Winners and losers in the 2021 UK car market
Autocar writers’ cars of 2021: Citroen Ami
It has its lovers and its haters, and while I fall into the former camp, I have to admit that the jeopardy of knowing it could be a massive flop in so many ways only adds to its appeal. I’m talking, of course, about the oh-so polarising Citroën Ami, the most ridiculous yet charming vehicle to… Continue reading Autocar writers’ cars of 2021: Citroen Ami
Electric bike FAQs: Everything you want to know about e-bikes
Whether you’re buying one or just interested to learn more, electric bikes can look like complicated bits of kit. How do you know where you can ride them, and do you need insurance? With so much information floating around it’s easy to get confused, so we’ve answered some of the burning questions people may have… Continue reading Electric bike FAQs: Everything you want to know about e-bikes