Autocar writers’ cars of 2021: Bentley Bacalar

Writing an ode to a roofless car, as the rain lashes against the window and it’s brass monkey weather outside, might seem a bit strange, but the Bentley Bacalar doesn’t really ‘do’ normal. It’s a £1.5 million, 12-run barchetta that’s been designed to showcase exactly what Bentley‘s Mulliner division can do in terms of personalisation… Continue reading Autocar writers’ cars of 2021: Bentley Bacalar

Racing lines: Formula E needs less contact for more impact

Formula E’s second season as a full-blown FIA World Championship will start with a double-header in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, on 28/29 January. The Middle East is the place to be, apparently, even for a motorsport series created specifically to eschew fossil fuels.  Reigning world champions Nyck de Vries and MercedesEQ will be back to defend… Continue reading Racing lines: Formula E needs less contact for more impact

Steve Cropley: highlights from a year in motoring

Don’t let anyone tell you 2021 hasn’t been an action-packed year for cars and car events. One of my abiding memories of it will always be of the many meetings, shows and organisations that were restored to life and of watching resourceful car people return our world to its axis. Of course, large parts of… Continue reading Steve Cropley: highlights from a year in motoring

Let it blow: A Bentley-themed winter road trip

Imperfections are hand-mended before the fabric is sent for finishing, each tweed comprising a head- spinning orchestration of variables: natural, artistic, scientific and geometric. Think of that if you’re fortunate enough to pick from Mulliner’s selection of tweeds. We peel south down the scenic A7, whose broad but weaving 30-mile stretch to the English border is… Continue reading Let it blow: A Bentley-themed winter road trip

UK new car output drops for fifth month running

Latest figures from the SMMT reveal that November was the fifth straight month of decline for car production in the UK, with just 75,756 units leaving factory gates. That figure represents a 28.7% year-on-year drop, and made last month the worst November since 1984. However, the SMMT does note that the closure of Honda’s Swindon… Continue reading UK new car output drops for fifth month running

Hyundai to present robot-led mobility solutions at CES

Hyundai will present its vision for the future of robotics at the 2022 consumer electronics show (CES), focusing on the shift to mobility and modernising traditional forms of transportation.  The firm will exhibit its ideas under the theme of ‘expanding human reach,’ emphasising how robotics can advance the ecosystem of real-world mobility.  Hyundai will convey… Continue reading Hyundai to present robot-led mobility solutions at CES

Lotus ends production of Elise, Exige and Evora

Lotus has ended production for all three of its stalwart models, with the final Elise, Exige and Evora models rolling off the production line ahead of the launch of the new Emira-led era.  Combined, Lotus has produced 51,738 units of the three models, which amounts to nearly half of the firm’s total production over its… Continue reading Lotus ends production of Elise, Exige and Evora

Can you tow with an electric car or a hybrid?

Finally, there’s the question of range. Couple up a heavy or aerodynamically inefficient load to the back of your battery-powered car and you’re likely to see a dramatic increase in electricity consumption. This is a particular issue for caravan owners, who tend to want to travel far and wide in search of camping locations. As… Continue reading Can you tow with an electric car or a hybrid?

How much does it cost to charge an electric car?

Again, this is dependent on your car and the way you use it, because there are numerous options when it comes to public charging stations. For instance, if you only need charge when out and about infrequently, then a pay-as-you-go method is possible, costing between 20p and 70p per kWh, depending on whether you’re using… Continue reading How much does it cost to charge an electric car?

Autocar writers’ cars of 2021: Alpine Legendé GT

Hard to believe the Alpine A110 has been around for more than four years, especially since I’ve only properly got to know it over the past 12 months. In that time I’ve had five separate drives in various Alpines but the stand-out was the Legende GT that uses the hotter (292bhp) engine and better brakes… Continue reading Autocar writers’ cars of 2021: Alpine Legendé GT