All global deliveries of the Toyota bZ4X SUV, the firm’s first BEV, remain on hold after they were recalled over issues that could result in wheels falling off. A global recall order submitted to Japan’s safety regulator in June noted that sudden braking could cause a hub bolt to become loose, increasing the risk of a wheel detaching. The order adds that this risk is raised… Continue reading Toyota bZ4X deliveries still on hold after wheel detachment concerns
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Greatest road tests ever: Mazda RX-8
Some 25 years after the first Mazda RX-7 made the Wankel engine famous, the Japanese firm reinvented the left-field powertrain for this quirky coupé. The four-seat coupé used conventional front doors and two truncated ‘suicide’ rear doors, while its front-mounted rotary engine produced 228bhp at a heady 8200rpm. It drove the rear wheels through a… Continue reading Greatest road tests ever: Mazda RX-8
The genius behind dual-clutch gearboxes
Four decades ago, a technology that would eventually have a massive impact on the drivability of cars today was born. The dual-clutch transmission (DCT), now a common feature in most cars to the point of exclusivity in some, was dreamed up by a small team of engineers at Porsche who by their own admission were… Continue reading The genius behind dual-clutch gearboxes
Supercars to e-bikes: the story of Romans International
“The day after I left school, I had a job cleaning cars. My dad wanted to teach me the value of a pound, but I also learned about the value of doing a job with pride and passion.” If that mantra needs justifying, the Bentley, Bugatti and Ferrari that flank Paul Jaconelli, now 72 and owner of… Continue reading Supercars to e-bikes: the story of Romans International
Supercars to e-scooters: the story of Romans International
“The day after I left school, I had a job cleaning cars. My dad wanted to teach me the value of a pound, but I also learned about the value of doing a job with pride and passion.” If that mantra needs justifying, the Bentley, Bugatti and Ferrari that flank Paul Jaconelli, now 72 and owner of… Continue reading Supercars to e-scooters: the story of Romans International
Can you use the Toyota Aygo X as an SUV?
But any crossover will easily drive so far into the rough that most bystanders will think it’s having an accident, so I have no qualms about punting the Aygo X down a green lane, especially on a relatively dry day, where its lack of four-wheel drive and its efficiency-focused tyres won’t be problematic. I fret… Continue reading Can you use the Toyota Aygo X as an SUV?
New BYD Seal is Europe-bound Tesla Model 3 rival
The new BYD Seal electric saloon has gone on sale in China, with BYD confirming that initial deliveries are planned to begin by the end of the month. Revealed in May, the Tesla Model 3 rival is claimed to have attracted up to 60,000 pre-orders from Chinese customers. Prices for the Seal in its home market… Continue reading New BYD Seal is Europe-bound Tesla Model 3 rival
Autocar’s name that car quiz: Commonwealth Games edition
Know your Holdens from your Hondas? Could you pick a Vauxhall Astra VXR out from a crowd of regular hatchbacks? In this week’s Autocar quiz we’re celebrating the Commonwealth Games with a mix of cars connected to the competing nations. Take a look through the gallery above and see if you can identify each make… Continue reading Autocar’s name that car quiz: Commonwealth Games edition
Tesla’s 1100bhp tri-motor models to launch in Europe this year
Tesla will release the 1100bhp tri-motor Plaid variants of its Tesla Model S and Tesla Model X in Europe at the end of the year, putting the cars back on sale outside of the US for the first time in nearly two years. The American firm had originally halted sales of its biggest models in… Continue reading Tesla’s 1100bhp tri-motor models to launch in Europe this year
New Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV: £130k EV lands in November
The ride height can be raised by up to 25mm at speeds of up to 50mph, while above 68mph it is automatically lowered by 10mm in Comfort mode and by 15mm in Sport mode to reduce drag and aid overall efficiency. A rear steering angle of up to 4.5deg is standard across the EQS SUV line-up but… Continue reading New Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV: £130k EV lands in November