Billed as a featherweight, all-terrain buggy, the Dacia Manifesto concept showcases several new technologies (but no doors, windows or windscreen). With four-wheel drive, large wheels and a raised stance, the Manifesto is also completely waterproof and is constructed from lightweight, sustainable materials. It’s similar in size to the Ariel Nomad, and Dacia says it’s a… Continue reading Paris motor show 2022 preview
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Monthly payment hike shows true cost of new-car price increases
Volkswagen Touran posted biggest monthly payment hike, from £265 a month to £446 Car payments have risen by up to six times the rate of inflation, but the trajectory could soon level off The monthly payment figure for new cars has increased by up to six times the national inflation figure, depending on brand and… Continue reading Monthly payment hike shows true cost of new-car price increases
Audi E-tron prototype previews next generation models
Audi plans to upgrade its E-tron and E-tron Sportback SUVs with a new-generation battery, affording them longer ranges, as part of their facelifts during the latter half of 2022. Shown off in near-complete prototype form by the German brand, it is aiming to extend the shelf life of the flagship siblings until at least 2025, when they’re set… Continue reading Audi E-tron prototype previews next generation models
Cost of public EV charging rises by more than 42% in four months
New figures have revealed that the price of charging an electric car using a rapid public charger has risen by more than 42% in just four months, caused by the rising wholesale costs of gas and electricity. It now costs £32.41 on average to charge a 64kWh family car such as the Kia e-Niro Long Range to 80%… Continue reading Cost of public EV charging rises by more than 42% in four months
Small Sports Car SC-01 to be ‘national sports car’ for China
Chinese start-up Small Sports Car (SSC) has launched an electric two-seat sports car that it claims will act as a “national sports car” with “pure driving pleasure”. Called the SC-01, the small, sleek coupé is the company’s first ever car. It’s set to arrive in 2023 with a price of around ¥300,000 – the equivalent of around… Continue reading Small Sports Car SC-01 to be ‘national sports car’ for China
Final Lamborghini Aventador rolls off production line
The Lamborghini Aventador has bowed out of production with the completion of the last LP 780-4 Ultimae, which is also the brand’s last pure-V12 production car. The final Lamborghini Aventador Ultimae rolled off the production line in Sant’Agata, Italy, to bring to an end the model’s 11-year run. A plug-in hybrid replacement is expected to be revealed later… Continue reading Final Lamborghini Aventador rolls off production line
Under the skin: How an EV can cut your energy bills
With the spectre of colossal electricity bills looming over us like some sort of fully charged Grim Reaper, there’s plenty of talk about how the cost benefits of running EVs might be about to suddenly disappear. But quite apart from the fact that fossil fuel prices will only keep increasing, could there be more to… Continue reading Under the skin: How an EV can cut your energy bills
BMW iX1
It’s practical, too. The iX1 gets a useful 490 litre boot capacity and a cubby beneath the boot floor that’s big enough for a couple of cables, while the rear seats split and fold in a 40/20/40 format. The rear seatback also recline in a 60/40 split, but they don’t slide, as they do in… Continue reading BMW iX1
BMW X1 xDrive23i M Sport Premier
With steering that’s short on texture and feedback, if predictable and well weighted, you have confidence but don’t feel terribly connected or encouraged regardless of which mode you’re in. Body control is decent, though, and you can feel the xDrive four-wheel drive shuffling power to the rear wheels and delivering a sharper, more enjoyable turn-in… Continue reading BMW X1 xDrive23i M Sport Premier
Electric company cars: your guide to Kia’s range
Two potent powertrains deliver the Kia EV6’s exhilarating performance, ranging from quick to even quicker. The 226bhp RWD single motor model is ideal for the day-to-day with 350Nm of electrified torque and 0-62mph in a hot hatch baiting 7.3 seconds. The 321bhp AWD dual motor model ups the ante with 605Nm of torque and 0-62mph… Continue reading Electric company cars: your guide to Kia’s range