Former Aston Martin CEO and ex-Nissan chief planning officer Andy Palmer has joined a Slovakian-based venture to develop the world’s first artificial intelligence (AI) battery production centre. The facility uses AI to commercialise battery cells up to 10 times faster than today’s most common processes. The company, called InoBat and financed by a private equity… Continue reading Ex-Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer joins AI battery project
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
New Skoda Octavia vRS to cost from £31,495
The new-generation Skoda Octavia vRS will go on sale in the UK later this month, with prices starting from £31,495. The fourth generation of the Czech firm’s hot hatch and estate will be offered with petrol, diesel and, for the first time, plug-in hybrid powertrains. The conventionally powered models use the same powertrains as their respective Volkswagen Golf GTI… Continue reading New Skoda Octavia vRS to cost from £31,495
Project Kahn unveils Land Rover Defender Vesuvius Edition
The Chelsea Truck Company has revealed the Defender Vesuvius Edition: an aggressively styled, orange-and-black-themed take on Land Rover’s new SUV. Created by the company’s Project Kahn tuning arm, the Defender Vesuvius Edition is available to order now from £66,999 (roughly £20,000 more than the cheapest standard Defender) and aimed at drivers seeking more individuality. It’s marked out from… Continue reading Project Kahn unveils Land Rover Defender Vesuvius Edition
Sutton VIP Class LEVC is £120k luxury electric taxi
Sutton Bespoke, the aftermarket division of premium car dealer Clive Sutton, is hoping to attract high-end private hire operators with a luxury take on the LEVC TX. Called the Sutton VIP Class LEVC, the model is based on the Coventry-built range-extender electric taxi that has been plying city streets since 2017. However, its functional cabin has… Continue reading Sutton VIP Class LEVC is £120k luxury electric taxi
Allard JR continuation is brand’s first model in over 60 years
Historic car maker Allard has produced its first car in more than 60 years, ushering in a new era for the marque with the Allard Sports Cars JR continuation series. Based on the first of seven original JR race cars produced between 1953 and 1955, the inaugural continuation model is handbuilt by the son and… Continue reading Allard JR continuation is brand’s first model in over 60 years
2021 Hyundai i30 N arrives with dual-clutch automatic option
Hyundai has updated its i30 N hot hatch with a range of mechanical and visual upgrades, including the option of an automatic transmission for the first time. Set to begin deliveries early next year in both regular hatchback and Fastback bodystyles, the revised Volkswagen Golf GTI rival has been given updated styling that brings it more closely in… Continue reading 2021 Hyundai i30 N arrives with dual-clutch automatic option
Under the skin: The Octopus that’s helping Bentley’s sustainability
Electric drive units (EDUs) – integrating motors, electronics and transmissions into a single, compact drivetrain – are for making sure the various elements work together as efficiently as possible. With the Octopus research study (it stands for optimised components, test and simulation, toolkits for powertrains which integrate ultra high-speed motor solutions), Bentley and its 15… Continue reading Under the skin: The Octopus that’s helping Bentley’s sustainability
Car makers risk missing deadline to publish WLTP figures
Car makers are “struggling” to publish all model-variant CO2 and MPG figures in time to hit the deadline for the new WLTP fuel economy rules on 1 January 2021, according to a report by industry consultant Jato Dynamics. “This isn’t about the test itself or compliance with the test but the massive data flows to… Continue reading Car makers risk missing deadline to publish WLTP figures
Porsche seeks partner to develop synthetic fuels
Porsche has announced that it wants to “drive forward the development of synthetic fuels [e-fuels]” and is seeking partners to build pilot factories to prove e-fuels’ viability. Although Porsche is investing in electrification, as evidenced by the introduction of the Taycan EV earlier this year, it believes the technology is not reducing its carbon footprint quickly enough.… Continue reading Porsche seeks partner to develop synthetic fuels
Iconic Volvo P1800 reborn as 414bhp continuation special
Geely’s motorsport arm, Cyan Racing, has unveiled the Volvo P1800 Cyan as a modernised, uprated take on its sibling brand’s iconic 1960s sports coupé. The continuation car was designed as a road-legal version of an imagined Cyan Racing track car from the 1960s, and as such goes without modern driving aids such as stability control, anti-lock brakes… Continue reading Iconic Volvo P1800 reborn as 414bhp continuation special