The press were rendered mute when the covers were pulled from this. Why was this slab-sided, flat-backed, narrow-tracked Alfa so ugly? Was it actually finished, with its black hole of a grille and frameless headlights? It was. The SZ’s shape troubled less with time, and it was way, way better to drive than it looked.… Continue reading The unthinkables: manufacturers’ most oddball models
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
New Alpine A110S: faster, more hardcore flagship revealed
Alpine says the new high-performance A110 S is a true “focused sports car” with a “very different character” from existing versions of the two-seater. The new range-topping variant of the mid-engined Alpine is built around a reworked version of the 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, with the turbo boost pressure increased by 0.4 bar. That means… Continue reading New Alpine A110S: faster, more hardcore flagship revealed
New Renault Zoe EV styling leaked ahead of official reveal
Part of this overhaul will include a revamped interior, which is expected to take inspiration from the new Clio. It will also offer sustainable materials. Van den Acker claims that such features “fit well with our philosophy that EVs should be more ecological.” The new Zoe is expected to use a bespoke EV platform shared across the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance.… Continue reading New Renault Zoe EV styling leaked ahead of official reveal
Lead battery tech could make electric car charging cheaper
Could old-school lead batteries come back to life and speed-up the introduction of electric cars as part of a nationwide charger network? That’s the thinking in the US, where industry and government are teaming-up to explore if banks of high-capacity lead cells sited at conventional fuel stations could make life easier for EV owners. Tesla is… Continue reading Lead battery tech could make electric car charging cheaper
New Honda e: powertrain details of BMW i3 rival revealed
The firm believes the car’s retro design will give it an Apple-style appeal to customers. It maintains the styling of the Urban EV, albeit with the addition of an extra set of doors. While Honda has yet to reveal full technical details of the car, its designers told Autocar at the Geneva show that it would… Continue reading New Honda e: powertrain details of BMW i3 rival revealed
New Mazda 3: spec confirmed for 178bhp Skyactiv-X engine
Mazda has confirmed the power and fuel economy details of the innovative Skyactiv-X engine that will be added to the line-up of the new fourth-generation Mazda 3 later this year. The firm says the spark plug-controlled compression ignition petrol unit, which will be offered on both hatchback and saloon models, combines the performance of a petrol engine… Continue reading New Mazda 3: spec confirmed for 178bhp Skyactiv-X engine
Faster BAC Mono heading to Goodwood Festival of Speed
Cheshire-based Briggs Automotive Company (BAC) is set to unveil a new version of its Mono single-seater at next month’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. Details of the new car are limited at this stage, but preview images show developments including a distinctive new air intake mounted behind the driver. This indicates that some sort of power upgrade… Continue reading Faster BAC Mono heading to Goodwood Festival of Speed
Kia recalls Niro models worldwide for urgent fix
Kia has issued a voluntary global recall notice to drivers of its Niro hybrid and plug-in hybrid compact SUV models. This is because an electrical relay fitted to 5020 vehicles built between November 2016 and September 2017 is prone to overheating. The Korean manufacturer says it isn’t aware of any fire or injury resulting from the issue but… Continue reading Kia recalls Niro models worldwide for urgent fix
Bentley boss: government must take decisive action to drive EV take-up
Bentley boss Adrian Hallmark has called on the UK government and regulators to make clearer, more decisive pronouncements if they want car buyers to switch to electrified vehicles. Speaking at the FT Future of the Car summit, Hallmark highlighted that the most significant growth for diesel in the past was directly related to the government… Continue reading Bentley boss: government must take decisive action to drive EV take-up
Lotus considering GT, saloon, crossover and SUV projects
Lotus could build GTs, sports saloons, crossovers or SUVs in future, according to new boss Phil Popham – but only after it has re-established its credentials as a sports car firm. Earlier this year, Lotus revealed plans for an electric hypercar, codenamed Type 130, as well as indicating it was preparing to launch a new… Continue reading Lotus considering GT, saloon, crossover and SUV projects