A number of premium car makers saw big drops in new car registrations in January, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Audi and Porsche suffered notable losses compared with the same period last year, recording falls of 27% and 42% respectively. Those figures contrasted with a significant year-on-year increase of nearly… Continue reading Volvo excels, Audi and Porsche flop in January registrations
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Land Rover launches 170mph Range Rover Velar SVA
Land Rover has pushed the performance envelope of the Range Rover Velar by shoehorning a 542bhp 5.0-litre supercharged V8 under the bonnet. Unlike its identically powered Range Rover Sport sibling, however, the new eight-cylinder Velar doesn’t wear the SVR nameplate, with Land Rover instead choosing to borrow the SVAutobiography Dynamic badge from the full-size Range… Continue reading Land Rover launches 170mph Range Rover Velar SVA
Will Brexit kill the British car industry?
The latest UK car manufacturing figures are “deeply depressing” according to Mike Hawes, the chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the automotive industry’s mouthpiece in the UK. If that doesn’t give you a clue to the current sentiment, not much else will. UK car sales fell 6.8% in 2018. UK car… Continue reading Will Brexit kill the British car industry?
Maserati plans shake-up to combat sales slump
Faltering sales and profits at Maserati are prompting a change of strategy for the luxury sports car marque. New Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Michael Manley has admitted that the organisational pairing of Maserati with Alfa Romeo was a mistake, and resulted in the former being treated “almost like a mass-market brand”. Manley has returned Harald… Continue reading Maserati plans shake-up to combat sales slump
Britain’s most popular cars are vulnerable to keyless theft
Hundreds of new cars, including four of the UK’s five most popular, are highly susceptible to keyless theft, according to a new study. Research conducted by consumer group Which? looked at 237 cars sold with keyless entry technology. Among these, researchers were able to open and start all but seven models using relay boxes, portable… Continue reading Britain’s most popular cars are vulnerable to keyless theft
New Morgan ‘Wide Body’ sports car caught testing
Morgan is set to launch an all-new sports car this year, and the first shots of prototypes testing have emerged. As expected, the model’s design is a familiar adaptation of the 1930s-inspired look that Morgans have carried for decades, set to evolve further with a new range-topping model in 2020. But under the skin there’s substantial… Continue reading New Morgan ‘Wide Body’ sports car caught testing
Chinese car maker Airways to bring electric SUV and supercar to Europe
Chinese manufacturer Aiways will begin a push into the European car market in March, with the launch of its U5 electric SUV at the Geneva motor show. Promising competitive pricing, connectivity and safety, the U5 will act as a budget alternative to other electric mid-size SUVs such as the Audi E-tron and Mercedes-Benz EQC. Aiways… Continue reading Chinese car maker Airways to bring electric SUV and supercar to Europe
New Porsche Cayenne Coupe seen ahead of summer on-sale date
Porsche is building up to reveal a coupé version of the Cayenne SUV in the coming months, and another prototype has been caught winter testing. Previously seen at the Nurburgring showing off a new active rectracting spoiler, the Cayenne coupé is targeted as a rival for the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupé. Broadening the scope of the Cayenne line-up,… Continue reading New Porsche Cayenne Coupe seen ahead of summer on-sale date
Toyota and Panasonic confirm EV battery joint venture
Toyota and Panasonic have confirmed plans to set up a joint venture to produce batteries for electric cars. The collaboration, which will begin by the end of 2020, will see the two companies transfer up to 3500 employees, and Panasonic relocate its manufacturing facilities in Japan and China. The batteries produced by the joint venture… Continue reading Toyota and Panasonic confirm EV battery joint venture
Renault Twingo to be taken off sale in the UK
Renault will axe the Twingo city car from its UK line-up, citing a desire to simplify its model range. A facelifted Twingo will go on sale in the next few months, but Renault has confirmed that a right-hand-drive version for the UK won’t be introduced. A spokesman said: “Renault UK has decided to not commercialise… Continue reading Renault Twingo to be taken off sale in the UK