I think it was the Americans who started it. When I was a little kid, the Detroiters were heavily into indulging themselves with some of the most massive, chrome-laden, over-the-top front grilles in history, and I loved them all, even though I usually only saw them in pictures. At the time, an elaborate grille usually… Continue reading Long live the big grille: Why car designs should focus on the face
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Cadillac confirms imminent launch in UK with Lyriq SUV
“We look at our links from a global perspective, and then we decide which are the programmes we’re going to bring to Europe.” Brugal added that the key to bringing an even wider portfolio of GM cars to the UK and Europe quickly would be down to legislation, given that some cars sold in the… Continue reading Cadillac confirms imminent launch in UK with Lyriq SUV
UK-built Nissan Leaf in “very strong position” for new EV grant
The boss of Nissan has said the new, Sunderland-built Leaf is in “a very strong position” to benefit from the maximum £3750 Electric Car Grant (ECG) – and that the government was right to draw up rules that reward British manufacturing. The ECG will be available on EVs that cost £37,000 or less and meet science-based targets for emissions, both… Continue reading UK-built Nissan Leaf in “very strong position” for new EV grant
Electric Citroën C5 Aircross undercuts Skoda Enyaq at £34,065
The new Citroën ë-C5 Aircross has gone on sale, priced from £34,065, undercutting key rivals such as the Skoda Enyaq by £5000. The SUV was revealed in April with a bold new design language and the option of electric power for the first time, as the French brand renews its assault on Europe’s crucial crossover market. The new C5… Continue reading Electric Citroën C5 Aircross undercuts Skoda Enyaq at £34,065
Customisable fleet software key to Renault’s bold van plan
Renault aims to shore up its position as one of the UK’s three most popular van makers with a new range of software-defined LCVs that promise to meet the exacting individual needs of all fleet operators. Renault was the UK’s third most popular van manufacturer in June, with 2584 registrations versus Volkswagen‘s 3452 and long-time… Continue reading Customisable fleet software key to Renault’s bold van plan
Maserati plots new manual super-GT flagship, twinned with Alfa
He said: “A manual gearbox is an opportunity. I don’t see that in big series [production], but why not do a special version with a manual gearbox? No reason to say never. It could be the right choice for a limited edition of a car.” He added that a manual gearbox would emphasise the ‘pure’,… Continue reading Maserati plots new manual super-GT flagship, twinned with Alfa
Exclusive: Driving the first Caterham Seven powered by Horse
There’s a light to warn of the impending rev limiter, but unless I deliberately take it there, I’ll have probably naturally felt the urge to shift up a gear by then. And while the sound is all authentic, there is a symposer (a tube and a vibrating membrane) to accentuate the induction noise. By today’s… Continue reading Exclusive: Driving the first Caterham Seven powered by Horse
“This 80bhp Volkswagen Baja Bug is a resto-mod done right”
Have you seen the Twisted TBug? Twisted, the friendly, Yorkshire-based modifier of classic Land Rover Defenders (and now owner of a marine division as well), has started offering a Volkswagen Beetle Baja Bug restomod too. (If it starts doing Hillman Imps, our respective garages will look even more alike.) Unsurprisingly, the TBug looks somewhat nicer… Continue reading “This 80bhp Volkswagen Baja Bug is a resto-mod done right”
Why the Skoda Superb is a 5-star car
Skoda has also been truly innovative by developing three clever Smart Dials on the dashboard. The pair of outside dials allow you to control various aspects of the cabin ventilation system, including temperature and airflow direction, plus the heated seats. The centre dial, meanwhile, allows you to control functions such as the car’s driving modes,… Continue reading Why the Skoda Superb is a 5-star car
Developments in China mean self-driving is closer than ever
Autonomous driving and the technology behind it played a significant part at this year’s Shanghai motor show. For over a decade, the industry has believed that there won’t be a sudden leap from conventional cars to fully automated self-driving cars. Instead, it has expected ADAS features to gradually increase in sophistication until they become capable of… Continue reading Developments in China mean self-driving is closer than ever