The new Audi Q8 will give the Range Rover Sport its sternest challenge yet as the battle for sales of style-led premium SUVs hits new levels of intensity amid unprecedented — and still growing — global demand. Priced from an estimated £65,000 and powered by a choice of 3.0-litre petrol and diesel engines, the Q8… Continue reading Audi Q8 SUV: Range Rover Sport and BMW X6 rival launched
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Exclusive: Lotus boss Jean-Marc Gales departs car maker
Jean-Marc Gales has abruptly left his position as CEO of Group Lotus plc, the Norfolk-based sports car maker and technology consultancy acquired last year by China’s Geely group, which also owns Volvo, Lynk&Co, Proton and LEVC. Gales told Autocar that he was leaving for “personal reasons” and that it was “time to move on”. He departs his job today and described it as… Continue reading Exclusive: Lotus boss Jean-Marc Gales departs car maker
Jeep confirms new entry-level model to sit below Renegade
A new small Jeep model to sit below the Renegade has been confirmed by brand CEO Mike Manley. The compact-sized Jeep will launch by 2022 and will become the entry point into the Jeep range. It will be priced below the Renegade, suggesting a starting price of around £15,000. The confirmation of the model, which was scooped… Continue reading Jeep confirms new entry-level model to sit below Renegade
Waymo’s Uber-rivalling ride-hailing app to enter service in 2018
Google parent company Alphabet and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles have announced that the Uber-rivalling ride-hailing service Waymo will commence public service later this year. It’ll be the first ride-hailing service offered to the public to use driverless vehicles on public roads upon launch, using a fleet of over 62,000 Chrysler Pacifica MPVs across the Waymo service.… Continue reading Waymo’s Uber-rivalling ride-hailing app to enter service in 2018
UK car manufacturing recovers 5.2% in April; engine building reaches new peak
UK car manufacturing was also given a boost in April as output rose by 5.2% from April 2017 to 127,952 units, putting the brakes on a production downturn that has been in motion all year. Last month, UK car plants received a 7.3% increase in demand from the domestic market, while overseas demand was up… Continue reading UK car manufacturing recovers 5.2% in April; engine building reaches new peak
Toyota RAV4 diesel production axed
The diesel version of the Toyota RAV4 has become the latest victim of the brand’s commitment to remove oil-burning models from its line-up. As part of its pledge to focus on petrol and electrified powertrains, Toyota has taken the sole 2.0-litre diesel variant of the RAV4 out of production. A brand spokesman told Autocar that “there will… Continue reading Toyota RAV4 diesel production axed
Analysis: the challenges facing Jaguar Land Rover
The decision last month to lay off 1000 contract staff out of a total 40,000 workforce may be a disaster for those affected but, on the face of it, it does not signal serious structural issues for Jaguar Land Rover’s business. That said, although JLR has expanded at pace since its near-death experience after the… Continue reading Analysis: the challenges facing Jaguar Land Rover
UK car manufacturing bounces back by 5.2% in April
UK car manufacturing was given a boost in April as output rose by 5.2% to 127,952 units, putting the brakes on a production downturn that has been in motion all year. Last month UK car plants received a 7.3% increase in demand from the domestic market, while overseas demand was up by 4.7%. In total,… Continue reading UK car manufacturing bounces back by 5.2% in April
Black cab maker LEVC reveals plug-in hybrid van
The London Electric Vehicle Company, previously known as LTC, has revealed the first image of its plug-in hybrid van, a sibling vehicle to the new TX black cab. LEVC said it believes the van market “is ready for a disruptive new entrant – which will offer a very different value proposition”. First drive of the new… Continue reading Black cab maker LEVC reveals plug-in hybrid van
Rimac: We will build our name as a serious hypercar manufacturer
The steady rise in the car industry of Croatian firm Rimac is illustrated not only by some of its clients – Aston Martin and Koenigsegg, for starters – but also by its own ambitious hypercar plans. Its new C_Two electric hypercar has astonishing performance – 0-60mph in 1.85sec, outdoing the already crazy figures of its… Continue reading Rimac: We will build our name as a serious hypercar manufacturer