Vorsprung durch Technik Live: Join Autocar for the ultimate Audi experience day

To celebrate more than five decades of Vorsprung durch Technik innovation and explore how Audi’s ever-growing range of e-tron models is changing the game for all-electric mobility, Audi and Autocar are hosting an exclusive event, and we’d love for you to join us. Sign up to Vorsprung durch Technik Live here The event will give… Continue reading Vorsprung durch Technik Live: Join Autocar for the ultimate Audi experience day

12,000 miles with a BMW i5: is this the ultimate electric estate?

It was late, dark and chilly if not as cold as when it snowed and the car obliged with 213 miles, or 2.6mpkWh, from 100%) and fast chargers are expensive. If I’d backed off, I’d probably have reached home, by slipstreaming a coach or truck if things had become critical. Or I could have carried… Continue reading 12,000 miles with a BMW i5: is this the ultimate electric estate?

Keyless entry is pointless, so why do car makers persist with it?

This could be public enemy number one on the ever-expanding list of utterly hopeless and infuriating automotive technologies that nobody asked for. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you keyless operation. Passive keyless entry (PKE) is how it’s known in the industry. It invites you to leave your keys in your pocket and unlocks the car automatically as you… Continue reading Keyless entry is pointless, so why do car makers persist with it?

F1 involvement vital to growth of Alpine brand

Rebranding the Renault Formula 1 team as Alpine has been instrumental in building the awareness and value of the revived marque as it prepares to introduce a range of seven sporty EVs and enter the US market, Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo has revealed. “Even if we have lost some money on F1, we… Continue reading F1 involvement vital to growth of Alpine brand

BMW says it is eight years away from needing a solid-state battery

BMW is not focussing on solid-state battery technology for the coming years, and instead insists there is “a long way to go” with today’s lithium iron (LI) and nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) packs – which it will instead continue to develop. Solid-state batteries are widely said to be crucial to EV longevity because they offer… Continue reading BMW says it is eight years away from needing a solid-state battery

Next generation Mini EVs could move from front-wheel-drive setup

Next-generation electric Minis could switch from the firm’s customary front-wheel-drove set-up to rear-drive, due to the adoption of a new BMW Group platform. The new “Gen6” 800-volt architecture developed by that Mini’s parent firm is claimed to be a “huge leap forward” in terms of technology compared to what is offered in current generation EVs. This includes an increase in… Continue reading Next generation Mini EVs could move from front-wheel-drive setup

BMW Neue Klasse platform to reduce price of EVs and add range

New electric powertrain technology will allow BMW Group to launch electric cars at a cheaper price but while offering more range and better efficiency than today’s cars, the firm has claimed. The Munich firm has been working on an entirely new electric vehicle architecture, which will start to be rolled out with its forthcoming line of… Continue reading BMW Neue Klasse platform to reduce price of EVs and add range

Classic Peugeot 504 Break gets the Pikes Peak treatment

The Peugeot Design Lab has given a 504 Break the Pikes Peak treatment as part of a series of radical reimaginings of the classic estate. Among the changes made to the 504 are the fitment of wide box arches, a whopping rear spoiler and even the removal of the front doors. The headlights have been replaced with… Continue reading Classic Peugeot 504 Break gets the Pikes Peak treatment

New Mercedes CLA to offer price parity between EV and hybrid

Electric and hybrid models based on Mercedes-Benz’s new MMA compact car platform will be priced at similar levels, CEO Ola Källenius has said. Mercedes will reveal the production electric version of the new CLA saloon on the MMA platform next month, ahead of deliveries in the summer, then the hybrid version will follow later in the year.… Continue reading New Mercedes CLA to offer price parity between EV and hybrid

Alpine A390 crossover to be revealed on 27 May

That interior is centred on the hydraulically assisted driver’s seat, which can switch from the standard driving set-up to one that mirrors an F1 bucket. The pedals also raise, while the steering wheel transforms from wide to narrow and displays extra information such as the weather. The cabin has also been designed for the front passenger to “share… Continue reading Alpine A390 crossover to be revealed on 27 May