The Volkswagen Group has moved a step closer towards acquiring French vehicle rental firm Europcar after financial regulators in France approved its takeover offer. The German automotive giant partnered with UK-based asset manager Attestor Limited and Dutch automotive conglomerate Pon Holdings in July to place a €2.9 billion (£2.4bn) offer, at 50 cents per share. “The consortium… Continue reading Volkswagen Group moves step closer to acquiring Europcar
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Autocar confidential: Renault’s battery decisions, still no Audi RS8 and more
This week, we asked Audi if there’s any plans for an RS version of the A8 saloon, talked to Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös about EV chargers and found out why the new Range Rover is the perfect vehicle for a global pandemic. But first, we caught up with Renault’s engineering boss to find out what their… Continue reading Autocar confidential: Renault’s battery decisions, still no Audi RS8 and more
Under the skin: how car leather production is being made greener
Leather has long been seen as the ultimate premium material for the interior of a car, but now pressure is on to improve the sustainability of its manufacturing processes and lower its carbon footprint. That said, leather has a head start on modern materials in the sustainability stakes, because the raw material (cow hides) are a by-product of the food industry that would otherwise… Continue reading Under the skin: how car leather production is being made greener
Jewel E is British-built electric double-decker bus
Two companies will partner with London’s biggest bus operator to start in-service trials of an new, electric double-decker bus that will be built in Norfolk. The bus, named the Jewel E, will go into formal, city-based testing at the start of next year. It has been developed by Norwich-based electrification specialist Equipmake and Spanish coachbuilder Beulas. … Continue reading Jewel E is British-built electric double-decker bus
New Ferrari BR20 is one-off V12-powered two-seat coupe
The new Ferrari BR20 is a V12-powered two-seat coupé based on the GTC4 Lusso that is the latest addition to the firm’s ultra-exclusive One-Off series. The styling takes inspiration from 1950s and 1960s Ferrari coupés, with cues that nod to the 410 Superamerica and 500 Superfast. It was designed as the newest coachbuilt one-off project for one of the Italian firm’s “longstanding… Continue reading New Ferrari BR20 is one-off V12-powered two-seat coupe
Opel Manta and Lancia Delta to lead Stellantis EV attack
The four EV platforms being developed by Stellantis will be used across all 14 of its brands, which also include Alfa Romeo, Citroën, DS, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati and Peugeot. The economies of scale enabledby the platform sharing will allow each to rapidly expand its line-up, which will be of particular benefit to marques that… Continue reading Opel Manta and Lancia Delta to lead Stellantis EV attack
Autocar confidential: Lotus on delivering EV dynamism, Citroen preempting diesel dip and more
In this week’s Autocar confidential, we speak to the man in charge of Lotus about how to deliver an EV that sticks to the firm’s lightweight ethos, and find out when Citroen changed its tune on diesel. But first, what can Cupra do to stand out from its VW Group siblings? CUPRA MORE THAN A… Continue reading Autocar confidential: Lotus on delivering EV dynamism, Citroen preempting diesel dip and more
Porsche 718 Cayman EV keeps ‘mid-engined’ layout
“With a typical two-door sports car, you see the car is really low because to reduce drag you want the silhouette as low and flat as possible,” said Steiner. “To do that you should have the driver sitting as low as possible, and if you do that there is no space for a battery below the… Continue reading Porsche 718 Cayman EV keeps ‘mid-engined’ layout
Under the skin: Renault reveals new tricks to squeeze more out of batteries
The latest EV announcements give an inkling as to how the technology will evolve before the end of the decade and what we can expect to see in forthcoming cars. In particular, with the Mégane E-Tech Electric revealed recently at the Munich motor show, Renault has firmly planted its flag in the sand and potentially made… Continue reading Under the skin: Renault reveals new tricks to squeeze more out of batteries
MG Maze concept is radical city EV inspired by videogames
SAIC Design – the London-based styling outfit responsible for MG Motor – has presented the radical new Maze concept as a gaming-inspired compact EV which aims to “bring back driving fun to electrified cars”. Revealed as the UK returns to a more familiar way of life following lockdowns and other pandemic-related obstacles, the Maze has… Continue reading MG Maze concept is radical city EV inspired by videogames