Author: Autocar Magazine UK

Everyday heroes: When ‘normal’ cars sneak into supercar showdowns

Think of Autocar’s annual Britain’s Best Driver’s Car (BBDC) test and your mind will rightly project visions of Porsche 911s, V12-fired Ferraris and scaffold-like lightweights. But once in a blue moon, something entirely ordinary slips into the field. Not even a GTI, ST or anything to that effect, but common-or-garden machinery that lines the nation’s… Continue reading Everyday heroes: When ‘normal’ cars sneak into supercar showdowns

Clio Trophy and MR2: Revisiting two Gen Z gems at 20

While our road testers were rigorously testing the latest metal for Britain’s Best Driver’s Car 2025, photographer Jack Harrison and I decided to mark the occasion in our own way – by reuniting two former BBDC contenders from a very different era.  Last year I bought a 2005 Renault Clio 182 Trophy, and have spent… Continue reading Clio Trophy and MR2: Revisiting two Gen Z gems at 20

Renaultsport was the quiet king of hot hatchbacks

Not atypically for a British driving fan, I think the hot hatch is the best type of car you can buy. For getting your dynamic kicks on our narrow B-roads, riddled as they are with crater-sized potholes, you want something that’s highly manoeuvrable, practical, affordable and still exciting to drive. And in my opinion, those… Continue reading Renaultsport was the quiet king of hot hatchbacks

Ferrari Amalfi

The Roma came as a bit of a shock when it was launched. With its minimal detailing, solid-looking front grille and body panels that looked like they were under tension, it was divisive. Some said that it looked like an Aston Martin, others that it lacked aggression. I for one thought it was one of the most… Continue reading Ferrari Amalfi

Looking back at AMG’s quiet 1982 UK debut

The UK arrival of AMG in the autumn of 1982 was low-key. Strattons of Wilmslow, Cheshire, became the sole concessionaire, and Autocar dedicated just 50 words to it, buried in the data section, soberly calling AMG “a German styling and tuning firm who produce customizing and performance modifications for Mercedes-Benz cars”. We had actually already had… Continue reading Looking back at AMG’s quiet 1982 UK debut

Ford hopes Renault deal can plug its weakness in vans

Ford’s domination of the van sales chart in the UK hides a weakness that it hopes to plug through a new partnership with Renault.  News that Renault will build Ford two small electric cars, one a Fiesta replacement, overshadowed the announcement that the two plan to work together on the development of future vans. And of… Continue reading Ford hopes Renault deal can plug its weakness in vans

Which of these models will be 2026 Car of the Year?

What do the class of 2026 have in common in the new car world? If not too downbeat a hook to draw you into this story: not a great deal of originality. But stick with me. There were 29 cars from 23 brands at the annual Tannistest in northern Denmark, a test event to help… Continue reading Which of these models will be 2026 Car of the Year?

Next Peugeot 208 hot hatch to tap 205 GTI spirit

Peugeot is set to channel the spirit of the legendary 205 GTI hot hatch with the range-topping performance version of the next 208. The French manufacturer has already revived the GTI performance sub-brand for a hot new version of its e-208 electric supermini – and now CEO Alain Favey has told Autocar that it will… Continue reading Next Peugeot 208 hot hatch to tap 205 GTI spirit

Stellantis unveils lighter, faster charging EV battery

Stellantis and French battery maker SAFT have revealed an integrated battery system that is more efficient, smaller and lighter and cuts charging times by 15%. Called IBIS (Intelligent Battery Integrated System), the battery incorporates the inverter and charger functions directly into its pack, creating a single module to deliver power to the drive motor-generator. Until… Continue reading Stellantis unveils lighter, faster charging EV battery