Two Saturdays ago an email hit my inbox bearing news that the Bugatti Chiron’s production-car speed record was toast. This was notable for a couple of reasons. Firstly, Satuday is an odd time for a big press release to land. That only other work-related email I received that afternoon was a more weekend-appropriate one drawing my… Continue reading The world’s fastest car? This time I’m really struggling to care
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
New Dacia CEO to keep “magic potion of simplicity”
More often than not, a new car company CEO arrives with a lengthy to-do list and problems to fix. In the case of Katrin Adt, she takes the reins at a time when Dacia‘s ascent has taken it to behind only Volkswagen for retail sales in Europe. Even in Germany, it’s a top-five brand. The Dacia formula is… Continue reading New Dacia CEO to keep “magic potion of simplicity”
JLR prepares to build first cars since August “in coming days”
JLR is preparing to build its first cars in more than a month later this week, as it works to recover from a significant cyber attack that brought all its factories to a halt. The hack incapacitated the Land Rover maker, forcing it to shut down its internal computer systems in an effort to protect data from being stolen. This… Continue reading JLR prepares to build first cars since August “in coming days”
Max Verstappen, the great promoter
Over the weekend Max Verstappen, in a high-profile GT3-class debut, won the ninth round of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) with seeming ease. Naturally social media went bonkers. In fairness, most posts were well-informed, with a sensible and deserved tone of adulation for an impressive feat. However, the number of people (perhaps introduced to motorsport by a certain Netflix show) credulously cooing… Continue reading Max Verstappen, the great promoter
Join us for a live recording with Ian Callum in London
Tickets are now on sale for an unforgettable night with ex-Jaguar design director and founder of Callum Designs, Ian Callum CBE, at the Royal Automobile Club in London. He will be joined by managing director of Callum Designs, David Fairbairn, alongside our own Steve Cropley and Matt Prior for a special episode of My Week in… Continue reading Join us for a live recording with Ian Callum in London
Morgan Plus Four at 75: from 68bhp to nearly four times more
Not the first time they’ve done that recently: the Super 3 was only meant to be an engine change for the 3 Wheeler. I think it’s the consistency of the Plus Four that has allowed those models to evolve. And I wonder if the diversification of the range actually reinforces the identity, the central traditional… Continue reading Morgan Plus Four at 75: from 68bhp to nearly four times more
EU gives go-ahead for new microcar segment – but what next?
Car makers have vigorously pushed the EU to create a new, lower-cost category for small cars lately, but few were expecting Ursula von der Leyen to give the go-ahead in her speech on 10 September. “Millions of Europeans want to buy affordable European cars,” said the European Commission president. “This is why we will propose to work with industry on… Continue reading EU gives go-ahead for new microcar segment – but what next?
Has ‘boy racer’ culture become high art?
It’s not often that high-concept art shows and Hondas go hand-in-hand. Yet, here I am at the Barbican admiring the 17-inch TSW alloys on a sixth generation Civic. More specifically I am in the car park of the Barbican. I’ll admit that I’ve never had to leave the building of a cultural centre or museum… Continue reading Has ‘boy racer’ culture become high art?
Style council: Renault and Aston Martin designers compare notes
Despite a pre-dawn flight to the UK, Laurens van den Acker, the hugely accomplished Renault Group design director, bounds out of the Rafale with enthusiasm. “This is like Christmas for me,” he beams. Today’s festivities go back several months, when van den Acker mentioned that, despite being good friends with Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s chief… Continue reading Style council: Renault and Aston Martin designers compare notes
UK government underwrites £1.5bn JLR loan following cyber attack
The UK government will guarantee a £1.5 billion loan to JLR to help it support suppliers who have been hit by the production shutdown sparked by a cyber attack. The loan to the Tata-owned car firm will be issued by a commercial bank, but will be underwritten by the UK government. JLR halted production at… Continue reading UK government underwrites £1.5bn JLR loan following cyber attack