Nissan and Renault are in talks about merging to create one new company, according to reports by business news agency Bloomberg. The Japanese and French car makers have been in an alliance since 1999, with Mitsubishi joining in 2016, helping the trio to overtake the Volkswagen Group as the largest car company in the world. But… Continue reading Nissan and Renault could merge to form one company, says report
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
British-built Toyota Avensis culled due to slowing sales
Toyota has ended production of its British-built Avensis in response to dwindling demand for the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport rival. Avensis sales in the UK fell to just 3473 units last year, a drop of 1660 on 2016. In Europe, just 25,319 examples were sold – less than half the number achieved by the… Continue reading British-built Toyota Avensis culled due to slowing sales
BMW headquarters raided in emissions cheat software hunt
German authorities have raided BMW’s Munich headquarters and its engine plant in Austria to search for evidence of the use of emissions cheat software. A month after the opening of an investigation into the suspected fraud, around 100 law enforcers have raided two of the manufacturer’s largest locations – 4500 employees at the engine plant… Continue reading BMW headquarters raided in emissions cheat software hunt
UK’s new petrol and diesel car ban could be enforced from 2030
The UK’s ban on new petrol and diesel cars could be brought forward, possibly to 2030, if plans laid out by MPs get the green light. The respective committees for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Environmental Audit; Health and Social Care; and Transport have published a report that claims the Government’s current plan to ban the sale… Continue reading UK’s new petrol and diesel car ban could be enforced from 2030
BMW: six new front-wheel-drive models to look out for
The next BMW 1 Series is the first of six upcoming models due to switch to new front-wheel drive underpinnings called FEAR (Frontantrieb Architektur). Each will come with either two or all-wheel drive. We run through what to expect in the list below. Click here for our review of the front-wheel-drive BMW 1 Series saloon 1 Series… Continue reading BMW: six new front-wheel-drive models to look out for
Volkswagen boss: German city diesel ban is ‘scary and unnecessary’
Volkswagen boss Herbert Diess has reacted to the recent German court ruling that cities can ban the most heavily polluting diesels, describing the move as “a scary picture and totally unnecessary”. When the ruling was announced late last month, the court also said that Stuttgart should start to impose a year-round ban, while Dusseldorf should also… Continue reading Volkswagen boss: German city diesel ban is ‘scary and unnecessary’
Morgan Plus 8 50th Anniversary launched
Morgan is marking the 50th year of its Plus 8 sports car with a new special edition of which just 50 examples will be produced. Revealed at the Geneva motor show, the new 50th Anniversary model will be among the very last cars to use a BMW N62 V8 engine, which bows out with the… Continue reading Morgan Plus 8 50th Anniversary launched
Jaguar I-Pace First Edition 2018 first drive
For a while I watch others drive, noting the reluctance of this long wheelbase, ultra low-centre of gravity car to roll its body, or slide, or do anything very much except squeal its tyres in extremis and go where it is steered. It does indeed change direction brilliantly – you can see that with the… Continue reading Jaguar I-Pace First Edition 2018 first drive
Aston Martin boss: record profits show financial turnaround is complete
Aston Martin posted a profit of £87 million in 2017 – £250 million more than the £163 million loss the brand achieved in 2016. This was driven by a 58% upswing in global sales compared with 2016, with 5117 cars finding homes across the year. £876 million in revenue was raised – 48% up on 2016.… Continue reading Aston Martin boss: record profits show financial turnaround is complete
New Toyota Prius CO2 figures push it over Congestion Charge exemption zone
New CO2 figures for the updated Toyota Prius have pushed it out of the London Congestion Charge exemption zone, which dictates that cars must produce less than an average of 75g/km CO2. A Transport for London (TfL) spokesman confirmed to Autocar that it won’t be re-evaluating existing cars, however, so the Prius, which is now listed as producing 78g/km… Continue reading New Toyota Prius CO2 figures push it over Congestion Charge exemption zone