The new Renault 5 EV is set to be produced at the firm’s Douai factory in northern France, where the original version of the supermini was built. Renault will revive the 5 name for an all-new electric hatchback that’s set to go into production in 2023 as a key part of a bold revival plan designed… Continue reading New Renault 5 to be built in same French factory as original
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Abt Sportsline boosts Cupra Formentor to 365bhp
German tuning firm Abt Sportsline has turned its attention to the new Cupra Formentor, boosting power from 306bhp to 365bhp and adding bespoke styling elements. The Formentor is the latest Volkswagen Group model to receive the Abt treatment, following last year’s 419bhp take on the Audi Q5 55 TFSIe and a heavily modified version of the Audi… Continue reading Abt Sportsline boosts Cupra Formentor to 365bhp
Autocar confidential: Rimac talks EVs, Renault’s sustainable re-factory and more
In this week’s round-up of automotive gossip, we get Mate Rimac’s unfiltered take on the differences between EV hypercars, explore how Renault is refurbishing its Flins factory and more. Rimac talks EVs Mate Rimac, boss of the Rimac EV technology firm, is brutally honest about how he sees electric hypercars differentiating themselves from rivals. “I… Continue reading Autocar confidential: Rimac talks EVs, Renault’s sustainable re-factory and more
Explainer: What the Brexit deal means for car manufacturers
Deal or no deal, there were always going to be obstacles to post-Brexit trade. Here’s what the agreement should mean for the automotive sector. Bureaucracy Jubilation at the trade deal was tempered by scepticism at prime minister Boris Johnson’s assertion that UK industry would face “no non-tariff barriers” when trading with the EU. The new… Continue reading Explainer: What the Brexit deal means for car manufacturers
Report reveals stark disparities in electrified car ownership
Electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids are far more common in England’s richest neighbourhoods, according to a recent report. Across England as of Q3 2020, around 1 in 170 registrations were of electrified cars, but this number rose to 1 in 69 in local authorities where the average house price exceeds £500,000. In the five London… Continue reading Report reveals stark disparities in electrified car ownership
Home charger rental service launched for UK EV owners
British start-up company Co Charger has developed a platform that allows people who own electric vehicle (EV) chargers to share them with drivers who don’t. Despite a £10 million recent investment in charging by the government, there are currently only some 30,000 public chargers on UK roads. Home charging can add to this number but, according… Continue reading Home charger rental service launched for UK EV owners
Bespoke ‘Silent Shadow’ to start EV era at Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce is preparing a high-profile entry into the electric vehicle ranks with a new luxury car that Autocar understands could form an entirely new model line. Set to be detailed in official plans before the end of this year, although not expected to be unveiled fully at that point, the bespoke EV could adopt styling… Continue reading Bespoke ‘Silent Shadow’ to start EV era at Rolls-Royce
FCA and PSA merge to make world’s fourth biggest car firm
The planned merger between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and the PSA Group has been officially completed, creating a new industry giant called Stellantis. The new company takes its name from the Latin ‘Stello’, meaning ‘to brighten with stars’. Set to produce about eight million vehicles a year, with promised revenues of over £150 billion, Stellantis… Continue reading FCA and PSA merge to make world’s fourth biggest car firm
Honda halts Swindon production for third time due to parts delays
Honda will pause production at its Swindon factory next week due to a shortage of parts, as the pandemic continues to impact manufacturer supply chains. In an official statement, the brand said: “Some production activities will not run Monday 18 to Thursday 21 January due to Covid-related supply issues. The situation is currently being monitored with a view… Continue reading Honda halts Swindon production for third time due to parts delays
Updated: 7400 UK Volkswagen Golfs to get software update
Volkswagen has issued a voluntary update of 56,000 examples of the Mk8 Golf to fix software problems that have plagued the new model. Autocar has received confirmation that of the cars affected worldwide, 7,400 UK customers will be notified of the “voluntary service measure”, which is different from a recall as it not mandatory and can be completed during a… Continue reading Updated: 7400 UK Volkswagen Golfs to get software update