Up to 230 engineering and design jobs at MG Motor are at risk as the Chinese car company plans to radically downsize its technical centre in Birmingham at the site of the former Longbridge factory. News of the plan leaked out after a consultation with the workforce on Friday, with one source suggesting that 140… Continue reading Up to 230 jobs at risk as MG moves to downsize UK base
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Meeting Jost Capito, the man behind Volkswagen’s R division
Next came a lateral move to Sauber, specifically Sauber Petronas Engineering, which was charged with moving Proton beyond its early technical alliance with Mitsubishi. Capito led development of an all-new 2.0-litre engine, and although this didn’t make production his skills at project management were noticed and he was made COO of the Sauber F1 team… Continue reading Meeting Jost Capito, the man behind Volkswagen’s R division
Autocar confidential: Volkswagen ditches coal, BMW plans the i3’s future and more
In this week’s round up of automotive gossip, we take a look at BMW’s plans for future electric models, Jaguar’s subtle interior ethos and more. BMW’s theory of EVolution The BMW i3 could spawn multiple successors rather than a single new car, says product management boss Peter Henrich. “Do we need one specific successor to… Continue reading Autocar confidential: Volkswagen ditches coal, BMW plans the i3’s future and more
2022 Porsche Boxster and Cayman to get hybrid and EV options
Porsche is now pursuing a plan that could see pure-electric Boxster and Cayman variants using the company’s new PPE architecture offered alongside updated versions of today’s models featuring hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains. The plan would mirror the move taken by Porsche with the next-generation Macan, which will continue to be produced on its existing… Continue reading 2022 Porsche Boxster and Cayman to get hybrid and EV options
Under the skin: the latest CVT gearbox technology
Toyota’s umpteenth incarnation of the Corolla is now on sale, mainly in Hybrid form. It’s billed as having an ‘e-CVT’, which at first had our news antennae all a-quiver. In fact, e-CVT is simply another marketing moniker for essentially the same hybrid driveline concept Toyota came up with in the 1990s for the first Prius… Continue reading Under the skin: the latest CVT gearbox technology
Byton M-Byte SUV gearing up for production
Byton’s chief vehicle engineer is Irishman David Twohig, who formerly worked for the Renault-Nissan Alliance and won the Mundy Award for Engineering at the 2018 Autocar Awards for his work on the Alpine A110. We caught up with Twohig at the Pebble Beach Concours event to find out more about Byton’s ambitious plans. Where is Byton… Continue reading Byton M-Byte SUV gearing up for production
Toyota iQ city car reborn as China-only Singulato iC3 EV
The Toyota iQ city car has been reborn in China, with the rising Singulato firm using it as the basis for a new electric-only iC3 machine that has been launched at the Shanghai motor show. Beijing-based Singulato was founded in 2014 as an EV-only firm, and is gearing up to launch a mid-size iS6 SUV later… Continue reading Toyota iQ city car reborn as China-only Singulato iC3 EV
BAC delivers 100th Mono with unique colour and trim
The 100th example of the BAC Mono supercar has rolled off the company’s production line and been delivered to a car museum in Denmark. But this is no standard Mono. The Mono #100 is finished in British racing green atop visible carbonfibre bodywork. It is the first BAC model to sport such a combination. This particular Mono also comes… Continue reading BAC delivers 100th Mono with unique colour and trim
Production Porsche 911 Speedster heading to New York
Porsche will say farewell to the 991-generation 911 with a limited-production Speedster variant, which will be unveiled at next week’s New York motor show. Previewed by a black and white image of the finished car leaked online by US publications, the Speedster will stay largely faithful to the concept version, bar a change in alloy wheel design. Confirmed for… Continue reading Production Porsche 911 Speedster heading to New York
FCA and Tesla agree deal to beat EU emissions regulations
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has agreed a deal with Tesla to help avoid paying fines for exceeding new European Union emissions limits. FCA, whose brands include Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Jeep and Maserati, will pay for the right to count Tesla’s electric vehicles as part of its fleet, under an ‘open pool’ option allowed by EU regulations.… Continue reading FCA and Tesla agree deal to beat EU emissions regulations