Councils across the UK are plotting higher parking charges as they come under pressure to achieve clean-air targets and plug gaps in their tightening finances. Planned changes also include premiums for larger vehicles, tougher parking controls, possible reductions in the numbers of on-street spaces and the introduction of parking charges in free-to-park areas in many… Continue reading Councils hike parking costs in bid to plug budget holes
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Aston Martin reveals Valkyrie LMH racer for Le Mans 2025
Aston Martin has revealed the race car with which it will aim for its first overall victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours in more than 60 years. Based on the road-going Valkyrie, it has been developed to the Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) rulebook, which allows entrants to use a higher proportion of bespoke content than the… Continue reading Aston Martin reveals Valkyrie LMH racer for Le Mans 2025
First electric Ferrari to be revealed on 9 October
Ferrari is set to reveal its long-awaited debut electric car on 9 October. In an announcement accompanying the Italian firm’s 2024 financial figures, CEO Benedetto Vigna said Ferrari will “reveal more of our future on 9 October at our Capital Markets Day”. He stopped short of confirming any more details, but said it would be… Continue reading First electric Ferrari to be revealed on 9 October
Sub-£25k Dacia Bigster hits UK roads ahead of imminent deliveries
Prices top out at £29,495 for the Hybrid 155 Extreme, keeping the entire range under £30,000. Speaking to Autocar ahead of the Bigster’s price list going public, Dacia CEO Denis Le Vot explained the rationale behind pricing the Bigster so attractively. “If you take the C-segment SUV market today in Europe, these cars are trading now… Continue reading Sub-£25k Dacia Bigster hits UK roads ahead of imminent deliveries
Audi’s model name backtrack is a victory for common sense
News that Audi has abandoned split model names for combustion and electric models represents the second time in a year that it has changed its cars’ names. Both times it has been for the better, reversing misguided decisions that confused in the first place. The latest is to wind back on a decision that would… Continue reading Audi’s model name backtrack is a victory for common sense
Audi abandons split model names for ICE and EV models
Audi has reversed its new model naming strategy that differentiated combustion-engined models from electric models using odd and even numbers. The move comes after customer and dealer feedback confirmed the new system was causing confusion. Under the original plan, ICE cars, including plug-in hybrids, were assigned the numbers 1, 3, 5 and 7, while EVs were assigned 2, 4, 6 and 8. At… Continue reading Audi abandons split model names for ICE and EV models
Aston Martin to launch first EV by 2030 after hybrid model blitz
Aston Martin will rapidly expand its hybrid line-up and increase the number of model variants it offers in the coming years, according to new boss Adrian Hallmark – and it will launch its first electric vehicle before the end of this decade. Former Bentley boss Hallmark took over as CEO of the sports car firm… Continue reading Aston Martin to launch first EV by 2030 after hybrid model blitz
Nissan Ariya Nismo
Those expecting an answer to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N or even the Kia EV6 GT should temper their expectations, because Nissan itself says it doesn’t see the hot Hyundai as a rival. Instead, the Ariya Nismo is pitched at the Volkswagen ID 4 GTX and ID 5 GTX and the dual-motor version of the Kia EV6. Priced at… Continue reading Nissan Ariya Nismo
Fiat Grande Panda Electric
The Grande Panda range keeps things simple. Within the two different powertrain options, there are two trim levels. On the electric side, you can get Red or La Prima trim. Red isn’t only offered in red… although it is the standard colour. Standard kit here includes 16in steel wheels, air conditioning, that retractable charging cable,… Continue reading Fiat Grande Panda Electric
Leather interiors are overrated – cloth is just better
Cost-cutting isn’t sexy. Journalists don’t tend to receive press releases proclaiming ‘we’ve made the new version of our car intentionally worse so we can save some money while also charging more for it’. But sustainability sells. At least car makers think so. Don’t say: ‘We’ve replaced leather with vinyl, because it can be made more cheaply.’… Continue reading Leather interiors are overrated – cloth is just better