Karim Habib has overseen a dramatic restyle of not just Kia’s range of cars but also the company’s branding and logo. Kia has achieved double digit growth over the past five years in all major markets, and to date is the third best-selling brand in the UK in 2025 behind only Volkswagen and Ford. Habib… Continue reading MWIC Bonus Episode 12: Autocar Meets Kia design boss Karim Habib
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Peugeot GTi is back! Revered badge returns for hot 278bhp 208
The fitment of such large wheels with the GTi’s low-set stance has required wheel-arch extensions, marked out with bright red stripes that match the body’s paintwork. The 205 references continue inside the e-208 GTi: the bucket seats are split between red and black panels, and the floor mats are trimmed in red too. Elsewhere, it’s… Continue reading Peugeot GTi is back! Revered badge returns for hot 278bhp 208
Fiat trialling tech that fully charges 500e in just five minutes
Stellantis is trialling battery-swapping technology with the Fiat 500e in a bid to offer full EV recharging in just five minutes. If the trial is successful, this could eliminate one of the biggest barriers to EV ownership: charging time. Currently taking place in Madrid, the trial involves a small fleet of 40 500es that have been adapted to use a… Continue reading Fiat trialling tech that fully charges 500e in just five minutes
Dacia Bigster
The Bigster’s E-Tech hybrid system with a new engine may be a substantial upgrade on the Duster, but by and large the way it operates is very familiar. Because there is no clutch, it always sets off on the electric motor, and because that is reasonably powerful, at 50bhp, the engine might not fire up… Continue reading Dacia Bigster
How the UK is priming itself as an EV battery powerhouse
The UK’s ambition to become a major centre of EV battery manufacture is one step closer as work begins on its first integrated lithium-ion battery recycling and refining facility that is capable of producing the key ingredients of battery cells on an industrial scale. The new plant in Plymouth is the penultimate stage in British… Continue reading How the UK is priming itself as an EV battery powerhouse
Hyundai to reveal Ioniq 6 N at Goodwood Festival of Speed in July
Hyundai has confirmed its new Ioniq 6 N performance saloon will be revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed next month. The company has also released new images of the hot saloon, showing its twin rear spoilers and a chunky diffuser influenced by the one fitted to the extreme RN22e concept car. Although not fully shown, the front… Continue reading Hyundai to reveal Ioniq 6 N at Goodwood Festival of Speed in July
Volkswagen begins testing £22k ID 2 hatch ahead of 2026 arrival
Volkswagen has started testing the ID 2, one of its most important cars in recent times, and prototypes have been spotted in a clever camouflage. Photographed near Germany’s Nürburgring circuit, where the ID 2 is being put through its paces, the test mules are clad in Volkswagen Polo body panels in a bid to disguise the electric… Continue reading Volkswagen begins testing £22k ID 2 hatch ahead of 2026 arrival
Symbioz and Captur first to get Renault’s new full-hybrid system
The Symbioz and Captur crossovers have become the first Renault models to gain the French firm’s new full-hybrid powertrain. The E-Tech Full Hybrid 160 system, announced in May, gets a combined 158bhp from a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors (a 48bhp motor and a 20bhp ISG). Those motors draw energy from a 1.4kWh battery, which is recharged via regenerative breaking and… Continue reading Symbioz and Captur first to get Renault’s new full-hybrid system
I bought a V6 Jaguar for £400 and doubled my money
It turns out that it’s still possible to buy a functioning car with an MOT certificate for less than £500. I may have bought it from a friend’s parents’ neighbour, but this ULEZ-compliant Jaguar X-Type cost me just £400, complete with six months on the MOT (with only tired suspension parts as advisories) and just… Continue reading I bought a V6 Jaguar for £400 and doubled my money
Fiat draws on Multipla for Dacia Bigster rival due in 2027
Fiat’s forthcoming Dacia Bigster rival could channel the spirit of the cult-classic Multipla MPV when it arrives in 2027. The new SUV is one of two C-segment models that the Italian brand is set to launch in the next two years, alongside a rakish, raised hatchback. They were previewed by Panda-inspired SUV and Fastback concepts… Continue reading Fiat draws on Multipla for Dacia Bigster rival due in 2027