Over the years, a few high-performance cars have emerged with monster whale-tail wings boasting various degrees of downforce. Quite often the pressure they exerted was impressive if not necessarily mind-boggling and often they were intended more to neutralise lift than create positive downforce. But these days, high-end sports cars have become faster than ever and,… Continue reading How Manthey gave the 911 GT3 RS 1000kg of downforce
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Rats love a weekend cruise just as much as us petrolheads
For those who fear that general enthusiasm for driving is in decline, I have positive news: it’s actually so great that even rats enjoy it. Kelly Lambert, a professor of behavioural neuroscience at the University of Richmond in Virginia (who attaches far more academic and intellectual rigour to her research than I will to interpreting… Continue reading Rats love a weekend cruise just as much as us petrolheads
Nio’s budget EV brand Firefly launches £16,000 hatch that’s bound for Europe
Chinese car maker Nio has unveiled the first car from its new Europe-bound Firefly brand that will focus on small budget electric cars. Dubbed the “small smart, high end electric car”, the EV – currently only known as Firefly – is positioned as a rival to the BYD Dolphin and Renault 5 in the growing… Continue reading Nio’s budget EV brand Firefly launches £16,000 hatch that’s bound for Europe
Breaking: Volkswagen to cut 35,000 jobs by 2030
Volkswagen will cut 35,000 jobs over the next five years as part of a comprehensive restructuring plan to save up to €4 billion (£3.4 billion). The decision was announced this evening after the car maker finalised an agreement with its works council. The manufacturer said the plan is designed to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and secure a competitive financial footing as… Continue reading Breaking: Volkswagen to cut 35,000 jobs by 2030
Jeep Wrangler
Through bends, the Wrangler’s handling manners are entirely predictable: it’s a large car that feels its height and weight; pitches in with plenty of body roll; and has limited front-end grip with which to prevent its bluff nose from wandering progressively into understeer if you hurry it along. But nearly all of these criticisms are… Continue reading Jeep Wrangler
Driving home for Christmas is anything but a pain in the Rea
The tradition started when I was at university, now far too many years ago for my liking, as a way of energising the long, traffic-clogged drive from Keele in Staffordshire to the West Country in the pre-Christmas gloom. Given the time of year, the journey was livened up with a CD of Christmas music. Well, I say livened up,… Continue reading Driving home for Christmas is anything but a pain in the Rea
Value-focused Citroen C3 platform set to underpin C4 successor
The car safety testing body “would like to have more, more and more”, he said. He added: “To meet the safety regulations of the different states or the European Commission is already something where you have to add a lot of features, additions and so on to the car; that is our job and we do that.”… Continue reading Value-focused Citroen C3 platform set to underpin C4 successor
Questions over safety as ICE drivers swap into “brutally” fast EVs
The subject of EVs and their surplus of performance has been given fresh attention by a leading motor insurance broker. They told us that electric cars are involved in more accidents than petrol- and diesel-engined models, and the only explanation can be that they’re quicker. “There are 26% more accident claims for EVs than for… Continue reading Questions over safety as ICE drivers swap into “brutally” fast EVs
Progress report: Which car makers are meeting the ZEV mandate?
Many car makers found ramping up EV sales to meet the UK government’s 22% target a struggle, especially those with a more volume bent. But they’re a resourceful bunch, and those with EVs to sell rose to the challenge. Traditional premium brands like Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo definitely found it easier, thanks to their… Continue reading Progress report: Which car makers are meeting the ZEV mandate?
Honda to unveil 0 Series SUV concept next month
Meanwhile, large models will have a pack of around 100kWh. It’s unclear if different battery options will be offered on each model. As well as extensive use of mega-casting, Honda will use a number of new production techniques designed to increase the platform’s rigidity while reducing weight. That includes expanded use of a system called… Continue reading Honda to unveil 0 Series SUV concept next month