The company has now confirmed that “adaptations will be made” to the modular platform to ensure it offers “the driving experience and performance characteristics that Polestar is known for”. Confirming the decision to use a Volvo platform and factory for his brand’s new entry model, Lohscheller today said: “Working with Volvo Cars to develop and… Continue reading New 2028 Polestar 7 to be built on Volvo platform in Slovakia
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Winner’s circle: How Protean’s in-wheel motors will reshape EVs
Surrey-based EV motor developer Protean has its roots in a firm called PML Flightlink, which made headlines in 2006 when it fitted four in-wheel motors (IWMs) to a Mini Cooper to give 640bhp, a sub-5.0sec 0-62mph time and a £200k price. The outfit was later acquired by NEVS, the Chinese-owned successor to Saab, before EV… Continue reading Winner’s circle: How Protean’s in-wheel motors will reshape EVs
Synthetic fuels will coexist with EVs, says solar fuel maker
“So it doesn’t make sense to produce fuels; you should instead use it directly,” he said. “That I fully agree with. However, the point is you don’t need to produce the fuels locally.” By instead using a solar plant in Morocco or a wind plant in Chile, Furler suggested, you could make use of electricity that… Continue reading Synthetic fuels will coexist with EVs, says solar fuel maker
Bentley priming new 641bhp Continental GT Supersports
Bentley is preparing a new range-topper for its Continental GT line-up – potentially even creating an indirect successor to the Supersports of 2013. Speaking to Autocar, Bentley R&D chief Matthias Rabe didn’t rule out the possibility of transplanting the 641bhp 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 powertrain from the new Bentayga Speed into the Continental GT. Test mules… Continue reading Bentley priming new 641bhp Continental GT Supersports
Official pics: Mercedes priming VLE as radical EQV replacement
Mercedes-Benz is putting the finishing touches to the VLE, the first in a new wave of electric vans that will arrive next year as part of a new-look V-Class range. It is based on Mercedes’ new Van Electric Architecture (VAN.EA) and will be a more focused proposition than the existing V-Class, which is based on the… Continue reading Official pics: Mercedes priming VLE as radical EQV replacement
Why did Geely’s Lotus go so wrong?
The story of Geely entering the Western market began a positive one. It has been showered with praise for how it handled Volvo for its first decade in charge, making it a mainstream premium player more than ever before. But as time has gone on, there’s been little evidence to back up that early success… Continue reading Why did Geely’s Lotus go so wrong?
New Porsche 911 Carrera 4S gets 30bhp boost and GTS brakes
The updated Porsche 911 Carrera 4S has been unveiled, packing an extra 30bhp than the previous iteration. The extra grunt comes courtesy of an intercooler borrowed from the more potent 911 Turbo, boosting the 4S to a total output of 473bhp. That allows it to complete the 0-62mph dash in 3.3sec (when fitted with the… Continue reading New Porsche 911 Carrera 4S gets 30bhp boost and GTS brakes
What the Hethel is really going on with Lotus in the UK?
The heart-stop moment came on early Friday morning. A source with impeccable connections to Lotus UK told Autocar that the order had come from China to prepare its historic manufacturing facility in Hethel for closure. A second source backed up that bombshell. Lotus was investigating moving sports car production to the US. Separately, the Financial… Continue reading What the Hethel is really going on with Lotus in the UK?
Volvo owner to launch Geely EV brand in UK
Geely, the Chinese firm that owns LEVC, Lotus, Polestar and Volvo, is launching its eponymous car brand in the UK. The first model bound for UK showrooms will be the Geely EX5, an electric crossover pitched against the Skoda Elroq, Kia EV3 and Renault Megane. UK specifications have yet to be confirmed, but Geely said the EX5… Continue reading Volvo owner to launch Geely EV brand in UK
How Lawrence Stroll shaped Aston Martin’s ‘phenomenal future’
This team was all-British and had been at Silverstone for 31 years,” he says. “I wanted the greatest name for it, and that was Aston Martin. At the time [Aston Martin’s] owner, an Italian private equity firm, was sponsoring Red Bull. I went to them and said I could offer much more than just being… Continue reading How Lawrence Stroll shaped Aston Martin’s ‘phenomenal future’