Bentley Bentayga S and Azure gain V6 hybrid powertrains for 2023

The Bentley Bentayga S and Bentley Bentayga Azure will get hybrid variants in the UK next year, gaining an electrically assisted V6 powertrain in place of a 4.0-litre 542bhp V8 engine.  The two luxury SUVs will join five other hybrid models – including the existing, standard Bentayga hybrid and Bentley Flying Spur S hybrid – and their… Continue reading Bentley Bentayga S and Azure gain V6 hybrid powertrains for 2023

50 years of BMW M podcast – the ones that go away

Join Matt Prior and James Disdale through a whistle-stop tour of BMW M history as they get to drive a few of their favourite M cars that, until now, have always eluded them. From the twin rear badges on the M1 to the induction noise on more modern versions, Matt and James dig into the… Continue reading 50 years of BMW M podcast – the ones that go away

My Week In Cars: Steve Cropley and Matt Prior podcast, episode 3

This week, Steve Cropley and Matt Prior talk about the Detroit motor show and why the lack of a freezing backdrop wasn’t the only worrying aspect to it. Also, Matt has a new theory on four-cylinder Porsches, courtesy of his friends at Caffeine & Machine. Plus, why you shouldn’t drive a Reliant Robin in windy conditions.… Continue reading My Week In Cars: Steve Cropley and Matt Prior podcast, episode 3

New Volvo nameplates suggest all-electric range plans

Volvo’s next-generation XC90 was rumoured to be called ‘Embla’, essentially doing away with the letter and number naming system Volvo has used on its cars for decades. Now, the Swedish company looks like it’ll double down on its current badging style with a host of new EVs.  A flurry of patent filings have been uncovered… Continue reading New Volvo nameplates suggest all-electric range plans

Volvo EXC90 patent shows XC90 successor

Volvo has confirmed that its all-new, all-electric large SUV will be called EX90 and has also outlined some of the forthcoming machine’s advanced safety technology as part of Volvo’s vision of zero deaths and serious injuries in its new cars. The Volvo EX90 will be sold alongside XC90 plug-in hybrid variants still, Auto Express understands, and… Continue reading Volvo EXC90 patent shows XC90 successor

From the archive: Twingo and rivals make small cars fun again

Superminis face an uncertain future today, due to SUVs and ever rising prices. Things were entirely different 29 years ago, as the Fiat Punto, Renault Twingo, Mk2 Seat Ibiza and Vauxhall Corsa arrived cheaply and cheerfully – of course eliciting a test to reveal the best. Named after a party island it may have been,… Continue reading From the archive: Twingo and rivals make small cars fun again

Has the moment finally arrived for new-car subscription services?

Open gallery Almost 40% of My Car Direct’s fleet is comprised of EVs, including the BMW iX3 My Car Direct CEO Duncan Chumley Onto CEO Rob Jolly with a fleet of electric cars Close News 4 mins read 28 September 2022 Access to this content requires a subscription to Autocar Business The Knowledge. To subscribe,… Continue reading Has the moment finally arrived for new-car subscription services?

2022 BMW Z4 gains new design features, slimmed line-up

The BMW Z4 roadster has been given a mid-life update, with minor design amendments and changes to its model line-up taking effect from November. The third generation Z4 line-up, originally launched in 2019, will be slimmed down to just two variants in the UK, with the mid-ranking sDrive 30i variant axed.  The range will open with the… Continue reading 2022 BMW Z4 gains new design features, slimmed line-up

Opinion: An M car like none before it

I had a short drive in a disguised BMW XM prototype earlier this year; the kind BMW often facilitates to give testers an early idea of what to expect from the driving experience of a new car, but to keep the finer points of the styling reserved for comment later. Now we’ve all seen it with the camouflage off, you can make… Continue reading Opinion: An M car like none before it

Vauxhall Astra GSe launches electrified performance brand

The Vauxhall Astra will be the first model to get a performance overhaul under the firm’s new GSe brand – an electrified successor for the GSi nameplate. Launching as a plug-in hybrid, the new range-topping, dynamically enhanced Astra GSe gets sharper handling, a tweaked, lowered chassis and uprated engine performance. As with standard models, the… Continue reading Vauxhall Astra GSe launches electrified performance brand