Indeed, many competitors floundered, but there were several impressive performances too, like that by VG Lloyd, who “astounded everyone with his speed” in his two-cylinder Carden. Notably, Lionel Martin “romped up the hill” in his new production Aston Martin (he had co-founded the company in 1913 to build hillclimb specials; Aston was a course in Buckinghamshire).… Continue reading Real range anxiety: Driving London to Land’s End in 1921
Category: US Motoring Press
‘Too many brands?’ Why Chery is adding Lepas to Jaecoo and Omoda
At Chery’s sprawling HQ in the city of Wuhu, two hours west of Shanghai, dozens of prototypes circle the streets linking the company’s various R&D facilities. In one prototype jam, we spot a camouflaged Lepas with Audi’s four rings crudely drawn on tape covering the badge. The marking was clearly a joke, but it was also… Continue reading ‘Too many brands?’ Why Chery is adding Lepas to Jaecoo and Omoda
New-look Toyota Aygo X gains 74mpg hybrid; drops manual
Autocar understands that Toyota sold some 14,000 examples of the city car in the UK last year. Had those all been the new hybrid, Toyota would have been able to sell in excess of 2000 additional ICE cars while remaining within its limit. Separately from the ZEV mandate, such a significant reduction would have given Toyota… Continue reading New-look Toyota Aygo X gains 74mpg hybrid; drops manual
The best ever Japanese kei cars: lightweight, lovable and back in vogue
It also gave kei car customers a kind of scaled-down NSX to play with. The 656cc naturally aspirated three-cylinder makes the most incredible noise, partly on account of its 8,500rpm red line (peak power of 63bhp is made at 8,100rpm), and partly because each cylinder has its own throttle body to admit air and fuel.… Continue reading The best ever Japanese kei cars: lightweight, lovable and back in vogue
Best track day cars 2025
Admittedly, the GT4 RS feels uncompromising thanks to its track-leaning DNA, and the gravelly intake roar from the engine can grate when you’re cruising. It’s the price you pay for a once-in-a-generation Porsche GT car, one we never thought would see the light of day. 4. Caterham Seven Prices from £29,500 Best value for money… Continue reading Best track day cars 2025
The best ever popemobiles
The Mazana II is a boxy and utilitarian six-seat 4×4 built around the diesel drivetrain of the Citroen Berlingo, sitting in a twin-rail chassis topped with a body made of reinforced polyester resin. The Mazana II went on sale in 2016, and the firm created an open-air version for the visit of Pope Francis in… Continue reading The best ever popemobiles
Unassuming MINI Countryman becomes ‘The Beast’: a Dakar Rally-spec off-road monster
The style-conscious MINI Countryman is targeted more at the glamping crowd than those who like to get properly dirty exploring the wilderness, and very few of these SUVs are likely to go off-road at all. However, after heavy modifications, this new concept model has us thinking that MINI could take on the infamous Dakar Rally. … Continue reading Unassuming MINI Countryman becomes ‘The Beast’: a Dakar Rally-spec off-road monster
Tesla denied Robotaxi trademark for its self-driving ‘robot taxi’
The US Patent and Trademark Office has refused Tesla’s attempt to trademark the name Robotaxi for the self-driving vehicle behind its promised autonomous ride-hailing service. The EV maker owned by Elon Musk has already aborted an attempt to trademark the name Cybercab for the vehicle it revealed last October, on the basis that other companies… Continue reading Tesla denied Robotaxi trademark for its self-driving ‘robot taxi’
Diesel isn’t always a dirty word
I’ll admit I’m a pretty fundamentalist petrolhead, so it took a while for me to accept that EVs were the right answer to many requests for new car-buying advice. However, in the past year or so I’ve found myself oddly campaigning for a very unexpected alternative: diesel. There’s no doubt that this technology has taken… Continue reading Diesel isn’t always a dirty word
Car Deal of the Day: The Hyundai i20 supermini brings cheap thrills at only £165 a month
Sharp design Fun to drive and over 52mpg Just £164.95 a month It’s sometimes easy to forget about cars when they’re as complete as the Hyundai i20. The stylish little five-door offers everything the supermini buyer could wish for, especially when it comes to value for money. This deal from Leasing Options, via the Auto Express Find… Continue reading Car Deal of the Day: The Hyundai i20 supermini brings cheap thrills at only £165 a month