Supercar club Auto Vivendi has added 12 new models to its collection in a week. Among the newcomers are Ferrari SF90, McLaren Artura (above), Lamborghini Urus Performante and Morgan Super 3, with more Ferraris and a Maserati MC20 Cielo coming soon. Over 27 million British drivers experience road rage at least once a month, mostly on the morning commute, reports iCompario business comparison … [Read more...]
Self-driving cars steer cautious welcome
More than two-thirds of motorists (67%) are ready to start using self-driving cars, new research shows, in the same month that the UK’s first hands-free driving technology has been launched. Following approval for Ford’s Mustang Mach-E to use BlueCruise driver assistance, May’s Startline Used Car Tracker reports that 43% say autonomous technology would make journeys more relaxing and 36% believe … [Read more...]
Car makers push fleet & business sales
The UK new car market recorded its ninth successive month of growth in April, with an 11.6% increase to reach 132,990 registrations, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The performance marks the best April since 2021’s 141,583 units but remains -17.4% down on 2019 volumes. Large fleet registrations grew by a third (33.1%) to 68,537 units as the … [Read more...]
Newslines 2 May
Aston Martin Works is announcing the availability for the first time in decades of new major components, including gearboxes and engine blocks, for some of the brand’s most iconic sports cars. Working with trusted suppliers the team at the heritage home of the world-renowned British car maker has developed entirely new engine blocks, cylinder heads, gearboxes and other major components – all … [Read more...]
EV batteries’ life expectency misunderstood
More than half of consumers “hugely overestimate” the time it takes for used electric car batteries to lose range, according to April’s Startline Used Car Tracker. Asked to estimate typical range loss after five years, 56% said they expected the fall to be 30% or more. In fact, research shows the real world result is likely to be less than half this figure. The average degradation for … [Read more...]
Smart ♯1 charges into UK this summer
The pure electric Smart ♯1 compact SUV will come to Britain by the end of the summer beginning with just 100 Launch Edition high spec versions at £39,450. Initially available in three production variants – the £35,950 Pro+, Premium from £38,950 and BRABUS beginning at £43,450 – as well as a highly exclusive Launch Edition, the newcomers use 200 or 315 KW motors and 62kWh batteries with claimed … [Read more...]
Newslines 24 April
With the brand marking its fifth anniversary this year, it showcased the world premiere of its first all-electric SUV coupé, the CUPRA Tavascan, to be launched in 2024. CUPRA has also revealed the CUPRA DarkRebel, a virtual sports car designed for a future city that is no longer contained by physical limits, which can be configured by the CUPRA Tribe. VEV, the e-fleet company backed by … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: GWM Funky Cat 1st Edition
The UK’s electric car revolution is becoming a bloody affair. From initially resisting the new technology on cost grounds including writing off established investments in petrol and diesel engine technology and having to develop hybrid or pure electric powertrains, along with making tens of thousands of workers redundant, manufacturers have struggled to convince buyers into showrooms or on-line … [Read more...]
Britain risks running out of EV innovation – car makers
Britain’s ability to compete as an electric vehicle production leader is at risk unless government responds urgently to increasingly fierce international competition, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders warns in a new blueprint. The call comes as other countries significantly power up political and economic backing for their own automotive sectors, positioning themselves at the front … [Read more...]
Newslines 20 March
Bentley Motors revealed record financial results for 2022, with operating profits up nearly €1 billion compared to 2018. The latest annual figures show a profit of €708 million, representing an 82 per cent growth in profit from a four per cent growth in volume while turnover reached €3.38 billion, up 19 per cent over the same period and the announcement follows record sales in 2022, when Bentley … [Read more...]