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...]
Vehicle makers want EU emissions move
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association want the European Commission and the Council to come to a resolution to the current impasse on the EU legislation on CO2 emissions from cars and vans. It was due to be signed into law in early March and the car makers' bodoy says the fundamental transformation for the European automotive industry needs planning security. ACEA takes note that … [Read more...]
Welsh buyers boost January registrations
New car registrations rose the most in Wales last month, better than any other part of the UK. Dealers in Wales declared 4,890 new cars registered compared to 4,166 a year earlier, a rise of 17.4%. In the UK as a whole, 131,714 new cars were registered in January, 14% improvement so the Welsh sales outpaced the rest of the country. Volkswagen, Ford and Audi were the top three best selling … [Read more...]
EV car sales expected to soar in 2023
Motoring experts at DriveElectric predict a significant rise in EV sales in 2023, after supply issues hindered EV sales growth in 2022. The figure is based on DriveElectric’s own forecasts and is a significant increase from the 267,203 battery electric vehicles registered in the UK in 2022. Mike Potter, CEO at DriveElectric said, “We have seen preference for electric vehicles continue to … [Read more...]
Toyota Gazoo Racing looks ahead
Toyota Gazoo Racing’s presentations at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon and the concurrent Tokyo Outdoor Show looked to a future where “no car lovers are left behind”. They showed new concept models, customised vehicles, new engineering ideas and a wider selection of heritage parts to help enthusiasts maintain their classic cars. AE86 Corolla hydrogen and battery electric concepts Toyota is … [Read more...]
Tesla and Chinese brands top safety checks
Safety experts Euro NCAP have revealed their results for the best cars’ they tested last year. These are the cars that achieved the highest overall scores, based on their results for Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Vulnerable User Protection and Safety Assist technologies. For the very first time, this list includes two cars from Tesla and two Chinese newcomers to the … [Read more...]