Renault and Powervault announced a partnership to re-use electric vehicle batteries in home energy storage units. This partnership will reduce the cost of a Powervault smart battery unit by 30%, helping Powervault to bring home energy storage to the tipping point of mass-market roll-out in the UK. Powervault is placing 50 trial units, powered by second life batteries provided by Renault, in … [Read more...]
Newcomers
TVR will display new model in September
The Welsh site chosen to build the next 200mph TVR series will be announced in two or three weeks, it was stated yesterday. The un-named car was first announced in 2015 and it soon attracted over 350 deposits from TVR enthusiasts. Originally, it was to be a centre-piece manufacturing site on the Circuit of Wales development but that has hit planning and financial issues, and in March 2016 … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Toyota Prius PHEV
A week-long road test in the new Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) created two notable firsts for me, says David Miles. It was the first road test production car I have tested with a solar roof and it was the first test car to return over 100mpg for a full week of motoring. The sales success of PHEVs have created the driving force for increased demand of Alternatively Fuelled Vehicles in … [Read more...]
Lotus Elise Cup power overflows
Punching well above its weight, the new Lotus Elise Cup 250 offers a scintillating blend of purity of purpose with performance at the apex of the recently revised Elise range. Supercharged, lightweight and distilled from Lotus’ extensive motorsport knowhow, the new model packs 243 hp into a chassis designed to deliver the benchmark in responsive handling and haptic feedback. The car’s … [Read more...]
Skoda Superb raises its game
Škoda Superb saloon and estate models have been comprehensively revised. They now come with automatic emergency call as additional security, enhanced comfort features, together with extended connectivity equipment solutions and 19-inch alloy wheels. … [Read more...]
Newslines 26 May
The 680hp Icona Vulcano Titanium is a one-off that hit the streets at Cannes Film Festival, where the waiting list for exclusive test drives keeps extending. The Vulcano Titanium has a 100% titanium body design inspired by the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird jet fighter costs £2 million, more than the Bugatti Chiron, and it does 218mph. Ford is the official manufacturer backing next month’s … [Read more...]
Tradelines 24 May
The Vauxhall scrappage scheme is back. A £2,000 price cut is being offered for trade-ins before the end of June and deals also qualify for low rate finance. The British old-banger could become a thing of the past as ambitious new drivers are now aspiring to opt for a brand new vehicle as their first car, according to motoring solicitor specialists, Motoring Offence Lawyers. More than a … [Read more...]
Newslines 23 May
Tighter safety controls on equipment and automation will be outlined by the EU to vehicle manufacturers by the end of the year. Safety campaigners have won their fight to make more equipment standard, particularly for heavy or big vehicles. Ford is reportedly shaking up its senior management. US media reports CEO Mark Fields is leaving the car maker and his role is being split into three … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: MINI Clubman Black Pack
Like their parent company BMW, MINI is keeping their ‘pedal to the metal’ by introducing a raft of additional derivatives of their core model ranges, says David Miles. I interviewed Nicholas Griebner, Head of Product for MINI UK who said, “Last year one out of 50 new cars sold in the UK was a MINI and so far this year sales are up by a further 7%.” In 2016 MINI sold a record 70,000 new cars … [Read more...]
Vauxhall Crossland X proves size matters
Size really matters in the burgeoning SUV sector and the new era of sub-compact models is being joined by the Vauxhall Crossland X, writes Robin Roberts. It’s shorter and lower than the sibling Mokka X AWD and close to the Astra Hatch but it features an elevated seating position and a user-friendly interior to the front-wheel-drive only platform. There’s a familiar look to the front of … [Read more...]