Car production falls but sector ‘optimistic about return to growth’ September 26, 2024 Car production fell last month, continuing a trend seen across the year, new figures show. The number of cars built in UK factories was 8.4 per cent lower in August compared to the same month last year. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said 41,271 new cars left production lines, 3,781 fewer than [...]
Jaguar Land Rover plans £500m ‘factory of the future’ in UK electric vehicle drive September 26, 2024 Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced plans to invest £500m to transform one its historic factories as part of its drive to build more electric vehicles. The Whitley-headquartered automotive giant has already spent £250m on upgrading the Halewood plant, near Liverpool, which was originally constructed in 1963 to make the Ford Anglia. The work will [...]
A lesson from King Canute for the EV transition: You can’t force hype September 25, 2024 European politicians need to learn a few lessons about demand, writes Paul Ormerod
Audi S3 2024 review: Grown-up hot hatch still has a wild side September 24, 2024 Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Audi S3 has undergone a host of upgrades, aimed at making it more exciting than ever before. First introduced in 1999, the Audi S3 was the forerunner of the modern premium hot hatchback. Combining all-wheel drive with a turbocharged engine, the S3 has inspired a number of imitators since. For [...]
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio review: A blast from the fast September 20, 2024 After nine years, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio should probably be shuffling off arthritically into the sunset. Instead, this old stager has come out fighting, with a second facelift designed to keep it competitive with the BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63. A case of too little, too late? The Guilia has always been beautiful, so [...]
Lotus Theory 1 concept signposts future of electric sports cars September 19, 2024 The wraps are off a radical new electric concept car from Lotus, designed to showcase the ‘future of intelligent performance vehicles’. The Lotus Theory 1 demonstrates the British company’s new design manifesto – and reveals new technological innovations. From robotic textiles and haptic feedback on the inside, to recycled materials for its exterior, the Theory [...]
Porsche 911 S/T 2024 review: Combining the 911’s best bits September 9, 2024 Mehr-minder, literally translated as ‘more-less’, was Porsche’s official name for the M471 option package. Ticking that box back in 1970 would transform your 911 S into a lightweight, stripped-out ST, with Plexiglass windows and body panels made from aluminium, glassfibre or thinner-gauge steel. In essence, it was a road-legal racing car. Only 33 examples of [...]
‘Heavy discounting’ sparks new electric car sales surge September 5, 2024 New electric vehicle (EV) registrations jumped in August as “heavy discounting” by manufacturers and a raft of new models tempted consumers to make the switch. The latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveal a 10.8 per cent increase in battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations in the last month. BEVs now [...]
Revealed: Aston Martin Vanquish roars back with 835hp V12 September 2, 2024 Aston Martin has unveiled its new Vanquish GT car, marking the return of a famous name for the first time since 2018. Replacing the DBS Superleggera, the reborn Vanquish promises to deliver tremendous performance, aided by a new twin-turbocharged V12 engine. Lawrence Stroll, executive chairman of Aston Martin, said: “With the introduction of Vanquish we [...]
Porsche 911 European RS by Thornley Kelham 2024 review September 2, 2024 Hal Water had always dreamed of designing his perfect Porsche 911. So, when lockdown forced the retired architect to stay at home, he eagerly set to work. The exhaustive, 33-page specification Walter emailed to Thornley Kelham nailed down every detail, from the car’s gear ratios to its wiper and indicator stalks. Now, after 6,000 hours [...]