Government ups the ante on “Plug-in Van Grant” by committing addition funds for businesses October 22, 2016 The government is offering UK firms subsidies of up to £20,000 for switching their large trucks to electric vehicles. Business and energy secretary Greg Clark made the announcement during a three day trip to Japan to meet top executives from Nissan, Honda and Toyota – all of which have considerable manufacturing operations in the UK. Read more: Apple's driverless car plans [...]
Forget the Prius. The hybrid Hyundai Ioniq is soon to become the Uber car of choice October 17, 2016 The meteoric rise of Uber minicabs means more and more of us are familiar with the passenger experience in the backseat of an (invariably slightly stained) Toyota Prius. Indeed, an investigation by Motoring Research found the Prius minicab to be more ubiquitous in London than even Addison Lee’s black Ford Galaxys. But is it any [...]
Mercedes F1 engines fuel £130m investment in Britain October 12, 2016 German car manufacturer Mercedes has revealed that the production of the V6 engines used by its Formula One team contributes around £130m to the British economy. Mercedes clinched its third consecutive F1 championship on Sunday and is on track to win the drivers' title with either Britain’s Lewis Hamilton or his team mate Nico Rosberg [...]
Caterham Seven Sprint review: This limited-edition car isn’t as old-fashioned as it looks October 10, 2016 Whether it’s retro cars, vintage clothes or Instagram filters on photos, making new stuff look old has never been so popular. Perhaps we yearn for simpler times – or maybe we’ve just run out of ideas. Either way, if the retro-future looks half as good as the Caterham Seven Sprint, I’m all for it. The [...]
The new topless Range Rover Evoque is a glorious blown-up Barbie car and we kind of love it October 4, 2016 As controversial as the EU referendum, the world’s foremost luxury 4×4 maker has lopped the top off its compact model in a bid to create a new lifestyle niche; the Cabrio SUV. To some, this is the best of all words. To others, it is a motorised selfie stick. Soft-top off-roaders aren’t a new concept. [...]
Audi Q2 review: specs, handling, engine, comparisons – the lowdown on the new mini Q7 October 3, 2016 You probably know about the Audi Q7, maybe you even drive one. Designed to offer Americans a cultured way to get around in a four-wheel-drive SUV, the big Audi ticks all the boxes, including the one that still defines an enduring attitude to cars in America: biggest is best. Of course, the Q7 is totally [...]
Want to be more like James Bond? Aston Martin has just unveiled its first boat September 28, 2016 So you only ever wear black tie, you drink all your martinis shaken, not stirred and you managed to get your hands on the ultra-limited edition DB10. Now you've run out of ideas about how to be more like James Bond. Lucky for you, Aston Martin has come up with a new solution: its first-ever boat. Naturally, it's [...]
Ferrari GTC4Lusso review: The four-seater is now even more likely to scare its three passengers witless September 26, 2016 If you own a Ferrari, you sometimes get sick of driving. Turn up to a birthday party or a barbeque and you literally have to spend hours giving people joyrides, one by one, when you’d rather be eating burgers. Or trying to fully savour the jealousy of your ex, who’s now married to a Hyundai-driving [...]
Jenson Button for a day: Now anyone can drive a McLaren around Silverstone September 13, 2016 Showjumper; vet; Spice Girl: those were my childhood career ambitions. And yet here I am, strapped into a fluoro green McLaren 570S, touching 150mph on the Hangar Straight at Silverstone, fulfilling the dreams of small boys everywhere. In the passenger seat is instructor Elliott Cole, who has spent the day showing me the ropes – [...]
Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe review: The 1960s classic car has been reborn, and is more thrilling than any comparable Porsche September 12, 2016 Ah, the weekend toy. The car you own as much for the kudos as the fun of driving it. The weekday family SUV demands a certain conformity if it’s not to embarrass the family it’s bought to transport. But such restrictions don’t apply to that special something you keep in the garage. And what could [...]