Month: May 2024

Once the most important show in the automotive calendar, Geneva has been axed with it unlikely to make a return.

The Geneva motor show has been cancelled for 2025 with organisers ruling out its return in future years.

Making the announcement, the board of the Comite Permanent du Salon International de l’Automobile Foundation said there are currently too many “uncertainties” in the automotive industry.

It believes the Swiss event cannot compete with rival shows in Paris and Munich which, it says, are more supported by car manufacturers. As a result, it has cancelled next year’s event and has concluded that “market conditions in Europe are not conducive to the success of future editions”.

Alexandre de Senarclens, President of the Comite Permanent du Salon International de l’Automobile Foundation said: “This extremely regrettable decision should not detract from the efforts and determination with which we have tried to regain our success.”

The Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) had its first showcase in 1905, and up until 2019, had been one of the most important and influential events in the motoring diary. At its peak, it covered over 120,000 square metres and had 120 exhibitors, alongside 10,000 international journalists, followed by 600,000 visitors over 11 days.

In 2023, it was decided that the Geneva motor show would be held in Qatar in October last year, which saw 1,100 journalists and 180,000 visitors attend the event. The next Qatar show will take place in November 2025.

Sandro Mesquita, GIMS CEO said: “It’s satisfying to realise that motor shows continue to appeal to brands in different parts of the world, and that the Geneva International Motor Show has reinforced its appeal in the Middle East.”

By Cameron Richards

The new performance-oriented model will get 295bhp and 400Nm of torque.

Volkswagen has revealed the latest addition to its Golf line-up – the new GTI Clubsport.

The German hatchback turns 50 years old this year and as part of the celebrations VW has added this high performance version, which is destined to be a hit with enthusiasts.

The GTI Clubsport packs a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that pumps out 295bhp and 400Nm of torque, making it one of the most powerful front-wheel-drive cars on the market just behind the Honda Civic Type R.

There is also a locking front differential and it has an electronically limited top speed of 155mph, or 166mph if you spec the car with the optional Race Package, while 0-60mph is dealt with in 5.4 seconds.

Camouflage versions of the car were revealed at the Nurburgring last week, as the car spent most of its development on the Nordschleife.

On the exterior, the Clubsport gets updated LED headlights, an illuminated VW logo, a large roof spoiler and redesigned LED tail lights. Additionally, the 19-inch Queenstown alloy wheels are also new – forged alloy wheels are available as an option. Customers can also at an extra cost spec the Clubsport with adaptive chassis control for the best optimum experience.

Inside, the GTI Clubsport features an infotainment system with ChatGPT and voice assistance, while the leather sports steering wheel features VW’s return to physical buttons.

The model will be available to order in the UK later this year, and although prices have not been revealed, it’s expected to cost around the £40,000 mark.

By Cameron Richards

Recent research conducted by Scrap Car Comparison found that Tesla owners wash their cars the most.

Recent research has found that Tesla drivers wash their cars more than most, according to Motoring Experts at Scrap Car Comparison.

Using their Clean Car Calculator, 1,000 motorists were surveyed and they found that 22 per cent wash their cars once a month.

Tesla owners on average wash the exterior of their car 130 times a year, followed jointly by Honda and BMW at 52 times a year. On the flip side, the cars that are cleaned the least are Fords, Vauxhalls, Nissans, Volkswagens, Kias and Hyundais all scoring 12 times a year.

The research also asked motorists on their preferred method of cleaning a vehicle, and revealed that 37 per cent prefer to carry out an extensive clean on their cars by hand. A further 27 per cent visit a hand car wash, while one in five use automatic car washers.

David Kottaun, Operations Manager at Scrap Car Comparison said: “Washing your car regularly can seem like an unnecessary chore, but it’s much better to give your car quick washes fairly frequently, than leave yourself faced with a horrendously grubby motor to wash months down the line.”

He went onto say: “In most cases, we won’t have our cars for their entire lives, so putting in a little bit of work will not only help you be proud of your vehicle, but also increases the chance of getting a better resale price and minimise any value lost. It’s easy to think that skipping wash will have no ill-effects, but the reality is that one skipped wash too many could lead to many more costly problems in the long run.”

By Cameron Richards

The new model will offer a claimed electric range of 300 miles.

Jeep has taken the covers off its new electric SUV the – Wagoneer S.

Powering it is a 100kWh battery pack that gives a claimed range of 300 miles, and it can be charged up from a DC fast charger from five per cent to 80 per cent in 28 minutes. Its twin electric motors produce 608bhp allowing the Wagoneer S to cover 0-60mph in 3.2 seconds.

Antonio Filosa, Jeep Brand CEO said: “The launch of the all-electric Jeep Wagoneer S marks a new chapter in the storied history of the Jeep brand. Building upon nearly a century of innovation and design, the first global BEV will introduce a whole new generation of owners to an experience that is distinctly Jeep and 100 per cent electric in every way.”

Underneath the skin, the SUV uses Stellantis’ STLA Large Platform with Jeep engineers tweaking it to allow them to adjust the length, width, suspension and powertrain to deliver better acceleration and torque.

The Wagoneer S comes as standard with four-wheel-drive and has five driving modes including Auto, Sport, Eco, Snow and Sand.

The all-new, all-electric Jeep® Wagoneer S. pic.twitter.com/ljeTEyuhs4

— Jeep (@Jeep) May 30, 2024

On the outside there is a new take on the classic Jeep seven-slot grille – it’s enclosed to give better airflow over the front of the car and it can also illuminate. The sloping roof line has also been designed to aid drag efficiency, while a clever rear wing has a floating effect to help air flow down the back of the car. Jeep calls the Wagoneer S its most aerodynamic model to date.

Inside, there is a digital cockpit and what Jeep is calling a ‘Cross-Car Wing Sculpture’, which is a display which runs the entire width of the front instrument panel.. There is also a more conventional 12.3-inch central display and a twin-spoke flat bottom steering wheel.

Prices have not yet been announced nor has Jeep given a release date for UK sales, but it’s likely to arrive in 2026. The new SUV will be hitting its home market, the US, in the second half of this year.

By Cameron Richards

Citroen has revealed prices and specifications for its fun and funky C3 and e-C3 supermini.

Citroen has revealed prices and specifications for its eagerly anticipated C3 and electric e-C3 models.

The French firm will offer just one trim level for the petrol C3 model in the UK, whereas with the electric version there will be two models on offer.

The petrol comes in Plus guise and will start at £17,790. It comes with a 10-inch central touchscreen display, voice recognition and cruise control with speed limiter. The electric version in Plus trim starts at £21,990.

Step up to the top-of-the-line Max trim, which is only available in electric form, and it costs from £23,690. It boasts a rear parking camera, automatic air conditioning, LED rear lights, dark tinted windows and a heated steering wheel and front seats.

A hybrid version of the C3 will join the line-up by the end of the year, but for now, the standard C3 will come with a 1.2-litre Puretech petrol engine that produces 98bhp and will have a six-speed manual transmission along with start-stop technology.

The electric e-C3 comes with a 44kWh battery pack and a 111bhp electric motor that gives it a top speed of 84mph and a 0-60 time of 10.8 seconds. The claimed electric range is 199 miles on a single charge.

Order books open for the new e-C3 in July and September for the standard C3, with deliveries expected to commence at the end of the year.

By Cameron Richards

The German carmaker hopes to bring affordability to the zero emission market with its new budget electric car.

Volkswagen has previewed what is said to be an entry-level EV that will rival vehicles such as the Dacia Spring.

The new city car is expected to cost the equivalent of £17,000 when the full production model is revealed in 2027, and could be called ‘ID.1’.

It will be aimed at the lower end of the electric car segment – a key battleground for European carmakers as they try to stop the threat posed by low-cost Chinese brands. The new budget city car will rival other value-for-money offerings such as the Dacia Spring and Citroen’s e-C3.

The car is expected to use the Group’s MEB-entry platform and have a range of around 200 miles on a full charge.

Thomas Schafer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand and head of Brand Group Core said: “The future is electric. In order for electromobility to become widespread, attractive vehicles are needed, especially in the entry-level segment. Our brand promise is: electromobility for all. This promise is now being fulfilled in the Brand Group Core. Despite the attractive price, our vehicles will set standards in the entry-level segment in terms of technology, design, quality and customer experience.”

The forthcoming budget city is part of a wider plan to introduce a range of more cost efficient electric cars from the Volkswagen Group. It will see the German carmaker launch a number of new EVs under its Volkswagen, Cupra and Skoda brands.

It will comprise two small SUVs – one from Volkswagen and the other from Skoda, the latter has already been previewed by the Epiq concept car – and two hatchbacks – one from Volkswagen and the other from Cupra; the Cupra version has already been confirmed and will be called Raval. The four new EVs will be built in Spain from 2027 onwards.

Oliver Blume, CEO of Volkswagen Group said: “Generations of people associate the strong brands of Volkswagen Group with their first car – and with affordable mobility. As a group with strong brands, we continue to assume this social responsibility to this day. That’s why I’m pleased that we’re launching a future-oriented project. It’s about entry-level electric mobility from Europe to Europe.”

By Cameron Richards

JLR announces big plans and investment into its future electrification strategy

As the brand moves over to the electrified era, JLR is making sure that its staff know how to work on EVs.

Britain’s largest carmaker is gearing up for its transition to become an electric-only vehicle manufacturer by 2030.

Work is being made in the company to transform electric vehicle production, with 11,000 employees currently being trained to work on them.

Every year, JLR’s Learning Academy Programme invests around £20 million a year to train its workers. A further 15,000 employees are set to become qualified throughout the manufacturing, engineering and workshops.

Currently, 95 per cent of the firm’s global retail technicians are qualified to work on EVs.

For the 2024 financial year, the manufacturer is expanding its skill base by opening a further 950 electrification roles in engineering.

JLR retail master technician Chloe Taylor said: “The transition to EVs presents lots of learning opportunities, shifting from much of the heavy part lifting associated with ICE vehicles, to more process-driven, technology-centred diagnostics work.”

EV production is more accessible to a wider network or people who can be trained up in a shorter period of time, said JLR. EV work is often more focused on process-oriented approaches rather than manual labour, it said.

Barbara Bergmeier, JLR executive director of industrial operations said: “Our plans to electrify our ultra desirable modern luxury brands are unfolding at speed and I’m delighted with the pace that our Future Skills Programme is readying our talented workforce.”

JLR has further introduced initiatives to help more people into their manufacturing production careers such as a work experience programme with 2,000 enrolments, a school partnership programme and AI training to make job description wording more diverse and inclusive.

By Cameron Richards

Recent Euro NCAP results show the best-selling SUV, two MPVs and two new models from Chinese brand Zeekr.

The latest Euro NCAP results have been released with some surprising outcomes from the latest models tested.

The likes of the Volkswagen Tiguan and Ford Tourneo Custom were both put through their paces, as well as two offerings from new Chinese brand Zeekr.

One of the best-selling SUVs, the Tiguan achieved a five star rating thanks to its automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assistance and system that monitors driver fatigue – all of which come as standard.

The second MPV was the new electric Maxus Mifa 7, which also secured a maximum five star rating. The model has a claimed range of 297 miles on a single charge and is available to order this summer in the UK.

For Zeekr, the tests represented a major milestone ahead of an expected arrival in the UK in either 2025 or 2026. Up first was the 001, the brand’s large executive hatchback, followed by the X – a compact SUV.

Both the 001 and X achieved top scores of five stars in the crash tests and were also awarded Green NCAP ratings of 96 and 95 per cent respectively – the highest scores of any cars in the assessments – for their eco credentials.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Ford Tourneo Custom scored a low three star rating due to its lack of standard safety equipment, with the vehicle achieving a possible four star rating if the optional safety pack is fitted.

Dr. Michiel Van Rantingen, secretary general Euro NCAP said: “We believe Ford will feel disappointed by this result, particularly given their recent efforts and commitment in improving the safety of its commercial van line-up – the Ford Transit Custom achieved our highest van rating of Platinum. The Tourneo Custom is highly equipped with active safety technologies, yet it is slightly let down by this performance.”

The new Renault Scenic E-Tech received a five star safety rating, bringing it in line with its smaller sibling the Megane E-Tech.

By Cameron Richards

The Mercedes C-Class rival has ditched diesel in favour of cleaner mild-hybrid engines and plug-in-hybrid power.

BMW has updated one of its most successful models – the 3 Series.

The Audi A4 competitor receives new mechanical and interior features to keep it at the top of the compact executive market.

Not a lot has changed with the exterior with the exception of some new paint finishes and alloy wheel designs, however there are more tweaks to the interior with the addition of BMW’s latest 8.5-inch curved display. New steering wheel designs, trim elements and interior lighting complete the changes.

There are just three petrol engines now on offer with BMW deciding to ditch diesel power for the UK market with this round of updates.

The entry-level 320i produces 186bhp and 300Nm of torque, while the top-of-the-line M340i xDrive produces 379bhp from its six-cylinder engine. It also comes with mild-hybrid technology with a 48V starter generator which gives an extra 11bhp.

The improved plug-in-hybrid 330e comes with a four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor to give a combined 296bhp. A 19.5kWh battery on board boosts its efficiency and gives an electric driving range of 53 to 63 miles for the saloon and 54 to 61 miles for the Touring estate version.

A brand new-tale. Two thrilling new characters. ✨
 
Introducing the dynamic duo that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
 
The new BMW 3 Series and the new BMW 3 Series Touring.#THENEW3 #THENEW3Touring

Mandatory information according to german law ’Pkw-EnVKV’ based on… pic.twitter.com/XHMPa9JTih

— BMW (@BMW) May 29, 2024

AC charging enables up to 11kW, allowing the plug-in-hybrid to be fully charged in two hours and fifthteen minutes.

The new 3 Series also has the option of M Sport Parts, which allows customers to customise their car to give it a sportier look without having to spend extra on an M Sport model.

UK deliveries begin in the summer with prices starting at £39,045 for the standard 320i and rising to £59,645 for the M340i xDrive Touring.

By Cameron Richards

From July 1, Walliser will move from Porsche to the British car maker Bentley.

British car maker Bentley has appointed Porsche’s Frank-Steffan Walliser as its new CEO and chairman from July this year.

Walliser joined Porsche in 1995 after studying mechanical engineering with a focus on internal combustion engines and technology management. He had been loyal to the German car maker for nearly three decades but now he has decided to move on.

Back in 2010, he was the project leader and responsible for development of the future-oriented 918 Sypder supercar. He made a name for himself as head of motorsport before taking over management of the 911 and 718 production lines at the beginning of 2019. Since 2022, he has been in charge of vehicle development.

His move to Bentley comes after the car manufacturer showed ambitious plans with its vehicle production and future goals, having just ditched its legendary W12 engine in favour of a smaller and cleaner turbocharged V8. The brand is also aiming to become an electric-only vehicle maker by 2030.

Walliser said: “I am approaching this job with great respect and looking forward to having a team in Crewe that has shown impressive performance over the last few years. The continuing transformation of the automotive industry will be a major task for Bentley as well, a task that I am happy to take on with the team. I am convinced Bentley will continue to set standards in the luxury segment in the future.”

Gernot Dollner, Audi CEO said: “With his distinct technological expertise and experience in the luxury segment, Walliser will successfully lead Bentley into the electrified future.”

Walliser will take up his new post on July 1.

By Cameron Richards