Peugeot CEO vows French firm will still have sporty credentials in the future.
Peugeot is pondering how it can still be faithful to its performance car legacy in a world of pure-electric cars in the near future.
Speaking to the PA news agency, Peugeot CEO Linda Jackson explained that the French marque is debating how it can instil the sporty image it has traditionally been known for into its future electric cars.
Linda Jackson attending the 24 hours of Le Mans 2024. (Peugeot)
“We are absolutely a sporty brand and intend to remain so because it’s in our DNA,” she said.
“If we want to retain the DNA of Peugeot, we have to find a way to give driving pleasure. Everybody remembers the 205 GTi and why was it so popular? Because it was fun to drive and that’s what we need to hold onto.”
Jackson admitted the brand, which is part of the mammoth Stellantis empire, currently doesn’t have the answer to how electric cars in the future can uphold the firm’s sporting legacy.
(Peugeot)
“A Peugeot is all about the pleasure of driving – this is so, very, very important. But then there’s the question that we are reflecting on and that is how do you give this pleasure of driving to electric cars? To be honest with you I haven’t got the answer yet, but we are thinking about it.”
She added: “We’ve got PSE (Peugeot Sport Engineered) currently, but that’s about performance and driving pleasure – we need to find a way that combines driving pleasure with electric.
“Everybody says, ‘oh yeah, but driving electric cars is not like driving a Peugeot 205 GTi’. But, from memory, that car had 130bhp and did 0-62mph in around 6.5 seconds – the current e-208 [electric supermini] has 154bhp. So, we need to find out what performance is [in the electric era].”
(Peugeot)
Jackson was speaking to PA at this month’s 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race where Peugeot fielded two of its 9X8 hypercars in the top tier, battling with the likes of Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, Lamborghini and Cadillac for class honours.
Peugeot’s sporting production models have traditionally been linked to its endeavours in motorsport, but it currently only has the 508 PSE saloon and estate models in its range that link to its racing activities.
The firm was expected to roll-out its high-performance PSE sub-brand to a wide range of models, but has so far been cautious to proceed with this plan.
Earlier this year, Peugeot confirmed it will work with its Peugeot Sport division on a range of performance models in the future, as the firm intends to only offer pure-electric cars in Europe from 2030 onwards.
As polling day edges ever closer, we look at key party pledges and how they affect UK motorists.
On July 4, voters up and down the country will be heading to the polls in order to cast their vote on which political party pushes through its policies that will help shape the future of the UK.
With key pledges on how to tackle the economy, health, the environment, immigration, housing and much more, the main party manifestos are understandably detailed and some of the most pertinent policies buried within the pages.
With that in mind, we’ve analysed documents provided by the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrats and the Green Party to highlight their key pledges to UK motorists and how each one plans to navigate the road towards greater electrification, improved infrastructure and reducing the financial burden on the modern motorist.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrives for a visit to Great Wood Farm Early Years Centre, Grantham in East Midlands, while on the General Election campaign trail. Picture date: Monday June 17, 2024.
Conservatives
The Conservatives have long promised to ‘back drivers’, announcing its specific ‘Plan for Drivers’ last year, which included opening up bus lanes to motorists when not in use and making it legal for all motorcycles to use bus lanes.
There was also a promise of £30 million to upgrade traffic signal systems, replacing unreliable and obsolete equipment to improve reliability, as well as increasing fixed penalty notices to utility companies whose roadworks overrun to avoid unnecessary congestion.
The 76-page 2024 manifesto built upon this plan with the announcement that it would seek to reverse the London Mayor’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion plans, ruling out top-down blanket Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and 20mph zones, stating that any new schemes would have to be put to a referendum.
On top of this, the party stated that it will remain against a pay-per-mile road tax model.
Despite a heavy focus from rival parties on electric (EV) and new energy vehicles (NEV), the Tories chose to largely ignore the subject and instead said it would cement its commitment to PumpWatch – a scheme that would legally require all fuel stations across the country to share real-time price information with an appointed organisation in order to give greater transparency win fuel prices.
Thanks to the scrapping of the second phase of HS2, the Conservative Party said it would invest £36 billion in ‘local roads, rail and buses to drive regional growth,’ which would include an £8.3 billion fund to ‘fill potholes and resurface roads’.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: ‘Although the previously announced £8.3 billion of reallocated HS2 funding for resurfacing 5,000 miles of local roads is welcome, it’s important to realise this only represents 3 per cent of all council-run roads in England.
‘Spread over an 11-year timeframe, that funding sadly doesn’t scratch the surface of country’s pothole problem. We would have liked to see a commitment to ringfencing some general taxation to pay for local road maintenance, which would give councils the ability to plan long-term programmes to bring their roads back up to a fit-for-purpose state.’
Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer visits an on-shore wind farm near Grimsby in Lincolnshire where the Labour leader announced he will expand on the Party�s plan for clean power by 2030, which includes doubling the amount of onshore wind farms and quadrupling the amount of offshore wind farms in the UK by the end of the decade. Picture date: Thursday November 10, 2022.
Labour
The Key takeaway from from the 2024 Labour Party manifesto was that it would reaffirm its commitment to the ban of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 in a bid to increase the adoption of electric vehicles – a scheme that was postponed to 2035 under the Conservatives.
Accelerating the rollout of electric vehicle charging points is also high on the Labour Party’s agenda, as well as supporting buyers of second- hand electric cars by ‘standardising the information supplied on the condition of batteries’.
This could come in the form of a mandatory ‘battery passport’ scheme, something the EU will implement by 2027 and one that the likes of Volvo and other Chinese EV makers have already adopted.
The scheme would require all new electric vehicles to arrive with easily accessible information on the origins of raw materials, the amount of recycled content and the vehicle’s overall carbon footprint, as well as easy to access data on the health of the battery pack.
Labour also pledges to fix an additional one million potholes across England in each year of the next parliament, funded by deferring the A27 bypass, which the party says is ‘poor value for money’.
Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey (left) arrives at Victoria Park Tennis, Newbury, Berkshire while on the General Election campaign trail. Picture date: Saturday June 8, 2024.
Liberal Democrats
The Lib Dems arguably focussed more than any other party on electric vehicles and helping to smooth the transition to new energy vehicles. Its 117-page manifesto stated that it will cut VAT on public charging to 5 per cent, effectively reducing the cost of topping up EV batteries via the public charging network.
The Lib Dems will also require all charging points to be accessible with a bank card, as well as roll out ‘far more’ charging points, including residential on-street points and ultra-fast chargers at service stations.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: ‘The promise to end the VAT charging disparity is particularly welcome, as currently those charging at home pay just 5 per cent in stark contrast to those using public chargers who are hit with a 20 per cent rate.
‘This is something we, along with the FairCharge campaign, have long been calling for as it creates an unnecessary barrier to switching to an EV for those who can’t charge at home.’
Similarly to Labour, the Lib Dems will also reverse the delay of the petrol and diesel ban, bringing it back to its original deadline of 2030. This will be assisted by ‘reintroducing the plug-in car grant’, although the party didn’t go into detail about how much this will be or how the policy would be funded.
Finally, should Lib Dem leader Ed Davey be elected, his manifesto promises to support the introduction of new charging points with an upgraded National Grid and a step-change in local grid capacity to ensure it can cope with increased demand.
Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer speaking during the Green Party General Election campaign launch at St George’s Bristol. Picture date: Thursday May 30, 2024.
Green Party
Not surprisingly, the Green Party manifesto looks to ‘shift the transport system away from cars and roads’ in a bid to reduce carbon emissions.
As a result, Green MPs have pledged to restore the fuel-duty escalator, which would push the price of petrol and diesel up, as well as introduce road-pricing that would see Road Tax based upon the wight of the vehicle.
What’s more, the Greens have said they will oppose all new road building plans and bring forward the ban of all Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) cars to 2027.
To ensure this policy runs smoothly, the party has also stated that more government support is needed for ordinary car users and small businesses to replace their vehicles as diesel and petrol engines are phased out. Although the manifesto didn’t lay out specific budgets, initiatives or timelines.
Instead, money would be committed to new cycleways and footpaths, built using sustainable materials (£2.5 billion a year), with a frequent flyer levy on those that take regular flights helping to fund sustainable initiatives.
Finally, the Green Party takes an opposite stance on speed limits to the Conservatives, pledging to commit to 20 miles per hour to be the default speed limit on roads in all built-up areas, allowing children, the elderly and disabled people to walk and wheel safely.
Crossovers may be all the rage today, but small hatchbacks still have a say in the car market.
Crossovers and SUVs might be the go-to choice for British car buyers, however, the familiar hatchbacks can still win the hearts of a lot of people.
Hatchbacks still offer the same number of seats and impressive practicality of their high-riding cousins, but, with a more familiar driving experience and often better dynamics.
There are still plenty of offerings from European, Korean and Japanese car makers on the new market for hatchbacks.
Here is our guide to the best family hatchbacks on sale in the UK today.
Mazda 3
The Mazda 3 is one of the best looking small hatchbacks on sale. (Credit: Mazda Media UK)
The Mazda 3 is a great car to drive with sharp handling, a stylish exterior and a smart interior. It scores well with practicality, too, while running costs are low thanks to all versions getting Mazda’s M hybrid technology which lowers CO2 emissions.
Not only that, but Mazda’s always score well for reliability and after two decades and four generations of the 3 later, it’s a tried-and-tested platform.
Honda Civic
The Civic is great to drive and has one of the biggest boots in this sector. (Credit: Honda Media UK)
Now over 50 years old and into its 11th reincarnation, the Civic is one of the best hatchbacks you can buy today. Its cavernous boot space and class-leading driving dynamics make it one of the most appealing and entertaining cars in this segment.
All standard Civics now are hybrid only which should be good when it comes to running costs.
Additionally, you can also get a Type R variant with 319bhp and a six-speed manual gearbox, making it a perfect choice for the motoring enthusiast.
Ford Focus
The Ford Focus has been one of the best-selling hatchbacks in the UK ever since the original went on sale in 1998. (Credit: Ford Media Centre)
Sadly, next year, the Blue Oval is killing off one of its much-loved models – the Focus. But, for now, we’ve still got it and are making the most of its excellent driving experience thanks to sharp handling and well setup chassis – plus you can also get petrol or hybrid powertrains.
Furthermore, not only is the Focus a practical hatchback, but you can also have the option of an estate version as well.
Interior space is also impressive with decent leg and headroom for four adults and you can get an ST model that has a 2.3-litre turbocharged engine and 283bhp.
Vauxhall Astra
The Astra is good to drive and affordable to run. (Credit: Stellantis Media)
Like the Focus, the Astra is a very popular car here in the UK and since its first generation appeared over 40 years ago, it has gone on to become a very grown-up and likeable car.
The latest Astra went on sale in 2021 and shares a lot of its underpinnings with the Peugeot 308. Available in electric, petrol or hybrid format, the Vauxhall has affordable running costs across its range and if you want even more practicality, you can get it as an estate, too.
Skoda Octavia
The Octavia has class-leading interior and boot space. (Credit: Skoda Media UK)
The Octavia is a great all-rounder and that’s because it does everything so well. Its boot is one of the largest of any hatchback at 600 litres while the estate increases to 640 litres. It’s comfortable to drive and is very well made with a smart and easy-to-navigate dashboard.
A hot VRS model also gives more power and grip and is a lot sharper to drive, while still being able to carry passengers and their luggage in comfort. Its underpinnings are shared with the Volkswagen Golf, but the Octavia offers more interior space and luggage capacity.
Toyota Corolla
The Corolla is a great all-rounder. (Credit: Toyota Media UK)
A famous name that has rejoined us within the last five years is the Toyota Corolla. Once called the Auris, the familiar Japanese hatchback has been around since 1966 and in that time it has been known as one of the world’s best-selling cars.
The current generation is good to drive, offers ultra-low running costs and has a classy cabin – while maintaining Toyota’s reputation of making solid, dependable and reliable cars. An estate version called the Touring Sports is available as well as a Commercial version which is perfect for business users.
Volkswagen Golf
The Golf is the bench setter for small hatchbacks. (Credit: VW Press UK)
The Golf is seen as the benchmark of all the small family hatchbacks and that’s because of the image it has made for itself over the last 50 years. Available in hatchback or estate forms, the Golf has always been the vehicle of choice for those looking for a sensible and sedate car that does everything you could ever want a vehicle to do.
It’s well made, reasonably good to drive, has a solid cabin and an upmarket feel and there are performance-oriented models available including the GTi, R and Clubsport versions.
Audi A3
The A3 has a premium feel with low running costs. (Credit: Audi Press UK)
The A3 is virtually the same car as the Golf but with a slightly more premium badge. The interior quality of the Audi is one of the best in class and you can get a variety of different powertrains including petrol with mild hybrid technology, plug-in-hybrid and sporty S3 and RS3 versions.
Furthermore, the A3 can be had in either hatchback form or even as a compact saloon – giving buyers plenty of choice.
BMW 1 Series
The 1 Series may be front-wheel-drive now, but it’s still got great driving dynamics. (Credit: BMW Press UK)
The current 1 Series is the first iteration in its 20-year history to come with front-wheel-drive, but don’t let that put you off. The change in drivetrain still makes the BMW great fun to drive with direct steering and decent performance.
Space in the back may not be as spacious as a Golf or Civic but the 1 Series should be relatively affordable to run and own thanks to decent fuel economy and low emissions.
Peugeot 308
The 308 has bold exterior and interior styling. (Credit: Stellantis Media)
The 308 shares its running gear with the latest Vauxhall Astra, but the Peugeot has a much bolder exterior and interior look. Not only that but the Peugeot can be had with an electric version and a plug-in-hybrid variant to help with keeping running costs to a minimum.
While the backseats are a little snug for passengers, it makes up for that by offering a very large boot capacity.
The five-door Mini will start at £24,000 and be built alongside the three-door at the Mini plant in Oxford.
Mini has revealed the latest addition to its Hatch range with the five-door Cooper.
This newest model will be available with two petrol engines and the choice of three trims levels.
The Cooper C five-door offers 153bhp from its 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and sprints from 0-60mph in 7.8 seconds. The top speed is limited to 140mph.
(Mini)
A more powerful Cooper S, with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, delivers 201bhp and produces 300Nm of torque, which means it can achieve a 0-60mph time of 6.6 seconds and maxes out at 150mph.
The five-door Cooper is available in three different trim levels. The entry level Classic starts at £24,050, while the mid-range Exclusive comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, Vibrant silver front grille and dark interior headliner, although pieces have yet to be confirmed.
A top-of-the-line Sport model will cost £28,450 and boasts steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts to operate the automatic transmission, a gloss black hexagonal patterned grill surround, 18-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler and black brake callipers.
(Mini)
The height and width are almost identical to the outgoing model, but the five-door increases rear passenger space, as the wheelbase is 172mm longer than its three-door sibling – and 72mm longer than previous generations.
Mini’s latest OLED display carries over from the three-door version, featuring a 9.4-inch screen and all vehicle functions can be operated via the touchscreen or voice control.
(Mini)
There are seven different driving modes including Core, Green, Go-Kart, Personal, Vivid, Timeless and Balance. When each mode is selected, the backgrounds on the OLED screen feature a unique design and the driver can personalise their own via the ‘Mode App’ inside the vehicle’s infotainment screen.
Additionally, the Mini personal assistant, dubbed ‘Hey Mini’, is included as standard and it allows the driver to then use their voice to control functions, such as the navigation, entertainment and telephone.
The new five-door Mini Cooper is available to order now with first deliveries expected in August of this year.
The Grande Panda will be a ‘global’ car for the Italian manufacturer and will be the first car based on its new multi-energy platform.
Fiat has revealed its new Grande Panda which will arrive in either hybrid or electric format and will be less than four metres long.
The Panda has been one of the most successful models in Fiat’s history, falling just behind the car it shared its chassis with — the 500.
The exterior styling is funky and fresh. (Stellantis Media)
On the outside, the new car features a lot of square and angular lines that give the body of the vehicle a distinctive look. At the front, there’s a gloss black front grille and a skid plate at the lower central part of the bumper while the headlamps are made up of opal-coloured cubes.
Hybrid and electric powertrains will be on offer. (Stellantis Media)
The side profile incorporates grey plastic wheel arch extensions and lower body mouldings, and an engraved ‘Panda’ emblem running down the doors of the vehicle paying homage to the original Panda 4×4.
At the rear, it features more grey cladding, rectangular rear lights with LEDs and three-dimensional badging as well. Details of the interior are yet to be revealed.
Olivier Francois, Fiat CEO and Stellantis Global CMO said: “This compact car is based on a global platform, giving the brand the opportunity to expand its global reach. With the Grande Panda, Fiat now begins its transition to global common platforms that cover all regions of the world, passing on the resulting benefits to its customers worldwide.”
Details of its powertrain and specifications are yet to be announced, with more being revealed nearer the car’s launch.
New hypercar marks the Spanish brand’s 120th anniversary and has an electric powertrain.
The Spanish brand Hispano Suiza has unveiled its third hypercar – the Carmen Sagrera.
Marking the manufacturer’s 120th anniversary, it’ll come with an electric powertrain weighing 612kg that uses the brand’s second generation of batteries and will carry a 103kWh battery pack.
Improved technology means it’ll have a claimed electric range of 298 miles, with its four electric motors each producing around 271bhp. The combined 1,085bhp and 1,160Nm of torque mean it can reach 60mph from zero in 2.4 seconds.
Meet the Hispano Suiza Carmen Sagrera, our new all-electric hypercar designed and produced in-house. Handcrafted for the boundless driver of the future, it redefines sportiness.
This reveal initiated the new era of Hispano Suiza, merging at midnight with our 120th anniversary. pic.twitter.com/qTThE3QAAu
The Sagrera’s suspension features adjustable shock absorbers and extension settings as well as coil springs that can be altered in hardness and height.
Additionally, carbon-ceramic brakes and single-block brake callipers ensure that the car gets the best braking performance alongside enhanced cooling to enable them to operate at temperatures of up to 1,000C degrees.
It also features a pointed front grille that pays homage to the Hispano Suiza XIII sports car of the early 20th century and it has redesigned bonnet vents that flow seamlessly towards the rear ones.
Hispano Suiza
The rear has undergone some changes including a large spoiler, which improves airflow, and there is a rear diffuser that has integrated copper accents.
Francesec Arenas, Head of Design at Hispano Suiza said: “To uphold the brand’s sporty legacy, drawing inspiration from iconic designs such as the Alfonso XIII and from the original the Gentlemen Driver Concept. I dare say that with the Sagrera, we have refined the concept of sportiness, while maintaining our tradition of excellence and setting the stage for future designs, fulfilling the desires of our customers.”
(Hispano Suiza)
Inside is a new centre console and infotainment system alongside alcantara with black and leather detailing.
The Hispano Suiza Carmen Sagrera will make its UK debut at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in mid-July, with further details including pricing to be announced.
The CR-V is one of Honda’s most successful models. Now in its sixth-generation, has it lost its mojo? Cameron Richards finds out.
What is it?
(Honda)
CR-V has stood for Comfortable Recreational Vehicle ever since the original car went on sale almost three decades ago. Honda’s largest SUV was one of the first cars in this sector behind Toyota’s very successful and quirky RAV4.
A practical, high-riding and versatile SUV, the CR-V has been a global success for Honda, having sold more than 10 million units since its first introduction. This sixth-generation car was launched in 2023 and is up against some very competitive opposition from South Korea and its home market, Japan.
What’s new?
(Honda)
This new model is bigger, longer and wider than the previous iteration, while there is also a new interior with more equipment as standard and an exterior which adopts Honda’s new design language with its large honeycomb-styled front grille and wrap-around front headlights.
The most important feature to talk about on this latest CR-V is that you can now get it with a plug-in-hybrid powertrain – which is what our test car has.
The CR-V plug-in-hybrid completes the set of hybridised Honda SUVs in the UK and is just the beginning of future electrified models to come later down the line.
What’s under the bonnet?
(Honda)
There is one engine on offer – though it’s offered with two stages of electrification. You can either have the hybrid version or the plug-in-hybrid variant. Both models come with a 2.0-litre-four-cylinder petrol engine, which is the same that is found in its smaller sibling, the ZR-V. It produces 181bhp and can do 0-60mph in 8.8 seconds as well as giving 335Nm of torque.
Regular hybrid versions of the CR-V come as standard with all-wheel–drive whereas the plug-in-variant like our test car only sends its power to the front wheels.
The plug-in-hybrid also benefits from a 17.7kWh battery that gives it a claimed electric driving range of around 50 miles.
What’s it like to drive?
(Honda)
To drive, the CR-V lives up to its name in the fact that comfort is the main priority. Behind the wheel, the car feels large while the steering is quite heavy – though not enough to make it unpleasant. The ride is smooth and it doesn’t crash over potholes while the engine’s pickup is good and thanks to the electric motor, driving around town is a very quiet affair.
The engine doesn’t groan too much under heavy acceleration and our test car achieved 50.9 mpg during our time with it. Wind and road noise are kept to a minimum and there is a lot of glass making it easy to see out of – inspiring confidence at those tricky junctions.
But, although it may be easy to drive, due to its sheer size, manoeuvring around town is tricky and when it comes to handling, the car rolls around a lot.
Our test car came with a 360-degree view camera and side monitor which works well when parking, but the side monitor only has a camera projection from the passenger side and not the driver which is frustrating.
How does it look?
(Honda)
Though big, the last couple of generations of CR-V has had a curved yet boxy profile. This new model is more boxy and although looks are subjective, it’s not as attractive as the models that went before it.
The exhaust does protrude out of the rather fake-looking exhaust tips, but, on the other side has a blanking plate which looks cheap and nasty.
The top-of-the-range car also comes with body-coloured wheel arch trims and our car had black alloy wheels which gave it a sportier look.
What’s it like inside?
(Honda)
On the inside the dashboard is almost identical to the ZR-V which is a good place to start as the materials used are of high quality with a lot of soft-touch plastics.
The seats are comfortable and have plenty of adjustment to them while the physical controls for the heating and ventilation make them easy to use on the move. The infotainment screen, although basic, is fairly easy to operate and there is plenty of storage including a large centre armrest, door pockets and massive cup holders.
In the back is where the CR-V shines, as the rear doors open to 90 degrees making it very easy to get inside and the rear seats can recline with up to 10 different positions. The floor is completely flat with no transmission tunnel making it easier for a middle passenger to sit comfortably.
What is rare is the PHEV version comes with a bigger boot than the standard car with a capacity of 617 litres with the seats in place (596 litres for the hybrid) and that extends to 1,710 litres with them folded down. Unfortunately, the seats do not fold down completely flat.
The Honda beats its direct rival from Toyota with the RAV4’s boot space a tad smaller at 580 litres for the former and just 1,180 litres for the latter.
What’s the spec like?
(Honda)
Here in the UK, the Honda is available in two trim levels for the hybrid and one for the PHEV version.
The entry-level Elegance starts at £45,930 and comes with a panoramic glass roof, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. The Advance comes in at £49,030 and boasts a heated steering wheel, head up display, electric front seats with memory function and the 360-degree camera.
Our test car was the top-of-the-line PHEV in Advance Tech trim which starts at a rather hefty £53,995 and not only comes with the added benefit of the plug-in hybrid powetrain but also adds the Honda Parking Pilot function and 18-inch black alloy wheels.
Verdict
To conclude, the Honda CR-V is a great car for those looking for a well-equipped, practical and versatile SUV.
It drives well, and it’s very fuel-efficient for such a big car, which we were impressed with.
Its sheer size may put people off and it’s very expensive compared to its main rival, which starts over £6,000 less.
However, the CR-V lives on with a reliable and practical reputation that will attract many buyers who are loyal to the Honda family and people who need a larger car with lower running costs.
Our time with the Skoda Karoq is coming to a close. Cameron Richards gives his verdict on what it’s been like to live with.
My time with the Skoda Karoq is coming to an end and I will be very sad to see it go. But why have I become so fond of it? Was it because it was the press car I’ve lived with? No. In fact, it’s just been brilliant at everything and anything.
The Karoq will not set the heart of any motoring enthusiasts alight, nor will it turn heads. More so, people won’t notice it, but that’s what makes it so great.
This car was not designed to entertain, its purpose is to provide as much practicality as possible, while getting you to your destination in comfort and safety and the Karoq delivers that in spades.
Its nifty little design cues and features such as the parking ticket holder and famous Skoda ice scraper in the fuel cap that really show that this car has been thoroughly thought through. Its little door bin with a bag and clever elastic door strings to hold bigger water bottles in place just make the car a thoroughly enjoyable experience in terms of ease.
Boot space is cavanass and there are plenty of tethering hooks and storage nets to keep bags and shopping in place, and there is even an umbrella underneath the front passenger seat.
The back seats slide forwards and backwards to increase the already impressive luggage capacity or improve legroom for rear seat passengers. There are picnic tables with slide out cup holders and mobile phone holders – as though everything has been put there to cater for your needs. The back seats also recline and they fold down and can be removed entirely – very similarly to how the car it replaced, the Yeti, did all its tricks.
The engine is perfectly powerful enough and is very quiet at speeds making it very relaxing to travel on the motorway, plus averaging 53mpg on trips was pretty impressive for a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol with an automatic gearbox.
Reliability wise, nothing has broken nor falling off and the build quality is second to none with everything feeling solid and of high quality.
Underneath its skin, the Karoq sits on the Volkswagen Group MQB platform, meaning it’s similar to a number of cars. The Karoq has been exceptional when it comes to long-distance journeys. The suspension does a great job of soaking up all the lumps and bumps and it’s very refined and quiet at speeds. The steering is nice and light and it goes around corners without much fuss, even if it is a little vague.
My only gripe is with the optional DSG automatic gearbox which has a tendency to change down a gear when on steep declines, meaning the engine screams at you. Plus, with the touch of the throttle, the transmission kicks down a couple of gears as you lurch out of your seat.
The interior of our Karoq had the optional cream leather, and although it looked classy from afar, up close, dirt would stick to the seats very easily, with interior shampoo having to be frequently used to remove any marks that would appear. The seats were extremely comfortable and great on long trips. Storage inside the Karoq has been plentiful with a large centre console, decent sized glovebox with a pen holder, and a handy storage compartment located on the dashboard is a nice touch. There is a little drawer located next to the steering wheel and the wheel itself is lovely to hold with a nice design and it’s heated, too.
Overall, for my time in this car, I think the Karoq has been a superb (no pun intended) all rounder. Yes, it may not excite and have the pizazz but as a vehicle, the Karoq really is a truly brilliant car that I will miss greatly.
As a car enthusiast, you tend to bypass the practicality and comfort side and just focus on the driving experience. But with the Karoq, it’s made me think again about what the average person looks for in a car. For a daily commuter and family wagon, this is an almost complete package.
The Vauxhall Astra is a favourite among Brits, but what’s the electric version like? James Batchelor will be finding out over the next six months.
It’ll come as little surprise to you to learn that I drive many electric cars for my job. I have to as it feels like every week there is another one to review that aims to do something different from the one launched last week. They arrive, I drive them, I charge them, I play with the associated smartphone app, I charge them up again, and then they return to the car manufacturer. This is all fine but I have never really lived with one.
That’s going to change because, for the next six months, I will be driving a Vauxhall Astra – not, as you might assume, a petrol one, but the new fully electric version. That’s why I wanted to give the Astra Electric a go because, for me, this is the interesting thing about the car market right now.
Intricate wheels are standard on the Astra
The Vauxhall Astra has been part of the British car scene since 1980. While it’s no longer built in the northeast anymore, enough of them have been sold over the past 44 years for it to feel like part of the furniture. Like the Fiesta, Golf or even more recently Qashqai, the Astra is one of those car names that everyone knows.
But now you can buy this household name as an EV. Apart from the green stripe on the number plate that denotes its power source, it looks exactly the same as the petrol. No wacky looks, no shouting about its eco-credentials. It’s just an Astra that comes with a plug.
The interior of the Astra has lots of features to explore
With the Astra now coming with electric power, does this mean EVs are becoming mainstream? That’s what I want to find out in my half-year living with one.
The car I’ll be running is a top-drawer one in ‘Ultimate’ spec. Called that, it sets the expectations pretty high doesn’t it, but it does have the type of kit list that would have been unheard of in an Astra even a few years ago – things like semi-automated lane change assist, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, Matrix LED pixel headlights (the ones that don’t dazzle oncoming cars when you’ve got your beams on), and I think this car even has ChatGPT integrated. Oh, and the front seats have been approved by the German AGR – it’s a campaign for healthy backs.
There’s not much that shouts about the Astra’s electric powertrain
The only option chosen is the rather fetching Cobalt Blue tri-coat metallic paint at £700, which, so far at least, I think is a colour worth choosing. But then we come on to the price – £43,960. That’s rather a lot isn’t it, but I’ll give you a more definitive answer over the next few months.
What’s the range then? Vauxhall claims 258 miles and 4.2 miles per kWh (that’s the electric version of a petrol car’s MPG), and having driven an Astra Electric for a couple of days in the past I know those figures aren’t unachievable as in some other EVs. It’ll be interesting to see if over a longer period of time, Vauxhall’s claims are realistic.
The future of Fiat’s successful 500 will involve a new hybrid version.
Fiat has announced that big plans are in the works for one of its most successful models – the 500.
The city car is a firm favourite here in the UK. It’s available in electric and hybrid setups and while the former might be based on a brand-new platform, the latter sits atop a design that has been in production for over a decade.
The new hybrid version, called the Ibrida, will be released between late 2025 and early 2026 and will be produced at the Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy. Produced alongside the electric 500e, it’s expected that this new-generation hybrid 500 will use the platform of its battery-powered stablemate.
The current combustion-engined 500 is more of a mild hybrid. (Credit: Stellantis Media)
The new model will be developed, designed and tested in Turin with Fiat investing €100m (circa £85m) to help improve the electric version even further with a new platform and next-generation battery technology to make it more affordable to customers.
The firm has also introduced a new special edition of its city car – the 500e Mirafiori.
The 500e Mirafiori will not be sold in the UK. (Credit: Stellantis Media)
The model commemorates 50 years of the workforce at the Italian manufacturing plant after the debut of the 131 Mirafiori in 1974.
The special edition will come in cabriolet format and will have the choice of two battery options – with either 42kWh or 23.8kWh packs available.
Painted in Celestial blue, the 500e Mirafiori also boasts a 360-degree camera, a 10.25-inch touch screen with navigation, a JBL sound system and premium soft-touch seats.
Unfortunately, the Mirafiori edition will only be sold in Italy. However, the new Ibrida hybrid will be coming to the UK, with prices, specifications and more on its design and platform to be revealed nearer the car’s launch.
