Television presenter Mike Brewer has said that the ‘fight is one’ after his used car dealership was targeted by fraudsters using a fake identity.
Brewer, who is best-known for his appearance in the series Wheeler Dealers, operates One Automotive in Warwickshire and it was here that a Volkswagen Golf was sold over the phone to a buyer who wasn’t able to view the car in-person.
To put the sale through, Brewer and the rest of the team checked the would-be buyer’s car details and driving licence – both of which matched up. Once processed, the buyer – who Brewer only knew as ‘Gary’ – contacted Brewer to arrange collection of the Golf via their own courier and paid £10,490 to complete the sale.
However, shortly after, One Automotive was contacted by its card provider Barclays which revealed that the buyer was a fraud that had used another person’s identity to purchase the car. Barclays then revealed that the money paid to One Automotive would be reimbursed to the victim of identity theft – though because the car had long since been collected, it left Brewer’s business out-of-pocket.
Since the event, Brewer has been contacted by other dealers who have been hit by similar fraudsters.
Speaking to Car Dealer Magazine, Brewer said: “This is not unique. We’ve found out that this has been happening time and time again to several dealers up and down the country where they’ve been scammed in the same way.
“It has put us off remote sales. Our business cannot suffer a £10,500 loss – we just don’t have that kind of profit in the business. The customer has to be there in-person, or we’re going to have to go to the customer’s address which is on their driving licence.
“I suggest it should be the same for every dealer out there. You really have to be diligent.”
Underneath you’ll find the underpinnings of the Toyota Yaris Cross, but does that mean it’s just wearing a posh suit? Cameron Richards finds out.
What is it?
(Lexus)
The LBX arrives as the smallest car in Lexus’ current range, with its eye-catching acronym standing for ‘Lexus breakthrough X (Crossover)’. Available only as a hybrid, there is also a choice of front and four-wheel-drive models while there’s no shortage of trim levels and colours, either.
It’s got a big act to follow as it’s competing in a fiercely competitive sector of the compact SUV class – rivalling cars like the Skoda Kamiq and Audi Q2. So can it do enough to come out on top? We’ve been finding out.
What’s new?
(Lexus)
This is Lexus’ first take into the compact crossover class and with such demand in this segment, it’s not tricky to see why. The LBX features a new body with touch-sensitive door handles as well as a premium interior with lots of standard equipment.
Underneath the skin, it shares all of its mechanicals and chassis with the Toyota Yaris Cross, except for a longer wheelbase which has been introduced with the aim of boosting interior space.
What’s under the bonnet?
(Lexus)
It’s simple. There is only one engine to choose from and that is a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that is mated to an electric motor. It produces 138bhp and 120Nm of torque, but also emits only 103g/km of CO2.
Acceleration isn’t too bad with a 0-60mph time of 9.0 seconds and a top speed of 105mph – while all LBXs come as standard with a CVT automatic transmission.
The powertrain is a standard hybrid system which doesn’t need any plugging in, meaning that the engine acts as a generator to charge up the battery. All you need to do is fill the car up with fuel like any other conventional vehicle.
What’s it like to drive?
(Lexus)
Behind the wheel, the LBX is an excellent car to drive. With its neat and precise handling and its nicely weighted steering feel, it inspires you with confidence when chucking it into the twisty sections of the road. There is hardly any body roll and it feels planted and agile when you want to have a bit of fun. It’s very refined with a lot of sound deadening which eliminates road, tyre and wind noise at speed.
The seats do a good job of supporting you and there is plenty of adjustment in them and the steering wheel.
The only gripes to find are that taller drivers can hit their knee on the centre console when driving which can be a nuisance and the C-Pillars are relatively thick, causing obstruction when reversing and manoeuvring around town.
Out time with the car saw fuel efficiency of 58.1mpg – not far off Lexus’ claimed 62mpg figure either, making the LBX one of the most fuel-efficient in this class.
Driving around town, and at speeds of under 30mph, the car runs purely on its electric motor making it relaxing, quiet and effortless. However, put your foot down and the engine roars into life and sounds fairly strangled and loud. Additionally, the ride does seem to fidget about a bit over uneven road surfaces and although the LBX isn’t uncomfortable, the Skoda Kamiq does feel more relaxed over the bumps.
How does it look?
(Lexus)
Lexus has always pulled off its own unique identity, and the LBX definitely follows suit. Its angular bonnet and wraparound headlights alongside its honeycomb effect mesh grille give the car an aggressive front end.
Our test car featured the two-tone black roof and diamond-cut alloy wheels which all help make the LBX a real head-turner. At the back features a blacked-out C-pillar and a single light bar that runs the width of the tailgate. Overall, the car sits nicely on the road with a wider stance that helps its appearance.
What’s inside like?
(Lexus)
Step inside and it’s a typical Lexus, in which everything feels built to last and all the cabin materials are of high quality.
The door bins are large with enough space for average-size water bottles and there are five USB-C charging ports. A spacious storage space under the centre console is handy, and there is an adjustable centre armrest that houses a removable cup holder and deep cubby.
But, on the flip side, the glovebox is pretty small and interior space for the rear passengers is cramped with limited head, legroom and foot room.
Another irritation is the internal electronic door handles which can be fiddly to use. You have to push them away and hold the door as you exit the car, which is fine when you’re used to them, but passengers who occasionally travel will be stumped on how they work. Luckily there is a manual override function where you can pull the handle towards you two times – making it more intuitive to use.
The rear seats don’t fold flat and the boot space is not as big as some of its rivals at 402 litres. A Volkswagen T-Roc has 445 litres, in comparison.
What’s the spec like?
(Lexus)
There’s no shortage of choice when choosing the right LBX, in fact, the range consists of Urban, Premium, Premium Plus, Premium Plus Design, Takumi, Takumi Design and Original Edition.
Our test car is the Premium Plus Design which starts at £35,605 and includes heated front seats, blind-spit monitoring, head up display and rear privacy glass.
Higher specced versions such as the Original Edition come in at £40,005 and boast a 13-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system, 18-inch alloy wheels, a 360-degree panoramic view monitor and a heated steering wheel.
Additionally, the Takumi and Takumi Design models come with the choice of either front or four-wheel-drive options.
Verdict
To sum up the LBX, it’s a great all-around car that is fun to drive while incorporating Lexus’ usual reliability, quality, dependability and durability. It also offers a lot of standard equipment and delivers great fuel economy and low CO2 emissions.
It may not be the most practical car in this segment, and its engine isn’t the smoothest or quietest, but you can’t ignore the fact the Japanese sub-brand of Toyota has done an excellent job in developing a small crossover that offers a sporty driving experience coupled together with great looks and superb build quality.
Available as a fastback or an estate, the ID.7 GTX will be the most powerful electric Volkswagen to go on sale.
Volkswagen has announced that its hot GTX versions of ID.7 Fastback and Tourer are now available to order.
Under the skin, the GTX model has the same 86kWh battery pack as the ID.7 Pro S Match, but with the addition of an extra front electric motor which increases the power figures by 53bhp. That means the power has jumped from 282bhp to 335bhp making it the most powerful electric Volkswagen to go on sale with a 0-60mph time of 5.2 seconds or 5.3 seconds for the more practical Tourer.
Prices start at £61,980 for the Fastback and £62,670 for the Tourer. (Volkswagen)
The GTX variants also now come with the firm’s 4Motion four-wheel-drive system as standard to improve stability, traction and performance.
Rob McLeod, director at Volkswagen UK said: “The debut of the exceptional new ID.7 here in the UK is another major leap forward in our ongoing electric journey. This flagship ID. model demonstrates our commitment to offering our customers the comfort, space, safety, and style that is synonymous with this great brand and its cars – no matter what the fuel.”
The fastback offers 532 litres of boot space with the seats up – or 605 litres in the more spacious Tourer – while with the seats folded increases the space to 1,714 litres for both versions.
Additionally, both models come with 200kW DC rapid charging allowing the cars to go from 10 to 80 per cent in 26 minutes. The Fastback also does a claimed 366 miles on a single charge while the Tourer can manage 359 miles.
Both GTX models are available to order from August 1 with prices starting at £61,980 for the former and £62,670 for the latter.
As this week sees a heatwave that will swelter the UK, driving a vehicle in a hotter climate may also differ your driving style.
Vast areas of the UK are set to swelter in a mini-heatwave, with the Met Office predicting that temperatures could top 30C on Tuesday, August 30.
That means that you’ll need to take some precautions before heading out on the road to be prepared and organised if you encounter a lot of traffic, an unexpected stopover or even a breakdown.
Driving in hot weather can be great, but it has side effects that many car drivers should keep an eye on.
Here are our top tips to prevent you from having any bad experiences out on the road this summer.
Check your tyres
Always look at your tyre condition, age and tread depth. (PA – Ben Birchall)
One vital safety check to do first is to check your tyres. Look at how much pressure they have and make sure that if you take a reading it matches what the vehicle manufacturer recommends the car to have – depending on how many passengers you’re carrying. One of the easiest ways to check is by using an air compressor, which is commonly found near petrol stations.
Tyre pressures can expand in the heat making them more susceptible to blowouts, which can cause an accident leading to injuring you, your passengers or other road users. This makes ensuring that they’re at the right level even more important. Look out for the condition of the tyre, too, checking the sidewalls for any cracks or cuts.
Check fluid levels
Check the oil level, coolant, and brake fluid. (PA – Ian Nicholson)
At this time of year, your engine will get hotter quickly due to the nature of the weather. Even though engines also heat up regardless of the temperature, your coolant plays a crucial role in preventing your engine from freezing in the winter or overheating in the summer.
If your coolant level is low or hasn’t been changed and is overdue a flush out, your car may be at risk of overheating. This can cause damage to your engine or, in extremes, start a fire.
Wear sunglasses
Sunglasses can help reduce the strain on your eyes in bright sunlight when driving.
While it’s pleasant to have sunny conditions to drive in, strong sunshine can play havoc with visibility when you’re driving. This can be particularly the case during the early evening when the sun starts to dip. To help combat this, wear sunglasses to bring the glare levels down and, if you have a prescription, make sure that your sunglasses are updated to match it.
Check your car’s battery
Always check the condition of your battery to make sure it holds enough charge to cope with the hotter climate. (GEM)
Your car’s battery will be put under a lot of strain at this time of year due to it having to put up with a lot of features being used at once. Air-conditioning and cooled seats can have an impact, as well as any extra devices – such as plug-in cool boxes – that you might have connected to the car’s supply.
If you notice that your car is struggling to get going, then your battery might be on the way out. If you have any concerns, then it’s worth getting your car checked out by a trained professional.
Stay hydrated
Take and drink plenty of water. (PA – Co-op)
An obvious one is to drink plenty of water. Keep bottles in your car and make sure that everyone in the vehicle stays hydrated. It’s one of the most important factors to consider when driving in hot weather as it makes you more alert and gives you energy.
Becoming dehydrated can reduce your ability to concentrate while making you irritable and uncomfortable which isn’t a great recipe when you’re out on the open road.
Don’t leave pets or children in the car
Always take your pet with you when you leave your car. (PA – Joe Pepler/PinPep)
Never leave your pets or children unattended in a hot car. It can lead to some pretty unthinkable and devastating consequences. A car on a hot day will heat up very quickly without any windows open or cool air from fans or air-conditioning blowing through. Always take your children and pets with you and never leave them on their own in a hot car.
Buy a windscreen shield
If you buy a windscreen shield it can prevent the interior of your car from getting too hot. A windscreen shield prevents this from happening as it blocks the sun’s UV rays and heat from your interior, making it stay cool and more comfortable for when passengers and the driver climb aboard.
The latest offering from the South Korean brand will be the firm’s cheapest electric SUV.
Kia has revealed prices and specifications for its new electric SUV – the EV3.
There will be a choice of three different trim levels to choose from and a couple of different battery packs, too.
The entry-level Air model is priced from £32,995 and features 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and grey cloth upholstery.
There will be three trim levels to choose from. (Kia)
Step up to the mid-range GT-Line, which comes in at £39,495 and it adds rear privacy glass, alloy pedals, a digital key, ambient lighting and a sportier exterior styling kit.
The flagship GT-Line S starts at £42,995 and boasts an eight speaker Harmon Kardon sound system, powered tailgate, electric front seats, a sunroof and a head-up display.
There will be two battery packs on offer. (Kia)
There will be two battery packs on offer. The entry-level model will be available with either a 58.3kWh battery that gives a claimed 267 miles on a single charge or a larger 81.4kWh powertrain that offers a claimed 372 miles. Higher specced models are only available with the latter and give a claimed 347 miles between trips to the plug.
Ho Sung Song, president and CEO at Kia said: “By providing groundbreaking design, an industry-leading electric drivetrain, and practical, innovative lifestyle solutions, the EV3 aims to extend Kia’s exceptional EV SUV experience to a wider audience.”
UK customer deliveries will commence in late 2024 with order books opening on August 1.
The sporty sub-brand of Seat has revealed prices and specifications for its updated hot hatch and SUV.
Cupra has revealed prices and specifications for its recently updated Formentor and Leon models.
Both cars now feature the firm’s shark-nose front end, triangular LED headlights, and redesigned lower front bumpers.
Inside, there is updated styling and an improved 12.9-inch infotainment screen. (Cupra)
On the inside, there have been some visual changes too, with the centre console, door panels, dashboard and upholsteries all receiving an updated design. There is also a larger 12.9-inch infotainment screen and a new and improved virtual cockpit.
Marcus Gossen, Director of Seat and Cupra UK said: “These latest designs for the hugely successful Cupra Formentor and Cupra Leon have been developed to lead the brand into a new era. From the sustainable materials inside, to the integrated lighting outside, both models have been created to offer drivers an unforgettable experience.”
The Formentor will be available with new powertrains, including a 1.5-litre TSi turbocharged petrol that produces 147bhp and can be selected with either a manual or automatic transmission.
Cupra also offers a 48V mild hybrid system, which can be specified with the automatic gearbox.
Heading up the range is a new petrol unit found in the flagship VZ3 model, which produces 328bhp and comes with a DSG seven-speed automatic gearbox as standard.
There is also a new plug-in hybrid variant, too. It comes with a choice of two power outputs: 201bhp or 268bhp.
Both units are mated to a 1.5-litre TSi turbocharged petrol engine, but now boast a larger battery pack of 19.7kWh – allowing for an electric range of more than 70 miles.
Later this year, there will be a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol with 261bhp arriving for the SUV, too.
The Leon will be available with either five-door hatchback or five-door estate. (Cupra)
The Leon will be available in either hatchback or estate guises. The engine line-up will feature the same 1.5-litre petrol units and new plug-in hybrid powertrains as the Formentor, with the exception being a new 2.0-litre petrol variant that develops 296bhp in the hatchback.
The estate receives the same petrol engine but with 328bhp – making it the most powerful Cupra Leon yet.
Prices for the Formentor start at £33,450 for the basic 1.5-litre TSi and rise to £51,790 for the first edition.
The Leon comes in at £31,090 and rises to £50,975 for the VZ3 estate. All models are available to order now, with deliveries expected later this year.
The Japanese workhorse from 1982 impresses the judges for its unrestored condition and preservation.
A 1982 Toyota Hilux has been crowned the winner of the Hagarty Festival of The Unexceptional for 2024.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the event, which is hosted at Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire – with a total of 2000 cars and 4000 guests attending the event.
Around 2,000 cars attended and 4,000 guests were at the event. (Hagarty)
Launched in 2014, it’s a celebration of long-forgotten everyday cars from the late 1960s to 1990s now known as the ‘Unexceptional Era’.
The winning pick-up truck is owned by Mitch Lewis. The vehicle has been used as a workhorse for most of its life on a fruit farm – but its condition is completely unrestored and has been preserved to the highest level with the owner simply cleaning and driving it to the event.
Second place went to Amy Jaine and her base model 1998 Renault Clio. The car was originally owned by her grandmother to take the grandchildren out. Many years later, the car was due to be scrapped but Amy saved it and now uses it to take her grandmother out to keep the car in use.
A total of 50 cars were selected to enter the Concourse section. (Hagarty)
Mark Roper, managing director of Hagerty International said: “10 years of FOTU is something to be celebrated, and this milestone was celebrated in style. I would like to thank the thousands of enthusiasts who came to enjoy it with us, and for our special guests who brought the main stage to life. Festival of The Unexceptional is an important part of securing the future of classic cars, with many young enthusiasts attending to show their FOTU-era cars.”
Every once in a while, car designers let their imaginations go wild with concept cars – here’s what happens.
Over the years we’ve seen a flood of different concept cars that show the world where different car manufacturers are heading. Some designs are humble, sober and restrained while others are the exact opposite.
Sadly, almost every wild and wacky concept car that has been revealed never makes it into production due to regulations, but they do give us an indication of how car design can be expressed from certain makers that otherwise would shy away from creating something so spectacular.
One-off examples from the 1990s and 2000s seem to have the most interesting features and creativity. We’ve compiled a list of the best and maddest concept cars the world has ever seen.
Toyota POD
The Toyota POD showed the world that car’s could have feelings, too. (Toyota)
Officially revealed at the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show, the Toyota Pod demonstrated that personal transportation could have feelings and emotions like human beings. It had a boxy design with a wagging tail, sliding doors and a front end that would illuminate different colours depending on the car’s mood. Red would mean it was angry, blue as sad, gold referring to happy and pale green as sleepy.
The Pod was controlled by a joystick which acted as the steering wheel. The seats all swivelled 360 degrees and all featured a screen to allow the passengers to watch their own music or video content.
All these weird and wonderful designs never made it into production, sadly.
Renault Espace F1
The Renault Espace F1 is a concept car we wished would have gone into production. (Renault)
Back in 1995, the world’s first people carrier, the Renault Espace, was celebrating its 10th birthday. To celebrate this milestone, the French firm decided to team up with the Williams Formula One team to make a one-off special like no other.
Introducing the Renault Espace F1. It was built on a carbon fibre chassis with a body which featured reinforced carbon fibre to make it even lighter. Under the bonnet was a 3.5-litre naturally aspirated 40-valve V10 engine out of the Williams’ FW14 Formula One car. The MPV produced 800bhp and 520Nm of torque. The engine itself was mounted in the middle of the car for better weight distribution with power being sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed semi automatic gearbox. It had a top speed of 194mph and could do 0-60mph in 2.6 seconds.
Volkswagen W12
The W12 was the Volkswagen supercar we never got. (Volkswagen)
Another car revealed at the 2001 Tokyo motor show that shook the world was the sleek Volkswagen W12 supercar. The German firm had never created something so out of the ordinary.
The car featured – as the name suggests – a W12 engine that produces 600bhp and 620Nm of torque allowing for a 0-60mph time of 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 217mph. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox. The engine itself is positioned in the middle of the car to help with its power to weight ratio.
Other features included ventilated Brembo brake discs, a double wishbone suspension setup and a combination of leather, aluminium and carbon fibre throughout the interior.
ItalDesign Columbus
The Columbus is a 304bhp seven-set MPV that looks like it’s come from the next century. (ItalDesign)
One of the weirdest and most interesting concepts of all time is the ItalDesign Columbus from 1992.
The Columbus was a seven-seat MPV which measured nearly six metres in length and had an oddball double-decker-type look to it. The body was made from carbon fibre and a steel box-section load-bearing chassis.
Powering the vehicle is a 5.0-litre V12 BMW engine that produces 304bhp and powers all four wheels.
Due to where the engine is positioned and to help improve visibility, the driver’s cockpit is positioned centrally and is raised further up above the passenger compartment.
Rolls Royce 103EX
The 103EX previewed what Rolls Royce’s of the electrified future will look like. (Rolls Royce)
A more modern example of where a car firm lets its imagination go wild is Rolls Royce.
Back in 2016, it revealed the 103EX concept which was to show what the electrified era of the marque was going to look like. Now we have the Spectre being Rolls’ first EV, proving that this concept demonstrated that the company was focusing on a battery-powered future.
The exterior of the 103EX is like nothing else seen before with suicide opening doors and an electrically operating glass roof. There are also half-covered wheel arches to help with aerodynamics and a very long bonnet which houses a tall illuminated grille and the spirit of ecstasy figure.
A 1992 Ford Escort RS Cosworth once evaluated by Jeremy Clarkson over 12 months is heading under the hammer at auction.
One of three ‘pre-production prototypes’, this particular Escort RS Cosworth was featured in both Top Gear Magazine and Clarkson’s Car Years, with the former seeing Clarkson running the car for a year and writing 12 different reports about his time with the car.
During Clarkson’s Car Years, the former Top Gear presenter took the Escort to the ‘Buttertubs Pass’ in the Yorkshire Dales where he proclaimed ‘one of my all-time favourite roads meets one of my all time favourite cars, the Cossie’.
The Escort RS Cosworth remains one of Ford’s most sought-after models, having been created to homologate a car destined to be used on the World Rally Championship stage. However, it remains a very rare car with just 2,500 homologation special versions ever produced.
This particular pre-production car is rumoured to have cost over £250,000 to produce and had a number of features which differentiated it from a standard Cosworth including a deletion of the catalytic converter. It’s finished in ‘Mallard Green’ with a contrasting ‘Raven Hide’ interior and still retains its original Ford Motor Company registration plate. A clean underside – still with its original sealant from the Ford factory – showcases this car’s spotless bill of health.
Now, the Ford Escort RS Cosworth is heading under the hammer via Iconic Auctioneers at its event on August 24 where it could fetch up to £75,000 when the hammer falls. A famous Ford previously sold by Iconic Auctioneers – Princess Diana’s black Ford Escort RS Turbo – had a final winning bid of £650,000, so there’s a good chance that this Cosworth could breeze past its estimate.
Last week’s Goodwood Festival of Speed saw me jump into the passenger seat of McLaren’s new 750s supercar.
Last week’s Festival of Speed saw the world’s motoring-mad population descend on the Goodwood estate near Chichester, West Sussex.
The Festival of Speed is a celebration of all things petrol, diesel and electric, but it’s the supercar paddock which is full of expensive and exotic metal to get the hearts racing for those who love cars. But for me, the adrenaline was even more prominent as I got the chance to be a passenger of the new McLaren 750s up the famous hillclimb.
I’d never been in a McLaren, so the 750S marked my first encounter with the Woking-based brand. But, hopefully, it wouldn’t be my last, though the whole experience is pretty much unforgettable.
When you jump inside, you sit very low and are gripped by the bolstered bucket seats. There is a lot of leather, carbon fibre and Alcantara as well as a touch screen infotainment system that uses Apple CarPlay. Everything is angled towards the driver and the gear selectors are like little toggle switches which give me aeronautical vibes. The front boot was big enough to cater for a couple of bags, including mine, too.
Driving the supercar was McLaren employee and car stunt driver Andre D-Cruz who was very familiar with all of the firm’s products, meaning he wasn’t shy from showing me the 750S’ capabilities on the course.
(McLaren)
As we sat on the start line, the excitement began to sink in, the revs rose to hear that 4.0-litre V8 even more clearly, the crowds began to gather with their phones on record, the flag drops and the wheels spin away. The car’s 0-60 mph time of 2.6 seconds is certainly accurate here. As we approach the first corner very quickly, the car’s poised turn-in as well as lift-off oversteer makes you realise just how quick your reactions have to be to drive this car to its full potential. As we shoot past the Lord March’s Goodwood house, the speed builds up that it becomes unfathomable to think.
(McLaren)
The last narrow corner was done in a flash with you struggling to comprehend passing through it at 80mph, with the final stint accelerating up to the finish line. The whole experience is done within less than one minute, but it’s one minute that will stay with you forever. Even better still, when we reached the end point to drive back down the hill, we encountered possibly the world’s most expensive traffic jam. Ranging from the McLaren P1 to the one-off Ferrari SP-8. A queue worth millions and millions, and a moment where you have to pinch yourself to realise where you are. Meanwhile, a few famous faces including Bruno Senna were among the driver’s taking a lucky passenger up the hill in the flagship Senna hypercar.
My first impression of the McLaren 750s is that it’s a very raw and exciting experience that also has a bit of practicality on its side, which makes it a more usable supercar in the real world and for my first supercar experience – it was certainly a good one.
