All cars come with the Chinese firm’s seven-year or 100,000-mile warranty and there are two trim levels to choose from.
Chinese car manufacturer Omoda has revealed prices and specifications for its first two models in the UK – the 5 and E5 crossovers.
Omoda is a subsidiary of Chery International, which is China’s largest vehicle exporter and the fifth-biggest car maker on its home ground.
The 5 is going up against some stiff opposition such as the Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage, while the electric version, the E5, will be rivalling the Volkswagen ID.3 and Hyundai Kona Electric.
The range kicks off at £25,235 and rises to £34,555. (Omoda)
In terms of engines, it’s simple. The 5 comes with just one powertrain – a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol unit that produces 186bhp and 270Nm of torque. The car can do 0-60mph in 7.7 seconds and will go on to a top speed of 128mph.
Meanwhile, the E5 is equipped with a 61kWh blade battery pack and electric motor that produces a total of 204bhp and 340Nm of torque, taking it from 0-60mph in 7.4 seconds. Its top speed figure hasn’t been revealed yet, though.
The car is compatible with DC rapid charging and can charge at speeds of up to 80kWs, allowing for a 30 per cent to 80 per cent top-up time of 28 minutes, and Omoda claims that the E5 can drive for 257 miles between trips to the plug, too.
Victor Zhang, Country Director of Omoda and Jaecoo UK, said: “We have arrived in the UK fully prepared with a large network of experienced franchised retailers, backed by the most comprehensive aftermarket and customer support services, to deliver an exemplary ownership experience for our customers. The first Omoda vehicles have landed, and we look forward to seeing them on UK roads very soon.”
There are two trim levels. (Omoda)
There are two trim levels – Comfort and Noble. The entry-level Comfort is priced from £25,235 for the petrol variant, while the electric model comes in at £33,055. Moving up to the top-of-the-line Noble trim level will cost customers £27,035 for the petrol and £34,555 for the electric.
All cars come fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and a heated steering wheel as standard. They also have the firm’s seven-year or 100,000-mile warranty. The Noble version, meanwhile, boasts an eight-speaker Sony audio system plus multi-coloured ambient lighting.
Order books are open now, with the first UK customers receiving their cars this week.
The car used by 007 star Pierce Brosnan to promote Die Another Day is up for auction on October 9.
One of the most famous and recognisable Aston Martins in the 007 film series could fetch up to £70,000 when it goes under the hammer.
The V12 Vanquish Coupe, which is being auctioned by H&H Classics, played a starring role in promoting the 2002 film Die Another Day, aided by Bond actor Pierce Brosnan.
The car features Tungsten silver paintwork, charcoal leather and an aluminium centre console. (H&H Classics)
The Aston began life as one of seven Vanquish cars in the manufacturer’s press fleet and was chosen to publicise the movie as it had the same Tungsten Silver paint finish plus charcoal leather and aluminium centre console as the hero cars seen on the silver screen.
Now it’s up for auction at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford on October 9, with an estimated sale price of £50,000 to £70,000.
H&H Classics sales manager James McWilliam said: “Our October auction offers a fantastic opportunity to own a slice of movie and motoring history with this stunning Aston Martin Vanquish. Not only was it used at Pinewood Studios for photoshoots with Pierce Brosnan for Die Another Day, but it was also the first car to drive down the M6 Toll to commemorate its opening in 2003.”
The car was also used to commemorate the opening of the M6 Toll road in 2003. (H&H Classics)
The 2001 Vanquish, which can reach almost 200mph, has only covered 37,800 miles from new and has been in a private collection for more than 20 years.
This new model will feature a 100kWh battery pack and the firm claims an electric range of up to 459 miles on a single charge.
Smart has unveiled its biggest model yet to take on the likes of the Toyota bZ4X and Kia EV6 – the #5.
This new mid-size SUV will come solely as an EV and feature a 100kWh battery pack compatible with DC rapid charging to enable a 10 per cent to 80 per cent charge rate of just 15 minutes. Furthermore, Smart claims that the #5 can also travel for up to 459 miles between trips to the plug. However, official power figures for the electric motor haven’t been revealed yet.
The front headlights and rear taillights have an oblong design. (Smart)
The #5 has familiar design elements to its smaller counterparts the #3 and #1, including a panoramic halo roof and frameless doors. In addition, the front headlights and rear tail-lights have an oblong design and there are Smart logos on the D-pillars, while the alloy wheels feature floating centre caps to keep the Smart emblem always upright.
Dirk Adelmann, CEO of Smart Europe, said: “We are delighted to present our first-ever mid-size premium SUV, the all-new Smart #5, to the world. With this new vehicle, we are expanding into a new market segment, reflecting our commitment to quality, innovation and addressing the evolving requirements of our customers. As we continue to broaden our product line-up, we remain focused on providing diverse mobility solutions that cater to different lifestyles and preferences in Europe and around the globe.”
The interior features two 13-inch OLED display screen. (Smart)
The interior features ambient lighting with a choice of 256 colours. There is also leather upholstery with front seats that can recline by up to 121 degrees, and there are 34 storage compartments dotted about the cabin. Furthermore, there is a 25.6-inch augmented reality head-up display, a 10.3-inch instrument cluster plus two 13-inch OLED display screens.
In terms of space, there is a total of 72 litres in the frunk (front boot). Boot space with the rear seats up hasn’t been revealed, but it stands at 1,530 litres with them folded down.
Prices and specifications are yet to be revealed, but it’ll be launched in Europe later this year.
Hot EV aims to offer electrifying alternative to Golf GTI Clubsport and costs just £5,000 more
The Volkswagen ID 3 GTX Performance officially goes on sale this week, offering 322bhp and the promise of hot hatch thrills without the tailpipe emissions.
Billed as a pure-electric alternative to the Golf GTI Clubsport, often deemed the pinnacle of VW’s hot hatch prowess, the ID 3 GTX Performance is capable of accelerating from 0-62mph in just 5.7 seconds, making it the German marque’s fastest accelerating EV to date.
Sharing much of its underpinnings with sister company’s Cupra Born VZ, Volkswagen says the ID 3 GTX Performance offers a top speed of 124mph (somewhat down on the ICE Golf GTI Clubsport) and 369 miles of range on the WLTP combined cycle.
Maximum charging speeds are 185kW, resulting in a 10-80 per cent charge in 26 minutes from the appropriate outlets.
The new Volkswagen ID 3 GTX Performance (Volkswagen)
The racy electric hatch comes with an impressive array of standard kit, including 20-inch wheels, sports suspension, the marque’s DCC adaptive chassis control system, a Harman Kardon stereo and augmented reality head-up display.
“The ID 3 GTX Performance is, for me, the electric counterpart to the Golf GTI Clubsport,” said Kai Grünitz, Member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management responsible for Technical Development, when the new car was unveiled to the media in March this year.
“Of course, an electric drive and a turbocharged petrol engine each have their own unique character. Yet the ID 3 GTX Performance and the Golf GTI Clubsport share the same fascinating lightness when they accelerate.
Inside the new Volkswagen ID 3 GTX Performance (Volkswagen)
“Volkswagen is transferring the almost 50-year tradition of its compact GT models into the world of electric mobility. Driving pleasure is guaranteed.”
The Volkswagen ID 3 GTX Performance is available to order at Volkswagen UK Retailers from Thursday 29 August, priced at £46,225 (on-the-road recommended retail price, including VAT).
New ID.7 Pro S and Tourer Pro S will be the first, with more EVs and ICE cars to follow by 2025.
Volkswagen has confirmed that it will follow the likes of BMW by offering the AirConsole mobile gaming platform in select models, allowing owners to indulge in a raft of video game titles while charging or stationary.
The German marque says the app will be first available in ID.7 Pro S and ID.7 Tourer Pro S models, where both drivers and passengers can simply scan a QR code with a smartphone and then use their handheld device as a controller for games displayed on the vehicle’s 15-inch Discover Pro Max infotainment display.
Current titles include a comedic Olympic-style Smoots Summer Games, the Burnin’ Rubber 5 racing game and quizzing with Hang in There and Who Wants to be a Millionaire? on certain vehicles. New titles are being added regularly.
Who Wants to be a Millionaire? on BMW AirConsole (AirConsole)
AirConsole uses the vehicle’s onboard eSIM to stream the mobile games from the Cloud and requires an active VW Connect Plus contract to function.
Despite initially being rolled out to VW’s ID electric vehicle range in Europe by September, the company also plans to make it available in the new Passat, the new Tiguan, the new Golf and the new Golf Estate that run the latest infotainment software by 2025.
Volkswagen isn’t the first to offer the gaming platform inside its vehicles, as German automotive counterpart BMW has enjoyed a partnership with AirConsole since 2022, introducing the system to various BMW and Mini models.
Recently, BMW stated that it would be the first manufacturer to introduce an in-car version of Mattel’s famous Uno card game, which allows up to four players to get involved when charging or stationary.
In addition to this, Mercedes-Benz announced at gamescom 2024 that it has partnered with developers of the Boosteroid app to allow owners of its vehicles to stream and play some of the most recognised gaming titles in the world on its infotainment systems in the near future.
Using a Bluetooth gaming controller or a smartphone, Mercedes-Benz says that games from popular third-party platforms like Steam or Epic will be available in-car for the first time, bringing a console or PC-like gaming experience to the automotive space.
Latest version of the compact SUV will be available with two trim levels and a hybrid powertrain.
MG has taken the covers off the latest iteration of its popular compact crossover the ZS Hybrid+.
The B-segment SUV market is fiercely competitive and this new model will be competing with the likes of the Seat Arona and Citroen C3 Aircross. However, this time the ZS will come solely as a petrol-electric hybrid and its equipment levels have improved.
The range kicks off at £21,995 making it one of the most affordable SUVs on the market. (MG)
There are two trim levels on offer, with the standard SE coming in at £21,995 and featuring equipment such as LED headlights and tail-lights, a 12.3-inch infotainment display and keyless entry. For an additional £2,500 at £24,495, the Trophy model adds 18-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass plus a 360-degree surround-view camera.
In terms of engines, there is only one on offer – a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor that gives a total power output of 193bhp and 250Nm of torque. It takes the car from 0-60mph in 8.5 seconds, with the top speed yet to be revealed.
Standard equipment includes a 12.3-inch infotainment display and keyless entry. (MG)
MG claims that the new ZS Hybrid+ can achieve a combined fuel economy figure of 55.4mpg while emitting CO2 emissions as low as 115g/km. That’s thanks to the on-board 1.83kWh high-voltage battery that is recharged by a 45kW generator.
David Allison, Head of Product and Planning for MG Motor UK, said: “The all-new MG ZS Hybrid+ delivers an exceptional driving experience and incredible value in the B SUV segment, featuring equipment and technologies that make daily life easier. The refreshed model has a more mature design with a sharper front end, and the new interior provides a comfortable and connected cabin. We’re confident about delivering the same appeal and accessibility that made its predecessor such a success.”
Order books for the new MG ZS Hybrid+ are open now, with it set to arrive in UK showrooms from October.
This month, the CX-60 has been munching up the motorway miles, but is a diesel engine the right choice? Jon Reay finds out.
I’m sure I say this every time, but it’s been a busy month for the CX-60. We’ve not quite managed all four corners of the UK, but it doesn’t seem far off. Various bits of East Anglia, the North West and the North East have all been plumbed into the Mazda’s sat nav in the last few weeks, and unsurprisingly it’s taken things in its stride.
One of my favourite things about our CX-60 is its ability to simply shrug off long journeys, be them motorway or B-road based. It’s simply a joy to hop into the drivers seat and point the exceptionally long bonnet down the nearest dual carriageway – and that’s not something I could say about the CX-5 it replaced.
The CX-60 in Manchester serving its duties as a camera car. (PA)
A trip to Manchester saw the Mazda performing duties as a camera car, both hauling videographers and their gear around the city, and even proving itself suitable for some car-to-car filming around the city centre, a la Top Gear. If any budding filmmakers are reading this, I can confirm the CX-60’s boot is perfectly sized for holding a cameraperson.
Then it was off to the opposite coastline for a visit to Sunderland, there for a visit of a – ahem – rival car maker’s UK car plant. So as not to offend the poor Mazda, I opted to leave it hidden in the hotel car park.
Norfolk was ticked off the CX-60’s i-Spy geography book this month, with something of a (long) day trip to Norwich and its surrounding coastline on the cards. This is simply what happens when you have a long-legged car like our Mazda: 260 mile round trips suddenly seem like a perfectly reasonable thing to do for a coffee and a mooch round some shops.
Things did come slightly unstuck on the undulating, up-and-down road surfaces around the Norfolk Broads though. I’ve mentioned before – a lot – my gripes with the CX-60’s bouncy suspension, but it officially met its worst enemy here. Anything that’s not reasonably flat is this car’s absolute undoing, and on this sort of tarmac it’s just comically rubbish.
The Mazda’s first service at Rockingham Cars in Corby. (PA)
With the Mazda’s 1st birthday arriving, it was also time for its first service – which happily for me meant a trip to the excellent Rockingham Cars in Corby. We’ve crossed path before for tyre-related maladies and recalls, and they’ve always been incredibly friendly and helpful.
Slightly more painful was the estimate: around £350 for a first year service. Sounds a bit chunky, but compared to what a BMW or Mercedes dealer would charge for a similarly-sized diesel SUV, it’s not actually too bad. And I suppose a 3.3-litre car does take a lot of oil, after all.
Servicing costs were not too bad. (PA)
That sorted, a stay in Kent for a few days gave some welcome respite from motorway journeys – although not necessarily to the CX-60’s benefit. We’re often being told that diesel-engined cars aren’t suitable for short journeys, but truthfully it’s not an issue I’ve ever come across in our Mazda. It’s frequently taken back and forth to the shops without any particular complaints, though I admit, living in my particular bit of Midlands means even visits to Tesco involve a dual carriageway of some description.
A dashboard message to remind you that you haven’t driven far or long enough to clear the diesel particulate filter. (PA)
After two or three days pottering around a small seaside town with its 30mph speed limits though, our car quickly made its displeasure known. ‘Fast Idle Engine Cleaning. Idle Returns to Normal When Cleaning Is Complete’, flashed a message on the driver display when we flicked on the car one morning. Translation? You’ve not driven long enough for the diesel particulate filter to clean itself out, and now look what you’ve done.
This is not a situation unique to Mazda – effectively all diesel cars are similarly equipped for emissions purposes. Most simply tell you to ‘keep driving’ to fix the problem, but Mazda’s solution is to simply make the car rev itself a bit higher when it’s sat in park. It’s a neat solution, but how long this would actually take to ‘clean’ the particulate filter I couldn’t say – I gave up after a few minutes and pointed the car at a dual carriageway instead.
What this does demonstrate though, is that picking a diesel-engined CX-60 is probably not the best choice if you’re simply using it for the school run. You probably didn’t need me to tell you that of course, but in nearly a year of long journeys with the car, the issue simply hadn’t occurred to me.
We’d recommend the diesel over the plug-in hybrid. (PA)
That is the first, and only situation in which I’d recommend the plug-in hybrid version over the diesel though. Our car’s 3.3-litre straight-six simply fits the character of the car so well, and is something of a dying breed these days. Go on – you won’t regret it. Just… start visiting a supermarket in the next town instead.
The firm says its flagship SUV is the first car to offer price parity for battery-powered and internal-combustion versions.
Vauxhall’s latest version of its flagship SUV the Frontera will be priced the same for its EV and petrol-hybrid versions.
The manufacturer is keeping it simple with the new Frontera with just two trim levels to choose from.
The range consists of Design and GS. (Stellantis)
The entry-level Design costs £23,495 for the EV and hybrid models, and has automatic headlights and wipers plus 16-inch black steel wheels as standard. The most expensive model, the GS, starts at £25,895 and boasts 17-inch alloy wheels, LED tail-lights and power-folding door mirrors.
The electric Frontera has a 44kWh battery pack with an electric motor that produces a total power output of 115bhp. It takes the car from 0-60mph in 11.9 seconds and has a top speed of 87mph. Meanwhile, it has a claimed range of up to 186 miles and is 100kW DC rapid charging-compatible, going from 20 per cent to 80 per cent in 26 minutes.
The hybrid features a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that comes with a choice of two power outputs. The lesser-powered version produces 101bhp and 205Nm of torque, taking the car from 0-60mph in 10.8 seconds and on to 112mph.
The electric version comes fitted with a 44kWh battery pack. (Stellantis)
Meanwhile, the higher-powered 138bhp version produces 230Nm of torque and its 0-60mph time is reduced to 8.8 seconds while its top speed increases to 118mph.
James Taylor, Managing Director of Vauxhall, said: “With the launch of the new Frontera, Vauxhall has eliminated the list price premium that often applies to electric vehicles, with both electric and petrol hybrid versions offered for an identical price list. At just £23,495, the new Frontera Electric is a significant milestone in our mission to make electric mobility accessible to everyone across the UK.”
Order books are due to open in the autumn, and customers can expect deliveries in early 2025.
Over 13,000 registrations submitted to Vauxhall on over 11,500 streets across the country during its Electric Streets of Britain campaign.
Tens of thousands of motorists have called for councils to speed up installation of on-street charging facilities for EVs, according to vehicle manufacturer Vauxhall.
The Stellantis-owned brand kick-started its campaign in 2023, dubbed ‘Electric Streets of Britain’, which quizzed scores of UK motorists about their thoughts on charging provisions across the country.
The campaign’s main aim was to support the 40 per cent of households without access to a driveway, seeing as the data gathered revealed that 80 per cent of electric vehicle charging is done at home.
As a result, Vauxhall says it will collaborate with three chargepoint operators, including Char.gy, ConnectedKerb and Surecharge to not only share its findings with local councils up and down the country, but to also find workable solutions.
This initiative comes following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by Vauxhall, which was issued to 414 councils across the country. A total of 267 responded and the results showed that 56.5 per cent of the local governments still did not have a published on-street residential charging plan.
James Taylor, Managing Director of Vauxhall said: “On-street residential charging is critical to adoption and acceleration of electric vehicles. Thanks to the public, we already know of over 11,000 roads where we need to install on-street chargers today to make it more convenient for EV drivers and remove a barrier for those wanting to switch to electric.”
The 267 councils that responded to Vauxhall’s Freedom of Information request told the firm that they have collectively installed 15,000 on-street chargers currently on UK roads, and plan to install a further 8,000 over the next year.
The UK government is aiming to install around 300,000 public chargers by 2030. (Stellantis)
However, the UK government is aiming to have 300,000 public EV charge points installed by 2030 – and with the country’s slow progress, Vauxhall says that councils need to ensure a fast uptake in installation to meet these ambitious targets.
Results showed that some areas have been more forthcoming with EV provisions than others. London’s Boroughs of Southwark and Barnet, for example, collectively make up 20 per cent of the total on-street charge points in the country – while Coventry City Council is not far behind in third place.
In addition to putting the pressure on councils to increase on-street charging provisions, Vauxhall is also supporting those that can’t install a home charger with the announcement it made earlier this year, which saw the carmaker partner with the supermarket chain Tesco to provide its EV drivers with one-year free charging at stores.
Available in two body styles and fitted as standard with a 5.0-litre petrol V8, this model will make its debut at the Goodwood Revival in September.
Land Rover has unveiled a special-edition of its famous off-roader – the Defender V8 by its in-house commissioning service Works Bespoke.
The Classic Defender programme restores and personalises vehicles from the Land Rover line-up – with the original Defender being the first model to receive the treatment.
Available in four-seat 90, five or seven-seater 110 body styles, all versions of the Defender by Works Bespoke are hand-built by expert Land Rover Classic engineers.
Under the bonnet resides a 5.0-litre petrol V8 that produces 410bhp and 515Nm of torque. Power is transmitted via the eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox and all vehicles come as standard with all-wheel-drive.
Each car comes fitted with high-performance Alcon brakes, as well a revised spring rate Eibach coil suspension and anti-roll bar, as well as Bilstein dampers.
A choice of four, five and seven-seat versions are on offer. (Land Rover)
On the exterior, clients can specify a choice of unique paint schemes, as well as customise a selection of exterior details, such as bonnet scripts, front radiator grilles and door handles – which can be finished in silver or black.
A choice of 16-inch or 18-inch alloy wheels designs are available as well as side steps and accessories, such as a roof rack, expedition cage, ladder and a winch. Customers can also spec a full roof-mounted LED light bar. Meanwhile, every Defender by Works Bespoke comes with modern LED headlights as standard, too.
Paul Barritt, Director of Land Rover Classic, said: “With Works Bespoke, we are giving clients the opportunity to create their perfect Classic Defender V8, a vehicle that will suit their exact lifestyle. Every vehicle is lovingly crafted, with creativity the only limit when it comes to personalising each vehicle to the owner’s desired specification.
“From start to finish, clients of Works Bespoke will be given an experience like no other, creating their ultimate Classic Defender V8.”
Inside, there is a 3.5-inch infotainment touchscreen that includes DAB radio and satellite navigation. (Land Rover)
Inside, an array of leather can be found on the seats, side trim, doors, roof lining and dashboard. The centre console is finished off in piano black and there is an infotainment system that features a 3.5-inch touchscreen, DAB radio, Bluetooth and satellite navigation.
The Classic Defender V8 by Works Bespoke will make its debut at Goodwood Revival, which takes place from September 6 to 8, 2024.
Prices start at £190,000 plus VAT for the four-seat 90 version, while the five-seat 110 comes in at £199,000 plus VAT and the seven-seat model is priced at £204,000 plus VAT.
