Month: December 2024

We’ve got a round-up of excellent gifts for the car-mad person in your life.

We’re well into the festive season now and the run-up to ‘the big day’ brings several challenges. If you’ve got a motor-mad person in your life, then you might be wondering just what to get them.

Well, there’s good news if that’s the case, as we’ve got a collection of some of the best motoring-related Christmas gifts to check out today.

Yeti Rambler travel mug – from £35

Yeti’s range of no-nonsense equipment is great for those on the go and its Rambler line-up is ideal for people who spend a lot of time behind the wheel. Available in a number of sizes, the Rambler travel mug is made from stainless steel that is hard-wearing and won’t falter even if dropped.

Available in a variety of colours, the Rambler travel mug is designed to fit in a standard-size cupholder and it’s dishwasher safe, too, so you shouldn’t have any trouble cleaning it at the end of the day.

Quad Lock Car Mount – from £48.98

The Quad Lock system is one of the most robust for attaching your phone to a vehicle. Included in this price is a dedicated smartphone case which, on the back, incorporates a locking system. With this, you attach it to the mount which is suction-mounted to your windscreen.

It’s an easy and handy way of keeping your device safe when on the move and you can even buy extra attachments that can power your smartphone while it’s attached to the mount.

LEGO Technic Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 F1® Car – £199.99

There’s nothing quite like unwrapping a full Lego kit on Christmas day, or even watching someone unwrap one, for that matter. The Red Bull Raacing RB20 F1 car is one of the latest kits from Lego and it’s a thumper. When constructed, the model measures over 15cm and 64cm long, so it’s bound to impress those who see it.

It’s even got a two-speed gearbox and a V6 engine with moving pistons. Whether the person you know is into Lego – or into F1 – this is set to make Christmas an even better time.

Nebo Luxtreme Nano torch – £29.99

It’s always helpful to keep a torch in a car’s glovebox and the Nebo Luxtreme Nano is a great example of how to pack a lot of power into a compact device. It’s USB-C rechargeable, too, so you can power it up at home before stowing it away in the car – or you could even top it up via your car’s power.

Made from aircraft-grade aluminium, it’s also IPX6 waterproof-rated and impact-resistant.

Goodwood tickets – from £67

Goodwood’s range of motorsport events have soared to become some of the most-attended in the UK. From the summertime Festival of Speed to the retro-infused Revival, there’s set to be an event for those who love live motorsport.

All centred around the Goodwood estate near Chichester, West Sussex, the series of events are great for those who love cars or, in the case of Revival, those who like the spirit of yesteryear.

Nextbase 322GW – £99

There’s been a surge in the popularity of dashcams lately as more drivers look to capture what happens to them on a day-to-day basis. It adds an extra level of clarity during an incident, too, be that a high-speed collision or a car park prang.

The 322W from Nextbase has all of the features you could want. It records in crystal-clear 1080p resolution and even a 2.5-inch screen for easy control. At £99, it’s not bad value given the tech it delivers, too.

Collecting Cars x Tamiya GR Yaris – £325

Collecting Cars has become one of the most-watched online car auctions, stocking some of the biggest names in motoring. This year, it has partnered with famous remote-controlled car creators Tamiya to create a limited-edition version of the Toyota GR Yaris.

Equipped with a special sticker pack, this special model is limited to just 25 units. But fear not – if you can’t get a hold of this special-edition model, Tamiya still makes a ‘regular’ RC GR Yaris that comes in at £119.

Karcher K5/WV 6 – from £119.99

If you know someone who loves to keep their car spotless – or you fancy getting your own car cleaned on Boxing Day – then a pressure washer from Karcher could be a great present. The K5 is one of this brand’s most popular pressure washers and comes equipped with a range of accessories to make car cleaning easier.

There’s also the WV 6 vacuum which can be used for taking away the condensation from inside a car on a cold morning. It’s a great way of getting a streak-free shine on the windows, too.

The brand began fitting sustainable materials into its first EV, the Enyaq, but the new Elroq bucks that trend further with eco-conscious materials.

Skoda will focus on developing recycled and sustainable materials used throughout its interior for its future models.

In keeping with decarbonisation, the firm is set to release more EVs by the end of the decade and aims to be a carbon-neutral manufacturer by 2030.

Vehicle production can play a big part in a car’s overall emission cycle, but Skoda is trying to cut down on its CO2 by producing its interiors with recyclable and sustainable parts. The new Elroq plays a key part in the firm’s decarbonisation strategy and includes two new materials in the car’s cabin.

The PA news agency spoke to Stefan Webelhorst, Skoda’s colour, design and trim expert, he said: “For all of our models with the Superb, Kodiaq and now the Elroq we now use recycled polyester for interior fabrics and for the new Elroq we are using two new materials. One of which is the ‘Technofill’ which is recycled polyamide.

“It’s a new material group that we tend to use. We also have the mechanical recycled fabric Recytitan, which is also another source of recycled material. The next step is to bring even further plastic parts that incorporate more recycled materials. Also, the plan would be from a colour and trim point of view to have only recycled fabrics because technology-wise, we are able to provide surfaces that look and have the same value that non-recycled materials do, but it has the advantage of having a more sustainable car.”

Skoda’s new Elroq will start from £31,500 and will be an electric alternative to its popular combustion-powered Karoq SUV with deliveries expected to take place at the beginning of next year.

By Cameron Richards

According to the Road Emulsion Association, road surfacing has increased in the UK by nine per cent year-on-year to 38.5 million square metres.

Britain’s notoriously pot-holed roads might finally be getting the repairs they need.

A recent report from the Road Emulsion Association found a 3.2 million square metre rise in road surface dressings year-on-year.

The Road Emulsion Association (REA) represents businesses that supply a wide range of bitumen emulsion products to prepare and protect the UK’s motorways, airfields and trunk roads.

The number of potholes is one of the biggest issues on our highways and byways. Much of the damage is caused by frost and rain attacking the surfaces of carriageways across the UK. Bitumen emulsion is applied to protect the tarmac from the elements, while the road surface dressing is a waterproof layer to protect the surface against fierce weather conditions.

In 2023, the supply of road surface dressings dropped to a 12-year low and saw just 35.3 million square metres worth of our roads receiving the treatment. However, this year, from April to September, that figure has increased to a total of 38.5 million square metres of the nation’s road network being fixed – which is a nine per cent increase year-on-year.

But, it is still off the pace compared to figures from 12 years ago when the repairs extended to 64.4 million square metres.

Kevin Maw, REA consultant and secretary, said: “This is positive news for the highways industry and road users. While we have a long way to go to get back to the volumes of bitumen emulsions used produced in the years up to 2012 to enable 60 plus million metre squared per annum of surface dressing, this shows that the trend has started to turn, which is encouraging.’’

Simon Williams, RAC’s head of policy, said: “We hope the preventative road maintenance tide has well and truly turned as last year’s surface dressing figure dipped to a 12-year low.

‘’The fact that so little surface dressing was carried out last year helps explain why drivers are so angry and frustrated with potholes, something we’ve very clearly seen in research for this year’s RAC report on motoring, with 56 per cent of drivers listing the poor state of local roads as their number-one motoring concern.”

By Cameron Richards

Not only were there a plethora of five-stars for some of the latest new models, but there were a couple of cars that scored a four-star rating, too.

The results of the latest Euro NCAP have been revealed, showing a wave of five-star-ratings and a couple of surprising four-stars.

The Mazda CX-80 and Subaru Forester have both been awarded the maximum five-star score from Euro NCAP. The Japanese SUVs were praised for their standard safety systems and excellent performance with autonomous emergency braking as well as both cars’ passenger compartment remaining stable in a head-on collision.

Other cars to receive five-stars were Porsche’s new electric Macan, Audi’s A5 and Hyundai’s Santa Fe – when opted with the SmartSense safety pack.

However, the Renault 5 alongside its performance twin, the Alpine A290, both scored a four-star rating with both cars let down by their performance in the adult occupant crash tests.

Additionally, the MG ZS Hybrid also scored four-stars and was let down when it came to the ‘stiff’ front windscreen pillars. Judges also criticised the car’s lack of pedestrian protection at the rear of the vehicle.

Dr.Michiel Van Ratingen, secretary general at Euro NCAP, said: “As we close 2024 with this final set of safety ratings, these results highlight considerable progress across all vehicle classes, even as industry faces significant challenges. Despite these pressures, many manufacturers remain steadfast in their commitment to improving road safety, integrated advanced technologies, and prioritising the protection of all road users. Euro NCAP continues to support and guide these efforts, as we look forward to seeing how the industry tackles the challenges of 2025, driving innovation and raising safety standards worldwide.”

By Cameron Richards

Korean firm will be working alongside parent team Hyundai Motorsport.

Genesis is set to field a new endurance racing team that will compete in motorsport with a striking new hypercar.

Under the banner of Genesis Magma Racing, the South Korean firm will make its first key move into endurance racing with additional support from Hyundai Motorsport.

Cyril Abiteboul, president of Hyundai Motorsport and Team Principal of Genesis Magma Racing, said: “The official launch of Genesis Magma Racing is a momentous occasion.

“As the backbone of Hyundai Motor Group’s global motorsport activities, Hyundai Motorsport will play a vital role in this latest ambitious program. We are elevating our circuit racing expertise to a whole new level as we prepare to compete in some of the world’s most challenging series.”

It will allow Genesis to enter the World Endurance Championship in 2026 and the IMSA SportsCar Championship the year after. It’ll see Genesis take a car to events such as the 25 Hours of Le Mans and the Daytona 24.

Its new hypercar racer will enter into the LMDh (Le Mans Daytona h) class, which features cars that utilise the latest hybrid performance. Revealed at an event in Dubai, the GMR-001 Hypercar, the new car incorporates a number of features which have been used on the brand’s road cars, including the ‘two lines’ lighting structure at both the front and rear of the vehicle. At the back of the Hypercar sits a concave rear section and a large diffuser while an active spoiler can automatically adjust to help deliver the best level of aerodynamic performance.

Two drivers – André Lotterer and Luis ‘Pipo’ Derani – have already been selected to pilot the new Hypercar while Genesis will also field an LMP2 entry in the 2025 Le Mans series with a series of ‘emerging talent drivers including the UK’s Jamie Chadwick.

Luc Donckerwolke, chief creative officer of Genesis, said: “This entry into motorsport is a natural evolution for Genesis.

“As we look to push the boundaries of our brand, motorsport allows us to bring the spirit of hyperspeed — which drives how we create and innovate — in a way that aligns perfectly with our core values: Audacious, Progressive, and Distinctly Korean.”

Upcoming battery-powered showcases a bold new direction for the brand.

Jaguar’s new luxury electric car is here and arrives with a bold new look to reflect the brand’s recent image transformation.

Jaguar recently sparked widespread controversy with its dramatic re-brand which saw the firm ditch its traditional theme in favour of a more modern take. Its ‘copy nothing’ tagline drew worldwide interest, with even the boss of social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Elon Musk, responding by stating ‘do you even sell cars?’.

However, that early re-brand lacked any indication of what Jaguar’s new car would look like, which is where this new vehicle takes things forward.

Called the Type 00, it arrives as a ‘concept with bold forms and exuberant proportions to inspire future Jaguars’, according to the brand, and has been revealed in two colours – Miami Pink and London Blue. Jaguar’s famous ‘leaper’ logo is laser-etched into a brass ingot on each side of the car, which themselves open to reveal rear-facing cameras that provide a view for the driver similar to conventional wing mirrors via screens located in the cabin.

Access to the cabin comes through two ‘butterfly’ doors which reveal a large, spacious interior with three hand-finished brass lines which run the length of the interior. The ‘floating’ front seats are finished in a wool blend which is also used on the flooring and other areas.

With a number of flush surfaces and a glassless rear tailgate, it appears that the Type 00 has been designed to be as aerodynamic as possible which would, in theory, help to boost its range and overall efficiency.

Jaguar says that the new car uses a dedicated electric platform which should return up to 478 miles of range while rapid charging will add 200 miles of charge in 15 minutes.

Adrian Mardell, chief executive office, JLR, said: “The magic of Jaguar is close to my heart – an original British luxury brand unmatched in its heritage, artistry and emotional magnetism. That’s the Jaguar we are recapturing and we will create the same sense of awe that surrounded iconic models like the E-type.

“Our journey is already underway, guided by our original ethos to Copy Nothing – and the results will be nothing short of spectacular.”

Jaguar has stated that both its cars and ‘culture’ will ‘come to life’ in a number of ‘exclusive brand stores’ with the first of these being located in the 8th arrondissement in Paris.

The production-ready version of the Type 00 – which will be made in the UK – is set to be revealed late in 2025 and though prices haven’t been confirmed, it’s expected to come in north of £100,000.

The electric version of the Puma will offer up to 325 miles of range on a single charge from a 43kWh battery pack.

Ford has taken the covers off the next chapter in its EV line-up – the new Puma Gen-E.

This new model sits on the same platform as the petrol version and looks almost identical to the standard car – with a few subtle changes.

Externally, the Gen-E now features white Ford badges to distinguish the electrified variant and there is a smoothed-off front grille, due to the lack of engine – but other than that, it’s all typical Puma meaning you still get the same rounded front headlights, lower ground clearance and squatted rear stance.

Powering the Gen-E is a 43kWh battery pack with an electric motor that gives out 165bhp and 290Nm of torque. The car can go from 0-60mph in 7.8 seconds and it runs out of steam at 100mph.

In terms of range, Ford claims the battery-powered Puma can do a total distance of 233 miles or 325 miles in the city and is compatible with 100kW rapid charging – taking the car from 10 to 80 per cent in just 23 minutes.

Space is where the Gen-E really exceeds the competition, with Ford introducing its ‘GigaBox’ which is a large 145-litre underfloor storage area in the boot allowing for a total capacity of 574 litres with the seats in place. The manufacturer claims it to be bigger than a Mondeo Estate. Fold the rear seats down and that space doubles to 1,283 litres. Additionally, there is an extra 43 litres of added space under the frunk.

There will be two trim levels. The standard Select model features equipment such as 17-inch alloy wheels, the ‘GigaBox’, a 12-inch central touchscreen and a rear-view camera. The Premium boasts a Bang and Olufsen premium sound system, a powered tailgate, 18-inch alloy wheels and power folding door mirrors.

Jon Williams, Ford general manager of Ford Europe, said: “Puma is a success story across Europe, loved for its sporty design and driving characteristics combined with unique practicality and class-leading boot storage. Puma Gen-E is our ‘best ever Puma’, with the most fun-to-drive experience yet, combined with an incredibly energy-efficient electric powertrain. And the new, even bigger GigaBox offers unmated luggage capacity.”

Prices start at £29,995 and rise to £31,995 with order books opening when the car goes on sale on December 3. Deliveries are expected to commence in the Spring of 2025.

By Cameron Richards