It may sound confusing, but the new sub-brand removes the famous four rings in return for lettering.
Audi has unveiled its new E Concept which will kickstart the firm’s new Chinese-only sub-brand called ‘AUDI’.
The German car manufacturer has partnered with Chinese manufacturer SAIC Motor to produce bespoke models in China.
The collaboration will allow Audi to enhance its design, engineering, and vehicle development, while SAIC will use its innovation, technology, and research to address specific demands in the Chinese car market.
The E comes with a 100kWh battery pack and two electric motors. (Audi)
The E Concept features a 100kWh battery pack and two electric motors that Audi claims will bring up to 435 miles on a single charge. In terms of power, the two motors give out 764bhp and 800Nm of torque – while 0-60mph takes just 3.4 seconds.
The car sits on the Advanced Digital Platform with 800V architecture which enables rapid charging speeds that can bring 230 miles of range from a 10-minute charge.
Its exterior look focuses on a minimalist design. It has smoothed-off wheel arches and wrap-around front headlamps and taillights – while the elongated roofline improves space inside for passengers.
The interior features a curved full-width screen. (Audi)
Inside, the interior features a centre console which has space for two mobile phones, and there is a curved full-width digital display that runs the length of the dashboard. Meanwhile, the door mirrors are also camera displays that are incorporated into the screens, too. The door cards feature an illuminated wood, microfibre and three-dimensional design to create a sustainable yet modern look.
Gernot Dollner, Audi CEO, said: “The joint platform will be the basis for a new generation of state-of-the-art intelligent connected vehicles exclusive to China. The upcoming models are aimed at promising and simultaneously demanding a new customer segment. The cooperation will further expand the Audi portfolio of battery electric vehicles in China and accelerate the company’s transformation in the world’s largest market.”
The E is just a Concept for now, so pricing and further specifications are expected to come alongside the reveal of a production-ready model. Plus, this new AUDI brand will be for the Chinese market only, with no plans to bring it to European buyers.
Priced at £14,995 excluding VAT, this commercial vehicle will bring business users affordability into the EV sector.
Dacia has unveiled Britain’s cheapest new van with its Spring Cargo.
To make this car-derived van, the Spring has undergone a diet with the rear seats removed and a mesh bulkhead fitted in their place. The rear windows have been replaced with metal that has been blacked out to still make the Spring Cargo look like the standard car. Additionally, all vans are painted in Polar white paint, too.
The Spring Cargo still retains a five-door bodystyle. (Dacia)
Standard specifications include a 10-inch infotainment screen, cruise control, Bluetooth, remote central locking, electric front windows and manual air-conditioning.
In terms of practicality, the van still keeps its five-door bodystyle with a traditional tailgate opening. But loadspace stands at a total of 1,085 litres – which is 81 litres more than the four-seater Spring with the rear seats down. Also, it has a payload of up to 370kg.
Its cargo space stands at 1,085 litres. (Dacia)
Under the bonnet, the Cargo version still retains the same powertrain as in the normal Spring. It features a 26.8kWh battery pack with an electric motor that produces a total of 65bhp. Dacia claims the van can do up to 186 miles on a single charge. Plus, DC rapid charging is compatible, taking 45 minutes to charge from 20 to 80 per cent.
The Dacia Spring Cargo is available to order now and will cost the same as the standard car at £14,995 excluding VAT.
SUVs and superminis are still firm favourites with British buyers in October. However, there are no EVs in the top 10 this time around.
October saw a sharp decline in new car sales by six per cent. But, even though the top 10 best sellers last month didn’t see any EVs in the ranking, battery-electric vehicles are the only sector with a slight rise in the market share, as manufacturers are still rolling out subsidies and heavy discounts.
A total of 144,288 vehicles were sold last month, compared to 153,529 the year prior – a 9,241 decrease.
Yet again, the top 10 best-sellers list is dominated by SUVs and small hatchbacks, as it appears people are still wanting to purchase higher-riding practical family cars. Let’s take a look at Britain’s best-selling cars in October.
Kia Sportage – 4,533
The Sportage tops the best-sellers chart yet again. (Kia)
As always, Kia’s very popular Sportage climbs to the top yet again. The South Korean firm’s SUV is a good-looking, practical, efficient and well-built car that also comes with the added peace of mind of a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty.
Also, the Sportage comes with plenty of standard equipment and a great array of engine options to suit a wide range of buyers – so it’s no wonder this very likeable SUV has stolen the crown yet again for the best-selling car in Britain.
Ford Puma – 3,521
The Puma is Ford’s smallest car in its line-up. (Ford)
Ford’s Puma takes second place and just like the Sportage, has been hovering in the top three for several months now.
The Puma is Ford’s smallest model and it shares the same platform as the late Fiesta, which means it has a great chassis making it handle well and feel a lot sportier than you might expect. Prices are competitive while equipment levels are generous. Plus, maintenance costs should be affordable.
Mini Cooper – 2,921
The Mini is great fun to drive. (Mini)
The Mini Cooper is a British icon in the car world and this latest model is by far the most modern and sophisticated.
With a huge variety of personalisation options, trims, and colours and a choice of petrol or an electric variant, there certainly is a Mini out there for everyone. To drive, this little car is great fun with that wheel-at-each-corner feel and as well as having very sharp and direct handling makes the Mini retain the cliche of that go-kart like feel.
Volvo XC40 – 2,675
The XC40 is a comfortable and practical SUV. (Volvo)
Volvo’s smallest SUV seems to be the most popular and it’s not hard to see why. You get all of the comfort and equipment you do from its larger siblings, but it comes in a more compact and affordable package.
The XC40 also comes with a choice of mild-hybrid petrol and there is also an electric model that is badged ‘EX40’. The interior is very well screwed together with some of the most comfortable seats, plus it has a decent-sized boot and lots of rear passenger space, too.
Volkswagen Tiguan – 2,477
The Tiguan is efficient and easy to live with. (Volkswagen)
Volkswagen’s Tiguan is no stranger to the top 10 best-selling cars and this month sees it secure fifth place. The latest version is solidly built, has a very practical interior and features even more technology than before.
There is a wide variety of different engine options including mild-hybrid, petrol, plug-in hybrid and diesel variants – giving a very wide choice for different buyers.
Ford Kuga – 2,428
The Kuga has a sporty driving experience. (Ford)
The second Ford on this list is the Puma’s larger brother, the Kuga. This SUV has recently undergone a mid-life facelift which has improved its exterior design and its interior has been improved in a select number of areas.
The Kuga is a great SUV when it comes to driving characteristics with sharp steering and very little body lean around the corners. Furthermore, a choice of petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions are available, with all of the engines being very efficient.
Toyota Yaris – 2,369
The Yaris is one of the most efficient superminis on the market. (Toyota)
One of the first superminis to feature a hybrid powertrain and a great car to drive is Toyota’s little Yaris.
This year, the car received a facelift which gave it a new infotainment screen, subtle exterior tweaks and a new more powerful hybrid unit available on the higher spec trims. The Yaris is one of the most affordable superminis to run and it also looks great as well. Plus, if you service it every year at Toyota, you also get a 10-year or 100,000 miles.
Nissan Qashqai – 2,348
The Qashqai has recently been face lifted. (Nissan)
Built in Britain, Nissan’s Qashqai has always been a firm favourite among buyers and now with a recent facelift, the Japanese firm has made it even better.
A new infotainment screen with Google Built-in, alongside a new front end and rear lights, has made the Qashqai more modern-looking and there’s achoice of mild-hybrid and the firm’s e-Power hybrid, which is efficient and very refined.
MG HS – 2,299
The HS is the firm’s largest SUV. (MG)
MG’s largest SUV is also one of the most popular for October. The HS has recently gone into its second generation and offers a plug-in hybrid option.
The HS is a practical and well-equipped SUV that should be taken seriously in the overcrowded world of high-riding family cars and this latest model is bigger, better looking and more efficient than before.
Peugeot 208 2,267
The 208 is great to drive. (Peugeot)
Another supermini on this list is Peugeot’s 208 which also recently underwent a mid-life makeover, which gave it a new hybrid powertrain and some updates to its exterior and interior design.
The 208 has a great-looking cabin with a lot of plush feeling materials and to drive, the car feels sporty and precise. There is also a conventional petrol model with a manual gearbox on offer and a lesser-powered version of the hybrid model, too. An electric version means there’s an option for EV buyers too.
Royal Enfield has created a new electric vehicle brand to help it deliver urban-focused, battery-powered motorcycles – Flying Flea.
With its first models available to buy in spring 2026, Flying Flea will be launching initially with the C6 and scrambler-styled S6 with both being designed to help with urban mobility.
The Flying Flea name comes from the original Royal Enfield motorcycle of the same name that was used during the Second World War. These lightweight motorcycles were dropped via parachute and were designed to offer easy mobility for troops on the ground.
The first model to launch under the new Flying Flea banner will be the C6, which arrives incorporating a classic-style ‘girder’ fork which was used in many pre-1930s motorcycles. A lightweight aluminium frame is shaped around the magnesium battery case, while a special chip constantly monitors the bike and can alert if it is moved or disturbed.
B Govindarajan, CEO of Royal Enfield added: “This represents a completely new chapter for Royal Enfield, inspired by our legacy, driven by our vision for the future and an outcome of REBALANCE, our approach to business.
“Flying Flea combines distinctive style, city-focussed practicality, and cutting-edge technology. This is the start of a fresh, sustainable ride for us, and offers the world an elegant, effective and sustainable everyday transportation.”
A twist-and-go powertrain aims to make the C6 as intuitive to ride as possible, but lean angle-sensitive ABS ensures that a safety net is in place too. Royal Enfield hasn’t given any details regarding the Flying Flea’s price or range, but has stated that it can be charged up at a domestic three-pin plug where it will accept ‘ample range to explore the city’.
Available with a choice of two battery packs and there will be either two or four-wheel-drive options.
Suzuki has taken the covers off its first electric vehicle with the new e Vitara SUV.
This new model is 100mm longer and has a 200mm longer wheelbase than the outgoing combustion-engined Vitara, allowing for more passenger room inside.
The e Vitara will be built at Suzuki’s manufacturing plant in Gujarat, India, and sold in various global markets.
The exterior design utilises black plastic wheel arch guards and lower body mouldings while the charging flap is located on the nearside front wing – to make charging easier. There are hidden rear door handles for a sportier side profile and at the back features a full-width light bar across the tailgate.
The interior features a digital driver’s display and floating centre console. (Suzuki)
Meanwhile, the interior is new with vertical air vents, a two-spoke steering wheel as well as a digital driver’s display that is morphed into the central touchscreen. Additionally, there are physical buttons for the climate control and a floating centre console, too.
There will be a choice of two battery packs. The standard car comes with a 49kWh unit with a front-mounted electric motor making 142bhp and 189Nm of torque. There is also a larger 61kWh battery pack found on the mid-spec and flagship model that comes with an electric motor generating 172bhp.
The exterior design features hidden rear door handles. (Suzuki)
Meanwhile, there is also a four-wheel-drive model that adds an extra e-motor on the rear axle and gives a total power output of 181bhp and 300Nm of torque. Further performance figures and electric ranges are yet to be revealed.
Toshihiro Suzuki, president of Suzuki, said: “The e Vitara is our first BEV, developed through repeated trial and error to create an easy-to-use BEV for our customers. In order to realise a carbon-neutral society, we will provide a variety of options, including BEVs, hybrid vehicles, and internal-combustion vehicles, tailored to specific regions. Introduction of the new e Vitara represents a significant milestone in achieving carbon neutrality.”
Prices have not been revealed, but it’s likely the new e Vitara will start from around £30,000 when production starts in the summer of 2025.
The MX-30 is the second Mazda to receive the poppy livery treatment and will be the lead safety car for this year’s race.
Mazda UK has revealed a poppy liveried version of its MX-30 R-EV in celebration for this year’s tenth running of Mission Motorsports Race of Remembrance.
The race takes place at the famous Anglesey circuit in North Wales. There will be a total of 57 teams competing over a 12 hour stint which begins at 3pm on Saturday and runs until 10pm. Racing then resumes at 9am the following morning before the circuit stops at 11am to mark a one minute silence – after which the race resumes for the final stint.
Mazda has been supporting the charity Mission Motorsport ever since it was founded in 2012. This MX-30 art car is the second model in the Japanese firm’s line-up to feature such an important livery. The first was a fourth-generation MX-5 that competed in the Race of Remembrance back in 2015. This MX-30 will lead the pack as this year’s course car for the race.
The MX-30 is the second Mazda to receive the poppy livery treatment. (Mazda)
The car features a giant poppy on the bonnet, while down the side profile and around the back, the car is engulfed in a giant poppy field with a sunrise, blue sky and green hills in the background.
Jeremy Thomson, managing director of Mazda UK, said: “The poignant and stunning livery of this Mission Motorsport poppy car is a sobering reminder of the sacrifices and bravery of our service personnel and their families. I’m delighted that once again Mazda can play a small part in assisting Mission Motorsport to honour this with the Race of Remembrance and their fantastic ongoing work with service veterans. It will be great to see the Mazda MX-30 R-EV on track as the course car at this unique motorsport event.”
Mission Motorsports Race of Remembrance takes place this weekend from Saturday November 9 to November 10.
The cute and quirky South Korean EV enters a market that has been crying out for affordable electric vehicles, so what’s it up against?
Electric vehicles have traditionally carried very hefty price tags alongside them. However, 2024 seems to be the year that the affordable electric car has come about with a variety of different models jumping onto the market.
The Inster is Hyundai’s take on the urban EV, and with that, it also comes with a miniature SUV-like appearance thanks to its plastic wheel arch cladding and roof rails. Plus, with its cavernous interior space, flat-folding seats and good boot space, the Inster’s interior proportions give it a tardis-like feel.
But, what if you don’t like its exterior design with its pixelated LED lights? Or do you want something a little more tame? Well, we’ve compiled a list of the Inster’s main rivals to see what they’ve got to give compared to this very cool and quirky little Hyundai.
Dacia Spring
The Dacia Spring is the cheapest new EV on sale. (Dacia)
The cheapest new EV on sale today is Dacia’s Spring which at £14,995 is almost £9,000 cheaper than the entry-level Inster.
The Spring may be cheap, but it certainly feels like it too. That’s no bad thing, however, because to drive, this Dacia doesn’t pretend to be anything other than an honest, simple little car. Also, with a 26.8 kWh battery pack and electric motor, the Spring can do a claimed 135 miles between charges – not as impressive as the Inster’s 229 miles, but that’s a much more expensive car.
The Spring comes with five doors as standard, an acceptable amount of standard equipment and running costs should be very cheap, too.
Citroen e-C3
The e-C3 has a claimed range of 199 miles. (Citroen)
The new Citroen e-C3 has turned into a mini SUV. But, that means it looks, feels and costs around the same as the Inster with a starting price of £21,990 and a claimed electric range of 199 miles.
Furthermore, the design is very similar to the Hyundai in the fact that it looks funky and fresh and utilises Citroen’s latest design language with the new Chevron badge, roof bars and ‘boomerang’ front headlights. You can also buy a conventional version of the e-C3 that comes with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and is offered with manual and automatic gearboxes – whereas the Inster is purely sold in the UK as an EV.
Renault 5
The Renault 5 is making a comeback and will come with a choice of two battery packs. (Renault)
One of the Inster’s biggest challenges is competing with something as retro and different as Renault’s 5. A famous nameplate that has made a comeback after 30 years in retirement, this new EV looks superb from every angle. Inside, it adopts the French firm’s latest 10-inch infotainment screen with Google built-in. It’s also being offered with a choice of two battery packs. A 40kWh with an electric motor that Renault claims can do 186 miles and a larger 52kWh that does a claimed 252 miles.
Additionally, the R5 starts at £23,000 for the entry-level Techno model and rises to £29,000 for the top-spec – making the Inster better value for money in this instance.
BYD Dolphin
The BYD Dolphin is a sensible and practical choice. (BYD)
If you’d like something that rivals the Hyundai but is a little bigger, then BYD might have the answer with its Dolphin.
The Chinese firm’s smallest car currently is available with a choice of two battery packs. Either a 44.9kWh or 60.4kWh which has a claimed range of 211 miles for the former and 265 miles for the latter. The Dolphin may come from a company that is still relatively new here in the UK, but the firm is rapidly picking up pace with its sales and the brand is becoming more recognisable.
It may not be the most revolutionary of some of the cars on this list, but the Dolphin packs a sensible image with a practical interior and comfortable driving experience.
Fiat Grande Panda
The electric Grande Panda comes with a built-in charging cable. (Fiat)
One car that hasn’t been launched yet, but will be on the road at the same time as the Inster is Fiat’s new Grande Panda, which, like the Citroen e-C3 can be specified with the choice of battery or combustion power.
The exterior design is fun and fresh and looks like a mini SUV, and there will be a 44kWh battery pack on the EV version – giving a claimed range of up to 195 miles. Additionally, one thing that this Fiat has over the Hyundai is its built-in charging cable which makes those home charging chores a lot easier.
The Grande Panda will go on sale next year, but although prices have not been revealed yet, it’s said that the EV version will cost less than £22,000.
Ford has brought back one of its most iconic nameplates in its history and stuck it on its latest SUV.
When Ford took the covers off its latest electric Capri, it sparked controversy through its use of a classic nameplate which has remained well thought-of among motoring enthusiasts since the original car’s introduction in the late 1960s.
SUVs are now one of the most profitable sectors in the automotive industry, and Ford is focusing on bringing back some of its iconic names and modernising them into the electrified era.
Its design is new with a coupe-esque rear end and blacked-out A-pillars. It rivals cars such as the Swedish Polestar 2 EV, which also has a similar rakish back-end and is an electric SUV.
But, with more and more SUVs dominating the new car market, is it a case that car designers are finding it harder to make their cars stand out from an already overcrowded market?
The Capri badge was last seen on a Ford in 1987. (Ford)
The PA news agency sat down with Murat Gueler, chief designer of the new Ford Capri about the car, he said: “Every designer wants to make something special, with this Polestar connection I think it mainly comes from the fact that it has a black A-pillar like the Polestar and we have this little bustle back at the rear that might remind certain people.’
“But, when we were designing it we didn’t have the Polestar in mind. Basically, it was all functional, for example the bustle back design of the Capri resulted purely from aerodynamic requirements and the black A-pillar design complements the graphics of this C-shape really nicely.
“These two things, I can understand why people can see these similarities, but at the same time in terms of proportions it’s a very different vehicle. For example, there is almost a 10cm difference in the roof height, and the Polestar is a very compressed package whereas our car is a lot bigger and higher. If there are any similarities, they are driven by function and aerodynamics.”
The new Capri sits on the same Volkswagen MEB platform as the Ford Explorer and features a variety of different battery packs including 77kWh or 79kWh units. Next year, there will be an entry-level 52kWh that joins the range as well.
Prices start at £42,075 for the base model and rise to £46,175 for the top-of-the-line version.
Order books for the hot Veloce electric model are now open with the firm adding to the mix with a petrol-electric version, too.
Alfa Romeo has revealed that its petrol-electric version of the Junior will be coming to the UK, alongside order books opening for the hot Veloce electric model.
Badged Junior ‘Ibrida’, the hybrid car will come fitted with a 48V 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine – the same you’ll find in the Vauxhall Mokka, Peugeot 2008 and Jeep Avenger.
In terms of power and performance, it produces a total of 134bhp and 345Nm of torque, while 0-60mph takes 8.7 seconds. The power is sent through to a six-speed automatic transmission.
The Veloce is priced at £42,295. (Alfa Romeo)
Meanwhile, the hot Veloce Junior EV has gone on sale here in the UK, which features a 54kWh battery pack and a 276bhp electric motor that gives out the same torque figures as the hybrid model at 345Nm. The Italian firm claims the car has a range of up to 215 miles and it can be topped up using a 100kW DC rapid charger from 20 to 80 per cent in less than half an hour.
Prices start at £42,295 for the Veloce and the car will join the £33,895 Elettrica and £35,695 Speciale in the range. Meanwhile the hybrid ‘Ibrida’ will go on sale in the UK in 2025 – with prices and specifications to be revealed at a later date.
The concept will make its debut at the LA Auto Show and Auto Guangzhou in November and shows what the next Nexo SUV could look like.
Hyundai has revealed its latest concept car, the Initium, which could become the next Nexo hydrogen SUV.
The concept previews a new hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle that Hyundai plans to unveil in the first half of next year. The Initium uses the firm’s new ‘Art of Steel’ design language which Hyundai says gives a more sturdy and sophisticated appearance.
Its exterior design incorporates 21-inch alloy wheels, camera door mirrors, flush door handles, a triangular rear quarter light and a very large roof rack. Meanwhile, the back features a full-length light bar and square LED brake lights.
The car incorporates Hyundai’s new ‘Art of Steel’ design language. (Hyundai)
In terms of range, Hyundai claims that the Initium can do up to 403 miles between fill-ups, and that the electric motor produces 201bhp. Furthermore, the battery on-board features vehicle-to-load – or ‘V2L’ – to allow various household appliances and personal devices to be charged via the car’s battery.
Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, said: “Hyundai Motor’s clear, unwavering commitment to hydrogen over the past 27 years is rooted in our belief in its potential as a clean, accessible and therefore a fair energy source for everyone. We are dedicated to pioneering a future where hydrogen is used by everyone, in everything, and everywhere. We invite you to join us on this journey.”
The Initium will make its debut at the LA Auto Show and Auto Guangzhou in November.
It’s unclear at this stage whether Hyundai will bring the production version of the Initium to the UK, however with the country’s limited hydrogen infrastructure and very low Nexo sales, it seems unlikely.
