Author: Jack Evans

The Chinese firm has revealed a flagship SUV that will rival cars like the Tesla Model Y.

BYD has used the Paris motor show to reveal its biggest and most practical model yet – the Sealion 7 SUV.

This new seven-seat SUV will be going up against vehicles such as the Tesla Model Y, Skoda Enyaq Coupe and Hyundai Ioniq 5 when it comes to the UK next year.

Although specifications for its powertrain have not been revealed yet, in other markets such as China, the car is available with two battery packs – 71.8kWh or 80.6kWh.

BYD claims that the Sealion 7 has a charging rate of up to 230kW and that it will come with a four-wheel-drive option that will be able to do 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds. Furthermore, the car will feature the firm’s blade battery and body-to-cell construction as well as sit on the same e-Platform 3.0 architecture as the Seal saloon.

In terms of design, this new car adopts a lot of cues from other models in the firm’s line-up with its full rear light bar and angular front end. The sloping roof line gives the car a sporty profile, too.

Inside, the interior is almost identical to the Seal saloon, meaning that there is a 15.6-inch touchscreen display which can be used in landscape or portrait guise.

Michael Shu, BYD’s European managing director, said: “Our customers have been showing great interest in high-performance SUVs, so today, the Sealion 7 comes to Paris. Besides its blade battery, cell-to-body construction and our LFP battery chemistry, it is equipped with the world’s highest-speed electric motor in mass production, with a speed of 23,000rpm and 400 revolutions every single second. We are the only company to achieve such a record.”

Prices have not been revealed yet, but given the Seal costs from around £45,000, it’s likely that the Sealion 7 will start nearer the £50,000 mark.

By Cameron Richards

After a long absence, the Paris Motor Show is back, and these are the most interesting and exciting cars to take note of.

It’s been missing from the automotive calendar since 2018, but now the Paris Motor Show is back and there is plenty of new metal to get excited about.

As with a lot of motor shows, it’s the manufacturers that are close to home that really show off, so it’s no surprise that a lot of the stars are from France.

Not only that, but an array of electric and performance vehicles are on show, demonstrating that the future of transportation has a lot of excitement in store.

We’ve put together a list of some of the stars of the show, highlighting the vehicles that could turn heads when they arrive on the public roads in the near future.

Renault 4

First, we had the Renault 5 EV and now we’ve got the 4 EV which harks back to the very popular small hatchback of the 1960s – but now it’s an SUV.

Competing against cars like the Peugeot E-2008 and Vauxhall Mokka, the 4 will be available with electric power only and sits on the same platform as the smaller 5 in the range.

Under the bonnet, there are the same 40kWh or 52kWh battery packs as its smaller sibling, with the latter getting a claimed 249 miles between charges. In contrast, the smaller battery setup gets a claimed 186 miles according to Renault.

Like the old car from the 60s, this new car features some quirky design cues such as the low boot lid, flat front end and lower body lines along the doors. Inside, it’s almost identical to the 5 with the same 10-inch infotainment screen that features Google built-in and physical shortcut buttons.

Renault Twingo

The electric car market is crying out for affordable vehicles and cars like the Dacia Spring and Hyundai Inster have arrived to solve that problem. However, Renault also wants a slice of that action with its latest Twingo concept, which will see the nameplate return to our shores after a five-year absence.

This new compact city car will cost under £17,000 according to Renault. Plus, this EV should give design elements of the new 5 hatchback with a similar face and round front headlights. There are also vents on the bonnet which hark back to those on the original car from 1993 and the round door handles are also from the Twingo of yesteryear. The new model will come with five doors and hidden rear handles which aren’t like the original Twingo but are similar to the third-generation car. Further details are yet to be revealed for the final production car, but it’s likely we will hear more next year.

Leapmotor B10

A relatively new brand – and one in partnership with the Stellantis group – is Leapmotor. The B10 will be the firm’s new C-segment SUV that will be rivalling cars like the new Mini Aceman when it arrives on British shores next year.

The car will sit on the firm’s new 3.5 architecture platform allowing for a lot of advanced driver safety systems while inside there will be a customisable digital cockpit, too. The B10 is just the tip of the iceberg of what to expect from this new start-up company, with the C16, C10 and T03 all new models coming to market very soon.

Citroen Ami

The Citroen Ami quadricycle has been given a mid-life makeover. When Citroen decided to bring its cute and cuddly Renault Twizy rival over to the UK, it was as basic as transportation with four wheels could get. But, fast forward four years and Citroen has given the Ami a new face inspired by the Oli concept from 2022 alongside an updated wheel design, a flatter front bumper and design cues from the 2CV with its slots of the front wings and more pronounced wheel arches.

However, the drivetrain remains the same with the vehicle getting a 5.5kWh battery pack that produces 8bhp and gives a claimed electric range of 46 miles.

Citroen C5 Aircross concept

Citroen has given us a hint of what the next C5 Aircross will look like with the concept version. The new car will use the Stellantis STLA Medium architecture, just like the Peugeot 3008 and 5008 – which allows for a multiple selection of different powertrains.

It’s also rumoured that the car will use the same 73kWh and 98kWh battery pack for the electric versions as in the Peugeots as well. This concept suggests that the next generation of C5 Aircross will be bigger, longer and more practical, too. The exterior design is similar to the C3 Aircross and with hints of the Oli concept showcased back in 2022, alongside the gloss black lower wheel arch trims giving it a more rugged look.

The production car is due to be released in the middle of next year with hybrid and electric versions to be offered, as well.

Alpine A110 R Ultime

One of the most exciting and expensive cars at the show is the Alpine A110 R Ultime.

Limited to just 110 examples globally, the A110 R Ultime will cost the equivalent of around £222,000, which makes it the most expensive Alpine there has ever been. Performance has also been enhanced with an extra 49bhp, taking power to 345bhp and the car can now do 0-60mph in 3.6 seconds.

Alpine claims that the downforce has been improved by up to 160kg and there is a new and improved gearbox, a new exhaust, adjustable dampers and upgraded brakes for the best possible stopping power. The firm hasn’t confirmed how many of the 110 units will be coming to the UK.

By Cameron Richards

The B10 is the first model in the firm’s B-series range and the vehicle will sit on the 3.5 architecture platform, too.

The Stellantis-partnered firm, Leapmotor, has revealed its new B10 SUV at the Paris motor show.

The company wants to expand its model line-up even further and this new C-segment SUV will be going up against cars such as the Jeep Avenger and new Mini Aceman.

The B10 is one of many new models to come from Leapmotor, with the T03, C10 and C16 all other vehicles in the firm’s portfolio.

Underneath its skin, the car will sit on the 3.5 architecture platform which allows the vehicle to be fitted with advanced driver safety systems and a customisable digital cockpit, too.

However, we are yet to know what battery pack the car will come fitted with and what the performance figures and electric range will be.

The Paris motor show is a chance for Leapmotor to kick-start its global expansion. Since September 23, the firm has started sales in Europe with a total of 200 dealers across 13 countries. However, its target is to expand its dealership network to around 500 by the end of 2025. With four new models being introduced to the market, Leapmotor is another brand that aims to deliver low-cost electric vehicles.

Tianshu Xin, CEO of Leapmotor International, said: “Leapmotor International may be a start-up, but it’s a start-up with two incredibly strong parents. One brings innovation and competitive [pricing to the table, while the other – through our partnership with Stellantis – offers powerful global resources and an unmatched service infrastructure. Together, we are able to offer consumers products like the B10, which combine cutting-edge technology with affordability.”

The B10 will be coming to the UK next year, however, prices are yet to be revealed, but expect it to cost less than £30,000.

By Cameron Richards

The average saving on a new petrol or diesel car is almost half at £2,652, in contrast.

Discounts for new electric vehicles in the UK are now almost double the amount compared to their internal combustion-engined counterparts, new data has shown.

Electric vehicles receive an average of £5,006 in price reduction – compared to £2,652 for a diesel or petrol car, according to automotive analysis and intelligence firm Jato Dynamics.

Battery-powered vehicles have shown a 53 per cent year-on-year increase in discounts across the country. Meanwhile, ICE vehicle discounts have only risen by 13 per cent.

Jato cites the increasing number of budget-focused Chinese electric vehicle brands entering the market and a ‘sluggish’ demand from consumers are key reasons for the widespread discounting of EVs.

However, through Jato’s analysis, it seems that different car makers tackle price reductions differently from others. For example, MG discounts on EVs have risen 106 per cent year-on-year, but BMW’s EV savings have only increased by 14 per cent compared to 2023.

Best-selling electric cars like the MG4 and Hyundai Kona have seen significant reductions in their prices. For example, a new MG4 can be had for £3,508 less compared to last year’s saving of £1,213 – an 189 per cent year-on-year reduction. In contrast, the Kona is now £2,987 cheaper compared to £1,063 12 months ago – an 181 per cent reduction.

Matt Crow, senior product manager at Jato, said: “Our latest research reveals that manufacturers are trying a variety of strategies to make a success of their EV sales operations. Volumes are being protected in some areas; demand is being stimulated in others.

“This is evident in the growing number of incentives offered by both manufacturers and UK dealerships. These dealerships play a crucial role in shaping the market, as they use insights from data to influence negotiations and provide competitive offers that attract buyers.’

“The main takeaway from our latest data is straightforward. Carmakers are offering more generous discounts on EVs than they were at this time last year – and they are allowing buyers of electric vehicles to negotiate more money off than those sticking with ICE powertrains.”

By Cameron Richards

Striking model has been revealed at this week’s Paris Motor Show.

Citroen has unveiled a striking new take on its C5 Aircross mid-size SUV.

Revealed at this week’s Paris Motor Show, the new C5 Aircross Concept is designed to showcase what the upcoming production vehicle could look like and follows on from the unveil of the new C3 Aircross last summer.

Underpinned by the Stellantis STLA medium platform – which is also used on cars like the Peugeot 3008 – the upcoming C5 Aircross will be available with a number of powertrain options, including petrol, hybrid and electric.

It comes in 15mm longer than the outgoing C5 Aircross and receives a wider track for more road presence, too. As we’ve seen on other recent Citroen models, the new C5 Aircross gets a distinctive light setup with a new three-point lighting system being fitted to the front of the car.

We are thrilled to announce the World Premiere of the Citroën C5 Aircross Concept at the #ParisMotorShow. This powerful and characterful multi-energy concept embodies Citroën’s vision for the future of SUVs. The new model will be revealed in 2025. #CitroënC5AircrossConcept pic.twitter.com/I1vQBVgfSO

— Citroën (@Citroen) October 14, 2024

There are also Citroen’s ‘Light Wings’ which include flush-mounted rear lights, which help to boost aerodynamic efficiency. They incorporate a hollowed-out section, too, with protruding fins. An extended overhang section helps the C5 Aircross to cut through the air more effectively, too.

Citroen hasn’t released any further details surrounding the interior of the C5 Aircross but has said that it will feature many ‘innovations’ with the whole cabin of the car taking on the look and feel of a lounge. The French firm has said, however, that there will be space for five people inside. Further details – including pricing and specifications – will no doubt arrive later in the year, too.

Marks the first time that a JCW electric model has been produced.

Mini’s John Cooper Works performance arm has given the go-faster treatment to a pair of electric models for the first time.

Both the electric Cooper and Aceman have gained a new John Cooper Works – or JCW – version, with the pair being unveiled at this year’s Paris Motor Show.

Priced from £38,420 and £40,220 for the Cooper and Aceman models respectively, both cars get a 54.2kWh battery and a 247bhp electric motor enabling a 0-60mph time of 5.7 seconds in the Cooper and 6.2 seconds in the Aceman. They bring respective ranges of 251 and 243 miles, too. A maximum charging speed of 95kW means that a 10 to 80 per cent charge could be conducted in 30 minutes.

Both cars have been equipped with a special ‘boost’ function, too, which when pressed unlocks an additional 27bhp when the car is in a special John Cooper Works mode. It’s activated by a rocker switch on the steering wheel, meaning that it’ll be easy to activate when on the move.

As with other JCW models which came before them, the upgraded Cooper and Aceman versions gain a number of sporty exterior revisions over the standard models including plenty of John Cooper Works logos, black side skirts and a black rear spoiler. There are 18-inch JCW alloy wheels for the Cooper, too, while the Aceman gains larger 19-inch versions instead.

Inside, there’s the traditional red and black colourway of JCW applied throughout the cabins of both cars, while a black and red pattern is used on the knitted dashboard. The seats are trimmed in synthetic leather, too, while the same 24cm OLED display as you’ll find on the standard cars is central to the interior.

Chunky-looking new model is made with a variety of sustainable materials.

Dacia has added a new mid-size SUV to its new car range – the Bigster.

Rivalling cars like the Hyundai Tucson and Nissan Qashqai, the new Bigster gets the same value-focused approach as other Dacia models, arriving with plenty of standard equipment, a good range of engines and a strong emphasis on practicality.

The rear bench seat, for example, can be split 40:20:40 to allow for different-shaped items to be placed inside the car. With the rear seats folded down, Dacia says that the Bigster can return a maximum load length of 2.7 metres. The interior can even be equipped with an optional ‘Sleep Pack’ which integrates a double bed into the Bigster’s cabin.

Many hard-wearing materials are used throughout the interior, too, with Extreme-specification cars getting washable synthetic upholstery and rubber floor mats for the front and rear.

There’s the option of three powertrains, too. Things kick off with a hybrid setup – combining a four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor – and this is followed by a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol-powered version which is linked to a mild-hybrid setup for lower emissions and improved efficiency.

Finally, there’s the same 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine but linked to all four wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. This particular Bigster is angled towards those who need extra traction off-road, though a mild-hybrid system can help to make it more efficient.

All versions of the Bigster will come equipped with a 10-inch central touchscreen and a seven-inch driver digital instrument panel as well as dual-zone air conditioning and 17-inch alloy wheels. Extreme-grade cars add 18-inch wheels and a ‘Copper Brown’ exterior alongside a panoramic sunroof and hands-free key entry. Finally, Journey versions expand the list of standard equipment with an electric-powered tailgate, power-adjustable driver’s seat and a premium sound system.