The recently revealed supermini will be available with electric or mild-hybrid power.
Fiat has revealed more details about its upcoming Grande Panda supermini.
The new model will be available with either electric or mild-hybrid powertrains.
The electric version will come with a 44kWh battery – the same as in its Citroen e-C3 stablemate at Stellantis – and will do an estimated 198 miles on a single charge. However, this figure hasn’t been officially confirmed on the WLTP cycle.
A choice of electric and mild-hybrid powertrains will be on offer. (Stellantis)
Further performance figures are yet to be revealed, but the electric motor will produce 111bhp and send power to just the front wheels.
The mild-hybrid petrol version, which comes with a manual gearbox, will use a small electric motor whose capacity is yet to be revealed. It’ll be linked to a 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine, though, producing 99bhp and giving 120Nm of torque.
Inside, features a double glove compartment. (Stellantis)
Inside, the Grande Panda will have 13 litres of storage space in the dashboard with the use of a double glove compartment. There is a wood-effect trim and a two-spoke black and blue leather steering wheel plus rectangular air vents. It’ll also have a 10-inch digital display for the driver and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen.
When the first pictures of the Grande Panda were released last month, Olivier Francois, Fiat CEO and Stellantis global chief marketing officer, said: ‘This compact car is based on a global platform, giving the brand the opportunity to expand its global reach.
‘With the Grande Panda, Fiat now begins its transition to global common platforms that cover all regions of the world, passing on the resulting benefits to its customers worldwide. In fact, the Grande Panda is perfectly suited for families and urban mobility in every country – a real Fiat!’
Final prices are still to be announced, but Fiat has hinted that the electric version will start from less than £22,000 while the mild-hybrid model will cost from under £20,000, making it one of the cheapest EVs on sale.
With a starting price of £14,995 and a claimed electric range of 140 miles, can the Spring put a spring in your step? Cameron Richards finds out.
What is it?
(Dacia)
The Spring is Dacia’s smallest model and will be the first EV to be launched by the brand. Arriving as the cheapest new electric car on sale here in the UK, it’s accompanied by an attractive price tag of just under £15,000.
Cars it’s competing against – like the Fiat 500e – are more expensive and less practical whereas the Spring comes as standard with five-doors alongside that value-focused price tag.
Its predecessor wasn’t available over on our shores, however, this second-generation car is available to order now for British buyers.
What’s new?
(Dacia)
All the body panels with the exception of the roof are new and inside, the interior has been updated and now includes more equipment
A host of new standard safety equipment also aims to make the Spring as safe as possible in the event of an accident such as emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, rear park assist, lane change alert, lane keep assist, driver attention warning and Dacia’s eCall emergency service call.
What’s under the bonnet?
(Dacia)
The Spring will come with a 26.8kWh battery pack and will be available in two power guises.
The basic powertrain comes with a 45bhp electric motor and 125Nm of torque. It has a top speed of 78mph, does 0-60mph in 19.1 seconds and can do 141 miles on a single charge.
We were driving the more powerful unit, which is standard on the top trim level. It comes with a 65 bhp electric motor, but has less torque at 113Nm, the same top speed as the former, but a quicker 0-60mph of a rather sedate 13.5 seconds. An electric driving range of 135 miles is only slight under that in the lower-powered model.
What’s it like to drive?
This is Britain’s cheapest EV — the Dacia Spring. Prices start at £14,995. Driving impressions will be revealed on Friday. pic.twitter.com/tcgKot6hya
Behind the wheel, the Spring feels like a cheap car. There is a lot of road noise at speed and not that much sound insulation.
The driving position itself has limited functions with no height adjustment on the driver’s seat and lack of reach on the steering wheel while the steering itself is vague and you struggle to know where the vehicle is turning.
The suspension is a little bouncy over bigger bumps and the car does pick up on the smaller imperfections on the road. Cornering at higher speeds, meanwhile, makes the car feel nervous and around the tighter bends, there is a lot of body roll – but this is no sports car, after all.
Nevertheless, acceleration is perfectly acceptable and visibility is also decent when manoeuvring.
Also, for an EV, it’s very light with our test car weighing in at 984kg.
The baby Dacia feels most at home in town. The light steering made it very easy to drive down narrow streets and the turning circle is one of the tightest around.
How does it look?
(Dacia)
Looking at its exterior, it’s clear that the Spring has taken some design cues from its larger sibling, the Duster. There are coloured protection strips that wrap around the body of the car to help reduce damage in those urban environments, alongside lower-door side protectors.
The front features LED daytime running lights with the brand’s Y-shaped light design, while the roof bars found on the old model has been removed which help reduce weight, improve aerodynamics and help with the car’s electric driving range.
The C-pillars house the Spring logo and the front and back bumpers are made from hard wearing plastics that are less prone to scratching.
What’s it like inside?
(Dacia)
The Spring is a budget car, and it feels it inside. There are hard brittle plastics throughout the cabin, however we can’t expect too much at this price point.
In the front, there is plenty of storage with large door bins, a large dashboard cutout and the glovebox is a good size — although its narrow width and lid dripping into the passenger’s knee area is frustrating.
The dashboard itself is logically laid out and everything is easy to navigate and to use on the move. However, the seats don’t give that much support and are not the most comfortable on longer trips.
Step in the back and the room is adequate for a vehicle of this size. Headroom will be fine for averaged sized adults on short trips, but knee room is tight.
Boot space stands at 308 litres with the seats up and extends to 1,004 litres with them folded down, it’s just a shame that the rear seats are a fixed bench with no split folding function to increase its flexibility.
What’s the spec like?
(Dacia)
UK specifications are simple. There are two trim levels and two power outputs.
Furthermore, just because it’s a budget car doesn’t mean it comes poorly equipped, in fact, the Spring comes with a lot of standard features.
The entry level Expression is available with either the 45 or 65 powertrain and comes as standard with a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, rear parking sensors, cruise control, manual air-conditioning and electric front windows. It’s priced at £14,995 or £15,995 for the higher powered version.
The vehicle we were testing was the top-of-the-line Extreme. It’s only available with the more powerful 65 powertrain and boasts electric mirrors, electric rear windows, a 10-inch multimedia system with navigation, Apple Carplay and Android Auto as well as two USB ports. Prices come in at £16,995.
Verdict
You’re not going to buy a Dacia Spring because you want the most engaging driving experience or the best in refinement and build quality.
But, if you want a no nonsense, sensible and affordable city car, perfect for navigating the urban streets — the Spring is the ideal car for the job.
The firm has built a reputation in its 11 years on our shores for making simple, affordable and easy to own vehicles, and this new model demonstrates that very well.
The Spring doesn’t pretend to be anything that it’s not. It’s well equipped, offers an acceptable driving range and gives access to EV ownership at an ultra-low price, and for many, will be the dealmaker.
The Italian firm is committed to an electric future, and the Junior is here to kick things off. Cameron Richards has driven it.
What is it?
(Stellantis)
The Junior arrives as Alfa Romeo’s first electric car. Though originally called the Milano, it was renamed after a discussion with the Italian government saw authorities raise disputes around the car’s name due to its production in Poland.
A new name in place, the Junior is the baby SUV in the Italian firm’s line-up and will go up against cars like the Peugeot e-2008 and Lexus LBX.
In recent times, Alfa Romeo has been forced to cut back its range to just a handful of models, but now thanks to the Tonale and the Junior, the brand is finally shaping up again in a fiercely competitive world of crossovers and SUVs. We’ve been given an initial go at finding out what this interesting new EV is like by driving around Fiat’s famous Balocco testing facility.
What’s new?
The Junior breaks a lot of barriers for Alfa Romeo. Not only is it the firm’s first electric model, but it is also the smallest car in its range and the cheapest, too.
There’s a new body with cool styling features such as the Scudetto – or ‘little shield’, in Italian – front grille that houses the Alfa Romeo logo on electric versions while the interior incorporates Alfa’s famously style-focused approach to cabin design.
Underneath, there’s a battery setup that can be specified in three different power outputs – more on that later – and the car sits on Stellantis’ e-Cmp2 modular architecture platform which is the same you’ll find in the electric Vauxhall Mokka, Fiat 600e and Peugeot e-2008.
What’s under the bonnet?
(Stellantis)
The little Alfa in electric guise will be available with a choice of one battery pack with three power outputs.
All models come with a 54kWh battery pack bringing 158bhp and a range of up to 250 miles on a single charge in the standard version.
The higher-powered Speciale model packs 243bhp and gives a claimed range of 215 miles between charges as well as achieving 0-60mph in an estimated 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 124mph.
The range-topping Veloce receives 283bhp and also has the same claimed electric range as the former at 215 miles and it has the same top speed, too, though the 0-60mph time drops to an estimated 5.7 seconds.
All models will be compatible with DC rapid charging – up to 100kW – which will enable them to go from 10 to 80 per cent charge in less than 30 minutes.
There will also be a hybrid version badged ‘Ibrida’ that will come with a three-cylinder 1.2-litre petrol engine that produces 134bhp with a 28bhp electric motor mated to a six-speed automatic transmission— which is the same powertrain as you’ll find the Citroen C3 Aircross. However, it is unconfirmed whether this model will make it to the UK.
What’s it like to drive?
Out in Milan testing Alfa’s first EV, the Junior. Driving impressions will be revealed next Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/4c6jBSxFkz
The Junior drives just as well as it looks. For a small crossover, the way it handles is second to none thanks to very little body roll and good balance through the corners. The steering has a nice weighty feel without being too artificial and the power from its electric powertrain is plentiful.
We were testing the 283bhp Veloce model which also comes with larger 20-inch alloy wheels and has a 25mm drop in ride height. The ride, although a little firm, wasn’t unbearable – though we didn’t drive the Junior on any public roads. However, an artificial ‘acceleration’ noise pumped through the speakers to simulate a sportier driving experience sounded cheap and it would have been better to remove the sound altogether.
Driving the car in Dynamic mode sharpens up the throttle response and adjusts the stability control to enhance the car even further around the bends and it shows, with the Junior managing to put a smile on every motoring enthusiast’s face.
How does it look?
(Stellantis)
Alfa Romeo knows a thing or two about designing a stylish car and the Junior keeps up that trend. The front end has boomerang-shaped front headlights with four individual LED daytime running lights, while the front grille has a carved design that houses the Italian firm’s logo. The Junior is one of the first Alfa Romeo’s to feature a centrally mounted front number plate, too.
The side profile gives a sportier three-door appearance with the famous hidden rear door handles – something we’ve seen on Alfa models for decades – and a large gloss black lower bumper with diffuser giving a more dynamic and stylish stance.
What’s it like inside?
(Stellantis)
Inside, there is leather, Alcantara and our Veloce model has Sabelt sports seats which look great, hold you well through the corners and are fairly comfortable, though we feel like they may get a little firm over longer distances. Little touches like the Biscione snake from the Alfa Romeo logo are found on the air vent toggles and on the dashboard, too.
However, the plastics on the door cards and dashboard were hard and brittle which felt cheap and not reminiscent of a vehicle costing over £42,000.
The infotainment screen, although angled towards the driver, is positioned a bit too far down and the climate control switches are hard to see in bright sunlight and fiddly to use on the move. The glovebox was a decent size, however, if the front passenger was sitting in their seat, the lid would cut into their legs.
The switch gear is all typical Stellantis, meaning that you’ll find the same window switches and even key as in a Vauxhall Corsa, and for an Alfa Romeo, that spoils its Italian charm.
However, rear head and leg room is decent for average-sized adults, and the small transmission tunnel makes it easier for three to sit abreast in the rear.
Boot space is one of the biggest in its class at 400 litres and the rear seats fold down to increase its capacity further, it’s just a shame that there is a slight ridge between the boot floor and rear seats.
What’s the spec like?
(Stellantis)
From launch, the Junior will be available in three different trim levels.
Its competitive pricing means that it undercuts its main rival, the Peugeot e-2008 by nearly £2,000.
The standard Elettrica is priced at £33,895 and comes with 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, LED headlamps and taillights, rear parking sensors and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen.
Move up to the Speciale Elettrica priced at £35,695 and it adds a sports styling kit, tinted rear windows, sports pedals, six-way electric driver’s seat with massage function and an electric tailgate.
Our test car was the flagship Veloce model, which continues Alfa Romeo’s sporty image with a larger power output of 283bhp and is priced at £42,295. It boasts a Torsen differential, 20-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers, black and red leather seats, 25mm lower suspension and a black roof.
Verdict
(Stellantis)
The Alfa Romeo Junior is an important car for the Italian firm. Not only is it its first EV, but it’s an electric car that needs to keep up the brand’s reputation of producing an engaging drive while keeping style — and the Junior certainly does exceed in those departments.
Its excellent driving experience and great looks will certainly tempt buyers away from e-2008s and Fiat 600es.
While its interior may be let down by cheap plastics and a user interface that confuses form with function, the Junior is still a practical and very likeable crossover that should be a hit for Alfa Romeo.
Special-edition car uses helicopter parts and will be auctioned in aid of charities for service personnel.
Caterham and the RAF have teamed up to create a one-off Seven 360R using parts of a Puma HC2 helicopter.
The special-edition car will raise money for the charity Mission Motorsport as well as the RAF Benevolent Fund, both of which help service personnel, and will be on display for the first time at this weekend’s Formula One British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
It’s hoped it’ll raise more than £100,000 when it’s auctioned by Collecting Cars.
Bob Laishley, CEO of Caterham, said: “When the RAF approached us about this project we jumped at the chance to be involved. It was an interesting build process for us as it’s the first time in our history that a Seven has been made from recycled helicopter parts.”
The outside finish is the same as when it was taken from the helicopter, with the remaining panels painted in matching Nato Green. In addition, aluminium skin from the tail boom and doors has been used as panels for the Seven’s exterior as well as the internal rear bulkhead.
Meanwhile, the chassis also mirrors the helicopter underneath, having been finished in the colour Desert Sand.
The RAF-derived 360R will be auctioned for charity. (Caterham)
Inside, the helicopter’s quilted soundproofing lines the door panels as well as tunnel top and forms padding for the carbon-fibre seats, too, while the satin black dashboard matches the Puma HC2’s switchgear. The car also features a helicopter-style three-way ignition procedure and the aircraft’s navigation clock forms the centrepiece of the dashboard.
Aircraft engineer Corporal Matthew McCreadie said: “Through the course of this project I had the opportunity to refine my skills and learn some new engineering techniques. I am proud to be a part of the team that made this car and to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics within the RAF.”
Bidding for the car opens on August 15 and closes on September 12.
This bespoke model is the first Huayra to come with a manual gearbox and represents the pinnacle of Pagani’s hypercars.
Pagani has revealed a one-off special edition of its iconic Huayra hypercar – the Epitome.
Created by Pagani’s special project division, Grandi Complicazioni, what makes this model unique is that the Epitome is the first Huayra to feature a manual gearbox.
Powering the car is the firm’s AMG-derived V12 twin-turbocharged engine that produces 851bhp and 1,100Nm of torque. A 0-60mph time hasn’t been revealed, although it boasts a top speed of 217mph.
There is a redesigned rear end and bespoke design features at the front, too. (Pagani)
It has a new active suspension system with a ‘super soft’ button on the centre console, which adapts the shock absorbers depending on the type of road surface the car is driving on below 93mph (150kph). Above that speed, the shocks return to their normal setting.
A lightweight six-way titanium exhaust system ensures that the Huayra’s V12 engine sounds the best it can when accelerating, while the forged aluminium monolithic alloy wheels reduce the car’s weight even further.
There’s a new front bumper with an integrated splitter, which was designed at the customer’s request to increase downforce and balance the car in all driving conditions. Meanwhile, a bespoke light unit includes four lights in the bonnet and two daytime running lights in the front bumper.
The rear end has been redesigned with a new rear wing integrated into the quarter panels that not only improves the aesthetics but helps with aerodynamics, too.
(Pagani)
No price has been revealed as the Huayra Epitome has been bespoke-made for one customer. The car will be on display at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, which takes place from July 11 to July 14.
The infamous Goodwood Festival of Speed event will showcase the prototype of Mini’s newest addition to the electric era.
Mini will bring a prototype version of its new John Cooper Works E to this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.
It’s expected that the new model, which becomes the first electric Mini to wear the John Cooper Works badge, will be taking on the famous hill climb in camouflaged form.
The performance-oriented model will come with a tweaked electric powertrain to provide more power and deliver a more involving driving experience than the standard car.
In the future, the JCW line-up will feature both internal-combustion and electric models and spectators at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed will be able to view the line-up on display at the First Glance paddock for the duration of the event.
The new John Cooper Works E will be officially revealed later this year. (Mini)
Studying the images of the prototype car, we can see that there is a large wraparound rear spoiler, gloss black side skirts and a large gloss black diffuser that runs the width of the lower bumper and protrudes into the side profile. There are larger alloy wheels and a deeper front bumper, too.
The Goodwood event will also allow Mini to show off a range of its latest models including the new Countryman, Aceman and Cooper three and five-door variants – while the Cooper Electric can be found on display in Electric Avenue.
The world premiere of the new Mini John Cooper Works E will be at the end of this year, while the Goodwood Festival of Speed where the prototype will make its debut takes place from July 11 to 14.
New fourth-generation of Bentley’s Continental GT Speed will come with hybrid power alongside the GTC Convertible version.
Bentley has introduced the latest generation of its Continental GT model with a bold new look and hybrid power.
The new Continental GT Speed ditches the famous W12 which has appeared in its engine range for years, replacing it with a 4.4-litre hybrid V8.
It blends 584bhp from the petrol engine with a 187bhp electric motor – giving a total power output of 771bhp and of 1000Nm. In terms of acceleration, 0-60mph is dealt with in 3.1 seconds and the GT Speed will keep going until 208mph. There is also a 25.7kWh battery pack located behind the rear axle improving weight distribution as allowing up to 50 miles on electric power alone.
The new Continental GT is the most powerful road-going Bentley ever made
Both the GT Speed and convertible GTC feature Bentley’s new Active Chassis which includes active all-wheel-drive, an electronic limited-slip differential, all-wheel steering, torque vectoring, a new generation ESC system and Bentley’s dynamic anti-roll system which should help the car to remain flat and composed through the bends.
The GTC’s roof can be operated at speeds of up to 30mph while performance remains very close to that of the hard-top with 0-60mph being achieved in 3.2 seconds alongside an electronically limited top speed of 177mph.
The exterior is new, with features such as new headlights with a horizontal LED strip, a redesigned rear bumper, brake lights, boot lid, exhaust tips and new 22-inch alloy wheel designs all being incorporated into the design.
Inside you’ll find Bentley’s rotating three-sided display featuring a 12.3-inch screen, three analogue dials and veneer which can all be selectable at the touch of a button.
Customers can also have the choice of three different audio systems including the standard 10 speakers 650 watts setup, a Bang and Olufsen 16 speaker unit or a 2,200 watts, 18-speaker Naim system.
Prices and order books are yet to be announced but we expect further details to be released later in the year.
Two rallying legends are set to return after Boreham Motorworks sign a brand licence agreement with Ford Motor Company.
A pair of Ford’s most iconic models are set to return to the roads under Boreham Motorworks – the RS200 and MK1 Escort.
Boreham Motorworks is the motorsport division of the DVRN Automotive Group, which has just signed a brand licence agreement with Ford to start building two motorsport legends again.
The RS200 is one of Ford’s most iconic models
The Ford RS200 was designed and engineered to compete in the World Rallying Championship. It has a four-wheel-drive, a mid-engine layout and a lightweight composite body.
The RS200 will be the first to be built as we approach the model’s 40th anniversary. The build will be completely new and will be a road legal group-B-inspired road car.
The second car to be remastered will be the original Escort which became a household name in motorsport and rallying in the 1960s. Its lightweight design and clever suspension setup meant it handled neatly and was good both on the track and on the gravel roads.
Darren McDermott, executive chairman, DVRN Automotive Group said: “We aim to redefine automotive innovation and push the boundaries in terms of driver engagement and design. Our shared commitment to this incredible project will create an outstanding analogue driving experience and leave a lasting legacy for the true petrolhead.”
At least another five iconic models will be reproduced as part of the series, with the MK1 Escort arriving as the first to be shown to the public later this year – while an initial look at the RS200 has come through an early image, showing it had LED headlamps surrounded in the circular front spot lights.
Will Ford, general manager, Ford Performance Motorsports, said: “From the first time we met with Boreham Motorworks and the DVRN team, it was clear that they had an exciting vision for how to bring some of our most iconic historical nameplates to life in the modern era.”
Both the MK1 Escort and RS200 will be produced in very limited numbers, although prices and exact production figures are yet to be revealed.
A pre-production version of the latest Audi RS 3 has just been put through its paces at the legendary Nordschleife in Germany.
Audi has just set a new lap record around the Nürburgring in a pre-production version of its updated RS 3.
The latest iteration achieved a lap time of 7 minutes and 33.1 seconds, beating the previous record of 7 minutes and 44.8 seconds, set by Nestor Girolami driving a Honda Civic Type R.
The last Nurburgring lap record was held by the Honda Civic Type R. (Audi)
The hot hatchback will be available in five-door Sportback or four-door saloon variants.
Under the bonnet is a 2.5-litre TFSi five-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 394bhp that also gives out 500Nm of torque.
The new RS 3 comes with a 19-inch ceramic brake system and RS sports suspension with adaptive damper control. To maximise the grip, the car was also fitted with Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R semi-slick tyres.
Behind the wheel at the German circuit was Frank Stippler, who explained what was done to make the upgraded model drive and handle more sharply.
“The new RS 3, thanks to fine tuning including brake torque vectoring, is more willing to turn in at the corner entry, allowing the car to be positioned better and earlier for the corner exit at the latest by the apex,” he said.
“The result is a smaller steering angle from apex to corner exit, leading to less friction and earlier acceleration. This way, you carry more momentum and speed on to each following straight.”
The upgraded version of the new RS 3 will be available to order from the end of August this year. Prices and specification are yet to be revealed – with more details to follow nearer the car’s launch.
The Chiron replacement will come with an 8.3-litre V16 engine plus three electric motors and a 25kWh battery pack.
Bugatti has revealed its Chiron replacement that could be the world’s fastest production car – the Tourbillon hybrid.
The engine is a 8.3-litre V16 that was engineered with the help of Cosworth and is said to produce 1,013bhp. There are three electric motors on board that generate the equivalent of 811bhp, giving a total power output of 1,824bhp. Top speed and 0-60mph figures have not been revealed yet.
There is a 25kWh oil-cooled 800V battery – allowing for a claimed electric driving range of up to 37 miles. The battery is housed in the centre tunnel behind the passengers, also the car comes as standard with four-wheel drive. The front e-axle houses the front two electric motors, while the rear axle features an extra motor to help drive all four wheels.
Only 250 examples will be made. (Bugatti)
Bugatti CEO Mate Rimac said: “The development of the Bugatti Tourbillon was guided at every step by the 115 years of Bugatti history and the words of Ettore Bugatti himself.
“His mantras ‘if comparable, it is no longer Bugatti’ and ‘nothing is too beautiful’ were a guiding path for me personally, as well as for the design and engineering teams looking to create the next exciting era in the Bugatti hyper sports car story.”
The body is made from carbon composite, there is a new chassis with multi-link suspension at the front and rear and there are carbon ceramic brakes, too.
Externally, the new car doesn’t look as radical as the mechanical enhancements, but the design has been inspired by the 1936 Bugatti Type 57S Atlantic. The vertically positioned front windscreen wiper, third brake light and bonnet all resemble the old classic – while the c-shaped body design resembles more modern Bugattis from the Veyron and Chiron.
Inside, there are electrically adjustable pedals and lower fixed seats. (Bugatti)
Inside, the car has seats that are fixed to the floor to be as low and light as possible. The pedal box is electrically adjustable and there is more space for passengers for better comfort on longer journeys.
Customer deliveries of the Tourbillon are expected in 2026, with only 250 examples being made, and the car will come with an estimated price tag of around £3.2 million.
