Author: Jack Evans

This bonkers-looking hot hatchback is set to head into production but will be made in limited numbers.

Renault has revealed one of the most hardcore hot hatches ever with the 5 Turbo 3E.

The car was revealed unexpectedly in an episode of the firm’s Amazon Prime documentary series ‘Anatomy of a Comeback’ which is about the Renault group’s turnaround from being on the verge of collapse in the early 2020s.

The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is the modern-day equivalent of a performance car that was unveiled over 46 years ago.

Its exterior colours and design hark back to rally versions of the original R5 Turbo from the early 1980s and just like the new ‘standard’ variant of R5 and Alpine A290, it brings retro styling with modern technology and powertrains. Images of its interior are yet to be revealed at this stage, however.

It features R5 Turbo 3E graphics down the side profile, while at the back there are extremely flared wheel arches and a very large rear diffuser to give the car as much downforce as possible. At the front, there are square-shaped LED daytime running lights and an aggressive lower front spoiler.

Just like the Renault 5 Turbo from the 1980’s, this Turbo 3E will feature a rear-wheel-drive layout and there will be two electric motors that will be housed in the rear wheels to provide instant power. Renault claims that the car will produce 500bhp and its acceleration will stand at 0-60mph in 3.3 seconds.

Prices have not been revealed for this exclusive hot hatchback, but it will likely carry a large premium over a standard Renault 5 or Alpine A290 and will be restricted to extremely limited production numbers.

By Cameron Richards

Limited to just 150 examples, there will be a choice of two petrol engines and it will come with a two-year warranty, too.

Boreham Motorworks has revealed the return of the first-generation Ford Escort RS, but with a twist.

The team at Boreham Motorworks is responsible for preserving and bringing back some of the Blue Oval’s most legendary models, and it has an official brand license partnership with the Ford Motor Group.

Its latest creation marks the return of the first-generation Ford Escort RS. Limited to just 150 examples globally, this new generation of old model will be available with a choice of two different petrol engines.

The former is a 1.8-litre twin-cam that develops 182bhp and revs to 9,000rpm, and it will come mated to a four-speed manual gearbox. The latter has a 2.1-litre engine that boasts 296bhp, will rev up to 11,000rpm and is linked to a five-speed ‘dog-leg’ manual gearbox.

On the outside, it looks like an original Ford Escort RS, but dive a bit deeper and you’ll notice some modern touches such as the LED front headlamps and rear taillights. The car still retains the original’s bulbous wheel arches, side graphics and strips that run from the bonnet, over the roof and onto the boot lid.

Inside, there is a low horizontal dashboard, a deep dish three-spoke steering wheel, an analogue instrument panel, sports bucket seats and a small infotainment screen that features Apple CarPlay in the centre of the dashboard.

Iain Muier, CEO of Boreham Motorworks, said: “Recreating the Ford Escort MK1 RS for a new generation is not just about building a car; it’s about honouring a legacy that has inspired driving enthusiasts for over half a century.

“At Boreham Motorworks, we’ve committed ourselves to not only staying true to the essence of the original, but also to bringing it into the modern age with cutting-edge engineering, precision design, and unparalleled craftsmanship.”

Prices for the MK1 Escort RS start from £295,000 and all cars come with a two-year or 20,000 miles warranty. Production will start in the third quarter of 2025.

By Cameron Richards

The Chinese firm’s flagship electric SUV will go on sale in the first quarter of 2025.

BYD has announced pricing and specifications for its new Sealion 7 electric SUV.

There will be three trim levels to choose from with the range kicking off at £44,990 for the entry-level Comfort. It comes fitted with an efficiency-boosting heat pump, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control and a 15.6-inch rotatable infotainment screen. The mid-level Design boasts 20-inch alloy wheels and the all-wheel-drive version is priced at £49,290. The Excellence adds a head-up display and Nappa leather upholstery and is £57,290.

The basic and mid-level cars come with an 82.5kWh battery pack with the choice of rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. BYD claims the former can travel up to 300 miles on a single charge and the latter version drops this down to 283 miles. The flagship Excellence comes fitted as standard with all-wheel-drive and has a larger 91.3kWh battery unit that can do a claimed 312 miles between top-ups.

All models are compatible with DC rapid charging with the smaller battery pack having a maximum charging rate of 150kW and a 10 to 80 per cent charge time of 32 minutes. The larger 91.3kWh version has a charging speed of up to 230kW and can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in 24 minutes.

Practicality for the Sealion 7 is also boosted by a 520-litre boot capacity or 1,789 litres when the rear seats are folded down. The car also features a front boot with an additional 58 litres of space and BYD claims that the cabin features 20 small storage compartments.

Stella Li, BYD’s executive vice president, said: “We’ve noticed demand for this type of vehicle in Europe, so we’re delighted to introduce the Sealion 7. We’re confident that its mix of SUV design, and packaging,

“Blade battery technology, range, high performance and generous specification will appeal to many customers across Europe. The Sealion 7 shows how BYD is reacting to customer demand and tastes in the region, and widening our product line-up to ensure the best possible coverage of the most important vehicle types. This will be a key factor as we continue our progress in Europe.”

The Sealion 7 will go on sale here in the UK in the first quarter of 2025 and will sit at the top of BYD’s product portfolio.\

By Cameron Richards

The Skye has electric, four-wheel drive power, and a luxurious interior.

Design and engineering business, Callum, has revealed a new electric dune buggy it calls Skye.

The Skye is the first branded car from the company founded by Ian Callum – the famed British car designer who penned cars such as the Aston Martin DB7 – and comes with a 42kWh battery pack that’s good for 170 miles on a single charge.

While performance figures and battery capacities have not been revealed, the Skye only weighs 1,150kg, which means that 0-60mph is projected to take less than four seconds and the buggy comes with four-wheel-drive.

Its exterior design consists of a horizontal bar graphic that runs from the front to the rear of the vehicle, bisecting the doors. There are chunky off-road tyres and no overhangs.

Inside, there are sports seats upholstered in ‘Arctic Pearl’ white and Bridge of Weir leather with a matching rear bench seat, and leather is also used for the pull straps on the doors and glovebox. The centre console houses a ‘blade-like’ console which features touchscreen rotary dials, and there is a central touchscreen that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Aleck Jones, head of design at Callum, said: “While the Callum Skye is capable and has a rugged exterior, the interior is carefully and considerately refined to deliver a premium feel at every touchpoint. Clever design solutions keep the interior simple but not simplistic, giving it a light, airy and refined feel while being within a compact cabin. Its success is down to its careful balance of opposing factors, baked into an exterior that people understand and enjoy.”

Order books are open now with prices starting at £80,000 and rising to £110,000. Deliveries are expected to commence next year.

By Cameron Richards

The Valhalla is set to rival Lamborghini’s new Revuelto and it will be the first production series mid-engined Aston Martin.

Aston Martin has revealed its latest supercar that will come with over 1,000bhp and a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Called the Valhalla, only 999 examples are set to be produced and the car will be the first production series mid-engined Aston Martin.

It’s powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 along with three electric motors – two are positioned on the front axle and the third is located in the gearbox that transmits power to the rear axle. In total, the car develops a total of 1,064bhp and 1,100Nm of torque. In terms of acceleration, 0-60mph is dealt with in 2.3 seconds and the car will run out of puff at 217mph.

Aston Martin has not revealed the size of the battery pack or how far the car can run on electric power at this stage.

The body shell itself is made from carbon fibre and there are forward-hinged dihedral doors and roof cut-outs for better aerodynamics. Additionally, there is a Formula One inspired roof snorkel, which directs air to multiple places such as the intakes, intercooler and engine bay cooling duct. A lightweight quad exhaust system optimises the engine’s sound thanks to active valves.

At the back, the car features two Venturi tunnels to allow air flow under the car to generate more downforce, and there are 3D dimensional light blades protruding through a rear mesh panel.

Inside, the Valhalla features one-piece lightweight carbon fibre seats, a Formula One inspired steering wheel and a carbon brace which runs the width of the cabin. Just like on other Aston Martin models, the car comes with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a 10.25-inch driver’s display. Plus, there are some physical shortcut buttons for the standard climate control, while blind-spot monitoring and surround-view cameras are an optional extra.

Adrian Hallmark, Aston Martin’s CEO, said: “Four years ago we set out on a journey to transform the Aston Martin brand by taking its historic and unmatched luxury credentials and adding cutting-edge F1 inspired technology and class-leading performance, with the aim of taking on the most successful brands in the world.

“With the next generation of sports cars launched to critical acclaim, we are now adding the first-ever mid-engine series production Aston Martin to our portfolio, the ultimate driver’s supercar.”

Prices for the Valhalla have not been revealed yet, but first deliveries are expected to commence in the second half of 2025.

By Cameron Richards

Available with a choice of two battery packs, the SV Van is the first Farizon model to come to the UK.

The Geely-owned Chinese LCV manufacturer, Farizon, has revealed its new electric SV Van.

Farizon was founded in 2016, and is the commercial vehicles division of Geely, which also owns Volvo, Polestar and Lotus. It has built-up a reputation in China for building trucks, LCVs and buses. The firm is being introduced into the UK next year by its distributor, Jameel Motors, who will be launching Farizon to other countries across the globe, too.

The SV Van sits on a bespoke chassis that the company calls its ‘born electric’ modular platform. It benefits from increased cargo space, a better EV range, improved handling and safety.

The van also introduces cell-to-pack technology, which Farizon claims increases battery capacity by 10 per cent, reduces weight by four per cent, and improves body rigidity by 20 per cent.

From launch, there will be a choice of two battery packs. The first is a 67kWh unit and then there’s a large 83kWh battery pack. However, later down the line, the SV Van will be available with 106kWh battery option. Details regarding performance, electric range and charging speeds are yet to be announced.

The exterior design is typical of a van with a tall and boxy look with a slab-sided stance, while the charging flap is located on the offside front wing. The front headlights are positioned above the bonnet and beneath the scuttle panel and you’ll be able to get a choice of three vehicle lengths and three heights in the UK.

Inside, there is a digital driver’s instrument cluster and infotainment screen, while there are physical shortcut buttons for the climate control. There is also a glovebox and in the centre of the dashboard, there are a couple of USB-C charging ports.

Andy Carroll, country manager for Jameel Motors and Farizon Auto, said: ‘Bringing competitive, innovative zero-emission commercial vehicles to the UK will offer a compelling option to businesses and fleets embracing the growing movement to transition to zero-emission commercial vehicles.’

“The Farizon SV was developed for the van users and fleets of today and tomorrow, and several world-first advanced technologies means it offers more cargo space, greater range and a more convenient and comfortable driving experience.”

Prices and full UK specifications will be announced at a later date, alongside order books to open later next year.

By Cameron Richards

Peugeot completes its line-up of EVs, with fewer than 12 models including cars and vans, which other car makers are on par with the French brand?

In the last decade, electric cars have become the main focus among politicians and car makers, as they bid to drive down the world’s transportation emissions.

Not only are they seen as the future, but more and more car firms are investing in the technology to make sure that they hit tough emissions targets such as the ZEV mandate and the upcoming 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles.

However, their high price tags, lower electric ranges, battery degradation and slow uptake in public charging infrastructure still means that for many, the electric car simply does not suit their lifestyle. But, just this week, Peugeot announced that its latest e-408 has just gone on sale, and that means there is now an electric variant of every car and van that the French brand sells, totalling 12 different models.

Car makers like Peugoet aren’t shying away from offering battery powered options in all different shapes and sizes but are there any other brands currently offering such an extensive range of EVs?

To find out, we have compiled a list of the brands that sell the most EV models throughout their ranges.

Vauxhall – 11 electric models

It’s not surprising that Peugeot’s Stellantis sister company, Vauxhall, also has taken the same electrified path by offering an EV variant of every car and van that it sells.

Furthermore, the firm is committed to producing electric models in the future and its latest electric SUV, the Frontera, has now achieved price parity with its hybrid counterpart, to make going electric affordable for families.

No matter whether you choose a Corsa, Astra or even a Grandland, they all come with the option of battery power.

Mercedes – 8 electric models

Mercedes kickstarted its electric era with the ‘EQ’ range back in 2018 with the EQC and since then has introduced cars like the EQA, EQB, EQE, EQS, EQV and even an electric G-Class.

The German firm invented the car back in the late 19th century, and for the 21st century, wants to decarbonise where it started from and wants to introduce further EVs going forward.

Audi – 7 electric models

Another German firm that is committed to an all-electric future is Audi. Famous for making some of the best rally cars with its Quattro all-wheel-drive system and competitive executive saloons, Audi now is focusing on sustainability and wants to add more EVs to its already long list of battery-powered models.

Here in the UK, it may look like the firm sells up to 13 different EVs, but this includes higher performance versions of the standard electric models including ‘S’ and ‘RS’ variants.

Citroen – 7 electric models

Citroen may be the twin of Peugeot, but this funky French brand offers seven EVs in its model line-up, including the only car classed as a quadricycle, the Ami.

Buyers can currently get their hands on six of the brand’s electric models but a seventh – the e-C3 Aircross – will be joining the line-up early next year. The model shares the same body, chassis and platform as Vauxhall’s new Frontera, bringing Citroen’s EV range up to seven.

BMW – 7 electric models

It seems that European manufacturers are more committed to an electric future than companies from Asia and German outfit BMW also makes this list.

Back in the early 2010s, it gave us the i3 and i8 to showcase that where BMW wanted to go was down the electrified route. Since then, we’ve now got the i4, i5, i5 Touring, i7, iX1, iX2 and iX.

BMW is also looking into hydrogen fuel cells as another alternative to going all-electric.

Volkswagen – 6 electric models

Volkswagen launched its ‘ID’ range back in 2020 with the ID.3 and since then has had the ball rolling for other models in the firm’s line-up to be introduced. Now, it offers the ID.4, the ID.5, the ID.7 and Touring as well as the ID.Buzz.

The company is committed to becoming a carbon-neutral manufacturer by the year 2050, and will be focusing solely on EVs from now, with the last pure combustion-powered car to be launched next year.

Ford – 6 models

The Blue Oval has made some bold and controversial decisions over the last couple of years. Deleting its best-selling Fiesta and soon the Focus from its line-up, it also brought back some legendary nameplates and revived them on vehicles that don’t pay homage to the originals.

Names such as the Explorer, Capri and Mustang are now used on its latest electric SUVs, alongside the recently revealed Puma Gen-E and E-Transit, with the company still setting its sights firmly on the ground going electric-only in the near future.

By Cameron Richards

Limited to just 250 examples worldwide, the Purespeed comes with no front windscreen and a Formula One styled Halo design.

Mercedes-AMG has revealed its latest limited-edition supercar to pay tribute to the firm’s motorsport heritage with the Purespeed.

Under the bonnet, the car utilises a 4.0-litre biturbo V8 that produces 584bhp and 800Nm of torque. Acceleration stands at 0-60mph in 3.4 seconds and the car will go onto a top speed of 195mph.

For added traction, the Purespeed comes as standard with the firm’s all-wheel-drive AMG Performance 4Matic+ system and it also features AMG’s Active Ride Control to improve the car’s ride and handling.

The exterior design is all focused towards aerodynamics with a low front end, long bonnet and wide air intakes. The 21-inch alloy wheels are made from forged aluminium and carbon fibre covers.

Most strikingly, the car comes without a front windscreen or A-pillars, which are replaced with a Halo – the same as those found on Formula One cars. The structure is designed to protect the occupants’ heads in the event of an accident and consists of a tubular steel bracket. To aid protection even further, the car features two rigid roll bars, which are part of the car’s shell structure, along with the halo.

Inside, the Purespeed features performance sports seats and an AMG steering wheel. There is a custom made analogue clock positioned in the centre of the dashboard in a drop-shaped housing and the door sills are trimmed in leather. In the absence of a roof, the Purespeed also comes as standard with a protective weather cover which stretches over the entire interior, as well as the Halo to stop the cabin from being ruined in poor weather.

Michael Schiebe, CEO of Mercedes-AMG, said: “The Mercedes-AMG Purespeed is the most direct way to experience performance and fun at the wheel. Thanks to the car’s radically open design with no roof or windscreen, nothing separates the driver and passenger from the elements, allowing them to fully appreciate the vehicle, the road and the landscape with all their senses. The striking design reinterprets elements of legendary racing cars and makes for a fascinating, timeless silhouette.”

Only 250 examples of the Purespeed will be made globally, and prices are yet to be revealed.

By Cameron Richards