The Inster Cross will join the mini SUV range when it goes on sale later this year.
Hyundai has revealed a more rugged off-road version of its baby EV – the Inster Cross.
The standard car hasn’t even gone on sale yet, but Hyundai has added more choice to the range with this Cross version.
On the exterior, the car features wide and angular front and rear bumpers with black cladding. Also, there are side rocker panels, front and rear skid plates and 17-inch alloy wheels. Furthermore, the Cross comes as standard with roof racks and there is a special paint option of Amazonas green matte.
A combination of grey cloth and lime yellow accents are found throughout the cabin. (Hyundai)
Inside, the rough and ready theme continues with grey cloth and lime yellow accents and the colour combination also finds its way onto the dashboard.
Hyundai hasn’t yet revealed whether the Cross will be available with its smaller 42kWh battery pack, but it will come with the long range 49kWh drivetrain that offers up to a claimed 223 miles between trips to the plug. Due to DC rapid charging coming as standard, the car can be filled up from 10 to 80 per cent in half an hour.
Production of the Cross starts later this year. (Hyundai)
Finally, its practical nature still remains, with flat folding seats, which feature a 50:50 split function – and they slide and recline like they do on the standard car.
Prices have not been revealed yet, but production will start later this year with deliveries expected to commence at the beginning of 2025.
The legendary off-roader was used by the famous film director for trips into London and around his estate, with the auction commencing on November 9.
A Land Rover Defender 110, used by the famous film director Guy Ritchie, is heading for auction on November 9 at Iconic Auctioneers.
In 2015, Land Rover Defender Specialists, Nene Overland of Peterborough, were approached by Ritchie to create a vehicle to his exact tastes. He wanted something he could drive to London in and trundle around his 1,100-acre Ashcombe Estate in Wiltshire.
The Defender uses a 6.2-litre V8 from a Chevrolet. (Iconic Auctioneers)
The car in question is a Defender 110 from 2011 and originally, it used a 2.2-litre ‘Puma’ diesel engine. However the team at Nene Overland whipped it out and fitted a 6.2-litre small block V8 engine from a Chevrolet that gives the vehicle a total power output of 430bhp. Plus, since its creation, the vehicle has only covered 19,000 miles.
It also features a six-speed automatic transmission, cruise control, air-suspension, upgraded brakes and 20-inch black alloy wheels. Inside, there are heated, ventilated and electrically operated leather seats pinched from a Range Rover and there is a lockable gun drawer under the boot floor.
The interior features seats from a Range Rover and there is a Focal audio system. (Iconic Auctioneers)
Furthermore, the interior trim features Lincoln green with black quilted leather door cards, a Focal premium audio system and everything is sound proofed with carpeted and alcantara trim as well as ambient lighting.
The exterior paint scheme is finished off in satin Keswick green, there are auxiliary lights supplied by Lazer, and there is a recovery winch unit as well as twin exhausts to allow the 6.2-litre engine to breathe better.
The Defender will be going under the hammer at Iconic Auctioneers on November 9 with an estimated price of anything between £75,000 to £85,000.
Premium model has been transformed into an electric-only model, but is it any good? Jack Evans finds out.
What is it?
The new Macan switches to electric power for the first time
The Macan has been transformative for Porsche. Things kicked off with the larger Cayenne, of course, but the mid-size Macan was the one to bring the Porsche SUV experience to an even wider audience. As a result, the pair dominate the Porsche best-selling list, routinely outperforming the firm’s range of sports cars.
But things are all about to change. Whereas the Porsche Macan has been on sale since 2014 with some form of combustion engine, it is leaping electric power only for this new generation. Will it still be the all-rounder it always has been? We’ve been finding out.
What’s new?
The Macan is now electric power alone
Aside from that electric powertrain, the Macan has changed in quite a few areas. It’s all underpinned by the same platform that you’ll find being used on the Audi Q6 e-tron but in typical Porsche fashion things have been given a sportier, more focused feel through a variety of chassis upgrades. Externally, the two are quite different with the Macan taking a dash of the appearance of its predecessor while integrating a host of new design touches.
Inside, it’s a more tech-heavy affair than before. In fact, you can now get the Macan with three screens – one in front of the driver, another in the middle and a further display ahead of the passenger – delivering a very media-rich experience for all those on board.
What’s under the bonnet?
A number of alloy wheel styles are available
The Macan is available in a variety of flavours, ranging from an entry-level version right the way up to the tip-top Turbo. However, we’re concentrating on the 4S here, which gets a dual-motor setup with 448bhp and 820Nm of torque. In fact, it’s the most powerful Macan you can get aside from that aforementioned Turbo model.
Thanks to that duo of motors, 0-60mph comes in just 3.9 seconds and the Macan will go onwards to a top speed of 149mph, too. But in terms of range, Porsche claims that you could squeeze up to 377 miles from the Macan’s 100kWh battery, while a maximum charging speed of 270kW means a 10 to 80 per cent charge could be conducted in around 21 minutes when you’re hooked up to a suitably rapid charger. Switch to the entry-level, single-motor Macan and while it’s not as brisk, the range does increase substantially to 392 miles.
What’s it like to drive?
The 4S comes with a dual-motor setup
There’s a lot that feels familiar about the Macan’s driving experience, despite its switch to battery power. The control weights have that reassuringly weighty feeling to them, with the steering being particularly good. There’s some excellent body control, too, and when pushed harder the 4S certainly doesn’t come unstuck. There’s some noticeable tyre noise when passing through brisker corners, however.
Visibility is decent, too, with the only drawback being the rather narrow rear window. All versions of the 4S come with Porsche’s Active Suspension Management system, too, and this allows you to tweak the firmness of the ride depending on the driving situation. For most of our test, the firmest setting made the Macan too brittle and uncomfortable – it’s at its best in more comfort-focused settings, that’s for sure. But it’s the Macan’s handling which puts it ahead of rivals and makes this into a genuinely capable car overall – and not just in the EV segment.
How does it look?
A deployable rear wing operates at speed
It’s a Macan, but not as you know it. Whereas the older model really did appear like a sized-down Cayenne, the new version is quite different. Sure, there are some tell-tale Porsche styling touches like the slim headlights – which appear very close in design to those on the latest Taycan – and the full-width lightbar at the rear, but it’s certainly not as traditionally designed as other cars within the brand’s range.
You can get the new Macan in a variety of striking exterior shades, too, with an elegant ‘Oak Green’ shade giving this new electric Porsche a pleasantly old-school feel despite its cutting-edge underpinnings.
What’s it like inside?
The cabin is finished to a high standard
As we’ve touched upon, the Macan’s interior is dominated by screens. Fortunately, they all work well and have good levels of responsiveness with cleverly designed menus. However, it’s good that they’re backed up by some physical controls for elements such as the volume, which means changing certain aspects when on the move is much easier.
Rear-seat space isn’t too bad, either, while the 540-litre boot is well-sized and reasonably easy to access. Most importantly, it’s a big increase on the 488-litre luggage area that you would’ve found on the previous petrol and diesel-powered Macan, so this electric version certainly has the edge in terms of practicality. Plus, there’s an 84-litre ‘frunk’ which is ideal for cable storage when they’re not in use.
What’s the spec like?
An additional screen ahead of the driver is available
Prices for the new Macan 4S start off from £77,650 – over the £67,200 you’ll pay for an entry-level model – with the largest inclusion on this model being the addition of a motor on the front axle for that all-wheel-drive capability and additional performance. If you’ve got no need for the extra traction, then the standard car still brings more than enough pace but saves a considerable amount.
However, you do get the aforementioned Porsche Active Suspension Management system as standard on the 4S, while all versions get the large central screen and driver-focused display. That passenger-facing screen, however, is an optional extra and quite a punchy one at £1,112. Like any Porsche, the Macan’s price can be quickly ramped up by delving into the extensive optional extras.
Verdict
The move to electric power is a big change for the Porsche Macan. Of course, for some drivers, its lack of a combustion engine may be a hurdle too large to overcome but for many motorists, this new battery-powered Macan’s great performance – which will come at far lower costs than before if you can use low-price home charging – will make it just as appealing as its predecessor. It’s also impressively agile and feels, more than anything, like a ‘proper’ Porsche from behind the wheel.
While the added performance of this 4S does give the Macan more excitement, we’d argue that the greater range of the single-motor variant – and its lower price – could make it a more appealing option for buyers.
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.
The Sealion 7 will be the firm’s largest model. (BYD)
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.
The interior features a 15.6-inch touchscreen. (BYD)
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.
It’s been three months since we took delivery of our long-term Skoda Kamiq, but have we warmed to it as much as the Karoq? Cameron Richards finds out.
I can’t believe that I’m halfway through my time with the Skoda Kamiq and although it’s only been used sparingly throughout the last couple of months, I’ve still had time to really get to know it.
From the last report, the little Kamiq has been on a few more trips with an airport run in the mix – racking a fair few miles up. Meanwhile, local trips have been its main purpose regarding most of its outings. One of the journeys that I took it on, which showed me really where it was capable, was up to Heathrow a couple of weeks back. This was also where the Karoq shone in, too. Regardless of weather, traffic or road conditions, the Kamiq really is a quiet and comfortable car to travel in. Plus, the cruise control did come in handy on the M3’s 11-mile stretch of average-speed cameras.
The Kamiq parked in Heathrow’s terminal five car park. (PA)
In terms of fuel economy, I’ve been averaging around 45mpg on a long run which isn’t the best, but it’s far from the worst as well. Most of my journeys this month in the Kamiq have been in the pouring rain, but even though it’s not sunny, the glass panoramic roof does help let a lot more light into the cabin – even on a wet and windy day. The seats in our test car are also very comfortable and feel very supportive, and thankfully there is a decent amount of lumbar support. Furthermore, the Kamiq isn’t short of space with it easily fitting shopping bags and luggage in the boot as well and the built-in umbrella in the driver’s door has also come in handy in these damper Autumn months.
The hidden umbrella in the driver’s door is a cool feature. (PA)
Unlike last month when the Apple Carplay decided it didn’t want to play ball, this time it has behaved and hasn’t crashed on me. I’ve come to the conclusion that Skoda’s Apple CarPlay system doesn’t like the car being switched off when the sat-nav is currently in use as the Kamiq and Karoq both did exactly the same thing when I was at the same petrol station one afternoon. But, luckily this time that hasn’t occurred and I’ve managed to get to my destinations in a calm and stress-free manner.
However, even though there have been no electrical gremlins or glitches, I’m still not sold on this 1.0-litre powertrain that our test car has. It just doesn’t have enough poke and even though it is turbocharged, you still feel that the car could do with another 30 or 50bhp. When overtaking, the DSG automatic gearbox is a little sluggish to respond and it also is a tad jerky when changing gear under acceleration. I’ve never been the biggest fan of three-cylinder engines, and I just feel the Kamiq would be better suited with either a manual gearbox or the bigger 1.5-litre TSi four-cylinder engine that was in our Karoq previously.
The Monte Carlo is the flagship model in the Kamiq range. (PA)
To drive, the Kamiq is very much like its bigger brother in that it focuses on comfort rather than driver engagement. The suspension is smooth and subtle and there isn’t much wind and road noise – but the steering is numb and there just doesn’t feel any communication between the wheel and the driver at all – which is a shame. Cars in this class like the Lexus LBX do drive better – but again I’m probably missing the point with this car and what it does do well is take people around with their belongings in comfort and safety.
I’ve still got three more months left with the Kamiq and coming up soon I’ve got a couple of trips where it will do a few more long-haul journeys. It’s not a car that I get excited about (what SUV does) but what I do enjoy about it is the ease of living with it and the fact that you know that its versatility and practical nature means if you need to carry passengers and their luggage, the Kamiq can take it all without complaint.
Facts at a glance
Model as tested: Skoda Kamiq 1.0-litre TSi DSG Monte Carlo
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
The new Renault 4 is a modern day take on the R4 from the 1960s. (Renault)
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 Twingo is making a comeback and will be one of the cheapest new EVs to go on sale. (Renault)
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
The B10 will be the firm’s C-Segment SUV. (Leapmotor)
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 updated Ami features a new front end and updated design cues. (Citroen)
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
The next C5 Aircross will sit on the firm’s STLA Medium platform. (Citroen)
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
The A110 R Ultime will be the Alpine’s most expensive car ever. (Alpine)
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.
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 car will sit on the firm’s 3.5 architecture platform. (Leapmotor)
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.
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.
Year-on-year price reductions mean that a new MG4 can now be had for £3,508 less compared to £1,213 in 2023. (MG)
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.”
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.
Even the rear lights have been aerodynamically styled
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. #CitroënC5AircrossConceptpic.twitter.com/I1vQBVgfSO
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.
Both cars get an upgraded electric motor
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.
It’s the first time that a JCW electric model has been produced by Mini
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.
