Author: Ted Welford

Skoda has revealed an updated version of its popular Octavia, which brings significant technology upgrades and next-generation engines.

The Octavia is by far Skoda’s most popular car, with more than seven million examples sold across four generations, the latest of which was introduced in 2020. Styling changes on this new model are fairly small, and include subtly redesigned bumpers, an updated version grille and new Matrix LED headlights.

Moving inside, the Octavia is available with the option of a larger 13-inch touchscreen with a digital instrument cluster included as standard. Skoda will soon introduce the AI ChatGPT chatbot into its own voice assistant, which will expand the range of functions available.

Skoda will offer nine ‘Design Selection’ combinations in the Octavia’s interior, with a greater use of sustainable and recycled materials being used. This includes ‘eco’ leather tanned using coffee husks rather than chemicals. Like the current model, the Octavia will be sold as both a large hatchback and an estate car.

Though plug-in hybrid models will likely follow in the future, at launch the Octavia will be available with a choice of petrol and diesel engines. Power outputs range from 114bhp in the entry-level 1.5-litre petrol or 2.0-litre diesel, increasing to 262bhp with the top-spec vRS model. The latter boasts 20bhp more than before. Mild-hybrid technology is also available on the 1.5-litre petrol engine when paired to a DSG automatic transmission.

Skoda has enhanced the range of safety features available with a new attention and drowsiness assist that is able to sense when a driver is both distracted or fatigued. There’s an optional park assist feature that can not only autonomously park but also exit a space, while a feature that allows drivers to park the car using the Skoda app is coming soon.

The Octavia will be available in four trim levels – SE Technology, SE L, Sportline and vRS – with prices likely to start from around £27,000 when sales begin later in the year.

The government has announced a major change to the taxation for double cab pick-up trucks that will see them classed as cars from July.

Double-cab pick-ups have grown significantly in popularity in recent years as their dual-purpose attributes have meant they’re suitable for being a working vehicle as well as for personal use. Many have also chosen them for the tax breaks they offer, as any double cab that had a payload of more than a tonne was considered a van, and therefore attracted far cheaper company car tax.

However, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) quietly announced yesterday (February 12) in a note that this will change from July 1, 2024, saying that it will ‘no longer interpret the legislation that defines car and van for tax purposes in line with the definitions used for VAT purposes’.

HMRC says it will now assess the classification of each vehicle of this type on an individual level, but says that from July 2024 ‘most if not all double cab pick-ups will be classified as cars when calculating the benefit change’. HMRC says this is because these vehicles are ‘equally suited’ to both transporting goods and also passengers.

Company vehicle tax is based on benefit in kind (BIK), which on cars is a percentage based on their CO2 emissions that takes into account a vehicle’s list price. It favours electric and hybrid cars, which emit lower CO2.

However, currently, pick-up trucks are charged at a flat rate which is £3,960 for the 2023/2024 tax year. For a 20 per cent taxpayer, van BIK is £792 per year, or £66 a month. For 40 per cent taxpayers, it’s £1,584 per year, or £132 a month.

But under these changes, pick-ups will become significantly more expensive for company car tax, because it will now be calculated based on their typically-high CO2 emissions. A Ford Ranger – the UK’s most popular pick-up, and the fourth best-selling ‘van’ in the UK last year – has CO2 emissions of more than 200g/km, putting it in the highest BIK tax bracket of 37 per cent.

According to Professional Pickup, from July 2024 a driver using a Ford Ranger Wildtrak 2.0 as a company car will face a tax bill of £290 a month, or £580 a month for a higher rate taxpayer. It means a driver could end up spending £5,376 more on company car tax per year under these new rules, making a double cab pick-up uneconomical to run, and likely to cause demand for these vehicles to fall.

Any new double cab pick-ups ordered or leased until June 30, 2024, will still qualify for the current lower tax rates, even if they aren’t registered by July. Single-cab pick-ups are unaffected by these changes.

Ford has revealed two new flagship MS-RT versions of its popular Ranger pick-up and new Transit Custom van.

MS-RT is an offshoot of M-Sport, Ford’s global rally partner based in the Lake District, and in recent years has turned its attention to giving the firm’s commercial vehicles a sportier look.

Ford is now presenting new MS-RT versions of its new Ranger and Transit Custom van, with the grade sitting at the top of the range of the two models. Both will undergo the final ‘MS-RT’ makeover at a new facility based on Ford’s large estate in Dagenham, Essex.

Things kick off with the Ranger MS-RT, which is dubbed as the ‘ultimate street truck’. Using a 236bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine, it gets a unique suspension setup with firmer front dampers and sits 40mm lower than the standard model.

Cosmetically it’s said to be inspired by racing pick-up trucks and it comes with a larger honeycomb grille and splitter as well as a rear ducktail spoiler. Large 21-inch alloy wheels with low-profile tyres are also included and widen the track of the Ranger significantly to the point the bodywork has had to be extended.

Leather and suede sports seats are also fitted, with a new steering wheel and various blue detailing also included.

Ford’s new Transit Custom – by far the UK’s most popular new van – has also had a makeover, getting much more aggressive bumpers, side skirts and a large rear spoiler. These also feature large 19-inch alloy wheels, while the interior gets upgraded seats and specific MS-RT upholstery.

The Transit Custom is available with a choice of 2.0-litre diesel engines, as well as a 229bhp plug-in hybrid model. The MS-RT treatment also extends to the new electric E-Transit Custom but also gets a significant power hike as part of this update – its rear motor producing 281bhp, the most of any Transit Custom.

The new Ford Ranger MS-RT and Transit Custom MS-RT are both available to order, with first deliveries expected in the middle of the year.

Jeep is introducing an updated version of its compact Renegade SUV, which gets various technology changes for 2024.

First introduced in 2014, the Renegade is now Jeep’s oldest car and is lagging behind many in its segment. To help keep it modern, a range of changes have been made to this compact SUV’s interior.

A far larger 10.1-inch touchscreen is now included, which runs on a new operating system that offers five times quicker processing power. The screen also includes 4G capability to power various online and connected services. Amazon Alexa voice is introduced, while it also comes with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Other new pieces of technology fitted to the Renegade include a new 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a much-improved rear parking camera.

Jeep has revised the Renegade’s trim offerings, with the range starting with the £30,500 Altitude trim. Standard equipment includes full LED headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels and automatic climate control.

Up next is the Summit trim, which costs from £33,000. It brings new 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats and a windscreen wiper de-icer for the colder months. Above this, the Overland trim brings more rugged styling courtesy of off-road bumpers and chunkier tyres, and costs from £38,000.

At the top of the range, the Trailhwawk is designed to be as rugged as possible, featuring greater underbody protection and various specific off-road driving modes, and is available from £39,000.

The Renegade is now only available with electrified powertrains, with a choice of a mild-hybrid model and four-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid. The latter is only available on the top-spec Overland and Trailhawk trim levels. The updated Renegade line-up is now available to order.

Aston Martin has unveiled a heavily updated version of its Vantage sports car – the entry point to the British firm’s line-up.

The current Vantage arrived on the scene in 2018, and though it’s always been billed as the sportiest version in Aston Martin’s range, a range of changes have now been made to make it the ‘most driver-focused and fastest Vantage’ ever.

Key to the changes is a significantly more powerful 656bhp 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, representing a 153bhp increase. The torque figure also jumps by 115Nm to 800Nm. This allows for a 0-60mph time of just 3.4 seconds, and a top speed of 202mph. The drive is delivered to the rear wheels through an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox as well.

The impressive performance boost comes from a range of tunes made to the engine, including larger turbos and increased cooling, while the gearbox has been revised to deliver ‘punchier in-gear acceleration’.

Aston Martin has stiffened the chassis to maximise the driving experience, while changes have been made to the steering feel. Michelin has also created a set of tyres specifically for the new Vantage to cover the standard-fit 21-inch forged alloy wheels. There’s also a new adjustable traction control feature, which offers a range of different settings depending on the skill and confidence of the driver.

The new Vantage’s design is inspired by that of the DB12 and features a new front end that boasts a significantly larger grille and Matrix LED headlights featuring Aston Martin’s new lighting signature. Frameless door mirrors and pop-out door handles are also new for the Vantage, while it also comes with larger diameter quad exhaust tailpipes, though the rear isn’t changed significantly compared to the outgoing car.

It’s inside where some of the most noticeable changes have been made, though, with a redesigned cabin that is far more modern than its predecessor. The general look mirrors that of the DB12, with a new 10.25-inch touchscreen system positioned lower, and includes enhanced smartphone connectivity and gesture control. While more controls have been integrated into the screen, commonly used buttons such as drive selection and climate settings remain as physical buttons.

Production of the new Aston Martin Vantage will begin at the firm’s main facility in Gaydon, Warwickshire, in March, with first deliveries expected to begin in time for the summer.

Abarth has revealed the first look at its new 600e – a sporty electric crossover that will be the firm’s most powerful car ever.

Based on the Fiat 600e, which will shortly arrive in the UK, the Abarth version gets a range of changes to enhance the performance and styling of this electric crossover.

The first-look image shows a far more aggressive presence than the standard Fiat, with more aggressive-looking bumpers, big 20-inch alloy wheels and a large rear spoiler. The launch colour Hypnotic Purple also helps this EV to stand out.

The firm says it’s been ‘designed to leave Abarth fans speechless’, and will use a 237bhp electric powertrain. Though full details are yet to be announced, it makes it the most powerful car yet from the sporty Italian carmaker, and brings around 70bhp more than you get from the Fiat version.

Other changes made to the 600e include a mechanical limited-slip differential to improve handling and traction, while upgraded brakes and performance tyres are also fitted.

The 600e will launch in a special edition Scorpionissima launch edition, which will be limited to 1,949 units – the number representing the year Abarth was founded.

Abarth says the 600e is ‘undergoing final tests’ and will be making its public debut in Milan shortly when the firm begins filming a commercial for the new electric crossover. It’s expected to go on sale in the summer and will join the electric Abarth 500e and petrol 595 and 695 models.

Electric cars shouldn’t be advertised under the blanket ‘zero emissions’ term, according to a new watchdog ruling.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) monitors and investigates complaints made against adverts, and has recently ruled against two separate pieces of marketing for BMW and MG electric vehicles that contained the words ‘zero emissions’.

The ASA said that the ‘basis of environmental claims must be clear’ and has said that if adverts don’t make it clear that ‘zero emissions’ only applies ‘while they are being driven it is likely to mislead’. That’s because while electric cars don’t produce any emissions from the tailpipe, there are emissions involved in the manufacture of EVs, as well as the production of electricity used to charge them.

Both rulings relate to paid-for Google advertisements on August 16 last year, with a claim made by MG saying: “Find A Dealer – Book A Test Drive. Save £1,000 On Your Next MG HS Plug-in Hybrid, MG ZS or MG5 EV Trophy Long Range Renewed with a modern design, increased range, and even more technology. Zero Emissions”.

Though MG confirmed to the ASA that all ‘zero emissions’ references had been removed, the watchdog said: “Any associated ‘zero emissions’ claim needed to clarify that it referred to emissions while the vehicle was driven on the electric motor. Similar claims for vehicles powered by petrol or diesel engines would always mislead.”

Similarly, BMW said it had bid on terms such as ‘zero emissions cars’ on Google search to target customers looking at this type of vehicle, and hadn’t planned for the ‘zero emissions’ mention to be included in the advert.

BMW confirmed they had halted all bidding on any zero-emissions keywords as a result and would also be more rigorous in how it would vet future adverts.

While the ASA said it “welcomed BMW’s assurance that the claim would not be repeated in the future”, it concluded that the use of ‘zero emission cars’ without any further context was “likely to mislead”.

BMW is bucking the trend by introducing a new manual gearbox to its Z4 roadster as it aims to maximise the driving fun of this roadster.

Many manufacturers are looking to, or have already stopped, offering manual cars because of limited demand, and the increasing trend for hybrid and electric models, which always use an automatic transmission.

But BMW is now introducing a manual version of its Z4 for the first time in eight years as part of a new option called the ‘Handschalter Pack’, translated from German as ‘manual switch’. It joins the M2, 1 Series and 2 Series Gran Coupe as BMW’s only models available with a manual gearbox.

Only available on the range-topping M40i model, it uses a 335bhp 3.0-litre petrol engine paired to a six-speed manual gearbox, allowing for a 0-60mph time of 4.4 seconds and a 155mph top speed.

As part of the package, the Z4 gets several other changes including a a retuned chassis and mixed-size alloy wheels, which are 19 inches at the front and 20 at the rear. Changes have been made to the damping settings, suspension springs and traction control adjustments.

The Handschalter model also comes as standard in a fixed specification, including a unique matte Frozen Deep Green paint finish and an Anthracite Silver fabric roof, which can be lowered at speeds of up to 31mph.

It also comes with a smart tan leather interior, which is exclusive to this special edition. At the same time, the generous standard equipment includes twin 10.25-inch digital displays, heated seats and a wind deflector.

The BMW Z4 M40i Handschalter is now available to order, with prices starting from £60,675 – £3,000 more than the standard automatic model. First deliveries are expected in the spring.

Audi has revealed an updated version of its large seven-seat Q7 SUV, which benefits from a styling redesign and additional safety features and connectivity.

The Q7 is Audi’s largest SUV, and though a new generation is overdue, the German firm is now introducing the second major facelift following its last update in 2019, and initial introduction in 2015.

Audi has aimed to give this latest Q7 a look in line with its more modern models, with a more imposing grille made up of new L-shaped inlays, which is similar to that of the latest Q8 SUV.

There are new LED lights at the front and rear, which feature configurable lighting signatures. Top-spec Q7s feature laser technology with a blue ambient light embedded. Audi says these headlights ‘significantly increase the high beam range’.

The new digital OLED lights also have a proximity feature that can detect when a vehicle approaches the stationary Q7 from behind at a close distance and automatically illuminates every element of the LED lighting.

Three new colours – Sakhir Gold, Ascari Blue and Chilli Red – and a range of new alloy wheel designs are also available.

Audi hasn’t made any significant changes to the Q7’s interior, with the same twin touchscreen layout being used, but third-party apps such as Spotify and Amazon Apps are now directly integrated. The large digital instrument cluster is also now integrated with the various driver assistance systems to display new warnings.

The Q7 will be available from launch with a choice of a 3.0-litre diesel engine available with outputs of 228bhp and 282bhp, along with a 335bhp 3.0-litre petrol unit. A flagship SQ7 performance model also continues to sit at the top of the line-up, using a 500bhp 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that can accelerate this SUV from 0-60mph in just 3.9 seconds.

Like the current model, the new Q7 will be available with a choice of three trim levels – S line, Black Edition and Vorsprung. Prices for the updated Audi Q7 start from £66,605, rising to £111,370 for the flagship SQ7 Vorsprung. It’s set to go on sale in March with first deliveries expected from May.