The number of new cars with a manual handbrake continues to fall, with only 13 per cent of new models featuring one.

Research from online marketplace CarGurus has found that 87 per cent of new cars are supplied with an automatic handbrake – up from 83 per cent in 2021 and 63 per cent in 2018.

With household names such as the Citroen C1, Nissan Micra and Peugeot 108 all being discontinued in the past 12 months, this has contributed further to the decline. BMW also dropped its X1, 2 Series and M4 Convertible models recently, all three of which had a manual handbrake, meaning the brand’s entire range now uses an electronic parking brake instead.

Other brands such as Volvo, Peugeot and Mercedes also no longer offer a manual handbrake on their cars, while in Audi’s line-up, it’s only the A1 that doesn’t use the electronic version.

In fact, Abarth is the only manufacturer that offers a manual handbrake across its range – and even that’s set to change later in the year when an electric 500 is introduced.

CarGurus UK editor Chris Knapman said: “The fifth instalment of our Manual Handbrake Report shows the number of new models featuring a traditional handbrake has continued to fall.’

He added that the discontinuation of some well-known models as well as the rise of the EV had contributed to the four percentage point drop over the past 12 months.

Knapman said: “Since 2018, we have seen a 24 percentage point fall in the number of new cars being fitted with a manual handbrake.

“It was always likely that the expected 2030 ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars would spell the end of the manual handbrake – the question now is whether it can even last until then.”

Peugeot’s well-loved 205 GTI has been given a modern-day update, ‘reimagining’ this iconic 1980s hot hatch.

Courtesy of restoration specialists Tolman Engineering, the 205 GTI has been enhanced with a number of modern upgrades, with the first customer ‘Tolman Edition’ now being revealed.

The firm says it bolsters the model with ‘contemporary performance, reliability and convenience features to enjoy driving it today and every day’.

Customers are able to choose between 1.6- and 1.9-litre engines, with this first customer car being the latter, and has been upgraded to offer more low-down torque and a revised cylinder head and new cams.

The result being more than 200bhp – a sharp increase on the 130bhp the 205 GTI came with from the factory.

A revised throttle is also said to offer a keener response along with improved starting in hot and cold conditions, while a Tolman exhaust and Quaife differential have been fitted to enhance the way the 205 drives.

Modern convenience features are also available, including LED lighting, an LCD dashboard and an integrated infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Customers can also have the seats retrimmed, electric windows fitted and an Alcantara steering wheel to give the Peugeot a sportier feel.

Chris Tolman, founder of Tolman Engineering, said: “Back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, for me and I’m sure many others, 205 GTIs were a first taste in performance cars; something rewarding, responsive and engaging.

“We wanted to recreate that feeling of being at one with the road, a car you can just jump in and simply enjoy driving hard. Current hot hatches surpass these cars in so many areas but despite having loads of power and incredible dynamics, they fail to rekindle that emotional involvement that made us feel special with the 205.”

The Warwickshire firm says it has access to a number of donor 205 GTIs in both left- and right-hand-drive, or customers can use their own cars, and that all upgrades can be reversed and put back to standard. After this, Tolman says 700 hours are spent modifying the car with both performance and convenience updates.

Prices for a Peugeot 205 GTI Tolman Edition start from £55,000.

Euro NCAP has revealed its latest round of safety testing, with only out of 16 models failing to secure the top five-star rating.

The car safety organisation said it shows the ‘determination of manufacturers to do well’ in the tests, which was the largest group ratings to be carried out in 2022. Kicking off proceedings was the Tesla Model S – tested again after its last visit to NCAP in 2014 – which secured a five-star rating and the highest score (98 per cent) in the driver assistance category.

Toyota’s new electric bZ4X and its Subaru Solterra twin also receive the top five-star safety rating, as did Hyundai’s Ioniq 6, the new Honda Civic and the Renault Austral.

Nissan had two five-star ratings in the latest round of testing, with its new seven-seat X-Trail and electric Ariya SUVs both scoring well, as did the upcoming Toyota Corolla Cross and the latest Range Rover and Range Rover Sport.

The latest wave of Chinese brands coming to Europe also reaffirmed their commitment to safety, with the new Smart #1 crossover (now produced by Geely in China), Wey Coffee 02 small SUV and Nio ET7 saloon all receiving top marks.

In fact, it was only the DS 9 saloon that didn’t score top marks, with Euro NCAP docking its rating at four stars due to a ‘penalty in the frontal offset test for being an aggressive impact partner towards other electric vehicles’.

Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP’s secretary general, said: “Manufacturers are keen to achieve good scores in this year’s tests as next year protocols become more stringent and provide increased challenges for vehicle development.

“In 2023, in line with its Vision 2030, Euro NCAP will be focusing on a range of new aspects. For example, we are putting in place autonomous emergency braking (AEB) protocols for motorcycles as well as new scenarios in passive safety for pedestrians and cyclists, extending the area where these two vulnerable users might interact with a vehicle. This is necessary progress in safety for other road users.”

Jaguar Land Rover recorded a pre-tax loss of £173m in the second quarter of the 2022 financial year, though the result was better than expected.

The brand was boosted by production ramping up for its two most profitable models – the new Range Rover and Range Rover Sport – and was a stark improvement on the £302m lost in the third quarter of 2021.

Revenue was up to £5.2bn in the quarter, up 36 per cent year-on-year, with a wholesale volume of 75,307 recorded between July and September – a 17.6 per cent improvement and 4.9 per cent up on the prior quarter.

Jaguar Land Rover ramped up production of its new Range Rover and Range Rover Sport in the period, with these models accounting for 13,537 units in the quarter – up from the 5,790 made between April and June.

The brand recorded 88,121 retail sales in the third quarter, with the most growth coming from China where sales were 38 per cent higher, though European volumes were down seven per cent.

Thierry Bollore, chief executive officer of Jaguar Land Rover, said: “We delivered a stronger financial performance in the second quarter as production of our new Range Rover and Range Rover Sport ramped up, improving revenue, margins and cash flow, despite continuing semiconductor constraints.

“Demand for our most profitable and desired vehicles remains strong and we expect to continue to improve our performance in the second half of the year, as new agreements with semiconductor partners take effect, enabling us to build and deliver more vehicles to our clients.”

The brand added that ‘demand for Jaguar Land Rover Products remains very strong’, with the two firms now having 205,000 pending orders. The firm’s three most profitable models – the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Defender – account for over 70 per cent of these orders.

The electric SUV segment is continuing to hotten up, and now there’s a new entry from Milan-based Aehra.

The brand was only launched earlier in the year, but has already revealed the exterior design of its new SUV, which will be launched unnamed. Set to rival the new Lotus Eletre, the new model is based around a specific EV platform.

The large SUV boasts a generous three-metre wheelbase, and stands out with its striking styling.

There are Lamborghini-style scissor doors at both the front and rear that open outwards and upwards, a low and aggressive front end and a low roofline. There’s fancy LED lighting at the front and rear to emphasise the model’s key details.

The huge windscreen also extends way beyond the front wheel arches, while invisible door handles complement the sleek focus. Conventional door mirrors are also replaced by small cameras.

Aehra says it wants to ‘defy modernism mass-market automotive convention’, with its cabin said to ‘effortlessly accommodate four NBA-size players in complete comfort’.

The Italian firm has bold figures in mind for performance and range, with a huge 120kWh battery set to be offered, allowing for an electric range of close to 500 miles. Three electric motors – two on the rear axle and one on the front – also produce up to 794bhp.

Filippo Perini, Aehra chief design officer, said: “With the Aehra SUV, we have shunned the conservative constraints that have encumbered all other car manufacturers in their approach to designing EV vehicles to date.

“Instead, we have taken a highly courageous approach. And at Aehra, this mindset drives not just the design of our vehicles, but every aspect, including engineering, the layout of the interior, the state-of-the-art sustainable materials we use and how we are redefining the entire customer journey.”

The Aehra SUV will be followed by a saloon model, which will be revealed in February 2023. The firm hopes for both vehicles to be on sale in 2025.

Porsche has revealed new images of its new 911 Dakar undergoing testing in various off-road settings.

The long-awaited model is the next in Porsche’s limited-edition series, following on from the 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition and the 911 Sport Classic.

The German firm says it will be the ‘first two-door sports car to offer outstanding off-road capabilities’, with the model set to arrive just a month before Lamborghini shows off a rugged version of its Huracan supercar.

The 911 Dakar is inspired by Porsche’s first overall victory in the Paris-Dakar rally in 1984 when Porsche took a modified 911 to the gruelling rally.

Porsche says that 300,000 miles of testing have been carried out for the 911 Dakar, with more than 6,000 of those being off-road. The firm visited the Chateau de Lastours test track in Southern France, where European Dakar teams come to trial their vehicles.

The 911 Dakar has also been tested in the desert in Morocco and Dubai at temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius, and – at the other end of the spectrum – in Arjeplog, Sweden, which is where manufacturers put their vehicles through their paces in the toughest wintery conditions.

Though the 911 Dakar’s design is still camouflaged, the images show the model’s tough-looking bodykit, while the suspension has also been raised and off-road tyres have been fitted. Thick underbody protection is also present, though it’s unclear if customers will be able to choose the off-road roof rack, including a spare tyre and LED light bar.

The Porsche 911 Dakar will be revealed on November 17 at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Aston Martin has unveiled a powerful new track-only superbike inspired by one of the brand’s flagship racing models.

The British supercar brand has recently been working with Brough Superior Motorcycles to produce the ‘AMB 001’ superbike.

However, following a similar pattern to Aston Martin’s supercars, there’s now a new ‘Pro’ version.

Unveiled today at the Milan Motorcycle Show, the new bike has been inspired by Aston Martin’s Valkyrie AMR Pro track hypercar. The AMB 001 Pro gets a 25 per cent boost in power compared to its predecessor, now putting out 222bhp from its new 997cc engine. Changes include new materials being used in the engine, while the cylinders have been revised to improve cooling.

Design changes include a front spoiler and side wings to increase downforce, while a ‘tunnel effect air blade’ directs air over the rider.

A single specification is available that combines Aston Martin’s Verdant Jade colour with satin carbon fibre. Lime-coloured accents are also a nod to the brand’s racing cars.

The AMB 001 Pro will be produced at Brough Superior’s factory in Toulouse, France, with first deliveries set to take place by the end of 2023. Just 88 will be produced, too.

Thierry Henriette, chief executive officer of Brough Superior, said: “We are excited to reveal the AMB 001 Pro today. The success of its predecessor, coupled with the incredible Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro, inspired us to get together again to create a new superbike; one that we know will excite our customers.

“We are particularly proud of the new engine type, with a crankcase fully machined from solid billet aluminium, which is a unique feature for a production motorcycle. With the marked increase in power this takes AMB 001 Pro into the hyperbike sector.”

No prices have been announced, but given the non-Pro versions started from £92,000, expect a price well in excess of £100,000 for the more powerful version.

Ford recently announced the shock news that it was going to stop making its best-selling Fiesta by the end of next year.

Considering the model was the UK’s most popular new car in October, the news might seem baffling. However, Ford said it came as a result of the model ‘accelerating its efforts’ to go all-electric, with a Fiesta EV playing no part in its future as the firm abandons traditional nameplates – including the Focus and Mondeo.

It begs the question of whether a number of other, well-loved models will make it into an electrical age. Let’s take a look at their chances.

Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf will soon be turning 50 years old, with this popular hatchback spanning eight generations, with the most recent arriving in 2020. More than 35 million have been produced to date, and it’s historically been VW’s most popular car, though has more recently been overtaken by the Tiguan SUV.

While the firm did offer the electric e-Golf for a number of years, production ended in 2020 to make way for the ID.3 – Volkswagen’s bespoke EV hatchback, though occupying a similar footprint as the Golf. All of Volkswagen’s current and future focus appears to be on its bespoke electric ‘ID’ range of EVs, with the brand yet to confirm a new generation of Golf. It means a replacement electric model seems unlikely.

Range Rover

In the SUV segment, the Range Rover is an icon – a model with brand awareness and desirability that other car companies can only dream of. Land Rover has spun Range Rover off as its own sub-brand, reaping the benefits as a result.

But it’s the full-fat Range Rover that remains the one at the top of the pile, with the latest fifth-generation model only arriving in dealers earlier this year. The future of the Range Rover looks to be in safe hands, too. Not only is it already offered with a choice of hybrid powertrains, but an EV version has been confirmed for a 2024 launch, arriving as Land Rover’s first electric model.

Honda Civic

The Honda Civic might not be an icon in the same ilk as a Range Rover, but this popular hatchback remains a huge deal for this Japanese manufacturer and has now been around for an impressive 50 years and 11 generations.

The latest version only arrived earlier this year, but in Europe Honda introduced it purely as a hybrid model. However, other overseas markets can still get it as a conventional petrol. While the next generation of Civic is unlikely to arrive much before the end of the decade, the fact all of Honda’s EVs to date have been bespoke EVs doesn’t bode well for the future of the Civic.

Mini Hatch

Mini’s iconic hatchback is a model ripe for electrification, with the British brand introducing the ‘Electric’ in 2020. It’s gone on to account for a significant proportion of this brand’s sales, and though Mini might be increasingly looking at larger vehicles, this dinky model will remain a part of the brand for many years to come.

A new generation Mini Hatch is due to arrive in 2023, boasting smaller dimensions and a simplified dashboard – and the good news is that an electric model will be launched too. The bad news? Mini is set to move production of the EV models away from its factory near Oxford to China.

Vauxhall Astra

While the Astra might not sell in the droves it once did, this family hatchback remains an important model for both Vauxhall, and sibling company Opel. That was shown with the introduction of the latest generation earlier in the year, which brought a big uplift in terms of design and quality.

You can already get the new Vauxhall Astra with a choice of plug-in hybrid powertrain, but the British brand will go a step further in 2023 by introducing the Astra Electric. An estate version is also planned and helps to future-proof this important model.

Porsche 911

There’s not a more coveted sports car than the Porsche 911, which has been the star of this German brand’s line-up for almost 60 years, Porsche is currently committing heavily to electrification, as its Taycan EV is proving hugely successful, and an electric Macan is due in 2024 too.

While Porsche has so far not confirmed or denied an EV, the brand is already exploring what electric sports cars will look like. It may prove challenging in the 911, though, because the model is renowned for its rear-engined layout. But as the 911 remains so important for Porsche, we’d be highly surprised if it didn’t continue as an EV in the future. Just expect it to look quite different to how it does now.

BMW 3 Series

Arguably BMW’s best-known model, the 3 Series saloon and estate continue to be hugely successful models, even in the face of SUV popularity. You can buy the models with a choice of plug-in hybrid powertrains, with these now being the best-selling versions in the UK.

BMW is already offering an electric 3 Series (called the i3), but currently, it’s produced and sold exclusively in China. However, a new i3 for Europe is on the way, though it likely won’t be until the next generation model launches in 2025 or 2026. It’s likely to use a bespoke platform developed under what BMW calls ‘Neue Klasse’, which will essentially be its next-generation EVs.