Author: Ted Welford

MG is returning to the sports car market with the Cyberster – an electric drop-top due on sale in the UK in 2024.

MG has a fantastic history when it comes to sports cars, with the former British brand producing the excellent MG Midget and MGB. The last MG sports car sold was the TF, which was stopped in 2011.

While MG was revived from the ashes by Chinese automotive brand SAIC, so far its focus has been on sensibly-priced hatchbacks and SUVs. This has helped it to become one of the UK’s fastest-growing car firms in the UK; it sold more than 50,000 cars last year, putting it ahead of firms like Skoda, Volvo and Citroen.

While MG has been teasing an electric sports car, called the Cyberster, for some time, the firm has now announced that it will enter production and arrive in the UK in summer 2024.

Confirmed at the Shanghai auto show currently taking place, the model has also been shown in what’s expected to be production spec. Taking a similar shape to past MG sports cars, the firm said it wanted to create a model that is ‘respectful of the brand’s illustrious past’. The design also has supercar-like butterfly doors and a striking rear-end design.

Carl Gotham, advanced design director of the company’s Marylebone design studio in London – the firm’s only real UK link now – said: “Our intention was to create a completely new roadster ready for a new generation of sports car drivers and which opens a bold and compelling new chapter for MG.

“The focus for Cyberster was for the design to be respectful of the brand’s illustrious past and to bring back that sporting bloodline, while also being absolutely clear that it should be modern and forward-facing like the MG of today, completely in-tune with the rapid transition to electric vehicles.”

MG is yet to confirm any performance or battery details about its upcoming Cyberster, but more details are likely to be announced in the run-up to its launch next year.

One in 10 drivers has admitted to getting behind the wheel within 24 hours of taking illegal drugs, according to a new survey.

Road safety charity’s IAM RoadSmart’s study of 2,028 motorists showed that 10 per cent had driven while still under the influence of illegal drugs, which suggests that up to 3.5 million (of the 35 million with a full driving licence in the UK) have been behind the wheel after consuming drugs.

The survey found cannabis to be the most widely used substance of those admitting to driving after taking drugs, followed by those using cocaine, ecstasy (MDMA) and speed (amphetamine).

The charity’s study also showed that 14 per cent wouldn’t stop a friend or family member who planned on driving after taking drugs.

Drug driving is an increasing concern on UK roads, with IAM RoadSmart’s Safety Culture report finding that 58 per cent of motorists believe drug driving is a bigger problem now than three years ago.

Data from the Department for Transport (DfT) also shows that drug-related collisions and casualties have increased by more than 260 per cent in the past decade.

Neil Greig, director of policy and research at IAM RoadSmart, said: “Our research offers a sobering insight into how Britain’s drug epidemic is rearing its ugly head on our roads. Illicit drugs can profoundly impair a motorist’s judgement, reaction times and alertness while driving, and some of the effects can last for days after a drug has been taken.

“But with nearly half of the offences being committed by previous offenders, and casualties increasing year-on-year, it is about time that the government took urgent action to address this issue before more lives are tragically lost.”

A collection of 12 Ferraris all offered by the same owner is heading to auction with no reserve.

Called the ‘Aurora Collection’, it is made up of some particularly significant Ferraris, ranging in years from 1956 to 2019. Belonging to an owner in Sweden, the cars are said to have been ‘largely hidden from the public eye’, and have never been displayed at any concours events.

One highlight is a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta by Scaglietti – one of the most coveted classic models from the Italian firm, with this matching-numbers example retaining its original engine and chassis. RM Sotheby’s, who is selling the car, gives an estimate of €7.5m-€8.5 (£6.6m-£7.5m).

Another key model is the 1956 Ferrari 500 TR Spider by Scaglietti, it’s just one of 17 ever made, and even raced in period at Grand Prix events, and historic racing since, though it hasn’t been seen for more than a decade. This example has an estimate of €4m-€4.5m (£3.5m-£4m).

Moving to more modern Ferraris, the centrepiece is a 2019 Monza SP1. Produced in very limited numbers and inspired by past Ferrari racing cars, this example has covered just 15 miles and is the first to be offered at auction. It is guided at €2.5m-€3m (£2.2m-£2.6m).

A 2011 Ferrari SA Aperta is also going under the hammer, with this being one of just 80 examples produced, and using the same engine as the 599 GTO. It has covered just 130 miles and is estimated to sell for €1m-€1.4m (£900,000-£1.2m).

Two classic Mercedes models also make up the Aurora Collection, including an ever-desirable 1955 300 SL Gullwing, which has an estimate of €1.2m-€1.5m (£1m-£1.3m).

Anders Bildt, car specialist at RM Sotheby’s, said: “This is arguably one of the finest single-owner collections in Europe to come to the public market. Boasting a selection of Ferraris and two Mercedes’, the pure quality of the individual cars is what makes The Aurora Collection so special.”

All cars are being sold with no reserve at RM Sotheby’s sale at Villa Erba, held near Lake Como in Italy, on May 20.

Car grilles have been getting increasingly bolder in recent years – from BMW’s highly-controversial ‘nostrils’ to various grilles that are able to illuminate.

What a grille has never done before is display warning messages to pedestrians. Until now, as Skoda has devised a way for animations to be displayed at the front to show various warning information.

While Skoda’s electric Enyaq iV is usually equipped with a light-up ‘Crystal Face’, as part of a trial the firm has swapped this out with a new body featuring an LED strip that can be configured to display various messages.

When the car approaches a pedestrian crossing, it can warn those waiting to cross that it has ‘spotted’ them. The grille is then able to display green arrows that show it’s safe for them to cross. Once the car is ready to set off, it’s able to display a different red signal to show that the car is moving.

If the vehicle is unable to stop, it’s able to display a warning message such as ‘do not step out onto the crossing’.

Skoda has also been working on a robot called IPA2X that serves to help children, the elderly and those with disabilities to cross the road safely.

Supported by the Urban Mobility Initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, various companies have helped to come up with a two-metre-tall robot that looks like a mobile traffic light.

The robot constantly monitors the surroundings and is able to display green lights when it’s safe for pedestrians to cross. Its height means it’s able to see over parked cars too.

Skoda is continuing to test the two technologies in Italy and the Czech Republic, and will do so into 2024, with the hopes they might be rolled out ‘as early as 2025’.

The government is looking to clamp down on poorly repaired roads by fining utility companies if they leave highways in a poor state after work has been carried out.

Currently, the government says it inspects ‘about 30 per cent’ of street works following utility companies carrying out repairs. However, the new regulations, coming into force tomorrow (April 1) will see all companies initially inspected, and based on their performance, those carrying out good repairs will be visited less, while the worse-performing will be visited more.

Utility companies will be fined £50 per defect inspection, but if a follow-up visit is needed, they will be charged a further £150. The government hopes this will ‘incentivise companies to perform better to avoid incurring high financial charges’.

The average failure rate for street works carried out by utility companies stands out at nine per cent, but the worst-performing firms are said to have a failed inspection rate as high as 63 per cent. Telecom companies will be targeted in particular, as this is said to be the ‘worst performing segment’.

RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: “Potholes not only cause expensive damage to vehicles but are potentially lethal to those on two wheels. Utility companies have a responsibility to ensure roads are properly repaired after carrying out essential maintenance, but unfortunately far too many roads are left in a substandard condition.

“Introducing new regulations to encourage repairs to be done to a higher standard the first time around will benefit all road users.”

As part of the changes, utility firms will also be required to provide the Department for Transport’s ‘street manager service’ with live information on where and when works are being carried out. This information then feeds into navigation apps to provide more accurate travel information for drivers.

The UK government has detailed a new ‘credits’ system that will let EV-dominant manufacturers ‘trade’ allowances to help firms lagging behind on electrification.

It has launched a final consultation on its proposed zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, seeking views on how to manage petrol and diesel vehicles between now and 2030, when sales of new cars and vans using the fossil fuels are to be banned.

The proposal says that from 2024, car manufacturers will have to sell a certain percentage of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), with the proportion increasing each year in the run-up to 2030.

In 2024, each car manufacturer must have a 22 per cent share of EVs (they accounted for a 16.6 per cent mix in 2022), increasing to 80 per cent by 2030. For new vans, the government wants to see a 10 per cent EV mix among manufacturers in 2024, rising to 70 per cent by 2030.

Manufacturers selling fewer than 2,500 cars every year in the UK would be exempt, with the government ‘recognising their smaller contribution to emissions and more limited resources’.

The proposed EV rules will initially be based on a ‘credit’ system, with manufacturers able to ‘freely trade’ allowances with other car firms ‘for any price’ if they exceed their EV mix until 2026. To qualify as a ZEV – the term the government uses – models must ‘emit no CO2 at the exhaust’ and have a ‘minimum range of 120 miles’.

Manufacturers selling EVs to car clubs will also earn additional credits under the proposals, with the government saying these vehicle-sharing schemes can ‘decongest our roads and offer a zero-emission transport solution to a wider set of users’.

Car makers unable to meet their targets, even with credits, will be fined, with the government proposing a steep £15,000 for every non-electric car and £18,000 per non-electric van they miss their target by.

The government plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans that don’t feature any kind of electrification by 2030, before moving to EV-only models from 2035 onwards.

It doesn’t, however, look to be following the EU’s position of permitting vehicles running on e-fuels after 2035 – something for which Germany strongly campaigned. An agreement reached on March 28 is set to allow combustion engines to be allowed in EU countries after the 2035 deadline. The government’s 56-page consultation document contains no mention of ‘e-fuels’, though.

The decision for the UK to stick with its original EV plans and not embrace e-fuels has been welcomed by many, with Ginny Buckley, founder of EV website Electrifying.com, praising the government for ‘pressing ahead’ with the proposals.

She said: “In recent months, it seems some manufacturers who haven’t made the investment in electric powertrains have been trying to change the rules around the 2030 petrol and diesel ban.

“This isn’t fair on others who have been working towards this for some time now, so I’m pleased to see the government isn’t succumbing to pressure from those who haven’t done their ‘homework’.

“In any case, we’re moving in the right direction by pressing ahead with plans and not watering down the rules like our European counterparts, who seem to be using inefficient e-fuels as a distraction.”

The government today also launched a £381m Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure fund, alongside an extra £15m for the On-Street Residential Charging Scheme, to support installing tens of thousands of new chargers across the country. It says this’ll ensure that the UK’s charging network can support the increasing number of EV drivers and those considering making the switch.

The government has today (March 30) announced £381m of funding for new ‘local’ electric car chargers.

Revealed as part of a wider ‘transport decarbonisation’ package, the government has set up the £381m ‘local electric vehicle infrastructure (LEVI) fund. An additional £15m has also been put aside for residential on-street chargers.

The government says that the two schemes will ‘support the installation of tens and thousands of new chargers across the country’.

Each region is allocated a set amount of money to put towards new chargers, with the South East receiving the most at £54m, while the North East is receiving £22m. The money is also split into local authorities, with London receiving by far the largest share of funds with £36m. Rutland will receive the smallest share of £257,000.

Technology and decarbonisation minister Jesse Norman said: “As today’s announcements show, the government is doing more than ever to help the UK move away from petrol and diesel and towards electric vehicles.

“That means investing in charging infrastructure and giving a clear direction to manufacturers, so they can roll out new electric vehicles faster and more efficiently. Overall, the UK is leading the way in decarbonising transport, a sector that is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gases.”

The government has also today announced its proposals for a ‘zero emissions vehicle mandate’. Kicking into effect in 2024, car manufacturers will be required to meet a certain percentage of fully-electric sales, but will be able to ‘trade credits’ with more EV-dominant carmakers in order to still meet criteria.

Manufacturers that do not meet this certain share, even with credits, face fines of up to £18,000 per vehicle they miss their target by.

While the extra funding for chargers has been welcomed, many are calling on the government to set out yearly targets for the number of EV points to be installed.

RAC electric vehicles spokesman Simon Williams said: “Extra funding for charging infrastructure is welcome as we know around a third of all homes in the UK don’t have a driveway for a chargepoint to be installed, which makes switching to an electric vehicle less straightforward.

“With the government imposing a mandate for zero-emission vehicle sales on manufacturers, it seems logical that this should be matched by targets for local authorities and charging networks to install a certain number of chargepoints, to meet demand from the expected increase in electric vehicles on the road.”

Germany has reached an agreement with the European Union, ending a dispute over whether internal combustion engine (ICE) cars could be allowed after 2035.

The European Union’s plan to ban all new cars that weren’t fully electric by 2035 was put on hold earlier this month after Germany and Italy strongly opposed the decision.

The European Council was forced to postpone the final vote on March 3 after fearing it would be blocked by the two countries, which demanded other types of sustainable fuels be allowed after this date.

However, Germany has now said it has reached an ‘agreement’ over allowing man-made e-fuels, which are able to power a traditional combustion engine, even after 2035.

Frans Timmermans, executive vice president of the European Green Deal, tweeted: “We have found an agreement with Germany on the future use of e-fuels in cars.

“We will work now on getting the CO2 standards for cars regulation adopted as soon as possible, and the Commission will follow-up swiftly with the necessary legal steps to implement it.”

The changes mean that the final vote on the legislation is now expected to be passed. Italy is said to still oppose the rules, as the country wants to allow vehicles to run on biofuels, made from materials such as wood waste. However, Italy’s votes alone will not be enough to stop the vote from going through.

Volker Wissing, Germany’s Minister for Transport, tweeted: “The way is clear: Europe remains technology-neutral. Vehicles with combustion engines can also be newly registered after 2035 if they only use CO2-neutral fuels.

“We secure opportunities for Europe by retaining important options for climate-neutral and affordable mobility.”

German manufacturer Porsche is a strong proponent of e-fuels, with the firm keen to ensure that its sports cars can still be run with conventional engines. While the brand already sells its electric Taycan, and has various other EVs in its pipeline, it’s one of the few car brands that has not committed to going fully electric by a certain date and is a key partner in an e-fuel manufacturing facility in Chile.

The vote for the amended legislation is now set to take place tomorrow (March 28).

Of all the things that you might think strictly don’t need changing in a car, high up there has to be the shape of a steering wheel.

Pretty much since the birth of the automobile, there has been the idea that a steering wheel is round. Sure, Audi and a few others have explored the idea of a flat-bottomed steering wheel for a ‘sportier’ feel. But the basic premise of a circular shape has remained intact.

Until now, that is, when manufacturers are seemingly running out of ideas for ‘new’ things they can do to their cars, and are, well, trying to invent the wheel.

Tesla was the first, with its boss – and now Twitter CEO – Elon Musk devising the aircraft-like ‘yoke’ as the wheel for its new Model S and X (both are yet to be introduced in the UK). But it’s not just Tesla, as Lexus is now getting in on the action.

Given that Lexus is typically quite a straight-laced manufacturer, known for its conservatism and – generally speaking – older customer base, it is quite a surprise move. That said, the Japanese firm is keen to make an impact with its first bespoke electric car, the RZ, which is being released in the UK in early summer.

So that’s why it’ll be available with a new device known as ‘One Motion’, which will be offered as an option. It’s a steer-by-wire system, which works by the steering connecting electronically with the wheels, rather than using a mechanical connection.

The visual difference, however, is that it looks like someone has hacksawed away at a steering wheel, getting rid of the top and bottom to create this odd-shaped device. We shouldn’t really call it a wheel at all. It’s littered with buttons while there are stubby little indicator and wiper stalks attached to it. These features turn with it, rather than being fixed like a ‘normal’ steering wheel.

You might be wondering what on earth the point is, and we won’t pretend we didn’t think the same at first. The whole idea, Lexus says, is that it “requires less steering effort”. This is because the steering ratio changes depending on speed – not a new concept – but one that’s been exaggerated here.

Normally, when doing a sharp turn, or when parking, there would be a need to put lots of ‘lock’ on the wheel, but because of how it’s been designed, a small steering input has a big effect when it comes to the angle that the wheels turn. It means that lock-to-lock, it doesn’t even need one turn, and there’s no need to overlap your hands or shuffle them around. In contrast, a regular car with power steering normally needs 2.5 to 3.5 turns to go lock-to-lock.

But does it work? Well, surprisingly yes. At first, the experience is bizarre. It’s like jumping behind the wheel for the first time at 17. When negotiating a junction or mini roundabout, the feeling of hardly having to move the wheel to make a big turn is truly odd. But you learn to realise it’s a novel idea, and it means you can always leave two hands sensible positioned on the wheel, regardless of the manoeuvre. At higher speeds, the system really doesn’t feel much different to any other steering setup.

If you’ve got any doubts about the safety of the system – and the way it works electronically, specifically because this is an EV – it’s worth noting that Lexus has engineered a “fail-safe” provision, which can supply an emergency power supply that automatically engages should the system lose its power supply. Just the fact this has had to be considered is madness, it must be said.

The drawbacks? Well, we reckon it will take more than a test drive to understand how it works and appreciate the benefits. Many likely won’t get on with the shape and weird feeling of it at first, and it’s probably why few customers will actually end up choosing it. Lexus also hasn’t said how much it will cost as an option, but given the expense and effort that will have gone into its development, it’s unlikely to be cheap. The RZ isn’t a cheap car, it must be said, with prices starting from £62,500, rising to £72,500 for a top-spec model.

We also couldn’t get on with the indicators. Going around a roundabout, you find yourself spending time trying to find the stalks rather than concentrating on the road. There’s a sharp lip at the top of the wheel that’s quite unpleasant too, while the trim at the bottom of the ‘rim’ feels especially cheap.

This ‘One Motion’ wheel is still a few years away from being available on production cars, with Lexus only saying it will introduce it “by 2025”. Up until then the RZ will be supplied with a ‘normal’ setup. Has the wheel been reinvented? Well, the firm has given it a good go. But there are some things that don’t need changing. A steering wheel is one of them.

A final vote on the EU’s plan to ban the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars by 2035 has been put on hold after it risked being blocked by opposition from governments in Germany and Italy.

While approved by the European Parliament on February 14, the vote still has to go to the European Council. Though due to take place on March 7, this has now been postponed to a ‘later council meeting’ in ‘due time’, after it’s believed it would not receive enough of a qualified majority to get the go-ahead. The postponement was confirmed by a spokesperson of Sweden, who holds the current presidency of the Council of the EU.

It is very rare for attempts to block or alter EU policy to be made so far into the lawmaking process.

Fierce opposition has come from the Italian Government, which has said it will ‘firmly oppose’ the law unless the EU commission ‘revises its position and propose environmentally sustainable alternatives’. That’s according to the European Council for Motor Trades and Repairs (CECRA), which has said that the ‘debate on the end date for combustion engines is not closed’.

In a statement released on February 28, Italy’s Energy Minster Gilberto Pinchetto Fratin said: “Italy believes that the choice of electric should not be the only way to achieve zero emissions in the transition phase.”

Following the Italian Government’s positioning, the German Government has also said it would reject the measures unless the use of manmade e-fuels was included in the proposals. These e-Fuels are synthetic and don’t require the use of any fossil fuels. German manufacturer Porsche has already set up an e-Fuel plant in Chile as it hopes it will continue to be able to fuel combustion cars in the future with this ‘nearly carbon-neutral alternative’.

The EU ban states that from 2035, all new cars ‘cannot emit CO2’, which essentially means everything but electric cars will be banned. It’s the same deadline as that of the UK, though in Britain there is a 2030 deadline on petrol and diesel cars that don’t feature a hybrid element.