The popular family hatchback has received an update to keep it in line with its rivals.
Nissan has revealed the facelifted version of its current-generation Qashqai, bringing a sharper look and more interior features to the popular crossover.
On the exterior, there is a new front grille painted in gloss black, a fresh set of headlights and triangular-shaped bumper slates.
The inserts of the bumpers are colour-coded and the rear bumper has been redesigned with the tail lights now featuring clear lenses to give a better performance when illuminated at night.
New infotainment features include Google built-in. (Credit: Nissan news UK)
There are also new alloy wheel designs and three new exterior paint finishes including Pearl white, Pearl black and Deep ocean.
A new trim level has been added called ’N-Design’, which includes body-coloured wheel arches and a new set of 20-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, higher spec trim levels like the N-Design and Tekna+ get Alcantara on the dashboard, door inserts and door armrests. The seats on the N-Design model get black leather with quilting and embossed Qashqai badging just below the headrests.
There is an improved version of Nissan’s Around View Monitor, too, which is the company’s own 360-degree parking camera aimed at making low-speed driving easier.
The new Qashqai will be available with mild-hybrid and Nissan’s e-Power hybrid unit. (Credit: Nissan news UK)
The new system features a 3D function allowing the driver to select a choice of eight different camera angles to reduce the chance of any bumps or scrapes when manoeuvring the vehicle.
A new Parking Spot Memory Function has also been added, allowing the driver to save exact parking locations – and then the car will remember the space for the next time around.
The Qashqai will also come with Google built-in. When signed into their Google account, the system will allow drivers to quickly access their favourite locations via the Maps app, as well as other services.
The powertrains on the new Qashqai remain the same as before, however, with Nissan’s e-Power hybrid system bringing a turbocharged three-cylinder engine which is mated to a 187bhp electric motor and a 1.8kWh battery pack. A mild-hybrid version is also available.
The new Qashqai will be available to order later this year with prices being announced nearer the time, too.
A bus once used by Sir Paul McCartney during the 1972 Wings Over Europe tour is heading under the hammer at auction.
The eye-catching double-decker bus was used by Sir Paul and Linda McCartney – as well as the rest of the Wings band – to travel over 7,500 miles across nine countries and 25 cities during the summer of 1972 with its psychedelic colour scheme ensuring nobody missed it wherever it went.
Completely and faithfully restored to its original heyday condition, the bus features wooden bunk beds, bright yellow colours and a bespoke cover for the upper deck which features ‘1972 Wings Tour Bus’ graphics. The top deck itself has been engineered as a performance space – now referred to as ‘The McCartney Stage’.
Sold by Car and Classic via online auction, the bus could fetch up to £200,000 by the time the hammer falls. The auction is set to run from April 22 until April 29, too.
The bus is accompanied by artefacts and memorabilia donated by founding Wings member Danny Seiwell, while an official license permits the use of artwork, logos and the names of both Paul and Linda McCartney.
Dale Vinten, Car & Classic head of editorial, said: “Just as [John] Lennon’s Rolls-Royce and the notable cars of other [The] Beatles members carry the weight of history, tour buses tell a different story, and bear witness to the behind-the-scenes magic that fuels the onstage brilliance.
“This essence is perfectly encapsulated in the Wings tour bus, still adorned in its psychedelic colours, and restored to how it would’ve been when the McCartneys and the rest of the band toured Europe over the summer of ’72. “
The new Focus ST Edition comes with adjustable front suspension and Brembo brake discs.
Ford has revealed a more hardcore version of its Focus ST hot hatchback with a new Edition model.
The Focus ST has been the only hot hatch on offer from the blue oval since the demise of the Focus RS back in 2018.
The new Focus ST Edition comes with adjustable front coil springs which allow the driver to tune the car to their personal preference.
The new ST Edition has fully tuneable suspension (Credit: Ford media)
The two-way adjustable suspension can be lowered by 10mm front to rear – compared to the standard ST setup – with a further 20mm adjustment available, too.
Extra stopping power has been brought in thanks to standard Brembo front brake discs, enabling the car to stop quicker and harder under fast track driving.
Under the bonnet is a 276bhp 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine allowing the ST Edition to do 0-60mph in 5.5 seconds, reach a top speed of 155mph and produce 420Nm of torque.
The interior features large bucket seats (Credit: Ford media)
On the exterior, the ST Edition comes with an Azura blue paint finish, gloss black door mirrors, roof, rear and diffuser as well as lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels while inside, there are sports seats and blue stitching on the steering wheel, gear lever, floor mats and centre console knee pads. There is also a choice of a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed automatic.
The Focus ST Edition is available to order now priced from £42,905, with deliveries expected later this year.
The new electric estate will go on sale starting at just over £50k
Volkswagen’s practical new ID.7 Tourer will go on sale shortly with prices starting from £52,240.
Initially, the Tourer version of the ID.7 will be available in just one trim level – Pro Match.
The all-wheel-drive GTX and more powerful Pro S models will be available to order from early summer.
The all-wheel-drive GTX and higher powered Pro S model will go on sale in early summer. (Credit: Volkswagen press UK)
Available to order from April 18, the ID.7 Tourer will come with a 77kWh battery for both the standard Pro Match trim and sporty GTX all-wheel-drive model giving a claimed electric range of 374 miles.
The Tourer will produce the same power as the hatchback version with the electric motor producing 282bhp. Further performance figures have not been revealed for the Tourer model but the hatchback version of the ID.7 manages to do 0-60mph in 6.3 seconds.
The ID.7 Tourer Pro S will come with a larger 86kWh battery and has a claimed range of 425 miles.
The basic ID.7 Tourer Pro Match will come with LED headlights and taillights, roof rails, 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels and illuminated Volkswagen logos front and rear.
With five seats in place, the Tourer can provide up to 605 litres of luggage space, but fold the seats down and that increases to 1,714 litres.
The ID.7 Tourer will be priced from £52,240 for the Pro Match trim level with order books opening on April 18.
The Italian government has declared that the Milano name is banned from being used.
Alfa Romeo has received a backlash from the Italian government over the rights of the name used for its new Milano crossover.
The Milano was going to be Alfa’s first model to be offered as an EV, but now the Italian firm has had to have a rethink on a new name for its baby crossover.
Alfa Romeo has decided to change the name of the Milano to Junior.
The new Junior will still be offered with petrol or electric powertrains. (Credit: Stellantis media)
The Junior name dates back to the 1960s with the Giulia and GT1300 – their purpose was to attract a younger audience to the Alfa Romeo brand.
The name Milano was chosen originally to pay tribute to Alfa’s history which began back in 1910 – and with the new Junior being their first EV, makes a groundbreaking change in the company.
Jean-Phillippe Imparato, CEO of Alfa Romeo said: “The choice of the name Junior is completely natural, as it is strongly linked to the history of the brand and has been among our favourites and among the public’s favourites since the beginning.
“We decided to change the name, even though we know that we are not required to do so, because we want to preserve the positive emotion that our products have always generated and avoid any type of controversy.”
The new Junior will still be offered in petrol and electric powertrains and will be available to order in early summer of this year with prices yet to be confirmed and will be revealed closer to the car’s launch date.
With the latest Skoda Kodiaq setting the standard one step higher, what has the competition got to offer?
Seven-seaters have always been a big hit with space-hungry buyers and since the recent fall in popularity of MPVs, seven-seater SUVs have only continued to find homes. That said, there are a few models which buck the seven-seater SUV trend.
The latest Skoda Kodiaq, however, has set the bar one step higher by offering great value for money, while being practical, good to drive, safe and above all having enough luggage capacity with all seven seats in place – with an impressive 340 litres of space.
But, even though the new Skoda Kodiaq is a great all-rounder, what if you’re not sold on its new look? Or do you want something even cheaper?
Here, we have compiled a list of seven seats that should be on your shortlist for this sector of the market.
Dacia Jogger
The Dacia Jogger gives great value for money while offering seven seats and low running costs. (Credit: Dacia press UK)
The Dacia Jogger is a car which offers this brand’s usual focus on value for money but adds in some excellent spaciousness and, of course, seven seats.
The Jogger offers low running costs, masses of space, decent equipment levels and all for just £18,295 – you can even get a hybrid version of the Jogger to make those journeys even cleaner and cheaper, though it does make the Jogger more expensive to buy.
The only downsides to the Jogger are that the looks divide opinion, the build quality isn’t class-leading and the third row of seats is a little tight and would only really suit small children.
Nissan X-Trail
The X-Trail has been a solid, reliable and dependable choice ever since the original debuted in 2001. (Credit: Nissan news UK)
The Nissan X-Trail has been around since 2001 and in that time it has grown a reputation for being a sturdy, reliable and capable off-roader.
The latest X-Trail is now in its fourth generation and remains available with seven seats, just as its predecessor was.
The new model features Nissan’s e-Power hybrid system which brings smooth and efficient driving without the complexity of range anxiety and charging the car up.
However, if you do go for the seven-seat option, only children will feel comfortable in the back due to the limited knee and headroom while boot space is a touch compromised with all the seats in place.
But, the X-Trail boasts a smooth ride and is refined at motorway speeds with little wind and road noise – as well as being good when the going gets tough off-road.
Volvo XC90
The XC90 can seat seven adults in comfort with the added benefit of a decent size boot. (Credit: Volvo cars media)
The XC90 has always carried a touch of class and dependability. The XC90 has been around for over two decades now and even now it’s only in its second generation.
The current model has been around since 2015 and although it’s started to lag behind rivals in terms of technology, it’s still a great choice for those wanting a genuine seven-seater.
Unlike many cars in this segment, the XC90 can fit seven adults in its cabin, with the third row of seats having enough head and legroom as well as providing a decent boot space.
Another point to make is the rear seats in the XC90 can also be flipped down and folded back up in a matter of moments thanks to its clever design.
It may be an older addition to this list, but the XC90 is still a wise choice for those looking for a sensible seven-seater.
Kia EV9
The EV9 has bold looks as well as a spacious and futuristic interior. (Credit: Kia press office UK)
The looks may divide opinion, but the new Kia EV9 electric SUV is a really good car beneath its wild exterior.
It comes with a 99.8 kWh battery pack giving an electric range of 349 miles and is available with single and dual motor form.
The entry-level Air model is very well equipped with heated front and second-row seats, an electric tailgate, 19-inch alloy wheels and wireless smartphone charging.
Behind the wheel, the EV9 soaks up lumps and bumps well and it’s very refined at speeds with little road and wind noise.
If you like the looks, and you’re willing to spend a little extra – the EV9 is a great all-round electric seven-seat SUV.
Land Rover Discovery
The Discovery offers go anywhere capability with luxurious credentials. (Credit: Land Rover media centre)
The Land Rover Discovery has always been a strong contender if you want a go-anywhere, luxurious, practical and capable seven-seater off-roader.
The Discovery has been around since 1989 and while it may not be the most reliable of choices, it still has the DNA from its bigger brother – the Range Rover – when it comes to tackling the rough stuff.
It comes with a choice of mild-hybrid diesel engines that help with its economy and are more than powerful enough for everyday use.
The latest model comes with air suspension as standard which improves the ride comfort while the interior is filled with storage compartments and even the third row of seats is perfectly capable of carrying adults in decent comfort.
Several car names have disappeared and returned over the years with good reasons, too.
With the recent reveal of the new Vauxhall Frontera, we see another familiar name return to the UK car market.
A lot of research, time, money and effort goes into coming up with names for new car models, however, within the last decade we have seen a steady amount of famous names return – but in different body styles.
Cars like the Fiat 500, Volkswagen Beetle and Mini all made a comeback reliving a retro and iconic design while transferring their famous names from the 20th into the 21st century.
However, there are some cars that you wouldn’t think would be launched with a name that resembles the past of a well-known model.
So, here is our list of cars that carried a name badge that resembled an older model from the past.
Vauxhall Viva
The Viva name returned as a budget city car in 2015 and came with a 1.0-litre petrol engine that produced 75bhp. (Credit Stellantis media)
The original Viva was launched in 1963 and ran until 1979. The Viva was a small family car that was one of the most popular cars on British roads throughout the 1960s and 1970s – with over 1.5 million units produced.
It came as a total shock then, that in 2015 Vauxhall would revive the name of a memorable classic to its new Chevrolet Spark-based city car.
The 2015 Vauxhall Viva was a five-door city car to rival the Hyundai i10 and Toyota Aygo and was phased out of production in 2019.
It came with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that developed 75bhp –however, a small boot and lack of refinement meant the Viva lacked behind key rivals like the Volkswagen UP!
Ford Puma
The Puma name returned in 2019 as a baby crossover – which is based on the recently demised Fiesta supermini. (Credit: Ford media)
The Ford Puma first went on sale in 1997 and became famed for its fun driving dynamics, well-tuned chassis and cheeky looks.
It was essentially a Fiesta with a prettier coupe body, but that made the Puma a very desirable package and today it is seen as a future classic.
In 2000, the Puma was given a sportier makeover with the Ford Racing Puma – which came with a 1.7-litre four-cylinder engine that produced 153bhp and was limited to just 1000 units.
The old Puma went out of production in 2002 – until in 2019 the Puma name returned – but not with the same identity.
Instead, the Puma returned as a baby crossover to rival the Nissan Juke. But, that hasn’t caused sales to dwindle, as the Puma has become one of the UK’s best-selling cars and is great fun to drive thanks to sharp handling and little body roll.
The current Puma shares its platform with the recently demised Fiesta hatchback.
The Puma ST also gives the model a sporty pedigree just like the original Ford Racing Puma.
The ST comes with a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 197bhp and has a top speed of 130mph – with a new model being released this year with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine mated to an automatic gearbox.
Renault 5
The Renault 5 E-Tech is an electric supermini that harks back to the original 5 from the 1970s to 1990s. (Credit: Renault press UK)
The Renault 5 was replaced by the well-known Clio back in the early 90s, but the 5 name is set to return this year with a retro-inspired electric hatchback called the 5 E-Tech.
With no plans to drop the Clio, for the first time in Renault’s range, the Clio and 5 E-Tech models will both be on offer.
The original Renault 5 went on sale in 1972 and became the supermini of choice if you wanted French style with low running costs, an affordable price tag and good driving characteristics.
A variety of performance models came along with the 5 GT Turbo, Gordini and the mid-engined Turbo.
The new 5 E-Tech will also have a performance model later down the line with the Alpine A290.
DS3
The DS name made a return in 2010 with the DS3 supermini. In 2015, Citroen decided to make the DS its own sub-brand. (Credit: Stellantis media)
The original Citroen DS from the 50s was a revolutionary car. Not only did it look like no other car, but it also was the first model to use Citroen’s legendary hydropneumatic suspension.
The French firm’s hydropneumatic suspension was a world first for production cars. Instead of using coil springs, Citroen’s system uses a sphere-shaped spring absorber with inert gas and nitrogen on one side and incompressible hydraulic fluid filled that was connected to the suspension on the other side. The result? An incredibly comfortable and cloud-like ride.
The DS became an iconic car for the 20th century and even to this day, is an all-time classic with many different permutations including an estate, convertible and four-door saloon.
In 2010, Citroen decided to revive the DS name with a posh sub-brand starting with the DS3.
The DS3 was a quirky and cool-looking supermini that rivalled the Mini and Audi A1.
A hot Racing version followed in 2011 with a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine that was taken from the Mini Cooper S – producing 204bhp and had a top speed of 140mph.
Lamborghini Countach
The Countach made a return in 2021, but as a hybrid and limited to just 112 units worldwide. (Credit: Lamborghini media)
Lamborghini has always known how to make the perfect pin-up bedroom wall supercar. Ever since the company moved from making tractors to vehicles, they have made some great cars with unforgettable names.
One that the Italian supercar maker made back in the 1980s was the Countach – a direct rival to the Ferrari Testarossa.
The original Countach production ran from 1974 until 1990 – but in 2021 the Countach name made a return to the Lamborghini line-up and was still a fully-fledged supercar with hybrid power.
Only 112 Countach LPI 800s were made and come with a V12 engine with an electric motor, enabling it to do 0-60mph in just 2.6 seconds, has a top speed of 220mph and produces 803bhp.
Limiting what new drivers can do on the road will cut “needless deaths”, ministers have been told.
The AA said motorists should be prevented from carrying passengers of a similar age for at least six months after passing their test.
It also called for new drivers to be required to keep a record showing they have driven on all types of roads.
These limitations would form part of graduated driving licences, which place restrictions on drivers for a set period after they pass their test.
They are used in several countries including the US, Canada, Australia and Sweden.
The Department for Transport (DfT) announced in July 2019 it was considering introducing the licences in England.
But the assessment was halted in autumn 2020, partly due to the potential impact on young people’s employment.
AA president Edmund King said: “One of the major issues that needs to be addressed is the needless deaths of young drivers, their passengers and others caught up in these crashes.
“Each year nearly 5,000 people are killed or seriously injured in crashes involving at least one young driver.
“One in five young drivers crash within a year of passing their test.
“Most people don’t realise, until it is too late, that road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults.
“We owe it to the next generation to introduce positive measures that will help give them healthy and prosperous lives.”
Sharron Huddleston, whose 18-year-old daughter Caitlin died as a passenger in a car crash in Cumbria in 2017, has formed Forget-me-not Families Uniting, a campaign group for people who have lost loved ones in road collisions.
She said: “Graduated licences are a crucial issue. How many more young people need to die before action is taken?
“We can’t sit back any longer and just watch as more and more young people are killed or seriously injured in road collisions.
“My daughter Caitlin would be alive today if action had been taken when the concept of graduated licences was floated years ago.”
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “While the UK has some of the safest roads in the world, any death is a tragedy which is why we continue working tirelessly to improve road safety for everyone.
“Our Think! campaign is specifically targeted at young male drivers, and we have commissioned research designed to help learner and newly-qualified drivers improve their skills and safety.”
The plea for graduated licences was issued as part of the AA’s so-called motoring manifesto ahead of local and mayoral elections in May, and a general election on a date still to be announced.
The Creating Confidence for Drivers document calls for measures such as better fuel price transparency, reducing VAT on public electric vehicle charging, using technology to make more permanent pothole repairs, and setting clear targets to reduce road deaths.
Ministers are being urged to reinstate the hard shoulder on smart motorways.
The RAC issued the plea exactly a year after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cancelled all future planned smart motorway projects, citing financial pressures and a lack of public confidence in the roads.
It is a day after the 10-year anniversary of the first stretch of all-lane running (ALR) smart motorway – using the hard shoulder as a permanent live traffic lane – opening on the M25 in Hertfordshire.
ALR smart motorways increased capacity at a lower cost than widening roads.
There have been long-standing safety concerns after fatal incidents in which vehicles stopped in live lanes were hit from behind.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “There is a real irony when it comes to talking about cost pressures in relation to these distinctly unpopular types of motorway.
“While heralded as a cost-effective way of increasing capacity on some of our busier roads, a colossal amount of public money has since gone into trying to make them safer – for instance by installing radar-based technology to detect stricken vehicles more quickly, plus the creation of additional emergency refuge areas.
“This cash needn’t have been spent. The Government ploughed on with building all-lane running motorways, regardless of concerns expressed by drivers, the RAC and even the Transport Committee.
“We continue to believe that the Government should either convert existing all-lane running smart motorways to dynamic ones – where the hard shoulder is only opened to traffic during busy periods – or repaint the white line and reintroduce a permanent hard shoulder on these roads.
“In either case, queue-busting technology such as variable speed limits could remain to help ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible.”
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “While smart motorways are statistically among the safest roads on our network, we recognise the need for the public to feel safe when driving, and have cancelled plans for all new smart motorway schemes.
“We are also investing £900 million to make improvements on existing smart motorways, including building more emergency areas on these roads.”
A National Highways report published in December revealed that smart motorways without a hard shoulder were three times more dangerous to break down on than those with an emergency lane.
The number of people killed or seriously injured after a stopped vehicle was hit by a moving vehicle was 0.21 per 100 million vehicle miles travelled on ALR smart motorways between 2017 and 2021.
That compares with 0.07 on controlled smart motorways, which have variable speed limits but retain a hard shoulder, and 0.10 on conventional motorways.
National Highways said at the time that evidence shows all types of smart motorways are safer than conventional motorways in terms of deaths or serious injuries, and a series of safety improvements have been made since 2021.
The Battista electric hypercar went into production in 2022 and the Reversario is the latest edition to the firm.
Italian design house Pininfarina has revealed a bespoke hypercar designed for one lucky customer.
The Reversario is a special edition of Pininfarina’s Battista electric hypercar which was limited to only 150 units worldwide when it went on sale in 2022.
There have also been limited runs of the Battista with the Anniversario that was revealed in 2020 to celebrate the firm’s 90th birthday.
The Reversario will come with 1,874bhp and will do 0-60mph in just 1.79 seconds. (Credit: Pininfarina Automobili)
This new model is hand-built and features unique exterior colour schemes that represent Pininfarina’s heritage. Unlike the Anniversario which featured a white top half body and grey finish for the lower section, the Reverario does this the other way around with a grey body on top of a white lower half.
Underneath the skin, there are four electric motors with one driving each wheel – while an electronic stability control with a software differential allows the driver to tailor the power delivery and handling responses.
The Reversario comes with the same battery pack as the standard Battista – a 120kWh lithium-ion battery contained with strong and lightweight carbon fibre housing.
Performance figures are the same as the standard car with 1,874bhp, 2,300 Nm of torque, a 0-60mph time of just 1.79 seconds and 0-124mph in 4.75 seconds.
The battery pack is mounted centrally behind the seats to give the best centre of gravity.
Prices for the Reversario have not been revealed yet, but considering the standard Battista had a price tag of £2 million – expect this bespoke model to cost a lot more than that.
