Category: News

Nissan has halted production of its electric Leaf at its Sunderland plant as the firm begins the move to a new model.

The Leaf has been a hugely important model for Nissan, with 270,000 examples produced since 2013 and 13 years since Nissan brought out the first generation in the UK.

But the existing Leaf is bowing out for a new model which is expected in 2026 – alongside new generations of the Juke and Qashqai – thanks to £2bn of investment by Nissan.

Nissan has stated, however, that the current Leaf will remain on sale for the time being and ‘is available to customers as normal’.

The next generation of Leaf will continue to be produced at the Sunderland plant, too, having confirmed the news back in November 2023, with the creation of three ‘gigafactory’ battery plants expected to aid the production of these new electric vehicles.

At the time, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that the investment would ‘no doubt secure Sunderland’s future as the UK’s Silicon Valley for electric vehicle innovation and manufacturing’.

A Nissan spokesperson said: “After 13 years of great success, the current generation of Nissan Leaf, the world’s first mass-market 100% electric vehicle, is approaching the end of its life cycle in Europe.

“Depending on the market’s inventory, European customers will be able to place their orders until vehicle stocks run out.

“Nissan has already announced a new line-up of 100% electric vehicles for the European market to be produced by the Sunderland plant as part of our commitment to sustainability and electrification.”

Former Aston Martin CEO and previous Nissan COO Andy Palmer said in a post to X, formerly known as Twitter, that he was ‘saddened’ that production of the Leaf was ending, adding ‘the fact that these vehicles were built in Sunderland was a great point of pride.’

The production-ready version of Tesla’s much-anticipated Roadster is nearly here, according to the American firm’s founder and owner Elon Musk.

Musk posted last night via X, formerly known as Twitter, that the new Roadster’s production design was complete and that there would be a reveal at the end of this year.

The original Tesla Roadster went on sale in 2008 and never really caught on with British buyers. A chassis from the Lotus Elise promised a fun innovative electric sports car, but unreliability and heavy weight spoiled the product. However, the second generation, which was revealed in 2017, has high expectations.

After numerous delays, supply chain issues, and the complexity and extended development of a tri-motor powertrain, the new Roadster will finally be going out to customers at the beginning of 2025, according to the Tesla boss.

19 years ago, when my 1st company got bought, I had to decide between buying a house in Palo Alto or a McLaren F1 (best car ever imo). Was no contest. I bought F1 & a small condo that was much cheaper than the car. New Tesla Roadster will exceed all gas sports cars in every way…

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 9, 2018

In previous reveals, the Roadster would be available with a rocket thruster package, built in conjunction with SpaceX.

Musk is now claiming that the revised Roadster will be capable of achieving a 0-60mph time of under a second, putting it among some of the fastest-accelerating cars ever made. Speaking on X, the Tesla boss said that the new Roadster will ‘exceed all gas sports cars in every way’.

Originally, it was expected that the new Roadster would cost around £190,000, for the ‘Founders edition’ model. But since further changes and development have been made, it’s likely to increase to almost £200,000.

However, the Roadster’s biggest rival, the Rimac Nevera cost £2 million and is almost a second slower from 0-60 mph, making the Roadster look like great value.

Further announcements will be made during the year regarding the Roadster’s upcoming reveal.

McLaren has unveiled a new convertible version of its Artura hybrid supercar.

The new Artura Spider retains the same hybrid powertrain – which is centred around a 3.0-litre V6 engine – as the original but power has been boosted by just under 20bhp to reach 690bhp in total. McLaren has also made the electric portion of the system more efficient, which has increased the EV-only range to 21 miles, up from 19 miles on the original car.

McLaren has stated that it will be offering existing Artura owners the opportunity to upgrade the performance of their cars free of charge, too.

The Woking-based firm claims a 0-60mph time of 2.8 seconds for the Spider and it’ll carry onwards to a top speed of 205mph when given enough space. McLaren has also equipped the Artura Spider with new engine mounts which help to improve stiffness while revised dampers increase responsiveness. The gearbox calibration has been revised, too, bringing shift speeds which are 25 per cent quicker than before.

The new retractable hard top incorporates rear buttresses which feature a glazed section to help with rearward visibility, but this also doubles as a channel for airflow towards the engine bay. Made from carbon fibre and composite materials, the roof can also be fitted with electrochromatic glass which can be made transparent or opaque at the touch of a button. The roof is controlled by an overhead button, or via the key when the car is parked up.

As is the case with all McLaren models, the steering wheel is completely free of buttons while the driver display binnacle – which moves with the steering column when adjusted – allows whoever is behind the wheel to quickly and easily see key readouts and information.

The Artura Spider will go on sale from £221,500 in standard specification, though three extra interior specifications – Performance, TechLux and Vision – which each cost £5,050 and bring a different take on the materials and aesthetic used on the Artura Spider.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) says it is exploring various ways to tackle the rising cost of motor cover.

The association has outlined steps that it believes the industry, Government or regulators could initiate or improve on.

This includes the industry doing more on transparency around which vehicles are more costly to insure, to help people make more informed choices.

The ABI said it is exploring a partnership with the police to help the recovery of stolen vehicles from ports, as well as working with vehicle manufacturers, the Mayor of London’s office and the National Police Chiefs’ Council to find more ways to prevent vehicle thefts.

Continuing to crack down on fraud and uninsured driving will reduce the costs borne by law-abiding drivers for their insurance, the association said.

The average price paid for motor insurance in the final quarter of 2023 was around a third, or £157 in cash terms, higher compared with a year earlier, according to the ABI’s figures.

Between October 1 and December 31 2023, the average price paid for private motor cover was £627, up from £470 during the same period a year earlier.

The ABI also highlighted insurance premium tax (IPT) as a source of costs, saying it adds £67 to the average policy. IPT is a tax on insurers which feeds into the costs customers pay.

It also plans to commission research into the impact of various social policies focused on helping low-income households manage their insurance costs. This will be undertaken in collaboration with its Consumer Advisory Group, which is made up of consumer champions and organisations including Which?, Citizen’s Advice and Fair by Design.

The steps have been announced in the lead up to the publication of the ABI’s wider financial inclusion strategy, which aims to help consumers better understand and access insurance, protection and long-term savings products.

The ABI said its members are also committing to better explain how insurance premiums are calculated and the steps that customers can take to reduce costs. This includes more detailed explanations at renewal, but also when buying policies.

Longer repair times, higher repair costs, and the rising price of replacement vehicles have been adding to the cost of premiums.

Rising repair costs are due to a mixture of the price of labour, energy costs, and vehicles becoming more sophisticated, with electric vehicles requiring more specialist expertise to repair.

Recent research from consumer group Which? indicated that motor insurance customers who buy cover monthly can end up paying hundreds of pounds more than those who pay for policies annually.

The ABI said that premium finance, which allows consumers to pay monthly instead of needing to pay in one go, is another focus for it as part of its package of steps on motor insurance affordability.

Mervyn Skeet, director of general insurance policy said: “We will continue to do what we can under our new strategy to help consumers access the products that are integral to financial wellbeing and play a key role in the nation’s financial resilience.”

Hyundai has announced that it will no longer be producing its petrol-powered N models in Europe and will instead be focusing on electric performance cars.

Both the i30 and i20 N have proven to be a big hit with buyers, with each model delivering a comprehensively sporty experience thanks to a range of mechanical upgrades over the standard versions.

Hyundai’s N performance arm shot to prominence in 2017 with the i30 N, which was primarily overseen by ex-BMW M boss Albert Biermann. As a key Volkswagen Golf GTI rival, the i30 N used a powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and had a well-sorted chassis which made it particularly agile on UK roads.

However now, Hyundai will be turning its attention to electric performance models instead. In a statement, the Korean brand said: “Production of the ICE N models has ceased for the European market starting from February, in line with our commitment to offering a zero-tailpipe-emission line-up to our customers by 2035 and to operating 100 per cent carbon neutrally by 2045.

“Going forward in Europe, Hyundai is developing Hyundai N as a pioneer of high-performance EVs. Our customers will benefit from technological developments that will make EVs even more attractive in the future.”

Hyundai’s hotly-anticipated Ioniq 5 N is due in the UK soon, arriving as Hyundai N’s first electric performance model. With a dual-motor setup, it’s capable of going from 0-60mph in just 3.2 seconds.

The UK’s advertising watchdog will take no action against Ford after the carmaker made claims of “zero emissions driving” in a recent ad.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ruled that the claims, made in a paid-for Google ad for the brand’s Explorer SUV, were “unlikely to mislead”.

The ruling comes just weeks after a bombshell decision by the body which ruled that carmakers could not describe electric vehicles as being ‘zero emissions’.

Both MG and BMW received reprimands for “misleading” claims made in their own ads, but the Blue Oval will now escape punishment, following an investigation.

The ruling forms part of a wider investigation by the ASA into “zero emissions” claims.

The Ford ad, published on August 16, was identified by the watchdog’s Active Ad Monitoring system, which uses AI to proactively search for online ads that might break the rules.

The advert in question, a paid-for Google ad for Ford seen on August 16, 2023, featured the claim ‘New All-Electric Explorer – Redefining Adventure.

‘The ultimate all-electric SUV is here. The Explorer. Redefine the meaning of adventure. The ultimate exploration vehicle – Find out more & discover the range of features. Zero-emissions driving. Fast charging. Driver Assistance Tech.’

The ASA ruled that the additional context around the ‘zero emissions’ claim, meant that the ad was ‘unlikely to mislead’ and separated it from the cases of both MG and BMW.

In its own evidence to the investigation, Ford defended its position but agreed to amend the claim to “zero-emissions while driving” to make it clearer in future ads.

A spokesman for the ASA said: “Unlike our previous BMW and MG ads, we found that this ad for an electric SUV didn’t break our rules.

“We determined that because the claim was put next to context around specific features of the car, consumers wouldn’t understand the ‘zero emissions’ element to refer to the whole life cycle of the vehicle, but instead specifically the driving.”

In its ruling, which decided that no action was necessary, the watchdog said: “While the ad included the claim ‘Zero-emissions driving’, we noted that it was immediately followed by references to ‘Fast charging’ and ‘Driver Assistance Tech’.

“This further text placed the claim in the context of some of the specific features of the car, which included its emissions while being driven, its charging capability and technical function.

“The claim was unlikely, therefore, in that specific context to be understood as a comment on the vehicle’s overall life-cycle (manufacture, use and disposal) emissions.

“We concluded that the ad was unlikely to mislead.”

Average fuel prices have risen by more than 3p per litre in three weeks, new analysis shows.

The RAC said the average price of a litre of petrol increased by 3.2p from 140.0p on January 29 to 143.3p on Monday.

Diesel prices have also surged by 4.0p per litre over the same period, from 148.0p to 152.0p.

It follows a three-month downward trend in fuel prices up to mid-January.

The pump price hikes have been attributed to a jump in the price of oil, which has been trading above 80 US dollars a barrel for most of the last four weeks.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “News that fuel prices have bottomed out and are now on the rise again is bad for drivers, and possibly the economy and future inflation rates too.

“While we’re not expecting prices to shoot up dramatically, it appears that oil is trading up, which in the absence of a stronger pound means wholesale fuel is costing more for retailers to buy in.

“The result is higher prices at the pump and more expense for the every-day driver.

“The Red Sea attacks by Houthi rebels, which are forcing tankers to avoid the Suez Canal and instead go round South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, are clearly playing their part, but so have global refinery maintenance closures, the start of America’s driving season and UK retailers buying more fuel stocks ahead of the Budget to protect against a possible fuel duty hike by the Chancellor.

“Despite these factors, we ought not to see forecourt prices go up too much more from where they are today, but a lot depends on how much margin the biggest retailers decide to take,” Mr Williams added.

An electric Jaguar I-Pace which was once owned by King Charles is heading to auction where it could fetch up to £70,000.

The ‘Loire Blue’ I-Pace – which was the first electric vehicle used by the Royal Family – was purchased by the then-Prince of Wales in September 2018 with the high-specification car’s exterior colour contrasting a ‘Light Oyster Windsor’ interior leather upholstery.

King Charles also had a fast charger installed at Clarence House – his official London residence – in order to top up the I-Pace when it was parked.

The Jaguar, which is being sold at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday, March 2 by Historic Auctioneers, was returned to Jaguar in December 2020 having covered just 3,000 miles and offered for sale through its appointed dealer in Oxford.

It has now covered 35,000 miles while its current owner, Karen French of Bampton, Oxfordshire, said: “This I-Pace was exactly what I was looking for and pretty much on my doorstep. It was only when I agreed to buy it that I discovered its extraordinary history – I was absolutely thrilled.”

The I-Pace now heads to auction with an estimate of between £55,000 and £70,000 when it goes under the hammer alongside 180 other classic and collector cars as part of the Historics Auctioneers event.

Mathew Priddy, Historics’ head of auctions, said: “We are thrilled to bring this royal icon to auction. It’s an unrepeatable piece of electric motoring history. It will remain surely the most significant example, which will be reflected in its increasing value.”

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.

Nissan is hoping buyers can fall in love again with the Juke by choosing Valentine’s Day to reveal a revised version.

The updated Juke receives a whole host of interior tweaks, a new trim level and paint colours to keep the Juke desirable in the competitive crossover segment.

Chief among the interior changes is a new infotainment screen. It now measures 12.3 inches in size and has been angled towards the driver to ‘enhance the cockpit-feeling which Juke customers really like’, says Nissan.

The system’s home screen has been redesigned allowing the driver to configure different widgets for functions they use most frequently, there’s improved voice recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have been added, and the system can even play videos from a USB when the car is stationary.

N-Connecta models and above get a new 12.3-inch TFT screen instead of traditional dials, which allow the driver to change between two different designs and cycle through a mixture of information, such as eco-drive performance, tyre pressure monitoring, sat-nav mapping and fuel economy.

Nissan has also made a number of subtle improvements to the interior, including adding USB-A and USB-C charging points in the front and back, wireless phone charging for N-Connecta models and above, and a larger glovebox.

The safety equipment has been updated, too, with the standard fitment of Intelligent Driver Alertness, and there’s a higher resolution reversing camera for all trim levels.

The mid-life refresh also sees a new N-Sport trim level which adds a black roof, wheels, door mirrors, wheel arch inserts, grille and A-and B-pillars, and yellow detailing inside. Yellow also returns to the Juke’s colour palette, now called ‘Iconic Yellow’, while a new Pearl White shade has been added along with a ‘sparklier’ Pearl Black.

Engine choices remain as before, so there’s the option of a 112bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol, and a 141bhp hybrid which pairs a 93bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine with a 48bhp electric motor.

Nissan has axed the Acenta trim level with the range now starting with Acenta Premium, while the new N-Sport trim level shares top billing with Tekna+. Prices have risen by £900 with the range now starting from £23,485 and the new Juke will go on sale at the beginning of March.