Site will be expanded to offer ‘the most complex, personal and valuable luxury goods’.
Rolls-Royce has announced an additional £300m in funding for its Goodwood manufacturing site as it looks to broaden its bespoke facility and prepare the brand for future electric vehicles.
The investment – which is the largest single injection of cash into the plant since it opened in 2003 – will create extra room for the brand’s Bespoke and Coachbuild projects which allow customers to uniquely tailor their cars. During 2024 Rolls-Royce saw a 10 per cent increase in Bespoke content value per vehicle produced.
Rolls-Royce introduced a number of new models in 2024
The Goodwood facility – which employs more than 2,500 people and produces up to 28 vehicles per day – has already gained planning permission for the changes, which will allow it to be better prepared for the brand’s switch to an electric-only brand by the end of 2030. It already produces the battery-powered Spectre and will be releasing a second EV this year.
Chris Brownridge, chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said: “In 2024, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars reaffirmed its position as an authentic luxury house by crafting the most complex, personal, and valuable motor cars in its history.
The Goodwood facility is seen as the ‘home’ of Rolls-Royce
“This momentum means it is necessary for us to invest more than £300 million in extending the Home of Rolls-Royce. This represents our most substantial financial commitment to Goodwood since its opening in 2003 and a significant vote of confidence in the Rolls-Royce marque, securing our future here in the UK.”
During 2024 Rolls-Royce delivered 5,712 vehicles – its third-highest annual sales figure on record. The 12-month period saw the introduction of four new models, with the Cullinan Ghost Series II and Ghost Series II released alongside Black Badge versions of each.
Skoda’s largest EV has proven popular in the market.
Skoda has released its second-generation Enyaq, introducing a raft of changes to the EV’s design and technology.
The car’s exterior now uses the brand’s ‘Modern Solid’ design – first seen on the smaller Elroq – which includes an illuminated ‘face’ and the ‘Skoda’ letters applied in dark chrome. Skoda says that the redesign has contributed to a low drag coefficient of 0.245 for the Enyaq and 0.229 for the more slippery Enyaq Coupe.
The Enyaq’s optional LED Matrix headlights include 36 light ‘segments’ in a double-row configuration to allow for maximum illumination without dazzling oncoming traffic. Regular models still get LED lights as standard, too.
The revised interior gets more standard equipment than before
Skoda has boosted the level of standard equipment included on the Enyaq as well. Now, all cars come with heated front seats and steering wheel, alongside tri-zone climate control, predictive adaptive cruise control and an electric boot.
A number of interior ‘Design Selections’ are available, too, which incorporate different colours and materials. Lounge Design Selection, for instance, brings artificial leather and microsuede upholstery with a contrast mint green stitch pattern.
The Enyaq gets Skoda’s new ‘Modern Solid’ design
As before, the Enyaq will be available with two battery sizes and three powertrain configurations. Enyaq 60 models get a 59kWh battery linked to a 201bhp electric motor for a total range of 268 miles, while the Enyaq 85 incorporates a larger 77kWh battery attached to a 282bhp motor which should return up to 365 miles of range. Enyaq 85x models, meanwhile, get an additional motor on the front axle for all-wheel-drive but get the same power output as the standard 85 – range drops to 332 miles, too. You’ll get a maximum charge rate of 165kW for the Enyaq 60 and 175kW for the 85.
In the UK, Enyaqs will be available in traditional SE L, Edition and Sportline grades though full pricing has yet to be announced.
The event will see the return of the 1977 Bathurst 1000 winner, Jacky Ickx, who will be driving the Genesis for a series of demonstration laps.
Genesis has revealed that its X Gran Berlinetta concept will make its debut at this year’s Mount Panorama Bathurst 12-hour endurance race in Australia.
The event will also see the return of former Bathurst 1000 winner, Jacky Ickx, who will be driving the Genesis X Gran Berlinetta around the circuit for a series of demonstration laps throughout the weekend.
Ickx has been racing for nearly six decades after entering Formula One back in 1967, winning eight races and securing 25 podiums.
The 12 hour Mount Panorama Bathurst race takes place from January 31 to February 2. (Genesis)
The X Gran Berlinetta was first shown at the 2023 Gran Turismo World Series finals in Barcelona, Spain, but the Bathurst will be the first time the car will be seen out on track. Alongside this concept, Genesis will also be showcasing its GV60 Magma concept at the race, too.
Justin Douglass, head of Genesis Motors Australia, said: “I have always admired Genesis for its cultured elegance and design aesthetics and sincerely believe in a relationship that is founded on authenticity and admiration for each other.”
He added: “I have also long admired Mount Panorama at Bathurst as one of the world’s greatest motor racing venues, and I can’t wait to put the incredible Genesis X Gran Berlinetta through its paces, for all the world to see.”
The 12-hour Mount Panorama Bathurst event takes place from the weekend commencing January 31 to February 2.
Hagerty UK reveals the classic cars that could be worth buying ahead of values expected to soar this year
Leading specialist classic car insurance firm Hagerty has named the cars it expects to increase in value in 2025.
The classics, which range from a humble first generation Toyota RAV4 to the exotic Ferrari F355, are listed in the Hagerty UK Bull Market report.
The list reveals the cars that the company feel are on the cusp of increased interest from the classic car movement, with each car given a range of prices to help potential buyers. The latest UK report is the fifth of its type.
Report collator and Hagerty UK Price Guide Editor, John Mayhead, said: “What makes the Bull Market different is we look at cars that are great to own, as well as being likely to rise in value.
“Sure there are some solid investment cars out there but, as enthusiasts, we want to recommend cars that can also be used and enjoyed, not tucked away in cotton wool.
“We also aim to select cars that are attainable, with something to suit most budgets, and this year’s list perfectly demonstrates that.
“The general rule of thumb is to buy a car with the heart, if you own something you love, any upside in value can be seen as the icing on a very enjoyable cake.”
2000-02 Subaru Impreza P1
Prices for the P1 have been rising strongly and are set to continue (Hagerty)
Developed by Prodrive, the firm set out to create the ultimate Impreza for UK roads. The resulting Impreza P1 featured special bodywork refined by McLaren F1 designer Peter Stevens, while the car’s 2.0-litre EJ20 engine was tweaked by Prodrive’s engineers.
Prices have been rising strongly and are set to continue, believes Hagerty. Its September 2022 price guide listed ‘excellent’ examples at the £32,000 mark, and two years later this rose to £50,500.
The Shadow was a ground-breaking car for Rolls-Royce when it launched in 1965 (Hagerty)
Prices for one of Rolls-Royce’s most popular models have been relatively static for a long time. That is for cars in ‘excellent’ and lower condition, though; Hagerty has noticed that cars in #1 condition – or concours – have risen by over 20 per cent between December 2021 and today, leading to predictions that this will bump up less pristine cars.
The Shadow was a ground-breaking car for Rolls-Royce when it launched in 1965, as it was the first R-R to not be built on a separate chassis, and was designed more for the owner-driver rather than as a chauffeur-driven limousine. The Series II cars built between 1977 and 1980, featured a number of upgrades, such as improved suspension, more precise steering, and energy-absorbing rubber bumpers.
F355 models fitted with a manual gearbox are very desirable (Hagerty)
Regarded by some as ‘peak’ Ferrari, the F355 is starting to rise in value. Hagerty’s Price Guide has recorded values rising by 6.2 per cent over the past three years, while US buyers are going mad for them. Cars fitted with a manual gearbox are very desirable, while cars fitted with options such as carbon seats and magnesium wheels are also in demand.
It pretty much ticks every box going, and has the benefit of being a nineties car – an increasingly fashionable era for car enthusiasts.
Value range (Berlinetta): #1 – £93,200 #2 – £73,300 #3 – £62,700 #4 – £50,600 (+ 4–6% for GTS; +8–13% for Spyder)
1965–69 Porsche 912
With the 912, Porsche offered customers more value for money by fitting it with a four- rather than a six-cylinder engine (Hagerty)
With the 912, Porsche offered customers more value for money by fitting it with a four- rather than a six-cylinder engine (as in the 911). Hagerty says the 912 isn’t expected to rise dramatically in value soon, but it currently represents excellent value for money.
Prices have dropped since their peak of around £125,000 for rare short wheelbase examples in 2022, with Hagerty #2 price sitting at £57,800. That’s for imported left-hand drive cars – UK right-hookers command higher prices.
The GTA is starting to become increasingly sought after by enthusiasts, and prices are following suit. (Hagerty)
The 147 GTA isn’t what you call an old car, but like many ‘modern classics’ it’s finding a new audience in the 2020s. Its 3.2-litre V6 ‘Busso’ engine is regarded as one of the best engines of its type ever, and it was shoe-horned into a handsome hatchback body that was suitably flared and enlarged to denote its sporting character.
The GTA is starting to become increasingly sought after by enthusiasts, and prices are following suit.
The RAV4 was designed to be an off-road hot hatch (Hagerty)
Run-of-the-mill cars of the 1990s are becoming sought after by younger generations, no doubt helped by specific events that celebrate these types of cars such as Hagerty’s own annual Festival of the Unexceptional, for example.
The RAV4 was designed to be an off-road hot hatch, and when it launched in the mid-90s it was pretty much unique. It soon spawned a number of rivals, and while the RAV4 has since grown up and lost the original car’s quirky character, this has only sought to drive up interest in the first-generation model.
It’s becoming a rare car, and as such prices can top over £5,000 for mint examples.
Values of the big-engined Healey 3000 have been static for a while (Hagerty)
Values of the big-engined Healey 3000 have been static for a while, which means in real terms the car is much more affordable than in the past.
Hagerty values the car between £22,900 and £70,000 as it offers a wonderful blend of typical classic British sports car styling, lusty six-cylinder power, and a comfortable ride. Typical buyers are baby boomers, but the Healey is starting to attract younger Millennials, too.
Value range (Mk I): #1 – £70,000 #2 – £44,400 #3 – £30,000 #4 – £22,900 (+13–25% for Mk III)
1992–98 Maserati Ghibli
Prices are expected to rise, but the Ghibli is a classic case of you ‘pay for what you get (Hagerty)
The Ghibli was one of a family of ‘Biturbo’ Maseratis, all essentially using the same basic ingredients but aimed at different customers. The styling, penned by Marcello Gandini, is typically 1980s, the 2.0-litre engine pushes out a very potent 325bhp, and the interior is classically Italian and elegant – it’s an intoxicating mixture.
Prices are expected to rise, but the Ghibli is a classic case of you ‘pay for what you get’ – cheaper examples are tempting but will likely cost more in maintenance in the years to come.
The Rallye’s red interior carpets, racing stripes and simple white steel wheels are typically of their era (Hagerty)
The charming and very characterful 106 S1 Rallye is currently great value compared to rival small hot hatches of the 1990s – and, indeed, the more famous 205 GTi – but this is expected to change.
The Rallye’s red interior carpets, racing stripes and simple white steel wheels are typically of their era, and as modern hot hatches are disappearing thick and fast, enthusiasts are looking at cars from the 1990s to scratch their dinky sporty cars itch.
With many cars being broken up to repair others, the P38A is becoming a rarer beast with every passing year (Hagerty)
The P38A Range Rover has found a whole new enthusiast audience of late – Gen X. They love the car’s Layer Cake movie image, and how the second-generation Range Rover offers a lot of luxury and street cred for relatively little outlay.
With many cars being broken up to repair others, the P38A is becoming a rarer beast with every passing year. Special limited editions cars top £15,000 while rougher examples are priced well under £1,000. Values are expected to rise over the coming years, so now is the time to buy.
The Afeela 1 is an electric four-door saloon that can do a claimed 300 miles between charges.
The Japanese joint venture group Sony Honda Mobility has revealed its first car – the Afeela 1.
Sony Honda Mobility was established in 2022 with the two firms in partnership to build electric vehicles.
The Afeela 1 was revealed at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this week and arrives as a battery-powered four-door saloon.
The interior features a full length screen and ‘half-yoke’ steering wheel. (Sony Honda Mobility)
Although details of its powertrain are vague at this moment in time, Sony Honda Mobility has confirmed that the Afeela 1 will bring a claimed range of up to 300 miles on a single charge.
The car’s design has a minimalist look with hidden door handles, a completely flush front end and sensors and Lidar detectors located on the roof – similar to the new Volvo EX90.
The exterior design is very minimalist. (Sony Honda Mobility)
The inside features a ‘half-yoke’ steering wheel design, a digital rear-view mirror and one large touchscreen that runs the width of the dashboard. The car also incorporates Afeela’s personal assistant which allows the driver to communicate with the car to operate certain functions. Also, the Afeela 1 has a total of 40 sensors located around the car which collect data to help prevent any accidents from occurring with cameras, ultrasonic sensors and radars all combining to boost the car’s safety levels.
Yasuhide Mizuno, chairperson and CEO at Sony Honda Mobility, said: “Sony Honda Mobility strives to evolve relationships with people through intelligent mobility and revolutionise the travel experience. We are very pleased to unveil Afeela 1, developed for the era of autonomous driving, at CES 2025.
“Afeela 1 can be called a buddy, combining advanced software with meticulously refined hardware. We will meet our customers’ expectations by providing a safe, secure and comfortable travel experience.
Sadly, the Afeela 1 is only destined to enter the American and Japanese markets at this stage with the car starting from the equivalent of £71,500 and rising to £82,000.
Custom 1977 Ford F-150 incorporates a powerful 3.5-litre turbocharged engine.
A custom Ford pick-up truck made famous by its starring role in one of Ken Block’s Gymkhana videos is heading to auction in America.
Block, who died following a snowmobile accident in January 2023, helped create several high-octane Gymkhana videos in which the rally driver pushed a car to its limits through urban challenges.
Now, one of the star cars from the 2018 Gymkhana Ten video – the Ford ‘Hoonitruck’ – is selling via auction at the Barrett Jackson Scottsdale event in Arizona on January 19-27.
Based on a Ford F-150, the Hoonitruck incorporates a variety of high-performance tweaks and changes. Chief among these is the engine under the bonnet – a 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 which produces an impressive 900bhp. The exhaust pipes exit just behind the front wheels and those aforementioned turbos can be seen poking out of the bonnet, too.
The truck is powered by a 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine (Barrett Jackson)
Power is sent to all four wheels through a custom system. Then, there are the deep dish alloy wheels which get Toyo racing tyres while the entire exterior of the car comes with a two-tone satin paint scheme and all manner of eye-catching Monster Energy – one of Block’s primary sponsors – dotted across it.
Barret Jackson is listing the Hoonitruck without reserve or guide price, but when the Hoonitruck previously went on sale via a dealership back in 2018 it carried a listing of $1.1 million (circa £880,000), so it’s likely that it could fetch more again.
Available with a choice of petrol, diesel, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid power, the Tayron comes with plenty of choice.
Volkswagen has announced prices and further specifications for its new Tayron SUV.
Prices start at £39,850 for the base model and rise to just over £50,000 for the flagship R-Line Edition.
The Tayron will sit in between the smaller Tiguan and larger Touareg in the firm’s range and is said to be a replacement for the old Tiguan Allspace.
Available with a choice of five or seven seats, the Tayron will be targeting those with growing families.
There’s no shortage of powertrains either with the entry-level car coming with a 1.5-litre eTSi mild-hybrid four-cylinder petrol unit, which produces 148bhp. This engine is also found in the plug-in hybrid drivetrain badged ‘eHybrid’ which utilises a 19.7kWh battery pack that Volkswagen claims can take the car up to 75 miles on electric power. There are also two power outputs available – 201bhp or 268bhp.
Prices will start at £39,850. (Volkswagen)
There is also a diesel option available, with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged unit bringing 148bhp. Or there are the 2.0-litre turbocharged TSi petrol engines that feature the firm’s 4Motion four-wheel-drive system and are also available with either 201bhp or 261bhp.
A total of five trim levels are on offer here in the UK – Life, Match, Elegance, R-Line, and R-Line Edition. All cars come equipped with LED headlights, nine airbags, three-zone climate control and a 12.9-inch infotainment screen.
Rob McLeod, director of Volkswagen UK, said: “The Tayron is the perfect addition to our range of SUVs, sitting between the top-selling Tiguan and luxurious Touareg. With up to seven seats and plenty of luggage space, it really is the ideal companion for families and adventurers alike. It is versatile, supremely comfortable, efficient and packed with new technology. In other words, it is a Volkswagen through-and-through.”
Order books open on January 9 for the mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, however, the diesel and 2.0-litre TSi petrol models will be available to order from February 20.
German firm outsold other big manufacturers such as Ford and Vauxhall.
Volkswagen was the most popular brand in 2024 with 166,304 vehicles sold during the 12-month period.
That’s according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which show that the German brand’s total sales were up by 2.5 per cent on the 162,087 vehicles it sold the previous year.
It also means that Volkswagen outsold a number of key rivals, including Ford and Vauxhall, which posted respective sales of 109,955 and 100,417.
Nissan, meanwhile, registered 100,446 cars during 2024 while Mercedes edged ahead slightly with 102,757 vehicles. BMW registered some 125,265 vehicles, too, while Kia posted just over 112,000 cars registered for the year.
The Polo was among some of the most popular cars in 2024
Rod McLeod, director of Volkswagen UK, said: “I am delighted that Volkswagen is once again the top-selling new-car brand in the UK – and with a healthy gap between us and the next closest brand in the market. The results announced today underline the quality and popularity of our range, and of course our fantastic network of Volkswagen Retailers, who continue to deliver outstanding customer service.
“The past 12 months have had many highlights, including Golf’s 50th anniversary, the re-introduction of Match trims, and glowing reviews and awards for new models including the ID.7, Passat and Tiguan.”
The Volkswagen Golf was the brand’s best-selling model during 2024 with 33,370 registrations being recorded for the newly updated hatchback. The Polo was also among the top 10 best-selling vehicles for the year.
The GV60 has been around since 2021 and is the firm’s smallest model in its line-up.
Genesis has introduced several updates to its electric SUV, the GV60.
On the outside, the SUV receives a redesigned front bumper and new headlights that feature microlens array technology – which was first seen on the brand’s flagship G90 saloon, which isn’t offered here in the UK. The microlens array technology gives a more precise and clearer headlight beam image from utilising dozens of tiny modules from compact light units.
The car sits on 21-inch alloy wheels with a five-spoke design, as well as body-coloured wheel arches and bumper accents.
Inside there is a 27-inch connected car integrated cockpit. (Genesis)
Inside, the updates continue with what Genesis calls its connected car integrated cockpit or ‘CCIC’ for short. The interface screen is 27 inches and shows driver, audio, visual and navigation information. Added to that, there is a new three-spoke steering wheel design, too. Other details such as the rotating ‘Crystal Sphere’ gear selector remain the same as in the previous model. Further details on the updated GV60 will be revealed later this year.
The exterior features a redesigned front bumper and new headlights. (Genesis)
Genesis hasn’t revealed whether the powertrains for the updated GV60 will change either. But, if they remain the same, that means the car will utilise a 77.4kWh battery pack throughout the range with a choice of either a single-motor rear-wheel-drive layout or dual motor all-wheel-drive powertrain with either 313bhp or 483bhp.
Prices and order on-sale dates are yet to be revealed, but it’s likely that this new updated model will cost around the same as the old model which started at £54,105.
When you’re ordering your new car or even buying a used one, the manufacturer or supplying dealership may throw in a little extra to sweeten the deal.
When you’re purchasing a new or used car, sometimes the seller will offer a few extras to make ownership of your new set of wheels a little bit easier.
This is not a new gesture that motor traders have recently come up with. In fact, extras as part of your new or used car purchase have been around for a number of years and now, there are more options than ever before.
Whether you’re buying a combustion-powered or electric vehicle, there is something that can brighten up the deal, especially if the purchase is a rather expensive one.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the extras you can receive when you sign on the dotted line for your next car.
Warranties
Warranties are there to protect you from any expensive bills. (Volkswagen)
This mainly applies to used vehicle purchasing, as new cars all come with a manufacturer warranty when they are registered.
If you’re buying from a used car dealer, enquire as to what types of warranties they off. Used cars can be a lot less reliable than a brand new one, so make sure if the dealer throws in a warranty as part of the deal that it covers mechanical and electrical components. Some of these warranties are very limited, but lots of used garages will offer anything between a three to 12 month warranty for that little bit extra peace of mind.
Under the Consumer rights act 2015, any used car bought from a dealer must come with a warranty, but it’s up to the seller to decide how long the period of warranty wants to be. Remember too that there are plenty of third-party warranty providers that specialise in older cars, so this could also be an option.
Service plan
A service plan can make annual maintenance costs cheaper. (PA – Ian Nicholson)
A service plan is a great way to save money and make sure that your car is looked after. When it comes to annual maintenance, it can be rather expensive for a full service and MOT, but a service plan will allow you to pay in monthly installments, so when the time comes to have any work done – you’ve paid for it throughout the year with no major lump sum.
As part of new car deals, a service plan can make ownership that little bit easier and less stressful and makes sure that your car is always looked after. Depending on the car you buy, the length of time your finance contract or how long you own the vehicle will all differ on how much the monthly repayments will cost.
Paint protection
Lots of car manufacturers, especially the ones selling premium and exotic vehicles will want to sell you paint protection. These can range from a variety of different options such as ceramic coatings or even paint protection films known as PPF.
A ceramic coating will be applied to your new vehicle’s paintwork which then acts as an extra coating to the car’s paintwork which makes it repellent against water, dirt, grime and any other elements that could damage the lacquer or clear coat. Most ceramic coatings come with a warranty and will vary depending on the company who supplies it. But the substance can last up to as long as 10 years.
Paint protection film on the other hand is a clear translucent film that goes over your car’s paintwork which essentially makes it scratch proof. It’s also designed to prevent your car from getting stone chips, protects from the uv radiation and any other minor abrasions that may occur. You can still wash your vehicle in the same manner if either PPF or ceramic coatings are applied, but it is advised if you have PPF fitted that a pressure washer should be used with care.
Home charger installation for EVs
A home wall box charger can save you a lot of money when owning an EV. (Toyota)
If you’re new to electric cars, the most sensible thing to do is have a home charger installed. But, some car manufacturers will actually include both a home charger and its installation free of charge. Don’t get too carried away, as all home chargers will only be a 7kW AC slow charger. You can upgrade to a 11kW unit, but that will require upgrades to your home electricity, but it still makes living with an EV a lot cheaper and easier.
It gives you the added benefit of walking up to your car in the morning with a full charge and it can save you up to £1,000 on the cost of installation. If you are lucky enough to have the option of a free home charger when ordering a new EV, take it, as it could save you a lot of money.
Car accessories
Floor mats are a very popular vehicle accessory. (Audi)
Most cars come fully kitted out with standard equipment, but some new and used dealers will still throw in a few goodies to make your car a little bit better. These can range from floor mats, rear parking sensors or even exterior protection such as door rubber strips to stop your car from being damaged in a car park.
Gap insurance
Gap Insurance can be very handy if your new vehicle is unfortunately written-off. (PA Alamy)
Another popular add-on in the world of car buying is Gap insurance, which tends to be used when it comes to new car purchases.
Gap – or ‘Guaranteed Asset Protection’ – is a type of insurance which covers the difference between the value of a vehicle and the amount that is still left to pay on a lease or finance agreement in the event of the car being written off. Given that new cars lose a lot of their value within the first few months of ownership, this can be a helpful method of covering you against a future financial loss.
