The Czech firm has added more kit to its popular SUV, the Karoq, while still maintaining an affordable price tag.
Skoda has tweaked its Karoq range, boosting equipment and improving value for money.
In line with a similar update recently made to the Fabia, Scala and Kamiq, Skoda has added new ‘Edition’ trim levels in the form of SE Edition, SE L Edition, and SportLine Edition.
The new entry-level SE Edition now kicks off the range at £29,975, and gets front parking sensors, a rear-view camera, keyless entry and heated front seats and steering wheel. For an extra £2,175, the £32,150 SE L Edition boasts adaptive cruise control, a powered tailgate and a 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
The Karoq starts at £29,975. (Skoda)
SportLine Edition now tops the range at £36,390. It adds a heated windscreen, sports front seats, heated rear seats, Dynamic Chassis Control and a sportier exterior appearance.
Engines remain the same as before, so customers get a choice of three petrol engines and one diesel. The 114bhp 1.0-litre and 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol come with front-wheel drive. The former comes with a manual transmission only, while the latter has a choice of manual and automatic gearboxes. The 187bhp 2.0-litre petrol and 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel only come with four-wheel drive and automatic transmissions.
Order books for the improved Karoq range are open now with first deliveries expected in late November.
Piston-powered variants will sit alongside the hot electric JCW model, completing the firm’s performance-focused line-up.
Mini has completed its John Cooper Works line-up with petrol-powered versions of the Cooper and Convertible.
Both cars will come fitted with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine though vehicle performance figures will differ slightly between the two. The hatch produces a total of 231bhp and 380Nm of torque. It can do 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds and will go on to a top speed of 155mph. The drop-top version comes with 228bhp but has the same torque levels and its top speed is 152mph. Its 0-60mph time of 6.2 seconds is also slightly less. All cars come fitted with a dual-clutch automatic gearbox as standard.
The exterior of both cars features a centrally mounted exhaust as well as a sculpted black rear diffuser and red brake callipers. Plus, the hatchback version comes with a distinctive rear roof spoiler. All cars come as standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, but 18-inch wheels are an option, too.
The interior features sports seats and steering wheel. (Mini)
Inside, there have been changes to make the cars feel sportier with black and red accents dotted throughout. There are John Cooper Works sports seats finished off in black synthetic leather and red stitching. The dashboard keeps Mini’s traditional 2D knitted fabric and comes with a chequered pattern design while stainless-steel pedals and a sports steering wheel finish things off. The rest of the cabin is the same as the standard model, which means there is a 9.5-inch OLED circular screen as well as seven different driving modes.
Prices start at £31,200. (Mini)
Prices start at £31,200 for the hard top version and £35,200 for the Convertible. Order books are open now and deliveries are expected to commence at the beginning of next year.
The firm’s smallest crossover comes with a choice of three powertrains and three trim levels.
Vauxhall has given its smallest SUV – the Mokka – a few nips and tucks to keep it looking fresh.
This new car now features the firm’s black Vizor front end which has the headlights and Griffin badge integrated into the nose of the car while a redesigned bumper completes things. Also, in terms of sustainability, Vauxhall has removed all the chrome trim from the outgoing car to keep up with its ‘Greenovation’ strategy which is driving the firm to go carbon neutral by 2038.
All of the Mokka’s fabrics are made from recycled materials. (Vauxhall)
Inside, the sustainability theme continues with all the fabrics made from recycled materials, plus there is a new steering wheel, while the switches from the electric parking brake and driving modes are pinched from the new Grandland SUV. Also, there is a new 10-inch digital driver’s display and updated infotainment screen that uses ChatGPT..
In terms of powertrains, you’ll be able to get the new Mokka with a standard 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that produces a total of 138bhp and comes with a six-speed manual transmission. There will also be a 1.2-litre petrol hybrid with 48V technology and a total power output of 166bhp.
Additionally, there is an electric version with a 54kWh battery pack and electric motor pushing out 158bhp and 260Nm of torque. In terms of range, Vauxhall claims that the updated Mokka electric can do up to 250 miles between fill-ups, while 100kW rapid charging is compatible – taking the car from 0 to 80 per cent in half an hour.
The Mokka is available with three different powertrains. (Vauxhall)
James Taylor, managing director of Vauxhall UK, said: “Our new Vauxhall Mokka is bold, pure, and mistakable. A car full of character that stands out in the crowd. Its current popularity alongside Corsa Electric means Vauxhall is the leading brand for electric sales in the combined B-segment.
“We are committed to making electric mobility accessible to everyone, with a fully electric version of each model in our line-up set to be available by the end of the year.”
Furthermore, the new Mokka will be available with three trim levels, consisting of Design, GS and Ultimate – although specifications have not been revealed yet.
Vauxhall has not announced prices for the new Mokka, but it’s expected to cost around the same as the old car from £24,000 up to £35,000 for the electric version.
Morgan is calling time on its flagship Plus Six model with a limited-edition Pinnacle version.
Production of the Plus Six, which has acted as the range-topper for the Malvern-based firm, is set to finish early next year and ends a lineage which runs all the way back to the start of Plus 8 building in 1968.
However, to celebrate, Morgan is creating 30 examples of the Plus Six Pinnacle, which will also be the last ‘high-powered Morgan’ to feature the brand’s classic-looking design with a new flagship set to be unveiled next year.
NEWS: Introducing Plus Six Pinnacle. Limited to just 30 examples, Plus Six Pinnacle marks the end of Plus Six production. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/iugRVFQcHA
Each Plus Six Pinnacle will be available to specify in one of three interior colourways – Fawn, Explore or Riviera – which have been created in partnership with material specialists Bridge of Weir. To contrast, there will be a range of exterior colours to choose from, though customers are free to bring their own sample shades and Morgan will match the car to it.
Throughout the Pinnacle you’ll find a range of high-quality materials, from the sheepskin carpets to special embroidery. Each car gets a special Pinnacle logo on the backrests of the seats, too.
Jonathan Wells, Chief Design Officer, Morgan Motor Company, said: “The cars we create are exhilarating to drive but also offer an escape, providing a comforting, relaxing, and engaging natural environment through the use of high-quality materials.
“This project has enabled us to build upon this. Plus Six Pinnacle represents a truly befitting conclusion to the Plus Six story, and the team and I have greatly enjoyed crafting this special edition to celebrate everything this model stands for.”
As with all Plus Six models, the Pinnacle is powered by a BMW-sourced 3.0-litre straight-six turbocharged petrol engine with 335bhp, enabling a 0-60mph time of just over four seconds and a top speed of 166mph.
Just 30 examples of the Pinnacle are set to be created, with each costing from £96,995.
Both models receive a mid-life makeover with a more modern exterior design and improved powertrains.
Citroen has revealed updated versions of its C4 and C4 X to make them stand out more in the market.
Two different hybrid set-ups will be on offer each using a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine – one with 100bhp and 205Nm of torque, and another more powerful version with 164bhp and 230Nm. Both come with 48V mild-hybrid technology.
The electric versions, badged e-C4 and e-C4 X, come with a choice of two different battery packs. The first is a 54kWh unit that comes with a 154bhp electric motor, with Citroen claiming a 258-mile range for the e-C4 hatchback and 264 miles for the more swoopy e-C4 X.
The e-C4 and e-C4 X come with a choice of 50 or 54kWh battery packs. (Citroen)
Citroen is also offering a smaller 50kWh battery with a 134bhp electric motor, to give a claimed range of 220 miles for the e-C4 and 223 miles for the e-C4 X. Both versions are compatible with 100kW DC rapid charging, taking the cars from 20 to 80 per cent battery capacity in half an hour.
Also, next year, Citroen will offer a V2L or ‘vehicle-to-load’ plug socket on the e-C4 and e-C4 X allowing owners to plug in their electronic devices and use the car’s batteries to power them.
Both cars receive the firm’s new logo and updated radiator grille as well as LED indicators. Meanwhile, there’s a choice of new alloy wheel designs and ‘Colour Clips’ – side bodywork detailing that can be personalised in different colours.
Inside, there is a refreshed dashboard layout with a new seven-inch digital instrument cluster as well as the standard 10-inch infotainment screen. Additionally, Citroen’s renowned Comfort seats have also been redesigned with thicker foam to improve support for occupants.
There will be two trim levels, Plus and Max, but Citroen hasn’t revealed standard equipment levels at this stage.
Pricing for the new C4 and e-C4, and C4 X and e-C4 X models have not been confirmed, but the first cars will arrive in dealerships at the beginning of next year.
Just 799 examples will be produced and the car comes with a 3.0-litre V6 powertrain and will rival the recently revealed McLaren W1.
Ferrari has revealed its latest hypercar to go up against the McLaren W1 – the F80.
It’s powered by a 3.0-litre V6 engine that produces 888bhp on its own. Furthermore, with the addition of a further two electric motors bolted to the front axle, these produce an added 140bhp each – taking the total power figure to 1,183bhp. A third motor – which helps recover lost energy and uses it to boost performance – is located at the rear of the car, too. The F80 features four-wheel-drive for the best traction and each electric motor comes with a 2.3kWh battery pack.
There are a total of five electric motors. (Ferrari)
The F80 also gets a clever ‘e-turbo’ system which sees an electric motor located between the turbine and compressor of each turbocharger on the engine to help the Ferrari deliver a high power output alongside better throttle response from lower down the rev range.
In terms of performance figures, the F80 can do 0-60mph in just 1.9 seconds and has a limited top speed of 217mph.
Meanwhile, the car’s cell is made from carbon fibre and the subframes for the front and rear suspension components are crafted from aluminium keeping the car’s kerb weight as low as possible – though this exact figure has not been revealed yet.
Externally, the F80 sits 50mm lower than the outgoing LaFerrari and uses a floating bubble structure to make the car more aerodynamic and stiffer. Up front, there is a black screen running across the front of the bonnet, alongside concealed headlights and a huge rear wing that can be stowed away or deployed at the touch of a button. The tail lights are arranged into two distinct ‘layers’, organised into sections in both the rear spoiler and bumper, too.
The dashboard is angled towards the driver. (Ferrari)
Inside, the dashboard is angled towards the driver, plus the passenger seat is located a lot further back to allow for a narrower passenger compartment without impacting on space and comfort. The car boasts a new steering wheel, plus it features physical buttons that replace the digital layout from previous Ferraris to make it more user-friendly when driving.
Sadly, all 799 examples have been sold, and if you are one of the lucky customers, you’ll have to fork out £3.1 million. Deliveries commence in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The baby coupe will feature two or four-wheel-drive models, as well as new and improved on-board technology.
BMW has taken the covers off its second-generation 2 Series Gran Coupe.
The new car gains an additional 20mm in both its length and wheelbase while it stands 25mm taller than its predecessor. This growth spurt should help the 2 Series Gran Coupe to deliver more interior space than the car which came before it, though boot space remains the same at 430 litres for the all-wheel-drive model.
The mild-hybrid 220, however, suffers a space penalty with overall boot capacity dropping to 360 litres.
A choice of mild-hybrid and turbocharged engines are available. (BMW)
The exterior appearance is more modern with a front end taken from the recently updated 1 Series with new front headlight designs, a slimmer BMW front kidney grille and two arrow-shaped LED daytime running lights that are incorporated into the light units themselves.
At the back, there is a lower rear bumper finished off in gloss black and the tail lights also use similar design elements to the headlights with the LED two arrow-shaped theme. The body itself also features a swooping rear roofline to keep with the sporty coupe look, too.
From launch, there will be two powertrains on offer. The entry-level 1.5-litre three-cylinder 220 M Sport comes with 48v mild-hybrid technology and is front-wheel-drive. In terms of power, the engine produces 172bhp and 280Nm of torque, while 0-60mph is dispatched in 7.7 seconds and the car should run to a top speed of 143mph.
There is also an all-wheel-drive M235 xDrive model that comes with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine that pumps out 304bhp and 400Nm of torque, while acceleration improves to 0-60mph in 4.7 seconds and the car runs out of puff at 155mph.
BMW has remove physical buttons for the climate control. (BMW)
Inside, all cars come with the firm’s latest curved 10.25-inch information display and 10.7-inch control display, with many of the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s physical controls removed to give a cleaner look and feel overall. Meanwhile, sports seats come as standard.
Prices start at £34,915 for the basic 1.5-litre 220 and rise to £44,435 for the all-wheel-drive M235. Order books are open from today and customers will take delivery of their cars commencing from March 2025.
A study conducted by fuel specialist Sustain found 59 per cent of drivers plan to keep their petrol and diesel cars running for as long as possible.
Over half of British motorists don’t think that the government’s ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2035 will be met, a new survey has suggested.
From 2035, the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned, though second-hand vehicles with combustion engines will still be available.
However, fuel specialists Sustain surveyed 2,000 people to get their views on the UK’s internal combustion ban and found that 59 per cent will be keeping their petrol and diesel vehicles for as long as they can. In addition, 50 per cent of people in the survey felt the environmental impact of scrapping a car in good working order would be too high and 40 per cent believe that electric vehicles don’t fit into their lifestyles.
A total of 54 per cent think they would like to hear more about alternative options rather focusing only with electric vehicles.
Sustainable fuel can be made from agricultural by-product waste. (Sustain)
Sustain was launched by the low-carbon fuel specialists at Coryton. It is responsible for making low-carbon fuels that use second-generation biofuel from agricultural waste such as straw or by-product waste from crops.
David Richardson, business development director at Coryton, said: “Whether we meet the deadline on new car and van sales or not, one thing is certain, we’re going to have ICE vehicles on our roads for years to come. What we need is a strategy that addresses this.’
He added: “Clearly, electric vehicles offer a lot of benefits and should form part of our environmental strategy. However, as a company that specialises in sustainable fuel, we urge the government to embrace the opportunities that our category, and others, present. We don’t have to pit one solution against another – we should be utilising all of the technologies.”
Reinstating the ban to its original 2030 date following a delay until 2035 by the Conservative government was one of the key pledges in Labour’s manifesto, but there has yet to be an official statement from the government. However, according to the Sustain survey, 27 per cent of people plan to buy a new ICE car just before the deadline, meaning that petrol and diesel vehicles could be seen on our roads for at least another two decades.
As the UK prepares for an electrified future, we are starting to see a flood of new Chinese EVs hit the market, but what is out there on the market?
The car industry is rapidly undergoing major changes – some of the biggest since the car was invented.
Now that electrification is the main talking point of any car manufacturer, the larger firms are in a race against time to bring out as many EVs as they can to avoid being hit with the ZEV mandate fines, which currently stand at £15,000 for every car that doesn’t meet legislation requirements.
In the last few years, we have seen a steady trickle of electric vehicles coming over from China, which have a lot more attractive and cheaper price tags than their European, Japanese and South Korean counterparts.
However, that trickle has now turned into a flood, and the amount of battery-powered vehicles coming over from China is now out of control. So, what choice is out there if you fancy going down the Chinese EV route? We’ve compiled a list of all the major car manufacturers selling electric vehicles in their range from China in the UK.
BYD
The Seal is BYD’s four-door saloon to rival the Tesla Model 3. (BYD)
The acronym stands for ‘Build Your Dreams’ and although that sounds like a slightly odd name, its cars are far from it.
Since the firm launched here in the UK just last year, its electric models consist of the Dolphin, Seal and Atto 3.
The Dolphin is a small affordable hatchback that rivals cars like the MG4 and Fiat 600e, while the Atto 3 is a small SUV that competes with the Hyundai Kona Kia Niro EV.
The flagship model in the range, the Seal, is a medium four-door saloon that focuses on some stiff opposition from BMW and its i4 and Tesla with its Model 3.
The firm has also just introduced its first plug-in hybrid model into the UK with the Seal-U DMi – a cheaper alternative to a Nissan Qashqai and Hyundai Tucson.
Furthermore, the firm plans to introduce more EVs into the future with a budget city car called the Seagull and the Sealion seven-seat coupe SUV.
GWM ORA
The ORA 03 is currently the only model that GWM sell in the UK. (GWM)
Even though the firm has only been in the UK since 2022, the company originally sold the Funky Cat, a compact urban hatchback EV to rival cars like the Volkswagen ID.3 and MG4. However, very shortly after the car’s release, the firm changed that car’s name to the more conventional ORA 3. It comes with a choice of two battery packs; a 48kWh pack or a larger 63kWh version with claimed ranges of 193 miles for the former and 260 miles for the latter.
Soon, GWM will launch its second model here in the UK, which will be badged the ORA 07, which is a four-door saloon that will rival cars like the BYD Seal and Tesla Model 3. It will feature an 83kWh battery pack that will give a claimed range of 322 miles, plus the car will come with two electric motors pumping out 402bhp and 680Nm of torque.
MG
The MG4 XPower is an electric hot hatch. (MG)
Once a landmark name in the British automotive industry, ever since the Chinese took ownership and brought the MG6 over to our shores in 2011, the brand has changed into something completely different.
It now offers a wide selection of different EVs to suit a variety of buyers including the MG4, which is a small compact electric vehicle that is also offered with a supercar-rivalling XPower version with 441bhp.
There’s also ZS EV which is a small crossover which stands at the more affordable spectrum of the EV market with the entry-level model starting at £28,495.
The MG5 is also one of the first electric cars to come as an estate showing that the once British brand is innovating the world of electrification.
Furthermore, the firm has just introduced the first two-seat open-top electric sports car to the market with the Cyberster. It’s available from £54,995 and there is a choice of single or dual motor versions with up to 500bhp – to prove that going electric doesn’t have to be boring.
Omoda
Omoda sells the 5 and E5 SUVs in the UK. (Omoda)
Omoda is a brand as fresh as they come with its first two models only being in showrooms for just under two months. The Omoda 5 and E5 are mid-size SUVs with the former being the petrol model and the latter being the EV version.
The E5 comes equipped with a 61kWh blade battery pack that offers a claimed 257 miles and has a charging speed of up to 80kWs. It’s out to rival other crossovers such as the Hyundai Kona Electric and BYD Atto 3.
Leapmotor
The T03 will be one of the cheapest EVs on sale. (Leapmotor)
Leapmotor is a start-up firm which has a key partnership with European carmaking giant Stellantis. The two companies are helping bring electric vehicles to the masses with its range of affordable EVs with the T03, B10 and C10.
The T03 is an urban city car that will be one of the cheapest electric vehicles on sale and will rival cars like the Dacia Spring. The B10 is a mid-size SUV that is said to cost less than £30,000 when it goes on sale in the UK next year while the C10 is the larger SUV in the range competing against cars such as the Toyota bZ4X and Skoda Enyaq – but it will still have a starting price at under £40,000.
Maxus
A relatively unheard-of car manufacturer in the UK, Maxus not only sells electric commercial vehicles but battery-powered passenger cars, too.
The cars that are on offer are the Mifa 7 and Mifa 9 which are both large, practical MPVs.
The former comes with seven seats and brings a claimed electric range of between 298 and 395 miles. Furthermore, prices start at around £39,000 and the car comes with only one battery pack – a 77kWh setup.
The Mifa 9 can also carry seven people but is more luxurious and has a dearer price tag of £65,290. Under its bonnet sits a larger 90kWh battery pack that’s good for a claimed range of 273 to 370 miles. Inside, there are individual seats which allows for greater room for passengers and makes the whole interior feel a lot more luxurious.
The Inster Cross will join the mini SUV range when it goes on sale later this year.
Hyundai has revealed a more rugged off-road version of its baby EV – the Inster Cross.
The standard car hasn’t even gone on sale yet, but Hyundai has added more choice to the range with this Cross version.
On the exterior, the car features wide and angular front and rear bumpers with black cladding. Also, there are side rocker panels, front and rear skid plates and 17-inch alloy wheels. Furthermore, the Cross comes as standard with roof racks and there is a special paint option of Amazonas green matte.
A combination of grey cloth and lime yellow accents are found throughout the cabin. (Hyundai)
Inside, the rough and ready theme continues with grey cloth and lime yellow accents and the colour combination also finds its way onto the dashboard.
Hyundai hasn’t yet revealed whether the Cross will be available with its smaller 42kWh battery pack, but it will come with the long range 49kWh drivetrain that offers up to a claimed 223 miles between trips to the plug. Due to DC rapid charging coming as standard, the car can be filled up from 10 to 80 per cent in half an hour.
Production of the Cross starts later this year. (Hyundai)
Finally, its practical nature still remains, with flat folding seats, which feature a 50:50 split function – and they slide and recline like they do on the standard car.
Prices have not been revealed yet, but production will start later this year with deliveries expected to commence at the beginning of 2025.
