Category: News

What is it?

There’s a fair amount of prestige swirling around Honda’s Africa Twin. For decades now, it has been seen as one of the go-to adventure bikes in the class, offering long-distance comfort coupled with the ability to head off the beaten track at any given moment.

But as adventure bikes have risen in popularity, so the Africa Twin’s competitors have become more numerous. With such fierce rivalry, is the Honda still the one to go for? We’ve been finding out.

What’s new?

More than three decades have passed since the first Africa Twin hit European roads and in that time it has become more tech-heavy and focused. For 2024, the Africa Twin gained a number of crucial changes, including a number of chassis tweaks and the availability of Showa Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment technology on all models, rather than just range-topping versions.

A new, enlarged and five-way adjustable screen is a key new addition to help boost visibility and decrease the impact of the wind, while the inclusion of Apple CarPlay allows you to mirror your smartphone’s screen on the main display while controlling it via the handlebar-mounted switches. It all aims to make the Africa Twin even easier to live with over those long-distance trips.

What’s it powered by?

As before, the Africa Twin gets a 1084cc parallel twin engine at its very core and while total power remains at 101bhp, maximum torque has been increased by seven per cent to a total of 112Nm. Plus, this torque is now delivered earlier in the rev range, making the Africa Twin more keen to overtake, even in a higher gear. Honda has also made some revisions to the ECU settings and valve timing to extract as much potential from the engine as possible. An 18.8-litre tank means that the Africa Twin should manage those long-distance trips easily, too.

As on the previous Africa Twin – and like the bike we’re testing here – there’s a Dual Clutch Transmission available on this latest model. Honda has also refined this system, with the gearbox shifting down a little earlier than before and detecting corners more keenly.

What’s it like to ride?

Make no mistake, the Africa Twin is a big bike. At its top, you can have an 870mm seat height, though there is the option to drop it to 825mm if you’re a little shorter. We chose to bring the seat height down – this rider stands at just under six foot – and it made the Africa Twin a little more accessible and less intimidating overall. Once you’re off, the Africa Twin’s excellent balance inspires confidence and it’s easy to move around, even at low speeds. You sit high, naturally, and this gives you a good view of the road ahead. Without any boxes or panniers fitted the Africa Twin doesn’t feel too wide, either, so filtering is far easier than you might expect.

The DCT gearbox does take some getting used to. Of course, the lack of any clutch lever feels strange initially and taking control of the gears via the handlebar-mounted shifters is another area of learning to take on board. You do soon get up to speed with it, but on occasions, you feel as though the bike is in too high of a gear – though this can be helped by selecting a sportier riding mode on the main screen which sharpens the shifts and allows the bike to hang on to gears a little longer.

How does it look?

The Africa Twin certainly makes an impact wherever it goes. The slightly zany styling which is so synonymous with this motorcycle continues on these latest models and it’s good to see that it’s still just as mad-looking as ever. There are just two colourways to choose from – Grand Prix Red and Matt Ballistic Black Metallic – but with its contrast gold wheels, we do have to say that the former looks the business when you see it in the metal.

As with any adventure bike, the Africa Twin is available with a wide range of accessories to tailor it to any journey you’re planning. Engine and knuckle guards can be added as an option, alongside a variety of stickers and rally pegs. Through a series of optional packs, it’s not hard to make the Africa Twin look bespoke to you.

What’s the spec like?

Prices for the Africa Twin kick off at £13,249, or £15,949 for a version equipped with both DCT and the aforementioned electronic suspension kit. You do get plenty of standard features for the money, mind you, including cruise control, self-cancelling indicators, full LED headlights and a 6.5-inch TFT display which, as mentioned, gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via a wired connection.

After that, the sky is the limit price-wise. As we’ve touched on, there is a great variety of packs available and though these do add to the versatility of the Africa Twin, expect this bike’s price to crank up if you start getting gung-ho with the options list.

Verdict

The Africa Twin feels more accomplished than ever. In truth, it didn’t need a whole lot of change, but some tweaks and changes here and there have helped to make it even more rounded than before.

We’d argue that it’s worth taking a good test ride if you’re looking at a DCT version – it can feel a little bit alien, to begin with – but once you’re over the initial strangeness, it’s easy to see why this transmission has proven so popular.

As we head into the electrified future, the internal combustion engine is endangered, but can decarbonising the process be a way to keep it alive?

The motoring industry is undergoing one of the biggest revolutions in its history. Not only are we seeing the demise of the internal-combustion engine in favour of battery powered vehicles, but there are opportunities for other alternatives to become viable to power and decarbonise transportation.

One option is sustainable fuel, which, unlike fossil fuel, is made from renewable materials.

There are several different types of the substance. They can be a second generation of biofuels, which is made from agricultural waste such as straw, by-products from crops and food manufacturing or synthetic called e-fuels which are made from a combination of captured CO2 and hydrogen.

Switching from fossil fuels to sustainables could reduce carbon emissions by up to 80 per cent, according to the government’s Renewable Fuel Statistics report in 2019. Furthermore, it’ll mean that conventional cars can be kept on the road for longer which also benefits the environment without needing to unnecessarily throw perfectly working cars away to build new ones.

Mazda recently took every iteration of its MX-5 on a road trip from Land’s End to John O’Groats. The four cars were all running on sustainable fuel to showcase that any engine can run on the liquid and cover long distances without any issues. It was also a celebration of the beloved sports car’s 35th anniversary.

But, is there a reason why we haven’t seen a mass adoption of this fuel yet? And what is the difference between sustainable and synthetic alternatives?

We have spoken to Becky Mann, who works for Coryton Sustain Fuels to give us some clearer ideas of what to expect from the future.

Does an internal combustion engine need any modifications to run on the fuel?

“No alterations are needed to either the cars or the forecourts that serve them. Sustain fuels offer a drop-in solution for everyday road cars which would typically run regular pump unleaded petrol. Sustain classic (available to the public from Motor Spirit) is specially formulated for classic vehicles but can be used by any vehicle which runs on petrol. It can be mixed with fossil fuel, with no issues at all and has less than one per cent ethanol content.”

Could we see this fuel replace fossil-fuels in the future?

“We certainly believe that sustainable fuel should play a role in our transition away from fossil-fuel, offering a drop-in solution for our existing fleet and infrastructure. Of course, there’s no silver bullet to the environmental challenges we face, we need to work towards using the right technologies for the right applications.

“However, we will have ICE vehicles on our roads for many decades to come, so it makes sense to try and tackle the emissions from that fleet.”

What’s the difference between sustainable fuel and synthetic e-fuels?

“There are three types of sustainable fuel. Sustain is an advanced biofuel that includes second generation agricultural waste. Biofuel is made by fermentation of plant-based material, hydrotreatment or esterification of plant based-oils. First generation uses crops as its source of biomass, the second generation uses waste as its source of biomass and the third generation uses microorganisms as its source of biomass.”

She added: “Synthetic fuels are a set of hydrocarbon fuels made using CO, CO2 and hydrogen via syngas and Fischer-Tropsch-type processes. E-fuels are a subset of synthetic fuels relying on renewable energy to power the process to harness CO/CO2 and hydrogen. Recycled carbon fuels are fuels produced from fossil wastes that cannot be avoided, reused or recycled. Its feedstocks include industrial waste gases and the fossil-derived fraction of municipal solid waste such as non-recyclable plastic.”

How can we drive down the cost of sustainable fuel to bring it to the mass market?

“Like anything, there are economies of scale – so if demand increases, costs will reduce. We’d also like to see government support for this as there has been for other green initiatives, which could help the industry to scale up and bring down costs. Bear in mind that a large proportion of fuel cost is made up of tax – fuel duty.”

What are Sustain Fuels goals for the future?

“To continue our mission to create a cleaner future through innovation, expertise and the expansion of our Sustain brand.”

By Cameron Richards

The firm’s flagship model comes with mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid power and sits alongside the new electric EX90 in the range.

Volvo has uncovered a heavily revised version of its flagship seven-seat SUV – the XC90.

The second-generation car was launched back in 2015, but nearly a decade on the Swedish firm has decided to improve the SUV with revised styling, equipment and powertrains.

The exterior features a new front grille with slimmer headlight design and there are new alloy wheels and darkened tail lights. The interior incorporates a new dashboard with reshaped air vents and an 11.2-inch infotainment screen.

All versions come with all-wheel-drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard. As with the old car, a choice of mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions are available.

The entry-level 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine badged ‘B5’ produces 247bhp and 360Nm of torque. It can power the car from 0-60mph in 7.5 seconds. A more powerful 2.0-litre ‘B6’ petrol engine, meanwhile, comes fitted with a turbocharger as well as a supercharger which enables power to increase to 295bhp and 420Nm of torque and enables a 6.5 second 0-60mph time.

The plug-in hybrid badged ‘T8’ comes with the same engine as the ‘B6’ but has the added benefit of being assisted by an 18.8kWh battery pack and electric motor – which takes power to 449bhp and 709Nm of torque, while 0-60mph takes 5.2 seconds. Additionally, the car can do a claimed 44 miles on electric power alone.

Jim Rowan, CEO of Volvo Cars, said: “Our hybrid flagship has been one of our best-selling models for years and it’s still a favourite among many customers. Whether it’s comfort, space, luxury, versatility or hybrid efficiency you look for, the XC90 delivers on all accounts.”

The new XC90 is available to order now with expected deliveries to commence towards the end of this year. Prices start at £63,790 and rise to £72,650 for the plug-in hybrid model.

By Cameron Richards

Volvo has abandoned its ambition to sell only fully electric cars by 2030.

The Swedish company announced on Wednesday it is now aiming for 90-100% of its global sales to be either pure electric or plug-in hybrid at that point.

It said this will “allow for a limited number of mild hybrid models to be sold, if needed”.

Volvo’s previous target, set in 2021, was for all its cars to be pure electric by 2030.

Volvo, majority-owned by China’s Geely, attributed the change in policy to a “slower than expected” rollout of charging infrastructure, the withdrawal of government incentives in some markets and “additional uncertainties” created by recent tariffs on electric vehicles.

Volvo Cars chief executive Jim Rowan said: “We are resolute in our belief that our future is electric.

“An electric car provides a superior driving experience and increases possibilities for using advanced technologies that improve the overall customer experience.

“However, it is clear that the transition to electrification will not be linear, and customers and markets are moving at different speeds of adoption.

“We are pragmatic and flexible, while retaining an industry-leading position on electrification and sustainability.”

Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders figures show Volvo’s XC40 – a mild hybrid sports utility vehicle – was the fourth most popular new car in the UK in July, with 3,055 registrations.

Labour has committed to reverse then-prime minister Rishi Sunak’s decision in September last year to delay banning the sale of conventionally fuelled new cars from 2030 until 2035.

Comedian Rob Beckett destroyed a set of vehicle and electric gate keys by accidentally microwaving them before a trip aboard.

Thieves try to gain access to a car by hooking on to its key’s signal while the key is in the owner’s home then using a laptop or similar device to send the information back to the vehicle to unlock it.

In theory, storing a car’s key inside a microwave can help block the signal it emits – which is what Beckett decided to do.

Speaking on the Parenting Hell podcast that he shares with fellow comedian Josh Widdicombe, Beckett said he put his keys in the microwave to stop criminals from cloning them.

“If you put it in the microwave and shut the door, it blocks it out because of the metal in there,” he said. Beckett had been getting ready for a holiday trip aboard and in the midst of all the preparations, placed the keys in the appliance forgetting that the machine’s timer still had a minute left.

“My microwave, if you’ve used it and there is still a minute left on there, whatever you put in there starts to cook.

“I’m stressed. I’m overwhelmed. I’ve taken on too much. And do you know what I did? I microwaved every single key I own. Every single key and fob I microwaved.”

“I was making a drink and I thought, “I can smell fire but a different fire”. And I looked in the microwave and there was a rainbow colour of smoke.”

Sadly, Beckett wasn’t able to get to the microwave quickly enough to save the keys from damage.

“The actual metal on them didn’t melt ’cos they weren’t in long enough. So, the BMW car key – dead. Two sets of gate keys. Both Honda car keys. They’re gone.”

Beckett said that replacing the BMW keys had already set him back £200 but he didn’t know how much the rest would cost to change.

What is car key cloning?

Car key cloning has risen prominently in recent years, taking advantage of the growing number of cars with wireless keys. Essentially, thieves ‘hack’ into the signal that is transmitted by a key – even when it’s inside a home – using a ‘relay’ box placed outside the vehicle owner’s house to boost the signal and trick the car into thinking that the key is nearby.

The thieves can then unlock the doors, gain access and start the engine to drive the vehicle away.

How can you prevent car key cloning?

While a microwave can block a car key’s signal, it isn’t the handiest place to put it – as Beckett found out to his cost. Instead, a ‘Faraday’ pouch or box is a much safer bet. These can block a key’s signal and provide a handy place for you to keep your car keys stored away when they aren’t in use.

The cheap and cheerful rival to the Skoda Karoq will be available with hybrid power for the first time.

Dacia has announced prices and specifications for its budget-friendly SUV – the Duster.

There will be a choice of three power units including Dacia’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder bi-fuel engine and 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol with 48V mild-hybrid assistance. However, for the first time, you will be able to have the Duster with a hybrid powertrain.

It comes fitted with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol that is mated to an 230V electric motor that gives a total power output of 141bhp and 205Nm of torque. Acceleration stands at 0-60mph in 9.9 seconds and the car has a top speed of 105mph.

Here in the UK, the Duster is available in four different guises consisting of Essential, Expression, Journey and Extreme. The range kicks off at £18,745 with standard features including roof bars, LED headlights and air conditioning. Prices rise to £23,745 for the top-of-the-line Extreme which features synthetic leather upholstery, heated seats and 18-inch alloy wheels.

David Durand, Dacia’s design director, said: “We wanted to make the all-new Duster’s design more attractive than ever before, by making the style even more quintessentially Duster and Dacia, by vigorously and proudly reasserting our values: ‘Robust and Outdoor’, ‘Essential but Cool’, and ‘Eco Smart’.”

The new Dacia Duster order books are now open with customers expecting the first deliveries in November.

By Cameron Richards

All cars come with the Chinese firm’s seven-year or 100,000-mile warranty and there are two trim levels to choose from.

Chinese car manufacturer Omoda has revealed prices and specifications for its first two models in the UK – the 5 and E5 crossovers.

Omoda is a subsidiary of Chery International, which is China’s largest vehicle exporter and the fifth-biggest car maker on its home ground.

The 5 is going up against some stiff opposition such as the Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage, while the electric version, the E5, will be rivalling the Volkswagen ID.3 and Hyundai Kona Electric.

In terms of engines, it’s simple. The 5 comes with just one powertrain – a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol unit that produces 186bhp and 270Nm of torque. The car can do 0-60mph in 7.7 seconds and will go on to a top speed of 128mph.

Meanwhile, the E5 is equipped with a 61kWh blade battery pack and electric motor that produces a total of 204bhp and 340Nm of torque, taking it from 0-60mph in 7.4 seconds. Its top speed figure hasn’t been revealed yet, though.

The car is compatible with DC rapid charging and can charge at speeds of up to 80kWs, allowing for a 30 per cent to 80 per cent top-up time of 28 minutes, and Omoda claims that the E5 can drive for 257 miles between trips to the plug, too.

Victor Zhang, Country Director of Omoda and Jaecoo UK, said: “We have arrived in the UK fully prepared with a large network of experienced franchised retailers, backed by the most comprehensive aftermarket and customer support services, to deliver an exemplary ownership experience for our customers. The first Omoda vehicles have landed, and we look forward to seeing them on UK roads very soon.”

There are two trim levels – Comfort and Noble. The entry-level Comfort is priced from £25,235 for the petrol variant, while the electric model comes in at £33,055. Moving up to the top-of-the-line Noble trim level will cost customers £27,035 for the petrol and £34,555 for the electric.

All cars come fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and a heated steering wheel as standard. They also have the firm’s seven-year or 100,000-mile warranty. The Noble version, meanwhile, boasts an eight-speaker Sony audio system plus multi-coloured ambient lighting.

Order books are open now, with the first UK customers receiving their cars this week.

By Cameron Richards

The car used by 007 star Pierce Brosnan to promote Die Another Day is up for auction on October 9.

One of the most famous and recognisable Aston Martins in the 007 film series could fetch up to £70,000 when it goes under the hammer.

The V12 Vanquish Coupe, which is being auctioned by H&H Classics, played a starring role in promoting the 2002 film Die Another Day, aided by Bond actor Pierce Brosnan.

The Aston began life as one of seven Vanquish cars in the manufacturer’s press fleet and was chosen to publicise the movie as it had the same Tungsten Silver paint finish plus charcoal leather and aluminium centre console as the hero cars seen on the silver screen.

Now it’s up for auction at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford on October 9, with an estimated sale price of £50,000 to £70,000.

H&H Classics sales manager James McWilliam said: “Our October auction offers a fantastic opportunity to own a slice of movie and motoring history with this stunning Aston Martin Vanquish. Not only was it used at Pinewood Studios for photoshoots with Pierce Brosnan for Die Another Day, but it was also the first car to drive down the M6 Toll to commemorate its opening in 2003.”

The 2001 Vanquish, which can reach almost 200mph, has only covered 37,800 miles from new and has been in a private collection for more than 20 years.

By Cameron Richards

This new model will feature a 100kWh battery pack and the firm claims an electric range of up to 459 miles on a single charge.

Smart has unveiled its biggest model yet to take on the likes of the Toyota bZ4X and Kia EV6 – the #5.

This new mid-size SUV will come solely as an EV and feature a 100kWh battery pack compatible with DC rapid charging to enable a 10 per cent to 80 per cent charge rate of just 15 minutes. Furthermore, Smart claims that the #5 can also travel for up to 459 miles between trips to the plug. However, official power figures for the electric motor haven’t been revealed yet.

The #5 has familiar design elements to its smaller counterparts the #3 and #1, including a panoramic halo roof and frameless doors. In addition, the front headlights and rear tail-lights have an oblong design and there are Smart logos on the D-pillars, while the alloy wheels feature floating centre caps to keep the Smart emblem always upright.

Dirk Adelmann, CEO of Smart Europe, said: “We are delighted to present our first-ever mid-size premium SUV, the all-new Smart #5, to the world. With this new vehicle, we are expanding into a new market segment, reflecting our commitment to quality, innovation and addressing the evolving requirements of our customers. As we continue to broaden our product line-up, we remain focused on providing diverse mobility solutions that cater to different lifestyles and preferences in Europe and around the globe.”

The interior features ambient lighting with a choice of 256 colours. There is also leather upholstery with front seats that can recline by up to 121 degrees, and there are 34 storage compartments dotted about the cabin. Furthermore, there is a 25.6-inch augmented reality head-up display, a 10.3-inch instrument cluster plus two 13-inch OLED display screens.

In terms of space, there is a total of 72 litres in the frunk (front boot). Boot space with the rear seats up hasn’t been revealed, but it stands at 1,530 litres with them folded down.

Prices and specifications are yet to be revealed, but it’ll be launched in Europe later this year.

By Cameron Richards

Hot EV aims to offer electrifying alternative to Golf GTI Clubsport and costs just £5,000 more

The Volkswagen ID 3 GTX Performance officially goes on sale this week, offering 322bhp and the promise of hot hatch thrills without the tailpipe emissions.

Billed as a pure-electric alternative to the Golf GTI Clubsport, often deemed the pinnacle of VW’s hot hatch prowess, the ID 3 GTX Performance is capable of accelerating from 0-62mph in just 5.7 seconds, making it the German marque’s fastest accelerating EV to date.

Sharing much of its underpinnings with sister company’s Cupra Born VZ, Volkswagen says the ID 3 GTX Performance offers a top speed of 124mph (somewhat down on the ICE Golf GTI Clubsport) and 369 miles of range on the WLTP combined cycle.

Maximum charging speeds are 185kW, resulting in a 10-80 per cent charge in 26 minutes from the appropriate outlets.

The racy electric hatch comes with an impressive array of standard kit, including 20-inch wheels, sports suspension, the marque’s DCC adaptive chassis control system, a Harman Kardon stereo and augmented reality head-up display.

“The ID 3 GTX Performance is, for me, the electric counterpart to the Golf GTI Clubsport,” said Kai Grünitz, Member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management responsible for Technical Development, when the new car was unveiled to the media in March this year.

“Of course, an electric drive and a turbocharged petrol engine each have their own unique character. Yet the ID 3 GTX Performance and the Golf GTI Clubsport share the same fascinating lightness when they accelerate.

“Volkswagen is transferring the almost 50-year tradition of its compact GT models into the world of electric mobility. Driving pleasure is guaranteed.”

The Volkswagen ID 3 GTX Performance is available to order at Volkswagen UK Retailers from Thursday 29 August, priced at £46,225 (on-the-road recommended retail price, including VAT).

By Leon Poultney