Table of contents for 1868 in Auto Express

THE debate around Chinese cars is one of the biggest topics in the car world at the moment. The arrival of so many Chinese brands at once, most with names we don’t recognise and many without a distinct style, character or USP, is a bit bewildering at times. We’re used to the occasional new marque launching in the UK. Lexus has been here for 35 years but is still seen as a fairly new player, while Infiniti came and went, and the likes of Genesis and Polestar are gaining recognition. But the shift to electric vehicles has opened a door, and to have so many new brands all vying for attention at once is unprecedented. We’ve picked out 12 Chinese firms at various stages along the way to becoming established…

PORSCHE has been spotted testing its next-generation 718 Cayman, a new sports car that, like its Boxster sibling (below), will ditch its petrol powertrain in favour of an all-electric replacement. With the open-top car to be revealed later this year or early in 2026, a hard-top Cayman probably won’t be far behind, with this prototype revealing plenty of production-relevant details. The test car’s body appears to adopt the same mid-engined silhouette as the existing Cayman, defined by a gently sloping roofline and a short bonnet. Although the disguise makes it hard to see, we suspect the windowline will kick up more aggressively, as on the current car, while elements such as traditional door handles will remain in place of the smooth pop-out units used on the 992-generation 911. We can…

RENAULT is plotting a new pinnacle to its range – a sleek and swoopy crossover inspired by the Emblème concept car. It’s set to be the company’s largest electric car, longer than the seven-seat Espace SUV that’s still on sale in Europe. “The Emblème is the purest expression of where we want to push the modern part [of Renault design],” the group’s design director Laurens van den Acker told Auto Express. “Don’t underestimate Emblème: it’s a beautiful object. It’s one thing to seduce [people] with a form that you know – it’s another to seduce [them] with something completely new. “For me, it’s the proportion of the future. It’s a little bit lower than an SUV, but it’s taller than a saloon [because] we need to put the batteries in…

MORGAN prides itself on its history, and in its 115th year it is bringing out a new flagship, in keeping with the firm’s character. The image below provides us with our first official look at the newcomer, and while it’s still under camouflage, we can see the traditional lines of the outgoing Plus Six remain intact. There’s no confirmation of what the model will be called and while the Malvern-based company says it won’t be a direct replacement for the Plus Six – which is bowing out this year with the limited-run Pinnacle edition – the new model shares plenty with the old car. For starters, it will sit on an evolution of the company’s bonded aluminium CXV platform and – although it’s yet to be confirmed – we expect…

DESPITE sitting on a supermini platform, the new C3 Aircross takes aim at the SUV sector with petrol, hybrid and full-electric power. There’s also the choice of five or seven seats, so the C3 Aircross – or the e-C3 Aircross should you prefer an EV – has lots of showroom appeal. Just like the C3 and e-C3 superminis, with which the C3 Aircross shares its new Smart Car architecture (nothing to do with the Smart brand) the C3 Aircross focuses on value. Prices start at a touch over £20,000 for the pure-petrol option or just under £23,000 for the e-C3 Aircross, with the hybrid model from £23,700. Those figures are for the entry-spec Plus trim, with the plusher Max available on the hybrid and EV for £2,000 more. The C3…

WHILE sister firm Jaguar is in the middle of reinventing itself for a new generation of buyers, Land Rover hasn’t had to resort to the same measures to maintain sales. In fact, the business model that Jaguar is following – targeting premium exclusivity – is one that has been validated by the success that Range Rover has achieved. Land Rover’s current flagship model can’t be had for less than £100,000, and yet the company has plenty of orders to keep the production line moving. For 2025, the Range Rover has been updated, although there isn’t much on the outside that gives away any clues to the revisions. The imposing front end remains unaltered, while the slightly pinched rear with the tail-lights hidden within the black trim still looks a little…

JUST as Japanese car brands began flooding the UK market during the seventies and Korean marques arrived on these shores a decade or so behind them, a slew of new Chinese manufacturers are expected to arrive in the coming years as companies from the People’s Republic aim to capitalise on the electric-car revolution. But with so many different names all fighting for the same market, it can be easy to confuse which brand offers what. So with that in mind, here’s our rundown of the Chinese car makers you should be taking note of – most of which have already arrived in the UK or are on their way here. BYD Founded: 2003 Arrived: 2023 Dealer network: 60 locations Specialism: Rotating screens and long kit lists Notable models: Atto 3,…

THE original X3 was one of the first models to kick off the mid-size premium SUV segment, and after two decades of refinement, there are still some areas where its rivals struggle to compete. Driving dynamics and tech are two trump cards for the latest model, but in its weakest areas, it’s average at worst. Pricing is competitive when compared against its key challengers, with the entry-level model undercutting the most affordable Mercedes-Benz GLC, and running the ageing Audi Q5 very close. ENGINES & PERFORMANCE THE previous X3 was the first to be offered with plug-in hybrid tech, and the new model moves the game on thanks to a much beefier electrical portion of the powertrain. In contrast to the old model, which at best could muster 107bhp from its…

“WHILE THE SCREEN HAS BEEN A GREAT ASSET, THE HONDA REALLY DOES SUFFER FROM AN ACHILLES’ HEEL” THE Honda e:Ny1 has a party piece that never fails to impress. I’ve heard the words “wow, look at the size of that screen” from almost everyone who has sat inside, and there’s no denying that the giant 15.1-inch portrait display dominates the cabin. Although its size is impressive, the more I use it, the more I appreciate its brilliance. I’ve read some owners have been slightly disappointed that the screen can’t just show one huge sat-nav map etc, and is instead only able to be used in three separate parts, but that’s exactly what makes it stand out to me. The top third is either your navigation or Apple CarPlay/Android Auto control.…

GETTING the best deal on your insurance is a crucial way to keep your motoring running costs down. While fuel costs might fluctuate and maintenance bills can come from nowhere, insurance is one cost that you can budget and plan for. The average motorist pays around £600 a year for their cover, and while you hope you’ll never have to use it, the data shows that plenty do. So you need it to be reliable when the worst happens, but be able to pay the least for the best cover. Step in insurance comparison sites, which promise to save you hundreds of pounds when it’s time to renew. We’ve tested eight in 2025 to find out which you should use to find the perfect policy at the right price. Money…

IT’S decision time for the bruised and battered car industry of Britain. First it has to take a long, hard look at itself and ask why and how it allowed its annual production to plummet from 1.3 million-plus in 2019 to just under 800,000 last year. Then it has to decide if it’s fit, able and willing to, at the very least, re-establish itself as one of the world’s top 20 car producers. Either way, it’s catastrophic that UK output has fallen so dramatically in just half a decade. UK car makers are going backwards in car production terms. And the figures will get worse before they get better. That’s if they do get better! The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reckons the transition from ICE to EV is…

WHAT is it about small Italian cars and the importance of design? Vauxhall doesn’t have any pressure to wow people with a Corsa, nor does Toyota with a Yaris. But when a new Panda is on the horizon, Italians are at the ready with their pasta forks and wooden spoons to decry the possible desecration of a national treasure. For when it comes to cultural icons, they don’t get much more important than the Fiat Panda – over 7.8 million of them have been sold through three generations. That means more than twice as many Pandas have been sold as first-generation Fiat 500s, to put its importance into context. In addition, each generation of Panda has been a simple, unfussy yet masterful execution of both form and function. Thankfully for…

BEFORE the all-electric Cayman, the Boxster EV will be unwrapped – quite suitably given that Porsche’s open-top car first launched in 1996, with the Cayman arriving almost a decade later. When it comes to the 718 model line’s new architecture, Porsche CEO Oliver Blume previously said: “We’re going to have one platform for our two-door sports cars, and [another] for our four-door sports cars.” He also confirmed that production of the 718 models will continue at the Zuffenhausen plant in Germany. Since then, we have found out that four-door sports cars, a ‘city SUV’, and a ‘large SUV’ (Cayenne EV) will sit on the latest PPE platform (used by the new Macan EV). Porsche’s small sports cars, like the Boxster and Cayman EVs, will get a bespoke platform.…

RENAULT has taken another trip down memory lane, this time to create a radical single-seat “laboratory on wheels” inspired by the brand’s land speed record-breaking cars from the early 20th century. The aim is to push the limits of aerodynamics and today’s electric-car technology. It’s called the Renault Filante Record 2025, but rather than chasing top speed, its creators will look to establish new energy efficiency records later this year new technology that could find its way into production models. The main inspiration was the torpedo-like Renault 40 CV ‘des Records’ from 1925 that broke several speed and endurance achievements. That was also a single-seater with an enormous, elongated bonnet and a cockpit pushed back as far as possible. The 87kWh battery in Filante Record 2025 uses new cell-to-pack technology to…

ON-street EV charging is getting a boost, thanks to an investment announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves as part of the Government’s package of growth measures for the UK economy revealed in a speech last week. It comes as reports also emerge of a proposed scheme for cheaper Government-backed loans for EV buyers, with the UK scrambling to boost private uptake of electric cars in the face of consumer reluctance to embrace the new technology. The Treasury has announced a £55 million investment in car charging firm Connected Kerb, via its National Wealth Fund (NWF), which is financed by taxation and Government borrowing. Its purchase of an equity stake means taxpayers will own what the NWF says is “a minority stake” in the business, which will use the funds to quadruple…

A LONGER range for the i5 and a new six-cylinder diesel engine for the X3 are among a series of updates being introduced by BMW in 2025. The i5 saloon and Touring get a handy boost with up to 47km (or 29 miles) of extra range, while the X3 is now available with the brand’s latest 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder turbodiesel, in the X3 40d xDrive. Elsewhere in the line-up, the 2 Series Gran Coupé hasn’t even hit the road yet and already the firm has announced two new variants: a 120bhp 1.5-litre petrol 216 Gran Coupé (with a 0-62mph time just sneaking under 10 seconds), and a 215bhp, four-cylinder 223 xDrive Gran Coupé. This manages 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds. In addition, owners with a car running on the brand’s operating…

JAECOO is the latest in a wave of Chinese brands that have made their way to the UK. It’s owned by Chery, which has been the country’s biggest car exporter for the past 20 years or so, and also owns Omoda, which launched here last summer with a philosophy of ‘affordable premium’. Jaecoo, meanwhile, is pitched as the generally more upmarket marque. Its cars have a more rugged appearance and the brand is attempting to go after the likes of the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and MINI Countryman with its first offering, the Jaecoo 7. On the plus side, the 7’s pricing undercuts the Audi and BMW, which both start from around £36,000 – although our current class favourite, the MINI, also starts from £29,000. But a big concern for…

BEFORE we get started on this new range-topping GT specification of the Ora 03, a bit of housekeeping. First, the Funky Cat name that you might still associate with this cute electric supermini was axed last year in favour of the more sensible Ora 03 moniker. Ora is a sub-brand of GWM and we’ve been promised more will arrive soon; the Haval Jolion Pro Hybrid small SUV is due this year, and there’s the potential for a pick-up truck, an off-roader and a more premium SUV later. For now, the Ora 03 range has had a bit of a shake-up. The entry-level Pure+ and range-topping Pro+ models are no more, and instead we have Pure, Pro and this sporty new GT variant. At the same time, prices have come down…

THE NX is a well known quantity in this class, and as its multiple gongs in our New Car Awards in recent years prove, it’s one of the best SUVs around. A range of efficient powertrains mated to many strengths that you’d expect from Lexus – chiefly refinement and reliability – with others that are more of a surprise, such as keen driving dynamics and a competent infotainment system, entirely justifies the NX’s spot among the class leaders. Each passing year makes it harder to cling onto top spot, however, and with the new X3 and second-generation Mercedes GLC to contend with – plus an upcoming Audi Q5 – it certainly has its work cut out. ENGINES & PERFORMANCE HYBRID tech has been a Lexus staple for years, and with…

WITH many car makers now operating an agency-style dealer model – whereby you buy directly from the manufacturer rather than a franchise – there’s often less scope for negotiation when purchasing a new car. The advertised price is what you pay, like it or lump it. But there are still ways to save money and net yourself a stellar deal. While you may find a growing trend towards fixed list prices, there are plenty of low-APR finance deals around, and if you look hard enough, some pretty hefty deposit contributions, too. It’s the latter that my own parents took advantage of only a couple of weeks ago. We’d been to a number of showrooms looking at used and nearly new cars, only for one Volkswagen salesperson to suggest he could…

LUXURY SUVs take the opulence and refinement of a posh saloon, and then combine them with the practicality and ruggedness of an SUV. This blend of space and elegance, combined with a commanding presence have made SUVs the bodystyle of choice in the luxury market. 1 Porsche Cayenne Prices from £76,555 PROS Entertaining to drive Quiet and refined Spacious interior CONS Pricey options Some hard plastics Expensive servicing THE Porsche Cayenne began life as a joint development with the first-generation Volkswagen Touareg, but it didn’t take long for it to become Porsche’s biggest seller, as the company brought its renowned sports car expertise to bear and produced a large SUV with the enthusiastic driver in mind. The latest is the best yet and offers plenty of performance, along with a…

THE Mazda 6e saloon will soon spawn a Tesla Model Y-rivalling mid-size SUV, as the maker looks to ramp up its EV offering and meet future ZEV (zero-emission vehicle) targets to 2030 and beyond. The CX-6e badge has now been trademarked, which gives us a good idea of the car’s name, but not necessarily its technical make-up. Mazda could develop its electric SUV on the same platform as the 6e – created via a joint venture with Chinese automotive giant Changan – or on a new in-house EV architecture dubbed ‘Scalable Sky Activ’. Mazda’s chiefs hinted at an SUV based on this flexible platform late last year. Now Mazda UK’s managing director, Jeremy Thomson, has told us to “watch this space” when asked why the firm had chosen to lead…

BRITAIN’S automotive manufacturing sector is set for its worst output in over half a century, with industry officials citing the “growing pains” of the current transition to electric vehicles and experts warning about the possible threat of new tariffs from US President Donald Trump. The latest figures from the UK’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that UK car production fell by almost 14 per cent last year to just 779,584, with the number of light commercial vehicles (LCVs) rising marginally by four per cent, although the imminent closure of the Stellantis factory in Luton will affect this. As firms continue to restructure to produce more electric models to meet ZEV targets, things are expected to get worse before they get better. Independent estimates hint that the UK…

THE Volkswagen Group will stop selling VW, Skoda and Audi EVs directly to customers in the short to medium term, blaming the slow take-up of electric cars for the rethink. The company is one of many firms delaying or reversing non-traditional sales models, which saw dealers become agents charged with delivering the cars, but at a price set by the manufacturer. Ford, JLR and Stellantis have also moved away from direct sales in recent months. The VW Group says the agency model remains its ‘Guiding Light’, but suggests the less than eager uptake of electric cars across Europe has forced a rethink and the original plan is on hold, other than with its Cupra brand. See Buying Cars, p65…

“The Ariya Nismo doesn’t ooze muscularity, but it carries itself confidently” WE rate the Nissan Ariya at Auto Express. It’s a strong electric SUV that offers space, style, quality and value in equal measure, and it’s an engaging car to drive, too. So much so, that we voted it our outright Car Of The Year in 2022. Presumably, then, a Nismo version with more performance, plus sharper handling and looks, should be peachy, shouldn’t it? The answer is yes, and no. Yes, because the Nismo Ariya does indeed look tastier and goes harder than the standard car thanks to its potent twin electric motors. Although its 87kWh battery is unchanged, power rises to 429bhp from 302bhp, dropping the 0-62mph time to 5.0 seconds (from 5.7sec). Torque is unchanged at 600Nm.…

THE Internet can feel like the Wild West at times, with misinformation more rife than ever, particularly when it comes to Chinese electric vehicles. But what’s the real truth, and should you take the plunge and buy one? That’s what we aim to answer in this special report. We’ve spoken to the brands themselves, as well as industry experts, to address some of the key issues – and dismiss some of the more outlandish rumours and assumptions. Here we answer the burning questions on one of the most discussed topics in the industry. Why are Chinese EVs so cheap? CHINESE cars have gained a reputation for being cheap, but this isn’t necessarily because they are of poor quality. In fact, there are several factors contributing towards their low price tags.…

THE Tavascan is Cupra’s second fully electric vehicle, but also its first electric SUV. Rather than this leading to a dumbing down of the brand’s sporty styling, the car’s performance-led design has moved it further away from its siblings in the VW Group. Underneath, it may share its MEB platform, batteries and motors with the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron, VW ID.5 and Skoda Enyaq Coupé, among many others, but the bold styling inside and out is what makes it really stand out from plainer-looking SUVs. I think the exterior looks great. The front has an aggressive appearance, and the grille is large, but the addition of the trademark Cupra copper details and indents within the black panel add interest. The raised central panel on the bonnet also adds to the…

HOTKIT Dyson Car+Boat Price: £249.99 Contact: dyson.co.uk DYSON has revealed a new version of its Car+Boat vacuum. Claimed to offer unrivalled power, along with a market-leading 50-minute ‘fade-free’ battery life, the new cleaner uses a digital motor that spins at 110,000rpm and produces 115AW of suction. The new Dyson also uses a fully sealed filtration system that is said to capture 99.99 per cent of particles as small as 0.3 microns. Household dust is around 10 microns, pollen is 15, and even bacteria are between 1 and 3 microns. This level of filtration could be crucial for car occupants who suffer from allergic reactions to pet hair, dust mites or hayfever, ensuring that potentially harmful particles are not released back into the air when cleaning seats and areas used by pets.…

AFTER a few years of silence, there is suddenly a lot of news from the big players in the dash cam market, with both Nextbase and Kenwood launching new products. While Kenwood has just shrunk its previous best sellers to make them more compact and easier to fit, Nextbase has gone for a radical rethink with its Piqo range. The two that go head-to-head on price are the Piqo 2K and Kenwood DRV-A510W, both costing £119.99 and offering the same image-capture quality. We prefer the Kenwood’s screen, because it makes set-up and menu navigation easier, but the clever features and app of the Nextbase move the game on impressively. That means they’re level on points, so the choice is down to preference or price. While they cost the same, the…

WE’RE two facelifts into the unusually long career of Mazda’s supermini, because the Mk3 version burst onto the scene as long ago as 2014, although it didn’t reach UK showrooms until early 2015. The fact that the hatchback is still good enough to appear in Driver Power is impressive, but its continued popularity with owners can largely be attributed to significant updates carried out over the past decade. These have allowed the Mazda 2 to rank sixth for value in our 2024 poll, while running costs come 10th, and safety features finished in 12th spot. Breaking down the running costs section reveals a 10th for economy, 12th for insurance and 16th for servicing. Owners like the number and function of safety features, but also love how easy it is to…