Tag Archives: Car’

VauxhallUk

VAUXHALL ASTRA WINS ‘BEST MEDIUM CAR’ AT 2024 BUSINESS MOTORING AWARDS

  • Vauxhall Astra named ‘Best Medium Car’ on the 2024 Business Motoring Awards.
  • Judges praised Astra’s driving expertise, low possession prices and construct high quality
  • Available because the totally electrical Astra Electric with a spread of as much as 258 miles (WLTP)
  • Customers may select from petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains

The Vauxhall Astra has been named ‘Best Medium Car’ on the 2024 Business Motoring Awards.

The Business Motoring Awards are actually of their tenth yr and proceed to offer a precious highlight available on the market leaders within the SME sector. The awards are judged by an unbiased panel of automotive specialists and members of the Business Motoring editorial workforce, who praised the Astra’s driving expertise, low possession prices and spectacular construct high quality.

Available as a hatch or Sports Tourer property, with petrol, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and totally electrical variants, the Astra caters for a variety of drivers. With zero-emissions-in-use, the Astra Electric qualifies for a Benefit-in-Kind fee of simply 2% (2023/24), making it significantly effectively suited to each fleet and enterprise customers.

Chris Wright, Editor, Business Motoring, mentioned: “The latest Astra is a great to drive as ever but more importantly, the brand has worked hard to bring down ownership costs so the car is now even more accessible. Build quality is also excellent and the whole package feels well thought out.”

James Taylor, Managing Director, Vauxhall, mentioned: “Vauxhall’s success at the Business Motoring Awards is proof that the Astra is a more attractive proposition than ever. With low running costs and a wide range of powertrains to choose from, including the fully electric Astra Electric, the Astra is an ideal choice for businesses of all sizes.”

The Astra Electric is powered by Vauxhall’s next-generation 54kWh battery and a 156hp electrical motor. It achieves spectacular effectivity of 4.2 miles per kWh, offering as much as 258 miles of vary (WLTP). Vauxhall will supply a totally electrical model of each mannequin in its line-up by the tip of 2024.

FiatUk

FIAT calls on Government to reinstate its electrical automotive grant

  • Car maker expands its personal electrical vehicle grant of £3,000 to proceed to stimulate personal automotive market
  • House of Lords report (Feb 6) highlighted threat of local weather change ‘slow lane’ if no motion taken by Government
  • “More needs to be done,” says FIAT UK Managing Director, Damien Dally

 

FIAT has renewed its name on the Government to reinstate its electrical automotive grant to attain its 2030 goal of 80% electrical car (EV) gross sales for the UK. 

In January, EV gross sales stood at 14.7% of recent registrations with personal purchaser gross sales down 25.1 p.c year-on-year. 

The Italian maker of the favored Fiat 500e and just lately launched family-focused Fiat 600e has expanded its personal £3,000 grant – the FIAT E-Grant – for patrons, to point out that it’s ‘doing its bit’ to assist the Government’s targets.

FIAT UK Managing Director, Damien Dally, mentioned: “More needs to be done. Consumers need further support to have a reason to make the switch to electric.”

The transfer echoes the findings of the House of Lords atmosphere and local weather change committee report earlier this month. Under the Government’s personal Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, 22% of recent automotive gross sales within the UK have to be pure electrical in 2024, by 2030 that determine should hit 80%. 

Dally added: “The excellent news is the UK has now handed the a million electrical automobiles landmark. However, the electrical automotive market on this nation is in actual jeopardy. Private gross sales, versus enterprise and fleets, are softening and that’s a pattern that wants a collective effort to reverse.

“With the Spring Budget just around the corner, we are urging the Government to reintroduce incentives for consumers or face stifling, or even undoing, all the good work achieved to date and risking endangering net zero climate targets. We’re doing our bit, but there’s only so far we can go.”

Last June, FIAT turned the primary producer to launch its personal electrical automotive grant, 12 months after the Government eliminated any monetary incentives to encourage retail prospects to go electrical.

At launch, the FIAT E-Grant was supplied on the Fiat 500e and Fiat 500e convertible. The grant is now additionally accessible on the brand new Fiat 600e and Abarth 500e.

Please notice: the photographs of the Fiat 500e and 600e exterior 10 downing avenue have been digitally manipulated.

 ENDS

Contact: 

VINCE CLISHAM
HEAD OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
vincent.clisham@stellantis.com

TEL +44(0)7385 114390

 

LUCINDA INGGS 
PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER
lucinda.inggs@stellantis.com

TEL +44(0)7542 394878

 

MICHAEL ARNOLD
PRESS FLEET MANAGER
pressfleet@stellantis.com   

TEL +44(0)7831 829410

 

JEREMY TOWNSEND
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
jeremy.townsend@stellantis.com   

TEL +44(0)7827 896480

Citreon

NEW CITROËN Ë-C3 WINS ‘CAR OF THE YEAR’ AT THE 2024 COMPANY CAR & VAN AWARDS

 

The all-electric New ë-C3 has been named ‘Car of the Year’ on the 2024 Company Car & Van Awards. The Company Car & Van judges praised New ë-C3 for its EV vary and reasonably priced pricing. Ë-C3 is an accessible choice for UK drivers seeking to make the swap to electrification and might be provided in step with the model’s ‘Fair Pricing’ coverage, with the entry-level ‘YOU!’ model ranging from beneath £23,000.

New ë-C3 marks the following chapter for the model. It delivers best-in-class consolation, a straightforward electrical expertise, an excellent stage of helpful tools, and worth for cash. New ë-C3 is the primary European-designed and European-built all-electric B-hatchback designed for purchasers wanting the good thing about zero-emission mobility at an reasonably priced value.

Andrew Walker, Editor & Publisher, Company Car & Van, mentioned: “For the first time ever we’ve selected a car that we’ve not yet driven as our Car of the Year. How can that possibly be I hear you cry.  Simple. It will cost just under £23,000, will offer a 199-mile electric range and comes with 100kW charging. If we are to get more people into an electric car, then New Citroën ë-C3 is the most compelling argument for an electric car yet. Our Car of the Year.”

New ë-C3 includes a 44kWh battery pack offering as much as 199 miles of WLTP vary. Capable of a fast cost from 20-80% in simply 26 minutes because of 100kW DC fast charging functionality, New ë-C3 might be obtainable with  a streamlined trim line up of ‘YOU!’, ‘PLUS’, and ‘MAX’ variants with a formidable stage of ordinary tools from launch. New ë-C3 advantages from Citroën’s Advanced Comfort Programme® together with Citroën Advanced Comfort® Suspension, and Advanced Comfort® seats for enhanced onboard well-being. New ë-C3 additionally options the most recent infotainment and security applied sciences from Citroën, together with Active Safety Brake, a brand new Citroën Head Up Display, ‘My Citroen Play with Smartphone Station’ for infotainment and Rear Parking Sensors.

Greg Taylor, Managing Director, Citroën UK, mentioned: “We are delighted the New ë-C3 has been named ‘Car of the Year’ at the 2024 Company Car & Van Awards. Offering affordable mobility has always been at the heart of Citroën, and we are determined to make the transition to electric vehicles accessible to as many people as possible. New ë-C3 is a testament to this. It will offer drivers a comfortable, and extremely affordable EV option. I’m thrilled by the reaction for New ë-C3 already, and am looking forward to seeing drivers enjoying it on UK roads in 2024.”

New ë-C3 might be obtainable at Citroën retailers later this yr, with on-the-road costs ranging from beneath £23,000 within the UK. For extra particulars on New ë-C3, go to https://www.citroen.co.uk.

 

News

Polestar 0 is “truly climate-neutral” electric car for 2030

Polestar has set an ambitious goal to introduce a completely climate-neutral car in 2030. The company is currently two years into an extensive research and development program focused on reducing the environmental impact of its supply and construction processes.

The initiative, known as Polestar 0, is indicative of its intended environmental significance. Hans Pehrson, who formerly led Polestar’s R&D department and is now in charge of bringing this initiative to fruition, emphasized the objective of creating a “commercialized car” rather than just a concept.

Pehrson stated, “What kind of car will come later – convertible, SUV, city car, whatever…” and explained that the 10-year program, which commenced in 2020, is divided into three distinct stages.

“We have a detailed timeline to get there. We should have a production start in 2030. Three years before that point, we need to start detailed product development in the automotive business: 36 months is quite common.

“Before that starts, we need to look into architecture. Will we build it on aluminum, steel or something else? Will it be four-wheel drive? Will the battery be under the floor?”

Pehrson mentioned that his division will need to be well-prepared with thorough research by 2025 in order for the company to achieve its goals.

The research program will consider the impact of all materials, components, and processes used in car construction. Pehrson also noted, “If we make a breakthrough this year or next year, we can implement them in a model-year change or in a new car launching in 2024, 2025 or 2026.”

Polestar has already included more than 30 companies in the 0 project and showcased the work of some of these at its Polestar Day event in Los Angeles.

These include seats made using ‘fossil-free steel’ from a company called SSAB, plastics from Dama BioPlastics that are made using plant waste, and a material called PaperShell that turns paper back into wood.

VauxhallUk

VAUXHALL CORSA NAMED CARBUYER’S BEST USED SMALL CAR

  • Vauxhall Corsa named ‘Best Used Small Car’ at Carbuyer Best Used Car Awards
  • Corsa takes home the award for the second year running
  • Corsa is the UK’s best-selling supermini year-to-date

The Vauxhall Corsa has been awarded the title of ‘Best Used Small Car’ at the Carbuyer Best Used Car Awards for the second consecutive year.

 

All the contenders for the Best Used Car Awards were assessed by Carbuyer’s team of experts based on their performance in key areas. The judges praised the Corsa for its practicality, low running costs, and driving dynamics.

 

Richard Ingram, Editor of Carbuyer, stated that the Vauxhall Corsa offers buyers numerous choices and great value, making it a top pick for 2024. With its substantial sales numbers as a new car, there is always an abundant supply of the Corsa in the used car market. Whether it’s petrol, diesel, or electric, every version delivers in terms of practicality, running costs, and a good driving experience.

 

James Taylor, Managing Director of Vauxhall, highlighted the Corsa’s enduring appeal over the past 40 years as a testament to its success. The Corsa has become one of Britain’s best-selling cars and is available with fully electric powertrains since 2020, in addition to efficient petrol engines, providing options for both new and used car buyers.

 

The Vauxhall Corsa is currently the best-selling supermini in the UK, and it was also the best-selling car overall in 2021. With over 2.8 million units sold since its introduction as the Corsa (previously badged as Nova) in 1982, the model celebrated its 40th anniversary last year.

 

The New Corsa is available with a choice of two fully electric powertrains and highly efficient petrol engines. The Corsa Electric features a 50kWh battery and a 136PS electric motor, providing a range of up to 222 miles (WLTP). The Corsa Electric Long Range variant is equipped with a next-generation 51kWh battery and 156PS electric motor, offering a range of 246 miles (WLTP).

FiatUk

ALL-ELECTRIC FIAT 500e NAMED BEST ELECTRIC CITY CAR BY DIESEL&ECOCAR MAGAZINE FOR SECOND YEAR RUNNING

  • FIAT 500e collects title for ‘Best Electric City Car’ in Diesel&EcoCar Magazine’s EcoCar Electrified Top 50 Awards for the second year in a row
  • Judges commend 500e for its range, affordability, design, and maneuverability
  • Buyers can benefit from FIAT’s new E-Grant and receive £3,000 towards a new 500e

 

The FIAT 500e has been awarded the title of ‘Best Electric City Car’ in Diesel&EcoCar Magazine’s EcoCar Electrified Top 50 Awards for the second consecutive year. This latest achievement further adds to the car’s collection of national and international accolades.
 

The 500e was put to the test by Diesel&EcoCar Magazine’s expert panel of journalists, who compared it to the leading electric vehicles in the market. The judges particularly praised the 500e for its excellent range, affordability, design, and maneuverability, making it the perfect choice for urban driving.
 

Ian Robertson, Editor & Publisher of Diesel&EcoCar Magazine, commented: “The 500e retains its position as our favorite all-electric city car. It is affordable to purchase outright, and with various low-cost financing options available, it will likely be many motorists’ first electric vehicle. It is incredibly easy to drive, with its smaller battery pack providing a range of 118 miles for city dwellers, and the 42kWh version offering a 199-mile range for longer journeys. Its quick acceleration, tight turning circle, and compact size make it an outstanding car for urban areas, and its interior represents a significant improvement from the older 500 models. It is more spacious than it appears and, of course, its adorable appearance cannot be ignored.”
 

Damien Dally, Managing Director of FIAT & Abarth UK, said: “We are delighted to receive further industry recognition for the 500e from Diesel&EcoCar Magazine by winning their Best City Car Award for the second year in a row. FIAT is leading the way in the nation’s transition to electric vehicles, making the 500e more accessible than ever with our new E-Grant initiative, which offers customers £3,000 towards the purchase of a new 500e or 500e Convertible.”
 

The Fiat 500e is the first fully-electric Fiat that has been designed from the ground up. It offers a range of best-in-class features, including Level 2 Autonomous Driving technologies, various battery options, and an impressive driving range of up to 199 miles (WLTP) – the longest range of any electric city car on the market today.
 

To further enhance the 500e’s appeal, the car is equipped with 85kW fast charging, allowing the battery to reach 80% range in just 30 minutes and enabling a range of 30 miles in approximately five minutes.
 

Additionally, thanks to its fully-electric nature, the 500e is exempt from congestion charges and the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone), making it the ideal vehicle for urban areas. Furthermore, the 500e convertible is the only 4-seater convertible in its segment.
 

For more information about FIAT’s new E-Grant and how buyers can receive £3,000 towards a new 500e model, click here.

ENDS

News

New 2024 Ferrari SF90 XX: A Powerful Racer for the Road

The 2024 Ferrari SF90 XX is a plug-in hybrid flagship that incorporates all the technical features typically found in a track-only XX car, according to Enrico Galliera, the marketing and commercial head of Ferrari. The car includes the lightest seats ever fitted in a Ferrari, resulting in a 10kg weight reduction compared to the conventional SF90 Stradale. The SF90 XX Spider weighs 1660kg.

Ferrari hasn’t revealed the lap time achieved by the SF90 XX around Fiorano, but Galliera stated that the performance improvement compared to the regular SF90 is substantial. As a result, Ferrari plans to hold a dedicated announcement event later this year. The regular SF90 currently holds the record for road cars at the circuit, completing a lap in 1:19.00.

The starting price for the SF90 XX was €770,000 (£660,000) for the Stradale coupe and €850,000 (£730,000) for the Spider. However, all 1398 units (799 Stradales and 599 Spiders) have already been sold to Ferrari’s most loyal clients. Deliveries of the Stradale will begin in the second quarter of 2024, followed by the Spider in the final quarter of next year.

SF90 XX: A Surprise Addition

2024 Ferrari SF90 XX Spider rear quarter static

Ferrari originally did not plan to develop a more focused version of the SF90, as they believed they had already pushed the limits of available technology during its development. According to Galliera, it typically takes a year to develop a new product, and the same was true for this car.

He stated, “The project was even more complex than usual because when we conceived the SF90, we didn’t anticipate creating an evolution of it. That’s why we call it a supercar. Normally, a supercar aims to achieve the highest level of technology at that moment. Thus, improving the SF90 further, considering its existing performance, was not an easy task. So, essentially, it took the same amount of time, but the effort was tremendous.”

News

Under the skin: Why cars will become more like smartphones

One of the latest buzz phrases in the car industry is ‘the software-defined car’. While some may not like the sound of it, there are already complaints on social media about buggy car software.

However, cars have been using specialised computers, known as electronic control units (ECUs), since the late 1970s. These ECUs are essentially boxes of hardware running computer code to control various functions in the car.

The first major use of ECUs in cars was to control engines, which greatly improved efficiency and power. Over time, ECUs found their way into other systems such as ABS, lighting, stability control, and transmission controls. Modern cars are filled with ECUs, with some vehicles having nearly 100 of them.

An advantage of using multiple ECUs was reducing the amount of wiring needed, which made cars more complex. Instead of individually wiring each electrical device and its associated components, the introduction of the controller area network (CAN) allowed each ECU to control its own group of equipment using only a few signal wires.

However, with the increasing complexity of cars, a more sophisticated solution is needed. This is where the concept of the software-defined car comes into play. For instance, Renault plans to update its cars throughout their lifetime using a centralised architecture, similar to how smartphones receive updates.

This shift involves going beyond using electronic components to operate car features and allowing them to evolve over time. Renault’s approach includes preventative maintenance, personalisation of interior features, battery charge management, infotainment, and more.

This transition also brings about a significant physical change. Instead of the 60-80 ECUs found in Renault’s cars today, there will be a central computer with excess power and flexibility. This way, it can accommodate future upgrades and handle vast amounts of data.

Renault is collaborating with Qualcomm and Google to develop the CAR OS for this software-defined approach.

Renault is just one example, as the rest of the industry is also moving in this direction. ZF Friedrichshafen, a major supplier and innovator, has created Cubix control software to coordinate and control all chassis actuators directly, including brakes, steer-by-wire, and suspension systems.

Citreon

CITROËN C4 AND Ë-C4 NAMED BEST CARS TO OWN IN THE UK ACCORDING TO DRIVER POWER SURVEY 2023

  • Citroën C4 and ë-C4 have won the ‘Car of the Year’ title in the Driver Power survey 2023.
  • Citroën C4 and ë-C4 have secured the top spot in the list of 75 most satisfying models to own in the UK.
  • The model has also been named the ‘Best Compact Family Car’ in this year’s survey.
  • Citroën ë-C4 can now be purchased with two all-electric powertrains that have a maximum WLTP range of 260 miles.

 

The Driver Power survey 2023, conducted and published by Auto Express, has crowned Citroën C4 as the most gratifying car to own in the UK. The C4 and ë-C4 have also been declared the ‘Best Compact Family Car’. Auto Express performs the survey each year, and this year more than 60,000 car owners provided their feedback on various aspects, including running costs, performance, and technology. Recognition in the Driver Power survey is valued by industry commentators and media worldwide as a fair and unbiased evaluation of car owners’ opinions.

 

Citroën C4 and ë-C4 outperformed their competitors according to the scores given by their respective owners. The car owners seemed satisfied with the good MPG or all-electric efficiency, running costs, safety features, and reliability. The quality of ride and handling left an excellent impression on the owners, irrespective of the chosen powertrain.

 

Both C4 and ë-C4 are beneficiaries of the Citroën Advanced Comfort® Program. Citroën Advanced Comfort® seats are constructed specifically with high-density foam in the core of the seat, providing additional support, along with an additional layer of 15mm memory foam just under the fabric. The Advanced Comfort® suspension system, which is exclusively available in Citroën cars, improves the absorption of imperfections in the road and ensures that passengers experience a comfortable ride, creating a real ‘flying carpet’ consistency. This experience is further enhanced by the serene soundless electric powertrain of ë-C4.

 

Steve Fowler, auto express editor-in-chief, commented on this achievement, stating that, “We’ve been greatly impressed by this sleek and stylish Citroën from the outset, and it’s clearly making a huge impression on its owners. It’s a remarkable win for the French firm, which has not only transformed its product range in recent years, but has also invested hugely in improvements to quality.”

 

Citroën C4 is available with a collection of efficient petrol and diesel engines, and the ë-C4 comes with two electric powertrains, one with a 50kW battery that promises a maximum of 222 miles of range (WLTP), and the other with a 54kW battery that ensures up to 260 miles of range (WLTP). Citroën ë-C4 supports 100kW rapid charging, implying that you can charge from 0-80% in only thirty minutes from a public rapid charger.

 

Citroën UK’s Managing Director, Greg Taylor, commented, “This is a wonderful accolade for everyone at Citroën UK, but much more importantly it’s fabulous news for present and future Citroën customers. An enormous amount of work has gone into our latest products to ensure they’re best in class in terms of quality and ownership experience. And now, the outstanding service delivered by our retailer partners means Citroën can proudly say that we are the maker of the most satisfying car to own in the UK right now.

 

To learn more about C4 and ë-C4 and the rest of the Citroën range, visit: https://www.citroen.co.uk/

 

 

JeepUk

Jeep® Avenger named ‘Best Small Car’ at Autocar Awards 2023

  • All-new, fully-electric Jeep® Avenger is named ‘Best Small Car’ at the Autocar Awards 2023
  • Panel of expert judges praise the Avenger’s compact form and sophistication
  • Prestigious Autocar Awards recognises the best new cars on sale in the UK
  • Latest award from Autocar adds to the Avenger’s expanding collection of international accolades – including European Car of the Year
  • Available to order now; designed and built in Europe, the Jeep Avenger compact SUV is the brand’s first-ever battery-electric vehicle (BEV)

 

The all-new, fully-electric Jeep® Avenger has added to its collection of international accolades after being named ‘Best Small Car’ at the Autocar Awards 2023.

The Autocar Awards, which celebrates the finest new cars on sale in the UK today, are curated by some of the most informed and experienced automotive journalists in the industry, hand-picking the best of the best in highly competitive categories.

Commenting on the Avenger’s win, Mark Tisshaw, Editor, Autocar, said: “Spend time with the team that made the Avenger and you’ll be aware just how committed these passionate individuals have been and how they have worked hard to create a car that brings something truly different to the small SUV class.

“The Avenger’s design is every bit a true Jeep, and it has a real rugged character. The proportions are spot on, and, like the best small cars, it has real charm and character. Those qualities transfer to the way the Avenger drives. There’s a maturity to its ride, handling and steering, and the electric power is a boon around town. It feels far more sophisticated than a car this small has any right to. While the Avenger might be small on the outside, it never really feels it inside.”

Jules Tilstone, Managing Director, Jeep UK, commented: “We are delighted to see yet another highly respected automotive publication recognise the Avenger’s exceptional customer offering in the compact car sector. The Avenger is rich with Jeep DNA, now in compact form with no compromise on interior spaciousness. We are charging forward with the next generation of electrified Jeep vehicles, and the Avenger is at the forefront of this exciting new chapter.”

The new Avenger is an all-electric compact SUV that, at just four metres in length, is positioned in the rapidly growing B-SUV segment. Aimed at active people who are looking for an SUV with compact dimensions, the Avenger offers plenty of room and storage possibilities. Designed and built as a Jeep vehicle from day one, the Avenger packs the Jeep DNA into a compact SUV with a unique combination of capability, style, functionality and technology.

With a range of up to 250 miles* in the WLTP cycle, a new electric powertrain combines a unique 400-volt electric motor with 115 kilowatts, 260 Nm of maximum torque and a new 54 kWh battery.

The introduction of the Avenger in Europe marks the beginning of the next phase of the electrification of the Jeep brand – the BEV wave. By the end of 2030, the Jeep brand’s European sales will be 100% pure electric.

The all-new, fully-electric Jeep Avenger is available to order now from £34,800 OTR.