Smart's largest model yet is a five-seat electric SUV to rival the Audi Q3 BMW X1 rival will be previewed as a rugged concept in Beijing next week; tiny #2 will replace Fortwo soon after Smart has confirmed it will preview its largest and most spacious model to date, an electric SUV called the #5, at next week’s Beijing motor show. The new model, described as moving “far beyond the urban boundaries” of original Smart models, will be unveiled in concept form prior to the start of production in China later this year and planned UK sales in 2025. As the third Smart car to be jointly develo ..read more

Traditional looks and contemporary tech combine in updated six-cylinder roadster All is not as it seems at the Morgan Motor Company.This quintessentially English car maker is largely owned by an Italian firm and has an Italian CEO, its cars are powered by German engines and the ash wood for its frames comes from… a forest in Leicestershire.Well, some things aren’t so different after all. But in order to continue providing the slice of ye olde English motoring that Morgan specialises in, it has had to evolve with the times. As a result, current Morgans are much more modern than they might appe ..read more

Teaser shows off low front end and rakish roofline Sleek new Volkswagen show car is set to mark a radical departure from design of ID 3 and ID 4 Volkswagen has previewed a new concept car to be unveiled at next week’s 2024 Beijing motor show in an image uploaded to Chinese social media websites. Featuring a sleeker lineage than the German firm’s existing production models, the unidentified concept is claimed to show how the design of future electric Volkswagens will progress in the future. The new concept appears to take the form of an SUV-coupé with a low set front end, prominent wheel ..read more

The new M2 CS will use carbonfibre and and plenty of Alcantara trim Lightweight M2 sibling set to be in production for one year, but loses manual gearbox The BMW M2 CS is set to be reborn next year with more power, a hardcore track-honed chassis set-up and an aggressive new look. The first M2 CS was applauded by Autocar’s road testers for its compelling dynamics, and the second-generation car is expected to follow suit with an array of weight-saving and handling-enhancing upgrades. Expect the BMW to adorn lightweight alloys, a carbonfibre roof, carbonfibre bucket seats and plenty of Alcantar ..read more

Pick the right used car and you will pay minimal or even no road tax - we sniff out some bargains What if you could buy cheap enthusiast cars that cost virtually nothing on road tax? Paying road tax is never fun, and you will have to shell out £735 each year in vehicle excise duty (VED, aka road tax) on many models. There are, however, some available that allow you to scratch your enthusiast itch without hitting your monthly budget all that hard. Models registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017 that emit less than 100g/km of CO2 incur zero VED, while even those with emissions of 120g ..read more

Chairman believes the future is bright for the brand, especially with new CEO Adrian Hallmark on the way An audience with Aston Martin executive chairman Lawrence Stroll is always a memorable occasion. Most will know the Canadian from Netflix’s Drive to Survive series, in which he's straight-talking and has a fearsome presence, often wearing the look of a man who you’ve just told you’ve run over his cat. In person, he’s far warmer; he sparks a room into life and always remains at the centre of it. The ‘executive’ part of his job title remains an understatement for how hands-on he is, as ..read more

The Santa Fe has been totally revamped for its new generation Dramatic styling overhaul reflects SUV’s billing as a family hauler with off-road ‘lifestyle’ capabilities   Hyundai has revealed pricing and specifications for the new Santa Fe, the brand’s most flexible family SUV to date, adopting a boxy design aimed at the off-road ‘lifestyle’ market. Three specifications will be on offer, each available with two engine variants. The entry-level 1.6-litre turbo petrol hybrid is available with two- or four-wheel drive and pushes out 212bhp and 2 ..read more

The Hyper SSR features 1208bhp and 8851lb ft of torque First outing in Europe for tri-motor Super Sport Race EV from GAC, which can do 0-62mph in just 1.9sec Chinese manufacturer GAC has presented the Aion Hyper SSR electric hypercar to Europeans for the first time in Milan. The tri-motor Hyper SSR – short for Super Sport Race – packs some eye-watering performance figures, thanks to a claimed 1208bhp and 8851lb ft of torque. Measuring 4538mm long, 1988 mm wide and 1238mm high, the Hyper SSR is a similar size to the 2011bhp Lotus Evija. GAC claims it can travel from 0 ..read more

The CX-80 is underpinned by Mazda's Large Product Group platform Volvo XC90 rival gets heightened practicality, class-leading towing capacity and a sportier chassis Mazda is returning to the seven-seater market after a six-year absence with the CX-80, a luxurious new flagship SUV. Closely related to the CX-60, the CX-80 is the first three-row Mazda in Europe since the 5 MPV and the second model to use Mazda's Large Product Group platform. Compared with the CX-60, its wheelbase is 250mm longer and its rear roofline is 24mm taller. Measuring 4995mm long, 1890mm wide and 171 ..read more

The electric Mercedes G-Class, BYD's first pick-up and Ora's 395bhp sports saloon are among the headliners The Beijing motor show returns next week for the first time since 2019, bringing an array of unveilings from both domestic and global manufacturers. Taking place from Wednesday, 24 April to Saturday, 4 May, one of the world’s most important motor shows will host unveilings of brand-defining concepts, tech-heavy showcases, ultra-luxurious flagship vehicles and crucial new global models.  European manufacturers will have a strong presence as Mercedes launches the new e ..read more