Autocar

Autocar is the car nut’s weekly fix, delivering you a unique mix of the latest news, opinion, features, first drives of new cars and in-depth road tests – all complemented by the best photography in the business. No other magazine covers the subject you love with such enthusiasm, insight and quality every week of the year. Autocar stands for the highest quality in car journalism – and is rewarded with access to the best new cars and the biggest news stories before any of the opposition which we share with you, our readers, every week.

TOUCHSCREEN RELIANCE IN EX30 A STEP TOO FAR

Toyota lines up reborn Celica in ‘fun EV’ push • Chairman reveals desire for model’s return as groundbreaking modular platform opens up new opportunities

Manual gearboxes for fun Toyota EVs • Character-adding shift option and upgraded steer-by-wire system near production

‘Multiple personality’ EV software mimics other cars’ performance

Ferrari Le Mans car turns track toy • New 499P Modificata is a £4.6 million, 777bhp version of the 2023 Le Mans winner

Ford gets ‘huge gift’ from Tesla

All-new Superb gets 62-mile PHEV • Flagship Skoda hatch and estate offer petrol, diesel and hybrid power, plus new tech

Volkswagen readies Passat-sized ID 7 estate for 2024

NEW RENAULT SUNROOF INCLUDES BLINDING IDEA

JLR turns to used parts to clear backlog • Bottleneck at car maker’s new parts facility forces dealers to take extreme measure

2025 EQE and EQS due 500-mile range

SECRET SOURCE • OUR INDUSTRY INSIDER

Nissan: affordable EVs are key • CEO cites cheap electric cars from China as impetus for focus on maximising value

Mazda UK boss hails delay to ICE sales ban

TESTER’S NOTES

MY WEEK IN CARS

RACING LINES

VOLVO EX30 • There are two things you need to know about this compact EV. The first is that it’s a joy to drive. And the second might be a deal-breaker

AUDI Q8 • Large SUV-coupé has been given a makeover, but do the changes go far enough?

AUDI SQ8 • Same tweaks for the Sport version, with its V8 and arsenal of chassis tech

KIA EV9 • Show-stopping supersized electric SUV lands in Europe before its UK debut

VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG • Targeted styling and tech updates aim to inject this big SUV with fresh appeal

NIO ET7 • Tech-laden electric limo is heading for the UK with the Taycan and EQS in its sights

MAZDA MX-30 R-EV • UK test of the EV crossover with a rotary engine for range-extended peace of mind

FORD RANGER DOUBLE CAB XL • Bling-free workhorse offers no-frills entry option to Blue Oval’s pick-up range

Make their Christmas with a weekly dose of automotive joy

SIGNOR SUPERCAR • Maurizio Reggiani has shaped the driving experience of every car you see here. Mike Duff meets the revered tech guru who has been pivotal at Lamborghini since 1995, following stints at Bugatti and Maserati, and is soon to retire

Just for the record • The Pendine Museum of Speed documents Britain’s rich early history of world land speed record success. Steve Cropley pays it a visit

WILL EVs EVER BE BIG IN JAPAN? • Have Japan’s car makers arrived late to EVs or have they actually timed it just right as tech and demand matures? Besides, they see other solutions too, says Mark Tisshaw

REBELS WITH AN F1 CAUSE • Benetton was a disruptive influence during its time in F1, never more so than in a traumatic 1994, as a new book by Damien Smith explores

Smart #1 • Electric hatchback stands to benefit from a mix of Mercedes class and Geely tech

Data log

VERDICT • Drivability frustrations mar an otherwise agreeable experience

KIA NIRO EV • Did the electric version of Kia’s family hatch earn our...