SEAT has fully restored a classic 600 as part of the model’s 60th anniversary. Launched in 1957, SEAT’s version of the original FIAT 600 offered many Spaniards the chance to finally take to the road, and went on to sell nearly 800,000 examples. Over 1,000 original parts had to be sourced, along with 50 metres of exclusive fabric and 15 litres of new paint - before a team of 30 people could painstakingly rebuild the car in time for the 2017 Automobile Barcelona show.
British-based carmaker, David Brown Automotive, has revealed its second model - a new ‘Mini Remastered’. Based on a classic Mini, new panels are fitted while the exterior shape is refined by de-seaming the bodyshell. The reborn Mini is finished with luxurious materials and comes with modern connectivity features including Apple CarPlay, keyless-go and USB connectivity. Powered by a fully reconditioned 1275 engine with 50% more power, David Brown Automotive say there was a huge focus an ‘enormous focus’ on reliability, integrity and driving dynamics. Prices have yet to be announced.
Vauxhall has pulled the covers off its new urban crossover - the Crossland X. Seen here with sister company Opel badging, the new model is described as compact on the outside, and spacious on the inside with an SUV-look, and an elevated seating position. Technology features include a head-up display, a panoramic rear view camera and LED headlights. Power comes from a choice of petrol and diesel engines, with manual and automatic transmissions. The Vauxhall Crossland X arrives in showrooms this summer.
In the latest round of Euro NCAP’s crash tests, Fiat’s 500 and Ford’s all-new Ka+ scored just three out of five stars apiece. After more than 10 years on the market, the 500 was recently facelifted, but this did little to improve safety, according to a Euro NCAP report which noted poor protection for the driver and rear seat passenger. Fast forward 10 years to Ford’s brand new Ka+, which was described as offering ‘mediocre safety performance’ - lacking the more sophisticated restraint systems offered by most of its rivals, including the Citroën C3 which scored higher marks in the same tests.
Hyundai has facelifted its i10 for 2016. The first Hyundai on the road to sport the brands new signature Cascading front grille, the refreshed i10 also gets a new front bumper design, round LED day time running lights, while the rear features an evolved bumper design and round fog lamps - mirroring the new front end. On the inside, a fresh shade of red is joined by upgraded connectivity features, which have all been integrated into a new seven-inch touch screen. The refreshed Hyundai i10 will debut at the Paris Motor Show in October.
The Volkswagen up! has been facelifted for 2016. The front end of the city car gets a new bumper with a revised radiator grille and bonnet, while the angular door mirrors and rear bumper have also been redesigned. A new turbocharged 1.0-litre engine joins the range as does a new ‘up! Beats' trim level - with a Dr Dre-inspired 300-watt sound system, including a subwoofer in the boot. The revamped Volkswagen up! is on sale now with prices starting at £8,995 OTR.
Mercedes has teamed up with golf cart maker Garia to create a new premium-class Style Edition buggy, featuring many car-like attributes, from double wishbone suspension to disc brakes hiding behind 5-spoke wheels. A handy 10-inch touch screen helps you keep score, and there’s even a fridge under the seat for your champers. Up font a golf ball style grille is joined by LED headlamps while the rear has enough room for two sets of Golf clubs. The electric buggy has a range of up to 50 miles and a top speed of 19 mph, good for getting some decent air off a bunker.
Citroën has unveiled its new C3 supermini. The brand new design features styling cues from the C4 Cactus including the Airbump door panels and slim day time running lights. Powered by a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines, the new C3 also features a camera behind the rear view mirror which captures images and video that can be instantly shared on social media. Citroën describes the new C3 as ‘highly customisable’ with a total of 36 possible colour combinations.
The Ford Fiesta is the UK’s best-selling car. That’s according to official figures released by the Society of Motoring, Manufacturing and Traders who revealed the new car market has grown by 2.5% in the last year. Ford’s Fiesta received 8,236 new car registrations this May - 2,507 sales, which is 1.3 percentage points ahead of its nearest rival. The new Fiesta with Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine offers fuel-efficiency of up to 65.7 mpg and costs from £10,345 OTR.
Shell has revealed an ultra efficient concept car. Based on the Gordon Murray designed T.25, the lightweight three seater comes as part of a co-engineering project where body, engine design and lubricants are all created together. Shell developed a special motor oil to enhance the overall efficiency of the vehicle by minimising friction. Independent testing showed the car would deliver a 34% reduction in energy use over its lifecycle when compared to a typical city car, and use 69% less energy that a typical SUV.
Indian manufacturing giant Mahindra has entered the UK automotive market with its e2o electric car. Launched at London's Design Museum, the three-door hatchback has been created for urban commuting, and will be available in two trim levels. The city car includes 'connected’ features such as a smartphone app which allows you to control many of the cars functions remotely. With running costs from as low £10 a month for those travelling under 8,000 miles a year, prices for the e2o will start at £12,995 OTR.
smart has created a unique forfour – nicknaming it the ‘forrail’– for a one-off test. smart officials describe the regular fourfour as the 'ultimate commuting machine' but also admit that the train does has the more direct, point-to-point advantage, so in an effort to combine the best of both worlds, the city car was fitted with solid steel 22-inch wheels built specially for the railway track. To avoid any steering movement, supports were welded in place, before the smart forrail successfully ran for 10 miles along the privately operated Bluebell Railway, much to the surprise of local trainspotters!
Google has confirmed a select few of its prototype self-driving vehicles will leave the test track and hit the roads of California. Safety drivers will be on board despite Google running rigourous tests at its proving ground with each prototype’s speed capped at a neighbourhood-friendly 25mph. The next step aims to see how the community perceives and interacts with the vehicles, as well as testing how the self-driving car deals with unforeseen circumstances such as where to stop if there is a problem with its exact destination.
Toyota is to return to the FIA World Rally Championship in 2017 - 18 years after its last competitive outing. A Yaris WRC, in racing livery, has been unveiled, signalling a comeback for the team which claimed four drivers’ and three manufacturers’ titles in the 1990s. The new car is powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine producing more than 300bhp and features a chassis developed using advanced simulation, testing and production techniques.
