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March 2, 2026

Skoda celebrates 130 years with the fastest Fabia ever

The Skoda Octavia celebrates its 30th birthday in 2026, having been sold across four different generations

Skoda enthusiasts in the UK can order a dramatic new paint colour for the Octavia vRS from next month.

Available from 4 March 2026, ‘Dragon Skin’ was chosen as a new hue for the flagship Octavia vRS hatchback and estate.

Dragon Skin emerged as the most wanted colour in a poll of Skoda enthusiasts on social media. The new option is part of Skoda UK’s celebration of 30 years of the Octavia in 2026.

The startling shade previously appeared as ‘Dragon Green’ on the Skoda Superb Sportline. However, this marks the first time it has been offered for the smaller Octavia.

Skoda enthusiasts go for bold

Skoda fans were able to vote for their preferred new colour via the company’s Instagram page, along with its Facebook and LinkedIn accounts.

Dragon Skin was a narrow winner in the poll, chosen ahead of Storm Blue and the equally bright Tangerine Orange.

Storm Blue has also appeared on the Skoda Superb, while Tangerine Orange was offered on the fourth-generation Octavia when it was first launched.

Dragon Skin will be added to the list of paint colours for the 265hp Octavia vRS from 4 March, at an additional cost of £885.

Both hatchback and estate body styles will be available in Dragon Skin, highlighting the sportier styling of the vRS performance model.

Limited edition Octavia coming soon

Although Dragon Skin emerged as the winning paint in Skoda’s poll, two other fan-favourite shades will also join the options list.

Waterworld Green and Space Violet were voted the top choices by Skoda vRS fans in a 2025 online poll. At the time, these two colours managed to defeat Hot Chilli Red and Plum Blue.

However, Dragon Skin will not be restricted solely to the Octavia vRS during this anniversary year.

To honour the Octavia’s 30th birthday, a limited-production run of 130 examples of the Octavia SportLine will be offered later this year.

A host of other Skoda colours, including Waterworld Green, Space Violet and Royal Green will be available for the special SportLine.

We expect more information on the Octavia SportLine anniversary model soon, including specification details and prices.

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Rolls-Royce celebrates 10 years of Black Badge cars

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March 2, 2026

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Rolls-Royce launched its Black Badge range in 2016, beginning with the debut of the Wraith and Ghost models

Rolls-Royce is marking the 10th anniversary of its Black Badge models, first introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2016.

The Rolls-Royce Ghost saloon and Wraith coupe were the first cars to receive the stealthier Black Badge treatment.

The British marque subsequently used the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed to demonstrate the vehicles’ added performance and dynamism. A Wraith Black Badge set the fastest Goodwood hillclimb time ever recorded by a Rolls-Royce, beating multiple mid-engined sports cars.

The public performance helped cement Black Badge models into the Rolls-Royce lineup, where they have been a permanent fixture ever since.

The spirit of subversion

Rolls Royce Black Badge 10th Anniversary

The signature Rolls-Royce Black Badge look of a darkened ‘Pantheon’ front grille and matching Spirit of Ecstasy figurine has a history stretching back almost 100 years.

In 1928, a Rolls-Royce 20 HP Brewster Brougham was commissioned by J.E. Aldred. As one of the founders of Rolls-Royce of America, Aldred opted to have the Spirit of Ecstasy and radiator grille finished in black, rather than traditional chrome.

This idea was recreated for the Black Badge range, which has become the favoured option for Rolls-Royce bespoke commissions. Among these was the Black Badge Ghost Gamer – a one-off tribute to classic video games.

For the ‘boldest and most audacious’

Today, the Rolls-Royce Ghost saloon, Cullinan SUV and Spectre coupe are all available in Black Badge specification.

Notably, Rolls-Royce chose launch the Spectre Black Badge to a select group of customers in secrecy, such was the demand for this version of its first EV.

Compared to the regular Spectre, the Black Badge model gains a 122hp boost in power, deploying 659hp through its front and rear axle motors. The result is the most powerful production Rolls-Royce to date, capable of 0-60mph in 4.1 seconds.

Deploying full power in the Spectre Black Badge requires the driver to press the ‘Infinity Mode’ button on the steering wheel. Inspired by historical water-speed records, the modern Rolls-Royce infinity symbol ensures maximum output is available immediately.

More Black Badge models to come

Such has been the success of the Black Badge range, Rolls-Royce intends to expand the ‘experience for those who continue to shape luxury on their own terms’.

Chris Brownridge, chief executive of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, commented: “From the outset, Black Badge was created to welcome a new generation of clients into Rolls-Royce: individuals who express their success unapologetically and with conviction.

“By serving them with the care and precision that defines the wider Rolls-Royce experience, we have made the marque relevant to many clients who may never have previously considered it.”

Brownridge added: “Proof of its success is also evident beyond our own performance: Black Badge has established an aesthetic and experiential template that echoes throughout the luxury sector. I am excited to drive the further evolution of Black Badge in the years ahead.”

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Cadillac Escalade and other XXL American SUVs land in the UK

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March 2, 2026

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The Cadillac Escalade-V, powered by a 682hp supercharged 6.2-litre V8, will be the flagship of the new GMSV UK range

British motorists can order a variety of new American SUVs and pickup trucks, following the launch of GM Speciality Vehicles (GMSV) UK.

From the high-performance Cadillac Escalade-V SUV, to the practical Chevrolet Silverado pickup, all the vehicles will be supplied and supported by General Motors.

Cars such as the Cadillac Escalade were previously only available in the UK only as personal imports. However, GMSV UK’s role means all vehicles will come fully homologated, and backed by a warranty and aftersales package.

London-based independent dealership Clive Sutton, which has a long history of importing American vehicles, will handle the initial phase of orders and vehicle preparation. GMSV UK then intends to expand its operation, creating a wider retail network across the country.

General Motors has exported its US model lineup beyond North America before, offering SUVs and pickup trucks in Australia and New Zealand.

Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC

The GM Speciality Vehicles UK range will include models from Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC, with an initial focus on premium SUVs.

Cadillac’s offerings will include three versions of the Escalade SUV, starting at £149,950 for the Premium Luxury model with a 420hp 6.2-litre V8 engine.

Opting for the potent 682hp Escalade-V, capable of 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds, will cost from £199,950. The long-wheelbase Escalade ESV is priced from £180,000.

Chevrolet-badged SUVs include the full-size Suburban, which boasts the longest-running vehicle nameplate in the world. In range-topping High Country trim, and powered by a 6.2-litre V8, the seven-seat Suburban is priced from £100,000.

The (relatively) smaller Chevrolet Tahoe SUV will retail at £86,000.

V8-powered practicality from GMC

Less well-known in the UK is the GMC brand, which has a lineage dating back to 1911. It is now positioned as an upmarket alternative to Chevrolet.

The GMC Yukon is the premium counterpart to the Chevrolet Tahoe. In luxurious Denali specification (named after the highest mountain in North America), the Yukon will cost £110,000.

GMC-branded pickup trucks are also available, including the Sierra 1500 lineup. Capable of towing more than 6,000kg, UK prices will start at £73,000 excluding VAT.

Buying a Chevrolet-badged pickup will be more affordable, with the Silverado 1500 LT Trail Boss available from £66,000 plus VAT.

Each GM vehicle will come with a three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, extendable to five years at extra cost. Finance, custom orders and part-exchange services will be offered, too.

A taste of American life

All GMSV UK vehicles will be supplied in left-hand-drive configuration. However, from Clive Sutton’s experience of importing American vehicles, the extra height of SUV and pickup models makes LHD less of an issue.

Company founder Clive Sutton said: “This is an exciting moment for UK customers who have long admired GM’s premium and performance lineup.

“We are delighted to be the first GM Specialty Vehicles franchise in the UK, and to lead development of the nationwide network.”

Jean-Pierre Diernaz, managing director of GM Europe, added: “We’re excited to be working with Clive Sutton to bring to UK customers our iconic North American vehicles.

“We’ve selected incredible vehicles from our global brands – Cadillac, GMC and Chevrolet – through a dedicated GM facility in North West London. A nationwide network of retailers is set to follow.”

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Ford Focus saloon will race in BTCC for 2026

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March 1, 2026

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The fourth-generation Ford Focus saloon was not sold in the UK, instead being targeted at China and Eastern Europe

The NAPA Racing UK team will field a saloon version of the Ford Focus in the 2026 British Touring Car Championship (BTCC).

Having used the fourth-generation Focus in hatchback guise for five seasons of BTCC racing, the NAPA team has switched to the four-door model.

Although the front of the saloon is identical to the Focus hatchback, and it shares the same wheelbase, the booted rear end should boost the car’s performance.

Having a longer tail will reduce drag, aiding the car’s top speed. The saloon body shell is also said to be lighter than the hatchback.

NAPA Racing UK considered several different cars for its 2026 BTCC campaign, but elected to stick with Ford thanks to changes in the rules.

A wider range of cars in BTCC

Last year, the BTCC announced new technical regulations, aimed at allowing race teams to choose from a wider range of vehicles.

Previously, teams could only field cars sold in the UK, but this has been broadened to cover the vehicle brand only. It means that, although this fourth-generation Focus saloon was never offered in the UK, it can be eligible for racing as the Ford brand sells vehicles here.

Notably, Ford ceased production of the entire Focus range at the end of 2025.

The BTCC initially intended to bring the new rules into force for the 2027 season. However, the revised homologation requirements were brought forward by a year, following unanimous approval by race teams and organisers.

Declining sales of traditional hatchback and saloon models, in the face of continuing SUV market dominance, prompted the BTCC organisers to take action.

The return of saloon car racing?

Saloon cars were omnipresent throughout the 1990s in BTCC racing, being most associated with the ‘glory days’ of the Supertouring era. As manufacturers have pivoted to SUVs, four-door models have disappeared from many ranges.

The 2026 BTCC grid will feature four different saloon cars, however. In addition to the Ford Focus, the BMW 330i M Sport, Mercedes-AMG A35, and Audi A3 will all be represented in four-door format.

Speaking at the new Focus saloon’s debut, Antonio Carrozza, lead engineer at NAPA Racing UK, said: “This is an exciting time for the entire team. It was a lengthy process to come to this decision, such were the options we had, but we feel like the saloon version of the Focus is the way to go.

“The ultimate goal is to reduce aerodynamic drag. We highlighted that as an area we wanted to address last season, and this move to a different shape allows us to do just that. There are many elements that remain the same; however, there will be some fine-tuning required.”

Following pre-season testing at Croft and Brands Hatch, the new Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will commence at Donington Park circuit on the 18th and 19th of April 2026.

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Should fleets remove ‘touchscreen only’ cars on safety grounds?

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February 27, 2026

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Company car fleets should consider removing touchscreen-only cars from choice lists on safety grounds, says a major automotive fleet expert.

FleetCheck warns of the corporate safety risks of cars where some major controls are only available through a touchscreen.

The warning comes after iPhone designer Jony Ive declared touchscreens “the wrong interface for cars” because they force drivers to remove their eyes from the road.

Ive recently led the design of the new Ferrari Luce interior, which contains physical controls including buttons and toggles.

“While there are early signs of a move away from placing everything on touchscreens, there are still some popular company cars included on choice lists that are touchscreen-only,” said FleetCheck CEO Peter Golding.

“It is probably time for fleets to consider whether this is the right thing to do. These vehicles are inherently risky, and there are plenty of alternatives that provide safer access to vehicle controls.”

‘Distracting for drivers’

Golding pointed to “a whole slew of credible studies showing they [touchscreens] are distracting for drivers and interrupt concentration to an unacceptable degree”.

Given how many modern driver assistance (ADAS) systems can only be adjusted or disabled via a touchscreen, “it’s a situation has been created almost inadvertently, where many drivers now spend a lot of time jabbing at touchscreens”.

Golding disagreed with claims that voice control options on touchscreen-heavy cars compensate for the lack of buttons.

“Studies show voice control is probably less dangerous than touchscreen use, but is still highly mentally distracting for the driver. Anyway, it often serves as a general annoyance, simply because many systems don’t work that well.”

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Used EV battery health ‘far better than many assume’

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February 27, 2026

Charging an electric car: what you need to know

Blue Nissan electric car charging at a Pod Point station, surrounded by other parked cars, outdoors with trees in the background.

Used electric car batteries are proving the doubters wrong, with research showing them to be far more long-lasting than many people expected.

The UK’s largest used EV battery report to date tested thousands of vehicles, discovering that average battery health stands at an impressive 95.15 percent of ‘new’ range.

Even older EVs are holding up well, with eight- and nine-year-old vehicles retaining an 85 percent state of health – well above the 70 percent guaranteed by many EV battery warranties.

High mileages are not proving a hurdle either, with 100,000-mile-plus EVs frequently returning 88-95 percent battery health.

The Generational 2025 Battery Performance Index, which analysed more than 8,000 electric cars and vans, “definitely shows that EV batteries are performing far better than many consumers have been led to believe,” said Generational CEO Oliver Phillpott.

“With an average state of health of over 95 percent, and even older vehicles comfortably exceeding warranty thresholds, the underlying fundamentals are extremely strong.”

Clear benchmarks for batteries

Inside a spacious warehouse, rows of Tesla cars are neatly parked. Industrial design with ample lighting and visible Tesla branding.

The Generational report aims to establish new benchmarks for used EV battery health. Via extensive battery testing, above average, typical and underperforming battery degradation can be highlighted. For example:

Among four- to five-year-old vehicles, bottom-performing percentile battery health sits at 91.64 percent, compared to a median of 93.53 percent and a top-performing percentile of 96.49 percent
For eight- to 12-year-old vehicles, the bottom, median and top are 82 percent, 85.04 percent and 90 percent respectively

The spread clearly widens with age, showing that while averages remain strong, “variance increases materially over time – creating a growing performance gap between well-maintained vehicles and underperformers”.

In other words, battery degradation is not the systematic risk once assumed. Rather, it’s uncertainty around condition that is the key factor in used EV confidence, performance, risk and residual values.

It means that a three-year-old fleet vehicle with 90,000 miles may have better battery health than a six-year-old car with 30,000 miles, depending on usage and charging behaviour.

“By establishing clear benchmarks for what is typical, above and below average… we are giving the market the reference points it needs to price risk accurately, strengthen residual values and accelerate adoption,” said Phillpott.

What it means for used EV buyers

A modern car showroom with bright yellow lighting displays a sleek vehicle. The windows feature futuristic graphics and the word "Lotus."

The Generational Battery Performance Index provides clear evidence that, in most cases, EV batteries are likely to exceed the lifespan of the car itself.

The key to unlocking this information is robust used EV battery health testing, as “battery transparency is fast becoming as fundamental as service history or mileage verification”.

In other words, if you are shopping for a used EV, look out for a battery health report as part of each car’s sale description. It’s a useful way to compare and contrast used EVs – and may even help you pick out a high-mileage, above-average battery health bargain.

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Transformational BMW chief named 2026 World Car Person of the Year

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February 26, 2026

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Oliver Zipse has been named 2026 World Car Person of the Year, after overseeing a radical transformation at the famous German firm.

Zipse, who joined BMW in 1991, became chairman in August 2019, quickly getting to work with what has become the landmark ‘Neue Klasse’ era of new electric cars.

The BMW iX3 is the first Neue Klasse model to hit the market, and its arrival heralds a new model influx of around 40 next-generation BMWs.

Neue Klasse BMWs will serve up ultra-long EV ranges, a purist new design direction, futuristic interiors, the latest easy-to-use infotainment tech and plenty of cutting-edge features.

BMW hasn’t solely focused on EVs either, with a strong range of petrol, diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. It has further reinforced a longstanding commitment to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles under Zipse’s leadership, too.

The impressive new BMW iX3 has already been named a finalist for 2026 World Car of the Year. Now Zipse has raised anticipation in Munich further by picking up the 2026 World Car Person of the Year prize.

Going out on a high

After 35 years at BMW, Zipse steps down in May 2026, to be replaced by Milan Nedeljković. However, as World Car Awards underlines, he will leave having overseen “the biggest technological transformation of the brand in its history”.

“Oliver Zipse has had a remarkable career at BMW,” said World Car Awards chair emeritus Jens Meiners, “steering the business through the most turbulent of times to become the strong, forward-thinking, financially secure company we see today.

“The current BMW Group product line-up is just about the best it has ever been, and BMW continues to be the brand that other carmakers look up to.

“Much of that is down to Oliver Zipse’s leadership, and therefore we are delighted to announce him as the 2026 World Car Person of the Year.”

Daniele Schillaci, CEO of Brembo, which is powering the 2026 World Car Awards, also extended congratulations to Zipse: “We are proud to support an initiative that promotes vision, innovation and a long-term commitment to shaping the future of mobility.”

Oliver Zipse was named 2026 World Car Person of the Year ahead of two other finalists, GM’s David Craig and Slate’s Tisha Johnson.

Following the announcement of the 2026 World Car Awards finalists in January, attention now turns to the World Car Awards’ Top Three in the World announcement, due in early March.

The 2026 World Car Awards winners are revealed live at the New York International Auto Show on 1 April.

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Car battery shock: 1 in 4 are at risk of failure

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February 26, 2026

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Close-up of a red car battery dashboard warning light

Millions of motorists could be driving a car with a battery on the brink of sudden failure, new analysis suggests.

The findings come from analysis of more than 550,000 UK vehicles by automotive diagnostics app Carly. It discovered around 25 percent of cars may have a weak battery.

With a total of around 34.5 million licensed vehicles, this equates to 8.6 million British motorists at risk of a non-start failure due to a dead 12-volt battery.

Separate Carly data confirms this risk, with 12-volt batteries being one of the leading causes of a roadside breakdown.

Unlike major mechanical failures, battery decline is a slow-burn. “It’s easy for drivers to miss the warning signs until the vehicle suddenly fails to start,” said Carly’s Emma Brown.

“In modern cars, a weak 12-volt battery can affect far more than just starting the engine, which is why early diagnostics and better visibility of battery health are so important.”

Early detection can save money

Replacing a 12-volt battery typically costs between £150 and £330, according to Carly’s repair and maintenance cost estimator. This price includes fitting.

However, if degradation is left untreated, costs can rise further. A starter motor repair, for example, typically costs around £330, while alternator repairs can cost up to £800.

Subtle early warnings signs that a 12-volt battery is on its way out include sluggish or hesitant engine starts, headlights that briefly dim when the ignition is turned on, and stop-start systems that disable themselves without a clear fault message.

Some cars may show intermittent warning lights, particularly after being left standing for a while. Power steering that briefly feels heavy after starting the engine is another indicator of looming battery failure.

Ignore these warning signs and the risk of a sudden and disruptive failure increases significantly.

Carly’s solution? Its OBD2 scanner and app diagnostics, which plug into a car’s OBD port. The technology allows drivers to assess battery condition, read any fault codes and even view likely repair costs before visiting a garage.

Best of all, it’s affordable, with prices from £40. Much more palatable than the financial hit of an unexpected breakdown…

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