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January 20, 2026

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The 1996 Hummer H1 was listed in Tupac’s estate inventory, following his fatal shooting in Las Vegas

A 1996 Hummer H1 pickup truck, previously owned by the late rapper Tupac Shakur, will head to auction later this week.

The Hummer is being offered as part of the Bonhams 2026 Scottsdale Auction, which takes place at The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa in Arizona. It represents the chance to own a vehicle driven by one of hip hop’s greatest stars.

A Hummer H1 is already larger than life, so being associated with a cultural icon of the 1990s will likely make it even more attractive to auction-goers.

Even amidst a catalogue of lots that includes a unique Bugatti Chiron Super Sport, plus countless classic cars, the modified Hummer certainly stands out.

A true hip hop icon

Never afraid of controversy during his short music career, Tupac Shakur was propelled to superstardom by the launch of his debut album 2Pacalypse Now in 1991.

Despite various legal challenges, 1996 saw Tupac release his fourth album, All Eyez on Me, as a feud between East and West Coast hip hop artists reached boiling point.

His rapid success led to Tupac acquiring various vehicles. Configured in four-door pickup form, the Hummer H1 entered his ownership just weeks before the shooting in Las Vegas that claimed his life.

Despite the star’s short ownership period, his Hummer still underwent a series of modifications, gaining the nickname of the “Eliminator”.

Ready to take on the world

Changes made in period by Tupac include a full lighting kit, with 38-inch Cepek off-road lights and even a 360-degree spotlight.

A huge front brush guard was installed for extra protection, along with extensive diamond plate trim for the exterior. A substantial 12,000 lb winch and a PA system with sirens were also part of the package.

The interior received a luxurious makeover, too, with full beige leather and walnut trim for the dashboard. Naturally, the Clarion audio system also gained a major upgrade.

Beneath all the added accessories, the Hummer’s powertrain was unchanged. This means a 6.5-liter V-8 turbo diesel producing 205 hp and a brawny 440 lb-ft of torque, combined with a four-speed automatic transmission.

Various photographs captured Tupac behind the wheel of the Hummer, which will be included as part of the sale.

Ready to roll this week

Following Tupac’s death, the Hummer was listed as part of his estate inventory, and subsequently placed into storage for seven years.

Offered as a raffle prize in the 2003 BET-organized “Picture Me Rollin'” sweepstakes, the truck became a part of the Los Angeles hip hop scene over the following years.

Acquired by its current vendor in 2010, the H1 comes with a pre-auction estimate of between $375,000 and $540,000.

Expect all eyes to be on the legendary Hummer when it crosses the Bonhams block on Friday 23 January 2026.

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Warning of ‘wealth divide’ for electric car uptake

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January 20, 2026

The cost of leasing a car fell again in 2025

A blue Renault car parked on a street with elegant white buildings, next to electric charging stations and leafy trees.

Lower-income households earning less than £40,000 risk being left behind in the UK’s transition to electric cars, warns a new report from Autotrader.

This could lead to a ‘structural divide’ in who benefits from cheaper running costs and cleaner local air, warns the online marketplace.

Households earning less than £40,000 remain significantly less likely to consider an EV than higher-income households, according to the ‘No Driver Left Behind 2026’ report.

Less than half of households earning below £40,000 would consider going electric. This shoots up to 73 percent above £40,000, and a hefty 84 percent for households earning above £80,000.

In 2024, the UK’s median household income was around £36,600.

Challenges for lower-income households include affordability and awareness. Around two in five lower-income households buy used cars priced £5,000 or less, for example, but just one percent of used EVs currently fall into this bracket.

Lower-income households are also far less likely to have driven an EV, or know someone who drives one, ‘reinforcing perceptions of high cost and inconvenience’.

This is despite Autotrader stats showing that seven in 10 lower-income households actually have a driveway, making them ideally placed to benefit from lower-cost home charging.

For those who can charge at home, says the report, the average annual saving in car running costs could reach £1,500.

A ‘pivotal moment’ for electric cars

This year’s report follows a Budget that threatens to make EVs more expensive from 2028, thanks to the Chancellor’s proposed new electric car pay-per-mile road tax (known as eVED).

Nearly half of motorists told Autotrader they were less likely to go electric following the Budget announcement. Just one in three had unchanged views.

“We’re at a pivotal moment for the UK’s EV transition but there is still a lingering wealth divide,” said Autotrader chief customer officer, Ian Plummer.

“This new data busts the myth that those who can charge at home will definitely switch – the driveway divide is no longer so clear-cut.

“If lower income households can’t access affordable vehicles, we risk creating a two-tier system where the benefits of clean, cheaper motoring accrue to those already better off.”

The solution is clear, he said: more choice at lower price points, greater transparency around battery health and practical charging solutions for people without home driveways.

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The cost of leasing a new car fell again in 2025

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January 19, 2026

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Car showroom with sleek modern design, featuring luxury vehicles, comfortable seating areas, promotional displays, and a glass case exhibiting accessories.

New figures from Leasing.com show the cost of monthly car lease deals fell again in 2025, following a similar decline in 2024.

Average personal lease costs were down 6.3 percent last year, to £301.50 per month, while business leases were down by 10.3 percent to £397.38 (excluding VAT).

With ever-increasing list prices for new vehicles, the firm says leasing can be a ‘stable way to access a new car’.

The data is part of Leasing.com’s 2025 Insights Report, which also reveals that motorists are moving away from traditional petrol and diesel cars at a growing pace.

Enquiries about petrol cars fell to 41 percent in 2025, down from 50 percent in 2024. Meanwhile, EV-related enquiries climbed to 34.1 percent – and hybrid enquiries more than doubled to 22.8 percent.

Diesel vehicles plummeted, however, from 6.4 percent to just 2.1 percent of all new car enquiries.

SUVs dominate the leasing market

A sleek, blue Nissan Qashqai SUV is parked against a plain gray background, showcasing its modern design and bold front grille.

Reflecting the broader new car market, SUVs dominated the top 10 most enquired-about new cars. The British-built Nissan Qashqai was in first place, followed by the Jaecoo 7, a Chinese hybrid SUV that ‘points to a willingness among consumers to consider newer entrants as well as well-known names’.

The Vauxhall Corsa, Britain’s best-selling supermini, was third, while the Ford Puma – the best-selling new car overall – was surprisingly down in sixth place in the leasing enquiry rankings.

Along with the Volkswagen Golf in eighth, the Vauxhall Corsa was the only non-SUV model to feature in the top 10.

Most enquired-about new cars

Nissan Qashqai
Jaecoo 7
Vauxhall Corsa
Vauxhall Grandland
Hyundai Tucson
Ford Puma
Nissan Juke
Volkswagen Golf
Peugeot 3008
Peugeot 5008

Puma is top EV – but Jaecoo 7 surprises

The Ford Puma did, however, top Leasing.com’s list of electric car-related enquiries, taking 5.8 percent of the share.

The new Polestar 4 was an impressive second, followed by the Leapmotor C10 (which caused a stir earlier in 2025 when the announcement of a C10 EV ‘grant’ saw interest surge more by than 2,600 percent).

“A wider model choice in 2025 has allowed new vehicles to enter the top five,” said Leasing.com CEO Mike Fazal, “supported by improvements in battery efficiency and a stronger charging network.

“With competition increasing across the market, we can expect the ranking of top EVs to continue evolving over the year ahead.”

Most enquired-about new EVs

Ford Puma
Polestar 4
Leapmotor C10
Tesla Model 3
BMW i4

Lower-mileage leases are popular

Another trend for 2025 was drivers choosing lower-mileage lease agreements. An annual total of 5,000 miles was the most popular mileage band, accounting for 35.4 percent of enquiries – up from 31.5 percent in 2024.

“Budget sensitivity plays a huge role in the popularity of lower-mileage leasing contracts,” said Fazal.

“Lower mileage means paying less for fuel and helps to reduce overall running costs, as well as lower monthly payments.”

Motorists also showed a growing preference for shorter leases, with 24-month agreements the most popular duration, representing 40.3 percent of enquiries.

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Beat the Blue Monday blues with Mazda CX-5’s new paint option

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January 19, 2026

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Customers will have the choice of eight different paint colours when the 2026 Mazda CX-5 goes on sale later this year

Today (19 January) is commonly known as Blue Monday: apparently the most depressing and miserable day of the year.

Although Blue Monday has been dismissed as nothing more than marketing pseudo-science, there is no doubt the third Monday of each year typically brings little to feel cheerful about.

In 2025, Volkswagen attempted to help stave off Blue Monday gloom by offering free Polo supermini-shaped cookies to social media fans.

This year, however, we are celebrating the new Navy Blue paint colour, announced today for the third-generation Mazda CX-5.

It means UK customers now have eight paint hues to select from when the new version of the Japanese marque’s family SUV arrives later this year.

Mazda gets the new SUV blues

Mazda is often associated with its popular Soul Red paint colour, but the marque is keen to highlight that blue has also been a part of its history.

In fact, the company has frequently had the blues, with more than 150 different shades of the colour found in Mazda’s back catalogue. These were worn by models from the obscure R360 coupe to the all-conquering MX-5 roadster.

Deciding on a specific shade of blue for the new CX-5 was a global effort by Mazda’s design teams.

Alena Gersonde, colour and material specialist at Mazda’s European R&D centre, said: “We follow a co-creation approach with our colleagues in Japan when developing new exterior colours. This means sharing proposals both digitally and physically, exchanging feedback from both sides and gradually narrowing down the most suitable shades for upcoming model years.

“This process guided the development of Navy Blue for the CX-5, and we are already applying the same approach for future colour generations.”

Deeper than Deep Crystal Blue

The second-generation Mazda CX-5, produced between 2016 and 2025, did offer customers the chance to choose blue paint. However, the latest model created a fresh challenge for Mazda’s design team.

According to Alena Gersonde: “The goal was to create a new standard blue to outperform Mazda’s popular Deep Crystal Blue.

“The result is a high-resolution appearance with strong contrast, vivid and expressive in bright sunlight, yet deep and elegant under cloudy skies or night.”

Commenting on the new colour, Jo Stenuit, Mazda’s European design director, said: “The all-new CX-5 evolves an instantly recognisable design with greater confidence and versatility.

“Navy Blue was chosen to naturally enhance its Kodo surfaces. It’s a colour that strengthens the design’s presence while feeling familiar, refined and easy to live with.”

New Mazda CX-5 due in 2026

Revealed last year, the third-generation CX-5 continues the use of Mazda’s ‘Kodo Design’ approach, but is a larger vehicle both inside and out. Boot capacity has increased by 61 litres versus its predecessor.

Mazda is in the process of developing a range of electric models, but the CX-5 will stick with petrol power. In the UK, that means 141hp 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with mild hybrid technology.

A six-speed automatic gearbox will be fitted to all versions, although buyers have choice between front- or all-wheel-drive traction.

Set to arrive this spring, UK prices and spec details for the new Mazda CX-5 will be confirmed soon.

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The Kia K4 Sportswagon is here to save the estate car

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January 18, 2026

Kia K4 prices revealed: new hatchback to cost from £25,995

The Kia K4 Sportswagon will offer luggage capacity of up to 604 litres, rivalling the popular Skoda Octavia Estate

Kia is on a mission to deliver a broad range of futuristic EVs, but it has not forgotten the humble, petrol-powered estate car.

After the unveiling of the compact EV2 electric SUV at this month’s Brussels Motor Show, Kia also announced the new K4 Sportswagon.

It represents the first new Kia estate car since the Proceed of 2019. And the K4 Sportswagon looks set to offer practicality and affordable prices, along with a dash of style.

Like the K4 hatchback it is based upon, the Sportswagon is bigger than traditional C-segment estste models, such as the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports.

In fact, the Kia is closer in scale to a Skoda Octavia Estate, with a wheelbase that is even longer than its Czech rival.

Big on space and style

Its dimensions mean that, depending on the powertrain chosen, the K4 Sportwagon offers up to 604 litres of luggage capacity with the rear seats in place. This is 166 litres more than the K4 hatchback, and only 36 litres behind the Skoda Octavia Estate.

Folding down the rear seats increases cargo space inside the K4 Sportswagon to a maximum of 1,439 litres.

Choosing a mild hybrid model reduces load capacity to 482 litres or 1,382 litres, however, depending on whether the back seats are in use.

Thanks to Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy, style has not been sacrificed in the pursuit of space.

There are neat design touches, such as the rear door handles being hidden in the C-pillar. The GT-Line model will offer sportier bumpers and gloss black details.

Petrol and mild hybrid engines

Kia says the engines for the K4 Sportswagon will help owners make the transition to electrification.

It borrows from the powertrain options available for the K4 hatchback, starting with a 115hp turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine.

A six-speed manual gearbox (remember them?) is standard, while a mild hybrid version of the 1.0 engine can be specified with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

For those in search of more power, Kia will offer the K4 Sportswagon with a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine. Fitted with the dual-clutch automatic gearbox as standard, buyers can choose between 150hp and 180hp outputs.

Later in 2026, Kia plans to add a full hybrid model to the K4 Sportswagon range. However, fans of classic estate cars may be disappointed to see no mention of a diesel engine on the cards.

‘Practicality without compromise’

As with the K4 hatchback, Kia has given the Sportswagon a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, a 5.3-inch climate control screen and a 12.3-inch central infotainment touchscreen.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity are included as standard, along with an AI-powered voice assistant.

UK prices for the K4 Sportswagon have yet to be confirmed. They should be competitive, though, given the £25,995 starting figure for the hatchback.

“With the K4 Sportswagon, we are extending the appeal of the K4 to customers who value space and versatility as much as they are interested in design and technology,” said Sjoerd Knipping, chief operating officer at Kia Europe.

“By offering this wagon, we continue to show our ambition to provide practical solutions without compromising on innovation.”

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BYD boosts EV battery warranty to 155,000 miles

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BYD has underscored the durability of its innovative ‘Blade’ electric car battery by extending its eight-year warranty to a whopping 155,000 miles.

This is up from the previous 93,000-mile warranty limit. And the change won’t only apply to new cars, but to BYD models already registered and on the road, too.

What’s more, the cover includes both fully electric and ‘Super Hybrid’ plug-in hybrid vehicles.

The extended 155,000-mile battery warranty complements BYD’s existing six-year, 93,000-mile new car warranty, along with its 12-year, unlimited-mileage anti-rust warranty.

The increased limit means that if the battery’s state of health drops below 70 percent in the car’s first 155,000 miles, BYD will rectify it free of charge.

BYD’s Blade battery explained

The Blade battery uses LFP technology, which is safer, more robust and, because it doesn’t use any nickel or cobalt, also more sustainable.

BYD says it has been proven to exceed 3,000 charge and discharge cycles – equivalent to a service life of almost 750,000 miles.

The Blade is also slimmer than many alternative EV batteries, taking up 50 percent less cabin space and therefore maximising interior room.

BYD models sold in the UK that currently use Blade battery technology include the Dolphin Surf, Dolphin, Seal, Atto 2, Atto 3, Seal U and Sealion 7.

Globally, BYD outsold Tesla for the first time in 2025, and the Chinese company is now on a sustained new-model drive that includes the UK.

Many more new BYD cars will be launched here in 2026 – starting next week, when Motoring Research drives the new BYD Sealion 5 for the first time.

Come back soon for our first drive of the £29,995 plug-in hybrid – freshly boosted by its 155,000-mile EV battery warranty, of course.

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Honda has designed a lightweight ‘Base Station’ travel trailer

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The Base Station Prototype is able to be towed by compact SUVs, such as the best-selling Honda CR-V

Honda has revealed a concept for a lightweight travel trailer, aimed at making outdoor activities more accessible.

The Base Station Prototype is the work of Honda designers and engineers at two of the company’s research and design (R&D) centers.

Teams located in California and Ohio collaborated on the project. Part of the Base Station’s brief was to be light enough for towing by the best-selling vehicles in the United States.

Thanks to clever packaging and weight-saving construction, the Base Station can be hauled by popular family SUVs such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

Honda’s forthcoming all-electric 0-Series SUV could also tow the Base Station, making the trailer EV-compatible.

Small of stature, big on space

Honda made use of its “man maximum/machine minimum” design philosophy, aiming to maximize interior space without giving the trailer overbearing exterior dimensions.

The Base Station Prototype has space to accommodate a family of four inside. Sleeping options include a large futon-style couch that folds out to provide a queen-sized bed, plus an optional bunk bed for kids.

There are five large side windows to allow plenty of natural light into the trailer. These are removable, and can be replaced with extra accessories as required. They also have ambient lighting surrounds to make late-night camping easier.

A section at the rear of the Base Station can be raised to create seven feet of standing space inside. Even so, the trailer can still be stored in a standard residential garage or parking space.

Made with the Honda CR-V in mind

On the inside, Honda engineers have given the Base Station an array of amenities, including air conditioning, an outside shower, and an external kitchen complete with running water and an induction stove.

There is also a lithium battery to provide power, with integrated solar panels for a charging boost. A campsite electrical hookup, or a Honda generator, can be attached as well.

“Base Station is a perfect example of what can happen when you let a team of researchers, designers and engineers pursue bold new ideas to create new value for our customers,” said Jane Nakagawa, vice president of the American Honda R&D Business Unit.

“Just like the Motocompacto, Base Station is the product of fresh and innovative thinking. We designed it to make camping more accessible and enjoyable for families across America.”

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Grey is the UK’s favourite new car colour – but green is on the up

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January 16, 2026

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Grey was the top colour choice for UK new car buyers in 2025, making it the eighth year running that grey has been number one.

Meanwhile, the number of new green cars grew rapidly – up 46.3 percent to claim their highest volume in 20 years.

More than 550,000 new grey cars were registered last year. According to figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), that gives the colour a record 27.6 percent market share.

Black was in second place, with 464,369 new car registrations giving the colour its highest market share since 2019. Sales of black cars grew by nearly 10 percent in 2025.

The UK’s favourite non-monochrome choice was blue, with 306,349 registrations earning it third place in the rankings – up 4.9 percent in a year.

Together, grey, black and blue cars accounted for nearly two thirds of all the new cars registered in 2025.

White remained fourth and silver regained fifth place. It’s a comeback for silver, points out the SMMT, which used to dominate British roads in the early 2000s.

Red cars were very popular in the 1980s and early 1990s, but the colour has now slipped to sixth place. A 5.8 percent market share is the lowest for red cars since records began.

Green gains for new cars

The number of green cars registered in 2025 rocketed to nearly 100,000: the most since 2004.

Fittingly, points out the SMMT, the number of green-coloured electric cars almost doubled to reach 23,249 registrations.

This means one in 20 new electric cars registered last year was green, compared to just one in 300 the year before.

Notable new green electric cars include the Renault 5 E-Tech (pictured above) – indeed, green is the ‘free’ colour for the R5, with other hues being optional extras.

The Kia Sportage was the most registered new green car in 2025.

“UK car buyers’ preferences remain pretty consistent, with monochrome continuing to lead in popularity,” said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes.

“The surge in green, however, matches the growing popularity of electrified cars as the new car market decarbonises.”

The SMMT figures also showed that mauve entered the top 10 most popular colours. The BMW 1 Series was the most-registered mauve car.

The best-selling Ford Puma was the top-selling car for four colour choices: blue, white, silver and red.

Car manufacturers also offered maroon, pink and turquoise paint colours last year. However, they accounted for just 342 registrations between them.

Indeed, turquoise was the least popular colour of all, making up just 12 new car registrations in 2025.

“As ever, manufacturers are responding by expanding model ranges, colours and finishes, giving UK drivers more opportunities to personalise their vehicles – even if grey matters most,” added Mike Hawes.

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