Looking at this customised Porsche, you might wonder whether it’s a 911 – and if so, which generation. Actually, it’s a ‘986’ Boxster – the original Boxster – that is gradually becoming a shooting brake-style estate. The project is the work of Van Thull Development, a specialist in composite bodywork and car customisation.
Despite the 986 being one of the cheaper, less glamorous Porsches, this car has the potential for a very bespoke and premium look. That’s because it borrows a lot from newer, higher-end Porsches.
At the front, it’s all ‘997’ 911 GT3 RS, while the rear side windows also look very 997-esque. Moving round to the rear, previous-generation ‘991’ 911 lights are used, in combination with a custom lower bumper that evokes the 997 GT3 RS.
The shooting brake bodywork has been custom-made for this Boxster, while the rear window is borrowed from a humble Peugeot 407 SW wagon.
The engine specification is still unknown. Judging by the restorations and tune-ups the Dutch company performs on other Porsches, though, expect this Boxster to be a bit quicker than a typical 986.
This is a far more comprehensive build than Van Thull has attempted before. However, the primary cost here will be man-hours, given tidy 986 Boxsters can be bought for less than five figures in the UK.
Most shooting brakes are very expensive niche products, from the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo to the Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake.
If you don’t have those funds, this might be a more affordable ticket into the niche world of the performance shooting brake. We’ll continue to watch this one closely.
Honda has begun testing its Miimo autonomous lawnmower with the Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association as a solution to public park grass maintenance.
Working together with Honda’s E500 portable power source, Miimo can work unsupervised for long periods. All being well, it could help with future environmental improvement operations where a mains power supply isn’t available.
If you’re wondering what Miimo is, it’s probably best described as a Roomba autonomous vacuum cleaner for your lawn. In Honda terms, it’s Mean Mower meets ASIMO. And it makes sense that the creator of the world’s fastest lawnmower, and one of the world’s cleverest robots, would combine the two.
Miimo has been on the market since 2017, and has proved very popular. Honda is now putting it to work on an industrial scale.
It can cut your grass, then find its way back to a charging hub when it gets low on power. It even has different cutting presets, so you can choose how it goes about its work.
There are advantages of Miimo beyond the obvious reduction in effort on the lawn owner’s part. The more regular mowing that Miimo can realistically achieve means grass becomes healthier and denser.
It’s one thing to cut your grass while looking on from the comfort of your conservatory. It’s quite another for a mower to be out in the world unsupervised for days and potentially weeks at a time.
If this testing and future tests are successful, Miimo could find itself playing a much bigger role in the upkeep of our surroundings.
An survey of more than 2,000 UK drivers has revealed how consumers buy cars. Far from the PCP and finance monopoly that many might assume, nearly two thirds say they bought outright, some even with cash.
How age correlates with buying methods comes as less of a surprise. Over 55s are the most likely to buy a car with cash, according to the survey by Opinium for InsuretheGap. Fully 72 percent of motorists in this demographic paid upfront.
For comparison, 54 percent of 35-54 year-olds said they bought outright, along with 42 percent of 18-34 year-olds.
PCP finance means Brits are not owning cars for as long
Regionally, the East of England is the capital for outright car purchases. Seven in 10 pay in full, rather than on the tick. The North East, meanwhile, has the least, with 51 percent going all-in.
How long are we keeping our cars?
Once bought, how long drivers keep their cars varies, too. Just 18 percent said they keep a car until it ‘dies’, while 28 percent swap every two to four years.
Just four percent change every two years on the nose, and one percent go for a yearly car swap.
“This survey shows that many UK car buyers save up and buy a car outright rather than using finance, making it one of the most expensive cash purchases most people will ever make,” commented Ben Wooltorton, COO of InsuretheGap.com.
It is worth remembering, however, that not all car purchases are new or, in other words, a five-figure-plus commitment.
Using hydrogen fuel cell technology, the self-contained, zero-emissions system can provide charging anywhere it is needed.
The H-Power EV Charger can be operated completely off-grid or in conjunction with grid power.
It provides a ‘de-risked solution for car park operators to respond rapidly to growing EV demand,’ claims AFC Energy, the company behind the technology.
AFC Energy sees fleet operators, commercial vehicles and car park operators as the key audience for the hydrogen chargers, which are scalable from two to 100 charge points at a single site.
Further applications include motorway service stations, hotels, supermarkets, shopping malls, construction sites, mines and marinas.
‘Constraining mass deployment’
AFC Energy CEO Adam Bond said: “It can no longer be denied that EVs have become part of today’s mainstream automotive experience, but there are many areas where infrastructure is constraining mass deployment.
“Our system is independent of the grid and delivers EV charging in the most remote off-grid locations or in highly populated urban areas where supply is over-subscribed. With this system, we provide a solution to support the industry’s emerging need for a national network of EV charge-points.”
AFC Energy says it can work with all EV charging platforms to provide its system as part of an integrated emission-free charging system.
Some people will be glad to see the end of 2019. But while you’re celebrating the start of another year, these cars will no longer be on sale in 2020. It’s time to say goodbye, folks.
Alfa Romeo 4C
‘Alfa Romeo axes 4C sports car to focus on SUVs’. As Autocar headlines go, this one is all too familiar, but no less depressing. We know it’s not perfect, but the world seemed like a better place while the 4C was in it. But once existing supplies have gone, that’s it for the Alfa sports car. Arrivederci, little Italian.
Jaguar XJ
Production of the current Jaguar XJ luxury saloon has come to an end, with the company preparing to launch the next-generation XJ in 2020. The all-electric XJ will be the first car to roll out of Jaguar’s Castle Bromwich plant in Birmingham. It’s part of a commitment to offer electrified options for all new models from 2020.
Volkswagen Golf GTI
Our very own Tim Pitt is in Portugal to drive the new Mk8 Volkswagen Golf, but it will be a while until he gets his hands on the all-new Golf GTI. As for the Mk7 version, the regular GTI went first, leaving the Performance and TCR models as the flag bearers for the badge. The new GTI has a lot to live up to.
Suzuki Celerio
This might be stretching the definition of ‘great’, but we were sad to see the Suzuki Celerio go. Not only did it give Dacia a run for its money at the budget end of the market, it was also surprisingly well-equipped. Limited-run hypercars have their place, but affordable city cars are relevant to far more people.
Mercedes-Benz SLC
The Mercedes-Benz SLC said farewell at this year’s Geneva Motor Show courtesy of a Final Edition model. It brought to an end 23 years of SLK and SLC production, during which time some 710,000 cars were built. A successor isn’t planned, because SUV…
Mitsubishi Shogun
The Mitsubishi Shogun was removed from sale in August after a 37-year sales run. Since its launch in 1982, a total of 114,164 have been sold in the UK, with a 2019 SWB Barbarian the last Shogun to be registered on these shores. The future of the Mitsubishi Shogun is unclear.
Ford Edge
Although the Ford Edge remains on sale in parts of Europe, the SUV was pulled from sale in the UK in the summer. Just 1,700 were sold over here in 2018, compared to 4,100 in the previous year. Few will miss it, although there are high hopes that the new Puma compact SUV will prove more successful.
Vauxhall Adam
Remember the Vauxhall Adam? The little city car was axed along with the budget-led Viva as part of a range revamp. The company plans to launch an electrified variant of every model by 2024, kicking off with the new Corsa in 2020. We’ve driven it and can report that the new Corsa is very, very good.
BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe
If you’re mourning the loss of the 6 Series Gran Coupe, fear not, because BMW has a pair of ready-made replacements. For a smaller (and less elegant) take on the same formula, the 2 Series Gran Coupe weighs in with prices starting from £25,815. Alternatively, the 8 Series Gran Coupe costs a little over £69,000.
Suzuki Baleno
If you don’t remember the Vauxhall Adam, you almost certainly won’t have heard of the Suzuki Baleno. The slow-selling hatchback was axed alongside the Celerio, and few will mourn its passing. In fairness, it was a likeable car that was surprisingly good to drive.
Kia Optima
The Kia Optima has gone, the Optima Sportswagon is on the way out, and the Stinger range will be streamlined to leave only the flagship GTS on sale. Although a new Optima will arrive in 2020, it almost certainly won’t be sold in the UK.
Ford Fiesta – some versions
The Fiesta hasn’t been pulled from sale, but Ford has taken a scalpel to the model range. The Style and Zetec trim levels have gone, replaced by a feature-packed Fiesta Trend. The three-door Fiesta Trend costs £16,000 and comes with 16-inch alloys, a heated windscreen and air conditioning.
Citroen C4 Spacetourer
Citroen axed the C4 Spacetourer MPV in in May, although you can still buy the larger seven-seat Grand C4 Spacetourer. Sales of the five-seat MPV were in decline, especially following the launch of the C5 Aircross.
Renault Twingo
British city car buyers have never really fallen for the Renault Twingo, presumably because they’re still sulking having been denied access to the brilliant first-generation model. The axing of the third-generation Twingo generated few headlines, but you can still buy the rear-engined city car in parts of Europe.
Fiat 124 Spider
It’s a similar story with the Fiat and Abarth 124 Spider, which are no longer on sale in the UK, but available in some European markets. The UK market simply wasn’t profitable enough for Fiat, so the Mazda MX-5’s cousins are gone but not forgotten. The Abarth was a terrific alternative to the MX-5.
Volvo V40
Once Volvo had finished updating its entire product range, the V40 was beginning to look like a square peg in a round hole. That’s no longer the case, with the premium hatchback pulled from sale earlier this year.
Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer
Vauxhall has updated the Insignia for 2020, but the Sports Tourer and Country Tourer won’t be making a reappearance. The estate was a victim of Vauxhall’s streamlining strategy – and the fact that most buyers seem to prefer SUVs.
Seat Mii – petrol versions
If you’re after a Seat Mii with a petrol engine, you’re out of luck. But fear not, because the Mii is now available as an all-electric car. The well-equipped EV can deliver up to 162 miles of range, which should be adequate for most city dwellers. Petrol versions of the Seat Mii are still available in parts of Europe.
Volkswagen Up – some models
Volkswagen has streamlined the Up model range to include four trim levels and one engine. Choose from Take Up, Move Up, High Up and Up Beats, all of which are powered by a 1.0-litre petrol engine developing 60hp. You can also order an electric e-Up, while supplies of the Up GTI should continue shortly.
Alfa Romeo Mito
Production of the Alfa Romeo Mito ceased in 2018, but it remained on sale long into 2019. Amazingly, the little Alfa enjoyed a production run spanning a decade, although sales had fallen to a trickle by the time it was put out of its misery.
Toyota Auris
When it replaced the Corolla in 2006, Toyota hoped the Auris name would elevate the family hatchback to a higher plane. The fact that the Auris has been replaced by the Corolla would suggest that it wasn’t wholly successful.
Ford Ka+
The Ford Ka+ isn’t long for this world. Officially, the city car is still on sale, but shipments ended in September, so once existing stocks are gone, the Ka+ is dead. Which means it should be possible to bag a great deal.
Volkswagen Beetle
Volkswagen officially ended production of the Beetle – again – in July. In a sign of the times, the Beetle made way for a small, sub-Tiguan SUV to be built at the Volkswagen de Mexico plant.
Volkswagen e-Golf
Killing a successful electric car when we’re being encouraged to ditch petrol and diesel might seem like madness, but there are two good reasons why Volkswagen is ending production of the e-Golf. Firstly, there’s a new Mk8 on the way. Secondly, Volkwagen doesn’t want an electric Golf to steal sales from the new ID.3 all-electric car.
Triumph has teamed up with EON Productions to supply special stunt bikes for the upcoming 25th James Bond film, No Time to Die. Modified versions of the upcoming Tiger 900 and Scrambler 1200 were used.
We’ll no doubt see Bond and his enemies get some serious air-time on them come the film’s premiere in April 2020.
“Here at Triumph we are delighted to partner with the latest James Bond film, No Time To Die,” said Triumph CEO Nick Bloor.
“Triumph Motorcycles is fortunate to have a rich history of featuring in many incredible blockbuster films, so the big screen is no stranger to our brand. We know that our motorcycles are hugely capable and we cannot wait to see them in action when the film airs, including the new and eagerly anticipated Tiger 900 model.”
Early prototypes of the Tiger 900 were supplied for filming well before its unveiling. The pre-production models saw action on three locations, with Bond stunt coordinator Lee Morrison “throwing literally everything at them”.
They suffered “big craggy sharp rocks, deep boggy mud, high speeds, big jumps and huge climbs and descents across a variety of conditions”. The bikes took all the abuse, with no mechanical failures reported.
While the Triumphs will be leading the action in No Time To Die, there are also plenty of cars to look forward to. The trailer, released today, sees Bond sliding around in a machine-gun-equipped Aston Martin DB5.
The ‘replacement’ 007 is also visible in the new DBS Superleggera. The trailer later cuts to Bond in London in a classic Aston Martin Vantage. It shows no sign of the new Land Rover Defender or Aston Martin Valhalla hypercar, however.
Either way, we look forward to another dose of epic motorcycle and car chases soon.
If, on the reveal of the new Toyota Supra, your thoughts were “close, but not hardcore enough”, well, Toyota might soon have you covered. Though not a market offering, Toyota is teasing faster Supras, the latest being with the GR Supra Wasabi Concept.
As you might expect from a car called Wasabi, it comes presented in a lurid green paint job. The new aero package has a very OEM look, but adds a level of aggression, particularly at the front splitter. The idea is that it’s a ‘vision of how the new GR Supra could adopt sanctioned, aftermarket products to enhance performance, without compromising its personality or functionality’. It’s one of many spiced-up Supras shown at this year’s SEMA show.
The wing and central twin-exit exhausts have a very ‘GT3’ feel. While that deletes the ‘afterburner’ style reversing light, they should improve exhaust flow. The wheels are new, with forged dual six-spoke items adding an aftermarket feel.
It sits lower on them, too. Ohlins Road & Track coilovers help those wheels fill the arches, and add track performance. They’re adjustable for height, compression and rebound. Behind the wheels is a new Brembo brake kit, adding six-pot calipers and massive 4-5mm discs up front.
Under the bonnet, although you won’t find aggressive upgrades to the engine itself, you will find a brace over it, between the front struts.
‘Public response carefully analysed, for the development of future products…’
SEMA, of all car shows, is where you go to have a bit of fun. While this ‘Wasabi’ Supra is just that, it also serves an important purpose for the future, as do the other more extreme show cars.
Toyota will be watching very carefully to see how people react to its modified Supras. It wants feedback to help see where the Supra should go next. Whether that be a generic high-performance version, or a more skunkworks-esque ‘factory tuned’ route. It also wants customers to know that the Supra is tuner-friendly, and built with a buyer’s aftermarket creativity in mind.
Euro NCAP has published its penultimate results of the year – and this one’s a biggie. The Tesla Model X, Porsche Taycan, and new Ford Kuga have faced Euro NCAP’s crash testing.
Some good news for Tesla – the Model X has been described as ‘stand-out performer’. It’s safety assist score was a heady 94 percent, the same score that the Model 3 got earlier this year. The big Tesla also got 98 percent for adult occupant protection. That makes it a contender for Best in Class for 2019.
It’s not the only strong-performing EV in this round, though. It’s joined by the Taycan, Porsche’s newly-minted thorn in the side for Tesla’s high-end EV monopoly. It scored five stars, too, though it’s individual percentages aren’t as impressive as the Tesla. It got 85 percent and 73 percent in adult occupant and safety assist respectively.
“The devil’s in the detail when you compare the Euro NCAP assessments of the Tesla Model X and Porsche Taycan. Both are safe cars, but the Tesla Model X is the stand-out,” said Matthew Avery, director of research, Thatcham Research and Euro NCAP board member.
Fuel prices drop for fourth month in a row
In the realms of more conventional cars, Skoda’s new Octavia, the new Renault Captur, Ford’s new Kuga, the facelift Audi Q7 and the new Subaru Forester all scored five stars. Peugeot’s 2008 just misses out on an unconditional five stars, given that safety packs need to be equipped.
The addition of Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) helps keep some older cars up to date. The Ford Mondeo earns five stars as a result, while Volkswagen’s Sharan and its sister car, the Seat Alhambra, both hold a steady four-star score. Worryingly, however, the Sharan was penalised for its door detaching in a side pole test. This poses a risk of occupants being ejected in an accident.
The Jeep Renegade got a bad rap, too, still only having AEB as an option. It’s the only sub four-star score of 2019. Last year, the Wrangler got a pitiful one-star rating – one of the lowest ever seen.
“Well done to Tesla and the other five stars performers for not only bringing best in class performance in testing but also making safety systems accessible and standard across the European market,” said Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP’s secretary general.
“It is also good to see manufacturers – Ford and Volkswagen in this case – standardising AEB and keeping safety up-to-date even for older cars, to the benefit of their customers. It’s a pity that not everyone follows this example, and by prioritising looks over substance Jeep ended up at the bottom of the list of this year’s rated cars. The good news is that consumers have more choice than ever to find a safer alternative.”
The Bike Shed Motorcycle Club in London is home to a UK-first. It’s opened the country’s first motorcycle-only electric charger. The charging point is the result of a partnership with EO Charging.
It’s a 7kW charger that electric motorcycle riders can use to juice up for free. The BSMC is located in Shoreditch, London. You’ll be able to find it on Zap Map too.
“At the Bike Shed, we welcome everyone through our doors, whether bikers or non-bikers, petrol heads or electric riders,” said Dutch van Someren, founder of The Bike Shed London.
“As the first venue in the UK to offer a charging station just for electric motorcycles, we hope to re-emphasise our inclusive approach. We look forward to seeing more electric motorcyclists at our venue and we encourage anyone with an interest in the biking scene to come and visit us at our Shoreditch home.”
As electric cars proliferate, so too will electric bikes. Companies like Zero and Arc are blazing the trail. Even Seat has announced its e-Scooter, as part of its urban mobility push. Legacy motorcycle marques like Vespa and even Harley-Davidson are getting in on the action.
“Electric cars have hogged the media limelight for the last few years but now it’s time for electric motorcycles to take centre stage,” Miles Freeman, head of marketing at EO Charging.
“There’s now a broad selection of models available that offer vastly improved range and earth-shattering torque. We believe that for electric motorcycles to succeed, it’s important that chargers are not only installed in key urban areas but also on the UK’s best riding roads. Electric adventures will soon be best served on two wheels!”
Volta, a Swedish start-up transport company, will established a base in the UK to build prototypes for its new electric truck. The company is teaming up with British racers Prodrive on development.
“The UK and the Midlands specifically has a fantastic legacy of producing world-leading automotive brands and innovations,” said Volta founder Carl-Magnus Norden.
“We will therefore be manufacturing the prototype together with our partner Prodrive at their Banbury base.”
The truck is projected to have an 18-tonne capacity, a top speed of 50mph and a range of 100 miles. The electric architecture allows a less conventional low-cab layout, which will aid improved vision and visibility for the driver. The ideal stomping ground for this trucks will be cities, where they’ll be making multiple urban drops.
The company expects to launch a £20million initial funding round next year. It says that it’s confident of its ability to take the advantage over legacy truck manufacturers. Why? It doesn’t have existing manufacturing infrastructure that it needs to develop in transitioning from internal combustion to electric. It’s starting at the ground floor of electric, with a clean slate.
“We don’t have to unlearn anything,” says Kjell Waloen, chief technology officer for Volta. “We can think differently.”
Volta’s decision to set up shop in the UK comes shortly after Tesla backtracked on its promise to make the UK its European home. It intends to set up a ‘gigafactory’ in Germany.
