The utilitarian pickup truck option was a mainstay of the classic Land Rover Defender range, thanks to its rugged practicality.
However, with the launch of the all-new Defender in 2019, the pickup option was notably absent from the reborn model range.
Now, Dutch-based Heritage Customs have revealed their own solution, transforming the largest Defender 130 into the Valiance Pickup.
But, given the luxurious trimmings, we can’t imagine many sheep being transported in the load bed of this Defender.
Remembering the forgotten Defenders
Heritage Customs have previously created a convertible version of the new Defender, meaning it is no stranger to chopping the bodywork of Land Rover’s new 4×4.
The overall design of the Valiance Pickup looks remarkably well resolved, with Heritage Customs opting for a side-opening tailgate.
Jan-Pieter Kroezen, CEO of Heritage Customs added: “After completing the convertible, it felt like the right time to bring another ‘forgotten’ model of the Land Rover Defender range back to life — the pickup.
“The classic 110 Defender crew cab has always been, in my view, one of the most desirable Defenders ever made. I had a strong sense that we could capture that same spirit with the new Defender 130, and I’m proud to say we’ve achieved exactly that.”
Big budget for big V8 power
Each Valiance Pickup conversion will be done by hand, with customers able to choose from a range of exterior paint colours and interior upholstery finishes.
When it comes to price, the Valiance Pickup will not be cheap, as Heritage Customs quotes a cost of €65,000 (£57,000) for the complete conversion. You can expect to add taxes, and the £85,000 needed for a new donor Defender 130 to this, too.
UK-based vehicle modifier Urban Automotive, part of the same group of companies as Heritage Customs, is also in the process of developing its own version of the Valiance Pickup.
This year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas will see two wild Mopar concepts make their debuts.
A modified version of the Ram 1500 pickup truck will take center-stage, alongside an enhanced Dodge Charger Sixpack muscle car.
Both models will showcase the range of Mopar performance and styling accessories, along with the creativity of Mopar’s designers.
A variety of other Mopar models will also be on display at SEMA, including race cars and classic restomods.
Meet The Dude Ram 1500 Concept
The Dude Ram 1500 Concept is inspired by a popular trim package from the early 1970s, offered at a time when demand for sporty pickups was on the rise.
For its modern interpretation, classic Sublime Green paintwork is matched with “Dude” C-stripes in contrasting satin black. The 22-inch alloy wheels are also finished in satin black, and the side-exit exhausts feature black tips.
A lower stance is combined with a bespoke front splitter and new side sills. The 395 horsepower 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine gains a new cold-air intake, too.
On the inside, the Ram’s leather upholstery gains contrast green stitching, plus darkened door trim panels. A custom instrument panel features “The Dude” logo in bright green as a finishing touch.
Dodge Charger Sixpack concept revealed
Mopar has also given its twin-turbocharged 2026 Dodge Charger a makeover ahead of the SEMA Show.
A Stryker Purple exterior is complemented by carbon fiber detailing, with the hood, front splitter and rear decklid spoiler all made from the lightweight material. Vented fenders are a bespoke addition for the Sixpack Concept.
Satin black Mopar graphics add further aggression to the Charger, along with a one-inch suspension drop onto 21-inch alloy wheels. A Mopar cold-air intake and stainless-steel dual exhaust system help the 550 horsepower 3.0-liter Sixpack engine to breathe easier.
Katzkin leather upholstery is used inside, along with contrasting purple and orange stitching.
Both of the new Mopar concepts will be on display at the 2025 SEMA Show inside the Las Vegas Convention Center from 4-7 November 2025.
Millions of pounds worth of Porsches, Ferraris and Jaguars were spread out beneath me as I peered over the mezzanine at Joe Macari’s showroom in Wandsworth, south London. But my attention was drawn to the enormous screen above where, pixel by pixel, The Padel Rally logo I’d designed a year ago was loading. You can buy anything here if you have £POA in your bank account. Except perhaps the satisfaction of seeing your own logo projected above your childhood dream cars after months of hard graft.
The idea for The Padel Rally germinated where many great business plans tend to: in the pub. My business partner Jack and I were having a pint-fuelled chat about V12s and our favourite cars when it was suddenly cut short: “I can’t have another one. I’m playing at 7am tomorrow”.
Like me, Jack had been caught up in the wave of padel tennis sweeping through London. Late-night drinks were being traded for early-morning games, and it got us thinking. Could we fuse our two passions together? Padel and cars, that is, rather than padel and beer…
Alpine A290 leads Padel Rally
We planned an event that would be both a driving tour and a padel holiday, combining great roads, luxury destinations and competitive matches on unique courts. We aren’t the first to combine cars with the world’s fastest-growing sport, though – several car brands now support padel tournaments and players.
Just weeks before our event, in fact, the Alpine-sponsored Paris Major – padel’s answer to Roland Garros – was won by world number one Arturo Coello, a member of Alpine’s A-Padel team. So it felt fitting to have an Alpine A290, the French marque’s new electric hot hatch, as the lead car for our rally.
The £36,000 A290 GTS had a full day of challenges ahead. Would we be searching for a hotel in Stow-on-the-Wold after running low on charge? Could we keep pace with our supercar-driving guests? And was its ride supple enough to film content for our Instagram reels?
Keeping good company
Our route was built to test both the car and the concept – taking 10 guests from the London suburbs to lunch at the Cotswolds’ automotive epicentre: The Classic Motor Hub. We’d then enjoy an afternoon padel session and a green Michelin-starred dinner at Daylesford Farm – seemingly the preferred hangout of every rural influencer.
With Joe Macari’s coffee and croissant reserves suitably depleted, we led a convoy of six cars into the morning traffic. Excited, but also quietly apprehensive about everything that could go wrong, the Alpine did its best to calm us with its refined and comfortable cabin. Excellent visibility meant we could check our guests remained in tow, while the unmistakable Bleu Alpine paint made us easy to spot in the grid of monochrome Ubers. Aside from some quirky button placement and the puzzling lack of cupholders, it’s a near-faultless city car.
We finally squeezed through the Hammersmith bottleneck and two guests blasted past in an Audi R8 and Porsche 718 Cayman GT4. The 52kWh battery and 220hp motor reeled them back in with relative ease, though, with the ever-tempting ‘OV’ overtake button injecting real urgency when required.
Convoy to the Cotswolds
Use of this bright red fun button had to be rationed, though. Our 30-mile range buffer was shrinking faster than the number of miles ahead, although I fully intended to use whatever charge remained once we reached the Cotswold lanes.
With the motorway behind us, the route got tighter and twistier towards The Classic Motor Hub. Our guests were relieved to exercise their cars in earnest, and the A290 was equally eager to show off its upgraded anti-roll bars, stiffer suspension and Michelin Pilot Sport tyres – all standard on the GTS model. It’s one of the few EVs thus far that is genuinely fun to drive.
Carving through stone-built villages and rolling countryside with a convoy of padel-playing petrolheads was exactly what we’d imagined. The bright orange Ford Mustang in our mirrors blended into the autumn trees lining the road, its roaring V8 a constant reminder of why we’d spent so much time planning, organising and sending out emails. A peak British driving experience, then – and the smiles visible behind the steering wheels confirmed as much. So far, so good.
Lunch at The Classic Motor Hub
Pulling into our lunch stop behind a guest’s Aston Martin DBS, I was surprised to see so many eyes on the Alpine. Parked among The Classic Motor Hub’s collection of exotic cars, this five-door hatchback still stood out. Some people were curious, having not really heard of the brand, while others loved the retro styling. Its Renault 5 roots are immediately obvious.
Joe Macari had given our guests their fill of supercar royalty – think Maserati MC12 and McLaren F1 GTR – but The Classic Motor Hub served up a mix of rarities and vintage automobilia. Our private tour guide, Nigel, really brought the metal to life with stories about some of the most significant cars.
Lunch and a second incredible car collection devoured, we set off eager to throw the A290 down some more country lanes. Half an hour of ‘enthusiastic’ driving later, we arrived at Daylesford with only a few miles of range to spare. Thankfully, the Land Rover Defender is the Daylesford visitor’s vehicle of choice, so all but one EV charger was unoccupied.
Driven to play Padel
We took to the padel court as the car juiced up with what I assume was organic, free-range electricity – in keeping with everything else on sale at Daylesford Farm. Our guests would have to fill up with petrol on the way home, but being able to charge in the car park saved us a stop.
After two hours of intense on-court action, we freshened up in the on-site Bamford Spa before enjoying a relaxed dining experience at The Trough restaurant. Fuelled by incredible produce from the surrounding farm, we drew our first event to a close.
The Alpine had proved excellent at multi-tasking: as a camera car, supercar chaser and convoy leader. The padel played might not match the standard Alpine usually associates with its brand, but the Rally was full of light-hearted, sporting fun, which the A290 GTS also encapsulated so well.
Ready for a rematch
Like all interesting cars, it also sparked connections and friendships between like-minded enthusiasts. Relief hit as we watched our guests’ vehicles crunch out of the gravel car park, knowing we had done it: our first event – and surely the hardest, right? We fist-bumped, unplugged the A290 and immediately started to plan the next one.
Having a car accident is always a stressful and upsetting experience. At best, you have damaged your vehicle and it’s likely to be expensive. At worst, there may be injuries to your person – or to others involved. It’s something we all aim to avoid.
Try to stay calm after the accident has happened, as there are certain things you must do immediately in the aftermath.
Read on for our step-by-step advice on what to do following a car crash. Hopefully you will never need it.
Always stopyour car
Failing to stop after a collision is illegal. If you drive away from the scene of the accident, you could end up with a six-month prison sentence or a £5,000 fine. Stop the car and turn off the engine – it could be unsafe to drive – but make sure you switch the hazard lights on.
If you have a warning triangle, place it to the side of the incident where cars are approaching. Be careful not to risk your own safety by standing in the road.
Also, as one helpful Motoring Research reader kindly pointed out, don’t use a warning triangle on the motorway. You will be breaking the Highway Code if you do.
Check the people involved
It’s a courtesy as much as a necessity, but speak to everyone involved and check they are OK. You’ll also want to get an impression of the other driver, if one is involved. Try to assess whether they may be under the influence of drink or drugs.
Take note of any injuries that you or anybody at the scene has received. Alternatively, write a note to confirm that nobody is injured, if that is the case. It could help prevent a false claim later.
Use your mobile phone to call the relevant emergency services if needed, be it police or ambulance, and don’t be afraid to flag down another motorist for help. Even if nobody is injured, you should report the accident to the police within 24 hours on the non-emergency number (101).
Assess the accident damage
Once you have dealt with the people, check over the vehicles. Make a note of all the damage caused, including inside the cars (if an airbag has deployed, for example). Grab your phone and take as many photographs as you can.
Note down details of the other car – including the make, model, registration number and colour – then write down the location, weather conditions and time of the accident.
You’ll also want to check whether any personal items carried in the car have been damaged by the incident.
Exchange details
Swap phone, address and insurance details with the other driver involved. Don’t admit liability for the accident, however. This is for the insurance companies to decide.
Note down the names of everyone involved, including witnesses and the ID numbers of emergency services personnel on the scene.
As an aside, it’s a good idea to keep a notepad in your car for such situations, although the notes function on your phone will also do the job.
Tell your insurance company
As soon as is convenient, preferably at the scene, inform your insurance company about what has happened. You don’t have to go through it all in the moment, just let them know.
When the time comes to talk through the accident more fully, be sure to have your insurance paperwork to hand.
If the accident happens outside your insurance company’s operational hours, you should be able to call a recovery line for assistance.
The potential for arguments and tantrums makes more than half of parents feel reluctant to undertake a road-trip with their children.
Some 55 percent of respondents to a survey by Vauxhall said they would be apprehensive about undertaking a long drive with their family.
In addition, close to half (47 percent) said the idea of a car journey with their children would be more stressful than holidaying abroad.
Notably, the predictable question of ‘Are we nearly there yet?’ is asked just three times before parents find themselves feeling annoyed.
Road-trip hunger games
When it came to creating the biggest whinges, Vauxhall found that children being hungry was top of the list. More than a third (34 percent) of respondents said this would be the first grievance aired.
Meanwhile, 14 percent of those surveyed said their offspring would lose all composure if they went through an area without any phone signal.
Vauxhall’s study also found that getting bored (50 percent), sibling arguments (37 percent) and keeping kids entertained (35 percent) provided the biggest challenges on a long drive.
Nearly three quarters (71 percent) of parents prepare snacks and drinks to prevent hunger-related challenges before they arise. Some 45 percent highlighted music streaming via smartphone connectivity as helpful for keeping kids amused.
Making car journeys family-friendly
Vauxhall’s research study also found that more than half (52 percent) of parents have threatened to turn the car around because their children weren’t behaving. And a third (34 percent) have followed up on that age-old threat, too.
Steve Catlin, managing director at Vauxhall, said: “Road-trips are a great opportunity to connect as a family, but when the conditions aren’t perfect, it can cause tensions to boil over. As parents, we all know that making sure you have the right snacks, space and road-trip playlist can go a long way to ensuring a harmonious journey.
“Equally important is having a car that can help make the journey easier. The new Vauxhall Frontera is designed to be family-friendly, with a spacious interior, the right tech to keep everyone connected, and features such as the Intelli-Seat to help long journeys pass in comfort.”
Drivers purchasing a new Toyota can now take advantage of a fixed-priced car insurance deal.
Offered across a variety of Toyota models, it allows customers to fix their annual insurance premium for three years.
Toyota says this insurance offer will bring ‘convenience, peace of mind and potential cost savings’ to car buyers.
Supplied by Toyota Insurance Services, the new policies have been designed with the Japanese marque’s vehicles in mind.
Financial peace of mind for drivers
Subject to customers meeting the eligibility criteria, annual comprehensive premiums via the Toyota fixed-priced insurance offer will be:
Toyota Aygo X: £300
Yaris Hybrid: £450
Toyota Yaris Cross: £450
Toyota Corolla: £495
Toyota Prius: £720
Toyota C-HR: £840
Toyota bZ4X: £840
Toyota RAV4: £1,080
The fixed-price offer means there will be no annual premium increases for customers, with the ability to pay monthly also available.
Should drivers need to make a claim for accident repair, this will be carried out by qualified Toyota technicians using genuine Toyota parts.
Wide range of Toyotas included
Toyota’s insurance offer is available to retail customers purchasing a new car between 1 November 2025 and 31 January 2026. Vehicle registration has to be completed by 28 February 2026.
To qualify, customers must be aged between 27 and 76, hold a full UK driving licence and have held UK residency for a minimum of one year. They should also have no convictions or pending prosecutions over the past five years, and not have made any fault insurance claims during the last three years.
Customers will not be locked into insuring with Toyota for the full three-year period, allowing the potential to renew with another insurer if preferred.
A no claims discount will also be earned by customers for the period that they take advantage of Toyota’s insurance deal.
BMW, Mattel and AirConsole have worked together to launch Hot Wheels: Xtreme Overdrive – an exclusive new in-car racing game.
BMW and Mini models with the latest software can play the game via their car’s central touchscreen, using smartphones as controllers.
Announced at the 2025 Tokyo Motor Show, Hot Wheels: Xtreme Overdrive is the latest game to become available through the AirConsole in-car gaming platform.
It follows the launch of Uno Card Party for BMW and Mini models last year, along with AirConsole’s expansion to other marques.
BMW and Hot Wheels go racing
Hot Wheels: Xtreme Overdrive has been given a deliberate BMW theme. On one of the tracks in the game, players race the BMW Vision Neue Klasse X concept car.
In addition, one of the eight playable vehicles in the game is a digital representation of the new BMW iX3 electric SUV.
The partnership between BMW and AirConsole will see Hot Wheels: Xtreme Overdrive remain exclusive to the German marque until June 2026.
Up to four passengers can play the game at one time, albeit only when the vehicle is stationary.
Turning cars into entertainment hubs
The AirConsole app is available for BMW or Mini models using BMW Operating System 8.5 in combination with BMW ConnectedDrive Professional, or Operating System 9 in combination with BMW Digital Premium or the Mini Connected Package.
It will also be offered for the next generation of BMW vehicles using Operating System X, starting with the new iX3.
“Cars are no longer just about driving, they’re becoming entertainment hubs,” said Anthony Cliquot, CEO of N-Dream. BMW’s continuous investment into exclusive content with AirConsole is a testament to in-car entertainment’s growing importance.”
Ford has launched a practical ‘Ranger Ready’ training course, aimed at teaching Ranger owners how to get the most from their truck.
Ford’s research showed that 98 percent of pickup truck drivers in the UK have helped someone in need during the past 12 months.
However, many pickup owners admit to lacking the knowledge required to use their vehicle safely for helping others.
As a result, the Ranger Ready programme is designed to give pickup truck drivers hands-on experience of using their vehicle in recovery situations.
All the gear, but little idea
Some 80 percent of those surveyed by Ford said they felt confident when it came to towing other vehicles. However, just over half (55 percent) said they knew the vehicle being recovered should be placed in neutral.
Many were also unsure about the correct use of safe towing points, with some believing that bumpers are a suitable anchor point.
More than a third (39 percent) of pickup drivers said they had helped to rescue another vehicle, but most have received no formal training.
Instead, truck owners often rely on instinct or advice from friends. As Ford notes, this can mean well-intentioned help results in an accident or even injuries.
Boosting truck owner confidence
Ford’s Ranger Ready programme has already trialled giving a group of pickup drivers practical instruction.
A group of Ranger owners were chosen to test the experience. They received training in how to rescue other vehicles, safe off-road driving techniques and how to reverse with a trailer.
Those who participated in the course reported an increased level of confidence and knowledge about how to undertake off-road rescues.
“The data that we unearthed quickly confirmed something we instinctively knew: there’s an in-built heroism in the UK’s pickup community, a real desire to help others,” said James Cooper, Ranger brand manager at Ford of Europe.
“But the data also revealed a crucial gap. Despite drivers’ good intentions, not everyone has the know-how to help as much as they would like. That’s where Ranger Ready comes in.”
A new special edition Mini has been revealed, bringing together two classic British brands.
The Mini Paul Smith Edition made its debut at the 2025 Tokyo Motor Show, showcasing a fresh look for the Cooper Electric hatchback.
Sir Paul Smith has a long history with the Mini marque. The famous fashion designer first created a limited edition classic Mini in 1998.
The latest Paul Smith Edition follows the theme of exclusive exterior colour combinations, along with special interior details.
Classic Paul Smith design
Buyers will be able to choose from three paint colour options, two of which are exclusive to the Paul Smith Edition.
Statement Grey is a modern interpretation of a classic Mini Austin Seven colour from 1959. Inspired White is a homage to the retro Mini Beige shade. And Midnight Black is a popular choice from the modern Mini range.
The roof can be finished in Nottingham Green (a tribute to Sir Paul’s birthplace) or Jet Black. Opting for the green sees a Paul Smith ‘Signature Stripe’ added above the rear window, with gloss and matt stripes for the black roof. More Nottingham Green can be found on the wing mirrors and front grille surround.
A special black and blue colour combination is used for the Mini badge. The 18-inch Night Spoke alloy wheels are finished in Dark Steel, complete with Nottingham Green centre caps.
Signature Stripes inside the Mini
On the inside, Sir Paul’s handwritten motto of ‘Everyday is a new beginning’ can be found on the door sills, with a hand-drawn rabbit logo on the floor mats.
Paul Smith tone-on-tone striped patterns are incorporated into the knitted dashboard trim, while the steering wheel features a ‘Signature Stripe’ detail.
Sports seats are trimmed in Nightshade Blue, with Paul Smith stripes and a stitched logo. A Dark Steel finish is used for the interior door handles, speaker grilles and cup holders.
First deliveries due next year
Sir Paul Smith said: “It’s not often that you see two icons of British design work together in this way and it’s wonderful that our partnership has carried on over so many years. The Mini Paul Smith Edition has been a real privilege and a wonderful opportunity. New colours and new unexpected details will be a welcomed surprise.”
Prices for the Mini Paul Smith Edition start from £32,705 in Cooper Electric guise, with the first deliveries expected in spring 2026.
Mini will extend its Paul Smith range to include petrol-powered Cooper models in the near-future.
The majority of UK drivers feel concerned that vehicle headlights have become dangerously bright.
More than four in five (82 percent) of motorists said they were worried about being dazzled as darker days arrive with the end of British Summer Time.
Research by the RAC found that 38 percent of survey respondents were nervous about driving in the dark.
Of this group, three quarters (75 percent) said bright headlights were responsible for their anxiety on the road at night.
Bright headlights cause concern
Research undertaken by the RAC earlier this year found that a quarter (25 percent) of drivers were driving less due to the risk of being dazzled by other motorists.
More than one in five (22 percent) told the RAC they wished they could drive less at night, but had no other choice.
Bright headlights were not the only cause for worry when driving at night, with nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of respondents saying spotting hazards was harder in the dark.
A third (33 percent) reported being nervous about driving in the dark as they find judging the distance to other vehicles harder. And 23 percent said they feel less confident when driving at night.
‘A problem that needs tackling’
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “Unfortunately, for a lot of drivers the annual onset of darker evenings coincides with another unwelcome arrival – that of overly-bright headlights that they believe make driving more difficult due to dazzle and discomfort.
“While most of us have no choice other than to adapt to driving at night more often as the clocks go back, the fact headlight glare is the leading cause of nervousness underlines it’s a problem that needs tackling. At the same time, it’s important to remember that brighter headlights can give drivers a better view of the road ahead – so there’s a balance to be struck.”
The MP for Crawley, Peter Lamb, is set to raise the issue of headlight glare during a Westminster Hall debate on Wednesday 29 October 2025.
Headlight issues are also expected to form part of a new road safety strategy, expected to be published by the government later this year.
