BMW has revealed a special edition of the M2 coupe, inspired by one of the German marque’s most famous performance cars.
The 2026 M2 Turbo Design Edition is a direct tribute to the BMW 2002 Turbo, a classic coupe produced between 1974 and 1975.
The 2002 Turbo was Europe’s first production car to use turbocharging. Its boosted 170 hp four-cylinder engine delivered serious performance for the time.
With the new M2 Turbo Design Edition, BMW has channeled the spirit of the 2002 Turbo, but with a thoroughly modern twist.
An M Performance throwback
Alpine White paintwork is standard on the M2 Turbo Design Edition, combined with hand-painted BMW Motorsport stripes on the edges of the hood and trunk lid. More BMW M tricolor stripes are found on the standard carbon fiber roof panel, with the hood’s power dome finished in black.
Mirrored “turbo” lettering is a knowing nod to the original 2002, which had the word reversed on its front bumper. Unofficially, the idea was to warn other drivers who spotted the car in their rear-view mirror to move over…
More carbon fiber is found on the BMW M Performance trunk spoiler, plus there is a bespoke Turbo badge beneath the M2 logo.
Black-painted dual-spoke alloy wheels are fitted, with M Performance items in Matte Gold Bronze on the options list.
Sticking with tradition
Just like the BMW 2002 Turbo, the new M2 Turbo Design Edition uses a six-speed manual transmission. Forget any thoughts of a paddle-shift auto; this special model comes with three pedals only.
Other interior highlights include a heated Alcantara steering wheel and carbon fiber trim. BMW has added a “Turbo” plaque to the cup holder cover, too.
M Sport seats are finished in Black Vernasca leather with M Color highlights. Racier carbon fiber bucket seats are available at extra cost.
Opening the door reveals custom sill covers featuring the “M2 Turbo” script, along with more BMW M stripes.
Set for production next year
BMW has left the M2 Turbo Design Edition mechanically unchanged, meaning a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six that produces 473 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque.
Accelerating from 0-60 mph takes 4.1 seconds, with a top speed of 155 mph. Specifying the M Driver’s Package increases maximum speed to 177 mph.
Prices for the M2 Turbo Design Edition will start at $82,900, plus an additional $1,175 for destination and handling charges.
Production is due to begin in the first quarter of 2026, with the first deliveries expected next summer.
Owners of the largest SUVs could soon have to pay more for parking in Cardiff.
Councillors in the Welsh capital are set to vote on a proposal that specifically targets heavy vehicles, in a bid to stop them taking up space, and to improve road safety.
Should Cardiff approve the plans, vehicles that weigh more than 2,400kg will be subject to an additional surcharge when applying for a parking permit.
Cars and SUVs weighing in excess of 3,500kg will not be entitled to a permit at all under Cardiff’s proposed City Parking Plan.
Public support for SUV penalties
The move to implement higher parking permit fees follows a consultation held by Cardiff Council at the end of 2024. More than 6,000 residents took part in the study, which addressed a range of parking issues affecting the largest city in Wales.
Two thirds (66 percent) of respondents backed the idea of making the owners of vehicles weighing in excess of 2,400kg pay more for a parking permit.
In time, the proposals would see the weight limit reduced to 2,000kg, in a bid to encourage drivers to opt for smaller, lighter, vehicles.
Somewhat controversially, however, Cardiff Council’s proposal would not apply a weight penalty to electric cars when introducing the lower 2,000kg limit.
This is despite numerous popular EV models, such as the Volkswagen ID.4, weighing more than 2,000kg.
Standing up to SUV ‘carspreading’
The Clean Cities campaign group recently organised a petition to demand parking charges in Cardiff be based on vehicle weight.
It forms part of the organisation’s ongoing fight against ‘carspreading’, a term used to describe how large SUVs are unable to fit within standard parking space. The result is a vehicle ‘spreading’ beyond the bay.
According to Clean Cities, each year some 1.2 million vehicles are sold in the UK that are too large for a standard parking space.
Oliver Lord, UK head of Clean Cities, said: “Cardiff is showing real vision by standing up to the SUV carspreading that’s taking over our streets. It’s only fair that those driving the biggest, heaviest and most polluting vehicles pay more for the extra space and danger they bring.
“This is a common-sense policy that will make our city streets safer, cleaner and fairer for everyone. Other cities across the UK could learn from Cardiff’s leadership.”
A high percentage of used cars in the UK show signs of digital tampering to hide their true history or identity.
More than one in seven vehicles (16.25 percent) has potentially had its mileage wound back, or the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) manipulated.
Both actions mean used car customers might unwittingly pay more for a vehicle than it is actually worth. They could also be unaware of serious mechanical defects.
Previous research has found the UK is the worst-affected country in Europe for odometer tampering, also known as clocking.
Hidden car history exposed
Automotive diagnostics platform Carly uncovered the new data on mileage tampering and VIN manipulation by analysing vehicle diagnostic data.
More than 2.5 million Carly diagnostic sessions were included, covering over 550,000 cars tested in the UK between January and September 2025.
The Carly platform connects directly to a vehicle’s internal systems via the OBD (on-board diagnostics) port. This allows mileage readings and VIN records across multiple components to be compared, helping to identify any inconsistencies.
Carly’s research found that major cities and ports displayed higher levels of vehicle manipulation, due to a larger number of vehicle transactions. However, there was no great variance across the country.
It means used car customers in the north of Scotland are as likely to encounter a vehicle with a hidden history as those in the south of England.
Commenting on the findings, Dali Ati, head of internationalisation at Carly, said: “Mileage tampering can make a car appear newer and more valuable than it really is. But beneath the surface, it could be far more worn and that’s where unexpected problems begin.
“We want drivers to feel informed and in control before they spend their money. A quick Carly scan, using the Carly Used Car Check, can uncover these hidden issues in just minutes. And the best part? The scanner costs as little as £41, and these checks can save buyers thousands.”
Car crime has become increasingly sophisticated, with thieves using the On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port fitted to modern cars to start the engine and drive away.
The problem has made headlines, typically with attention-grabbing videos of how quick and easy the process of stealing a car can be.
Read on for our guide to what this kind of car crime means – and the measures you can take to protect your car from OBD port theft.
An On-Board Diagnostics port is a standard connector used to access information from the various sensors and electronic components inside a car.
The earliest OBD ports were introduced in the 1970s, and they became more prevalent on American cars of the 1980s. Legislation introduced in California in 1988 required all new cars sold in the state to have basic OBD compliance.
By 1996, this regulation had spread to all new cars sold in the USA, as part of the OBD-II specification.
In 2001, the European Union also introduced a requirement that all new petrol cars must offer OBD access. New diesel-powered vehicles were included from 2003. This standard is often referred to as EOBD.
What can an OBD port be used for?
The basic idea of an OBD port is to allow car manufacturers, garages and owners easy access to diagnostic information about the vehicle. This is done via plugging a device into a port with a common design.
When a fault occurs, an OBD reader can be used to scan for error codes that have been logged by the car. These correspond to a specific list of problems, which helps to narrow down what might have caused the issue.
The OBD port may also be used to upload information to the car’s Electronic Control Unit (ECU). Manufacturers can update software this way, while tuning companies use it to remap the ECU for extra performance.
Programming replacement car keys, should a new spare key be needed, can be done via the OBD port as well.
Why is the OBD port a theft risk?
The rules around OBD ports mean that car manufacturers cannot restrict their access, or make them hard to locate inside a car. For professional car thieves, this delivers a potentially efficient way to steal a vehicle.
Criminals are able to plug commercially available devices into the OBD port, either by breaking the window or picking the door lock. With access to the car’s electronic brain, the OBD tool can be used to programme a blank key fob to work with the car.
This allows a thief to steal the vehicle without needing the original keys. Worryingly, the whole process can take just a few minutes.
How common is OBD car theft?
Thefts using OBD ports are just one of the methods used by professional car criminals. Exploiting keyless entry and start systems through relay devices is a tactic many people are aware of, but OBD thefts are also a problem.
The early 2010s saw many BMW models stolen specifically through OBD weaknesses. Criminals found a black spot in the ultrasonic alarm system, which allowed them to break a window and attach an OBD device without detection. BMW later introduced several software updates to tackle the problem.
A variety of Ford models have also been targeted, including the previous-generation Fiesta and Focus.
Ford fitted newer cars with an upgraded security system to prevent key cloning. This sounds the alarm and locks down the vehicle software for 10 minutes should an unauthorised device be attached to the OBD port.
What is an OBD port locking device?
Older cars can still potentially be vulnerable to OBD theft, while commercial vehicles are often targeted. Several manufacturers, including Ford, recommend the fitment of a physical OBD port locking device.
OBD locks come in different types, dependent on the type of access needed and the level of protection required.
Physical OBD locks cover the port itself, typically encasing it with solid metal. An access panel can be opened using a key, while other types have a combination lock. These do not stop the OBD port from working, but prevent thieves from simply plugging a device into them.
Electronic OBD locks are more advanced, and work with the standard engine immobiliser. Turning the car off, and engaging the immobiliser, sees the locking device prevent communications between the ECU and OBD port. This stops the port being used to programme new keys or other functions.
Some electronic OBD locks require a special transponder-equipped authorisation card to be presented in order to operate the port.
What to consider when fitting an OBD lock
Fitting an OBD locking device should be relatively straightforward. If your car is still under warranty, it is best to check with the manufacturer that adding the device will not affect your cover.
Once installed, you will also need to ensure that mechanics or dealership technicians can access the port for maintenance or servicing.
Given the numerous options available, a local car security expert should be able to offer more detailed advice.
What other options are there?
Relocating the OBD port from the standard, easily accessible location is a popular option. An OBD wiring extension can be used to reroute the port to a different place in the car (often inside the glovebox).
This allows the OBD port to still be accessed for servicing, but will hopefully confuse criminals long enough for them to give up.
Fitting extra security equipment to your car, such as an improved alarm system or physical steering lock, can also help deter thieves.
If your Toyota GR Yaris doesn’t look distinctive enough, how about the new factory-approved aero kit – which, after causing a sensation in Japan, is now officially coming to the UK?
The official ‘Aero Performance Package’ was developed by Toyota Gazoo Racing, with input from professional racing drivers using the car in motorsport.
Competing in the Super Taikyu Series, along with the Japanese Rally Championship, provided Toyota with insights on how to improve aerodynamic performance and cooling.
Japanese enthusiasts can already order the GR Yaris with the aero kit fitted. Now Toyota has now confirmed UK fans will have the chance to own the Aero Performance model, too.
Motorsport-inspired modifications
Toyota Gazoo Racing has left almost no part of the turbocharged hot hatch untouched in its aero makeover.
This starts with a lightweight aluminium bonnet, which gains a new air duct designed to remove heat from the engine bay. The part is a direct copy of the carbon fibre bonnet used on the GR Yaris in the Japanese Rally Championship.
A new splitter has also been added, following feedback from racers in the Super Taikyu Series. This should reduce lift, keeping the front of the GR Yaris more planted.
Keeping calm under pressure
Behind the front wheelarches, Toyota Gazoo Racing has sculpted new ducts to extract air that accumulates around the wheels. Doing so is said to improve steering feel, and boost stability on corner entry.
Demonstrating the level of detail that has gone into the new aero kit, even the underside of the GR Yaris has received attention.
A bespoke cover now sits beneath the fuel tank, smoothing airflow underneath the car to boost aerodynamic efficiency.
No snaking allowed
At the tail of the GR Yaris, it is hard to miss the addition of an adjustable rear spoiler. According to Toyota, the new wing contributes to high-speed stability, and even ‘suppresses snake-like movement’.
Adjusting the spoiler means the GR Yaris can be tailored to suit track driving or daily use as needed.
Finally, a set of new ducts are added to the rear bumper to reduce its ‘parachute effect’ on drag. This was discovered after a car in the Super Taikyu Series lost its bumper mid-race.
Heading to the UK in 2026
Following its public debut in Nagoya, Japan, Toyota dealerships in the country began accepting orders for the aero-enhanced GR Yaris on 1 October 2025.
Toyota has also revealed the upgraded version of the rally-bred hot hatch will go on sale in the UK, but only in strictly limited numbers. Deliveries will begin in March 2026.
Prices for the GR Yaris Aero Performance model start at £48,995, and all cars will come equipped with a motorsport-style vertical handbrake.
Citroen has announced a special new version of its Dispatch van that celebrates the marque’s sporting heritage.
The Dispatch VTR Special Edition was inspired by Citroen’s back catalogue, with bespoke body styling and a revamped interior.
The VTR badge was previously worn by Citroen performance models such as the Saxo, C2 and Xsara.
Its comeback coincides with the French brand’s return to motorsport, as Citroen enters season 12 of the electric Formula E series.
A sporty special delivery
Offered for both panel van and crew cab variants of the Citroen Dispatch, the VTR Special Edition comes with a front splitter, side skirts with integrated mud guards, and a rear roof spoiler.
There is also a restyled rear bumper, along with a set of diamond-cut ‘Dynamic’ 18-inch alloy wheels fitted with high-load-capacity Nankang tyres.
Inside, Citroen has fitted ‘eco leather’ seats with sporty red stitching, which are embossed with the VTR logo.
The Comfort Pack is included, adding dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and wireless smartphone charging. There is also a heated leather steering wheel, plus a heated seat for the driver.
Diesel or EV power available
Buyers will be able to choose from Icy White, Perla Nera Black and Blue Lagoon paint colours, all combined with the unique VTR livery.
There is also a choice between diesel or fully electric power for the Dispatch VTR van.
Prices for the 2.0-litre BlueHDi diesel start from £42,745 in panel van form, with the electric e-Dispatch costing £46,845. The latter is after the Plug-in Vehicle Grant has been applied.
Greg Taylor, managing director of Citroen UK, said: “Citroen’s track record of supporting SMEs continues with the Dispatch VTR, a new halo vehicle of our LCV line-up. This exciting new van brings fun and accessibility to the commercial vehicle market through stand-out sporty styling that lives up to the heritage of the iconic VTR name.”
Most car drivers understand the need to pass a horse ‘wide and slow’. Unfortunately, for some motorists, the message doesn’t seem to have got through.
Statistics from The British Horse Society reveal 58 horses died and 97 were injured on UK roads in 2024. A total of 80 people were injured, too. Some 3,118 incidents were reported to the equine charity over the 12-month period, with 81 percent due to vehicles passing too closely.
The deaths and injuries come despite new Highway Code guidance for equestrians, introduced in 2022. This states that vehicles must pass horses at no more than 10mph, and at a minimum distance of two metres.
The British Horse Society outlines four simple steps to take when passing a horse on the road:
Slow down to a maximum of 10mph
Be patient – DO NOT sound your horn or rev your engine
Pass the horse wide and slow, allowing at least a car’s width between your vehicle and the horse if possible.
Drive slowly onwards
‘Expect the unexpected’
Road safety charity IAM RoadSmart has also issued advice on how to pass a horse safely on the road. It says drivers should expect the unexpected, and give the horse and rider plenty of room.
Jaimi McIlravey, a horse rider and digital content executive at IAM RoadSmart, said: “Please continue to be careful when driving close to horses. From personal experience, it’s not always a car that will spook a horse.
“You may be driving safely with enough gap between yourself and a horse and rider. However, something else may scare them, so be sure to stay alert.”
How to overtake a horse safely
Here are some easy-to-follow tips for passing a horse or group of riders on the road:
Slow down and hold back. The rider will indicate whether it is safe to approach and overtake. If they don’t, stay at least three car-lengths behind and be careful to not move into this space. Be prepared to slow down further or stop – any sudden movements or loud noises could upset the horse
Take extra care on rural roads – a horse could be around the next corner
Allow at least a car’s width when passing a horse and stick to a 10mph maximum, as stated in the Highway Code
On a narrow lane, where there isn’t enough room to pass a horse, the rider may decide to trot to the nearest gateway or grass verge. Do not accelerate to match the trot – stay back
If you see two riders side by side, it might be for safety reasons. Give them some consideration
Keep an eye out for signals from the horse rider
Accelerate gently when passing the horse and when moving away
If you are approaching a horse from the other side of the road, slow down and consider the use of hazard warning lights to alert any drivers behind you.
Above all, be patient and respectful. Saving a few seconds off your journey could endanger the life of a horse and its rider.
Lamborghini has opened a new flagship UK showroom in Berkeley Square. The Lamborghini Mayfair site is positioned just across the road from arch-rival Ferrari, making life simpler for London’s supercar shoppers.
Hosting a champagne reception for 350 of the Italian marque’s best customers, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann toasted a “true destination showroom” that will complement the existing dealership in South Kensington.
“The UK is consistently in our top four markets worldwide,” added Winkelmann. “This London location also connects with our international clientele who regularly frequent this capital city.”
Fenomeno makes London debut
The dramatic backdrop for the Mayfair opening was a new Lamborghini Fenomeno: the 1,080hp hybrid hypercar that is limited to 29 examples worldwide.
According to Davide Sfrecola, head of Lamborghini UK, three cars from the production run – priced at upwards of £3 million each – were sold in London.
Visitors could also get up close with the new Lamborghini Temerario, which replaces the Huracan as Lamborghini’s ‘baby’ supercar. Powered by a turbocharged V8 and three electric motors, the Temerario serves up 920hp for 0-62mph in 2.7 seconds and a top speed of 207mph. Come back to Motoring Research for a full review early next month.
A hub for Lamborghini owners
The new showroom is owned by H.R. Owen, which also operates dealerships for luxury automotive brands such as Aston Martin, Lotus, Maserati and Rolls-Royce.
Mayfair joins 11 other Lamborghini showrooms across the UK, including sites in Tunbridge Wells, Chelmsford, Bristol, Manchester and Edinburgh. “Each dealership might sell 30-50 vehicles a year,” says Davide Sfrecola, “but they also act as hubs for owners to meet, make friends and drive their cars.”
A total of 806 Lamborghinis were sold in Britain last year, split between the V12 Revuelto, outgoing V10 Huracan and hybrid V8 Urus SE SUV. Customers typically added around 30 percent to the base price of each car in personalisation, helping Lamborghini achieve record revenues of €3.09 billion (£2.69 billion) in 2024.
This time it’s personal
To get a taste of the options available, we’re taken downstairs to the ‘Ad Personam’ lounge by Lamborghini’s customisation experience manager, Camilla Keim. “Almost every Revuelto we sell has at least one item from Ad Personam,” she explains. “It’s the cherry on the cake for our clients.”
Lamborghini offers more than 400 off-the-shelf paint colours, including special multi-layered ‘chamaeleon’ shades that change colour in the sunlight. However, you can also choose a completely custom colour. “The story behind our Verde Scandal green is that an Italian model visited Lamborghini HQ and ordered a car in the same colour as her dress,” recounts Sfrecola. “Apparently, she took off her dress right there and left it with them – hence the ‘scandal’.”
Other Ad Personam touches range from paint containing genuine diamond dust to one-off cars with unique bodywork and interior trim – “the haute couture of personalisation,” says Keim.
Lamborghini Mayfair will offer two Ad Personam appointments per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, catering for those who want to make their new supercar or SUV more individual. The rest of us will just have to enjoy gawping through the windows. You can find the showroom on the corner of Bruton Street and Berkeley Square, W1.
Nearly two years after it was discontinued by General Motors, the Chevrolet Bolt EV has made a dramatic comeback.
Set to cost from just $29,990 in launch trim, the Bolt will be one of the cheapest electric cars on sale, following the end of federal EV tax credits.
Originally launched in 2017, the first-generation Bolt was a major success story for Chevrolet, with more than 60,000 examples sold before production ended in 2023.
With keen prices, and the promise of an official range of 255 miles when fully charged, Chevrolet will hope for a repeat performance from the reborn electric Bolt.
A Bolt from the blue
Powering the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt will be a 65 kWh battery pack, which is connected to a 210 hp motor mounted on the front axle. No performance figures have been quoted, but battery range and charging are likely to be more important to Bolt buyers.
The Bolt becomes the first ever Chevrolet to be fitted with a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port as standard. This allows access to an array of different DC public fast chargers, including Tesla Superchargers, at speeds of up to 150 kW.
Being connected to a DC fast charger will allow the new Bolt to replenish its battery from 10 to 80 percent in 26 minutes.
Fully charged, the Bolt should be capable of up to 255 miles, based on Chevrolet’s initial estimates. Built-in Google Maps navigation will take battery charge into account when planning routes, too.
Google integration inside
Google applications form a major part of the Bolt’s infotainment system. Chevrolet’s Super Cruise driver assistance technology is also integrated with Google Maps.
The navigation software will show Super Cruise-enabled routes, telling drivers how many minutes of a road trip can be driven hands-free.
Voice commands can be used to set the climate control, change seat heating temperature, and even operate a remote garage door opener.
An 11.3-inch central touchscreen is standard, which is supported by an 11.0-inch digital instrument panel. To help pass the time when charging, applications such as Angry Birds, Prime Video, and HBO Max can be accessed through the Google Play store.
Back by popular demand
“The Chevrolet Bolt was the industry’s first affordable mass-market, long-range EV and it commanded one of GM’s most loyal customer bases thanks to its price, versatility and practicality,” said Scott Bell, vice president of Global Chevrolet.
“After production ended, we heard our customers’ feedback and their love for this product. So the Bolt is coming back – by popular demand and better than ever – for a limited time.”
The first examples of the Chevrolet Bolt LT will be available earlier in the new year, along with a sportier-looking RS trim for the first time.
Later in the model year, a cheaper 1LT version of the Bolt will join the lineup, with a bargain starting price of $28,995.
New analysis of trends in the car insurance industry finds nearly half of UK drivers still allow their policy to renew automatically.
Some 47 percent of drivers let their car insurance policy continue unchanged during 2024: a slight fall from 52 percent in 2021.
However, the penalty for such loyalty – or convenience, perhaps – is a collective total of £560 million in higher renewal premiums.
On average, the cost of a car insurance policy increased by £82 year-on-year, despite rule changes intended to stop ‘price walking’.
Insurance renewal costs remain high
In 2022, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) introduced new regulations to try and prevent insurance companies charging existing customers more than new ones.
Despite this, average renewal costs are now higher than before the FCA’s new rules were brought in.
The average cost of a comprehensive policy in the UK now stands at £635, down slightly from a peak of £650 in late 2024.
Car insurers are now required to show the previous year’s premium price alongside the quote for renewal. Close to half of drivers surveyed said they did not notice this information, highlighting the lack of attention being paid at renewal time.
Take five minutes to shop for savings
Chris Richards, car insurance expert at SimplyQuote, said: “The FCA reforms have stopped the worst renewal mark-ups, but they can’t stop people ignoring their renewal emails”.
Just under a third (30 percent) of UK drivers said they shopped around at renewal time, but opted to stay with their current insurer. Around 15 percent said that switching takes too much effort, while one in five (20 percent) believed there are no savings to be made from changing insurers.
Insurance industry analysts believe this year will see only modest reduction in premium costs, with no major falls expected.
“Drivers can’t assume the system will save them money,” added Chris Richards. “The only real protection against overpaying is taking five minutes to check your renewal quote. If you haven’t done that, you’re almost certainly paying too much.”
