The second-generation Porsche Panamera GTS has been revealed – and somehow, despite ever-increasing emissions regulations, has retained its V8 engine.
However, Porsche has fitted a gasoline particulate filter, to to be doubly sure tailpipe output is compliant with the latest WLTP legislation (just in case ditching diesel in its entirety wasn’t enough).
Instead of a 4.8-litre V8, the new Panamera GTS uses a 4.0 twin-turbo motor. Power doesn’t suffer, though: it’s up 20hp to 460hp, giving a 0-62mph time of 4.1 seconds.
Two versions will be sold: the Panamera GTS and the first-ever load-lugging Panamera GTS Sport Turismo. The former will do 181mph in Germany; the latter’s slightly bluffer profile limits it to a mere 179mph.
The Sport Turismo also does 26.6mpg, compared with 27.4mpg for the regular Panamera GTS.
Both models have the same suspension makeover, which introduces three-chamber adaptive air suspension and a 10mm lower ride height. The Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system has been tuned to be sharper, while massive 390mm front disc brakes help scrub off speed.
Buyers can pick from a suitably lively range of colours, including this vivid new green. A new Sport Design package includes black styling elements around the nose, rear lower trim and much of the interior’s Alcantara surfaces. Panamera Design 20-inch alloys are standard, too, as is an Alcantara steering wheel.
An optional Interior GTS package brings Carmine Red or Crayon colour-coding to the GTS logos, leather stitching and rev counter.
The Panamera GTS range also introduces the first head-up display option for Porsche’s luxury saloon and shooting brake models.
Ordering? It’s open now, with the Panamera GTS costing from £105,963 and the Panamera GTS Sport Turismo costing from £108,110.
A new study by automotive data experts Cap HPI has revealed the average servicing and maintenance costs for electric cars. It shows that EVs cost, on average, 23 percent less to run than petrol vehicles over a three-year/60,000-mile period.
For smaller cars, the gap gets wider still. An electric Renault Zoe will set you back £1,100 in servicing and maintenance over three years, but a Vauxhall Corsa 1.0 90 Design costs nearly £1,500. That’s more than 35 percent extra.
The Nissan Leaf, currently the best-selling EV in the UK, costs just under £1,200 over three years. Compare that to the VW Golf 1.0 TSI at £1,429 and you’re staring at a saving of nearly 20 percent.
The number of electric vehicles on the road has jumped by 128 percent over the past three years, with more than 21,000 drivers taking the leap between April 2015 and April 2018. Purchasing costs are still notably higher than a comparable petrol-powered car, but servicing is where you can potentially claw that back.
As for the most popular EVs, the Nissan Leaf leads the BMW i3, Volkswagen e-Golf and Renault Zoe in the sales charts.
“An electric car motor has far fewer moving parts than a petrol or diesel engine” said Chris Plumb, senior valuations editor at Cap HPI.
“While the purchase price is often higher at the moment, but coming down all the time, drivers will find an EV much cheaper to run, with significantly lower costs to charge rather than visiting the pumps – plus lower maintenance costs.”
A Red Dot award is one of the most sought-after seals of approval for good design, with a panel of design professionals meeting once a year to evaluate the latest products and concepts.
All of the cars in the automotive category are judged on their innovation, functionality, quality, ergonomics and durability.
Scoop a Red Dot Design Award and you know that your product not only looks good, but it works, too.
Alfa Romeo Giulia
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is the automotive equivalent of having your cake and eating it. It looks good, drives well (especially in Quadrifoglio guise) and ticks the ‘I’ve owned an Alfa Romeo’ box.
The jury said: “With its coupé-like silhouette, the Giulia makes an impression that is as dynamic as it is elegant. Furthermore, the improved weight distribution and the rear-wheel drive have a positive effect on its driving performance.”
BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo
You might disagree with the Red Dot judges use of the word “elegance” when describing the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo, but then you’re probably not the target audience. This thing will sell in huge numbers in China and South Korea.
The jury said: “A successful combination of elegance, comfort and sportiness in the design of both the interior and exterior characterise the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo.”
BMW i3
It’s rather sad to find the BMW i3 still flying the flag for design and innovation in the electric car segment – isn’t it time we found some new eco heroes? Five years on from the start of production, the i3 remains a key player in the premium EV segment.
The jury said: “The BMW i3S convinces with a lively, expressive appearance that brings sporty and emission-free driving into visual harmony.”
BMW X2
It’s a compact SUV with a BMW badge, so this thing ticks all the right boxes. See a BMW X2 on the road today and it really stands out. How long before it fades into the background when every Tom, Dick and Harriet has traded in their Evoque for the latest novelty act.
The jury said: “The BMW X2 derives its visual presence from its distinctive exterior design with dynamic, sportive proportions and lines.”
Ferrari 812 Superfast
The replacement for the Ferrari F12 is not only Superfast, it’s also superfly. That’s according to Red Dot, anyway.
The jury said: “The 812 Superfast already conveys its speed and power at first glance, owing to its radical, emotionally appealing sports car design.”
Ferrari FXX-K Evo
The FXX-K Evo is an evolution of the XX programme launched in 2005, with cars developed for research and innovation purposes. Like previous Ferrari XX cars, it’s not road-legal, but aimed at Ferrari’s select-group of drivers who are keen to be involved in the development of a ‘closed-wheel laboratory car’
The jury said: “The FXX-K Evo, with its aerodynamic, assertive design, visualises the extraordinary technical performance qualities of a supercar.”
Ferrari Portofino
For the fourth consecutive year, Ferrari has received the Red Dot ‘Best of the Best’ award, this time for the Portofino. The 3.9-litre V8 twin-turbocharged Portofino is Ferrari’s entry-level model and it’ll hit a top speed just shy of 200mph.
The jury said: “Embodying an impressive evolutionary advancement, the Ferrari Portofino fascinates with an exciting design language. It comes across as a fascinating sculptural statement. The integration of the retractable hardtop presents an optimal solution. The haunting elegance is further underscored by the uncompromising quality in material and workmanship. The Ferrari Portofino is the perfect embodiment of novel approaches that point into the future.”
Hyundai Kona
Unlike many compact crossovers, the Hyundai Kona is based on its own platform rather than something borrowed from a supermini. As a result, it rides and drives better than many of its rivals. Some will love the styling, while others won’t.
The jury said: “This compact SUV, with its powerful, modern appearance is convincing. The arrangement of lights on three levels characterises the distinctive front.”
Hyundai Nexo FCEV
Another interesting Hyundai, this time in the form of the Nexo hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle. This former concept car is entering production and is up for the prestigious World Car of the Year award.
The jury said: “The Nexo is in tune with the spirit of the times with the combination of fuel-cell drive and SUV vehicle. An aerodynamic design imparts a calm, powerful and simultaneously elegant impression. A concise detail is the continuous LED strip on the grille.”
Kia Picanto
As if to prove that Red Dot isn’t totally focused on high-end vehicles and exotic supercars, here’s a dose of reality courtesy of the Kia Picanto. Prices range from £9,720 to £14,720.
The jury said: “With the appearance of an agile small car, the Kia Picanto offers a cabin with ergonomic comfort and a great deal of space for passengers and luggage.”
Kia Stinger
Sadly, you can’t buy a Kia Stinger for less than £10,000, but it does come with the same seven-year warranty. You may have heard us mention Kia’s warranty before. But, like every episode of Fawlty Towers, it’s worth repeating.
The jury said: “The design of the Kia Stinger brings the classic features of a Gran Turismo car to perfection. It succeeds in balancing the outstanding performance and an appearance that is both elegant and dynamic. Impressive visual features merge with sophisticated, premium-level inner values, elevating this vehicle class onto a new level. The luxuriously equipped Kia Stinger offers relaxed driving even on long journeys.”
Kia Stonic
We’re feeling supersonic, give us Kia Stonic. Said Liam Gallagher, probably. The Rio-based compact crossover is a cool thing. Said Noel Gallagher, never.
The jury said: “The Kia Stonic makes a self-confident and sturdy impression with its distinctive exterior design. The design of the interior focuses on the driver and offers a good visual overview.”
McLaren 720S
For us, the McLaren 720S is the current benchmark supercar. This conclusion follows track time and a week living with a 720S as a daily-driver. It’s so good, the £208,000 price tag seems like a bargain.
The jury said: “The McLaren 720S fascinates with its outstanding design language and the manner it responds to the road. Its design is marked by several innovative solutions that perfectly incorporate the brand philosophy. This sports car is the expression of a design that skilfully breaks with our perception to create something new. Each individual element has its specific significance, creating a spectacular overall impression.”
Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf is the world’s best-selling electric car, and by our reckoning it’ll top the EV tree for a little while yet. The Leaf offers a range of 168 miles on the real-world WLTP test or an impressive 258 miles on the WLTP City test.
The jury said: “The new Nissan Leaf is attractive with its clearly defined exterior, which imparts an objective impression.”
Raeton CC
The Raeton CC is a medium-size four-door family saloon built in China for the Chinese market. Power is sourced from a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
The jury said: “The basic design concept of the Raeton CC is convincing. Furthermore, it displays pleasant detail solutions in both the exterior and the interior design.”
Seat Arona
Seat’s first compact crossover is a good one, with the Arona offering a compelling blend of practicality, good driving manners and, if you opt for one of the higher trim levels, a certain amount of style.
The jury said: “The Seat Arona convinces with its autonomous appearance, which enables impressive personalisation options due to the many colour combinations offered.”
Skoda Karoq
Alternatively, if you don’t fancy an Arona, the Volkswagen Group also offers the Skoda Karoq. Red Dot or not, the decision to drop the Skoda Yeti is still creating red mist in some quarters.
The jury said: “The Karoq gains merit with a spacious interior and an elegantly appealing exterior, achieved by use of crystalline details.”
Volkswagen Polo
Staying within the Volkswagen Group for a moment, here’s the VW Polo. This is a terrific supermini, feeling more like a ‘mini Golf’ than a Ford Fiesta rival. The Seat Ibiza is just as good, but it hasn’t received a Red Dot award.
The jury said: “With its highly successful new concept, the Polo makes a self-confident impression with its clear design and newly constructed proportions. It gains additional merit with a high degree of networking in the cockpit.”
Volkswagen T-Roc
It’s hard to believe that the T-Roc is essentially a replacement for the Volkswagen Scirocco – that probably tells you all you need to know about the car industry. Crossovers and SUVs rule the world.
The jury said: “With its expressive exterior design, the T-Roc makes a self-confident and pleasing impression. The interior is convincing with lots of space and a digitalised cockpit, offering considerable comfort.”
Volvo XC40
The Volvo XC40 is a rare example of a compact SUV you can love, feeling every inch the baby XC90 it looks like from the outside. It’s safe, good to drive and blessed with a sumptuous and smart interior. Believe the hype – the XC40 is very good.
The jury said: “From a design perspective, this compact SUV blends in harmoniously with the product family. In terms of technology, the Volvo XC40 convinces with a comprehensive range of equipment.”
Vauxhall has announced plans to boost profitability, as part of its new PACE! strategy. The plan extends to the end of 2020 and details the introduction of eight new or updated models.
Not included in that roster are replacements for either the Viva or the Adam hatches. Both will be phased out at the end of their final year of sale in 2019.
The new Corsa will be one of the first to come, to be launched in 2019. There is also an all-electric Corsa on the way, as well as a Grandland X PHEV plug-in hybrid. Order books for both will be open in mid-2019.
On a grander scale, Vauxhall aims to have four electrified vehicles on the road by the end of 2020. By 2024, Vauxhall wants to have an electric version of every single car in its portfolio on the market.
Due also is a replacement for the Mokka X which combined with the Hybrid Grandland X, is to highlight a renewed focus on SUVs for Vauxhall going forward. It hopes to increase its proportion of SUV sales from 25 to 40 percent by 2021.
The overall plan is to occupy 80 percent of volume segments, with a primary focus on up-to-date product in the relevant segments. Hence, the small-selling, unpopular Adam and Viva are being bumped off.
The Porsche Taycan will be the first pure electric car from the Stuttgart sports car brand – and it will reward patient buyers with battery tech that it promises will set new standards for production cars.
The four-door, four-seat Taycan EV sports car will use an 800-volt architecture, which is around double the capacity of today’s electric cars.
The Taycan’s 800-volt system will give it the potential to fully utilise 350kW superfast chargers, which are beginning to be installed in Europe as part of the IONTY project. Porsche says this will give 62 miles’ range from just a four-minute charge, or 250 miles in 15 minutes.
Porsche’s system “has now achieved a power density the likes of which have never been seen before”. It’s technology taken directly from the Le Mans-winning 919 Hybrid, say bosses.
By way of comparison, today’s rapid charger network generally run at 50kW, with so-called ‘fast’ chargers operating at either 22kW or 7kW. The Tesla Supercharger network is the current fast-charge leader, operating at 120kW, although a network of 150kW chargers for Britain is being planned.
Once a high-power charging network is established, the limiting factor will be the car’s ability to take on charge so quickly, which is why 800-volt systems are so important to future EVs.
The firm expects to be first to market with the production-ready 800-volt system, although Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer earlier hinted that the British luxury car firm could (just) beat Porsche to market.
The @astonmartin RapidE EV will use 800v battery technology when launched end 2019. The higher voltage facilitates fast charging times as energy E=VxIxt (V is voltage, I is Current & t is time). Faster charge time t=E/(VxI) achieved by increasing Voltage. Nerdy but bloody good! pic.twitter.com/bHQPTiwaQg
In detailing the new Taycan’s electrical innovations, Porsche has previewed the new four-seater in some digital images of the new plant it’s built to make the new car.
These show a car that closely follows the prototype Mission E, including the retention of its rear-opening back doors.
Porsche will use the launch of the Taycan to accelerate its roll-out of electric and electrified cars. More than half its new car sales will be electrified by 2025, predicts Lutz Meschke, Porsche finance and IT board member.
And although they’re expensive to develop, the firm should still make at least a 15 percent margin on them, as “the revenue from digital products and services should… increasingly contribute to our economic success”.
Porsche is recruiting 1,200 new workers to build the Taycan at Zuffenhausen, Germany. It’s created more jobs than almost any other Porsche before it. And, indicating that it won’t belong before its performance range is electrified too, the firm added the new employees will build two-door sports cars as well as the Taycan.
The new ‘factory within a factory’ making the Taycan will be carbon neutral, designed to help Porsche create a complete zero-impact factory in the future – and be served, for the first time, by driverless transport systems to help scale up the speed and efficiency of production.
The upcoming Skoda five-door family hatch will be called Scala, and the firm has confirmed it will be revealed in full before 2018 is out.
Previewed by the Vision RS concept at the recent Paris Motor Show, the new Skoda Scala will replace the disappointing Skoda Rapid – and, hopes the Volkswagen Group company, will be a much more convincing value-priced compact family hatch alternative.
In growing up compared to the Rapid, the new Skoda Scala will be the Czech firm’s first genuine alternative to the sector-leading Volkswagen Golf from its parent firm. Other target cars in its sights include the Ford Focus, Kia Ceed and the Leon from, yes, sister company Seat.
Skoda is very excited by the launch of the new Scala. “We are proposing a new chapter in the compact class of Skoda,” said chairman Bernhard Maier.
“It is a completely new development that sets standards in terms of technology, safety and design in this class… we are confident that Scala has the best chance to redefine the segment for Skoda.”
For now, despite an earlier teaser sketch, only the name is being revealed, although Skoda says the “emotional exterior and interior design language” were closely hinted at by the Vision RS.
It is, however, showing us the rear tailgate, which looks like it will continue the smoked glass effect of the Rapid and Vision RS. It also features ‘SKODA’ lettering, instead of the Skoda roundel – apparently to help familiarity in new markets where car brand logos are unfamiliar.
But if you think the Scala name itself is familiar, you’d be right – but from Volkswagen history, not Skoda. In the late 80s, the Mk2 Scirocco was given a facelift, and a high-spec Scala model introduced.
Volkswagen will be hoping it’s only old names its handing over to Skoda, rather than sales of its EU-leading Golf hatch…
Breakdown data from the RAC has revealed that potholes present twice as great a threat to car reliability as 12 years ago.
The RAC says it attended 14,220 pothole-related breakdowns during the past 12 months. Broken springs, popped shock absorbers, busted tyres and buckled wheels top the list of problems. Such callouts represented 1.5 percent of the organisation’s total workload for the period.
That’s the second-highest slice of the breakdown pie since the RAC started analysing the data in 2006. The highest figure was 1.6 percent, recorded in both in 2015 and 2017.
The Pothole Index is the RAC’s long-term indicator of the health of the UK’s roads. It’s considerably higher than it was this time last year. A current standing of 2.63 plays 2.38 at the end of 2017. It concludes that motorists are more than 2.5 times as likely to break down because of pothole as 12 years ago.
The findings are consistent with public discontent about the condition of the road network. The 2018 RAC Report on Motoring names potholes as the number-one concern for drivers. Two-thirds said the condition of local roads had deteriorated over the last 12 months.
A £9.3 billion road maintenance backlog
“There is little doubt local road conditions in many parts of the country are sub-standard and have been so for quite some time” said RAC chief engineer David Bizley.
“Data from this quarter’s RAC Pothole Index supports this, showing there has been a steady deterioration in road conditions over the last 18 months, with the latest quarter not showing a significant improvement. We cannot simply blame Storm Emma and the Beast from the East, even though they certainly made matters worse.
“In March 2018, a further £100m was made available to help local authorities repair potholes and storm damage that had resulted from the harsh winter weather.
“However, this needs to be seen in the context of the maintenance backlog of over £9.3 billion reported by the Asphalt Industry Alliance, which is their estimate of the one-off investment required to return local roads to a state that is fit for purpose.”
Continuing the celebration of retro racing liveries to mark the brand’s 70th anniversary, Porsche has revealed another comeback classic for this weekend’s Petit Le Man race at Road Atlanta.
Unlike the Rothmans and Pink Pig recreations used at Le Mans this year, the colour scheme for this race is slightly more recent.
The blue and red stripes on a white body pay homage to the Mobil 1 livery. Used for Porsche’s 911 GT1 programme during the late 1990s, this colour scheme found greatest success in 1998.
Legend of Le Mans
Most notably, it adorned the 911 GT1 ‘98, which took outright victory at that year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans race. Porsche’s success at the French classic was something of a surprise, with the 911 GT1 expected to be soundly beaten by the Mercedes-Benz CLK LM and Toyota GT-One.
Yet it was Porsche’s reputation for reliability which helped bring home the 911 GT1 ‘98 racers in first and second place.
This delivered the German brand a historic 16th victory at the 24 hour event, with Laurent Aiello, Allan McNish and Stephane Ortelli the drivers standing on top of the podium.
Doing backflips
Porsche unfortunately ran out of luck later in 1998, with an entry into the inaugural Petit Le Mans race. Held at the Road Atlanta circuit in Georgia, the event was intended to establish the level of interest in a US-based endurance series.
Running for just 10 hours, instead of a full day, the Petit Le Mans formed the seventh round of the 1998 IMSA GT Championship.
Although Porsche had taken pole position for the race, disaster struck during the race, with the 911 GT1 performing a dramatic backflip. Yannick Dalmas, the French driver at the wheel, emerged unscathed despite the Porsche being completely destroyed.
Modern day heroes
Porsche will be aiming to avoid the drama of the 1998 Petit Le Mans race this weekend. Instead, the team of Nick Tandy, Patrick Pilet and Frédéric Makowiecki will be looking to recreate the victory taken at this year’s Sebring 12 Hours race.
Fielding the second factory-backed 911 RSR will be Laurens Vanthoor, Earl Bamber, and Porsche Young Professional Mathieu Jaminet.
This weekend’s race will take place on Saturday 13th October. Those outside the USA and Canada can stream the Petit Le Mans live from the IMSA.TV website.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “We understand the pressure on the public purse but, given the importance of environmental goals, it’s astounding that just three months after publishing its ambitious vision for a zero emissions future, government has slashed the very incentive that offers our best chance of getting there.
“We have consistently said that if the UK is to be fit for an electrified future, we need a world-class package of incentives and infrastructure.”
“Government needs to rethink its policy, else its ambitions will never be realised.”
The SMMT, which represents the UK automotive industry, says the move will not send yet more confusing signals to car buyers already confused by the diesel debate, it also risks having a “devastating” impact on plug-in demand. The market for electric cars in Denmark plunged 73 percent after its government withdrew incentives – and it has still not recovered.
Car makers may even decide not to bring such vehicles into the UK. The grant has helped the UK become one of Europe’s biggest electrified car markets. Its removal, says the SMMT, may see companies reallocate vehicles “to more supportive markets, which could mean a reduction in model choice for UK consumers”.
The car industry, insisted Hawes, shares the government’s ambition of making the UK one of the world’s leading zero emissions and low-emission vehicle car markets. “Delivering this goal requires a clear and consistent policy… a position which is actively contradicted by this latest decision.”
Mitsubishi earlier said it too was “disappointed” by the government decision. The Outlander PHEV is currently the UK’s best-selling plug-in hybrid, taking a near-30 percent market share in September.
Data from the Auto Trader Retail Price Index has revealed the average price of a second-hand car reached £12,853 in September. That’s a five percent increase compared with this time last year.
Furthermore, that near-£13,000 figure represents an increase of 42 percent over the past seven years. The average used car cost just £8,997 in 2011.
Why have used car prices gone up?
The main reason for the increase is the popularity of PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) deals for new cars. These are usually a three-year arrangement whereby a customer pays a fixed monthly amount. This covers the cost of depreciation, plus some profit for the vendor and creditor. The custodian of the car never actually owns it, unless they stump up a so-called ‘balloon payment’ at the end of the term. Auto Trader reports that finance deals accounted for 88 percent of new-car purchases in 2017.
Most people don’t pay the balloon payment, and thus a large number of brand new cars go back to the dealer after three years. Average ownership periods are down and therefore the average age of a second-hand car is down. The result? Used cars are generally more valuable.
Indeed, sales of cars aged less than three years old have increased by 32 percent over the past five years. Sales of five- and 10-year-old cars have dropped by three and seven percent respectively.
What makes those cars more valuable still is that cars bought on PCP are often to a higher specification, with more options fitted.
“Our data highlights just how resilient the used car market has been despite these turbulences and importantly, the opportunities available for retailers,” says Karolina Edwards-Smajda, Auto Trader’s Director of Commercial Products.
“Whilst it might only currently account for around 35 percent of purchases, as younger, more desirable and more valuable vehicles reach forecourts, we can expect the appetite for used car finance to surge.”
The second-generation Porsche Panamera GTS has been revealed – and somehow, despite ever-increasing emissions regulations, has retained its V8 engine. 
The 
The upcoming Skoda five-door family hatch will be called Scala, and the firm has confirmed it will be revealed in full before 2018 is out.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has warned the government its decision to
