Collecting Cars Sealed Bids is a new way to buy blue-chip cars

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August 14, 2025

Online auction marketplace Collecting Cars has launched a new car auction format called Sealed Bids – where only bidders know their position and only winners know the final price.

Sealed Bids will focus on blue-chip classics and supercars, and any car in the world is eligible… provided it costs more than £250,000.

During each seven-day Sealed Bids auction, all parties remain anonymous until the winning bidder is connected with the seller after the auction closes.

Auctions follow the same seven-day format as Collecting Cars auctions. The only difference is that the pre-vetted bidders will never know how much the other bids are for.

They also won’t know what the car ultimately sells for, or who the other bidders were. The aim is to keep competition discreet, preserve the integrity of the sale and help protect future values for all parties.

Private and professional sales

“With Sealed Bids, we’re addressing the evolving needs of the collector car market,” said Collecting Cars founder Edward Lovett.

“Buyers and sellers increasingly seek a process that balances transparency and professionalism with the privacy essential for high-value transactions.”

Sealed Bids will provide “a discreet, structured environment where collectors can confidently compete for rare cars, or those requiring a more discreet sales approach”.

Six cars in the first auction

Six cars are confirmed to go live in the inaugural auction, which commences on 28 August. They “perfectly illustrate the calibre of collector-grade cars that will benefit from this new format,” said Lovett.

1972 Ferrari 246 Dino GT – a right-hand-drive Giallo coupe
1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS – a right-hand-drive UK-based car
1994 Tuthill SCRS – the first of just 15 built. Inspired by 1974 IROC racers, this car is UK-based
2012 Lexus LFA – Japan-based, one of 500, eligible for US import
2022 Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign – one of 19 built, from a seller in Switzerland
2022 Ferrari 812 Competizione – unregistered and with just 75km on its odometer

Following the inaugural auction, which completes on 4 September, the aim is for four to six exotic cars to be auctioned by Sealed Bids each month.

As with Collecting Cars, winning bidders only pay the hammer price – with no buyer’s premium – while sellers pay a pre-agreed fee.

Since its launch in 2019, Collecting Cars has sold more than 20,000 lots and generated sales of more than £900 million.

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Volkswagen Polo named Best Car of the Half-Century

By

John Redfern

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August 14, 2025

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The Volkswagen Polo has been named the ‘Best Car of the Half-Century’, ahead of this year’s British Motor Show.

Volkswagen’s perennially popular supermini received the award in honour of its 50th anniversary, presented as part of the Best Cars of the Year awards.

Judged by a panel of automotive experts, including car designers, broadcasters and engineers, the Polo was honoured for its five decades of success.

The larger Volkswagen Golf, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024, received the same honour at last year’s Best Cars of the Year ceremony.

Start of a supermini dynasty

Launched at the 1975 Geneva Motor Show, the Volkswagen Polo went on sale for British buyers the following year.

Intended as a partial replacement for the aged Beetle in the Volkswagen range, the original Polo was a badge-engineered version of the Audi 50.

This meant sharp styling by Marcello Gandini at Bertone, combined with a practical three-door design and a front-wheel-drive layout.

The first-generation Polo shifted more than 1.1 million examples across the globe, establishing itself as one of Volkswagen’s best-selling models.

Five decades of credibility

Now into its sixth generation, and with more than 20 million examples sold, the Polo has cemented itself as a supermini icon. It suitably impressed the judges of the Best Cars of the Year – The New Car World Championships, including awards founder Mike Rutherford.

“It’s the most consistently credible supermini of the past 50 years and has repeatedly hit the sweet spot in terms of understated design, overall dimensions, build quality, competitive retail pricing, efficiency and low standing and running costs,” said Rutherford. “The Polo is also super strong on overall affordability, durability and longevity.”

“It’s fair to say that since the birth of the Mk1 version in 1975, it has grown in size, stature, quality and market relevance. No longer is the Polo a basic supermini to be driven on tight, slow streets in busy towns and cities across the world. At more than four metres long in its current Mk6 guise, it’s more of a small, credible, borderline premium family hatchback.”

The Volkswagen Polo will be one of the stars of the 2025 British Motor Show. The event starts on Friday 15 August at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre.

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New Mercedes-Maybach Edition Emerald Isle debuts in Monterey

By

John Redfern

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August 13, 2025

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As part of this year’s Monterey Car Week, Mercedes-Benz has revealed a special version of the Maybach S 680 sedan.

Named the Edition Emerald Isle, just 25 examples will be built, exclusively for Mercedes-Maybach customers in the United States.

Said to be inspired by the “scenic beauty of the California Central Coast”, the limited-run Maybach features many unique details.

Each example of the luxury four-door comes with bespoke Mercedes Manufaktur Exclusive interior design elements, plus a two-tone exterior color scheme.

Making others green with envy

Manufaktur Exclusive Mid Ireland Green Metallic paint is said to be inspired by Monterey’s cypress trees. The white sands of Pebble Beach are responsible for the contrasting Manufaktur Exclusive Moonlight White Metallic color on the lower body.

An extensive array of chrome Maybach accents adorn the exterior of the S 680 Edition Emerald Isle. It rides on a set of 21-inch Maybach Exclusive Champagne Flute forged alloy wheels.

Drive comes from a 6.0-liter V-12 twin-turbo engine producing 621 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. Airmatic air suspension is standard, along with 4Matic all-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Cruising in leather-lined luxury

Hand-stitched, Edition Emerald Isle-specific, Manufaktur Exclusive Light Brown Nappa leather swathes much of the Maybach’s cabin.

Other highlights include Manufaktur Exclusive Black Piano Lacquer trim, along with a quilted black Nappa leather headlining.

An “Edition Emerald Isle 1 of 25” badge with a Maybach floral design can be found on the front center console , along with Maybach door sill trims and floor mats with Light Brown Nappa leather piping.

The standard Executive Rear Seat Package Plus means luxurious seating for two in the back. There is even a rear cabin refrigerator with Maybach champagne flutes.

Evoking sights and smells of Monterey

For the Edition Emerald Isle, Mercedes-Benz even commissioned a bespoke, hand-poured fragrance for the Air Balance cabin ventilation system. This includes scents reminiscent of California’s central coast, with hints of cedar wood, cypress and sea salt.

A hand-crafted gift box will be presented to each customer, finished in matching Light Brown Nappa leather. Inside, a display holds two vehicle keys, plus a second bottle of the Air Balance fragrance.

The S 680 Edition Emerald Isle will be available at Mercedes-Benz dealerships in the fall of 2025. Prices haven’t been announced, but expect to pay a premium above the standard car’s $240,500 price tag.

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How to quickly clear hot air from inside your car

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Motoring Research team

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August 13, 2025

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As Britain swelters in one of the warmest summers in recent memory, the nation’s drivers will be feeling the heat.

Climbing into a car that has been baking in the summer sun could expose you even higher temperatures, making driving uncomfortable or even dangerous.

Thankfully, we have a few simple tips to cool down your car quickly. The first comes from vehicle designer, Nir Kahn.

His guide to clearing a car’s cabin of stuffy, sun-baked air is a quick and clever one. First, get the car’s air conditioning going, then open all the windows. Leave them open while driving for a minute.

Then close the front windows, driving again for a minute, before closing the rears as well. The effect is to evacuate hot, stale air from the car more quickly than if you keep the windows up and the air conditioning blasting.

Use the air recirculation button

Another tip is to use the AC recirculation button. Found on your car’s dashboard, it typically shows the outline of a car and a circular arrow, like the image above. This reuses the air already inside the cabin instead of pulling in fresh air from the outside.

Using AC recirculation is more efficient and effective on warm days, because you are cooling pre-chilled air – rather than hot air from outside. In polluted areas, such as city centres, it can also maintain a higher air quality inside the car.

You should avoid using AC recirculation on long journeys, as it can eventually reduce the level of oxygen inside the car, making you feel sleepy. It also isn’t suitable for demisting the windscreen, as air from inside the car is likely to be more moist.

Other advice for cooling your car

If you have a sunroof or your car is a convertible, you’re in luck. Get them open fast. Hot air rises and will be out of the top quicker than you can say ‘heatwave’.

Essentials for travelling, obviously, are sun cream and plenty of water. Stay hydrated and keep your sun defences up.

And if you’re still too hot, don’t worry; cooler temperatures are never far off in the UK. Try to enjoy the summer while it lasts.

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Polestar sets new world record with 581-mile electric road trip

By

Richard Aucock

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August 13, 2025

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A Polestar 3 electric SUV has set a new Guinness World Record for the longest journey travelled on a single charge.

The feat, which was achieved on UK public roads, saw an unmodified Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor achieve a staggering 581.3 miles without a recharging stop.

A judge from the Guinness Book of World Records was on hand to adjudicate the attempt.

Paulina Sapinska used a combination of video footage, odometer readings, GPS readings and battery level data to monitor the record run.

EV efficiency target beaten

The record was set by professional efficiency drivers Sam Clarke, Kevin Booker and Richard Parker. They recorded an impressive figure of 5.13 miles per kWh.

It took 22 hours 57 minutes to complete the record run, with the driver switched every three hours.

The Polestar 3 achieved its official WLTP range figure of 438 miles with 20 percent battery capacity still remaining. Once the display showed zero percent, the vehicle travelled a further eight miles.

An AA crew was on hand to assist if the Polestar wasn’t close to a charger when the battery was exhausted. In the end, the crew was not needed.

‘Exponential improvements’

Matt Galvin, Polestar UK MD, said the new world record “goes to show how battery range has improved exponentially over the past few years. For a large luxury SUV to go way beyond a London to Edinburgh distance is truly impressive.

“Add to this rapid charging with up to 250kW, allowing a 10-80 percent charge in 30 minutes, and the adage that ‘EVs can’t go far’ has been very much consigned to the history books.”

Driver Sam Clark added that since the crew first started setting records, “we have noticed how much more driving it is taking to achieve them”.

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Opinion: Is IndyCar’s Alex Palou now too good for F1?

By

John Redfern

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August 12, 2025

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Alex Palou is now a four-time IndyCar Series champion, claiming his latest title with two races still left in the season.

It makes for the most dominant year yet for the Spanish driver, with eight race victories out of the 15 rounds completed, plus three additional podiums.

With the rounds remaining, Palou’s performance in his Honda-powered Chip Ganassi Racing car could see him tie with AJ Foyt and Al Unser Sr. for the most wins in an IndyCar championship.

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Such a crushing display throughout 2025 has seen many questioning – and perhaps hoping – that Palou might consider making the switch to Formula One.

The origins of greatness

Born in Barcelona, Spain, Palou’s motorsport career began with karting, and saw him win six national and international titles between 2005 and 2013.

His progression through the European single-seater ladder culminated with the FIA Formula Three European Championship in 2018.

Although Palou did not claim any titles in junior European competition, a switch to racing in Japan better demonstrated his talent, with a third-place finish in the 2019 Super Formula championship.

This impressed enough people to put him on a pathway towards top-level single-seater racing, moving to IndyCar with Dale Coyne Racing in 2020.

Living the American Dream

Palou’s first year in IndyCar, marred by the impact of the pandemic, was unremarkable, bar a podium at Road America. However, the following 2021 season saw him move to Chip Ganassi Racing, followed by three race wins and his first IndyCar Drivers’ Championship.

Titles in 2022 and 2023, along with this year’s victory, mean Palou is tied with IndyCar legends such as Mario Andretti and Dario Franchitti on four championships.

Winning the 2025 Indianapolis 500, Palou’s first victory on an oval track, is likely to be an even greater prize to the Spaniard than another championship.

Having achieved all this IndyCar success, and still being only 28 years old, naturally leads to the question of whether Palou would consider racing in Formula One. The disappointing reality for IndyCar fans tired of seeing Palou win, though, is that a switch to F1 seems unlikely.

Single-track focus

In 2022, Palou had the chance to try an older McLaren Formula One car in testing, followed by an outing in free practice for the 2022 United States Grand Prix.

McLaren was impressed enough to sign the Spanish driver to its Driver Development Program in 2023, while also naming him its F1 reserve driver.

An ensuing legal battle ultimately saw Palou breach his contract to remain with Chip Ganassi, having lost faith that McLaren would ever make him its first choice for Formula One.

As a result, Palou potentially missed his prime opportunity to take an F1 seat. He now finds himself likely too expensive for smaller teams, and too unproven for race-winning F1 outfits to gamble on.

“Just scratching the surface”

Perhaps the bigger question is why Palou would want to swap his current IndyCar dominance for F1. Given his relatively young age, Palou could potentially beat AJ Foyt’s record of seven IndyCar championships, and add more Indy 500 wins to his name

The best indication may come from Chip Ganassi himself, owner of Chip Ganassi Racing. Following Palou’s latest victory, he said: “I’ve never seen a guy work so quietly and diligently at his craft as this guy. I said in the beginning of the year that we’re just scratching the surface of his talent.

“I still think he’s got more in his gas tank for this season, and he’s got more in his tank for coming seasons.”

Sorry, IndyCar fans. On reflection, it seems the era of Alex Palou’s dominance is just getting started.

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Alpine A290 hot hatch now from £295 a month

By

John Redfern

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August 12, 2025

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The Alpine A290 electric hot hatchback is now available with a host of new manufacturer-backed finance deals.

Special summer offers, in place until 25 August 2025, mean Alpine customers can choose from new PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) and HP (Hire Purchase) packages.

Alpine has introduced a low 1.9 percent APR for both the PCP and HP deals, combined with a £1,000 deposit contribution.

In addition, Alpine has also automatically applied the government’s Electric Car Grant discount of £1,500 to the list price of all A290 models.

High performance, low-rate finance

For those using the PCP offer, this could see a monthly cost of £294.97 for the A290 GT on a 48-month deal.

This 1.9 percent APR package requires a £4,624 customer deposit, and caps annual use at 6,000 miles. A final ‘balloon’ payment of £13,762.80 would be required to own the electric hot hatch at the end of the term.

Choosing the HP option means monthly payments of £428.52 for the same Alpine A290 GT model. This requires a substantial customer deposit of £11,200, plus a finance term of 48 months.

Place your order now

Alpine’s finance offers apply to all versions of the A290, excluding the motorsport-prepared Rallye model.

Buyers can choose from four trim levels: GT, GT Premium, GT Performance and GTS. The Alpine combines power outputs of 180hp or 220hp with a 52kWh battery pack.

Buyers will need to place their order with an Alpine dealership by 25 August 2025, and have their new car financed and registered by 30 September 2025.

Nicola Burnside, managing director of Alpine UK, said: “The A290 has already set a new benchmark for electric hot hatches, and these compelling offers make it even easier for customers to experience Alpine’s unique blend of performance, fun and emotion.

“With the Electric Car Grant and lowered finance rates, there has never been a better time to join the Alpine family.”

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Kia Picanto city car range simplified with prices from £16,695

By

Richard Aucock

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August 12, 2025

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The Kia Picanto city car line-up has been simplified to a three-tier model structure, making it easier for customers to buy.

The move also brings it in line with a format established by the Kia EV3, the reigning World Car of the Year.

Instead of using a mix of numbers and names for model grades, the Kia Picanto adopts Pure, GT-Line and GT-Line S names.

Pure has the same level of equipment as the outgoing ‘2’ grade.

Prices for the Kia Picanto Pure start from just £16,695. GT-Line models cost from £17,845, and GT-Line S is from £19,545.

All will be offered with a 1.0-litre petrol engine, and either a manual gearbox or, for £700 more, an automated manual.

It means there are fewer Kia Picanto variants to choose from, and the line-up is easier for customers to understand at a glance.

Despite the decline in UK city car contenders, the Kia Picanto remains an important model for the firm. It is the sector’s second best-selling car so far in 2025 – and the best-selling model to private customers.

The Kia Picanto represents 12 per cent of the firm’s UK sales so far in 2025.

The Kia Picanto, which was facelifted in July 2024, is also its third-oldest model name in the UK, after Sportage and Sorento.

Kia XCeed simplified too

The Kia XCeed crossover hatchback range has also been simplified – again, down to Pure, GT-Line or GT-Line S.

Prices start from £25,165.

Kia has phased out the regular Kia Ceed hatchback and Sportswagon estate.

The Kia XCeed Pure model receives an equipment boost over the old ‘2’ version, adding features such as climate control, electric folding door mirrors, black cloth and artificial leather upholstery and an auto-dim rear-view mirror.

There’s a new 1.0-litre turbo engine too, replacing the old 1.5-litre turbo. This is more economical and reduces CO2 emissions.

The Kia XCeed accounts for around 1 in 3 Kia Ceed range sales in 2025, “and is a crucial part of Kia’s three-pronged approach in the C-SUV market, alongside Sportage and Niro”.

To fill the gap in its range, the core Kia Ceed is expected to be replaced by a new hatchback, already known in the US as the Kia K4.

Kia adds that other petrol and hybrid models will switch to the simplified model range in due course, “to ensure consistency across the range”.

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Wild 1,250 hp Corvette ZR1X to cost $207,395

By

John Redfern

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August 11, 2025

0

Chevrolet has announced prices for the most powerful production Corvette in history, fresh from it making history at the Nurburgring.

Powered by a 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged “Gemini” V-8 engine, combined with an electric motor, the all-wheel-drive Corvette ZR1X delivers a mighty 1,250 horsepower.

This allows for a top speed of 233 mph, along with a 0-60 mph time of less than 2.0 seconds, elevating the ZR1X into true hypercar territory.

Despite its tremendous performance, the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X will cost a relatively modest $207,395 in 1LZ Coupe guise. Opting for the convertible ups the price to $217,395.

Hypercar pace, bargain price

A higher-spec Corvette ZR1X 3LZ coupe, with GT2 performance seats and a 14-speaker Bose Performance audio system, will start from $218,395. Again, choosing the convertible adds $10,000 to the price tag.

A special-edition package for the ZR1X 3LZ convertible will be revealed at ‘The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering’, in Carmel, California this month.

Named after the prestigious event, which forms a part of Monterey Car Week, the ZR1X Quail Silver Limited Edition package features the Corvette’s first use of matte paint since the 1960s.

Blade Silver Matte is said to inspired by the Inca Silver paint color, offered on the Chevrolet C1 Corvette between 1957 and 1959.

Designed for Corvette collectors

The ZR1X Quail Silver Limited Edition package also has a Sky Cool and Medium Ash Gray interior, combined with Habanero accents. This new color scheme is available on all 2026 Corvette models.

Orange-painted brake calipers, black exhaust tips, and carbon painted mirrors are all included in the package. Each completed car will also feature a serialized build plaque.

Prices for the Corvette ZR1X Quail Silver Limited Edition package start from $241,395. A ZTK Performance Package can be specified, too.

“Corvettes are the pride and joy of their owners – this has been true since we first began selling the nameplate more than 70 years ago. They honor its craftsmanship and design as much as its engineering excellence,” said Scott Bell, VP of Global Chevrolet.

“The ZR1X Quail Silver Limited Edition presents a highly exclusive option for Corvette customers looking for a collectible item.”

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Eccentrica restomod lets the Lamborghini Diablo off the leash

By

John Redfern

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August 11, 2025

0

San Marino-based restomod specialist Eccentrica will reveal three new vehicles at Monterey Car Week in California.

Central to Eccentrica’s presentation, which uses the prestigious The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering as its backdrop, is the new Diablo Pacchetto Titano.

Eccentrica revealed its V12-engined Diablo restomod in Monterey last year, but has returned with a lighter, more hardcore of the classic supercar.

The company says the Pacchetto Titano (Titanium Package) is capable of ‘delivering a focused yet elegantly track-oriented package for enthusiasts who seek heightened engagement without compromising on road-going refinement’.

Bringing the noise

Eccentrica plans to produce 19 examples of the Pacchetto Titano, each powered by a tuned version of Lamborghini’s naturally aspirated 5.7-litre V12 engine.

Last year, Eccentrica said its enhanced engine would generate 550hp, plus 443b ft of torque. Although some limited-edition Diablos generated higher peak outputs in period, this V12 develops more power across a broader rev range.

The company has also developed its own six-speed manual gearbox and three selectable driving modes.

For the Pacchetto Titano version of the Diablo, Eccentrica says a remapped ECU sharpens throttle response for an even more intense experience.

Motorsport style, inside and out

One notable change for the V12 Pacchetto Titano is the addition of a fixed rear spoiler. Designed to increase downforce, it is matched with the exposed carbon fibre bodywork.

Suspension upgrades include stiffer springs and recalibrated adaptive dampers. New forged alloy wheels with carbon fibre elements help to reduce unsprung weight. Brembo brakes are fitted as standard, too.

On the inside, Eccentrica has given the V12 Pacchetto Titano a motorsport look, with carbon fibre detailing and a built-in fire-suppression system.

Along with Alcantara trim for the seats, a racing-style three-spoke steering wheel is wrapped in the grippy fabric. A light blue marker indicates the 12 o’clock position.

An amplified driving experience

“With the Pacchetto Titano, our objective was clear,” said Emanuel Colombini, founder of Eccentrica.

“We wanted to create a package that genuinely amplifies the driving experience without overshadowing the core essence of our car. This evolution speaks confidently, maintaining the spirit of the original design while sharpening its purpose and performance.”

As with any good restomod, customers will be able to tailor their V12 Pacchetto Titano to their exact specification.

This potential for customisation will be demonstrated by the other two Eccentrica cars on display in Monterey: one in a bespoke triple-layer Rose Gold livery, and the other with a Verde Chartreuse pastel exterior.

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