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June 23, 2025

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Jeep has launched a special version of its Wagoneer luxury SUV, aimed specifically at use by law enforcement and VIP protection agencies.

The new Wagoneer Command Operations Vehicle (COV) made its public debut in front of more than 200 Stellantis fleet customers at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan.

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Agencies at local, state and federal level had requested the Wagoneer be adapted for law enforcement and protective detail. Many worked in cooperation with Jeep to design the Wagoneer COV.

Rapid response vehicle

The Wagoneer COV’s powertrain remains unaltered compared to the standard civilian model. However, this does mean a twin-turbocharged ‘Hurricane’ straight-six engine, which serves uo 420 horsepower and 468lb ft of torque.

This allows the Wagoneer COV to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds. It can also haul trailers weighing up to 10,000 lb.

Conversion to COV specification includes the addition of Whelen strobe lights, a Whelen lightbar for the rear window, and a siren speaker hidden behind the front grille.

A custom wiring harness and Power Distribution Center allow the Wagoneer to be adapted for a variety of uses. There are bespoke weapon storage options, too.

‘The standard-bearer for law enforcement’

Opting for the Wagoneer COV does not mean going without life’s luxuries, though. Leather upholstery is standard, along with three-zone climate control.

“From Washington D.C. motorcades to high-profile logistic requirements in every state and county across America, the Jeep Wagoneer COV is set to become a new leader in secure VIP transportation, having already gained a high level of interest from government agencies since its introduction in January 2025,” said Ryan Austin, Stellantis law enforcement program manager.

“The Jeep brand’s reputation for rugged refinement sets the stage to make it the standard-bearer for our law enforcement and VIP protection program for years to come.”

Fleet customers in the United States can order the 2025 Wagoneer COV through Stellantis dealerships now. Details on Canadian market availability will be shared for the 2026 model year.

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Ultra-fast Kia EV9 GT 7-seater to cost from £82,185

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June 23, 2025

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Kia has announced UK prices and specification details for the EV9 GT, its flagship electric SUV. Revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show last year, the EV9 GT is one of the world’s quickest three-row electric cars.

Such performance comes at a price in the UK, however, with the six-seat version of the EV9 GT starting at £82,185.

Opting for maximum passenger-carrying ability increases the price by £1,000; the seven-seat EV9 GT costs from £83,185.

Rapid pace, rapid charging

Kia is keen to stress the EV9 GT’s ‘grand touring’ capabilities, rather than its raw performance. The flagship SUV is equipped with a 99.8kWh battery pack, offering a potential range of 280 miles.

Standard 800-volt technology means the EV9 GT requires just 24 minutes to recharge from 10 to 80 percent using a 350kW DC device.

With 502hp and 546lb ft of torque, the all-wheel-drive EV9 GT can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 4.6 seconds. Top speed is 136mph. An electronically controlled limited-slip differential helps counteract any loss of traction.

Electronically adjustable suspension is fitted as standard, along with a ‘Road Preview System’ that can detect and react to changes in the road surface. A ‘Virtual Gear Shift’ replicates the effect of a six-speed paddle-shift transmission, similar to the technology used in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.

Neon green interior

Compared to a standard Kia EV9, which won the 2024 World Car of the Year Award, the GT gains a bespoke LED light signature for its front grille, 21-inch alloy wheels and larger front brakes with neon green calipers.

More neon green is found inside, including the stitching for the artificial leather and suede upholstery. The sports steering wheel also features a neon green button to flick between drive modes – including the sporty ‘GT’ setting.

The EV9 GT comes with a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a wireless phone charger. Not forgetting Kia’s seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, of course.

Orders for the Kia EV9 GT can be placed now, with the first UK customer deliveries expected in autumn 2025.

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GAP motor insurance payouts triple in just three years

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June 23, 2025

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Two cars with damaged fronts and rears are involved in an accident on the road, surrounded by scattered debris.

Payouts for GAP (Guaranteed Asset Protection) car insurance, which covers the financial gap between a vehicle’s market value and the amount still owing on a loan or lease, have almost tripled between 2021 and 2024.

In 2021, the average GAP payout was £1,587. By 2024, it had rocketed to £5,558 – a sum owners might otherwise have to pay themselves if they weren’t insured.

The reasons for increasing GAP insurance payouts can be traced back to the pandemic, says car warranty provider MotorEasy. These include rising new car prices, spare parts shortages leading to insurance write-offs, and a surge in vehicle theft.

An unusual period of appreciating used car values during the pandemic has firmly turned around, too. Second-hand prices have declined rapidly, particularly for electric vehicles.

Electric car values plummet

New EVs can lose 50-60 percent of their value in just two years, says MotorEasy. Meanwhile, the introduction of more advanced new models has further increased the gap between purchase price and current market value. MotorEasy has seen GAP payouts exceed £20,000 for high-spec EVs.

Meanwhile, a rise in the theft of high-end vehicles has also led to some hefty GAP insurance payouts. More than four in 10 of MotorEasy’s GAP claims over £15,000 were for stolen Range Rovers.

“Our latest data paints a clear picture,” said Duncan McClure Fisher, CEO of MotorEasy parent company Intelligent Motoring. “The financial risks associated with car ownership are escalating.”

He also said that increasingly complex modern cars, and the more costly parts needed for repair, are leading car insurers to write off vehicles more readily. This can mean that owners face a larger financial shortfall if their relatively new car is deemed a ‘total loss’.

Fisher added: “The combination of so many influential factors has created a ‘perfect storm’ where GAP insurance is no longer just a nice-to-have, but an increasingly vital financial safeguard.”

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HWA Evo Mercedes super saloon will race at the Nurburging 24h

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June 21, 2025

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Two HWA Evo cars race on a forested track, headlights on, surrounded by green trees and a cloudy sky.

The HWA Evo has been announced as a contender for the 2026 Nurburging 24 Hours race, following the retro super saloon’s dynamic debut at the German circuit.

Inspired by the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo II – a wild 1980s homolgation special – HWA has pushed the limits of the restomod concept.

With the production run of 100 road cars now underway, the £730,000 Evo is now headed to the racetrack.

Given the Affalterbach-based company’s extensive motorsport experience, debuting the HWA Evo racer at the Nurburging seems highly appropriate.

Racing is in the blood

Two HWA Evo cars on a race track with red and white barriers, surrounded by trees under a cloudy sky.

“Motorsport is in our DNA, and consequently in that of the HWA Evo,” said Martin Marx, CEO of HWA. “As the first road car to bear the HWA name, it was clear to us that we should further develop the project in line with this heritage.”

The road-going version of the HWA Evo already packs plenty of motorsport engineering. This includes an integrated roll cage and DTM-specification suspension, with double wishbones and electronically adjustable dampers.

Such attention to detail makes the HWA Evo more than just a regular restomod. In fact, HWA actively discourages the term ‘restomod’, pointing out that only the steel centre section of the original Mercedes 190E chassis remains.

Powering the HWA Evo is a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 that delivers 450hp. For now, the company is keeping quiet about how powerful a racing-spec model might be.

Legendary circuit, legendary drivers

Two HWA Evo cars on a racetrack with visible sponsors, against a cloudy sky and trees in the background. No recognizable landmarks present.

“During our preliminary testing of the prototype road cars, it was instantly apparent that the HWA Evo is everything we built it to be,” added Gordian von Schöning, CTO of HWA.

“Imbued with both the legacy of the iconic 190E Evo II that inspired it, and the storied success of HWA as a motorsport manufacturer, we are incredibly excited to bring the car to the Nurburgring to demonstrate its full capabilities.”

Two HWA Evo cars will take part in the 2026 Nurburging 24 Hours race. They will enter the SP-X class, with appropriate modifications in terms of performance, weight and safety systems.

Motorsport legends Klaus Ludwig and Roland Asch, who both drove the original Mercedes-Benz 190E in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM) series, will be responsible for track-testing the new HWA Evo.

A driver lineup for the 2026 endurance event will be announced in due course. In the meantime, spectators at this year’s Nurburgring 24 Hours will have a chance to see the HWA Evo in action.

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Hot Wheels reveals F1 The Movie limited-edition model car

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June 20, 2025

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Hot Wheels has unveiled a new limited-edition die-cast car, created in partnership with blockbuster film F1 The Movie.

The 1:64-scale collectable is inspired by the fictional Apex Grand Prix (APXGP) F1 team. Its lead driver is Sonny Hayes, played by Brad Pitt.

The Hot Wheels F1 The Movie die-cast car will be launched on 24 June, days before the film’s general release on 27 June.

The model car is finished in APXGP’s distinctive black and gold livery. The driver’s helmet is in the pale green and black colours of Brad Pitt’s character – and the car carries Sonny Hayes’ number 7.

It has a collectable ‘Kar Keepers’ clamshell case ‘to deliver the ultimate collector experience’. The Hot Wheels APXGP F1 car also comes with three sets of Pirelli tyres (authentically coloured for soft, medium and hard compounds), along with an F1 The Movie-branded tyre rack.

This latest model follows last year’s licensing partnership between Hot Wheels and Formula 1. There have since been two sold-out collaborative launches.

Hot Wheels executive vice president Roberto Stanichi said the previous Formula 1 releases “were incredibly well received by racing fans and Hot Wheels collectors, and now we can share a piece of the collection with film lovers around the world.

“The APXGP die-cast allows Hot Wheels to connect with a new audience of moviegoers, who now have the opportunity to own a 1:64 scale piece of cinematic and racing history.”

The 1:64 scale die-cast will be available to order from Hot Wheels’ UK store, priced at £30.

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Trade value of used EVs plummets 53% in just 2 years

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June 20, 2025

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A brightly lit car dealership features rows of various vehicles, each marked with red price tags, under a reflective ceiling.

Heavy discounting on new electric cars is driving down the prices of nearly-new models, new analysis reveals.

Cox Automotive says that residual values of used EVs up to 24 months old are being particularly affected by the push on new electric cars.

Back in 2022, two-year-old electric cars held onto an average of 83 percent of their original cost new (OCN) when sold to the trade. Fast-forward three years, and they now retain only 47 percent of OCN.

This means that used EVs aged up to 24 months old are typically losing 53 percent of their value. Cox Automotive compares this to a similarly-aged diesel car, which loses only 30 percent of its original cost new.

Line graph showing decline in trade sale prices of electric vehicles under 24 months old, as a percentage of original cost, 2022-2025. — Graph illustrates average yearly trade sale price for EVs under 24 months old as a percentage of original cost new. Source: Manheim Auction Service

“2022 did see used prices reach a peak following the supply constraints around the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Cox Automotive insight director Philip Nothard. “However, the current performance of nearly-new EVs in the used market is still much lower than we would anticipate for vehicles in this age profile.

“The heavy discounts offered on new vehicles mean that consumers can pick up a brand new car for the same price as a nearly-new model. This gives consumers very little incentive to consider them, which is a real blow to a market that needs all the incentives it can get its hands on.”

The SMMT estimated that discounts on new EVs totalled around £4 billion in 2024, and such heavy discounting has continued in 2025.

On the flip side, added Nothard, older EVs aged three to five years are performing strongly. “At auction, these vehicles have seen only a modest drop of 15 percent in the same time period – as they aren’t impacted as severely by heavy manufacturers’ discounts and tend to attract a different driver.”

Nothard is now calling for more support for the used EV sector “to put the brakes on the rapid pace of depreciation”.

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AC Cars America to sell reborn Cobra in the United States

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June 19, 2025

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A sleek silver AC GT Roadster parked on lush grass under clear skies, with white tents in the background suggesting an event.

Legendary British automotive manufacturer AC Cars has opened a new headquarters in the United States.

The new AC Cars America, LLC is based in West Palm Beach, Florida, helping the company to sell its sports cars direct to American enthusiasts.

It marks an important milestone for the brand, which was first founded in West Norwood, London, back in 1901. AC Cars has passed through numerous owners since then. However, its North American expansion demonstrates ambitious plans for the future.

Classic makes a comeback

A classic convertible car parked with Taipei 101 in the background, overlooking a cityscape under a warm, hazy sunset sky.

American enthusiasts are most likely to associate AC Cars with the ferocious Shelby Cobra. AC was building the Ace roadster when a deal with Carroll Shelby led to a Ford Windsor V-8 engine being fitted beneath its hood.

The powerful Cobra soon became a legend on both sides of the Atlantic. Even today, it remains one of the world’s most recognizable sports cars.

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The modern AC product range includes the Cobra GT, which is powered by a 654 horsepower 6.6-liter V-8 and crafted from lightweight carbon fiber and aluminum. Offered in both roadster and coupe body styles, the latest AC Cobra GT is a modern reinvention of the classic sports car.

An enthusiast hub for North America

Two vintage-style sports cars, one green and one blue, parked on a sunny race track. Leafless trees and clear skies surround.

AC Cars America will act as a central hub for operations in the United States, offering exclusive opportunities for enthusiasts in North America.

Jeremy Stein will be responsible for leading AC Cars America. The Cuban-American entrepreneur has more than 25 years of business experience.

Following AC’s launch at the EyesOn Design event, Stein commented: “I am honoured and thrilled to collaborate with David Conza [CEO of AC Cars England] and the incredible team at AC Cars, to lead the revival of AC Cars in America.

“I look forward to introducing a new era of performance and craftsmanship to US clients while staying true to the spirit that has made AC Cars legendary”.

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Lancia named ‘A Star is Back’ by AUTOBEST jurors

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June 19, 2025

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A group of people stand around a Lancia car indoors, with a wall featuring Italian text in the background.

Lancia has been named the first brand winner of the inaugural ‘A Star is Back’ award by the AUTOBEST organisation.

An independent group founded in 2001, the AUTOBEST jury comprises 31 automotive industry journalists from 31 European countries – including Motoring Research’s Richard Aucock to represent the UK.

‘A Star is Back’ recognises iconic brands that have made a successful comeback on the international scene. The revival of Lancia in Europe has earned it brand honours for 2025. The new Renault 5 and 4 were also named product winners.

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Lancia’s renaissance officially began at the end of 2023, with the debut of the Lancia Pu+Ra HPE concept. A new brand logo and corporate identity were also revealed.

The storied Italian marque is now undertaking a 10-year strategic plan to leverage its rich heritage. This, it explains, is based around four key pillars: design, technology, sustainability and quality.

Revival with new Lancia Ypsilon

Three Lancia cars parked on a road with trees in the background, showcasing different models in various colors and designs.

The first car to demonstrate this, the new Lancia Ypsilon, was revealed in February 2024. A supermini related to the Vauxhall Corsa and Peugeot 208, it’s available in both hybrid and electric guises.

Fascinatingly, there will also be a high-performance 280hp Lancia Ypsilon HF, building on Lancia’s famous rally heritage. A new HF Line trim variant will offer a more accessible take on the concept, too.

Lancia has returned to rallying with the Ypsilon Rally4 HF competition car. It has already competed in the iconic Targa Florio Rally and a Lancia Corse HF team will contest the 2026 European Rally Championship.

More than 90 examples of the Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF, which was developed in collaboration with two-time World Rally Champion Miki Biasion, have already been sold.

The firm is also planning a new Lancia Gamma crossover, along with a new Lancia Delta HF Integrale hot hatchback.

Close-up of a car with a sleek, shiny surface, and illuminated red taillight. The word "Gamma" is prominently displayed.

“Receiving this award is an extremely proud moment for the entire team and a clear signal that we are on the right path,” said Lancia CEO Luca Napolitano.

“Our renaissance is founded on vision, elegance, innovation and respect for our past. The acclaim surrounding the new Ypsilon, our return to the rally world and the new showrooms we’ve launched across Europe prove that Lancia is back.”

There’s no word yet on a possible UK return for Lancia. However, the firm hasn’t officially ruled it out, particularly if there was also sufficient demand from other right-hand-drive markets, such as Japan and Australia.

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