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
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.
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
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”.
‘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.
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
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.
“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.
Land Rover has announced a special edition Defender 110 that pays tribute to the classic model’s reputation for adventure.
The new Defender 110 Trophy Edition brings a host of cosmetic upgrades to the popular 4×4, making it ready for the toughest terrain.
Along with the host of expedition accessories, the Defender 110 Trophy Edition will be available in two distinctive exterior colours.
Keswick Green honours Land Rover’s British homeland, while Deep Sandglow Yellow is an unashamed nod to the original Defenders that competed in the legendary Camel Trophy.
Inspired by off-road icons
Land Rover will offer the Defender 110 Trophy Edition with an optional matte paint protection film. This will ensure its bodywork remains in top condition, even if the vehicle is driven off-road.
Gloss black is used for the bonnet, lower parts of the body, wheelarches, brake calipers and rear recovery towing eyes. A dark rear scuff plate is combined with black underbody protection.
Black 20-inch alloy wheels are wrapped in rugged all-terrain tyres. Trophy decals can be found on the bonnet and C-pillar, combined with a bespoke Trophy Edition badge on the rear of the Defender.
Even more expedition kit available
Don’t imagine the Defender 110 Trophy Edition comes with a utilitarian interior, though. Its seats are finished in Ebony Windsor Leather, allowing owners to explore the wilderness in luxury.
The upper dashboard has a finish that mirrors the exterior paint colour, with a set of illuminated sill plates as the finishing touch.
Defender 110 Trophy Edition buyers can also add the £4,995 Trophy Edition Accessories Pack. This includes an expedition roof rack with a roof ladder, along with a special black side-mounted storage box. Front and rear mud flaps are fitted, while a raised snorkel air intake improves wading ability.
See it at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
This is not the first time Land Rover has created a new Defender inspired by the Camel Trophy. The company launched a North America-only Trophy Edition in 2021.
This time, the Defender 110 Trophy Edition will be available to UK customers. Prices start from £89,010 when the Trophy Edition Accessories Pack is included.
The Defender 110 Trophy Edition will make its dynamic debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which takes place between 10 and 13 July 2025. Land Rover will even tackle the famous Goodwood hillclimb with the special Defender.
The most powerful Golf GTI ever has claimed a new Nurburgring lap record for the fastest road-going Volkswagen.
Ahead of its official debut at this weekend’s Nurburgring 24 Hours race, Volkswagen hit the track with a near-production version of the new Golf GTI Edition 50.
With German racing driver Benny Leuchter behind the wheel, the new Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 completed a lap of the fearsome Nordschleife in seven minutes and 46.13 seconds.
This makes the GTI Edition 50 over a second faster than the current Golf R, even though the latter benefits from all-wheel drive.
The fastest Golf GTI of all
Volkswagen has so far kept quiet about technical details of the latest Golf GTI. More information will be announced at the Nurburgring 24 Hours event.
However, from the initial images and video shared by Volkswagen, a deeper front splitter is visible on the GTI Edition 50, along with a larger rear spoiler.
Leuchter said the hot hatch he drove on the lap-time run will be “the same as the version that will be sold in the future”.
An optional Performance Package is available for the Edition 50, which sees the chassis and suspension tuned specifically for track use. Semi-slick Bridgestone Potenza Race tyres are included as part of the package, along with lightweight forged alloy wheels.
A Nurburgring weekend to celebrate
Leuchter said the optional Performance Package was fundamental to his Nurburgring success. “The entire set-up of the Golf GTI Edition 50 means you can drive the ideal line of the Nordschleife with high precision,” noted the Nurburgring 24 Hours race class winner.
“Three years ago, I wouldn’t have thought that I could ever beat the lap time of the outstanding Golf R with a front-wheel-drive Golf GTI as clearly as I have now. The fact that this has now happened – in quite bad weather, by the way – actually says everything about the successful set-up and extraordinary potential of this GTI.”
After the Golf GTI Edition 50 is revealed at the Nurburgring, two Clubsport 24h-specification versions of the hot hatchback will compete in the endurance race.
Benny Leuchter will be one of the drivers sharing the Max Kruse Racing customer team cars, no doubt putting his record-setting track knowledge to good use.
Company car fleets choosing electric cars say the speed of charging is now the top factor when considering which vehicles to buy.
Nearly seven in 10 fleets say the speed of charging is a consideration, as bosses look to minimise time spent topping up on the move.
‘The ability to charge quickly remains useful, especially for drivers without their own charging and those who are covering higher miles,’ said the report.
Second in the most-cited reasons for choosing an EV is efficiency, which is measured in miles per kilowatt hour.
“Surprisingly, there has been a reduction in interest in fleet efficiency,” said John Peters, head of Arvan Mobility Observatory Barometer.
“We might have expected a rise here. The price of electricity has increased in recent years and there is now awareness that the efficiency of apparently similar EVs can differ widely and have a very real impact on fuel costs.”
Range, surprisingly, is now only third in the list of EV choice factors. With electric cars now commonly offering a range of 250-300 miles, only six in 10 are now considering range.
“As a result, for fleet drivers, there is much less emphasis on managing range as they travel.”
Greater understandingof EVs
The insights from the Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer show how the factors behind choosing an EV change as buyers get a better understanding of electric cars.
What’s more, all three charging considerations are now lower in the priority list than in the previous Barometer survey.
“Arguably, the main takeaway here is a decreased level of concern about all three metrics,” said John Peters.
“This is simply because, we believe, operating EVs is becoming normal for businesses. Fleet managers are less stressed about the technology thanks to operational experience that shows it works in most applications.”
Instead, he said, they are becoming more experienced in choosing EVs and assessing which factors are most important for their needs – rather than simply focusing on range above all.
Drivers using the Dartford Crossing on the M25 motorway between Kent and Essex will have to pay more from September 2025.
In a written statement to Parliament Lilian Greenwood MP, Minister for the Future of Roads at the Department for Transport, confirmed the price increases.
Starting from 1 September 2025, car drivers will see the cost of a single one-off journey rise by £1.00. It increases from £2.50 to £3.50.
Commercial vehicle drivers will be hit harder. Vehicles with two axles will now pay £4.20 (up from £3.00), while vehicles with more than two axles are set to be charged £8.40 – a £2.40 increase.
Traffic volumes ‘in excess of capacity‘
The government notes that it has been 11 years since toll booths at the Dartford Crossing were removed, coinciding with the last time that charges were increased.
Traffic on the Dartford Crossing has increased by 7.5 percent since 2014, with more than 150,000 vehicles using the bridge and tunnel each day.
Liilian Greenwood MP said traffic levels were “well in excess of the crossing’s design capacity,” resulting in congestion and “a range of knock-on impacts for local communities”.
The decision to increase charges has been made to “secure the effective operation of the crossing,” and to ensure traffic volumes can be managed.
D. Buses, coaches and HGVs with more than 2 axles – £8.40
Pre-pay Dart Charge account holders will continue to receive a discount of up to 20 percent. For example, car drivers will pay £2.80 from September via the Dart Charge.
Dartford Crossing journeys made between 22:00 and 06:00 will continue to be free, as will the existing bicycle pick-up service.
Those living in Dartford or Thurrock can continue to use the local resident discount scheme. The cost will increase from £20 per year to £25 from September, but covers an unlimited number of crossings.
Summer has got into its stride, with temperatures on the rise across the UK. The hot weather is great news for ice cream salesmen, but potentially less so for drivers.
Getting too hot can affect your mood and make you drive more erratically. The summer heat can potentially make your car less reliable, too.
Read on and follow these tips to prevent an automotive meltdown when the temperature creeps up.
Keeping cool can be difficult in on a hot day – but it’s vital in order to arrive at your destination safely and reliably. Let’s start with you, then move onto the vehicle itself.
Heat-shielding sun shades
The real winners during a heatwave are those who leave a reflective sun shade in their windscreen. These are great for bouncing back solar energy away from your car’s interior.
You will be especially thankful for a sun shade if your car has leather seats (and you like wearing shorts).
Air conditioning
Rule 237 of the Highway Code states: ‘Keep your vehicle well ventilated to avoid drowsiness’.
At lower speeds, open a window to keep fresh air flowing through the car. You can keep the air conditioning on, too – otherwise the outside air will soon make the cabin scorching hot – but having a window ajar will prevent it from drying out. Also, heat rises, so a slightly open window will let the warmest air out first.
What about the extra fuel cost? It will be negligible around town – and the air conditioning will already be working hard. At speed, however, keep the windows up and air-con on to avoid causing drag and wasting fuel.
Stay hydrated
Your body is reasonably able to sweat itself cool. Perspiration does use up water, though, so perhaps the most important thing on a hot day is to keep drinking.
When driving, make sure there is plenty of water in the car for all passengers. Remember: you can still get dehydrated if using the air conditioning.
Precondition your car
Most electric cars allow you to cool (or indeed heat) the cabin before setting off: a process known as preconditioning. And you could extend your car’s range into the bargain.
How so? Well, preconditioning your car while it is plugged in uses energy from the mains, rather than drawing it from the on-board battery pack. So you can start your journey with a chilled car and a 100 percent full battery.
In most cases, car manufacturers offer a connected smartphone app (such as the Renault one shown above) that allows you to control the car’s temperature remotely. Cool… literally.
Wear sunglasses
Wear a pair of sunglasses to avoid being dazzled, particularly by the low morning or evening sun. It’s less of a factor in the summer, but those commuting out of hours will still benefit.
Indeed, sunglasses can be essential at any time of year. Your car’s sun visors can only do so much, and you never know when you’ll be caught out by glare in a reflected car windscreen or shopfront.
A decent pair of sunglasses might even help you look cooler, or so we’re told.
Keeping your car cool
Right, that’s you feeling chilled – now for your car. The following tips will help prevent a breakdown caused by the engine overheating.
Check your car
Your first line of defence is preparation. Make sure your car is regularly serviced and topped up with fluids, including screenwash for clearing those summer bugs from the windscreen.
Check the oil and water temperature gauges regularly while driving, and be alert for any dashboard warning lights. Slow down and stop as soon as safely possible if the car appears to be overheating.
Plan ahead
This applies to you and your car. Planning ahead and taking a journey at the right time can improve your chances of getting there. Cooler hours of the early morning and late evening mean less traffic, too.
It’s also worth noting that hot weather can affect public transport. So if you’re travelling by bus or train, check ahead of time for weather-related disruption.
Keep water on-board for your car
Your car needs water as well. Being able to top up the cooling system on the go is invaluable, should the need arise.
If the temperature gauge is edging towards the red zone, pull over when safe and switch off the engine. However, don’t top up the water straight away. The system will still be under pressure and you could scald yourself if you open the cap and boiling water sprays out. Allow the car to cool down fully first.
Turn the heating on… yes, really
If your car is getting too hot in heavy traffic, consider switching the heating on. This will help evacuate some of that unwanted heat from the engine bay. Just try to aim the air vents out of the windows first.
Keeping cool after arrival
When you arrive, avoid leaving pets in the car. Animals can die in hot cars and the emergency services won’t hesitate to break your windows to free them.
Remember those winning people with sun shades from earlier in the article? A shade in a windscreen also makes for a cooler cabin.
Some cars let you open the windows remotely by holding down the unlock button on the key fob, which can help in high temperatures.
After the heat subsides
Highway Code rule 237 also states: ‘If it rains after a dry spell [the road surface] may become slippery. These conditions could affect your steering and braking’.
This is the UK, after all, so expect some summer showers. When they come, remember that dust-covered roads will be even less grippy than in typical wet conditions.
The 2025 Ford F-150 Lobo is the second new pickup from the Blue Oval designed to mimic street truck styling.
Following interest in the Ford Maverick Lobo when it was launched last year, the company has added another attention-grabbing truck to its model range.
Inspired by customizers and tuners, the new F-150 Lobo aims to give owners the style of a modified truck directly from the factory.
Available from Fall 2025, the Lobo Package will be offered as an option for the SuperCrew version of the F-150 STX.
Taking it to the street
The Lobo makeover starts with dropping the rear of the F-150 SuperCrew some two inches closer to the tarmac via upgraded suspension.
A 10-piece aero kit is also fitted to make the F-150 Lobo seem visually even lower to the ground. This includes a cowl hood and a gloss black mesh lower front grille. The upper grille is painted black for a menacing appearance, with a set of 22-inch black alloy wheels for good measure.
Ford has ensured the F-150 Lobo delivers both show and go, equipping it with a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V-8. Making 400 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, the engine exhales through a dual-exit exhaust system.
The four-wheel-drive setup includes an upgraded two-speed transfer case, allowing the Lobo to haul trailers weighing up to 7,900 lb.
Giving the people what they want
Those opting for an F-150 Lobo can choose from five different paint colors: Agate Black Metallic, Atlas Blue Metallic, Carbonized Gray, Oxford White, and Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat.
John Walawender, brand manager for the Ford F-150, said: “It’s our commitment to listening to customer needs that helped us develop the 2025 F-150 Lobo.
“We heard loud and clear that street truck customers want a V8. That’s a rock-solid engine that we’ve had forever and it’s something that these customers have experience with and want to see in their street trucks. It’s also a great stepping stone for further performance modifications.”
Choosing the Lobo Package for the Ford F-150 STX adds $4,695 to the standard price, for a total of $57,800 before destination charges and fees. Ford expects to deliver the first completed trucks later this year.
BMW has given its divisive and slow-selling XM a minor makeover for 2026, streamlining the model range to leave just one variant.
Thankfully, BMW has retained the XM Label as the surviving version, meaning the large SUV is now solely V-8 powered.
The XM Label remains the most powerful street-legal vehicle ever produced by BMW’s M department, thanks to its plug-in hybrid powertrain.
BMW chose the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race to launch the updated XM, reflecting the sheer performance offered by its flagship SUV.
Hybrid V-8 for the XM Label
The XM Label’s twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 engine is left unaltered, producing 577 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque by itself. When combined with the electric motor, total output is pushed to 738 horsepower and 738 lb-ft.
With a standard eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, the XM Label can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. That is despite the luxury SUV weighing almost 6,100 lb.
The XM Label is restricted to a top speed of 155 mph. However, choosing the optional M Driver’s Package increases this limit to 175 mph.
BMW has also upgraded the XM’s onboard charging unit for the 2026 model year. This can now charge the battery from AC charging devices at up to 11 kW, up from 7.4 kW previously.
Heading for production this summer
For the exterior, BMW has revealed a new Frozen Tanzanite Blue metallic paint color, along with the option of 23-inch M alloy wheels in a Jet Black finish.
There are three new interior leather color combinations for the 2026 XM, too. Customers can pick from Night Blue or Black with Vintage Coffee accents, or Silverstone with Black accents.
As before, the XM will be built at BMW’s North American manufacturing site in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The first models will begin leaving the production line in August 2025. BMW is due to confirm prices in the interim.
At present, the 2025 BMW XM Label costs $186,700. But the vehicle’s poor sales performance means this 2026 version is unlikely to be significantly more expensive.
A substantial majority of UK motorists would consider purchasing a car made by a new Chinese brand.
Research by Startline Motor Finance found that more than seven in 10 (72 percent) of those surveyed are open to buying a car from a Chinese manufacturer new to the UK.
The number of Chinese automotive brands has grown rapidly in recent years. At present, there are 12 different manufacturers from China selling vehicles in Britain.
Only 18 percent of those surveyed said they were not open to buying a new Chinese vehicle and would prefer to stick with the established brands.
BYD is best for brand recognition
Among those drivers who would not consider a Chinese car, 11 percent said they had concerns about build quality. Some four percent were concerned about the availability of parts, while two percent worried about access to dealership support.
Supporting British car manufacturers was important for only seven percent of those who said they would avoid a Chinese-made car
The Startline Motor Finance survey also identified which Chinese brands had the greatest recognition among UK motorists.
Topping the list was BYD: recognised by more than a quarter (28 percent) of respondents. Affordable models, such as the new BYD Dolphin Surf supermini, will only heighten the marque’s visibility.
Few worried about buying British
Maxus (19 percent) and Chery (14 percent) were the Chinese brands with the next greatest recognition, followed by Aiways, Denza and Jaecoo – all on 11 percent.
Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: “Chinese manufacturers are making a concerted assault on the UK market – almost 12,000 BYDs were sold here in the first four months of the year. Our research shows that consumers are receptive to the idea of buying a car from them.
“Many brands are appearing and the biggest problem that faces these new entrants is probably differentiation. Those that are investing heavily in marketing and building dealer networks on the ground are seeing the dividends in terms of consumer awareness. BYD is the obvious example, topping our survey.
“This shows that there is some trepidation among a minority of car buyers. But really, concrete concerns that you might expect about the kind of quality and support that can be expected from the Chinese new entrants are very low.”
