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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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Land Rover reveals adventure-ready Defender 110 Trophy Edition

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June 19, 2025

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Yellow Land Rover Defender parked on a rugged landscape with a desert background, showcasing its off-road capabilities. No people or landmarks visible.

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

A yellow SUV parked on a rocky cliff edge, under clear skies, overlooking distant rolling hills, showcasing adventure and exploration.

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

Inside a modern, rugged SUV with black leather seats, a digital dashboard, and yellow accents. Scenic view of hills outside the window.

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

Four Land Rover Defenders drive through a shallow, rocky stream in a desert landscape, with rugged mountains in the background.

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.

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Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 sets new Nurburgring lap record

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June 19, 2025

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A white Volkswagen GTI speeds around a curve at the Nürburgring racetrack, surrounded by trees and metal fencing.

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

A person in racing gear drives a car with a professional setup, featuring a helmet and harness, in a fast-paced environment.

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

A white Volkswagen GTI speeds along a scenic, tree-lined road, featuring dynamic motion blur and alloy wheels, with no visible driver.

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.

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June 19, 2025