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New Renault 4 EV to cost £3,000 less than rival Ford Puma

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Renault 4 E-Tech UK Pricing

Prices for the new Renault 4 E-Tech have been announced – and the electric crossover will undercut key rivals in a competitive market.

When order books open in July this year, the reborn, fully electric Renault 4 will cost from £26,995.

This starting price makes the retro-inspired Renault fully £3,000 cheaper than one of its main competitors: the new Ford Puma Gen-E.

Order books will open on 15 July 2025, but VIP customers with a £150 Renault R-Pass get priority treatment – being able to place an order from 1 July.

Going bold on pricing

Renault 4 E-Tech UK Pricing

Starting with the £26,995 Evolution model, the Renault 4 E-Tech offers a generous standard specification. Dual-zone climate control, 18-inch alloy wheels, a 10-inch central touchscreen, keyless entry, a rear-view camera and rear parking sensors are all included. 

Moving up to the £28,995 Techno spec adds built-in navigation to the central touchscreen, plus wireless smartphone charging, adaptive cruise control, privacy glass, front parking sensors and ambient interior lighting. 

At the top of the range, Iconic trim includes heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a synthetic leather dashboard with an illuminated ‘4’ logo, and a hands-free electric tailgate. The 4 Iconic is priced from £30,995. 

Renault says a retro-style ‘plein sud’ electric canvas roof will be offered on the Techno and Iconic trim levels. Controlled by a button or voice command, the full-length opening roof will join the options list shortly after launch.

Big on equipment and space

Renault 4 E-Tech UK Pricing

Larger inside than the related Renault 5 E-Tech, the new 4 offers a 420-litre boot capacity, which grows to 1,405 litres with the rear seats folded down. Lashing points, bag hooks and rubber storage bands help to boost practicality. 

All launch versions of the Renault 4 will use a 150hp electric motor combined with a 52kWh battery pack. This provides a 0-62mph time of 8.2 seconds, plus a top speed of 93mph. 

Fully charged, the Renault 4 E-Tech has a potential range of up to 247 miles, depending on the options chosen. When connected to a 100kWh fast charger, the E-Tech’s battery can be replenished from 15 to 80 percent in 30 minutes.

R-Pass customers will receive three years of free servicing if a 4 E-Tech is purchased through Renault’s MFS finance scheme.

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Fernando Alonso laps Monaco F1 circuit in Aston Martin Valhalla

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Aston Martin Valhalla in Monaco

The Aston Martin Valhalla hypercar has made a dramatic public debut, being driven flat-out around the Monaco Grand Prix circuit. 

Aston Martin revealed full details of the mid-engined Valhalla in late 2024. However, this is the first time enthusiasts have seen the 217mph hypercar in action.

Wrangling the Valhalla around the streets of Monaco was no ordinary test pilot, but two-time Formula One World Champion, Fernando Alonso

The Aston Martin F1 team driver helped to develop the Valhalla, which goes into production later this year. A total of 999 cars will be made.

In the tyre tracks of heroes

Aston Martin Valhalla in Monaco

After his demonstration run, Fernando Alonso said: “Having followed this project closely for the past 18 months and working alongside the development team, unveiling Valhalla’s dynamic capability to the world at the Monaco Grand Prix weekend is a fantastic moment for both myself and the brand. 

“Taking Aston Martin’s unmatched luxury credentials and adding cutting-edge F1-inspired technology and class-leading performance, I can confirm Valhalla is a true supercar both on road and on track. Outside of the outright power and dynamics, it delivers on all of the raw feelings and emotions you look for when behind the wheel of a car like Valhalla.”

The Valhalla used for the Monaco run was directly inspired by the Aston Martin Formula One team’s race cars, with Podium Green paint and Lime Green stripes. 

Aston Martin’s F1 team was closely involved with the Valhalla project, advising on its construction materials and aerodynamic package. The car evidences a motorsport connection that is more than skin-deep.

A high-performance hybrid

Aston Martin Valhalla in Monaco

The Valhalla utilises Aston Martin’s first plug-in hybrid powertrain: an 828hp 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine with a trio of electric motors to add a further 251hp.

A combined output of 1,079hp allows the flagship Valhalla to accelerate from 0-62mph in just 2.5 seconds. 

Adrian Hallmark, CEO of Aston Martin, said: “The extreme performance and unprecedented dynamic bandwidth that distinguishes Valhalla from its rivals presented many new opportunities to both the engineering and design teams throughout its development. 

“To witness the culmination of the tireless work from all teams involved, showcased on an iconic F1 circuit like Monaco and driven by an icon like Fernando is a significant moment in Aston Martin’s rich history of both road cars and racing.”

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Alpine A390 revealed: electric SUV targets the Porsche Macan

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Alpine A390 EV Fastback

French performance car brand Alpine has revealed the third model in its ‘Dream Garage’: the radical-looking A390 fastback SUV. 

The fully electric A390 is claimed to offer the ‘exhilarating driving experience’ of the Alpine A110 sports car, combined with rear seats and lots of luggage space.

With three electric motors, plus active torque vectoring to boost its cornering agility, the A390 will square up to premium SUVs such as the Porsche Macan EV and Maserati Grecale Folgore. 

It marks a dramatic pivot for the French marque, which has focused on lightweight sports cars for most of its seven decades so far. Alpine’s next chapter will include sales in the lucrative North American market, too.

‘A racing car in a suit’

Alpine A390 EV Fastback

Alpine CEO Phillip Krief said: “The Alpine A390 is how to reinvent the spirit of the A110 in a five-seat sport fastback. This is the quintessential Alpine, combining sportiness and performance with technology and refinement, all for a unique driving experience that is equally suited to everyday use and more spirited driving.”

The critically lauded Alpine A110 provided design inspiration for the A390 – and not merely in the tiny ‘Easter Egg’ outline of the sports car found in the corner of its windscreen.

Racing helmet visors informed the shape of the rear window, while Alpine’s Le Mans prototype influenced the A390’s diffuser. A transverse bonnet ‘blade’ improves airflow across the car’s body.

Six paint colours will be available, plus the option of a contrasting black roof. Buyers will be able to choose alloy wheels in 20- or 21-inch sizes, both wrapped in bespoke Michelin tyres.

Heavyweight performance

Alpine A390 EV Fastback

Underpinning the A390 is the ‘AmpR Medium’ platform, already used by the Renault Megane E-Tech and Nissan Ariya SUVs. Howver, Alpine has fitted a trio of electric motors, with two powering the back axle for a rear-biased feel. 

In standard GT form, the A390 develops 400hp, allowing this 2,121kg SUV to accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 124mph.

Opting for the A390 GTS lifts output to 470hp, with maximum torque of 596 lb ft. This cuts the 0-62mph time to 3.9 seconds, and increases maximum speed to 137mph. 

The five driving modes offer different settings for the torque vectoring system. Launch control and an overtaking boost button also enhance the A390’s performance.

Inside the Alpine A390

Alpine A390 EV Fastback

The A390’s cabin is dominated by the combination of 12.3-inch and 12-inch high-definition screens, but Alpine has retained physical switches for climate control functions beneath the central display.

Alcantara-clad sports seats are standard in the GT, with the GTS gaining Sabelt buckets in grey and blue Nappa leather. A heated steering wheel features aluminium buttons inspired by Alpine’s Formula One racing cars.

At launch, all versions of the A390 will feature an 89kWh battery pack, along with a heat pump to aid efficiency. A fully charged A390 GT is capable of covering up to 345 miles, with the GTS version managing 330 miles.

Compatibility with 190kW DC fast charging means the A390 can ‘refuel’ from 15 to 80 percent battery capacity in less than 25 minutes. Two-way, vehicle-to-load charging is possible, too.

Orders open later this year

Alpine A390 EV Fastback

Order books for the A390 will open in November 2025, with Alpine offering a VIP priority scheme – similar to the R-Pass for the Renault 4 E-Tech. 

Buying an Alpine A-Pass gives customers early access to ordering and news updates, plus a pair of exclusive Devialet Alpine edition earbuds. The first completed cars are expected to reach customers in the second quarter of 2026.

Alpine has yet to confirm how much the A390 will cost when it lands in the UK. However, reckon on a starting price of around £60,000 for the GT model, with the faster GTS costing in the region of £70,000.

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The Nissan Micra is back: now electric and based on the Renault 5

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New 2025 Nissan Micra EV

The Nissan Micra is back – and making its return to Britain’s roads later this year. The smallest Nissan has undergone a radical transformation, becoming fully electric for its sixth generation.

Underpinning the new Micra is the ‘AmpR Small’ platform, which is also used for the award-winning Renault 5 E-Tech electric car.

This should give the Micra a fighting chance in a competitive marketplace – and help Nissan achieve its dramatic plan for financial turnaround.

Scooping up attention

New 2025 Nissan Micra EV

The new Nissan Micra is certainly compact. It measures less than four metres in length, and tips the scales at a maximum of 1,525kg. 

Notable design features include distinctive ‘winking’ LED headlights and 18-inch wheels for all trim levels, plus what Nissan calls an ‘ice cream scoop’ waistline. The latter runs atop the front and rear doors, and is said to replicate the indent that running an ice cream scoop along the bodywork would make. 

Nissan will offer Micra customers 14 different paint colour combinations. A contrasting roof finish is available, depending on the trim level chosen. 

Up to 253 miles on a charge

New 2025 Nissan Micra EV

A choice of two powertrains is available at launch for the new Micra. These mirror the electric options offered for the Renault 5 E-Tech

The entry-level 120hp electric motor and 40kWh battery pack mean a potential range of 192 miles. For those who travel longer distances, a 150hp version with a larger 52kWh battery provides up to 253 miles of range. 

As with the Renault 5 E-Tech, the Nissan Micra will come with bi-directional charging, allowing vehicle-to-load and vehicle-to-grid capabilities. Recharging from a DC rapid device requires 30 minutes to boost the battery from 15 to 80 percent capacity.

A heat pump will be standard with both battery options on the new Micra, helping to maximise efficiency.

Building an electric future

New 2025 Nissan Micra EV

The interior of the new Micra is built around integrating Google into the NissanConnect infotainment system. Controlled through the central touchscreen, built-in Google tech will allow drivers to set navigation routes from their smartphones, adding charging stops along the way.

Google voice commands can be used for the Micra’s climate control system and heated seats, too. 

Nissan plans to release the sixth-generation Micra to European audiences by the end of 2025, and will confirm prices and final specifications nearer the time. 

The Micra is part of a plan to launch four new electric cars by 2027, including the next-generation Nissan Leaf and Juke.

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New 2026 Toyota RAV4 revealed – including hot 300hp GR Sport

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2026 Toyota RAV4

The wraps are off the sixth-generation Toyota RAV4. The new family SUV delivers improved hybrid efficiency, and comes with Toyota’s Arene infotainment system.

Since the original RAV4 was launched in 1994, Toyota has delivered more than 15 million examples across the globe. 

More than 2.5 million RAV4s have been sold in Europe. And last year, it became the best-selling vehicle in the United States – deposing the Ford F-150 truck for the first time in five decades

Keeping the RAV4 at the top of the SUV game is thus hugely important for Toyota, which also revealed a new GR Sport version.

Plugged in for all

2026 Toyota RAV4

The exterior styling for the new RAV4 takes an evolutionary approach, with Toyota noting that its dimensions remain similar to the current, fifth-generation model

Instead, the biggest changes are beneath the RAV4’s bodywork, with Toyota aiming to deliver improved efficiency and battery range from its hybrid system.

In the UK, customers will only be offered plug-in hybrid powertrains, plus a choice of front- or all-wheel-drive layouts. Other markets will be able to purchase a conventional ‘full hybrid’, but Toyota has no plans to bring this model to Britain.

Going the distance

2026 Toyota RAV4

Opting for front-wheel drive gives the RAV4 264hp, while the all-wheel-drive version develops a substantial 300hp. This allows it to accelerate from 0-62mph in a hot hatch-rivalling 5.8 seconds

Perhaps of greater importance to RAV4 buyers is the new 22.7kWh battery pack. When fully charged, it offers a pure electric range of 62 miles – a noticeable improvement over the existing model’s 46 miles.

A new onboard charger allows the RAV4 to use 50kW DC chargers, replenishing its battery from 10 to 80 percent in just 30 minutes. Using an 11kW home wallbox takes three hours for the same charge.

Although the RAV4 GR Sport does not gain any extra power, it does come with bespoke exterior styling. It also rides on 20mm lower suspension and lightweight 20-inch alloy wheels.

WRC-inspired design

2026 Toyota RAV4

On the inside, the RAV4 GR Sport features aluminium pedals, plus faux leather and suede upholstery. Some details are said to be inspired by Toyota’s World Rally Championship race cars.

All versions of the 2026 Toyota RAV4 come with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, combined with a 12.9-inch central touchscreen. The latter uses the Arene operating system, offering real-time navigation data and enhanced voice commands. 

Arene also enables a new generation of Toyota Safety Sense, including front cross-traffic alert, enhanced blind-spot monitoring and an improved 3D panoramic-view parking aid.

The new RAV4 should arrive in UK showrooms in early 2026. Toyota will confirm prices and final specifications closer to the time.

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Electric Fiat 500 U-turn in switch to hybrid petrol power

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2025 New Fiat 500 Hybrid

The first examples of the new Fiat 500 Hybrid city car are being assembled, ahead of a full launch later this year. 

Pre-production cars have been completed at the Mirafiori plant in Turin, marking an important step towards full-scale manufacturing.

Completed examples of the 500 Hybrid will begin leaving the factory in November 2025, with Fiat expecting to build 100,000 cars annually.

The return of hybrid power for the Fiat 500 represents a substantial change in direction. The third-generation 500 was originally launched with electric powertrains only.

A rethink on electrification

2025 New Fiat 500 Hybrid

In September 2024, Fiat paused production of the 500e for a month, due to slow demand for its electric city car. 

This followed over £3,000 being slashed from the price of the 500e last year. The high-performance Abarth 500e was reduced by more than £4,000. 

Global sales of the electric 500e recorded a drop of 42 percent in 2024, versus the previous 12 months. In the United States, less than 500 examples of the Fiat EV were sold. 

All of this has led to Fiat prioritising a modern replacement for the combustion-engined 500, which ceased production last year.

The return of ‘social relevance

2025 New Fiat 500 Hybrid

Fiat has not confirmed engine and battery details for the new 500 Hybrid, but images of the pre-production model show a manual gear lever poking from the dashboard. 

“The 500 Hybrid offers affordable electrification and iconic style, proof that social relevance is at the core of the brand mission,” said Olivier Francois, CEO of Fiat.

“With the 500 Hybrid, we are strengthening production at Mirafiori to ensure the plant’s productivity and meet the demand. Our roots are in Italy and it’s no coincidence that the two most iconic Fiats are made here: the Panda in Pomigliano and the 500 in Mirafiori.”

More details on prices and specification will be announced closer to when the Fiat 500 Hybrid enters production later this year.

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The Fiat Panda 4×4 is back and ready for adventure

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Fiat Grande Panda 4x4 Concept

A hero car of the 1980s could be set to return, previewed by the new Fiat Grande Panda 4×4 concept seen here. 

Announced as a ‘direct heir’ to the original Fiat Panda 4×4, first launched in 1983, the new Grande Panda promises to keep its ‘authentic and deeply popular soul’.

News of a production Grande Panda 4×4 isn’t forthcoming yet. However, Fiat has recently expanded the model range for its diminutive supermini.

Along with choice details revealed about the concept, it suggests the Fiat mountain goat will make a comeback in the near-future.

Electrified off-road action

Fiat Grande Panda 4x4 Concept

The modern Grande Panda is currently available with the choice of two powertrains: turbocharged three-cylinder petrol or fully electric

Fiat has not said what powers the front wheels of the 4×4 concept. It mentions ‘an electrified innovative rear axle’, though, to provide four-wheel drive. 

This allows the Grande Panda 4×4 to ‘deliver impressive performance in urban settings and on more demanding terrain’, just like the original.

The spirit of the 1980s

Fiat Grande Panda 4x4 Concept

The choice of a Dark Red livery is described as a tribute to a ‘popular limited-edition version of Panda 4×4’. It comes complete with beige exterior detailing and robust steel wheels.  

Although not mentioned directly by Fiat, the special Panda in question is likely to be the Sisley model. Developed with clothing brand Sisley, the limited-production Panda came with metallic paint, an inclinometer, a bonnet scoop and a roof rack.

Initially limited to just 500 examples, the success of the 4×4 Sisley saw it made a permanent part of the Panda range in 1989.

Badged as a concept for now, the likelihood of Fiat recreating the Panda’s glory days with a new 4×4 seems almost a certainty.

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New special edition Peugeot 208 Style priced at £199 per month

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2025 Peugeot 208 Style

Peugeot has released a special edition version of its popular 208 supermini, along with an attractive finance offer.

Added to the range alongside the existing Allure and GT trim levels, the 208 Style comes with bespoke design features and extra equipment.

The 208 Style also debuts in a national advertising campaign for the Peugeot hatchback, with the marque offering finance packages alongside it. 

This could see a 208 on your driveway for less than £200 per month via one of Peugeot’s Personal Contract Hire (PCH) deals.

A 208 with more Style

2025 Peugeot 208 Style

The 208 Style will be offered solely with the 1.2-litre PureTech 100 petrol engine, which is paired with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Unique to the new special edition is a black front grille – a contrast to the colour-coded item fitted to other models in the 208 lineup. Black wing mirrors and orange-tinted Style badges are also included. 

Customers can choose from four different metallic paint colours: Agueda Yellow, Okenite White, Cumulus Grey or Nera Black. Steel wheels are fitted, seemingly to keep costs down, but with diamond-cut wheel trims. 

On the inside, the 208 Style comes with ‘Rimini’ fabric upholstery, complete with orange stitching. A leather steering wheel is included, too.

Putting a price on style

2025 Peugeot 208 Style

Standard equipment for the Peugeot 208 Style includes air conditioning, automatic LED headlights, rear parking sensors and automatic windscreen wipers. 

A 3.5-inch digital instrument panel is combined with a central touchscreen, with connected 3D navigation that offers TomTom Live traffic updates. 

Prices for the Peugeot 208 Style start from £19,995. However, finance offers will likely be the more attractive option. Using Peugeot’s PCH deal, a £1,999 deposit will secure monthly payments of £199 across a 23-month period. Mileage is capped at 6,000 miles per annum. 

The 208 Style can be ordered from Peugeot dealerships now, with the first examples expected to arrive later this month.

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Nissan creates free retro-inspired Formula E video game

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Nissan Nismo Electric Racer Tokyo

To coincide with the Japanese rounds of the Formula E electric racing series, Nissan has created a special video game.

Designed in collaboration with Japanese illustrator Kentaro Yoshida, Nismo Electric Racer Tokyo celebrates the Nissan team competing on home soil.

With a deliberate eight-bit retro arcade game design, players take control of a stylised Nissan Formula E car, racing through the streets of Japan’s capital city.

Intended to replicate the excitement of Formula E, players can reach virtual speeds of up to 200mph. Mount Fuji and cherry blossom trees are visible in the background.

Retro arcade gaming action

Nissan Nismo Electric Racer Tokyo

Available to play for free on a dedicated website, Nismo Electric Racer Tokyo was launched alongside a special promotional video. 

Said to be inspired by video game adverts from the 1990s, the film sees appearances from Nissan Formula E drivers Oliver Rowland and Norman Nato.

Rowland and Nato both set their own high scores on Nismo Electric Racer Tokyo ahead of the actual E-Prix weekend. Players can therefore test themselves against genuine Formula E drivers.

The game’s illustrator, Kentaro Yoshida, originally from Japan, is known for his pastel-toned style, bold line-work and quirky characters. However, Nismo Electric Racer Tokyo is Yoshida’s first foray into the world of video game design.

A formula for success

Nissan Nismo Electric Racer Tokyo

Ahead of the Formula E Tokyo E-Prix, Tommaso Volpe, principal of Nissan’s Formula E Team, said: “This race is not only a major moment for us as a team, but also a chance to celebrate our Japanese heritage. 

“With Nismo Electric Racer Tokyo, we’ve created something that captures the energy we bring to the track while celebrating Japan’s legendary gaming culture”

Practising on the game before the E-Prix seemingly helped Nissan driver Oliver Rowland, who subsequently claimed pole position on the grid. 

In the race itself, Rowland finished in second place, extending his lead at the top of the drivers’ championship table.

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Car rental firm says EV demand up 139% in a year

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A Volkswagen car is parked outside a Europcar location. The storefront reflects surrounding trees in its glass doors and windows.

Car rental firm Europcar reports EV rental days rocketed from 228k in 2023 to more than 1.2 million days in 2024 – a 139 percent increase.

Europcar’s 44,000-strong UK fleet also now comprises 14 percent of cars that are either electric or plug-in hybrid.

Tailpipe emissions are also being reduced in rental vehicle delivery and collection, with the firm increasing the use of electric cars and e-bikes.

More than 1 million miles were driven by electric vehicles last year as part of its Deliver & Collect service – saving over 78,500kg in CO2 emissions.

Head of electric mobility Tom Middleditch said the firm is “committed to helping fleets reduce their environmental impact by enabling them to access a range of electric car and van options”.

Europcar EV rental

2025 will see it continue to increase the proportion of electric and hybrid vehicles on its fleet – with further support to help business and leisure users “make the transition to low and ultimately zero tailpipe emission rental”.

In April, Europcar introduced price parity on electric car and van rental rates for business customers.

As of this year, the firm has also committed to ensuring EVs are at least 80 percent charged at the start of a rental – and only require 20 percent charge on return.

The aim is to “help overcome customer anxiety about charging an electric vehicle ahead of its return”.

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