New electric Renault 5 Turbo 3E to cost from £135,000

By

-

April 22, 2025

Renault has revealed a starting price for its supercar-chasing 5 Turbo 3E, with order books now open for the electric hot hatchback.

Announced as a production model last month, the reborn 5 Turbo 3E pays tribute to Renault’s mid-engined icon of the 1980s.

Boasting 540hp from its electric powertrain, Renault promises the potential for blistering acceleration, plus a top speed in excess of 165mph.

Indeed, perhaps the only thing more dramatic than the Renault 5 Turbo 3E’s performance is its price tag – with a list price deep into six figures.

Supercar speed, supercar prices

The first 500 people who sign up to reserve a Renault 5 Turbo 3E will secure themselves a special price of £135,000. In total, a production run of 1,980 cars is planned.

Renault notes that, while this introductory price does include VAT, any additional options and customisation will increase the car’s cost.

A dedicated page on the Renault website allows would-be customers to make a reservation and select a local dealership. This will lead to an in-person appointment, where a reservation form can be signed.

Making a reservation means that, when assembly of the Renault 5 Turbo 3E starts, those with their name down will be at the front of the queue. For an additional cost, they can also choose a particular numbered vehicle from the 1,980 cars.

Time to get personal

The next stage of the buying process starts in 2026, when dealerships will invite customers to begin making their personalisation choices.

Individuality will play a major part in the Renault 5 Turbo 3E experience, with buyers able to create bespoke exterior liveries, or pay homage to the original Renault 5 Turbo’s motorsport heritage.

Finally, in the first half of 2027, customers can finalise the configuration of their chosen car and place a build order. Completed 3Es should arrive at dealers later that year.

The Renault 5 Turbo 3E will go on display at selected RNLT stores across Europe, before making its official public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this summer – taking place from 10 to 13 July 2025.

ALSO READ:

New Renault 5 E-Tech Roland-Garros doesn’t make a racket

1990 Renault 5 GT Turbo: Retro Road Test

27 of the most radical Renaults

A third of Brits judge others on the cleanliness of their car

By

John Redfern

-

April 21, 2025

0

British motorists proudly like to clean their cars regularly, according to new research undertaken by eBay.

The online marketplace found that 25 percent of car owners clean their vehicle at least once a month, with 13 percent tackling the grime once a week.

Notably, more than half of respondents (60 percent) said they do the job themselves, instead of trusting car washes to do the cleaning for them.

Of those who do the hard work themselves, a third (33 percent) said they spend up to one hour washing and polishing their car.

German car drivers pass judgement

Car cleanliness apparently matters most to owners of premium German cars, based upon eBay’s findings.

Almost half (47 percent) of BMW owners wash their car once a week, with 57 percent saying they would feel ashamed if someone saw their vehicle looking unclean.

By contrast, Dacia owners are far more relaxed, with only 18 percent bothered about their car looking dirty in public.

Some 58 percent of Audi drivers said they would judge other road users for having an unwashed car. BMW drivers were not far behind on 57 percent, with 51 percent of Mercedes-Benz owners saying the same.

Get the right tools for the job

Worryingly, eBay’s research uncovered that almost a quarter (22 percent) of motorists used washing-up liquid to clean their car. With chemicals designed to cut through food waste and grease, washing-up liquid can damage car paintwork.

However, almost two thirds (63 percent) said they use a proper car shampoo, and 29 percent said they have a pressure washer for cleaning.

This is reflected in the car care items most frequently searched for on eBay; pump foam sprayers and portable car washing water pumps are among the most popular.

Abir Tewari, UK director of parts and accessories at eBay, said: “Britain is a nation of passionate car lovers, with many meticulously keeping their motor spick and span.

“However, our research shows some drivers are using the wrong products, which could be doing more harm than good. Using eBay, motorists can find a comprehensive range of cleaning accessories, from low-cost items for everyday drivers to high-end products for professional detailers.”

ALSO READ:

Spring cleaning: How to make your car look and feel fresh

How to sell your car for the best price

Your EV questions answered on Motoring Electric

You can now play Pac-Man in your Volkswagen

By

John Redfern

-

April 19, 2025

0

Volkswagen has expanded the range of games available through its in-car infotainment system, adding Pac-Man Championship Edition.

The legendary arcade game can be played via a Volkswagen’s touchscreen, with a smartphone acting as the controller, when the car is parked.

Pac-Man is available in a host of Volkswagen models with the latest ID. 4.0 software. These include electric vehicles such as the ID.7, ID.4 and ID.5.

AirConsole, the company behind the in-car gaming app, has also added extra features to give Pac-Man a special Volkswagen update.

Don’t be afraid of ghosts

The game follows the traditional setup, with players controlling Pac-Man as he eats dots spread throughout a maze – while avoiding being caught by ghosts.

Once all the dots have been eaten, a new level can begin. Extra points are awarded for touching icons made to look like the Volkswagen Beetle, Camper and Mk4 Golf R32. Extra power pellets take the form of a Volkswagen logo.

Pac-Man Championship Edition is the first AirConsole game to make use of ambient interior lighting on compatible models, along with the ID.Light strip that runs around the dashboard.

An immersive game experience

The AirConsole app can be downloaded and installed on a range of Volkswagen electric vehicles, along with newer combustion-powered cars.

Vehicles sold from 2025 onwards, such as the Tiguan, Passat, Golf and new Tayron seven-seat SUV (pictured above), are compatible with the AirConsole app.

In-car gaming is a growing market, with AirConsole offering multiple options across different car manufacturers.

Last year, Mini and BMW owners gained the chance to play the classic Uno card game via their in-car OLED touchscreens.

ALSO READ:

Volkswagen ID.EVERY1 will be one of the cheapest EVs on sale

Volkswagen to reveal Golf GTI 50th Anniversary special edition

Classic Golf GTIs: driving Volkswagen’s hot hatch icons

New Kia K4 Hatchback could take on Volkswagen Golf

By

John Redfern

-

April 17, 2025

0

While the 2025 New York International Auto Show might have been heavy on SUVs, Kia proved that the family hatchback still has a future.

Making its public debut in New York is the Kia K4 Hatchback, a Volkswagen Golf-sized family five-door that will be sold in North American dealerships later this year.

Designed alongside a traditional four-door saloon – already on sale in the United States, Australia and the Middle East – the Mexican-built K4 Hatchback is aimed at those ‘with active lifestyles’.

Although Kia says the K4 Hatchback is not currently intended for sale in the UK, it seems the perfect car to replace the ageing Kia Ceed.

Bold styling for K4 Hatchback

Making use of Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design language – as seen on the electric EV3 and EV4 – the Kia K4 Hatchback certainly looks striking.

It measures just over 4.4 metres in length, making it around 200mm longer than an equivalent Mk8 Volkswagen Golf. Kia says the K4 Hatchback has the same ‘class-leading’ rear legroom as the saloon variant, despite being almost 280mm shorter overall.

GT-Line and GT-Line Turbo models will be equipped with sports suspension, along with 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the K4 features a dual digital display that measures nearly 30 inches across. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the range, along with Kia’s AI Assistant – said to make using voice commands easier.

Petrol power, not electric

North American engine options for the K4 Hatchback start with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol that develops 147hp and 132lb ft of torque. This uses an automatic CVT transmission to drive the front wheels.

Buyers can also choose a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine with 190hp and 195lb ft of torque. The more powerful motor comes with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

However, should the K4 Hatchback make the trip across the Atlantic, bank on seeing smaller hybrid engine options for the UK.

American customers can order the K4 hatchback from later this year, with prices to be confirmed closer to its on-sale date.

ALSO READ:

Kia EV3 named World Car of the Year 2025

Kia reveals new EV4 saloon and hatch to rival the Tesla Model 3

The 20 greatest Korean cars

McMurtry Speirling hypercar uses downforce to drive upside down

By

John Redfern

-

April 17, 2025

0

The British-built McMurtry Speirling has become the first car in the world to drive upside down.

No, this is not a belated April Fool’s Day joke, but a genuine achievement by the electric hypercar, which memorably broke the Goodwood Hillclimb record in 2022.

Using a special rotating rig, the McMurtry Speirling was able to drive a small distance while fully inverted.

To add to the pressure, the demonstration took place at McMurty’s Gloucestershire headquarters, in front of an audience of employees and independent adjudicators.

Flipping the script

A bespoke ‘downforce-on-demand’ system allows the Speirling to drive upside down. This uses high-powered fans to create a vacuum beneath the floor of the electric hypercar, essentially sucking it to the ground.

Using a fan system allows the McMurtry to generate downforce at any speed – unlike most supercars, which rely on aerodynamics to create downward pressure as they go faster.

Most importantly, the McMurtry Speirling produces more downforce when stationary than the car itself actually weighs.

This allowed Thomas Yates, co-founder and managing director of McMurtry Automotive, to drive it onto a rotating platform, then be flipped over 180 degrees. While upside down, Yates then carefully crept forward.

‘A surreal experience’

After the event, Yates said: “That was just a fantastic day in the office! Strapping in and driving inverted was a completely surreal experience. The 2,000kg of downforce that the fan system can generate is truly astonishing to experience and it’s great to show the reason why our Speirling continues to take records around the world.

“This demonstration was an exciting proof of concept using a small purpose-built rig, but is perhaps just the beginning of what’s possible. With a longer inverted track or a suitable tunnel, we may be able to drive even further! Huge congratulations and thanks to the entire McMurtry Automotive team, especially the engineers involved in the car and fan system’s design, they are the heroes of today.”

The McMurtry Speirling is currently on a record-breaking roll, having recently achieved the fastest time around the Top Gear test track.

Customer deliveries of the McMurtry Speirling are expected to begin in 2026. A total of 100 examples of the £984,000 hypercar are planned for production.

ALSO READ:

Tokyo Drift: Lando Norris drives wild Liberty Walk Nissan Skyline

Hot Wheels reveals Ferrari heritage race car models

Aston Martin Valhalla spec secrets: How to configure a hypercar

Kia EV3 is World Car of the Year 2025

By

Richard Aucock

-

April 16, 2025

1

After scooping UK Car of the Year 2025, the Kia EV3 has now been named World Car of the Year

The Kia EV3 has been named World Car of the Year 2025 in New York. The critically acclaimed electric crossover becomes the latest vehicle to scoop the biggest automotive award on the planet.

The EV3 beat two other finalists: the BMW X3 and Hyundai Inster. It represents a remarkable double success for Kia, with the larger Kia EV9 previously named World Car of the Year 2024.

Paul Philpott, Kia UK president and CEO, said: “This is fantastic recognition for our latest EV and for Kia, especially as we entered the 2025 World Car Awards as reigning champions from 2024.

“The EV3 has already proven to be very popular with customers in the UK and has received the highest form of praise from high profile media outlets and the UK Car of the Year jury.

“This achievement gives Kia a real badge of honour, and supports our dealer partners as they guide customers to make their switch to electric.”

Almost 100 top-tier automotive journalists from around the world voted for the World Car Awards winners, after months of test drives all around the world that started in September last year.

A Top 10 was announced in January with the Top Three in the World revealed in March.

The winners ceremony was held as doors opened for the 125^th New York International Auto Show.

World Car Awards winners

In the World Performance Car category, the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS was named 2025 winner, beating the BMW M5 and Porsche Taycan Turbo GT.

Meanwhile, the World Luxury Car 2025 winner was the Volvo EX90, ahead of the Porsche Macan and Porsche Panamera.

The BYD Seagull was named World Urban Car of the Year, a sector focused on consumers seeking small cars at affordable prices.

It beat the Hyundai Inster and Mini Cooper Electric, becoming the first Chinese vehicle to win a World Car Award.

At the event, BYD executive vice president Stella Li confirmed the BYD Seagull is coming to Europe very soon – where it will be called the BYD Dolphin Surf.

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz was named World Car Design of the Year. A design panel of five experts drew up the finalists, which also included the Kia EV3 and Toyota Land Cruiser.

The Hyundai Inster was named World Electric Vehicle 2025, beating the Kia EV3 and Porsche Macan Electric. President and CEO Jose Munoz said it was the fourth year in a row that Hyundai has picked up a World Car Award.

BYD executive vice president and global number two Stella Li was named World Car Person of the Year.

Li joined BYD in 1996 – just a year after the firm was founded. She was charged with making the business a global brand. Today, BYD is the sixth largest car company in the world.

ALSO READ:

Kia EV3 is crowned UK Car of the Year 2025

Kia EV3 2025 review

Your EV questions answered on Motoring Electric

Taxi! Toyota hosts a track day for Uber drivers

By

John Redfern

-

April 14, 2025

0

Toyota and app-based taxi service Uber worked together to stage an electric track day for taxi drivers at Brands Hatch circuit.

The special showcase brought 300 Uber drivers to Kent, giving them the chance to test Toyota and Lexus electric vehicles on the world-famous racetrack.

Toyota’s electric track day builds on the growing relationship the Japanese marque has created with Uber in the UK.

Last year, Toyota launched a dedicated website aimed at Uber employees, with bespoke car finance offers for owner-drivers.

Five-star driver rating

Since the Toyota Uber Driver Scheme began six months ago, almost 2,000 Uber drivers have made the decision to switch to an electric Toyota or Lexus.

To help persuade more owner-drivers to follow suit, more than 80 battery-powered vehicles were available to drive at Brands Hatch.

The Toyota bZ4X electric SUV has proven one of the most popular models for Uber drivers, with additional support given to those who decide to go electric.

Toyota also brought its new Proace Verso and Proace City Verso people carriers to Brands Hatch, along with the Lexus UX 300e and RZ 300e luxury SUVs.

A real-world EV experience

The track day proved a particularly rewarding one for Nuruzzaman Chowdhury from Poplar, East London. A prize draw held during the day saw Mr Chowdhury win a brand new Toyota bZ4X SUV.

Alastair Rutt, senior manager for Toyota’s business team, said: “Our electric vehicle initiative with Uber has already been an outstanding success, with more than 100,000 visits to our dedicated microsite and thousands of drivers going ahead with a new vehicle purchase.

“With our Brands Hatch driving event, we were able to give our guests a real-world introduction to the strengths of our model range for a business where reliable performance and long-lasting quality are key.”

ALSO READ:

Tokyo Drift: Lando Norris drives wild Liberty Walk Nissan Skyline

Hot Wheels reveals Ferrari heritage race car models

Toyota GR Yaris 2025 review

Explained: the classic cars exempt from 25 percent ‘Trump tariffs’

By

John Redfern

-

April 14, 2025

2

While the Trump administration’s raft of tariffs are causing concern for new car manufacturers, certain classic vehicles will avoid the new 25 percent import tax.

Experts at car transport company Autoshippers have analysed America’s new tariff rules, and discovered a notable exception.

Provided a vehicle is more than 25 years old on the date of importation, it will avoid the steep new tariffs being imposed by the United States.

Instead, classic cars entering the USA will only be subject to the regular 2.5 percent import duty, making for a potentially substantial saving.

The ’25-year rule’ for imports

Mike Harvey from Autoshippers notes that: “Under the new Harmonised System code 9903.94.04, classic cars only incur the standard 2.5 percent duty, provided they meet the 25-year age requirement.

“This means that while newer vehicles may face higher tariffs, classic cars are exempt from these additional charges, significantly reducing the financial burden for enthusiasts and making vintage imports more accessible.”

Vehicles aged older than 25 years already hold a special significance for American car enthusiasts. Created in 1989 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the ‘25-year rule’ allows for cars to be imported without having to comply with a host of federal safety and emissions regulations.

Loophole in the legislation

Ironically, the NHTSA’s original 25-year rule was linked to action taken by car manufacturers to end the thriving grey import market during the 1980s.

Mercedes-Benz dealerships in particular were concerned about the number of vehicles being unofficially brought into the USA, and the impact this was having on their business.

After lobbying the US Congress for action, the result was the Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988. This outlawed the private importation of cars not intended for the US market, wiping out grey imports almost overnight.

The 25-year rule was introduced by the NHTSA in 1989 so that collector vehicles could be imported into the USA. Now, that same legislation has ensured classic cars remain unaffected by new ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs.

ALSO READ:

Ineos takes aim at Land Rover with provocative ad campaign

Aston Martin Valhalla spec secrets: How to configure a hypercar

Classic car news and reviews on Retro Motor

Tokyo Drift: Lando Norris drives wild Liberty Walk Nissan Skyline

By

John Redfern

-

April 13, 2025

0

Ahead of last weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, McLaren Formula One driver Lando Norris hit the streets of Tokyo in a heavily modified Nissan Skyline.

A collaboration between Monster Energy and tuning company Liberty Walk allowed the British driver to become fully immersed in Japan’s car culture.

Such was Norris’s commitment, he even arrived at Suzuka Grand Prix circuit in the bodykitted Skyline on race day.

A video shows the current F1 World Drivers’ Championship leader tackling Tokyo’s rain-soaked streets, and creating plenty of tyre smoke along the way.

Legend of the underground

Along with the Lando Norris himself, the other star of the video is undoubtedly the Liberty Walk LB-Kaido Works Nissan Skyline.

Somewhere beneath its extreme, widened body is, apparently, an R32-generation Skyline. Built between 1989 and 1993, the R32 saw the introduction of the GT-R nameplate, which swiftly became globally recognised and revered.

Liberty Walk’s inspiration for the Skyline comes from the extreme ‘Kaido Racer’ element of Japanese car culture, which emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Kaido Racers were intended to look like FIA Group 5 racing cars, which competed in the Super Silhouette championship.

Build your own Super Silhouette racer

For those who want to own a Skyline like the one driven by Norris, Liberty Walk can sell you an LB-Kaido bodykit.

Priced at £29,620 (including VAT), the Liberty Walk package replaces almost every body panel on the R32 Skyline.

That price does not include finding a donor car, of course, but opting for a standard bonnet, rather than the extended panel seen on Lando’s car, will save you more than £6,000.

We’ll have to wait and see whether Norris adds a Liberty Walk-tuned Skyline, perhaps with a Monster Energy livery, to his garage in the near future.

ALSO READ:

Nissan GT-R Nismo review

Ineos takes aim at Land Rover with provocative ad campaign

Aston Martin Valhalla spec secrets: How to configure a hypercar

Toyota GR Supra Final Edition to debut at Long Beach Grand Prix

By

John Redfern

-

April 12, 2025

0

A sleek, black sports car Toyota GR Supra MkV Final Edition

Time is running out for the fifth-generation Toyota GR Supra, but the Japanese sports car won’t be going out quietly.

With 2026 being the final model year for the Supra, Toyota has announced a commemorative Final Edition.

Making its debut at this weekend’s Grand Prix of Long Beach, the GR Supra MkV Final Edition will be driven on-track by Akio Toyoda himself.

Now the chairman of Toyota, Akio Toyoda was instrumental in reintroducing the Supra when he served as the company’s president and CEO.

Going out on a high

The GR Supra Final Edition is powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged in-line six-cylinder engine, offered with a six-speed manual transmission or eight-speed automatic.

Both versions produce 382 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque, with the automatic Supra able to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Choosing the manual increases this marginally to 4.2 seconds.

Toyota has made in-depth suspension upgrades to the Final Edition. These include revised electronically controlled shock absorbers and stronger under-body reinforcement.

New software mapping for the differential will boost rear-driven traction, while larger Brembo brakes are fitted on the front axle.

Now on its final lap

Helping the GR Supra Final Edition stand out are a new gloss-finish carbon fiber ducktail spoiler and gloss carbon side mirror caps, plus a set of 19-inch matte black alloy wheels.

Buyers will be able to add a GT4 aero kit later in the model year, inspired by the GR Supra’s competition history. This option will also unlock two exclusive paint colors: Burnout and Undercover.

On the inside, the Final Edition sports car has seats clad in a combination of leather and Alcantara, with contrasting red stitching. Red seat belts and red detailing around the gear shifter are other unique features.

The first completed examples of the 2026 Toyota GR Supra Final Edition will arrive in U.S. dealerships soon, before production ends for good in spring 2026.

ALSO READ:

Toyota is making parts for the classic Supra again

Listers Toyota Supra 450hp review

Toyota GR Supra 2.0 review