The very first production example of the 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 has been sold for a staggering price at auction.
In front of a packed audience at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, the commemorative Corvette achieved a winning bid of $3.7 million (£2.97 million).
This represents a substantial premium over list price for Chevrolet’s hypercar-chasing flagship. In the United States, the 1,064hp ZR1 costs a bargain $174,995 (£143,000).
However, the 233.3mph Corvette sold in Scottsdale also helped to raise money for a very good cause.
Helping California wildfire victims
As has become a tradition at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale auction, the bespoke Corvette ZR1 was sold with helping others in mind.
The proceeds from the Chevrolet’s sale will go to a good cause. Indeed, 100 percent of the hammer price will be donated to the American Red Cross.
During the auction, Barrett-Jackson chairman and CEO Craig Jackson, along with company president Steve Davis, confirmed the funds will provide critical aid to those affected by the California wildfires and hurricanes in the southeastern United States.
The winning bid of $3.7 million is one of the biggest prices paid at a Barrett-Jackson auction for a Corvette.
It surpassed the $3.6 million (£2.68 million) paid for the first 2023 Z06 model, along with the $3 million (£2.24 million) achieved by the inaugural eighth-generation Corvette.
A one-man donation machine
Linking all these special Corvettes together is the same winning bidder. NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick took home the 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, adding it to his extensive car collection.
Over the last 20 years, Hendrick has been the winning bidder in 39 Barrett-Jackson charity vehicle auctions, single-handedly raising $28 million (£22.4 million) for good causes.
The all-new Corvette ZR1 was not the only car auctioned by Barrett-Jackson for charity, however. A custom 1962 Dodge Power Wagon pickup truck, known as ‘Project S.W.E.A.T.’, raised $1.5 million (£1.2 million).
This money will be donated to the MikeroweWORKS Foundation, which helps train the next generation of skilled workers in the United States.
The next stage in the collaboration between Hot Wheels and Formula One has been revealed, with a range of new scale racing cars coming soon.
Making their public debut at the Nuremberg International Toy Fair, the new Hot Wheels models are the first items released in a multi-year agreement with Formula One.
A host of 1:64-scale racing replicas will be available this year, with prices ranging from pocket money to grown-up enthusiast levels.
The new cars follow the limited-edition official Formula One Hot Wheels car released last year, which proved popular with die-cast fans.
For F1 fans of all ages
The first offering from Hot Wheels will be a 1:64-scale replica of the Red Bull Racing Formula One car, available to buy for just £2.30 now. Williams Racing and Mercedes-AMG Petronas versions will be available in spring 2025.
As the low price suggests, these models are aimed at being enjoyed for fun, rather than collecting. An £11.50 five-model pack will feature cars from all the other Formula 1 teams except Ferrari. This will go on sale in summer 2025.
For those who want a higher-grade model, Hot Wheels will also launch a ‘Premium Series’ of F1 cars this summer. Priced at £10.99 each, these will be aimed at dedicated collectors, and feature detailed graphics and realistic Pirelli tyres.
A pair of dedicated Hot Wheels tracks, including DRS zones and lap counters, will hit the market in the autumn –perfectly timed for Christmas…
Win on Sunday, buy on Monday
When the 2025 Formula One season begins in March, Hot Wheels will host a number of pop-up experiences at selected races. A dedicated website will be available for those unable to be trackside, too.
“The spirited response from fans around the world following our Hot Wheels and Formula One announcement has been thrilling,” said Roberto Stanichi, executive vice president of Hot Wheels.
“The next phase of the partnership is all about giving fans the products and experiences that bring the worlds of Hot Wheels and F1 together in a way that has never been done before. And we’re just getting started.”
Emily Prazer, chief commercial officer at Formula One, added: “It’s fantastic to see the Hot Wheels Formula One collection hit the shelves. We want to increase our fans’ passion for racing, and these superbly and intricately designed cars will allow fans to experience the drama and excitement of Formula One in the palm of their hands every time they play at home.”
Potholes are a daily hazard for Britain’s drivers – and with the roads ravaged by recent cold weather, they will be growing and multiplying by the day.
The RAC typically attends more than 10,000 pothole-related breakdowns every year. That’s an average of 27 call-outs every day. Figures from Admiral insurance showed pothole claims had risen by around a third since 2016, too.
To be classified as safety defects, potholes must generally be wider than 15cm (6 inches) in diameter, or deeper than 4cm (1.5 inches) below the road surface. Hit one and you risk damage to your car’s tyre, wheel and suspension – and potentially the steering and bodywork, too.
This short guide explains how you can claim financial compensation for pothole damage, along with how to bolster that claim with the right evidence.
How can I claim for pothole damage?
If your car has been damaged by a pothole, it’s possible to claim compensation. The success of the claim will depend on whether the pothole has been reported. Councils cannot be considered liable for a road defect that they are unaware of.
The organisation you contact depends on the location and type of road. In all cases, you will need to be armed with the following information:
Details of the pothole damage
Why you think the organisation is responsible
The specific location where the damage took place. Include the road name and the nearest marker post number or feature
The date and time when the pothole damage was caused
Section 58 of the Highways Act 1980 provides local authorities with a statutory defence if they can prove reasonable care was taken to secure the road, and that the pothole wasn’t dangerous to traffic.
This means they may not be liable if they were unaware of the pothole, or it wasn’t picked up by their own system of maintenance. However, if somebody has previously reported the problem, you have good grounds to make a claim.
According to consumer group Which?, you should take the following steps when making a claim for pothole damage:
Collect evidence of pothole damage. Make a note of the precise location, take photos showing the depth of the pothole and damage to the car. Do not put yourself in danger when collecting evidence. Trespassing on a motorway is a criminal offence, so do not visit or try to photograph the location where your vehicle was damaged
Report the pothole to the relevant authority
Keep all receipts for repair work. If you haven’t fixed the damage yet, get a quote
Make a claim. Check the specific procedure for making a claim
Negotiate with the council. If you receive an offer, you may be able to negotiate
Appeal a rejected claim. Ask to see the details of the council’s road inspection reports. You can also use the small claims court to pursue a claim
Parking your car can be a stressful and expensive process. From actually finding a space, to squeezing between SUVs, to paying an extortionate hourly rate, it’s one of the least pleasant aspects of driving a car.
Fortunately, our quick guide helps take the pain out of car parking. We’ve included tips on booking ahead, less obvious alternatives and how to avoid taking your car altogether. Let’s begin with the basics.
Ask around
Finding somewhere to park your car could be a problem solved with a simple question to a friend, or a brief alert to your friends on Facebook.
Someone with local knowledge may know where to find the cheapest car park in town, where the on-street restrictions end or even have a driveway you could use.
Parkopedia
As its name suggests, Parkopedia is the Wikipedia of the parking world. The website covers 90 countries and more than 20,000 cities, giving you access to upwards of 90 million parking spaces.
It’s very simple: search for your desired location and Parkopedia displays a map of the car parks within the immediate vicinity. You can check out prices and opening hours, as well as any restrictions (such as supermarket car parks limited to customers only) or other points to note.
There’s a smartphone app as well, while some car parks offer the opportunity to book ahead. Whether you commute to work or are visiting a city for the first time, Parkopedia could save you enough money to pay for lunch.
Connected cars – the future of parking?
By sharing data with each other via the internet, connected cars offer a variety of ways to streamline your motoring life. Among other things, the technology can be used to help you find car parking spaces.
Being connected to other cars, means those cars can ‘tell’ your car when they are leaving a parking space. The car park ballet dance could become a thing of the past.
Book ahead
This is especially important if you intend to leave your car at an airport. Use the official Heathrow Airport website to book seven days of parking, for example, and the savings are significant.
Prices will vary depending on availability and how early you book, but you will usually benefit from booking in advance, even if it’s just earlier on the day of travel.
Long stay, not short stay
Sticking with airports, there are obvious benefits associated with short stay car parks. Take Heathrow Airport Terminal 5: it’s a 2-4 minute walk to the short stay car park, compared with a 5-7 minute bus ride to the long stay. And obviously you need to factor in waiting for a bus as well.
In some airports, it feels like the long stay car park is located in a different continent, so you might argue the convenience of being closer to the terminal outweighs the cost saving. However, the long stay option is always significantly cheaper – so allow extra time and you’ll save money.
Speaking of Heathrow, don’t forget the airport is now located inside the London Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) as well. This means some older cars will be liable for a £12.50 daily charge.
Use a price comparison website
There seems to be a price comparison website for just about everything these days, including airport parking. Holiday Extras is one of the biggest and the most established of these, and the discounts it offers can be significant.
The website claims you could save up to 70 percent versus the price you’d pay on the day. Holiday Extras also offers a best price guarantee, meaning it will refund the difference if you find the same airport parking cheaper elsewhere.
It’s important to do your homework, because not all price comparison sites are as reputable as the market leaders. It’s also worth remembering that, when it comes to car parks, cheaper doesn’t necessarily mean better.
Hotel package deals
If you’ve booked a room the night before your flight, ask if it’s possible to leave your car at the hotel for the duration of your trip. Some hotel operators offer a hotel and parking package deal, so check when you book.
This also applies to city centre breaks. Ask the receptionist if the hotel offers on-site parking, as this could save you money over the course of a long weekend. Some hotels will offer free parking on a first-come-first-served basis, while others charge a small fee. Check to see if the local pay and display car park is cheaper, though.
Park on the edge of the city
In basic terms, the closer you get to the city centre, the more expensive the cost of parking. You’ll also have to do battle with the inevitable congestion and fight for that single free parking bay.
Do yourself a favour and find a car park or street on the edge of the town or city. In some cases, the parking might be free, but it will almost certainly be cheaper. If you’re worried about the walk, take a bus into the city centre.
Park and ride
On that note, park and ride facilities are the ‘official’ version of hopping on a bus into the city. They also tend to work out cheaper than parking somewhere more central.
Using notoriously car-unfriendly Oxford as an example, you’ll pay £4 for an adult return ticket (or £5 for two adults and up to three children in the same car) from any of the five official park and ride sites.
Hire a driveway
When you think about it, this makes perfect sense. Unless you work at home, your driveway is likely to be empty during working hours, so why not invite somebody else to park there? You can also earn money as result.
There are a number of websites offering a search facility, including Your Parking Space, which includes well over 250,000 hourly, daily and monthly parking spaces across the country.
We searched for driveways for a Saturday visit to London. More than 2,300 results came back in a variety of locations, offering parking for 24 hours or more.
Booking is easy: you simply select your arrival and departure times, key in your details, pay online, and the website provides the full address of the space along with the contact details of the owner.
Buy an electric vehicle
Buying a new car to save money on parking seems a tad excessive, but driving an electric car will reduce the amount of cash you spend at car parks.–
Many car parks offer free parking while your EV is being recharged, while some allow you to park for free, regardless of whether you are charging or not. If you pay £2 per day to park at work, for example, you could save more than £400 a year by switching to an electric car.
Car park season ticket
If you park in the same car park on a daily basis, it might be worth buying a season ticket. National Car Parks (NCP) says a season ticket can save up to 70 percent on the cost of parking, with the added benefit of not having to search for loose change or go through the hassle of paying every day.
On a similar note, it can pay to be a member of the National Trust. Go on holiday for a week and you could spend a small fortune parking at some of the many National Trust car parks. Membership starts from £7.60 a month – a cost you could recoup on car park fees alone.
Use the correct change
Car park operators want to extract every last penny from your wallet and you’ll often see a ‘no change given’ notice on the pay and display machine. It’s a simple thing, but make sure you use the correct change.
Alternatively, pay by card or use one of the many parking apps, such as RingGo. This cashless solution allows you to pay via your smartphone and can provide an alert when your time is running out, so you don’t overstay.
Look for alternatives to the car
While we appreciate you won’t take the bus to that Swedish furniture store to collect a new wardrobe. Or cycle into town to pick up your weekly shopping. However, it’s worth asking yourself whether you really need to take the car.
Would it be cheaper to take the bus? Could you walk into town? Would it be easier to cycle into work? Could you share a car with somebody else and go halves on the cost of the car park?
Railway stations are also notoriously expensive places to park, so have you considered cycling to the station? Most stations offer cycle parking that is covered by CCTV.
Buy a car parking space
Sounds extravagant? That’s because it probably is. But parking is an expensive business, so you could consider buying a car park space for your exclusive use.
Eevn so, this is unlikely to be the cheapest option. Spaces in London can stretch into six figures – enough to buy yourself a house in some parts of the country.
Look for cashback options
To encourage people back into towns and city centres, some local authorities and business groups offer incentivised parking. In other words, while you still have to pay and display, the cost is refunded if you spend a certain amount in a participating shop.
Similarly, a supermarket situated in a town or city centre might offer a refund or free parking if you shop in store. As one supermarket might say, every little helps…
Don’t park in a hurry
If you’ve followed all the advice above, you’ll never have to park in a hurry again. But if you’re forced into a corner, either through lateness or a lack of planning, you’ll choose the wrong and often most expensive car park.
A little forward planning goes a long way, and could save you time and money overall. Good luck!
The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning for heavy winds across Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland as Storm Éowyn heads to the UK.
The strong winds and heavy rain will inevitably make driving more hazardous, and widespread travel disruption is expected. It therefore makes sense to delay your journey if you can.
If you do need to travel, please read the following advice to stay safe when driving in windy and stormy conditions.
Stay safe in strong winds
So you’re on the road, and it’s getting gusty outside. What can you do to remain as safe as possible while driving? Here are some actionable tips:
Slow down. The faster you drive, the more difficult it becomes to maintain control in crosswinds. Take particular care if you are driving a high-sided vehicle, or towing a trailer or caravan.
Hold on tight. Keep both hands on the wheel and be prepared for sudden gusts of wind.
Allow space. Give cyclists and motorcyclists extra room when overtaking.
Be prepared. Ready yourself for stronger winds and sudden gusts when driving in exposed areas, such as hilltops or bridges.
Keep your distance. Give high-sided vehicles and caravans a particularly wide berth.
Avoid towing. Leave your trailer, caravan or horsebox at home if possible.
Avoid using a roof box. These can also increase a car’s susceptibility to crosswinds.
Look out for debris. Scan the road ahead, especially after blind bends. Also look out for low-hanging branches, particularly at night when they might not be picked up by your headlights.
Park away from trees. It’s also worth keeping your distance from telephone lines, power lines and buildings.
Expect delays.Speed restrictions and bridge closures are likely in strong winds. You might need to change your route, so leave extra time for your journey.
Listen to the weather forecast. Remember, it’s often better to delay your journey if possible.
Keep an eye on traffic updates. You can access these via local radio, social media or your sat-nav system.
With wind comesrain. Make sure your wipers, lights and tyres are up to the job.
Be prepared for windy conditions
‘Strong wind can occur just about anywhere, but it can be more common in wide open spaces, says GEM Motoring Assist. ‘Areas for concern also include bridges, exposed stretches of road and cuttings where roads pass through hilly areas. These locations can act as funnels for wind.
‘Expect strong gusts, keep an eye on any large trucks or vehicles towing trailers near you, as their drivers may have difficulty staying in their lane. Be particularly careful around pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, who may all be affected by strong winds.
‘Heavy rain makes driving hazardous. So please slow down and turn your lights on to ensure you can see more clearly, and so that other vehicles can see you. Do not rely on automatic headlights. Give other vehicles more space, and double the distance between you and the vehicle in front, so you have more time to react and stop safely if you need to.’
A shocking 10 percent of UK motorists do not have an up-to-date service record for their car, new research has revealed.
Breakdown recovery service Green Flag has discovered that 1.3 million drivers have skipped scheduled servicing on their vehicle.
In addition, five percent of drivers – equivalent to around 690,000 motorists in the UK – don’t even know when their car is next due a service.
Given there are 34 million cars on the UK’s roads, this means up to two million vehicles are potentially being driven without a recent service.
Cutting corners on servicing
As part of Green Flag’s survey, a number of key reasons were identified for why drivers don’t keep up with their car’s servicing schedule.
Exactly a third (33 percent) of those asked claimed they simply could not afford to pay for servicing their car.
A quarter (25 percent) of respondents said they believed their car was running fine, so it did not need to be serviced.
Other reasons included 13 percent who said they did not have time, while 12 percent were concerned about finding a reliable garage to service their car. And 10 percent of motorists did not realise there even was a schedule for maintaining their car.
An easily avoided situation
The impact of skipping a service can be substantial. Green Flag found that almost three quarters (73 percent) of drivers purchased their current car with a complete maintenance record.
A considerable 40 percent said a full service history was the single most important factor in their choice of vehicle to purchase.
Katie Lomas, managing director at Green Flag, commented: “To see such a large number of vehicles on the road without being serviced recently is concerning for both drivers and other road users. It can increase the likelihood of breakdowns and accidents, which could be easily avoided by getting it regularly checked by a professional.
“Ensuring your vehicle is kept fully serviced is important for several reasons. Primarily for safety and peace of mind while driving, but also potentially reducing running costs and the likelihood of either a breakdown or experiencing further issues in the long run. Servicing helps to identify problems with a vehicle early and therefore helps to prolong the lifespan of your car.”
Can you name all the warning lights pictured above? A survey of 2,000 car owners by Warrantywise uncovered that 46 percent of motorists couldn’t identify even half of the warning lights on their car’s dashboard. Extrapolated to the whole UK, that adds up to 23 million drivers…
More worrying still, the Warrantywise poll revealed that three percent of drivers – a mildly terrifying 1.5 million people – could not identify any warning lights correctly at all.
Warning lights are there to alert you if your car’s mechanical or electronic systems aren’t working properly. As such, understanding them could potentially prevent an accident. Many can also result in an MOT test failure if illuminated.
Warning lights can be split into three categories. Red usually means a serious problem, orange or yellow is advisory and blue or green cover everything else. Generally speaking, whether it’s a single light, or your car dashboard is lit up like a shop window at Christmas time, you should address the issue quickly.
This is an overview of dashboard warning lights and what they mean. For more detail, you may need to consult your car’s handbook.Let’s prioritise the red-light issues first – as you should when you see them.
Battery
A red warning light in the shape of a square car battery with positive and negative terminals indicates an issue with charging the battery.
This could be a problem with the battery itself, or the alternator or alternator belt. If the battery is failing to charge, you may be unable to start the car (without using jump leads or a bump-start).
Brakes
A brake warning light could be triggered by something as simple as the handbrake being left on.
If the light doesn’t turn off when you disengage the handbrake, open the bonnet to check the brake fluid level. Or ask a mechanic to investigate further.
Low oil pressure
A light that looks like an oil can signifies low oil pressure. You should not drive with this light illuminated, as you could cause serious damage to the engine.
Turn the engine off, open the bonnet and check the oil level using the dipstick – it may need topping up. Seek assistance if the light stays on.
Seat belt
A light showing a person sitting with a seat belt across their chest warns you that someone in the car is not wearing their seat belt.
If you don’t wear a seat belt and you haven’t got a valid reason, you could be hit with a £100 on-the-spot fine. The driver is also responsible for any children aged 14 or younger not wearing their belts.
Coolant temperature
You should keep an eye on your car’s temperature gauge to identify any issues with its cooling system, but some cars also have a temperature warning light. This looks like a thermometer with wavy lines and indicates when the engine gets too hot.
Like the oil pressure warning light, you should stop and turn off the car to let it cool down – or risk damage to the engine.
Airbag
A light showing a person with a circle in front of them suggests there is a fault with one of the car’s airbags.
Investigate it as soon as convenient – a faulty airbag could compromise driver or passenger safety in the event of an accident.
Door open
This one is pretty self-explanatory. It could be one of the doors, the boot or the bonnet that is open, depending on the symbol shown.
If you see this light while driving, pull over safely and make sure the relevant opening is closed.
Washer fluid
Let’s now move onto orange or yellow lights, which signify advice rather than an urgent issue.
A shortage of washer fluid can trigger a warning light on some cars. Simply top up the washer fluid reservoir to turn the light off.
Traction control
Occasionally you might see this light appear for a brief moment while driving. Most likely to illuminate in wet or slippery conditions, the traction or stability control light means the car is having to brake a wheel or cut power to prevent wheelspin or skidding.
Driving more cautiously, with the road and weather conditions in mind, should prevent it from appearing again. If the light stays illuminated, it may indicate a problem with the car’s traction or stability systems.
ABS
The ABS light is most likely to come on during hard braking. This is when the anti-lock braking system is triggered. During rapid deceleration, the system will modulate the brakes to prevent the wheels locking up and causing a skid.
As with traction control, if this activates on the road, try to adapt your driving – making it slower and smoother – to prevent the light reappearing.
Engine management
The engine management or ‘check engine’ light could mean a wide range of things, from an open fuel filler cap to a serious engine problem.
You will probably need to plug a diagnostics reader into your car to establish exactly what the issue is here.
Tyre pressure
If you car is fitted with a TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System), you may see this light when one or more of the tyres is under-inflated – possibly due to a puncture.
An under-inflated tyre will wear more quickly, lead to higher fuel consumption and cause the steering to feel sluggish. It may also make the car dangerous to drive.
If the TPMS light flashes for a minute or so when you start the car and then stays on, this means the system isn’t working properly. Get it checked at a garage as soon as you can.
Catalytic converter
A catalytic converter uses chemical reactions to break down harmful gases in your car’s exhaust system. This light means it is overheating or not functioning correctly.
You can continue driving with this light illuminated, but you should have the issue investigated promptly. If not, you risk further damage to the ‘cat’ – and a potentially bigger bill.
Service warning
The exact appearance of this warning light may vary, but it’s there to warn you that your car is due a service.
The service schedule will be detailed in the handbook, and you should follow it closely to keep your car safe and preserve its future value. Many modern cars will actually give you a mileage countdown until the next service is due.
Lane assist
If your car is fitted with lane assist – to nudge you back into lane if your car starts to drift on the motorway – a light might display to show it’s enabled.
Lane assist is increasingly common on modern cars, but some drivers choose to switch it off.
Cruise control
Many cars are now fitted with cruise control, which helps to maintain a steady speed – and keep you within speed limits. Some systems use radar to maintain a set distance from the car in front, too.
A light showing a car’s speedometer with an arrow pointing at it might display when the cruise control is turned on.
Glow plugs
If you drive a diesel-engined car, a glow plug light might display when you first turn the key. This means the glow plugs are warming up and the ignition shouldn’t be turned on until the light goes out.
If the light flashes, it suggests a problem with the glow plugs.
Bulb failure
Some cars will display a warning light when they detect a failed bulb in one of the exterior lights. Replace the bulb to extinguish the light and ensure your car is road-legal.
DPF
If you drive a modern diesel car, it might display a DPF light when the diesel particulate filter becomes blocked.
This is most likely to happen if you drive lots of short journeys at low speeds. Allow it to regenerate by going for a long-ish motorway journey.
Indicators
Now for the green and blue lights, starting with an obvious one.
When you turn your indicators or hazard lights on, left or right arrows will display on the dashboard to show which way you are indicating.
Main beamheadlights
When you have got main beam engaged for driving in darkness, a blue light like the one pictured above will display on your dashboard.
You should make sure you dip your headlights when there are other cars about to prevent oncoming drivers being dazzled.
Fog lights
A curved ‘D’ shape next to wavy lines will indicate that your car’s front or rear fog lights are turned on.
These should only be used when visibility drops below 100 metres, as they can dazzle other drivers. They are not a substitute for headlights.
Stop/start
A curved arrow symbol usually relates to the stop/start system. Depending on the car, it could mean the system is activated, allowing the engine to turn off when the car is stopped to save fuel, or simply that stop/start is turned off.
It may also mean there’s an issue with the stop/start system. Consult your owner’s manual if unsure.
One of the recognised barriers for making the switch to electric car ownership is ‘range anxiety’ about how far an EV can travel on a single charge.
However, Volkswagen believes such worries could be a thing of the past – at least for drivers of its new ID.7 Pro S.
In tests conducted at the Nardo Ring test track in southern Italy, the ID.7 Pro S was able to run for 584.7 miles (941 kilometres) without recharging – enough for even the longest one-day journey.
Going the distance
Despite cold weather having an impact on lithium-ion battery performance, Volkswagen conducted its range experiment in December. However, being in Italy did mean temperatures that ranged from 5-15 degrees C.
Instead of using Nardo’s famous high-speed banked bowl, Volkswagen engineers drove the ID.7 Pro S on the 7.7-mile Low Speed Ring. This allows for average rush-hour speeds, ranging between 14mph and 19mph.
The 86kWh battery in the ID.7 Pro S was fully charged before the test. It is compatible with rapid charging devices, allowing charge speeds of up to 200kW.
With an average efficiency of 6.75 miles per kWh during the test run, this led to a distance of 584.7 miles. For comparison, this equates to more than 280mpg in an internal combustion-powered car.
An EV for company car drivers
The result means the ID.7 Pro S beat its own official WLTP-tested battery range of 441 miles by almost a third (32.7 percent).
According to Volkswagen, the potential loss of range anxiety has already translated into customer enquires about the ID.7 fastback and estate.
Martin Sander, member of the board at Volkswagen, said: “We are seeing a positive trend in incoming orders in Europe and are currently selling more ID.7 models than Passat.
“This shows that the ID.7 is a meaningful all-electric addition to the brand’s product portfolio and, in addition to our successful Passat, is also suitable for long-distance drivers and as a company car.”
Wrapping has become popular in recent years as a temporary way to change the colour and appearance of your car.
It’s less labour-intensive than a respray with paint, and thus much cheaper. As an added benefit, the carefully-cut plastic wrap also protects the existing paint underneath.
However, your car insurance could be void if the vehicle has been wrapped and you don’t declare it. That’s because, like any change made to a car after its first registration, a wrap is classed as a modification – and all modifications must be declared when taking out an insurance policy.
More visibility, more cost
Companies have had their vans or business vehicles wrapped in corporate colours for years. However, those who wrap private cars – such as Yianni Charalambous, star of the Yianni: Supercar Customiser TV show, previously broadcast on BBC Three – have now shot to success.
A wrap doesn’t increase the performance of your car, and it shouldn’t inhibit the safety systems. So why the declaration? Well, it could be problematic for security. Covering your car in a lurid colour or pattern makes it stand out to friends and onlookers, but also makes it more visible to thieves.
According to Jardine Motors Group, a wrap could raise your insurance premium by 15 percent. And some companies won’t actually cover you, meaning you will have to consult a specialist.
Notify the DVLA about a wrap
“We find a lot of [insurance] companies don’t even know what a wrap is, but there are specialist ones out there,” said Duncan Richards, spokesperson for Autoshine and Tinting.
“We’ve had customers say: ‘My current insurer won’t insure it, they’ve cancelled my policy’. We’ve also had others who haven’t charged extra, so each insurance company is different.”
As well as the declaration to your insurance company, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) also needs to be made aware. As a wrap is often a full colour change, the car’s V5C registration document must also be updated to match.
American tuning company Hennessey has a long history of producing extreme hypercars and modified SUVs.
Now, the Texas-based outfit has moved into the tactical vehicle sector, establishing a new division called Hennessey Defense Systems.
Ahead of its debut at the Las Vegas SHOT Show, the company has released details of its first military vehicle: the wild-looking Warhawk.
Based on the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon pick-up truck, the Warhawk is said to be ‘lighter and faster’ than similar options in the tactical vehicle market.
Gladiator: ready!
The Warhawk has a relatively mild engine – by Hennessey standards, at least. Its 285hp 3.6-litre ‘Rubicon’ V6 is combined with a permanent all-wheel-drive system.
The Warhawk can carry payloads of up to 544kg, and tow trailers weighing more than 2,040kg.
Hennessey has developed the Warhawk to offer modular construction options. This means it can be adapted for special forces and police SWAT use, or converted to carry supplies and medical equipment.
Potential upgrades include armoured shields for the drivetrain and off-road run-flat tyres, plus mounting points on the bodywork for weapons or other equipment.
First-strike capability
Hennessey can convert the Warhawk to run on diesel, or alternatively on kerosene-based fuels. A steel front bumper with an integrated winch and extra power outlets is available, too.
John Hennessey, company founder and CEO, said: “We are excited to unveil Warhawk at the 2025 SHOT Show. Warhawk’s design is strongly influenced by experienced war fighters and their desire to have a fast, reliable and versatile first-strike vehicle that is easy to operate and service in some of the world’s harshest environments.
“We are honoured to take our decades of experience from building some of the world’s fastest vehicles and applying our know-how to the defence sector.”
Ahead of the Warhawk’s public debut, Hennessey has already garnered interest from both military and private customers. Orders for the production vehicle are open now.
