Automobile News Online

  • New Ford Transit City electric van is coming to deliver your parcels

    New Ford Transit City electric van is coming to deliver your parcels


    Ford has revealed a new addition to its Transit line-up in the shape of the Ford Transit City, an all-electric, Chinese-built van that’s designed to fill a specific niche for an urban delivery vehicle with a no-nonsense spec and enough range to take on a day’s work around town.

    Built in conjunction with Ford’s Chinese partner Jianling, the Transit City is based on a unique platform that isn’t shared with any other model in Ford’s European line-up, although a Jianling variant is already available in China. The Transit City features a 56kWh battery, and while that sounds small, Ford’s range target of around 160 miles should be enough for the kind of users that the company is targeting with its newcomer. According to Ford’s own data, the average daily distance covered by existing electric van users is less than 70 miles, so the Transit City should be more than capable of delivering in that regard.

    Power comes from a 148bhp electric motor that drives the front wheels, while the overall look is clean, with a smooth front end and aerodynamic wheel trims. There will be three bodystyles on offer: an L1H1 panel van, a larger L2H2 variant plus a chassis cab, which is a first for a medium-sized Ford van. The latter will be targeted at municipal authorities and those needing a more flexible arrangement, and there will be tipper and Luton-style conversions available from existing suppliers.

    For the L1H1 van, there’s a payload of 1,085kg and floor space for three Euro pallets, while the L2H2 version can carry up to 1,275kg and has a cargo volume of 8.5 cubic metres with three metres of load length on offer. At the moment there are no plans to expand the line-up beyond the launch versions, so don’t expect a passenger or taxi variant any time soon.

    Advertisement – Article continues below



    Source link

  • Tesla small SUV to rival BYD Atto 2 back in development – report

    Tesla small SUV to rival BYD Atto 2 back in development – report


    Tesla appears to have backflipped on its plans to scrap a smaller, more affordable model with human controls, a new report suggests.

    On-again, off-again plans for a smaller Tesla electric car to rival BYD and Kia are back on the cards, a new report has claimed.

    News agency Reuters cites Tesla insiders as claiming work is underway on a smaller and cheaper electric SUV measuring 4.28 metres long, placing it in the same category as the Kia EV3, BYD Atto 2 and Jaecoo J5.

    Work is at an “early development stage,” Reuters reports, but it is said to be its own model rather than a variant of the Model 3 or Model Y, using a single electric motor and weighing 1500kg, about 400kg to 500kg less than the current Model Y.

    Sources cited by Reuters claim the new small Tesla would be sold at a “significantly lower” price than today’s Model 3 sedan, which is priced from $54,900 plus on-road costs in Australia.

    To save cost, the battery would be smaller, for a shorter all-electric driving range than the 513km currently claimed for the base Model 3.

    Tesla’s new compact SUV is likely to be produced in China, Reuters claims, with talks to expand production to the US and Europe.

    The Reuters report is the latest in years of rumours claiming Tesla has considered – and partially developed – a smaller and more affordable electric vehicle than its current offerings.

    Plans for a version of the Cybercab autonomous taxi with a steering wheel and pedals were reportedly underway until chief executive officer Elon Musk scrapped them in early 2024 to focus on the driverless version.

    There is a chance the small SUV may be offered only as an autonomous vehicle, but the report claims Tesla “now aims to build models that would be driverless but offer a human-driven option,” citing sources.

    Those close to the project also told Reuters that the smaller affordable EV is in its early development stage, but has not yet been confirmed by the brand or given a timeline.

    Release timing for Tesla’s smaller and more affordable EV is unknown – if the report is accurate – but it may not surface until 2027 or 2028, given the stage of development.

    In the meantime, Tesla has focused its attention on entry-level, stripped-back Standard versions of the Model 3 and Model Y, which are yet to be confirmed for Australia.

    The post Tesla small SUV to rival BYD Atto 2 back in development – report appeared first on Drive.



    Source link

  • BYD Flash Charging network for the UK: blistering 1,500kW speeds due for big demo

    BYD Flash Charging network for the UK: blistering 1,500kW speeds due for big demo


    That’s hardly surprising considering BYD has been making batteries for 30 years, but the latest packs will help make its rapid chargers quicker and less expensive to install. “The challenge is upgrading your power supply, because we need to deliver one megawatt,” Ge explained.

    “For example, our office here only comes with a 250 kilowatt power supply. If you want to deliver one megawatt, you have to upgrade the power grid, which probably would take us at least 12 months. Very likely 18 months to 24 months. That’s something we don’t want. 

    Advertisement – Article continues below

    “I think our solution will be to get batteries in between to store the energy needed. That way you don’t need to upgrade your power supply and can install the charger much more swiftly. That will also make the cost reasonable.”

    Ge added that for Flash Chargers “you only need to give us a space for a parking bay that’s already good for the charger and energy storage together. We’ll have a low input, but you’ll get a megawatt output”.

    Being able to install its chargers faster and being cheaper than the competition will enable BYD to charge customers less to use them. “If we set up these things, we don’t need to charge them 89p per kWh, we’ll probably only charge them 60p,” Ge added.



    Source link

  • Ford F-150 Lightning Australian owners thrown a lifeline with recall deadlock

    Ford F-150 Lightning Australian owners thrown a lifeline with recall deadlock


    A rival business has offered to fix 146 Ford F-150 Lightning EVs with faulty charging systems limited to slow overnight charges, after the company responsible for importing them to Australia collapsed.

    Image: AUSEV via Facebook.

    A rival right-hand-drive conversion firm will rescue owners of recalled Ford F-150 Lightning electric pick-ups sold in Australia by a company that went bust last month.

    However, customers may be left out of pocket for the repairs, as it has been cautioned that the company that has offered to perform them “did not design or modify” the electric pick-ups for sale in the first place.

    AusEV, the Queensland-based business importing F-150 Lightning into Australia for conversion from left- to right-hand drive – and sale to the public – went into receivership on 17 March after Ford pulled the plug on the electric pick-up in the US.

    MORE: Ford F-150 Lightning remanufacturer AusEV goes under

    The conversion and distribution of the electric pick-ups was unrelated to ‘remanufactured’ petrol-powered F-150s sold in official showrooms by Ford Australia, and did not have the backing of the US car giant’s five-year factory warranty.

    Days after AusEV went under, a recall notice was posted to the Department of Infrastructure website for a fault with 146 F-150 Lightnings’ DC fast-charging system, which could cause the pins in the plug to burn owners if touched shortly after charging is stopped.

    Owners were directed to AusEV’s no-longer-functioning website, and phone numbers and email addresses available for the company on the Internet went to voicemail and bounced back, respectively.

    In the meantime, owners were directed to only charge their vehicles on AC power – something that, on a household power outlet, could take up to four days to complete.

    Image: Performax via Facebook.

    On 30 March, the recall notice – originally published 24 March – was updated to direct customers to Performax, another Queensland-based firm which independently converts US pick-ups to right-hand drive.

    However, the updated recall notice says Performax “did not design or modify these vehicles or supply them to the Australian market.

    “In the interests of public safety Performax has offered their services to rectify vehicles affected by this recall. A cost may be incurred for these repairs.”

    It urges owners of affected vehicles to contact the firm to schedule an appointment to have their vehicle inspected, and rectification carried out, by emailing warranty@performax.com.au.

    Date of recall notice 24 March 2026
    Make Ford
    Model F-150 Lightning
    Year 2022 – 2025
    Vehicles affected 146
    VIN list Click here to download the list of affected VINs
    Contact link Click here to contact the manufacturer

    The recall notice, lodged with the Department of Infrastructure, says in relation to the fault: “Vehicles that are fitted with a Combined Charging System (CCS2) charge port may experience increased electrical resistance during high-power Direct Current (DC) fast charging causing the internal charging pins to overheat.

    “Please avoid charging the vehicle using DC fast chargers. Use AC (Alternating Current) charging instead.

    “If a person makes direct contact with the overheated charge port pins immediately after a charging session, there is a risk of burns or serious injury.”

    A full list of vehicle identification numbers for the 146 vehicles involved in the recall can be found here.

    The post Ford F-150 Lightning Australian owners thrown a lifeline with recall deadlock appeared first on Drive.



    Source link

  • Threat of pay-per-mile tax is putting half of motorists off buying an EV

    Threat of pay-per-mile tax is putting half of motorists off buying an EV


    Speaking of which, the relatively low prices of some used EV models that have lost a lot of value since they were bought new doesn’t seem to be attracting buyers. Just three per cent of those surveyed by the AA said they would be confident to buy a used EV. These low prices in combination with a lack of consumer interest could eventually make new EVs more expensive if the uncertainty in the market forces fleet companies and manufacturers to charge more for finance and leasing.

    “Lower prices may be good news for motorists looking for a bargain, but if values fall too quickly it becomes unsustainable for fleets and manufacturers who buy most new electric cars in the first place,” King explained.

    Nevertheless, the AA’s Readiness Index rates the current UK market at 53.8 out of 100 – five per cent more than at the end of 2025. This is calculated by not only looking at overall consumer sentiment, but also price parity with petrol and diesel cars and availability of charging; for example, the UK’s network of 118,321 public chargers is less than half of the 300,000 total targeted for 2030.

    “Our AA UK EV Readiness Index shows that conditions for switching to electric cars are improving, with cheaper used EVs opening the door for more drivers. But the reality is that the transition remains fragile,” warned King.

    “To keep momentum going we need clearer long-term policy signals and better information for drivers so they can make an informed choice when or whether to switch.”

    Auto Express has approached the Department for Transport for comment.



    Source link

  • Kia confirms left-field BYD Shark 6 rival, but Australia can’t have it

    Kia confirms left-field BYD Shark 6 rival, but Australia can’t have it


    Alex Misoyannis

    Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020.

    Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family.

    Highly Commended – Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30)
    Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner
    Scoop of The Year – 2024 Winner

    Read more about Alex MisoyannisLinkIcon



    Source link

  • Gov watchdog watching fuel prices closely as Iran war effects supply

    Gov watchdog watching fuel prices closely as Iran war effects supply


    The Government’s Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) has stepped up its monitoring of UK fuel vendors to avoid excess price increases. This action plan has been driven by rising fuel prices in the wake of the U.S. war in Iran, with fuel topping $100USD a barrel for the first time since 2022. 

    Advertisement – Article continues below

    The action plan will formally require retailers to provide fuel cost and sales data to give the authority the ability to review fuel profit margins being made by businesses from the point the conflict began, and as it continues. 

    Juliette Enser, CMA Executive Director for Markets, said: “Whilst price increases might be inevitable because of rising wholesale costs, it is important that those increases reflect genuine cost pressures. We will be closely scrutinising and reporting on what’s happening with fuel prices and call out any concerning behaviour.”

    In a statement released by the CMA, it said: “the CMA will also consider how quickly fuel prices rise and fall as wholesale costs change, and whether there is evidence of so-called “rocket and feather” pricing.” This should go some way to stop price gouging by fuel stations, who could raise the cost per litre to achieve a higher profit margin using the rise in wholesale prices as an excuse. 

    Commenting on the meeting between the Chancellor and Energy Secretary taking place today (13 March), regarding the ongoing concerns of fuel retailers, Edmund King, AA president, said; “The acceleration of the Government Fuel Finder is welcome and will help drivers to find the best deals where they live.

    “However, as the conflict in the Middle East continues, the global increase in oil prices will hurt inflation, particularly with the diesel price hikes. As most goods and services are delivered by diesel vehicles, this will lead to price rises which the consumer will be stung with.

    “We strongly encourage the Chancellor to delay the staggered reintroduction of the 5p fuel duty discount in order to offer some breathing space for hard pressed households.”

    Did you know you can sell your car through Auto Express? We’ll help you get a great price and find a great deal on a new car, too.



    Source link

  • Mercedes-Benz to debut steer-by-wire tech in updated EQS

    Mercedes-Benz to debut steer-by-wire tech in updated EQS


    Steer-by-wire technology that deletes the physical connection between the steering wheel and the tyres – as used in Tesla and Lexus vehicles – is coming to Mercedes-Benz’s new luxury limousine.

    Mercedes-Benz will become the first German car manufacturer to offer a production vehicle with steer-by-wire technology, when it is introduced with the updated EQS electric sedan due to be revealed within days.

    Steer-by-wire replaces the traditional mechanical steering column with a digital signal path between the steering wheel and the front axle.

    It allows for a variable steering ratio that adjusts based on driving speed and conditions, reducing the physical effort required for maneuvering and parking.

    The new EQS, which is set to premiere globally on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, will launch the digital steering system across all variants of the model, with Mercedes-Benz to retain conventional electromechanical steering as an alternative.

    MORE: 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLS revealed, due in Australia next year

    Steer-by-wire technology – offered in the Lexus RZ and Tesla Cybertruck, among other cars – eliminates mechanical vibrations from uneven road surfaces while maintaining a simulated steering feel based on calculated tyre and road contact.

    This digital architecture enables a more compact steering wheel design, called a ‘yoke’, with a variable ratio that reaches 4:1 at low speeds, compared to 14:1 in the standard model.

    This allows for full directional control and U-turns without the driver needing to adjust their grip or perform hand-over-hand manoeuvres.

    Removing the steering column also has the potential to provide significant packaging advantages for the vehicle, creating additional space in the front of the car for other components or, in an electric car without an engine, storage. 

    MORE: 2027 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class revealed with even more luxury, same V12 power

    “The packaging advantage is huge,” noted a development lead during a preview of the EQS and steer-by-wire tech attended by Drive in March.

    “Getting rid of a steering column means you have more space for whatever you have there on the front, regardless of whether it’s a frunk, a battery, or a combustion engine.”

    To maintain safety standards with the new steering wheel shape, Mercedes-Benz developed a specialised airbag architecture that uses internal supports to control the deployment shape without relying on a traditional wheel’s rim.

    The system is built with redundancies, with two fallback levels and separate signal paths to ensure steering capability always remains functional, even if there is an electrical fault with the vehicle.

    MORE: 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLC EQ electric SUV on track for Australia within 2026

    In the event of a significant system failure, the vehicle maintains lateral control through a combination of the 10-degree rear-axle steering and wheel-specific braking interventions via the electronic stability program. 

    Mercedes-Benz claims the technology has undergone over one million kilometres of testing on tracks and public roads to ensure it meets existing safety requirements for heavy luxury vehicles.

    The full story, plus video of Drive testing of the system, will be available following the EQS sedan’s world debut on 14 April.

    The post Mercedes-Benz to debut steer-by-wire tech in updated EQS appeared first on Drive.



    Source link

  • Car Deal of the Day: an Audi Q5 for £391 a month will make you talk of the town

    Car Deal of the Day: an Audi Q5 for £391 a month will make you talk of the town


    • Classy looks; well equipped
    • Fuel-efficient 2.0-litre diesel 
    • Only £391.24 a month

    If the idea of a Genesis GV70 seems a little too leftfield when it comes to choosing a premium mid-sized SUV, then how about the more conventionally upmarket Audi Q5?

    Through the Auto Express Buy A Car service, Select Car Leasing is offering the Q5 for just £391.24 a month at the moment, only a few pounds more than the Genesis GV70 deal we featured earlier this week. 

    Advertisement – Article continues below

    You need to stump up a pretty hefty £5,048.88 as a 12-month initial payment, but that’s what’s required for rock-bottom monthlies. However, you can knock this down to a nine-month initial payment, which comes to a more palatable £4,224.63, and only sees the monthly outlay rise to £430. 

    Mileage, for the 12-month initial payment, is capped at 5,000 a year, which could be a bit limiting for some. That’s why we’d fork out another £7.82 a month and raise the annual limit to 8,000. Nudging up the limit is a particularly good idea because this deal gets you the frugal diesel, so having more scope to go further makes a lot of sense, as it’s a real mile-muncher. 

    The diesel in question is 2.0-litre TDI, the default choice for a car like this a few years ago, as it’s a very smooth performer. There’s around 200bhp on tap and fuel economy is rated at over 47mpg. 

    This deal gets you the Q5 in Sport trim, which is the entry-rung model, but the Audi is very well-equipped. Sport bags you 19-inch alloys, adaptive cruise control, four-zone climate control, front sports seats and a large touchscreen with smartphone connectivity.

    Audi Q5 - dashboard

    The Car Deal of the Day selections we make are taken from our own Auto Express Buy A Car deals service, which includes the best current offers from car dealers and leasing companies around the UK. 

    Terms and conditions apply, while prices and offers are subject to change and limited availability. If this deal expires, you can find more top Audi Q5 leasing offers from leading providers on our Audi Q5 page.

    Check out the Audi Q5 deal or take a look at our previous Car Deal of the Day selection here…



    Source link

  • 2027 Audi RS3 to end production for Europe next year

    2027 Audi RS3 to end production for Europe next year


    The last Audi five-cylinder engine, and the car that keeps it alive, are set to be discontinued by mid-2027 for Europe – but plans for Australia are unclear.

    Production of the Audi RS3 hot-hatch is due to end in mid-2027, the brand has confirmed, as its turbocharged five-cylinder engine will not meet the next wave of European emissions standards.

    It is yet to be confirmed if it will live on in Australia, as it is planned to in the US and other countries with less stringent emissions laws.

    Audi will axe the engine and the car it powers in European markets, as updating the five-cylinder to meet Euro 7 would require costly hardware changes.

    Audi global CEO Gernot Dollner told Drive in September of last year that: “No, right now the five-cylinder will probably end with Euro 7.”

    The five-cylinder engine has been a signature of the brand since the 1970s, debuting in the Audi 100, but it rose to fame through Group B rally success of the 1980s in the Audi Quattro.

    It currently powers the RS3 sedan and hatch performance models, where, in its most recent form, it produces a claimed 294kW/500Nm.

    It is also available in the Cupra Formentor VZ5, a limited edition with a detuned version of the RS3’s engine.

    The new Euro 7 emissions regulations will apply to newly introduced vehicles from November 2026 and all new cars on sale beginning in November 2027.

    The RS3 is the final Audi model still with a five-cylinder, following the RS Q3, which closed orders in late 2025, along with the TT RS being discontinued in 2023.

    When production ends, five-cylinder engines in production cars in Australia will be no more, following the demise of the 3.2-litre diesel Ford Ranger and Mazda BT-50 utes locally, and Volvo’s five-cylinder engine offered until 2018.

    The model on which the RS3 is based, the A3, is set to continue production until at least 2030, when it is expected to be replaced by an electric car.

    The post 2027 Audi RS3 to end production for Europe next year appeared first on Drive.



    Source link