Latest news with #simonthompson
Scottish Sun
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
New CarPlay Ultra transforms your dash – and ditches the tech that drives us mad
Read on to find the features you'll love with the new system ULTRA COOL New CarPlay Ultra transforms your dash – and ditches the tech that drives us mad Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SOMETHING a bit different. It's not a car review. It's a world-first look at Apple CarPlay Ultra. Most of you with a newish car will hook up your iPhone and use the central touchscreen for music and maps. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Apple's first motoring collab is with Aston Martin – but expect CarPlay Ultra in more motors soon Credit: simon thompson 3 It's all very slick. All very easy. All very Apple. No handbook required Credit: simon thompson 3 There's some cool updates on the central touchscreen too Credit: simon thompson CarPlay Ultra allows you to use two screens. So you can have Waze or Apple Maps filling the driver's display in front of you. Finally. Apple's first collab is actually with Aston Martin but you can guarantee CarPlay Ultra will be popping up in other motors in the near future. There's some cool updates on the central touchscreen too. Swipe right for an Apple Watch-style dashboard with up/down toggles for weather, clock, calendar and more. There's a simple button to deactivate the bloody annoying driving assistance tech. We like that too. Plus, car-specific buttons for hill descent control and noisy exhaust mode. Radio station favourites are linked to your device. So when you're driving you've got talkSPORT and when your partner's at the wheel they've got Magic FM. Or vice versa. It's all very slick. All very easy. All very Apple. No handbook required. The funny thing is, when the DBX arrived in 2020 it didn't even have a touchscreen. Now it's top of the class. Dreamy lines. V8 engine. Cutting-edge tech. Aston Martin is on it.
The Irish Sun
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
New CarPlay Ultra transforms your dash – and ditches the tech that drives us mad
SOMETHING a bit different. It's not a car review. It's a world-first look at Apple CarPlay Ultra. Most of you with a newish car will hook up your iPhone and use the central touchscreen for music and maps. Advertisement 3 Apple's first motoring collab is with Aston Martin – but expect CarPlay Ultra in more motors soon Credit: simon thompson 3 It's all very slick. All very easy. All very Apple. No handbook required Credit: simon thompson 3 There's some cool updates on the central touchscreen too Credit: simon thompson CarPlay Ultra allows you to use two screens. So you can have Waze or Finally. Apple's first collab is actually with Aston Martin but you can guarantee future . There's some cool updates on the central touchscreen too. Advertisement READ MORE MOTORS NEWS Swipe right for an Apple Watch-style dashboard with up/down toggles for weather, clock, calendar and more. There's a simple button to deactivate the bloody annoying driving assistance tech. We like that too. Plus, car-specific buttons for hill descent control and noisy exhaust mode. Radio station favourites are linked to your device. So when you're driving you've got talkSPORT and when your partner's at the wheel they've got Magic FM. Or vice versa. Advertisement Most read in Motors It's all very slick. All very easy. All very Apple. No handbook required. The funny thing is, when the DBX arrived in 2020 it didn't even have a touchscreen. Now it's top of the class. Dreamy lines. V8 engine. Cutting-edge tech. Aston Martin is on it. Apples's big announcements from WWDC with a flurry new features for the gadgets you already own
The Irish Sun
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
New Tesla Model Y is a more chiselled, quieter version of mega-seller… it moves the game on for a tech-rich family motor
I'M struggling to keep up with Elon Musk and his on/ off bromance with Donald Trump. Are they buddies again? Advertisement 6 The world's best-selling car was fugly… but two years on, it's had a sharp new makeover Credit: simon thompson 6 The cabin gets a techy glow-up with the gear selector shifted to the screen - and wraparound LEDs Credit: simon thompson 6 The new Model Y shines alongside its less attractive predecessor Credit: simon thompson Or still kicking lumps out of each other on X? One thing I do know is that Some say it's because Musk backed Trump for President, followed by that awkward hand gesture at the inauguration. Some say it's the Chinese invasion. Maybe in part. Advertisement READ MORE ROAD TESTS But mostly it's due to Tesla halting production of the mega-selling Model Y at its Now everything is sorted and sales are likely to take off like a Space X rocket. Here are ten things you need to know about the new motor. 1. The old one was fugly. Advertisement Most read in Motors That's sorted now. This new one is more chiselled. First glimpse at limited edition EV hitting UK in just weeks with slick new look It's like they've taken a photo of the The lower nose helps it slice through the air, adding a bit more range. 2. They've deleted the Tesla badge from the bonnet. Confident move. Advertisement 3. But the biggest change is at the back. There's a new reflective lightbar which highlights T E S L A written out in full. Also, the rear diffuser sticks out more. So repair bills will be lower if you reverse into something you shouldn't. Which helps with insurance too. 4. The 'frunk' — front trunk — now has a plughole in it. So you can fill it with ice for summer barbecues. Or store muddy boots . 5. Cabin. The gear selector has moved to the big screen — like a Model 3. Advertisement But they've kept the indicator stalk. Unlike a Model 3. The wrapround LED strip is new. The front seats will warm and cool your back. They didn't before. Other things. The seat bases are longer in the back. So they're more comfortable. There's a little entertainment screen to play arcade games. Advertisement The front passenger seat moves forward at the touch of a button for limo-like legroom. 6. Sound. It's now much quieter in here which makes it feel more expensive. There's extra insulation. Acoustic glass. Redesigned door seals. All little details that add up. 7. The boot is a smidge smaller. But you'll never notice. I had to look it up. Advertisement The seats now fold up and down automatically, where they only folded flat before. You had to push them back up. 8. The suspension has been tweaked so it rides better. Batteries and motors are unchanged. But improved regenerative braking tech adds more electrons. Every version should do 300 miles-plus, with the rear-wheel drive Long Range hitting 387 miles. Advertisement There's talk of a bigger battery nudging 500 miles. 9. Price. The standard rear-drive Model Y starts at £45k, which is £2k more than before. Not bad. The all-singing all-wheel drive Long Range is £52k. 10. This isn't specific to Model Y but Tesla's Supercharger network blows everyone else out of the water. Advertisement It's next-level good. Quick. Easy. No cards. No apps. And cheaper too. It doesn't really matter if you like Musk or not. If you want a minimalist, tech-rich family motor, Model Y moves the game on. 6 There's a little entertainment screen to play arcade games Credit: simon thompson 6 The old one was fugly. The world's best-selling car two years on the bounce, yes. But still fugly Credit: simon thompson Advertisement 6 Elon Musk's Tesla brand has been having a tough time recently, but sales are now likely to take off Credit: Getty KEY FACTS: TESLA MODEL Y Price: £44,990 Battery: 60kWh Power: 295hp 0-62mph: 5.9 secs Top speed: 125mph Range: 311 miles CO2: 0g/km Out: Now
Scottish Sun
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
New Tesla Model Y is a more chiselled, quieter version of mega-seller… it moves the game on for a tech-rich family motor
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) I'M struggling to keep up with Elon Musk and his on/ off bromance with Donald Trump. Are they buddies again? 6 The world's best-selling car was fugly… but two years on, it's had a sharp new makeover Credit: simon thompson 6 The cabin gets a techy glow-up with the gear selector shifted to the screen - and wraparound LEDs Credit: simon thompson 6 The new Model Y shines alongside its less attractive predecessor Credit: simon thompson Or still kicking lumps out of each other on X? One thing I do know is that Tesla sales are down eight per cent in Great Britainland. Some say it's because Musk backed Trump for President, followed by that awkward hand gesture at the inauguration. Some say it's the Chinese invasion. Maybe in part. But mostly it's due to Tesla halting production of the mega-selling Model Y at its Berlin gigafactory to tool up for the new one. Now everything is sorted and sales are likely to take off like a Space X rocket. Here are ten things you need to know about the new motor. 1. The old one was fugly. The world's best-selling car two years on the bounce, yes. But still fugly. That's sorted now. This new one is more chiselled. First glimpse at limited edition EV hitting UK in just weeks with slick new look It's like they've taken a photo of the Cybertruck to a surgeon and gone, 'This please'. The lower nose helps it slice through the air, adding a bit more range. 2. They've deleted the Tesla badge from the bonnet. Confident move. 3. But the biggest change is at the back. There's a new reflective lightbar which highlights T E S L A written out in full. Also, the rear diffuser sticks out more. So repair bills will be lower if you reverse into something you shouldn't. Which helps with insurance too. 4. The 'frunk' — front trunk — now has a plughole in it. So you can fill it with ice for summer barbecues. Or store muddy boots. 5. Cabin. The gear selector has moved to the big screen — like a Model 3. But they've kept the indicator stalk. Unlike a Model 3. The wrapround LED strip is new. The front seats will warm and cool your back. They didn't before. Other things. The seat bases are longer in the back. So they're more comfortable. There's a little entertainment screen to play arcade games. The front passenger seat moves forward at the touch of a button for limo-like legroom. 6. Sound. It's now much quieter in here which makes it feel more expensive. There's extra insulation. Acoustic glass. Redesigned door seals. All little details that add up. 7. The boot is a smidge smaller. But you'll never notice. I had to look it up. The seats now fold up and down automatically, where they only folded flat before. You had to push them back up. 8. The suspension has been tweaked so it rides better. Batteries and motors are unchanged. But improved regenerative braking tech adds more electrons. Every version should do 300 miles-plus, with the rear-wheel drive Long Range hitting 387 miles. There's talk of a bigger battery nudging 500 miles. 9. Price. The standard rear-drive Model Y starts at £45k, which is £2k more than before. Not bad. The all-singing all-wheel drive Long Range is £52k. 10. This isn't specific to Model Y but Tesla's Supercharger network blows everyone else out of the water. It's next-level good. Quick. Easy. No cards. No apps. And cheaper too. It doesn't really matter if you like Musk or not. If you want a minimalist, tech-rich family motor, Model Y moves the game on. 6 There's a little entertainment screen to play arcade games Credit: simon thompson 6 The old one was fugly. The world's best-selling car two years on the bounce, yes. But still fugly Credit: simon thompson 6 Elon Musk's Tesla brand has been having a tough time recently, but sales are now likely to take off Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Iconic car brand's new £155k EV ‘is a complete flop' after iconic model loved by celebs is reinvented
The new electric version of the iconic SUV has been massively outsold by its petrol and diesel counterparts BRAKE IT DOWN Iconic car brand's new £155k EV 'is a complete flop' after iconic model loved by celebs is reinvented Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) STAFF at Mercedes have admitted that the electric version of an SUV popular with celebrities has been a "complete flop". The German manufacturer had high hopes for the £154,810 EV, but it has not had the desired impact on the car market. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 The G-Wagon has proved popular with the super-rich Credit: simon thompson 6 The electric version of the G-Class has been branded a "complete flop" Credit: Getty 6 The original G-Wagon has sold more than seven times its electric counterpart Credit: Justin Leighton 2025 An electric version of the popular Mercedes G-Class - often referred to as the G-Wagon - has not proved successful among customers. Reports show that, since the G 580 was introduced in April last year, the original G-Wagon has almost seven times more sales than its electric counterpart. German newspaper Handelsblatt reported that one Mercedes executive had labelled the motor a "complete flop". They added: "The car is sitting like lead at dealers. It's a complete flop." Read more in Motors 'MODERN ART' Shoppers gobsmacked after smash leaves one motor mounted on top of another Another manager admitted the volume of sales for the "niche" EV had been "very low". It is understood that only 1,450 electric G-Wagons had been sold over a 12-month period, compared to 9,700 sales of the regular version. Despite having the same silhouette, the G 580 has proved difficult to sell against its iconic predecessor, which is substantially cheaper. The latter retails from £133,500, which is £20,000 less than its electric alternative. Customers have also been put off by the EV's EPA-certified range, which sits at just 239 miles from a single charge. And it could affect Mercedes plans for a downsized version, the "Little G", which is set to be released in 2027. Mercedes reveals its new luxury EV with 'superscreen' passengers can play video games or watch Netflix on while on move It was initially rumoured to be an EV-only model, but the motor giants might have to rethink these plans following the damning data and offer the vehicles with combustion engines. First designed in the 1970s, the G-Wagon was originally conceived as a military vehicle. But it has garnered a reputation for ferrying around famous faces and the super-rich, including Megan Fox, Britney Spears and Kendall Jenner. Speaking to Motor1, Mercedes' Markus Nast, global communications manager for compacts, midsizers, and the G-Class, said the company was "prepared for all market scenarios". He added: "Into the 2030s, we can flexibly offer vehicles with both a fully electric drivetrain or an electrified high-tech combustion engine. "Our customers decide what suits them best. This also applies for the G-Class." The G 580 features a three-speed intelligent off-road crawl function, which can drag the car through ditches and ravines. It can reach 62mph in less than five seconds, with a top speed of 112mph. 6 The electric motor can reach 62mph in 4.7 seconds Credit: simon thompson 6 Reports show that the all-electric iteration has tanked in the car market Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 6 The G-Class has garnered a reputation for ferrying around famous faces Credit: simon thompson Like a regular G-Wagon, the electric G has a ladder-frame chassis with low-range, off-road gearing and trick suspension. And with an impressive 587hp, the three-tonne tank is as quick as a Porsche Cayman off the line. But reports have shown that the all-electric iteration has tanked in the market, with customers still favouring the iconic original motor. The Sun contacted Mercedes for comment.
