Latest from Auto Express
Auto Express
6 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch is on the way to the UK
Toyota is lining up its rally-bred GR Corolla for UK launch in the next 18 months, with the four-wheel drive hot hatch expected to join the much-lauded GR Yaris on UK roads. The Japanese brand has previously confirmed that the 296bhp Corolla will enter production at Toyota's UK plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire next year to help address lengthy global waiting lists, but is yet to say that the car, currently built only at a single factory in Japan, will be sold in Europe. Advertisement - Article continues below But talking exclusively to Auto Express, Toyota's European COO Matt Harrison dropped thinly veiled hints that British hot hatch fans won't be disappointed. 'We have a philosophy that you build where you sell, so to build in Europe and not sell in Europe would be counter to that,' he said. 'The gap between supply and demand is now, so it's about how quickly we can get it. We need to act fast.' The Burnaston site was chosen because, as well as its factory capacity, the UK has motorsport expertise that aligns with the specialist nature of the low-volume performance hatchback. 'The GR Corolla is bespoke, it doesn't go through the normal processes', Harrison told us. The GR Corolla was originally launched in 2022 in selected markets outside Europe, and it uses the same 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, four-wheel drive and torque vectoring system that has made the GR Yaris one of the hottest performance properties of recent years. Subject to the expected green light, prices for the GR Corolla are likely to kick off from over £40,000, although we'll have to wait until 2026 for full pricing and specification. Fancy a Corolla of your own? Take a look at our latest Toyota Corolla deals ... Find a car with the experts New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer Volvo has made an ultra-luxurious van. Intrigued? You should be, but sadly it's for China only Smart Roadster could return as an electric Mazda MX-5 rival Smart Roadster could return as an electric Mazda MX-5 rival The Smart Roadster could be set for a comeback and our exclusive image previews how it could look New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there's a whole lot more too New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there's a whole lot more too Audi's not taking any risks with its all-new Q3; watch it sell like crazy
Auto Express
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Car Deal of the Day: Blistering BMW M135 for a bargain £301 a month
Near-300bhp power Four-wheel drive, adaptive suspension Only £300.90 a month Hot hatchbacks with a premium feel don't come much more complete than the BMW M135. Here is a car that mixes the compactness and ease of use of a 1 Series, with a fire-cracker engine and trick four-wheel drive system. What's not to like? There's plenty to love, to be honest, but this desirable package normally comes with a steep price tag. Not so through the Auto Express Find a Car service, because right now you can get the blistering BMW for just over £300 a month. Advertisement - Article continues below This deal, from is a real steal given that it's only £4 a month more expensive than the next cheapest 1 Series on the Auto Express platform – and that is the base-spec 120 Sport. It's a two-year deal and requires £3,960.79 to be put down first, while mileage is capped at 5,000 a year. Bumping this up to 8,000 per annum costs less than £16 a month extra. For just £300.90, you'll be taking the keys to one of the most engaging hot hatchbacks around. Power comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that pumps out 296bhp, and this is all kept in check with a clever xDrive four-wheel drive system. This latest M135 (which, incidentally, has lost the 'i' in its name to help differentiate it from BMW's electric offerings) has traded its eight-speed auto for a seven-speed twin-clutch semi-auto to deliver quicker shifts. It certainly works – it hurtles to 62mph in under five seconds, while top speed is limited to 155mph. Compared with the pre-facelift M135i, the new M135 has adaptive dampers as standard and the chassis has been stiffened. This means the pocket BMW is very engaging through the bends, plus you can soften the ride should you need a little more comfort around town. The Car Deal of the Day selections we make are taken from our own Auto Express Find 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 BMW M135 leasing offers from leading providers on our BMW 1 Series hub page. Check out the BMW M135 deal or take a look at our previous Car Deal of the Day selection here…
Auto Express
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Six new BYD cars by 2026, but they won't all be EVs
BYD may have only started selling cars in the UK in 2023, but it has already successfully launched a diverse range of six models and the Chinese brand is not slowing down, with plans to double the size of its line-up in half that time. Speaking exclusively with Auto Express at the UK launch of the new BYD Dolphin Surf – the brand's newest, most affordable and probably most attractive offering to date – UK sales and marketing manager Steve Beattie revealed BYD will launch another six models here before the end of 2026. Advertisement - Article continues below Next to arrive in showrooms will be the new BYD Atto 2, a tech-focused compact SUV which we drove for the first time earlier this year, and is set to finally go on sale in September. Initially it'll only be available as an EV, with a choice of standard- or long-range batteries, however Beattie told us there will also be a plug-in hybrid 'DM-i' version sometime in 2026 – which will give the newcomer an edge over rivals like the Kia EV3 or Smart #1. The BYD Seal 06 estate car and saloon will also be launching in the UK before the end of the year, also featuring plug-in hybrid power, along with another BMW 3 Series-sized saloon called the BYD Seal 05. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below The company is going to be updating some of its existing models soon, as well, Beattie tells us. We've already seen the updated BYD Seal – the brand's rival to the Tesla Model 3 – which features a revamped interior and LiDAR system for more advanced autonomous driving capabilities. The Atto 3 family SUV is in line for a spruce-up, too, as this was the first car the brand sold in the UK, and images of a facelifted version surfaced online earlier this year, sporting a new sharper look, more in-line with the smaller Atto 2. Advertisement - Article continues below Three more as-yet-unnamed new models will be joining the BYD line-up in 2026. Beattie didn't tell us anything about this trio, but it seems likely that the BYD Seal 06 GT will be come here eventually, as the electric hatchback could serve as a rival to the Volkswagen ID.3 and Cupra Born, plus there's a hot 416bhp version too called the Seal X. While not confirmed for the UK either, the BYD Shark hybrid pick-up truck also has a strong chance of coming to our shores. For one thing it would offer a new challenger to the best-selling, multi-award-winning Ford Ranger, a plug-in hybrid version of which recently went on sale, offering up to 27 miles of pure-electric driving. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below The Shark meanwhile manages to boast up to 62 mils of EV range, thanks to its much larger 29.58kWh battery, plus a combined power output of 435bhp – compared to the 275bhp for the Ranger PHEV. However the BYD's 2,500kg towing capacity does fall short of the Ford's 3,500kg limit. Beattie informed us that BYD has now brought a few Australian-spec Shark pick-up trucks into the UK for testing. 'We're driving those around at the moment and it's definitely been getting some really good and interesting reactions from the UK team.' Advertisement - Article continues below He added that the team is working to bring the truck to the UK, because 'we want that truck here, because I think there's an opportunity for it here.' The opportunity he's referring to is double-cab pick-up trucks used to be classed as commercial vehicles, meaning company car drivers running one had to pay a flat tax rate of little as £792 per year. However these types of trucks are now classed as private vehicles, like passenger cars, and because they're not very efficient, they fall into the highest Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) band for company car tax. But of course, electric or plug-in hybrid trucks get around this thanks to their much greater fuel efficiency and zero-emissions driving capabilities. That's why the Ranger PHEV attracts as little as 19% company car tax, while the equivalent diesel is slapped with the maximum 37% rate. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below '[The pick-up truck] market is dominated by the Ranger and Ford does an incredible job with that. But what's interesting is the market has just changed for that vehicle because it was effectively a company car tax break, but [trucks] are now being classed as cars 'So, ultimately, all of those diesel [pick-up truck drivers] now have to move to something that is either plug-in hybrid or electric, and this being plug-in hybrid I think is going to fit really well. 'It's also just something different, you know. We've seen that with Tesla Model 3 customers and Model Y customers, they say 'I've had this for a while, I want to change into something different' and that gives us an opportunity. Now for those Ranger customers, we'll have an alternative here.' As well as launching six cars in less than two years, BYD accounted for 2% of all new cars sales in the UK in April and May this year, with Beattie hoping to retain that market share this month. Another milestone that seems in sight is 20,000 sales within the first half of the year. All the while, BYD plans to continue expanding its dealership network, which included 50 locations at the start of the year, but now stands at 75, and according to Beattie will reach 90 locations by September. Tell us which new car you're interested in and get the very best offers from our network of over 5,500 UK dealers to compare. Let's go… Find a car with the experts Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond These are the most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more Best cars & vans 13 Jun 2025 Fastest-accelerating cars in the world 2025 Combustion-engined supercars are making a last stand against electrified machines in the fastest accelerating car stakes, here are all the top contend… Best cars & vans 5 Jun 2025 Tesla overtaken by China's BYD in the UK car sales charts Chinese giant beats Tesla in monthly sales in May as UK car market grows year-on-year BYD's plug-in hybrid onslaught to be led by 124-mile secret weapons Plug-in hybrid tech looks like playing an increasingly important role in BYD's future, but expect more EV range, faster charging and better fuel econo… New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer Volvo has made an ultra-luxurious van. Intrigued? You should be, but sadly it's for China only Smart Roadster could return as an electric Mazda MX-5 rival Smart Roadster could return as an electric Mazda MX-5 rival The Smart Roadster could be set for a comeback and our exclusive image previews how it could look New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there's a whole lot more too New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there's a whole lot more too Audi's not taking any risks with its all-new Q3; watch it sell like crazy
Auto Express
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
New Ford Ranger PHEV 2025 review: plug-in pick-up sets the standard
The Ford Ranger PHEV manages to deliver lower emissions that will benefit business users while still offering all of the cargo carrying and towing capability that the standard diesel model can offer. For that reason alone the PHEV will be a top choice with buyers, while the Stormtrak trim has some added visual appeal that will draw more customers in. Advertisement - Article continues below As it stands, there's not much wrong with the Ford Ranger, but changes in legislation mean that this big-selling machine is in need of a revamp to help it keep pace with buyer demands. Emissions are now an important factor when it comes to business taxation, and the arrival of the new Ranger PHEV will be the perfect double-cab pick-up for those keen to keep their contributions to the taxman as low as possible. From the outside, not a lot looks different, although the new Stormtrak trim is exclusive to the PHEV model (it also comes in XLT and Wildtrak trims), Chill Grey is a cool blue hue that's unique to the Stormtrak (black is also offered), while there are unique wheel designs to mark the petrol-electric model out. The Stormtrak also has the option of a sliding sports bar that allows racks to be attached above the cargo bed, while Ford's Pro Power system allows users to connect any device with a three-pin plug to the truck's drive battery - which could come in handy for anybody wanting to take the Ranger off grid and out into the wilds. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below View Corsa View X3 View I-PACE The other visual clue to the alternative powertrain is the fact there are two filler flaps on the nearside rear wing. One (the one with a lightning bolt set into it) pops open to reveal the charging port for the drive battery, while the other flap ahead of it is the fuel filler, which is released with the push of a button on the dashboard. Advertisement - Article continues below These are used to refill an 11.8kWh battery and a 70-litre fuel tank respectively, with the latter supplying petrol to a 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that we've seen previously in the UK in the Ford Focus RS/ST and Mustang. The set-up in the Ranger PHEV makes 277bhp and 697Nm of torque, so the plug-in model is second only to the petrol Ranger Raptor for power, while Ford's familiar 10-speed automatic gearbox is fitted as standard. There's a 0-62mph time of 9.2 seconds, while the Ranger PHEV also boasts a towing weight of 3.5 tonnes and a payload of more than a tonne, so there are no compromises there when compared with the diesel versions. One area where there is a bit of compromise is with the load bed, because there is a subtle rise in the floor that is designed to help accommodate the drive battery. That means cargo volume isn't quite a match for the diesel Ranger, but it's not far behind. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below This might be a small enough price to pay for business users looking to cut their outgoings. Previously, double cab pick-up trucks faced a flat rate of Benefit-in-Kind taxation (currently set at £3,960pa for vans weighing less than 3.5 tonnes), but now the rates are calculated based upon emissions. Seeing as diesel double cab pick-ups are quite heavy polluters, that places them in the top emissions-based category for BiK at 37 per cent. For top-rate earners, that means tax bills in the region of £7,000 for a diesel Ranger Wildtrak, but the 71g/km emissions of the PHEV mean costs are slashed to £4,600 a year. So that's the reason for introducing the Ranger PHEV, but what's it like to drive? In brief, pretty much like any other automatic Ranger. The combination of electric motor and petrol engine is good, with the former delivering instant responses while the engine gets up to speed, and the petrol engine is reasonably hushed and distant when it does cut in. The powertrain is decent, with no real shunt between drive sources, and the brakes are positive, too, with plenty of stopping power. Advertisement - Article continues below In corners the Ranger gives the game away in terms of weight, but while there's some body roll, it's no worse here in the heavier PHEV than in the standard car. The ride is pretty compliant, too, although the slow steering and a slightly bouncy edge at higher speeds means the Ranger could be a bit more comfortable, but then it's no worse than a lot of supposedly family-friendly SUVs. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below The usual suite of drive modes is selectable via the push-button controls down behind the drive selector, including an EV button that allows you to either drive the PHEV in standard hybrid mode – switching between power sources as the electronics see fit – switch to silent EV running, save the charge for later or recharge the battery using the engine while on the move. We wouldn't say the latter is particularly economical, but can give you some extra charge if you need it. We tried the Ranger PHEV off-road, where it proved to be just as adept as the standard model. That means the long-wheelbase struggles a little with a series of ruts that can see the side steps scrape the ground, but otherwise the Ranger is surprisingly capable. There's something eerie about driving an electric 4x4 in virtual silence, only hearing the surrounding countryside crack and scrunch as you drive through. The Ranger's standard-fit high range 4WD and rear diff lock can function while in EV mode, but low-range sees the engine cut in to assist at all times. Either way, the only other limiting factor might be the petrol engine's exhaust, which points down to the ground behind the rear axle, and looks low enough that it might scrape when exiting a particularly steep transition. Model: Ford Ranger 2.3 EcoBoost PHEV Stormtrak Price: £49,800 ( On sale: Now Powertrain: 2.3-litre turbo petrol PHEV Power/torque: 277bhp/697Nm Transmission: 10-speed automatic, four-wheel drive 0-62mph: 9.2 seconds Top speed: TBC EV range: 25.5 miles Economy/CO2: 94.2mpg/71g/km Size (L/W/H): 5,370/2,015/1,878mm New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer Volvo has made an ultra-luxurious van. Intrigued? You should be, but sadly it's for China only Smart Roadster could return as an electric Mazda MX-5 rival Smart Roadster could return as an electric Mazda MX-5 rival The Smart Roadster could be set for a comeback and our exclusive image previews how it could look New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there's a whole lot more too New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there's a whole lot more too Audi's not taking any risks with its all-new Q3; watch it sell like crazy
Auto Express
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
BMW is killing carbon fibre to build its lightweight M cars from plants
BMW has developed an all-new material as a more sustainable replacement for carbon fibre, which is now ready for development and set to be used on production cars – including the new electric BMW M3 – within the next few years. Engineered in collaboration with Swiss firm Bcomp, natural-fibre composites offer similar properties to their carbon-fibre counterparts, but emit far less CO2 throughout production. Plus they can be recycled, unlike most forms of carbon-based composites. When developing such materials, the key issue was to ensure they are strong enough to be homologated for use on a car's roof; BMW says that when applied to its next-generation performance car – which we assume means the forthcoming BMW M3 EV – the usage of natural fibre coincides within a reduction of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) emissions by 40 per cent, compared with using carbon fibre. The company says it can also help cut the usage of plastic in the interior by up to 70 per cent, too. Advertisement - Article continues below In appearance, natural fibre looks very similar to its carbon counterpart, with a distinctive weave pattern designed to replicate leaf veins, as well as a dark-grey colour. In fact, it's so similar that you may not have noticed it already being used on BMW's racing cars, including the M4 GT4 and DTM. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below As their name suggests, natural-fibre composites are made from materials such as plants or animal products. In this case, BMW and Bcomp's material is constructed using flax (a flowering plant) fibres that are grown naturally and harvested in Europe. The CEO of BMW M, Franciscus van Meel, said he was 'delighted' by the recent breakthrough, describing the new material as a 'vital element of innovative lightweight solutions in motorsport, allowing for a reduction in CO2e emissions in the manufacturing process'. 'We are now looking forward to the use of these materials in future BMW M product ranges,' he concluded. This breakthrough comes at a vital time, after the European Union recently drafted legislation to classify carbon fibre as a 'hazardous substance' as part of its ongoing End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive. This is because when carbon fibre is disposed of, the tiny particles generated can be an irritant – and even harmful – when inhaled or exposed to human skin. Such particles are also conductive, so have the potential to short-circuit machinery. However, thankfully for the automotive industry, the legislation remains at a draft stage, following the likes of Audi and Mercedes-AMG strongly submitting evidence against it. BMW also appealed to the EU, but the brand's recent investment in alternative materials does suggest it may just be a matter of time before carbon fibre disappears altogether. Now you can buy a car through our network of top dealers around the UK. Search for the latest deals… Find a car with the experts New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer Volvo has made an ultra-luxurious van. Intrigued? You should be, but sadly it's for China only Smart Roadster could return as an electric Mazda MX-5 rival Smart Roadster could return as an electric Mazda MX-5 rival The Smart Roadster could be set for a comeback and our exclusive image previews how it could look New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there's a whole lot more too New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there's a whole lot more too Audi's not taking any risks with its all-new Q3; watch it sell like crazy
