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Max Verstappen gets charged up for the new season

Three-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen has surprised young go-kart racers near Oracle Red Bull Racing’s Milton Keynes HQ.

The 26-year-old got behind the wheel of the all-electric Honda e:Ny1 ahead of 2024 FIA Formula 1 season, which marks 20 years of Red Bull Racing, and 60 years since Honda’s first participation in F1.

Silently whisking him from the Red Bull Technologies Campus to a local indoor go-kart circuit, Verstappen watched the young racers on track, before taking the time to offer his advice and share memories from the early days of his own motorsport career.

“To be here at the kart track to see the younger kids race, and trying to get into the racing world, is really great to see,” said Verstappen. “It was great to see their smiles and it’s always great to interact with race fans.”

“It was so surprising, and just such a good experience,” added Emeli Jordan. “I kind of thought it would be someone from Red Bull, not necessarily a driver, like an engineer or someone, but not Max Verstappen. I was completely speechless; I had no idea what to say!”

Sid Smith added: “It was such a surprise to come round the corner and see Max Verstappen. It’s always been a dream to meet him. It was absolutely awesome. And I got a signed hat as well, so it was definitely a day to remember.”

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One millionth electric vehicle registered in the UK

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Revealed: The UK’s cheapest new electric SUV

Gareth Herincx

9 hours ago
Auto News

It’s been confirmed that the all-new Seres 3 EV will arrive into UK showrooms this spring, with a starting price of just £29,995.

IA Electric Vehicles, the UK’s only multi-brand EV distributor, said the Chinese-built Seres 3 combines “modern design, premium materials and advanced technology”.

The Seres 3, which is about the same size as a Nissan Qashqai, is the only electric SUV on the market for under £30,000 (just undercutting the MG ZS Electric).

Powered by a 54kWh lithium-ion battery, it has a claimed range of up to 205 miles and is capable of recharging in just 30 minutes (20-80%). The 120kW electric motor propels the Seres 3 to 62mph from standstill in less than nine seconds.

The entry-level Active model features keyless start, reversing camera, air conditioning and a 10.25” touchscreen display while the top-level Spirit (priced from £31,995) adds a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging and heated front seats.

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Lotus Emeya completes intensive test programme

Home / Auto News / Lotus Emeya completes intensive test programme

Gareth Herincx

1 day ago
Auto News

The all-new Lotus Emeya has completed an extensive three-year test and development programme across 15 countries and two continents.

Cold-weather validation programme in the Arctic Circle confirms the “hyper-GT” can perform in the harshest conditions, including temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius.

It’s claimed the rigorous tuning and testing process ensures the Emeya drives like a true Lotus, so it’s “engaging and desirable, with safe handling so customers can maximise dynamic performance”.

Most recently, the all-electric grand tourer has been in Ivalo, Finland, around 250km inside the Arctic Circle. The three-year test and development programme took place on a variety of terrain and conditions -from the UK’s challenging B-roads to the smooth and fast-flowing German autobahn, through the highest Alpine passes and the remoteness of Inner Mongolia.

Testing also took place at race tracks such as the Nürburgring Nordschleife and at proving grounds like the high-speed loop near the southern Italian town of Nardò.

Tags 100% electric car electric vehicle EV GT Lotus Lotus Emeya performance

Gareth is a versatile journalist, copywriter and digital editor who’s worked across the media in newspapers, magazines, TV, teletext, radio and online. After long stints at the BBC, GMTV and ITV, he now specialises in motoring.

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Get set for ‘Lovecars: On the Road’ Series 2

Popular motoring show Lovecars: On the Road is with a second series, available on Prime Video from 16 February 2024.

It’s the first time the automotive adventure show has been available on the global streaming service. At the same time, both Series 1 and 2 will launch into new global territories, entertaining audiences in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Returning to host the show is TV personality and ex-racing driver Tiff Needell alongside co-presenter Paul Woodman, plus special guests and friends including Top Gear’s former Stig Ben Collins and Italian racer Vicky Piria.

Of course, the real stars are the cars and Series 2 includes a long list – including a priceless endurance racing Porsche, a six-wheeled monster truck, glittering supercars like the Lamborghini Huracan STO, an ultra-rare Pagani Huayra BC and a £1.6m hand-built homage to a very famous Ferrari. There are also tests of mainstream EVs, including the Genesis GV60 and Renault Megane E-Tech.

Click here to see a preview of ‘Lovecars: On the Road’ Series 2

The team’s travels include adventures in over 50 different cars in nine countries – from an electric road trip through Switzerland’s winter wonderland, to the holy grail of hypercars on Ohio’s highways.

“We’re well and truly back with a bang,” said co-host Tiff Needell. “Series 2 is such a treat – I can’t wait for the Prime Video audience to join us on our wild motoring adventures.

“And we’ve got everything covered – from one of the world’s most incredible supercar collections, to the ultimate guide to charging an EV. There’s something for everyone.”

Lovecars founder and co-host Paul Woodman added: “The show is about putting viewers in the driving seat of as many different cars as we can, in some of the greatest driving destinations.

“There’s currently nowhere else on TV that can transport you from sub-zero Scandinavia to a summer’s afternoon in Tuscany with a V8 Maserati soundtrack – or from a fast blast on Britain’s B-roads to cruising in a Bugatti Chiron on an American highway.”

Lovecars: On the Road is produced by a small, mainly in-house content team, based in Clevedon near Bristol.

Alongside Series 2, Series 1 remains available on ITVX for UK viewers.

One millionth electric vehicle registered in the UK

Gareth Herincx

3 days ago
Auto News

Britain’s one millionth electric vehicle has hit the road – a key milestone on the journey to a carbon zero future.

A total of 20,935 fully electric cars were registered last month, up 21% compared to the same month last year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This takes the overall total since 2002 to 1,001,677.

However, the recent growth is being driven by fleet sales, with sales to private buyers actually falling.

The UK new car market in general grew 8.2% for January with 142,876 new cars registered – an uplift of 10,882 units on January 2023, the best performance for the month since 2020, and the 18th consecutive month of growth.

“It’s taken just over 20 years to reach our million EV milestone – but with the right policies, we can double down on that success in just another two,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive.

“Market growth is currently dependent on businesses and fleets. Government must therefore use the upcoming Budget to support private EV buyers, temporarily halving VAT to cut carbon, drive economic growth and help everyone make the switch.

“Manufacturers have been asked to supply the vehicles, we now ask government to help consumers buy the vehicles on which net zero depends.”

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