Sober Drivers Under Fire: ACLU Takes on Honolulu Police for Unjust DUI Arrests
Ford Puma Gen-E: A Game-Changer in Affordable Electric Crossovers
Ford's best-selling compact crossover finally gets an all-electric powertrain Few of the many other cars we test in 2025 will carry the significance of this one.Yes, the Ford Puma Gen-E is just another all-electric compact crossover, and there have been quite a few of those released in the past couple of years. But the difference here is that the combustion-engined version happens to be the UK’s best-selling car. We therefore know that the fundamental Ford Puma recipe is one that many people love, and Ford will be hoping those existing Puma owners will be among the first in line to swap petrol for electric. It will be interesting to observe the extent to which that actually happens. The enormous popularity of the petrol Puma means this Gen-E model is something of a litmus test for broader attitudes toward EVs at the more affordable end of the market. Ford executives expect the Gen-E to make up 10-15% of total Puma sales, and if it’s less than that, we will know the reason lies not in the basic product but in the manner of its propulsion. You can rest assured that other competitors in this class, and also beyond, will be taking notes.Of course, the Puma Gen-E is also pivotal to Ford, whose EV roll-out hasn’t been straightforward. Its first full-blooded EV, the Mustang Mach-E, was not without merit but was expensive. Next up was the Explorer – a serviceable family EV spun off the platform used by the Volkswagen ID 4 and therefore without much real Ford DNA in it. As much became apparent when we drove one. The dynamic package didn’t have that sparkle about it, as the Focus – the car the Explorer is all but superseding – always did.It means the Puma Gen-E is only the second serious, fully in-house EV Ford has made (we’re excluding the toe-in-the-water Focus Electric of 2011 and the much more esoteric F-150 Lightning here). It arrives not before time too. Other car makers have had footholds in the small EV arena for some time and the Puma’s rivals now include the Jeep Avenger, the Skoda Elroq, the Smart #1, the sizeable MG S5 EV and the more premium Volvo EX30, not to mention the formidable Renault 5 and the Kia EV3. Some of these cars undercut the Puma Gen-E’s £29,995 starting price, while others justify their higher cost with extra space and some degree of opulence. The question is where this pivotal and potentially likeable Ford slots in to the class hierarchy. Let’s find out. 
The Inevitable Encounter: Tales of First Car Crashes in America
Nissan Unveils Game-Changing 2025 Leaf: A New Era for Electric Driving
The new Leaf will be twinned with the next-generation Juke and built in SunderlandNissan confirms full debut for new electric crossover in June ahead of production starting in Sunderland
The new third-generation Nissan Leaf EV will be fully revealed later this month ahead of a market launch by the end of the year.
In a new video showcasing some headline attributes, Nissan revealed new details and angles of the upcoming Skoda Elroq rival, which will enter production at Sunderland in the coming months.
Nissan says that despite the new Leaf's substantially different shape and positioning, its development has been heavily informed by learnings from the Mk1 and Mk2 cars.
"Leaf is an icon for us. It's one of our core 'heartbeat' models," said Nissan's global product strategy boss, Richard Candler. "We've sold around 700,000 Leafs since 2010, with over 28 billion kilometres covered by our customers, so we have really substantial, real-world insight about the customer - understanding how their needs have evolved from the early days of Leaf until now."
One significant improvement claimed by Nissan is in aerodynamic efficiency, with the rakish-roofed new Leaf touting a coefficient of just 0.25 in European trim - down from the Mk2's 0.28.
Nissan is waiting until the official debut to confirm battery specifications, but that low coefficient will be instrumental in the Leaf achieving a claimed maximum range of 372 miles.
Also confirmed is the option of an electrochromic dimming panoramic roof with heat shielding, which Nissan says negates the need for any physical blinds and thereby avoids compromising head room in the back.
The Leaf was launched in 2010 as one of the first mass-market electric cars and in its first two generations took a conventional hatchback form, but it has now undergone a major shift to cash in on the trend for higher-riding cars.
It sits on the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance's CMF-EV platform, which is currently used by the larger Nissan Ariya EV and will be used by the forthcoming Nissan Juke EV.
While Nissan has yet to give any more technical details, European product boss François Bailly said the Leaf has been developed with an emphasis on “real-world range.”
He added: “How long you can drive on a highway is key for us, which is why you see the beautiful shape with the aerodynamics. For us, it’s about practicality: how long will it take to drive 800km [497 miles], including the time to charge?”
Nissan's global design boss, Alfonso Albaisa, said the new Leaf is “about democratising technology", adding: "It’s very modern, simple and nice. We wanted something tailored, handsome, well-proportioned, with a super-tech interior that feels open and cool.”
Bailly added that the Leaf will get Nissan’s latest in-car systems, enabled by its updated Car and Connected Service (CCS) platform, which features a Google-based infotainment system and advanced driver assistance systems.
He said: “It’s all the things that make your life easier.
“We are confident we have something that is unique, and we’re really happy with this car.”
Celebrating 30 Years of Victory: McLaren Unveils Special Edition 750S
Nio Firefly Set to Spark Excitement in Europe with UK Launch on the Horizon
New Renault 5 rival is being rolled out in seven new European markets and a right-hand-drive model is in the works
The Nio Firefly, a Chinese rival for the Renault 5 and incoming Volkswagen ID 2, has been confirmed for Europe – and UK sales should soon follow.
The electric supermini was launched in China in April, offering a range of 260 miles (albeit on the lenient CLTC test cycle) and a single rear-mounted 141bhp motor for the equivalent of around £12,500.
Firefly was initially announced as a new brand, alongside Onvo, but the two were repositioned as sub-brands of Nio shortly after launch.
Nio sold some 3680 examples of the Firefly in May, its first full month on sale, and it played a key role in boosting the brand’s overall sales for the month by 13.1% year on year.
Although it has only been shown in left-hand-drive form so far, Nio president Qin Lihong said at the Shanghai motor show that the brand would launch a right-hand-drive variant for the UK by October.
Although Nio has yet to announce specific plans for a UK launch, having last year told Autocar that it was “continuing its preparations for entry”, Lihong’s comment suggests one is imminent.
Nio is currently in the process of a dramatic expansion across Europe, having pledged to enter 16 new global markets this year alone. It has now confirmed that seven of those will be European nations: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, Poland and Romania.
In addition to the Firefly, Nio will launch the EL6 and EL8 SUVs, ET5 saloon and ET5 Touring estate in those markets.
It added that there will be “further news” for Europe in the coming weeks, suggesting an announcement could be inbound.
Notably, Automotive News Europe (ANE) reported in late 2024 that Nio was preparing to launch its Onvo L60, a coupé-like Tesla Model Y rival, in the UK this year.
Product planning boss Eric Yu told ANE that the UK’s lack of import tariffs on Chinese EVs was a key motivator; Nio's cars are currently subject to a 31% surcharge in the EU.
The Timeless Appeal of the B7 Audi RS4: A Dream Convertible for Summer Adventures
Nissan Unveils Game-Changing 2025 Leaf: A Bold Shift to Crossover Design and Enhanced Range
New Leaf will be twinned with the next-generation Juke and built in SunderlandNissan confirms full debut for the Leaf crossover in June ahead of production starting in Sunderland
The new third-generation Nissan Leaf will be fully revealed later this month ahead of a market launch by the end of the year.
In a new video showcasing some of the Leaf's headline attributes, Nissan revealed new details and angles of its upcoming Skoda Elroq rival, which will begin production at the firm's Sunderland factory in the coming months.
Nissan says that despite the new Leaf's substantially different shape and positioning, its development has been heavily informed by learnings from the Mk1 and Mk2 cars.
"Leaf is an icon for us. It's one of our core 'heartbeat' models," said Nissan's global product strategy boss Richard Candler. "We've sold around 700,000 Leafs since 2010, with over 28 billion kilometres covered by our customers, so we have really substantial, real-world insight about the customer - understanding how their needs have evolved from the early days of Leaf until now."
One significant improvement claimed by Nissan is in aerodynamic efficiency, with the rakish-roofed new Leaf touting a coefficient of just 0.25 in European trim - up from the Mk2 car's 0.28.
Nissan is waiting until the official debut to confirm battery specs, but that coefficient will no doubt have been instrumental in the Leaf achieving a claimed maximum range of 372 miles.
Also confirmed is the option of an electrochromic dimming panoramic roof with heat shielding, which Nissan says negates the need for any physical blinds and thereby avoids compromising headroom in the back.
The Leaf was launched in 2010 as one of the first mass-market electric cars and in its first two generations took a conventional hatchback form, but it has now undergone a major shift to cash in on the trend for higher-riding cars.
It sits on the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance's CMF-EV platform, which is currently used by the larger Nissan Ariya, and will be closely twinned with the forthcoming Nissan Juke EV.
While Nissan has yet to give any more technical details, European product boss François Bailly said the Leaf has been developed with an emphasis on “real-world range.”
He added: “How long you can drive on a highway is key for us, which is why you see the beautiful shape with the aerodynamics. For us, it’s about practicality: how long will it take to drive 800km [497 miles], including the time to charge?”
Nissan's global design boss, Alfonso Albaisa, said the new Leaf is “about democratising technology. It’s very modern, simple and nice. We wanted something tailored, handsome, well-proportioned, with a super-tech interior that feels open and cool.”
Bailly added that the Leaf will get Nissan’s latest in-car systems, enabled by its updated Car and Connected Service (CCS) platform, which features a Google-based infotainment system and advanced driver assistance systems.
He said: “It’s all the things that make your life easier.
“We are confident we have something that is unique, and we’re really happy with this car.”
Air Traffic Control Crisis: A Deep Dive into the Dire Situation
Renault Austral 2025: A Comfort-Driven Refresh to Compete in the SUV Arena
Qashqai rival receives comfort-focused update and fresh new look Just two-and-a-half years on from its launch, the Renault Austral SUV has been given a refresh to boost its appeal and fend off rivals like the Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai. Much of the old Austral remains, but it has been tweaked and fettled to bring it right up to date with Renault's current line-up of hybrid models. As such, the Austral has gained revised gearbox software, additional soundproofing and new dampers all fitted in a bid to improve mechanical refinement, cabin isolation and ride comfort respectively over those of the outgoing model. It still shares its CMF-CD platform with Nissan Qashqai, and is available in the UK as a full-hybrid E-Tech model only. That means it's powered by the latest iteration of Renault’s E-Tech hybrid system with its unsynchronised and clutchless gearbox. But after its latest round of updates, how does the Austral fare in a class that is extremely popular, rather crowded and very competitve. The range at a glanceMODELPOWERFROME-Tech196bhp£35,000 (est)Transmission: 5-speed automatic