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Renault is considering an electric MPV to rival the Volkswagen ID Buzz – and it could reprise the radical seating arrangement from the Mk1 Espace.

Unwrapping the new Trafic E-Tech electric van alongside the closely related Goelette and Estafette (below) at The Commercial Vehicle show in Birmingham, Renault van design chief Yannick Bignon told Autocar that a people-carrying version is under consideration: “Today, it’s under study. We have not yet confirmed it, but it's under study.”

Asked whether the skateboard-style EV platform that underpins the trio of vans could allow for more radical seating arrangements, such as the swivelling ‘captain’s chairs’ from the Espace, Bignon replied: “Everything that you say will be the way that we are working on.”

However, he added that it was “too early” to talk in detail about such a version of the Trafic E-Tech, saying: “If we confirm the people mover, it will be [later].” 

An MPV is understood to be just one of more than 35 different derivatives of the Trafic, Goelette and Estafette that have been pitched to Renault Group boss Luca de Meo, alongside a camper van and a food truck.

Heinz-Jürgen Löw, senior vice-president of Renault’s van arm, said that such a vehicle “could be a good idea – not yet, but of course we’re looking”. 

Hinting at how the van’s design might lend itself to a more conventional passenger vehicle, Löw elaborated: “The beauty of the skateboard is that you can scale it. And we have [prioritised] the manoeuvrability. I think this is the only one-tonne [payload] van with the turning radius of a Clio [supermini].”

The comments reaffirm Autocar’s previous report that a Renault MPV in the vein of the original Espace, after the Espace name was reprised for a seven-seat SUV based on the Austral.

Olivier Brosse, Renault’s global leader for the Ampr Medium EV platform, last year told Autocar that a new model in the vein of the seminal MPV was “something we are contemplating”. 

“Technically I think it is possible, but after that we would have to consider if an MPV would be accepted by European customers,” added Brosse.

Notably, Volkswagen has made headway with its ID Buzz since Brosse spoke to Autocar: according to data from analyst Jato Dynamics, it has sold nearly 5000 in Europe so far this year, more than double what it had managed at the same point in 2024.

Kia is also angling for a slice of the market, priming a passenger version of its forthcoming PV5 electric van.

Elsewhere in the world, MPVs are undergoing a revival. They have exploded in popularity in China, for example, where notable recent entrants include the Zeekr Mix, Li Mega and Maxus Mifa 7. 

Apple CarPlay is a software package that mirrors your iPhone's apps and services on your car's infotainment screen, and it's one of the most desired features for people who want to buy a new car in 2025. 

CarPlay was launched in March 2014 and has since become a piece of tech that many drivers consider integral to their car ownership experience. Some won’t even consider buying a car unless CarPlay is included as standard. 

But what is Apple CarPlay, how do you access it, and what does it do? 

We’ve put together a comprehensive guide right here so you can get to know one of the automotive world’s most-used pieces of software.

What is Apple CarPlay?

An alternative to Android Auto for iPhone owners, CarPlay helps you to stay connected when on the move, allowing you to legally take phone calls, use your favourite sat-nav app and play your favourite music.  

Thanks to its slick and familiar interface, many drivers prefer to use CarPlay over the operating system (OS) included in their car as standard.

Similarly to Android Auto, CarPlay is controlled through large icons on your car's infotainment screen. Most cars nowadays have a touchscreen, but those that don’t let you use the software via a physical control. 

Car makers clearly understand the value of the product, with some 600 car models around the world using the software.

Does my phone have Apple CarPlay?

Do you own an iPhone? If you do, you can most probably use Apple CarPlay. The software is compatible with iPhones produced from 2012, so that’s the iPhone 5 and onwards. 

CarPlay comes as standard on all iPhones carrying at least Apple’s iOS 7.1 software, launched in 2013. Apple launched iOS 18 in September 2024. 

Android phones don't have access to CarPlay, instead relying on Google’s own Android Auto system, which largely offers the same functions.

How do I open Apple CarPlay?

Once you’ve made sure your car is one of the 600-plus models compatible with CarPlay, there are a few ways you can connect to it. Here's a list of them. 

The most common connection method is by using a USB cable, although some newer cars offer wireless CarPlay, which uses Bluetooth and wi-fi for the connection. 

If your iPhone is previous to the iPhone 15, you will need to use a Lightning-to-USB cable. All newer iPhones use the universal USB-C cable. 

How to connect to Apple CarPlay

First, locate the relevant USB port on your car. This is usually below the infotainment screen, in the central storage bin or somewhere on the centre control. 

Plug in your iPhone and a message should appear after a few seconds asking if you want to start CarPlay. Simply press ‘yes’ and the service will start on the car's screen. 

If your car supports both wired and wireless CarPlay connections, this will also register your iPhone to use the service wirelessly on future drives. You will be prompted to start CarPlay when you start the car in close proximity to your iPhone.

If your car supports only a wireless connection (or you don’t want to use a cable), the connection process is slightly more complicated, and the procedure varies from car to car. 

Some require you to plug your phone in for the first time before connecting wirelessly every time afterwards. Others act as a wi-fi hotspot to which you can connect your phone.

What's next for Apple CarPlay?

Apple updates CarPlay fairly regularly, with the latest iteration releasing in March 2025 as part of the brand's iOS 18.4 software update. 

The update brought an additional line of icons for some models with larger infotainment screens, as well as a proper integrated electric vehicle routing system for Apple Maps. 

The real big changes are due to arrive with the long-awaited 'CarPlay 2', which was first detailed by Apple in 2022. 

It's tipped to be more powerful and feature-filled than ever before, taking over all of your vehicle's digital screens, including the digital driver's display. That means you could be driving around with an Apple-designed dashboard in the future with bespoke speedometers and dials. 

I'll also be able to change your climate controls, radio and heated seats, which could mean traditional infotainment software becomes a thing of the past.

When will the new Apple CarPlay arrive?

First revealed in 2022, Apple stated the newest iteration of CarPlay would arrive by the end of 2023. It later revised this date to the end of 2024, and has now removed any estimated launch date from the CarPlay website. 

That means we're not entirely sure when the new Apple CarPlay system will launch, but it could be this year.

It has also been previously detailed that sports car brands Aston Martin and Porsche would receive the update first, but as yet, to no avail. 

What apps can I use through Apple CarPlay?

Not all apps are supported by CarPlay, but those that do will display on your car’s screen while you’re connected. Here’s a list of some of our favourites that are supported.

Spotify A popular music, podcast and audiobook streaming service.

Messages Apple’s Siri software will read out your received texts and allow you to send messages back via voice control.

Whatsapp The same as the above, plus the ability to make and receive phone calls.

Amazon Music A music streaming service.

BBC Sounds The BBC’s own app for streaming podcasts and radio.

Apple Maps Apple’s own sat-nav system.

Waze An indepenent sat-nav app with many exclusive features not offered by its Google and Apple counterparts.

Google Maps Yes, Apple CarPlay is an Apple product, but you can still use Google Maps, which is arguably the most reliable sat-nav app out there.

ZapMap, ChargePoint, Plugshare Independent apps to quickly find a public charging point for that all-important EV battery top-up. 

Can you play games on Apple CarPlay?

CarPlay is designed to help you drive without being distracted by your phone, so no, you can’t play games using the software.

Which cars have Apple CarPlay?

Fun fact: the first ever car to feature CarPlay was the Ferrari FF, which was updated in 2014 to add the functionality. 

Most mainstream brands have added CarPlay to their cars since, but it was often reserved for more expensive trim levels or offered as an optional extra. 

Now, though, it’s usually a standard feature due to its popularity. As we mentioned above, more than 600 car models on sale today are available with CarPlay, including cars from Audi, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Skoda, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, BMW and Ford.

If you’re still unsure whether your car supports CarPlay or whether to connect using a USB cable or wirelessly, check the owner’s manual or consult Apple’s list of available models. 

My car is old and doesn’t have CarPlay; can I fit it myself?

You can fit Apple CarPlay yourself by buying and installing an infotainment system from an aftermarket manufacturer. So long as the car has a standard-sized (single- or double-DIN) sound system, it should be compatible. 

This can be replaced by a more modern touchscreen system from aftermarket manufacturers such as Alpine, Pioneer and Sony, with prices varying from around £200 to £1500 depending on screen size and functionality.

You can do this yourself, but we would recommend going to a car audio professional for peace of mind, even if it will cost a little extra.

Is Apple CarPlay free?

CarPlay is free to use, as are most of the apps supported by it.

In 2019, BMW attempted to introduce an £85 annual fee to use CarPlay after the first year of car ownership, but it reversed the decision after a backlash from customers and the media.

You will need to be wary of your mobile data charges, though. Podcasts, music streaming and other apps can use a lot of data quickly, so make sure you keep an eye on what you’re downloading to avoid any unwanted charges.

The new Ferrari 296 Speciale is billed as the “most fun to drive, emotionally charged” car the marque has built yet, with its 868bhp claimed to be “very close” to the limit of what a rear-wheel-drive car can offer.

Priced from €407,000 (£349,000) in Italy and offered in both coupé and spider forms, it packs 49bhp more than the 296 GTB, has 20% more downforce and is 60kg lighter.

However, it is “not just an exercise where we put a few additional horsepower”, said Ferrari marketing chief Enrico Galliera. The Speciale instead represents a more comprehensive engineering effort.

For instance, its twin-turbo V6 uses aluminium pistons and the titanium conrods from the new F80 hypercar, and the head is secured to the block with titanium bolts.

This has allowed an increase in combustion chamber pressure of 7%, boosting the V6’s output from the previous 654bhp to 690bhp. 

Moreover, the crankcase has been shaved down to save 1.2kg and the turbo design has been reworked to shed another 1.2kg.

Ferrari has also doubled the size of the ‘hot tube’ – the sound pipe linking the engine bay and cabin – to improve the sound quality and volume of the V6.

Revised cooling for the hybrid system has unlocked a further 13bhp, independent of the V6.

“We are very, very close to the limit of the maximum horsepower that we can manage for a rear-wheel-drive car,” said development chief Gianmaria Fulgenzi. 

With that in mind, an aerodynamic overhaul has resulted in a redesign of the 296’s rear end, inspired by the Challenge and GT3 racers. 

This has brought about the fitment of two winglets atop the car’s rear haunches and a small active spoiler that rises from the back end – from just above the Prancing Horse badge.

The spoiler has three possible positions and adjusts based on the steering angle and throttle position.

It plays a key role in boosting the car’s maximum downforce by 20% compared with the 296 GTB, with 435kg at 155mph.

The damper and spring set-up has been revised, bringing a 5mm drop in ride height and a claimed 13% reduction in maximum body lean when cornering.

The cockpit has been reworked to minimise weight, with new seats that are said to be 5kg lighter than those in the 296 GTB.

There is more carbonfibre than before, including on a new single-piece door card, and the new steering wheel swaps the previous unit’s touchsensitive control pads for traditional buttons.

Ferrari said the Speciale will not be strictly limited in number but by the time it spends in production, which will be significantly shorter than for the now-discontinued GTB. It will be “very exclusive”, said Galliera.

Ferrari will offer the car only to what it calls “active” clients: those who have bought a new or approved-used car (or maintained an older car) through an official dealer within the past five years.

Isuzu has revealed an electric version of its D-Max pick-up truck with full-time four-wheel drive and a payload of more than a tonne.

The D-Max EV is making its debut at the LCV show in Birmingham this week ahead of a UK launch in February next year - when it will go up against the upcoming KGM Musso EV and new Maxus eTerron 9.

It's all but identical to the diesel D-Max (Isuzu's only model line in Europe) but swaps the oil-burner for a pair of electric motors – one on each axle – giving combined outputs of 188bhp and 240lb ft for a 0-62mph time of 10.1sec and a top speed north of 80mph.

Power is supplied by a 66.9kWh battery under the floor, which is good for a WLTP range of 163 miles and can be charged at speeds of up to 50kW for a 20-80% top-up time of one hour.

Importantly, the battery doesn't have a drastic impact on the D-Max's off-road ability, with the EV claiming 210mm of ground clearance and a wading depth of 600mm. It has approach and departure angles of 30.5deg and 24.2deg.

In addition to permanent four-wheel drive, the D-Max EV has a dedicated Rough Terrain Mode for "extreme off-road capability".

While it uses the same ladder chassis as the existing truck, Isuzu has fitted a bespoke de Dion rear suspension system in place of the leaf springs for improved handling.

Just as important is the fact that the EV is rated to carry more than 1000kg in its loadbed and can tow up to 3500kg - although Isuzu has yet to say what impact this will have on the range. The D-Max EV weighs 2350kg at the kerb.

Otherwise, the D-Max EV is largely identical to the diesel D-Max, inside and out - down to the kit list, which includes a touchscreen infotainment screen with smartphone mirroring, a digital driver's display, dual-zone climate control, parking sensors front and rear and heated front seats.

The D-Max EV is being offered only in double-cab form for now.

Prices have yet to be confirmed, but it's likely to command a substantial premium over the diesel D-Max, which starts at £36,505 before VAT.

Pre-sales will begin in the second half of this year, and the first customers will receive their D-Max EV in March 2026.