Latest news with #Fiat
The Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Top 10 classic cars to buy for under £3,000 including ‘bargain' BMW and ‘punchy' Fiat
THE TOP 10 classic cars on the market for under £3K, including a "bargain" BMW and a "punchy" Fiat, have been revealed. Classic car fans will be excited to see Top Gear's top picks of bargain motors currently up for grabs. 10 Alfa Romeo GTV Spider This fan favourite is on the market for under two grand. It delivers 155bhp and 138lb-ft of torque from its smaller 16-valve four-cylinder engine, paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. Despite not being fast it is still one of Alfa Romeo's iconic models. 10 Fiat Coupe Turbo This Italian-designed motor features an exterior by Chris Bangle and an interior crafted by Pininfarina. The punchy turbocharged inline-five Fiat also gets an uprated catback exhaust and air-con. Fiat fans can buy a used version of the model for £1,600 on eBay. 10 Vauxhall Calibra With just over 90,000 miles on the clock, this Vauxhall Calibra is up for sale at just under £2,000. The low price is due to it having a fuel pipe leak and a blown exhaust, but those can be easily fixed, according to Top Gear. For those looking for a fully working version, Autotrader have a model selling for £2,495. Jaguar XJ (second generation) Jaguar boasts one of the most iconic classic car line-ups, making it a firm favourite among enthusiasts. The XJ40 embodies the luxury brand's classic era, with an interior packed with comfort-focused features. One model with over 90,000 miles with a 4.0L engine can be found on Autotrader selling for £2,750. 10 Triumph Spitfire (1500) Motoring fans will agree that this car has one of the best names and looks among classic motors. Fitted with bespoke wire wheels and a black and white colour combination, this model is available for just £2,610. It's been with the same owner for the past 18 years and has been well maintained, with a new exhaust and brake servo recently fitted. Saab 900 Similar to the Triumph Spitfire, this owner has also done a lot of work to restore this classic car. This Saab 900 is fitted with a roof rack and is on offer for just £2,650, on Autotrader. It also comes with a brand new audio system and speakers. Volkswagen Golf GTI (Mk1) This MK1 Golf GTI 'Citi' was built for the South African market, with production running from 1984 right up to 2009. The classic motor produces 80bhp/90lb from its 1.6-litre petrol unit. With just 75,000 miles on the clock, this Volkswagen is up for grabs on eBay for just over £2,000. BMW 7 Series (E38) The 728i is described as being the bargain of the bunch, according to Top Gear. The Bimmer classic is available to snap up for just a mere £1,995. Despite being almost three decades the 2.8litre will take you to speeds of up to 141mph. 10 Mazda MX-5 (first generation) This Mazda MX-5 has been well looked after by its owner, with new lights and a cam belt recently fitted. It's powered by a 1.6-litre engine and has just under 190,000 miles on the clock. Classic car fans can head to AutoTrader, where the Mazda is listed for just under £3,000. Ford Escort (sixth generation) Despite not being placed in the same motorsport category as its forebears, the Ford Escort is a formidable car. This RS 2000 boasts a 2.0-litre engine and has clocked over 95,000 miles. Fans of the hatchback can grab this track day car for £3,000 on Autotrader
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Top 10 classic cars to buy for under £3,000 including ‘bargain' BMW and ‘punchy' Fiat
Read below to see the top classic cars BARGAIN MOTORS Top 10 classic cars to buy for under £3,000 including 'bargain' BMW and 'punchy' Fiat THE TOP 10 classic cars on the market for under £3K, including a "bargain" BMW and a "punchy" Fiat, have been revealed. Classic car fans will be excited to see Top Gear's top picks of bargain motors currently up for grabs. 10 Alfa Romeo GTV Spider on the market for under £2,000 Credit: Alfa Alfa Romeo GTV Spider This fan favourite is on the market for under two grand. It delivers 155bhp and 138lb-ft of torque from its smaller 16-valve four-cylinder engine, paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. Despite not being fast it is still one of Alfa Romeo's iconic models. 10 The Fiat Coupe 2.0v Turbo Credit: Fiat Fiat Coupe Turbo This Italian-designed motor features an exterior by Chris Bangle and an interior crafted by Pininfarina. The punchy turbocharged inline-five Fiat also gets an uprated catback exhaust and air-con. Fiat fans can buy a used version of the model for £1,600 on eBay. 10 Volkswagen Golf Mk 2 with just over 90,000 miles is going for just under £2,000 Credit: Alamy Vauxhall Calibra With just over 90,000 miles on the clock, this Vauxhall Calibra is up for sale at just under £2,000. The low price is due to it having a fuel pipe leak and a blown exhaust, but those can be easily fixed, according to Top Gear. For those looking for a fully working version, Autotrader have a model selling for £2,495. 10 XJ40 embodies the luxury brand's classic era Credit: Alamy Jaguar XJ (second generation) Jaguar boasts one of the most iconic classic car line-ups, making it a firm favourite among enthusiasts. The XJ40 embodies the luxury brand's classic era, with an interior packed with comfort-focused features. One model with over 90,000 miles with a 4.0L engine can be found on Autotrader selling for £2,750. 10 A model is available for just £2,610, on Autotrader Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk Triumph Spitfire (1500) Motoring fans will agree that this car has one of the best names and looks among classic motors. Fitted with bespoke wire wheels and a black and white colour combination, this model is available for just £2,610. It's been with the same owner for the past 18 years and has been well maintained, with a new exhaust and brake servo recently fitted. 10 This classic motor is on offer for just £2,650, on Autotrader. Credit: Alamy Saab 900 Similar to the Triumph Spitfire, this owner has also done a lot of work to restore this classic car. This Saab 900 is fitted with a roof rack and is on offer for just £2,650, on Autotrader. It also comes with a brand new audio system and speakers. 10 The classic motor produces 80bhp/90lb from its 1.6-litre petrol unit Credit: Alamy Volkswagen Golf GTI (Mk1) This MK1 Golf GTI 'Citi' was built for the South African market, with production running from 1984 right up to 2009. The classic motor produces 80bhp/90lb from its 1.6-litre petrol unit. With just 75,000 miles on the clock, this Volkswagen is up for grabs on eBay for just over £2,000. 10 The Bimmer classic is available for just under £2,000 Credit: Buzz Pictures BMW 7 Series (E38) The 728i is described as being the bargain of the bunch, according to Top Gear. The Bimmer classic is available to snap up for just a mere £1,995. Despite being almost three decades the 2.8litre will take you to speeds of up to 141mph. 10 Mazda MX-5 classic car driving on a British road Credit: Getty Mazda MX-5 (first generation) This Mazda MX-5 has been well looked after by its owner, with new lights and a cam belt recently fitted. It's powered by a 1.6-litre engine and has just under 190,000 miles on the clock. Classic car fans can head to AutoTrader, where the Mazda is listed for just under £3,000. 10 This RS 2000 boasts a 2.0-litre engine Ford Escort (sixth generation) Despite not being placed in the same motorsport category as its forebears, the Ford Escort is a formidable car. This RS 2000 boasts a 2.0-litre engine and has clocked over 95,000 miles. Fans of the hatchback can grab this track day car for £3,000 on Autotrader
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Top 10 classic cars to buy for under £3,000 including ‘bargain' BMW and ‘punchy' Fiat
THE TOP 10 classic cars on the market for under £3K, including a "bargain" BMW and a "punchy" Fiat, have been revealed. Classic car fans will be excited to see Top Gear's top picks of bargain motors currently up for grabs. 10 Alfa Romeo GTV Spider on the market for under £2,000 Credit: Alfa Alfa Romeo GTV Spider This It delivers 155bhp and 138lb-ft of torque from its smaller 16-valve four-cylinder engine, paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. Despite not being fast it is still one of Alfa Romeo's iconic models. 10 The Fiat Coupe 2.0v Turbo Credit: Fiat Fiat Coupe Turbo This Italian-designed motor features an exterior by Chris Bangle and an interior crafted by Pininfarina. read more on motors The punchy turbocharged inline-five Fiat also gets an uprated catback exhaust and air-con. Fiat fans can buy a used version of the 10 Volkswagen Golf Mk 2 with just over 90,000 miles is going for just under £2,000 Credit: Alamy Vauxhall Calibra With just over 90,000 miles on the clock, this The low price is due to it having a fuel pipe leak and a blown exhaust, but those can be easily fixed, according to Top Gear. Most read in Motors For those looking for a fully working version, Autotrader have a 10 XJ40 embodies the luxury brand's classic era Credit: Alamy Jaguar XJ (second generation) Jaguar boasts one of the most iconic classic car line-ups, making it a firm favourite among enthusiasts. The XJ40 embodies the luxury brand's classic era, with an interior packed with comfort-focused features. 10 A model is available for just £2,610, on Autotrader Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk Triumph Spitfire (1500) Motoring fans will agree that this car has one of the best names and looks among classic motors. Fitted with bespoke wire wheels and a black and white colour combination, It's been with the same owner for the past 18 years and has been well maintained, with a new exhaust and brake servo recently fitted. 10 This classic motor is on offer for just £2,650, on Autotrader. Credit: Alamy Saab 900 Similar to the Triumph Spitfire, this owner has also done a lot of work to restore this classic car. This It also comes with a brand new audio system and speakers. 10 The classic motor produces 80bhp/90lb from its 1.6-litre petrol unit Credit: Alamy Volkswagen Golf GTI (Mk1) This The classic motor produces 80bhp/90lb from its 1.6-litre petrol unit. With just 75,000 miles on the clock, this Volkswagen is up for grabs on eBay for just over £2,000. 10 The Bimmer classic is available for just under £2,000 Credit: Buzz Pictures BMW 7 Series (E38) The 728i is described as being the bargain of the bunch, according to Top Gear. The Despite being almost three decades the 2.8litre will take you to speeds of up to 141mph. 10 Mazda MX-5 classic car driving on a British road Credit: Getty Mazda MX-5 (first generation) This It's powered by a 1.6-litre engine and has just under 190,000 miles on the clock. Classic car fans can head to AutoTrader, where the Mazda is listed for just under £3,000. 10 This RS 2000 boasts a 2.0-litre engine Ford Escort (sixth generation) Despite not being placed in the same motorsport category as its forebears, the Ford Escort is a formidable car. This RS 2000 boasts a 2.0-litre engine and has clocked over 95,000 miles. Fans of the
Auto Blog
a day ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
2026 Nissan Leaf vs Hyundai Kona EV: How Do These Low-Priced EVs Compare?
High competition at low prices Affordable electric vehicles are still relatively rare, but a few notable options hover around the $30,000 mark before incentives. The current Hyundai Kona EV and the upcoming 2026 Nissan Leaf are among the main contenders. While official pricing for the 2026 Leaf hasn't been released, Nissan representatives say it will remain competitive. For now, the 2025 Leaf starts at around $29,000, while the Kona EV is priced just above $33,000. Sitting between the two is the Fiat 500e, though it's a much smaller two-door vehicle and belongs to a different class entirely. Meanwhile, the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV is also available, but it starts at well above $35,000. With those figures in mind, how do the upcoming Leaf and the current Kona EV stack up against each other? Hyundai Kona EV ($32,975 base MSRP) 2025 Hyundai Kona EV — Source: Hyundai Now in its second generation, the Hyundai Kona EV is an impressive evolution, offering performance and drivability that rival more expensive electric vehicles. Even the base model is well-equipped, featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen and heated seats. All trims benefit from a multilink rear suspension, which enhances handling and overall ride quality in real-world conditions. The base Kona EV SE is powered by a 99 kW motor producing 133 horsepower, paired with a 48.6 kWh battery that delivers up to 200 miles of range. Higher trims use a more powerful 150 kW motor with 201 horsepower, backed by a 64.8 kWh battery good for up to 261 miles. DC fast charging peaks at 100 kW, allowing for reasonably quick top-ups. Hyundai offers the Kona in three variants: gasoline, hybrid, and fully electric. The all-electric Kona EV lineup starts at $32,975 for the SE. The SEL is priced at $36,975, followed by the sporty N Line at $38,375, and the fully loaded Limited trim at $41,150. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. 2026 Nissan Leaf (Pricing TBA) 2026 Nissan Leaf — Source: Nissan While we haven't yet tested the 2026 Nissan Leaf in person, there's already a wealth of information available about this all-new model. Positioned to compete directly with the Hyundai Kona EV and the upcoming Chevrolet Bolt EV, the redesigned Leaf brings several fresh innovations to the segment. The base Leaf S features a 52-kWh battery paired with a 174-horsepower motor. While official range figures for this version haven't been released, early estimates suggest it will exceed 200 miles. The new battery systems are now liquid-cooled and heated, with a heat pump available for improved efficiency in cold climates. A larger 75-kWh battery is also offered, delivering 214 horsepower and an estimated range of over 300 miles. DC fast charging tops out at 150 kW, which is notably higher than many competitors in this price range. Inside, the 2026 Leaf gets a complete redesign. Base S and S+ trims come equipped with dual 12.3-inch screens, while higher trims step up to dual 14.3-inch displays. The range-topping Leaf Platinum adds a unique dimming panoramic moonroof that uses electrochromic glass to switch from clear to opaque at the push of a button. Official pricing has not yet been announced, but Nissan has confirmed the lineup will include S, S+, SV, SV+, and Platinum trims. More than skin deep The 2026 Nissan Leaf introduces a unique charging feature not currently offered by any other automaker: dual charging systems with two separate charge ports. Nissan engineers have equipped the Leaf with both a J1772 (CCS1) port on the driver's side and a NACS (Tesla) port on the passenger side. Both ports are located near the front wheels, making them easily accessible, regardless of the available charging infrastructure. In contrast, the Hyundai Kona EV features a single charge port—like Tesla's setup—located at the rear on the passenger side. Both the Leaf and Kona EV are classified by their manufacturers as crossovers or SUVs due to their elevated ride height and design language. However, neither offers all-wheel drive, which makes their SUV designation debatable. In practice, they behave more like tall hatchbacks. On the plus side, both vehicles ride on a multi-link independent rear suspension—a significant upgrade over the basic torsion-beam setups commonly found in economy cars. This contributes to better ride quality and improved handling dynamics. Final thoughts On paper, the upcoming 2026 Nissan Leaf has a clear edge in several key areas over the Hyundai Kona EV. It offers more power, a larger battery option, faster DC fast-charging capability, and dual charging ports—including a standard NACS (Tesla-style) input alongside the J1772/CCS1. It also introduces clever tech features like electrically dimming roof panels, adding to its appeal. That said, the Hyundai Kona EV remains a strong contender in this class. It's well-equipped, refined, and already available, backed by Hyundai's solid reputation and EV experience. If Hyundai continues its trend of aggressive pricing, the Kona EV will likely stay very competitive against the new Leaf.
Top Gear
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Little mix: what's the best compact EV on sale right now?
Big Reads Stylish, small, retrofuturistic... these are the EVs that everyone's talking about. Where should you spend your hard earned cash? Skip 1 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Before you cry foul... yes, we know this page is a playing field that's badly unlevel. The price of this top of the range electric Mini is half as much again as this electric Panda. It's not a normal comparison test. We're here to show how much choice there is amongst desirable little cars. I don't just mean in the way they look, either, but also how you interact with them and drive them. These aren't just cars, they're characters, somehow animate. In an age where the global auto biz has decided – because it thinks you have decided – that what you need is a blobby crossover with a generic twin screen interface and blasé dynamics, that's a relief. If you really want to save money, the Grande Panda is for you. There's a cheaper trim than this one, called Red, at £20,995. It has the same power and the same 199 miles of WLTP measured range as this top spec La Prima version. The Red is the one to buy because the Grande Panda, like all Pandas through history, feels cheap because it is. It doesn't insult you with the notion that cheap is boring. The Red saves money by rolling on (perfectly attractive) white steel wheels and goes without the roof rails and heated seats, its climate control is manual and its centre screen has no built in satnav but you'll be mirroring your phone anyway. Advertisement - Page continues below Good design costs nothing. The sheet metal is neat and chunky. Pixel motifs for the lights are copied in the cabin vents. A homogeneous set of rectangles with semicircular ends covers off the dash, binnacle, lower console and door handle plinths. The cabin trim isn't made of expensive multilayered soft plastics, but the textures, like the shapes, make it obvious the designers thought about it, and they nudge you with endless Fiat logos carved into the plastic and fabric and very panels of the bodywork. Behind the Fiat lettering on the front hides the Panda's brilliant unique feature, a fixed spiral wound charge cable. You pull it out, plug in, then watch it twang back in afterward, saving you from the grimy inconvenience of coiling it into the boot. Photography: Jonny Fleetwood You might like The Renault feels more expensive, but it's still value. Base price is £22,995, but stepping up another £4k to the tested 5 Techno's price of £26,995, you get useful extra kit and meaningfully more electric range – 254 miles per WLTP. The 5's design leans on Renault's historical 5s, but not in particular on a single version or generation. It's a modern shape, but with a bunch of samples in the mix. Inside, the R5 uses cloth and stitching to set an effectively chic, upmarket vibe. Its centre screen is easy to use and has intuitive Google-based navigation that arranges charge stops. But the graphics on its driver's screen are a fussily distracting series of oblique stripes. Still, the info's all there once you look past that. Advertisement - Page continues below The latest generation of Minis does well to move on from the slightly slavish retro of previous generations. The cabin is properly modern and interesting in its use of cloth that's given depth by graded colour weaves. The round screen is a silly idea, or at least an interesting idea that they didn't quite find a way of making best use of. This test version has a headup display, and while in most cars that's a bit superfluous, here it's all but vital. The Mini also has the fewest switches, and leaves you fumbling in screen menus too often. That said, it's better than it first seems because some of the switches, for the lights for instance, also pull up screen shortcuts. There's a quick menu key that takes you close to, if not quite actually at, the point where you can turn off lane assist and speed buzzers. The Renault and Fiat do this more simply with their actual buttons. Renaults have more hardware switches than almost any car on sale these days, plus a copse of column stalks, and we like them for it. The Fiat has fewer, but then it has far fewer software systems for you to control. It's a wonderfully Zen car: no drive modes, no configurable displays, no paralysis of choice. Skip 10 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. The Mini and R5 sit you low down so you feel sporty and connected. The Panda has no interest in being sporty, so you're higher, with a better view. In the back, the Mini has just two seatbelts but grownups can fit as well as they can in the Fiat, which is probably too narrow for three. The Renault is wider but squeezes your shins and feet. If you need a lot of bootspace, forget the Mini altogether. On the move, the Fiat does nothing to dent the air of good cheer. Its gait is soft and its pace slow. You're untroubled by power understeer because there's so little power. See also torque steer. So you just throw it down the road, and mostly it maintains decorum. Steering and brakes are light but progressive, so it's easy to build up the loads smoothly. The long travel suspension lets the body move around a bit, but not in a way that deflects your course. It takes quite big hits and severe cambers without much complaint. There's little audible commotion either, so the general impression is that it's a solidly made article. If you want to know why it's often more fun to drive a slow car as fast as it'll go than a fast car slowly, take a Panda down a bumpy rural road. Look at the gaps between wheels and arches in the Fiat, and the same in the Mini. Right there is how their approaches to suspension dynamics differ. The Mini is wide, squat, unyielding. Which makes it quick witted and grippy on the smooth roads that our country conspicuously lacks. On a less pristine surface it pogoes with the undulations, and, worse, gets knocked off course if one front wheel hits a bump or dip. The steering doesn't help. Either side of the straight-ahead, the steering isn't quick, so it stays stable on motorways. But add lock and it suddenly dives overeagerly into the arc. If that coincides with a bump that knocks you into the apex, or you get too eager with the accelerator and bring on the torque steer, then suddenly it's all a bit of a handful. This is the Mini Cooper E with the JCW pack. Cooper SE offers more power, John Cooper Works spec more again. They're 184, 218 and 258bhp. Things just seem a bit overwrought with the JCW. But then, the three cylinder petrol Coopers were usually more fun than the top power fours. Skip 9 photos in the image carousel and continue reading The Renault sits neatly in the middle of the Fiat and Mini for performance and suspension firmness, but down a road it has a harmony and neatness of motion neither of them can match. It's tautly sprung like the Mini, but has better travel over big bumps, and is far less knocked off course when it hits a bump while busy doing something else – turning or braking or accelerating. The damping is fluid and mature. So you feel confident in working it hard, and finding its precise and slightly playful reactions to on/off accelerator inputs as a way of trimming the cornering line. It's a sophisticated car. Unsurprisingly the battery capacity and performance of these three as tested rises with price. The Panda has 43.8kWh for 199 miles, taking 11.0secs to 62mph. The Renault's 52kWh are good for 254 miles and 7.9secs – it feels as much quicker as the numbers suggest, with a hit of motorway power too. Mini E is swifter than you think for a base car – 62mph takes 7.3secs. Want more pace? You have choice. All have 49.2kWh for – depending on tyre size – up to 250 miles of range. The Mini and R5 can comfortably operate at motorway overtaking speed, making little noise. But that'll impact range. The Panda, as its power tapers away after 60mph-odd, will probably see you cruising more slowly than the other two, and getting closer to its WLTP range. The 5 is the best car here, justifying its price over the Fiat. The fact it's better than the dearer Mini is also a big win The reason we urge you to go for the cheapest Panda is that it's the clear bargain. The spec tested here is the same money and range as the cheapest small battery R5. But the R5 is a better car. Meanwhile the cheapest electric Mini is £29,420 – about the same as the R5 in this tested spec (Techno, bigger battery, more power) – but has Panda-like range. When people complain electric cars are expensive I always say, 'Yes, but that's because all cars are expensive". Match the spec and power of a petrol Corsa to the R5 here and the sticker price is the same too. The Panda is different. Choose the Red spec and it's significantly cheaper than the others, but it'll still make you happy. The 5 is the best car here, justifying its price over the Fiat. The fact it's better than the dearer Mini is also a big win. So it's the best of these three.
