Latest news with #citycar
Auto Express
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
New Fiat 500 Hybrid: iconic city car celebrates anniversary by returning to petrol power
The original Fiat 500 was unveiled exactly 68 years ago today, and the Italian outfit has marked the occasion by unveiling the long-awaited, petrol-powered version of its beloved city car – backtracking on its decision to make the latest incarnation electric-only. Under the stubby nose of the new Fiat 500 Hybrid is a 1.0-litre naturally aspirated 'Firefly' three-cylinder engine, with a 12-volt mild hybrid power boost and stop/start capability coming from a belt-integrated starter generator. It's paired with a six-speed manual gearbox. Advertisement - Article continues below This is a tried-and-tested powertrain that was used in the previous generation Fiat Panda and 500, and typically produced less than 70bhp. However, Fiat hasn't shared any power, performance or fuel economy figures for the new 500 Hybrid yet. The price tag hasn't been announced either, but considering the electric 500e is currently being offered for just over £25,000, the 500 Hybrid will be priced from well under £20,000. It should cost closer to £15k, considering the new Grande Panda Hybrid is going to start from a little over £18k. The new Fiat 500 Hybrid will be available as either a hatchback or Cabrio convertible though, and equipped with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a seven-inch digital driver's display and a full ADAS suite, including lane-keeping assist and traffic sign recognition. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Production is due to start this November, but a few examples have already been built, showing us that the hybrid and electric 500 look almost identical. There is, however, a thin slot on the face of the hybrid, presumably to feed air into its minute engine, and obviously the dashboard has been revised slightly to accommodate the manual shifter. The latest iteration of the Fiat 500 was introduced in 2020, and is an undeniably sweet car. However, it has only been available as an EV until now, limiting its appeal and sales, which it seems the brand is now willing to admit was a mistake by fitting the mild-hybrid set-up that, in its own words, 'brings the 500 back to the people, blending the heritage and technology developed with the electric version into a more accessible form'. Advertisement - Article continues below Head of Fiat Europe Gaetano Thorel told Auto Express earlier this year: 'The new 500 is one of the best cars Fiat has ever had from a design and technology standpoint. The fact that we have limited the possibility for the majority of consumers to enjoy the new 500 really makes me very sad. So when the engineers found a way to put the engine inside, giving us the go [ahead] for the new 500 hybrid, it was one of the best days of my life.' To do this, Fiat's engineering team has had to rework the latest 500's electric architecture to shoehorn the powertrain of the previous 500 hybrid – which has been off sale in the UK for nearly a year – into the nose. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below 'It was an engineering challenge,' admitted Thorel. Removing the battery has not freed up any additional cockpit or trunk space, Thorel asserts, with the main interior difference being the installation of a manual stickshift. It's possible the name 'Hybrid' may also change to 'Ibrida' (Italian for 'hybrid') – as fellow Stellantis brand Alfa Romeo has done with its new mild-hybrid Junior Ibrida. Interestingly, the 500 Hybrid is not using the same mild-hybrid technology that Fiat's parent company Stellantis has installed in numerous models, including the Fiat 600 compact SUV, Peugeot 208 and Vauxhall Corsa. They use a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, paired with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with an integrated electric motor, which can propel the cars for short distances on pure electric power. Don't get excited thinking the six-speed 'box presages an Abarth replacement for the 595 hot hatch either. Speaking to us on an earlier occasion, Thorel emphasised that the engine was more for affordable motoring than performance: 'The new 500 hybrid that will be built in Mirafiori [in Italy], its micro hybrid engine [is] nothing spectacular.' Instead, the company is pouring investment into new models: a mid-size SUV and Fastback, plus a Grande Panda 4x4. Those cars, along with the 100 million Euro investment in the 500e that includes redesigning its platform and potentially fitting new battery tech, rules out an indulgence such as a new baby Abarth. 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 Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production There's also a new SV Black trim, and a Range Rover Sport Stealth Package for non SVs Arrivederci Roma: new Ferrari Amalfi slots in as brand's latest entry-level model Arrivederci Roma: new Ferrari Amalfi slots in as brand's latest entry-level model A slick new look and more power are the headlines for Ferrari's new baby, but it's probably some simple new buttons that will get customers' attention Geely is coming to the UK, and its assault will start with EX5 SUV Geely is coming to the UK, and its assault will start with EX5 SUV Geely has looked to Lotus to ensure it's new electric SUV lives up to our driving expectations
Top Gear
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Renault 5 - long-term review - Report No:2 2025
Nothing to do with the powertrain – in fact, we've gone for the bigger 52kWh battery which also means 148bhp and 181lb ft of instant torque through the front wheels, so it's perfectly nippy. No, the Renault is supremely slow because literally everyone stops you to talk about it. This started on the R5's home turf on the drive back from the factory, but thankfully my grasp of the French language meant I could only quickly share that it was 'très bon'. Back in London I've been stopped by cabbies and Uber drivers alike, plus a family of four who wanted a full photoshoot of it outside Ikea. It is the correct colour, in fairness, and I agree that it looks brilliant. It's a piece of retro design that still manages to look modern and catches the eye of those who couldn't claim to remember the original. Thankfully I've been more than happy to talk about the 5 so far too, because it's proving very competent, efficient, and the ride quality is excellent on dreadful British roads. Charging has been flawless too, with the 200 miles back from Douai dispatched with no issues. An electric city car that can do proper motorway miles? Hurrah! My main takeaway so far is that this feels like a properly grown-up car. The steering has decent weight to it, the damping feels reassuringly expensive and you can tell that people interested in driving had a hand in its setup. It's a fun front-wheel drive hatch to throw around a bit. My only issue so far is that I'm finding the brake pedal to be a little bit grabby, but driving in Brake mode with maximum regen means I use the pedal less in town anyway.
Top Gear
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Toyota Aygo X Driving, Engines & Performance
Driving What is it like to drive? First thing to note is that the Aygo X is not a quick car. The naturally aspirated three-cylinder kicks out a mighty 71bhp and 69lb ft of torque, and 0-62mph takes 14.9 seconds in the manual or 14.8 in the CVT, by which time you'll be tone deaf, as well as late. Does that really matter, though? Not if you're exclusively using this as a town runaround. At low speed the X is nippy enough, but get it onto a motorway and the 1.0-litre does sound strained. Even through the extra insulation that the old hatch didn't have. Advertisement - Page continues below And the thing is, as much as carmakers like to pretend that city cars live in cities, they don't. Young people bomb up and down motorways to university or college in them. The elderly sometimes want to go cross country too. And that's where a really grown-up and refined supermini like the Renault Clio comes into its own, and the Aygo X does not. Through twisty stuff it fares better, though. The Aygo X stays remarkably flat despite the taller suspension and higher centre of gravity, while the steering is nicely weighted. The turning circle is also a usefully tight 4.7m. Which gearbox should I go for? We've driven both, and our ears have now finished bleeding from trying the CVT: it's everything you hate about CVTs, people. Dreadful throttle response, migraine-inducing noise and unimpressive fuel economy. If you're medically able, buy the manual. If not, try a second-hand Renault Zoe, or a mobility scooter. The manual is a decent shift and offers more control when you only have 71bhp on tap, although the bite point was unusually high on several of our test cars. Not great for learners if that's the case across the board. Toyota reckons the manual/auto split will be around 60/40. Advertisement - Page continues below Is it comfortable? For a tall-ish car with big wheels, the Aygo X seems to ride surprisingly well, though you can hear more of what the suspension is up to than in rivals. That said, the extra ride height and taller tyres mean that you don't feel the jolts from speed humps shuddering through the chassis as badly as in the old Aygo. So, if you're too lazy to slow down for speed bumps, here's your car. Delivery drivers will adore it. It's certainly not revolutionary, but then again no part of the X's driving experience really is. It has been designed for right now. It might not have the futureproofing, the refinement or the instant torque of an EV, but it almost stands out as being a little bit fun to drive because of the lesser-spotted combustion-engine/manual gearbox combination and the circa one tonne kerb weight. Just avoid the CVT. Please. What about running costs? The little three-cylinder engine is reasonably efficient: Toyota quotes 54-56mpg for the CVT and 56-58mpg for the manual on the WLTP cycle. We managed just under 40mpg in the former and just over 40mpg in the latter on a test route that included some country lanes, motorways and busy city streets. Taking the CVT on the motorway will result in very low 40s to the gallon. And a headache. There's plenty of active safety tech on all trims too, although the incessant beeping from the lane keep assist system is far from pleasant. Happily you can turn it off with a long press of a steering wheel button. Highlights from the range the fastest 1.0 VVT-i Exclusive 5dr [Canvas] 0-62 14.9s CO2 BHP 71.1 MPG Price £20,200 the cheapest 1.0 VVT-i Pure 5dr 0-62 14.9s CO2 BHP 71.1 MPG Price £16,400
Top Gear
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Is the Honda e about to make a spectacular return? This is the new Super EV Concept
Is the Honda e about to make a spectacular return? This is the new Super EV Concept Honda will debut a 'fun-to-drive' little city car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July Skip 1 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures. Honda has announced it will be bringing a 'new all-electric urban concept vehicle' to the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, and this early snap of a camouflaged prototype has got us rather excited indeed. Y'see, it very much looks like we might finally be getting a successor to the retrotastic Honda e. Fingers crossed it has a little bit more range this time around. Advertisement - Page continues below Known as the Super EV Concept, this thing looks as brilliantly boxy as the original e, although at first glance it could be taller and narrower. We're getting serious kei car vibes. Properly chunky wheelarches, too. Honda said the concept has been 'designed to demonstrate how an A-segment model might offer fresh, 'fun-to-drive' electric performance alongside trademark Honda usability'. Could that mean a rear-wheel drive layout like the e? Fingers crossed. The 'small, sporty model' has apparently been carrying out feasibility testing in the UK ahead of Goodwood as part of a wider global prototype programme. Let's just hope something this small and sensible makes it to our shores if it does end up going into production. Advertisement - Page continues below Top Gear Newsletter 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. Success Your Email*
Auto Express
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Smart Roaster set for a return, and it could look like this
Auto Express found out recently that Smart is preparing a successor for its ForTwo city car, which could leave the door open for the Smart Roadster to return. Introduced back in 2003, the tiny, lightweight two-seater was respected for its balanced mid-engined layout. One noteworthy fan was legendary Formula One car designer Gordon Murray, who used a Roadster as his daily driver. We asked Smart UK CEO Jason Allbutt about a new Roadster during an exclusive interview with Auto Express. He laughed, but seemed enthusiastic: 'We used to have one of those in the family, and [it was] particularly good fun,' he told us. Advertisement - Article continues below 'For a country that has more rain than probably any other European market, we are lovers of coupés and roadsters. So yes, I could see a possibility for such a car in the UK.' As encouraging as that is to hear, Allbutt quickly added that there are no immediate plans to revive the Roadster. The brand currently has much bigger fish to fry, starting with the launch of its biggest model yet, the all-new Smart #5 SUV, which is due to go on sale this year. Following soon after that should be a new electric family hatchback called Smart #6, which we expect to see in the coming months. Hopefully, by the time that arrives, we'll have commitment from the brand and a vision for the new ForTwo city car. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below But if the idea of making a new sports car catches on and the Roadster does make a comeback, what could we expect from a new interpretation of the original formula? Lightness and compact size would be key, and it's near-certain to be electric. Smart is committed to its vision of being an EV-only brand, but that shouldn't stop it forging ahead with plans for a new sports car. Indeed, several established names will make the switch to electric over the next two years. Most recently, we learned about the new Alpine A110 due to be unveiled in 2026, which its maker says will weigh less than 1.5 tonnes and feature innovative in-wheel motors. Advertisement - Article continues below The next-generation Porsche Boxster and Cayman will also be ditching petrol power, as will the Lotus Emira and the Mazda MX-5. Given the individual look of each of Smart's current models, it's impossible to say with any certainty what a next-gen Roadster may look like. We believe the design team would keep the original's relatively lengthy wheelbase, with the wheels pushed out to the corners, plus the cab-rearward look and long bonnet. Features such as the contrasting side blade and rollover hoop could also be carried over. But Allbutt clearly has reservations about how ready roadster buyers may be when it comes to embracing electric cars. 'I think a lot of people that drive these cars historically have been traditional car enthusiasts,' he told us. 'Part of the joy of having the roof down, in case you have less hair to be ruffled nowadays, is also to hear the sound of the engine. 'Maybe there's a new audience that would be looking at [an electric roadster] in a different way. I'm not quite sure yet as to who the buyers of that car really are. It's too early to tell right now, but we'll see.' How those other sports cars perform could influence Smart's decision to make a new Roadster. The brand is still half-owned by Mercedes, in tandem with Chinese group Geely, giving the company access to the latest technology and the ability to respond quickly to trends. Can't wait for the Smart Roaster? Auto Express Find A Car can help you find the best deals out there on used Smart models ... Find a car with the experts New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power Hot Peugeot E-208 gets racier styling, 276bhp and does 0-62mph in just 5.7 seconds Car Deal of the Day: Kia Sportage at £255 per month can't be anything but popular Car Deal of the Day: Kia Sportage at £255 per month can't be anything but popular The Kia Sportage has earned its popularity over the years and deals like our Car Deal of the Day for June 14 won't do it any harm at all. New entry-level Renault Symbioz is £3k cheaper than a Nissan Qashqai New entry-level Renault Symbioz is £3k cheaper than a Nissan Qashqai The Renault Captur has also been fitted the new full-hybrid powertrain, which gets a bigger battery for more pure-electric driving
