Latest in Automotive
Daily Mail
17 minutes ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS NASCAR legend and three-time Daytona 500 winner Larry McClure dies aged 81
NASCAR legend Larry McClure has died at the age of 81. McClure was a co-owner of Morgan-McClure Motorsports, and oversaw three Daytona 500 wins in the 1990s. 'The Family of Larry A. McClure, former co-owner of Morgan McClure Motorsports, announces with great sorrow his passing on Wednesday, June 25 at Johnson Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, Virginia,' his family said in a statement. 'We would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support during this most difficult time.' McClure operated Morgan-McClure Motorsports alongside Tim Morgan and his brother Jerry McClure.
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Transit authorities make surprising decision that will have big impact on Tesla drivers: 'Clearly a step in the wrong direction'
The New Jersey Turnpike Authority's decision to remove Tesla Superchargers from its service plazas means commuters could pay more for charging sessions or be unable to power up. Electric vehicle owners are decrying the move — whether they own a Tesla or not. On May 30, Tesla Charging (@TeslaCharging) announced on the social platform X that the NJTA requested the removal and decommissioning of all 64 Supercharger stalls on the New Jersey Turnpike even though the company said it offered "above-market commercial terms." Tesla has had Superchargers on the turnpike since 2014, according to Not a Tesla App, offering EV drivers 99.9% uptime (representing impressive availability and functionality) and 30% lower charging costs than those of competitors. However, as Electrek noted, Tesla's 2020 agreement with the NJTA has expired, and the transit authority has bestowed exclusive charging rights to Applegreen Electric. According to The New York Times, Applegreen already manages restaurants and stores along the turnpike. Tesla has struggled with volatile stock and declining sales this year, with CEO Elon Musk's involvement with the U.S. government and public rift with President Donald Trump key factors, worrying investors and polarizing consumers who view support for Tesla as a political statement. While Musk alleged that the NJTA's deal with Applegreen and refusal to allow Tesla to relocate its chargers on the turnpike was due to "corruption," he did not provide any evidence to support those claims. NJTA spokesperson Thomas Feeney told the Times that the move was intended to expand charging access to non-Tesla EV drivers. However, EV owners have been overwhelmingly united in their disdain for the NJTA's decision, arguing that the transit authority is making EV ownership more difficult, according to Not a Tesla App, which pointed out that Tesla's Supercharger network "is becoming the de facto fast-charging standard for a growing number of non-Tesla EVs." Drivers report that Applegreen's chargers, which feature only CCS1 cables, offer a worse charging experience or don't work at all, giving the company's iOS app a 1.9 rating out of 5. "This is clearly a step in the wrong direction that will hurt all EV owners," the publication wrote, also pointing to the millions of dollars of charging infrastructure that would be taken away without immediate replacement. In its statement on X, Tesla indicated that it would like to maintain its presence on the New Jersey Turnpike, saying it supports the addition of third-party chargers because it "drives down costs through optionality and accelerates EV adoption by having sufficient capacity to shoulder peaks." When you think about owning an EV, what concerns you most about public charging stations? Chargers not working Chargers not being available Charging being too expensive Charging taking too long Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. While boosting profitability is surely a major motivating factor for Tesla, having more EVs on roads would also benefit communities, reducing asthma-linked heat-trapping pollution from transportation. EV drivers also spend less money on energy and maintenance. In the meantime, Tesla says it will continue expanding its Supercharger network off the turnpike in New Jersey. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
The Sun
23 minutes ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Russell leads Austrian GP practice as Dunne impresses on debut
GEORGE RUSSELL topped the times for Mercedes ahead of four-time champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull in Friday's opening practice ahead of this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix. The 27-year-old Briton clocked a best lap in one minute and 5.542 seconds to outpace his Dutch rival by 0.065 seconds ahead of McLaren's championship leader Oscar Piastri and his temporary team-mate, reserve driver Alex Dunne, who delivered an impressive debut. The Irishman settled into the session and ramped up his speed in the closing stages to finish only 0.09 seconds adrift of Piastri in the car usually driven by Lando Norris. Pierre Gasly was fifth for Alpine ahead of Gabriel Bortoleto of Sauber, Williams' Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari, who endured a troubled session. RB rookie Isack Hadjar was 10th ahead of fellow-rookie Kimi Antonelli in the second Mercedes. Russell was the winner of last year's race in the Styrian Alps and won the Canadian Grand Prix two weeks ago, giving him momentum for this weekend. Dunne is Ireland's first F1 driver since Ralph Firman in 2003. Dino Beganovic made his second appearance of the season as reserve stepping in for Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, alongside Hamilton. He wound up 18th. Most teams introduced a range of upgrades, including a new floor for Ferrari, while Red Bull had a change of personnel in Verstappen's group, the vastly-experieced Simon Rennie stepping in for Gianpiero Lambiasse, who had taken a weekend off. By midway through the session, Russell had switched to softs and continued to set the pace as Ferrari were struggling again with both cars in the pits with problems. Hamilton who had complained of gearbox issues was only 18th and Beganovic 19th ahead of Dunne, who was familiarizing himself with the demands of F1. In a largely serene session, the first incident came with a spin for Fernando Alonso when he pushed on his first lap on softs at Turn 10. "That was the worst out-lap we can do," said the Aston Martin driver. "Good to do it in FP1!"
The Sun
23 minutes ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Used convertibles UK: Find out which used soft-tops you are eligible for this summer, from Mazdas to Mercs.
SUN'S out, funs out – it's time to make that dream of a convertible car a reality. While car experts will tell you spring is the perfect time to bag a convertible car bargain, you can still find great deals in summer. 12 FIND HERE Sellers in a crowded market are still itching for the cash and can often reduce costs to make a deal. No cash? No worries. Buyers can get a boost with Sun Motors Finance, an affordable and accessible way to access cash to buy a new car. We're working with some of the UK's best lenders to provide every driver with access to the low-cost credit they need to pick up a dream car. PCP Representative Example - Total Cash Price £6995 Deposit £2000 Amount of Credit £4995 47 Monthly Payments £95.09 Total Amount Payable £8834.23 Fixed Rate of Interest 6.715% Optional Final Payment £2365 Duration of Agreement 48 Months Annual Mileage Limit 10,000 Miles APR (Representative) 12.9% There's no waiting, either. You'll get an instant decision on eligibility and affordability in just 60 seconds. Whatever the season, when you're buying a convertible, you'll want to do some research to find the right make, model, and specification before parting with your pounds. In this guide, we're going to explain why spring and summer are the best time to buy a convertible car. Sun Motors experts have also selected their top 5 used convertibles for sale today, including two-seater and four-seater convertibles and super sporty models. It's top-down and shades on for our round-up of the best used convertible cars in the UK today for you to ponder ahead of the heatwave. Why is spring and summer a good time to buy a used car? March (and spring in general) is the best time to buy a used convertible car. Why? The age-old rules of supply and demand. The market for convertible cars hibernates during the winter, as drivers and dealers forget the sun and focus on surviving wind, rain, ice, and snow. Convertibles are designed for fair weather. By March, we've banished the winter blues, and things are beginning to heat up – including the market for convertibles. As we head into summer, market forces take over. As demand for convertible cars increases (reaching a peak during the summer), dealers can respond by putting up their prices. 2025 is breaking records for car sales, with more buyers, sellers, and motors on the market. That's good because competition encourages sellers to price competitively and provides buyers with the power to bag a bargain. Sellers don't want stock hanging around, and convertibles are harder to sell than a standard saloon, for example, as the market is smaller. Basically, while spring is probably the best time to buy a convertible, competition in the market and the pressure to make a profit mean you'll still be able to strike a good deal on a used convertible in summer. Stuck for cash? Spread the payments for your summer convertible Convertible cars, as you'll see from the list below, aren't exactly cheap, but there is a way you can get your dream car. Sun Motors offers car buyers a straightforward and simple way to finance a new car. The easy-to-use affordability calculator provides a guideline on the amount you can borrow, including interest rates and monthly repayments. That means you can have complete confidence that you can afford a car before falling in love with it. Even better, you don't need to worry about any searches damaging your credit rating. Our finance partner will only do a soft check. It's worth checking even if you've been previously denied credit. We work with a specialist lender who may consider applications from those with a bad credit rating. Give it a try, you've got nothing to lose. What is a convertible car? A convertible car is a car that can be driven without a roof. Most convertibles will have a roof that can be secured in place, converting it back into a car with a roof. (Hence the name.) On the market, you'll find two types of convertibles: soft tops and hard tops. What is the difference between soft-top and hard-top convertibles? Soft tops have a roof (made from canvas, cloth, vinyl, or another material) that can fold up or down. Hard-top convertibles have a solid roof that folds down. 12 Model: Audi TT FIND HERE There are advantages and disadvantages of each. Soft top convertibles can be cheaper to buy and often easier to maintain. On the other hand, soft roofs are more likely to degrade over time, are easier to damage, and won't be as warm as a hard top. Hard tops are more durable, warmer (because of greater insulation), and more secure. However, they can be more expensive to buy, maintain, and fix if they break. Benefits of a convertible car There's really only one reason you'd buy a convertible car, and that's because you want to experience the fun and freedom of driving without a roof. If you haven't tried it before, you should. Convertible cars are often sportier and more stylish than their hard-top cousins. Drive a convertible, and you're making a statement. (Especially if you forget to put the roof up and it rains.) Convertible cars are more expensive, but they can hold their value better, too. Top 5 used convertible cars for sale Here is Sun Motors' choice of the five best used-convertibles for sale in the UK today. Mazda MX-5 12 Affordable, reliable and the world's best-selling roadster. You knew it would be the Mazda MX-5, didn't you? Since its launch in 1989, the MX-5 has become a firm favourite, with the latest model still getting rave reviews. An abundance of MX-5s on the market keeps prices low. Insurance and maintenance costs won't break the bank – especially when compared to some of the other brands on our list (we're looking at you, Mercedes). Check out the WhatCar? guide on potential problems for your Mazda MX-5. (And always check the roof!) Shop around for the best deals, like this low-mileage 2016 SKYACTIV-G Sportmodel at less than £275 per month. Audi TT Convertible 12 FIND HERE Another best-selling classic, the Audi TT convertible, is no longer in production, which makes us sad. It's slightly bigger than the Mazda MX-5 and is highly reliable, says WhatCar?. Common problems include water leaks, faulty roof mechanisms, and issues with the interior trim. Sporty models like S and RS could have been driven hard, and damage to panels, paintwork, and alloys could all be expensive to fix. Find a good Audi TT convertible and you'll get years of stress-free motoring in a modern classic. Check out this almost spotless 10-year-old AUDI TT Coupe 2.0 TDI ultra Sport in impressive (and easy to keep clean) gun metal grey. MINI convertible The MINI convertible is small but strangely spacious, with enough room for four people, says Autoexpress. While you're not going to be running around with a rugby team, the MINI convertible is a practical, fun and attractive car. We like the 2016 model with its bullet-proof, BMW-approved, 3-cylinder 1.5-litre engine. It's fast enough for country lanes and forgiving for stop-start city driving. You'll often pay a premium for the MINI badge, but they retain value well, so buy with confidence. Our choice? The market for MINIs is vibrant, so it's hard to select one, but we like this box-fresh 2025 Mini Cooper S Class. Mercedes SLK The Mercedes SLK is sharper, faster, and more comfortable than many of the other convertibles here. It's a great grand tourer, capable of taking you, a passenger and a few small cases pretty much anywhere you want to go. Pick up an SLK55, and you'll reach 60mph in 4.6 seconds. Ouch. The hardtop roof goes up and down with German precision. Check everything is working, as replacements can be very costly. One thing to mention is that automatics are standard here, while manual cars are rare. Car reviewers seem to favour the SLK 200, which is a great car. Used SLKs are affordable, like this 2016 AMG for a pint under £300 per-month. BMW Z4 12 Model: BMW Z4 The BMW Z4 Roadster features a unique long bonnet design with an awesome BMW grill. Modern models are monsters, but we prefer the older – and more affordable – 2013-2017 Z4s. Why? They look great, perform well, and feature a reliable metal folding roof. Find one with a full-service history, and it's a good buy (especially when you see rising prices for older Z3s.) The BMW Z4 is a classic two-seat, big engine, small boot roadster, and we love it for that. It doesn't take long to find bargain BMWs out there. We like this 2015 M-Sport model. Best 4-seater convertible cars Need to carry you, your partner and the kids? Get a four-door convertible. Here are a couple of our favourites: The Mercedes C Class isn't particularly roomy, but you'll get four in at a push. And they will all want to get into this superbly-specced 2018 Mercedes C220 AMG Line D Auto. Model: Mercedes-Benz C-Class FIND HERE Another shout-out for the Germans, the BMW 4 Series Convertible is our second-favourite four-door convertible. Current models are all well and good, but we love the classic BMW grill on this sub-£10k BMW 4 Series 2.0 420i SE Euro 6. Here are a couple of our favourite all-out sports convertibles: The Porsche Boxster is a fast and cool mid-engine sports car that's incredible to drive. Model: Porsche Boxster Our choice on the market today is this immaculate 2016 Boxster with a high-powered 3.4-litre engine. FIND HERE The Lotus Elise is a small, lightweight, and blisteringly fast British-designed sports car. This canary yellow 2016 Lotus Elise convertible is all kinds of crazy, in a good way. Convertible car buying FAQs Here, we answer some common questions convertible car buyers have. What to look out for when buying a used convertible When buying a used convertible, you'll want to ensure that the roof itself is clean, the mechanism functions correctly (basically, that it goes up and down as it should), and there are no splits, tears, or damage. Ask the seller about the age of the roof (if it's a soft top) and if the roof has been repaired or replaced. If you're considering buying a soft-top convertible, get on a stool, chair, or stepladder and check over the whole roof of the car. Tears and splits can (and sometimes are) covered with tape, which can be impossible to spot unless you get up close. If you're happy that the roof goes up and down as it should and isn't damaged, then you can check all the other essentials, including condition, damage, service history, MOT records, mileage, etc. How to clean a convertible roof If you have a hardtop roof, you can clean it in the same way you would clean the rest of your car. Soft-top convertible roofs should be cleaned using a specialist cleaning product. These will help to remove any first and stains (including corrosive substances like bird poo) but won't dry out the material, which could cause it to become brittle and split or break. Take your time, follow the instructions, and you'll be fine. Always check for water ingress into the car after washing your convertible. Early warning enables immediate action! How to look after a convertible Convertible cars should be serviced and maintained in the same way you would any other car. If your car has a soft roof, you should regularly clean it (see above) and apply a protectant. This guide from detailing experts Autoglym is a good place to start. Over time, the soft top covering can wear out or dry out, leaving it susceptible to rips, tears, and other damage. You can protect it by storing it in a garage or under a cover, especially during the worst of the winter weather. Any soft-top convertible car left exposed to the elements for too long will become damaged. How does pre-approved car finance work? The best thing about Sun Motors' pre-approved car finance is that you can check how much you can borrow before you fall in love with a new convertible car. How? The magic of the Sun Motors system is that it runs a soft credit check. The result is a realistic monthly budget with no impact on your credit score. Armed with this, you can start the fun part: finding a new convertible car. How long does car finance approval take? It's very, very fast. In most cases, you'll get a pre-approval decision within 60 seconds. When you find a car you like, you can go through the final approvals process on the same day. Decision in 60 seconds, finance in a day, and a new dream car on its way. Motor Genius Group Ltd t/a Sun Motors is an Appointed Representative (FRN 960504) of The Compliance Guys Ltd who is authorised and regulated by the FCA (FRN 941360). We are a credit broker not a lender. We work with a select group of lenders and will receive commission. The full details of how the commission arrangements work will be provided before you proceed with any arrangement. Finance subject to status and income. Terms and Conditions apply. The advice we provide is not impartial due to our commercial relationships with lenders. ICO number [ZB640135].
Daily Mirror
24 minutes ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
George Russell is right and wrong about Mercedes plans amid Max Verstappen talks
George Russell looks impressively calm for a man who seems to know that his Mercedes seat is under threat. And not just from anyone – from the best driver in Formula 1 over the last few years in Max Verstappen, who continues to be linked with a move away from Red Bull in the future. Russell is out of contract at the end of this year and admitted this week that his team's "conversations with the likes of Verstappen are ongoing". But he followed that up by insisting he has nothing to worry about because of his impressive form this year. He's absolutely right about his performances, which have left little room for improvement since taking over as team leader from Lewis Hamilton. But even on the back of his win in Canada last time out, I'm not so sure Russell would be as safe as he seems to think if Mercedes were to actually convince Verstappen to quit Red Bull. Because their other option is to drop Kimi Antonelli, the teenager they fast-tracked into F1 in the belief that he's the sport's next big superstar. Having already been wounded by missing out on Verstappen as a teenager, it's hard to imagine Mercedes could let Antonelli slip through their fingers. Russell is correct to say he couldn't be doing much more to show Mercedes that he is perfectly capable of leading them into the future on track. Does that mean he's safe, though? Not if Mercedes do manage to turn Verstappen's head. The Silver Arrows' continuing efforts to try to woo the Dutchman suggest they feel their driver line-up can still be improved. While Russell has comprehensively outperformed rookie team-mate Antonelli so far this year, if Mercedes feel the latter's ceiling is higher then Toto Wolff may yet be forced to let the Brit go. All Russell can do to keep his place is continue his fine form – and pray that Verstappen either decides against a change of scenery, or Aston Martin blow Mercedes' offer out of the water. Max Verstappen is without race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase in Austria this weekend, for the first time in his whole Red Bull career. The Dutchman's long-serving ally has not made the trip to Spielberg for personal reasons. Replacing him for this one-off is Simon Rennie who is tasked with helping the Dutchman to avoid getting himself in any trouble. Because scoring one single penalty point this weekend would see Verstappen banned for next Sunday's British Grand Prix. Michael Schumacher was jeered on the podium after 'winning' the infamous 2002 Austria race – because Ferrari team-mate Rubens Barrichello had led throughout and only slowed after the final corner to comply with team orders to let the German take victory. Ferrari remain the most successful team in Austrian GP history with seven wins, though McLaren or Mercedes would match that tally with victory this weekend. Alpine are set to stick with Franco Colapinto despite the struggling Argentine reaching the end of his five-race deal, and will continue to drive on a race-by-race basis from Silverstone next weekend. Formula 1 fans can watch every practice, qualifying and race live with Sky's new Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in a new deal that saves £192. As well as Sky Sports access, this includes more than 100 TV channels and free subscriptions to Netflix and Discovery+.
