McMurtry has revealed the production-ready SpéirlingPure hyper track car and features several new components over the prototype.
McMurtry Automotive is a British hypercar company that was founded by engineer Sir David McMurtry. The McMurtry Spéirling Prototype was the company’s first car and has broken several lap records including the Goodwood Festival of Speed Hill Climb and around the Top Gear Test Track.
The Spéirling Pure is the production car that will be limited to just 100 units and features a larger 100kWh battery pack with dual electric motors that produces 1,000bhp. The 0-60mph sprint comes up in just 1.5 seconds and the car will reach a top speed of 190mph.
Underneath, the Spéirling Pure is equipped with McMurtry’s patented ‘Downforce-on-Demand’ technology which are two high-speed fans that generate suction below the car to produce as much as 2,000kg of downforce from 0mph. This is to make the car as planted as possible around corners and reduce the chances of the vehicle spinning or losing control on a race track.
The cabin features a one-seater layout with custom-moulded seats. (McMurtry)
Compared to the prototype, the production Spéirling Pure has a 10 per cent longer wheelbase; is 14 per cent wider and 11 per cent longer to accommodate the larger battery pack. The bodywork is made from carbon fibre and has been sculptured around its new dimensions, while the carbon monocoque chassis helps keep the weight to a minimum.
The cockpit features a one-seat layout with a bespoke racing-style steering wheel; there’s a central display screen that shows important information such as power, fan settings and state of charge, while there is optional air conditioning, custom-moulded seats and adjustable pedals.
Prices for the McMurtry Spéirling Pure start at £995,000, while the car will make its world debut at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed which takes place between July 9 and July 12. Customer deliveries are set to begin later this year.
Citroen is celebrating 30 years of the Berlingo van and MPV with the introduction of a new ‘Collection’ trim level.
The Citroen Berlingo van was launched in 1996 followed by the MPV variant in 1997 and kickstarted the van-derived family car trend back in the late 1990s.
Thirty years after its debut, Citroen is celebrating that milestone with the new Berlingo Collection, which replaces the old ‘Plus’ trim.
Its exterior boasts a ‘30’ badge located on the front pillars, rear privacy glass and 16-inch black alloy wheels.
The Berlingo Collection replaces the old ‘Plus’ trim. (Citroen)
The interior is accompanied by a 10-inch infotainment system, a 10-inch digital instrument cluster and a heated steering wheel.
Under the bonnet, the Berlingo Collection can be fitted with a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 108bhp and comes as standard in the short-wheel base ‘M’ five-seater guise.
There is a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine that’s available with 108bhp and 128bhp power outputs, while -short five-seater and long-wheel base ‘XL’ seven-seater models are available with these powertrains.
You can also have the car as an electric e-Berlingo which is equipped with a 52kWh battery pack and an electric motor that produces 134bhp and can travel a claimed 213 miles on a single charge.
Prices for the Citroen Berlingo Collection start at £25,305 for the five-seat petrol model, while the e-Berlingo Collection is eligible for the government’s Electric Car Grant which will slash £1,500 off its list price, meaning the flagship seven-seat XL model comes in at £31,890.
Kia is expanding the EV5 and Sportage SUV range with the ‘Storm’ special-edition variants.
The ‘Storm’ trim level will sit between the two models’ popular GT-Line and GT-Line S specifications and adds more kit for similar money.
The EV5 ‘Storm’ boasts new 19-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, LED headlights, artificial leather upholstery, ambient interior lighting and a powered tailgate.
Powering the car is an 81.4kWh battery pack with an electric motor that produces 214bhp and can travel a claimed 329 miles between charges.
Meanwhile the Sportage ‘Storm’ features 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, front and rear silver skid plates, silver roof rails, black leather and suede seat upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats and keyless entry with push button start.
The ‘Storm’ trim will sit between the GT-Line and GT-Line S models. (Kia)
Under the bonnet, the Sportage ‘Storm’ can be specced with a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 148bhp, while there is a hybrid model that is equipped with the same 1.6-litre turbocharged unit mated to an electric motor that makes 235bhp.
Other additions include a new all-wheel drive variant added to the EV5 line-up. The standard 81.4kWh battery uses a dual electric motor which will be available on GT-Line and GT-Line S models. In terms of power, Kia has not revealed the car’s brake horse power figure, though the manufacturer says the car will sprint to 60mph in 7.2 seconds and has a maximum towing capacity of up to 1,800kg.
Orders for the new Kia EV5 and Sportage ‘Storm’ range open on July 1 with prices starting at £34,395 for the petrol Sportage and rise to £43,145 for the EV5. The EV5 AWD comes in at £45,646 for the GT-Line and £50,145 for the GT-Line S.
The Dacia Spring has reclaimed the title of Britain’s cheapest new car after receiving a £4,000 price cut with the range now starting at £11,990.
It comes in the wake of its main rival, the Leapmotor T03, which recently received a £3,000 price reduction through its ‘Leap-Grant’ incentive. The Dacia now undercuts the Chinese electric city car by more than £1,000 and is £4,000 cheaper than before.
The entry-level Expression model comes with a decent amount of standard kit for the money including air conditioning, rear parking sensors, cruise control, a digital instrument cluster and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.
All Springs are hooked up to a 24.3kWh battery pack. (Dacia)
For £1,000 more, the range-topping Extreme adds a 10.1-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a reversing camera, electric rear windows and a vehicle-to-load (V2L) system which enables electrical appliances such as a coffee machine to be plugged in using the car’s battery pack.
All Springs are hooked up to a 24.3kWh battery pack with an electric motor that produces 68bhp. The flagship Extreme model comes with a more powerful 98bhp setup and can travel a claimed 140 miles between charges.
In terms of charging, 40kW DC rapid-charging is compatible enabling a 20 to 80 per cent top-up to be completed in 29 minutes.
The revised Dacia Spring range is on sale now with deliveries expected to commence later this year.
BMW has taken the covers off the new fifth-generation BMW X5 which brings the firm’s ‘Neue Klasse’ design language.
The X5 is BMW’s longest-serving SUV after it was launched in 1999. More than 25 years on, and the latest model brings more tech than ever before including a new electric powertrain.
Its exterior boasts the German firm’s ‘Neue Klasse’ design language with an illuminated vertical kidney grille and ‘double-X’ daytime running lights. Down the side, the car’s silhouette features a sloping roofline, flared wheel arches, chunky rear haunches and new LED taillights that run the width of the tailgate.
For an additional cost, the X5 can be specced with electrically powered front and rear doors which feature BMW’s ‘winglet’ door handles that are built seamlessly into the lower door frames for a sleeker appearance.
The interior boasts BMW’s ‘Panoramic iDrive’ system. (BMW)
Inside, the new X5’s cabin boasts a wraparound dashboard design for a sportier feel with a 3D backlit ambient light strip. Furthermore, there is BMW’s ‘Panoramic iDrive’ system that incorporates a 3D head-up display, a central display, and for the first time in a BMW, a passenger screen.
Under the bonnet, the X5 is available with a plethora of powertrains. The first is a 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine that uses a 48-volt mild-hybrid system which makes 309bhp and 670Nm of torque.
There are two plug-in hybrid setups which use a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine mated to an electric motor and 26.5kWh battery pack. The lower-powered ‘50e’ model produces 482bhp and 700Nm of torque and has a claimed electric range of up to 63 miles, while the beefier ‘M60e’ makes 603bhp and 800Nm of torque and can travel a claimed 61 miles on electric power.
The electric ‘iX5’ provides a claimed class-leading 525-mile range. (BMW)
For the first time, there will be an electric ‘iX5’ variant which is equipped with a 141kWh battery pack with dual electric motors that makes 570bhp and 805Nm of torque, while the manufacturer claims the car will manage a class-leading 525 miles between trips to the plug.
Prices, specifications and further details for the UK market on the new BMW X5 will be revealed soon when the car goes on sale in the spring next year.
The Leapmotor T03 is now Britain’s cheapest new car with a starting price of £12,995 through the firm’s ‘Leap-Grant’ incentive.
Leapmotor is a Chinese brand that has a 51:49 joint partnership with the European conglomerate, Stellantis. The T03 is an electric city that is a rival to the Dacia Spring and Honda Super-N.
Customers ordering a T03 will receive a £3,000 saving through the ‘Leap-Grant’ incentive, while there is just one trim level to choose from with all cars featuring a panoramic glass sunroof, adaptive cruise control, keyless start, a reversing camera and a 10.1-inch infotainment system.
All cars are equipped with a 37.3kWh battery pack. (Leapmotor)
Underneath the electric city car is equipped with a 37.3kWh battery pack and an electric motor that produces 94bhp and can travel a claimed range of up to 165 miles between charges.
In terms of charging speeds, the T03 is compatible with 48kW DC rapid-charging which enables a 30 to 80 per cent top-up to be completed in 36 minutes.
Damien Dally, Leapmotor UK’s managing director, said: “To celebrate 12 months of helping buyers ‘take the leap’ to electrification, we’re delighted to be doubling the Leap-Grant on the T03, making it not just the most affordable new EV in the UK, but the most affordable new car full stop.”
Orders for the Leapmotor T03 with the ‘Leap Grant’ incentive open on July 1 with deliveries expected to commence later this year.
Skoda has unveiled its new flagship entry into the electric seven-seat SUV market with the Peaq.
The Skoda Peaq is an electric alternative to the firm’s combustion Kodiaq SUV and will rival the Kia EV9 and Peugeot E-5008.
On the outside the Peaq has been inspired by Skoda’s ‘Vision 7S’ concept car which was first shown in 2022. At the front, the car uses Skoda’s ‘Tech-Deck’ face with vertical slats and LED backlighting, while there is a wraparound strip that sits prominently on the bumper and forms part of the LED lights and daytime running lights.
Down the side, the Peaq is the first Skoda to use flush door handles to improve efficiency while at the back the vertical taillights feature the same single strip that wraps around the bumper.
Inside, the Peaq is fitted with Skoda’s latest 13.6-inch Android-based infotainment system complemented by a 10-inch digital driver’s display. There are several of the brand’s ‘Simply Clever’ storage solutions which include a windscreen-mounted parking ticket holder, a picnic table, 25W wireless charging pads and a USB socket integrated into the interior mirror.
All models are hooked up to an 86kWh battery pack. (Skoda)
With all the seven seats in place, the Peaq provides 299 litres of space while with the third row of chairs pushed forward, that room extends to 890 and 2,075 litres with all the seats folded down. As standard, all cars come with a 37-litre frunk which can also stow the charging cables.
Underneath, the Peaq is equipped with an 86kWh battery pack, badged ‘90,’ which is hooked up to an electric motor to produce 282bhp and can deliver a claimed range of up to 390 miles. Higher-spec cars are available with a dual-motor variant of this setup named ‘90x’ that makes 295bhp; however Skoda has not revealed the claimed electric range for this model at this stage.
All cars will be compatible with 199kW DC rapid-charging, which will take the car from a 10 to 80 per cent top-up in 28 minutes.
Orders will open in September. (Skoda)
In terms of standard kit, the entry-level SE L comes with the 13.6-inch vertical infotainment system, 19-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights. The mid-level Edition adds matrix LED headlights, a horizontal light bar and black leather upholstery. Meanwhile, the range-topping Sportline boasts 20-inch wheels, sports seats, a sports three-spoke heated steering wheel and black exterior detailing.
Prices for the Skoda Peaq start at £51,980 and will rise to £60,380 for the dual-motor Sportline model. Orders will open in September with expected deliveries to commence at the beginning of next year.
When you think of a supermini, the Vauxhall Corsa normally springs to mind as it’s currently Britain’s best-selling small car.
The latest model has been on sale since 2020 and recently received several updates to keep it looking fresh next to the competition.
It might not be the most interesting car on the market, but has a few nips and tucks given the Corsa the street cred it deserves?
Updates
(Vauxhall)
One of the biggest changes is found on its front nostril which now incorporates Vauxhall’s ‘Vizor’ radiator grille.
Standard kit has improved and there is a new entry-level ‘Yes’ model that has all the toys you could want for an affordable price, while all cars now come with a larger 10-inch infotainment system.
Other styling tweaks include model-specific lettering on the tailgate and fresh alloy wheel designs, but the rest of the car remains the same as before and it shares its underpinnings with the Peugeot 208.
Engines and transmissions
(Vauxhall)
There’s no shortage of choice as the Corsa can is available with petrol, hybrid and electric powertrains.
We’re driving the entry-level 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol unit that develops 98bhp and 205Nm of torque. It can hit 60mph in 9.7 seconds and will reach a top speed of 121mph.
Our test car is hooked up to a six-speed manual gearbox, though there is an automatic option with this engine.
The hybrid model uses the same 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to a 48-volt battery and can be specced with 108bhp and 143bhp power outputs, while all hybrids transmit their power through to an automatic gearbox.
The Corsa Electric is equipped with a 54kWh battery pack and a single electric motor that can also be opted with two power outputs of 134bhp and 154bhp. The former can return a claimed 221 miles on a single charge while the latter variant can do a claimed 265 miles between trips to the plug.
Driving experience
(Vauxhall)
The Corsa delivers a surprising driving experience as it’s more fun than you might think.
Around town the light clutch and steering makes it effortless in stop-start driving and the gearbox is smooth, although a little rubbery.
On a twisty road the steering provides a good amount of feedback and the car handles well with limited body lean.
The low driving position gives it a more driver-focused feel and the ‘Sport’ mode sharpens the throttle response and adds weight to the steering.
The 1.2-litre engine has a good range of low-down grunt, but at higher speeds it soons starts to run out of puff. Also the brakes can feel too grabby and there is a fair bit of wind noise that enters the cabin on the motorway.
Looks
(Vauxhall)
The Corsa isn’t a car that is going to get your heart racing, yet this update has made it a more attractive proposition.
For £650 you can get the car with a contrasting black roof, which gives it a sportier appeal, while the ‘Kiss Red’ paintwork on our test car is much more vibrant than the generic silver, grey, black and white paint finishes.
However we think that the car that it shares its platform with, the Peugeot 208, is the better-looking option between the two.
Interior and practicality
(Vauxhall)
The cabin offers a no frills layout with lots of physical dials and everything is easy to operate.
Our car boasts red trim on the door panels while the 10-inch infotainment system is simple, intuitive and features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Lots of the materials feel cheap and flimsy while storage is only average in a car of this class with shallow door bins, a couple of cupholders and a glovebox that loses half of its capacity due to the location of the fusebox.
Getting into the back can be difficult due to the small rear doors and narrow aperture; however once you’ve climbed in, rear-seat occupants will have just about enough head and legroom to get comfortable for a short journey.
The Corsa also falls behind its rivals when it comes to boot capacity measuring at 309 litres, which is 42 litres less than the Volkswagen Polo and 82 litres smaller than a Renault Clio’s 391-litre volume.
Trim levels
(Vauxhall)
The Corsa provides lots of standard kit for the money and to keep things simple there are just three trim levels to choose from.
Our entry-level ‘Yes’ test car comes in at £19,740 and features LED headlights, heated front seats and steering wheel, all-round electric windows, cruise control, a seven-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10-inch infotainment system.
The mid-level GS is yours for £23,985 and adds 17-inch alloy wheels, a contrasting black roof and door mirrors, a reversing camera and LED taillights.
Flagship Ultimate cars are priced at £27,415 and boast power-folding door mirrors, keyless entry with push button start and a wireless smartphone charger.
In comparison, the cheapest Volkswagen Polo starts at £22,055, which makes the Corsa represent excellent value for money.
Conclusion
The Vauxhall Corsa has never been an interesting or exciting alternative in the supermini sector.
This latest model is by far the best iteration to date thanks to its good driving dynamics, excellent levels of standard equipment and competitive prices.
Rivals like the Volkswagen Polo provide more interior space and the Peugeot 208 is better looking, but if you’re looking for a sensible, no frills small car, the Corsa makes a lot of sense.
FUN FACT
The latest Corsa features a little shark motif in the centre console and it has been on every new Vauxhall model since the third-generation Corsa was launched in 2006 after a designer’s son suggested the idea while designing the car’s glovebox lid.
Facts and Figures
Model we’ve tested: Vauxhall Corsa Yes 1.2-litre manual
The Renault Megane E-Tech has been given several updates including a new nose and upgraded battery pack.
The Megane E-Tech is an electric hatchback that is a rival to the Kia EV4 and Volkswagen ID.3 and this new model is more advanced than ever before.
Its exterior boasts a new front end with a revised bumper and light signature that features eight diamond-shaped elements in a chequerboard pattern. The Renault logo has been re-positioned beneath the bonnet, the daytime running lights feature a new diamond pattern and the car sits 20mm taller than its predecessor.
All models now come with Renault’s ‘openR Link’ 12-inch infotainment system with Google Built-in. (Renault)
Inside, the car uses the latest version of Renault’s ‘openR Link’ 12-inch infotainment system which features Google Built-in and Google AI Gemini for the first time, while there is a 12-inch digital instrument cluster.
Underneath, the updated Megane E-Tech is fitted with a 67kWh battery pack and an electric motor that makes 217bhp and 300Nm of torque. The car can return a claimed range of up to 310 miles between charges and can be topped up at speeds of 165kW from a DC rapid charger enabling 15 to 80 per cent to be completed in 24 minutes.
There is a new 67kWh battery pack and electric motor that provides a claimed range of 310 miles. (Renault)
There will be two trim levels to choose from with the standard ‘Techno’ car coming with 19-inch alloy wheels, an energy-saving heat pump and the dual 12-inch screens with Google Built-in. The range-topping Esprit Alpine adds 20-inch alloy wheels, electrically adjustable massaging front seats and a Harman Kardon premium audio system.
Prices and further details on the updated Renault Megane E-Tech will be revealed at a later date with more information to follow soon.
The quirky Honda Super-N will be one of Britain’s cheapest new EVs when it goes on sale next week with a starting price of £18,995.
The Super-N is Honda’s next chapter into the electric city car class and is the replacement for the old ‘E’ supermini.
Its exterior design takes a lot of inspiration from the Honda City Turbo II of the 1980s with its flared wheel arches, wide stance and aero ducts.
Inside, the similarities from the City Turbo continue with the bolstered front seats, ambient lighting and blue-highlighted trim dotted about the cabin.
The cabin features bolstered seats and blue accents. (Honda)
In terms of practicality, the Super-N provides 162 litres of boot space and all models feature Honda’s ‘Magic Seats’, where the rear-seat bases flip up to create more space in the back to carry taller items. Fold the 50:50 split rear seats down and the total load volume increases to 967 litres – one of the largest in its class.
Underneath the car is equipped with a 29.6kWh battery pack and a single electric motor which can deliver a claimed range of up to 128 miles on a single charge, while 50kW DC rapid-charging is compatible enabling an 80 per cent top-up to be completed in 30 minutes.
The car is equipped with a 29.6kWh battery pack. (Honda)
Honda has not revealed the car’s standard specification list at this stage, though the car will come with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a Bose eight-speaker premium audio system with a subwoofer.
Orders for the Honda Super-N open on June 22 with deliveries expected to commence later this year.
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