Vauxhall announces prices and specifications for hot Corsa GSE

Vauxhall has revealed prices and specifications for the new performance-focused Corsa GSE electric hot hatchback.

The Corsa GSE is the second hot electric Vauxhall to be introduced and will sit below the larger Mokka GSE in the firm’s model line-up.

Underneath the car Corsa GSE uses the same 54kWh battery pack and electric motor as the Mokka, producing 277bhp and 345Nm of torque. It can sprint to 60mph in 5.3 seconds and will reach a top speed of 112mph.

In terms of range, Vauxhall claims the car can travel up to 232 miles between trips to the plug and that 100kW DC rapid-charging will be compatible, allowing a zero to 80 per cent charge to be completed in 30 minutes. 

The exterior boasts 18-inch alloy wheels and sports bumpers. (Vauxhall)

The Corsa GSE gains uprated brakes, suspension and a multi-plate limited-slip differential to maximise grip and power through the corners. The car has a 36mm lower ride height and a 74mm wider track than a standard Corsa, while a thicker anti-roll bar and new rear axle makes the car stiffer. 

Its exterior is complemented by a front splitter, new bumpers with air intakes and beefier 18-inch alloy wheels – inspired by Vauxhall’s GTE models of the 1980s. 

The cabin features an Alcantara, heated flat-bottom steering wheel, aluminium pedals, yellow seat belts and heated Alcantara front bucket seats.

Prices will start at £34,495, though the car will be eligible for the government’s Electric Car Grant, which will slash up to £1,500 off the car’s list price. That means the Corsa GSE will be priced at £32,995 when the car goes on sale this year. 

Orders for the Corsa GSE open in September will deliveries expected to commence in the winter.

By Cameron Richards

Denza D9 seven-seat plug-in hybrid minivan goes on sale priced at £75,000

The Denza D9 seven-seat luxury plug-in hybrid minivan has gone on sale with a starting price of £75,000.

Denza is the premium sub-brand of the Chinese firm, BYD. The D9 is a luxury plug-in hybrid seven-seat minivan and is China’s answer to the Lexus LM. 

There will be two trim levels available with the standard Elegance car coming with electric sliding rear doors, full leather upholstery, heated, ventilated and massaging front seats, a panoramic sunroof and a 15.6-inch infotainment system.

There will be two trim levels. (Denza)

Range-topping Ultimate cars are priced at £85,000 and boast Denza’s ‘Zero Gravity Rear Seats’; featuring 14-way adjustments, massaging functions and can recline up to 152 degrees. Meanwhile there’s a 12-inch head-up display, a digital rear view mirror and a 10.25-inch front passenger display.

Powering the D9 is Denza’s ‘DM-i’ plug-in hybrid powertrain that consists of a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to an electric motor and 58.5kWh battery pack. The setup produces a combined power output of 288bhp, while Denza claims the car can travel up to 130 miles between charges. 

Its plug-in hybrid powertrain can take the car a claimed 130 miles on electric power. (Denza)

The D9 will also be compatible with Denza’s Flash Charging technology, which enables the vehicle to be topped up at speeds of 559kW from a DC rapid-charger, allowing a 10 to 97 per cent charge to be completed in just nine minutes. 

Orders for the Denza D9 are open now with expected deliveries to commence later this year.

By Cameron Richards

These were the best-selling cars in July

July’s best-selling cars have been revealed with SUVs and hatchbacks the most popular choice among buyers. 

Britain’s new car market grew by 11.7 per cent in July with 156,571 units registered, while electric vehicle sales are up 44.5 per cent compared to figures from July 2025, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Petrol vehicles are still the most popular choice among buyers with 62,799 registrations and a 40.1 per cent market share, followed by electric vehicles at 43,106 units and a 27.5 per cent market share. 

So, which cars secured the top 10 best-sellers list? Here are Britain’s best-selling cars in July. 

Ford Puma – 3,531

The Ford Puma is practical and great to drive. (Ford)

The Ford Puma has become a popular sight on Britain’s roads thanks to its sharp driving dynamics and practical cabin.

It’s available with a choice of turbocharged mild-hybrid petrol engines and there is now an electric ‘Gen-E’ variant on offer.

The electric model is equipped with a 43kWh battery pack and an electric motor that can deliver a claimed range of up to 233 miles between charges. 

As standard, the Puma also comes with a cavernous 456-litre boot capacity and 523 litres in the Gen-E thanks to the car’s ‘Gigabox’ – a large underfloor storage area that also has its own drain plug hole. 

Nissan Qashqai – 3,224

The Qashqai is built in Britain. (Nissan)

The Nissan Qashqai has become a status symbol for UK motorists and SUVs as it represents excellent value for money.

The latest model is available with mild-hybrid and regular hybrid powertrains, while the car provides a smooth and comfortable driving experience. 

All models come with a decent amount of standard kit and there is lots of space inside for a family. 

Kia Sportage – 3,205

The Sportage is one of the best SUVs on the market. (Kia)

The Kia Sportage is a practical, efficient and sensible choice if you’re looking for a midsize SUV.

Not only is it good to drive, but there is a choice of petrol and hybrid powertrains on offer and all cars come with Kia’s seven-year or 100,000-mile warranty.

The cabin provides lots of handy storage compartments and the rear seats fold completely flat to make the Sportage a very versatile option. 

Jaecoo 7 – 2,709

The Jaecoo 7 has become a popular sight on Britain’s roads. (Jaecoo)

Two years ago, Jaecoo was an unheard of manufacturer, though now it’s become the brand of choice for those looking for an affordable, electrified SUV.

The 7 is its most popular model and is available with petrol and plug-in hybrid powertrains, while all cars come as standard with heated front seats and a six-speaker audio system.

All Jaecoo 7s come with a seven-year or 100,000-mile warranty and prices start at just £30,165 for the entry-level Deluxe model. 

MG HS – 2,703

The HS is one of MG’s best models. (MG)

MG has demonstrated that Chinese cars can be on par with their European rivals when it comes to quality, refinement, technology and value for money.

The HS packs lots of standard kit, is good to drive and is available with petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid setups.

The PHEV variant is hooked up to a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor and 24.7kWh battery pack that can take the car a claimed 75 miles on electric power. 

Ford Kuga – 2,533

The Kuga is a frugal and good-to-drive option. (Ford)

The Kuga is the second car in the Blue Oval’s model line-up to make it onto the best-sellers list in July.

It’s good to drive, packs lots of interior space and is available with frugal petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains.

There’s also a rugged Active model that comes with wheel arch claddings, lower-bumper mouldings and a black roof. 

Jaecoo 5 – 2,481

The Jaecoo 5 is a compact SUV that rivals the Ford Puma. (Jaecoo)

Jaecoo’s smallest model, the 5, has also made it onto Britain’s best-sellers list in July.

The 5 is a rival to the Ford Puma and Toyota Yaris Cross and is wrapped in a body that has lots of Range Rover-esque vibes.

It’s available with petrol power, while there is an electric model called the E5 that uses a 61.1kWh battery pack and an electric motor to provide a claimed range of up to 248 miles. 

Volkswagen Golf – 2,413

The Golf is the benchmark of family hatchbacks. (Volkswagen)

The Volkswagen Golf is the pinnacle of small family hatchbacks and 50 years after its original debut, it’s still the benchmark in this sector of the market. 

Now in its eighth generation, the latest model is available with mild-hybrid petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains, while there are five-door hatchback and five-door estate body styles on offer. 

The Golf doesn’t do anything radical, but its high levels of comfort, quality, practicality, efficiency and desirability make it the go-to choice for lots of buyers. 

Mini Cooper – 2,350

The Mini is a fun and funky proposition. (Mini)

The Mini Cooper is a fun, quirky and characterful small car that is a big hit for British buyers.

The brand now focuses on sustainability and the Cooper is no exception to this with the cabin featuring lots of recycled materials and a 2D knitted dashboard design.

Behind the wheel, the Mini’s sharp handling, well-tuned chassis and punchy performance makes it one of the most entertaining cars in its class when it comes to driver engagement. 

Vauxhall Corsa – 2,326

The Corsa is an affordable supermini (Vauxhall)

It may not be the most interesting car on this list, but the Vauxhall Corsa has found lots of homes in the UK and for many reasons.

It’s cheap to buy, cheap to run, and can be specced with petrol, hybrid and electric powertrains. It also feels very grown up to drive, while the low driving position gives it a sportier edge compared to some of its rivals.

If you go for the Corsa Electric, it’s mated to a 54kWh battery pack and an electric motor that can deliver a claimed range of up to 264 miles.

By Cameron Richards

Third-generation Audi Q7 goes on sale priced at £81,665

Audi has announced that the new Q7 seven-seat SUV has gone on sale with a starting price of £81,665.

The Q7 has been around since 2006 and was Audi’s first seven-seat SUV, and this new model will be rivalling the Volvo XC90 and Mercedes GLE. 

The range kicks off with the entry-level S Line and comes with 20-inch alloy wheels, S Line exterior styling, Audi’s 11.9-inch virtual cockpit plus, a 14.5-inch MMI infotainment system with a 12.3-inch passenger screen, a 10-speaker sound system, adaptive cruise control and the firm’s renowned Quattro all-wheel drive system. The mid-level Edition 1 comes in at £88,965 and adds 22-inch alloy wheels, red brake callipers, a heated steering wheel, Fine Nappa leather upholstery and ventilated and massaging front seats. 

There will be three trim levels to choose from. (Audi)

Range-topping Vorsprung cars are priced at £101,665 and boast 23-inch alloy wheels, digital matrix LED headlights and OLED taillights, a head-up display, a 4D Bang and Olufsen 22-speaker premium sound system and a panoramic sunroof with switchable transparency glass. 

Under the bonnet, the Q7 is powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 diesel engine that uses Audi’s ‘mild-hybrid plus’ technology. It develops 295bhp and 630Nm of torque, while the car can sprint to 60mph in six seconds; however a top speed figure has not been revealed at this stage. 

Orders for the Audi Q7 are now open with customer deliveries expected to commence in September. 

By Cameron Richards

Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo receives new battery pack and more power

Volkswagen has fitted the ID.Buzz Cargo with a new and improved battery pack which can take the van further on a single charge.

The new 58kWh setup replaces the old 59kWh unit and is hooked up to a single electric motor that can take the van a claimed 218 miles between charges – that’s 17 miles more than on the outgoing model. 

In terms of power, the new powertrain produces a total of 187bhp, which is 20bhp more than before, while a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function now enables electrical appliances such as a microwave or hair dryer to be plugged in using the van’s battery pack.

The ID.Buzz Cargo is eligible for the government’s Plug-in Van Grant. (Volkswagen)

Other updates include Volkswagen’s latest ‘ID 6.0’ infotainment software which now features an integrated app store. There is now ‘Connected Travel Assist’ that uses online data to support driving functions and can respond to traffic lights, allowing the vehicle to gradually come to a stop when a red light is detected. 

The Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo now receives the government’s Plug-in Van Grant incentive, which means customers can now save up to £5,000 off the van’s list price. 

Prices for the updated Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo range start at £29,995, including the PiVG savings.

By Cameron Richards

Four-wheel drive hybrid variants of the Dacia Duster and Bigster go on sale

Orders for the Dacia Duster and Bigster fitted with the firm’s new ‘Hybrid 150 4×4’ powertrain are now open.

The two SUVs are fitted with Dacia’s renowned 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that boasts 48-volt mild-hybrid technology and is equipped with front- and rear-mounted electric motors to make four-wheel drive. 

In terms of power, this new setup produces 148bhp and 230Nm of torque, while all cars are hooked up to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. 

Both models come with five driving modes to help deliver their power smoothly and efficiently, depending on the road surface. Auto mode can switch between two-and four-wheel-drive; Eco focuses on efficiency; Lock is designed for low-speed driving; Mud/Sand can optimise the best traction on rutted roads and Snow is for driving on slippery surfaces. 

Both models will come with five drive modes. (Dacia)

If you want a Dacia Duster with this new powertrain, it’s only available on the Extreme model which comes as standard with equipment such as heated front seats and steering wheel, roof bars and 18-inch alloy wheels.

The Bigster Hybrid 150 4×4 can be specced in two trims with Journey models coming with a powered tailgate, 19-inch alloy wheels and a 10-inch digital instrument cluster. Meanwhile, the flagship Extreme adds roof bars, a panoramic sunroof and an Arkamys 3D six-speaker premium sound system. 

Prices start at £26,845 for the Dacia Duster Hybrid 150 4×4 and rise to £29,515 for the range-topping Bigster with this four-wheel drive powertrain.

By Cameron Richards

The Hennessey Blackbird is a manual, naturally-aspirated V8 hypercar

Hennessey has revealed a new naturally-aspirated V8-powered hypercar called the Blackbird.

Hennessey is an American supercar manufacturer that is responsible for making some of the fastest and most exclusive road-going cars in the world.

The Blackbird is its latest creation and is powered by a 6.2-litre naturally-aspirated V8 that revs to 9,000rpm. However, Hennessey has not revealed power figures at this stage, with the firm targeting around the ‘800bhp to 850bhp’ mark. 

Furthermore, details of the Blackbird’s acceleration and top speed are still yet to be revealed with the American firm saying it’s targeting a 0-60mph time of 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 220mph.

Just 71 examples will be made. (Hennessey)

The body of the Blackbird is made from a carbon fibre tub, while the bodywork itself is also made from carbon fibre and the adaptive suspension has been designed to maximise comfort and driveability, where possible.

Inside, the cabin of the Blackbird features a six-speed gated manual with exposed gear linkages, while there is more of an analogue approach with no touchscreens and a large tachometer. Owners will be able to connect their phone via Bluetooth and use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto through the car’s bespoke Hennessey phone holder. 

Just 71 examples of the Hennessey Blackbird are expected to be produced with a starting price of £1.85m. There are no details at this stage whether any examples will be coming to the UK.

By Cameron Richards

McMurtry takes the covers off ‘Spéirling Pure’ hyper track car

McMurtry has revealed the production-ready Spéirling Pure 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.

By Cameron Richards

Citroen celebrates Berlingo’s 30th anniversary with new ‘Collection’ trim

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.

By Cameron Richards

Kia introduces ‘Storm’ special-edition variants to EV5 and Sportage SUVs

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.

By Cameron Richards