The new McLaren Artura hybrid supercar is set for launch by the end of 2021, with McLaren referring to its new petrol-electric two-seater as its first ‘High-Performance Hybrid’ model.
The Artura makes use of a brand new platform developed to accommodate its new hybrid driveline, and it’s the first McLaren to make use of a six-cylinder combustion engine configuration. It’s intended as an electrified alternative for models like the 570S, sitting below the 720S and 765LT performance cars in McLaren’s Supercars series of models.

Best supercars 2022

The new platform is dubbed MCLA – McLaren Carbon lightweight architecture – which the company says is stronger, safer and lighter than the previous carbon fibre tubs. MCLA will be built at the company’s new facility in South Yorkshire.
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At the heart of Artura is a new 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine providing 577bhp and 585Nm of torque. It’s boosted by 94bhp from the plug-in hybrid system; an electric motor powered by a 7.4kWh battery, which allows the car to be driven on electric power alone for up to 19 miles. total combined outputs are 671bhp and 720Nm.
The electric motor is also said to offer a torque infill and improve throttle response, while dropping official CO2 figures to 129g/km with a claimed average fuel economy figure expected of much more than 50mpg – amazing figures for a car that will get from 0-62mph in 3.0 seconds, 0-124mph in 8.3 seconds and on to a top speed of over 200mph.

The European compensation has suggested a new set of tougher emissions requirements for cars and truck makers from 2025 onwards.
Average fleet CO2 emissions for every maker would have to be 30 per cent less in 2030 compared to 2021, under the Commission’s proposals. It likewise plans to introduce an interim target of 15 per cent reductions by 2025 to assist automotive firms “kick-start” investment in eco-friendly technologies.
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Current EU requirements need makers to minimize typical fleet emissions to 95g/km of CO2 by 2021. This would indicate typical fleet carbon dioxide emissions would be topped at 66.5g/km These have to be accomplished under the old new European Driving Cycle (NEDC) type approval tests. However, the suggested targets for 2025 as well as 2030 would have to be satisfied under the new as well as stricter around the world Harmonised Light automobile test procedure (WLTP). 
Other proposals include an action plan as well as investment options for a “trans-European deployment of alternate fuels infrastructure” – which would motivate national teamwork on things like electric automobile charging. The compensation likewise wishes to enhance cross-country bus services to supply a lot more options to utilizing personal cars.
• finest low emissions eco-friendly cars and trucks 2017
EU compensation president Jean-Claude Juncker previously said: “I want Europe to be the leader when it pertains to the fight against climate change. Last year, we set the worldwide policies of the game with the Paris contract ratified here, in this extremely House. set against the collapse of aspiration in the United States, Europe need to make sure we make our world excellent again. It is the shared heritage of all of humanity.” 
The Vice-President accountable for the energy Union, Maroš Šefčovič said: “We have went into an age of climate-friendly economic transformation. Today’s set of proposals is setting the conditions for European makers to lead the worldwide energy shift rather than comply with others.
“It will lure them to manufacture the best, cleanest as well as a lot of competitive cars, for this reason regaining consumers’ trust. This is a major leap in the ideal direction: a contemporary sustainable European economic climate with cleaner air in our cities as well as much better integration of renewables into present as well as future energy systems.” 
Are the new targets achievable? tell us your thoughts in the comments below…

Spy shots have emerged of the new Porsche 718 Boxster Spyder under going advancement testing ahead of its release next year. as well as it’s likely to be the most powerful Boxster ever made.  
The test mule is virtually undisguised, with the tell tale rear buttresses as well as canvas roof marking it out as the flagship Spyder. other tweaks such as the larger alloy wheels, beefier brakes as well as twin centrally mounted exhausts hint at the increased performance.
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• Best performance vehicles
Historically the Boxster Spyder has been the most potent design in the line-up as well as that will continue with the new version. in spite of the basic 718 Boxster variety being powered solely by four-cylinder turbocharged engines, the Spyder is expected to make utilize of the 4.0-litre naturally aspirated six-cylinder system which will show the upcoming Cayman GT4.  
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The previous Spyder was powered by a 370bhp 3.8-litre flat-six that was lifted from the 911 Carrera, however in order for Porsche to keep the Spyder naturally aspirated it will be required to turn to its GT division.   
There’s no word on power for the new Spyder, however the 4.0-litre flat-six is currently rated at 493bhp in the 911 GT3. That figure is expected to reduce in order to make sure the Boxster Spyder fits within the Porsche’s design hierarchy. It’s likewise likely that the design will be offered solely with a six-speed handbook gearbox.
Other modifications to the Spyder will include a stripped back cabin to assist shed weight, while more performance based tyres should feature. The Spyder will likewise be created in restricted numbers to assist protect exclusivity.
Are you excited by the prospect of a new Porsche 718 Boxster Spyder? tell us your thoughts below.

Toyota has revealed European specs for its very first electric panel van – the new Proace as well as Proace Verso Electric, which will soon be on sale in the UK. 
Both vans are mechanically similar to the Peugeot e-Expert as well as Citroen e-Dispatch, sharing the exact same platform, battery packs as well as an similar electric motor system. The entry-level Toyota Proace electric compact is powered by a 50kWh battery pack, which provides a maximum variety of 143 miles. A longer-range version with a 75kWh cell can accomplish 205 miles on a full charge.

Best electric vans 2022

Both battery versions of the van support 100kW DC fast charging. The 50kWh battery can handle an 80 percent fee in around 32 minutes, while the larger system takes approximately 48 minutes to reach the exact same fee level. 
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All designs likewise include a 7.4kW single-phase onboard charger as well as a six metre type 2 cable as standard, although a quicker 11kW onboard charger can be specced as an optional extra. The van’s electrical system is likewise compatible with a 32A wallbox charger.
The front axle mounted electric motor has a maximum output of 134bhp as well as 260Nm, although this can be dialled back to either 80bhp as well as 190Nm or 107bhp as well as 210Nm by choosing the van’s Eco or typical drive modes.

This week on the automobile express podcast, Vicki Butler-Henderson chats to Phillipa Sage, PA to Clarkson, Hammond and may to reveal just what life is like with the three motoring megastars. Vicki is joined by Steve Fowler and Hugo Griffiths to go over the week’s greatest stories, including the new Renault 4, BMW M4 Cabriolet and Cupra’s new born hatchback, plus a lot more of your motoring questions are answered. listen for complimentary wherever you get your podcasts.

The world’s best automobile stereo? Rolls-Royce Bespoke Audio tested

About the automobile express podcast
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Welcome to the automobile express Podcast: our weekly show hosted by top TV motoring journalist, presenter and racing driver, Vicki Butler-Henderson.
Every Wednesday, join Vicki and members of the automobile express team as we delve into the greatest news stories, the most exciting reviews and everything else from the world of cars.
Whether you’re after industry insight, consumer recommendations or just good, old-fashioned opinion, we’ve got you covered. We’ll even treat you to behind-the-scenes stories that you won’t hear anywhere else.
How to listen
You can download or stream the episode now on all good podcast players, or listen to any of our most current shows below. Make sure you leave us a rating and a review, and stay tuned for regular updates by following the show on Twitter under the manage @AutoExpress. got a question for the team? just use the hashtag #AEpod and we could answer it on the podcast!
You can email us too: drop us a line by means of pod@autoexpress.co.uk.
Fasten your seat belts and put the pedal to the metal: listen to the automobile express Podcast now!

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Volkswagen is planning to launch a family of electric models by the end of the decade, with two new SUVs and a saloon following the 2019 I.D. hatchback and arriving before the 2022 I.D. Buzz Microbus. 
VW’s design boss Klaus Bischoff revealed details about the production I.D. hatch to car Express, and also confirmed that we’ll see two variants of SUVs in showrooms by 2020. One will be a conventional SUV, while a production version of the I.D. Crozz coupe-SUV concept will also feature.
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The first SUV – as previewed in our exclusive image – will take inspiration from the smaller T-Roc and similarly-sized Tiguan visually. A much more upright roofing system shape than the I.D. Crozz concept will allow greater headroom and bootspace, although the front-end shape will be similar to that car. 
The two SUVs will be provided with both rear-wheel drive – like the hatchback – and a new twin motor set-up with a larger motor mounted on the rear axle and a smaller one powering the front wheels. With a total output for the latter in excess of 300bhp likely, the extra energy required could imply it has a slightly shorter range than its hatchback cousin, which will be capable of about 300 miles to a charge. 
VW boss Herbert Diess admitted that, alongside this range of EVs, the firm is considering “more emotional” electric models for early in the next decade, including a sports coupe that could serve as a replacement for the Scirocco. An all-electric Beetle is also being proposed. 
What do you think of VW’s electric SUV plans? let us know in the comments…

Lotus is entering a new era and a new industry of the market with its first-ever SUV, the all-electric Lotus Eletre. Retaining the British brand’s naming convention of models starting with an E, the Eletre has been described as “a momentous point in our history” by the brand’s managing director, Matt Windle.
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Based on an all-new 800-volt platform called electric premium Architecture, the new model is powered by a battery of much more than 100kWh (an exact figure for available energy hasn’t been confirmed) that feeds a pair of electric motors – one on each axle – for a targeted minimum total power output of 592bhp. This will rise for higher-spec, even much more performance-focused versions, with Lotus aiming for the fastest Eletres to deliver a 0-62mph time of less than three seconds.

‘I’m sure Colin Chapman would be very happy of the Lotus Eletre’

By their very nature, EVs are heavier, and while the Eletre is a departure from Lotus’s conventional models and company founder Colin Chapman’s principles of a low kerbweight, there are plenty of developments in keeping with the marque’s ethos. Lotus’s method to decreasing mass has still been at the heart of development, and the Eletre “takes the core principles and Lotus DNA from much more than 70 years of sports automobile design and engineering, evolving them into a desirable all-new lifestyle automobile for the next generation of Lotus customers”.

This is the MSO 650S Coupe Concept, designed by McLaren’s special Operations division to showcase bespoke upgrades available to owners of the new 650S. 
Intended to offer “optimised aerodynamic performance” and a “more dramatic appearance”, the range of styling options includes a newly designed carbon fibre rear diffuser and side blades.
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These MSO-branded door blades are more aggressive versions of those found on the 650S, featuring a satin finish to increase airflow along the bodywork edges.
Satin has also been used to similar effect on the engine covers and to finish all carbon fibre parts. 
At the rear, carbon fibre is used heavily throughout the GT3-inspired bumper, helping reduce the weight of both the airbrake and unique MSO diffuser. 
Helping the MSO 650S Coupe concept stand out further is the ‘Agrigan Black’ metallic black paint scheme. This is an in-house development that incorporates a deep ruby red flake, which McLaren claims will change colour drastically in direct sunlight and contrast with the satin-finished carbon fibre. 
Completing the exterior look are lightweight ‘650S’ alloys, also finished in satin and wearing Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres. 
Inside, MSO has added fixed-back carbon fibre racing seats based on those found in the McLaren P1. These are finished in carbon black leather and offer a lower and more supportive seating position, as well as saving 15kg of weight.
Satin is once again used to finish the carbon fibre throughout the cabin, contrasted in the cabin by gloss black details. 
Although these updates have been developed with the 650S Coupe and Spider in mind, McLaren has confirmed many of the improvements can be fitted to the outgoing 12C – in keeping with the Woking-based manufacturer’s recent empahsis on not limiting vehicle developments to new customers.
However, unlike the free technology upgrade offer, the MSO-engineered packages will come at a price. available to order from McLaren dealers now, the side blades are priced at £5,114 for the 650S, while the rear diffuser is on sale for £7,245. 
As for the MSO 650S Coupe Concept, there are currently no plans to put the design study into production, although McLaren special Operations is monitoring potential interest from customers.