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AS the car industry – and, just as importantly, car buyers and owners – continue to go through more change and face more challenges than we could ever have imagined, how we judge our annual Awards has also been overhauled. It’s happened with one thing in mind: what the people who will live with (and hopefully love) our winners want and need from their cars. So what have we learnt this year? Firstly, the EV has come of age. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 will travel the best part of 300 miles on a charge, then be ‘refuelled’ from 10 to 80 per cent ‘full’ in just 18 minutes. Whether we like the idea of electric cars or not (and plenty still don’t), cars like the Ioniq 5 make them easier…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy • First new sports car from Lotus under new Chinese owner Geely • Mid-engined model to offer 4cyl and V6 power, with up to 395bhp WE’VE been waiting to see how Lotus would transform its line-up under its new Chinese owner – and here’s the first example of the brand’s new vision: the Emira. The all-new mid-engined model will mix Lotus’s traditional lightweight approach with cutting-edge tech when it reaches customers next spring. It uses the brand’s fresh Sports Car Architecture – a further evolution of the bonded aluminium chassis structure that made its debut on the original Elise, but with different dimensions, so it will weigh from as little as 1,405kg. And it will be offered with four-and six-cylinder power. The looks of the new model, created…

James_Brodie@autovia.co.uk @jimmybrods “The platform layout has allowed Volvo to come up with an entirely new vehicle shape” • Concept Recharge SUV shown • Previews XC90 replacement VOLVO has revealed its ‘manifesto’ for the future in the form of a new concept car previewing the first member of its next-generation, all-electric line-up. It’s called Concept Recharge, and Volvo boss Håkan Samuelsson has confirmed that the production version of this concept will be revealed next year as a flagship SUV. However, while it will replace the XC90, it won’t be an XC-badged model. “This will be the first of its kind. We should also then mark that by deviating from our normal way of giving our cars names,” said Samuelsson. The Recharge Concept uses Volvo’s new SPA2 platform, which is scalable for…

Head of Design, Volvo ONE of the UK automotive’s finest exports, Robin Page, is a perennial feature in the Auto Express Brit List – he placed 22nd in the 2021 countdown. Q What impact does the new flat floor have? A “We can optimise the space and lower the overall height of the vehicle. But we keep the all-important high eye-point. This also gives the efficiency gain in terms of aerodynamics, and that means more range.” Q What principles guide the next-generation interior? A “We have embraced Scandinavian design principles of creating visually clean and harmonised design. And because of the flat floor, we have even more space.” Q What segment does Concept Recharge occupy? A “It encapsulates all our new technology. It is a new type of vehicle, and…

James_Brodie@autovia.co.uk @jimmybrods • New BMW compact coupé retains its traditional layout • M Sport cars coming to UK; M240i features four-wheel drive BMW has revealed the new 2 Series Coupé, which will go on sale in the UK early in 2022 priced from around £35,000. Unlike the four-door 2 Series Gran Coupé, which is based on the brand’s UKL platform, the two-door Coupé is built on the same platform as the 3 and 4 Series, so rear and four-wheel drive are offered, while six-cylinder power features in the range-topping M240i. The new car is longer, wider and lower than its predecessor, while weight drops, thanks to the use of more aluminium in its construction. Unlike the larger 4 Series, the 2 Series Coupé has a more conventional front end, with…

INEOS Automotive has revealed the interior and initial specifications for its Grenadier 4x4. As per the utility vehicle’s exterior styling, the cabin takes a similar approach, focusing on practicality and versatility. Inspiration for the interior comes from heavy machinery and the maritime industry, according to Head of Design Toby Ecuyer. The chunky switchgear is splash-proof and can be operated with gloves on, while the Recaro seats are fitted with splash and stain-resistant fabric. Leather will be an option, as will carpet; there’s a rubber floor as standard. A BMW-sourced 12.3-inch touchscreen is fitted, but with specific graphics for the Grenadier. Nav will be via your smartphone. The car is on track for July 2022 deliveries, with prices to start from around £45,000 for the two-seat commercial model.…