Latest Articles - hammertonmotors.co.uk

White electric car in a showroom with open doors and boot, surrounded by large windows and plants.

Electric Platforms Are Redefining Cabin Space in Compact Cars

Gareth H. Whitfield • March 31, 2026

Compact cars are increasingly delivering interiors that feel closer to the class above, as manufacturers stretch the wheelbase while keeping...

Designer sketching on tablet beside clay car models on desk in studio.

Hyundai to unify its model styling in push for a stronger ‘family look’

Gareth H. Whitfield • March 31, 2026

Hyundai is preparing to make the design of its cars more consistent across the range, as the brand seeks to...

White SUV in a modern garage, two technicians with diagnostic tools, electric charging station on the right.

Mercedes-Benz USA to Recall Nearly 12,000 EQB Electric SUVs Over Battery Fire Risk

Gareth H. Whitfield • March 31, 2026

Mercedes-Benz USA has announced a major recall covering 11,895 EQB electric crossovers from the 2022 to 2024 model years, warning...

Silver electric SUV displayed indoors with child seats and orange charging cable; person observing with a clipboard.

Euro NCAP tightens safety tests, putting fresh pressure on carmakers

Gareth H. Whitfield • March 31, 2026

Euro NCAP is overhauling its assessment regime, sharpening the focus on how modern driver-assistance systems behave on real roads, how...

Man assembling mechanical keyboard with screwdriver; tablet, motor, and trophy on table.

XF Electric Recognised for Innovation, Efficiency and Low Environmental Impact

Gareth H. Whitfield • March 31, 2026

The XF Electric has been singled out by industry experts for combining a smaller environmental footprint with strong day-to-day performance...

Green electric car in a showroom with robotic arms and tools displayed in the foreground.

Porsche tightens grip on battery production for Cayenne Electric after early Taycan quality issues

Gareth H. Whitfield • March 31, 2026

Porsche is increasing its direct oversight of battery manufacturing for the forthcoming Cayenne Electric, expanding in-house module assembly after encountering...

White electric car on display in a showroom with large windows and potted orange flowers.

Tesla begins rolling out Full Self-Driving demonstrations in the Netherlands

Gareth H. Whitfield • March 31, 2026

Tesla has started introducing its Full Self-Driving (FSD) capability in the Netherlands, but the system has not yet received final...

Silver sports car with carbon fibre detailing displayed in a well-lit showroom, labelled "Cosworth 420" on the front.

Carbonfibre-bodied 911-inspired restomod revealed with 420hp Cosworth-assisted flat-six

Gareth H. Whitfield • March 31, 2026

A new classic-era Porsche 911-inspired project has been unveiled, blending 1980s Turbo styling cues with modern materials and technology -...

Silver Chevrolet Sonic Q22 SUV displayed at an indoor car show, with two similar cars blurred in the background.

Chevrolet confirms launch window for new Sonic, with sales set for Q2 2026

Gareth H. Whitfield • March 31, 2026

Chevrolet has officially confirmed the timing for its new Sonic, a compact SUV slated to go on sale in the...

Person measuring a steering wheel with callipers on a desk, a mannequin head and tools visible in the background.

China Considers Ban on Unconventional Steering Wheels as Safety Rules Tighten

Gareth H. Whitfield • March 31, 2026

Chinese regulators are moving towards restricting unconventional steering wheel designs-including yoke-style “steering wheels” and so-called “half wheels” popularised by Tesla-under...

White electric SUV on display indoors, with sleek design and charging stations in the background.

Lexus Unveils Updated RZ Electric SUV in Germany as Prices Rise

Gareth H. Whitfield • March 31, 2026

Lexus has launched an updated version of its all-electric RZ crossover in Germany, introducing a revised drivetrain, an improved battery...

Person in car with smartphone showing "subscription expired" and touchscreen displaying apps, car key on seat.

Digital car subscriptions ‘hiding’ costs from motorists, ADAC and c’t warn

Gareth H. Whitfield • March 31, 2026

Digital features in new cars are increasingly becoming a source of unexpected, ongoing costs for drivers, according to an analysis...

Turquoise SUV with black accents on display, front passenger door open, in a showroom with a circular platform.

Mansory reveals Grand Entrée Signature Edition based on Mercedes‑AMG G 63, featuring rear-hinged “suicide” doors

Gareth H. Whitfield • March 31, 2026

Mansory has unveiled a new iteration of its Grand Entrée Signature Edition project built on the Mercedes‑AMG G 63, turning...

White Audi A3 e-tron 2025 on display in a showroom, front three-quarter view.

Audi readies A2 e-tron as its most affordable electric car, due in 2026

Gareth H. Whitfield • March 31, 2026

Audi is putting the finishing touches to its cheapest electric vehicle yet, the A2 e-tron, ahead of a planned 2026...

Two men in safety vests inspect parked black and silver cars near shipping containers.

BMW and Mercedes-Benz tighten checks to curb indirect shipments to Russia

Gareth H. Whitfield • March 31, 2026

BMW and Mercedes-Benz have stepped up oversight of their vehicle supply chains in an effort to limit exports to Russia...

White Ford electric SUV displayed in a showroom.

Ford drops flagship EV plans as it pivots towards cheaper models

Gareth H. Whitfield • March 31, 2026

Ford is reshaping its product strategy, shelving some of its most ambitious electric-vehicle projects and redirecting investment towards more affordable...

Person in car using smartphone sync with dashboard screen showing navigation, other cars visible outside.

Denza rolls out OTA update for N8L and N9, boosting driver assistance and efficiency

Gareth H. Whitfield • March 31, 2026

Premium marque Denza has begun distributing a new over-the-air (OTA) software update for its N8L and N9 SUVs, focusing on...

Person making waffles in a waffle maker beside bowls of dough and toppings, with a butter cube and timer nearby.

“I never understood why my waffles turned out soggy”-this Belgian trick is what I should have done from the start.

Gareth H. Whitfield • March 31, 2026

Durante anos, muita gente achou que bastava uma massa líquida, um bom aparelho e pronto: waffles douradas, estaladiças, perfeitas. Mas...

Person holding a tablet inside a car, displaying navigation or GPS application on the screen.

Tesla doubles down on camera-led self-driving, saying AI - not sensors - is the real hurdle

Gareth H. Whitfield • March 31, 2026

Tesla has again set out its hard-line view on the future of autonomous driving, arguing that the biggest challenge is...

White Toyota sedan on display in a showroom with a visible model plate KON-2026.

Toyota to Hand CEO Role to CFO Kent Kon in April 2026 as Industry Pressures Mount

Gareth H. Whitfield • March 31, 2026

Toyota Motor Corporation has announced a change at the top of the world’s largest carmaker, with chief executive Koji Sato...

Green Mini Hatchback with white roof and stripes, displayed in showroom with modern interior background.

MINI to launch Paul Smith Edition electric 3-Door in 2026

Gareth H. Whitfield • March 31, 2026

MINI is set to broaden its electric 3-Door range in 2026 with the Paul Smith Edition, a design-led special model...