Best Lamborghini cars: the greatest models to wear the Raging Bull
Ranging from ferocious record-holders to alarmingly thirsty SUVs, our expert road testing team have taken on the difficult task of picking out the top 10 best Lamborghini cars ever made, and you'll find their picks below. If you have your own contribution to add to our list, be sure to mention it in the comments section.
By Alastair Crooks Price new: £6,000
£6,000 Price now: £500,000
£500,000 Engine: 4.0-litre V12
4.0-litre V12 Transmission: Five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Power/torque: 320bhp/374Nm
320bhp/374Nm 0-62mph: 6.8 seconds
6.8 seconds Top speed: 168mph
Although I drove a Lamborghini Miura the very same day, nothing could eclipse the experience of trying a Lamborghini 400 GT. Based on marque's first car, the 350 GT from 1964, the 400 GT arrived in 1966 with several key upgrades that really helped Ferrucio Lamborghini cement his status in the automotive world as a genuine threat to Ferrari. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below
It's powered by a V12 developed by Bizzarrini, the same one still fitted to the Murcielago 50 years later. In the 400 GT, it's a 320bhp, 4.0-litre unit for a 6.8-second 0-62mph time. The Miura arrived in same year and topped out at 171mph, but the 400 GT was just 3mph shy.
By Jordan Katsianis Price new: £324,000
£324,000 Price now: £450,000
£450,000 Engine: 6.5-litre V12
6.5-litre V12 Transmission: Seven-speed semi-automatic, four-wheel drive
Seven-speed semi-automatic, four-wheel drive Power/torque: 769bhp/720Nm
769bhp/720Nm 0-62mph: 2.8 seconds
2.8 seconds Top speed: 220mph Advertisement - Article continues below
My favourite Lamborghini is one of the lesser-known Aventador specials that was released at the end of its lifecycle. The Ultimae combined the savage 769bhp variant of the 6.5-litre V12 engine from the SVJ with a softer chassis set-up. This created, to my mind, the most engaging V12 Lamborghini of its generation.
It also had suspension and chassis tech that made the most of its powertrain, such as rear-wheel steering and active fluid-filled dampers. But in reality it was all about the engine.
I was lucky to get behind the wheel of this special car and it was one of the most visceral and exciting drives of my career.
Used Lamborghini Aventador deals
By Paul Barker Price new: £91,000
£91,000 Price now: £750,000
£750,000 Engine: 5.2-litre V12
5.2-litre V12 Transmission: Five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Power/torque: 414bhp/500Nm
414bhp/500Nm 0-62mph: 4.8 seconds
4.8 seconds Top speed: 185mph Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below
Despite being revealed in 1971 and launching in the mid-seventies as a replacement for the Miura, the Lamborghini Countach is an eighties' icon. Earlier versions of the Bertone-styled supercar were cleaner, but there's something about the optional rear wing and additional bodywork that makes it such a stunning brute.
It transformed a sleek supercar into a head-turning bruiser that couldn't be ignored. Almost 2,000 Countachs were built, while its enduring popularity explains why used prices sit in excess of half a million pounds today.
By Alex Ingram Advertisement - Article continues below Price new: £155,000
£155,000 Price now: £300,000-plus
£300,000-plus Engine: 5.7-litre V12
5.7-litre V12 Transmission Five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Power/torque: 485bhp/580Nm
485bhp/580Nm 0-62mph: 4.5 seconds
4.5 seconds Top speed: 202mph
For a certain generation of car fans – this writer included – the Diablo is the ultimate Lamborghini. In the nineties, it was the poster car to top all others. Marcelo Gandini has a staggering back catalogue, but few of his designs managed to mix drama and beauty quite as seamlessly.
Contemporary road tests spoke of a car that was very much of a time before supercars became easy to use every day. The clutch needed a bodybuilder's left leg to operate and early models didn't have power steering. But all is forgiven and forgotten the second you hear the noise of that 5.7-litre V12 – and all the more when you just stand back and look at it.
By Richard Ingram Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Price new: £137,900
£137,900 Price now: £200,000
£200,000 Engine: 5.2-litre V10
5.2-litre V10 Transmission: Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Power/torque: 542bhp/540Nm
542bhp/540Nm 0-62mph: 3.9 seconds
3.9 seconds Top speed: 199mph
I fell in love with the Lamborghini Gallardo the moment I set eyes on it at the Goodwood Festival of Speed back in 2003. The car evolved throughout its life, with a drop-top Spyder, various power hikes, special editions and a facelift. Advertisement - Article continues below
But to me, the LP550-2 Balboni is peak Gallardo. It swapped the standard car's 4WD layout and sent all 542bhp to the rear axle. It had a redeveloped limited-slip differential, and kept that all-important gated manual gearbox.
Make your dreams come true! Our Auto Express Find a Car service has a wide range of used Lamborghinis available right now ...
By Steve Walker Price new: £233,000
£233,000 Price now: £227,000
£227,000 Engine: 5.2-litre V10
5.2-litre V10 Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch auto, four-wheel drive
Seven-speed dual-clutch auto, four-wheel drive Power/torque: 602bhp/560Nm
602bhp/560Nm 0-62mph: 3.4 seconds
3.4 seconds Top speed: 160mph
We should probably have seen it coming from a brand with a proud history of all-wheel-drive supercars, which had launched the Urus SUV in 2018 and that started out selling tractors, but in 2023 the Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato was still a bit of a shock. Limited to 1,499 units, the Sterrato ('dirt road' in Italian), was part of the firm's 60th anniversary celebrations. It amounts to an off-road version of the Huracán supercar. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below
This was a properly resolved performance car, incorporating learnings from the Urus's development and serving as a swansong for the Huracan and its V10 engine. Its 602bhp output was enough for 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds on the road, but the Sterrato is best in dirt, where it's a complete hooligan. Yet it's an easy car to potter around town in, too. Advertisement - Article continues below
Used Lamborghini Huracan deals
By Dean Gibson Price new: £100,000
£100,000 Price now: £350,000
£350,000 Engine: 5.2-litre V12 (or optional 7.2-litre V12)
5.2-litre V12 (or optional 7.2-litre V12) Transmission: Five-speed manual, four-wheel drive
Five-speed manual, four-wheel drive Power/torque: 449bhp/500Nm
449bhp/500Nm 0-62mph: 7.7 seconds
7.7 seconds Top speed: 118mph
Arguably bridging the gap between Lamborghini's supercars and its tractors, the LM002 was the by-product of an attempt to win a lucrative contract with the US Army for an off-road attack vehicle.
The straight edges and flat panels of the original Cheetah prototype helped define the LM002's look, but rather than a rear-mounted Chrysler V8, the production car had the same V12 as the Countach QV mounted in the nose. It packed the same 449bhp as the QV, but with a permanent 4x4 system and a 2.7-tonne kerb weight,
its 0-62mph time of 7.7 seconds and top speed of 118mph were far more sedate. It made up for that with its presence, and it wasn't nicknamed the Rambo Lambo for no reason.
By George Armitage Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Price new: £20,000(est)
£20,000(est) Price now: £2.2 million - £4 million
£2.2 million - £4 million Engine: 3.9-litre V12
3.9-litre V12 Transmission: Five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Power/torque: 350bhp/378Nm
350bhp/378Nm 0-62mph: 6.7 seconds
6.7 seconds Top speed: 170mph
Picture the scene: a bright-orange Lamborghini Miura gliding through the Italian Alps, the V12 symphony humming, with Matt Monro's 'On Days Like These' in the background. The opening of The Italian Job is one of the most memorable film intros ever, but the Miura didn't need Hollywood to be iconic. It was the first true 'supercar', with that word coined for the car by journalists when it was released. Advertisement - Article continues below
The Miura is low, mid-engined and powered by a glorious 3.9-litre V12; that racing-inspired layout changed how the fastest supercars were built. Designed by Bertone's Marcello Gandini, it looked like a concept brought to life. The Miura stood out, and even after 50 years, the original supercar still does.
By Tom Jervis Price new: £265,937
£265,937 Price now: £800,000
£800,000 Engine: 6.5-litre V12
6.5-litre V12 Transmission: Six-speed manual, four-wheel drive
Six-speed manual, four-wheel drive Power/torque: 661bhp/660Nm
661bhp/660Nm 0-62mph: 3.2 seconds
3.2 seconds Top speed: 212mph (209mph with aero kit)
There were concerns that Audi's buyout of Lamborghini might tame the bonkers nature of the supercar maker. Thankfully, the Lamborghini Murcielago arrived in the early 2000s to quell such unease, with its V12, deployable bat wings and signature Lambo scissor doors to go alongside the sensible four-wheel-drive set-up and superior build quality brought in by the Germans.
But even more deranged was 2009's Super Veloce variant. The engine displacement had already recently been enlarged from 6.2 to 6.5 litres for the refreshed LP 640 version, but the SV edition went further with new exhaust and intake systems, plus improved valve timing to boost power to 661bhp and a top speed of 212mph.
By Ellis Hyde Price new: £1.95million
£1.95million Price now: £2million
£2million Engine: 5.2-litre V10
5.2-litre V10 Transmission: Six-speed automated manual, four-wheel drive
Six-speed automated manual, four-wheel drive Power/torque: 562bhp/540Nm
562bhp/540Nm 0-62mph: 2.5 seconds
2.5 seconds Top speed: 221mph
Too unhinged to be let loose on public roads, the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento looked like the result of a night of debauchery between a B-2 stealth bomber and a GT3 race car. Almost every part was made using carbon fibre, including the suspension.
It weighs less than a Vauxhall Corsa, and the 562bhp V10 and all-wheel drive means 0-62mph takes 2.5 seconds. But more than just sheer speed, the fanatical pursuit of lightness delivered an incredibly raw driving experience and astonishing handling abilities.
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Reuters
2 hours ago
- Reuters
Trump wants more American pick-ups in Tokyo and London. That may be a hard sell
TOKYO/STOCKHOLM, August 7 (Reuters) - Donald Trump is right that Japan and Europe buy few American-made cars - but it has little to do with trade barriers. From Tokyo to London, many consumers see Detroit's offerings as simply too big and too gas-guzzling. That view has made Chevrolets and Cadillacs a hard sell, and a rare sight, in cities full of slimmer cars from the Toyota Corolla to Honda Civic, Volkswagen Golf and Renault Clio. Trump often complains about what he sees as a refusal to accept U.S. cars while the Japanese, opens new tab and Europeans sell millions of automobiles a year into the United States. In recent trade deals, opens new tab, both markets agreed to drop or ease safety tests on American vehicle imports. Europe will lower levies on U.S. cars. But it may take more than a change of rules and lower tariffs to convince Japanese and European consumers, who contend with narrow roads and painfully tight parking, to buy big American-made Ford F-150 trucks and Cadillac Escalade SUVs. "American cars are designed for wide roads and freeway driving, so handling them on narrow Japanese streets can be tricky. It takes a bit of technique," said Yumihito Yasue, president of Johnan Jeep Petit in Tokyo, which imports and services vintage cars from the United States. His customers tend to be enthusiasts in their 50s and 60s who grew up seeing American cars on TV and in movies. On a recent weekday, he was servicing two Chevrolets, a lustrous brown 1971 Nova and a low-slung 1986 El Camino, both with their steering wheels on the left. In Japan, steering is on the right. Yasue inherited his love of American cars from his father, who started the business four decades ago and would travel to California to scout for cars. Yasue took over after his father died nine years ago, and sells about 20 vehicles a year. "What makes American cars special is the design. Compared to Japanese or German cars, the body shape is more beautiful. Especially the lines, like the rear lines and the fenders," he said. Some 3.7 million new cars were sold in Japan last year, with a third of those mini or "kei" cars - tiny, fuel efficient vehicles not produced by American automakers. Overall, foreign cars accounted for 6% of new car sales, data from the Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association showed. Of those, around 570 Chevys, 450 Cadillacs and 120 Dodges were sold, data from the Japan Automobile Importers Association showed. Ford (F.N), opens new tab pulled out of Japan almost a decade ago. Tesla (TSLA.O), opens new tab makes cars sleeker than some of Detroit's and is becoming more popular. The data does not give a breakdown for the EV maker. In Europe, smaller locally-made U.S. cars have done well: models like the best-selling Ford Puma and the older Fiesta. But over the past two decades, Ford and General Motors (GM.N), opens new tab have pivoted towards larger pickups and SUVs, vehicles less suited to Europe's narrow streets and compact-car culture. Ford, a big player in Europe from the early 1900s, has seen sales in the region fall sharply, from 1.26 million vehicles in 2005 to just 426,000 in 2024, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA). Its market share dropped from 8.3% to 3.3%. "We don't buy Ford F-150s, that's not what our roads are scaled for, it's not what our customers want," Andy Palmer, former CEO of Aston Martin, told Reuters. GM exited Europe in 2017, selling Opel after pulling back Chevrolet, but returned with its Cadillac Lyriq last year. It sold a mere 1,514 of the U.S.-made SUV, according to auto data firm Jato. A GM spokesperson said Cadillac was growing its all-electric lineup in Europe, and the vehicles had been well-received in the markets where they were launched. A Ford spokesperson said the firm exported "passion products" to Europe like the Bronco and Mustang, alongside locally-made models tailored for the market. Clive Sutton, a British car dealer in London who sells luxury American models, said his buyers were drawn to the rarity of vehicles like the giant Cadillac Escalade. But he admitted it was a challenge. "There are people that want that car because of its exclusivity and its perceived status," Sutton said. "But it's not the most easy car to find a parking space for, certainly in central London." Trump has also put pressure on South Korea to open its market to American cars and said duty-free access was part of the trade deal the two countries agreed last week. There, imported vehicles account for less than one-fifth of the car market and U.S. models for only 16% of the imported car segment, which is dominated by German rivals, according to data from the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association. German manufacturers have also carved out a strong presence in Japan's luxury market. Mercedes-Benz ( opens new tab sold more than 53,000 vehicles last year, making it the most popular foreign brand, followed by BMW ( opens new tab at more than 35,000. Japanese automakers say Europeans have been successful because they committed the time and resources to the market. Detroit carmakers, meanwhile, are often associated with left-hand drive cars, which are more challenging to drive on the left-hand side of the road. But some U.S. manufacturers are changing. GM has offered the Corvette only in right-hand drive since the eighth generation version went on sale in 2021. That may be one reason why some 80% of buyers are new customers, a GM spokesperson said. The Corvette is the only model Chevy offers in Japan, and it has sold fewer than 1,000 of them a year for the last decade. GM this year announced plans for a line-up of right-hand-drive Cadillac EVs and deliveries of the Lyriq started in July. Jeep, which sells right-hand drive models, has been the most popular American brand for more than a decade, the importer data showed. It sold just shy of 10,000 vehicles last year in Japan. Yukimi Nitta used to drive a "kei" car but she was drawn to the Jeep Wrangler's appearance, which she described as "friendly" and "outdoorsy". The 42-year-old hair salon owner is now on her second Jeep - a limited-edition beige model - and hopes to switch again to another limited-edition colour. Parking is tight but manageable, she said, and two of her friends have since bought Wranglers. "People often say, 'Wow, a foreign car!' But once you drive it, it feels totally normal. I wish more people would try it," she said. While the Wrangler does burn through fuel quickly, the resale value is good, making it possible to switch out colours, something owners do, Nitta said. A spokesperson for Jeep owner Stellantis ( opens new tab said it actively promoted owner events. In July, it announced a collaboration with the "Jurassic World" movie series featuring a limited-edition pink Wrangler, the spokesperson said. Big American cars and trucks might find it hard to follow in Jeep's tracks. Daniel Cadwell, an American living in Tokyo, exports used Japanese camper vans and wagons to the United States. He said he was struck by the size of American cars whenever he went home. "They are just excessively big," said Cadwell, who runs Javan Imports in Portland with his U.S.-based business partner. "I think it is highly challenging for a car of that sort to be seen as attractive in Japan."
Auto Blog
3 hours ago
- Auto Blog
The Only Factory White Ferrari 250 GTO Is Headed to the Auction Block
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Rivian posted a $1.1 billion net loss in Q2 but reaffirmed its 2025 delivery target of up to 46,000 vehicles, betting big on the R2 SUV and brand updates. View post: Amazon Is Now Selling New And Used Cars — And Not Just Hyundais The Silverado EV more than doubled its EPA range with zero hardware changes. If you thought all cool Ferraris were red, think again. If there is one machine amongst the many prancing horses to leave the stables at Maranello, none comes within centimeters close to the legendary machine known to you and me as the 250 GTO. Built between 1962 and 1964, just 36 units of this special model were produced as hardcore racing machines to meet the homologation requirements for Group 3 GT racing. After their careers on the racetrack, these cars have gained a reputation as a car with holy grail status among Ferrari owners and the most discerning car collectors, as they have fetched some of the highest transaction prices in both private and auction settings. However, one special example is being offered for sale by Mecum Auctions in January 2026. A special car: chassis number 3729 GT, nicknamed 'Bianco Speciale,' is unlike the other 250 GTOs that graced the world with their presence. As hinted by the English translation of its Italian nickname (meaning 'White Special'), the provenance of the 3729 GT begins with the fact that it was the only GTO to be sold new in white; a decision that Mecum says required pulling internal strings at Ferrari. By providing your email address, you agree that it may be used pursuant to Arena Group's Privacy Policy. Per Mecum, the idea of a white 250 GTO was 'a huge deviation from Ferrari's strict color conventions—one that required quiet internal approval.' In the case of the late legendary British race team and dealership owner John Coombs, his connection to Alfredo Reali, 'Ferrari's discreet liaison for bespoke and sensitive client requests,' was a factor in securing the ultra-special request. However, unlike many of the Ferraris built under the modern-day Atelier and Tailor Made personalization programs, the 250 GTO was designed as a race car for actual competition, which it achieved with some of the era's most competitive drivers. Throughout its racing history, the Bianco GTO gained notoriety, piloted by well-known figures in the 1960s motorsport scene. It made its debut at Brands Hatch during the Peco Trophy on August 6, 1962, where Roy Salvadori drove it to a second-place finish. Just two weeks later, Graham Hill used it to finish second at the Goodwood RAC Tourist Trophy, which helped Ferrari secure the 1962 GT Manufacturers' Championship. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. In 1963, Mike MacDowel won the Whitsun Trophy and the British Grand Prix GT race, while Jack Sears achieved the car's first GT class victory in August. Despite being driven by racing legends, this GTO left its mark without securing a single class win. Source: Mecum Auctions Jaguar benchmarked this GTO for its hardcore racing machine However, another essential key piece of provenance that Mecum notes was that this car was used as a benchmark by one of Ferrari's motorsport rivals of the period: Jaguar. Though Coombs himself denies this, Mecum notes that it is 'well documented that he did, in fact, lend his Bianco Speciale to the engineers at Jaguar for study,' as he was supposedly 'determined to give the lagging brand a chance at matching or exceeding Ferrari's racing success with its seemingly unbeatable 250 GTO.' With this car in question, the boffins at Jaguar were supposedly able to reverse-engineer the 250 GTO and use the technical knowledge to build their very own competitor on the racetrack: the Lightweight E-Type. After Coombs' time with the GTO, the Bianco Speciale changed hands through four different owners before it landed in the hands of one of its former pilots, Jack Sears, who would keep it for 30 years. In 1999, it was sold to Jon Shirley, a former Microsoft president and COO, and a notable art and car collector who made his fortune during the tech giant's formative years. In 2008, it earned its Ferrari Classiche Red Book, an ultimate certificate of authenticity, as it maintained many of its original parts and equipment over the years. Final Thoughts Mecum is set to display the Bianco Speciale at its Monterey auction this month during Monterey Car Week before it hits the auction block as the headliner lot at its event in Kissimmee, Florida, in January 2026. Mecum has not listed a reserve or a price estimate on this car, but granted that the last 250 GTO to go to auction had a hammer price of $51 million in November 2023, it will take a pretty penny to be a part of 'the most exclusive car club in all of the world,' per Mecum. In my purview, this car, in fact, any 250 GTO, would have a special spot in my theoretical 'unlimited money' garage. However, granted its special provenance and the fact that it's the only one to be painted in white, seals its place. I'd buy the ESPN+ subscription just to see this machine hit the block live. I hope we will not see the bid go on. About the Author James Ochoa View Profile
The Independent
7 hours ago
- The Independent
Electric car grants and discounts round up – Citroen first to get grants, while Vauxhall and Fiat are the latest with discounts
Citroen is the first car maker to offer discounts on its electric car range as part of the official government Electric Car Grants that were announced three weeks ago, with the eligible Citroen models now showing on the official government website as being available with grant money applied to the list price. Models including the Citroën e-C3, e-C4, e-C4 X and e-Berlingo are getting £1,500 off with immediate effect, with customers automatically benefiting from the discounts without having to do any paperwork. The upcoming e-C3 Aircross and e-C5 Aircross models are also set to get the same £1,500 discounts when they go on sale in the coming months. The first official discounts come three weeks after the government's announcement of the Electric Car Grant, and as news broke of a drop in car sales. Overall car sales were down five per cent in July, while there was a clear slow down in the rate of growth of EV sales. It had been expected that there would be a pause in electric car sales as buyers waited to see which cars would be eligible for discounts and which cars wouldn't. One car company executive, speaking anonymously to The Independent, confirmed that dealers were reporting customers cancelling orders until it was clear which cars were and which cars weren't eligible for grants.. The electric car grant was announced on Monday 14 July and went live on Wednesday 16 July. Car makers must apply for the grants, which are available on EVs up to the price of £37,000 and where car makers have signed up to low-carbon 'science-based targets' around manufacturing. Grants of between £1,500 and £3,750 will be available for eligible cars. While the announcement of the EV grant has been broadly welcomed by car makers, it took many of them by surprise, with some learning about the government plan via the media. As car companies grapple with the process involved in getting approval for the grants, many of them have introduced their own discount schemes to incentivise customers to keep buying their electric cars. The latest discounts come from Vauxhall and Fiat – fellow Stellantis brands to Citroen. Vauxhall is offering £1,500 off its entire range of Corsa, Frontera, Mokka, Grandland, Astra and Astra Sports Tourer, with additional benefits including up to £1,500 deposit contribution on zero per cent finance on some models, or a £2,500 deposit contribution towards finance on the Grandland. Vauxhall's 'Electric All In' offer of £500 towards a home charger or public charging also still stands. Fiat is offering £1,500 off its 500e, Fiat 600e, Abarth 500e and Abarth 600e all-electric models, with zero per cent finance still available on the 500e. Volkswagen Group brands VW, Skoda and Cupra have launched a 'Grant Guarantee' discount scheme while waiting for news from the government. VW is offering £1,500 off selected ID. 3 and ID. 4 all-electric models. 'We welcomed the Government's announcement of its Electric Car Grant and wanted to make sure customers could start benefitting from lower-cost electric motoring as quickly as possible. We have already seen an uplift in enquiries since the Government's grant was announced, which is great news for Volkswagen's electrification plans,' said Rod McLeod, Director of Volkswagen UK. Skoda is offering the same £1,500 discount across its Elroq and Enyaq model range, but not the Enyaq Coupe, while Cupra is offering £1,500 off many of its Cupra Born models. VW, Skoda and Cupra offers apply to cars bought during August and registered for the new 75 registration plate with deliveries starting on September 1. However, VW, Skoda and Cupra have all made it clear that if the government's EV grant comes through, the brands' Grant Guarantee scheme will end – customers won't be able to receive both. Last week, Volvo introduced a discount in lieu of any government grant, with £1,500 off any of the brand's EX30 electric models, even those that cost over the £37,000 limit. Smart also offered its own 'EV grant' with £1,500 off the whole range of Smart #1 and #3, in addition to existing incentives. That means you could save a total of £3,500 off a Smart #1, for example. Hyundai has its own electric grant, with the biggest discount available on Hyundai's smallest model. The Hyundai Inster – recently voted World Electric Car of the Year – gets a £3,750 'grant' bringing the entry-level car's price down to £19,755. There's still an additional £500 off if you go for Hyundai's low-rate PCP finance, too. The rest of the Hyundai electric car range, including models over £37,000, are also getting a £1,500 discount as part of the offer. Buyers of Chinese-made EVs were also left to reconsider their purchases with news that the government wasn't expecting those models to be eligible for the Electric Car Grant. Speaking on Radio Four, Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood, said: 'We don't expect any cars that are assembled in China to be eligible for this scheme. 'The grant is restricted to those manufacturers that reach minimum environmental standards. And, frankly, if you generate a lot of the electricity that powers your factory through coal power stations, then you are not going to be able to access this grant." The Department for Transport told The Independent: 'We expect dozens of models will be eligible but manufacturers will need to apply for the grant before we can confirm eligibility. We have held multiple calls with vehicle manufacturers to explain vehicle eligibility and how to apply for the grant. These discussions will continue to ensure manufacturers have all the information they need. 'All eligible models will be published on once the application has been approved. Applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis and as quickly as possible.' Chinese car brands have been quick to react by introducing their own 'EV grants' to stimulate demand among private buyers. Leapmotor was first out of the blocks with its Leap Grant, offering £1,500 off the Leapmotor T03, making it Britain's cheapest car at £14,495, while the Leapmotor C10 family SUV gets a £3,750 discount, taking the price down to £32,750. MG followed with its own EV grant, offering a discount of £1,500 off the MG4 and MGS5 EVs on top of existing offers, while another Chinese brand, GWM, has taken the full £3,750 off its GWM ORA 03 models with its Green Grant, bringing the starting price down to £21,245. Relatively unknown Chinese brand Skywell is also throwing its own EV grant of £3,750 on top of a £6,000 dealer deposit contribution if you buy the Skywell BE11 on finance. That brings the potential list price down to just £27,245 for the entry-level car. The BE11 is far from the best EV you can buy, but at that price it represents a lot of car for the money. It's not just Chinese brands applying discounts, though. Alfa Romeo is offering £1,500 off its Alfa Junior Elettrica range, on top of existing zero per cent finance offers and the promise of a free EV home charger with standard installation.
