2026 MG 4 spied: Two-car strategy firming for small EV segment
Images taken by CarExpert reader Lindsay in Canberra show a camouflaged, right-hand drive version of the new MG 4 previewed in China in March.
"We have taken our evaluation of this new model to the next stage in our process. It is under serious consideration to join alongside our award winning MG4 range to best match technology to the evolving needs of Australian drivers and lifestyles," said an MG Motor Australia spokesperson.
"The much loved current MG4 is not going anywhere. Further testing will be completed before a decision is reached around this new model in Australia."
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
While this new model has confusingly been revealed as the new MG 4 in China – where the existing MG 4 is no longer available – it's almost certain to wear a different nameplate here.
In late June, MG parent SAIC Motor applied to trademark the name MG 4 EV Urban with IP Australia.
MG said earlier this month that no decision had been made to use this name.
However, of the MG trademarks SAIC Motor has filed over the past five years, all bar one – the QS Plug-in Hybrid – has subsequently appeared on a vehicle in local showrooms.
The MG 4 will be officially launched in China on August 5, 2025.
MG previewed the new MG 4 in March as its first global vehicle of 2025, but didn't show off its interior until later.
Video clips and images published by MG on Chinese social media have shown off a minimalist interior in a shade of beige, featuring a large and free-standing, landscape-oriented touchscreen and digital instrument cluster.
A single row of buttons sits below the touchscreen, while in China at least it'll offer MG's new 'cockpit system', which was developed with smartphone brand Oppo but also supports Huawei and Apple devices, allowing voice-activated commands, gesture-based navigation and smartphone mirroring.
There's still much that is not known about the vehicle, though MG Motor Australia confirmed earlier this year that it is based on a different platform to the rear/all-wheel drive Modular Scalable Platform that underpins the existing MG 4 and new MG S5 EV small electric SUV.
A Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filing, shared by Car News China, revealed the new MG 4 measures 4395mm long, 1842mm wide and 1551mm tall on a 2750mm wheelbase.
That makes it 108mm longer, 6mm wider and up to 47mm taller than the current MG 4, on a 45mm longer wheelbase.
Technical specifications in the filing are reportedly limited, though a single electric powertrain comprising a 120kW electric motor is listed, along with a kerb weight of 1485kg.
The new hatch uses a 70kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.
Despite featuring a front bumper and tail-lights inspired by the flagship Cyberster electric sports car, the new hatch is much more softly styled than the existing MG 4 that's no longer offered in China but remains popular in markets such as Australia and Europe.
The softer styling is complemented by new pastel green and purple exterior finishes, though MG has also shown off a bright red MG 4 on Weibo with black stripes.
The current MG 4 may not have been a hit in China, but in the first half of 2025 it was Australia's fifth best-selling EV.
MG delivered 2268 examples, making it more popular than the Dolphin (1337) despite a sales drop of 18.2 per cent from the same period last year.
MORE: Explore the MG 4 showroom
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
MG could release a second small electric hatchback in Australia, giving it yet another rival for the likes of the BYD Dolphin and GWM Ora.
Images taken by CarExpert reader Lindsay in Canberra show a camouflaged, right-hand drive version of the new MG 4 previewed in China in March.
"We have taken our evaluation of this new model to the next stage in our process. It is under serious consideration to join alongside our award winning MG4 range to best match technology to the evolving needs of Australian drivers and lifestyles," said an MG Motor Australia spokesperson.
"The much loved current MG4 is not going anywhere. Further testing will be completed before a decision is reached around this new model in Australia."
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
While this new model has confusingly been revealed as the new MG 4 in China – where the existing MG 4 is no longer available – it's almost certain to wear a different nameplate here.
In late June, MG parent SAIC Motor applied to trademark the name MG 4 EV Urban with IP Australia.
MG said earlier this month that no decision had been made to use this name.
However, of the MG trademarks SAIC Motor has filed over the past five years, all bar one – the QS Plug-in Hybrid – has subsequently appeared on a vehicle in local showrooms.
The MG 4 will be officially launched in China on August 5, 2025.
MG previewed the new MG 4 in March as its first global vehicle of 2025, but didn't show off its interior until later.
Video clips and images published by MG on Chinese social media have shown off a minimalist interior in a shade of beige, featuring a large and free-standing, landscape-oriented touchscreen and digital instrument cluster.
A single row of buttons sits below the touchscreen, while in China at least it'll offer MG's new 'cockpit system', which was developed with smartphone brand Oppo but also supports Huawei and Apple devices, allowing voice-activated commands, gesture-based navigation and smartphone mirroring.
There's still much that is not known about the vehicle, though MG Motor Australia confirmed earlier this year that it is based on a different platform to the rear/all-wheel drive Modular Scalable Platform that underpins the existing MG 4 and new MG S5 EV small electric SUV.
A Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filing, shared by Car News China, revealed the new MG 4 measures 4395mm long, 1842mm wide and 1551mm tall on a 2750mm wheelbase.
That makes it 108mm longer, 6mm wider and up to 47mm taller than the current MG 4, on a 45mm longer wheelbase.
Technical specifications in the filing are reportedly limited, though a single electric powertrain comprising a 120kW electric motor is listed, along with a kerb weight of 1485kg.
The new hatch uses a 70kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.
Despite featuring a front bumper and tail-lights inspired by the flagship Cyberster electric sports car, the new hatch is much more softly styled than the existing MG 4 that's no longer offered in China but remains popular in markets such as Australia and Europe.
The softer styling is complemented by new pastel green and purple exterior finishes, though MG has also shown off a bright red MG 4 on Weibo with black stripes.
The current MG 4 may not have been a hit in China, but in the first half of 2025 it was Australia's fifth best-selling EV.
MG delivered 2268 examples, making it more popular than the Dolphin (1337) despite a sales drop of 18.2 per cent from the same period last year.
MORE: Explore the MG 4 showroom
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
MG could release a second small electric hatchback in Australia, giving it yet another rival for the likes of the BYD Dolphin and GWM Ora.
Images taken by CarExpert reader Lindsay in Canberra show a camouflaged, right-hand drive version of the new MG 4 previewed in China in March.
"We have taken our evaluation of this new model to the next stage in our process. It is under serious consideration to join alongside our award winning MG4 range to best match technology to the evolving needs of Australian drivers and lifestyles," said an MG Motor Australia spokesperson.
"The much loved current MG4 is not going anywhere. Further testing will be completed before a decision is reached around this new model in Australia."
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
While this new model has confusingly been revealed as the new MG 4 in China – where the existing MG 4 is no longer available – it's almost certain to wear a different nameplate here.
In late June, MG parent SAIC Motor applied to trademark the name MG 4 EV Urban with IP Australia.
MG said earlier this month that no decision had been made to use this name.
However, of the MG trademarks SAIC Motor has filed over the past five years, all bar one – the QS Plug-in Hybrid – has subsequently appeared on a vehicle in local showrooms.
The MG 4 will be officially launched in China on August 5, 2025.
MG previewed the new MG 4 in March as its first global vehicle of 2025, but didn't show off its interior until later.
Video clips and images published by MG on Chinese social media have shown off a minimalist interior in a shade of beige, featuring a large and free-standing, landscape-oriented touchscreen and digital instrument cluster.
A single row of buttons sits below the touchscreen, while in China at least it'll offer MG's new 'cockpit system', which was developed with smartphone brand Oppo but also supports Huawei and Apple devices, allowing voice-activated commands, gesture-based navigation and smartphone mirroring.
There's still much that is not known about the vehicle, though MG Motor Australia confirmed earlier this year that it is based on a different platform to the rear/all-wheel drive Modular Scalable Platform that underpins the existing MG 4 and new MG S5 EV small electric SUV.
A Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filing, shared by Car News China, revealed the new MG 4 measures 4395mm long, 1842mm wide and 1551mm tall on a 2750mm wheelbase.
That makes it 108mm longer, 6mm wider and up to 47mm taller than the current MG 4, on a 45mm longer wheelbase.
Technical specifications in the filing are reportedly limited, though a single electric powertrain comprising a 120kW electric motor is listed, along with a kerb weight of 1485kg.
The new hatch uses a 70kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.
Despite featuring a front bumper and tail-lights inspired by the flagship Cyberster electric sports car, the new hatch is much more softly styled than the existing MG 4 that's no longer offered in China but remains popular in markets such as Australia and Europe.
The softer styling is complemented by new pastel green and purple exterior finishes, though MG has also shown off a bright red MG 4 on Weibo with black stripes.
The current MG 4 may not have been a hit in China, but in the first half of 2025 it was Australia's fifth best-selling EV.
MG delivered 2268 examples, making it more popular than the Dolphin (1337) despite a sales drop of 18.2 per cent from the same period last year.
MORE: Explore the MG 4 showroom
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
MG could release a second small electric hatchback in Australia, giving it yet another rival for the likes of the BYD Dolphin and GWM Ora.
Images taken by CarExpert reader Lindsay in Canberra show a camouflaged, right-hand drive version of the new MG 4 previewed in China in March.
"We have taken our evaluation of this new model to the next stage in our process. It is under serious consideration to join alongside our award winning MG4 range to best match technology to the evolving needs of Australian drivers and lifestyles," said an MG Motor Australia spokesperson.
"The much loved current MG4 is not going anywhere. Further testing will be completed before a decision is reached around this new model in Australia."
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
While this new model has confusingly been revealed as the new MG 4 in China – where the existing MG 4 is no longer available – it's almost certain to wear a different nameplate here.
In late June, MG parent SAIC Motor applied to trademark the name MG 4 EV Urban with IP Australia.
MG said earlier this month that no decision had been made to use this name.
However, of the MG trademarks SAIC Motor has filed over the past five years, all bar one – the QS Plug-in Hybrid – has subsequently appeared on a vehicle in local showrooms.
The MG 4 will be officially launched in China on August 5, 2025.
MG previewed the new MG 4 in March as its first global vehicle of 2025, but didn't show off its interior until later.
Video clips and images published by MG on Chinese social media have shown off a minimalist interior in a shade of beige, featuring a large and free-standing, landscape-oriented touchscreen and digital instrument cluster.
A single row of buttons sits below the touchscreen, while in China at least it'll offer MG's new 'cockpit system', which was developed with smartphone brand Oppo but also supports Huawei and Apple devices, allowing voice-activated commands, gesture-based navigation and smartphone mirroring.
There's still much that is not known about the vehicle, though MG Motor Australia confirmed earlier this year that it is based on a different platform to the rear/all-wheel drive Modular Scalable Platform that underpins the existing MG 4 and new MG S5 EV small electric SUV.
A Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filing, shared by Car News China, revealed the new MG 4 measures 4395mm long, 1842mm wide and 1551mm tall on a 2750mm wheelbase.
That makes it 108mm longer, 6mm wider and up to 47mm taller than the current MG 4, on a 45mm longer wheelbase.
Technical specifications in the filing are reportedly limited, though a single electric powertrain comprising a 120kW electric motor is listed, along with a kerb weight of 1485kg.
The new hatch uses a 70kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.
Despite featuring a front bumper and tail-lights inspired by the flagship Cyberster electric sports car, the new hatch is much more softly styled than the existing MG 4 that's no longer offered in China but remains popular in markets such as Australia and Europe.
The softer styling is complemented by new pastel green and purple exterior finishes, though MG has also shown off a bright red MG 4 on Weibo with black stripes.
The current MG 4 may not have been a hit in China, but in the first half of 2025 it was Australia's fifth best-selling EV.
MG delivered 2268 examples, making it more popular than the Dolphin (1337) despite a sales drop of 18.2 per cent from the same period last year.
MORE: Explore the MG 4 showroom
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
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an hour ago
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My first taste of Goodwood brought to you by Aston Martin
The Goodwood Festival of Speed is a mainstay bucket list item for car enthusiasts of all ages, as is getting a ride-along in an exotic supercar with a seasoned racing driver behind the wheel. On a recent holiday to Europe and the UK, I was in the right place at the right time and was offered the incredible opportunity to attend the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed as a media guest of Aston Martin, including a stint in the passenger seat of a DB12 Volante fanging up the famed hillclimb. Obviously, I accepted this invitation with no hesitation, and after a 2.5-hour drive from my friend's house in London (shoutout to Kia UK for loaning me a new EV6), I made it to the hallowed grounds of the Goodwood event. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. After being chaperoned by Aston Martin staff through a special entrance and to the marque's guest tent, I was soon whisked away again towards the Supercar Paddock, where a slew of very high-end vehicles are kept on display to the public. It was here I was greeted by a beautiful burgundy DB12 Volante that would be my ride for the morning run, sitting alongside the new Vanquish Volante, the Vantage S, as well as Aston Martin's Valkyrie Le Mans-inspired hybrid hypercar and the new Valhalla mid-engine plug-in hybrid supercar. As a '90s kid who grew up only dreaming of ever seeing this kind of metal in person, let alone sitting in them as well as hearing their sonorous exhaust notes in real life, I was simply in awe. Our group signed indemnity forms and then quickly slipped into full-length trousers and a jumper per motorsport safety rules – mind you, it was quite possibly the hottest day of the year in the UK on that fabled Friday, peaking at around 34 degrees Celsius. Above: Assembling the Astons at Supercar Paddock No matter. Despite numerous questions of concern from Aston Martin staff that I may overheat while waiting to head to the start line, I was grinning from ear to ear and brimming with excitement for what was to come. Driving me in the DB12 Volante would be Ben Seyfried, factory driver for not only Aston Martin but also Ferrari and Maserati; he has also participated in competitive motorsport for 25 years across numerous disciplines. Big thank you to Ben for being an absolute legend and making my day. The crew of Aston Martins made a procession up towards the start line alongside other members of the 'supercar' group, which included a number of new and recent McLarens like the Artura and P1 GTR, as well as the new Lamborghini Temerario, works by Gordon Murray, and even a Pagani Huayra R. Festival goers lined the makeshift road ahead. It felt like I was part of some parade. The excitement and passion was palpable, and I think some of them might have thought I was one of Aston's racing drivers – as a Leo, I was happy to make-believe for my five minutes of supposed fame. Above: Weird and wonderful metal lining up for the Goodwood Hillclimb Rolling up to the start line there were even more incredible cars lining up for their blat up the hill. Coach-built restomods, working concepts and design studies. Stuff that I had only ever seen in pictures or video games – they were all here. In my excitement I realise I took mostly videos, not photos, of all the incredibly exotic and expensive metal that I rolled past at the starting area. If you'd like to see more, I have a special highlight on my Instagram profile here which documents my day at the event. As we slowly snaked our way around the makeshift cul-de-sac and headed towards the start line – which took what felt like an eternity – Ben and I would have little chats with staff as they walked past and did their checks. I was also busy making sure I knew how to turn on the in-car camera suctioned to the windscreen because, content. I'd hear the cars ahead go for their runs one by one, usually signalled by clouds of smoke and the symphony of engines revving to their redlines. There comes a point where all the intoxicating sounds sort of mesh together and you can't even pick up which car is setting off. I was kind of in a daze. Finally, we were rolling up to the start line. I squeezed my head (and hair) into the supplied Aston-branded race helmet. "Strapped in?" Ben asked – I tugged twice at my seatbelt to make sure (having already done this 50 times while I waited) – "yep!" I replied, then he lit up the rear tyres for dramatic effect and off we went. The DB12 Volante can be described as a seriously quick car, quoting a 0-100km/h dash in just 3.7 seconds on its way to a claimed top speed of 325km/h, but amongst its exotic company at the bottom of the Goodwood hill some might label it as mundane by comparison. I certainly had no such thought, having driven one myself back home last year. And while the Volante might be seen as a Sunset Boulevard cruiser rather than a circuit bruiser like its hard-topped sibling, I'd argue that a moment like this is best enjoyed with no roof – which is exactly what we did. The bellow of the 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 behind me, the cheers of the crowd around us, and the sheer excitement of seeing the short hillclimb stage coming through the windscreen was an incredible delight for the senses. Ben was hard on the throttle, then the brakes, then the throttle, with tight turns thrown in there for good measure. I was too focused on what was in front of me to really check the speedo, which mind you was also in miles per hour, but I'm pretty sure I glanced over and saw a big number starting with '9' on the digital speedo at one point, which means we hit at least 145km/h somewhere. Before I know it, we've crossed the finish line. Ben hits the brakes, and we coast towards the end of the track where the cars that went before us have collected in what looks like a very expensive meet. It appears the most elite of Goodwood guests have access to seating areas around the end of the track where they can see each car come through one-by-one after they've completed their run. Given the balmy English conditions, some were understandably puzzled at my fully sleeved and trousered fit compared to their shorts and T-shirts. We were quickly ushered back into our cars for the leisurely parade back to the paddock. "Have a wave if you like," Ben says, as we roll past spectators and track marshalls giving us a nod and a wave. Maybe I will. I arrived back at Supercar Paddock and had to pinch myself. What an incredible experience for my first time at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Not only did I get a front row seat at one of the world's largest automotive events with some of the coolest cars and race cars in history on display – as part of the 75 years of Formula 1 celebrations, as well as a spotlight on Gordon Murray Automotive – but I got to experience first hand what it's like to do a timed run up the famed hillclimb. I then proceeded to have a quick walk around the grounds, capping it at around one hour before making a break for the carpark so I didn't pass out in the heat. Several people told me I'd need days to see it all, and they weren't joking, I'd probably need several more laps of the grounds to get the full picture. Britain's car culture is really something to be admired. People there are really passionate about everything on four wheels and will proudly use their prized possessions as modes of transport (you should have seen the carpark finds), rather than cooping it up in a glass box or trying to flip it for a profit six to twelve months after taking delivery. I look forward to attending the Festival of Speed in future years, and absolutely cannot recommend it enough if you happen to be in the UK when it's on – just make sure you get tickets quickly, they sell out fast! Lastly, a big thank you to the team at Aston Martin and EVH Agency for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that made a little boy's dream come Explore the Aston Martin DB12 showroom Content originally sourced from: The Goodwood Festival of Speed is a mainstay bucket list item for car enthusiasts of all ages, as is getting a ride-along in an exotic supercar with a seasoned racing driver behind the wheel. On a recent holiday to Europe and the UK, I was in the right place at the right time and was offered the incredible opportunity to attend the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed as a media guest of Aston Martin, including a stint in the passenger seat of a DB12 Volante fanging up the famed hillclimb. Obviously, I accepted this invitation with no hesitation, and after a 2.5-hour drive from my friend's house in London (shoutout to Kia UK for loaning me a new EV6), I made it to the hallowed grounds of the Goodwood event. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. After being chaperoned by Aston Martin staff through a special entrance and to the marque's guest tent, I was soon whisked away again towards the Supercar Paddock, where a slew of very high-end vehicles are kept on display to the public. It was here I was greeted by a beautiful burgundy DB12 Volante that would be my ride for the morning run, sitting alongside the new Vanquish Volante, the Vantage S, as well as Aston Martin's Valkyrie Le Mans-inspired hybrid hypercar and the new Valhalla mid-engine plug-in hybrid supercar. As a '90s kid who grew up only dreaming of ever seeing this kind of metal in person, let alone sitting in them as well as hearing their sonorous exhaust notes in real life, I was simply in awe. Our group signed indemnity forms and then quickly slipped into full-length trousers and a jumper per motorsport safety rules – mind you, it was quite possibly the hottest day of the year in the UK on that fabled Friday, peaking at around 34 degrees Celsius. Above: Assembling the Astons at Supercar Paddock No matter. Despite numerous questions of concern from Aston Martin staff that I may overheat while waiting to head to the start line, I was grinning from ear to ear and brimming with excitement for what was to come. Driving me in the DB12 Volante would be Ben Seyfried, factory driver for not only Aston Martin but also Ferrari and Maserati; he has also participated in competitive motorsport for 25 years across numerous disciplines. Big thank you to Ben for being an absolute legend and making my day. The crew of Aston Martins made a procession up towards the start line alongside other members of the 'supercar' group, which included a number of new and recent McLarens like the Artura and P1 GTR, as well as the new Lamborghini Temerario, works by Gordon Murray, and even a Pagani Huayra R. Festival goers lined the makeshift road ahead. It felt like I was part of some parade. The excitement and passion was palpable, and I think some of them might have thought I was one of Aston's racing drivers – as a Leo, I was happy to make-believe for my five minutes of supposed fame. Above: Weird and wonderful metal lining up for the Goodwood Hillclimb Rolling up to the start line there were even more incredible cars lining up for their blat up the hill. Coach-built restomods, working concepts and design studies. Stuff that I had only ever seen in pictures or video games – they were all here. In my excitement I realise I took mostly videos, not photos, of all the incredibly exotic and expensive metal that I rolled past at the starting area. If you'd like to see more, I have a special highlight on my Instagram profile here which documents my day at the event. As we slowly snaked our way around the makeshift cul-de-sac and headed towards the start line – which took what felt like an eternity – Ben and I would have little chats with staff as they walked past and did their checks. I was also busy making sure I knew how to turn on the in-car camera suctioned to the windscreen because, content. I'd hear the cars ahead go for their runs one by one, usually signalled by clouds of smoke and the symphony of engines revving to their redlines. There comes a point where all the intoxicating sounds sort of mesh together and you can't even pick up which car is setting off. I was kind of in a daze. Finally, we were rolling up to the start line. I squeezed my head (and hair) into the supplied Aston-branded race helmet. "Strapped in?" Ben asked – I tugged twice at my seatbelt to make sure (having already done this 50 times while I waited) – "yep!" I replied, then he lit up the rear tyres for dramatic effect and off we went. The DB12 Volante can be described as a seriously quick car, quoting a 0-100km/h dash in just 3.7 seconds on its way to a claimed top speed of 325km/h, but amongst its exotic company at the bottom of the Goodwood hill some might label it as mundane by comparison. I certainly had no such thought, having driven one myself back home last year. And while the Volante might be seen as a Sunset Boulevard cruiser rather than a circuit bruiser like its hard-topped sibling, I'd argue that a moment like this is best enjoyed with no roof – which is exactly what we did. The bellow of the 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 behind me, the cheers of the crowd around us, and the sheer excitement of seeing the short hillclimb stage coming through the windscreen was an incredible delight for the senses. Ben was hard on the throttle, then the brakes, then the throttle, with tight turns thrown in there for good measure. I was too focused on what was in front of me to really check the speedo, which mind you was also in miles per hour, but I'm pretty sure I glanced over and saw a big number starting with '9' on the digital speedo at one point, which means we hit at least 145km/h somewhere. Before I know it, we've crossed the finish line. Ben hits the brakes, and we coast towards the end of the track where the cars that went before us have collected in what looks like a very expensive meet. It appears the most elite of Goodwood guests have access to seating areas around the end of the track where they can see each car come through one-by-one after they've completed their run. Given the balmy English conditions, some were understandably puzzled at my fully sleeved and trousered fit compared to their shorts and T-shirts. We were quickly ushered back into our cars for the leisurely parade back to the paddock. "Have a wave if you like," Ben says, as we roll past spectators and track marshalls giving us a nod and a wave. Maybe I will. I arrived back at Supercar Paddock and had to pinch myself. What an incredible experience for my first time at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Not only did I get a front row seat at one of the world's largest automotive events with some of the coolest cars and race cars in history on display – as part of the 75 years of Formula 1 celebrations, as well as a spotlight on Gordon Murray Automotive – but I got to experience first hand what it's like to do a timed run up the famed hillclimb. I then proceeded to have a quick walk around the grounds, capping it at around one hour before making a break for the carpark so I didn't pass out in the heat. Several people told me I'd need days to see it all, and they weren't joking, I'd probably need several more laps of the grounds to get the full picture. Britain's car culture is really something to be admired. People there are really passionate about everything on four wheels and will proudly use their prized possessions as modes of transport (you should have seen the carpark finds), rather than cooping it up in a glass box or trying to flip it for a profit six to twelve months after taking delivery. I look forward to attending the Festival of Speed in future years, and absolutely cannot recommend it enough if you happen to be in the UK when it's on – just make sure you get tickets quickly, they sell out fast! Lastly, a big thank you to the team at Aston Martin and EVH Agency for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that made a little boy's dream come Explore the Aston Martin DB12 showroom Content originally sourced from: The Goodwood Festival of Speed is a mainstay bucket list item for car enthusiasts of all ages, as is getting a ride-along in an exotic supercar with a seasoned racing driver behind the wheel. On a recent holiday to Europe and the UK, I was in the right place at the right time and was offered the incredible opportunity to attend the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed as a media guest of Aston Martin, including a stint in the passenger seat of a DB12 Volante fanging up the famed hillclimb. Obviously, I accepted this invitation with no hesitation, and after a 2.5-hour drive from my friend's house in London (shoutout to Kia UK for loaning me a new EV6), I made it to the hallowed grounds of the Goodwood event. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. After being chaperoned by Aston Martin staff through a special entrance and to the marque's guest tent, I was soon whisked away again towards the Supercar Paddock, where a slew of very high-end vehicles are kept on display to the public. It was here I was greeted by a beautiful burgundy DB12 Volante that would be my ride for the morning run, sitting alongside the new Vanquish Volante, the Vantage S, as well as Aston Martin's Valkyrie Le Mans-inspired hybrid hypercar and the new Valhalla mid-engine plug-in hybrid supercar. As a '90s kid who grew up only dreaming of ever seeing this kind of metal in person, let alone sitting in them as well as hearing their sonorous exhaust notes in real life, I was simply in awe. Our group signed indemnity forms and then quickly slipped into full-length trousers and a jumper per motorsport safety rules – mind you, it was quite possibly the hottest day of the year in the UK on that fabled Friday, peaking at around 34 degrees Celsius. Above: Assembling the Astons at Supercar Paddock No matter. Despite numerous questions of concern from Aston Martin staff that I may overheat while waiting to head to the start line, I was grinning from ear to ear and brimming with excitement for what was to come. Driving me in the DB12 Volante would be Ben Seyfried, factory driver for not only Aston Martin but also Ferrari and Maserati; he has also participated in competitive motorsport for 25 years across numerous disciplines. Big thank you to Ben for being an absolute legend and making my day. The crew of Aston Martins made a procession up towards the start line alongside other members of the 'supercar' group, which included a number of new and recent McLarens like the Artura and P1 GTR, as well as the new Lamborghini Temerario, works by Gordon Murray, and even a Pagani Huayra R. Festival goers lined the makeshift road ahead. It felt like I was part of some parade. The excitement and passion was palpable, and I think some of them might have thought I was one of Aston's racing drivers – as a Leo, I was happy to make-believe for my five minutes of supposed fame. Above: Weird and wonderful metal lining up for the Goodwood Hillclimb Rolling up to the start line there were even more incredible cars lining up for their blat up the hill. Coach-built restomods, working concepts and design studies. Stuff that I had only ever seen in pictures or video games – they were all here. In my excitement I realise I took mostly videos, not photos, of all the incredibly exotic and expensive metal that I rolled past at the starting area. If you'd like to see more, I have a special highlight on my Instagram profile here which documents my day at the event. As we slowly snaked our way around the makeshift cul-de-sac and headed towards the start line – which took what felt like an eternity – Ben and I would have little chats with staff as they walked past and did their checks. I was also busy making sure I knew how to turn on the in-car camera suctioned to the windscreen because, content. I'd hear the cars ahead go for their runs one by one, usually signalled by clouds of smoke and the symphony of engines revving to their redlines. There comes a point where all the intoxicating sounds sort of mesh together and you can't even pick up which car is setting off. I was kind of in a daze. Finally, we were rolling up to the start line. I squeezed my head (and hair) into the supplied Aston-branded race helmet. "Strapped in?" Ben asked – I tugged twice at my seatbelt to make sure (having already done this 50 times while I waited) – "yep!" I replied, then he lit up the rear tyres for dramatic effect and off we went. The DB12 Volante can be described as a seriously quick car, quoting a 0-100km/h dash in just 3.7 seconds on its way to a claimed top speed of 325km/h, but amongst its exotic company at the bottom of the Goodwood hill some might label it as mundane by comparison. I certainly had no such thought, having driven one myself back home last year. And while the Volante might be seen as a Sunset Boulevard cruiser rather than a circuit bruiser like its hard-topped sibling, I'd argue that a moment like this is best enjoyed with no roof – which is exactly what we did. The bellow of the 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 behind me, the cheers of the crowd around us, and the sheer excitement of seeing the short hillclimb stage coming through the windscreen was an incredible delight for the senses. Ben was hard on the throttle, then the brakes, then the throttle, with tight turns thrown in there for good measure. I was too focused on what was in front of me to really check the speedo, which mind you was also in miles per hour, but I'm pretty sure I glanced over and saw a big number starting with '9' on the digital speedo at one point, which means we hit at least 145km/h somewhere. Before I know it, we've crossed the finish line. Ben hits the brakes, and we coast towards the end of the track where the cars that went before us have collected in what looks like a very expensive meet. It appears the most elite of Goodwood guests have access to seating areas around the end of the track where they can see each car come through one-by-one after they've completed their run. Given the balmy English conditions, some were understandably puzzled at my fully sleeved and trousered fit compared to their shorts and T-shirts. We were quickly ushered back into our cars for the leisurely parade back to the paddock. "Have a wave if you like," Ben says, as we roll past spectators and track marshalls giving us a nod and a wave. Maybe I will. I arrived back at Supercar Paddock and had to pinch myself. What an incredible experience for my first time at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Not only did I get a front row seat at one of the world's largest automotive events with some of the coolest cars and race cars in history on display – as part of the 75 years of Formula 1 celebrations, as well as a spotlight on Gordon Murray Automotive – but I got to experience first hand what it's like to do a timed run up the famed hillclimb. I then proceeded to have a quick walk around the grounds, capping it at around one hour before making a break for the carpark so I didn't pass out in the heat. Several people told me I'd need days to see it all, and they weren't joking, I'd probably need several more laps of the grounds to get the full picture. Britain's car culture is really something to be admired. People there are really passionate about everything on four wheels and will proudly use their prized possessions as modes of transport (you should have seen the carpark finds), rather than cooping it up in a glass box or trying to flip it for a profit six to twelve months after taking delivery. I look forward to attending the Festival of Speed in future years, and absolutely cannot recommend it enough if you happen to be in the UK when it's on – just make sure you get tickets quickly, they sell out fast! Lastly, a big thank you to the team at Aston Martin and EVH Agency for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that made a little boy's dream come Explore the Aston Martin DB12 showroom Content originally sourced from: The Goodwood Festival of Speed is a mainstay bucket list item for car enthusiasts of all ages, as is getting a ride-along in an exotic supercar with a seasoned racing driver behind the wheel. On a recent holiday to Europe and the UK, I was in the right place at the right time and was offered the incredible opportunity to attend the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed as a media guest of Aston Martin, including a stint in the passenger seat of a DB12 Volante fanging up the famed hillclimb. Obviously, I accepted this invitation with no hesitation, and after a 2.5-hour drive from my friend's house in London (shoutout to Kia UK for loaning me a new EV6), I made it to the hallowed grounds of the Goodwood event. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. After being chaperoned by Aston Martin staff through a special entrance and to the marque's guest tent, I was soon whisked away again towards the Supercar Paddock, where a slew of very high-end vehicles are kept on display to the public. It was here I was greeted by a beautiful burgundy DB12 Volante that would be my ride for the morning run, sitting alongside the new Vanquish Volante, the Vantage S, as well as Aston Martin's Valkyrie Le Mans-inspired hybrid hypercar and the new Valhalla mid-engine plug-in hybrid supercar. As a '90s kid who grew up only dreaming of ever seeing this kind of metal in person, let alone sitting in them as well as hearing their sonorous exhaust notes in real life, I was simply in awe. Our group signed indemnity forms and then quickly slipped into full-length trousers and a jumper per motorsport safety rules – mind you, it was quite possibly the hottest day of the year in the UK on that fabled Friday, peaking at around 34 degrees Celsius. Above: Assembling the Astons at Supercar Paddock No matter. Despite numerous questions of concern from Aston Martin staff that I may overheat while waiting to head to the start line, I was grinning from ear to ear and brimming with excitement for what was to come. Driving me in the DB12 Volante would be Ben Seyfried, factory driver for not only Aston Martin but also Ferrari and Maserati; he has also participated in competitive motorsport for 25 years across numerous disciplines. Big thank you to Ben for being an absolute legend and making my day. The crew of Aston Martins made a procession up towards the start line alongside other members of the 'supercar' group, which included a number of new and recent McLarens like the Artura and P1 GTR, as well as the new Lamborghini Temerario, works by Gordon Murray, and even a Pagani Huayra R. Festival goers lined the makeshift road ahead. It felt like I was part of some parade. The excitement and passion was palpable, and I think some of them might have thought I was one of Aston's racing drivers – as a Leo, I was happy to make-believe for my five minutes of supposed fame. Above: Weird and wonderful metal lining up for the Goodwood Hillclimb Rolling up to the start line there were even more incredible cars lining up for their blat up the hill. Coach-built restomods, working concepts and design studies. Stuff that I had only ever seen in pictures or video games – they were all here. In my excitement I realise I took mostly videos, not photos, of all the incredibly exotic and expensive metal that I rolled past at the starting area. If you'd like to see more, I have a special highlight on my Instagram profile here which documents my day at the event. As we slowly snaked our way around the makeshift cul-de-sac and headed towards the start line – which took what felt like an eternity – Ben and I would have little chats with staff as they walked past and did their checks. I was also busy making sure I knew how to turn on the in-car camera suctioned to the windscreen because, content. I'd hear the cars ahead go for their runs one by one, usually signalled by clouds of smoke and the symphony of engines revving to their redlines. There comes a point where all the intoxicating sounds sort of mesh together and you can't even pick up which car is setting off. I was kind of in a daze. Finally, we were rolling up to the start line. I squeezed my head (and hair) into the supplied Aston-branded race helmet. "Strapped in?" Ben asked – I tugged twice at my seatbelt to make sure (having already done this 50 times while I waited) – "yep!" I replied, then he lit up the rear tyres for dramatic effect and off we went. The DB12 Volante can be described as a seriously quick car, quoting a 0-100km/h dash in just 3.7 seconds on its way to a claimed top speed of 325km/h, but amongst its exotic company at the bottom of the Goodwood hill some might label it as mundane by comparison. I certainly had no such thought, having driven one myself back home last year. And while the Volante might be seen as a Sunset Boulevard cruiser rather than a circuit bruiser like its hard-topped sibling, I'd argue that a moment like this is best enjoyed with no roof – which is exactly what we did. The bellow of the 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 behind me, the cheers of the crowd around us, and the sheer excitement of seeing the short hillclimb stage coming through the windscreen was an incredible delight for the senses. Ben was hard on the throttle, then the brakes, then the throttle, with tight turns thrown in there for good measure. I was too focused on what was in front of me to really check the speedo, which mind you was also in miles per hour, but I'm pretty sure I glanced over and saw a big number starting with '9' on the digital speedo at one point, which means we hit at least 145km/h somewhere. Before I know it, we've crossed the finish line. Ben hits the brakes, and we coast towards the end of the track where the cars that went before us have collected in what looks like a very expensive meet. It appears the most elite of Goodwood guests have access to seating areas around the end of the track where they can see each car come through one-by-one after they've completed their run. Given the balmy English conditions, some were understandably puzzled at my fully sleeved and trousered fit compared to their shorts and T-shirts. We were quickly ushered back into our cars for the leisurely parade back to the paddock. "Have a wave if you like," Ben says, as we roll past spectators and track marshalls giving us a nod and a wave. Maybe I will. I arrived back at Supercar Paddock and had to pinch myself. What an incredible experience for my first time at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Not only did I get a front row seat at one of the world's largest automotive events with some of the coolest cars and race cars in history on display – as part of the 75 years of Formula 1 celebrations, as well as a spotlight on Gordon Murray Automotive – but I got to experience first hand what it's like to do a timed run up the famed hillclimb. I then proceeded to have a quick walk around the grounds, capping it at around one hour before making a break for the carpark so I didn't pass out in the heat. Several people told me I'd need days to see it all, and they weren't joking, I'd probably need several more laps of the grounds to get the full picture. Britain's car culture is really something to be admired. People there are really passionate about everything on four wheels and will proudly use their prized possessions as modes of transport (you should have seen the carpark finds), rather than cooping it up in a glass box or trying to flip it for a profit six to twelve months after taking delivery. I look forward to attending the Festival of Speed in future years, and absolutely cannot recommend it enough if you happen to be in the UK when it's on – just make sure you get tickets quickly, they sell out fast! Lastly, a big thank you to the team at Aston Martin and EVH Agency for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that made a little boy's dream come Explore the Aston Martin DB12 showroom Content originally sourced from:
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Ford pivots to 'super affordable EVs', delays larger models
Ford is delaying its F-150 Lightning successor, and large electric van again, as it prioritises smaller, more affordable EVs, including a Maverick-size electric ute. The automaker is teasing an event it is holding on August 11 US time in Kentucky, which CEO Jim Farley describes as a "Model T moment" for the firm. In a chat with Bloomberg Television, Mr Farley confirmed Ford will reveal the platform for "very low-end, super affordable EVs for urban duty cycles and for commercial". CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. This new platform has been developed in California with the battery integrated into the chassis, and some models have been revealed to dealers. It's believed the first product using the platform will be a small ute, around the size of today's Maverick (above). The small EV ute is due to enter production in 2027, with some rumours indicate it could resurrect the Ranchero name (1960 model pictured below). In the US, the Ranchero name was used on a series sedan-based utes from 1957 to 1979, with the donor vehicles including Falcon, Torino and LTD. It will be followed by a small electric SUV in 2028. If all goes according to plan, the platform could serve as the basis for eight different vehicles. All will be produced at the company's plant in Louisville, Kentucky, which currently manufactures the Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair. Both finish their innings this year, and won't be directly replaced. In order to keep these small EVs affordable, they will be equipped with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries made at the company's new US$3 billion ($4.6 billion) BlueOval Battery Park in Marshall, Michigan. Due to come online in 2026, the plant is scheduled to be the first to produce LFP batteries in the States. LFP batteries have less energy density than lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide batteries (NMC), but are significantly cheaper and less harmful to the environment. With Ford training its sights on the lower-end of the EV market, it is delaying the full-size electric ute, known as 'T3', that's set to replace the F-150 Lightning until 2028. It has also pushed out the date for a new electric van, thought to be the next-generation E-Transit, until 2028 also. It's unknown if European production of this van will start earlier. This isn't the first time Ford has changed its EV plans. In 2024 company cancelled plans to build a large electric three-row SUV for the US. With sales of its Volkswagen-based Explorer and Capri EVs not meeting expectations, Ford has reportedly approved the development of new internal combustion engine cars for Europe. MORE: Everything Ford Content originally sourced from: Ford is delaying its F-150 Lightning successor, and large electric van again, as it prioritises smaller, more affordable EVs, including a Maverick-size electric ute. The automaker is teasing an event it is holding on August 11 US time in Kentucky, which CEO Jim Farley describes as a "Model T moment" for the firm. In a chat with Bloomberg Television, Mr Farley confirmed Ford will reveal the platform for "very low-end, super affordable EVs for urban duty cycles and for commercial". CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. This new platform has been developed in California with the battery integrated into the chassis, and some models have been revealed to dealers. It's believed the first product using the platform will be a small ute, around the size of today's Maverick (above). The small EV ute is due to enter production in 2027, with some rumours indicate it could resurrect the Ranchero name (1960 model pictured below). In the US, the Ranchero name was used on a series sedan-based utes from 1957 to 1979, with the donor vehicles including Falcon, Torino and LTD. It will be followed by a small electric SUV in 2028. If all goes according to plan, the platform could serve as the basis for eight different vehicles. All will be produced at the company's plant in Louisville, Kentucky, which currently manufactures the Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair. Both finish their innings this year, and won't be directly replaced. In order to keep these small EVs affordable, they will be equipped with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries made at the company's new US$3 billion ($4.6 billion) BlueOval Battery Park in Marshall, Michigan. Due to come online in 2026, the plant is scheduled to be the first to produce LFP batteries in the States. LFP batteries have less energy density than lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide batteries (NMC), but are significantly cheaper and less harmful to the environment. With Ford training its sights on the lower-end of the EV market, it is delaying the full-size electric ute, known as 'T3', that's set to replace the F-150 Lightning until 2028. It has also pushed out the date for a new electric van, thought to be the next-generation E-Transit, until 2028 also. It's unknown if European production of this van will start earlier. This isn't the first time Ford has changed its EV plans. In 2024 company cancelled plans to build a large electric three-row SUV for the US. With sales of its Volkswagen-based Explorer and Capri EVs not meeting expectations, Ford has reportedly approved the development of new internal combustion engine cars for Europe. MORE: Everything Ford Content originally sourced from: Ford is delaying its F-150 Lightning successor, and large electric van again, as it prioritises smaller, more affordable EVs, including a Maverick-size electric ute. The automaker is teasing an event it is holding on August 11 US time in Kentucky, which CEO Jim Farley describes as a "Model T moment" for the firm. In a chat with Bloomberg Television, Mr Farley confirmed Ford will reveal the platform for "very low-end, super affordable EVs for urban duty cycles and for commercial". CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. This new platform has been developed in California with the battery integrated into the chassis, and some models have been revealed to dealers. It's believed the first product using the platform will be a small ute, around the size of today's Maverick (above). The small EV ute is due to enter production in 2027, with some rumours indicate it could resurrect the Ranchero name (1960 model pictured below). In the US, the Ranchero name was used on a series sedan-based utes from 1957 to 1979, with the donor vehicles including Falcon, Torino and LTD. It will be followed by a small electric SUV in 2028. If all goes according to plan, the platform could serve as the basis for eight different vehicles. All will be produced at the company's plant in Louisville, Kentucky, which currently manufactures the Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair. Both finish their innings this year, and won't be directly replaced. In order to keep these small EVs affordable, they will be equipped with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries made at the company's new US$3 billion ($4.6 billion) BlueOval Battery Park in Marshall, Michigan. Due to come online in 2026, the plant is scheduled to be the first to produce LFP batteries in the States. LFP batteries have less energy density than lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide batteries (NMC), but are significantly cheaper and less harmful to the environment. With Ford training its sights on the lower-end of the EV market, it is delaying the full-size electric ute, known as 'T3', that's set to replace the F-150 Lightning until 2028. It has also pushed out the date for a new electric van, thought to be the next-generation E-Transit, until 2028 also. It's unknown if European production of this van will start earlier. This isn't the first time Ford has changed its EV plans. In 2024 company cancelled plans to build a large electric three-row SUV for the US. With sales of its Volkswagen-based Explorer and Capri EVs not meeting expectations, Ford has reportedly approved the development of new internal combustion engine cars for Europe. MORE: Everything Ford Content originally sourced from: Ford is delaying its F-150 Lightning successor, and large electric van again, as it prioritises smaller, more affordable EVs, including a Maverick-size electric ute. The automaker is teasing an event it is holding on August 11 US time in Kentucky, which CEO Jim Farley describes as a "Model T moment" for the firm. In a chat with Bloomberg Television, Mr Farley confirmed Ford will reveal the platform for "very low-end, super affordable EVs for urban duty cycles and for commercial". CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. This new platform has been developed in California with the battery integrated into the chassis, and some models have been revealed to dealers. It's believed the first product using the platform will be a small ute, around the size of today's Maverick (above). The small EV ute is due to enter production in 2027, with some rumours indicate it could resurrect the Ranchero name (1960 model pictured below). In the US, the Ranchero name was used on a series sedan-based utes from 1957 to 1979, with the donor vehicles including Falcon, Torino and LTD. It will be followed by a small electric SUV in 2028. If all goes according to plan, the platform could serve as the basis for eight different vehicles. All will be produced at the company's plant in Louisville, Kentucky, which currently manufactures the Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair. Both finish their innings this year, and won't be directly replaced. In order to keep these small EVs affordable, they will be equipped with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries made at the company's new US$3 billion ($4.6 billion) BlueOval Battery Park in Marshall, Michigan. Due to come online in 2026, the plant is scheduled to be the first to produce LFP batteries in the States. LFP batteries have less energy density than lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide batteries (NMC), but are significantly cheaper and less harmful to the environment. With Ford training its sights on the lower-end of the EV market, it is delaying the full-size electric ute, known as 'T3', that's set to replace the F-150 Lightning until 2028. It has also pushed out the date for a new electric van, thought to be the next-generation E-Transit, until 2028 also. It's unknown if European production of this van will start earlier. This isn't the first time Ford has changed its EV plans. In 2024 company cancelled plans to build a large electric three-row SUV for the US. With sales of its Volkswagen-based Explorer and Capri EVs not meeting expectations, Ford has reportedly approved the development of new internal combustion engine cars for Europe. MORE: Everything Ford Content originally sourced from:
