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Telegraph
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
UK's rarest cars: 1974 Renault 6 TL, one of only two left
Some cars are so taken for granted when new that it is not immediately apparent when they start fading away. The Renault 6 was once the vehicle of choice for the individualist motorist of a limited budget, but today Terence Byrne's 1974 TL is one of only two remaining on the road in the UK. Renault commenced Project 118 in 1965 and its role was to be the ideal car for buyers who aspired to greater luxury than offered by the ubiquitous 4 and who could not afford the larger 16. It would also have to rival Peugeot's new front-wheel-drive 204 and, more importantly, Citroën's forthcoming Dyane, a five-door hatchback based on the 2CV. The result was the 6, which shared a platform, asymmetrical wheelbase and dashboard-mounted gearchange with the 4. The two also had an 845cc engine in common, although the 6's unit was in a slightly more powerful form. Renault unveiled its new model at the 1968 Paris motor show, with a delightful commercial illustrating its strong points. UK sales began in late 1969. This newspaper found the 6 'a sensible and civilised car'. Meanwhile, Renault GB claimed: 'It doesn't have a lot of complicated controls.' The upmarket TL debuted the following year and its specification included a 1.1-litre engine, front disc brakes, front door armrests and separate (rather than a bench) front seats. An impressed Car praised the 6 TL's fuel economy and thought it possessed 'more character than any of its classmates'. Renault facelifted the 6 in 1973 with a grey plastic grille and promised the TL could reach 70mph 'without fuss or fatigue'. Autocar regarded it as 'not perhaps the most beautiful small estate around but certainly the most practical'. By then, the 6 TL cost £1,030 compared with £816 for the Citroën Dyane 6, although the Renault was more powerful and better appointed. Nor was there a direct UK-produced rival to the 6 as a compact front-wheel-drive five-door saloon. British Leyland never built the Austin Allegro in hatchback form while the Austin Maxi 1500 was larger than the Renault and more expensive at £1,379. A potential 6 TL buyer might have looked to the £1,056 Simca 1100 LS, although its strongest competitor was probably the Renault 4 De Luxe, which offered much the same formula for only £947. However, investing in a 6 TL meant not only greater performance but luxuries beyond the dreams of the average 4 owner; winding windows, reclining front seats, heated rear window, rear childproof locks, ashtrays for the back seat passengers and a dipping rear-view mirror. Renault further assured UK drivers the 6's lack of front quarter-light windows was because they were 'the thief's usual method of entry'. French production ended in May 1980, while the last of 1,743,314 examples of the 6 left Renault's Spanish plant in March 1986. Byrne's interest in the 6 began 1981 when a yellow 1976 TL replaced his Ford Escort Mk1. 'Being an electrician and part-time farmer, it was so versatile, floating up fields and stone lanes with ease,' he says. That 6, as with so many cars, eventually succumbed to corrosion, but Byrne never forgot it. Decades later, 'my lovely wife Jennifer passed away' and he decided to find another example 'because of her love for the old Renault 6'. Byrne kept looking and in 2018, during a visit to the Classic Car Show at the NEC, he met Brian Whiteside of the Renault Classic Car Club. Whiteside told Bryne that he owned 'a yellow R6 but was not selling. However, as a member of the Renault Classic Car Club, I noticed that in 2021 he was selling some of his collection.' Byrne travelled from County Down to Wimborne in Dorset to collect the 6 TL. Today, it is driven at least monthly and 'gathers a lot of interest at shows'. The Byrne TL goes by the name JEN 74, in honour of his late wife. From a 2025 perspective, its rather appealing lines are a reminder of how different the Renault seemed from the likes of the Hillman Avenger or the Triumph Toledo. The interior provided space for four well-proportioned adults, while the strip speedometer resembled a gauge from the 1964 TV series Stingray. And JEN 74 is also a prime example of how the memories invested in an old car are as important as the engineering and design.
Motor 1
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Alfa Romeo Won't Make a Sports Car Unless You Keep Buying SUVs
Enthusiasts could argue that Alfa Romeo has been selling its soul to the SUV overlords since the Stelvio debuted a decade ago. The smaller Tonale and Milano crossovers also run counter to what the fabled Italian automaker traditionally stands for. A larger SUV to rival the Porsche Cayenne is expected later this decade, further aggravating diehard fans of the Torino-based company. But the harsh reality is that these models help Alfa Romeo keep the lights on. Where would the company be today without Stellantis backing SUV production? It's not like it was flourishing in the days of the 159 or the decades before. The brand's marketing boss admits there isn't enough funding to develop a new sports car. Cristiano Fiorio told Car Magazine that it's essential for the mainstream models to generate sales before executives approve a more exciting vehicle. "We have to start from credibility: doing one model every year, proving that we are able to execute, to make it profitable, to make numbers which are acceptable for the investment we have made. Once we have a track record on that, then we can dream." The statement makes it clear: Alfa Romeo has bigger fish to fry than building a niche performance car. The 8C and GTV revivals were canceled in 2019 before reaching production, and the last 4C was assembled just a year later. It appears a new performance model is off the table for now, and only likely if SUV sales perform well. We haven't forgotten about the Giulia, but even that sedan will be replaced with something different. Newly appointed CEO Santo Ficili confirmed that the next-generation model will abandon the traditional three-box layout for a new body style . Reports suggest it'll be a slightly lifted five-door liftback in the vein of the Peugeot 408, edging closer to the SUV formula. Although the 33 Stradale may seem like a contradiction to Fiorio's comments, the supercar was essentially a side project. Fiorio explains that the stunning coupe with butterfly doors was developed after hours by a 'crazy bunch of people' to avoid disrupting daily operations. Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale 69 Of course, it helped that the 33 Stradale shares a strong relationship with the Maserati MC20 . It partially borrows the carbon tub and aluminum subframes at both ends. The twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 is also closely related, so Alfa Romeo didn't exactly start from scratch. That said, considerable effort went into making the flagship feel unique, with bespoke exterior and interior designs and a multi-link suspension featuring adaptive dampers derived from the Giulia GTAm . When the time eventually comes for a new performance model, it will be more 'reachable' than the 33 Stradale, so Fiorio is implying it won't carry a seven-figure price tag. It's too early to say whether such a car would be an entirely in-house project or if Alfa Romeo would lean on Stellantis to adapt an existing architecture. Developing a new car from scratch is costly, especially when it's aimed at a niche audience. Alfa Romeo is retiring the multi-billion-euro Giorgio platform after the current Stelvio and Giulia are phased out, so a future sports car would likely ride on Stellantis bones. Realistically, the car is unlikely to come out until closer to the end of the decade or early 2030s. Buy The New Stelvio And Alfa Romeo Might Launch A New Sports Car: Here's the New Alfa Romeo Stelvio Before You're Supposed to See It New Alfa Romeo Stelvio: First Official Look Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Car Magazine Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
'Worst Car in History,' the Yugo, Is Making a Major Comeback
A car dubbed the "worst car in history" is making a comeback even though it hasn't been sold in the United States since the 1990s and went defunct globally about 17 years ago. A local library in the U.S. even has a blog post on its website devoted to the car, along with the headline, "The Rise and Fall of the Worst Car in History." "Poorly engineered, ugly, and cheap, it survived much longer as a punch line for comedians than it did as a vehicle on the roads," that post reads, calling it the "ultimate automotive failure." But now it has a retro feel that is According to Autopian, the car, called the Zastava Yugo, is an "Eastern European bargain-basement car that has advanced to cult status." The car, which is known for its boxy look, was launched 45 years ago "based on Fiat technology," the site reported. "It was a hit on the domestic market and was subsequently exported, where it earned quite a bit of respect," Autopian reported. But then it faded away, leaving the U.S. market completely in 1992 and going out of production globally in 2008, a victim, in part, of the Yugoslavia War, Autopian reported. But now the Yugo is coming back. On May 6, 2025, a scale model of the new Yugo was unveiled, according to Car Magazine. According to the company "traveled to the Car Design Event 2025 held in Munich, Germany, to show a 1:5-scale model of its upcoming econobox." The site proclaimed it "really cool." The design is not exactly like the Yugos of lore, but rather is a "logical continuation of its predecessor," reported. According to Car Magazine, the Yugo brand was purchased by Prof. Dr. Aleksandar Bjelić, who has "links to the automotive industry in Germany." The scale model introduced in Munich is the car that Bjelić intends "to put forward for production," the site reported. More details will come in September, and the brand may even produce an electric version, Car Magazine reported, although it's not clear which markets the new Yugos will be sold in or when.
The Citizen
27-04-2025
- The Citizen
WATCH: Joburg high-speed chase ends with crashed Ford Falcon being apprehended
Two men and a woman had allegedly racked up more than 30 cases of fuel theft and other crimes in the Johannesburg region, but despite a valiant attempt at a getaway that resulted in a crash, they were apprehended by Anton Koen and his No Jack anti-hijacking team. Other charges of theft and armed robbery are included alongside the reported R120 000 worth of fuel that had been stolen from multiple filling stations, resulting in the uncommon Ford Falcon being flagged in Boksburg. Related: Road test figures: BMW M3 Touring Information was relayed to the No Jack team on their whereabouts, and multiple teams collaborated to apprehend the assailants. An initial attempt to get away had the Falcon scrape past a Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Polo in the security team. What can only be described as a nerve-wracking high-speed chase ensued, which endangered many other road users and pedestrians. Eventual tyre blowouts and fender benders with other road users had the final outcome result in the getaway Ford Falcon crashing into one of the Ford Ranger chase bakkies once it was boxed in with a school bus in the oncoming lane. Not the most logical choice for its rarity, the Ford Falcon EL used in the chase isn't a slouch with its 4.0-litre inline six-cylinder producing 157 kW and 357 N.m, but it's little surprise they chose petrol to steal because it boasted high fuel consumption in its day with averages ranging well above 11 L/100 km. Related: Long-term wrap-up: Ford Territory 1.8T Trend AT No information on what will happen with the assailants has been provided since the SAPS weren't invited to this chase, but it is assumed that they will be processed and charged before facing the full might of South African law. Koen added that some of the chase vehicles sustained damage, but it seems local panel beating shops have offered to cover the repair work free of profit. Click here and browse thousands of new and used vehicles with Car Magazine! The post WATCH: Joburg high-speed chase ends with crashed Ford Falcon being apprehended appeared first on Car Magazine.
The Citizen
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
This could be what Land Rover's diminutive Defender looks like
Land Rover looks set to leverage the Defender moniker with its foray into the world of electrification. A reported diminutive Defender is in the works as a new electric SUV which has now been spotted under heavy camouflage during recent testing. This all-new model—possibly dubbed the Defender Sport—is shaping up to be the most compact off-roader in the Land Rover stable, and perhaps the most city-friendly Defender ever built too. This is how the electric Defender might look Though official details remain under wraps, spy shots and clever renderings have helped us piece together a rough idea of what this baby brute might look like. Styled by Nikita Chuyko for Kolesa, the speculative render shows a familiar boxy silhouette, reminiscent of the full-fat Defender, albeit scaled down and smoothed out. Related: Road test figures: BMW M3 Touring In the renders supplied by the Defender Sport retains the hallmark round headlights but there is no traditional grille to speak of—just a set of narrow slits in place of air intakes, echoing its combustion-powered sibling. Chunky bumpers, squared-off wheel arches and flared fenders add to the rugged visual DNA, while blacked-out pillars (save for a colour-coded C-pillar) introduce a more youthful, urban tone. The rear is more interesting and draws some inspiration from models like the Hyundai Santa Fe. This prototype has surprisingly low taillights which may not be replicated into the final production model. Beneath all of this boxy bodywork, the upcoming EV will reportedly ride on Jaguar Land Rover's new Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA) platform, which is designed to accommodate 800-volt tech and ultra-rapid 350 kW charging. As expected, the mini Defender should come standard with all-wheel drive with the potential for dual-motor setups to help it maintain its off-road credibility. Other competitors in the electric SUV market This will likely go up against Mercedes-Benz's forthcoming 'Little G' electric G-Class, which is also due to arrive later this decade. Both models aim to bring iconic off-road names into a more compact, electric future. Pricing for the baby Defender is still TBC, but expect it to sit well below the standard Defender 90 (from approximately R1.5 million locally). Since this is all under wraps, there is no confirmation that it will be coming to the local market – time will tell… Click here and browse thousands of new and used vehicles with Car Magazine! The post This Could Be What Land Rover's Diminutive Defender Looks Like appeared first on Car Magazine.
