Think Ford was going to max out with the Shelby GT350 Mustang? Think again. A brand’s logo is its face and its signature. In a letter or word, design or crest, it acts as a visual representation of the objects it will be attached to. In the automotive world, brands go to great lengths to design badges that create an identity that will draw fans toward it even before they see the rest of the vehicle. This list represents the crème de la crème in automotive logo design. From the most storied to the most iconic to the most badass, here are the best 15 automotive logos, ranked.1. Alfa RomeoAlfa Romeo’s badge floats to the top because, like all great art, it tells a story but still holds some mystery. The red cross, a common medieval Christian symbol, is easy to explain; it represents Milan. The meaning of the human figure being consumed by a snake-dragon creature, on the other hand, is a little less straightforward. The image is known as the Visconti Serpent, another symbol of Milan. It used to be that the figure pictured was usually a baby or a Muslim man, which hardly seems appropriate for a modern international brand, but Alfa Romeo insists its logo tells a tale of birth, not death, with the figure emerging from the mouth of the snake as a new man. 2. ShelbyIf you had to get a car brand tattooed on your bicep, this would be the one to go with. It’s just cool, full-stop. 3. Mercedes-BenzThe Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star emblem is synonymous with luxury. Sure, the marketing dollars behind the logo have a lot to do with the way it makes people feel, but there’s still something incredibly sexy about the simple design. In 1926, the logo had a wreath around it and was often seen in colour, but once the brand converted to an all-silver design, it stuck.4. LamborghiniA powerful machine requires a powerful logo. Imagine Ferruccio Lamborghini had chosen a parrot instead of a raging bull? The Italian automaker had an infatuation with bullfighting, and not only used the ill-tempered animal to brand his company, but named many vehicles after the sport, including the Miura (a Spanish family with a long history in bullfighting); the Jarama (named after a famous bullfighting area in Spain); and the Aventador (a famous Spanish bull).5. Abarth Abarth, the official vehicle of Scorpios everywhere. It’s true, sort of, as founder Karl Alberto Arbarth chose his Zodiac sign (and, fortunately for him, the most badass of the dozen) as the mascot for his brand. The red, white and green bar across the top, meanwhile, is a cross-section of the Italian flag. 6. Ford A Ford logo on the grille of a 2018 Ford Explorer on display at the Pittsburgh Auto Show. Ford’s logo recognition is so strong, it even has a nickname based on it. The Blue Oval as we know it today can be traced back to 1903 and the Ford Model A, which bore the same ‘Ford’ font as the current logo and was designed by a friend of Henry Ford’s. The wording inside has changed over the years – the first logo read ‘Ford Motors Detroit Mich.’ – but the oval has been the border of choice since the get-go.7. TeslaYes, it’s a T, but did you know that the electric car logo has a deeper meaning than just the first letter of the brand’s name? Elon Musk offered this explanation on Twitter: “Similar to SpaceX, the T is like a cross section of an electric motor, just as the X is like a rocket trajectory.”8. PorscheHere’s one your word-of-the-day calendar may not have gotten to yet: inescutcheon, or a small shield within a larger shield. That’s what Porsche’s got going on in its badge, the coat of arms of its home town of Stuttgart set inside the coat of arms of the Free People’s State of Württemberg. Where Cadillac fails to restrain itself (Emboss! Emboss! Emboss!), Porsche nails the luxury vibe. 9. JaguarWhile Lamborghini chose a raging bull to represent its performance capability, in 1945, Jaguar opted to illustrate power and luxury in another way: a slinky jungle cat known for its grace, poise and strength. The brand’s first logo, an ‘SS’ for Swallow Sidecar Company, was tossed to the curb following the second world war for obvious political reasons. 10. IsuzuThis Japanese brand was first founded in 1916 and while its logo has been through a few iterations, its understated, minimalist essence has remained for over 40 years. In 1974, the automaker updated its all-caps logo to include two white pillars, though today, the wordmark is most commonly used. 11. Saab The most recognizable iteration of Saab’s logo – the navy circle and mythical red Griffin, a nod to its aviation history – could have passed for a beer logo from the 80s, but that’s what makes it so endearing. Before the auto arm of the brand went kaput, it was using a silver wordmark sans avian, but the Griffin lives. Saab is still very much active in the commercial air, naval, security and civil aerospace industries.12. VolkswagenNot that creative, but simple and iconic, like the brand. And about a million per
Origin: Ranked: All the best car brand logos
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Best lease deals of the week: Family SUVs
Leasing can be an affordable, practical route into having your own private car, but it’s not always easy to tell the good deals from the duds. The experts at our sister magazine What Car? work hard to find you the best pay-monthly schemes, taking into account mileage allowance, montly outlay, contract length and initial deposit. We’ll be bringing you the best deals they find from a different segment each week. This week, it’s family SUVs: 1. Audi Q3 35 TFSI Sport £1860 deposit, £310 per month, 48 months, 8000 miles per year With sliding rear seats and a multi-level boot floor, the Q3 is spacious and practical, and there’s an off-road mode for the adventurous. The only question is what do Audi’s new engine numbers mean? 2. BMW X1 sDrive 2.0i M Sport Auto £1777 deposit, £296 per month, 36 months, 8000 miles per year Fun to drive and with a practical, high-quality interior, the X1 impresses on first acquaintance. Refinement could be better and performance trails the class best but it handles well, even if the steering lacks feel. 3. Mercedes-Benz GLA 180 Urban Edition £1612 deposit, £269 per month, 48 months, 10,000 miles per year The GLA is due to be replaced but this current one still looks good. Diesel-engined versions are strong and cheap to run, the dashboard looks great and there’s plenty of kit but rivals are cheaper and more spacious. 4. Range Rover Evoque 2.0 D150 2WD £1907 deposit, £318 per month, 48 months, 8000 miles per year The Evoque’s sensational looks have evolved from the original model and continue inside with a genuinely classy interior that is roomier than before, especially in the rear. The driving position is spot on, too. 5. Volvo XC40 1.5 T3 Momentum £1607 deposit, £268 per month, 36 months, 8000 miles per year Volvo’s compact SUV not only looks great but is good to drive, safe and practical. It’s a little noisy on the motorway and the rear seats aren’t as comfortable as some, but it’s a strong contender in a tough class. 6. Jaguar E-Pace 2.0D R-Dynamic £1768 deposit, £295 per month, 48 months, 8000 miles per year Great looks, a comfortable ride, good economy and that Jaguar badge will be enough to convince most buyers, but the E-Pace doesn’t handle quite as sharply as we’d like and some engines lack sparkle. For more great personal business lease deals visit What Car?
Origin: Best lease deals of the week: Family SUVs
Best lease deals of the week: Large family cars
Leasing can be an affordable, practical route into having your own private car, but it’s not always easy to tell the good deals from the duds. The experts at our sister magazine What Car? work hard to find you the best pay-monthly schemes, taking into account mileage allowance, montly outlay, contract length and initial deposit. We’ll be bringing you the best deals they find from a different segment each week. This week, it’s large family cars: 1. Ford Mondeo 1.5 Ecoboost Zetec Edition £1486 deposit, £248 per month, 48 months, 8000 miles per year Comfortable (at least on the optional Comfort Dynamic suspension), classy, very well built and, despite having just two doors, reasonably practical. Could do with being a little more exciting to drive. 2. Mazda 6 2.0 SE-L Nav+ £1354 deposit, £226 per month, 48 months, 8000 miles per year The 6 is often overlooked by buyers, which is a shame because it’s terrific value for money and very well equipped, a particular highlight being its infotainment system. As a driver’s car, it’s pretty polished, too. 3. Peugeot 508 Fastback 1.6 Puretech GT Line £1355 deposit, £226 per month, 24 months, 8000 miles per year Incredibly stylish and excellent value. It lacks the interior space of some rivals and rear visibility is a bit restricted but you’ll quickly forgive it for those looks. 4. Skoda Superb 1.5 TSI SE £1373 deposit, £229 per month, 48 months, 8000 miles per year The Superb is a huge and hugely practical family car. And that’s just this saloon. The estate is even roomier. Skoda may be the VW Group’s budget brand but there is nothing budget about the Superb’s fit and finish. 5. Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport 1.5T Design £1882 deposit, £314 per month, 48 months, 8000 miles per year The Grand Sport casts the Insignia in a new light. It’s stylish and distinctive where its predecessor majored on conformity. It’s also spacious and decent to drive. 6. Volkswagen Passat 1.5 TSI Evo 150 SE Business £1810 deposit, £302 per month, 48 months, 8000 miles per year The Passat bridges the gap between mainstream family cars and their premium alternatives such as the Audi A4. It’s classy, roomy and well resolved. For more great personal business lease deals visit What Car?
Origin: Best lease deals of the week: Large family cars
These are the best vanity plates we’ve seen in Quebec
Meanwhile, others prefer heavier stuff, in a nice way to bypass the seven-caracter rule.Montreal Vanity Plate Spotting / Facebook Let’s remind ourselves of what happened Friday, June 27, 2018 — the day SAAQ (Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec) launched its new vanity plates and online ordering service: In less time you needed to shout Finally!, the website crashed. That’s how eagerly Quebec drivers were waiting for personalized plates. Once the website was back online the following Monday, no less than 12,000 vanity plates were ordered in just 48 hours for $250 each, plus an annual renewal fee of $35. You think that’s cheap, versus the $310 personalized plates cost in Ontario? Remember that in Quebec, there’s only one plate showing off on our vehicles. After nine months, the rhythm is a lot slower. From August 2018 to this past April, a total of 26,661 personalized plates have been granted by the SAAQ. Our arithmetic shows after the initial boom, more or less 1,500 vanity plates are ordered every monthin Quebec — 82 per cent by men, confirms the SAAQ. Still, since the beginning, it means $7.5 million of revenue for Quebec. And this income would have hit $8 million, if five per ceont of the requests haven’t been refused. Indeed, some 1,381 demands were rejected since the seven characters allowed on Quebec’s plates: Can’t be obscene, scandalous, abusive or offensive, so you won’t see any variant of the F-word, or in French, SALAUD Can’t express sexual ideas, disregards for road safety, or promoting a criminal offence. Forget about ISPEED, 2FAST, FASTER and SNIPER Nor they can’t be a trademark or a “distinctive” name Or can they? Let’s see what we found on the Montreal Vanity Plates Spotting group on Facebook.
Origin: These are the best vanity plates we’ve seen in Quebec
Best lease deals of the week: Coupes
Leasing can be an affordable, practical route into having your own private car, but it’s not always easy to tell the good deals from the duds. The experts at our sister magazine What Car? work hard to find you the best pay-monthly schemes, taking into account mileage allowance, montly outlay, contract length and initial deposit. We’ll be bringing you the best deals they find from a different segment each week. This week, it’s coupés: 1. Audi A5 35 TFSI S Line S Tronic £1857 deposit, £309 per month, 48 months, 8000 miles per year Comfortable (at least on the optional Comfort Dynamic suspension), classy, very well built and, despite having just two doors, reasonably practical. Could do with being a little more exciting to drive. 2. BMW 420i M Sport £1731 deposit, £289 per month, 48 months, 8000 miles per year Even better to drive than the 3 Series saloon it’s based on, the 4 Series is the coupé the others have to beat. Like the Audi A5, it’s reasonably practical with generous rear cabin space and a good-sized boot. 3. Jaguar F-Type 3.0 R-Dynamic Auto £3486 deposit, £581 per month, 48 months, 8000 miles per year The F-Type is the only two-seater featured here and a different animal from comfort-oriented coupés. It looks sensational, while the engine range spans an entry-level 2.0-litre turbo to a red-blooded 5.0 V8. 4. Mercedes-Benz C180 AMG Line £2324 deposit, £387 per month, 48 months, 8000 miles per year The C-Class coupé goes to the heart with sumptuous styling inside and out. It’s powered by a range of efficient engines, plus there are always the growly AMG derivatives. Optional air suspension is a must. 5. Mercedes-Benz E300 AMG Line Auto £2523 deposit, £421 per month, 24 months, 8000 miles per year It’s amazing what a nip and tuck can do to one of the world’s best executive saloons. Lopping off two doors and applying a swoopier roofline has transformed the E-Class into a sleek coupé with an interior to die for. 6. Audi TT Coupe 40 TFSI Sport S Tronic £1901 deposit, £317 per month, 48 months, 8000 miles per year Two-wheel or four-wheel drive; entry-level 2.0-litre to 395bhp RS – the TT has most performance bases covered. Then there’s the widescreen virtual cockpit, timeless styling and peerless build quality… For more great personal business lease deals visit What Car?
Origin: Best lease deals of the week: Coupes
Which Corvette was the best Corvette?
Since the beginning, there have been constant rumours over the Corvette going mid-engined. Will it finally happen?Handout For only the eighth time since 1953, we are getting a new generation of Corvette. The C8 Corvette will eschew the front-engined V8 tradition that has been in place since 1955. The writing is on the wall for the C7 that served us for five years and with that in mind, it’s time to take a look at all the generations of Corvettes and how good they really were. The Corvette story has heroes like the fire-breathing L88 427 big-blocks, losers like the asphyxiated 165-hp smog motors, and everything in between. What we’re going to do is rank all seven Corvette generations from best to worst. I’m sure many of you will disagree and that’s A-okay. Get your angry-comment typing fingers ready! #1: C2 1963-1967 C2-generation Corvette. Handout / Chevrolet The C2 Sting Ray is the coolest car ever made. It was styled like nothing ever seen before, bacon-wrapped in V8 horsepower, and used world-class suspension to be the most complete sports car of the period. From 1963 to 1967, not much could touch a Corvette. The 1963 model brought us the one-year-only split-window design and big blocks were added to the option list in 1965. The C2 was a film star, fashion statement, race winner, and dream car. The C2 was when the Corvette got serious and people noticed. If the C2 had an achilles heel, it was the brakes; the C2 debuted with antiquated drum brakes, but four-wheel four-piston disc-brakes rectified that in 1965. #2: C3 1968-1982 1968 Corvette (C3) Alyn Edwards / Driving The C3 is cool. The initiated will tell you that they all made 150 hp, but outside of California, most kept output above 200-hp, which was pretty good for the time. And the C3 isn’t #2 for the malaise versions anyways. It’s because the pre-smog versions from 1968 to 1972 were so darn good. The C3 had strong finishes at Le Mans, finishing on the podium among Ferrari Daytonas and Porsche 911s. It was also the car of choice for Jimi Hendrix and Apollo astronauts. The most powerful classic Corvette ever made was the 1969 ZL1 427 model. They only made two of them and later independent dyno tests reveal that true horsepower was around 510. The latter years of the C3’s 14-year run would see the big blocks go away and horsepower dwindle, but the sex appeal remained. Don’t believe me? It’s why Chevy decided to name their new C7 the Stingray. (The C2 was Sting Ray, two words) #3: C6 2006-2013 2012 Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette Z06 The C6 was the Corvette that got everything right. Everything, that is, except the seats. The base car had 400 hp, the 505-hp Z06 was an exhilarating madman to drive, and the 638-hp ZR1 took on the world’s supercar elites. For the first time since 1963, the Corvette had fixed headlights, though the signature quad tail lights remained round. People may not remember, but in 2006 500 hp was a really big deal, so the Z06 was the bargain of the century in its day. The Ferrari F430 didn’t even crack 500 and Ford’s GT made 550. When it came out, some wondered if the styling was a bit too soft. But park one next to the C7 and the C6 has aged gracefully. It’s just a great car. #4: C1 1953-1962 First-generation Corvette Clayton Seams / Driving The car that started it all. Sure the first Corvettes were pretty terrible with their languid stovebolt sixes and two-speed automatic transmissions. But by 1957, you could order the Corvette with a fuel-injected V8 and a four-speed. The wizard-like Zora Arkus-Duntov was starting to exert his influence over the Corvette program even in the early ’50s. The C1 grew up to be an icon of the 1950s. It was fast, stylish, and very American. By the end of its run in 1962, the chassis had grown quite old and rivals like the E-Type had surpassed it. We drove a 1959 version for a road test and were impressed by how well it drove. The Corvette beginning was a good one. #5: C7 2014-Present 2018 Corvette Final Edition The C7 might be another supercar-slayer, but it was just never as well resolved a design as the C6 was. And people noticed. Overheating issues plagued the early Z06 models and despite winning every comparison on paper, few C7s could translate that into a win in the real world. It is worth noting that the C7 was the first Corvette to have a seven-speed manual transmission and the first to have seats made for actual humans. The C7 represents the end of the road for the front-engined layout and possibly, the last manual-transmission Corvette to be made. It will be interesting to see how the C8 stacks up to it. #6: C4 1984-1996 C4-generation Corvette ZR1. Handout / GM Chevrolet had fifteen whole years to develop the C4. Not that it would show, if you looked at a 1984 model. The C4 debuted with janky Crossfire Injection and a hilariously bad Doug Nash 4+3-speed manual transmission. The C4 would slowly evolve and lose nearly all of its crappiness by
Origin: Which Corvette was the best Corvette?
Best Automotive Smack Talk – Ranked!
When two tribes go to war – and those tribes are car companies – everyone wins. Whether the weapon of choice is billboard, TV ad or Youtube video, the collateral damage is our split sides. Some are better than others, so here are our top five, ranked for your pleasure. No.5: Truck Bed Wars When Ford started crowing about its aluminum bed in the Ford F-150, Chevrolet’s marketing department frothed at the mouth. Within minutes, they had an advert in which a “real person” tips a toolbox into an aluminum bed, immediately piercing it. Ford didn’t need to respond, because Honda used its Ridgeline to make two very strong points. 1: The Ridgeline has a standard composite bed that can take 830 lb worth of rocks and, 2: Truck beds have liners. Der. No.4: Billboard Battle When an Audi dealership in Los Angeles called out BMW in a billboard ad, Santa Monica BMW was rapid to respond. “Your move, BMW” was met with a Teutonically brief, “Checkmate” alongside an image of an M3. No.3: Britain Beats Germany (With an Assist from the USA) When Mercedes-Benz used a catchy tune and an awkwardly calm chicken as a metaphor for its Magic Body Control suspension, it underestimated the savagery of British marque, Jaguar. Well, Jaguar’s USA arm, anyway. In their parody ad the chicken once again makes an appearance – and then it disappears. This is what the kids refer to as, “savage”. No.2: Kia Forte vs Lamborghini Aventador (yes really). Just because you’re not the biggest, baddest, or most beautiful doesn’t mean you shouldn’t strut your stuff on the world stage. Kia knows who and what it is, and so makes a clear and eloquent case for its Forte over the Italian supercar. No.1: Porsche “vs” Audi When Audi announced it was withdrawing from World Endurance Racing and the Le Mans 24 Hour race after 18 dominant years, Porsche did not forget their chirp of 2014. In that original clip Audi marked its territory with a mischievous welcome message. But this is not your average clap back, this is endearing and charming. We challenge you not to tear up as you watch the charming old bloke in his little red Porsche tractor send some love to his Volkswagen Automotive Group stablemates. This clip wins not because it’s the funniest, or the most brutal, but because it reminds us all that the best sledges come from
Origin: Best Automotive Smack Talk – Ranked!
Best lease deals of the week: Estate cars
Leasing can be an affordable, practical route into having your own private car, but it’s not always easy to tell the good deals from the duds. The experts at our sister magazine What Car? work hard to find you the best pay-monthly schemes, taking into account mileage allowance, montly outlay, contract length and initial deposit. We’ll be bringing you the best deals they find from a different segment each week. This week, it’s estate cars: 1. Skoda Octavia 1.5 TSI SE Technology £192 per month, £1153 deposit, 48 months, 8000 miles per year Any estate with a boot larger than 600 litres and a seats-down load space of more than 1700 litres gets our vote. The Octavia has both and is great value, being well built and equipped, and good to drive. 2. Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI CR SE Technology £252 per month, £1512 deposit, 48 months, 8000 miles per year With the rear seats folded, the Octavia’s larger brother has almost 2000 litres of load space. It’s the biggest estate on the market but, unlike the type with a house and acres of land, it’s not priced like it. 3. Mercedes-Benz E220d SE Auto £410 per month, £2459 deposit, 36 months, 10,000 miles per year It can’t beat the load space of the Superb estate but it is nevertheless a great all-round wagon that oozes style and class. Beautifully built, comfortable and economical, it seems a shame to use it as it’s intended. 4. Volkswagen Passat 1.5 TSI EVO GT (Panoramic roof) £244 per month, £1462 deposit, 48 months, 8000 miles per year It has only a few litres more space than the Octavia, so why choose it? Because it blends practicality with sophistication like no other in its class. Meanwhile, true to Passat tradition, the rear cabin is extremely roomy. 5. Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost 125 Zetec £213 per month, £1280 deposit, 48 months, 8000 miles per year The Focus is the best-handling family wagon, period. Add a decent ride, good passenger room, a large-ish boot (575 litres seats up, 1620 seats down) and smart design features, and you’ve an estate for all reasons. 6. Dacia Logan MCV 1.0 SCE Comfort £173 per month. £1037 deposit, 36 months, 8000 miles per year The Logan MCV earns its place here simply because it’s the cheapest. It doesn’t quite have 1600 litres of load space but it’s not far off. In any case, its boxy design means you can pack it to the rafters. For more great personal business lease deals visit What Car?
Origin: Best lease deals of the week: Estate cars
Motor Mouth: Which of these EV pickup concepts have the best chance of reaching production?
Its only a matter of time before pickup trucks become electrified.Brendan McAleer / Handout / Driving / GMC It was inevitable. Inescapable, really. Money, as they say, follows markets and there’s simply no market bigger right now than the gargantuan pickups that have, quite literally, taken over North America. Marry that predilection with the headlines surrounding pretty much anything electric and it’s amazing we’re not already awash in plug-in pickups. Actually, if Tesla’s biannual financial funk gets any deeper, Elon Musk may start taking deposits soon. Cynicism regarding Musk’s business practices aside, Tesla’s success has emboldened all manner of startups — Rivian, Atlis, and others — to build their own electric colossus, each vying to stuff more lithium-ions into their truck beds than the next. Even General Motors and Ford are leaping — OK, taking baby steps — into the segment themselves, worried the proverbial rock-and-hard-place that is consumer demand for ever more trucks versus increasingly stringent emissions standards may eventually limit how many profit-producing pickups they’ll be allowed to sell. So Motor Mouth decided to evaluate the major players in this burgeoning market; one eye trying to determine which ones will actually get produced, the other gauging their chances of success. And to measure each player’s chances, we have introduced a new rating system — the Motor Mouth Vapourware Index. Using our new VI index is easy: Our best score of zero represents an absolute certainty of success — a “dead cert,” if you will — while the maximum 10 denotes approximately the same probability of anyone actually driving, say, a Faraday Future vehicle. Tesla pickup — as inevitable as an inappropriate Elon Musk tweet A fan rendering of Tesla’s upcoming pickup truck Stephen William Mason There is little doubt Tesla will produce a pick-me-up sometime in the future. And, whatever its guise, it will likely be a grand success, loyal Teslarati likely to park one right beside the Range Rover that’s never seen a dirt road or the Ferrari that’s never been to a racetrack. Exactly what will power these “cyberpunk Blade Runners” — quite literally Musk’s description for his new pickup — remains speculation, but he has promised a range of 500 miles (800 kilometres), meaning — if the Model X is any indication — it eats up about 40 kWh every 160 kilometres of driving. We’re looking at about 200 kWh of lithium ion. That’s US$40,000 worth of battery, which means there will be precious little change from CDN$100,000. Nonetheless, look for them to be a plague at high-end craft meets. Motor Mouth VI: 0 Rivian R1T — the new darling of the plug-in set 2019 Rivian R1T Electric Truck Handout / Rivian Rivian is the one manufacturer threatening Tesla’s stranglehold on EV hype, its marketing just the right combination of exaggeration and outright hyperbole. Beyond the standard puffery — the R1T’s 180 kWh battery has inspired truly headline-grabbing embellishments — there’s some pretty nifty design, like the innovative ski pass-thru that reveals inventiveness beyond mere emissions reduction. Ford has invested heavily in Rivian, and R1T test mules were actually disguised as F-150s to prevent detection, which begs the question: Will Rivian produce electrified pickups under its own badge, or will the guppy get swallowed by the whale? Whatever the case, the R1T (or something using its technology) will hit streets. Motor Mouth VI: 4 as a standalone marque, 1 as a rebadged Ford Workhorse W-15 — perhaps a little too practical for its own good The Workhorse electric truck concept. Handout / Workhorse Workhorse is in negotiations to buy the shuttered Lordstown plant from General Motors, so one has to assume it intends to produce something that resembles its much-ballyhooed W-15. That said, the deal — contrary to Donald Trump’s recent tweet — is not final, rendering the promise of 2019 deliveries somewhat fanciful. Nonetheless, Workhorse stands out in this crowd with its decision to use a more practical plug-in hybrid powertrain. Oh, its 60-kWh battery does promise 80 miles (128 kilometres) of electric-only driving, but its BMW-supplied range extender allows 310 miles (500 kilometres) more gasoline-fueled range. The W-15 is set to start at about US$50,000 and will have the capacity to power your house in an emergency. Indeed, the only knock on the Workhorse may be that it is both practical and affordable, both qualities the EV crowd seems to find unappealing. Motor Mouth VI: Eventually 1, but a 7 going by the initial promise of this year Bollinger B2 — modest goals mean this “electrified Hummer” has an off chance to make it to market The Bollinger B2 electric truck Handout / Bollinger Unlike the rest of the plug-in pickups discussed here, the Bollinger is not looking to impress nouveau-riche dilettantes. It boasts but 200 miles (320 kilometres) of range despite carrying no less than a 120-kWh of Li-ion in its
Origin: Motor Mouth: Which of these EV pickup concepts have the best chance of reaching production?
Best lease deals of the week: MPVs
Leasing can be an affordable, practical route into having your own private car, but it’s not always easy to tell the good deals from the duds. The experts at our sister magazine What Car? work hard to find you the best pay-monthly schemes, taking into account mileage allowance, montly outlay, contract length and initial deposit. We’ll be bringing you the best deals they find from a different segment each week. This week, it’s MPVs: 1. Volkswagen Touran 1.6 TDI SE £267 per month, £1602 deposit, 48 months, 8000 miles per year Not as stylish as Citroën’s Grand C4 Spacetourer and doesn’t handle as crisply as the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer. Instead, this is a quietly competent and sturdy MPV that serves its market perfectly. 2. Ford S-Max 2.0 Ecoblue 190 ST-Line £301 per month, £1809 deposit, 48 months, 8000 miles per year In terms of performance, ride and handling, the S-Max is not the class leader it was, but it is still enjoyable to drive and, just as important, isn’t tarred with the same private hire brush as its Galaxy sibling. 3. Seat Alhambra 2.0 TDI 150 SE £307 per month, £1843 deposit, 48 months, 8000 miles per year The Alhambra bests its close relative the VW Sharan by being slightly better value. It’s exceptionally roomy, well equipped and good to drive. Powered sliding doors are standard from SE L trim upwards. Seat lease deals 4. Citroen Grand C4 Spacetourer 1.5 Blue HDI 130 Flair £275 per month, £1649 deposit, 48 months, 8000 miles per year So much of Citroën’s DNA is on show here: a versatile, aircraft-style interior and a soft and supple but composed ride. The engines aren’t bad, either. 5. Ford Grand C-Max 1.5 TDCi Zetec £293 per month, £1756 deposit, 48 months, 8000 miles per year Sliding doors, seven seats and engaging driving manners make the Grand C-Max a compelling choice. There’s a smaller, five-seat version but when you need to carry half a football team, only the Grand will do. 6. BMW Gran Tourer 216D SE £305 per month, £1830 deposit, 48 months, 8000 miles per year With its BMW badge and kidney grille, the Gran Tourer is an MPV for families who put a premium on image. Fortunately, it’s good to drive and well equipped, while build quality is on another level. For more great personal business lease deals visit What Car?
Origin: Best lease deals of the week: MPVs
All about car 