Category Archives: NEW CARS

NEW CARS

Mazda MX-5 1.5 Gets More Power as UK Says Goodbye to the 2.0-Litre

The Mazda MX-5 is entering a new chapter in the UK, and it is a bittersweet one for fans of lightweight sports cars. Mazda has confirmed a modest power increase for the 1.5-litre MX-5 just as the more powerful 2.0-litre version disappears from the British market.

For the updated model, the naturally aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine now produces 134bhp and 114lb-ft of torque. That represents an increase of 4bhp and 3lb-ft over the outgoing engine. The numbers are hardly transformative, but Mazda insists that the changes are about more than simply chasing peak output.

The bigger story is what has been lost. The 2.0-litre MX-5, which produced 181bhp and 151lb-ft, is being phased out of the UK because of increasingly stringent emissions regulations. Existing cars will continue to be available until remaining stock is exhausted, with Mazda UK expecting that to happen around January.

That leaves the 1.5-litre as the sole engine choice for buyers seeking a new MX-5 in the UK.

Mazda Says the 1.5-Litre Is the Engine the MX-5 Was Designed Around

While losing the 2.0-litre engine will disappoint enthusiasts who value outright performance, Mazda is keen to point out that the smaller engine has always been central to the character of the current-generation MX-5.

The company says the 1.5-litre engine’s combination of low weight, responsiveness and accessible performance better represents its Jinba Ittai philosophy—the Japanese concept of creating a close connection between horse and rider.

That philosophy has been fundamental to the MX-5 since the original model arrived in 1989. Rather than relying on huge horsepower figures, the roadster has traditionally focused on low weight, agile handling, rear-wheel drive and driver involvement.

The updated 1.5-litre engine continues that formula, albeit with a little more muscle.

Mazda has also revised the engine’s sound in an effort to make the car feel more engaging from behind the wheel. At the same time, CO2 emissions have been reduced by 1g/km.

Mazda MX-5 Gets Chassis Upgrades

The biggest hardware change may not be under the bonnet.

The range-topping Homura and Homura Plus versions of the 1.5-litre MX-5 will now receive Bilstein dampers and a front strut brace. These components were previously associated with the more powerful 2.0-litre model.

The upgrades should give the 1.5-litre roadster a more focused chassis, with improved body control and sharper responses when the road starts to twist.

For enthusiastic drivers, that could make the reduced engine output easier to accept. The MX-5 has never needed huge power to be entertaining, and a lighter engine combined with upgraded suspension could preserve much of the car’s appeal.

There is, however, one significant omission.

The 2.0-litre MX-5’s asymmetrical limited-slip differential will not be carried over to the 1.5-litre version. That differential was one of the features that helped make the larger-engined MX-5 particularly attractive to drivers who wanted to exploit its rear-wheel-drive chassis.

As a result, the 1.5-litre may gain some of the 2.0-litre’s chassis hardware, but it will not become a direct replacement for the outgoing performance model.

The 2.0-Litre Mazda MX-5 Is Leaving the UK

The disappearance of the 2.0-litre engine is ultimately being driven by emissions regulations rather than a sudden change in Mazda’s opinion of the engine.

According to Mazda UK, the 2.0-litre MX-5 was already removed from European markets in 2024 because of changing emissions requirements. The UK was able to continue selling the model for longer because of different regulatory derogation timings.

That extension has now ended.

Once the remaining 2.0-litre cars are sold, British buyers will no longer be able to order a new MX-5 with the 181bhp engine.

For a car that has built much of its reputation around mechanical simplicity and driver engagement, the change illustrates the growing difficulty of keeping relatively low-volume sports cars compliant with increasingly demanding emissions rules.

Mazda MX-5 Price and Availability

The updated 1.5-litre Mazda MX-5 is scheduled to arrive in the UK in January, although Mazda has yet to announce its pricing.

The company has nevertheless stressed that affordability remains an important part of the MX-5 formula. Mazda says the roadster is one of only three convertibles available in the UK for less than £30,000.

That positioning is increasingly significant in a market where affordable two-seat sports cars have become rare.

The MX-5 remains one of the few cars that offers a traditional sports-car recipe—front-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive, two seats, manual transmission and a folding roof—without moving into premium-car pricing.

Is the Mazda MX-5 Still Relevant?

The MX-5’s future is not completely guaranteed.

The current generation is now more than a decade old, and sales in the UK have declined considerably. Around 4,000 examples were sold in 2019, while annual volumes have subsequently fallen to roughly 1,500 cars.

That makes the MX-5 an increasingly unusual proposition in Mazda’s line-up. It is effectively the brand’s halo model, but it operates in a shrinking segment and uses a platform that has been around for many years.

Nevertheless, the MX-5 continues to have something that many modern performance cars have lost: simplicity.

There is no need for hundreds of horsepower, an enormous battery or an elaborate all-wheel-drive system to make the MX-5 entertaining. Its appeal comes from how little car the driver has to manage.

That is also why the 1.5-litre engine could prove to be more than merely a consolation prize for buyers who can no longer have the 2.0-litre.

The 1.5-Litre MX-5 May Be the Purist’s Choice

On paper, dropping from 181bhp to 134bhp looks like a substantial step backwards. There is no getting around the fact that the 2.0-litre MX-5 is considerably faster and has more performance potential.

But maximum power has never been the only measure of an MX-5.

The 1.5-litre engine’s lower weight helps preserve the roadster’s lightweight character, while the additional chassis hardware on higher-specification models could make the updated car even more enjoyable on a winding road.

In an era when sports cars increasingly depend on enormous outputs and sophisticated electronic systems, the MX-5 continues to make a different argument: less can be more.

That makes the updated 1.5-litre particularly interesting. It may not replace the 2.0-litre as the ultimate MX-5 for outright performance, but it could remain the model that most faithfully represents Mazda’s original philosophy.

A Fitting Evolution for the Mazda MX-5

The end of the 2.0-litre MX-5 in the UK marks the end of an important chapter. Its 181bhp engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and limited-slip differential made it one of the most compelling affordable sports cars still available.

But the 1.5-litre MX-5 is not simply being left behind.

With 134bhp, improved engine sound, slightly lower CO2 emissions, Bilstein dampers and a front strut brace on the Homura and Homura Plus trims, Mazda is giving its smallest engine a meaningful update while preserving the qualities that have defined the MX-5 for decades.

Whether that will be enough to keep the MX-5 relevant in the UK remains to be seen. What is certain is that the affordable, lightweight roadster is becoming an increasingly rare species—and that makes the Mazda MX-5 more important than ever.

Mazda MX-5 1.5 Key Specifications

  • Engine: 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder
  • Power: 134bhp
  • Torque: 114lb-ft
  • Power increase: 4bhp
  • Torque increase: 3lb-ft
  • Drive: Rear-wheel drive
  • Updated chassis: Bilstein dampers and front strut brace on Homura and Homura Plus
  • Limited-slip differential: Not available on the updated 1.5-litre
  • CO2 emissions: 1g/km lower than before
  • UK arrival: January
  • 2.0-litre output: 181bhp and 151lb-ft
  • 2.0-litre UK sales: Ending once existing stock is sold
  • UK pricing for updated 1.5-litre: Yet to be announced

Source: Autocar

NEW CARS

2026 Opel Frontera Start

Opel Frontera Start brings a lower price, a new 100-hp turbocharged engine and a practical equipment package to the German market, giving buyers more ways to configure the family-friendly SUV.

Opel is broadening the Frontera lineup with a new entry-level model designed to appeal to buyers who want the versatility of an SUV without stretching their budget. Called the Opel Frontera Start, the new base trim arrives in Germany with a starting price of €21,990 including VAT, making it the least expensive Opel currently available in the German market.

At the same time, Opel is introducing a new 1.2-liter turbocharged gasoline engine producing 74 kW (100 hp). The new powertrain expands the Frontera’s engine lineup and gives customers another choice alongside the hybrid and fully electric versions.

With four trim levels now available — Start, Edition, GS and Ultimate — Opel says the revised Frontera range is intended to make the model easier to configure while offering a clearer separation between equipment levels.

Opel Frontera Start Cuts the Entry Price

The biggest headline surrounding the new Frontera Start is its price.

Starting at €21,990 in Germany, the new model is €2,750 cheaper than the previous entry point. That positions the Frontera as a particularly aggressive proposition in the European family SUV segment, especially for buyers prioritizing practicality and affordability.

The new model retains the fundamental characteristics that define the Frontera: a relatively rugged exterior design, a spacious cabin and a flexible luggage compartment.

“The new Frontera Start is an attractive entry into the Opel brand – no other Opel car is currently available at a lower price,” said Patrick Dinger, Head of Opel Germany.

That positioning is important because the Frontera is intended to serve as an everyday family vehicle rather than simply another style-focused crossover.

New 100-HP 1.2-Liter Turbo Engine Joins the Range

The new 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder gasoline engine develops 100 hp (74 kW) and is paired with a six-speed manual transmission.

The engine is available not only in the Frontera Start but also across the other trim levels, including Edition, GS and Ultimate.

For buyers who prefer some degree of electrification, the Frontera Start can also be ordered with Opel’s hybrid powertrain. The hybrid version produces 81 kW (110 hp) of system power and uses a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

There is also a fully electric option in the form of the Frontera Electric Start. It combines an 83 kW (113 hp) electric motor with a 44 kWh battery, of which 43 kWh is usable.

That gives the Frontera lineup three distinct powertrain approaches: conventional gasoline, hybrid and fully electric.

Practical Equipment Comes Standard

Despite its position as the entry-level model, the Opel Frontera Start is not stripped down to the point of feeling basic.

The standard equipment includes a six-way adjustable Intelli-Seat, featuring a central recess designed to improve comfort. Air conditioning is also standard, while a rear parking pilot and lane departure warning provide additional assistance in everyday driving.

A 10-inch driver information display provides vehicle information directly ahead of the driver.

Instead of requiring a conventional integrated infotainment system for every function, the Frontera Start also features a smartphone station on the center console, allowing occupants to use their own mobile device for personalized entertainment and connectivity.

This approach helps Opel keep the entry price low while maintaining the technology that many modern buyers expect from a new SUV.

Rugged Styling Sets the Frontera Start Apart

The Frontera Start retains the distinctive styling of the wider Frontera family but receives several details that emphasize its rugged character.

The exterior features black mirror housings and black bumpers, including a lower section designed to give the impression of underrun protection. The SUV rides on 16-inch steel wheels fitted with new black wheel covers.

The result is deliberately functional rather than luxurious, which suits the positioning of the Start model.

Customers can order the Frontera Start in Effekt Blue as the starting configuration, with the overall design continuing to emphasize the model’s upright proportions and practical SUV character.

460 Liters of Cargo Space

One of the Frontera’s strongest selling points remains interior practicality.

With all rear seats in their normal position, the SUV offers 460 liters of luggage capacity. Fold the rear seats down and available cargo volume increases to approximately 1,600 liters.

The rear seats split in a 60:40 configuration, allowing owners to balance passenger accommodation and cargo space depending on what they need to transport.

The Frontera also provides generous second-row space, making it particularly relevant to families who regularly carry adults or children in the rear seats.

The combination of a relatively compact footprint and useful cargo capacity is central to the Frontera’s appeal.

Optional Start Comfort Pack

Buyers looking for additional convenience can specify the Start Comfort Pack.

The package adds a dual-level boot floor, providing additional flexibility when organizing the luggage area. It also adds a makeup mirror to both the driver’s and front passenger’s sun visors.

It is a relatively simple option, but one that fits the Frontera Start’s practical philosophy rather than adding equipment simply for appearance.

Four Frontera Trim Levels

With the arrival of the Start, Opel now divides the Frontera range into four principal trim levels:

  • Frontera Start – the new value-focused entry point
  • Frontera Edition – the next step up in equipment
  • Frontera GS – a more comprehensively equipped version
  • Frontera Ultimate – the range-topping configuration

This structure gives customers a more straightforward path through the lineup, from the affordable Start model to the fully equipped Ultimate.

The strategy also allows Opel to address a wider range of buyers without forcing customers who prioritize price to pay for equipment they may not need.

Is the Opel Frontera Start a Good Value?

The new Opel Frontera Start makes a compelling argument for buyers who want a practical family SUV at a relatively accessible price.

Its biggest advantage is the combination of a €21,990 starting price, five-door SUV practicality, 460 liters of standard cargo space and a choice of gasoline, hybrid and electric powertrains.

The new 100-hp turbocharged engine is particularly significant because it gives buyers who do not want a hybrid or electric vehicle a straightforward entry point into the Frontera range.

At the other end of the spectrum, the availability of hybrid and electric models means customers who want to reduce fuel consumption or move to an EV do not necessarily have to choose another vehicle.

Source: Stellantis

NEW CARS

Ferrari CZ26 Unveiled as a Stunning One-Off Based on the SF90 Stradale

Ferrari has unveiled the Ferrari CZ26, an exclusive One-Off created through the marque’s Special Projects programme for a client in the United States. Designed by the Ferrari Design Studio under the direction of Flavio Manzoni, the CZ26 transforms the familiar supersport berlinetta formula into something far more radical, minimalist and futuristic.

Based on the exceptional technical architecture and performance characteristics of the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, the CZ26 retains the essence of Ferrari’s top-tier performance philosophy while introducing a completely bespoke exterior and interior design. Rather than simply restyling an existing Ferrari, the project delivers a highly personal interpretation of what an ultra-high-performance berlinetta could look like in the future.

The result is a Ferrari with an unmistakable presence, defined by horizontal proportions, an exceptionally clean body and a distinctive two-box silhouette.

Ferrari CZ26: A New Interpretation of the Berlinetta

The Ferrari CZ26 was created with a clear objective: to combine strength, precision and formal purity in a body that immediately distinguishes itself from Ferrari’s regular production models.

Its proportions are dominated by a strong horizontal theme. At the centre of the design is what Ferrari describes as a pure central mass resembling a capsule, visually supported by four muscular elements surrounding the wheel arches.

This gives the CZ26 a planted, road-hugging stance while making the body appear as though it has been sculpted from a single continuous form.

The design flows naturally from the front fascia toward the rear, where the body terminates in a clean, truncated tail. The geometry of the rear deliberately echoes the front, creating a visual connection between both ends of the car.

It is an approach that places simplicity at the centre of the design rather than relying on excessive aerodynamic ornamentation.

A Dramatic Front End

The Ferrari CZ26 has an especially distinctive face.

A full-width functional grille dominates the front end, incorporating ultra-slim lighting elements, brake cooling openings, sensors and other technical components. The lighting modules have a concealed appearance, allowing the grille and surrounding bodywork to remain visually clean.

Perhaps the most striking feature is the car’s unprecedented vertical leading edge. It gives the front end a bold, almost architectural appearance while reinforcing the CZ26’s wide and low stance.

Behind the styling lies extensive aerodynamic work. Ferrari redesigned the cooling system and airflow management around the front axle, including a reorientation of the central radiator package and the addition of dedicated bypass ducts.

The changes were designed not only to improve cooling efficiency but also to increase downforce over the front axle.

Sculpted Rear Design and Advanced Aerodynamics

The rear of the Ferrari CZ26 is just as distinctive as its nose.

A sharply truncated tail is framed by cantilevered taillights, giving the rear a lightweight, sculptural appearance. Beneath them, a pronounced horizontal diffuser visually increases the width of the car and reinforces its planted stance.

Ferrari also developed a large upper rear spoiler specifically for the CZ26. Together with the dedicated diffuser, the spoiler is designed to increase downforce without sacrificing aerodynamic efficiency.

The rear engine cover has also been redesigned. Dedicated vents provide improved thermal management and help remove heat from the engine compartment under demanding driving conditions.

The underbody and vortex generator system were completely reworked as part of the aerodynamic programme, highlighting the fact that the CZ26 is not simply a visual exercise.

Aerodynamics Hidden Within the Design

One of the most interesting aspects of the Ferrari CZ26 is how extensively its aerodynamic features have been integrated into the bodywork.

The outer sections of the front bumper incorporate an air-curtain system designed to control the airflow generated by the front wheels. By managing this turbulent wake, Ferrari aims to reduce aerodynamic drag while maintaining the car’s high-downforce characteristics.

Cooling openings, air-management channels, the rear diffuser and other aerodynamic elements emerge directly from the main body surfaces.

This creates a much cleaner appearance than the increasingly complex aerodynamic solutions seen on many modern high-performance cars.

The philosophy also reflects some of the most influential examples of Italian industrial design from the 1970s, although Ferrari has interpreted those principles through a distinctly modern and technological lens.

Ferrari CZ26 Exterior Design: Argento Veloce and Rosso Lampante

The visual identity of the CZ26 is further enhanced by an exclusive colour and materials strategy.

The body is finished in Argento Veloce, a sophisticated silver shade designed to produce a liquid-like visual effect across the sculpted surfaces. The finish emphasizes the precision of the bodywork and allows the complex geometry to remain visible without becoming visually overwhelming.

Contrasting Rosso Lampante details add a traditional Ferrari performance accent. The red elements highlight selected functional and technical components, giving the otherwise futuristic design a more recognizable connection to Ferrari’s sporting heritage.

Pigmented carbon-fibre components extend visually around the wheel arches, adding another layer of technical character.

The bespoke wheels combine gloss-black painted surfaces with a shot-peened treatment. The process uses microscopic beads to create a distinctive polished appearance while maintaining the technical character expected of a Ferrari One-Off.

Natural-finish titanium exhaust tailpipes complete the exterior, making the performance-focused nature of the car immediately apparent.

A Bespoke Ferrari CZ26 Interior

Inside, the CZ26 continues the same design philosophy established by the exterior.

The cabin is visually integrated into the body through extensive use of black trim across the roof and pillars. This creates the impression of a cockpit embedded within the main body structure.

A bespoke black technical fabric forms the central theme of the interior, complemented by specially designed seat inserts manufactured using additive manufacturing technology.

The seat design was created specifically for the CZ26, reinforcing the project’s highly personalized nature.

Rosso Lampante accents provide a direct visual connection with the exterior, while an embroidered CZ26 logo adds another layer of exclusivity.

The interior also combines different textures to create a sophisticated technical environment. Matte technical fabric contrasts with satin-finish carbon fibre, while special gloss carbon fibre incorporates metallic filaments woven directly into its structure.

Body-coloured elements appear on the door panels and upper dashboard, further connecting the cabin with the exterior design.

Ferrari CZ26 Performance: SF90 Stradale DNA

Although the Ferrari CZ26 is visually unique, its performance credentials are rooted in one of Ferrari’s most technologically advanced road cars.

The project draws on the dynamic characteristics and performance of the Ferrari SF90 Stradale while retaining its technical specifications and the fundamental character of an ultra-high-performance Ferrari.

That means the CZ26 is not intended to be merely a collector’s styling exercise. Its aerodynamic development demonstrates that the One-Off programme can combine individual customer requirements with serious engineering objectives.

Ferrari’s work on cooling, airflow management, underbody aerodynamics, vortex generation, front-wheel wake control and rear downforce demonstrates the extent to which performance influenced the design.

Ferrari Special Projects: When a Client Becomes Part of the Design Process

The Ferrari CZ26 is a product of Ferrari’s Special Projects programme, one of the most exclusive ways for a customer to commission a highly personalized Ferrari.

Rather than selecting from a conventional catalogue of options, Special Projects clients can participate in the creation of a vehicle with an individual identity.

The CZ26 illustrates the possibilities of that approach particularly well. Every major design area—from the proportions and body surfaces to the colour scheme, wheels, carbon-fibre components and interior materials—has been developed around a singular design vision.

The result is a Ferrari that is effectively a bespoke interpretation of the brand’s performance philosophy.

A Glimpse Into Ferrari’s Design Future

Perhaps the most important aspect of the Ferrari CZ26 is not its exclusivity but what its design represents.

The car demonstrates Ferrari’s willingness to explore a more restrained interpretation of performance-car design. Instead of covering the body with visible aerodynamic devices and complicated surfaces, the CZ26 integrates much of its functionality into a clean and coherent form.

Its horizontal proportions, capsule-like central body, muscular wheel arches, concealed lighting and truncated rear create a visual identity that feels distinctly different from Ferrari’s current mainstream range.

At the same time, traditional Ferrari cues remain present through the performance-oriented proportions, red detailing, exposed technical components and aggressive aerodynamic stance.

The Ferrari CZ26 therefore occupies an interesting position between Ferrari’s heritage and its future.

Ferrari CZ26 One-Off: A Ferrari Designed as a Personal Statement

The Ferrari CZ26 is ultimately less about numbers and more about identity.

Created for a US client and developed through Ferrari’s Special Projects programme, it takes the technical foundation of the SF90 Stradale and turns it into an intensely personal design statement.

Its clean surfaces, futuristic materials, sophisticated aerodynamics and distinctive two-box silhouette make it one of the most unusual modern Ferrari One-Offs.

The CZ26 shows what happens when Ferrari’s engineers and designers are given the freedom to rethink the shape of a high-performance berlinetta without being constrained by the requirements of mass production.

It is Ferrari at its most individualistic: technically serious, visually experimental and built around the idea that an extraordinary automobile can be more than a machine—it can be a personal expression of design, performance and exclusivity.

Source: Ferrari