Category Archives: NEW CARS

Aston Martin DBX GT Arrives With 717bhp and Bentley Bentayga-Focused Luxury

Aston Martin is expanding the DBX range with a new DBX GT, a more luxurious and comfort-focused version of its high-performance SUV designed to appeal to buyers who value refinement, craftsmanship and quiet luxury as much as outright performance.

Positioned as a direct rival to the Bentley Bentayga, the Aston Martin DBX GT combines a plush, understated character with the same formidable twin-turbocharged V8 powertrain found in the more aggressive DBX S. With 717bhp, 664lb ft of torque and a claimed 0-62mph time of just 3.3 seconds, the DBX GT is hardly lacking in performance.

However, Aston Martin has deliberately changed the character of the SUV. Rather than emphasizing sporting aggression, the DBX GT is designed to deliver a quieter, smoother and more sophisticated driving experience.

Aston Martin DBX GT Targets the Luxury SUV Market

Aston Martin describes the DBX GT as being aimed at customers who prefer “assured elegance over sporting aggression” and expect a higher level of luxury from their SUV.

That positioning places the new model between traditional high-performance SUVs and ultra-luxury vehicles such as the Bentley Bentayga. The DBX GT is intended to offer the performance associated with Aston Martin while placing greater emphasis on comfort, craftsmanship and long-distance refinement.

Pricing is expected to start at around £207,000, putting the DBX GT firmly into the high-end luxury SUV market.

The model will also help divide the DBX family into two distinct personalities. The DBX S will continue to target buyers looking for a more aggressive, performance-oriented SUV, competing with vehicles such as the Lamborghini Urus and Ferrari Purosangue.

The DBX GT, meanwhile, takes a more relaxed approach.

717bhp Twin-Turbo V8 Delivers Supercar-Level Performance

Despite its luxury-focused character, the Aston Martin DBX GT retains the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing 717bhp and 664lb ft of torque.

That is the same headline output as the DBX S, allowing the GT to accelerate from 0-62mph in a claimed 3.3 seconds.

The result is an unusual combination: an SUV designed around quiet luxury that can still deliver genuinely serious acceleration.

Aston Martin has nevertheless made several changes to ensure that the DBX GT feels different from its more sporting sibling. The accelerator pedal mapping has been revised to provide what the company describes as a greater sense of precision and control, while the exhaust has been tuned to produce a quieter soundtrack in Normal mode.

Drivers who want more drama can switch to Sport mode, where the exhaust is allowed to return to its louder “full voice”.

More Restrained Exterior Design

The visual changes distinguish the DBX GT from the aggressive appearance of the DBX S.

At the front, the GT receives a new dual-vaned grille instead of the DBX S’s motorsport-inspired honeycomb design. Buyers will be able to choose between a bright chrome finish and a darker metal treatment.

The side strake is also finished in bright silver metal rather than black, while the lower bodywork is painted to match the exterior. This gives the DBX GT a considerably more discreet appearance than the DBX S, which uses black splitters and side skirts to emphasize its performance credentials.

At the rear, Aston Martin has adopted horizontally arranged quad exhaust outlets rather than the vertically stacked arrangement used by the DBX S.

The design philosophy is clear: the DBX GT is intended to look expensive and sophisticated rather than overtly aggressive.

22-Inch Wheels Prioritize Comfort

The DBX GT rides on bespoke 22-inch wheels fitted with all-season tyres.

Aston Martin says the tyre choice has been made specifically to maximize ride compliance and minimize road noise, reinforcing the SUV’s emphasis on comfort.

Customers can also specify optional 23-inch wheels for a more imposing appearance.

While larger wheels can often compromise ride comfort, the DBX GT has received suspension revisions intended to offset that effect and provide a more compliant ride over uneven surfaces.

A More Luxurious Aston Martin DBX Interior

Inside, Aston Martin has concentrated heavily on craftsmanship and comfort.

The seats have been redesigned and feature an additional memory-foam layer intended to improve support and provide a more luxurious feel on longer journeys.

The same philosophy extends to the second row. The outer rear seats have been reshaped and are now treated as individual luxury seats, similar in concept to the front seats. A central seat remains available, allowing the DBX GT to accommodate a fifth passenger when required.

Aston Martin has also upgraded the appearance and tactile quality of the cabin with anodized metal finishes for the drive selector and other switchgear.

The company describes these details as providing a “jewellery-quality finish”, while a selection of GT-specific multi-colour upholstery combinations gives customers greater scope for personalization.

Aston Martin Focuses on Quiet Luxury

One of the biggest differences between the DBX GT and the DBX S is not immediately visible.

Aston Martin has modified the body structure and increased sound deadening in an effort to reduce unwanted road and powertrain noise.

The company claims these changes deliver a 13% improvement in its “articulation index”, essentially making it easier for occupants to hold a conversation or make a phone call while travelling.

That detail highlights the role Aston Martin sees for the DBX GT. Rather than simply being a softer version of a performance SUV, it is designed as a luxury grand tourer with the ability to cover long distances at high speed while keeping occupants isolated from the outside world.

The suspension has also been softened to improve compliance over rough surfaces.

DBX GT Revives the Original DBX Philosophy

The new model also represents something of a return to the philosophy of the original Aston Martin DBX.

The original DBX was discontinued in 2024 when the more powerful DBX 707 became the sole version of the SUV. That model was subsequently replaced by the DBX S, which pushed the performance envelope even further.

The arrival of the DBX GT effectively restores a second personality to the DBX family.

Where the DBX S is engineered around performance and aggressive styling, the GT brings the focus back toward luxury, comfort and understated design.

That makes the new model particularly relevant in a segment where buyers increasingly expect an SUV to combine high performance with limousine-like comfort.

Aston Martin DBX GT vs Bentley Bentayga

The DBX GT’s positioning makes its rivalry with the Bentley Bentayga particularly significant.

Both SUVs target customers looking for luxury, exclusivity and strong performance without sacrificing everyday usability. The difference is largely one of character.

The DBX GT uses Aston Martin’s sporting heritage and 717bhp powertrain as the foundation, but deliberately tones down the visual and acoustic aggression normally associated with a high-performance SUV.

The result is an Aston Martin designed to appeal to buyers who want extreme performance available when required, but who do not necessarily want their luxury SUV to advertise it at every opportunity.

That places the DBX GT in a different part of the market from the more overtly sporting DBX S.

Orders Open for the New Aston Martin DBX GT

Aston Martin is already accepting orders for the new DBX GT, with customer deliveries scheduled to begin toward the end of the year.

With an expected starting price of around £207,000, the DBX GT enters one of the most exclusive areas of the luxury SUV market.

Its formula is straightforward but ambitious: take the 717bhp performance of the DBX S, add greater ride comfort, improved sound insulation, more luxurious materials and a more restrained exterior, then position the result against the Bentley Bentayga.

The Aston Martin DBX GT therefore isn’t simply a softer DBX S. It is a deliberate attempt to create a high-performance luxury SUV for customers who would rather arrive in comfort and silence than make a statement with aggression.

Source: Aston Martin

2027 BMW 3 Series Revealed

BMW has revealed the eighth-generation 3 Series, bringing a new generation of petrol-powered executive saloon designed to sit alongside the fully electric BMW i3. Leading the range is the new BMW M350 xDrive, which produces 437bhp and can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 4.1sec.

The new BMW 3 Series is scheduled to arrive in the UK in early 2027, with production beginning in November. The saloon will launch first, followed by a BMW 3 Series Touring estate later in 2027.

Although the new 3 Series and i3 share BMW’s latest design language and much of their electronic architecture, the two cars are built on fundamentally different platforms. The electric i3 uses BMW’s Neue Klasse architecture, while the combustion-engined 3 Series continues with an evolution of the company’s Cluster Architecture (CLAR) platform.

That distinction is significant because BMW is attempting to make its petrol, hybrid and electric models feel increasingly like members of the same family rather than separate generations of technology.

BMW M350 xDrive becomes the new 3 Series performance flagship

The headline model at launch is the BMW M350 xDrive, priced from £66,785 in the UK.

Under its bonnet is a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six petrol engine supported by a small electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission. Combined output is 437bhp and 428lb ft of torque.

The petrol engine itself produces 420bhp and 388lb ft, while the integrated electric motor contributes an additional 17bhp.

That represents a substantial step forward compared with the outgoing BMW M340i xDrive. The previous model developed 369bhp and 369lb ft, meaning the new M350 gains 68bhp and 59lb ft.

BMW says the M350 xDrive can accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.1sec, while its top speed is electronically restricted to 155mph.

Interestingly, the petrol-powered M350 xDrive is actually quicker to 62mph than the more powerful four-wheel-drive BMW i3 50 xDrive. The electric model produces 463bhp and 476lb ft from its two electric motors, but requires 4.7sec to reach 62mph.

The difference comes down largely to weight, with the combustion-engined 3 Series carrying considerably less mass.

The M350 therefore occupies an interesting position in BMW’s performance line-up. It is more powerful than the previous-generation M3 and, at least in straight-line acceleration, gets close to the performance offered by the range-topping electric i3.

A new version of BMW’s xDrive four-wheel-drive system is also introduced, with a Drift Moment function scheduled to become available during 2027. The system will be capable of sending the engine’s power exclusively to the rear wheels, giving the M350 a more playful rear-drive character when conditions and circumstances allow.

The M350 will remain the most performance-focused version of the new 3 Series until the arrival of the next-generation full BMW M3.

New BMW 320 expected to be the UK volume seller

While the M350 xDrive grabs the headlines, BMW expects the rear-wheel-drive 320 to account for the majority of UK sales.

Priced from £44,975, the BMW 320 uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with mild-hybrid assistance.

It produces 208bhp and 243lb ft and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. BMW quotes a 0-62mph time of 7.4sec and a top speed of 149mph.

A 318 with 154bhp and 184lb ft will also be offered in European markets, although the exact UK range will be more restricted.

Diesel versions remain part of the broader European 3 Series line-up, but they are unlikely to return to Britain after BMW withdrew diesel versions from the UK market in 2024.

A plug-in hybrid version is also planned and will arrive in 2027, adding another powertrain option to BMW’s increasingly diversified 3 Series range.

BMW 3 Series adopts Neue Klasse-inspired styling

Although the new petrol-powered BMW 3 Series does not use the Neue Klasse platform, its styling has been heavily influenced by the electric i3.

BMW has created a much closer visual relationship between its combustion-engined and electric models. The new 3 Series features a broad horizontal front-end graphic incorporating the traditional BMW kidney grille and twin headlights.

The result is a more unified appearance across BMW’s next generation of cars.

The new car also adopts flush-fitting door handles, traditional cab-back proportions, pronounced rear haunches and slim horizontal rear lights.

The dimensions have increased slightly compared with the outgoing G20-generation 3 Series.

The new combustion-engined 3 Series measures:

  • Length: 4,765mm
  • Width: 1,850mm
  • Height: 1,455mm
  • Wheelbase: 2,880mm

It is therefore 52mm longer than its predecessor, while the wheelbase has increased by 9mm.

The electric BMW i3 is subtly different in its proportions. It is slightly shorter but 15mm wider and 25mm taller, while its wheelbase is also marginally longer.

Despite the differences beneath the skin, the visual similarities between the two models are deliberate. BMW wants customers to immediately recognise both cars as members of the same 3 Series family.

M350 xDrive gets distinctive exterior details

BMW has given the M350 xDrive several visual features designed to distinguish it from the standard 3 Series range.

The performance model gets distinctive yellow daytime running lights, a subtle boot-lid spoiler and four exhaust tailpipes.

Customers choosing less powerful versions can still give their cars a more aggressive appearance through BMW’s M Sport packages.

The M Sport package adds redesigned bumpers, side skirts and a rear diffuser, along with blue M Sport brake callipers.

The M Sport Pro package takes the visual treatment further, adding black mirror caps, a black rear spoiler and red M Sport brakes.

This means the new 3 Series can be configured with a relatively understated appearance or given a much more aggressive look without stepping up to the M350.

BMW focuses heavily on chassis improvements

The biggest changes to the new 3 Series are not necessarily visible from outside.

BMW has extensively reworked the chassis, giving the petrol-powered model its own front suspension geometry and a revised five-link rear suspension.

The rear suspension also benefits from increased wheel camber, while BMW has stiffened the chassis mounting points and revised the anti-roll-bar mounting arrangement.

The objective is to improve the car’s combination of steering response, body control, ride comfort and high-speed stability.

Adaptive suspension will be available as an option, as will adaptive M suspension. Both systems use electronically controlled dampers capable of continuously adjusting their response at each wheel.

The changes should help the new 3 Series retain the dynamic character that has traditionally been central to BMW’s compact executive saloon, while accommodating the changing requirements of modern electrified powertrains.

BMW 3 Series and i3 take different technical routes

The most interesting aspect of the new BMW 3 Series is perhaps what lies beneath its familiar body.

The petrol model continues to use BMW’s CLAR architecture, while the electric i3 is built on the company’s Neue Klasse platform.

That means BMW has not simply converted the electric platform to accept an internal-combustion engine. Instead, the two cars have been engineered independently while being brought significantly closer together in terms of styling, interior presentation and electronic architecture.

This approach allows BMW to maintain combustion-engine technology while simultaneously accelerating its electric-car programme.

It also gives the company a way to keep the 3 Series name relevant across different powertrain technologies.

New BMW 3 Series Touring coming later in 2027

The new 3 Series will initially be launched as a saloon, with UK deliveries scheduled for early 2027.

A BMW 3 Series Touring estate will follow later in the year, continuing one of the most important body styles in the model’s history.

The Touring is likely to broaden the appeal of the new generation significantly, particularly among buyers looking for the driving characteristics of a BMW 3 Series combined with additional luggage capacity and everyday practicality.

Source: BMW

2027 Volkswagen ID. Tiguan Confirmed: Electric SUV to Replace ID.4 and ID.5

Volkswagen is expanding its electric SUV lineup with a familiar name. The new Volkswagen ID. Tiguan has been confirmed for market launch in early 2027, becoming the successor to the ID.4 and ID.5 while sitting alongside the conventionally powered Tiguan.

The new electric SUV will make its world premiere in early October 2026, although Volkswagen says the vehicle will continue testing under camouflage ahead of its official unveiling.

The decision to use the Tiguan name marks another step in Volkswagen’s evolving naming strategy for its electric vehicles. Following the upcoming ID. Polo and ID. Cross, the ID. Tiguan is designed to make the transition to electric mobility easier for customers by connecting established model names with Volkswagen’s next generation of EVs.

Volkswagen ID. Tiguan to Arrive in 2027

Volkswagen says the ID. Tiguan will enter markets at the beginning of 2027 and will succeed the ID.4 and ID.5 in the brand’s electric SUV lineup.

Rather than abandoning familiar names for its electric models, Volkswagen is increasingly using its strongest existing product names to create a clearer distinction between different vehicle concepts.

The strategy is particularly significant for the Tiguan name. More than 8.3 million Tiguan vehicles have been produced worldwide, making it one of Volkswagen’s most established and recognizable nameplates.

Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Brand and Head of Brand Group Core, says the ID. Tiguan will carry the characteristics associated with the established SUV into Volkswagen’s electric future.

“The Tiguan represents a versatile, premium vehicle and embodies the essence of True Volkswagen,” Schäfer said. “With the ID. Tiguan, we are carrying this product promise into the electric future.”

According to Volkswagen, the new electric SUV will combine premium design, generous interior space, intuitive controls and new technologies.

ID. Tiguan Will Be Sold Alongside the Combustion-Engine Tiguan

One of the most important details is that the electric ID. Tiguan will not immediately replace the conventional Tiguan nameplate across Volkswagen’s entire lineup.

Instead, the ID. Tiguan will be offered alongside the existing Tiguan, which continues with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains.

That gives Volkswagen a two-track strategy in one of the most important segments of the European and global car markets. Customers will be able to choose between the familiar Tiguan powertrain range and the fully electric ID. Tiguan.

The approach also reflects the reality that Volkswagen is continuing to offer multiple powertrain technologies while electric vehicle adoption develops at different speeds across individual markets.

More Than 950,000 ID.4 and ID.5 Delivered

The ID. Tiguan inherits a segment that has already played an important role in Volkswagen’s electric-vehicle strategy.

Since their introduction in 2021, the Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5 have achieved combined deliveries of more than 950,000 vehicles. Volkswagen describes the two models as among the most successful battery-electric model series in the Volkswagen Group.

The ID.4 established Volkswagen’s presence in the rapidly growing electric SUV market, while the ID.5 added a more aerodynamic fastback-style alternative.

The ID. Tiguan will now take over their role as Volkswagen reshapes its electric SUV range around established and highly recognizable model names.

Tiguan Remains Volkswagen’s Global Bestseller

The significance of the new electric model becomes clearer when looking at the popularity of the Tiguan itself.

Volkswagen says the Tiguan is currently the best-selling model worldwide for both the Volkswagen brand and the Volkswagen Group. Together with its sister model, the Tayron, deliveries exceeded one million vehicles over the past year.

Both the Tiguan and Tayron are available with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains, giving Volkswagen a broad offering in the global SUV market.

The ID. Tiguan will therefore carry one of Volkswagen’s strongest product names into the company’s next phase of electrification.

Volkswagen ID. Tiguan Design and Technology

Volkswagen has not yet released full technical specifications for the production ID. Tiguan, but the company has confirmed several of the key attributes it is targeting.

The electric SUV is expected to focus on:

  • Fully electric powertrain technology
  • Premium exterior and interior design
  • Generous passenger and cargo space
  • Intuitive vehicle operation
  • New-generation technology features
  • A familiar Tiguan-oriented vehicle concept
  • A position alongside the combustion and hybrid Tiguan

Volkswagen is still keeping the production vehicle under camouflage, meaning details such as battery capacity, electric range, charging speeds, power outputs, dimensions and pricing remain to be confirmed.

Those figures will become particularly important as the ID. Tiguan enters an increasingly competitive electric SUV market.

Why the ID. Tiguan Name Matters

Volkswagen’s decision to use the ID. Tiguan name represents a significant change from the company’s original approach to its electric lineup.

The ID.4 and ID.5 were introduced as standalone model names within the ID family. Volkswagen is now moving toward a strategy in which established names such as Polo, Cross and Tiguan are combined with the ID designation.

For customers, the objective is straightforward: make it immediately clear where an electric vehicle sits within Volkswagen’s broader product range.

The ID. Tiguan should therefore be understood not simply as an electric successor to the ID.4, but as part of a broader restructuring of Volkswagen’s model naming strategy.

Volkswagen ID. Tiguan World Premiere Coming in October

The wait for the production version is almost over. Volkswagen has confirmed that the world premiere of the new ID. Tiguan will take place in early October 2026.

Until then, development prototypes will continue testing with camouflage.

The electric SUV will subsequently arrive in markets at the beginning of 2027, joining the existing Tiguan and giving Volkswagen a dedicated electric alternative in one of its most important vehicle segments.

With more than 8.3 million Tiguans already produced and nearly one million ID.4 and ID.5 vehicles delivered, Volkswagen is betting that the combination of a trusted SUV name and an all-electric powertrain can carry the brand’s successful formula into its next era.

2027 Volkswagen ID. Tiguan: Key Facts

  • Model: Volkswagen ID. Tiguan
  • Powertrain: Fully electric
  • Market launch: Early 2027
  • World premiere: Early October 2026
  • Role: Successor to the ID.4 and ID.5
  • Positioning: Electric SUV
  • Related model: Volkswagen Tiguan
  • Tiguan production to date: More than 8.3 million
  • ID.4/ID.5 deliveries since 2021: More than 950,000
  • Tiguan/Tayron deliveries over the past year: More than 1 million

Source: Volkswagen