Auto Express

I’VE had a couple of interesting chats in recent weeks about the ‘right’ size for EV batteries. Manufacturers are battling to find the balance between cars with enough range for drivers not to worry about running out of charge, while keeping weight and bulk down. It’s something of an impossible problem, particularly while we’re still in the early stages of EVs being accepted into the mainstream. People need the comfort blanket of a big range figure when they start driving an EV, until they get the experience to know that the range isn’t suddenly going to plunge and strand them, and until they can trust the public charging network. But there are now many cars with an official range of well over 300 miles, and while that figure will rise…

THE all-new, third-generation Nissan Leaf has been revealed ahead of its full launch in the second half of this year. And as we’ve known for some time, the pioneering electric hatchback has been transformed into a stylish, high-riding crossover. The looks are inspired by the Nissan Chill-Out concept presented back in 2021, with the new Leaf carrying over several key elements, such as the signature ‘boomerang’ lights, and the distinctive wheel design. Both of those were also included in our exclusive (and as we can now see, incredibly accurate) images of the new Leaf published last year. Other details include a rather sharply pointed nose featuring a full-width lightbar and an illuminated Nissan badge. There are also flush-fitting handles on the front doors, with the rear door handles hidden high…

THE third-generation Nissan Juke is coming, and the firm has now given us our first official look at the production car set to arrive next year. As the second best-selling Nissan in the UK (after the Qashqai) and the fourth best-selling car in the UK overall, the current Juke has been a huge success for Nissan, though the new one will get an all-electric powertrain. The next Juke will target the same supermini-SUV rivals as the current car, while sitting below the new Leaf (see page 6) in the Nissan line-up. As such, it will be eyeing the Ford Puma, Hyundai Kona and Jeep Avenger as rivals. Bold style has been a key attribute of the Juke since the first model was launched in 2010, and while this teaser doesn’t…

IT’S been a long time coming, but this is our first official look at the all-new Nissan Micra that will go on sale this year. The supermini has been reborn as an EV, and is based on the same technology as the new Renault 5, by virtue of the Renault Nissan Mitsubishi Alliance partnership. Yet Nissan hasn’t simply stuck its badge on the R5 and called it a day. The front end features a sharply angled nose and large round daytime running lights that resemble those on the curvy Mk3 Micra launched in the early 2000s. The new Micra also gets a different front bumper and alloy wheel design, plus an embossed shoulder line. However, some details, such as the square rear end and rear door handles tucked up into…

THE big-selling Nissan Qashqai benefited from a substantial mid-life facelift and tech boost in 2024, and later this year it will finally receive the next evolution of the Japanese brand’s unique ‘e-Power’ hybrid powertrain, which the brand says will offer significant improvements in fuel economy, emissions and refinement. First introduced in 2022, the Nissan Qashqai e-Power is different from other hybrid SUVs because it uses its petrol engine solely to generate energy for a lithium-ion battery, which in turn powers the electric motor that drives the front wheels. The idea is that the system delivers a more EV-like driving experience, but without the requirement to plug in to charge. The latest version of Nissan’s e-Power hybrid technology features a new 1.5-litre petrol engine, plus a new electric drive unit that…

SMALL-car specialist Smart is investigating the feasibility of reinventing its iconic ForTwo for the modern age, with the firm’s European boss telling us the model will “define the A-segment” by staying true to the company’s core values. Speaking exclusively to Auto Express, Smart’s European CEO Dirk Adelmann said to “stay tuned” for more information on the next-generation city car. “The A-segment is, for us, very interesting, because it is growing,” he said. It’s thought the model could launch by the end of the decade, priced from around £20,000. Separately, Smart’s head of design Kai Sieber told us: “The ForTwo is the core of our brand. It’s still our very clear intention to bring it back.” While the new car will most likely retain its compact footprint and spacious interior, it…