A LITTLE-known car brand is preparing to launch an AI-powered luxury saloon to rival the mighty Porsche Taycan.
Chinese EV manufacturer Xpeng has unveiled the latest iteration of its P7 sports saloon that they’ve branded “more than a car”.
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Xpeng unveils its next-gen P7 sports saloon, showcasing cutting-edge AI tech to rival the Porsche TaycanCredit: XPENG
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The Chinese EV brand reveals a sleek, AI-driven electric saloonCredit: XPENG
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They say their flagship P7 aims to stand out in the crowded EV marketCredit: XPENG
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It combines style, performance, and AI-driven mobility to promise a new era of electric luxuryCredit: XPENG
Said to be Xpeng’s answer to “the AI [artificial intelligence] era in form and function”, the company has identified itself as an “AI-driven mobility company”.
Indeed, they’re positioning the new flagship P7 as a showcase for how AI can redefine the luxury car experience.
Details at this stage are scarce, but the previous P7 was described as “the world’s first AI-defined vehicle” and included highly advanced autonomous driving functions, as well as a ‘smart cockpit’ that included a Knight Rider-style voice assistant.
The next-gen model is expected to build on this, as well as introduce even more advanced capabilities.
Their ultimate aim is to stand out in China‘s increasingly crowded luxury saloon market – with the likes of the Avatr 12, Nio ET9 and Luxeed S7 all hoping to be big sellers.
Regarding the upcoming P7’s new styling, Xpeng’s Exterior Design Director Rafik Ferrag told Autocar: “With this new generation, we set out to design a pure-electric sports sedan that could amaze at every angle.
“This car is our dream – refined through countless iterations.
“In my eyes, the all-new Xpeng P7 is a work of art, shaped with emotion and purpose.”
It’s currently unknown if the P7 will be sold outside of China – with more details to follow.
For now, the Porsche Taycan remains the industry leader when it comes to luxury, performance all-electric saloons.
Inside Taycan Turbo GT Porsche that can hit 200mph as SunSport’s Isabelle Barker is taken for a spin by Formula E safety car driver
While sales have dipped in recent times, the Taycan remains a highly sought-after electric sports car ahead of the likes of the Lucid Air, Tesla Model S, BMW i4, and Audi e-tron GT.
One other Chinese brand that’s got Porsche in its sights is Denza – headed by motoring giant BYD.
The ever-expanding car brand is one of the largest private companies in China and has already started to make waves globally – including in the UK.
But for those seeking something with more speed and luxury, their sister brand Denza and their first car in its line-up – the stunning Z9 GT – might appeal.
MAZDA is pulling the plug on its first and only electric car, criticised during its four-year run for its limited range and cramped cabin.
The MX-30, which made its world debut at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, is a subcompact crossover SUV that offered EV, plug-in hybrid, and mild hybrid variants.
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Mazda’s first EV, the MX-30, is being discontinued after four years of mixed reviewsCredit: SUPPLIED
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The MX-30’s 124-mile range, due to its small 35.5kWh battery, was a key factor in its struggles against rivalsCredit: Supplied
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New EVs like the Jeep Avenger and MINI Aceman now dominate the subcompact electric SUV marketCredit: SUPPLIED
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Its awkward, coach-style rear doors were also criticisedCredit: Supplied
But now, it’s quietly reached the end of its production lifespan.
Launched in the UK in 2021, the MX-30 was positioned against competitors such as the Kia Soul EV and Peugeot e-2008.
However, it struggled to gain traction, primarily due to its short range and limited practicality.
One of the most significant criticisms of the MX-30 – aside from its bizarre, coach-style doors – was its modest range of just 124 miles, thanks to its 35.5kWh battery.
The smaller battery size, chosen to reduce the car’s weight, certainly improved handling and lowered its CO2 emissions during production.
However, it also resulted in persistent range anxiety among drivers.
Indeed, today, rivals like the Jeep Avenger, Renault 4, and MINI Aceman offer ranges of around 250 miles, highlighting the MX-30’s shortcomings.
WHAT’S NEXT?
While the fully electric MX-30 has been axed, the plug-in hybrid version remains on sale in the UK.
This variant, equipped with a fully charged battery and a full tank of petrol, can cover more than 400 miles, according to Mazda.
What’s more, the brand is set to give electric cars another stab next year with the 6e saloon, which is poised to be in the same segment as the top-selling Tesla Model 3.
A fully electric SUV is also in the pipeline, but the decision to temporarily pluck its only pure electric vehicle in its lineup is bold – particularly in light of the UK Government’s ZEV mandate.
Under the current mandate, at least 28% of manufacturers’ new car sales must be zero-emissions vehicles by 2025, prompting many brands to prioritise EV production.
As reported by Auto Express, a Mazda spokesperson said: “Mazda will meet the requirements of the ZEV/VETS legislation through the various flexibilities within the scheme and the introduction of further BEVs.”
AN ICONIC 1980s Porsche left abandoned in a barn for 14 years has sold for over £76,000, which was over triple its estimate.
The dust-covered 911 3.2 Carrera Sport coupé was put into storage by its owner in 2011 after being bought in 2002.
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The Porsche that was left in a barn for 14 yearsCredit: Jam Press/Iconic Auctioneers
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It was owned by a busy solicitor near Northampton who barely drove it for yearsCredit: Jam Press/Iconic Auctioneers
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It was capable of doing 0-60mph in 5.6 secondsCredit: Jam Press/Iconic Auctioneers
Its three litre engine produced 231bhp with a top speed of over 150mph.
And it was capable of doing 0-60mph in 5.6 seconds.
According to records, the car only covered 476 miles in the five years before it went into the barn.
It was owned by a busy solicitor near Northampton who barely drove it for years, as reported by Luxury Auto News.
Ahead of its auction its listing said: “The car presented here is a C16 1989-model example from the final year of 3.2 production before the introduction of the 964.
“It is a Carrera 3.2 Sport which was a UK-only model and came factory-fitted with a black lip front spoiler, a rear whale tail rear spoiler, sports seats and Bilstein Sport shock absorbers.
“It was optioned with a sunroof and the sought-after paint colour of silver metallic.”
The iconic 911 was first registered in May 1989 and had five previous owners before being snapped up in October 2002, the listing read.
It added: “This 911 was first registered in May 1989 and passed through five keepers before being purchased by our vendor in October 2002.
The listing added: “We believe he bought it from Autofarm of Bicester, Oxfordshire.
Remastered Porsche so rare only 25 were ever made could be yours for eye-popping £850K – with 4L engine & 435 horsepower
“MOT records indicate minimal usage – just 476 miles covered in five years.
“This is wholly in keeping with what we know about our vendor, who was a very much a car enthusiast, having owned all sorts of interesting cars from Jaguars to 2CVs, but who was also a very busy solicitor with little time to enjoy his Porsche.
“At some point in 2011, he drove the car into his barn adjoining his stone Northamptonshire house and there it has sat ever since.”
Despite being abandoned, the barn’s warm, dry air helped preserve the rare car remarkably well.
“Its condition when it was put away must have been exceptional and very much in-keeping with a minimally used 40,000-mile 911, with original features and components still in place.
“Bodywork panels, paintwork, carpets, headlining and factory-finishes all appear to be original – and a jack and toolkit complete the picture.
It tripled its estimate amid a bidding frenzy
A spokesperson
“The car is a feast of detail for any Porsche enthusiast, preserved in a manner that they will really appreciate.
“Sadly the owner passed away in early 2025 and it falls to the family, particularly his son, to find it a new home.
“This fantastic car is sensibly guided and will obviously require close inspection and a thorough recommissioning before starting/driving but it offers huge potential.
“Cars built from September 1986 onwards were fitted with the more user-friendly G50 Getrag gearbox.
“But all 3.2 Carreras feature galvanised bodies, which together with Porsche’s legendary build quality, ensure that these classics are long lasting.”
It was expected to fetch around £25,000 when sold on Saturday by Iconic Auctioneers in Northampton.
A spokesperson said: “It was driven into a barn for storage in 2011 and offered exactly as found, dust and all.
“It tripled its estimate amid a bidding frenzy.
“With 33 registered telephone bidders as well as numerous bidders in the room and online, bidding raced to £76,500.
“This wonderfully preserved G50‑gearbox example that remains largely original, obviously captured bidders’ imaginations with its untouched state and clear potential.”
It is actually a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol.
That’s a B-I-G lump for a little squirt.
Bigger than anything you’ll find in a Kia Sportage or Nissan Qashqai, come to think of it.
The reason being, Mazda has always dared to be different.
It doesn’t do “downsizing”. In other words using a smaller capacity engine and fitting a turbo to it.
It prefers “right-sizing”. Having the correct capacity engine for the job, so it is less stressed and more efficient.
Also, this new engine, combined with 48v mild hybrid tech, produces more torque lower down the rev range than the old 2-litre, improving real-world performance.
The Mazda3 the first in our new generation of cars
Cylinder-deactivation tech shuts down two cylinders under light loads, lowering CO2 and adding a smidge of mpg.
So it’s a really clever engine for a vehicle that’s aged well, drives sweetly and is brimming with big-car kit from £25k.
Slick six-speed manual or auto? I’d go manual. It’s one of the best in the business and an absolute joy to thread down a B-road.
Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t the fastest ride at the fairground but it corners tidily, with good body control, and feels solid and safe.
If you need 4WD, try a CX-30.
The cabin is another example of Mazda’s mission to provide the highest quality for the money.
Clarkson once said the Mazda3 is ‘probably the most amazing car on sale in Britain’
Head-up display, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa and a reversing camera all come as standard. We like that.
We also like the skinny, leather-wrapped steering wheel, squishy elbow pads, chunky footrest, big cup holders, old-school volume and heating controls, and grab handles galore.
It’s almost like they know exactly what people want from a car.
Clarkson once said the Mazda3 is “probably the most amazing car on sale in Britain”.
A pint of Hawkstone Lager says he’ll like the 2025 version even more.
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Clarkson once said the Mazda3 is ‘probably the most amazing car on sale in Britain’Credit: Supplied
Insurance for new drivers is, quite frankly, bonkers – but not if you buy a Ford Ka. This popular city car is in the lowest insurance group (group 1-10, says Parkers), which means it’s the lowest risk. Low risk = low premium.
It’s cheap to insure, but is it any good?
Absolutely! The reliable, affordable and quirky Ford Ka is a great first car. It’s economical to run, and the no-frills exterior and interior are perfect as you’re highly likely to add a few dents, scratches and damage yourself.
You can pick up a good quality 10-year-old Ford Ka for around £5k.
Dull but functional: Skoda Fabia
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The Skoda brand name has been revitalised since its VW ownership, with the brand now known for dull but functional cars that last.
The Skoda Fabia is a basic motor that’s also in a low insurance group, meaning it’s cheap to insure.
Driving is more fun than you’d imagine, with a strong and solid engine and a leisurely ride.
We recommend new drivers go for third-generation models (2014-2021) with the 1.0 litre engine if possible.
Prices for a bog-standard, 10-year old Skoda Fabia are around £3.5k and rising to £23,000 for a nearly new model.
German precision: VW Polo
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OK, so the older (2014-21) VW Polos and the Skoda Fabias share a common platform (PQ26) which makes them similar, but they’re not identical twins.
The Polo is a bit more refined, with better handling and a finer finish.
The driving experience is similar to a Fabia, with reviewers loving the 2009-17 version, praising its comfortable ride and classy looks.
You might expect to pay a premium, but you can pick up a 2015 VW Polo for £3,500.
Tiny tearaway: Fiat 500
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When it was launched, the Fiat 500 blew us all away. The micro-car is a 60s-inspired piece of design that’s as evocative as the Italian job. Slide inside (if you can fit) and it’s a surprisingly good drive.
The short wheelbase and small overall size make it feel fast on the road.
There’s not much luggage space and carrying passengers will be a problem, but it’s an ideal first car for urban motorists on a budget.
Its popularity keeps prices down. Basic models of the Fiat 500 can be picked up for a little over £3,000. Small price and perfect for small driers.
Money-no-object: Mini
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Who doesn’t want a Mini? The BMW reboot of the Mini has created a brand new icon, and we love it.
The ‘modern’ MINI is every bit as popular as the previous version, with almost 3000 for sale today on Sun Motors.
When the car looks this good, who cares what it drives like? (Take our word for it, it’s a fantastic car to drive and own.)
There are so many models to choose from, you could get lost for a long time. We recommend first-time drivers go for an older model, like this 2015 MINI Hatch 1.5 Cooper for a few litres of fuel under £5,000.
MINIs will wrack up a lot of miles, so don’t be put off by a model that’s done over 100k.
Instead, check the MOT history and service history, that’s a better indication of how a car has been cared for and will perform.
What is the best car for a new driver?
Personally, I’d go for a Dacia Sandero – because that’s what I drive. But I’m old.
If I were a first time car buyer, I’d try and find the perfect middle ground. That’s going to be a great looking car that’s fun to drive but cheap to insure and fill up.
My personal choice for the best used car for a first time buyer would be the Skoda Fabia.
If you can, take one out for a drive. It’s surprisingly spacious, stylish to look at and well built. Go for one with low-mileage and a full service history.
Why Sun Motors makes first-time buying easy
Sun Motors makes buying a new car easy. The AI feature and sophisticated search function enable anyone to find the right car for them at the right price.
When buying from Sun Motors, you’re dealing with dealers you can trust. All cars for sale have been checked over, with any faults or problems fixed.
Dealers will also offer a warranty, giving you peace of mind for thousands of miles.
Why would you buy from anywhere else?
New driver car buying FAQs
Car finance for new drivers: Can I get a used car on finance if I’m a first-time driver?
Of course first time drivers can access finance – but only if you’re over 18.
If you are, the amount you can borrow and the terms (including interest rate) will depend on your individual circumstances, including income, outgoings and credit history.
Sun Motors makes it simple to check eligibility and affordability of finance.
Our advice is to always read the small print and make sure you can manage all motoring costs, including car repayments, insurance, tax and (of course) fuel!
How much is insurance for a new driver?
New drivers can expect to pay £1500 or more for insurance, say finance experts Moneyshake.
The exact cost of car insurance depends on a huge range of factors, including your age and location, driving history, car make, model, age and value.
Before buying a car, you can use comparison sites to compare insurance prices. Don’t ever buy a car without knowing how much it’ll cost to insure, or you could face a nasty surprise.
What size engine can a new driver drive uk?
If you’ve passed your test, you can drive anything you want – as long as you can afford to insure it.
Our advice is to start with a small and safe car, then work your way up. Stats about new driver accidents are scary, so be safe and get a smaller car.
What to look for when buying a used car for the first time
Safety – Always buy a car from a trusted dealer. Check out old MOTs and ask the seller if the car has been written off and returned to the road. Walk away if a dealer won’t share this information.
Reliability – Being stranded by the roadside is no fun, so ensure the car has a full service history and all essential work has been done.
Economy – Smaller cars use less fuel, so start small.
Size – Don’t get a big car. New drivers are much more likely to get into accidents.
Cost of ownership – Consider the purchase price of the car and all running costs. Make a budget before buying a car.
Are used cars as safe as new cars?
Yes, used cars are as safe as new cars. Always check the MOT record and service history and, if possible, buy from a dealer. This will ensure your new used car is in the best condition it can be.
Buying a used car? Check out Sun Motors and find your next vehicle today. Whether you’re looking for automatic, manual or electric, use Sun Motors to decide on your next model.
AN OAP has died after drowning in a canal as a coroner issues an urgent warning to council officials.
Doreen Turner, 91, tragically lost her life after driving her car into the body of water in Chichester, West Sussex.
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Doreen Turner, 91, died on November 1 last year
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The OAP tragically lost her life after driving into the canal in Chichester
The horror crash happened on November 1 last year and sparked a police investigation.
A coroner has now ruled West Sussex County Council must install more safety measures along the road.
A probe found there was no forensic evidence of any mechanical issues in Doreen’s car.
Officers also concluded the 91-year-old had suffered no impairments that would affect her driving.
However the kerb at the end of the road was found to measure shorter than the standard height requirement.
A council spokesperson said: “We are currently reviewing this site in consultation with Sussex Police and will be responding to the coroner accordingly.”
Coroner Joanne Andrews could not determine the exact reason why Doreen’s car left the road.
But she warned the council “action should be taken”.
“In my opinion, action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe your organisation has the power to take such action,” she said.
This incident marks the second fatal crash in the same area within the past five years.
The coroner said the inquest heard there were “no devices present to prevent a vehicle which passes over the kerbstones from entering the canal”.
Beyond the kerb there is a five-foot section of grass before the canal starts.
West Sussex County Council has until June 25 to respond officially to the coroner’s concerns.
But stuttering demand has now forced a pause in its production.
The latest data suggest that both the petrol and electric 500 sol 74,885 units from January to July.
That’s almost a quarter down on the same period last year.
Bosses told Autocar that poor sales were “linked to the deep difficulties experienced in the European EV market by all producers.”
They have also reportedly told union reps that the electric car segment is facing “deep trouble” more generally.
FiatCEO Olivier François said: “We obviously, like everyone else, thought that the world would go electric faster and the cost of electrification would go down faster.
“But we couldn’t imagine that Covid would happen, shortage of raw materials would happen [and] the European Society – not all, not the youngest part – would turn their backs on the sustainable solutions.
“But this is the reality. We have to face those realities.”
DRIVERS are being warned they could face £100 fines as councils crack down on so-called ‘ghost plates’—illegal number plates intended to evade speed and bus lane cameras.
These plates often use reflective or obscuring materials to avoid detection by traffic enforcement systems.
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Drivers caught using ghost plates can expect to be hit with a £100 fineCredit: Getty Images – Getty
In Wandsworth, council chiefs are taking action to shut down the loophole.
These banned plates, often referred to as 3D or 4D plates, reflect camera flashes and can render a vehicle invisible to enforcement systems.
Council bosses have issued a stark warning about rogue motorists using ‘ghost plates‘ to avoid detection.
These plates, which are not legal for road use, are being used by some drivers to beat traffic rules and avoid fines.
Authorities are now ramping up efforts to stop them.
Two years ago, the head of the national Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system revealed that a shocking number of drivers – roughly one in 15 – could easily outsmart the system.
On leaving his post, Professor Fraser Sampson wrote to Transport Secretary Mark Harper expressing his frustration over the lack of government action on the issue.
To combat the problem, new cameras capable of spotting these ‘stealth’ number plates have been rolled out in some areas.
In Wolverhampton, local enforcement officers were equipped with upgraded technology during a strict clampdown last year.
Drivers caught using ghost plates can expect to be hit with a £100 fine.
In his letter to Mark Harper, Prof Sampson detailed how motorists were getting around the law using reflective materials, cloned plates, and other deceptive tools to avoid penalties for speeding, low-emission zone breaches, or bus lane violations.
According to Prof Sampson, the ANPR system has a 97 per cent success rate in reading plates but still produces 2.4 million incorrect readings daily.
That margin of error could mean innocent drivers end up being wrongly fined.
Prof Sampson has raised major concerns about the vulnerability of the system, which still depends heavily on readable number plates despite advances in technology.
He said: “For all its technological advancement and operational indispensability, the ANPR system still relies ultimately on a piece of plastic affixed to either end of a vehicle.
“Served by a wholly unregulated market, what my predecessor termed the humble number plate represents a single and readily assailable point of failure with the ANPR network being easily defeated by the manufacture and sale of stealth plates, cloned registration marks and other rudimentary obscurant tactics.”
He added: “The result is that the ability to frustrate the ANPR system remains staggeringly simple at a time when proper reliance on it for key public services such as policing, law enforcement and traffic management is increasing daily.”
What to do if you think you’re being scammed
The DVLA recommends you do the following:
Forward suspicious emails to [email protected] and The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will investigate it.
Forward suspicious text messages to 7726 as this will flag the potential scam to your phone provider.
Report scam or misleading adverts to the Advertising Standards Authority. You can report adverts found online, including in search engines, websites or on social media.
You can also report scam or misleading adverts to Google or Bing if you found them in search results
Contact Action Fraud if you think you’ve lost money or been hacked because of an online scam or fraud and you’re in England or Wales.
If you’re in Scotland and you’ve lost money because of an online scam or fraud, report the crime to Police Scotland.
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In Wandsworth, council chiefs are taking action to shut down the loopholeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
A MOTORIST has shared how he made “hundreds of thousands” by buying and selling car number plates.
Neal Bircher, 60, has collected hundreds of plates worth gargantuan sums and currently has around 350 in the garage at his home in Uxbridge, London, and owns the rights to 220 more.
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Neal Bircher collects number platesCredit: SWNS
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Each number plates he buys is worth a staggering sum of moneyCredit: SWNS
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Neal has a unique method for working out a plate’s valueCredit: SWNS
The DVLA is auctioning 2,000 car number plates in its latest sale – and an expert has revealed the best buys.
Plates expert Neal has identified which plates to keep your eye on.
He says that dateless plates – those with a number at the start or the end – dateless plates with a single letter and shorter plates with common initials are where the money is.
For example, Neal believes 910 AM – which has a starting price of £2200 – will attract more interest thanks to the popularity of ‘AM’ as a set of initials, wheresas 232 XW – also with a starting price of £2200 – won’t have as many buyers.
In terms of plates less likely to grow, Northern Irish style plates, containing the letters’ ‘I’ and ‘Z’ are at the lower end of the market.
Neal, an IT management consultant and part-time plate dealer, said: “As a general rule, the shorter the better, and also the popularity of initials is a very common factor.
“‘Dateless plates are always popular and can be good investments.
“‘1’ plates have proved very good investments, whatever the letters, and so plates such as 1 XDX will be expensive even though ‘XDX’ is unlikely to be many people’s initials.
“1 YOB starting at £2400 is an interesting one – reminiscent of ‘YOB 1’ which famously adorned Slade guitarist Dave Hill’s Rolls-Royce in the 1970s!
I’m an Irish driving instructor and here’s what you have to do in order to apply for a licence
“In recent years dateless plates that contain only a single letter have become more sought after – for example 125 B starting at £2500, or 8118 D starting at £2500 in this auction.
“And those where the letter is ‘O’, and hence the plate can look as if it only contain numbers, have really grown in popularity of late.
“Hence 54 O starting at £2500 might well fetch the top price in this action. ‘540’ is also a model of BMW.”
According to Neal, a common misconception is just because a plate might look like it spells a word, it doesn’t mean it’s valuable.
He said: “People sometimes assume that if a plate looks as if it spells a word then it will prove valuable.
“That may well be the case if the word is relevant to a business or profession, but if it’s just a random word then not necessarily so.
“Registration numbers generally tend to grow in value, but the ones less likely to do so are those at the lower end of the market, especially some of the Northern Irish style plates, containing the letters’ ‘I’ and ‘Z’.
“But there can be exceptions with those as well.”
Having bought and sold for much of his life, Neal has urged people to be cautious before entering the number plate game.
He added: “People who are trying to make money have to be very careful.
“It requires a lot of homework if you’re looking to invest or make money.
“Two very similar-looking plates might have very different values.
“AJB would be worth far more than XUY for example because of how common the first set is for initials.
