Motoring Podcast - News Show

The Paris Motor Show took place between the 12 and 18 October 2026. Alan and Andrew round up the highlights that caught their eye during the week.
For Autocar’s main coverage and report, click this link here.
For Average Joes’s coverage, click this link here.
For a sweep by Autocar, of the new cars being shown, click this link here.
To watch Tim Rodie Drives Stuff tour of the show, click this YouTube link here.
For DefinitetlyNotAGuru’s tour, click this YouTube link here.
To see what the House of Cars channel found interesting, click this YouTube link here.
If you like what we do, on this show, and think it is worth a £1.00, please consider supporting us via Patreon. Here is the link to that CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

FOLLOW UP: MOTOR FINANCE REDRESS HEARING IN 2027
The date for the hearing of the two complaints into the motor finance redress scheme has been confirmed to take place between 16 and 26 February 2027. The scheme will remain in its current semi-suspended status until after the rulings. There is a potential for the ruling to not take place until the summer of 2027 with compensation expected to take place from 2028. For more on this matter, click this article link from The Law Gazette here.
CHINA REDUCING TAX REBATE FOR EXPORTED NEVS
The Chinese Government has announced that it is reducing the VAT rebate on exporting battery electric and plug in hybrid vehicles. This is associated with the reduction in assistance for ‘future-orientated’ industries. This is bad timing for the car industry of the country as there is a slump in sales, which is adding more pressure on companies. If you wish to read more, click this electrive article link here.
AIRPORT DROP OFF PRICES TO BE INVESTIGATED
The practice of charging drivers to drop off or collect those using an airport has become a source of income for UK sites. However, the prices have increased at a rate that far outstrips what many feel is fair. Now the UK Government has announced it will look into these fees. Fingers crossed the result is they are banned as this does not happen in Europe. If you wish to read more, click this Motoring Research article link here.
POLICE NOW ABLE TO SEIZE YOUR CAR FOLLOWING ACT CHANGE
Section 59 of the Police Reform Act was amended to enable police to seize a driver’s vehicle with an incredibly broad set of criteria. Criteria such as careless driving, inconsiderate driving or unauthorised driving off-road. On top of that if the officer believe conduct that causes or is likely to cause alarm, distress or annoyance. Passengers too can be fined for their involvement. You can find out more by clicking this Carscoops article link here.
EURO NCAP SAYS CLIMATE CONTROL CAN STAY ON SCREENS
Euro NCAP has clarified what interactions it believes are safety critical and thus require a physical button and which do not. Climate control and media can be left on touchscreens, as they do not see them as “time-critical tasks” as well as the mind boggling statement “it is also not proven that direct physical input is safer”. Tell that to the UK lawmakers and how drivers are banned from interacting with their phones even in a mount for media etc. If you want to read more, click this EV Powered article link here.
VOLKSWAGEN BATTERY RECALL
VW is preparing itself for a large battery recall in Europe, on top of those already underway in the UK and US. In Europe ID.3, ID.4, ID.7 and ID.Buzz, as well as Cupra Born are the affected models, when they have been built between 2023 and 2025. However, the actual number to be recalled will be lower than currently stated due to it only be a small batch of batter cells that are the issue.
In the UK, the ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz and ID.Buzz Cargo, built between 2022 and 2025 are potentially affected. To find out more, click this electrive article link here.
If you like what we do, on this show, and think it is worth a £1.00, please consider supporting us via Patreon. Here is the link to that CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

NEW NEW CAR NEWS -
Volkswagen ID.3 GTI
The VW ID.3 GTI is the most powerful GTI they have ever produced, by half a horse power! Still most powerful is most powerful. It will come with a single motor and be rear wheel drive, the battery is a 79kWh one which will enable a maximum range of 373 miles. Power is 321bhp and 402lb ft of the torques, which will allow for a 0-62mph time of 5.6 seconds and a maximum speed of 124mph. Click this EVO article link here to read more.
BMW 3-Series
The internal combustion engined version of the 3-Series has now been revealed. Looks wise, we feel its a big wiff. Really struggling with the front end visuals, which are so far from the Neue Klasse concept, making it look like it has been crashed already. Inside it matches the current BMW design. There will be a myriad of options for powertrains, power outputs and costs. Click this Autocar article link here to read more.
Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai have freshened up the very popular Tucson SUV. The front and rear have been sharpened up with new lighting and looks, whilst inside there is a change with a similar small screen for the driver behind the steering wheel and a HUD display. Obligatory large central screen is in place too. No doubt this will sell well. Click this Autocar article link here for more.
LUNCHTIME READ: WINNING NUMBER
Plenty of car makers have chosen to name their cars using only numbers, Driven to Write have catalogued some of them for you to find out more. Very interesting to see the different approaches of brands with some having a high number on the range topper whilst other have it on the entry level one. Click this link here to read more.
LIST OF THE WEEK: 19 ESTATE CARS USED IN MOTORSPORT
Classic & Sports Car bring us another cracking list, this time all about estates that have partaken in motorsport. Be warned this is from the full breadth of motorsport. Do you agree with the choices made? What would you pick? Click this link here to view your options.
Asa we have, for once, remembered to cross promote our own work, here is a link to a video on the Seat Leon ST Cupra 290 Black.
AND FINALLY: CAR ART - TERRY ROSS
Terry Ross is a motoring artist who creates these wonderful sculptures which ooze with speed and drama even though they are a static thing. Click this Classic & Sports Car article link here, to check out some selected works as well as the link to his site which we encourage you to go view as its all fabulous.

In this week’s show, Alan starts with a follow-up on China agreeing to limit the number of hybrid and PHV cars it imports into the EU, and discusses Porsche's forthcoming halo-vehicle and strategy announcements.
Google Maps and Waze are now displaying fuel prices, Freelander is confirmed for the UK - eventually, and TfL makes a bid to regulate “robocabs” in London.
In New New Car News, Alan talks about he likelihood of success of the much-discussed Jaguar Type-01, the Nissan Pixo, and the Bentley Torcal. Lunchtime Read covers the history of the Peugeot 309; there are 10 unusual homologation specials for List of the Week. And Finally covers the importance of removing vehicle liveries.

Alan was invited to the launch of the Peugeot e208 GTi, an electric hot hatch, conveniently close to home. What does he think? Is it a worthy successor to the still-lauded 205 GTi, or is it a pretender? We discuss it in depth in this Special Edition.
Alan’s also done a walk round on YouTube, so you can enjoy him pointing at things while he talks about them. You can find it here: https://youtu.be/GdVyzyeQhs4
If you like what we do, on this show, and think it is worth a £1.00, please consider supporting us via Patreon. Here is the link to that CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

SEPTEMBER 2026 NEW CAR REGISTRATION FIGURES
The SMMT announced surprisingly impressive numbers for September 2026 registrations. Astonishingly surprising numbers. One third of registrations took place in the last three days of the month. BEVs were up to 99,201 and Private figures were up nearly 14% compared to 2025. For the Top 10 models, do remember it is coming up to an earnings call for one company you see in that table. Click this article link, from SMMT, to learn more.
VW RIP UP WORKER’S CONTRACTS
Volkswagen has cancelled several contracts with IG Metal union workers prompting a furious backlash. There is a current truce for strikes which runs out on 31 December 2026. The two sides will meet later this month. If you want to read more, click this article link here, from Reuters.
VOLVO TO STOP SHARING SALES FORECASTS AND CASH FLOW
Volvo has stated that they will miss their predicted sales and cash flow targets for this financial year, therefore will no longer report them. They have cited that their performance in China has been poor and surprised them, although at this point why? Other problems include a reduction in PHEV sales and new models not doing as well as hoped. To find out more, click this Autocar article link here.
RENAULT TO INVEST OVER €10 BILLION
Renault has announced a new plan that involves investing over €10 billion mainly to develop electric and affordable models. However, there are conditions as the CEO, François Provost, explicitly said this relied on political and social ‘environments’ matching expectations. You can read more, by clicking this electrive article link here.
CLASSIC CAR OWNERS WOULD WELCOME MOT TESTING
Hagerty surveyed over 1200 classic car owners who said they would welcome a proportional MOT test for classic cars. However, they did warn that they should not be tested as if they were a modern car, which they didn’t feel was appropriate. For more on this, click the link here to a Hagerty article.
INSTAVOLT WILL KEEP CHARGING CHADEMO CARS
Instavolt has confirmed that their network will continue to charge cars with CHAdeMO connections, whilst others walk away from the technology. This will mean that second hand EVs can use some of the public network, thus prolonging their useful life. Click this EV Powered article link here, to read more.
HUGE VW RECALL INCOMING
Due to a susceptible bolt in the steering rack of an expected four million vehicles world wide, Volkswagen are staring down the barrel of their biggest recall since dieselgate. Depending on the territory, it will affect VW, Audi, Skoda and Seat. Details are due for all the affected regions, with the US having started their process. To read more on this, click the Carscoops link here.
If you like what we do, on this show, and think it is worth a £1.00, please consider supporting us via Patreon. Here is the link to that CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

NEW NEW CAR NEWS -
Dacia Spring
Dacia have a new Spring coming out. Developed in just 16 months the new car leans heavily on the same platform as that utilised by the Renault Twingo. Prices will start under £18k and it has a WLTP rated maximum range of 155 miles. The car is expected to receive the full Electric Car Grant amount too. Click this Autocar article link here, to see the improvements made over the original version.
Audi A2
Finally Audi has reached back into their catalogue to bring a new A2. Based on the same MEB platform as the VW ID.3, Skoda Elroq and Audi Q4 E-tron, the car in the right spec will have a maximum range of 401 miles. Prices are to start at £32,200 and rise to an expected mid £40,000s. THere is a myriad of battery packs and motor options. Click this Autocar article link here, to check how well they reinterpreted the original small Audi for the electric age.
Kia PV7
Following on from the success of the PV5, Kia are bringing out a bigger version. This will enable a maximum payload of 1200kg or to be able to hold up to 11 people. The Korean company has the Ford E-Transit Custom in it’s sights with this vehicle. The Long Range version will have a maximum WLTP range of 286 miles. Click this Autocar article link here.
LUNCHTIME READ: SEVEN DAYS IN ITALY’S MOTOR VALLEY
As the nights draw in and the weather turns grim, thoughts go to sunnier locations and holidays next year. Hagerty has a lovely itinerary that combines cars, driving, good food and Italy. Click this link here and then get ready to start planning something to look forward to!
LIST OF THE WEEK: SURPRISING CARS THAT ARE RELATED TO EACH OTHER
We all know about platform sharing and economies of scale, but still there are some related cars you may not be aware of. Check out this link here, to an Autocar slideshow highlighting some of the more bizarre links.
AND FINALLY: WATCHING GRASS GROW CAN BE FUN
A German YouTuber called Nils has taken the guts of an autonomous lawn mower and rehoused it so now it looks like a MkII VW Golf GTi, with working lights and BBS-style wheels! Click this Carscoops link here, to check out this fun project and how to see the video.