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IF you believe the headlines in some of the media over the past week the end of the road for petrol and diesel cars is nigh. We’re delighted to set the record straight – that’s utter tosh! Many people mis-read Volvo’s announcement that all new models post-2019 will feature some form of electrification. As you can read on Page 12, that doesn’t mean every Volvo will be fully electric. Eventually, maybe, but not for a good while yet. We’re big fans of what electrification can bring to our cars; we love the environmental and cost benefits it can bring, as well as the actual driving experience. And fair play to Volvo – by making this announcement it has further cemented its position as a leader in advanced technology. But the…

▪ All-new exec unveiled with world-beating self-drive tech ▪ On sale in September; prices likely to start at around £70,000 John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy OFFICIAL AUDI is claiming class-leading autonomous features and new levels of efficiency with its latest A8, which has been revealed ahead of its public debut at this autumn’s Frankfurt Motor Show. The new limousine is the most hi-tech vehicle ever offered by the Ingolstadt brand, which is targeting customers of the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series. The A8 is 37mm longer than the outgoing model, in both standard form and long-wheelbase A8 L configuration. The wheelbase is slightly longer, too, but the car is very slightly narrower than the old A8. Audi’s new design language is introduced in the exterior styling, with a more muscular look and…

Sam_Naylor@dennis.co.uk @SamNaylor_AE THE all-new A8 (Page 8) is just the start of Audi’s comprehensive model roll-out. The cutting-edge tech in that car will also trickle through the rest of Audi’s product portfolio. Bosses are talking openly about the imminent arrival of high-performance RS SUVs, while the brand takes its first step into the world of EVs with the e-tron SUV next year. Here we run through what to look out for. Audi RS Q8 Price: £100,000 (est) EXCLUSIVE IMAGES AUDI Sport, the division responsible for the brand’s hot RS models, is planning to expand its range beyond sports cars, saloons and coupés and into RS SUVs. Audi Sport boss Stephan Winkelmann told Auto Express: “Today we have a product line-up which we are working on which will be expanded in…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods OFFICIAL VOLVO has announced a major electrification push that will see the Swedish car maker transform its entire model range into hybrid and fully electric vehicles over the coming years. The firm says that every new car that it launches from 2019 onwards will be fitted with an electrified powertrain, beginning the push to phase out cars powered solely by internal combustion engines. Volvo also confirmed five all-new electric cars will arrive between 2019 and 2021. Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive of Volvo Cars, said: “We are determined to be the first premium car maker to move our entire portfolio away from the internal combustion engine. “People are increasingly demanding electrified cars, and we want to respond to our customers’ current and future needs,” the Volvo boss…

HÅKAN SAMUELSSON President and CEO of Volvo Cars Volvo boss will oversee move to electrification. Here he tells us why it’s decided every car it makes will feature some form of battery power from 2019 Q Only three years ago Volvo was against fully electric vehicles. What’s changed? A “What we were sceptical about was the cost and lack of charging infrastructure. We believe plug-in technology is a very good bridge, but things have moved faster and demand is increasing. Battery costs have come down and there is movement on charging.” Q Where do you see the greatest sales volumes with the new electrified powertrains? A “The new basic powertrain will be the [48-volt] mild hybrid system. That is where we will have the largest volume. Between plug-in hybrid and…

OFFICIAL A NEW ‘pothole-proof’ wheel capable of eliminating all “road-based damage” will be launched next year by tyre maker Michelin, Auto Express can reveal. Developed over the past two years with Brazilian wheel manufacturer Maxion, the ‘Acorus’ will incorporate tough, flexible rubber flanges built directly into the alloy rim where it connects with the tyre. The flanges absorb impacts when the wheel strikes potholes or other hazards, preventing the alloy from breaking. The wheel was revealed at Michelin’s ‘Movin’On’ conference in Montreal, and R&D boss Terry Gettys told Auto Express that the tech will be rolled out to motor manufacturers, but could also be retrofitted to existing cars. “It should completely eliminate road-based damage,” Gettys explained. “Acorus also performs better than a standard tyre on rutted roads.” Michelin claims the…