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Message I S S U E 1 5 Automotive

I S S U E 1 5 050709New Car ReleasesUnderrated orunderhated?Major Changes for UKDrivers in 2025: What YouNeed to KnowInside This Issue03End of an Era: Horner Out,Mekies In — Red Bull at aCrossroad

I S S U E 1 5 P A G E 0 3New Car ReleasesBYD Seal - BYD has unveiled the refreshed all-electric Seal, built on its e Platform 3.0 Evo andlaunching in China in August 2024. It now features an800V charging system that claims to reduce chargetime by 30%, roof-mounted lidar for enhanced ADAS,a redesigned interior (featuring a new steeringwheel, trim, and ambient lighting), and a new badgereplacing the “Build Your Dreams” script. Whileexterior updates are minimal, tech upgrades,particularly lidar-assisted semi-autonomousfeatures, and a refined cabin deliver a solid mid-cycle uplift, sharpening its edge as a strong TeslaModel 3 rival. Find out more about the BYD Seal in CarWow’sarticle here. Jaecoo 7 - The Jaecoo 7 is a 4.5m compact SUVavailable with a 1.6L turbo petrol engine (145 bhp,203 lb·ft), offering FWD or AWD, 0–62 mph in 11.8s,112 mph top speed, and 35–38 mpg. It also comes asa 1.5L plug-in hybrid with a “Super Hybrid System,”combining for 204 bhp, 0–62 mph in 8.5s, 108 mphtop speed, 56-mile electric range, and an impressiveWLTP fuel economy of up to 403 mpg (~23 g/kmCO₂). Both versions offer practical performance andefficiency in a sleek SUV package.Find out more about the Jaecoo 7 in Top Gear’sarticle here.

I S S U E 1 5 P A G E 0 4New Car ReleasesOmoda 9 SHS - The Omoda 9 SHS is a bold new£44,880 plug-in hybrid SUV featuring a 1.5 L turbopetrol engine, dual electric motors, and a 34.4 kWhCATL battery, delivering 443–449 PS, 516–700 Nm oftorque, and 0–62 mph in 4.9s. It offers a WLTP rangeover 700 miles, including 93 miles electric-only, andemits just 40 g/km CO₂. All-wheel drive,electromagnetic suspension, and six drive modesthat claim to ensure versatility. Inside: 24.6" curveddisplay, 540° camera, Sony 14-speaker system,heated/ventilated seats, 1.3 m panoramic sunroof,plus a 7-year/100,000-mile warranty and 8-yearbattery cover.Find out more about the Omoda 9 SHS in Autocar’sarticle here.Leapmotor T03 - A compact electric city carlaunched in the UK in late 2024 at £15,995 OTR,which makes it one of the most affordable four-seatEVs. It features a 95 PS front-mounted motor(158 Nm), does 0–62 mph in 12.7s, and tops out at81 mph. Its 37.3 kWh LFP battery offers a WLTPrange of 165 miles, with real-world figures between190–260 km. Charging: 48 kW DC (30–80% in 36 mins)or 6.6 kW AC (fully charged in ~3.5 hrs). Assembled inPoland, it avoids EU tariffs and qualifies for EVincentives.Find out more about the Leapmotor T03 in WhatCar’s article here.

End of an Era: HornerOut, Mekies In — RedBull at a CrossroadI S S U E 1 5 P A G E 0 5On 9 July 2025, Red Bull Racing announcedthe immediate dismissal of Christian Hornerfrom his dual role as Team Principal and CEO,ending a 20-year reign that transformed theteam into a Formula 1 powerhouse. In hisplace, Laurent Mekies, previously leadingsister team, Racing Bulls, takes over bothroles.Why Horner’s Departure Seemed Inevitable Fault lines had long begun to show:A power struggle seemed to erupt withinRed Bull’s ownership after the 2022 deathof founder Dietrich Mateschitz. ChalermYoovidhya, once Horner’s ally, flippedallegiance, leaving him exposed to theAustrian board.Relations with the Verstappen camp,especially Jos Verstappen, apparentlygrew toxic, making long-term unityimpossible.A brain drain ensued. Adrian Newey, RobMarshall, Jonathan Wheatley, and othersdeparted, fuelling doubts about Red Bull’s internal cohesion and culture.And though cleared twice of 2024misconduct allegations, the reputationalscar tissue lingered, ultimately tipping thebalance and leading to Horner’s eventualdeparture. Mekies and the Road AheadLaurent Mekies brings experience fromFerrari, the FIA, and Racing Bulls, but inheritschaos. His to-do list is formidable:Stabilise a fractured garage, stem talentbleed, and reset the team culture.Lead the seismic 2026 shift to Red Bull’sin-house Ford-backed powertrains—aninitiative Horner once helmed.Convince Max Verstappen that Red Bullremains his best shot at legacy.What It Could Mean for Formula 1—and the2026 Engine EraThe shockwaves go far beyond MiltonKeynes; Verstappen’s contract reportedly

Spa (27 July) is crucial. Do the upgrades land?2026 brings Red Bull’s homegrown engine. It’smake-or-break.Phase two begins now. Can Mekies stitch theteam back together and launch a new era ofdominance, or are we watching the fall of adynasty in real time?Source: *Christian Horner sacked: Martin Brundle saysMax Verstappen more likely to stay at RedBull after team principal sacked | Sky SportsI S S U E 1 5 P A G E 0 6includes an exit clause tied to championshipstanding. Analysts like Martin Brundle believeHorner’s exit might increase Max’s chances ofstaying*—Mekies may provide the calmcontinuity Verstappen craves.But the suitors are circling. Mercedes hasreportedly held board-level talks withVerstappen’s camp, with whispers of pairinghim with, or replacing, George Russell, shouldPerez depart for Alpine.McLaren now leads the Constructors' halfwaythrough 2025. With Ferrari and Mercedeswithin striking distance, Red Bull risks a powervacuum just as rivals surge.Team Red Bull’s Future—Can They ReclaimTheir Throne?Culture Reset – Mekies looks to need torebuild trust, stem the leadership exodus, andreforge Red Bull’s once-bulletproof identity.Technological Gamble – The 2026 enginehandover from Honda to Ford is a roll of thedice. Get it wrong, and Red Bull may neverrecover.Driver Stability – Yuko Tsunoda hasunderperformed. Names like Liam Lawsonand Isack Hadjar are in the mix, but nothing’sassured without results.Horner’s exit closes an iconic, if fractious,chapter. He built Red Bull’s golden age, butpolitics, reputational strain, and a shrinkinginner circle made his position untenable. Now,Mekies rebuilds from the ground up, withVerstappen’s choice—to stay or walk—speaking louder than any press release.What Happens Next?Author: Robin Nathan01653 609092robin.nathan@mcclarroninsurance.com

I S S U E 1 5 P A G E 0 7Underrated or underhated?Honda NSXIn a time of Nissan Skylines, Porsche 911s, LotusEsprits, Toyota Supras, Mitsubishi 3000GTs and theTVR Chimera, the Honda NSX had a lot to live up to.Early versions were reliable, rapid, forgiving yetengaging—a real driver’s car. For me, though, italways looked like an overweight MR2, and I neverunderstood the legendary status. Have you ownedone? Does it deserve the acclaim and the prices thatsecond-hand versions now command?Audi TTRSThe spicier take on the overcompensating VWBeetle that is the standard TT, the RS had nearly 400bhp as standard, with many tuned past 500 for littlemoney. Add monster brakes, a dual-clutch box andquattro grip, and you’ve got a Porsche-beating wolfin sheep’s clothing. I’ve a soft spot for these, but witha dog and small child, it stays on the wish list.

I S S U E 1 5 P A G E 0 8Kia StingerKia shocked everyone with the Stinger. Once knownfor mundane SUVs and hatchbacks, the 2.0-litrepetrol version appeared to target Audi A5 and BMW4 Series buyers. A seven-year warranty could havegiven it the edge, but it didn’t. Perceived Germanquality (partly justified), a high price, and Bavarianreputation meant Kia’s halo car undersold.Toyota GT86My 10-year-old absolutely loves these. But whatdoes he know, he’s 10? Still, Autocar gave it fivestars, and they’re now great value if you find a goodone. With a proper manual, decent power, enoughroom to be sensible and Toyota reliability, for methis is an underrated car.Underrated or underhated?

Major Changes for UKDrivers in 2025: WhatYou Need to KnowI S S U E 1 5 P A G E 0 9From April to August 2025, important changeswill impact UK drivers. Whether booking adriving test, renewing a licence at 70, orowning an electric vehicle, here’s what youneed to know.Cancelling a UK Driving Test: New Rulesfrom 8 April 2025The DVSA now requires 10 full working days’notice to cancel or reschedule a car drivingtest (excluding Sundays and public holidays),up from 3 days. This applies only to car driving tests; othertests keep the 3-day rule. The goal is toreduce wasted test slots and shorten learnerwait times.If you can’t give 10 days’ notice due to illness,bereavement, stolen licence, or compassion,you may apply for a refund or free rebooking.If DVSA cancels with less than 3 days’ notice,fees and some expenses will be refunded.Check new test confirmations for updated deadlines.Driving Licence Renewal for UK Seniors(70+), from August 2025Drivers 70+ must still renew every three years,but the process is stricter for some. You’ll get a renewal form about 90 daysbefore your birthday and can renew by postor online free of charge. The DVLA may nowrequest medical evidence, vision tests,cognitive checks, or driving assessments ifhealth concerns like stroke or dementia exist.However, random medical requests don’thappen without cause. Licence restrictions,like daylight-only driving or shorter renewalperiods, may apply.Endorsements (e.g. speeding points) don’taffect renewal, which focuses on fitness todrive. Old paper licences issued before March2000 stay valid until 70, when they convertfree to photocard licences.

I S S U E 1 5 P A G E 1 0Vehicle Excise Duty (Road Tax) for ElectricVehicles: Changes from 1 April 2025EVs lose their full VED exemption:New EVs registered from 1 April 2025 pay£10 in year one, then £195 annually.EVs registered April 2017–March 2025 pay£195 from 2025–26.Older EVs (March 2001–April 2017) pay£20 annually.Higher First-Year VED for Petrol, Diesel &Hybrid VehiclesFirst-year VED rises sharply from April 2025:Zero emission vehicles: £10 (from £0)1–50 g/km hybrids: £110 (from £10)51–75 g/km: £130 (from £30)151–170 g/km: £1,360Over 255 g/km: £5,490From year two, a flat £195 annual rate applies,replacing CO₂ bands.Expensive Car Supplement Now IncludesEVsIf your car’s list price was over £40,000, youpay an extra £425 annually (years 2–6). Thissurcharge, previously exempt for EVs, nowapplies to them too.Example EV owner costs:£10 in year one£620 annually years 2–6 (£195 + £425supplement)£195 thereafterAs these rules take effect between April andAugust 2025, UK drivers should stay informed to avoid surprises when booking tests,renewing licences, or owning EVs.Sources: Vehicle tax for electric, zero and low emissionvehicles - GOV.UKElectric car road tax – guide to VED for EVs2025 | RAC DriveRoad tax on electric cars: a complete guide |AdmiralWhat is the luxury car tax supplement?Expensive car VED explained | What Car? Vehicle tax for electric, zero and lowemission vehicles - GOV.UKAuthor: Robin Nathan01653 609092robin.nathan@mcclarroninsurance.com

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