25 August, 2025, Gaydon, Great Britain: Vantage, Aston Martin’s most successful racing car, enjoyed a winning weekend with significant victories in Europe and a crucial podium finish in North America’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA) that has intensified the battle for the GTD crown as the series nears its climax.

Fresh from achieving its maiden FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) LMGT3 podium finish with the Vantage GT3 at the Rolex 6 hours of Sao Paulo last month, the Racing Spirit of Leman team continued its magnificent recent form with a maiden European Le Mans Series (ELMS) class win at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.

After Clement Mateu qualified third in the LMGT3 category in challenging wet conditions, he joined Erwan Bastard and Aston Martin works driver Valentin Hasse Clot across the four-hour race to finish on the top step of the podium. The victory moved the French trio into the lead of the championship with just two races to go.

In IMSA, Seattle-based partner team The Heart of Racing (THOR) team finished third in the GTD class with its #27 Vantage GT3 after a stirring fightback in the opening third of the race. Having qualified fourth, Casper Stevenson (GBR) was shuffled back to 11^th by the second corner after suffering contact from behind.

But he recovered to sixth by the end of the opening stint and his team-mate, Aston Martin works driver Tom Gamble, continued the car’s progress through the following two hours as the pair finished third, less than three seconds away from victory.

The results, achieved in the final IMSA sprint race of the year before the endurance events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Petit Le Mans, moved Stevenson up to second place in the Drivers’ points and THOR team to second in the Teams’ rankings.

Beechdean Motorsport was victorious in the GT3 Silver-Am category of the British GT Championship at Brands Hatch as drivers Andrew Howard (GBR) and Tom Wood (GBR) increased their lead in the standings with just one race remaining in the 2025 season.

It was the second year in a row in which Beechdean has won the Silver-Am category at Brands Hatch with the Vantage GT3, which shares the mechanical architecture of the ultra-luxury Vantage road car and is built around Aston Martin’s proven bonded aluminium chassis and powered by its fearsome twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine.

The Beechdean Vantage finished fifth outright and was the second of two Vantage GT3s to finish in the top five. The other was Blackthorn’s #7 example, which qualified second overall thanks to the combined efforts of Giacomo Petrobelli (ITA) and Aston Martin works driver Jonny Adam (GBR) and finished fourth as the pair moved into second place in the overall standings while Adam continues his quest to win an unprecedented fifth series title.

Adam Carter, Aston Martin Head of Endurance Motorsport, said: “It’s been a very good weekend for Vantage with wins and podiums in three series that are extremely important to Aston Martin; the ELMS and IMSA, which are leading championships in their respective continents, and in British GT, which has a special place for Aston Martin as an iconic British brand and has been one of our most successful domestic series. These results continue to prove the adaptability and performance of the Vantage GT3 on a variety of circuits and highlight the fantastic job being done by our partner teams. We congratulate them all and will give them – and all AMR partner teams – our full support as they push for title success in their respective championships.”

Milton Keynes – Passion, performance and panache come together in perfect harmony for a special- and limited-edition Volkswagen: the ID.3 GTX Fire & Ice. But you’ll need to be as nippy as the car itself to get your hands on one, because production is limited to just 1,990 units worldwide.

Volkswagen developed the newcomer’s eye-catching design in collaboration with BOGNER, the Munich-based sports fashion brand known for its luxury and high-tech ski wear. It pays tribute to the 1990s Golf Mk2 Fire and Ice, which has since achieved cult status among Volkswagen fans. A show car version was unveiled at the ID. Meeting in Locarno, Switzerland, last year. Now it is going into production and, in tribute to the original model’s debut year, only 1,990 units of the ID.3 GTX Fire & Ice will be built.

The striking ultra-violet metallic paint was developed especially for this unique model and is a similar hue to its legendary Golf forerunner. With a geometric F+I pattern on the C-pillar, plus numerous details in the interior, the ID.3 GTX Fire & Ice honours its predecessor and transfers the original design idea into the all-electric modern age.

Other highlights include 20-inch Locarno alloy wheels with diamond-turned surface, red roof strips in anodised paint, puddle lights in the door mirrors – representing fire on the passenger side and ice on the driver’s side – and the original Fire & Ice logo from the 1990s on the roof spoiler. Volkswagen’s latest-generation LED tail lights are tinted exclusively for this model, while GTX lettering on the tailgate and wheel trims provide exterior finishing touches.

‘Firey’ Flame red and ‘cool’ Floxal blue touches continue the hot and cold theme on the inside, while sports seats with built-in head restraints are inspired by BOGNER FIRE+ICE collections; they are quilted in the style of down jackets and feature the hint of a zip and the FIRE+ICE logo in the centre. The steering wheel, instrument panel, door trims and floor mats are also customised with coloured stitching and logos.

Performance-wise, the Fire & Ice model boasts the same credentials as its ID.3 GTX Performance counterpart. It is available with a 326 PS (240 kW) motor that generates maximum torque of 545 Nm – enough to propel the car from standstill to 62 mph in just 5.7 seconds and achieve an electronically limited top speed of 124 mph (where permitted). The GTX-specific chassis set-up, which is equipped with uprated stabilisers and sport DCC adaptive chassis control, is also tuned to the drive system’s high performance. Electricity is supplied by a 79 kWh (net) lithium-ion battery, which can be topped up at DC fast-charging stations with up to 185 kW – enough to take the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in about 26 minutes. The combined WLTP range is 367 miles.

Daniel Hiendlmeier, Managing Director and Chief Brand Officer of BOGNER, said: “The revival of the cooperation between Volkswagen and BOGNER FIRE+ICE after more than 30 years, and the realisation of a series production model, is a major milestone for us. What started as a show car has become a market-ready vehicle that will excite both fans of the iconic Golf Mk2 Fire and Ice and a new generation. It is a strong statement for the relevance of connecting fashion and mobility.”

Martin Sander, Member of the Volkswagen Board of Management responsible for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, said: “The response to last year’s show car was overwhelming. Many Volkswagen fans expressed a strong desire to see this car enter series production, and we were only too happy to make that wish a reality. The ID.3 GTX Fire & Ice demonstrates the emotive appeal of our premium sports model, while also carrying a piece of Volkswagen history into the electric future.”

The ID.3 GTX Fire & Ice can be ordered at any Volkswagen Retailer from Thursday 7 August, priced £48,360 (on-the-road recommended retail price including VAT).

Honda has launched a pawsome new technology that makes car journeys more enjoyable for cat-loving drivers. Available across the brand’s model line-up, the new Catnip Car Seats option are the purr-fect addition for drivers that regularly transport their furry friends.

As all cat owners know, getting their feline friends into the car is a real challenge, especially when it ends in a visit to the vets. Wrestling them into their carry crate is hard enough, with painful cuts and scratches guaranteed. Once loaded into the car, your cat will let you know how unhappy they are with an ear-splitting soundtrack of growling, hissing and spitting.

Yet with this pioneering and pet-friendly technology, Honda has ensured that getting cats in the car will no longer end in cat-astrophe. Using specially developed catnip-infused foam inserts, these new seats guarantee even the most car-hating cats will be keen to climb aboard. In fact, Catnip Car Seats are so plush and pampering that the biggest challenge will be purr-suading your contented cat out of the car at the end of a journey.

Honda’s head of Pet Products, Annie Mal, commented: “Honda has always worked tirelessly to ensure that all our vehicles are pet-friendly, and this latest innovation proves that nothing is im-paw-sible when it comes to keeping our furry friends happy on the move. With our Catnip Car Seats, we’ve taken the stress and scratches that are usually part and parcel of transporting family felines and turned every journey into a paw-sitive experience.”

Available to order from 1 April, the Catnip Seats can be trimmed in both cloth and leather and are available on all Honda models, from the Jazz to the CR-V. Moreover, thanks to the carefully integrated design, these seats remain every bit as comfortable and supportive for human occupants as the standard items.

The Catnip Car Seat is the latest in a long line of pet-friendly technologies from Honda, following in the paw tracks of the Pet Co-Pilot Front Seat and Pet-Activated Wireless System (PAW-S). This new addition will soon be joined by other cat-friendly accessories, including a gear selector that doubles as a scratching post, an animated fishbowl home screen for the infotainment system, and a specially adapted glovebox with a ball-of-string dispenser.

Hanover, 8 March, 2025 – Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is celebrating 75 years of the VW Bus. It is the commercial vehicle with the longest production run in Europe. On 8 March 1950, the first Transporter – or T1 for short – left the production line in Wolfsburg. Since then, more than 12.5 million VW Buses have followed – produced in Hanover from 1956. This makes it the most successful European commercial vehicle of all time. It has already been a cult vehicle for many years. From the T1 to the sixth generation T6.1, one platform always provided the basis for all derivatives – from vans to camper van icons. But the era of electric mobility necessitated a transformation of the all-rounder and thus a paradigm shift: ‘One VW Bus for all’ therefore became ‘The right VW Bus for everyone’. The current Multivan marked the start of a new era in 2021 – a van designed for leisure and work, available for the first time with an optional plug-in hybrid drive. The first all-electric VW Bus in large-scale production followed in 2022 with the ID. Buzz. In 2025, the new Transporter product line is launching as the third model series. The current VW Bus range thus consists of three pillars with six base models: the Multivan and California, the ID. Buzz and the ID. Buzz Cargo commercial vehicle, as well as the Transporter and Caravelle shuttle version. They all carry the DNA of the multifunctional T1 in their design and layout to this day. And that’s how it will stay. 

T1 – 1950 to 1967: Europe had to reinvent itself in 1950 and, with it, above all, the Federal Republic of Germany, which was founded a year earlier. American Bing Crosby was the musical superstar at the time, Elvis Presley was still a teenager, and Paul McCartney was a school boy. While rock music was only about to be invented, Volkswagen was already producing a small car for the fifth year, a car that was enjoying success all over the world: the Beetle, also known as Type 1. During this time, on 8 March, Volkswagen started series production of a second product line: the Transporter. Internally, they simply called it Type 2. It was still a blank page in the history of the automobile. But one that was eagerly anticipated. Because companies in the Federal Republic of Germany in particular – the burgeoning economic miracle – urgently needed an affordable van. A name for the Type 2 was also urgently needed. As early as 1949, Volkswagen had wanted to register the name ‘Bulli’ for the VW Bus with the patent office. But another company had previously secured the rights for a snow groomer. Unlucky, or perhaps not: because the name Bulli somehow made its way to the fans. The unofficial name of the van for the German-speaking region was born. Officially, it initially remained the ‘Transporter’.

The first version of the 4.10-metre-long Transporter or T1 was a panel van without windows in the load compartment. Its load compartment had a considerable capacity of 4.5 cubic metres. The two-piece split-window windscreen resulted in it being given the nickname “Splittie” in Great Britain. With the 18 kW (25 PS) four-cylinder flat engine from the Beetle, the T1 reached a top speed of 80 km/h; later the output would increase to 32 kW (44 PS) with a maximum speed of 105 km/h. Further body variants followed quickly: a Kombi version (with windows at the rear) was already available in April 1950, followed by a minibus and a dropside. The special model that is today considered the most legendary of all classic VW Bus vehicles made its debut in June 1951: the ‘Small Bus Special Version’ – christened ‘Samba bus’ by fans. It had room for nine people and came with up to 23 windows, two-tone paintwork and a luxurious specification including a panoramic folding roof. In 1956, Volkswagen relocated production to the new Hanover plant. On 2 October 1962, the one millionth T1 already left the assembly halls. In July 1967, the T1 was replaced by the T2 after more than 1.8 million units. However, they still built the T1 in Brazil until 1975. The first generation in particular is very popular among collectors; depending on the variant, up to six-digit euro sums are paid.

T2 – 1967 to 1979: Tens of thousands of young people flocked to the Monterey Pop Festival in California in 1967. The Beatles brought out Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, one of the most important albums of all time. In the middle of this soundtrack from those days, the second generation of the VW Bus made its debut in 1967: the T2. It is the generation of the VW Bus with which today’s baby boomers grew up, with which they as children discovered the world with their parents in the back of the VW bus, with which the postal service delivered parcels, with which Europe’s tradespeople went to work, and in which policemen and paramedics did their duty. As a camper van, the T2 became an indestructible vehicle for globetrotters. In August 1969, musicians such as Jimi Hendrix and Joan Baez made history in Woodstock. And in the middle of it all was the VW Bus. Three days of peace and music in Woodstock at which the most famous of all VW Bus photos was taken: a picture of the “flower power T1” – the Light Bus – with a couple on its roof. It burned itself into humanity’s collective memory and made the VW Bus an icon of automotive freedom. This T1 was created and painted by the artist Dr. Bob Hieronimus, who is still connected to the VW Bus today and created a modern interpretation with the ‘Earth Buzz’ in 2023.

The new front end was the most distinctive feature of the T2. Instead of the V-shaped vertical modulation between the round headlights, a design with horizontal lines now emphasised the width of the Volkswagen. But it was not just these details that made the T2 look more modern: visibly larger side windows and the one piece, strongly curved windscreen stood out the most. In addition, the T2 now had a sliding door as standard. The engineers noticeably modernised the technology. The most obvious progress was made in the area of the chassis and brakes. With an unchanged wheelbase at 2.40 metres and a slightly increased width, the body gained 20 centimetres in length. As a result, the T2 impressed with even greater spaciousness. A major facelift followed in 1972 and consolidated the success of the world bestseller. In 1978, the 4.5 millionth Transporter left the production halls. One year later, German T2 production was discontinued. By then, 2.2 million units of this second generation of VW Bus had been produced. A complete end to production was, however, still a long way off. It just continued elsewhere: up until 1987 in the Mexican Puebla plant with the air-cooled flat engine, then right up until 1996 with water-cooled four-cylinder engines. In addition, another 355,000 T2c would be built at Volkswagen do Brasil by 2013, until regulations led to the final farewell of this evergreen. The last 1,200 units of the T2 left the factory as the “56 Anos Kombi – Last Edition”.

T3 – 1979 to 1992: In the late 1970s, new bands like Dire Straits and The Alan Parsons 70s, Project and old cult rock bands in the style of Pink Floyd and Yes shaped the unique sound of the time. Unprecedented clarity and precision were shown in particular by Dire Straits with songs such as ‘Sultans of Swing’. The T3 from Volkswagen, presented in 1979, had similarly clear contours. Because it was now the most angular VW Bus of all time. But the T3 was also technically the best Transporter to date. In addition, icons such as the first California and the first Multivan were created on its basis. Conceptually, the T3 followed the previous models, but it transferred the technical DNA to the present thanks to new and modern technologies. Volkswagen made great strides in the area of passive safety. The wider body also offered significantly more passenger and load space with moderate increases in length and height; the standard flat engines also contributed to this. At market launch, the air-cooled T3 flat engines produced between 37 kW (50 PS) and 51 kW (70 PS). From 1981, a water-cooled diesel engine was installed at the rear of the Transporter for the first time. Output: also 37 kW (50 PS). Just a year later, the water-cooled flat engines specially developed for the bus followed. They produced 44 kW (60 PS) and 57 kW (78 PS). Their output later increased to up to 82 kW (112 PS). In 1985, Volkswagen added many other innovations. The petrol engines were equipped with catalytic converters, and the first diesel engines were given a turbocharger. Above all, however, the all-wheel drive models with a viscous coupling enhanced the range; they were given the additional designation ‘syncro’. From 1988, there was the first camper van built in-house: the California. The new T3 California immediately became a best seller: 5,000 units were sold in the first twelve months. When the last T3 rolled off the production line at the Hanover plant, further new versions such as the Caravelle and the Multivan had long since established themselves as bestsellers. Special editions such as the Multivan White Star and Blue Start became icons at the same time. The syncro versions of the T3 and 2,500 units of the Multivan Limited Last Edition, which is now a much sought-after classic, were still produced at the Steyr-Daimler Puch plant in Graz until 1992. In South Africa, the T3 was still produced until 2002.

T4 – 1990 to 2003: Turning on the car radio in 1990 without hearing a song by Phil Collins or Madonna and – in Germany – BAP, Westernhagen and Grönemeyer was practically impossible in the early 90s. This was the musical backdrop when Volkswagen presented the new T4 in August 1990. The fourth generation was a technical revolution. After 40 years of rear-wheel drive and a rear-mounted engine, Volkswagen completely changed the drive concept: from now on, the engines were located at the front; and they also no longer powered the rear axle, but the front wheels. Unless – as already optionally available in the T3 – the syncro drive was on board, which also powered the rear axle in the T4. This switch to front-wheel drive changed everything: design, chassis, engines and space. Much more room was now available above all at the rear, where on the T3 a fair bit of space was still taken up by the flat engine. Some of this was claimed by the new semi-trailing arm rear axle and the optional syncro all-wheel drive system, but the rest created extra cargo space. The new drive system layout made the handling even more like that of a passenger car.

At the front, the T4 became longer so as to provide sufficient space for the transversely mounted in-line four- and five-cylinder engines and to create better crash characteristics. At the market launch, T4 buyers could choose between three water-cooled petrol engines and two diesel engines (49 kW/61 PS to 81 kW/110 PS). All-wheel-drive fans could buy a T4 syncro from 1993. From 1995, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles acted as an independent brand within the Group. This was celebrated in January 1996 with a comprehensive update of the T4. There were a particularly large number of changes under the bonnet. A 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine was introduced in the T4 as the first turbodiesel direct injection engine (TDI) in a VW Transporter. The longer front section of the passenger car variants now allowed the integration of the VR6 petrol engine with a capacity of 2.8 litres. From 1998, the top-of-the-range TDI produced a remarkable 111 kW (151 PS), while the six-cylinder even unleashed up to 150 kW (204 PS). Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles heralded the end of T4 production with an exclusive special model: the Multivan Last Edition with particularly generous standard equipment. After a production period of 14 years and around two million units built, the revolutionary T4 was replaced by the T5 in 2003.

T5 – 2003 to 2015: Christina Aguilera, Dido and Nora Jones, Robbie Williams, Herbert Grönemeyer and Justin Timberlake shaped the soundtrack of 2003. In the German speaking world, Grönemeyer’s song ‘Mensch’ was known to everyone in a very short time. This is the year in which Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles launched the fifth generation of the Transporter – the T5. The new design was more spacious and variable than any other VW Bus before. The Transporter made its debut as a Kombi, panel van, dropside, double cab and chassis variant for third-party superstructures. In addition, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles redefined the VW Bus with the state-of-the-art new editions of the Caravelle, Multivan and California.

The design of the T5 was consistently based on the DNA and style of its predecessor, but looked even clearer, more powerful and more timeless. The interior was consistently designed according to ergonomic principles. This was particularly evident in the driver’s workplace, which impressed with features such as an optimally accessible joystick gearshift on the centre console and a cockpit landscape where all instruments, displays and controls were located on one visual axis. For the debut of the T5, propulsion was taken care of by unit injector turbodiesel (TDI) and petrol engines. The diesel engines developed between 63 kW (86 PS) and 128 kW (174 PS). The petrol engines ranged from 85 kW (115 PS) to a V6 power plant with 173 kW (235 PS). Due to a newly developed multiplate clutch technology, the name of the all-wheel-drive versions was changed from syncro to 4MOTION. With the launch of the new California, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles also moved production of the iconic camper van to Hanover. Highlights in the T5 model range at that time included the California NoLimit, limited to 222 units, the extremely luxurious Multivan Business with individual seats in Phaeton style and the all-wheel drive Multivan PanAmericana with all-terrain look. There was reason to celebrate in 2007: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles finally obtained the name rights for ‘Bulli’. Two years later, the TDI engines were replaced by new and quieter four-cylinder common-rail engines with an output of up to 132 kW (180 PS). The petrol engines were also replaced by new turbocharged engines: the four-cylinder direct injection engines (TSI) engines produced 110 kW (150 PS) and 150 kW (204 PS) respectively. Production of the T5 continued until 2015. After 13 years and around two million units, it was then replaced by the extensively modernised T6.

T6 and T6.1 – 2015 to 2024: Adele sang ‘Hello’ exactly ten years ago – with more than a billion views on YouTube, the music video of the song is one of the most successful ever. Taylor Swift catapulted herself into the charts with ‘Blank Space’ in the same year. And Ed Sheeran followed right after her with ‘Thinking Out Loud’. That was what it sounded like 2015 when Volkswagen launched a new evolutionary stage of the VW Bus: the T6. New engines, even more comprehensive assist systems and more modern infotainment systems characterised the new generation. Thanks to numerous detailed improvements, the sixth generation of the VW Bus also represented an independent step in the model history and simultaneously impressed through immense quality and maturity. The T6 model variants were divided into the commercial vehicle models of panel van, dropside, double cab, Kombi and Caravelle, as well as the family-oriented Multivan and the California camper van.

Outwardly, the T6 was recognisable above all by its redesigned front section. Its design combined stylish linearity with a highly dynamic appearance. The T6 also gained charisma, exclusivity and dynamism through its low-drawn front apron. New two-tone paint finishes represented a tribute to the first VW Bus generations. The range of engines included four new TDIs and two new TSIs, each with a capacity of two litres. In comparison with the previous model, the new engines saved around one litre of fuel. All drive systems had a Start/Stop function as standard. The power output ranged from 62 kW (84 PS) to 150 kW (204 PS). Depending on power output, they were coupled with a five- or six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed DSG. In addition, many variants could be ordered with 4MOTION all-wheel drive. A highlight was the optional adaptive chassis control DCC. In addition, the T6 brought many new assist and safety systems to the product line.

Even the already mature sixth VW Bus generation could be improved further, as the T6.1, unveiled in autumn 2019, showed: With it, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles transferred the cult model into the era of digitalisation. The completely redesigned dash panel of the T6.1, for example, was offered for the first time with fully digital instruments. The infotainment systems featured interactive connectivity via e-SIM and offered online-based functions and services. At the same time, natural voice control opened up the intuitive level of operation better than before. The 6.1 generation built until 2024 also came with an upgrade in the trim levels and a design update.

The current Multivan and California – since 2021 and 2024: In November 2021, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles ignited a fireworks display of innovations with the new Multivan generation. The drive and electronics systems of a VW Bus were based for the first time on the modular transverse matrix (MQB). With it, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles opened up a new high-tech spectrum for the VW Bus. Never before was a Multivan as flexible, connected or sustainable. The first plug-in hybrid drive was already available as an option in 2021. In mid-2024, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles launched the new California on the basis of the long Multivan version – a camper van rethought down to the last detail, while remaining absolutely iconic and transferring the DNA of its predecessors to the present and the future. Since the end of 2024, this also includes the plug-in hybrid all-wheel drive available for both the Multivan and California. This turns the two cult models into electric vehicles in everyday life thanks to their long electric ranges. At the same time, the drive system impresses with long combined ranges and – on unpaved camper van pitches – with optimum traction. Both the Multivan eHybrid 4MOTION and the California eHybrid 4MOTION additionally offer electric stationary air conditioning. This can be used to cool, ventilate and heat the VW Bus and camper van. The air conditioning system is supplied with energy either by the high-voltage battery or by shore power during charging to ensure a pleasant interior temperature in the vehicle before the start of a journey.

The current ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo – since 2022: On 9 March 2022, Volkswagen unveiled the production version of the new ID. Buzz in a world premiere. From the outset, the electric VW Bus was offered in two versions: as the ID. Buzz Pro for family, leisure and business, and as the ID. Buzz Cargo for trade, business and industry. And this is still the case today. However, the ID. Buzz family has been significantly expanded and enhanced since 2022. A completely new high-efficiency drive with an output of 210 kW (286 PS) and a new 79 kWh (net) battery were introduced in 2024. Another new addition to the range is the ID. Buzz with an extended wheelbase, maximised space and a 86 kWh battery (net). All 210 kW versions have rear-wheel drive. The top-of-the-range ID. Buzz GTX with 250 kW (340 PS) also presented in 2024 has more power than any other VW Bus before. The most powerful VW Bus ever built features incomparable performance, all-wheel drive and high towing capacities. The ID. Buzz GTX is configurable with both wheelbases. The ID. Buzz GTX with normal wheelbase is powered by the 79kWh battery; the version with long wheelbase is equipped with the larger 86 kWh battery. The drive system is also available for the ID. Buzz Cargo Pro 4MOTION. The new rear-wheel drive base versions Freestyle and Pure with an output of 125 kW (170 PS) round off the lower end of the range; they have a 59 kWh (net) battery on board.

The new Transporter and Caravelle – since 2024: The current Transporter and Caravelle are the two latest models in the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles range. The Transporter is offered as a panel van in various versions, as a Kombi for the combined transport of larger teams plus equipment and as a dropside with a double cab and – depending on version –with two wheelbases and two roof heights. Available in parallel to the Transporter is the Caravelle sister model, which is designed for professional passenger transport. The Caravelle range covers applications from large-capacity taxi with eight or nine seats to exclusive VIP shuttle. The Caravelle is also available with two wheelbases. The new generation of both models has been improved in all areas – the Transporter and Caravelle are multifunctional vehicles offering a significant increase in space, more body styles, higher payload, significantly optimised efficiency and greater economic efficiency. The assist and infotainment systems are also at a new level. New vehicle buyers also benefit from one of Europe’s largest and best dealer networks and thus from a service organisation that is as fast as it is professional – essential for commercially used vehicles. In addition, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is offering the new Transporter and Caravelle with a 5-year warranty as standard on the German market. On the drive side, the product line is characterised by state-of-the-art turbodiesel, plug-in hybrid and electric drive systems. What we can say for certain is that the Transporter and Caravelle together with the Multivan and California as well as the ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo form the largest range of VW Bus models ever. The versatility of the product line makes it impressively clear that the VW Bus will remain the original of all vans in future automotive eras – an iconic all-rounder for work, family, leisure and adventure.

Anniversary campaign: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles plans to use the 75th birthday of the VW Bus as an opportunity to make 2025 the year of the brand in terms of communication. The starting point for this is an extensive anniversary campaign, which kicks off today in Germany.

What would a birthday be without a celebration? Many events will be held around the globe this year for the 75th anniversary. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is organising two of these itself:

24 and 25 May 2025 in Wolfsburg – 75 years of the VW Bus: On the last weekend in May, the focus in the Autostadt will be all on the VW Bus. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and the Autostadt are celebrating the 75th anniversary of this automotive icon and the Autostadt will be turned into the VW Bus City. VW Buses of all generations will offer guests the opportunity to travel through time – from the birth of the classic to the current models of the seventh generation. VW Bus fans big and small can look forward to a colourful programme with many activities relating to the VW Bus. All information on the programme will be published shortly – on the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Autostadt homepages as well as on the well known social media channels.

1 June 2025 in Hanover – VW Bus & Coffee: On the day before the 3rd International VW Bus Day, a ‘VW Bus & Coffee’ meeting for VW Bus fans will take place in the car park at the customer centre of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles plant in the city district of Stöcken. Inspired by similar meetings in the USA, the meeting will start at 9 a.m. and end at 12 p.m., as is customary for this event format. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will exhibit a selection of vehicles from the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles classic car collection and will give free coffee to participants who arrive in and exhibit a Volkswagen bus. A ‘Cars & Coffee’ meeting is an opportunity for like-minded people to meet in a car park and discuss the vehicles they love. There is no formal programme or organised entertainment – the focus is on the vehicles and their stories. The event finishes at noon, giving the participants time for other activities with family or friends during the rest of the day.

International meets: The anniversary will also be celebrated internationally. For example, at the Salzburgring in Austria from 16 to 18 May and in Spain and the Czech Republic from 23 to 25 May. There will also be countless other meets in the anniversary year.

Notes for editors: You will find this text along with the pictures here and at https://www.vwpress.co.uk/

About Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles:
We Transport Success, Freedom and Future

As a leading manufacturer of light commercial vehicles, the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand (VWCV) is reshaping the transportation of goods, services and people in a fundamental and lasting way. Our vehicles transport construction workers, families and adventurers, bread rolls, parcels and surfboards. Every day they help countless people all over the world to do a good job, they operate as mobile workshops and they bring paramedics and police personnel to wherever they are needed. At our sites in Hanover (D), Poznań (PL) and Września (PL), around 22,200 employees produce the vehicles for commercial and private customers. Transporter, Multivan, Caddy, Crafter, Amarok and the ID. Buzz inspire our customers every day. Within the Volkswagen Group, VWCV is also the lead brand for autonomous driving in conjunction with mobility offerings such as Mobility-as-a-Service and Transport-as-a-Service – areas in which we are shaping the future of mobility. In this way, the brand is transporting the society of tomorrow with all its requirements for clean, intelligent and sustainable mobility. It is this that Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles stands for with its brand promise: We transport success, freedom and future.

(Crewe, 28 April 2023) A celebration of all things canine, Bentley is taking the lead as exclusive automotive partner for this year’s Goodwoof festival, which is being held on 20-21 May at the Duke of Richmond’s Goodwood estate. A fleet of Bentayga luxury 4x4s will provide extra bark and growl to a range of activities that will give dogs and their human friends a wonderful weekend – or a great Dane out. 

Set on the lawn at Goodwood’s The Kennels, the West Sussex estate’s central clubhouse, the event features world-class competitions, field and trail demonstrations, talks from dog experts and celebrity owners, and plenty of treats for those on both two and four legs.     

New this year is the Bentley Barking Paddock where Bentley drivers or owners of dogs called ‘Bentley’ will benefit from a dedicated car park with swift access to The Kennels.

Goodwoof’s Event Creative Director, Will Kinsman, said: “We can’t wait to welcome Bentley and the Bentayga to Goodwoof next month. It’s the perfect addition to this uniquely stylish event and will offer an extra special experience for our visitors. I hope all the dogs and their humans on site head over to get ‘pupped’ in the Bentayga and enjoy a moment of luxury!”

There will be a special activity for sheep dogs in which Bentaygas will play a shepherding role. The new and especially spacious Bentayga EWB will also be on paw to provide hounds with a ‘pup-arazzi’ experience in aid of the lead event charity, Pets as Therapy. In a Bentley, all passengers get VIP treatment – especially pets. And should your pooch wish for some influencer-style photos, there will be a wind machine to get their curls in front of the car just so.

Milton Keynes, 09 February 2023: Škoda has been announced as the Official Automotive Partner of Crufts – the UK’s biggest and most prestigious dog event. Organised by The Kennel Club and held at the NEC in Birmingham, the show celebrates every aspect of dog ownership. The 2023 event is expected to be the biggest to date and runs from 9-12 March.

While 2023 marks the first official partnership between Škoda and Crufts, the brand has enjoyed a very close relationship with dogs and their owners for many years. Škoda has continually developed a wide range of safety and comfort accessories which allow owners transport their furry friends securely and comfortably at all times. The brand has also forged strong links with the emergency services providing bespoke Škoda models such as the Kodiaq and Karoq, which all provide the paw-fect environment for hard working dogs.

Škoda will be at Crufts with its charity partner, Dogs for Good. Škoda has been working with the charitable organisation since 2022, to help raise awareness of the amazing cause, which brings people and dogs together to help make life possible for people with a range of disabilities. Dogs for Good staff are always out and about, whether it’s driving dogs in training to and from their Temporary Boarders, visiting and supporting Puppy Socialisers or taking Community Dogs to the different organisations they work with. The two Škoda Kamiq compact SUVs that starred in the brand’s recent TV advert, were donated to the organisation to support their invaluable work. 

Pet safety has driven Škoda to develop one of the biggest ranges of bespoke dog safety accessories in the industry. According to the Highway Code, dogs need to be suitably secured so they avoid distracting the driver and to prevent injury in the case of a sudden stop.

A study carried out by Škoda last year revealed the importance of using correctly designed and fitted restraints. The survey, commissioned by Škoda, found that 12% of owners let their dogs sit on their lap or even on the dash (9%) while driving, while some let their dogs move freely around the car. This figure was even more pronounced among younger drivers (18-24 years old), with over a quarter (27%) letting their dog sit on their lap while driving.

To make finding the right dog accessory easier, the brand has created a special Pet Pack that comprises a dog guard, rear bumper protector and a double-sided boot mat or rubber boot liner. The pack is available for all Škoda models (except Scala) and is priced from £230 inc VAT (excluding fitting). Dog owners can also choose from a range of harnesses that can be easily attached their vehicles’ existing rear seat belts.

As part of the official partnership with Crufts, Škoda will have a stand in the main exhibition hall featuring a special podium where visitors can take selfies of themselves with their dogs. The stand will also feature the Kamiq from the brand’s acclaimed television advert which saw the compact SUV tackle a dog show agility course. 

Škoda’s commitment to dog safety cars has also been widely recognised by the motoring media. Last year, an Auto Express judging panel named the Octavia Estate as the Best Car for Dogs, while Car Magazine also awarded Škoda top marks, naming the Superb Estate as its number one choice for owners with dogs. Summing up the Superb’s canine appeal, Car magazine’s experts said: “A class-leading 660-litre boot is the clincher here – even a Great Dane can’t complain – and its reversible load floor keeps one side clean for non-dog duties.” The Superb took another top spot in Carwow’s review of dog-friendly cars, with the reviewers concluding: “The Superb’s 660-litre boot means even the biggest dogs shouldn’t be left wanting for space, and the large opening and low load lip makes jumping in and out easier.”

For a full database of images, media information and other assets relating to the full Škoda range, please visit www.skodamedia.com .

Currently, under the Road Traffic Act (1988), drivers are required to report collisions involving animals such as dogs, horses, pigs and sheep – cats are not protected under the same regulations, and collisions do not need to be reported. IAM RoadSmart supports parity of treatment for cats, by ensuring that they are also recognised under legislation.

IAM RoadSmart’s plea comes in the wake of MPs also speaking in support of the appeal at a Petitions Committee debate on 9 January, which was prompted after an e-petition amassed 102,436 signatures. During the debate, transport minister Richard Holden acknowledged the “heartbreak caused by the loss of pets”.

The charity, Cats Protection, estimates that there are 11 million owned cats in the UK, with just over one in four households (26 per cent) owning a cat. 

But tragically, a 2022 UK Parliament motion heard that approximately 230,000 cats are hit by cars every year, averaging 630 every day. The research, conducted by insurers PetPlan, also claimed that kittens are most at risk, with half of all cats hit by vehicles being aged between seven months and two years.

IAM RoadSmart supports the proposed regulation changes as it could help keep all road users, as well as cats, safer on UK roads. Neil Greig, Director of Policy and Research at IAM RoadSmart, commented: “Drivers are required by law to stop and report incidents where they have hit a dog, and we have witnessed cars either drive slow and with extreme caution, or stop, when a dog has run loose into the road. However, the same level of care is rarely observed when a cat runs out – perhaps because the driver knows that, legally, they do not have to stop.”

“But if a law requiring drivers to stop if they hit a cat were to be brought in, we believe it could strengthen driver vigilance and responsibility overall – meaning the benefits of the legislation will stretch far beyond the protection of cats.”

Mandy Hobbis, Co-Founder of Cats Matter, the feline road traffic accident group, added: “Updating this law simply boils down to minimising suffering and saving cats’ lives. Thankfully, many drivers already do the right thing and stop their vehicle to tend to a cat they have run over, regardless of the legislation being in place. However, there are also drivers who sadly need the threat of punishment to act in such circumstances.

“It simply can’t be right that drivers can hit a cat and legally leave them alone, scared, or worse, left to die. Like dogs, cats are loved members of the family for millions of households up and down the country, so we see no reason why sad instances of the nation’s beloved cats being run over on the road should not be treated in the same way.”

To learn more about IAM RoadSmart, visit www.iamroadsmart.com. And to find out more about Cats Matter, visit https://www.catsmatter.org/.

• University of Lincoln and CarGurus study investigated dog behaviour and welfare when travelling in an electric car versus diesel
• First-of-its-kind study revealed that dogs did not settle as well in a diesel car
• Initial findings concluded dogs that suffer from car sickness may feel better travelling in EVs 
• Dog owners said their pets suffer from over excitement (58%), anxiety (48%) and nausea (44%) when travelling in the car
• CarGurus and University of Lincoln have provided the top tips to keep dogs relaxed when travelling in the car

In a first-of-its-kind study, University of Lincoln and CarGurus have revealed that dogs are more relaxed in electric vehicles (EVs) than diesel cars.

The CarGurus Dogs and EVs Study, which has been submitted for publication in an international scientific journal, was commissioned to investigate the effects of travelling in EVs versus diesel cars on dog behaviour and welfare.

CarGurus, the fastest growing online automotive marketplace in the UKⁱ, and University of Lincoln carried out the two-day study using 20 dogs. Each dog was taken on two 10-minute journeys, one in an EV followed by the same route in a diesel, before a range of scientific measures were used to analyse the dog’s behaviour.

Led by Daniel Mills, Professor of Veterinary Behavioural Medicine at University of Lincoln, the study not only found that dogs were less settled in diesel cars compared with EVs, but those dogs appearing to show some signs of car sickness had notably reduced symptoms in an EV.

The findings in detail
The study concluded there was no evidence to suggest EVs have a detrimental effect on dog welfare. This resolves anecdotal concerns that the differences in vibration and/or noise experienced in an EV may cause dogs to be unsettled or have increased car sickness.

In fact, findings showed the transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) to EVs for dogs was a smooth one. 

While the dogs in the study lay for around a third of the journey’s duration regardless of powertrain, in diesel cars dogs broke their laying position on average 50% more than when in an EV. Prof Mills states this is likely the result of differences in noise and/or vibration in the two types of cars.

Another notable finding from the study was that a small number of dogs appeared to feel markedly less nauseous in an EV compared to a diesel car. This was demonstrated by changes in behaviour and the fact that their heart rates reduced by up to 30% when travelling in an EV.

The study also uncovered that many dogs seemed to enjoy the motion of cars. With a higher heart rate linked to motion sickness, data revealed that heart rates in two-thirds (66%) of the dogs went down as a result of travel in both diesel cars and EVs.

Daniel Mills, Professor of Veterinary Behavioural Medicine, University of Lincoln, said: “We know most dogs will travel in a car at some point in their life, if not on a daily basis. Yet as EVs become more prevalent with motorists, until now there were no studies of their effect on dogs.

“Our results clearly show that dogs seem to be more relaxed in EVs, particularly when looking at behavioural traits such as restlessness.

“Additionally, an interesting and somewhat unintended revelation from the study came from the dogs that we identified as having potential symptoms associated with travel sickness.

“During their journeys in the EVs, biometric recordings of these dogs revealed their heart rates slowed markedly more than when they were in diesel cars. This was of particular interest to us given an increase in heart rate is commonly associated with motion sickness.

“It’s an intriguing result, which raised additional questions for exploration within this field.”

CarGurus carried out further research with dog owners regarding their pets’ behaviours when travelling.

Overall, owners said their pets most commonly suffered from over excitement (58%), anxiety (48%) and nausea (44%) when travelling in the car. However, the participants that have driven their dogs in both an ICE and EV vehicle said they settled better (39%), were calmer (43%), less anxious (42%) and whined less (45%) in an EV compared to an ICE.

Lastly, the research also looked at how dog owners try to keep their pets relaxed in the car. Nearly half (47%) give treats to encourage them to get in the car, 46% put a toy or blanket in the car, 36% go on drives in the car to get them used to travelling and 36% play relaxing music.

Chris Knapman, editor at CarGurus UK, said: “We know from previous studies that the sharp increase in dog ownership in the past three years has caused many motorists to rethink what car best suits their needs. To date, our advice has focused on safety and practicality, and these remain the primary considerations. However, for those who regard the switch to an electric car as a good fit, this study will provide reassurance that it’ll suit their dog as equally as well.”

Top tips to keep dogs relaxed when travelling, according to Daniel Mills, Professor of Veterinary Behavioural Medicine, University of Lincoln:

1. For your safety when travelling in the car, your dog should be restrained. Nowadays there are different types of restraining methods available, such as carriers or leashes and comfortable harnesses that attach to car seat belts. All of them allow the dog to sit or lie down.
2. For some dogs, restriction of vision can reduce excitement. Restraining them below the window level can help impede their vision of traffic lights, people, dogs or simply the blur of objects being passed.
3. Owners should take their dog to a range of different places so the outcome of the car journey is not predictable. For example, if you take them on the same route for a regular walk, they can become overexcited about the prospect of the walk which may boil over to create problematic behaviour that distracts the driver.
4. Ignore boisterous behaviours that occur for no good reason. Don’t punish your dog when it is playing up, it is only likely to make matters worse and increase any stress.
5. If your dog is stressed or fearful, don’t try to reassure them as this can actually make things worse. Rather, ask them to settle, then reward the calm behaviour. It is better to provide a dog with some form of distraction like a chew toy in advance.
6. Reward appropriate behaviour in the car with treats or soothing, calm praise.
7. Medication for car sickness or stress/anxiety when travelling may be helpful in some cases, but should only be used under veterinary supervision.
8. Use a calming pheromone such as Adaptil^TM to help settle the dog. 

For more details about the study, visit blog.cargurus.co.uk/dogs-EVs