The 2026 winner is an inventive and striking 1972 Volkswagen Beetle created with a ‘no rules, no limits’ ethos. Kept a secret from everyone by Ray until its reveal in front of a stunned audience at Volksworld 2025, all proceeds from its sale will go to raise money to fight prostate cancer, a battle Ray himself is facing.

The ‘Volksrod’ build was inspired by 1960s Hot Rod legends such as Ed Roth and everything about it is unconventional. The body is chopped by 14 inches but the motor is raised by 6” and the front axle pushed forward by 10”. Converse to the wild body, the engine is a stock Twin Port 1300. A closer look reveals it’s packed with quirky details and creative upcycling ideas. These include the champagne cooler bucket that houses the cyclops lamp and speedo, a vintage cinecamera bought for £1, a dome that came from a primary school toilet roof, inverted Corvette bumpers and a spider strainer from a chip fryer that now forms part of the seat. Ray also created a chain link steering wheel and adopted an egg-whisk for the radio aerial. Even the hydraulic suspension, a fluid dispersal system, was devised by Ray. The rear wheels are from a 1951 truck and the front pair, each now a different colour, are space savers from a Porsche. Inside, every element, just like the exterior, has been chopped, stretched or reimagined by Ray. Accessing it is equally unconventional – either via opening the clamshell roof or passenger door that folds flat.

“I just built this car to make people smile, and hopefully, I achieved this,” says creator Ray Ramsay. “Lots of people say it looks like a Hot Wheels so maybe one day this day could come true.”

Ahead of the Hot Wheels Legends Tour’s first visit to CarFest, the Hot Wheels Design Team in Los Angeles whittled down entries from right across the UK to the three displayed at Silverstone – a 1989 Fiat Panda, known as The Flying Washing Machine, a 1951 Tempo Matador truck that used to deliver potatoes in Australia and the 1972 Beetle. Judging took place at Silverstone with each vehicle carefully scored against the authenticity, creativity and garage spirit criteria.

This year, Hot Wheels built its biggest stand ever for the UK leg of the Legends Tour. Spanning 450 sq metres, it featured full-size vehicles from the Garage of Legends, including Bone Shaker, TV’s Ultimate Challenge winning off-road R33 Nissan Skyline and Pontiac Firebird and lastly, a life-size Hot Wheels Formula 1® 2026 Car with custom Hot Wheels livery, all on display for automotive and racing enthusiasts to enjoy. Fans also had the chance to visit the largest ever Smyths Pop-Up Store at a UK round – offering a range of Hot Wheels die-cast including the coveted, limited-edition, 2026 Legends Tour diecast Team Transport.

“The UK turned up some stunning entries with incredible stories behind each build,” says Hot Wheels design manager Dwayne Vance. “The amazing condition of the Matador and how it has been brought to life demonstrates the sheer hard work these builders put in. The Panda is packed with authenticity as a true track car but ultimately the VW was a real gem. Full of creativity and inspired by Hot Rod culture. It embodies everything that Hot Wheels stands for.”

As well as the prestige of winning the UK leg and entering the Garage of Legends, Ray Ramsay also received Hot Wheels merchandise alongside prize bundles from Hot Wheels Legends Tour UK partners Meguiars and Players. The UK winner will also have the opportunity to head to Los Angeles and visit the home of Hot Wheels with exclusive access to the iconic Design Centre where both Legends and all other Hot Wheels die-cast designs are created.

This year is the ninth and biggest Hot Wheels Legends Tour to date with a record 19 countries celebrating Hot Wheels fandom, car culture and true garage spirit. Ray’s VW will now face cars from Europe in a regional final before the Global Finale in the US in November.

London, 23 February 2026
Today marks the close of London Fashion Week (LFW) 2026, and OMODA UK’s most high-profile brand moment yet in the UK. As Principal Partner of this year’s LFW and in recognition of its wider relationship with the British Fashion Council (BFC), OMODA UK spent the week making its presence felt across the capital, establishing the OMODA 7 as the mode of transport of choice for fashion’s most discerning figures, and a design statement that belongs squarely in the world of contemporary style.

Alongside OMODA UK’s LFW activation was a campaign that did what the best fashion statements always aim to do: turn heads. ‘I’m Not a Supermodel, But This Car Is’ was a confident, viral campaign that flipped the convention of automotive advertising on its head. Rather than placing a human at the centre of the story, it positioned the OMODA 7 as an undisputed showstopper of the season.

Fronted by model Denise Ohnona, who often gets mistaken for one of the UK’s most famous and iconic supermodels of the 21^st Century, OMODA UK’s campaign unfolded through a series of photo and video content in which the OMODA 7 was styled, lit and presented with the same admiration afforded to the world’s most famous faces. Denise’s role was knowing and playful, which added the human presence precisely to remind people that the real star isn’t a ‘face’ as expected, but the OMODA 7 itself.

High-impact digital billboards at The Outernet ran during LFW, designed to make tourists and passers-by do a double-take before directing them to the website imnotasupermodel.com, tying people back to the brand and the car. The messaging reflected the OMODA 7’s confident design language and its ambition to challenge expectations, both in automotive, fashion and culture.

Throughout the wider London Fashion Week spectacle, a fleet of OMODA 7s provided VIP transport for designers, models and senior industry figures across London. From backstage arrivals to after-show departures, the OMODA 7 was woven into the fabric of LFW, not only as a sponsor but as a genuine participant in fashion’s most important week, making it the mode of choice in the industry.

Inside the official BFC NEWGEN space at 180 Strand, OMODA UK created the ‘OMODA Lounge’, which displayed an immersive environment inspired by the brand’s “Art in Motion” design philosophy. In collaboration with FOUNDATION FM, the female-led radio station championing underground music, art and culture, the space hosted live DJ broadcasts and served as a meeting point for designers, artists and tastemakers throughout the week. It was a physical expression of what OMODA represents: a brand that understands the space where design, technology and culture converge.

Victor Zhang, UK Country Director, OMODA UK, said: “For OMODA UK, London Fashion Week represented a perfect meeting point between design, creativity and technology, values that are already central to everything we stand for as a brand. The word ‘MODA’ is not incidental to our name; it is our intent. We believe a car can be as culturally relevant and as aesthetically compelling as high fashion, and the OMODA 7 is our most powerful proof of that yet. 

“The ‘I’m Not a Supermodel, But This Car Is’ campaign reflected our confidence in the OMODA 7 as a fashion-forward SUV that belongs in contemporary British culture. We close London Fashion Week 2026 with the OMODA 7 firmly established as the most stylish new arrival of the season.”

The connection is more than symbolic. Embedded in the brand’s very identity, “MODA”, derived from the word for “fashion”, speaks to OMODA’s founding belief that a car can be as fashion-forward, as expressive, and as culturally relevant as anything on a runway. The OMODA 7 is that belief made real as a bold, stylish and technology-forward mid-size SUV that doesn’t just keep pace with modern taste but rather sets the benchmark.

Positioned between the compact OMODA 5 and the flagship OMODA 9, the OMODA 7 represents a significant step in the brand’s UK portfolio. Available in Knight and Noble specification grades, it is offered with either a 1.6-litre TGi petrol engine or OMODA’s Super Hybrid System, which delivers over 700 miles of total range, including up to 56 miles of EV-only driving, with fast charging and Vehicle-to-Load capability.

Inside, eco-leather finishes, dual digital displays, SONY audio and wireless smartphone connectivity come as standard. The OMODA 7 is also the first UK-delivered OMODA model to feature an in-built fragrance system, which adds an innovative sensory dimension to the cabin, setting a new benchmark for interior experience in this segment.

The OMODA 7 will arrive in UK dealerships from March 2026, priced from £29,915 OTR* for the petrol variant and from £32,000 OTR* for the SHS. All models are supported by a comprehensive 7-year/100,000-mile vehicle warranty, an 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty for SHS variants, and RAC Home Start as standard for the lifetime of the warranty.**

* All prices quoted are correct at time of writing
** Subject to servicing within the OMODA&JAECOO network, in line with the maintenance schedule

The Zip Yard was founded in 2005 with a clear vision: to make professional tailoring fast, affordable and accessible. What began as one store near the Harland & Wolff shipyard has evolved into a trusted brand recognised for quality craftsmanship, reliability and care.

Today, the business remains committed to the same founding principles while continuing to adapt to modern customer needs. From one-hour express services to specialist bridal, formalwear and school uniform alterations, The Zip Yard has altered and repaired millions of garments, helping to keep clothes in circulation and out of landfill.

At the helm of The Zip Yard are Neluka and Neil Dunning, who together lead the brand’s continued growth. Neluka opened her first franchise in Leeds in 2019 and quickly recognised the potential of the business model. Two years later, she acquired the UK master licence, and in April 2025, alongside Neil, became owner of the entire Zip Yard network across the UK, Northern Ireland and Ireland.

“When I bought my first Zip Yard franchise in 2019, I had no idea how quickly my journey would grow,” says Neluka. “From doubling the customer base in Leeds to partnering with Tesco and appearing on BBC’s The One Show, every milestone reminded me that what we do is about more than just alterations – it’s about building trust, solving problems, and making people feel good about their clothes. Leading the business today with Neil by my side makes the journey even more meaningful.”

Under their leadership, The Zip Yard has continued to champion sustainability and slow fashion, promoting repair and reuse as essential steps toward reducing clothing waste. The brand remains part of a growing movement encouraging customers to buy better and repair what they love.

“We’re incredibly proud of our reputation for quality and professionalism,” says Neluka. “Whether it’s a simple hem repair or a complex restyle, we approach every garment with care and craftsmanship. As more people look for sustainable alternatives to fast fashion, our role feels more important than ever.”

With over 40 franchisees and hundreds of skilled staff employed across the network, The Zip Yard’s ambition is to continue expanding, with the long-term goal of having a store in every major UK town and city centre.

As it celebrates 20 years in business, The Zip Yard’s message is simple: repair, restyle, reuse – and rediscover the joy of clothes that fit and last.

Visit The Zip Yard

A new accessibility review conducted by Halton Stairlifts, a leading stairlift provider, has analysed the 25 largest shopping centres in the country to highlight which destinations truly support inclusive access and which still have work to do.

The research assessed each centre based on five key criteria:

• Availability of mobility hire (wheelchairs or scooters)
• Whether Changing Places toilets were available
• Accessible toilet availability
• Quality of online accessibility information
• Presence of quiet hours or sensory-friendly sessions

Top scorers achieved full marks, offering mobility hire services, comprehensive accessible facilities and clear public information. These are the most prepared destinations for visitors with mobility requirements.

Centres with a score of 4/5 performed strongly overall, but often lacked sensory-friendly hours or clear public documentation around Changing Places facilities.

Centres scoring 3/5 may require more planning for visitors, particularly those reliant on mobility aids. Halton Stairlifts recommends checking ahead before travelling.

Halton Stairlift’s mobility expert, Neil McKenzie, comments:

This upcoming shopping period can be extremely challenging for anyone with mobility issues, especially in busy and crowded environments.

Our research shows that while many centres are investing in accessibility, there are still large gaps in major shopping centres. The UK population is ageing, which is why we stress how important it is to ensure shopping spaces are inclusive.

Standout regions include the North West, Midlands, Scotland, and the South East, while the centres falling behind are Atria Watford, Royal Victoria Place, Merry Hill, and Lakeside, all of which are missing key accessibility features or clear public information.

Why this matters

More than 14 million people in the UK live with mobility challenges, and for many, accessibility is not a luxury. It is fundamental to independence, safety and dignity. An accessible shopping centre can make an ordinary day enjoyable rather than stressful.

Studies like this help families, carers and mobility users make informed choices while setting a standard for improvement across public spaces.

1.     Majority Pulse 1 Bluetooth Party Speaker – £69.99 (was £99.99), Currys

Big sound. Smart lights. Serious fun. This early Black Friday deal is a steal – and possibly the best-sounding gift under £100.

The Majority Pulse 1 doesn’t just play music – it performs it. Packing an impressive 80W output, a 6.5-inch bass driver, and responsive AI lighting, this speaker brings concert energy to your kitchen, garden, or wherever the party lands. With Bluetooth 5.4, USB/SD playback, Bass Boost mode, and up to 10 hours of battery life, it’s built for both house parties and karaoke nights (yes, there’s a mic included).

2. Moto Bluetooth Turntable – £89.99, Currys

Vinyl is back, and the Majority Moto blends retro style with modern convenience. With a warm walnut finish, an Audio-Technica AT3600L cartridge, built-in speakers, and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, it bridges old-school charm and new-age tech. You can even record vinyl directly to USB – ideal for those who love preserving their records as digital keepsakes.

3. Majority D40 Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers – £72.99, Currys

For the audiophile who takes their playlists seriously, the D40 speakers deliver crisp, balanced sound with punchy bass and polished trebles. With Bluetooth, RCA, optical, AUX, USB, and SD connectivity, they’ll fit seamlessly into any setup – whether that’s a minimalist desk or a full home cinema. Compact, powerful, and beautifully designed, they’re proof that bookshelf speakers can do big-room sound.

4. Mix Tape USB Stick – £19.99, Suck.uk.com

Before playlists and streaming, there were mixtapes – handmade love letters in cassette form. The Mix Tape USB Stick revives that nostalgia with a 1GB USB drive inside a retro cassette-style case, complete with space to jot down track listings and messages. It stores up to 900 minutes of MP3s, making it the perfect way to share your personal soundtrack with someone special.

5. Cat Scratch Turntable – £21.99, Suck.uk.com

Finally – a turntable your cat can get behind. This cardboard DJ deck features a spinnable platter and poseable tone arm, so your feline friend can “mix” while saving your sofa from destruction. A hilarious (and oddly stylish) addition to any music lover’s home.

6. Music Creator Mini Karaoke Station – £25, Argos

Great for tweens, kids and karaoke fans. Turn any living room into a stage with this wireless mini karaoke system. Featuring 8 LED light modes, two microphones, and funny voice effects, it’s made for duets, dance-offs, and spontaneous performances. Connect it via Bluetooth or load your own tracks using a microSD card – then let the show begin.

7. Broken Records 200-Piece Jigsaw – £14.99, Suck.uk.com

For those who prefer to unwind offline, these vinyl-shaped puzzles combine classic album aesthetics with tactile satisfaction. Choose from Hip Hop Classics, Rock Legends, or Pop Stars, each packed in a sleeve that looks like a real LP. A perfect rainy-day nod to the golden age of records.

8. Boombox Lunch Box – £21.99, Suck.uk.com

School lunch never looked this loud. Styled like a retro ghetto blaster, this metal lunch box features a lenticular EQ display, embossed detailing, and stickers for personalisation. It’s the ideal gift for anyone who thinks 1989 was peak cool – or just wants to carry their snacks in style.

9. Spot The Intro Music Board Game – £26.99, ASDA

Think you know your chart-toppers? This fast-paced trivia game challenges players to name songs and artists from six decades of hits. Connect your phone to stream the mystery tracks, then race the clock to prove your musical prowess. Bonus questions add extra points – and extra pressure.

10. You Rock! Gold Hand Charm – £11.99, Suck.uk.com

A pocket-sized salute to anyone who deserves applause. The You Rock! Lucky Charm is a miniature gold hand making the universal rock gesture – equal parts desk ornament, lucky token, and ring holder. Packaged in an elegant black-and-gold box, it’s a subtle but stylish way to say: “You’re awesome.”

The feat was achieved with YANGWANG’s latest U9 Xtreme hypercar on 14 September 2025, eclipsing its previous EV benchmark and the 490.484km/h (304.48 mph) maximum of the quickest petrol-powered model to become the world’s fastest car overall. This modern milestone in engineering sets a new standard in electric mobility, mixing unrivalled power and speed with zero emissions.

Originally known as the U9 Track/Special Edition, and now officially confirmed as the YANGWANG U9 Xtreme in production guise, or U9X for short, the fastest car on the planet takes the existing technical architecture of the U9 currently on sale in China and harnesses the potential of a number of key evolutions.

These include, but are not limited to: an upgraded powertrain with 1200V ultra-high-voltage electrics (compared with 800V), a lithium iron phosphate Blade Battery with a remarkable discharge rate of 30C, four ultra-high-speed motors that operate at up to 30,000rpm and produce a total of more than 3000PS, track-level semi-slick tyres, and revised DiSus-X suspension with specific tuning to cope with the increased stresses of circuit driving.

BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li said: “This is an incredibly proud moment for everyone in the research and development division. YANGWANG is a brand that does not recognise the impossible, and only through this commitment to what’s coming next can you end up with a vehicle like the U9X. I extend my gratitude to the whole team, and my thanks to the driver, Marc Basseng, for his skill and technical input. It’s terrific that the fastest production car in the world is now electric.”

The driver for the U9X’s record-breaking run was Marc Basseng, a German track specialist with a long history in sports-car racing and endurance motorsport. He said: “This record was only possible because the U9 Xtreme simply has incredible performance. Technically, something like this is not possible with a combustion engine. Thanks to the electric motor, the car is quiet, there are no load changes, and that allows me to focus even more on the track.”

The U9 Xtreme is now being made available to customers, with a limited series production run of no more than 30 units. Its name is derived from the English word ‘Extreme’, meaning ‘limit’ and ‘ultimate’, with added emphasis on the ‘X’, which represents the unknown. These qualities fit perfectly with YANGWANG’s ethos of taking joy and delight from the act of exploration and the innovations that come through that process.

By setting a new global speed record, YANGWANG redefines the sustainable hypercar. Backed by BYD’s innovation and sustainability commitments, YANGWANG employs cutting-edge tech to deliver unmatched performance, safety, and driving experience.

The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team has become the first in Formula One history to complete a long-haul journey solely using an all-electric truck.

In a demonstration of the viability of electric trucks and the decarbonisation of long-distance haulage, the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team used an eActros 600 to transport its W16 race cars from its UK base at Brackley, Northamptonshire, to Zandvoort in Holland for the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix. Based on its consumption during the journey, the truck could have done the 673km journey on a single charge.

This landmark journey highlights both the capability of the eActros 600 and the team’s determination to push the boundaries of sustainability in motorsport logistics. The journey was completed using 100% renewable energy thanks to charging at a dedicated Milence truck charging hub.

The electric truck stood out at the Dutch Grand Prix from all the diesel-powered transportation used by other competitors.

The continental journey to Holland followed a pilot trip to the 2025 British Grand Prix at Silverstone earlier this summer using three Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 electric trucks to take all the cars and supporting equipment.

With its ambition to become one of the most sustainable global professional sports teams, the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team is constantly exploring new ways to use green technologies to reduce its emissions. The team has already taken the initiative of using HVO100, a second-generation biofuel, to power its trucks and generators since 2022, which saved more than 500 tonnes of emissions during last year’s race season.

Alice Ashpitel, Head of Sustainability, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team, said: “Our work is powered by a team of people who are passionate about shaping a better future – one where performance and purpose go hand in hand on our journey to become one of the most sustainable global professional sports teams.

“As a team, our commitment to sustainability means that we rethink how we move, not just how we race. While we are driven by performance on track, we are incredibly proud that our innovations travel beyond the grid. The use of the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 trucks, initially piloted at our home race in July, and then used to transport our race cars to Zandvoort, is another important step in our decarbonisation journey.”

Ash Armstrong, eConsultancy Manager, Daimler Truck UK, commented: “We are continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible with battery electric trucks. Our partnership with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team is key in demonstrating that sustainable, long-haul distribution has arrived with our eActros 600.

“We could not be more thrilled that one of our eActros 600 trucks has been used to transport the team’s W16 cars from Brackley to Zandvoort. We are extremely proud to showcase the impressive range and capability of this truck. It just goes to show that the era of electrification is upon us and range anxiety is no longer an issue.”

The Mercedes-Benz eActros is the International Truck of the Year 2025 with a class-leading minimum range of 500km per full charge. Rapid charging using the megawatt charging system (MCS) allows the truck’s 600kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery to go from 20% to 80% charge in just 25 minutes.

Equipped with a 600kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery, the eActros 600 redefines what is possible in the world of heavy-duty transport. With fast, reliable charging and class-leading efficiency, it is engineered for the pace of industries like Formula One – and beyond.

Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year 2026 Awards

Embargo: London, 19 September 2025, 16:00: The Volkswagen Passat R-Line 2.0 TSI 204PS DSG has won this year’s overall trophy and been crowned Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year 2026. The Passat also claimed victory in the Family Towcars and Caravan weight 1300kg-1500kg categories. It was a hugely successful year for Volkswagen as it also topped the podium in the Large Family Towcar category with its Multivan Style 2.0 TSI 204PS.

The Passat has been a common sight on Britain’s roads for 50 years – in many ways it’s the definitive, practical family car, and the latest ninth-generation version is the best of the lot. It’s so good that the judging panel for the Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year Awards 2026 overwhelmingly voted it as the overall winner.

The Passat impressed the judges with its superb towing capabilities, power, quality interior, refined driving experience and huge storage space in the boot.

Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year, the leisure vehicle industry’s original and longest-standing towcar testing awards, saw 37 high-quality entrants put through their paces at the world-class UTAC Millbrook Proving Ground testing facility in Bedfordshire.

Rather than being listed by price, the vehicles were split into categories by caravan weight – this makes it easier for potential buyers to work out which cars can tow their own caravans. There were also special award categories for Pick-Up Towcars, Family Towcars,  Large Family Towcars, Electric Towcars, Hybrid Towcars and Luxury Towcars.

As the industry evolves, the range of vehicles in the competition has expanded, with entries spanning a broad spectrum from affordable options to premium, high-end towcars. Fifteen of the entrants were pure-electric and there was also a host of hybrids. 

Every one of the cars featured in this year’s competition has been extensively evaluated – for more information about each model, including technical data, visit camc.com/towcar.

The complete winners’ line-up:

Caravan weight under 1300kg: ŠKODA Enyaq SportLine 85x 82kWh 210 kW 4×4
The Enyaq offers a fantastically refined and comfortable way to travel. It’s remarkably stable when towing and feels very natural and balanced. The interior is well made and superbly practical, and it has a long solo driving range – up to 359 miles on the larger battery 85 models. Models like this 85x get dual-motors, providing four-wheel drive, which give extra traction.

Caravan weight 1300kg – 1500kg: Family Towcars plus overall Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year 2026:  Volkswagen Passat R-Line 2.0 TSI 204PS DSG
The Passat’s ability to positively respond to sudden lane changes and unexpected undulations in the road gave the judges the confidence to push it a little harder than most cars. The 2.0 TSI petrol engine is lively and responsive, delivering plenty of power as and when required, and the car easily kept the caravan in check. Factor in a huge 690-litre boot, quality interior and impressive on-road refinement, it’s easy to see why it’s such an outstanding winner.

Caravan weight 1500kg – 1600kg: Nissan ARIYA e-4ORCE EVOLVE 87 kWh
A previous award winner, the Nissan Ariya returned to Towcar and struck gold once again. Its high stability levels placed it above the pack with judges loving how it kept its caravan in check at both high speeds and during a variety of lower speed manoeuvres. High marks were also given for the smooth power delivery from the twin electric motors, along with sharp steering, a supple ride, and a practical, quality interior.      

Caravan weight 1600kg – 1700kg: Genesis GV60 Sport Plus
Judges loved the potent 428bhp (482bhp when the Boost button is pressed) power, but of more importance was its high refinement levels and how it kept its caravan in check in all of the tests. Good levels of ride comfort, a very plush interior and simple-to-use tech were all positives. All in all, a wonderful, capable and stylish towcar.

Caravan weight 1700kg – 1800kg: BMW X3 M50
The trailblazing premium mid-sized SUV is back for a fourth generation, and, just like its predecessors, the current X3 is an impressive towcar. It’s packed with intuitive technology and there’s a really modern feel inside. The X3 has a quality feel, especially when towing – it’s stable, secure and delivers immense confidence when braking. Here, in spicy M50 guise, performance was outstanding from the 3.0-litre, straight-six petrol engine.

Caravan weight 1800kg – 2000kg: Porsche Macan Electric
Previous overall winner, Porsche, entered two models this year, including its baby electric SUV. The Macan Electric has a claimed solo range of around 400 miles, and is everything you expect from a Porsche SUV but it’s powered by electricity rather than petrol. In fact, it’s only the sheer silence from the electric motor that reveals that there’s no petrol engine, the power delivery and the way the car responds feels just like the petrol version. Judges remarked that the car’s stopping power when towing was “class leading”, and the Macan “felt like its price was justified in it delivers comfort, build quality and handling”.

Caravan weight over 2000kg and Electric Towcars: BMW iX xDrive60 M Sport
The updated BMW iX xDrive60 features increased power, increased range and design tweaks.  It provides smooth, confident acceleration, even with a heavy caravan in tow.  The adaptive air suspension kept everything stable, composed and level when hitched, while regenerative braking helped control descents.  Overall, the iX combines EV refinement with serious muscle.

Hybrid Towcars: Volvo XC90 T8 Plug-in Hybrid AWD Ultra
The XC90 handles superbly with a caravan whilst remaining comfortable and sure-footed.  The interior is absolutely beautiful and feels like somewhere that you could enjoy a long distance cruise.  New for 2025 are tweaked looks and better interior tech, while the efficient PHEV powertrain is as smooth as ever.

Large Family Towcars: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Multivan Style 2.0 TSI 204PS
For the fourth consecutive year, the Multivan has claimed the Large Family Towcar award. The Multivan really is flexible, with two different body lengths and various seating configurations to choose from.  The 2.0-litre petrol engine is smooth and the comfortable ride makes it ideal for family towing.  For sheer space inside, usability and refinement, few can better the Multivan.

Pick Up Towcars: Isuzu D-Max STEEL Edition
The D-Max is impressive with its rugged spirit and adaptability, it gets on with the job with minimal fuss.  It keeps its caravan in remarkable check and is impressively torquey for a 1.9-litre unit.

Luxury Towcars: Bentley Bentayga EWB Mulliner
The Extended Wheel Base Mulliner totally pampers passengers. It has great rear passenger space, twin rear seats and extravagant features such as a fridge and champagne flutes – no wonder it won the Luxury car category! It provided a smooth, controlled ride while towing. If money is no object, this is the ultimate towcar.

Link to images:  TCOY 2026

Nick Lomas, Director General of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, said, “The pace of technological advancement in motoring has been remarkable and the strong presence of electric vehicles in this year’s competition highlights just how far the industry has come. We warmly congratulate all the deserving winners of the Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year 2026 Awards. Our expert judging panel delivered thorough, unbiased evaluations to support anyone looking to purchase a towcar, whether new or pre-owned, with trusted, professional insight.”

Each car was put through its paces at the UTAC Millbrook Proving Ground near Bedford, which provides a variety of testing driving environments. Manufacturers were invited to submit for testing any vehicle that was capable of towing a trailer over 750kg and on sale on 1 October 2025.

The Club’s Scrutiny team thoroughly checked each vehicle before handing it over to the ‘caravanability’ and driving judges.

Caravanability judges tested whether a car’s boot could swallow the bulky accessories normally needed on a caravan trip. They also measured the towball height, both solo and hitched up, and checked the towing information provided in the manufacturer’s handbook.

The cars were then hitched up to caravans ballasted to 85% of their kerbweight, or towing limit if lower. Using specialised apparatus the technical judges then measured the cars’ acceleration and braking capabilities. The car/caravan combinations were then passed over to the driving judges who set off around the UTAC Millbrook circuit. The cars were tested at speeds of up to 55mph on the ‘Alpine route’, which featured various gradients and culminated in a 17% hill start and 26% downhill brake test. The ability to join fast traffic from a standstill was also assessed.

Judges then took the vehicles to the high-speed bowl to further assess their capabilities at speeds in excess of UK legal limits. In the safety of a controlled environment, the judges could induce some instability at 60mph to see how the cars reacted. Reversing tests and comfort evaluations were also conducted, ensuring the vehicles performed not only on technical merit but also in real-world driving conditions. Issues of driver and passenger comfort and visibility were also assessed.

During the exhaustive four-day test, the vehicles are taken on several hundred circuits of the Millbrook Proving Ground, consisting of many laps of the high-speed circular track and demanding alpine hill route.

The results of the competition were announced at the Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year Awards ceremony, held at the Royal Automobile Club in London on 19 September.

The judging panel:
James Batchelor: national motoring journalist, experienced road tester and presenter; James is also the Club’s chief towcar reviewer.
Dan Cartwright: a passionate caravan advocate since 1989, Dan founded Caravan Times (Axonn Media) in 2010 and is its chief car tester.
Lee Davey: national travel journalist and a road tester for numerous motorhome titles, Lee raced motorbikes nationally before switching to caravanning. He has towed in more than 30 countries.
Sammy Faircloth: freelance journalist, passionate about caravanning and a highly experienced towcar user.
Dean Gibson:  representing Auto Express, Dean is an experienced national motoring journalist.
Technical judges:  Deborah Black from the Club’s Events Committee measured the cars’ acceleration and braking capabilities using specialised apparatus along with Cameron Burns, journalist, influencer and lifelong caravanner.
Caravanability judges:  Caroline and Keith Rogers spend hours checking whether each car will accommodate a typical caravanner’s kit, as well as access to such things as spare wheels, towing electrics and technical information.

Members who own any of the Caravan and Motorhome Club category winners since 2014 (T’s&C’s apply) are eligible for a 10% discount on the Club’s Car Insurance. Visit Car Insurance for more details.

For more information about the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Towcar of the Year competition please visit https://www.camc.com/towcar/.

For further information and details about the Caravan and Motorhome Club visit www.camc.com

Thanks: The Caravan and Motorhome Club would like to thank Bailey of Bristol for supplying all the caravans used in the competition, and for providing staff on-site throughout the event. The Bailey team ensured the caravans were correctly ballasted, that their noseweights were kept in trim and that they were in general good working order. Thanks also to AL-KO who ensured brakes were adjusted, wheels were kept tight and all undergear was properly fettled and Milenco for supplying the towing mirrors.