Ep 113: Ferrari's hit, bargain Fiskers and Dacia's £12k shock

The “6e” in the podcast refers to the Mazda 6E mentioned by the host, described as an interesting car they’ve been driving. The discussion is focused on the vehicle as a current test or experience rather than deep technical details. It’s included because it’s part of the host’s recent driving lineup.

The “Mk1 MX-5” refers to the first-generation Mazda MX-5 (Miata), a lightweight, driver-focused roadster. The mention of “pop-up headlights” is a defining styling cue of the early MX-5 era and is used here to explain what the host associates with “Mazda.”

In EVs, air conditioning can noticeably affect efficiency because it draws power from the battery. That’s why the host calls out hot-weather testing conditions when discussing the car’s efficiency.

A cooling seat uses built-in fans and/or ventilation channels to move air through the seat, helping reduce heat buildup. Like air conditioning, it can add electrical load, which matters when evaluating EV efficiency.

“Miles per kilowatt hour” (mi/kWh) is an efficiency measure for electric cars. It tells you how many miles you can drive per unit of battery energy, so a higher number generally means the car is using less electricity to travel the same distance.

Mazda is a Japanese automaker known for a distinctive design language and driving feel across many models. In this segment, the host is discussing Mazda’s brand identity and how consistent (or inconsistent) it feels compared with other automakers.

Kia is a South Korean automaker that’s often recognized for strong visual consistency across its lineup. Here, the host contrasts Kia’s “everything looks the same” approach with Mazda’s more varied model identities.

Hybrids use both an internal-combustion engine and an electric motor/battery to move the car. In the segment, it’s part of a broader list of powertrain types Mazda is pursuing alongside EVs.

EVs are electric vehicles—cars powered primarily by an electric motor and battery rather than an internal-combustion engine. The host uses “EVs” to contrast Mazda’s earlier EV efforts (like the MX-30) with what they’re doing next.

The Mazda MX-30 is Mazda’s early EV attempt, built around a compact crossover layout and a distinctive design. In this segment, the host calls it “charming” but “woeful” and “very inefficient,” pointing to real-world EV shortcomings like limited efficiency and practicality versus expectations.

Chang-An (Changan) is a major Chinese automaker. In this segment, it’s presented as Mazda’s partner for EV development and production, which is relevant because partnerships can determine platform, cost, and how quickly new EVs reach the market.

The Mazda 6E is described here as an EV that Mazda is rolling out quickly via a partnership, with the host emphasizing it’s “Chinese underneath.” That matters because the underlying platform and supply chain can strongly influence how the car drives, feels, and is packaged compared with a car developed purely in-house.

The BMW iX3 is an all-electric version of BMW’s X3 SUV, using an electric powertrain instead of a gasoline engine. In this segment, the host is focusing on real-world efficiency and range—trying to see if it can deliver about 500 miles from a charge.

In EV context, “efficiency” usually means how much energy the car uses to travel a given distance (often discussed as miles per kWh or kWh per 100 miles). The host is testing efficiency on the BMW iX3 to estimate real-world range.

A VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a unique 17-character code that identifies a specific vehicle. In the segment, the host complains about having to manually enter VIN numbers to set up the car’s app, which is slower than scanning a code.

A QR code is a scannable 2D barcode that can quickly send information to a phone. Here, the host suggests car makers should place a QR code on the vehicle so owners can set up their app without typing VIN numbers.

The Volkswagen ID Povo is mentioned as a forthcoming model the hosts will be driving. It’s notable because the ID family is Volkswagen’s electric-car platform, and “Povo” implies a lower-cost, more accessible EV positioning.

Ferrari Luce is discussed as a new Ferrari model that has sold out in China. The key takeaway is demand/allocations: the episode frames it as a headline-worthy launch where the limited supply was snapped up quickly.

In this context, an allocation is the limited number of cars a manufacturer (or importer) assigns to a market or dealer. The host notes an allocation of 88 cars, which explains why the Ferrari Luce could be “sold out” quickly.

Alipay is a Chinese mobile payments app used for paying for goods and services, including online purchases. The host is using it as a shorthand for how pricing and payments work in China, emphasizing that the “£4 million” figure is actually a local-currency amount.

Le Mans refers to the Circuit de la Sarthe in France, best known for the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. It’s one of the most prestigious motorsport events in the world, so carmakers and racing teams treat it like a major proving ground.

Ronin is described here as a UK-based New Zealand racing team. In motorsport terms, a racing team is the organization that fields cars, manages drivers, and coordinates engineering and race operations.

EV stands for electric vehicle, meaning the car is powered primarily by an electric motor and a battery rather than a gasoline engine. In the UK context here, it’s used to describe the cheapest electric cars available.

The Dacia Spring is a low-cost electric vehicle (EV) from Dacia, aimed at making EV ownership affordable. In this segment, the hosts focus on its recent price cut, positioning it as the UK’s cheapest EV.

A cash price is the amount you pay upfront for a car, as opposed to financing or leasing payments spread over time. The hosts use it to frame how low the Dacia Spring’s sticker price is for a brand-new EV.

Leap Motor is the automaker behind the Leap T03 discussed here. The segment frames the company’s UK pricing as being influenced by government support via a grant increase.

The Leap T03 is a small, low-cost electric car from Leap Motor. The hosts use it as an example of how EV pricing can swing quickly when subsidies or grants change, since it was positioned as the UK’s cheapest EV for a short window.

The T3 is referenced in the context of the UK’s cheapest car for a short period, with a price mentioned for 24 hours. That suggests the podcast is discussing a promotion or a specific listing rather than the vehicle’s technical characteristics. The car is included because it’s tied to a pricing or availability story.

In car pricing, “undercut” means one brand lowers its price to beat a competitor’s offer. The segment uses it to describe how Dacia Spring pricing moved below Leap Motor’s EV pricing after Dacia announced its own spring-related deal.

A used EV is a previously owned electric vehicle sold on the secondhand market. The hosts use it to discuss affordability—specifically what “one-year-old” EVs cost and what buyers can realistically get for around £10k.

“One-year-olds” is shorthand for vehicles that are roughly a year old, typically meaning they’ve already depreciated but aren’t fully “old” in terms of wear. In used-EV pricing discussions, it highlights how quickly EVs can drop in price early in ownership.

“Bring the Spring campaign” refers to a promotional push aimed at getting a specific small EV model (the Dacia Spring) into the UK market. The hosts call it a campaign effort to influence availability and pricing, and then criticize the outcome.

AMI is referenced as another “disaster” alongside the Spring campaign, implying it’s a UK policy or scheme related to EVs. Without the expanded phrase in this excerpt, the exact meaning can’t be confirmed, but it’s clearly treated as an EV-related initiative.

Liquidators are appointed to sell off a bankrupt company’s remaining assets—like inventory—so creditors can be paid. In car terms, that often means end-of-line vehicles can be discounted, but buyer experience and long-term support may be less certain.

Right-hand drive (RHD) means the steering wheel is on the right side of the vehicle. It’s important for markets like the UK, where RHD is standard, and it affects which cars are available when a limited number of vehicles remain.

This is the idea of buying a car as an investment and betting on future value—often based on rarity, brand desirability, or collector interest. The host is questioning whether a discounted EV from a failed brand will end up in the same “future classic” category as older, more established cars.

The hosts call out the Goodwood Festival of Speed as an event that has effectively become a motor show. They’re planning lots of EV coverage there because it’s where new electric vehicles get launched and showcased.

The Mercedes GLB is cited alongside the Peugeot 5008 as a seven-seat option. The GLB is known as a compact luxury SUV that can be configured with extra seats, making it relevant for buyers who want practicality without going to a full-size people-mover.

A lease is a financing structure where you pay to use the car for a set term (often 24–36 months) and then return it or buy it out. Lease deals are often quoted with a monthly payment plus an upfront “down” payment and mileage limits.

The MG S6 is an MG (SAIC/SAIC-owned brand) electric vehicle positioned as a practical family car. In this segment, “long-range” and the stated battery size and lease pricing are used to frame it as a value-focused EV option.

The Audi S6 is a performance-oriented version of the A6, built to deliver stronger acceleration and a more sporty driving feel. It’s mentioned in the podcast in the context of a specific example and battery-related details, suggesting discussion around an EV conversion or electrified setup rather than a standard S6. The key point is that it’s a higher-performance Audi model being considered or referenced.

In lease pricing, “down” refers to the upfront payment you put toward the deal. It reduces the amount financed over the lease term and can lower the monthly payment, but it’s still cash you pay at the start.

The segment says “77-kph battery,” but in EV context this is almost certainly referring to a 77 kWh battery pack (energy capacity), not kph (speed). Battery capacity in kWh is what largely determines how far an EV can go on a charge.

Lease mileage limits (like “8,000 miles a year”) are contractual caps on how much you can drive during the lease term. Exceeding the limit typically triggers extra charges at the end of the lease.

The BMW iX1 is BMW’s electric compact SUV, built on the X1 platform but with a battery-electric drivetrain. The hosts focus on a used, two-year-old iX1 deal—highlighting the UK launch context and the practical value proposition versus what it cost new.

“280 miles” is the stated EV driving range figure being used to judge whether the iX1’s battery capacity meets modern expectations. It’s presented as a benchmark that has become less compelling over time as EVs with higher ranges became more common.

AI renders are computer-generated images created with artificial intelligence to visualize how a vehicle might look. In automotive coverage, they’re often used to show speculative designs before any official reveal.

Ford is the automaker being referenced in a “sign him up” joke, implying the company should hire the designer for EV/vehicle visuals. It’s a brand mention tied to the Fiesta EV discussion.

The Toyota Starlet is a small, compact hatchback nameplate known for its light, simple proportions. Comparing the EV render to a Starlet suggests the design is being perceived as compact and “cute” in silhouette.

The Fiat 128 is a compact car from Fiat that’s especially known for its classic, simple 1970s/early-1980s European hatchback styling. In this segment, it’s used as a visual reference point for how the speaker thinks the discussed car looks.

Volkswagen is a major German automaker known for mass-market cars and a strong home-market presence in Europe. In this segment, the speaker attributes a viewpoint about media/journalist focus to a “Volkswagen guy,” making it relevant as the brand being referenced in the argument.

Estate cars (often called station wagons) are passenger cars with extended cargo space behind the rear seats. The speaker frames “estate cars” as part of a journalist-focused checklist that they believe doesn’t match what most buyers want.

Steel wheels are the basic, stamped-metal wheel type commonly found on entry-level trims. In the segment, they’re used as shorthand for “no-frills” cars that the speaker claims journalists over-focus on.

The “5 E-Tech Electric” refers to the electric version of the Renault 5, which brings the classic Renault 5 name into a modern battery-electric format. It’s mentioned in the episode alongside other classic Renault references, suggesting the conversation is about vehicles that make people smile or spark interest. The key point is that it’s an EV carrying the Renault 5 identity.

The Renault 4 CV is a classic small car from Renault’s earlier history, known for being a popular, light, everyday vehicle in its era. It’s brought up in the episode in a nostalgic way alongside other classic Renault models. The mention is more about the car’s identity and charm than modern EV ownership.

Not having a home charger changes how you plan EV charging, because you can’t reliably “top up” overnight at home. That typically shifts the routine toward public chargers and makes route planning for longer trips more important.

EVs can be less efficient on frequent short trips because the battery and cabin may not reach optimal operating temperature before the drive ends. That can affect real-world range and how often you’ll need to charge.

Longer trips in an EV emphasize charging speed, charger availability, and route planning rather than just the car’s advertised range. It’s especially relevant when the driver depends on public charging.

The Skoda ENYAQ is Skoda’s battery-electric SUV, and the “80” refers to a specific battery/trim configuration. In EV shopping, the “80” typically correlates with a larger battery and longer real-world range than smaller-battery variants.

The MG5 is an MG-branded electric hatchback, often positioned as a value-focused EV. In a “no home charger” scenario, the key practical question is whether its real-world range and charging flexibility fit frequent short trips plus occasional longer drives to Scotland.

The Škoda ENYAQ is an electric SUV from Škoda that’s positioned as a practical family EV. The hosts mention it as a “ticks every box” choice, then compare it against other EVs based on charging, battery tech, and drivetrain updates.

An 800-volt system is an EV electrical architecture that allows the car to accept higher charging power more efficiently. In practice, that can reduce charging time at compatible fast-chargers compared with older 400-volt designs.

A facelift is a mid-cycle update to a car’s styling and often its equipment or powertrain details without fully replacing the model. The hosts use it to suggest that an “older” ENYAQ variant may have different battery tech or drivetrain than a later updated version.

“New battery tech” refers to later-generation battery chemistry, cell design, or pack management that can improve real-world efficiency, charging behavior, and thermal performance. In this segment, it’s used as a reason to prefer a later ENYAQ with updated hardware.

The Kia EV6 is a fast-charging-focused electric crossover that’s often praised for its efficiency and charging performance. Here, the hosts pick it over the other options for the same reason they liked the Kia earlier: long-journey practicality tied to charging capability and related drivetrain/battery considerations.

Kilowatt charging refers to how much electrical power the charger can deliver to the car, typically discussed for DC fast charging. Higher kilowatt numbers generally mean faster charging—though the car’s battery limits and charger compatibility still matter.

An 800-volt architecture is an electric-car design that uses a higher-voltage electrical system than the more common 400-volt setup. Higher voltage lets the car draw more power efficiently, which can enable faster DC fast charging on compatible chargers.

Fast charging is quicker charging (usually DC fast charging) compared with standard home or slower public charging. The key idea is that it’s optimized for shorter stops—so charging speed becomes more important than maximum driving range for many trips.

A trim level is a specific version of a car model that bundles certain equipment and options (like wheels, infotainment, and safety features). When manufacturers change the trim spec between countries, the UK version may not match what you’d see on the same model sold elsewhere.

0-62 time is how many seconds it takes a car to accelerate from 0 mph (or km/h, depending on market) to 62 mph (100 km/h). It’s a common performance metric used in reviews and comparisons, but it can vary with engine, gearing, tires, and even the specific trim.

In this context, “spec” means the car’s detailed configuration—engine/trim equipment, options, and sometimes software settings—rather than just the model name. The hosts are discussing why manufacturers alter that configuration for different countries, even when the car sounds equivalent on paper.

“UK models” refers to the specific configuration of a car that’s sold in the United Kingdom, which can differ from the same model sold in other European markets. Differences often come from regulations, equipment requirements, and how manufacturers package options into trims for that market.

“Residual value” is the estimated value a car will have in the future, often used in leasing and fleet planning. The discussion implies that manufacturers may tailor trims and options to hit what “residual value setters” expect buyers will pay for later.

“Heated seats” are an option that warms the front (and sometimes rear) seats using built-in heating elements. The segment highlights how demand for this feature varies by region—more common in colder Northern European markets than in warmer climates.

“Interior trim colors” are the specific colorways used for cabin materials like dashboards, door cards, and upholstery accents. The episode suggests that left-hand-drive and right-hand-drive production can end up with different available color options due to manufacturing tooling.

“Moldings” are shaped plastic or composite trim pieces used to finish and protect interior or exterior surfaces. The transcript implies that right-hand-drive versions require different moldings, which can reduce the variety of available interior options.

“Market preferences” are the buying tastes and expectations that differ by country or region. Automakers and importers use those preferences to choose which options and trims to offer, which can lead to frustrating mismatches for buyers who want a specific spec.

The Kia PV5 is a Kia model mentioned here specifically for its color-and-interior combination. The hosts highlight a distinctive green exterior with a brown interior that they saw on the PV5 during its launch, then note that the UK spec choices were less adventurous.

“EV world” is shorthand for the electric-vehicle ecosystem—owning and using an EV, including charging and daily driving habits. In this context, it means the taxi driver has switched from conventional cars to an EV and is now using the Enyaq for passenger work.

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is an early electric city car designed for simple, practical commuting. It’s mentioned in the episode as part of an “eclectic mix” of EVs the speaker has owned, highlighting how they’ve tried different generations and types of EVs. The relevance is mainly ownership experience and variety.

The ë-C3 is an electric small car (Citroën C3 in EV form) that’s discussed in the episode as part of the speaker’s current or upcoming lease plans. It’s brought up because the host expects it to be enjoyable to drive and is comparing it to other EVs they’ve owned. The mention is about real ownership experience and what to expect from the car.

The BMW i3 is a small electric car that was designed around efficient city driving. It’s often discussed because it was an early mainstream EV and has a distinctive lightweight construction approach. In the episode, it’s part of the speaker’s EV ownership timeline starting around 2017.

The Ford Explorer is a mid-size SUV built for family use, with seating for multiple passengers and a focus on everyday practicality. It often comes up in EV-and-charging discussions because people compare how different vehicles fit real-world charging and ownership routines. In this episode, it’s mentioned as part of the host’s or guest’s vehicle history.

The Volkswagen Passat is a mid-size family sedan/wagon known for comfort and practicality. It often shows up in ownership stories because it’s been widely sold and used as a long-term daily driver. In this episode, it’s mentioned as part of the speaker’s previous car lineup.

The Kia Niro is a compact crossover that comes in electric form (Niro EV) and is built for efficient everyday use. It’s commonly mentioned in EV review and ownership discussions because it targets buyers who want a straightforward, practical EV rather than a performance-focused one. In the podcast, it appears in the speaker’s personal EV history.

The e-Niro (Kia Niro EV) is an electric compact crossover designed for practical daily use. In the podcast, it’s specifically tied to the speaker’s ownership history, with them mentioning having an E-Niro in 2021. That makes it relevant to discussions about how EVs fit into routine driving and charging.

The Kia EV4 is an upcoming/next-generation battery-electric model in Kia’s EV lineup, and “GT line” is a trim package aimed at a sportier look and equipment. The key point is that it’s positioned as a more style-and-features-forward EV compared with base trims.

The Tesla Model S is an all-electric luxury sedan, and the “70D” indicates a specific battery/trim level in the Model S lineup. In this context, the host is listing it as part of a personal fleet of EVs and charging setups.

The Tesla Model Y is a compact electric SUV that shares much of its technology with the Model 3 while offering a higher, more spacious layout. It’s commonly brought up in charging and ownership conversations because many drivers use it as a main family vehicle. In this episode, it’s referenced in the context of someone’s EV charging experience and car history.

“Free charging” means the electricity for topping up the EV is provided at no cost, typically via a promotion, employer benefit, or a specific charging plan. It matters because it can dramatically reduce the real-world cost of driving an EV.

The Renault Zoe is a compact all-electric hatchback that became one of Europe’s most common EVs. Here it’s mentioned in the context of a monthly deal that includes a free charger, highlighting how EV ownership costs can be structured.

The “Ioniq 3” in the episode appears to refer to a Hyundai Ioniq EV variant, mentioned alongside other EVs and charging-related details. It’s included because the speaker is listing cars they’ve owned or discussed, likely focusing on real-world charging and range experiences. The key point is that it’s part of the EV lineup being compared.

The Kia Soul is a compact crossover/hatchback that also has an electric variant (Soul EV). In this segment it’s part of a list of EVs owned, used to show how many different EVs people cycle through.

The Tesla Model 3 is an all-electric compact sedan, and the “Performance” version is the higher-output variant tuned for quicker acceleration and sharper driving feel. The host lists it among multiple EVs to compare ownership experiences and charging arrangements.

The Audi e-tron is an all-electric SUV, and “55” denotes a higher-output battery/trim level within the e-tron range. “Launch edition” indicates an early-production/initial-market version, which can include specific equipment and pricing.

The ë-C3 Aircross is an electric version of the C3 Aircross, combining an SUV-style layout with battery-electric power. It’s mentioned alongside other EVs in the episode’s vehicle-counting context, indicating the speaker’s growing EV experience. The discussion is about having and comparing multiple EVs over time.