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.”

Buchanan Galleries has announced it will be gifting shoppers £1,000 in Glasgow Gift Cards in its Great Gift Card Givaway campaign to encourage local shopping.

The Great Gift Card Giveaway campaign goes live at Buchanan Galleries on the 20th October 2025 and runs through to 2nd November. During this time, businesses at the shopping centre will hand out small cards to customers with a QR code linking to an online game, which will reveal if the recipient has won a Glasgow Gift Card.

A total of 15 prizes will be handed out during the campaign: 5 x £100 Glasgow Gift Cards and 10 x £50 Glasgow Gift Cards. Winners can choose between a physical version of the Glasgow Gift Card or the digital version, which can be added to digital wallets, enabling the recipient to ‘tap to pay’ with local businesses.

The campaign follows the launch of the partnership between Buchanan Galleries and Glasgow City Council in 2025, whereby a self-service kiosk dispensing the Glasgow Gift Card was installed at the Sauchiehall Street entrance of the shopping centre.

Operated by Landsec, many of Buchanan Galleries’ 80 plus businesses, including John Lewis & Partners, LEGO, Social Bite, and ARRAN Sense of Scotland, also accept the Glasgow Gift Card.

Ellen McCartney, Events Co-Ordinator at John Lewis & Partners, said, “”While summer might not be long behind us, we know that our customers are already gearing up for Christmas – so we’re getting everything in place to help them celebrate.

“Whether you’ll be using these gift cards to buy presents for others or simply treating yourself, the team at John Lewis Glasgow will be happy to help. Best of luck to everyone entering!”

The Glasgow Gift Card, part of the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card initiative, is one of the biggest local Gift Cards in the UK with over 1200 city businesses accepting the card, including national brands and independent businesses. Almost £10 million has been locked into the city through the Glasgow Gift Card since its launch.

Kathy Murdoch, Centre Director at Buchanan Galleries said: “Our partnership with the Glasgow Gift Card has been really popular with guests at Buchanan Galleries.

“Shoppers appreciate the ability to spend their Glasgow Gift Card in a wide range of their favourite brands at the centre, in addition to many other fantastic businesses in the city. With Christmas approaching, what better time to give people the chance to experience the Glasgow Gift Card for themselves than with the Great Giftcard Giveaway!”

Colin Munro is the CEO of Miconex and said: “It’s brilliant to see the partnership between Buchanan Galleries and the Glasgow Gift Card developing with the Great Gift Card Giveaway. This campaign is all about rewarding shoppers for supporting their city. The choice on offer with the card is staggering, including the big brands you know and the local businesses you love and I encourage Glaswegians to kick off their Christmas shopping at Buchanan Galleries from the 20th October for a chance to win.”

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.