6:12 am, September 25, 2026
Renault reveals 8 Gordini Concept
Renault has looked back to one of its most iconic models to create a striking new concept.
The original Renault 8 Gordini was launched in 1964 as a performance model that could provide an exciting driving experience at a relatively low cost.
Now, the latest concept to revive the Gordini spirit has arrived, imagined through a partnership between Renault and designer Ora.
Bentley launches Torcal electric car
Bentley has launched its first electric car – the Torcal.
Arriving as the brand’s fourth model, the Torcal uses a large 113kWh battery which is linked to two motors for a combined output of 876bhp and 1,350Nm – the most torque that any Bentley has delivered.
In all, the Torcal can go from 0-60mph in 2.8 seconds while full active suspension should help the car to remain flat when cornering at high speeds. A ‘standard’ version of the Torcal brings 810bhp and a slightly longer 0-60mph time of 3.3 seconds.
10% of people ‘may trust caller claiming to be bank if they sound professional’
Around one in seven (15%) people have provided personal information to someone before realising they were not genuine, a survey indicates.
A fifth (19%) of people said they would be likely to call back an unknown number, according to the research for Nationwide Building Society, potentially putting themselves at risk.
When asked what would make them trust an unexpected caller claiming to be from their banking provider, 10% cited “sounding professional”.
Some 14% opted for the caller knowing their full name while 13% said the caller knowing their date of birth – information that criminals could have gained from elsewhere.
The markets
Stocks in London ended lower on Thursday as investors weighed developments in the US-China summit and kept a watchful eye on elevated bond yields and oil prices.
In London, the FTSE 100 index ended down 25.27 points, 0.2%, at 10,679.99. The FTSE 250 fell 207.26 points, 0.9%, to 24,154.32, and the AIM all-share shed 8.48 points, 1.1%, at 784.96.
In European equities on Thursday, the CAC 40 in Paris fell 0.5%, while the DAX 40 in Frankfurt declined 0.6%.
In New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.7% at the time of the closing bell in London. The S&P 500 was 0.5% lower, and the Nasdaq Composite gave up 0.8%.
UK consumers can sign up for share of £56m new car delivery compensation
A UK court has approved a plan to pay £56 million in compensation to millions of UK consumers who lost money from inflated car delivery charges.
Former Which? consumer expert Mark McLaren urged consumers to sign up to receive the compensation, which can be paid in a variety of ways including Nectar points, donations to charities and direct banking in the coming months.
The case followed the European Commission’s 2018 decision to fine the shipping companies MOL, K Line, NYK, WWL/EUKOR and CSAV 395 million euros (£340 million) for fixing prices for the transport of vehicles.
Consumer confidence continues gradual recovery
Consumer confidence has continued its gradual recovery amid concerns rising household bills could be behind signs of cooling.
GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index rose one point in September, continuing the slow recovery seen since April, but remains firmly in negative territory at minus 13.
It marks the first time since summer 2024 that the index has recorded three consecutive overall monthly increases.
Nearly 600,000 over-50s do not have job but want to work
More than half a million people aged over 50 want to work but are unable to due largely to ill health or disability, according to official figures.
Analysis of workforce data by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) showed 585,000 people aged 50 to 64 were without a job but were willing or wanted to work in 2026, up 13,000 or 2% year-on-year.
It said nearly two thirds – 62%, or 363,870 – of those said they were not looking for work due to being sick, injured or disabled.
The report also showed 16% of those classed as economically inactive but willing to work said it was because they were ‘looking after home or family’.
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The weather
Rain will move from southern Scotland into northern England and Wales today, while the southeast enjoys very warm sunshine and northern areas see breezy conditions with scattered showers.
Patchy rain will move southeast across England and Wales overnight, with heavy, blustery showers in the far north and northwest and a risk of fog and grass frost elsewhere.
Saturday will be largely dry and sunny in the south and east, while northern and western areas will see more cloud and scattered showers.