Hot new car products: the latest and greatest kit for your car
The latest additions to the world of automotive products from floor mats to dash cams...
The world of automotive accessories is vast and varied and nobody knows that better than we do here at Auto Express. Our product test team are dedicated to bringing you the definitive verdicts on car products of all descriptions, from essential automotive parts to car care or maintenance kit and more frivolous add-ons to make your motoring life more pleasurable.
Our product tests put all of these items through paces, giving the top performers the Auto Express seal of approval, but on this page we’ll keep you up to date on the very latest new car products to arrive on the UK market…
ARB Toyota accessories
- Price: various
- Contact: truckman.co.uk
Australian off-road specialist ARB has just had a range of accessories approved by Toyota. These are available at the marque’s dealers, making it easier for drivers to upgrade their vehicles.
Approval currently covers 15 ARB products primarily aimed at Toyota pick-up trucks, including a roof tent, awning and firepit for those who like to head off-road.
The approved tent is the Simpson III, which is made from waterproof poly-cotton ripstop canvas and comes complete with a zip-on annexe. It folds out from the roof with the help of the slide-out aluminium ladder, which also provides access to the bed. It can support up to 120kg and uses a 63.5mm bonded chip-foam mattress. When it’s time to head home, the tent is quickly compacted thanks to a built-in bungee system. It is currently on the Truckman website for £1,695.
Also part of the Toyota-approved range is the ARB awning, which includes an LED light kit (from £415.37) and can be deployed in 30 seconds. The light is overhead to avoid glare and has a cool white light for cooking and food prep, plus an amber mode to minimise the attraction of insects. It has a max output of 1,200 lumens and comes with a water-resistant dimmer switch.
If your budget is smaller, there’s also a firepit for heating and cooking plus a folding Pinnacle camp chair. The Australian-made firepit is a five-piece design and folds flat for easy transportation between campsites, and includes a grill and hotplate.
Bluetti AC50B power station
- Price: £299
- Contact: bluettipower.co.uk
If you need power away from the mains on a camping trip or weekend away, there’s now a new option from Bluetti.
We were impressed with the firm’s AC200P, but the latest addition to the line-up, the AC50B, is a much more portable option. Crucially, it weighs in at just under 7kg, which makes it so much easier to move around compared with its monster 27kg stablemate. It is also simpler to store, measuring 280 x 200 x 220mm.
Naturally, its power output and capacity are lower, but the mains inverter delivers 700W, which can be raised to 1000W for devices that require an initial boost on start-up. This makes it good for portable fridges, coffee makers, lights and the like.
Capacity is around a quarter of its big brother’s, at 448Wh, which can charge a 15Wh smartphone more than 15 times or run a 100W fridge for three hours. The unit also has 12V DC output plus two 65W USB-C ports and a single 15W USB-A.
A full charge takes 70 minutes, although it can get to 80 per cent in 45 mins. It can also be revived via the SP120L solar panel, which delivers a full charge in under three hours. Charging in-car takes just under five hours. The AC50B is currently discounted by £100 to £299. Add the 12W portable solar panel and the all-in price is £498.
CaDA car models
- Price: from £14.99
- Contact: wonderlandmodels.com
Lego has long ruled the brick-built model world, but CaDA is aiming to take a slice of its UK market with the launch of a range of cars catering for all abilities and budgets. The Chinese brand aims to offer a more affordable alternative to the Danish giant.
The flagship model in the initial UK launch is the 1:8-scale Mercedes-AMG One hypercar, which was three years in development and runs on Michelin-authorised custom tyres. CaDA says the 3,285-piece kit’s build difficulty is high (14 years old and up) and once complete it measures 55cm long. It’s priced at £249.99.
For smaller budgets there is the 1:12-scale officially licensed RUF CTR 1987 Yellowbird sports car, with a more manageable 1,515 pieces and a medium build difficulty. It’s 37cm long once built and costs £69.99. As with the Mercedes AMG, it comes with a motor with remote control and CaDA says it is good for builders from eight years old. There’s also a 1:24 scale recreation of Mazda’s 787B sports racer at £14.99.
Back on the road, there’s an Austin FX4 1958 London taxi in 1:12 scale. It has working Ackerman steering and a detailed interior which can be viewed through the detachable roof and opening doors. It has a £74.99 price tag.
Cuktech 20 power bank
- Price: £94.80
- Contact: amazon.co.uk
Cuktech power banks are all about speed. Now the firm has upped the ante again with the launch of an even more powerful contender that it claims sets new standards for the sector.
The Cuktech 20 delivers a 140W charge and is compatible with the latest PD3.1 protocol for reviving batteries. Cuktech claims this means “supercharged” performance for devices such as Apple’s MacBook Pro laptop. The 20 has an automotive-grade battery that is capable of more than 1,000 charging cycles, which the firm says is three times that of standard rivals.
A 25000mAh capacity allows the power pack to charge a MacBook Pro once with power to spare or revive an Apple iPhone 14 four times.
The USB-C1 port supports 140W charging for laptops and 120W for Xiaomi smartphones. Cuktech says a MacBook Pro 16-inch can be charged to 59 per cent in just half an hour. The same charge time will revive a Steam Deck to 57 per cent and an iPhone 15 Pro Max to 71 per cent. The power bank also supports Super Fast Charging 2.0 for Samsung devices and will fully revive a Galaxy S23 Ultra in less than an hour.
Just as with the smaller 10, the 20 has a TFT display that provides real-time information on battery state, power, voltage and current. Cuktech says the graphic interface makes understanding the power bank’s status easy.
Garmin Dash Cam X series
- Price: £149.99
- Contact: garmin.com
Garmin has taken the wraps off its latest line-up of dash cams, including one that is the size of a key fob. The new Garmin Mini 3 is just a fraction more than 5cm long. It records in 1080P through a 140-degree lens at 30FPS, and has the new range’s Clarity HDR polariser that promises improved footage details.
It doesn’t have a screen, but video can be viewed via the Garmin Drive app, and the cam can be controlled by voice commands. The £149.99 Mini 3 also lacks GPS speed and location details, yet these can be recorded if linked with a dash cam that has the feature.
The 7cm-long X110 costs £199.99 and has a 6cm colour LCD display. It swaps the Mini’s supercapacitor for a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. It also shoots in 1080P through a 140-degree lens at 30FPS, and has GPS for speed and location information. With a Vault subscription, you can have a live view from the cam, plus get parking-incident alerts.
Next is the £259.99 X210, which increases the resolution to 1440P and 60FPS through 140 degrees. It also has forward collision and lane-departure warnings, plus an alert when stationary traffic ahead moves off.
Topping the new line-up is the X310 that boasts 4K resolution and up to 120 FPS, and costs £349.99. All the newcomers need a memory card, plus you can add permanent power from your car’s OBD port for £45.
Halfords Advanced 40-piece Socket Set Advent Calendar
- Price: £29.99
- Contact: halfords.com
It might seem too early to be thinking about Christmas, but Halfords has taken the wraps off this year’s advent calendar, and you need to be quick, because it sold out in days 12 months ago.
As last year, behind the 24 doors is a Halfords Advanced 40-piece Socket Set, ideal for that relative who likes to get hands-on with car problems.
Unlike coffee, whisky or gin calendars, these ‘gifts’ will be around for some time, because they enjoy the Halfords Advanced tools’ Lifetime Quality Guarantee.
At the heart of the set is a 40-piece quarter-inch-drive socket set, similar to one on sale for £35.
In this festive set is a quarter-inch-drive 100-tooth ratchet handle with 14 six-point sockets covering 3.5-14mm. There’s also a spinner handle and a 50mm extension for those tricky-to-reach fasteners.
The set also includes a quarter-inch-drive bit adapter and 21 bits covering No. 1, 2, 3 sizes for crosspoint and PoziDriv fasteners, plus 3, 4 and 5.5 bits for slotted heads, and 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8mm hex fasteners. The bit selection is completed by T10, 15, 20, 25, 27, 30 and 40 security Torx tools.
And if you’ve managed to hold on to them all come Christmas Eve, they can be kept in a blow-moulded case.
Invisible Glass wipers
- Price: £24.99
- Contact: jrpdistribution.co.uk
Car-care specialist Stoner believes it’s bringing new technology to the UK wiper market with the launch of a range of blades under its Invisible Glass brand.
Invisible Glass has been a regular in our screen-cleaning tests, but now Stoner has expanded into the accessory market with a line-up that it claims has tech designed to make wiper blades last longer.
The beam blades use premium silicone rubber, which is more resilient to extreme heat than traditional wiper materials. It resists warping in high temperatures and remains flexible in extreme cold weather, making it less likely to crack when moved.
There is also a rain-repellent compound, which is added to the screen as the blade wipes, increasing beading and helping water run off the glass to improve visibility.
Invisible Glass’s range has a Cerashell ceramic compound coating on the blade edge to make it long lasting. This substance helps slow the damage done by ultra-violet light and ozone in hot weather, which can lead to wear.
Stoner says its exclusive coating has been proven to help the new blades last up to four times longer than standard wipers. The independent testing saw blades complete more than two million wipe cycles.
The blades are sold in single packs and the range covers more than 95 per cent of UK vehicles and almost all wiper- arm types. The blades cost between £24.99 and £34.99.
Distributor JRP believes the new blades will appeal to enthusiasts who have already seen the protective benefits
of ceramic compounds in car products, such as sealants.
Michelin tailored car mats
- Price: from £37.99
- Contact: carmats4u.com
Fans of French tyre giant Michelin now have a range of tailored mats to choose from. The new line-up is the brainchild of Unique Car Mats, the company behind online retailer Carmats4u, which is the exclusive outlet.
At the heart of the range is the design tailored to individual vehicles, with thousands of models of all ages covered. The Michelin line-up comprises standard and luxury carpet options, plus a rubber version with a choice of colours and ribbed edging to suit the car interior.
The carpet versions come with an integrated heavy-duty heel pad, which can be full width or an inset rectangular design. The newcomers also have an anti-slip, weather-resistant backing and attach to the car using the OEM fixing system.
The luxury versions use thick carpet with a 2,200g per sq metre weave edge with leather binding and contrasting stitching, plus a heel pad featuring a pattern based on a Michelin tyre tread. The standard mats use a 1,580g per sq metre carpet. The luxury rubber version is designed for extra durability while providing superior protection.
Prices start at £37.99 for the standard mat which has a choice of four colours: black, grey, charcoal and anthracite. Drivers can then pick the edging colour in black, grey, blue or yellow. You can also opt for stain protection at £6.95 (currently free).
The luxury carpet version adds £12 to the initial price and comes in a choice of two colours with five shades for the leatherette trim and a further five cotton stitch shades. The rubber mats are £54.99 a set.
Muc-Off Cool Bag
- Price: £100
- Contact: muc-off.com
Product developers must have been expecting a scorching summer, because yet another cool storage solution has hit the market.
The latest is a cool bag from bike care specialist Muc-Off, although when it’s packed with drinks or ice, it’s probably better transported in a car. The Muc-Off bag follows in the wheel tracks of cool box ranges from Coleman and Bunker.
The 15-litre newcomer is the baby of the new releases, but Muc-Off says it’s good for 24 cans, and will keep them cold for up to eight hours. It is sealed with a waterproof zip, and the leak-proof construction means that it can be filled with ice without spills once it starts to melt.
The bag has padded carry handles and a shoulder strap. The design also has a zipped pocket at the front for keys, phones and the like, plus there’s a slot for a bottle opener. The £100 bag is also mildew and UV resistant, and is made from food-grade, BPA-free materials.
Muc-Off has also unveiled the Vital Fluids ice pack to complement the new bag. The pack is the same shape as Muc-Off’s distinctive logo which, according to the company, is optimised for cooling. This £10 ice pack contains a biodegradable, non-toxic gel that is designed to freeze fast.
Osram Night Breaker 220 halogen headlight bulb
- Price: £33.50 (H4 pair)
- Contact: osram.co.uk
Halogen headlight bulbs may date back to the sixties, but that has not stopped producers making ever brighter versions, and Osram has just raised the bar.
The new Night Breaker 220 promises a beam length of 150 metres and a 220 per cent brighter light; the latter refers to the improvement over the minimum level required by the ECE R112/R37 regulation at a point within the beam. The newcomer joins what was previously the most powerful halogen bulb in the Osram line up, the Night Breaker 200.
The beam is also 20 per cent whiter than the R112/R37 requirements, which improves visibility, and the bulbs feature a new gold cap and more environmentally friendly packaging.
The Night Breaker 220 is available in the twin-filament H4 format (£33.50), single-filament H7 (£47.50) and H11 (£54). The 220 also joins the 150 per cent extra Laser and 100 per cent Silver.
Bulb makers have been improving halogen bulb output for decades, with Philips setting the ball rolling with a modest 30 per cent increase. The improvements take advantage of the generous tolerances built into the bulb specification to suit the manufacturing processes of the time.
Now more precise construction is possible, makers use a range of techniques to increase performance, including reducing the size of the filament and burning it harder, increasing gas pressure in the envelope and controlling the extra output with coloured bands on the glass. But the downside to the bulbs’ extra performance is a shorter life.
Scalextric slot cars
There are new slot cars for all ages among Scalextric’s winter releases, including sixties F1 cars, historic racers, plus modern-day race winners, road cars and film favourites.
Turn the clock back with the BRM P57 and Graham Hill’s first world title-winning car in its 1962 Dutch GP-winning livery.
The seventies are covered by the Mirage GR8, which was runner-up in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1976. There’s also the 1977 runner-up version you can race it against. For the eighties race fan the company has released Steve Soper’s 1983 BTCC Rover SD1 and the 1987 Holden Vl Commodore.
Current-day historic racers are covered by the arrival of Paul Kennelly’s Equipe GTS Shelby Mustang GT350 and Wayne Crabtree’s Gulf-liveried Modified Ford Escort Mk1. The also a Plymouth Barracuda from last year’s Spa Classic, plus the WiIlment 39PH Shelby Cobra 289 has been recreated in its red livery.
Recreate the rough and tumble of the British Touring Car Championship with Jake Hill’s Laser Tools-backed BMW 330e saloon car. And bringing the action bang up to date is the GTE AM-winning Chevrolet Corvette C8R from last year’s Le Mans, and the Whelan Cadillac V-Series R hypercar that took third place overall at the same race.
Film and 007 fans can take to the track with the AMC Hornet from The Man with the Golden Gun in a special Gold Anniversary colour scheme. And if you prefer to race road cars, look no further than the Lamborghini Revuelto in the striking Arancio Apodis colour.
Tamiya RC cars
- Price: from £129
- Contact: modelsport.co.uk
Tamiya is turning the clock back this winter with the return of one of its classic radio-controlled buggies, 40 years after the original Hornet EVO’s release.
As we’ve seen before with classic Tamiya re-releases, this takes some of the original parts and adds a few upgrades. The stickers have been updated, for example and the new parts include independent double-wishbone suspension, rear sealed gearbox, ball bearings all round and CVA oil dampers. It can be ordered now for £195, a saving of £20, ahead of its November release.
Also making a return this winter is the 2011 Avante buggy, which has the original’s double-deck chassis, but now in carbon, and its 4WD. There are also updated universal driveshafts, and machined aluminium uprights. The kit costs £499 and comes with a GT-tuned motor.
For on-road fans there’s a Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 2.8 on the versatile 2WD BT-01 chassis, which comes in a range of wheelbases and drivetrains. In the 911 kit, it is rear-drive, making it handle more like the real thing, although the motor is mounted in the middle, not at the back. It costs £179.
Finally, there’s a pair of Toyota's. For track fans, there is the ENEOS X Prime Supra on the TT-02 chassis, while there’s a road version of the Celica GT-Four on the same 4WD chassis. Both cost £129.
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