Daily Car News: Aston Martin DB12 S gets sharper and louder, plus Ranger Raptor, Polestar 4, and China’s EV charge

Walked into the garage with a too-hot coffee and a head full of traffic, and bang—the headline that cut through the steam: the Aston Martin DB12 S. Sharper, louder, angrier. It leads a busy morning that also includes a toughened Ford Ranger Raptor, Polestar 4 pricing for Australia, and a £30k Chinese EV about to crash the sensible-family party. Toss in Queensland Police calling a Toyota RAV4 “dangerous” (for them, not you), the Honda CR‑V turning 30, and a mint 1981 Toyota pickup that made me open classifieds “for research.” It’s that kind of day.

The Big Picture: China’s tech juggernaut is making the old guard sweat

Autocar’s business team isn’t being dramatic—China’s EV surge is bending the market toward software first, styling second. I felt that lurch firsthand hopping from a legacy luxury EV into a fresh Chinese-market model last spring: the UI was quicker, the driver-assist less clingy, the voice control actually useful. It’s not theoretical anymore; it’s turning up in UK and EU showrooms while some premium badges are still ironing board creases in their five-year plans.

New EVs you’ll actually see soon

Leapmotor B10: A £30k family EV aimed straight at the UK school run

Autocar says the Leapmotor B10 lands next month hovering around £30,000. That’s the number that gets real-world families to stop squinting at finance calculators. If Stellantis’s distribution muscle delivers, you’re looking at MG 4 and BYD Dolphin money with a cabin and software that could pleasantly surprise you on a wet November morning.

• Positioning: Value-forward, everyday EV—commutes, shops, grandparents on Sunday.
• Crosshairs on: MG 4, BYD Dolphin/Seal, entry-level VW ID models.
• Why it matters: We’re edging into honest ICE-vs-EV price parity without weird sacrifices.

2026 Polestar 4: Price and specs locked for Australia

CarExpert’s got the numbers Down Under for the Polestar 4—the coupe-ish premium SUV that ditched the rear window and just… got away with it. The first time I drove one, my brain fought the camera-mirror for an hour, then forgot it was a camera at all. Polestar’s still doing the serene Scandinavian thing: cool fabrics, restrained lighting, and highway manners that float you past long-haul stress.

• No rear window: A high-def camera handles rear vision and works better than you think.
• Likely lineup: Single- and dual-motor variants with long-range focus.
• Everyday vibe: Calm, minimal, properly quiet—perfect for stop-start traffic or Sunday coast cruises.

Performance and play: when the right pedal matters

Aston Martin DB12 S: Sharper, louder, stronger

Carscoops pegs the Aston Martin DB12 S at 690 hp. The regular DB12 I sampled earlier this year was the archetypal British grand tourer: muscular but mannered, with that AMG-sourced 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 tuned by Aston to feel silk-gloved until you dig deeper. The S sounds like the “stop being polite” button. Expect crisper throttle, tighter body discipline, and a soundtrack that turns a multi-storey car park into Royal Albert Hall. Sorry, neighbors—again.

• Power headline: 690 hp reported.
• Character shift: GT grace turns up the thermostat—Sunday B-road friendly, not spine-bruising.
• Reality check: Low-speed bumps on big wheels still thump; infotainment is improved but not the snappiest in the biz.

Aston Martin DB12 S: How it stacks up day-to-day

• Morning commute: Light steering, easy throttle metering—feels smaller than it looks in traffic.
• Weekend blast: Strong midrange, telepathic traction out of second-gear corners; the nose places cleanly if you’re patient with turn-in.
• Cabin life: Gorgeous materials, some fiddly buttons; wireless CarPlay worked fine for me but hiccupped once on a hot day.
• Lifestyle fit: Perfect for a Lake District weekend or a late dinner in Mayfair; less perfect for multistory car parks with narrow ramps.

Ford Ranger Raptor: Somehow gets tougher

According to CarExpert, the Ranger Raptor’s been beefed up. The current one already shrugs off corrugations like a retriever shaking off river water. Last time I sailed one over a stretch of washboard, the Fox dampers made the surface feel like a rumor. “Even tougher” likely means smarter hardware or accessory packs for people who actually see dust, not just multicolored speed humps outside the shopping centre.

• Use case: Outback loops, dune play, towing toys with less drama.
• What I notice first: Steering accuracy on dirt and how composed it is after a blind crest.
• Caveat: It’s thirsty if you drive it like you stole it. Which you might, briefly.

Fleet, safety, and the real world

Queensland Police flag Toyota RAV4 as “dangerous” (for police use)

CarExpert reports Queensland Police have labeled the Toyota RAV4 “dangerous” in a policing context. That matters: patrol cars carry heavy kit, take kerbs at speed, and live at the limits. The RAV4 is brilliant at domestic life—I once did a 700 km day in one and still felt human—but policing is a different planet. Expect more guidance as agencies review equipment setups and duty cycles.

• Key point: The “dangerous” tag is for police duty, not your kid-hauler.
• Watch this space: Fleet fit-out standards and potential model substitutions.

Anniversaries and nostalgia

Honda CR‑V turns 30

CarExpert’s birthday note for the CR‑V hit me right in the picnic table. Remember that feature in the early ones? I do—I once ate a soggy sandwich on it in a lay-by during a rainstorm and felt like a genius. Today’s CR‑V is quieter, safer, and hybrid-clever, but the vibe remains: easy ergonomics and “go on then, bring the extra suitcase” cargo space.

• Legacy: Practical before practical was cool.
• Modern twist: Smooth hybrid setups, better sound insulation, smarter safety nets.

That 1981 Toyota pickup you absolutely want

Carscoops asks the right question: how could you not? The early-’80s Toyota pickup is automotive sourdough—simple ingredients, perfect texture, lasts forever. The 22R four hums along like it’s reading a paperback, the manual hubs make you part of the process, and the bed basically says “camp here.” Get a clean one and it’ll outlast your desire to lift heavy boxes.

• Charm points: Steel, vinyl, a gearlever that narrates your drive.
• Reality check: Slow. Wonderful, but slow. You’ll plan overtakes and enjoy the scenery.

Side note: Best recording booth on wheels?

Autocar’s podcast riffed on the Alpine’s cabin as a recording studio. I get it. Some compact sports cars create a little sound cocoon. I’ve recorded voice notes in an Elise that sounded like I’d rented a booth by the hour. The Alpine’s tight structure and snug space do similar magic.

Quick-glance table: today’s headline cars

Editor’s take: why the Aston Martin DB12 S matters right now

There’s a neat symmetry here. China keeps cranking out tech-forward, sensibly priced EVs just as heritage brands roll out passion projects that remind us why petrol still tugs the heartstrings. The Aston Martin DB12 S is one of those halo reminders—a grand tourer with a sharper edge, built for the people who still take the long way home. In the middle, crossovers like the CR‑V keep doing life. If you’re shopping, drive across segments. The one that feels most “you” in 2025 might not be the one you expected.

That’s the lap. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be pricing vintage Toyotas and daydreaming about a Friday blast in an Aston Martin DB12 S—purely for “research,” of course.

FAQ

• How much power does the Aston Martin DB12 S have? Carscoops reports 690 hp for the S, adding extra edge to an already serious GT.
• What’s different about the Aston Martin DB12 S versus the standard DB12? Expect sharper throttle tuning, a louder exhaust character, and a more focused chassis without losing grand-touring comfort.
• When is the Leapmotor B10 arriving in the UK? Autocar says next month, targeting around £30,000—squarely in family-EV territory.
• Does the Polestar 4 really have no rear window? Yep. A high-definition camera feeds the rear-view display; CarExpert has the 2026 Australia price/spec breakdown.
• Why did Queensland Police call the Toyota RAV4 “dangerous”? Per CarExpert, the label applies to police-duty use with heavy kit and high-stress driving—not typical family use.