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Aston Martin issue shares warning
SHARES in Aston Martin have sunk by more than a fifth after it suffered from supplier disruption and weak demand from China.
The luxury carmaker said it would make around 1,000 fewer cars than first planned over the year.
The parts disruption and weaker Chinese demand are expected to leave wholesale sales by volume down by a ‘high single-digit percentage’, the firm said. It previously forecast high single-digit volume growth.
TRADE
EU countries vote on Chinese EVs
CHINESE cars will be slapped with import duties by the European Union if a solution to a trade stand-off between Brussels and Beijing isn’t found by the end of October.
The European Commission, which manages trade on behalf of the 27 member countries, welcomed their majority approval of its plan to impose the duties, even though EU automotive powerhouse Germany and Hungary voted against it.
NEWS DIGEST
Peter Waddell launches unfair dismissal case against Big Motoring World
BIG Motoring World founder Peter Waddell is set to pursue a claim of unfair dismissal against the used car supermarket, following his controversial ousting earlier this year.
Legal documents, seen by Car Dealer, reveal that Waddell is claiming unfair dismissal, harassment and disability discrimination by Bluebell Cars – the ultimate holding company of Big Motoring World. However, sources close to the case have told Car Dealer that the papers have ‘neither been issued nor served’, meaning the claim is yet to officially be lodged. The development is the latest twist in the ongoing legal saga surrounding Waddell’s departure from the company he founded back in 1986.
RETIREMENT
Darren Edwards announces retirement
SYTNER boss Darren Edwards is to bring the curtain down on his illustrious career in the motor trade after announcing his retirement. Edwards, who has worked in the automotive industry for over four decades, is to vacate his position with the Car Dealer Top 100 dealer group from January 1. He will be replaced by American John Cragg, who joins from Sytner’s parent company, Penske Automotive Group, where he is executive vice president of Eastern US operations.
FINANCE
Car Giant sees loss due to land valuation
PROFITS swung from a bumper year in 2022 to loss in 2023 for Car Giant, it reports, due to revaluation of its land.
The London-based car dealer reported operating profits were up for the year to £31.3m compared to £23.5m the year before, in its latest set of accounts.
However, it explained that, while in the previous year it had an £18.6m boost from revaluing land, in 2023 it had a deficit of £50.6m.
COURTS
Sentencing over write-off sale in RoI
A CAR salesman has been ordered to pay costs after he sold a vehicle, which had been written off in the UK, at a dealership in the Republic of Ireland.
Patrick Doyle, of Byrnes Garage in County Wexford, sold a Ford Fiesta in August 2020, without revealing it had previously suffered heavy damage in an accident.
The buyer, who was purchasing the car for his daughter to learn to drive in, specifically asked if the car had been involved in a crash.
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Working together, we can drive better lending outcomes.
APPOINTMENT
Del Vecchio leaves BMW for Maserati
MASERATI has announced a replacement for former head of North Europe Peter Charters, who, after five years in the role, is leaving the brand.
Mariangela Del Vecchio joins the Italian luxury carmaker, bringing with her 20 years of leadership experience in marketing, sales, operations and digital transformation.
Having spent 17 years at BMW Group, Del Vecchio has worked across business development, including overseeing the launch of BMW’s electric i cars in 2014.
MEMORY
Tributes flood in for Guy Thomas
HEARTFELT tributes have been pouring in for BCA’s Guy Thomas, who has tragically passed away suddenly, at the age of 54.
Thomas was a well-known and much-loved face across the automotive industry, having been with BCA as head of product development since 2009.
Prior to that, he spent four years at Manheim, having also had previous stints at both Evans Halshaw and Woods Car Rental.
Ford boss rules out restricting supply of petrol and diesel cars to dealers to meet eco targets
FORD will not be restricting the supply of new petrol and diesel cars to its dealer partners in order to comply with the government’s eco targets.
That is the promise of the company’s UK boss, who has told Car Dealer that ‘government-backed customer incentives’ are a better way to get drivers into EVs. Lisa Brankin, Ford of Britain’s chair and managing director, says that dealers still want to sell ICE vehicles and Ford has no intention of standing in their way.
The comments come amid growing threats from Stellantis that it could pull the supply of petrol and diesel models in order to comply with controversial ZEV mandate targets.
Aston Martin grows UK dealer network
ASTON Martin is to grow its UK dealer network with the opening of several new ‘landmark’ showrooms.
Working alongside a number of different dealer partners, the firm is hoping to provide buyers with ‘an ultra-luxury automotive experience’.
Grange has opened a new £10m dealership in Solihull, while JCT600 will open a new showroom in Leeds. These are the first dealerships to showcase Aston Martin’s new corporate identity.
Meanwhile, Marshall Motor Group has also signed a deal to represent the brand in the south of England, with a site in Sevenoaks.
APPOINTMENT
Group 1 Automotive acquires Mark Raban
GROUP 1 Automotive has completed a deal to purchase Soper BMW Lincoln on the same day it finally confirmed the appointment of Mark Raban as its new CEO in the UK.
Car Dealer reported in August that Raban was to take over the combined Inchcape and Group 1 Automotive UK business, with the man himself confirming the appointment to us over the summer.
Now, Group 1 has rubber stamped his arrival and the former Lookers boss will take up his new post with immediate effect.
The position will see Raban focus on enhancing customer experience.
Masters of Beckenham Kia profit worries
BOSSES at the family-run Masters of Beckenham say they have ‘concerns’ around their relationship with Kia, after the group’s profits were cut in half following ‘supply issues’.
Car Dealer reported last October that the dealer group had reduced its retail operations in response to its Mazda, MG and Renault sites not making enough money.
The decision, made in 2022, meant the firm was left with only a single Kia dealership, in Bromley.
Now, in the first full year of trading since the cuts, the group’s profits have fallen by more than 53%, according to new documents.
BITE-SIZE
Click on the text box for the full story
COURT: A car dealer, currently serving time in prison for his role in the supply of class A drugs, has been ordered to pay back £82,500. Automotive salesman and valeter, John Kear, was caught storing more than 4kg of cocaine in a lock-up near Port Talbot.
FINANCE: JLR’s Halewood car plant is to receive a major injection of cash in order to allow the firm to build EVs there. The carmaker has announced an additional £250m investment into the Merseyside premises, which will mean the facility will be able to produce EVs.
PURCHASE: Thurlow Nunn has added a new brand to its portfolio with the purchase of Lings Hyundai. The retailer, which has sites across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Bucks, has bought the dealership for an undisclosed fee.
LOSS: Car auction platform Motorway chalked up losses of £30.8m in 2023 as revenue for the auction site increased dramatically. Motorway –which allows consumers to sell their cars to dealers in online auctions – saw revenues increase 48% to £60.9m.
UNIFORM: Vertu Motors’ sales staff will no longer wear ties as part of their uniform, as the retailer looks to move with the times. The Car Dealer Top 100 outfit has long used its famous striped ties to help dealers stand out in each individual franchise.
NEWS DIGEST
MG named the most unreliable used car brand as top 10 worst manufacturers revealed DATA
MG has been named the most unreliable car manufacturer following a survey of nearly 30,000 owners. What Car? quizzed 29,967 owners of used cars up to five years old about how often their vehicles had suffered issues the past two years.
The Reliability Survey asked how long repairs took and how much they cost to fix in order to come up with an overall score out of 100.
The higher the score, the more reliable the car brand – with MG scoring 76.9%. The Chinese-owned British brand also had the least reliable EV – the MG4 – which received an overall mark of 63.8%.
Carwow cuts losses
but is still
in the red
CARWOW has reduced its losses by nearly a half after its Sell My Car auctions dramatically improved the group’s fortunes.
Carwow’s latest accounts show it generated revenues of £54.7m last year – up from £39.8m the year before – and saw losses fall from £29.4m in 2022 to £16.2m in 2023.
Carwow said it managed to ‘grow every revenue line’ across its business during the year and is ‘well on the way to building a profitable business’.
Boss Jon Wakefield leaves Harwoods
JON Wakefield – former Volvo Cars UK MD – has stepped down from his position as CEO at dealer group Harwoods with immediate effect.
The dealer group said that Archie Harwood will step up from his role as chief transformation officer and back into the CEO role he vacated two years ago.
Wakefield was appointed to the dealer group – which represents JLR, Audi, Volvo, Ineos, Bentley, McLaren and Aston Martin – in January 2023.
Cooper Parry closes UHY takeover deal
THE ownership of UHY Hacker Young Manchester is changing hands after a takeover deal was struck with fast-growing accountancy firm, Cooper Parry. UHY, which specialises in all things financial in the automotive industry, will now fall under the control of Cooper Parry with immediate effect.
The deal sees the buying firm increase its specialist team headcount to over 1,400 with all staff moving across from UHY.
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Your customer has just chosen their perfect car. They’re happy to be getting a new set of wheels to take them to and from work, pick up the kids after school, and ferry the family dog to the park for its daily walk. You’re happy to close the sale and because your customer is delighted with their decision. It’s a win win. Smiles all around.
Now is the time to offer options to protect their new pride and joy going forward. Not only does it demonstrate your commitment, but it can also boost the bottom line of any sale and helps increase retention and satisfaction rates. The customer receives peace-of-mind that, when they drive away, they’re not going to be left out of pocket should the unexpected occur over the following months and years.
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Recent years have seen some significant changes within the automotive environment, from the COVID-19 pandemic, a reduction of new car supply, an increasing number of agency model adoptions and the push back of the diesel and petrol ban. All these changes influence customer buying behaviours and impact the way retailers sell vehicles and aftersales products.
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The result means that, in their own time, customers can run through the product line, view product videos, study the respective policy documentation, and then finalise their purchase in the retailer environment or within the comfort of their own home.
Car Care Plan also offers a holistic and reliable support programme, ensuring retailers receive useful resources to assist with addon sales, as well as access to a friendly and knowledgeable team of experts should any questions arise. And an in-house compliance team maintains close contact with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulatory Authority as well as other industry bodies to ensure they are up-to-date with the latest legislation and regulations.
So, if your business is looking for a reliable aftersales partner, with support services that will help you get the most out of your aftersales products, then visit www.carcareplan.com
FERRARI 12CILINDRI
THE KNOWLEDGE
Ferrari 12Cilindri
Price: £366,500
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Power: 830bhp
Torque: 678Nm
O-60mph: 2.7 seconds
Max speed: 211mph
MPG (combined): TBC
Emissions: TBC
Power
The 6.5-litre V12 pumps out 830bhp and gives the 12Cilindri a 0-60mph time of just 2.7 seconds
Ferrari’s famous V12 engine continues to live on in the new 12Cilindri. James Baggott has been behind the wheel to see what it’s like.
WHAT IS IT?
In an age when every other new car arrival heralds the birth of yet another electric or hybrid model, Ferrari’s glorious new V12 is a welcome breath of fresh air for petrol heads.
The Italian carmaker claims to be the last one producing a naturally aspirated, V12 engine – and this is the firm’s breathtaking 830bhp new addition: The 12Cilindri. You’ll need to brush up on your Italian to say it properly, though. It’s pronounced: ‘Doe-dee-chi Chill-endree’.
In the words of the manufacturer’s famous founder, Enzo Ferrari, the 12-cylinder Ferrari will always be the ‘original’ and the carmaker has vowed to continue developing the legendary unit for as long as it’s allowed.
WHAT’S NEW?
Ferrari says everything has been refreshed when compared to the 812 Superfast that this model replaces. Some four years in the making, the 12Cilindri is slightly heavier than the 812 – around 35kg to be exact – but that’s down to a lack of carbon seats, bigger 21-inch wheels and tyres, active aerodynamics and a powered rear boot (among other things).
Previously, the V12 of the Ferrari range was designed to be the pinnacle, but that crown now resides with the SF90, so designers were given the opportunity to dial down some of the outright madness. That doesn’t mean this is anything less than furious to drive, but it does mean it can still behave as a comfortable GT car too.
WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET?
The spectacular 6.5-litre V12 is as tuneful as you’d hope. Ferrari calls it a ‘hallmark howl’ and as the revs rise to a heady 9,250rpm, it’s a symphonic cacophony that makes the hairs
on the back of your neck stand on end.
Style
The design takes cues from models such as Ferrari’s 365 GTB4.
With 830bhp to play with, the 12Cilindri can hit 60mph in around 2.7 seconds and will go on to a top speed of 211mph. It’s brutally quick and drivers can dial in and out the anger with different settings, accessed by a dial on the steering wheel. In ‘Race’ mode with the suspension set to comfort, it’s close to perfect.
Some 80% of the 678Nm of torque available is delivered at just 2,500rpm which equates to plenty of punch in the mid-range. The dual-clutch, eight-speed gearbox (that eighth gear is a new addition to this model) rapidly fires through cogs with savagery. So much so that on some occasions the shunt through the transmission is stark.
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
What I love about this car is its breadth of character. When you want it to be a sedate, cruising companion it’s comfortable and easy to drive. Around town, the visibility is surprisingly good and while it looks huge on the outside, when you’re in the cockpit it feels manageable and is easy to place on the road.
But it’s the car’s dark side that’s really intoxicating. Select the manual option for paddle shifts, bury your foot to the floor and the 12Cilindri picks up like the thoroughbred Ferrari it is. The V12 soundtrack is heavy metal addictive and it is incredibly rapid. It never feels heavy or overweight, either, with perfect balance and delicately weighted steering.
HOW DOES IT LOOK?
The 12Cilindri looks positively space age – and that’s no mistake. The designers took cues from 1970s wedge-like supercar designs and combined them with a homage to models like the Ferrari 365 GTB4. If you’re not familiar with the latter, it’s worth a Google, as the family resemblance is clear.
The new model has a long, imposing nose with a clamshell bonnet that wraps around the front-mounted V12. The cabin sits back, nearer the rear wheels and is dominated by an arrow-shaped, body-coloured sash across the roof. Bold rear haunches and a dramatic rear diffuser give the GT car real drama while dynamic aero flaps on the rear quarters flick up under braking.
Review continues over page
While the savagery of the engine and speed of the gearbox are impressive, it’s the howl from that iconic powerplant that really makes this car an occasion.
Detail
Dynamic aero flaps on the rear quarters raise up under braking.
TARGET BUYERS:
Former 812 Superfast owners.
KEY SELLING POINTS:
1. It’s a V12 Ferrari
2. It makes an incredible noise
3 It’s comfortable and exciting to drive
DEAL CLINCHER:
Did we mention it’s got a V12?
WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?
Interior
The interior is dominated by three screens, the third of which, on the passenger side, is optional.
Ferrari has designed the cabin with two distinct sides that wrap around both the driver and the passenger. Three screens dominate the cabin with the driver dials and information behind the steering wheel, a second screen centrally mounted for heating controls and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a third (optional) screen in front of the passenger.
The latter can display the car’s speed, g-forces and revs as well as allow the passenger to manipulate some of the car’s controls. We found the seats a little uncomfortable, but they have plenty of adjustment and come with optional heating and cooling options, as well as a massage function (£8,957).
WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?
Standard specification is understandably generous for a car costing £366,500 and includes full matrix LED headlights, 21-inch alloy wheels, rain and light sensors, climate control, rear parking camera, car cover, battery maintainer, wireless smartphone charger and lots more.
There’s also an incredible array of personalisation options with everything from gold brake callipers (£1,512), carbon fibre rear boot trim (£4,478) to special paint colours that will set you back £8,316. Get tick happy on the options list and owners will easily be able to add £50,000 and more to the price tag.
VERDICT
New V12 Ferraris don’t come along very often, so when they do you expect them to be very special indeed. And the 12Cilindri does not disappoint.
Enzo Ferrari said the V12 could summon up a ‘harmony no conductor could ever create’ and he wasn’t wrong. While the savagery of the engine and speed of the gearbox are impressive, it’s the howl from that iconic powerplant that really makes this car an occasion.
Some might think a V12 engine is a bit of a dinosaur in an age dominated by EVs but, for car lovers, the continuation of a legend like this is vital if the world is still to be filled with pure, unadulterated automotive joy.
The 12Cilindri is available to order now with first deliveries arriving early in 2025.
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Car Dealer editor-in-chief
JAMES BAGGOTT has launched a subscriber-only Substack newsletter. Every Friday, he digests the week’s news and gives his opinion on the biggest stories. Here’s a selection of his comments from the most recent newsletters. To subscribe, head to
JAMES’S VIEWS ON THE NEWS
‘None of us want to pay the fines, so we’re busy buying credits’
WHow on earth can they take away winter fuel payments from pensioners with one hand and then hand out multi billion pound cuts on VAT on electric cars?
Car maker PR
hile the team has been busy working on our Used Car Awards, I made the trip to London for the News UK Motor Awards, the publishers of The Sun, The Sunday Times, The Times and a host of radio stations.
The newspapers’ motoring editors handed out a variety of awards to car manufacturers for everything from the Best Dog Friendly Car (Skoda Superb Estate, what else?) to The Sunday Times Car of the Year (Porsche Macan EV, an interesting choice).
But while the awards were interesting, it was the conversations I had with the gathered motoring industry PR people that was even more fascinating...
Talk of the evening with every car maker wage-taker was of the ZEV Mandate and the crazy panic taking place in boardrooms about the impending targets.
One big selling car maker PR told me: ‘It’s absolutely crazy. None of us want to pay the fines, so we’re busy buying credits. Who are we buying credits from? Yes, the Chinese. That in turn is giving them more ammunition to make our lives even harder. It’s madness.’
The exasperation in his voice cut through the hubbub of the awards drinks reception quite clearly.
I asked another whether they thought government handouts would be forthcoming in the Budget to boost EV sales.
‘Not likely,’ explained the PR man for a brand that already sells plenty of EVs.
‘How on earth can they take away winter fuel payments from pensioners with one hand and then hand out multi billion pound cuts on VAT on electric cars? The messaging for that would be almost impossible to spin. I can’t see it happening.’
Others said they thought what’s more likely is some concessions on the ZEV Mandate targets, easing the ramping up of percentages of electric cars manufacturers must hit every year and instead ‘let the market decide’.
While there was no clear consensus on what would work or anyone who was willing to bet what the government would decide, what was obvious was the frustration being felt in boardrooms up and down the country right now.
The full list of poorly pronounced car names and how to say them is below
BMW (Bi-yer-sher Mo-tor-en Ver-ker)
Volkswagen (Folks-vagen)
Nissan (Knee-san)
Citroën (Ci-tro-en)
Mercedes-Benz (Mer-th-ed-dez Benz / Mer-say-dez Benz)
Hyundai (Hyun-day)
Škoda (Shko-dah)
Porsche (Por-sha)
Mitsubishi (Mit-su-bi-shee)
Peugeot (Per-zho)
It’s all in the name
You have to take surveys with a pinch of salt and when you run a website like ours you get inundated with press releases about what people think of this and what percentage of people are doing that.
This week one popped in all about how Brits mispronounce car names. Now this is something that has been on my mind ever since I was shouted at in the comments on one of my weekly video diaries for saying Dacia wrong.
My thoughts were, and remain, does anyone really care how you say it? Well, clearly some people do. But it surprised me that Dacia wasn’t even in the top five.
Of the car brand pronunciation that people get wrong the most, BMW was top. Quite how you can get three letters wrong is beyond me. It’s usually at this point I would have deleted the email and moved on with my life, but it wasn’t the acronym this survey was referring to – no it was the official name ‘Bayerische Motoren Werke’. Yes, I have no idea how to say that either…
Next up was Volkswagen (Folks-vagen) – pronounce it like that and you’ll get funny looks – and then Nissan (Knee-san).
I will be the first to admit that (apparently) I am saying most of them wrong. But my point remains – does anyone really care?
I’VE been in Luxembourg testing the new 12 cylinder Ferrari recently – the 12Cilindri. You need to practice how to say that carefully as it’s said in Italian. I wrote it down phonetically in my notebook to help and still got it wrong most of the time. Try doe-dee-chi chill-in-dre.
Whether you can say it or not – I admit I’m still struggling – you’re probably more interested in what the car is like. Well, after signing more paperwork than I did when I bought my house to be allowed access to the car, I fear I may be shot if I tell you. What I can say, though, is the engineers are very proud of the fact they’re still making a V12 engine. I sat next to the man in charge of the engine and gearbox at dinner and told him this was the first car launch I’d been on in year where the word ‘electric’ hadn’t been mentioned once. He looked at me with a glint in his eye and said the V12 was the very pinnacle of Ferrari and electric was never on the cards for this car. It would have ruined the name somewhat.
Ferrari is proudly the last car manufacturer making a naturally aspirated V12 engine these days and plans to continue that tradition for some time to come. Asked if this would be the last Ferrari with a V12, the engineer scoffed at the thought. ‘We certainly hope not,’ was his response.
You can read the review on page 10
(That’s the Ferrari 12Cilindri)
TOYOYA GR YARIS
PAGE 26
IONIQ 5 N
PAGE 28
PORSCHE 911 S/T PAGE 24
HYUNDAI
MERCEDES-AMG GT
PAGE 20
Click here to see our Road Test of the Year video
RANGE ROVER SPORT SV PAGE 22
MG CYBERSTER PAGE 18
Location: SOUTH WALES
Photography: JON REAY
CYBERSTER MG
MG hasn’t been building cars for the likes of me for a rather long time. In fact, 13 years to be precise. And by that I mean for enthusiasts who talk in animated tones about paint colours, head gaskets, and what colour picnic blanket would look nice from the MG Car Club’s merchandise range. With photos of my V6engined MG ZT littering my iPhone, I’m a delight at dinner parties.
Quite rightly, MG Motor’s owners – the gigantic Chinese powerhouse SAIC – has been a little more focussed on selling cars that appeal to a wider audience than flat cap-wearing old duffers such as yours truly. It started with the pretty dreadful MG6 in 2011, but since then it’s become an influential player in the market, especially in EVs, with its excellent MG4.
The MG of today is rather different from the one that was beloved by sports jacketwearing chaps of the sixties. I’m guessing here, but the MG buyer of 2024 is one who’s more interested in cheap PCP deals than wire wheels and leaking roofs.
But maybe, just maybe, things are changing. First there was the MG4 XPower – a twinmotor, 429bhp version of the conventional family hatch. Putting its colossal power output to one side, it sparked a revival of the XPower name last seen on the even more bonkers MG SV – a two-seater coupe with a 4.6-litre Ford Mustang-derived V8 under the bonnet.
Now, there’s the next step in MG reviving its sporty mojo. Thirteen years on from the death of the MG TF, we have another two-seater drop-top. Sporting a name that could have come out of the mind of Elon Musk, the Cyberster muscles into MG’s range to give the brand some much-needed glamour. Think of it as a 100th birthday present to itself.
The Cyberster is more than just an extravagant trinket, though. With its electric powertrain, it not only marks a radical departure from the light and fizzy sports cars from MG’s past, but it’s the first electric sports car you can actually go and buy from a proper dealership (as opposed to the Tesla Roadster of 2008, which was here one minute and gone the next). Just take this in for a second – MG has beaten the likes of Porsche to the ‘leccy sports car market.
Ask me to name a beautiful Chinese car and I honestly couldn’t give you an answer. No-one could. While I wouldn’t go as far as saying the Cyberster is beautiful, it’s certainly graceful and stylish; jaw-dropping compared to the rest of MG’s range. There’s probably a good reason for that as the design was the work of SAIC’s London team, led by Brit Carl Gotham, who’s been working on the car since 2017.
Cyberster
Click here to see our Road Test of the Year video
My goodness, it’s fast. Hell, the MG is the quickest of the cars here.
MG could have penned a retro pastiche of the MGB, but no – the Cyberster is resolutely modern. Yes, perhaps there are shades of the Corvette C7 at the front, and could that be a hint of Lotus Evija at the rear? And that long bonnet and stubby tail is pure Jaguar F-Type. Whatever, it’s a stunning piece of design. And while those (slow) scissor doors become frustrating after a while, I can’t help but love the sheer lunacy of an MG having them.
The styling and the Inca Yellow paint – a £695 option and named after the shade available on the 70s ‘rubber bumper’ MGB – certainly make the MG stand out compared to the other, rather grey members of the RTOTY group. It has the power to match them, too –this GT model spools up nearly 500bhp from its twin electric motors.
My goodness, it’s fast. Point that long bonnet down a straight road and 60mph comes up in just three seconds. That’s faster than the 911 S/T, the AMG GT and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. Hell, the MG is the quickest of the cars here.
But you soon learn to dial down the speed as sadly the rest of the package lacks the precision you’d want from a sports car. At 1,985kg, the MG is a little too on the lardy side to trouble existing two-seaters such as the Mazda MX-5. With a 300kg-plus penalty over a BMW Z4, the extra pounds make themselves felt during cornering. It wouldn’t be too much of a problem if the chassis tuning compensated, but it doesn’t. There’s a precision that is lacking, and the suspension doesn’t improve things either – hit a bump and the body rebounds in a frenzy of shudders and wobbles.
On a smoother road and with the roof down, it’s a happier story. You can whizz along at a (very) decent lick, and providing the road is more fluid, the Cyberster makes a decent job of being an open-top GT. The boot is spacious enough for a couple of weekend bags, there’s decent storage behind the rear seats, and the interior quality is staggeringly good. If only the seating position wasn’t quite so MGF-like in being too lofty, and the steering wheel didn’t obscure quite so much of the screen real estate, then it would be nearly perfect.
The Cyberster, then, is no return to the classic days of British drop-top motoring, and it’s no razor-sharp driver’s car of the modern era. But when viewed as a starting point to a more sporting, charismatic MG brand, not to mention electric two-seater motoring in general, the Cyberster is a pleasing start.
by James Batchelor @JRRBatchelor
Price: £59,995
Engine: Twin electric motors, 77kWh battery
Power: 496bhp
Torque: 725Nm Max speed: 125mph O-60mph: 3.0 seconds
Range: 276 miles Emissions: 0g/km CO2 MG Cyberster GT
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4Matic+ Premium Plus
Price: £167,405
Engine: 4.0-litre twinturbocharged V8
Power: 577bhp
Torque: 800Nm
Max speed: 186mph
O-60mph: 3.0 seconds
MPG (combined): 20
Emissions: 319g/km CO2
AMG GT MERCEDES-
It’s a difficult time for Mercedes-AMG. It’s tricky to be standing in the bright light of electrification when you’ve become known for making some of the most potent petrol engines available. Cars like the new C63 – with its plug-in hybrid setup – have shown Mercedes-AMG to be adjusting for the times while trying to preserve its history.
But this car – the Mercedes-AMG GT – is a lot like a car from the copybook of old. The previous-generation car rose to prominence as the firm’s fire-breathing range-topping, snarling away above other models in the range as a cross-continent cruiser that could happily turn its hand to a little bit of track driving should it need to.
While the Porsche 911 has always been about precision and sharpness, the AMG GT has acted as that car’s evil cousin, the naughty kid at the back of the room throwing wet paper towels at the roof just for kicks.
At this year’s Road Test of the Year, we’ve got the latest one. It’s the second-generation car which puts more focus on comfort than the car which came before it. It feels as though this is reflected in the exterior design, too, which is less ‘angry’ than the one on the older car. It’s far less supercar-like, that’s for sure. In a silver paint scheme, it pays a close resemblance to the latest SL, too, which is unlikely to be an accident – the two cars share a platform.
But the power on offer is no less potent. Up front, we’ve got a hulking 4.0-litre biturbo V8 engine with a healthy 577bhp, sending that power to all four wheels via the Mercedes 4Matic all-wheel-drive system which should, in theory, help to keep things on the straight and narrow. Mercedes also offers the AMG GT with a plug-in hybrid setup in the frankly mad hat 800bhp GT 63 S E Performance, but here we’re dealing with a V8 engine with just a light peppering of electrical assistance instead.
One of the biggest tweaks for this new generation of GT comes inside, however. You see, the AMG GT now comes (optionally) with four seats, bringing an extra layer of everyday versatility to the car with the three-pronged star on the nose. Sure, those rear seats are hardly going to give LeBron James space to stretch out, but you could, in theory, take the little ones to school if you wanted to.
So is this a softer, more grown-up version of the AMG GT? Well, in many ways – yes. This GT feels even happier to chew through the miles than the car which came before it; it was my car to drive from home on the south coast to our Brecon-based shoot location and not
once did it cause an ache or a strain. The V8 engine settles away to a gentle thrum ahead of you while the adaptive cruise control takes the reins – for the most part. There’s even one of the best buttons in the business for turning off the annoying speed limit warning system, with a simple tap on the top-right of the huge central screen deactivating it instantly.
I would like Mercedes to refrain from putting touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel as it’s too easy to inadvertently change a track or radio station when you’re navigating a turn, but the cabin is a genuinely pleasant place to be otherwise. If it weren’t for the sub-20mpg efficiency you’re getting, you could be fooled that you’re riding in an S-Class.
I’d driven the older AMG GT on numerous occasions and with its long, stretched-out bonnet and hugely flared arches it was an intimidating thing to drive; certainly, the all-out GT-R version added to the tension with its firmer suspension and heavier steering. I loved it, as you’d imagine.
But this AMG GT? It’s certainly softer and more easy-going than before. It’s actually a little narrower than it was previously, while the cabin isn’t quite as far back and this means that while the GT is still a big car, it’s easier to thread through the narrow lanes that we’re on than you might expect.
As the rain falls, it’s the AMG GT which feels like a reassuring pair of wellingtons during a downpour – and I’d never have guessed that initially. Despite its enormous tyres, it’s a car which manages through poor conditions admirably, while the burble of the V8 engine is enough to break through the tapping of heavy rain on the windscreen as we pass through small towns and villages. It’s even got a big boot - large enough for our shoot lunch each day.
But does the AMG GT’s improved sandwich-carrying ability come at the expense of the tinge of madness it had beforehand? Absolutely. It’s capable, yes, but I feel like it has lost some of the character it had before. Sure, the hulking great V8 engine under the nose helps with that and ensures that the AMG GT doesn’t disappoint, but it’s as if someone knocked a bit of soul out of this car.
by Jack Evans @jackrober
The Mercedes-AMG GT is a lot like a car from the copybook of old.
SPORT SV RANGE ROVER
Range Rover has gained a reputation over the years for building some of the best off-roaders on the planet. Their rugged go-anywhere capability has made them a firm favourite and the badge of choice in the glitzy world of Hollywood and celebrities. Furthermore, their extensive luxurious nature and feel have given them that Swiss Army knife image which makes them hugely popular all over the globe.
Back in 2005, the firm launched the Sport as the company’s first entry into the driverfocused world of sports utility vehicles. However, it was still taller than any car of that nature – even with the lower ride height and sleeker body. Instead, it became a cheaper alternative to the full-fat Range Rover and was one of the best-selling models in the range. Now, close to two decades on and the firm has taken its Sport to the next level with more power and a couple of special editions along the way that would put even Ferraris and Lamborghinis to shame.
Now, we have the SV Edition One – the most powerful and hardcore Range Rover with a rather eye-watering price tag of £185,000. But, is it any good? Well, at this year’s Road Test of the Year event, we’ve been finding out.
Looking at the exterior, we’d have to say, for a car that cost nearly £200,000, it’s a little disappointing that this SV doesn’t look as wild as versions from the previous generation. In fact, from certain angles and with the exception of the massive 23-inch wheels, you could mistake it for a standard Range Rover Sport. However, some might like the stealthy, underthe-radar look, but for a car to stand out, the SV does not cut it in this department. Inside, things get better with sports bucket seats that feature an illuminated SV logo and the interior is awash with leather, carbon fibre and piano black trim. It’s all typical Range Rover when it comes to equipment with a large touchscreen infotainment system that includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a rear view mirror that doubles up as a rear-facing camera.
So, what’s it like to drive then? For a big beast like this, it drives very well. Don’t expect it to handle like a Porsche 911 or Toyota GR Yaris but Land Rover has done a superb job making the SV handle like a proper car. The steering is precise and the whole car goes around a corner with little lean from that high-riding body. What’s more, instead of traditional anti-roll bars, the boffins at JLR have developed a special hydraulic circuit called
Range Rover Sport SV Edition One
Price: £185,360 Engine: 4.4-litre V8 mild-hybrid petrol
Power: 626bhp
Torque: 750Nm
Max speed: 180mph O-60mph: 3.5 seconds
MPG (combined): 23.9mpg
Emissions: 270g/km CO2
a 6D Dynamic Suspension system – which is a world first. The system responds to different driving styles and saves up to eight kilograms compared to a standard suspension setup. Furthermore, it reduces the pitch when accelerating and braking making the whole driving experience smoother and less floaty. It’s not as ‘boat-like’ as a usual Range Rover, as a result.
On a long journey, this hardcore Range Rover really is a lovely place to sit and is the perfect mile muncher, although the bucket seats may not be as sumptuously comfortable as the standard car’s seats. The SV comes fitted with a 4.4-litre BMW-derived V8 petrol engine that is boosted with a mild-hybrid system to improve its economy. Our test car was getting just over 26mpg on a good run – which isn’t bad at all. This engine also packs a whopping 644bhp and 750Nm of torque making it one of the most powerful Range Rovers there has ever been. Acceleration is pretty brisk with a 0-60mph time of just 3.7 seconds and the SV will go on to a top speed of 180mph.
In terms of space and practicality, buyers will have no problem at all with fitting their luggage into this very large vehicle, and the rear seats are electrically operated – plus the standard air suspension can be lowered from the boot at the press of a button to make the load lip lower for those of a shorter disposition. Rear passenger space is good with loads of room and there are plenty of adjustments in the seats for all occupants to get very comfortable. So, considering this is a performance Range Rover, it still wears its sensible shoes in many areas.
As an overall package, the SV really is an impressive piece of kit. It’s very fast, great to drive and is flooded with quality and luxurious features. It also maintains its go-anywhere capability and people will love the lofty driving position. However, its Achilles heel has to be that price tag. Why you would want to pay almost £100,000 more over the standard car which is just as capable of going off-road, just as comfortable and will be cheaper to run? Plus, even though the performance figures are impressive, the target market for the Range Rovers normally cares more about how they look, rather than how quickly they can arrive at their destination.
by Cameron Richards @CamRichards13
This hardcore Range Rover really is a lovely place to sit.
PORSCHE
911 S/T
Price: £231,600
Engine: 4.0-litre naturallyaspirated flat-six
Power: 518bhp
Torque:
911 S/T PORSCHE
O-60mph: 3.5 seconds
Iknow, I know. Another Porsche 911. For all intents and purposes this 992-generation car does look like any other one of Stuttgart’s finest. There’s a big engine slung right over the back and up front there’s a handy little ‘frunk’ for your weekend bag. In the middle, two seats and - surprise - a gearstick which appears to give you control over which gear you’re in. It’s a modern-day novelty, isn’t it?
But look a little deeper at this rather understated, toned-down 911 and you’ll see there’s something a bit special. At the back, you’ll notice the little golden ‘S/T’ badges and a celebratory plaque that blows imaginary candles for the 911’s 60th birthday. While that interior might look similar to any other 911 cabin, the fixed-position bucket seats aren’t all that usual and behind them sits an impressively complex roll cage. All these little differences point towards something out of the ordinary - and that’s just the case with the 911 S/T.
For starters it costs - and breathe in - £231,600. While admittedly it’s less than the average cost of a home in the UK these days it’s still a Scrooge McDuck-diving-into-a-pile-of-coins load of cash and, as I sat aside one of my colleagues at the tiller of the S/T, I discovered that some are trading for as much as £480,000 on the used market. Gulp indeed.
While Porsche certainly does have form with its limited-run cars - and the inevitable ‘flipping’ of them afterwards - the S/T is far more than just a car with a few choice badges. It’s been put on a strict diet compared with a standard 992, with magnesium wheels, less insulation and thinner glass ensuring that the S/T weighs just 1,380kg - the lightest 911 of the generation, in fact.
And at the rear of the car sits an engine which is better suited to powering through Eau Rouge at Spa than tickling through the bends of a sodden south Wales mountain road. Cut straight from the unhinged GT3 RS, it’s a naturally-aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six developing 518bhp and 465Nm of torque.
Yes, it can do 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds and yes, it’ll pin to 186mph but the 911 S/T is so much more than the fact sheet.
Slot - as elegantly as you can - into the fixed-back bucket seats, gaze over the uncluttered steering wheel and with that engine growling into life behind you it’s clear that this is a car more about experience than lap times. For starters, the S/T is mesmerically tied down to the road as you whistle along. Remember, too, that this S/T hasn’t got the oversized rear wing that you’ll find on the GT3 RS and yet it corners almost too keenly, testing your nerve to see how long you’ll push through a bend - and it’s usually you that blinks first.
You need your wits about you with that price tag looming in your brain
Click here to see our Road Test of the Year video
Sure, you could probably drive this car as quickly - if not quicker - if it were equipped with one of Porsche’s super-slick PDK transmissions but the sheer fact that you’ve got one of the most potent and dynamic engines of its time linked to a six-speed gearbox should be celebrated. It’s a dazzling star in the S/T’s universe of attributes, bringing a level of engagement that is often so lost on modern-day sports cars. Although, in classic Porsche fashion, the gears are a little too long - stay committed in second gear and you’ll soon be chatting to the local constabulary. It’d be nice to have a shorter throw but the action itself is a delight, all mechanical and metal-edged.
Wetter weather - naturally - arrives and this makes the S/T more of a handful. With cold, relatively slick tyres it’s a car you need to treat with care. Sure, it’ll still happily cork down a road at a reasonable speed but through sharp bends or off-camber sweepers the S/T will let you know that it’s very much in charge. You need your wits about you and with that price tag looming in your brain and the S/T’s one-of-1,963 build number bearing down on you, it’s not a car to take chances with.
But like other 911s the S/T still feels reasonably accommodating on a day-to-day basis. On the motorway, it’s a little boomy for sure but it sits at a steady cruise quite happily. The aforementioned frunk is actually quite roomy and there’s even a cupholder. You could call it user-friendly if you were being particularly nice.
But more than anything the S/T is honouring something that we don’t find in too many cars today - the unbridled joy of car, engine and road. Atop the ribbons of South Wales’ best routes, the S/T shines and while its price tag might be enough to put a thorn in the side of a Euromillions winner’s bank balance, it’s an example of what keeps us car lovers coming back to four wheels time and time again. It’s one of my highlights of the year as a result.
by Jack Evans @jackrober
Toyota GR Yaris
Price: £45,750 Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol
GR YARIS TOYOTA
Emissions:
It’s a grim, grey and damp day when I finally get thrown the keys to the Toyota GR Yaris – a car I’ve been waiting four long years to get behind the wheel of.
I must be the only motoring journalist not to have had a go in Toyota’s rally-inspired four-wheel drive hot hatch, but now the day has finally come and… it’s pouring down. Usually that would be somewhat of a disappointment, but Toyota’s sprightly hot hatch is made for days like these. Its raucous 1.6-litre turbocharged engine has a huge spread of power and the competent four wheel drive system inspires confidence.
My first drive is on slippery Welsh roads, peppered with suicidal sheep and greasy mountain runoffs that would unsettle most performance cars. Not this Yaris.
It picks up its tail and scarpers up the twisting and tight mountain passes. For this test, it’s up against positive supercar rivals and electric cars with more than double its power.
Not that any of that phases this wonderfully competent performance car. While you might be used to seeing a Yaris troubling trollies in the local supermarket car park, this version is more at home nipping at the heels of some of the most competent cars on sale today.
The GR now comes with an automatic gearbox option and some minor tweaks, including a near-20bhp upgrade to the engine. It’s now producing 276bhp and is capable of hitting 60mph in five seconds. There’s 30Nm more torque too over the previous model. This is a rapid machine and feels far faster than these figures suggest.
What I really love about the GR is its linear power delivery. Yes, the auto gearbox is a little agricultural in operation, but I actually really rather liked it. I’d go as far as to say it is endearing. Colleagues who’ve driven the manual version say they preferred that cog swapper, but with the UK’s roads as congested as they are, for me, an auto really is a far better option.
The gearbox in no way dulls the enjoyment of the car and with one less thing to worry about you can concentrate on enjoying the incredibly direct, feelsome steering and the superb handling. The four wheel drive system on this car is astonishing too. It finds grip where few others would in bends and the way the nose dips and the car tucks into bends is down right addictive.
Toyota took inspiration from its World Rally Championship experience to hone the Yaris GR and it ripples through the veins of this car. The manufacturer called upon its Gazoo Racing arm to fine tune the Yaris – if you hadn’t guessed it, that’s where the ‘GR’ name comes from. In turn, the tuning arm called on their WRC drivers, Jari Matti Latvala and Kris
I
follow my colleague in a 911 S/T, the GT3 RS-engined monster, and I’m snapping at his bumper the entire way home.
Meeke, to provide feedback during development.
Click here to see our Road Test of the Year video
The pair were so pleased with the results they described it as being ‘pretty close’ to the car they’d been campaigning around the world’s rally stages, especially in terms of handling and throttle response.
That similarity also comes down to simple things like the control panel and displays that are titled 15 degrees toward the driver for improved visibility, which add perfectly to the rally theme. All it’s missing is a dash-mounted sequential gear lever and a stick for the handbrake – but maybe that would be a bit much…
Back on the road, that rally inspiration is obvious from every turn of the wheel. It’s so involving to drive, so easy to push hard, and has a turn of speed that means very little would keep up with it on damp roads like these.
As the sun sets on our photoshoot I find myself back behind the wheel of the Yaris for the long drive back to our hotel. I follow my colleague in a Porsche ST, the GT3 RS-engined monster, and I’m snapping at his bumper the entire way home. Jack Russell-like in its tenacity, it manages to put its power down without a hint of a scrabble, bothering the £245,000 Porsche at the entry and exit to every corner.
It’s sometimes hard to believe the hype when you read road tests of cars like these – I certainly doubted it could be quite as good as my peers had proclaimed. But, honestly, it shocked me quite how impressive this little car is.
The term future classic is also bandied around all too often, but it’s a richly deserved moniker for the GR Yaris. Whether you choose a manual or auto gearbox is really down to personal preference, but after a series of incredible drives on some of the finest roads Wales has to offer, I could find little to fault this car, or the auto box.
The £45,750 price tag might be a little rich to swallow, but don’t look at this as a peppedup city car. This is really a modern day Ford Escort Cosworth – a car undeniably as special as that iconic classic.
The GR Yaris is a car I’d make space for in my garage tomorrow. It fills every drive with joy and excitement thanks to a near-perfect combination of involvement and performance. It’s very special indeed.
by James Baggott @CarDealerEd
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Price: £65,000
Engine: Twin electric motors, 84kWh battery
Power: 650bhp (boost)
Torque: 740Nm
Max speed: 161mph
O-60mph: 3.4 seconds
Range (WLTP): 274 miles
Emissions: NA g/km CO2
IONIQ 5 N HYUNDAI
I’ve never been much of a believer in magic. By that I mean both the Harry Potter and David Blaine varieties – neither a flying broomstick, nor a sleight of hand with a deck of cards does much for me. But what I think we have here is the car industry’s first stab at a proper ‘illusion’, and for once it’s actually got my attention. Electric cars, we’re constantly reminded, are never going to be as good as petrol ones. Aside from the usual arguments about charging infrastructure, cobalt mining, range anxiety and so on, the world is full of car enthusiasts that like the sound and feel of burning carbon – and they’re not prepared to accept anything less.
Enter Hyundai: a rather surprising saviour to car enthusiasts the world over. For the last few years its engineers have been blazing trails in two totally different directions. Their range of electric cars, like the Ioniq 5, are about as good as it gets in the EV world. Then there’s its range of N-badged hot hatches – giant killers that seemed to come almost out of nowhere when they appeared on the scene a few years ago.
Strangely, it’s taken Hyundai until now to realise that those two teams don’t have to be sequestered away in different bits of the engineering centre – and if this car is the proof of what they can do when working together, perhaps it should’ve combined them a bit sooner.
What we have here is the first electric car that actually – properly – feels like a petrolpowered one. It sounds like one. It accelerates like one. It changes ‘gear’ – and hangs on the rev limiter – just like one too. If this is all sounding a bit cheesy, well, I wouldn’t blame you for thinking so. We’ve been here before with fake engine noises and electric cars. But this is a next level trick – think David Copperfield making the Statue of Liberty disappear.
Plonk someone behind the wheel of the Ioniq 5 N, and – without telling them – I’m sure they’d be none the wiser that the petrol engine under the bonnet is 100% imaginary.
So how is the trick done? Software – a lot of software. Like a PlayStation game, the Ioniq is just doing an extremely good impression of a conventional car: copying the sounds, the throttle response, the torque curves and more. The whole act goes so far that, should you find yourself in the wrong ‘gear’ and hit the throttle, there’s a little delay factored in while the imaginary gearbox pretends to shuffle its cogs around to get you a lower ratio. At some point, there must’ve been a conversation about that: just how long should a shift from 6th to 3rd take? ‘Musn’t make it too quick – has to feel believable’.
In a way, it’s sort of madness. Volkswagen probably spends millions of euros trying to
make its DSG automatic gearboxes shift even a tenth of second faster than the last generation did – and then here’s Hyundai, deliberately engineering in the exact opposite.
Here is the first electric car that actually –properly – feels like a petrol-powered one.
Click here to see our Road Test of the Year video
Logic dicates that you should drive the 5 N with all this trickery turned off: an electric car trying to be a petrol car is never going to be as quick as one unburdened by such things. But speed is just one part of the experience. A big part admittedly, because this five door Korean hatchback is – rather bafflingly – the most powerful car of our group.
Hyundai hasn’t simply ramped up the power output and called it a day, of course. There’s four-wheel drive to help apply that to the road, some pretty beefy brakes to stop the two and a quarter tons of metal from flying off the edge of a Welsh B-r0ad. Special mention must also go to the springs and adaptive dampers Hyundai has fitted: quite how a car of this size can handle so well without breaking any passengers’ spines is beyond me.
That’s the thing with the 5 N: it’s only a monster when you actually want it to be. Familyoriented performance cars always need some duality of purpose – and lots of them do, to some degree. But whether you put your Audi RS4 into ‘Comfort’ mode or not, it’s still going to wake the neighbours when you start it up at six in the morning.
On the flip side, the Ioniq lets you potter around town in serene, silent comfort much like any other electric car. You can plug it into your house overnight and get 200 miles of range for a fiver. Perhaps most compellingly, it’s even available on a salary sacrifice scheme.
Amusingly though, it’s not for any of these reasons that the Hyundai finds itself here in Wales. Our little team of EV advocates, agnostics and sceptics were all united by one thing: we all thought the Ioniq was an absolute riot to drive, no matter what happens to be hiding under its duck egg blue bonnet.
With any luck, this is the start of something bigger. Perhaps this is what proper petrolheads were looking for from an electric car: put simply, something that’s pretending not to be one.
Illusion or not though, Hyundai has created something properly magical with this car – because here, in a rainy layby in Wales, a group of people saw what the future of performance cars looked like. And for once, they didn’t hate it.
by Jon Reay @JonReay
THE VERDICT
The final day of Road Test of the Year usually sees the team arguing about which cars were the most fun, and which ones had easy-to-deactivate lane-keeping-assist systems, usually in a grotty lay-by with a menu of purely beige food.
This year was a little different though. You might reasonably suppose the weather for our four-day shoot was glorious judging by the photos splashed across these pages, but that really wasn’t the case. After what seemed like the eighth downpour in as many hours on the final day, we threw in the towel and headed to the pub.
Stealing a corner of the main room, away from a table of over-70s tucking into an assortment of roast dinners, we set about debating. For 2024, we decided that one or maybe two other people might be interested in what we said, so we recorded the conversation for a special podcast. You can listen to it by clicking the link at the bottom of this spread.
For the entire four days we all swapped cars at every opportunity. While the cars we chose aren’t direct rivals, it was interesting to see how certain cars’ merits measured up against the others. This year, unlike in previous years, the petrol cars really had their work cut out to deliver their thrills in a way that differed from the electrics. It just goes to show you how quickly electric technology is changing and that old-fashioned combustion engineering has plateaued, you could say.
As always, each car is scored out of 10 in nine categories. These cover all bases, from performance to practicality, fun to value for money. The system allows a fair crack of the whip for all the cars, regardless of price tag or the number of touchscreens that cover the interior.
The electrics really had a tall order this year. Each one was trying to accomplish (and maybe beat) the high watermarks petrol-powered equivalents set decades ago.
There always has to be one that finishes at the bottom of the chart, and for 2024 that’s the MG Cyberster. Its placing at the tail end of the field doesn’t take away from the fact its inclusion in the test was justified.
From a manufacturer and car dealer perspective, the Cyberster’s importance is of enormous proportions. While MG doesn’t know how many it will end up selling over the next few years, it’s probably irrelevant because as halo cars (to sit atop a humdrum range of normal cars) go, the Cyberster is an outright winner. But here, on the sinewy roads of deepest South Wales, it was outclassed in many areas, and didn’t deliver the experience I and several others were expecting – and that was a true driver’s car. It makes a decent go at being a cruiser, and there’s no denying it has the wow factor in spades, but it proved that petrol-powered sports cars still rule the roost for fun and value for money.
AND THE WINNER IS...
2ND
Ahead of this test, if you had asked me which one of this lot would have come second from bottom, I wouldn’t have said the MercedesAMG GT. It’s a very desirable thing, and while opinions were mixed on the design and spec, I quite liked how it was painted in traditional teutonic silver. I spent quite a bit of time behind the wheel, and in the worst that the weather could throw at us, I sometimes felt I was driving the F1 safety car and leading our pack to safer conditions. But there’s something missing; the GT feels a little toned down from its predecessor and because of that, some of the magic has gone. It’s still a thunderous, old-school GT, however, and one we should appreciate before they all disappear for good.
Just four points higher was the Range Rover Sport SV. In contrast to the obnoxious-looking old SVR, the SV is more subtle and refined. But as a performance SUV, it’s even better than its forebear – you get the sense it’ll attract fewer owners who own ‘BO55’ numberplates, that’s for sure. For a 2.5-tonne off-roader to be sitting between an AMG and 911 is quite something. Ah yes, the 911. Some of us didn’t know the S/T was a thing before Porsche kindly dropped one off in a car park in Brecon (me included I’m ashamed to say), but the 911 S/T is now a very difficult car to forget. Its racing car underpinnings wrapped up in a tasteful and expensive suit is so deliciously desirable. With every iteration of 911, I always ponder how can Porsche ever better the recipe – and yet they excel. Every single time. Opinions were mixed about the manual gearbox (wouldn’t a PDK be better?) and how tricky and awkward the car can be to drive at times. But as a statement of how good traditional engineering can be, the 911 S/T is outstanding. Runner-up goes to the GR Yaris. Much like with the 911, reactions were split about the gearbox. The Yaris’s ‘box is good, undeniably, but quite a few of us felt that when the manual is just so much better, the addition of the auto is a strange decision. That aside, there are few cars that really distil the rally-car-for-the-road feeling better than the GR – and I include the Escort RS Cosworth in this. It’s a truly special car.
So the 2024 winner is the Ioniq 5 N. It’s difficult to express just how seismic this car is to the established performance car genre. While the Cyberster showed there’s some work to be done to create a genuinely engaging two-seater, drop-top EV, the 5 N is proof hot hatches can be powered by a plug, and match (and maybe even better) their petrol-powered peers. The amount of sweat Hyundai’s engineers have had to give to create an EV that sounds and goes like a petrol car is laughably backward. But it works. It’s an astonishing car.
by James Batchelor @JRRBatchelor
QUOTES RTOTY
‘The GR Yaris is a car I’d make space for in my garage tomorrow.’
Jack Evans
‘Atop the ribbons of South Wales’ best routes, the S/T shines.’
James Batchelor
‘You can whizz along at a (very) decent lick, and the it makes a decent job of being an open-top GT.’
Jon Reay
‘Hyundai has created something properly magical with this car.’
Cameron Richards
James Baggott Toyota GR Yaris Porsche 911 S/T MG Cyberster Range
‘It’s very fast, great to drive and is flooded with quality and luxurious features.’
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COOL STUFF
We’ve got some excellent gadgets for you to check out this October. While the nights may be getting a little longer and the temperatures a little lower, our selection this month is bound to brighten things up. From a go-anywhere folding bicycle to some headphones that can filter out that annoying background noise – wherever you are – there’s something for everyone.
WE’RE big fans of the classic Speedmaster here at Car Dealer and Omega has just released a new entry into this watch’s esteemed lineage. ‘The First Omega in Space’ gets the same classic design as you’d find on the 1950s original, updated with the brand’s very sharpest chronometer technology.
IF you’ve not heard of Brompton, then we bet that you’ve seen one out and about. It’s the go-to folding bicycle on the market, delivering a quick and easy way of getting from A to B, wrapped up in a package which can be stowed away in a train cabin or car boot at a moment’s notice.
The new G Line is a more go-anywhere take on the traditional Brompton recipe. It’s got larger 20-inch wheels wrapped in chunky Schwalbe tyres while a Shimano eightspeed setup takes care of the gears. There’s even an e-bike version which can bring between 20 and 40 miles of battery assistance.
SONY’S LinkBuds range of headphones has always brought some quirkiness to the market and now, things have gone a little further with the introduction of two new models. Things kick off with the LinkBuds Fit, which has been designed to be as comfortable as can be yet while still delivering excellent noise cancellation. Then, you’ve got the LinkBuds Open. They’ve got a cool-looking ‘ring’ design which actually serves a purpose to allow the wearer to hear what’s around them a little easier while listening to music. They’ll also adapt automatically to the situation, dropping or increasing the noise cancellation as and when it is required.
Available with either a leather or metal strap – or both, if you’re feeling flush – this latest Speedmaster comes in a 39.7mm case size and is completed by a solid watch back with the famous Seahorse etched onto it.
GOPRO is one of the most respected names in the action camera business, having built a reputation for making technology capable of withstanding some serious abuse. The new 13 Black is the latest entry into the ever-popular Hero range, bringing flagship features such as 5.3k recording quality and a far larger battery than before. GoPro has also added a new teeny-tiny ‘Hero’ camera to the range. Billed as the ‘lowest cost 4K camera ever with a screen’, it has all the same great GoPro features you’d expect but built into a compact, attach-to-anything body.
CAR NEWS ROUND-UP
Manufacturers have been refining their models and producing new ones. We look at some of the results...
Expanded electric car line-up with new Elroq SUV
Long-range versions for E-3008 and E-5008
PEUGEOT has announced a new long-range variant for its E-3008 and E-5008 electric SUVs.
At present, both cars get a 73kWh battery which brings a range of up to 326 miles for the E-3008 and 310 for the E-5008
However, the new powertrain available on both models will feature a 96.9kWh battery pack and 233bhp motor, giving 435 miles of range for the E-3008 and 415 for the E-5008.
SKODA has introduced a new electric vehicle to join its Enyaq model in the firm’s range of EVs – the Elroq. Sitting around 160mm shorter than the Enyaq, the Elroq will still offer plenty of space, with a 470-litre boot and a total of 48 litres of cabin storage.
Priced from £31,500, the Elroq will be available in a variety of specs, with the longest-range versions able
Q5 hits the road and retains diesel engine
THE new Audi Q5 has gone on sale in the UK, bringing the option of petrol and diesel engines – with a plug-in hybrid model also in the works.
Priced from £49,950 for the Q5 TFSI and £51,600 for the Q5 TDI, the models are joined by the SQ5 with a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine from £74,400.
Both the petrol and diesel engines receive mild-hybrid assistance, too.
to deliver up to 350 miles between trips to the plug. According to Skoda, it can charge at speeds of up to 135kW, too, enabling 10-80% charge in 28 minutes.
All versions of the Elroq benefit from a 13-inch infotainment system and voice assistant – which Skoda calls Laura – which can help to switch various settings of the car without needing to use the screen.
New RZ300e to start from £49,995
THE new Lexus RZ300e is now on sale priced from £49,995.
The new front-wheel-drive
RZ300e brings a range of up to 297 miles from a charge and betters the all-wheel-drive model, which Lexus says can travel for up to 273 miles between charges.
The entry-level Urban model includes a 14-inch touchscreen as standard, with smartphone integration for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Lower prices for Corsa and Astra EVs
VAUXHALL has slashed the cost of its Corsa Electric, Astra Electric and Astra Sports Tourer Electric models to help increase the ‘accessibility of its electric vehicles’.
The Corsa Electric Design now starts at £29,045, while the long-range version – up to 248 miles between charges – now starts at £30,440.
It follows the introduction of the Corsa Electric Yes model, which is priced at £26,895.
VAUXHALL
LEXUS
PEUGEOT
SKODA
MERCEDES-AMG
Limited-edition GT model celebrates Formula 1 team
MERCEDES-AMG is championing its close relationship with Formula 1 through a special-edition version of its GT supercar.
The new Mercedes-AMG GT 64 ‘Motorsport Collectors Edition’ has a number of elements which draw inspiration directly from the MercedesAMG Petronas F1 team. For instance, the base ‘Obsidian Black’ metallic colour is similar to that used on the current Formula 1 race car, and the same can be said of the hand-painted star pattern on the rear flanks.
There are also a number of Petronas-coloured elements which contrast the main body, in areas such as the front splitter, side air intakes and the decorative elements on the side sill panels.
STELLANTIS
T03 EV will be one of Britain’s cheapest
STELLANTIS has revealed that its joint venture with Chinese electric mobility company Leapmotor will bring one of the most affordable EVs to the market with its T03 city car.
Priced at £15,995, the T03 is a compact urban city car with a five-door body and four seats. It will offer a 37.3kWh battery pack, which Leapmotor claims will take the car 245 miles on a single charge on an urban cycle.
LOTUS
‘Immersive’ Theory 1 electric concept car
LOTUS has released a new concept car to act as a showcase for the brand’s new design direction.
The Theory 1 boasts a threeseater setup, with the driver in a central position and a passenger each side behind. With 986bhp from its twin electric motors, the Theory 1 could go from 0-60mph in under 2.5 seconds with a top speed of 199mph. Lotus says that the Theory 1’s 70kWh battery could return up to 250 miles of range.
INDUSTRY VIEWS
NEWS AND THOUGHTS FROM CAR DEALER LIVE
All of the fuel types have registered an increase. So there’s nothing that’s kind of not
‘Why
ADerren Martin
Cap HPI director of valuations
Used car prices RISE in September as EVs lead the charge with 1% surge
Used car prices have RISEN in September with electric cars going up the most, according to the latest data from Cap HPI.
The valuations experts said trade prices of the benchmark three-year-old used cars went up 0.2% in the month.
Electric cars were the best performing fuel type and rose 1% – the first time they have risen in value in two years.
Cap HPI director of valuations Derren Martin told Car Dealer Live that some EVs have now fallen well below their petrol and diesel equivalents and look great value to buyers.
Martin said: ‘A lot of those electric vehicles are now really good value. They move quicker off forecourts – we’re looking at them selling within 25 days, especially at that three-year-old, under 20k price point.
‘That’s a real sort of sweet spot. And I think more dealers will see these opportunities and dip in.’
Martin said Cap HPI’s data shows only around 15% of UK independent car dealers stock used EVs and less than half of franchised car dealers.
Petrol cars went up 0.1%, diesel cars were up
0.2% and hybrids were up 0.6% in September.
Martin added: ‘All of the fuel types have registered an increase. So there’s nothing that’s kind of not in demand.
‘Hybrids have gone up as well. They are still a good halfway house for those not ready to go completely EV.
‘Petrol vehicles have been strong over the whole summer and continue to be so, but EVs stand out because of two years of drops. They lost 60% of their value in that time.’
Martin said the real strength in the used car market was currently with sub-£15k cars –especially around the £8-9k mark.
Looking ahead to the rest of the year, he predicted that used car values would drop slightly, but not by much.
He added: ‘I don’t think they’ll go up. I think they will be stronger than normal. Seasonality values tend to drop around this time.
‘We’re predicting a small drop in October, but every month this year has been stronger than the seasonal average and we’re predicting that to happen again.
I quit Arnold Clark to set up my own used car dealership’
used car dealer has set up his own business in memory of his late partner after quitting his job at Arnold Clark to go it alone.
Ollie Pickett spent two years working at the Car Dealer Top 100 table-topper, having previously lost his job in the bus and coach industry during the pandemic.
Employed as a sales consultant, he quickly learned the ropes of the motor trade and soon
had dreams of setting up his own firm. However, it was not until earlier this year that he finally took the leap, after hearing about Car Dealer’s AI Car Dealership Project.
In recent months, Car Dealer Magazine boss Baggott has set up his own used car dealership –The Clever Car Collection – using AI to help him wherever possible.
It was a story which gave Pickett the final push
he needed and he is now three months in to his own venture, called Carscierge.
It marks the latest twist in a long and varied career for Pickett, who also has a background in both the police and fire services.
The change comes after a heartbreaking period in Pickett’s personal life, which saw his long-term partner of 10 years pass away suddenly in January.
CAP HPI
FINANCE NEWS
FCA extends pause in motor finance commission scandal
by Jack Williams @JournoJack25
The ongoing motor finance scandal has taken a fresh twist after the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) agreed an extension of the current pause to the time motor finance firms have to respond to customer complaints. The body has been investigating the industry’s use of now-banned ‘discretionary commission arrangements’ (DCAs) since January and is considering whether to implement a redress scheme. Any such scheme would see motor finance firms that overcharged people forced to pay damages, but in the meantime, a pause has been announced to prevent ‘disorderly, inconsistent and inefficient outcomes for consumers’.
It means that firms will now have until December 4, 2025 to handle complaints relating to DCAs, while the FCA comes to a decision on how many firms may introduce a redress scheme.
In an update, the FCA said: ‘We have extended the pause to the deadline for motor finance firms to provide a final response to customer complaints regarding DCAs until December 4, 2025. The extended pause allows us time, if necessary, to introduce an alternative way of dealing with DCA complaints, such as a consumer redress scheme.’
The FCA investigation was initially sparked after the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) ruled that Barclays treated customers ‘unfairly’ in relation to DCAs. The bank is now seeking a judicial review into the ruling, which the FCA says is ‘highly relevant’ to its work.
In its update, the body said: ‘Barclays Partner Finance has also launched a judicial review of the Financial Ombudsman Service’s decision to uphold a complaint relating to its use of a DCA. The judicial review will consider legal issues highly relevant to our work. The hearing will take place in October. We will set out next steps in our review into the past use of DCAs in May 2025. By then, we expect to have completed our analysis and assessed the outcome of the Barclays judicial review and other relevant cases in the Court of Appeal.’
Car finance new business values down in August BUSINESS
NEW figures released show that consumer car finance new business fell in August compared with the year before.
The data from the Finance & Leasing Association revealed it was down 2% while the value of new business fell 1%.
However, consumer new car business value was up 13% and volumes also grew by 7%.
This shows a contrast from the previous eight months when volumes were 6% lower than the same period in 2023.
In the used car finance sector, the value of new business fell by 7% and volumes fell by 4%.
Geraldine Kilkelly, director of research and chief economist at the FLA, said: ‘August saw the consumer new car finance market report only its second month of growth in new business volumes since the beginning of this year. The pointof-sale consumer car finance market has seen a modest contraction in new business by both value and volume in 2024.
‘The FLA’s Q3 2024 Industry Outlook Survey suggested that three-quarters of motor finance providers are expecting some increase in new business over the next 12 months.’
TIME IS MONEY
RICHARD PYGOTT
A MONTHLY LOOK AT THE WORLD OF AUTOMOTIVE FINANCE AND MARKETING
We need to talk about customer retention!
If attracting customers is so expensive, why is the motor trade not very good at keeping customers?
Last month I was listening to the Car Dealer Podcast Live, and Vines boss Sean Kelly said that customer retention in the motor trade is ‘a bit c**p’! His comments got me wondering if the rest of the motor trade thought the same. So, I fired up First Response’s LinkedIn page and sent out this question in a poll: In your opinion, are dealerships doing enough to retain their existing customers?
Only 8% of people said ‘Yes’, 24% replied ‘it depends’ and 68% of people who took part answered ‘No’.
I worked in sales for more than 11 years and talked to thousands of car dealers during that time. I know how expensive attracting customers can be, especially with some advertising platforms charging dealers thousands each month.
Richard Pygott is a digital marketer for First Response Finance. Call him on 0115 946 6365 or email richard. pygott@frfl.co.uk
With endless choices at a customer’s fingertips, attracting them can be costly, but retaining them is both priceless and cost-effective.
Most of the dealers I spoke with openly admitted that they are so
focused on hitting their sales targets for that month and attracting new customers, they often overlook the long-term value of retaining existing customers.
I understand the mindset. New customers can feel like the key to growth, especially with the ‘you’re only as good as your last sale’ mentality. However, I believe that failing to invest in keeping your existing customers is leaving money on the table.
I believe a loyal customer is more likely to recommend your dealership to others, leave positive reviews, and return for their service or next car.
I’ve always thought that first impressions are crucial, and building a relationship with a customer starts right from the first point of contact, whether on the phone, social media or face to face.
It’s also important to personalise your customers’ experiences of dealing with you at every opportunity, which is where using a CRM system can help. If you record your customers’ preferences on contact methods, you can create customer communications that make customers feel more valued and more likely to engage with you again.
Staying in touch beyond the sale, through follow-up calls, emails, or
I believe a loyal customer is more likely to recommend your dealership to others.
social media, keeps your dealership on their radar, especially when they are in the buying cycle again. A lot of dealers I’ve spoken to offer their existing customers perks such as service discounts, or even an MOT for life to make them feel appreciated and more likely to return.
With the rising cost of acquiring new customers, I believe turning happy ones into raving fans is one of the most powerful, cost-effective growth strategies available.
Customer retention isn’t just nice to have, in my opinion it’s a musthave in today’s competitive market.
The SAF Approval deadline is 1 January 2025.
To continue working with lenders who are members of the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA), when offering finance to your customers, you’ll need to become SAF Approved by 1 January 2025.
SUPPLIERS GUIDE
LOOKING FOR A MOTOR TRADE SUPPLIER? YOU CAN FIND THE DETAILS OF SELECTED COMPANIES HERE
Auctions & Trade-To-Trade Sales
BCA
W: bca.co.uk
T: 0344 875 3480
Finance
E: customerservices@bca.com
Info: BCA’s remarketing programmes deliver volume, choice and availability for buyers, and speed, efficiency and market-leading returns for sellers.
Automotive E-Commerce
ATG
W: atg.auto
T: 0844 264 3519
Info: Leading provider of retailing solutions, Automotive Transformation Group maximises sales for retailers, OEMs, financiers and fleet suppliers by making car buying easier for their consumers.
Data
Real World Analytics
W: realworldanalytics.com
T: 0808 1890 617
E: auto@realworldanalytics.com
Info: We are a SaaS-based data analytics solution provider for multisite dealers. Our business intelligence tools help customers make faster and better decisions.
DMS
DealerDesk
W: dealerdesk.co.uk
E: contact@dealerdesk.co.uk
Info: Modernise your stock management, advertising, communication, sales and website. DealerDesk provides you with easyto-use tools designed to simplify your dealership management.
Finance
Blue Motor Finance
W: blue.co.uk
T: 020 3005 9331
E: dealersupport@blue.co.uk
Info: Blue is transforming the car finance market, making car ownership simple and flexible and providing motor traders with access to essential finance.
Finance
Close Brothers
Motor Finance
W: closemotorfinance.co.uk/
Info: Close Brothers Motor Finance are a specialist finance provider, working with over 8,000 dealer partners to offer flexible finance solutions for car, motorcycle and LCV customers.
First Response
W: dealer.firstresponsefinance.co.uk
T: 0115 671 1755
E: marketing@frfl.co.uk
Info: First Response is an awardwinning UK finance company providing simple financial solutions. Get in touch and let us help increase your profits.
Finance
Forza Finance
W: forzafinance.co.uk
T: 01245 245678
Info: Benefit from Forza Finance’s expertise, choice of products and lenders. Their personal approach will help you achieve higher levels of finance penetration and, ultimately, sell more cars.
HR & People Management
HR Manager
W: hrmanager.co.uk
T: 01480 455500
E: info@hrmanager.co.uk
Info: HR Manager is Lawgistics’ new digital compliance portal designed to assist employers in managing their legal obligations, responsibilities and duties.
Insurance
Tradesure
W: tradesureinsurance.co.uk
T: 0121 248 9313
Info: Providing motor trade insurance to full- and part-time motor traders in the UK, the Tradesure team are reliable professionals who know how to help you.
Key Control
Traka
W: traka-automotive.com
T: 0333 355 3726
E: automotive@traka.com
Info: Bespoke software and electronic key management cabinets to deliver the most effective solution to dealerships to manage their keys and vehicles.
Lead Management
GardX AD-Vantage
Lead Management
iVendi
W: ivendi.com
T: 0330 229 0028
E: tellmemore@ivendi.com
Info: iVendi delivers a fully connected platform that engages consumers, converts buyers and manages transactions of vehicles online and in the showroom.
Legal & Compliance
Lawgistics
W: lawgistics.co.uk
T: 01480 455500
E: sales@lawgistics.co.uk
Info: The legal experts for the motor trade, giving advice and support to our industry for over 15 years. Not anti-consumer, just pro-trader.
Marketing, PR & Video
OnCue Communications
W: oncuecomms.com
T: 020 8125 3880
Info: We are a leading provider of PR, video and events services to the automotive industry. The PR team has a proven track record of securing high-value, big-impact media coverage.
Marketing, PR & Video
Marketing Delivery
W: marketingdelivery.co.uk/
T: 01892 599911
E: get.in.touch@marketingdelivery.co.uk
Info: Our SocialStock helps target prospects with tailored stock remarketing and social media advertising tools, and automated lead capture for Facebook.
Oil & Lubricants
Mobil™
W: mobil.co.uk
T: 0800 0857 420
Info: Whether using Mobil 1™ or Mobil Super™, Mobil™ engine oils meet or exceed the latest standards of the oil industry and vehicle manufacturers.
W: gardx.co.uk/gardx-ad-vantage
T: 01243 376426
E: goforaspin@gardx.co.uk
Info: The award-winning 360 service offers an engaging display of the vehicle while additionally presenting profitable F&I products to a consumer.
Recruitment
WeRecruit Auto
W: werecruitauto.co.uk
T: 01603 550041
Info: Permanent recruitment – here to assist businesses within the automotive sector find the best fit for their company in terms of skillset, experience and culture.
Trade Bodies
Ben
W: ben.org.uk
T: 0808 131 1333
Info: Ben is a not-for-profit organisation that partners with the automotive industry to provide support for life to its people and their families.
Vehicle Photography
Dealer 360
W: dealer360.co.uk
T: 01270 780855
E: nicky.spratt@ukturntables.com
Info: UK makers of photo booths incorporating our turntables for car, van and motorcycle dealers. Our software controls turntable and cameras – a onestop solution.
Vehicle Tracking
Meta Trak
W: metatrak.co.uk
T: 020 8867 2340
E: enquiries@metatrak.co.uk
Info: Total vehicle security. Clever tracking technology, advanced immobilisation, 24/7 monitoring and an easy-to-use app. Security. Connectivity. Peace of mind.
Warranty Providers
AutoProtect
W: autoprotect.co.uk
T: 01279 406888
E: sales@autoprotect.net
Info: AutoProtect offers a full portfolio of award-winning protection products, including GAP. We lead the market with an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot.
Warranty Providers
Car Care Plan
W: carcareplan.com
T: 0344 573 8000
Info: Car Care Plan is a leading provider of motor protection products, trusted around the world to deliver quality protection with integrity and a customer-oriented outlook.
Warranty Providers
Centurion Warranties
W: centurionwarranties.co.uk
T: 0800 368 7420
E: support@cwuk.net
Info: Centurion offers comprehensive aftermarket warranty solutions to motor dealers across the UK who sell first-owned vehicles through to high-end, prestige and sports cars.
Warranty Providers
Händler Protect
W: handlerprotect.com
T: 0800 088 7889
E: sales@handlerprotect.com
Info: Händler Protect is an exclusive dealer warranty provider. Proud to partner and represent more than 1,000-plus ‘active’ independent motor dealers across the UK each month.
Warranty Providers
Warrantywise
W: warrantywise.co.uk/dealer
T: 0800 001 4551
E: dealers@warrantywise.co.uk
Info: Warrantywise sells over 100,000 warranties per year.
Quentin Willson personally designed Warrantywise to be the UK’s best used car warranty.
These Listings Work!
More Sales For You
W: Your website address
T: 020 8125 3880 (that’s us!)
E: sales@blackballmedia.co.uk
Info: The Suppliers Guide lets dealers find the companies they need to help them with their business. Make sure you’re here. Contact us via the above number or email address.
Website Design & Digital Marketing
Bluesky Interactive
W: blueskyinteractive.co.uk
T: 01926 651000
Info: Bluesky Interactive drive dealer websites and digital marketing forward thanks to game-changing innovation, the latest technology and our exceptional relationships with our clients.
Website Design & Digital Marketing
Haswent
W: haswent.com
T: 020 3920 6164
E: hello@haswent.com
Info: Composer is a next-gen automotive platform. You have extensive stock management options, and you’ll gain a brilliantly responsive new website.
Website Design & Digital Marketing
Spidersnet
W: spidersnet.co.uk
T: 01273 837749
E: hello@spidersnet.co.uk
Info: Websites that are designed to increase the number of customers for dealers. We have solutions for all budgets and needs. All solutions include our DMS Autopromotor.
Specialist Motor Trade Insurance
We know you’re busy. We also know that insurance probably isn’t top of your to-do list. That’s why you need a locally based insurance company who’ll get to know you – and your business – inside out. NFU Mutual can help you ensure you get the right cover for your needs.
9/10 commercial insurance policies are renewed each year
LONG-TERMERS
BMW iX2
You’d be surprised at just how many features the iX2 has up its sleeve. Jack Evans has been checking them out.
It’s been a busy old time for the iX2 of late. It’s one of those cars which feels effortless to drive; you jump in, put the stubby gear selector into drive and you’re off. The electric powertrain means the iX2 is perfectly at home around town, but with the warmer weather, I’ve been seeing the car’s range creeping up and now it’s delivering just over 270 miles. Sure, I still believe that EVs shouldn’t be so affected by temperatures, but I can’t help but enjoy the extra miles brought on by a brighter spell.
I’ve also been exploring some of the iX2’s other onboard features. One is the interior monitor; this is an in-car camera which you can remotely access via the smartphone app to check on your vehicle when it’s parked. It would be good if you’re leaving your car in one place for a little while, or if you’ve got something inside that you’d like to keep an eye on.
Another feature I’ve been checking out is the drive recorder. A little like a conventional dashcam, it uses the car’s in-built cameras to take a recording out of the front of the vehicle. You can trigger itself when you’re on the move, or it’ll automatically roll if it detects an emergency situation. It could prove essential in an insurance claim. However, during a recent incident where someone else on the road carved in front of me – and I had to slam on the brakes – it hadn’t recorded a jot. But it seems to only auto-activate when a full-on accident has happened.
Incidentally, it’s one of the paid-for options on many BMWs. While the iX2 has it pre-loaded, drivers who don’t have it installed can do so for the princely sum of £199 for the year, providing your car is compatible, after all. Against the cost and wiring hassle of a standard dashcam it seems pretty good value, particularly if – like me – you’re not a fan of gadgets littering the dashboard.
Charging-wise, the iX2 is still proving breezy and the app is a big part of that. It notifies you about states of charge, the rate of charge and when it’ll all be completed. In conjunction with the Ohme app that I use to control our home wallbox, it makes for a very informative experience. It’s good that you can pre-condition the car too and while it’s useful in summer, I imagine this function will make even more sense in winter when it’ll allow you to defrost the windscreen. That’s if it ever stops raining outside.
And speaking of rain, that’s one of the primary grumbles I have about the iX2. You might’ve noticed that a lot of the latest cars come without a rear wiper – iX2 included. In a country like the UK, it’s a rather maddening omission and one which isn’t restricted to BMW either – nearly all car manufacturers are at it.
But aside from this precipitation-based grumble, it’s all rather pleasant. I would like some paddles behind the steering wheel to adjust the level of braking regeneration you get but, as standard, it strikes a nice balance. Plus, you can shift the gear selector into ‘b’ which increases the braking regeneration and I quite often do this when I’m driving around town – it gives a near-one-pedal driving experience that is ideal for those monotonous crawls through traffic.
I’m sure that the iX2 won’t be sitting still for long – it seems to be in near-constant demand. I’d like to see if there’s some way to trigger the on-board cameras when you activate the horn, too – that’d be quite handy, wouldn’t it?
This month’s highlight: We’ve been checking out some of the onboard features on iX2 such as the in-car camera and the drive recorder. Very handy!
OTHER CARS WE’RE DRIVING
Mileage: 17,300
Our time with the big CX-60 is over and it’s made a lasting impression on us.
