What Car? September 2019 sneak preview

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Britain’s biggest and best car buyer’s guide September 2019

S S A L C Y R E V E IN S R A C W E N T THE BES

NEW TESLA RATED How Model 3 compares with electric rivals BIG RANGE SMALL PRICE

VW ID 3 341 miles

September 2019 New BMW 1 Series, Ford Focus ST, Mazda CX-30 driven

JAGUAR I-PACE 292 miles 8 AUGUST - 5 SEPTEMBER

£5.99

TESLA MODEL 3 329 miles TARGET PRICE

£

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New Mercedes CLA and Jaguar XE vs Audi A5

FIRST DRIVE

BMW 1 Series

Has a switch to front-wheel drive helped BMW’s family hatch to raise its game? On sale September Price from £24,430 Doug Revolta Doug.Revolta@haymarket.com

THE BMW 1 SERIES has gone mainstream.

In musical terms, the original drummer has left the band and its third album is being produced by some slick Americans who have pumped out a succession of number ones with the likes of Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus and Ed Sheeran.

So, what has BMW done? It has reinvented its family hatchback with front-wheel drive, conforming at last with all of its rivals.

That’s a big deal, because the 1 Series’ unique selling point has always been rearwheel drive – a layout usually associated with sports cars and luxury saloons. However, that arrangement ate into interior space quite severely, and the fact is that – with the exception of the entertaining six-cylinder M140i hot hatch – the old 1 Series actually wasn’t as good to drive as many of its frontwheel-drive rivals. Given that most 1 Series buyers aren’t bothered about which wheels are propelling the car anyway, it made sense to base this third-generation 1 Series on the same front-drive underpinnings as BMW’s X1 and X2 SUVs and various Minis.

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Although this might seem like sacrilege to hardcore BMW enthusiasts, it means the German brand has been able to completely repackage the 1 Series, freeing up enough extra space inside for it to finally go toe to toe with rivals such as the Audi A3 Sportback and Mercedes-Benz A-Class, despite being a little shorter than its predecessor. The fact that it’s wider and taller than before no doubt helps.

At launch, buyers will have a choice of two turbocharged petrol engines and three diesels. The petrol models are a 138bhp 1.5-litre three-cylinder 118i and a 302bhp 2.0-litre fourcylinder M135i, which comes with four-wheel

drive. For those doing lots of motorway miles, there’s also a 114bhp 1.5-litre three-cylinder 116d, plus 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesels with 148bhp (118d) or 188bhp (120d), the latter being four-wheel drive. Gearbox options are a six-speed manual and seven or eight-speed automatics, depending on the model.

The 118d’s engine is one we’re familiar with from other BMW models, and it impresses again here for its punchy performance and impressive fuel economy when paired with the slick-shifting eight-speed automatic gearbox. However, refinement is something of a mixed bag. The engine is grumbly around

Boot is bigger than A-Class’s and a practical shape; ride is firm but not uncomfortable; noise levels are low at a cruise

RIVALS

Audi A3 Sportback Has a beautifully built interior and a line-up of strong, efficient engines.

1

3

4

2

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Bursting with style and tech inside, and good to drive.

1 Reversing Assistant takes you out of a space by mirroring the steering inputs you used to get in

‘The new 1 Series feels much more agile and eager to change direction’

2 New voice recognition system matches the A-Class’s; you say “Hey, BMW” to activate it

Agile handling is aided by much-improved body control

town and under hard acceleration, plus there’s With an additional 20 litres, the 1 Series now a surprising amount of vibration through the beats the A-Class and A3 and matches the pedals and steering wheel. It’s barely audible Volkswagen Golf for boot space. It’s a usefully at motorway cruising speeds, thankfully, while boxy shape, and practical 40/20/40 splitwind and noise are well suppressed. folding rear seats are available.

Dynamically, the new 1 Series is a big In addition, as an option, the boot floor can improvement on its predecessor. It feels much be folded back to reveal another large storage more agile and eager to change direction than space. The floor can be propped upright when before, thanks in part to steering that’s smooth, it’s folded back, freeing both your hands to load precise and responsive. The front tyres find cargo into the compartment. Another practical lots of grip, giving you plenty of confidence bonus is that a powered tailgate is now offered when threading along a twisty road. And on for the first time on the 1 Series. optional adaptive dampers, body movements While the new 1 Series’ heavily revised are well controlled, especially at higher speeds, interior doesn’t have the visual wow factor of although the ride is firm around town. the A-Class’s, it feels incredibly well built and The interior is definitely roomier than the there are lots of plush, soft-touch materials. old car’s, especially in the The infotainment system back seats. It’s still no Tardis, has caught up with that of BUYER’S FILE but leg room is now right up other recent BMW models, BMW 118d SE there with that of rivals, plus too. An 8.8in touchscreen is Price £26,640 there’s plenty of room under standard, or you can upgrade Engine 4cyl, 1996cc, diesel the front seats for your feet. to a 10.3in display. Operated Power 148bhp @ 2500-4000rpm Torque 258lb ft @ 1750-4000rpm If you’re more than 6ft tall, by touch or a rotary dial Gearbox 8-spd automatic your head will still brush controller with shortcut 0-62mph 8.5sec against the roof, but kids will buttons between the front Top speed 135mph be content for many a mile. seats, BMW’s system is Economy 31.7mpg (WLTP combined) Luggage capacity is another the best in the class, being CO2, tax band 108g/km, 29% (NEDC) beneficiary of the new layout. simple to use, either on

3 There’s no Android Auto and you have to subscribe to Apple CarPlay after a year

4 Three trim levels – SE, Sport and M Sport – are available, and even SE is really well equipped

Rear seats are considerably roomier than old model’s

the move or stationary. To further enhance its usability, gesture control and a voice command system are available as options.

Some will see the decision to switch from rear drive to front-wheel drive as a cynical move that robs the 1 Series of its perceived driver appeal, but in fact it has allowed the car to take a big step forward in every department, including handling.

The 1 Series hasn’t necessarily raced ahead of its premium hatchback rivals – it will have its work cut out to beat the A3, which still represents the best all-round package despite the fact that it’s about to be replaced, while its interior doesn’t have the wow factor of the A-Class’s – but it has at least caught up with the pack and now looks fully competitive. Even its pricing is on the money, being very similar to the A-Class’s across the range.

SAYS

A big improvement on the old model, bringing it into strong contention with the class best whatcar.com

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ADVICE

Reader Test Team Honda E

Unconventional-looking, tech-heavy electric city car projects a premium image Kris Culmer Kris.Culmer@haymarket.com

YUKI TERAI SAYS he designed the Honda Urban EV as a “little robot or partner” that owners would bond with – and to say he succeeded would be an understatement. The cute little electric concept car stole the Frankfurt motor show in late 2017 to such an extent that Honda was convinced to put it in production. And then it won our 2019 Reader Award for the most anticipated new car by a landslide.

The production model, called the E, will rival everything from the Renault Zoe to the BMW i3 and cost between £25k and £40k. With a 35.5kWh battery powering a single rear-mounted motor, it has impressive handling and accceleration but a comparatively poor range of 125 miles.

An 80% charge can take less than half an hour.

Its interior, however, is revolutionary, with digital screens spanning the entire width of the dashboard: a 12.0in instrument display, two 12.0in infotainment touchscreens and a rearview feed at either end to replace door mirrors.

So, does the E offer everything we hoped of the Urban EV? Our readers came to find out.

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MICHAEL YUN

Age 43 Job Property manager Drives BMW i8 “I’ve previously owned two BMW i3 Range Extenders. I really liked them, but I’d like a fully electric daily driver for the city next.

“The Honda E looks better than the i3; both exterior designs are quite funky, but the BMW is verging on bad funky. The E is retro and has very clean lines; it’s not trying to look electric.

The E could suit young families, reckons Michael

“I’m massively into technology, and I’d say the E’s interior is very futuristic. The five-screen dashboard is appealing; it blends nicely. It will probably scare older people, though, and the cameras that replace door mirrors will require some adjustment.

“The size of the E is perfect for me, because I work in London. As a bonus, electric cars are exempt from the congestion and ULEZ fees and get discounted parking in some areas.

“The rear seats seem about as spacious as the i3’s, so it should be fine for people with kids. I’m sure adults could squeeze in, too.

“Honda is unsure of pricing; £25k sounds great, but the car feels premium enough that more than £35k wouldn’t be an issue for me.

“The range may not be the best, but most people rarely do more than 100 miles in a day.

One problem I see, though, is the location of the charging port on the bonnet, because the cable could scratch the paint if you were using an on-street charger while parallel parked.”

JOHN BURTON

Age 28 Job IT manager Drives Alfa Romeo Giulietta “I’ve been looking at electric cars for my daily 50-mile commute, because it makes more sense for the environment and my wallet.

“The main problem would be infrastructure; the nearest rapid charger to our town in North Yorkshire is 30 miles away and I’d have to trail a cable across the pavement to charge at home.

“I love the design of the E. It’s friendly, not angry, and very Japanese. Kei microcars are great, and, like those, this seems made for Honda’s home market.

“There’s a slight disconnect between the exterior and

At 3.90m long and 1.75m wide, the E is slightly more compact than the BMW i3

interior, but I do like the look of the dashboard. Honda has done well to integrate it, rather than make it look like iPads stuck onto a plank of wood. The two-spoke steering wheel is really cool, too.

“The screens are closer to your hands than in a lot of cars; that’s helpful. So is the ability to flick things like the radio over to your passenger. Plus, the positions of the door cameras are natural to look at from the driver’s seat.

“I’m used to a sportier seat, but the E’s seems comfy enough.

There’s slightly more leg room in the back of the E than in my car but not great head room. The boot is fine, though, and I don’t mind the lack of a central seat.”

‘I love that the design is friendly, not angry, and very Japanese’

Would you like to be part of a future Reader Test Team, or do you have a question about an upcoming car?

Email us with your details at readertestteam@whatcar.com

Honda designed the software for the E’s five digital screens completely from scratch

ALAN SIMPSON

Age 60 Job IT director Drives Audi S6 “The Honda E is a 180-degree turn from my current car. I’m happy to do that, because electric cars are now a realistic prospect and the design of this one is so desirable.

“I love its pure simplicity, and there are lots of retro touches.

For example, the rear quarters remind me of Peugeot’s 205 GTi, which I lusted after in the 1980s.

“That should follow through with the driving experience too, because Honda says the E has a really low centre of gravity, about 150bhp and real manoeuvrability.

“I really like the interior, too; it has a Scandinavian lounge feel.

“I love all the tech. The facility to switch functions between the screens in front of the driver and passenger is a great idea.

“I’ve never driven an electric car, but the differences to driving a petrol car don’t intimidate me.

Plus, the E’s predicted range of 125 miles is just about enough for me, thanks to the UK’s advancing public charging infrastructure.

And it can rapid charge in half an hour, which I’d say is acceptable.

“The one doubt in my mind is the limited space in the back seats and boot; we’d have to use our other car sometimes.

“The price is right up to £35k; above that would be pushing it.”

Alan loves the clean, simple lines of the E’s exterior design, especially at the rear whatcar.com

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COMPARISON

Keeping a low profile

Applying coupé styling cues to other types of car is very trendy these days, as shown by the Audi A5 Sportback, Jaguar XE and new Mercedes-Benz CLA. But do these executives all have the trousers to back up their talk?

Photography: John Bradshaw

THE CONTENDERS

Audi A5 Sportback 35 TFSI Sport S tronic List price £34,790 Target Price £31,404 The more stylish interpretation of the A4 saloon should retain many of its sibling’s virtues.

NEW

Jaguar XE P250 R-Dynamic S List price £35,505 Target Price £33,527 Yes, it’s a saloon, but this recently refreshed XE is more about sportiness than practicality.

NEW

Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 AMG Line Premium List price £35,115 Target Price £33,415 The previous CLA was a letdown, but this new model is based on the vastly better current A-Class.

PICTURE THE SCENARIO: you’ve been invited to a fancy ball and you’re deciding which shoes to wear. Do you go with the swanky handmade Church’s brogues or Jimmy Choo heels, or a pair of wellies? One would assume you’re not intending to splash about in puddles en route, so it’s the posh option, right?

Of course it is. Like choosing a car, if you need practicality then fine: buy a regular saloon or even an estate. But if you don’t have three kids or a cab firm to run and style is important to you, chances are you’ll look at cars like these.

Now, at this point you might be thinking: “But the Jaguar XE is a regular saloon, isn’t it?”. In one sense, yes, but unlike, say, the BMW 3 Series, it has traded some practicality for its sporty looks.

And because it has just received an extensive interior and exterior whatcar.com

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USED CARS Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé BUYING GUIDE Desirability and luxury don’t have to come with a high price tag, as the previous-generation E-Class Coupé proves In production 2009-2017 Price from £5500 Our favourite E220 CDI SE Max Adams Max.Adams@haymarket.com

THE NEW RADICALS threatened to smash one up and Janis Joplin asked a higher power for one; indeed, a Mercedes-Benz is one of those cars that features on many fantasy lottery win shopping lists.

However, you don’t need to be a multi-millionaire to buy a previousgeneration E-Class Coupé, because prices start at just £5500.

There’s an engine option for everyone’s taste and budget, too.

The range begins with fourcylinder petrols in 181bhp E200 and 201bhp E250 guises, along with two diesels in the form of a 168bhp E220 and a 201bhp E250. For those looking for more performance, there’s a 288bhp six-cylinder petrol E350 and a 228bhp diesel E350 CDI. If you aren’t worried about fuel bills, the 382bhp E500 petrol V8 is an interesting option, although it’s quite rare and was replaced after a 2013 facelift by a more efficient 333bhp E400 V6 petrol.

There are two different suspension setups for the E-Class Coupé, with SE models having a softer ride than the Sport (later renamed AMG Sport and then AMG Line). Standard equipment is generous, with all models getting climate control, front and rear parking sensors, leather seats, Bluetooth and automatic headlights and wipers.

WHAT’S IT LIKE?

All of the engine choices are strong enough; even the least powerful diesel can keep up with fast motorway traffic. All of the petrol options are smooth, but the four-cylinder diesels can be a bit gruff under hard acceleration.

Sport models have firmer suspension and bigger wheels, so we’d stick with SE trim

‘The interior has lots of high-quality plastics and fine leathers’ RIVALS

Interior is classy and spacious, albeit quirky in places

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Audi A5 Coupé

BMW 4 Series

It’s no sports car, but the A5 is stylish and offers a wide range of engine options.

Sharper to drive, with a slightly bigger boot and a better infotainment system.

Comfort is an E-Class Coupé strong suit.

Even the Sport models and their successors ride pretty well, although they suffer from a bit more road noise than SE models on smaller wheels. Don’t expect either version to handle as sharply as the rival BMW 4 Series Coupé, though; the E-Class Coupé rolls more in corners and its steering is quite slow.

The interior has lots of high-quality plastics and fine leathers. Some SEs feature wood trim, but Sport and AMG Sport models have a more contemporary look to them. Most of the buttons and controls are well laid out, although the foot-operated parking brake and the single column stalk that controls the indicators and windscreen wipers can take some getting used to.

The driver’s seat can pose a bit of a problem if you’re short, because the base is quite long and the head restraint is mounted a bit too far forward. The pedals in cars with a manual gearbox are offset, but going for an automatic

Boot isn’t quite as big or practical as those of its main rivals

GOOD Comfortable ride Airy interior Well equipped BAD Some models pricey to run Not the sharpest to drive Quite a bit of road noise Rear seats are relatively roomy for average-sized adults

Coupé will fall under the previous road tax system, based on the CO2 a car emitted. The last examples registered after the 1 April 2017 WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR? changeover date could fall foul Every E-Class Coupé comes with of the surcharge applied to cars parking sensors, so you shouldn’t that cost more than £40,000 need to worry too much about when new, though. scrapes. Just make sure that all Servicing costs will be higher the gaps between body panels 2016 E400 Coupé than they are for rivals, and are straight and uniform around AMG Line, 37,000 Mercedes doesn’t do cheaper the car, otherwise it might have miles, £23,490 main dealer servicing for older previous accident damage. Check cars. It might, therefore, be a that the alloy wheels don’t have 2013 E350 CDI any nasty gouges in them, either. good idea to investigate whether Coupé AMG Make sure all of the electrics there’s an independent Mercedes Sport, 47,798 miles, work inside the car, especially the specialist near you who will charge £14,490 electric sliding mechanism for you less for the same work. the front seats. If it doesn’t work, Older Mercedes did fairly well 2010 E220 CDI passengers won’t be able to get in the most recent What Car? Coupé SE, 141,200 into the back of the car.

Reliability Survey, with the brand miles, £5550 There have been five recalls for finishing 15th out of 31 for cars this generation of E-Class relating over four years old. That’s a better to failing power steering, leaking fuel hoses, result than Audi and BMW managed. overheating starter motors and problems with seatbelt pretensioners and airbags.

WHICH ONE SHOULD I BUY? Therefore, it might be a good idea to contact Every version of the E-Class Coupé comes a Mercedes dealer to check your car isn’t with plenty of standard kit, so it just depends affected by any of these issues. whether you want something wafty or a bit Most examples of this generation of E-Class sportier. We’d go for the former: an SE. Unless you must have a petrol car because you don’t do many miles, the E220 diesel provides more than enough performance for most people’s needs without costing you a fortune to run. mid-20s from a V6 petrol and 20mpg or less from the V8 petrol.

solves this. Anyone over 6ft tall will find their head brushing the roof in the rear, but leg and shoulder room are fine.

The boot opening is shallow, so loading and unloading large items can be difficult. At least the rear seats split 60/40 and fold for when you need to transport longer loads.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

Early models with a high mileage start at £5500, but we’d suggest you spend £7500-£8000 for a sub-100,000mile car with a full service history. A facelifted model will be around £13,000, while a low-mileage 2017 E400 is £24,000.

Expect 40mpg fuel economy from the four-cylinder diesels, mid-30s from the fourcylinder petrols and V6 diesel,

Auto models’ gear selector is a stalk on steering column

ONES WE FOUND

SAYS

A classy four-seater with plenty of equipment and a desirable image, but not cheap to run whatcar.com

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