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There’s much more to cutting emissions than going electric

THERE’S a familiar name and shape on the cover this week, as BMW ramps up the technology on its iconic 3 Series saloon to devastating effect But three days in Munich last week showed us that while this iteration is all but certain to be the last 3 Series as we know it, BMW is right on track with what comes next Sustainable mobility is a marketing buzzphrase that’s been clogging up the E mail inboxes and notebooks of Auto Express journalists for years. But in the depths of its innovation centre, BMW showed us compelling evidence of what this approach will actually mean to the cars we’ll be buying from the middle of this decade

We’ll probably all notice it first when we realise or are told that our new car ’ s steering wheel isn’t actually bound in leather but rather a vegan material Ethics aside, BMW says that swapping this single component will reduce the greenhouse gas emissions involved in its manufacture by as much as 85 per cent

But what we all sit on in the 3 Series of 10 years ’ time will change too In the medium term, this could mean seats clad in Mirum, a material whose ingredients include everything from coconut husk to cork both by products of other industries But BMW also showed us experimental leatherette made from ground up cactus; woven fabrics that can accept a 3D printed pattern, for extra customisation; even carbon fibre effect bumper inserts that were originally flax

We all know which way the car industry is going on powertrains; the excellent petrol and diesel engines beneath the bonnets of the 3 Series we drove last week are on borrowed time BMW isn’t even the first brand to commit to the process But with the 3 Series arguably reaching ‘peak premium saloon’, it’s interesting and reassuring to see that established brands are investing time and money in cleaning up more than just the exhaust emissions It’s fast becoming a necessity, more than a choice

JOHN McILROY Deputy editor

John McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy

TOPSTORY

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John McIlroy John McIlroy@autoviacouk @johnmcilroy

THE days when the BMW 3 Series was a piece of automotive currency, like the Ford Mondeo or the Volkswagen Golf, have probably gone now, thanks to the inexorable transition towards SUVs But sales of the Munich manufacturer’s iconic three box premium saloon have actually remained steady in recent years, with it finding around 20,000 customers in the UK annually

Essentials

This, plus continued big sales numbers from China, has been good enough to earn fresh investment in a facelift from BMW And now it’s time to see if the money has been well spent.

From the outside, not a great deal has changed compared with the G20 3 Series that’s been on sale since 2019; there’s yet another take on the BMW kidney grille thankfully kept in check by the car’s modest vertical dimensions plus slimmer headlights As is usually the case with a mid life update, there are no sheet metal changes, but the refreshed front bumpers do give the car a more aggressive stance

It’s inside where BMW has really splashed the cash perhaps in a bid to match the strongest point of its traditional rival, the Mercedes C Class by fitting some of the tech from the latest i4 and iX. There’s a huge curved display (actually a pair of screens a 12 3 inch instrument panel and a 14 9 inch infotainment set up), and it all runs the latest version (8, if you’re counting) of BMW’s in house operating system The firm is promising that over the air updates will deliver bug fixes and new features over time.

Under the skin, the 3 Series is still offered with a choice of four petrol engines in the UK, including a plug in hybrid, and a pair of diesels featuring mild hybrid technology. An eight speed automatic gearbox is standard across the range and while the traditional rear drive configuration remains on most models, range topping editions get xDrive four wheel drive as standard

The trim line up has been rationalised a little, and BMW’s bundled options packs should keep configuration relatively simple for most buyers There are two basic editions; Sport brings 17 inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, heated front seats, parking sensors, a rear view camera, cruise control and air conditioning Stepping up to M Sport means 18 inch alloys, flashes of aluminium interior trim, an M Sport steering wheel, sports suspension and variable sports steering

The aforementioned packs include Comfort (heated steering wheel, powered bootlid and comfort access), Visibility (adaptive LED headlights with high beam assist), Technology (Harman Kardon surround sound system, a wireless smartphone charging pad and a head up Large curved display seen in BMWs makes £54,805 3 0 litre 369bhp/500Nm

display), and M Sport Pro, which is available only on M Sport editions and offers upgraded brakes, adaptive suspension, 19 inch alloys, sun protection glass and M Sport styling add ons, including a rear spoiler.

The engine range starts with the humble 181bhp 320i, but here we’re driving the range topping M340i xDrive, whose six cylinder turbocharged motor delivers a whopping 369bhp and 500Nm for a 0 62mph time of 4 4 seconds It comes at a hefty price, mind £54,805 and emits anywhere between 177g/km and 193g/km of CO2. If any of the 3 Series models risks feeling a bit like a ‘farewell tour’ for petrol powered saloons, it could be this one

It makes sense to reflect the fact that BMW’s engineers haven’t really played with the dynamic make up, and start instead with the new cabin It’s not flawless witness the cheap feeling, non lined door pockets, for example but on the whole the transformation is enough to really narrow the gap to the C Class in this area. Almost all of the bits you’re likely to touch feel high in quality, the fit and finish are excellent, and the technology is neatly integrated into the top of the dashboard although the huge displays dominate the vista

That infotainment system is one of our favourites, and while there’s a lot going

on (even learning to appreciate everything that it can do will require an afternoon’s commitment from a new owner), the interface is slick and the processor behind the whole thing is powerful enough to deliver quick responses to any inputs

The cabin itself has no more space than before, of course beyond a little more fresh air in the front, thanks to the switch from a gearlever to a toggle selector but this is still a car capable of carrying four adults in comfort The boot capacity is unchanged too, at 480 litres a decent amount for the class, while obviously not quite as roomy as some hatchbacks.

The M340i may be slightly out of kilter with market trends, on powertrain and green credentials as much as bodystyle, but once you get moving, you realise that it is by no means a bad car. Quite the opposite, in fact With the basics left untouched, you still get that exceptional 3 Series mix of excellent body control,

direct and meatily weighted steering, agility and comfort

It’s a little firmer than a C Class but it never feels crashy although it’s worth pointing out that BMW’s Bavarian test route was smooth, and the M340i gets the adaptive suspension as standard, for maximum sophistication

The engine, meanwhile, is a gem; it has a characterful growl from low revs and while there is a noticeable turbocharged whoosh at around 2,500rpm, you’d never call it laggy Given a little space to stretch its legs,

PRACTICALITY Cabin offers good space for four adults, although a fifth would be more of a squeeze. The boot is a decent size, too

this car has explosive performance that wouldn’t shame a full blown M model

Indeed, there’s the sort of duality here that is so, so much harder for engineers to achieve with four cylinder power Push the M340i hard and it has more than enough performance for rapid cross country progress; in Sport mode it’ll even give you little whoofles on gearchanges.

Keep it in Normal and allow the smooth auto gearbox to slush its way into a higher ratio, and you’ll keep pace with UK motorway traffic at barely 1,500rpm, with little to disturb you beyond a slight rustle of wind noise from the door mirror B road weapon or long distance cruiser? This is a car that can accomplish both roles in style.

Verdict

THE core 3 Series recipe hasn’t changed here; this is still the best driving executive saloon on the market, with a communicative chassis and well judged suspension that keeps body roll in check while still being comfortable It’s shockingly quick in M340i guise, too, for those who can afford it. But across all versions, it’s the cabin and tech upgrades that make the biggest difference, fixing the one area where BMW’s star player was short of talent.

It is a much better car to drive and sit in than countless SUVs that outsell it and that’s more of a travesty than ever

“Given a little space to stretch its legs, the M340i has explosive performance that’s worthy of a full M car”

INTERIOR Dashboard is dominated by the curved display for the iDrive system, and the gearlever has been replaced by a smaller toggle switch

HANDLING

Touring is better than ever

FIRST VERDICT Tweaks make revised 3 Series estate a compelling choice

THE estate version of the 3 Series accounts for around half of the model’s sales in its native Germany, but barely 10 per cent in the UK. That’s an odd stat that’s likely to remain in place, even after the 3 Series Touring gets the same worthy updates as the saloon

Indeed, you could argue that the 320d Touring we’re trying here makes a good case for two lost causes the estate bodystyle, and diesel power The 2 0 litre four cylinder engine produces 187bhp and a hefty 400Nm of torque, taking the car from 0 62mph in 7 1 seconds and ensuring that it can still make swift progress even when the loadbay is in full use

It’s a fantastic motor and one that has been cleverly installed, with little or no vibration to speak of, and barely a dull rumble coming from beneath the bonnet when you’re cruising along.

It’s beautifully paired with BMW’s eight speed automatic gearbox, too; the transmission’s software is happy to shift up early and use the wads of torque, allowing you to make rapid progress without sending the revs beyond the powertrain’s comfort zone (it’s all done and dusted by 2,500rpm, in any case). This effortless pace and refinement plus combined fuel economy that’s north of 50mpg make you realise what a great fuel choice diesel can still be for high mileage customers.

There’s still scope here for enjoyment too, since the steering and body control are every bit as well judged as they are in the saloon; heavy loads might get in the way a little, but in most scenarios you could

certainly press on a bit in a 320d Touring along a fast, flowing road

The range has been simplified a little but the kit lists are generous. Even entry level Sport editions get BMW’s curved screen on the dash, mixing a 12 3 inch display for digital dials and a 14 9 inch infotainment system running the latest software. It benefits from having both a touchscreen and the iDrive controller

The material upgrades have been well chosen for the facelift, with high quality

PRACTICALITY

Essentials

BMW 320dTouring

Price: £43,540

Engine: 2 0 litre 4cyl turbodiesel

Power/torque: 187bhp/400Nm

Transmission: Eight speed automatic, rear wheel drive

0 62mph: 7.1 seconds

Top speed: 143mph

Economy: TBC CO2: TBC

ONSALE Now

fabrics and finishes in almost all of the key areas; in this respect, the 3 Series recovers significant ground on the Mercedes C Class.

The boot still measures a useful 500 litres with the rear seats in place and 1,500 litres when all of the 40:20:40 split is folded down BMW’s load area also has some neat features such as rubber floor grips that rise slightly when the car is turned on, to help prevent items from sliding around on twisty roads After spirited driving on the Bavarian test route, we can attest that they work well.

Verdict

UPGRADES to the 3 Series Touring’s cabin have added a welcome boost in technology and interior quality to its already excellent driving dynamics. It’s as practical as many people will ever need, and this 320d would be a terrific choice for anyone after a spacious, comfortable long distance cruiser. We look forward to trying the BiK busting plug in hybrid edition in the near future

EQUIPMENT Cabin feels wonderfully put together from high-quality materials, and is full of the sort of tech that makes every journey easier and more enjoyable

NEED TO KNOW still makes a great option for anyone who does a high daily mileage

John

John

Dacia pledges to go green

● Concept previews future tech

● No plans for production

DACIA has unveiled its Manifesto Concept, a two seat off road buggy that looks ahead as the Renault owned maker reinvents itself for a new chapter

While the Manifesto won’t go into production, the tech on board will influence features that we may see on future models, such as the next Duster SUV coming in 2024, and the Bigster family SUV due in 2025

The Manifesto also affirms Dacia’s core pillars with a realigned focus: ‘essential but cool’, ‘robust and outdoor’, and ‘eco smart’.

According to Design Director David Durand, the Manifesto is a “great way to brainstorm ideas and design codes without the pressure of production some that you will see in our future models We’ve pushed back limits and removed our constraints ”

With that in mind and with the car having no windscreen or doors Dacia

claims that occupants can be closer to nature But given that the Manifesto features the next generation of Dacia’s Bring Your Own Device tech, they’ll be able to remain connected, too

We’ll see this next step in the firm’s Bring Your Own Device approach rolled out across the Dacia line up soon, but it basically involves an evolution of the company’s current set up, which uses the power of owners’ smartphones.

The Dacia Media Control app has been developed to include drowsiness recognition and can use physical and health data either inputted manually or collected from wearable devices such as a smartwatch to suggest when people should take a break from driving

Dacia’s new YouClip system also makes its debut on the Manifesto, with a variety of

STYLING Lack of doors and windscreen is designed to bring occupants closer to nature, Dacia says

SeanCarson

sean carson@autoviacouk

ECO-FRIENDLY Flecked plastic bodywork is made from 20 per cent recycled polypropylene and needs no painting Natural materials inside include part cork dash

RANGE RESET

FOLLOWING the ‘Renaulution’ strategy announcement in early 2021 that redefined the vision for Dacia under the umbrella of the Renault Group, the value focused Romanian firm has now completed a range wide revamp that includes new design treatment and colour options for its models.

The new design language features sharper headlights and the new interlinked Dacia logo sitting on a de-chromed grille on all models.

At the same time, the company’s dealer network has also been revamped to make the buying process easier.

in its Manifesto

modular accessories on the dash within easy reach of the driver and passenger.

The concept also features a 2,250Wh removable battery to power devices when outdoors Combined with an LED headlight unit that can be removed and used as a torch or a lantern, this fits with Dacia’s increasing focus on active customers

These points also tie in with the brand’s second pillar, focusing on robust qualities for an outdoor life The Manifesto concept extends the off road approach found on the firm’s Duster and Sandero Stepway models, with large wheels featuring puncture proof airless tyres, all wheel drive (Dacia has not

revealed any details about the concept’s powertrain) and good ground clearance for improved off roading capability

Dacia also claims you can clean the car’s interior with a jet wash, assuming you first remove the fabric seat covers, which can double as sleeping bags A multi configurable roof rack and elasticated straps complete the practicality features

What little bodywork there is uses a new flecked plastic, called Starkle, that doesn’t need painting and is made from 20 per cent recycled polypropylene We’ll see this on future Dacia models.

There are also plenty of natural materials inside, with a cork and recycled rubber dashboard that allows items to be pinned to it. As per Dacia’s newly revised range, there are no chrome parts on the car either.

“Manifesto is about how we’re redefining tomorrow’s cars,” Lionel Jaillet, Dacia’s Vice President, Product Performance, told us “It’s a lab for our most extreme innovations.”

Q Are you worried about Euro NCAP results?

A “No. It’s about choices. We are serious on passive safety, but active safety lots of people deactivate lane keep assist, for example, so we don’t sell it It’s philosophical and a serious choice we make ”

Q How will you manage the switch to electric?

A “Dacia’s job is to be late, to arrive at the right moment. We will look at it segment by segment. The more you wait, the more clever you are, because technologies are not completely settled We’ll do it the Dacia way We’re not going to develop a 35,000 Euro Sandero with 500 miles of range and fast charging. We’ll play with the voltage, range, charge time, to find the right balance and meet our customers’ needs ”

Q If Dacia proves it can do with the Bigster what it did with the Duster, can we expect to see an even larger family SUV join the range?

A “I don’t know. The CMF B platform permits the size. It took us two years and 3,000 people to turn the Clio into a Sandero We call it ‘design to cost’ We can stretch it to the Bigster, but the cost base is anchored in the B platform. I think the platform will hit the limit.”

Q But if customers asked for it, would you consider applying the design to cost principles to the Renault CMF C platform for a larger SUV?

A “Yeah, sure, why not? I wouldn’t oppose I take the point, it’s a nice idea, but it was already a revolution for us to go to the next segment with Bigster ”

“The Manifesto concept fits with Dacia’s increasing focus on customers with an active lifestyle”

We talk to the man at the top of Dacia about future challenges and what lies ahead for the brand

Chief executive officer, Dacia

DENIS

Aggressive styling for ‘las

OFFICIAL

SeanCarson sean carson@autoviacouk

THE world is running short of sports cars, let alone those powered by pure combustion, but Ford still believes there’s a place for this type of vehicle, so has invested in an all new Mustang, which is hotly tipped to be the last generation of the car to feature petrol power

Revealed at last week’s Detroit Motor Show, the world’s best selling sports coupé has an evolutionary exterior look and upgraded V8 and four cylinder engines under the bonnet, plus a cabin with much greater in car technology.

Available as a coupé and a convertible, the new Mustang has LED headlights (which are slimmer than on the previous car) hooded by an aggressive bonnet, dual air intakes in the front grille to improve performance, and aggressive 19 inch multi spoke alloy wheels that hide Brembo brakes, included as part of a standard fit Performance Pack At the rear the extended deck houses sharper looking light clusters

Inside, Ford has done away with the previous car’s ‘double brow’ dashboard in favour of a pair of screens A customisable 12 4 inch digital instrument display is joined by a 13 2 inch central screen running Ford’s SYNC 4 infotainment set up.

“We’re taking advantage of every pixel,” says Craig Sandvig, the car’s Interaction Design Manager “We can be creative in showing driving information and give the driver control of selecting colours, classic gauges or a screen with minimal details ”

The result is what is described as the most digital Mustang ever, with no physical

buttons for the heating and ventilation, although there is a stereo volume knob.

Ford hasn’t outlined specific output figures for the next generation 5 0 litre V8 that will power the more potent Mustangs, beyond saying that it is stronger than the unit it replaces It’s believed to produce around 480bhp and 500Nm although this has already been ramped up to 500bhp for the track focused Dark Horse edition that’s accompanying the new model’s launch

The new car is available with either a six speed manual transmission or a 10 speed automatic, with both gearboxes sending drive to the rear wheels A rev matching function for the six speed manual car is standard on Mustang GT models

There are six customisable driving modes available Normal, Sport, Slippery, Drag, Track and an Individual setting and the new Mustang is said to feature a more responsive chassis along with a faster steering ratio

The car is confirmed for right hand drive production, although there’s no word yet on UK sales or prices.

PUNCHY

Renault EV concept pays homage to 5 Turbo

RENAULT is gearing up for next month’s Paris motor show by teasing a brutal looking concept that’s likely to celebrate the extreme 5 Turbo from the eighties

The French brand has already confirmed that it will launch a reborn ‘Supercinq’ in 2024, using electric power But it appears to be preparing a wider, meaner looking creation that could be a tribute to the old 5 Turbo. The mid engined model was developed for motorsport and first introduced back in 1980

The 5 Turbo enjoyed its best successes on rally stages, but the concept’s wider wheelarches and huge rear wing, visible even in Renault’s shady teaser images, look more closely in tune with the Superproduction circuit racing version of the 5 Turbo; it could be that the show

car will highlight that vehicle, which made its track debut 35 years ago.

At the front we can see the typically bluff front end of the 5, this time incorporating a full width lightbar and two pairs of fog lights further down. Renault says the car will be fully electric, so the front grille is likely to be flush and smaller in size

The powertrain could feature the 52kWh battery that’s destined for the 5 EV road car or it could use the 60kWh unit found in the recently unveiled Alpine A110 E ternité concept, along with a rear motor set up producing 239bhp and 300Nm of torque.

FULL ON Styling of concept is incredibly aggressive, and reminiscent of Renault’s Superproduction racer

●

●

“It could feature the 52kWh battery destined for the 5 EV road car”

Although power figures have yet to be released, the Mustang will be more powerful than its predecessor

st petrol M g’

news nbriefin

FOLLOWING its commitment to go all electric by 2028, Vauxhall has outlined plans for the future of its sporty models, by confirming a new GSe performance sub brand.

Standing for Grand Sport Electric, the new badge will likely be applied to the firm’s Astra hatch and estate, and Grandland SUV models, utilising plug in hybrid powertrains to offer more power with zero emissions capability Vauxhall’s acting MD James Taylor says the GSe cars will offer “sports handling and looks combined with performance”.

XC name may live on

DRAWINGS

Patent drawings could show replacement for XC90, which looks set to be called EXC90

VOLVO could be preparing a U turn on the name of its forthcoming new flagship, after documents filed to the European Patent Office revealed the Swedish brand is trying to tie down the EXC90 badge

The successor to the XC90 should be revealed this autumn. Drawings have shown an evolutionary look, but

Volvo had been expected to drop the number based model name in favour of a word, possibly Embla

However, new CEO Jim Rowan may have decided to use the value in the ‘XC’ convention Volvo has also registered EXC60, EXC40 and EC40, plus ES60, ES90, EV60 and EV90, which could cover saloons and estates.

.4 gets an Xtreme new look and 382bhp

VW has beefed up its ID.4 family SUV to create this show car, the ID Xtreme The new creation (above) has 50mm wider wheelarches, chunky 18 inch off road tyres, a new front bumper with bullbars, and extra underbody protection It uses the ID 4 GTX’s dual motor set up, retuned to deliver 382bhp.

Senior VW sources say the firm will gauge reaction before deciding what to do with the car, but it seems unlikely that the concept will make production.

Manchester ranks top for bus-lane fines

MANCHESTER issued more bus lane fines than any other UK council in 2020/21, with 116,862 fines raking in £3.7million. Research from Moneybarn revealed Bristol and Glasgow in second and third places; the former issued 103,465 fines worth £2 04m, while Glasgow’s 65,868 fines raised £2.17.

The other seven local authorities making up the top 10 were Lambeth, Birmingham, Sheffield, Brighton and Hove, Edinburgh, Leicester and Wolverhampton.

Six-wheel drive and 558bhp for Hennessey

TEXAS firm Hennessey has stuck with combustion for its latest off roader, the VelociRaptor 6X6 (below). Based on the Ford F 150 Raptor, the creation has six wheel drive, 20 inch wheels with 37 inch off road tyres, and a twin turbo V6 engine producing 558bhp and 911Nm.

Hennessey will start delivering examples later this month, with prices starting from $399,950 (£348,000).

The old and the new except the electrically powered Mustang Mach e is the older of the two, while the new coupé features old-school V8 power

Extended lease: beware t

Tristan Shale Hester tristan shale hester@autoviacouk @tristan shale

DRIVERS who have their car’s lease extended are facing hefty repair bills in the event of a fault, because the length of the warranty cover is not being increased at the same time

A shortage of new cars has meant lease extensions are being widely offered with no changes to monthly payments or terms.

In cases where the lease is extended beyond the car’s warranty period, however, the warranty is not automatically extended

This means that, should a fault occur, the customer is left having to fork out for a repair on a car they don’t even own

One driver in this unenviable position is Kathy Hutt, who took delivery of her SEAT Ateca on a three year lease through Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS)

When Kathy’s Ateca lease ran out in July 2022, VWFS sent an E mail offering her an “informal” six month extension to take her through to January 2023, which said: “The terms and payments of the agreement on your Ateca will remain the same.”

Kathy felt the extension would give her time to think about the car she wanted next, in light of long lead times She signed up online, paying the same price as before.

Not long after this, her Ateca developed an issue where she sometimes couldn’t slot the gearlever into fifth and at other times it would jump out of gear. When she took the car to the dealer to have this investigated, she was told the car was out of warranty and she could face a bill of around £4,000 if it turned out to be a gearbox fault, including

an as yet unknown fee for the initial check, £1,000 for a gearbox inspection and £3,000 for a repair/replacement

Kathy feels “let down” and has raised a complaint about the situation The outcome is unclear, but although she has the option to give up the lease, she’s worried about being left without a car because she can’t get to the school where she works without one “Finance is offered by the lenders, and the warranties are offered by manufacturers There is no requirement for these to run with the same duration,” explained Adrian Dally, director of motor finance at the Finance and Leasing Association “The key is that customers need to know when their warranties expire, and decide whether they want to buy an extended warranty if they’re extending their finance agreement.”

There is a feeling, however, that car makers and finance companies should be clearer about the terms with extended leases Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, said: “When offering the chance to extend the finance package in these scenarios, [finance providers and manufacturers] should clearly spell out what is included and, crucially, what isn’t Drivers should ask questions before accepting the offer ”

Lawrence Whittaker, CEO of Warrantywise, said: “We can protect lease owners who are in extended leases without manufacturer warranty cover We can help them take out a third party plan with us to ensure they’re protected. Should the lady you speak about have taken out a warranty with us at the start of her lease extension and the end of her manufacturer warranty, she would have been well within her rights

OFFICIAL

Skoda’s vision for 2023 Kodiaq

ALTHOUGH the Skoda Kodiaq large SUV was only facelifted last year, we’ve already spotted the second generation model undergoing testing

The new car will be based on Skoda’s MQB Evo platform, which means it could return with a plug in hybrid powertrain There’ll also be mild hybrid models and pure petrol and diesel engine options.

Expect revised styling, which could feature cues first seen on the brand’s recently revealed Vision 7S concept car, albeit toned down for this model that will also be fitted with ICE powertrains.

Inside, expect a pair of digital displays, while the Kodiaq will retain its seven seat layout, making it the most practical model in the Skoda line up. The new Kodiaq is scheduled for launch next year.

AHEAD of the upcoming unveiling of the new Maserati GranTurismo, the brand has released images of the new car

The new GranTurismo is clearly inspired by the firm’s MC20 halo model, but the large two-door GT also features an elegant, tapered roofline that references its predecessor It will be offered in two trim levels the Modena version seen in the images and a more focused Trofeo.

Both options will be powered by the brand’s twin turbo V6 ‘Nettuno’ engine

In addition, the GranTurismo will also be released as an all-electric ‘Folgore’ (which means lightning in Italian) model. This will feature three electric motors for a targeted 0 62mph acceleration time of around 2.6 seconds.

● of new cars desire for extended lease deals If warranty expires, you’ll have to fix a car you don’t own

Lawrence Whittaker CEO, Warrantywise

“We can protect lease owners in extended leases, because they can take out a third-party plan with us”

OFFICIAL warranty trap news inbrief

and, to the best of my knowledge, there are no rules in the small print to prevent this.”

A spokesperson for VWFS told us:

“When a customer’s vehicle is outside of manufacturer warranty, Volkswagen Group will contact the customer advising them of their warranty expiry date and invite the customer to purchase our VWFS Extended Warranty product ” They added that Kathy would be offered a goodwill gesture

Kathy £4,000 her Ateca

Green Defender for 75 years of Land Rover

LAND Rover reaches its 75th anniversary next year, but it’s starting its celebrations early with this Defender 75th Limited Edition, which costs from £85,995 for the 90 and £89,995 for the larger 110 model.

Helping the 75th Limited Edition stand out from the standard Defender HSE on which it’s based are Grasmere Green paint, 20 inch alloy wheels in the same finish, and 75 Years graphics.

The interior has also been given a mild tweak, with a laser etched ‘75 Years’ detail on the dash and seats trimmed in ‘Resist Ebony’ (black, in effect)

Standard kit includes 3D cameras, air suspension, a Meridian audio system, LED lights, an 11.4 inch Pivi Pro infotainment set up, a head up display and wireless smartphone charger In addition there’s a folding fabric roof or the option of a sliding panoramic glass roof

The 75th Limited Edition is available with the P400e plug-in hybrid powertrain (110 models only); a 296bhp D300 diesel is offered on both 90 and 110 models

ANNIVERSARY DEFENDER

Special-edition Defender features green colour scheme and ‘75 years’ graphics

Now you can camp in your Dacia Jogger

AFTER Auto Express broke the story first back in April that Dacia was considering a ‘Camper’ version or accessory pack for its Jogger family car, we can now confirm that an in car bed is under development.

When folded, the bed is stored in a wooden box in the car’s boot; you remove the third row seats and fold the middle row down to erect the bed, with a thin mattress that sits on top of the frame for comfort A tent that clips onto the tailgate will also be available.

Traffic levels remain down after Covid

COVID 19 has, in effect, culled one in 20 cars from UK roads, with traffic levels “entrenched” at no more than 95 per cent of where they were pre pandemic. AA analysis of Department for Transport figures shows reduced road traffic across the country, despite a 17 5 per cent increase in takeaway deliveries.

Of the 91 per cent of all UK households that ordered delivered goods last year, 60 per cent had takeaway meals driven or biked to their homes, up from 50 per cent in the two years pre Covid.

Subaru reveals new Crosstrek crossover

SUBARU will bring its new Crosstrek crossover (below) to the UK market to replace the brand’s current XV model.

In effect a third generation of the XV with exterior and interior tweaks, the Crosstrek has just been announced in Japan so it will likely hit the UK towards the end of next year It’ll be powered by a 2 0 litre e Boxer hybrid unit mated to a CVT automatic gearbox, while inside there’s a new 11.6 inch touchscreen.

Styling blends that of MC20 and previous GranTurismo

Peugeot 308 to go electric and showcase new battery tech

A NEW all electric Peugeot e 308 is coming next year and Peugeot has released pictures and first details of the five door hatch and the e 308 estate

The two new EVs will complement Peugeot’s growing electric car range, but unlike the French brand’s e 208 supermini and e 2008 compact SUV, which sit on Stellantis’s CMP architecture, the e 308 won’t be fitted with the familiar 50kWh battery. Instead, Peugeot has equipped the car with a 54kWh unit that will deliver a claimed range of up to 248 miles

The e 308 is based on the same Stellantis EMP2 platform as its combustion engined and plug in hybrid siblings, and will share its tech with the Vauxhall Astra e that will arrive after the e 308 next year The e 308 will be the first Stellantis model to offer pure ICE, plug in or electric power when it launches in June 2023

Peugeot also says the e 308’s battery will feature a new chemical composition to help achieve that claimed total range

The battery will feed a new front mounted electric motor that will deliver 154bhp and

260Nm of torque. An energy usage of 4 9 miles per kWh has been claimed for the e 308 while 100kW recharging capability means a 20 to 80 per cent top up will take less than 25 minutes.

Peugeot has updated most of its line up this year with new Active Premium + and Allure Premium + trims, and we expect a similar range structure for the e 308. Every e 308 will come with three drive modes (Eco, Normal, Sport) A ‘brake’ button will also maximise the energy regeneration, but won’t impact how quickly the car slows when drivers lift off the accelerator.

Inside, the e 308 should feel similar to its internal combustion engined counterparts, with Peugeot’s i Cockpit layout featuring a central 10 inch touchscreen, i Toggle switches and a compact steering wheel

Expect the fully electric powertrain to bump up prices, though Currently, the most affordable petrol 308 starts from £24,385, but the electric version could start from as much as £34,000 The gulf between the cheapest petrol and electric versions of the smaller 208 stands at around £9,600, so we’re expecting a similar increase for the 308 when it goes into battle with the likes of the Cupra Born and Volkswagen ID 3

PAGANI has revealed its latest supercar, called the Utopia It features the same twin turbocharged 6.0 litre V12 as the brand’s Huayra, but here it offers more: 864bhp and 1,100Nm of torque.

The Mercedes AMG sourced engine is mated to either a six speed manual gearbox or a seven speed automated manual from British firm X Trac.

Forged alloy double wishbone suspension is

controlled by adaptive dampers linked to the Utopia’s drive modes, while six piston front and four piston rear Brembo brakes slow the car.

As is normal for a Pagani, the body is constructed from carbon fibre, which along with other exotic materials helps keep weight down to just 1,280kg. Just 99 units will be built, but expect a Utopia roadster in time.

BODYSTYLES

e 308 will be available as a five door hatch and an estate; Peugeot has not yet said if boot space will be impacted

Higher cost of electricity forces rise in price at chargepoints

THE cost of topping up an electric car using a public chargepoint is skyrocketing as energy bills soar

Public chargepoint operator Osprey is one operator that has been transparent about the situation, announcing a new price across its network of £1/kWh

The firm’s CEO, Ian Johnston, described the circumstances around the change as “extraordinary”

“The Government has announced a £150 billion support scheme for homes and businesses,” he said. “However, as yet, we have no details on this scheme

“Unlike for residential customers, to date there’s been no cap on the price that businesses pay for their electricity and, indeed, in recent weeks the price of electricity has risen to more than three times what it was this time last year ”

Johnston said he was sure he wouldn’t be “the first CEO of a business that is placed in this difficult position”

He added: “Until we know more about the Government scheme, we have no choice but to increase our pricing. We want to reduce our prices if we can ”

Research from the RAC suggests t the 34p per kWh Energy Price

Guarantee will mean that the cost of home charging a mid sized electric car with a 64kWh battery will rise to £22.22 from 1 October.

This means an increase of £3 85 over current prices, although it represents a saving of £11.58 against the £33.80 figure that would have been introduced by Ofgem’s latest price cap rise without Government intervention

The RAC’s EV spokesman, Simon Williams, said this was “good news” for EV drivers who home charge, but called on the Government to tackle the issue of public charging costs.

He said: “We now need the Government to urgently announce a specific support package for chargepoint operators, and indeed other businesses more widely, who have no option but to raise their prices to previously unthinkable levels to reflect soaring electricity costs ”

HOT TOPIC Nissan X-Trail

FROM: Marco Ejs I DON’T understand what’s going on with the shape and size of the headlights Surely a fairly pricey 2023 model car like this should have full size LEDs The interior looks amazing, but I’m not sure the exterior is up to scratch

FROM: Josh Davies HOPE the ground clearance on this new X Trail is better than it is on the current Qashqai, because one of those bottomed out while reversing on to my driveway And I can get a Hyundai i10 on to the drive with no problems at all

Side-hinged tailgate isn’t that bad at all

FROM: Kevin Smith I AGREED with most of the findings of the VW T Roc vs Mazda CX 3 vs Ford EcoSport used triple test (Issue 1,744) As a disabled driver, however, I must say I find the EcoSport’s side hinged boot door eminently practical It’s great if you can’t afford a powered tailgate

Motorists cannot defend themselves

FROM: Ben Stevens DEEPLY concerning that drivers accused of motoring offences aren’t allowed to see the footage that has been submitted before deciding how to respond (Issue 1,745) It really does feel like there’s a sinister war on motorists being waged right now

Will dead batteries write off older EVs?

FROM: Graeme Morgan SURELY battery degradation must be the most significant factor in the purchase of a used EV (Issue 1,745)? Who is going to pay thousands of pounds when the battery life gives up? Are electric cars going to end up on the scrap heap before their time because of this?

Range Rover Sport deserves to succeed

FROM: Tom Shawton GLAD to read good things about the new Range Rover Sport (Issue 1,745) I’m still not sold on the looks of the latest full size model, but the sleek, sharp design of the Sport has grown on me quite a bit Hopefully it’s a big hit for Land Rover in what is a very crowded market

“Until we see the Government support, we have no choice but to increase our prices”

Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk

■ “Overall, quite a nice design. Could do with more conventional lights and more ruggedness ” Ian Lovell

■ “Looks to me like a jacked up Qashqai with some extra plastic bits and all wheel drive Neil George

■ “The front end remarkably similar to that of the X7 Not sure if that’s a good thing ”

Reaction to new

Tristan Shale Hester

tristan shale hester@autoviacouk shale

INSIDESTORY

TOP OF THE FLOPS

THE car industry has always excelled when it comes to innovation, and we’re certainly reaping the benefits as we embrace an exciting era of relatively new technologies such as electrification, automation and micro mobility.

But not every idea that the industry’s boffins come up with is a good one. And even when they do produce something clever, there’s no guarantee that the general public will agree

Over the next four pages, we take a look at some tech innovations of the past that, for a variety of reasons, did not have quite the intended impact.

A boffin’s crack at alternative transport

IN the current landscape, where the desire for sustainable personal mobility is delivering ever more radical concepts like foldable microcars, the thinking behind the Sinclair C5 doesn’t seem quite as out of tune as it did back in 1985.

Inventor Sir Clive Sinclair had acquired great fame thanks to the massive success of the ZX Spectrum home computer, so there was huge anticipation when he turned his attention to urban transport.

But the eagerly awaited C5 comprehensively failed to deliver It was, in essence, a battery powered tricycle that was steered by a handlebar under the user’s knees, but it was also underpowered, delivering only 0.34bhp and being capable of a mere 15mph It had a limited range, offered inadequate protection from the elements and left those brave enough to try it feeling rather exposed alongside full sized vehicles.

Only 5,000 were sold and Sir Clive, rather sadly, became a very public figure of fun for a while

A roof that provided five cars in one

THE hype that surrounded the Citroen C3 Pluriel’s arrival in 2003 was extraordinary It was claimed to deliver five bodystyles in minutes, thanks to its canvas roof mounted on a pair of arches.

You could have a comfortable four seat saloon with a roomy boot; an open top “leisure vehicle” with a full length sunroof; a Targa style semi convertible with the roof removed but the arches in place; a full convertible with the arches taken off; or even a two seat pick up with a drop down load area

Unfortunately, the execution was pretty shoddy The roof was perplexingly fiddly, the arches were a hefty 12kg each, and there was no storage for them in the car, so if it suddenly started raining, you got wet

You’ll be unsurprised to learn that no car maker has attempted to repeat the idea.

Graham Hope

The motoring industry plays host to some of the world’s most creative designers, but they don’t always hit the nail on the head

An eighties car that talked back

THESE days, talking to tech such as Google Nest, Siri and Alexa has become second nature But turn the clock back 40 years or so to the early eighties, and Nissan’s idea of a car that spoke to you seemed like something out of a sci fi movie.

The model in question was the US market Maxima saloon, and it introduced a voice warning system that relayed a range of messages advising of potential problems, such as doors remaining open and lights left on

When compared with the intelligent assistants we are accustomed to now, the tech that delivered this seems basic; a phonograph and three inch plastic record were used, featuring a handful of alerts.

One or two other makers followed Nissan’s lead and launched ‘talking cars’, including most famously here in Britain, the Austin Maestro with its digital dashboard. However, the idea always felt like something of a gimmick and never properly captured the imagination of the public

A motorcycle with a roof

THE rationale behind BMW’s C1 of 2000 was simple. As the brand’s heritage website explains, it tried to h question: “Why not combine the merits ycle with those of a car?” theory, but in reality, the C1 was a mishmash of ideas a scooter with tesy of an aluminium cell that was o afford additional crash protection), uired riders to wear a seatbelt, but not et. A 125cc four valve engine seemed ul enough on paper, but the C1 was , which meant performance was sluggish o on the weighty side was a price of around £4,000, which meant sales were slow. Arguably the biggest problem with the C1, though, was the fact that ch an ungainly machine delivered next to no street cred. Innovative it may have been, but with desirability in short supply, the axe fell in 2004

A car powered by nuclear reaction

SPOILER alert: this didn’t actually come to fruition. While the thought of a car featuring a nuclear reactor now seems thoroughly outlandish, in the fifties it was considered viable enough that Ford produced a scale model to showcase how one might look.

The idea behind the Nucleon was that a reactor, located at the rear of the car, would use uranium fission to heat a generator that would convert stored water into steam, driving a set of turbines. These would power the car and an electrical generator

The benefits Ford envisaged were near zero emissions and superb ‘fuel efficiency’, with uranium top ups required only every 5,000 miles or so.

While it sounded an interesting concept, numerous concerns including the size of the reactor, what to do with waste and the potential consequences of crashes ensured that the Nucleon never progressed beyond being a talking point.

“The Pluriel’s roof was fiddly, the two arches weighed a hefty 12kg each, and if it rained, you got wet”

DIGITAL REVELATIONS

The Nissan Maxima (main) and Austin Maestro (above) could talk back to you

GONE FISSION

Ford explored the idea of a nuclear powered car but in the end risks were deemed too great

A car with switchable cabin and bodywork

CONFESSION time: we love the idea of the modular car, as showcased in 1982 by the Italdesign Capsula, a concept created by Giorgetto Giugiaro (designer of such classic machines as the DMC DeLorean and BMW M1).

The thinking behind it was simple: a modular chassis on to which different capsule cabins could be applied. So if you wanted to turn a passenger car into a van or ambulance, no problem. All you needed to do was remove one capsule and replace it with another (with some assistance, presumably)

The platform contained all the key elements, including a front mounted Alfa Romeo engine, gearbox, suspension, fuel tank and more, with everything under the feet of the passengers sitting in whatever capsule was applied

The problem was the potential price, so the Capsula never progressed beyond concept status. But as an example of ambitious innovation, it deserves some respect

Suspension from an audio company

“STICK to audio” might have been the natural first reaction on hearing that Bose was working on hi tech car suspension in the early eight

But the company’s efforts were impressi if we are to write the suspension off as a flo to be on a commercial basis, not a technica

The idea centred upon using electromag drivers from loudspeakers in place of tradit shock absorbers to deliver a smooth ride a times, while a car’s body would stay level

Cunningly as videos online attest the even sensors fitted that could survey the ro ahead, searching for potholes and imperfe meaning the suspension would proactively to ensure comfort was not compromised

It was expensive and heavy, which ultim ended the interest of the handful of manufa who’d considered using it All was not lost, because some of the ideas employed in the suspension were used in truck seating.

A car powered by gas turbines

IN the 1950s, a number of companies explored the potential of gas turbine cars, but it was Chrysler that became most closely associated with the concept.

To manufacturers, turbine engines seemed an attractive option, due to the fact they had fewer moving parts than piston units and offered the ability to run on different fuels. Over the course of a decade, Chrysler developed a series of prototypes before the moment of truth arrived in 1962 with the launch of the Chrysler Turbine Car, which was largely an exercise in market research.

Fifty examples were made and distributed to potential customers who would provide feedback Among the issues they encountered were poor acceleration, awful fuel economy, an irritating engine noise similar to a jet and deposits on the turbine blades when leaded fuel was used

This ensured that work on turbines went no further, and their fate was sealed although Chrysler did maintain a research lab for some years.

eighties. impressive, an flop, it h technical one electromagnetic traditional at all there were road imperfections, adjust ultimately interest manufacturers though, Bose

UNPLUGGED

EV1 was ahead of its time, but GM could not make it pay, so took back lease cars and scrapped them

A car with disappearing doors

SOME innovations that didn’t catch on are now remembered rather fondly, and a good example are the ‘disappearing’ doors that featured on the BMW Z1 roadster produced between 1989 and 1991

The diminutive two seater, while very much of its era, still looks pretty cool, and its undoubted party piece was doors that slid vertically downwards into the sill at the press of a button, instead of opening in a conventional fashion

This was made possible by a mechanism that included electric motors in both the window and the door, rods and a toothed rubber belt; returning them to their usual position was a simple case of tugging on the door pull.

The supposed benefit was easier access, but that was debatable given that you still had a fairly high sill to step over Indeed, it was hard to shake the impression that the doors were rather pointless The Z1, though, can be put down as a curio because it also featured removable plastic body panels.

An electric car pioneer

IT may seem unduly harsh to consider the pioneering General Motors EV1, which was produced and leased in the US between 1996 and 1999, as a bona fide “failure”. But you’d be hard pushed to call it a success.

It was created as a result of a mandate in California that required US car manufacturers to produce zero emissions vehicles in order to continue to market their products in the Golden State The 102kW two seat EV1 was leased to customers in Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Francisco, along with Phoenix and Tucson in Arizona.

However, GM was unhappy at the cost of the project and when the California regulation was successfully challenged in court, there was an opportunity to pull the plug. File its time”.

“Among the issues they found were awful economy, poor acceleration, and jet noise”

SeanCarson sean carson@autoviacouk

FOLLOWING the recent reinvention of the Range Rover for the electric era, it’s now the turn of the Range Rover Sport

NEWCARS Rove

The Sport is based on the same MLA Flex platform as the Range Rover This allows for plug in hybrid models and a full EV that will join the range in 2024, and it’s the former in P510e guise that we’re focusing on here.

It uses a 38 2kWh battery feeding a 141bhp electric motor alongside a 3 0 litre turbocharged straight six petrol engine to deliver 503bhp and 700Nm of torque.

This gives the car its easy going feel, especially around town and at lower speeds You move off smoothly and quickly in full EV mode, with plenty of refinement. And when the engine does kick in, it’s smooth and also pretty well suppressed

Ask for everything and despite the 5.4 second 0 62mph claim the car doesn’t feel that fast, but the delivery is smooth. The same is true of the gear shifts

Flat out isn’t the P510e’s forte Instead, let the car dictate when to use its electrical energy, petrol, or a combination of both with a relaxed approach to driving, and the Range Rover Sport is extremely convincing Land Rover claims up to 69 miles of emissions free running. With rapid charge

capability, an 80 per cent top up takes less than an hour, while using a standard home wallbox increases this to five hours.

Although it’s unlikely you’ll get close to the 327 7mpg claim, we did find the predicted electric range to be pretty accurate, albeit in 30 degree conditions. Of bigger benefit might be the 19g/km of CO2 emissions which, combined with its all electric range claim, puts this £108,600 Autobiography model in the eight per cent Benefit in Kind company car tax band

This third generation Range Rover Sport’s ability is broader than ever The car feels as though it can now do much of what the full fat Range Rover delivers, with a flowing ride that has a light touch on the road And the Sport has lost none of its dynamism; the car’s steering is direct and offers up a lovely weight and resistance free feel to how you wind on lock

In Dynamic mode the Sport’s chassis feels tauter, with ripples from the road surface more noticeable; control is better and the ride isn’t badly corrupted

You still can’t throw the car about you need to manage its weight and smooth out pitch and roll with gentle inputs but it’s relatively agile for such a big machine This is an SUV first and a sporty car second Agility is boosted by active all wheel steering, where the rear wheels can turn

FIRSTDRIVE We get behind the wheel of a ca

by as much as 7 3 degrees In slower corners and tighter streets and car parks, manoeuvrability is impressive.

Inside, the Range Rover Sport clearly has a more dynamic focus compared with its bigger brother, but it doesn’t feel like it sacrifices luxury in any way. Much of the cabin architecture is shared with the full fat Range Rover, including the 13 7 inch digital instruments and 13 1 inch touchscreen The Sport has a more cosseting cabin though, with a slightly sportier feel Material quality is great throughout However, just like the regular Range Rover, the nasty plastic for the Meridian stereo’s

speaker pods on the front door tops seems like a real oversight

It’s a small blot on an otherwise clean copybook The rear seats are impressively spacious, offering plenty of legroom, and despite the Sport’s lower roofline and our car’s panoramic glass roof, there’s still no issue when it comes to headroom

Boot space stands at 647 litres for a solid level of practicality, and there are nice storage touches inside the cabin.

Autobiography trim is pricey, but you get a lot of kit Connectivity includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa voice assistant and Spotify, plus downloadable apps and over the air software update capability.

Heated and ventilated leather seats with massage function come as standard, along with full keyless go with soft close doors, Land Rover’s advanced off road camera tech and Terrain Response system, wireless phone charging, loads of driver assistance tech and everything you’d expect from a top spec Autobiography Range Rover.

“In Dynamic mode, control is better and the ride quality still isn’t badly corrupted”

Running costs 1mpg (official) fill

FIRSTDRIVE Revised suspension and fresh looks for French brand’s largest SUV

Matt Robinson Matt Robinson@autoviacouk @matt

WE’VE had numerous misgivings about the DS 7 over the years, but one particularly bad blot on its report has been the ride As the first bespoke DS product after the split from Citroen, it ought to be smoother, given the brand’s focus on comfort But now there’s a facelifted version of the DS 7, and the suspension has been overhauled

There’s a catch, though only the E Tense 4x4 360 flagship gets these changes, which aim to sharpen up the driving experience at the slight expense of suppleness

The DS Performance team has gone to town on the EMP2 platform It sits 15mm lower, while the track widths have increased by 24mm at the front, and 10mm at the rear

The powertrain features a 1 6 litre four cylinder turbo engine and a pair of electric motors for a total of 355bhp and 520Nm of torque, and a 5 7 second 0 62mph dash

The difference in the driving experience is obvious: the low speed ride is busy, and at times verges on crashy. It’s better at higher speed, but this is certainly no waft mobile, with body movements remaining very active even on the smooth French t t f

our test drive. The payoff becomes clear on twistier roads, where this DS 7 is happy to be hustled at a good pace through corners

Considering the car’s weight, body control is commendably tidy, but while the steering is nicely weighted, there’s no real feedback Grip is good, although an overly ambitious entry speed will remind you of the DS 7’s height and weight But be more realistic in your expectations, and the DS 7 360 can be quite fun on the right road

The enlivened hybrid set up never leaves you wanting for power, yet it doesn’t feel hugely fast either. However, the dynamic personality is undone by the eight speed automatic gearbox, which is too keen to downshift, even on part throttle

The engine sounds strained at higher revs, too, and the issues hamper the enjoyment of the successful chassis tweaks, although the new set up can be appreciated elsewhere

This DS 7 edition is more comfortable because of its extra control It’s refined on the move and is very relaxing when running on electric power, which it can do for up to 36 miles. The transition from electric only to hybrid isn’t always the slickest, though

The DS 7 is also new inside, featuring f h l d l th tt l

“The hybrid set up never leaves you wanting for power, but it doesn’t feel hugely fast either”

The low-speed ride can verge on crashy, but the benefit is good body control, allowing the car to be hustled through corners at a pretty decent pace

Essentials

DS 7 E-Tense 4x4 360

Opera

Price: £60,440

Powertrain: 1 6 litre 4cyl turbo petrol PHEV Power/torque: 355bhp/520Nm

Transmission: Eight speed automatic, four wheel drive

0 62mph: 5 6 seconds

Top speed: 146mph

Economy/CO2: 161 1mpg/40g/km

Electric range: 36 miles

ONSALE

slick 12 3 inch digital dash and 12 inch screen running the newer IRIS software

It’s a reasonably responsive, crisp looking display, although the shortcut keys are small and not easy to use on the move Material and build quality is good

Even though the body houses a larger battery, practicality is unchanged. You

still get a generous 555 litre boot, plus a good amount of rear legroom and enough headroom, despite the sloping roofline

It’s a practical, handsome car that’s now much better to drive, but we can’t help but be a little confused as to who it’s for It seems odd to invest what must have been a sizeable budget into the

chassis of what will be a niche model (the 360 will make up 10 per cent of UK DS 7 sales) while leaving the suspension of the bread and butter versions untouched.

It’s particularly befuddling considering DS’s supposed hallmarks of ‘comfort and serenity’, while the £60k price of our test car could be hard for some to swallow, too.

Verdict

DS has done a great job of making this new DS 7 E Tense 4x4 360 range topper reasonable fun on a B road, but it seems like a strange place for the brand to focus so much energy when cars lower down the pecking order are still crying out for improved suspension. The interior and exterior tweaks across the line up are welcome, though, and while this DS Performance model is certainly not without merit, at this price point it’s taking on well established rivals that even include Porsche DS can’t match that blend of luxury and performance

NEED TO KNOW Cabin has been upgraded with new infotainment, while exterior design (above) has also been tweaked

PRACTICALITY DS 7’s 14 2kWh battery takes one hour 45 minutes to charge using a wallbox, while cabin space and luggage room are competitive, too Interior materials and trim (above) give a premium feel

Matt Robinson Robinson@autoviacouk

IT really feels like Citroen has started to rediscover its sense of direction in recent years In the past, there have been flashes of daring quirkiness that have singled out the brand’s past icons, and in more modern times the C5 Aircross was one of the first in the current Citroen range to show signs of that returning A focus on space and comfort, while other car makers pushed for a sportier driving experience, made the brand’s family SUV a breath of fresh air when it launched in 2017

Five years on, there’s a facelifted version and we’ve now sampled it in the UK.

The revisions start with a new look inspired by the recently released C5 X The focal point is the front end, which gets new headlights with split LED running lights that blend neatly into the central grille panel. Beneath this, the tweaked bumper has new air intakes and a skid plate on the lower edge to emphasise the SUV look

The C5 Aircross still features distinctive Airbump plastic cladding, originally conceived to protect the paintwork from low speed dings, while reprofiled tail lights round off the changes at the back.

Infotainment

The dashboard has also been overhauled

There’s a larger infotainment screen, although the new set up looks as if it’s been grafted onto the existing fixtures of the old model, which had a more distinctive air vent arrangement around the display. While the 10 inch display is much sharper than the old hardware, it runs old software In contrast, the C5 X has an all new system

This also means that the climate controls are a permanent fixture on the screen (there are no physical buttons here)

Elsewhere, the cabin is much the same as before Passenger space in the back is competitive with that of rivals such as the Skoda Karoq, but the C5 brings the added benefit of having three individual seats that can be slid back and forward individually With the seats pushed all the way back, there’s a generous 580 litre boot, but sacrifice some rear legroom and that figure grows to as much as 720 litres

As before, Citroen’s fantastic Advanced Comfort seats are squishy yet supportive in all the right places, and they work in harmony with the chassis set up

Not much has changed under the skin, but we’re glad it hasn’t The Aircross ranks towards the top of the class for ride comfort Progressive Hydraulic Cushion suspension (regular bump stops are ditched in favour of secondary dampers) helps cushion knocks if the dampers reach the end of their travel That allows the springs to be softer, and the result is a very forgiving ride, especially when cruising However, this does mean that the C5 Aircross’s body rolls through corners

This 129bhp 1 2 litre PureTech turbo petrol model is the entry point to the range

INTERIOR Cabin tweaks focus on new 10-inch touchscreen, which is positioned in the centre of the dash It features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a reversing camera

and for most buyers it’ll be just fine It pulls keenly enough from low revs and offers decent refinement. An almost complete lack of engine braking is an odd quirk, though

Unless you really need an auto, we’d save £2,075 and plump for the six speed manual. The eight speed auto is controlled by a new selector on the dash, but its calibration with the stop/start system and brakes makes it tricky to drive smoothly

The revised C5 Aircross starts from £28,070, which represents a small increase over the outgoing model Kit levels on the base Sense Plus trim are still generous, though; 18 inch alloys, a 12.3 inch digital dash, dual zone climate control and sat nav are all standard Shine trim adds roof bars and a reversing camera, while the top spec C Series Edition gets 19 inch wheels, a panoramic roof and a hands free tailgate.

AlastairCrooks Alastair Crooks@autoviacouk @AllieCrooks

PLUG IN hybrids might be losing customers to pure electric cars (sales of PHEVs have dropped by 15 7 per cent this year, compared with BEVs rising by 48 8 per cent), but Mercedes is clearly confident there’s still a market niche that it can fill with this new GLC 300 e

On paper, the new GLC looks to be a significant improvement over the old model There’s more boot space, extra equipment and a longer all electric range

While other markets will receive a more powerful 400 e variant from launch (as shown in our pictures), the GLC 300 e will be the range topping petrol model in the UK until the GLC 63 arrives next year

The GLC 300 e’s powertrain consists of a four cylinder turbocharged petrol engine pumping out 201bhp and 320Nm of torque, working in tandem with a 134bhp electric motor for a total of 308bhp and 550Nm

This is actually down on the GLC 300 e’s predecessor, and the 0 62mph time is a second slower at 6 7 seconds However, on the move, the new car never feels slow

The hybrid system delivers a seamless transition between power sources and the nine speed automatic gearbox is smooth

There are several driving modes to choose from in the GLC Pick Eco mode and the GLC optimises electric running for lower

emissions driving Sport mode delivers faster gearshifts, utilises all of the power from the petrol engine and electric motor, and adds extra weight to the steering.

The GLC 300 e also has an Electric mode in which the car runs on pure electric power up to 87mph If you accelerate hard the petrol engine will kick in, however.

Mercedes claims the 31 2kWh battery allows at least 62 miles of pure electric running, with potential for up to 81 miles A full recharge from a 60kW DC charger is possible in around 30 minutes

It’s clear the GLC has been developed for refinement and comfort over sportiness; it glides over bumps and ruts on German spec air suspension UK buyers will only be offered standard steel springs, but the system works well on the platform sharing C Class so we remain optimistic.

If you’re gentle with your inputs, the GLC responds well in the corners with the 4MATIC all wheel drive system providing a safe, neutral balance. There’s not much feedback through the wheel, but it does load up reassuringly through corners

Mercedes claims the non PHEV GLC gains an additional 70 litres of boot space over the previous model Figures are yet to be released for the PHEV car, but we expect a smaller increase given the larger battery

Pricing has not yet been revealed, but we expect the 300 e to be around £60,000.

Essentials

Mercedes GLC 300 e

4MATICAMG Line

Price: from £60,000

Powertrain: 2 0 litre 4cyl turbo petrol + 1x e motor

Power/torque: 308bhp/550Nm

Transmission: Nine speed automatic, four wheel drive

0 62/max: 6.7 seconds/135mph

Economy/CO2: 428mpg/14g/km

Electric range: 81 miles

ON SALE Autumn

Mercedes GLC 300 de

FIRSTDRIVE It’s costly, but GLC diesel PHEV may be the best

Essentials

Mercedes GLC 300 de 4MATICAMG Line

Price: From £62,000 (est )

Powertrain: 2 0 litre 4cyl diesel + 1x e motor

Power/torque: 329bhp/750Nm

Transmission: Nine speed automatic, four wheel drive

0 62mph: 6 4 seconds

Top speed: 135mph

Economy/CO2: 564 9mpg/14g/km

Electric range: 81 miles

ONSALE Autumn

Verdict

WITH this 300 e model, Mercedes has shown it can develop class leading PHEV tech, while retaining that all important focus on refinement. Plenty of rivals are more fun to drive, however, and with the firm pushing even further towards the premium end of the market, the GLC’s pricing could be a tough pill to swallow Nevertheless, it’s a brilliantly capable car

MERCEDES has somewhat cornered the diesel plug in hybrid market of late, which means the new GLC 300 de doesn’t have much competition

But Merc still hasn’t dropped the ball

The 300 de is powered by a 197bhp 2 0 litre turbodiesel and a 134bhp electric motor; total system output is 329bhp and 750Nm of torque, and both power sources are well integrated. This means a 0 62mph time of 6 4 seconds, so the GLC never feels sluggish

The GLC 300 de is 60kg heavier than the 300 e (left) at a relatively portly 2,415kg Mercedes has done well in masking much of this weight with direct, nicely weighted steering and a responsive powertrain; even the nine speed automatic transmission changes gear swiftly if you use the paddle shifters However, sharp inputs and tight turns quickly highlight some noticeable body roll.

The GLC 300 de is much happier when cruising along at motorway speeds We tested the 300 de with the adaptive air

suspension, which sadly won’t be coming to the UK; we’ll have to make do with the standard steel sprung set up instead Even in the hardest ‘Sport’ setting, the ride remained silky smooth We’ll get simpler suspension, but this still bodes well

This refinement is complemented by the addition of what Mercedes says are “S Class levels of sound deadening” It’s easily up there with the best in its class and could even give a few luxury limousines a run for their money in terms of quietness.

For even less noise, switch to Electric mode and Mercedes claims a zero emissions range of up to 81 miles from its 31.2kWh battery. This drops the 300 de into the five per cent BiK band

As in the 300 e, there’s an 11 9 inch touchscreen and a 12 3 inch digital dash The latest MBUX infotainment is wonderfully easy to use, with all the key features easily accessible Material quality inside is also excellent, and the cabin is comparable with the best in the premium mid size SUV sector There’s decent visibility from the driver’s seat, rear occupants get good space, and there’s a bigger boot than in PHEV versions of the Audi Q5 and BMW X3

Verdict

THE most expensive version of the GLC could be the best. This diesel plug in hybrid’s extra oomph is welcome and is one of the best around It’s not the most dynamic SUV, but the tech, refinement and efficiency outweigh this. It’s an improvement on the old car in every key area, so the GLC’s success looks set to continue

EQUIPMENT UK won’t get AIRMATIC air suspension, but interior tech is great Material quality is also mostly good; the only issue is some piano black plastic that could scratch easily

EQUIPMENT Central screen is inspired by that in Mercedes’ S Class flagship and the technology works beautifully GLC feels more advanced and luxurious than ever inside

PRACTICALITY PHEV boot capacity figures have not yet been released, but rear seats offer plenty of space and the GLC’s chassis set-up and powertrain provide good comfort and refinement

“It’s up there with the best for refinement and is even a match for some luxury limousines”

NEED TO KNOW GLC 300 de’s powertrain is punchy, with electric motor complementing diesel unit, which delivers great torque

HEAD back as far as you like in Lamborghini’s history, and almost without fail there’s a trend running among Sant’Agata’s iconic vehicles: the final examples of the breed are always the most extreme and thrilling of all

The run out models of the Countach, Diablo and Gallardo were all deeply special. Even as recently as the Huracán, it’s the latest Tecnica edition that’s the best of a very talented bunch

The brand’s iconic Aventador is no different. This is the LP 780 4 Ultimae, which here we’re driving in Roadster form; it’s one of 250 to be produced alongside 350 coupés Ultimae, for those of us not fluent in Latin, means “the last”.

It marks a final chapter in another way, too While Lamborghini has vowed to carry on with its V12 engine, the Ultimae is the last without hybrid tech So has Lambo quite literally saved the best till last?

The Ultimae takes the know how learned from an 11 year production run and rounds it all up into one package The carbon fibre monocoque provides a rigid structure from

which to hang motorsport inspired push rod suspension, but also the rear wheel steering system from the Aventador S

The Aventador’s dramatic looks have been tweaked with a downforce boosting front bumper; at the back, a three stage active wing aids stability Of course, the Aventador provides wonderful theatre before you even move off The scissor doors rotate towards the sky to reveal a cabin as low and dramatic as the exterior The Roadster opens up to the world courtesy of a pair of carbon fibre roof panels that slot into the front boot when they’re not needed

On to the engine, then The 6 5 litre unit has been tweaked from the already extreme SVJ to liberate an extra 10bhp, up to an astonishing 769bhp, making it the most powerful naturally aspirated production V12 in Lamborghini’s history. For such a large unit, it isn’t afraid to rev, either; that peak is produced at a heady 8,500rpm

Lift the fighter jet style flap covering the starter, prod the big red button, and the engine roars into life before settling into a bassy idle Blip the throttle and the exhaust barks, sending passers by ducking for cover

Move away gently to let everything warm up, and the first thing you notice is the

gearbox Compared with the slick dual clutch systems you’d experience in a Ferrari, Porsche or even the smaller Huracán, the single clutch seven speed unit here feels almost archaic Each ratio thumps home quite ungraciously if you’re just cruising about; the best way to deal with it is to gently lift off the throttle during each upshift Admittedly, doing this doesn’t make the process any quicker, but it certainly does smooth out the process

Still, at full bore acceleration you won’t complain partly because the gears slot home much more keenly when the throttle pedal is pressed to the bulkhead, but also because the acceleration is so violent, a little jolt marks a brief respite from the forces acting on your neck

Assess the V12 any way you like performance, throttle response, noise and it’s simply astonishing We’ll start with the first of those, though; it takes just 2 9 seconds for the Ultimae to hit 62mph, and it’ll keep going to 221mph. It doesn’t matter what revs you’re at, the engine responds instantly and pulls relentlessly

The noise is truly wonderful when you open it up, aggressive and guttural with a spine tingling crescendo, unlike Ferrari’s

HANDLING

Lamborghini Aventador Ultimae roadster

FIRSTDRIVE As it’s done with previous models, the famous Italian brand saves the best till last for its open top supercar

operatic 812 The Aventador sounds angrier and more violent

Downshifts are accompanied by both a flare of revs and, occasionally, a mortar style boom from the tailpipes It’s all quite childish, but in the best possible way

Despite this, the chassis feels quite grown up. Power is deployed cleanly and effectively through Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres (20 inches front, 21 inches rear), while the steering is precise and makes this 2 1 metre wide supercar feel less intimidating than you might imagine It’s even comfortable, too

With production numbers so low, you’ll be lucky to see one Ultimae on the road, let alone two alike. Thanks to the Ad Personam programme, owners can choose from more than 300 colours There’s even a paint to match service; pay a little more, and you can be granted complete exclusivity on your chosen shade, so nobody else can have it.

Verdict

DRAMATIC, loud and incredibly quick, the Aventador Ultimate Roadster is everything you could possibly hope for from a Lamborghini, and a fitting send off for the company’s naturally aspirated V12 engine. Less expected, but equally impressive, is the sophistication in the car’s chassis, which allows you to exploit that staggering engine. The final version of the Aventador is also the best.

“Blip the and the barks, sending passers-by ducking for cover”

WHEN you think of a big, premium performance car, your first thought is probably of something large with two doors and four seats Something that blends style with performance and comfort and most probably a hefty price tag.

Like many different niches in the new car market, however, the boundaries between segments is being continually blurred and ever more broad, resulting in cars that have greater depth.

Porsche is a brand that has redefined the class in recent years with the Panamera, and it’s packed full of star quality With the Sport Turismo model here, Porsche has added even more practicality with a sleek estate bodystyle without sacrificing performance.

But the German firm hasn’t stopped at just the one genre blending model, because its Taycan also offers much of the same ability, but with a twist it’s fully electric. Like the Panamera, the Taycan is available as an estate as well, which here we’re testing in Cross Turismo form to determine which powertrain better fits the bill. Petrol vs electric in the premium stakes. Place your bets now...

Pictures: Otis Clay

MODELTESTED:

COMBUSTION or electric, coupé or Cross Turismo, there’s always one thing that remains a constant throughout the Porsche range, and that’s a lengthy personalisation list Among the many options fitted to this Taycan 4S Cross Turismo are the black leather free interior (£2,538), Ice Grey metallic paint (£1,683), 20 inch Turbo design wheels (£1,776), a Panoramic roof (£1,137), a 22kW AC charger (£1,179), the Sport Chrono Pack (£788), a Bose surround sound system (£956), and the 4+1 seating arrangement (£336) Those bump up the £91,000 starting price to £101,393

Design & engineering

THE Taycan marked Porsche’s entry into the world of fully electric vehicles in the modern era, and the project was no small undertaking An all new electric architecture, called J1, was developed with Audi; the project also spawned the e tron GT, which uses very similar hardware

The new underpinnings showcased EV technology that was, at its release in 2019, some of the most advanced on the market Indeed, 800 volt electrical architecture means that the Taycan is available with ultra rapid charging

Initially, the Taycan was launched as a four door, whose styling stayed faithful to the stunning Mission E concept revealed at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show Since then, the range has been bolstered by two estate variants: the Sport Turismo, and the slightly jacked up Cross Turismo model we ’ re driving here Mechanically, there’s little to separate the Cross Turismo from the rest of the Taycan range, but the optional off road pack raises the air suspension by 10mm in its Medium mode, to complement a little extra body cladding

Inside, the cabin is just like the rest of the Taycan line up The design is clean and understated, with physical buttons kept to a minimum The driving position feels as sporty and low slung as you’d hope from a Porsche, despite the 93 4kWh battery pack located under the floor

In this 4S model, that battery provides energy for a pair of electric motors which together offer a maximum output of 483bhp and 650Nm Unusually for an EV, there is a gearbox, which drives through the rear motor only; a first, shorter ratio is used to give a burst of acceleration, while the second is for cruising efficiency

Driving

CHANCES are you’ll be aware of all the inherent benefits that come about with a fully electric powertrain by now Near silent motors, a smooth throttle response and lightning fast performance are here in abundance; the last of these is proved by the 0 62mph time of just 4 1 seconds, making it 0 3 seconds faster than the Panamera The way it delivers this is stunning too, with instant response

What is more of a departure from many EVs is just how involving the Taycan is to drive While the noises (or lack thereof) aren’t what you’d expect to hear from a Porsche, the chassis characteristics are all present and correct It’s keen yet controlled through corners, with plenty of composure even

the Taycan shows that an EV future is pretty bright too

Performance Instant pace off the mark is mind bending, but Taycan loses ground to Panamera at higher speeds

when confronted with nasty mid corner bumps

The steering is precise and beautifully weighted, too, while there’s enough wizardry going on with the way that power is split across the two axles that traction is formidable Even in slippery conditions it takes serious provocation on the throttle to encourage the tail to slide

Most people won’t be pushing their Taycan this hard, though, and the good news is that the air suspension system delivers a soothing ride while never feeling even remotely vague or wallowy It’s proof, if anything else, that electric vehicles need not be dull to drive

Practicality

AT 446 litres, the Taycan’s boot is 28 litres larger than its stablemate’s But while there’s a small cubby under the boot floor, it lacks the 230 volt socket that the Panamera has, nor does it have levers in the boot to make it easier to drop the back seats Once down, the backrests reveal a near flat loading area

Of course, with no engine in the front, there’s the added benefit of extra storage here, too The 81 litre volume is an ideal space in which to drop the charging cables USB C ports in the back, a small glovebox, decent door bins, and an extra shelf below the floating centre console all feature in the cabin

As standard, the Taycan is a strict four seater, but for an extra £336 it can be specified with a fifth, central seat in the rear This is quite narrow, though, so it’s better suited to children

Ownership

CHARGING is one thing to consider when living with an electric car, but the Taycan is one of the quickest and most stress free options around Porsche says that it’ll charge at a peak of 270kW, meaning a five to 80 per cent recharge (that’s 201 miles, based on our efficiency reading) is added in 22 minutes and 30 seconds When we plugged the Taycan into a 350kWh charger, we saw a peak charge rate of 285kW quicker than Porsche’s own claim

Running costs

THE benefit of running an EV (despite rising energy prices) are the lower ‘fuel’ costs over similar combustion vehicles We averaged 3 2 miles per kilowatt hour in the Taycan, which at the current capped electricity unit price of 28p/kWh, means that 20,000 miles of driving will come to £1,750 per year Average the 32 1mpg we achieved in the Panamera (without charging the battery), and it’d cost £4,807 a year in unleaded Of course, keep the battery topped up, and while prices will also rise due to charging costs, efficiency will increase and the effective pence per mile cost will fall

Testers’ notes

”The piano black dash panel looks great when it’s new, but it’s taken only a few thousand miles of use before it’s already looking scratched and grubby.”

lex Ingram ief reviewer Alex Chief

Interior Cabin feels typically Porsche; low, snug and nicely finished This test car features a leather free interior

Back seats

Foot space is a little tight, but otherwise the Taycan’s second row of seats is comfortable

THROUGHTHE RANGE

Which trim level might suit you?

WHILE Porsche doesn’t offer many trim variants (the only changes within the Taycan range are down to bodystyles and powertrains) the main way to make your car stand out is through options

As highlighted in the intro, the car in these images has over £10,000 of options. Among the most eye-widening extras not fitted to this car are 21 inch wheels with carbon fibre aeroblades (£5,636), carbon fibre door mirror trims (£1,052), the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control active anti roll system for the air suspension (£2,315), and carbon composite brake discs (£6,321, or £6,902 if you want the calipers painted black instead of yellow).

Of course, you can specify a range of exterior and interior colours, including one of nine seat belt shades (£345 each). The most competitive lease deal we found was a three year agreement with a 10,000 mile annual limit for £1,234 per month, with a six month fee paid up front.

Digital outer screens wheel CAR

THE Platinum Edition is set apart from the rest of the Panamera range through subtle cosmetic and spec details (see Through the Range, right)

However, as on the Taycan, there are a few choice options added here, including adaptive cruise control (£1,455), and Isofix child seat mounts on the front passenger seat (£134) The extras lift the £97,770 starting price to £105,309

Design & engineering

BEFORE we dive into the technical details, there’s one thing that sets the Panamera apart from its all electric range mate: the cabin

While there’s no questioning the flawless build quality in any Porsche and especially these two it’s the Panamera that seems the more luxurious car inside The dashboard layout feels more substantial, and the level of finish seems the higher of the pair It truly is a gorgeous place to sit

Like the Taycan, the Panamera relies on platform sharing within the wider Volkswagen Group But don’t think that this means there’s any cutting back on the sophistication, because it uses the MSB architecture, which also forms the basis of the Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur

That brings with it a number of key technological talking points; the optional rear axle steering fitted to this test car helps to decrease its turning circle by 0 6 metres over the standard car, while the adaptive air suspension varies both ride height and responsiveness of the chassis

The MSB platform also allows for the provision of electrified powertrains The Panamera 4 E hybrid is the first of three plug in hybrid powertrains available to Panamera buyers, combining a turbocharged 3 0 litre V6 petrol engine and a 134bhp electric motor The total outputs of 456bhp and 700Nm should be more than enough for most, but those looking for even more urgency can turn to the S E hybrid with 552bhp, or the Turbo S E hybrid The range topper uses the same electric motor, but is boosted by a 4 0 litre twin turbo V8 The result is a whopping 690bhp, a 0 62mph time of a scant 3 2 seconds and a 196mph top speed

Driving

ONE of the biggest influences on how differently these two cars behave on a challenging road is the tyres While the Taycan rides on Michelin Pilot Sport 4 rubber, the Panamera uses the stickier 4S tyres This can be felt through the steering, which is more keen to turn in, while the car offers a more neutral balance when loaded up in the corner and, ultimately, more grip

For a car that weighs 2 2 tonnes, the Panamera is deeply impressive to drive It’s not sharp in the mould of some high performance German saloons, but the responses to inputs are so good (the steering in particular is fantastic), the body is so well controlled, and the traction is so strong that it’s an incredibly satisfying car to drive whatever the speed Yet it also delivers a soft, relaxing ride that’s not far off what you’d hope for from a luxury limousine, and its breadth of abilities is staggering Indeed, they’re even wider than the impressive Taycan’s However, there are areas where the 4S shows just a little bit of

Porsche Paname

Performance Panamera’s 4 4 second 0 62mph time is three tenths shy ofTaycan’s, but its 174mph top speed is 25mph higher

As the ‘halfway house’ between pure petrol power and a full EV, is the hybrid Panamera best of both worlds?Estate

weakness The braking system, strong as it is, needs a little fine tuning The pedal has a dead zone towards the top of its travel before any sort of motor regeneration kicks in, and the transition from there to mechanical braking isn’t the smoothest, either

While the eight speed gearbox is smooth for the most part, it can be a bit clumsy in other areas it’s a little slow to engage reverse, for example

The V6 engine is a solid companion to the electric assistance Performance builds with a strong, consistent swell of power; this is in contrast to the Taycan, which has an almost shocking initial punch that tails off as the speed rises

Practicality

WHILE its total boot volume doesn’t quite match that of the Taycan, the Panamera’s load area is a neat, square shape, and its opening is lower and much wider The inclusion of 12 and 230 volt sockets, plus a couple of hooks, make it a useful space, too

In the rear, the Panamera feels much more sumptuous than its in house rival In fact, its softer, wider seats mean that it’s the car we’d prefer to spend time in

It’s also more spacious Yes, the Taycan’s rear headroom is excellent especially when fitted with the optional (and huge) panoramic roof, but it’s still slightly behind the Panamera’s Knee room is also a smidge tighter, and the Panamera also has more space for feet under the front seats this despite the “foot garages ” Porsche has carved into the Taycan’s floor courtesy of gaps in the under floor battery pack

Ownership

PORSCHE has proven itself to be the brand to beat when it comes to owner satisfaction in recent years In our latest Driver Power survey, it took top honours in both the manufacturer category (highlighting the reliability and general quality of its range) and the dealer survey, proving that its sales and aftersales teams are among the best in the business to deal with

Running costs

FOR high earners, these two might be candidates for company car use, and due to their electrification, they aren’t as pricey to run as that Porsche badge might have you think Official CO2 emissions of 51g/km mean that the Panamera falls into the 15 per cent Benefit in Kind tax band, which translates into annual deductions of £5,862 for higher rate income tax payers However, the Taycan’s electric powertrain drops it into the lowest two per cent band, which means it’s subject to deductions of just £728 per year

Testers’ notes

“The Panamera’s centre cup holders are spring loaded, so sit flush with the dash when not in use Not a vital detail, but they look and feel smart.”

Alex Ingram Chief reviewer

Interior Stunning cabin lifted here by “Saddle Brown” leather, which is a £2,670 option Comfort Rear quarters feel the more sumptuous here; we’d rather cover long distances in the back of the Panamera

THROUGHTHE RANGE

Which trim level might suit you?

THE Platinum Edition builds on the standard Panamera’s kit list by ticking a couple of extra option boxes and adding a few unique cosmetic features.

Among them are smoked tail lights unique to this trim, 21 inch alloy wheels painted in a platinum shade, with badges and some trim pieces inside receiving a matching finish The already impressive standard kit list is boosted with the addition of a panoramic sunroof, matrix LED headlights, privacy glass and black exhaust tips. Inside, there’s a sports steering wheel, heated rear seats (both of which are optional extras on the standard Panamera) and brushed aluminium trim on the dash and the door cards.

On identical three year lease terms to the Taycan, the best offer for the standard Panamera 4 E Hybrid came to £1,342 per month. The Platinum Edition is more expensive to lease, with the best deal weighing in at £1,491 per month. drive selector in Panamera,

Instruments are only partly digital in the Panamera; counter takes centre stage button on sportiest Panamera

Audi RS 6

MODEL:

PORSCHE isn’t the only brand that offers buyers both premium petrol and electric performance options

The Audi RS 6 Avant delivers 591bhp and 800Nm from a 4 0 litre twin turbo V8, figures that not long ago would have blown us away in a supercar Indeed, the RS 6 can crack the 0 62mph sprint in as little as 3 6 seconds

There’s more to the RS 6 than just straight line speed, though The chassis offers sophistication; the RS 6 reassures the driver with a neutral balance, so those incredible performance stats can be exploited easily But when you want to relax, the RS 6 is comfortable

It’s also roomy the vast 565 litre boot means plenty of luggage space, while the cabin is an Audi masterclass in understated cool and slick tech, even if it doesn’t quite match the luxurious feel of the Panamera

Starting from £97,670, the RS 6 is more affordable

Rivals: Four fast and roomy alt

Mercedes-AMG

NOT only does Porsche face fierce competition from the Audi RS 6, but Mercedes AMG knows a thing or two about high speed wagons, too

The E 63 S Estate has even more appeal than the Audi in some areas

First, there’s the engine There’s a 4 0 litre twin turbo V8 under the bonnet, but the Merc has even more power: 606bhp, to be precise, plus 850Nm of torque The 0 62mph dash is dispatched in just 3 5 seconds, and the thunderous engine note gives the E 63 S bags of character

And further good news comes in the way the E 63 S matches this performance with usability, because the 640 litre boot makes it the best load lugger here by some margin Like the Porsches, the E 63 S is a GT car wrapped up in an estate car body. It’s coming to the end of its life, though, and in Final Edition trim, it’s not cheap

E 63

Big Mercedes estate manages to blend all the pace and luxury of a genuine GT car with the ability to carry huge loads

RS

Audi e-tron GT

MODEL: e tron GT 60 quattro

PRICE: £83,285

POWERTRAIN: 2x e-motors, 469bhp

IT isn’t just Porsche that has more than one representative in this new breed of GTs Audi also offers something for enthusiasts looking to explore the electric avenue, with its e tron GT

That J1 platform that’s also used by the Taycan has been interpreted rather differently by Audi, but the resulting exterior design of the e tron GT is no less spectacular to look at Few road cars offer so much visual drama, and the Audi EV backs that up with genuine ability.

Like the Porsche, there’s ultra rapid charging thanks to the 800 volt architecture, a twin motor set up with at least 469bhp, and a range of almost 300 miles There’s very little to separate the e tron GT and the Taycan to drive

What the e tron GT doesn’t offer, however, is an estate bodystyle, which means you’ll need to put up with a boot capacity of just 405 litres and a saloon tailgate

ternatives

Mercedes-AMG

MODEL: EQE 53 Night Edition

Price: £113,855

Powertrain: 2x e motors, 616bhp

THIS is the car that takes on the mantle of the E 63 S, in spirit at least For now, Mercedes’ EQE electric executive saloon is available only in 53 trim, but we’re sure there’ll be faster models in time, as well as an estate version, potentially

However, despite this car being the second tier rung of the AMG ladder, the EQE 53 actually delivers 10bhp and a whopping 100Nm more than the E 63 S

The downside is that it weighs considerably more, too Nevertheless, it’ll sprint from 0 62mph in just 3 5 seconds, so it mixes genuine performance with impressive usability, given the car’s claimed 290 mile maximum range

Opt for the Hyperscreen infotainment system and you’ll get one of the most advanced pieces of in car tech on offer today, too However, it’ll bump up the already significant £113,855 purchase price even further. And like the Audi e tron GT (above), it’s only available as a four door

Porsche isn’t having things all its own way in the luxury grand tourer marketplace, because these four make strong rivals

EQE 53

Electric EQE to 62mph in just 3.5

E-tron with the that’s

Infotainment

Which multimedia system is best for music, sat nav & connectivity?

Porsche Comm’ Management

PORSCHE Communication Management is the brand’s latest iteration of its infotainment tech, and it maintains the unfussy principles of earlier systems

Now, however, they’re shown on a much larger, sharper and more colourful display; the 12 3 inch central touchscreen looks fantastic

Shortcut icons are displayed in a sidebar to the right, which leaves room for either simple tile like shortcuts on the main menu screen, or mapping on the navigation screen, courtesy of Google

The screen isn’t quite as responsive nor the loading times as fast as the newest systems from BMW and Mercedes, but it still operates very smoothly

Another small gripe we have is that the reversing camera ’ s detail hasn’t kept up An HD camera would be better On the plus side, Porsche’s infotainment tech features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

FOR AND AGAINST

Porsche Panamera Porsche Taycan

Latest smartphone connectivity standard, simple menus

Reversing camera isn’t very hi res, other brands’ systems quicker

Display The 12 3 inch screen looks fantastic Widescreen layout makes the most of Google mapping, and can show a wide array of menu shortcuts at the same time

Porsche Comm’ Management

BUYERS in the market for an EV expect as much digital tech as possible, and that’s why there’s a couple of key differences to the Taycan’s set up

The main touchscreen is slightly smaller than the one in the Panamera at 10 9 inches, but it looks great, works well and loads reasonably quickly

The big differences lie in two supplementary displays While the Panamera gets traditional analogue dials with small screens mixed in, the Taycan’s 16 8 inch digital cluster enables a little more customisation of the key functions It’s still clear and easy to read, which makes the integration a success

We’re not as convinced by the lower screen on the dashboard It covers frequently used controls such as the air conditioning, but while the on screen keys are easy enough to use, we feel that the physical knobs and switches in the Panamera are easier to use

FOR AND AGAINST

Display Screen is much the same as the Panamera’s, but is backed up by a second 8.4 inch display for the air conditioning among other functions

Key features:

Key features: touchscreen

Looks great, climate touchscreen one of the best of its type to use

Panamera’s physical climate controls still work better

Figures

Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo

£91,000/£101,393 £62,390/68 6% £28,610 £364/£728 £1,050/£1,750 50/£1,516/£0

4,963/2,900mm 1,379/1,966mm 2x e motor 483bhp 483bhp 650Nm 2 speed auto/4wd N/A/repair kit 93.4/83.7kWh 446/1,212 litres 1,910kg 253bhp per tonne 11 8 metres 3 yrs (unlimited)/1yr 1st/1st 85/83/70/73/5 (2019) 4.1 secs/149mph 3 2mi/kWh/268 miles N/A 298 miles 0/0g/km/2% 9 6kW/270kW 10hrs30min/225min*** *

Yes/yes/f&r/yes Yes/yes/£548/yes Yes/yes/part/yes £774/yes/yes/yes Yes/yes/yes/yes Yes/yes/yes

INSURANCE BOTH Porsches sit in the maximum group 50 but the Taycan is the less expensive option for our example driver to cover for a year fully comp

BOOT FOLD the rear seats down and the Taycan loses its advantage to the Panamera However with its front storage area the Taycan is the more flexible car

WARRANTY

PORSCHE offers a three year unlimited mileage package of cover for combustion and electric vehicles

PERFORMANCE

TAYCAN S twin motor set up offers superb performance with huge torque output giving instant punch and refinement

5,049/2,950mm 1,428/1,937mm V6/2,894cc/e motor 134bhp 456bhp 700Nm

8 spd auto/4wd 80 litres/repair kit 17.9/17.9kWh 418/1,287 litres 2,225kg 205bhp per tonne 11 4 metres** 3 yrs (unlimited)/1yr 1st/1st N/A

4.4 secs/174mph 32 1mpg/599* 134.5mpg 34 miles 203/51g/km/15% 7 2kW >3hrs

Yes/yes/f&r/yes Yes/yes/yes/yes Yes/yes/part/yes £0/yes/yes/yes Yes/yes/yes/yes Yes/yes/yes

FUELTANK VAST 80 litre capacity means that the Panamera can offer a huge cruising range especially with electric top ups

WHEELS

THE 21 inch alloy wheels fitted to the Panamera are part of the exclusive upgrades for the Platinum Edition. They suit the dynamic proportions of the Sport Turismo perfectly, and the platinum finish looks understated. Some of the wheel options for the Taycan are anything but; go for optional 21in wheels and you can choose gloss black, satin black, satin gold, or match them to the body colour

ECONOMY OFFICIAL figure is higher than our own, but with regular short trips and constant charging, it is technically possible

LEATHER PANAMERA features part leather upholstery as standard; full leather starts from £2 670 Both cars feel premium inside

NOISE

TAYCAN

IT’S an incredibly close call, but the Taycan is our pick here In this company, it really does feel like the future; its powertrain is so smooth, refined and punchy, yet it’s still just as sophisticated to drive and with the character you’d expect of a Porsche From a financial point of view, it holds its value better, it’s cheaper to lease, and it’s cheaper to run for private and company car users alike

PANAMERA

IT may be our second favourite Porsche estate car, but it doesn’t stop the fact that the Panamera is still a fantastic grand tourer. It’s more sumptuous inside than the Taycan and more spacious, and it’s better at doing long distances, but items such as the gearbox feel like old tech beside its stablemate. Still, it’s a wonderful technical achievement

WHILE silence is great in a GT car, performance car buyers might desire a bit of noise from the powertrain to get a feel for what’s happening when driving keenly. The near silence of the Taycan’s e motors can be boosted with the Porsche Electric Sport Sound; the £354 option adds a hum that sounds futuristic and dramatic. The Panamera’s V6 provides a suitable soundtrack not evocative, but rich and familiar

DUE: Price: TBC 3x e

If you want a more traditional GT and an all electric powertrain, wait for the Maserati Gran Turismo Folgore It’ll hit 62mph from rest in just 2.6 seconds and do more than 200mph. tailgate Nav/digi dash/DAB/connected Wireless charge/CarPlay/Android Auto

Porsche Panamera 4 E Hybrid Sport Turismo Platinum ed. £97,770/£105,309 £58,554/59 9% £39,216 £2,931/£5,862 £2,884/£4,807 50/£2,282/£510

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Solution

Skoda Fabia

Dawn Grant Dawn Grant@autoviacouk

FOR the past couple of months, I’ve been looking after my daughter’s puppy, Isla, once or twice a week, and she has become a big fan of our Skoda Fabia Well, to be fair, she just loves being in any car, but Isla definitely knows she likes the small Skoda and will sit by the door waiting for me to let her in

While the Fabia’s boot is a good size, Isla usually travels in the back seats and as anyone with a dog knows, unfortunately dogs (or should I say their coats) and cloth interiors really don’t go together, so I use an old cover to protect the rear seat While this does help, it’s definitely not ideal, and I still spend a long time hoovering up the fur that somehow seems to get everywhere

Skoda recently conducted a survey to mark International Dog Day in conjunction with BorrowMyDoggy, which found that more than seven million owners travel with their dog in the car at least once a week, showing there is a big market out there for dog related products Skoda has a range of pooch accessories across its model line up, too, including a hammock for the rear seats, which I’ve now ordered I’m hoping Isla will love it and it might save

Running costs 55 6mpg (on test) £74 fill up £165 or 30% tax

me time on cleaning, too It’s something I’ll update you on in a future report, hopefully It also means I’ve been driving across London from our home in Putney to my daughter’s flat in the north west of the city It’s only just over 8 5 miles, but the journey can take anything from 37 minutes to well over an hour At least driving the Fabia in town is comfortable and easy because the seats are supportive and simple to adjust, as is the steering wheel My husband and I have very different driving positions, so it’s a big help

The steering is light and responsive and I’m a fan of the six speed manual gearbox, which is smooth The 1 0 litre TSI engine also means I can make a swift getaway from the lights, not that it’s much of an option in town since the majority of the route is in a 20mph zone, but my husband was recently impressed at beating a Porsche off the line!

I’m finding the fuel consumption reasonable as well On one of our regular 100 mile trips to the coast, we managed 70mpg before reaching the outskirts of town, according to the trip meter, but for journeys across town, it’s around half that

The 9 2 inch infotainment screen is great and most functions are really easy

Practicality

Boot (seats up/down) 380/1,190 litres

to use except for the air conditioning In London’s stop start traffic, you can just about operate it when you ’ re on your own, but on longer, faster moving journeys it’s impossible without a passenger

The low set dual temperature dials are fine, but if you want to adjust the fan or the direction of airflow, you need to do this via the touchscreen Bearing in mind

Skoda’s ethos of functionality, this seems needlessly complicated

On the road Cross capital treks are a breeze courtesy of the Fabia’s light controls

SECOND REPORT Man’s best friend finds a new buddy in the shape of our Czech supermini

Verdict

Citroen e-Dispatch

Dean Gibson Dean Gibson@autoviacouk @DeanGbsn

WHEN people find out that you drive an electric van (often when they want to berate you for blocking a public EV chargepoint with what they presume is a smelly diesel), one of the first questions that’s often asked is how a heavy payload affects the van ’ s range Having mostly driven our Citroen e Dispatch empty, I thought it high time we loaded it up before it headed off into the sunset, just to see what effect a full cargo area has

For this highly unscientific project, I raided my garage for anything that would add some weight Mountain bikes aren’t really that heavy, but it’s easy to double your payload with two on board, and I had a couple of pretty weighty toolboxes and toolkits, too Some spare paving slabs came in handy (finally), while assorted pots of paint and gardening ephemera helped to fill the 5 8 cubic metre cargo bay For good measure, I also borrowed my son to add a few additional kilos

With everything tied down and child buckled up, a full charge of the 75kWh battery and a zeroed trip computer, I spent a week burning through the claimed range

of 180 miles I didn’t employ any eco driving tricks and kept the e Dispatch in the Normal drive mode, just as I have for most of my time with the van There are Eco and Power modes to choose from, but they demand changes to your driving style that make them seem unnecessary, especially when the e Dispatch defaults to the Normal setting every time you turn it on

With three quarters of a charge depleted and 150 miles covered, the result was 2 5 miles per kWh, just 0 3mi/kWh less than a best of 2 8mi/kWh that I’ve achieved with an empty load bay That’s about a 10 per cent loss of efficiency, so expect a loss of around 20 miles from the van ’ s official range if you ’ re carrying a lot of weight on board

One factor that does contribute to improved efficiency is the ‘B’ mode for the drive system This has the same effect as selecting a lower gear in a manual car, and ploughs energy back into the battery when coasting It soon becomes second nature to use around town, but it only works when there’s spare capacity in the battery

If you select ‘B’ mode with a full charge, the van coasts like it’s in neutral, rather than slowing, and efficiency when unladen only really maxes out at around 2 4mi/kWh As a result, I’ve taken to leaving the van

partially discharged at all times just to take advantage of the energy recuperation that’s on offer It makes urban driving easier because you ’ re not using the brakes as often, and it’s nice to see the van ’ s range add a couple of miles on those occasions where it’s used more frequently

As already mentioned, our time with the Citroen e Dispatch has come to an end, but after six months with it, it’s proved to be a pretty convincing electric van The 75kWh battery is the one we’d go for just for the extra peace of mind it provides when

Practicality

Cargo

Running costs

Official range/tax 190 miles/£0

compared with the 50kWh pack that’s also on offer, while the sheer simplicity of turning the van on, selecting Drive and heading off in silence means this is a stress free work vehicle

Any gripes we have with the e Dispatch are shared with the diesel version It’s not the biggest medium sized van available the Ford Transit Custom and Renault Trafic offer more cargo and passenger space, for example while a lack of wide angle door mirrors mean that blind spots are a bit of an issue, too Our van featured blind spot detection at least, but it didn’t always activate

Connectivity is a big focus for vans at the moment, but while I downloaded the MyCitroen app to my smartphone and paired it with the e Dispatch, I’ve hardly used it recently The initial novelty of looking at monthly energy use and the distances I’ve covered with each trip has worn off, so it’s now more of an annoyance when it asks if I want the app to collect driving data I might fire it up to watch the van ’ s departing journey back to Citroen, though

Loaded Filling e Dispatch with kit (and son) meant a small drop in overall range, but nothing drastic

“One factor that does improve efficiency is the ‘B’ mode for the van’s drive system”

FINALREPORT Our man weighs up the penalties of carrying a full load

Essentials

Citroen e-Dispatch Driver

On

Comfort Van is smooth, but shoulder space is limited with three adults on board

Performance Torquey electric motor hauls heavy cargo without much effort

Land Rover Defender(on

UNTIL recently I’d never owned a dog or driven a 4x4 or even had any notion of getting married But there I was, on honeymoon, driving around Europe in a Defender with my bride next to me and our dog Tito snoozing on the back seat

The odyssey began, as is traditional, with a six hour wait at the Folkestone Eurotunnel terminal Then from Calais we headed through Belgium into Germany, then down past Munich, continuing through Austria and Slovenia into northern Croatia, and on to the Adriatic coast

Two people and a dog in a Land Rover hardly sounds like the last word in romance, and the three of us did have the odd squabble along the way But as far as our feelings for the Defender were concerned, love reigned supreme Being touchy feely urban dwellers, we were the kind of people who’d generally grumble about Chelsea tractors whenever one got in our way Yet we found ourselves cruising along autobahns and twisting and turning our way up mountains and through forests, loving it a bit more every day

I am no petrolhead or hybrid head in this case so I have little technical language or knowledge to apply to my review I do know what I like and need, though, and the Defender met my relatively simple requirements It felt as well suited to motorways as it did to challenging country roads and city streets

I made a bit of a song and dance about parking it, until I realised it was barely longer than my BMW 5 Series Touring, and any parking problems were all in my head plus it was almost absurdly comfortable Six or more hours at the wheel were a doddle The adaptive cruise control proved to be particularly useful The sound system

was great and the infotainment smart, even if I’d need a longer journey than to Croatia and back to master it

The cabin has nooks and crannies in all the most convenient places to stow all the paraphernalia touring brings with it And I never again want to drive anything without a small fridge in the armrest between the front seats Also, importantly for peace of mind on a trip like this, I enjoyed security that comes with being in the care of an apparently indestructible vehicle

Unfortunately, this indestructibility was something I put to the test On the return journey through Italy, I was minding my own business doing around 75mph on the autostrada when I spotted something in my lane 100 metres or so ahead During the short time I spent wondering whether it was just a mark on the road or a physical object, it turned out to be the latter

Somewhere further up the road there must have been an old Fiat minus its back bumper which, it turns out, had enough about it to shred a Defender’s tyre I suspect a lesser vehicle would have had more damage, but the Defender held its line, I slowed into the hard shoulder, and all was well

At the garage they shook their heads sadly and said they didn’t have an appropriate tyre I pointed to the spare bolted to the back door and took their happy exclamations

SECOND REPORT Editor Fowler lends his Defender to Adrian Chiles for of

“I never again want to drive anything without a small fridge between the front seats”

Touring Defender took cross Continental adventure in its stride, puncture and

Relaxing in the Croatian scenery

Adrian Chiles

Utility With clever folding seats stowed HR had plenty of space to take waste to the

Honda HR-V

THE label Sports Utility Vehicle or SUV is applied to all manner of practical and/or porridgy family carry alls these days, so it’s pleasing to find a car that lives up to the promise of those three little letters

A recent house move and subsequent garage clear out mean contributing editor Chris Rosamond has been making use of the ‘Utility’ offered by his Honda HR V, which spoils users for choice with the option of a van like cargo bay, as well as cinema style Magic Seats for maximum versatility

While the Honda is capable of epic feats as a workhorse, once it returns to passenger car duty it offers a driving experience that’s much more rewarding than some of its rivals. Of course it’s no sports car in any objective sense, but Honda’s SUV is more engaging on the road than many, with a taut chassis and responsive hybrid drivetrain making it fun to progress with a bit of verve when the occasion demands. The looks are spot-on too, reckons Chris, making the HR-V a winner in the school run style stakes and a great all rounder

Excursion

Focus Estate’s vast boot was used to maximum effect

to mean something along the lines of, God yes, a proper spare wheel you don’t get many of them these days

On we went, up into the Dolomites, where I enjoyed the mountain roads that bit more for the bonus electric charge generated by all the braking

As far as proper charging was concerned, it was slim pickings Of the eight hotels we stayed in, only two had proper chargers If there had been more, then overall consumption might have been better As it was we still managed to squeeze well over 400 miles from each tank

Verdict

BEFORE returning the Defender, I started looking into buying one. I read about what an outstanding off roader it is. My heart sank: how could I justify such a thing when I do precisely no off road driving at all? My mind turned to changing my life completely and buying a house so remote there is no road to it That’s how much I rated it Zoopla, here I come

The gearbox is a good one too, once you learn to drive around the momentary reluctance to get moving when accelerating away from junctions.

YOU may not be able to afford the real thing, but you can still get behind the wheel of a McLaren Senna this summer thanks to Tamiya

The RC specialist has just launched its 1:10 scale version of the 789bhp twin turbo V8 supercar on the simple to build TT 02 chassis The McLaren’s distinctive lines are captured in the polycarbonate body, while the wing mirrors and huge rear spoiler are made in ABS plastic The body requires painting, but there are decals to recreate the carbon fibre elements of the original The whe have a brake disc desig the scale appeal.

The chassis, which is Tamiya models, boasts four wheel drive, with t one side and the motor The chassis uses coil sp and the ride height can adjusted, so the car can run on rougher surface

The £149 price quoted above is just fo the model, which will require radio, servo,

battery and charger to be driven but packages are available.

Tamiya will also re release its Group 2 racing Volkswagen Golf on the MA 05 chassis, which is true to the real car’s roots with a front engine and FWD. The kit is available to pre order at £128 95 and an all you need package is £225

Replica

Group 2 racing Golf (below) is front wheel drive like the real car

QService before SORN?

I PLAN to put my car on a SORN over winter A service is due even though one was done this March Should I delay the next inspection until next March, when I take the car out of hibernation, or store it after it has had a fresh service? The car is kept outside, but under a cover Tim Everton, E-mail

AWE’D be tempted to get the service done now Contaminants in used oil can cause damage if left in the engine for long periods A service is also a good time to check coolant concentration. Brim the fuel tank to cut condensation and clean and wax bodywork before going under the cover

Be wise, get a smart charger

I’M looking for a battery conditioner for my second car this winter, because I don’t use it much. I’ve looked online, but you only seem to test chargers Have you looked at conditioners? Paul Dixon, E mail

A Adams Kim

THE distinction between conditioners that keep the battery ready to go and remove any lead sulphur that has built up and the latest smart chargers has blurred Today’s smart chargers do all that you used to buy a conditioner for. If you have a smart charger, use that or invest in one

Am I allowed to jump start?

MY neighbour recently had a flat battery on his car I offered to give it a jump start but he said you couldn’t do it with modern cars. Is he right? Rich Metcalfe, E mail

YOU can do it, but you do need to take care not to damage any electronic parts First check the handbook because some makers prohibit jump starting Connect leads using an earth rather than the battery terminal on car that won’t start and, after running for 10 minutes or so, turn off both cars before disconnecting.

Falken doubles up with allnew line-up of winter tyres

NEWPRODUCT

Falken winter tyres

Price:

JUST in time for the arrival of the cold weather, Japanese producer Falken has launched two new winter tyre ranges

The Eurowinter HS02 covers 14 19 inch sizes, speed ratings T, H and V (up to 118, 130 and 150mph), and profiles from 40 to 70 per cent in 76 sizes It features a conventional V shaped directional tread pattern, which is said to help water dispersal, with up to 78 litres per second shifted by the popular 205/55R16 size, giving good aquaplaning resistance The tread also has interlocking ribs in the shoulder to increase rigidity and stability.

The Eurowinter HS02 Pro is designed for higher performance cars plus SUVs and has an asymmetrical tread It will be available in 87 sizes, covering 16 21 inch rims and speed ratings up to W (186mph) The offset tread allows engineers to optimise the inner secti for snow and slush, and the outer f wet and dry performance Water displacement for the 245/45R18 is 101 litres per second

Both tyres feature 3D ribs for good grip on snow, with the graduated edges designed to improve self cleaning

The pair are also lighter than their predecessors the HS02 by nine per cent, HS02 Pro by 14 per cent This saves on the materials used and cuts fuel use as rolling resistance is reduced.

In EU tyre labelling the new tyres rank C D for fuel economy, B for wet grip, and 67 71dB for pass by noise.

NEWPRODUCT

Laser mobile service table

Price:

IF you don’t have space for a work bench but still want somewhere to put tools, kit or a laptop when working on your car, Laser has just launched a potential solution.

OFFSET

news, deals& events

The tray on the Mobile Service Table (part 8371) ) can be adjusted from 515 to 1,300mm to give the ideal height for working under the bonnet, in the cabin or inside the boot. The 30x340x700mm tray y can cope with up to 50kg more than enough for r chargers, slave batteries and hand tools

The table rolls on four 74mm castors, with two of them braked for use on uneven surfaces.

SUPPORT while two of the table’s four castors are braked

New app adds extra tech features to Ami

CITROEN has launched a new app for users of its Ami, My Ami Play. This boosts smartphone connectivity, giving users access to things like sat nav, internet radio and Bluetooth calling, using a smartphone as the processor.

There’s even a unit available that clips to the Ami’s steering wheel and allows the user to control certain functions without taking their hands off the wheel. It will be standard on new orders of Pop and Tonic versions, plus models featuring a colour pack, and can be added as an accessory, too. Visit your local Citroen dealer or citroen.co.uk/amito find out more.

Special offers on Nilfisk washers

HEAD to Machine Mart for special deals on Nilfisk pressure washers. Offers include a £14 saving on the C110 7 5 Extra, down from £94 79 to £79.99, while the impressive Core 150 model with hose reel now costs £220, down from £263.98.

The washers all include up to five years’ warranty and include an array of accessories to improve your car washing. Visit machinemart.co.uk for more details or to buy

Hundreds of classics head for Kop Hill

THE Kop Hill historic hill climb event returns to Buckinghamshire on 24-25 September. More than 400 cars and motorcycles are expected each day, with many taking on the hill. They include everything from an Austin 7 cavalcade to celebrate the car’s 100th anniversary, to a 75th anniversary Ferrari parade and two of the world’s fastest road cars a McLaren Speedtail and Ferrari SF90 Spider.

For details visit hophillclimborguk You can buy tickets online, but they will be available on the gate, too.

Tread with the other and

“The pair are lighter than their predecessors, which saves on the materials used”

section for

RATHER than the shrunken bar stool look of the Hilka, Clarke has made a seat that looks like a small mechanic’s tool chest On the top there is a larg padded area to keep you comfy, while four larg wheels keep the box stable and help the Clarke move easily, even on rougher concrete floors

The main body of the box contains three too drawers, which glide out on roller bearings, so they aren’t fazed by heavy spanners They eme from the side of the chest so you don’t have to stand up before you can open them

At the front there is a tray to hold other tools or parts taken off your car, and the back feature three cup holders, which are designed to take aerosol cans, but work just as well with a can of soft drink or a tall coffee cup.

There’s no denying the Clarke is expensive for a seat, but it is good value for tool drawers Combining both makes it our winner in this contest

Clarke’s new seat rolls in to take on Hilka champion

ONCE you’ve got a mechanic’s seat in your garage, you will wonder how you managed to survive without one Bending down to clean wheels or work on the lower half of your car can literally be a pain, while kneeling on the floor is never comfortable either Being able to sit comfortably makes all the difference, especially if your seat also includes castors to make it easier to move around, and storage so you don’t

lose precious parts or constantly have to make trips to the tool box

After our last multitest we crowned the Hilka Pro Craft as our favourite and it’s still a great product, with comfort and height adjustability But a price increase means it’s no longer such great value Clarke’s new rival costs more and does the job differently, but it feels like a much more substantial and useful seat It takes a narrow win here

THE Hilka seat finishes second, but it has some key advantages, which may make it more suitable for you The most useful is a gas spring, which allows height adjustment from 400 to 520mm to make working on different parts of your car easier

The well padded top is a large 38cm in diameter and having five castors on a wide base makes the seat stable. However, the smaller wheels struggled more on rougher surfaces than the Clarke’s

There are no drawers, but a shelf on the base will hold bigger tools or parts, while a smaller half shelf is best for keeping fixings and often used tools safe.

The Hilka has had a £10 price rise since we last featured it It does a good job and is almost half the price of its rival, but it no longer seems good value

Britain’s Motorways

Mark Chatterson (Amberley, amberley books co uk)

Price: £15 99 Rating:

A QUICK guide to all Britain’s M ways This should contain at least a fact or two to make even the most experienced drivers think next time they get on one of our multi lane expressways But it’s quite a compact book it feels like the author could have easily given more

Traction for sale

Bill Munro & Pat Turner (Earlswood Press, earlswoodpress co uk)

Price: £54 99 Rating:

EVER wondered how the Jensen FF (the first four wheel drive road car) got its name? It’s from Ferguson Formula Ferguson (of tractor fame) was the company behind it This book gives a history of the system, its development and use on and off the road (and track) plus the story of the company’s founders Well worth a read if you’re interested in four wheel drive for the road.

Hyper Drift!

Available for: iOS, Android

Price: Free Rating:

CLEARLY pumped out with little thought to physics or gameplay, this drifting game might be enjoyed by kids, because it’s very easy but be careful they don’t accidentally click on any dodgy ads You at least get a few rounds between ad breaks, although the courses are all very samey and the cars behave identically no matter which one you unlock

Appoftheweek Minitest

Cushty

Available for: iOS, Android

Price: Free Rating:

THIS is a fairly simple MOT and vehicle tax reminder app that lets you add your cars to a virtual garage It’s very feature lite but those it does have work pretty well and the interface is clean, attractive and simple to navigate.

“Being able to sit comfortably makes all the difference when working on a car”

Tom Barnard

Ansell TouchNTuff

Price: £15 42 Price per glove: 15p

Type: Nitrile

Rating:

Contact: amazoncouk

BEST BUY THE distinctively coloured Ansells are stretchier than most of the other gloves in this test which means they are both easier to put on and more comfortable to wear

Despite being the cheapest in the test at 15p per glove, and feeling thinner than most rivals here, they breezed through the bulk of the tests, only failing when faced with the acetone based carb cleaner The TouchNTuffs also breezed the nail drop test, with the gloves bouncing off from the blunt point unharmed.

The general good performance, value and comfort mean they take the Best Buy title

Tom Barnard

OUR hands are our most valuable tools when working on cars, yet we tend to treat them badly We let our fingers get covered in chemicals and then scrub them with harsh cleansers to get rid of the dirt. Sharp

Sealey

Price: £24 94 Price per glove: 24p

Type: Nitrile

Rating:

Contact: sealeycouk

RECOMMENDED THE Sealey gloves felt very lightweight compared with some of the others, despite the Premium name, and weighed just 4g per glove that’s half the weight of the heaviest We also worried that they felt small for the large size, which made them tricky to put on and remove.

edges leave cuts and scrapes too, which can take some time to heal.

All professional mechanics use disposable gloves, which protect their hands and mean they can quickly clean up if they need to touch parts of the interior. However, there’s

Once you’ve got them on, though, they have excellent comfort and sensitivity They also resisted all of our chemicals bar the carb cleaner. But the Sealeys’ downfall other than a steep price was in the drop test, where the nail created a large split every time. reveal the best to

a bewildering array on offer. Nitrile is the most common material, because it gives good protection against chemicals. Latex is less hardy but feels more comfortable We slipped on eight brands to see which will come in handy in your workshop.

Toolstation Disposable Blue

Price: £16 98 Price per glove: 17p

Type: Nitrile

Rating: Contact: toolstationcom

RECOMMENDED IF you want a product that will protect your hands from automotive chemicals at a very reasonable price, look no further than these Toolstation own brand gloves Not only do they have a substantial feel, they are also the heaviest gauge here, weighing in at 8g per glove twice that of some rival products

Despite this, they have good sensitivity, although the grip could be better, because they become slippery when wet. The only other black mark was a fail in the nail drop test, but they punctured with a small hole rather than splitting completely

Howwe testedthem

WE were looking for gloves that are comfortable, hardy and resistant to common automotive chemicals To assess this, we dipped the gloves in petrol, WD40, acetone based carburettor cleaner spray, engine oil and T Cut to see how they coped We then filled the gloves with water and dropped them from a height of 30cm onto a blunt nail (left) to see if they split Points were also awarded for value, comfort an

nley Disposable Latex

Price:

Type: Latex

£3 50 Price per glove: 18p atex

Rating:

:

Contact:

t: bmstorescouk

THESE them more and were latex

On resistant the slightest chemicals,

were the only latex gloves in the test, and we included to see if the material offered any advantages over the common nitrile They had great grip, excellent sensitivity ere very comfortable to wear. The stretchy nature of the also meant they were easy to put on and remove. top of that, the Stanleys passed the drop test and were ant to the carb cleaner But they disintegrated instantly at ghtest sniff of the petrol, oil or T Cut. If we weren’t using cals, though, they’d be our first choice.

“All professional mechanics use disposable gloves, which protect their hands and mean they can clean up quickly”

Intico Nitrile

Price: £16 99 Price per glove: 17p

Type: Nitrile Rating:

Contact: screwfixcom

THE Inticos tested were called large, but we’d recommend going up a size, given that we found them tight and tricky to get on, especially because there’s very little elasticity in the material.

Once in place, they are thinner than average, and weighed the least here, at just under 4g per glove meant great sensitivity for delicate jobs, yet they were still tough they passed the nail drop test. Unfortunately they weren’t so tough in the face of petrol and carb cleaner, which quickly lt d th

That

the which melted them.

Clearly Professional Clear Vinyl

Price: £17.99 Price per glove: 18p

Type: Vinyl Rating:

Contact: amazoncouk

THESE gossamer thin gloves weigh just 5g, but seemed surprisingly tough They were comfortable too, with good grip and sensitivity Despite not hav much stretch, we found them easy to put on and rem

comfortable, having remove. dropped.

Their score sheet looks fairly healthy, because they passed most of the chemical tests, with only the carb cleaner causing them to split The real surprise was in the nail test: despite feeling tough, the Clearly Professionals quickly split when droppe

Black Mamba Exam

Price: £28 98 Price per glove: 29p

Type: Nitrile Rating:

Contact: toolstationcom

OUR first piece of advice before choosing the Black Mamba gloves is to go at least one size bigger than you would expect. We ordered the 120 Large and they were very tight, which made them overly snug and tricky to put on

Despite being thicker than average, they offered good grip and feel. They were also one of only two products to resist all of our chemicals. But to our surprise they failed the nail drop test, and the quality of the gloves was variable At this price, that lost them points

Spontex Handy Sensitive

Price: £4 Price per glove: 20p

Type: Vinyl Rating:

Contact: tescocom

IF you don’t need a huge box of gloves, then this pack of 20 from Tesco could seem to make sense There is only one fits all size available, but the trouble is they didn’t actually fit either of our testers very well. Putting them on was a real struggle, too, and resulted in several gloves splitting before we’d even begun the tests

Once they were on, the grip and feel were good and they breezed through the nail drop task, but they failed when attacked with the carb cleaner and petrol.

Verdict

of the tests, so our scored the all rounder decent value, provided good chemicals. Toolstation’s product. The by the comfortable more sensitivity

e gloves passed all of our ur winner is the glove that most points for being a good

The Ansell TouchNTuffs are ue, comfortable to wear and ood protection against our Second place goes to ’s heavy gauge own brand he third podium spot is taken fortable Sealeys, which offer tivity for delicate tasks.

1. Ansell TouchNTuff

ouchNTuff

2. Toolstation

3. Sealey Prem.

on Disposable Blue Gloves rem. Disposable Nitrile Gloves

BUYINGCARS

“Good all around visibility, made even better by the clear reversing camera ”

“Great sound quality from stereo and I love how user friendly the radio is ”

“The automatic gearbox doesn’t struggle on the rural roads where I live ”

“The few long journeys I’ve made in the Yaris have been completed in comfort.”

“I average around 50 54mpg and I don’t drive slowly ”

“Very smart interior with all controls within easy reach ”

QWheredowestandon Citroen’spoorpaintfinish?

THE lacquer coating on my daughter’s 2016 Citroen C3 Picasso has lifted in patches on the roof and bonnet. I’ve looked into getting it repaired for her and have been quoted £400. Can we get Citroen to pay towards this?

John Lawrence, E mail

AWE checked the Citroen UK website and it appears the paintwork warranty only lasts three years, although it’s worth your daughter checking her car’s documentation to see if her’s is longer. If the warranty has expired, Citroen isn’t obliged to pay anything and may deny a request for a goodwill gesture It’s worth looking for quotes from reputable independent specialists who may repair it for a cheaper price.

QFillingintheGAPsof takingoutabusinesslease

I’VE always owned my cars outright, but am now getting one on a business lease for the first time. Is there anything I need to be aware of before committing to this for good?

David Earl, E mail

“IT costs a lot to update the maps on the built in sat nav, so I just end up using Google Maps via my phone ”

“The boot is too small, even for a car of this size. It only fits my weekend bag ”

“Driver’s seat is not very comfortable and aesthetic options are overpriced ”

“Heater isn’t particularly effective and the fan is too noisy at full blast ”

“Front seats need to be moved really far forward for adults to fit in the back seats ”

“Service plan didn’t cover everything I thought it would.”

“Poor choice of exterior paint options ” NOT SO GOOD

ANATURALLY, you need to make sure the price you’re paying is competitive and that you understand the amount of company car tax you’ll be paying If you’ve never financed a car before, you may never have thought to purchase GAP insurance, but this is a necessity when leasing. It’s needed because any normal insurance payout in the event of a write off won’t cover what you might owe to the finance company

QFlatbatteryleavesmycar undriveableforalittlewhile

I WENT away for a week’s holiday, and when I got back, my car wouldn’t start I jump started it, but then it wouldn’t drive above 25mph. I was going to book it into a garage the next day, but it suddenly worked as normal again What could this have been?

Ian Gomm, E mail

AYOU would need to consult a qualified mechanic for a proper diagnosis, but it’s possible the car entered limp mode after the battery went flat and then recovered once it had been restarted and driven for a bit It’s worth getting the car looked over at a garage the battery shouldn’t have gone flat after just a week, so a health check is a very good idea.

“WHEN I need to overtake, the response from the hybrid powertrain is more than adequate ”

WIDESPREAD electrification has been a long time coming, with most mainstream car makers slow to introduce new products.

The market is now awash with hybrids, plug in hybrids and electric cars, but six years ago it was a different story, with Kia at the vanguard with its Niro.

Designed from the outset as an electrified family car, the Niro showed other car makers how to do things Whichever powertrain was chosen, the car was packaged efficiently, with a long range, lots of standard equipment and a decent level of reliability included for good measure

Of course this shouldn’t have surprised anyone because these have been Kia strengths for years And even now, despite many alternatives reaching the market, the Niro remains a very desirable used buy.

History

THE Kia Niro went on sale in July 2016 in hybrid form only, with a 106bhp 1 6 litre engine and a 43.5bhp electric motor; they had a combined power output of 139bhp

In September 2017, a plug in hybrid (PHEV) was added to the range This was treated by Kia as a standalone model within its line up, but the trim level was based on the Niro 3

The final variant was added in April 2019: the pure electric e Niro, available with just a single high spec trim level

A facelift for the hybrid and PHEV in July 2019 brought improved infotainment, extra driver assistance systems, a design refresh plus an upgraded interior In summer 2020, the e Niro range was widened to include 2, 3 and 4+ trim levels

The e Niro 3 and 4+ have a range of up to 282 miles, or 382 miles in city driving, thanks to the 64kWh battery The e Niro 2 with a 39.2kWh battery with a range of

BUYER’SGUIDE:KiaNi

Richard

YOURVIEW

Expert’s verdict

THE first generation Kia Niro was somewhat ahead of its time as a relatively affordable hybrid, plug in hybrid or electric SUV. It offered enough space for family life and was an easy car to drive, with a great selection of powertrains It’s not an exciting car to look at or live with, and isn’t set up for sporty driving (despite the eagerness of the fully electric variant), but it’s a dream to live with

Common faults

THE Niro has had a superb run of results in our Driver Power new car surveys On its debut in the 2018 survey, it finished in second place out of 75 entries, then it came 10th in 2019, fourth in 2020, 15th in 2021 then 12th in 2022, with the e Niro coming 20th separately The low running costs are the Kia’s star attraction, but owners also like the good ride quality, the fine reliability and standard safety kit. halogen headlights come in for a great deal of criticism on forums

CASESTUDY

JAMES Callard from Chester owns a 2019 Niro He says: “After my Fiesta, the Kia seemed unbelievably well equipped, and it’s refined, comfortable and practical, too. It’s also enjoyable to drive, if not fun like the Fiesta was Reliability has been excellent and running costs are low My Niro is so likeable because it does everything I need and more, so I’m keen to hang onto it for a while yet.”

THE Niro and e Niro were rated separately in our 2022 Driver Power new car survey, but both ranked highly, with good scores for reliability and build quality. Add in the fact that many used examples will have some of their seven year/100k mile warranty left, and you’re on to a winner

roTowing

“Many used examples will still have some of their seven-year warranty left”

Tristan Shale Hester Deputyconsumered

Howmuch?

WE found almost 500 Niros Niros for two thirds of which one in just one in

Prices start at £13,500

Runningcosts

Interior

THERE’S very little to separate the Niro’s dashboard from the e Niro’s, the key difference being that the latter has a rotary selector for the gearchange. Other than that, all Niros have a clearly laid-out dashboard that’s finished to a high standard, with a responsive infotainment system and configurable instrumentation

Cabin space is also good, with plenty of room for four adults plus a child. The Niro has an acceptable 382/1,380 litres of boot capacity; in the PHEV this falls to 324/1,322 litres, while the e Niro boosts it to 451 or 1,405 litres.

Partwatch

Recalls

THE Niro has been recalled twice so far, the first time being in August 2018, when 5,012 cars were affected These were all built between November 2016 and September 2017, and they left the factory with poorly made actuators in the clutch housing. As a result, there was a chance that the oil seal within the transmission could become damaged, leading to fluid leaks, which in turn could lead to electrical short circuits The solution was to repair or replace the actuator.

The most recent recall came in May 2019 and this time 5,021 Niros were affected, once again made between November 2016 and September 2017 This time the problem was overheating Power Assembly

Which one?

IF your journeys are generally fairly local, any Niro is desirable, but for longer or faster trips, the PHEV or e Niro are better suited, although the latter is more expensive Indeed, unless you have a cheap energy deal it might be that the e Niro is too costly to run, so do the maths before buying

All Niros are packed with kit, the entry level 2 having 16 inch alloys, dual zone climate control, voice recognition, adaptive cruise control, auto headlights and wipers, privacy glass and rear parking sensors

The PHEV 2 also has front sensors, which are standard on the Niro 3 along with 18in wheels, navigation, leather, plus heating for the steering wheel and front seats

The Niro 4 has LED headlights, heated outer rear seats, a sunroof and a JBL hi fi.

Alternatives

WHEREAS the current Niro has lots of competition, the original was up against few hybrid, plug in hybrid or electric rivals.

For example, the BMW 225xe Active Tourer PHEV is more of an MPV than an SUV, but the Hyundai Kona Electric was a direct rival to the e Niro. The MINI

EQUIPMENT Sat nav can guide you to the nearest fuel or charging station when you run low on available range

Countryman was another PHEV of the time, while the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is readily available thanks to lots of fleet sales.

The Toyota C HR is a self charging hybrid that’s plentiful and hugely competent; this is closely related to the Lexus UX, which is more luxurious and more expensive.

More recent arrivals include the Toyota Yaris Cross and the Renault E Tech, which are hybrids rather than PHEVs

Electric alternatives include the Peugeot e 2008, the Volkswagen ID 3 and the Citroen e C4, plus the bigger Skoda Enyaq

Verdict

THE Niro and e Niro have won a slew of awards since they were introduced, and we were among many publications to lavish praise on these multi talented family cars

In 2019 DrivingElectric named the e Niro its Electric Car of the Year; the same year it was our Affordable Electric Car of the Year So it was no surprise that when we pitted a Niro PHEV against a plug in hybrid MINI

Countryman, the Kia came out on top; the result was the same in our head to head against the Hyundai Kona

When we ran an e Niro on our fleet, we concluded: “The Kia e Niro is a great family car that happens to be electric It’s better to drive than many petrol cars, and way cheaper to run.” Overlook the Niro at your peril.

Contacts

Official kia.com/uk Forums niroforums.co.uk kiaownersclubco.uk kianiroforum.com

IT’S a testament to the BMW M Division that the E92 M3 is being considered against a pair of pure sports cars. It may lack the visual drama of the Porsche and Lotus, but the BMW certainly packs a punch Its 414bhp 4 0 litre V8 thrives on revs, and delivers a wailing soundtrack

The chassis is more than up to the task, too, even if the M3 lacks the directness of these rivals As the heaviest, most powerful car here, the M3 will also go through tyres and brakes more quickly than its rivals. You can pick up a 2007, 58,000 mile M3 for less than £18,000

THE stance and supercar esque shape give the Elise immediate impact. But, given the car’s uncompromising brief and spartan cabin, it comes as some surprise that it’s beautifully compliant on the road The Porsche and BMW may be more powerful, but the Elise is quick enough to excite, although some will find the noisy cabin grating on longer trips

Later Toyota engined Elises don’t often dip below £18,000, but the lighter, Rover powered S1 model is within budget Beware, though these can be prone to reliability issues

THE POLISHED CHOICE

THIS 987 generation Cayman adds a fixed roof to the mid engined Boxster, and is a clean cut, handsome machine The coupé body also brings even more dynamic sparkle.

It’s not as engaging as the featherweight Lotus, but the trade off is far better refinement in the cabin and a less taxing drive Even so, the Cayman is still hugely entertaining when pushed, carving neat lines through corners with exceptional balance A howling flat six engine is the icing on the cake, and you can bag a 2007 2 7 litre example with less than 49,000 miles on the clock for no more than £18,000.

FOR a truly absorbing experience on road and track, an older, second hand sports car is tempting and needn’t break the bank

If you’re willing to trade practicality for sheer interaction, try the Lotus Elise This lightweight roadster’s dynamic repertoire stems from a revolutionary extruded aluminium chassis

At the other end of the spectrum lies the E92 BMW M3 In some ways, it’s twice as much car as

the Lotus: its V8 produces more than double the power from twice the number of cylinders Plus, it brings an opulent cabin and cruising refinement

The Porsche Cayman (987) splits the pair. It’s not as focused as the Lotus, but shares its mid engined layout and appetite for B roads The Cayman is a car that flatters its driver with well weighted, intuitive controls and engaging handling, but can it topple the others here?

DearYousuf, I want a sports car to enjoy at weekends, particularly on track days How much fun can I buy for £18,000? JohnLeamington,E mail

Contact:Yousuf Ashraf@autoviacouk

COMPARED with the Elise and Cayman, the M3 lacks a touch of sparkle as a second car, but it’s certainly the best proposition here for daily use. Despite more supportive seats and a chunky steering wheel, there isn’t much to distinguish the M3 from lesser 3 Series models inside. But what it lacks in design flourish,

it gains in usability The cabin is well made and logically laid out, with BMW’s iDrive infotainment system taking centre stage. The interface is operated by a rotary dial, and it’s easy to flick through menus on the move The M3 is also the only car here with space for four, and it has a useful 430-litre boot

DUE to its lightweight ethos, the Elise does without any luxuries inside, bar a radio Both its rivals are leagues ahead for kit and refinement, although depending on your body shape, the reclined driving position is surprisingly comfortable There’s little in the way of storage space there aren’t even any

cup-holders but the basic layout does provide an unmatched sense of occasion. You peer through a curved windscreen, with the peaks of the wheelarches filling your view But if you’re planning a weekend away, be sure to pack lightly the boot can only accommodate a pair of soft travel bags

AS befits a genuine driver’s car, the Porsche has a low-slung driving position with plenty of adjustment, and a set of cowled dials behind the steering wheel. However, while it all feels suitably sporting, the dashboard design is a little unimaginative although the same can be said of the M3 and its 3 Series derived interior Porsche’s build quality is great,

though, and the Cayman certainly feels durable, with its stereo and climate control systems far superior to the more rudimentary solutions you’ll find in the Elise. The Porsche’s carrying capacity is also impressive for a mid engined coupé the Cayman features front and rear boots, so you can store luggage or track day gear

HOW OUR GUIDE WORKS

PERFORMANCE: This is the manufacturer’s claimed acceleration time for a car, and is measured from 0 60mph or 0 62mph (0 100kph), in seconds

ECONOMY/EMISSIONS/RANGE: Combined WLTP economy in miles per gallon, emissions in grams per kilometre of CO2 and maximum claimed range for EVs Figures are achieved in the latest WLTP tests, but will vary according to equipment and are unlikely to be representative of everyday efficiency

N E W C A R PR I C E S

INSURANCE: Group rating as quoted by the Association of British Insurers WARRANTY: Next to each manufacturer’s name is the basic warranty period in months and miles for the mechanicals, corrosion and paintwork EVs and hybrids will have dedicated battery cover LIST PRICE: This is the on the road figure and includes VAT, delivery to dealer, 12 months’ road tax, number plates and first registration EVs do not include the Plug in Car Grant

WILL IT FIT? Is your garage big enough? Our measurements show the length and width of each model, but remember estate and performance variants may be bigger

DRIVER POWER POSITION: Auto Express’s survey canvasses results from tens of thousands of motorists Models are rated by drivers, then ranked against others on sale in the UK The lower the number, the higher the score a model achieved

ROAD TAX: When a car is first registered, its first year’s road tax is included in the price This is emissions based, and adds anything from zero on electric cars to £2,365 for vehicles emitting over 255g/km of CO2 After 12 months, it s the owner s responsibility to tax their vehicle, and the rate depends on the fuel used:

VEHICLES BELOW £40,000 Electric vehicle: £0 Alternative fuel: £155 Petrol/diesel: £165 Alternative fue s include hybrids, plug in hybr ds b ethano and LPG fuels

VEHICLES OVER £40,000 Electric vehicle: £0 Alternative fuel: £510 Petrol/diesel: £520 After five years, vehicles costing more than £40 000 revert to the ower rates

Pick up trucks: The models listed here pay a flat rate of road tax at £295 per year

EURO NCAP RATING: At the start of each model is its Euro NCAP crash test safety rating (if available) The maximum score is five stars, although the test has been made tougher over the years, so ratings aren’t comparable between vehicles

SPORT

All the action from the world of motorsport

BTCC fight heads to rapid

Alex Ingram Alex Ingram@autoviacouk @AxleIngram

THE BTCC returns from its summer break for the penultimate meeting of the season The Silverstone National circuit is the venue for rounds 25 to 27, with the wide, smooth and fast circuit offering plenty of opportunity for action

The series moves to the ‘home of British motorsport’ with the title fight shaping up for a thrilling conclusion. The Thruxton triple header was a very strong one for the Motorbase run Napa Racing pairing of Ash Sutton and Dan Cammish; the team will be bringing a huge level of momentum into the closing stages of the season Cammish took a lights to flag win during a chaotic first round of the weekend, chalking up his first victory of the season in the Ford Focus. He then switched roles as the ultimate team player for the next race of the day; after leading away from the start again and

controlling at the front, he moved aside to let teammate Sutton, who finished third in race one, take the win The traditional reverse grid format followed for race three, which saw Josh Cook in the BTC Racing Honda take victory, while Sutton managed to fight his way up to fifth

“If you need a teammate, Dan [Cammish] is the man for that,” said Sutton following the Thruxton weekend. “He’s shown that he’s supporting the campaign and what we’re trying to do as an outfit, and hopefully soon I can repay the favour We got the fastest lap in at the start, I let Dan get some air, and then I tried to focus on getting a mix going on behind me When [Gordon] Shedden and [Jake] Hill started battling I thought ‘right, let’s crack on’ and then the call came to switch positions.”

Title leader Colin Turkington had a much tougher weekend, taking a brace of 10th place finishes alongside one third, which has allowed Sutton to close right up in the title fight

Following his challenging races at the Hampshire track, Turkington summed up

TEAM PLAYER

Cammish (main) took his first win for Napa Racing, and then helped teammate Sutton’s title fight in race two

his weekend “It’s been a rescue mission today,” said the driver, who is chasing his fifth BTCC crown.

“We were on the back foot from qualifying, but we knew the importance of getting the car inside the top 10, keeping scoring points and relying on the reversed grid That’s exactly how it panned out too I’m pleased to leave Thruxton with the points I have Everyone has a bump in the

ASH SUTTON BTCC title contender

“Dan has shown he is supporting the campaign and what we’re trying to do as an outfit. Hopefully, I can repay the favour”

CHARGING Sutton and Cammish ruled at Thruxton, but Turkington (right) didn’t come away empty handed

● points events remaining

Chile hosts Extreme E as Rosberg squad leadsSilverstone

road in a championship like this, but we’ve come through it unscathed and we’re still leading. I’ll go home pretty happy.”

Team BMW driver Turkington still leads the way on 311 points, but Sutton has closed the gap to just six points, with six rounds still to go. Hyundai’s Tom Ingram and ROKiT MB Motorsport BMW driver Jake Hill are still very much in contention, on 293 and 288 points respectively Cook,

Rory Butcher and Shedden are all still mathematically in with a shout of winning the championship, but they would need luck to go very much in their favour both at Silverstone and in the season finale at Brands Hatch

All the race action, including the support bill of British F4, Porsche Carrera Cup, Ginetta GT4 and Ginetta Juniors, is shown live on ITV4 throughout Sunday

ANTOFAGASTA in Northern Chile stages the Copper X Prix, round four of the 2022 Extreme E season, this weekend.

The all electric off road race series competes in areas with vulnerable ecosystems around the world to highlight the effects of climate change and human interference

In the case of Antofagasta, it’s heavy copper mining that has had a ruinous effect on the local habitat. This latest event marks the series’ first visit to South America

The Rosberg X Racing pair of Johan Kristoffersson and Mikaela Ahlin Kottulinsky had a mixed weekend in Sardinia, which hosted rounds two and three The pair faced disqualification in the first final of the Island X Prix weekend after Kristoffersson rammed

Carlos Sainz into a dramatic crash, but made amends in the second round by beating the X44 team pair of Sebastien Loeb and Christina Guettierez

Loeb and Gutierrez, who drive for Lewis Hamilton’s squad, were promoted to second spot after the ABT Cupra team was disqualified because driver Jutta Kleinschmidt was unable to secure her seat belts fully during a driver swap with teammate Nasser Al Attiyah.

Despite the setbacks, the Rosberg team still holds a comfortable lead in the overall standings; they sit at the top with 75 points, leading Sara Price and Kyle Leduc on 43 points However, the Chip Ganassi Racing duo are just one point clear of Laia Sanz and Carlos Sainz, themselves a point ahead of Gutierrez and Loeb.

Muller ditches Audi for Peugeot

FOLLOWING a stint of nine yea factory Audi driver, Nico Mull signed for Peugeot to join the team’s Le Mans program

Swiss driver Muller will fill seat in the 9X8 hypercar that vacated by Danish star Kevin Magnussen after he was calle to return to the Haas F1 squa the start of the 2022 F1 seaso Muller has already had a st career, with highlights includ 10 DTM victories with consec runner up championship finis in 2019 and 2020, while a campaign in the Vector Sport LMP2 car in this year’s WEC h proven to be solid preparatio for his Peugeot campaign.

years as a Muller has French the was called up squad at season. stellar including consecutive finishes Sport has preparation

ROSBERG 2016 F1 world champion’s team leads the way by 32 points

“The Extreme E series competes in areas with vulnerable ecosystems to highlight climate change”

MULLER

Aiming for World Endurance Championship title effort in Peugeot 9X8

BACKCHAT

AMERICA and its people have long known how to put on a show. No one staged them better. The USA really was home to the greatest shows on earth

I know this because I blagged my way into scores of ’ em from New York to LA, Miami to Detroit, plus countless other places. Whether we ’ re talking car exhibitions, motorsport events or other auto related occasions, America was the showtime capital of the world Only one snag: I’m talking past tense here

Lately, a cocktail of Covid, carbon/climate conundrums, crime chaos, a crazily controversial chav ‘in charge’ (2017 21) and other calamities has comprehensively clobbered the country

What used to be the most international nation somehow went insular IndyCar and NASCAR racing (a bit like GM and Chrysler cars) have become increasingly irrelevant across the big, wide world.

Same goes for the LA Auto Show Then there’s the equivalent NYC event, repeatedly cancelled and losing momentum before a tame comeback in ’22

As for Detroit, long gone are the glorious nineties when locals Chrysler Jeep, Ford and GM battled each other for supremacy. Instead, as it’s shown in recent days, one of the expo ’ s major selling points is a win a car contest. Ground breaking, eh? Worse still, Jeep formally and embarrassingly announced wait for it that show visitors can “take photos with the world’s largest duck and receive their own rubber duck” on or near its exhibit Has it really come to this in desperate Detroit? Apparently

Rutherford Mike

From car exhibition to motorsport, Ame was the showtime capital of the world. One snag: I’m talking past tense here

Meanwhile, little ol’ smaller scale Blighty is doing its best to take over where America left off A summer of world class occasions (including the Silverstone GP and the British Motor Show) preceded a classy Goodwood Revival a few days ago, then the less mainstream Petrolheadonism Live at Knebworth this weekend It’s a relatively new, undoubtedly edgy event. And it describes itself in four words: “Bigger, badder, faster, louder.”

Continuing the straight talking theme, one of America’s biggest, baddest, edgiest and most famous car dudes Richard Rawlings of Fast N’ Loud/Gas Monkey fame (and fortune) is guest of honour at Petrolheadonism Live ’22 As are one or two of his on screen buddies, plus a few big time influencer pals taking YouTube by storm.

Visitors on Saturday and Sunday can get up close and personal with all the above plus millions of pounds worth of cars many of them American and, with few exceptions, ICE powered Sporting Bears Dream Rides will be a huge part of the event, as will ageing cars originally designed to run on petrol, but now converted into pure EVs Love it I’m sworn to secrecy regarding an intriguing ‘underground’ announcement that may or may not take place at Petrolheadonism Live But I can’t hold back my strictly personal view on what all this could and, I think, should lead to: a Petrolheadonism TV series which, like Fast N’ Loud, has to be for global consumption, with who else but Richard Rawlings as its main presenter bigger, badder, edgier, faster and louder than ever.

To me, it makes all the sense in the world So Rawli, what d’you reckon?

Doyou agree with Mike?

New Niro clashes with Juke

DRIVEN

Join the debate now at autoexpress.co.uk/opinion next week onsale

Have your say at facebook.com/autoexpress @The Rutherford Car of the

We rate

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On road in the fresh faced electric SUV that starts a new era for Smart

Motoring’s most outspoken and opinionated colum sounds Amer columnist off

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