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Citroen’s clever thinking is spot on for today’s world

CONTENTSYNDICATIONSALES

NORMALLY you’d look at a concept car like the Citroen Oli (above) and regard it as pie in the sky thinking After all, we see enough concepts that bear no relation to anything we might actually be able to buy However, Citroen is different, ploughing a clear path towards value, style and sustainability I’m liking what I’m seeing these days from the French brand that is fast reclaiming its crown as the king of original thinking. If it can put a car like the brilliant little Ami into production, why not the Oli?

What I like most about the Ami is the purity of its purpose: it’s a city car plain and simple, with no illusions of being anything else Having that clear vision allows the designers and engineers free reign to do what they do best innovate They’ve come up with solutions that keep the costs down, improve usability and make the car desirable, so people want to buy and live with it, too

Oli has that same purity of thought The thinking is around cost effective, sustainable family transport that’ll make life easier for normal people doing normal things And they can have fun when they’re doing it

It might not be the most appropriate Citroen to take on a long family holiday, but for doing day to day things and encouraging people towards electrification by making it affordable it could be the perfect solution

Sadly, Citroen is sticking to its guns and saying that the Oli won’t make it into production But there’s hope the same was said when we first saw the Ami One concept, and look what happened about a year later

Even if you don’t see an Oli on the streets near you, Citroen promises plenty of the thinking behind it will filter through to production cars Either way, what we ’ re seeing from the firm right now is the brand positioned in a way that marks it out as different and desirable in an increasingly homogenised car market The spirit of Ami is alive and well in Citroen and we want to see more of it

STEVE FOWLER Editor in-chief

steve fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler

TOPSTORY

Visit autoexpress.co.uk for your daily news updates

● Spiritual successors for the TT and R8 are being planned

John McIlroy John McIlroy@autoviacouk @johnmcilroy

AUDI has put itself on the path to an all electric future but the German brand isn’t about to abandon the glamour and ‘halo effect’ of its two sports cars, the TT and R8 So even as those two models approach the end of their long production runs (see Page 10), engineers and designers are working on EV alternatives that will be offered by the second half of this decade

The premium German brand has gone through a couple of years of soul searching as it has tried to define a replacement for the iconic TT The original two door model stunned the car industry when it was first unveiled in 1998. But sales have dwindled in recent years, leaving some within Audi to suggest that the firm ought to leave that area of the market altogether

Audi’s board member for technical development, Oliver Hoffman, has told us that the company had decided to push ahead with a change of positioning, “We want to add some very emotional cars to our portfolio, but a direct follower for the TT is not the answer,” he said “We can’t just say we’ll do the TT in an electric way ” Audi recently teased a fourth model in its series of design concepts, to be called Activesphere and unveiled in the first quarter of 2023 The brand’s shadowy preview picture shows dramatic curves and an aggressive roofline on top of a taller body and this could be the best hint yet that the company intends to turn its more ‘emotional offering’ into a higher riding coupé, potentially even one with four doors Hoffman has already suggested to Auto Express that a change of bodystyle could be under consideration. “There was no demand for a TT when we launched it,” he said “And this is what we want to do again to surprise our customers ”

It’s likely, in fact, that Audi is considering following rival Mercedes in amalgamating some of its more style focused, niche offerings in this case, the TT and the larger A5 Coupé into a single model. This new vehicle would offer dramatic looks on top of the VW Group’s forthcoming SSP platform, which will mix the best elements from the existing MEB architecture and

the more premium PPE components.

A slightly higher profile will help to accommodate the car’s battery

It’s likely to be joined on this platform by a new halo sports model albeit one that is unlikely to wear the R8 badge The second generation of Audi’s first supercar was introduced in 2015, and management has now confirmed that, like the TT, it will go out of production with a thumping sign off

There has been intense discussion within Audi’s board on whether to commission even an indirect successor, not least because the company is committed to launching only electric models from 2026, and the R8’s sister vehicle, Lamborghini’s Huracán, looks set to continue with some form of combustion engine.

However, Auto Express understands that the positive reception to the e tron GT has convinced Audi’s management, including senior figures within the Audi Sport division that is responsible for the R8, that customers are ready to accept a fully electric ‘halo’ performance model, priced well beyond the levels of any TT/A5 successor.

Hoffman insisted that no decision on a new supercar has been taken, but he revealed that when an R8 successor comes, it will be powered by electricity alone. “We are pretty clear that when we present an R8 successor, it will be a fully electric car,” Hoffman said “We are working hard on sports car platforms and concepts for the future We’ve talked of wanting to surprise our customers and we will do this We’re pushing for some two seater concepts and successor concepts of our R8.”

Hoffman was careful to not link any R8 successor with the PPE platform that’s going to underpin Audi EVs from next year That’s because the time frame of any vehicle is likely to be beyond that architecture’s life towards at least 2025, when PPE and MEB get amalgamated into SSP

There’s already little doubt that SSP’s component line up will provide enough performance to support a supercar, with intra group sibling Porsche leading development on a new SSP Sport platform VW Group officials have confirmed that SSP will support multi motor outputs of as much as 1,140bhp Audi may be tempted to aim towards the top end of this envelope, its halo sports car acting as a calling card for the most potent deployment of its new generation of EV tech with a price to match

Even then, Hoffman’s assertion that Audi is working on “sports car platforms” would appear to suggest that the company is

DIRECTION

Rather than a compact two seater, new coupé could be a four door, but possibly with SUV styling cues

EXCLUSIVE IMAGE

Audi ready to

exploring additional solutions perhaps taking elements from SSP, such as battery technologies and electric motors and then framing them in a two seat layout This may also be an oblique reference to the potential to share a chassis and technologies with Porsche’s forthcoming electric Boxster and Cayman cars that are being engineered to mimic mid engined handling characteristics

Our exclusive future R8 images take elements from Audi’s most recent electric sports car concept Called AI:RACE e tron, it was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours back in 2018, and featured a triple motor 661bhp electric powertrain.

A similar motor configuration offering even more power could feature in a production model, although the concept’s solid state battery likely won’t be used if the car is to appear in the second half of the decade.

OLIVER HOFFMAN Audi board member, technical development

● Halo supercar will likely arrive before the end of the decade

EXCLUSIVE Sports cars will live on as German firm plan

“We want to add some very emotional cars to our portfolio, but a direct follower for the TT is not the answer. We can’t just say we’ll do the TT in an electric way”

o

the

and

Audi icons take final bow

SeanCarson sean carson@autoviacouk

AUDI is focusing on an all electric future for its TT and R8 successors, but the brand isn’t forgetting the sporty models that have carved the German firm out as a serious player in the sports and supercar sectors It’s giving the TT RS a special send off with this Iconic Edition, and is celebrating its special V10 engine with the R8 GT RWD, which will become the most expensive Audi ever sold in the UK when it arrives Arriving nearly 25 years after the Audi TT made its debut in 1998, the TT RS Iconic Edition is limited to just 100 units for Europe, with only 11 cars coming to the UK. Priced from £87,650, it features exclusive exterior and interior design tweaks to “celebrate the success story of a quarter century for the Audi TT Coupé”, according to the brand.

All Iconic Editions come finished in Nardo Grey paint and feature matrix LED headlights as standard There’s a gloss black grille with a matte black surround, with more black additions including the side skirts, door mirrors, badging and seven spoke 20 inch alloys There’s also an ‘Iconic Edition’ script on the tinted rear windows. A carbon fibre rear wing, RS specific diffuser and a front bumper with “side flicks” complete the look Inside, the black colour scheme is repeated, with contrast yellow stitching,

lots of leather and Alcantara, plus more Iconic Edition insignias.

The regular TT RS’s 2.5 litre five cylinder turbocharged engine is unchanged, making 395bhp and 480Nm of torque Combined with a seven speed dual clutch gearbox and quattro all wheel drive, the 0 62mph time stands at 3 7 seconds RS Sport suspension with adaptive dampers is standard

Doubling the cylinder count, the R8 GT RWD “says goodbye to the V10 engine”, according to its maker The 5 2 litre unit serves up 611bhp and 565Nm of torque, and as with the TT RS, the GT is fitted with a dual clutch transmission. It’s rear drive only, and the 0 62mph sprint takes 3 4 seconds, while top speed is 199mph

Largely built by hand, the R8 GT features a new Torque Rear drive mode that allows seven different levels of slip at the rear axle for controlled slides

The GT is around 20kg lighter than the R8 Performance RWD on which it’s

based and features lightweight forged 20 inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres Ceramic brakes are fitted as standard, along with bucket seats, performance sports suspension (a manually adjustable coilover set up is optional) and a CFRP anti roll bar

Black badging and a gloss black carbon fibre aero kit including a front splitter, bumper flicks, side skirts, a diffuser and rear wing give the GT more visual aggression

Just 15 R8 GTs of the 333 production run will come to the UK, with prices likely to be in the region of £200,000. Deliveries of both models are set to commence in 2023.

BESPOKE Interior of TT RS Iconic Edition is set off by contrast yellow stitching throughout

“The TT RS Iconic Edition celebrates the success story of a quarter-century for the Audi TT Coupé”

YousufAshraf

@ashrafoncars

IN an effort to break the mould of expensive, samey electric cars, Citroen has revealed a radical crossover concept with a major focus on sustainability, low weight and affordability

The Oli employs the ethos of the Ami quadricycle in a larger body, and previews design and engineering themes that will filter down to mainstream Citroen models to be offered in the future.

The brand claims the Oli isn’t a direct precursor to a production model, despite providing specific technical details for the show car. The Oli aims to buck the trend of heavy, gadget laden EVs, with a projected kerbweight of just 1,000kg thanks to the use of lightweight recycled materials, simplified tech and a relatively small 40kWh battery.

Some of the Oli’s exterior panels are interchangeable, such as the wheelarch extensions, bumpers and doors, helping to reduce potential manufacturing and repair costs. Certain non structural elements of the body are made from honeycomb cardboard panels, which give a 50 per cent weight saving compared with steel, while still being strong enough to support the weight of an adult Elsewhere, the Oli uses a unique 20 inch wheel design that combines a strong steel face with an aluminium inner rim for further cost effective weight saving.

The car’s defining design feature is the vertical, letterbox style windscreen The flat, glass panel is smaller, lighter and cheaper to make than a typical windscreen, but it does compromise aerodynamic performance

Still, Citroen suggests that the Oli would primarily be used for urban transport rather than high speed cruising, meaning the affect of the windscreen’s limitations wouldn’t be quite so great

The car’s top speed is limited to 68mph, and up to 249 miles of range could be possible. Recharging the battery from 20 to 80 per cent takes just 23 minutes, claims Citroen These figures may be derived from the forthcoming STLA Small platform from parent company Stellantis, which would

Radical Oli hints at

INTERIOR

Four seat cabin is minimalist, in keeping with the Oli’s low weight and affordable ethos

● Concept previews Citroen’s future design and engineering

● Lightweight EV uses simplified tech and 40kWh battery

Yousuf Ashraf@autoviacouk

DASHBOARD

Toggles on the dash handle climate control duties, while a slim display driven by a smartphone takes care of infotainment

Longer range for e-208

PEUGEOT has updated its e 208 electric supermini with a new battery that gives the compact hatch an extra 23 miles of range

The 51kWh unit (48.1kWh usable, up from 46 6kWh in the old car) sees total claimed range rise to 248 miles; an update earlier this year had already boosted the figure from 217 to 225 miles. The car also inherits a more powerful motor that it shares with the forthcoming e 308 electric family hatchback There’s now an extra 20bhp on tap, making 154bhp in total Maximum charging speed remains at 100kW for a 10 80 per cent charge in less than 25 minutes.

The updated e 208 will be available in 2023 and we expect a small increase over the current £30,195 starting price

Citroen’s future

probably underpin a small, urban electric vehicle such as the Oli.

With the ability to power electrical devices using the car’s vehicle to load functionality, Citroen is also pitching the Oli as a versatile machine for outdoor adventures. It’s equipped with roof rails, attachment points for accessories, and a pick up style load bay

NEED TO KNOW

The Oli is the first Citroen to feature the brand’s new logo, which covers the EV’s charging port

Like the Ami, customisation is limited to graphics packs, accent colours and interior trims, rather than primary paint shades The cabin is unlikely to resemble any showroom ready models for the time being, but the lightweight, minimalist theme includes seats made from a 3D printed mesh that

uses 80 per cent fewer parts than traditional items, despite being equipped with flexible thermoplastic mounts for extra comfort.

The beam style dashboard has a row of physical toggles for the climate controls, and infotainment is catered for by a slim display, driven by the user’s smartphone. Two removable Bluetooth speakers sit at either end of the dashboard, and rear hinged doors provide access to the back seats, which are also made from 3D printed parts.

Iconic 2CV recreated by second skin on Berlingo

WHILE Citroen is looking to the future with its Oli concept (left), the French brand is also celebrating its past with this Berlingo 2CV Fourgonnette.

The project is based on the firm’s Berlingo van and has a corrugated bonnet and door panels reminiscent of the original 2CV While these helped with structural rigidity on the classic, the fluting on the modern car is made from a second fibreglass skin and is purely for aesthetics Similarly, the Berlingo’s lights and grille have been modified to ape the iconic 2CV’s front end

Conventional Berlingo powertrains will be used, and because that vehicle is also offered as a full EV, an all electric Fourgonnette could theoretically be possible

The new car has been designed and will be built under licence by Italian company Caselani. “It was an exciting challenge because the original van had totally different proportions I focused more on an evocative aspect of the original rather than straining the individual design elements to make them look like the 2CV Fourgonnette,” said designer David Obendorfer. Order books are open now, with production scheduled for January 2023

“Citroen is pitching the car as a versatile machine for outdoor adventures, and it’s equipped with roof rails”

Maserati unveils new grand tourer with V6 and EV power

SeanCarson sean carson@autoviacouk

TO cater for petrolheads and early adopters alike, luxury brand Maserati has revealed its all new GranTurismo coupé with V6 petrol power and a fully electric model, called GranTurismo Folgore.

The combustion engined variants are powered by the firm’s 3 0 litre twin turbo Nettuno V6 engine, which uses F1 inspired tech to boost its power and efficiency.

The Modena edition produces 483bhp and 600Nm of torque for a 0 62mph sprint of 3 9 seconds, while the top speed is 187mph Top Trofeo trim uses the same V6 unit tu to 542bhp and 650Nm of torque, which cuts the 0 62mph time by 0 4 seconds Both models feature an eight speed automatic gearbox and all wheel drive.

The Folgore is the most powerful model, with its three motor powertrain (one for the front axle, two at the rear) supplying 750bhp and 1,350Nm of torque for a 2 7 second 0 62mph time

The 92 5kWh (83kWh usable) battery gives a claimed range of 279 miles, while charging is possible up to 270kW, so 62 miles of range can be added in five minutes

All models have double wishbone front suspension and a multi link set up at the rear controlled by adaptive air suspension, plus Brembo brakes. Maserati’s Vehicle Domain Control Module also features, tweaking the

set up of the suspension, engine, exhaust and transmission (where applicable) to alter the car’s personality Modes include Comfort, GT, Sport and Corsa, which get progressively racier

The Folgore’s T shaped battery means space inside the four seat cabin is identical to the ICE models, while all versions offer 310 litres of luggage capacity

The GranTurismo won’t arrive in the UK until at least April 2023, when we can expect the V6 engined Modena to be priced from around £150,000 The Folgore will cost a lot more when it arrives later in the year

Kia Niro takes crown at Carbuyer.co.uk awards

THE new Kia Niro has been named 2023 Car of the Year by Auto Express’s sister site Carbuyer.co.uk, scooping three of the 18 categories on offer Carbuyer editor, Richard Ingram, said: “Our best small family car, top hybrid and, of course, our Car of the Year, the fabulous Niro builds on everything we loved about the old one, with sharper styling and a cutting edge interior. It’s practical, efficient and easy to drive with powertrains to suit

all buyers The Niro is our deserving 2023 Car of the Year award winner.”

Kia UK president and CEO, Paul Philpott, said: “Following on from the ever successful Mk1 Niro, the all new version has earned a highly positive response in a short period of time. To be named Carbuyer’s overall Car of the Year just months after its UK launch is a remarkable achievement ”

The full list of winners and Car of the Year video can be found at carbuyer.co.uk.

SOUND

Folgore EV (above, left) features a special sound

to

remains

“Our Car of the Year, the fabulous Niro builds on everything we loved about the old one”

headlights

while

front wings recall classic Maseratis

news inbrief

Revised Kia Soul EV range starts at £33k

PRICES and specs have been confirmed for Kia’s newly expanded Soul EV line up, with the electric crossover starting from £32,795

There’s a new 39 2kWh option alongside the 64kWh battery model, with the former delivering up to 171 miles of range The latter offers up to 280 miles, with prices starting from £38,995. The cars are available in Urban and Explore trims respectively and are on sale now, with deliveries starting later this year

British road deaths on the rise in 2021

A TOTAL of 1,558 people lost their lives on British roads in 2021 that’s seven per cent more than in 2020, when the UK’s traffic levels were affected by lockdown, but 11 per cent fewer than in 2019. Crucially, 2021 saw a rate of 5 2 fatalities per billion vehicle miles a higher rate than in 2019, but lower than in 2020.

RAC road safety spokesperson Simon Williams said the figures suggested “little progress is being made in making our roads safer”.

Merc sets £52k entry price for GLC line-up

FOLLOWING a positive review in issue 1,747, Mercedes has confirmed prices for its GLC, with the entry level 220 d AMG Line priced from £51,855.

The more potent 300 d comes in at £60,395, while the base petrol model the GLC 300 costs from £53,755. The GLC 300 e plug in hybrid starts from £62,210, while the 300 d is only available in AMG Line Premium and Premium Plus form and starts from £60,395. Deliveries begin in January.

Track-focused R edition takes A110 to extremes

THE already fine handling and lightweight Alpine A110 has now been taken to new heights with the arrival of this latest version, the A110 R

It’s designed to extract more track performance via more aggressive aero, retuned suspension and even less weight. It’s distinguished by a vented bonnet, a front splitter and new side skirts, all made from carbon fibre and designed to improve downforce. At the rear, there’s a reprofiled diffuser and a new rear wing with swan neck mounts

These additions also reduce drag by five per cent compared with an Aero Kit equipped A110 S. As a result, the R will hit 177mph, making it the fastest A110 yet

It’s also 34kg lighter than the S model thanks to extensive use of carbon fibre for the roof, engine cover and wheels. So, despite the R’s 1 8 litre turbocharged motor offering the same 296bhp output

Met lowers London speeding threshold

THE Metropolitan Police has lowered its enforcement threshold for speeding fines from 10 per cent plus 3mph to 10 per cent plus 2mph.

The old limit meant drivers could get away with travelling at no more than 25mph in a 20mph zone or 36mph in a 30mph zone. The change means they are now only likely to get away with 24mph in a 20mph zone or 35mph in a 30mph zone.

The Met’s tolerance threshold was first cut in May 2019, but not officially announced. The force said any breach of the speed limit is illegal and can result in a fine and penalty points.

OFFICIAL

INTERIOR

In keeping with track theme, cabin features red fabric door pulls, six-point harnesses and racy upholstery

as the S, the new model posts a faster 0 62mph time of 3 9 seconds

The A110 R’s key chassis changes include a 10mm drop in ride height (a further 10mm drop is possible for circuit use), 10 per cent stiffer springs, adjustable dampers and anti roll bars that are 10 and

25 per cent stiffer at the front and rear respectively Inside, the new R gets racy microfibre upholstery along with red fabric door pulls and six point harnesses

Order books open this month, and the flagship is likely to command a significant premium over the £60,040 A110 S

INCREASE

Following the economic turmoil, the price of a Mercedes A-Class has risen by £1,500

Financial crisis hikes prices

NEW car prices are rising amid economic turmoil and the pound’s struggles

The price of a Mercedes A 200 Sport Executive has risen from £32,300 to £33,800, while a C 300 e AMG Line is up from £46,310 to £48,710

At the same time, an entry level Ford

1.0 EcoBoost 125 Titanium now

costs £26,190 rather than £24,750, and the BMW 320d M Sport has jumped from £40,515 to £41,850 following its facelift.

Customers buying new cars on finance need to pay close attention to whether the rate agreed at time of order is being honoured or if monthly payments are being hiked when the car is delivered.

front splitter and rear wing distinguish A110 R from regular model

STYLING

Hardcore Track Pack gives the Focus ST extra edge on circuits

● Beefed-up suspension and brakes for Ford’s hot hatchback

FORD’S Focus ST is already one of the best driving front wheel drive hot hatchbacks on sale, but the brand is now catering for those who are looking for a harder edged version of the car with the addition of a new Track Pack option

Differentiating between the Track Pack equipped car and the regular Focus ST from the outside isn’t the easiest task Subtle tweaks for the Track Pack include a new set of black 19 inch alloys that are 10 per cent lighter than the stock rims and come wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres Elsewhere, there’s a fresh black finish to the grille, roof and door mirror caps, and a new black outline to the car’s ST badges

The Track Pack additions look similar to those fitted to the previous Focus ST Edition from 2021, while the performance upgrades were tested extensively at the Nürburgring, according to Ford Just like the old ST Edition,

this new package is only available for six speed manual transmission Focus STs “for optimised weight and driver engagement”. While Ford didn’t mess around with the Focus ST’s chassis for the model’s facelift last year, the Track Pack’s suspension has been developed in conjunction with KW Automotive and features adjustable coilovers and new springs that are “up to 50 per cent stiffer” The adjustable set up means the model’s ride height can be dropped by up to 25mm compared with the standard Focus ST

Ford has honed the brakes for track work, with 363mm diameter discs (10 per cent larger than before) and Brembo four piston calipers Ford claims the braking system should reduce “heat induced fade during prolonged track sessions”.

The powertrain is untouched by the Track Pack option, which means the standard

FOR one Ferrari customer the brand’s 812 GTS just wasn’t exclusive enough, so they commissioned this one off roadster based on the Italian manufacturer’s V12 engined super GT car.

Called the SP51, this unique creation is based on Ferrari’s 789bhp front engined 6 5 litre convertible model. But while the GTS has a targa top, the SP51 dispenses with a roof completely,

which required significant modification and honing of the aerodynamics using computer simulations

The bespoke styling features specially designed headlights, while the body is finished in three layer Rosso Passionale paint with a blue and white stripe inspired by Ferrari’s 1955 410 S The interior has red Alcantara trim and blue material from Kavadrat for the door inserts, lower dash and seat panels.

There’s also an electronically controlled limited slip differential, while the standard fit Ford Performance seats will hold you in place when cornering

The new Track Pack option costs £3,000 and is available to order now Deliveries start in November

Focus ST’s 2 3 litre turbocharged four cylinder engine’s output of 276bhp and 420Nm of torque remains

SPORTIER Track Pack ST caters for Fast Ford fans who want a Focus set up for track day events

Black alloys and grille help distinguish the Track Pack version from the regular ST

Urus S arrives as new entry point to Lambo’s SUV line-up

LAMBORGHINI has followed up its recently unveiled more focused Urus Performante SUV with the Urus S

The Lamborghini Urus S gains a few design changes over the pre facelift Urus and will take that car’s position as the entry point to Lambo’s SUV line up, below the hotter Performante

It is expected the cost of the Urus S will increase over its predecessor’s £159,925 starting price to around £188,000 when it goes on sale

Visual tweaks have been modelled after the Performante, with a new frontend design featuring a more angular bumper There’s also a new bonnet that

has matte black air vents,and a carbon fibre roof is available as an option.

The S gets a new rear bumper and air ducts, but the Performante’s rear spoiler isn’t carried over. A quad exit exhaust system in brushed steel, or matte or shiny black is available, while wheels from 21 to 23 inches can be specified

Lambo has kept the same powertrain as the Performante for the Urus S, with its twin turbo 4 0 litre V8 producing 657bhp and 850Nm of torque The extra 16bhp means the 0 62mph sprint has improved by 0.1 seconds compared with the standard Urus, to 3 5 seconds Top speeds remains at 190mph

Final Aventador rolls off line

THE final Lamborghini Aventador has rolled off the production line, ending the company’s naturally aspirated V12 era before the Italian manufacturer enters the age of electrification.

Staff applauded the last ever Aventador, an LP 780 4 Ultimae Roadster, off the production line

The firm’s CEO Stephan Winklemann watched the ceremony and said: “The

Aventador was a game changer at its launch, and the flagship Lamborghini model for 11 years of production It captured Lamborghini’s competencies in design and engineering, along with values at the centre of the company.”

Winklemann has previously confirmed that the Aventador’s successor will be powered by a V12 hybrid set up.

Contact Tristan Shale-Hester

HOT TOPIC Ferrari Purosangue

FROM: Tim M PURISTS will hate it, but I think Ferrari has done an amazing job with the design of this car considering it had to fit the brief of being an SUV I have to admit it’s a fair bit better looking than I expected it would be Actually, it looks fantastic

FROM: Marcus Wain IT’S not as low as I thought it might be, but it still doesn’t look as though there’s that much ground clearance I suspect no one who buys one of these will ever take it off road, though, nor find it as tasteless as many other people might

■ “Looks a bit awkward, but I prefer it to the Aston Martin DBX and Lamborghini Urus ” Mandala

French fancy is a real head-turner Another fine mess for bus lane use

FROM: Andy Southall AS an Alpine A110 owner, I agree with Steve Sutcliffe’s findings (Issue 1,745) The amount of attention it gets is unreal and almost exclusively positive. You have to just work with the lack of stowage space it at least prevents you carrying a load of junk

FROM: Robin J Bell I READ with interest about bus lane fines (Issue 1,747) I use my own car to transport patients for my local ambulance service and recently received a £30 fine for taking the same route I have been using for years There were no large signs giving notice of a restricted lane

BMW’s inside line is a serious turn-off Costs could pull the plug on EV switch

FROM: Simon Champion I HAVE always been a BMW fan and currently drive a 16 plate 4 Series Gran Coupé I chose this because it looks like a BMW inside and out. Why is BMW insisting on this new one piece dashboard layout? It looks like someone has stuck a computer monitor to the dash

FROM: Mark Philbin WITH Osprey having increased its prices to £1/kWh (Issue 1,747), we’re looking at a situation where petrol makes a cheaper ‘fuel’ option per mile than electricity. Coupled with high EV purchase costs, I’m not sure electric cars are looking to be a good option for many drivers

■ “Not sure the gunmetal grey works for it. I suspect it will look better in the traditional red ” Ian Morgan

■ “The interior is the only aspect of this car I find remotely attractive Don’t like the outside at all ” DK

Overall, readers think Ferrari’s first SUV is a positive step for the Italian firm

INSIDESTORY

Tackling the motoring issues that matter

Graham Hope the necessity to stick to a strict timeframe, plus a comprehensive brief on the key attributes of the vehicle

THERE’S no secret formula when it comes to producing a successful car Much to the frustration of manufacturers, years of research and development offer no guarantee that a vehicle will prove a hit with buyers.

Equally daunting indeed, some might argue even more so is the challenge of coming up with an appropriate name that can lodge itself in the public consciousness. Increasingly, it is a challenge that makers appear to be shying away from, as the rise in popularity of simple but safe and whisper it, rather dull alphanumeric names demonstrates That’s a shame, because some of history’s more desirable cars undoubtedly had their reputations enhanced by evocative names consider, for example, the allure of the Mustang, Capri or Stratos These timeless badges are infinitely more appealing than an A/B/C alphabet soup combined with a number indicating where the model sits in the range Thankfully, there are still some manufacturers prepared to embrace creativity and give their vehicles proper, good old fashioned names. But how do they choose what to pick? How long does the process take? And who, ultimately, makes the decision? To find out more, we spoke to Dacia, which, with its new affordable seven seater, has not only launched one of 2022’s most interesting new cars, but also given it a memorable name that, somehow, works just perfectly the Jogger

The media materials released at the time of the Jogger’s unveiling hammered home the relevance of the moniker, proclaiming: “With a name that evokes sport, the great outdoors and positive energy, the Dacia Jogger reflects robustness and versatility of use ” While all that unquestionably makes sense, we were keen to know more about the process that delivered such a compelling name, so we met up with Andreea Culcea, the company’s Brand Strategy and Naming Director

Andreea was quick to tell us that Dacia, and its parent company Renault, preferred proper names rather than alphanumeric labels for a very important reason “It is a good way to bring the brand values and car’s personality to life,” she explained. This was particularly key for Dacia as it enters something of a new era.

She continued: “When we built our new brand platform, we thought about a new naming strategy, and there are three simple, clear principles Firstly, we want to keep our iconic names like Logan, Sandero and Duster on the new generations of these cars

“Secondly, for the new cars, we wanted names that are very simple, very easy to understand and that can fit our Dacia personality. That means authentic, down to earth and with a cool and witty tonality

“And finally, the third principle is to find more of a consistency in the line up That means we will have shorter names for smaller cars [as seen in the new Dacia Spring EV, currently not sold in the UK], and then maybe two or three syllable words for SUVs or family cars ”

Guidelines are obviously essential when tasked with coming up with a suitable name, but so too is

Andreea went on: “The name must be validated one year before the start of sales, because at that moment all the industrial tools are frozen. Working back from this, we know that we require one year to 18 months, so it’s a long process That means we start more than two years before the car is on the market, which is also the moment when the concept of the car is determined.

“That ensures we can have a clear brief from the product team and the design team,” she told us “It’s important that we make the product story ours and know exactly what role the car will fill in the range.”

The seven seater occupies very specific territory It’s an all new vehicle joining the line up, and it was created to attract new customers to Dacia, represent the brand’s fresh identity and direction, and convey an attractive blend of practicality and dynamism. Andreea’s team had to take all this into account in their work

Generally, there are three routes to finding a name The first, borrowing one from the past or taking one in current usage, wasn’t considered in this case because the seven seater had to represent the new identity

The second is to engage an external agency to formulate a list of suggestions And lastly, a maker will come up with its own ideas, often ploughing through its extensive database of names that have previously been trademarked for exactly this eventuality Andreea said: “Our trademark base comprises thousands and thousands of names, so we don’t know when and where exactly they have come from But we have some names that we thought were good solutions during past [naming] processes, so we had registered them ”

What’s

Car makers can spend huge amounts of time and money on a name for a new car. We talk to the team at Dacia that came up with ‘Jogger’ to see how the process works

or are on.

the isn’t down to personal preference

“One of the pitfalls is maybe to become too subjective and to judge names you like or dislike,” she said. “The most important part of the job for me and my team is to constantly remember that a name is about meaning

“In addition, a lot of tests are done we call them crash tests These are linguistic tests to make sure the names can be

From the agency’s longlist (close to 50 names can be submitted) and the preferred choices from the database, a shortlist is finalised over several rounds of internal debate between members of Andreea’s unit and the product and design teams, before a top three or five are decided on But what makes the cut isn’t d i t t y d s i o a t r n a c l m n

Andreea’s eam produc s of three names of internal

TEAMWORK eea’s team oduces a shortlist ee to five es after plenty ernal debate

My mission is to produce a n that positions the car. But a name can’t save a vehicle that is not go Jogger, though, is a good-thinkin name for a good-thinking car

ANDREEA CULCEA Brand Strategy and Naming Director, Dacia

LIFESTYLE

Before work starts on choosing a new name, it’s vital that the product and design teams give a clear brief on the role of the car, and how it fits into the Dacia range. In the Jogger’s case, this meant combining practicality with dynamism

BRAND BUILDING

Once Jogger was chosen, Dacia partnered with events like UTMB trail running to cement the link between the name and outdoor activity

pronounced in all countries and that culturally there are not negative evocations,” she said. There have been some rather unfortunate instances of car names in the past that have translated very badly, as our panel, right, demonstrates “We also do legal checks to make sure the names are available,” she added. “This all takes time.”

In the case of the seven seater, a top three was finalised Andreea declined to tell us what the other two names were, because they have been kept for potential use in the future and presented to Dacia’s sales and marketing manager, and product executive manager They agreed that Jogger, which had been plucked from the firm’s database, was the top option

Job done? Nope. There was more testing to be done specifically on the most important people, potential customers For Jogger, 300 people were selected in each of three key markets France, Germany and Spain and quizzed confidentially online on a number of elements “Is it easy to pronounce or not? Is it easy to retain and keep in mind? What is the first word that comes to mind when I say Jogger? Does it evoke the characteristics of the brand?” explained Andreea

Given that the feedback on Jogger was uniformly positive, it was then and only then that the name was formally presented to Dacia CEO Denis Le Vot, before going to Renault Group CEO, Luca de Meo, for final validation. Of course, approval is normally a formality, but there’s always the slight chance a name will be rejected meaning more time has to be built in to allow a search for a replacement Thankfully, with the Jogger, that wasn’t necessary.

How much does naming a car cost? While some companies invest very heavily, Andreea says this wasn’t the case with Jogger “We are Dacia, so we have a very efficient model,” she pointed out. “We are working with just one agency for the creative part, so the only budget is for this and the tests You can imagine it is not big ” Whatever has been invested has clearly been money well spent. The name has been extremely well received across the board from fans on social media at the time of the reveal, to media creatives who have devised ad campaigns for it, to the customers lining up to buy it

For Andreea, it’s a job well done, although she is realistic enough to accept her role is not the defining one in the Jogger’s success “My mission is to produce a name that positions the car But a name can’t save a vehicle that is not good!” she smiled “Jogger, though, is a good thinking name for a good thinking car.”

Not every name is as successful as Jogger

Mitsubishi Pajero

THE ever present risk of choosing a name that doesn’t translate well in all languages was amply demonstrated by Mitsubishi’s SUV. Pajero is a term used in Spanish speaking countries to describe those who regularly pleasure themselves Little wonder the car was ultimately marketed as Montero in Latin America

What an agency can offer

WHILE Jogger was a name that came from within Dacia, creative agencies are often the chosen route for finding suitable options

Arguably the most successful agency in the world is Lexicon Branding, based in Sausalito, California. Over the years the firm has been responsible for such recognisable automotive names as Forester and Outback for Subaru, and more recently Lucid, a new player on the EV scene Outside of cars, Lexicon created the BlackBerry, Sonos and Febreze brand names

The agency’s founder and CEO is David Placek, who explained: “Naming cars is more complex than naming most other products There is more emotional value in naming a car than, for example, a new bottle of water or detergent A car is a self expressive thing, but it is also a piece of equipment that needs to be safe, comfortable and effective The challenge is balancing the emotional aspect with that ”

The effort that goes into finding a suitable name is extensive Lexicon has 98 linguists in 60 countries and uses software that judges potential names based on elements such as hardness, softness, speed quality, brightness, darkness “the fundamentals of sound,” as David put it

He continued: “It’s not rocket science, but I think there is a fair amount of science that can be applied and for us that is linguistic principles and cognitive science ”

Once a commission is received, Lexicon forms two or three two person teams to come up with ideas. They are briefed slightly differently to cover every possible angle The process will deliver up to 40 names, which will be whittled down to 10 15, and generally takes two months, with fees starting at US $75,000 (£70,000)

Toyota Isis

Why is a name so important? “Simple,” said David “The design might change, the car itself will change, the narrative will change, but the name will stay As it does, it become more lodged in people’s memory ”

SOMETIMES

fate can play car makers a cruel hand. The seven seat Japanese market Toyota Isis MPV offended no one when it was launched in 2004 But by 2015, the notorious Islamic State terror group had come to prominence, and ISIS had very different connotations globally. The Isis was discontinued in December 2017.

Honda Fit

EVER wondered why the Jazz is called the Jazz, and not the Fit, as it is in Japan and was in the US? Prior to launch in 2001, the original intention was to call the car Fitta until it was discovered that Fitta was a vulgar word used to describe female genitalia in Scandinavia Fit was deemed to be too close to Fitta, so Jazz was the preferred option in Europe and the car’s marketing campaign was hurriedly replanned.

And he thinks Dacia has picked a winner in Jogger. “I like it. It’s friendly, it’s active with the “er” it’s fairly unique in the car marketplace They have taken a name that has a real physical theme movement, gy etc and put it on a vehicle. Names not traditional ken a risk, but I admire that Safe names fective names.”

gy put ike that are not traditional They’ve taken are not effective

DAVID PLACEK Founder and CEO Lexicon Branding

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with your

next

Steve Sutcliffe mail@autoexpresscouk

BMW doesn’t use its CSL badge often, with just two other cars wearing the sacred moniker in the last 50 years But whenever it does, the results tend to be spectacular, and this new £128k, 190mph M4 Competition Sport Light is no exception

Not only has it lapped the Nürburgring Nordschliefe faster than any other production BMW in history, it’s also the most potent six cylinder BMW ever Its 3 0 litre twin turbo straight six and eight speed automatic gearbox are fundamentally the same as those found in a regular M4 Competition, but engine output has risen to 543bhp and 650Nm, while the gearbox has been remapped to deliver sharper, faster shifts

Cooling and lubrication have also been significantly improved for the track, while the brakes are carbon ceramic The suspension has been comprehensively reworked and the tyres are Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S. If you’re seriously committed to circuit driving, Cup 2s are available at no extra cost

Perhaps most important of all, the CSL weighs 100kg less than a regular, rear wheel

BMW M4CSL

FIRSTDRIVE Hardcore M4 powers up and loses weight

drive M4, at 1,700kg, thanks to the removal of its back seats, plus the addition of a new lightweight bonnet and bootlid Although the CSL is lighter, it’s not what you’d call a featherweight: the last CSL, based on the E46 M3, weighed just 1,385kg

You’d be hard pressed not to pick a CSL from a regular M4 visually. Our car’s look at me black and red stripes and frozen grey paint are standard issue, but the CSL also rides 8mm lower while its 19 inch front and 20 inch rear forged cross spoke alloys are similarly bespoke As is the pared back, carbon festooned cabin, which features the lightweight seats that cost thousands if you spec them on a regular M4.

The 0 62mph sprint takes 3 7 seconds, which is a pretty immense time for a car that’s still rear wheel drive, remember But then the CSL is one of those cars that

somehow manages to over deliver right the way across its dynamic repertoire So despite its weight and sky high price, you still walk away having driven it muttering to yourself in disbelief not just at what it can do, but how it does it It’s very much a proper CSL

It feels instantly lighter and more incisive than a regular M4. The seat clamps you in position behind the suede rimmed steering wheel, and although the cabin still features the same big central touchscreen and iDrive controls, it feels more focused.

It sounds it too, thanks to the louder exhaust and the removal of sound deadening material The level of road noise is louder and more intense as a result, and you can even hear the fuel sloshing around in the tank when you come to a halt

Yet the CSL’s ride is still surprisingly decent unless you dial the adaptive dampers up to 11 and select Sport Plus mode, at which point you need to hold on tight The point is, in its default mode the CSL isn’t the hard riding, uncompromising track day renegade you might expect it to be judging purely on

its looks In certain respects, and on most surfaces, it’s actually better damped than the regular M4, while the steering doesn’t suffer the same kickback over rough roads.

In most respects the way it sounds, rides, stops, goes, changes gear, looks and so on the CSL represents a decent step up over the already fiery M4 Comp. But in the area that arguably matters most the way it steers there isn’t enough to distinguish it, which is a shame Not least because the older E46 CSL’s steering was sublime.

Not that the M4 CSL is in any way a disappointing car overall Its extra performance alone (which is truly outrageous) is almost sufficient to justify the nutcase price premium. Then there’s the extra fizz from its chassis and brakes, both of which are way stronger than standard

And that’s before you even mention the fact that it will be limited to just 1,000 examples worldwide, with only 100 coming to the UK

The M4 CSL wears its badge with sincerity It’s the real deal, even if it doesn’t quite hit the spot like its predecessor so clearly did.

“You walk away muttering in disbelief – not just at what the CSL can do, but how it does it”

SPORTINESS

HANDLING

steering could be better,

Essentials

BMW M4 CSL

Price:

are great

chassis delivers superb grip and the car feels alive and agile.

Engine:

Transmission:

Top

petrol

speed

Now

TYRES CSL is the fastest BMW ever around the Nürburgring Much of its performance comes from the tyres; Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S rubber is standard, or Cup 2s are a no cost option

PERFORMANCE Selectable driving modes allow you to tailor the CSL’s personality Track mode turns everything up to 11 and tweaks the car for its natural habitat

Verdict

IT’S a crazy car with an even crazier price tag, but in most respects the M4 CSL justifies its cost by simply being a brilliant driver’s car One that’s not just faster and more focused than the M4 Competition on which it’s based, with a superbly potent engine, but also a car that’s much more rewarding to drive where it counts

The CSL is an instant legend if ever there was one, even if its steering remains a touch ordinary compared with its illustrious predecessor

Essentials

Hyundai Ioniq 6

Long RangeAWD

Price:

Powertrain: 77 4kWh

Power/torque: 321bhp/605Nm

PRACTICALITY

sibling’s

YousufAshraf Yousuf Ashraf@autoviacouk @ashrafoncars

HYUNDAI isn’t playing it safe in 2022

Given that the space age Ioniq 5 hit the ground running as one of the most desirable electric cars of last year, it’d be fair to assume that the new Ioniq 6 saloon would bear more than a passing resemblance to its crossover relative But Hyundai has severed any visual links to the 5 with a streamlined design inspired by the Prophecy show car of 2020 Packaging constraints mean that the production car isn’t as svelte as the concept, but its still sleek looks will help it against the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2 when it goes on sale this year. Thanks to the E GMP platform’s 800V electrical architecture, the

INTERIOR

that relay

from the

are neatly integrated. Fit and finish are superb, while infotainment is one of the best

Ioniq 6 can charge at speeds of up to 350kW, enabling a 10 to 80 per cent top up in just 18 minutes The entry level model is powered by a 53kWh battery feeding a single rear mounted electric motor to provide 267 miles of range But the car we drove is the most potent version available that is, until a hot Ioniq 6 N inevitably arrives

For now, the flagship Ioniq 6 gets a 321bhp dual motor set up, a 77 4kWh battery and 362 miles of range on the WLTP cycle Opt for the rear drive model with the larger battery, however, and that streamlined body really pays dividends, with a claimed range of 382 miles, beating the Model 3

Inside, you’re greeted by a similar cabin architecture to the Ioniq 5. This time, though, Hyundai has refined the details of what was

EQUIPMENT Ioniq 6’s

is

and loaded

and

NEED TO KNOW

While the steering is well weighted and accurate, it provides very little feedback

the driver

already an excellent interior For instance, the bezels surrounding the dual 12 inch displays are now black rather than white to tidy up the look, and the digital door mirrors are beautifully integrated into wings that sweep up from the dash

Fit and finish are mostly superb, and Hyundai’s infotainment is one of the more intuitive systems on the market, despite the occasional fiddly sub menu Response times are swift, and thoughtful additions such as blind spot displays in the digital dash are welcome.

The Ioniq 6’s coupé like silhouette means that those over six feet tall may find themselves brushing against the headlining, but rear seat comfort is more of a sticking point Legroom is generous, but the floor mounted battery eats into the footwells, which isn’t ideal for longer limbed passengers. Hyundai has yet to provide an official boot capacity figure, but the load space isn’t cavernous

The chassis and powertrain calibration of our test car was tailored for South Korea, but there’s an inherent quality to the Ioniq 6’s dynamics The measured throttle response in Normal mode allows for smooth progress at low speed, while the ride is firm but well damped. Sudden road imperfections can send a shimmy through the chassis particularly when you strike a bump mid corner but the Ioniq 6 is mostly serene and cosseting

Hyund

FIRSTDRIVE Hyundai b

“Bury the throttle in Sport mode, and that serenity is decimated with a violent hit of acceleration”

TECH Digital mirrors on doors help improve the Ioniq

drag coefficient; the picture from each camera is displayed in a wing-like panel at either end of the dashboard

ON THE ROAD

Ioniq 6 is quiet and refined, with its focus on comfort and stability more than dynamic handling

It’s still good to drive, though

Ioniq 6

uilds on Ioniq 5 success with svelte EV saloon

on the move Bury the throttle in Sport mode, and that serenity is decimated by a violent hit of acceleration The dual motor version’s claimed 0 62mph time of 5 1 seconds feels conservative, and there’s a deep well of torque (605Nm, to be exact) to draw on, which provides effortless performance.

It’s not quite as urgent at motorway speeds, but you’re never left wanting for poke And, given the rate at which the Ioniq 6 can travel, it’s useful that its long wheelbase provides stability at speed The steering is accurate and well weighted, but is almost entirely devoid of communication

Our test car’s set up felt geared towards high speed security rather than incisive handling, but the Ioniq 6 still neatly carves up B roads at a brisk pace Drive smoothly and the Ioniq 6 corners relatively well, even if it’s not overly exciting. The low slung body and floor mounted battery mean that its mass is relatively well contained, too

The brakes are one of the weaker aspects of the Ioniq 6’s dynamic repertoire, though,

and the car’s mass does come into play when slowing from high speeds They’re powerful enough, but the pedal feel isn’t particularly confidence inspiring. You can largely side step this with Hyundai’s i Pedal one pedal driving mode, which works well until you come to a complete stop

Pricing has yet to be confirmed, but if it starts from less than £45,000, the Ioniq 6 will be very well placed indeed

Verdict

HYUNDAI’S EV onslaught continues with another deeply impressive machine. The Ioniq 6 is a radical visual departure from the Ioniq 5, but the core ingredients are familiar With class leading range, well judged dynamics and a comprehensive suite of tech, it’s a convincing effort, and proof that Hyundai’s winning formula hits the mark beyond SUVs

Porsche 911 GT3 RS

FIRSTDRIVE Aero tweaks define

version of iconic sports car

Steve Sutcliffe mail@autoexpresscouk

MOST Porsches, especially quicker 911s, tend to be defined by their engines Not so the new £178,500 992 GT3 RS For, despite being propelled by one of the all time great flat six motors one that revs to an ear splitting 9,000rpm and produces 518bhp in the process the latest RS is actually defined by its aerodynamics

At its top speed of 184mph (14mph lower than a regular GT3’s due to shorter gearing), the RS produces a quite staggering 860kg of downforce when its electronically adjustable rear wing is fully deployed It also features two new underbody flaps to balance that gigantic wing

So although that still spectacular engine has new cams and generates a touch more power than a regular GT3’s to give an even sharper 0 62mph time of just 3 2 seconds, the RS makes its biggest moves forwards courtesy of the grip it generates and via the extra speed it can carry though corners.

It’s a bold and typically interesting philosophy that Porsche has embraced here to eschew the pursuit of pure horsepower and find other ways of making the RS faster

and more exciting to drive T is, the manufacturer knew it squeeze much more power o its 4.0 litre flat six; in the en conjured another 14bhp. Ins along with the aero, chassis upgrades achieve the goal

You can individually adjus settings for the bump and re characteristics of the dampe through eight different stage load and on power load sett differential, tweak the traction and stability control systems individually, plus dial up the shift speeds of the dual clutch gearbox

And that’s before you go anywhere near the button marked DRS, which allows you to alter the angle of that huge rear wing to adjust the level of downforce and drag

As in the regular GT3, there are Normal, Sport and Track drive modes to choose from But only in Track mode do you get full use of all the toys In Normal, everything defaults to a nice, predictable factory setting

If it all seems like way too much to get your head around, don’t fret, because in practice, the RS is nowhere near as bamboozling to drive as you might think Not to begin with, and unless you’re seeking to extract the last

“In practice, the GT3 RS is nowhere near as bamboozling to drive as you might think”

costs

Essentials

Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Price: £178,500

Engine: 4 0 litre flat six petrol

Power/torque: 518bhp/465Nm

Transmission: Seven speed automatic, rear wheel drive

62mph: 3.2 seconds

Top speed: 184mph

21 1mpg

2: 305g/km

ONSALE Now

NEED TO KNOW Cabin is suitably racy given the RS’s focus on performance and matches the wild styling defined by its aerodynamics

few per cent out of it, which is not something you’ll feel the need to attempt often given how damn rapid it is, and how exciting it is to drive, even at seven and a bit tenths

To begin with, in fact, it feels, sounds, steers, changes gear, and basically drives quite a lot like the GT3 on which it’s based, which is no bad thing. The immediate sensations are all familiar, even if it feels like a slightly bigger car from behind the wheel, being based on the wider 911 Turbo bodyshell, with most of the new panels made from carbon composites to help keep the kerbweight down to 1,450kg

But then, like all the truly great driver’s cars, the RS keeps things back from you to

begin with It goads you into thinking that anyone could climb aboard and start setting

records in it from the word go. And to an extent that’s probably true, they could, because it’s that quick, even at eight tenths

But to get the best out of it, you need to delve deeper into its vast box of secrets. You need to play with the toys a bit, because if you don’t, the magic will lie mostly untapped

It’s not an especially easy thing to unlock, but when you do finally taste what this car is truly capable of, the sights and sensations are magnificent Such restrained wizardry makes the new GT3 RS a very special car indeed Maybe even the best yet, and there have been some good ones over the years.

Verdict

HOWEVER good you think the new 992 generation 911 GT3 RS might be, think again. And then double it. From its mind boggling aerodynamic grip to the raw performance from its howling 4 0 litre flat six engine and intense driver involvement, the RS is a line in the sand kind of car Truly, there will never be anything else quite like it

AERODYNAMICS To make space for the new underbody aero devices at the front, Porsche has moved the RS’s radiator into the space usually occupied by the 911’s luggage area; these vents allow hot air to exit

EQUIPMENT Fresh steering wheel features no less than seven new buttons and rotary controls to adjust the chassis and aerodynamics, allowing drivers to tune the set-up of the GT3 RS on the move

Alex Ingram Alex Ingram@autoviacouk @AxleIngram

THE Renault Megane is one of those cars that have become part of the establishment within the automotive landscape The name is among the most recognisable in the family car class, having been on our roads since 1995; only the Golf, Civic, Corolla and Astra are longer serving badges in this segment

It’s a big deal, then, when a new Megane comes out. It’s an even bigger deal when the car that Renault releases represents such a radical departure from what went before it And despite what you might think when you see the dramatic new crossover’s proportions, we’re not talking about the design That’s because the most significant change here is that the fifth generation Megane is all electric.

Under the skin, it uses the CMF EV platform, which is the same tech as our Car of The Year, the Nissan Ariya However, the Megane uses a different motor, made in France by Renault, which in UK spec models produces a healthy 217bhp There are no rare earth metals in the motor, and when that’s combined with the 20kg of recycled material that’s used in every Megane including plastic bottles for the seat upholstery the car’s sustainability credentials are boosted

Energy is supplied by a super slim 60kWh battery, which results in a cabin space that’s similar to a Volkswagen ID 3’s That means it’s acceptable, but still a little tight in the rear. At 440 litres, the deep boot is generous, although there is a load lip

The interior feels miles ahead of the VW’s, though Quality is a step up on its rival, but

Essentials

Renault Megane E-TechTechno

Price: £38,495

Powertrain: 60kWh battery/1x e motor

Power/torque: 217bhp/300Nm

Transmission: Single speed automatic, front wheel drive

0 62mph: 7 5 seconds

Top speed: 99mph

Range: 280 miles

Charging: 130kW (15 80% 30mins)

ONSALE Now

it’s the ergonomics that really set it apart. The Megane has proper physical controls for the climate functions, for a start

One of the areas that Renault is most proud of is the Android Automotive based infotainment system. It claims that the screen sharpness is class leading, and that the system is as responsive to use as a smartphone It’s a fair claim touch response and loading times are excellent, while “Okay Google” voice commands can be used not only for route guidance, but also to adjust the drive modes and ambient lighting. This is one of the very best in car systems on the market, and Renault says that there’s more to come, too; future over the air updates will bring further improvements and additional functionality

The Megane is also impressive on the road Refinement is its strongest point, with wind and road noise plus suspension knocks well isolated from the cabin The Megane’s driving dynamics are above average for the class, but despite quick

Renault Megane E-Tech

FIRSTDRIVE Family model returns as an all electric SUV, and is all the better for it

Performance

0 62mph/top speed 75 seconds/99mph

CHARGING

NEED TO KNOW

system is one of the best in any car today Cabin feels high in quality

steering and a kerbweight that undercuts most rivals, it’s still a 1,636kg hatchback.

The car’s weakness is its low speed ride

The chassis never quite settles over uneven surfaces, causing a constant fidget It’s never harsh, though, and larger bumps are rounded off nicely Performance is strong, too, with 0 62mph taking 7 5 seconds

Normal mode is best; in Sport the throttle response feels a little too sharp.

There are four levels of brake regeneration to choose from, which can be easily adjusted via steering wheel paddles When energy recovery is operating, it automatically depresses the brake pedal This is supposed to be clever, but in reality it feels odd

A mix of twisty B roads, motorways and some town driving resulted in efficiency of 3 7 miles per kWh on our test drive, and an estimated real world range of around 230 miles, well short of the official 280 mile claim. However, if you mainly do urban driving, you can expect much better

Renault is keeping the Megane line up simple, with a single powertrain and three

EQUIPMENT

Boot space stands at 440 litres However, the rear screen is shallow, so the top spec Launch Edition’s digital rear-view mirror could come in handy Otherwise, our mid-spec Techno model gets enough kit

trim levels. Beyond the colour, there are no optional extras to add to any of them

The range kicks off with the £35,995 Equilibre, which gets a 12 3 inch driver display, rear parking sensors and camera, a heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise, traffic sign recognition and USB C ports

However, it misses out on the Google based infotainment, which is standard on £38,495 Techno models. This trim also adds front parking sensors, wireless phone charging, blind spot warning and active lane centring

Launch Edition is the current range topper and gets 20 inch wheels and a gold front bumper insert Inside, there’s a digital rear view mirror, a nine speaker Harman Kardon audio system and a surround view parking camera. At £39,995, it’s much less than a top spec Cupra Born

The main challenger for the Megane will be the MG4 (tested on Page 36) It feels cheaper than the Megane in several areas, but costs less, so it’s easy to forgive these shortcomings ironically something often noted about Renault’s budget brand, Dacia

Verdict

RENAULT has moved with the times with the new Megane, and the switch to full electric power makes it one of the most convincing models to wear the badge since its debut 27 years ago. It’s spacious, accomplished to drive and has the best in car tech in its class There are some minor flaws improved efficiency would be welcome but it has fewer than most rivals. If you’re looking for a family EV, the Megane must be on your shortlist

Renault’s Android Automotive-based infotainment

PRACTICALITY Rear seat space isn’t the most generous, but there’s enough room for a family EV This is helped by an ultra-slim battery mounted within the CMF-EV platform that underpins the Megane E Tech

SeanCarson sean carson@autoviacouk

IN a little over a year since it arrived in the UK, Genesis has launched six models, establishing premium alternatives to the usual German players in pretty much every class that matters But this Electrified GV70 SUV could be the most important variant it’s launched yet

The Electrified GV70 combines qualities from many in demand areas in the market at the moment: an all electric powertrain in a mid size SUV body with a premium bent

Priced from £64,405, the Electrified GV70 only comes in Sport trim, with a 77 4kWh battery and a pair of electric motors packing up to 483bhp in Boost mode and a maximum of 700Nm of torque While it delivers impressive performance (0 62mph in 4 2 seconds) it’s range that’s more important; a 283 mile claim is competitive and during our time with the car, we saw efficiency that put us within 10 per cent of that official figure

There’s more to dissect when it comes to the price, which actually makes the Genesis look better value The brand calls it ‘the Genesis difference’, which amounts to its five year care plan, including warranty, roadside assistance and servicing.

Buyers will also get assigned a Genesis Personal Assistant, but with the Electrified GV70 it goes beyond all this, with five years’ access to the Ionity charging network at a

Genesis Electrified G

FIRSTDRIVE All electric version of premium SUV is a significant addi

preferential rate of 24p per kWh Ionity usually charges 69p per kWh; equate this to paying nearly two thirds less at the pump for your petrol or diesel in an ICE car

The Electrified GV70 can accept charging speeds up to 240kW, with a 10 80 per cent top up taking 18 minutes. It will sustain its peak charging rate from 15 55 per cent, too

In Sport with Boost mode selected, the GV70 stomps forward like most other EVs, but the throttle pedal is nicely calibrated for a smooth, rather than a shocking power delivery, retaining the focus on refinement

This is where the Electrified GV70 excels Our car was fitted with the £3,560 Innovation Pack, which includes active road noise cancelling This is combined with an almost complete lack of motor whine when cruising, and even the ride on our car’s optional 20 inch wheels was mostly good.

All Electrified GV70s have adaptive suspension with road scanning tech On the whole, the system works well and delivers a comfortable ride on motorways

and A roads Around town sometimes the set up doesn’t seem the most intelligent, but the Genesis is far from uncomfortable. On crowned and rutted country roads there is some body sway, but that’s no doubt due to the car’s chunky 2,310kg kerbweight a problem many electric SUVs suffer from.

On bespoke Michelin tyres, there’s plenty of grip, while the steering offers a nice weight and linear response in Comfort mode, albeit with zero feedback. But that’s unlikely to matter to buyers; the GV70’s composure will

The fact that it’s packed with tech helps take the edge off any dynamic shortfall Its regenerative braking, for example, is great. The Smart Regeneration System 2 0 will adjust the level depending on traffic conditions and data from the sat nav Or you can select Genesis’s i Pedal set up, which allows one pedal driving.

There’s also a max regen feature, activated by pulling the left hand steering wheel paddle It means you can cruise along with low regen to maximise rolling efficiency,

Essentials

Genesis Electrified GV70 Sport

Price:

Powertrain:

Transmission:

0

GV70

to the line up

NEED TO KNOW

All Genesis models come with five years of warranty, servicing and roadside assistance cover but then pull and hold the paddle to brake for a corner, releasing it when you’ve reached the right speed It’s a very intuitive system

Otherwise, the Electrified GV70 is as good as the combustion engined versions in most other areas True, you lose 39 litres of boot space, at 503 litres, but you gain 25 litres in the front, where the charging cables

can be stowed (the charge port is located within the grille, so this makes sense)

Otherwise, the Electrified GV70 is well packaged. The infotainment boasts a digital dash and 14 5 inch screen featuring the latest connected services, while leather trim, a powered tailgate, lots of safety kit and driver assistance tech are all included, too.

Top

EQUIPMENT Optional 20-inch wheels cost £630 Ride even on these bigger alloys is acceptable, and is helped by standard-fit adaptive suspension with road scanning technology

PRACTICALITY

Charging port is located in the grille (below); 25-litre storage space under the bonnet can be used for charging cables Boot capacity is fine, at 503 litres, while a powered tailgate comes as standard

Verdict

IT’S pricey, but the Electrified GV70 shows how far Genesis has come in a short period of time in Europe

The car’s range, performance and charging tech are towards the top of the class, while the material and build quality, practicality and infotainment are all sound and the customer offering is very strong.

However, the car could be more comfortable still, and balance this with a sharper side dynamically

Richard Ingram Richard Ingram@autoviacouk

THE Mercedes EQS SUV is arguably one of the most exorbitant and ostentatious new cars of 2022 But to dismiss it as a fancy, frivolous and irrelevant stagecoach for the world’s super rich would be unfair Merc’s very own S Class has always been a springboard for new tech, and the EQS is no different Kit trialled here will filter down to more affordable models in time

The car’s huge battery is good for 379 miles of range, Merc says, while the EQS can replenish its cells at speeds of up to 200kW, which means a 10 80 per cent charge takes just 31 minutes. However, weighing more than 2 7 tonnes, the EQS SUV isn’t all that efficient Figures we saw equate to a usable range of between 250 and 270 miles

Then there’s the cabin. Even without the circa £8,000 Hyperscreen, the EQS represents the very best of Mercedes’ craftsmanship It feels genuinely luxurious No corners have been cut when it comes to fitting out the brand’s flagship SUV.

However, it’s the configuration shown here that we’d recommend Sure, the three screen layout is the EQS’s party piece, but few will truly use the myriad functions and the passenger display feels like little more than a gimmick The regular two screen set up will save you thousands, and it’s still full of trick features, responsive and quite intuitive.

At 70mph, the cabin is all but silent, and even on 22 inch wheels, there is very little road noise Wind noise is only noticeable at three figure speeds, and the ride save for the odd sharp jolt or pothole is sublime Comfort is what the EQS SUV does best

The EQS will be sold only with seven seats in the UK, although the 450 badged model we drove was fitted with the five seat configuration offered in other markets We did manage to try the third row in another car, however, and while there’s more space than in a Tesla Model X, it’s still best left for kids.

Boot space is generous, though as it should be in a 5 1 metre long car There’s 565 litres with the very back seats folded

Essentials

Mercedes EQS 450 4MATIC

Price: £130,000 (est)

Powertrain: 108 4kWh battery, 2x e motors

Power/torque: 355bhp/800Nm

Transmission: Single speed automatic, four wheel drive

0 62mph: 6 0 seconds

Top speed: 130mph

Range: 379 miles

Charging: 200kW (10 80% in 31mins) ONSALE Mid-October

flat, and this can expand to 2,020 litres when the second row is tucked away

Given the strong refinement and supple ride, it’ll be no surprise that the EQS SUV is a fantastic long distance cruiser.

Those who want to experience the any speed instant torque often associated with high power EVs might want to take a look at

the top spec EQS 580. The 450 4MATIC is brisk from a standstill, but performance tails off at higher speeds It’s still quite capable of quick overtakes, but won’t pin you to your seat like the flagship will.

Yet while it’s easy enough to disguise the car’s weight in a straight line, it’s not so simple through the corners And

Merced

Range top

“There’s little road noise and the ride is mostly sublime. Comfort is what the EQS does best”

PRACTICALITY The EQS SUV is a big car, and feels incredibly spacious in any one of the five front seats UK cars will come with two more seats in the boot, but fold these flat and there’s 565 litres of luggage capacity

des EQS SUV

pping SUV stakes its claim before all electric Range Rover arrives

actually, the way this car handles is all the more impressive because of that; there’s not much pitch or body roll.

But rivals such as BMW’s iX do very much the same, yet that car is better to drive, and even fully loaded, the xDrive50 undercuts the Merc by almost £20,000. Plus it matches the EQS for luxury, range and charging tech Yes, the iX only has five seats, but if this isn’t an issue, then it’s a far superior car

What’s more, Mercedes still hasn’t mastered the art of regenerative braking

The EQS’s adjustable set up isn’t quite strong enough for one pedal driving, while the brake pedal feel also isn’t the best.

We’ll have to wait for full transparency on EQS SUV prices and specs, but judging from the EQS saloon, it’s likely UK buyers will get a choice of Luxury and AMG Line trims, plus the usual Premium and Premium Plus packs.

One option box worth ticking will be the 10 degree (4 5 degrees as standard) rear wheel steering system, which cuts the SUV’s turning circle to that of a Volkswagen Golf.

Verdict

THE new Mercedes EQS SUV is an extraordinary luxury car. It’s imposing, quiet, refined, and full of clever tech and premium features. It’s a great cruiser and offers a truly cavernous interior. But at this price, you want a car that can do it all, and at times this version of the EQS feels like it’s short of talent in some areas where a car like this needs to be flawless. Rather than buy this, we’d wait for the forthcoming all electric Range Rover

ON THE ROAD

NINE years is a relatively long lifespan for a car, but in the burgeoning world of electric vehicles, it’s almost unheard of The BMW i3 burst onto the scene in 2013, and it continued to catch eyes with its bold styling and command respect thanks to excellent build quality and cutting edge technology right up until its death this year

The i3 moved with the times, being offered as a pure electric model and a petrol assisted range extender during its life Even in its twilight years, it still managed to provide competition to the latest EVs with a reasonable 190 mile range, a novel looking cabin and, of course, a distinctive design you wouldn’t associate with ‘normal’ BMWs.

Earlier this year, BMW made 18 special edition units, all finished in ‘Galvanic Gold Metallic’ paintwork to celebrate the i3 surpassing 250,000 sales We’re also holding our own celebration at Auto Express, but our car is painted in a more understated Blue Ridge two tone colour scheme.

To find out if the i3 still feels as fresh as ever and if BMW perhaps called time on the i3 a little early, we took it on a 105 mile trip to a Shell Recharge station (your second favourite chargepoint provider in our 2022 Driver Power poll) The journey meant we’d (in theory) have to recharge just over half of the i3’s battery, giving us a bit of time to ask some other EV owners what they thought of BMW’s pioneering electric car. We also took the sportier i3s model, which features a faster 0 62mph time (a rather nippy 6 9 seconds), a 10mm suspension drop and larger wheels

Our journey consisted mainly of motorway driving the bane of an electric car but even at a steady 60mph, the i3s was indicating more range than predicted There were over 100 miles left on arrival meaning we could have possibly eked out more than 200 miles from a charge The i3s was also perfectly comfortable during the two hour drive, riding very well despite the large wheels and lowered ride height

But what did the public think about it? First up was Skoda Enyaq owner Chris Button Checking out the exterior of the i3 first, he said: “It doesn’t look like it’s aged. It kind of looks like a Smart ForTwo, because with the three doors it’s quite compact ” Opening the rear hinged back door to reveal the five door bodystyle surprised Chris, as did the interior

“The wood panelling looks retro and the screen on the dash is quite discreet,” he said. “One of the few downsides of my Enyaq is the massive screen It’s not obtrusive, but it would be nice to put it away when you’re driving at night ”

David Farmer bought his first EV, a Nissan Leaf, this year and he was charging it in the bay next to us. Taking a look

around the i3, he shared his thoughts “I think it’s a very neat design It looks very modern,” he said “When I first looked at it, I thought it’s a two door. And then I realised it’s actually got those rear doors as well!”

As we stepped inside the i3, David was quite taken aback at the amount of space on offer, saying: “It’s very roomy, even though it’s a compact car.” It didn’t take long before he queried how far the i3 could go on a charge “My Leaf’s range is around 150 miles,” he said, “but I drive it gently and it can indicate 170 miles, which is frankly more than I need The 190 miles this i3 offers would be perfectly fine for me.”

Another Enyaq pulled up to the station, and out jumped Carol and Adrian Hogg, who had just bought the Czech EV the day before In fact, this was their first charging experience

“It’s very BMW, isn’t it?”, said Adrian as he took a look around The sheer amount of space inside the i3 impresses, thanks mainly to the battery being located underneath the boot and there being no need for a transmission tunnel “This is a stunning little car,” he told us. “And considering it’s so small, I’m surprised how much legroom there is ”

The Shell Recharge station has a maximum 175kW charging rate and while our i3’s charging capacity tops out at 50kW, replenishing the 42.2kWh battery didn’t take long The return journey turned out to be just as stress free and enjoyable, not to mention frugal thanks to limited use of the car’s Sport mode and air conditioning

Being the first car in BMW’s electrified ‘i’ model range, the i3 had to make a statement which it continued to do for almost a decade A compact family car with a body made partly from carbon fibre, rear hinged doors and, of course, those wild exterior and interior design touches we’re unlikely to see anything like the i3 in BMW’s future.

ENDOF

The i3 was a genuine revolutio

Despite sporty set-up, our i3s was perfectly comfortable

CHRIS BUTTON Skoda Enyaq owner

“It doesn’t look like it’s aged. It kind of looks like a Smart in a way, because it’s quite compact. The screen on the dash is pretty discreet”

“It’s a very neat, very modern design. When I first looked at it, I thought it was a two-door. Then

realised it’s got

DAVID FARMER Nissan Leaf owner

CAROL & ADRIAN HOGG Skoda Enyaq owners

“It’s very BMW inside, isn’t it? This is a stunning little car and, considering it’s so small, I’m really surprised by how much legroom there is”

ROADTESTS

Double whammy

ThenewMG4andKiaNiroEVjointhe

electricfamilycarclassatabusytime

forthesector.Butwhichoneisbest?

Pictures: Pete Gibson

UNDER the direction of parent group SAIC Motor in China, and in a short space of time, the revitalised MG brand has gone from producing underwhelming saloons and superminis to building something, in the case of the revised ZS EV, that’s good enough to win its class at the Auto Express New Car Awards The MG5 Estate has also shown plenty of promise, and we’ll get to drive the updated version in the UK soon

The brand’s relentless progress shows little sign of slowing up, because there’s yet another model for us to try, and this one is all new. The MG4 is a five door hatchback which, like its ZS stablemate, is fully electric And as with the ZS, it appears to be competitively priced even the top spec model only weighs in at a touch over £31,000 which is more remarkable still when you consider that it’s riding on an all new platform. So is there a catch?

To find out, we’re putting the MG4 up against another exciting electric newcomer The second generation Niro EV should provide a stern test for the MG4, because the hybrid model has already won a twin test in Issue 1,748 It’ll be fascinating to see how this pair matches up

52

MG4

Trophy Long Range

Price: £31,495

Powertrain: 1x e motor/64kWh battery, 200bhp

0 62mph: 7.9 seconds

Test economy: 3 5 miles/kWh

Official range: 270 miles Annual road tax: £0

Kia Niro EV3

Price: £38,995

Powertrain: 1x e motor/65kWh battery, 201bhp

0 62mph: 7.8 seconds

Test economy: 3 9 miles/kWh

Official range: 285 miles Annual road tax: £0

Testers’ notes

“In launch form, the MG4 is fairly sensible and practical, but the brand is preparing a much wilder version We’re expecting twin , 443bhp and a 0 62mph time of 3.8 seconds from what become a genuine all electric hot hatch.”

motors, could genuine Sean

Carson Associate editor

HONDAHR-V

MODELTESTED:

Trophy Long

PRICES for the MG4 start from £25,995, and even the top spec Trophy Long Range model we have here, including the optional Volcano Orange paint, comes to only £32,190 That undercuts the cheapest Niro EV by more than £4,000

Design & engineering

IN a relatively short space of time, MG has achieved plenty of success with its two current full EV models, the MG5 and ZS But the MG4 aims to take that a step further, thanks to one fundamental difference between it and its stablemates While they are electric cars adapted from existing combustion engined models, the MG4 has been designed as a pure EV from the ground up

An all new structure called the Modular Scalable Platform has enabled MG to design a car much better suited to battery power It’s taken a similar approach to the Volkswagen Group’s MEB range; there’s a rear mounted electric motor and a wheelbase that is stretched as far possible within a modest footprint two features that the MG4 has in common with the VW ID 3, for example

MG offers two battery options The smaller one is a 51kWh unit that delivers a 218 mile range on the WLTP cycle The model we ’ re driving here is the Long Range model, which gets a 64kWh pack

Depending on trim, it has a range of 270 281 miles, and that figure is helped by aerodynamic boosting features such as an active grille that opens only when the electrical systems need cool air The electric motor produces 200bhp and 250Nm of torque, a negligible 1bhp and 5Nm down on the Niro’s

Inside, the MG’s layout is fairly minimalist, and it’s clear that inspiration has been borrowed from German brands This is most clear ahead of the driver; the oddly shaped steering wheel has more than a hint of the BMW iX about it, the small digital driver’s display reminds us of the VW ID 3, while the column stalks look uncannily like those you’ll find in a range of Audis While that means the details you’ll interact with most often look and feel quite slick, elsewhere the fit and finish lags behind the Kia’s The MG4 is an affordable car relative to its rival, though, so we ’ re not shocked by this compromise

Driving

FORTUNATELY, the cabin is one of the few areas where the MG lacks just a little sophistication Out on the road, the way that MG4 drives doesn’t feel budget at all There’s quite a relaxed gait to the car overall; the ride quality over larger bumps is quite soft, so it bounces over rather than crashes into most imperfections At low speeds, there’s just a little more fidget than in the Kia, but it’s perfectly acceptable

The MG is also a fine companion around town, thanks to the light, direct steering and clear forward visibility The bonnet slopes away, so it’s hard to see the car ’ s edges, but the combination of a short front end and a forward facing camera (albeit with a rather odd fisheye lens), makes it easy to position the hatchback in tight spots

But the car ’ s most surprising quality is that it’s actually quite fun to drive Turn into a corner quickly, and the MG4 initially feels a little nose heavy, but a

Running costs

Practicality

Detail

twin aero

Five door hatch is MG’s first bespoke EV. It offers a lot of car with a value for money price tag, but is it too good to be true?

mix of an adjustable chassis and the rear wheel drive layout means that it’s possible for your inputs to hold plenty of influence over how the MG4 behaves It certainly bodes well for the hotter model that the manufacturer has in the pipeline

Here, performance is more than adequate for most buyers The 0 62mph sprint is dispatched in 7 9 seconds, and the MG4 gets there with a responsive throttle although there’s a little bit more motor whine than in the Kia

Practicality

FOR its relatively compact footprint and considering it’s 81mm lower than the Niro the 4 is really quite spacious inside Kneeroom is barely a fraction of a centimetre behind the Niro’s, and headroom is pretty much identical The central hump in the floor is very low, and the middle seat is more comfortable than the Kia’s However, limited foot space beneath the front seats, a lack of a central armrest, and awkward Isofix access (they’re behind a velcro patch and within a tight recess) are small downsides

Despite the minimalist appearance, interior storage is impressive, too The centre console features a large but shallow storage area with a sliding lid, while just behind it is a taller, deeper bin that doubles as an armrest Smaller trinkets can be secured using netting that’s attached to its leading edge The door bins have space for bottles up front, but the glovebox is very shallow

Ownership

EURO NCAP has yet to assess the MG4, but all versions of the hatchback get six airbags, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning with lane keep assist

The range topping Trophy Long Range also adds blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert and a door opening warning to avoid incidents with passing traffic and cyclists to the list of safety kit

Kia’s Niro range, which was specifically tested by NCAP in EV form in 2022, received a five star rating

Running costs

OUR efficiency figures on test of 3 5 miles per kilowatt hour for the MG4 and 3 9 miles/kWh for the Niro show that the Kia is the more efficient car

At a home electricity unit price of 28p/kWh, that translates into fuel costs of £1,600 over 20,000 miles for the MG and £1,436 for its Kia competitor

Those efficiency numbers included quite significant motorway mileages which is not the most flattering environment for EVs and in town the figures both improved In our hands, the MG achieved closer to 4 4mi/kWh in urban conditions, and the Kia reached closer to 5mi/kWh

Testers’ notes

“The MG’s smartphone charging pad is angled backwards, which means that it doesn’t feel very secure when you’re driving.”

Gibson r test editor Dean Senior

Interior Minimalist cabin has design nods to German brands, but the fit and finish trail the Niro EV’s interior

Rear seats

Despite a few minor niggles, there’s lots of room in the back of the MG and the middle seat is comfortable

Practicality

THROUGHTHE RANGE

Which trim level might suit you?

PICKING your ideal MG4 is a fairly straightforward task There are only two trim levels to choose from, and the options list is only as long as the exterior paint palette In this contest, though, what really matters is just how tempting either model is on a PCP finance deal.

Place a £3,000 deposit on a three-year agreement with a 10,000 mile annual limit, and the SE Long Range MG4 weighs in at £379 per month, which is extremely cheap by the standard of most EVs. For the cash, you’re getting 17 inch alloy wheels, a 10 25 inch colour screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, climate control and traffic-sign recognition.

Step up to the Trophy Long Range, and the kit list grows, with a heated steering wheel and front seats, an uprated stereo, online weather and traffic services, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat and a wireless phone charger included This raises the total cost to £441 per month.

Our choice: Trophy Long Range

Material quality

Rotary dial selects the gear, while a switch operates the car’s electronic parking brake

MODELTESTED: Kia Niro EV 3

ENGINE:

motor/64

WE were impressed enough with the Niro Hybrid to name it a winner against the Nissan Juke in Issue 1,748, but how does the all electric version fare? The extras on our car in mid spec 3 trim include a heat pump (£900) and Premium paint (£595), taking the total price to £40,490

Design & engineering

UNLIKE MG, Kia has hedged its bets with the Niro’s underpinnings the third generation of the Hyundai/Kia K platform by designing the structure to accommodate both hybrid and plug in hybrid powertrains alongside a fully electric layout

While the name has changed from e Niro to Niro EV, the latest model has a few similarities with its predecessor Both produce the same 201bhp, and at 64 8kWh, the battery is an almost identical capacity However, the new pack, which weighs 443kg, is from a fresh supplier, and it’s integrated into a body in white that is 20 3kg lighter than its predecessor’s That’s to be applauded, not least because not only does Kia claim a one per cent increase in structural rigidity, but the car is also physically larger; at 4,420mm, the new model is 65mm longer than the its e Niro predecessor and 133mm longer than the MG4

Further tweaks to the suspension include new bearings with less friction in the MacPherson struts at the front, which the Korean manufacturer says will help to deliver a smoother response from the dampers and a more natural steering feel

There are more significant improvements in other areas, most notably the cabin The EV6 inspired dashboard looks very slick, and the control layouts are neat and logical The driving position has plenty of adjustment (as does the MG’s), although while the seats themselves are perfectly comfortable, some people might find the headrests are positioned a little too far forwards

Cabin quality is a noticeable step ahead of the MG’s, but there are still some large expanses of hard plastics on the Niro EV’s doors

Driving

THE Niro’s chassis engineers have opted to prioritise comfort over ultimate roadholding for the latest Niro, which is something that we think makes perfect sense The ride is fairly soft, but there’s slightly less body movement than in the MG

It’s also a little more composed at lower speeds than the MG4, while refinement has its good and bad points The noise from the Kia’s motor is better isolated than in its rival, but the Niro EV undoes this good work somewhat by allowing more road noise to reach the cabin, making it the noisier car on a motorway Performance is near identical between the pair, but the Kia’s motor feels slightly less keen when pulling away from a standstill

The Kia comes with five modes to adjust the brake regeneration on the move That’s one more than in the MG, and thanks to steering wheel mounted paddles, the Niro’s modes are much easier to adjust to your exact taste and the driving conditions The MG’s regeneration settings are buried within a

Running costs

Practicality

Kia Niro

Detail

Handy three pin socket can power your electrical devices, while the charging cables can be stowed in the front boot

Performance

There’s little to separate this pair, with the Kia’s 0 62mph time of 7.8 seconds beating the MG’s by just 0 1 seconds

sub menu on the infotainment screen Both cars have automatic energy recovery modes, which adjust to the traffic around you Some might like these systems, but we found the unpredictability of them a bit irritating, and switched them off

Practicality

WHILE the need to package both combustion and electric powertrains within a car ’ s structure has some disadvantages, there are benefits too

Electric motors are much smaller than internal combustion engines, so without a big lump of metal taking up space under the bonnet, the Niro EV gets a storage compartment that’s large enough to hold the charging cables Keeping these separate from the car ’ s boot is ideal if it’s full of luggage, or you want to keep the cabin dry after you have had to charge the Korean model in the rain

The Kia is much better for carrying cargo, too There’s a generous 475 litres of boot space 112 litres more than in the MG which expands to 1,392 litres with the seats folded That’s much more than the MG’s 1,177 litres Both cars have false boot floors that create a level load lip when raised

Cubby spaces are reasonable in the Niro EV The smartphone shelf is more than large enough to hold even the grandest of new devices, while the central space can be used for general storage or double up as a twin cup holder, which springs into action by pressing one of two buttons The door bins are quite slim, though, which means that there’s nowhere useful to hold a bottle

Ownership

FEW manufacturers can compete with Kia when it comes to warranty cover, but MG is one of them Both brands offer their customers seven years of protection from new Kia has a slight edge because its package runs to 100,000 miles while the MG’s is 80,000 miles, but both are comprehensive One year of breakdown cover is provided free of charge by both, too

Running costs

ALTHOUGH the Kia is more pricey to buy initially than the MG, it’s also much better at holding on to its value

After three years and 36,000 miles, the Niro is expected to retain 58 per cent of its original value, while its rival is predicted to keep less than 51 per cent of its £31,495 on the road price

Typical of any electric vehicle, both of these models offer fantastic value for company car users Sitting in the lowest two per cent Benefit in Kind bands, the MG and Kia only face annual deductions of £252 and £312 respectively for higher rate income tax payers

Testers’ notes

“The Niro’s lightweight fabric parcel shelf twists and folds down into a small disc when not in use, so it can be stored in pretty much any cubby you like.”

lex Ingram hief reviewer Alex Chief

Interior Material quality and fit are better than the MG’s, but there are still some hard plastics lurking on the Niro EV’s doors

Rear seats

Space in the back of the Kia is plentiful and a match for that found in the MG

Practicality

you regularly load up the boot, then the Niro is a better bet than the MG It beats

capacity with

seats

folded

THROUGHTHE RANGE

Which trim level might suit you?

THE Niro’s trim structure offers a little more variety than the MG’s, with the model available in three specs.

The base model 2 misses out on some useful tech, such as the 10 25 inch touchscreen fitted to the higher grades (there’s an eight inch item without built in navigation instead), but like the others, it has 17 inch alloy wheels and climate control It’s quite a lot more expensive than the MG, though; match the terms of a three-year PCP to the MG4’s figures and it starts from £545 per month.

The 3 is the one we’d have, but that climbs to £610 per month. It adds that larger screen inside, plus heated front seats, blind spot warning and wireless smartphone charging The range topping 4 gets ventilated front seats, vegan leather upholstery, and an electric front passenger seat that can almost fully recline perfect for a rest while charging the car All in, the Niro EV 4 comes to £670 per month.

Our choice:

seats are comfy, but some people may

Buttons either side of the gear selector control functions such as the heated seats

Kias 10.25 inch digital instrument cluster is the same size as the infotainment screen

Vauxhall Mokka-e

MODEL: GS Line

PRICE: £32,685

POWER: 1x e motor, 134bhp

VAUXHALL has a hit on its hands with the Mokka e We reckon it’s the most eye catching car the firm makes, and looks contemporary when compared with the other cars here

It’s more understated inside, but it’s well finished and the driving position is comfortable The MG4 and Niro are more spacious in the back, though The Mokka’s 310 litre boot is barely any more than a typical supermini’s But it’s smaller than its competitors overall, so it’s not surprising that there would be some compromise

The 50kWh battery is also smaller, so it can’t compete for range But Vauxhall has improved the powertrain since the model was launched, and the Mokka e can now cover 209 miles on a full charge It’ll charge at a maximum speed of 100kW, so a 10 80 per cent charge takes 30 minutes

There are two trim levels, with the GS Line starting from £32,685 It has 18 inch alloys, heated front seats and a camera

Green machine

Modern looking Mokka e is well finished inside It’s smaller than the MG4 and Niro EV, but can be charged at speeds of up to 100kW

Rivals: Four alternative electric

Cupra Born

MODEL: V2 58kWh

PRICE: £36,635

POWER: 1x e motor, 201bhp

WE’VE spent lots of time with the Cupra Born, and to us it’s a more convincing attempt at an EV hatchback than the platform sharing Volkswagen ID3 Key to this is the interior Cupra has used textures and materials in a way that hints the Born is a more upmarket product than the VW

But like the ID3, it also mixes smart ergonomics such as digital dials that adjust with the steering wheel with the baffling; the touch and sliding ventilation and volume controls are fiddly and aren’t backlit There are also only two switches for all four electric windows, so you must press a touch sensitive key to change their function from front to back

Yet the Born has some great strong points Efficiency is one, because it can deliver a WLTP range of up to 339 miles with the largest 77kWh battery

It’s reasonably fun to drive, too, but is hindered by its price It starts from £34,715 for the 58kWh battery in basic V1 trim. Go for the top spec and a big battery, and the Born nudges £42,000 before options

Sporty Spaniard

While the touch sensitive controls are frustrating, the Born is a strong contender thanks to the 77kWh version’s official 339 mile range

MG ZS EV

MODEL: Trophy Long Range

PRICE: £34,495

POWER: 1x e motor, 154bhp

MG’s earlier EVs have been overshadowed by the new MG4, but that doesn’t mean they lack appeal The ZS offers the benefits of an EV in a fairly compact SUV shape at a price that will continue to tempt buyers into the brand’s growing dealer network

The ZS EV starts from £29,495 with a 51kWh battery and a 189 mile range the 73kWh model adds another 84 miles of range for an extra £2,500 While it’s not quite the bargain the MG4 is, in SUV terms it still beats its closest competition

Overall, the ZS is more conventional than the 4; the dash looks plain, but has a sharp, bright and colourful infotainment system Cabin space is comfy for four adults rear headroom is excellent and the 470 litre boot will hold bulky items.

The ZS’s road manners won’t blow away anyone for sportiness or comfort, but there’s little to complain about The car grips just fine, the ride is okay and the instant 280Nm of torque and 154bhp from the electric motor mean the ZS feels anything but sluggish

c family cars

Nissan

THE Leaf is the oldest car here and it’s starting to show its age. That’s most clear once you step inside Beyond the cosmetic fact that the dash looks dated and the in car tech is past its best, beside the MG the cabin is cramped, and the driving position will be too high for most people It also uses a ChaDeMo charging connection, which limits speeds to 50kW, and the places where you can plug in

But the Leaf still has its plus points In a straight line sprint, it’s more than a match for the MG and Kia, because the e+ model is able to cover the 0 62mph sprint in 69 seconds This version has a range of 239 miles, too, thanks to its 59kWh battery

It also has price on its side The Leaf line up starts at £28,995, which gets you the 168 mile 39kWh model in Acenta trim This comes with climate control, cruise control and an eight inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The e+ model costs a significant £4,500 more than the equivalent standard range version, however

Tempting

Despite living under the shadow of the MG4 now, the ZS is still a popular model for the brand and a solid choice for buyers after an affordable EV SUV

The electric family car market is getting crowded. Here are four alternatives to the MG4 and Niro EV worth

Golden oldie

Launched in 2017, the Mk2 Leaf is showing its age, but it’s still a competent EV, with the e+ version offering a range of 239 miles from a single charge

Infotainment

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

OFTEN vehicles with a budget slant skimp on the infotainment tech, but the MG4 bucks that trend The first thing that strikes you about the 10 25 inch display the same size as the Kia’s panel is just how sharp the resolution is It looks fantastic The main menu has a widget like layout that gives easy access to the major functions On screen shortcuts for music, phone, navigation and car settings are a permanent feature on the right hand side of the display

There are also physical keys along the bottom, including for the home page and the climate controls One problem is that all the air con settings can only be adjusted on screen, and they’re really fiddly; adjusting the fan speed involves pressing a tiny portion of the display to the exact position you want The loading and response times also trail the Kia’s infotainment, which itself isn’t the quickest system around

FOR AND AGAINST

Razor sharp graphics, online services, neat menus

Some fiddly on screen keys, loading times are slower than the Niro’s

Kia

with

THE infotainment system used by the Niro is nearly identical to the set up used by the brand’s Sportage SUV and the all electric EV6, and just like in those two models, it’s a very slick system The main menu structures are logical, which means that newcomers can easily figure out how to work their way around

Having a split touch panel beneath the main screen, whose controls alter between climate and infotainment functions, is a clever way of both optimising dashboard space without making things look confusing, and also marrying the best possible use of both physical and touch controls

The infotainment has features specific to the EV, including a page which shows the current battery charge and remaining range It’s not quite perfect, though; some sub menus are a little convoluted, and loading times aren’t up with the very best systems

FOR AND AGAINST

Logical layout, tidy graphics, useful EV specific menus

Some convoluted on screen functions, touchscreen isn’t the most responsive

Display MG’s screen looks fantastic, with a high resolution, neat graphics and bright colours It’s backed up by a similarly sharp seven inch driver’s instrument display Screen 10.25 inch unit not as sharp as the MG’s touchscreen, but is more neatly integrated into the dashboard.The Kia’s response and loading times are quicker than the MG’s as well

Figures

On

0

Length/wheelbase

Peak

MG4 Trophy Long Range

£31,495/£32,19 £15,974/50 7% £15,521 £126/£251 £960/£1,600 29/N/A/£0 N/A

4,287/2,705mm 1,504/1,836mm

Rear e motor/ lithium ion battery 200bhp 250Nm

WHILE the MG will retain less of its original value its lower list price means it loses less money over three years

Kia Niro

EV‘3’

£38,995/£40,490

£22,602/58 0% £16,393

£156/£311 £862/£1,436 29/£679/£0 £479 (3 years)

4,420/2,720mm 1,585/1,825mm

Front e motor/ li ion battery

201bhp

255Nm

EFFICIENCY

WITH electricity prices on the rise again, the Kias better efficiency means lower bills when it comes to charging the car

Headto head

Turning

Single speed/RWD 64/61.7kWh 363/1,177 litres 1,685/448/500kg 10 6 metres

7 yrs (80,000)/1yr 28th/N/A N/A

7 9 secs/100mph 3.5 216 miles 270 miles 7 2/135kW 9hrs/35*mins 0g/km/2%

Airbags/Isofix/parking sensors/camera Auto/lane keep/blind spot/AEB Clim /cruise ctrl/leather/heated seats

Metallic paint/LED lights

Keyless go/powered tailgate Nav/digital dash/DAB/connected apps Wireless charging Apple CarPlay/Android Auto

Six/yes/rear/360 Yes/yes/yes/yes Yes/yes/artificial/y £545/yes Yes/no Yes/yes/yes/yes

Yes Yes/yes

NCAP RATING

EURO NCAP has yet to test the MG4, but it comes with a decent selection of safety kit especially in Trophy Long Range spec PAINT

BLUE and white finishes are no cost options

Black and grey are £545 with red or the eye catching orange fin sh of our test car costing £695

Single speed/FWD 64.8/64.8kWh 475/1,392 litres 1,739/461/750kg 10 6 metres

7 yrs (100k miles)/1 yr 3rd/5th 91/84/76/79/5 (2022)

7 8 secs/103mph

3.9 253 miles 285 miles

11/72kW 6hrs 20mins/43*mins 0g/km/2%

Eight/yes/f&r/yes

Yes/yes/yes/yes Yes/yes/vegan/yes £595/yes Yes/yes Yes/yes/yes/yes Yes Yes/yes

WARRANTY

KIA’s seven year package has long been a strong selling point MG matches this, but offers 20000 miles less than its rival

MATCH our efficiency figures, and you can expect to get roughly 216 miles out of a charge from the MG. The Niro was more efficient, which is why its similarly sized battery should travel 37 miles further before needing a top-up. We tested the cars on a 17 degree day; expect range to improve slightly in hotter weather, but bear in mind that both will struggle to match those numbers in winter

CHARGING

EQUIPMENT

WHILE both cars are well equipped the Niro EV gets handy kit such as front parking sensors and a powered tailgate

ONE area where we were hoping for more improvement was charging Kia states a maximum charging rate of 72kW for the Niro EV, which is well behind the 135kW rate MG claims for the 4

MG

THE MG4 marks the next major step in the brand’s UK return It drives well, it has the performance to match the Niro EV, a practical range with rapid charging, and loads of space inside. But most impressive of all is the price No credible rival comes close to offering so much for the money, which is why this is one of the bargain EVs of the moment

KIA

1st 2ndResults

THE Niro EV is a very appealing electric car. It’s comfortable, the tech is slick, and beside the MG, it’s undoubtedly more special inside and out. It also has its rival beaten for boot space, and is more efficient with its energy However, it’s impossible to overlook the gulf in cost between the two; the MG offers almost everything the Niro does for significantly less cash

On a 10 80 per cent charge, the Niro takes 43 minutes, eight more than its rival. The Niro EV’s plug is right at the front and in the middle, while the MG’s is located on the rear quarter panel, much like a petrol or diesel’s filler cap

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WE’VE not taken our Honda HR V anywhere very glamorous recently, but a rare trip into central London last week confirmed our sense that this compact hybrid SUV has a chameleon like ability to look the part everywhere

Most of its mileage has been notched up on domestic duties, involving school runs, trips to the supermarket, tip or stables, weekly commutes between Hampshire and West Sussex, and longer haul weekends away to the West Country

The car has handled all we ’ ve thrown at it, thanks to a winning combination of a boxy bodyshell, a long wheelbase and Honda’s useful Magic Seats It’s a set up that allows all sorts of options when loading the luggage, the dog, a pair of medium sized children and various other goods and chattels

Taking each in turn, luggage is catered for easily by a roomy boot, unless the dog is travelling too That’s when the option to up end one or other of the 60:40 split segments of the rear passenger bench means we can stack bags from floor to ceiling next to a passenger Tipping the seat up means the full backrest remains in place, so the pooch can be safely corralled behind a dog guard

Whether the dog is travelling with us or not, the kids love the HR V for the limo like

legroom in the back There really is loads of space to stretch out, thanks to the car ’ s relatively long wheelbase, and the front drive format means there’s no large transmission tunnel to trip over

They also appreciate the large fold down central armrest with its twin cup holders, comfortable seats and the good ventilation that keeps the air fresh when the dog is breathing heavily over their shoulders

Things aren’t entirely rosy from my nine year old’s point of view, because the HR V’s letterbox style glasshouse is a little bit limiting for small people trying to see out But this is negated slightly by the cabin, with the attractive light grey leather and fabric trim of our top spec Advance Style model

The black roof, roof bars and Premium Sunlight White Pearl paint (a worthwhile £825 extra) give the HR V a genuinely upmarket presence Taken altogether, it makes the Honda feel a cut above some of its obvious rivals, without any of the badge snobbery you get from upmarket brands

Not everything is rosy in the HR V’s garden, of course, and for me the aphid in the ointment is the car ’ s automated driver ‘assistance’ systems On paper the Honda Sensing package looks great a suite of features that include cross traffic monitoring, traffic sign recognition linked to an ‘intelligent’ speed limiter, collision mitigation that applies the brakes if there’s

Honda HR-V

Menus If you want to turn off safety systems, it’s done via steering wheel controls

Spotted It’s not Ferrari fast, but HR V didn’t look out of place in central London

SECOND REPORT Small SUV is proving just right for e

“This compact hybrid SUV has a chameleonlike ability to look the part everywhere”

Chris Rosamond Chris Rosamond@autoviacouk

Practicality

Performance

Running costs

Essentials

Honda HR-V 1.5i-MMDAdvance Style e-CVT

On fleet since:

WE

a possibility of a frontal impact,

road departure mitigation intended to stop you veering off road by applying steering corrections and/or automated braking

In practice, the road departure warning flashes every few minutes, accompanied by a series of warning beeps and too often an unhelpful tug on the steering wheel

twice so far, the HR V has braked suddenly and alarmingly from around 40 50mph when sporty cyclists have pulled up sharply at T junctions as I’ve been driving past In each case I had eye contact with the cyclist before the

unwanted braking incident, and both were clearly coming safely to a halt

These systems can be switched off, but it’s a chore requiring close attention to the instrument panel You start by thumbing a selector on the steering wheel, and then navigating through sub menus to check the separate Honda Sense functions If you haven’t done it before starting every journey, it’s potentially unsafe to do so while driving

So I leave it all on, and try to ignore the continual small interventions It’s a shame, because without them the HR V is a rather engaging machine to drive

Verdict

Nissan Qashqai

FINALREPORT Practical SUV is let down by comfort over long distances

Running costs

Pete Baiden Pete Baiden@autoviacouk @PeteBaiden

MAYBE I’m just getting old I am, in fact, now the wrong side of 40, but does that explain why I always feel so tired when I take our Nissan Qashqai on a long journey?

I don’t ache when I get out of bed and I can still keep up with my son when he goes to rugby training, but I’m often hobbling about like a geriatric and complaining of a stiff back whenever I spend an extended amount of time in the driver’s seat

One of the Nissan’s last jobs on our fleet was ferrying the family on a trip to the Forest of Dean for my wife’s birthday It’s a drive of just under three hours, but really highlighted the car ’ s shortcomings I find the ride too firm, and the seats a little too uncomfortable I’ve tried various different seat positions to try to get it right, but nothing seems to work Even the massaging seats on our top spec Tekna+ don’t do the job, because they feel little better than being kicked in the back by one of the children

I always think the sign of a good car is finishing a long trip as fresh as when you started it I once drove an Audi A6 through the night to Wroclaw in Poland On arrival, I genuinely hopped out without any problems,

although I did admittedly stop a few times en route It was just a lovely car to cruise in, but the Qashqai doesn’t have that feeling Now, while the A6 obviously isn’t a rival, many of the other Auto Express fleet cars I’ve had, such as the SsangYong Korando and SEAT Tarraco, can be considered as such, and they never left me with an aching back

But the Forest of Dean trip emphasised what the Qashqai does well, too It’s a very practical car It may not be class leading in any one area, but it’s not weak in any either It’s a good all rounder and easily has enough space to transport a small family and their luggage We loaded the boot with bags, coats, shoes and bedding, and there was plenty of extra space if we needed it

Plus, if we wanted more room we could have taken the false floor out to increase the capacity In fact, the split level boot is a great selling point: it’s useful to have a flat loading area with no lip especially when having to regularly lift a buggy in and out

I’ve mentioned before how much I love the fact the rear doors open to 85 degrees, which means the kids can climb in and out without having to be lifted,

Practicality

plenty space in the rear of the cabin so it doesn’t feel claustrophobic

But as good as the Qashqai is at coping with family life, most of the things I like can be had on a much lower spec model Our Tekna+ is packed with kit, but costs £38,815 That’s more than £12,000 extra over the £26,045 entry level Visia, which would ride far better on its smaller 17 inch wheels

That’s the problem Nissan has created itself After spending the best part of a year with the car, I’ve realised that, by attempting to make it more premium, Nissan has moved the Qashqai away from what it does best Buyers are not necessarily going to be interested in leather seats that kids will quickly ruin, or large alloy wheels that will be scratched at the first sight of a kerb

Overall, I think it makes much more sense to save some money and stick to a lower spec model; it’ll end up being a far better family workhorse

Talking points

Pete is concerned about kerbing our Qashqai’s 20 inch alloys, but has no complaints about the 504 litre boot that swallows his family’s luggage

“The split-level boot is a great selling point:

Back pain

Long trips in the Nissan left Pete with a stiff back and feeling beyond his 40 plus years

Essentials

Nissan Qashqai 1.3 DIG-T158

Tekna+ Xtronic

On fleet since: October 2021

Price new: £37,175

Engine: 1 3 litre 4cyl turbo petrol MHEV, 156bhp

CO2/tax: 153g/km/£165

Options: Ceramic Grey Pearlescent paint (£745), two tone with contrast black pearl roof (£400)

Insurance*: Group: 16 Quote: £497

Mileage/mpg: 10,083/35.1mpg

Any problems? None so far

*Insurance quote from AA (0800 107 0680) for

42 year old in Banbury, Oxon, with

Fleetwatch

Boxing

Lexus NX 450h+

points

RESULTS were mixed when products editor Kim Adams put our Lexus’s load lugging ability to the test after buying furniture. When it came to carrying two armchairs, there was a bit too much sport and not enough utility in this SUV. After years of running pick ups, it came as something of a shock to Kim when the first box would not squeeze under the NX 450’s sleek, sloping roof, no matter which way it was fitted.

Fears of having to queue to arrange delivery were quickly quelled when the packaging was removed by Kim and his wife, Glenna, for attempt two. This time the armchairs slid in, although it still took some fettling to get them nestled together to allow the NX 450’s tailgate to shut.

Shifting product test samples around and trips to the tip also seem to require the back seats to be folded a fair bit It might be a little small for Kim, but the load area is well organised, with lidded storage for the two charge cables and a neat slot for the bay cover when it’s not in use. Yet again, the Lexus is making Kim think a bit more about how he uses a car

WE LIKE The boot’s split level

floor is great It eliminates the boot lip, which makes it easy to load a buggy. The false floor luggage boards can be removed if you need extra storage space

Audi SQ5 S’back

AN Audi SQ5 has joined the Auto Express fleet, and associate editor Sean Carson has already found one of the car’s limitations Our example is in sleeker Sportback form, so he and two friends recently put practicality to the test, taking three golf bags and trolleys from Buckinghamshire to Yorkshire for a weekend on the course

Under par Sean and his friends were unable to fit all their golf gear in the boot, so had to fold a rear seat to get everything in

WE DON’T Pete’s had trouble installing a software update

He left the car running while stationary, but it takes so long to download and update that he never had the time to complete it

Verdict

WE’VE found it hard to fall in the love with the Qashqai It’s great for the school run and short trips, because it’s very practical, but it’s not a comfortable SUV and we often found ourselves dreading longer journeys

The picture above shows two bags and one trolley in the boot, which already looked full, with more luggage to accommodate, including three overnight bags

The trio’s golf bags didn’t fit transversely across the boot, so one rear seat had to be folded down to get the clubs in. But the Audi still swallowed everything they needed for their matchplay weekend away It even managed close to 45mpg on the 400 mile round trip, arriving back with more than a quarter of a tank left. Diesel still has some benefits, it seems.

Your ultimate guide to buying and owning an electric car

clever Glenna and Kim have to think outside the box when loading up the Lexus

HOTKIT

ROLL UP, ROLL UP FOR NEW DRAPER CABINETS

NEW PRODUCT

W Draper Bunker roller l bi

Price: from £840

Contact:

IF you need to move your workbench and tools around, then Draper has a solution with its new range of roller tool cabinets.

The units are part of the Bunker modular workbench and storage solution launched earlier this summer, and now the firm has released more details of the mobile options.

There are 11 variations, with a choice of blue, green or grey liveries and, like the fixed units, all have a 10 year warranty.

The roller cabinets are made from steel with hardwood worktops and feature soft close drawers with foam linings

They are also covered in an industrial grade powder coating to protect against wear and corrosion

There’s plenty of variation, and two of the units have double-sided access to tools, while others have electrical outlet access in the back panel ideal for cordless tools.

The line-up starts with the £840 41 inch seven drawer design and goes up to a 72 inch version with 15 compartments.

All have a range of depths and widths to suit a variety of tools, while some include cupboards

There’s also an integral lock to keep your tools safe.

feature hardwood worktops and soft close drawers

Q A

Which charge cable is best?

I’VE just started using a plug in hybrid car I usually charge it at home, but I’m looking for a cable to keep in the car so I can charge when I’m away as well. Have you tested these?

Wooster, E mail

OUR current test winner is the 32 Amp 7kW lead

from Masterplug, but the price has gone up substantially since our test and it’ll now set you back just under £200 It was a close run thing with the Ring RCC23205 (above), which has a better specification plus a case and now costs pretty much the same, so we would buy that.

Q Q

A A

Do ceramics work on tyres?

I SAW your test of ceramic coatings with interest. Can they be used on wheels as well as paint? Or do I need a specialist product for rims?

Marcus Yates, E-mail

ALLOY wheels are painted and lacquered in much the same way as bodywork the only difference would be the heat generated by brakes being transmitted to the rims. You’d need to check the recommended uses for the coating you plan to apply Test runner up Shelby’s Ceramic Coating can be applied to all external vehicle surfaces including tyres, so is likely to be suitable for wheels

Should I trickle charge?

MY car is less than a year old and I plan to leave it parked for three months while I am working abroad Do I need to use a battery charger to keep it topped up?

Lucas Smith, E mail

IT’S probably not essential on such a new battery but, if you have a charger, it would do no harm and will ensure the car is ready to go when you return If it has gone flat while you’re away

alarms and immobilisers need power you will need a charger to revive it anyway You can get a charger maintainer for less than £50.

ESR mount will keep its cool while your iPhone charges

ESR HaloLock Car Charger

Price:

IF you’re worried about your iPhone overheating while it’s charging in the car, ESR may have the solution Its latest release includes a cooling fan and heat dissipating components

The HaloLock car charger features CryoBoost, which cools the iPhone, in turn speeding up the recharging of the battery. ESR says heat is the major bottleneck that slows charging, and its new technology will work faster than Apple’s own devices Using an 18W plus adaptor (not included), ESR claims the CryoBoost can fully revive an iPhone 13 in 2hrs 40mins an hour quicker than Apple’s own charger

HaloLock uses the MagSafe charging on all versions of the iPhone 12 and 13 plus the new 14, and the magnets in the mount automatically align the handset ready for charging It also works with MagSafe compatible cases, plus ESR’s own designs. The magnets in the HaloLock are rated to hold up to 1 4kg and support the phone

Hot Wheels Car Culture Team Transport

IF you love your classic race cars and the trucks that carried them, then the latest releases from Hot Wheels will appeal.

The addition of the Porsche 962 C sports prototype and its Sakura Sprinter truck is timely because the full size version has just been unveiled after a full restoration.

Drag race fans will be happy with Don Prudhomme’s 1972 Plymouth Cuda funny car and period hauler. The final addition is a Nissan Silvia S15 with Aero Lift HKS trick.

CARRY ON

securely The device is a vent mount design, which works with vertical or horizontal slats. A sprung clip grips the slat, plus there’s an adjustable arm to help ensure that the phone is mounted at the right angle

ESR also has a version of the system that can keep your phone cool while it’s charging at home The £53 99 model can charge an iPhone and compatible AirPods, while there’s also a £71.99 version that’s capable of reviving the Apple Watch at the same time

news, deals& events

Mini Ferrari on show in Selfridge’s store

THE Little Car Company’s Ferrari Testa Rossa J now features on permanent display in Selfridge’s flagship London store The car (above), a 75 per cent scale reproduction of the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, has been placed in its own installation in the Technology department on the lower ground floor

Just 299 examples will be built, and prospective customers can view the car up close and see a selection of the paint and leather options, before reserving a build slot for it or any of the Little Car Company’s other creations. For more information on the baby Ferrari, visit testarossaj.com.

VW picks Conti tyre for new Multivan

CONTINENTAL will supply its AllSeasonContact tyres as original equipment for the Volkswagen Multivan MPV. An Auto Express test winner, the AllSeasonContact combines low rolling resistance with top performance on wet or icy roads.

Continental says this is due to the design of the shoulder groove, which provides stability during cornering, as well as improving water drainage. The tyre will be supplied for Multivans in 215/65 R16 and 235/55 R17 sizes

Visit your localVW dealer for more info

Goodwood event to celebrateVee-power

GOODWOOD’S Breakfast Club car meets present Vee-Power Sunday on 6 November, bringing together anything with a V engine Everything from a V twin to a V12 is eligible, so expect to see all manner of vehicles, from a Ducati 916 to supercars.

The show is free to enter, but visitors need to sign up their vehicle (if exhibiting) or register for a free ticket. There’s no driving, but plenty of chance to enjoy the Sussex lanes before and after the event. For more info or to sign up, visitgoodwood.com.

releases include Porsche and Nissan racers, plus the period trucks that carried them

“Magnets in the mount automatically align the handset for charging”

includes

to stop phone getting too hot

Minitest

Laser LED & COB Rechargeable Head Light 8330

Price: £25 50 Power: 1 2Ah /

Contact: lasertoolscouk

Rating:

THE Laser boasts a 350 lumen COB LED strip plus a 120 lumen torch The aim is to combine the spread of light from the strip with a more focused, distance beam from the side The strip was very powerful up to four metres or so, but the torch was intrusive, especially for those with glasses, limiting the distance performance.

It toggled through 100 and 50 per cent outputs for both lights, with a strobe also available The hands free system worked really well and only triggered at around 50mm, reducing the risk of accidentally setting it off We also liked the moisture protection and the unit’s light weight

New-style torches look tooutshine our champ

AN LED head torch is a tool or glovebox essential, making itself useful not just for car maintenance but also nighttime emergencies and outdoor pursuits The pick of the bunch are rechargeable versions because you don’t end up with crusty or dead batteries when they’re not used for a while and there are new options hitting the market using strips rather than a single or a cluster of LEDs

But are they the way forward? We tested two new variants from Laser and Ring against our current, more conventional champion from NightSearcher They were used under the bonnet, around the garage and outside Performance close up and at a distance was logged, as well as the spec, battery, run time, protection and price.

We’d still go for the 580R as the best combination The Laser impressed, but we had reservations about the side light, and the Ring was good, but a touch limited

NEWCOMER Ring RIL0115

Price: £19 99 Power: 1 0Ah / Li poly

Contact: ringautomotivecom

Rating:

THE Ring’s LED strip was longer than the Laser’s, but far less bright As with the Laser, the torch was light and well balanced, while the side mounted switch toggled between 115 and 56 lumen and strobe modes, mirrored by three LEDs on the battery cover

But there was no protection certification and we couldn’t turn directly to ‘off’ when we’d finished, which was a niggle

TESTWINNER NightSearcher ZOOM 580R

Price: £37 99 Power: 0 8Ah / Li poly

Contact: rmachinemartcouk

Rating:

THANKS to its four light outputs, plus the zoom to spot function, the Zoom 580R can cope with anything It’s light and comfortable, too.

Even on full beam, it runs for 2.5 hours It’s pricey, but it does so many things so well that it’s a bargain, with IP64 certification, the option to use regular batteries and five year cover.

books, games & apps

Lost Cars of the 1970s

Giles Chapman (The History Press, thehistorypresscouk)

Price: £17 99 Rating:

HOPEFULLY the first in a line of books, this presents some 1970s machines you might have forgotten, or maybe not even known about in the first place Each entry has a couple of high quality pictures and a short history, presented in the usual informative but friendly style. Very interesting, especially for readers who weren’t around at the time

The Car

Bryan Appleyard (W&N, weidenfeldandnicolsoncouk)

Price: £22 Rating:

A POTTED history of the car, its influence on the world and how it has transformed humanity It’s heavy stuff to fit into 300 ish pages and so by necessity this book has to avoid going too in depth on any topic There’s nothing groundbreaking here, but it’s a pleasant read and well written, although some of the information on the more modern era has since become outdated.

Truckers of Europe 3

Available for: iOS, Android

Price: Free Rating:

HYPER realistic trucking games are popular, but they work better on a desktop computer. The phone copes with the graphics and gameplay, but playing with touch controls is tricky they’re not precise enough to work with the onscreen steering wheel, and it’s awkward to move the camera to check your mirrors But if you have very clever fingers, you might cope fine

Appoftheweek

Live Traffic Info (Highways England)

Available for: iOS, Android

Price: Free Rating:

THE info seems accurate, but it’s not easy to access. You need to put your route into the planner or search around a postcode Google Maps or the AA’s Roadwatch service are more useful for most.

Dave Pollard

BREATHALYSERS

extensively

all the latest car

AlcoSense

BEST BUY ALCOSENSE has the higher spec Pro in its range, but this fuel cell device is all most of us will need. Straight out of the box, it has a high quality feel and the brief set up allows you to select where you’re driving with the relevant limit

There’s a colour coded warning system, with an instruction not to drive when the result is close to the limit It passed all our tests with consistent readings, including the deep lung assessment. It’s a class act.

Kim Adams

THE festive season is looming and with it comes the prospect of office parties, family gatherings and drinks with friends. While arranging transport home after drinking alcohol is what we should all do, how do you know when you’ll be okay to drive again?

There’s no hard and fast rule for how quickly the human body absorbs alcohol, which is when you need a breathalyser to ensure you are safe to get behind the wheel again There’s plenty of choice online, with prices for reusable devices starting from less than £20. But are these breathalysers a good investment when road safety, your driving licence and possibly livelihood are on the line?

To find out we sourced six machines to see if the budget semi conductor devices can match up to the more expensive and accurate fuel cell units

Howwetestedthem

THE heart of this test has to be how accurate the readings are With the help of AlcoSense, we tested each device five times at the UK (excluding Scotland) (0 35 mg/l), Scottish (0 22mg/l) and Irish professional and new driver (0 09mg/l) limits The test used a certified breathalyser solution at the highest limit and others made to the same specification for the remaining levels. All the solutions were checked for accuracy against a police specification device

We also measured how much air was needed to get a result, as required by EN 16280 for breathalysers This is included because alcohol concentration is most accurate in deep lung air. Air from the throat could give a false reading The units were also checked for performance when cold (simulating after being left in a car during a winter night), following a high alcohol reading and if blowing hard or soft affected results. Ease of use was also checked and price factored in, although the latter played only a small role in the overall ranking

AlcoSense Elite 3

Price: £69 99 Rating:

Contact: alcosensecom

RECOMMENDED IF the Excel is beyond your budget, then the semi conductor Elite 3 is a safe option to protect your licence. The family resemblance is clear and, like its bigger brother, you can set the country of use to get the appropriate limit

While it passed our alcohol level tests, the results were not quite as consistent as the fuel cell Excel’s It was also a fraction shy in the cold weather test, but the alert still warned us not to drive. While the Elite 3 isn’t cheap for a semi conductor device, its overall performance justifies the cost.

BACtrack S80

Price: £149 99 Rating:

Contact: amazoncouk

THIS is our second fuel cell device and that showed in the results, which were consistent, but not as good as the Excel’s The two lower levels were on target, but it was a little low at the highest level, although not by enough to encourage someone to get behind the wheel

Unlike with our top two, the AlcoSense Excel and Elite 3 (left), you need to know the legal level in the country where you are driving with the S80. The breath sample level was low, which leaves a question mark over its consistency However, the unit worked under laboratory conditions.

Blo

Price: £39 99 Rating:

Contact: amazon.co.uk

THE Amazon listing promises fast, accurate results. It was a touch too quick in our test, where the semi conductor got a result after less than half the amount of air required by the EN 16280 standard

That was reflected in the results, which were hit and miss at best and sometimes registered zero alcohol if the breath sample was mistimed When it worked, it was accurate at the lower levels, but under read significantly at the highest limit. The unit’s instructions say to contact Blo if it isn’t working correctly, but how would you know?

Lamjad D800

Price: £32.98 Rating:

Contact: amazoncouk

THIS is another semi conductor device that we wouldn’t want to rely on. As with others here, you get blow nozzles, but you need to supply your own pair of AAA batteries

It has the ability to record readings, but our test results would suggest they are not worth keeping The breath sample to get a reading was small and throughout all the alcohol level tests the D800 under read by a significant amount. If you relied on this ‘professional’ device, we reckon your driving licence would be at serious risk

YFFU

Price: £17.99 Rating:

Contact: amazoncouk

IF breathalysers are designed to be used the morning after, you have to ask why you’d want one on your key ring? If this USB charged unit is in your pocket it might increase the temptation to test straight after drinking to see if you are okay to drive.

Not that it would do you much good, because the alcohol results were around half what they should be plus the YFFU re’s a colour em at the UK (not t, but it’s of little these results.

THE results were a shock, with so many devices potentially letting over the limit drivers get behind the wheel. As we’ve seen before, the AlcoSense devices are class acts and the Excel is pretty much all the breathalyser you’ll need.

The Elite 3 is a reliable alternative for those who can’t stretch to £100. The BACtrack completes the podium, with a set of decent results, but a big price disadvantage compared with our top two.

AlcoSense Excel

AlcoSense Elite 3

BACtrack S80

Winter

TheUK’sNo.1car ownershipsurvey

part at

Driver Power what you think of your car ownership experience and help 1,000s of others make the best choices.

HERE to take part

BUYINGCARS

Rosamond

Q

Whyiscomprehensivecover cheaperthanthirdparty?

IS there a reason why comprehensive insurance is usually cheaper than third party cover? It surely can’t be down to the fact that young drivers choose third party for cost reasons when it’s actually more expensive!

Graham Billings, E mail

MercedesA-Class

GOOD NOT SO GOOD

“FOR the size of engine and the weight of the vehicle, acceleration is really good ”

“The infotainment system is great to use and has really good sound quality ”

“Great quality compared to most others in the class.”

“Very comfortable front seats with plenty of adjustment for my six foot frame.”

“Very comfortable on long journeys ”

“Looks sleek and sporty without being over the top”

“The large, clear digital display and ambient lighting are especially impressive and attractive ”

“MY A 180 is underpowered and I find its mid range acceleration sluggish.”

“Balance between regenerative and physical braking on my A 250 e PHEV could be smoother ”

“Electronics on the car are unreliable. Perhaps too complex for its own good ”

“On rougher roads the ride could be better.”

“The air vents for the windscreen only blow hot, which can be overbearing in the summer ”

“Too many gadgets which I still haven’t used!”

“Tax is high and servicing from main dealers is pricey

Q

A A

THE arcane world of insurance price setting relies on statistics and algorithms, and you can bet the answer lies in the bottom line for insurance companies However there’s an element of behavioural science at play too, and we’ve seen it suggested that as riskier drivers twig to the savings, then start to make more claims on comprehensive policies, the cost of third party may fall to re open a price gap.

Arehigh-mileageusedcars anylessreliablethesedays?

NOT only are used car prices much higher than I’m used to, but mileages also seem sky high to me. It used to be easy to find a 10-year-old car with 50,000-70,000 miles on the clock, but now everything seems to be the wrong side of 100,000 Is high mileage still a worry or is everything now so reliable that no one cares?

Paul Dobson, E mail

YOU’RE right, there’s an awful lot of high mileage metal out there, and going for prices we’d have recently thought implausible. Do people still care? Yes, but we’re in a used car bubble, and normality has gone out of the window Having said that, a well maintained high miler can have years of good service left.

Q

Steamed-upmotorcould beasignofrisingdamp

I HATE condensation on the inside of my windscreen, but I can’t stand driving with hot air from the demister blowing in my face. My current Ford Focus Estate is worse than any car I’ve had for it. Have you heard of any problems?

Patrick Wilson, E mail

ACONDENSATION is a nuisance, but it shouldn’t be the bane of your life in a modern car of any make, especially one with climate control You can help by trying to keep the interior of your car dry, so don’t leave wet umbrellas, walking boots or coats on seats or in the boot Also check for damp patches in the carpet, because if water is leaking in, then condensation will surely follow.

YOUTELLUSPremium hatch placed top of its segment in our 2022 Driver Power poll

SEAT was founded in 1950, and for many years its cars were little more than reworked Fiats. Then in 1986, Volkswagen Group began absorbing SEAT, which had been launched in the UK the previous year

Back then SEAT sold just two models, the Malaga and the Ibiza, so it’s easy to see why the latter is such an important small car for the firm The original Ibiza was a stand alone product, but now it’s closely related to the VW Polo, which can only be a good thing Volkswagen’s parts sharing strategy means that the Ibiza benefits from having the same safety tech and efficient engines as the Polo, along with a host of other parts, while the Ibiza also looks sharper and offers better value, making it a tempting purchase

History

THE fifth generation SEAT Ibiza reached UK showrooms in July 2017, only as a five door hatchback Buyers could choose between three cylinder 1 0 litre and four cylinder 1.5 litre petrol engines, with the smaller unit offered in 75bhp non turbo (MPI) and 94bhp or 114bhp turbocharged (TSI) forms

While the 1 5 litre came only in 148bhp TSI guise, within weeks a 1.6 TDI diesel unit had joined the range in 79bhp and 94bhp forms There were no further changes until September 2021, when a facelifted Ibiza arrived. This brought LED headlights as standard, upgraded interior trim and a new dash with bigger touchscreen displays

New driver assistance systems were also introduced, while SEAT rationalised the Ibiza range, with S trim level disappearing and only the 1 0 TSI engine being offered, with either 94bhp or 109bhp outputs

BUYER’SGUIDE:SEATI

NEED TO KNOW...

Fuel Diesel Ibiza Mk5s are rare

The S, SE, SE Technology and Xcellence got 79bhp engines. Only the FR had the high powered 94bhp version

Personalisation In August

2018, SEAT scrapped the options list for Ibiza buyers, instead offering them only a choice of engines, trims and colours

Ride Many modern cars ride firmly on big wheels and low profile tyres

The Ibiza is better than most, but the FR model’s sports set up is noticeably harder

Richard Dredge

Ibiza

Ibizas came with

repair kit, rather than a spare wheel

space saver spare wheel can be bought

dealer for

SEAT usually has several models in our Driver Power new car surveys, but apart from the Ateca, which owners seem to love, its cars rarely perform spectacularly well. The Ibiza is one of the worst performing for SEAT in terms of Driver Power results Having made its debut in the 2021 poll in 58th place out of 75 entries, it slipped to 73rd in 2022 The few high spots were value for money, fuel economy and styling.

YOUR VIEW

CHRIS Hockston from Manchester owns a 2019 Ibiza 1 0 TSI

He told us: “I had a Ford Fiesta before and the SEAT seems boring in comparison. It’s less fun to drive and the cabin is more conservative, but it has been easy to live with and it’s cheap to run, plus it feels safe, which are all important

Over 23,000 miles, my SEAT has never let me down, but a couple of software bugs have been annoying.”

TRANSMISSION

AT launch, only the 1.0 TSI 115 engine was offered with a DSG automatic. For the 2021 facelift, this engine was downgraded to 109bhp and it remained the only auto equipped Ibiza for sale.

Running

popular at home in Spain, the

brand

less well understood here in the UK

means prices typically undercut VW Group alternatives in this case the Polo which is great news for buyers looking for a small hatchback that’s well built, decent to drive and cheap to run. The Ibiza looks stylish enough, too, and although its interiors are unexciting, they’re practical and decently equipped

Common faults

on the same platform as VW stablemates, the Ibiza is unsurprisingly well regarded when it comes to reliability

aside from checking recalls, buyers should be looking for the usual signs of poor maintenance or mileage wear, rather than specific faults unique to the Ibiza

WE

a

plate

One

Runningcosts

owners can choose

schedules; the latter is the default option The fixed regime means a check up is nee 10,000 miles, with the first two p The variable scheme combines is due after 20,000 miles or two

Once an Ibiza is three years o price check ups at dealers, with between Interim and Major at £ Ibizas on the variable scheme T engine has a cambelt that shou be replaced every five years or 75,000 miles at a cost of £539; units don’t have a set schedule, the cambelt should be checked at each service and replaced at a cost of £499 if necessary

STYLING SEAT opted to drop the three door and estate Ibizas and offer the Mk5 only as a five door

THIS Ibiza has always featured a grown-up dashboard, but facelifted models (available from September 2021) benefit from a higher standard of fit and finish, and better infotainment systems.

Cabin space is impressive, with room for four adults, or even five at a push, while there’s no shortage of oddments space, so practicality is a strong suit of the Spanish supermini.

Boot space is excellent, at 355 litres, or 1,155 litres with the rear seats folded. All Ibizas have a folding back seat, but the rare and short lived S model has no 60/40 split facility.

Which one?

YOU have to work the 1 0 MPI engine hard on longer journeys, but for local trips it’s fine We’d opt for a turbocharged engine, however, because the 1 0 TSI 95 unit is usefully more perky than the MPI

The rare Ibiza S has Bluetooth, air con, electric front windows, automatic headlights and a five inch black and white touchscreen

The SE adds 15 inch alloy wheels and a colour display, while the SE Technology comes with an eight inch display and nav SE Design features 16 inch alloys, privacy glass and a panoramic sunroof, while the FR has 17 inch rims, a DAB radio, selectable driving modes, sports seats and suspension, plus cruise control Range topping Xcellence trim adds dual zone climate control, leather and Alcantara trim, front and rear parking sensors, auto wipers, and a rear camera.

Alternatives

THE Ibiza’s closest rival is the Skoda Fabia, which shares many parts with the SEAT and offers excellent value plus a sharp design The Polo also shares the Ibiza’s platform and much of its running gear While you’ll pay a bit more for one, there’s much to like

Partwatch

Recalls

SEAT has issued seven recalls for the Mk5 Ibiza so far. The first was in June 2017 because 20 early build cars left the factory with a faulty air con high pressure hose, which could leak flammable gas in the event of a crash

Two months later, 187 Ibizas were recalled because a steering column bolt may not have been tightened up correctly The next campaign came in November 2018 because of faulty seatbelt buckles; the same problem was behind the most recent recall, issued in April 2020.

There were two actions launched in 2019 The first, in February, was because some Ibizas were fitted with faulty handbrake mechanisms, while the second, in May 2019, was due to driver’s airbag glitches. Faulty brake servo hoses were the reason behind recall number six, which SEAT issued in March

about VW’s supermini

The Ford Fiesta is a cracker that’s well equipped, practical and a hoot to drive, while the Vauxhall Corsa is readily available and there’s a wide model range, including an electric option

Other superminis that should be on your shortlist include the Kia Rio and Hyundai i20, plus the Peugeot 208, Renault Clio and Citroen C3 Don’t overlook the Nissan Micra, Toyota Yaris, MINI hatch or the Honda Jazz, either, all of which have plenty of appeal.

Verdict

THE fifth take on the Ibiza may have looked little different from its predecessor, but it ushered in a new era of technology and safety for the Spanish manufacturer’ s longest standing model in the UK

We really like the Ibiza, with its practical interior, tech heavy cabin and efficient engines But the SEAT is up against some very desirable competition in the crowded supermini sector When we pitched an Ibiza against the Polo and i20, the SEAT was

beaten by both, and in another three way test the Renault Clio came out on top, although the Ibiza beat the Fiesta

The engine and trim can make all the difference in these tests, though, so if you’re after a sharp looking supermini, the Ibiza might be exactly the thing you want Just try a rival or two before committing.

Websites

Official seatco.uk

Forums seat-forum co.uk

facebookcom/groups/ibizaoc

INFOTAINMENT Facelifted SE models and above come with an eight inch touchscreen, with satellite navigation

Interior

CarHunter

THE DRIVER’S CHOICE

FOR: Sportydrive,luxuriouscabin,sevenseats

AGAINST:Limited use off road, few engine choices, pricey

BMW’S X5 is arguably the archetypal large luxury German SUV, plus one of the best for sporty dynamics and driver focused ergonomics. It’s also crammed with tech, and the X5’s roomy cabin is undoubtedly luxurious, albeit lacking some of the opulent feel of its two rivals

New ones start at £65,000, so you’ll need all your budget to net a 261bhp 2019 xDrive30d in M Sport trim with around 30k miles Push the budget to £55k and a 2020 M50d with almost 400bhp could be on your drive, with a similar 30k mileage “Just run in, sir”, as they say

THE BEST OF BRITISH CHOICE

JaguarF-Pace

FOR: Sveltestyle,greatvalue,plentyofspace

AGAINST:Rougher diesels, only five seats, road biased

THE fine handling F Pace was facelifted in late 2020, when the infotainment was upgraded to a larger 11 4 inch Pivi Pro touchscreen With £50k, it would be foolish to opt for an earlier car and not enjoy those benefits, along with the F Pace’s supple ride and club class cabin.

New cars start at circa £46,000, so you’ll be looking at higher spec ones here, which could mean picking a punchy D300 mild hybrid in luxury R Dynamic SE trim. It’s £58,425 new, but only a couple of grand over budget for one that’s covered 5,000 miles

THE LUXURY CHOICE

FOR: Fabulouscabin,upmarketimage,seven seatoption

AGAINST:Costly to run, cramped third row

PICKING a 2020 GLE with 300d diesel power and 20 25k miles will leave £500 £1,000 in change from a £50,000 budget Cars should all be beautifully presented at dealers, but prices will vary due to options.

A 300 d with 30k on the clock can be secured for £45,000, or how about £55,000 for a 2018 AMG 63 version with a 577bhp V8? Too silly? A 2021 six cylinder 350 d with 268bhp would be an excellent compromise, and like every variant above, the 300d has air suspension to take comfort to the next level.

THERE are plenty of swanky SUVs out there for a £50,000 budget, which, let’s face it, is a significant amount of cash to spend on even a new car. It goes quite a lot further when buying used, and we’ve picked out three of the most popular options that feature desirable badges for that all important company car park cachet

At this premium end of the market, they each feature lots of desirable technology in luxurious

cabins, which will not only impress your clients, but also help to keep the family entertained on those long haul holidays

We’ve highlighted the BMW X5, Jaguar F Pace and Mercedes GLE here, but it’s a crowded market If our trio of candidates doesn’t quite make the grade, you might consider the Audi Q7, Porsche Macan, Range Rover Sport or Volvo XC90.

All are excellent, and each has a style of its own

LuxurySUVs BUYINGCARS

DearChris, I’m looking for a premium mid to large size SUV with loads of tech and 4WD for £50,000 what do you recommend?

DesTrevelyan,Hampshire

Contact:mail@autoexpresscouk

X5s have an edgy, angular dashboard design, and a hi-tech feel that’s backed up by the iDrive 70 infotainment system with its large 12 3-inch central display There’s another big screen for the instrument pack, and the X5 predictably comes with excellent audio and sat-nav functions The X5 is a supremely

practical family car too, with lots of interior storage, and a split tailgate opening onto the boxy luggage area. Three can sit abreast with ease on the rear bench, due to a low transmission tunnel, but like the GLE, the third row in the seven-seat version is best suited to kids

THE F-Pace’s new-look interior has a palm-shifter instead of the old rotary dial for gear selection, and of course that glamorous-looking touchscreen and swanky dash The fixtures and fittings all combine to provide a truly upmarket ambience, and the infotainment tech performs just as it

looks beautifully There’s loads of space for occupants up front, and in spite of the svelte and swoopy rear end styling, room for rear passengers is good, too, albeit pinched a little for the tallest by the panoramic roof option Plus, the 650 litre boot is as roomy as the bigger X5’s

ONE of the real highlights of the GLE is its cabin, and it’s hard to beat in terms of design and quality at any price. Fantastic trim materials and finishes are the order of the day, and you’re also blessed with Mercedes’ near-peerless MBUX entertainment system. A 12 3-inch touchscreen and similarly sized driver display panel are standard, while all

cars above 300 d grade come with seven seats, as well as four zone climate control and USB ports for every passenger. While there’s no such thing as a base spec GLE, if you want to feel truly spoiled, then look out for the Premium Plus trim package, which adds a Burmester surround sound system and a panoramic roof

NEWCARPRICES

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

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

£2,365

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

ASTON MARTIN

The new Auto Express free car valuation tool will give you an

based

latest

car market data, fast.

EASY, FAST & FREE

Input a car registration number,

a few other details, then

FOR BUYERS & SELLERS

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A PRICE YOU CAN TRUST

Prices are updated live from the latest UK car market data for a true guide to any car’s value right

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WHY VALUE YOUR CAR WITH AUTO EXPRESS?

Aussie stars rev up for Bathurst Nissan wings in with all-new GT4 machine

ONE of the highlights of touring car racing’s calendar, and one of the biggest motorsport events in the southern hemisphere, takes place this weekend, as the stunning Mount Panorama circuit in Australia hosts the Bathurst 1000

Roughly a three hour drive inland from Sydney, the 3 86 mile track has a fearsome reputation. The circuit winds its way up, with the top of the course flanked by concrete walls, over the summit at Skyline, before dropping through a technical section at The Dipper Then it’s on to Conrod Straight, where Australia’s 650bhp V8 powered Supercars reach almost 190mph before braking hard at The Chase For the race, drivers need to wrestle their 1.4 tonne machines for 161 laps.

The Bathurst 1000 is round 30 of the Supercars season, and with only four events to go, every point counts The current series leader is defending Supercars champion and Holden racer Shane van Gisbergen The New Zealander heads to New South Wales with a 525 point lead in the standings, after taking two out of three victories last time out at his home event at Pukekohe

Van Gisbergen won’t be competing alone, though; the 1,000km race requires a two driver squad, and he will be partnered

with 2007 champion Garth Tander. Monster Energy Racing Ford Mustang driver Cameron Waters is chasing van Gisbergen in the title hunt

The 28 year old will be partnered by James Moffat, and the duo will be looking to go one better than their second place finish last year

The experienced Will Davison, who partners up with older brother Alex for the Bathurst 1000, sits in third place in the standings His DJR Shell V Power Racing team will be running a special livery to mark the squad’s 1,000th race in the series: a tribute to the design used by the team in 1998, when team owner Dick Johnson shared a car with his son Steven Another throwback scheme is the Coke livery on the PremiAir car driven by Chris Pither and Cameron Hill, while the Erebus team will also reveal a pair of unique paint jobs for the event

BT Sport will be showing live coverage of the race on Sunday, starting from 1:15am.

LEADER

NISSAN has revealed the Z GT4, the latest challenger built to compete in the production based category. It’s based on the Nissan Z Coupé, with FIA GT4 regulations permitting extensive modifications to the chassis, suspension and engine, and limited aerodynamic changes.

The twin turbocharged 3.0 litre V6 has been uprated from its standard 400bhp, although Nissan doesn’t quote an official figure for the race car It won’t be radically different from that output, though, merely optimised for motorsport. Front splitter and huge rear wing aside, the overall look is similar to the road car

This is the latest Nissan coupé to meet GT4 rules; versions of the 350Z and 370Z have been used in various championships worldwide, and both have taken victories in the British and European GT4 series.

Prices are yet to be confirmed, but cars will be delivered to customers in the first half of 2023

Spa circuit plays host to World Rallycross

THE World Rallycross

championship moves to Spa Francorchamps, Belgium, for rounds six and seven. The layout uses the Eau Rouge/ Radillion section of the Grand Prix track both up and down it before looping into what is usually the fan park.

Johan Kristofferson leads the standings The Swede has a healthy 21 point lead over Ole Christian Veiby, after winning four of five rounds so far this season.

“Mount Panorama has a fearsome reputation, and drivers wrestle their machines for 161 laps”

● Supercars series hits legendary track ● Van Gisbergen looks to extend title lead

New GT4 racer is based on latest Nissan Z sports car

Van Gisbergen (inset) leads standings; DJR racing will run a Shell tribute livery (left)

Alex Ingram Alex Ingram@autoviacouk @AxleIngram

REMEMBER when high profile public figures answered simple, valid questions with straight, honest answers? Sadly, that era is disappearing

So imagine my surprise when, two weeks ago after I put (in this column) a little question to the loudest and most controversial automotive TV guy on the planet, he phones me from his office in Dallas, Texas

“Auto Express dude, it’s Richard Rawlings from Gas Monkey Garage replying to your question about whether a Petrolheadonism TV show could work.

“I think it could I’d be up for it Hope that Ciro Ciampi [founder of the Petrolheadonism movement and live events] is ready to explode it onto the mainstream across the pond” If such a TV show does happen, Richard would be the obvious frontman, backed by his trusted (British) sidekick, Big Chris While I’ve got Rawlings on the line, I ask if he made the right move by departing the Discovery Channel

“I’m 100 per cent thankful to be away from Discovery Hollywood, if you will Besides, I do Gas Monkey and other things on YouTube. I’m happier that way We have more followers than we did and I make more money. So everything’s better.”

Rawlings isn’t afraid to claim he has the “number one ” automotive show in the world. But that’s just for starters Gas Monkey merchandise is a massively profitable global business And he’s got a “worldwide expansion” plan under way for his eateries and bars

weeks after

question

column,

automotive

earth

So how does he describe himself entrepreneur, car nut, bar and restaurant guy? “Yup

All the above I get paid to play with cars and drink beer [after the car doors are locked]”

His thoughts on EVs about to take over showrooms across much of the world?

“I’m not sure, because the whole EV thing is being shoved down our throats by political people And we don’t know what it’s going to look like when there are 200 million [dead or dying] lithium battery packs lying around. I’m all for technology and advancement, but I’m not particularly fond of not knowing what the future problems are going to be”

So what in the petrolhead/entrepreneur obsessed world of Richard Rawlings is considered automotive cool at the mo? “I don’t think there’s really anything that’s not cool. As we say in the car business, there’s an ass for every seat.

“As for what’s personally cool for me right now, it’s eighties and nineties models from America and overseas. And lately, I’m attracted to Mercs, Porsches and the like.”

Because he likes them or because they’re good for him financially? “Both, I confess My favourite car is the one that makes the most money ” Which, by default, makes his number one car ever “Oh, the Ferrari F40 It probably made me $400,000”

You might not always agree with the man You may not even like him But you have to award the bloke 10 out of 10 for his wholly independent, truly entrepreneurial spirit, work hard/play hard ethos, and refreshing ability to honestly and effortlessly answer every question thrown his way.

Slippery politicians, please note and learn

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Motoring’s most outspoken and opinionated columnist sounds off