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Get ready for some new car brands you’ve never heard of

CAR brands are an emotive subject Just the mention of some of them will make fans go all giddy, while reputations (good and bad) tend to stick, and building (or rebuilding) a name can be hugely time-consuming and costly

This year we ’ re going to be inundated with new brands, all eager to persuade you that they’re the new this or that, that they’re offering something others don’t, and selling cars in ways you’d never have imagined

Only last week I drove past what used to be my local Volvo dealer It now wears Ineos Grenadier branding in preparation for the arrival of the new 4x4, which we’ll be driving in the next few weeks.

Chinese brands are coming aplenty, too We’ve already driven the BYD Atto 3 and Seal (above) and the GWM Ora Funky Cat It’s no wonder BYD is choosing an initialism rather than spelling out its full name, Build Your Dreams I’m not sure pub talk along the lines of “I’ve just bought a Build Your Dreams” will really cut it Names are vitally important and not everyone has got it, or will get it, right

Nio is another Chinese brand that impressed me when I drove the ET7 (complete with cute, digital personal assistant NOMI) while judging Germany’s Golden Steering Wheel Awards It’s an all-electric Tesla rival and is so good it walked away with a trophy

Another highlight of 2021 came on World Car Awards duty, when I tested the Lucid Air It’s along similar lines to the Nio and, I reckon, better than a Tesla Model S

Also arriving in 2023 will be the Fisker Ocean – and we preview the next Fisker model, the Pear, this week on page 13 That car ’ s set to be built by Foxconn, maker of so much of our in-pocket electronics

Other new names will be arriving, too – maybe even Lynk & Co will turn up in the UK, as promised for so long! But what of the existing brands? It’s going to be tough for them, for sure, but it’s great news for car fans and buyers

STEVE FOWLER Editor-in-chief

steve fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler

TOPSTORY

Visit autoexpress.co.uk for your daily news updates

BMW readying new X3 SUV for 2024

SeanCarson sean carson@autoviacouk

FOLLOWING BMW’s latest X1 compact crossover growing in size, the German company is readying a new, larger X3 SUV for launch in the next few years that will offer more space and practicality, a smarter cabin filled with more technology and, crucially, a wider choice of powertrains.

This decision from BMW to retain combustion-engined options alongside an all-new iX3 EV will mean the new X3 family will be underpinned by two platforms.

As our two exclusive images show, in combustion-engined form the X3 will retain BMW’s more conservative approach to styling, with a relatively traditional kidney grille set-up compared with cars in its line-up such as the 4 Series/i4 and 7 Series/i7 luxury saloon Sharper headlight clusters that ape the brand’s just-released X1 compact crossover will make an appearance, and this will also be reflected on the tailgate, with slim rearlight units Expect more angular lines on both the front and rear bumpers, too.

The petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid X3s will be based on an evolution of BMW’s current CLAR (Cluster Architecture) multienergy platform, while the next iX3 allelectric model will transition to bespoke underpinnings as part of BMW’s future ‘Neue Klasse’ (new class) technology

Expect a 48-volt mild-hybrid 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol xDrive20i model to open the range, with the potential for a small hike in power compared with the outgoing car’s 181bhp output, while the xDrive20d – also a 48-volt mild-hybrid unit – should also be retained

Larger 3 0-litre mild-hybrid petrol and diesel options are likely to join the fourcylinder cars, and are set to be badged as M Performance models As per the current X3 line-up, these could be called M40i and M40d, with the petrol motor set to produce in the region of 360bhp, and the diesel a little less, at around 340bhp

All combustion-engined cars will be linked to an eight-speed automatic gearbox and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system, including the 30e plug-in hybrid Expect a boost in all-electric range to push the new petrol-electric X3 beyond the 50-mile mark

and closer to its X5 xDrive45e big brother –in more ways than one

Given that the firm’s X1 has grown in size, the next X3 will also get bigger again, offering more space inside and an increase over the current car’s 550 litres of boot capacity There will also be improved interior technology that should further evolve the company’s infotainment set-up Given stories this year surrounding BMW’s ConnectedDrive Functions on Demand, with an increased level of connectivity, expect these switchable services to feature more heavily on the new car.

Combustion-engined models will arrive first in 2024, while the next-generation iX3 will follow later in 2025 BMW CEO Oliver Zipse confirmed that an SUV would mark the debut of the new platform alongside a more conventional saloon, saying: “Our Neue Klasse is coming in 2025 – for the

Avarvarii

● Petrol, diesel and pure-electric power for larger premium SUV, with different powertrains set to be based on different platforms

BIGGER

Our exclusive images preview how the larger next-generation X3 SUV could look when it arrives in 2024

EXCLUSIVE IMAGES

DESIGN

Next X3 will be conservatively styled and will borrow some design cues from the latest X1 crossover

launch we are planning a compact sedan in the 3 Series segment and a sporty SUV.”

All Neue-Klasse cars will make use of BMW’s upcoming sixth-generation eDrive motors and battery systems that will boost efficiency and range. BMW has confirmed that it will move to Tesla-style cylindrical cells with its Gen6 tech that will help to boost range by as much as 30 per cent compared with the current Gen5 technology in cars such as the firm’s i4 saloon

It means a range of up to 500 miles on a full charge could be possible, according to technical boss Frank Weber, but it’s unlikely that BMW will aim for anything greater than this because it’s thought that the firm doesn’t believe any more range in a car such as the

X3 is necessary at this point To accompany the improvement in energy density and efficiency, BMW has also confirmed the new platform will feature 800-volt electronics, while the Gen6 tech will cut charge times by around 30 per cent, with a 10-to-80 per cent top-up taking around 25 minutes, thanks to charging rates of up to 250kW

Expect prices to rise beyond the current combustion-engined X3’s £46,500 starting price when the new car breaks cover in 2024, while given the iX3’s all-new platform technology and significantly improved range and charging capability, the starting figure will be hiked compared with the current version’s £62,865 price tag

PAGE 50: Final thoughts as iX3 leaves fleet

“Expect a boost in all-electric range to push the new petrol-electric X3 beyond the 50-mile mark”

Essentials

VolkswagenID.Xtreme

Price: N/A

Powertrain: 77kWh batt /2x e-motors

Power: 382bhp

Transmission: Single-speed automa four-wheel drive

0-62mph: 5 3 seconds

Top speed: N/A

Range: N/A

Charging: 135kW

ONSALE N/A

Volkswagen takes ID.4 to t

AS concept cars go, the Volkswagen ID. Xtreme isn’t as much of a pie-in-thesky machine as some. For a start, it moves under its own power – which means Auto Express can get behind the wheel

The ID Xtreme is based on a second-life ID.4 GTX prototype, so there’s an element of sustainability to this project It’s equipped with a 77kWh battery, and the GTX’s output has been increased from 295bhp to 382bhp – quite a leap, with the rear motor receiving the biggest upgrade This development drive unit pumps out 275bhp on its own, while the front-mounted 107bhp motor is unchanged

This extra power and only a little more weight, due to the rugged roof rack and front bash bar – plus chunkier 18-inch wheels and off-road tyres – mean the Xtreme will sprint from 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds, nearly a second faster than the GTX.

KW rally suspension raises the ride height by 30mm, while the car’s track has swollen

by 20mm all round New 50mm wider, 3D-printed wheelarch extensions cover the extra width, while a roof-mounted LED light bar and one-off paint job complete the look

The changes are more subtle inside and amount to a pair of supportive bucket seats finished in black microfibre cloth with orange stitching and ‘Xtreme’ embroidered head rests, plus more soft-touch material for the dash and extra orange accents

Off the line, the Xtreme doesn’t feel as explosive as you might think It’s clear the team has mapped the power to still come in smoothly rather than with a big thump This is no bad thing, because on our sub-zero test course it means there’s no wheelspin, the permanent four-wheel drive tech simply deploying the power without issue

As we get rolling, the Xtreme starts to pick up speed, and the whistle from the roof rack is actually the best indicator of our increasing pace, drowning out the

noise from the Porsche Taycan-sourced external sound generator. Even for a concept, refinement is still good.

As with the standard ID 4 GTX, the extra regenerative braking in B mode could be stronger, but the mechanical brakes are up to the task and the grip from the chunky tyres provides plenty of reassurance

Jinking through the slalom course VW has set for us, the thing that really strikes about the ID. Xtreme is how direct it still is, despite its higher ride height and the new rubber

In fact, the expensive-feeling suspension controls the roll (not helped by the stillsignificant weight) relatively well, providing enough feedback through the seat to judge grip, with the wider tyres giving a little more weight to the steering, too

The other impressive element is the prototype rear motor. Even with the ESC on, it allows for more slip, so you can genuinely bring the rear axle into play through direction

SeanCarson

sean carson@autoviacouk

HERITAGE ID Xtreme channels the spirit of the Golf Country (below), a four-wheel-drive family machine that could go further than the average Golf Mk2

TWEAKS

Focus has been on adding personality, with off-road extras such as big tyres and rally suspension

Sleek new ID.7 ready to challenge Tesla Model 3

TEASER

Camouflaged show car hides ID 7’s details, but VW has confirmed it’s bigger than a Model 3

the Xtreme

changes, using the throttle to subtly steer the car from the rear – or if you want, full donuts can be on the menu too, as we found out This is the kind of dynamic interaction we wanted originally from the ID.4 GTX; the extra grunt and more entertaining rear motor help overcome the GTX’s flat-feeling chassis

So how close is the ID Xtreme to production? Well, VW says it was designed “to show the potential of the MEB platform and gauge customer feedback”, following its debut at the ID Festival in Locarno, Switzerland The feedback was positive, so while the Xtreme might not make it like this, elements could trickle in to VW’s ID line-up

Verdict

JUMPING behind the wheel of the ID Xtreme on and off road gave us a hint of its extra spirit, something that has arguably been lacking from ID-badged machines until now. Let’s hope VW can harness some of this personality for its future production cars

SeanCarson sean carson@autoviacouk

WHILE the ID. Xtreme (left) is a showcase for the future of the ID line-up, the roll-out of Volkswagen’s electric family continues with the ID.7 saloon. The German firm revealed its forthcoming Tesla Model 3 rival at the Consumer Electronics Show 2023 in Las Vegas, US and confirmed it would use the ID.7 name, but has stopped short of showing the vehicle’s full design

However, VW has outlined some key technical details of this sixth member of the ID. family. Firstly, the ID 7 is targeting a claimed range of 435 miles The brand says that “efficient aerodynamics help to reduce the drag coefficient” and therefore boost the new car’s range, but it’s not yet known if this figure means that the ID 7 will be equipped with VW’s 77kWh (usable) battery, or if it will be fitted with a larger pack.

COVERED

Special coating means that ID 7’s bodywork is able to change colour electronically

here early next year. The ID.7’s 2 97-metre wheelbase is also longer than a Tesla Model 3’s

The ID.7 was revealed in a camouflaged livery at the electronics and tech show in the US, and VW also confirmed that it will feature a 15-inch touchscreen. Following customer feedback, the new model will benefit from backlit illuminated sliders to improve ease of use when it comes to functions such as changing the volume or cabin temperature

The infotainment set-up will mark the introduction of a new human-machine interface that boasts a new layout for the climate control buttons on the home screen, and “integrated smart air vents”.

At 4 94 metres long, 1 86 metres wide and standing 1 53 metres tall, the ID 7 is larger than its chief rival in every area, but the two cars will go head to head when the ID.7 goes on sale

As part of its unveiling at CES, VW has developed a chameleon-like electroluminescent livery that changes colour It forms a QR code design that features 22 separate controllable areas of the paintwork; the design is made up of 40 layers of paint that, combined with the associated wiring needed to achieve the look, weigh around 70kg. The new ID.7 will be revealed in full later this year.

Zagato stuns with custom

SeanCarson sean carson@autoviacouk

ITALIAN coachbuilder Zagato has revealed its new custom creation, the Giulia SWB Zagato It’s based on the hardcore Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm supersaloon, but Zagato says development and production were done entirely in house The new Giulia SWB Zagato pays homage to designs of old, including the Zagato TZ and Junior Zagato models, with a Kammback-style tail Almost every body panel has been remodelled and constructed from carbon fibre, which means the SWB should weigh less than the 1,520kg GTAm.

The new car’s overall proportions are far removed from those of the Alfa Romeo Giulia saloon on which it’s based, with the

Zagato’s swoopy body featuring just two doors compared with the saloon’s four

The car’s headlights are reminiscent of Alfa’s new Tonale SUV, while the two-tone paintwork gives the SWB Zagato a more streamlined appearance

At the rear there’s an aggressive diffuser and a twin-exit exhaust system for the 2.9litre twin-turbo V6 engine In the GTAm this produces 533bhp, and although Zagato hasn’t revealed any power or performance figures, it’s thought that this will be carried over for the one-off model The engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox driving the rear wheels exclusively

The Giulia SWB was made for a German customer who owns an Alfa Romeo SZ (built by Zagato) and various Aston Martin Zagato models The price has not been disclosed

OFFICIAL

STYLE

One-off’s look evokes past Zagato models, pairing classic Kamm tail design with modern LED lighting tech

DESIGN Two-door’s proportions are very different to those of regular saloon Carbon-ceramic brakes are standard

New era for entry-level Merc is taking shape

news inbrief

FOLLOWING its announcement earlier this year that it would focus more on luxury models and profit margins, Mercedes is readying an all-new replacement for its A-Class that could be called the EQA saloon

Mercedes CEO Ola Kallenius previously said that “the entry point to the Mercedes brand in the future will be a different one than today”. That was in reference to a new MMA architecture that will underpin a new car launching by 2024, when we’re likely to see this fresh EV model This early prototype clearly shows a saloon body, and it’s thought that some elements from the firm’s experimental EQXX concept – such as 3D-printed parts –could trickle down in production form Mercedes’s new MB OS infotainment should also make its debut

Record-breaking Taycan tweaks may come to UK

-built Alfa

BRITISH customers may yet be offered the same highperformance kit that helped the Porsche Taycan to set a production EV lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife

The kit, comprising wider Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres and recalibrated suspension, helped a Turbo S set a time of seven minutes, 33 seconds, eclipsing Tesla’s Model S Plaid to become the fastest EV around the circuit Auto Express has sampled the changes from the passenger seat, and can report that the car changes direction faster and has more grip. However, while the set-up is available in Germany for around £12k, Porsche says that it is “still evaluating” it for other markets

Missed targets prompt motorway safety fears

Office of Rail and Road.

Data shows that the detection rate on all-lane running smart motorways is as low as 59 6 per cent, with the best of National Highways five regions reaching 79 6 per cent compared with a target of 80 per cent. The findings also show that the aim of detecting stopped vehicles in less than 20 seconds is being missed, with regions’ average times ranging from 43 to 65 seconds, impacting safety

AEHRA gives inside line on its new SUV

AFTER revealing its SUV’s exterior, new brand AEHRA has unveiled the interior (above), with a full-width screen.

In Drive mode, the screen sits lower down, displaying key driving data, while the outer areas show images from the digital wing mirrors. When the SUV is parked, the screen can be set higher, turning the car into “a theatre or office” A secondary control screen is mounted lower down in the centre of the dash.

DVLA reveals reasons for revoking licences

IN 2022, the DVLA made almost 700,000 decisions on medical licence renewals, with just over nine per cent (10,935) resulting in licences being revoked.

The top reasons for revoking licences were: Visual (10 55 per cent); High-risk offender (8 29 per cent); Diabetes insulin (3.48 per cent); Epilepsy (3.45 per cent); Heart defibrillator (2.89 per cent); Seizure – solitary (2 61 per cent); Dementia (2 26 per cent); Pacemaker (2.14 per cent); Visual field defect (two per cent); Sleep apnoea (1.88 per cent).

Seaside special marks open-top anniversary

MINI is marking 30 years of Convertible models with this special Seaside Edition (below). Available exclusively in Cooper S form, the Seaside Edition features Caribbean Aqua exterior paint and 18-inch alloy wheels, as well as unique graphics and plenty of ‘30’ motifs to emphasise the anniversary.

The 175bhp model does 0-62mph in 7 2 seconds and is fitted with MINI’s Premium Plus pack. Prices start from £34,500 and the car is on sale now, with deliveries starting in March

“It pays homage to designs of old, including the Zagato TZ and Junior Zagato models”

SAFETY targets for detecting stranded vehicles on the Britain’s smart motorways are being missed, according to regulator, the

Fisker PEAR shapes up during road tests

SeanCarson sean carson@autoviacouk

FISKER’S second model in its line-up has been spied in the open. Called the PEAR (Personal Electric Automotive Revolution), the new electric city car was spotted testing recently and will boast some radical features when it’s unveiled fully.

With US prices confirmed from $29,900, Fisker is targeting a price of around £25,000 in the UK for the innovative machine

“Use of space on a car this size is going to be key,” company founder Henrik Fisker said “The features and the car are going to be completely different The way you get into the trunk – I call it the Houdini trunk, nobody has ever done it that way before ”

Fisker stopped short of fully revealing how this will work, saying: “We don’t want to give that away just yet. Basically, the car is so radical that we don’t want to show it until 2024, just before we start selling it ”

But Fisker patent documents and drawings refer to “front storage and rear window gateretraction features”, with what looks like a retractable drawer as part of the front grille and a rear tailgate that extends out Fisker claims that the clever thinking runs deeper than just the vehicle, and that he and his engineering team have

considered the process of building the car, too “We have actually rethought everything about how you even make a car to get the pricing lower”, he told Auto Express

Fisker hopes that the PEAR will be the car that takes the brand to a million vehicles produced per year (by 2027), and the model will be offered with two battery options that will deliver up to 310 miles of range

The brand’s VW ID.3 rival will go on sale in the US first, with European sales set to follow next year The PEAR is one of four vehicles the brand is currently working on, with Fisker highlighting that the range could stretch to “eight to 10 vehicles eventually”

The Ronin – a sporty GT developed in the UK at Fisker’s Magic Works – will follow the PEAR. Asked if a sporty crossover could be the fourth model, Fisker said: “Maybe Maybe it’s not a no ”

HOT TOPIC Jeep Avenger

FROM: Dave Staniforth I WAS led to believe this was going to cost close to £30,000, not nearer £40,000. An estimated £38,000 price tag puts it as a rival to cars I would consider a class above – the Avenger is looking like a very expensive small SUV. Disappointing and a bad move

FRESH

Test to help older drivers

RESEARCHERS at the University of East Anglia’s Norwich Medical School are developing an online cognitive testing platform for assessing older-driver safety

The SENSOR study starting this year will look at healthy older people and those with dementia It is hoped the platform can be used by GPs to support licence renewals following diagnosis of medical conditions that must be notified to the DVLA.

“Cognitive changes are very common with dementia, but they also happen with age. We’ve developed tests for how people navigate, and their spatial orientation and awareness,” said Michael Hornberger, professor of applied dementia research “At the moment assessments are very

subjective, and this will help doctors make much better decisions as to whether a driver needs to undergo further assessment if they’re to continue driving safely.”

Older drivers who would like to find out more can E-mail sensor study@uea ac uk

Auto-dip lights work just fine on my Audi

FROM: Derek Bevan INTERESTING that Michael Rochester finds his car’s auto-dip headlights slow to react (Issue 1,756) I own a 2016 Audi A3 saloon and must say that the auto-dip system cannot be faulted I don’t know what make and model Michael has, but perhaps some systems are better than others in this regard

Taxing cyclists to use roads is unfair

FROM: Michael Bennett I DISAGREE with

FROM: KKaEV I CAN’T help but laugh at the 249-mile WLTP range That means it probably manages less than 200 miles at motorway speeds, so will only really be useful around town It’s a shame, because I was hoping for a new, larger battery. Stellantis needs to improve the range of its EVs

Regular re-testing idea has its merits

FROM: Nicholas Keen THERE may be some merit in Ken Webster’s idea of regularly re-testing drivers (Issue 1,757), but doing so at every renewal might not be the best approach Is he forgetting that not everyone renews every 10 years? We can’t expect people with medical conditions to take a test every three years, for example

Two sides to EV charging accessibility

FROM: David Tice IT’S a tricky situation regarding EV charging accessibility (Issue 1,757). On the one hand, if the Government made PAS 1899 mandatory, it would force firms to act On the other, this may delay the rollout of public chargers, which would be a bad move when there are already too few for the EVs on the road

● American EV to offer clever use of space and 310-mile range

“We have actually rethought everything about how you even make a car”

Henrik Fisker CEO

This

Alex McCowan’s desire for cyclists to pay some form of road tax (Issue 1,757) Most cyclists own a car and therefore pay Vehicle Excise Duty It’s unfair to target cyclists – does a bicycle do any damage to a road surface? As for the 1 5-metre rule, this isn’t as much as people think

glad this has a positive review

it feels like a Jeep, not a Peugeot ” Ian C

“What’s with the Avenger’s stick-on iPad infotainment system?

design ” Thomas Patterson

was the name of a Dodge saloon a number of years ago Why use it again?”

VOLKSWAGEN launched the Scirocco at the Geneva Motor Show in 1974 The Mk1 was replaced by the Mk2 in 1981 and this remained in production until 1992. VW brought back the name when it announced a Mk3 version in 2006, which arrived in 2008.

1974

Scirocco Mk1 launches on the same platform that is also used for the Golf Featuring a Giorgetto Giugiaro-styled coupé body and a range of inline fourcylinder petrol engines, it’s built by Karmann in Osnabrück.

1976

Scirocco GTI arrives with 108bhp

1981

Scirocco Mk2 replaces the original car with a longer, more traditional coupé shape and 16-valve inlinefour petrol engines. Karmann remains responsible for production of the car at its Osnabrück factory

Robinson Matt Robinson@autoviacouk @matt 201

VOLKSWAGEN has long been seen as a sensible brand, but around half a century ago, it was just a little too dull for its own good The once-astonishing popularity of the Beetle had long since started to wane, and the company’s range was looking not just boring, but also outdated, with much of the line-up still using rear-mounted, air-cooled boxer engines

VW was making some steps in the right direction; for instance, the first-generation Passat, which arrived in 1973 with Audi 80-borrowed underpinnings including a longitudinally mounted, water-cooled inline-four engine It wasn’t until the next year, however, that the firm's transformation for the future began in earnest

The change in direction wasn’t spearheaded by the Golf, however, as many might think. The first-generation

version of the iconic family hatchback was actually beaten to the punch by a few months, by its cousin that was built on the same platform, the Scirocco Making its debut at the 1974 Geneva Motor Show, the Scirocco featured a wedge-like fastback profile designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, who was also responsible for the less stylish but still-handsome Golf As with the car it shared a platform with, the Scirocco featured a range of transversely mounted, water-cooled inline four-cylinder engines powering the front wheels

Suddenly, Volkswagen was cool, as well as moving with the automotive times The Scirocco’s popularity was of course dwarfed by that of the Golf, which would go on to sell nearly seven million units to the Scirocco’s 500,000 But that didn’t matter, because the latter car's effect on Volkswagen as a brand is incalculable

Rather than VW building the Scirocco in Wolfsburg alongside the Golf, Karmann – the maker of the coupé’s

indirect predecessor, the Karmann Ghia – was tasked with producing the car at its facility in Osnabrück Under the unibody are MacPherson struts at the front, with a torsion-beam/trailing-arm arrangement at the rear

Entry-level versions made do with just 49bhp from a carburetted 1 1-litre engine, but VW catered for those wanting a bit more shove, too, especially via the Scirocco GTI with its 1 6-litre fuel-injected unit pumping out 108bhp. That may not sound much by today’s standards, but the Scirocco weighed only 800kg, making for an 8 8-second 0-62mph time Those cars also feature disc brakes all round, plus front and rear anti-roll bars Buyers in the UK could pair that performance with a little more luxury from 1979, with the arrival of the limited-edition Storm, and that’s the kind of Scirocco we have on the Icon Drives menu today Registered in June 1981, it’s one of the last first-generation examples to roll off the production line, and is now part of

1992

Scirocco Mk2 production ends at Karmann's facility in Osnabrück, Germany

Scirocco Mk3 revives the long-absent name with Golf 5-based machine As with the original model, it's closer to a traditional hatchback shape than a ‘true coupé It’s built at Volkswagens AutoEuropa plant in Portugal.

Racy

2009

Scirocco R joins range with 258bhp and 350Nm of torque The Mk3 ceases production in 2017

What'sinaname?

Matt

icondrives

NEW SERIES The greatest cars we’ve tested – revisited

Volkswagen UK’s heritage fleet. As a post-facelift car, it has grey plastic bumpers in place of the original chrome items, but the Storm looks fabulous, with its sharp lines distinguishing it brilliantly amidst the more modern machinery it’ll be sharing the road with on our test.

As with many older cars, the first thing that grabs our attention when sliding behind the wheel is an expansive glasshouse provided by thin A and B pillars You really get a sense of how boxy the car is from the inside, with the chunky front end stretching out in front of the windscreen.

Just behind that excellent view out is a large, rounded rectangular pod containing the dials, what looks to be the original Blaupunkt cassette radio, the heater controls and an array of chunky rocker switches. This being a Storm, we’re sat in leather-trimmed seats and flanked by leather-clad door cards, all finished in dark blue Dipping the clutch to engage first gear, the pedal travel feels as though it’s going to go on forever. The change itself isn’t the most accurate and the lever rather lofty, but there is a bend in it for a little more ergonomic satisfaction No doubt helped by that low weight figure and the Scirocco’s pared-back (by modern standards) nature, it feels brisk at full throttle. The eight-valve engine sounds quite coarse at lower revs, but there’s a lovely rasp from the exhaust as the redline is reached Traction and lateral grip are plentiful, and the Scirocco is surprisingly resistant to roll when pushed in tighter corners Even the steering is decent, despite it having a slight dead spot around the centre point All these years on, the Scirocco remains a very well sorted car to drive, until you need to scrub off a lot of speed quickly; the brakes seem to be a weak point, needing a hefty stab of the middle pedal to get much at all happening

Inevitably, there are plenty of parallels to draw between this and the original Golf GTI with which the Scirocco Storm and GTI models share so much It too shrugs off its age to deliver a brilliant driving experience But the Scirocco is just a smidgeon ahead in most areas – a little sharper, a little more responsive. When driven in a more sedate fashion, the Mk1 Scirocco begins to show its age more It’s not especially quiet to crui d i th unassisted

while the suspension doesn’t deal with things such as potholes and speed bumps with much finesse

But that’s all part of the experience If you can live with those quirks, the Scirocco repays by being practical enough for a weekend away or even regular use, should you wish. It’s a relatively roomy car; the rear seats aren’t too big, but they can be folded down to give an impressively large cargo area, and even with them up, boot space is generous

But the best part of running one of these will be when you park up, look back and enjoy its diminutive, boxy proportions amidst comparatively bloated modern machinery We have a little more time to do that than expected, though, because our test drive is curtailed by the Scirocco conking out and refusing to restart (we’ll later find out this is due to a minor issue with the fuelling system) There’s never a dull moment with older cars

In 1981 the Mk1 Scirocco made way for the Mk2, which once again featured Golf underpinnings, but with

a longer, more traditional coupé-shaped body on top. Despite being in production longer than its predecessor, it failed to sell as well, with VW making 200,000 fewer examples For a time the more technologically advanced Corrado was sold alongside, which ultimately outlived the second-generation Scirocco by a good few years

It wasn’t until 2008 that Volkswagen revived the name, for a car that stayed true to the concept of the original –the Mk 3 Scirocco clothed a Golf platform in a handsome coupé-ish hatchback body. That car was feeling rather dated by the time VW ended production in 2017, but nevertheless, many were sad to see it go, particularly since its vacant space on the production line was subsequently filled by – of all things – a T-Roc Cabriolet. But whatever you think of that car, perhaps that’s not such a bad ending for the Scirocco story After all, the T-Roc Cabriolet is another model that proves Volkswagen does indeed have a fun side.

"Traction and lateral grip are plentiful, and the Scirocco is surprisingly resistant to roll when pushed in tighter corners"

manoeuvrin

Details

The Scirocco Storm rolls on tiny13-inch wheels shod in chunky high-profile tyres

Interested in buying one?

BE prepared for a long wait, because Mk1 Sciroccos are very hard to come by, with few survivors. At the time of writing, we found just one for sale in the whole country, which was described as a “project”. When examples do crop up, they tend to cost more than £10,000.

Rust is the biggest enemy, so check any prospective Scirocco pretty much everywhere for tin worm, especially the front and rear wings. The fuel tank filler neck can be a particular problem, because if it succumbs to rust, you could end up with contaminated fuel.

The engines are relatively simple and quite robust, but you still want to buy a car that has a full service history.

The parts supply is generally decent, helped by how much of the car is shared with the Mk1 Golf, but Sciroccospecific items – such as bodywork and some interior parts – will be a little harder to track down.

Cabin Darkblue leatherseats and doorcards fit in with the Storm theme,while the gearstickis angled backtowards the driver to make it more ergonomic

cars and drives

Maserati GranTurismo Folg

FIRSTDRIVE We try pre-production car with electric powertrain that is brand’s future

THE new GranTurismo Folgore – which means ‘lightning’ in Italian – is a crucial new car for Maserati Why? Because the allelectric powertrain that sits beneath its elegant new nose, then runs all the way beneath its aluminium floor and stylish new body will – eventually – become the only type of powertrain available in a Maserati, once fossil-fuelled cars have left the building sometime in the next decade So the brand needs to get it right, no excuses

For the time being, the Folgore will go on sale alongside V6-engined versions of the all-new GranTurismo, so that by 2025 all new Maseratis will be offered with a choice of either electric or V6-petrol propulsion.

The version we’re driving here is a late-stage pre-production car with a nonrepresentative dashboard, hence the

reason there are no cabin photographs of this available yet. The proper interior will be revealed in late spring, Maserati says But for the rest of the car, what you see is what you get, and in simple terms this means you get an awful lot. That is on paper, at least, although as we’ll see, more sometimes equals less when it come to the aspects that count most in a Maserati

The headline figures are spectacular, no matter which way you choose to look at them From a 92 5kWh battery, the Folgore produces a whopping 1,183bhp of what Maserati calls “installed power”, which translates to 750bhp to the wheels. The full 1,183bhp won’t be deployed until “later” once the battery can deliver on this demand, the firm’s engineers say

So for now, the Folgore’s three electric motors each deploy 250bhp; there’s one at the front and two at the rear That’s enough to fire the 2,260kg machine to 62mph in

2 7 seconds and to a top speed of 198mph, Maserati claims, making it much faster than the 483bhp Modena and 542bhp Trofeo V6 versions of the new GranTurismo And that’s despite these models weighing more than 400kg less than the battery-electric Folgore

As a result, it has a highly sophisticated torque-vectoring system that dishes out energy to whichever end or side of the car can handle it best, so although it’s fourwheel drive in theory, in practice it behaves more like a rear-wheel-drive car, says Maserati And when you’re on the move, that’s exactly how the Folgore feels

There are four different drive modes to choose from – Range, GT, Sport and Corsa –and in each the artificial noise generated by

the car’s numerous speakers (some of which are mounted in the rear bumpers to provide an exterior “sound personality” for onlookers to enjoy) gets louder

At idle it emits a weird, digitised V8 rumble that fades, disappointingly, as you start to move. At the same time the maps for the throttle, ESC and the adaptive air suspension all get more sporting as you scroll up through the various modes

At no point, however, does the Folgore turn into a hard-riding, uncompromised sports car In all its modes it remains a consummate GT car in terms of its ride quality and steering precision, and in its braking responses, which are excellent What’s disappointing, though, is not the

“The headline figures are spectacular, no matter which way you choose to look at them”

Steve Sutcliffe mail@autoexpresscouk

DYNAMICS

Maserati GranTurismo Folgore

NEED TO KNOW

Famous trident brand is going all electric in time; GranTurismo Folgore is the first step towards Maserati’s future

magnitude of its performance (which is always somewhere between strong and immense), but instead its curious absence of character Maserati has made the Folgore as quiet as possible on the move, despite its numerous speakers, which has made it a peculiarly undramatic car to drive This means it’s strangely unmemorable to drive in many ways, despite being very quick in a straight line and fundamentally well sorted under braking and through the corners

It’s almost as if Maserati has gone too far in its efforts to make the car as refined as it possibly can. Some personality needs to be re-injected back into it somehow, to make it more of an event to be a part of, because

as it is, and no matter how potent it is in a straight line, the Folgore lacks sparkle

That’s not just beside Maserati’s other V6-engined cars, but compared with most of the more exciting EVs from companies such as BMW, Audi, Porsche, Polestar and, yes, even Tesla as well All of which cost a lot less money than the Folgore’s estimated price tag of £195,000 when it goes on sale soon, factoring that into the equation

The bottom line is that we suspect the V6 versions of the new GranTurismo will be infinitely more desirable cars to drive overall when they go on sale later this year, despite being a fair bit slower than the Folgore They will also be capable of travelling a lot further

than the Folgore’s claimed 279-mile range and will be much more convenient to refill once empty, both key factors in a grand tourer such as this However, with 270kW charging capability, thanks to its all-new 800-volt platform, Maserati does claim 62 miles of range can be added in just five minutes at maximum charging speed

For the time being, though, the petrols will, we suspect, be the more desirable versions, full stop Fortunately Maserati has some time to get the Folgore and the other electric versions of its models in the pipeline right But until it does, the V6s will still be the ones to go for in our opinion – and by a fair old margin, on this evidence

Verdict

THE all-electric GranTurismo Folgore is a key car for Maserati, because it represents the future for one of Italy’s most famous car firms In most ways it’s a strong contender that has huge on-paper performance, looks good and has an obvious sense of occasion at its core But the electric powertrain lacks charisma and the performance isn’t as dramatic as it should be in practice, so the jury’s still out – for the time being.

NEED TO KNOW

Folgore badge (left) will appear on all electric Maserati models; clamshell bonnet reveals EV powertrain (right)

“It’s almost as if Maserati has gone too far to make the car as refined as it possibly can”

Isuzu

WHILE the likes of Mitsubishi, Nissan and Mercedes have abandoned the pick-up sector in the UK, the Isuzu D-Max is still going strong It faces competition from the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux and new Volkswagen Amarok (Issue 1,759), but the ace up the D-Max’s sleeve is the sheer variety of models that Isuzu offers And its show stopper is the Arctic Trucks AT35 Built in conjunction with Icelandic off-road specialist Arctic Trucks, the AT35 is so-called because that’s the diameter of the all-terrain tyres that it rides on These oversized treads (315/70 on 17-inch black alloys) require a bit of modification to get them to fit, so a Bilstein suspension system is installed. This comprises new springs and dampers, plus a chassis lift that means the AT35 is 50mm taller than the standard D-Max

The extra ride height also means there’s 266mm of ground clearance up front and 290mm at the rear, while approach and departure angles are improved, too, at 35 and 29 degrees respectively. There’s also a breakover angle of 34 degrees to play with Visual enhancements include enlarged side steps and bulbous wheelarches The rest of the AT35’s specification is based on high-spec V-Cross trim, which means lots of equipment, including a nine-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay

and Android Auto, leather seats, wireless phone charging, two-zone climate control and plenty of safety systems

On top of that, the Basecamp edition pictured here receives a further makeover. The main update is the addition of a Gearmate hard-top that allows the fitting of an iKamper SkyCamp Mini tent This pop-up tent unfolds easily, while a lightweight step ladder flips out for access; there are no pegs or ground sheets to worry about here

The hard-top features lockable metal sides that open to reveal more additions, courtesy of off-road gear specialist ARB Here you’ll find its Outback Solutions modular roller drawers, which fill the load bed entirely, but feature two long sliding drawers for storing your kit. The left-hand drawer comes with a slide-out kitchen unit, featuring a three-burner gas stove and collapsible sink Isuzu has also kitted out the Basecamp with a large fridge freezer, strapped on top of the drawer system

ARB supplies the sturdy Base Rack roof storage as well, which incorporates a superbright laser-light bar, allowing you to store essential items Wind deflectors over the nose and side-window visors complete the

Basecamp’s makeover While the model driven here is a one-off, Isuzu’s dealers will be able to help buyers spec up their truck to the same level

On the road the AT35 feels big, but no larger than a standard D-Max, and its raised ride height helps you to position it The weight of the extras doesn’t really affect the truck’s performance, either, because this isn’t a model that you’d want to push any harder than necessary.

highlight of the AT35 is its improved ride compared with the

“Bilstein dampers and massive tyres absorb most bumps before they reach the cab”

Dean Gibson

Dean Gibson@autoviacouk

@DeanGbsn

standard D-Max The Bilstein dampers and massive tyre sidewalls mean that most bumps are absorbed before they reach the cab, so passenger comfort is vastly improved There is a bit more of a drone from the tyres at higher speeds, however

The main issue with the D-Max is the diesel engine While Ford and Toyota now offer two power outputs for their respective trucks, Isuzu just has its 162bhp 1 9-litre diesel on offer. It’s not the punchiest of units, while a super-short first gear on the manual model doesn’t help either; no sooner have you pulled away than you need to shift up into second. For that reason, we’d plump for the auto gearbox every time

It’s also a noisy powerplant There’s plenty of diesel rattle at start-up and the motor gets vocal when accelerating, although it does settle when cruising. There’s plenty of torque for off-road use, but we’d just like a bit more grunt to go with the beefier looks

EQUIPMENT

Australian outback specialist ARB provides Basecamp’s roof rack and slideout drawers with gas stove and sink Upgrades add around £11,000 to AT35’s price

Verdict

THERE are more sensible pick-up trucks for sale, and rivals deliver better performance and comfort, but none can match the visual impact of the AT35 It’s not all for show, either, with better off-road ability and a smoother ride on tarmac than the standard D-Max – but we’d recommend the auto model over this manual version.

INTERIOR

Comfort is good, while big boot boosts practicality Fourwheel-drive modes are selected using rotary controller

HANDLING

Duster delivers decent comfort and security, with solid driving dynamics Diesel engine is a refined performer

Dacia Duster

FIRSTDRIVE Value-focused SUV is

brought in line with company’s new look

WHILE new-car prices are rising for all brands, Dacia’s focus on value means its products are more appealing to a broader group of people. With the recently revised Duster starting from a still-low £15,295, despite Dacia adding an extra dash of lifestyle focus, does it still make sense as an inflation-busting new car?

Absolutely The main updates focus on Dacia’s rebrand It knows its customers and their active lifestyles, so is moving the brand in this direction, and as such, its model range for 2023 receives a fresh look.

You’ll first notice Dacia’s new ‘link’ logo, which combines the D and C for a smarter badge, surrounded by fresh grille inserts finished in the same off-white badge colour.

The new grille is flanked by the latest headlamps with LED running lights that were added with last year’s update, while the car’s skid plates, as well as the roof rails, are finished in Monolith Grey There’s new tailgate badging with Dacia spelled out across the boot lid, but beyond this the car remains as is – which is by no means a bad thing.

We’re trying the Blue dCi 115 4x4 model in Journey trim At £22,145, it’s at the pricier end of the range, but given the kit on offer, it still represents great value. Climate control, a multi-view camera as part of the eight-inch touchscreen featuring nav and smartphone compatibility, cruise control, parking sensors and blind-spot warning, heated seats and 17-inch alloys are all included. When the price of even a low-to-mid-spec supermini is around the same as this, it shows just how much car you get for the cash

Not least because the Duster offers impressive practicality, with plenty of room front and rear The added ride height means it’ll be easier to strap children into car seats if this will be a purchase for a young family. Boot space of up to 467 litres is strong, too

While the four-wheel-drive 113bhp 1 5litre turbodiesel option might not take the

SPACE

Duster’s basic body shape hasn’t changed, so space in the rear is still good

lion’s share of sales (also, politically it’s not exactly a popular option, but you can’t argue with claimed economy of 53.3mpg), it was refreshing to drive a diesel manual car on our Moroccan test route, and it proved that, done well, this tech still has a place

The Renault Group’s 1.5 Blue dCi unit has had decades of development, to the point where it’s now a smooth, refined performer With 260Nm of torque from just 1,750rpm, it pulls strongly and delivers impressive flexibility, so you don’t have to work the six-speed manual gearbox all that hard

This is no bad thing, because the shift action isn’t the most positive or precise. But it’s far from a baggy-feeling transmission, and the interaction the manual gearbox brings, along with the light and fairly precise steering, means you feel involved to just the right degree behind the wheel of the Duster.

Forget any notion of serious performance – 0-62mph takes 10 2 seconds – it’s the in-gear pull that’s most important This is reinforced by a ride that delivers a decent balance between body control and comfort Again, it’s not the most sophisticated, but the Duster acquits itself well when compared with cars costing half as much again.

It’s comfortable and compliant, and also superbly easy to drive, with great visibility thanks to its jacked-up ride height, which also allows for plenty of travel in the suspension. This also means that, in 4x4 form, it has more off-road capability than you’d probably ever fancy putting to the test

It’s not all positive, however Occasionally the wheels thump around and unsettle the body, the seats could be more supportive, the in-car tech still leaves a little to be desired and Dacia’s material quality is best described as ‘robust’. But then, what do you expect from an affordable small SUV? Especially when Dacia’s rivals are deserting this space in terms of price, yet the brand is adding a more appealing look?

Judged by that criteria, the rebranded model line-up should be a success – and the Duster will be a key part of that

Essentials

Dacia Duster dCi 115

4x4Journey

Price: £22,145

Engine: 1 5-litre 4cyl turbodiesel Power/torque: 113bhp/260Nm

Transmission: Six-speed manual, four-wheel drive 0-62mph: 10.2 seconds

Top speed: 108mph Economy: 53 3mpg CO2: 139g/km

ONSALE Now

UPDATE New logo adds some extra style, combined with a fresh front-end design. Some materials inside are still on the unforgiving side, but the Duster remains an extremely affordable car that delivers in all the areas you want it to

Verdict

THE fresh-faced Duster is more appealing than ever, even if it is a little pricier But judge it by price rises from other brands and it still looks incredibly affordable, given the choice available and the practicality it brings Dacia is starting to home in on what customers want just as the market is moving towards it, and it’s doing so without losing sight of what got it there in the first place: value.

EQUIPMENT Our Journey-spec model features plenty of kit, including an eightinch touchscreen with sat-nav, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 360-degree camera set-up and off-road displays showing pitch and roll (above)

“The Duster acquits itself well when compared with cars costing half as much again”

SeanCarson sean carson@autoviacouk

23 new cars for 2023

THIS time last year, we thought the automotive industry would once again be on the up, having weathered the storms of Covid and component supply However, the war in Ukraine prolonged this last point even further, and logistical issues meant dealer showrooms weren’t as well stocked as buyers would have hoped Still, it didn’t stop the unveiling of new models – and 2023 will be no different, with a glut of hotly anticipated fresh models tipped to break cover

We’ve picked out 23 of the best newcomers of 2023, from the biggest

and most important SUVs and family models to some special sports cars and performance models that still have petrol power at their heart, be it supported by some form of electrification or not.

Of course, electric cars feature heavily in our rundown in both the mainstream and premium sectors of the market. But far from being identikit copies of each other, brands are learning to better differentiate their models, and 2023 could be the year where the EV truly comes of age and electric machines develop their own personalities.

Whatever area of the new-car market you’re interested in, there’s something for everyone – and these 23 star picks prove it.

It’s going to be another busy year of new-car launches. Here we pick 23 models that are coming in the next 12 months

John McIlroy John McIlroy@autoviacouk @johnmcilroy

Audi Q6 e-tron

AUDI’S transition to a pure-electric line-up has already started, with the e-tron SUV (now called Q8 e-tron), e-tron GT and Q4 e-tron. But this year should mark another significant step with the arrival of the Q6 e-tron

Set to be offered in conventional and swoopy Sportback bodystyles, the Q6 e-tron is a familysized SUV that is, in effect, an all-electric alternative to the conventionally powered Q5 Significantly, it’s the first Audi to use a new EV architecture called PPE, which is shared with Porsche’s upcoming second-generation Macan.

PPE brings a number of benefits over the MEB platform that supports the smaller Q4; there’s

scope for 800-volt electrics that deliver faster charging (up to 186 miles of range for every 10 minutes, when connected to a fast enough point), and a range of power outputs that will run from single-motor set-ups to a 600bhpplus edition that’s likely to carry RS badging Inside, expect the 11 6-inch infotainment system of the Q4 e-tron to feature, with scope for a larger, fully digital instrument panel And while the overall dimensions will be similar to those of the Q5, the bespoke EV platform should bring benefits in packaging that result in greater cabin space for passengers, along with a family-sized boot

BMW is gearing up to give the 5 Series one of the biggest shake-ups in its history this year, as an all-new generation of the Mercedes E-Class rival arrives with electrified powertrains, as well as a pure-electric edition.

Codenamed G60, the next 5 Series will be one of the last BMWs to use the firm’s CLAR platform, before its Neue Klasse architecture arrives in the middle of the decade That means updated petrol and diesel engines, with increased electrification, will remain at the heart of the range

But there will also be a pure-electric edition, called i5, and while the high-performance M5 will continue, it will get a hybrid boost to assist efficiency as well as performance

Cabin dimensions will remain broadly the same, but expect a huge upgrade in tech, with larger dashboard displays that merge seamlessly between the digital instruments and the infotainment screen

ALFA Romeo’s fortunes are starting to improve as part of Stellantis, with boss Jean-Philippe Imparato harnessing the benefits of the group’s economies of scale to return the troubled Italian brand to profitability There’s a product plan in place for the next five years already, but aside from ticking off the main gaps in the model line-up, Alfa is also going to satisfy enthusiasts with a bespoke sports car that will be a ‘halo model’ – an indirect successor to the spectacular 8C The new creation is likely to be based on the me platform as the Maserati MC20, so Alfa

will be able to offer ICE and EV versions to well heeled customers who want either the final celebration of petrol power or the debut of the company’s all-electric era. Imparato admits that several clients will probably buy both The first details of the car should be confirmed in the spring, but by the point Alfa announces it, it’s already likely to be sold out. Its design should reference classic Alfas of old, while the choice of powertrains could be a tri-motor EV configuration and a further adaptation of the twin-turbo V6 that features in the Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio models

be the new MINI The will ride on a platform specifically for the brand, China, deal with plant will instead the EV battery capacities 40kWh through

SURELY one of 2023’s biggest arrivals will b th MINI. The all-electric version of the car wil fresh platform developed specifically for t but it will be built in China, as part of a de Great Wall, instead of in Oxford The UK pl make the combustion-engined version in Expect the EV to offer battery capacitie from 40kWh to around 50kWh, and either 180bhp or about 215bhp delivered throu the front-mounted motor, as MINI tries to outgun the car’s most obvious rivals, the Fiat 500 and its Abarth cousin

The new MINI’s looks will be a subtle evolution of the current model’s, with revised light designs, while the cabin will feature a different take on the existing circular infotainment set-up, more akin to a ‘floating’ tablet in execution

McIlroy Deputy editor

John

Kia EV9

THE launch of the EV6 in 2022 continued Kia’s transformation into a powerhouse in the all-electric market And in the coming months, the firm will bolster its position further with the huge EV9 SUV

The five metre-long creation will be comfortably the largest (and most expensive) Kia ever sold in the UK – but the firm is confident that its proven electric motors and in-car tech carried over from the EV6 plus a seven-seat layout will give it an advantage over other practicality-focused EVs such as the Mercedes EQB Its styling will be strongly influenced by a concept (pictured above) that was revealed in Los Angeles back in 2021, retaining the

boxy profile but toning down some show-car elements, such as the digital side mirror cameras.

Expect entry-level EV9s to use the 77kWh battery pack from the EV6, but this could be enlarged to fill the longer wheelbase and deliver extended range on higher-end editions. There should be single and dual-motor versions too, while the 800V electrics that form the basis of Kia’s e-GMP platform should allow charging speeds in excess of 220kW

There’s no word yet on pricing, but given that the EV6 GT starts at more than £60,000, it’s conceivable that the larger EV9 could smash through the £70k barrier

EXCLUSIVE IMAGE

Honda e SUV

HONDA is doubling down on electrification, with its latest Civic featuring exclusively hybrid powertrains And this year we should see a further expansion of the Japanese brand’s all-electric line-up, with the arrival of the e SUV.

Previewed by a show car called the e:Ny1, the new model is designed to sit above the Honda e city car in the range, and offer a more practical solution for Honda customers who want to switch to zero emissions.

Expect the vehicle to be a rival for the likes of the Peugeot e-2008 and Vauxhall’s Mokka Electric Its battery capacity should be around 68kWh, delivering considerably longer range between recharges than the diminutive e.

The e SUV won’t be the end of Honda’s EV push, either; expect it to be joined by another larger model that will sit between the hybrid HR-V and CR-V in the range

23 brilliant new cars for the new year

AT last, Jeep has a car designed and engineered in Europe, for European customers – and the Avenger has the potential to shake up the baby SUV market when it lands in UK dealerships in late spring

Based on an evolution of the e-CMP platform that also underpins the Vauxhall Mokka and Peugeot 2008, the Avenger is one of the most compact offerings in the class But its reduced overhangs, designed to improve its approach

MG Cyberster

and departure angles off road, also deliver better cabin space than in many rivals

The car is being offered only as an EV in the UK. It’ll arrive with a 54kWh battery, an official range of 249 miles, 100kW charging and a heat pump (for better cold-weather efficiency) as standard, plus a single front-mounted motor producing 154bhp. A four-wheel-drive version is expected to follow later in 2023 or early in 2024, but Jeep claims that even the regular

front-drive edition is capable off road, with ground clearance to match that of its larger stablemate, the Renegade Jeep has yet to finalise prices but expect the fully loaded First Edition to cost around £38,000, and more modest versions to start at around £34,000

We’ve driven it

John McIlroy Deputy editor

BULGING order books and renewed interest from British consumers in the Chinese-owned MG badge mean the company is on a roll right now The firm has ambitious plans to build on this success, and we should see one of the boldest steps this year, with the debut of the Cyberster roadster (pictured below in concept form)

Jeep Avenger Polestar 3

The spiritual successor to the MGB will be a two-seat convertible –and pure electric Little is known about its technical features, but MG owner SAIC certainly has the components to make it rear or fourwheel drive, and to give it more than 400bhp in range-topping trim

The production model could sport several concept-like features, including scissor doors and a steering yoke instead of a regular wheel, as MG tries to give its offering a hi-tech feel and make it stand apart from the likes of the Mazda MX-5 and BMW Z4

VOLVO’s sister brand is gaining confidence and it will be hoping for further gains when it introduces the 3 later this year Unlike the 1 and 2, which were derived from projects started by Volvo, the 3 is a ground-up Polestar creation. It sits on the same chassis components as the new Volvo EX90 (Page 33), but has a swoopier profile and a different front-end lookthat’s said to be more in line with the planned family design

Beneath it all there’s a 482bhp and 840Nm twin-motor set-up, enough for a 0-62mph time of five seconds A Performance variant will deliver 510bhp and trim a few tenths of a second off that time.

The cabin features sustainable materials and the dashboard is dominated by a 14 9-inch, portraitlayout touchscreen system.

“JEEP should be on to a winner with this car It’s comfortable, fast enough and practical for a baby SUV, plus it still manages to feel like a Jeep, with some funky styling touches.”

23 for2023

Toyota C-HR

THE C-HR has been a smash hit for Toyota since it was introduced in 2016, and the firm will be hoping to build on this success with the second generation of the car, which is due in the second half of this year.

This concept pictured, called C-HR Prologue, was unveiled late in 2022, and is said to give a close preview of what we should expect from the new model Its overall stance and many of the show car’s details will remain, so it’s safe to say that the new C-HR will maintain the original’s focus on dramatic styling, rather than all-out practicality.

Toyota hasn’t issued many technical details, but the next C-HR is likely to feature most of the fifth-generation hybrid systems that are making their debut in the latest Prius. The company has also confirmed a plug-in C-HR will sit alongside the regular hybrid edition Given how efficient Toyota’s hybrid systems are when coupled with plug-in power, we’d expect a pure-electric range north of 40 miles, dropping the C-HR into an appealing Benefit-in-Kind band for company car users.

Ferrari Purosangue

FERRARI doesn’t want anyone to refer to the Purosangue as an SUV, but there’s no doubt that it represents a big departure for the Italian brand It’s only slightly shorter and lower than Lamborghini’s Urus performance SUV, and its four-door, four-seat layout should make it the most practical everyday Ferrari in history.

The price might counter that argument, at more than £300,000, but for that you do get a new naturally aspirated 6 5-litre V12 engine producing 715bhp, making the Purosangue good for up to 192mph. There’s four-wheel drive, too, although buyers are unlikely to be treating the new arrival like a Jeep.

Mercedes-AMG

C 63 S E-Performance

FORMULA One know-how is helping to keep the hottest C-Class relevant So while the C 63 S E-Performance does away with the old V8 engine and replaces it with a four-cylinder unit, it’s still set to deliver intoxicating levels of drama and supercar pace when it lands in showrooms in the coming weeks.

The motor itself has an output of 469bhp, while a 6 1kWh battery feeds an additional motor on the rear axle for a total of 671bhp The potent powerplant is paired with four-wheel drive, so the Merc can hit 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds. The plug-in hybrid tech is designed for performance more than outright efficiency, so the C 63 can manage only eight miles on electricity alone It emits 156g/km of CO2 – relatively poor for a PHEV, but a huge gain over the old V8

Henry Catchpole Contributor

Purists might turn their noses up at the Purosangue, but it certainly seems as if Ferrari’s regular clients aren’t troubled by the new look and bodystyle. The first two years’ worth of production is reportedly sold out already, forcing the firm to temporarily pause taking reservations.

“THE

BMW XM

CREATED as part of the 50th birthday celebrations of BMW’s M division, the XM is an unexpected flagship for a sub-brand that has been devoted to performance and handling. Instead of a super-saloon or a rapid coupé, M has created a standalone plug-in hybrid SUV with some staggering power figures –and a hefty kerbweight to match.

The £145,885 XM mixes a 482bhp twinturbocharged 4 4-litre V8 petrol engine with

Ford MEB crossover

an electric motor for a combined output of 644bhp and 800Nm of torque BMW claims the car can crack 0-62mph in just 4 3 seconds, and reach a top speed of 168mph if you pay £2,500 for the optional M Driver’s Package

A 25 7kWh battery means up to 55 miles of pure-electric running, and CO2 emissions of just 35g/km – but a large number of cells, and a lavish cabin packed with technology, also bring a chunky kerbweight; the XM tips the scales at

more than 2,700kg, around a tonne heavier than BMW’s own M4 Competition.

We’ve driven it

FORD has been working on a vehicle using the Volkswagen Group’s MEB all-electric platform for several years – but 2023 should be the year when we finally get to see it

The new model is key to the company’s ambitious electrification plans in Europe, and is expected to be a family-sized crossover, offered with a mix of rear- or four-wheel-drive variants, and battery sizes ranging from 58kWh to 77kWh Expect it to be around 4 3 metres long – so larger than the Puma (which is also planned to be offered as an EV) but shorter than the existing Mustang Mach-E Our exclusive image shows how the electric Pony’s looks could be downsized, but it’s conceivable that Ford will go for a standalone styling treatment

We know where Ford’s MEB car will be built, too; it’ll take the place of the Fiesta as production of the supermini ends and the company turns its vast Cologne factory into a centre of EV manufacturing

Incidentally, if the regular XM doesn’t sound potent enough for you, BMW has alread announced that a beefed-up ‘Label Red’ version with 748bhp will arrive later this year

already

“A QUICK test of a prototype XM shows that the V8 still has its place, even when integrated into a complex hybrid powertrain. But the XM’s size and mass mean it can’t quite deliver typical M agility, despite what feels like a firm ride”

MG4 AWD

ONE of the biggest hits of 2022 was the MG4 electric hatchback – and this year we should see the practical, value-focused EV add a high-performance variant Company sources have admitted that a faster version is on the way, with MG’s UK commercial chief Guy Pigounakis promising a “high-performance, twin-motor derivative” It’s likely to be a European version of a model already revealed in China, which packs more than 440bhp from a pair of electric motors. That would make it the most powerful model ever sold by MG in the UK, and deliver a 0-62mph time of around four seconds

It’ll cost more than the regular MG4, of course, but the company is likely to harness its Chinese manufacturing connections to undercut potential rivals such as the Cupra Born, as well as outgunning them.

Sean Carson Associate editor

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

IN a short space of time, Hyundai’s N performance division has already built quite a reputation for itself with its i20 and i30-based vehicles But 2023 will be the year when we find out how well the hot-hatch boffins can adapt an EV, in the form of the Ioniq 5 N

The faster, more hardcore version of Auto Express’s 2021 New Car Awards winner is expected to feature a dual-motor set-up for four-wheel drive and a power figure that should at least match the 577bhp of Kia’s EV6 GT, which is based on the same platform. That could deliver a 0-62mph time of well under four seconds and a top speed in excess of 160mph,

but insiders say the N engineers are focusing on an involving driving experience over drag-strip bragging rights, with adaptive suspension and sophisticated torque vectoring both likely to feature The Ioniq 5 N could also feature Hyundai’s novel N e-shift, which uses torque blips to give the driver the feel of a conventional manual gearchange

Visual cues will include larger yet lighter alloys, revised front and rear bumpers and a small spoiler at the top of the rear hatch. But the car will still be clearly identifiable as an Ioniq 5, thanks to its distinctive profile and eight-bit computing-inspired light graphics

Porsche Macan EV

HAVING enjoyed sales success with the Taycan EV, 2023 will see the German premium brand branch out with its second pure-electric vehicle, the secondgeneration Macan The keen-driving family SUV will switch to a new all-electric platform, called PPE, that it’s sharing with Audi’s Q6 e-tron (Page 24)

However, Porsche’s engineers are confident that their chassis tweaks, including the firm’s first use of two-value dampers, torque vectoring and the most complex version yet of Porsche’s Active Suspension Management, will help to maintain the Macan’s position as one of the most rewarding SUVs to drive at any price

We’re still waiting for full technical info, but expect a battery capacity of around 100kWh and recharge speeds that beat the Taycan’s maximum rate of 270kW. There will be multiple motor configurations, but the car should launch with a two-motor set-up producing around 600bhp and more than 1,000Nm of torque

Mercedes-AMG GT

PERFORMANCE brand AMG has already delivered the all-new SL roadster on a fresh platform. But later this year we’ll get to find out how the architecture works beneath a more focused sports car, the second generation of Mercedes-AMG GT

We know the new model will be offered with a straight-six petrol engine in entry form and V8 power in higher-end editions, but recent spy shots have suggested that it may also be engineered to accept a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Either way, expect the GT to be positioned directly as a rival for the Porsche 911, with a more

aggressive profile than its predecessor and pronounced haunches over the rear wheels giving it an altogether more focused look than its open-topped SL stablemate

In a change from the outgoing model, four-wheel drive is likely to feature across the line-up, and power outputs could range from around 450bhp to as much as 800bhp Expect rear-wheel steering, active anti-roll bars and adaptive suspension to feature too, while inside, the cabin should get the same 11 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system as the SL, albeit with different graphics

EXCLUSIVE IMAGE

Hyundai Ioniq 7

HYUNDAI made waves with the Ioniq 5, our 2021 New Car Awards winner, but it’s already showing that it’s not tied to the boxy hatchback’s formula The swoopy Ioniq 6 saloon went on sale at the end of 2022, and later this year the range should expand further, with the imposing Ioniq 7 SUV

This model was actually previewed in late 2021, when Hyundai revealed a concept called Ioniq Seven at the LA Motor Show, the same place where Kia showed the platform-sharing EV9 (Page 26). But 2023 should see the production version reaching dealerships, with many of the show car’s key features, including its boxy, highriding profile, enormous grille and ultra-slim front light bar

The car will sit on Hyundai-Kia’s e-GMP all-electric platform. There’s no word yet on motor configurations or battery capacities, but the 77kWh maximum used by the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 could be the starting point for the altogether larger SUV

Volvo EX90

THE world has been waiting a long time for a new Volvo flagship SUV – but the successor to the XC90 gets more than a fresh badge The EX90 also crams in oodles of new technology and switches to a fresh platform that supports all-electric powertrains

The car’s look is perhaps more evolutionary than expected; it’s clearly identifiable as a topof-the-range Volvo SUV, with a new take on the ‘Thor’s hammer’ headlights and a typically bluff

profile The blanked-off grille is a clear pointer to the greener underpinnings, though

The car is being launched with a choice of two-motor configurations, with either 402bhp or 510bhp Even the more modest of the pair can sprint from 0-62mph in less than six seconds, but both are limited to 112mph as part of Volvo’s safety policy. Regardless of motor choice, the EX90 gets a 107kWh battery for around 360 miles of range, and there’s 250kW

DC charging that can take the system from 10 to 80 per cent in half an hour

These step changes don’t exactly come cheap; Volvo has already admitted that the EX90 will arrive in dealers carrying a price tag in excess of £100,000, putting the car squarely into Range Rover territory

IT’S one of the world’s largest battery manufacturers, but Chinese company BYD is fast emerging as a major car maker, too, and it will really ramp up its assault on Europe this year. Expect the Atto 3 to lead the charge in the UK, with dealers likely to open shortly and the first deliveries to customers expected by the spring

spring. in somewhere Vauxhall Mokka still awaiting on how it will be choice of battery 60kWh – along and a 88kW. front-mounted

This small SUV will slot between the VW ID.4 and V Electric – although we’re s more than a rough guide o priced. It comes with a cho capacities – 48kWh or 60k with a standard heat pump maximum recharge rate of There’s a single front-mou motor, producing 201bhp and taking the Atto 3 from 0-62mph in 7 3 seconds, and plenty of in-car tech, including a 15.6-inch infotainment screen that can rotate between portrait and landscape layouts.

John McIlroy Deputy editor

Testers’ notes

DRIVERS in search of a fun, affordable, rear-wheel-drive machine have been hard done by in recent years. Sure, you could go and buy something like a Caterham Seven, but we can understand if you’d like your thrills to come with extravagances such as a secure roof. Or a working heater.

All is not lost, though, and the Toyota GR86 is proof We don’t know what’s on the menu at Toyota’s Gazoo Racing canteen, but

whatever they’re feeding those engineers, the results are certainly exciting; the GR Supra, GR Yaris and US-market GR Corolla are all great, but the GR86 might be the most exciting of all

It deserves some stiff competition, which comes here in the shape of the BMW 230i According to its maker, only nine per cent of buyers will go for this powertrain, but we have a feeling that it might strike the perfect balance for the firm’s latest coupé

ean Carson Associate editor

ROADTESTS

MODELTESTED: Toyota GR86

PRICE: £29,995 ENGINE: 2 4-litre 4cyl, 231bhp

THE GR86 range is simple – there’s a choice of a manual or an automatic gearbox (the latter is a £2,090 option) and one of six colours The Ice Silver paint of this test car is £645 extra, which added to a base price of £29,995, brings the total to £30,640

Design & engineering

THAT list price really jumps out as being quite cheap for a modern performance car Once you look through the specs, it seems almost too good to be true

Toyota started the development of the GR86 with its predecessor, the GT86 The R rides on the same basic underpinnings, but almost every component has received a fairly extensive overhaul

The structure itself has been made stronger –Toyota claims a 50 per cent increase in rigidity when compared with the GT86 – yet despite a modest increase in size to improve both refinement and crash safety, the 1,267kg kerbweight is largely the same as before A focus on slimming down individual parts can be thanked for that

The bonnet, roof and front wings are all made of aluminium, while the seats, exhaust system and even the propshafts are lighter than those on the GR86’s predecessor The centre of mass is 1 6mm lower, and the 53:47 weight bias is 0 05 per cent further back Even the engine has gone on a diet; resin rocker covers, hollow valves and thinner cylinder liners play a part in changing that front/rear balance

The engine isn’t just lighter, though The GT86’s 2 0-litre flat four has been bored out to 2 4 litres Its 231bhp and 250Nm of torque are sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox and Torsen limited-slip differential You get MacPherson-strut suspension at the front, and a double-wishbone arrangement at the rear corners

It’s inside where that £29,995 staging price makes itself felt The dashboard design isn’t much to look at, with a fairly simple layout, and the plastics feel a little hard and scratchy, too However, all the basics that matter to the actual process of driving are brilliant The driving position is spot on, the seat and wheel have plenty of adjustment (although the chance to move the seat belt height would be a plus) and the gearlever is positioned close to the wheel, so it’s a quick grab away Visibility is okay by coupé standards, too It all builds towards excitement

Driving

PROD the GR86’s starter button, and the engine wakes into a slightly busy, almost gravelly idle It’s not the most tuneful unit at any revs, but immediately the sensitivity of the throttle is obvious – rev-matching gearchanges need just the gentlest of taps on the right pedal It’s a feeling of delicacy which, even a few yards along a road, can be felt through the steering and the brakes, too The gearshift is very precise, but has a decent weight to it

At low speeds, the bumps and ridges in the road can be felt through the taut suspension and a steering rack that’s beautifully weighted and transmits lots of information through your fingertips Despite this, the GR86 never feels unrefined, nor is the ride harsh; those coming

Details

The

Performance

0-62mph sprint takes 6.3 seconds; both cars deliver the ideal pace to exploit on UK roads

ROADTESTS

to the coupé from a hot hatchback – even Toyota’s own GR Yaris – will find it to be a much more compliant car to live with every day Find the right road, and the GR86 will put a bigger grin on your face than any current hot hatch, too In an age of 400bhp five-doors, the GR emphatically proves that making the most of a more modest power output is far more satisfying The nonturbocharged engine needs revs to work at its best, but it relishes in being thrashed Closely stacked gear ratios mean that you can explore the full rev range on the road without troubling the national speed limit, too It’s by no means slow, though – a 0-62mph time of 6 3 seconds is only 0 4 seconds shy of the BMW’s – and the fact that you have to work it to achieve that performance makes it all the more satisfying It’s the chassis that’s the clear highlight, though The purity of that steering is more pronounced as you increase your pace, allowing the driver to position the GR86 on the road perfectly Body roll is minimal, yet you can still use the weight transfer of the car to adjust its attitude through turns; and whether you choose to do that with the steering, brakes or throttle – or a combination of the three – it’s confidence-inspiring and so rewarding to get right Few new models will help you understand and enjoy the nuances of car control so comprehensively In short, it’s one of the finest-handling cars you can buy today – at any price

Practicality

MOST GR86 buyers will be more concerned about the drive than the space, and that’s fortunate The boot is shallow with a small opening, and the 226-litre volume is just about enough for a long weekend away for two There are technically four seats, but the rears are next to useless; it’s best to just fold them so you ’ ve got a two-seater with a decent amount of storage

Ownership

IF you ’ re happy to maintain a full Toyota service history, franchised UK dealers are willing to back up their cars ’ reputation for strong reliability by offering a 10-year warranty An extra 12 months’ cover is added each time it’s taken in for routine maintenance In contrast, the BMW comes with three years of cover from new

Running costs

WITH the GR86 in short supply and high demand, it’s very likely that it’ll be excellent at holding – or even exceeding – its original value in the short term After three years, it’s expected to retain almost 61 per cent of its retail price With a figure of nearly 55 per cent, the BMW is strong, too, but its higher starting price means that over the same three-year period it’ll lose £18,326 compared with just £11,719 for the GR86

Testers’ notes

“The Race Mode button shows Toyota’s confidence in its work There’s no adjustment to steering or throttle settings; it just deactivates the stability control ”

Alex Ingram Chief reviewer

Interior GR86 has the same minimalist cabin that marked the GT86 out, with a low-slung, sporty driving position

THROUGHTHE RANGE

THERE’s one downside to the GR86, which is that the UK’s allocation sold out almost instantly after going on sale. However, there are still lease deals to be found. Make a three-month payment up front, and we found a three-year agreement with a 10,000-mile annual limit for £531 a month. The only variation in the range is the option of an automatic gearbox. These are also available on the lease market, and we found examples listed from £580 per month.

Beyond that, the options list is very limited. As well as the six colour choices (black is no-cost, the rest range from £645 to £965), there are some subtle bodywork add-ons, a duck-tail rear spoiler, and a Gazoo Racing-inspired exterior decal pack. As standard, all GR86 models are fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, heated front seats, a reversing camera, lane-departure warning and cruise control. An adaptive system is fitted when you opt for the auto gearbox

Gazoo Racing isToyota’s motorsport partner, although GR86 is actually built by Subaru

ROADTESTS

MODELTESTED: BMW 230i M Sport

PRICE: £40,420 ENGINE: 2 0-litre 4cyl, 242bhp

PRICES for the BMW 230i are much higher than its rival here Before options, the M Sport trim costs £42,420 This test car adds £7,495 of options on top of that, including the M Sport Pro pack (£2,500) with M Sport brakes, 19-inch alloys, a small spoiler, black trim highlights and a Harman Kardon sound system The Comfort Pack (£1,250) adds a heated steering wheel and electrically adjustable seats, while the Tech Plus Pack (£1,900) includes wireless smartphone charging, a 3D parking assistant and a head-up display

Design & engineering

MUCH like the other models in the 2 Series Coupé line-up, the 230i makes use of BMW’s Cluster Architecture platform, which are the same underpinnings used by the larger 4 Series With that comes all the tech, powertrain and structural benefits of the bigger car, but it also brings weight; at 1,600kg, the 230i is more than 300kg heavier than its rival here However, it’s also a useful 165kg lighter than the six-cylinder M240i xDrive

While the 230i has more weight to lug around than the GR86, it compensates with more power, too The 242bhp peak is a modest 11bhp up on the Toyota, but that power is produced all the way from 4,500-6,500rpm, whereas peak output doesn’t arrive until 7,000rpm in the GR

Even more significant is the torque The BMW’s 2 0-litre unit is boosted by a turbocharger, so the engine’s 400Nm maximum arrives from just 1,600rpm and continues right the way through to 4,000rpm The Toyota is significantly down on that, and you need to wind the engine up to 3,700rpm before it reaches its 250Nm peak

The BMW goes some way to justifying its higher price with a much more luxurious cabin The materials have a much more expensive appearance, its wide centre console feels more sturdy and the tech on offer is far more advanced Ambient lighting in the doors adds to the feeling of expense, but like the Toyota, the BMW has a great driving position It does feel more substantial – the bonnet line is higher, meaning that the extremities of the car are harder to judge, and this hints at the way this car compares with the Toyota out on the road

Driving

IN isolation, the 2 Series is a cracking car to drive The chassis is very capable, with a feeling that all of its mass is centred around your hips – much like the Toyota However, a car that’s as brilliant to drive quickly as the GR86 is reveals the BMW’s flaws – small though they are Key among these is the steering Beside the superb precision of the Toyota, the BMW’s rack doesn’t offer the same confidence, nor does it load up as naturally when you apply lock The result is that you’ll often have more than one go at turning into a corner as you work out what response you’ll get The feedback is dulled by the needlessly thick and slightly soft steering wheel rim that BMW continues to persist with In other words, you turn into a corner in the 230i trusting that it’ll grip,

M

Performance

ROADTESTS

while the Toyota confirms as much as you apply lock, thanks to the constant feedback

While that lesser 220i will be the far more popular option than the 230i in the 2 Series range, those buyers will be missing out Ring its neck, and the lesser engine feels a little insipid; the extra shove in this more potent version can be felt throughout the rev range It’s enough to make the difference between a coupé that’s built for appearance and one that could actually be seen as a performance car If there’s one slight downside, it’s that the fourcylinder unit doesn’t make a particularly soulful sound It’s a deeper, more bassy tone than the Toyota Refinement is excellent, though Head for the motorway and the gearbox shuffles up to eighth and the revs drop right down Coupled with excellent stability and a compliant ride, this makes the 2 Series a fabulous long-distance cruiser

Practicality

DESPITE being a coupé, the 2 Series boasts genuinely usable back seats Even adults will be able to fit in the back without too much complaint, while the seats themselves are comfortable and supportive

There’s space for all their luggage, too A 390-litre boot is excellent, and the opening is wide enough to make it not too much of a hardship to load large suitcases inside

Large door pockets, a generous central bin, a couple of cup-holders and a covered cubby to hold a smartphone or two all contribute to a car that hasn’t sacrificed any everyday usability in its quest for driving fun

Ownership

IN what could seem like a slight letdown by BMW’s high standards, the 2 Series only achieved a four-star Euro NCAP rating when it was tested in 2022 It was marked down in the vulnerable road users category, where NCAP noted that the Autonomous Emergency Braking system could be better at detecting cyclists An active bonnet is standard on all 2 Series models

Running costs

IF these cars are driven with enthusiasm, then there isn’t much to separate them in terms of fuel consumption, with both dipping into the high-20s mpg We managed an overall return of 32 5mpg for the BMW and 31 3mpg for the Toyota However, it’s worth noting that you’ll rarely get anything better than that in the GR86 – even on a motorway cruise Cover the same long distances in the BMW, however, and the long gearing will help fuel economy easily climb into the forties

Testers’ notes

“The 2 Series bucks the trend of dull modern-car colours Our test car’s Portimao Blue looks great, and there’s an optional ‘Thundernight’ purple too ”

lex Ingram hief reviewer Alex Chief

Interior Cabin is plusher than the Toyota’s and comes with more tech Better still, it doesn’t detract from the driving experience

Boot

390-litre boot is much larger than the Toyota’s and there’s even a 40:20:40 split in the back bench

THROUGHTHE RANGE

Infotainment

IF you want to find your way around using the GR86’s infotainment system, you ’ re going to need a smartphone; there’s no built-in navigation in this very basic set-up Still, it’s easy to connect either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and they’re displayed on an eight-inch screen It’s a shame that Toyota’s latest infotainment tech, which is slicker and prettier than what’s fitted here, isn’t available Like the rest of the cabin, the tech is basic, but is good enough Ahead of the driver, there’s a seven-inch fully digital instrument panel For the most part, this looks like a regular set of analogue clocks, with a large rev counter front and centre, including trip, fuel and temperature readouts on either side Engage Track mode and the dials’ design switches to a more motorsport-inspired scrolling rev-counter, although the quadrilateraldesign fits rather awkwardly in the round bezel

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

WHILE the car in our images is pictured with BMW’s iDrive Operating System 7, all models produced from July 2022 onwards use the latest OS 8 We’ve experienced the new system in everything from the i4 to the 2 Series Active Tourer, and while it improves in some areas, the set-up in this test car has its benefits, too These mostly focus on the input methods; OS 7 comes with a greater number of shortcut buttons on the dashboard and physical climate controls, which some users will find helpful The new set-up keeps the iDrive click wheel, however, which means that it’s still possible to make small menu tweaks on the move without much difficulty OS 7 looks great, but the new, huge 14 9-inch curved display is even prettier, and blends neatly into a set of 12 3-inch digital dials beside it Regardless of which system is fitted, the BMW’s in-car tech is far more advanced than the Toyota’s

Toyota GR86

£29,995/£30,640 £18,276/60 9% £11,719 £2,110/£4,221 £2,789/£4,648 50/£572/£165 £315/£470/£315

4,265/2,575mm 1,310/1,775mm 4cyl flat four/2,387cc 231/7,000 bhp/rpm 250/3,700 Nm/rpm 6-spd man/rwd 50 litres/repair kit 226 litres 1,276kg 11 4 metres 3yrs (60,000)/1yr 10th/6th N/A

6 3 secs/140mph 31 3/6 9/344 miles 32 1mpg 7.1mpl 200g/km/37%

Seven/yes/yes/yes £2,090/no/no/yes Yes/yes No/yes £645/yes Yes/no No/yes Yes/yes No/yes/yes

VED FROM the second year on, GR86 owners only pay £165 per year The BMW breaches the £40k mark so costs £520 instead

WIDTH PART of what makes the GR86 such a joy on B-roads s its compact size; relatively narrow body makes it easy to place

DRIVER POWER TOYOTA didnt hit its previous heights in this years Driver Power rankings but is still well above average for customer satisfaction OPTIONS GR86 is short on standard kit compared with the BMW but it has most necessary features

BMW 230i

£40,420/£47,915 £22,094/54 7% £18,326 £2,785/£5,569 £2,686/£4,476 33/£607/£520 £694 (3 years)

4,537/2,741mm 1,390/1,838mm 4cyl in-line/1,998cc 242/4,500 bhp/rpm 400/1,600 Nm/rpm 8-spd auto/rwd 52 litres/repair kit 390 litres 1,600kg 11 1 metres 3yrs (60,000)/2yrs 16th/15th 82/81/67/64/4 (’22)

5 9 secs/155mph 32 5/7 1/372 miles 42 8mpg 9.4mpl 151g/km/35%

Six/yes/yes/£1,250* Yes/yes/yes/yes Yes/yes £1,150/yes £595/yes Yes/no Yes/yes Yes/yes £1,250*/yes/yes

SERVICING BMW’S service package makes maintenance affordable over a typical period of ownership

Headto head

THE GR86 sports a very traditional

The

BREAKDOWN COVER BMW comes with two years of recovery as standard, beating Toyota’s package by 12 months

WIRELESS

IT S a shame that wireless charging is bundled into such an expensive package rather than being a standalone option

THE 230i gets an eight-speed auto gearbox as standard. It shifts smoothly enough in everyday driving, but when you’re pushing on, it can take a while to kick down. It’s not as responsive as the best systems of its type when you take control via the steering wheelmounted paddles, either.

TOYOTA

WE crowned the Toyota GR86 our favourite sports car of 2022 (Issue 1,759), and this contest proves exactly why The chassis is almost flawless; it’s brilliant to drive yet not difficult to live with in the slightest. It’s more than quick enough, it’s backed up by a great warranty and rarity is guaranteed Then there’s the price; all of this for under 30 grand makes it an absolute bargain.

BMW

IN most of the areas which don’t contribute to driving thrills – rear-seat space, boot capacity and infotainment tech – the BMW has a clear advantage over the Toyota. Against most competition, it would hold its own from behind the wheel, too. However, against a car so brilliant to drive, the 230i can’t quite keep up It’s also much more expensive to buy in the first place.

The Toyota’s six-speed manual adds a dimension that its BMW rival lacks The shifts are precise, and perfecting a heel-and-toe downshift feels incredibly satisfying.

pinnacle of Series machine,

coupé shape: low, sleek, and with a swooping roofline. It’s compact and fairly modest compared with many other performance cars In the silver of our test model, you could almost call it subtle.

BMW’s three-boxdesign is more of a two-door saloon than a traditional coupé It’s certainly the brawnier of this pairing, while the shape offers hints of BMW’s E30 M3

Simplicity

Whether it’s the uncovered engine bay or no-nonsense control knobs and switchgear, the Jogger turns ‘value’ into a positive choice

Dacia Jogger

CHRISTMAS may well be the time for giving, but this year (unfortunately for me) it was a time for taking, because my time with the Dacia Jogger came to an end It will be missed Our seven-seat superhero has just departed, taking with it all the versatility and practicality anyone could ever want over the festive period Not that we haven’t made the most of it over our six-month loan spell With my large family, I’ve been able to test the full range of seating combinations From collecting my new granddaughter from hospital, along with her mum and dad plus their bags and buggies, through to a post-Covid staycation in the Peak District

Moving seven adults isn’t a problem with the Jogger There is quick, easy access via the split-folding seats, which tip forward Space is a little tight sometimes, but that’s down to the size of my grandchildren’s car-seat bases, rather than the cabin volume itself In fact, the rearmost pair of seats are designed with extra head and legroom, thanks to a sculpted ceiling and foot gaps under the middle row

One thing worth mentioning is that the rear seats can be removed altogether, hence

they have no sensors indicating if seatbelts have been fastened It’s something that contributed to the Jogger’s one-star NCAP rating Being a child of the seventies, I’m used to having a dad turning and asking if we are all ‘buckled up ’ So I’m happy to just ask my kids the same question

This sums up much of what I like about the Jogger In many ways it’s no-frills, no-nonsense motoring that reminds me of the cars we had growing up There’s a fair bit of exposed metal around the vehicle and when you pop the bonnet, you can actually see soundproofing and parts of the 1 0-litre engine that move when you fire it up

Inside, much of the switchgear is also simple, with knobs to twist and buttons to press The six-speed manual gearbox is a rare treat these days, too I’m not suggesting driving a Jogger feels like returning to motoring of years gone by, despite the almost-unbelievable £17k starting price for a new car It’s more that Dacia has been clever in cherrypicking the technology that lifts the vehicle into the 21st Century

One simple example is the keyless entry The card key is flat and sits comfortably in my pocket The door clicks as you approach and locks as you depart Throw in the reversing camera, cruise control, active

Practicality

Boot (seats up/down) 160/565/1,807 litres

emergency braking system and an eight-inch infotainment system and you ’ re left wondering how they did it for the price

Other simple technology also just works The tyre-pressure monitor informed me of the need to pump up the rear passengerside rubber and the onboard displays let me know ongoing fuel-economy figures or gave me a digital speed readout

I’ve always thought that a quick way to judge a car ’ s simplicity is how easily you can adjust the time display when the clocks go back I did the Jogger’s whilst sitting at traffic lights, just using common sense and no manual I did need to consult the book to reset the tyre-pressure monitor, however

I’ve found the car quite fun about town It doesn’t feel like you are driving an estate or an SUV – more a Renault Clio in disguise But the Jogger is not in any way quick, and out on main roads it’s short on overtaking punch, especially when full of family

The economy has varied over the last three fill ups, returning 29 8, 53 0 and 41 0mpg That’s probably explained by usual urban London driving, sandwiched by a longer steady trip down to Somerset for a week of gentle, relaxed holiday driving

The overall average is 41 3mpg and I’m happy with that return; it’s not bad for a

seven-seat vehicle based in south London that’s carrying an optional spare wheel (£300), along with frequent loads of people

My new Citroen C5 X fleet car turned up a few days before the Jogger departed It was during the pre-Christmas cold snap, so I moved into the Citroen, with its heated seats and steering wheel, head-up display and auto gearbox But now that the Dacia has actually gone, I’m already missing the seven-seat versatility (and changing gear), plus its irrefutable value The C5 X has many bells and whistles, but it costs almost twice the price of the Jogger

FINALREPORT We’ll miss practical, value-for-money budget seven-seater

DarrenWilson

Darren Wilson@autoviacouk

WE LIKE There is so much to like about this car – the simple but useful tech, brilliant practicality to move Darren’s large family about Plus remarkable value for money WE DON’T Darren’s no badge snob and loves good value. But seeing Dacia’s cool new look (page 22), he thinks he’d be fed up stuck with the older branding

Family affair

OurJogger fitted right into Darren’s no-frills family lifestyle. From staycation holidays (top picture) to ferrying both teenagers and grandchildren around, it did the lot

Verdict

THE Jogger has been a fantastic car, ideally suited to my family situation It might not turn many heads on the driveway, but it’s aimed at new-car buyers interested in clever, well designed vehicles placing practicality and value over luxury The surprise is the amount of simple but decent standard tech included at the same price as many second-hand cars.

BMW iX3

FINALREPORT

Ingram Richard Ingram@autoviacouk @rsp ingram

WE’RE all looking for ways to save money at the moment, whether that’s switching off unused appliances around the house, changing the way we shop, or walking to work more often As the saying goes: look after the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves

I appreciate there’s a certain irony to what I’m saying, given that I’m writing about a £60k+ electric SUV that even on a three-year BMW Finance PCP plan costs the best part of £1,000 per month But hear me out

While delving deep into the BMW iX3’s infotainment sub-menus, I recently noticed a small blue box that showed how much energy had been returned to the battery via the excellent regenerative brakes The figure, after almost 6,000 miles, was far higher than I’d expected: 442 8kWh

That, quite understandably, might not mean much to you It didn’t mean all that much to me until I’d done the sums But 442 8kWh, divided by the iX3’s usable battery capacity (74kWh), is 5 98 In short, I’ve generated the equivalent of almost six full charges, for free – all when slowing down

Okay, I know it’s not quite as simple as that But had it not been for BMW’s fantastically adaptive and intuitive-to-use recuperation system, all of that useful energy would have been wasted I’d be staring down the barrel of a much more expensive electricity bill, that’s for sure You may think technology like this is a bit of a gimmick, but I’m absolutely convinced

Practicality

it’s the reason I’ve managed such impressive efficiency over the time I’ve had the car; 3 4mi/kWh is a number not to be sniffed at in a mid-size family SUV like this

However, I must admit that because the iX3 was returned to BMW late last year, it didn’t have to withstand the super-cold snap we had just before Christmas I suspect that such arctic temperatures would have had a detrimental effect on my final figures

The BMW is a car I’ve really enjoyed running, actually Try as we might, we just don’t gel with some of our fleet cars But while the BMW iX3 has few stand-out features – it doesn’t look as bold as the brand’s flagship iX, for example, nor does it have the 300-plus-mile range of the forthcoming Mercedes EQE SUV – there’s lots to be said for the way it simply blended into the rigours of family life

It’s been a comfortable, practical and quick car It’s got a real-world range of 240 miles (versus the official 282-mile maximum), and when the battery runs low, it’s quick to charge, too Remarkably, I even saw the iX3 hit its peak charging speed of 150kW at the excellent Shell Recharge hub in Fulham back in the summer

If it were my money, I’d seriously consider picking the slightly cheaper iX3 M Sport rather than this Pro edition, although both make the polarising iX xDrive40 (almost £10k more, like-for-like) look a bit frivolous

The entry-level iX3 still comes with three-zone climate control, 19-inch wheels and a panoramic roof; I don’t think I’d miss our car ’ s Harman Kardon stereo, head-up display or larger alloys too much

It’s not cheap, but what we got for free sealed the deal

Richard

Fleetwatch

If Peugeot is plugged in or has at least 20 per cent charge, Pete can pre-heat it via an app

Peugeot 308 Plug-In Hybrid

WHEN the wave of cold weather hit the UK at the start of December, web producer Pete Baiden took to using the MyPeugeot app to pre-heat his 308 Plug-In Hybrid each morning ahead of the school run

As long as the battery is charged to at least 20 per cent capacity (or if the vehicle is plugged in), Pete can send a command to his car, telling it to warm the cabin and defrost the windows via a click of a button on his smartphone. However, thus far he’s been unable to work out how to set the pre-conditioning to a specific temperature

Despite scouring through the app, Pete has only found a way to simply switch it ‘on’ or ‘off’, and he thinks it might work at whatever temperature was set in the car during its last use. Ultimately it did the job, though, and Pete was able to jump into a warm car each time

Despite being able to pre-heat the 308, the all-electric range has taken a further hit, with a maximum of 18 miles now showing when fully charged – less than half of Peugeot’s quoted range of 37 miles.

THE latest addition to the Auto Express fleet is this pure-electric Volvo XC40 Recharge. A singlemotor model in Recharge Plus trim, it has an official range of 262 miles and is finished in the maker’s recognisable Sage Green paint Its custodian Richard Ingram has just said goodbye to his BMW iX3 (left), but only a few days after the XC40 was delivered, Rich took it away to the Isle of Wight for a family holiday

Despite the XC40 being smaller than the BMW on paper, there was enough space in the boot, and Rich appreciated the added storage in the nose – perfect for the charging cables, plus a bag of dirty washing on the way home.

Rich is getting about 210 miles on a full charge in the cooler weather, but in keeping with his ‘Always Be Charging’ philosophy, he arranged to top up the car overnight at his rental cottage It made the return journey much less stressful.

Prepared

Charged Top-up at rental cottage made return from holiday less stressful

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Money is tight, make your screenwash go further with a free gift of CarPlan Demon Shot Screenwash Booster. Demon Shot is a new, innovative screenwash booster from CarPlan. Demon Shot can either be diluted with water or used neat to boost your existing screenwash temperature, meaning it is ideal for emergency or routine top ups. One bottle of Demon Shot makes up to 25L of Screenwash, all from a 500ml bottle!

IF you liked the Blockhead Motors treatment of Tamiya’s Wild One, then get your preorder in for the styling house’s version of the Hotshot II

For all those who feel that painting a clear shell is a step too far, the polycarbonate body is pre-cut and painted in Jun Watanabe’s Blockhead Motors blue. The brand deals in stickers and apparel plus customisations of Tamiya off-road buggies from the eighties. This return of one of the earliest buggies is the first re-release for the Hotshot II. Unlike last year’s Blockhead Wild One, this 1:10-scale kit is 4WD and features a few upgrades over the 1987 original. Apart from the sticker pack, which includes one for the 540 motor, designed by Blockhead Motors, the re-released version has a raised roll cage with a higher seating position for the driver in search of a more realistic look.

On the technical front, there are oil-filled dampers – two upright at the rear and a

What’sneededfortyreswap?

AFTER being caught out with old rear tyres and nearly illegal fronts, I plan to rotate the next set I have a trolley jack, but can you recommend a torque wrench and anything else I might need?

Jack Carpenter, E-mail

WE’VE not tested torque wrenches in a while, but those from Halfords have always performed well in the past. A half-inch-drive wrench covering around 30-100lb-ft will be the most useful for other work too An impact wrench can make the job easier and can be used on other jobs Our current pick is Draper’s brushless 99251 (above).

Do short guns hit the spot?

I’VE seen videos online of detailers using short trigger guns on their pressure washers. Are these worth investing in?

Colin Laing,

E-mail

WE’VE used but not tested these and they make a lot of car-cleaning tasks easier because they can be used one-handed They are also simpler to use in wheelarches and under the car because you are not manoeuvring a metre or so-long lance in a confined area Where they are less good is for cleaning vans and large offroaders when a long reach is handy A useful addition to your detailing kit, though

Which tyres will suit an EV?

I’VE just switched to an electric car For several years now I’ve fitted all-season tyres to my cars, but is it okay to fit them to EVs?

Paul Hill, E-mail

SEVERAL tyre makers produce models specifically for EVs, while others say their versions can be used without any problems on battery-powered vehicles This applies to standard, all-season and winter tyres. But while all-season and winter tyres may be able to cope with the demands of an EV, the car’s range will be reduced because their rolling resistance is usually greater

single transverse shock at the front with an anti-roll bar. There are double wishbones front and rear, and this edition has mattfinished metal-plated suspension parts and rims It’s due to go on sale in February

New seat range allows you to master work and play

NEWPRODUCT Boulies Master Series gaming and office chairs

Price: £279 99

Contact: bouliescouk

IF your New Year’s resolution for 2023 was to finally get a purpose-built chair for the home office that could also double up for console driving games, then the latest range from British manufacturer Boulies could help you keep it.

Using minimalist colours and finished with top-quality upholstery, the Master Series range looks like it belongs in a home office rather than a teenager’s bedroom

Buyers are able to choose from two materials: Ultraflex PU and a waterrepellent fabric. According to Boulies, the Ultraflex artificial leather is durable, soft

NEWPRODUCT

RetroClassic Clothing

Donald Campbell t-shirts

Price: from £24 Contact: retroclassicclothingcom

FANS of the only man to break land and wat speed records in the same year can mark Donald Campbell’s feat with new shirts. They feature photographs from the family’s heritage trust One shows Donald and Bluebird CN7 at Lake Eyre, Australia in July 1964, and the other is of Bluebird KN7, which set water speed records between 1955 and 1964.

The shirts are available in a range of sizes in grey, sand or white

ATTHEDOUBLE

and comfortable, plus it’s paired with microfibre suede “similar to that used in sports cars” Perforations also allow the material to breathe.

The alternative has a water-repellent coating applied to high-strength fibres, which have been dyed and finished in a special process The Ultraflex comes in red, black, blue and brown, while there are charcoal, blue and ash grey options for the water-repellent version

Underneath, there are all the options you’d expect in a high-end office chair. There’s integrated adjustable lumbar support at the twist of a knob, as well as stepless recline control, a tilt mechanism and height adjustment. The chair can rock and it features eight-way adjustable armrests, while the aluminium base runs on wooden floor-friendly 6cm castors The chairs are currently on offer at £279 99, reduced from £339 99

news, deals& events

MINI designer takes time with Cosmos

TOP automotive designer Frank Stephenson has entered the world of exclusive timepieces with Cosmos, his first watch collection. Designed with watchmakers Time Concepts, Cosmos “blends expertise in futuristic newage mobility with a passion for design excellence” and is inspired by space. The watch has a stainless steel case, an original font for the numbers and a silicone strap, while the movement is a Japanese quartz affair. It’s the first in a trilogy of watches inspired by air, sea, and land The limited-run offerings cost $250 (about £203) from szantotime.com.

Wallbox installation offered on Amazon

BUYING and installing a Wallbox home EV charger just got easier, because the brand has teamed up with Amazon, so customers can buy their device and arrange fitting on the shopping site All customers have to do is select “Include installation” when purchasing via Amazon UK, and they’ll be able to schedule a technical visit before the job is completed The price is fixed, and all Wallbox units can accept charge from an array of solar panels. We tested a Wallbox back in issue 1,752, and can vouch for its performance

Stafford plays host to mega Mini fair

IF you love Minis, head to Stafford’s Staffordshire County Showground on 29 January for Mini Fair 2023

Now in its 31st year, the show will feature a big selection of trade stands and an autojumble, ideal if you’re searching for an elusive part There’ll be displays of cars, both classic and modern, plus a concours, club stands and a section for modified versions.

Advance tickets cost £12 and can be purchased from britishminiclubcouk

DUAL-PURPOSE

Malcolm Campbell water

“The two new shirt designs feature photographs from the family’s heritage trust”

Minitest

NEW PRODUCT Ring RTC1/RK002

Price: £29 99 Size: 461 x 211 x 91mm

Rating:

Contact: ringautomotivecom

RING’S updated RTC1 no longer has the nowunnecessary breathalysers, but still contains a warning triangle, two high-vis jackets, a pair of beam converters, a universal bulb set, a small but comprehensive first aid kit and a foil blanket to keep you warm in winter or the sun off in summer. The UK sticker is regulation size too, unlike its rival

That means including a few items that are over and above the legal requirement for France, but are still sensible to have However, a bulb kit is less important on modern cars with full LED lighting

Ring looks to send its rival packing with Euro drive kit

IT finally looks as though we can all get back to driving in Europe again without the restrictions and bottlenecks that have made it so tricky over the past few years If you are heading for the ferry port or Eurotunnel terminal, then you need to make sure your documents are in order and your car is legal

If you haven’t driven abroad recently, you might need to check that you have all the kit required to keep you on the

right side of the gendarmes while on the other side of the channel The easiest, cheapest and most convenient way to ensure you are compliant with the rules is to buy a ready-made kit, which has everything you need to stay legal

Ring’s RTC1 kit was previously our Best Buy and has been updated to reflect new regulations on the continent It has also gone up in price, despite losing some content, but it still looks decent value and retains its title in this test.

TESTFAVOURITE

Family Motoring & Leisure

Driving Kit (France)

Price: £21 99 Size: 490 x 230 x 64mm

Rating:

Contact: amazoncouk

THIS kit has the minimum you need to stay legal in France, plus breathalysers, although these are no longer required in any European country We’d swap them for another hi-vis jacket, because you need one for every passenger, and only a single vest is included

The pack also lacks bulbs, which aren’t required, but are recommended by the French authorities The basic first aid kit is just about legal, but would be little use in an emergency

Still, the kit is exceptional value, even if you have to buy another high-vis vest

books, games & apps

Ferrari 1960-65: The Hallowed Years

William Huon (Evro Publishing, evropublishingcom)

Price: £75 Rating:

ONLY a brand with Ferrari’s history could devote a book of this size to just five years’ racing. Casual readers are likely to find the sheer detail a bit of an information overload, but it’s beautifully produced and loaded with great photos that alone probably make this worthwhile for a serious fan

James Taylor (Shire Library, bloomsburycom,)

Price: £8.99 Rating:

THIS introduction to coach travel in the UK is brief but engaging. Like other Shire books, it could be an interesting addition for those who want to step away from reading about stunning sports cars and fancy something a bit more utilitarian But as usual, we got to the end and wished for rather more depth.

Motor Coaches and Charabancs Bad Bridge

Available for: iOS, Android Price: Free Rating:

WE like bridge-building games – they’re fun and often require careful, logical thought This is a good example of the breed, with the ability to make proper suspension bridges as well as arches – a nice touch, as are the blocky, cute graphics The difficulty ramps up at a good rate and there’s an excellent tutorial It’s ruined, as ever, by having an advert after every single level.

Appoftheweek

MyMcDonalds

Available for: iOS, Android Price: Free Rating:

MCDONALD’Smobile app isa good one, and allows you to order for drive-through collection or ‘Click and Serve’. The app is slick, but we did encounter a few bugs And it relies on a good signal – not always available at restaurants

“The easiest way to ensure you’re compliant with the rules is to buy a ready-made kit”

Toby Knight

HEADLAMP BULBS

Adams

THE tech may date back to the sixties, but there are still enough cars with halogen bulbs to justify the continued arms race to increase light output and safety In our last H7 test, just one of the single-filament bulbs claimed a 200 per cent increase over a standard version, but now all the top players have a bulb delivering twice the required light at some point within the beam.

So which has embraced the latest technology the best? We enlisted the help of Philips’ light tunnel in Aachen, Germany, via Microsoft Teams to find out.

With the very limited number of firms capable of operating at the highest level, we also looked at a standard bulb to see how far the tech has come and the compromises needed to get that xenon white/blue look in your headlamps. We also looked at where the tech is going by assessing the latest LED replacements for the ageing halogen systems.

Howwe testedthem

EVERY bulb was put through our standard set of assessments We measured light at 50 and 75 metres ahead of our test Volkswagen Passat headlamp on low beam. The results were combined to give our figure of merit (FOM). To balance this adjustment-dependent rating, we measured the area at more than 30 lux, beam length above 3 luxand the maximum brightness We also checked the bulbs for ECE R112 beam compliance plus maximum output and geometry The results were converted to percentages to get an overall ranking We also took price into account for the first time, because there is a wide spread here, but as when we test other safety items like tyres, it played a small role overall The price quoted is for a pair and is what we paid, because the bulbs were bought to ensure we test what you can buy

Kim

OsramNight Breaker200

Price: £34 Score: 97%

Rating: Contact: osram com

Ring X 200

Price: £29 99 Score: 97%

Rating: Contact:

A STRING of th d and fourths means it’s no surprise that the Ring Xenon200 ends up just off the podium. But the margins were small and its price helped it top the Pro (below). The hotspot just below 75 metres in front of the car was wide and bright with clear cut-offs It was strongest in the FOM rating and maximum brightness assessments, but a pair of bulbs that were just a bit off the impressive consistency of some rivals kept it off the podium.

B p

Price: £35 98 Score: 96%

Rating: Contact:

RECOMMENDED THE pack claims a beam length of up to 150 metres. We didn’t see that, because we measure down to 3 lux, but it was good enough for just under 95 metres, close behind Ring and Halfords It sealed its podium place in the maximum brightness test, where it was a close second, and the beam spread, where it shared a win. Price does it no favours, but shopping around may find some deals, and it had the edge over the Ring in the light tunnel. w h

Halfords, this is the fourth of the Osram-produced quartet and, as you’d expect, it is a close match for its stablemates. It was joint third in the beam spread assessment and in our FOM It was joint second in beam length, with just a metre between the two bulbs, although the gap was bigger elsewhere. Its biggest problem is Halfords’ pricing, which favours its own-label offering and makes the RingPro the most expensive on test

Twenty daylight2

HowdoLEDs compare?

Beam Patterns

With LED bulb, beam was longer, while area over 30 lux more than doubled

YOU don’t have to search online for long for an H7 bulb before you are offered a retrofit LED version They are illegal for use in the UK because the ECE spec requires a filament bulb, but in some European countries on some cars that’s not the case In Germany 70 per cent of the car parc can use them, and half in France Other countries are in the process of accepting them.

The process is tortuous because each car needs to be tested both electronically and mechanically in order to ensure they comply with the regulations and the results approved by the various legal authorities These results could be adopted in the UK, but there is a question mark over whether the results for a left-hand-drive car are also valid for UK cars. There are, no doubt, political aspects to adopting European standards as well.

Whatever the legal problems, there’s no doubting the performance of the latest LED replacements: this Philips version claims a 350 per cent increase The rating below doesn’t factor in price, but shows its position relative to our halogen winner, which had a 100 per cent score As you can see from the diagrams at the top of the column, beam length was up to 115 metres from the GT200’s 104, while the area over 30 lux was more than doubled The FOM was almost not cheap, but th high-performanc

lux doubled twice as high too LED bulbs are their life is far longer than for the high-performance halogen alternatives.

It’s probably not a priority for the G t at the moment, b gains with the ad replacements tha

It’s not a for the Government but there are significant safety adoption of LED halogen that meet current standards

Price: £23 99 Score

Rating: Contact: autobulbsdirect

UNIQUELY here, the Twenty20 has a onewarranty, which may attract some buyers bec bulb life is cut as outputs rise It is the low placed 200 per cent bulb, but you’d only spo differences between them in a light tunnel. expect nothing less from a Tungsram-built b but it was a touch off the Osram and Phi

Score: 95% one-year because lowestspot the in We’d less bulb, Philips

Carlex Autobulb

Price: £7.90 Score: 81%

Rating: Contact: ebayco uk

THIS is the first of the bulbs we included as a comparison to the latest innovations because it is a standard-spec lamp from a high-street shop It performed above the minimum standard, but it had a yellow hue and the lack of brightness was obvious. And several measurements confirmed the 200 per cent extra performance over the required standard claimed by our front-runners

BoschPlus 150Gigalight

Price: £17 94 Score: 76%

Rating: Contact:amazon co uk

WE included this because we wanted to see how the 150 per cent bulbs compared to the performance of the latest 200 per cent bulbs Bosch may be a leader in producing headlight sets, but it doesn’t make a bulb and this version from Korea is not the best example of a 150 per cent lamp It managed to beat the standard bulb in ating, but its brightest point was less than the ts beam spread was also significantly smaller.

the FOM rating, Carlex. Its

Aceparts55W SuperWhite

Price: £9 99 Score: N/A

Rating: N/A Contact: powerbulbs com

THIS Aceparts lamp was tested to see how much you needed to compromise performance to get that blue/white gas discharge look in the headlamp And that compromise is far too much. On initial start, both bulbs smoked significantly and would likely wreck any headlamp reflector. Once fitted into the headlight, performance was woeful, with faulty geometry on one bulb Both failed to meet ECE R112 standards Avoid

Verdict

AT the second attempt, the original 200 per cent bulb takes the win for Philips, with a FOM no rival got close to. Among the Osram-produced bulbs, Halfords took the honours narrowly from the closely matched Xenon200 and Night Breaker 200

200, with the latter just getting the verdict because it performed marginally better in the light tunnel. 1. Philips RacingVision GT200

Halfords Advanced 200% Brighter

Osram Night Breaker 200

BUYINGCARS

IT may be a disappointing, below-average rating for the big-selling Corsa, but Vauxhall will at least be pleased that the latest generation of its supermini fared better when it came to owners’ ratings in our Driver Power survey than its key rival, the Ford Fiesta

The Corsa’s biggest plus points focus on its running costs – perhaps thanks to the electric version It took 15th place in the category in the 2022 survey, and was rated in 10th position for its fuel economy

But there is plenty of negative feedback, too The worst score is for the lack of child-friendly features, where it is rated in 73rd place. A 69th position for the air-conditioning and ventilation system dragged down the overall rating, as did a 63rd for boot space

MAZDA is an unusual company; while it produces cars that look distinctive, are fun to drive, reliable and very well made, it’s not the most visible brand

The firm deserves a higher profile, not least of all because it’s in that semi-premium twilight zone; it’s neither mainstream nor truly premium, much like Volkswagen But while branding is important to some, for most it’s the ownership experience that really matters, and that’s something that the Mazda 3 seems to have well covered.

We ran a Mazda 3 2 0 Skyactiv-X GT Sport for 10,000 miles and loved it, revelling in its user-friendly infotainment system, sharp handling and gearchange, plus those glorious looks More muscle from the nonturbo petrol engine would have been the icing on the cake, but you can’t have it all

History

THE fourth-generation Mazda 3 arrived in UK showrooms in May 2019 Initially there was only a five-door hatchback available, with a choice of 120bhp 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G petrol or 114bhp 1 8 Skyactiv-D diesel engines

Buyers could pick from SE-L, SE-L Lux, Sport Lux and GT Sport trim levels, while the Skyactiv-G engine was offered with a rangetopping GT Sport Tech grade A saloon quickly joined the Mazda 3 range, available only with an all-new 177bhp 2 0-litre fourcylinder petrol engine, dubbed Skyactiv-X.

As with any other petrol engine, the Skyactiv-X is fitted with spark plugs, but it has a very high compression ratio like a diesel engine, which helps to boost power and economy, factors that are helped by the adoption of mild-hybrid technology

NEED In association with

Running

Performance 0-62mph/top speed 10 4 seconds/122mph

POWERTRAINS

THE Skyactiv-D, Skyactiv-G and Skyactiv-X engines all came with a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions. In the case of the latter, it’s an old-fashioned torque-converter gearbox, rather than a dual-clutch unit, so performance and economy are both adversely affected.

BUYER’SGUIDE:Mazd

TO KNOW...

The updated Skyactiv-X 2 0 engine arrived in April 2021, rated at 183bhp and 240lb ft Economy improved by 2mpg or so.

Engines

Electrified Mild-hybrid tech will save £10 a year on VED, with the 0 17kWh battery contributing to improved fuel efficiency.

Richard Dredge

FROM£14,000 Stylish hatch and saloon are solid choices if you can live with limited practicality

Four-wheel drive

The 2 0 Skyactiv-X 180 GT Sport Tech briefly had the option of all-wheel drive This version is very rare and used prices start at £21,000.

YOURVIEW

THE fourth-generation Mazda 3 hasn’t appeared in a Driver Power new-car survey since 2020, when it came 38th out of 75 entries High spots were the steering, acceleration, handling, infotainment, fuel economy and ventilation, all of which achieved top-20 scores. Most other areas were midtable, but it was a lack of cabin space and versatility, along with poor all-round visibility, that owners disliked the most

CASESTUDY

KALHIL Jayhan from Nuneaton, Warks, owns a 2019 Skyactiv-G “It replaced a BMW 1 Series, which replaced a Golf, and it’s on a par with both in terms of build quality,” he said. “The Mazda 3 is really enjoyable to drive, with an excellent gearchange and lovely steering. The seats are supportive, there’s lots of equipment and it’s refined I just wish the engine was turbocharged for a bit more torque ”

Expert’s verdict

THE 3 is a very desirable hatchback that is a good proposition for family-car buyers From its svelte and stylish exterior to its excellent cabin, the Mazda has a premium feel that’s a match for rivals such as the Audi A3 and Mercedes A-Class

It drives extremely well, too, but its focus on dashing style means a trade-off when it comes to practicality That shapely tail hides a boot that’s smaller than rivals’, and it’s more cramped in the back seats

If the Mazda 3 fits your lifestyle, though, it’s definitely worth putting on the list

Common faults

DRIVER Power suggests there’s little to worry about, with Mazda coming fourth for reliability in our 2022 brands survey.

PRACTICALITY Rear head and legroom are tight, while the hatchback’s 351-litre boot isn’t very big The saloon’s capacity is 444 litres and can be increased by folding the back seats

DETAILS Sporty styling makes the Mazda 3 look distinctive in a crowded class. All models come with alloy wheels, ranging in size from 16 to 18 inches, depending on the trim level

“The 3 is a very desirable hatchback that is a good proposition for buyers”

ChrisRosamond Specialcontributor

Howmuch?

h?

THE diesel is very rare because it was available only for the first few weeks of production We found just six on sale, all manuals on a 69-plate, priced between £13,990 (57,265-mile GT Sport) and £18,500 (16,627-mile GT Sport) Prices for petrol models start at £14,000, for an SE-L on a 69-plate that’s covered 25,000 miles One in five 3s is an automatic and these are priced from £17,500 for a 69-plate 20,000-mile Sport Lux If you can find an SE-L auto you’ll pay around £1,500 less, but these are few and far between GT Sport and Sport Lux are the most popular trims, accounting for more than half of the cars available.

also

Runningcosts

1

2 0Skyactiv-G 122 15-17 44-51mpg 117-138g/km £155 (Asabove -auto) 15-17 42-47mpg 126-147g/km £155

2 0Skyactiv-X180 21-23 48-56mpg 100-131g/km £155 (Asabove -auto) 21-23 44-47mpg 119-142g/km £155 Skyactiv-X180AWD 23 45mpg 109-142g/km £155 (Asabove -auto) 23 40mpg 125-157g/km £155

ALL Mazda 3s need to be serviced every 12 months or 12,500 miles. For petrol cars, check-ups one, five and seven cost £207 (£225 for diesel), while services two, four, eight and 10 are pegged at £321 (£351 for diesel) You’ll pay £250 for services three and nine (£337 for diesel), but the sixth inspection costs the most because of the extra parts needed This will set you back £364 for petrol editions and £451 for diesel models

Prices include replacement brake fluid every other service, while the c l d b f h d after 10 years or 12 every five years or 6 engines are fitted w chain, so there’s no to replace. The stan warranty is three ye or 60,000 miles, bu this can be extende at extra cost.

STYLING While the swooping design makes the Mazda 3 look great, it does impact on rear-seat and luggage space

INFOTAINMENT Mazda’s 8 8-inch display is sharp and has modern-looking graphics. It isn’t a touchscreen, though, and is operated by a dial

Interior

THE Mazda 3’s cabin is one of the best in the business, and is a highlight

The dashboard is very intelligently designed, so it’s user-friendly and visually appealing. The seats are comfy (even those in the back), and there are plenty of high-quality materials, with

Which one?

WHILE we wouldn’t steer you away from the diesels, they’re so rare that you’ll almost certainly buy a petrol-engined Mazda 3. The Skyactiv-X engine is usefully more perky than the Skyactiv-G, but also more costly to purchase; it’s the pick of the bunch, though

Equipment levels are generous, with the entry-level SE-L having 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, power-folding door mirrors, automatic headlights and wipers, rear parking sensors, navigation and an 8.8-inch infotainment display. The SE-L Lux adds front parking sensors, a reversing camera, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats and keyless go

Sport Lux comes with 18-inch alloys, adaptive LED headlights and privacy glass, while the GT Sport has leather trim, a BOSE hi-fi and a heated steering wheel GT Sport Tech adds a suite of driver-assistance systems, including all-around view

Alternatives

ONE of the best small family hatchbacks is the Ford Focus, with its ready availability, excellent practicality and good value, plus it’s also good fun to drive The Volkswagen

ROTARY

impressive build quality throughout. But all-round visibility is poor and so is room in the hatchback’s rear seats. Boot space isn’t very big, either, at just 351 litres, or 1,026 with the back seats folded, which also affects the car’s overall usability. The saloon’s load bay is pegged at 444 litres, but the back seats do fold for added practicality.

Partwatch

Recalls

THE fourth-generation Mazda 3 has been recalled five times. There was a flurry of activity early on, with four actions launched within five months of the 3’s arrival

Two were issued in July 2019; the first for 2,252 cars built up to May 2019 because of faulty engine software, the other because 568 cars built up to March 2019 had faulty airbag and seatbelt warning lights In September 2019, 125 3s made up to March 2019 were recalled because the rear-view mirror could fall apart

The fourth recall came in October 2019, because of engine software glitches This affected 453 cars made between June and October 2019 The most recent action came in January 2020 and involved 3,047 Mazda 3s built up to September 2019. Once again the problem was faulty engine software that required an update.

Golf impresses for its high-quality cabin, wide range of powertrain options and cutting-edge safety technology

The SEAT Leon plus the Skoda Scala and Octavia are related to the Golf and share many of its attributes, although the Octavia is a big car in comparison If space is a key issue, the Honda Civic might suit, with its roomy cabin and spacious boot, while the Vauxhall Astra, Kia Ceed, Peugeot 308, Hyundai i30 and Toyota Corolla are a better match for the Mazda 3 in terms of size

Plusher alternatives to the Mazda include the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class; they’re all worth a closer look

Verdict

IF you’re in the market for a family hatchback, and ultimate practicality isn’t a high priority, the Mazda 3 should be on your shortlist. It’s easy to live with, fun to drive and it draws admiring glances.

When we pitted a Mazda 3 against a Hyundai i30, the Mazda was victorious The

result was the same when we put a Mazda 3 up against a MINI Clubman, with the 3 winning thanks to its lower running costs and impressively designed dashboard

The Mazda won’t hold much appeal if you regularly transport tall people in the back seats, but if this isn’t important to you, start looking for the best 3 that you can find

Websites

Official mazda.co.uk Forums mazda3forums co.uk mazda3forums.com mazda3clubcom mazda3revolution.com

Infotainment is controlled by a dial that is located behind the gearstick We found it easy to use on the move

THE three highly desirable family cars going head to head here represented ‘peak SUV’ in 2019 The recently relaunched Peugeot 3008 offered a stunning follow-up to its stodgy predecessor and was storming out of showrooms, while the Skoda Karoq’s combination of grown-up style, superb build quality, an excellent drive and peerless

practicality made the Czech machine’s appeal just as popular with buyers.

Taking them on was a newly facelifted Renault Kadjar, which may have lacked a little in design sophistication and highquality feel, but was cheaper to buy, while giving little away in terms of practicality, spec or driving appeal When we tested this

trio as new cars, the Karoq clinched the win, but how do the three showroom rivals fare when lined up on the used-car forecourts? We’ve renewed our acquaintance by dipping into the classifieds, and taken a view on how the Peugeot, Skoda and Renault stack up as used-car purchases There can only be one winner, right? Well, maybe not

THE Skoda Karoq is a tough nut to crack for any would-be rival, and although its two French contenders ran it close in our 2019 test, they couldn’t beat it Its mix of practicality, great driving manners, strong value and low running costs made the Skoda a clear winner It has the biggest and most powerful engine, at 1 5 litres and 148bhp, but it equalled the Renault Kadjar for economy. The Karoq also benefits from sharing much of its out-of-sight engineering with the Volkswagen Golf and other VW Group stablemates

The SE L specification includes an eight-inch touchscreen with sat-nav, plus parking sensors and a reversing camera, heated seats, adaptive cruise control, keyless go and LED headlights Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity also feature in a list of standard kit that gives nothing away to its rivals That extra engine power is noticeable on the road, as is the slick and light gearchange compared with the French duo’s rubbery action The best suspension set-up, crisp steering and great handling combine with a peerless practicality package that has up to 588 litres of boot space and the most rear leg and headroom

SkodaKaroq

The Skoda and Renault share first place, but the Karoq is the better car. It’s nicer to drive and ultimately more practical, but it’s going to cost you more to buy one

Sliding rear bench can be used to prioritise space for passengers or luggage, depending on what is required

Value-for-money French model ties with its Czech rival, and is a good option

AS a facelift of a car introduced in 2015, this newfor-2019 update had its work cut out against its fresher rivals in 2019 Our test focused on the bigselling S Edition, which had plenty of kit, including artificial leather interior, keyless go, climate control, cruise control, LED headlamps, all-round parking sensors and a reversing camera

The interior wasn’t as plush or well built as the Peugeot’s and Skoda’s respectively, even when new, but the Kadjar’s cabin is still appealing Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are included, too Things get even better when you start to drive, with the well honed chassis providing a better balance of control and compliance than the Peugeot’s, and its composed yet comfortable road manners running the Skoda close

The 2019 car featured a new 1 3-litre petrol engine, which is powerful but more refined than its rivals’, especially at lower and cruising speeds But it’s not keen on being overworked, with a focus on mid-range punch Sadly, the Kadjar is less competitive when it comes to practicality. It’s got the smallest boot, at 472 litres, but the rear cabin feels airier than the 3008’s

1st RenaultKadjar

IT was cheaper than the Skoda when new, but depreciation widens the gap and the Kadjar looks even better value as a used car, so it shares first place with the Karoq

Boot space is the smallest of this trio, at 472 litres, but there is lots of space in the back seats for passengers

THE Peugeot differs from both its rivals by running a three-cylinder 1 2 engine instead of a traditional four-cylinder It was the least powerful when we tested the trio as new cars, but a lighter build and a decent torque figure mean the Peugeot is not meaningfully disadvantaged on the road

The 3008’s interior remains a big draw, and the second-generation i-Cockpit dash features twin screens for a pleasingly hi-tech feel The Allure’s strong specification includes sat-nav, climate and cruise control, as well as a reversing camera, plus Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.

Once behind the small steering wheel, you’ll find the 3008 makes a comfortable family cruiser But while it copes well with small imperfections, it’s a bit crashier than its rivals over large potholes There’s also a bit more body lean in corners, and overall it’s not as nice to drive as the Skoda

3rd

Verdict USED DEAL PEUGEOT 3008 1.2 PureTech Allure, 2017, 43,333 miles PRICE £15,282 THE Peugeot was the most expensive car here when we tested these rivals new, but it and the Renault have dropped a lot more value than the Skoda Prices now start at just under £15,000 for a sub-50k-mile 3008. buyacar.co.uk/peugeot/3008 FROM £14,995 1.2 PureTech Allure, 2017, 48k miles FOR Very engaging interior design, and it’s plush. It’s also very practical for families AGAINST Soft ride means the Peugeot is less fun to drive. Interior quality feel doesn’t quite match the Skoda.

IT may have the looks of a champion, but the Peugeot 3008 can’t match the all-round appeal of the Karoq, or the excellent used value of the Kadjar, so it takes third place

Good-looking

model

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 (0-100km/h), 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

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, the first 12 months’ of emissions-based road tax, number plates and first registration

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

VEHICLES BELOW £40,000

Electric vehicle: £0 Alternative fuel: £155

Petrol/diesel: £165

A ternative fuels include hybrids, plug-in hybr ds bi-ethanol 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 lower rates

Pick-up trucks: The models l sted 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

IN case you hadn’t noticed, it’s already 2023, which means we ’ re now only seven years away from the most significant and controversial deadline in motoring history. Yup, 2030 is when the UK Government bans the sale of new petrol and diesel cars. Yikes! So if you haven’t already started to clue yourself up on the sort of electric vehicle life you’ll ‘inevitably’ (or maybe not) be forced to soon buy into, now might be a good time to begin

I drove my first pure-EV (a Vauxhall/Bedford van) in 1982, my last one (the strangely appealing Volkswagen ID. Buzz) in December 2022. During the four-decade gap in between, I’ve driven hundreds of other EVs So I know what it’s like to live with them day to day.

Broadly, the vehicles and driving experiences they provide, I absolutely love. What I hate is the unpredictable public-refuelling bit The electricity that powers EVs is just another fuel – and it’s often sold to us by the usual-suspect energy giants, via their less-than-inviting chargepoints Yuck!

Too often they’re faulty or dead Honestly, the three in a row out-of-order BP Pulse chargers I recently encountered provided me with one of the most stressful nights of my motoring life I find that Shell Recharge and Pod Point provide better facilities. But really, if you don’t have a personal charger on the wall at home, think very carefully about acquiring an EV.

Rutherford Mike

Arriving at a badly lit, desperately needed public chargepoint only to discover it’s busy or not working is motoring hell. Queuing for ages to access such points can be soul-destroying Charging up en route for an hour or so still eats up tons of time and destroys door-to-door journey times.

Prohibitively high retail prices for EVs in the UK are another obvious problem Last time I looked, only the basic MINI Electric, MG4 and Nissan Leaf came in at less than £30,000 Meanwhile, in mainland Europe, the passenger and cargo versions of the Dacia Spring EVs cost less than those models. Why aren’t they in UK showrooms?

And if you ’ re a healthily cynical EV fan like me, lop nearly a third off the claimed EV ranges that makers quote So consider a model with, say, a 300-mile official range to be capable of nearer 200 miles in normal conditions That could be around 150 miles in sub-zero temperatures On-board heating/ventilation systems sap the life out of EVs, so it hugely helps to pre-heat and de-mist interiors before setting off But once on the road, taking the jacket off and cranking the heating up is a range-destroying no-no That’s why I carry an essential personalised winter driving kit when on the road in EVs from December to March It comprises non-slip driving gloves, thick thermal socks and/ or super-warm but thin-soled (so you can safely feel the pedals) boots, an insulated travel mug plus a flask for hot drinks, and a sleeping bag – just in case I’m again trapped on a snow-ravaged motorway or forced to spend half the night in an EV plugged into a very slow charger If you think I’m joking, you haven’t experienced the dubious joys of using public charging points while aboard a 100 per cent-EV. Will things ever change?

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Motoring’s most outspoken and opinionated columnist sounds off