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BMW’s M2 will put a smile on every petrolhead’s face

TAKE a look at this week’s front cover and see if you can notice something a little unusual I can’t remember when we last had a front cover without an all electric car on there! Sure, we ’ ve got hybrids, but nothing that’s pure electric

Clientsalesmanager: Pierre Clements Accountmanagers: Demi Meredith, MilesTaylor Commercialpublisher:Sarah Perks Senior operationsmanager: Kerry Lambird Senior production manager: DanStark Digitalbrand

Subscriptionsmarketing

Amrit Baidwan

Holly

That will come as a relief to some and we know there are plenty of petrolheads who just aren’t turned on by electric cars The inexorable march of electrification continues, but cars like the new BMW M2 (above) show that manufacturers haven’t stopped developing petrol engines just yet and the M2 looks like it’s going to be another incredible M car

Autovia Limited

When it comes to managing the gentle switch from petrol (and diesel yes, still) to electric, there are two car makers who are doing it best: BMW and Porsche They’re not forgetting their existing fans and customer base, yet the electric and electrified models they’re producing are some of the best out there The reason: they’re still core to what both brands do best producing excellent driver’s cars that are increasingly easy to live with You’ve only got to look at the similarities in the dynamic specifications of the latest batch of electric cars from these brands the chassis tech often crosses powertrains

You might argue that both companies’ styling teams have seen better days, but when it comes to producing something that thrills you whatever journey you ’ re on, BMW and Porsche seem to have got it down to a T Toyota, too, is a company that has a renewed focus on driver appeal, and maybe working with BMW on the Z4/ Supra siblings has paid off for the Japanese brand Word is that the next C HR won’t be going all electric, but will be sticking with a hybrid powertrain for now, too

Suddenly, 2030 and the planned ban on purely petrol or diesel cars doesn’t seem quite so close There’s still just about room for another cycle of petrol products with seven or eight year lifespans let’s make the most of them

STEVE FOWLER Editor in-chief

steve fowler@autovia.co.uk

@stevefowler

TOPSTORY

Visit autoexpress.co.uk for your daily news updates

● Second generation of style-focused Toyota due to arrive next year ● EV version could join the petrol and hybrid models in new line-up

John McIlroy John McIlroy@autoviacouk @johnmcilroy

TOYOTA is pushing ahead with its range of bZ fully electric vehicles, but the firm is also preparing to extend the life of one of its most popular combustion engined models when a fresh generation of C HR arrives in the second half of next year.

Designed and engineered in Europe, the style focused SUV crossover has been a smash hit with customers worldwide since it was introduced in 2016 And even with Toyota targeting 3.5 million global sales of electric vehicles annually by 2030, there’s still plenty of space in its portfolio for cars featuring combustion power

One of the current C HR’s biggest selling points has been its polarising styling, with complex surfacing and a narrow glasshouse, particularly at its ‘pinched’ rear end

Our exclusive images based on leaked patent images from Australia that Toyota sources won’t comment on show that the firm is building on the original look, with lots of creases along the car’s flanks and, most noticeably, a contrast colour C pillar section that follows the styling of the Aygo X city car

The front takes cues from many of the concepts revealed at Toyota’s EV showcase at the end of 2021, while the dramatic roof profile looks similar to the current car’s a sign that Toyota isn’t targeting huge gains in practicality, even in the relatively cramped rear cabin The firm has the Corolla Cross and RAV4 to cater for customers after a more traditional SUV, so it doesn’t need to take the C HR in that direction. If anything, its wheelbase looks slightly reduced compared with the current car’s, so it could be that Toyota is going to make the new C HR more of a coupé sibling to the Yaris Cross

There remains scope for a more radical plan, though Late last year Toyota sources confirmed a new platform, called E3, that will mix elements from the combustion engined and electric only versions of its TNGA architecture The C HR has already been highlighted as a likely candidate for the new underpinnings, which are designed to give Toyota the flexibility to offer hybrid, plug in hybrid and pure electric versions of single models, as well as making them on the same production lines

The timings would be tight most sources suggest E3 won’t come on stream until the middle of the decade but Toyota could conceivably use it to offer a new C HR with various levels of electrified powertrain, and an all electric version of the same model that could carry the bZ (Beyond Zero) badge

Even if the Mk2 C HR sticks with its current TNGA platform, expect major revisions in the combustion engined powertrains as the engineers bring the model up to the latest iterations of hardware and software The existing C HR uses the fourth generation of Toyota’s hybrid powertrain, which has been

superseded in Japanese market models and the recently updated Corolla

But a further evolution of this latest set up could well be available for the C HR, after making a likely debut in the spring in a new Prius That purely eco focused model remains a halo vehicle for Toyota’s hybrid efforts, so it’s a natural launchpad for a fresh generation of systems. Expect a focus on making the complex transmission of the C HR feel more natural, and increasing the amount of time spent running on pure electric, particularly around town

The more compact systems and a more energy dense lithium ion battery may even allow Toyota to offer the C HR as a plug in, utilising software and some hardware from the RAV4, but steering clear of that car’s sports car esque power and performance

The patent images show flaps on both of the rear wings, suggesting a fuel filler and a plug socket. But even if a C HR PHEV does get an additional electric motor on its back axle, like the RAV4, it is likely to be of a more modest output, tailored to maximise the pure electric range that’s crucial for tax regulations around the world

Toyota may have accelerated its EV plans, but its approach to zero emissions vehicles remains more multi faceted and transitional. Toyota’s boss Akio Toyoda told dealers in the US last week that shifting higher volumes of hybrids could, for the time being, be a more effective way of reducing CO2 emissions than limited numbers of expensive EVs “Toyota can produce eight 40 mile plug in hybrids for every one 320 mile battery electric vehicle,” Toyoda said, “and save up to eight times the carbon emitted into the atmosphere ”

SCOOPAll-ne

REVEALED Toyota working on second generation of its

EXCLUSIVE IMAGES

EYE CATCHING

Our exclusive image previews how the new C-HR could look It remains true to the original car’s distinctive outline, with a contrasting C-pillar section that takes its lead from the recently launched Aygo X city car

“The front takes cues from many of the concepts revealed at Toyota’s EV showcase at the end of 2021”

coming

popular crossover with combustion, plug-in and possibly electric power

DESIGN

These leaked black and white patent pictures suggest what the Mk2 C-HR will look like. Toyota has refused to comment on them, however A Mk1 C-HR is pictured above right

CABIN

Dash is dominated by curved display that blends a 12 9-inch instrument display with a 14 9-inch infotainment screen

DESIGN

New M2 is longer and lower than the previous version, while the blistered wheelarches add to the car’s sporty look

M division turns up the wic

John McIlroy John McIlroy@autoviacouk @johnmcilroy

BMW’S M division recently announced its first plug in hybrid model, the controversial 2.7 tonne XM SUV. But the renowned performance experts haven’t given up on pure driver’s cars just yet and they’re throwing everything at what could be their defining small coupé, the new M2.

The fastest version of the new 2 Series Coupé is arguably one of the main reasons why it was kept on BMW’s rear drive CLAR platform, in contrast with sibling models such as the 1 Series that use fundamentally front wheel drive components The M2 has grown in any case; it’s now 4,575mm long, just over 11cm up on the previous M2, but also 16mm wider and 11mm lower.

The appearance is in keeping with the previous M2’s aggressive stance, thanks to heavily blistered wheelarches that reflect increases in track width of 49mm at the

front and 18mm at the rear compared with the standard 2 Series Coupé, matching, BMW says, the figures of the larger M4 Coupé.

The front features a widened double kidney grille, but it’s dominated by a series of huge air intakes in the lower bumper

The centre section of the front splitter is finished in black, creating the visual impression of a gap between the outmost scallops in the body coloured bumper

At the rear there’s a quad tailpipe layout, sharp surfacing on the lower bumper with

“The performance experts are throwing everything at what could be their defining small coupé, the new M2”

● Retuned M3 engine produces 453bhp for 4.2-second 0-62mph

k for hot new M2

vertical light inserts, a small spoiler integrated into the edge of the bootlid, and a deep looking diffuser finishing things off

Under the bonnet is a version of the same turbocharged 3 0 litre six cylinder petrol engine used in the current M3. In the M2 it has been retuned to produce 453bhp less than the larger car, but 9bhp more than even the more extreme CS version of the previous M2 and 550Nm of torque. That’s enough, BMW says, for a 0 62mph time of 4 2 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph

These figures will vary depending on precise specs, however, because buyers can sacrifice a few tenths of a second on the acceleration time to have a six speed manual gearbox instead of the standard eight speed automatic And an optional M Driver’s package can unlock a higher top speed of 177mph. Additionally, more potent versions of the car are likely to be already in the pipeline (see Opinion, right)

The M2’s chassis features additional torsional bracing, an M active differential,

adaptive suspension and 10 levels of traction control adjustability. The various drive modes available include a track setting that allows all driver assistance to be deactivated

The car sits on lightweight 19 inch alloy wheels at the front, with 20 inch items at the rear, and true to form for M Division, the weight distribution is 50:50

All models will come equipped with M front seats with electric adjustment and heating, a curved widescreen display that mixes a 12 9 inch instrument panel with a 14 9 inch infotainment touchscreen, a Harman Kardon audio system and a carbon fibre roof, along with adaptive LED headlights

Options will include the aforementioned M Driver’s package but also track focused tyres, M carbon seats that save more than 10kg over the regular items, and different interior flourishes in either aluminium or carbon fibre

Deliveries to customers in the UK will start in May 2023, but the car is available to order now, priced from £61,495.

Steve Sutcliffe Special contributor

AS Bachman Turner Overdrive once sang, ‘you ain’t seen nothing yet’ when it comes to the BMW M2. Because while the version seen here looks tasty enough, the variants that will follow it soon afterwards will go well beyond this. When BMW attaches the CSL badge to the boot and possibly a CS too these outputs will swell considerably

Rumour has it that the M Division is going to throw not just the kitchen sink but also the cooker, the cupboards and most of their contents at the more fruity versions of the M2 when they appear next year They want the petrol propelled M car to go out with a serious bang.

So expect the M2 CSL to have at least as much power as the current 503bhp M3 (below) Thus equipped, this could make it one of the fastest accelerating M cars of all time. Plus, of course, it will weigh less than the standard M2 and feature track focused tyres, suspension and brakes, and will no doubt be able to out run a helicopter around the Nürburgring in Germany. Should be quite a car.

More electrification and tec

AlastairCrooks

Alastair Crooks@autoviacouk

@AllieCrooks

THE Mercedes A Class was Britain’s fourth best selling car in 2021, but has dropped out of the top 10 so far this year So the brand is giving the hatchback and saloon plenty of tweaks, inside and out, in a bid to freshen it up and boost sales

The exterior changes are modest, even by mid life facelift standards The front bumper gets a new lower grille opening and the main grille has been reshaped, while the bonnet gains two bulges for some added aggression There is a new selection of alloy wheels up to 19 inches in size, plus a new diffuser and rear brake light unit

Inside, the current car’s pairing of a seven inch instrument panel and a 10 25 inch infotainment display remains as does the option of stretching the first of those set ups to 10 25 inches However, the car also gets the latest generation of Mercedes’ MBUX software.

Extra equipment, such as an additional USB C port and a fingerprint sensor, is now available and, as you’d expect, there’s smartphone compatibility with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto The MBUX upgrade also means the voice assistance is “even more capable of dialogue and learning”, Mercedes claims.

While there’s a boost in the car’s safety technology, the biggest shift comes in its powertrains Every petrol engine is now electrified with hybrid tech plus either a seven or eight speed automatic gearbox. The mild hybrid system includes a 48V motor, which Mercedes says “supports agility when starting off with an extra 13bhp” Kicking off

the A Class range is the A 180 that produces 134bhp and 230Nm of torque from its mild hybrid 1.3 litre four cylinder petrol engine. Next up is the A 200, which uses the same unit but tuned to 161bhp and 270Nm of torque This version can crack 0 62mph in 8.2 seconds and go on to 140mph.

Above those there’s the A 220 with Mercedes’ 4MATIC four wheel drive It uses a 2 0 litre four cylinder engine with 188bhp and 300Nm of torque. The 221bhp A 250, meanwhile, goes from 0 62mph in 6 3 seconds and has a 155mph top speed

There are three diesels: the A 180 d with 114bhp and the more potent A 200 d (148bhp) and A 220 d (188bhp) versions.

The petrol based plug in hybrid A 250 e now has more power (up to 161bhp) and the hatchback can manage 50 miles of pure electric running, with the saloon offering a range of 51 miles This model’s charging has been upgraded, too, from 7 4kW to 11kW, although this three phase setting won’t be of much use to most UK customers.

Mercedes has also treated the B Class small MPV (right) to the same power and styling upgrades However, while it uses the same petrol and PHEV powertrains, the diesel engines have been dropped

Prices for both models will be revealed in the coming months, but we expect a small increase on the current cars’ starting figures.

TECH

There’s a boost in kit and software

B Class (below) gets

styling

engine

F-Type signs off with 75 flagship

JAGUAR is preparing to go fully electric, so its F Type sports car has a little over a year left to run The British firm has now released its final update for the car, rolled into a new flagship version that has been called F Type 75.

Designed as an homage to 75 years of sports car production, the F Type 75 and F Type R 75 stick with their existing V8 engines, producing 444bhp and 567bhp respectively. But both the coupé and convertible models get unique exterior styling tweaks, including a Giola Green paint job, different alloy wheels and subtle badging on the front wings.

The new editions replace the V8 and V8 R in the line up, which will also still include the four cylinder F Type The rear drive V8 75 coupé will cost £78,330, while the four wheel drive F Type R 75 is £102,870 in coupé form. Expect a premium of around £5,500 for the convertibles.

CURTAIN CALL

THE rollout of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) was based on false data, the Department for Transport (DfT) has admitted. The schemes which intended to boost walking and cycling, and were backed by £225million of Government funding were justified by a DfT report entitled Minor Road Traffic Estimates.

The report suggested traffic on minor London roads had increased by 60 per cent between 2009 and 2019, and by as much as 72 per cent on the capital’s smallest roads. But the DfT has now conducted a technical review of the report, which has revealed no increase in traffic

Across Britain, meanwhile, miles driven on minor roads increased by just 10 per cent over 10 years, rather than by

Special editions mark the end of the road for V8-powered F Type coupé and convertible

● Petrol engines now electrified

Extra range for plug-in hybrid

“Every petrol engine now has hybrid tech, with either a seven or eight-speed automatic gearbox”

ch in A-Class revamp

inbrief

SUBTLE

A new grille and bonnet bulges have been added, but the biggest changes come under the skin

AMG A-Class hot hatches treated to a makeover, too

MERCEDES’ high performance

A Class variants are also getting a makeover, with one of the AMG editions receiving a hybrid boost.

The brand has played it safe on styling, introducing new headlights, a redesigned AMG specific ‘Panamericana’ grille and a fresh bonnet badge. There are new bonnet power bulges, tail lights and a lip spoiler Inside, the AMG hot hatch gets an AMG Performance steering wheel and sage grey seats.

Under the bonnet, the A 35 now gets a new version of the old car’s 2.0 litre, four cylinder turbo engine with hybrid power. Mercedes says the 48V supply adds an extra 13bhp on start up, but total power figures remain at 301bhp and 400Nm of torque.

The performance numbers are also unchanged; 0 62mph takes 4.8 seconds in the saloon, and

4.7 seconds in the hatchback.

Top speed is limited to 155mph.

The A 45 does without any hybrid tweaks, additional power or performance, but it does get a new AMG StreetStyle Edition. This limited run car is finished in Grey Magno matte paint with orange accents. The Aerodynamics Package is included, adding rear spoiler and front bumper winglets Inside, it has black Performance seats stitched in orange and with embroidered

A 45 S logos on the headrests

Prices haven’t been announced for either model yet, but it’s likely that the A 35 will increase from its current starting price of £43,440 when it goes on sale

The A 45 saw its list price rise to £60,628 earlier this year, so we’ll see if the facelift brings another price hike when it’s launched in the coming months.

Last hurrah for Ford’s Le Mans supercar

THE Ford GT supercar is to end production soon and it will sign off with a limited run LM Edition (above)

Just 20 examples will be built, each featuring silver carbon fibre bodyworkand a choice of red or blue colour schemes, as a tribute to Ford’s class winning entries in the 2016 Le Mans 24 Hours. The model also features a titanium exhaust and a badge made from the ground down crankshaft of one of the 2016 racers

Speeders top the UK’s penalty points table

SPEEDING is the most common offence for which UK drivers have points on their licence, according to DVLA data acquired by Confused.com. Some 2.2 million drivers currently have points for this, and that’s just on local roads motorway and goods vehicle speeding are separate offences

Driving while uninsured is another big reason for penalty points, as are failure to give information about a driver’s identity and failure to obey traffic lights

Electrified boost for Peugeot’s SUV duo

PEUGEOT is introducing a fresh hybrid powertrain on its 3008 and 5008 SUVs (below) The new set up combines a PureTech petrol engine with an electrified dual clutch gearbox.

the 26 per cent suggested by the report. Craig Mackinlay, MP for South Thanet in Kent, told The Telegraph the schemes were based on “false data”. He added: “They need to be unwound as quickly as possible, because if our towns aren’t moving, they’re not working.”

A January 2021 investigation by Auto Express (above) revealed LTN issues, including wasted money, more pollution, delayed emergency vehicles and divided communities.

LIMITED AMG Street Style Edition gets grey paint and orange highlights

The 48V system is capable of travelling at low speeds for more than half a mile without firing up the engine, and Peugeot claims the system delivers not only improved torque, but also efficiency gains of as much as 15 per cent The system will go on sale in the first half of 2023.

Seven heaven for electric S

● We’re behind the wheel of Skoda’s Vision 7S SUV concept

● Hints at future seven-seat electric model due in 2024

Richard Ingram Richard Ingram@autoviacouk @rsp ingram

THERE are very few secrets at Skoda

New or updated versions of the Octavia, Kodiaq and Superb have been confirmed, and the company has publicly committed to launching three new electric cars by 2026: a small car, a sub Enyaq compact SUV, and a production version of this the Vision 7S

Designed to preview a zero emission, seven seat flagship, the 7S will take Skoda’s family friendly SUVs into new territory The concept was revealed in August, but now we’ve been given a chance to drive it, and speak to the people behind it

As always, an opportunity like this isn’t about driving impressions; the car, despite appearances, can only do about 15mph and it absolutely can’t get wet Thankfully, the unusually mild autumn weather is on our side, allowing us a few laps around a deserted Peterborough car park.

The electronic power steering is twitchy and the brakes feel wooden The one off panels and interior trim creak as we hit bumps in the tarmac, too quite unlike the quiet and refined Enyaq iV we’re told now commands a six month waiting list

The overwhelming feeling sitting inside the Vision 7S is one of space. Beneath the bodywork sits the same MEB platform that underpins the Enyaq But the 7S is bigger; it measures 5,016mm long, with a 3,075mm wheelbase. It’s likely to be the last VW Group car to sit on this architecture.

Visibility is good there’s acres of glass on all four sides, with only the high beltline and chunky headrests limiting your view

Essentials

SkodaVision7S

Price: N/A

Powertrain: 89kWh battery, single e motor Power/torque: TBC

Transmission: Single speed automatic, rear wheel drive

0 62mph: TBC

Top speed: TBC

Range: 370+ miles

Charging: 200kW, 10 80% 30mins (est)

ONSALE Late 2024

out The 7S’s dashboard is dominated by a huge 14 6 inch portrait touchscreen, and at the flick of a switch it can rotate through 90 degrees perfect for watching films while you wait for the car to charge That display is a party piece, but one unlikely to make production as Skoda’s Senior Designer for User Interface, Daniel Hajek, tells us: “It’s a hi tech feature, but if you want something reliable, maybe not But we want to keep the vertical layout and the ergonomics ”

Skoda is calling its concept a seven seater, but in reality it’s more of a 6+1, with the middle seat in the second row little more than a rear facing child seat In short, it’s a bit of fun, and something lead designer Franck Le Gall ultimately accepts: “It’s not for production, it’s only for the concept It will be a normal three row SUV Also the suicide doors are just for the story.”

With the production ready 7S a couple of years off, it’s impossible to pin down prices at this time But using the Enyaq iV as a guide, a starting figure of £50,000 is likely.

Verdict

WE love Skodas for their family friendly usability, and we’ve no doubt the Vision 7S will wrap up all that’s great about models like the Kodiaq in a practical, pure EV body Just give us seven proper seats for the production car, please.

Rewards for topping up Citroens

Citroen’s plug-in line-up extends from the Ami city car all the way up to vans

CITROEN is planning to reward owners of its plug in hybrids for recharging as often as possible and improving their car’s efficiency.

Drivers of C5 Aircross and C5 X PHEVs will receive a notification in their infotainment system if their vehicle hasn’t been plugged in for five days or after 10 trips

Citroen also says that from next year, full recharges will be logged and rewarded with

points that can be exchanged for public charging or train tickets

The scheme is part of the Citizen Services programme, which aims to improve customer experience and environmental responsibility. It also includes the loan of an ICE vehicle for EV owners to use on a longer journey It’s expected to be offered across Europe in 2023.

Grant change won’t benefit new buyers

THE plug in car grant has been temporarily extended, but not in a way that allows new car buyers to take advantage of it.

The extension covers all grants logged on the system between 14 June 2021 and 31 March 2023

The Department for Transport (DfT) added that it would continue to work with the automotive industry to monitor supply chain issues

But the DfT emphasised that the extension does not relate to the consumer window for applying, merely the time the industry has for fulfilling orders previously made when the scheme was active prior to June 2022, when it was axed.

Q&A

Skoda SUV news inbrief

LE GALL

Nissan on top in September

Lead

Special edition marks 10 years of the RS Q3

AUDI is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its rapid small SUV with a new version called RS Q3 edition 10 years (above) It will make 555 examples of the car, each with the usual 394bhp/480Nm five cylinder turbocharged engine but with exclusive styling, Chronos grey paint, 21 inch wheels and RS bucket seats.

The new model is being offered to European buyers in regular and coupé Sportback bodystyles, but there are no plans to sell either in the UK.

PAGE 26: Audi RS 4 Competition driven

Rexton range topped off with £45k flagship

SSANGYONG has added a new flagship model to its Rexton SUV range. The Ultimate Plus edition of the seven seat 4x4 comes with 20 inch alloy wheels, auto dipping mirrors and a sunroof as standard, along with metallic paint, quilted Nappa leather, air con in the third row of seats, and wireless smartphone charging

The Ultimate Plus edition is available to order now, priced from £45,495.

Hotel Hyundai opens up

FIRST PLACE

Nissan Qashqai was UK’s biggest selling new car last month

THE Nissan Qashqai bounced back to the top of the UK’s new car sales charts in September but the overall market failed to bounce back with only a small year on year increase in sales.

The British built SUV was the top seller in a market that rose 4 6 per cent overall compared with a year ago although it was still down more than 34 per cent on pre Covid levels for

what would typically be the second busiest month of the year for new car registrations

Plug in hybrid registrations fell by 11.5 per cent, but rising EV share meant that more than one in five new cars that joined the UK’s roads in September 2022 had a plug Some 249,575 plug in cars have been registered in 2022.

PAGE 24: Nissan Qashqai e-Power driven

HYUNDAI

Plenty of concept’s design touches will make production

“The overwhelming feeling sitting inside the Vision 7S is one of space’

Our survey reveals extent of EV take-up by UK police forces

POLICE forces in the UK have more than 430 electric vehicles on their fleets and in excess of 808 chargers These numbers are not evenly spread among forces, however, with some constabularies having adopted large numbers of EVs and others none at all.

Auto Express sent freedom of information requests to the UK’s 45 police forces and received 34 responses, revealing how EV friendly the majority of constabularies are Some forces refused to provide the information we asked for, while others had not responded by the time we went to print Unsurprisingly, the Metropolitan Police Service which is the UK’s largest police force had the greatest number of EVs The Met told us it runs 99 fully electric vehicles, including 50 Nissan e NV200 electric vans, 41 Nissan Leaf hatchbacks and eight BMW K17 C Evolution motorcycles The force also operates a number of BMW i3 patrol cars, but these were not included in the Met’s response because they are range extender models that have petrol engines fitted

The Met also has the highest number of chargers, 264 of them spread across 33 police stations The force told us it mainly tops up its EV fleet at its own chargers, but occasionally uses public chargers, too

Another force with a large number of electric vehicles is Gloucestershire Constabulary, which has 83, including 72 Nissan Leafs, nine Nissan e NV200s and two Tesla Model 3s It has 59 chargers across 17 locations and its policy is to only use these and never public chargers

Of the 33 forces who answered our request, seven told us they have no EVs whatsoever: Cambridgeshire, City of London, Durham, Lancashire, Northern Ireland, Staffordshire and Warwickshire

Among the 26 forces that do run EVs, the Nissan Leaf proves to be the most popular, with 117 of these in operation The BMW i3, Nissan e NV200 and Vauxhall Corsa e are

also highly popular choices, with 87, 71 and 60 of these vehicles featuring in police fleets respectively

Most of the EVs used by police forces are cars, but we were told about a number of vans and motorcycles as well.

One constabulary that refused to respond to our request was Police Scotland, which claimed it would be against the public interest to tell us how many EVs the force operated, and claimed not to hold the other information we asked for

It did, however, answer a similar request from the Scottish Liberal Democrats back in August, from which it emerged that Pol Scotland had spent around £20million buying a fleet of electric cars, but had f to install the necessary infrastructure to charge them This led to the cars being to charge overnight in public car parks

£33k Atto 3 to launch BYD in Europe

BYD has confirmed European prices for its upcoming Atto 3 electric SUV The car (right) is being pitched as a rival for the VW ID.3 and ID.4, with prices in Germany from 38,000 Euros. That would equate to around £33,000 here, but the UK may position the car differently, given potential rivals like the MG 4 Even so, it seems likely that the Chinese maker will sell the Atto 3 at a mainstream price with more

kit, rather than as a pure budget offering. The firm plans to sell and deliver its first UK cars this year

At the same time, BYD is planning to kick start its European assault by using rental cars to boost its visibility. It has announced a tie up with car hire firm Sixt, and the first models expected to be Atto 3s and not the larger but older Tang SUV should be available for hire before the end of 2022.

Police on failed left

“Unsurprisingly, the Met Police – which is the UK’s largest police force – had the greatest number of EVs”

Tristan Shale-Hester tristan shale hester@autoviacouk @tristan shale

10 most popular police EVs

OFFICIAL Some constabularies have embraced electric vehicles, while other haven’t any on their fleets

Gloucestershire Constabulary has 83 electric vehicles in its fleet, including Nissan Leaf hatchbacks and e-NV200 vans

Police force

Avon and Somerset Constabulary

Bedfordshire Police

Cambridgeshire Constabulary

Cheshire Constabulary

City of London Police

Cleveland Police

Cumbria Constabulary

Derbyshire Constabulary

Devon and Cornwall Constabulary

Dorset Police

Durham Constabulary

Dyfed Powys Police

Essex Police

Gloucestershire Constabulary

Greater Manchester Police

Gwent Police

Hampshire Constabulary

Hertfordshire Constabulary

Humberside Police

Kent Police

Lancashire Constabulary

Leicestershire Constabulary

Lincolnshire Police

Merseyside Police

Metropolitan Police Service

Norfolk and Suffolk North Wales Police

North Yorkshire Police

Northamptonshire Police

Northumbria Police

Nottinghamshire Police Police Scotland

Police Service of Northern Ireland

South Wales Police

South Yorkshire Police

Staffordshire Police Surrey Police

Sussex Police

Thames Valley Police

Warwickshire Police

West Mercia Police

West Midlands Police

West Yorkshire Police

Wiltshire Police

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HOT TOPIC Citroen Oli concept

FROM: Rover 1 NEW logo looks better than the previous one, which looked like it had melted But a Citroen that ignores aerodynamics? Aerodynamics were a key selling point for Citroen for more than 80 years. It’s a betrayal to go in this design direction

FROM: CL CITROEN thinking outside the box with usage, materials, ergonomics, motifs etc is definitely something that should be encouraged How much of this remains in its production vehicles is yet to be seen, however

■ “If it rains, will the cardboard go all soggy and flop into a big pile of mush?”

Too many SUVs are not true to the name Premium is Smart choice for new #1

FROM: Roger Jones JOSH Davies’ issue with ground clearance isn’t unique to the X Trail and Qashqai (Issue 1,747) An SUV should be somewhat rugged, possibly AWD and with decent ground clearance Sadly, many SUVs are now lowered for better handling, and, therefore, are not really SUVs

Sporty GSe models are fantastic news

FROM: Francis Loughton GLAD to see Vauxhall getting into sporty cars again via the GSe brand (Issue 1,747) I’d like to see a keenly priced Corsa GSe to rival the likes of the Ford Fiesta ST and Hyundai i20 N A Peugeot 208 version wearing the GTi badge would be a welcome addition as well

FROM: Faisal Rafique THE Smart #1 Premium (Issue 1,748) has some really good touches, and gets a decent range from its 62kWh battery

The Brabus version has impressive performance, but with a price tag to match I’d say the standard car with its superior range is the better option

Ami’s solution is fine way to store EV cable

FROM: Ian Clarkson I LIKE Neville Withers’ idea for a smarter way of storing EV charging cables (Issue 1,747) I note the Citroen Ami’s cable is stored in the passenger door frame and can simply be pulled out of a small cubby hole and unwound Better that than have it take up boot space

Mark Learner

■ “I like the technoid style design, but the vertical windscreen is pointless ” DMJ

■ “Love it! Need a 20kWh version, too. Lower weight with a 125 mile range is enough ” CNFW

Oli previews ideas that will feature on future Citroen cars, including the use

INSIDESTORY

Tackling the motoring issues that matter

John McIlroy John McIlroy@autoviacouk @johnmcilroy

CITROEN is a company that has gone through several strategies and owners over its 103 year history But these days, this most idiosyncratic French brand seems to have made peace with its past, and grown comfortable with being known as a little bit different

There’s no better reflection of this than the Conservatoire a humble looking building near Charles de Gaulle Airport on the outskirts of Paris It’s part of l’Aventure Citroen let’s call it the heritage wing and houses just a few of the firm’s technical and design highlights of the past 103 years.

When we say a few, we really mean more than 200 Citroen actually has north of 600 classics on its books, but the majority remain under cover somewhere at its Sochaux factory. The Conservatoire gently rotates this stock, though, depending on relevant anniversaries and activities And today it’s allowing Auto Express to pay a visit

That makes it sound like this is a secret project and for years it was, a near mythical room gossiped about by owners’ clubs But Carlos Tavares, the boss of Citroen’s parent firm Stellantis, is notoriously brutal with financial outlay, particularly on heritage and motorsport Under his instruction, the Conservatoire is transitioning to becoming a self sufficient entity, and as a part of that it is now open to the public officially, every day apart from Sundays, with admission costing 10 Euros It attracts around 5,000 visitors per year, but bosses would like more than that.

It certainly looks worth the ticket price as our guide for the day, Citroen veteran Denis Huile, throws open the doors to a vast factory floor jam packed with an astonishing collection of vehicles There are some of André Citroen’s earliest creations here, introducing a first row of classics that includes several Traction Avants (the first mass produced front wheel drive car, and one that predated Peugeot and Renault adopting this layout by 20 odd years) and leads to a corner housing some of the five remaining original prototypes for the 2CV, called TCV (Toute Petite Voiture) “These cars were buried to keep them hidden from the Germans during the Second World War,” Huile tells us, “and we’ve kept them in the condition in which they were found ”

If the 2CV corner is a spectacular slice of nostalgia, the opposing corner of the building houses something even stranger a helicopter. Citroen was keen on the rotary engine concept in the early seventies, and as part of that its engineers joined forces with Aérospatiale to develop the birotor powered RE2 The project was abandoned as part of yet another restructuring in 1975, but as Huile explains, the Conservatoire is doing its bit to keep it alive “Some of the original engineers keep popping in,” he says, “and they’re optimistic that they can get the engine running again. We’re hopeful that at some point later this year, we’ll be able to push the RE2 into the yard and fire it up.”

A chunk of red metal signals a line up of motorsport winners, highlighting Citroen’s record of 102 event wins in the World Rally Championship and, in parallel, charting the career of a certain Sébastien Loeb. But

there’s more; one of the Frenchman’s early Saxos is dwarfed by a fleet of Citroen’s Dakar spec ZX Rallye Raids, a chunky turbocharged AX racing car is tucked up against the wall and the competition showcase also includes random SMs and 2CVs, unlikely rally heroes both

By this point we’re feeling rather giddy, and the centre of the hall is so jam packed with vehicles that it’s hard to see what’s coming up from a distance; as a result, Citroen’s hits are drip fed to you as you stroll around We stumble over numerous examples of the DS, the CX and the BX (celebrating its 40th birthday this year); then there are concepts, everything from 1980’s trapezoidal Karin, whose three seat layout predated that of the McLaren F1 by more than a decade, to more recent offerings like the Tubik van and futuristic 19 19 There’s even a line up of presidential vehicles, including an imposing DS developed specifically for Charles de Gaulle

A thunderous racket from the other side of the wall indicates that something interesting has been started in the Conservatoire’s workshop, which, as Huile is keen to point out, is available for enthusiasts who want specialist engineers to help restore or maintain their classics. The current occupants are as solid a reflection of Citroen’s diversity as the display models; there’s a 16 valve BX GTi with its bonnet open, a DS that appears to be undergoing a bare metal restoration and, burbling coarsely in the middle of it all, a ZX Rallye Raid that is being recommissioned ahead of an upcoming motorsports festival

“It’s a normal day,” Huile says with a grin and a shrug By which he means that there is no such thing. The Conservatoire has to be one of the most intriguing collections of vehicles we’ve seen in years and one of the car industry’s best kept secrets Stick it on your bucket list

The Conservatoire Citroen & DS is open Monday Saturday, with occasional closures for holidays and special events Visit laventure associationcomfor more details

PAGE 20: Classic Citroens driven

RESTORED

Workshop residents during our visit included ZX Rallye Raid Dakar racer and BX GTi hot hatch

“The centre of the hall is packed with vehicles, so Citroen’s hits are drip-fed to you as you stroll around”

VIVE LA DIFFERENCE

From 2CVs to choppers, Citroen’s heritage collection is nothing if not diverse and now it’s open for the public to pore over

Birthday

COMPETITION Wide range of rally cars include

and SM from seventies

80s ELECTRO

What we drove

THE Conservatoire’s workshop isn’t just busy with customer cars, but it also keeps Citroen’s own collection in working order Around a quarter of the cars in the hall are ‘good to go’ at any time, with most of the others specialised motorsport vehicles aside needing a few days’ notice to recommission

To show the varied nature of what’s available, Citroen wheeled out some of its own classics for us to try We start with the oldest model available a Traction Avant, which does an amazing job of disguising its age Once you get beyond the slightly daunting gearbox and slow steering not helped by a wheel the size of a Roman shield you’re left with a car that feels 50 to 60 years old, not the thick end of 90.

The same can be said for the SM a stunning seventies two seater with Maserati power that was killed by the fuel crisis when barely 13,000 examples had been produced Its control weights take some getting used to light steering that’s strongly assisted around the straight ahead, a brake pedal that feels rock solid and a gated five speed manual gearbox that you need to approach with caution But even within the confines of the industrial estate roads that surround the Conservatoire, this feels like a car built for long distance cruising, the orange velour seats still plush and squishy, the V6 engine delightfully lazy in its power delivery

The 2CV4 ‘Spot’, on the other hand, has perhaps not aged so gracefully. This mid seventies special edition’s frustrations

start with the paradox of that name when combined with a striped interior that makes you feel like you’re sitting inside a giant boiled sweet. Then there’s the performance the 435cc motor produces 26bhp and needs almost 7,000rpm to get there, so even in a car weighing barely half a tonne, progress is painfully slow We’re convinced that the more potent 2CV6 would have been a worthy upgrade and a spin in a bare bones Mehari equipped with that engine confirms our theory

The most recent vehicle on offer to us is a BX a pristine 19 Digit, a limited edition that took the 104bhp engine from the GT but included an electronic dashboard and an onboard computer. The tech displays date the experience, but the drive is ludicrously civilised; the five speed manual gearbox is slick, the squidgy seats are comfy and the BX’s ability to float over deep road scars is otherworldly Just what you’d expect from a Citroen, in fact.

“The BX’s ability to float over deep road scars is otherworldly”

Digital dash (far right) hasn’t aged as well as soft ride

GRAND TOURER Maserati-powered SM was a victim of seventies fuel crisis Quirks of its driving character take getting used to, but it’s still a plush sports car

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next

AlfaRomeoTonale

FIRSTUKDRIVE Sharp looking Italian SUV finally arrives in Britain

“THE beginning of a new Alfa Romeo era,” the Tonale’s official website states, which is interesting, because we all thought that’s what the Giulia represented when it was launched in 2016 Sales of that model and the related Stelvio SUV haven’t been stellar, however, so here we are in 2022 with Alfa once again relaunching itself This time with a compact SUV it says will reach more of the UK car market on its own than the Stelvio and Giulia combined

The rear wheel drive Giorgio platform in which Alfa Romeo invested heavily is absent here Underneath the Tonale is the vehicle architecture of the five year old Jeep Compass, itself a derivative of the Fiat Small Platform that underpinned 2005’s Grande Punto and as it happens the Alfa Romeo MiTo On paper, it feels like a backward step Not that you’d know it from the outside The Tonale is a great looking thing that adds

welcome spice to a segment not exactly known for design flair It references various Alfas from the past, from the SZ in its triple element light clusters, to the original and newer 8C in its window line, and (although this one is perhaps a bit of a stretch) the silhouette of the sixties GT.

The interior is fairly minimalist and doesn’t rely quite so heavily on scratchy piano black plastics as German rivals The stylish space is enhanced with various elements lifted from the Giulia and Stelvio, including the steering wheel and in the range topping Veloce large metal gearshift paddles mounted on the steering column.

There are some cheaper feeling bits of trim, though; the Tonale falls short of the premium offerings Alfa is targeting with this car. The 10.25 inch touchscreen meanwhile has an easy to navigate layout and is as responsive as it should be, but a lot of the shortcut icons around its edges are small and not easy to use on the move In front of the driver is a slick 12.3 inch digital

instrument cluster, complete with three different looks modern and sporty dials, a more retro set up, and a pared back option that’ll be easy on the eyes at night

On the road, the first thing that strikes you about the Tonale is the quick steering The front end just about keeps up, thanks to frequency selective dampers, with the Veloce adopting adaptive suspension As on the Giulia, the latter can be controlled independently of the drive modes, and it softens the ride noticeably while maintaining decent body control In its harder setting, the dampers feel too crashy on UK B roads The passive dampers on the Ti version give a better balance of ride and handling Still, it’s impressive considering the starting point

However, the powertrain is rather less impressive. The 1.5 litre four cylinder mild hybrid delivers 158bhp and a less than spectacular 0 62mph time of 8 8 seconds

It’s not the modest performance that’s the issue, though, but the delivery There’s a noticeable delay between a throttle

application and the car actually doing something about it It doesn’t just suck the enjoyment out of country roads, it’s a pain during regular driving, too you’ll need to wait for bigger gaps when joining a roundabout, for instance The brakes are effective enough, but even a moderate amount of pressure on the pedal sees the hazard lights flashing wildly as though you’re doing an emergency stop

In terms of practicality, things are a bit better: the Alfa gets a 500 litre boot and a decent amount of rear headroom

Tonale prices start at £39,995 for the Ti, with LED headlights, a rear parking camera, a powered boot lid, keyless entry and the infotainment/instrument cluster screens all standard The Veloce, with its bigger wheels and dampers, raises that to £42,495, and it’s possible to inflate that figure with even larger 20 inch wheels, paint options, and various packs including one for £2,150 that includes heated/cooled electric seats and a Harman Kardon audio system.

“It’s not the modest performance that’s the issue, but the delivery”

Matt Robinson

Essentials

Alfa RomeoTonale Veloce

ONSALE Now

HANDLING

PRACTICALITY

500 litres, boot capacity is right on the money with the Mercedes GLA Rear seat space is reasonable, but the thick C-pillar makes it feel rather gloomy

Verdict

ALFA Romeo has done a solid job with fairly humble underpinnings. The Tonale handles well even if the set up is a little firm for UK roads but the car is let down by a laggy powertrain that spoils the fun and proves to be irritating during day to day driving The quality of the cabin also falls short of where it should be considering the car’s price and the rivals that Alfa is targeting. All of which leaves the looks and the badge to do a lot of the heavy lifting

“Great looking Tonale adds welcome spice to a sector not exactly known for design flair”

EQUIPMENT Elegant 19-inch alloy wheels, Alcantara interior trim and adaptive dampers are among

extras fitted

test car’s Veloce trim over entry level

All versions

LED headlights

DISPLAYS

Essentials

Nissan Qashqai

BOOT

INTERIOR

There’s

Although this is a hybrid, the

often makes it

more like an

THE Qashqai e Power does things a little differently from other hybrids The battery is bigger than the norm, at 2 1kWh (a Toyota C HR has a 1.3kWh unit, for example), and it’s topped up by a 1 5 litre inline three cylinder combustion engine

It’s an unusual engine, too Nissan calls it a ‘VC Turbo’, with those first two letters standing for Variable Compression The idea is the engine can adopt a high compression state for stronger performance, or low compression to improve fuel economy.

With that inline three busying itself with charging the battery, propulsion is taken care of by a single front mounted motor Its 187bhp and 300Nm are enough for a respectable 0 62mph time of 7.9 seconds.

Sure enough, the Qashqai e Power builds speed at a decent rate But most importantly, it gets up to motorway and dual carriageway speeds smoothly, and it’s smoothness that

Matt Robinson Matt Robinson@autoviacouk @matt 201

Qashqai e-Power

ol electric hybrid system boosts appeal of family SUV

characterises the way this powertrain goes about its business

The benefit of the engine not driving the wheels is you avoid the sometimes clunky transitions you can get in other hybrids as power sources are juggled Instead, the engine merely turns on and off as required, and generally does so seamlessly

In stop/start traffic it’s more obvious, particularly as the engine seems to run faster than the average idle speed. It’s not bad for vibrations, however, and remains refined when more is asked of it

It helps that this Qashqai has a ‘Linear Tune’ function, which ties the engine speed to the road speed. The engine response is CVT like under harder acceleration, but its revs don’t rise and fall erratically

Nissan pitches this car as a stepping stone for those not ready to go full electric, and it does often feel like a full EV rather than a hybrid Helping here is the ‘I Pedal’ feature, which ups the energy regeneration when the driver lifts off. It’s not a true one

pedal mode because you’ll need the brakes to trim off the last couple of mph, but it is easier to get used to than many such set ups.

There is also an EV setting, although it’s only of use at lower speeds with minimal throttle inputs; it doesn’t take much for the car to switch back to hybrid mode.

The e Power spends more than half of the WLTP emissions cycle with the engine off, giving healthy official figures of 53.3mpg and 119g/km of CO2. Curiously, the best we could manage in heavy urban congestion where this set up should, in theory, be at its best was 44mpg, and it wasn’t until we escaped the city that the figure climbed to around 47mpg.

Along with engine noise, the Qashqai keeps occupants well cocooned from wind and road noise The ride is mostly smooth on UK roads, but the going can get a little brittle at lower speeds The 19 inch wheels of our Tekna model probably didn’t help

On twistier roads, the Qashqai performs competently, but it’s unremarkable. The

steering has a nice weight to it but next to no feedback Hard cornering reveals plenty of body roll, and although there is a Sport mode, it makes little difference Keener drivers will be better off with a SEAT Ateca

Nissan has done a solid job of upping the premium feel inside the Qashqai, and this Tekna version comes with lots of kit Quality is okay, but we’d like better responses from the infotainment system; it isn’t as slick as the set up found in the Kia Sportage, which has a generally more modern cabin By contrast, the Qashqai’s interior design already looks a touch dated

Practicality is unchanged from other models in the Qashqai range, which means you get 505 litres of boot space not terrible, but plenty of others in the class, including the Sportage, provide more

The e Power is not cheap in Tekna form, at £38,140 So it comes as no surprise that the £35,120 N Connecta which keeps all the key tech from the Tekna is expected to be the most popular version.

AFTER driving it in the UK for the first time, the Qashqai e Power remains our preferred version of Nissan’s big selling crossover. It provides an impressive,

like driving experience that makes up for the more lacklustre powertrains

in the line up

tech

cabin and

a little way off the

Steve Sutcliffe mail@autoexpresscouk

AS the era of the purely petrol engined Audi RS model draws to a close, Audi Sport has gone to town on the RS 4 Avant, giving it one last push before the guillotine drops on a nameplate that has been on sale since the end of the last century

Known simply as the RS 4 Competition, this 75 unit run out special is not cheap, at £84,600 That makes it £16,000 more than a regular RS 4 Avant, but crucially a couple of grand less than the similarly specified Vorsprung model. It clearly has appeal, because 50 of the UK cars are already sold.

Given that its 2 9 litre twin turbo V6 engine produces no more power or torque above the standard 444bhp and 600Nm RS 4, however, it would be easy to think of the Competition as a cynical marketing exercise

Yet the special edition is much more than that It’s a car that has its own identity, both visually and dynamically; one that’s sharper, louder, faster and a fair bit more bespoke in feel beside the already rather tasty regular RS 4 variant

Visually, it’s highly distinctive, with all 75 UK bound versions coming in the exact same specification Like it or not, they all wear Sebring Black paint and ride on new 20 inch Y spoke silver alloy wheels.

There’s also a matte carbon fibre finish for the new front splitter, the front air intakes, the rear diffuser and the door mirrors. And although the photographed test cars were painted grey, trust us, in black with silver wheels it looks very naughty indeed in the flesh

The same goes for the Competition’s interior, which has been upscaled to include pretty much every option you could plump for in a regular RS 4, plus some bespoke styling touches to distinguish it. These include red stitching in various places, a flat bottomed Alcantara steering wheel, a Bang & Olufsen sound system and, in the case of the test car, a pair of fantastic new bucket seats. Unfortunately, however, these

Running costs

Performance

won’t make it into the UK cars, even if you speak to your dealer very nicely

Dynamically, the Competition is a fair bit sharper than the regular car, thanks to five key upgrades, the most significant of which is the adoption of a trick new set of three way adjustable coil over dampers You need to put the car on a ramp to adjust these, and you can drop the ride height by a further 10mm at the same time This car already rides 10mm lower than standard, thereby giving a 20mm drop for track use.

That’s when the fact that it comes on Pirelli P Zero Corsas as standard makes sense The Competition, as is turns out, is a serious track day car, despite weighing just 10kg less than the standard RS 4

The other factors that make it crisper in personality are, in no particular order: a gearbox remap, the removal of some sound

deadening materials to make the exhaust louder (it has already been remapped to deliver more bark), a sportier new diff mode plus a fixed ratio, slightly faster steering rack The ESC has also been re calibrated to allow a touch more freedom at the rear end on turn in, not that the Competition has become any kind of oversteer monster.

Instead, it feels more like a blueprinted version of the standard car with a lot more grip, crisper responses in everything it does, and an angrier exhaust. You need to select Dynamic and Sport modes at the same time to fully appreciate how much livelier it really is, because in Comfort, it retains pretty much all the refinements of the regular car on the move Which is a good thing In effect, this means the Competition’s range of abilities is a fair bit wider than the standard RS 4’s

For those who care about such things, the 0 62mph time has also dropped from 4 1 seconds to 3 9 due mainly to the extra grip from the Corsa tyres, as well as the snappier gearshifts while thanks to the de limit option from the standard RS 4, the top speed rises from 155mph to 180mph Emissions and fuel economy, on the other hand, haven’t suffered at all

Audi

FIRSTDRIVE Sporty esta

“Select Dynamic and Sport modes at the same time to fully appreciate how much livelier it is”

Essentials

Audi RS 4Avant Competition

Verdict

Land

Discovery Metropolitan Edition

Discovery is bulky and sits quite high, yet its handling is surprisingly sharp

SPECIAL editions sometimes signal a much needed injection of life into a range, but the Discovery is a perennial performer for Land Rover, a sales stalwart in a market where large premium rivals continue to arrive in an already busy sector.

This new Metropolitan Edition stands as the flagship in the line up, and it’s based on HSE R Dynamic trim There’s more bright detailing around the grille and the Discovery lettering New silver inserts in the bumper combine with 22 inch diamond turned alloy wheels and titanium mesh details inside

There’s also oodles of standard kit; you get four zone climate control, heated and cooled first and second row seats, as well as heated third row seats They all fold electronically via the infotainment system (an 11.4 inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay), while wireless phone charging, full keyless go, a powered tailgate, matrix LED headlights, loads of safety and driver assistance tech, a 3D surround view camera and Land Rover’s Terrain response and wade sensing tech are also included

But then, at £75,475 for this D300 model, it’s a pricey car. It still offers all the premium appeal high spec Discos have become known for, though

Compared with the latest seven seat Range Rover, the Discovery Metropolitan

Edition has a different dynamic personality, with a more ‘communicative’ ride from its large wheels Sometimes that means the ride can be a little harsh over ridges in the road, but over softer, rolling surfaces the Discovery comes across as more pliant and absorbent There’s a nice amount of isolation from the road, and despite its high ride height and big, bulky body, the Disco’s handling is sharper than you might think

The steering is on the slow side which helps the car’s incredible off road performance but don’t misinterpret this as being sloppy, because it’s also accurate And lots of steering lock helps manoeuvre this five metre long machine in tight spots

Refinement is superb on the move. Wind noise is kept to a minimum and you only get the faintest hum from the engine enough to give the car a smooth, relaxed character

With 296bhp and 650Nm of torque, performance is effortless to a point. The engine doesn’t deliver its best at higher revs, so thrashing it isn’t that productive, even though it will take the Discovery from 0 62mph to 6.8 seconds. The gearbox is smooth but unhurried too, so if you drive around using the wealth of low down torque, the Discovery is very relaxing

It’s pretty much just as soothing in the second row of seats, because they all slide independently and there’s enough legroom and lots of headroom The third row isn’t quite as spacious, mind, and while access

to it is okay, you still have to clamber up and thread your body through a narrow ish gap The sixth and seventh seats will be best suited to children, really

Even so, the use of space and storage inside is great Following the Discovery’s facelift in 2021, the climate control panel is now touch sensitive, but behind this there’s still a hidden compartment for phones, wallets and sunglasses

Beneath the cup holders there’s another huge, deep bin, and behind this on our car was a lidded refrigerated compartment. Even storage in the second and third rows is good, so everyone should have space for their phone A double glovebox helps too

Verdict

VIEWED as a new flagship to crown the Discovery range, the Metropolitan Edition in D300 diesel form is definitely a worthy vehicle, but you can find much of the same relaxing character, clever use of space and versatility not to mention almost the same level of luxury on more modest, more affordable trim levels within the existing line up. Even so, this new model goes to prove that the Discovery remains one of the very best seven seat SUVs on sale

e t e

b s o

SeanCarson sean carson@autoviacouk

Peugeot e-208

e-208 GT

a greater

SeanCarson sean carson@autoviacouk

PEUGEOT announced a not insignificant update to its e 208 electric supermini at the end of last year. This boosted the car’s range and tweaked the line up’s trim structure (along with its pure petrol 208 sibling), while introducing some style changes to higher spec models.

But even as we’re testing this new version, Peugeot has revealed still bigger improvements for its e 208

While the car coming in 2023 will get a bigger battery and motor for more range and power, don’t discount this model just yet Despite no increase to the battery size of the car here, the e 208’s range is now up to 225 miles from 217 miles, a near four per cent increase, thanks to a revised final drive ratio in the car’s transmission

Put simply, this reduces the electric motor’s revs when cruising, in turn lowering

energy consumption and boosting range It’s teamed with new ultra efficient tyres, while a tweak to the heat pump means more efficient use of energy

On test the e 208 used its energy at a predictable rate; even if it was slightly more than one mile used for every one mile travelled; this relationship still means you can plan journeys accordingly, knowing in advance if you’ll need to stop to charge.

The e 208’s 100kW charging capability hasn’t been updated, but it didn’t need it, so the 50kWh battery takes 30 minutes for a 10 80 per cent charge. The home charging time might be more important to many owners; using a 7kW wallbox, a full charge from empty takes seven and a half hours

With the motor still producing 134bhp, the Peugeot will cover 0 62mph in 8.1 seconds Acceleration is still smooth and as swift as you’d ever need from a supermini, with good initial response that tails off towards 50mph. The flexibility the 260Nm

of torque and single speed automatic gearbox give you is great, too.

In town, the e 208 rides patchy roads relatively well You do get jostled around a little inside, but this is to be expected to some degree because the suspension must absorb inputs and control a body laden with a significant chunk of battery mass That can also be felt on twisty country roads, where the small steering wheel and quick steering offset some of this slight lethargy

It still offers as much grip and bite as you’d ever need, and fairly nimble handling Combined with the instant torque delivery and solid low down punch EVs tend to bring, this is where the e 208’s fun lies

There’s also a challenge to be had in maximising regenerative braking and trying

NEED TO KNOW Boot capacity is good, at 311 litres, and there’s no penalty over the ICE version, but the charging cable lives in a bag in the luggage area

to use the left pedal as little as possible On this front, even in the stronger B mode we’d like a little more motor derived retardation because it doesn’t allow for one pedal driving But it’s an intuitive set up that’s easy to get to grips with on roads from country routes to motorways In this latter

environment the e 208 is relatively comfortable at speed, although high speed cruising still isn’t its natural habitat, even with the transmission improvements; you’ll still find the car consuming energy faster than you’d like at a steady 70mph

Inside, the e 208 is as funky as ever, with a 3D digital dash and a 10 inch central touchscreen However, the infotainment is also still flawed, with loading times that are longer than rivals’ systems, even if the Peugeot’s does boast plenty of functionality.

PRACTICALITY Rear seats are spacious enough. Access to the back could be better, but the e 208 offers enough flexibility, matching its smart driving dynamics and sharp design

Verdict

THIS small update to the e 208 is definitely worthwhile, adding a little extra range with absolutely no drawbacks. However, given Peugeot’s recent announcement that its electric supermini will get a bigger battery (and therefore offer a chunk more range again) and more power, you might want to wait for the new car arriving in 2023 We wouldn’t blame you either way, however

“The e 208’s range is now up to 225 miles from 217 miles, thanks to a revised final drive ratio”

Testers’

Upwardly mobile

Mazda’snewCX-60PHEVis designedtoappealtopremium

andLexusrivalstoseehowitfares

IT’S no easy task for a new car to make an impact in the hotly contested premium SUV class, and it’s harder still for a brand that has no previous experience in the sector

But that’s exactly what Mazda is doing with the new CX 60. The firm has always done its own thing in terms of design and tech, but here it’s trying to force its way into an established class that’s beyond its usual remit of small SUVs and affordable sports cars. It also comes with the firm’s first plug in hybrid powertrain, but has it bitten off more than it can chew?

To find out, we’ve lined up two very strong rivals. Swap two letters over, and the CX 60

becomes the XC60, and Volvo’s challenger has been a constant favourite of ours in this segment There’s an updated plug in hybrid system for the current model, too, which isn’t likely to do it any harm

Then there’s the Lexus NX 450h+. We can’t think of many cars that have improved quite so dramatically when compared with a predecessor, taking the NX from an also ran to a winner in our Auto Express New Car Awards.

These, then, are two of the best rivals that the class has to offer If the CX 60 can emerge with anything less than a bloody nose, it should be considered a success for Mazda.

Volvo XC60 RechargeT6

Dark Plus

Price: £61,235 Powertrain: 2.0 litre 4cyl turbo, 1x e motor, 350bhp

0-62mph: 5.7 seconds

Test economy: 32 6mpg/7 2mpl

23g/km

Lexus NX 450h+

Takumi

Price: £59,700

Powertrain: 2.5 litre 4cyl, 2x e motors, 305bhp

0-62mph: 6.3 seconds

Test economy: 48 9mpg/10 8mpl

25g/km

Pictures: Nathan Morgan

MODELTESTED:

MAZDA’S fight to gain a foothold in the premium SUV class relies in part on competitive pricing And at £50,420 including Mazda’s gorgeous Soul Red paint (a £900 extra), our test car undercuts its rivals here by more than £10,000 But does the CX 60 offer any other advantages?

Design & engineering

WHILE Mazda is best known for sports cars and rotary engines, it does have some form in the mid size SUV sector The CX 7 and US market CX 9 were both left field alternatives to the mainstream class but each had their own appeal

The new CX 60 is attacking the class full on, with a brand new platform and new powertrains At a later date this will include an all new 3 0 litre in line six diesel But for now, the sole powertrain option is one that most buyers especially those on company car schemes will consider much more relevant Mazda’s plug in hybrid system combines a 173bhp electric motor, a 17 8kWh battery and a 2 5 litre petrol engine Together they produce 323bhp, an output that splits the other two here While drive is sent to all four wheels, Mazda says that the CX 60’s layout is rear biased, which is in contrast with its rivals Mazda doesn’t have the premium reputation that Lexus or Volvo has, but hide the badges in the cabin and you’d be hard pressed to notice any difference in quality The CX 60’s interior, especially in our car ’ s high end Takumi spec, is a lovely place to be; the finish is fantastic, the materials feel solid, and the clever use of textures, including Japanese inspired fabrics and veneers, mean that it’s more than special enough for Mazda’s premium ambitions

The fantastic 12 speaker Bose sound system, which also adds technology to make the cabin quieter on the move, backs up the impression of quality The driving position has plenty of adjustment, but the seats feel a little firm when compared with the Volvo and Lexus, both of which provide fabulous comfort and support

Driving

IN almost any class in which it competes, Mazda delivers a chassis balance that achieves engaging handling without sacrificing comfort Unfortunately, the CX 60 hasn’t quite managed to bring this Mazda magic to the premium SUV segment

There are highlights the steering is precise and well weighted, for example but elsewhere the CX 60 feels a little compromised In corners, body roll is fairly pronounced and the chassis struggles to keep up with that responsive steering It doesn’t feel any sharper than the Lexus, but also feels less stable than its rival through quick direction changes

That initial softness to the suspension doesn’t translate into a cosseting ride, either Of this trio, the Mazda feels the most fidgety

The hybrid system is also a bit of a mixed bag, with a pronounced whine from the electric motor, even before it’s put under load What makes this noise even more incongruous is that the engine is as well insulated from the cabin as those in its rivals here

At 5 8 seconds, the CX 60’s 0 62mph time is half a second faster than the NX’s, although once

Running costs

Practicality

Styling is an evolution of other Mazda

while 20 inch wheels and LED headlights add to car’s upmarket appearance

CX 60 is quick in a straight line, but handling isn’t quite as sharp as in other Mazda models

on the move, the Mazda’s gearbox takes a little longer than its rival to figure things out, so overtakes aren’t quite as instantaneous The shifts themselves are on the clunky side, too

Practicality

WHEN it comes to overall carrying capacity, the Mazda is the most capable car here A capacity of 570 litres is more than 100 litres ahead of the Volvo’s 468 litre boot, and beats the 525 litre Lexus, too

Fold the seats down, a task made easy thanks to the release levers located in the boot, and the advantage continues; the CX 60 offers 1,726 litres, compared with 1,436 litres and 1,395 litres in the Lexus and Volvo respectively The seats don’t quite achieve a level load space when dropped, though

The space is useful, too There’s a generous under floor area, which has enough room for storing charging cables, while there’s a three pin plug socket in the boot area, plus another in the cabin

Rear seat passengers are fairly well catered for, if not quite as generously as in its rivals here There’s 20 30mm less kneeroom than in either the Volvo or Lexus, while headroom is a match for the former, but slightly behind the latter There’s loads of foot space beneath the front seats, but a middle rear passenger has to put up with a high set seat, so headroom is even tighter

If you ’ re installing a child seat, the CX 60’s mix of a raised seating position, large rear doors and Isofix clips that are accessible behind neat plastic covers make the process fairly straightforward

Ownership

IN our Driver Power satisfaction survey, all three of these brands were closely matched Mazda took the strongest score with a seventh place finish overall, ahead of Volvo in eighth and Lexus in 12th

Every one of these cars comes as standard with three years ’ worth of breakdown cover from new

Running costs

PHEVS offer their biggest benefits when covering short distances, which allow them to make the most of their electric range The real difference among this trio will come on longer journeys, where the Lexus is clearly the most efficient

Even without any charge in the battery, the NX works well as a conventional hybrid; we averaged 48 9mpg, compared with 42 3mpg for the Mazda The Volvo showed itself to be disappointingly thirsty once the battery is flat, managing just 32 6mpg

Over 20,000 miles of combustion driving, that’s the difference of a £3,031 fuel bill for the Lexus and £4,546 for the Volvo The CX 60 comes in at £3,504

Testers’ notes

“This is Mazda’s first PHEV, but an eight year/100,000 mile warranty on the CX 60’s hybrid battery should offer peace of mind.”

Alex Ingram Chief reviewer

Boot space

Generous 570 litre boot is the biggest here, and twin plug sockets are a handy extra

Interior

has done

making

feel like

of

touch

Practicality

Light coloured leather trim

rear

THROUGHTHE RANGE

Which trim level might suit you?

THERE are three trim levels on offer for the CX 60 The range starts with the Exclusive Line; as standard, it comes with 18 inch alloys, black leather seats (heated in the front), a 12 3 inch digital driver’s display, drive mode selection and an eight speaker hi fi. We searched for the best lease prices available, and on a three-year agreement with a six month up front payment and a 10,000 mile annual limit, the Exclusive Line came in at £594 per month.

Homura trim adds 20-inch wheels, ambient cabin lighting, electrically adjustable front seats with ventilation, and a Bose sound system. The monthly lease figure is bumped up to £639.

The top spec Takumi features a different 20 inch wheel design, plus softer Nappa leather, maple wood interior trim and more intricate cloth stitching on the dash. While it certainly lifts the cabin appearance, it also adds £23 per month to the monthly outlay of the Homura, at £662.

Our choice: Homura

Digital instruments feature a high contrast layout very similar to Mazda’s analogue dials

Drive selector is joined by Mi Drive switch that has Normal, Sport and Off road modes

Panoramic

MODELTESTED:

THE XC60 Recharge saw off the challenge of the Audi Q5 and Hyundai Santa Fe last year, but has a mild refresh to its hybrid system kept it fighting towards the top of the class? The trim levels have been mildly tweaked since our test car was released, so while the model here is in Inscription Expression spec, the prices are for the equivalent model you can buy today The Plus Dark T6 starts from £61,235

Design & engineering

WITH its release dating back to 2017, the second generation XC60 is the oldest car in this contest It launched with petrol and diesel powertrains, plus a single PHEV model, which has since been joined by a second Since it first came out, the Swedish brand has introduced incremental improvements both to the powertrains and the infotainment technology, to align with fully electrifying its entire range

The key upgrade for 2022 is a new, larger battery pack for the plug in hybrids Size has increased from 11 6kWh on our last encounter to 18 8kWh now, although only 14 9kWh of that is a usable capacity As a result, electric only range now stands at between 42 and 48 miles, depending on trim level

The electric motor produces 143bhp and 309Nm Although this is the lowest here, and Volvo’s 2 0 litre petrol unit the smallest, the use of turbocharging boosts the combustion element to 250bhp on its own The combined power output of 345bhp is the greatest here The XC60 covers the 0 62mph dash in 5 7 seconds and, like all current Volvos, the top speed is limited to 112mph The T6 has passive suspension and only the top spec T8 model rides on air springs

The cabin design might have lost the initial wow factor of five years ago, but it remains a luxurious, relaxing place to sit Build quality is great we particularly like the sturdy feel of the door handles and the steering column stalks, the driving position has loads of adjustment, and the seats themselves are very comfortable A panoramic sunroof makes the Volvo’s cabin feel lighter than the Lexus’s

Driving

BUYERS tend not to buy Volvos expecting an engaging chassis, and the XC60’s comfortable, relaxed gait very much plays to that stereotype The ride is the softest of the three models here; over larger bumps and compressions, you can feel the suspension squash down gently before bouncing back through its travel While this makes the Swedish SUV very relaxing at higher speeds, it does mean that on a country road, the Volvo tends to take longer to regain its composure after hitting a bump

The steering is very light and devoid of feel It’s also quite slow especially compared with the Mazda’s set up but this means that it feels better matched to the chassis This, combined with fairly pronounced body roll, puts you off driving the XC60 enthusiastically Instead, you make the most of the comfort and take it easy

This is, however, slightly at odds with the Volvo’s performance On paper, it’s the fastest car here; its 5 7 second 0 62mph time pips the Mazda by 0 1 seconds There’s very little between the Volvo and

Running costs

Practicality

XC60

inch

With a 0 62mph time of 5 7 seconds, the Volvo completed the sprint in the quickest time, 0 1 seconds ahead of the Mazda

the Mazda on the road, though, with both cars offering strong acceleration once the petrol engine and laggy gearbox have woken up, at least

Practicality

HOP into the back of the XC60, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag Kneeroom is great almost the same as the Lexus’s but headroom is a little compromised

While the roofline is of a similar height to the Mazda’s overall, the roof curves in more at its edges; this, combined with the space needed for the panoramic sunroof, means that those in the outer seats might brush their heads against the roof At the point beneath the glass roof itself, there’s loads of space, but that would mean the occupants might need to tilt their heads inward slightly

The centre seat is the narrowest here and the backrest is firm, but it’s also quite sculpted at its sides As long as the middle passenger is slim, then they will be quite nicely held in place The central hump in the floor is wide but very low, although it is covered in hard plastic instead of carpet

There are other areas that are less great, though Not only is the boot the smallest, but it also has hardly any underfloor storage, so you need to leave the charging cables in the main section of the boot Isofix child seat brackets are easy to reach behind folding plastic clips; the same applies to the Lexus

Ownership

VOLVO has maintained a reputation for industry leading safety for decades, and deservedly so It’s absolutely no surprise, then, that the XC60 achieved a maximum five star rating when it was assessed by Euro NCAP back in 2018 Indeed, the 97 per cent rating in the adult occupant protection category was the highest rating of any car tested that year

The NX was evaluated this year, which due to Euro NCAP’s ever increasing standards, means it was tested to more stringent standards than the XC60 The Lexus also achieved a five star rating, while the CX 60 has yet to be assessed by NCAP

Running costs

DEPRECIATION holds a big influence over the finances of any premium SUV Whether you ’ re a cash buyer or taking out finance, you’ll have to either pay more each month or get less value out of a part exchange at a later date

The Volvo is expected to hold nearly half of its original value after three years or 36,000 miles, losing £30,593 over 36 months The NX is predicted to retain slightly less, with depreciation of £30,757 The Mazda is both the cheapest to buy outright, and will hold the most value over three years With residual values of 53,7 per cent, it’ll lose £22,933

Testers’ notes

“The Volvo’s cabin design is smart, but the black colour scheme of this test car is very drab The blond leather option really lifts the appearance inside.”

an Gibson nior test editor Dean Senior

Rear seats

Legroom is nearly a match for the Lexus, but headroom is compromised compared with the Japanese car

Interior Cabin might have lost some of its impact after five years, but there are no complaints about the quality of the materials or the construction

Practicality

While the Volvo’s 468 litre boot is the smallest on test, it has a flat floor with a low lip. Storage net on the left side is a handy feature

THROUGHTHE RANGE

Which trim level might suit you?

VOLVO offers the XC60 T6 in two trim levels Core models have 18 inch alloys, a panoramic sunroof, a powered tailgate and leather seats. But matched to the same lease terms as the Mazda, it’s pricey; the best deal we found came to £726 a month

The Plus Dark adds extras like 19 inch wheels, a Harman Kardon sound system, a heated steering wheel and Volvo’s Pilot Assist system, which can accelerate, brake and steer the car within a lane for short periods and with driver supervision. The Plus was better value than the lower trim level, coming in at £709 per month

Volvo also offers a subscription finance service across its range of cars. Fuel and insurance aside, it covers pretty much every cost you might need to pay during ownership, including tax and servicing, plus home delivery and collection services.

On a 10,000 miles a year, three year agreement, the Core model comes to £899 per month and the Plus £849.

Our choice: Plus Dark

Sloping sides of roof mean tall passengers might brush their heads in the back seats

Digital instruments can show a variety of information, including navigation mapping

Chunky gear selector and other controls in the XC60’s cabin have a high quality feel

Design & engineering

LEXUS, along with its parent brand Toyota, certainly has plenty of form when it comes to hybrid tech During the 20 odd years since the Prius made its debut, the Japanese giant has redefined the formula, to the point now where it offers models such as this NX 405h+

While PHEV hybrid tech is a more recent venture for the brand, the basic premise is very similar to its standard hybrids in principle; a petrol engine (in this case, a 2 5 litre unit) is linked to an e CVT gearbox, which is boosted by electrical assistance Unique in this trio, the NX has two electric motors, one on each axle At 183bhp, the front motor alone is more potent than in either of its rivals, but the Lexus adds a second 53bhp unit at the back That means when you ’ re in electric mode, for up to 43 miles thanks to the 18 1kWh battery, there’s more performance available

Lexus has rarely dropped the ball with its cabin designs, and the NX is another hit The quality is pretty much flawless and the design feels contemporary, thanks in part to the huge touchscreen In car tech is one area where Lexus has traditionally lagged well behind the competition, with awkward functionality and underwhelming graphics But the latest set up is one of the best in the class, eradicating one of the biggest weaknesses of this car ’ s predecessor

The driving position is high, comfortable and has lots of adjustment, but over the shoulder visibility is the poorest of this trio When it comes to parking, the Lexus compensates somewhat with a surround view camera that can project images of the road underneath the car, so it’s easy to see how much space is around you in tight spots

Driving

THE Lexus offers the finest compromise between ride and handling here It’s much sharper to drive than the Volvo and is barely any less compliant over bumps There’s less fidget with the NX than in the Mazda, and the Lexus also has a more composed feel through corners than its Japanese rival

The hybrid system is the most convincing of this trio, too The throttle response is the most instantaneous and the power delivery the smoothest, both in general and when the system transitions between full EV and combustion modes

The high electrical output helps here, because it means that the petrol engine doesn’t need to turn on as often as in either of its rivals That also helps to mask one of the small weaknesses of the powertrain, which is the monotone drone that comes from the CVT gearbox under hard acceleration This is a common feature of all Lexus and Toyota hybrids, but there’s so much power here that the need for full throttle acceleration and therefore the unpleasant noise is rare Plus, it’s well insulated, so the engine noise is more muffled here than in either the CX 60 or XC60 Wind noise is slightly louder than it is in

Practicality

Detail

Performance

Both rivals are quicker than the NX in the 0 62mph sprint, but it’s still no slouch, with a 6 3 second time

the Mazda, but that’s one of very few criticisms we can make about the NX’s refinement

If you want to change the car ’ s behaviour for example, wanting to hold some electric charge for a later point in a journey, or to improve throttle response by switching to Sport mode it’s easiest in the Lexus A couple of buttons down beside the small gear control the former, while a rotating dial on the dash covers the latter The same settings in the Volvo are buried in confusing infotainment sub menus

Practicality

WHILE the Lexus might not be able to match the Mazda for boot capacity, it’s the winner here for passenger space Head and kneeroom are the best on test (although it only just pips the Volvo for the latter), while it’s also the most comfortable when three people sit on the back bench, because the centre seat is both wider and lower than the equivalent spot in the CX 60 That 525 litre boot may be smaller, but it still has its useful touches There’s a 12 volt socket for powering devices, while a netted partition and a couple of bag hooks help to secure smaller items when the boot isn’t filled to the brim The opening is wide and square, and the load lip is almost level Interior storage up front is good enough We like the twin hinged centre bin, which makes it easy for either front occupant to access; this sits behind two cup holders and a large wireless phone charging pad

Ownership

WHILE Lexus took the lowest Driver Power score of this trio (although still a respectable finish overall) in the manufacturer category, it scored brilliantly in the dealer class It was the second best overall, with only Honda rating higher Volvo’s dealer network was less impressive, finishing 13th

Interior

score 4.4

Lexus has a reputation for plush cabins, and the NX is no exception to that rule, thanks to its decent materials and build quality

While you might not need to visit the dealer often thanks to solid reliability, if you keep heading back to your Lexus dealer for a scheduled service each year, you’ll benefit from an extra year ’ s warranty an offer that carries on for up to 10 years Both Volvo and Mazda offer just a three year warranty

Running costs

score 3.9 score 4.3

COMPANY car users are likely to prefer the Lexus and the Volvo over the Mazda, because the pair sit in the eight per cent Benefit in Kind (BiK) tax band, compared with the CX 60 position in the 12 per cent group

So while there’s barely £20 between the two premium brands for a higher rate income tax payer the Volvo attracts marginally smaller deductions of £1,936 per year the Mazda’s lower P11D cost isn’t enough to overcome the higher percentage band, so its annual total comes to £2,422

Testers’ notes

“The NX 450’s touch sensitive steering wheel buttons are easy to brush by accident, so you might end up cranking up the volume as you turn a corner”

Alex Ingram Chief reviewer

Rear seats

Kneeroom and headroom in the NX are the best on test, while three people can sit comfortably

Practicality

Lexus is in the middle of this trio when it comes to boot space, with a 525 litre capacity with the seats up

THROUGHTHE RANGE

Which trim level might suit you?

THE NX range’s trim structure includes three models, called Premium Pack, FSport Premium Plus Pack, and Takumi. All have lots of standard kit, but the Premium Pack only has a 9 8 inch touchscreen instead of the brilliant 14 inch display

That is included in the next trim level up, which also benefits from 20-inch alloys (Premium Pack models get 18 inch items), leather upholstery in place of synthetic trim, heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats, uprated LED headlights, and a panoramic parking camera.

The Takumi has 20 inch wheels, but in a Takumi specific design. This model also has more intricate wood trim inlays on the dash, an autonomous parking system, a sunroof and extra safety equipment All versions come with blind spot monitoring.

Match the three year lease terms to its test rivals, and the Premium Pack starts from £634 per month, the F Sport Premium Plus Pack £742 and the Takumi £776.

Our choice:

F Sport Premium Plus Pack

A quirk of NX trim range means that PHEV version can’t have a panoramic sunroof

Physical buttons make switching between hybrid modes a simple task in the Lexus

Infotainment

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

Mazda

Apple

NEVER one to follow trends, Mazda has elected not to use a touchscreen in the CX 60’s infotainment set up While we complain when some manufacturers take the tech too far, it also has its uses; selecting functions or entering navigation addresses while the car is stationary are strong points, for example, as is the ability to touch and drag on the screen to preview a route

In contrast, entering a postcode on the clickwheel is a bit of a faff Some simple processes take longer to complete than in either of its rivals here However, the click wheel does have its uses Being able to feel the adjustments you ’ re making by rotating the dial means it’s possible to make some changes without taking your eyes off the road

Alongside the main screen, the CX 60 also has digital instruments Of the trio here, it’s the brightest, most customisable, and presents all of the necessary info clearly

Volvo XC60

4.1

82 82

9 inch screen with GoogleAssistant

VOLVO’S Google based infotainment set up has some key strengths The response and loading times are great, while the Google Maps navigation software is the quickest and most accurate of this trio by some margin But in other areas, the set up is disappointing

The main home screen consists of four horizontal bars for the most frequently used functions, with sub menus accessible by swiping the screen to the side These sub menus are small, fiddly and leave some functions, such as hybrid settings, buried so far within numerous button presses that they’re difficult to reach

You’ll be wary of digging too far into the menus, because aside from one physical shortcut back to the home screen, there are no other buttons to find your way around It does rather feel like some usability has been lost in the name of minimalism

Lexus NX 450h+

Lexus Link Pro

Key features: Online mapping data

IF the Mazda needs some touchscreen functionality and the Volvo relies on it too much, the NX’s strikes the best balance The touchscreen side of things is helped by the vast 14 inch display, which is one of the largest in its class It’s easy to use, too In terms of touch response speeds it’s more than a match for the Volvo’s, while loading speeds are as quick as any of its rivals

That large display means the climate controls take up permanent residence along the bottom of the screen without crowding out other functions that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which expand to neatly occupy the larger screen

Lexus has improved things further by embedding physical controls within the screen Rotating dials adjust the temperature, so there’s no need to take your eyes off the road when making small adjustments

Display As well as lacking some of the functionality of its rivals, the Mazda’s display lacks sharpness, too The menus are logical at least, and the mapping graphics are clear

FOR AND AGAINST

Menu structures are logical, plenty of physical shortcut keys

Screen graphics aren’t the sharpest, no touchscreen

Layout Portrait screen looks smart, but has drawbacks The on screen keyboard is small, and smartphone apps are confined to a letterbox style section of the screen

AND AGAINST

Responsive screen and impressive loading times

Only one physical shortcut, fussy sub menus, small on screen keyboard

Contrast Main screen looks fantastic, but NX’s digital dials are underwhelming in comparison The reversing camera has the best resolution here, though

FOR AND AGAINST

Sharp and large display, fast loading times, logical menus

Digital instrument panel could be sharper, no physical home button

Figures

On the road price/total as tested

Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000)

Depreciation

Annual tax liability std/higher rate

Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles)

Insurance group/quote/VED

Cost of 1st/2nd/3rd service

Length/wheelbase

Height/width

Powertrain

Total system power/torque

Electric motor power/torque (bhp/Nm)

Battery size

Transmission

Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel

Boot capacity (seats up/down)

Kerbweight/payload/towing weight

Turning circle

Basic warranty (miles)/recovery

Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos.

NCAP: Adult/child/ped /assist/stars

0 62mph/top speed

Auto Express economy

WLTP combined

WLTP combined

Claimed EV range

Charge time (7.4kW)

Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket

Airbags/Isofix/park sensors/camera Auto box/lane keep/blindspot/AEB

Climate control/adaptive cruise

Leather/heated seats

Metallic paint/LED lights

Keyless entry & go/powered tailgate

Sat nav/digi dash/DAB/connectivity

Wireless charge/CarPlay/Android Auto

Lexus

NX 450h+ Takumi

£59,700/£60,620 £28,943/48 5% £30,757 £978/£1,957

£1,818/£3,031 41/£1,098/£480 £760 (2 yrs)

4,660/2,690mm 1,670/1,865mm

4cyl, 2xe motor/2,487cc 305bhp/227+291 Nm*

F: 183/53 R: 270/121

18 1kWh

E CVT auto/4WD 55 litres/run flat tyres 525/1,436 litres 1,990/550/1,500kg

12 4 metres

10 yrs (100k)/3yrs 12th/2nd 91/87/83/91/5 (’22)

6 3 secs/124mph 48.9mpg/10.8mpl

256 8 313 9mpg 56 5 69 0mpl 43 miles

2hr 45mins 133/25g/km/8%

Yes/yes/f&r/360 Yes/yes/yes/yes

Yes/yes

Yes/yes £770/yes Yes/yes

Yes/yes/yes/yes Yes/yes/yes

FUELLING

BOTH in terms of petrol costs and BiK deductions the Lexus is the least expensive model here

Mazda CX 60

e Skyactiv PHEVTakumi

£49,520/£51,420 £26,587/53 7% £22,933

£1,211/£2,422 £2,102/£3,504 39/£944/£480 £493 (2 years)

4,745/2,870mm

1,675/1,890mm

4cyl, 1xe motor/2,488cc 323bhp/500Nm 173/350

17 8kWh

TOWING

NX will be the least appealing option here for those with a trailer; the Mazda can haul 1,000kg more

8 spd auto/4WD

50 litres/repair kit 570/1,726 litres 2,146/521/2,500kg

11 7 metres

3yrs (60k)/3yrs 7th/N/A N/A

SERVICING

THE more mainstream costs of the Mazda extend to its service bills Its much cheaper to maintain at a main dealer than its two test rivals

Volvo XC60 T6 Recharge Plus Dark

£61,235/£61,920

£30,642/50 0%

£30,593 £968/£1,936 £2,728/£4,546 40/£994/£480 £805 (2 years)

4,708/2,865mm

1,651/1,902mm

4cyl, 1xe motor/1,969cc 345bhp/350/309 Nm* 143/309

18 8kWh

8 spd auto/4WD

70 litres/repair kit 468/1,395 litres 2,086/574/2,250kg

11.4 metres

3 yrs (60k)/3yrs

8th/13th 97/87/71/76/5 (’18)

E MOTOR

UPDATED XC60 has more electric power than its predecessor but still has less than its rivals so it must rely on the petrol engine more

TURNING CIRCLE

THE XC60 can turn tighter than either of its rivals here It really doesn’t feel ungainly even in tight spots

MPG

THE only way any of these cars will get close to WLTP mpg claims is with regular charging and plenty of short journeys

5 8 secs/124mph 42.3mpg/9.3mpl

188 3mpg 38 8mpl 39 miles 1hr 30min 154/33g/km/12%

Yes/yes/f&r/yes

Yes/yes/yes/yes

PAINT

OUR cars Soul Red Metallic is a special colour that costs £900 Other paint finishes start from £650

PHONE

PAINT Standard meta lics are £770, while Lexus special metallics like our car’s Sonic Grey cost £1020

LEXUS

THE NX’s ability to see off two more very capable rivals only cements its place at the top of this class Fantastic in car tech and cabin quality are backed up by the best driving experience here, whether you rate it on the smoothness and responsiveness of its powertrain or its balance between ride and handling While rivals might just edge it in one or two minor areas, it’s a very difficult car to fault, and is a worthy winner

Yes/no

Yes/yes £650/yes Yes/yes Yes/yes/yes/yes £1,000^/yes/yes

STANDARD wireless CarPlay and Android Auto are pointless when you ll need to pay extra for wireless charging its part of a £1000 pack

5 7 secs/112mph 32.6mpg/7.2mpl

217 3mpg

47 8mpl 42 miles

5hr+ 232/23g/km/8%

Yes/yes/f&r/yes Yes/yes/yes/yes Yes/yes Yes/yes £685/yes Yes/yes Yes/yes/yes/yes Yes/yes/yes

CHARGING VOLVOS charge rate is much lower than its rivals, so the battery takes longer to top up

MAZDA

TO come second in this company is a very impressive achievement for Mazda. The CX 60 isn’t without its flaws the hybrid powertrain needs work, and perhaps disappointingly for a Mazda, it isn’t that great to drive but it fights back with a gorgeous interior and a huge boot Throw in all of that, and badge aside, it’s hard to see how the others can justify such an inflated price in comparison

Audi Q5 50TFSI e quattro Sport

THE Q5 splits the difference

rivals here, both in terms of its official 39 mile electric ra Sport trim is well equipped, or you can add £2,500 for the S line version and still

Lexus

1st 2nd 3

0l,

VOLVO

THE XC60 may take third spot, but there’s still much to like. Its comfortable ride, lovely seats and uncluttered cabin instantly leave you feeling at ease, while the updated PHEV system lets you enjoy EV like silence for longer than ever, too However, this isn’t enough to make up for the high monthly costs, the thirsty petrol engine, a comparatively small boot, and flawed in car technology

FOR driving fun, the X3 is the class offer decent

while

an EV range of

the

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Racing ahead

F Pace is a rival for the likes of the BMW X3 and Audi Q5, but Stu reckons theJag is the best looking

Running costs

Practicality

Jaguar

RACE on Sunday, sell on Monday It’s something Jaguar founder William Lyons understood only too well Cars like the C Type, D Type and lightweight E Types dominated countless race series in the 1950s and 60s, and sales of his sports saloons followed in their droves

Yet 70 years later, global car markets have changed What was a fairly easy jump from race car to sports car to sports saloon is significantly harder now the market is increasingly dominated by SUVs

It’s a style of car that I like, but SUVs that are genuinely enjoyable to drive in the sporting sense are still few and far between

The Jaguar F Pace is one exception On the rare occasions that I’ve not had to cart kids or luggage, it’s been hard to resist the urge to take the P400e for a drive just because The summer allowed an extra few hours of daylight to make the most of the car, but its four wheel drive grip was a boon in the rain that interrupted our photoshoot

The chassis has genuine sparkle; it’s well balanced, and despite the vast 21 inch alloys, the ride is very good Visibility is excellent, and in the country it’s been handy to see over hedgerows, even if the width of the car often means sharp intakes of breath when

an oncoming vehicle takes a bit too much road Push on, and the traction is excellent; not even the near 400bhp and 640Nm have bothered the Continental tyres yet

Most of the time, I’ve left the Jag in Eco mode in an attempt to eke out every mile pergallon Evenso,it’scurrentlyresultingin

a figure of 35 2mpg, impacted in no small part by a lot of longer journeys and fewer charges recently The Eco mode clips the car ’ s performance for maximum efficiency, so on the rare occasions I do slip it into its Dynamic setting, it’s cause for celebration The instrumentation turns red and the synthesised sound of the SVR’s V8 is played through the speakers a bit contrived perhaps, but it does put a smile on your face

Not as much as the performance, though: a five second 0 60mph time is a lot of fun in a car that is very easy to bumble about in for the rest of the time It’s 0 1 seconds faster than the P400 MHEV, which has a bigger engine

Not that the PHEV powertrain is without its disadvantages, mind Boot space drops from 650 litres to 552, which meant on a recent camping trip I had to employ all my puzzle solving skills to ensure we were able to carry all the kit We managed it just

roof box might be the answer next time

It’s a shame, because otherwise the F Pace proved the perfect companion The myriad parking cameras were useful for avoiding kids, footballs and guy ropes; and, although our site was on a smallholding, no free running chickens were harmed during our stay Plus that panoramic roof was brilliant for stargazing in the jet black Suffolk skies

One feature that is starting to rankle is the sole USB A socket It’s great that Jaguar is also using more modern USB C connectors,

the old system, it’d be handy to offer more of both Their positioning isn’t great, either They’re sited in the central storage cubby between the front seats, so the lead for my Nextbase dash cam trails through the cabin

As ever, I’ve been gauging other people’s reactions to the Portofino Blue F Pace Jaguar still has kudos that few other brands can come close to Of course, the attractive looks help: the F Pace might lack the sleek lines of one of the firm’s sports saloons, but tell me another SUV that looks as good I’ll wait

62mph/top speed

that puts the focus firmly on a

“I’ve found it hard to resist the urge to take the P400e for a drive... just because”

Stuart Milne

Viewpoint

Essentials

Jaguar F-Pace

R-Dynamic SE

WE

WE

THE

Handling Chassis

a

very

on

the front seats are

in perforated ‘Windsor’ leather

Ford Focus MHEV Estate

REPORT Our family friendly estate impresses on its screen test

SteveWalker Steve Walker@autoviacouk

SCREENS are everywhere today, and the interiors of new cars are becoming ever more dominated by them

This means that car makers are now also in the software business and having good software in a car can make owning the vehicle a far more pleasant experience Ford’s latest attempt is called SYNC 4 and we ’ ve been getting to grips with it via the 13 2 inch touchscreen in our Focus Estate

I’ll admit straight away that I have major doubts about touchscreens in cars It might be more expensive to engineer a climate control dial that glides with mechanical precision than it is to write some extra code, but show me a touchscreen that people prod for the sheer pleasure of it Far more importantly, touchscreens add complexity that can distract you from driving

Ours is one of the better ones we ’ ve tried recently, though The screen on the centre of the dash is standard on every model and contains almost all the climate control and audio functions, plus settings for the car ’ s minor systems The only exceptions are a knob for the volume, buttons for the

air recirculation and maximum windscreen defrost, and the steering wheel shortcuts

This might alarm technophobes, but all of the key climate and heating functionality is always available in a bar on the bottom of the screen You can tweak the temperature with one press, or make bigger changes quickly with a press and slide motion

It’s a trait of Ford’s system that the areas you need to press on the screen are quite large, so using them at a glance isn’t as tricky as it can be with some other systems

One exception is the ‘home’ button, a small circle that is tricky to press on the move

The screen is also divided into tiles so the key functions are always in view, reducing

the amount of touches to access menus

Ford has resisted the urge to get overly fancy with the on screen graphics, and keeping everything large and clear like this cuts the time that your eyes are off the road though not by as much as old school buttons would

Of course, more and more motorists are forgoing their cars ’ software in favour of their phones’, and the integration with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is pretty seamless My Android phone pairs reliably with the Focus when I approach the car, and it’s one of the easiest systems I’ve tried for switching between phone and car software

If you ’ re using your phone’s navigation, the directions still appear on the screen and

head up display (a £400 option), just as they would with the in built system

However, the way Ford’s tablet works with the rest of the cabin isn’t particularly seamless Even in up spec Active Vignale trim, with improved materials and quilted leather seats, the interior design feels dated next to more modern rivals’

In effect, Ford has brought the tech up to date in an older car The fourth generation

Surprised

Steve is no fan of touchscreens in cars, but he says that Ford’s new SYNC 4 system is one of the best

Essentials

Ford Focus Estate 1.0 EcoBoost 155 mHEVauto ActiveVignale

On fleet since: August 2022

Price new: £31,500

Engine: 1 0 litre 3cyl turbo petrol, 153bhp

CO2/tax: 127g/km/£165

Options: Premium paint (£575), Blind Spot Information (£400), Head up display (£400), Dynamic matrix LED lights (£950), Driver Assist Pack (£525), Parking Pack (£500), Family Pack (£400)

Insurance*: Group: 18 Quote: £578

Mileage/mpg: 3,568/46 0mpg

Any problems? None so far

*Insurance quote from AA (0800 107 0680) for a 42 year old in Banbury, Oxon, with three points

Fleetwatch

Practicality

Boot (seats up/down)

litres

WE LIKE Rather than the all important cup holders, the Focus has a cubby in the centre console with adjustable bars that can be moved to snuggly fit different sizes of cups and bottles Neat

Toyota Corolla Commercial

WE cover a lot of different cars within the pages of Auto Express, while we also review commercial vehicles online, too. Perhaps one of the most specialist categories we cover is the car based van, and our resident CV expert Dean Gibson has just taken delivery of one such vehicle. The Toyota Corolla Commercial is the latest arrival in this small sector, and he’ll be running it for a few months just to see what it’s made of.

On first impressions, things are positive The Commercial is based on the 1.8 litre hybrid version of the Touring Sports estate in Icon trim, so it’s well equipped and very car like to drive. However, instead of a rear bench, it features a steel mesh partition behind the front seats and an entirely flat cargo area The side windows are blacked out completely to meet the rules for car based vans, too, but while this offers security from prying eyes, the clear tailgate glass seems at odds with it.

At least the hybrid drive system is delivering on its eco credentials. Dean is easily averaging more than 55mpg without any real effort

For no obvious reason, the Fabia refused to connect with Dawn’s husband’s phone

Skoda Fabia

IN her last report, picture editor Dawn Grant highlighted how easy it is to use Apple CarPlay in her Skoda Fabia However, since then she has encountered some intermittent issues.

Focus has been on sale since 2018, and this year ’ s facelift added the enlarged screen and SYNC 4 Lower grade plastics on the interior door handles don’t help the impression of quality, because you use them so often

But while you will find family hatchbacks and SUVs that initially look and feel more modern, few of them can trump the Focus for usability Like the on screen experience, stuff in the Focus does tend to work well

WE DON’T Am I the only one who doesn’t ‘get’ powered tailgates? I’d rather open and close the boot myself than wait for it to slowly raise or descend with the accompanying chimes

While travelling 55 miles from the Dorset coast to Wiltshire, her husband plugged his phone in as normal, but although the phone pinged to show the connection was working, a message on the screen said the phone couldn’t connect. Despite also trying Dawn’s phone and checking the cable, nothing would work

On the plus side, this meant using the Skoda Navigation system, which was clear and easy; and a couple of checks via Google Maps on the phone showed no difference in arrival time

Since then, the system has developed more foibles, because the sound doesn’t work, and if it’s not set to mute, the radio cuts out when there should have been a direction announcement.

AS you may have guessed, I’m getting on very well with Ford’s family estate It’s a car with few weak spots and if you’re going to have a big screen, you could do a lot worse than getting Ford’s latest software to run it

Your ultimate guide to buying and owning an electric car

Darkness Benefits of Corolla’s opaque window tints are offset by the clear tailgate glass Incommunicado

HOTKI

Handy

Holder clips to side of cabinet, and can take tools with or without batteries

LASER TRIO KEEP THINGS SIMPLE

PRODUCT

Laser Tools range

Prices: from £38 40

Contact: lasertoolscouk

IT’S often small additions to your tool kit that can really take the grind out of working on your car, and Laser has just added three to its line up.

Many of us now use cordless tools, but they are often not kept with our other kit which is where Laser’s neat holder (8378) comes in. It’s designed to clip on to a roller tool cabinet with a raised lip and is kept in place by a strong magnet, which is rubber covered to protect the paintwork.

The powder coated design can hold up to three tools, with or without their batteries, and also frees up space inside the cabinet. It costs £68.59.

Replacing parts and gaskets often means surfaces have to be cleaned and any corrosion and sealant removed. All manner of tools can be pressed into service, but Laser’s new carbide scraper (8393) will do the job quickly and efficiently. The sharp edge is designed for precise work, plus there’s a long handle for comfort and reach. There’s also a serrated side for grooves and edges. The 300mm scraper costs £46.32.

The final piece is a Combination Drill and Tap BitSet (8405) at £38.40. It means there’s no need for separate tools to make the hole and create a thread, and covers M3, M4, M5, M6, M8 and M10 bolts.

Scrape away

Carbide scraper has an extra long handle for getting to hard to reach areas, and can remove corrosion, paint and varnish

Combined

and Tap Bit set uses a single tool to make the hole and create a thread New

covers

Q Q Q

Quick and easy protection

WHAT’S the quickest way to get some protection on my car before winter? I don’t have the space or time for a lengthy process

Paul Whyte, E-mail

A A

GETTING a detailer round is the easiest but not the cheapest way of adding protection Whatever you do, the car will need washing. When it’s clean and rinsed, use Sonax Xtreme Spray+Seal Just spray it on, rinse off and dry as usual Our tests show it is good for at least three months’ protection.

How can I track a trailer?

I’VE bought a car trailer, which I’m keeping on a friend’s nearby farm I’ve seen devices that can track a car, but is there something for a trailer that doesn’t need a power supply?

Clive Paul, E-mail

APPLE’S Air Tag is easy to hide and the battery is good for more than a year, but it relies on iPhone users to locate it. ProaTrac has a device which attaches via magnets, links to a smartphone and has a power pack that is claimed to last three years At £204, it’s around 10 times the price of the Air Tag, plus you need a subscription.

Getting rid of smoke smell

I BOUGHT a car from a smoker and have cleaned the seats, carpets and trim several times, but the smell still lingers Is there anything I can do to shift it?

Nick Clarke, E mail

THE headlining is often forgotten when trying to remove odours from the cabin If you haven’t cleaned it, do so. If the smell persists, you could try something like Autoglym’s Spearmint Fogger (£10 30) Like a cleaner for the air con system, you set it off inside the car with the windows closed, and leave it until the can is empty.

Scalextric on track with new slot cars

NEWPRODUCT

Scalextric slot cars

Price: £49 99 Contact: ukscalextriccom

THERE’S something for all tastes in the latest slot car launches from Scalextric Touring car fans can join the on track rough and tumble in Adam Morgan’s Ciceley Motorsport run BMW 330i, which comes in the eye catching black and gold livery of Car Gods Like all the newcomers, it is compatible with the app based ARC AIR and One systems, which add depth to the slot car racing, but it will need a digital chip Adam’s a winner on track, so see if you can match his success in your living room.

If you prefer to race road cars, Scalextric’s latest variation on the Lotus Esprit theme after its Bond models is the S2, launched to commemorate the team’s 1978 F1 World Championship victory with Mario Andretti The sleek wedge comes in the black and gold livery paying tribute to sponsor JPS

Another classic from the seventies is the Chrysler Hemicuda that took on the Ford Capris and BMW CSLs in the 1973 Spa 24 Hours Both the real car and the slot racer are best suited to long straights and this 1:32 version faithfully replicates the original livery right down to the cigarette and alcohol branding, so it has an age warning

Finally, there’s a model unlikely to ever see a real race track a T1b Volkswagen van This delivery version is in American Castrol livery One for the shelf, perhaps

NEWPRODUCT

Draper Tools Advent Calendar

Price: £34 99 Contact: drapertoolscom

Detail

screen

Faithful Hemicuda sports same livery

WHAT petrolhead wants to find chocolates or sweets in their advent calendar when they can have tools instead? Behind its 24 doors, Draper’s version for 2022 packs 43 pieces, which come together to form a mini tool set on the big day Ideal for putting batteries in newly opened presents

At the heart of the set are linesman pliers, a magnetic ratchet bit driver and 10 hex keys covering 1.5 10mm. There’s also an adaptor to use the nine ¼ inch drive sockets that stretch from 5 13mm A bit holder stores nine plain, PH and PZ type screw bits, plus there are six TX STAR versions. And while you build your set, £1 from every sale will go to the Cash for Kids charity.

news, deals& events

Contenders for Book oftheYearannounced

THE Royal Automobile Club has revealed its shortlist for 2022’s Motoring Book of the Year It includes Andrew Noakes’ Silver Arrows and Chris Martin’s Alfasud in the sub £50 general motoring category, plus Bentley Continental, Fit for a King and Marcel Pourtout: Carrossier in the £50 plus general motoring category.

Motorsport titles include Racing Green by Kit Chapman, WRC 50 by Markus Stier, and 956 001 by Thomas Nehlert

The winners will be announced on 2 November, when a Lifetime Achievement Award will also be handed out

Zap-Map subscription for Nissan EV buyers

ZAP Map, the EV chargepoint mapping service, has partnered with Nissan to offer a premium subscription to all buyers of the marque’s electric vehicles Customers who purchase a Leaf or an Ariya will get the premium subscription, which on top of Zap Map’s core features of finding, planning and paying for charging, allows access to the app through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto on the car’s infotainment display.

Zap Map also offers live information for about 70 per cent of its chargepoints, letting you see if they’re in use. For non Nissan owners, Premium subscriptions cost £47 99 a year, or £7 99 monthly

Fiat puts its history on show in Turin

FIAT is preparing to open its Heritage Hub to the public. The exhibition space celebrates the story of Fiat, Lancia and Abarth, and houses more than 300 cars Sited in the Mirafiori Industrial Complex in Turin, the hub covers around 15,000 square metres and will open for guided tours, plus private or corporate events

The centre can be seen not just as a brand celebration, but also as a history of Italian motoring. The site is the oldest automobile factory in Europe and still builds Maseratis If you’d like a hub tour to be part of your next Italian road trip, visit museoauto.comfor info and tickets.

At the

(top) and Lotus Esprit come in black and gold paint

Minitest

Yiannimize Decontaminate and Iron Remover

THIS cleaner, which is designed for wheels and bodywork, is pretty effective Even with just gentle rinsing, it made good progress on our neglected rim Bilt Hamber had the edge, but this iron remover certainly works

We couldn’t find what type of rim it can be used on, though. ‘All external paintwork and alloys’ leaves a question over chrome, anodised and unlacquered finishes An on pack QR code for directions takes you to a site that requires a credit card for a free trial, which some will not want to pursue.

The QR code taking you to a video of Charlambous is free Oddly, he recommends protecting rims with his Light Polish, which isn’t part of the Halfords range. This cleaner is also not cheap, with only three of the 20 products in our 2022 test costing more

Yiannimize out to clean up against Auto-Wheel

WHEN supercar customiser Yianni Charlambous launched his car care products this year, he aimed to “disrupt the market” and use his experience to create a full cleaning and protection solution that was available exclusively through Halfords Charlambous has A list celebrity clients and a huge following on social media, so we were keen to see what he’d created

We tried the Yiannimize wheel cleaner against the current standard setter and

Bilt Hamber Auto Wheel

THE contrast between the presentation of these cleaners could hardly be greater. While one promotes an individual with images and videos, the other comes in plain packaging with no QR codes Auto Wheel encourages users to try in an unseen area and warns against getting the cleaner on chrome parts There are more details on how it works and how it should be used on the firm’s website

Bilt Hamber was a pioneer of formulas that make the metal particles in brake dust water soluble, turning them red or purple as it works, and it still has the edge here

While the margin between the products was small but clear, Yiannimize can be used as a chemical clay bar to remove particles from paintwork But Auto Wheel has the advantage on rims, and you get twice the amount plus a cleaning brush for £3 more.

multiple test winning Bilt Hamber Auto Wheel On a neglected wheel trim we checked cleaning power first with gentle rinsing after applying each cleaner and letting it work on the grime After assessing the results we applied more cleaner and lightly agitated the area with a brush We also considered value for money.

While the Yiannimize is effective, it’s one of the more costly options and the instructions could be better Auto Wheel remains our wheel cleaner of choice.

books, games & apps

Corvette 70 Years: The One and Only

Richard Prince (Motorbooks, quartoknowscouk)

Price: £45 Rating:

ANOTHER gorgeous looking coffee table book from this publisher, but with lots of substance in the text to make it a good read, too. It helps that the Corvette is a truly iconic car about which it’s easy to ramble

The narrative covers 36 examples, representing all eight generations since 1953 A superb book for ’Vette or American car fans

British Microcars 1947-2002

Duncan Cameron (Shire Library, bloomsburycom)

Price: £7 99 Rating:

NOT extensive at less than 65 pages, this is still a fun first look at that most eccentric class of British mobility: the microcar Post war Britain was one of the world’s microcar hotbeds, so there’s plenty of history to go over here, from the birth of Reliant to smaller brands. This is a cute addition to the shelf

OpenTTD

Available for: iOS, Android

Price: Free Rating:

THIS is a pretty faithful port of Transport Tycoon to a mobile platform. For those unfamiliar, the game’s objective is to provide passenger and cargo transport for the people of a randomly generated world

If you dreamt of being a railway magnate, this is the game for you, but this port’s small buttons and confusing interface are best enjoyed on a large screen with a mouse, rather than a tiny touchscreen

Appoftheweek

Radio Garden

Available for: iOS, Android

Price: Free Rating:

THIS is a simple and fun internet radio app that presents you with a globe. Spin it, and you can pick radio stations from around the world It’s easy to use and the sound quality is good, making it well worth a download.

“Auto-Wheel has the advantage on rims, and you get twicetheamount for £3 more”

“Even with gentle rinsing, it made good progress on our neglected rim”

Kim Adams

Sealey

BEST BUY WITH this cover, you gain an extra layer over Sealey’s CCL version, and we think it’s worth it, especially because it only costs a few pounds more.

We found the composite material fully waterproof and breathable, and mid range in terms of knock resistance The

fit was good, with very little overhang at either end, and it was secure, given that it was the only one here with three rather than two tether straps.

Unlike some, we were able to get it back in its bag, an important feature for owners who fit and remove regularly

Concours Eclipse Outdoor Car Cover

RECOMMENDED THIS tailored cover even came with custom pockets to suit the car’s aftermarket door mirrors

It was a perfect fit front and rear and came with twin, double ended tether straps, which combined with the elastic sections to keep it tight There were also

front and rear eyelets for extra security.

The four layers gave UV protection and waterproofing, a breathable film and a soft non woven inner lining, all of which amounted to good knock resistance, breathability and water resistance It also fitted easily into its carry bag

THE ultimate car cover when you have the space, but not the £20k required for a brick garage and it doesn’t need planning permission

It took a day to erect and we were impressed by the way it shrugged off the effects of heavy rain and high winds the

following day. The triple layer, waterproof, woven polyethylene fabric was good, too, because it was UV treated with antifungal agents for protection against sun and rain. Inside, the white finish made it light and it easily swallowed the car with room left for tools and accessories

ANY car enthusiast will prefer to keep their pride and joy out of the elements and, in the absence of a garage, an outdoor car cover is a good alternative.

When a car is left unprotected outside, it’s vulnerable to scratches and knocks as well as the harmful effects of the sun and airborne pollution, plus tree sap, dirt and bird droppings. So a high

quality car cover is a sound investment, although it’s good to take precautions

A cover should not be applied to a wet vehicle, and snow should be brushed off as soon as possible to aid breathability It’s also good to check moisture is not building up on paint

We tried eight solutions to protect a classic Ford Capri RS3100 (courtesy of Capricare UK, 01908 365560)

Halfords All Seasons Car Cover Large

THIS was finished in sizzling silver, a colour that will divide opinion. Theoretically the ‘large’ cover should have been ideal, but it was rather too long for our car and probably a ‘medium’ would have been better. It came well down each side and featured two fixed

tether straps, although with no locking cable option, and it was far too big to fit easily into its bag

Its hefty 4 3kg weight made it a bit clumsy to fit, but did mean very good knock protection. The price was good too and we liked the two year warranty

Dave Pollard

Richbrook SuperStorm Tailored Outdoor Car Cover

Price:

RECOMMENDED LIKE the Halfords (below), this was finished in space age shiny silver, although it was far lighter.

This made it easier to manoeuvre, but led to slightly lower knock resistance than on its more expensive sibling It also meant we could fold it easily into the

bag Twin tether straps helped secure it and we liked the reinforced hole in the centre for the optional locking cable.

The cover’s prices start at £99 and vary depending on size and spec Its double stitched seams contributed to its excellent exterior moisture performance.

Richbrook StormGuard Tailored 4 Layer Outdoor Car Cover

Price:

RICHBROOK’S top model featured a four layer fabric, which was second heaviest at 3.6kg, although we could still get it neatly into its carrier. Constructed using heat and ultrasonic techniques, it repelled all our exterior water, was impressively breathable and resisted

862387,

knocks well The twin double ended tether straps and security flap were reinforced and combined with the front and rear elastics to make it a tight fit. It was the most expensive cover here prices start at £175 so you’d have to consider whether the cost is justified.

HVerdict owwetestedthem

IF a cover can’t breathe, it can trap moisture between it and the body, and damage paint Breathability was assessed by using a steam filled box with a moisture trap above, noting the results after five minutes To check for leaks, we sprayed each with a hose before pouring 500ml of water on one area and leaving it for 10 minutes A drop test rated protection against accidental bumps

We also checked construction quality and ease of use, plus we wanted tether straps, mirror pockets, carry bags and zipped door panels Some covers came in a standard size, others were either part or wholly custom fit. We factored in prices from online sources, although these will vary with the size of the covers.

Clarke Large Car Cover

Price:

CLARKE’S entry was by far the cheapest here, but the lightweight synthetic cover was a touch too long for the Capri

It easily shrugged off exterior moisture, but wasn’t breathable. We liked the strong elastic edges at front and rear, which had their work cut out

on the breezy test day. It was getting under the sides and starting to lift a little and we’d have paid a little more for the reassurance of a couple of straps Knock protection was limited to the odd push and shove, but as a cheap way to cover a car for a short time, it’s worth a look

SEALEY’S SCCL did most things well, but its relatively low price really clinched the win. For a car that warrants better performance and a tailored fit, the Concours and Richbrook Superstorm covers were very impressive

1. Sealey 3 Layer All Seasons Car Cover SCCL

2. Concours Eclipse Outdoor Car Cover

3. Richbrook SuperStorm Tailored Outdoor Car Cover

Sealey Large Car Cover CCL

SEALEY’S CCL was quite basic, with just two non breathable layers. The anti UV outer repelled moisture very well, but with limited knock resistance, while the soft inner layer was kind to paintwork. The elastics front and rear worked well, but the cover blew out quite a bit

in the breeze, thanks to having no tether straps. It was the only one with a zipped door opening ideal to save removing the cover to get into the cabin, and two vents on the top to help prevent moisture. It did come with a zip up bag, but we found it impossible to get the cover into it

addition, the

with best

MINIHatchbackMk3

RATINGS CATEGORIES

boast several

survey results for the engine

seat comfort, overall

roadholding

some predictable downsides to MINI ownership, however Owners don’t like the relatively high servicing costs at MINI dealers, the tiny boot or

limited storage in the cabin Rear seat legroom

rated

looks great and is a pleasure to drive ”

“There are some low quality interior plastics a shame at the price.”

controls are separate, not buried in screen menus e.g. climate control.”

“The whole go kart MINI Adventure every time you get behind the wheel – I wouldn’t drive anything else.”

“The exhaust sound has been badly affected by the addition of the now compulsory PPF filter.”

“I WISH it had a more economical braking system, because I spent £760 this year on brake pads etc.”

Chris Rosamond mail@autoexpresscouk

“IT’S a wonderfully interesting car to sit in and look at, and I much prefer it to a BMW 1 Series ”

“Bolt the interior together better too many rattles ”

“It’s just not possible to seat two adults in the rear; even a single passenger would have to sit side on.”

biggest satisfaction survey

Running costs

YOU have to go back a long way to find a Vauxhall price list that doesn’t contain the Corsa supermini. Right back to 1993, in fact, because that’s when the Corsa took over in the UK from the Nova, a car which was also sold in Europe as the Corsa

Take that model into account and you have to go back to 1982 Sold in huge numbers, the Corsa has touched millions of lives, because this incredibly accessible and usable supermini has provided transport for drivers new and old

The Corsa has also evolved massively in recent years, so it’s far more sophisticated now than it used to be, making it ideal for anyone looking to downsize, or who just wants a hi tech, high spec small car

History

THE Mk5 Vauxhall Corsa went on sale in August 2019 only as a five door hatch, with the first deliveries coming in January 2020

Buyers could opt for a 101bhp 1 5 litre diesel engine or a three cylinder 1.2 litre petrol unit in 74bhp non turbo or 99bhp turbocharged forms The 74bhp engine only came with a five speed manual gearbox and the 1.5D with a six speed manual transmission, while the 99bhp 1 2i was available in six speed manual or eight speed automatic guises

In June 2020 the 134bhp all electric Corsa e went on sale, then six months later a 130bhp 1 2T petrol engine with an eight speed automatic transmission was added to the range. At the same time the trim levels were revised and expanded, only to be reduced to just three options (Design, GS Line, Ultimate) in summer 2022

ELECTRICCORSA

ALL versions of the Corsa e came with a

battery pack to

an official range of

cars came

former

axed

BUYER’SGUIDE:Vauxh

KNOW...

Spare wheel

cars

Niggles

go might not

Richard Dredge

hallCorsa

Electrics Electrical glitches are not unusual, especially with the lighting, blind spot indicators, heated steering wheel and automatic wipers Ensure everything works

AFTER making its Driver Power new car debut in 2021 in 28th place out of 75 cars, the Corsa slipped to 42nd in the 2022 poll. It beat the VW Polo, Ford Fiesta and SEAT Ibiza, but not the Kia Rio, Toyota Yaris, Honda Jazz or Peugeot 208. It’s the low running costs that owners like most, while value for money and infotainment are positives Most aspects are mid table at best, including rear legroom, practicality and overall quality.

CASE STUDY

KHAYRI Mahmood from Wetherby, West Yorks, owns a Corsa 1.2T. He said: “It replaced a Focus and although the Vauxhall is smaller, it has so much tech that it doesn’t matter; this feels like a car from the class above Running costs are low, and the engine is economical but refined, with plenty of performance. I’ve had a couple of software related problems, but dealer updates seem to have fixed them.”

Expert’s verdict

VAUXHALL may not be one of the most prestigious brands out there these days, but owners can be fiercely loyal In the Corsa they’ve reason to be pleased; it’s a solid all rounder that’s easy to drive, basically very reliable and generally cheap to run You’re never far from a Vauxhall dealer, although independents can easily handle the basics, and when you’re looking for a good used example, the car’s popularity makes choosing easy

Common faults

MOST of the problems we hear about are related to electrics, not very serious, and often sorted under warranty. Many Corsas live in the city, so look out for bumps and scrapes to alloy wheels, which may point to less than careful ownership

EQUIPMENT All Corsas get 16 or 17 inch alloys, depending on spec. Gearboxes range from five and six speed manuals to an eight speed automatic, governed by the engine that’s fitted

PRACTICALITY Boot space on combustion engined Corsas is 309 litres, but this drops to 267 litres on the Corsa e with the rear bench in place Head and legroom is tight in the back seats

“It’s a solid all rounder that’s easy to drive and generally cheap to run”

ChrisRosamond Contributingeditor

Howmuch?

THERE’S the occasional Corsa available for less than £12,000, but these cars tend to be either insurance write offs or have a relatively high mileage (40,000) and a basic spec (typically a 75bhp 1 2 SE) You have to spend upwards of £13,000 before this generation of Corsa outnumbers its predecessor, and for this sum you can buy a 30,000 mile 1.2T SRi on a 69 plate.

Diesels are very rare (just 30 among the 1,700 or so Corsas that we found), and they’re priced from £14,000 for a 20 plate SE Nav that’s done 15,000 miles Autos account for one in seven of the used Corsas available and they’re priced from £15,000 for a 20,000 mile 69 plate 1 2T SE About one in five Corsas is electric and these start at £22,500 for a 20 plate 25,000 mile

Runningcosts

Average

Model

Corsa1 275

Corsa 1 2T 100

Corsa1 2T100auto

Corsa1 2T130auto

133g/km

134g/km

140g/km

Interior

THE Corsa is quite a costly car now, and that’s reflected in the quality of the materials used throughout the Vauxhall’s cabin, as well as the technology that features inside. There are sophisticated infotainment systems and high quality switchgear fitted, plus soft touch plastics galore.

50mpg

ALL petrol and diesel Corsas need to be serviced every 12 months or 20,000 miles An Interim service is due in the first/third/fifth/etc year, costing £205 or £215 depending on whether pattern or original parts are used. This is essentially an oil and filter change.

Main services (second, sixth, 10th) cost £235 or £265, while the Major maintenance (fourth, eighth, 12th) is £355 or £415 for a petrol Corsa, or £335/£385 for a diesel. All Corsa engines are chain driven so there are no cambel

The Corsa e or 8,000 miles years or 16,00 two years or 1 between mino around £150 a respectively. B fluid is needed every two years, at £70

What’s less impressive, however, is rear seat space, with head and legroom both tight for adults. The boot capacity is fairly good, though, at 309 litres or 1,118 litres with the seats folded. The Corsa e cuts this to just 267 or 1,081 litres, but this doesn’t affect its functionality too badly.

STYLING Contemporary design has made the fifth generation Corsa popular with UK buyers. It’s only available as a five door model

INFOTAINMENT

Partwatch

Recalls

VAUXHALL has recalled the Corsa on two occasions so far The first time was in December 2020, when 21,068 cars built between the end of June and the start of December 2020 were potentially affected An earthing problem within the electrical system could lead to the side airbags going off for no reason The solution was to clean the earthing studs so they could do a better job

The second campaign came in February 2022, and this time 66,176 Corsa were potentially caught up in the action, each one built up to the end of May 2021

reason for the recall was a faulty piece of software, which could lead to the car’s indicators behaving erratically without the driver knowing, because there was no warning on the dashboard

suggest the signal

be

Which one?

WHILE the Corsa e is very usable, you pay a big premium to buy one, which is why a 1 2T is more appealing The only engine we would avoid is the non turbocharged 74bhp 1 2; all other powerplants are good, and so are the various transmissions.

The trim hierarchy starts with SE, which has LED headlights, a seven inch touchscreen, 16 inch alloys and air con The SRi adds a digital instrument cluster, heated sports front seats, a heated steering wheel, climate control, automatic headlights and wipers, rear parking sensors, plus 17 inch alloys

Elite spec has all of these features except the sports seats, but it adds front parking sensors The Ultimate has nav, leather seat inserts, a massage function for the driver’s seat, adaptive cruise control and keyless go.

Alternatives

THE Vauxhall Corsa shares its platform and technology with the Peugeot 208, while the popular Ford Fiesta is plentiful, has a wide model range, is roomy and well equipped, plus it’s great fun to drive SEAT’s Ibiza looks smart, is easy to live with, is keenly priced and comes with some

great engines, just like its VW Group cousins, the Skoda Fabia and Volkswagen Polo

If value for money is more of a priority, take a look at the Kia Rio or the Hyundai i20, both of which come with long warranties

Other superminis to shortlist include the Mazda 2, Nissan Micra and Toyota Yaris, plus our top pick, the Renault Clio, which has a great cabin and is well equipped The French supermini also comes with an array of powertrain options, including a hybrid.

Verdict

FOR years the Corsa has tried to grab the top slot from the Ford Fiesta in the UK new car sales charts, and in recent months it has done just that This is partly because Ford has cut Fiesta production to focus on more profitable models, but the Vauxhall’s victory is deserved because it’s a much more desirable car than its predecessors were

Yet in our group tests the Corsa has been beaten by the VW Polo, Skoda Fabia and Renault Clio, with that last car being our

current favourite new supermini While this segment is more hotly contested than ever before, the Corsa is still an impressive contender. It’s not our go to small car, but the Vauxhall is still well worth adding to any used car shortlist, especially when you factor in the ease and cost of servicing, plus the widespread national dealer network.

Websites

RACY SRi models get heated front sports seats with red trim and stitching that matches the highlight on the dashboard

Alternativelifestyle

The Suzuki Swace offers something different in the estate class, but is it better than the Skoda Octavia?

IT’S hard to argue with the all-round appeal of the Skoda Octavia Estate when you’re looking for a load lugger for family or business reasons.

But Suzuki is trying to offer an alternative with its rebadged Toyota Corolla Touring Sports named,

somewhat oddly, the Swace. Unlike the Skoda, which is derived from a hatchback, the Swace is only available as an estate Also unlike the Octavia, it’s a hybrid only, albeit one that relies on Toyota’s excellent tech.

For the purposes of this used comparison, we’ve pitched the

120bhp, petrol electric CVT auto-equipped Swace against a 1.0 litre mild hybrid DSG Octavia to see how the pair measure up as rivals on the used market. It’s a tale of two different approaches, but which should you favour as the ideal family runaround?

Skoda Octavia

1.0 TSI 110 e-TEC DSG SE Tech

Years: 2021 to date

Engine: 1 0 litre 3cyl petrol, 108bhp

Transmission: 7spd auto/fwd Kerbweight: 1,341kg 0 62mph: 10 6 secs Top speed: 124mph

Boot capacity (seats up/down): 640/1,700 litres Ins group: 12 Official econ/CO2: 54 3mpg/148g/km

BENCHMARK Octavia Estate is a regular feature of our annual New Car Awards due to how much space it offers for the money

Suzuki Swace 1.8 VVT-i Hybrid SZ5

Years: 2020 to date

Engine: 1 8 litre 4cyl hybrid, 120bhp

Transmission: CVT auto/fwd Kerbweight: 1,420kg 0 62mph: 11 1secs Top speed: 112mph Boot capacity (seats up/down): 596/1,232 litres

Ins group: 21 Official econ/CO2: 64 2mpg/131g/km

DUPLICATE Swace is the first Suzuki to compete in the family estate class, but its Toyota Corolla roots are obvious

SkodaOctaviaEstate

THE Skoda Octavia is nothing if not a known quantity, and its popularity in the minicab sector should tell you all you need to know about its practicality, reliability and low running costs

This mild hybrid version doesn’t have the cutting edge feel of its Suzuki rival, but owners tend to choose estate cars for their practical advantages, and there’s no arguing with the statistics when it comes to boot capacity the Skoda’s mighty 1,700 litre load volume with the seats folded makes the Suzuki’s 1,232 litres look miserly.

For many estate car buyers, the Skoda will win on luggage capacity alone, but it also offers more space for passengers in the rear, and features practical touches look for the Simply Clever option pack with its under seat storage, for example that suggest Skoda is tuned in exactly to the needs of this market

Combine great quality and Skoda’s almost premium feel with a terrific driving experience that feels a little more secure on the road, and the job is done The fact it should cost a little less to buy than the Swace is potentially offset by slightly higher annual fuel bills

SkodaOctaviaEstate

AS a superbly practical all rounder that’s rewarding to own and drive, we think the Skoda Octavia Estate is an unimpeachable choice for family or business use.

USED

Luggage space on a par with a Mercedes E Class, great driving manners, high quality feel AGAINST Economy isn’t as impressive as the Suzuki’s, mildhybrid system can’t run on battery alone

Vast boot is an Octavia Estate highlight, but it’s backed up by practical touches and generous cabin space, too

A

depth to its talents

tech is clean, efficient and enjoyable to live with. The Swace is roomy and practical, too

SuzukiSwace

BUT for that knockout blow from the Skoda’s huge load capacity, the Suzuki Swace’s performance would have made the judges’ decision much harder. So if you’re not exclusively focused on boot volume, we’d not be shocked or disappointed if you picked this particular Suzuki over the Skoda

There’s no doubt that Toyota’s hybrid technology is appealing, thanks to its low emissions, safe driving characteristics and impressive potential economy If you do a lot of local or urban driving, then it’s not hard to imagine returning economy figures close to Suzuki’s claimed 64 2mpg

The Swace is around £5,000 more to buy new, but Skoda’s rock solid residuals and Suzuki’s discounts mean prices converge quickly on the used market. That could make the Suzuki feel like more of a bargain

Either way, the Swace is a practical and efficient family car that’s well built, pleasant to drive, and comes with the added reassurance of Toyota’s supremely reliable engineering And because it’s a close relative of the Corolla Touring Sports, it’s built here in Britain, too

SuzukiSwace

CLEAN hybrid tech, contemporary styling and low running costs make the Swace genuinely appealing, but the Skoda beats it for practicality and interior space.

Not as refined and comfortable on the motorway as the Skoda, and it can’t compete for load space

It’s not the biggest estate, but discounts make Suzuki an attractive option

Cargo space isn’t quite up to Skoda’s high standards, but buyers can benefit from the Swace’s hybrid drive

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HOW OUR GUIDE WORKS

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

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

N E W C A R PR

C E S

INSURANCE: Group rating as quoted by the Association of British Insurers

WARRANTY: Next to each manufacturer’s name is the basic warranty period in months and miles for the mechanicals, corrosion and paintwork EVs and hybrids will have dedicated battery cover

LIST PRICE: This is the on the road figure and includes VAT, delivery to dealer, 12 months’ road tax, number plates and first registration EVs do not include the Plug in Car Grant

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

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

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£2,365

VEHICLES BELOW £40,000 Electric vehicle: £0

Alternative fuel: £155

Petrol/diesel: £165

Alternative fue s include hybrids, plug in hybr ds b ethano and LPG fuels

VEHICLES OVER £40,000

Electric vehicle: £0

Alternative fuel: £510

Petrol/diesel: £520

After five years, vehicles costing more than £40 000 revert to the ower rates

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

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

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All the action from the world of

Donington hosts British GT finale

● Two-hour enduro closes season

GT3 and GT4 titles up for grabs

Alex Ingram Alex Ingram@autoviacouk @AxleIngram

THE 2022 British GT season comes to a close this weekend, with the title decider taking place at Donington Park The series heads into the final race with both the GT3 and GT4 championships still to be settled

In GT3, Ian Loggie has a firm grip on the standings, with the RAM Racing Mercedes AMG GT3 driver holding a 24 5 point lead over the Barwell Motorsport Lamborghini Huracán GT3 pair of Adam Balon and Sandy Mitchell. With 37.5 points awarded for victory in Donington’s two hour finale, third pl will guarantee the 59 year old Scot the title, even if the Barwell pair win

As ever, the GT3 category is fiercely close with various teams in contention As well as Mercedes AMG and Lamborghini being represented at the head of the championship table, third is occupied by another Mercedes AMG squad in the shape of 2 Seas Motorsport, while the Enduro Motorsport team is running a McLaren 720S GT3

Last time out in Brands Hatch, it was the Enduro McLaren of Morgan Tillbrook and Marcus Clutton that took victory. The pair ran a close second for most of the race until cruel luck befell the leading Team Abba Racing pair of Richard and Sam Neary A failed fuel pump just two laps from the finish dropped the Mercedes out of contention Loggie had a difficult race; a clumsy collision with a Lamborghini

Solberg loses Hyundai WRC drive

THE Hyundai Motorsport World Rally team has announced that driver Oliver Solberg will not be retained for the 2023 season. Oliver, son of 2003 World Champion Petter Solberg, shared a third i20N entry with Dani Sordo this year, and achieved a career best result of fourth at Rally Ypres in Belgium back in August The team has elected to field a more experienced driver line up in 2023, leaving the 21 year old out of a seat.

“Obviously it’s very disappointing after everything we’ve built up,” said Solberg on social media “I have a great relationship with all the guys in the team We will fight like hell to keep things going.”

In other changes, Irish co driver Paul Nagle has announced his retirement The 44 year old has five WRC wins all alongside Kris Meeke and spent 2022 with countryman Craig Breen at M Sport Ford.

FIGHTER

early on damaged his steering and he eventually finished in sixth position

In GT4, the championship battle is even closer. There are just 25 points covering Newbridge Motorsport (Aston Martin), Steller Motorsport (Audi), R Racing (Aston Martin) and Century Motorsport (BMW), so all four have a shot at the title. Last time out at Brands, championship leaders Matt Topham and Darren Turner for Newbridge pipped Steller’s Richard Williams and Sennan Fielding for class victory by 5.2 seconds.

The Donington finale starts at 1pm on Sunday, and is being broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 and streamed via YouTube

Mustang revs up for Aussie series

FORD has unveiled its 2023 Australian Supercars challenger (below), which is based on the new Mustang. It made its debut at the Bathurst 1000, with DJR team boss and five time champion Dick Johnson running demo laps.

New Gen 3 rules forge closer ties with road cars; power comes from a 600bhp V8, while downforce is 60 70 per cent down on the current Gen 2 cars. The Mustang will compete against the Chevrolet Camaro next year.

Solberg’s career at Hyundai is over, but he will look for other opportunities within the WRC

HOPEFULS Loggie (inset) can wrap up GT3 title with a podium, but Newbridge Aston Martin (below) has a tougher task in GT4 class

next week

THIS is long overdue A bright new Transport Secretary, Anne Marie Trevelyan, takes the stage at the Conservative Party Conference The time and place Birmingham, West Midlands somehow seem right As does the theme: Get Britain Moving Her inaugural speech should’ve offered hope to all users of mainstream modes of transport Instead, it was as if some of them no longer exist. On this evidence, she’s obsessed with “rail” or “railways” (referred to a dozen times), with trains, train operators, their customers, workers, stations and ticket offices, collectively receiving an additional 12 or so enthusiastic mentions right at the start of her address

Next, what seemed like her second tier of priorities shipping, ports, maritime travel, coal and steam power (honest), hydrogen, unspecified zero emission vehicles and aviation... in that order.

Then, at the end and evidently close to the bottom of her priority list, she mentioned roads (in particular, the A1 and A303), potholes and a token, nothingy reference to “motorway or local street”.

But the fact is that this speech was an automotive industry, car and motorist free zone. Conspicuous by their disgraceful absence were much needed references to the UK’s often ignored 780,000 auto industry employees; the almost 40 million registered cars in Britain; our circa 50 million Brit based car drivers and their adult or child passengers

Rutherford Mike

Motoring’s most outspoken and opinionated columnist sounds off

How do the Conservatives think Britain’s 40 million drivers and voters will react to their idiotic anti car bias?

Away from the conference stage, maybe the new Transport Sec would come to her senses and gratefully acknowledge the presence and necessity of cars in the lives of the vast majority of Brits? But no, apparently not “I want our railways to work First because if people can’t use the railways they can’t get on and move around the country. But secondly, they lose confidence and they will then get in their cars That is the wrong way round”

By default, this means the new UK Government’s incoming Transport Secretary is telling us, the cash strapped people, that the right way round is to leave our cars at home while we walk, cycle, taxi, bus or whatever to a railway station, before boarding a train, which is often more expensive to use than a car on a pence per mile basis Why on earth would motorists do that? Especially when they’ve already paid to buy, tax, insure and MoT their cars!

Presumably, in the Conservative manifesto and on roadside posters just prior to a General Election in 2024 (or sooner) the party’s latest unfathomable passion for subsidised, often strike affected, limited hours public trains over unsubsidised, strike free 24/7 cars will be clearly presented to the wider electorate You know, full disclosure and all that

So with this in mind, one or two catchy but accurate ‘vote winning’ slogans will be required Something like: ‘WE WANT YOU OUT OF YOUR CAR, ONTO A TRAIN’ or ‘TRAIN IS RIGHT, CAR IS WRONG’ should suffice And how, exactly, do you think Britain’s circa 40 million driving licence holders the majority of them also being registered voters might react to such idiotic anti car/pro rail political bias?

The Conservatives really haven’t thought this through, have they?

Doyou agree with Mike?

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