NEWHYUNDAIKONA FERRARI’SFIRSTSUV OFFICIAL Exclusive pictures & full info on V12 Purosangue + OFFICIAL The all-new Jeep EV it’ll have to beat BRITAIN’S BEST-SELLING WEEKLY CAR MAGAZINE 14 20 September 2022 No. 1,746 | £3.80 TRUSS’STARGETS FIVE-POINTPLAN FOR NEWPM TESTED ’ op t res f r t r VW Multivan Peugeot 508 3 7 7 7 0 9 5 4 8 8 6 2 8 9 w w w a u t o e x p r e s s c o u k New Citroen beats Skoda New Lexus RX plug-in TEST SHOCK Why funky C5 X outsmarts Superb DRIVEN BMW X5 rival plays tough on tech HYUNDAIKONA CLUSIVE IMA EXCLUSIVE Baby SUV gets style boost — and it’s here next year
Long-lasting driving with well-balanced performance throughout the year
14 September 2022 5 CONTENTS News | New Cars | Features | Tests | Products | Buying cars | Sport Full story on the more practical, more efficient Kona – and how it’s likely to look8 Ferrari’s V12 SUV: 0 62mph in 3.3 secs First drive of PHEV Lexus RX Lotus: still serious about Vmotorsport W’s versatile MPV put to the test London from the air, Blimp style The best tyres for the worst of winter C5 X takes on the mighty Superb 12 22 232 6 18 53 34 Newsweek COVER Hyundai Kona 8 First details on second-generation SUV due next year COVER Jeep Avenger, Wagoneer S, Recon 10 All-EV line-up is heading to our shores from early 2023 COVER Ferrari Purosangue 12 New SUV is revealed, but Italian brand insists it’s a sports car COVER New Transport Secretary 14 The top five motoring issues to fill up Anne Marie’s in-tray Latest Euro NCAP results 16 Scores for the Ora Funky Cat, Tesla Model Y and Kia Niro Features Up above the streets and houses 18 We hitch a ride in the £18m Goodyear Blimp On track in Lotus Emira racer 32 We head for Hethel to take a ride in new GT4 version New cars COVER New Lexus RX goes PHEV 22 Plus how does it stack up against Audi, BMW and Merc rivals? COVER Volkswagen Multivan 26 Petrol MPV has the power, but does it make sense? COVER Nissan Ariya 87kWh 28 Bigger battery extends range of our Car of the Year COVER Peugeot 508 30 Tweaks for stylish fastback; we drive the PHEV version Road tests COVER Citroen C5 X vs Skoda Superb 34 French newcomer faces Skoda’s spacious hatch Our cars: Lexus NX 450h+ 48 Our Mid-size Premium SUV of the Year joins the fleet Our cars: Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo 50 Practicality and performance impress in electric ‘estate’ Products COVER Auto Express winter tyre test 53 Six rivals assessed on snowy wet and dry surfaces Buying cars Owners’ verdict on the LR Discovery Sport 63 Nice to drive but numerous reliability issues How to buy a used Volkswagen T Cross 64 Small SUV is well suited to young families Toyota RAV4 vs Kia Sorento 68 Which of these used PHEVs is the best all-rounder? New car prices 72 All the info you need before you head to the showroom Regulars Get Auto Express delivered every week 46 How to net a great deal on your favourite magazine Sport 80 World Rallycross Latvia results ahead of Portugal races Back chat 82 Mike Rutherford on the new PM’s transport habits Avenger: the first of several Jeep EVs10
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People love SUVs at all ends of the market because they make life easy and project an image many like The Purosangue scores on the latter point, but having spent some time crawling over the car, I think it’s closer to a Ferrari saloon car than an SUV; it lacks the practicality that makes Ferrari owners also buy Range Rovers
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Ferrari’s Purosangue isn’t the SUV its buyers might want
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I asked design boss Flavio Manzoni if the brand had used clinics to gauge reaction to the car His reaction was a dismissive “ no ” Ferrari obviously knows best
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But as much as I’m sure the Purosangue will be a brilliant Ferrari and we ’ ve seen nothing but brilliance from the most famous of Italian brands of late I don’t think the Purosangue is going to tick all the boxes its buyers will want In short, I don’t think it’s going to be good enough at doing the things SUVs do so well
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The boot, at 473 litres, is smaller than a Nissan Qashqai’s. A Range Rover gives you 725 litres. The Ferrari will resolutely only seat four Then there are rear hinged doors a pain to use on the Vauxhall Meriva and just as awkward on the Purosangue And is the driving position, deliberately set low, going to give owners the same great view out they love in a Range Rover? I don’t think so
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As you might expect, many Ferrari customers also own and use SUVs, with the Range Rover particularly popular Even Ferrari vice chairman Piero Ferrari, son of founder Enzo Ferrari, apparently has a Range Rover to tool around in. Unsurprisingly, he’s been a real driving force behind the new Purosangue
I’ve no doubt Ferraristi will race to get Purosangues, as they do every other new Ferrari But I reckon they’ll hold on to their Range Rovers, as may many buyers considering a Purosangue as their very first Ferrari
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NO MATTER how much Ferrari protests, the new Purosangue is an SUV “It’s a sports car opening a new segment,” CEO Benedetto Vigna insisted when the cover was pulled off the car for the first time
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wwwautoexpress co uk SO TESTED c W D B z U d ed 9 y Hy da V n7 TESTEDBargainEVs R b t d MG SvsHyu K na WATCH OU BMW X3 be e and om e han ev +Charg s ated bu ngt ps nd opus dEV &h br ds A SP SPEECICIAALLISISSSUE NEWMERCGLCDRIVEN BRITAINSBEST ELECTRICCARS ASRATEDBYYOU ALFAS PAST PRESENT &FUTURE H p d ew SCOOP KODASCUT PR C EV A e tric c orFab a NV SKODASCUT PRICEEV IVEN LU NE NGE O H V T D PLUS FIRSTVERD CTNewSUVnai s uxuryaswe asfun RANGEROVER SPORTDRIVEN 14 September 2022 7 THISWEEK
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8 14 September 2022
The Kona Electric should get a slight increase in battery capacity compared with the current car, up from 64kWh to 64 8kWh, feeding a 201bhp motor on the front axle.
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EXCLUSIVE IMAGES
The original Kona was unveiled in 2017, and a similar life cycle would take the new car towards the end of the decade
As with sister brand Kia’s Niro family, it’s likely that the upcoming Kona will move to the Hyundai Motor Group’s latest K3 platform, and deliver greater practicality.
Prototypes are likely to be using the firm’s K3 platform for a more practical interior Mk2 Ko EXCLUSIVE Improved practi ● Petrol-electric hybrid and an EV with a range of 300+ miles ● Dashboard is likely to borrow heavily from the Ioniq 5 EV
Auto Express understands that the compact SUV will break cover early next year, and development prototypes are already being tested around the world.
will continue with the full electric version.
Alongside the firm’s Bayon crossover and larger Tucson SUV, there’s room for the Kona
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to grow. The new car will offer an increase in cabin space and practicality, with luggage capacity increasing from 332 litres to more than 400 litres in the hybrid model
The Kona will also take on a distinctive new design Our exclusive image shows what this might look like, with a full width LED running light bar sitting just beneath the bonnet shut line. Hyundai’s parametric
The digital dash and infotainment panel should also reflect that car’s layout, with the potential for two 10 25 inch displays to sit on top of the fascia. Early spy shots show that there’ll still be physical shortcut keys for the system’s main functions, however
It’s at this point when the nameplate may disappear, as previously outlined by the firm’s Executive Vice President of Product Strategy, Thomas Schemera. He’s previously commented that a replacement for the Kona could wear an Ioniq badge in time potentially as a 3 or 4 underpinned by the firm’s all electric E GMP platform.
Kona has been on sale since 2017
Full hybrid and all electric models are expected to be offered, with the Kona HEV set to use a 1 6 litre four cylinder petrol engine and a 1 32kWh battery that supplies an electric motor. Combined, these should produce 139bhp Hyundai doesn’t currently offer a plug in powertrain in its Kona, and this will probably be the case with the new car. However, it
Aero and efficiency tweaks could boost its range to just beyond 300 miles
TOPSTORY
SUCH is the pace of development in the compact SUV world that we’re never far away from a fresh debut and the next car to take aim at the top of its class will be the second generation Hyundai Kona.
SeanCarson sean carson@autoviacouk
The Kona will get an equally significant makeover inside, too It’ll draw on many elements first seen on the firm’s Ioniq 5 EV, such as a rotary gear selector mounted on the steering column cowl.
“Our exclusive image reveals a full-width LED running light bar and parametric pixel lights”
TESTING
pixel lights will also feature at the extremes of the bumper, evolving the split headlight design used on the original model
Current
HyundaiK TOPSTORY
ona readied for launch
ticality and a better range for the EV version of Hyundai’s compact SUV, on sale in early 2023
A v a r v a r i i / A u t o m e d i a
unlikely to be offered as a PHEV, mirroring the Mk1 line-up
new model
The is
OFFICIAL
PLUS Wagoneer S and Recon: chalk and cheese
OFFICIAL
10 14 September 2022
Jeep is keen to stress the Recon won’t be a replacement for the Wrangler, despite it being a similar size To help give the Recon genuine ability off the beaten track, it’ll come with Jeep’s Selec Terrain traction management system, underbody protection, tow hooks and off road tyres.
Traditional cues such as the seven-bar grille make the Avenger instantly recognisable as a Jeep
INCOMING Wagoneer S (above) will rival the BMW iX Recon (right) is off-road-focused
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STYLING
Jeep says production of the Recon and Wagoneer S will begin in 2024 “at a factory in North America” European sales, including UK deliveries, should start around a year later.
The Wagoneer S, however, will be positioned as a premium SUV, to go up against the BMW iX, Audi e tron and
Due from 2025, the new duo will use parent firm Stellantis’s new STLA Large bespoke electric platform The Recon is described as a “brother to the Wrangler” and it has unashamedly taken design cues from that model, with an upright stance, a bluff front end, wide haunches and chunky bumpers As with the Wrangler, the doors of the Recon can be removed and the roof is retractable to give occupants an added dose of the great outdoors
TWO of Jeep’s other electric models, the premium Wagoneer S and rugged Recon, are heading to the UK, the firm’s boss has promised delivering very different experiences on the same platform.
Mercedes EQS SUV. Jeep claims the Wagoneer S will offer a range of 400 miles, with over 592bhp from its battery delivering 0 60mph in 3 5 seconds
Expect a cabin more akin to that of the rough and ready Wrangler than the more premium focused Wagoneer S.
REVEALED Avenger sets th
The Avenger will make its public debut at the Paris Motor Show in October, which
Q The other two cars you’ve revealed Wagoneer S and Recon are also pure electric, but presumably they’re being built in North America?
Former Nissan/Infiniti chief Christian Meunier took the helm ofJeep at the start of last year We quizzed him on the brand’s major push towards electrification, starting with the Avenger
However, Jeep is looking to steal a march on at least its stablemates The Avenger is
Chief Executive Officer, Jeep
will coincide with pricing announcements
Q You’ve promised four EV SUVs by 2025 but only outlined three. Will the fourth be an electric Compass replacement?
A Stay tuned, and that might be the fourth one in 2025!
A We believe it will be ‘conquest’ We’ve had clinics for the car with customers, including in the UK The reaction was substantial; Avenger is a more compact product, an EV, very functional, and the women in the clinics loved it On top of that, even with the front wheel drive EV version, it’s really capable; we have hill descent control and the ability to alter the traction control system for different types of surfaces And approach and
Avenger will be available with two and four wheel drive. The UK may only get the EV version
The Avenger will be the first of four pure electric SUVs from Jeep, with the retro styled Recon, premium Wagoneer S and an as yet unnamed fourth model making up the rest of its full EV line up. The range will help with Jeep’s firm plans to have an electric version of each of its models and to only sell EVs in Europe by 2030
Q You’ve stated a target of 400km of electric range for Avenger, which is more than Stellantis’s other small electric SUVs Which platform are you using for it?
Q Will Avenger open up Jeep to new customers or is it to help existing owners move across to electric?
There’s no word on charging tech yet, but it’s highly likely that the Avenger will take on an 80 per cent charge in around 35 minutes from a 100kW DC rapid charger
Q That platform has never supported a 4x4 vehicle, but are you now saying that the Avenger will have a 4x4 in EV form?
wwwautoexpress co uk ’snewEVs NEWS 14 September 2022 11
There will be a fair few competitors to the Avenger in the small electric SUV market, and it’ll have to contend with the likes of Hyundai’s forthcoming Kona Electric (page eight), the Kia Niro EV and rivals from within parent company Stellantis in the form of the Peugeot e 2008 and Vauxhall Mokka e
A We have some amazing engineers, yes It was not even possible to think about a Jeep without 4x4; it was a requirement from the get go, and we made it happen It’ll come a little later in the lifecycle but you’ll see a concept of it at the Paris show
@AllieCrooks
Alastair Crooks@autoviacouk
based on an evolution of the e CMP platform used by Peugeot and Vauxhall, and has a notably higher range figure as a result Indeed, Jeep’s claim of 249 miles is 35 miles more than the e 2008 and 48 better than the Mokka e Jeep’s interpretation of the e CMP architecture also seems set to deliver four wheel drive, never before offered on this platform The firm’s boss Christian Meunier told us it was “not even possible to think about a Jeep without four wheel drive”
he
departure angles are best in class, but also somewhat better than Renegade
CHRISTIAN MEUNIER
latest Uconnect infotainment system; just don’t expect the 12 inch central screen and 10 3 inch driver’s display set up from the new Wagoneer large premium SUV
There will also be internal combustion engined versions of the Avenger using Stellantis’s 1 2 litre three cylinder petrol motor But Meunier appeared to suggest that the UK’s Avenger will be electric only. Jeep hasn’t revealed much about the model’s interior, but says it’ll receive its
● Range of 249 miles ● Four-wheel drive planned AlastairCrooks
OPTIONS
Q&A
JEEP has taken the wraps off its first fully electric car: the Avenger. We’ve seen it testing before, but now we know what the firm’s new compact SUV will look like it reaches the UK in early 2023
A It’s the current small platform, which you call CMP the evolution of it We’ve made great strides in many different things that allow us to deliver that range of 400km
A Yes, they are, but they will also be built in right hand drive and will come to the UK We need to improve our business in the UK We’ve not always had the right powertrains or right products for that market Now we have the right portfolio and I’m convinced that with the products we’re bringing, especially Avenger, we’re going to rock and roll in the UK I’m speaking with the dealers soon and hopefully they will want to invest not just in facilities, but also in people.
“The Avenger will be the first of four pure-electric SUVs, with the Recon and Wagoneer S likely to follow next” scene for Jeep in Europe
The new Avenger will be built at the Tychy plant in Poland, alongside Alfa Romeo’s forthcoming small SUV Jeep says its new arrival will be positioned beneath the Renegade in its line up, but restricting it to EV only could give it a UK starting price of around £30,000 regardless
At the same time, we’ll get a close up view of the compact SUV’s traditional Jeep design traits: a seven bar grille, boxy proportions and chunky wheelarches
Although access to the rear seats is a little tight through the rear hinged doors, there’s impressive leg and headroom in
wwwautoexpress co uk12 14 September 2022 NEWS FerrariPurosangue
But when it comes to the price, the Purosangue is indeed in a class of its own While an Urus starts from £177,417 and even a Rolls Royce Cullinan costs less than £300,000, the Purosangue is expected to cost around £350,000 after UK taxes when it arrives towards the end of next year
Steve Fowler Steve Fowler@autoviacouk @stevefowler
the back, and enough comfort for journeys Ferrari expects owners to
More usual front hinged doors w have meant making the car longer upsetting the 49:51 front/rear wei distribution and the styling, which features sharp creases along the flanks and clever aerodynamics that improve downforce and efficiency These include air curtains that in effect seal the 22 inch front wheels (23 inches at the back) and prevent turbulent airflow
cle an
● Four-seater due on sale next year, priced around £350k in UK
Under its long, clamshell bonnet sits a new 6.5 litre 715bhp naturally aspirated V12 engine without a hint of electrification Its mid front position helps with weight distribution, and power is fed through an eight speed dual clutch gearbox positioned at the rear, while a power transfer unit can shift thrust to the front wheels to give four wh
However, measuring 4,973mm long and 1,589mm tall, it’s only slightly shorter and lower than a Lamborghini Urus. The Lamborghini is considerably more practical, though, with a 616 litre boot compared with the Ferrari’s 473 litre luggage space
Ferrari is adamant that the Purosangue be thought of as a sports car, though The firm focuses on the 0 62mph time of 3 3 seconds and a top speed of 192mph, with a bespoke chassis that features four wheel steering, the latest 48 volt Ferrari Active Suspension Technology to reduce body roll in corners and a carbon fibre roof to keep the centre of gravity as low as possible Occupants sit low in the car, too, in a beautifully made cabin that can be trimmed in a variety of materials and colours. The driving position is pure Ferrari and inspired by the SF90 Stradale, with a sports steering wheel that has a five setting Manettino, and a digital dash with a rev counter dominating the display There’s also a large digital display on the passenger side of the dash
Pronounced ‘floating’ wheelarches are in a darker finish to give an impression of separating the chassis from the body. The design theme continues onto lower sections at the front and back of the car, helping many of the electronic assistance features
There’s no built in navigation Ferrari thinks it’s best to leave that to the systems available as apps through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and the firm eschews any software over the air updates until it can be satisfied there aren’t any security issues
The Purosangue comes with seven years’ worth of service and maintenance That’s if you can buy one. Interest is said to have “exploded” and the firm has warned it might not be able to satisfy demand and
The Purosangue is the firm’s first ever four door four seater, with access to the rear via a powered, rear hinged ‘welcome’ door
Ferrari unveils V12 Purosangue SUV
Ferrari and reconfigured Slide Slip Control, the Purosangue will take care of mild off roading “You can use the car off road, but it’s not a Jeep,” says Gianmaria Fulgenzi, Ferrari’s chief product development officer The newcomer won’t tow, either, although there will be aftermarket solutions to carry skis or bikes on top of the car.
THE Ferrari Purosangue, the brand’s first SUV, has been revealed although the company is quick to claim that it’s not actually an SUV. “It’s unlike any other car,” says Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna “It’s a sports car opening a new segment ”
14 September 2022 13 FerrariPurosangue NEWS Ferrari’s commercial boss tells us what the Purosangue means for the famous brand Q How important is the Purosangue to Ferrari? A “It’s extremely relevant It’s covering the last segment not covered by Ferrari and means the brand answers all our clients’ needs in its range ” Q Will the Purosangue be Ferrari’s biggest seller? A “We committed to not going over 20 per cent of total sales. This car is not a volume maker. We remain consistent with Enzo Ferrari’s mission to be exclusive.” Q Who’s going to buy the car? A “It’ll be less intimidating and something you can drive with friends and family It will attract people new to Ferrari, but most cars at the start will go to existing clients we need to reward for their connection to us ” Chief Marketing & Commercial Officer Q&A ENRICO GALLIERA
“Ferrari
INTERIOR Dash features digital dials and a display in front of the passenger Driving position inspired by the SF90 Stradale is adamant that the Purosangue be thought of as a sports car. It focuses on the 0-62mph time of 3.3 and top speed of
is
seconds
192mph”
BMW Group says that switching to vegan materials has the potential to greatly reduce the CO2 emissions involved in manufacturing by up to 85 per cent compared with leather in the case of the steering wheel alone.
STYLING
“If Liz Truss scraps smart motorways, a new solution is needed to expand the capacity of the strategic road network”
Under the bonnet is the same 6 0 litre, 626bhp W12 as in the standard car As a result, the performance figures are unchanged, with a 0 62mph time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 207mph.
No prices have been announced, but we’d expect a modest increase over the £181,455 for the discontinued W12.
Prices have since come down, but Auto Express believes the Fuel Price Checker tool should be expanded from Northern Ireland to the whole of the UK to improve pricing transparency If prices climb back towards record levels again, the Government should be prepared to make stronger tax cuts
1. Tackle high fuel and energy prices
SMART motorway rollout plans are on a five year pause while their safety is reviewed But road capacity in the UK needs expanding, so the review should be speeded up
If Liz Truss scraps smart motorways, a new solution is needed Infrastructure such as tunnels should be invested in for this to happen without having to cut through communities and the countryside
2. Sort out smart motorways
tristan shale hester@autoviacouk @tristan shale
There are bigger changes aesthetically a darker tint for the front upper and lower grilles, plus the front and rear lights, as well as a new set of 22 inch alloy wheels available in various finishes
Vegan materials due for BMWs and MINIs
Public charging infrastructure in the UK also needs improving Minimum standards for charger reliability should be set and firms should be encouraged to install more individual chargepoints in each location
The Government should work with police forces to ensure they have the funding and policy to get more cops in cars, patrolling challenges on roads Costs and policing included
Steps should be taken to boost the rollout of kerbside EV chargers, too, so drivers
PRIME Minister Liz Truss has appointed a new Secretary of State for Transport: Anne Marie Trevelyan Although she’s remaining tight lipped about what she wants to achieve in the job with regard to roads the Department for Transport says she needs some time to settle into the job before she can set out her goals there’s certainly no doubt the MP for Berwick upon-Tweed has her work cut out.
If Government wants the smart motorway rollout to continue, it should only happen if the findings of the review justify it
OVER the years, Auto Express has reported on various issues relating to the state of roads policing in the UK.
3. Improve EV charging infrastructure and restore purchase incentives
The Government must also ensure public chargers are accessible for disabled drivers
without off street parking can have a better chance of running an electric car easily
THIS year has seen petrol and diesel price records being broken left, right and centre, with £2 per litre becoming reality at some locations. The Government only cut fuel duty by a small margin, while the VAT on petrol and diesel remained untouched
Owners of electric vehicles should also be protected against these rising energy costs, which drive up the price of charging their cars
BENTLEY has unveiled what it says is “one of the last models to feature the iconic W12 engine” It’s called the Flying Spur Speed, and it’s a direct replacement for the standard W12 powered Flying Spur, which went out of production in May 2022.
● Top five
wwwautoexpress co uk14 14 September 2022 NEWS NewPM’sto-dolist
Tristan Shale-Hester
BMWs and MINIs will be offered with vegan interiors for the first time from 2023. The two brands have been working on a series of materials that are suitable for not only car seats and cabin trim, but also more challenging areas, such as steering wheels
THE plug in car grant has been axed, but EVs only account for 14 per cent of new car sales so far this year and remain expensive
Long, slow goodbye starts for W12
During her Conservative leadership campaign, Liz Truss pledged to scrap smart motorways and even promised to look into the practicalities of making motorway speed limits advisory. However, British motorists face a far wider range of difficulties than that. On that note, here are Auto Express’s top five issues for the Government to address.
●
New Speed is distinguished by darker tint on front grilles
Road traffic officer numbers have been repeatedly cut and many forces now rely hugely on speed cameras and dash cam submissions from members of the public, the latter of which has proven to be a system open to abuse
Performance is identical to old Flying Spur
4. Invest in road traffic officers
Our to-do list for UK
Such provisions should be made in the Prime Minister’s energy bill bailout
The Government should reinstate support for the purchase of new EVs.
Trevelyan is a fan of Britishvolt
KTM unleashes wild new road car
Private and business registrations grew by 3.2 per cent and 26 per cent respectively, while fleets declined 1.6 per cent Electric vehicles registered a 14 5 per cent share of the market
engine producing 494bhp (a significant gain over the 395bhp that it offers in the RS 3 hot hatch). Power goes through a seven speed dual clutch gearbox and a mechanical limited slip differential
To create the KAMM 912c (above), a donor car is restored “to perfection”. Steel parts are replaced with carbon and the brakes, chassis, suspension, wheels and tyres are enhanced. A bespoke JPS Aircooled 2.0 litre four cylinder engine producing 168bhp is fitted Production of the 912c starts in 2023, with a price of 325,000 Euros (about £282,570).
GT-XR is based on GT2 racer and has a 494bhp Audi engine
Who is the new Secretary of State for Transport?
BRITISH drivers are well aware that the roads in this country are in a state of disrepair, particularly compared with the smooth, perfect roads that our neighbours on the continent benefit from The Government must come up with a plan to not only fix the existing potholes that plague British roads, but also find a way of safeguarding them against future erosion This will reduce the risk of dangerous pothole strikes that can damage cars and cause accidents
The interior is sparse, although you do get air conditioning, USB C sockets and Bluetooth connectivity.
The £245,739 GT XR is based on KTM’s latest X BOW GT2 racer, and the firm
August bucks trend of falling new-car sales
Rivian and Mercedes partner in van project
describes its approach to the new model a track car that’s also road legal as “uncompromising”. Extensive use of carbon fibre, including a monocoque made from the material, helps to keep the car’s weight down to just 1,130kg
ANNE Marie Trevelyan has been announced as the new Secretary of State for Transport, taking over from Grant Shapps. She is the MP for Berwick upon Tweed and has held several ministerial positions, most recently Secretary of State for International Trade.
KTM is better known as a manufacturer of motorcycles, but the Austrian company’s X BOW has earned a deserved reputation as one of the most extreme sports cars you can buy Now there’s an even more hardcore iteration, the GT XR
The rear drive machine is powered by a turbocharged 2.5 litre five cylinder Audi
MERCEDES will work with American EV manufacturer Rivian to produce electric vans The plan aims to cut development and production costs for both firms, with the first models launching in 2025.
Trevelyan visited a car dealership in her constituency in 2020, where she gave the Vauxhall Corsa e her seal of approval She also said it was a “huge boost” for the area to have the Britishvolt plant in Northumberland.
wwwautoexpress co uk 14 September 2022 15 NewPM’sto-dolist NEWS
the roads on the lookout for dangerous driving, defective vehicles and other possible criminal activity
NEW Budapest based brand KAMM Manufaktur has unveiled a restomod of the Porsche 912 from 1965 1969
KAMM recreates sixties Porsche 912
Mercedes says this new partnership will result in at least two large vans one based on Mercedes’ Vans Electric Architecture and the other on Rivian’s second generation Light Van platform The deal only applies to vans Rivian is still looking for a site to build cars and pick ups, with the UK on the shortlist.
5. Fix potholes
K’s new PM news inbrief
NEW car registrations in the UK rose by 1 2 per cent in August 2022, ending five months of decline. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said 68,858 new vehicles were registered in what is typically a quiet month
ORA FUNKY CAT
The Funky Cat wasn’t the only Chinese car to land a top mark; Great Wall’s Wey Coffee 01, a combustion engined SUV, picked up five stars and trumped the Ora’s percentage scores in the three main areas.
van
Vision system, which is designed to avoid collisions with other vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians, and the cabin’s driver monitoring technology.
Euro NCAP rating:
Euro NCAP’s assessors were particularly impressed by the Model Y’s camera based
1.1 tonnes
wwwautoexpress co uk16 14 September 2022
John McIlroy John McIlroy@autoviacouk @johnmcilroy
DETAILS
E Transit Custom is less than two metres tall. Steering wheel tilts to become a picnic table
Euro NCAP ‘full five’ for Funky C
CHINESE newcomer Ora has joined Tesla’s Model Y in landing top marks in the latest crash test results from Euro NCAP Ora’s Funky Cat a five door hatchback that will go on sale in the UK soon as a rival for the likes of the Kia Niro and the recently launched MG 4 scored a maximum five stars overall, with an 83 per cent score for
The Model Y almost set a new benchmark overall, though, with a 98 per cent score for its safety assist systems a record in itself plus 97 per cent for adult protection, 87 per cent for child occupant protection and 82 per cent for vulnerable road users.
“Maximum payload capacity
FORD has already revealed the full size electric Transit and now the firm is ready to take on the smaller Vauxhall Vivaro e, with its E Transit Custom
two tonnes” OFFICIAL
Electric hatchback was awarded 83 per cent for adult protection and 83 per cent for child occupants is and the is capable of towing up to
OFFICIAL Ora’s top score is “comforting news” ahead of an avalanche of new models from China
NEWS EuroNCAPresults
Ford unveils its Vivaro-e challenger
The new arrival has a 74kWh (usable) battery providing 236 miles of range on the WLTP test. The battery can also be used as a 2 3kW power pack for external devices, and 125kW DC charging capability means a 15 80 per cent top up takes 41 minutes.
adult occupant protection, 83 per cent for child occupants and 74 per cent for vulnerable road users
The E Transit Custom is available with two power outputs 134bhp and 215bhp although both versions produce the same 415Nm of torque The maximum payload capacity stands at 1 1 tonnes and the van is capable of towing as much as two tonnes.
Inside, there’s seating for up to five and the cabin features include a 13 inch infotainment system and a novel steering wheel that can be tilted away from the driver and converted into a table.
Matthew Avery, chief research strategy officer for NCAP partner Thatcham, said
OFFICIAL
at and Model Y
FROM: Neal Entwistle AM I the only one who finds the expansive touchscreens in new EVs completely soulless? The BMW iX, for example, is as dull as dishwater compared with previous BMWs No style or panache Not having physical buttons for the basic controls is sheer nonsense, too
■ “How the hell do you drive it with a steering wheel as ridiculously shaped as that?” Ernie Hughes
The electric SUV scored impressively well in several test areas X Trail’s e 4ORCE system would boost Qashqai’s “confidence and performance” THE following provide help with motoring problems Some services are free, others charge a fee or operate on premium rate lines (p), while some offer advice for members only (m) Legal AA: 0345 850 1130 (m) RAC: 0330 159 1446 (m) Citizens Advice Consumer helpline: 03454 040506 Local Trading Standards Local Citizens Advice Bureau Used car inspections AA: 0800 056 8040 RAC: 0330 159 0720 Technical advice AA: 0370 142 0002 (m) Driving licences DVLA: 0300 790 6801 Car registration/history HPI: 0113 222 2010 AA: 0800 316 3564 DVLA: 0300 790 6802 RAC: 0808 164 1923 Traffic information AA: 0906 888 4322 RAC: 09003 444999 (p) Problems with dealers The Motor Ombudsman: 0345 241 3008 Consumer Ombudsman: wwwconsumer ombudsman org RMIF: 0845 305 4230 Scottish Motor Trade Assoc. 0131 331 5510 Problems with makers The Motor Ombudsman: 0345 241 3008 Financial problems Financial Ombudsman: 0800 023 4567 Safety concerns/recalls wwwcheckmot servicegovuk Useful Contacts
■ “I’d rather have an old Skoda Estelle. It’s small, economical, cheap to run and easy to park ” Robert Dallenger
Euro NCAP rating:
FROM: Faisal Rafique I LIKE the look of the Mercedes EQS SUV, not least because it has all the technology from its saloon counterpart The electric SUV market is becoming very crowded, but I think this Merc will get plenty of attention The question is when will there be an AMG version?
Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk
Another other notable entry in the latest series of tests was the Genesis
How hot can smart new EQS SUV go?
FROM: Mark Perkins I AM more excited by forthcoming new cars than I have been for decades, but I fear for the survival of Hyundai, Kia, Skoda, SEAT and VW when we have emerging Chinese brands that seem to have perfected the art of making EVs Are the established brands in trouble?
Cable storage could be loads of trouble Will Chinese brands kill off familiar firms?
Skoda’s latest concept car got a lukewarm response from readers hear your views Send your questions or opinions to the E mail address below
TESLA MODEL Y
HOT TOPIC Skoda Vision 7S
FROM: Des Heathcote READING about electric cars, it seems storage for charge cables is often under the boot floor This shouldn’t be a problem on most days, but it may be when you’re going on a long journey with a boot full of luggage that you have to unload in order to access the cables
The Japanese brand’s Global Strategy Director, Cliodhna Lyons, said the 210bhp e 4ORCE system would bring “advantages in confidence and performance” to the Qashqai. “I can’t confirm or deny it’ll happen,” Lyons told us, “but we’re looking into it.”
■ “My Skoda Superb can already seat my three kids with plenty of boot space left over ” Dado Andder
NISSAN’S Qashqai could get the trick four wheel drive powertrain from the newly launched X Trail, Auto Express has learned.
Inbox Your views Contact Tristan Shale-Hester We want to
GV60 all electric crossover The car, which uses the same E GMP underpinnings as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia’s EV6, and costs from £47,005 in the UK, earned a five star ranking overall, despite scoring only 63 per cent for its ability to protect vulnerable road users.
the Funky Cat and Wey Coffee 01 were “both impressive in terms of the protection offered to occupants, should an accident occur”
FROM: Alan Thornton I WOULD argue this isn’t really an SUV. Look how low to the ground it is I don’t think it’s a bad looking car inside or out, though, apart from the carpet, which looks a bit cheap. I wouldn’t swap my current gas guzzler for an EV anyway
Qashqai could get e-4ORCE 4WD
New EVs are high on tech, but low on soul
He added that their ratings could prove significant as Europe and the UK prepare for a fresh influx of aggressively priced Chinese EVs in the next couple of years. “This is comforting news for those who were concerned that an influx of new market entrants from China might bring the safety standard down,” Avery said.
wwwautoexpress co uk 14 September 2022 17
The latest Kia Niro, meanwhile, was awarded four stars overall Euro NCAP said the new model would be worthy of five stars when fitted with the ‘DriveWise’ pack, which adds radar to the line up of sensors and is optional in Europe However, it’s fitted as standard in the UK
FROM: Will HB I KNOW this makes me sound about a thousand years old, but so many modern cars have lost their brand identity There’s nothing about this that shouts Skoda It could just as easily be a Hyundai, Kia or anything else It’s a shame
The next day, however, the wind calmed down long enough for the blimp to cross and land at its destination, Damyns Hall Aerodrome in East London
The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company launched its first blimp in 1925, and since then, various individual ones have come and gone as technology has advanced. Today, the firm still has a fleet of blimps, including two based in Europe One of these made a tour of motorsport events earlier this year that briefly brought it to the UK, providing an opportunity to meet the pilots and, crucially, to climb aboard for a flight over London
Cruising altitude: 1,000 1,500ft
“The next thing I knew, I started flying airships for advertising, after I had completed my conversion training. I thought I would do it for three or four years and then go back to fixed wing aircraft, but that was in 1990 and I haven’t stopped ”
Tackling the motoring issues that matter
Top speed: 73mph
The European Goodyear Blimps are operated by Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei (the German Zeppelin Transport Company) The firm is headquartered in the German city of Friedrichshafen, where the blimps are also housed
Of course, adverts can often be annoying this may even be a desirable quality if it makes you remember the product but the best pieces of marketing are those that stick in people’s minds for positive reasons. And like almost every other industry, the automotive sector depends on advertising; you’ll even find adverts in the magazine you’re currently reading
THERE’S advertising everywhere you look these days. Whether you’re watching TV, browsing social media or walking through a city centre, there’s no escaping the constant flow of bright pictures and bold text, all designed to catch your eye and plant a particular brand name in your head.
Arguably the most iconic piece of automotive marketing isn’t an advert you can read, listen to or watch Instead, it’s one you can see in the sky
18 14 September 2022 wwwautoexpress co uk
This was a huge disappointment, but at least we still had the opportunity to meet the airship’s pilots and hear their stories. Fritz Günther used to be an instructor in the East German Air Force until the Iron Curtain came down and he found himself unemployed
GoodyearBlimp technicalfigures
Weight without helium: 9,072kg
Price: £18m approx
Essentials
Length: 75 metres
Tristan Shale-Hester
tristan shale hester@autoviacouk @tristan shale
Up and away
Weight with helium: 45 90kg
INSIDESTORY
On 7 May, one of these airships was hovering above the 6 Hours of Spa Francorchamps World Endurance Championship race, after which it set a course for Britain to cover the British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch. At first, it only made it as far as Calais, because high wind speeds meant that a Channel crossing wasn’t possible at the planned time Had the craft attempted to launch in the conditions, it would have actually been blown further away from its destination
“I was looking for a job in the aviation business and started working for an airship company as a ground crew member,” he explained “The company had come from West Germany to East Germany, but the East German airspace was still controlled by the Russians and they had no one able to do the radio communications, so they asked me to do it
Our second pilot the Goodyear Blimp has two seats in its cockpit was Katharine Board Born in Essex and raised in Kent, she admits that she became an airship
As we arrived at the airfield, excited to soar high above the capital, we saw the blimp anchored by its nose and swaying from side to side in the wind We should have taken that as a warning for the bad news we received moments later, however It turned out the wind speed had picked up again and, as such, it wasn’t safe for the blimp to fly that day
14 September 2022 19wwwautoexpress co uk GoodyearBlimp INSIDESTORY
READY FOR DEPARTURE
FLIGHT OF FANCY
Tristan talks to fellow passengers (above) before take-off in the blimp piloted by Katharine Board and Fritz Günther (below)
The Goodyear Blimp has been an iconic piece of advertising for many years. We hitched a ride in the airship over London and met the pilots who fly the machine
Right there, spelled out in the centre of every one of those images, is the word Goodyear Now, if that’s not good advertising, we don’t know what is.
pilot “totally by accident”. She explained: “I was at school and my dad said to me: ‘What would you lik f your 19th birthday present?’, and I said I’ like a flying lesson, so he bought me a five hour introductory course at the local flying school
Tristan got a great view of landmarks such as the Shard (left) as the airship glided over London
Instead, Board was “in the right place a time” when she was offered the opportunity to fly airships at the age of 22 She’s still doing the job 24 years later and is one of only two female airship pilots in the world She’s also a qualified instructor and examiner, something she’s too modest to point out, but Günther highlights Günther and Board both love their job of piloting the Goodyear Blimp, because it’s far more interesting than the airline or cargo flying they would be doing otherwise.
As the conversation wraps up and we reluctantly prepare to leave Damyns Hall Aerodrome having not had our flight, some sudden good news is brought to us Another set of flights are being prepared for the following day and we may be able to get on one of them.
As we climb to around 1,000 feet and pass over the Dartford Crossing, the blimp rocks from side to side
wwwautoexpress co uk
KATHARINE BOARD Goodyear Blimp pilot
INSIDESTORY
The next day, our route back to the airfield near the M25 motorway takes us through central London, and this time we see the Goodyear Blimp in the sky on our way, with people on the streets staring up and taking pictures.
“When they handed me the controls, I decided after five minutes I was going to be a pilot and that decision has never changed I got my initial licence while being a dogsbody at the airport, bu I had no interest in being an airline pilot ”
WINDOW SEAT
Once we land safely back at Damyns Hall, opening up social media reveals that our flight has caused quite a stir on the ground, with countless Londoners posting pictures of the blimp as it passed over the capital
She’s right, of course, and we settle down to enjoy our airborne sightseeing tour of London, first taking in the O2 Arena and Greenwich Observatory, before passing Canary Wharf, Tower Bridge, the Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye and the Palace of Westminster
“Have I told you we have waves in the air?” Board shouts from her pilot’s seat. “You just can’t see them. It’s completely normal and safe, so don’t worry!”
“Have it told you we have waves in the air? You can’t see them. It’s completely normal and safe, so don’t worry”
Sure enough, the blimp sets down soon after our arrival at Damyns Hall and we’re invited to climb aboard There are only a handful of seats in the gondola, but each one is next to a window so nobody misses out on the incredible views.
Throughout the thirties, the Goodyear Blimps grew in size and the technology surrounding them advanced The aircraft were tasked with welcoming US Navy ships when they returned to their home ports and hovering over stadium events, such as the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. In 1932, the blimp called Volunteer became the first to appear in a feature film, when it was shown in
wwwautoexpress co uk GoodyearBlimp INSIDESTORY
TOURIST ATTRACTION
Visitors on the London Eye get a great look at the Goodyear Blimp as it passes over central London
HistoryoftheGoodyearBlimp
By 1929, five additional blimps had been built and added to Goodyear’s fleet In 1930, one of these named Defender became the first airship to carry an illuminated sign.
FAMILIAR SIGHT American football fans in the US are used to seeing Goodyear Blimps at big girdiron matches They are also often hovering over motorsport events, too
Several of Goodyea blimps were equippe “blimpcast” technolo 1940 This used a rec player, microphone a loudspeaker to broad messages to crowds o the ground Goodyea loaned its blimps to t US Navy for ocean pa during World War II
ALTHOUGH the first Goodyear Blimp officially took flight in 1925, the tyre company’s involvement with flying started a few years earlier The firm created its aeronautics department in 1910 to market rubber infused fabrics and coatings for aircraft primarily aeroplanes In 1912, Goodyear built its first balloon and by 1913, it had multiple balloons, which flew above various competitions in the US and beyond
In March 1917, construction began on the Wingfoot Lake hangar That same month, Goodyear started airship production for the US Navy, before beginning to operate its own airships in 1919 Six years later Goodyear launched its first commercial non rigid airship that used helium. It was dubbed Pilgrim and was the first blimp to be used for PR purposes
Fast forward to 195 and Enterprise V beca the first blimp to be u or a TV broadcast w NBC used the air to cover the Tournam of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California
In the decades tha followed, there was growth along much th same vein, with more and more sporting eve covered as the blimp became increasingly recognisable.
Lexus RX
FIRSTDRIVE BMW X5 rival adopts innovative PHEV tech from the NX
FOR years Lexus has tried and not always succeeded in taking on the established premium players, but more recently it has hit a rich vein of form
Thanks to an all new platform and, in a first from Lexus, a plug in hybrid powertrain, the brand’s latest NX mid size premium SUV features a brilliant blend of qualities in this most competitive of classes. And now Lexus is aiming to scale up that formula for its all new RX
“There are slim headlights, s creases and ‘floating’ roo
notice Along with the NX and forthcoming RZ all electric SUV, this fresh faced RX will go on to define the Japanese brand’s next chapter in terms of styling and design.
We’ve seen the firm’s ‘spindle grille’ front end before, but the RX evolves that into what Lexus is calling ‘spindle body’ The grille is bigger and now integrated into the whole front end of the vehicle
NEWCARS
Visit autoexpress.co.uk for the latest new cars and drives petrol powered MPV make more sense than the PHEV?
There are slim headlights, sharp creases down the sides and a rakish ‘floating’ roof, thanks to blacked out C pillars, plus a full width light bar across the raked tailgate Inside, the brand is making a much bigger feature of its Japanese heritage these days, and we’re all for it. The cabin takes a ‘less is more’ approach, with the 14 inch central touchscreen dominating the layout Lexus’s latest infotainment system is a massive improvement on the old trackpad based set up It works snappily, offers plenty of features and now integrates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wirelessly In typical Lexus fashion, the cabin feels beautifully built and material quality is good, but there’s not much in the way of flair to the design, which could be an issue
26
VWMULTIVAN Does
That’s quite a statement, as is the new car’s look, which is the first thing you might
Whereas the NX rivals models such as the BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC, the RX is a BMW X5 and Mercedes GLE competitor But like its smaller sibling, this fifth generation RX is also based on the new GA K platform and features Lexus’s 450h+ powertrain, making it the first ever plug in hybrid RX
In fact, Lexus claims “it’s a complete reinvention” of its large luxury SUV
SeanCarson sean carson@autoviacouk
Lexus RX 450h+Takumi
of our
Power/torque: 304bhp/572Nm
It’s the new 450h+ plug in hybrid we’re focusing on here, however. It uses a 2.5 litre four cylinder petrol engine working in conjunction with an 18 1kWh battery that feeds an electric motor driving the front wheels, plus another unit located on the car’s rear axle to deliver four wheel drive
NEED TO KNOW Design language has evolved to a more heavily integrated grille that merges into the bumper and wraps around onto the car’s flanks
ONSALE Autumn 2023
Top speed: 124mph
28 30
The total output stands at 304bhp, with the 0 62mph sprint dispatched in 6 5 seconds
NISSANARIYA More power, longer range for new
aim
It doesn’t make the RX feel rapid, but in electric mode there’s enough grunt. Lexus claims a zero emissions range of more than 40 miles, which seemed accurate and achievable on Lexus’s American test route
Light steering and well-judged suspension are set up for comfort
When the 18.1kWh battery is depleted (the 6 6kW on board charger means a full charge takes around two hours and 45 minutes), the RX uses its second battery and becomes a self charging hybrid,
0 62mph: 6 5 seconds
Powertrain: 2 5 litre 4cyl petrol + 2x e motors
wwwautoexpress co uk 14 September 2022 23
Price: £75,000 (est )
Economy: 256.8mpg CO2: 24g/km
Transmission: e CVT automatic, four wheel drive
Essentials version Car changes to family car competitive
of the Year PEUGEOT508 Styling and spec
this year, but expect the base RX 350h self charging hybrid to start from around £60,000 when it goes on sale later in 2023
CHARGING RX 450h+ features a 6 6kW on-board charger, so home top ups using a 7kW wallbox will take two hours and 45 minutes RX switches to ‘self charging’ when big battery is flat
keep
EQUIPMENT Our top spec Takumi test car had 21-inch alloys, adaptive suspension, heated and vented leather seats, three zone air con, a head up display, a panoramic sunroof and more
EV range: 40+ miles
Our test route in the US didn’t provide much in the way of challenging roads, but the RX rides relatively nicely, with the damping control and comfort only breaking down over the worst transverse bumps and ridges in the road, where the extra battery mass becomes apparent Otherwise, the suspension works smoothly to filter out imperfections and control the body
like the 350h powertrain; it’s a tech first as far as we’re aware and means that even when you’ve used the bigger battery’s energy, there’s still strong efficiency potential Official claims stand at up to 256.8mpg, with CO2 emissions and a Benefit in Kind taxation banding as low as 24g/km and eight per cent respectively
Space in the rear is good, with enough head and legroom (even if rivals still feel roomier), while electrically adjustable heated seats in the back are fitted as standard on top spec Takumi models.
PRACTICALITY Rear seat space is fine, with enough head and legroom, even if some rivals are more spacious Meanwhile, the 461-litre boot isn’t as large as a BMW X5 xDrive45e’s
PAGE 48: New NX 450h+ joins our fleet
NEWCARS
The steering is light, but this helps manoeuvrability, as does the rear axle steering, which offers up to four degrees of angle So the RX doesn’t feel like a big car It doesn’t feel like a very dynamic one either, but there’s enough agility here In short, it gives a decent balance between comfort and engagement, with the focus on the former
LexusRX 24 14 September 2022
Once the petrol engine kicks in, refinement takes a hit; even with the improvements Lexus has made to the operation of its e CVT automatic gearbox, the petrol motor still drones especially if you ask for hard acceleration The trick is to drive to the powertrain’s strengths Then the engine isn’t as noticeable and the RX delivers a relaxed drive.
“The suspension works smoothly to filter out imperfections and control the body”
NEED TO KNOW Materials inside RX’s cabin are plush and build quality feels great New infotainment is a step forward
wwwautoexpress co uk
As with the NX, there’s more linearity to the way the powertrain responds and the petrol engine revs up This gives a better connection between car and driver, and while it’s still not perfect, in a big SUV like this it prioritises comfort and easy going dynamics over sportiness
non-PHEV
in powertrains in many models, the
The
Verdict
a
as
with lots of smooth torque and an electric range of up to 58 miles plus 60kW rapid charge capability However, the GLE feels big and heavy. It features a big cabin filled with lots of advanced technology, though. BMWX5xDRIVE45e Price from: £69,925 MERCEDESGLE350de Price from: £72,470 SPORTING a similarly rakish shape to the RX, Audi’s plug in hybrid Q8 is high in quality but also comes with a high price, starting from £77k It feels every inch a match for the RX inside when it comes to finish and tech, but it isn’t the most dynamic machine An electric only range of just 28 miles isn’t great, either, compared with more modern PHEVs AUDIQ855TFSIe Price from: £77,035 RIVALS What it needs to beat
____b
great, though WHILE
COMBINING six cylinder power with a big electrified element and a superbly smooth-riding chassis, the X5 xDrive45e plug in hybrid is one of the most luxurious models in its class It’s fast, efficient and comfortable although, in the Lexus, boot space takes a hit litres) compared with models BMW’s infotainment is Mercedes plug GLE only comes as diesel plug-in. still a great choice,
offers petrol
(at 500
wwwautoexpress co uk LexusRX NEWCARS 14 September 2022 25
THE new RX takes known tech from the smaller NX and adopts it into a bigger package. There’s much to like; the new infotainment and efficiency potential from the 450h+ are huge steps, while the car rides and handles fairly well. However, it doesn’t fulfil its brief quite as convincingly as its smaller sibling In this large premium SUV class the Lexus is facing luxurious competition, such as the accomplished BMW X5 PHEV, and we’d like a little more refinement as a result
It’s
Volksw
Price: £58,715
EQUIPMENT VW’s most recent infotainment isn’t the best, but at least the Multivan offers plenty of features Combined with the digital dash, it gives this MPV a solid tech suite that’s identical to the brand’s SUVs and hatchbacks
Transmission: Seven speed automatic, front wheel drive 0 62mph: 9 0 seconds
NEED TO long-wheelbase Multivan is also offered by VW, but the standard model is spacious enough for most needs
Dean Gibson Dean Gibson@autoviacouk @DeanGbsn
wwwautoexpress co uk
KNOW A
From the outside there are no differences between the TSI and the hybrid, except for the lack of a charging flap on the front wing of the former. Both
Power/torque: 201bhp/320Nm
Top speed: 124mph 31 4mpg
Economy:
DASHBOARD Multivan shares its digital dials and infotainment with VW’s passenger cars, which means touch-sensitive volume and climate controls feature. These can be tricky to operate when you’re on the move
Volkswagen Multivan 2.0TSI DSG Style
Essentials
26 14 September 2022
Engine: 2 0 litre 4cyl turbo petrol
WE’VE already tried the Volkswagen Multivan as a plug in hybrid, and were impressed by its refinement, comfort, and hugely practical interior. The other thing that appealed was that while its one box shape is quite van like, the Multivan doesn’t have a commercial vehicle sibling, which means VW’s engineers have made it more car like to drive than any van based counterpart These traits are common to the whole Multivan range, with petrol and diesel versions also available alongside the PHEV Here we’re trying the 2 0 TSI petrol van, which comes with 201bhp (14bhp less than the PHEV) and a saving of around £1,000 over the plug in model.
VolkswagenMultivan PRACTICALITY Interior
FIRSTDRIVE Does pet
NEWCARS seating layouts are incredibly versatile and the Multivan can be transformed from people mover to executive express depending on the configuration chosen Tray tables and lots of storage help versatility
CO2: 175g/km ON SALE Now
One place where the Multivan differs from its counterparts is with its drive selector Since all versions come with VW’s DSG auto transmission, the drive selector is a toggle switch on the dash next to the touchscreen Once you’re used to it, it’s simple enough to operate, while the automatically engaging electronic parking brake makes more space for storage on the dashboard
out and you have 3,672 litres of space to play with Our Style model featured an electrically opening tailgate and sliding doors, which make life even easier The latter really help access in tight spots, too Up front, the cabin shares its layout with VW’s passenger cars; there are digital dials and VW’s infotainment system, with touch sensitive climate and volume controls As in other models, this set up is tricky to use on the move, but at least the steering wheel offers controls that are easier to use
rol make sense in such a
Cabin stowage options include a dash top cubby, twin flip out cup holders, a wireless phone charging tray, a pair of
We saw best fuel economy of around 40mpg on a motorway run, but this dropped to around 30mpg in town. This is where the PHEV model is handy, since most short trips can be covered on electric power
power
versions are identical inside, because unlike with other PHEVs, where boot space is sacrificed in the quest to fit the biggest possible battery, the Multivan is large enough to accommodate any kind of running gear under the floor The TSI does have a 60 litre fuel tank, though, whereas the PHEV has a 45 litre tank That leaves the cabin free to create masses of space, and the Multivan is a hugely versatile people carrier as a result. There’s plenty of room for seven in a two two three seating layout, or you can specify four captain’s chairs in the back as a no cost option to make the most of the room on offer. Either way, there’s still decent space for luggage, and a parcel shelf that can take loads weighing up to 25kg
THE VW Multivan TSI fills a brief for buyers that don’t want a diesel or a plug in model, but it’s not as good as either of these versions. While 201bhp sounds like a punchy output, the Multivan is heavy, so it needs all the power it can muster to make progress, blunting fuel economy There’s no arguing with its cabin versatility, but the PHEV is a better option in town, while the TDI diesel is the one to go for planning longer trips
ECONOMY
large MPV?
wagen Multivan
gloveboxes and three storage pockets in the front doors In the back, there are separate climate controls and vents for the middle and rear rows, while USB C sockets are on the sliding doors and the sills of the rear windows Comfort is first class, with armrests for the two individual chairs, while the sliding central cubby has cup holders and big bins; it also lifts so that two tray tables can be used That’s in addition to the tray tables mounted to the backs of the front seats It’s incredibly versatile
On the move, the Multivan is quiet and refined The ride can get a little jiggly at lower speeds, but it smooths out when travelling faster. What this TSI does lack is the instant response of the plug in version Since there’s no electric motor to fill in at low revs, the petrol engine gathers pace more gently, especially when the VW is fully loaded Flooring the accelerator results in a big rise in revs like a CVT gearbox, but not much faster progress, and it’s clear that all of the engine’s 201bhp is needed to get going.
Verdict Running costs 31 4mpg (official) £102 fill up Performance 0 62mph/top speed 90 seconds/124mph
wwwautoexpress co uk 14 September 2022 27 VolkswagenMultivan NEWCARS
if you’re
The rear seats are mounted on floor rails, and they can slide back and forth to make a variety of layouts Removing them is a pretty simple process and while the individual chairs are on the large side, they’re still relatively light to lift in and out. Take them
The rest of the basic packaging is as compelling as it is on Ariyas with smaller batteries The coupé SUV shape doesn’t deliver the largest boot in the class, but it’s still a fair size, at 466 litres.
Power/torque: 239bhp/300Nm
There’s a shade more rear cabin space in the Nissan than in a Kia EV6, making this a surprisingly practical five seater, given the Ariya’s swoopy roofline.
NissanAriya 87kWh Evolve
That stronger motor means that you never feel like you’re in something that’s carrying extra battery cells, and the throttle is nicely modulated It pushes the Ariya’s chassis to the limit at times, mind; applying full power, even in the car’s normal mode instead of Sport, can light the front tyres on all but the grippiest, driest surface The brake pedal can feel a little snatchy at first, but before long you’ll spend most of your time around town driving smoothly with ‘e Pedal’ single pedal mode
Nissan Ariya 87kWh
WHEN is a flagship not a flagship? That’s the question that you might ask yourself when considering an electric car and it’s certainly a quandary that applies to our current Car of the Year, the Nissan Ariya. Our initial verdict on the all electric SUV was based on a version with front wheel drive, 215bhp and a 63kWh battery But since then, the Ariya’s range has expanded to include larger batteries and more powerful motors, including a supposed range topper with four wheel drive e 4orce technology If you want, in fact, you can spec the Nissan up to a creation with an 87kWh battery and 302bhp and there’s a more potent Performance edition coming with 389bhp And yet, good though the initial Ariya line up was, the car we’re driving has the potential to raise its bar even higher It’s the 87kWh Evolve, which mixes the larger battery capacity with just a single front mounted motor that produces 239bhp That’s more grunt than you get with the 63kWh edition, although the increased weight means that performance is roughly the same But those extra cell packs deliver a WLTP combined range of 322 miles, more than 70 miles further than the version that clinched our title, and slightly up on even the top whack dual motor model
car we’re driving has the ntial to raise the bar higher” Battery/range 83kWh (usable) Performance 0 62mph/top speed 76 seconds/100mph 28 14 September 2022 NEWCARS NissanAriya
Essentials
John McIlroy John McIlroy@autoviacouk @johnmcilroy
The overall suspension s composed; with a few extra this Ariya is well tied down, suspension that does a dec isolating road scars from th weak spot is sharp imperfe higher speeds, which can g enough to jiggle occupants
Evolve trim, meanwhile, brings a few extra features over the entry level Advance The electric panoramic sunroof allows an impressive amount of light into the cabin, the 10 speaker Bose audio system packs a decent punch and the mix of synthetic leather seats and microsuede finish on the door linings and dash give the Ariya a really premium feel to help justify its £53k price.
ON SALE Now
Light but positive steering a electric motor refinement c rounded package that bode
You’ll pay for this extra capacity, of course; matching trim levels, the 87kWh costs £5,750 more than the 63kWh And you won’t quite get that mileage figure in the real world, either But based on our mix of urban driving and some shorter motorway runs, this is still an EV that could well deliver the magic 300 miles of range
subsequent models coming on the Renault Nissan Alliance’s CMF EV platform
BACK SEATS
Transmission: Single speed automatic, front wheel drive
Cost
Price: £53,590
Range: 322 miles
Engine/battery: 1x e motor/87kWh
0 62mph: 7 6 seconds
You also get a smart key that ties down settings for everything from the seats to the mirrors (useful) and a 22kW three phase AC charger (less useful for most UK buyers).
Top speed: 100mph
Max charging: 130kW DC
P e t e G i b s o n
Rear legroom is great; headroom is unhindered by the Ariya’s raking roofline
FIRSTDRIVE Our Car of the Year gets a bigger battery
“That stronger motor means that you never feel like you’re in something that’s carrying extra battery cells”
charge Verdict PRACTICALITY Ariya’s boot isn’t the largest you’ll find in a mid-sized family EV, but it’s big enough for most uses, at 466 litres Rear seats fold down in a 60:40 split to boost capacity further INFOTAINMENT Large screen is crisp, but Nissan’s system doesn’t have the most modern interface Apple and Android connectivity is standard NissanAriya NEWCARS 14 September 2022 29
Composed suspension is firm, but handles most road imperfections, while the steering is light and the electric powertrain is refined
IF you regularly need to tackle longer journeys, this is the Ariya for you It should offer a good 50 miles more per full charge than the 63kWh edition, and it has all of the same strengths and appeal that brought that version our top car award But the price premium is hard to overlook; many buyers could be better off saving the £6,000 and resorting to the occasional extra public
Peugeot 508 FIRSTDRIVE Stylish family car gets a subtle update Running costs 235mpg (official) £80 fill up NEWCARS Peugeot508 wwwautoexpress co uk30 14 September 2022
It also features subtle styling updates, including black door mirror caps and a dark chrome grille insert with a black surround, while all 508s now have LED headlights
Economy: 235mpg CO2: 33g/km
PEUGEOT is going through a period of reinvention, with all new models such as the forthcoming 408 and heavily revised cars, including the 308 hatch, underpinning its push to go more premium But what about existing models such as the 508?
The i Cockpit layout remains and there aren’t any changes to the cabin, which
Powertrain: 1 6 litre 4cyl turbo petrol + e motor
The Hybrid 225 powertrain combines a 1 6 litre four cylinder turbo petrol engine with an electric motor delivering a total of 222bhp and 266Nm of torque.
NEED TO KNOW Cabin design is slick and 10 inch infotainment offers lots of features, but the software is sometimes slow to respond and the graphics could be sharper “It feels punchy enough on electric power.Ask for more performance and the engine kicks in” Performance 0 62mph/top speed 8 3 seconds/155mph
Peugeot508
14 September 2022 31
Well, the brand has upgraded the range with some subtle styling alterations and spec tweaks to boost its appeal The range now starts with Active Premium trim, with more kit, while the old Allure spec has been axed in favour of Allure Premium Above this there’s GT, and this GT Premium model
With a 487 litre boot, the 508 Hybrid just shades its closest rival the Skoda Superb PHEV offering two litres more. However, there’s not quite as much space for passengers in the Peugeot Material quality feels good, as does the 508’s build, while the tech backs this up with enough features We’d like physical climate controls, as well as snappier responses from the infotainment system, though, especially given the GT Premium plug in’s hefty £41,580 price tag
Transmission: Eight speed automatic, front wheel drive
means the ergonomics might not suit everyone but you can still get comfortable behind the steering wheel
However, this approach is at odds with the 508 Hybrid You’re better off making the
ON SALE Now
Handling is a match for the ride in that the 508 feels nicely set up, with a grippy and agile personality that backs up its sleek, sporty looks in fastback form It’s good fun, helped by the boost our plug in model’s electric motor delivers.
most of the electric range (up to 34 miles, officially) by allowing the battery to deploy its 11 8kWh of energy as it sees fit
PRACTICALITY Rakish roofline means rear headroom is tighter than in its main rivals, while legroom could be more generous, too But the 508 delivers enough practicality and comfort to work as family transport
Price: £41,580
Essentials
The Peugeot feels punchy enough on electric power Ask for more performance, and the petrol engine kicks in However, around town or at lower speeds the e motor takes care of propulsion effectively and delivers strong refinement This slips in hybrid mode, but the four cylinder unit is still pretty quiet unless working hard
Power/torque: 222bhp/266Nm
This high spec GT Premium trim gets lots of standard kit. The Driver Assist pack groups adaptive cruise control and lane assistance tech, plus there’s full keyless go, a 360 degree camera, sat nav and live services, the latest smartphone connectivity, a Focal stereo, 19 inch alloy wheels, dual zone climate control, heated seats and a 12 3 inch digital dash
THE tweaks to the 508 are subtle and haven’t changed the core of the car, which is not without its flaws (some infotainment issues and a tight rear cabin), but still delivers on many fronts in hybrid form. It’s a comfortable, efficient, refined and practical machine that can cut it with the best the VW Group brands have to offer. The question is, given that SUVs are still the most popular models with buyers, is it more the market than the car that will limit the 508’s potential?
Verdict
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able storage beneath a flap in the boot handy and declutters the load area NEWCARS
Peugeot 508 Hybrid 225
GTPremium
The 508 delivers comfort on the move, too. The EMP2 platform provides a flowing ride the majority of the time The Peugeot floats over undulating country roads yet the body control is sound; it feels calm and composed until you hit a serious pothole or bump, which tends to thud through the car’s structure at speed
BOOT Powered tailgate lifts to reveal decent boot space in plug-in form Battery will charge in a best of one hours and 45 minutes with the £300 7kW (wallbox) upgrade or just over seven hours via a three-pin socket
0 62mph: 8 3 seconds
SeanCarson sean carson@autoviacouk
Top speed: 155mph
tristan
It’s here that we witness the unveiling of the firm’s latest racing car, the Emira GT4. This is a ready built racer that private teams or individuals can buy and compete with “Lotus should be in motorsport,” says the manufacturer’s managing director Matt Windle after he pulls the wraps off the new GT4. “At Lotus, we only put stuff on the car that needs to be on there; there are no bells or whistles It’s a sleek design and it’s quick ”
the latest expression of that driving force is the reason we’ve been invited to the famous Lotus factory at Hethel
“Demand has been incredible,” Windle explains “We have had a lot of interest in the Emira GT4 from around
supercharger and produces 400bhp at up to 7,200rpm The transmission is an Xtrac six speed sequential unit, with paddleshift actuation and a limited slip differential
32 14 September 2022 wwwautoexpress co uk INSIDESTORY LotusEmiraGT4
The Emira GT4 also has a 96 litre FIA approved fuel tank, double wishbone front and rear suspension with two way adjustable dampers, and front and rear anti roll bars The brakes are competition specification items, complete with Bosch’s adjustable motorsport ABS. The forged aluminium wheels wear Pirelli GT4 tyres, while the body is an extruded and bonded aluminium chassis with composite panels
ANYONE who has been fortunate enough to have driven a Lotus will understand the appeal of the firm’s sports cars That baton is now being carried by the Emira, which was launched as a new addition to the range after the Elise and Exige went out of production. However, Lotus isn’t just a big name in the road car business The Norfolk based firm also has a huge motorsport pedigree and there has always been a strong link between the two sides of the company. Although the days of founder Colin Chapman have long passed and Lotus no longer has a Formula One team, that passion for motorsport still remains and
Prices for the GT4 start at £165,000 not including taxes and delivery fees but this figure could be higher depending on the specifications demanded by the customer However it’s specced, Lotus’s newcomer is powered by a 3 5 litre V6 Toyota, which carries a Harrop
Tristan Shale Hester shale hester@autoviacouk @tristan shale
LOTUS EMIRA RIDE Brit firm maintains motorsport legacy with GT4 version of new sports car STABLE TO PADDOCK
Some GT4s are being delivered to customers in 2022, with production to be increased in 2023 if demand remains. That’s looking likely, based on the initial reaction to the car
WINDLE Lotus managing director
MATT
It is even louder from the passenger seat, though, once we climb in Harnessed up, Kershaw wastes little time or conversation as he goes straight into track mode and shows us how good a car has been created
14 September 2022 33wwwautoexpress co uk LotusEmiraGT4 INSIDESTORY
RACE READY In addition to the modifications under the skin, the Emira GT4 gets a diffuser and rear wing LotusEmiraGT4 Price: £165,000 (excluding tax) Engine: 3 5 litre 6cyl supercharged petrol Power: 400bhp Transmission: Six speed sequential with paddleshift 0 60mph: 4 3 seconds Top speed: 180mph (approx) Kerbweight: 1,300kg ON SALE 2022/2023 Essentials ON TRACK Lotus performance supremo Gavan Kershaw shows us what the GT4 can do on the firm’s Hethel test track, while car 01 is pictured in action at the Portimao circuit in Portugal “Demand’s been incredible. We have had a lot of interest in the GT4 from around the world”
Glancing over at the speedometer and seeing a read out of 225kph (140mph) as a corner looms into view is certainly not a forgettable experience; it isn’t a bad one by any stretch of the imagination, either
The straight line speed isn’t surprising, but what is hugely impressive is how effortlessly Kershaw swings the Emira GT4 through the tight twists and turns that make up Lotus’s test track
the world and we’re pretty confident we can do what we want to do with this car this year ”
Kershaw joined the manufacturer when he was 16 as an apprentice and is renowned for both his engineering knowledge and driving skill. During his time with the company, he’s been responsible for cars such as the Evora GT4 and Lotus’s Le Mans GTE, and is now in charge of signing off the performance characteristics of every
new Lotus Kershaw is also a former British GT champion and has performed shakedown testing on Lotus F1 cars
Before our passenger ride in the Emira GT4, it performs a demonstration around the track with a Lotus Ford 30 to keep it company Both of these fiery Lotuses have white and black exteriors and really look the part together as they dance around the Norfolk circuit You’d be soulless to not
to smile at the 60’s deep, ferocious noise, which is in contrast to the higher, more modern but no less exciting soundtrack emitted by the Emira GT4
Fortunately, we are allowed to do a lot more than just look at this incredible piece of machinery on our visit to Hethel Once the formal unveiling of the new model is complete, we make our way out to Lotus’s 2 2 mile test track and climb into the passenger seat of a waiting Emira GT4 with director of attributes and product integrity Gavan Kershaw at the wheel
Visit autoexpress.co.uk for the latest new cars and drives
In fact, until the C5 X
was
Price: £31,280
CO
”
Price: £33,015
wwwautoexpress co uk34 14 September 2022
Engine: 1.5 litre 4cyl turbo, 148bhp 0-62mph: 9 2 seconds economy: 43 7mpg/9 6mpl 2: 147g/km Annual road tax: £165
Skoda Superb 1.5TSI DSG SE L
Test
inside and out, but
Test
Testers’ notes
CO
ean Carson Associate editorSean Carson
“Skoda has long been the king of this segment turned up, the closest competition to the Superb its little brother, the Octavia. It’s a little smaller still amazingly roomy, and a little bit cheaper, too
ROADTESTS
Engine: 1.2 litre 3cyl turbo, 129bhp 0-62mph: 10 4 seconds economy: 47 1mpg/10 4mpl 2: 147g/km Annual road tax: £165
Citroen C5 X 1.2 PureTech Shine Plus
There is another car that immediately springs to mind when trying to tally up all of those qualities. The Skoda Superb has been flaunting the “luxury limo on a budget” vibe for more than 20 years, and is also a comfortable, spacious machine Its prices start from a near identical figure, too. So is the C5 X the rival that finally takes the fight to the Superb, or is the Skoda still the large family car to have?
Citroen joinsthe space race
Pictures: Pete Gibson
LEXUS NX A steep learning curve as new plug in hybrid SUV joins our fleet PORSCHETAYCAN Both performance and practicality impress in Turismo ‘estate’ 48 50 Thelargefamily carclasshasbeen dominatedby Skoda’sexcellent Superbfordecades. Citroenwantsto changethatwith itsnewC5X
WE can’t think of many cars which have ever been described as a “well deserved hedonist offer” And of those, we can think of even fewer whose price tags don’t have an intimidating number of zeroes at the end However, that’s exactly how Citroen describes its all new C5 X It’s a car which the quirkiest of French brands has positioned as a luxury model that will make you feel truly special every day and one which majors on comfort and space particularly for rear seat passengers That might leave you worrying that this sounds terribly pricey, but the C5 X is much more attainable than you might think, with a really quite reasonable starting price of around £28,000.
14 September 2022 35wwwautoexpress co uk
The gearbox does the C5 X no favours, either It can be slow to respond at low speeds, while bringing
84 score 4.2 82 score 4.1 The large family hatchback has proved its worth as a PHEV. Can it pack as much of a punch with a petrol engine? Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 545/1,640 litres Performance 0 62mph/top speed 10 4 seconds/130mph Running costs 471mpg (WTLP) £90 fill up/£165 or 32% tax Citroen C5 X
The outside is as quirky as we’d have hoped for a big Citroen, though The firm reckons the look combines “the elegance of a saloon, the dynamism of a station wagon and the elevated stance of an SUV” The overall result won’t be to everyone ’ s tastes, but it certainly stands out
Also outstanding are the C5 X’s seats Rather than focusing on sporty, heavily bolstered chairs, Citroen has fitted seats which feature different layers of foam applied in key areas to make sure the occupants can climb out after a long journey and feel fresh In reality, you sink into the wide, soft cushions and feel very settled and testers of various builds found it easy to get comfortable Other concessions to comfort include acoustic glass front and rear
READERS with long memories might be looking at this grand, luxurious Citroen and be feeling a sense of deja vu The brand is no stranger to building big, waftable cars, but models such as the XM and C6 although undoubtedly clever didn’t exactly set sales records
Under the skin, the C5 X is based on the same EMP2 platform as many Citroen, Peugeot and Vauxhall models, but with some unique touches to enhance ride quality Citroen’s Advanced Comfort suspension is standard; this replaces the regular rubber bump stops with a secondary set of dampers The extra control these bring allows the regular springs to be tuned for a softer response
A lack of engine braking is another curious quirk of this powertrain Even gentle downward slopes will force you to apply the brake pedal to stop the car running away from you
36 14 September 2022 wwwautoexpress co uk
ALTHOUGH the C5 X range kicks off from less than 30 grand, the version we ’ re testing here is the top spec Shine Plus trim, which in 1 2 PureTech form comes to £31,280 The only extra fitted to our test car is metallic paint, at £650
This new model takes a different approach, because under the skin, at least, the mechanicals are fairly conventional with some minor exceptions
CitroenC5XvsSkodaSuperb
PRICE: £31,280 ENGINE: 1 2 litre 3cyl turbo, 129bhp
IF there’s one thing that knocks the shine off the illusion of luxury, it’s the engine and gearbox pairing The 1 2 litre unit is fitted in cars as small as the C3, where it’s fine, but in a car this big it’s not quite powerful or refined enough to really pull it off The three cylinder configuration sends just a little too much vibration through the cabin, while it’s fairly hard work extracting a 10 4 second 0 62mph time that’s 1 2 seconds slower than the Skoda
The cabin design is fairly smart and build quality feels solid overall The physical climate controls score top marks for usability
MODELTESTED: Citroen C5 X Shine Plus PureTech
Design & engineering
ROADTESTS
A choice of plug in hybrid models is available, but here, we ’ re testing the 1 2 litre PureTech petrol engine It’s 0 3 litres and one cylinder down on the Skoda and, at 129bhp, power output is down by 19bhp It drives the front wheels through an eight speed automatic gearbox
Driving
Detail 19 inch alloy wheels and LED headlights come as standard on all C5 X trims
CitroenC5XvsSkodaSuperb ROADTESTS
Performance
At 10.2 seconds, the Citroen’s 0 62mph time is fairly leisurely and refinement could be better
the car to a smooth stop isn’t the easiest, either especially with the engine stop/start system engaged, because this simultaneously cuts the engine and jams the brakes on before the car has come to a complete halt
REAR seat space is excellent in the Citroen, giving even tall adults the opportunity to stretch out In fact, there’s only really one other car for the cash that offers more cabin space than the C5 X and that’s the Superb
Running costs
score 4.6 score 4.3 score 4.1
CitroenC5XvsSkodaSuperb
Powertrain aside, the C5 X does a solid job of fitting its more luxurious brief The ride comfort is soft and forgiving; the Skoda is comfortable in isolation, but the Citroen is even more cosseting Wind and road noise are well contained, while light steering although doing little for fun makes this reasonably large car both easy and relaxing to drive
Ownership
“The C5 X’s slim load cover opens with the boot hatch Although it’s not as sturdy as a regular parcel shelf, it still hides items under the huge door.”
CITROEN finished 13th in the manufacturer category in the 2022 Driver Power Satisfaction survey That’s a vast improvement from its result last year, when it ended up just one spot off the bottom in 28th; it’s a sign that Citroen’s latest models are showing an improvement in quality across the board It also beats Skoda; the Czech brand ended up an underwhelming 20th of 29 brands overall
WHEN it comes to new cars, one of the biggest financial considerations for private buyers is depreciation With these two models, however, there’s almost nothing to separate them The Skoda’s predicted residual value is ever so slightly better; after three years or 36,000 miles, it’ll hold onto 49 per cent of its original value, while the C5 X will maintain 48 8 per cent Based on WLTP fuel economy figures, the Citroen achieves an average of 47 1mpg to the Skoda’s 43 7mpg If you can achieve those numbers, over the course of 20,000 miles that’s the difference between current fuel costs of £3,277 for the French contender and £3,531 for its rival
Interior storage is strong, too There’s a large, double hinged bin between the front seats, and a covered cubby farther forward includes a wireless charging pad for compatible smartphones There are deep door bins front and rear, and the Citroen’s glovebox is also larger than the Skoda’s
It might be smaller than the Skoda’s, but at 545 litres, the C5 X’s load space is still huge
ROADTESTS
Interior Dash layout is neat and logical, while fake wood trims look smart Boot
Testers’ notes
Practicality
Although the pair are evenly matched for rear headroom, the Skoda has even more generous knee room The Citroen is a little better at carrying three in the back, though; its centre seat is slightly softer and the floor hump is lower and narrower than in its rival, making life easier for a middle passenger ’ s feet
38 14 September 2022 wwwautoexpress co uk
Alex Ingram Chief reviewer
THE C5 X comes in a choice of three trim levels Entry level Sense comes with 19 inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, a 10-inch touchscreen, dual zone climate control and an acoustic windscreen Hand over £3,000 for a three year PCP agreement with a 10,000-mile annual limit, and the monthly payments come in at £417
Storage
include a
NEXT CAR A l l o f f e r s a n d f i n a n c e p r i c e s c o r r e c t a t t i m e o f g o i n g t o p r e s s
the
THROUGHTHE RANGE Which trim level might suit you?
14 September 2022 39 CitroenC5XvsSkodaSuperb ROADTESTS
Shine Plus is the top trim level. Beyond Shine, it adds a 360 degree parking camera, a powered tailgate, keyless entry, and standard leather upholstery (it’s a £1,600 option on the Shine). On matching terms, the Shine Plus model comes to £492 per month.
Rear seats The Citroen offers less knee room than the Skoda but there’s more space for three passengers’ feet
Our choice: Shine options between front seats lidded wireless charging cubby
Above that, Shine trim adds wireless smartphone charging, a heated steering wheel, part-leather upholstery, the larger 12 inch touchscreen infotainment set up and a head up display The price of these extras bring the total to £451 per month. It’s the one we’d go for.
84 score 4.2 84 score 4.2 Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 625/1,760 litres Performance 0 62mph/top speed 92 seconds/137mph Running costs 43 7mpg (WLTP) £119 fill up/£165 or 34% tax The large family car has traditionally majored on space, styling and value, but is that enough to fend off the C5 X? Skoda Superb
The Mk3 Superb’s dashboard has had some subtle updates over the years most notably the digital instrument panel and two spoke steering wheel but the layout looks just a little plain beside its rival’s There’s no knocking the finish, though; the materials feel great and the switchgear is solid, too
IF you ’ re looking for a luxury limo on a budget, then both of these cars do a solid job Neither model is particularly heavy, despite their size, so they never feel unwieldy or difficult to drive
MANY rivals have come and gone, but seven years after the current model’s launch, few have managed to come close to the Skoda Superb’s all round ability The closest comparison in terms of spec to the C5 X is SE L trim; it’s priced at £33,015 when paired with Skoda’s 1 5 TSI turbo petrol engine and a seven speed dual clutch automatic gearbox
CitroenC5XvsSkodaSuperb
ROADTESTS
PRICE: £33,015 ENGINE: 1 5 litre 4cyl turbo, 148bhp
Under the bonnet, there’s a range of petrol, diesel and plug in hybrid powertrains to choose from The petrol engines range from the 148bhp 1 5 litre turbo we have here, up to a 2 0 litre unit with 276bhp Diesel options range from 148bhp to 197bhp, while the PHEV combines a 1 4 litre turbocharged petrol with an electric motor for a total output of 215bhp
The 1 5 litre engined Superb is the cheapest in the line up and its stats hold up well against the Citroen Not only does the 1 5 motor produce more power than the Citroen’s 1 2 unit, it also does so at lower revs Likewise, its 250Nm peak torque is 20Nm higher than the C5 X’s, and arrives at just 1,500rpm rather than 1,750rpm
MODELTESTED: Skoda Superb 1.5 TSI DSG SE L
THE Skoda Superb and the Citroen C5 X have one thing in common: they both draw upon widely used tech from their respective manufacturer groups, both for the chassis and the engine range
Driving
The biggest advantage the Superb holds is with its engine Not only does it have a clear on paper advantage, but that 1 5 litre unit is also sweeter in
While the C5 X is more comfortable overall, the Superb runs it close while offering superior dynamics in other areas The Skoda’s steering feels a little heavier, which translates into a more solid, stable experience worth considering if you cover plenty of motorway miles The body movement is better contained, too, which not only contributes to the reassuring feel at higher speeds but also means that the Skoda is more composed along a twisty road There’s little between the pair in terms of refinement, but the Citroen is marginally more hushed
Design & engineering
40 14 September 2022 wwwautoexpress co uk
Under the skin, the Skoda is based on the ubiquitous MQB underpinnings that form the basis of everything from run of the mill hatchbacks such as the Volkswagen Golf to large SUVs such as the SEAT Tarraco and high performance models including the Audi TT RS Here, the platform is used in one of its larger iterations; the 2,841mm wheelbase is 56mm longer than the Citroen’s Despite the three box design, the Superb is a hatchback rather than a saloon, which as we’ll see shortly, brings some benefits in practicality
CitroenC5XvsSkodaSuperb ROADTESTS Performance Lively 1 5 TSI engine helps the Superb go from 0 62mph 1 2 seconds faster than the C5 X Detail As standard, the Superb gets 17 inch alloys SELtrimincreases that to 18 inches
THE Superb and C5 X are also available with company car tax busting plug in hybrid powertrains, and their lower emissions means they’re the models to go for if you ’ re offered a car with your job
Interior
Although the C5 X’s boot is less spacious 545 litres with the seats up and 1,640 litres with them down it’s still very practical The rear seats don’t fold flat, but four runners are fitted to the boot floor to make it easier to load heavier items
Practicality
Compare that with their PHEV equivalents, which in matching trims cost £1,911 (Skoda) and £1,915 (Citroen), and the potential savings of petrol electric hybrid power are obvious It also explains why the vast majority of regular petrol editions from both brands will be sold to private buyers
Having large rear doors and all that space means installing a child seat in either of these cars is a fairly straightforward task The Skoda pips its rival here too, because the Isofix mounting points are easily accessible behind plastic clips, whereas the Citroen’s are a little more fiddly
42 14 September 2022 wwwautoexpress co uk
Running costs
ROADTESTS
Like the CX 5, the Superb’s auto gearbox is far from perfect The clutches engage abruptly when moving off, which makes parking more stressful than it should be Once it’s up to speed, at least, it’s a little more responsive than the C5 X’s unit
The Citroen gets lane keep assist, speed limit recognition, and cruise control as standard across the board, but it’s yet to be tested by Euro NCAP
Boot
At 625 litres, the Superb’s boot is larger than most estates’ Levers on the sides make it easy to drop the seats
The petrol versions of the Skoda and Citroen on these pages sit in the 34 and 32 per cent Benefit in Kind bands respectively, which means that for a higher rate income tax payer, the pair represent annual deductions of £4,451 and £3,967
THE current Superb was assessed by crash safety body Euro NCAP back in 2015, and its testing criteria is now tougher in the seven years that have passed since With the requirements placed in front of it at the time, it managed to scoop the maximum five star rating, with solid scores across the board Standard safety kit on all models includes a driver’s knee airbag and a driver fatigue monitor
the real world Its power delivery is more linear, whereas the Citroen’s arrives in a sudden shove
NOT only is the Superb the more spacious car inside, but it’s also a little bit better at carrying luggage Boot space is absolutely vast at 625 litres with the seats up that’s better than most estate cars That figure grows to 1,760 litres with the rear seats folded
CitroenC5XvsSkodaSuperb
Testers’ notes
Ownership
After seven years, the Superb’s dashboard design looks a touch dated, but the finish is still solid
score 4.7 score 3.9 score 3.9
“For £60 extra, you can opt for a rear view mirror with a built in USB port ideal if you want to install a dash cam for extra protection.”
lex Ingram hief reviewer Alex Chief
SE Tech trim adds leather trim, safety tech such as blind spot warning, built in satellite navigation and privacy glass, and only costs an extra £4 per month.
SE L adds 18 inch wheels and matrix LED headlights among other features, and comes to £546 per month, while the Sportline model gets a unique bodykit, 19 inch wheels and a larger, 9.2 inch infotainment set up It’ll cost you, though it’s £664 per month.
14 September 2022 43 CitroenC5XvsSkodaSuperb ROADTESTS
Our choice: SE L
THROUGHTHE RANGE Which trim level might suit you?
Of the five trims offered throughout the Superb range, the 1 5 TSI can be paired with all but the top L&K model, and even the base SE model costs the same £492 per month as the top-spec Citroen on matching terms That’s for a car which gets 17 inch alloy wheels, no leather upholstery, no parking camera and regular rather than adaptive cruise control.
Full leather seats aren’t quite as cosseting as the C5 X’s, but they’re still comfortable
competitive against even the freshest rivals
Digital dashboard helps to keep the Superb
THERE was a time when the Superb offered incredibly strong value for money, but beside the Citroen it looks quite pricey.
Dual clutch auto is at its best once you’re up to speed; it’s not so good when parking Rear seats Limousine like amounts of legroom, although the centre seat is a little firm INFOTAINMENT, FIGURES & RESULT A l l o f f e r s a n d f i n a n c e p r i c e s c o r r e c t a t t i m e o f g o i n g t o p r e s s
Citroen’s screen is responsive to touches and loads quickly. Some of the keys on the sub menus (left) don’t make the most of the large display area, though
There are also two main physical shortcuts below the screen one home button and one for the driver assist systems Some of the sub menus linked to these are a little more fiddly than the Skoda’s and the layouts aren’t quite as tidy
The navigation system takes longer to plan a route than the C5 X’s, but there’s still the option of connecting your smartphone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto The smaller screen size means that the mapping can’t quite show as much detail, though Apple phones can connect wirelessly, but Android users will need a USB cable not the end of the world, because wireless charging is an optional extra anyway
Mapping screen is a little sparse, but it means that it avoids confusing instructions. DAB radio stations are neatly laid out, with bright icons
FOR AND AGAINST
Display
Citroen C5 X Skoda Superb
Fewer physical shortcuts than Skoda, menus aren’t quite as intuitive
Which multimedia system is best for music, sat nav & connectivity?
MyCitroen Drive Plus
Loading and response times are a little slow compared with the Citroen
IN SE L trim, the Superb doesn’t get the largest screen at its disposal; the top end 9 2 inch system is standard on Sportline editions Here, there’s an eight inch screen, but there’s still plenty to commend Its simplicity is its key quality, with a range of shortcut keys surrounding the display, making it an easy system to figure out There are also two rotating knobs: one for volume, another for supplementary functions, such as zooming in and out of the map
THE C5 X features the latest generation of Citroen’s infotainment tech, which is a massive leap forward compared with its previous systems Key among those improvements is the display; the huge 12 inch panel shows a main menu page that is clearly laid out, with shortcut tiles to one side, while the chief selected function (media, navigation or whatever you prefer) covers the main section of the screen Shortcut ‘keys’ are located along the right hand side of the display
Display
FOR AND AGAINST
Logical menu structures, clear shortcut keys, bright colours and graphics
Infotainment
Unlike sister brand Peugeot, Citroen has been much more committed to keeping physical climate controls It’s a strong plus point for ergonomics
Large screen, sharp graphics, decent loading times
44 14 September 2022 wwwautoexpress co uk ROADTESTS CitroenC5XvsSkodaSuperb
Key features: Wireless charging Amundsen satellite navigation Key features: Integrated Wi Fi 78 82 score 3.9 score 4.1
SPARE BUYERS can add a spare wheel to either of these cars as an optional extra A repair kit is standard
BOTH cars have some unique features to help them stand out On the Citroen, these are because of engineering decisions such as the unconventional suspension design and seat padding
STYLING
Leather/heated seats
WLTP economy/range
N/A
Boot capacity (seats up/down)
The Skoda Superb is much more understated; it’s an exercise in simple lines, sharp creases and tidy detailing. It’s less attention seeking than the Citroen, but it’s still a car that’s worthy of admiration.
The Skoda has its ‘Simply Clever’ details. Among these small but useful touches are an ice scraper/magnifying glass/tread depth gauge stored in the fuel filler flap, and an umbrella that’s stowed in the driver’s door panel
INSURANCE
ROADTEST CITROEN C5 X SEPT 2022
1st 2ndResults
CITROEN
THE long wait for a credible Superb challenger is over. The C5 X once again shows Citroen taking its own approach to luxury and comfort, and it’s a fine attempt. But above all the impressive virtues that include space, comfort and tech, it’s the strong value for money that really helps the C5 X win this contest. Competitive residual values mean this big Citroen makes financial sense, too
43k
Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel
47 1mpg/549 miles 10.4mpl 136g/km/32%
On the road price/total as tested
7/yes/f&r/£420 Yes/yes/yes/yes Yes/yes Yes/£540 £660/yes Yes/yes Yes/yes Yes/yes £290/yes/yes
PRICE: £31,000 (’14) ENGINE: 4.7 litre V8, 449bhp
£33,015/£34,315 £16,174/49 0% £16,841 £2,226/£4,451 £2,118/£3,531 21/£676/£165 £456 (2 years)
TAKE money out of the equation, and the Superb is the superior car It’s even more spacious, the engine is smoother and more powerful than the Citroen’s, and it’s almost as comfortable, yet is more competent through the corners The margins are tiny in each area, though, and the Citroen is much cheaper to finance. The Skoda’s strengths aren’t quite enough to overcome this
DAB/connected services
9 2 secs/137mph 43 7mpg/673 miles 9.6mpl 147g/km/34%
the same but
NCAP: Adult/child/ped./assist/stars
Auto/lane keep/blind spot/AEB
Peak power/revs Peak torque/revs Transmission
WHILE some people might find it tricky to get their head around the C5 X’s shape, it’s a design that’s littered with intricate details; the X shaped headlamps are echoed by the rear lights, while the subtle lip spoiler adds definition to the bulbous rear.
Height/width Engine
Keyless entry & go/powered tailgate
Length/wheelbase
WLTP combined CO2/tax bracket
SKODA
4,805/2,785mm 1,485/1,865mm 3cyl in line/1,199cc 129/5,500 bhp/rpm 230/1,750 Nm/rpm
DIMENSIONS
Basic warranty (miles)/recovery
Same Other options for similar money... price
Driver Power man./dealer position
BOTH cars sit in group 21 and theres very little in it when it comes to our representative quote
Skoda Superb 1.5 TSI DSG SE L
Ins group/quote/VED Cost of servicing
4,869/2,841mm 1,469/1,864mm 4cyl in line/1,498cc 148/5,000 bhp/rpm 250/1,500 Nm/rpm
Sat nav/digital dash
RECOVERY CITROEN only provides one year of breakdown cover as standard two years less than Skoda
Depreciation
Kerbweight/payload/towing capacity
10 4 secs/130mph
IF you really want luxury, why not go all out and get a Mercedes S Class? We found a 2014 example with miles for just over 31 grand.
USED: Mercedes S 500 LAMG Line
Climate control/adaptive cruise
0 62mph/top speed
Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles)
7 spd auto/fwd 70 litres/£205 625/1,760 litres 1,410/640/1,900kg
Wireless charging/CarPlay/And. Auto
PRICE: £29,140 ENGINE: 2.0 litre 4cyl, 163bhp
Annual tax liability std/higher rate
Turning circle/Drag coefficient
Airbags/Isofix/parking sensors/cam.
THE stylish Mazda 6 is another left field alternative to the Superb. It might not quite offer th level of space as these rivals, bu it compensates with a fabulous interior and a brilliant mix of comfort and roadholding. It’s great value, too.
16th place Driver Power finish for Skoda in the Dealer category shows there’s some room for improvement in the aftersales department
14 September 2022 45wwwautoexpress co uk CitroenC5XvsSkodaSuperb ROADTESTS
FEATURES
AEB = Autonomous Emergency Braking *Joint options In red = equipment fitted to our test car Insurance quotes from AA (Tel 0800 107 0680 or theAAcom) for a 42 year old living in Banbury, Oxon, with three penalty points Residual values provided by CDLVIP Data
Headto head
53 litres/dealer opt 545/1,640 litres 1,528/377/1,050kg
NEW: Mazda 6 Sport Skyactiv-G
Running costs will be a bit steep with a 4 7 litre V8, but for space, comfort and refinement, it’s sublime.
Metallic paint/LED headlights
3 yrs (60k)/1 yr 13th/N/A N/A
Figures
11 1 metres 3 yrs (60k)/3 yrs 20th/16th 92/88/73/79/5 (’19)
CAMERA CHARGING £420 for a reversing camera on a big car is cheeky, Plus it ll set you back £875 for a similar 360 degree set up to the one that comes as standard on the Citroen
Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000)
Citroen C5 X 1.2 PureTech Shine Plus £31,280/£31,930 £15,274/48 8% £16,006 £1,984/£3,967 £1,966/£3,277 21/£653/£165 £637 (3 years)
8 spd auto/fwd
SUPERB is slightly longer than the C5 X but also a touch lower DEALERS
6/yes/f&r/yes (360˚) Yes/yes/yes/yes Yes/yes Yes/yes £650/yes Yes/yes Yes/yes Yes/yes Yes/yes/yes
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OK I’M IN! HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE? 1 ORDER ONLINE AT autoexpress.co.uk/subscribe (or call 0330 333 9491 if you prefer the human touch). 2 ENTER THE OFFER CODE DSEP22 and select the offer you’d like to take. 3 CHECK OUT QUICKLY AND SECURELY then sit back and wait for your first issue to arrive. There are more options than ever to subscribe to Auto Express with both print and digital versions available, or perhaps you’d like a combination of both, the choice is yours Scan me with your smartphone’s camera to go straight to our secure online store. Calls to 03 numbers will be charged at your standard local rate. UK only This offer is limited to one per household Alternative gift may be supplied Please allow 28 days for delivery
Interior Dashboard is dominated by the 14 inch touchscreen, which has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
wwwautoexpress co uk48 14 September 2022 OURCARS LivingwithaLexusNX450h+
“The wallbox was installed just after the Lexus arrived. It lets me make the most of the NX’s plug in hybrid technology”
THERE’S always a learning curve when you take on a new test car But in my many years of getting used to a new arrival, it has never been as steep as when I took delivery of the Lexus NX 450h+ PHEV
On the face of it, the NX appeared much like the SUVs I’ve owned for most of the past decade, but the two filler flaps are what sets it apart While I’ve driven hybrid and fully electric cars, I’ve never tried to live with one and the experience is quite different to the ICE cars I’ve had in the past In fact, even the way I put together these reports has had to change
KimAdams products@autoexpresscouk
One of the key factors in a long term test is fuel consumption, so each car gets a log But in two months with the Lexus, I’ve got it out of the glovebox just twice and the second was only to top up the tank to get an mpg figure for this report, when the cost was under £15 I’ve not seen that for a long while As products editor, I’ve been putting a Wallbox smart charger through its paces It was installed just a few weeks after the Lexus arrived and it lets me make the most
FIRSTREPORT We’re abou Lexus
Details F Sport adds upgraded leather upholstery and electric adjustment for the front seats
WE DON’T Quiet electric only running exaggerates tyre noise. Also, the CVT takes the edge off petrol engine’s response and the NX is a tad pricey in this spec
Lexus NX 450h+ F Sport Premium Plus Pack
Any problems? None so far
On a longer runs the NX eats up the miles, with the dynamic radar cruise control taking the strain on busy motorways
Boot (seats up/down)
6
Practicality
521/1,436 litres
On fleet since: September 2022
Price new: £60,450
WE LIKE The 42 mile EV range means most everyday journeys can be done on electricity alone, drastically reducing running costs and the need to fill up with petrol
wwwautoexpress co uk 14 September 2022 49 LivingwithaLexusNX450h+ OURCARS P e t e G i b s o n
Charging It’ll take less than three hours with a wallbox and around eight hours if you use a three pin socket
NX450h+
t to out what it’s like to live with our Mid size Premium SUV of the Year
Exterior NX’s clean lines help to make it one of the better looking SUVs around
Our car is the 450h+ F Sport Premium Plus Pack with optional sunroof and Azure Blue metallic paint The four cylinder engine delivers 302bhp through a CVT
Verdict
Driving Electrical assistance in town helps to make engine noise less intrusive, while radar cruise control is a boon on the motorway
of its plug in hybrid technology, but the front of my house looks a bit different now I ran the Lexus without charging for the first tank and used whatever battery power it had when it was delivered It achieved 43mpg; impressive compared to the diesel pick ups I’ve had recently but not ideal with current fuel prices Since then, I’ve charged the car regularly overnight at home, first via a 13 amp plug (eight hours or so), then the smart charger (less than three hours)
find
That long distance ability is helped by the cabin being a very pleasant place to be, with a 14 inch HD touchscreen controlling most functions and providing the essential CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity Battery, transmission and suspension settings are on the high centre console More on these in my next report as I hope that learning curve begins to level off
A full charge provides up to 42 miles, helping the NX return 180mpg over the past 300 miles, with petrol costing £13 and electricity just over £20 The latter will rise when my current fixed tariff ends, however Even after two months with the SUV, I’m still impressed by the near silent running in battery only mode, but it means the tyres can be heard much more clearly As the magazine’s tyre tester, I’d like to know the effect on noise, if any, of reducing the wheel size from my car ’ s 20 inches, because doing so usually improves ride comfort
Essentials
Options: Sunroof (£1,000), Metallic paint (£920)
“The NX returned 180mpg over 300 miles; the petrol cost £13, the electricity £20” 62mph/top speed 3 seconds/112mph
Performance 0
Engine: 2 5 litre 4cyl petrol PHEV, 302bhp
IT’S early days, but we’re impressed so far The well thought out design and specification make the NX 450h a great place to be, whether we’re eating up the motorway miles or running errands around town
Insurance*: Group: 40 Quote: £944
*Insurance quote from AA (0800 107 0680) for a 42 year old in Banbury, Oxon, with three points
gearbox The battery assistance at low speeds means the constant revving usually heard with CVT transmissions is only felt when using pretty much all that power For regular driving, there’s more than enough low down urge for the town and rural roads I’ve mainly been using but the acceleration seems to lack sharpness
Our car has adaptive suspension, which I’ve yet to explore in detail, but the ride is supple in Comfort mode
CO2/tax: 26g/km/£155
Mileage/mpg: 305/180mpg
“I BET it’s fast, innit?” has been a regular feature in conversations with random bystanders about our Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo over the past few months There’s something about the Taycan’s front end not only the Porsche badge, but also that ultra wide stance and the aggressive vents at the leading edge of each wheelarch that tells onlookers more than enough about the car ’ s performance I’m not telling them any fibs, either, when I reply that the CT is indeed shockingly rapid, even in our ‘modest’ 4S spec
Porsche Taycan
The Taycan isn’t about to overtake something like a Range Rover when it comes to its ability to support basecamp at an event or a picnic, but even so, my nine year old son Henry has been able to jump into the boot and use the lip as a seat for snacks on National Trust outings (we’ve been a car park curveball there, too)
I recently repeated ed in chief Steve Fowler’s feat of getting that number of people three adults and two children, in my case into
John McIlroy John McIlroy@autoviacouk @johnmcilroy
and in a way that many other cars would have been found wanting
Turismo’s hatchback opening is fine for bulkier items, as long as they don’t sit too close to the boot lid Rear seats The Cross Turismo has two rear seats as standard You can add an extra central perch with the ‘4+1 seats’ option for £336 It’s best for a child but is perfectly usable thanks to the CT’s better headroom Performance 0 62mph/top speed 41 seconds/149mph Charging Battery (usable) 83 7kWh Max charging 270kW DC OURCARS LivingwithaPorscheTaycan
It’s a relatively shallow load bay boxes the size of those pictured above have to be pushed some way in, otherwise they foul the electric hatchback as it closes over what is admittedly a slightly narrow aperture But there’s a really useful area farther in, so you can slide them out of the way and if you ’ re doing a weekly shop (we’ve been enjoying the novelty of parking up the posh Porsche in German discounters’ car parks), there’s a pair of handy hooks on either side of the boot to stop your bags from toppling
Practicality Cross
But here’s the thing; the ‘Turismo’ element of our Taycan has probably impressed me more on a daily basis than its powertrain which can deliver up to 420kW and 650Nm of torque in launch control mode Purists may want to turn the page now then because, yes, I’m enjoying the Taycan’s practicality every bit as much as its 0 62mph potential (4 1 seconds, if you ’ re asking, and plenty do)
He’s found it far easier to climb aboard than he would in a jumbo SUV with a much higher load lip
wwwautoexpress co uk50 14 September 2022 THIRD REPORT Thumbs up for practicality
The Turismo is, in effect, the Taycan Estate and while its overall luggage capacity of 446 litres might not be about to give the Mercedes E Class wagon any sleepless nights, I’ve found the Porsche more than capable for my family’s needs,
Even so, Porsche’s low stance doesn’t make getting in or out of the seats particularly graceful and this is made worse when you ’ re trying to go five up But
Essentials PorscheTaycan 4S CrossTurismo On fleet since: April 2022 Price new: £88,270 Engine: 2x e motor, 483bh CO2/tax: 0g/km/£0 Options: Black leather free interior (£2,538), Ice Grey metallic paint (£1,683), 20 inch Turbo design wheels (£1,776), Panoramic roof (£1,137), 22kW onboard AC charger (£1,179), Sport Chrono Pack(£788), Bose surround sound system (£956), 4+1 seats (£336) Insurance*: Group: 50 Quote: £1,516 Mileage: 9,569 Any problems? Software issue *Insurance quote from AA (0800 107 0680) for a 42 year old in Banbury, Oxon, with three points
Your ultimate guide to buying and owning an electric car
the Taycan for a trip home from London Nobody complained about being squished once the amateur dramatics of loading the cabin had been completed
Having borrowed Carbuyer and DrivingElectric editor Richard Ingram’s electric BMW iX3 for a couple of weeks, Chris discovered that the mid size SUV’s 510 litre boot was three litres smaller than his 2009 Volkswagen Passat Estate’s. But while the BMW is 150mm taller than the VW, it’s 40mm shorter. The boot isn’t as deep as the Passat’s, either.
BMW iX3
A few days later, Jaguar collected the car to investigate an intermittent grumbling noise (“diesel y with a huff of a slow breathing compressor”) during cold starts The technicians fitted a new timing chain and a variable valve timing component. The car is now back, and its engine and motors are running better than ever.
Fleetwatch
wwwautoexpress co uk 14 September 2022 51 LivingwithaPorscheTaycanCrossTurismo OURCARS WE LIKE Warmer weather has helped to drag average efficiency up to 3 2 miles per kWh; now, it’s averaging north of that, giving a range of close to 300 miles WE DON’T The cubby between the front seats appears to have been designed by Satan; getting a USB stick into the sockets within requires a gymnast’s flexibility PORSCHES are about performance but the Taycan Cross Turismo is able to impress with its versatility just as much as its acceleration, handling and braking It really is a fantastic all electric all rounder ____` Verdict Ourfleet INDEX AlfaRomeoGiulia Issue 1728 1738 AlpineA110 Issue 1,745 BMWiX3 Issue 1,731, 1,743 Citroene Dispatch Issue 1733 DaciaJogger Issue 1,739 FordFocusEstate Issue 1,744 HondaHR VeCVT Issue 1,732 JaguarF Pace Issue 1,744 KiaNiroHybrid New arrival LandRoverDefender Issue 1,735 LexusNX New arrival MazdaCX 5 Issues 1,726, 1,733, 1,741 NissanQashqai Issues 1,707, 1,716, 1,724 PorscheTaycanCT Issues 1,730, 1740 SkodaFabia Issue 1,735 IT’S been a bumpy month for contributor Stuart Milne and his F Pace P400e. First, he tried to charge the PHEV from his Hive wallbox, only to be met with a red and blue flashing light. Online support and the manual didn’t reveal the cause, so he pressed the reset button on the wallbox’s standalone circuit breaker The main switch flicked to the off position, but wouldn’t return to on. When an engineer finally arrived a few weeks later, all he needed to do was to push the switch all the way down, then back up again not at all obvious without any guidance
Of course, none of this all round practicality would matter if the Taycan spluttered to a flat battery induced halt after even a modest journey But right now the predicted range is pushing 300 miles closer to the WLTP city numbers than the official combined figure of 277 thanks to efficiency in milder weather that comfortably tops 3 2 miles per kWh That’s not stellar in the overall scheme of things, but for a car that weighs more than two tonnes yet is also able to offer this level of performance, dynamic prowess and, yes, practicality it’s very decent indeed
Driving Our car isn’t the fastest Taycan you can buy, but its 0 62mph time of 4 1 secs is still mighty impressive, whether you’re behind the wheel, a passenger or an admirer
Jaguar F-Pace
Boot SUVs such as the iX3 have theirstrong points,but they’re not always as practical as you’d think
Fault Hive wallbox glitch was an easy fix, but Stuart wasn’t given any clues
PEOPLE often think SUVs are more practical than hatchbacks or estate cars. After all, they have taller bodies, so it makes sense that they should have more space on the inside. Yet special contributor Chris Lloyd isn’t totally convinced Yes, SUVs are taller, but that’s only useful if you can stack objects on top of each other, which isn’t always ideal.
A selection of items that went straight into the VW, laid out side by side and hidden from prying eyes beneath the load cover simply wouldn’t fit in the BMW without being piled up precariously. Think SUVs are inherently practical? Chris encourages you to think again and not be so quick to dismiss a bodystyle just because it isn’t fashionable.
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Michelin is also back with its Alpin 6. Hankook has its new winter i*cept, the RS3 , while Pirelli has the latest version of the Cinturato Winter, the 2, and Vredestein returns with its Wintrac tyre
Swapping tyres for the seasons is the ultimate solution to ensure you have the best performance to suit whatever the weather throws at you.
Which tyres should you fit to ensure you’re prepared for whatever the cold weather can throw at you?
KimAdams products@autoexpresscouk
Problems with stock levels and imminent new designs prevented other tyre-test regulars taking part this time, including our host, Goodyear, which has delayed the launch of its latest UltraGrip
association with
We return to the big selling 205/55R16 size we last tested under restricted circumstances, due to Covid, in 2020, when Bridgestone took its first win in our tests with the Blizzak LM005. It also saw a top performance from the Continental WinterContact TS 870, which was not included in the final results because its launch was delayed by a year.
WE put no limit on speed and weight ratings. For the supplied Hankooks and Pirellis, we compared them in wet braking with tyres we bought post testing to ensure they were the same We had T and H speed rated tyres (up to 118 and 130mph) plus 91 and 94 weight ratings. The EU tyre label ratings are listed (right), with A the best for fuel economy and wet grip; the lower the number the better for pass by noise, which is rated in
decibels. WHAT WE TESTED 14 September 2022 53wwwautoexpress co uk h SUVs a ar than ever, an al which tyre o the demands of these high rise h i h s WIN TN TER T Y R E TEST•WINTERTYRETEST•WIN NT T E R T Y RY RETE SE ST2022 BridgestoneBlizzakLM005 91 H, RR: C, WG: A, N: 71dB ContinentalWinterContact TS870 91 H, RR: C, WG: B, N: 70dB Hankooki*ceptRS3 91 H, RR: C, WG: B, N: 72dB MichelinAlpin6 91 T, RR: C, WG: B, N: 69dB PirelliCinturatoWinter2 91 H, RR: C, WG: B, N: 67dB VredesteinWintrac 94 H, RR: C, WG: B, N: 70dB Getting to grips with the winter
FOLLOWING record breaking temperatures and extreme weather warnings this year, evaluating winter tyres now may seem a little odd, but this is the time for drivers to plan for similar extremes during the colder months.
HOW WE TESTED
WINTERTYRETEST 2022
With the results all converted to percentages to accurately reflect performance gaps, we essentially add them together Snow performance accounts for 20 per cent of the overall result, wet 50 per cent, and the rest take the remainder Within the wet and snow results we put the emphasis on handling, braking and traction.
The cornering test focused on lap times around a snow covered circle, accelerating to the point where the line could just be maintained. The handling result was based on lap times, too, but around a track that includes big elevation change, with hairpins, long sweeps and tricky combinations of turns to fully reveal a tyre’s handling balance.
FUEL ECONOMY
CABIN NOISE
Looking for cold comfort
FOR the first time in two years we were able to return to our usual test routine, unaffected by travel restrictions. This year’s testing started in northern Finland at Goodyear’s Arctic Center in Saariselka near Ivalo. Here we assessed snow performance in braking, traction, handling and cornering. The first two tests were performed by an Auto Express driver measuring the distance taken to accelerate from 8 30kph (5 19mph) and then stopping from 50 5kph (31 3mph).
of tarmac is used each time. Lap times were recorded for the handling and circle tests.
For braking we measured the distance taken to stop from 80kph (50mph) using the rail system, which ensures the same piece
DRY
THIS measures the power required to turn each loaded tyre. The more easily a design rolls, the less fuel it uses. For a one per cent improvement in consumption, you need about a five per cent change in rolling resistance
PRICE
ICE COOL All our snow tests were performed in northern Finland at Goodyear’s Arctic Center, while Continental hosted the wet tests in Germany
54 14 September 2022 wwwautoexpress co uk
The rail system was also used for straight aquaplaning, but with one wheel in water The speed when the wheel in water spun 15 per cent faster than the other was recorded. Curved aquaplaning measured the grip loss as the car is driven at ever higher speeds through a flooded section on a tarmac circle
WE headed a bit further south for the wet tests, but still north of many European test tracks, in a bid to get the sub seven degrees centigrade temperature winter tyres are designed to work in. Temperature plays a role in wet handling, cornering and braking, and below that point, winter tyres should have the advantage, while summer designs work best above it Sadly, the weather at Continental’s Contidrom near Hanover, Germany, didn’t oblige and temperatures were higher than we’d ideally like
The proving ground tests were performed multiple times, with outlier results removed and an average taken to get the result.
CALCULATING A WINNER
THIS plays a small role in our results The figures come from our online tyre retailer test winner Black Circles and are for fully fitted tyres at the time of writing.
WET TESTS
DRY braking measured the distance taken to stop from 100kph (62mph), while we used times from a section of the track to get a result in the handling test.
Six rivals go head to head in battle to be Britain’s top winter tyre
UNLIKE the label rating, our test is tailored to driver’s concerns. We measured cabin noise, coasting down from 50mph on three surfaces.
performance
an overall score
98.6%
wwwautoexpress co uk 14 September 2022 55 In association w Ith n association with
This tyre was launched in are still impressed with its grip and complete When reviewing the Michelin, have left of
COMPROMISE Dry conditions reveal where Michelin’s tyre pays the price for its strong snow showing
On the handling track it was around half a second off the pace. It lacked the sharpness of the best, but was not as soft as some and coped well with throttle through turns. This performance comes at the expense of snow grip, where it was last across all the tests at the Arctic Center The deficit could be felt in all areas with lower levels of grip, but there was a decent balance.
WHILE the numbers put the Alpin 6 last in this test, the margin between it and the next two tyres, and even our third placed Hankook is tiny and there’s nothing to choose between them in the real world. That’s not bad from a tyre we first tested in 2019, and it was closer to the winner here than when it finished third that year
and braking. Care was needed on the handling track to keep it from sliding, but keep it straight and it worked well That improved snow grip has come at the expensive of wet performance, where the Michelin came last. But the margins were small and it was most successful in braking, plus it felt safe on the handling track, with a stable rear. You could also feel that stopping power into turns
=4th
That same stable rear was there in the dry, but overall it felt soft. The days of Michelin romping any economy test are long gone but it was competitive here, around one per cent off the best
THIS is the first time the Dutch producer’s latest winter tyre, which was launched for 2020’s cold weather, has appeared in one of our tests. It replaced the Snowtrac and the name change was designed to better reflect its all round performance That is what we saw across the series of tests, where the tyre was at its most competitive in the wet and dry.
tyre
The to
have in the snow, but there are some compromises in the wet and dry
We say...
2018 and motorists
customers
As part of Michelin’s drive for tyres to remain effective throughout their life, the Alpin 6’s grooves widen as the tread wears In as new condition it was the best tyre in the snow and we suspect Michelin has worked on this because it was not a pacesetter here in the past It was best in a straight line accelerating
44/5 Blackcircles.com says... Price £115.26 Snow braking 99 4% 2nd Snow traction 100% 1st Snow circle 98.9% 3rd Snow handling 99.1% 3rd Straight aquaplaning 91 3% 6th Curved aquaplaning 81.1% 5th Wet braking 96.1% 3rd Wet handling 98.9% =4th Wet circle 97 2% 6th Dry braking 94.9% 5th Dry handling 98.2% 5th Rolling resistance 94.5% 4th Cabin noise 96 8% 6th 98.5% The Wintrac could suit many drivers who do limited driving on snow, but there are more versatile options We say... A slightly lesser known model, but for those who do purchase this tyre, the reviews are favourable There’s a particular focus on good wet weather grip and a score of 44/5 Blackcircles.com says... Price £87.43 Snow braking 97 4% 6th Snow traction 91.9% 6th Snow circle 96.5% 6th Snow handling 96.3% 6th Straight aquaplaning 92 6% 5th Curved aquaplaning 79.9% 6th Wet braking 98% 2nd Wet handling 98.6% 6th Wet circle 98 5% 4th Dry braking 100% 1st Dry handling 98.9% =3rd Rolling resistance 98.2% 2nd Cabin noise 97 6% =4th
CONTRAST Wintrac was half a second off the best around the handling track in dry, but slowest in the wet
to get on the throttle and apply more lock to get through the turns Braking was the highlight in the wet, where it was second, just under a metre off the winning Bridgestone In the dry it was the best, taking the win by almost a metre
The Wintrac didn’t like the deep water aquaplaning tests, where it propped up the bottom of the results table with the Michelin (above). It also proved to be the slowest around the handling track, just over a second off the fastest
Vredestein Wintrac
6th Michelin Alpin 6
It was limited by its front end on the handling track, where you needed to wait
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Curved aquaplaning proved a challenge, though, and braking was more than a metre behind the best. Fourth in the dry tests kept the RS3 ahead of the pack, but a braking result that was three metres off the best hurt its overall chances. We’d also have hoped for better fuel economy from a new tyre.
wwwautoexpress co uk 14 September 2022 57
Price
QUIET SUCCESS Winter 2 was good in snow, taking two second places here, and top for cabin noise
Snow 4th traction 98% 2nd Snow circle 98% 4th 5th
through turns That same set of results was repeated in the wet, where it could put together a good handling lap to finish joint second, but couldn’t back it up in the objective tests There was a pleasing sharpness to the steering and a great balance again, with a rear that was happy to follow the strong front end.
While the gaps were small in the dry, the Winter 2 recorded the slowest time on the handling track, albeit only just over a second off the best It felt softer than most of its test rivals and lacked the steering sharpness others achieved, despite the limitation of a winter tread If you want a quiet riding tyre then look no further, but you will pay for it at the pumps.
Dry braking 96.6% 3rd Dry handling 98% 6th Rolling resistance 86.3% 6th Cabin noise 100% 1st 98.6% We’ve seen Hankook make major changes to its tyres, and there are areas it needs to tweak here to improve the RS3’s overall performance We say... Blackcircles com cannot provide insight into the tyre’s popularity or performance with customers, because it was only launched this month Its predecessor was popular, with a score of 4 7/5 Blackcircles.com says...
Wet
93.2%
Snow braking 97 9% 5th Snow traction 95.2% 4th Snow circle 96.7% 5th Snow handling 100% 1st aquaplaning 96 8% 4th Curved aquaplaning 89.5% 4th braking 95.8% 5th handling =2nd circle 98 6% 3rd braking 6th handling =3rd
Winter 2 In association Iwith n association with WINTERTYRETEST 2022 98.9% While the Winter 2 offers decent performance in poor conditions, sixth place for rolling resistance means fuel economy needs work We say... We cannot currently provide any insight into the popularity of this tyre with our customers because it only went on sale very recently Its predecessor was well liked, with a score of 49/5 Blackcircles.com says... Price £108.15
braking 98%
Michelin and Vredestein. It fared best in the deeper aquaplaning tests, but the margins were smaller elsewhere We detected the same handling behaviour in the aquaplaning as on snow, with a good balance and stable rear, but less front grip than the best on test
99.8%
£97.80
Straight
Dry
98.9%
A PROMISING debut for the new for 2022 i*cept RS3 from Hankook We had high hopes for the RS3 , because its predecessor finished third in 17 inch form last year and secured another podium position when we last tested this size of tyre
Snow handling 99.4% 2nd Straight aquaplaning 98 1% 2nd Curved aquaplaning 93.6% 3rd Wet braking 96% 4th Wet handling 98.9% =4th Wet circle 97 4%
Rolling resistance 91.3% 5th Cabin noise 98 4% 3rd
While other tyres may have stronger front grip, the Pirelli’s rear was controlled and was easier to keep straight than some rivals It was a bit further away from the leaders in the wet, but was ahead of
Snow
The key to its success was a great balance that meant it was easy to keep the car in line, despite the strong front grip. The Hankook also pulled well
3 =4th
The Winter 2 was happiest on the snow, where its performance was close to our top tyres It took second spots for traction and handling, plus two fourths
3rd Hankook i*cept RS Pirelli Cinturato
Dry
GOOD START The Hankook was fourth in both aquaplaning tests, but closer to the best in a straight line
THIS was the test debut for the Winter 2, which was launched late last year and completed the Italian Formula One tyre supplier’s revamp of its Cinturato line up Like the Michelin, it has a tread which opens up as it wears, but when new it was a match for the French producer and Hankook in a tightly packed field
Wet
Wet
It emerged just ahead of the other newcomers, but a gap remains to the winter pacesetters. The Hankook was least comfortable in the frozen north, where it only beat the Vredestein Oddly, the RS3 was quickest around the handling track, but couldn’t repeat that elsewhere.
Customers
says... Price £110.57 Snow braking 98 6% 3rd Snow traction 97% 3rd Snow circle 99.1% 2nd Snow handling 98.8% 4th Straight aquaplaning 97 4% 3rd Curved aquaplaning 96.3% 2nd Wet braking 100% 1st Wet handling 100% 1st Wet circle 99 7% 2nd Dry braking 95.3% 4th Dry handling 99.3% 2nd Rolling resistance 95% 3rd Cabin noise 97 6% =4th The TS 870 continued the WinterContact’s run of victories in our winter tyre tests with a balanced performance in all conditions We say... Launched in late 2021, it’s still too early to provide insight into the TS 870’s popularity, although its predecessor has scored well among our customers with 46 out of 5 Blackcircles.com says... Price £119 Snow braking 100% 1st Snow traction 93.1% 5th Snow circle 100% 1st Snow handling 98.6% 5th Straight aquaplaning 100% 1st Curved aquaplaning 100% 1st Wet braking 95.6% 6th Wet handling 99.8% 2nd Wet circle 100% 1st Dry braking 98.1% 2nd Dry handling 100% 1st Rolling resistance 100% 1st Cabin noise 98 6% 2nd 58 14 September 2022 wwwautoexpress co uk crown. place have
100%
The Conti left Finland ahead of the Blizzak but lost that advantage in the wet. The same sharpness was there, with a positive turn in making it easy to hit the apex, although the rear moved a little A win and a runner up spot in the dry helped secure the overall crown It feels livelier than most and it can cope with more throttle through the turns than rivals Factor in a first pla finish at the fuel pumps and you ha our 2022 champion.
there was little to choose between the pair, but the Blizzak seemed to pull better through the turns while maintaining the line on the throttle It was also better on the brakes, although not by the same remarkable margin we saw last year in 17 inch form
CHAMPION
The LM005 remains a very effective tyre, though, taking wins in wet braking and wet handling. On the handling circuit
1st ContinentalWinterContactTS870
This time the Japanese producer has to give best by the smallest of margins to its German rival Just a handful of percentage points separated the two in the wet and snow tests, but in the dry the Blizzak was more convincingly beaten by the TS 870 It was a metre behind in braking and four tenths of a second slower around the handling track.
2nd Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 99.7% 2022
As we saw last year, stopping in the wet is not where we normally expect to see Continental with its ‘best in braking’ ethos. Sixth place some 1.4 metres behind its arch rival was at least closer to the pace than in 2021
Last time the Blizzak’s winning margin would have covered the entire field here, but Continental has closed the gap and denied the Blizzak a third win on the trot.
have rated the LM005 well, giving it an overall score of 4 5 out of 5 Feedback often focuses on the impressive grip in cold weather and decent stopping distances
BRIDGESTONE and Continental have been slugging it out at the top of our winter tyre test for the past two years and 2022 was no exception, with the pair head and shoulders above their rivals.
In the snow, it managed to combine circle and braking wins with a pair of fifth places. And there was a sharpness we’ve
may have slipped to the runner up spot, but the Blizzak is still a great all round performer and well worth considering
In association Iwith n association with WINTERTYRETEST
AFTER seven wins from 13 tests you’d expect a clear win, but it really couldn’t have been much closer, with the result going right down to the wire and a few percentage points either way could have tipped the balance One reason is that, when it wasn’t winning, Conti’s TS 870 put in some still impressive results.
It
In this size it has also lost its superiority at the pumps, having to give best this time to not just the Continental but also the Vredestein It was runner up on the dry track to the Continental.
We
CLOSE CALL The Blizzak won our wet handling and wet braking tests, and was close to taking top spot overall
come to expect from Continental on the handling track, but the TS 870 lacked the grip of the Bridgestone although the balance was good.
Blackcircles.com
Strong showing on snow put the Continental into a lead over arch rival Bridgestone that it never lost
say...
14 September 2022 59wwwautoexpress co uk MARKETPLACE SiO C i C b W www.motherscarcare.co.uk 01924 469920
Pirelli has decent grip in the wet and on snow, but struggled for fuel economy. Hankookwas the best of the rest, but will have to wait for its first winter win
4th Pirelli 98.0
3rd Michelin 99.1
1st Continental 100 2nd Bridgestone 99.3
4th Bridgestone 98 8
1st Continental 100
6th Continental 95.6
1st Hankook 100
Thewinnersandlosers
SNOW SCIRCLE NOW TRACTION
CABIN NOISE
=3rd Vredestein 98.9
6th Pirelli 86 3
4th Hankook 95.2
toexpress co uk60 14 September 2022
WET HANDLING
2nd Vredestein 98.2
2nd Vredestein 98.0
4th Pirelli 98.0
1st Continental 100
2nd Bridgestone 99.7
=4th Pirelli 98.6
3rd Bridgestone 95 0
6th Vredestein 91 9
5th Hankook 96.7
5th Michelin 81 1
4th Bridgestone 95 3
5th Michelin £115.26
6th Vredestein 97 4
1st Continental 100
CURVED AQUA
1st Bridgestone 100
4th Pirelli 96.0
5th Hankook 95 8
6th Vredestein 79.9
=3rd Hankook 98 9
SNOW BRAKING
4th Vredestein 98 5
2nd Continental 98 1
3rd Bridgestone 97.4
6th Michelin 96 8
In
PRICE
=2nd Continental 99 8 =2nd Hankook 99.8
3rd Pirelli £108.15
2nd Bridgestone 99.1
1st Continental 100 2nd Bridgestone 96.3
4th Hankook 89.5
SNOW HANDLING
3rd Bridgestone 97.0
3rd Michelin 98.9
DRY HANDLING
5th Michelin 98 2
3rd Michelin 96 1
=4th Pirelli 98.9
5th Michelin 94.9
6th Vredestein 96.3
1st Pirelli 100
2nd Continental 98.6
DRY WBRAKING ET CIRCLE
2nd Pirelli 98 1
=4th Vredestein 97.6
5th Hankook 91.3
4th Bridgestone £110.57
6th Michelin 98.5
3rd Hankook 98.6
STRAIGHT AQUA
The Michelin may have been around a while, but it is definitely the tyre to have on snow. Among the test newcomers the Vredestein is good in the dry, while the
2nd Hankook £97.80
3rd Hankook 98 4 =4th Bridgestone 97.6
5th Continental 98.6
3rd Hankook 98.9
2nd Pirelli 98.0
6th Vredestein 96 5
5th Pirelli 97.4
WINNER
OVERALL
6th Vredestein 98.6
1st Bridgestone 100
3rd Pirelli 93 6
1st Vredestein 100
USUALLY, we work our way up from the bottom of the results table and those that need to work on their performance That’s not the case here, because the entire field is closer than the gap between first and second positions in last year’s test.
WET BRAKING
3rd Pirelli 96.6
RESULTS BY CATEGORY
1st Continental 100 2nd Michelin 99.4 3rd Bridgestone 98.6
1st Vredestein £87.43
association with CONTINENTAL’S WinterContact series is a multiple winner in our tests, and now the TS has added another victory Good results ac all surfaces, plus good fuel economy, are k to success and the WinterContact delivers. Continental WinterContact TS 870 870 across key In association with WINTERTYRETEST 2022
The top two in our past two winter tests went head to head again, with the gap between them even smaller this time around. Continental just gets the victory over Bridgestone, with the TS 870 having the edge in the dry and on snow, and the LM005 in the wet
5th Continental 93.1
6th Continental £119 00
1st Continental 100 2nd Bridgestone 99 7
2nd Pirelli 99 4
6th Michelin 91.3
5th Vredestein 92.6
4th Hankook 96 8
ROLLING RESISTANCE
=4th Michelin 98 9
1st Continental 100
5th Hankook 97.9
=4th Vredestein 98.6
4th Michelin 94.5
1st Michelin 100
6th Pirelli 98.0
6th Hankook 93.2
6th Michelin 97.2
Enteryourregnumbertodaytodiscoverthebesttyres,andoffers,foryourcar. Reviewspoweredby Blackcircles com is the simple way to buy new tyres Purchase your next set of tyres today to enjoy low prices, a tyre fitting appointment that suits you and first class customer care See some of our top selling winter and all season tyres. NEEDMORE HELPCHOOSING YOURNEXTTYRES? Over250,000reviewsfromourcustomersshouldhelp! 4.7/5 AllSeasonContact Weather Control A005 Evo Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 WinterContact TS870 2022 TYRE TEST WINTER 200+ reviews 4.6/5 150+ reviews 4.7/5 100+ reviews NEWMODEL BluEarth-4S AW21 4.5/5 250+ reviews CrossClimate 2 4 7/5 500+ reviews BEST ALL SEASON TYRES HIGHLY RECOMMENDED WINNER BEST ALL SEASON TYRES BEST ALL SEASON SUV TYRES HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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Gotanycarqueries?
THESE are driver location signs, which are placed approximately 500 metres apart along the side of motorways in England, but not the rest of the UK The first line states the name of the motorway and the second lane is a letter indicating which carriageway you’re on. The final line is the distance in kilometres from a designated point on the motorway These are used by emergency services and contractors
Andrew Jones, E mail
Whatdobluesignsonthe sideofthemotorwaymean?
Peter Camberwell, E mail
“High driving position is pleasant and makes manoeuvring easier.”
GOOD NOT SO GOOD
YOUTELLUS and its practicality, but
DPFs need to reach high temperatures to regenerate themselves, so you should be fine as long as you have a weekly blast on a 70mph road The car should warn you if you’re at risk of a clogged DPF, so it’s not something that will sneak up on you. Also, if necessary, check whether any diesel car you want to buy is compliant with the clean air zones in London and Birmingham Euro 6 onwards is fine
Owners love how it drives
Shale-Hester Tristan
“Front seats are supportive and easy to adjust ”
“RADIO interface is not user friendly There’s no CD player, but it has many other functions I never use and don’t want ”
wwwautoexpress co uk 14 September 2022 63
SOME insurance companies do have a policy of not covering cars that are left unattended for long periods of time The good news is that this isn’t always the case In fact, some providers even offer specific laid up policies for situations just like yours. Shop around to see what deals are out there Price comparison sites may be useful for this, but we’d also recommend hitting the phone to see if you can cut a deal with an insurer.
“GOOD, responsive engine It’s a bit jerky when pulling away, but very smooth overall.”
“The smartphone connection is awkward and laggy ”
A
reliability issues.” 2022Results Disco. Spt. Factfile Bars show where model finished out of 75 vehicles in our 2022 new car survey The longer the bar the better87.53% OVERALL SCORE Years: 2014 to 2019 CO2: 162g/km Fuel economy: 46mpg (2 2 TD4) Best options: Sat nav, automatic lights and wipers, glass roof, reversing camera USED PRICES: From £14,000 Engine and gearbox Exterior Interior and comfort Practicality and space Ride and handling Safety features MPG and running costs Reliability and build quality Infotainment, connectivity and electrics Value 75 1 41st PLACE
INTERIOR High and comfortable driving position is popular with owners, but they’re less happy with Land Rover’s infotainment set up had
Q
“I only get 30mpg on motorways and A roads, despite having a diesel ”
BUYINGCARS
ShouldDPFputablockon buyingauseddieselcar?
Harry Kelton, E mail
WHEN driving on the motorway, I’ve noticed square blue signs with yellow writing that don’t seem to mean anything. They display the motorway name, then some seemingly random letters and numbers. What are they?
Q
“The Meridian stereo offers excellent audio quality once you get past the interface.”
WESAID “The Discovery Sport is let down by reliability and high running costs. Owners appreciate the car’s boot space and the way it drives, but almost half
“Exterior styling is understated, but also smart and upmarket ”
New and used buying advice from our team of experts
Tristan Shale Hester@autovia co uk
“The sat nav doesn’t update quickly enough when there’s traffic or roadworks ”
“The air conditioning system doesn’t blow cold air, despite frequent regassing ”
“I’ve had multiple reliability issues with this car.”
“Cup holders are an ideal size, plus there’s as much storage as I could need.”
I HAVE an old Mazda MX 5 that I only drive during the summer; I keep it on a SORN the rest of the year. My insurer has said it will now only cover the car if it’s taxed all year round. Is this normal? I didn’t expect it.
“Several driver aids switch themselves on or off at random Dealer can’t fix ”
LandRoverDiscoverySport
I’M shopping for a used car, but many of the models I’m finding within my price range and requirements have diesel engines. Do I need to worry about the diesel particulate filter (DPF) becoming clogged if I buy one?
“With the option to have seven seats in place or fold them flat, all of my needs are covered.”
HowcanIinsuremycar whenit’sonaSORN?
Q A A
reliability is an issue
ORDERS for the T Cross opened in March 2019 Buyers could choose between 94bhp and 114bhp 1 0 TSI petrol engines, with the former only offered with a five speed manual gearbox, while the more powerful option had either a six speed manual transmission or a seven speed DSG auto
Wipers Juddering windscreen wipers can be a problem, especially with newly built T Crosses. Switching to Bosch Aerotwin blades is a popular solution
Richard Dredge
The problem was that while a lot of people rather fancied a VW SUV of their own, the Touareg was a big and expensive car, so its size and cost meant that it was out of reach for many It didn’t take long for Volkswagen to offer a solution, though, in the form of the original Tiguan of 2008.
Running costs 43
(10
NEEDTOKNOW
BUYER’SGUIDE:Volksw
When that model also proved a hit, the firm continued with its quest to offer ever smaller crossovers, first with the T Roc in 2017, then with the T Cross in 2019. Roughly the same size as a Polo, this high riding supermini relative is just the thing for style conscious buyers on a more modest budget
History
WHEN Volkswagen tested the waters in 2003 with the launch of its first SUV, the Touareg, the German manufacturer soon found that it had a hit on its hands
Within three months, a 94bhp 1.6 TDI diesel had been added to the range, with five speed manual or seven speed DSG auto options The final powerplant to be added to the range, a 1.5 TSI petrol, arrived in January 2020 Rated at 148bhp, this engine only came with a seven speed DSG automatic transmission, and as with the other units, only the front wheels were driven there was no four wheel drive option By summer 2021, the 1 6 TDI was killed off due to a lack of demand
Jerking Some owners of manual 1 0 TSI 115 T Crosses have had problems with jerkiness. It’s not known if the problem is stop/start related
THERE have been three special edition T Crosses along the way The United arrived in July 2020, then in April 2021 the Black Edition and the Active were launched. All three cars were based on SE trim and only came with the 1.0 TSI engine in 94bhp or 114bhp forms, plus the regular transmission options. 47mpg TSI 115) up
£68 fill
Performance 0 62mph/top speed 10 2 seconds/120mph
Punctures All versions have a tyre mobility kit Space saver and full size spare wheels are available from dealers and aftermarket sellers
CO2/tax 112 115g/km £165
NEED TO KNOW... Searchthousandsofnew andusedcarsonline In association with
YOURVIEW
WE’VE had no reports of major faults with the VW T Cross But VW was ranked 18th in the 2022 Driver Power brands survey, with 18.59 per cent of owners saying they had experienced a fault Reliability wasn’t rated highly by respondents, either
autoexpress co uk/driver power
IT’S fair to say the T Cross is a slightly strange proposition It’s easy to drive and practical, plus has a great infotainment system. The trouble is it’s not exactly a cheap option, yet its interior quality isn’t fantastic, either Nor is it an exciting car in any way There’s a lot of competition in its market segment, too, from both within the VW Group and outside For many drivers, even going for a Polo or Golf may be more sensible than a small SUV like the T Cross
PRACTICALITY Sliding rear bench lets you prioritise luggage or passenger space. The boot capacity is 385 455 litres with the seats in place, or 1,281 litres with the backrest folded down
CASE STUDY
INSTRUMENTS S and SE models have analogue dials, but a 10.3 inch digital readout is available further up the range. The driver can customise the information shown, including sat nav
ALEX Reade from Daventry, Northants, owns a 2020 T Cross 1.0 TSI. “I’ve had VWs before so I knew what to expect and I haven’t been disappointed,” he said. “The T Cross feels well built, it’s economical and it’s well equipped, although you pay for this privilege; the key thing for me is that this small car is available with big car kit. Performance and refinement are excellent and the VW feels very safe and comfortable.”
“It’s easy to drive and practical, plus has a great infortainment system”
Tristan Shale Hester Deputyconsumereditor
wagenT-Cross
14 September 2022 65wwwautoexpress co uk VolkswagenT-Cross BUYINGCARS FROM£16,000 VW’ssmallestSUVmakes afineused-carpurchaseforyoungfamilies
Common faults
Expert’s verdict
Noises Early cars can suffer from creaks and squeaks at the base of the A pillar. It can be fixed, but it’s best to get a dealer to do it rather than do it yourself
DESPITE selling in reasonable numbers, the T Cross has yet to appear in our Driver Power surveys Four Volkswagens appeared in our 2022 Driver Power new car poll: the T Roc (which came 34th out of 75 entries), the Tiguan Mk2 (45th), the Polo Mk6 (51st) and the Golf Mk8 (75th) These are not stellar results, while Volkswagen as a whole came 18th out of 29 manufacturers in our 2022 brands survey.
BUYINGCARS VolkswagenT-Cross I n s u r a n c e g r o u p
Howmuch? gets a length over Polo
Runningcosts WE found almost 800 T Crosses for sale, priced from £16,000 for a 69 plate 25,000 mile 1 0 TSI S The S and SEL each account for one in eight T Crosses and the R Line for a quarter, while nearly half of the cars available are SE editions. One in four T Crosses is automatic and very few of these are priced at less than £18,000, which secures a 19 plate 40,000 mile 1 0 TSI 115 SEL We found just 20 T Crosses for sale with the 1 6 TDI diesel engine and these were priced between £17,000 (30,000 miles, 20 plate SEL) and £22,200 (6,000 miles, 21 plate SE) The 1 5 TSI engine is also rare, and we spotted just 27 cars for sale These were priced from £25,300 for a 21 plate R Line with 12,000 miles covered. Average CO2 Annual MPG emissions roadtax Model 1 0TSI 95 8 46 47mpg 112 116g/km £165 1 0TSI 115 10 13 43 47mpg 112 115g/km £165 1 0TSI 115 DSG 10 13 42 44mpg 111 113g/km £165 1 5TSI DSG 16 17 42 44mpg 118 119g/km £165 1 6TDI 8 11 52 54mpg 107g/km £165 1 6TDI DSG 8 11 50 51mpg 107 109g/km £165 T CROSS owners can choose between Fixed and Flexible maintenance regimes The former means a visit to the garage is due every 12 months or 9,300 miles, the latter increases this to up to every two years or 18,600 miles With the Fixed option, services alternate between Oil Change and Inspection, priced at £150 and £205 respectively. The Flexible scheme means these are both d money From discou alterna years i £69); engine every STYLING T Cross
trendy SUV design, while the extra
the VW
means more space inside INFOTAINMENT All models get an eight inch touchscreen system Features such as smartphone Mirrorlink and sat nav are added as you move higher up the trim line up
Having said that, the T Cross is 136mm longer than a Polo, which is why it has a bit more cabin space As a result, VW’s smallest SUV is surprisingly usable for what remains a small model that’s easy to park, good to
drive, refined and still has plenty of big car features These are the key things that struck us when we ran a T Cross 1 0 TSI for six months in 2020. Despite its compact dimensions, we found that the T Cross provided ideal frugal transport for a family of three, which is why we reckon that the crossover makes a decent used buy.
WITH supportive seats, a user friendly dash and a surprisingly roomy rear seat that slides back and forth, the Volkswagen T Cross is easy to live with. Rear-seat passengers have good headroom, but legroom is tight for tall people
Ford’s Puma is still one of our favourite mini
Boot space is impressive, at 385 455 litres with the rear seat in place, or 1,281 litres with the back rest folded. The T-Cross comes with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment set up, featuring DAB and Bluetooth Sat nav can be bought as an option on the S and SE, but is standard on the SEL and R line.
SUVs, due to its engaging dynamics, value and practicality The Kia Stonic is another strong contender, along with its cousins, the Hyundai Kona and Bayon; all have long warranties and provide excellent value
The Citroen C3 Aircross looks appealing and has some good engines, and the same is true of Stellantis’s Peugeot 2008 and the Vauxhall Mokka Toyota’s C HR comes almost exclusively in hybrid form, while two other worthwhile options are the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur
14 September 2022 67wwwautoexpress co uk
Websites
TECHNOLOGY All models feature a DAB radio that is controlled from the standard eight inch touchscreen
Which one?
Alternatives
Official volkswagen.co.uk
A second campaign was issued in October 2021, and this time a total of 1,104 cars were affected, all of which had been made between January and June 2021 This time a software glitch meant that the driver wasn’t alerted visually or acoustically if a rear seat passenger wasn’t wearing their seatbelt A software update was all that was needed to put things right
THE most obvious rivals are found within the VW Group: the Skoda Kamiq and SEAT Arona are closely related to the T Cross, so they share a lot of the safety and cabin tech along with the engines and transmissions
VolkswagenT-Cross BUYINGCARS
WE like all of the T Cross engines and gearboxes, so we wouldn’t steer you away from any of them We also wouldn’t suggest avoiding any trim level, because even the entry level T Cross S isn’t spartan It has 16 inch alloys, an eight inch touchscreen, a DAB radio, air con, electrically adjustable door mirrors, auto emergency braking, plus electric windows front and rear
Verdict
THE T Cross has been recalled twice so far since its launch The first time was in February 2020 and affected just 35 cars, all of which had been built in May or June 2019 The problem centred on the curtain airbags, the detonators for which could fail to go off properly in the event of a collision, leading to the airbags not deploying correctly The solution Volkswagen came up with was to replace these units altogether
Forums tcrossforums.co.uk
Recalls
Interior
volkswagenforum.co.uk
Move up to the SE and you’ll get 17 inch alloys, automatic headlights and wipers, adaptive cruise control, upgraded interior trim and a smartphone Mirrorlink for the infotainment. The range topping SEL adds LED headlights, front sports seats, dual zone climate control, parking sensors front and rear, navigation and privacy glass The R Line has 18 inch rims plus a bodykit, and DSG equipped cars have paddle shifts.
IF you’re the sort of person who would previously have bought a Volkswagen Polo, but you’ve latched onto the trend of sitting a bit higher up, the T Cross should be exactly what you’re looking for
vwaudiforum co.uk
Prices for a 2019 T Cross 1.0 TSI. Dealer figures supplied by Volkswagen Worcester (listerscouk/volkswagen/worcester) Independent prices from EuroCarParts(eurocarparts.com). Dealer price Independentprice Part Frontbrake pads(axle set) £75 58 £30 24 £47 49 Frontbrake discs(pair) £157 44 £79 98 Door mirror glass(electric) £76 87 N/A Frontwiper set £48 16 £16 98 £27 21
Partwatch
wwwautoexpress co uk68 14 September 2022 Kia Sorento 1.6 PHEV T-GDi AWD 2 Years: 2020 to date Engine: 1 6 litre 4cyl hybrid, 261bhp Transmission: 6 spd auto/AWD Kerbweight: 2,099kg 0 62mph: 8 4 seconds Top speed: 119mph Bootcapacity(seatsup/down): 604/1,988 litres Ins group: 32 Official economy/CO2: 176 6mpg/38g/km Toyota RAV4 2.5 PHEV AWD-i Dynamic Premium Years: 2020 to date Engine: 2 5 litre 4cyl plus e motors, 302bhp Transmission: CVT auto/4WD Kerbweight: 1,910kg 0 62mph: 6 0 seconds Top speed: 112mph Bootcapacity(seatsup/down): 520/1,604 litres Ins. group: 35 Official economy/CO2: 282 5mpg/22g/km Searchthousandsofnewandusedcarsonline In association with RANGE RAV4 has a 46 mile range and an charge in two and a half hours with the kWh cable, or seven d a half hours with a three pin plug cable can 7 5kWh and RANGE You can travel 35 miles on electric power in the Kia. It’ll take three and a half hours to charge via a wallbox or five hours ng a three pin socketusing
FAMILY SUVs aren’t generally known for their fuel sipping prowess; a tall 4x4 won’t be as frugal as an estate car of equivalent size and practicality But this is mitigated somewhat if you go for a plug in hybrid model. A PHEV blends emissions free electric running with combustion power and it can slash your running costs provided you charge it frequently Toyota offers a rugged, reliable option in the shape of the RAV4 plug-in hybrid,
which combines a 2 5 litre petrol engine with two electric motors. It certainly isn’t lacking performance for a car of its class, with an arguably unnecessarily quick 0 62mph time, but can it outdo the Kia Sorento PHEV as an overall package?
The Korean SUV brings a highly practical seven seat layout to the table, along with a tech laden cabin that looks the part and a 261bhp powertrain. It’s a bigger, heavier car than the Toyota, but the Kia’s extra versatility plus its modern exterior and interior design could be a worthy trade off.
Read on to find out if that rings true as we pitch these two PHEV SUVs against one another
wwwautoexpress co uk 14 September 2022 69 UsedfamilySUVtwintest BUYINGCARS
Amountaintoclimb?
A plug-in hybrid can be a great way to cut your running costs. Which of this pair of family SUVs makes the best used buy?
1
st ToyotaRAV4
The bold styling won’t be to all tastes, but the Toyota cuts a distinctive figure on the road It’s most impressive from behind the wheel, though, thanks to an electric motor on each axle to assist the combustion engine The RAV4 produces a healthy 302bhp and launches to 62mph in a hot hatch baiting six seconds It’s also lighter than the Kia, which makes it feel much more sprightly and keener in bends, with precise steering and plenty of grip Despite sounding a touch harsh at high revs, the RAV4 is a refined motorway cruiser, too, with a smoother ride than the Kia. It can reach 84mph before the combustion engine kicks in and also achieved an impressive 61 4mpg in our test
The RAV4’s interior is well made on the whole and can comfortably seat five adults, but the Sorento is roomier still and seats seven The Toyota also doesn’t offer quite as much interior storage space; its 520 litre boot is eclipsed by the Kia’s
THE RAV4 makes better use of its electrified powertrain than the Sorento Couple this with polished dynamics and strong build quality, and the Toyota is our used SUV of choice.
Verdict USED DEAL TOYOTA RAV4 PHEV Dynamic 2020, 11,000 miles PRICE £38,499 NEITHER car here is especially affordable second hand, given their recent release dates and hybrid set ups Nevertheless, the RAV4 is the cheaper of the two, with low mileage 2020 models starting from around £38k buyacar.co.uk/toyota/rav4/ rav4 estate FROM £37,930 2.5 VVT-h Dynamic FOR Decent running costs, good to drive, strong performance, refined ride quality, bold styling AGAINST Noisy combustion engine, CVT can send the revs soaring, infotainment isn’t up to scratch
Dynamic Premium trim adds an upgraded audio set-up and panoramic sunroof Decent rear room for three
ToyotaRAV4
TOYOTA has always been a brand that majors on efficiency, and the RAV4 plug in hybrid looks to continue this trend in an SUV form.
Cheaper than the Sorento as a used buy and with a better electric range
wwwautoexpress co uk70 14 September 2022 BUYINGCARS UsedfamilySUVtwintest
wwwautoexpress co uk UsedfamilySUVtwintest BUYINGCARS 14 September 2022 71
Build quality isn’t quite as good as in the Toyota but it’s a slick design Seating for five adults and two children
2
nd KiaSorento
Verdict KiaSorento USED DEAL KIA SORENTO PHEV 3, 2021, 9,000 miles PRICE £48,990 THE Kia commands a higher price than the RAV4 on the used market, but both cars start at between £38,000 and £44,000. For a one year old Sorento PHEV with less than 10,000 miles, you’ll pay closer to £50,000 buyacar.co.uk/kia/sorento/ sorento station wagon FROM £43,800 1.6 T-GDI PHEV 2 FOR Seven seats, big boot, seven year warranty when new AGAINST Weaker performance, shorter electric range, imprecise handling
THE Sorento is an imposing vehicle, which occupies a larger footprint than the RAV4, and the Kia arguably looks a touch more modern than the Toyota.
On the road, the Sorento falls short of the Toyota in a few key areas, despite being a pleasant car to drive in isolation Where the RAV4 uses two electric motors to provide extra performance particularly in EV mode the Kia has a single electric motor that’s combined with a 1 6 litre turbocharged petrol engine
Seating for seven and a huge boot, but can’t match the RAV4’s all-round abilities
The Toyota’s broad spread of talents makes it the stronger proposition overall, though.
THE Sorento is a solid used buy if you need a used plug in hybrid SUV with seven seats
The Sorento does at least claw back some ground inside It has seven seats and offers more passenger space in general The third row is more suited to children, but with it folded away you get a large, 604 litre boot Build quality isn’t as good as in the Toyota, but the dashboard design is sleek and it’s easy to get comfortable behind the steering wheel
The 261bhp Kia isn’t as effortless as its rival, and the engine sounds strained under load. The 35 mile electric only range figure doesn’t compare favourably with the Toyota’s 46 miles, either, and the Sorento isn’t as comfortable or as dynamic It’s a perfectly capable SUV, but the RAV4 sets a high benchmark.
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
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
VEHICLES OVER £40,000 Electric vehicle: £0 Alternative fuel: £510 Petrol/diesel: £520
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
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
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
Pick up trucks: The models listed here pay a flat rate of road tax at £295 per year
NEWCARPRICES
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
After five years, vehicles costing more than £40 000 revert to the ower rates
INSURANCE: Group rating as quoted by the Association of British Insurers
ROAD TAX: When a car is first registered, its first year’s road tax is included in the price This is emissions based, and adds anything from zero on electric cars to £2,365 for vehicles emitting over 255g/km of CO2 After 12 months, it s the owner s responsibility to tax their vehicle, and the rate depends on the fuel used:
C O 2 0 6 0 m p h I n s u r a n c e g r o u p L s t p r c e M P G / E V a n g e C O 2 0 6 0 m p h I n s u r a n c e g r o u p L s t p r c e M P G / E V a n g e C O 2 06 0 m p h I n s u r a n c e g r o u p L s t p r c e M P G / E V a n g e C O 2 0 6 0 m p h I n s u r a n c e g r o u p L s t p r c e M P G / E V a n g e ABARTH Dealers: 82 Warranty: 3 years/60000 miles 595/695 3660x1627mm EURO NCAP N A DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 1 4 T Jet (145) 595 42 2 7 3 152 29 £21995 1 4 T Jet (165) 595 Turismo 42 2 7 3 152 30 £22995 1 4 T Jet (165) F595 42 2 7 3 153 30 £22995 1 4 T Jet (180) 695 40 9 6 7 156 34 £25195 1 4 T Jet (180) 695 Turismo 40 9 6 7 156 34 £25995 1 4 T Jet (180) 695 Competizione 40 9 6 7 156 35 £27995 1 4 T Jt (180) 695 Tributo 131 Rally 40 9 6 7 156 35 £32995 595C: add £2650 (not Tr buto 131 Ra ly) ALFA ROMEO Dealers: 55 Warranty: 3 years/unlimited m les Giulia 4643x1873mm EURO NCAP HHHHH HHHH DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 2 0T (200) auto Sprint 39 8 6 6 161 24 £40829 2 0T (280) auto Veloce 38 2 5 7 167 34 £46199 2 0T (280) auto Estrema 38 2 5 7 168 34 £51699 2 9 V6TT (510) auto Quadrifoglio 28 2 3 9 227 46 £74999 Tonale 4528x1841mm, EURO NCAP HHHHH HHHH DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 1 5T Hyb (160) at Ediz Speciale 44 8 8 8 142 N/A £38605 1 5T Hybrid (160) auto Ti 46 3 8 8 139 N/A £40005 1 5T Hybrid (160) auto Veloce 46 3 8 8 138 N/A £42505 Stelvio 4687x1903mm, EURO NCAP HHHHH HHH DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 2 0T (200) auto AWD Sprint 33 2 7 2 191 30 £48775 2 0T (280) auto AWD Veloce 32 5 5 7 197 30 £54525 2 0T (280) auto AWD Estrema 32 5 5 7 197 30 £60849 2 9 V6TT (510) at AWD Q fog io 23 9 3 8 267 50 £79619 2 2D (190) auto AWD Sprint 47 1 7 6 156 30 £46649 2 2D (210) auto AWD Veloce 45 6 6 6 163 30 £52449 2 2D (210) auto AWD Estrema 45 6 6 6 164 30 £58849 ALPINA Dealers: 7 / Warranty: 3 years/60000 mi es D3 S 4719x1827mm EURO NCAP N/A DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 3 0TT (355) auto AWD saloon 40 9 4 6 182 50 £63500 3 0TT (355) at AWD Tour ng 40 9 4 8 182 50 £64700 B3 4719x1827mm, EURO NCAP N A DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 3 0TT (462) auto AWD saloon 28 0 3 8 229 50 £77900 3 0TT (462) auto AWD Touring 28 0 3 9 229 50 £79000 D4 S 4792x1850mm EURO NCAP N/A DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 3 0TT (355) at AWD Gran Coupe 40 9 4 8 182 50 £65700 B4 4792x1850mm, EURO NCAP N A DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 3 0TT (495) at AWD Gran Coupe 28 8 3 7 223 50 £79900 D5 S 4979x1868mm EURO NCAP N/A DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 3 0TT (326) auto AWD saloon 44 1 4 8 189 50 £65800 B5 4979x1868mm EURO NCAP N A DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 4 4 V8TT (621) auto B5 saloon 25 4 3 4 253 50 £97500 4 4 V8TT (621) auto B5 Touring 25 2 3 6 256 50 £99900 B8 5092x1932mm EURO NCAP N A DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 4 4 V8TT (621) auto Gran Coupe 25 4 4 2 254 50 £136500 XD3 4718x1897mm EURO NCAP N/A DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 3 0TT (355) auto XD3 43 5 4 9 173 50 £69600 XB7 5151x2000mm, EURO NCAP N/A DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 4 4 V8TT (621) auto XB7 23 5 4 2 274 50 £137000 ALPINE Dealers: 7 / Warranty: 3 years 60000 miles A110 4180x1798mm EURO NCAP N A DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 1 8T (252) auto A110 42 8 4 5 150 44 £49990 1 8T (340) auto A110 GT 44 1 4 2 145 44 £59440 1 8T (340) auto A110 S 44 1 4 2 145 46 £60040 Tour de Corse Edition: add £6815 to A110 S J Rédélé Lim ted Edition add £10815 to GT ARIEL Dealers: N A / Warranty: 1 year/unlimited miles Atom 3410x1798mm EURO NCAP N/A DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 2 0 (245) Atom 3 5 N/A 2 7 N/A N/A £32394 Nomad 3215x1850mm EURO NCAP N/A DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 2 4 (235) Nomad N/A 3 4 N/A N/A £33500 ASTON MARTIN Dealers 20 / Warranty: 3 years/unl m ted miles DBX 5039x1998mm EURO NCAP N/A DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 4 0 V8TT (550) auto DBX 19 8 4 5 323 50 £174420 4 0 V8TT (707) auto DBX707 19 9 3 3 323 50 £192420 Vantage 4465x1942mm EURO NCAP N/A DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 4 0 V8TT (510) auto Vantage 24 4 3 6 236 50 £133920 4 0 V8TT (535) auto Vantage F1 Ed 24 3 3 6 264 50 £158420 4 0 V8TT (510) auto Roadster 24 3 3 8 263 50 £140420 4 0 V8TT (535) at Roadster F1 Ed 24 3 3 7 264 50 £165420 DB11 4739x1940mm EURO NCAP N/A DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 4 0 V8TT (528) auto DB11 25 1 4 0 254 50 £166070 4 0 V8TT (528) auto DB11 Volante 25 0 4 1 257 50 £180420 5 2 V12TT (630) auto DB11 21 1 3 7 303 50 £179420 DBS 4712x1940mm EURO NCAP N/A DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 5 2 V12TT (715) auto DBS 20 9 3 4 306 50 £259420 5 2 V12TT (715) auto DBS Volante 21 0 3 6 306 50 £279920 AUDI Dealers: 118 Warranty 3 years/60000 mi es A1 Sportback 4029x1740mm EURO NCAP HHHHH HHH DRIVER POWER POS: 72nd 1 0 (95) 25 TFSI Technik 51 4 11 0 124 19 £20265 1 0 (95) 25 TFSI auto Sport 48 7 11 5 132 19 £23295 1 0 (110) 30 TFSI Techn k 53 3 10 5 121 19 £21000 1 0 (110) 30 TFSI auto Technik 48 7 10 6 131 19 £22540 1 5 (150) 35 TFSI auto Sport 47 1 7 7 137 25 £25055 Sport: add £1450 to Technik, S line: add £1650 to Sport, Black Edition add £4020 to Sport A3 Sportback 4343x1984mm EURO NCAP HHHHH HHH DRIVER POWER POS: 70th 1 0 (110) 30 TFSI Techn k 51 4 10 6 124 17 £25495 1 0 (110) 30 TFSI Sport 51 4 10 6 125 18 £26895 1 0 (110) 30 TFSI auto Technik 55 4 10 6 116 17 £27045 1 0 (110) 30 TFSI auto Sport 54 3 10 6 118 18 £28445 1 5 (150) 35 TFSI Techn k 50 4 8 7 128 23 £27060 1 5 (150) 35 TFSI Sport 49 6 8 7 129 23 £28500 1 5 (150) 35 TFSI Edition 1 46 3 8 7 139 26 £33650 1 5 (150) 35 TFSI auto Technik 50 4 8 4 127 23 £28610 1 5 (150) 35 TFSI auto Sport 49 6 8 4 128 23 £30010 1 5 (150) 35 TFSI auto Edition 1 47 1 8 4 137 23 £35050 1 4 (204) 40 TFSI e auto Sport 282 5 7 6 25 27 £35240 1 4 (245) 45 TFSI e at S ine comp 235 4 6 8 29 26 £38890 2 0 TFSI (310) quattro auto S3 34 9 4 8 183 34 £40155 2 5 TFSI (400) quattro auto RS 3 31 4 3 8 205 35 £54655 2 0 (150) 35 TDI auto Technik 61 4 8 3 120 24 £30510 2 0 (150) 35 TDI auto Sport 61 4 8 3 121 25 £31910 2 0 (150) 35 TDI auto Edition 1 57 6 8 3 129 28 £37060 S line: add £1900 to Sport, Vorsprung: add £7750 to S3, add £7250 to RS 3 Carbon Black: add £4650 to RS 3 A3 Saloon 4495x1984mm EURO NCAP HHHHH HHH DRIVER POWER POS: 70th 1 0 (110) 30 TFSI Sport 52 3 10 6 122 18 £27460 1 0 (110) 30 TFSI auto Sport 55 4 10 6 115 18 £29010 1 5 (150) 35 TFSI Sport 50 4 8 7 127 24 £29025 1 5 (150) 35 TFSI Ed t on 1 47 9 8 7 135 26 £34215 1 5 (150) 35 TFSI auto Sport 50 4 8 4 126 24 £30575 1 5 (150) 35 TFSI auto Edition 1 47 9 8 4 133 24 £35615 2 0 TFSI (310) quattro auto S3 36 2 4 8 178 35 £40720 2 5 TFSI (400) quattro auto RS 3 31 7 3 8 203 36 £55655 2 0 (150) 35 TDI auto Sport 62 8 8 3 119 25 £32475 2 0 (150) 35 TDI auto Edition 1 58 9 8 3 126 28 £37625 S ine: add £1900 to Sport, Vorsprung: add £7750 to S3, add £7250 to RS 3 Carbon B ack: add £4650 to RS 3 A4 4726x1842mm EURO NCAP HHHHH HHH DRIVER POWER POS: 60th 2 0 (150) 35 TFSI auto Technik 45 6 8 9 142 22 £33965 2 0 (150) 35 TFSI at Sport Edition 44 8 8 9 143 22 £36510 2 0 (204) 40 TFSI at Sport Edition 44 8 7 1 143 26 £38120 2 0 (163) 35 TDI auto Technik 58 9 8 2 125 22 £36805 2 0 (163) 35 TDI auto Sport Ed t on 58 9 8 2 126 22 £39350 2 0 (204) 40 TDI quat at Sport Ed 54 3 6 9 137 26 £41435 3 0 V6 TDI (341) quattro auto S4 40 9 4 6 181 41 £49630 S ine: add £1235 to Sport Edition Black Edition add £1000 to S line, add £1500 to S4 , Vorsprung add £9600 to S4 A4 Avant 4726x1842mm, EURO NCAP HHHHH HHH DRIVER POWER POS: 60th 2 0 (150) 35 TFSI auto Technik 44 1 9 2 145 22 £35365 2 0 (150) 35 TFSI at Sport Edition 43 5 9 2 148 22 £37910 2 0 (204) 40 TFSI at Sport Edition 43 5 7 3 148 26 £39520 2 9 TFSI (450) quattro auto RS 4 28 8 4 1 221 46 £68600 2 0 (163) 35 TDI auto Technik 57 6 8 5 129 22 £38205 2 0 (163) 35 TDI auto Sport Ed t on 56 5 8 5 131 22 £40790 2 0 (204) 40 TDI quat at Sport Ed 52 3 7 1 141 26 £42835 3 0 V6 TDI (341) quattro auto S4 38 7 4 7 191 41 £51030 S ine: add £1235 to Sport Edition Black Edition add £1000 to S line, add £1500 to S4 , Vorsprung add £9600 to S4, add £18195 to RS 4 Carbon Black add £6400 to RS 4 A5 Sportback 4733x1843mm EURO NCAP N/A DRIVER POWER POS: 56th 2 0 (150) 35 TFSI auto Sport 44 8 9 1 144 29 £40045 2 0 (150) 35 TFSI auto S l ne 41 5 9 1 154 31 £42400 2 0 (204) 40 TFSI auto S l ne 41 5 7 2 154 34 £43805 2 0 (265) 45 TFSI quat auto S line 35 3 5 6 183 40 £51035 2 9 TFSI (450) quattro auto RS 5 29 7 3 9 215 44 £73850 2 0 (163) 35 TDI auto Sport 57 6 8 4 127 27 £42370 2 0 (163) 35 TDI auto S line 51 4 8 4 144 29 £44410 2 0 (204) 40 TDI quat auto S ine 50 4 7 0 146 34 £47075 3 0 V6 TDI (341) quattro auto S5 40 4 4 6 184 41 £55020 Black Edition: add £1000 to S line Vorsprung: add £13075 to S5 add £17900 to RS 5 Carbon Black: add £6400 to RS 5 A6 4939x1886mm EURO NCAP HHHHH HHH DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 2 0 (204) 40 TFSI auto Sport 39 2 7 3 163 32 £40205 2 0 (265) 45 TFSI quat auto Sport 37 2 6 0 173 35 £45690 2 0 (299) 50 TFSI e quat auto Sport 256 8 6 2 27 27 £54530 2 0 (204) 40 TDI quat auto Sport 50 4 7 6 147 38 £43905 3 0 V6 TDI (344) quattro auto S6 40 4 5 0 184 44 £62740 S ine: add £3660 to Sport Black Edition: add £1940 to S line Vorsprung add £17775 to S line A6 Avant 4939x1886mm EURO NCAP HHHHH HHH DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 2 0 (204) 40 TFSI quat auto Sport 38 2 7 5 168 32 £42355 2 0 (265) 45 TFSI quat auto Sport 36 2 6 2 178 35 £47840 2 0 (299) 50 TFSI e quat auto Sport 217 3 6 3 30 27 £56680 4 0 TFSI (600) quattro auto RS 6 22 4 3 6 286 50 £100750 2 0 (204) 40 TDI quat auto Sport 48 7 7 8 151 38 £46410 3 0 V6 TDI (344) quattro auto S6 39 2 5 1 189 44 £64890 S ine: add £3660 to Sport Black Edition add £1940 to S line Vorsprung add £17775 to S line add £17400 to RS 6 Carbon Black: add £7900 to RS 6 A7 Sportback 4969x1908mm EURO NCAP N/A DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 2 0 (265) 45 TFSI quat auto Sport 36 2 6 2 177 40 £54265 2 0 (299) 50 TFSI e quat at Sport 235 4 6 3 29 46 £62680 4 0 TFSI (600) quattro auto RS 7 23 0 3 6 280 50 £104405 2 0 (204) 40 TDI quat auto Sport 48 7 7 0 152 40 £52425 3 0 V6 TDI (344) quattro auto S7 39 2 5 1 188 50 £70750 Sport Edition: add £595 to Sport S l ne add £3250 to Sport, B ack Ed t on: add £5650 to Sport add £1800 to S7 Vorsprung add £20060 to S7 add £17400 to RS 7 Carbon Black add £7900 to RS 7 e tron GT 4990x1960mm EURO NCAP N/A DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 93kWh (476) quattro auto 298 4 1 0 50 £84000 93kWh (598) quattro auto RS 286 3 3 0 50 £115000 93kWh (598) quat at RS Carbon Bl 286 3 3 0 50 £128590 Vorsprung: add £26100 to e tron GT, add £8800 to RS e tron GT Carbon Black A8 5172 5302x1945mm EURO NCAP N/A DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 3 0 V6 (340) 55 TFSI quat at Sport 31 0 5 6 206 29 £77135 3 0 V6 (462) 60 TFSI e qt at Sport 148 7 4 9 42 50 £86690 3 0 V6 (462) 60 TFSI e qt at Sport L 148 7 4 9 43 50 £90690 4 0 V8 TFS (571) quattro auto S8 24 6 3 8 260 50 £102730 3 0 (286) 50 TDI quat auto Sport 40 4 5 9 185 29 £75035 3 0 (286) 50 TD quat auto Sport L 39 8 5 9 185 29 £79035 S line: add £5000 to Sport Black Edition: add £2300 to S line add £3000 to S8 Vorsprung: add £15000 to S8 Q2 4191x1794mm EURO NCAP HHHHH DRIVER POWER POS: 55th 1 0 (110) 30 TFSI Technik 48 7 11 2 131 14 £25080 1 0 (110) 30 TFSI Sport 48 7 11 2 131 14 £27580 1 0 (110) 30 TFSI S line 48 7 11 2 131 14 £29730 1 5 (150) 35 TFSI Sport 47 9 8 6 133 20 £29390 1 5 (150) 35 TFSI S line 47 9 8 6 133 20 £31540 1 5 (150) 35 TFSI auto Sport 46 3 8 6 138 20 £30940 1 5 (150) 35 TFSI auto S line 46 3 8 6 138 20 £33090 2 0 TFS (296) auto SQ2 34 0 4 9 188 37 £40700 B ack Edit on: add £1995 to S l ne add £2195 to SQ2, Vorsprung: add £6975 to SQ2 Q3 4484x1849mm EURO NCAP HHHHH DRIVER POWER POS: 43rd 1 5 (150) 35 TFSI Technik 43 5 9 5 147 24 £31625 1 5 (150) 35 TFSI Sport 43 5 9 5 148 24 £33275 1 5 (150) 35 TFSI auto Technik 44 1 9 4 146 24 £33205 1 5 (150) 35 TFSI auto Sport 43 5 9 4 148 24 £34855 2 0 (190) 40 TFSI quattro at S l ne 34 9 7 3 184 31 £39880 2 0 (245) 45 TFSI quattro at S l ne 32 8 5 8 196 35 £42255 1 4 (245) 45 TFSI e auto Technik 176 6 7 3 36 31 £39385 1 4 (245) 45 TFSI e auto S line 176 6 7 3 36 31 £42835 2 5 TFS (400) quattro auto RS Q3 29 4 4 5 217 41 £55460 2 0 (150) 35 TD auto Technik 52 3 9 3 141 25 £34805 2 0 (150) 35 TD auto Sport 52 3 9 3 142 25 £36455 2 0 (200) 40 TD quattro at S l ne 42 8 7 3 174 25 £40980 S line: add £2155 to Sport B ack Ed tion: add £1350 to S line Audi Sport Edition: add £4945 to RS Q3 Vorsprung: add £8495 to RS Q3 Q3 Sportback 4484x1849mm EURO NCAP HHHHH DRIVER POWER POS: 43rd 1 5 (150) 35 TFSI Sport 42 8 9 5 149 24 £34425 1 5 (150) 35 TFSI auto Sport 42 8 9 5 149 24 £36005 2 0 (190) 40 TFSI quattro at S l ne 36 7 7 3 175 31 £41030 2 0 (245) 45 TFSI quattro at S l ne 32 8 5 8 195 35 £43405 1 4 (245) 45 TFSI e auto S line 176 6 7 3 36 32 £43985 2 5 TFS (400) quattro auto RS Q3 29 4 4 5 219 40 £56610 2 0 (150) 35 TD auto Sport 51 4 9 3 143 25 £37605 2 0 (200) 40 TD quattro at S l ne 44 8 7 3 164 25 £42130 S line: add £1800 to Sport, Black Edition: add £1350 to S line, Audi Sport Edition: add £4945 to RS Q3 Vorsprung: add £8495 to RS Q3 Q4 e tron 4588x1865mm EURO NCAP HHHHH DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 55kWh (170) 35 e tron auto Sport 208 9 0 0 26 £43865 82kWh (204) 40 e tron auto Sport 318 8 5 0 29 £48105 82kWh (299) 50 e tron qt at Sport 299 6 2 0 37 £54485 S line: add £2100 Edition 1: add £5620 Vorsprung: add £13700 Q4 Sportback e tron 4588x1865mm EURO NCAP HHHHH DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 55kWh (170) 35 e tron auto Sport 211 9 0 0 26 £46885 82kWh (204) 40 e tron auto Sport 320 8 5 0 29 £51125 82kWh (299) 50 e tron qt at Sport 303 6 2 0 37 £57505 S line: add £2100 Edition 1: add £5620, Vorsprung: add £13700 Q5 4663x1893mm, EURO NCAP HHHHH DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 2 0 (265) 45 TFSI quattro at Sport 33 6 6 1 191 31 £47045 2 0 (265) 45 TFSI quattro at S l ne 33 6 6 1 191 31 £49595 2 0 (299) 50 TFSI e quat at Sport 188 3 6 1 35 40 £52965 2 0 (299) 50 TFSI e quat at S line 188 3 6 1 35 41 £55515 2 0 (204) 40 TDI quattro at Sport 44 8 7 6 165 31 £45975 2 0 (204) 40 TD quattro at S l ne 44 8 7 6 165 31 £48525 3 0 TD (341) quattro auto SQ5 34 4 5 1 216 42 £59495 Edition 1: add £4500 to 45 TFSI S line, add £4500 to 50 TFSI e, add £4860 to 40 TDI S ine Vorsprung: add £15150 to 45 TFSI/55 TFSI e S line/SQ5, add £15510 to 40 TDI S line Q5 Sportback 4663x1893mm, EURO NCAP HHHHH DRIVER POWER POS: N/A
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
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
Visit carbuyer.co.uk for all the latest data plus indepth car reviews and videos 72 14 September 2022 www.autoexpress.co.uk N E W C A R PR I C E S
wwwautoexpress co uk80 14 September 2022
RX’s conversion to electric power means the all wheel drive cars can deliver 671bhp
● Three Swedish drivers dominate Rallycross after Latvia ● Montalegre double-header this weekend
ROUNDS four and five of the World Rallycross Championship are hosted by Portugal this weekend It’s the third venue for the series since the changes which have converted the championship to pure electric power The new machines are powered by two electric motors (one driving each axle) for a combined 671bhp and 880Nm delivering explosive performance
incredibly hard for this result, and I’m so happy for them all ”
Kristoffersson leads as RX
SPORT
so far, his Swedish compatriots Timmy and Kevin Hansen are once again hot on the heels of the four time world champion heading into Portugal Last time out, it was the turn of younger brother Timmy to take the fight to the Audi driver; he missed out in the SuperPole session by less than a tenth of a second, and after close battles on both days, he claimed two second place finishes Kevin Hansen took a third and a fourth place finish over the weekend, with Kristoffersson’s team mate Ole Christian Veiby also bagging a podium and a fourth.
a longer run on one occasion through the six lap race, to exploit huge speed and leapfrog other drivers Kevin Hansen in this case
While the latest standings show that Kristoffersson has had it all his own way
Fifth place went to Niclas Gronholm, who after a difficult weekend was unable to repeat his win here from last year
All the action from the world of motorsport
“The Latvia rounds enabled the drivers to sample the new EVs in changeable cconditions” hangeable conditions”
Kristoffersson was delighted with his weekend, which puts him in good stead for the rest of the season “What a weekend! Double headers are demanding anyway, but this weekend was even more so with the weather being so up and down,” he said “We had to adapt to driving the car in the wet for the first time and make constant set up changes to suit the conditions, which was a huge challenge for the whole team ”
Kristoffersson Motorsport leads the team standings, on 98 points, although the consistency of the Hansen brothers keeps their Hansen World RX Team close behind on 82 points Third is the Construction Equipment Dealer Team with 60 points
“It’s all about small details here in Riga,” Kristoffersson said, “and that proved to be the case again It was a tough fight with Kevin in the final, but I managed to reel him in and just had enough time to get the overlap we needed, and it was nice to see Ole Christian on the podium as well Big thanks to the whole crew for doing a great job and for giving us a car that was on point every time we went out. They worked
Like so many times through his career, Kristoffersson capitalised on the tactical use of the Joker lap, where the drivers take
The Montalegre event, located about 70 miles north east of Porto and close to the Spanish border, promises more intense action across its 0 587 mile track that mixes tarmac and gravel Johan Kristoffersson will aim to maintain his perfect start to the 2022 season, following wins in Norway and the two rounds in Latvia last time out his fifth and sixth victories in the country Latvia offered the drivers the opportunity to sample the new EVs in changeable conditions, with the Bikernieki circuit changing from wet to dry and wet again throughout the second day
UK viewers can watch the World Rallycross series on BT Sport.
Alex Ingram Alex Ingram@autoviacouk @AxleIngram
LATVIA Niclas Gronholm (left) won here last year but could only manage fifth this time Johan Kristoffersson (below) clinched victory in both weekend races
In a statement, Porsche said, “It was an interesting option for Porsche Penske Motorsport to use the FIA WEC race at Bahrain as an additional test, but we opted against this due to different reasons We want to maximise track time and be as cost efficient as possible. Based on this, we decided to add two more tests in the US.”
“While the cars would be ineligible to score points, it was considered a potentially useful barometer for new squads”
wwwautoexpress co uk 14 September 2022 81
The series’s organisers had offered special dispensation for manufacturers to enter an LMDh car for the 8 Hours of Bahrain ahead of a full campaign in 2023 While the cars would be ineligible to score points at the Sakhir circuit, it was considered a potentially useful barometer for new squads ahead of next year.
WRT’s R8 dominates GT World Challenge
RXinPortugal SPORT
The team will now start its competitive programme at the Rolex Daytona 24 Hours in January, where the LMDh cars will
X
PORSCHE has turned down the chance to enter the final round of this year’s WEC championship with its all new LMDh racer
Porsche declines invitation to run LMDh car
compete against the hypercar-class cars from Toyota, Peugeot and Glickenhaus
The Sprint Cup standings run alongside those of the Endurance Cup, with the scores combined for the overall series Marciello leads the way in that championship, following his success alongside Jules Gounon and Daniel Juncadella at the 24 Hours of Spa in July Vanthoor and Weerts are second
While the Akkodis Asp Mercedes leads the overall standings, the next four spots are occupied by Audis. The final round of the Endurance series takes place at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona at the end of the month.
THE Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe series heads to Valencia on 16 18 September for the title decider of the Sprint Cup season Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts head to Spain with their WRT backed Audi R8 holding a 10.5 point lead in the standings, thanks to a double victory last time out in Misano They’re chased by the Mercedes AMG GT3 of Timur Boguslavskiy and Raffaele Marciello, who settled for a brace of second place finishes in Italy
Also looking to compete in the LMDh category is BMW. One of its customers, the Belgian WRT team, will field two BMW M Hybrid V8s in the class from 2024. It has also confirmed that it will continue to run two LMP2 cars in the WEC alongside its testing preparations for its entry into the top class in 2023. The full BMW squad continues to test its challenger in North America and, like Porsche, it will make its full debut in Florida in early 2023. news inbrief
Porsche will test its 963 LMDh car in the US instead of race it in Bahrain
heads to Portugal
EV or petrol power which gives the proper Porsche
I’m slightly embarrassed to admit that I watched all the helicopter supplied footage of her fast and furious SUV ride from RAF Northolt to Downing Street, just 15 miles away Surprise number one was how often the rules of the road weren’t adhered to by her convoy Near misses, speeding, plus driving/riding over roundabouts, in bus lanes and on the wrong side of the road they were all evident and, frankly, unnecessary. No one no matter how senior, busy and protected they must be en route to their workplace needs to cause so much potentially dangerous disruption to fellow road users and pedestrians.
Are her drivers, security staff and police motorcyclists going to accept, bend or break the laws of the land when the lady commutes in future? We’ll see But if they’re not obeying the rules, they’ll have to explain and justify their reasons why
Motoring’s most outspoken and opinionated columnist sounds off
Mind you, I said the same thing about Grant Shapps during the first few days of his long, car loathing reign as Transport Secretary Sincerely, thanks for dumping him, Liz
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Have your say at Taycan vs Panamera
JUST hours into her new job, we learned a little about the approach and attitude Liz Truss and her team are adopting towards roads, transport, journey times, freedom of movement and Britain’s most popular mode of transport the motor car
Is a thirsty, second hand Range Rover with an old tech combustion engine really appropriate for the incoming PM?
Biggest motoring tech flops ever verdict on new 3 Series
Do BMW’s new look and fresh tech make it the UK’s top executive car? experience?
Another thing Liz should consider is her work related travel schedule In short, avoid rush hours Why did her ‘expert’ team of advisors and safety and security pros allow her to do her first road trip to Downing Street as Prime Minister in late afternoon on a working Tuesday when commuting car drivers and busy buses and taxis were bound to get in the way of her and her needlessly long fleet of limos, bikes and other support vehicles?
You might have spotted that, on the Monday she was formally ‘voted in’ (by her party, not the public) as Prime Minister, she still travelled in her BMW ministerial car Honestly, can you imagine a just announced leader of say, Germany, France, Italy or the USA travelling in anything other than a German, French, Italian or American vehicle on the day he or she landed the biggest job? Not in a million years Thankfully, the next day our new PM at least had the sense to switch to wheels from a British firm albeit one that’s Indian owned But is a thirsty, second hand Range Rover with the ‘ wrong ’ type of old tech combustion engine really appropriate for the incoming PM, who could be in office until 2024, and even longer if all goes according to plan?
Our first
On a more productive note, the new PM has already spoken positively about increased road building, a lifting of the ban on fracking, and possible amendments to some speed limits Therefore it’s so far, so good from Truss
Doyou agree with Mike?
Rutherford Mike
The lady must surely lead by example and actively demonstrate that she has the courage of her EV and financially frugal convictions. Which means a switch from her Range Rover to a cleaner, cheaper, car a Jaguar I Pace, perhaps. She has greener Range Rover options, too How about the excellent new plug in hybrid that’ll take her around London on EV power until a fully electric Range Rover arrives in 2024
The not-so-great ideas that should have stayed on the drawing
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