KIAvsHYUNDAITESTED ALL-NEWSKODASUV OFFICIAL S previews n PLUS secre EV plans 3 5 9 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 D1970sTriumphvsAudi RIVENMazdaCX-60 TESTEDUsedSUVs DRIVEN Corsa 40th Anniversary Edition & Hummer EV BUYING GUIDE Bag a bargain £8k Kadja Big new SUV that could save you ££s Dolomite takes on 80 in iconic retro test £10k EcoSport faces T-Roc, CX-3 PLUS 31 Aug 6 Sept 2022 No. 1,744 | £3.80 EV6 vs Ioniq 5, Picanto vs i10, Sportage vs Tucson, Niro & i20 N Which should you buy? Kadjar
31 August 2022 5 Skoda’s new look previewed by Vision 7S concept10 Hot Smart #1 Brabus has 422bhp Mazda’s most powerful model yet VW’s revamped T Roc drop top Cordriven sa-e special celebrates 40 years Used SUVs: EcoSport vs T-Roc vs CX 3 That seventies showdown We test Hyundai and Kia’s siblings 16 26 230 8 66 20 34 Newsweek COVER Skoda showcases seven-seat EV 10 Vision 7S previews production model and new branding BYD commits to UK launch by end of 2022 14 Chinese brand’s push starts with ID4 rival, and we ’ ve driven it Hot Smart gets to 62mph in 3 9 secs 16 #1 Brabus has twin motors for four wheel drive Hummer EV pick-up driven 18 Searing acceleration but a weighty battery Features COVER Triumph vs Audi: seventies battle 20 We bring together 80 and Dolomite saloons, 50 years on New cars COVER Mazda CX-60 26 Japanese brand’s new premium flagship lands in the UK Vauxhall Corsa 40th Anniversary Edition 28 Popular supermini celebrates four decades at the top Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet 30 Updated drop-top gets refreshed looks and a new interior Cupra Born e-Boost 32 More power for electric hot hatch, but is it enough? Road tests COVER Hyundai vs Kia: sibling rivalry 34 We drive Korean models side by side to see which is best Our cars: Ford Focus MHEV Estate 48 Time to find out if wagon can match SUV as a family car Our cars: Jaguar F-Pace PHEV 50 Much-revised SUV joins our fleet in plug in hybrid guise Products Hot kit 53 Tyre firm Davanti introduces its first all-season rubber New on the shelves 54 Dropracks expands its range of easy-load roof racks Rotary tools mini test 55 Sealey squares up to Dremel in battle of handheld heroes Trolley jacks 56 We rate eight of the best ways to give your car a lift Buying cars Owners’ verdict on the SEAT Leon 61 Stylish Spanish hatchback scores highly on running costs How to buy a used Renault Kadjar 62 Family SUV is a spacious, practical choice with real appeal COVER Ford vs VW and Mazda SUVs 66 Baby models from three key brands, with prices from £9k 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 All the details on Audi’s Formula One entry Back chat 82 Mike Rutherford on delivery drivers going round in circles Driven: Atto 3 marks BYD’s UK debut14 News | New Cars | Features | Tests | Products | Buying cars | Sport CONTENTS
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And perhaps even more amazingly, it’s set to be on sale here by the end of the year, so you could get a BYD on your driveway before a VW The only parts of the Atto 3 that BYD doesn’t manufacturer itself are the glass and tyres so no component supply issues there, then Also coming soon is the Ora Funky Cat, made by another Chinese giant, Great Wall Motors It follows a similar theme to BYD (and others before), by offering more for less The upstarts of old were often short on quality and made up for that with low prices and bags of kit That’s not the case with these new models Apart from an established name, they seem to pretty much have it all
The new wave of challenger brands set to shake things up
wwwautoexpress co uk 31 August 2022 7 THISWEEK
Contenteditors:Shane Wilkinson, HarryWaring, Charlie Harvey Carbuyer & DrivingElectriceditor: Richard Ingram Carbuyer managing editor: Andy Goodwin Carbuyer contenteditors: Miles Goodson,Tom Jervis DrivingElectriccontenteditor: Ellis Hyde Design & Pictures Creative director: Darren Wilson Senior designer:Victoria Coquet Picture editor: Dawn Grant Senior photographer: Pete Gibson Film team Head ofvideo: EthanSmale Seniorvideo producers: Greg Dowswell, JackJoy Filmmakers: Michael Moreira,Tej Bhola Video editor: WillWard SpecialContributors
STEVE FOWLER Editor in-chief
Visit autoexpress.co.uk for all the latest new cars news steve fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler
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IT WASN’T long ago that Kia and Hyundai, this week’s cover stars, were the challenger brands making waves by taking on established car makers Now they’re part of the establishment themselves, producing cars that are among the best you can buy as their multiple award wins, not least from us, prove More than that, in the new world of electrification we ’ re seeing a levelling of the playing field where buyers are finding the latest Kias and Hyundais just as appealing as models from what we would class as traditional premium brands The combination of style, quality and tech that these cars offer is as good as and often better than what the posh European car makers have on sale But now it’s the likes of Kia and Hyundai that are in the cross hairs for a new wave of car makers coming to the UK MG has been at the forefront of this invasion, with the quality of its cars and the number it now sells propelling it into the mainstream, fast We rated the new MG4 highly in last week’s issue and having now driven it myself, I totally agree it’s a brilliant car Also this week, John McIlroy has been behind the wheel of the BYD Atto 3 (above) another Volkswagen ID 3 rival from China that’s set to offer decent quality, tech and driving manners for less than its VW equivalent.
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10 31 August 2022 TOPSTORY Visit autoexpress.co.uk for your daily news updates EXCLUSIVE Seven-seat concept sets the scene for forthcoming MEB models Vision 7S previews Skoda’s new look PLATFORM Vision 7S concept is the largest vehicle to sit on MEB underpinnings INTERIOR Concept’s six-plus one seating is likely to be replaced by a conventional two three-two layout in production. Matte plastic replaces piano black trim
The bonnet has an inverted power dome a play, in a way, on the fact that there’s no conventional engine beneath it and its leading edge features Skoda’s new corporate identity, with the name spelt out in painted lettering instead of the traditional 3D chrome badge The overall effect is a markedly more sophisticated look than any previous Skoda and this is backed up by a slimline treatment on the tail lights that has more than a hint of the latest Range Rover to it Along the flanks, there’s further use of Skoda’s new lettering on the C pillars and, amid restrained surfacing, pronounced sills that sit proud of the bottoms of the doors. Skoda’s design team is already suggesting that these could be ‘utility bars’, potentially housing plug sockets to supply electricity to external devices Inside, there’s a 14.6 inch touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard, and the front seats can rotate inboard slightly to allow their occupants to watch content more easily The squared off steering wheel has a new two spoke design that seems likely to make production, and behind it sits an 8 8 inch digital instrument panel
wwwautoexpress co uk 31 August 2022 11
The whole cabin makes extensive use of recycled and sustainable materials, r p cent recycled polyester In keeping with the removal of the chrome badge at the front, the cabin also features matte paint where existing Skodas would have shiny plastic. Other neat interior features include backpacks integrated into the seat backs, and extensive use of magnets to help hold everything from smartphones to metal STYLING brings slim vertical and rear, “Tech xposed door sills with seat fabric made from 100 per
SKODA has enjoyed great success with its first bespoke EV, the Enyaq iV and now the Czech manufacturer is showing its vision for an even bigger zero emissions model that seats up to seven people, as well as revealing a fresh brand identity Called Vision 7S, this new concept car previews an electric SUV that will be part of Skoda’s ambitious plan to expand its current EV range with three further models by 2026 It’s larger than the Enyaq, and is being presented in a ‘six plus one’ layout, with three rows of two and a baby seat mounted on top of a central ‘spine’ that runs down the centre of the cabin
John McIlroy@autoviacouk @johnmcilroy
SkodaVision7S TOPSTORY
The most obvious evidence of Skoda’s new brand identity comes at the front end, where the company’s design team, led by Oliver Stefani, has introduced a solid plastic panel that replaces the conventional grille required for combustion engined cars. Skoda is calling the feature the “Tech Deck” because it is used to house the myriad sensors needed for driving assistance systems It sits between ultra slim, vertical headlights that are going to be a key part of Skoda’s SUV design in the future
SkodaVision7S “The
TOPSTORY leading edge of the bonnet features Skoda’s new corporate identity, with the name spelt out” v a r v a r
water bottles securely in place
The Vision 7S has an 89kWh battery, delivering a predicted WLTP range of more than 370 miles, and it can charge at up to 200kW Officials have already revealed that the vehicle is based on the same MEB architecture as everything from the Enyaq to the Cupra Born. Assuming it uses the same platform in production form, it would be the largest MEB vehicle by some way, with a longer wheelbase helping to facilitate that larger battery capacity. It will probably be the last
RANGE
The Vision 7S has an 89kWh battery and an official range in excess of 370 miles major model to use the MEB architecture, too, given the time frames involved and the VW Group’s commitment to a new set of EV components, called SSP, by the second half of this decade
A
The current cabin layout is unlikely to be retained for production, though; expect a third seat in the middle row, as well as conventional doors instead of the concept’s design
There’s no word yet on Skoda’s fourth model, but it’s likely to slot between the Here’s what we think the baby electric Skoda SUV will look like
12 31 August 2022
i i
EXC
The production Vision 7S will sit at the top of what’s likely to be a four strong EV line up by 2026. Beneath it will be a facelifted Enyaq, featuring the new front end styling, as well as a baby SUV, previewed in our exclusive image above A sister to cars from VW and Cupra, this as yet unnamed vehicle will measure just over four metres long and could feature cheaper, less energy dense battery chemistry (LFP) to help bring down its price at the expense of a little range. The original goal for these models, called MEB Entry, was for them to cost as little as £17,000, although this figure is believed to have crept up to around £22k. The project’s time line has also slipped, so it may not arrive until after the Vision 7S, in 2026
A “If you look at our concept cars from the past, they weren’t so far from the truth when they actually hit the road And it’s the same here; it’s a really good precursor for what we’re about to do ”
Q Is it still going to be possible to sell that car at the target price of 20,000 Euros (£17,000)? There have been rumours that this figure is edging upwards.
A “I would never try to tell you that it’s easy to make a car like this with a 20,000 Euro price tag It’s a fight But we have not given up The price objective for that car remains 20,000 Euros, give or take a thousand Euros depending on brand And we’re not just going to add 3,000 Euros to give the R&D team an easier life no!”
Q Why does Skoda need a new design language and corporate identity?
A “Skoda has always had to change ever so slightly through its 127 years This might be a bigger change because we’re taking it to the next level on design and the logo But we’re in the middle of the biggest transformation of this industry more change than in the past 50 years Also, we have to make a conscious decision to not fish in the same pond as VW, SEAT and Cupra This is why we had to develop our own design language: Modern Solid ”
TOPSTORY
Q But elements such as the seating layout and doors will change, yes?
A “That’s a difficult one We’ve been under supplying the markets massively for two years, basically So we don’t really see exactly the source of business, exactly which cars they had before Enyaq. But our order bank for Enyaq remains incredible; I mean, we’re basically sold out for a year ”
THE Vision 7S marks a major shift for Skoda in styling but also in its overall branding. Former Porsche America chief Klaus Zellmer took over at the helm of the Czech brand in July Speaking exclusively to Auto Express, he gave his thoughts on the new concept and Skoda’s wider push into EVs
NEW LOOK Zellmer says one of the reasons Skoda needed a fresh approach was to distance itself from VW and Cupra smallest EV and the Enyaq and it seems inevitable that it will also feature an SUV body style At the same time, though, Skoda won’t forget its combustion engined models just yet The company has announced that new generations of the Superb family car and Kodiaq large SUV will arrive next year, and a facelifted Octavia likely to be the last conventionally powered vehicle to carry Skoda’s iconic name plate is planned for 2024.
A “Of course, yes Most of what we have in the concept is doable, but the spine in the car and the ‘suicide’ doors will change They’re great on concepts, but that’s it.”
“Our concept cars haven’t been that different when they hit the road. It’s the same with the Vision 7S”
Q Has there been a bit of surprise within Skoda at how readily customers have taken up EVs? Or are Enyaq buyers completely new to the brand?
Q You’re making a huge investment in EVs, including a smaller, more affordable SUV Is it fair to say that your offering in this space will be typical Skoda so slightly more practical than the comparable VW and Cupra vehicles?
“The baby SUV could feature a cheaper battery to help bring its price down to around £22k” LUSIVE IMAGE
Q Finally, how are you doing on supply?
wwwautoexpress co uk 31 August 2022 13
A “Spot on, yes Think about the brand values of Skoda we’re very into functionality and this automatically translates into a spacious interior We’re not going to show that car for a little while yet, but we’ve done product clinics on it already, and we got really good marks ”
A “I think we have better back ups now to supply the semiconductors we need to make cars. Are we completely through the weeds? Not yet. But we’re still convinced that in the second half of this year, especially the fourth quarter, we’ll be in full swing on production This will cut back lead times for our customers. Acceleration will be hard, but with this time frame we should be able to live up to our promises when it comes to delivery times ”
SkodaVision7S
Q&A
John McIlroy John McIlroy@autoviacouk @johnmcilroy CEO, Skoda Auto KLAUS ZELLMER
Q Vision 7S certainly has a dramatic look How much of it will be kept when the production car arrives?
The whole car industry has suffered huge delays to deliveries. Are you overcoming it or is there still more work to do?
FRESH FACE British buyers will be offered the Atto 3 first The SUV and other BYD cars have been benchmarked against VW’s ID range and EVs from Hyundai and Kia “BYD is still in ‘detailed discussions’ with a retailer group that will lead its charge into the UK market”
NEWS BYDAtto3
The firm hasn’t detailed the precise UK specs of Atto 3, let alone any pricing The bigger battery right hand drive version costs AUS$48,000 in Australia, just over £28,000 Given that BYD is benchmarking Volkswagen, Hyundai and Kia, it seems likely the Atto 3 could cost around £30k in UK dealerships.
CHINESE EV giant BYD has confirmed plans for a major expansion into Europe that includes an ambitious push to bring cars to UK customers by the end of this year Founded as a battery maker in 1995, BYD (Build Your Dreams) took its experience in that area and used it to move into vehicle development and production The firm has a wide portfolio of EVs on sale in its native China, and BYD has confirmed it will launch three cars in Europe that will be shown at this autumn’s Paris Motor Show First deliveries are targeted before the end of this year The initial model range in continental Europe includes an imposing seven seat SUV, called Tang, and a swoopy looking saloon, called Han. Both offer dual motor powertrains with 510bhp, but are only built in left hand drive so won’t be sold in the UK But the smallest vehicle of the trio the Atto 3 is all but certain to be the cheapest car in the new line up, and the biggest seller It will be the initial UK launch model The Atto 3 is 4,455mm long, so it sits between the MG ZS EV and VW’s ID 4 on overall size. It offers seating for five people, and a 440 litre boot that expands to 1,338 litres when the rear seats are folded down Hi tech standard equipment on the Chinese model includes a 12.8 inch touchscreen
BYD’s expansion into UK market
wwwautoexpress co uk14 31 August 2022
John McIlroy John McIlroy@autoviacouk @johnmcilroy infotainment system that can rotate between portrait and landscape orientation.
Atto 3 spearheads
● SUV is smallest member of Chinese manufacturer’s three-car line-up for continental Europe ● Britain will only get all-electric Atto 3, but more right-hand-drive BYD EVs are set to follow
The Atto 3 sits on BYD’s new bespoke EV architecture, called e Platform 3 0, and is powered by a single front mounted motor producing 201bhp and 310Nm of torque, enough, BYD claims, for a 0 62mph time of 7 3 seconds Two battery capacities are available globally 48kWh and 60kWh but the UK will get only the larger of these BYD claims a range of up to 261 miles. A heat pump will be standard too, helping to maintain this figure in colder weather BYD claims the new tech base supports 800v electrics. It hasn’t used this tech in the Atto3 though, and the 29 minutes needed for a 30 to 80 per cent recharge (at up to 88kW) looks respectable rather than rapid BYD is still in “detailed discussions” with a retailer group that will lead its charge into the UK market, making its stated goal of delivering cars to British buyers within the next four months look ambitious
The rest of the chassis feels compliant or at least, it did up to the 50mph maximum speed of BYD’s test track We suspect there might be a bit more body roll at higher speed, but around town you’ll find it comfortable and composed. Inside, you might be surprised by how neatly finished the Atto 3 is There are soft touch materials in many of the key areas and while there are some fussy elements the dashboard’s air vents seem designed to make a statement, and there are flashes of red piping on the seats and the ‘guitar strings’ that form the door side pockets the overall effect has a bit more panache than, say, MG’s cabins
The in car tech seems solid, too, and there are strong hints that the car will support Android and Apple connectivity, albeit via an over the air update soon after launch As it stands, the interface resembles that of an Android smartphone; it’s pretty, but potentially a bit fiddly for in car use. This vast, crisp display is one area that belies the car’s Chinese origins in a good way Western customers might find other elements, such as the various musical jingles including a chordal indicator chime that’s been sent from hell a little wearing Hopefully BYD will use the upgradability of its own operating system to offer more subtle, sophisticated alternatives in due course
Verdict
31 August 2022 15 BYDAtto3 NEWS
The electric motor is nicely calibrated, so the Atto 3’s throttle progression is well judged, sensible and pleasingly linear The same can be said for the brakes; modulating the transition between energy recuperation and discs and pads is notoriously tricky, but BYD has come close to nailing it here There’s no nasty sponginess or step to speak of, although we’d rather have just one setting instead of being able to choose between two levels of left pedal resistance. This also applies to the steering, which is perhaps the weakest link You can pick between ‘Normal’ and ‘Sport’ but, a difference in weight aside, you’re still left with a set up that feels vague and slow to respond A bit more bite around the straight ahead and heft that falls somewhere between the two settings offered would be preferable, we’d argue
THE Atto 3 doesn’t seem a bad place for BYD to start in the UK It’s a small family SUV with some smart styling cues that have been designed with Europe in mind, and based on our short first drive, it should have plenty of appeal for UK buyers.
John McIlroy Deputy Editor, Auto Express OPINION
The team at BYD is optimistic that it will happen, thanks to an impending deal with a major UK dealer group With that in place, it’ll be down to the firm’s own supply chains and manufacturing structures. It’s here where BYD could steal a march over not only other Chinese manufacturers but also lots of established European brands. The firm makes nearly all of the components used in the car itself. And without the much publicised semiconductor issues, there should be little to hold it back. Supply should not be a problem.
FIRSTDRIVE
WE’LL hold back on a star rating for now, but the Atto 3 already feels like a coherent, well engineered car that has the potential to give BYD a flying start in the UK We’d already say that if you’re going to be in the market for a family EV at some point in the next 12 months, this ought be on your radar.
PIONEER BYD’S Atto 3 is set to go on sale in the UK by the end of 2022 Further right-hand-drive models are due to follow next year, according to Brian Yang, BYD’s assistant general manager for Europe
DRIVEN Early test underlines promising start for new Atto 3
John McIlroy John McIlroy@autoviacouk @johnmcilroy WILL you really be able to buy an Atto 3, and take delivery, before the end of this year?
16 31 August 2022 NEWS Smart #1Brabus
OFFICIAL
OFFICIAL REFRESHED All Corollas come with LED headlights and keyless go claimed range of 500km (310 miles) on the Chinese testing cycle, but due to the Brabus version’s increased performance, expect the claimed range to drop below the standard #1’s 273 mile maximum on the EU WLTP test Recharging capability remains at 150kW, so a 10 80 per cent top up takes less than 30 minutes Revealed at the Chengdu Motor Show in China, there’s no word yet on UK pricing, but Auto Express understands that the Brabus will make it to the UK following the launch of the regular #1 later this year.
HOT Smart models will return, starting with this: the new Smart #1 Brabus Smart (joint owned by Daimler and Geely) and Mercedes tuner Brabus have had a long standing relationship that will extend into Smart’s rebirth as an all electric brand Brabus has first turned its attention to the new #1, improving performance and adding more exclusivity and driver focused appeal. Based on the Geely SEA platform, the #1 Brabus has a pair of motors one on each axle delivering four wheel drive and a total output of 422bhp and 543Nm of torque for a 0 62mph time of 3 9 seconds Styling revisions include a deeper, more aggressive front bumper and narrow cooling vents in the bonnet. The Brabus model has 19 inch alloys and red styling details that contrast with the car’s matt grey body here There’s plenty of leather and micro fibre inside to add a racier feel, plus red detailing for the stitching, headrests and LED lighting, along with a three spoke Brabus steering wheel It retains the regular model’s 10 inch digital dash and 12.8 inch infotainment. While there’s no word yet on revisions to the chassis (Smart is claiming 50:50 weight distribution), there’s a choice of Eco, Comfort, Sport and Brabus driving modes. It will also feature a special augmented soundtrack. The hottest Smart #1 in the line up retains the regular car’s 66kWh battery for a TOYOTA’S updated Corolla is now on sale, with prices starting from £29,610 for the 138bhp 1.8 litre hybrid in five door hatchback form. Standard kit includes 16 inch alloys, wireless phone charging, parking sensors, climate control, a reversing camera and heated front seats The British built Corolla is also available in Touring Sports estate guise, with prices ● EV packs 422bhp and 4WD ● Due to arrive in UK next year from £30,945 for the 1.8 hybrid in Icon trim The most affordable 193bhp 2 0 hybrid the hatchback in Icon trim starts from £31,355. Both hybrid powertrains are more powerful than before and are available in both body styles and all trim levels: Icon (from £29,610), Design (£31,180), GR Sport (£32,390) and Excel (32,800).
INTERIOR Red accents give the #1 Brabus a sporty look, while the dash has digital dials and a 12 8-inch infotainment touchscreen
New Brit-built Corolla hybrid gets more power, new trims
“A pair of motors – one on each axle – deliver four-wheel drive and a total output of 422bhp and 543Nm of torque” SeanCarson sean carson@autoviacouk
Smart turns up the heat with sporty all-electric #1 Brabus
Peugeot refreshes 3008 and 5008 trims
Entry-level Model Y SUV is on sale now TESLA has launched a new entry level version of the Model Y crossover. It’s on sale now with first deliveries in December The £51,990 Model Y Rear Wheel Drive sits below the Long Range and Performance models in the mid size, all electric SUV’s line up. A single electric motor drives the rear axle, while a battery with a usable capacity of 75kWh offers a range of up to 283 miles. The top speed is 135mph and 0 62mph takes 6 0 seconds
chargepoints, including those in residential areas for the 40 per cent of households without dedicated off street parking. “Recent DfT data showed there are gaping holes in the on street residential charging network and these desperately need filling. It is also vital we help rural drivers, too, rather than assume this issue is just an urban problem ” Although councils say they are in favour of receiving money for EV chargepoints, there is a desire for more stable long term funding and a more precisely planned rollout Cllr David Renard, the Local Government Association’s transport spokesman, said: “It’s vital that the Government learns lessons from the pilots and applies them throughout the rest of the programme What all places need is long term certainty of funding, including resources to coordinate and plan delivery so every area has sufficient chargepoint capacity to meet demand ”
wwwautoexpress co uk 31 August 2022 17 Publicelectricvehiclecharging NEWS Tristan Shale Hester tristan shale hester@autoviacouk @tristan shale
news inbrief
THE effectiveness of a Government scheme to improve public EV charging infrastructure has been questioned, following a lack of transparency and concerns over uptake from councils Department for Transport (DfT) chiefs announced a £20million investment last week in the Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) pilot scheme, with nine councils Barnet, Dorset, Durham, Kent, Midlands Connect, North Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk and Warrington being awarded funding The money is expected to go towards the installation of around 1,000 chargers Similar projects to help EV drivers who don’t have off street parking, such as the On street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS), have previously struggled to attract bids from local authorities Only 107 councils have successfully applied for ORCS funding in the past five years Auto Express asked the DfT how many councils had applied for LEVI funding The Government department said the application process was “popular”, but refused outright to give a specific figure. Reacting to this, AA head of roads policy Jack Cousens said: “It’s important to know which councils want to be at the forefront of the transition to electric cars against those that will do so at the point of last resort If the switch to electric is to be successful, then we will need more “If the switch to electric is to be successful, we will need more chargepoints“
PEUGEOT is updating its line up by adding Active Premium+ and Allure Premium+ spec levels, and now it’s the turn of the five seat 3008 and seven seat 5008 SUVs to receive the updated trim structure Active Premium+ replaces the Active Premium trim. Both cars get aluminium front door sills and pedals, 18 inch grey diamond cut alloys (3008 only), aluminium roof rails and tinted windows. The 3008 Active Premium+ is priced from £31,035 and the 5008 £33,500 Allure Premium+ trim features the Aluminium Pack items listed above, while the roof is finished in a contrasting ‘Black Diamond’ look. Prices for the new Allure Premium+ trim start from £33,335 for the 3008 and £35,900 for the 5008 version The two fresh trim levels are on sale now for both models.
PLUG IN Nine councils have been awarded a share of the LEVI scheme cash to pay for public charging NEW LOOK
The two spec levels add new alloys, tinted windows and aluminium roof rails to the 3008 (left) and 5008
Doubts cast on DfT’s EV charger funding scheme
The sky’s the limit for airport drop-off fees
Stansted charges the most: £7 for 15 minutes Luton and Gatwick charge £5 for 10 minutes, while £5 at Heathrow buys an unspecified period of time. Manchester charges £5 for five minutes; 10 minutes at Liverpool, Edinburgh, Aberdeen or Glasgow costs £4. Bristol and East Midlands charge £5 for 10 and 15 minutes respectively Birmingham and Belfast International charge £3 for 15 minutes and £1 for 10 minutes respectively. It’s still free to drop off at Cardiff, London City and Belfast City Halfords and charity seeking apprentices HALFORDS aims to recruit around 100 new apprentices this year to join a workforce of 2,200 across 600 garages The Palmer Foundation set up by Auto Express contributor Dr Andy Palmer will work with schools to identify disadvantaged people who may be suitable for an apprenticeship They will be interviewed by Halfords, which will then pay for a two year programme.
JACK COUSENS AA head of roads policy
AIRPORT drop off fees are at an all time high, RAC research has revealed.
OFFICIAL
Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk
FROM: Dave Walker I WAS already impressed with MG after driving the ZS EV Judging by the reaction to the new MG4 (Issue 1,743), the brand has improved even more Some of its cars from a few years ago seemed dreadful, but I would now genuinely consider owning one. Hopefully it draws more brands into competition for making budget friendly electric cars
REVITALISING a dead brand isn’t always a good idea, and in the case of Hummer the big, militaristic marque discontinued by General Motors in 2010 there will be no conquering of battlefields this time It’s lifestyle buyers who are being targeted Offered as a pick up (an SUV is coming) the Hummer EV has a loading area, but it’s a short one The stubby dimensions of the load bay are there entirely to play up to the image of the newcomer’s forebears.
The EV is equipped with a tri motor electric powertrain two motors on the rear axle, one on the front that work together to deliver 986bhp and 1,672Nm of torque. Our first drive is on the wide streets of Los Angeles the sort of location you could really consider this car’s home territory, perhaps Rental companies here are already charging $1,500 (£1,260) a day to hire one. It feels exceptionally wide, but with four wheel steering it’s actually fairly easy to manoeuvre, provided you keep track of the car’s vast scale. Acceleration is incredible, but bringing things to a halt isn’t as much fun, because the Hummer’s unwieldiness doesn’t allow for relaxed driving at speed With a 75 per cent charged battery available on our test car, we saw a predicted range of 229 miles A real world reach of 300 miles seems our best estimate The battery a staggering 213kWh in capacity
HOT TOPIC Self-driving vehicles
DRIVEN Heavyweight Hummer EV hits the road
I was entitled to emissions payout MG4’s performance garners another fan
FROM: Stuart T I HAVE driven Teslas and their supposed ‘self driving’ technology is anything but They constantly detect phantom objects on the road and steer me into oncoming traffic when they pick up imaginary road markings I can’t see cars safely driving themselves by 2025 and certainly don’t trust the technology.
■ “No thanks I didn’t spend two years learning to drive just to give way to a computer ” Kristian Thomas
■ “Many road markings in the UK have faded away These would need to be repainted first ” Jonathan T ■ “I struggle with the ethical decisions these cars could have to make in a collision scenario ” MR Autonomous cars could be on our roads from 2025
PICK UP Load bay is more for show than anything else
Verdict FIRSTDRIVE Hauke
Lightbulb moment for solar power
wwwautoexpress co uk18 31 August 2022 “Acceleration is incredible, but its unwieldiness doesn’t allow for relaxed driving at speed” NEWS HummerEVdriven
FROM: Scott Parker I’M not sure I would trust the technology on more complex roads, particularly in built up areas, but I think it definitely has a place on motorways With all the lane hogging, tailgating and other poor driving we see from human drivers on a daily basis, I would welcome a computer taking control.
FROM: Ian Belden THE idea of a solar powered car sounds unrealistic at first, but Sono’s creation (Issue 1,742) is actually really impressive These are the sort of breakthrough ideas we need to see more of if electric and alternative fuel vehicles are to rapidly become more practical Commendable work
Digital licences can only be a good thing
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sits between the axles, and the pack alone weighs just over 1 3 tonnes a touch more than a basic VW Golf. It’s one of the reasons why the Hummer EV brings gas guzzling parallels to the EV world, with energy consumption barely beating 1 5 miles/kWh It’s also the reason why the Hummer certainly isn’t cheap In fact, it almost feels like a significant portion of the car’s $110,295 (£94,000) is solely going into covering the cost of that battery. And as a result, cabin quality really suffers All the removable parts impress in turning the Hummer into a convertible, but the cheap feeling plastics are a letdown. HummerEV Price: £94,000 (est) Powertrain: 213kWh battery/3x e motor Power/torque: 986bhp/1,627Nm Transmission: Single speed automatic, four wheel drive 0 62mph: 3 5 seconds Top speed: N/A Range: 329 miles Charging: 350kW ONSALE N/A Essentials
WE didn’t get to try the new Hummer EV off road, where perhaps its myriad features and four wheel drive may make more sense than it does on road, where this huge, heavy pick up doesn’t feel suited to the average tradesperson. Schrieber
FROM: Tony Cater GREED isn’t the driving factor in emissions lawsuits (Issue 1,742) I recently received such a payout and see it as compensation for degraded performance and fuel consumption caused by the software fix, as well as the reduced residual value of the car. I was cheated when I bought the car and deserved to receive compensation
FROM: Richard Kelly THE plans for digital driving licences really need to be accelerated Waiting for a new photocard to arrive when you renew is a chore, especially when there are delays. It would also be useful to have an official form of digital ID, as many places won’t accept photographs of driving licences as proof of identity
Indeed, the strong foundation the 80 laid down for Audi in Britain in 1972 is part of what led to the success of German saloons in our country today, where brands such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes now dominate that sector of the market.
INSIDESTORY
The Audi 80’s bright orange paintwork stands out against the Triumph Dolomite’s more understated maroon finish Tackling the motoring issues that matter Tristan Shale-Hester tristan shale hester@autoviacouk @tristan shale
Remember, though, this was a time when the UK built more than twice as many cars as it does today, so the German saloons that arrived had to prove themselves against some serious home grown competition One of the best examples of this has got to be the Triumph Dolomite Originally intended to be launched in 1971, its production was pushed back to 1972 due to industrial action When it finally went on sale, the Triumph looked more dated than many of its rivals, but it was a relatively premium offering for the time Initially, the Dolomite boasted a 1,854cc “slant four” engine, which enabled a top speed of 100mph As such, “The Dolomite looked more dated than many of its rivals, but it was a relatively premium offering for the time”
The 80 won the 1973 Car of the Year accolade and went on to form the basis for the Volkswagen Passat, as well as influencing future Audi models
THE UK car industry was very different 50 years ago In 2021 only 850,575 cars were built here, albeit with Covid and the semiconductor shortage hindering efforts In 1972, however, the figure was more than double 2021’s total, with more than 1 9 million cars rolling off British production lines. It was also a year that saw various new models launched in the UK Honda began selling passenger cars in Britain in 1972, starting with the Civic, and we also witnessed the Aston Martin Vantage, Ford Granada and Lancia Stratos for the first time Some of the most significant new car launches that year, though, came from Germany, with the country’s automotive manufacturers unveiling a host of impressive saloon cars to the world. BMW launched its E12 5 Series that year and Mercedes introduced the W116 S Class Audi didn’t miss out on the party, either, because 1972 was the year the Bavarian car maker brought the 80 B1 to market. Despite being 50 years old, the 80 still looks sleek, smart and understated, and it’s easy to see how the design evolved through Audi’s saloon cars in the following decades. It was an impressive car to drive at the time, too Available in 1972 with either a 1 3 litre or 1 6 litre petrol engine, the 80 produced between 54bhp and 84bhp, although future models would build on this output. Crucially, the 80’s kerbweight was less than 800kg This, combined with the fact it featured MacPherson strut front and trailing arm rear suspension, meant this saloon was eager and handled very well for its time.
EYE-CATCHING
20 31 August 2022 wwwautoexpress co uk THE
31 August 2022 21wwwautoexpress co uk TriumphDolomitevsAudi80 INSIDESTORY BATTLE OF BRITAIN 50TH ANNIVERSARY The Triumph Dolomite and Audi 80 were both launched in 1972. We turn back the clock to compare these two saloons P e t e G i i b s o n TriumphDolomiteSprint Engine: 2 0 litre 4cyl petrol, 127bhp Transmission: Four speed manual, RWD 0 60mph: 8.4 seconds Top speed: 116mph Kerbweight: 1,041kg Price when new: £1 740 Audi80GT Engine: 1 6 litre 4cyl petrol, 98bhp Transmission: Four speed manual, FWD 0 62mph: 10 2 seconds Top speed: 109mph Kerbweight: 855kg Price when new: £2 910
It’s easy to see why someone would take the Audi 80 as an everyday car back in the seventies, but judging from this experience, the Dolomite must have still held some appeal, so it’s not all bad news for Triumph. Then again, Triumph is a firm that can trace its 19th century roots back to Germany and whose branding is currently owned by BMW, so perhaps it’s fitting that we Brits love to buy German saloon cars in the 21st century.
Tristan got the chance to drive the Dolomite (left) and the Audi 80 to see how the seventies’ rivals compared
YOU can just about still buy a British “executive” saloon today, although Jaguar seems more focused on luxury SUVs than replacing the XE or XF. It’s German brands Audi, BMW and Mercedes that dominate the market So, on the 50th anniversary of both the Triumph Dolomite and Audi 80, we took the opportunity to compare these two cars half a century on to see if it could have been the watershed moment for German saloons getting the better of our home grown ones For this comparison, we got hold of an Audi 80 a 1975 GT model to be precise and took it up to the British Motor Museum at Gaydon, where the curators were kind enough to lend us a Triumph Dolomite, a 1980 Sprint model, and the very last example to roll off the production line Lining these two cars up next to each other, there are some clear similarities, with the four headlight design at the front being the most obvious. The Dolomite Sprint also features some sporty styling cues, but without them as per the basic version (see panel, right) the pair are similarly understated That being said, although both these models were originally launched in 1972, the Audi looks and feels newer and that’s not just because of its vibrant orange paintwork outshining the maroon finish of the Dolomite The 80 has a lower, wider stance that makes it seem more contemporary compared with the Dolomite Its lines are sleeker and neater, too There’s a similar story inside The Audi’s neat, dark interior must have felt modern at the time; you certainly don’t feel as though you’re sitting in an antique 50 years on The Triumph feels more like a classic car, though, with its spongy seats and dated controls Today, however, there’s something comforting about the Dolomite’s cabin. In fact, if a classic ambience is what you want, then it’s understandable why you’d opt for a Triumph. That’s even more the case on the road While our time driving these cars was limited and neither model comes anywhere close to current standards the Dolomite was noticeably spirited and fun behind the wheel, while the Audi 80 felt more refined but still eager
TURN BACK TIME
Britain vs Germany
INSIDESTORY
LOOKS FAMILIAR Wooden dashboard and door trim, brown cloth seats and individual instruments meant the Dolomite felt very traditional
22 31 August 2022 wwwautoexpress co uk
TriumphDolomitevsAudi80
it wasn’t the fastest car of its time, but these figures were enough in combination with the plush interior for Triumph to claim it had built a car that would impress in the company of German rivals, but at a fraction of the price
The Dolomite did actually gain some motorsport credentials, but there was no escaping the fact that the good value standard road car couldn’t compete with some punchier rivals, the BMW 2002 being one example As such, 1973 saw the unveiling of the sportier 16 valve Dolomite Sprint, which boasted significantly higher performance (see specifications box at the top of page 21) The Sprint was well received by motorists and the Triumph remains a popular choice of classic performance car today. It is still being used in historic racing, too.
INSIDESTORY
“The Dolomite had a nice wooden dashboard and the car was trimmed properly there was no bare metal anywhere so it was a cut above the Austins and Morrises. There was a certain desirability Of course, there was also the motorsport angle Everyone remembers the Sprint, but even the basic Dolomite was rallied for a while. The Dolomite lasted a very long time. The basic shape came from the Triumph 1300 of the mid-sixties, so by the time the Dolomite arrived it had started to look a little bit high and old fashioned ”
Although this classical styling may not have worked in the Dolomite’s favour when up against the sleek designs of its rivals from Germany and elsewhere, Marshall reckons it’s something that makes the Triumph saloon attractive to anyone wanting to take on a car from the seventies.
The 80 influenced the very many Audi models that followed its launch in 1972. Houndstooth cloth upholstery was a distinctive touch
CONTEMPORARY Audi gave the 80 a modern look in 1972 with the dials in a single binnacle and a sporty steering wheel
BLUEPRINT
“They are very usable cars,” Marshall added. “I hate to use the term, but it’s a practical classic. That’s the thing that endeared them for a long time: it’s a car to use rather than one to polish. That hit survival rates, but they’re still remarkably good value. You can pick up a really good Dolomite for £10,000.”
“The Triumph Dolomite was a cut above Austins and Morrises. There was a certain desirability”
ROB MARSHALL, Triumph Dolomite Club official
CLUB CLASS As well as being a fan, Rob helps run the Dolomite club Dolomite owner’s view ROB Marshall isn’t just a Dolomite owner; he’s also an official at the Triumph Dolomite Club We asked him why the Dolomite was popular when it was launched in 1972 and how it has attracted enthusiasts throughout the following decades.
TriumphDolomitevsAudi80
31 August 2022 23
“The first thing is image: Triumph was a bit posh,” Marshall explained “By the time the Dolomite was launched, Triumph was part of British Leyland and it was in the specialist car division of Jaguar, Rover and Triumph. Jaguar made the big engined, luxury saloons, Rover made the six cylinder saloons and Triumph made the smaller, more compact sporting cars
FUEL CONSUMPTION AND CO2 FIGURES FOR DS 4: MPG L/100KM: COMBINED 38 0/7 4 TO 232 3/1 2, CO2 EMISSIONS: 168 27 G/KM Read the AutoExpress DS 4 vs Audi A3 Twin Test review here prefers The fuel consumption or electric range achieved, and CO2 produced, in real world conditions will depend upon a number of factors including, but
DSautomobiles.co.uk REFINEMENT ENGINEERED not limited to: the accessories fitted (pre and post registration); the starting charge of the battery (PHEV only); variations in weather; driving styles and vehicle load The plug in hybrid range requires mains electricity for charging The WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure) is used to measure fuel consumption, electric range and CO2 figures Figures shown are for comparison purposes and should only be compared to the fuel consumption, electric range and CO2 values of other cars tested to the same technical standard The figures displayed for the plug in hybrid range were obtained using a combination of battery power and fuel Information correct at time of going to print Visit www dsautomobiles co uk for further details
SeanCarson sean carson@autoviacouk
You get two charging cables: a three pin plug and a Type 2 connector Use the latter with a 7kW wallbox and the battery takes two hours and 20 minutes to replenish fully sometimes doesn’t deal with bumps quite as well as we’ve come to expect from Mazda’s finest SUVs. However, it’s still on a par with most of its rivals and when you increase your pace, the ride smooths out Body control is decent, and combined with weighty but precise steering, the CX 60 is fairly agile
Plenty of rivals have tried the same trick in the past with mixed results, but Mazda has engineering heritage and experience on its side, and it’s launching the CX 60 with a very ‘of the moment’ powertrain It’s a plug in hybrid that combines a 2 5 litre four cylinder petrol engine and a 17 8kWh battery feeding an electric motor for a total of 323bhp and 500Nm (making it the most powerful road car Mazda has ever built), plus an all electric range of 39 miles In some ways, that latter figure is a shame, because just one more mile would see it drop from the 12 per cent Benefit in Kind tax banding to just eight per cent But there’s still plenty to like, with the potential for up to 188mpg and 33g/km of CO2 emissions, yet the benchmark 0 62mph sprint takes a rapid 5 8 seconds We’re trying the top spec £48,050 Takumi model, which shows the CX 60 in its best light Mazda is making much of its heritage with a ‘Crafted in Japan’ tag line; the tactile fabric, intricate stitching on the dash, light maple wood inlays, metal detailing and soft leather are all smart touches What plastics there are feel plush, too Even this range topping model costs £4,915 less than an entry level Audi Q5 50 TFSI e Sport, however The Mazda gets lots of equipment, too, with a pair of 12 3 inch displays comprising a digital dash and a central screen. The latter features sat nav, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
“This range-topping model costs nearly £5k less than an entry level Audi Q5 50 TFSI e Sport” THIS new CX 60 SUV represents Mazda’s push to go premium and take on established German brands such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes.
The chassis contains the PHEV’s extra mass fairly well, but it has clearly been compromised slightly It still handles sweetly and offers engagement, though, balancing this with enough comfort and fair refinement
CX-60’s 2.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor produce a combined 323bhp
Mazda CX-60
Those big wheels combined with the weight of the battery means the CX 60 can hear a whine from the electrified side of the propulsion system A few jerks were apparent in our test car as the electronics worked out the best combination of power sources, so the CX 60 isn’t at the cutting edge of the class for smoothness At least the eight speed automatic gearbox’s shifts are slick. There’s plenty of space in the rear seats, with decent legroom and no issues with headroom, despite our car’s £1k sunroof; the 570 litre boot is competitive, too.
FIRSTDRIVE Premium SUV is Mazda’s most powerful road car yet
The Mazda’s powertrain is more of a mixed bag Most of the time, noise from the naturally aspirated unit is actually well suppressed on the move and the CX 60 delivers decent cruising refinement However, the 2 5 litre petrol engine sounds coarse when revved, and around town you
There’s dual zone climate control, heated seats front and rear (the fronts are also vented), a heated steering wheel, full keyless go, LED lights, a reversing camera, a 12 speaker Bose stereo and 20 inch wheels
wwwautoexpress co uk26 31 August 2022 NEWCARS Visit autoexpress.co.uk for the latest new cars and drives VAUXHALLCORSA-E Longer range special edition celebrates 40 years of the Corsa 28
31 August 2022 27 Mazda’s interiors are taken to a new level by the CX-60, with maple wood, fabric, metal and soft leather featuring on our test car Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 570/1,726 litres Performance 0 62mph/top speed 5 8 seconds/124mph VWT-ROC CABRIOLET Mild facelift and a quality boost for Volkswagen’s soft top SUV CUPRABORN E Boost model pumps up the power to create a hotter electric hatch 30 32 Running costs 188mpg (official) £91 fill up MAZDA’S first fully fledged premium SUV is a solid effort. The CX 60’s cabin delivers plenty of quality in top spec Takumi trim, which is strong value compared with premium rivals. However, some competitors offer greater electric range and more refinement, even if the Mazda acquits itself well enough dynamically The CX 60 is practical, too, so it has all round appeal, but it doesn’t excel in any one area, and in an ultra competitive class like this one you need to stand out ____^ BOOT SPACE CX 60’s 570-litre boot means this should be a family-friendly SUV; fold the rear seats down and there are 1,726 litres on offer Cabin (right) offers good storage with lidded trays and bins PRACTICALITY Rear seat space is good and the CX 60’s interior in top spec Takumi trim feels premium, too Maple wood inlays and metal finishers for the door handles and air vents boost its premium appeal Mazda CX-60 2.5 e-Skyactiv PHEV AWDTakumi Price: £48,050 Engine: 2 5 litre 4cyl petrol PHEV Power/torque: 323bhp/500Nm Transmission: Eight speed auto, four wheel drive 0 62/top spd: 5 8 seconds/124mph Economy: 188mpg CO2: 33g/km ONSALE Now Essentials Verdict
VAUXHALL bagged a big prize in the UK last year, because its Corsa was the best selling car of 2021 But the brand has more than just that to celebrate, with Vauxhall having been at the sharp end of the supermini sales charts for 40 years, and this is the landmark milestone the Corsa e Anniversary Edition celebrates This latest all electric model pays homage to the car that was badged Nova in the UK but Corsa in European markets, with Record Red paintwork inspired by the original Nova’s Carmine Red colour, plus tartan trim for the sports seats as a nod to the Nova SR Limited to just 1,000 examples in the UK, each celebratory Corsa e comes with special collectors’ socks that feature both the heritage and modern versions of the special tartan The Anniversary Edition is only available to order online via Vauxhall’s website and features plenty of other standard kit, but SeanCarson sean carson@autoviacouk then, at £31,000 you’d expect so, even with an all electric version Other standard kit includes 17 inch black alloy wheels, a contrasting black roof, more black exterior details and unique ‘Corsa 40’ plaques inside The Anniversary Edition is based on GS Line trim, so boasts plenty of tech, including a seven inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a seven inch digital dash, all round parking sensors plus a rear view camera, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, and blind spot alert
The special edition benefits from the same upgrades as the regular MY22 Corsa e, with a new toggle drive selector replacing a more conventional gearlever, but the bigger improvement comes with the range Vauxhall now claims 222 miles on a full charge, which is up from 209 miles and is thanks to optimisation of the car’s heat pump and a new final drive gear ratio Apart from this, there are no mechanical or electronic changes, which means that the car still uses a 50kWh battery supplying a 134bhp electric motor
wwwautoexpress co uk28 31 August 2022
FIRSTDRIVE Anniversary Edition EV marks 40 years of the Corsa
NEWCARS VauxhallCorsa-e
Vauxhall Corsa-e
The four per cent improvement in range looks even more impressive given that the Corsa uses the same size battery; this is a great example of EVs becoming better further down the line thanks to driver data and feedback Despite the tweak to the final drive ratio, performance is still more than swift enough for a supermini The 0 62mph time of 7 6 seconds is perfectly adequate, but it’s the near instant 260Nm of torque that makes the 0 30mph dash so swift and fairly fun and defines the model It’s a great town car, with fast, light and precise steering helping to boost agility in urban areas and through roundabouts or on country roads exactly where this car will be used The ride is smooth enough, even if the Corsa’s chassis does start to feel a little lumpy over the worst surfaces, but for the majority of the time it’s comfortable and composed On the motorway, the Corsa e Anniversary Edition cruises with plenty of refinement, although just remember that you’ll consume more energy and therefore have a shorter range at higher speeds In warm conditions, we still found Vauxhall’s range predictions to be relatively good, and with a light right foot, more than 200 miles on a full charge should be possible With 100kW rapid charge capability, the Anniversary Edition can replenish its battery to 80 per cent in just half an hour, while a regular home wallbox sees this rise to seven and a half hours, which is still perfectly fine for overnight charges. On the subject of practicality, the Corsa e offers a fair level of room in the rear seats as much as any other Corsa but at 267 litres, boot space is down on the petrol model’s 309 litre capacity, plus there’s no underfloor storage for the charging cable But then, this is par for the course with most electric superminis, including the Peugeot e 208 and MINI Electric.
wwwautoexpress co uk 31 August 2022 29 VauxhallCorsa-e NEWCARS VAUXHALL’S celebratory Corsa e marks a milestone birthday for the brand’s supermini. It’s come a long way over the past four decades, and it’s easy to see why this latest model is Britain’s best selling car especially in all electric form The range updates for 2022 are solid and the Anniversary Edition looks great and feels like a bit of fun, but it’s backed up by ability Verdict NEED TO KNOW Cabin comes loaded with tech for a supermini, although material quality could be better Anniversary Edition touches add some welcome fun Performance 0 62mph/top speed 76 seconds/93mph EQUIPMENT This special celebratory model features 17-inch black alloy wheels and red paintwork inspired by the Vauxhall Nova of the eighties Tartan interior trim is a nod to the brand’s supermini heritage, too PRACTICALITY With 267 litres of boot space, the Corsa-e is down on its petrol powered sibling, but the lack of dedicated charging cable storage is a bigger issue There’s enough space in the rear seats, though Vauxhall Corsa-e Anniversary Edition Price: £31,000 Powertrain: 50kWh battery/1x e motor Power/torque: 134bhp/260Nm Transmission: Single speed automatic, front wheel drive 0 62mph: 7 6 seconds Top speed: 93mph Range: 222 miles Charging: 100kW (0 80% 30mins) ON SALE Now Essentials ON THE ROAD Corsa-e’s range boost is welcome, while it rides and handles respectably Electric motor Power/range (official) 134bhp/222 miles
@AxleIngram
C FIRSTDRIVE Updated soft top SUV gets a new look and a boost to Running costs
DRIVING It’s no sports car with the 1 0 TSI fitted, but most buyers will be happy with car’s performance YOUR choices are fairly limited if you’re after a relatively affordable cabriolet these days There’s the Mazda MX 5: brilliant to drive, great to look at, and even cheap to run but just two seats The MINI Convertible has four, but the rears aren’t much use to adults Both cars’ boots are small, too, so if you want an open top car with some semblance of practicality, there’s pretty much only one choice. The Volkswagen T Roc’s crossover body seems like an unlikely starting point for a drop top adaptation, but it continues VW’s roofless lineage that dates back 70 years, taking the mantle from the Golf when the T Roc Cabriolet launched in 2017 Like the rest of the T Roc family, the open roofed model has received a series of mid life updates for 2022. These start with fairly subtle changes to the exterior design; the distinctive D shaped LED running lights feature alongside a revised grille Bolder chrome strips make the integration of the headlights slicker New colours and wheel options are available, while the car’s tail lights have been subtly reprofiled The best and worst changes come inside The perceived quality of the previous T Roc left us a little disappointed, but the update has reduced the use of hard plastics on the dashboard. However, we’re not fans of the new touch panel for the temperature control; it’s just not as easy to use as the old physical knobs and buttons If you’re buying a T Roc Cabriolet, chances are you’re far more interested in taking it easy and enjoying the fresh air rather than driving with much enthusiasm Which is T-Roc 44 8mpg
Volkswagen
Alex Ingram Alex Ingram@autoviacouk
(official) £86 fill up 30 31 August 2022 NEWCARS
USABILITY Access to the pair of rear seats is okay even though the T-Roc Cabriolet is only a two door Rear seat space is adequate too, while the roof folds down in nine seconds and rises in 11 seconds Removing the T-Roc’s metal roof means the boot aperture is different for this Cabriolet The hatchback is gone and the saloon-style opening is on the narrow side, but boot space is still fair
PRACTICALITY
INTERIOR Installing optional wind deflector (above) reduces buffeting on the move but also renders the back seats unusable Updated T-Roc’s cabin (right) features improved materials in places but touch sensitive controls are fiddly to use Cabriolet 1.0TSI Style Price: £31,495 Engine: 1 0 litre 3cyl turbo petrol Power/torque: 108bhp/200Nm Transmission: Six speed manual, front wheel drive 0 62mph: 12 3 seconds Top speed: 115mph Economy: 44 8mpg CO2: 142g/km ONSALE Now August 2022 31 lucky, because this isn’t a car for keen drivers The T Roc feels a little lazy through turns, and over rough roads there are telltale signs of scuttle shake as the rear view mirror shimmies with the rest of the windscreen frame A slightly softer ride has gone some way to mitigate this feeling However, even on our car’s 17 inch wheels, there’s a little more fidget and a little less composure than the conventional T Roc over most surfaces. That’s no surprise, because the Cabriolet weighs nearly 270kg more So it’s no sports car, but despite the added weight, it’s still commendably economical Our 1 0 litre TSI model returned an mpg figure in the mid 40s It’s an en i that’s well matched to the fairly laid bac nature of the rest of the car, too With 108bhp, performance is fairly leisurely; 0 62mph takes 12.3 seconds. At least its 200Nm of torque and the well spaced ratios of the six speed manual gearbox give it enough flexibility A brisker 1 5 litre turbo petrol is also available. Although the Cabriolet’s performance isn’t the sharpest, the powered folding roof is one of the most rapid around With it down, the front row occupants are fairly well shielded from the wind, although a wind deflector a £315 option which stows away neatly under the boot floor makes things calmer. It sits immediately behind the front seats, though, so you can’t use the rears when it’s in use. While there’s less rear seat room than in the T Roc SUV and only space for two instead of three there’s similar knee room to a slightly smaller crossover such as the T Cross and plenty of foot space beneath the front seats Headroom is fine with the roof up, while the 284 litre boot is reasonable Prices for the T Roc Cabriolet start from £31,495 for the 1 0 litre TSI Style, and that’s the car we’d go for It has a decent kit list, with LED headlights, climate control, heated front seats and an eight inch touchscreen system with A l C Pl nd Android tandard
UPDATES to the T Roc Cabriolet haven’t changed the experience much, so if you were one of the five per cent of T Roc buyers interested before, then there will still be much to like. It’s not the most engaging or quickest car, but the roof adds a sense of fun that other SUVs can’t match. We’d stick with the entry level model, though, because things get pricey higher up the range
Essentials VolkswagenT-RocCabriolet NEWCARS 31
wwwautoexpress co uk Cabrio o interior quality
VolkswagenT-Roc
Verdict
THE Cupra brand has carved out a niche as the sporty member of the VW Group family, but up to now its Born electric hatchback has only aped what we’ve already seen from Volkswagen with its ID 3 That all changes with this car, though: the Cupra Born e Boost Born e Boost models feature a 77kWh battery feeding an electric motor on the car’s rear axle that can temporarily deliver up to 228bhp when the Cupra driving mode is selected using a steering wheel mounted button With 310Nm of torque from low down, performance is fairly swift, with this big battery model sprinting from 0 62mph in seven seconds flat The smaller battery model can complete the same sprint in 6 6 seconds thanks to the lighter 58kWh unit, but it doesn’t offer as much range Acceleration tails off as speed increases, and above about 50mph the Born doesn’t feel all that rapid. And given the mass of the bigger battery in this car, it feels limited in its dynamic performance, too At least that mass is mounted low down, so despite the raised up driving position in the Born there’s not a great deal of body roll The steering is fast and precise, too, while throttle response is suitably, well,
NEWCARS
PRACTICALITY Boot space and room in the rear seats is fair, so the Born is relatively practical. Top spec V3 trim also comes with plenty of kit, but this e-Boost model is pricey and doesn’t feel that different Cupra Born e-Boost 77kWhV3 Price: £41,975 Powertrain: 77kWh batt /1x e motor Power/torque: 228bhp/310Nm Transmission: Single speed automatic, rear wheel drive 0 62mph: 7.0 seconds Top speed: 99mph Range: 333 miles Charging: 135kW (5 80% 36 min)
Essentials
Cupra e-Boost
CupraBorne-Boost
ONSALE Now
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electric It’s just that the car’s reactions to your inputs are sluggish and it’s all to do with that battery In quick direction changes or over mid corner bumps the Cupra’s chassis takes a moment to settle, which erodes the feeling of sportiness Dial it back from this faster approach and the car feels much more together, but it’s a shame that there are still obvious limitations to the MEB platform’s ability in this more powerful model In the default driving mode the e Boost model is similar to any other Born, in that it rides relatively well, serves up solid refinement and gives just enough in the way of driver engagement at everyday speed However, it also offers the same drawbacks: ‘B’ mode doesn’t offer as much regenerative braking as we’d like and while the interior looks and feels sporty, some of the materials could be higher quality Also, the infotainment set up is frustrating to use At least it comes loaded with features, with the 12 inch central screen offering sat nav, the latest phone connectivity and a rear view camera It’d just be better if it was easier to operate There’s a good level of space in the rear, though, so along with the fair 385 litre boot it delivers enough practicality A claimed range of 333 miles (our test car wouldn’t
FIRSTUKDRIVE Electric hatchback is now hotter than ever SeanCarson sean carson@autoviacouk
Born
Top spec V3 trim comes loaded with kit such as 20 inch wheels, LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, full keyless go, dual zone climate control and heated seats, plus all round parking sensors and lots of driver assistance tech But then it does cost nearly £42,000
wwwautoexpress co uk 31 August 2022 33
Verdict have broken a real world 300 on a full charge) and 135kW recharging capability that’ll top the battery up from five to 80 per cent in 36 minutes also boosts usability A full recharge from empty to full using a home wallbox will take seven and a half hours.
The price wouldn’t be as much of an issue if the e Boost car clearly defined itself as something different Only it doesn’t Given that their power delivery is almost identical, this slightly more powerful Born (which is only three tenths of a second faster from 0 62mph than a standard 201bhp 58kWh car) doesn’t offer enough over and above the more affordable versions lower down the range.
WE applaud Cupra for pushing to make its EVs feel sportier, but this pricey Born e Boost doesn’t offer enough extra performance for the extra cash. It still offers many good qualities and is one of the more engaging EVs out there to drive, while it balances this with fair ride comfort and usability, but it’s not a hot hatch in the conventional sense. We’d opt for the Born with the smaller battery, which is quicker to 62mph but loses out a little on range
CupraBorne-Boost NEWCARS
INTERIOR Cabin design is sporty, reinforcing Cupra’s position within the VW Group Driving position could be better and the infotainment is poor
wwwautoexpress co uk34 31 August 2022 ROADTESTS SPECIAL Visit autoexpress.co.uk for the latest new cars and drives TUCSONvs iSPORTAGE 10vs PICANTO p36 p38
31 August 2022 35wwwautoexpress co uk Alex Ingram Chief revi OneofHyundai’sbiggest rivalsissisterbrandKia,but howdotheircarscompare?
IT’S fascinating to see how the success of car makers ebbs and flows over the years A quick analysis of which models were on sale at a given point and how they were received reveals the turn of the millennium was very much Ford’s reign, while the 2010s belonged to the might of Volkswagen
Pictures: Stuart Price
i20 and INIRO ONIQ 5vs EV6 HYUNDAIvs KIA “If the 2020s continue as they’ve started, then it looks like it’ll be the turn of Hyundai to rule the roost” p40 p42
However, one of the brand’s toughest challengers for supremacy comes from within its own group That’s because Kia is pumping out equally strong and desirable models throughout its range, featuring unique designs and mechanical set ups that deliver a different approach from the parent company’s Then there’s Kia’s excellent aftersales prospects to consider, too In the 2022 Driver Power awards, Auto Express readers ranked Kia’s dealer network the sixth best out of 16, while the combined feedback from your cars earned it third place out of 29 as a manufacturer, and it even took outright victory with the XCeed.
From the smallest city car to the most cutting edge EV, Hyundai has a key player in each new car segment
If the 2020s continue as they’ve started, then it looks like it’ll be the turn of Hyundai to rule the roost
We’ve assembled three pairs of the two brands’ strongest offerings to see how they compare with each other, plus a couple of wildcards to get some insight into where the appeal of each Korean brand lies.
We’ll also look to the past with a Kia classic, and find out what models are due soon that lead us to suspect that Hyundai and Kia will be front runners in the automotive world for a good few years to come.
KIA and Hyundai have wowed us in recent times with show stopping EVs and clever tech designs in traditional segments They’re worthy distractions, but they shouldn’t take away from the fact that the brands’ cheaper, more pragmatic models are among the most underrated cars in their respective line ups EVs offer zero tailpipe emissions, but there’s still very much a place for compact, efficient city cars, too Both the Hyundai i10 and Kia Picanto deliver a very grown up experience with a small footprint Many of the similarly sized offerings from Kia and Hyundai derive their mechanicals from the same place; after all, it makes sense to make the most of economies of scale and share parts within the group where possible And nowhere is that more important than in a segment which constantly faces a squeeze, because profits are hard to achieve with lower asking prices Kia’s Picanto was the first of this pair to launch in their current incarnations Sales began in 2017, with the funky looking competitor taking on the Volkswagen up! and Toyota Aygo A subtle facelift in 2020 saw tweaks to the lights, grille and bumpers, while inside the infotainment screen increased in size from seven to eight inches
36 31 August 2022 wwwautoexpress co ROADTESTSSPECIAL Hyundaii10vsKiaPicanto
These features are also offered on the Hyundai, a car that appears slightly more mature than the Kia Its dash looks a little more modern, and its five door body is spacious inside There’s little to split the two for storage; the i10’s boot capacity is 252 litres to the Picanto’s 255 litres
Yet it’s the level of maturity that really stands out here
The i10 comes with both of those motors, but also a 83bhp 1 2 litre four cylinder Of those options, it’s the one we’d have, because it’s more refined and a little more easy to drive smoothly than the more powerful turbocharged triple The 1 2 litre unit does have less torque than the turbo engine, though, so if you will be regularly making use of those back seats with extra passengers, then the turbocharged model will still be worth a look Place a £2,000 deposit on a three year PCP agreement for our pick of the Hyundai range, the i10 1 2 Premium, and the monthly payments come to £255 The Picanto ‘3’ comes to £237 per month on matching terms, but it comes with the less powerful 1 0 litre triple cylinder engine For the extra power and refinement you ’ re getting, we’d stretch to the Hyundai if your finances allow it
Despite the cars ’ mechanical similarities, it’s the engines which provide the key difference, though The Kia is offered
“The Hyundai i10 and the Kia Picanto del a very grown up experience from su a small footprint” Alex Ingram Chief reviewer deli r h
Driving THE pair continue to impress once you get behind the wheel
i10vs Picanto HYUNDAIvs
Both models have the joyful character that make city cars great They’re tiny, agile and joyfully easy to whip into tight parking spaces or through small gaps
The first thing that strikes you about our Picanto is just how much standard equipment you get As standard, this top spec GT Line S model has climate control, a touchscreen infotainment system, heated front seats and steering wheel, plus leather upholstery Not too long ago an equipment list like that would be associated with a luxury saloon
Both the Hyundai and Kia are fairly refined at a cruise, and neither would leave you even thinking twice about covering some long motorway miles However, the i10 has the edge on the open road, offering just a little more ride comfort and a touch more refinement than the Picanto
with 1 0 litre three cylinder units only, both with a turbo for a lively 99bhp output, or without for 66bhp
Then there’s the safety tech, which reads like that of a modern executive car Forward collision avoidance assist, blind spot collision avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, and a driver attention warning system all feature There’s even lane following assist, which can assume control of the vehicle’s steering, braking and throttle on the motorway
These city cars are at home in town or on the motorway, but which is best? KIA
THE
HYUNDAI third generation i10 hit the ground running in the city car segment. There really is very little to find fault with; it’s great to drive in town, yet has the maturity to be just at home on a long engine line up is more varied than the Picanto’s, and there’s very little to separate the two when it comes to space, equipment levels or finances IT takes second here, but the Picanto’s sense of fun still shines through. It’s great to drive, is packed with standard kit and has plenty of space inside. The engine range has a key gap between the underpowered entry level models and the range topping GT Line S, though, and this is one of the key reasons the Kia can’t quite win this Given both cars are less than 3.7 metres long, they offer plenty of space inside. infotainment screen is more neatly integrated into the dash design, but the Kia’s red and black colour scheme offers more interest
KIA
31 August 2022 37 Hyundaii10vsKiaPicanto ROADTESTS Sporty A Picanto in GT Line S trim looks sportier than the i10 Premium, but the Hyundai is available as an N Line model if you want a racier feel On the road price Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000) Annual tax liability std/higher rate Insurance group/quote/road tax cost Servicing costs Length/wheelbase Height/width Engine Peak power Peak torque Transmission Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel Boot capacity (seats up/down) Kerbweight Turning circle Basic warranty (miles) NCAP: Adult/child/ped /assist/stars Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos. 0 62mph Top Speed WLTP mpg Claimed CO2/tax bracket Figures Hyundai i10 1.2 MPi Premium £16,480 £8,476/51 4% £942/£1,883 8/£375/£165 £578 (3 years) 3,670/2,425mm 1,480/1,680mm 4cyl in line/1,248cc 83/6,000 bhp/rpm 118/4,200 Nm/rpm 5 speed man/FWD 36 litres/repair kit 252/1,050 litres 932kg 9.6 metres 5yrs (unlimited)/1yr 69/75/52/59/3(2020) 11th/12th 12 6 secs 106mph 51 4mpg 124g/km/29% Kia Picanto 1.0 T-GDi GT Line S £17 050 £8,274/48 5% £975/£1,949 11/£359/£165 £429 (3 years) 3,670/2,400mm 1,500/1,625mm 3cyl turbo/998cc 99/4,500 bhp/rpm 172/1,500 Nm/rpm 5 speed man/FWD 35 litres/repair kit 255/1,010 litres 981kg 9.4 metres 7yrs (100,000)/1yr 87/64/54/47/4(2017) 3rd/5th 9 9 secs 112mph 53 3mpg 120g/km/29% 1st 2nd
round Interior
trip The
Hyundai’s
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“Both the Tucson and Sportage are currently more l with buyers than an Volkswagen produc Alex Ingram Chief reviewer Power Both ca e petrol while also with hi g ”
The PHEV increases that figure to 261bhp, and can cover around 38 miles on a charge From a driving point of view, there’s not much in it
The engines can sound a little coarse under hard acceleration, but the integration of the hybrid systems means that you don’t need to explore their limits too often anyway The transition between petrol and electric propulsion is also smooth The differences are mainly cosmetic The Tucson’s dramatic front end employs a near solid bank of LED lights that makes it look like nothing else on the road The same can be said for the Sportage, which features a wide grille that’s flanked by some angular headlights Inside, the Kia is inspired by the EV6, with a wraparound dash giving a sporty alternative to the Hyundai’s sturdy looking design There’s little to separate the two for space; rear kneeroom in the Tucson is very slightly better because the backs of the front seats are a little more sculpted inwards In the boot, it’s 616 litres versus 587, in the Hyundai’s favour Across most of the range with the most closely matched trims, the Tucson slightly undercuts the Sportage for monthly PCP figures at first glance The top spec Tucson Ultimate with a hybrid powertrain costs £535 per month when you place a £4,000 deposit on a three year agreement with a 10,000 mile annual limit When powered by the same hybrid set up, the Sportage GT Line S is priced from £573 per month But those numbers are closer in reality, because the Kia has a little more standard driver assistance kit For instance, the Remote Park assist, which can drive the car out of a tight parking spot from the outside using the key, is included on the Sportage, but is part of a £1,500 Tech Pack with the Tucson Individual With their common platform, the Tucson and Sportage rely on their distinctive design to stand out
HyundaiTucsonvsKiaSportage
HYUNDAIvs KIA
Tucsonvs Sporta wer h cars have ol engines, e the Kia is available a diesel Equipment Alloy wheels are typical of the high specs of the Tucson and Sportage
The Sportage has lighter controls, so at lower speeds it’s slightly easier to move around Conversely, the Tucson feels brilliantly stable and solid at high speeds Both are more focused on comfort, but the Tucson is a little softer, something that we prefer from an SUV like this
IF there’s one key indicator of just how successful these two brands have become, then the sales of the Kia Sportage and the Hyundai Tucson tell a big part of the story Based on the latest new car registration data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Kia has sold 18,206 Sportages in 2022 up to the end of July, making it the fifth most popular car in the UK Sitting just behind in sixth, on 17,173 units, is the Tucson Both are currently more popular with buyers than anything Volkswagen produces, including the Golf Of the four match ups that we ’ ve assembled here, the Tucson and the Sportage are the most similar, at least under the skin The fifth generation Sportage and the Mk4 Tucson both use the same Hyundai Kia N3 platform, both use MacPherson struts up front and a multi link suspension arrangement at the back, too Both offer similar petrol engines, all of which are based around a 1 6 litre turbocharged unit, but the Sportage is also available with a mild hybrid diesel option that produces a hefty 320Nm of torque The petrols get various degrees of hybrid assistance, ranging from none at all to a plug in arrangement The entry level 148bhp version can be chosen as a standard combustion model, or a 48 volt mild hybrid Above those are the full hybrid cars we have here; they can cover short distances on electric power alone and, at 226bhp, they make more power than the MHEV models
ROADTESTSSPECIAL
HYUNDAI OF all the matches we’ve made here, this is the closest The Hyundai takes the win for the smallest of reasons: it’s very slightly more comfortable than the Sportage, the boot is a touch larger, and if you don’t feel the need to tick every option box, it’s slightly cheaper on a monthly finance deal, too.
31 August 2022 39wwwautoexpress co uk HyundaiTucsonvsKiaSportage HEADTOHEAD These SUVs are among the best sellers in the UK this year. Which is better?ge On the road price Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000) Annual tax liability std/higher rate Insurace group/quote/road tax cost Servicing costs Length/wheelbase Height/width Engine Peak power Peak torque Transmission Fuel tank capacity Boot capacity (seats up/down) Kerbweight Turning circle Basic warranty (miles) NCAP: Adult/child/ped./assist/stars Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos 0 62mph Top Speed WLTP mpg Claimed CO2/tax bracket Figures Kia Sportage 1 6 T GDi HEV GT Line S £39,400 £21,650/55 0% £2,525/£5,050 25/£627/£155 £589 (3 years) 4,515/2,680mm 1,650/1,865mm 4cyl in line/1,598cc 227/5,500 bhp/rpm 350/1,500 Nm/rpm 6 speed auto/FWD 52 litres 587/1,776 litres 1,649kg 10 9 metres 7yrs (100,000)/1yr 87/86/66/72/5(2022) 3rd/6th 7 7 secs (0 60mph) 120mph 48 7mpg 132g/km/31% Hyundai Tucson 1 6 T GDi Hybrid Ultimate £38,310 £20,350/53 1% £2,358/£4,716 20/£621/£155 £602 (3 years) 4,500/2,680mm 1,651/1,865mm 4cyl in line/1,598cc 227/5,500 bhp/rpm 350/1,500 Nm/rpm 6 speed auto/FWD 52 litres 616/1,795 litres 1,564kg 10 9 metres 5yrs (unlimited)/1yr 86/87/66/70/5(2021) 11th/12th 8 0 secs (0 62mph) 120mph 49 6mpg 131g/km/31% 1st 2nd
KIA WHILE the Sportage takes second, it still has all of the Tucson’s strengths to a very narrow degree It’s practical, great to drive, and has a cracking warranty. We’d let your choice come down to three things: which car is available first, which dealer offers the best deal and which one’s looks you prefer.
Hi-tech Sportage’s wraparound dash takes its inspiration from the Kia EV6’s and features two 12.3 inch digital screens
Dashboard A 10.25 inch panel displays the Tucson’s digital dials, with a touchscreen handling the infotainment
THE Hyundai group has dabbled with electric cars for years, but it wasn’t until the Ioniq 5 that the brand catapulted itself to the head of its segment The Ioniq 5 was the first car in the group to showcase the new E GMP platform designed specifically for EVs Its on paper stats are impressive: an 800 volt electrical architecture means that, should you find a charger quick enough, it’ll replenish its 77kWh battery at up to 220kW That translates to a 10 80 per cent charge more than 200 miles of range in 18 minutes Those stats are exactly matched by the Kia EV6 There’s a choice of single and twin motor options, with as much as 321bhp at the driver’s disposal The mid range 225bhp single motor version is our choice The Ioniq 5 caused a stir even before we’d had a chance to dive into its tech Inspired by the original “The Kia’s firmer suspension translates into a more fidgety ride, so we prefer the Ioniq’s m relaxed approach” Alex Ingram Chief reviewer
Differences
the EV6
40 31 August 2022 wwwautoexpress co uk ROADTESTSSPECIAL HyundaiIoniq5vsKiaEV6
Pony Coupé concept from 1974, and with more than a whiff of Lancia Delta in its looks unsurprising because both cars were penned by legendary designer Giorgetto Giugiaro the Ioniq 5 gives tasteful nods to the past while looking contemporary at the same time Beside it, the Kia adopts a smoother, sleeker appearance There’s some fabulous detailing at the back, where the wraparound tail light houses the electrically opening flap for the CCS charge socket
While we ’ ve found some Kia and Hyundai models’ engines lag behind those of European and Japanese counterparts, once you remove that from the equation, this pair feels as accomplished as anything else
the skin,
electric siblings are accomplished, but where would we put our money? Styling They share
THERE are differences between the two, though The Kia gets a firmer suspension set up than the Hyundai, which translates into a more fidgety ride Because of the pair’s weight and size, neither feels that agile, so we prefer the Ioniq’s marginally more relaxed approach at doesn’t mean there’s no fun to be had, though cars have a neutral chassis balance, which ined with the low centre of gravity brought the heavy battery located under the floor, s that the pair are quite pleasant to point along ty road The steering helps here, too; both the EV6 and the Ioniq 5’s racks are well judged on weighting and responsiveness
The Hyundai’s climate controls are solely physical, yet they sit within a cabin that’s a little more minimalist and less cluttered than its rival’s There isn’t much to separate them on finance Our picks of the range the Ioniq 5 Premium and EV6 GT Line (we tested in the top spec Ultimate and GT Line S trims) come to £719 and £732 per month respectively on a three year PCP agreement with a £5,000 deposit e That Both combined on by means a twisty
take very different design approaches Ioniq5vs EV6
The Kia is slightly behind at 490 litres
Both lots under but and Ioniq 5
The Hyundai also has a slight lead in terms of cabin space Both are simply vast in the back, but taller drivers might find headroom a little bit tight in the Kia The rest of its cabin looks and feels fantastic, though The dashboard’s twin screens gently wrap around the driver, while a touch panel sits beneath them, flanked by physical controls which serve a dual purpose; a button press changes their function from temperature adjustment to volume and menu controls Offering a mix of touch and physical switches works very effectively here
HYUNDAIvs KIA
Both cars have their axles pushed out towards the extremities of the car, which doesn’t just translate into strong stability on the road, but also plenty of space inside A high boot floor limits boot capacity slightly, but the Ioniq’s 527 litres is still impressive
31 August 2022 41w HyundaiIoniq5vsKiaEV6 ROADTESTS On the road price Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000) Annual tax liability std/higher rate Ins. group/quote/road tax cost Servicing costs Length/wheelbase Height/width Powertrain Peak power Peak torque Transmission Battery capacity/usable Boot capacity (seats up/down) Kerbweight/towing weight Turning circle Basic warranty (miles) NCAP: Adult/child/ped /assist/stars Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos 0 62mph/top speed Claimed range (WLTP) Charging capability Charging time Figures Hyundai Ioniq 5 2WD Ultimate £48,150 £25,317/52 6% £192/£385 N/A / N/A/£0 £275 (3 yrs) 4,635/3,000mm 1,605/1,890mm 1x e motor 225bhp 350Nm Single spd rwd 82.5/77.4kWh 527/1,587 litres 1,935kg 12 0 metres 5yrs (unlimited) 88/86/63/88/5 11th/12th 7.3 secs/114mph 295 miles 11/50/220kW 8h 30m/68m/18m Kia EV6 AWD GT Line S £55,195 £29,899/54 2% £221/£441 40/£970/£0 £389 (3 yrs) 4,680/2,900mm 1,550/1,880mm 2x e motors 321bhp 605Nm Single spd 4wd 82.5/77.4kWh 480/1,260 litres 2,105kg 11 6 metres 7yrs (100,000) 90/86/64/87/5 3rd/5th 5.2 secs/114mph 300 miles 11/50/220kW 8h 30m/68m/18m 1st 2ndHYUNDAI WHILE both cars are two of the very best EVs around, the Ioniq 5 just holds a marginal edge. It’s slightly more practical, a touch more comfortable, and feels just as impressive in every other area The lengthy list of advanced cabin tech works really smoothly, while the efficient powertrain and rapid charging make this a fabulous all rounder ____` KIA FROM a technical standpoint, the EV6 is a brilliant machine. Charging, range and efficiency ratings are as strong as anything else for the money, while the in car tech is slick and the design really stands out Beside the Ioniq 5, we find the ride just a little more fidgety, and the interior space isn’t quite as great up front ____` Details Ultimate and GT Line S trims have 20 inch alloys The Hyundai’s dash is simpler but the Kia’s still impresses
“The turbo petrol engine produces an angry tone that’s full of pops and crackles on the overrun, while th gearbox is fantastic” Alex Ingram Chief reviewer yling The i20N looks the part with its of spoiler and bodykit. Dash has digital truments and a 10.25 inch touchscreen the roof instruments
As we discovered when we set its key rivals from Ford and Volkswagen up against it, the Hyundai proved more than able to hold its own The chassis is razor sharp; turn in is very positive, yet the back axle has the sophistication and outright traction to keep up The turbo petrol engine produces an angry tone that’s full of pops and crackles on the overrun, while the six speed manual gearbox is fantastic Picking a weakness in its impressive armoury is incredibly tough And that extends beyond just the driving experience The hot N model gains all of the positives we associate with the standard car In other words, there’s plenty of space inside, a big boot at 352 litres with the seats up, it’s well ahead of its closest rivals here and strong value for money Prices start from £25,250, undercutting the Ford and VW by almost £2,000 If we ’ re nit picking, the interior plastics don’t feel great, but there’s a strong chance that you’ll be having too much fun to notice
42 31 August 2022 ROADTESTSSPECIAL Hyundaii20N
ON the face of it, it doesn’t look like the Hyundai i20N and the Kia Niro have too much in common After all, one is a hot hatchback, the other a sensible family crossover However, both are stand out models for their brands and each scooped a gong at our 2022 New Car Awards As our hot hatchback of the year, the i20N managed to combine so many of the qualities we look for in a performance car that’s also designed to be easy to live with every day something it proved emphatically in May, when it faced off against two of its toughest rivals: the Ford Fiesta ST and the Volkswagen Polo GTI It’s off to a great start with the on paper stats Hyundai’s N division shoehorned a 1 6 litre turbocharged four cylinder engine beneath the bonnet, endowing the dinky i20 with 201bhp and 275Nm plenty for a car that measures barely four metres long and weighs roughly 1,200kg A six speed manual gearbox and a trick launch control system which optimises the revs and traction away from a standstill mean the i20 powers its way from 0 62mph in just 6 2 seconds That’s 0 3 secs up on either of its rivals Find a place straight enough and legal enough and the Hyundai tops out at 143mph But bare stats are only part of the story The i20N is a brilliant hot hatch because of the grin it puts on your face
Hot hatch’s searing performance leaves Ford and VW rivals trailing Hyundai i20N
“The second gen Niro’s key improvements come in its refinement. Ride co in particular has tak massive step forwar Al I i i Refinement Mk2 Niro is much more comfortable than before. Its dashboard is similar to that in the excellent EV6 f t a forward”
31 August 2022 43 KiaNiro ROADTESTS
THE Niro doesn’t jump out as much as a lairy hot hatchback, but it’s a significantly more important model for a broader spectrum of new car buyers The second generation Niro manages to deliver a range of choice courtesy of three powertrains: an electric option for those fully committed to zero emissions, a hybrid for those who don’t have the facility to plug in easily, and a PHEV which offers some benefits from each The EV variant starts from £36,245 and comes with a 64 8kWh battery Beneath that sits the PHEV Here, an 83bhp electric motor and 11 1kWh battery allow for a zero emissions range of more than 40 miles and an official 279mpg, while a 1 6 litre petrol engine cuts in when you need to cover longer distances Prices range from between £33,525 and £39,025 The hybrid model kicks off the range from £27,745 in ‘2’ trim It shares its 1 6 litre petrol engine with the PHEV but here it’s doing a little more legwork, because it’s attached to a smaller 1 32kWh battery that drives a less potent 56bhp motor Together, there’s a maximum of 139bhp available, enough for 0 62mph in 10 2 seconds and fuel economy of 64 2mpg on the combined WLTP cycle a strong showing for a car which offers the simplicity of refuelling at a petrol pump, and which also has plenty of space for five That passenger space is one of the key differences over longer, 20mm wider and 40mm taller than before, and the rear seat passengers really feel the benefit, because there’s loads of room for taller occupants At 451 litres, the boot is 15 litres larger than the outgoing e Niro’s, too Passenger space has grown, and the way the Niro drives has matured, too The key improvements to the new model come in its refinement Ride comfort in particular has taken a massive step forward compared with the old car, while the handling remains composed and predictable Then there’s the design; the striking exterior and the EV6 inspired cabin, complete with neatly integrated twin screens ahead of the driver, lift its appeal massively As a result, it didn’t take long for the Niro to convince us that, like the i20N, it deserved to be an award winner in this case in the small SUV of the Year category Mk2 SUV is available as an EV, PHEV and hybrid, and starts at £27k Different strokes Hyundai and Kia prove they can compete with the best in disparate classes with the i20N and Niro Kia Niro
Details Pride wears old Kia logo, with a ‘K’ designed to represent a chimney belching out smoke to show a sign of industrial might.Tiny wheels and soft suspension deliver a decent ride (with plenty of body roll); dials are basic and easy to read
There are other qualities in modern vehicles we take for granted that are lacking here, too; even the ventilation struggles to blow much air through the cabin Bear in mind that the Pride was released in 1991 the same year as the Peugeot 106 and a year after the first Renault Clio and you really start to appreciate just how dated it must have felt at the time In terms of ride and handling, the Peugeot was far ahead, with a sweet gearshift and steering which, despite being unassisted, was still much lighter in town In terms of comfort, composure, space and style, both inside and out, the Clio must have felt years newer
IT didn’t take us long to stall the Kia Pride We thought we did the right thing, even that classic ‘gearlever wiggle’ to make sure it was in neutral The trouble is, there’s so much ‘slop’ in the gearshift action of this near immaculate example on Kia’s heritage fleet, that what we thought was neutral was actually first gear, and the car lurched forward in an embarrassing learner driver like jump as we released the clutch Oops! This is a Kia from a bygone age, when the brand began establishing itself in European markets Indeed, it was effectively a rebadged and ageing Mazda 121, but one that proved just how far Kia needed to come if it was to challenge the class best Driving one today after 31 years of automotive development means that it undoubtedly has its charms and you really appreciate just how great visibility is in a car of this age but against its contemporaries, the Pride lagged The ride is fairly forgiving, but the steering is slow at speed, and the unassisted rack is very heavy when parking The engine is equally hard work even if it does have plenty of character compared with ultra refined modern units
44 31 August 2022 ROADTESTSSPECIAL HyundaivsKia
How far the Koreans hav
However, Kia’s strategy was different then The Pride was pitched as a budget alternative to the established supermini makers, and this was reflected in the price In March 1991, the Pride 1 3 LX five door pictured here would set you back £6,799; the equivalent Clio cost £7,750 Sales for the brand got off to a steady start, with 1,786 Kias finding UK buyers in that first year Compare that with 2019 its best to date when Kia sold 97,323 units in the UK Step into its newest, most advanced model, and it’s staggering to think that the EV6 hails from the same brand that brought us this flawed albeit lovable supermini
We get behind the wheel of the first model Kia sold here: the Pride
31 August 2022 45 HyundaivsKia HEADTOHEAD ve come
DESPITE all of this progress, there’s no point in showing any complacency, which is why neither Hyundai nor Kia is showing any sign of easing off any time soon Hyundai will soon venture into a territory that currently has few rivals: the seven-seat electric SUV. Appropriately titled the Ioniq 7, the new model will draw inspiration from the Seven Concept first shown at the LA Motor Show last year. In other words, expect an imposing front end featuring Ioniq 5 style pixel effect lighting, but as our exclusive image shows (below), it will take on a much straighter roofline than the concept towards the rear in order to house all seven occupants in space and comfort. Although Mercedes makes the seven-seat EQB, it’s much smaller, so Tesla’s Model X will be the closest rival when the 7 goes on sale in 2024 Hyundai’s ambition to grow the reputation of its high performance N brand will soon expand into the guise of full electrification, too The Ioniq 5 is set to get the N treatment and we’ve already spied development prototypes being put through their paces, so we could see the finished article before the end of the year. It’ll become the fastest Hyundai road car ever built, by some margin. Expect a dual motor, four wheel drive set up with somewhere in the region of 577bhp, delivering a 0 62mph time of around 3.5 seconds. At the smaller end of the EV scale, Kia looks set to take on the Mercedes EQA with the upcoming EV4 one of an impressive 14 new EVs due to be released by the brand before 2027. It’ll ride on a shortened version of the E GMP platform used by the EV6 and will therefore be able to access the similar motor and battery configurations. That means the potential for a 77 4kWh battery and more than 300 miles on a single charge. With these, and many more new models on the horizon, the futures of both brands look extremely promising Hyundai and Kia aren’t resting on their laurels
Interior Functional dashboard lacks design flair compared to its contemporaries, but it feels sturdy enough Thin door pillars offer superb visibility The seven seat Ioniq 7 is based on the Seven Concept and goes on sale in 2024 Here’s what we think the Kia EV4 – a rival for the BMW iX1 – will look like a a r
What’s next?
EXCLUSIVE IMAGE EXCLUSIVE IMAGE A v a r v a r i i A v
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THERE really is nothing like a big boot
You probably haven’t devoted much time to considering the size of your car ’ s cargo area recently, but let me tell you that the 575 litre capacity of our new Ford Focus Estate has been a regular source of joy in the early days of our long term test Fold the back seats down and there are 1,653 litres to play with great for my growing family The boot, of course, is what estate cars are all about Like a peacock or an eighties footballer’s mullet, it’s business as usual up front and party out the back That’s if your idea of a good time is being able to carry an extra suitcase on holiday or a child’s bike without taking a wheel off The car we ’ re welcoming onto the Auto Express test fleet is the newly facelifted Focus Estate in Active specification Active means it has a slightly (30mm) raised ride height and some black plastic cladding around the sills and wheelarches In other words, there’s the faintest whiff of SUV styling the type of car that has relegated estates to second fiddle for family car buyers over the past decade This updated family favourite from Ford also has a significantly revamped boot area try to contain your excitement The floor folds up and clips vertically to catches on the boot walls, splitting the space in two This gives you a rubber mat in the front section where you can store muddy boots and the like Ford has even stuck a big graphic on the underside of the boot floor, showing you how it all works, so there’s no need to keep digging out the manual Vignale used to be Ford’s top trim level, but it’s been transformed into a plush option pack with the latest Focus “Like a footballer’s mullet, it’s business as usual up front and party out the back” range and our car has it You get better quality trim materials, exclusive alloy wheel designs, heated seats, a heated steering wheel and the 12 3 inch digital instrument cluster all for about £2,200 extra With the more powerful 1 0 litre EcoBoost 155 engine (153bhp) and the seven speed Powershift dual clutch automatic gearbox, our car costs £31,500 in Active Vignale spec as standard We’ve added a few extras: Chrome Blue is a ‘premium colour’ (£575), the Blind Spot Information System and head up display cost £400 each and the LED matrix adaptive headlights are £950 Then there’s the Driver Assist Pack (£525) with its adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition, the Parking Pack (Active Park Assist, a rear camera and pop out door edge protectors for £500) and the Family Pack for £400 (60:40 split rear seat with load through hatch, extra USB sockets in the rear and a hands free tailgate) It means we have a £35,250 Ford Focus on the fleet, with most of the bells and whistles from the options list To be fair to Ford, the options are reasonably priced; you might not bother with the head up display and if you never intend to tow anything, the Blind Spot Information System (that can be adjusted to account for the size of your SteveWalker Steve Walker@autoviacouk
OURCARS
You can change the engine map for a sportier drive, winter conditions or economy
48 31 August 2022 FIRSTREPORT Is an estate car as good as (or better than) an SUV for everything a family needs? We’re about to find out
Ford Focus Estate
LivingwithaFordFocusEstate
Bootiful Split floor can be raised to reveal a rubber lined section ideal for holding dirty boots Rear seats fold at the tug of levers; there’s more kit under another section Modes
WE LIKE Ford’s door protectors prevent accidents in car parks
As well as the party piece boot, there’s a load of rear legroom Buyers familiar with Ford Focus models from one or two generations ago and their mediocre offerings in the rear seats need to reset their expectations, because this is a proper family car with enough rear leg and headroom for adults Getting three across the back is a squeeze, though At this early stage, it feels like the biggest challenge on our Ford Focus Estate long term test will be finding enough stuff to put in it
31 August 2022 49 LivingwithaFordFocusEstate OURCARS P e t e G i b s o n Essentials Ford Focus Estate 1.0 EcoBoost 155 mHEVauto ActiveVignale On fleet since: August 2022 Price new: £31,500 Engine: 1 0 litre 3cyl turbo petrol, 153bhp CO2/tax: 127g/km/£165 Options: Premium paint (£575), Blind Spot Information (£400), Head up display (£400), Dynamic matrix LED lights (£950), Driver Assist Pack (£525), Parking Pack (£500), Family Pack (£400) Insurance*: Group: 18 Quote: £578 Mileage/mpg: 2,523/36 4mpg Any problems? None so far *Insurance quote from AA (0800 107 0680) for a 42 year old in Banbury, Oxon, with three points
The Focus is still a great car to drive the Active’s raised ride height makes little difference WE DON’T It may take some getting used to, but it’s too easy to slot the gearlever into the ‘L’ mode that holds the car in low gears to help off road progress
FORD’S fresh Focus Estate has made a sound early impression on our fleet with its great balance of fun and comfort, plus some improved tech But it’s the Focus’s practicality that’s already shining through here Verdict trailer) might also be overkill there’s no substitute for looking over your shoulder I’d also probably forgo the cosmetic upgrades of the Vignale pack and save myself more than £2,000 desirable though the digital dash cluster is The latest facelift smartened up the styling of the Focus and I think it’s a handsome car that’s only helped by the long roofline of the Estate model The Active version’s body cladding is less in your face if you pick the darker colours The cabin is dominated by the large central touchscreen running Ford’s latest SYNC4 software It’s still early days, but it works well with its split screen layout keeping more functions in view, while the climate controls are always accessible If you could ignore this giant 13 2 inch oblong rising up from the centre of the dash, the rest of the Focus’s interior is simple and functional, maybe even bland
There’s little of the design flair or style you get from some rivals that have been engineered to accommodate modern touchscreen tech from the outset, rather than being adapted to house it like the Ford, even with the Vignale trim upgrades
Clever Practical touches such as straps and catches are making family life with the Focus a cinch
Premium Ahmed Rahman took Stuart through the handover experience at Beadles Jaguar Stuart Milne Stuart Milne@autoviacouk
OURCARS
LivingwithaJaguarF-Pace
car ’ s weight, the Jag feels more alive, punchy and sporty In Dynamic mode it’ll hunker down for a five second 0 62mph dash, which is more than fast enough While it can’t hold a torch to the hot SVR model in a straight line, the P400e can pipe a V8 roar through the speakers
FIRSTREPORT We take delivery of Jag’s refreshed premium SUV in PHEV guise Jaguar F-Pace
SPORTS Utility Vehicles generally deliver far less of the former than the latter But there are exceptions to the rule, and the Jaguar F Pace has offered much of what the firm knows about sports saloons and coupés, distilled into a far more practical package Times change, though, so for the 2022 facelift the fundamentals remain, but the F Pace has been boosted in areas where it was being left behind: tech and electrification That’s why I find myself talking to Ahmed Rahman, sales executive at Beadles Jaguar in Southend, Essex, as he shows me around our new F Pace: a plug in P400e in R Dynamic SE spec and Portofino Blue Ahmed gives me a tour of the immaculate showroom; you could pretty much eat your food from the floor, and it’s every inch the premium experience He says: “Jaguar and Land Rover is all about personalisation, the personal touch” It’s something that becomes clear as he leads me into one of two handover rooms In the middle of the room sits a black sheet clad F Pace; in the corner there are balloons, some tasty cakes, juice and a bottle of bubbly “It’s what we like to do for all our customers,” Ahmed says For many, collecting their Jaguar is all about the big reveal Ahmed says his phone is chock full of videos of eager customers pulling back the black sheet over their new cars And having done precisely that, it feels every bit as dramatic as you might hope Ahmed shows me the F Pace’s interior; it’s hard not to be impressed by the design, fit and finish It feels every inch the premium product, as you might expect it should given its £63,615 list price The black leather sports seats are supremely comfortable and the cabin is packed with high quality materials But it’s the Pivi Pro infotainment that’s the star It centres around a 11 4 inch curved touchscreen, sporting crisp, elegant graphics and a user interface that’s easily the match for anything else on the market Ahmed demonstrates the ‘Hey Jaguar’ voice commands, although I’m keen to see if they’ll replace my iPhone’s Siri All the usual features are bundled in Pivi Pro, including a range of camera angles that feel very much like the kind of kit you’d find on Land Rover models, and are really helpful when manoeuvring and parking a big SUV The F Pace falls into that category, but responsive steering, decent visibility and well judged suspension make it feel more agile than you’d expect Those dynamic abilities are complemented perfectly by the plug in powertrain It’s fundamentally the same system that features on our long term Land Rover Defender, but shorn of that
Essentials Jaguar F-Pace P400e R-Dynamic
50 31 August 2022 wwwautoexpress co uk
A full charge takes a couple of hours from a home wallbox or as little as 30 minutes from a DC charger the F Pace is one of a few PHEVs to have this capability Jaguar claims a 33 mile range is possible, but in reality it’s closer to 28 So far, most of my short journeys have been on EV power, while I stick it in hybrid mode for longer trips Here, I tend to max out at around 55mpg impressive, but in stark contrast to around 30mpg when the battery is flat “It can go from 0-62mph in five seconds and pipes a V8 roar through the speakers” SE On fleet since: August 2022 Price new: £63,615 Engine: 2 0 litre 4cyl turbo petrol PHEV, 398bhp CO2/tax: 51g/km/£155 Options: Portofino Blue metallic paint (£740), 21 inch 10 spoke dark grey wheels (£900), privacy glass (£415), cabin air ionisation (£100), air quality sensor (£60), Meridian sound system (£420), wireless charger (£300), lockable, cooled glovebox (£60), sliding panoramic roof (£1,600) Insurance*: Group: 43 Quote: £1,120 Mileage/mpg: 11,625/50 4mpg Any problems? None so far *Insurance quote from AA (0800 107 0680) for a 42 year old in Banbury, Oxon, with three points
OUR Porsche EV has been put to good use during John McIlroy’s holiday in the hands of editor in chief Steve Fowler and his family And it impressed on a number of counts. Firstly, it’s more practical than you might expect. On a 100 mile round trip to Sussex the entire Fowler five were comfortable in the Taycan, prompting amazement from Steve’s friends when five adults climbed out of it. Efficiency and range also impressed, with the Taycan returning more than three miles per kWh during its time with Steve He mostly charged at home but had to make one visit to his local and crowded Ionity fast chargers Thankfully, a nice man from Ionity was on hand to guide EV drivers to the chargers in turn, and get the units reset when they occasionally failed, probably due to overheating on one of the hottest days of the summer. Loaded Giulia isn’t a typical tip run machine,but folded rear seats create a decent amount of space All in Fowler family stunned onlookers by all fitting into Taycan
Porsche Taycan Your ultimate guide to buying and owning an electric car
Alfa Romeo Giulia QF
A SPORTS saloon like the Giulia Quadrifoglio isn’t a car you might expect to see dropping off rubbish at the tip and associate editor Sean Carson has been holding out to try and avoid the run to the dump recently Not least because the prospect of broken glass, screws, nails and anything else that might puncture the Giulia’s rear Pirelli P Zero Corsas isn’t a pretty prospect, given the car needed two replacement fronts and he had to opt for standard items rather than the special AR marked rubber due to supply problems
However, as someone who detests detritus in the car, Sean drew the line at cardboard only for this trip, and folding the Alfa’s rear seats down and packing the deconstructed boxes from the many Amazon deliveries that seem to materialise at his front door addressed to his partner, Sophie, he proved that you don’t necessarily need an SUV to deliver practicality
Fleetwatch
31 August 2022 51wwwautoexpress co uk JaguarF-Pace OURCARS WE LIKE Pivi Pro infotainment system is up there with the best: slick, responsive and feature packed. The curved screen is crystal clear and it befits the F Pace’s £60k asking price WE DON’T Battery packaging in the boot means the floor slopes steeply so luggage often slides down precariously. Nothing has fallen out yet, but it’s only a matter of time RARELY does a facelift make such a profound improvement to a car Jag’s Pivi Pro tech is excellent and the interior spruce up puts it back among the class leaders. The new PHEV powertrain is deeply impressive, too; keep it charged and more than 50mpg is easily possible ____^ Verdict Ourfleet INDEX AlfaRomeoGiulia Issue 1728 1738 AlpineA110 New arrival BMWiX3 Issue 1,731, 1,743 Citroene Dispatch Issue 1733 DaciaJogger Issue 1,739 FordFocusEstate New arrival HondaHR VeCVT Issue 1732 JaguarF Pace New arrival KiaNiroHybrid New arrival LandRoverDefender Issue 1735 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 ToyotaYarisCross Issues 1,730, 1740
Now he wouldn’t say recycling the cardboard has offset the 503bhp Alfa’s fuel use recently, but it has helped. It’s going back soon and Sean is in a bad mood simply at the thought of it
52 31 August 2022 wwwautoexpress co uk MARKETPLACE RTC6000 Cordless Digital Tyre Inflator and Air Pump Get set for the Summer Getaway Ideal for road trips Buy direct from shop.ringautomotive.com and get +1 extra year’s guarantee • Includes power bank, LED light and 10 adaptors • Cordless with on-board rechargeable lithium-ion battery /ringautomotive
Is A/C advice on the button?
I’VE been using my car’s air conditioning in the recent hot weather, but I’ve been told I should also use the air recirculation button. Is this right?
DRIVERS looking to swap to all-season tyres have a new option, thanks to the arrival of the first all weather design for cars from Davanti. The Alltoura 4-Seasons joins the fast growing line up at Davanti, which was established in northern England in 2015 by wholesaler Oak Tyres. Designed in the UK facilities centre at is made that’s in tempera and desi The tr follows c and all-s effective on snow is furthe “intellig p g while th been dev “superio dry, its m Davan wanted t drivers w economi season o that also confiden performa The ra meets the requirem for the T Mountai Snowfla certifica making t legal in c that requ tyres to The A which is South Ea cover wh 14 18 inches It follows the recen season d commerc the Vant NEW PRODUCT Davanti Alltoura 4-Seasons
Q Q A A A
Leon Ray, E-mail WE’VE yet to test these, but just because a tyre has eco or green in its name, it doesn’t mean it’s always better than one without. Check the tyre label rating for fuel economy, and our tyre tests if you are looking at similar sizes Also look at the wet grip rating, because the trade off for good fuel economy is performance in the rain. Only you can judge how much of one you are prepared to give up for the other
I NEED to replace my tyres in the next few months Given the cost of fuel, I’ve been looking at low fuel consumption options Are these a good idea for just general commuting?
Price: TBC Contact: davantityres.com
THE best option for working on your car is to use a head torch Our current favourite is the NightSearcher ZOOM 580R at around £40. To light the space, the Ring RIL3700HP for around the same money (and shown above) is a good option Or the NightSearcher Tower Pro 2K is powerful, at 2,000 lumens, and can be hung from the roof. Expect to pay around £75. Will fuel-saving tyres suit?
Looking for some light relief
Matt Bryson, E mail IT is a good idea when you first get in a hot car because it will use already cooling air rather than drag in warmer air from outside. Once the car has cooled, switch it off to stop the cabin air becoming stale Recirculation also works well if there’s a hay fever sufferer on board, because it will keep out pollen.
and developed at specialist in Finland and Davanti’s test IDIADA in Spain, the Alltoura from a silica based compound intended to work in extreme temperatures throughout the year and designed for long life tread pattern is directional and current thinking on winter all-season tyres to clear water effectively and give good grip This performance further enhanced with an “intelligent sipe design”, the tyre has also developed to give “superior” grip in the maker claims. Davanti says it to provide with an economical all option offered confidence inspiring performance. range requirements Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) certification, them legal in countries require winter be fitted Alltoura range, which made in South East Asia, will wheel sizes from 14 inches. recently launched alldesign for light commercial vehicles, Vantoura 4 Seasons.
I’M renting a lock up garage which has no mains power I have cordless tools, but what’s the best way to light it? It’s very dark at the moment Brian Kidd, E-mail
wwwauto k 31 August 2022 53 THISWEEK’S HOTKIT Adams Kim Gotaquery? products@autoexpress co uk DAVANTI ROLLS OUT ITS FIRST ALL-SEASON TYRE PRODUCTS Visit autoexpress.co.uk for our extensive product archive
Huge round of price cuts from Halfords
HALFORDS has dropped prices across almost all of its ranges in a bid to help motorists with the cost of living. Members of its Premium Halfords Motoring Club (£4.99 a month) also get a further five per cent discount Halfords Autocentres have also pledged that their MoTs and servicing will be 25 per cent cheaper than at a main dealer, and promised not to be beaten on tyre prices. Other savings include wiper blades with almost a third off, £25 off Yuasa batteries and a £4 30 cut on Ring headlight bulbs Visit halfordscomfor all the savings British Classics next month at Beaulieu
hicle is not covered range. models: Sport and cope with 75kg g, and they offer wide loading areas ck is raised and nk handle use the Roof Box range of kits with roof also a r d by its off the shelf There are two XL The former can and the latter 80kg, 140cm and 160cm respectively The rack lowered using a crank d p B c t from 9mm recyclable ABS plastic
wwwautoexpress co uk54 31 August 2022
IF you’re heading to France soon, you might find an unexpected visitor at the Louvre Lens museum the expanded home of the Musee du Louvre, 120 miles north of Paris in Lens. There, Peugeot has placed its new 408 coupé SUV inside a huge sphere (above) to show it off from all angles The car twists and flips so that every inch of the avant garde styling can be seen. Entry to the museum is free, but admission to special temporary exhibitions costs six Euros You can find out more or plan a visit at louvrelens.fr.
NEWPRODUCT Truckman ARB Ascent Price: £3,360 Contact: truckmancouk
makes it a lot roof rack cargo
FOLLOWING its acquisition by Australian accessory specialist ARB, Truckman has added the new owner’s flagship hardtop to its line up, which features central locking plus lift up tinted side windows The hardtop can carry 100kg on the move and up to 400kg parked, making it ideal for accessories such as roof tents It’s available for double cab Ford Ranger Mks 5 7, Isuzu D Max Mk6, Toyota Hilux Mks 8 & 9 and Volkswagen Amarok Mks 1 & 2.
ALL pre-2000 British cars and bikes are invited to the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu for Simply British Classics, on Sunday 25 September. Expect to see everything from Aston Martins to Wolseleys, making a truly diverse gathering of British classics You’ll also have access to the rest of the museum, with lots of British exhibits of its own, including the Bond in Motion exhibition, with the character’s DB5 and V8 models on display. For tickets, visit beaulieu.co.uk.
PRODUCTS news, deals& events
THE use of SUV and van based leisure vehicles gives drivers more space inside, but if you need to carry kit on the roof the job is harder, due to the extra height. One solution is Dropracks which, thanks to some neat engineering, brings the rack down to chest or waist height for easier loading. Now more vehicles can system, because importer the R Company has increased its ran Until recently the Dropracks system could only be used by vehicles with raised or flush ro rails and tracked fittings Now systems have been developed to extend the range to vehicles with fix points, such as the popular VW T5/T6 van range, including the Caravelle, Kombi and California models, and the Mercedes Vito. The Roof Box Company can a offer bespoke fitting kits where
New Peugeot goes on display at Louvre
NEWPRODUCT Dropracks Price: From £1,600 plus £75 fitting kit (VW T6)
Newontheshelves
Dropracks expands its range for easier roof-rack loading
Contact: roofboxcouk
A CORDLESS rotary tool is essential for a DIY car owner’s garage, offering the ability to cut, grind, brush, drill, clean and sand with a versatile design that’s light enough to use just about anywhere. Our current test winner is the Sealey CP1207KIT, but the company has now introduced the lower voltage CP108VMG, which we test here alongside the latest from Dre Lite 7760 15 We compared and number of accessories included, and assessed comfort, ease of use and value for money We used the tools for a selection of typical car tasks, including polishing and drilling, and timed how long it took to slice through a 6mm steel bolt using a 38mm x 0 75mm disc Th CP108VMG i new best buy, et performance el had much to Dave Pollard
Alvis Society: A Century of Drivers Monoposto Petrolprices
“We used the rotary tools for a variety of tasks, such as polishing d d illi g”
Know Your Road Signs
A GOOD gift for those learning to drive but also ideal if you passed your test abroad and need to brush up on the UK’s signage Even veteran drivers will likely find some unfamiliar signs This is all available online, but it’s good to have it in a clear and tidy book AN impressive feat, listing every Alvis chassis made and giving info on notable models, owners and number plates But it’s not a particularly interesting read.
A SMART racing game, which can be easy and arcade like or difficult with clever AI and realistic physics There’s an array of tracks, and very little faffing about with upgrades or in app purchases But it requires a steady hand, so is better suited to proper gaming sessions than quick plays on a commute S a more important app er, this shows you the st places to buy fuel, with r petrol, diesel and super d It’s simple to use, the re largely very accurate free what’s not to like?
Some cars have fascinating histories, but they’re not done too much justice here Good imagery throughout, though.
Appoftheweek Minitest
DREMEL’S new baby is to power, voltage (3 6v weight, with the Dreme than its rival here. This to use for longer jobs w result in aching hands and arms We liked the top mounted slider control, starts the motor and selects the speed. The built in battery is charged via a USB socket which can be connected to the 5v, 1Ah mains adaptor supplied or any other suitable source We also liked the three compartment case, but it should really have had more than 15 accessories. The lower voltage showed clearly in the bolt cutting exercise, where it took 80 seconds to get through Surprisingly, its no load noise, when fitted with the 38mm cutting disc, was louder than its rival here, at 78dB.
THIS new Sealey unit is rated at 10 8v compared with the 12v of our previous winner, but it cut through the bolt in 40 seconds an impressive half a minute quicker. It has a similar design and is well weighted, with a grippy body The seven speeds are selected by a rotary control on the top With an ambient noise level of 18dB, it was the quieter unit, with a peak of 71dB. The removable 2Ah battery can be used with other 10 8v tools in Sealey’s range Overall, very impressive, performing well and quietly, but we’d like a box for the accessories
wwwautoexpress co uk 31 August 2022 55 Rotarytools PRODUCTS books, games & apps
BESTBUY Sealey Cordless Multipurpose Mini Grinder Kit CP108VMG Price: £52 74 Contact: sealeycouk Speeds/voltage/Ah: 5,000 25,000rpm/10.8v/2Ah Rating: NEWCOMER Dremel Lite 776 Price: £56 00 Contact: dremeleuropecom Speeds/voltage/Ah: 8,00 Rating: CP108VMG to n ever, places fuel, or aded prices are or lighter jobs, advantage both ‘lite’ when it comes 7760 15 8,0 25,000/3.6v
AA Publishing (theaacom) Price: £4 99 Rating: David Culshaw (Veloce Publishing, veloce.co.uk) Price: £50 Rating: Available for: iOS, Android Price: £1 99 (iOS), Free (Android) Rating: Available for: iOS, Android Price: Free Rating:
Which rotary tool turns the tables?
PERHAPS
Clarke Strong Arm 2.25
PRODUCTS
Trolleyjacks
wwwautoexpress co uk31 August 2022
Price: £56 39 Rating: Contact: 0115 956 5555, machinemartco uk 2022 2022 Dave Pollard YOUR car often needs to be raised when you work on it, and this makes a trolleyjack essential. From an oil change to new brakes, exhaust or suspension, your jack will soon payfor itself and the required axle stands don’t get under a car without them in place A jackis not a pricey option, especially if you consider it as an investment and a wayto help cut costs compared with a dealer’s service bay. Most units in this test are rated at around two tonnes, which is fine for the average vehicle, but checkyour car’s weight before you buy
TROLLEYJACKS What’s thelow-down on thesehigh-rise products? PRODUCTGROUPTEST 31|8|2022 Every week, we extensively test all the latest car kit from tyres to trim cleaners. Log on to wwwautoexpress co.uk to look through our huge online test archive
RECOMMENDED THE Clarke’s rating of 2.25 tonnes beats all but the Wolf It reached its max height of 380mm in 37 pumps and the 200mm mark in 17, both par for the course We like the side mounted clip for storing the 480mm handle, the flexible rubber pad for the saddle (a tad on the small side at 55mm) and the stable, 35mm wide front castors But it costs more than the Halfords jack Halfords 2 Tonne Low Profile Hydraulic Trolley Jack 657099
Price: £41 99 Rating: Contact: 0845 057 9000, halfords.com
BEST BUY THIS bright orange Halfords model is well made and has a minimum height of 85mm and a max of 375mm; plus its 290mm span is among the best here. We like the large saddle at 60mm (second only to the other Halfords jack), the wide front castors and the 16 pumps required to reach 200mm was equal second best on test. Although it loses a few points on some aspects of the specification, it’s hard to argue with its keen price
Howwetestedthem
WE compared the basic specifications, because a trolleyjack’s height range can vary and needs to be matched to your car. We counted how manyfull pumps it tookto reach 20cm a typical jacking point height and then how manyto reach its maximum We awarded points for good instructions, including safety advice, and expected to find some basic info on the lifting arm. A large saddle spreads the load and makes it less likelyto slip, and a rubber insert is useful to prevent bodyworkdamage Finally, we factored in the best internet prices we could find.
Tonne Low Entry Trolley Jack with Sockets CTJ2250LP
Wolf Black Jack 2.25T
wwwautoexpress 57k
THE Strong Arm is a lookalike for its sibling, but there are differences, not least £6 in your pocket at the till. It lacks the handle clip and sockets, and is 10mm down on the overall span Getting to 200mm in 22 pumps was reasonable, but the 49 needed to get to its max of 380mm was hard work. The instructions are good and, like many, the basics are repeated on the lifting arm. We like the reassuringly large 60mm saddle, which comes complete with a protective rubber insert, and the longest handle here, at 550mm.
Sealey 2 Tonne Low Entry Short Chassis
ALTHOUGH this is listed as a low jack, it’s higher than the other four, with a 100mm start height Also, with a max of 350mm, it has less overall span, too That said, it’s really well put together and we particularly like the classy polished, domed fasteners and the large handle which can be used through 180 degrees great for tight spaces The rubber grip at the end of this made it comfortable to use and 16 pumps to 200mm was one of the best, with 42 to the top being reasonable But the price is almost twice that of the cheapest jack
Trolley Jack 2180LE Price: £65 56 Rating: Contact: 01284 757500, sealeyco uk 2022
Clarke Strong Arm CTJ2000LPB 2 Tonne Low Profile Trolley
RECOMMENDED THE second jack to be rated at 2 25 tonnes has had a price rise since we last tested it in 2020. But it’s still a super jack which also comes with a handle clip and pair of double ended sockets that fit into a chassis mounted holder. From its lowest start point of 80mm, it reached the 200mm marker in 16 pumps and went onto its max of 380mm in 39 Its two year warranty remains impressive but in such a competitive market, the current price squeezes it down the order.
Trolley Jack Price: £62.99 Rating: Contact: 0330 123 0001, ukhs tv Jack Price: £50 39 Rating: Contact: 0115 956 5555, machinemartco uk
Trolleyjacks PRODUCTS
Low Profile
Trolleyjacks
PRODUCTS
THE Silverline is similar to the Halfords jack above, with a 200mm span, albeit with minimum and maximum heights 10mm lower. The saddle of 55mm is reasonable and matches our second and third-placed jacks Getting to 200mm in 14 pumps was very good and 34 to the max was good in isolation, although it was only 330mm, the joint lowest with the Sealey 1050CXDHV (below). There are a few basic instructions on the lifting arm but like the booklet, they are limited In a straight fight with the 2T Halfords (above), it came down to price.
Verdict OUR top three jacks retain their podium finishes from the last test, but price changes have elevated Halfords’ Low Profile into the number one spot, with the Clarke and Wolf very close behind.
1 Halfords 2 Tonne Low Profile Hydraulic Trolley Jack 657099
DESPITE its basic, no frills nature, this Halfords jack features an impressively large, 67mm saddle the biggest here A conventional jack, it has only a 200mm span which starts at 140mm, so not good for the low riders among us Taking 12 and 31 pumps to get to 200mm and the max height was excellent both best in test. We like the handle clip built into the chassis but the handle itself is one of the shortest here, at 42cm long
SEALEY’S two tonne jack is the only one here to come complete with a tough, blow moulded case, and we liked the way it fitted neatly into it so it wouldn’t rattle around while in the boot. It’s clear that the jack is geared for weight saving and practicality and is designed to be carried, with its narrow chassis and 20mm wide wheels. The saddle is joint smallest at 50mm and while 17 pumps to 200mm was fine, taking 45 to its max was less impressive. At the simpler end of the market, it should be a bit cheaper.
Price: £32 99 Rating: Contact: 0845 057 9000, halfords com
Halfords 2 Tonne Hydraulic Trolley Jack 657081
3 Wolf Black Jack 2 25T Low Profile Trolley Jack wwwautoexpress co uk
Silverline 2 Tonne Hydraulic Trolley Jack 633935
2. Clarke Strong Arm 2.25 Tonne Low Entry Trolley Jack w/Sockets CTJ2250LP
58 31 August 2022
Price: £37 19 Rating: Contact: 01935 382222, silverlinetools com
Sealey 2 Tonne Short Chassis Hi-Vis Trolley Jack with Storage Case 1050CXDHV
Price: £42 38 Rating: Contact: 01284 757500, sealeyco uk
31 August 2022 59wwwautoexpress co uk MARKETPLACE MI7 ACE £950 VIII ACE £950 J5 ACF £950 T7 ADA £750 FII ADC £750 J24 ADM £II00 J25 ADY £750 C6 AGA £950 J28 AGS £850 LI2I AJH £750 JI23 AJH £850 MI AJJ £I900 J2 AJK £I200 J32I AJS £950 JI2I AJW £750 M4 AKC £750 J28 ALF £950 K99 ALF £II00 R800 ALF £850 K4 ALG £850 C9 ALK £950 J23 ALN £750 J25 ALX £750 K25 ALY £I500 J26 AMD £750 S2 AME £2I00 HI0 AMG £I300 S555 AML£I800 J24 AMS £I300 J28 AND £I200 X40 AND £I400 J8 ANG £2200 FI0 ANG £I800 L2I ANG £I900 J27 ANG £I400 Y66 ANG £I400 JI23 ANG £II00 P200 ANG £950 M5I8 ANG £750 PI8 ANN £I600 L2I ANN £2300 Y2I ANN £2I00 E522 ANN £750 J23 ANS £I400 EI4 ANT £2I00 S23 ANT £I300 APO 372 £I200 J27 ARC £750 K3I ARC £750 J28 ARD £850 W2 ARN £I400 MI9 ARN £850 J25 ART £850 LI0 ARY £750 S333 ASH£I600 E9 ASJ £750 J28 ASP £750 ASZ I55 £850 574 ATC £I500 R4 ATE £750 F5 ATS £I300 ATT IIIC £I500 PII ATY £II00 K25 ATY £II00 KI2I ATY £850 B5 AUD £II00 L3I AVY £750 E7 AYR £750 F6 BAB £I500 F9 BAS £I200 BAS 9I7 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JEN £3I00 J24 JEN £2I00 J24 JES £I600 L8 JHN £850 F7 JHW £I200 JIL 779 £750 JJ 7295 £3300 C6 JLR £I300 L2 JMD £I500 2947 JN £I400 JN 2957 £I600 J28 JOE £I800 CI03 JOE £850 J32I JOE £I400 K47 JON £I700 M9 JOS £I600 J50 JOY £850 K2 JST £I200 JWT 226 £I400 KAT 928Y £I600 J999 KAT £850 J7 KAV £I200 R9 KAY £2500 J29 KAY £I500 R30 KAY £I700 Y700 KAY £950 KAZ 699 £750 J23 KEL £I400 JI23 KEL £850 LI0 KEN £I600 EI2 KEN £I600 T2I KEN £I500 KEN 637 £2500 KJG 3II £I500 X7 KKK £I500 TI KMH £850 G7 LAD £I300 H2 LAP £850 LAR 3Y £2500 Y5 LAR £I300 E8 LAR £I700 C8 LAS £I300 RI6 LAU £850 J23 LAW £I400 P9 LAY £I500 LAZ 445 £750 K9 LCM £I200 J25 LEA £950 AI0 LEC £I400 B9 LED £950 K25 LEE £I700 J27 LEE £I800 KI23 LEE £I500 J32I LEE £I600 C97I LEE £I300 F8 LEG £850 YI LEN £I500 DI8 LEN £850 L2I LEN £II00 K24 LEN £950 N24 LEN £850 J24 LEO £850 J24 LES £I400 T333 LES £I200 J28 LEX £850 LEZ 2II £850 7420 LJ £I700 T7 LJS £I400 P24 LMR £850 L4 LOB £II00 JI LOS £I400 J27 LOU £I300 JI2I LOU £II00 EI5 LOV £II00 LOV 484 £I400 903 LPO £750 LI LVV £I300 K26 LYN £I500 E83 LYN £I400 N23 MAC £I500 JI23 MAC £I400 V32I MAC£I400 J26 MAD £950 MAG 6P £I900 R88 MAH £850 MAL IW £2900 L2I MAL £I400 N2I MAL £I300 K26 MAL £I500 J27 MAL £II00 569 MAL £3I00 K28 MAR £I300 J23 MAT £I500 K25 MAT £I400 J24 MAX £I800 L26 MAX £I600 MAZ 766 £950 GI4 MCM £850 E4 MCS £950 JI23 MEG £I200 J29 MEL £I700 R44 MEL £I600 PI2I MEL £950 MIL 774 £I500 MJ 6708 £2400 N27 MJB £950 J32I MJB £850 M2 MLG £950 L2 MLL £950 JI5 MOE £850 J222 MOL £850 N3 MOM £I300 E50 MOT £950 MP 4876£3300 E5 MUM £I200 L2I MUS £850 J2I MYS £850 394 NAL £I200 J26 NAN £I200 K27 NAN £II00 B6 NAR £950 W8 NED £I900 T70 NEV £850 J2I NGO £950 J23 NKY £850 NL 4772 £I500 L2I NNA £I300 I73 NNO £I500 NWJ 435 £750 J23 OAN £I300 J29 OCK £850 JI23 ODY £950 OEN 74 £I900 OIL 922 £850 YI OLS £I500 J3I ORD £850 R29 OSY £I700 340 OTB £I800 E8 OWL £I400 J28 OWL £850 S4 PAC £I200 N2 PAM £I800 E8 PAM £I600 CI0 PAM £I400 I5 PAM £6500 K33 PAM £I300 G37 PAM £I400 79 PAM £5500 L7 PAT £2400 CI8 PAT £I600 J29 PAT £I500 D48 PAT £I300 PAT 95W £I600 R7 PDM £850 359I PE £I500 W9 PEL £I200 S3 PES £I500 PET 404 £I400 NI PEW £I300 B4 PGM £850 PGS 334 £I200 I0 PJW £7500 7235 PL £I200 F5 PMM £II00 C7 PMR £I300 I0 PNU £2I00 998 POO £I200 PR I0I £8900 M9 RAH £I500 P23 RAJ £950 Y9 RAL £I400 J2I RAM £950 VI4 RAY £I300 RI7 RAY £I500 T26 RAY £I400 S29 RAY £I600 RAY 697 £4500 RE I896 £I800 REB 485 £2300 J2I RED £I200 REM 2L £2I00 G9 REM £I200 WI2 REN £I300 T555 REV £950 RG 9067 £2700 L3 RJG £950 G9 RJH £I400 RJI 988 £950 CI8 RKK £2500 RL 4807 £I800 J3I RMS £850 J23 RMY £850 K2I ROB £I600 J28 ROB £I700 KI2I ROB £I400 JI23 ROB £I500 ROB877Y £2300 CI6 ROG £I500 V2I ROG £I200 W28 ROG £II00 K30 ROG £950 X88 ROG £I300 M777 ROG£850 AI3 ROM £850 H9 RON £I900 DI2 RON £I400 W23 RON £950 S33 RON £I800 E34 RON £I300 J66 RON £I200 N77 RON £I300 RON 87R £I500 S333 RON £850 RON 660Y £850 WI6 ROS £850 J44 ROS £850 MI0 ROY £I400 SI5 ROY £I500 FI9 ROY £I400 T29 ROY £I400 GII7 ROY £2200 S900 ROY £850 J24 RRY £950 G322 RRY£I500 RTH 970 £2500 RYE 587 £I500 T7 SAF £I600 LI0 SAL £I500 J2I SAL £I400 K29 SAL £I200 L3I SAL £I300 V45 SAL £2I00 SAZ 422 £850 M9 SEC £I200 L9 SEL £I300 J23 SEN £I700 M2I SES £850 J28 SES £II00 J3I SES £I500 V3 SGT £850 X50 SHE £850 T5 SHP £850 SHZ 855 £750 I86 SMA £II00 P9 SML £I400 K2 SMT £I300 D8 SMT £I400 M3 SRW £I600 J3I SSA £II00 K3I SSO £850 L4 STR £I400 K24 STU £I400 J27 STU £I300 KI23 STU £II00 SU 395 £3900 J27 SUE £2200 SUE 56M£3400 B2I5 SUE £II00 CI SUS £I500 R6 SUS £850 TAD 945 £I400 92I TAF £I900 N24 TAL £950 J26 TAM £850 JI TAP £I500 GI5 TAY £I500 G6 TEC £I500 N40 TED £850 T84 TED £I600 TED 879 £2200 LII TEL £I500 WI9 TEL £850 B52 TEL £950 TER 643 £I600 E5 TEV £I500 S98 TEW £850 F4I THE £3400 TND 63 £I500 TOB 92Y £2600 K24 TOM £I800 N77 TOM £I600 KI23 TOM£I300 J333 TOM£I400 TOM 398Y£I400 J800 TOM£I200 G6 TPH £850 P28 TTY £950 TUS 27 £I700 TV 5208 £2300 J32I UDE £I200 J24 UDY £I400 J32I UDY £850 768 UMH £I200 I827 UN £850 URE I £I7000 UWE I £I3500 KI0 VAL £I300 VI3 VAL £I500 CI4 VAL £I400 T50 VAL £950 VAL I49 £3I00 EI3 VAN £I800 HI7 VAN £I300 6648 VB £750 VHH 329 £750 VKV 374 £750 VTT 453 £750 386 VY £44500 V3 WAL £I500 7740 WB £I600 MI8 WEB £850 K400 WEN£I500 L2I WES £I300 WIG I55 £850 WIL 665 £I500 WIL 2423 £750 WIL 8988 £750 WOL 6II £II00 WPP 744 £850 WTH 834 £I200 N9 WYN £850 YDN 99 £I600 YMU 280 £750 YY 2689 £I500 K3I YYS £850 OPEN: MON FRI 9AM 7PM, SAT 9AM 5PM, SUN I0AM 5PM Elite Registrations All registrations are offered on a first come, first served basis. All are subject to VAT and the £80 Dept for Transport transfer fee Prices may fluctuate See website for full terms We have been trading for over 45 years THOUSANDS MORE AVAILABLE Write: P O Box 100, Devizes, SN10 4TE Tel: 01380 818181 elitereg.co.uk REGISTRATIONS URGENTLY WANTED FOR IMMEDIATE PURCHASELoads to carry? Expert Advice Huge Choice Fast UK Delivery✔ ✔ ✔ Web: roofbox.co.uk/aex Call: 01539 621 884 Travel safety products for pets including crash-tested cages, ramps and harnesses Wide range of bike carriers including e-bike carriers, for roof, rear or tow bar 5% discount for Auto Express readers! UK’s biggest range of roof boxes and roof bars
60 31 August 2022 wwwautoexpress co uk MARKETPLACE INSURANCE FOR THE INDIVIDUAL Your car doesn’t just get you from ‘A’ to ‘B’ It gets you to socials, work, sporting events. Which is why choosing an insurance provider you can trust is so important With over 45 years’ experience providing bespoke policies, Adrian Flux helps keep you safe through life’s many journeys. Plus, did you know we’ve helped save our customers an average of 26% on their car insurance?* Policies can include: Breakdown cover Cover to drive other vehicles Limited mileage discounts Total loss protection Call our UK team today on 0344 728 0087 *Based on customer premium data from 2021 adrianflux.co.uk Authorised & regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Trustpilot rating checked on 17th August 2022
“Adequate performance for what it is. Handles and corners well by my standards ” “The driver’s seat is easy to adjust into an extremely comfortable position.”
“The suspension is very firm, so the car isn’t comfortable ” NOT SO
I SOLD my car in late July and only received a Vehicle Excise Duty refund for full months (i.e. August to December). The new owner of my car, who is a friend, still had to pay VED for July, though Is this normal practice?
Leon Factfile Bars show where model finished out of 75 vehicles in our 2021 new car survey The longer the bar the better88.83%
Jay Deanman, E mail
UNFORTUNATELY, there are a limited number of reasons for which you’re allowed to make a previous keeper request to the DVLA These include finding out who was responsible for an accident or parking infringement, or for tracking down someone suspected of insurance fraud Obtaining service history is not a valid reason, but you can ask the DVLA if it has any relevant information on the car itself
Whymustwepaytwicefor July’sVehicleExciseDuty?
service
“PLENTY of space in the boot We can fit all of our holiday luggage in there and I can easily make runs to the tip ” “Infotainment system does all I need it to. My phone connects and never drops out ” “I love driving this car, even over long distances. It’s comfortable and smooth ”
“The voice command system is not well designed; it never understands what I say ” “The engine sounds very dull Not the slightest hint of a turbo whistle like my previous car ” “Heater is very poor in winter It actually steams up the windows more at first ” “CD autochanger in the glove compartment takes up space and is hard to access ” “Lots of rattles in the interior; the quality is disappointing.”
I GOT a fairly good deal on a used car, especially considering the current market conditions. The only snag is that it’s missing some service history. Can the DVLA put me in touch with a previous owner to get this? Ian Sanston, E mail
GOOD
I DRIVE in and out of London on the M4 a lot and the smart motorway works are finally complete. A very long section at the London end is permanently set at 60mph for no apparent reason, though. Why is this? Peter Clinch, E mail
2021Results
29th 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 LACE
reliable. Engines
” INTERIOR
unpleasant
Q Q Q A A A
“I get 45mpg locally and over 50mpg on motorway trips ” “Servicing is good value for the work that is done ”
“THE sat nav always offers three route options, but none of them is the best one. I end up ignoring it altogether ”
“The
Anyideawhynewsmart m-wayhasa60mphlimit?
NATIONAL Highways has said that the new smart motorway stretch of the M4 is currently in a calibration phase where the newly installed equipment is being tested This requires the roadworks to have ended and all lanes to be open, but a 60mph limit is in place for safety reasons The limit will be raised to 70mph “once the system is performing to an acceptable standard” You must stick to 60mph until then.
SEATLeon
owners
CantheDVLAhelpmetrace mycar’spreviousowner?
GOOD OVERALL SCORE Years: 2012 to 2020 CO2: 102g/km Fuel economy: 58 9mpg (1 6 TDI) Best options: Auto lights and wipers, space saver spare wheel, electric sunroof USED PRICES: From £5,400
Tristan Shale Hester@autovia co uk Shale-Hester Tristan
31 August 2022 61wwwautoexpress co uk BUYINGCARS New and used buying advice from our team of experts
WESAID Leon Mk3 is great value, tell us, plus it’s cheap to and pack enough punch, but make noises, while the ride is too firm Cabin and infotainment both get average marks from owners, but they are more impressed with the amount of space inside
THIS is the way that the VED refund system works, although it has come in for criticism in the past We have asked the DVLA how much income this practice generates, but it has been unable to tell us. The AA estimated back in 2017 that around £38million per year was being generated in this way Although the DVLA can’t confirm this figure, it has pointed out that the money all goes to the Treasury.
YOUTELLUSValue focused Spanish family hatchback is well built and cheap to run
Gotanycarqueries?
RENAULT’S first foray into SUV production didn’t end well Its Koleos of 2008 failed to interest buyers, but when its supermini sized Captur was launched in 2013, it went on to become the French firm’s most popular model With this newfound momentum, Renault then introduced the Kadjar a couple of years later, a size up from the Captur and another car that hit the spot with its appealing design, roomy cabin and low running costs. It helped that the Kadjar was based on a car that had already proved to be a smash hit, the Nissan Qashqai, but we reckoned that the Renault was actually better than the Japanese car. Seven years after its launch, there’s still much to like about the Kadjar History THE Kadjar arrived in September 2015, with 128bhp 1 2 TCe petrol and 109bhp 1 5 dCi or 128bhp 1 6 dCi diesel engines, with the latter option (the dCi 130) offered in front or four wheel drive forms. In September 2017 a 163bhp turbocharged 1 6 litre petrol engine (the TCe 165) joined the range Then in February 2019 a facelifted Kadjar reached showrooms, with refreshed styling and new petrol engines, as well as upgraded diesel units The line up then consisted of the 138bhp TCe 140 and 158bhp TCe 160 1.3 litre petrol engines, along with 114bhp 1 5 litre Blue dCi 115 and 148bhp 1 7 litre Blue dCi 150 diesel motors Again, the latter came with the option of front or four wheel drive. From February 2022 the Kadjar range was cut to just the TCe 140 engine and two trim levels: Equilibre and Techno Richard Dredge NEEDTOKNOW THE dCi 110, Blue dCi 115, TCe 130 and TCe 140 engines were offered with a seven speed electronic dual clutch (EDC) automatic transmission. The dCi 130 was also available as an auto, but that engine was mated to a CVT ’box, dubbed (1 2 TCe 130)
Performance 0 62mph/top speed 101 seconds/119mph
BUYER’SGUIDE: Rena
X tronic Running costs 48 50mpg
£95 fill up CO2/tax 126 132g/km £130 £155 Battery The alarm beeps if the battery is losing charge; the car needs driving or the battery replaced. Faulty tilt sensors also cause this Engine The 1 2 TCe can use oil, so you need to check it regularly every 1,000 2,000 miles. Some owners have had to have replacement engines Spare All Kadjars come with a tyre repair kit You can buy a space saver spare wheel for £150, but it won’t fit if the optional Bose stereo is specified CHECK ON... Searchthousandsofnew andusedcarsonline In association with 62 31 August 2022
Whichever version you go for, there are physical knobs for the air con/climate control. The six speed manual gearbox is slick, while the EDC is the best automatic option
31 August 2022 63wwwautoexpress co uk RenaultKadjar BUYINGCARS
TristanShale Hester Deputyconsumer editor
CASE STUDY CAROLE Dodd from Tewkesbury owns a 2018 Kadjar dCi 130. She says: “We bought it as an ex demo and it has been a good buy overall. It’s very well equipped but we’ve had a few problems, most of which have been sorted via software updates That aside, our Kadjar is comfortable and practical, and it seems to be wearing well after 52,000 miles. Best of all though is the economy, with 55mpg easy to achieve.”
WHEN the Kadjar made its Driver Power debut in the 2016 new car poll, it went straight in at number three (out of 100) Its last appearance was in the 2020 survey, where it came 65th out of 75 models. It finished 55th in 2019, when it also achieved 59th in our used car poll (out of 100 cars) Low running costs and cabin space/ practicality are highlights, but owners are less impressed by the driving experience and overall quality.
FROM£8,000
The Kadjar is longer than the Qashqai but isn’t any more difficult to drive. The boot holds 472 litres with the seats up and 1,478 with them down average for the class
ult Kadjar
THE Renault Kadjar is getting on a bit now, but it makes a lot of sense as a second hand buy It’s a fairly big car, but easy to drive nonetheless, and comes with the benefit of a very spacious boot It’s generally well equipped, too, especially when it comes to safety kit The infotainment system could be better and it’s not a car that will set your pulse racing, but if you’re after something practical and easy to live with, it’s a very solid choice
CONTROLS
DIMENSIONS
Expert’s verdict
Common faults SOME Kadjar owners have complained about electronic glitches Many of these relate to the infotainment system, which can suffer from Bluetooth and sat nav issues Check these are working on any used example you look at Key card
PopularfamilySUVisbasedontheNissan Qashqaibutismorepractical,withaslightlybiggerboot
The button cell battery in the key card doesn’t tend to last more than two years. Don’t forget to change the one in the spare key card at the same time “It’s a solid choice if you’re after something practical and easy to live with” wwwautoexpress co uk/driver power
DRIVING
64 31 August 2022 BUYINGCARS RenaultKadjar I n s u r a n c e g r o u p Howmuch? Runningcosts WE found more than 1,300 Kadjars for sale, with a 50:50 split between petrol and diesel The latter are cheapest because they’ve generally covered more miles; prices start at £8k for an early 130k mile dCi 110 Petrols cost from £9,000 for an early TCe 130 with 90,000 miles This is also the minimum you’ll need to spend to buy a Kadjar automatic (an early 1 5 dCi 110 with 80,000 miles) Just one in 25 Kadjars has four wheel drive, with very few priced at less than £11,000, which nets a 2016 dCi 130 that’s done 60,000 miles Dynamique Nav and Dynamique S Nav are popular trims and account for half of used Kadjars on sale Average CO2 Annual MPG emissions roadtax Model 1 2TCe 130 16 48 50mpg 126 132g/km £130 £155 1 3TCe 140 19 22 41 43mpg 126 152g/km £165 1 3TCe 160 20 23 42 46mpg 136 150g/km £165 1 6TCe 165 19 45 47mpg 134 139g/km £165 1 5 dCi 110 14 15 72 74mpg 99 103g/km Free £20 1 6 dCi 130 17 18 62 65mpg 113 117g/km £30 1 7 dCi 150 25 52 54mpg 128 142g/km £165 ALL Kadjars registered from 1 April 2017 cost £165 a year to tax. ALL Kadjars need to be serviced every 12 months or 18,000 miles There are two levels of service: A and B, typically priced at £120 (it can vary between dealers) and £195 While the former consists of just a fresh pollen filter and various checks, the latter adds an oil and filter change High mileage drivers are encouraged to combine the two services for around £250 Only the 1 5 dCi engine has a cambelt, which should be changed every five years or 60,000 miles for around £400 The coolant needs to be replaced every five years or 90,000 miles (at £89), the brake fluid after three years, then every 24 months (at £65), and the air con should be serviced every two years at a cost of £150. All Kadjars came with a four year/100,000 mile guarantee, with no mileage limit for the first two years
Interior THE fit and finish is generally very good, but until the 2019 facelift some of the switchgear placement was a bit haphazard; later cars are much better in this respect. What has always been good is the amount of cabin space, with lots of room for three adults unless they’re taller than average. Boot space is pretty good too, at 472 litres with the seats up, which puts the Kadjar pretty much in the middle of the class. The 2019 facelift for the Kadjar brought a better integrated infotainment system, but removed the main physical volume controls. The buttons on the steering wheel stayed in place, however.
INFOTAINMENT
The facelifted car has a seven inch touchscreen, but the software is a bit slow; at least Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard h?
The Kadjar feels composed and secure, although the suspension struggles on poorer surfaces
Official renaultco.uk Forums renaultkadjarforum.com renaultforums co.uk facebookcom/renaultkadjarforum cabin, but with the all new Renault Austral on sale next year, the gloss has worn off its predecessor a bit That’s only natural now that the Kadjar is seven years old, but running costs should still be low and comfort levels high Just be sure to check that everything works before buying especially all of the electronics.
There’s room for three adults; the optional panoramic glass sunroof eats into headroom, though
31 August 2022 65wwwautoexpress co uk
Verdict RENAULT was slow to launch its first mid sized SUV, but the Kadjar was worth waiting for It was our Crossover of the Year at launch and this was backed up by impressive Driver Power scores When we ran a Kadjar dCi for 10 months and 22,000 miles we quickly warmed to its 52mpg economy, refinement, comfort and spacious
Which one? WE wouldn’t steer you away from any of the engines; none offers blistering performance but all are frugal enough However, if you want an automatic, the EDC dual clutch ’box is much nicer to use than the X Tronic CVT Entry level Expression+ trim is fairly spartan but has cruise control, electric windows, air con, hill start assist and Bluetooth Dynamique Nav adds 17 inch alloy wheels, dual zone climate control, automatic headlights and wipers, seven inch touchscreen infotainment and extra driver aids Dynamique S Nav has front and rear parking sensors, 19 inch wheels, synthetic leather trim and electric door mirrors, while Signature Nav adds LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof and an upgraded hi fi. The range topping Signature S Nav features a rear parking camera, leather trim and blind spot warning
RENAULT has recalled the Kadjar six times so far, the first in January 2016 because of a possibility of brake servo failure, but not failure of the brakes altogether Two campaigns were issued in April 2016, one because of the side airbags failing to deploy properly in the event of a collision, and the other because of a chance of seatbelt malfunction during a collision Release number four was issued in September 2017, once again because of side airbag glitches. Faulty catalytic converters were the reason behind the fifth recall in July 2020 Just two cars were affected though, having been built in October 2019 The most recent Kadjar recall was issued in August 2020, affecting more than 45,000 cars built up to July 2018, to fix faulty child door locks
BUYINGCARS
Prices for a 2018 Kadjar 1.2 TCe 130. Dealer figures supplied by Sutton ParkRenault (wwwsuttonparkgroupcouk) Independent prices from EuroCarParts(www.eurocarparts.com) Dealer price Independentprice Part Frontbrake pads(axle set) £122 81 £34 44 £60 47 Frontbrake discs(pair) £183 10 £94 88 £146 88 Door mirror glass(electric) £80 86 £34 31 £43 55 Frontwiper set £26 93 £15 13 £36 71
Recalls Partwatch
Websites
Alternatives MID sized crossovers are very popular, so there are lots to choose from The Nissan Qashqai shares a lot with the Kadjar and is plentiful, while the Hyundai Tucson and its cousin, the Kia Sportage, are well equipped, good value and come with long warranties Also related to each other are the SEAT Ateca, Skoda Karoq and Volkswagen Tiguan; they’re solidly constructed, easy to live with and come with some impressive engines, while the Mazda CX 5 is great to drive, stylish and has an impressive cabin The Ford Kuga is dynamically capable and well equipped, while the Peugeot 3008 is another great looking car with an impressive interior The Toyota RAV4 is also worth considering for its reliability, bold design and efficient hybrid powertrain
REAR SEATS
wwwautoexpress co uk66 31 August 2022 Ford EcoSport 1.0 EcoBoost 140 Years: 2018 to date Engine: 1 0 litre 3cyl turbo petrol, 138bhp Transmission: 6 spd auto/FWD Kerbweight: 1,205kg 0 62mph: 10 2 seconds Top speed: 115mph Boot capacity (seats up/down) 355 litres/1,238 litres Ins. group: 14 Official econ./CO2: 47 1mpg/136g/km INTERIOR All versions get an eight inch touchscreen Material quality has improved since car’s launch, but cabin is quite noisy Volkswagen T-Roc 1.5 TSI Evo Years: 2017 to date Engine: 1 5 litre 4cyl turbo petrol, 148bhp Transmission: 6 spd man/FWD Kerbweight: 1,330kg 0 62mph: 8 6 seconds Top speed: 127mph Boot capacity (seats up/down) 445 litres/1,290 litres Ins. group: 18 Official econ./CO2: 47 1mpg/135g/km CABIN A facelift in 2020 brought better interior quality, but the colourful inserts that brightened the dash were dropped Searchthousandsofnewandusedcarsonline In association with Littlewonders Looking for an SUV alternative to a supermini? We put three crossover options to the test
wwwautoexpress co uk 31 August 2022 67 UsedsmallSUV tripletest BUYINGCARS Mazda CX-3 2.0 SkyActiv-G 120 Years: 2015 to 2020 Engine: 2 0 litre 4cyl petrol, 118bhp Transmission: 6 spd man/FWD Kerbweight: 1,230kg 0 62mph: 9 1 seconds Top speed: 119mph Boot capacity (seats up/down) 350 litres/1,260 litres Ins. group: 15 Official econ./CO2: 48 7mpg/116g/km
INSIDE High grade CX 3 cabin is packed full of equipment, while the materials used are decent and the seats supportive MOST mainstream manufacturers can’t help but dip their toes into the lucrative small SUV market, especially since demand for this style of car has massively increased in recent years. The upshot of this is more variety for second-hand buyers. If you’re looking for a more spacious, high riding alternative to a supermini, then one of the three crossovers in this test could be the answer. The Ford EcoSport didn’t set the class alight when it arrived in 2014, but the Fiesta based crossover has been updated to help bring it into contention. It aims to attract buyers with its chunky looks and EcoBoost engines, but can the Ford outdo the Mazda CX 3? This sporty model looks sleek while offering a great balance of comfort and agility. Or could Volkswagen’s T Roc edge it out with its comfortable set up and strong practicality? The VW is the most expensive used option here, but is it good enough to justify the extra cost? Read on to find out
the T Roc by at least £4,000 A low mileage 2015 example can cost closer to £11,000, with the mildly updated 2018 model commanding from £12,000 buyacar co uk/mazda/cx 3/cx 3 hatchback FROM £8,800 1.5d SE-L Nav
UsedsmallSUVtripletest
IN many ways, the Mazda CX 3 embodies the firm’s biggest strengths: striking design, solid quality and dynamics that mix it with the best cars in this class.
FOR Smart design inside and out, engaging handling for an SUV, cabin build quality impresses in this company AGAINST Tight back seats for the size of the car, boot could also be bigger
THE CX 3 doesn’t nail all bases quite as well as the Volkswagen, but it’s an accomplished crossover Its shortfalls are offset by lower pricing than the T Roc on the used market.
MazdaCX-3
1st MazdaCX-3
While it’s not perfect, the CX 3 has price on its side against the Volkswagen
wwwautoexpress co uk68 31 August 2022
Space is tight in the rear seats and sloping roof might cut headroom for tall adults Boot capacity is 350 litres
BUYINGCARS
The CX 3 is more of a mixed bag inside Build quality is great, but the seven inch infotainment touchscreen looks out of place on top of the dash, and it’s not the most intuitive set up to use. Rear legroom isn’t that much better than in the 2, while the 350 litre boot capacity considerably trails the VW’s, although it’s similar in size to the Ford’s Verdict from £10,000, undercutting
The car rides on the same platform as the 2 hatchback, and Mazda has translated that car’s pert looks to a taller model with decent success, and the CX 3’s lines help to disguise the extra bulk. It’s not entirely hidden from behind the wheel, though, and the CX 3 isn’t quite as athletic as the 2 through the bends Yet it’s still one of the most enjoyable small SUVs to drive, with well weighted steering, decent body control and composed damping The 2 0 litre naturally aspirated petrol engine doesn’t have the broad spread of torque of its rivals here, but it’s quicker than the Ford when you work it hard.
USED DEAL MAZDA CX-3 2.0 SkyActiv SE L 2015, 48,000 miles PRICE £10,650 A DECENT used CX 3 costs
as an all round SUV, but you do pay a hefty price
VW’s crossover is the best car here, but its high price means it’s pipped by CX-3
GIVEN that it’s the priciest, most premium option here, the Volkswagen T Roc must do more than simply beat its rivals; it needs to impress enough to be worth the considerable extra financial outlay Outside, the T Roc looks modern and crisp The generic but attractive styling is indicative of how the T Roc drives; the Mazda is more engaging, but it acquits itself very well The VW is composed on the move, prioritising comfort over agility, although it can be unsettled by sharp road imperfections The 1.5 litre TSI petrol variant is a fine performer, and is hushed and refined yet flexible on the move The VW’s interior feels durable rather than opulent Most of the plastics are hard, and some softer materials would be welcome to better reflect the car’s price The Mazda’s dash is more eye catching, but the switchgear is at least logically laid out and VW’s infotainment system is the slickest here The T Roc pulls ahead in terms of versatility, too; the rear seats can comfortably accommodate six foot adults, and the 445 litre boot is bigger than its rivals’ The square opening and level lip also make loading easier rivals Petrol FOR Turbocharged engine is gutsy, modern technology and slick infotainment, roomy cabin AGAINST Expensive to buy second hand compared with rivals here, Mazda is
ON balance, the T Roc is the best crossover of this trio However, the Volkswagen doesn’t pull far enough ahead to justify its steep asking price on the used market.
Verdict VolkswagenT-Roc USED DEAL VOLKSWAGEN T-ROC 1.5 TSI petrol SE, 2018, 52,000 miles PRICE £16,799 THE Volkswagen edges its
Two six-foot-tall adults will be comfortable in the back; the 445 litre boot is 65 litres larger than the VW Golf’s 2nd VolkswagenT-Roc
powered 1 5 TSI models start from almost £15,000, with a 2018, 52,000 mile example costing £16,799 buyacar co uk/volkswagen/t roc/ t roc hatchback FROM £14,000 1.6 TDI SE
sharper to drive
31 August 2022 69wwwautoexpress co uk UsedsmallSUVtripletest
BUYINGCARS
You get some sense of the Fiesta derived underpinnings on the move, with direct steering and a slick gearshift, but the EcoSport can’t match the Mazda’s ride and handling compromise, hopping over bumps and never truly settling down The EcoBoost engine is a willing unit in 138bhp guise though, besting the CX 3 for in gear performance
The plastics don’t feel particularly low rent and it’s well made on the whole, despite lagging behind the CX 3 Tall adults will be tight for legroom in the back, and while the 355 litre boot edges the Mazda, the EcoSport’s side hinged tailgate is an annoyance can pick up a 138bhp EcoBoost ST Line for less than £12,000, placing it in the middle of this trio in terms of price. Models with fewer than 40,000 miles on the clock can cost over £13,000, however
THE EcoSport falls short of the Mazda and the VW without offering any strengths of its own The facelifted 138bhp model isn’t cheap to buy, so it ends up last here.
Headroom is fine, but rear-seat kneeroom is tighter for taller passengers Side hinged boot door is impractical
3
BUYINGCARS
THE Ford EcoSport wasn’t initially designed for Europe, and this was evident when it arrived here, because it failed to trouble the best small SUVs available However, a 2018 facelift did at least unlock some extra style, with a more aggressive front end in place of the original’s slightly podgy appearance
FOR Decent engine compared with rivals’ units, well equipped for the price, chunky, rugged looks will appeal to some AGAINST Lacklustre driving dynamics for a car of this class, rivals are better built, particularly when it comes to the interior rd Blue Oval’s crossover is match its rivals
70 31 August 2022 wwwautoexpress co uk
The EcoSport uses Ford’s SYNC3 infotainment. It’s not the snappiest system but it gets the job done, and the cabin quality took a step up with the facelift
A revised chassis also came as part of the updates, but it remains a mixed bag
Verdict YOU
for
in this test FordEcoSport USED DEAL FORD ECOSPORT 1.0 litre EcoBoost ST Line, 2018, 36,000 miles PRICE £13,669
FordEcoSport
buyacar co uk/ford/ecosport/ecosport hatchback FROM £10,000 1.0 EcoBoost Zetec
no
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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 £21325 1 4 T Jet (165) 595 Turismo 42 2 7 3 152 30 £22325 1 4 T Jet (165) F595 42 2 7 3 153 30 £22325 1 4 T Jet (180) 695 40 9 6 7 156 34 £24525 1 4 T Jet (180) 695 Turismo 40 9 6 7 156 34 £25325 1 4 T Jet (180) 695 Competizione 40 9 6 7 156 35 £27235 1 4 T Jt (180) 695 Tributo 131 Rally 40 9 6 7 156 35 £32325 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 £39929 2 0T (280) auto Veloce 38 2 5 7 167 34 £45179 2 0T (280) auto Estrema 38 2 5 7 168 34 £50579 2 9 V6TT (510) auto Quadrifoglio 28 2 3 9 227 46 £73999 Stelvio 4687x1903mm EURO NCAP HHHHH HHH DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 2 0T (200) auto AWD Sprint 33 2 7 2 191 30 £48075 2 0T (280) auto AWD Veloce 32 5 5 7 197 30 £53775 2 0T (280) auto AWD Estrema 32 5 5 7 197 30 £59999 2 9 V6TT (510) at AWD Q fog io 23 9 3 8 267 50 £78719 2 2D (190) auto AWD Sprint 47 1 7 6 156 30 £45999 2 2D (210) auto AWD Veloce 45 6 6 6 163 30 £51699 2 2D (210) auto AWD Estrema 45 6 6 6 164 30 £57999 ALPINA Dealers: 7 / Warranty: 3 years/60000 mi es D3 4719x1827mm, EURO NCAP N/A DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 3 0TT (355) auto AWD D3 S saloon 40 9 4 6 182 50 £60100 3 0TT (355) at AWD D3 S Touring 40 9 4 8 182 50 £61600 B3 4719x1827mm EURO NCAP N A DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 3 0TT (462) auto AWD B3 saloon 28 0 3 8 229 50 £77900 3 0TT (462) auto AWD B3 Touring 28 0 3 9 229 50 £79000 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 4979x1868mm, EURO NCAP N/A DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 3 0TT (326) auto AWD D5 S 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 mi es 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 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 £168300 4 0 V8TT (707) auto DBX707 19 9 3 3 323 50 £192300 Vantage 4465x1942mm EURO NCAP N/A DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 4 0 V8TT (510) auto Vantage 24 4 3 6 236 50 £129900 4 0 V8TT (535) auto Vantage F1 Ed 24 3 3 6 264 50 £152500 4 0 V8TT (510) auto Roadster 24 3 3 8 263 50 £136300 4 0 V8TT (535) at Roadster F1 Ed 24 3 3 7 264 50 £158900 DB11 4739x1940mm EURO NCAP N/A DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 4 0 V8TT (528) auto DB11 25 1 4 0 254 50 £161265 4 0 V8TT (528) auto DB11 Volante 25 0 4 1 257 50 £174300 5 2 V12TT (630) auto DB11 21 1 3 7 303 50 £174900 DBS 4712x1940mm EURO NCAP N/A DRIVER POWER POS: N/A 5 2 V12TT (715) auto DBS 20 9 3 4 306 50 £251800 5 2 V12TT (715) auto DBS Volante 21 0 3 6 306 50 £271500 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 Edition 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 line: add £1900 to Sport, Vorsprung: add £7750 to S3 add £7250 to RS 3 Carbon Black: 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 £82865 93kWh (598) quattro auto RS 286 3 3 0 50 £113915 93kWh (598) quat at RS Carbon Bl 286 3 3 0 50 £127505 Vorsprung add £26100 to e tron GT add £8800 to RS e tron GT Carbon B ack 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 TFSI (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 TDI 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 £45365 82kWh (204) 40 e tron auto Sport 320 8 5 0 29 £49605 82kWh (299) 50 e tron qt at Sport 303 6 2 0 37 £55985 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 2 0 (265) 45 TFSI quattro at Sport 33 6 6 1 192 38 £49495 2 0 (265) 45 TFSI quattro at S l ne 33 6 6 1 192 38 £52045 2 0 (299) 50 TFSI e quat at Sport 188 3 6 1 36 40 £55415 2 0 (367) 50 TFSI e quat at S line 188 3 6 1 36 41 £57965 2 0 (204) 40 TDI quattro at Sport 44 8 7 6 166 35 £48425 2 0 (204) 40 TD quattro at S l ne 44 8 7 6 166 35 £50975 3 0 TD (341) quattro auto SQ5 34 0 5 1 216 45 £61945 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 e tron 4986x1995mm EURO NCAP HHHHH HOW OUR GUIDE WORKS
INSURANCE: Group rating as quoted by the Association of British Insurers WARRANTY: Next to each manufacturer’s name is the basic warranty period in months and miles for the mechanicals, corrosion and paintwork EVs and hybrids will have dedicated battery cover
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:
WILL IT FIT? Is your garage big enough? Our measurements show the length and width of each model, but remember estate and performance variants may be bigger DRIVER POWER POSITION: Auto Express’s survey canvasses results from tens of thousands of motorists Models are rated by drivers, then ranked against others on sale in the UK The lower the number, the higher the score a model achieved
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
EURO NCAP RATING: At the start of each model is its Euro NCAP crash test safety rating (if available) The maximum score is five stars, although the test has been made tougher over the years, so ratings aren’t comparable between vehicles
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Pick up trucks: The models listed here pay a flat rate of road tax at £295 per year carbuyer.co.uk data car
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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
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VEHICLES OVER £40,000 Electric vehicle: £0 Alternative fuel: £510 Petrol/diesel: £520 After five years, vehicles costing more than £40 000 revert to the ower rates
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
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
“Sustainability is key” to power as the 1 6 litre turbocharged engine The combustion engine element will also be required to run on sustainable fuel a prerequisite, Audi says, for its entry into the sport Audi has also referenced the broadening audience base F1 is enjoying. It said in a statement, “In 2021, more than 1 5 billion TV viewers watched the races Formula One is popular in key markets such as China and the USA, and the trend continues to rise even among young target groups ” As for which team Audi will be supplying engines to, it’s thought that the firm could buy a majority stake in Markus Duesmann Audi CEO “Motorsport is an integral part of Audi’s DNA. With the new rules, now is the right time to get involved.
80 31 August 2022 SPORT All the action from the world of motorsport AlastairCrooks Alastair Crooks@autoviacouk @AllieCrooks
“For the development and manufacture of the Formula One powertrain, we will build on the valuable expertise of our motorsport employees, continue to invest in our motorsports centre, and also recruit highly specialised professionals,” said Audi Sport Managing Director Julius Seebach, who will be succeeded by Rolf Michl in September.
At a press conference at the Belgian Grand Prix, Audi CEO Markus Duesmann said: “Motorsport is an integral part of Audi’s DNA Formula One is both a global stage for our brand and a highly challenging development laboratory. The combination of high performance and competition is always a driver of innovation and technology transfer in our industry With the new rules, now is the right time for us to get involved. After all, Formula One and Audi both pursue clear sustainability goals ” The 2026 season will move to a new set of technical regulations, including manufacturers agreeing to abandon the complex motor generator unit from the turbocharged V6 hybrid powertrains used in F1 since 2014 New suppliers, such as Audi, will receive extra testing time and larger spending allowances Before then, power unit manufacturers will also be hit with a development cost cap from 2023 Audi will develop its own engine near to its Ingolstadt headquarters It will be overseen by Audi’s new F1 CEO, Adam Baker, who has served as the FIA’s Safety Director in the past The brand’s new power unit will be the first F1 powertrain built in Germany for over a decade.
F1 powertrains will undergo a hefty overhaul from 2026, with an increase in power output from the new units’ electrical side Audi says it’s possible the electric motor will produce as much
● German firm joining in 2026
F1 and Audi both pursue sustainability goals”
● Likely to team-up with Sauber AUDI has announced it will compete in Formula One from 2026 the same year new engine regulations come into force After years of speculation surrounding it joining the series, Audi has highlighted F1’s plans to become more sustainable and cost efficient as key reasons behind its decision
As for Ricciardo, an empty seat at his old employer Alpine might be his best option for the 2024 season.
31 August 2022 81 Audi-branded F1 car accompanied the announcement of firm’s series debut Sauber The squad currently uses Alfa Romeo badged Ferrari engines, but if Audi takes over it will acquire naming rights to the team in the process. In a further development, Alfa Romeo released a statement shortly after Audi’s announcement saying its partnership with Sauber will end before 2024. Formula One president Stefano Domenicali spoke about Audi’s future plans “This is a major moment for our sport that highlights the huge strength we have as a global platform that continues to grow ” Audi’s entry may not be the only VW Group F1 commitment we’ll see this decade The confirmation of the 2026 regulations means Porsche could also join The Stuttgart firm has been widely tipped to re enter the sport as an engine manufacturer, possibly in partnership with Red Bull The last time Porsche competed in Formula One was as an engine supplier to the Footwork Arrows team in 1991.
news inbrief World Rallycross returns to Lativa WITH the Hungarian and Swedish rounds of the World Rallycross Championship cancelled and the German event rescheduled, the fast paced WRX series heads to its second round in Riga, Latvia this weekend. Every car in the World RX series now features electric power for the first time, but the RX1e class already looks very familiar, with four-time and defending champion Johan Kristoffersson leading the way after the season opener in Hell, Norway. The Swede will be looking for his fifth race win in Latvia, the most out of any World RX driver since the series launched in 2014 Timmy Hansen shouldn’t be discounted, either, because he’s a former race winner at Riga and is second in standings.
Daniel Ricciardo set to leave McLaren McLAREN and Daniel Ricciardo have mutually agreed to part ways, with the Australian driver set to leave the Formula One team at the end of this season Eight time Formula One race winner Ricciardo (below) took to his social media channels to announce his exit: “It’s bittersweet We put in a lot of effort on both sides, but it’s just not worked the way we wanted. For the rest of this year I’ll continue to give it my all”.
Ricciardo is still the only McLaren driver in the past 10 years to win an F1 race, with victory in 2021 at the Italian Grand Prix. Fellow Aussie Oscar Piastri is tipped to take over in 2023
Audi’s F1 entry
AudientersF1 SPORT
Alfa Romeo’s styling secrets A complete guide to driving electric Insights into the world of electric vehicle ownership, as told by you!
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One of these professional truckers working for a leading UK logistics company phoned me to say he’d arrived, parked his car transporter and was preparing to unload a vehicle or two for me at the “Farnborough International” venue his corporate employer had clearly (I saw the paperwork) dispatched him to. Trouble was, he’d been sent to Farnborough International Airport a very different place to the Farnborough International Exhibition Centre, several road miles away “This sort of thing happens all day, every day,” he assured me.
Motoring’s most outspoken and opinionated columnist sounds off
Another dilemma for some truckers sent to pick up a minority of brand new cars from stands at the Brit show was created by expensive, hi tech models that were utterly and embarrassingly stuck, because of dead 12 volt batteries
Question 1: In 2022, how the hell can a state of the art, factory fresh, manufacturer supplied vehicle end up with a flat, useless battery simply because a few showgoers opened passenger and luggage doors/hatchbacks for a few hours?
We meet the man at the head of the firm’s design-led renaissance
For starters, there was the little matter of getting well over £100million worth of cars delivered to the show venue. I was only responsible for receiving about half a million pounds worth of vehicles for my busy Best Cars of the Year stand. But I was staggered by the lack of information trucking companies provide to their hapless drivers, some of whom through no fault of their own had next to no idea where they were supposed to be going
Q3: To add to the frustrating insanity, such cars also go into ‘locked/seized’ parking brake mode, which meant they couldn’t even be wheeled off or towed away from the stands where one or two of them were pathetically beached for hours, if not days
Behind the wheel of Brit firm’s all-new Porsche Cayenne rival
Rutherford Mike Doyou with Mike? Newsl Product tests Drives l Features & Sport Range Rover Sport
I know because I personally saw and photographed the vehicles that were inexplicably, hopelessly and unacceptably stranded by flat battery syndrome or parking brake seizure long after our show closed its doors to the public
YOU wouldn’t believe what goes on behind the scenes at a major car exhibition like The British Motor Show, which ended last week and was so well received by public, trade and industry that its 2023 dates (17 20 Aug) have already been confirmed
So why should we care? Because it proves what I’ve long been saying that a huge part of the road congestion, pollution, wasted fuel/time problem is solely down to countless drivers and riders hopelessly driving or riding around in circles searching for precise delivery/collection addresses
Q2: Why do such fast depleting batteries often result in cars being automatically unlocked and unlockable, leading to obvious safety, security and insurance issues?
wwwautoexpress co uk82 31 August 2022 BACKCHAT Join the debate now at autoexpress.co.uk/opinion next week onsale Wednesday 7 Sept DRIVEN FEATURE
A huge part of the road congestion problem is down to delivery drivers and riders going round in circles
Have your say at facebook.com/autoexpress @The Rutherford SPECIAL ISSUE ●
The manufacturers two European, one Asian haven’t yet explained to me why and how their cars seized up, temporarily died and proved so difficult to be resuscitated or towed. I’ve given them a couple of weeks to complete their respective post mortem results When they get back to me, I’ll report back to you
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