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86 Articles

Lib Dems are too eager to kill off diesel cars

LAST week I unwisely chose the Liberal Democrats’ Election manifesto for a bit of bedtime reading. This was a bad idea, as rather than relax me it got me rather irate, plus it contained elements of fantasy more suited to the sort of books I read my young daughters at that time of night. Chief source of my irritation was the suggestion that sales of diesel cars and small vans should be banned in the UK from 2025. The policy suggestion wasn’t entirely unexpected; this is ground that the Lib Dems have been over before. But frankly, it’s an affront on every level. Firstly, the timeframe is particularly fearsome, and unrealistic. It completely fails to acknowledge the effort and investment the industry has put in to produce the latest Euro 6-compliant diesels,…

Lib Dems are too eager to kill off diesel cars

We hit road in all-new Volvo XC60

▪ Sharp-looking new Volvo SUV has Jaguar F-Pace in its sights ▪ Shares design and platform with acclaimed XC90 big brother Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk @stevefowler IT’S been a remarkable couple of years for Volvo since the launch of the XC90. That car, along with the S90 saloon and V90 estate, has firmly established the maker as a proper premium brand, battling BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Jaguar and Land Rover. Now it’s the turn of Volvo’s 60-series cars, starting with the XC60 SUV. And if you thought the XC90 had it tough, this car is replacing the best-selling Volvo in history – and it’s up against the current Auto Express Car of the Year, Jaguar’s F-Pace. It also rivals the Audi Q5 and Mercedes GLC. Tough gig. The similarities between the XC60 and XC90 are clear. From the…

We hit road in all-new Volvo XC60

Skoda Yeti grows up into cool Karoq

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy SKODA was ahead of the curve when it launched the Yeti, one of the original small family SUVs. But now the market is dominated by the likes of the plusher, larger Nissan Qashqai and the Renault Kadjar, so the Czech manufacturer has gone for a more mature approach (and a change of name) for its new offering, the Karoq. Seen here in official images for the first time, the Karoq is a larger vehicle than the one it replaces. It’s 4,382mm long and 1,841mm wide – figures that are 160mm and almost 50mm up on the Yeti’s dimensions respectively. The Karoq’s wheelbase is 60mm longer, too, at 2,638mm if you choose a front-wheel-drive edition and 2,630mm for four-wheel-drive models. The new Skoda’s wheelbase figures are identical to those of front and four-wheeldrive…

Skoda Yeti grows up into cool Karoq

Lib Dems are too eager to kill off diesel cars

LAST week I unwisely chose the Liberal Democrats’ Election manifesto for a bit of bedtime reading. This was a bad idea, as rather than relax me it got me rather irate, plus it contained elements of fantasy more suited to the sort of books I read my young daughters at that time of night. Chief source of my irritation was the suggestion that sales of diesel cars and small vans should be banned in the UK from 2025. The policy suggestion wasn’t entirely unexpected; this is ground that the Lib Dems have been over before. But frankly, it’s an affront on every level. Firstly, the timeframe is particularly fearsome, and unrealistic. It completely fails to acknowledge the effort and investment the industry has put in to produce the latest Euro…

Lib Dems are too eager to kill off diesel cars

Wraps are finally off VW’s sizzling up! GTI

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods VOLKSWAGEN has officially revealed the up! GTI, which makes its debut at the famous Wörthersee GTI festival in Austria this week. We’ve already driven a prototype (see panel, right), and although VW describes this as a “near-production concept car”, it will be almost identical to the hot up! you can buy in the UK next year. Under the bonnet a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine serves up 113bhp and 200Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox, and the newest, smallest member of Volkswagen’s GTI family can sprint from 0-62mph in 8.8 seconds and will go on to a claimed top speed of 122mph. Volkswagen leaves us in no doubt as to how it sees the new up! GTI – it’s a spiritual successor to…

Wraps are finally off VW’s sizzling up! GTI

We hit road in all-new Volvo XC60

▪ Sharp-looking new Volvo SUV has Jaguar F-Pace in its sights ▪ Shares design and platform with acclaimed XC90 big brother Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk @stevefowler IT’S been a remarkable couple of years for Volvo since the launch of the XC90. That car, along with the S90 saloon and V90 estate, has firmly established the maker as a proper premium brand, battling BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Jaguar and Land Rover. Now it’s the turn of Volvo’s 60-series cars, starting with the XC60 SUV. And if you thought the XC90 had it tough, this car is replacing the best-selling Volvo in history – and it’s up against the current Auto Express Car of the Year, Jaguar’s F-Pace. It also rivals the Audi Q5 and Mercedes GLC. Tough gig. The similarities between the XC60 and XC90…

We hit road in all-new Volvo XC60

Skoda Yeti grows up into cool Karoq

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy SKODA was ahead of the curve when it launched the Yeti, one of the original small family SUVs. But now the market is dominated by the likes of the plusher, larger Nissan Qashqai and the Renault Kadjar, so the Czech manufacturer has gone for a more mature approach (and a change of name) for its new offering, the Karoq. Seen here in official images for the first time, the Karoq is a larger vehicle than the one it replaces. It’s 4,382mm long and 1,841mm wide – figures that are 160mm and almost 50mm up on the Yeti’s dimensions respectively. The Karoq’s wheelbase is 60mm longer, too, at 2,638mm if you choose a front-wheel-drive edition and 2,630mm for four-wheel-drive models. The new Skoda’s wheelbase figures are identical to those…

Skoda Yeti grows up into cool Karoq

Orange GT86 joins Toyota’s new Club TOYOTA has launched a new GT86 Orange Edition (above) – the first model in a new range known as Club Series. It features bespoke exterior details such as the orange paintwork and black mirrors, while inside black leather and Alcantara seats are offset by contrasting orange stitching. Under the bonnet, Toyota’s 197bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine remains unchanged. Prices start from £28,800. Smart traffic lights on trial next year INTELLIGENT traffic lights which will rely on over 2,500 roadside cameras and use technology from driverless cars will be trialled next year. The lights will be able to detect when queues are forming and alternate green light cycles to speed up traffic flow. They can also identify emergency vehicles and help them get through traffic quicker. The trial will take place…

I-Pace SUV leads Jag’s Formula E-tuned range

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn JAGUAR will take lessons learned from its Formula E racing programme to develop a whole range of future electric models – including the possibility of a sports car, according to bosses. Auto Express can reveal that the I-Pace SUV will kickstart the manufacturer’s EV roll-out. Based on completely new electrical architecture, the production version is set to make its public debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Design director Ian Callum told us at last month’s Shanghai Motor Show: “The [electric] ‘skateboard platform’ is the future, and we have to design a whole range of cars around it and accept what comes.” Jaguar is also working hard on the development of battery tech, targeting increasing efficiency while reducing the unit’s physical size. According to technical design director Wolfgang Ziebart, battery efficiency is…

I-Pace SUV leads Jag’s Formula E-tuned range

Wraps are finally off VW’s sizzling up! GTI

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods VOLKSWAGEN has officially revealed the up! GTI, which makes its debut at the famous Wörthersee GTI festival in Austria this week. We’ve already driven a prototype (see panel, right), and although VW describes this as a “near-production concept car”, it will be almost identical to the hot up! you can buy in the UK next year. Under the bonnet a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine serves up 113bhp and 200Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox, and the newest, smallest member of Volkswagen’s GTI family can sprint from 0-62mph in 8.8 seconds and will go on to a claimed top speed of 122mph. Volkswagen leaves us in no doubt as to how it sees the new up! GTI – it’s a…

Wraps are finally off VW’s sizzling up! GTI

Britain’s variable speed camera hotspots revealed

Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer THE UK’s variable speed camera hotspots have been revealed after new figures showed more than 210,000 motorists have been caught out by sudden speed limit changes and handed fines totalling at least £21million. Variable speed cameras, which can go down as low as 20mph on ‘smart’ motorways, have caught 210,538 drivers since 2013, according to figures from insurance comparison site Confused.com. The standard fine for speeding is £100 and three penalty points, although penalties can rise to £2,500 plus a driving ban. According to police records, drivers near Bristol have been hit with the most fines. Cameras on the stretch of M4 between J19 and J20 have been responsible for 40,320 penalty notices since going live in 2014. This is followed by cameras on the M5 in South Gloucestershire between J16 (Almondsbury)…

Britain’s variable speed camera hotspots revealed

Orange GT86 joins Toyota’s new Club TOYOTA has launched a new GT86 Orange Edition (above) – the first model in a new range known as Club Series. It features bespoke exterior details such as the orange paintwork and black mirrors, while inside black leather and Alcantara seats are offset by contrasting orange stitching. Under the bonnet, Toyota’s 197bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine remains unchanged. Prices start from £28,800. Smart traffic lights on trial next year INTELLIGENT traffic lights which will rely on over 2,500 roadside cameras and use technology from driverless cars will be trialled next year. The lights will be able to detect when queues are forming and alternate green light cycles to speed up traffic flow. They can also identify emergency vehicles and help them get through traffic…

James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor We get up close with BMW M4 CS TO keep its M4 at the top of the performance coupé tree, BMW has introduced a special version: the CS. As well as reviving a famous name, the new car delivers 454bhp from its 3.0-litre turbo (up 29bhp on the standard car), tweaked suspension, plus the bonnet, roof, front splitter, rear diffuser and driveshaft are made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic. Our video reveals all. Land Rover fans’ view of new Disco THE new Land Rover Discovery has already impressed us – especially with its impeccable blend of off-road ability and a luxurious, hi-tech cabin. But what do Land Rover fans make of it? We brought together owners of the four previous generations of the car to find out what they think. You can watch any of our…

L200’s service history proves a real grey area

IF you’re looking to buy a secondhand car, then you’re going to want to reduce risk by insisting on one with a full service history. That’s the vital paperwork that shows the car has been regularly checked – with stamps from franchised dealers or independent garages. This not only acts as a reassuring seal of approval, showing the car’s been well looked after, but the service history also increases that car’s value. No wonder reader Chris Wickens of Penshurst, Kent, was so annoyed when his Mitsubishi L200 was delivered with the book missing. He’d bought the six-yearold pick-up last summer from franchised dealer Humphries and Parks, Maidstone, on the promise of a full service history. He says the garage initially tried to track down the paperwork, but nine months later, he contacted…

L200’s service history proves a real grey area

I-Pace SUV leads Jag’s Formula E-tuned range

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn JAGUAR will take lessons learned from its Formula E racing programme to develop a whole range of future electric models – including the possibility of a sports car, according to bosses. Auto Express can reveal that the I-Pace SUV will kickstart the manufacturer’s EV roll-out. Based on completely new electrical architecture, the production version is set to make its public debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Design director Ian Callum told us at last month’s Shanghai Motor Show: “The [electric] ‘skateboard platform’ is the future, and we have to design a whole range of cars around it and accept what comes.” Jaguar is also working hard on the development of battery tech, targeting increasing efficiency while reducing the unit’s physical size. According to technical design director Wolfgang Ziebart,…

I-Pace SUV leads Jag’s Formula E-tuned range

Martin Saarinen

FOR those living in cities, there remains one key obstacle to electric car ownership – where to charge them? According to the Government’s Go Ultra Low campaign, 90 per cent of EV charging takes place at home, so unless you’re one of the few lucky ones with a driveway or a garage and access to a plug, chances are that EV ownership just isn’t right for you – at least yet. The public charging infrastructure is growing, but as Auto Express previously highlighted, it is struggling to keep up with electric vehicle uptake – the ratio of EVs to chargers has grown from 0.78 to 7.32 in the last four years, and is close to breaching the maximum 10 in one ratio for commercial success as set by the European Commission.…

Martin Saarinen

White lies on black boxes from parents

PARENTS of young drivers have been found lying about installing a ‘black box’ telematics device in their child’s vehicle. According to telematics insurer Insure The Box, many parents across the UK lie about installing a telematics device in their child’s car, hoping they’ll be safer drivers as a result. Telematics devices have been found to improve driver safety, with some studies finding a 58 per cent drop in speeding and fines. However, the insurer said although the placebo effect of a device can improve driving, it doesn’t replace feedback, such as driver scores, or the embedded safety features, such as contacting emergency services in an accident, that an actual device comes with. Young drivers also won’t be offered cheaper insurance for good driving. Simon Rewell, road safety manager at Insure The Box, said:…

White lies on black boxes from parents

HISTORY CHECKER

cap hpi consumer and retail editor www.hpicheck.com THE first quarter of 2017 got off to a strong start for UK car sales. At the beginning of the year, the domestic used car market was the strongest it had been since 2004 – a 13-year high. In line with industry expectations, it proved to be a record first quarter, with analysis of sales showing significant growth before the new Vehicle Excise Duty rates brought about a significant drop in April. The overall strength of the new car market can be attributed to the continued growth of PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) finance and the fact motorists are now almost as likely to change their cars as often as they do mobile phones. The ‘iPhonification’ of the motor industry is changing the way we own cars,…

HISTORY CHECKER

Britain’s variable speed camera hotspots revealed

Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer THE UK’s variable speed camera hotspots have been revealed after new figures showed more than 210,000 motorists have been caught out by sudden speed limit changes and handed fines totalling at least £21million. Variable speed cameras, which can go down as low as 20mph on ‘smart’ motorways, have caught 210,538 drivers since 2013, according to figures from insurance comparison site Confused.com. The standard fine for speeding is £100 and three penalty points, although penalties can rise to £2,500 plus a driving ban. According to police records, drivers near Bristol have been hit with the most fines. Cameras on the stretch of M4 between J19 and J20 have been responsible for 40,320 penalty notices since going live in 2014. This is followed by cameras on the M5 in South…

Britain’s variable speed camera hotspots revealed

James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor We get up close with BMW M4 CS TO keep its M4 at the top of the performance coupé tree, BMW has introduced a special version: the CS. As well as reviving a famous name, the new car delivers 454bhp from its 3.0-litre turbo (up 29bhp on the standard car), tweaked suspension, plus the bonnet, roof, front splitter, rear diffuser and driveshaft are made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic. Our video reveals all. Land Rover fans’ view of new Disco THE new Land Rover Discovery has already impressed us – especially with its impeccable blend of off-road ability and a luxurious, hi-tech cabin. But what do Land Rover fans make of it? We brought together owners of the four previous generations of the car to find out what they…

HOT TOPIC Ford’s GT supercar

FROM: Wiley INTERESTING approach from Ford using the Le Mans 24 Hours-winning race car as a base for the road car. I can see the benefits this will have on the track against rivals from the likes of Ferrari, but am not sure how well it translates to the road. Race cars make poor road cars. FROM: Lucky Luciano TO me Ford has taken the correct approach with the GT. Some of the greatest supercars have always been intended with the track in mind. The moment you start to make too many compromises for road use, you lose driver involvement. Inbox What do you think? Contact Lawrence Allan Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ▪ “It appears Ford’s design team created this car to beat every other existing hypercar currently on sale. Well done Ford.” Beatstick ▪…

HOT TOPIC Ford’s GT supercar

HAILING A BRIGHTER FUTURE

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn ONCE the bedrock of the UK automotive industry, the Midlands have been through tumultuous times over the past 60 years. In the fifties Coventry alone was home to 12 different manufacturers and played a fundamental role in cementing the UK’s car making industry as the second biggest in the world and the country as the largest exporter of cars during that period. Today, of those 12 makers, only Jaguar has survived after waves of economic uncertainty – starting with an increase in competition from manufacturing in mainland Europe and the US and Japan in the seventies – hit the region hard. Fast-forward nearly 50 years, however, and a new wave of investment has landed on the Midlands’ doorstep, breathing new life into an area which was once the automotive heartland of…

HAILING A BRIGHTER FUTURE

L200’s service history proves a real grey area

IF you’re looking to buy a secondhand car, then you’re going to want to reduce risk by insisting on one with a full service history. That’s the vital paperwork that shows the car has been regularly checked – with stamps from franchised dealers or independent garages. This not only acts as a reassuring seal of approval, showing the car’s been well looked after, but the service history also increases that car’s value. No wonder reader Chris Wickens of Penshurst, Kent, was so annoyed when his Mitsubishi L200 was delivered with the book missing. He’d bought the six-yearold pick-up last summer from franchised dealer Humphries and Parks, Maidstone, on the promise of a full service history. He says the garage initially tried to track down the paperwork, but nine months later,…

L200’s service history proves a real grey area

Martin Saarinen

FOR those living in cities, there remains one key obstacle to electric car ownership – where to charge them? According to the Government’s Go Ultra Low campaign, 90 per cent of EV charging takes place at home, so unless you’re one of the few lucky ones with a driveway or a garage and access to a plug, chances are that EV ownership just isn’t right for you – at least yet. The public charging infrastructure is growing, but as Auto Express previously highlighted, it is struggling to keep up with electric vehicle uptake – the ratio of EVs to chargers has grown from 0.78 to 7.32 in the last four years, and is close to breaching the maximum 10 in one ratio for commercial success as set by the European…

Martin Saarinen

Running costs 76.4mpg (official) £53 fill-u Performance 0-62mph/top speed 11.4 secs/112mph Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan THE small crossover market is pretty saturated already, but over the next 12 months buyers will have even more choice. We’ve got a pair of rhyming newcomers in the form of SEAT’s Arona and the Hyundai Kona – both due this year – plus the secondgeneration Nissan Juke arrives in 2018. But they’ll all have the Renault Captur as the car to beat; it was the best-selling model in this class in Europe last year. To ensure it keeps pace with new rivals, and to bring it up to date with the glut of updated Renaults that have also debuted recently, the Captur has been given a series of mid-life nips and tucks. Minor though they are, the visual changes bestow the car…

White lies on black boxes from parents

PARENTS of young drivers have been found lying about installing a ‘black box’ telematics device in their child’s vehicle. According to telematics insurer Insure The Box, many parents across the UK lie about installing a telematics device in their child’s car, hoping they’ll be safer drivers as a result. Telematics devices have been found to improve driver safety, with some studies finding a 58 per cent drop in speeding and fines. However, the insurer said although the placebo effect of a device can improve driving, it doesn’t replace feedback, such as driver scores, or the embedded safety features, such as contacting emergency services in an accident, that an actual device comes with. Young drivers also won’t be offered cheaper insurance for good driving. Simon Rewell, road safety manager at Insure…

White lies on black boxes from parents

Skoda Rapid Spaceback

Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.8 seconds/124mph Running costs 61.4mpg (official) £65 fill-up Sam_Naylor@dennis.co.uk @SamNaylor_AE SKODA has been hard at work so far in 2017, refreshing its range in an attempt to keep pace with the recently revealed Kodiaq SUV. Now, even the Rapid – the brand’s smallest-selling car in the UK – has been given a light facelift. Here we’re driving the more desirable Spaceback, which sits alongside the rather dull and dreary-looking hatchback and takes the overwhelming majority of the Rapid’s sales in Britain. There are a few changes to the lights and front bumper, but the new look is very subtle. Instead, the important details are under the bonnet. In place of the old 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine, Skoda has fitted new, downsized 1.0 units with either 94bhp or 109bhp. Both claim more than…

Skoda Rapid Spaceback

HISTORY CHECKER

cap hpi consumer and retail editor www.hpicheck.com THE first quarter of 2017 got off to a strong start for UK car sales. At the beginning of the year, the domestic used car market was the strongest it had been since 2004 – a 13-year high. In line with industry expectations, it proved to be a record first quarter, with analysis of sales showing significant growth before the new Vehicle Excise Duty rates brought about a significant drop in April. The overall strength of the new car market can be attributed to the continued growth of PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) finance and the fact motorists are now almost as likely to change their cars as often as they do mobile phones. The ‘iPhonification’ of the motor industry is changing the way…

HISTORY CHECKER

Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.2 seconds/155mph Running costs 134mpg (official) £59 fill-up Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan FOR two decades now, if you were given an executive saloon as a company car it would have almost certainly had a diesel engine. The market has been skewed toward the black pump for economy and CO2 savings, but now there’s a breed of petrol plug-ins entering the fray. And we’re testing the Mercedes E 350 e for the first time in the UK. Like the BMW 530e we drove a few weeks ago (Issue 1,470), this is the first plug-in E-Class. The previous-generation dieselelectric E 300 BlueTEC couldn’t be charged from a socket, so only claimed 67mpg. The E 350 e claims 134mpg and 57g/km, which is slightly down on the BMW but is still impressive. As a result it has…

HOT TOPIC Ford’s GT supercar

FROM: Wiley INTERESTING approach from Ford using the Le Mans 24 Hours-winning race car as a base for the road car. I can see the benefits this will have on the track against rivals from the likes of Ferrari, but am not sure how well it translates to the road. Race cars make poor road cars. FROM: Lucky Luciano TO me Ford has taken the correct approach with the GT. Some of the greatest supercars have always been intended with the track in mind. The moment you start to make too many compromises for road use, you lose driver involvement. Inbox What do you think? Contact Lawrence Allan Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ▪ “It appears Ford’s design team created this car to beat every other existing hypercar currently on…

HOT TOPIC Ford’s GT supercar

Mercedes V-ClassMarcoPolo

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy THE Mercedes Marco Polo is designed to give Volkswagen’s California some competition in the compact camper van market. Based on the brand’s V-Class people carrier, it will be sold through regular dealers. The Marco Polo has the traditional camper van layout of a side kitchen with seats and bed capacity for up to four people. The roof rises electrically on all editions, and the second row of seats inflates automatically when it’s being folded down into a bed. wo engine options are available; both four-cylinder diesels. The V 220 d driven here is the entry point; it has 161bhp and 380Nm of torque, and claims average fuel economy of 44.8mpg with 166g/km CO2 emissions. Step up to the V 250 d and you get the same basic fuel consumption figure, along…

Mercedes V-ClassMarcoPolo

Suzuki Swift AllGrip

Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan THE new Suzuki Swift hits showrooms next month, and the Japanese car maker has some ambitious targets. Swift sales in the UK peaked at 15,000 cars in 2007, but last year the brand’s second best seller managed just 11,000 units. Suzuki hopes to double that next year, so the new car has a lot of responsibility on its shoulders. We’ve already pitched the 1.0-litre Boosterjet-powered Swift against rivals (Issue 1,472), and now it’s the turn of the naturally aspirated 1.2 Dualjet mated to Suzuki’s SHVS mild hybrid system. This car was also fitted with AllGrip all-wheel drive. That last feature gives the Swift a unique selling point in the supermini market, as the only other car of this size with 4WD is the Fiat Panda 4x4. Choosing AllGrip demands some compromises,…

Suzuki Swift AllGrip

HAILING A BRIGHTER FUTURE

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn ONCE the bedrock of the UK automotive industry, the Midlands have been through tumultuous times over the past 60 years. In the fifties Coventry alone was home to 12 different manufacturers and played a fundamental role in cementing the UK’s car making industry as the second biggest in the world and the country as the largest exporter of cars during that period. Today, of those 12 makers, only Jaguar has survived after waves of economic uncertainty – starting with an increase in competition from manufacturing in mainland Europe and the US and Japan in the seventies – hit the region hard. Fast-forward nearly 50 years, however, and a new wave of investment has landed on the Midlands’ doorstep, breathing new life into an area which was once the…

HAILING A BRIGHTER FUTURE

Pushing the boat out

Pictures: Otis Clay Location: Neptune Marina, Ipswich, Suffolk FOR half a decade now, if you wanted the most mature city car money could buy, the Volkswagen up! has been the default choice. However, the new Kia Picanto could be just about to change the status quo. Kia has set about thoroughly re-engineering its city car, instilling a new-found sense of maturity and upmarket appeal to rival the VW. Thebrand will also have to look a little closer to home, though, if it wants to reign supreme in the sector. In 2016, Korean sister firm Hyundai released a revised version of its i10 city car which also offers a grown-up feel, a good level of space and practicality, plus comes at an affordable price. All three boast surprisingly stylish design and clever packaging thatensure…

Pushing the boat out

MODEL TESTED: Kia Picanto 1.0 GDi 2 PRICE: £10,750 ENGINE: 1.0-litre 3cyl, 66bhp IN an effort to peg the Volkswagen up!, Kia has released this more sophisticated Picanto city car. A 1.0-litre turbo engine will be available in time, but here it’s the entry-level naturally aspirated 1.0 petrol we test in £10,750 ‘2’ trim. DESIGN & ENGINEERING THE addition of a new engine at the end of the year means Picanto buyers will have more choice, but Kia has given with one hand and taken away with the other, as this all-new model is now available only as a five-door. However, that’s less of an issue than you might think. Kia says only 10 per cent of buyers opt for three-doors in this sector, so with the Picanto’s new-found focus when it comes…

Running costs 76.4mpg (official) £53 fill-u Performance 0-62mph/top speed 11.4 secs/112mph Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan THE small crossover market is pretty saturated already, but over the next 12 months buyers will have even more choice. We’ve got a pair of rhyming newcomers in the form of SEAT’s Arona and the Hyundai Kona – both due this year – plus the secondgeneration Nissan Juke arrives in 2018. But they’ll all have the Renault Captur as the car to beat; it was the best-selling model in this class in Europe last year. To ensure it keeps pace with new rivals, and to bring it up to date with the glut of updated Renaults that have also debuted recently, the Captur has been given a series of mid-life nips and tucks. Minor though they are,…

Skoda Rapid Spaceback

Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.8 seconds/124mph Running costs 61.4mpg (official) £65 fill-up Sam_Naylor@dennis.co.uk @SamNaylor_AE SKODA has been hard at work so far in 2017, refreshing its range in an attempt to keep pace with the recently revealed Kodiaq SUV. Now, even the Rapid – the brand’s smallest-selling car in the UK – has been given a light facelift. Here we’re driving the more desirable Spaceback, which sits alongside the rather dull and dreary-looking hatchback and takes the overwhelming majority of the Rapid’s sales in Britain. There are a few changes to the lights and front bumper, but the new look is very subtle. Instead, the important details are under the bonnet. In place of the old 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine, Skoda has fitted new, downsized 1.0 units with either 94bhp or…

Skoda Rapid Spaceback

Volkswag en up!

MODEL TESTED: Volkswagen up! 1.0 75 beats 5dr PRICE: £11,430 ENGINE: 1.0-litre 3cyl, 74bhp THE up! is arguably the Picanto’s main target. VW facelifted the car late last year but didn’t alter the recipe too much, tweaking the infotainment and adding a 1.0-litre turbo to the range. However, it’s the higher-powered, naturally aspirated engine that we test here in £11,430 up! beats five-door form, although our pictures show a top-spec High up!. DESIGN & ENGINEERING Score 4.0 DESPITE a facelift in 2016, the up! is based on the same VW Group New Small Family (NSF) platform as its predecessor, which it also shares with the SEAT Mii and Skoda Citigo. This employs a similar suspension set-up to the Picanto, with struts at the front and a torsion-beam rear axle. Even so, the up! is marginally…

Volkswag en up!

MODEL TESTED: Hyundai i10 1.0 SE PRICE: £10,790 ENGINE: 1.0-litre 3cyl, 65bhp THE current i10 made its debut in 2013, and followed the lead of Hyundai’s larger models in presenting a more upmarket image. This was backed up with improved refinement and a cabin that mixed style with space. Here we test the £10,790 1.0 SE. DESIGN & ENGINEERING Score 3.5 WHEN it hit UK showrooms in 2008, the original i10 proved a game-changer for Hyundai. Mixing grown-up dynamics and decent practicality with penny-pinching running costs and great-value pricing, the city car was an instant hit. Its popularity was further boosted when it became a big beneficiary of the Government’s scrappage scheme, with buyers flocking to the Korean brand’s showrooms to bag a new-car bargain. So it’s no surprise that bosses didn’t mess with the…

Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.2 seconds/155mph Running costs 134mpg (official) £59 fill-up Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan FOR two decades now, if you were given an executive saloon as a company car it would have almost certainly had a diesel engine. The market has been skewed toward the black pump for economy and CO2 savings, but now there’s a breed of petrol plug-ins entering the fray. And we’re testing the Mercedes E 350 e for the first time in the UK. Like the BMW 530e we drove a few weeks ago (Issue 1,470), this is the first plug-in E-Class. The previous-generation dieselelectric E 300 BlueTEC couldn’t be charged from a socket, so only claimed 67mpg. The E 350 e claims 134mpg and 57g/km, which is slightly down on the BMW but is still impressive.…

Mercedes V-ClassMarcoPolo

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy THE Mercedes Marco Polo is designed to give Volkswagen’s California some competition in the compact camper van market. Based on the brand’s V-Class people carrier, it will be sold through regular dealers. The Marco Polo has the traditional camper van layout of a side kitchen with seats and bed capacity for up to four people. The roof rises electrically on all editions, and the second row of seats inflates automatically when it’s being folded down into a bed. wo engine options are available; both four-cylinder diesels. The V 220 d driven here is the entry point; it has 161bhp and 380Nm of torque, and claims average fuel economy of 44.8mpg with 166g/km CO2 emissions. Step up to the V 250 d and you get the same basic fuel…

Mercedes V-ClassMarcoPolo

Which multimedia system is best for music, sat-nav and connectivity? KIA PICANTO 3.8in monochrome audio Standard Key features: Bluetooth Score 2.9 THERE’S not much in the way of infotainment on this 2 trim level. A small dot-matrix screen comes as standard, while Bluetooth is included so you can make calls on the move and stream music. However, there’s no DAB radio, which means FM and AM are your only options. There’s also a CD, while you can connect USB devices to play music, but there are no smartphone apps. If you want Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you have to upgrade to 3 specification or the GT-Line S model, while a larger seven-inch touchscreen is also included. The trouble is, these models aren’t available with the 1.0-litre engine. Meanwhile, 2 trim gets an ‘upgraded’ four-speaker…

Suzuki Swift AllGrip

Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan THE new Suzuki Swift hits showrooms next month, and the Japanese car maker has some ambitious targets. Swift sales in the UK peaked at 15,000 cars in 2007, but last year the brand’s second best seller managed just 11,000 units. Suzuki hopes to double that next year, so the new car has a lot of responsibility on its shoulders. We’ve already pitched the 1.0-litre Boosterjet-powered Swift against rivals (Issue 1,472), and now it’s the turn of the naturally aspirated 1.2 Dualjet mated to Suzuki’s SHVS mild hybrid system. This car was also fitted with AllGrip all-wheel drive. That last feature gives the Swift a unique selling point in the supermini market, as the only other car of this size with 4WD is the Fiat Panda 4x4. Choosing AllGrip…

Suzuki Swift AllGrip

Results 1stVOLKSWAGEN THE up! takes top spot thanks to its more grownup feel and higher-quality cabin. It offers a comparable level of practicality to the Kia, and while it’s a little more expensive, the smarter finish and improved equipment spec is worth the extra. It’s a packaging triumph that’s great to drive and offers penny-pinching running costs. The VW delivers more of what you want from a city car. 2ndKIA THIS new Picanto is yet another clear step on for Kia. It’s more mature, offers decent space, is smooth and easy to drive, if not that much fun, and looks good. It should also be cheap to buy and run. However, the VW still just has the edge when it comes to ride, handling and refinement. Despite costing less, the lower level of kit…

Pushing the boat out

Pictures: Otis Clay Location: Neptune Marina, Ipswich, Suffolk FOR half a decade now, if you wanted the most mature city car money could buy, the Volkswagen up! has been the default choice. However, the new Kia Picanto could be just about to change the status quo. Kia has set about thoroughly re-engineering its city car, instilling a new-found sense of maturity and upmarket appeal to rival the VW. The brand will also have to look a little closer to home, though, if it wants to reign supreme in the sector. In 2016, Korean sister firm Hyundai released a revised version of its i10 city car which also offers a grown-up feel, a good level of space and practicality, plus comes at an affordable price. All three boast surprisingly stylish design and…

Pushing the boat out

BMW 4 Series vs Audi A5

DIESEL coupés offer an appealing mix of style, sporty driving and efficiency that won’t whack you in the wallet when it comes to running costs. And the latest mid-size two-door to join the fray is the facelifted BMW 4 Series. Facelifted is the operative word, because the changes to the 4 Series are minimal and centre around tweaked headlights and tail-lamps and new front and rear bumpers. In the battle of the 2.0-litre diesel coupés it was the Audi A5 that came out on top when it met Mercedes’ C-Class Coupé at the end of last year (Issue 1,453), so it’s this car the 4 Series has to beat. The winner will marry sharp design and handling with decent straight-line performance, but this shouldn’t be at the expense of efficiency or usability. BMW…

BMW 4 Series vs Audi A5

THE latest Audi A5 Coupé doesn’t look much different to its predecessor, but under the classy and understated exterior, it’s all new. It’s based on the brand’s MLB scalable platform, and it’s lighter, faster and more efficient than both the model it replaces and the revised 4 Series. Even so, it wasn’t able to make this advantage pay at the track, where it had to give best to the BMW. Without the benefit of four-wheel drive, the A5 scrabbled from 0-60mph in 7.4 seconds, which was two-tenths slower than the 420d. The Audi also trailed during the in-gear tests, where its twin-clutch transmission was hobbled by its combination of fewer and more widely spread ratios. For instance, the box wouldn’t even let us complete the 50-70mph test in seventh. The A5…

MODEL TESTED: Kia Picanto 1.0 GDi 2 PRICE: £10,750 ENGINE: 1.0-litre 3cyl, 66bhp IN an effort to peg the Volkswagen up!, Kia has released this more sophisticated Picanto city car. A 1.0-litre turbo engine will be available in time, but here it’s the entry-level naturally aspirated 1.0 petrol we test in £10,750 ‘2’ trim. DESIGN & ENGINEERING THE addition of a new engine at the end of the year means Picanto buyers will have more choice, but Kia has given with one hand and taken away with the other, as this all-new model is now available only as a five-door. However, that’s less of an issue than you might think. Kia says only 10 per cent of buyers opt for three-doors in this sector, so with the Picanto’s new-found focus…

2nd BMW 4 SERIES

THE BMW 4 Series is a sportier proposition than its 3 Series saloon sibling, so in an effort to increase fun from behind the wheel and response to the driver’s inputs, BMW has altered this facelifted 4 Series’ chassis settings. Cars on both the passive dampers and adaptive dampers now feature a stiffer set-up that, BMW says, doesn’t compromise ride quality. Our car was fitted with the £515 adaptive dampers, and in the standard Comfort mode the BMW coped well with torn roads and even vicious bumps in the surface. The chassis feels compliant and more absorbent than the Audi’s, which was fitted with standard suspension, and ramping the system up into the Sport setting further improved body control at the expense of a little compliance. Here the 4 Series feels tauter…

2nd BMW 4 SERIES

Volkswag en up!

MODEL TESTED: Volkswagen up! 1.0 75 beats 5dr PRICE: £11,430 ENGINE: 1.0-litre 3cyl, 74bhp THE up! is arguably the Picanto’s main target. VW facelifted the car late last year but didn’t alter the recipe too much, tweaking the infotainment and adding a 1.0-litre turbo to the range. However, it’s the higher-powered, naturally aspirated engine that we test here in £11,430 up! beats five-door form, although our pictures show a top-spec High up!. DESIGN & ENGINEERING Score 4.0 DESPITE a facelift in 2016, the up! is based on the same VW Group New Small Family (NSF) platform as its predecessor, which it also shares with the SEAT Mii and Skoda Citigo. This employs a similar suspension set-up to the Picanto, with struts at the front and a torsion-beam rear axle. Even…

Volkswag en up!

MODEL TESTED: Hyundai i10 1.0 SE PRICE: £10,790 ENGINE: 1.0-litre 3cyl, 65bhp THE current i10 made its debut in 2013, and followed the lead of Hyundai’s larger models in presenting a more upmarket image. This was backed up with improved refinement and a cabin that mixed style with space. Here we test the £10,790 1.0 SE. DESIGN & ENGINEERING Score 3.5 WHEN it hit UK showrooms in 2008, the original i10 proved a game-changer for Hyundai. Mixing grown-up dynamics and decent practicality with penny-pinching running costs and great-value pricing, the city car was an instant hit. Its popularity was further boosted when it became a big beneficiary of the Government’s scrappage scheme, with buyers flocking to the Korean brand’s showrooms to bag a new-car bargain. So it’s no surprise that…

Otis_Clay@dennis.co.uk I’M getting on brilliantly with the Toyota Prius – mostly. I love the impressive efficiency, the practicality and the relaxing cruising, but there’s one thing that frustrates me with this ultimate green machine: the incessant beeping the car makes when you do just about anything. There’s more beeping and bonging than a dance track. It makes me think I’ve made a return to my raving days, complete with Kevin and Perry-style bucket hat, glow sticks and party whistles. Let me go into a bit more detail. As Auto Express’s staff photographer, I often use the Prius for taking pictures. This either involves driving along sat in the boot with the enormous hatchback open, or shooting out of one of the side windows, depending on the type of picture required. With the boot open,…

Which multimedia system is best for music, sat-nav and connectivity? KIA PICANTO 3.8in monochrome audio Standard Key features: Bluetooth Score 2.9 THERE’S not much in the way of infotainment on this 2 trim level. A small dot-matrix screen comes as standard, while Bluetooth is included so you can make calls on the move and stream music. However, there’s no DAB radio, which means FM and AM are your only options. There’s also a CD, while you can connect USB devices to play music, but there are no smartphone apps. If you want Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you have to upgrade to 3 specification or the GT-Line S model, while a larger seven-inch touchscreen is also included. The trouble is, these models aren’t available with the 1.0-litre engine. Meanwhile, 2…

Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 335/1,032 litres Running costs 53.1mpg (on test) £73 fill-up Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram HYBRID technology means cars are getting more and more economical. Opt for a plug-in or electric vehicle and, providing you can keep it charged up, you’ll spend mere pennies on fuel. But what if you cover big miles and need the dependability of a car with a combustion engine? Due to some recent bad press, is a dirty diesel out of the question, or does it still make sense for slogging up and down the motorway on a daily basis? Five months in and our V40 is proving there’s life left in diesel yet. On a full tank the trip readout indicates a whopping 700- mile range, and as the miles pile on the car is becoming increasingly economical, too. In…

Results 1st VOLKSWAGEN THE up! takes top spot thanks to its more grownup feel and higher-quality cabin. It offers a comparable level of practicality to the Kia, and while it’s a little more expensive, the smarter finish and improved equipment spec is worth the extra. It’s a packaging triumph that’s great to drive and offers penny-pinching running costs. The VW delivers more of what you want from a city car. 2nd KIA THIS new Picanto is yet another clear step on for Kia. It’s more mature, offers decent space, is smooth and easy to drive, if not that much fun, and looks good. It should also be cheap to buy and run. However, the VW still just has the edge when it comes to ride, handling and refinement. Despite costing less, the…

INTO OVERDRIVE WITH FAST & FURIOUS STARS

NEW PRODUCT Anki Overdrive: Fast & Furious Price: £169.99 Available from:www.anki.com (from September) THE Fast & Furious franchise is known mostly for its adrenaline-fuelled car chases, memorable vehicles and unrelenting levels of action. That makes the series a perfect match for one of our favourite slot car-style games, Anki Overdrive – and now a new set brings the two together. Anki Overdrive: Fast & Furious Edition is more than merely a name upgrade. First of all, it comes with two unique Supercars based on those seen in the film: Dom’s Ice Charger and Hobbs’ MXT. Each model gets new abilities, weapons and sound effects to use in-game. There’s a new track section, too. When you drive through the aptly named Power Zone, a blast is triggered to disable nearby opponents. Best of all is…

INTO OVERDRIVE WITH FAST & FURIOUS STARS

NEW DASH CAM’S A NO-SCREEN STAR

NEW PRODUCT Silent Witness dash cams Price: From £149.99 Contact: 01773 746591, www.silentwitness.co.uk AS more drivers see the benefit of protecting themselves in the event of an accident, not to mention the potential savings on their insurance premiums, the market for dash cameras continues to expand. Silent Witness has introduced two new products to challenge the current elite. First is an upgraded version of its existing SW010, priced from £149.99, which now features full-HD recording across a 135-degree viewing angle. The device promises to capture 35 hours of footage on its 32GB memory card and play it back on its two-inch LCD screen. GPS is via Google Maps and the cam will also record date, time and speed; a parking mode is optional. Alongside the SW010 in the updated Silent Witness range sits the all-new…

NEW DASH CAM’S A NO-SCREEN STAR

BMW 4 Series vs Audi A5

DIESEL coupés offer an appealing mix of style, sporty driving and efficiency that won’t whack you in the wallet when it comes to running costs. And the latest mid-size two-door to join the fray is the facelifted BMW 4 Series. Facelifted is the operative word, because the changes to the 4 Series are minimal and centre around tweaked headlights and tail-lamps and new front and rear bumpers. In the battle of the 2.0-litre diesel coupés it was the Audi A5 that came out on top when it met Mercedes’ C-Class Coupé at the end of last year (Issue 1,453), so it’s this car the 4 Series has to beat. The winner will marry sharp design and handling with decent straight-line performance, but this shouldn’t be at the expense of efficiency…

BMW 4 Series vs Audi A5

news, deals & events

Learners get behind wheel of i8 supercar MOST learners take their driving lessons in a tame and sensible car. But now lucky north Londoners can practise in something more exotic, as the Bill Plant driving school has taken delivery of a BMW i8 (above). Fitted with standard dual controls, the i8 is a bona fide L-model, and is sure to be in demand from affluent learners. An hour’s lesson in the Bill Plant i8 costs £50 and can be booked at billplant.co.uk/i8. Posh watch marks Formula E tie-up THE Mahindra Formula E team has a new partner in the shape of luxury watch maker Omologato, which is celebrating with a new timepiece. The stainless steel Omologato Mahindra Racing chronograph is finished in the team’s red and black colours, and will be worn by drivers and…

news, deals & events

THE latest Audi A5 Coupé doesn’t look much different to its predecessor, but under the classy and understated exterior, it’s all new. It’s based on the brand’s MLB scalable platform, and it’s lighter, faster and more efficient than both the model it replaces and the revised 4 Series. Even so, it wasn’t able to make this advantage pay at the track, where it had to give best to the BMW. Without the benefit of four-wheel drive, the A5 scrabbled from 0-60mph in 7.4 seconds, which was two-tenths slower than the 420d. The Audi also trailed during the in-gear tests, where its twin-clutch transmission was hobbled by its combination of fewer and more widely spread ratios. For instance, the box wouldn’t even let us complete the 50-70mph test in seventh. The…

2nd BMW 4 SERIES

THE BMW 4 Series is a sportier proposition than its 3 Series saloon sibling, so in an effort to increase fun from behind the wheel and response to the driver’s inputs, BMW has altered this facelifted 4 Series’ chassis settings. Cars on both the passive dampers and adaptive dampers now feature a stiffer set-up that, BMW says, doesn’t compromise ride quality. Our car was fitted with the £515 adaptive dampers, and in the standard Comfort mode the BMW coped well with torn roads and even vicious bumps in the surface. The chassis feels compliant and more absorbent than the Audi’s, which was fitted with standard suspension, and ramping the system up into the Sport setting further improved body control at the expense of a little compliance. Here the 4 Series…

2nd BMW 4 SERIES

Which is our pick of the in-car brew crew?

Mini test HOT PICK Thermos Stainless King Price: £24.95 Rating: Contact:www.thermosonline.co.uk THIS attractive tumbler manages to lose a point straight from the start of the test. The smooth stainless steel lid is very tricky to remove, making cleaning and refilling harder than it should be. It’s impressively leak-proof when closed, although the catch on the top isn’t as easy as the Contigo’s to open with one hand while on the move. It also feels slightly top-heavy, so needs a good in-car cup-holder. Where the Thermos really stars is its heat-retention abilities – they’re absolutely staggering. It lost less heat than both of its rivals here, even after double the time, and remained cool to the touch throughout. If you like your drink to stay piping hot for near enough an entire day, this has…

Which is our pick of the in-car brew crew?

Otis_Clay@dennis.co.uk I’M getting on brilliantly with the Toyota Prius – mostly. I love the impressive efficiency, the practicality and the relaxing cruising, but there’s one thing that frustrates me with this ultimate green machine: the incessant beeping the car makes when you do just about anything. There’s more beeping and bonging than a dance track. It makes me think I’ve made a return to my raving days, complete with Kevin and Perry-style bucket hat, glow sticks and party whistles. Let me go into a bit more detail. As Auto Express’s staff photographer, I often use the Prius for taking pictures. This either involves driving along sat in the boot with the enormous hatchback open, or shooting out of one of the side windows, depending on the type of picture required.…

books, apps & games

111 Porsche Stories That You Should Know Wilfried Müller (www.emons-verlag.de) Price: £20 Rating: MOST of these stories won’t be of much interest to the serious Porscheophile, but for the casual fan this book is fantastic. It’s a curated selection of single-page stories about the brand and its founder, each with a period picture. For a casual read this is a good format – but we’d like to see some of the stories given more of a chance to shine. Land Rover Series I-III: Your Expert Guide Maurice Thurman (Veloce Publishing, www.veloce.co.uk) Price: £15.99 Rating: THIS is a surprisingly in-depth little book, providing a comprehensive troubleshooting guide to common Land Rover problems. Topics range from unusual engine noises to the inability to demist the windows. As these old bruisers don’t exactly enjoy a spotless reliability record,…

books, apps & games

Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 335/1,032 litres Running costs 53.1mpg (on test) £73 fill-up Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram HYBRID technology means cars are getting more and more economical. Opt for a plug-in or electric vehicle and, providing you can keep it charged up, you’ll spend mere pennies on fuel. But what if you cover big miles and need the dependability of a car with a combustion engine? Due to some recent bad press, is a dirty diesel out of the question, or does it still make sense for slogging up and down the motorway on a daily basis? Five months in and our V40 is proving there’s life left in diesel yet. On a full tank the trip readout indicates a whopping 700- mile range, and as the miles pile on the car…

PRODUCT GROUP TEST 24 | 5 | 2017 Every week, we extensively test all the latest car kit from tyres to trim cleaners. Log on to www.autoexpress.co.uk to look through our huge online test archive. IF you’ve ever had a thrilling drive you’d love to relive, or a track day that would be fun to enjoy again, you can with an action cam. These tiny, portable cameras are perfect cockpit companions, with the newest able to record in super-sharp 4K quality. Some offer innovations like 360-degree recording. With waterproof and dirtproof casings, as well as a range of accessories, an action cam is a great way to capture your favourite driving memories. We hit ‘record’ on seven to see which you should mount in your car. How we tested them FOOTAGE quality was the priority in…

INTO OVERDRIVE WITH FAST & FURIOUS STARS

NEW PRODUCT Anki Overdrive: Fast & Furious Price: £169.99 Available from: www.anki.com (from September) THE Fast & Furious franchise is known mostly for its adrenaline-fuelled car chases, memorable vehicles and unrelenting levels of action. That makes the series a perfect match for one of our favourite slot car-style games, Anki Overdrive – and now a new set brings the two together. Anki Overdrive: Fast & Furious Edition is more than merely a name upgrade. First of all, it comes with two unique Supercars based on those seen in the film: Dom’s Ice Charger and Hobbs’ MXT. Each model gets new abilities, weapons and sound effects to use in-game. There’s a new track section, too. When you drive through the aptly named Power Zone, a blast is triggered to disable nearby…

INTO OVERDRIVE WITH FAST & FURIOUS STARS

2016 Results Lexus NX Factfile Years: 2014 to present CO2: 116g/km Fuel economy: 56.5mpg (2.5 Hybrid NX 300h) Best options: HUD, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, parking camera, sat-nav Prices: From £22,995 OVERALL SCORE91.58% Bars show where model finished out of 150 cars in our 2016 survey. The lower the rating the better GOOD “BY far the best looking car in its class.” “A great car to drive, very impressed with how smooth and comfortable it is.” “Feels well built and comes with lots of safety features.” “The Lexus service and aftercare network is great.” “Good space inside; the boot is big enough for a full family and the rear seats have enough room for adults.” “Very smooth to drive, but becomes very quick in Sport mode.“ “Low road tax for such a big car.” NOT SO GOOD “FUEL economy from the 2.5-litre hybrid…

NEW DASH CAM’S A NO-SCREEN STAR

NEW PRODUCT Silent Witness dash cams Price: From £149.99 Contact: 01773 746591, www.silentwitness.co.uk AS more drivers see the benefit of protecting themselves in the event of an accident, not to mention the potential savings on their insurance premiums, the market for dash cameras continues to expand. Silent Witness has introduced two new products to challenge the current elite. First is an upgraded version of its existing SW010, priced from £149.99, which now features full-HD recording across a 135-degree viewing angle. The device promises to capture 35 hours of footage on its 32GB memory card and play it back on its two-inch LCD screen. GPS is via Google Maps and the cam will also record date, time and speed; a parking mode is optional. Alongside the SW010 in the updated Silent…

NEW DASH CAM’S A NO-SCREEN STAR

BUYER’S GUIDE: Skoda Fabia

Contact 01527 272 903 www.shirecarsales worcestershire.co.uk FOR more than a quarter of a century the Skoda brand has been a part of the Volkswagen Group. In that time the company’s product range has been transformed, to the point where owners of the cheaper brand enjoy greater satisfaction levels than those of the parent company. Maybe it’s because Skoda buyers benefit from all of the great engineering that owners of the VW Group’s more costly cars enjoy, but at lower prices. That’s certainly the case with the Fabia, which offers good build quality and efficient engines but without having to pay through the nose for the privilege. Sensible rather than fun, the previousgeneration Fabia is a great used buy; here’s how to buy the right one for your needs. History THE Fabia Mk2 reached showrooms…

BUYER’S GUIDE: Skoda Fabia

TOP FIVE Best automatic cars

1st NEW ENTRY Volkswagen Polo DSG Years: 2014 to date Best engine: 1.2-litre 4cyl petrol, 89bhp Insurance group: 11 Economy/CO2: 60.1mpg/109g/km WHY? Yes, we acknowledge that there are more exciting and talented models in this top-five list, but if you want a vehicle equipped with an automatic gearbox in which to do the daily commute, Volkswagen’s Polo DSG is all the car you’re ever likely to need. The diminutive supermini likes to think big with its grown-up cabin and refined driving experience, and the slick seven-speed dual-clutch transmission helps to deliver quick shifts and effortless performance. You can even change gear manually via the steering wheel-mounted paddles if you’re searching for a little bit of extra involvement. From £15,975 (new) 2nd FALLER Jaguar F-Pace eight-speed automatic Years: 2016 to date Best engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl diesel, 178bhp Insurance group: 27…

TOP FIVE Best automatic cars

news, deals & events

Learners get behind wheel of i8 supercar MOST learners take their driving lessons in a tame and sensible car. But now lucky north Londoners can practise in something more exotic, as the Bill Plant driving school has taken delivery of a BMW i8 (above). Fitted with standard dual controls, the i8 is a bona fide L-model, and is sure to be in demand from affluent learners. An hour’s lesson in the Bill Plant i8 costs £50 and can be booked at billplant.co.uk/i8. Posh watch marks Formula E tie-up THE Mahindra Formula E team has a new partner in the shape of luxury watch maker Omologato, which is celebrating with a new timepiece. The stainless steel Omologato Mahindra Racing chronograph is finished in the team’s red and black colours, and will…

news, deals & events

Used triple test

Ford Mondeo Estate2.0 TDCi (150) Titanium Years: 2014 to date Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 148bhp Insurance group: 23 Official economy/CO2: 57.7mpg/128g/km Why? The Mondeo looks sharper than before, but it fails to match its rivals for practical touches or driving enjoyment. Prices from: £10,475 IN previous generations, the Ford Mondeo had set the bar in the family car class for handling, but the latest model leans more towards comfort than driving thrills. The bold grille, slender headlights and long bonnet combine to give the Mondeo real presence, which is helped by the fact that it’s the largest car here. However, Ford’s claimed boot capacity of 500 litres is 150 litres down on the Volkswagen Passat’s and 22 litres on the Mazda, plus there are no novel touches to make the most of the space on offer. With…

Used triple test

Which is our pick of the in-car brew crew?

Mini test HOT PICK Thermos Stainless King Price: £24.95 Rating: Contact: www.thermosonline.co.uk THIS attractive tumbler manages to lose a point straight from the start of the test. The smooth stainless steel lid is very tricky to remove, making cleaning and refilling harder than it should be. It’s impressively leak-proof when closed, although the catch on the top isn’t as easy as the Contigo’s to open with one hand while on the move. It also feels slightly top-heavy, so needs a good in-car cup-holder. Where the Thermos really stars is its heat-retention abilities – they’re absolutely staggering. It lost less heat than both of its rivals here, even after double the time, and remained cool to the touch throughout. If you like your drink to stay piping hot for near enough…

Which is our pick of the in-car brew crew?

books, apps & games

111 Porsche Stories That You Should Know Wilfried Müller (www.emons-verlag.de) Price: £20 Rating: MOST of these stories won’t be of much interest to the serious Porscheophile, but for the casual fan this book is fantastic. It’s a curated selection of single-page stories about the brand and its founder, each with a period picture. For a casual read this is a good format – but we’d like to see some of the stories given more of a chance to shine. Land Rover Series I-III: Your Expert Guide Maurice Thurman (Veloce Publishing, www.veloce.co.uk) Price: £15.99 Rating: THIS is a surprisingly in-depth little book, providing a comprehensive troubleshooting guide to common Land Rover problems. Topics range from unusual engine noises to the inability to demist the windows. As these old bruisers don’t exactly…

books, apps & games

Going large on value

Ford Mondeo Estate 49.8mpg (on test) £72fill- Mazda 6 Tourer 48.9mpg (on test) £72 fill-up VW Passat Estate 54.0mpg (on test) £81.9 fill-up “The Passat is a great choice for those looking for an upmarket family car” Verdict 1 VW Passat Estate THERE’S no doubt that the Passat Estate is one of the best family cars around. The vast boot is packed with user-friendly touches, and it’s backed up by a spacious, upmarket interior. 2 Mazda 6 Tourer SECOND place is no reflection on the 6 Tourer’s ability. If you’re not ready to sacrifice driving fun when buying a family car, then it’s the perfect solution. 3 Ford Mondeo WE really wanted the Mondeo to live up to its sharp looks, but in this company the cabin feels cheap and the boot lacks useful features.…

Going large on value

Alonso gears up for historic Indy 500 bid

Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.u FORMULA One races in Monaco this weekend, but once the chequered flag falls in the Principality on Sunday afternoon, attention will turn to Indianapolis in the US as double F1 champion Fernando Alonso takes on America’s biggest motor race at the wheel of a Honda-engined McLaren entry run by top IndyCar team Andretti Autosport. A total of 12 F1 champions have raced at the Indy 500 over the years – seven before winning a title and five after. Only two of them – Graham Hill and Emerson Fittipaldi – have managed to take victory at the race. As well as taking part in the extensive ‘Month of May’ test sessions in which all IndyCar drivers participate, Alonso is said to have watched 25 previous Indy 500s on video, including on-board footage of…

Alonso gears up for historic Indy 500 bid

PRODUCT GROUP TEST 24 | 5 | 2017 Every week, we extensively test all the latest car kit from tyres to trim cleaners. Log on to www.autoexpress.co.uk to look through our huge online test archive. IF you’ve ever had a thrilling drive you’d love to relive, or a track day that would be fun to enjoy again, you can with an action cam. These tiny, portable cameras are perfect cockpit companions, with the newest able to record in super-sharp 4K quality. Some offer innovations like 360-degree recording. With waterproof and dirtproof casings, as well as a range of accessories, an action cam is a great way to capture your favourite driving memories. We hit ‘record’ on seven to see which you should mount in your car. How we tested them…

Join the debate now... www.autoexpress.co.uk/opinion HOPING to score a brand new car, but haven’t got enough in your savings account to pay for it? I’m not surprised. The average price of a factory-fresh model is now around £30,000 – that’s more than the annual income enjoyed by most people. So just as most Brits need loans when shopping for homes of their own, the same is true of the motoring masses seeking the keys to new cars. The Finance and Leasing Association has just reported that the value of finance deals used to buy new cars soared to a monthly record of £3.6bn in March. Were it not for such financial products for seemingly grateful consumers, the motor industry probably couldn’t survive with cars averaging £30k a pop. But the Financial Conduct Authority…

2016 Results Lexus NX Factfile Years: 2014 to present CO2: 116g/km Fuel economy: 56.5mpg (2.5 Hybrid NX 300h) Best options: HUD, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, parking camera, sat-nav Prices: From £22,995 OVERALL SCORE 91.58% Bars show where model finished out of 150 cars in our 2016 survey. The lower the rating the better GOOD “BY far the best looking car in its class.” “A great car to drive, very impressed with how smooth and comfortable it is.” “Feels well built and comes with lots of safety features.” “The Lexus service and aftercare network is great.” “Good space inside; the boot is big enough for a full family and the rear seats have enough room for adults.” “Very smooth to drive, but becomes very quick in Sport mode.“ “Low road tax…

BUYER’S GUIDE: Skoda Fabia

Contact 01527 272 903 www.shirecarsales worcestershire.co.uk FOR more than a quarter of a century the Skoda brand has been a part of the Volkswagen Group. In that time the company’s product range has been transformed, to the point where owners of the cheaper brand enjoy greater satisfaction levels than those of the parent company. Maybe it’s because Skoda buyers benefit from all of the great engineering that owners of the VW Group’s more costly cars enjoy, but at lower prices. That’s certainly the case with the Fabia, which offers good build quality and efficient engines but without having to pay through the nose for the privilege. Sensible rather than fun, the previousgeneration Fabia is a great used buy; here’s how to buy the right one for your needs. History THE…

BUYER’S GUIDE: Skoda Fabia

TOP FIVE Best automatic cars

1st NEW ENTRY Volkswagen Polo DSG Years: 2014 to date Best engine: 1.2-litre 4cyl petrol, 89bhp Insurance group: 11 Economy/CO2: 60.1mpg/109g/km WHY? Yes, we acknowledge that there are more exciting and talented models in this top-five list, but if you want a vehicle equipped with an automatic gearbox in which to do the daily commute, Volkswagen’s Polo DSG is all the car you’re ever likely to need. The diminutive supermini likes to think big with its grown-up cabin and refined driving experience, and the slick seven-speed dual-clutch transmission helps to deliver quick shifts and effortless performance. You can even change gear manually via the steering wheel-mounted paddles if you’re searching for a little bit of extra involvement. From £15,975 (new) 2nd FALLER Jaguar F-Pace eight-speed automatic Years: 2016 to date…

TOP FIVE Best automatic cars

Used triple test

Ford Mondeo Estate 2.0 TDCi (150) Titanium Years: 2014 to date Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 148bhp Insurance group: 23 Official economy/CO2: 57.7mpg/128g/km Why? The Mondeo looks sharper than before, but it fails to match its rivals for practical touches or driving enjoyment. Prices from: £10,475 IN previous generations, the Ford Mondeo had set the bar in the family car class for handling, but the latest model leans more towards comfort than driving thrills. The bold grille, slender headlights and long bonnet combine to give the Mondeo real presence, which is helped by the fact that it’s the largest car here. However, Ford’s claimed boot capacity of 500 litres is 150 litres down on the Volkswagen Passat’s and 22 litres on the Mazda, plus there are no novel touches to make the most…

Used triple test

Going large on value

Ford Mondeo Estate 49.8mpg (on test) £72fill- Mazda 6 Tourer 48.9mpg (on test) £72 fill-up VW Passat Estate 54.0mpg (on test) £81.9 fill-up “The Passat is a great choice for those looking for an upmarket family car” Verdict 1 VW Passat Estate THERE’S no doubt that the Passat Estate is one of the best family cars around. The vast boot is packed with user-friendly touches, and it’s backed up by a spacious, upmarket interior. 2 Mazda 6 Tourer SECOND place is no reflection on the 6 Tourer’s ability. If you’re not ready to sacrifice driving fun when buying a family car, then it’s the perfect solution. 3 Ford Mondeo WE really wanted the Mondeo to live up to its sharp looks, but in this company the cabin feels cheap and…

Going large on value

Alonso gears up for historic Indy 500 bid

Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.u FORMULA One races in Monaco this weekend, but once the chequered flag falls in the Principality on Sunday afternoon, attention will turn to Indianapolis in the US as double F1 champion Fernando Alonso takes on America’s biggest motor race at the wheel of a Honda-engined McLaren entry run by top IndyCar team Andretti Autosport. A total of 12 F1 champions have raced at the Indy 500 over the years – seven before winning a title and five after. Only two of them – Graham Hill and Emerson Fittipaldi – have managed to take victory at the race. As well as taking part in the extensive ‘Month of May’ test sessions in which all IndyCar drivers participate, Alonso is said to have watched 25 previous Indy 500s on video, including…

Alonso gears up for historic Indy 500 bid

Join the debate now... www.autoexpress.co.uk/opinion HOPING to score a brand new car, but haven’t got enough in your savings account to pay for it? I’m not surprised. The average price of a factory-fresh model is now around £30,000 – that’s more than the annual income enjoyed by most people. So just as most Brits need loans when shopping for homes of their own, the same is true of the motoring masses seeking the keys to new cars. The Finance and Leasing Association has just reported that the value of finance deals used to buy new cars soared to a monthly record of £3.6bn in March. Were it not for such financial products for seemingly grateful consumers, the motor industry probably couldn’t survive with cars averaging £30k a pop. But the…

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