Innholdsfortegnelse for 1409 i Auto Express

WE’RE well into 2016’s motor show season now with the Chicago show on this week, Geneva just around the corner and New York and Beijing following on. Already, we’re getting an idea of this year’s big motor show theme – hybrids. We’ve been impressed recently by the Daddy of the lot, the new Prius. Along with hybrid versions of the Yaris, Auris and now the RAV4, Toyota expects 50 per cent of its sales to be hybrid models by 2020. Kia has launched an interesting rival to the Prius in Chicago – the Niro – along with a plug-in version of the impressive Optima saloon. But it was while in the US on a visit to Kia’s (and Hyundai’s) American technical centre that the real potential and importance of hybrid…

ALONGSIDE the Niro at the Chicago Motor Show, Kia also pulled the wraps off its new Optima plug-in. Unveiled along with a regular hybrid (that’s not coming to the UK), the Optima PHEV will go on sale just before the Niro and is expected to start from around £30,000. It’ll beat the SUV to be Kia’s first plug-in vehicle to market, and is powered by a 154bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine paired with a six-speed auto gearbox. The transmission mounted 50kW electric motor also adds around 27 miles of pure-EV range thanks to a 9.8kW lithium-ion battery pack. Kia claims a combined petrol-electric range of up to 600 miles. The Optima PHEV can be charged in under three hours from a 240V socket and less than nine hours from a…

HYUNDAI has unveiled the all-electric version of its new Ioniq eco car – and Auto Express has driven a prototype at the firm’s Namyang proving ground in South Korea. The Ioniq EV is one of 22 eco-friendly models to be launched by Hyundai and sister firm Kia before 2020. Among the obvious visual differences from the Ioniq Hybrid (driven on Page 32) are the blankedoff grille, bronze-coloured detailing and, of course, the lack of exhaust pipes. Boot capacity is also slightly smaller than on the Hybrid due to the larger battery pack. In terms of range, the Ioniq EV should be on a par with the Nissan Leaf 30kWh, with Hyundai targeting an identical 155-mile maximum. That’s well ahead of sister brand Kia’s Soul, which has a 132-mile range. From…

IMAGES of what appears to be a facelifted Suzuki SX4 S-Cross have surfaced online from a French dealer presentation. The grainy pictures show a significantly restyled front end for the crossover, featuring a more prominent chrome grille that’s been moved further up the bonnet. The headlamps have also been completely restyled, and the bonnet gets pronounced lines moving down towards the grille. Rumours online suggest it will also feature increased ground clearance for improved visibility and mild off-road prowess. The interior also looks to get fresh colours and materials, while it’s possible the new ‘Boosterjet’ 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine will debut alongside the familiar 1.6-litre diesel. There’s no word yet when it will go on sale.…

EVER since it relaunched in 2001, the MINI brand has been a runaway success, underpinned by the original three-door hatch. The other variants haven’t notched up quite as many sales, but they’re still an important part of the family. None more so than the stylish MINI Convertible, the third generation of which comes to the UK this spring – and we’ve driven it, in sporty Cooper S guise. There’s no mistaking the MINI Convertible for anything else, but lining it up against its predecessors reveals how far the car has come in terms of fit, finish and quality – it has much more of a premium feel than ever before. And, much like the rest of the MINI line-up, the interior is a tactile delight, with a great selection of…

Sam_Naylor@dennis.co.uk @SamNaylor_AE WE were impressed by the new Infiniti Q30 when we drove it in the UK for the first time in Issue 1,406. That car was fitted with the punchy 2.2-litre diesel engine, but now we’ve had the chance to sample the cheaper 1.6-litre petrol on British roads. The turbocharged engine is quiet at idle and near-silent while cruising, which really suits the Q30’s relaxed nature. The supple suspension set-up and comfortable seats make motorway trips a breeze, and there’s enough torque at low revs to overtake without having to change down a gear. With 120bhp available at 5,000rpm, you need to rev the car hard to get the most out of it, yet the sound deadening means it’s not unpleasant to do so. The manual gearbox is easy…

Sam_Naylor@dennis.co.uk @SamNaylor_AE TOYOTA has updated its Yaris range with new optional equipment and a fresh Design trim level for 2016. Plus, there’s a bi-colour paint option (£795), which adds contrasting black trim to the roof, pillars and upper grille. This pack also includes a two-tone grey interior and black headlining, while the car in our pictures features a new touchscreen infotainment system, complete with DAB radio and Bluetooth. That central screen relays images from a reversing camera, and our test model was fitted with sat-nav (£650) and Toyota’s Safety Sense pack, which comprises pre-collision alert as well as automatic high-beam headlights. The Design trim adds 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps and a boot spoiler. Toyota’s supermini still looks smart and feels very well built inside, although the grey and black…

Results 1st FORD WITH its eye-catching price tag and blistering performance, the Focus RS is a fast Ford in the finest tradition. Yet it’s the car’s trick four-wheel-drive system and honed suspension that star, giving the Focus incredible agility and delivering more than enough driver involvement. It also looks and sounds the part. The only black marks are reserved for the small boot and firm low-speed ride. 2nd VOLKSWAGEN THE Golf misses out by the narrowest of margins in this encounter. It’s faster than its power deficit would suggest and it attacks twisting back roads with incredible composure. It’s also the easiest car to live with day to day and has the most versatile interior. Yet it just lacks the excitement and involvement of the Focus – and in this…

Second opinion “Cars like the Discovery Sport are fuelling Land Rover’s current sales success. In fact, the brand’s models are so popular that Lookers is running a 24-hour pre-delivery inspection rota, in an effort to keep up with customer demand.” James_Disdale@dennis.co.uk FIRST impressions count more than ever these days, so it’s no surprise car manufacturers are pulling out all the stops when handing over your new set of wheels. Take the Land Rover Discovery Sport that’s just joined our fleet, for example: when I collected the keys from the vast Lookers dealership in Battersea, London, ‘my’ car was hidden under a tailored cover in the showroom’s glitzy reception area. There was even a plinth with my name on it alongside. I was greeted by brand ambassador Claudio Calabrese, who offered…

NEW PRODUCT WoWo Applicator Pads and Wheel Drying Towel Price: £4.99 & £8.99 (respectively) Contact: 084 3289 5653, www.wo-wo.co.uk WOWO has created a new applicator pad for waxes and sealants, taking advantage of the latest synthetic fabrics to make the job quicker, easier and more efficient. The hand-sized pads feature higher-quality foam than previous versions, which the company claims is better for preventing product wastage. That’s because the high-density foam structure and less porous composition puts up more of a barrier to viscous detailing products, meaning they won’t soak in. The new pad is more easily handled than previous efforts in the market, too. The Foam Applicator Pads come in packs of eight and can be rinsed in hot water. WoWo has also released its new Alloy Wheel Drying Towel.…

16th PLACE 2015 Results RX Factfile Years: 2009 to 2015 CO2: 145g/km Fuel economy: 44mpg (3.5 V6 Hybrid SE) Best features: Sat-nav, DAB radio, reversing camera, cruise control, heated seats, Bluetooth Prices: From £14,750 OVERALL SCORE 91.27% Bars show where model finished out of 200 cars in our 2015 survey. The lower the rating the better GOOD “A JOY to drive, smooth acceleration and the RX sits flat through bends.” “Excellent aftersales service; the garages always make for a trouble-free visit.” “Very comfortable for driver and passengers.” “There’s plenty of space for a family of four.” “The power from the 3.5-litre petrol engine is amazing.” “We save at least £50 a month compared to our last car thanks to the hybrid system.” “The RX is a very luxurious car to…

THE first-ever BMW M2 goes on sale in the UK this April, bringing M car thrills to a new audience by undercutting the M3 by over £12,000. But in spite of its entry-level status, the M2 has been one of the brand’s most eagerly anticipated models – and one of the most hyped cars of the year to date. Even before we climb aboard, it’s clear that the car means business. The forged 19-inch alloy wheels appear cartoonish in size at first, making the two-door bodyshell look even shorter than it is, and the rear is dominated by the four meaty exhausts. While the exterior is free of any obvious aerodynamic add-ons, plenty of work has been done in the wind tunnel. For example, that deeply aggressive front bumper features…

A NEW all-electric Opel Ampera-e has been revealed, and could come to the UK as part of Vauxhall’s 29-strong model offensive, due by 2020. It’s based on the US-market Chevrolet Bolt unveiled at last year’s Detroit Motor Show. GM-owned Opel says the Ampera-e will have a longer range than most other electric cars, at 200 miles-plus. The “flat battery pack” also means the five-seater has extra room inside, as well as a big boot – something bulky batteries in EVs often prevent. While there are no hard details on the Ampera-e yet, we can expect around 480 litres with the rear seats in place. The Bolt features a 10.2-inch touchscreen, sat-nav, gesture recognition and Spotify music streaming. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will also feature in the Bolt, so expect…

HOW UK FUEL DUTY COMPARES Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk AE_Consumer THE freeze on fuel duty could be ended and taxes hiked if Chancellor George Osborne is to keep his promise of balancing the budget, a new report from the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) suggests. Not raising fuel duty would cost the Treasury £3billion a year by 2020 – an amount Osborne can ill afford if he’s to reduce the deficit by the end of the decade. Ahead of next month’s Budget, motorists are being warned they could be the first to feel the squeeze as fuel excise duty has remained the same since 2011, at 57.95 pence per litre (ppl). The IFS think tank suggests the Government could raise the required money by linking fuel duty to inflation. An inflation-adjusted tax would…

AFTER images and details leaked a few weeks ago via an online brochure, Jaguar has officially revealed specs and pricing for its scorching F-Type SVR. The Porsche 911 rival will start from £110,000 for the Coupé and £115,485 for the Convertible – a price hike of nearly £20,000 over the F-Type V8 R AWD. Order books are open now ahead of the car’s Geneva Motor Show debut next month. It’s the first Jag to be fettled by JLR’s Special Vehicle Operations unit, and its 567bhp 5.0-litre supercharged V8 is 25bhp more powerful than the R’s. Plus, it’s lighter and more aerodynamic, with a 0-60mph time of 3.5 seconds and a 200mph top speed. It also features uprated suspension, a titanium exhaust, ceramic brakes and forged wheels. Elsewhere, Jag’s all-electric SUV…

Joe_Finnerty@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer TRANSPORT minister Andrew Jones has made a complete U-turn on potential plans to lower the drink-drive limit in England and Wales to match Scotland. A lower alcohol limit of 50mg per 100ml of blood was introduced north of the border back in December 2014, and Jones admitted last week in the House of Commons that if there was enough “robust evidence”, he’d consider changes to the current 80mg per 100ml limit in England and Wales. However, the transport minister swiftly backtracked and issued a statement rubbishing his initial comments, saying there were “no plans” to alter the limit and there would be no review. He added: “The Government believes rigorous enforcement and serious penalties for drink-drivers are a more effective deterrent than changing the limit. “Britain continues to…

CABIN comfort is as important as performance if you’re spending hours commuting. So, if your car is giving you a headache, it’s fair to say it’s not fit for purpose. However, trying to reject the car can be tricky if there’s no specific mechanical fault to point to. It was precisely this problem that Scott Christian, from St Albans, Herts, struggled with on his Citroen DS3. Scott bought the new car on finance from Citroen Hatfield but was soon disgruntled with the noisy, rattly cabin. He gave the dealer a chance to fix it, but when this failed, Scott decided to cut his losses and reject the car. The dealer refused but, after Auto Express spoke to Citroen, it agreed to an external inspection. This found in Scott’s favour. However,…

Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan JEEP’s European sales push began with the Renegade early last year, and the crossover is already proving a hit thanks to its rugged design and compact dimensions. To increase its appeal, the brand has now launched a new Night Eagle special edition. We tried it on and off-road in Sicily. The Renegade is based on the cheaper Fiat 500X, but Jeep justifies the extra cost of its SUV with its tough, all-American styling and off-road ability. Only 350 Night Eagle models will come here, each with kit such as 17-inch black alloys and parking sensors, plus there are three exclusive paint options, satin grey detailing and coloured roof rails. The problem is that this adds £1,300 to the price of the existing Longitude spec, putting the car well…

Vauxhall Corsa 3dr Price: £14,770 Engine: 1.0-litre 3cyl, 113bhp 0-60mph: 9.5 seconds Test economy: 44.9mpg/9.9mpl CO2: 114g/km Annual road tax: £30 Hyundai i20 Coupé Price: £15,525 Engine: 1.0-litre 3cyl, 118bhp 0-60mph: 9.2 seconds Test economy: 41.3mpg/9.1mpl CO2: 112g/km Annual road tax: £30 IN the cut-throat supermini market, you tend to have two bodystyles to choose from: a practical five-door or a sporty three-door. Some makers are happy to offer either option with the same basic outline, but Hyundai has added extra flair to the class, in the form of its i20 Coupé. It has a similar appearance to the five-door up front, but the high-set tail and small windows provide a racier look. Hyundai has also added a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine to the range, which boosts efficiency and delivers…

Results 1st VAUXHALL BOTH of these cars have their merits, but it’s the Corsa that narrowly takes the spoils. The 1.0-litre engine is a real gem, as it’s powerful enough for most needs, yet still reasonably economical, while the fine-handling chassis is comfortable when you want to take it easy. A slightly lower list price is tempting, although some of the standard kit omissions are puzzling to say the least. 2nd HYUNDAI THERE’S plenty to like about the i20 Coupe, as it’s well built, looks smart and is well equipped. However, it’s a bit pricey when compared with the Corsa, while the car’s chassis doesn’t deliver the handling its racy look warrants. The engine isn’t as sporty or as refined as the Vauxhall’s unit, either. Plus Hyundai’s image may not…

Skoda Superb Estate WE’RE big fans of the Skoda Superb at Auto Express; the regular fivedoor version is our reigning Family Car of the Year, and the Estate offers epic amounts of space for the money. It’s no surprise, then, that we jumped at the chance to get the big wagon on our fleet. Our example is a 2.0 TDI 150 DSG, which promises the benefits of low-down torque you’d get from a diesel engine, paired with a dualclutch automatic gearbox that should make commuting a little easier. We’ve plumped for SE L Executive trim, which comes with almost everything you’d need, including Skoda’s range-topping Columbus sat-nav, complete with eight-inch touchscreen, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, heated mirrors and leather upholstery. We added a few extras, like the rear-view…

THERE’S a new Fiat 500 in showrooms – not that you’ll have noticed, because it looks so similar to the previous car. Then again, the old car was such a huge success that Fiat was probably wise to leave the looks well alone. Indeed, the 500 has been largely responsible for keeping Fiat going in the UK – that’s how important it is. It was crowned European Car of the Year when it arrived in 2008, and it’s one of the most sought-after small cars on the new and used markets. The 500 has, therefore, improved Fiat’s image hugely – but is it all hype or is there some substance, too? History THE first 500s arrived in January 2008, with 1.2 or 1.4-litre petrol engines, or a 1.3-litre turbodiesel. A…

“SEAT Full Link incorporates MirrorLink connectivity along with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay” Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram SEAT has never had a proper SUV in its line-up, but the brand is now entering the family crossover market with the Ateca. Revealed at an exclusive event in Spain last week, the Ateca kicks off the SEAT SUV story, with at least two other models due before the end of the decade. According to boss Luca de Meo, it’ll help the brand “take another leap forward”, and return SEAT to “sustainable profitability”. At 4.36m long, it’s around 10cm shorter than a Renault Kadjar and similar in size to a Nissan Qashqai. The styling is pretty conventional, with a front grille and lights derived from the Leon hatchback, plus a roofline that tapers down at…

MERCEDES has given us a sneak peek at the first-ever C-Class Cabriolet, ahead of its Geneva Motor Show debut next month. We spotted the car in testing late last year, but this is the first official word on the new drop-top, due on sale later this year. It’ll join the C-Class saloon, Estate and Coupé (driven on Page 36), featuring an identical interior and similar external styling. It will carry a slight premium over the hard-top, priced at around £37,000. The convertible will get the same engine line-up as the Coupé, with a pair of diesels and two turbocharged petrols, plus a wild AMG C 63 that has more than 500bhp and does 0-62mph in just over four seconds. The four-seater C-Class Cabriolet rivals the BMW 4 Series, but is…

EVEN the best cars sometimes come with troubles that leave owners calling Auto Express for help, and that even extends to our 2015 Car of the Year – the Volvo XC90. Ronald and Sian Prins, from Salhouse, Norwich, contacted us because their SUV was delivered with numerous faults. Ronald told us: “Before the car was even handed over to us, we were made aware of the inferior and damaged leather that had been used on the dashboard. Volvo told us this was due to ‘human error’.” The quality of the dashboard wasn’t the only issue. Ronald also discovered paint swirls around the car, and an inspection at a garage found the wheels had been incorrectly balanced, which confirmed Ronald’s suspicions that something was off. He ended up paying for the…

Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan HYUNDAI only launched the i20 less than a year ago, but it hasn’t rested on its laurels since then. We sampled the punchy new 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine in Issue 1,408, and now there’s a more rugged, lifestyle-orientated i20 Active, which the brand hopes will give it a foothold in the booming small crossover class. Despite sounding like just another trim level, the i20 Active appears to be a different prospect. Its crossover-like stance is bolstered by chunkier bumper designs and skid plates front and rear, plus roof rails and plastic lower body cladding. The ride height has also been raised by 20mm, while all cars get standard 17-inch rims. It comes at a price, though: the Active costs £1,200 more than the i20 SE it’s based on.…

James_Disdale@dennis.co.uk FEW manufacturers have the hybrid history of Toyota, which launched its first petrol-electric Prius back in 1997. Since then, the brand has slowly rolled the tech out across its range, meaning it’s now possible to drive a dual-fuel version of the Yaris supermini, Auris hatchback and, of course, the recently launched Mk4 Prius (Issue 1,408). However, this is the first time Toyota has given its rugged RAV4 SUV the hybrid treatment. Sister firm Lexus donates the drivetrain from its NX 300h, meaning the RAV4 gets a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, electric motor, continuously variable automatic transmission and a relatively old-fashioned nickel metal hydride battery pack. Entrylevel Business Edition models are frontwheel drive, yet all other versions feature an extra electric motor connected to the back axle to deliver four-wheel…

THERE are two letters guaranteed to get fast Ford fans excited: RS. They stand for Rallye Sport, and after the famous badge debuted on 1970’s Escort RS1600, it has been reserved for the hottest Fords ever since. The latest addition to the family is the new Focus RS. This go-faster family hatchback is the most powerful ever, thanks to a thumping 345bhp turbocharged 2.3-litre engine. It’s also the first RS since the rally-bred Escort RS Cosworth to feature a fourwheel-drive system, although this trick transmission has been designed to boost driver fun, not just to improve grip and traction. Yet despite the incredible power and hi-tech hardware, the new Focus RS hasn’t forgotten its blue-collar roots. With a price that’s a whisker under £30,000, it promises plenty of performance per…

Darren_Wilson@dennis.co.uk COMPILING a list of what you really want in your new car can prove to be pricey. Before you know it, those optional extras will have stacked up – inflating the original list price beyond all recognition. But with our Suzuki Vitara, that’s not a problem, because the range-topping SZ5 car comes with pretty much everything as standard for £19,999. In fact, the standard kit list really is as long as my arm. Granted, you’d expect some of the features to be included on a new car in 2016, like daytime running lights and double cup-holders up front. There are lots of more expensive options hidden among the filler, though. From a safety point of view, the seven airbags, radar brake support, rear parking camera and all-round sensors immediately…

Mini test NEW PRODUCT MYFOX Security Kit Price: from £249.99 (our kit £719.93) Contact: www.getmyfox.com ALTHOUGH vastly more expensive for a whole kit, the MyFox’s saving grace is its ease of use and discreet, stylish design. ‘IntelliTAG’ sensors attach securely to points of entry – although there’s only one included in the basic kit – and set up takes less than 50 minutes, using the companion app. The Link plug connects all the devices with ease, and once everything is up and running, you can use the app or included key fob to control the system at home or remotely. Like the SwannOne, the sensors detect a break in, triggering a siren and SMS alerts. However, the £169.99 camera isn’t built for outdoors, and the window mount costs extra, too.…

Renaultsport Clio 200 Years: 2013 to date Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 197bhp Insurance group: 29 Econ/CO2: 44.8mpg/144g/km Why? Bold Clio has real Renaultsport pedigree, practicality, ease of use and surprising comfort. Prices from: £12,500 RENAULTSPORT versions of the Clio supermini have always been relatively basic but huge fun to drive. The latest one, however, is a more grown-up proposition than ever before. It has a dual-clutch automatic gearbox, for starters, and is the first fast Clio with a turbocharger. Many say this dilutes the pure driving experience, and we’d agree, but the RS 200 still has a great deal going for it. It’s quicker than ever, and it’s a grippy and tidy handling car that also has a much smoother ride than the SEAT. The ‘RS drive’ function also allows you…

MOSCOW Raceway has replaced the Sochi Formula One track on the World Touring Car Championship’s 2016 schedule. The series’ Russian round has also been shifted from March to June, with the street race at Vila Real in Portugal moved back two weeks as a result. Sochi was to have been the curtain-raiser, but the WTCC now kicks off at Paul Ricard in France on 2-3 April. François Ribeiro, head of WTCC promoter Eurosport Events, said: “It has always been our intention to preserve Russia’s presence on the calendar and we’re pleased to have reached agreement with Moscow Raceway. “The venue always delivers excellent races and provides many promotional opportunities. I expect it to run at a much larger scale than previous editions.”…