Innholdsfortegnelse for 1427 i Auto Express

Graham_Hope@dennis.co.uk ROLLS-Royce has provided a unique insight into what the ultimate luxury car of the future will look like with the new Vision Next 100 concept. The outrageous model was unveiled as part of an event celebrating owner BMW’s centenary held at the Roundhouse in North London, and sits alongside similar futuristic models from BMW and MINI (see panel). Described as the first ‘purely visionary’ concept in the brand’s 112-year history, the model is clearly recognisable as a Rolls, and at 5.9 metres long, is almost the same length as a LWB Phantom. It’s based on an advanced, lightweight carbon fibre platform with a high-performance electric drive that features two 250kW motors on the front and rear axles. But Rolls says in future the wheelbase and even the design could…

Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer “On top of parking charges, trusts have issued 275,000 fines to patients and visitors worth £2.8m since 2013” HOSPITALS in England made over £344million from parking fees in the last three years, with each NHS Foundation Trust raking in an average of £949,000 a year from parking, an exclusive Auto Express investigation has found. Trusts have also issued 275,000 fines to patients and visitors worth £2.8million since 2013, amounting to an annual £8,200 a year income from penalty charges. As our table (opposite) shows, some earned over £10m in the last three years from parking charges, with a quarter of hospitals diverting the money received into car park maintenance rather than patient care. Derby Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust topped the list as the highest earner, collecting £10.8m…

BY now we should all know not to drink and drive. Yet, according to new research from the Department for Transport, there remains a group of motorists who still believe they are not a risk on the road after having a few. A review of the £1.8million anti-drink-driving campaign by THINK! revealed that after watching the ads, most people found driving after two drinks less socially acceptable and more dangerous. However, the message was ignored by a group of drivers who, despite watching the ads, continue to believe they can have a few drinks and not be a hazard on the road. Only a few said they would reassess their habits. According to Transport Minister Andrew Jones, the Government is currently taking the right approach towards these drivers, with “rigorous…

Contact Joe Finnerty mail@autoespress.co.uk @AutoExpress Write to: Watchdog/Letters, Auto Express, Dennis Publishing, 30 Cleveland Street, London W1T 4JD HOT TOPIC Volvo’s new V90 estate FROM: anytonyr VOLVO has the best interior in its class. It is warm and beautiful, and has calming materials. It also does without the cold ‘office’ look of German rivals – I know which one I would like to be in on a long drive. All the new Volvos look like they are top-notch cars. FROM: EYorksRob I LOOK forward to buying one in five years’ time when we know how durable these cars will be. If this new Volvo is up to the usual standards, then a five-year-old V90 should be barely run in and a real bargain on the used car market. Join the…

MODEL TESTED: Ford Tourneo Connect 1.5 TDCi 120 Titanium PRICE: £19,645 ENGINE: 1.5-litre 4cyl, 118bhp Testers’ notes “As soon as you get behind the wheel of the Tourneo Connect, you sense the handling DNA of the Focus. While the stability control can’t be turned off, the car is a lot more fun to drive than its rivals here. And although the Grand model feels like a long car, it’s not ponderous. Factor in the raft of standard equipment you get in Titanium trim and clever folding seats, and it’s even worth considering over Ford’s own C-MAX.” James Disdale Road test editor Testers’ notes “If you want the Grand Tourneo’s space but don’t need seven seats, you can opt for five seats and get £240 off the price. The Grand has…

Results 1st MAZDA YOU get more power, equipment and style for your cash with the CX-5. It’ll be cheaper to run than the Subaru, too, plus it’s better to drive on the road, where these cars will spend most of their time. The Mazda can’t quite match the Forester’s off-road ability – although it’ll go further than you’d imagine – but it’s a more refined, attractive SUV that better teams performance and comfort with usability. 2nd SUBARU IF you’re after a rugged, no-nonsense SUV with above-average off-road ability, the Forester deserves a closer look. It’s also comfortable, well equipped and practical, plus it’s powered by a refined diesel engine. Yet it’s hobbled by its high CO2 emissions and awkward styling, meaning it simply can’t compete against smarter, cleaner choices. *Manufacturer…

PRODUCT GROUP TEST 22 | 6 | 2016 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. PRESSURE washers are the ultimate car cleaning tools. No other device shifts so much dirt so easily, plus keeps you and your hands away from the wet and grimy stuff. And for vehicles that get heavily soiled, it’s hard to think of any other approach that so easily dislodges compacted mud under wheelarches. They’re good for your paint, too; blasting grit away is less risky than shifting it by wiping. Even environmentalists see the benefits, as pressure washers make the water work harder and use far less than a bucket and hose. So which is…

IT’S NOT JUST CARS... AT some point, all emergency services vehicles have to be disposed of, so it’s not just police cars that come up for sale second-hand. You can buy motorbikes, ambulances and even fire engines, too. “Many of the vehicles we sell are exported, but not all,” explains Gareth Brooks of expolicecar.co.uk. “Ambulances are very popular with private medical services. We also sell many motorcycles; like cars, they’re great as they’ve been ridden only by trained bikers.” “Changing a police car’s status is simple and free; it takes minutes” THE world is full of used vehicles, so you don’t have to look far to scoop a secondhand bargain. But if you want to save big, how about buying an ex-police car? It won’t mean driving around in something…

Essentials Audi A5 3.0 TDI quattro Price: £43,000 (est) Engine: 3.0-litre V6 diesel Power/torque: 282bhp/620Nm Transmission: Eight-speed auto, four-wheel drive 0-62mph: 5.3 seconds (est) Top speed: 155mph Economy: 55mpg (est) CO2: 134g/km (est) ON SALE July Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn A BETTER looking, more athletic and more likeable younger brother is what the Audi A5 coupé has been to the A4 saloon since it was introduced in 2007. One year after the arrival of the fifth-generation A4, Audi has launched its new A5. So does it still have the edge in this sibling rivalry? We got behind the wheel to find out. The new A5 shares a huge proportion of its DNA with the A4, so it’s hardly surprising that it has followed a similar weight-loss regime. It’s 60kg lighter than the…

Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan “The next Swift will be slightly longer, lower and wider than the current car, providing a small boost in practicality” Iconic MX-5 special debuts MAZDA has revealed a new special edition of its MX-5, the Icon. Just 600 will be produced, and it’ll debut at this week’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. The 1.5-litre model will go on sale in August, priced at £20,995, and comes in Meteor Grey Mica or Crystal White Pearlescent (right), with the door mirrors, rear spoiler and front skirt in Soul Red. Bluetooth and DAB are standard. SUZUKI’S small car future will continue to take shape with an all-new Swift supermini, due in showrooms next year. According to UK sales and marketing director Dale Wyatt, the recently launched Baleno takes care of the “rational…

Merc-AMG’s GT R is ready to pounce MERCEDES-AMG has given us a look at its hardcore GT R supercar ahead of its reveal this weekend. The track-focused model (above) will go on sale this year. Shown in a darkened teaser video, the bright green AMG GT R has a deep front splitter, wider body, fixed rear wing and yellow-stitched interior. We’ll have all the info online at autoexpress.co.uk on Friday evening. Bio-ethanol fuel cell on way from Nissan NISSAN has unveiled plans for the world’s first ever bio-ethanol fuel-cell car, which mixes ethanol and natural gas with oxygen to produce electricity. The e-Bio set-up is said to be more efficient than a conventional hydrogen fuel cell due to the fact its system generates electricity through a solid oxide fuel-cell (SOFC)…

James Batchelor James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor Lightweight Aston Vantage GT8 driven THE new Aston Martin Vantage GT8 isn’t as exclusive as the Vanquish Zagato (opposite); 150 will be built. So what do those lucky buyers get for their £165,000? Well, Aston took a V8 Vantage S and put it through a weight-loss programme, then tuned it to deliver an even more intoxicating driving experience. Is this the best car of the Vantage breed? Our video reveals all. We lift the lid on C 63 AMG Cabriolet MERCEDES has given us a hot AMG C-Class we’ve never before seen – one with a fabric folding roof. It now means you can get the lairy C 63 in saloon, Estate, Coupé and convertible forms. But is the drop-top version the best? Read our first…

Essentials SEAT Leon ST Cupra 290 Price: £29,670 Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl petrol Power/torque: 286bhp/350Nm Transmission: Six-speed twin-clutch auto, front-wheel drive 0-62mph: 5.9 seconds Top speed: 155mph Economy: 42.8mpg CO2: 154g/km ON SALE Now Sam_Naylor@dennis.co.uk @SamNaylor_AE “You get a great balance between ride comfort and handling; even on large alloys, ST feels composed” THERE’S hardly a shortage of choice in the hot hatch market at the moment, with incredible cars such as the Ford Focus RS, Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf R all competing for attention. The SEAT Leon Cupra is fighting that battle, too, with the latest 290 version, and now the Spanish brand has applied the 290 treatment to the ST estate. There’s no load-lugging version of the Focus RS or Civic Type R, so the Leon’s…

MODEL TESTED: Citroen Berlingo BlueHDi 120 XTR PRICE: £18,975 ENGINE: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 118bhp Testers’ notes “While the Berlingo doesn’t have the biggest boot of this trio in five-seat mode, having the ability to remove the three individual seats in the middle row and make the most of the 3,000-litre capacity is a real bonus. However, the £700 Modutop storage system is well worth adding. It sacrifices outright carrying capacity, but most families are more likely to use the extra storage it provides rather than the cabin’s maximum area.” James Disdale Road test editor THE Citroen Berlingo and its sister model, the Peugeot Partner Tepee, are firmly established in the budget van-based MPV class. The Berlingo range starts at £13,605, which is £170 less than the cheapest Fiat Doblo, and the…

MODEL TESTED: Subaru Forester 2.0D XC Premium Lineartronic PRICE: £30,995 ENGINE: 2.0-litre flat-four turbodiesel, 145bhp Testers’ notes “The Subaru comes with a power tailgate as standard, unlike the CX-5. While this feature can be useful if you’ve got your hands full of bags and need to load the boot, the Forester’s mechanism is slow to react to a press of the button and takes ages to begin opening. Once it’s started you’ll be waiting, too; the electric operation takes far too long to complete. Sometimes, it can more of a frustrating inconvenience.” James Disdale Road test editor Testers’ notes “Even though it has less torque than its rival here, the Subaru matches the Mazda’s 2,000kg towing limit. The Forester is a popular tow car, so this impressive pulling capacity will…

Dear Lawrence, My old Astra has failed its MoT, so I’m looking for a reliable replacement that can be run on a shoestring. What should I buy for about £8,000? Katie Wheald, Cardiff Contact: Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk CARS THE SPACIOUS CHOICE Honda Civic FOR: Efficient, reliable, plenty of room AGAINST: Questionable looks, fiddly dash WHILE the Civic’s styling has got more controversial with each generation, it still remains a good choice for those who prioritise reliability and practicality. Whether you like it or not, it’s certainly more distinctive both inside and out than the others. It’s more fun to drive, too, with peppy engines and decent handling, but it’s not that refined or comfortable on a long run, and not cheap to buy. We found a 34,000-mile 2012 1.8 SE-T for £7,640.…

Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram Master of disguise LAND Rover engineers have done their best to prevent prying eyes from seeing the details of this latest prototype, but even the extensive camouflage couldn’t hide that sloping roofline. Manufacturers often try to mask a car’s shape by using extra padding, so beneath the disguise the Range Rover Coupé’s rear end is likely to be even more dramatic than we can see. OUR spies have seen a new Land Rover coupé testing on European roads, confirming the company is on track to join the growing number of makers to offer a large coupé-SUV (see panel, opposite). The all-new model, thought to be a coupé sitting on Land Rover’s all-aluminium platform, will make its debut next summer, and rival the BMW X6 and Mercedes GLE Coupé…

Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer “Faulty lights and signals are the most common reason for MoT test failures” BRITAIN’S MoT failure hotspots have been mapped out in a new study. And according to figures obtained by vehicle management service Automyze, drivers in Dundee have the least roadworthy cars, with 53 per cent failing their most recent MoTs. No less than four of the 10 towns and cities with the highest numbers of MoT flops were in Scotland, with failure rates of nearly 50 per cent in both Aberdeen and Perth, too. And it’s not just motorists north of the border who are having problems. Drivers in Truro, Plymouth and Exeter in the southwest also had failure rates significantly higher than the national average. According to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, only 38…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn VOLVO’S relentless product offensive shows no sign of letting up as the Swedish car maker has been spied putting the finishing touches to its all-new XC60. Designed to sit in the middle of Volvo’s three-model SUV line-up (with an XC40 arriving later), the Audi Q5 rival is expected to launch next year, with a possible debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Even though the prototype in our spy shot (below) is heavily camouflaged, we know the new SUV will adopt the best bits from the XC90 and condense them into a smaller, more affordable, five-seat package. Our exclusive main image shows how the final car could look, carrying over the ‘Thor’s Hammer’ LED headlights and chrome-bordered front grille. Inside, the portrait-style infotainment system and digital instrument…

Traffic and transport law specialist www.keepmeontheroad.co.uk @keepmeontheroad FOR several years now, law enforcement has been trying to keep up with the issue of motorists using technology behind the wheel. Although it became illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving in 2003, Government research suggests 500,000 people break this law each day. It’s no wonder a recent consultation suggested increasing fines to £150 and handing out six penalty points for offenders. That means a driving ban could now be enforced after only two cases. Those caught could also go to court, face disqualification and a fine of up to £1,000. Using a mobile in a vehicle can be legal if you need to call 999 in an emergency, and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop. This applies if the…

Chris_Rosamond@dennis.co.uk Essentials Volkswagen Amarok 3.0 TDI Price: £21,500 (est) Engine: 3.0-litre V6 diesel Power/torque: 221bhp/550Nm Transmission: Eight-speed auto, four-wheel drive 0-62mph: 7.9 seconds Top speed: 120mph Economy: 37mpg CO2: 199g/km ON SALE September Amarok is the latest in a batch of large and luxurious double-cab 4x4 pick-ups that seemingly wants to rub the taxman’s nose in the loophole around ‘dual usage’ light commercial vehicles with four seats and a 1,000kg load capacity. Nissan’s Navara, Mitsubishi’s L200 and the Ford Ranger will all be key rivals for the big VW. In the UK, the Amarok has always been pitched at the ‘premium’ pick-up sector, so you’re more likely to see one towing a jet ski to the beach at weekends than loaded with a pallet of bricks on any working day.…

MODEL TESTED: Fiat Doblo 1.6 MultiJet 95 Lounge S&S PRICE: £19,430 ENGINE: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 94bhp Testers’ notes “These cars exist because they offer the best space-per-pound ratio on the market, and if you have a big family, they are well worth considering. However, if you want to switch the Doblo between family duties and load carrying on a regular basis, you’re going to get fit quite quickly. The two-seat section of the middle row is heavy to lift, although with a maximum capacity of 3,200 litres, there’s more space on offer than in either rival.” James Disdale Road test editor Testers’ notes “The Doblo is a global car. It’s also sold in Europe as the Opel or Vauxhall Combo, while sister brand Chrysler markets it as the Ram ProMaster City…

Results 1st FORD THE Tourneo demands fewer compromises than its van-based MPV rivals, and it’s the only car in the class that doesn’t feel like a van to drive. The new 1.5 TDCi is a good performer, yet it might struggle with a full load in seven-seat Grand Tourneo guise. Go for the standard wheelbase in Titanium trim, and it’s a practical, user-friendly car with smart seating and an upmarket feel. 2nd CITROEN IT’S getting on, but the Berlingo’s mix of space, practicality and efficiency puts it ahead of the Fiat. The top-spec XTR model offers great value and decent performance with the 118bhp engine, although we’d recommend trying a seven-seat version for size before committing. A better option would be to stick with five seats and add the Modutop…

MODEL TESTED: Mazda CX-5 Sport Nav 2.2 SkyActiv-D 175 AWD Auto PRICE: £30,995 ENGINE: 2.2-litre 4cyl turbodiesel, 173bhp THE Mazda CX-5 is one of the best-driving crossovers on sale, and here we test it in topspec Sport Nav trim with the company’s higherpowered 2.2-litre turbodiesel. It’s hooked up to an automatic gearbox and has four-wheel drive, but while the £30,995 SUV is a match for the Forester on price, can it compete on and off the road? Testers’ notes “Together with its SkyActiv tech, which focuses on reducing weight to improve efficiency, Mazda believes in ‘right-sized’ rather than downsized engines, hence the fairly large 2.2-litre diesel in the CX-5. This has lots of power and performance, so you don’t have to rev it as hard in everyday driving, which was…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk “If you take it off-road, the Porsche will go just about wherever you wish” Second opinion “Our car was six months old when it joined our fleet and is now nearing its first birthday. Yet strong demand means it’s unlikely to have fallen in value at all. In the classifieds, a lightly used 2014 car will cost you £46,000. About the price of a new S Diesel.” Dean Gibson Deputy road test editor “On long journeys I continue to be amazed by how refined and civilised the Macan is” Essentials Porsche Macan S Diesel On fleet since: January 2016 Price new: £46,177 (new) Engine: 3.0-litre V6 twinturbodiesel, 255bhp CO2/tax: 159g/km/£180 Options (inc): Met paint (£608), leather (£2,453), alloys (£1,700), adaptive sports seats (£1,214), Sport Chrono pack (£729), air-suspension (£1,788),…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Which caravan sat-nav? MY wife and I take our caravan on several trips a year, but often our car’s sat-nav has routed us on cross-country B-roads, which are hard work when towing. Although I’ve seen devices that are designed specifically for caravans, they are expensive. Is there an alternative? John Friend, E-mail A THE new caravan sat-nav app from our test winner CoPilot is a costeffective solution. We’ve had good results towing a car transporter on a journey with multiple width restrictions, and you can specify the size of trailer and car (right). The £49.99 app is available for iOS and Android. Q Screen wash solution I USE a screen wash that comes in a five-litre pack, but I find it hard to pour,…

Maserati 250F Ian Wagstaff (Porter Press, porterpress.co.uk) Price: £60 (£250 Deluxe Edition) Rating: ★★★★★ THIS new entry in Porter Press’ ‘Great Cars’ series tells the story of one of the most iconic Formula One race cars of all-time. It starts with an account from the son of the original Maserati 250F’s creator, and gives a comprehensive history of the race car. Beautifully detailed and packed with stunning pictures, it’s guaranteed to be a hit with all motor racing fans. Citroen DS Malcolm Bobbitt (Veloce Publishing, veloce.co.uk) Price: £27.50 Rating: ★★★★ NO book about the Citroen DS is likely to be dull to read, as it’s such an off-the-wall car to begin with. And author Malcolm Bobbitt has an engaging writing style, and details this oddball machine in all its glory.…

Got any car queries? Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Light replacement costs THE rear light clusters on my Volkswagen Jetta need replacing, as some of the LEDs have failed, but fresh units from VW cost £96. Do you have a solution for getting them cheaper? FrankSmith, E-mail A IN Issue 1,396, we investigated the cost of replacing light bulbs and found that different dealers for the same manufacturer varied their quotes by as much as £40. Although VW dealers were the most consistent with their quoted prices, we’d still recommend shopping around by calling a few nearby garages. Q MoT advisory query I RECENTLY visited a second-hand dealer and bought a car that had passed its MoT. But I quickly discovered that there’s an advisory notice regarding worn brakes and pads. Should…

Join the debate now... www.autoexpress.co.uk/opinion “Increasingly there are threats to fine diesel drivers, via taxes, for driving cars that were bought for the right reasons” IF you took the advice of politicians and invested in an eco home, solar panels, triple glazing, LED bulbs, plus a bicycle stored in a shed made from recycled lentils, you should be content that you’ve done your bit. But ask yourself how you’d feel if punitive taxes were now dumped on you for using such eco-affable products? At the very least you’d be frustrated... and cheated. So spare a thought for those who recently invested £20k, £30k or £40k in state-of-theart, diesel-sipping cars the same politicians encouraged and sometimes incentivised them to purchase. Shamefully, the state is now keen on financially punishing these consumers…