Innholdsfortegnelse for 1435 i Auto Express

Graham_Hope@dennis.co.uk “This is the result of 20 years’ research for Infiniti and is the next step towards meeting emissions regulations” ROLAND KRUEGER President, Infinit THE Renault-Nissan Alliance is to launch the world’s first variable-compression engine in a production car, amid claims it will greatly reduce reliance on diesel power. The groundbreaking 2.0-litre turbo VC-T petrol is said to offer the performance and refinement of a V6 but with much improved efficiency, and is being hailed as the “most advanced internal-combustion engine ever”. It will debut at October’s Paris Motor Show. Infiniti will be the first Alliance brand to feature the new four-cylinder engine; it will eventually replace the ageing 3.5-litre V6 petrol used across Infiniti’s line-up. The first model to benefit will be the new QX50 SUV, due in 2018…

CAP HPI consumer and retail editor www.hpicheck.com THE savvy motorist can bag a bargain this summer as manufacturers look to improve their market share and dealers face pressure to increase volumes. While some makers may move away from pre-regging in the future following the Brexit vote – as revealed in Issue 1,433 – right now buyers can still in effect get a brand new model at a discounted rate this way, as the car already has one registered owner. Usually it’s a dealer, but fleet managers and even manufacturers can pre-register. Currently, stocks of pre-registered vehicles are building up, and this could mean big savings for the motorist. August is a key sales period where dealers have to hit targets ahead of the new reg in September. Rules require them…

Jake_Groves@dennis.co.uk @_jakegroves BUYING a new car usually means choosing the paint colour, a trim level and your preferred combination of engine and gearbox. Then there’s the fun part – scouring the options list and adding a few gadgets and extras. The average kit list is packed with useful, desirable choices like sat nav, air-con or heated seats, but there’s also a whole market dedicated to the extreme end of the scale. The Bentley Bentayga is the latest car to push the boundaries of what you might choose with the unveiling of its rather niche £80,000 fly-fishing add-on. We’ve rifled through the brochures of some more mainstream models to compile some of the more outlandish options on offer. PORSCHE 911 Leather-trimmed air vent slats/air vents Price: £563/£806 PORSCHE will let you…

MODEL TESTED: Kia Cee’d 1.6 T-GDi GT PRICE: £23,610 ENGINE: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 201bhp Testers’ notes “Efficiency is the Kia’s biggest letdown. On test, we returned 12.3mpg less than the official figures, and while these are only really for comparative purposes, the GT’s official results are way down on the Mégane and Octavia’s claims. As CO2 emissions are linked to fuel economy, it also means the Kia sits three VED tax bands higher than the Renault, while this has big implications if you’ll be running the Cee’d as a company car, too.” Testers’ notes “The Cee’d GT comes in four colours, with our test car’s Track Red the only solid finish available. The Fusion White, Phantom Black and Yellow Flame metallic paintjobs each command a premium of £530.” THE facelifted Kia…

Results 1st FORD FORD’S latest models have received mixed results in recent tests, but we’re happy to confirm that the Edge is a welcome addition to the range. What really helps it stand out is its spacious near-MPVsized interior, while the quiet and refined driving experience puts some limos to shame. Running costs are high for company users, but private buyers get a lot of car for their money. 2nd MAZDA THERE’S no shame in the CX-5 coming second in this test, because its sharp handling, cleaner emissions and long standard kit list mean it’s still one of the class leaders. But the smaller overall dimensions ensure it’s not quite as practical as family transport, and the Sport Nav’s firm ride lets it down. If you must have a Mazda,…

FIRST TEST Belkin Qi Wireless Charging Pad Price: £25 Rating: ★★★ Contact: 0845 057 9000, www.halfords.com IN theory, wireless mobile phone and tablet charging is perfect for cars, as it can potentially reduce the number of messy cables around the cabin. And an increasing number of products are bringing the tech to market. We’ve tested Belkin’s new charging pad, for use with Qi-enabled smartphones, which is now available from Halfords. An instant drawback is that the big-selling Apple iPhone doesn’t feature Qi, so you’ll need a compatible case. As part of our test, we tried an iPhone with Tech Connect’s Wireless Charging Case, which fits the iPhone 6/6S/Plus (and is available for £18 from halfords.com). The first thing to note is that the Belkin, like most rivals, doesn’t offer 100…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn And bigger, better Polo hits road HERE’S the proof that the A1’s sister car, the Volkswagen Polo, is going to target much-improved interior space when it arrives in showrooms towards the end of next year. Side-on spy shots of this test mule (left) confirm our scoop (Issue 1,428) that the sixth generation of VW’s Fiesta rival (right) will get a longer wheelbase than the car it replaces. It’s believed to be growing by as much as 90mm – and almost all of that extra length will be dedicated to improving the amount of legroom on offer to passengers in the rear. The car spied also has aggressive alloys and twin exhausts, suggesting a hot GTI is already being lined up for a debut soon after the regular edition’s…

Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer “Virtually every voluntary termination [of a finance deal] results in a loss to the lender, so a future application could be rejected” GRAHAM HILL National Assocation of Commercial Finance Brokers The current law explained Where drivers buying on finance currently stand on terminating their deal THE right to voluntarily terminate comes from the Consumer Credit Act 1974, Sections 99 and 100. The law was introduced to help borrowers get out of unaffordable agreements if they were suddenly unable to continue to pay. To protect lenders from borrowers immediately walking out of a contract, the law stipulates the borrower has to pay back at least 50 per cent of the total amount payable – which includes interest and any additional fees. The law was introduced before PCPs existed leaving…

Sam_Naylor@dennis “The look of the new ZS has been described by a source as ‘chunky’, much like the Nissan Juke” OUR spy photographers have caught the upcoming MG ZS testing for the first time ahead of a production reveal next year. Last month (Issue 1,430), Auto Express exclusively revealed the brand’s plans to revive the ZS name on its new compact SUV, and this is proof the car is in development. It’s clear this MG3-bodied development model is riding high on its wheels, hinting that it is indeed the new SUV. It’ll be based on the bigger GS, but with a shorter wheelbase and sportier body, and the big news is that it’s set to offer a new 1.0-litre petrol engine. When it finally arrives in 2017, the ZS will…

GREAT Britain has some of the safest roads in the world, with road deaths falling drastically since the early 2000s and cars being held to an increasingly high standard of testing. But latest Department for Transport (DfT) figures show progress has stalled. Since 2010 there has been no reduction in drink-drive deaths; the rate is now 240 a year. Total road deaths have remained static, too, and there’s even been a two per cent increase in serious casualties in the past 12 months. Clearly, big improvements that helped slash figures 20 years ago, like mandatory airbags, aren’t so easy to find and returns are ever diminishing. Driver assistance systems are seen as the next big step, but that could take several years to show any real affect. There’s a separate…

Contact Martin Saarinen mail@autoExpress.co.uk &AutoExpress Write to: Watchdog/Letters, Auto Express, Dennis Publishing, 30 Cleveland Street, London W1T 4JD HOT TOPIC Bristol Bullet revealed FROM: Pete I INITIALLY thought the forward planning of owner Frazer Nash would deliver a car with subtle styling, influenced by the past but incorporating modern needs and practicalities. This is an expensive kit car with German underpinnings. There was no need for it. FROM: FlyingScud DO I like this? I’m not sure. But initially: Wow. Doors and openings are a little clunky, though, and I could do without the funny little wings. Does it really need to have such a hulking great motor, either? Surely a straight six 3.0-litre would be sufficient? Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “IT’S nice, but what’s with the aftermarket foglights…

Essentials Jaguar F-Type SVR Coupé Price: £110,000 Engine: 5.0-litre s’charged V8 petrol Power/torque: 567bhp/700Nm Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, four-wheel drive 0-60mph: 3.5 seconds Top speed: 200mph Economy: 25.0mpg CO2: 269g/km ON SALE Now Sean_Carson@dennis.co.uk @Sean_Carson “First SVR-badged product is fastest roadgoing Jaguar since XJ220 supercar of early nineties” JAGUAR’S F-Type R doesn’t exactly lack power. Its 5.0-litre supercharged V8 kicks out 542bhp and 680Nm of torque – but that wasn’t enough for the brand’s Special Vehicle Operations division. Think of this like Porsche’s RS department, or what AMG is to Mercedes, and you won’t be far from the facts. And when it comes to the F-Type SVR, those facts are astonishing. The £110,000 Coupé uses the same 5.0-litre force-fed V8 as the standard R, except power has been tweaked to 567bhp.…

MODEL TESTED: Skoda Octavia Hatch vRS 2.0 TSI 220 DSG PRICE: £25,850 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 217bhp Testers’ notes “At £25,850 the Superb is the priciest car here, but it’s the cheapest in terms of monthly payments. On Skoda’s finance scheme it’ll cost £324 a month over three years, with an identical deposit to the Renault and Kia, plus a £1,000 deposit contribution on top. The £10,213 optional final payment is higher, but the company is offering zero per cent interest, so it’s not hard to see why around 80 per cent of Skodas were bought on finance last year.” SKODA is celebrating 15 years of its vRS badge in the UK in 2016, and it was the original Octavia that marked the debut of the performance brand. This third-generation car…

MODEL TESTED: Ford Edge 2.0 TDCi 180 Zetec AWD PRICE: £29,995 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbodiesel, 178bhp Testers’ notes “Ford needed to expand its crossover range, and the Edge certainly fits the bill, especially as it’s part of the One Ford global model strategy. But it does seem like there’s a fair amount of overlap between this car and the smaller Kuga. The cheapest Edge is only £250 more than a Kuga Titanium X with the same 178bhp diesel, and while the latter has more kit, the extra space the Edge offers is sure to give it more appeal.” Testers’ notes “Even though the Edge and the Mondeo are closely related, the new crossover feels like a better developed product. It’s just a shame that you have to move to Titanium…

SCRATCH repair specialist Chipex reckons it’s come up with the ultimate solution for marks on the screen, too, with its new Aquaphobic Screenwash. Unlike conventional screenwashes it contains surfactants to leave a waterrepellent coating. This is said to make water run off and aid the removal of dead bugs, plus reduce wiper wear and noise. So how does it compare with a normal screenwash? We rated it against Issue 1,371 test champ Angelwax Clarity. We tried both with bug and oil smears using 100ml of wash, plus put it in the freezer to simulate winter driving. We also looked at prices, as quoted by the makers. Chipex does leave a beading surface. But do you want the haze that follows the blades? If you like rain repellents, this is a…

Got any car queries? Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Preparing car for lay-up I’M going to be leaving the country for six months, but don’t want to sell my beloved Audi S3. What can I do to make sure it’s still in good condition when I get back? Jonathan Lenk, E-mail A TRY to find a garage in which to store the car; this will keep moisture out of it. Also, before you put it away for storage, give it a good clean, pump up the tyres, top it up with fuel and change the oil. It’s worth keeping the battery charged via a trickle charger, too, and don’t engage the parking brake. Use logs or an equivalent to keep the car from moving. Q Oil grade confusion THE recommended oil for…

Dear Lawrence, I’m looking to replace my current hatch with an estate to cope with a growing family. I have £6,000 to spend, so what should I consider? Becky Barrett, E-mail Contact: Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk CARS THE EFFICIENT CHOICE Vauxhall Astra ST FOR: Sleek looks, spacious interior AGAINST: Cabin quality, stodgy handling WITH its swooping roofline, the previous-generation Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer is arguably the most stylish choice in this company. On the road, it’s a refined and comfortable cruiser, although the handling could be a bit sharper through corners. The engine line-up is impressive, with either the 1.7 or 2.0-litre diesels worthy choices delivering strong efficiency. Our classifieds search revealed a 55,000-mile 2012 1.7 CDTi Exclusive for £5,900. INTERIOR BUTTONS in the cabin can be fiddly and the A-pillars risk causing…

FRENCH Mercedes junior driver Esteban Ocon will make his Formula One debut at next weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, having replaced Rio Haryanto at Manor. The Indonesian driver has lost his seat after his government backers decided not to renew his sponsorship for the rest of the season. Haryanto’s original deal ran for the first 11 races, but he was kept on for the German Grand Prix while his management attempted to secure more funding. Haryanto has now accepted an offer to become Manor’s test and reserve driver for the remainder of the 2017 season. The team’s boss Dave Ryan said: “We’re very pleased to welcome Esteban to Manor Racing for the remainder of the season. “Our team has made significant strides in 2016, including finishing in the points for the…

“The VW Group and Toyota have the highest revenues of any manufacturers – not just car makers – on the planet” HOW much do motor manufacturers rake in annually from regular or occasional customers? During the last financial year, just five leading firms/industrial groups – Daimler, GM, Nissan-Renault, Toyota and VW Group – enjoyed a collective revenue of around a trillion dollars. Nice work if you can get it, eh? In terms of earnings, there’s very little between the two undisputed heavyweight champions of the world. VW Group and Toyota each enjoy annual revenue figures of $236.6billion – the former grossed $236.599bn, the latter $236.591bn. That’s almost half a trillion right there, putting them in a superleague of their own. Astonishingly, each is pulling in around $1bn every working weekday,…

132 PAGE SPECIAL ISSUE 25 YEARS OF CLIO A 32-page special as we look at the past, present and future of Renault’s supermini star On the limit in new Panamera Behind the wheel of Porsche’s 4S Diesel – the world’s fastest production diesel model MG’s new SUV vs Qashqai & Kadjar The moment of truth for new GS as it takes on best-sellers from Nissan and Renault News ● Product tests Drives ● Features & Sport on sale Wednesday 24 August Contents are subject to change…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy “Overall style will inch towards a crossover as Citroen avoids making a direct rival for Ford’s Focus” CITROEN is planning a more stylish look for its next-generation C4 family hatchback, after the company’s boss promised the French brand would never build a conservative car again. The current C4 has been poorly received in many markets, including the UK, and criticised for its dull styling that’s a world away from Citroen’s reputation for avantgarde design. The company’s boss, Brit Linda Jackson, has stated that the firm’s future creations need to be “between different and bizarre”. The new car – due on sale in 2018 – will take significant design cues from the C4 Cactus and recently launched C3. As our exclusive images suggest, the C4 will get the latest…

Skoda’s new Kodiaq SUV noses into view SKODA has revealed a quartet of teaser images, offering us our clearest look yet at the new Kodiaq SUV. It’s due for a full reveal ahead of the Paris Motor Show in October, before going on sale in 2017. As the first shot (above) shows, the Kodiaq will get sharp headlamps and LED daytime running lights, as well as a bold grille and clamshell bonnet. It will rival the Hyundai Santa Fe with a range of petrol, diesel and hybrid engines. Head to www.autoexpress.co.uk to see the full set of images now. And latest Octavias are a big hit for kit ELSEWHERE, Skoda has added two new trim levels to its popular Octavia range, in an effort to boost value with added kit.…

James Batchelor James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor McLaren 570S vs R8 V10 vs 911 Turbo A FLURRY of sub-£150k supercars has launched in the past 18 months, so we decided to see which is best. We brought together the new rearwheel-drive, mid-engined McLaren 570S and a couple of four-wheeldrive protagonists: the Audi R8 V10 Plus and the Porsche 911 Turbo S. The three cars take on the twists and turns of the tight Llandow circuit near Cardiff. Log on to find out which of these stunners comes out on top. New 503bhp C 63 S Coupé hits the UK EVER since we drove the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupé last year, we’ve been itching to try it over here, and now’s our chance. Our man Steve Sutcliffe gets behind the wheel of the…

MODEL TESTED: Renault Mégane GT Nav EDC PRICE: £25,500 ENGINE: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 202bhp Testers’ notes “Like the regular diesel hatch, the Mégane GT impresses with its interior quality, but Renault has added some extra touches to the cabin to give it a sportier feel. Depending on the drive mode you’ve selected, you can also adjust the LED ambient lighting, from a cool blue in Comfort to a racy red when you hit the R.S. Drive button. This feelgood touch combines well with the hi-tech infotainment system and sporty display for the digital dash.” Testers’ notes “No manual option is offered on this top-spec Mégane, as in the Clio RS. But the old GT had a manual box, and in comparison the lethargic EDC unit here reduces a layer of involvement…

Results 1st SKODA A COMBINATION of superior practicality and performance sees the Skoda take victory. Running costs are competitive with the Mégane’s, while finance buyers will benefit from stronger deals. And even though a substantial facelift is coming next year, bringing an update to the ageing cabin, we still think the way the Skoda drives and the versatility it offers warrants the extra outlay here. 2nd RENAULT INTEGRATING clever four-wheel-steering tech shows what lies ahead in the hot hatch sector, and while it works on the Mégane GT, the lacklustre engine and hesitant gearbox take a large chunk of fun out of the driving experience. Still, these cars are about more than just enjoyment, and the Renault will be practical, cheap to run and easy to live with, thanks to…

MODEL TESTED: Mazda CX-5 2.2D 175 Sport Nav AWD PRICE: £29,795 ENGINE: 2.2-litre 4cyl turbodiesel, 173bhp Testers’ notes “Mazda’s SkyActiv engine range and general weight-saving philosophy were designed to help reduce emissions and improve economy, but the fringe benefit is that all of its cars are enjoyable to drive. The CX-5 is one of the best-handling crossovers on sale, and it’s streets ahead of the Ford. But how many people buy one of these cars with sharp handling in mind? At least the company car costs are appealing.” THE Mazda CX-5 is one of the best-driving crossovers on sale, whichever version you go for. There are SE L and Sport Nav trims available and here we test the latter. Power comes from a 2.0-litre petrol engine with 163bhp, or a…

Steve_Walker@dennis.co.uk Second opinion “Unusually for a pick-up, the Navara gets multi-link rear suspension rather than a live rear axle. This tech is more expensive to manufacture and should give a smoother ride, but with not much weight over the back end, the Nissan still feels bouncy at speed.” Essentials Nissan NP300 Navara Tekna Double Cab On fleet since: April 2016 Price new: £29,100 Engine/torque: 2.3-litre 4cyl twinturbodiesel, 187bhp CO2/tax: 169g/km/£210 Options: Rear differential lock (£500), front and rear rubber mats and bedliner protection (£299), aluminium entry guards (£95), aluminium tonneau cover with guard frame (£1,800) Insurance*: Group: 38 Quote: £872 Mileage/mpg: 5,364/27.5mpg Any problems? None so far *Insurance quote from AA (0800 107 0680) for a 42-year-old in Banbury, Oxon, with three points. Verdict IT’S clear to see why company…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Dash cam install in roadster I’VE just bought a Nextbase 512G Ultra dash cam for my new Mazda MX-5. But the kit has no clips, I can’t see where to run the power lead and a sensor seems to be in the way. What can I do? Shaun Oliver, E-mail A USUALLY cables go under headlining and behind A-pillar trim, but a roadster presents different problems. Nextbase says there’s room for the wire to be slipped under the small trim at the top of the screen. It’s trickier than a normal install and the firm suggests taking the cam (above) to Halfords for a pro fit (£30) if you’re struggling. Q How to restore leather THE leather interior of the classic car I’m restoring…