Innholdsfortegnelse for 1444 i Auto Express

IF you want to know what the future holds in the car world, ask a designer; they’re as much futurologists as stylists these days. And this week I had the pleasure of spending some time with one of the best, Ford’s VP of design Moray Callum. Callum (above) spoke of his excitement at Ford’s commitment to produce a car without a steering wheel by 2021 – a project he’s heavily involved in. However, he promised style won’t be forgotten in Ford’s push to be first with autonomous driving. “Some people will always want to be seen in one car rather than another,” Callum told me. “With autonomous cars, people won’t want a Google car – they don’t want to be seen in a science project.” Even existing tech was proving…

“The chassis is stiffer than the previous car’s, so should improve response and comfort” FOLLOWING the frenzy of the Paris Motor Show, Honda has seized the opportunity to reveal its all-new CR-V. The SUV will initially go on sale in North America later this year, before making the trip across the Atlantic and into UK showrooms. No official UK release date for the new model has been announced yet, but we can expect it to arrive towards the end of 2017, priced from around £24,000. The introduction of the CR-V follows a similar path to the recent Civic, which first went on sale in North America – Honda’s most lucrative market – 18 months ago, before landing here in the coming months. Like the Civic, the CR-V will make the…

“If you know you can save at least one person, save that one. Save the person in the car.” CHRISTOPH VON HUGO Mercedes FUTURE autonomous Mercedes vehicles will prioritise saving their own occupants in no-win traffic situations, the company’s safety executives have told Auto Express. The tricky moral question continues to be debated by lawmakers, ethicists and lawyers, but for Mercedes’ Manager of Driver Assistance Systems, Active Safety and Ratings, the answer couldn’t be clearer. “If you know you can save at least one person, at least save that one. Save the one in the car,” Christoph von Hugo said in an interview at the recent Paris Motor Show. “If all you know for sure is that one thing, one death, can be prevented then that’s your first priority,” continued…

THE Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a study into comparison sites amid concerns over whether consumers can trust the information they give. The consumer watchdog will focus on car insurance, utilities and bank account comparison sites as part of a general review of “digital comparison tools”. However, it will also try to address concerns over sites that promote certain companies over others based on business contracts, which is seen as limiting fair competition in the market. Previous research has found that companies can pay as much as £30 to comparison sites for each new customer they gain through them. Rival companies that don’t pay a fee may feature lower on the site, even if they can offer a similar deal. Andrea Coscelli, CMA acting chief executive, said: “Digital…

Verdict NISSAN’s attempt to tame the GT-R hasn’t diluted the performance. The softer ride, smoother powertrain and markedly improved cabin all serve to make the car easier to live with day-to-day. There are more civilised supercars out there – namely the Audi R8 and McLaren 570S – but for something that delivers such savage performance for less than £100,000, there remains nothing like it. ONCE a year, Nissan subjects its GT-R supercar to a meticulous development process aimed at making it faster and more capable than ever before. This latest version – for the 2017 model year – is no different. Its 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 now develops 562bhp (20bhp more than the outgoing car), while a reshaped front end has been added to improve cooling and aero efficiency. However, Nissan…

MODEL TESTED: Fiat Tipo 1.6 MultiJet Lounge PRICE: £17,995 ENGINE: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 118bhp Testers’ notes “If the top-spec Tipo is still too much money, and you’re looking for a spacious hatch on a shoestring, the range starts from £12,995. This will get you a 94bhp 1.4 petrol in Easy trim, but with all models receiving DAB, Bluetooth and air-con, the kit offered on even the most basic Tipo model is respectable. If you need even more space, the Tipo Station Wagon boasts a 550-litre boot, but it costs an extra £1,000.” James Disdale Chief reviewer Testers’ notes “Fiat fits the Tipo with a City button for the steering that makes it even lighter, to help with parking or manoeuvring in tight spots. It’s very light in this setting, but the…

Mercedes GLC DEPUTY editor John McIlroy has cruised beyond the 4,000-mile mark already in the GLC 220 d without even trying, which is a sign of how easily it’s fitted into his life. The cabin is standing up well; it’s very comfortable, even on 18-inch wheels, and there are no rattles to speak of so far. The boot (above) has been put to the test through travelling with a toddler, and in the most part it’s been fine. John likes the way he can drop the rear seats with switches at the sides, and that you can lower the rear suspension, making it easier to lift heavy items on board. However, John reckons it’s the everyday stuff where the Mercedes trips up, like the fact the pair of luggage hooks…

NEW PRODUCT MINI Lifestyle Collection Price: TBA Contact: www.shop.mini.com FOR a fashion-led brand like MINI, a collection of clothing, luggage and other accessories is almost essential to let owners co-ordinate their cars with the rest of their lives. The new MINI Lifestyle collection, launched at the recent Paris Motor Show and on sale next month, aims to do just that. There are over 50 items for men, women and children. There’s a range of vibrant-coloured T-shirts, sweatshirts and jackets carrying the latest MINI logo. It’s all based round the brand’s Colour Block design language, and will help you stand out in a crowd. You could fill up your Cooper’s boot with MINI-branded luggage, too; Duffle, Overnight and Weekender bags join a full-sized suitcase. There’s also a branded phone case, a…

2016 Results Evoque Factfile Years: 2011 to present CO2: 125g/km Fuel economy: 59.4mpg (2.0 TD4 4WD SE) Best options: Sat-nav, adaptive cruise control, Wi-Fihotspot, heated seats, USB Prices: From £16,900 OVERALL SCORE 88.15% Bars show where model finished out of 150 cars in our 2016 survey. The lower the rating the better GOOD “THE Evoque is the best car I’ve owned. It looks great and drives brilliantly.” “This car combines comfort with performance and comes with lots of equipment as standard.” “For a large car, it’s a lot of fun to drive. It’s pretty easy to park, too.” “The Evoque’s 2.2-litre diesel engine is a fantastic unit. It matches the automatic gearbox so well.” “I often drive long distances and I find my car to be very comfortable.” “The Evoque’s…

THE Skoda Fabia SUV has been given the green light for production, according to the company’s head of research and development – and it will attempt to move beyond the recent formula for small crossovers by offering genuine practicality, Auto Express can exclusively reveal. The Fabia SUV – a rival for the Citroen C4 Cactus and Nissan Juke – has been under consideration for more than two years, and our exclusive images show how it could look. As recently as last autumn, the firm teased a sketch of the car to journalists, but insisted it had not been approved for production. Now Christian Strube, Skoda’s board member for research and development, has acknowledged that the project is under way in earnest. When asked at the recent Paris Motor Show if…

“New SUV is expected to draw on Wild Rubis concept, seen at 2013 Shanghai show” “Boss Picat has confirmed that DS would be the first brand in the PSA Group to get a fully electric model” DS’s first all-new model will be an SUV, and will arrive next year with a debut at March’s Geneva Motor Show, Auto Express can exclusively reveal. We spoke to Director of Europe for the PSA Group Maxime Picat at the recent Paris Motor Show, and when asked if an SUV would be the first of DS’s six all-new global models, he told us: “Correct, that is very possible. It will come soon, and after the SUV we will try to keep the pace of one brand new car per year, per region, per brand.”…

“The dealer concluded the ignition must have been damaged, so refused to cover it under warranty” GETTING locked out of your car when you’ve dropped, lost or forgotten your keys is irritating. But it’s not nearly as frustrating as when you’re armed with the right key and still can’t get into your new vehicle. Reader Claire Lainchbury, of Thorner, West Yorks, told us she was frequently left stranded in her 15-plate Jeep Renegade, with the key often stuck in the ignition. Claire bought the car from Motorpoint Birmingham in May, when it was just 10 months old. She explained: “I’d only owned it a few months when I started to notice that sometimes the key wouldn’t turn in the ignition, or it would turn, but then you couldn’t get the…

“Renault’s history of archetypal hot hatches means a fresh Clio RS is always an exciting test” Verdict SMALL tweaks improve an already well rounded product, but they can’t hide the fact the Clio RS still lacks involvement. While a manual gearbox is still a noticeable omission, the RS is an otherwise hugely enjoyable package. It handles sweetly, rides well and sounds fantastic – but diehard fans will find more enjoyment in one of the Clio’s manual-driven rivals. RENAULT will finally complete its total range revamp when the new Scenic goes on sale in the UK later this year. Every model from the Captur to the Kadjar now has a recognisable family face, with prominent diamond logo and bold front-end styling – as well as cutting-edge tech inside and out. The…

Verdict THERE’S no denying the Track Edition makes a marked step up over the already extremely capable GT-R, despite offering no increase in power or performance. But unless you’re a track day regular, it’s probably not worth the extra cash. The changes only come alive when you’re pressing hard, but on the road, we suspect the differences will be hard to spot. “The luxury of testing both the standard and Track Edition GT-R has emphasised the differences” THOSE who deem the standard GT-R a bit too ordinary needn’t worry, as Nissan has a more focused and rowdy in-house alternative called the GT-R Track Edition. The name is a giveaway, and as you may have guessed, it has been engineered and tweaked to work on a circuit. Yet despite the £12,000…

FEW manufacturers have the rich estate car history of Mercedes. For decades, the German brand has been delivering versatile load-luggers that combine unrivalled carrying capacity with considerable upper class appeal – so the arrival of a new E-Class Estate is big news. The previous generation was one of the roomiest cars money could buy, so the newcomer has big boots to fill. However, the initial signs are promising, as the four-door saloon it’s based on is our current executive car champion, having scooped class honours at our New Car Awards ceremony. Combine that car’s style, luxury, comfort and low running costs with the family-friendly versatility of an estate, and you’re surely on to a winner. If there’s one firm with an even stronger track record with estate cars,…

MODEL TESTED: Citroen C4 Flair 1.6 BlueHDi 120 PRICE: £19,950 ENGINE: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 118bhp Testers’ notes “The 2015 facelift saw the C4 get a new ‘light signature’, with LED running lights at the front and 3D-effect tail-lamps first seen when the brand’s range incorporated the DS3 Cabrio. However, the most important change was the addition of the seven-inch touchscreen, but even these tweaks haven’t done much to hide the Citroen’s age. Get behind the wheel and it’s obvious through how the C4 rides and handles.” James Disdale Chief reviewer Testers’ notes “Hopefully Citroen will use the more advanced EMP2 platform that underpins its C4 Picasso for its next family hatch. Peugeot uses it for its 308, which won the 2014 European Car of the Year Award.” Sean Carson Senior staff…

Second opinion “The Passat is a comfortable cruiser, especially equipped with our test car’s adaptive dampers, which give a smooth ride in Comfort mode. However, we could probably do without options like the sun blinds, advanced phone connection or the leather seats. Spending this cash on a DSG automatic box would make it even easier to live with.” James Disdale Chief reviewer Essentials Volkswagen Passat Estate SE Business TDI On fleet since: March 2016 Price new: £26,595 Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbodiesel, 148bhp CO2/tax: 110g/km/£20 Options: Discover Navigation Pro (£825), Vienna leather (£1,815), Dynamic Chassis Control (£715), XDS electronic diff (£185), tyre pressure sensor (£135), Driver Assistance Pack (£1,110), rear view camera (£315), keyless entry (£600), Cargo Management System (£290), advanced phone connection (£360), rear sunblinds (£90), Sand Gold paint (£585)…

NEW PRODUCT Autosound inCarBite Dash cams Price: From £179 Contact: 01274 688990, www.autosound.co.uk DASH cams are fast becoming essential in cars, offering reassuring recording in the event of an accident and valuable protection against crashfor-cash fraudsters. But they can look ugly. Their semi-permanent nature attracts thieves, and it’s a faff removing them every time you park up. That’s where Autosound’s latest inCarBite dash cams have an edge. They’re designed to fit around the rear view mirror and look like an original moulding; they’re almost invisible. Once in place, the camera films at 1080p resolution, with an ultra-wide 170-degree viewing angle to ensure it captures all the action. Plus, you can communicate with the device via Wi-Fito review footage via a companion app. The dash cams come in a wide variety…

COMPUTER tablets are now a household essential. They make for great travel companions, too. With the right mount, a tablet can easily keep back seat passengers – especially youngsters – entertained on long drives. The latest mount to join the expanding market is the new universal UniMount from dash-cam specialist Nextbase. We tested it against our Issue 1,423 champ the Olixar Universal Mount Pro, to see how it compares. We looked for a design that was easy to set up and remove, as leaving one permanently on a headrest can invite attention from criminals. Prices from online sources were the final factor. While the Nextbase is a convincing product and feels more durable than its new rival, we’re not sure it’s worth twice the money of the Olixar, which…

“The model has already been confirmed for China, where it will be built in one of Skoda’s plants” SKODA bosses have also given the green light to bringing a coupé version of the new Kodiaq SUV to Europe – but are struggling to find the production capacity to deliver it, Auto Express has learned. The coupé-SUV – in effect a slightly larger rival for the Range Rover Evoque and cars like the BMW X4 – was teased to journalists back in 2015, and it has already been confirmed for China, where it will be produced in one of Skoda’s four plants in the country alongside a cheaper large 4x4. However, the Czech company has been wrestling with the cultural implications of selling in Europe a vehicle focused on style instead…

Verdict THE Volvo V40 Cross Country remains good to drive and cheap to run, and it’s all the more appealing thanks to this round of mid-life updates. However, the 4x4-style look means it’s still more show than go, and unless you opt for the top-spec T5, four-wheel drive isn’t even an option. In isolation, the Cross Country is a good car, but we’d stick to a standard V40 for better value for money. If you crave the off-road looks, then try one of the Volvo’s true SUV rivals. “Volvo has plenty of punch; on motorways, you can just add more throttle without changing gear” WHILE the standard Volvo V40 competes in a tough class, taking on rivals like the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3, this Cross Country version –…

FIAT has history when it comes to making affordable cars. Its original 500 was a cheap city car for the masses, and while this iconic model has been pushed upmarket and achieved fashion accessory status over recent years, spawning more expensive variants like the 500X crossover, the brand has now gone back to its roots with its latest car. It’s called the Tipo, and revives a nameplate that hasn’t been used for two decades. The new family hatch has a focus on value, and even the top-spec Lounge trim with Fiat’s 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine we’ve lined up here comes in at a reasonable £17,995, so its cut-price contenders have their work cut out. However, t Skoda Rapid is a potential thorn in the Tipo’s side, as it serves up…

MODEL TESTED: Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI SE PRICE: £18,360 ENGINE: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 113bhp Testers’ notes “Like the Fiat, the Skoda comes in regular hatchback and estate bodystyles. However, while the Tipo Station Wagon offers 100 litres more boot space than the standard hatch, conversely, the Rapid Spaceback estate’s load bay is actually 135 litres smaller than the regular Rapid’s. This means it’s actually less practical in terms of outright luggage space, although the black glass tailgate looks cool.” James Disdale Chief reviewer SKODA has always been a brand associated with value, and although prices of cars like its Fabia supermini have steadily crept higher, the Rapid still combines versatility with an affordable price tag. We test the £18,360 1.6-litre TDI manual model in SE spec to see if it’s a…

Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TSI (90) SE Years: 2014 to date Engine: 1.2-litre 4cyl, 89bhp Ins group: 15 Official econ/CO2: 60.1mpg/107g/km Why? Polo feels more upmarket, plus works well both in town and on the motorway. It’s very practical, too. Prices from: £6,490 Toyota Yaris 1.33 VVT-i Sport Years: 2014 to date Engine: 1.3-litre 4cyl, 99bhp Ins group: 10 Official econ/CO2: 55.4mpg/119g/km Why? Reliable Toyota will make a decent used buy, and should be cheaper to run in the real world. Prices from: £6,990 VOLKSWAGEN’S Polo has long been a sound choice due to its brilliant combination of practicality, low running costs and quality. It’s getting on in years, and the styling looks a little bit dull next to the chic Yaris, but it’s still a top buy. In fact, we…

“I was eight when I first got in a kart. I knew then that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. F1 is the goal” Kiern Jewiss Karting champ “Jann is sitting next to Kiern as he tries Juke Nismo RS, and encourages him to try drifting and sliding it” WHAT does it take to become a racing driver? Is it pure intuition? Is it a mixture of dedication, attitude and perception? Or does practice simply make perfect? To find out, we meet 14-year-old karting ace Kiern Jewiss at Nissan’s NISMO Lab test facility at Silverstone, Northants. Joining us is GT Academy star Jann Mardenborough, whose unconventional path to motor racing (from computer games) offers a different perspective to many of today’s top drivers.…