Innholdsfortegnelse for May 20, 2015 i Auto Express

FAIR play to Ford for giving it a go. You can understand why it’s decided to give its new, upmarket Vignale models the green light – it was selling so many Titanium X models, it’d be rude not to offer buyers a bit more in the way of luxury kit. But did it need to go as far as to pretend that Vignale could be a standalone brand sold in its own unique way? I say pretend, because you’ll still be buying your Vignale from a Ford dealer. Only a select bunch will sell the cars with specially trained advisors in plush new surroundings, but they’re still Ford dealers. And in our latest Driver Power dealer survey, Ford owners ranked their dealers 27th out of 32. Not a great place…

EXCLUSIVE IMAGES • Supermini to take cues from big brother • Set to battle Fiesta with more fun drive SEAT may have only just launched the facelifted Ibiza, but work is already well underway on the all-new fifth-generation model – and our exclusive images show how it could look. Due in 2017, the supermini will follow the company’s successful Leon recipe, combining sharp styling with class-leading driving dynamics. A jacked-up crossover version is in the works, too. SEAT chairman Jürgen Stackmann told Auto Express: “The need for revolutions at SEAT is over. We’ve found our path and we know where we’re going. Our design DNA is clearly laid out and the recipe for any future car [including the Ibiza] will follow a formula – what we call ‘Leon-ising’ the brand.”…

NEARLY 300,000 Toyota and Nissan owners in the UK will be affected by the brands’ mass recall. At least 6.5 million cars were called back globally last week due to potentially faulty airbags made by Takata, with Honda also set to announce recalls. Around 160,000 of the Toyota Corolla, Yaris, Avensis, Avensis Verso, Picnic, RAV4 and Hilux models affected (built from 2003-2007) are in the UK. And 100,000 or so of the Nissan Navara, Almera, Almera Tino, Terrano II and X-Trail models from 2004-07 are here as well. Customers will be contacted to resolve the issue.…

OUR spies have caught the new Rolls-Royce Dawn undergoing final development tweaks ahead of its arrival early next year, as engineers put this fully disguised prototype through cold-weather testing. Aside from the folding soft-top that’ll replace the fixed roof on the Wraith coupé, the newcomer is likely to benefit from some structural strengthening in the flanks to compensate. Around 80kg to 100kg is expected to be added as a result, taking the Dawn over the 2.5-tonne mark. Slight suspension tweaks to cope with the weight gain are also anticipated.…

Valentino Vanquish goes under hammer ITALIAN design house Valentino has teamed up with Aston Martin to create a unique camouflaged Vanquish. The car (above) was auctioned for charity at the Cash & Rocket Gala dinner last week – although as we went to press, a price had not yet been confirmed. Built as part of Aston’s Q by Aston Martin bespoke customisation service, the Valentino Vanquish gets a camouflage-style wrap, unique alloy wheels and carbon fibre interior trim. Leon ST smashes estate ’Ring record THE SEAT Leon ST Cupra has lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in seven minutes and 58.1 seconds. That’s 0.4 seconds faster around the 12.9-mile track than the Leon SC hatch, even though the estate car is 45kg heavier. Racing driver Jordi Gene set the lap using a…

BMW has revealed a raft of new engines for the 1, 2, 3 and 4 Series models – as well as an overhauled four-cylinder unit for the X5 SUV. Highlights include a new 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol for the 1 Series, replacing the 1.6-litre four-cylinder in the 118i. This boosts fuel consumption by 4mpg to 56mpg (59mpg for the auto). The 2 Series Coupé and Convertible (above) will get two updated diesels – also with power and efficiency improvements – while the M235i will be available with all-wheel drive. The current X5 25d will be tweaked before the end of the summer, too, dropping the 0-62mph time down to 7.7 seconds and improving economy to 53mpg (50mpg for the xDrive). Finally, the 2 Series Active and Gran Tourer will both…

LOYALTY isn’t always rewarded in life, but sometimes it can pay off and help you out when you need it most. The Mowat family certainly reaped the benefits of their continued loyalty to Ford over the years, after problems with their 2011 S-MAX left them facing a hefty repair bill. David Mowat and wife Mary, from Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, contacted Auto Express after their MPV started to make strange noises. It wasn’t an unfamiliar sound, either. David explained: “We traded in our last S-MAX, losing money to get a new, more expensive one, after it went wrong. Just a year later, this one is doing the same thing.” The S-MAX was inspected by local dealer Evans Halshaw, Coatbridge, where mechanics decided a new power-steering system was needed, costing £2,000. With…

THE following provide help with motoring problems. Some services are free, others charge a fee or operate on premium-rate lines (p), while some offer advice for members only (m). Legal AA: 0906 010 1300 (p) RAC: 0870 5533 533 (m) Which?: 01992 822 800 Consumer Direct: 0845 404 0506 Local Trading Standards Local Citizens Advice Bureau Used car inspections AA: 0800 085 3007 RAC: 0800 085 2529 Technical advice AA: 0870 606 1619 (m) Driving licences DVLA: 0300 790 6801 Car registration/history HPI: 01722 422422 AA: 0800 316 3564 DVLA: 0300 790 6802 RAC: 0800 975 5867 Traffic information AA: 09003 401100 (p) RAC: 09003 444999 (p) Problems with dealers Motor Codes: 0800 692 0825 RMIF: 0845 839 9205 (m) Scottish Motor Trade Association: 0131 331 5510 Problems with makers…

THINK of the Nürburgring, and the image of Niki Lauda might spring to mind, or perhaps a Porsche 911. But what you probably don’t associate with the maddest race track in the world is... Hyundai. And yet nowadays, you probably should – because since 2011, Hyundai has had a technical centre at the infamous Nordschleife, which has become a fully functioning part of the brand’s development process. Just like the Porsche 911 GT3, all Aston Martins and most Mercedes AMGs, Hyundais are now honed to perfection at the Nürburgring before they go on sale, and Auto Express was given exclusive access to the site. From the outside, Hyundai’s new €7million technical centre looks more like a building you’d expect to see a space shuttle being constructed within. Mirrored wall tiles…

Essentials Audi Q7 3.0 TDI SE Price: £47,990Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbodieselPower/torque: 215bhp/500NmTransmission: Eight-speed auto,four-wheel drive0-62mph: 7.4 secondsTop speed: 134mphEconomy: 52.3mpgCO2: 144g/km ON SALE Now THE new Q7 is all about offering more. More space, more tech, more performance, more efficiency and more comfort. Well, that’s what Audi claims – but then, every new car should be an improvement, otherwise what’s the point? Thing is that, while externally the Q7 doesn’t seem all that different than before, inside and under the skin things have moved on significantly. We were greatly impressed with the Audi when we tested a pre-production model in the Namibian Desert (Issue 1,365). The way it dealt with the gravel-covered roads and sand dunes we encountered was impressive for a car that doesn’t claim to be the last…

Essentials Tesla Model S P85D Price: £79,535 (including£5,000 Govt grant)Engine: 85kWh electric motorPower: 691bhpTransmission: Single-speed auto0-60mph: 3.1 secondsTop speed: 155mphRange: 300 miles (est)CO2: 0g/km ON SALE Now IF the standard Model S 85D (left) isn’t fast enough for you, Tesla has the answer in the shape of the P85D. The P stands for Performance, and the main difference between the cars, aside from a £16,000 price hike, is the addition of a larger 470bhp electric motor to the back axle, giving the P85D total power of 691bhp. The end result is a claimed 0-60mph time of 3.1 seconds, which is fast enough to rival the likes of the Porsche 911 Turbo S and Lamborghini Huracán. And to help you achieve maximum acceleration, Tesla has given the car two driving modes…

Essentials Skoda Superb 2.0 TSI 4x4 DSG L&K Price: £34,740Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turboPower/torque: 276bhp/350NmTransmission: Six-speed DSG,four-wheel drive0-62/top spd: 5.8 secs/155mphEconomy: 39.8mpgCO2: 165g/km ON SALE Now IF the SEAT Leon Cupra doesn’t meet your practicality needs, then how about the same powertrain plumbed into the all-new Skoda Superb? We’ve driven some more sensible diesel and petrol versions of the Superb in recent weeks, but this 4x4 range-topper is for those who want something a little faster. The old flagship model featured a thirsty 256bhp 3.6-litre V6, which sent power to all four wheels. This time around it keeps the four-wheel-drive transmission but gets a 276bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo instead. The improvement in economy and emissions, from 30.4mpg and 215g/km to 39.8mpg and 165g/km, is impressive, as is the fact that 0-62mph…

Q.I CAN’T be bothered with mixing screenwash every time I fill up the washer bottle. Is there an alternative? A.GETTING the right concentration for the weather and driving conditions is the most cost-effective way of ensuring top performance. You can find the best concentration for you and vary it for the conditions. Spend a little time to fill two old five-litre bottles with summer and winter concentrations, and use them to top up. Alternatively, buy products which are ready-mixed for the seasons. It won’t be the cheapest option, but means easy refilling.…

Q.DO I always need to clay my paintwork before applying a wax? I find it time-consuming and it puts me off waxing. A.CLAYING is necessary only if your paintwork needs it, and how often that is will depend on where you drive and park. The easiest way to tell is to wash and dry the car, then slip your finger into a thin plastic bag. Run it over the paint, concentrating on the horizontal parts, and if it feels like sandpaper then it’s time to clay. If it’s smooth, you can apply a wax straight away. Also consider a mitt, like Farécla’s G3 Prep Clay Mitt ( g3pro.com ), which covers a larger area than a clay bar and can speed up the process.…

Q.I’VE an old trailer which I keep outside. The tyres have small cracks in the sidewall. Will a tyre shine revive them? A.IT’S probably too late for your current rubber as once cracks have begun to appear the tyres really need replacing. Also check the tread as cracks can appear in the bottom of grooves, too. On the sidewall of the tyres should be a four-figure code indicating when they were made. The first two figures refer to the week, and the second two the year. If they are over six years old you should be thinking about replacement. Apart from the risk of sudden failure, our tests have shown that the rubber hardens over time, reducing wet road grip.…

Q.I’M thinking about switching to a set of run-flat tyres. Is it worth the investment, and will there be any negative consequences? A.YOU need to be cautious here – switching to run-flats may have insurance implications, as cars fitted with these tyres as original equipment have their suspension tuned to suit. This is because run-flats are heavier than standard tyres. You will also need a tyre pressure monitor. Only you can judge whether the convenience of run-flats is worth the inevitably higher cost.…

Q.I CAN only find a lot of these bulbs for sale online. If I had them delivered to my home, what do I need to do to fit them? A.CRITICAL here is to make sure you don’t touch the glass with your fingers and to get the alignment checked after fitting. Your handbook should have instructions. It generally requires no more than removing the lens cover, disconnecting and removing the old bulb and then slotting in the new one, checking that it’s the right way up.…

Q.I NEED a satellite-navigation device that I can use while driving on holiday – mostly in Europe, but possibly sometimes further afield. Is it possible to add maps to existing units? A.YES it’s possible, but it can be expensive to add maps retrospectively. The prices we’ve quoted for these four portable devices (from a range of sources as we went to press) all include maps for western Europe. Some of these models can be bought with pre-loaded world maps, which we’d recommend doing to keep costs down. Check with each manufacturer for details.…

Q.I CAN’T decide whether to take on the installation of a digital radio adaptor myself. Is the procedure that difficult? A.IF you have experience of installing stereos in cars, it shouldn’t be that hard. Most DAB adaptors hook up to your existing head unit’s electrical looms using ‘plug and play’ hardware – so you shouldn’t have to cut any wires. Simply push the correct plastic connectors into each other. Light removal of interior trim may be involved. If you’re unsure, however, don’t take the job on; consult a specialist instead.…

Q. I WANT to install a new stereo in my car that’ll connect with my phone, but I’m not sure if a system with such a big screen will fit into the dash. What do you suggest? A.MOST app-friendly multimedia systems – including the Pioneer AVIC-F70DAB – come in what is known as a double-DIN size. This is twice the height of a traditional car stereo. A lot of models can accommodate a double-DIN fitting with the correct facia adaptor (you’ll also have to buy an extra wiring loom). So, even if it looks like a different shape, it should fit. Consult a specialist if you’re unsure.…

Essentials Ford Mondeo Vignale Price: £31,295Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl bi-turboPower: 207bhpTransmission: Six-speed automatic,front-wheel drive0-62mph: 7.9 secondsTop speed: 140mphEconomy: 58.8mpgCO2: 124g/km ON SALE Now • We get behind the wheel of posh saloon with 2.0 bi-turbo diesel • £31,000-plus price buys lots of kit, and bespoke dealer service WE may only be five months into 2015, but it’s already shaping up to be one of the most memorable years of late for the car industry. Aston Martin has confirmed it will build an SUV, while BMW has launched a car with seven seats and front-wheel drive. However, Ford is looking to be odds-on favourite to take home the award for 2015’s biggest automotive shock thanks to this: the £31,295 Mondeo Vignale. If the influx of crossovers from the likes of Nissan and…

• Toyota reveals new family cars • New styling, engines and tech TWO of Toyota’s most important models have had a dramatic makeover inside and out to keep pace with rivals, and Auto Express was granted privileged access to the British-built Avensis and Auris to get the full story ahead of their summer launch. Both cars are the result of a £150million investment, £20m of which has gone into upgrading Toyota’s Burnaston factory in Derbyshire. The Avensis benefits from a comprehensive styling overhaul, plus a new interior and engines. “I’m incredibly proud of this car,” says Ahmet Karaman, Toyota’s director for European projects. “It’s been the result of three years’ hard work, and it’s far, far more than just a facelift.” As with the Aygo and revised Yaris, the Avensis…

THE Ford Fiesta ECOnetic has been fitted with a new 94bhp 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine. CO2 emissions drop by 3g/km over the outgoing 1.6 TDCi to 82g/km. The addition of start-stop, smart regenerative charging and low rolling resistance tyres, plus enhanced aerodynamics and optimised gearing, help boost fuel economy to 88.3mpg. Ford has also introduced a B-MAX MPV with sub-100g/km CO2 emissions. The 74bhp 1.5 TDCi will return 74.3mpg and emit 98g/km of CO2.…

FITTING autonomous emergency braking (AEB) leads to a 38 per cent reduction in real-world rear-end crashes, a new report from two crash bodies has revealed. Euro NCAP and ANCAP – the Australian equivalent – published the research which also showed that there is no significant difference between benefits in urban and rural crashes. It’s the first evidence of the genuine advantages of the safety tech and demonstrates widespread fitment is needed to achieve the best results. The figures relate to the low-speed AEB option which normally consists of an automatic brake function that operates effectively at speeds up to 50km/h (31mph). It’s estimated that 75 per cent of all accidents occur at lower speeds. Euro NCAP already only hands out a five-star score to cars fitted with AEB and from…

AC Schnitzer wings in to sharpen up i8 BMW tuning outfit AC Schnitzer has announced a series of upgrades for the i8 (above). A carbon fibre aerodynamic bodykit includes a front splitter, side skirts and a sharp rear wing. There are also new 21-inch forged five-spoke wheels with a wider tyre profile, saving 4.4kg of unsprung weight. Plus, Schnitzer has altered the suspension set-up, lowering the i8 by 25mm to improve dynamics. The revolutionary plug-in hybrid powertrain is unchanged, however. Hi-tech new app for Porsche trackdays PORSCHE is targeting tech and track day fans with a new smartphone app. The ‘Track Precision’ app is part of a special £1,085 Sport Chrono pack that is only available on the hardcore Cayman GT4, 911 GT3 and GT3 RS models. You can select…

ALONGSIDE the GTE Sport, VW has taken the wraps off the 261bhp GTI Clubsport, due next year, at the Wörthersee tuning show in Austria. It’s still a concept, but uses the same 2.0-litre turbo as the standard Golf GTI. Power is hiked from 217bhp, with an overboost function offering up to 287bhp for short bursts of acceleration. Styling tweaks include a larger honeycomb-style lower air intake, prominent front splitter and new alloys, as well as a longer rear spoiler.…

Tesla P85D faces Porsche Panamera THE performance statistics of Tesla’s new dual-motor all-wheel-drive model S (driven on Page 45) are absolutely mind-boggling. But we wanted to see just how impressive the electric supersaloon is in reality by drag-racing it against the storming Porsche Panamera Turbo S. Log on to find out if new or traditional tech prevailed in our sensational video. MINI Challenge road car vs race car IN this second video in our head-to-head series between a MINI Challenge street car and the track car, we compare the two for launches and 0-60mph times. Just how much quicker and how much more traction does a racing car have? Log on to find out in our thrilling head-to-head shoot-out. You can watch any of our videos on your phone Simply…

YOU’D be forgiven for thinking the rest of the world had stopped, given the dearth of stories in the media outside of the General Election this past month. Fortunately, that’s not the case – and there was a landmark moment in the world of motoring that’s gone largely unnoticed. We’ve previously reported on how the driving test was due to be changed, with plans to drag it into the 21st century by incorporating new ‘real-world’ manoeuvres. The revised test’s now been introduced. Gone are the three-point turn and reversing around a corner; in comes parking in a bay. Scot Grant Ferguson, 17, became the first learner to pass the revised test, which also featured a sat-nav section. The examiner set up a 20-minute route on the system, which the teenager…

CLOCKING remains a big risk for used buyers, who could be about to buy a car with its mileage wound down and value cranked up. In fact, one in 20 HPI-checked motors shows a mileage discrepancy. Although EU legislation will outlaw mileage-correction firms by May 2018, and remove those that hide behind the label of ‘legitimate clocking’, it’ll still leave unscrupulous traders and private sellers. They’re taking advantage of tools readily available on the Web. It’s almost impossible to tell a clocked car just by looking at it, which makes a vehicle history check vital before you buy. A clocked motor could be hiding serious wear and tear that poses a safety threat, not to mention unexpected repair costs. That said, there are some tell-tale signs that should ring alarm…

Built: 1927Circuit length: 20.8kmMax height: 617m above sea levelMin height: 320m above sea levelCorners: 73 – 33 left-handers,40 right-handersMax gradient: 17 per cent uphill,11 per cent downhillLap record (Nordschleife only): Six mins,25.91 secs, Stefan Bellof, Porsche 956, 1983 THE Nurburgring has been subject to some wild rumours in recent years, and at one time, it looked as if it might even close for good. Why? Because some years ago, an American hedge fund manager reputedly persuaded the owners to build an entire new ‘village’ at the circuit, including one of the world’s fastest helter-skelter rides. Said fund manager then failed to produce the money, and at that point, the circuit went into huge debt. Since then, however, it’s been taken over by German automotive company Capricorn, and stability has resumed,…

Essentials Peugeot 208 PureTech 110 S&S Allure 3-door Price: £16,095Engine: 1.2-litre 3-cyl turbo petrolPower: 108bhpTransmission: Five-speed manual,front-wheel drive0-62mph: 9.6 secondsTop speed: 118mphEconomy: 62.8mpgCO2: 103g/km ON SALE June THE 208 is Peugeot’s best selling car. More than 32,000 found homes here last year, and over a million have rolled off the production line since 2012. To sustain this success, Peugeot has injected new life into its second smallest car, with upgraded engines, better specs and new safety kit. As with most mid-life facelifts, the styling changes are subtle. All cars get a tidier front bumper, wider grille and newly designed headlamps, as well as new colours, 3D ‘claw’ LED tail-lights and refreshed alloy wheel designs. Peugeot wants to cash in on the lucrative personalisation market, too, so from June you’ll be…

Essentials Peugeot Partner Tepee BlueHDi 120 Allure Price: £19,245Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl dieselPower/torque: 118bhp/300NmTransmission: Six-speed manual,front-wheel drive0-62mph: 11.4 secondsTop speed: 108mphEconomy: 64.2mpgCO2: 115g/km ON SALE Now IF you want a seven-seat MPV, the SEAT Alhambra, Ford S-MAX or Citroen Grand C4 Picasso are the obvious choices. But a recent facelift has made Peugeot’s van-based Partner worth a look for those who prioritise practicality. It adds bright LED daytime running lights, new bumpers and a fresh grille, although there’s no hiding its van origins, due to the high roofline, boxy shape and sliding doors. Inside, though, you get loads of space and enough headroom for six-foot adults to fit in the third row (standard on top-spec Allure). Legroom isn’t quite as good back there, but it more than matches conventional MPVs. Each…

Suzuki Vitara 1.6 ALLGRIP SZ5 Price: £19,799Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl petrolPower: 118bhp/156NmTransmission: Six-speed manual,four-wheel drive0-62mph: 12.0 secondsTop speed: 112mphEconomy: 50.4mpgCO2: 130g/km ON SALE Now SUZUKI has high hopes for its new Vitara, which aims to bury the old car’s dated image once and for all thanks to a blend of distinctive looks and value-for-money positioning. Preferring to keep things simple, the brand offers just one diesel and one petrol engine in the Vitara – and it’s the latter we’ve tried for the first time in the UK. The 1.6-litre petrol makes a strong case for itself, even if the diesel is more punchy and efficient (with an extra 164Nm of torque and 17mpg better economy). It does without a turbocharger, but gets the same 118bhp output as the diesel and loves…

Q.EVERY time I clean glass I never seem to get it all in one go and spend ages trying to remove the final smears. Any tips? A.FIRST, get a good glass cleaner like the ones mentioned here, then tackle each window using overlapping sweeps. Take your time and ensure you get into narrow gaps between the trim and the glass. A wooden kitchen spatula can help you here. A good detailer’s tip is to work left to right on one side of the glass and top to bottom on the other. The direction of the smear should then tell you where it is.…

Henry WIllis Henry_Willis@dennis.co.uk Q.THE large plastic bumpers on my car have long lost their colour. I’ve tried applying a bumper shine, but it hasn’t worked. Is there an alternative? A.SOME bumper treatments, like CarPlan’s Black Trim Wax, apply a colour as they’re sprayed or wiped on. You can certainly see the effect, although it may be tricky to get an even finish over a large area. You could also try painting the bumper. Use an aerosol paint designed for the job as this will be formulated to work on flexible plastics. There are also versions that can apply the textured finish if you need to fill scratches and dents. As ever, preparation is key to successful painting, particularly in areas that will have been treated with products like bumper shines.…

WANT to give your car a quick once-over but don’t have time to get out the hose, pressure washer and bucket? A waterless wash is the perfect answer, as it’ll lift away light grime using only a couple of microfibre cloths. Also, most products will add a little extra protection to paintwork. This speedy, effective cleaning method means that you no longer have to wait for a hosepipe ban for a good excuse to add one to your valeting kit. In our test to find the top water-saver, we tried 12 products on small and large areas with varying levels of grime, using minimal wiping. We also looked for a fine, wide, misty spray and factored in price. WINNER Meguiar’s Wash & Wax Anywhere Price: £15 Size: 768mlContact: www.meguiars.co.uk IT…

Q. MY wheels have narrow gaps between the spokes and are really difficult to clean between. Any suggestions? A.DEPENDING on how small the gaps are, you may have some luck with a wash mitt. Use one of our preferred cleaners here first, and get as much off with a hose, before attacking any grime that’s left with a short-pile mitt. A microfibre cloth may do the job if the mitt is too large. Another option is a wheel brush. You’ll need one that has bristles on the side and can reach in to small places – such as the EZ Detail Brush ( cleanyourcar.co.uk ). It has long but flexible bristles, originally designed for bike spokes.…

Q.I’VE just bought my first car with a leather interior, but I’m not sure how often I need to clean and treat the seats. Any ideas, please? A.THERE are no hard and fast rules, and it’ll depend on where you drive and how often. Heat, either from sunlight or heated seats, dries out leather and will increase the need for conditioning. Little and often is best, so start off by treating the used seats every four weeks or so in the sunny months and in the winter if you have heated versions. Treat unused seats every other time. If the leather shows signs of drying, increase the frequency. A wipe with a damp cloth is often all that is needed for cleaning if done frequently.…

Q.THE driver’s side blade on my car has started to screech and smear, so I’m going to replace it. Do I have to change the blade on the passenger side at the same time? A.IT’S recommended that you replace both blades at the same time. The rubber performs so much better from new that you’ll get a noticeable improvement in wiping performance on your screen, and you want to keep this consistent on both sides. While you’re at it, don’t forget to replace the blade on your rear windscreen wiper, if you have one, as well.…

Q.I’D like to service my own car this year in order to save money. Once I’ve invested in a trolley jack, what else would I need for working under my car? A.THE next thing you should buy are axle stands, as the jack should only be used for raising and lowering the car. You rest it on these as you work on it. As you won’t be able to see much under there, consider our test-winning head torch, the Princeton Tec Fuel (£27.90, www.pricetontec.com ). Not only does it provide light, it will leave your hands free.…

FOR the many drivers who already have a smartphone, buying extra hardware for getting around can seem unnecessary. As much as we love using the portable TomTom, Garmin and Snooper sat-navs opposite, some motorists will prefer downloading a navigation app on to their mobile for convenience. Sat-nav apps can also be cheaper to run – as long as you have a handset with enough memory and a data plan that won’t charge for excess use. The best apps take this into account, as you download maps before setting off in order to use up a minimal amount of data on the move. WINNER CoPilot Premium Price: £26.99 (iOS, full Euro) Contact: www.copilotgps.com FOR the third year running, CoPilot Premium makes this category its own as it continues to impress.…

Q.WHAT benefits are there to installing a dash cam other than simply covering your back against potential smashes on the road? A.SOME insurers offer a discounted premium on the condition that dash cams are permanently installed and always running when you’re behind the wheel. Don’t be put off if that sounds invasive – cams record on a loop, overwriting old data, and only save footage flagged by you or the movement sensor. Fitting services for cams are becoming more widely available, with Halfords the latest specialist to offer to install for you.…

INNOVATION is at the heart of the automotive aftermarket, as product manufacturers are constantly adapting to suit drivers’ needs. Plus, they need to keep up with the cutting-edge tech being packed as standard equipment into the latest new cars. Auto Express tests hundreds of products every year, and we frequently come across interesting and revolutionary ideas. But we were keen to hear what you thought was the best – so we gave you the chance to vote for your favourite in the Readers’ Award for Innovative Product of the Year. Here’s what you decided. WINNER Garmin HUD+ Price: £89 Contact: 0808 238 0800, www.garmin.com THE sat-nav industry is one of the fastest developing in the aftermarket world. We’re always seeing new innovations – whether they’re from sat-nav hardware, smartphone sat-nav…

Equipment REVERSING cameras are optional on both cars, but it’s the Porsche that needs upgrading to match the Alpina’s spec, wiping out its price advantage. You’ll have to fork out for relatively conventional features like Bluetooth and heated seats, but you can save money by not specifying extras, such as the £728 Sport Chrono Package. Style BUYING this type of SUV makes a statement, so you want your car to have the looks to back it up. Both the XD3 and Macan turn heads, but it’s the Alpina’s big bodykit, bright colour, contrasting wheels and graphics pack that grab the most attention. You can tone it down if it’s too much. Versatility BOTH cars have big boots, but there’s more to practicality than that. Don’t expect much off-road ability, yet…

Essentials MINI Cooper five-door On fleet since: November 2014Price new: £15,900Engine: 1.5-litre 3cyl, 134bhpCO2/tax: 109g/km/£20Options: Metallic paint (£475), 17-inch alloys (£970), bonnet stripes (£80), Chili Pack (£2,250), Media Pack (£1,575), parking sensors (£260), Driving Assistant Pack (£740), LED lamps (£670) Insurance*: Group: 18 Quote: £385Mileage/mpg: 6,161/30.1mpgAny problems? None so far *Insurance quote from AA (0800 107 0680) for a 42-year-old living in Oxon with three points. WE LIKE Children love the MINI and are happy to compromise on space due to cool looks. Rear seats are comfortable with enough legroom for the tallest teenagers WE DON’T While 17-inch alloys look great, they can give a bumpy ride. We’d recommend sticking with standard 15-inch wheels and adding optional adaptive dampers AFTER six months on the Auto Express fleet, our MINI Cooper…

CUSTOMER relations managers, smart sofas, expensive coffee in dealers... sound familiar? Renault experimented with special dealerships giving customers a premium buying and ownership experience with its Vel Satis and Avantime models in 2002; two years later, the cars were gone and the fancy trimmings were ripped out of the showrooms. The leftfield models were mostly to blame, but the upmarket dealers didn’t wash, either – buyers of mainstream models questioned why they weren’t being treated quite so well. The rewards for a volume brand pushing up into the premium sector are potentially huge – look at Citroen with DS and Toyota with Lexus – but it’s hard to get right. One thing’s for sure: Ford will have to give it time and not hope to get an immediate return on…

• Crazy cost of lane closures in England revealed • More than half a million incidents last year • It’s time for action, says safety chief WILD animals, unsupervised children, wandering pedestrians and crumbling roads were just some of the reasons for motorway and A-road lane closures in 2014. In total, there were nearly half a million cases where a live lane had to be shut down, with 44 different reasons given by Highways England in figures revealed to the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM). The most common was a broken down car, accounting for almost half of the 443,590 lane closures. Pedestrians wandering on to live lanes accounted for 12,759 closures – three per cent of all incidents. In addition, 122 unsupervised children were reported. Animals loose on the…

IT’S a new Dawn for Rolls-Royce, or at least for its latest model. CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös has confirmed the drophead convertible version of the Wraith coupé will be called the Dawn. The newcomer, revealed in our exclusive main image, is due on sale in the first quarter of 2016, for around £250,000. When we first learned that Rolls was planning a smaller convertible to sit beneath the Phantom Drophead, it was expected to follow the brand’s naming strategy and be called the Wraith Drophead. But the company claims history is the reason behind the break in convention. The Dawn sees the revival of another rare and famous name first used back in 1949, which was only ever applied to 28 drophead versions of the Silver Dawn coupé. Aside from the…

ASPIRING British design house Kahn has released more detailed official images of its new coachbuilt supercar, based on the Aston Martin DB9. It’ll be hand-crafted in limited numbers, and is set to go on sale at the end of 2015 from £250,000. As we revealed in Issue 1,370, the Vengeance harks back to the glory days of British coachbuilding. It uses a DB9 chassis, structure, V12 and interior, topped with a new body that evokes “the silhouette of a sabre tooth on the prowl”. Large, 20-inch, ‘roulette’-designed alloys feature at the front, with 21-inch wheels at the rear. A seven-bar vertical grille gives an aggressive look, while further along the flanks the Vengeance uses key Aston design themes from the eighties and nineties – such as the circular tail-lights from…

PERFORMANCE BMWs don’t come any more iconic than the 3.0 CSL from the seventies, known as the Batmobile. With its pumped-up styling, lively handling and screaming six-cylinder engine, it set the template for every BMW M car that has appeared since. And now, over 40 years later, BMW is paying it the ultimate compliment. Our official image shows an artist’s impression of the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage – a concept bound for the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on the banks of Lake Como in Italy on 22 May. Likely to be based around the new M4 Coupé, the car is described by BMW as “a nod to the engineering achievement exemplified by the BMW 3.0 CSL in its lightweight design and performance”. Performance details are yet to be released, but…

CLEARLY, Volkswagen thought the GTI Clubsport (see panel, opposite) was a bit tame for the diehard fans at the Wörthersee tuning show, so it’s upped the ante. This wild creation is the new Golf GTE Sport concept – a 394bhp plug-in hybrid mega hatch which also debuted at the Austrian fan festival. The dramatic concept is a massively reworked version of the standard Golf GTE, with a rakish profile and a hint of XL1 at the front. The muscular body is largely made out of carbon fibre, with blistered arches and a huge L-shaped side intake that’s more Lamborghini than Volkswagen. Out go the standard Golf’s doors, with bonkers scissor doors in their place. The rear end is squashed down like the Scirocco’s, and twin tailpipes protrude from the bumper.…

THIS striking Golf GTI concept is the brainchild of 13 Volkswagen design apprentices based in Wolfsburg. The one-off gets bespoke gold and ‘R-yellow’ paint, plus hand-crafted tailpipes. The bold colour scheme continues inside, and there are Recaro seats and Alcantara dash trim. Power is from a 2.0-litre TFSI turbo modified to 389bhp, and the car hints at what to expect from the Golf R 400, now confirmed for production.…

WHAT do our cars say about us? It’s true certain stereotypes are applied to makes and models, and UK drivers can’t help judging each other on the road. Associations a car holds are considerations when buying, too. Youngsters might not want to be seen in a model linked to older drivers, while men might shy away from cars perceived to be run mainly by women. But we wanted to know if these stereotypes were fair and correct. To find out, we’ve analysed data from YouGov’s Profiler app. It polled thousands of people to compare what owners of cars from different brands were more likely to do with their spare time or where they were more likely to come from. And from this data, we’ve taken some of the biggest-selling manufacturers…

Write to: Watchdog/Letters, Auto Express, Dennis Publishing, 30 Cleveland Street, London W1T 4JD HOT TOPIC New BMW 3 Series FROM: chris_xxxx IT’LL be interesting to see how the Jaguar XE sales-wise compared to the BMW 3 Series. Jag still has the options to introduce three-cylinder Ingenium engines and hybrids to the range. And, of course, there’s room in the XE’s engine bay for the V8. FROM: aliXFR I HATE to disagree with people who say this is dull, but I have always found the current F30 3 Series to be a thing of beauty. And if BMW had Japanese levels of reliability, I would definitely have bought one when I had the chance. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk • “Even by BMW standards, the design and look of…

SUCH is the rate of change in the motor industry, it’s hard to imagine or remember what it used to be like before the technology we take for granted took over. One man, though, has seen it all. Gary Millar, 69, from Perth, Scotland, has spent 45 years on the forecourt – and he is now finally hanging up his test car keys as one of the UK’s longest-serving automotive salesmen. Since Gary joined Strathmore Volvo in 1970, he’s sold an estimated 12,000 motors to customers in the area, from the 144 when he first started through to the most advanced model yet – the XC90. He told Auto Express he’d enjoyed every minute of his career, even keeping pace with the radical learning curve needed to stay on top.…

IT’S been less than a year since the Tesla Model S went on sale in the UK, but that hasn’t stopped the brand giving its upmarket saloon an update. Look closely at the tailgate, and you’ll see a D badge has now been added, which denotes Tesla’s new dual-motor configuration. An electric motor at each axle means the Model S now has four-wheel drive, while the latest software updates have added some cutting-edge safety features, too. From the outside, the car’s clean, sporty design remains intact, while the spacious cabin is still dominated by the huge 17-inch touchscreen on the centre console. And just like before, Tesla’s smart keyless entry system means you don’t need to press a starter button or even release a handbrake to get going. Simply put…

YOUR favourite motoring magazine tests hundreds of aftermarket products every year – 981 in the past 12 months alone – and in this 23-page special we pay tribute to the cream of the crop to help make looking after your car easier and driving it safer. Our product testing programme celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and with that depth of experience, you know that if we say something works, it will. The aftermarket has changed significantly in the past two decades, but we’ve stayed bang up to date scouring the accessory shop shelves plus, increasingly, online retailers to find the latest and best kit for you and your car. And it’s all here in this special section – from items that can make you safer on the road, such…

HOW hard can it be to pick a screenwash? Tricky, is the answer, as there’s a bewildering range on offer with different pack sizes. And that’s before we even get to whether they’ll keep flowing in sub-zero temperatures or clean bugs in summer. Our test of 12 tackled all the variables to come up with the best. We put each to its winter dilution in a deep freeze, and watched how long it lasted before freezing. We also put oil and baked-on bugs on the screen and monitored progress using only 100ml of the summer mix. Finally, we calculated winter and summer costs to find a winner. WINNER Angelwax Clarity Price: £7.95 ze: 1,000mlContact: www.angelwax.co.uk WASH specialists must juggle a lot of conflicting factors when making a year-round product. Angelwax…

Q. THE car I’ve bought needs paint reviving on every panel. It’s going to take hours. Is there a quick way to do this? A.A MACHINE polisher is the professional’s way of tackling a big job like yours, but you need to take care and consider several factors. First is the cost: you can spend hundreds on a polisher and consumables like pads and compounds, but around £100 should get you started. Plus, if used incorrectly, a powered polisher can easily cause damage, so practice on scrap panels first. If this is daunting, look for a professional detailer. The www.pro-valets.co. ukwebsite is a good place to start.…

Q.I DON’T have access to a hosepipe. A waterless cleaner appeals to me, but I am worried about damaging my car’s paintwork. Should I be? A.THE key to lifting grime away rather than dragging it across the car’s bodywork is to ensure that panels are thoroughly wet. As the professionals say, “water is the spanner of the valeting industry”, and it applies here. Use a trigger bottle of water to blast away heavy grime, and ensure you use plenty of cleaner when lifting off dirt. If it starts to dry, apply more until the panel is clean. Only once an area is clean should you start to dry it and buff to a shine.…

USING a tyre shine is not all about the look; it also has a practical role in protecting the rubber from ultra-violet damage. So if you have a caravan or rarely used car that’s left outside, one of these products can help prolong the tyre’s life. Shine is still important, though, as it’s the finishing touch which gives tyres that as-new sheen. You want that just-washed look to last, too, which is why our test concentrates on durability. We applied our 17 products to a sectioned-off tyre using control areas to assess progress during eight of the wettest winter weeks. We also looked out for easy application and a keen price. WINNER CarPlan Tyre Slik Price: £4Size: 500mlContact: www.tetrosyl.com IN 20 years of testing thousands of products in hundreds of…

Q.I USE my car for carrying tools and materials for work, and this means that the cabin upholstery gets dirty quickly. Is there a quicker way I can clean seats and carpets than using a spray and cloth? A.A WET-and-dry vacuum cleaner can be a good investment, as it can quickly clean away dust and grit from carpets and seats. It can also speed up the drying process after using a foam or spray, by sucking up moisture in the fabrics. Our current favourite is the Nilfisk 30T ( www.nilfisk-alto.com ). An even more effective option would be to go for a wet-and-dry vacuum that can also deliver cleaning fluid to the head. The Vax 8131 ( www.vax.co.uk ) does this, plus it comes with a…

Q.I UNDERSTAND the need to fit winter tyres when it’s cold from a safety point of view, but I have nowhere to store my summer tyres. What do you suggest that I do? A.SEARCH online for your nearest tyre hotel. For a fee, they store your summer tyres during the winter months, and then do the same for your other set when you switch back. Some big-name tyre retailers are starting to offer the service as part of a fitting package, so bear this in mind when you buy.…

Q.I’VE just switched to a pressure washer, having always used a bucket and sponge up to now. Are there any parts of my car I shouldn’t use it on? A.THE main areas to avoid with a narrow spray pattern are tyre sidewalls, which can be damaged by prolonged pressure washing. Also don’t let the lance dwell on panel gaps and if you’re using it under the bonnet, ensure you keep electrical equipment dry. Take care when working around chipped paint, too.…

Q.I LIKE the idea of a satnav app, but I’m worried about using too much data. What if I buy one that you download the maps for before using? A.DOWNLOAD an app with offline maps – out of the top four here, that’s CoPilot, TomTom and Navigon – and you’ll need a phone signal with an Internet connection to use them, but it won’t always be downloading data to determine where you are. For an average month’s use, you should only get through a couple of MB for offline maps. Just make sure you have enough memory on your phone to download everything.…

Family friendly WHEN it comes to family friendly versatility, the Golf still takes some beating. It offers the biggest boot on test, and access to the interior is easy thanks to large door openings. There’s little to separate the Mazda and BMW for space, but the 116d’s cabin is hobbled by a large transmission tunnel, while the 3 could do with more storage. Driving fun BOTH the BMW and Mazda serve up plenty of driver involvement on twisting back roads. The 116d benefits from well weighted controls, while the Mazda has stronger performance and grip, plus better body control. The VW isn’t as sharp, but it offers a more composed ride. Company costs THE BMW makes the most financial sense for business users, thanks to its low CO2 emissions. The…

FOUNDED in 1965, Alpina is a brand that does more than just tune BMWs. It works closely with the German car maker to thoroughly develop its models, which are built on the same production line as BMW’s. Alpina has carved out a niche for itself in recent years by enhancing BMW products, adding its own distinctive style and uprating engines and interiors to give even more performance and a seriously luxurious and sporty feel. Its current range is made up of nine models – taking in cars based on the 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 Series, as well as the X3 – and with its unique approach to tuning, Alpina provides an alternative to BMW’s M Sport trim level and hot M Division models. Even though Alpina is celebrating…

Essentials Ford Transit Custom Double Cab Limited On fleet since: February 2015Price new: £31,314Engine: 2.2-litre 4cyl, 153bhpCO2/tax: 183g/km/£265 Options: Integrated Roof Pack (£420), stop/start (£240), tow bar (£360), Visibility Premium Pack (£1,068), sat-nav (£828), LED load compartment lights (£96), dual running boards (£180) Insurance*: Group: 12 Quote: N/AMileage/mpg: 16,976/38.7mpgAny problems? None so far FOR some drivers, the prospect of being unable to park their car outside their own home on a congested street can cause all sorts of stress. And even when you’re guaranteed to find a space in your local shopping centre, private parking firms can come down hard on motorists who outstay their welcome by only a few minutes. Even a trip to the gym can be a pricey affair if you type in your number plate incorrectly…