Innholdsfortegnelse for May 27, 2015 i Auto Express

I’VE been looking forward to driving the new Volvo XC90 in the UK since last summer, when it was first revealed at a huge event in Sweden. I loved it when I drove it on the launch in Spain, and you can now read how it fares over here on Page 42. It’s an important car for Volvo – the first of a new breed under Chinese ownership. But I’ve written enough about that car on this page over the past year. This time, I’m going to concentrate on the car it has to beat in its first UK test: the Land Rover Discovery. The current Disco, like the XC90’s predecessor, has been around a while. In Discovery 3 form we first saw it in 2005. It’s been tweaked and…

• Joins impressive hatch in range • Offers class-leading practicality EXACTLY one month ago (Issue 1,369), we got behind the wheel of the all-new Skoda Superb hatch, and were impressed by its civilised road manners, gargantuan boot and luxurious rear passenger space. But Skoda is already looking to extend its lead over rivals with the even bigger Estate model, revealed here for the first time. It’s a significant car for the brand, perhaps even more so than the hatchback in the UK, because across its lifespan, the outgoing Estate accounted for around 70 per cent of Superb sales here. This time, the ratio is expected to shift slightly, as Skoda says the hatch’s bigger boot and more stylish design will boost its popularity, but it will still be 60:40 in…

1893 Rudolf Diesel invents diesel engine. First examples were large, run at low revs 1943 Common-rail diesel (CRD) engine was invented and patented by American Clessie Cummins 1978 Mercedes’ 300 SD becomes the first passenger car to use turbodiesel technology. It was only on sale in US and Canada 1989 Audi among direct-injection diesel pioneers. It was fitted to the 100 2.5 TDI 2006 Audi makes history by winning Le Mans 24 Hours race with R10 TDI 2012 Peugeot first to combine diesel, hybrid and four-wheel drive in Europe with 3008 HYbrid4…

Figures show how few examples of legendary cars on road Citroen DS, Aston DB1 at risk MORE than 600 models in the UK are on the verge of extinction, including the first-generation Aston Martin, according to data from the Department for Transport. The statistics – updated to the end of 2014 – reveal that 638 types of car are down to 10 or fewer examples in the UK, and 222 of those have just one model licensed. Included in that list is the Aston DB1 – the first sports car to be built by the brand under David Brown’s ownership in 1948. And there are only five examples of 1965’s Citroen Pallas – the luxury version of the DS, which gives its name to the new posh brand. There are…

• Spies catch scorching R400 • Set to go on sale next year DEVELOPMENT on the fastest ever VW Golf is officially underway, after our spies caught the 395bhp Golf R400 testing for the first time. First unveiled as a concept at last year’s Beijing Motor Show, the R400 will become the most powerful hot hatch on the market, having been approved for production by VW development boss Dr Heinz-Jakob Neusser. It’s set to feature a heavily revised version of the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo used in the standard Golf R, and could arrive next year. Although there is little to mark the R400 prototype out from the R, look closely at our spy shots and you’ll notice beefier brakes hiding behind larger alloy wheels. A wider front track and fixed…

SENIOR police officers have called for the drink-drive limit to be reduced across the whole of the UK, following the lead taken by Scotland in 2014. Cops at the Police Federation want a 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as is the case north of the border. The current 80mg per 100ml limit is the highest in Europe, and while the number of drink-drive-related casualties and accidents has fallen steadily since 1979, officers want more done – especially in the face of further funding cuts under the new Government. Police Federation spokeswoman Victoria Martin said: “We’re now seeing the consequences of the cuts, with more people dying and becoming seriously injured on our roads, some as a result of drink-driving. “We would…

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…

Essentials DS 5 Prestige BlueHDi 150 Price: £29,560 Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl dieselPower/torque: 148bhp/370NmTransmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive0-62mph: 10.6 secondsTop speed: 127mphEconomy: 68.9mpg CO2: 105g/km ON SALE Now THE original Citroen DS might have launched 60 years ago, but it laid the blueprint for what a luxury French car should be: quirky, innovative and unique. As the first new product from a now standalone DS brand, the updated DS 5 should be just that. DS aims to rival Audi, so is this car a step in that direction? We drove the top-spec DS 5 Prestige, which is powered by a new 148bhp 1.6-litre BlueHDi diesel and can go from 0-62mph in 10.6 seconds. Plus, it claims 68.9mpg economy and CO2 emissions of 105g/km, giving it a Benefit in Kind rate of…

Volkswagen Caddy Life 2.0 TDI 102 Price: £21,000 (est)Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl dieselPower: 100bhp/250NmTransmission: Six-speed manual,front-wheel drive0-62mph: 12.9 seconds (est)Top speed: 106mph (est)Economy: 55.4mpg (est)CO2: 134g/km (est) ON SALE October IF you want plenty of space coupled with child-friendly versatility and don’t really care what the neighbours think, the Volkswagen Caddy Life could be the car for you. It’s compact – it has a footprint similar to a Golf Estate – yet there’s a serious amount of space and the option of seven seats on the long-wheelbase Maxi models. The interior is robustly built, but designed with adaptable seating and no less than 17 storage compartments. And there’s plenty of tech, too, including City Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control and a 360-degree parking aid. Hard plastics on the dash and door…

Off-road ability NOT only can the Discovery tow bigger loads thanks to its 3,500kg limit, it’s also the more capable choice for buyers wanting a premium seven-seater with go-anywhere versatility. It has three computer-controlled locking differentials and off-road tyres. Unlike the Land Rover, the Volvo doesn’t come with any special off-road programmes. Digital revolution XC90’S digital dials are similar to those on the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, while its iPad-style interface is one of the best around. The Disco is showing its age by comparison, but we’re sure the new model – due next year – will get lots of gadgets to bring its tech tally up to scratch. Comfort ROOM in the back row of both cars is good, and six-footers will be comfortable on short journeys.…

Versatility ALL three of our test cars feature variable height floors, concealed compartments and sliding rear benches, so it has to be a special feature to crown one of these cars the most versatile. Even though the Note and Venga are roomier inside, the B-MAX has a couple more strings to its bow in the shape of those sliding doors and the folding front seat. Ease of access ACCESS to the B-MAX’s rear is easy with those sliding doors and no central pillar. The Kia also lets you jump in with zero fuss due to its high-up seating position. The Note isn’t as simple – you have to lower yourself into the deeper seats. Despite more legroom, you feel hemmed in. Technology CHEAP doesn’t always mean cheerful – on the…

NEW PRODUCT TomTom Bandit RRP: From £299.99 Contact: www.tomtom.com SAT-nav giant TomTom is taking on rivals GoPro, Garmin and Sony with its Bandit action cam, which was launched earlier this week. Potentially a perfect partner for track days or off-road driving, the device has a built-in media server, claimed to make editing and sharing video easier than ever. A smartphone pairs to the Bandit, so footage can be posted on the go. It’s able to record in various modes, including standard video, timelapse and slow motion. The Bandit can film in great 4K/15fps quality, while smoother frame rates can be captured in 1080p high definition. Its still cam is rated at 16MP. Battery life is claimed at three hours when filming in 1080p, and charging is easy as the Bandit…

New DAB adaptor for VW Group cars IN-car tech firm Pure has teamed up with Volkswagen to bring out a digital radio adaptor exclusively for vehicles from the VW Group. Much like the Pure Highway 300Di, winner of previous Auto Express DAB adaptor tests, the Digital Drive (above) is a small control box that sits on a vehicle’s dashboard. Station information is shown on the display of the box. It’s available through VW, Audi, SEAT and Skoda dealers and will cost from £279.50, with fitting extra. Double A rating for Nokian’s SUV tyre FINNISH tyre firm Nokian claims to have gained approval for the first ever double ‘A’-rated winter tyre. The Twin Trac SUV tyre is said to score top marks in both wet grip and fuel efficiency tests, earning…

ASIA is the new and undisputed king of car-making profitability – thanks to the money-making prowess of Japan, Korea, China and India. Most of the firms who enjoy profits of billions of dollars annually now hail from this region. Subaru boasted a profit figure of $2bn last year. Comparing like with like, TATA’s profit was $2.7bn, and Kia was just ahead of the Indian firm on $2.8bn. Nissan ($4.3bn) was pipped by up-and-coming SAIC of China ($4.4bn), which already has Honda ($5.6bn) in its sights. And Hyundai has become the second most profitable car maker in Asia on $7.0bn – or $9.8bn if the profits of its adopted child Kia are included. But Toyota takes the biscuit (or should that be the rice cracker?) with an annual figure of $19.1bn,…

• Carbon fibre beauty points to ultimate version of M4 Coupé • Combines classic styling with i Division materials and tech BMW has taken the wraps off a sensational new concept at the exclusive Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este show in Italy. Called the 3.0 CSL Hommage, it’s a spiritual successor and design tribute to the iconic 3.0 CSL from the seventies. The 3.0 CSL Hommage – CSL stands for coupé, sport, lightweight – makes use of the sophisticated modern day technology and materials BMW has begun to use in its i Division production cars. Crafted from lightweight carbon fibre, the newcomer is believed to be based on the M4 and uses a six-cylinder in-line engine with eBoost. Despite the advances in technology, the Hommage sticks to the recipe of the…

DEVELOPMENT of the Elemental Rp1, a new lightweight track-biased road car from the Surrey maker, is in its final stages, and Auto Express has had a closer look. The Rp1 project began eight years ago, as the brainchild of former McLaren engineers and Ford designers. Their brief was to create something to rival the likes of the Lotus Elise and Ariel Atom. “It started as an afterhours project,” said design manager Guy Colborne. “Initially we were only going to build one car, possibly two, for us to use personally, but it soon attracted interest. Production costs started to fall and tooling became more accessible.” The name stands for Race Project 1, with the car based around an exposed lightweight carbon-composite and aluminium tub. All the body panels are made from…

HALF of UK adults back tiered drink-drive limits, with more stringent measures imposed on young and novice drivers, according to a study. Germany, Spain, Italy and Holland all impose lower restrictions for those who’ve just passed their test, and some sort of tiered system is in place on roads in a third of the world. Insurer Direct Line, which carried out the survey, found just 14 per cent of respondents agreed with the current drink-drive laws in the UK, and 36 per cent support a zero-tolerance policy – as operated in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Direct Line’s Gus Park said: “The fact that most people aged 18-34 support a zero-tolerance approach to drink-driving, or lower limits for less experienced drivers, shows a commitment from the younger generation for tighter…

THE number of nearly new cars on sale has almost doubled in the past six months, apparently confirming how makers and dealers are pre-registering in larger numbers. There’s been plenty of speculation about this practice for a while now, but this is the first evidence that all is not as it seems. With new car registrations rising month after month, it seems obvious pre-registering has been prevalent. The amount of sub-one-year-old cars sold in the UK during March 2015 was 91 per cent higher than in October 2014. It’s true, the numbers of this type of sale traditionally spike in these months, with early PCP returns ahead of new registrations. However, as Rupert Pontin of Glass’s Guide said, it’s “much higher” than expected. Demand for this type of car is…

DO you know if you’re covered for driving other cars (DOC)? If not, you’re not alone. The extension isn’t standard under all policies, but when it applies, it allows the policy holder to drive cars that aren’t owned or hired by them, providing, of course, they have permission to use the vehicle. It usually provides only third-party insurance, so adding yourself as a named driver to get accidental damage, fire and theft cover might be wise. It’s not an exact science, though, as Adrian Flux – will offer comprehensive DOC cover. Reading your insurance certificate may not provide enough information, either, so here’s a quick checklist to ask your insurer before you take to the road: The most important thing to remember is, don’t…

Essentials Mercedes-AMG C 63 Estate Price: £61,260Engine: 4.0-litre V8, twin-turboPower: 469bhpTransmission: Seven-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive0-60mph: 4.2 secondsTop speed: 155mphEconomy: 33.6mpg CO2: 196g/km ON SALE Now WE’VE already driven and been mostly blown away by the new Mercedes-AMG C 63. But that was on another day and, more importantly, in another country, on roads that are very different from the ones we have here in the UK. So having now driven it on home soil as well, the crunch questions are: is its ride quality flexible enough to work on a UK road? Is its new turbocharged V8 engine a sincere replacement for the old thumper of an atmospheric V8 that powered the previous C63 with such gusto? And is it really worth the premium that Mercedes-AMG is attempting to charge…

Essentials Hyundai ix35 FCEV Price: £53,015 Engine: Fuel cell stack, electric motor with lithium-polymer battery Power/torque: 134bhp/300Nm Transmission: Single-speed, front-wheel drive 0-62mph: 12.5 seconds Top speed: 99mph CO2: 0g/km Range: 369 miles ON SALE Now WHILE pure electric and hybrid cars continue their upwards curve in the UK, hydrogen-powered vehicles are still some distance away from becoming mainstream. And with fewer than 15 functioning filling stations in the UK, it’s no real surprise. However, if you fancy being an early adopter you can actually buy a fuel cell-powered ix35 FCEV outright for £53,015. Could this be the car to wean us off the conventional combustion engine? Current estimates suggest it will cost around half as much as an equivalent diesel model to run. A tank of hydrogen will set you…

WE’VE shopped around, and there are already a few deals to be had on the new Volvo XC90. However, there’s not much discount on offer, and the best promotion we’ve seen is through Volvo itself. It’s offering the same spec XC90 as we tested – a D5 Momentum with metallic paint – for £559 per month. The three-year contract is based on a £9,676 customer deposit with interest charged at 5.9 per cent APR. There’s an optional final payment of £21,915, but be careful of mileage charges over the 10,000-mile annual limit. It’s a different story when it comes to the Land Rover Discovery – now it’s nearing the end of its life, there are lots of deals around. For example, cash buyers can save a sizeable £3,344 on the…

Mat Watson Mat_Watson@dennis.co.uk @mat_watson THIS picture pretty much sums up my feelings for the BMW i3, but I’ll make things even clearer: it’s my favourite car ever to feature on the Auto Express fleet. In fact, it’s one of the best cars I’ve ever driven in my entire career as a motoring journalist. One reason is that it fits my lifestyle perfectly. Living and driving in London can be pricey with the Congestion Charge, but the i3 Range Extender model is exempt from the £11.50 daily fee. Plus, my parking space at home has access to a socket for charging, so the car has been ultra-cheap to run. You don’t buy this BMW to save cash, though; instead, it’s more like the Apple iPhone of the car world – there…

Got a query? Henry_Willis@dennis.co.uk @WineryHills Q Sorting bird dropping damage MY car was left under a tree for a couple of weeks and it got covered in bird droppings. I’ve managed to remove them all, but the paintwork looks damaged. What can I do? Gail Hillier, E-mail A BIRD droppings need to be removed as soon as possible. Autoglym’s Bird Dropping Wipes (best price £5.49, www.autoglym.com ) should get the worst of the muck off. A colour restorer could remove evidence of dropping damage. Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound (£10.99, www.meguiars.com ) is our test favourite. Q Sat-nav for house names I USE my sat-nav to get around everywhere, but it comes unstuck when I have to navigate…

WHILE BMW is usually forward-thinking with its design, this isn’t the first time it’s paid tribute to its past. Here are a couple of other bold reinterpretations of its back catalogue from recent years. BMW 328 HOMMAGE Designed to mark the 75th anniversary of the lightweight 328 sports car in 2011, this was made from carbon fibre coupled with a stripped-out, but leather-lined cabin. BMW M1 HOMMAGE This reimagining of the iconic supercar sparked rumours of a new M1 when it was revealed in 2008. However, design cues can be seen in the current i8.…

DRIVING a diesel is about to get a lot more exciting – and kinder to the environment – thanks to Bosch. The tech giant has created a highly efficient mild hybrid engine that aims to improve the reputation of diesels – currently under attack from new legislation – and Auto Express has had an exclusive first drive. While the car has all the hallmarks of a Golf GTD, Bosch’s prototype is no normal Volkswagen. Instead of a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine packing 181bhp and 380Nm of torque, under the bonnet lies a brand new diesel engine. The 1.7 litre four-cylinder turbo has 148bhp and 340Nm – but it’s far more technical than that. It’s fitted with Bosch’s Boost Recuperation System (BRS). The company says the set-up aims to close the large…

Back to Black for Porsche specials PORSCHE has launched new Black Editions of its 911 and Boxster. As the name suggests, both get pure black paintwork, a black interior and black detailing inside and out. There are also 20-inch alloys and extra standard kit. The new models are based on entry-level versions: the 911 (above) gets the Carrera’s 3.4-litre flat-six engine and the Boxster has the 2.7-litre unit. The 911 Black Edition range starts at £75,074, while the Boxster kicks off at £46,164. Nissan goes for gold on GT-R’s birthday NISSAN is celebrating 45 years of the GT-R with a new gold edition of its supercar-slaying coupé. The badge debuted on the Skyline saloon in 1970, and the new model is set apart by a Champagne Gold paintjob and 20-inch…

AUDI has introduced a new fuel-sipping Ultra version of its A3. It’s the most efficient model in the range, claiming 83.1mpg and 89g/km of CO2. The new car is powered by a 109bhp 1.6-litre TDI diesel, and achieves these figures thanks to lowered suspension, low-rolling-resistance tyres and longer gearing from its six-speed manual box. Plus, the low emissions will tempt company car buyers, as they mean a Benefit in Kind rating of just 16 per cent. The A3 Ultra is priced from £20,865, and is available to order now as a saloon (right) or five-door Sportback.…

JUST edging the new VW Golf for power is Lotus’ most potent production model ever, the new Evora 400, which will cost from £72,000 when it hits showrooms. The Evora 400 (below) develops 400bhp and 410Nm of torque from its 3.5-litre supercharged V6. It comes with a limited-slip diff, air-con and sat-nav. Options include a six speed automatic box (£2,000), an Alcantara and leather interior (£2,500), lightweight alloys (£2,000) and metallic paint (£900). First deliveries will be made this summer.…

Audi RS4 Avant vs Mercedes-AMG C 63 IT’S the battle of the ultimate high-performance estates. On paper, the new Mercedes-AMG C 63 (driven on Page 34) has the edge, as its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 delivers 469bhp and 649Nm of torque. But while the Audi RS4 Avant trails in terms of outputs, it sends its 444bhp and 430Nm to all four wheels. Could this be the deciding factor in our head-to-head? We hit rush hour in self-driving Audi A7 WE’VE already been aboard an autonomous Audi RS7 as it lapped a race circuit at high speed. But this is the next stage: we took a trip up the German autobahn in a self-driving A7 during normal rush hour traffic for what was perhaps the ride of our life. This was a…

Contact Lawrence Allan mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress Write to: Watchdog/Letters, Auto Express, Dennis Publishing, 30 Cleveland Street, London W1T 4JD HOT TOPIC DIY car maintenance FROM: N Bennett I’VE always changed halogen lightbulbs myself, for the simple reason that the glass mustn’t be touched by hand. With bulbs requiring convoluted hand positioning to avoid contamination, I can’t imagine mechanics wanting to or caring much in some cases. FROM: Aidrian Walsh I BELIEVE if you aren’t able do simple things such as changing your own essentials or topping up the fluid levels, then you deserve to be charged up to £70 for someone else to do it. It amazes me how many drivers have trouble with the simplest tasks. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk • “Manufacturers should be forced to make…

Stirling Moss: My Racing Life Moss and Taylor (EvroPublishing, evropublishing.com) Price: £50 (hardback) Rating: FROM the publishing company that brought us the excellent John Surtees: My Incredible Life (Issue 1,327), Sir Stirling Moss gets the same treatment with another great autobiography. The legendary racing driver tells the story of his career, with fascinating accounts of his heyday. Foreword from Lewis Hamilton, and a brilliant set of pictures, make this a must-buy. Cars We Loved In The 1950s Giles Chapman (TheHistoryPress, thehistorypress.co.uk) Price: £8.99 (paperback) Rating: IN this pocket-sized publication, memorable cars of the late 1940s and all of the fifties are relived in print and picture by author Chapman. The range of cars featured is sure to appeal to a variety of readers, from the Bond Minicar, to the Land…

Q Mokka keeps cutting out THE turbodiesel engine on my Vauxhall Mokka cuts out at low speeds. Vauxhall hasn’t flagged up any faults, but I’m very concerned as it could be dangerous. What could it be? Peter Jacobs, E-mail AWE dealt with a similar query in January last year, when a reader’s car stalled when changing down to lower gears. Vauxhall told us it was the way the engine is geared with the turbodiesel engine. You’ll need to rev it higher to avoid the problems you’re having. Q Can I reject faulty Sorento? WITHIN a day of buying a 57-plate Kia Sorento, it developed problems starting and running. The dealer diagnosed air in the fuel system, yet I’ve barely driven it. Can I reject it? Paul Hobson, E-mail A THE…

DRIVERS have backed recent proposals from the Formula One Strategy Group to reignite interest in the sport, including the return of in-race refuelling stops for the first time since the end of the 2009 season. The proposals are the result of a recent meeting between FIA president Jean Todt, F1 commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone and team representatives from Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull, Williams and Force India. Lap times from five to six seconds faster than those currently being recorded are the target, with reduced weight, revised tyre compounds and better aerodynamics all being considered as ways of achieving this. The meeting also discussed improving the noise of the new V6 hybrid engines, following continued complaints from fans this year. Most of the sport’s drivers have welcomed the suggestion of…