Innholdsfortegnelse for August 5, 2015 i Auto Express

WE’VE already driven Mazda’s new MX-5 with the zingy 129bhp 1.5-litre petrol, but this will be the first time we’ve tried the 158bhp 2.0 unit in the UK. Mazda claims the two-seat roadster was designed around the smaller engine as it fits in with the simple, lightweight design, but there’s no doubt some will be craving extra power to exploit the chassis. Log on to see if we think the larger engine is an ideal fit for the award-winning roadster. For more visit autoexpress.co.uk…

VOLKSWAGEN invented the hot hatch with the original GTI nearly four decades ago, and it’s been setting the standard in this market pretty much ever since. We look back over the seven generations of high-performance Golf to give you an idea of what the new Mk8 model will have to live up to when it hits showrooms in 2019... Mk1 (1977-1984) WHERE it all began. Only 34 left-hand-drive models sold in the UK in 1977, weighing 810kg each and using a 110bhp 1.6 engine. Mk2 (1984-1992) BUILT on success of Mk1 with a 112bhp 1.8-litre. UK sales peaked at 17,193 in 1989 – nearly 50 per cent of all Golf sales at the time. Mk3 (1992-1998) STARTED with an 8V 112bhp 2.0-litre engine, but 150bhp 16V version of the same…

IT’S not just the new supermini-based SUV that will roll off Kia’s production lines in the coming years. There’s a whole host of new models we can expect to see over the next three years – and they range from replacements for Kia’s current cars to entrants in new markets. Our timeline explains what you can expect and when you’re likely to see them in your nearest Kia dealer... 2016: KIA OPTIMA DESPITE its pin-sharp styling, the Optima hasn’t set sales charts on fire. Kia hopes it’ll be second time lucky when the new model (above) appears in early 2016. A shooting brake estate will arrive in August next year. 2016: KIA SPORTAGE THE replacement for Kia’s top-selling Sportage will star at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show, before going on…

Essentials Citroen Aircross Concept Price: N/AEngine: 218bhp 1.6 4cyl turbo,rear-mounted 95bhp electric motorPower/torque: 313bhp/475Nm (total)Transmission: Unspecified automatic,four-wheel drive0-62mph: 4.5 secondsEV range: 31 milesEconomy: 166mpgCO2: 39g/km ON SALE 2017 STORAGE Centre console runs the full length of the interior, and provides occupants with lots of storage solutions, including these gorgeous cup-holders NEAT TOUCHES Speakers in all the headrests allow you to personalise the infotainment, or amplify passengers’ voices via microphones in seatbelts IT’S a rare opportunity when a manufacturer lets you loose in a priceless, one-off concept car. It’s even rarer when the concept has licence plates stuck to the front and back, and you’re mixing it with real traffic on real roads. Despite the possibility of a hefty insurance bill, the chance to drive Citroen’s incredible Aircross concept was too…

THE Chinese car industry is up to its old tricks again with this: the new Youxia X. It’s clearly inspired by Tesla’s Model S, from the curvy roofline and body shape to the hidden door handles and blacked-out front grille. Under the skin is an electric motor delivering 362bhp and 440Nm of torque, and firing the Youxia X from 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds – not quite a match for the most basic Model S 70D. Three battery packs are available, with ranges claimed from 137 to 286 miles.…

Essentials Nissan Juke-R 2.0 Price: £400,000 (est)Engine: 3.8-litre twin turbo V6Power/torque: 592bhp/652NmTransmission: Seven speed auto,four wheel drive0-62mph: 2.9 seconds (est)Top speed: 200mph (est)Economy: 24mpg (est)CO2: 275g/km (est) ON SALE Now A COMPACT crossover with a supercar spec sheet may sound like something destined for a motor show stand, but Nissan has experience when it comes to such fantasies. Back in 2011, it transplanted the 485bhp engine from a GT-R into a Juke. Now there’s an updated version based on the recently facelifted crossover – and we’ve experienced it from behind the wheel. It’s now called Juke-R 2.0, and the GT-R’s 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 remains under your right foot, the seven-speed dual clutch box at your fingertips and the sophisticated four-wheel-drive sys em beneath you. What’s new is the extra dose…

Tesla Model S P85D vs RS7 vs Alpina D3 THE Tesla Model S P85D is a mental powerhouse of an electric car, serving up a colossal 691bhp. But can it beat two more conventional performance rivals around our circuit: an Audi RS7, with its twin-turbo petrol V8, and the BMW X3-based Alpina XD3 SUV, powered by a torquey 3.0-litre diesel engine? Yes, it’s a question nobody asked, but the answer is really interesting... Special Defender in history lesson AFTER over 60 years, production of the original Land Rover, now called the Defender, is about to cease. And to celebrate, the brand’s launched Adventure (Page 36), Heritage and Autobiography specials. We headed to Islay in the Hebrides to rate the Heritage against its ancestors and see how much the 4x4 has…

BLOODHOUND isn’t the only British outfit eyeing the sound barrier; university students are at it as well. Samvir Thandi, 19, a first-year undergraduate at the University of Southampton, broke 200mph in a similar rocket car challenge – and is now targeting the sound barrier (at 761mph) with his model rocket before Bloodhound’s 1,000mph bid in South Africa. He said: “In terms of engineering, it’s very different. So it requires a new way of thinking.” Samvir is using his aerospace engineering degree to custom-build his model rocket car. He added: “This is unknown territory; it’s very rapid and spontaneous.”…

THE Defender has come a long way since Rover engineering director Maurice Wilks scratched its profile in the sand at Red Wharf Bay in Anglesey, Wales. That was 68 years ago, and while it was originally conceived as a ‘light tractor’, it’s become something of a fashion icon in recent years. With production now winding down in preparation for an all-new Defender, due next year, Land Rover has released a trio of special editions to cash in on the outgoing car’s enduring popularity. We tested the rough and ready Adventure Edition. Underbody protection for the side sills and engine sump, a snorkel to maximise wading depth, heavily treaded Goodyear MT/R tyres and a ‘Defender Expedition’ roof rack (with a rear ladder to access it) mean you’re not only prepared for…

WITH Abarth’s version of the upcoming Fiat 124 Spider not arriving for at least another year, the 695 Biposto remains the hottest car to wear the scorpion badge. In 2014, we drove the bonkers 695 fitted with every single extra from the options list, including the five-speed ‘dog box’ – an all-aluminium H-pattern gearbox, allowing brutal, clutchless changes, that’s an £8,500 highlight on a car nudging £50,000. It made for a grin-inducing package, but can the standard car with a conventional five-speed manual gearbox replicate those thrills? The first point to mention is that the Abarth 500’s regular manual gearbox isn’t the best in the business. While the dog box is positioned close to the floor, the standard version comes out of the dash just like in other Fiat 500…

SMALL cars with a sporty character to suit manual gearboxes better than automatics, partly because they bring an extra shade of driver involvement. So, given that Mazda’s new 2-based CX-3 is a pretty sporty small SUV, does the presence of a traditional automatic transmission blunt its dynamic edge? We’ve driven the six-speed manual CX-3 in petrol and diesel forms, and been impressed with this good-looking, efficient and fun-to-drive package. This is our first UK experience of the auto, a £1,200 extra, tested here in a 118bhp petrol 2.0-litre SE-L Nav model. Simplicity is what the CX-3 auto is all about. It has a traditional gearstick and two pedals. That’s it. Steering wheel paddles are nowhere to be seen. It feels odd at first, but you soon get used to it.…

Practicality THE HR-V has a bigger boot than the Qashqai, at 453 litres, but the 3008 gets 512 litres. Honda’s parcel shelf is flimsy, although the elasticated frame makes it easy to move out the way. The 3008’s split tailgate creates a useful rear bench, while the boot floor can be mounted at multiple levels to create useful hidden storage. Off-road? YOU can get a four-wheel-drive Qashqai, yet only with the top-of-the-range 1.6 dCi diesel. There’s no 4WD on the HR-V or 3008, yet Peugeot does offer its Grip Control system on diesels. This £470 optional extra adds all-weather tyres and a switchable traction control system. Emissions THE HR-V auto is greener than its manual rivals, with 125g/km CO2 emissions. However, the six-speed manual model is a little dirtier, with…

Dimensions THE Macan is 147mm shorter than the SRT, and although the Jeep has the tighter turning circle, the Porsche is easier to manoeuvre. Its £332 optional reversing camera helps here, too, although visibility in both is good. The Macan feels the more compact car to drive as well, and has a higher-quality, more upmarket interior. Space DESPITE the Porsche’s sloping roofline, there’s still lots of headroom in the back. The wheelbase is similar to the SRT’s, so there’s also good rear legroom. It can’t compete with the Jeep for outright space, though – taller adults will still find the Grand Cherokee roomier. Performance BOTH cars have huge pace, so benefit from uprated brakes. The Jeep’s Brembos are good, but the Porsche’s optional ceramic-composite system is better. It stopped the…

Driving SCOUT handles exactly in the manner you would expect an Octavia to, with added bonus of long-travel suspension ensuring the ride is very comfortable Boot space SKODA has always excelled in offering massive capacity, and the Octavia Scout is no exception, with huge 610-litre boot extending to 1,740 litres with the rear seats folded Second opinion ”If the majority of SUV buyers were being honest, they don’t really need anything more rugged than the Octavia Scout. The 4x4 system is capable enough to tackle muddy tracks - which is about as far as most regular SUVs go - it has plenty of passenger space, and the boot is big enough to take everything you can throw at it. What’s more, the Scout’s estate car roots mean it’ll cost pennies…

NEW PRODUCT Real FX racing game RRP: £99.99 Contact: www.realfxracing.com THE new Real FX package promises to combine the best bits of slot car and console racing games. The company behind it claims it uses artificial intelligence to allow you to overtake and undertake, making rivals look old hat and delivering a true racing experience. With slot car set-ups, you always need a friend to grab the other controller for a race. But Real FX lets you enjoy the fun on your own by challenging the pace car, like a video game. The race cars have the familiarity of a radio-controlled car, but the programming is sophisticated. It means there’s no definitive line to follow on the hi-tech Sensor-Track, and therefore no limits. With a bit of practice, you’ll even…

TomTom maps now cover 134 countries SAT-nav giant TomTom has added 13 new countries to its global database. The TomTom mapping system now claims to offer 45.6 million kilometres of coverage, and serves 4.3 billion people globally. Macedonia, Panama and Iraq are among the newest countries to be included, which will take total coverage up to 134 nations. TomTom has also teamed up with Bosch to develop more built-in systems for car makers. New Toyo tyre gets grip for small SUVs TOYO Tires has developed a new rubber compound for smaller crossovers and compact SUVs. The CF2 uses a brand new silica tread compound to improve the tyre’s fuel economy by reducing wet weather braking distances through better levels of grip. Toyo claims wide grooves and a rib pattern will…

WHILE other motorsport championships are entering their closing stages, the FIA Formula E electric race series is ramping up for the start of its second season in October. Ahead of the opening race, which once again takes place in Beijing, China, there will be six days of pre-season testing at the championship’s Donington Park base in Leicestershire, with free access for fans. The testing takes place on six Mondays and Tuesdays this month: 10-11, 17-18 and 24-25, with Monday sessions running from 12pm and the Tuesdays starting at 9am. Those planning to attend need to visit www.eticketing.co.uk/fiaformulae-london and register in advance for their chosen day. Testing is particularly important for the second season of Formula E, as the series’ 10 teams are now allowed to develop their own electric motors…

MORE than halfway through the year, there is one clear highlight of 2015 for me – the unveil of the Ford GT concept in Detroit in January. It was a genuine surprise, a real “I was there” moment made all the more special by the fact the car is so stunning. It looked equally impressive on show at London’s RAC Club last week, where I caught up with Ford’s new UK boss Andy Barratt (above). Andy is clearly thrilled at how the GT, Mustang and Focus RS are generating a real feelgood factor for the brand. But, let’s be honest, some of that stardust needs to filter down to Ford’s more mainstream cars, which are lacking a little of the X factor at present. Many of us believe that the…

BEFORE the arrival of Kia’s new baby SUV, the Korean company will enter uncharted territory as it launches what has been described as a cut-price Porsche Panamera. This car was originally scheduled to be launched next year, with a full unveiling even earlier than that. Kia is now delaying it slightly, with one source telling us we shouldn’t expect to see it until 2017. The design has already been signed off by Kia design chief Peter Schreyer and it won’t differ too much from the GT concept (below) revealed at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The rear-wheel-drive four-door is likely to use a range of four and six-cylinder diesel and petrol engines, with a V8 petrol also slated, which will please both American buyers and fans of the Mercedes-AMG CLS…

LAST month, Lamborghini announced it would build a Roadster version of its new Aventador LP750-4 Superveloce, to follow in the wheeltracks of the coupé. Now, our spies have produced confirmation that the most outlandish mainstream Lambo ever is on the brink of full production, with sales set to start in the coming months. You can clearly see the same gaping rear diffuser, slashed side sills and jutting front bumper as on the SV Coupé. New for the Roadster is a removable carbon fibre roof panel – so weight gains over the coupé should be negligible – while it loses the coupé’s massive fixed rear wing. The news that an Aventador SV Roadster was definitely in the pipeline came at June’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, where the SV coupé was making…

IN NUMBERS £26.9BN Total paid in fuel excise duty to HM Treasury in 2013/14. 5,910,000 Projected number of battery-powered cars and vans on UK roads by 2030. £213M Estimated total fuel excise duty shortfall HM Treasury faces in 2020. £4.8BN Predicted shortfall in fuel duty in 2030 based on battery car and van projections. THE UK Government is facing a near-£5billion shortfall in 2030 from lost fuel duty if the growth of battery electric vehicles continues, according to exclusive Auto Express calculations. We’ve crunched the numbers based on the current fuel duty paid to HM Treasury and the projected uptake of pure electric vehicles to reveal the amount Government will lose out on over the next 15 years. In 2020, the Government will have a £213million-a-year shortfall, and that will…

HOT TOPIC New Audi A4 driven FROM: Andre THE key element with the new Audi A4 is the softer suspension. To me this was the only real issue with the old one. I’m confident the softer setup will power the A4 to the top of the class. It’ll be interesting to see whether the new A5 receives a similar treatment. FROM: Springfan THERE may be more stylish cars, such as the new Alfa Giulia, but I doubt they’re as well engineered. While many complain about the looks, I think the new A4 is a breath of fresh air from the old one. I for one will be scribbling in the order forms. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk • “A car that can charge your phone wirelessly, has a…

COUPÉ-SUVs, four-door coupés, performance crossovers – there are plenty of niches these days, but Volvo has managed to find another. Meet the S60 Cross Country – a car that’s supposed to blend the style of an executive saloon with the go-anywhere appeal of an off-roader. The S60 Cross Country is the only saloon crossover on the market just now, but Volvo isn’t the first to pull this trick. American car firm AMC revealed its Eagle in the seventies and Subaru had a strong reputation for four-wheel-drive saloons with raised ground clearances in the nineties. The S60 Cross Country sits 65mm higher than the regular saloon on taller, but entirely conventional, suspension; there’s no trick set-up with configurable off-road modes here. It also has a honeycomb grille pinched from the smaller…

IF you fancy a hotter Toyota GT86, take note – thanks to motorsport specialist Cosworth, you can now bag one with a healthy 280bhp and 305Nm of torque. That’s 83bhp and 100Nm more than standard. But does it release the rear-drive coupé’s potential? The engine runs what Cosworth calls the Stage 2.3 upgrade kit, which includes a supercharger, a high-flow air filter and intake, a new exhaust system and a race-spec ECU. Out on the road, it’s the torque you notice the most. There’s more performance lower down compared to the standard car, but it’s still not quite as you might expect. If you want the full hit, you still have to rev the ‘boxer’ engine to its raised 7,200rpm limit. Keep your foot to the floor and it scorches…

TOYOTA’S Avensis has never been the most desirable set of wheels, but it has always proven popular with fleet managers. That’s why the Toyota plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire, has churned out more than 1.7 million since 1997. Now, the factory managers may have to draft in a couple of extra shifts, because Toyota has given the Avensis an overhaul to make it more appealing to private buyers. Look quickly and you could be forgiven for thinking little has changed, but you’d be wrong; the new car constitutes a substantial design overhaul, not by Toyota in Japan but by Toyota Europe. It has tried to give the Avensis a more prestigious look, so there’s a new front end that looks wider thanks to the slim headlights and large gloss black lower…

NISSAN has acted on the demands of taxi companies, private hire firms, fleets and hotels by building its new e-NV200 seven-seater. This is essentially a van with windows, so don’t expect the seats to cleverly fold into the floor like those you’d find in MPVs – there’s a completely flat floor with seats latched on to it. Should you need to carry just five people and have extra space for luggage, the two rearmost seats fold up and can be strapped to the sides. It’s hardly elegant, but it’s functional and means you don’t have to remove them and leave them behind. Speaking of boot space, the e-NV200 has 870 litres on offer when all seven seats are being used. Fold the rearmost seats to the side and tumble the…

NEW: MINI Countryman Cooper Park Lane PRICE: £24,175 ENGINE: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 120bhp PETROL auto crossovers are scarce, and the Park Lane Countryman adds four-wheel drive to its kit list. That cuts economy to 40.9mpg, although the exclusive grey paintjob with red detailing and the classy cabin are tempting. USED: Honda CR-V 2.0 i-VTEC SE PRICE: £23,000 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 153bhp IF you’re a Honda fan but the HR-V doesn’t quite have enough space, then you can pick-up a year-old ex-demo CR-V via the brand’s Approved Used scheme. It features a torque converter auto box, as well as a healthy 589-litre boot.…

Porsche Cayenne GTS PRICE: £73,448 ENGINE: 3.6-litre V6, 434bhp IT matches the Jeep for size, offers similar practicality and is almost on par on pace, but the Cayenne GTS is a lot more expensive. Your money buys far more composure in corners and. like the Macan, much more of a premium feel than in the SRT. Audi S6 Avant PRICE: £58,545 ENGINE: 4.0-litre V8, 444bhp ALTERNATIVELY, you could go for a conventional choice with an Audi S6 Avant. The estate body means lots of usability, while quattro 4WD makes for imperious all-weather ability. Best of all, it’s cheaper than the SRT and the Macan.…

Second opinion “It’s hard to see why you’d buy a full-size Range Rover over the cheaper Sport. There’s very little to separate the two for space and refinement, while the Sport is equally upmarket, better to drive and has the option of seven seats.” WHEN life is absolutely hectic, your car needs to rise to the occasion. And with a house move on top of the usual manic pace of running three kids around and working, it’s been a busy few months for us Fowlers. Yet, thankfully, our Range Rover Sport has proved to be as much of a multi-purpose vehicle as a sports utility vehicle. It’s hugely versatile and still puts a big smile on my face every time I drive it. I opted for the five-seat version rather…

Got a query? Cat_Dow@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Best buys for cleaning hands I LIKE to carry out my own vehicle maintenance, but I find the soap for shifting grime from my hands really dries out my skin. What’s best for stopping this happening? Haedish Sampson, E-mail A THE Bilt-Hamber heavy-duty citrus handwash won our test in Issue 1,355, and a huge container costs around £15. If you’ve got sensitive skin, it’s worth trying Swarfega Orange, which came third. As it’s made with natural ingredients, it should cause less irritation. A 450ml pump-action bottle is around £10. Q Tyre speed rating query MY wife’s 2010 Nissan Note 1.6 is currently running 185/55 R16 83V tyres. Is V-rated rubber really necessary for this car, or would fitting H-rated tyres be OK? Could this…

CARS THE RELIABLE CHOICE Honda Civic FOR: Efficient diesel, well equipped, reliable AGAINST: Awkward looks, dash, visibility HONDA’S Civic might not be the most accomplished hatch on the market, but it’s an ideal choice for what you’re looking for. Although its wedgy styling is an acquired taste, the Civic is roomy inside. The efficient diesel is the pick of the engine range, yet the ride isn’t the most composed and the steering is vague. What you can’t argue with is its reliability record, which is excellent. We found a 2012 2.2-litre diesel with 38,000 miles for £9,790. INTERIOR RELIABILITY CARS THE REASSURING CHOICE Kia Cee’d FOR: Looks good, quality interior, warranty AGAINST: Weak petrols, lacklustre handling IT’S often overlooked, but Kia’s Cee’d hatch evolved into a genuine VW Golf rival…

STILL dreaming of owning that new or used supercar? Good on you. If you’ve saved up, inherited a few quid or won the lottery, why not? Not only will a dream car purchase make you happy, HM Treasury will be smiling, too. After all, consumers buying high-ticket items help prop up the UK economy. You could stay true to your childhood desires and acquire the keys to a Porsche or Ferrari. Or you might decide to be a little less predictable and more adult by backing Britain and British workers – investing in something like a homegrown Aston Martin, Bentley or top-end Jaguar. Either way, ownership of such expensive kit means you’ll contribute tens, scores or hundreds of thousands to Treasury coffers in VAT on the vehicle, fuel and insurance…

• Sizzling new VW hot hatch to deliver up to 325bhp • Clever steel-polymer construction reduces weight SEVEN generations and 40 years ago, the Golf GTI carved out the hot hatch template, and in 2015 its position on the performance car map is as crucial as ever. An average family hatch with the heart of a sports car, it avoids any frills or fanfare and focuses on driving fun without the compromises. A facelifted version of the current GTI is due in late 2016, but VW’s top engineers and designers have already turned their attention to the all-new Mk8 GTI, scheduled to arrive in 2019. Instead of another incremental improvement, VW is planning a revolution for its most famous hot hatch – and our exclusive images show how it could…

KIA has finally given the green light to a supermini-based SUV, and it’s scheduled to go on sale by 2018. The new car is being lined up to take on the best-selling Nissan Juke and Renault Captur with funky, bold styling, and in Europe it will effectively replace the Venga compact MPV. Kia showed off its vision for a small supermini-based SUV to sit below the Sportage at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. The Niro concept was said to be merely a design study, but bosses have finally given the Juke rival the go-ahead, admitting it’s a market they “have to be in”. Kia’s Ford Fiesta competitor, the Rio, will be replaced by an all-new version in two years, and the platform for that car is set to form the…

AUTO Express was the first to reveal late last year that Kia also plans to take on the Toyota Prius with a dedicated hybrid model (below). It will be 4,350mm long, so will sit neatly between the Soul and the Sportage, and will combine a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, and should be capable of 60mpg. It’ll feature a dashboard with a large screen – a design that we’ll first see in the next Kia Optima. Test mules have largely been more SUV in style, but the final product will be closer to a hatchback. “Think Mercedes A-Class and you wouldn’t be too far wrong,” a source told us.…

Borgward back with SUV for Frankfurt HISTORIC German brand Borgward is back, with an all-new SUV set to appear at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show. The new model (seen testing above) is tasked with relaunching the forgotten company across Europe after it went out of business over five years ago. Plans to revive Borgward were first confirmed at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and the company will be headed by the grandson of the original founder. It’s targeting 800,000 sales a year by 2020. Retro solution to hi-tech car crime STEERING locks are making a comeback as a DIY solution to keyless car theft. Figures from UK distributor Saxon Brands show that orders for steering locks have surpassed the whole of 2014 inside the first six months of this…

HOW far can in-car tech go before the advancements become classed as distractions and are put in the same category as using a mobile phone behind the wheel? It’s widely accepted that using any sort of tech – even built-in sat-navs, sound systems or climate control dials that have been around for years – can distract you from the road, but it’s still legal to operate them while driving. What of the next generation of in-car tech then? Jaguar Land Rover and MINI are just two manufacturers at the forefront of new tech in the shape of augmented reality. Goggles that make doors see-through so you don’t scratch your alloys on the kerb and head-up display set-ups that show the nearest parking space or potholes ahead are all in the…

“THE car looks good, the lines are smooth and it may just do it.” Those were the words of Mark Chapman, chief engineer of the 1,000mph Bloodhound SSC project, as he inspected our design. He wasn’t referring to the monster machine powering Andy Green to his supersonic debut, but our own attempt to break the land speed record. Auto Express joined Bloodhound at Pimlico Academy in London for the inaugural category B model rocket car challenge – for rocket-propelled cars with a blast equivalent to 2.5 Newton seconds – where a new land speed record would be set. We were also keen to see how it’s inspiring students worldwide to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects. The aim of the challenge is for students to build a chassis…

THE rise of the crossover may be stealing sales from more conventional passenger cars, but people still love their MPVs. That’s why Ford has overhauled its MPV range from head to toe, and the latest model to be given some tweaks is the Focus-based five-seat C-MAX. Ford hasn’t tampered with the recipe too much, but the addition of a whole heap of new safety tech will certainly catch the eye of those the car is aimed at. The new C-MAX will appeal on a visual level, too, because Ford has given it a similar style to the larger S-MAX, complete with sharp bonnet creases, hexagonal grille and angular headlamps. What has also always made the C-MAX stand out from the rest of the compact MPV crowd is the way it…

IF there’s one word that neatly encapsulates a supermini, it’s versatility. Not only do these cars have to transport up to five people in relative comfort, but they also have to swallow plenty of luggage and be affordable to buy, all while using as little fuel as possible. The Volkswagen Polo is a prime example of that versatility. The range is topped by a boisterous 189bhp GTI model and now tailed with the addition of a new fuel-sipping BlueMotion version. It’s new because this is the first time the Polo BlueMotion has been offered with a petrol engine. Under the bonnet sits a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo developing 94bhp – in fact, it’s the same basic engine as you’ll find in the dinky up! city car. Clever packaging makes the engine…

LIKE the Avensis, the Auris has always had an image problem, but fortunately fleet buyers are largely interested in running costs. If you need proof, around 75 per cent of Aurises sold are hybrids. But Toyota has taken a leaf out of rivals’ books with the facelifted car, adding a new 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine, as well as tweaking the styling and upgrading the cabin. While there’s no doubt the restyled front end and our car’s LED headlamps (a £795 option) improve the look, the Auris remains a l le too fussy and uninspiring next to the sharp-suited Ford Focus and SEAT Leon. Inside it’s a similar story, despite smart new gloss black trim on the central dash panel. The centre stack on our example felt like it could be…

IF you’re a cash buyer, you can make a huge saving on the SRT. Broker Buyacar.com  is offering a brand new high-performance Grand Cherokee with a £10,250 discount on the list price, which means you can get the super-SUV for a bargain £53,745. There are also tempting deals to be had for finance buyers, because the same website is promoting an £822-per-month deal on the Jeep. This offer is based on the discounted list price above on a 48-month contract with interest charged at 7.9 per cent APR. You’ll have to put down a £5,370 deposit and pay a further £19,710 to secure the car at the end of the contract, but it’s still a great saving and makes the SRT that bit more attractive. Porsche rarely discounts…

FIRST TEST Thule Raceway 3 Rear Mounted Car Cycle Carrier 992 Best price: From £260 Rating: Contact: www.thule.com CYCLE racks can be great for family holidays or park and ride commutes. But in our tests over the years, we’ve found rear-mounted carriers more fiddly than towbar or roof versions. Thule’s new three-bike Raceway 992 carrier reverses the trend, though; it’s really easy to use. You simply lift the solid plastic levers to angle the sturdy metal frame into place neatly against your car’s bootlid. Strong ties then anchor the carrier in place from the top and bottom, and you can tighten these using the ‘dials’ at the side. A lockable panel on either side of the tethers allows you to loosen them again and protect the frame from theft.…

WSC Giants: Ferrari 333 SP Terry O’Neil (Veloce Publishing, www.veloce.com) Price: £16.99 (paperback) Rating: FERRARI quit endurance racing in 1973, then returned two decades later in the 1994 World Sports Car Championship. The new journey didn’t start perfectly, and this book takes you on a chronological journey through the drama as Ferrari fought to dominate the sports prototype class. This easy, fast-paced read is great for endurance racing fans. Kerbside Tales Chris Randall (Olympia, olympiapublishers.com) Price: £6.99 (paperback) Rating: IF you ever get stuck at a family party with an unfunny uncle, his anecdotes would read like this tribute to troubles at the roadside. The tales can raise a smile, but the punchlines are lost in the frequent tangents author Randall finds himself heading off on. This book is well…

Q Sandero clutch woes MY Dacia Sandero has gone through two clutch cables in two years. The dealer says this is unheard of, but I’d like to know if other owners have had similar issues. Can you help? Tony Jennings, E-mail A WE’VE not heard of other Sandero owners experiencing similar problems with faulty clutch cables. A few have pointed out that the bite point is unusually high, though, which could mean you’re riding the clutch a little and wearing it out. Q Volkswagen part-ex poser I’M looking to exchange my 2012 Volkswagen Scirocco for a new Golf GTI in October. Before I negotiate, could you give me an idea of the cash contribution I might be expected to make? Norman Riley, E-mail A THE value of your car depends…

TESTED Clio RS vs 208 GTi, Fiesta ST Has Renaultsport got it right this time? We try new pocket rocket vs Peugeot and Ford DRIVEN Discovery Sport Land Rover SUV gets the engine it deserves with new 2.0 Ingenium diesel. We try it out SPECIAL REPORT HOW TO CUT YOUR MOTORING BILLS Our experts’ tips on how to keep your running costs and insurance and servicing bills affordable • News • Product tests • Drives • Features & Sport on sale Wednesday 12 August Contents are subject to change…