Innholdsfortegnelse for September 30, 2015 i Auto Express

SUBARU is pitching the new Levorg against the likes of the Mazda 6 Tourer and Volvo V60, and this week we’ll drive it in the UK for the first time. The Levorg sticks to Subaru’s rugged roots and comes fitted as standard with symmetrical all-wheel drive. It also features a new 168bhp 1.6-litre boxer petrol engine, paired with a CVT automatic transmission. Has Subaru created a winner? Log on to our website to read our definitive verdict. For more visit autoexpress.co.uk…

VAUXHALL looks to be back firing on all cylinders with its new, five-star Astra (Page 36) and rejuvenated small car range. A fresh Insignia is on its way, too, and there are rumours of a replacement for the ageing Antara mid-size SUV. But arguably the most exciting news is that the brand (along with its European sister company, Opel) is planning a new two-door, 2+2 coupé called the GT – to rival Audi’s TT and the VW Scirocco – and our exclusive images show it could look. A source close to Vauxhall confirmed the car is under consideration, and that we’d see a concept at next year’s Geneva Motor Show. It’s likely that GM bosses will assess the model’s feasibility following press and public reaction to the show car. The…

Volkswagen CLEARLY, the ramifications for VW are immense. A change of leadership, massive fines and the prospect of an onslaught of lawsuits is an unappealing cocktail for starters, and the vast bills VW is facing will inevitably have an impact on future product plans. Perhaps the biggest concern at the company’s Wolfsburg HQ, however, will be how to regain consumer confidence. A deceit of this nature and extent is a huge turn-off for buyers. By acting decisively and transparently the firm can try to control the damage, but the whole sorry affair will have changed some customers’ perceptions permanently. And in the US, where VW is very much a niche player, a comeback will be particularly challenging. “It’s far from clear what remedies consumers have – watch this space” The…

Original VW Golf GTI battles Mk7 model EVER wondered if classic cars can hold their own against their modern counterparts? We often ask this, so we decided to answer the question in a new series of drag strip videos. In the first instalment, the original Volkswagen Golf GTI goes head-to-head with the latest Mk7 version. Of course we’ve done something to make it fairer for the classic, but you’ll have to watch to find out... New Mazda MX-5 meets Toyota GT86 TWO popular sports cars with similar price tags and loads of character do battle in this encounter. The Mazda MX-5 (above) and Toyota GT86 have long been rivals, but this is the first time the new MX-5 has faced the rear-drive, boxer-engined Toyota on track. Our man Steve Sutcliffe…

FROM: madretailer I’VE never been the biggest Renault fan, but it seems to have pulled out all the stops with the latest Mégane. The newcomer looks better than anything VW has to offer, and the days of unreliable French cars are long gone. Can’t wait for the reviews to come in. FROM: ato james I’M seeing a lot of my friends changing from Fords, Audis and Hondas to Renaults. They’re all quoting good running costs, strong reliability and great handling. I’ve never been tempted, but the new Mégane and its fantastic looks have me intrigued. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk • “I hope Renault can sort out the lag from its diesel engines. My last Mégane suffered from this.” Gordon McCartney • “Can’t wait to see the new…

SUVS are immensely important to BMW, as they are to any manufacturer. Its X5 invented the large sports utility vehicle back in 1999, and the X3, X4 and X6 have come along since, winning new customers and dividing opinions. But the baby of the range, the X1, has always been the car that hasn’t quite fitted the mould. That’s all changed with this new Mk2 version, driven here in UK spec for the first time. BMW has grasped the concept that SUV buyers want a car that doesn’t scrimp on the pumped up styling, and as a result has ditched the original’s softer look, and created exactly what you’d expect BMW’s entry-level SUV to be like: a mini X5. The new X1 is 15mm shorter than before, but you’ll hardly…

BACK in June (Issue 1,376), we visited Kia’s state-of-the-art factory in Slovakia to help build the one millionth Cee’d. Just three months later, the brand has facelifted its second-generation family hatch with updated styling, new engines and a fresh seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. We drove the all-new 1.0-litre three-cylinder in Issue 1,387, but as popular as these scaled-down petrol engines are, diesels still account for a considerable 40 per cent of Cee’d sales – and we got behind the wheel of the new 1.6 CRDi. It’s cleaner than before, with CO2 emissions dropping by 10g/km, while the manual car’s economy jumps to 78.5mpg. However, it’s the automatic model that gets the greenest gains, with the seven-speed box 25 per cent more efficient than the old six-speeder. That means emissions are down…

MERCEDES has traditionally been one of the best at producing large, imposing and ultra-luxurious two-door grand coupés, and the new S-Class is no exception. We’ve tried the powerful AMG models in recent months, but what’s life like at the entry point to the line-up, in the S 500 Coupé? Bottom of the range is a relative term here, as entrance to the exclusive S-Class club starts at a considerable £96,000. While the S 63 and S 65 enjoy AMG-tuned twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8 and 6.0-litre V12 engines under their long bonnets respectively, the S 500 makes do with ‘just’ a 4.7-litre V8. Although some people may scoff at its comparatively measly 449bhp output, it still has a colossal 700Nm of torque – allowing this two-tonne leather-lined grand tourer to cover 0-62mph…

Kia Cee’d SW ‘2’ 1.6 CRDi PRICE: £19,000 (est.) ENGINE: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 108bhp KIA has updated its practical Cee’d family car, so there’s now more efficiency and tech on offer. You’ll have to go for this Sportswagon estate model to match the MG or Skoda’s practicality in terms of boot space, but price, quality and performance are on par. SEAT Toledo 1.6 TDI Style PRICE: £18,800 ENGINE: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 113bhp USING the same engine and chassis as the Rapid, the SEAT Toledo is just as practical, but costlier at £18,800. However, this Style model is better equipped than the Skoda, as it comes with sat-nav, DAB, Bluetooth and cruise control.…

FIRST TEST Hankook tyre range Price: From £54 Rating: Contact: www.hankooktire-eu.com HANKOOK has taken the fight to premium rivals like Goodyear, Pirelli and Michelin by introducing a new all-season tyre to the UK market. The Kinergy 4S has been launched at the same time as three new winter designs from the brand, and promises “365 days of balanced performance”. Its asymmetric tread has the inner section optimised for winter conditions, with the outer section for wet and dry roads. It covers 14-17-inch wheels and has an H speed rating (up to 130mph). That’s the same range as the i*cept RS2 winter tyre, which has directional tread with 3D sipes – small slits cut in the tread block – for strong snow grip. We tested the RS2 at the new…

NEW APP ParkMe Price: Free Available for: iOS, Android THE biggest letdown for ParkMe is the fact it only maps commercial car parks and spaces, and not on-street sites or private parking. It’s got a decent selection of them, though, and it covers parking sites nationwide, which is a big bonus. Prices are updated by users of the app, and the ones we checked were accurate. Navigation is via the excellent Google Maps, and although you can’t pay for parking through the app, you can reserve a space in selected places. It’s a pity, then, that it seems to need an almost perfect signal to work – not always possible on the move. Still, we expect a big improvement, with bugs sorted out, now that popular traffic app INRIX has…

Dear Lawrence, I’m looking for my second car and want it to be fun and fast, but also small and cheap to run. What would be best for £8,000? Adam Tully, Cardiff Contact: Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk CARS THE FAMILIAR CHOICE Ford Fiesta Zetec S FOR:Good value, Mountune upgrades AGAINST:Dated cabin layout, firm ride THE Fiesta ST is one of our favourite hot hatches at the moment, but wind the clock back a few years, and the 1.6-litre Zetec S was the fastest small Ford you could get. Just 118bhp doesn’t sound much, yet it meant the car could be enjoyed at normal speeds thanks to a great chassis and well weighted steering. Mountune also offered a sporty upgrade pack that added 20bhp and stiffened the ride. We found a 61-plate Zetec S…

JENSON Button’s 16-year Formula One career could be over at the end of this season. The 35-year-old Brit, who won the driver’s championship in 2009, hinted he was looking at a future beyond F1 during last weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix. Button’s current team McLaren holds an option on his services for 2016 and talks between the two parties were said to be ongoing last weekend. Button also told the media he was uninterested in driving for another squad, such as the new-for-2016 American outfit Haas. “If I’m in F1, it’ll be with this team,” he said. “I’ve had some tough times here, but I’ve a lot of respect for the whole team and Honda. I don’t think there’s any point in looking at a smaller start-up programme.” At the previous…

BENTLEY’s model range will expand in the coming years to include “more coupés, more SUVs and more convertibles”, according to the company’s sales and marketing boss, Kevin Rose. “You resist the market at your peril,” he said. “The important thing is if you go into the segment, you make a car that is true to your brand.” Speaking on the first day of the recent Frankfurt Motor Show – and less than 24 hours after the Bentayga SUV’s public unveiling – Rose exclusively told Auto Express that while the Continental GT is likely to remain Bentley’s best seller, the brand is looking at other models to join the profitable product range. As we reveal on Page 24, Bentley boss Wolfgang Durheimer says a decision on which Bentleys we’ll see in…

READERS have been having their say via E-mail, on autoexpress.co. ukand on our Facebook page and Twitter feed on the scandal that’s rocked the car industry... FROM: John Lockwood It’s time for all the manufacturers to come clean on this issue. This is going to impact sales as no one wants to buy a car that does not meet standards. FROM: Jon Mignacca In light of this, I feel that VW should allow a trade-in credit equal to a car’s retail value prior to the scandal, or purchase the car back from the consumer. FROM: Andy W Nobody seems to be mentioning residuals. I owned a Rover so am aware of the issues. Sure, it’s different as VW hasn’t gone bust, but the potential costs could be…

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 Consumer Ombudsman: www.consumer-ombudsman.org RMIF: 0845 839 9205 (m) Scottish Motor Trade Association: 0131 331 5510…

A PRODUCTION line of spectacular SUVs is the most striking illustration of just how far Bentley has come under Volkswagen ownership. At first glance, they seem out of place on production lines that have always been dominated by some of the world’s most exotic sports cars and saloons. But Bentley’s decision to embrace the SUV phenomenon with the new Bentayga highlights the company’s desire to move with the times, even when it takes it out of its traditional comfort zone. The decision is the latest evidence of the Volkswagen Group’s single-mindedness when it comes to doing what it thinks is right to keep Bentley relevant and profitable. Since buying a badly rundown Bentley for £480million in 1998, when the firm was making just 500 cars a year, it has got…

VOLKSWAGEN has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons lately following ‘dieselgate’, so performance diesels like the Golf Estate GTD aren’t exactly flavour of the month. However, as we’ve found out from our first drive on UK roads, there’s still lots to like about this fast and practical load lugger. First up is performance. The Estate GTD has the same running gear as the hatch, so the 2.0-litre TDI engine sends 181bhp to the front wheels with the help of a clever XDS+ electronic diff, which serves up lots of grip. There’s also a choice of six-speed manual or DSG auto transmissions. Here, we drive the manual, and the car is all the better for it. The light, mechanically precise shift action is really involving and works brilliantly with…

MINI’S hottest ever hatch, the new John Cooper Works, has had one key ingredient missing from its tasty-looking recipe. We’ve only tested the latest model with a six-speed automatic gearbox; but we’re keen to find out if this already good hot hatch can become a great one, so we’ve now driven what is expected to be the best-selling manual version. This car isn’t quite as efficient, promising just over 42mpg economy and emitting 155g/km of CO2 compared to the auto’s 49mpg and 133g/km. But when you factor in the £1,330 list price saving, the extra you’ll fork out at the pumps and the added £50 a year in road tax are easier to digest. It’s also fractionally slower, yet the automatic model’s 0.2-second advantage over the manual from 0-62mph (6.1…

Neat touches THE Rapid features Skoda’s ‘Simply Clever’ touches as standard, including an ice scraper inside the fuel filler flap, a reversible boot floor, a parking ticket holder on the windscreen and a handy storage tray under the front seat. They’re small, but thoughtful features that’ll make the car easier to live with than the MG6. Space vs style NEITHER of these cars is a design icon, but they offer inoffensive looks to go with their family friendly practicality. While the Skoda is larger inside, the MG6 is arguably that bit more svelte in styling terms. As ever, personal choice is likely to play a major part in your buying decision. Technology CARS like these will find favour with business users thanks to low CO2 emissions, but tech will be…

Tom Wiltshire SEARCHING for a place to park can be frustrating, especially if you’re only nipping to the shops. But smartphone parking apps can be a real help – some even let you pay via your mobile instead of juggling with coins at a machine. The maker of our favourite traffic app, INRIX, recently acquired ParkMe, so we pitted this software against RingGo – neither of which we’ve tested before – and AA Parking, which won our test in Issue 1,359. We drove round town, pulling over and checking the apps for the many places to park we knew were nearby. We then ensured that the location and prices were accurate. AA Parking isn’t free, unlike its rivals, but it’s still the best all-rounder with its easy-to-use interface, ahead of…

WANT to keep your existing stereo, and get DAB without upsetting the look of your dash? Pure’s Highway 300Di is worth considering. A long-standing Auto Express favourite, the £174 set-up comprises a control unit that sits behind the dash and a display (right) fixed to it. Not only does the 300Di bring DAB to older stereos, it lets you power and control your iPod, iPad or iPhone, plus it has auxiliary and USB sockets. Just bear in mind that a new version is coming next year. Alternatively, if you have a large mobile phone data allowance, download an app like TuneIn Radio, Pandora or Aha, and you can get the same range of stations.…

Q Can I mix tyre types? TO save some money, I’m keen to run all-season tyres on the front and summer tyres on the rear axle of my VW Golf. Are there any potential problems with this? Ben Tomlinson, E-mail A IT’S never ideal to mix two sets of tyres on any car, especially ones for different seasons. The tyres would tackle slippery roads differently, causing an imbalance. A TyreSafe spokesman told us that this inconsistency could cause unexpected oversteer in wintry conditions. Q Whiplash claim worries MY daughter had a low-speed accident about three months ago and no claims were made. Now the person she hit is claiming for whiplash damages. What can we do? Stephen Haywood, E-mail A THE best thing to do is to contact your insurer…

HONESTLY can’t remember the last time I drove a mainstream all-new model that was badly designed, unsafe, poor performing or unreliable. The hundreds I’ve driven over the last couple of years have started and stopped impressively. Each one has eagerly negotiated every bend, hill or tricky surface I’ve subjected it to. None has left me feeling unsafe. In terms of comfort, flexibility and cost-effectiveness, all have been admirable. Pure electric cars aside, I haven’t been left stranded and, overall, I’d rate state-of-the-art petrol or diesel vehicles good to great. Put another way, although there is such a thing as a bad car, there’s no such a thing as a bad new (ie latest generation) internal combustion-engined car in showrooms today. The prospective buyer now knows (thanks to NCAP and the…

THE all-new Clubman is the largest car MINI has ever produced, and Auto Express has got behind the wheel. This second-generation model signifies the brand’s push into a more premium market where buyers are asking for bigger and better without any compromises. And that neatly sums up the previous Clubman: it wasn’t without its charm, but a cramped cabin, impractical bodystyle and hard ride rather contradicted everything it was designed to achieve. At almost 4,300mm long and 1,800mm wide, the all-new model is 270mm longer and 73mm wider than the MINI five-door hatch, with 100mm added to the wheelbase. However, while the Clubman may have conformed in terms of size – now rivalling the VW Golf and Audi A3 – it has still gone about it in its own unique…

THE VW Group could face a £12billion lawsuit in the US after being caught cheating on diesel emissions tests, with further fall-out in Europe and the UK. The worldwide scandal, with Volkswagen at the centre, has rocked the industry and seen the top boss lose his job and other associated manufacturers become embroiled. Authorities in the UK have also announced cars will be retested to compare lab results with real-world emissions data, and there are calls for an EU-wide investigation into the industry. The EA 189 engine which was fitted with a “defeat device” features in more than 11 million cars across the globe and in most diesels in the VW range, including the 1.6 and 2.0-litre models. VW Group brands Skoda and SEAT confirmed they’d used the EA 189…

Lexus names price for new RX SUV LEXUS has revealed that its new RX SUV will start at £39,995. The BMW X5 rival (above) is available to order now, with first deliveries in January. That price buys the RX 200t with a 2.0-litre petrol engine in S spec, which has sat-nav, DAB, dual-zone climate control and LED lights. SE, Luxury, F-Sport and Premium models are also available. The only other drivetrain option is the hybrid, which combines a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine with an electric motor in the RX 450h. It costs from £46,995 and produces 313bhp, yet promises 54mpg and emits just 120g/km of CO2. Ford UK plant gets £181m investment FORD is giving another boost to the UK car industry in the form of a £181million investment in…

BRITAIN’S Members of Parliament have racked up nearly £4.3million in motoring-related expense claims in the past three years. Taxpayers have been asked to foot the bill for MPs’ yearly expenditure for claims such as parking, the London Congestion Charge and toll fees, plus the use of their own vehicles. Auto Express has calculated totals for each of the 11 regions defined by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), with around £1.4million claimed by MPs per year – an average of £130,000 per region. While MPs in the South West claimed the most in 2014/15, at £179,629, our data reveals the 28 MPs in the West Midlands have the highest expense bill over the past three years. The region’s MPs claimed £550,305 on motoring expenses from 2012 to 2015 – a…

DIESEL owners could soon find themselves paying more to park and drive in major cities, following the release of a new consultation by the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The Government predicts eight UK ‘zones’ will fail NO2 compliance tests in 2020, so it’s looking at letting individual councils ban diesels or charge owners more for parking. So, should you avoid buying a diesel? If you do a high mileage, probably not. After all, the industry is cleaning up its act with new Euro 6 engines. The RAC Foundation doesn’t think we’ll stop buying diesels, either. In fact, it’s warning take-up could rocket – and, as a result, the failing UK refinery infrastructure could force a diesel drought as pumps run dry. Looking at trends from the…

THE terrain of consumer law is about to change. Tomorrow (1 October) heralds a new era as the Consumer Rights Act and the EU’s Alternative Dispute Resolution both come into force. Key implications relate to a consumer’s right to reject and their right to repair. To seasoned observers it may sound like new legislation enacted for the sake of it. In fact it brings genuine alignment and modernisation of eight existing pieces of consumer law and adds digital content. These changes will empower consumers to protect their rights, but they need to be assured the motor industry is also getting ready for the changes. Motor Codes, the Government-approved consumer body for the industry, has been working with the Chartered Trading Standards Institute to develop training packs to ensure garages in…

RENAULT is enjoying something of a resurgence in the UK. Since launching the new Clio in 2012, sales have rocketed. The brand is currently up 14 per cent year-on-year, and with a new Mégane just around the corner, the success looks set to continue. But there’s still a sizeable gap in Renault’s model range – that of a mid-sized SUV. It’s a big gap, too, as nearly one in 10 cars sold in the UK is a compact crossover. So, enter the new Qashqai-based Kadjar. Renault says the new Kadjar shares 60 per cent of its parts with the Sunderland-built Nissan, but 95 per cent of what you see and touch is unique. It’s certainly more striking to look at – especially in the Flame Red of our top-spec Signature…

HOW quick is quick? It doesn’t seem that long ago that breaking five seconds from 0-60mph put a car into the realms of the supercar. Nowadays, though, a hot hatch can dip into the four-second bracket. Sat in any car park, the Tesla Model S looks like a mild-mannered saloon. Its all-electric credentials are well known and so is its penchant for putting sports cars to shame. Yet this 751bhp P90D model takes performance for four-door, five or seven-seat cars to a new level. In a straight drag, it will almost match a £321,000 Lamborghini Aventador SV – sprinting from 0-60mph in the same time it takes the Aventador to get to 62mph. Bonkers. Or even Ludicrous, which is the driving mode Tesla has introduced for maximum attack in a…

ALPINA has spent 50 years fine-tuning BMWs by increasing performance and sharpening the handling, and the latest model in the line-up is the new D4. It’s based on the BMW 435d, albeit without that car’s now-standard four-wheel drive, and is available in Coupé or Convertible form. Alpina has added its eight-speed Switchtronic auto, boosted the engine to 350bhp, revised the suspension and made a few cosmetic tweaks, too. Styling revisions include a minor bodykit and those not-so-subtle 21-inch alloys, but overall, the D4 has a less imposing look than BMW’s own flagship M4. Inside, there are blue-backed dials, a hand-stitched steering wheel and a numbered plaque on the dash reminding you of the D4’s exclusivity. Everything else is pure 4 Series. The broad power band and 700Nm of torque mean…

WITH the MG starting at £13,995, it’s hard to think how the car can get any cheaper, but there are still deals available. MG is offering the 6 on a zero per cent finance contract with a short 24-month term for just £349 a month on the top-spec TL variant. If sat-nav is a bigger draw than leather, this drops to £319 for the mid-spec TS.MG will put down a £500 deposit contribution, too, but in the representative example you’ll have to stump up £9,119 for the TL and £8,039 for the TS. Unlike other deals, the total amount payable is the same as the cash price – £16,195 and £17,995 for the TS and TL respectively – so you won’t lose out if you opt for the finance agreement.…

Q Restoring tailpipe shine SHINY chrome tailpipes look great when new, but the ends always get blackened with soot. Is there anything on sale designed to return the pipes to their gleaming original look? Norman Hawkes, E-mail A THIS type of stubborn grime can be an absolute nightmare to get off, but there is a way. We’d recommend trying a specific chrome or metal cleaner, like Solvol Autosol. You could possibly experiment with a wheel sealant, such as Armor All Shield for Wheels, to slow grime build-up, as these products are designed for hot surfaces. Q Rubber seals back to black THE rubber seals on my car are unfortunately starting to go white, so I want to give them a good clean. Is there anything I can use to get…

Speedometer watch keeps track of time GERMAN watchmaker Bavarian Crono has added a new speedoinspired watch to its line-up. The company specialises in recreating speedometers from iconic cars, and its latest effort is based on a 1966 VW Karmann Ghia – a quirky 1.6-litre convertible. The watch dial, inner rings and pointer match those found in the original, while the stainless steel and Swiss-made quartz add to the premium feel. A number of colourful leather straps (£19 each) allow buyers to add a personal touch. The watch is priced at £195. TomTom mapping aids driverless tech DRIVERLESS vehicle technology is expected to receive another boost with the announcement of TomTom’s new HAD Map. The sat-nav giant has mapped the entire German Autobahn network in 3D, complete with lane dividers and…

Raymond Mays’ Magnificent Obsession Bryan Apps (Veloce Publishing, www.veloce.com) Best price: £40 (hardback) Rating: RAYMOND Mays was an unusual character in the history of early racing, and in this biography, author Apps recounts his victories and progress. Moderately paced and without too much jargon, this fascinating read is enhanced by Apps’ unique colour paintings of the drama, which illustrate Mays’ story as it unfolds. The Rover Group Mike Gould (Crowood Press, www.crowood.com) Best price: £29.95 (hardback) Rating: GOULD explores perhaps the darkest era of the British car industry and looks at how the Rover Group went from one merger to another before folding in 2005. There’s immense detail with the cars and people covered in chronological order. Great anecdotes and a good range of pictures keep readers entertained. It also…

PRODUCT GROUP TEST 30 | 9 | 2015 Every week, we extensively test all the latest car kit from tyres to trim cleaners. Log on to www.autoexpress.co.uk to look through our huge online test archive. Cat Dow THE world is going digital, and our cars are no different. So if your model doesn’t have DAB radio, you may want to upgrade. DAB radio promises a more reliable service with better reception, plus a wider choice of stations than FM. If you’re fitting a new DAB head unit, you want it to be simple to use with those extra stations easy to select. Plus, upgrading provides an opportunity to futureproof your car by adding modern connectivity. We looked out for all of this when testing eight DAB systems. How we tested…