Innholdsfortegnelse for 1456 i Auto Express

JANUARY in Detroit means the usual battle of the big three US car makers to dominate their home show. This year, Ford was the clear winner. It may not have had the biggest new model launch (although a revised version of America’s top-selling pick-up truck, the F-150, was a fairly major deal), but by running a City of Tomorrow symposium while everyone else was whipping covers off their new models, Ford laid down a pretty big marker as to where its future lies. CEO Mark Fields reiterated that Ford is now an “auto and mobility company” producing “vehicles, mobility services and transport solutions”. But it was chatting with former Auto Express Brit List winner and now Ford’s global marketing, sales and service boss, Stephen Odell, that the value of these…

INTERIOR Carbon fibre effect on dials marks out AMG model, but customisable screen in the middle shows digital speed readout and trip info. Elsewhere, quality is excellent, and there’s an 8.4-inch HD nav screen located on the centre console PRACTICALITY Space in the C 63’s rear seats is limited, but no worse than in rivals. With the wind deflector in place it’s not too blustery, either. Decent 355-litre boot is compromised with the roof lowered, but there’s enough space for two soft bags Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram AE WITH all the recent wet weather, you’d be forgiven for thinking that now is not the ideal time to be testing a 503bhp, rearwheel- drive convertible. And to all intents and purposes, you’d be right. But here we are, with the keys to Mercedes-AMG’s…

VauxhallViva 1.0i 75PS SL List price: £9,865 Aim to pay: £9,041 Deposit: £1,677 Deposit contribution: N/A No of payments: 35 APR: N/A Optional final payment: N/A Total amount: £6,192 THIS personal lease deal on the Vauxhall Viva is like renting; there’s no option to own at the end of the three-year term. And it suits the stylish and well priced city car. All versions get electric mirrors and cruise control as standard, and while numb steering and a lacklustre engine make Skoda’s Citigo a better all-rounder, the Viva is a strong choice if you don’t drive much out of town. Volkswagen up! Move up! 1.0 3dr RECENTLY revised up! still shares town agility, composure, refinement and a spacious cabin with its SEAT Mii and Skoda Citigo cousins, but now comes…

Audi Q2 1.6 TDI Sport List price: £25,050 Aim to pay: £25,050 Deposit: £4,218 Deposit contribution: £0 No of payments: 35 APR: 6.3 per cent Optional final payment: £13,890 Total amount: £28,232 THAT interest rate and deposit contribution tell you all you need to know about Audi’s confidence in the new Q2. And it’s not misplaced. The car is spacious, superbly made, has lots of safety kit and offers huge scope for personalisation. Sure, it’s pricey, with the best kit on the options list, plus the ride is firm on larger-wheeled versions. But no competitor has a stronger image. Peugeot 2008 1.2 PureTech GT Line LIKE the C4 Cactus, the 2008 stands out from the crowd, offering genuine practicality instead of pumped-up looks. It’s spacious, with good headroom front and…

Audi A4 2.0 TDI Ultra 190 Sport List price: £32,695 Aim to pay: £26,764 Deposit: £5,447 Deposit contribution: £2,500 No of payments: 35 APR: 3.9% Optional final payment: £15,896 Total amount: £32,518 FOR proof of how tough this sector is, check out this great offer on the all-new A4. The car may not look too different from its predecessor, but boasts a roomier cabin, more tech and efficient engines. Rivals such as the Jaguar XE are better to drive, but for feelgood factor the A4 is hard to beat. Our favourite engine is the 2.0 TDI 190. Audi’s £450 Virtual Cockpit is a worthwhile option. JaguarXE 2.0d 163PS Prestige A HANDSOME £3,170 deposit contribution on our 2016 Compact Executive Car of the Year looks like a deal too good to…

Renault Grand Scenic TCe 115 Expression+ List price: £23,375 Aim to pay: £19,657 Deposit: £4,039 Deposit contribution: £1,500 No of payments: 36 APR: 3.99% Optional final payment: £7,657 Total amount: £23,180 IF you’re after strong fuel economy, the Grand Scenic (driven on Page 32) has some of the lowest running costs of any MPV. Renault’s 1.5-litre dCi diesels claim up to 70.6mpg, plus CO2 emissions as low as 104g/km – seriously frugal for a sevenseat people carrier. The TCe petrols are also cheap to run, particularly if you do the school run or stick to town. A £1,500 deposit contribution is generous as well. Kia Carens 1.6 GDI manual ‘1’ DESPITE its compact proportions, this great-value MPV can seat seven. Larger people carriers are available, but the Kia majors on…

Bentley Bentayga 4.0-litre V8 diesel List price: £136,505 Aim to pay: £136,505 Deposit: £30,372 Deposit contribution: £0 No of payments: 24 APR: 6.2% Optional final payment: £90,891 Total amount: £148,849 LAST year Bentley built its first ever SUV, and it has become a huge sales success for the brand. The Bentayga is also the first car from the company to feature a diesel engine. The 429bhp 4.0-litre twin-turbodiesel V8 suits it well, because it offers a good blend of performance and everyday usability. For those who want more from their Bentayga, Bentley also offers the SUV with a powerful 6.0-litre W12. AudiA8 SE Executive 3.0 TDI quattro WITH a new A8 coming this June, it’s no wonder Audi is offering huge discounts on the current car. An amazing £14,900 deposit…

Which of these nine all-round stars is a glovebox essential? PRODUCT GROUP TEST 18| 1 | 2017 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. AE A MULTI tool is one of the best pieces of car kit to drop in your glovebox. These products cut, grip, tighten and remove screws, plus come with other features that are handy when stuck on the side of the road. A multi tool’s benefits won’t stop on the roadside, as they’re handy to have when camping, cycling or hiking, as well as for various tasks around the house. There are many on the market for all budgets. To find out which is the one…

CASE STUDY Carla fuming after maker claims ‘grit’ in Kadjar’s finish is fallout from nearby railway track AE NOTHING takes the shine off a new car more than dodgy paintwork. So imagine one reader’s dismay when her new Renault Kadjar was delivered with “grit” on the bodywork. Carla Lavender-Ward of Tipton, West Midlands, collected the 16-plate SUV from Renault Wolverhampton back in April and said: “I spotted what looked like dimpling and grit under the paint, alongside some other damage and scratches. You just don’t expect this with a new car.” The dealer booked the Kadjar in for repairs, but Carla told us the respray was bodged by its bodyshop, adding: “There was overspray, and in the sunlight, I noticed the gritty paint was a problem on every panel.” So…

Graham_Hope@dennis.co.uk THINK of Panasonic, and you think of what exactly? Televisions? Probably. Many of us will have owned a Panasonic TV at some point. High-end audio equipment, too, possibly. But times are changing fast. While Panasonic is still a major player in these areas of the market, its automotive activity is becoming increasingly important. The recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas illustrated this perfectly; Panasonic was one of a number of tech companies keen to show how it will have a much more integral role to play in a future where cars with semi-autonomous and autonomous features become the norm. Auto Express caught up with executives from the Japanese company to learn of its plans. You may be surprised to learn just how key the car industry is to…

Performance 0-62mph/top spd 11.4 secs/118mph Practicality Boot (7/5/2 seats) 189/596/1,737 litres Sam_Naylor@dennis.co.uk @SamNaylor_AE AE WE’VE already tested the five-seat Renault Scenic (Issue 1,450) and came away impressed by the brand’s innovative take on the dull and dreary MPV formula. With fashionable SUVs enjoying unprecedented sales success, Renault’s steadfast people carrier has had a revamp to stay competitive in a dwindling market. Now it’s the turn of the seven-seat Grand Scenic, and while it won’t quite match the sales of its smaller sibling, the two extra seats will make all the difference for many customers. It’s the mid-range 128bhp 1.6-litre diesel in plush Dynamique S Nav trim we test here for the first time. This engine and spec combination is probably your best bet if you’re interested in buying a Grand…

Tom_Wiltshire@autoexpress.co.uk AE SEVEN-seat people carriers are all very well, but for those with even bigger families, nothing can beat the outright carrying capacity of a van. The Peugeot Traveller is the MPV version of the Expert van, and it will carry eight fullsized adults with room to spare. In Allure trim, the Traveller is aimed at buyers who want a little more luxury from their van. Our standard-wheelbase model had plenty of space for six-foot passengers in all three rows. It also offered a 640-litre boot with all eight seats in place. That space is tall and shallow, though, and isn’t as useful as the numbers suggest. Removing the seats isn’t easy, but if you manage to heave them out, you’ll be rewarded with a huge 3,200-litre capacity up to…

Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost ST-Line List price: £15,994 Aim to pay: £13,426 Deposit: £3,684 Deposit contribution: £1,600 No of payments: 24 APR: 0% Optional final payment: £6,930 Total amount: £14,394 WITH the current Fiesta due to be replaced, it’s no surprise Ford appears to be clearing stocks with deals like this one. Fortunately, the outgoing model still looks great and offers a class-leading driving experience, even though the interior shows its age and feels cramped. There are lots of engines and trims to choose from, but we’d go for the fun but frugal 1.0T EcoBoost. Zetec trim brings front foglights and alloys, while ST-Line gives a taste of the hot ST. Suzuki Baleno 1.0 Boosterjet SZ-T QUITE a conservative deal, but the Baleno can hold its own because it’s comfortable,…

Volkswagen Passat 1.6 TDI S List price: £23,170 Aim to pay: £20,772 Deposit: £6,842 Deposit contribution: £0 No of payments: 47 APR: 6% Optional final payment: £7,980 Total amount: £26,055 THE Volkswagen Passat is as classy as family cars get, this side of BMW and Audi territory. Under the bonnet, the 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesel engines are as good as ever, with excellent economy and plenty of mid-range torque, while the interior is comfortable and smart. The boot serves up 585 litres, which is larger than that of key rivals such as the Ford Mondeo. Although VW doesn’t offer a deposit contribution, it will cover the cost of the first two services. Vauxhall Insignia 1.6 CDTi SRi VX-Line VAUXHALL revealed the first official images of its new Insignia in December,…

Mercedes E-Class E 220 d SE List price: £36,875 Aim to pay: £31,612 Deposit: £5,999 Deposit contribution: £3,945 No of payments: 36 APR: 5.1% Optional final payment: £17,725 Total amount: £36,288 OUR current Executive Car of the Year has one of the best cabins in the business, and the E-Class is well built, extremely refined and about as good a motorway companion as it’s possible to get. The £349 monthly payment on this E 220 d is competitive in this class, although the final £17,725 is a bit high. Mercedes does include metallic paint in the deal, though, and the car is powered by the company’s excellent new 2.0-litre diesel engine. Lexus GS 300h Executive Edition LIKE your luxuries without the high running costs? This hybrid saloon is the answer,…

Porsche 718 Boxster 2.0 List price: £42,094 Aim to pay: £42,094 Deposit: £10,800 Deposit contribution: £0 No of payments: 35 APR: 6.6% Optional final payment: £22,901 Total amount: £47,318 THE latest Porsche Boxster may have swapped out the naturally aspirated flat-six to a turbocharged flat-four, but that’s done little to dent its appeal. The added low-end torque from the turbo means the 2.0 and 2.5-litre engines are more responsive at even low revs. Keener drivers will have to stick with Porsche’s 10,000-mile annual limit, as every extra mile will add 18p to the final tally. MazdaMX-5 131PS SE A MONTHLY fee of £229 isn’t a lot to ask for one of the most fun cars to drive. An agile rear-wheel-drive set-up, great proportions and an affordable price all helped the…

IF you want an all-rounder to slip in the glovebox for roadside emergencies, it has to be the StarBooster. It matched our test-winning Bakth by attempting 13 starts, and spun the engine over fast enough for it to fire up. It’s bulkier than some we’ve tested, but means you get a magnetic handle to help direct the impressive two light sources. The LED torch delivers 300 lumens with a wide but long throw, while multiple LEDs make up the floodlight. This claims 500 lumens and has a huge spread of light – ideal for working on the car after dark. There’s also a red alert mode. A single USB port charged our Apple kit and the unit comes with a short micro USB lead for other devices. The only downside,…

2016 Results Captur Factfile Years: 2013 to present CO2: 95g/km Fuel economy: 76.4mpg (1.5 dCi 90) Best options: Sat-nav, reversing camera, heated seats, USB and Bluetooth, cruise control Prices: From £7,500 OVERALL SCORE 91.56% Bars show where model finished out of 150 cars in our 2016 survey. The lower the rating the better GOOD “SUCH a lovely car to drive. I find the automatic gearbox really easy and smooth.” “I like how adjustable the driving position is. It makes the car very comfortable.” “It gets a lot of compliments about the two-tone colour.” “The Captur’s fuel economy really is incredible, and as an added bonus, mine is tax-free, too.” “A well insulated car. It’s quiet and refined, even on long drives on the motorway.” “I have a big family and…

Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk PADDY Lowe – one of the architects of the Mercedes Formula One team’s current dominance – is expected to move to Williams after parting company with the German manufacturer just before Christmas. Lowe’s departure was officially confirmed by Mercedes last week and he’s expected to take up a technical leadership role at Williams, which has struggled to keep pace with an improving Red Bull and Ferrari since its impressive 2014 and 2015 seasons. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said: “Paddy has played an important part in our success during the past three-anda- half years and we thank him for his contribution. Success in F1 is not about single individuals but about the strength in depth and technical capability of an organisation. We have the talent in place to continue…

AE RISING insurance premiums coupled with not shopping around for the cheapest policy is costing young drivers in Britain over £350 a year, new research has found. Analysis by insurance website comparethemarket.com found providers are taking advantage of motorists who automatically renew their policy without shopping around. Across all age groups, the gap between the cheapest policy and the average price paid has gone up to £123 – the highest since 2012. Young drivers aged 17-20 were overcharged the most, with the highest difference of £352 between the cheapest and average insurance premium. Older drivers aged 65 to 79 faced a £42 gap. The gap is only likely to rise in the future, as experts predict higher prices in 2017, given the recent hike in the Insurance Premium Tax from…

Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan Running costs 39.8mpg (official) £69 fill-up AE PUT off by the ongoing VW Group emissions scandal? Skoda is convinced most Kodiaq buyers won’t be, and that the bulk of models sold will still be diesels. We’ve been impressed by the anticipated best-selling 2.0 TDI (Issue 1,448), but now we’re trying one of three petrols instead. This middling 148bhp 1.4 TSI is likely to be the most popular. There’s also a 123bhp version and a bigger 2.0-litre TSI with 177bhp, plus potential for a hot vRS. Here, the engine is paired to a six-speed DSG auto and four-wheel drive – although a front-drive manual is also available. You might expect a 1.4-litre engine to feel breathless in a big seven-seat SUV, but the Kodiaq isn’t a heavyweight, tipping the…

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI Match Edition List price: £20,965 Aim to pay: £15,496 Deposit: £5,110 Deposit contribution: £3,250 No of payments: 47 APR: 6.2% Optional final payment: £7,252 Total amount: £20,117 THAT generous deposit contribution confirms that the current Golf is soon to be replaced. A facelifted version is coming, but this existing Mk7 model has the same core virtues – a smooth ride, great build quality, generous equipment and a wide choice of efficient engines. The 1.4 petrol featured here is the best allrounder, while mid-range Match trim brings plenty of safety kit, including adaptive cruise control and parking sensors all round. Peugeot 308 1.2 PureTech 110 Active PEUGEOT is giving the 308 a helping hand – and so it should. While the car is stylish, solidly put together…

SEATAteca 1.6 TDI 115 PS SE List price: £24,170 Aim to pay: £22,820 Deposit: £3,299 Deposit contribution: £0 No of payments: 35 APR: 4.8% Optional final payment: £11,831 Total amount: £26,515 SEAT’S confidence in the Ateca is evident from its zero deposit contribution. But this capable model is already top value. That’s why we voted it Best Crossover at our 2016 New Car Awards. It has a stylish exterior and a great driving experience. The cabin is roomy, with a high roofline. The interior could be brighter, but there’s a good mix of engines, including a frugal 1.0-litre turbo petrol. Midspec SE (with climate control, rear parking sensors) is the best trim. Hyundai Tucson 1.7 CRDi 116PS Blue Drive S HYUNDAI’S impressive five-year warranty is overkill in the context of…

Jaguar F-Pace 2.0d 180 Prestige List price: £36,960 Aim to pay: £34,002 Deposit: £8,520 Deposit contribution: £0 No of payments: 36 APR: 6.8% Optional final payment: £17,716 Total amount: £41,680 OUR 2016 Car of the Year is brilliant to drive and surprisingly economical for a big SUV, with the two-wheel-drive models claiming 57.6mpg fuel economy and CO2 emissions of 129g/km. The F-Pace is also highly practical, with a large boot and plenty of space for passengers sitting in the back. It isn’t the cheapest SUV on the market due to its premium status and the fact it’s still quite new, but £429 per month for an F-Pace is pretty appealing, and low enough to undercut some prestige rivals. Mercedes GLC 220 d 4MATIC SE MERCEDES’ answer to the Audi Q5…

Jaguar F-Type 3.0 V6 Coupé RWD List price: £51,450 Aim to pay: £49,800 Deposit: £10,990 Deposit contribution: £0 No of payments: 36 APR: 5.9% Optional final payment: £24,704 Total amount: £57,258 THE F-Type is one of the best looking cars money can currently buy. Although it loses out to the Porsche Carrera S in driving dynamics and usability, it’s still a striking purchase, especially after the recent facelift (revealed in our news story on Page 17). The entry-level 3.0-litre V6 suits the chassis well, and takes the car from 0-60mph in 5.3 seconds, while the F-Type R’s sonorous 5.0-litre supercharged V8 adds extra oomph. Porsche 718 Cayman 2.0-litre PORSCHE didn’t only replace the naturally aspirated flat-six with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the Boxster (Page 62); the Cayman got the…

Pictures: Pete Gibson Location: Longcross Proving Ground, Chobham, Surrey IN a logical world, estate cars would reign supreme. Mixing a standard hatch’s comfort, handling and running costs with plenty of space, they should be king of the family runarounds. Yet the recent glut of trendy SUVs and crossovers has left these traditional load-carriers in the shade. However, Renault is hoping to reverse that trend with its new Mégane Sport Tourer. Based on the desirable five-door model, it’s turned on the style in an effort to prove that you can buy a sensible estate with your heart and head. It’s not the only compact estate that’s vying to prove big doesn’t mean boring. Vauxhall’s sleek Astra Sports Tourer sets the standard for fun, and is packed with cutting-edge kit and a…

NEW PRODUCT AlloyGator Wheel Care Kit Price: £58.80 Contact: 01527 909801, www.alloygator.com AS a former Auto Express Product of the Year winner with its rim protectors, AlloyGator knows a thing or two about keeping wheels in tip-top condition. Now, though, the company is lending a hand to those who want their wheels to be as shiny as they are shipshape, because it has launched a specialised cleaning and care kit. The winter months are particularly hard on wheels, and road grime can easily render them filthy just minutes after they’ve been cleaned. That’s why, in partnership with Auto Express car care test winner Angelwax, AlloyGator has put together a suite of products for alloy wheels. AlloyGator says it’s all specially formulated to “return wheels and tyres to a brilliant finish”.…

FOR more than a century Ford’s family cars have dominated in the UK thanks to a blend of affordability, availability and choice. Nowhere is this more apparent than with the Focus. After six generations of Escort, the Focus arrived in 1998 and instantly raised the bar for Ford. The Mk2 of 2004 pushed things even further, then the 2011 Mk3 was better again. As before, there was a wide choice of hatchbacks and estates, and six years after its arrival the third-generation Focus is one of the best used family cars you can buy. History THE Focus Mk3 arrived in spring 2011 with 1.6 and 1.6T petrol or 1.6 TDCi and 2.0 TDCi diesel engines. The initial five-door hatch was joined within weeks by an estate, offering the same engine…

SEAT Leon 44.6mpg (on test) £61 fill-up SEAT Leon X-Perience 2.0 TDI Years: 2014 to date Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 148bhp Insurance grp: 20 Official econ/CO2: 57.6mpg/129g/km Why? SEAT Leon X-Perience features a better-finished cabin and is more involving to drive than its rival here. Prices from: £14,995 THE Leon X-Perience was SEAT’s first crossover estate. It follows a standard template, as it features a raised ride height, SUV-inspired body cladding and premium cabin. Under the bonnet is the same flexible and punchy four-cylinder diesel engine as found in other VW Group models, but as is the case elsewhere in the range, it’s rather noisy. For most of the time the X-Perience feels just like the Leon ST from behind the wheel – albeit with a raised driving position. The extra…