Innholdsfortegnelse for 1483 i Auto Express

New 430bhp Evora is ready for action LOTUS has revealed a limited-run version of its flagship sports car, the Evora GT430 (above). Just 60 examples will be built, each costing £112,500. It’s powered by the same 3.5-litre supercharged V6 from the standard Evora, but with an additional 20bhp that takes its output to 430bhp. Lotus claims the car will do 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds and go on to a top speed of 190mph. An aerodynamic bodykit has been added to boost downforce, and the GT430 is 26kg lighter than an Evora. Alfa names its price for new Stelvio SUV ALFA has confirmed its new Stelvio SUV will cost from £33,990, with prices rising to £45,390 for top-spec models. Entry-level Stelvios feature a 178bhp 2.2-litre diesel engine with rear-wheel drive. The…

Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk @stevefowler “While the Wrangler will be all-new, the looks won’t change significantly” “The Wrangler platform is future proofed. Like everyone we have clearly defined plans for the electrification of our vehicles” MIKE MANLEY CEO, Jeep THE all-new 2018 Jeep Wrangler is likely to be the first Jeep model to feature electric power, and will be officially unveiled at November’s LA Auto Show, Auto Express can exclusively reveal. Speaking to Auto Express about the new car, Jeep boss Mike Manley said: “It really does move everything the Wrangler stands for forward significantly. “You’ll be really surprised how far we’ve been able to move things in terms of capability, fuel economy, ride comfort, noise and all of those things,” he told us. Manley also hinted that while the car is all…

James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor Videowatch THE Range Rover Velar and a thrilling track battle take top billing this week. See both at youtube.com/Autoexpress. Video verdict on Range Rover Velar NOW you’ve read the verdict on 2017’s most eagerly awaited SUV (Page 8), watch the video. Steve Fowler heads to Norway to test out the newest member of the Range Rover family, the Velar. Sitting between the Evoque and Sport, the Velar is a swoopily styled five-seater that brings in new technology for JLR. See what our editor-in-chief thinks of it. Merc-AMG E 63 S vs Panamera Turbo THE Auto Express track battle is back and this week we’ve got a cracker, as the new Mercedes-AMG E 63 S takes on the Porsche Panamera Turbo. Head over to our YouTube channel to see…

Graham_Hope@dennis.co.uk REDUCING emissions is a necessity in the car industry, and in recent times the Renault-Nissan Alliance has been one of the most proactive manufacturers, with innovative electric vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf and Renault ZOE. But, of course, emissions reduction doesn’t solely revolve around the cars that end up on our roads. There’s the issue of how they’re produced – and in this respect the Alliance is also breaking new ground. It can boast one of the world’s most pioneering car plants in terms of environmental impact; the only car factory which produces zero carbon dioxide emissions and recycles all its own industrial waste water, meaning zero effluent discharge. But you might be surprised to learn that rather than making cutting-edge vehicles like the ZOE or Leaf, the…

Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram Back in 2013, BMW attempted to distance its coupés and convertibles from the more practical hatchbacks and saloons by assigning them a set of evennumbered model designations. First came the 4 Series, which was joined a year later by the smaller 2 Series. That simplified structure has been called into question with the introduction of the 2 Series Active Tourer MPV, but the core cars remain – and now they’ve been updated with a selection of mid-life tweaks. BMW has seen huge success with the 2 Series Coupé and Convertible. Over 180,000 have been sold since launch, with the UK sitting proud as one of the three biggest global markets. The updates focus mainly on the interior, although a keen eye will notice external changes, including new LED…

Sean_Carson@dennis.co.uk @Sean_Carson_ ASTON Martin is entering a new era following its tie-up with Daimler. Its incredible Valkyrie hypercar and motorsportinspired AMR sub-brand variants are a sign of things to come, but the company hasn’t lost sight of what it does best: big GTs like the latest Vanquish S Volante. Aston has tweaked the engine, chassis and aerodynamics on this drop-top Vanquish, so the 6.0-litre V12 now produces a massive 592bhp (up from 565bhp on the non-S car), thanks to a new, freer-breathing intake that helps improve throttle response. Many performance car brands are turning to turbos (Aston included with the new DB11), but the British firm has kept its bigdisplacement, normally aspirated V12 in the Vanquish, and it’s all the better for it. It bellows a rich tone on start-up,…

Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer DID YOU KNOW? Despite 12.5 per cent of new car owners reporting problems with their car, average satisfaction in this year’s new car survey stood an impressive 89.83 per cent. FOR 2017, we improved our Driver Power survey by asking new car owners more questions than ever to find out which are the best buys on sale. In Issue 1,476 we revealed the Top 75 new cars as voted for by you, the owners, across 13 classes of the market. We quizzed you on everything, from acceleration to the infotainment system, and each car was rated across a total of 31 areas. The Skoda Superb took the 2017 crown, and it came out on top in several categories. It was voted the best for practicality, interior and comfort,…

Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram OUR time with the Volvo V40 is at an end, and after just over 6,000 miles and countless slogs across the country, it’s time to bid a fond farewell to our facelifted Swede. Some cars pass through the Auto Express office without a huge fanfare, and the baby Volvo did fall into this category during its time here. But in reality, the V40 has been a refreshing take on mainstream motoring, and after six months we’ve discovered there’s lots to like about the Audi A3 rival. In fact, there are plenty of things the hatchback does brilliantly, and the exceptional fuel economy has made it one of the biggest money savers on our fleet. In a previous report (Issue 1,474), we subjected the Volvo to a challenging 60-mile…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Seat element cleaner worry THE fabric front seats in my car have water stains on them. I considered using upholstery cleaner, but am concerned about the heated seat elements in my car getting wet. Can I still use a cleaner on the seats? Jordan Kingwell, E-mail A YOU should be fine using our test-winning Halfords Upholstery Cleaner (above) – just don’t get the seats too wet. The best way to ensure this is to use a wet-and-dry vacuum in liquid mode to frequently remove any excess moisture from the seatbases. Q Work lamp with no power THERE’S no mains power in my lock-up garage, so I can’t charge cordless tools to work on my car. I’m looking for an inspection lamp that I can…

Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk FORMULA One cars are set to get a radically different look in 2018 after the FIA last week approved the ‘Halo’ cockpit protection device for next season. Several solutions have been trialled since Marussia driver Jules Bianchi’s fatal crash at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, including an aircraft-style canopy and a windscreen, but the FIA’s Strategy Group has now come out in favour of the arrangement of bars that has become known as the Halo. “Halo might not be aesthetically pleasing, but drivers will nevertheless race and push as hard as they can” ALEX WURZ Chair, Grand Prix Drivers Association Reports suggest the majority of teams and drivers back some form of cockpit protection, but are opposed to the Halo design as it currently stands. The FIA says that…

Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk @stevefowler ▪ Behind wheel of sexy new Range Rover, priced from £45k ▪ Hugely capable both on and off road; beautiful interior EVERYTHING Jaguar Land Rover touches seems to turn to gold. But with such award-winning success, and the sales growth to match, the expectation from each new launch continues to grow. So can the all-new Range Rover Velar prove the company still has the Midas touch? The Velar slots in between the Range Rover Evoque and Range Rover Sport models, and brings a fresh look to the family. Slim LED head and rear lights that wrap farther around the sides of the car, a more sloping grille and flush door handles update the Range Rover look. It’s a clean and uncluttered style with subtle detailing, such as the…

Michael_Cox@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer CAR finance providers are installing a ‘kill switch’ that immobilises customers’ vehicles if they miss monthly payments. The GPS device is offered as part of some sub-prime car finance deals to buyers with poor credit scores. It allows lenders to remotely disable cars if borrowers fail to keep up with repayments. The immobiliser is said to be installed behind the dashboard of a car. When a driver makes the monthly payment, they receive a code to enter into the device via a remote control to keep the car running. If they fail to keep up with payments, the lender will not send the code, so the car cannot be started. Stoneacre is a finance provider that offers such a scheme, and a spokesperson explained that the kill switch…

What do you think? Contact Michael Cox mail@autoexpraess.co.uk @AutoExpress Write to: Watchdog/Letters, Auto Express, Dennis Publishing, 31-32 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7DP HOT TOPIC New Audi A8 revealed FROM: Jor Barrie EVER the optimist, I was expecting some actual changes with the ‘new design direction’ from Audi, but it’s all variations on a well worn theme – except for the rather hideous grille. And a touchscreen that forces the driver to look down doesn’t seem like a wise move. FROM: Anthony Lewis YOU can’t fault the VW Group for investing in the Audi A8. Sure, from a distance it looks like the A6, but up close it’s a different story. Luxury car buyers will have a tougher time picking between the likes of the Jaguar XJ, BMW 7 Series and…

Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram THE Captur crossover is now Renault’s best-selling car, having overtaken the Clio supermini in the race for sales supremacy, and it found more homes across Europe last year than any of its key small SUV rivals. To keep that momentum going, the French maker has given the Captur some mid-life updates, including a new look inside and out. There are no mechanical changes. Bold Mégane-inspired LED running lights are key to the update, while a fresh set of headlamps and chrome detailing further emphasise the design at the front. Changes are more difficult to spot towards the back, where the revised tail-lights are your only clue to the new car. We tried the frugal diesel in Norway back in May (Issue 1,474), and now we’ve got the popular…

Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer BACK in June, we revealed the best new cars to own in our Driver Power 2017 survey. With the 67-plate change weeks away, it’s now time to see what sort of deals car makers are offering. We’ve compiled a list of the best deals for our top 50 Driver Power finishers. This year, we enlisted our sister site, new car broker BuyaCar.com, to help us trawl through the offers. And we’ve added aim-to-pay prices, if you’re not buying on finance, to give you a target of what you should pay. For some cars, the deal came straight from BuyaCar.com, as it often offered lower customer deposits. Our deals are based on a representative Personal Contract Purchase (PCP). We’ve listed the size of the deposit you must put down, as…

Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Insurance providers 39-26 39 1st Central 38 2gether 37 A BC Insurance 36 A drian Flux 35 O ne Call Insurance 34 P rivilege 33 H alifax 32 A XA 31 A -Plan 30 AA 29 H astings Direct 28 A dmiral 27 T esco Bank 26 Swiftcover MOST of us spend days and weeks searching for the right car, then simply buy the cheapest insurance policy possible. This is understandable, especially when premiums have now reached record levels; but price is just one part of the story. If you ever have to make a claim, you may regret not having gone with a company that ultimately delivers more expertise and looks after you better for a slightly higher price. To help you find the right policy for…

MAZDA CX-3 score 3.9 MZD-Connect Standard Key features: Sat-nav, connected services THE seven-inch infotainment system in the CX-3 is used across the Mazda range. It’s neither the simplest nor most intuitive set-up to use, but given that satnav, Bluetooth and DAB are standard across the line-up it offers a good level of functionality, with three years’ European map updates included. The rotary Multimedia Commander controller is fairly simple to use, with buttons to jump to the system’s key areas. However, the menu layout isn’t quite as logical, and simple tasks such as entering a destination or changing a DAB station require one too many inputs. The graphics aren’t as sharp as its rivals’ set-ups, either. Sport Nav also benefits from a seven-speaker Bose stereo, and while this compromises load space,…

Dirt don’t Slow You Down Magnus Walker (Penguin Publishing, www.penguin.co.uk) Price: £20 Rating: ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆ Take one look at the wild, bearded Magnus Walker on the cover and it’s unlikely you’ll expect this book to be about his love affair with Porsches. But it tells his story, from his early days in Sheffield to becoming a successful businessman, fashion designer and serial Porsche collector. While the conversational tone won’t suit everyone, it’s a great read. VW Bus: Forty years of Splitties, Bays and Wedges Richard Copping (Veloce Publishing, www.veloce.co.uk) Price: £19.99 Rating: ⋆⋆⋆ WHO doesn’t love a VW bus? This book celebrates the Type 2 variant in all its forms, particularly the numerous custom conversions, and is stuffed full of pictures and builders’ brochures to satisfy even the most diehard anorak.…

Got any car queries? Michael_Cox@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Ateca door rattle dilemma I BOUGHT a new SEAT Ateca three months ago, but it’s developed a minor rattle in the driver’s door panels when going over 20mph. Should I get in contact with the dealer now or just learn to live with this small issue? Dr Rich Evans, E-mail A YOUR warranty will cover any mechanical faults so you should book the car in for an inspection at the dealership, as it could be a problem you can’t see. It’s worth recording the sound so you have evidence of the issue for the technicians to listen to. Q Should I get a courtesy car? MY 18-month-old Kia Sportage broke down and will be out of action for a week. Kia hasn’t supplied…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk “The ZOE E-Sport takes off in a way that only electric cars do, and the resulting thump of acceleration is immense” THE Renault ZOE E-Sport will never see the light of day as production car, according to Renault. Instead, it’s a concept that offers a glimpse into the future as to what might be possible from an all-electric hot hatch in years to come. And we’ve driven it. In many respects, it’s a shame the E-Sport won’t go any further, because it flips the idea of an EV on its head. It’s one that has huge power and performance, stunning good looks and a highly amusing four-wheel-drive chassis. Beneath its bespoke, lightweight carbon fibre bodywork, the E-Sport boasts a unique chassis and two electric motors, one for each axle,…

WITH the school holidays once more upon us, it’s that time of the year when families start getting ready to travel and soak up some sunshine. While some choose to drive to their destination, others will fly and pick up a set of rental car keys. In either case, on Page 22 we’ve listed the best holiday cars from city breaks to continental drives to help you make the most of your vacation. For those going the rental route, it’s important to make sure you won’t fall victim to any hidden charges, however. Recent research by iCarhireinsurance.com found that 55 per cent of drivers were caught by surprise charges when picking up their rental car, while another 38 per cent stated they felt misled about the actual costs of renting…

Michael_Cox@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer SUMMER holiday season is well under way. And for millions of us that means packing up the car, hitting the road and putting miles between ourselves and everyday life. On average, Brits drive 7,900 miles a year, and with a return trip from Leeds to Cornwall clocking up 800 miles, a holiday can make up a significant portion of our annual mileage. That’s a lot of time spent in the car, which is why it’s important to have a vehicle that’s going to be a reliable, comfortable and enjoyable addition to your time away. Whether your priority is keeping the kids happy, carrying outdoor adventure gear or staying refreshed on an epic road trip, Auto Express has listed the best cars in eight categories for your next holiday…

Sean_Carson@dennis.co.uk @Sean_Carson McLAREN is on a roll. In the short seven-year period the British brand has been in business (McLaren Automotive, the road car division, was only founded in 2010 and is separate from the Formula One team), it has blossomed, achieving success – well, relatively so for a sports car and supercar manufacturer. It sold a record 3,286 cars last year, up from 1,654 units in 2015, as McLaren notched up its fourth consecutive year of profitability. This incredible growth from nowhere has been underpinned by McLaren’s Sports Series models. The 570S Spider is the fourth variant in this group of cars, sitting alongside the entry-level 540C, the 570S Coupé and the 570GT. The Spider was actually designed alongside the Coupé in 2012, a process that was made possible…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy WE were pretty impressed when we tried the Honda Clarity fuel-cell car in Denmark back in the spring (Issue 1,471). Now the first car has landed on UK shores – one of a handful of examples that will end up on the driveways of leasing customers. ‘Customers’ is a bit strong, because unlike the fuel-cell Toyota Mirai, technically this car isn’t on sale in the UK at all. We won’t get a Clarity until the successor to this car arrives – in around 2022. The Clarity’s fuel-cell stack runs off hydrogen, mixing the fuel with oxygen from the air to produce electricity that fills the batteries powering the front wheels. Water is the only emission as the car moves along. The advantage of this, of course, is you…

Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer BUYING a car is a time-consuming endeavour. Most people spend weeks searching for the right model from the right brand at the right price before signing on the dotted line. Then it’s a case of finding the right insurance cover to suit you, as well as deciding on a breakdown operator just in case anything should go wrong. To take the stress out of the equation, we’ve compiled this ultimate guide to buying a car. And we kick off by helping you find the best finance deals before you make your purchase. The timing couldn’t be better, because the new 67-plate is just weeks away, meaning manufacturers are starting to offer some big discounts and tempting finance deals. To see just how much our top 50 Driver Power…

Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer OVER the past eight pages, we’ve revealed the best deals on the best new cars to run. But getting a good price is just the start of owning a car. Even new models need to be serviced and taken in for repairs – and a great dealership can make a massive difference to your overall ownership experience. This year, we’ve ranked how different manufacturers’ dealer networks compare against one another based on your feedback. We quizzed readers on what they thought of the garages they use, from the comfort of the waiting areas to whether they think the services and repairs represented good value for money. Franchised dealers were also rated on their parking facilities, whether staff were friendly and helpful and whether you were kept up to…

EVEN the best cars can occasionally break down, so having a rescue policy offers real peace of mind. There is a huge number of companies offering varying levels of cover, and choosing the right one can be tricky. So, to help you decide on the right provider, we’ve ranked the top 18 breakdown companies in the UK, based on your feedback, and rated the best five across seven categories – from ease of purchase to the eventual result of the call out, whether your car was towed to a garage or fixed on the spot. Why did you call the firm out? Mechanical fault 32% Flat battery 32% Tyre puncture 17% Misfuel 3% Ran out of fuel 3% Other 12% NEARLY two-thirds of readers told us they needed assistance as…

NEW PRODUCT Michelin Tyre Pressure Management System Price: £134.95 Contact: www.michelin-lifestyle.com EVERY new car and those fitted with run-flat tyres must have a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) as standard, but for drivers of older vehicles wanting the safety benefits, Michelin is the latest company to provide a retro-fit option. Michelin’s solution can be fitted in minutes and uses sensors that take the place of the valve caps. The sensors transmit data to a neat, screen-mounted, solar-powered display, which flashes and sounds an alert if the pressure is incorrect or a tyre becomes too hot. The kit includes a gauge which allows individual tyre pressures to be checked when held close to the valve sensor without having to remove it. This helps to keep hands clean when monitoring pressures. In addition,…

RS01 teapot brews up F1 memories Renault is marking 40 years in Formula One this year, and to help celebrate the anniversary it’s created a teapot (above) to honour the team’s first turbocharged F1 car, the RS01. The racer was initially unreliable, and often came into the pits with steam pouring out, leading the outfit to christen it the ‘Yellow Teapot’. The teapot is painted in the RSO1’s colour scheme, with a spout shaped like a modern F1 car’s nose cone. It will be used at Renault’s company restaurant, and 40 will be available to the public at the firm’s online store for 129 Euros each (around £114). Makers flock to our Goodyear champion Our 2016 all-season tyre test rated the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-2 as the best, and car…

Just about everyone likes the arrival of summer, with its warm weather and long sunny days. Less welcome are the bugs that smear screens and bodywork on pretty much every drive. Leave them for a few days and they’re beyond shifting with a quick wipe of a wet cloth. Car care producers have a range of solutions to loosen the dead insects’ grip on paintwork and glass, but which is the one to keep your car shining this summer? We attacked bug-smeared grilles, bumpers and mirrors with 10 top sellers to see. PRODUCT GROUP TEST 26 | 7 | 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. Angelwax Revenge Price:…

As an engine supplier in F1, Honda is an embarrassment, must exit the sport and instead spend its billions more wisely I THINK of Honda as an old and muchloved friend. It’s possibly the nicest firm on Planet Automobile. And its heart is in the right place. As is mine. The company has often hosted me in Japan – at Formula One circuits, test tracks, research centres and at the Tokyo Motor Show. Also, I feel genuinely honoured that Honda afforded me precious time – at races, social gatherings and in driver coaching sessions – with a handful of its Formula One pilots. I even got to race an NSX against one Honda F1 driver, while another made it a three-way duel by flying a helicopter overhead. Naturally, I came…