Innholdsfortegnelse for 1493 i Auto Express

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy DYSON, a company famous for its range of vacuum cleaners, has confirmed its intentions to launch a line-up of ‘radical’ pure electric cars in 2020. This will be based on cutting-edge battery tech and developed at a new campus on a disused World War Two airfield in Wiltshire, and the company has invested £2.5billion into the EV project. Vacuum cleaner pioneer Sir James Dyson told Auto Express that he’s had a vision for an electric car for almost 20 years – and his company will “go it alone” in developing the vehicle, because he sees nothing that car makers could bring to the process. “I was interested in an all-electric car back in 1998, but the industry wasn’t,” Dyson told Auto Express. “It wasn’t a fashionable thought in…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods THE facelifted Range Rover Sport has been officially revealed. A tweaked design and updated interior tech have been introduced as part of the 2018 model year, plus there’s the option of an allnew plug-in hybrid powertrain, making it Jaguar Land Rover’s first PHEV. The plug-in Range Rover Sport receives the P400e badge, and combines a 296bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an 85kW electric motor for a total system output of 398bhp and 640Nm of torque. Land Rover claims it’s capable of 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds with a top speed of 137mph, so it’s only outgunned by its two 5.0-litre V8 powered stablemates. “Emissions of 64g/km put plug-in hybrid into the 16 per cent company car tax band” It claims 101mpg economy and emits 64g/km of CO2,…

THOSE familiar with Game Theory will know the outcome of any ‘threat’ between two players depends on how credible the threat is. There are many real-world applications of this, including roads policing. Take for example mobile phone use behind the wheel. Last year, the RAC found that close to a third of drivers admitted to chatting or texting when in control of their car. This equates to a massive 11 million motorists. Shortly after, the Government announced that from 1 March this year, the fine for illegally using a mobile phone behind the wheel would double to a £200 fixed penalty notice and six points. The idea was that the threat of tougher penalties should force people to stop doing it. Current figures from the RAC would suggest this hasn’t…

Contact Lawrence Allan mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress Write to: Watchdog/Letters, Auto Express, Dennis Publishing, 31-32 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7DP HOT TOPIC Volvo XC40 revealed FROM: Wiley I’M a big fan of the new design language from Volvo that started with the latest XC90. The XC40 should certainly steal some sales from BMW and Audi, and I can’t wait for the group tests to start. Depending on how the car fares against rivals, I might just be tempted. FROM: Lenny Grass I THINK Volvo has missed a trick. The concept had a much more fluid look around the rear doors. The production model appears heavy around the back because of the different shape. Concept cars always look amazing and production versions get diluted. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ▪ “The XC40 doesn’t…

Sean_Carson@dennis.co.uk @Sean_Carson_ UNTIL recently, the Audi R8 Spyder played second fiddle to the Coupé in the performance stakes – as the roofless R8 was only available with a 533bhp version of the firm’s 5.2-litre V10. However, with the new R8 Spyder V10 plus, Audi has added this 602bhp option to the line-up. And what better place to start a review of this car than with the engine? It defines the car. It’s glorious. In an age where many supercars are turning to turbos, the R8 is one of the last bastions of the wonderful, high-revving, naturally aspirated engine. The 5.2-litre V10 ramps up noticeably towards its power peak at an addictive 8,250rpm, and while you have to work harder to extract the performance than in a McLaren 570S Spider, with…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy SUMMER’S officially over, but that’s unlikely to stop UK buyers from snapping up convertibles in their droves; despite our climate, we buy more drop-tops than the French, Italians and the Spanish. Mercedes has long enjoyed a slice of this market with cars like the E-Class Cabriolet. The new model is available with two petrol and two diesel engines, and now we’ve had a chance to try the range-topping E 400 4MATIC AMG Line on UK roads. As in the E-Class Coupé, the E 400 badge signifies V6 power – more precisely, a 3.0- litre twin-turbo unit that we’ve also seen (in more potent form) in the AMG E 43. In this E 400 it has 328bhp and 480Nm of torque, which sounds hefty until you realise that the…

VAUXHALL CROSSLAND X score 3.9 Navi 5.0 IntelliLink Standard Key features: Eight-inch screen, connectivity THE eight-inch screen in the Crossland X is big, bright and easy to operate, especially as it has six physical buttons that can be used to quickly access the menus. The air-conditioning controls in the cabin are also real buttons rather than being locked away in a submenu on the display screen. This makes it much easier to use than in both rivals here when on the move. Our main complaint with the infotainment in the Vauxhall is the plain-looking user interface, because on the whole it’s actually a very good system and feels the most advanced and intuitive set-up of the three. Voice control and a second USB port come as standard with Elite Nav…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn YOU wouldn’t expect a 2.0-litre diesel saloon and a 357bhp hybrid sports car to share much in common, but appearances can be deceptive. We’ve now covered more than 10,000 miles in our BMW 520d xDrive and during that time it has thrown up a few surprises – some good, some bad. One of the biggest gripes with our 5 Series – of very few – is its fuel economy. BMW claims more than 60mpg is possible from the 520d xDrive, but during our time at the wheel we’ve not got close to that figure. Currently we’re averaging just over 39mpg, which is a pretty poor performance for a 2.0-litre diesel saloon. “There seems to be absolutely no compromise behind the wheel” Even on the long journey back to…

NEW PRODUCT Isuzu Raptor Coating Price: From £478.80 (pick-up bed) Contact: www.isuzu.co.uk DESPITE their growing popularity with families, many pick-up trucks still live hard lives and need all the protection they can get. So Isuzu has introduced Raptor Tough and Protective Coating as an option on its D-Max range. Unlike the plastic liner protection fitted to most pick-ups, Raptor is a two-pack that is sprayed on. It forms a watertight with the paintwork, reducing the under the liner leading to corrosion. Isuzu says Raptor is tougher than a conventional liner and will resist damage from sharp or abrasive loads better. urethene-based system can be tinted and the texture can also be varied. Prices will depend on how much of the car gets the treatment. Just protecting the pick-up bed will…

Raising a glass for a century of blades BEERS have been brewed to mark lots of items and events, but what about windscreen wipers? Wiper blade manufacturer Trico has launched its own branded beer, named Brew 17 (right). It’s a light golden ale with an ABV of 4.0 per cent, and it celebrates the brand’s 100th anniversary. It was launched at Worcestershire’s Trico Stadium, to coincide with the firm’s sponsorship of Redditch United FC, and a percentage of profits from sales will go to the local community trust. Audi picks Hankook tyres for new coupé KOREAN tyre maker Hankook has announced its latest Ventus S1 evo2 tyres will be fitted as standard on the new Audi RS5 coupé. The tyres are already original equipment on Audi’s TT RS and are…

BRITAIN has a massive and massively unreported problem. At the centre of it are millions of young adults who struggle to afford to take lessons and buy cars, only to be charged huge sums to insure them. “No matter,” our political leaders smugly say. They expect youngsters to use bikes – the most dangerous mode of road transport in terms of deaths and injuries per mile travelled. Alternatively, there’s a patchy bus ‘service’ that depletes or dies at the very times (nights/weekends) kids want to enjoy a social life. Or there are trains which are becoming prohibitively expensive for people to use – especially those in relatively low-paid first jobs, with student debts around their necks and high rents to pay. Politicians talk of social mobility, but rob young people…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn ▪ Exclusive images show longer, wider five-door due next year ▪ More bodystyle and powertrain options available than before MERCEDES is applying the finishing touches to its all-new A-Class hatchback, and it has plans to expand the line-up to include up to eight models or variants. The fourth-generation hatchback is likely to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, exactly 21 years after the original A-Class was launched at the same show. Auto Express understands that the first of the eight A-Class variants will be the standard hatchback. This will usher in a sleeker exterior design, improved packaging to address the practicality shortcomings of the current model and an overhauled cabin. “Sleeker LED lights, a larger glasshouse and a chiselled body will be the main…

New Carbon Edition Audis at the double AUDI has launched new Carbon Editions of the RS4 Avant and RS5 Coupé (above), at £71,625 and £75,400 respectively. Both feature a new exterior styling package that includes carbon detailing, RS matrix LED headlamps and an RS sports exhaust; RS5 Carbon Editions also feature a carbon fibre roof. Under the bonnet of both cars is a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6, which is boosted to 447bhp and 600Nm of torque. Toyota and Mazda in deal to build EVs TOYOTA and Mazda have entered into a new joint venture with automotive technology company Denso to develop new electric vehicles. The deal has resulted in the creation of a new company called EV Common Architecture Spirit, which is made up of full-time engineers from each of the…

Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer THE number of vehicle thefts has risen by nearly a third in the past three years, as criminals increasingly use hi-tech devices to bypass modern security systems, new figures reveal. Last year, 85,688 vehicles were stolen in England and Wales, up from 65,783 in 2013, according to Freedom of Information requests sent by RAC Insurance. The cover provider attributes the 30 per cent rise partly to more thieves using advanced means such as scanners to pick up a key’s signal from afar, prompting calls for a return to oldschool anti-theft devices like steering locks. “Last year, 85,688 vehicles were stolen in England and Wales, which was up from 65,783 in 2013” More vehicles were stolen in London than anywhere else. Last year the Metropolitan Police dealt with 26,496…

James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor Videowatch AT youtube.com/Autoexpress this week, we review Aston’s new DB11 V8, plus report on the VW van we’ve been running. Video review of the new Aston DB11 V8 WE’RE big fans of the Aston Martin DB11. The GT was a star car of 2016 and a return to form for the brand. Powered by a new 5.2-litre V12, it was good, but felt a bit cumbersome. Now there’s an entry-level model with a Mercedes-AMG 4.0-litre V8. And less is definitely more as the new engine transforms the handling while the DB11 V8 is also cheaper. Log on now for Steve Sutcliffe’s review. Living with a VW Transporter van EVER wondered how most of the videos on our YouTube channel are shot? Well, a key player has been a…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk THE original idea was nothing if not simple. Take the new Ford GT to one of the most beautiful roads in one of the most beautiful countries on earth, drive it for a couple of days and film and photograph it from every which angle. Then head north, all the way up through half of Norway and, once there, try to break the road car lap record for the Arctic Circle Raceway, held at that point by an Audi R8. “The Atlantic Road is a surreal piece of tarmac upon which a bright yellow Ford GT looks out of this world” “You drive a car like the Ford GT to make your heart, mind and imagination go to another place” In total it would take us just over a…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @Jimmybrods THE latest addition to Land Rover’s extensive line-up is one of the SUV market’s hottest properties. The Range Rover Velar introduces a fourth car to the firm’s luxury off-roader wing, offering potential customers something a little bit different. We’ve already driven the 3.0-litre diesel car, pitting it against two key rivals in Issue 1,487. It fared well, but couldn’t knock the Porsche Macan off the top spot in a hotly contested class. Now we’ve got the more modest four-cylinder diesel in the UK to see if a smaller engine makes more sense. The new-generation 2.0-litre Ingenium unit under the bonnet is available with two power outputs. Basic D180 cars get 178bhp, although the more versatile option is the D240 driven here – boasting 237bhp. Land Rover has worked…

PORSCHE introduced the Macan SUV in 2014, but this GTS model was added to the range later, in 2015. It was worth the wait, because while it’s not quite the flagship Macan – that privilege is reserved for the Turbo Performance Pack version, which has an incredible 434bhp – the GTS is our pick of the line-up, combining strong driver involvement and a more reasonable price tag. With 355bhp it’s hardly short on pace. In our tests the Porsche managed a blistering 0-60mph time of five seconds exactly, beating the Audi’s 5.3 seconds. Both times were set on a damp track, but the impressive performances hint at the huge traction available from both cars. Launch control in the Porsche means you simply fire into the distance, helped by four-wheel drive,…

Sam_Naylor@dennis.co.uk @SamNaylor_AE WE’VE said in the past that the Mazda MX-5 has pretty much the perfect amount of power for the road. I’ve certainly had that thought a lot while driving our MX-5 RF over the summer. But is there a way to really test that theory? Well, thanks to British tuner BBR GTi, we can. The brand is famous for creating tuning packs for the top-selling roadster, and its latest creation is the BBR Stage 1 Turbo. Thanks to a custom engine set-up, the BBR car beats our car’s 158bhp figure handily – it has a mighty 248bhp, which is absolutely astounding in a model that weighs just over 1,000kg. BBR reckons its 0-60mph time is around five seconds, which means it’s nearly as quick as the ballistic four-wheel-drive…

products@autoexpress.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Jack doesn’t fit under MX-5 HAVING bought a Mazda MX-5 Mk2, I’m planning to do some of the maintenance myself. My first problem is that my trolley jack does not fit underneath it. Is there a solution? Jordan Cotton, E-mail A YOU could make yourself some ramps from a plank of wood cut in half at an angle. It must be thick enough to allow the jack to fit under when the car is driven on to the wood. Alternatively, the winner of our trolley jack test back in Issue 1,446, the Clarke CTJ 2250LP (above, £47.98, www.machinemart.co.uk), is a low-entry option. Q Should I bin gritty cloths? I KNOW I should chuck away a clay bar that has been dropped on the ground, but should I…

LIGHT but powerful, a lithium jump start pack is the latest way to aid an ailing battery, and there’s a growing number on the market. Silverline’s 423352 model has just come out, so we put it up against the winner of our Issue 1,479 group test, the Sealey SL65S. Our battery showed around 10.5v on a 1.6-litre petrol car. We turned the engine over for five seconds, five times, with a two-minute break between each attempt. Each unit was rated for cable length, USB sockets, case, instructions and safety, plus we compared the final states of charge. The Sealey just keeps its title due to its mighty performance, but the new model would have ranked a comfortable second in the previous test. If saving £30 is more important than overall…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy JAGUAR is enjoying record sales with its F-Pace SUV – and now the company is turning its attention to the likes of the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 with the smaller E-Pace. To find out what buyers can expect, Auto Express joined chief dynamics tester Mike Cross for a passenger run over the roads where the new car has been developed. The E-Pace is significant for Jaguar on more than just its potential sales figures, because it’s the first model from the company since the X-Type to be based on a front-wheel-drive chassis. The underpinnings are similar to those used on the Range Rover Evoque, in fact – although Jaguar’s engineering team has worked hard to give the car a distinct character. “The E-Pace feels like it has…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn McLAREN has started development work on its upcoming three-seat hybrid hypercar, codenamed BP23. The brand has developed a test mule based on the 720S to allow engineers to evaluate the car’s centrally mounted driving position, shown in these official images. The BP23 is an indirect successor to the legendary McLaren F1, which also featured a central driving position, and only 106 examples of the car will be made – exactly the same number of F1s produced. All have been sold, McLaren has confirmed, at a cost believed to be £2million each. McLaren is calling the car a Hyper GT and has claimed that the model, which will sit in the range-topping Ultimate Series, will be the ‘fastest ever’ car it has produced. That target is not based on…

Anton Balkitis Traffic and transport law specialist www.keepmeontheroad.co.uk FORGETTING your car’s MoT is due is an all-too-common scenario, and our Issue 1,490 news story highlighted how the Treasury has made £35m from drivers doing just that over the past five years. But driving without a valid MoT is illegal and can carry serious consequences. Your reg will be passed to the police Automatic Number Plate Recognition database, making it easier for them to pull you over. The punishments for driving without a valid MoT can include a fixed £100 penalty notice. If this invalidates your insurance, you can pick up six to eight penalty points and a maximum fine of £1,000 or your car can be impounded. In certain situations you might have a defence for not having a valid…

Motoring journalist for the day CARS have always been a huge part of my life and from an early age I would read as many car magazines as I could. The idea of being a motoring journalist has always fascinated me, but unfortunately I’ve never had the chance. It’s always been a fantasy. So you can imagine my delight when I was selected to do my dream job for the day. After being recruited through the Auto Express Driver Power satisfaction survey, I would have the chance to visit the Frankfurt Motor Show and live the dream of being an Auto Express journalist. Better than that, I would be one of the first people in the world to see, touch and explore the new SEAT Arona – a major star…

James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor PEUGEOT’S great MPV killing spree continues with the new 5008. What was once a boxy multi-purpose vehicle has been replaced by a high-riding SUV – but has the brand forgotten traditional buyers’ needs by bowing to the whims of crossover-loving fashionistas? Before we answer that, let’s take a look at the new 5008 from a design point of view. It not only ploughs a different furrow from its bland predecessor, but also to other seven-seat SUVs on the market. The chiselled front, contrasting roof, boutiquelike interior and diamond-cut alloys give it a strong look next to cars like the Skoda Kodiaq and Nissan X-Trail. “The 5008 rides over bumps better than the 3008, but potholes can send shocks through the cabin” Nose on, it steals the smaller 3008’s…

Suzuki Vitara 1.6 SZ5 PRICE: £19,499 ENGINE: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 118bhp THE crossover class is packed with good-value alternatives, such as the Suzuki Vitara. A high-spec SZ5 with a naturally aspired 1.6-litre petrol engine is within budget, is practical and good to drive, and has plenty of kit. Vauxhall Mokka X 1.4i Turbo Active PRICE: £20,930 ENGINE: 1.4-litre 4cyl, 138bhp THE Crossland X isn’t the only Vauxhall crossover in this class; there’s also the more expensive Mokka X. For this budget, you’re limited to the entry-level Active car, but its 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine is more powerful than its sibling’s three-cylinder unit.…

This all-new version of the Audi sQ5 is quite a different proposition from before, and that stems from the switch from diesel to petrol power. The car still aims to mix practicality and economy (although this might take a hit over its predecessor), while this latest petrol sQ5 promises to deliver more driving enjoyment. The 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine has 500Nm of torque, which helped serve up strong performance on test. The Porsche delivers an identical output, but it’s available over a wider range in the Audi because the maximum grunt comes in from as low as 1,370rpm, up to 4,500rpm. it proved itself in our in-gear acceleration tests, taking 4.5 seconds to go from 50-70mph in fifth gear where the Macan took 5.2 seconds. Just like the Porsche, the…

NEW PRODUCT Ring Xenon150 bulb Price: TBA Contact: ringautomotive.com JUST in time for the long, dark winter nights, Ring has revealed its latest advance in headlamp bulb technology, the Xenon150, which goes on sale this week. As its name suggests, the product offers 150 per cent more light somewhere within the beam than a standard bulb. However, Ring is not the first company to do this, because Philips launched its RacingVision bulb this time last year. That also claimed a 150 per cent increase, but the Dutch firm admitted its product wouldn’t last as long as other performance bulbs, with a lifetime of around 200 hours. Ring says the Xenon150 achieves the extra light output without compromising lifespan when compared with other performance lamps. It claims the bulb delivers an…

Watching the Wheels Damon Hill (Pan MacMillan, www.panmacmillan.com) Price: £8.99 Rating: A CANDID and thought-provoking look into the life and mind of one of Britain’s best-loved racing drivers. But this isn’t just a motorsport bio; Hill speaks about his experiences on and off the grid, his relationships, and his struggle with depression. Hill’s admission that being a grand prix world champion doesn’t always lead to a charmed life really stands out. A book that’s well worth picking up. Dodge Dynamite: 50 Years of Dodge Muscle Cars Peter Grist (Veloce Publishing, www.veloce.co.uk) Price: £30 Rating: THIS book takes you through 50 years of Dodge’s finest muscle cars in a thorough, yet concise, fashion. As with some other Veloce Classic reprints, it’s out of date – stopping at 2007 – and missing…

Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Dacia computer glitch WITHIN a few days of me collecting a brand new Dacia Duster from a dealer, several warning lights appeared. Investigations suggested a cylinder misfire, but Dacia said it couldn’t find a problem and blamed a “computer glitch”. What can I do? Remigiusz Lecybyl, E-mail A IT could just be a glitch, as Dacia says, but for peace of mind, get an independent engineer to inspect the car. If the problem reappears, a fault code should highlight exactly what needs repairing or adjusting. Q Does dog need a harness? I’VE just adopted a greyhound and will be taking her on regular trips to the beach. Can she travel in the boot of my Skoda Superb or will she need a harness? Janet Scofield, E-mail A…

Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk FOLLOWING its withdrawal from endurance racing at the end of the 2016 season, Audi dropped another piece of its global motorsport strategy for the future into place last week as it released its Formula E car for next year: the e-tron FE04. As more manufacturers have committed to all-electric motorsport in Formula E in the coming years, the rules have become less restrictive, allowing teams to develop elements of the car such as the motor, the transmission, the software that controls these parts and some suspension components. This is critical to the e-tron FE04 because “the combination of the motor and transmission is the centrepiece of the car”, according to Audi. For the 2017/2018 season, Team Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler, to give it its full name, will use a…