Innholdsfortegnelse for 1508 i Auto Express

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy “We have the B-Class and will continue with it. Do we have doubts that we should not? No”BRITTA SEEGER Mercedes board member for sales and marketing MERCEDES is pushing ahead with a new version of its B-Class – attempting to buck the trend of buyers who’ve been turning away from MPVs and towards SUVs. Several key mainstream makers have abandoned the MPV market altogether, preferring to focus resources on developing wider ranges of SUVs. But Mercedes and BMW believe that there are still useful customer numbers – enough to justify the development costs of fresh people carriers. The new B-Class is expected in 2019, following the launch of its sister vehicle, the new A-Class, which sits on a heavily revised version of the cars’ MFA platform. When asked…

Fresh-faced Fabia shapes for show A NEW Skoda Fabia is on its way to the Geneva Motor Show in March. Skoda has announced that a facelifted model will be its show star, and has hinted at its updated, Karoq-influenced styling with a teaser image (above). New tech including LED tail-lights will feature, while the updated Fabia will arrive in showrooms later this year. More powerful BMW i8 on way? A FASTER version of the BMW i8 is under consideration, according to BMW i Product Management boss Alexander Kotouc. Speaking to Auto Express at the Detroit Motor Show, Kotouc spelt out BMW’s i8 supercar plans. “I can tell you at this point we are still evaluating it,” he said. “There is a customer desire to have more power and we will…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn DETROIT is the home of Ford and the company took the opportunity to reveal a new Bullitt Mustang GT at its home motor show. It’s a limited-run model that marks the 50th anniversary of the Steve McQueen blockbuster film and will go on sale in the summer. It’s powered by a tuned version of the Mustang GT’s 5.0-litre V8 engine, which has been tuned to develop “at least” 475bhp and 569Nm of torque. The power increase comes from new throttle bodies, a new intake manifold plus a new exhaust system. It comes paired only with a six-speed manual box, like the original, while Ford claims the Bullitt can hit 163mph flat out, an 8mph increase over the Mustang GT. Visually, it rides on unique 19-inch black alloy wheels…

JEEP is pinning its hopes on the new Cherokee, unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show, to revive its fortunes in Europe. The new model showcased a much more attractive front end design, a heavily revised rear and a new 2.0-litre direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 266bhp and 400Nm of torque. Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne sees the new model as pivotal, after ripping into the brand’s sales performance in Europe last year. He told Auto Express: “We were up 46 per cent in Latin America and up two per cent in Europe. That is a shameful number for Europe.” Marchionne was baffled at the performance, given the explosion in SUV sales in Europe. “The market is up and we should be doing a lot better. We are just not…

“Colin got rusty wheel fixed under warranty, but Mercedes refused repairs to other corroded alloys” RUST issues are often a source of disputes between dealers and owners, which is why many drivers shell out extra on extended warranties to give themselves peace of mind. But knowing the exact terms and conditions of the warranty is crucial, as one reader found out. Colin Green from Maidstone, Kent, got in touch after he had one of the wheels on his Mercedes E-Class fixed under warranty. However, when similar corrosion appeared on two other wheels, the company suddenly refused further warranty repairs. Colin had opted for an extended package when buying his 2015 car in 2016. “There was differing advice around over whether it was necessary to use only a main dealer for…

Running costs 50.4mpg (official) £41 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 8.8 seconds/126mph Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 251/951 litres mail@autoexpress.co.uk “The up! GTI is a fun little thing to drive that’s more capable than you might expect” A LONG time ago, Volkswagen invented the GTI. Since then the rest of the world has done its best to try, and sometimes fail, to catch up. For 2018, however, VW has gone full circle and reinvented the spirit of the original GTI with this car, the all-new up! GTI. It’s uncanny how similar the up! GTI’s on-paper statistics are to those original Mk1 Golf GTI ones from 1976. It weighs almost exactly the same, at 1,070kg. Its three-cylinder turbo engine produces virtually the same power at 113bhp (but with rather more torque at 200Nm). And so…

“The engine’s rich well of power is useful for overtaking” Running costs 45.6mpg (official) £70 fill-up James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods JAGUAR is launching what could become its biggest-selling model – the new mid-sized E-Pace SUV. This twin-turbodiesel D240 won’t be the top seller – that honour is expected to fall to its D180 little brother, which we’ve already driven (Issue 1,500) – but it has the most torque of any E-Pace at 500Nm. That rich well of power is useful for overtaking, and while the nine-speed auto gearbox doesn’t quite kick down as quickly as you’d like, it operates smoothly. The E-Pace is also fun to drive for a car in this class, and Jaguar’s engineers have created a real sense of difference between this model and the Range Rover Evoque, a…

Running costs 36.6mpg (on test) £67 fill-up/£140 or 28% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 460/1,336 litres Performance 0-60mph/top speed 8.2 seconds/130mph Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 51.1/36.8/10.9m MODEL TESTED: Volvo XC40 D4 AWD R-Design PRICE: £34,655 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 187bhp VOLVO might be a little late to the compact premium SUV party, trailing its two German rivals here by more than half a decade, but it’s on a roll with its 4x4 line-up. So can this smaller XC40 – tested here in £34,655 D4 AWD R-Design trim – maintain the momentum? Design & engineering THE seven-seat XC90 and mid-size XC60 are both based on Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, but the XC40 bucks the trend by being the first model from the Swedish brand to sit on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA)…

Running costs 33.8mpg (on test) £97 fill-up Performance 0-60mph/30-70mph 6.2/5.3 seconds Practicality Boot space 515 litres Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 50.6/36.3/9.5m THE BMW 7 Series has been competing with the S-Class since the seventies, and while these two models are unrecognisable from their grandfathers, the rivalry remains. With its superb driving position, well controlled chassis and strong performance, the 7 Series is a better driver’s car than the Mercedes, but there’s less of a difference than you might expect. That’s because the S-Class is better to drive than ever while still being comfortable, and the BMW is more comfortable than ever while still being good to drive, so the two have converged towards the same ground. The 7 Series’ 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel is smooth and powerful, and although it’s a little less…

Stuart_Milne@dennis.co.uk OUR Skoda Kodiaq is proving to be an exceptionally easy car to live with, but the Columbus infotainment system has been a slightly more hit and miss affair. While I’ve found the set-up brilliant for the most part, some frustrations have taken the edge off the experience over the past couple of months. The Columbus system is fitted as standard to SE L models and above, and centres around a very responsive 9.2-inch glossy touchscreen. The home screen shows a mix of navigation, audio and phone information, and allows access to the next level of menus for each. Other functions are accessible through the main menu, something which can be navigated by swiping or by gesture control. That only allows you to swipe through the menu screens using a…

THIS WEEK’S HOT KIT NEW PRODUCT Road Angel Pure speed camera detector Price: £249.99 Contact: 0330 123 9479, www.roadangelpure.co.uk ONE of the big players in the speed camera detector market has just launched a new product, and it can be pre-ordered now in time for delivery in March. The Road Angel Pure is an all-new detector that will help drivers stay safe and on the right side of the law. It’s set apart from the brand’s current Gem detector by a new 2.4-inch TFT screen that features updated graphics and a fresh user interface. The high-resolution display will show drivers their current speed and the limit on the road, plus alert them to everything from red light cameras and fixed and mobile safety cams to school zones and even congestion…

Revolution in retro race alloy wheels REVOLUTION has brought vintage-look race alloys bang up-to-date with modern manufacturing processes. The range, launched at this month’s Autosport Show, uses flow-form casting techniques and virgin alloy to create lightweight wheels capable of passing all the required fatigue tests. Revolution’s retro-look wheels (above) can be machined to any offset and stud pattern. For info visit www.revolutionwheels.com. Ford boot floor is the bees’ knees FORD turned to bees for inspiration when designing a new boot feature for its Eco Sport SUV. Adjustable boot shelves are nothing new, but the “honeycomb” shelf is constructed from recycled paper and is capable of supporting loads of up to 300kg, while weighing just 3kg. The shelf can be positioned high or low to balance extra boot space against the…

Kent Extra Large Microfibre Drying Towel Price: £4.45 Water gain: 1,000g Rating: Contact: 0845 602 1995, www.carcare.co.uk BEST BUY WHILE some makers’ cloths get ever thicker and larger, Kent has stuck with a more conservative design that hoovers up water while remaining easy to use – key for success in this test. It’s not small, at 75x60cm, but there’s a mix of short and mid-length piles that attract and hold water without making the cloth stiff and hard to work. It leaves noticeably less moisture on the car than most rivals for around half the price. A worthy winner. Autoglym Hi-Tech Microfibre Drying Towel Price: £14.35 Water gain: 625g Rating: Contact: 01462 677766, www.autoglym.com OUR revised test certainly suited Autoglym’s long-running Hi-Tech Towel. As you’d expect from the brand it…

“Ogier faces a barrage of competition as he defends his title” Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk AFTER a spectacular 2017 season that saw the introduction of a new generation of significantly faster cars and nearly every works driver in the running for victories, the FIA World Rally Championship begins its 2018 season this weekend with the notoriously unpredictable Rally Monte-Carlo. After considering retirement, reigning champ Sebastien Ogier is back to defend his title in an M-Sport Fiesta, now with increased Ford backing. He faces a barrage of competition from Toyota, Citroen and Hyundai’s impressive driver line-ups – and from his own team-mate, Welshman Elfyn Evans, who should be on a roll after taking his maiden WRC victory on 2017’s Wales Rally GB. Tanak joins Lappi and Latvala for Toyota’s second year TOYOTA hit the…

Graham_Hope@dennis.co.uk “We used to be the boring brand. But now perception is changing”YOSHIHIRO SAWA Lexus global president • LF-1 Limitless concept revealed at Detroit Motor Show • Previews SUV that would sit beside LS saloon and LC coupé LEXUS is ramping up its assault on premium rivals with a luxurious new SUV to sit at the top of its line-up. The Japanese brand used the Detroit Motor Show to unveil the LF-1 Limitless, a sporty crossover that previews a probable rival to the Range Rover. And at the same time it is plotting two dramatic additions to its LC range (see panel). Explaining the brand’s thinking behind the concept, Lexus global president Yoshihiro Sawa told Auto Express: “Lexus is a lifestyle brand, and if you imagine a luxury lifestyle, maybe…

THERE will be a new addition to the Mercedes SUV line-up next year when the G-Class inspired GLB is introduced to the range. Auto Express broke the news about a new baby G-Wagen in 2016, and these spy shots confirm the SUV is on its way. As the name suggests, it will sit between the GLA crossover and GLC SUV, but carry its own unique image and styling. Behind the heavy disguise you can clearly make out the boxy design of the GLB. The squared-off panels and more upright front and rear bumpers are a nod to the G-Class (bottom). Despite its size, the GLB will be one of three all-new compact models Mercedes will launch by 2020. That means it’s likely to use a version of the platform that…

“Projection technology will be important for use in autonomous cars” Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer IN the future, car headlights could automatically highlight pedestrians and other vulnerable road users to drivers, and even project crossings and warning signs on the road to help reduce accidents. Tech giant Continental is working with light specialist Osram to build the next generation of vehicle lights. Fully adaptable LED lights that automatically change their shape and beam strength in different driving settings, as well as matrix and laser lights that project hologram-like projections on to the road, are currently under development. Osram’s latest Eviyos technology uses a new form of pixelated LED light to create a fully adaptive lighting system that’s integrated into sensors around the car. This is designed to improve on existing adaptive LEDs. “As…

ELSEWHERE at Ford, the manufacturer also confirmed its first all-electric model will be a Mustang-inspired performance SUV. The car will arrive in 2020 and could be launched as the Mach 1, as previewed by the official image. The news follows an increase in the firm’s investment in electric vehicle tech to $11bn (£7.9bn) after bosses declared the company wants to “electrify iconic Ford nameplates”. The SUV will be built on a dedicated new EV platform and have a range of 300 miles, while the packaging and design of the car has almost been signed off. Prototypes will hit the road next year for development testing. Ford first announced it would launch an all-electric SUV last year, but in order to stand out in the market and create something unique, bosses…

“Centre of gravity is lower than before and steering feels sharper” Performance 0-62mph/top speed 7.9 seconds/89mph Electric motor Power/official range 148bhp/168 miles Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk @stevefowler “Well judged ride was tuned for UK; it’s firm, but knocks rough edges off worst surfaces” WHILE most car makers are still making plans for their first allelectric models, Nissan has already moved on to round two of its Leaf story. The new car boasts a whole host of changes and while it not only leads EV rivals on range, it leads conventional rivals on tech. Starting at £21,990, it’s cheaper than the previous Leaf, too. The most important EV question is how far you can go. Tested to the old NEDC standard, Nissan claims an unlikely 235 miles. Under the new WLTC test, which supposedly…

sean_carson@dennis.co.uk @sean_carson_ PORSCHE’S range of practical models is now broader than ever with the arrival of the Panamera Sport Turismo, tested here for the first time in the UK in £118,828 Turbo form. The 520-litre boot is only 20 litres more than the standard Panamera’s, but there’s no denying that this small slice of extra usability gives the model plenty of appeal, because it delivers the same level of incredible performance. With four-wheel drive and launch control, thanks to the eight-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic gearbox, the Sport Turismo will cover 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds and romp on to 188mph. The 542bhp twin-turbo V8 pulls with real force thanks to the 770Nm of torque that’s served up from 1,960rpm. It offers strong in-gear punch for a 2,035kg car and a cultured…

Running costs 37.6mpg (on test) £63 fill-up/£140 or 27% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 505/1,550 litres Performance 0-60mph/top speed 7.6 seconds/136mph Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 48.6/35.7/9.2m MODEL TESTED: BMW X1 xDrive20d M Sport PRICE: £35,470 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 187bhp THE second-generation BMW X1 revamped the model from an also-ran in this sector to a class leader when it went on sale in 2015. Given how competitive this area of the market is, it’s no surprise that the X1 xDrive20d M Sport that we’re testing here comes in close to the XC40 at £35,470; but is it worth this small amount extra? Design & engineering UNLIKE most BMWs, the X1 is available with front-wheel drive. That’s due to the UKL2 platform that underpins it, which it shares with sister company MINI. Yet it’s…

DESPITE the push towards SUVs, the best luxury cars you can buy are still traditional four-door limousines. These long-wheelbase models are built with comfort and luxury at the core of their designs, and with that comes loads of hi-tech equipment, plush interiors and worldbeating ride quality. This new Mercedes S-Class is an update of its predecessor, and it’s had a thorough revamp, with a new engine and much more technology in the cabin. The facelift will help it to take on the BMW 7 Series – a car that is similarly laden with the latest technology. These two luxury rivals have been battling it out for decades, but which will come out on top this time? Mercedes S 350 d New straight-six diesel makes luxury saloon even more refined. Is…

Performance 0-62mph/top speed 11.4 seconds/118mph Practicality Boot (7/5/2-seat modes) 233/572/1,737 litres Running costs 45.3mpg (on test) £66 fill-up Steve_Walker@dennis.co.uk WHAT has happened to the Renault Scenic? The French firm’s big-selling family MPV brand has adopted the ‘if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em’ approach to the all-encompassing SUV onslaught that is currently gripping the car market. All the signs suggest that buyers want the tough, big-wheeled looks and high driving positions of crossovers and SUVs, so that’s what the new Scenic gives them, albeit in a more measured way with extra sliding seats and storage options. Even our new seven-seat Grand Scenic is on board with the latest direction. The once innocuous school run bus looks altogether more rebellious in its latest guise and we’ve been instantly intrigued by this…

Volkswagen e-Golf AUTO Express revealed recently (Issue 1,505) that the number of public charging point installations over the past year wasn’t keeping pace with sales of new plug-in electric vehicles. And yet the major charging infrastructure firms, including Chargemaster, believe the rate of growth is fast enough. That’s because many EV buyers do as deputy editor John McIlroy has done and have a home charger installed. So on most evenings, our Volkswagen e-Golf is plugged in to a reasonably rapid 7kW Chargemaster unit, giving him more than enough mileage for his average daily use. John’s charger can tell him how much electricity it’s used through an app. Even without logging on to this service, he has noticed a bit of a spike in his utilities bill, although the increase has…

CO2/tax 173g/km £205 Running costs 43mpg (2.2 i-CTDi 138) £71 fill-up Ventilation MAKE sure the air-conditioning or climate control works properly; compressors can fail, particularly on early models. Light leaks REAR light clusters can leak, leading to condensation building up on the inside of the lens, especially in cold weather. Flat battery ELECTRICS are generally reliable on the CR-V, but batteries can go flat due to the ignition switch leaking current. Interior THE quality of materials used in the cabin isn’t in keeping with Honda’s semi-premium status, and the dash design is muddled. Yet the seats are comfortable and practicality is boosted by a sliding rear seat. Boot space isn’t spectacular, at 556 litres with the rear seats up, and while they fold flat, capacity is only boosted to 955…

Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk WILLIAMS has announced Russian driver Sergey Sirotkin alongside Canadian Lance Stroll as its race drivers for 2018, with returning Polish ace Robert Kubica appointed to the role of test and reserve driver. The British outfit trialled both the 22-year-old Sirotkin and Kubica at Abu Dhabi before Christmas, and confirmed last week it had chosen the former to partner Stroll. Speaking about the announcement, Sirotkin said: “To say I’m happy and proud to join such a famous team is an understatement. Rest assured the team can rely on me to deliver my best.” Stroll added: “I know Sergey and I’m sure we will very quickly form a close working relationship. I really enjoyed my rookie season with the team, and there were a number of memorable highlights, on which I’ll…

MEANWHILE, Lexus also has big plans to expand its LC range with both a convertible and a performance LC F on the cards. Auto Express understands the drop-top – previewed in our exclusive image (left) – has been given the green light internally, while a performance version of the striking flagship coupé is also likely to be signed off. An inside source at the company said the LC convertible was a “done deal” and should see the light of day within 18 months to two years. The drop-top will address a major omission in the Lexus line-up; there’s none at present and Toyota’s luxury arm has little pedigree in this area with neither of its previous offerings, the IS C and SC, being especially well received. A concept in 2014,…

Graham_Hope@dennis.co.uk FIAT CHRYSLER boss Sergio Marchionne has confirmed Ferrari’s SUV could be ready as early as next year – and claimed it will be the fastest vehicle of its type. The colourful CEO initially indicated his intention to build an SUV – or “FUV” (Ferrari Utility Vehicle) – in November and has since seen Lamborghini enter the market by launching the Urus. But at the Detroit Motor Show, Marchionne spoke about his plans in more depth. Our exclusive image shows how a Ferrari SUV could shape up, and according to Marchionne, it will be devastatingly quick. “So far the fastest SUV belongs to Alfa [the Stelvio QF] and I don’t think Ferrari fears Alfa,” he said. “It will do its best to build the fastest SUV.” Alfa’s Stelvio Quadrifoglio lays…

“Oddball Veloster coupé retains unique two-plus-one asymmetrical door layout” HYUNDAI launched an all new Veloster at last week’s Detroit show, including a hot N version. It’s the second car from the high-performance range, after the i30 N. The oddball Veloster coupé has been redesigned inside and out, but it retains the unique two-plus-one asymmetrical door layout of the old car. However, the model isn’t coming to the UK. Powering the regular Veloster is a naturally aspirated 145bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, with the Turbo using a 198bhp 1.6-litre turbo. The flagship N model features the same 271bhp 2.0-litre turbo as the i30 N. A bespoke electronically controlled suspension setup, limited-slip differential and larger brakes help to rein in the power. As with the i30 N, most of the car’s chassis…

“In the medium to long term, Citroen is going back to a conventional family hatchback” John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy CITROEN is likely to follow up its latest, revised C4 Cactus with a more mainstream rival to the VW Golf and Ford Focus, the firm’s boss has suggested. The French maker dropped the slow selling, ultra-conservative C4 hatch last year, and it’s hoping the revamped C4 Cactus, due on sale shortly, will compete with the Golf, Focus and Vauxhall Astra. However, CEO Linda Jackson has acknowledged to Auto Express that the repositioned C4 Cactus is “a transitional step” and admitted that in the medium to longer term, Citroen is likely to go back to a true C-segment-sized car, even if it’s not as conventional as the outgoing C4. Our exclusive image previews the…

ONE in 13 lorries tested by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has been found to be fitted with an emissions cheat device following roadside checks. The DVSA conducted emissions tests on 3,735 trucks between August and November 2017, and discovered 293 of them had been fitted with devices intended to provide false emissions readings. Lorries registered in Northern Ireland were most likely to have a cheat device fitted, with 20.4 per cent of tested trucks coming back positive. And while 4.9 per cent of foreign-registered lorries were equipped with similar cheat devices, 8.5 per cent of trucks registered in Britain were also caught. The nabbed truckers were given 10 days to fix their vehicles, or face fines of £300. One trick used involves fitting an AdBlue ‘emulator’. This…

“We had people calling saying ‘I want to buy an Evoque but I don’t want leather’ a year before we kicked off Velar project”AMY FRASCELLA Chief designer for colours and materials, Land Rover James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods THE car industry loves leather. Established makers rely on the stuff no end for giving interiors a plush, special feel, consuming thousands of hides per day to conform to what they believe buyers consider premium. But not everyone is sold. Leather is hard, cold and, in the eyes of some, boring. Alternatives are limited, with cloth seats often appearing budget and, save for the odd upmarket brand offering vegan-friendly options, there hasn’t been much innovation in the sector. Until now. Land Rover has decided to offer something new and novel for Range Rover Velar buyers…

Running costs 43.5mpg (official) £88 fill-up Performance 0-60mph/top speed 9.1 seconds/127mph sean_carson@dennis.co.uk @sean_carson_ “No matter what badge is on the car, a price tag of £40,000-plus will raise an eyebrow” THE seven-seat SUV sector is booming, so in the face of many new rivals hitting the market, class stalwarts such as the Kia Sorento have their work cut out; which is why the flagship SUV has been facelifted in a bid to keep it fresh and fighting. Chief among the additions are two new trim levels: GT-Line and GT-Line S (it’s the latter we’re testing here) to give a sportier feel. It features the same 197bhp 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel, only now it sends power to all four wheels through a new eight-speed automatic gearbox. The Sorento broke new ground for…

FOLLOWING the launch of its XC90 and XC60 models, Volvo’s new SUV blitz continues in 2018 with the arrival of the smaller XC40 in the UK. Auto Express got early access to a pre-production prototype to put the baby XC through its paces against two of its closest rivals, the BMW X1 and Audi Q3. This class is one of the most hotly contested in the market, but Volvo has form because its seven-seat XC90 SUV is a past winner of our Car of the Year crown back in 2015, while the mid-size XC60 took the Best Premium SUV title at our annual New Car Awards last year. So can this smaller XC40 complete a hat-trick for the Swedish brand? The D4 R-Design model we’re testing pitches the Volvo squarely in…

Running costs 39.8mpg (on test) £79 fill-up/£140 or 29% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 420/1,325 litres Performance 0-60mph/top speed 7.3 seconds/136mph Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 50.4/35.5/9.4m MODEL TESTED: Audi Q3 2.0 TDI 184 S tronic S line Edition PRICE: £35,500 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 181bhp THE Audi Q3 has been an incredibly successful product and captured the essence of what a small, premium SUV should be when it launched in 2011. However, six years on, is this still true of the £35,500 2.0 TDI quattro 184 S tronic S line Edition model that we’re testing here? Design & engineering UNLIKE most of Audi’s hatchbacks and smaller SUVs, the Q3 isn’t based on the VW Group’s MQB platform for front-engined, front and four-wheel-drive models. Instead, due to its age, the car uses the firm’s…

Running costs 46.6mpg (on test) £87 fill-up Performance 0-60mph/30-70mph 6.1/5.4 seconds Practicality Boot space 510 litres Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 47.4/33.9/8.8m THE Mercedes S-Class is known as a tech leader in the car industry, and it’s a halo model for the brand with the latest technology developed here trickling down to the rest of the range. This latest facelifted model features new bumpers, lights and a fresh grille, but more importantly, there’s also an updated powertrain. These cosmetic updates mean the car looks a little fresher, but there’s nothing revolutionary there; the key change in terms of engineering is a new straight-six diesel engine, which replaces the V6 in the previous S 350 d model. The old V6 motor was powerful and quiet, but this new unit is even better. It’s refined…

“Fiesta is no stranger to awards, and it’s also regained its position as Britain’s best-selling new car. So is the acclaim justified?”Lawrence Allan Senior staff writer Running costs 45.1mpg (on test) £50 fill-up Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan “Latest Fiesta once again carries the mantle of being the best driver’s car in its class. It’s helped by quick, direct steering” THE humble Ford Fiesta is no stranger to praise and awards. Landing fresh into showrooms late last year, it’s already picked up a win and a five-star rating in our hotly contested supermini group test (Issue 1,481), plus it was crowned Car of the Year by our sister title, Carbuyer. It also regained its position as Britain’s best-selling new car after the old model was phased out. To see if all the acclaim…

FIRST TEST WRC 7 Available on: Xbox One, PS4, PC Price: From £29.99 Rating: THE 2018 World Rally Championship kicks off this weekend, and you can read our full preview on Page 78. But if you don’t have the budget to travel to the Continent to watch the season-opening Monte Carlo Rally or next month’s Rally Sweden, you can get a slice of the action with the latest officially licensed video game: WRC 7. The new title is much better than its predecessor. We reviewed WRC 6 last year and its graphics and gameplay disappointed; we felt it failed to bring the fast-paced, mud-splattered drama of the World Rally Championship to life. Gameplay is still fairly arcade-like, which makes WRC 7 easy to pick up and play, but the new…

YOUR VIEWS ON YOUR CARS 2017 Results Discovery Sport Factfile Years: 2014 to present CO2: 129g/km Fuel economy: 57.6mpg (2.0 TD4 150) Best options: Reversing camera, panoramic sunroof, Meridian stereo Used prices: From £21,000 OVERALL SCORE 89.21% Bars show where model finished out of 75 vehicles in our 2017 new car survey. The longer the bar the better • GOOD “IT can be a seven-seater or a five-seater with a huge boot.” “For a big car with a 2.0-litre engine, it’s surprisingly quick.” “It’s a handsome car with serious road presence.” “Panel fit is great and the paint finish is perfect.” “It handles well for such a tall and bulky vehicle.” “Excellent sound insulation makes it a quiet cruiser.” “The interior has a nice ambience.” • NOT SO GOOD “THE…

A STRONG contingent of British drivers will contest this weekend’s Daytona 24 Hours in Florida – the opening race of the American IMSA sportscar series. Former Audi works driver Oliver Jarvis and current Ford WEC ace Harry Tincknell have both joined Mazda’s team for the championship. The brand’s effort has been boosted significantly during the off-season by a tie-up with Joest Racing – the German team that played a huge role in Audi’s years of Le Mans 24 Hours domination. Elsewhere, there’ll be huge interest in Fernando Alonso’s sportscar debut, with the Leeds-based United Autosports squad. Sharing the #23 car with him will be a pair of 18-year-old British rising stars: Lando Norris (McLaren’s F1 test and reserve driver this season, who’s also making his sportscar debut) and Phil Hanson…