Innholdsfortegnelse for 1567 i Auto Express

Audi Q4 e-tron DESPITE being only a concept for now, the Q4 e-tron SUV should be delivered to customers before buyers get the Model Y. The 280-mile Audi lands at the end of 2021. Skoda Vision E THE production version of Skoda’s Vision E concept will be one of the most expensive models in the Czech firm’s line-up. At up to £40,000, it’ll be a direct rival for the Tesla. VW ID. Crozz ANOTHER rival from the VW Group will be the ID. Crozz. Based on the brand’s MEB platform (as with the Audi and Skoda), it’ll offer four-wheel drive and up to 302bhp. Volvo eXC40 A FULLY electric version of the XC40 SUV is also waiting in the wings. Although slightly smaller than the Tesla, it’s just as premium…

THE VW Group is sinking a staggering 19 billion euros (£16.2bn) into future tech between now and 2023. So while Doctors Diess and Welsch sound guarded on whether the MEB entry family will be viable, it’s hard to see how it won’t happen, especially as battery prices continue to fall. The factor that stings VW is that, for all its investment, the firm still hasn’t managed to cover every base on EVs in the same way that it spreads its reach across conventional vehicles. Diess, for one, did not like to be reminded at the recent event that Peugeot will bring its first pure-electric supermini to market over the next 12 months. By comparison, the end of 2023 looks a long way away. “VW has still not managed to cover…

Fresh look, more tech for Merc’s GLC Coupé MERCEDES has freshened up its GLC Coupé (above), adding more on-board tech, tweaking the design inside and out, and introducing new mild-hybrid engine options to the range. New front and rear end designs bring the Coupé in line with the standard GLC range, while Mercedes’ latest MBUX infotainment system with voice control has been added. The 2.0-litre petrol engines in the GLC 200 and 300 now feature EQ-Boost 48-volt mild-hybrid technology to improve fuel economy. End of the road for Infiniti sales in Europe INFINITI, the luxury arm of Nissan, has announced that it will stop selling vehicles in Europe next year. The Japanese brand shifted only 750 vehicles in this country in 2018 and has struggled to gain a foothold in…

● THOR dummy is more lifelike ● New tests from January 2020 Hugo_Griffiths@dennis.co.uk @hugo_griffiths CAR safety assessments will become even tougher next year thanks to the arrival of a new £600,000 crash-test dummy, and the introduction of an impact assessment that will require larger cars to do more to protect smaller vehicles. The new THOR (Test device for Human Occupant Restraint) dummy was developed by American crash-test experts, but it will be deployed for the first time as part of a series of changes to the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP). With myriad sensors for measuring acceleration, deceleration and impact forces, the THOR dummy offers significantly more ‘biofidelity’ – it’s closer to a human body in its responses – than the current crash-test dummy, used since the seventies.…

JAGUAR Land Rover (JLR) is recalling more than 44,000 cars that may emit more carbon dioxide than was recorded in official certification. The recall covers versions of the Jaguar XE, XF, E-Pace, F-Pace and F-Type, as well as the Land Rover Discovery (right) and Discovery Sport, and Range Rover Sport, Evoque and Velar, made between 2016 and 2019 and with 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines. JLR will contact owners and repairs will be carried out for free. The recall comes just weeks after the Land Rover Discovery TD6 outperformed a number of other cars in independent real-world pollution tests thanks to the impressively low levels of nitrogen oxide emissions it produced.…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn THE automotive industry is going through the biggest shake-up in its history, with every major brand focusing on electrifying its range of future models. As you’d expect, it’s a theme that will become immediately obvious in our rundown of some of the most important cars arriving in showrooms this year and beyond. Electrification is now at the heart of the industry – featuring in everything from superminis such as the Peugeot e-208 to supercars like the Aston Martin 003 – and will be for some time. A wave of new SUVs will also be flooding showrooms in the coming months, with Skoda, Vauxhall and Nissan all lining up new versions of some of the UK’s most popular crossovers. Be sure to read our comprehensive guide over the next…

MODEL TESTED: Alpine A110 Pure PRICE: £46,905 ENGINE: 1.8-litre 4cyl, 248bhp THE Alpine A110 arrived to great fanfare last year and in more expensive Premiere Edition trim just lost out to the 718 Cayman S. This cheaper, more pared-back £46,905 Pure rivals the standard 718 Cayman for price, so can it reverse the result of our Issue 1,524 test? Design & engineering WE love the Alpine’s refreshingly individual approach. Instead of opting for lots of power in a heavier chassis, the A110 makes do with a relatively modest 248bhp from its 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, which is linked to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. But the lightweight, bespoke aluminium chassis means the A110 weighs only 1,098kg – that’s 307kg lighter than the TT and 237kg less than the Cayman –…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Put off by lack of spare wheel I’M looking to replace my car, but I’ve been put off some potential candidates because they come with no spare wheel of any sort, just a pump and sealant. Is there a way round this? Fulton MacGregor, E-mail A MANUFACTURERS haven’t been required to supply a spare wheel with new cars since 2012, so this is a growing problem. Some makers have their own space-saver wheel alternatives, or Road Hero (www.road-hero.co.uk) offers a range of kits that come in a bag and include a jack, although you will almost inevitably lose some boot space. Q Using tech within the law I KNOW that holding your phone while driving can lead to points on your licence and a…

CORRECT tyre pressures are essential for your car to handle, brake and corner as it should. Pressures below those recommended mean poorer fuel economy and can cause uneven or illegal wear. So a 12V mini compressor is an investment rather than a cost, because it can save time and money while keeping you safer. Following its success in previous tests with the RAC635, Ring has now made the RTC1000. We set the newcomer against the second and third-placed compressors in our last round-up to see if it wins again. Points were awarded for specs such as hose and power-lead length, adaptors, a case, a clear display and a preset function. We timed the devices inflating a 15-inch tyre from 20 to 30psi, checking gauge accuracy at the start and finish,…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy TESLA has finally completed its line-up of saloons and SUVs with the launch of the Model Y, a sister car to the baby Model 3 saloon. Due on sale before the end of 2020, the newcomer promises similar performance to the Model 3, but with a higher seating position and improved cabin space. It will be manufactured at the Tesla Gigafactory in Nevada – the same site where the company’s batteries are assembled – and will give the fledgling American brand a key model to take on the forthcoming blitz of small electric SUVs from established, mainstream auto companies. Three versions of the Model Y are planned for the car’s launch. The default will be the Long Range, which can crack 0-60mph in 5.5 seconds, reach a top…

● 508 concept leads the way ● Hot hatches will follow Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @AxleIngram FUTURE hot hatchbacks and saloons from Peugeot Sport will all feature some form of electrification, company bosses have revealed to Auto Express. At the recent Geneva Motor Show, the French brand signalled its intention to develop a hot version of the 508 saloon with the Sport Engineered concept. However, Peugeot Sport boss Bruno Famin stated that, from now on, “there will be no more pure combustion-engined performance cars”. This announcement has significant bearing on the future of the hot hatch market, with confirmation that both the 208 GTi and 308 GTi will not be replaced – at least in their current petrol-powered form. Instead, Peugeot Sport will develop a range of fast plug-in hybrids and, although still…

JEEP will bolster its SUV range by introducing a new seven-seat model as well as the larger Grand Wagoneer, the boss of parent company FCA has told Auto Express. “We’ve made some announcements for investments in our US plants, which are really important for us because that brings two additional products to our Jeep portfolio,” said Mike Manley. “One is the large SUV segment. There are relatively few competitors in there, but it could be great for Jeep and we’ll bring back the Grand Wagoneer at that time.” Jeep’s Range Rover rival will be followed by a fresh three-row SUV; this will sit alongside a new Grand Cherokee but is unlikely to wear the legendary nameplate. “We’ll have the choice of Grand Cherokee or a different model,” explained Manley. “For…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress Write to: Watchdog/Letters, Auto Express, Dennis Publishing Ltd, 31-32 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7DP HOT TOPIC Auto speed limiters FROM: Paul Nichols TRUCK and coach drivers have had limiters fitted to their vehicles for years. I can’t see a problem. If so many drivers completely ignore speed limits, something has to be done. This move will be good for the environment and road users. FROM: Richard Lockwood THE choice to turn the limiter off will more than likely be taken away. Then what will happen when you need to exceed the speed limit momentarily for the purposes of safety? It’s not always speed that kills, but a lack of ability from the driver. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “Time to buy and really look after a decent…

MODEL TESTED: Porsche 718 Cayman PRICE: £44,959 ENGINE: 2.0-litre flat-four, 296bhp FOR years the Cayman has had things its own way in this sector, but new and refreshed rivals like its two competitors here have brought things closer. Now that the 718 Cayman is the entry point into Porsche’s sports car range – it used to be the Boxster – the German coupé has got some tough opponents, so can it continue its winning ways? Design & engineering THE Porsche 718 Cayman offers something neither of its rivals in this test can: a manual gearbox. This six-speed entry-level Cayman costs £44,959, so is on par with the TT S for price and undercuts the Alpine by around £2,000. Of course, you can also spec a seven-speed PDK model, which levels…

THE Mitsubishi L200 has been named Best Pick-up at every Auto Express New Car Awards since 2015 – so even with a new model on the way, this is still the truck to beat. One of the L200’s most impressive aspects is its composed ride. It’s not the last word in comfort – the much more expensive Mercedes X-Class is – but what the Mitsubishi manages is composure in spite of its agricultural chassis set-up. It uses a body-on-frame construction, like most pick-ups, along with leaf-spring rear suspension. This means it is good at all the things a truck should be, such as carrying a heavy load or off-roading, but the L200 doesn’t bounce and shake on normal roads like the Musso does. With nothing in the load bay, the…

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @AxleIngram IT wasn’t too long ago when there seemed to be only two ways a South Korean car maker could woo UK buyers. The first would be to give a huge warranty, and the second was to offer a standard equipment list so long that you’d spend the full duration of that cover learning to use it. Take a quick glance at the spec sheet of the new car I’m running on our fleet, the Kia Ceed GT-Line S, and it seems the same tactics are still being employed. The seven-year warranty is there and, for the £27,185 price, Kia has thrown in every gadget at its disposal. On the outside, there are 18-inch alloy wheels, a sporty grille, twin tailpipes and a small spoiler, but it does without…

Alfa Romeo Giulia Iss 1,534, 1,544, 1,550, 1,565 Audi A6 Avant Issues 1,555, 1,558, 1,566 CupraAteca Issue 1,564 Dacia Duster Issues 1,561, 1,564 Ford Fiesta ST Issues 1,552, 1,557, 1,561 Hyundai Kona Electric Iss 1,551, 1,556, 1,561, 1,566 Kia Ceed New arrival Mazda 6 Issues 1,549, 1,555, 1,560 MercedesA-Class Issues 1,550, 1,559 Mercedes G-Class Issue 1,565 Mercedes X-Class Issues 1,547, 1,557, 1,563 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Iss 1,545, 1,553, 1,559, 1,562 Nissan Leaf Iss 1,533, 1,551, 1,555, 1,560 Volkswagen Polo Issues 1,549, 1,558, 1,562 VolvoV60 Issues 1,553, 1,560…

Rapid Response Dr Stephen Olvey (Evro Publishing, www.evropublishing.com) Price: £25 AUTHOR Olvey has been active in motorsport over the past 30 years, particularly in the safety aspects of US open-wheel racing and NASCAR. So even though the prose can be awkward and some details don’t tally, this will interest racing fans; it shows how far trackside care has come. DB4 GT Continuation: History in the making James Page (Porter Press, porterpress.co.uk) Price: £40 THE beauty of this book is learning about the attention to detail Aston took in reverse-engineering the DB4 to create modern continuation models. It’s a joy to read about – and look at, via the stunning photographs – the process of re-manufacturing these beauties. Yet you don’t need too heavy a working knowledge of Aston’s past. Mini…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Sponsored by Q Sale price not up to scratch I GOT a good offer from a car-buying site for my old motor, but when I went to hand it over, staff knocked hundreds of pounds off for some scratches. Is this normal? Kevin Tobies, E-mail A IT can be. The terms and conditions will have stated the offer was preliminary and the car had to be inspected before a deal could be made. Some buyers are happy with the convenience and prices offered by car-buying firms, but if you need cash quickly for a new car, you could find yourself accepting a lower price than you want. Q Should I go for part-worns? A GARAGE has just opened down the road from me and…

● Leader Bird under pressure ● Series’ first visit to Sanya Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk VIRGIN Racing’s Sam Bird will battle to defend a slim points lead at this weekend’s Formula E race in Sanya, China. The Briton won on the road last time out in Hong Kong, but was hit with a post-race penalty for contact with DS Techeetah driver Andre Lotterer, so victory instead went to Venturi Racing’s Edoardo Mortara. An angry Lotterer, who had been on course for the win until the incident, said afterwards: “It’s pretty sad, obviously. I thought it was going to be my race and he just used me to stop. The race was fair up to that point, but it’s what you’d call a disgusting move; it’s not really the way we should race.” Those…

TOP Formula 1 drivers have led tributes to the sport’s long-standing race director Charlie Whiting, who died suddenly in the lead-up to last weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix. Whiting was chief mechanic at Bernie Ecclestone’s Brabham team, playing a key role in Nelson Piquet’s world title wins in 1981 and 1983, before moving to work with the FIA, first as technical delegate, in 1988. He had subsequently served as the Formula 1 race director since 1997. Sebastian Vettel said: “He was someone you could ask anything. He was open to everyone, his door was always open,” while Daniel Ricciardo commented: “He was there for us. We gave him a hard time, we would press him and push him and make him work, but he was receptive and you always felt…

FORMULA 1 bosses are hoping that the yet-to-be-defined new rules being planned for the 2021 season can attract new entrants to the sport, boosting the current grid of 10 teams back to 12. Liberty Media’s Chase Carey (right)told the press at last weekend’s Australian Grand Prix that there is “real interest” from new teams – as long as the sport can provide them a structure “that they think enables it to be something they could enter more constructively”.…

ELON Musk playfully declared that he’s “bringing sexy back” in reference to Tesla’s model line-up – S, 3, X and, now, Y. Following the baby SUV’s reveal at the company’s Los Angeles design studio, Auto Express had the opportunity to take a ride around Musk’s SpaceX headquarters. We found the Model Y’s cabin to be a masterpiece of minimalism. It boasts a 15-inch rectangular infotainment touchscreen perched on a simple dash, with a strip of unvarnished wood breaking up the swathes of grey plastic. The panoramic glass roof adds to the natural ambience, and the seats, made from vegan materials, are a nod to the brand’s sustainable purpose. Our brief ride around the SpaceX facility was in a Dual-Motor AWD version of the Model Y, which can do 0-60mph in…

James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor Behind the wheel of all-new Evoque REPLACING the best-selling Evoque must be one of the biggest challenges a car firm has faced in recent times. While the Evoque Mk2 looks oh-so-similar to the first one, the body is all new. The platform and engines are fresh, too – but is it a winner? Deputy editor John McIlroy finds out. Raise a smile at Geneva out-takes EVERY year we cover the Geneva Motor Show, and every time we film all the star cars. The operation is just as well oiled and professional as you’d expect – but it’s not always straightforward. This year there were many out-takes; head over to the Auto Express YouTube channel to see the best ones. You can watch any of our videos on your…

THE following provide help with motoring problems. Some services are free, others charge a fee or operate on premium-rate lines (p), while some offer advice for members only (m) Legal AA: 0345 850 1130 (m) RAC: 0330 159 1446 (m) Which?: 01992 878329 Citizens Advice Consumer helpline: 03454 040506 Local Trading Standards Local Citizens Advice Bureau Used car inspections AA: 0800 056 8040 RAC: 0330 159 0720 Technical advice AA: 0370 142 0002 (m) Driving licences DVLA: 0300 790 6801 Car registration/history HPI: 01722 422422 AA: 0800 316 3564 DVLA: 0300 790 6802 RAC: 0330 159 0364 Traffic information AA: 0906 888 4322 RAC: 09003 444999 (p) Problems with dealers The Motor Ombudsman: 0345 241 3008 Consumer Ombudsman: www.consumer-ombudsman.org RMIF: 0845 305 4230 Scottish Motor Trade Assoc. 0131 331 5510…

Running costs 53.3mpg (official) £52 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 8.5 seconds/110mph Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @AxleIngram THE new car market’s trend towards SUVs continues to gather pace, and the latest example comes in the distinctive shape of the new Lexus UX. It’s the brand’s rival for the BMW X2 and Audi Q2, but it looks set to poach sales from the ageing CT hatchback, too, if not replace it altogether. We first drove the UX last summer (Issue 1,541), but it’s taken nearly seven months for the car to arrive in the UK. This is the smallest of the brand’s three SUVs, and as it’s equipped with a petrol-electric hybrid system, it seems like a perfect candidate for town driving. So is it worth considering over its more established rivals? The UX is…

MODEL TESTED: Audi TTS PRICE: £44,565 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 302bhp THE Audi TTS was always an impressive all-weather, affordable performance coupé, and this mid-life update won’t have changed things. There are tweaks in areas to keep the car fresh, so let’s find out what this £44,565 flagship is like. Design & engineering THE TT is still based on the VW Group’s MQB platform, so it has a front-mounted engine paired with MacPherson struts. But the TTS has quattro four-wheel drive, which necessitates a multi-link set-up at the rear. Its 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine now boasts a petrol particulate filter, which has affected the power output. This is actually down by 4bhp compared with the pre-facelift model, at 302bhp, but maximum torque has risen by 20Nm, to 400Nm overall. The TTS…

Audi TT S MMI Navigation Standard Key features: Digital dash, nav THE TT S gets Audi’s 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit as standard. This takes the place of conventional dials and is even more configurable than the Alpine’s instrument panel. That’s because the infotainment is displayed on here, too, so you can choose to have sat-nav in widescreen in front of you, or multimedia, phone and driving data. The speedometer is always displayed somewhere on the unit. While the lack of a central screen can take a little getting used to, Audi’s menu layout is intuitive and the set-up responds quickly, so you’re rarely left looking for the feature you’re after. It also means you only have to flick your gaze down from the road ahead, which is safer than trying to…

Brembo brightens up its range of calipers BRAKE manufacturer Brembo displayed its latest innovation at the recent Geneva Motor Show. Forget coloured brake calipers; what about fluorescent, glittered or camouflage versions? The company has added a range of new graphic textures and finishes to its line-up of calipers. Nine were shown in Geneva, including leopard-print, matte-grey concrete, red with tartan and two inspired by modern art. The caliper’s performance is unaffected by the finish and the range is on sale soon. For more information, visit www.brembo.com. Wear your love for the MX-5 with pride THE Mazda MX-5 celebrates its 30th birthday this year, and what better way to mark the occasion than with a T-shirt? The new garment from 69PitStop is available in blue, black and green, and carries an Americanised…

Motoring’s most outspoken and opinionated columnist sounds off “In China, India and Brazil, working-class folk have wealth like never before. But they’re just not signing up for new cars” SORRY, I got it wrong. A couple of years back I slipped into forecasting mode (similar to and almost as dangerous as betting on the horses), and predicted consumers of the world would by now be buying or leasing at least 100 million new cars a year. Truth is, this hasn’t happened. The relentless growth in car sales we’ve witnessed over recent decades has, for now at least, stalled. Only around 86 million private individuals and businesses signed up for fresh-from-the-factory vehicles last year. That’s fewer than in 2017, and 2019 is expected to be another flat year. As far as…