Innholdsfortegnelse for 1721 i Auto Express

James_Brodie@autovia.co.uk @JPBrods EIGHTEEN months from now, MINI will introduce the fourth generation of one of Britain’s most popular models – the MINI Hatch. Massive changes are coming with this iteration of the BMW-owned brand’s take on the British icon, and Auto Express has been to Sweden to try the all-new MINI for the first time from the passenger seat. The three-door version of the hatch will be built in China and launch as a fully electric model on a brand-new platform, developed in Europe by BMW specifically for MINI. A petrol version of the car with a five-door option will also be offered, with the same exterior dimensions and styling, but built at the brand’s plant in Oxford on an evolution of the current ICE car’s platform. Here, we’re trying…

Abarth 595 and 695 refreshed for 2022 ABARTH has updated its 595 and 695 hot hatchbacks for 2022 (above) with prices starting from £21,295. The 161bhp 595 can be ordered in style-focused Turismo trim or in sportier F595 guise. Similarly, the 178bhp Abarth 695 is offered in Turismo and Competizione specs. Seven new specification packs have been added to the range, including a ‘Racing Style Pack’ for the 695, which introduces an adjustable spoiler. Convertible versions of both the 595 and 695 remain available. Roads repair backlog reaches £13bn THE backlog of essential carriageway repairs needed to bring UK roads up to standard has reached £12.64billion, according to figures published by the Asphalt Industry Alliance. The AIA’s annual ALARM survey says that despite an average rise in highway maintenance budgets…

AUDI is looking beyond conventional versions of the eventual production-spec A6 Avant e-tron with potential for a high-performance RS 6 Avant e-tron model, according to board member for technical development, Oliver Hoffman. “The PPE platform has a wide range in terms of power output,” he told Auto Express. “From my time at Audi Sport, for me it’s very clear when we present an electric A6 there also has to be some performance versions.” At the other end of Audi’s line-up, boss Markus Duesmann confirmed at its annual conference that an all-electric successor to the A3 was also in the works.…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress FROM: Stephen Justice FOR many drivers, the noise of a high-powered car is a big part of the excitement, but surely the critical aspects are acceleration, speed and handling? Spectators may value the noise, but it doesn’t influence performance. FROM: Matt McMullen THE fun of driving is the noise, and changing through the gears is part of the experience. You can have loads of fun in a small, lightweight hot hatchback, but an EV doesn’t have that same feeling. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “The shift to electric from noisy, smelly petrol go-karts didn’t compromise fun at all.” Warwick Bradley ■ “I drove the new BMW i4 M50 recently and it was a lot of fun from behind the wheel.” Jacob Clark ■ “The novelty of instant…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram Running costs 52.3mpg (official) £67 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 8.9 seconds/136mph THE Ford Fiesta is small in stature, but when it comes to sales, it’s an absolute giant. It’s been at or near the top of the UK charts ever since it first arrived almost 50 years ago, and it became a permanent fixture at the head of the table when it wrestled the crown from its big brother, the Focus, in 2009. But times change, and last year the Fiesta saw its grip on the number one spot slip into the hands of an arch-rival, the Vauxhall Corsa. Now, Ford is fighting back with a revised Fiesta – but what does it offer to help the Blue Oval reclaim its position at the top? The first thing…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram Performance 0-62mph/top speed 8.6 seconds/127mph Running costs 45.1mpg (official) £80 fill-up Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 445/1,290 litres VOLKSWAGEN’S T-Roc has always been a solid competitor in the compact crossover class, but a mid-life update is aiming not only to bolster its already strong appeal, but also to answer one or two criticisms it received first time round. It was already among the more distinctive-looking cars in the class, which when faced with competition that looks as wildly different as a Toyota C-HR and the Citroen C3 Aircross, is really important to earn it a second look. There are changes here, which reference models such as the Mk8 Golf and the recently revised Polo. There’s a tweaked grille with a full-width LED strip linking the full LED lights. The…

BEFORE ‘digital’ had to be considered, prestige could be conveyed on a car by an elegant mascot, or a badge with a complicated shield or crest – suggestive of regal or heraldic importance or great history. Alfa Romeo and Cadillac are two examples of current car brands still taking the complex crest approach, while elaborate real-metal mascots were commonplace before frontal crash legislation became a glint in safety administrators’ eyes. Take a wander around a good classic car show and you still might find examples of the latter (some of which are from now largely defunct brands), including Pierce Arrow’s bowman and Hispano Suiza’s stork (right). Sadly, the bonnet-top mascot approach has largely died, bar Rolls-Royce’s 2022 interpretation of the Spirit of Ecstasy and Mercedes’ evergreen three-pointed star. Crucially both…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler IN A year full of electrification for Nissan, the Ariya is probably the most important of its five electrified cars going on sale in 2022. We’re not due to see the Ariya in the UK until the summer, but Auto Express was invited to a private test track to drive a pre-production model. Not that you’d notice that these cars were early models; fit and finish were one of the many things to impress us about the Ariya. You’ll only have four flavours of Ariya to pick from. Our car is where the range starts, the Advance model that has a 66kWh battery (of which 63kWh is usable), a 214bhp motor and two-wheel drive. Nissan folk were excited to tell us that the official homologation figures had just…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @alliecrooks THE new Nissan Ariya looks like it will have a tough objective. The brand’s latest EV sits in the mid-size SUV sector, with clear water between it and the firm’s pioneering and popular Leaf electric hatch. It has both eyes on premium EVs such as the Tesla Model Y, Audi Q4 e-tron and BMW iX3. You could add plenty more manufacturers’ names to that list, such is the popularity of electric SUVs in the current market. The Ariya will have to include all the traits we’ve seen turn the Sunderland-built Leaf into a globally successful EV, along with plenty of upmarket flourishes, too. In advance of the Ariya hitting UK showrooms this summer, we assembled some prospective buyers to have a look around the new Nissan and deliver…

Performance 0-62mph/top speed 5.5 seconds/149mph Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 361/1,143 litres Running costs 33.2mpg (on test) £80 fill-up/£155 or 37% tax MODELTESTED: Hyundai Kona N PRICE: £35,745 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 276bhp THE Hyundai Kona N is the first SUV to wear the Korean firm’s performance badge. There’s just one version offered, the 2.0 T-GDi with an eightspeed twin-clutch gearbox. It’s priced at £35,745 and the only options are different paint colours. Design & engineering COMPACT dimensions and squat looks mean that the Hyundai Kona is well suited to a performance car makeover. For the N version, Hyundai has fitted sportier suspension and added a chunky bodykit, and there’s a new front-end design with three air intakes set above the grille, which has a blacked-out Hyundai logo placed in the centre.…

1st FORD THERE’S one car that defines the small performance SUV sector, and it’s the Puma ST. It’s not as fast as the Kona N in a straight line, and it doesn’t have the same level of electronic assistance, either, but it doesn’t need it. Its entertaining chassis, torquey engine and well judged suspension mean it’s a great all-rounder that could be considered a performance car bargain. 2nd HYUNDAI THE Kona N is certainly a punchy performance car, but even though there are numerous ways to set up the engine, steering and suspension, it never feels as cohesive as the Puma ST. It’s too firm to be everyday family transport, while the N settings take everything to the extreme. Factor in a higher price for a car that’s no more practical than…

Running costs 42.9mpg (on test) £80 fill-up/£155 or 33% tax Performance 0-62mph/top speed 8.7 seconds/129mph Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 426/1,378 litres OF the four models that make up the wider Ceed family, it’s the XCeed that looks the most distinctive from the outside. Indeed, the front doors are the only outer panels that are shared with the rest of the line-up, while the car’s overall silhouette, and details, such as the head and tail-lights, are quite a departure from its namesakes. As with the C4, this includes a mildly jacked-up stance to give a crossover flavour, but the XCeed’s shape is softer and less challenging than its rival’s, and that will probably help it to find favour with a lot of buyers. Inside, the dashboard layout is near identical to…

Steve_Walker@autovia.co.uk Battery/charging 77kWh (usable capacity) 125kW DC Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 585/1,710 litres GOOD cars can sometimes be held to higher standards than their less accomplished cousins. In the absence of obvious flaws, there’s a tendency to dig a little deeper, even to amplify a minor negative into something more significant. Having had the pleasure of the Skoda Enyaq’s company for nigh-on six months, there’s definitely one problem that stands out in its otherwise-pristine copybook. But is the somewhat choppy low-speed ride on our car actually a big deal or one of these mountainous molehills? I’m coming down in the latter camp because, to a great extent, you can solve the Enyaq’s ride comfort issues yourself. The trick is, when you’re ordering, to not tick a box marked ‘21-inch Betria…

Audi Q4 e-tron Issues 1,711, 1,717 BMW 3 Series New arrival Citroen e-Berlingo Issue 1,718 Cupra Formentor Issues 1,695, 1,702, 1,714 Fiat 500 Issues 1,699, 1,710, 1,718 Ford Ranger Issues 1,694, 1,701, 1,713 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Issues 1,710, 1,715, 1,720 Lexus UX 300e Issues 1,713, 1,719 Nissan Qashqai Issues 1,707, 1,716 Peugeot 508 SW Issue 1,714 Polestar 2 Issue 1,719 Renault Capture-Tech Issues 1,705, 1,712, 1,720 Skoda Enyaq Issues 1,702, 1,712, 1,717 Vauxhall Mokka-e Issues 1,696, 1,706 Volkswagen ID.3 Issues 1,698, 1,704, 1,711, 1,717…

Riley and Wolseley Cars: A Pictorial History David Rowe (Veloce Publishing, veloce.co.uk) Price: £16.99 Rating: THIS book follows the same template as others in this pictorial history series. It’s a selection of photos the author has either taken or tracked down, usually at car shows or owners’ club events, plus a short history and spec guide for each model. Not exactly riveting, but detailed enough if you want to confirm a fact or two. And this edition has a slightly more interesting page layout than its predecessors’. Buckler Sports Cars, Specials and Karts Brian Malin (Self-published, aspect-design.net) Price: £40 Rating: SOMETIMES credited as the father of the UK’s kit car industry, Derek Buckler remains a relative unknown in the motoring world; this book aims to right that with a history…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@autovia.co.uk Q What’s best way to clean a car using garage jet wash? AM I the only one confused by garage jet washes? They have buttons for hot or cold waxes and foams, high and low-pressure rinses, and usually no explanation. I’m especially puzzled as to whether wax goes on last, or if it should be followed by a rinse? Damian Lister, E-mail A FIRST, get any lumps of muck off with the high-pressure rinse. Avoid the brush if you want to keep your paint pristine and scratch-free, because the chances are the user before you dropped it in the gravel. Instead, take your own fresh water rinsing bucket and a wash mitt to gently work the shampoo over body panels. Rinse again, dry with a…

LOOKING FOR A FANTASTIC DEAL ON A NEW BMW? Scan the QR code, enter your details and a BMW dealer will be in touch. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BMW HOW OUR GUIDE WORKS PERFORMANCE: This is the manufacturer’s claimed acceleration time for a car, and is measured from 0-60mph or 0-62mph (0-100kph), in seconds. ECONOMY/EMISSIONS/RANGE: Combined WLTP economy in miles per gallon, emissions in grams per kilometre of CO2 and maximum claimed range for EVs. Figures are achieved in the latest WLTP tests, but will vary according to equipment and are unlikely to be representative of everyday efficiency. INSURANCE: Group rating as quoted by the Association of British Insurers. WARRANTY: Next to each manufacturer’s name is the basic warranty period in months and miles for the mechanicals, corrosion and paintwork. EVs…

IN car-production terms, 2021 was the year of the audacious overtake. India and South Korea soared past Germany. Indonesia did the same to the UK. And the theme continued with under-estimated Spain doing the unthinkable by overtaking an over-confident USA that used to be the world’s No 1 car producer – but has now allowed itself to plummet to eighth place. Ouch. That must hurt. There’s no doubt that, of the major players, Germany, America, Mexico and Canada were among the big losers in 2021 compared with 2020, as all four suffered large decreases in output. But at the same time, rapidly emerging producers such as Argentina and Pakistan both doubled their car production year on year. It seems these two unlikely countries were not hit by the same level…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk • Three new models to join Mustang Mach-E • Electrified Puma set to join small SUV line-up in 2024 FOLLOWING its announcement of a new ‘Model e’ business division focusing on developing new EVs, Ford is going all in when it comes to electrification, launching three new all-electric SUVs by 2024. These will include a ‘Medium-sized Crossover’ previewed in our exclusive main image, a sleeker version of this – dubbed the ‘Sport Crossover’ by the company – and an all-electric version of its Puma compact SUV. Auto Express understands that the as-yet-unnamed, five-seat, mid-sized model will be more of a conventional SUV than a crossover. It’ll also be smaller than the firm’s Mustang Mach-E and will have a different attitude from that car’s. As part of the Blue Oval’s…

Yousuf_Ashraf@autovia.co.uk @ashrafoncars • Electric estate revealed • Up to 435 miles of range THE countdown for the electrification of Audi’s large estate cars has begun with the unveiling of the A6 Avant e-tron. Shown here in concept form, the production version will bear a close resemblance to this car when it’s revealed in 2024. The A6 Avant e-tron uses the same Premium Platform Electric (PPE) running gear as the forthcoming Q6 e-tron SUV, architecture that has been co-developed with Porsche. Power for the A6 Avant comes from a battery that holds “around 100kWh of energy”, and this is believed to be the target for the production version. It will be the biggest battery offered and is set to deliver up to 435 miles of range, according to Audi. With rapid…

LOTUS has revealed a four-cylinder version of its newest sports car, the Emira, confirming the output of the new Mercedes-AMG-powered variant of its Jaguar F-Type and Porsche Cayman rival. Joining the 3.5-litre V6 version of the Emira, the four-cylinder model uses the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine as the Mercedes-AMG A 45. In the Lotus it develops 360bhp, a little down on its output in the hot hatch. Drive goes to the rear wheels via an eight-speed DCT automatic gearbox – a bespoke version of the transmission developed by Lotus and AMG. Both versions of the Emira available to order now come in First Edition specification. The four-cylinder 360bhp car costs from £71,995, while the 395bhp 3.5-litre supercharged V6 model is priced at £75,995.…

Stuart_Milne@autovia.co.uk CORSAIR, Consul, Cortina, Sierra, Mondeo. The names have come and gone, but a big family saloon, hatchback or estate has been a constant in Ford’s line-up. But as you read this, the final European Mondeo is rolling off the line, bringing down the curtain on six decades of cars that are part of the automotive fabric of British motoring. It’s a big moment, but the Mondeo was the victim of changing tastes. In 2001, Ford shifted more than 86,000 Mondeos in the UK; in 2020 that slumped to just 2,400. The Valencia plant, where the final Mondeo will be built, will switch to sate growing demand for the 2.5-litre hybrid engine that powers the Kuga, and somewhat ironically, the Galaxy and S-Max that shared so much DNA with the…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram Running costs 31.7mpg (official) £98 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.6 seconds/144mph MUCH like the rest of Skoda’s seven-seat Kodiaq SUV range, the vRS performance flagship model has received a host of subtle cosmetic upgrades inside and out for 2022 to improve its appeal – along with one entirely more significant change under the bonnet. That’s because in a departure from the old twin-turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel, the latest vRS uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol unit with 242bhp. We’ll come onto what that’s done for the driving experience shortly, but the first impressions are defined by the vRS’s new look. The changes aren’t too drastic, but the new front end – which gains a wider, more upright grille – looks more imposing than before. The revised intake is flanked…

Stuart_Milne@autovia.co.uk NISSAN has an electric-car track record like no other. It launched the original Leaf to UK buyers 11 years ago this month, and the car became the world’s best-selling EV. But things move quickly in the automotive world, and nowhere more so than with electric vehicles, so big things are expected of the all-new Nissan Ariya. This is the right car at the right time for the brand, with buyers increasingly favouring SUVs and electric powertrains. It’s backed up by the option of four-wheel drive, two battery sizes and a claimed range of up to 310 miles. Over the next 24 pages, we’ll meet the teams that have made Nissan’s electric SUV a reality, and the man at the top of Nissan’s UK sales operations, MD Andrew Humberstone. Plus,…

Richard_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @rsp_ingram CREATING a genuinely global car isn’t without its challenges. Many manufacturers have tried, some have failed; one size often doesn’t fit all, and finding the right balance can be tricky. The new Nissan Ariya is one of these global cars – it’ll be built in Japan and sold largely unchanged around the world. But European tastes can be different to those of Asian or American customers, so how do you go about creating a car suitable for such a range of requirements? We visited Nissan’s European Technical Centre in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, to find out. Standing beside one of the site’s extensively tested preproduction prototypes – a car that has been to Barcelona and back, plus elsewhere in Europe – we first meet with Simon Fraser, Vehicle Project Manager…

Stephen_Errity@autovia.co.uk We entered first and foremost because Formula E is a perfect testbed from a technology standpointTOMMASO VOLPE Nissan global motorsport director IN the very early days of the car industry, the lines between research and development, testing on public roads and going motor racing could get very blurred. Fledgling manufacturers entered their creations in epic, but lethally dangerous, city-to-city races across Europe – in order to prove to themselves, as much as their potential customers, that these new-fangled ‘automobiles’ were up to the challenges of everyday driving, regardless of the weather or road conditions encountered. The growing professionalism and sophistication of motor racing in the years following World War II heralded a new era. It was one in which technical innovations perfected on a race track would before long…

Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.7 seconds/137mph Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 456/1,216 litres Running costs 39.5mpg (on test) £72 fill-up/£155 or 34% tax MODELTESTED: Ford Puma ST PRICE: £30,545 ENGINE: 1.5-litre 3cyl, 197bhp AS with the Kona N, the Puma ST is at the top of Ford’s small SUV range, so it gets a similar set of visual and performance upgrades. It’s not quite as powerful as the Hyundai, and it costs less, too, with this Performance Pack model coming in at £30,545. Design & engineering THE Kona and Puma use running gear from different-sized hatchbacks, but place them side-by-side, and there’s not much between them in terms of dimensions. However, while Hyundai has kitted out its N model with styling upgrades to help it stand out from the rest of the…

NEW: MINI Countryman JCW PRICE: £38,325 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 302bhp ANOTHER leftfield choice in the fast SUV sector, the Countryman John Cooper Works has nearly 100bhp more than the Puma ST, and four-wheel drive delivers all-weather capability. It’s a more practical family car, too, with more passenger space. USED: BMW X3 M40i PRICE: £36,400 ENGINE: 3.0-litre 6cyl, 349bhp THE latest X3 is a great family SUV that’s also surprisingly fun to drive in any guise. However, for the price of a new Kona N, you can pick up a 2018 example of the M40i, which comes with a potent straight-six petrol engine.…

WHILE the C4 sits in its own little niche in terms of bodystyle, it also stands out because of the bits you can’t see. In addition to the petrol model that we’re testing here, it’s possible to choose diesel and fully electric powertrains, too. Then there’s the mechanical layout. While Citroen has long abandoned complex hydropneumatic suspension systems, the brand has turned to a simpler set-up that it hopes will give the C4 a very distinctive feel. We’re testing the top-spec Shine Plus model here with a recent addition to the engine range – a PureTech 155 petrol. This is priced at £28,490 before options. FOR AND AGAINST + For: Soft ride is a refreshing change from so many family hatches, roomy rear seats, frugal engine, strong performance - Against:…

Running costs 45.8mpg (on test) £80 fill-up/£155 or 32% tax Performance 0-62mph/top speed 8.5 seconds/129mph Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 380/1,250 litres AFTER an extended period where Citroen seemed to lose its identity, recent models have started to embrace some of the qualities that made its classic models so desirable. That’s clearly evident just by looking at the C4, whose quirky design ensures it stands out on the road not just beside the XCeed, but also against almost any other hatchback. Elements such as the scuff-protecting ‘airbump’ plastic cladding prove that some sensible steps have been sought, but true to traditional Citroen oddness, not all of the design decisions seem to have been taken with absolute practicality in mind. Take that bluff back end; the squared-off shape for the bootlid has…

products@autoexpress.co.uk Running costs 28.0mpg (on test) £121 fill-up Practicality Payload/towing weight 1,024/3,500kg THERE’S no doubt that the Ford Ranger is the workhorse of the Auto Express fleet, because even when the weather makes long trips less appealing and our pick-up is only notching up a few hundred miles a month, it’s still earning its keep. As you can see in the pictures, the Ranger is not in its usual showroom finish, because this report falls in the middle of my annual car-care product testing. And the last thing I need during this period is a clean car. So the few miles I’ve done since the turn of the year have added a much-needed layer of winter grime. Those big side panels will be playing host to a snow foam test…

It’s game on with Hagerty Collection HAGERTY has partnered with racing game Gran Turismo 7 to create a car collection for use in-game. The Legend Cars Dealer will house the Hagerty Collection of more than 70 models of all forms, eras and performance levels. There’s a detailed history of each car, and they can all be purchased for use in-game. Hagerty Drivers Club members get a custom model from the Hagerty Collection, too, a benefit that renews each year with a different car. Gran Turismo 7 is available now for PlayStation 4 and 5 consoles. Visit gran-turismo.com for further details. Tune in to the sound of Polestar with Lisa POLESTAR has created a unique soundtrack for its retail locations worldwide. Swedish composer and musician Lisa Nordstrom has written a soundscape…

PRODUCT GROUP TEST 23|3|2022 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 CHARGING your phone while you drive is sensible, especially if you use it for work. Many of the latest smartphones have fastcharge capability, but you’ll need a suitable USB adaptor to take advantage of this great feature in-car. And of course, it can also be used to charge a tablet, sat-nav, MP3 player, handheld game console or other devices. Most chargers boost the standard 5V CLA output to 9V, using the original USB sockets or the latest symmetrical USB-C connection. Depending on your device, you may need an adaptor plug and cable, which will should be added to the…

CO2/tax 115-118g/km £155 Running costs 62-64mpg (1.6 B’HDi 120) £90 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 11.4 seconds/113mph PEUGEOT built its first car in 1889, and for most of the time since then its focus has been on producing affordable, family-friendly vehicles. It was among the first to offer estate cars, hatchbacks, MPVs and SUVs, and although its first attempts at the latter weren’t especially convincing, when the firm decided to turn its 2008, 3008 and 5008 into proper crossovers (the original 3008 and 5008 were more like MPVs), they were far more desirable and much more popular as a result. We ran a 5008 on our fleet in 2018 and were impressed with its supportive seats, comfortable ride, cavernous interior, user-friendly (and great-sounding) infotainment system, plus its engaging handling. We also…

James_Brodie@autovia.co.uk @JPBrods • SUV slots beneath Levante • Electric version due in 2023 ITALIAN manufacturer Maserati has revealed the new model that it hopes will kick-start its revival: the Grecale, a new mid-size SUV to rival the Porsche Macan. The Macan is a strong seller for Porsche, and Maserati hopes that the Grecale will pull off a similar trick. It’s based on a heavily updated version of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio’s Giorgio platform, enabling not just petrol versions, but also a fully electric model, which will be the first in the brand’s ‘Folgore’ electrification plan (see below). Going on sale in the second half of 2022, the Grecale incorporates elements of the MC20 sports car’s design in an SUV package, with what the brand calls a more ‘vertical’ design language.…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler A HYBRID hole in the latest Nissan Qashqai’s armoury is about to be filled with the arrival of the Qashqai e-Power, and Auto Express has driven it. The e-Power is purely electric-driven, with its 188bhp motor fed directly by an inverter and a battery or a new 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine that’ll also recharge the battery. “It’s an EV unplugged,” says Nissan Europe boss Guillaume Cartier. We drove a pre-production prototype, but it gave us a good feel for what’s good about e-Power – and it does feel like driving an EV at low speeds. The engine can be heard, especially when you accelerate hard as it provides power to the battery and motor. Although the car uses a single-speed gearbox, the engine revs away like a CVT automatic –…

End of the road for Godzilla in Europe PRODUCTION of the European-spec Nissan GT-R (above) ceases at the end of March. In an official statement the brand said: “13 years after its European introduction as the icon of accessible automotive high performance, we can confirm that European GT-R production will end in March 2022 due to the new EU & UK drive-by noise regulations starting 1 July 2022.” Minister taken to task over EV claims THE RAC has called out Environment Minister George Eustice for spreading ‘negative myths about electric cars’, specifically around non-exhaust emissions from brake pad and tyre wear. Eustice suggested quantities of fine particulates (PM 2.5s) generated from an EV’s tyres and brakes are often thought to be worse than for an equivalent ICE car. But the…

alastair_crooks@autovia.co.uk • 690bhp, 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds • Limited edition already sold out ASTON Martin has outlined its electric future, but the British luxury brand isn’t finished with petrol power yet – and to prove it, it has revealed a new V12 Vantage. The fastest and most powerful roadgoing version of Aston’s entry model to date makes use of the 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 also found in the larger DB11 and the DBS Superleggera, tuned here to deliver 690bhp and 753Nm of torque. Aston claims that the V12 Vantage cracks the 0-62mph sprint in 3.5 seconds and can reach 200mph. Power is sent through an eight-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels only, in contrast with the four-wheel-drive rivals, such as the Porsche 911 Turbo S. The V12 Vantage has also…

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) 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: 0113 222 2010 AA: 0800 316 3564 DVLA: 0300 790 6802 RAC: 0808 164 1923 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 Problems with…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk Running costs 23mpg (official) Performance 0-62mph/top speed 3.4 seconds/196mph “THE GT4 RS started life as a car, not as a Powerpoint presentation,” explains the boss of Porsche’s legendary GT department, Andreas Preuninger, as he introduces us to its latest creation. This is the man who’s been responsible for an entire generation of Porsche’s very best sports cars over the past 15 years, but even he becomes visibly and audibly emotional when talking about his new baby. It is, he says shaking his head, just an incredible car. One that has “a very big heart”. And a very powerful engine in its guts. The motor in question is a 4.0-litre flat-six that’s been lifted straight from the rear of the 911 GT3, and the only reason it has 10bhp less…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler THIS is a pivotal year for Nissan, revolving around electrification, with not only the Ariya, but also the Qashqai e-Power and the hybrid Juke arriving in UK showrooms. So how is the company gearing up for the new models? We caught up with Andrew Humberstone, vice-president and managing director of Nissan GB, to find out. In spite of the challenges the past couple of years have thrown at the car business, Nissan GB and its dealers are in rude health after a particularly strong 2021. “We’ve had a really good year,” said Humberstone. “Starting with the investment in Sunderland, the technology we’re looking at there in terms of the plant and in terms of the Gigafactory with the batteries, it was all a good positioning for us. “It’s…

James_Brodie@autovia.co.uk @jimmybrods “I THINK the project started with a lot of questions”, begins Matt Weaver, Nissan Design Europe’s vice president, and the person who oversaw the design of what Nissan believes is its most important new car for a generation. He and his close allies, Lesley Busby and Chetan Chohan, have been working relentlessly on the Ariya project, tasked with the not-so insignificant brief of making it look as good as possible. Auto Express sat down with all three of them to learn first hand about the process that unfolded. The Ariya ticks a lot of new boxes for Nissan. It’s the brand’s first car on the all-electric CMF-EV platform, the first using a new design language, and despite Nissan’s electric car history, perhaps the firm’s first proper long-range EV…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler NISSAN’S history when it comes to sports cars is arguably even greater than its journey through electrification – it’s certainly longer. With a roster of Zs, GT-Rs and the occasional (and usually excellent) hot hatch, fast fun is very much part of Nissan’s DNA. The firm is also proving to be a dab hand at making great, fast electric cars, too, whether that’s a Nismo version of the Leaf or with the race-winning Nissan e.dams Formula E team. Now it’s using its sporting credentials to prove what can be done with the new Ariya’s powertrain in the stunning shape of the Ariya Single Seater Concept. This sleek race car has been styled by the Nissan Design Europe (NDE) team based at its studios in Paddington, London. There’s a…

Hyundai Kona N 10.25-inch touchscreen Key features: 5yrs live services, Krell audio WE’RE big fans of Hyundai’s infotainment system, and it delivers the goods here in the Kona N. The 10.25-inch screen is large and has sharp graphics, while the icon buttons on the home screen are bolstered by the row of physical shortcut buttons underneath. The system is quick to react to inputs and is easy to navigate, while the two rotary controls offer speedy adjustment of volume and either audio or sat-nav settings. There’s an extra ‘N’ button on the main touchscreen that features some options that you might like to use on a race track, including a lap timer, data logger and G-force meter. Digital dials come in three display settings depending on which mode you’re in,…

TRACTION WHILE neither car has four-wheel drive, they do have settings for their traction control systems that will help in slippery conditions. Hyundai offers snow, mud and sand profiles, while the Puma has normal, sport, trail and slippery settings. Suffice to say, these cars’ low-profile tyres are likely to scupper any potential off-roading before you get anywhere near the rough stuff. SOUNDS THE three-cylinder thrum of the Puma ST’s engine gives it an advantage for aural thrills, although a synthesiser is used to pump its sound into the cabin. In comparison, the Kona N is left lacking. Selecting N mode means there are various pops, crackles and burps from the exhaust system, but they are rather muted. That’s a shame, because the car’s intense driving experience is well suited to…

THE Cee’d name was introduced in 2006 with the Mk1 family hatchback, which was originally positioned as a rival for the VW Golf. Two generations later – and minus the apostrophe – the Ceed is now more than capable of matching the best in the class, and there are four bodystyles to choose from: the five-door, estate, rakish Proceed shooting brake and this SUV-inspired XCeed are now available. Until recently, Kia offered a dual-clutch automatic XCeed. While this would have been perfect against the C4, Kia has stated that a mix of “unprecedented demand” and “new supply challenges” means it’s not currently offered, so we’re testing a manual XCeed here. FOR AND AGAINST + For: Brilliant infotainment system, excellent standard equipment, strong warranty, large boot, competitive finance deals - Against:…

6 ISSUES FOR £1 Then if you continue to subscribe after your trial you pay from just £26.99 every three months (saving you 43%). If for any reason you’re not satisfied you can cancel at any time and receive a refund on any unmailed issues. WELCOME TO THE FAMILY We offer every subscriber a free welcome gift when they come on board. This month get a bottle STP® Complete Fuel System Cleaner worth £14.99. DELIVERED FREE Every issue is delivered to your door, free of charge. It’ll arrive in paper packaging, too, making it easier than ever to recycle. For convenience, scan our QR code with your camera phone for quick access to our secure online store! YOUR FREE GIFT Subscribe to Auto Express today and get a free STP®…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk Q Is cordless OK to wash bikes? I’VE been looking at cordless pressure washers advertised online, because I want to clean my mountain bikes before putting them in the car. Are they any good? Paul Dean, E-mail A THEY’RE a step behind mains-powered units, but for bike washing you don’t want huge amounts of power. They will rinse and clean cars, but don’t expect to shift heavy grime. Our pick is the Ryobi EZClean, which is part of its One+ line-up, costing around £140, so allow extra for a charger and battery if you are new to the system. Q Combating cracks in tyres I READ John Wood’s inquiry (Issue 1,717) with interest, because I have had to replace a set of tyres due to small…

WHEN assembling the tools to start almost any job on a car, most of us will reach for a can of lubricating spray, usually the one in a blue and yellow can. But we established in a previous test that WD-40 isn’t always the best performer. Bilt-Hamber’s Ferrosol won our last test. It may seem pricey, but was best in all our criteria: protecting against rust, lubricating, penetrating rusty threads and displacing moisture. Now it faces a stiffer challenge from a new competitor: Bulldog BDX. It might not be a familiar name and the cost may cause a sharp intake of breath, even compared to the ‘premium’ price of the Ferrosol. BDX matched Ferrosol in almost all our tasks, including rust protection. It was slightly less effective as a lubricant,…

GOVERNING body the FIA is to consider changing World Rally Championship (WRC) rules that have forced competitors to retire from recent rounds due to problems with their cars’ new-for-2022 hybrid systems. Both Hyundai’s Ott Tänak and Toyota’s Elfyn Evans had to withdraw from Rally Sweden when malfunctioning hybrid systems triggered warning lights on their cars. Under current rules, entrants cannot proceed if this light is showing. For safety reasons, teams are also unable to work on cars with the warning light showing until the hybrid system supplier has given them the all-clear. The new-generation hybrid Rally1 cars are capable of driving on combustion power alone, however, and Hyundai and Toyota have called for this to be allowed in order to cut down on unnecessary retirements.…