Innholdsfortegnelse for 1832 i Auto Express

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk ● US firm readies model blitz ● New CEO has a clear vision “The new Compass will likely include two design options, with a basic offering and a ‘Trail Rated’ model” US off-road brand Jeep is about to undergo a period of huge change, as it makes full use of the technology and scale of its Stellantis parent company. This will lead to the creation of a whole new generation of models, starting in Europe with a brand-new Compass compact SUV. Led by recently installed CEO Antonio Filosa, Jeep’s grand plan will arrive with both electric and combustion powertrains and with varying levels of off-road ability. But no vehicle will let go of its fundamental character, informed by the iconic Wrangler. In Europe, the Compass will kick off the…

THE Government will introduce new laws targeting careless or reckless cyclists who endanger others. This will make them liable to the same penalties as drivers who kill or maim. An amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill proposed by Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP last week introduced a new offence of ‘causing death by dangerous, careless or inconsiderate cycling, and causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate cycling’. “Most cyclists, like most drivers, are responsible and considerate,” said transport secretary Mark Harper. “But it’s only right that the tiny minority who recklessly disregard others face the full weight of the law.”…

Ellis_Hyde@autovia.co.uk @EllisDrives ● Camouflaged car to compete in 24-hour race ● Sporty petrol and EV versions set for launch this autumn “MINI is promising ‘an unforgettable showcase’ of the car” GET ready hot hatch fans, because the new MINI John Cooper Works is going to be revealed this autumn, and for the first time ever, it’s going to be available with both petrol and all-electric power. We’ll actually get to see what the little hot hatch is capable of very soon, though, because a camouflaged version of the new petrol MINI JCW will be competing in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring endurance race on 1 June. The brand is promising “an unforgettable showcase” of the car, which it says has been “developed to push the boundaries of speed and agility”.…

Flagship Rafale ready to land this summer RENAULT revealed prices for its Rafale coupé-SUV flagship (above) last week, and now it’s confirmed specs for the range-topping 296bhp plug-in hybrid. Based on the standard hybrid model, the Rafale E-Tech 4x4 300hp (to give its full name) adds a turbocharger and a bigger 22kWh battery, which Renault says is good for up to 62 miles of EV range. It goes on sale in June, with prices likely to start at well over £40,000. Make VAT cut to boost EV sales – VW boss VOLKSWAGEN Group UK boss Alex Smith has called for VAT on electric vehicles to be halved to help boost private sales. Smith said cutting VAT from 20 per cent to 10 per cent would “give a clear signal” to…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks ● Upcoming Elroq EV to sit below Enyaq in Skoda range ● Expected to share much with larger SUV SKODA has teased its new Elroq midsized SUV multiple times already with some eye-opening renderings, but this is our first real-world look at the Czech maker’s upcoming EV, due later this year. Following on from the Enyaq, the more compact Elroq will lead a charge of four more all-electric Skoda offerings by 2026. These include an even smaller EV alternative to the Kamiq, a production version of the Vision 7S concept, and an electric estate. Using the same MEB architecture as the Enyaq, the Elroq will sit below the large electric SUV in Skoda’s range; at 4.5 metres long, it’s a little bigger than the combustion-engined Karoq. The latest…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress Arrow-shaped LEDs are making me quiver FROM: Craig Cunningham THE arrow-shaped LED indicators of the electric MG Cyberster sports car remind me of those on red London Transport RT buses! It’s not just MG at fault, though; other sports cars, including the Lamborghini Aventador, are also the same for that matter… Will electric Ferrari sound like petrol car? FROM: Neville Withers READING about the Ferrari 12Cilindri has got me thinking: while, like every brand, it needs to go electric, what about the fabulous Ferrari ‘yowl’ under full power? Is the company developing a sound generator to mimic this? A silent Ferrari just doesn’t bear thought. Faulty motorways signs cause crashes FROM: Andy Brookes DEREK suggests that messages should be put up to warn of lane closures on smart…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram Running costs 20.0mpg (official) £119 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 3.2 seconds/196mph CO2/tax 319g/km £2,745 or 37% THE all-new Mercedes-AMG GT has made it to the UK, and we’re struggling to think of anything else we’ve tested recently that has drawn so many double takes from the general public. Desirability really matters when you’re asked to sink £165,000 into a performance car, but public opinion seems to suggest that Mercedes-AMG has absolutely nailed it. There’s a lot more to the new model than its looks, though, because in contrast with the outgoing first-generation AMG GT, this time around it’s taking a more mature, hi-tech approach. It’s doing so for one simple reason: to take aim squarely at the Porsche 911. Although the pair locate their engines at opposite ends…

SAME CLASS Citroen e-C4 FOR nearly identical money to the Fiat 600e it’s possible to get behind the wheel of a car that hails from the Stellantis stable, but competes in the class above. The e-C4 costs £10 per month extra on similar PCP terms, and for many people the French model will prove to be a much more rounded family-car package. There’s its space, for a start; rear legroom is great and so is the generous 380-litre boot. Comfort is the C4’s strong point, however, beating even the Dolphin for ride quality (and it’s backed up by superb seats), while it feels more tied down on a twisty road. • Comfort• Space• 100kW charging • So-so performance• Modest kit levels• Still much pricier than Dolphin SAME MONEY MG ZS…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk IT’S that time of year when drivers start thinking about how to get all the kit needed for that annual holiday to their destination. For most of us that means going up, using the roof bars and some kind of rack or box, although the towbar is also an option. A roof box is one of the most popular choices and it’s likely not to have been touched since last summer. So how has it fared in the rough and tumble of a garage or shed? Stored wrongly, your box could have been scratched, cracked or dented, with the key rusted or broken off in the lock. What’s the best way to store your box? First remove the key, keep it somewhere safe inside the house…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk THE Kia Sorento is one of only two cars in the 2023 survey that top two categories, pointing to a richly deserved second place overall. The wins are for infotainment and exterior, with owners raving about the balance of touchscreen and physical controls and user-friendliness, although they are less impressed by phone connectivity in 37th place. Fourth place for exterior style is trumped by a first place for quality, too. A third place for the interior category, fourth for practicality and boot space, and another third for safety features help to seal the Sorento’s fantastic finish. But running costs are rated poorly, with a 50th place for servicing and 69th for insurance. WE SAID “You can pick holes with some of the interior materials, and the ride is firm,…

THE contempt of the political establishment for humble car users is slumping to an all-time low. During these early days of the 2024 election campaign, respected pollsters and commentators are already saying ‘game over’ – with the likes of Sir John Curtice stating that Labour has a 99 per cent chance of succeeding the Conservative regime. But who and what’s more pathetic: the outgoing Prime Minister suddenly pretending he’s on the side of motorists and their passengers? Or the incoming PM who struggles to acknowledge their existence? In recent days I heard Rishi Sunak whisper: “We’ll focus on drivers and their priorities, not continue the war on motorists. It’s this [Conservative] party that is, unashamedly, on the side of motorists.” Yet, like you and me, he knows his half-hearted, embarrassingly…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy CITROEN stands for comfort, but there’s also a push within its parent Stellantis Group for the classic French brand to also score big on value – to the point, in fact, where it can be considered at least an indirect rival for thrift king Dacia. That really hits home here with the all-new C3, which is destined to rewrite a few rules on pricing, particularly with its all-electric e-C3 version. Of course, Dacia itself is doing that with its forthcoming Spring EV – yours from just under £15,000. But whereas that model is a jacked-up city car, Citroen’s e-C3 is a genuine supermini, complete with similar SUV-influenced styling add-ons. And its prices will start from around £22,000, undercutting the likes of the BYD Dolphin, as well as the…

Ellis_Hyde@autovia.co.uk @EllisDrives ● New styling for electric hatch ● Improved tech on board, too THE facelifted Kia EV6 has just been revealed, and it sports a new look that’s almost identical to the exclusive image that Auto Express published late last year (Issue 1,805). Influenced by the EV9 electric seven-seat SUV, the new EV6 also features a refreshed interior with tech upgrades, plus a bigger battery for more range. Kia hasn’t confirmed official numbers or pricing; the first images have come direct from Korea, meaning we may see subtle changes to European-spec models in due course. The car’s revised, more aggressive front end features a new ultra-slim ‘Star Map’ daytime-running-light design, split by a blade-like panel. The front and rear bumpers have been redesigned, and there are new 19 and…

Chris_rosamond@autovia.co.uk ● Ineos calls for more technologies to be allowed on road to net zero ● Range-extender tech could ease public acceptance, company says THE government’s EV-only approach to decarbonisation has “left drivers behind” and is likely to fail, says the chief executive of Ineos Automotive, Lynn Calder. The firm’s boss was speaking at a ‘road to decarbonisation’ event last week, where the company allowed the first media drives in a hydrogen fuel cell-powered Grenadier off-roader prototype, which it says provides one alternative pathway to decarbonisation that could be on sale in the next decade. In the much nearer future, Ineos is also planning a range-extender hybrid version of its recently announced Fusilier off-road EV. This will feature a smaller battery with an on-board internal-combustion engine for charging purposes, allowing…

Tom_Jervis@autovia.co.uk @thomaswjervis CINEMA has long been the architect of our passions, and seldom is this more the case than with people who love cars. Whether it be the trio of Minis in The Italian Job, Paul Walker’s Nissan Skyline in The Fast and Furious or Steve McQueen’s Ford Mustang in Bullitt, many of us can trace our love for all things four-wheeled to a film we watched years ago. For Luke Theochari, that film was The Love Bug. It was adapted from the book Car, Boy, Girl, and Luke went to see the movie on its release all the way back in 1969. He fell in love with Volkswagen Beetles, kickstarting a lifelong association with the iconic ‘People’s Car’. After establishing Terry’s Beetle Services in 1986 alongside friend Peter Engelzos,…

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk Performance 0-62mph/top speed 5.5 seconds/112mph Range/charging 323 miles (official) 135kW (10-80% in 30 mins) YOU’RE looking at the real beginning of Cupra as a brand. The Leon, Formentor and even the Born may have represented something interesting from Volkswagen’s Catalonian firm, but the all-new Tavascan is different. It’s totally Cupra. This coupé-SUV doesn’t really enter a distinct segment; instead it’s designed to appeal in its own form, sitting lower than VW’s closely related ID.5 or Skoda’s Enyaq Coupé, but not giving up its high-riding stance. The Tavascan will be available with two powertrain options, but it’s the higher-specification, dual-motor 335bhp VZ model we’re driving here. A single-motor 286bhp version will be launched alongside when it launches in the UK in late autumn. Both run on nearly the latest version…

WHILE both of these cars are similarly priced on paper, the respective PCP offers available on each create a gaping chasm between them on finance. In isolation, the Fiat looks tempting, with a hefty £3,750 deposit contribution and a decent 5.9 per cent APR. Heavy depreciation holds it back, though – it’s expected to keep just 39.5 per cent of its original value after three years (not including the hefty discount, mind you) but that has a knock-on effect for the monthly repayments; on a three-year deal with a 10,000-mile annual limit and £5,000 deposit, it costs £461 per month. The 600e (RED) is better at £382 per month. The BYD’s APR is just 0.5 per cent, and thanks to much stronger residuals (the Dolphin is expected to hold on…

SMALL ELECTRIC SUVs The Dolphin made a splash in this week’s test, but here’s some more food for thought from our testers “WE’VE now reached the crucial point where EVs undercut similar internal-combustion alternatives on price. That PCP figure of £218 for the Dolphin is incredible; a Renault Clio Hybrid Esprit Alpine (still a bargain in our eyes) costs £271 a month on matching terms.” “CONSIDERING it’s such an automotive giant, Stellantis is a little behind the curve with its EVs; it needs better tech or lower prices to fight at the front. Its new STLA platform should move a step forward, but the first car to use it, the Peugeot E-3008, hasn’t exactly blown us away.” “THE Dolphin is cheap on a three-year PCP, but it’s even better over…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks Running costs 50.3mpg (on test) £67 fill-up Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 309/1,118 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.9 seconds/120mph IF you’re like me, then the first thing you do with a new car is to see how efficient it is. It’s a good sign of the engine’s health and how much the car will cost to run. With just 278 miles on the odometer, there hadn’t been much running-in for my newly arrived Vauxhall Corsa, so managing more than Vauxhall’s impressive claim of 53.3mpg seemed like a tall order. But if you’ll forgive me cutting to the chase, the car immediately served up nearly 63mpg over 45 miles of back road and dual-carriageway – with a passenger. Even after many more miles of my inefficient driving style, its economy…

Ford Model T: An Enthusiast’s Guide Chas Parker (Porter Press, porterpress.co.uk) Price: £30 Rating: FORD’S Model T is popular with vintage and veteran fans, thanks to its simplicity, ubiquity and availability of parts. So this is a great title for those who want to really drill down into these cars. It’s not a true workshop manual or buyer’s guide, but has elements of each. How to Diagnose and Fix Everything Electronic Michael Jay Geier (McGraw Hill, mheducation.com) Price: £19.99 Rating: WHILE not specifically a motoring title, this book is useful for anybody who’s repairing or restoring an older car and is getting bamboozled by the electronics. This is generally a very useful book to have around whether you’re working on a car or not. My Summer Garage Available for: iOS,…

CO2/tax 143-147g/km £190 Performance 0-62mph/top speed 8.9 seconds/127mph Running costs 41-44mpg (1.5 TSI) £72 fill-up OVER the past few years, mass-market brands have been squeezed as new-car buyers embrace companies selling at the top of the market as well as at the bottom. The result has been an increase in premium sub-brands, such as DS (Citroen), Genesis (Hyundai) and Cupra (SEAT). Spanish firm SEAT collaborated with the VW Group for eight years before being taken over in 1990, and under the German firm’s direction, Cupra became SEAT’s performance badge, in the mould of a GTi or Type R, before being hived off in 2020. Cupra’s first standalone model, the Formentor, would go on to become the brand’s biggest-selling car, and just a few weeks ago a refreshed model was unveiled.…

INEOS Automotive has unique insight into hydrogen. The Ineos group produces enough hydrogen through its chemical operations to fuel 300 million miles of lorry travel. We asked Ian Smith, Hydrogen business development manager, for a five-point plan to make hydrogen viable as road fuel: Access to net-zero electricity for electrolysis “You need to have access to renewable energy, but we’ve got that in this country.” Storage for hydrogen made from renewables “Ineos owns salt caverns in the north west. They’ve previously been used to store natural gas so it’s not new technology.” Build a filling station network “Just put them in. Once they’re there, it will give people confidence to buy vehicles.” Develop a national pipeline network “We need to link everything together, because you’re going to need an awful…

Lambo fires up new V8 with almost 800bhp LAMBORGHINI has revealed the first details of the brand-new V8 engine that will feature in its Huracán replacement. Designed from the ground up, the new twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre unit will produce a peak output of 789bhp and rev to an astonishing 10,000rpm. This will be joined by a total of three electric motors, one mounted between the V8 and its eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, with the other two taking care of duties on the front axle. Huge jump in young drivers with no cover THE soaring cost of car insurance premiums means there has been a significant spike in the number of young people being convicted for driving without insurance. Using the latest police data, road charity IAM RoadSmart has uncovered an “epidemic” of…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy Performance 0-62mph/top speed 10.4 seconds/126mph Running costs 54.1mpg (official) £67 fill-up “Fire up the new engine and it settles to a smoother idle than the old triple” THE Skoda Octavia is the Czech brand’s most famous model and also its best seller, but as it enters its 28th year of production, it faces tougher opposition than ever. So it’s time for a quick revamp, designed to see the fourth-generation hatchback (our 2021 Car of the Year) and Estate through until at least 2027. At the front, there’s a revised grille, a fresh bumper and new headlights that feature matrix-LED tech – enough (just about) to make this version stand out from what’s gone before. Throw in revised taillights, a few new alloy wheel designs and a fresh Sportline…

Richard_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @rsp_ingram IF the Society of Motor Manufacturer and Traders’ (SMMT) registration figures are anything to go by, the appetite for electric cars is struggling to find momentum. All the while, petrol models continue to maintain strong market share, with hybrids gaining in popularity, too. It means cars like this latest plug-in BYD Seal U DM-i are perfectly placed to capitalise on current trends – big electric range for zero local emissions, plus a petrol engine for anxiety-free longer journeys. We first drove the car in China earlier this year, but now we’ve got the Seal U on European roads. Available with a choice of battery and motor configurations, even the most affordable version has the ability to slash your monthly bills, while also offering a stepping stone to full…

WINNER BYD Dolphin 1st THE BYD Dolphin is by no means perfect. Many rivals offer faster charging times, are more fun to drive and feel more sophisticated from behind the wheel (although comfort is impressive), while the boot is a little on the small side. However, the Dolphin isn’t exactly bad in any of these areas, and many of our reservations are more than cancelled out by the fact that, as things stands, the Dolphin is an absolute bargain if you are taking out finance. INTERESTED? Scan the code for further information • Fantastic value• Strong performance• Smooth ride• Loads of standard kit • Road noise• Dull handling• Small boot• Underwhelming charge speeds RUNNER-UP Fiat 600e 2nd IF you lived with each of these two cars for a week or…

SAME CLASS BMW i3 IT landed in dealers 11 years ago, but in terms of cabin design the BMW i3 still blows any other small EV out of the water; it feels special in a way that other newer options simply don’t. Given its age, it’s very cheap now, too. Early examples start from as little as £6,000, but aim for a post-2019 car (starting from just over £10,000) and you’ll benefit from a larger 42.2kWh battery that’s good for a 190-mile WLTP range. • Interior design• Performance • Tiny boot• Awkward rear doors SAME MONEY Kia EV6 WE recently reported a spike of 71 per cent in used EV sales, as ex-company cars have flooded the market. That means there are some great deals to be had, including on…

Dawn_Grant@autovia.co.uk Running costs 59.8mpg (on test) £58 fill-up, £190 or 24% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 301/1,006 litres OUR Renault Clio fleet car certainly stands out from the crowd, with its Flame Red metallic paint. But unfortunately it also seems to have a magnetic attraction for dirt, especially from birds who seem to love depositing their mess on the car. I appreciate that a lot of this is down to the parking space my husband and I use – and the trees that surround it – but for some reason the situation is definitely worse than with other cars I’ve run in the past. As a result, I’ve found myself spending more time at the local garage using the jet washes than actually filling up with fuel – and that’s…

Robot dog is BMW plant’s best friend BMW UK has hired a four-legged robot companion named SpOTTO to join the team at the company’s Hams Hall engine plant in Warwickshire. SpOTTO keeps a close eye on the facility, scanning the plant to help ensure maintenance and production processes run smoothly. With visual, thermal and acoustic sensors, SpOTTO can identify things such as leaks in compressed-air lines, or recognise if a piece of equipment is running too hot. He could do even more in the future. Tests highlight how well tyres perform CAR service firm Point S recently commissioned tests by independent test house TUV SUD that have highlighted differences in safety and performance between premium, midrange and budget tyres. Testing of 11 brands established that mid-range tyres take an average…

BUYING a used car always involves an element of risk. Unless you know all the previous owners, you’ll be taking a chance on the history and ownership details, and relying on the seller’s honesty. But some people will hide a vehicle’s dodgy details to make a quick profit. Getting a data check is the easiest way to weed out the wrong ’uns. Checks are more detailed and cheaper than ever, with various firms competing for your custom. All will be able to see if the car has been written off or stolen, and many have extra features for free. This will let you narrow down potential purchases before making a journey. In addition to websites, many offerings also have smartphone apps. These can make it quicker and easier to enter…