Innholdsfortegnelse for 24/08/2016 i Autocar

“At the top of the range will be a new M5, with a twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 engine developing 592bhp” The new, sixth-generation BMW 5 Series will be unveiled in October, ahead of the start of UK sales early next year. The new model, codenamed G30, will be introduced in saloon guise first. A more versatile successor to today’s 5 Series Touring is scheduled to go on sale during the third quarter of next year. The latest scoop pictures of lightly disguised prototypes reveal that the Audi A6 rival continues the lineage of today’s F10 model, but with tauter surfacing and more finely honed crease lines. Behind the familiar styling, though, the new model adopts more sophisticated underpinnings in a move that BMW engineers claim will enhance its reputation as one…

FORD WILL RELEASE a fully autonomous car without a steering wheel or pedals in 2021 for commercial operations such as ride sharing. The car maker is investing in four start-ups to improve research in advanced algorithms, 3D mapping, Lidar and camera sensors, as well as doubling the size of its Silicon Valley team and adding new buildings to its Palo Alto site to develop the technology. While Ford’s plans are for the US, it is expected that the technology will become available in the UK. The autonomous car will have an SAE Level 4 standard of automation, meaning it will be capable of all aspects of driving without anyone physically controlling it. This year Ford will triple its autonomous test fleet to 30 self-driving Fusion Hybrid saloons in California, Arizona…

BMW brought its 2002 Hommage to the Concours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach last week to mark the 50th anniversary of the original 2002 Turbo. The concept was first seen at Villa d’Este in May, but at Pebble Beach it adopted an orange ‘Turbomeister’ livery in tribute to the iconic Jägermeister 2002 racers of the 1970s. BMW design boss Karim Habib said of the refreshed model: “The 2002 Hommage celebrates the extraordinary feats of engineering on which BMW turbo technology is based.” The concept is based on the running gear of a BMW M2.…

Plug-in hybrids aren’t for everyone yet, but you can’t argue with the official numbers, even if they sometimes stretch credibility. Kia’s first plug-in hybrid, the Optima PHEV, combines a 2.0-litre petrol engine and an electric motor to produce combined economy of 176.6mpg and a CO2 output of just 37g/km. And at £31,495 (after the £2500 plug-in car grant), it undercuts both the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Volkswagen Passat GTE on price, the latter by nearly £5000. The Optima PHEV is mechanically the same as the Hyundai Sonata PHEV that is already on sale in some markets, with its two power sources delivering a combined 202bhp. It uses a six-speed automatic gearbox rather than a CVT, with the 50kW electric motor in effect replacing the torque converter at low speeds. Thereafter…

The seventh-generation Golf GTI left us feeling a touch lukewarm on its introduction in 2012. It was decent, of course: good looking, well made, capable and brisk, but Volkswagen equipped it with too little horsepower, too high a list price and too anonymous a front differential – and then compounded it all by introducing a four-wheel-drive R model that was plainly superior in every way and for not a whole heap more cash. In the past six months, though, and to coincide with the GTI’s 40th anniversary, Wolfsburg has sought to rectify the so-so-ness of its most famous performance model line. First, we’ve had the Clubsport edition – a revised trim level prospect that belatedly put the GTI’s output (albeit in overboosted form) at the same level as the Seat…

Caution with Caymans I did what lots of people do when they see a Porsche Cayman: saw it, fell in love, bought it. I have since spent £2k and am not nearly finished. It was bought from a ‘specialist’ who assured me I’d have no bills until the next service. Missed oil changes? Check. Cylinder scoring? Check (it’s at an early stage). Leaky cooling? Check (both condensers replaced). Low-mile city car? Check. Suspension knocks? Check (waiting on rear bush parts). Exhaust fittings? Check (only £20, though). Tyres? Check (rears unevenly worn so had to get the alignment done, too). This is still the best car I’ve ever owned. But £299 on a pre-purchase inspection is essential. Russell Mitchell Via email WIN Letter of the week wins this ValetPRO exterior protection…

Another weekend, another request by a colleague to borrow the Discovery Sport. It’s like Groundhog Day around here sometimes. This time the call came from picture editor Ben Summerell-Youde (again), who needed something suitable for lugging six people and camping gear down to Devon for a wedding. You have no idea how close I came to turning him down, because I had a trip of my own planned that same weekend and knew full well that whatever I ended up in was unlikely to be as agreeable as the Land Rover, on the assumption that it wouldn’t be a Range Rover or Mercedes-Benz S-Class. In the end I relented and ‘made do’ with our Suzuki Vitara S. The little Suzuki crossover acquitted itself well on my 200-mile motorway trawl, but…

You’ve seen one of my X5s before, but it wasn’t this one. The V8 had rather more issues than was good for it, so I got my money back in full and ploughed it into this 2002 3.0i petrol version last year. It was a Chelsea Tractor, so it had lived in WC1 and had a low mileage. It was immaculate inside, too. We are now up to 70,000 miles and replaced the thermostat early on. Otherwise it has been as good as gold. It may be Mrs R’s ride, but I take every opportunity to get behind the wheel, because it’s just a high-rise 5 Series. It’s pretty, too.…

“There were plenty of special editions, which brought different colours and wheels” 9.5sec The original 1.6’s 0-60mph time, compared with 8.7sec for the 1.8 Believe it or not, the earliest Mk1 Mazda MX-5s are now 26 years old. Under the current 40-year rolling exemption, 14 years from now they will be exempt from road tax and officially regarded as ‘classics’. Of course, the model achieved that status some while ago, a fact confirmed by the prices being asked for the best examples today. Five-figure numbers are not unusual; for example, Boss Motor Company is asking £16,950 for a 1997 1.8 S-Special with 3000 miles. In fact, this car is a Eunos, a runout model loaded with kit, including Bilstein dampers and a limited-slip differential. It raises a serious point, which…

“Chassis engineers are talking up gains in comfort brought on by what they call a super-stiff structure” Development of the next BMW 3 Series saloon has ramped up, with new prototypes testing for durability ahead of an expected debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September 2017. Set for UK sale in 2018, the seventh generation of BMW’s best-selling model has been extensively re-engineered. Along with a new platform that is claimed to provide greater levels of production flexibility than today’s structure, the new 3 Series adopts heavily revised petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrains and larger dimensions for additional interior space. It also has an advanced electronic architecture that promises to match the features offered by two key rivals in the compact executive class, the Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.…

The successor to the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo could be called 6 Series GT when it is launched in 2018 and indirectly replace the slow-selling 6 Series Gran Coupé, according to sources in Munich. If this happens, the five-door liftback model is likely to be priced higher than the current, first-generation model. It is expected to stand apart from regular 5 Series models with more individual styling. The aim is to give it a more premium position compared with its predecessor. Prototypes are already undergoing durability testing. Sources suggest it could adopt similar front-end styling to the next generation of the 6 Series Coupé and Convertible, which are due to arrive in 2018 and 2019 respectively.…

The production-specification 2017 Honda Civic has been revealed in official pictures of the first cars departing Southampton for the US. The new five-door model, which will go on sale in the UK in the first quarter of next year, has a radically different design from that of the outgoing car, with a coupé-like roofline and tailgate creating a much sportier look. The more striking exterior is similar to that of the Civic concept, which was first revealed at the Geneva motor show in March. All five-door Civics will be built at Honda UK’s Swindon plant, the global production hub for the new model. Swindon is also likely to produce a large number of the future Civic Tourer and Type R models, although the debut of these versions is some way…

Mercedes-Benz has revealed its 738bhp electric-powered Vision Maybach 6, a luxury coupé almost six metres long with gullwing doors. Unveiled at Pebble Beach in California, the concept pays homage to the extravagantly styled aero coupés of the early 1900s while also showcasing a modern vision for the German car maker. The Vision Maybach 6 hints at plans by Mercedes to build on its upmarket Maybach range with a new Rolls-Royce Wraith-rivalling coupé. Insiders suggest that such a car could be assembled by a new bespoke coach-building operation to provide customers of its higher-end models with greater freedom in customising their cars. The one-off coupé also showcases a powerful electric drive system being developed by Mercedes for use in a range of new zero-emission models. The Vision Maybach 6 has been…

JAGUAR LAND ROVER is launching a new digital retail store in partnership with online car retailing specialist Rockar, which already offers a similar service with Hyundai. The Coventry-based car maker will offer customers the option to buy their car entirely online, accompanied by a dealership at Westfield Stratford, London, where customers will be greeted by so-called ‘Angels’ who are described as “non-selling product experts”. According to JLR, the new service has been developed “in response to changing demands from its customers”. The Angels can offer advice as well as help customers to use the in-store configurators and show them around six display cars, which will be both Jaguar and Land Rover models. They are then able to complete their purchase on the accompanying website — in store or at home.…

This is the new Porsche Panamera, the second generation of its four-door liftback saloon. And when Porsche says ‘new’, it means it: this is no facelift or even a largely redeveloped car worthy of being described as effectively new. This Panamera has a brand-new architecture, brand-new engines, a brand-new transmission and a brand-new operating system. And, of course, a brand-new look. Few are likely to miss the shape of the old Panamera, especially as the new car, while still some distance removed from gorgeousness, is such an improvement. Bigger in every dimension, it contrives to appear sleeker and more like the 911 that so many Panamera owners would drive if only it were suited to their domestic or professional lives. The range at launch will comprise a twin-turbocharged 2.9-litre V6…

The C43 is the latest 43-badged Mercedes-AMG, a new semi-skimmed model to sit below the full-fat 63s with their thunderous V8s. Not that any 43 is particularly weedy – and certainly not with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 under the bonnet. This isn’t the first time AMG has offered a C43. Back in the 1990s it was the pinnacle of the C-Class range, thanks to a 4.3-litre V8 engine. The new model may be down on cubic capacity, but it’s certainly not down on power or performance. The combination of 4Matic all-wheel drive, a nine-speed automatic gearbox and the 362bhp motor provides a sub-five-second 0-62mph time, even in this estate guise. The C43 may play second fiddle to the C63, but it’s still plenty quick. Lean on the throttle and, after…

The Clubsport S makes for a fitting 40th birthday present to GTI aficionados. It does this by not only being plainly faster and fitter than the basic Clubsport but also by exalting the badge’s traditional virtues even as it gently revises them. Yes, the back seats have gone, inevitably taking some of the practicality with them, but the Golf’s celebrated usability remains dynamically intact. This is a track-orientated special-edition hatch that’s well capable of rewarding in everyday use, without being restricted to the frenzy of snatched Sunday drives on perfect roads and occasional forays up a pit lane. Equally, and despite its record-breaking endeavours at the Nürburgring, the Clubsport S isn’t quite the match of certain rivals in terms of outright handling excitement. The outgoing Mégane Trophy-R is more adjustable…

Fifty-one years ago, Alpina was manufacturing typewriters. Owner Buckard Bovensiepen was interested in cars, however, and wanted to improve the performance of his Fiat 124. The twin-Weber carburettor kit he built for it added the required pace, but the Fiat’s engine blew up a short while later. So he decided that a more reliable car was needed and chose a BMW 1500. From there, the relationship between Alpina and BMW blossomed into what it is today: a close partnership that sees Alpinas part-built on BMW production lines before they head to Alpina’s Buchloe factory, about an hour’s drive west of Munich, for final assembly. With BMW currently celebrating 100 years of production, it seemed like the ideal time to grill Andreas Bovensiepen, son of Burkard and the man who now…

The Jaguar XE has been riding high since it was launched last year, quickly becoming the brand’s best-selling model and proving that it has what it takes to go head to head with its compact executive rivals from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. That was always going to be a sizeable mountain to climb; the A4, 3 Series and C-Class have had that sector sewn up so tightly for so long that it seemed close to impenetrable. But the XE was given the best possible tools for the job, with a new platform, a new, in-house engine family and a stylish new look that would ensure that the UK finally had a desirable, genuinely competitive contender. And it has worked. From the start, our road testers have rated the XE as…

Colin Gilsean has been here before, and a mate referred to this Lexus LS400 as a Tokyo Jag. This Irish example scratched his itch for a V8. “At the time, I worked for a car dealership that also ran an auction house, so it wasn’t a protracted affair to locate a car,” says Colin. “It cost €1500 plus 6% fees. Not so bad, I thought. Even with 160,000-plus miles, it still felt so robust and accurately put together. “The only downsides were that fuel economy was pretty bad, the handling was ropey and the air-con just blew heated air. I sold it for €1400 to a couple of youngsters who wanted to go drifting.” SEND YOUR USED CAR TALES TO james@bangernomics.com…

A Nissan electric sports car could be feasible by the turn of the decade, according to Gareth Dunsmore, director of electric vehicles for Nissan Europe. Speaking at the dynamic launch of the Nissan BladeGlider electric concept, Dunsmore said while it would be possible to produce an electric sports car now, the market has to be ready for it — and while it isn’t yet, by 2020 the demand for electric vehicles will be much higher. “It’s a gradual thing,” he said. “Norway has now tipped to 20% EVs.” Dunsmore predicted that policy change would push other European markets in the same direction. “As we head towards 2020, you’ll see greater moves towards EVs,” he said. “Governments are starting to support the move towards climate change objectives, and getting to that…

THE ASTON MARTIN AM-RB 001 hypercar is likely to feature semi-active suspension when it arrives in 2018, because project partner Red Bull Advanced Technologies is recruiting engineering experts with knowledge of such systems to work on the car’s development. A job advert posted on Red Bull’s website said the company has “a number of exciting opportunities for highly motivated and skilled engineers to join Red Bull Advanced Technologies (RBAT) and to be part of the team working on the groundbreaking AM-RB 001 hypercar”. The Milton Keynes firm is collaborating with Aston Martin on the new machine, the design of which was revealed in July. RBAT is interested in hearing from “experienced engineers within the motorsport and automotive industry”. Significantly, it is looking for a controls engineer with experience of hybrid…

AUDI’S NEW TRAFFIC light recognition technology will be launched in the UK once the infrastructure is in place to implement it, according to the German car maker. Traffic Technology Services (TTS) is being launched in the US at the end of this year in the Audi Q7, A4 and A4 Allroad fitted with the Audi Connect system. It sends real-time signal information to the car from traffic lights and, if waiting at a red light, it can display how long until the signal changes to green on the instrument cluster or head-up display unit. TTS uses in-car 4G internet to receive information from traffic light control centres in selected cities. However, Audi has not specified how many US cities are equipping traffic lights with the necessary technology to do this.…

Aston Martin has revealed a limited-edition Vanquish Zagato Volante at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The convertible model follows on from the success of the Vanquish Zagato coupé, which was first seen in concept form at Villa d’Este in May. Like the coupé, the Volante will have a run of just 99 models, expected to cost more than £500,000 each. The new model is the latest in a partnership with Italian design house Zagato that dates back to 1960 and the DB4 GT. Previous Aston Martin Zagato convertibles include the V8 Vantage Volante, seen in 1987, and the DB AR 1 of 2003, which was developed as an open-top Zagato-bodied DB7, also limited to 99 units and, like the Vanquish Zagato Volante, designed for the US market. The Vanquish…

McLaren has unveiled a specially commissioned model called the MSO HS. Created by the McLaren Special Operations division, the 25-run model is based on the 675LT but gains a host of weight-saving and bespoke aero features. Powered by a blueprinted edition of McLaren’s twin-turbo V8, the HS produces 679bhp and 516lb ft, while a unique bodykit is capable of generating 220kg of downforce at 150mph. Additions include a new front bumper and splitter, dive planes and an air induction scoop on the roof, all made from carbonfibre, as are full-length side skirts, side intakes and the rear wing.…

“It is impossible to separate exposure to the noise from the experience of speed” The 488 GTB, you’ll hardly need reminding, was one of last year’s highlights – a five-star car, the winner of our Handling Day shootout and incontrovertible proof that the limitations of turbocharging were not going to prevent Ferrari from turning out yet another mid-engined masterpiece. The Spider, open to the elements courtesy of a retractable hard-top and over here at last in right-hand drive form, is the fun-time sibling: louder, showier and carrying a little extra timber courtesy of the bracing needed following the removal of the monocoque’s roof. Even Ferrari describes this car’s buyers as hedonists, classing them apart from the typical GTB customer. The pleasure-seeking comes at a price, too: the Spider starts at…

The Optima saloon doesn’t hold a strong appeal for Europeans, and this car is Kia’s belated acknowledgement of that fact. Although it will be built in South Korea, the new Optima Sportswagon – that’s Kia-speak for estate – has been designed specifically for Europe and won’t be sold in any other territories. The company reckons it will make up more than two-thirds of Optima sales in the UK next year. By the utilitarian standards of other D-segment estates, the Sportswagon is handsome, sticking closely to the styling of the Sportspace concept that floated the idea at last year’s Geneva motor show. Despite that, it’s not one of those cramped lifestyle estates. It has 552 litres of luggage space with the rear seats in place and an impressive 1686 litres with…

These are the cars we do best. Over the years, Britain has been responsible for a few decent family hatches, probably more than our fair share of excellent off-roaders, a strong smattering of low-volume, stripped-out sports cars, more world-class executive saloons than you might think and even the odd all-out supercar. But from the moment that Sunbeams and Vauxhalls really announced Britain’s presence on the global automotive stage after the Great War, it is fast, long-legged, sporting grand tourers at which we have excelled. Think of all those thundering Bentleys, dashing Aston Martins and even some of the swoopier Rolls-Royces: these are the cars that defined the concept of the gentleman’s carriage, if such a pejorative is even permissible these days. And then there were the Jags. Always the Jags.…

 Talent doesn’t go far in motorsport these days. What you need is cash – and stacks of it. From junior karting upwards, those who can spend have a huge advantage and it becomes overwhelming as the number of zeroes needed to get on the grid begins to rise in senior formulae. Although the lucky few make it onto driver development programmes or find personal sponsorship, the majority fall by the wayside. “Team Redline’s roster of talent includes F1’s Max Verstappen” But there is a form of racing that is pretty much a pure meritocracy. The term ‘sim racing’ may have you thinking of a glorified arcade game that’s no closer to motorsport than Call of Duty is to life in the army, but the line between real and virtual is…

The Baleno is bigger than traditional superminis yet promises great efficiency Suzuki has just launched a new supermini, the Baleno. Designed to compete with the Skoda Fabia, the Baleno is meant to be the sensible, spacious model in Suzuki’s line-up, leaving the Swift to be the more stylish and fun-to-drive choice. The five-door-only Baleno is bigger than traditional superminis yet still promises great efficiency, thanks to its new 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine. Average fuel economy is claimed to be 62.7mpg, with a CO2 output of 105g/km. The Baleno also has an impressive standard equipment list. We’ve chosen the higher-spec SZ5 trim, which gets things like automatic climate control, adaptive cruise control and radar brake support on top of the SZ-T’s Bluetooth, DAB radio, heated electric door mirrors and 7.0in…

Piping hot Italian thoroughbred Almost any Alfa Romeo is hot. It doesn’t have to be any good, but it will still be hot, and a 2001 manual 166 2.5 V6 24v Turismo for £2995 has to be a good thing. The mileage is reasonable at 58k, with just two previous owners and the usual complement of climate control and heated seats. This Virage is no mirage Everyone wants an Aston Martin, and probably not nearly enough attention is being given to the Virage. Even less the Virage Volante, which is even rarer. This is far cooler than any modern Volante and at the moment anything less than £100k for a classic Aston Martin seems like something of a bargain. Buy it at £74,995. Achingly dull, but lots of toys It…

1 Do your planning Louise Wallis, head of business development at the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), says: “Planning ahead is key to getting the right car at the best price. Search for cars at reputable or franchised dealerships and work out an average price for the type of car you’re after. If something looks like a bargain, investigate further. Is there a reason? Has it been in an accident? Is it in poor condition? Or are you actually on to a winner?” 2 Examine it thoroughly Give the car a thorough inspection. Look at its condition and check for dents or signs of repairs. Examine tyre wear and the interior. Review the service history. Check its mileage is representative of its age and condition. 3 Test drive Take the…