Innholdsfortegnelse for 1410 i Auto Express

Visit autoexpress.co.uk for all the latest new cars news THERE are some things in the car business that are hard to explain and Fiat is one of them. It’s a company with the sort of heritage some brands would pay handsomely for and, on the face of it, not a bad current line-up. But something’s not adding up with UK buyers. Despite the arrival of the (rather good) 500X into the burgeoning small SUV sector, complete with some hard-working finance offers, Fiat’s UK sales were down over four per cent in 2015 with a bigger 15 per cent tumble in the first month of 2016. Yes, Fiat’s range is limited – there’s not much of interest that doesn’t wear a 500 badge. But small cars are still big news and…

Sam_Naylor@dennis.co.uk @SamNaylor_AE “There’s a lower roofline, longer wheelbase and shorter rear overhang than on previous model” RENAULT is continuing the family car revolution it started with the Kadjar SUV and new Mégane hatch on its new Scenic. The brand has clearly taken inspiration from its Kadjar crossover, as the MPV – set to debut at next week’s Geneva Motor Show – gets an SUV-like makeover, with a pumped-up look. The now-familiar oversized badge gives the car the latest Renault family face, while every model comes equipped with 20-inch wheels as standard to provide an elevated stance. There’s also a lower roofline, longer wheelbase and shorter rear overhang than on the previous model. This all adds up to a car that’s less MPV and more family-focused SUV, although the curved windscreen…

THIS is our first proper look at Skoda’s long-awaited seven-seat SUV. The official pictures preview the near-production-ready concept car that will hit Geneva, and follow on from a series of design sketches and teasers released earlier this month. Known as the Skoda Vision S, the car is expected to be called the Kodiaq when it arrives in showrooms in the UK later this year. The name was unearthed last week after it transpired that the company had registered it in a recent trademark. Skoda also confirmed its Geneva concept will debut a four-wheel-drive, petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, developing 222bhp. It’ll use a six-speed DSG auto box to help it cover 0-62mph in a claimed 7.4 seconds, while emitting 45g/km of CO2. The hybrid set-up also promises an electric range of 31…

IN Issue 1,389, Auto Express highlighted how a clutch package replacement eventually solved a judder that was bothering David Burgess’ automatic Ford Fiesta, and since then we’ve heard of similar concerns from other owners. One reader in Northern Ireland told us he experienced the exact same issues as David had with his 2014 Fiesta PowerShift. He said: “Whenever I pulled away, my car would judder, and I eventually told my dealer about this.” As with David, the dealership first remapped the transmission, only to find the judder persisted. After a visit from a Ford technician, the dealership agreed to swap the clutch package under warranty. However, this was not the end of the problems, as the issue soon reappeared with the new clutch. Our reader took his car back to…

Tacking the motoring issues that matter WHAT ARE HID CONVERSION KITS? NEW cars are fitted with halogen, High Intensity Discharge (HID) or Light Emitting Diode (LED) headlamps, and they use precision optics that work effectively and safely with the selected bulb type to pass Whole Vehicle Type Approval requirements. HID conversion kits are promoted as an aftermarket upgrade for halogen lights. The HID gas discharge burner is equipped with a halogen bulb-type base, allowing it to be fitted within a headlamp housing that contains optics designed only for filament bulbs. The kit includes a ballast unit that has to be integrated into the vehicle’s wiring to regulate the varying power demands. Prices vary considerably for HID and LED conversion kits, with some promising bigger performance upgrades. But regardless of how…

Sam_Naylor@dennis.co.uk @SamNaylor_AE WE’VE already tested Skoda’s new and accomplished Octavia vRS 4x4 on snow (Issue 1,407), but we’ve now had the chance to see how it fares on UK roads. It gets the same 181bhp 2.0-litre diesel as the front-wheel-drive model and a sixspeed DSG automatic gearbox. The fourwheel-drive system adds £1,450 to the price of the car, and it’s available as either a hatchback or an estate. But even with that premium, it’s still cheaper than a VW Golf GTD, so it looks like great value. Being the only four-wheel-drive hot diesel hatch on the market appears to be a strong selling point for the Skoda, as rivals from Ford and Volkswagen are front-wheel drive only. Plus, the Focus ST diesel’s centrally mounted exhaust means you can’t pull a…

Visit autoexpress.co.uk for the latest new cars and drives IT’S fair to say that Nissan’s luxury division, Infiniti, hasn’t had much of an impact on the minds of the British public. Unless you’re a fan of Formula One – where Infiniti sponsored the Red Bull team for a few years – it’s likely that the firm’s range of big executive saloons and SUVs has gone largely unnoticed. However, its latest model is aiming to raise this profile, and put Infiniti on a level similar to Toyota’s luxury brand, Lexus. The new Q30 is a compact executive hatchback that borrows plenty of technology from Nissan, as well as engines from sister firm Renault, and a large chunk of running gear from technology partner Mercedes. In diesel guise, the car aims to…

MODEL TESTED: Volvo V40 D2 R-Design Lux Nav PRICE: £26,120 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 120bhp CO2/tax 94g/km £0 or 16% Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 335/1,032 litres Performance 0-60/30-70mph 11.3/11.0 seconds Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 45.9/33.6/8.7m Running costs 51.5mpg (on test) £63 fill-up THE Volvo V40 has always been an intriguing alternative in the compact executive hatch class, thanks to its unique design, comfortable cabin and raft of safety kit. It was the first car launched after Volvo was taken over by Chinese firm Geely, but still features Ford architecture under the skin. Here we test the efficient D2 model in sporty R-Design trim, while the car in our pictures is a lower-spec SE. Styling 4.2/5 THIS new design is a far cry from the boxy Volvos of old, although in this company, it’s…

Suzuki Vitara S 1.4 Boosterjet AllGrip Price: £20,899 Engine: 1.4-litre 4cyl turbo, 138bhp 0-60mph: 8.6 seconds Test economy: 33.8mpg/7.4mpl CO2: 127g/km Annual road tax: £110 Mazda CX-3 2.0 Sport Nav SkyActiv-G AWD Price: £22,495 Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 148bhp 0-60mph: 9.1 seconds Test economy: 33.2mpg/7.3mpl CO2: 150g/km Annual road tax: £145 PETROL crossovers aren’t as popular as their diesel equivalents, but with unleaded now under £1 per litre at the pumps, is it worth considering an alternative to a more expensive diesel compact SUV? That’s what we’re aiming to find out here, as the new Suzuki Vitara S offers four-wheel drive and a 1.4 petrol turbo engine to deliver peppy performance without sacrificing running costs. But do you need a downsized turbo in a supermini-sized SUV? Well, Mazda doesn’t think so;…

“Volvo matches a Range Rover for cabin quality and beats it on tech” CO2/tax 152g/km £180 or 28% Practicality Boot (7/5/2 seats) 451/1,102/1,951 litres Running costs 31.9mpg (on test) £72 fill-up Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk IT’S pretty rare for my family to make too many comments about my cars, but our Volvo XC90 seems to be something of an exception. It took a matter of days for them to fall in love with it – and if my hard-toplease bunch are impressed, it must be good. Last year we named the XC90 Car of the Year, and the attributes that won it that accolade are exactly what are impressing the Fowler family: it’s a comfortable, spacious, stylish, safe and tech-laden SUV. So over the next 12 months, I’ll be finding out if our…

33rd PLACE 2015 Results 2008 Factfile Years: 2013 to present CO2: 104g/km Fuel economy: 70.6mpg (1.4 HDi Active) Best features: Sat-nav, parking sensors, Bluetooth and USB, cruise control, DAB radio Prices: From £8,290 OVERALL SCORE 90.34% Bars show where model finished out of 200 cars in our 2015 survey. The lower the rating the better GOOD “I FIND the Peugeot a very comfortable car to drive.” “The automatic gearbox is very good. I can overtake slower traffic with ease.” “For a roomy car that has just 82bhp, my 2008 is surprisingly nippy to drive.” “Lots of space for the family, and with the seats down it makes for a decent hauler.” “The interior design is great; I love the blue ambient lighting.” “The high driving position is a definitive plus.”…

JOINING the all-new Scenic on Renault’s stand at Geneva will be the more practical version of the Mégane, the Sport Tourer. It shares the same bold front end, oversized diamond badge and distinctive LED light signature as the hatchback. It’s only from the C-pillar back that changes are evident, with the extended rear overhang. The Sport Tourer will be shown first in this range-topping GT spec, complete with 18-inch alloys, a diffuser-style rear bumper and a chrome exhaust tailpipe. Rounding off the additions are a chunkier radiator grille and honeycomb mesh inserts. Unlike some rivals, the Mégane Sport Tourer’s wheelbase is unchanged from the hatch’s. Renault promises the “segment’s longest maximum load length, and a versatile interior with a choice of boot arrangements”. No official details have yet been confirmed,…

KIA has announced the arrival of an estate version of its four-door Optima saloon – wearing the SW or ‘Sportswagon’ badge. It’s based on the Sportspace concept seen at last year’s Geneva Motor Show and goes on sale in September almost unchanged. There’s a sloping roof, a narrow window line and sleek rear lights. Kia expects the Optima SW to outsell the four-door saloon six to one, thanks to its cavernous 553-litre boot. A seven or eight-inch touchscreen dominates the dash, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto both available. The big news under the bonnet is the confirmation of the GT version, powered by a new 242bhp 2.0-litre turbo petrol and six-speed auto box. A 139bhp 1.7 CRDi diesel also features. Official performance and economy figures have yet to be…

BMW is preparing for a fresh assault on the electric vehicle market, and has re-registered trademarks to cover proposed expansion of its range of ‘i’ cars, Auto Express can reveal. The brand has suffered highs and lows with its electric vehicle project, with the i8 sports car selling strongly but demand relatively low for the i3 city car. BMW already holds trademarks for all possible ‘i’ cars between i1 and i9, but in recent months it’s applied for wider protection of the badges – a sign that it is moving towards using them. The most likely third ‘i’ car is still said to be an i5 SUV, as previewed in our exclusive image (right). Another option is for a larger i7, as a rival for Tesla’s Model S or Model…

BENTLEY has revealed an updated version of its Mulsanne flagship, with a new extended wheelbase for the first time. The new addition is 250mm longer than the standard model, with all the extra length added to the rear doors. Inside, you’ll find a set of electric legrests, a champagne fridge and folding tables. Bentley has also made changes to the standard car and driver-focused Mulsanne Speed. Styling tweaks include a reprofiled front end with a new grille, while the headlamps have been brought level with the outer lights and feature LEDs. The Mulsanne gets an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay. The trio will debut at next week’s Geneva Motor Show, alongside a special six-seat Mulliner version with an extra 1,000mm added to the wheelbase. HYBRIDS ON WAY, TOO BENTLEY boss…

We get behind the stories that affect you IMAGINE you’ve specified your car with the latest parking sensor technology and have just shifted into reverse ready to pull off your driveway. How long would you expect to wait before an image appears on your dash screen? A few seconds? Try 25 seconds! That’s how long Skoda claims is reasonable for new Yeti owners to wait, following a complaint from one outraged owner. We’d called the maker after reader Raymond Manley of Leeds contacted us to say he was fed-up with the slow system in his new SE-spec car. He told us: “I paid more money for the SE with a parking sensor system fitted, but it would take anything from five to 20 seconds to fire up and the graphic…

Running costs 38.2mpg (official) £65 fill-up James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor WITH the current boom of European SUV sales showing no sign of stopping, a new niche is steadily growing – that of the performance 4x4. Arguably top of the tree is the Porsche Macan: it’s effectively a sports car on stilts, and is available with a range of specially tuned petrol and diesel engines. Now, though, BMW has arrived to steal some of the Macan’s thunder, with the X4 M40i. It’s not a full-blown M car – otherwise it would wear the coveted badge like the larger X5 M – but more of an official makeover by BMW’s highly talented M division. Think of it as an X4 M ‘lite’. Under the bonnet lies BMW’s brilliant 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six engine, with a…

MODEL TESTED: Infiniti Q30 1.5d Sport PRICE: £26,180 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 108bhp CO2/tax 109g/km £20 or 19% Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 430/1,223 litres Performance 0-60/30-70mph 11.4/11.9 seconds Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 45.3/29.9/8.2m Running costs 47.9mpg (on test) £51 fill-up THE Infiniti Q30 is referred to as a Premium Active Compact by the luxury brand, but it’s essentially an executive hatchback along the same lines as models like the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series. In an effort to get the Q30 to market faster, it has taken parts from different sources, including a platform derived from the Mercedes A-Class, and engines developed by Mercedes, Renault and Nissan. Here we test it in 1.5d Sport trim, costing £26,180. Styling 4.0/5 THIS new Infiniti model really stands out, especially when compared to the MINI…

MODEL TESTED: Suzuki Vitara S 1.4 Boosterjet AllGrip PRICE: £20,899 ENGINE: 1.4-litre 4cyl, 138bhp CO2/tax 127g/km £110 or 20% Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 375/710 litres Performance 0-60/30-70mph 8.6/7.7 seconds Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 43.4/31.5/9.8m Running costs 33.8mpg (on test) £48 fill-up THE Suzuki Vitara S comes with one engine and in four-wheel-drive guise only, meaning the sole choice you make is between manual and auto boxes. The auto adds an extra £1,350 to the price, but here we test the cheaper £20,899 six-speed manual model Styling 3.7/5 MOST off-roaders have chunky styling cues to reinforce their more rugged potential than a family hatch, and while the standard Vitara’s square-set look isn’t the most interesting next to more heavily styled rivals, this S model adds a sportier dimension to the design. Like the…

Thanks to Imperial Car Supermarkets in Hampshire for the loan of the BMW X1 in our pictures. Contact 023 8098 6917 www.imperialcarsupermarkets.co.uk AN all-new BMW X1 recently arrived in UK showrooms and, as you’d expect, it’s an impressive machine. But if you can’t stretch to the minimum of £27,000 that you’ll need to get your hands on one, there is a solution. For just a third of this, you could buy one of the first-generation X1s, which offer that desirable badge, decent reliability and efficient engines, plus a level of driving fun you expect of a BMW. Bear in mind that, while the new X1 is a great all-rounder, the Mk1 fell short in a few areas, such as cabin space and quality, plus the ride wasn’t as good as…

Suzuki Swift 44.1mpg (official) £44 fill-up Suzuki Swift Sport 5dr Years: 2011 to date Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 135bhp Insurance group: 20 Econ/CO2: 44mpg/147g/km Why? Swift Sport is one of the best-value warm hatches around, and it’s huge fun to drive, too. Prices from: £6,000 SUZUKI’S original Swift Sport, based on the Mk2 hatch, was undoubtedly fun to drive, but it was noisy on the move and cramped inside. However, this latest model maintained the fun factor and added more power and refinement. It’s quite an understated hot hatch, yet there are just enough details to make the Swift look sportier than the Skoda Fabia. Inside, the racier feel continues, with figurehugging seats and red stitching. The dash is easy to get on with, but the stereo system looks dated compared…

132 PAGE SPECIAL ISSUE FORD’S FINEST THE INSIDE STORY ON NEW LUXURY DIVISION TAKING FORD TO THE NEXT LEVEL New Vignale models revealed What Vignale means for you The ultimate Vignale drive New Audi Q2 You’ve seen our exclusive images... now we can reveal all on exciting new crossover Aston Martin DB11 You’ve seen our exclusive images... now we can reveal all on exciting new crossover Official pictures and full details as disguise comes off long-awaited DB9 replacement News Product tests Drives Features & Sport…

PEUGEOT will display an updated 2008 crossover – revealed here for the first time – at the Geneva Motor Show next week. A new grille and more rugged wheelarch extensions are visible as part of the fairly minor visual makeover, while Peugeot is also set to introduce a new GT Line trim. This will join the existing Access, Active and Allure, with the new spec adding 17-inch alloys, special badging and a unique red and black interior. Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink tech have been made available across the range, too. In addition, Peugeot has boosted practicality by increasing boot space from 350 litres to 410 litres. Fold the rear seats, and the volume is up from 1,194 to 1,400 litres – trumping the 1,189 litres on offer in the 2008’s…

THE new Aston Martin DB11 has been exposed in a sneaky picture, apparently taken at a customer clinic ahead of the car’s Geneva Motor Show debut. It’s the first time we’ve seen the car entirely undisguised, and proves the brand is finally moving in a new design direction after a decade of similarly styled models. The car will replace the ageing DB9 and go on sale later this year. From the image, which was posted on Twitter, we can see the new LED headlights and front-end design. The huge grille gives the DB11 a wide, purposeful stance, while the deep ridges in the bonnet emphasise its muscular look The leaked image comes after Aston confirmed that the car would use an all-new 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 engine developing around 600bhp. Alfa…

CARS will be advertised with dual Euro NCAP star ratings from April, as the crash test organisation introduces its new tiered system for safety tech. Base models will continue to be tested to give an initial star rating, but now makers will be able to apply for an optional rating for a car equipped with more safety kit, if it will be installed on 25 per cent of models sold in Europe in the first three years after the crash test is done. It’s thought Euro NCAP has made the move in response to pressure from manufacturers, who believe it’s unfair to rate only the lowest-spec cars for safety when more pricey versions with extra features could be significantly safer in an accident. It’s hoped an extra star will encourage…

Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan WE’RE already big fans of Mazda’s brilliant MX-5 – having been impressed by the 1.5 and 2.0-litre models – and the brand has now launched a range-topping, limited-edition version of the lightweight roadster called the Sport Recaro. It’s got more kit and racy styling add-ons, but do these features make it a better car? Well, at £24,295 it’s not cheap, especially considering the well equipped entry-level 1.5-litre starts from just over £18,000. However, for that extra outlay, almost every option is thrown in. For starters, you get a choice of metallic paint options, while a black Sports Aero Kit and a neat boot spoiler spice up the exterior Diamond-cut 17-inch alloys are standard, and inside you’ll find Alcantara trim on the dash, plus decorative red stitching and a…

MODEL TESTED: MINI Cooper D Clubman PRICE: £22,245 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 148bhp CO2/tax 109g/km £20 or 19% Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 360/1,250 litres Performance 0-60/30-70mph 8.8/7.9 seconds Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 54.1/32.2/8.3m Running costs 49.7mpg (on test) £49 fill-up THE second-generation MINI Clubman is bigger than the original car, and now features four passenger doors to go with its barn door-style tailgate. The range currently comprises Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper D and Cooper SD models, while ALL4 four-wheel drive has just been added as an option on S and SD versions. Here we test the Cooper D, which starts from £22,245. Styling 3.5/5 MINI as a brand has its own unique design traits, and they are all present and correct on the Clubman. The retro-style details up front are lifted straight from…

MODEL TESTED: Mazda CX-3 2.0 Sport Nav SkyActiv-G AWD PRICE: £22,495 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 148bhp CO2/tax 150g/km £145 or 25% Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 287/1,197 litres Performance 0-60/30-70mph 9.1/8.0 seconds Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 48.5/34.3/9.3m Running costs 33.2mpg (on test) £45 fill-up AS diesel 4x4s are more popular than petrol versions in the UK, this 2.0-litre all-wheeldrive Mazda CX-3 is only available in top-spec Sport Nav guise with a six-speed manual gearbox. It’s more expensive than the Suzuki Vitara, at £22,495, but is it worth the extra outlay? Styling 4.0/5 THE CX-3 is a much sleeker crossover than the Vitara, with a coupé-like appearance thanks to the flowing roofline and narrower window opening. It also marries this sporty appearance with a few offroad styling cues, combining 18-inch gunmetal alloy wheels and more…

Toyota Verso FORGET speed cameras, potholes and the Chancellor of the Exchequer – early morning frost is the UK motorist’s real nemesis. At least, that’s how it’s felt to us when faced with our iceencrusted Verso at silly o’clock in the morning in recent winter weeks. The Toyota’s classic MPV design might be great at producing a light, roomy feel in the cabin, but all that glass takes a whole lot of scraping before you can get moving on a frosty morning. The situation isn’t helped by the Verso’s ineffective heater and a diesel engine that doesn’t seem to warm up very quickly – if only there was a heated windscreen. These ice issues aside, this comfy cruiser continues to impress with its toughness and simplicity, but the general blandness…

PRODUCT GROUP TEST 24 | 2 | 2016 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. Kent Extra Large Microfibre Drying Towel Price: £5 Water gain: 1,175g Rating: Contact: 0845 602 1995, www.carcare.co.uk BEST BUY IT’S less than half the price of most rivals here, but that’s not why this Kent Microfibre towel is our winner again. While the budget price is welcome, the company draws a fine line between huge thirst for soaking up water and ease of use. Its mix of short and mid-length fibres leaves just a fine film that dries quickly, but the towel remains flexible and simple to manoeuvre even when soaked. This also made it…

All the action from the world of motorsport Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk FERRARI and Williams were the first Formula One teams to reveal their 2016 challengers in full last week. Both squads released images of their cars ahead of the start of testing at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona on Monday, when the rest of the grid rolled out in the pitlane. The Ferrari SF16-H was launched on Friday via a live stream, with team principal Maurizio Arrivabene taking the wraps off the new car. The H refers to the hybrid setup, while the red and white livery, smaller engine cover and shorter nose are the most significant changes over last year’s SF15-T, but Ferrari’s driver line-up is the same, with Sebastien Vettel alongside Kimi Raikkonen. Williams’ new car, the FW38, is…

ASTON Martin Racing has confirmed its driver line-up for the 2016 World Endurance Championship (WEC) season, as well as revealing a new car livery, new sponsor (Total) and new tyre supplier (Dunlop). Danish pair Nicki Thiim and Marco Sorensen will join Aston stalwart Darren Turner in the #95 GTE Pro-class entry, while the #97 car will be driven by Kiwi Richie Stanaway, Scot Jonny Adam and Brazilian Fernando Rees. In the GTE Am class, the #98 Vantage returns with an unchanged line-up, as Paul Dalla Lana lines up alongside Pedro Lamy and Mathias Lauda, son of F1 racer Niki. Aston will also enter two GT3 Vantages in the Nürburgring 24 Hours in May – this will be its fourth time contesting the event. Formula E gets new Berlin track FORMULA…