Innholdsfortegnelse for 1416 i Auto Express

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn “Micra will take a huge leap in style, quality and desirability; it’s expected by the end of the year” NISSAN’S high-flying crossovers have been soaking up so much attention that models such as the Micra have been left floundering. However, that’s all about to change, as development of the all-new supermini is nearing its final stages. Caught in the most revealing spy shots yet, the new Micra will take a huge leap in terms of style, quality and desirability, and is expected to arrive before the end of the year – possibly making its debut at the Paris Motor Show in September. For years, the Micra has been left in the wake of the hugely popular Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa superminis – two of the UK’s biggest-selling…

James Batchelor James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor New 718 Boxster shows us its class PORSCHE has changed quite a few things on the new 718 Boxster, not least the name. But while the looks have been tweaked, it’s what lies under the engine cover that everyone’s talking about. A new four-cylinder turbo replaces the old flat-six, and as our first drive on Page 36 reveals, the roadster is as thrilling to drive as ever. Watch our video to see the Porsche in action. First drive review of Jaguar’s F-Pace IT’S easily 2016’s most anticipated car, and we’ve finally driven it (Page 8). Earlier this year, we discovered Jaguar’s F-Pace was an impressive package when we tried it on a frozen lake. Now check out our video to see how the brand’s first-ever SUV…

Joe_Finnerty@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer “Once the processes are running at full tilt, only one per cent of cars could be left unrecycled” 1. De-pollute UNDER the End of Life Vehicles Directive, when cars and vans weighing up to 3.5 tonnes are scrapped, they must be disposed of in an environmentally responsible way. Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs) – of which there are around 1,500 in the UK – are the only centres legally permitted to dispose of scrap cars, as they can deal with hazardous parts like oil and batteries. Recycling centres with an ATF licence are then able to issue a Certificate of Destruction (CoD). 2. Shredder ONCE the car’s been made safe and had a CoD raised, it’s added to the scrap pile. From here, it’s broken up into small pieces…

James_Disdale@dennis.co.uk “New Boxster has the 911 Turbo’s faster and more direct steering rack, and the handling is sublime” PORSCHE has been courting a fair bit of controversy of late. First it revealed that most of its legendary 911 models would get turbocharged engines, and now it’s dropped the bombshell that its mid-engined Boxster roadster is ditching its flat-sixes in favour of smaller four-cylinder ‘boxer’ powerplants. Yet while Porsche fans are up in arms, the firm isn’t breaking any new ground. In fact, its first ever car, the 1948 356/1, had a midmounted flat-four, while the newcomer’s 718 model designation is a nod to the sixties racer that scored numerous victories and even spawned an F1 racer. So has this trip back to the future paid off for Porsche? Twist the…

“V60 Polestar is 24kg lighter over the front axle and should be a far more nimble car” “Smooth new eight-speed auto box is a massive improvement over the reluctant old six-speed” BARELY a day goes by without enthusiasts mourning the passing of another gloriously powerful large-capacity petrol engine. And nobody has embraced this era of downsizing more readily than Volvo, which has committed to an efficient range of tiny four-cylinder turbocharged engines for its entire model line-up. Even the XC90 SUV makes do with a 2.0-litre Drive-E engine. However, what’s good for a luxurious SUV or a tame family estate doesn’t necessarily suit a full-on performance model. At least, that’s what you might think. Yet by replacing the charismatic 3.0-litre straight-six in the V60 Polestar with a highly tuned 2.0-litre…

MODEL TESTED: MINI Cooper (with Pepper and Media Pack) PRICE: £18,745 ENGINE: 1.5-litre 3cyl, 134bhp Testers’ notes “If you’re after the best handling supermini on sale, look no further than the MINI. We’re always left impressed by the engaging handling, no matter what version we drive, but this mid-spec Cooper version is arguably the best of the bunch. The 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine delivers impressive performance and economy, and it has more than enough everyday usability to make the Cooper S look almost redundant.” THE third-generation MINI hatchback was launched in 2014, and while the range has expanded to include the five-door, six-door Clubman and two-door Convertible bodystyles, the three-door version is still a popular choice. Here we test the MINI Cooper, which is powered by a 1.5-litre threecylinder turbo engine.…

Results 1st TOYOTA PRIUS’ design won’t be to everyone’s taste, but there’s no denying it looks and feels a lot more distinctive than the Passat. However, the big benefit comes from its hybrid powertrain, delivering useful savings over the conventionally powered Volkswagen. The smooth ride and capable chassis mean it’s also good to drive, and now more refined than ever. 2nd VOLKSWAGEN THE Passat’s lower fuel economy and higher CO2 emissions mean it can’t compete with the Prius. It’ll be more expensive to run as a result, with higher servicing costs and greater depreciation. The VW is roomier inside and provides a bigger boot in five-seat form, but the Toyota is just as practical and a more efficient solution for day-to-day use. ^Combined power output. In red = equipment fitted…

Switched Fortunes John Rabe (Austin Macauley, austinmacauley.com) Price: £7.99 Rating: IT’S easy to tell that first-time fiction author John Rabe is a petrolhead because the cars are as much characters in Switched Fortunes as the humans. And even if you’re not a petrolhead yourself, this crime novel will have you turning the pages enthusiastically. For those who do love their cars and enjoy racing and chases, this is a great book. At just £7.99, it’s a top-value buy, too. 1275cc A-Series High-Performance Manual Des Hammill (Veloce Publishing, www.veloce.co.uk) Price: £35 Rating: DEFINITELY one for the enthusiast, and if you’re lucky enough to own a car with one of the very popular 1275cc A-Series engines, this is a concise, well written and highly detailed guide to carrying out modifications for high…

Got any car queries? Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Peugeot clutch problem I OWN a 2012 Peugeot 508 that is currently on its fourth clutch pack in 65,000 miles. Peugeot doesn’t seem to think there is a problem. What should I do? Pete Crewes, E-mail A THREE clutch replacements in 65,000 miles sounds excessive. If Peugeot doesn’t believe a fault exists, go to an independent garage and ask it to inspect the car for faults. If one is found, you can take the case up with Motor Codes or the Financial Ombudsman. Q Official dealer dilemma MY Porsche Cayman is due for a service. I was going to use an independent specialist, but my Porsche dealer told me I’d have to use it to maintain the warranty. What do I do? Paul…

Dean_Gibson@dennis.co.uk THIS weekend marks a watershed moment for rallying in Northern Ireland, as a record-breaking entry list descends on the country for the Circuit Of Ireland. The tarmac event is part of the FIA European Championship, round two of the British series and part of the Irish Tarmac championship, and the top-spec R5 category features a strong line-up of 38 entries, led by 2015 winner Craig Breen. The 26-year-old took victory for Peugeot, and while he is now part of the Abu Dhabi Citroen World Rally Championship team, his WRC schedule was clear for him to compete in an R5-spec DS 3 this year. “My WRC programme takes preference, but the Circuit of Ireland is close to my heart and I really wanted to come back and win it again,”…

Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram “Steering is sharp and perfectly weighted, while the ride is nicely judged” ■ Jag’s first SUV proves it has what it takes to rival Porsche Macan ■ Combines luxury, refinement, agile handling; priced from £34,170 THE crossover market is growing faster than any other, with manufacturers offering niches within niches to satisfy buyers wanting something a little different. It’s a wonder, then, why it has taken Jaguar so long to make its first foray into this highly competitive sector. But the F-Pace is finally here, so does it deliver? In terms of size, the Jag sits between the BMW X3 and X5, although engineers will freely admit that the Porsche Macan was a benchmark for the car’s dynamic ability. Jaguar also claims this new SUV can take on…

Limited-edition Peugeot 208 is go PEUGEOT has launched a new ‘XS’ special-edition 208 supermini (above). It’s limited to just 2,000 units and costs from £13,495. The 208 gets a gloss-black grille and door mirror treatment, 16-inch alloys, front foglights, unique badging and white or lime green detailing. Inside, all XS models feature a seven-inch touchscreen, DAB radio, Bluetooth, air-con and cruise control. It’s available on Peugeot’s ‘Just Add Fuel’ monthly payment scheme, too. Rugged new Beetle to start at £21,300 VOLKSWAGEN has announced UK pricing and specs for its Beetle Dune. Available to order now, the jacked-up retro coupé kicks off at £21,300, with the droptop convertible version from £24,255. A 104bhp 1.2-litre TSI petrol is the base engine, while the only other choice is a 148bhp 2.0 TDI diesel.…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy ASTON Martin claims this refreshed V12 Vantage S is the model to satisfy performance car purists, as it’s available with a manual gearbox for the first time. The new seven-speed unit is being offered as a no-cost option on the coupé and Roadster versions of the sports car, which also get a string of interior and exterior tweaks to justify the ‘2017 model year’ tag. The 6.0-litre V12 engine remains unchanged with 563bhp – enough to take the coupé from 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds, regardless of whether you specify the new manual box or Aston’s Sportshift automatic. The V12’s manual has a dog-leg first – a similar layout to those used in motorsport, where that gear is only used for starts. In addition, the gearbox features AMSHIFT, Aston’s…

Solicitor www.consumer-genie.co.uk WHY pay more for a car at a dealer when you can buy it cheaper from an individual? The answer is simple – when you buy from a garage, you are protected by the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which states the car you are buying must be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose. What this means for you depends on the age and condition of the car, and what you have paid for it. If the car turns out to be faulty, you may be able to obtain a full refund or repair, subject to how long you’ve owned the vehicle. Also, if you pay by credit card, even a small deposit, or by way of a connected loan, any claim you have can also be made…

Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk “We struggled in pre-development mode, and left one cone beyond repair” “You might not notice the work we put into new cars, but that’s because experts have taken care of it. If you could try our prototypes before we have got hold of them, you would be amazed by the difference” SATOSHI OTA Head of chassis dynamics development THIRTY years ago, fine-tuning the driving characteristics of a new production model was very different, with a team of mechanics spending months getting their hands greasy with spanners and working with drivers pounding test tracks for hours to see if each tweak made a difference. Now, while there’s still lots of manual tinkering, engineers can dramatically alter the way a car drives with nothing more than some software and a laptop.…

Dean_Gibson@dennis.co.uk “Targa is a great-handling sports car that’s fun to drive thanks to its fantastic grip and agile responses” NOT many sports cars can rival the Porsche 911 for sheer driving enjoyment, so the launch of a revised model is a big deal. We’ve already sampled the new turboassisted Carrera in the UK, and now we’ve tried the Targa model on British roads, too. Like the coupé, the 911 Targa ditches its naturally aspirated flat-six for forced induction, and uses the same 3.0-litre twinturbo mounted in the back. Previously, the standard model and more potent S version have had different capacities, but this time the Targa 4S simply features larger turbos and a revised exhaust to boost power from 365bhp to 414bhp. While that means the newcomer is marginally faster…

MODEL TESTED: Audi A1 1.4 TFSI 125 S line PRICE: £18,900 ENGINE: 1.4-litre 4cyl, 124bhp Testers’ notes “If you can find the extra £795 to upgrade to the 148bhp version of the A1 1.4 TFSI, we’d recommend it. This model features Cylinder on Demand tech, which shuts down cylinders to save fuel. Audi claims 112g/km emissions, which is 5g/km better than the 124bhp model, while economy improves from 56.5mpg to 58.9mpg. The system is barely perceptible in operation, and the extra performance puts the A1 on a par with the Cooper.” Interior CABIN feels a little dated compared to newer Audi models, but still has highquality finish and options for colour personalisation. There’s decent grip, but steering is vague THE Audi A1 is the brand’s answer to the MINI, and,…

MODEL TESTED: Volkswagen Passat 1.6 TDI BlueMotion PRICE: £23,530 ENGINE: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 118bhp Testers’ notes “While Volkswagen’s most economical Polo supermini now uses a petrol engine and the Golf line-up also features a 1.0 TSI BlueMotion edition, in a heavier car like the Passat saloon, petrol power doesn’t make as much sense. There’s no DSG automatic gearbox option on offer, either, but the BlueMotion is also available as an estate if you’re looking for additional practicality. However, it costs £1,550 more.” VOLKSWAGEN now has petrol engines in its BlueMotion line-up, but for its most efficient Passat model, the brand has stuck with diesel power to ensure a tank of fuel gets you as far as possible. The Passat BlueMotion only comes in one trim level with one engine and one…

Tune in for latest ultimate valet kit HOBBYIST TV shopping channel Hochanda claims to have the answer to all your car care needs with its Ultimate 10 Piece Valet Kit. The £29.99 bundle comprises two bottles of Ultimate Finish Waterless Wash & Wax, a reusable trigger spray, tyre restorer, leather cleaner and concentrated washer fluid, as well as all the necessary microfibre cloths and foam applicators. Each bottle of Waterless Wash is said to clean up to eight cars. The kit is available from hochanda.com or by tuning in to the Hochanda channel. Win free petrol with parking space app USERS of the space-finding app AppyParking can win a tank of fuel for free in the AppyPetrolHunt. To enter, download AppyParking and make use of the free 30-day petrol subscription…

“Fast-expanding Jaguar Land Rover now ranks as one of the most daring and confident car firms on the planet ” I’VE long argued that major motor manufacturing groups should do more than build engines and cars. When I was invited to Rick Wagoner’s office in Detroit, the then boss of General Motors complained to me that he was forced to spend more on hospital bills for employees than on steel for cars. I suggested to him that he could drastically cut his corporate medical and drugs bills by building his own hospitals staffed by GMemployed doctors and nurses. He responded by telling me he’d investigate this. Sadly, he lost his job a few months later – partly because those employee healthcare costs helped bankrupt his giant corporation. I had a…

Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Steve Walker Editor of our van channel at autoexpress.co.uk/vans A VAN isn’t just a car with a shortfall in seats and windows. There are huge differences in the way cars and light commercial vehicles are used day-to-day. Despite this, the basic MoT test, the Government’s barometer of a vehicle’s roadworthiness and safety, is the same for both. Vans get their first MoT after three years, just like cars, but DVSA figures show a van is twice as likely to fail that test and the average mileage for a van failing its first MoT is nearly 78,000 miles. This rings alarm bells. It’s a long way to go without a safety check, and the figures suggest it’s too long. It adds up to a huge number of potentially unroadworthy…

New key breathalyser can stop cars starting HONDA has teamed up with Hitachi to develop a portable breathalyser prototype that could be integrated into smart car keys to stop a vehicle starting if the driver is over the limit. The keyring detector identifies saturated water vapour and gives a reading in three seconds, with results displayed on a car’s dash screen. Honda and Hitachi claim their prototype (right) is better than ignition-based alcohol interlocks as it can’t be tampered with. They say it’s able to distinguish between human breath and alternative gases using a unique Hitachi electrode-based sensor. The tech will now be tested ahead of its unveiling at a World Congress in Detroit this month. FOUL weather has forced test centres across Great Britain to reschedule close to 170,000…

THERE’S little that’s more frustrating than driving through a stretch of roadworks in the middle of the night with nobody working and minimal traffic, yet still having to abide by the average speed limit, often some 20mph below the regular limit. You might think, therefore, that MPs calling for more to be placed across the UK is a bad thing. However, what you see on motorways is very much the worst side of average speed checks. We’ve previously reported how single site cameras can cause braking hotspots and lead to accidents, negating the supposed safety benefits cameras are meant to give. But it’s not an issue with average zones. For example, statistics show that on the A9 in Scotland, speeders have dropped by 30 per cent since the introduction of…

Contact Martin Saarinen mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress Write to: Watchdog/Letters, Auto Express, Dennis Publishing, 30 Cleveland Street, London W1T 4JD HOT TOPIC Ford Mustang EcoBoost FROM: shaun34 A FOUR-cylinder 2.3-litre petrol, no matter how unappealing to some buyers, is still better than the 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engines found in many of the other ‘sports cars’ like the Audi TT or the Mercedes SLK. It’s not just Ford that is downsizing. FROM: pagelet SIMPLY brilliant from Ford. I will be looking at one of these next week. If you don’t like the sound, then avoid the four-cylinder option, as simple as that. There’s no need to make the sound artificially louder to substitute a V8 rumble. It’ll just annoy people. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “A good aftermarket exhaust system should sort…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn “Engine isn’t quite dead silent, yet it’s well isolated from the cabin” “The first prevailing impression is just how comfortable the Tiguan is on the move” Essentials VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI 4MOTION DSG SE Price: £30,480 Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbodiesel Power/torque: 148bhp/340Nm Transmission: Seven-speed automatic, four-wheel drive 0-62mph: 9.3 seconds Top speed: 124mph Economy: 49.5mpg CO2: 149g/km ON SALE Now THE Tiguan is the first of an onslaught of new SUVs from Volkswagen due within the next four years, and the reason it will reach showrooms before any other model is that it’s the most important. The outgoing Tiguan trailed only the Golf and Polo in the UK sales chart. This isn’t our first time behind the wheel of the Tiguan. Back in February (Issue 1,408) we sampled…

James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor JEEP turns 75 this year, and to celebrate the brand has rolled out Anniversary special versions of the Renegade, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Wrangler. We’ve been behind the wheel of the Wrangler – a model generally considered the most classic of all. The rough and tough 4x4 isn’t a common sight on UK roads, and this new special 75th Anniversary edition will be rarer still, with fewer than 100 due for import this year. But for those who love all things Jeep, the car pulls on the heartstrings. It’s based on the Wrangler Sahara, and gets climate control, cruise control, auto lights and hill descent control as standard. For the birthday celebrations, the 75 comes in six colours, including Sarge Green, plus there are new 18-inch bronze wheels…

MODEL TESTED: DS 3 1.2 PureTech 130 Prestige PRICE: £18,795 ENGINE: 1.2-litre 3cyl, 128bhp Testers’ notes “Creating a separate DS brand is a bold move by Citroen, but seeing as the cars it’s selling are all proven products, there should be limited risk for the company. The DS website also promotes its DS Assistance scheme, which offers help with mechanical and external issues – ie flat tyres – 24 hours a day. This is valid for three years on new models, and compares with the single year of breakdown cover you get with Citroens.” LAST year saw Citroen split its DS-badged models into a separate luxury brand, and now the smallest model in the range, the DS 3, has been given the division’s corporate image. As well as a new…

Results 1st MINI IT’S a previous Auto Express Car of the Year, and the MINI has come out on top again. The three-door looks just right when compared to the other MINI bodystyles, while the Cooper is arguably the sweet spot in the range. It delivers fantastic handling, great performance and excellent economy, and you can spec one up with a decent amount of kit and still undercut the DS on price. 2nd DS THERE’S been enough of an update for the DS 3 to remain competitive with the MINI, and the revised range has an upmarket feel with plenty of personalisation on offer. The engine is punchy and refined, while cabin space in the back is the best here. The car sacrifices handling for comfort, although it’s not far…

MODEL TESTED: Toyota Prius 1.8 VVT-i Active PRICE: £23,295 ENGINE: 1.8-litre 4cyl petrol/electric motor, 121bhp Testers’ notes “Toyota’s impressive reliability record is backed up by a five-year/100,000-mile warranty, whereas the Volkswagen only gets coverage for three years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes sooner. The Passat counters this with variable servicing intervals, while the Prius is limited to 10,000 miles or one year. Both cars get one year’s worth of roadside assistance cover.” THE Prius stamped its authority in our Issue 1,412 group test by taking a victory against its closest hybrid competitors, but it faces a stern test against the Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion. Toyota offers the car in four trim levels, and although our pictures show an Excel, we tested the £23,295 Active model, which comes closest to the VW…

James Disdale James_Disdale@dennis.co.uk Second opinion “Given the Disco’s firm ride, it’s a shame Land Rover doesn’t yet offer its excellent MagneRide adaptive dampers as an option. This won’t come until later this year, when it will appear as part of the optional Dynamic pack.” Sean Carson Senior road tester “While the Disco is accomplished off the beaten track, I’m astonished at its composure on road” GIVEN the choice of a rutted country track or a sweeping back road, you’d probably assume I’d be pointing the nose of our rugged Land Rover Discovery Sport towards the rough stuff. Well, yes and no. You see, while the baby Disco is hugely accomplished off the beaten track, over the past 5,000 miles, I’ve been astonished at its composure and agility on good old…

Got a query? Kim_Adams@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q When do I bin winter tyres? I’M about to switch my winter tyres back to the set of summer rubber I’ve had in storage over the cold months. But I’ve had my winter tyres for a few years and they’re quite worn. When are they not worth keeping until next winter? FrankJones, E-mail A JUST like with conventional tyres, the loss of grip accelerates as the tyre approaches the last few millimetres towards the legal minimum. For wet grip, this means 3mm is the safe minimum. We’ve carried out tests with Continental, which showed 4mm is the minimum for grip on snow. Q Tips on steering switch THE driving position in the classic car I’ve bought recently isn’t very comfortable, and I’m thinking of…

Mini test GREAT-VALUE WASHER Vax PowerWash3 Complete Best price: £149.99 Contact: 0330 026 8455, www.vax.co.uk THERE’S lots to like about this washer, not least its great value for money. You get a patio cleaner and car brush, as well as turbo, fan and soap nozzles, plus a universal cleaner concentrate that makes five litres. It features neat on-board storage for everything apart from the patio cleaner, while we liked the suction pipe for detergent, although it could be a bit longer. The fixed jet nozzle delivers a decent spray and you can feel the power of the 2,500W motor, which makes light work of blasting grit from a car’s bodywork with no risk of scratching. We also liked the 10-metre hose; it keeps moving the light washer round. Trouble is,…

Dear Lawrence, I’m looking for a sporty coupé that’s fun to drive, but has plenty of luggage space and rear seats. What should I consider for £14,000? Jack Carrington, E-mail Contact: Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk CARS THE FAST CHOICE Renault Mégane RS FOR: Lots of fun to drive, most practical choice AGAINST: A bit thirsty, could be better built RENAULTSPORT revisions turn the old three-door Mégane Coupé into a true sports car. Its 247bhp 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine packs a punch and means it’s the fastest car of our trio. Plus, it has engaging handling, while the hatch underpinnings make it the most practical choice here. The Mégane won’t be the cheapest car to run or own, but we found a 2012 example with 33,000 miles on the clock for £13,500. INTERIOR RELIABILITY…