Innholdsfortegnelse for 1418 i Auto Express

FOR 15 years now, our Driver Power car ownership survey has revealed the truth about owning cars in the UK. By giving us your honest feedback on the models you drive, you’ve helped thousands of other people choose their next car. You’ve also helped the car makers shape their products – there’s nothing more valuable to them than knowing what their customers really think. And they know you’ll often tell us more than you might tell them. What this year’s survey tells us is that those of you who are embracing new tech really love it. Six of the top 10 cars are what could be described as ‘alternative fuel’ vehicles – the top two are allelectric, with four hybrid models in there, too. Top of the lot, and a…

DROP-TOP Under disguise, newcomer is set to share saloon’s styling, while the chassis and engines will also be carried over Sam_Naylor@dennis.co.uk @SamNaylor_AE MERCEDES’ expansion of the new E-Class range continues as the drop-top has been spied development testing for the very first time. It will join the saloon (tested on Page 80) and imminent Estate and Coupé versions of the car later next year. The heavily disguised prototype in our pictures gives little away, but you can make out the long front doors and smaller side windows, while the shape of the soft-top roof is a giveaway as to what’s beneath the camouflage. Disguises on the bonnet and boot surfaces indicate that there could be minor changes to those panels, too. The upcoming E-Class Cabriolet will use the same platform…

AUDI has also developed a one-off, six-door version of its flagship luxury saloon, called the A8 L Extended. The limo is 6.36 metres long, with a 4.22-metre wheelbase, and took the brand a year to develop and build for just one customer. Engineers redeveloped the entire body of the car from the A-pillar back in order to add an extra 1.09m to the wheelbase. As a result, it weighs 2.4 tonnes – around 400kg heavier than the LWB model it’s based on. The seats are trimmed in Valcona leather and are all electrically adjustable, while passengers in the rearmost seats can access an entertainment display and fridge. The A8 L Extended is powered by Audi’s 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine, which develops 306bhp and 440Nm of torque. This takes the car…

ROAD workers are to be issued with body cameras, after receiving threats from drivers while installing a new cycle lane. Labourers near Wivenhoe in Essex have been subject to increasing violence from passing motorists, with one even brandishing a knuckleduster. The local council has now handed out police-style body cameras to act as a deterrent. It’s the latest example of cameras being worn by workers after similar problems arose during projects in the East Midlands and North East. Ten companies reported 441 incidents in one year alone, including 174 physical attacks, according to the Highways Term Maintenance Association. Pat Sheehan, lead for the roadwork safety group, added: “There are issues with people being punched, even shot at with air rifles. You name it, it has happened.” £32k for Camaro from…

MAHINDRA has launched a new electric city car in the UK. The e2o is priced from £12,995 inclusive of the Government’s plug-in car grant, and it goes head-to-head with the Peugeot iOn. It has a range of up to 88 miles thanks to a 14kWh lithium-ion battery pack, while a 42bhp electric motor means a top speed of 63mph. Two trim levels are available: the basespec City gets power-steering, electric windows and a heater, while the £15,995 TechX adds air-con, sat-nav, leather and the ability to pre-heat and cool the car via a smartphone app. It also brings a 90-minute fast charge option; a normal charge takes nine hours. The e2o indirectly replaces the G-Wiz, but is sold online only with cars delivered to and serviced at home. VW hybrid…

APPROVED used schemes are a popular choice for car buyers as they offer mechanical peace of mind, as the manufacturer has taken time to inspect the vehicle. However, occasionally owners still end up with a faulty car. Gabriella Clap, from Hungerford, Berks, did when she picked up her 2010 BMW 525d from dealer Arden Maidstone in Kent last October. “Upon collection, it was obvious that there were numerous faults with the vehicle,” she told us. “The automatic headlights weren’t working, the wheels were heavily corroded and there was damage to the front bumper that had not been repaired correctly.” BMW agreed to address all of the faults, but after collecting the car a second time, Gabriella found even more problems. She said: “Another BMW garage identified a significant oil leak,…

A different take on the world of motoring James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor JEEP. Four letters that for many people around the world represent everything American. Even on its home soil, Jeep has been named the most patriotic brand for he past three years – it’s unequivocally American, and its heritage is gilt-edged and a marketeer’s dream. Britain has its own version, of course. But as much as Land Rover wouldn’t like to admit to it, Jeep is the preface to its own story. Like most prefaces, though, this is the bit that tends to get overlooked. Just like Land Rover, Jeep has had its own share of ups and downs. Moreover, just months after the British company’s last grandfather, the Defender, rolled off the production line, Jeep turns 75. Jeep headed to…

THE Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 should be elbowing its way into any argument on the best two-seat roadster on the market. All the ingredients are there. It’s the first car with AMG’s new 3.0-litre bi-turbo V6 engine, which delivers 362bhp and 520Nm of torque and is lighter and more frugal than the old naturally aspirated V8 in the SLK 55. This is paired with Mercedes’ nine-speed automatic gearbox, while the SLC retains the SLK’s rear-wheel-drive set-up. That’s only part of the story, though. The AMG SLC 43 isn’t built by AMG at all – it’s “engineered by Affalterbach”, which isn’t quite the same thing. The core architecture is a bit old fashioned, but it’s been fitted with an AMG-specific engine, rear suspension mounts, new front and rear axles and stiffer steering…

Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram THE TT Roadster made its debut last year with a 227bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine and a fast but frugal diesel. And now Audi has sliced £3,000 off the price of its drop-top sports car and launched this new 1.8 turbo. Costing from £28,915, it marks a fresh entry point into TT Roadster ownership. It’s available in Sport or S line specification, as well as in fixed-roof coupé guise. All cars have the manufacturer’s brilliant Virtual Cockpit digital display, xenon headlamps and 18-inch alloy wheels. Cosmetically, though, this TT 180 is identical to its more powerful stablemates. Under the bonnet is the SEAT Leon FR’s 1.8-litre petrol turbo. The TT sprints from 0-62mph in a respectable 7.2 seconds, and can hit 147mph flat-out – meaning that, while it never…

Model tested: Jaguar XF R-Sport 2.0d 180 Auto Price: £36,850 Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 178 The latest Jaguar XF has proven an instant hit in the executive car class, and enters this encounter on the back of two consecutive road test victories. With its blend of head-turning looks, engaging driving dynamics and walletfriendly running costs, the XF represents a stern challenge for any new arrival. Here we test it in popular £36,850 2.0d R-Sport guise. Styling 4.5/5 The second-generation XF has lost little of the original’s head-turning style and handsome proportions. After the dowdy S-Type, the car revitalised Jaguar’s image, and the newcomer continues the trend. Our R-Sport test car looks mean and moody, thanks to is subtle bodykit and larger 18-inch wheels, while its low-slung roofline gives it a more…

IT looks as if Ford is on to a winner with its Mustang. Dealers are struggling to keep pace with demand, and our drives of the UKspec right-hand-drive model have shown that the bulging order books are entirely justified. However, so far we’ve only sampled the V8 version (Issue 1,405), and the big question still to be answered is whether it makes as much sense with forced induction and half as many cylinders. Purists may feel that fitting a 2.3-litre turbo EcoBoost engine in a car as down-home American as the Mustang is sacrilege, but on the other hand, it delivers nearly as much pace as the V8 and offers greater efficiency. To see how the EcoBoost model fits in, we’ve lined up a stalwart of the coupé class in…

Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan Tesla has very quietly revealed a nip and tuck for its Model S. The allelectric executive saloon gets a revised front end, inspired by the Model X and Model 3, as well as new tech and faster charging. The most notable revision is seen at the front, where the familiar black grille design has been interestingly blanked off, to leave only the badge surround at the top and small air intakes in the lower bumper. The headlights have also been revised with a different LED signature, plus the rear lights benefit from very subtle tweaks. Inside, Tesla has confirmed there will be two new ash wood finishes for the dash, although we’ve yet to get a glimpse. As it’s a Tesla, there’s also some new tech in the…

“Suzuki admitted there ‘appear to be low signal issues in the area’, but said there was no fix” IF your new car has a fault the dealer can’t fix, but is still fit for its main purpose, you may have to live with it; a minor problem is unlikely to be sufficient justification for a full blown vehicle rejection. That’s the frustrating situation reader Heather Elkington found herself in. She discovered she couldn’t receive local traffic updates via the sat-nav on her 65-reg Suzuki Vitara, which she bought in September. Heather, of Verwood, Dorset, told Auto Express there were a few faults with the system – the worst of which was that it frequently didn’t deliver any traffic updates. “I’m supposed to get alerts to tell me when there are…

“It may be the base M car, but there’s nothing entry-level about the 365bhp 3.0-litre turbo engine’s performance” Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn SOME things you just know will be an absolute hit before they even begin. A ringside seat at a World Heavyweight Championship boxing match, or a table at a Michelin-starred restaurant, for instance. The BMW M2 Coupé can now be added to that rarefied category. This eagerly anticipated baby M car has been one of the most hyped new models of 2016 – and with good reason. Having already sampled the M2 at Laguna Seca in California, we now have the Porsche Cayman S rival on the correct side of the Atlantic and in right-hand drive. It may be the base M car, but there’s nothing entry-level about its performance;…

Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan CHOICE is a luxury that new car buyers have in abundance nowadays. The Vauxhall Adam tops the customisation list, with a staggering 30,000 combinations on offer. But the brand now appears to think all of the options could be a bit exhausting, so it’s launched this: the Adam Energised. Essentially, Vauxhall has taken the personalisation out of buyers’ hands, providing an out-of-the-box city car with some of the most popular options fitted as standard. Based on the Adam Jam, the Energised adds 17-inch gloss-black alloy wheels, a black roof and black exterior detailing. You also get LED daytime running lights and LED tail-lamps thrown in. Inside, there are part-leather seats, sports pedals and the IntelliLink infotainment system – usually a £1,845 extra. The only option is Vauxhall’s OnStar…

Sean_Carson@dennis.co.uk @Sean_Carson_ SINCE the crazy 620R and 620S models joined the Caterham Seven range, the naturally aspirated halo has been held by the still potent 420R. We’ll cut straight to the chase – it’s a real sweet spot in the line-up. While the supercharged 620 models are great fun, you need to be bold and brave to tame the raucous sports car in anything other than bone-dry conditions. The 420R, however, is an old-school Caterham that needs revving to feel the thrills. It develops 210bhp, and sprints from 0-60mph in a scant 3.8 seconds. With maximum power produced at 7,600rpm, if you push hard, the Ford-sourced 2.0-litre four-cylinder rewards you with a symphonic snort from the side-exit exhaust. There’s 203Nm of torque available, and with a larger engine capacity than…

Despite the ever increasing popularity of upmarket SUVs and crossovers, sales of premium executive saloons are still going strong. So the arrival of an all-new Mercedes E-Class to the market is big news. While its predecessor was solidly built, it lacked that wow factor. However, with its hi-tech kit and styling cues from the brand’s S-Class limousine, this latest car promises to set a new class benchmark. Under the sleek lines are totally overhauled engines, which, in combination with the slippery aerodynamics and nine-speed automatic gearbox, make the Mercedes one of the most efficient models in the class. At launch, there’s a choice of SE and sporty AMG Line trim levels, and it’s the latter we test here in £38,430 220d guise. But before Mercedes can start uncorking the champagne,…

CO2/tax 110g/km £20 or 22% Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 530/995 litres Performance 0-60/30-70mph 8.5/7.3 seconds Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 66.9/44.3/11.9m Running costs 42.3mpg (on test) £77 fill-up Model tested: Audi A6 2.0 TDI ultra S line S tronic Price: £36,350 Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 187bhp THE Audi A6 is a hugely desirable addition to any corporate car park, particularly in efficient ultra guise. Boasting decent economy and low CO2 emissions, it promises sensible running costs, while its sleek style and slick cabin ooze upmarket appeal. Powered by a 2.0-litre TDI engine, it’s available in a number of spec levels, and here we test the sporty S line trim with Audi’s twin-clutch S tronic gearbox, which weighs in at £36,350, although the car in our pictures is an entry-level SE model. Styling 4.1/5 CLEARLY…

PRODUCT GROUP TEST 20 | 4 | 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. Cat Dow AS many of us start to plan holidays, thoughts turn to how we’ll squeeze our family and all our luggage in the car. Roof boxes are a neat solution, creating space in the cabin and making everyone more comfortable. They also mean you needn’t drive a car bigger than you need all year for a few days away with the family. Yet not all roof boxes are created equal. We’ve tested eight of the market’s most popular designs to give you the lowdown. How we tested them WE rated space, load capacity, convenience…

A NEW Ford Mondeo can set you back more than £30,000, but what if you want something a little more exotic for that cash? Aston Martin’s V8 Vantage was introduced as the company’s ‘entry-level’ model in 2005, and with hundreds of cars for sale today, starting from a little over £30,000, the Vantage makes a great buy for anyone looking for a slice of exotica on a budget. With a 4.3-litre V8 and a manual or semiauto Sportshift box (each with six gears), the Vantage has a soundtrack and performance to match the looks. The 380bhp engine has a free-revving nature that runs all the way to 7,000rpm, and is a delight to use; it takes the car from 0-62mph in a mere five seconds and on to 175mph. Throw…

Kia Carens 42.2mpg (on test) £61 fill-up Kia Carens 1.7 CRDi 1 Years: 2013 to date Engine: 1.7-litre 4cyl, 114bhp Ins group: 12 Official econ/CO2: 60.1mpg/124g/km Why? Practical touches are important for a sevenseater, and the Kia offers them in all the right places. Prices from: £10,000 THERE’S a lot to be said for the seven-seater Kia Carens’ blend of style and versatility, especially if you’re looking for good-value pricing and cheap day-to-day running costs. The contemporary design and strong kit count make it genuinely appealing. Throw in a terrific reputation for reliability, a sevenyear warranty and some great independent crash test scores, and the Carens makes even more sense for families on a budget. There’s generous head and legroom in the first two rows of seats, yet adults will…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy TOYOTA is preparing to beef up its SUV range with a stylish, sportier alternative to the RAV4 – and Auto Express has had a chance to experience the new C-HR. It’s the first model since the latest Prius to be based on Toyota’s new TNGA chassis technology. Despite rumours before launch of this being a Nissan Juke rival, it’s roughly as long as a Qashqai, so it’s better to think of it as a more style-focused take on a family SUV than another entry to the ever-expanding baby off-roader market. Direct competitors are hard to find, but you could consider Audi’s new Q2 as a rival. The C-HR’s regular configuration will be a 114bhp 1.2-litre turbo petrol with frontwheel drive and either a six-speed manual or CVT auto…

AUDI hasn’t even launched its new A5 coupé, but work is already under way on the more practical and sporty S5 Sportback, as these spy shots show. The curvy five-door coupé features an all-new look and a turbocharged V6 engine to help it go head-to-head with the BMW 440i Gran Coupé. Tell-tale signs such as larger wheels and quad exhausts mark it out as the flagship model. Under the bonnet, the S5 Sportback will share the S4’s new 3.0-litre V6 turbo, which produces 349bhp and 500Nm of torque – a cut above the 328bhp and 440Nm in the current S5’s supercharged engine. The power boost, as well as the lower weight from the new MLB platform it shares with the A4, should mean a significant step up in performance and…

Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan PEUGEOT has revealed its nextgeneration dashboard, which will feature in every version of the new 3008 (spied, right), due later this year. The evolution of the i-Cockpit will be used across the brand’s future range, including the nextgeneration 208 supermini and 308 hatch. The news follows parent company PSA’s announcement of plans to introduce 26 new global models before 2021, including nine Peugeots – most of which will use this cabin design in one form or another. It showcases a raft of improvements on the i-Cockpit concept, including Peugeot’s version of the VW Group’s Virtual Cockpit digital dials. i-Cockpit originally made its debut on the 208 in 2012, then transferred to the 2008 and 308. Its distinctive feature – a small steering wheel and dials that sit above…

LAND Rover has confirmed a range of 2017 model-year updates for its Range Rover Evoque SUV, as well as an eye-catching new red and black special edition. The Evoque Ember is based on the HSE Dynamic, but adds new details including a stand-out red roof and bumper highlights to complement the black body colour. The lettering on the boot and bonnet is finished in black, too, and the lights have been darkened to complete the look. Inside, there are black sports seats and extra gloss-black dash trim, plus red stitching and mats. The Ember will be available for three months this summer, with prices from £47,200. The rest of the Evoque range will be updated with new features as well, including a Low Friction Launch mode that limits torque and…

Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram AS we reported in Issue 1,417, an all-new Q5 will be unveiled later this year. It’ll have fresh styling and engines, plus more kit – but until it arrives, Audi will wring every last bit of life out of its existing mid-size SUV. That’s where the new SQ5 Plus comes into play. The standard model uses a six-cylinder twin-turbo diesel that sends 322bhp to all four wheels using Audi’s famed quattro all-wheel-drive system. This Plus version ups the ante slightly, boosting power by 13bhp (to 335bhp) and torque by 50Nm (now 700Nm). That does nothing to the car’s 0-62mph time – which remains a sprightly 5.1 seconds – but is said to make the engine more flexible at the top end. In addition to the power boost, Audi…

Interior BURMESTER sound system provides sense of theatre, while Dynamic Select switch on centre console allows you to toggle driving modes Testers’ notes “The E-Class debuts Mercedes’ new Drive Pilot feature as part of the £1,695 Driving Assistance Plus pack. This autonomous system will keep you in your lane on the motorway and even steer round gentle bends for you. There’s also an automatic lane change function that responds to taps on the indicator, yet we won’t get this feature in the UK. Drive Pilot works well and is one of the best autonomous systems on the market.” James Disdale Road test editor Model tested: Mercedes E 220d AMG Line Auto Price: £38,430 Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 191bhp THE E 220d is the most economical new E-Class at launch and is…

NEW PRODUCT Nextbase 312GW Best price: £99.99 Contact: 020 3195 087, www.nextbase.co.uk Rating THE Nextbase is a smart-looking little dash cam, which slots easily behind a rear view mirror. It’s the cheaper option here, and as with the Transcend, footage is clear and bright, plus the Click&Go mount makes it very easy to remove and fit again in the car, should you need to download footage directly from the camera. The 312GW is Nextbase’s first WiFi-enabled dash cam, and for a first effort it’s pretty good – the app works well, and it’s easy to download video clips to your mobile device. But the interface is limited; it doesn’t allow you to change settings, for example, as the Transcend app does. We hope Nextbase updates it with more functionality in…

5th PLACE 2016 Results GS Factfile Years: 2012 to present CO2: 109g/km Fuel economy: 60.1mpg (2.5 Hybrid auto) Best options: Sat-nav, cruise control, keyless entry, heated seats, rain sensors, park assist Prices: From £12,750 OVERALL SCORE 93.15% Bars show where model finished out of 150 cars in our 2016 survey. The lower the rating the better GOOD “A LARGE, powerful car that’s comfortable on long journeys.” “The ride is excellent, and the same can be said of seat comfort; long journeys fly by.” “I like the hybrid option – I can average 40mpg, which is a surprise for such a large and powerful car.” “It’s very quick and nippy for a car of its size.” “There’s a luxurious and high-quality interior.” “CVT gearbox means no worrying about being in the…