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“Investing today for the economy of the future. There is additional funding to keep Britain moving” PHILIP HAMMOND Chancellor THERE was good and bad news for motorists last week as new Chancellor Philip Hammond announced his first Autumn Statement – the first since June’s Brexit vote. Hammond’s focus was on increasing productivity in the UK by backing transport projects and investing more in research and development for future technologies. The Chancellor said: “[The Government is] investing today for the economy of the future. Families rely on roads, rail and telecommunications. There is additional funding to help keep Britain moving.” Hammond said he wants to close the productivity gap with rival nations, as the UK currently lags behind Germany by 30 per cent and France by more than 20 per cent.…

Behind the wheel of thrilling new E 63 WHILE Mercedes is readying its new CLS, we’ve been behind the wheel of the firm’s latest thriller, the E 63. Available in standard guise or as a hotter S, it’s now four-wheel drive and comes with Merc’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 unit. There’s a choice of 563bhp or 604bhp in the S, and even a drift mode. Steve Sutcliffe delivers his verdict on the storming newcomer in our exciting video. Mustang and Focus RS go head-to-head OUR latest drag race sees us pitching two of the newest Fast Fords, the Focus RS and the Mustang GT 5.0 V8, head to head. You can see which one emerges victorious over a standing kilometre in typically British autumnal conditions on our YouTube channel.…

Verdict THE Ignis is a breath of fresh air in the city car class, with its distinctive crossover styling, bold details and light kerbweight. It’s also spacious and, despite not being as accomplished as the best choices in this market, it’s likeable to drive. We’d recommend shunning this compromised top-spec fourwheel-drive variant and settling for a cheaper front-wheel-drive SZ-T model, which looks set to offer great value for money. “The Ignis is more spacious than many city cars: four adults will fit comfortably” SEVERAL car makers have revived defunct model names for new models over the past few years; just look at the Vauxhall Viva and Hyundai Tucson. Suzuki brought the Baleno name back to life earlier this year, and now the Japanese brand has done it again with the…

MODEL TESTED: Ford C-MAX 1.5 TDCi Titanium X PowerShift PRICE: £26,045 ENGINE: 1.5-litre 4cyl turbodiesel, 118bhp Testers’ notes “The Grand C-MAX carries a £1,470-£1,600 premium over the standard car. As well as a third row of seats, it gets sliding side doors. But it’s not as roomy as rival Grand models.” Sean Carson Senior staff Sea writer THROUGH THE RANGE Our guide to which trim level might suit you THE C-MAX line-up is limited to Zetec, Titanium and Titanium X specs. There’s also the sevenseat Grand C-MAX with sliding side doors. All versions get alloy wheels, air-con and a heated windscreen. Titanium models add desirable extras such as climate and cruise control, keyless entry and automatic lights and wipers. Flagship Titanium X versions are identified by their bi-xenon headlamps, part-leather…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk @AE_Consumer Split sidewall beyond repair? I RECENTLY noticed a split in one of the tyres on my mum’s Ford Ka (above). She doesn’t want to have to replace it because money is tight. Could we leave it or is there a cheap way to get it repaired? John Nell, E-mail A JUDGING by the picture you sent in, this needs replacing immediately. It is highly likely the sidewall structure is damaged, which could lead to sudden failure, particularly at high speed. Sidewalls cannot be repaired. Get it checked by a tyre dealer, but be prepared to replace it. Q Top power tool options I’M hoping to add some cordless power tools to my DIY kit. Specifically, I’m looking for a drill and impact wrench. Do I…

PORSCHE has confirmed that 2016 Le Mans winners and World Endurance Champions Marc Lieb and Romain Dumas will not be racing its 919 LMP1 car next year, opening up two more seats at the German manufacturer ahead of the 2017 season. Lieb and Dumas’ co-champion in the #2 car Neel Jani will remain with the team, with Brit Nick Tandy and Kiwi Earl Bamber (who won Le Mans for Porsche alongside F1 driver Nico Hulkenberg in a third 919 in 2015) both strongly rumoured to be in line for a return to the top LMP1 class in 2017. Mark Webber’s recently announced retirement means there’s an open seat beside Brendon Hartley and Timo Bernhard in the #1 919 car, too. Audi driver Andre Lotterer has also been linked with a…

164 PA GE SPECIAL ISSUE MASSIVE DOUBLE ISSUE REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2016 • News • Tests • Products • Sport The biggest stories of the past 12 months PLUS NEW FIESTA MEETS THE FAMILY As Fiesta turns 40, we test all six models, plus how does the new version compare? 3008’s journey to the showroom A unique insight on how a car goes from sketchpad to on sale, with Peugeot’s new SUV Vauxhall Insignia We’ve driven a prototype. Now wraps finally come off more upmarket new family car on sale Wednesday 7 December Contents are subject to change…

New diesel engine for Nissan’s X-Trail NISSAN has introduced a new 175bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine to the X-Trail (above). Sitting above the existing 128bhp 1.6 diesel, the four-cylinder unit has been available in other markets, but has only recently been upgraded to meet Euro 6 emissions standards. It’s available with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a CVT automatic. The manual is four-wheel drive only, while the CVT comes with a choice of 2WD or 4WD. It’s capable of up to 50.5mpg. Record payout by Britain’s insurers INSURERS have paid out £28.6million a day in claims this year, the highest number on record, according to figures from the Association of British Insurers. The £10.4billion bill comes despite a reduction in the number of road accidents – down five per cent…

TELEMATICS provide a wonderful return on investment for fleets, but increasingly, insurers are recognising their usefulness to identify risky drivers plus other elements like when and where a car is driven. Data can give unbiased behaviour assessments so they can apportion the cost of providing cover to match individual risk profiles. One of the great things about telematics is that they can also identify speeding and aggressive drivers and, as a result, build data. This has shown drivers who speed 20 per cent of the time almost double the risk of a crash – up by 87 per cent, to be precise. Motorists who speed 10 per cent of the time raise their accident risk by 42 per cent and those who drive erratically – speeding, swerving or frequently slamming…

Verdict IT’S a Micra, but not as we’ve known it. This all-new model serves up a blend of style, technology, quality and space we haven’t seen from a small Nissan before. The ride errs more on the side of sporty than relaxing, but the new Micra means there’s now more than just SUVs worth going into a Nissan showroom for. “Micra is smarter inside and out than anything else in the sector – and that’s an enormous step” IT may be hard to believe but, yes, that sleek supermini you see in our pictures is indeed a Nissan Micra. After a succession of (let’s be honest) dullards, this new Micra is a completely different proposition. From its swoopy lines along the flanks to its floating roof and fancy front and…

MODEL TESTED: Renault Scenic Dynamique S Nav 1.5 dCi 110 PRICE: £25,445 ENGINE: 1.5-litre 4cyl turbodiesel, 108bhp Testers’ notes “Early next year a Scenic Hybrid Assist will be introduced. Combining a small 10kW electric motor with our car’s 108bhp 1.5-litre diesel, the mild hybrid claims 92g/km and 80.7mpg.” Sean Carson Senior staff writer THROUGH THE RANGE Our guide to which trim level might suit you THE new Scenic line-up follows other models in the Renault range, so there’s a choice of Expression+, Dynamique Nav, Dynamique S Nav and Signature Nav trim levels. All cars get alloys, climate control, keyless entry and Bluetooth, while Dynamique Nav adds sat-nav, parking sensors and sunblinds in the rear. Step up to the Dynamique S Nav and you’re treated to the larger 8.7-inch infotainment set-up,…

score 4.2 RENAULT SCENIC R-Link 2 Standard Key features: Sat-nav, Bluetooth, DAB ALL versions of the Scenic feature an infotainment touchscreen as standard, but Dynamique S Nav models and above get the portrait-style 8.7-inch R-Link 2 set-up first seen in the Mégane. Compared with the units in the Citroen and Ford, the Renault has the crispest graphics, the most user-friendly menus and most responsive screen, which includes a pinch and swipe function. As with its rivals, the screen features a number of tabs that work as shortcuts to the main functions (sat-nav, stereo and climate controls). Connecting your phone is straightforward, as is programming a destination into the nav, although we found the TomTom-powered unit often failed to highlight snarl-ups until we were in them. All versions of the R-Link…

MODEL TESTED: Maserati Levante PRICE: £54,335 ENGINE: 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel, 271bhp Testers’ notes “The Levante was named after a wind that can ‘change from mild to gale force in an instant’. The reality is that this SUV struggles when you push it harder, even in Sport mode.” Sean Carson Senior staff writer THROUGH THE RANGE What deals are on offer on the Levante? CHOOSING which Levante to buy is easy – there’s only the 3.0 turbodiesel available. So your only decision surrounds which option pack to buy and which deal you go for. Put down a 10 per cent deposit of £5,434 on the Maserati and over three years you’ll be looking at monthly payments of £819. That’s quite a bit more than buyers will pay for the Porsche and…

*Figures recorded in kickdown. In red = equipment fitted to our test car. Insurance quotes from AA (Tel 0800 107 0680 or www.theAA.com) for a 42-year-old living in Banbury, Oxon, with three penalty points. Residual values provided by CDL VIP Data. Porsche Cayenne Diesel DUE: 2017 PRICE: From £55k (est) ENGINE: 3.0-litre V6, 275bhp (est) EVEN though the Cayenne won this test, a new model – previewed in our exclusive images – arrives next year. With a more sophisticated chassis, a slicker cabin and a revised range of engines, it’s likely to be well out of the Maserati’s reach. HEAD TO HEAD Coupé style IT’S unusual to find a big SUV like the Levante with pillarless doors. More often than not the set-up features on lower, sportier cars with long…

WANT to splash out on something special for a loved one this Christmas? Then you’ll find our festive guide to the greatest gifts indispensable. Starting out with a minimum budget of £50, we aimed to find the finest car-related goodies available. And whether it’s a blow-out on a bespoke ride-on Blower Bentley, an ice-driving experience with Jaguar Land Rover in Lapland or some clever jewellery that doubles as a spanner, there’s a whole host of exciting options to choose from. Happy Christmas shopping! Mercedes-Benz Perfume for women Price: £55 Contact: shop.mercedes-benz.com SADLY, this bottle doesn’t contain the muchloved scent of a showroom-fresh car interior. But ladies may prefer this eau de parfum, created especially for Mercedes, which is instead infused with mimosa and violet, bergamot and some peachy notes. It…

“Like other Porsche GTs, an electric version would be a development of an existing model” THE boss of Porsche Motorsport has admitted to Auto Express that the firm will expand its range of race-focused production models, which currently comprises the 911 GT3 and Cayman GT4, to include an all-electric model in the future. The high-performance car is likely to arrive once a production version of the Mission E concept hits showrooms in 2020. At the recent Los Angeles Motor Show, Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser, Vice President of Motorsport, who is responsible for the firm’s GT-badged production sports cars, told us: “For sure you have possibilities, and some things are really different. “If I think of an electric car, the weight and torque on the tyres is a nightmare, but there are…

“OLD habits die hard”. “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. Two clichés often used to explain why people can’t adapt in the 21st century. They’re two phrases, though, that can be applied to motorists who refuse to change their bad driving habits, whether it’s using a phone, drink-driving or speeding. It seems no amount of education through awareness adverts – or courses for those caught – helps to stop motorists flouting the law. So what’s the answer? To me, it seems simple. Target people before they even get behind the wheel so good practices are ingrained from the outset. Over time, it’ll help iron out problems and create safer roads. Yet this remains no closer to actually happening on a wide scale, despite backing from most road safety…

Contact Martin Saarinen HOT TOPIC Jaguar I-Pace revealed FROM: antonyr THE I-Pace looks great both inside and out. No doubt the stunning design will be translated into future Jaguars. It’s incredible how the British brand has transformed itself over the years against the tough competition from its three German rivals. FROM: BajHuj THIS is very much the kind of car I would like to own right now. But the only thing that puts me off the electric powertrain is the charging times. DC-powered chargers still take hours to recharge the car, which isn’t good enough. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “Absolutely love it. It’s the nicest looking Jaguar in years. Best of all, the interior designers have decided to show up, too.” Lee Mints ■ “I think the new…

Verdict THE E 63 is the most advanced fast saloon car in the world, and it’s certainly one of the most spectacular to drive. In either regular or S form, Mercedes’ flagship E-Class encapsulates a vast range of abilities under one roof, with titanic performance, a very well honed chassis, top-drawer build quality and surprisingly strong refinement, all at the same time. As Mercedes claims, this really is as close as you’ll get to an executive jet on four wheels. “For a car weighing nearly two tonnes, the E 63 is phenomenally sharp, especially in Race mode” YOU are looking at the most powerful Mercedes E-Class there has ever been. You are also looking at one of the fastest, most technically complex saloon cars ever built. So you can imagine…

MODEL TESTED: Citroen C4 Picasso 1.6 BlueHDi Flair PRICE: £25,110 ENGINE: 1.6-litre 4cyl turbodiesel, 118bhp Testers’ notes “The Picasso scores on family-friendly details. Parents will love the three rear Isofix seat mounts in the rear, while the central dials allow kids to watch mum or dad’s speed.” James Disdale Chief reviewer THROUGH THE RANGE Our guide to which trim level might suit you CITROEN has kept the C4 Picasso line-up simple, limiting specs to Touch, Feel and the flagship Flair tested here. All get air-con, cruise control, Bluetooth and parking sensors. Step up to the Feel and you’ll benefit from sat-nav and the 12-inch High Definition central display, while the Flair adds self-parking, keyless entry and blind spot monitoring. Depending on trim, there’s a choice of a 128bhp 1.2-litre petrol…

NEW: BMW 216d Sport PRICE: £25,495 ENGINE: 1.5-litre 3cyl, 114bhp THE first front-wheel-drive BMW retains the sharp dynamics of the brand’s traditional saloons, while the MPV body covers a roomy, beautifully finished interior. It’s not as well equipped as these cars, but oozes upmarket appeal. USED: Mercedes E 300 Hybrid Estate PRICE: £25,000 ENGINE: 2.1-litre 4cyl, 204bhp IF space is your priority, the vast E-Class Estate is unrivalled. The E 300 diesel/electric hybrid matches our new models for efficiency, but delivers far more pace. Our budget secures a 2014 AMG-Line model with just 17,000 miles.…

MODEL TESTED: Porsche Cayenne Diesel PRICE: £53,044 ENGINE: 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel, 258bhp Testers’ notes “The Diesel is the entry-level model, but you have lots of scope to tailor your Cayenne, with Sport, Touring and Innovation packages, plus Porsche’s Exclusive customisation scheme.” Sean Carson Senior staff Se writer THROUGH THE RANGE Our guide to which version might suit you THERE are three diesel versions of the Cayenne: this entry-level Diesel, a special Platinum Edition and the V8-powered S. Prices range from £53,044 and £66,200 respectively, and they’re more affordable to buy via Porsche’s Financial Services scheme. With a 10 per cent deposit of £5,304, over three years with a 10,000-mile limit a year, the Diesel will cost £671 per month, delivering performance, practicality and a classy cabin fitted with the basic…

NEW PRODUCT Garmin VIRB Ultra 30 Price: £369.99 Contact: garmin.com IF you’re heading out on a track day or going off-roading, having an action camera with you can be a great way to record the experience. Just like dash cams, these products are evolving at an ever-increasing pace, prompting technology giant Garmin to release a new topof-the-range version of its VIRB camera. The VIRB Ultra 30 has a 1.75-inch touchscreen display to let you see what’s being recorded through the ultra HD 4K camera. Three-axis image stabilisation means whether you’re sliding round a track or bouncing over rocks, the recording will be smooth and steady. There’s also hands-free functionality with voice control for stopping and starting recordings and taking photos, as well as live streaming. Builtin sensors and GPS…

YOU don’t get far in DIY maintenance on your car before you need extra light, and an inspection lamp has become a toolbox essential. So it’s no surprise that NightSearcher’s new range of automotive lights includes one. The Pro 250 has an impressive spec with a chip on board (COB) LED strip delivering a daylight-quality, 6000-Kelvin white light. But can it outshine our Issue 1,417 Best Buy, the Ring MAGflex Twist? We compared beams, looking for a bright, even, wide spread, plus mounting options – to get light right where it’s needed – and battery life. Costs were rated using Nightsearcher’s price and online retailers. Price and a wider beam ensure the Ring retains its crown, but the Pro 250 impressed with its quick and easy charging dock. If…

Got any car queries? Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Can I dispute parking fine? I WAS handed a £12 parking charge notice in a car park, but as a Blue Badge holder I should have been allowed free parking. I was told I needed to arrive through a different barrier to be eligible. What can I do to avoid the charge? Peter Mumford, E-mail A THE instructions should have been clearly signposted before you entered the car park. If there were no instructions then you have a case. Write to the operator and ask it to refund the fine. The British Parking Association will be able to help with any disputes. Q Cover blow on Fiesta ST HAVING bought a new Ford Fiesta ST-3 recently, I’m now struggling to insure it. I…

Dear Lawrence, I live in an isolated village and have £8,000 to spend on a 4x4 to help me get around in winter. What would you suggest? David Meeke, North Yorkshire Contact: Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk Dacia Duster FOR: Rugged, simple, a lot of car for the cash AGAINST: Some quality issues, body roll THE Dacia Duster remains one of our favourite budget SUVs, despite having been on sale since 2012. Put simply, nothing else at this price is as capable. Pick up a diesel with 4WD and it’ll deal with the worst wintry weather you can throw at it. In addition, it’s torquey and surprisingly comfortable. The cabin is basic on low-spec cars, however, and the handling woolly. Still, a 60,000-mile 63-reg 1.5-litre dCi 4x4 in high-spec Lauréate spec could be yours…

“Hammond has taken the biggest rip-off in modern motoring, insurance, and made it even more expensive ” THE Chancellor wasn’t tempting car users with much on the eve of his Autumn Statement in the Commons. And he delivered even less. But a promise is a promise, right? On the Sunday before his Wednesday speech, some in the media were advised Philip Hammond had “£1.3billion to be targeted at improving British roads”. On that Sunday, in a TV interview, I argued a spend of £1.3bn buys next to nowt when distributed across a highway network inside or connecting 48,000 British villages, towns and cities. Furthermore, I stated Hammond’s £1.3bn represents what drivers pay to him in vehicle/fuel/road/parking/insurance taxes and duties every week or so. So far so bad. But it gets…