Innholdsfortegnelse for 1404 i Auto Express

AS we reveal on Page 17, 2015 was a record year for car registrations with over 2.6 million cars getting their plates last year. But that doesn’t mean 2.6 million cars found homes last year. There are tens of thousands of cars on forecourts or in fields, registered, counted, but without an owner. Take a look on the classified sites of many major manufacturers and search for cars under a year old and with under 1,000 miles on the clock – you’ll be amazed at how many 15 and 65-plate cars with few miles are for sale. And with some dealers cutting costs by advertising one nearly new car when they have two or three for sale, it’s the tip of the iceberg. Who could be buying these cars and…

THE iVision Future Interaction hogged the CES limelight, but BMW also displayed a Mirrorless i8 at the show. It has wide-angled cameras mounted on each door and the rear window which feed back to a 300cm x 85cm screen that sits in place of the rear-view mirror. The set-up has been designed to eliminate blindspots entirely, while at the same time making the i8 more aerodynamically efficient. However, BMW currently has no plans to put the concept into production.…

JAGUAR has introduced a four-wheel-drive option on its new XF saloon. Available to order now with the 178bhp 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel and automatic gearbox, the intelligent system can shuffle power to the front wheels when slip is detected. Jaguar claims the system helps preserve the XF’s agility. It also adds an ‘adaptive surface response’ mode to the Drive Control system to help in wet conditions. Prices start from £36,350 with deliveries expected in the spring. At the same time, the 178bhp diesel manual XF can now be specified with Adaptive Dynamics continuously variable dampers.…

WE’VE seen spy shots and design sketches, but now Hyundai has revealed the first official images of its new Ioniq – the car with which it hopes to topple the Toyota Prius. It will go on sale in UK showrooms in September as a hybrid and full-electric model, with a plug-in hybrid appearing later. The Korean manufacturer claims the design of the Ioniq delivers “class-leading aerodynamic performance” thanks to the slippery shape and moving flaps in the front grille, which direct airflow around the car. It’s a lot less dramatic inside, where Hyundai’s familiar centre console design and logical dash are fitted. But the real innovation is under the skin. This is set to be the world’s first production car with all-electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain options in the…

It’s back in Black for special Honda CR-V HONDA has revealed a new Black Edition of its CR-V SUV. Starting at £29,995 with a 2.0-litre petrol engine, the car (above) gets side running boards, a boot spoiler, 19-inch black wheels and gloss-black detailing on the grille and skid plates. The leather interior features embossed logos and smarter carpet mats. Also new is a Civic Limited Edition based on the 1.4-litre petrol model, adding 16-inch rims and body-coloured trim for £14,995. Driverless Renault-Nissans on the way THE Renault-Nissan alliance has announced it’ll be launching “more than 10” models with autonomous driving capabilities by 2020. They will be available across Europe, the US, Japan and China, and the tech will be launched on “mainstream, mass-market” cars in three stages. ‘Single-lane control’ will…

Video round-up of Detroit show stars THIS year’s round of motor shows kicks off in Detroit, with the North American show staging global unveilings of a number of major new cars that will arrive in the UK over the next 12 months. As well as the new Mercedes E-Class (Page 8), key reveals include the Infiniti Q60 and Lexus LF-LC, plus the Volvo S90 and BMW M2 make their international debuts. Our Detroit show video rounds it all up. Race is on as 911 GT3 meets GT-R WITH the new Porsche 911 GT3 RS getting all the attention, what’s life like with the slightly less extreme GT3? We decided to pitch the rear-wheel-drive car against the cheaper 4WD Nissan GT-R Track Edition to find out which is quicker around a…

HOT TOPIC Ford Mondeo Vignale FROM: Ginger Tomm THERE’S no doubt the Vignale is a good car, but I think Ford is making a mistake by keeping the Mondeo name. It should do what Nissan and Toyota have done, and promote Vignale as a separate, more premium brand. FROM: Dave T I JUST don’t ‘get’ the Vignale. Ford had a well respected, luxury brand in Ghia, but it ruined the later models by just sticking an extra badge on to the top-spec editions. I think the Vignale will be one of the fastest-depreciating new cars. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk • “In defence of the Vignale, its interior does get bespoke seats, and the dashboard is fully lined. I hope it will be successful.” LeeMints • “The Mondeo…

ALTHOUGH the DVSA records every single recalled car, many of them relate to parts used in multiple models across a range – and in some cases, across multiple brands, like the Takata airbags. That’s why it’s difficult to break down Toyota and Honda’s recalls into specific models. The Jazz, for example, is cited in 843,586 recalls, but that figure also includes the Civic, CR-V, S2000 and Accord. There were ‘only’ 307,723 cases where just the Jazz was recalled, including 171,000 for a risk of fire and 136,000 for faulty headlamps.…

Running costs 40.9mpg (est) £44 fill-up THE first question on everyone’s lips at the launch of the new Mazda MX-5 was when a faster version would follow. Tuner BBR is usually first to provide the answer, and here it is: the MX-5 BBR Super 190. BBR has been heating up MX-5s for 25 years, and the Super 190 is the brand’s first go-faster version of the all-new model. As a base, BBR takes the more powerful 158bhp 2.0-litre model (kits are also available for the 1.5-litre) and adds a cold air intake and a stainless steel exhaust. Plus, it tweaks the ECU to produce an additional 32bhp and 32Nm of torque – up to 190bhp and 239Nm. The upgrade costs just £1,995. It sounds promising, and that’s before you discover…

FORD’S all-wheel-drive range continues to expand, with this new Galaxy AWD being added to the line-up just in time for the cold snap to hit most of the UK. When we drove the S-MAX AWD earlier this month (Issue 1,403), we decided it wasn’t worth the extra money over a regular front-wheel-drive model unless you expect to be spending a lot of time in challenging conditions. And unsurprisingly, it’s the same story with the new four-wheel-drive Galaxy, which costs around £1,500 more than the otherwise identical 2WD car. The extra 58kg added by the AWD system means efficiency takes a hit: the car claims 52.3mpg fuel economy compared to 56.5mpg and 139g/km emissions instead of 129g/km, so it will be more expensive to run. It’s slower, too, getting from 0-62mph…

Park assist ALL three cars can be upgraded with hands-free parking aids. VW’s set-up looks a bargain at £150 as it uses the standard front and rear sensors, while Mercedes’ system costs £675 and the Audi’s set-up is a hefty £835. The A-Class gets a standard reversing camera (below), which features a wide-angle setting for help with tight manoeuvres. Gearboxes USUALLY, adding an auto has a detrimental effect on emissions. Sure enough, the A3 and Golf see increases of 11g/km and 2g/km respectively, but the Mercedes’ seven-speed auto cuts the CO2 output. The figure drops from 111g/km for the six-speed manual to 103g/km in our test model. Option packs MERCEDES bundles kit such as LED headlights and adaptive cruise into Premium and Premium Plus packs, which cost £1,695 and £2,995…

Off-road LAND Cruiser has a host of electronics to keep moving off-road, but while it’s very capable, it does feel huge and has limited ground clearance compared to the Land Rover. The narrower body and steeper approach and departure angles make the Defender truly unstoppable, yet the shorter wheelbase 90 is better still. Rear access NEITHER car is easy to get into, but the Land Cruiser has grab handles and running boards to boost access. You get to the rearmost seats in the Toyota by clambering past the second row. In the Defender, you need to get in via the back door, although there is a step to help you. Running costs WHILE the Defender is cheaper than the Land Cruiser to buy, it costs more to run. Road tax…

“I was hoping the Honda CR-V would achieve 45-50mpg. But sadly that’s not been the case” CO2/tax 139g/km £130 or 25% Practicality Boot (seats up/down)589/1,627 litres Running costs 38.7mpg (on test) £60 fill-up FILLING up the car – it’s one of those chores that everyone seems to hate. If you’re like me, then you try to put it off until you’re practically running on fumes. I spend enough time taking test models to forecourts, so I’d really like a car that’s economical enough for me to steer clear of the pumps. Unfortunately, that’s not the case with the Honda CR-V on our fleet. It’s long been recognised that claimed economy figures from car manufacturers are sometimes difficult to attain in the real world. Indeed, there are plenty of instances of…

Bugatti 57 – The Last French Bugatti Barrie Price (Veloce, www.veloce.com) Price: £45 (hardback) Rating: THIS concise history charts the development of the Bugatti 57. Along with the single-seater racer and endurance sports car versions – from 1934-39 – the book looks at some of the bespoke coachbuilt bodies available at the time. It will delight past owners, and is a must-read for those lucky enough to be considering buying or restoring one. BMW M5: The Complete Story James Taylor (Crowood, www.crowood.com) Price: £25 (hardback) Rating: THERE was arguably nothing cooler in BMW’s line-up than the M5 before the i8 stole the show. Author James Taylor’s complete biography details the car’s journey, looking at its racing career, plus its launch in various markets. A comprehensive guide if you’re considering buying,…

Q Should VW pay for repair? MY 2011 VW Golf recently started to misfire. The local garage found a small piece of metal had dislodged and damaged the engine. But VW won’t reimburse me for the repair because I used an independent garage. Is this fair? Robert King, E-mail A UNFORTUNATELY, Volkswagen’s right; it’s under no obligation to pay for the work of its competitors. A goodwill gesture is usually based on continual use of manufacturer-approved garages and services, where it can guarantee the quality of work. Q Will VED change affect me?  I’M still confused about the changes to the vehicle excise duty (VED) rates, due in 2017. Will a car I registered before 2017 be taxed more heavily under the new system? John Davenport, E-mail A THE new…

“Mercedes is labelling its new 5 Series rival as the most intelligent saloon in the business class” THE all-new Mercedes E-Class has been revealed at the Detroit Motor Show, ahead of its launch in the UK this spring. Mercedes is labelling its new 5 Series rival as “the most intelligent saloon in the business class”, packed with technology that’s sure to filter down the range in future. Its longer shape is more aerodynamic than before, and it comes with a brand new, four-cylinder diesel engine, which claims to give best-in-class CO2 emissions. Unsurprisingly, the new E-Class adopts a mini S-Class look, with a bold grille and oversized Mercedes badge. You’ll find the familiar LED headlights and a coupé-like roofline, too, as well as a short front overhang. The fifth-generation saloon…

“The new MEB platform will be used to underpin a host of future electric models from the Volkswagen Group” VOLKSWAGEN has revealed a new all-electric concept car at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, called the Budd-e. The Microbus-style model is based on the brand’s new MEB (modular electric drive kit) platform, which will be used to underpin a host of future electric models from the Volkswagen Group. Despite VW playing down rumours of a Microbus concept ahead of the event, chief exec Herbert Diess pulled the wraps off the four-wheel-drive Budd-e, which is powered by two electric motors – one at the front and another at the rear. VW claims a range of 233 miles on a single charge, and that it’ll get from 0-60mph in 6.9…

200-mile Chevy Bolt set for showrooms CHEVROLET revealed the production version of its Bolt electric car (above) at CES. The EV aims to be more affordable than the BMW i3, while offering a class-leading range of up to 200 miles. A single electric motor driving the front wheels means it’ll do 0-60mph in around seven seconds. The Bolt will take nine hours to charge from a 240-volt mains socket, with fast charging capability expected. It’ll cost around $30,000 (£21,000) in the US, with no plans for UK sale. Latest touchscreens masters of illusion BOSCH revealed a concept at CES with haptic feedback touchscreens covering the entire dashboard. The displays even descend down the centre console and cascade between the seats, showcasing a fully interactive interior. The screens use pressure-sensitive triggers…

CAR registrations in the UK reached a record 2.63 million in 2015, with the six per cent growth exceeding forecasts. However, up to 15 per cent of those could be pre-registered cars, which leaves thousands of unsold motors sitting on forecourts and skewing figures. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed 2015 was the best ever year for car sales, and that last month was the strongest December in history, but our study suggests dealers are pre-registering cars at record levels to hit targets. Our investigation highlighted the vast number of 2015 model cars on offer on manufacturers’ approved used schemes, with just a handful of miles on the clock. Ford – the UK’s biggest-selling brand – had hundreds of its Fiesta and Focus cars for sale with…

SUSPENSION and spring-related breakdowns increased by 33 per cent in 2015, as the poor state of UK roads took its toll on the nation’s cars, according to exclusive RAC call-out data. It was the biggest single increase of breakdowns, narrowly ahead of hybrid wiring faults and speed limiter issues – up 30 per cent and 29 per cent respectively. Figures from the RAC also revealed patrols attended more than 290,000 incidents involving punctured tyres or broken wheels in 2015, making up a tenth of all call-outs. The Government announced a £6billion pothole and road repair fund to help tackle the poor conditions of rural and urban roads last year, and the RAC Patrol of the Year Ben Wilson told Auto Express it’s much needed. “The increase in suspension and spring…

THE following provide help with motoring problems. Some services are free, others charge a fee or operate on premium-rate lines (p), while some offer advice for members only (m). Legal AA: 0906 010 1300 (p) RAC: 0870 5533 533 (m) Which?: 01992 822 800 Consumer Direct: 0845 404 0506 Local Trading Standards Local Citizens Advice Bureau Used car inspections AA: 0800 085 3007 RAC: 0800 085 2529 Technical advice AA: 0870 606 1619 (m) Driving licences DVLA: 0300 790 6801 Car registration/history HPI: 01722 422422 AA: 0800 316 3564 DVLA: 0300 790 6802 RAC: 0800 975 5867 Traffic information AA: 09003 401100 (p) RAC: 09003 444999 (p) Problems with dealers Motor Codes: 0800 692 0825 Consumer Ombudsman: www.consumer-ombudsman.org RMIF: 0845 839 9205 (m) Scottish Motor Trade Association: 0131 331 5510…

“It’s misleading to suggest millions of cars are being driven around with lethal faults” THE five-year picture on UK car recalls is staggering: almost 6.1 million vehicles have been returned to dealers since the start of 2011. That’s more than half of the approximately 11.2m new cars sold in the same period. Comparing recalls to sales is probably unfair, though, as those 6.1m recalled cars have build dates going all the way back to 1997. It demonstrates, however, just how common recalls are – it’s an extraordinarily high number. So, should all car owners be worried? We’ve gathered the statistics from the Government’s official database, held by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), formerly VOSA, to see what the most recalled vehicles are and why. Are recalls a good…

Running costs 21.6mpg (official) £108 fill-up FOR many, the Range Rover already epitomises the definition of luxury with high-grade craftsmanship, a spacious interior and all the toys one could want. But the team at Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) division think there’s room for more. Enter this; the supercharged SV Autobiography. Last year (Issue 1,396) we drove the long-wheelbase diesel SV-A, and were impressed by the unparalleled premium feel and cosseting ride. But how does the shorter, sportier, V8 petrol model fare? From behind the wheel it feels just as special as its long-wheelbase sibling, with polished wood on the steering wheel, dash and centre console. It gets the same knurled aluminium finish on the gear selector and buttons, plus swathes of leather. In the rear, you’ll find plenty…

THE Tivoli may be SsangYong’s star at the moment, but the brand has also updated its huge Turismo MPV with a more efficient diesel engine that complies with Euro 6 regulations. This seven-seater can now be had with a seven-speed auto box, too. The new 2.2-litre drivetrain boosts economy from 34.9mpg to 36.2mpg in our four-wheel-drive auto test car, while CO2 emissions drop by 7g/km to 205g/km. Power has increased from 150bhp to 176bhp, while torque jumps to 400Nm from 360Nm. It’s a healthy amount, but the 2.1-tonne kerbweight means the Turismo isn’t exactly fast. It has enough grunt in the lower gears, helped by the smoother-shifting automatic gearbox, yet overtaking needs to be planned well in advance, as the SsangYong feels rather breathless when accelerating. This is understandable given…

1st VOLKSWAGEN THE Dieselgate scandal is giving Volkswagen’s corporate reputation a hammering, but look beyond the headlines and it’s still building great cars – and the Golf remains a front-runner in the class. It delivers executive-style quality at a great-value price, while this Match Edition is generously equipped. Add an engaging chassis and punchy diesel, and it edges ahead of its rivals here. 2nd AUDI LIKE the Golf, the A3 Sportback provides a more involving driving experience and punchy performance than the A-Class, while it edges further ahead with its more spacious cabin, better dash layout and more practical boot. However, only a badge snob would overlook the price difference between the Audi and the VW, especially as the former comes with less kit. 3rd MERCEDES THE A 200d is…

1st LAND ROVER IN every measurable way, the Defender 110 is outperformed by the Land Cruiser, yet what it lacks in performance, economy and running costs it more than makes up for with character. This Adventure model makes you feel like a survivalist even on a trip to the shops, and while it’s a physical car to drive, it’s also immensely satisfying. Plus, it’s likely to be an appreciating asset. 2nd TOYOTA THE Land Cruiser is one of the few luxury SUVs that can still perform well off the beaten track. Its size means it’s spacious for seven, and the level of standard kit is good enough to rival the best from Range Rover. But the cabin design looks and feels dated, while the on-road driving experience is soft and…

“There’s a host of made-to-measure upgrades and adjustments available to improve performance” WHEN you buy into Caterham ownership, it’s not like any other car purchase. Your relationship with the factory is incredibly close – so close, in fact, that you can go and see your car being built, or even choose how involved in its construction you want to be, just like I did in Issue 1,397. But the connection to Caterham doesn’t stop once your Seven has been delivered. There’s a host of made-to-measure upgrades and adjustments available, which is why I booked our 270S in for some tweaks at Caterham’s workshop in Crawley, West Sussex to tailor it to my tastes, combined with its first service. (There are seven official service centres across the UK). In the month…

Q Best protection for boot  I’M trying to buy a boot liner for my Skoda Octavia Estate, but the only ones I can find don’t fully cover the sides. I want coverage up to the parcel shelf. Any suggestions? Jo Wileman, E-mail A BOOT liners are a great way of protecting your car’s interior, and in our Issue 1,346 group test, the Boot Buddy (above) was the Best Buy, as it provides coverage for the floor and sides. Prices for your Octavia start at £93. Call 01299 822230 for further information, or log on to www.boot-buddy.com. Q Shifting scourer marks  TO get rid of bird droppings, I recently used a scourer on my car’s bonnet. I can see the marks where I rubbed. Will these go away or have I…

Hi-tech new Scalextric set to spice up action IF you didn’t get a Scalextric set for Christmas then fear not, as Hornby has announced the next generation of its Scalextric ARC system for 2016. ARC Air (above) features a new powerbase with vibrating wireless controllers. It can be retro-fitted to existing tracks, plus there’s a companion app, which makes play more involving and throws up different racing scenarios. Priced at £74.99, it’s due out on Friday (15 January), with moredetailsat www.scalextric.com . Cutting-edge tech for Thinkware dash cams THINKWARE dash cams are set to get Super Night Vision and Time Lapse tech. The new settings were revealed on the brand’s revolutionary X330 and X350 models, launched earlier this week. Like GoPro and Sony cameras, the devices use…

PRODUCT GROUP TEST 13 | 1 | 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. A TORCH is a glovebox essential, but all too often the batteries are flat when you need it. Yet buy a rechargeable torch, and you can keep it ready to go, topping it up in-car every few weeks via the 12V socket. Modern LEDs (light emitting diodes) and battery technology give these torches impressive light output and durability on a single charge – more than enough to deal with that night-time breakdown or to fetch help. The best also offer mains charging and adjustable beams to suit close-up working or distance for walking. So which…

“On lengthy daily drives between Christmas and New Year, I played spot the police car – and didn’t see one” MONTHS ago, I was wheeled into the TV studios of a global broadcaster and asked to comment on UK police forces cracking down – allegedly – on middle-lane hoggers. Then in the same studio in late December, my views were sought on another law enforcement blitz, this time against drivers using hand-held mobiles. My comments on both days were similar: Crackdowns against hazardous offences are fine. But they’re almost impossible to implement, because police officer numbers are massively down – at a 40-year low, according to some insiders. And as we exclusively revealed in Issue 1,403, full-time traffic cop jobs in England and Wales dropped from 5,327 to 3,742 between…

“Gesture control has three sets of sensors across length of dash so driver and passenger have individual touch points” “Car can select the best route for an autonomous drive, then take control” THE annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas is all about tech, but that didn’t prevent BMW using the event to reveal a doorless i8 roadster concept. As you’d expect, the car – called the iVision Future Interaction concept – was full of innovations, many of them relating to autonomous driving. But its focus is on a new interior infotainment system that relies on cloud-based services and integrates Airtouch – the next step in gesture control functionality, which replaces all switchgear. Yet designers haven’t forgotten about the exterior, creating a radical roadster that also points towards a…

“Interior gets 9.2-inch touchscreen that uses gesture control tech in place of knobs and dials” VOLKSWAGEN has taken to the Detroit Motor Show to debut its new Tiguan GTE Active Concept. A beefed-up, off-road version of the all-new Tiguan, the model could make its transition into dealers as soon as later this year – with VW claiming the “off-road design elements are feasible as options for production cars”. But the GTE Active Concept is more than a set of chunky bumpers and off-road tyres, as it’s been fitted with the brand’s next-generation infotainment system. Made up of a 9.2-inch touchscreen, the set-up uses gesture control technology in place of conventional knobs and dials. It’s expected that the facelifted Golf – due later this year – will be the first model…

BOOMING registrations extended to McLaren, which enjoyed its best ever year in 2015, and this has led to the creation of 250 new jobs and a second production shift at its Production Centre in Woking, Surrey. The British sports car manufacturer believes the introduction of the new Sport Series range (comprising the 540C and 570S models) will boost these numbers further, and could account for up to two-thirds of annual sales when the range is complete in 2017. Currently, McLaren produces 14 cars per day, which will increase to 20 by the middle of the year with the second production shift beginning late next month.…

THE average insurance premium is on the rise yet again, as the true extent of the Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) hike plays out. According to new figures from Consumer Intelligence, average costs have accelerated since the IPT was raised to 9.5 per cent during November last year. The increase was outlined in Chancellor George Osborne’s Budget, following the General Election, and is a tax on all insurance policies. It stands to reason that these extra charges will be passed down to policyholders. It’s disappointing, though. So much hard work has been done by insurers and Government to bring premiums down to a more manageable level, which is now feeling like a waste. The average premium peaked throughout 2014, but following new whiplash legislation and more fraud targeting, these prices dropped…

HOW often do you check your mirrors when driving, and do you know when is best to do so? Using mirrors at the right time gives excellent ‘rearward awareness’, which helps your critical decision making. It means you know what’s behind you, and its approximate speed and position. You can prepare for close-following traffic better, through the risk assessing and planning phases of your driving, and ensure you have better control, should you need to signal or brake earlier. This gives more time and space for other road users to react. In effect, you bring another level of safety to situations, as you are more in control of the outcome. As a general rule, you must check your mirrors before you change speed or direction, before you indicate, and importantly,…

405,690 The number of Vauxhall Corsa D (Mk4) models recalled in September 2011 due to faulty brakes – the biggest single model recall of the past five years 362,411 Toyota’s biggest single recall, in June 2015, for a faulty passenger side airbag in Yaris (above), Corolla, Avensis, Verso and Picnic models built between 2001 and 2007 Zero Manufacturers Smart (above), Tesla and Dacia haven’t issued a single recall in the past five years 164 In September 2015, 164 Segways were recalled, as a wiring fault could result in an electric shock Biggest recalls over the past five years Recalls 2011 405,690 1. Vauxhall Corsa Mk3 (braking performance) 136,329 2. Honda Jazz Mk1 (headlights) 90,087 3. Peugeot 207 (pedal obstruction) 53,203 4. Volvo C30, S40, V50, C70 (fluid leak) 35,752 5.…

“Origami design strikes an imposing stance; gaping grille stunned New York Motor Show last year” Performance 0-62mph/top speed 7.7 seconds/124mph Running costs 51.4mpg (official) £67 fill-up Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 453/924 litres WITH such a vast range of large premium SUVs now on the market, it’s easy to forget about the hybrid-powered Lexus RX. But last year, the Japanese brand revealed an all-new version of its 4x4, complete with more aggressive styling, a revised interior and more efficient engines. At first glance, the new origami design strikes an imposing stance, and the gaping grille stunned crowds when it was revealed at the New York Motor Show last year. But back in Britain – with a number plate fastened to the front – it’s lost some of its impact. Still, it’s…

“Climb aboard, and you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in a high-riding SUV, rather than a hard-working pick-up” Performance 0-62mph/top speed 10.4 seconds/109mph Running costs 28.2mpg (official) £83 fill-up THERE’S a lot at stake for the new Ford Ranger, as updated versions of the Nissan NP300 Navara and Mitsubishi L200 are already on sale, providing all the practicality we’ve come to expect but without the agricultural sensibilities. With an impressive set of upgrades, this Ranger looks better than ever, and we got the chance to try it ahead of its upcoming launch. Our test drive was on the off-road track at Ford’s huge facility in Lommel, Belgium, in a Double Cab model with the most powerful 197bhp 3.2-litre five-cylinder diesel engine. A more economical 158bhp 2.2-litre diesel will also…

Lexus CT 200h Sport PRICE: £25,495 ENGINE: 1.8-litre 4cyl, 134bhp LOOK at the bare figures, and company car users could save a packet over our diesel test cars with the hybrid CT 200h. Sport trim brings nav, Bluetooth and a sunroof. Just don’t expect any driving fun with your 94g/km emissions. BMW 118d Sport auto PRICE: £24,795 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 150bhp THE 1 Series was recently facelifted, and the 118d diesel is as efficient as the A 200d. You also get a decent amount of kit, including DAB radio, while the rear-wheel-drive layout and agile responses mean it’s a lot more involving to drive.…

LAND Rover’s Celebration Series models are in big demand, and their limited numbers mean you’ll struggle to find discounts – even on the £61,845 Autobiography model. If you’re tempted by the Defender, there’s plenty of choice on the secondhand market. Hard-Top van and pick-up bodystyles are available, but the Station Wagon is the version to go for, in either four-seat 90 or seven-seat 110 long-wheelbase guise. Early examples can be bought for as little as £3,500, but the more you can afford, the better. The best choices are the 2.4 and 2.2-litre diesels, with the former starting from £12,500 for a 2007 Defender 90. A 110 will be £1,000 more, while 2.2-litre models arrived in 2011 and start at £19,000. Standard kit is sparse on all models, although XS trim…

NEW PRODUCT Sealey AK760 Multi-Bit Set and American Pro tool chest Price: From £83.94 Contact: 01284 757500, www.sealey.co.uk SEALEY’S latest range of tools will help you work faster on your car in 2016, with the 34-piece multi-bit set the pick of the bright new hi-vis line-up. The toolkit features WallDrive Metric technology, which has been configured to provide the best delivery. Sealey claims tests have shown it serves up almost 30 per cent extra torque handling power – perfect for this time of year, so you can finish the job more quickly and get back into the warm. In terms of bit selection, the set is close to our Issue 1,377 group test winner – Halfords’ Ratchet Screwdriver and Bit Set – although the Sealey is a much pricier option…

CLAYING your bodywork can remove the contaminants washing leaves behind, and provide a better surface for wax to bond to. But it takes time. Clay bars are like blocks of Blu-Tack and cover small areas of the car; they will soon fill up with contaminants and need replacing. Clay cloths or mitts cover a larger area in one sweep, and can be washed to remove the deposits they pick up. CödeClean has launched a mitt with rubberised formula on one side and soft microfibre on the other. We tested it against fellow newcomer Paragon Microfibre Clay Cloth, plus our current favourite clay bar alternative, Farécla G3 Body Prep Clay Mitt. The products were rated for their ability to lift microscopic dust and dirt with minimal wipes. And prices were from…

Dear Lawrence, I run a childminding service and need a seven-seat MPV with plenty of space. What would you recommend for around £12,000? Kelly Naysmith, E-mail Contact: Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk CAR THE ALL-ROUND CHOICE SEAT Alhambra FOR: Spacious seats, easy access AGAINST: Short on kit, boot space THE SEAT Alhambra is the sister car to Volkswagen’s Sharan, and is generally better value second-hand. They don’t look much different – and neither is especially exciting – but it’s all about the cabin. Inside, the SEAT is similar in size to Ford’s Galaxy, and the seats are roomy and easy to fold. It’s decent to drive, and has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, seven airbags and Isofix mountings all-round. We found a 53,000-mile 11-plate 2.0 TDI S for £11,795. INTERIOR ALHAMBRA gets…

FORD has announced Brits Andy Priaulx and Marino Franchitti, plus German Stefan Mücke and Frenchman Olivier Pla, as its four drivers for the full 2016 World Endurance Championship (WEC) season. The quartet will be driving the new Ford GT racing car, making its European debut at the Silverstone round of the series on 17 April. They’ll be joined by two more yet-to-be-announced drivers for Le Mans in June. This year is the 50th anniversary of Ford’s victory over Ferrari with the original GT40 at the 24-hour classic, so the brand is going all-out to repeat the feat. Its Italian rival will be racing the new 488 GTE car, with Brits Sam Bird and James Calado at the wheel. “Make no mistake, we are racing to win,” said Dave Pericak, Ford…