Auto Express June 3, 2015

IT’S been something of an oddity over the past few years that the pace of change in the car industry hasn’t really been matched by especially significant development elsewhere. With alternative fuels, autonomous driving, a proliferation of new bodystyles and amazing connected car tech, there’s arguably never been a more innovative period for car manufacturers. The rules of the road, though, aren’t moving quite so quickly. For example, with such a hi-tech revolution underway, is the Highway Code still relevant? I don’t think so, and chief executive of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, Sarah Sillars, agrees. “Too long, rather boring and largely ignored,” was her assessment. Clearly it needs updating. And is the driving test still fit for purpose? It seems incredible, for example, that the use of sat-nav –…

More stylish, rugged looks, more practicality for smallest SUV Petrol engine joins diesel line-up; 3cyl front-drive 16d to follow BMW’s smallest SUV, the X1, isn’t so small any more. This is the new second-generation version, and along with larger dimensions inside and out, it’s got a taller, more rugged new style that makes its predecessor look like a low-riding estate. “Our project goals were for a pure SUV design,” Ralf Gräser, project leader for the X1, told Auto Express. “This is what customers were asking for. The last one was more of a crossover, but this has a new architecture, so a new characteristic.” An increase of 53mm in height but a decrease of 38mm in length gives it a more classic SUV silhouette – more like a mini X3.…

Essentials Mercedes GLC 250 Price: £35,000 (est)Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo petrolPower/torque: 208bhp/350NmTransmission: Seven-speed auto,four-wheel drive0-62mph: 7.5 seconds (est)Top speed: 140mph (est)Economy: 40mpg (est)CO2: 160g/km (est) ON SALE June WHILE Audi and BMW have been cleaning up with the Q5 and X3, Mercedes has been staring at a medium-sized SUV-shaped hole in its UK line-up. The brand has sold the GLK in other markets for years, but its decision not to make the costly conversion to right-hand drive has left it without a contender in the UK’s fastest-growing sector of premium SUVs. That won’t be the case for long because the all-new GLC, based on a stretched version of the new C-Class’ architecture, will begin rolling off the production line later this month, with first UK deliveries scheduled for November. To…

AS the driving test celebrates its 80th birthday, Auto Express readers have called for major changes to be made to make it more comprehensive. A poll of over 1,500 people on our website revealed that 65 per cent support steps to make it tougher, while just 21 per cent think it’s fine as it is. A further seven per cent would like changes introduced to make it more straightforward – and another seven per cent want it axed! Trials are currently underway in select test centres for learners to take the test with a new set of manoeuvres, plus an independent driving section where they must follow a prescribed route via sat-nav. But there’s plenty more scope for change, so we asked a range of top motoring organisations for their…

WE brought you first pictures of Skoda’s new Superb Estate in Issue 1,372 – and now we can give you the full lowdown on the car. UK prices will start from £19,850 (£1,200 more than the hatch), while it offers a huge 660 litres of boot space, which is 27 litres more than its predecessor. And with the seats folded, there’s a massive 1,950-litre capacity – an identical maximum figure to the class-leading Mercedes E-Class Estate. The wheelbase is identical to the hatch version, so there’s the same vast amount of legroom in the back, while the extended roofline means there’s a fraction more headroom for rear passengers. The seven-engine line-up, with the choice of six-speed manual and six and seven-speed DSG gearboxes, plus the option of front or four-wheel…

Prices slashed on Rapid Spaceback SKODA has announced it is dropping prices across its Rapid Spaceback range. The three trim levels – S, SE Tech and SE Sport – are on sale now with price reductions of up to £1,905. It means the entry-level 1.2-litre TSI in S spec starts from £13,500, with the range rising to £18,660 for the 1.4 TDI SE Sport DSG. Equipment and specs for the Spaceback (above) remain unchanged, with the cleanest model emitting only 94g/km. Second recall for Porsche 918 Spyder PORSCHE has recalled every example of its 918 hypercar – which includes 47 models in the UK. The problem involves a wiring harness for the radiator fan which could be damaged by a carbon-fibre component. Porsche says owners will be contacted individually, while…