Innholdsfortegnelse for July 29, 2015 i Auto Express

THEY always say that things are cyclical, but for as long as I can remember, BMW has had a distinct edge when it comes to driver appeal – even in the exalted company of premium models. Things are changing. We’ve already crowned the Jaguar XE as our favourite compact executive car, ahead of the BMW 3 Series. And now we’ve just had a taste of a car that could well beat them both. And who’d have thought it would be an Audi? For many years now, you knew what you’d be getting with an Audi – a good looking car with decent efficiency, a class-leading interior and a ride that borders on the uncomfortable. And whether it’s front or four-wheel drive (sorry, quattro in Audi speak), you just wouldn’t be…

AUDI bosses have let slip to Auto Express that the forthcoming RS4 Avant, and subsequent RS5 Coupé, could feature a new 3.0-litre V6 that uses electric turbocharging technology. This set-up would enable the RS4 – revealed in our exclusive main image – to produce huge power but with none of the lag normally associated with potent turbos, plus much reduced CO2 emissions. Head of technical development Dr Ulrich Hackenberg explained that a small, electric turbo can provide instant boost lower down in the rev range, as it isn’t driven off exhaust gases. He’s previously confirmed that the first Audi to feature such tech will be the all-new A8 saloon next year. The electric turbo would be powered by batteries, which are charged through a generator that recoups lost energy under…

FERRARI has a long and illustrious history of developing fast, loud, mid-engined V8, open-top supercars. We list the highlights of the Spider family, from the 348 Spider of 1989 right up to what could be the last of the naturally aspirated Ferraris, the 458. FERRARI 488 3.9 V8 First mid-engined Spider to use turbos gives Ferrari genuine rival to McLaren’s 650S Spider FERRARI 458 4.5 V8 Featured direct-injection 562bhp 4.5-litre V8 and computer-controlled aerodynamic tech FERRARI 430 4.3 V8 F430’s 4.3-litre V8 was all-new in 2004. It also debuted a five-way traction control system FERRARI 360 3.6 V8 360 brought a new all-aluminium chassis and a hardcore Challenge Stradale edition FERRARI 355 3.5 V8 One of most famous Ferraris, 355 had highest bhp per litre of any production car in…

ONLY a quarter of UK motorists learn to drive by taking lessons with a qualified instructor. Most of the rest prefer to rely on family members or friends, according to a new study. Drivers cite the high cost of professional lessons and the inflexibility of having to book a time slot in advance with an instructor as the reason. The survey, by Vouchercloud, found nearly half of respondents took the majority of their driving lessons with a relative, and a further 28 per cent said their friends helped them pass the L-test. The remaining quarter of motorists, who took all or most of their lessons with a professional instructor, spent an average of 36 hours behind the wheel before passing. With the average cost of a one-hour lesson currently sitting…

BEFORE the Model 3 (above) arrives, Tesla will launch its Model X, and CEO Elon Musk says it will be one of the fastest SUVs on the market. Speaking to Auto Express, Musk said: “I should address something that might be on your mind, like: ‘Where the heck is the Model X?’ Don’t worry; good progress is being made.” He went on to say how the electric SUV will use the newly announced 90kWh battery pack and expects 0-62mph in “3.3-ish” seconds. While first deliveries will be in a couple of months, UK buyers will have to wait until next year for right-hand-drive cars.…

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 RMIF: 0845 839 9205 (m) Scottish Motor Trade Association: 0131 331 5510 Problems with makers…

“Without Nissan, the North East would’ve been a disaster. It’s meant everything for me and my family...”SHAUN CLARK Maintenance team leader “I’ve always liked fixing things and I didn’t want to go to university. I wanted a hands-on job”THOMAS CLARK Trainee maintenance technician WHEN Nissan set up a manufacturing outpost in Sunderland in 1986, the company had no idea of the seismic effect it would have on British industry. That particular area of the North East was a barren wasteland, with dying coal mining and ship building industries that had thrown thousands of workers on to the scrapheap. Nissan took a step into the unknown, starting from nothing to build its first plant outside Japan with only 22 workers, in a region with no experience of auto manufacturing. In the…

HONDA has history in the field of compact SUVs. It was back in 1999 when the boxy original HR-V first arrived on the scene, and following a near-10-year absence from the market, the Mk2 crossover has finally touched down in the UK. Like its predecessor, the new HR-V is also based on a supermini – the Jazz – but Honda’s clever packaging means that while this is one of the smaller crossovers, it’s also one of the most spacious. It challenges the Nissan Juke on size yet is priced like the larger Qashqai, which it’s closer to in terms of practicality. The 470-litre boot actually trumps the Qashqai’s capacity by 40 litres. Prices kick off at just under £18,000 and rise to £24,945. There are four trim levels to choose…

LOTUS Cars might well be a shadow of its former self nowadays, but if the “two-thirds all-new” Evora 400 is anything to go by, Norfolk’s most famous sports car company is well and truly on its way back. Lighter and more powerful than before, the redesigned Evora 400 is also faster and more sophisticated than any other Lotus in history, claim its creators. And having driven the car on road and track, we’re not going to disagree. Truly, the 400 represents a major leap forward over its good-but-not-brilliant predecessor – not only in terms of raw performance but, crucially, also on quality and engineering, and even styling. At the front, bigger grilles are designed into the nose. They give a more thrusting appearance, and also allow more air into the…

OUR essential guide to buying a car has already revealed the best models by class, but now we’re digging deeper into our Driver Power data to deliver the best deals on the top 50 finishers on sale today. Once again, we’ve trawled the manufacturer websites, browsed the brochures and hit the phones to unearth some great money-saving deals in the run-up to the 65-plate change. We’ve also widened our list to include the ever-growing number of specialist online brokers that can source brand new, main dealer-supplied cars at highly competitive prices. Most of the deals here are Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) finance plans with low interest rates and healthy dealer deposit contributions. However, we’ve also found great cash discounts, plus we’ve highlighted any extras that are being offered, such as…

FRANCHISED dealers don’t just sell brand new cars straight from the factory; they have many pre-registered or used models on their forecourts, too. With great finance packages available, it can be a cost-effective way to get the best deal. To stay safe when you hit the dealership for your new motor, Auto Express has compiled 10 top tips with the help of Sue Robinson, director of the National Franchised Dealers Association. 1. Drive before you buy Make sure you see the car first and check it for any discrepancies to ensure you’re not being fooled. Never commit to buying without driving it, either, so you can get a feel for the mechanical condition of the vehicle, too. 2. Check the registration and MoT certificate are genuine Ensure that the details…

MODEL TESTED: Jaguar F-Type R AWD Coupé PRICE: £91,660 ENGINE: 5.0-litre supercharged V8, 542bhp Testers’ notes “The 2015 F-Type’s new infotainment system also comes with Jaguar’s InControl set-up, which allows apps on your phone to be controlled via the car’s touchscreen. You can call up info on parking or hotels near your intended destination, or find out what’s going on around you. Plus, if you’re going to use your F-Type for work, you can keep track of your business mileage. Even without these functions, the new set-up is a big improvement.” Testers’ notes “There’s no manual option on the range-topping F-Type R AWD, so if you want to change gears yourself you’ll have to go for the 375bhp V6 S. But there is a Convertible version of the V8 R…

NEW: Mercedes-AMG GT PRICE: £97,200 ENGINE: 4.0 V8 twin-turbo, 456bhp MERCEDES-AMG’s new GT packs similar performance to these cars, with 0-62mph taking four seconds flat. There’s no 4WD option, but you can bask in the noise of the glorious V8 and the supercar styling – this is a great coupé. USED: Audi R8 V10 plus PRICE: £95,000 ENGINE: 5.2-litre V10, 542bhp THERE’S a new Audi R8 on the block, so now is a great time for a deal on a used outgoing model. The V10 plus boasts 542bhp, and thanks to a dual-clutch gearbox goes from 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds, so it’ll rival the F-Type and 911 for sheer speed.…

THERE’S no doubt about it, Mazda is in a rich vein of form. Four of its seven models walked away with either a trophy or a commendation at the annual Auto Express New Car Awards (Issue 1,377) in July – that’s more than Mercedes managed and just as many as Audi scooped. Yet beyond that, and perhaps even more impressive, is that Mazda doesn’t only develop good cars, it develops good-looking ones, too. In today’s market, appearance is everything; it’s not just about plenty of kit and value for money. Take your pick from Mazda’s model range – there isn’t an ugly duckling among them. It’s all thanks to the box-fresh Kodo design language, which translates into the sharp-suited and well proportioned models that fill its showrooms. As Mazda prepared…

Aftermarket DAB options Q MY 2012 Skoda Octavia doesn’t have DAB digital radio on board, and from what I’ve read on Internet forums, I can’t upgrade it. Is there anything I can buy to help? Nishant Senan, E-mail A THE Pure Highway 300Di is still our favourite DAB adaptor, and picked up another gong at our 2015 Product Awards (Issue 1,371). It comprises an interface that goes behind the dash and an on-dash controller (above). It offers near-perfect reception for £179.99, and you can install it yourself or use Pure’s £100 fitting service. Best hands-free kit Q MY boyfriend was pulled over for using his mobile phone at the wheel. I told him the fine would have been better spent on a Bluetooth hands-free kit. What would you recommend? Jenny…

LEARNING how to drive is an expensive investment, so it’s worth getting it right first time. That’s where these driving test apps come in to help with the theory part of the exam. The test is periodically updated, so although these apps are designed for learners, they’re also useful to help experienced drivers refresh memories and highlight changes on our roads to improve safety. We downloaded three top apps for iOS devices and put them head-to-head, rating them on graphics, wording, ease of use and price. Plus, we scored features such as Hazard Perception, Progress Analysis, Help and Instructions. Focus Multimedia’s Driving Test Success (also available on Android) just pipped the official iOS-only DVSA app. The AA app wasn’t as complete as rivals, yet is well priced at £2.29, and…

CALM and cautious Toyota has a better sense of humour than you might give it credit for. This is a company that’s quietly having a laugh at the expense of its biggest international rivals, VW and GM; lesser domestic enemies, Nissan and Honda; plus neighbouring Korean upstarts, Kia and Hyundai. Most of these competitors are louder, bolder and cockier. But in terms of annual vehicle production, sales, profits and market value, they lose and Toyota wins. It is the undisputed world champion of motor manufacturing. Also, it’s not doing bad in Blighty. Toyota GB is celebrating 50 successful years here, 25 of them building Toyotas at Burnaston. Its dealers are rated in the top two of our Driver Power survey. The cars get five-year warranties that most Japanese makers refuse…

IT’S been a while since Audi released the single official sketch that confirmed it was putting the Nissan Juke-sized Q1 SUV into production. However, prototypes spied testing provide the first physical evidence that the Q3’s baby brother is nearing completion. Launching in 2016, the Q1 will headline a bumper 12 months for Audi, with an all-new Q5 and A5 Coupé also due. The first spy shots (right) give you an idea of the proportions the Q1 will adopt, but our exclusive main images create a much better picture of how the finished article could look. Audi’s prominent, trademark 3D grille with integrated LED headlamps will be a defining feature, while neatly diamond-shaped, chiseled flanks and angular bumpers will give it Audi’s Q-car characteristics. Positioned as a more premium offering than…

WE’VE seen spy shots and concepts, but this is the first official image of the production-ready Infiniti Q30 hatchback. Set to go on sale at the end of this year after debuting at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the new car is aimed directly at the Audi A3 and Mercedes A-Class. The picture was released by Infiniti after a website leaked it last week. And while the brand calls it a ‘teaser’, it doesn’t leave much to the imagination – it’s clear the production model hasn’t changed much from the Q30 Concept, first seen in 2013. Although the new Q30 rivals traditional premium hatchbacks, Infiniti is calling it a “Premium Active Compact”. It claims the car introduces a “category-breaking vehicle concept” by blending the body size of a traditional hatch with…

THE testing of driverless cars is well on its way to becoming the norm on UK roads, after the Department for Transport (DfT) released new testing guidelines. The Code of Practice mandates that all driverless vehicles must be accompanied by a fully licensed test pilot who has the ability to override the system at all times. Any vehicle tested on UK roads must be insured and come with a black box to record activity, too. The cars must stick to all driving laws, and any maker testing them is also advised to inform local councils and emergency services.…

New M car, hot i8 for Pebble Beach? BMW has confirmed it will bring two new concepts to Pebble Beach, California, for this year’s Monterey Car Week. Details are scarce, but this teaser image (above) of a race-style steering wheel indicates at least one will be performance-focused. Dirk Haeker, the R&D chief for BMW’s M Division, is confirmed to be attending, sparking rumours that a scorching new M model, or possibly a hot i8, could make an appearance at the prestigious event. New VW camper names its price PRICING and specs have been announced for VW’s new California camper van. The range kicks off from £37,657, with two specs available: Beach and Ocean. Beach spec gets up to seven seats and is able to sleep four people, with a manual…

SALES of electric cars have outstripped 2014 numbers in the first six months of this year already, according to the latest Go Ultra Low figures. It’s an impressive achievement as more and more drivers take the plunge on full EVs or plug-in hybrids; the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is 2015’s biggest seller so far. Auto Express has talked at length about the growing charging infrastructure and the advent of wireless tech that make owning an electric car – especially in urban areas – a viable option. Go Ultra Low, the Government campaign backed by leading manufacturers, is rightly proud of its achievements, as the £5,000 grant has been a huge success. But there’s a problem: the message coming from the Government and its decision makers is inconsistent. George Osborne’s Budget delivered…

EVERY day, more than 600 cars checked by HPI are revealed as being insurance write-offs – that’s over 223,000 vehicles a year. All of these should be declared, but some slip through the net and can be sold to unsuspecting buyers. All written-off vehicles are put into one of four categories (from A to D), depending on condition. These cover cars that can be economically repaired and driven again, and those where the damage is so severe they shouldn’t be allowed on the road. It’s not illegal to repair ‘written-off for salvage’ cars or return them to the road. A repaired category C or D write-off is usually worth about 50 per cent of the equivalent ‘normal’ car. It can be a cheaper option. The real risk with buying a…

MIDDLE managers of Great Britain have never had it so good. BMW has just revised its 3 Series, the Mercedes C-Class offers the looks and tech from the S-Class for a fraction of the price, and the new Jaguar XE is a stylish British alternative to the established German mainstream. Now Audi is ready to replace its ageing A4 saloon with an all-new version, which the company claims is best in sector for weight, economy, practicality and tech. It promises to match the class leaders for driving fun, and beat them on comfort, too. But can it? We were granted an early test drive of a pre-production model to find out. Things don’t get off to a roaring start. Once again, Audi’s designers have played it safe with the car’s…

WHEN it comes to practical family cars, the name of the Skoda Superb Estate sums it up, as it really is a superb estate. The big boot and spacious interior mean it’s always been a front-runner for versatility, but now the third-generation model is bringing some major style to the party, too. As well as a sharp new exterior design, the cabin has moved upmarket, with more soft-touch plastics and metal trim. But this move hasn’t come at a cost. Indeed, go for the entry-level 1.4 TSI S, and the list price is £50 lower than for the car it replaces. The Estate model took the majority of sales last time around, which the new car is expected to repeat, and with a 660-litre boot available when all the seats…

BUYING a car isn’t just about choosing the make, model and spec; there’s a huge range of other factors to consider, too. What’s your local dealer like? Will you be priced out of a model by insurance premiums, and what will you do if your car goes wrong? All these questions require serious consideration before you hand over your hard-earned cash or set up a new finance deal. To help inform these tough decisions, we’ve compiled our latest Driver Power results – and over the next 36 pages we’ll guide you through the maze of buying your next car. First up is a recap of the best models as voted for by more than 61,000 readers in our biggest-ever poll. We then take a look at the best deals on…

£90+ £80-£89 £70-£79 £40-£69 “Scotland has the lowest hourly rates, at £71.42 compared to £101.60 in London” CHEAPEST POSTCODE Kirkwall on Orkney was the cheapest place on average, with garages there charging just £44 per hour. LOWEST LABOUR RATE £36 The lowest individual labour rate was found at a garage in Smethwick, W Mids, at £36 an hour. MOST EXPENSIVE POSTCODE Twickenham in south west London posted the highest hourly average labour rate, at £141. HIGHEST LABOUR RATE The priciest individual labour rate was £240 an hour, recorded at a garage in West Byfleet, Surrey. £90+ £80-£89 £70-£79 £40- £69 THINK your dealer is charging too much? It might just be down to where you live, because our exclusive data reveals how the cost of labour is a postcode lottery.…

UNLIKE insurance, motorists don’t have to buy breakdown cover. Yet many of us choose to pay a bit extra to know help will be there if we get stuck at the roadside. Is one form of breakdown cover better than the next, though, and does premium always equal best? Our Driver Power 2015 satisfaction survey – where 61,000 of you gave your advice and opinions – answers these questions, and ranks the best British breakdown cover. Why did you call them out? Mechanical fault 40% Flat battery 25% Other 16% Puncture 15% Misfuel 3% Ran out of fuel 1% Breakdowns can occur for many reasons, yet most of you cite mechanical failure (40 per cent) and flat batteries (25 per cent) as the main reason for phoning up a recovery…

THE all-wheel-drive F-Type R Coupé is hot property at the moment, so discounts are scarce, but there are still a few good deals to be had if you’re happy to shop around. Jaguar is offering the same spec of car as we’ve tested here on finance for £949 per month – that’s based on a 37-month contract with a large £23,875 deposit and interest charged at 5.9 per cent APR. You’ll still have to pay £37,806 at the end of the term to secure the car, too. As we mentioned, if all-wheel drive isn’t a necessity then there are some great savings to be had on the two-wheel-drive F-Type R Coupé. Buyacar.co. ukis currently offering the cheaper, rear-wheel-drive 542bhp super-coupé with £6,430 off for cash buyers, or at £1,184…

How to Build Motorcycle-engined Racing Cars Tony Pashley (Veloce Publishing, www.veloce.com) Price: £30 (paperback) Rating: THIS refreshingly frank instruction guide helps you create your own bike engine and tune it to something appropriate on four wheels. From engines, transmission, chassis and cooling to fasteners and finishes, it’s concise, clear and comprehensive. Images are helpful, too, and author Pashley has done well to put his experience in black and white. Saving Jaguar Sir John Egan (Porter Press, www.porterpress.co.uk) Price: £24.95 (hardback) Rating: SIR John Egan’s career at British Leyland clearly wasn’t easy, but his time at the helm of Jaguar, turning round its fortunes before its sale to Ford in the nineties, was rewarding in the end. Early chapters paint a pitiful scene of an uncertain future, and it’s clear the…

Waiting for new Ford clutch Q MY 2012 Ford Focus auto has been in the garage for over a month waiting for a new clutch. Ford UK has searched for a spare one and can’t tell me what’s going on. Can you? DerekSlater, E-mail A WE contacted Ford, which told us there has been a supply issue concerning spare parts for the transmission. It is expecting normal supply deadlines to resume some time between August and September, so you shouldn’t have to wait much longer. Mercedes’ noisy steering Q THE power-steering on my 2013 Mercedes E 250 CDI is noisy on full lock. The dealer says it’s normal, but I don’t believe that. Have you heard of any similar problems? Trevor Gough, E-mail A MERCEDES issued a recall in 2010…

FERRARI has revealed the second member of the 488 family: the Spider. The open-top, V8 supercar arrives only six months after the GTB was first introduced, and becomes the most powerful drop-top ever to come out of Maranello. Set for a world debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the McLaren 650S Spider rival will arrive in dealers next summer. As with the 458 Spider that went before it, the 488 uses a two-piece retractable hardtop. It’s 25kg lighter than the fabric roof used on the old F430 Spider (see panel, opposite). Like every drop-top Ferrari, the 488’s roof can only be operated when the car is stationary for safety reasons, but it can then be neatly and electrically stowed under the new flying buttresses in 14 seconds. The added strengthening…

IT’S not long since the hatch was revealed, but now we’ve seen Vauxhall’s Astra Sports Tourer on test with minimal disguise. The new estate is set to go on sale at the end of the year after making its debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. It’s clear from our spy shots that practicality is the focus for the car. Although the sleek front end is carried over from the hatch, everything from the B-pillar backwards changes, with a boxier roofline, wide rear window and substantial rear overhang. Integrated roof rails also indicate this will be a serious load-lugger – like the outgoing car – rather than a lifestyle estate. Under the skin, the new Astra hatch is up to 200kg lighter than at present, with smaller exterior dimensions yet more…

TESLA’S third model range, which CEO Elon Musk revealed exclusively to Auto Express would be called Model 3, is set to make its world debut in March next year. With the 2016 Geneva Motor Show kicking off on 1 March, there’s a chance the car – revealed in our exclusive image – could be unveiled in Europe. Yet although we’ll get a first sight of the new Model 3 next year, first deliveries aren’t expected to be until mid 2017. Power for the car will come from batteries produced at Tesla’s new gigafactory, which will go on stream in Nevada later this year. No technical details for the Model 3 will be announced until next year, but we’d expect it to at least match BMW’s M3 and M4 supercars for…

DEALERS have been issued with new guidance on how to give car owners the best service and advice when the new Consumer Rights Act comes into force in the autumn. The fresh legislation passed through Parliament earlier this year and is expected to become law from 1 October, giving consumers more powers to reject cars and fight for refunds and replacements if they’re unhappy with their vehicle. And the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has created a selection of guides for garages and dealers on the new laws, plus a refresher on cases that involve misleading mileage on used vehicles, safety regulations for part-worn tyres, aggressive selling and alternative dispute resolution. Sarah Langley, CTSI service director, explained: “Trading Standards teams across the UK are keen to help businesses and ensure…

Videowatch AT autoexpress.co.uk/videos  this week, it’s an Audi double: our review of the new A4 and a hot lap in the next R8 V10 Plus. First drive verdict on all-new Audi A4 YOU can turn to Page 30 to read our verdict on some pre-production versions of the new Audi A4, which we drove before the car is officially signed off later this summer. But once you’ve read the report, make sure you watch our video. As well as trying the new BMW 3 Series-rivalling compact executive on a variety of roads, we got to speak to the men responsible for the way it drives. McNish passenger ride in R8 V10 Plus YOU may have already seen our review of the Audi R8 V10 Plus, but now you…

HOT TOPIC The Budget for drivers FROM: enjoy driving THE proposed road tax scheme for 2017 is a lot better than the present one. In my opinion, new cars rarely achieve the stated CO2 figures, and hence owners do not pay a fair share of the VED. With the revised measures, I’m hoping to see a change. FROM: old-sailor WHEN all cars on the road are either electric or hybrid, how will we deal with all the expired batteries? These are some of the most environmentally damaging items in existence. I suspect new reforms will be made to deal with this in the future. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk • “So because I can afford a £40,000 car, I have to pay a £310 supplement for five years.…

HONDA has sold 5.5 million Jazz models worldwide since its debut in 2001. It currently accounts for 40 per cent of the brand’s UK sales, plus 80 per cent of buyers have previously owned one – that’s a level of loyalty the likes of Volkswagen and Ford can only dream of. So, can this third-generation car still cut it in the fiercely competitive supermini class? With a new Mazda 2, facelifted VW Polo and refreshed Peugeot 208 already on sale and a host of new models on the way, it’s a tough time to launch a car. In terms of design, the new Jazz is a lot more desirable thanks to influence from the new HR-V (driven on Page 36) and tweaked Civic. It gets the familiar Honda face, high…

FORGET V8 muscle cars and supercar exotics, the most macho vehicle on the road has to be the pick-up. Whether it’s transporting a builder and his power tools or heading out into the wilderness with a dirt bike in the load bay, the pick-up is the epitome of rugged, no-nonsense utility. Mitsubishi has been selling the L200 in the UK for 33 years, and it has high hopes for this fifth-generation model. It replaces the Series 4 car that was the brand’s best seller in 2014, with nearly 6,500 registered, and carries the torch once held by the Mk3 L200 – 12,000 of which found homes in 2003 at the height of the UK pick-up boom. That boom was fuelled by the favourable tax conditions, which saw double-cab pickups classed…

NISSAN’S GT-R nameplate is 45 years old, so to celebrate its birthday the Japanese brand has released a limited-run Anniversary model. Only five examples of the Champagne Gold GT-R will make it to the UK, priced at £79,780 each – but don’t think this is a tuned, fire-breathing special, as the alterations are purely cosmetic. On top of the gold paint, the 45th gets a Premium Black interior with a plaque, as well as another plate under the bonnet showing the car’s limited edition number. Beneath the GT-R’s muscular, brutish-looking body is the same 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 engine, six-speed dual-clutch gearbox and four-wheel-drive system, pumping out 542bhp and a massive 632Nm of torque. Performance is identical, with a top speed of 196mph and 0-62mph taking 2.7 seconds. The engine and…

EVERY year, our Driver Power survey names the best dealers, insurers and breakdown operators, but perhaps more importantly, it can help you choose a car in the first place. The next four pages are a crash course in what the 61,000 Auto Express readers who took part in this year’s satisfaction survey (Issue 1,367) deem the best models on the road. We’ve broken down the votes into eight categories, from SUVs to superminis and sports cars to execs, and ranked the top and bottom five in each to give you all the info you need to make a decision on the forecourt. This year saw a changing of the guard in many classes, including our overall Driver Power champ. After three years of dominance, the Skoda Yeti was trumped by…

DECIDING which new car to buy can be as much down to the brand and its dealer network as it is the model itself. So it’s important to know which manufacturer offers you the best combination of service, quality of work and, most crucially for some buyers, value for money. We’ve compiled the results from the 61,000-plus readers who took part in our Driver Power 2015 satisfaction survey to rank the best and worst garages in the UK. This year, dealers were polled in seven separate categories, including how helpful staff were, how clean the showroom appeared and the standard of work. Plus, our readers told us how long the work took and how expensive – or competitively priced – any repairs were, as well as rating franchises for their…

LEXUS has topped our Driver Power dealer table every year since the survey was launched in 2002. It’s an impressive record – and 2015 was Lexus’ best year yet, as it also won top car and top manufacturer. Auto Express caught up with the company’s UK director Richard Balshaw at the Guildford showroom in Surrey – one of the first standalone Lexus dealers – to find out why customer service is so important to the manufacturer and what it’s doing differently to maintain its status as the best in the business. Why is customer service so important? “It’s very much a Japanese trait – they have a strong sense of hospitality. When we started, our first objective was to build the best car in the world. The second was to…

Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS PDK Price: £99,374 Engine: 3.8-litre flat-six, 424bhp 0-60mph: 3.8 seconds Test economy: 26.3mpg/5.8mpl CO2: 212g/km Annual road tax: £290 Jaguar F-Type R AWD Coupé Price: £91,660 Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8, 542bhp 0-60mph: 3.7 seconds Test economy: 20.9mpg/4.6mpl CO2: 269g/km Annual road tax: £505 POWER is nothing without control, so in a bid to add even more performance and better harness the ferocious output of the rear-wheel-drive F-Type R Coupé, Jaguar has re-engineered its flagship supercar so it now sends power to all four wheels. A £91,660 price tag puts it squarely in the sights of one of the best in the business: the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS. The £99,374 Porsche is more expensive than the British coupé and slightly down on power, too, but…

Noise BOTH cars boast active exhausts with flaps that open and close for the full aural experience or more refined cruising. The Jag V8 is noisier – it registered 97dB on our meter, compared to 95dB for the 911. But when revving, the F-Type’s exhaust peaked at 115dB. That’s as loud as a rock concert! Boot space JAGUAR and Porsche go about the layout of their cars in different ways. The F-Type has its engine up front and boot at the back, while the Porsche is the other way round. It doesn’t affect practicality, but the 911’s quirkiness makes it feel even more special. History repeating IT’S a spiritual successor to the E-Type, and the Jag references the legend with features such as narrow rear light clusters and a clamshell…

WHAT do you want your family car to do? It obviously needs to fit you and all your stuff inside, and it should avoid depleting the household budget to the extent that the kids end up unwrapping a potato each on Christmas morning. That’s a given – but at a more basic level, would you rather have a family vehicle that’s exciting, or one that can blend seamlessly into your everyday life? This question has been brought into sharp focus in my first few weeks with the Toyota Verso. Let’s establish right off the bat that even within the utilitarian confines of the mid-sized MPV sector, this is not a particularly exciting car. What it does do is deliver a high degree of practicality in a pretty uncomplicated and tough-feeling…

Airless tyres on par with regular rubber HANKOOK has revealed it has completed testing on a new generation of its airless tyre. The iFlex uses an eco-friendly compound and geometric contours to recreate the bounce of air-pressured tyres. In tests at up to 80mph for durability and handling, the manufacturer said the fifth-generation iFlex has matched the performance of conventional tyres. Hankook is yet to confirm if the tyre, seen here in neon green and orange livery, will go into production. Vauxhall introduces video car services VAUXHALL customers will now be able to see a video explanation of the work needed on their car following the launch of the VX360° service. When you bring your car to a dealer, the technician will explain the repair required to camera and then…

WE’VE been using advanced data logging equipment for years as part of our testing processes, but now simplified versions are available to download on to your smartphone. They can help you hone your skills on a track day, which can make you a better driver on the road, too. To use these apps, you’ll rely on your mobile’s GPS reception, which is nowhere near as strong or accurate as an external GPS receiver. This will set you back £40 or so – still considerably less than the £300 a professional data logging device costs. Also, some of these apps have built-in video recording functions to capture footage of your drive, although to take advantage of this, you will need to use a smartphone mount that doesn’t obscure the lens. We…

VOLKSWAGEN and Sebastien Ogier will be hoping they can keep their vice-like hold on the 2015 World Rally Championship with yet another win this weekend in the fearsomely fast Rally Finland. The Finnish stages have the highest average speed of any on the WRC calendar and, with a loose gravel surface and a daunting mix of flat-out crests, jumps and turns, the drivers and their navigators will have their work cut out. There’ll be plenty of big names taking on the blisteringly quick gravel stages, too, as Citroen’s Kris Meeke will be looking to rack up his second win of the season and halt VW and Ogier in their tracks. Fresh from a battle royal and a third-place finish last time out at Rally Poland, M-Sport’s Ott Tanak is flying…