Auto Express September 9, 2015

THIS time next week, the doors will have swung open to the Frankfurt Motor Show the biggest in the world – and the world’s press, followed by eager European car buyers, will be poring over the biggest and best new releases. Leading the way (and in many cases leading the world) is a host of new British cars we have every right to feel very proud of. Cars like the new Rolls-Royce Dawn (above). Britain does luxury better than anyone else on the planet, and the exquisite design and finish of the Dawn is proof of that. I was lucky enough to get a sneak preview of the Dawn some months ago at Rolls-Royce’s Goodwood HQ, where the expertise of the workers reinforces the unique skills and work ethic the…

CITROEN has revealed a stylish new convertible version of its C4 Cactus crossover. The drop-top crossover concept, called the Cactus M, will star at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week, and Auto Express was granted early access to the car and its lead designer ahead of the event. We first brought you news that Citroen was building a wacky convertible version of its Cactus in Issue 1,384. More importantly, we revealed the brand was delving into its heritage and borrowing key design themes from the classic Citroen Mehari (right). Built between 1968 and 1986, the Mehari was a utilitarian car based largely on the legendary 2CV, with narrow wheels, raised suspension and tough plastic bodywork. The Cactus M is trying to revive that ethos 30 years on. It’s not just…

FEW cars have had such a difficult start in life as Bentley’s Bentayga. It was previewed at the Geneva Motor Show in 2012 by the EXP 9 F concept – a car that proved two things: there was clear demand for a Bentley SUV, and it should look nothing like the EXP 9 F. The Bentayga name wasn’t received with universal praise, either, while there have been three design directors and two different CEOs in charge of the project. All that upheaval doesn’t seem to have harmed the Bentayga, as Auto Express discovered in an exclusive preview at the company’s headquarters in Crewe, Cheshire, which has benefited from £114million of investment to build the new car. Bentley describes the Bentayga as “the fastest, most luxurious and most exclusive SUV in…

PORSCHE has pulled the covers off its facelifted 911 ahead of its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week – and as we’ve previously reported, the brand has made the switch to turbocharged engines. In fact, Porsche’s main focus has been under the skin, but it’s also subtly tweaked the design of its legendary sports car. At the front are new headlamps with four-point LED daytime running lights, plus reshaped air intakes, while revised tail-lamps and a new engine cover are visible at the back. Inside, there’s an updated Porsche Communication Management (PCM) touchscreen infotainment system, now with a Wi-Fi hotspot and Apple CarPlay. The optional Sport Chrono package also brings a new Sport Response button; this prepares the drivetrain for 20 seconds of maximum acceleration by selecting the…

RENAULT will enter the UK pick-up market in 2016, and the Alaskan concept – set to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week – gives a clear view of how its first offering will shape up. We’ll get to see the full production version, likely to carry the same name, in the first half of next year. Renault has drawn upon the extensive pick-up truck expertise of sister brand Nissan to bring us its newcomer. The truck is based heavily on the new Nissan NP300 Navara and uses the same platform. The imposing grille, with an oversized diamond badge, clearly hints at Renault’s Captur and Kadjar crossovers. Either side of this, the headlamps are partially encased by sweeping C-shaped daytime running lights, while 21-inch wheels provide some mini monster…

A REVOLUTIONARY device that scans engines via ultrasound to give accurate mileage readings could stop car clocking in the UK and help meet EU targets. A digital record of a car’s history held on a national database is required under EU legislation by 2017, while mileage correction companies will be outlawed, too. The owners of Tacho-Spion, or Speedo-Spy, believe its patented algorithm could be the answer. The tech has been in development for 10 years and is already being used in Germany, Belgium, Ireland, Poland, Austria and as far afield as the US and Malaysia. Speedo-Spy checks the wear and tear of the engine via an ultrasound scan and gives a result – with five to 10 per cent accuracy – in minutes. Michael Schmutzenhofer, Tacho-Spion CEO, is now looking…