Innholdsfortegnelse for September 23, 2015 i Auto Express

WHAT’S the difference between a Hyundai and a Kia? That’s the question I posed to the brands’ new chassis guru, ex-BMW M man Albert Biermann. His answer was that Kia is younger and more sporty, Hyundai more luxurious and refined. Yet Hyundai gets the hardcore, track-focused ‘N’ brand. Yup, I thought that would sit better with Kia, but that’s the Korean brands’ politics at play, I’m told. If you think juggling those two brands is tricky, how about Audi, Volkswagen, SEAT and Skoda? It used to be relatively simple: Audi was premium, VW mainstream, SEAT sporty and Skoda value. Now new VWs like the Tiguan (above) are as posh as Audis, Skodas like the new Superb are better all-rounders than the VW Passat and the SEAT Leon is a better…

THE barrage of new SUVs continues, but few are as important as the new Volkswagen Tiguan. Its arrival at Frankfurt was one of the surprises of the show – even more so the debut of a GTE plug-in hybrid version. The car’s redesign also had people talking, with the softer silhouette of the previous Tiguan ditched for a more squat, bolder body. Based on the strength of VW’s current range, it’s sure to be a runaway success. “The softer silhouette of previous model has been ditched”…

FORD’S Ka is set for a name change when the all-new model is unveiled next year. Auto Express understands that Ka Plus is currently being used internally and stands a chance of making production. The thinking behind the move is that the third-generation city car will be a very different proposition to the trendy, sharp-handling original car which debuted the badge in the late nineties. A Ka concept (main image) was revealed in Brazil in 2013 that hinted at the change in focus, and recent spy shots have confirmed the new car will be a more sober, practical proposition. Roelant de Waard, vice-president, sales, marketing and service, explained the company’s thinking behind the evolution of the Ka.“The segment has evolved significantly since the launch of the first Ka and the…

Reborn Borgward is back in business REVIVED German brand Borgward made an entrance at the Frankfurt show with its new BX7 SUV (pictured above). The marque, one of the largest German car manufacturers of the fifties, hit difficulties and shut up shop 54 years ago. But the grandson of the original founder, backed by Chinese investors, brought it back to life earlier this year. The seven-seat BX7 will rival the Kia Sorento when it goes on sale in 2017, with a turbocharged petrol engine and plug-in hybrid variant due. New turbo flagship Vitara S muscles in SUZUKI has revealed a new turbo petrol Vitara. The new S model has a 1.4-litre ‘Boosterjet’ direct-injection unit with 138bhp and 220Nm of torque – significantly more power than the 118bhp naturally aspirated 1.6…

BOSCH, the world’s largest car parts supplier, has revealed plans that should give the global EV market a dramatic boost by the end of the decade. The brand is confident it will be able to double EV battery density by 2020, while halving the production costs at the same time. Auto Express spoke to Dr. Rolf Bulander, chairman of Bosch Business Sector Mobility Solutions, at the Frankfurt Motor Show. He told us: “Availability of the [EV] technology is not an issue; what is currently the roadblock to electrification is the cost of the battery, and it has to be solved. When it is, electrification will take off.” Bosch is working with Mitsubishi and tech company DS Yuasa on the development of next-generation lithium-ion batteries. “500km [310 miles] is the optimum…

REBECCA CHAPLIN VIDEO REPORTER THE Hyundai i20 WRC rally concept, based on the i20 supermini, is more than just a preview of next year’s rally weapon – it’s a tantalising glimpse of the path Hyundai’s performance-minded ‘N’ range will take. As a rally fan, the potential of a future Hyundai production car derived directly from the sport is definitely something I can get excited about. We’ll see the first fruits from N towards the end of next year, and I can’t wait.…

New Civic Type R vs Fireblade 1000RR BIKERS and keen drivers will always argue over whether motorcycles or cars are better. But we pit the latest Honda hot hatch against the brand’s fastest bike to decide once and for all. For good measure, the CBR1000 is ridden by Honda BSB star Dan Linfoot, while Honda BTCC legend Matt Neal is behind the wheel of the Civic. Find out more on Page 58, then log on, as the video is incredible viewing. We’re all aboard the Honda kit parade HONDA doesn’t just build cars; it’s actually the largest maker of engines on the world. And it uses these engines on a wide range of machines: mowers, generators, speed boats, jet skis and water pumps. Read about how we got on when…

TAX discs were removed from car windshields 12 months ago in an effort to save the Government millions in printing and administration costs. However, some motorists believe the new system is a move for the worse, after their vehicles were mistakenly identified as untaxed. This was the case for Dale Walker from Wellow, Notts, who had his van towed away by the police after they’d been informed by the DVLA that it had been untaxed since 2014. Nottinghamshire Police were running an Automatic Number Plate Recognition patrol when a DVLA alert flagged up Dale’s car. The police then proceeded to tow Dale’s van, reportedly damaging the handbrake in the process. Dale said: “There’s something wrong with the system because you’re not physically getting anything to say the tax is paid.”…

CAR manufacturers face tougher emissions regulations than ever before. By 2021, all new models must achieve 95g/km of CO2, and the existing New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) is set to be replaced to prevent manufacturers using laboratory loopholes in the tests. The new test cycle – the World Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) – is scheduled to come into force in 2017, making testing conditions more ‘real-world’ than ever. Unachievable economy has long been a concern for car buyers, and it’s hoped the new measures will change that. The aim is they’ll give consumers more confidence they can hit quoted mpg targets on the road, and be able to use the figures to better influence their buying decisions. But such stringent measures need research and investment – especially with…

FROM the hair-raising GTI to the frugal BlueMotion model, there’s a VW Polo to suit every job. R-Line cars combine the two, getting hot hatch looks without the associated running costs; and now there’s an all-new 1.0-litre engine. Volkswagen has lifted the three-cylinder turbo engine from the BlueMotion model, boosted power from 94bhp to 109bhp and replaced the five-speed manual gearbox with a six-speed. So, all the characteristics that make the engine in the BlueMotion a winner are present and correct in the R-Line, only now there’s a little extra shove. From start-up through to the red line, the tiny 1.0-litre engine is quiet, refined and punchy. The Polo rarely feels out of its comfort zone, either; it’s as happy tackling city streets as gruelling motorways. The R-Line does away…

THE original Honda NSX was revealed at the Chicago Motor Show in 1989. Developed with the help of late Formula One legend Ayrton Senna, the car enjoyed a 15-year-plus production run – but with the facelifted model discontinued in 2005, it’s been a while since Honda had a machine to challenge the likes of Porsche and Ferrari. In 2007, the company confirmed that a new supercar, powered by a huge V10, was being considered for release at the end of the decade. But then the recession hit, and the brand backtracked, announcing that all plans for a new NSX had been cancelled. Now, though, 10 years since the previous model rolled off the production line, Honda is readying its most exciting product for two decades – in the form of…

THERE’S a lot resting on a 30-second TV commercial. Once a new car has rolled off the production line and made its way to the showroom, it’s down to TV advertising to pull the customer into the dealership and sign on the dotted line. Get it right and it’s hard to keep up with demand. Get it wrong and the car may flop. Creating an advert is a definite art and the TV archives are full of car ads that never made the grade. Producing one that gets people buying is the name of the game, but creating a commercial that has a cult-like following and gets people talking is marketing gold. Only a handful of brands have the honour of creating legendary adverts – and one of those is…

THERE’S a lot more to Honda than just cars. In fact, there’s a lot more to Honda than products with wheels. I was sent out into the field dressed for the jets and boats the brand also builds, only to find I’d be climbing aboard its quads and lawnmowers. But who knew a girl could have so much fun with some power equipment? The first Honda I got to try was an all-terrain vehicle, or ATV. The TRX500 is ideal for crossing fields, as it can be set in two or four-wheel drive. That’s why it’s a favourite for farm use. However, with a top speed of 50mph and hardworking suspension over rugged ground, it’s also lots of fun when you’re given some space to play – as I was.…

Mazda 2 1.5 SE-L Nav PRICE: £14,395 ENGINE: 1.5-litre 4cyl, 89bhp MAZDA’S ‘right-sizing’ engine policy means there’s no turbo, but the 1.5-litre is keen and paired with a precise five-speed box. And while the 2 trails rivals on efficiency, it’s stylish and fun. Plus, its easy-to-use touchscreen nav is standard. Ford Fiesta 1.0T Zetec 5dr PRICE: £14,795 ENGINE: 1.0-litre 3cyl, 99bhp THE Fiesta is getting on a bit now, but the combination of a punchy turbo engine and sparkling handling means it still sets the standard for involvement. It’s not as well equipped as rivals and is expensive, yet Ford dealers will always haggle.…

FROM launch, Mitsubishi is offering a £1,000 saving on the entire ASX range, so you could either pocket the discount or spend it upgrading the ZC-M model with leather trim for £1,200. There are flexible finance options, too. You can pay a deposit of £1,000-£4,000 on a 43-month personal contract plan at 5.9 per cent APR, and repayments can range from £284-£205. Mazda also offers 5.9 per cent APR on a 43-month PCP scheme. The CX-3 1.5D SE comes with a £500 contribution on a deposit of £3,788, while the monthly payments are £239, with an optional final fee of £7,729. Online new car broker broadspeed. comhas discounts of up to £4,000 on the ASX diesel range, while petrol models bring a more modest £2,700 saving. The…

Audi RS3 Sportback Issue 1,388 Citroen C4 Cactus Issues 1,365, 1,374, 1,385 Fiat 500X New arrival Ford Mondeo Issues 1,373, 1,378 Honda CR-V New arrival Kia Sorento New arrival Lexus NX 300h Issue 1,377 Mazda 2 Issues 1,370, 1,381, 1,386 Peugeot 308 SW Issues 1,342, 1,356, 1,368, 1,384 Range Rover Sport Issues 1,356, 1,363, 1,382 Renault Twingo Issues 1,368, 1,387 SEAT Leon X-Perience Issue 1,384 Skoda Octavia Scout Issue 1,382 Suzuki Vitara Issues 1,379, 1,388 Toyota Verso Issue 1,381…

FIRST TEST Rocket League Best price: £15.99 (Sony PS4), £14.99 (PC) Contact: rocketleague.psyonix.com Rating: ROCKET League’s been a smash hit with gamers ever since it debuted. Now it’s been updated, with a £2.79 Supersonic Fury download pack including new cars, decals and boosters. The glossy arcade game mixes driving with soccer. It’s simple and incredibly addictive. You have a choice of two, three and four-a-side ‘matches’, all taking place inside a cage with an oversized ball. It’s a basic format that works well. Clever physics mean the challenge comes from judging how to boost and jump your car, in order to best connect with the ball and score. It’s played at a frenetic pace, and the colourful graphics, plus the fact you can customise your car’s livery and looks,…

NEW PRODUCT Meguiar’s Air Re-fresher Best price: £10 (71ml) Contact: 0870 241 6696, meguiars.co.uk MEGUIAR’S Air Re-fresher is easy to use, with clear instructions for the 30-minute process. That’s significantly longer than Wynn’s Clean Air, which will be done inside 10 minutes. Initially, it seems like this is time well spent, as it shifts odours reasonably well. Just beware that it’s not a permanent solution. It promises a “New Car” smell, but in our test it disappointed. It doesn’t last more than a few days and is only good enough to temporarily bring freshness back to a well used cabin. For that reason it lags behind rivals in this mini test. The price is another sticking point. At £10, it’s the most expensive option – over twice as much as…

PRODUCT GROUP TEST 23 | 9 | 2015 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. Kim Adams NOTHING can beat a head torch for tackling a night-time roadside repair, even if they make you look like a sixties’ sci-fi movie extra. With one of these products strapped to your head, you can see the problem much more easily, plus your hands are free to tackle it. Turn round to pick up a tool, and the beam is right where you need it, and if you’re forced to go for help, you can walk without carrying a torch. The latest LED (light emitting diode) technology has meant head torches are smaller…

BUYING a car isn’t just about visiting a showroom and paying your money. The industry refers to it as the ‘customer journey’. So Auto Express teamed up with mystery shopping experts Douglas Stafford to see where buyers enjoy the best journey. We looked at how long customers have to wait when they first enter a showroom, if contact details are taken, whether they’re offered a test drive, the finance options available and how often a dealer follows up the visit. All the data was then analysed and split between premium and value brands across the UK. And the results? If you want to buy a premium brand car, go shopping in Scotland for the best overall journey, whereas if you’re choosing a value car, head to a dealer in London.…

NEXT year’s new Scenic is set to rekindle romance in households across Europe, according to Renault design boss Laurens van den Acker. Speaking exclusively to Auto Express, van den Acker said: “The MPV’s soul needs to be reinvented. Many mini vans are driven by parents who look like they don’t love each other. I want them to fall in love again; we hope the new Scenic will help them do that.” Although the styling boss wouldn’t reveal specific design details about the new Scenic and Grand Scenic, he did hint that they’d have more crossover attitude than at present. He said they’d follow the brand’s current design theme, with a bold grille featuring an oversized Renault diamond, plus a few more curves than on the current car. Renault is “more…

World Cup Rolls is a real sweet chariot ROLLS-Royce is getting in the spirit of the 2015 Rugby World Cup with an extravagant new special edition. The Wraith ‘History of Rugby’ (above) is finished in English White – the same colour as the England rugby union team’s attire – and gets a hand-applied green coachline decorated with a red rose motif. A set of 21-inch alloys completes the exterior additions, while rose detailing is scattered around the white leather and piano-black wood cabin. Big names set for London Motor Show BMW and MINI have announced their attendance at 2016’s London Motor Show under franchised dealer, Sytner. It’s the first British motor show since 2008, after events in 2010 and 2012 were cancelled. The show takes place in May next year,…

JAGUAR’S C-X75 is set to make a storming return, with a starring role in the new James Bond film Spectre. The 778bhp four-wheel-drive hybrid two-seater concept first appeared at the Paris Motor Show in 2010, but production plans were canned in 2012 due to the global financial crisis. In Spectre, special one-off versions of the C-X75 – with a V8 engine and spaceframe construction – feature in a moonlit chase through the streets of Rome. They were developed by JLR’s Special Vehicle Operations in tandem with Williams Advanced Engineering. The C-X75 is joined in Spectre, which is released in October, by a Range Rover Sport SVR and a Defender fettled by SVO which wears huge 37-inch diameter tyres. The cars were unveiled by Bond star Naomie Harris (Miss Moneypenny) at…

KIA and Hyundai’s performance chief, Albert Biermann, has revealed plans to differentiate the feel of the brands’ cars. “Kia’s sporty and young, but provides good ride comfort [and refinement],” he said. “High-performance Hyundai N cars are for circuits, on a different level to the sporty Kias [like the Cee’d GT (below)].” He added that the N models will initially be based on existing cars, and that there could be “a handful” within five years.…

AMONG all the production-ready new cars at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Mercedes revealed a forward-thinking design study appropriately called the Concept IAA. However, while the badge hints at the official name of the Frankfurt show, IAA actually stands for Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile – a big clue as to this model’s function. Designed to preview Mercedes’ future large-car design direction, the Concept IAA is a vision of things to come in the next decade from the S-Class luxury range – although the over-exaggerated features won’t actually make it to production. The design focus for the Concept IAA is on “world-beating aerodynamics”. A super-slippery drag coefficient of 0.19 is claimed, thanks to active aero tech such as electrically extending front and rear flaps. These boost the concept’s length by 390mm to ensure…

SKODA has shed more light on its plans to make it big in the SUV and crossover sectors, giving Auto Express a sneak peek at the cars that will help it grow sales by 50 per cent to 1.5 million in the next five years. The brand is planning what could be as many as four new SUVs: a more mainstream Yeti (see below), a large seven-seater, a BMW X4-style five-seater coupé (previewed in our exclusive image above) and a sub-Yeti SUV that would rival the Nissan Juke. First to arrive will be the seven-seater, which we’ll see next year and will probably be on sale in the UK in 2017. At 4.7 metres it’s long, with Skoda promising its usual blend of space and value – meaning a likely…

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…

MOTORING icons are like listed buildings – major alterations are forbidden. That’s why changes to the latest Mercedes-AMG G 63 have been kept to a minimum, with a mild power upgrade and light visual tweaks. The rest of the shape is pretty similar to that of the 1979 original, with that familiar boxy look, slab-sided panels, exposed rivet heads and old-fashioned round headlamps. Most people struggle to comprehend why anyone would want a G-Class over one of Mercedes’ more modern SUVs – and they’d be aghast that the £131,675 AMG version is actually the best seller. However, take a step back and you start to see the appeal. The AMG G 63 is one of a handful of vehicles with undeniable charisma. First, there’s the thumping V8 soundtrack from the…

AUTO Express caught up with NSX lead designer Michelle Christensen to talk all things styling, aerodynamics and whether it’ll be a future classic. Q The original car defined a new era for the supercar, and the new model has big boots to fill. What were the biggest challenges? A “The biggest challenge also became the biggest building blocks of the new NSX – which was keeping the purity of the original, and achieving an effortless synergy of man and machine. For the exterior design, for example, we tuned every surface to function with air flow and cooling, and deleted extra trim and garnishes that took away from the performance.” Q Why did it take Honda 10 years to decide to build another NSX? A “It was more about deciding to…

TIME doesn’t stand still in the car market, and innovation can soon be made to look out of date. But is this really the case with the most pioneering models in Honda’s history? We’ve picked out six cars that set new standards at launch – for their performance, tech, practicality or just for creating a new niche – and compared them to the modern-day equivalent in the range. In some cases, there are decades between the cars in our head-to-heads, and in many ways it shows. But it must be refreshing to the people behind some of these classic models that much of the technology still stands up to scrutiny today. “So far, no one outside Honda has taken the wheel of the NSX, but on paper the performance figures…

Hirenkumar Thummar, 29 New Model Stamping 3 years at Honda Phil Haydon, 49 Division manager, New Model Centre 25 years at Honda Mark Draper, 47 Assembly frame division manager 23 years at Honda Vignesh Kulanthaivelu, 29 Development Support 2 years at Honda Callum Wollen, 30 Assembly frame production coordinator 11 years at Honda FOUR years ago, hot hatch fans lost one of their most lauded and best established stars when Honda axed the Civic Type R. But it wasn’t only performance enthusiasts who’ve been mourning the car’s addictive pace, hair-raising thrills and, above all else, its sheer accessibility ever since; the people who built the Type R have sorely missed it, too. So when the company unleashed the new model this year, everyone was happy – from the owners’ clubs…

HONDA has an illustrious history of sports cars and hot hatches, as well as a resurgent current range. But it’s not resting on its laurels – it also has exciting plans for the future, and gave a glimpse of those plans with the Project 2&4 at the recent Frankfurt Motor Show. The lightweight Ariel Atom rival is a collaboration between the brand’s motorcycle and automobile design studios. Honda says over 80 designers and creators took part in its in-house ‘Global Design Project’ competition to bring the 2&4 to fruition. We caught up with winning designer Martin Petersson, to get some background on the project and an idea of its feasibility for production. “The brief was simple,” he told us. “We had to use that [motorcycle V4] engine, and it had…

A FEW years ago, bosses from Ford told me it should be considered a tech company. They weren’t wrong, if our Mondeo is anything to go by – it’s littered with gadgets and gizmos, to the extent I’ve had to do some serious swotting up to ensure I know how they all work. They don’t come cheap, either, with the array of extras on our car hiking the price by a not inconsiderable £7,045. Plus, at times they create the effect that you’re sitting in the middle of a pinball machine, with lights and alerts whizzing on and off at will. But which of this tech do you actually need – and what’s an unnecessary extravagance? Well, the £2,000 Titanium X Pack isn’t cheap, but with heated leather front seats,…

Pitkings Spare Wheel Holder and Brace Best price: £49.95 (excluding VAT) Contact: 01978 663 000, www.demon-tweeks.co.uk NEW cars don’t always have a spare wheel, leaving motorists with a can of foam to patch up any punctures. But those who still feel safer having a back-up on-board should check out the Pitking Spare Wheel Holder. It was developed for rallying, and its simple but heavy-duty design bolts to the boot floor and holds a spare securely with the quick-release nylon clamp. A ratchet mechanism assists storage if space is tight. Pitking also offers an easy-to-use wheel brace, which can remove 17mm or 19mm hex nuts. With a removable handle, this lightweight brace spins freely and is easy to store, too.…

Cat Dow THE car air freshener market has been shaken up recently by the launch of new single-use products. These are set off in an unoccupied vehicle until the canister is empty. We pitched two of these head-to-head – the new Meguiar’s Air Re-fresher and Wynn’s Clean Air – against the top-performing conventional spray in our Issue 1,326 test: the Jelly Belly Car Spray. We looked for ease of use, and checked how long it took to activate the spray and how long the smell lasted. Our panel of four testers also gave their verdict on the smell. The final factor was price, from various sources as we went to press. In the battle of the single-use sprays, Wynn’s outperformed Meguiar’s, with the latter failing to justify its price. But…

NEW American Formula One team Haas is close to finalising its driver line-up for its debut at the beginning of next season. The outfit has a technical partnership with Ferrari and owner Gene Haas says one of the Italian squad’s roster of reserve drivers will pilot one of his cars in 2016. It’s believed that young Mexican Esteban Gutierrez, who raced for Sauber in 2013 and 2014 but spent this year on the sidelines, is the prime candidate for the job, although experienced former Toro Rosso man Jean-Eric Vergne is also on Ferrari’s books. Haas team principal Gunther Steiner, who previously worked with Jaguar and Red Bull, says the team wants experienced drivers for its maiden campaign. “We’d like that both have driven an F1 car before,” he explained. “One…

JAGUAR’S new F-Pace has driven into the record books already after a thrilling unveiling at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The sporty new crossover broke the Guinness World Record for performing the largest loop the loop on a drizzly night at the city’s Niederrad race course. Professional stunt driver Terry Grant showed the F-Pace’s credentials by doing a 360-degree loop of a structure 19.08 metres high. The F-Pace accelerated down a long purpose-built straight hitting a maximum speed of around 55mph, before going round the “0” in a specially made ‘80’ construction – to mark 80 years of the Jaguar brand. At the slowest point, the F-Pace was travelling at just 15mph. Driver Grant had to withstand 6.5 G-force during the stunt, and was visibly relieved afterwards. He said: “My engineer…

KIA’S new chassis guru has marked out the Soul hatchback as the car the Korean brand hopes can take on MINI. Albert Biermann, recently appointed as Kia and Hyundai’s new head of vehicle test and high performance development after running the engineering teams at BMW’s M performance division, told Auto Express that he was a big fan of the car. “For me the Soul is a really fancy-looking, fun, young car,” Biermann said. “When you drive it, it’s not as agile as it looks – the steering is a little slow, so this is something I’d like to improve for the future. You can expect the Soul to become fun to drive.” Biermann confirmed that Kia sees the Soul as a hatchback rather than an SUV, leaving the way clear…

I WOULDN’T want the job of replacing the Sportage. When the current car appeared in 2010 it transformed Kia’s image, and it’s been a sales hit – 2014 was its best-selling year. So the brand’s responded by carefully evolving the formula; the design is a little sleeker, while the cabin is now better made and nicer to look at. It’s a shame the car’s nose looks a tad fussy – but I’m sure it won’t harm we Brits’ fondness for this model.…

FIRST details of the next-generation Nissan Juke are beginning to emerge, and Auto Express can exclusively reveal a new version of the compact crossover will arrive in 2018, with a bold new look and the possibility of a hybrid joining the line-up. Speaking to Auto Express at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Shiro Nakamura, senior vice president and chief creative officer at Nissan, revealed there is a huge amount of expectation surrounding the new Juke. “It’s not always easy to make the second-generation model as successful as the first,” Nakamura told us. “Qashqai second-generation is very successful, and now we need to have a second-generation Juke. But Juke is not like a Qashqai – we must have some surprise; repeating the same thing is not enough. Will we go extreme or…

THE Government is investing millions in support of drink-driving. Don’t worry, though, it’s not quite what you think. There hasn’t suddenly been a U-turn on alcohol and driving laws, but rather a £25million grant for alternative fuels. Of this, the Government has invested £11m in a scheme to use waste by-products from Scottish whisky to fuel vehicles. The rest of the funds have been divided between developing fuel from forestry activity and general household wastes. It got us thinking as to what the future of fuel for our cars will look like? We posed this question during our visit to Bath University for our Inside Story on Page 34. And the general consensus from academics was that electric cars are a stop-gap between now and a longer-term solution. Hydrogen is…

HOT TOPIC Citroen’s Cactus cabrio FROM: Titaka IT’S a cool car, but if it’s released as two-wheel drive only then it will be more of a boulevard cruiser than a beach buggy – unless Citroen mounts the engine at the back as in the VW-derived buggies. Somehow, I don’t see a front-wheel-drive car going well on loose sand. FROM: Kamelo IT reminds me a little of the original Freelander soft-top. I always felt Land Rover missed a trick when the Freelander 2 went upmarket. It should’ve continued with a smaller, fun product. Looks like Citroen has a modern equivalent, and will sell loads. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk • “The Airbumps look funky on the regular Citroen Cactus, but I think they’re out of place on this concept.”…

IS a top speed of 206mph enough? Bosses at Bentley clearly think so. That’s why they’ve decided to keep the facelifted Continental GT Speed restrained to the same maximum as before, even though the rest of the range has received mild power hikes as part of a mid-life model makeover. The Speed does, however, get all the cosmetic changes applied to its lesser siblings. So there’s a revised front bumper, thinner surround for the black mesh grille, ‘B’ icon and model derivative badges on the wings, plus a raft of fresh alloys. At the back, a more pronounced boot lip spoiler, chrome bumper surround and rear diffuser complete the Speed’s mild exterior makeover. Inside, changes are even harder to spot. There’s a new clock, revised dials and larger gear selector…

2015 has been a massive year for Honda, with a raft of exciting new and updated models, plus a return to Formula One. But it’s not stopping there, with a new NSX on the horizon and one of the stars of the Frankfurt Motor Show, the 2&4. To find out more about Honda’s resurgence and what lies ahead, we caught up with another new Honda arrival, CEO Takahiro Hachigo, who only took over the top position in February, and quizzed him on his plans for the brand. Q It’s been a busy year so far for Honda, after a very quiet time – why have we been waiting so long for new models and then they all arrive at once? A “Honda has taken steps to evolve our global operations…

UNTIL the new NSX arrives next year, the third-generation Civic Type R is the fastest road car Honda makes. But Honda doesn’t just build cars. In fact, the Japanese giant started off selling motorcyles, and is now the world’s biggest maker of two-wheelers. So we decided to put Honda’s current fastest road car up against its fastest motorcycle: the CBR1000 RR Fireblade SP. Obviously, this being a car mag, no one on our team has the necessary skills to push this performance machine to its limits. So Honda offered to help by providing the services of its British Superbike racer, Dan Linfoot. However, it felt a bit unfair to have a professional racer on the bike and not in the car. So we asked British Touring Car Championship legend Matt…

HONDA is tapping into something special with its hot Civic. At a new Type R preview event last year, 200 existing owners came to Spa in Belgium from all over Europe. And many seem to have spent the time waiting for the new car to arrive tinkering with their existing models. The car has always been a hit with modifiers, and one of the more radical overhauls was run by Matt Whyte-Earl, of Carlisle. He’d upgraded his Type R to 232bhp, so it could hit 160mph.…

1959 First steps Honda made its motorsport debut at the Isle of Man TT 1988-89 Senna & Prost Legendary pairing won a title apiece during their two-year partnership at McLaren-Honda 1986-1991 F1 domination Honda powered Williams then McLaren (right) to six Formula One world titles 1965 Maiden F1 victory American Richie Ginther gave Honda its first F1 win at the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix, driving the RA272 2010 Super GT Although the roadgoing HSV-010 was cancelled, Honda raced the proposed NSX replacement in Japanese series 2014 HondaCivicTourer Swindon-built machine was the first estate to win in British Touring Cars 2015 JensonButton British ex-world champ has had a trying year as Honda struggles on F1 return HONDA and motorsport have always gone hand in hand – in fact, there was a…

Infotainment ALL of our contenders feature a touchscreen infotainment system. SEAT has dropped its flimsy dashtop cradle in favour of an intuitive in-dash unit. Like the Polo’s set-up, it boasts a proximity sensor that reveals functions as your hand moves nearer the screen. The 208’s seven-inch display is the biggest here, but it’s not as easy to use. Customisation PEUGEOT offers bold paint finishes, wheel colours, exterior decal packs and contrasting interior trim. The Ibiza’s £150 Blue pack adds blue wheels and mirror housings, while the £640 Velvet and Bismouth upgrades feature colour-coded rims, vent surrounds and leather stitching. Engines THE SEAT and VW share the same 89bhp 1.2-litre four-cylinder TSI, but the Polo emits just 107g/km of CO2 compared to the Ibiza’s 119g/km figure. The Peugeot’s three-cylinder is also…

Design THERE’S a clear winner in the style stakes, as the Mazda’s curves and rakish lines mean it stands out when compared to the rather anonymous ASX. The updates to the Mitsubishi are pretty subtle, and only really focus on the bumpers and arches. The squared-off design has elements of the Evo X about it, but it looks a bit dated. Controls MITSUBISHI has added a DAB radio to the ASX, but the fiddly controls and slender dot-matrix dash display make it difficult to search through stations. The Mazda’s touchscreen and rotary controller are far easier to use, with all stations appearing in a list that’s easy to navigate. 4WD upgrade? YOU have to change trim level if you want four-wheel drive. The ASX ZC-H is £4,000 extra, while the…

Got a query? Cat_Dow@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q How to treat leather MY car sits on the street in the sun, and I’m concerned it’ll dry out in the same way that my leather sofa has. Is there anything I can do to protect it next time I clean my seats? Chelsea Cossey, E-mail A AS it’s a natural fabric, leather does need regular protection. We’d recommend Dodo Juice Supernatural Leather Cleaner (right), winner of our Issue 1,371 group test, as it can clean and protect. In our test it removed pen ink and left a great finish with no residue, providing the longest protection over rivals. A 500ml bottle will set you back £9.95. Q Which worklight is best? I’M working on a car project in the evenings, and I’ve been…

Navmii’s online bid to raise £1million TRAFFIC app Navmii has turned to Internet fundraising in a bid to raise £1million towards future development of Artificial Intelligence systems. The new features would scan the road ahead using the camera in the driver’s phone, and warn of traffic, road signs, hazards and cameras. It will also suggest alternative routes based on this data. Navmii users currently report accidents and traffic to each other. The app uses its own navigation software, in conjunction with OpenStreetMaps. Latest off-road tyre offers extra traction SPECIALIST off-road brand BFGoodrich has released its All Terrain KO2 tyre, featuring rally proven technology for harsh terrain. The KO2 uses CoreGard tech – a first on a commercial tyre – which the brand claims will increase resistance to sidewall splitting. Improved…

Vespa: The Story of a Cult Classic in Pictures Günther Uhlig (Veloce Publishing, www.veloce.com) Best price: £22.75 Rating: OVER 18 million Vespas have been sold since 1946, and author Uhlig aims to capture this journey. Yet while his well researched words are a fitting tribute to the legendary scooter, the photography simply isn’t up to the task. Museum and still shots do little to capture the vivid spirit of the two-wheeler. Demon Road Derek Landy (HarperCollins, www.harpercollins.co.uk) Best price: £6.50 Rating: THIS fictional thriller takes us on a road trip with a twist. Main character Amber Lamont goes on the run to escape her parents, and heads along Demon Road in a rather unusual 1970 Dodge Charger. This is aimed at teens who love supernatural fiction, and is witty and…

Q Corsa economy worries MY Corsa doesn’t match Vauxhall’s fuel economy claims. Also, resetting the trip computer doesn’t zero the mpg; instead, it leaves it at 48.7mpg. Is this normal? Janet Bould, E-mail A MANUFACTURERS test their cars’ fuel economy under controlled conditions, which is why there’s often a margin between real-world and claimed figures. Vauxhall, however, confirmed that the trip computer and its settings do fall in line with the EC directive. Q Figuring out finance I WANT to change my car now my PCP deal is coming to an end. Can I part-exchange my current model for one from another make and use the minimum future value as a deposit? Peter Eller, E-mail A WE contacted the Finance and Leasing Association, which confirmed this is indeed possible when…

AN inspired decision brought the British motor industry to Greenwich, South London, on the eve of the Frankfurt Motor Show. It’s a crying shame, then, that the public wasn’t told about the exhibition by the Thames. The setting was right, the weather was right and the cars were right. I fear the presence of a Government Minister, Sajid Javid, may have transformed what could and should have been a nice car fest for all into a needlessly high-security operation for a man and his ministerial limo. The Business Secretary seemed out of his depth and said next to nothing during his desperately short formal ‘speech’, which demonstrated how out of touch British politicians are with one of our largest and most important manufacturing industries. Those of us in attendance were…