Innholdsfortegnelse for November 18, 2015 i Auto Express

Essentials SEAT Leon Cross Sport Price: N/A Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, turbocharged Transmission: Six-speed dual-clutch auto, four-wheel drive Power/torque: 296bhp/380Nm 0-62mph: 4.9 seconds Top speed: 155mph (limited) Economy: 40mpg (est) CO2: 160g/km (est) ON SALE TBC THE SEAT Leon Cross Sport concept was first unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, and it went down a storm – as it is very much a car of the moment. Sporting a high-quality and seemingly showroom-ready new interior plus 296bhp under the bonnet and four-wheel drive to support its junior Porsche Macan styling, it hit the headlines and ran with them. SEAT referred to the Cross Sport at the time as “a performance athlete in hi-tech trekking shoes”. Hype, yes, but we liked what we saw. That was then and this is…

BENTLEY revealed its super-luxurious Bentayga First Edition SUV to a select group of VIP customers at the LA Motor Show this week. Just 608 will be built, but each one has been sold despite costing £229,500. The First Edition is set apart by its unique Union Jack badging, illuminated tread plates and 22-inch polished black wheels. Buyers also get a choice of 10 exterior paintjobs. Inside, all cars feature ‘Diamond within Diamond’ quilted leather, bespoke ambient lighting and more Union Jack badging. All the usual wood and metal finishings are present, too. Power is from the potent 600bhp 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12. This promises 0-62mph in 4.1 seconds and a 187mph top speed, plus like the standard car, the First Edition claims 22.1mpg and CO2 emissions of 292g/km. Kevin Rose, member…

LEARNERS passing their test first time will receive part of their fee back as a reward, under Department for Transport (DfT) proposals. Currently, only 21 per cent of learners pass first time, and to encourage them to prepare better, the DfT is proposing pupils pay a deposit before their assessment; they’d get it back after passing. Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “This change will give those who pass first time some money back, and provide an incentive for learners to be more prepared.”…

VOLKSWAGEN owners in the US will receive $1,000 (£658) as an initial form of compensation from the VW Group – but UK owners have received no such news about similar goodwill. The gesture includes a pre-paid $500 (£329) Visa card, a $500 VW dealership card, as well as free 24-hour roadside assistance for three years. The deal is offered to owners with 2.0-litre TDI cars built between 2009 and 2015. Appealing to the 482,000 US drivers is the first step from the Group to rectify all 11 million vehicles affected. Yet, the 1.1 million VW Group owners affected in the UK have yet to hear any news concerning compensation since VW’s UK boss Paul Willis spoke before the House of Commons’ Select Committee in October, and stated it was too…

CADILLAC has revealed its new XT5 SUV at the Los Angeles Motor Show. It’s set to go on sale in spring next year in the US, and could hit these shores in the not too distant future as the brand eyes a UK return. The XT5 replaces the SRX and will rival the Mercedes GLC, BMW X3 and Lexus NX. It will be built in both the US and China initially, and the engine in US-spec cars is a familiar 306bhp 3.6-litre V6 petrol. But Chinese-built cars are also offered with a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine, which would help the XT5 compete with European rivals.…

Is 1.5 or 2.0-litre new MX-5 better? MANY potential buyers of Mazda’s latest legendary roadster will be asking themselves this question. And in this video we hit the track in the MX-5 2.0 Sport, with its extra punch, stiffer suspension, bigger brakes and limited-slip diff, to see just how much faster it is than the 1.5-litre. Find out if the difference is worth the price premium. Video report on the Renault RS.01 RENAULTSPORT was given free rein to create a track car for a one-make race series – and the RS.01 is the result. Mounted in the middle of its ultralight body is a Nissan GT-R’s 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6, tuned to 550bhp. Plus, the hi-tech aero creates up to 1,200kg of downforce. What’s it like to drive? You can watch…

AT what point do repair costs go from expensive to unbelievable? Chris Wilkes, from Buxted, East Sussex was amazed when Hyundai quoted him over £1,000 to repair a broken tail-light on his ix35 SE. Chris’ ix35 had been slowly reversed into a tree, and there was no body damage, but the left side rear light required replacing. Unfortunately for Chris, Hyundai quoted £1,039 in parts alone. A spokeswoman for the company confirmed the price was correct. She told us: “The cost to replace the LED tail-light is roughly £1,000. It is a two-part system, and each can be purchased separately depending on which part is damaged.” She continued: “The larger part costs about £600, while the smaller assembly is circa £400.” Chris was not impressed, telling us: “The price of…

HOT TOPIC Honda’s new NSX FROM: derbigbr WHAT made the original Honda NSX so special was its supercarslaying ability. The engineering and handling were on another level. Now I can’t wait to see how it will fare when Auto Express tests it against Porsche or the Audi R8. FROM: Andy Parker OF all the numbers, the one that sticks out for me is 1,725kg. That electric power is carrying some serious weight. I was expecting Honda’s Formula One expertise to shed some of that mass. Hopefully, this won’t affect the handling too much. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk • “An estimated £100,000 is just too much to ask for a Honda. Not sure about how well it will drive, either.” Martin Collins • “I would gladly walk past…

Essentials Porsche 911 Carrera Price: £76,412 Engine: 3.0-litre 6cyl turbo Power: 365bhp Transmission: Seven-speed PDK auto, rear-wheel drive 0-62mph: 4.2 seconds Top speed: 182mph Economy: 38.2mpg CO2: 169g/km ON SALE Now WHAT you really need to know about this facelifted Porsche is that even the everyday rungs of the 911 ladder – the Carrera and Carrera S – now have turbos. That’s a big step for the brand, as this is the most significant change to arguably the world’s most iconic sports car in 52 years. But diehard fans needn’t worry, as Porsche has captured the spirit of the 911 perfectly with this significant mid-life update. We tested the £76,412 Carrera – the more muscular S costs £85,857 – and with power up 20bhp to 365bhp thanks to the all-new…

Essentials VW Passat GTE Estate Price: £36,500 (est. including £5,000 Government grant) Engine: 1.4-litre 4cyl petrol plus electric motor Power: 215bhp Transmission: Six-speed DSG automatic, front-wheel drive 0-62mph: 7.6 seconds Top speed: 140mph Econ/CO2: 176.5mpg/37g/km ON SALE December WHEN you talk of VW these days, it’s hard not to think about thatstory. But the company is desperate to move on and this sort of car is exactly what it’s pinning its hopes on – the plug-in hybrid Passat GTE. It follows the already trodden path of the Golf GTE, but with a slightly more powerful 154bhp 1.4-litre petrol engine combined with a 114bhp electric motor, offering a blend of swift performance and impressive claimed fuel economy. Plug the Passat GTE in overnight and you’ll wake up with an all-electric mode…

Nissan Navara NP300 Price: £30,795 Engine: 2.3-litre 4cyl twin-turbodiesel Power: 187bhp Transmission: Seven-speed auto, four-wheel drive 0-62mph: 10.8 seconds Top speed: 112mph Economy: 40.3mpg CO2: 183g/km ON SALE Now NISSAN thinks it’s cracked the elusive car-like pick-up formula with the new Navara. And it says it’s done it by combining 80 years of knowhow from building pick-up trucks with experience gained more recently creating market-leading crossover SUVs – such as the Qashqai and Juke. The top-spec Tekna model certainly owes much to Nissan’s X-Trail inside, where quality is a notch above what we’re used to in pickups like the Mitsubishi L200. The newcomer rides on the old Navara’s robust box frame chassis, and also uses its selectable 4x4 transmission. Yet transmission upgrades promise a transformed driving experience. The Navara comes…

We say... “With a blend of style, space, low running costs and hi-tech equipment, the Astra covers all the family car bases. It’s also better to drive than ever, and the 1.6 CDTi diesel delivers punchy performance.” The winner is... Vauxhall Astra OUR PICK: 1.6 CDTi 136 SRi Nav PRICE: £21,480 VAUXHALL’S new compact hatch has already impressed us at Auto Express, beating the all-conquering SEAT Leon and Ford Focus in Issue 1,391. This Golden Steering Wheel is likely to be the first award of many for the Brit-built car. As well as giving the Astra a sleeker look, Vauxhall has bestowed it with an equally sharp driving experience. But there’s more, because it also has a spacious interior, first-class build quality and some neat tech. It narrowly edged ahead…

We say... “BMW’S thrown all its engineering might at the 7 Series, and it’s paid off. First-class refinement and comfort haven’t come at the cost of performance, and it’s better value and cleaner than Mercedes’ S-Class.” The winner is... BMW 7 Series OUR PICK: 730Ld PRICE: £68,480 IF you want to know what tech will appear on the average road car in a decade’s time, look no further than the luxury class. The winning 7 Series has hi-tech kit such as laser headlights, an interactive smart key and aluminium construction, while it has the driving appeal and efficiency of a far smaller car. This BMW did well to come out on top against a slew of new luxury SUVs, and it was closely followed by the Audi Q7 and Volvo…

BMW 535d M Sport auto PRICE: £48,920 ENGINE: 3.0-litre 6cyl, 313bhp LIKE the A6, the 535d has a power advantage over the new XF, but this is countered by higher company car costs, despite its lower list price. The rear-drive BMW is arguably more engaging to drive, yet it’s not as sharply styled as the XF. Mercedes E 350 BlueTEC AMG Night Edition PRICE: £42,010 ENGINE: 3.0-litre V6, 258bhp THE E-Class is due to be replaced in 2016, so Mercedes is piling up the extras on its outgoing cars. The Night Edition adds a black styling pack, while the top-spec Premium Plus is around £4,000 less than the XF. It’s cheaper as a company car, too.…

Technology AS the new kid on the block, the Viva boasts the most advanced connectivity. It gets Bluetooth, but opt for the £425 IntelliLink infotainment, and sat-nav is also available. The set-up uses BringGo – a 99p iPhone and Android app. It’s a cheaper solution that generally works well, but the interface can be slow to react. Adaptability THESE cars spend most time in town, but it’s nice to know they can cope beyond the city limits. All three contenders have a wider range of talents than you might think, but the i10 comes out on top, with grown-up road manners, a smart, roomy cabin and a competitive boot capacity. Stand-out looks STRONG value is a theme of this trio, but the city car sector is so crowded that style…

Essentials Mazda 2 1.5 Sport Nav On fleet since: April 2015 Price new: £15,995 Engine: 1.5-litre 4cyl, 113bhp CO2/tax: 117g/km/£30 Options: Metallic paint (£530), Light Stone leather trim (£800), Safety Pack (£400) Insurance*: Group: 19 Quote: £393 Mileage/mpg: 12,631/40.2mpg Any problems? Occasionally glitchy infotainment system *Insurance quote from AA (0800 107 0680) for a 42-year-old in Banbury, Oxon, with three points. I’M a big fan of small cars – the classic Mini you can see hoisted in the air in this picture is mine. So when a custodian for our Mazda 2 was needed, I grabbed the keys before anyone else got the chance. Like the Mini, the Mazda blends stylish looks with small dimensions and agile handling. However, while our 2 is in tiptop condition and running faultlessly, my…

Got a query? Cat_Dow@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q How can I beat daily condensation? I’M sick of the daily battle with condensation in my car now the weather has turned cooler. Is there anything I can use on the windows to stop it building up or make it easier to deal with? Charley Elsby, E-mail A EXTRA moisture in the cabin can make the problem worse, so firstly ensure that the pollen filters aren’t blocked and that no damp clothes have been left in the vehicle. Check for any leaks, too. Once you’ve done that, apply a glass cleaner – we like Black Diamond Quick Glass (Issue 1,351). This should get rid of existing condensation and prevent it from forming. Q Driving on flat tyre A FRIEND drove to mine the other…

Hi-tech dash display with a classic look YOU can bring your classic car bang up to date with the latest technology without ruining its original look with the help of the GaugePilot range. The devices pack in-car tools like engine monitoring, stopwatches, rally computers and extra gauges into a unit that resembles a classic fifties Halda rally computer. The GaugePilots can be fitted into classic or modern cars and come in a variety of finishes to suit any dash. Prices start at £1,200. Log on to www.gaugepilot. ukfor more info. Cool new seats for fans of muscle cars TO add the finishing touch to an AC Cobra or Ford Mustang, Cobra Seats has released an officially licensed Shelby sports seat. Carroll Shelby’s name is intrinsically linked with…

And On That Bombshell Richard Porter (Orion Books, www.orionbooks.co.uk) Price: £20 (hardback) Rating: IT’S been months since Top Gear left our screens, and this book by script editor Richard Porter offers an interesting behind-the-scenes insight into the show. Porter worked alongside Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond for 13 years, and the book provides a funny and at times thought-provoking look into the world of one of the biggest motoring programmes of all-time. Driving on the Edge Michael Krumm (Icon Publishing, iconbooks.co.uk) Price: £24.99 (hardback) Rating: AUTHOR Krumm uses over 20 years of racing experience to teach everything from the basic – such as correct brake and corner entry methods – to the complex, like setting up a car for a wet circuit. Supporting the content are clear visual…

Got any car queries? Martin_ Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Wrong wheel on my TT Q MY wife bought a used Audi TT three months ago. We’ve since noticed one of the wheels is from an A3, which was affecting the handling in the wet. Should the garage rectify this? Bob Leitch, E-mail A THIS should have been identified in the pre-sale inspection, and you should pursue the garage to retro-fit the correct wheel free of charge. The vehicle was not fit for purpose under the Sale of Goods Act – replaced by the Consumer Rights Act on 1 October. Will scandal affect tax? Q I WANT to know what will happen if the CO2 output from the VW Group cars affected by the emissions scandal increases after the recall. Will I have…

TITLE winners from Formula One, the World Rally Championship, Le Mans, touring cars and motorbike racing come together at London’s Olympic stadium this weekend for the Race of Champions event. McLaren’s Jenson Button and ex-Red Bull man David Coulthard are leading the British contingent, with three-time World Touring Car champ Andy Priaulx, reigning GP2 title winner Jolyon Palmer, Coulthard’s fellow Scottish racer Susie Stoddart, double British Touring Car champ Jason Plato and Nissan GT ace Alex Buncombe also competing. Button said: “I can’t wait to be back at the Race of Champions – especially to be racing at home in the former Olympic Stadium. It’s always a lot of fun, but everyone wants to put on a good show for the fans – and of course we only pretend to…

SOME of the world’s top GT drivers will battle around the tight and twisty streets of Macau in China this weekend. The inaugural FIA GT World Cup sees five manufacturers deploy their top works drivers in what’s hoped will become an end-of-season fixture. Entries to watch include Kevin Estre and Alvaro Parente (McLaren, right), Edoardo Mortara and Rene Rast (Audi), Richard Lyons and Stefan Mucke (Aston Martin) and Le Mans winner Earl Bamber (Porsche). Motors TV will have coverage for UK fans on Sunday.…

WHEN in Seoul a year or three ago, I interviewed directors at Korea’s top two car firms. Kia’s boys ambitiously contended it’s the new Volkswagen. Hyundai modestly saw itself as the next Audi-cum-BMW. How I chuckled at their naive optimism. But the last laugh might just be on the Seoul brothers. As I said in an Auto Express story in 2013, Hyundai’s comparatively upmarket (but currently horribly flawed) Genesis will be built in right-hand drive and should be a standalone franchise. Sure enough, examples hit Britain in 2014, then confirmation came this month that Genesis will become a sub-brand with its own posh dealer network. Just like Lexus. Sort of. It gets better. Not satisfied with stealing Peter Schreyer, Hyundai-Kia-Genesis has just nicked another top designer (Luc Donckerwolke) from the…

MINI is looking to hit Volkswagen and Ford where it hurts, with a new 300bhp four-wheel-drive hot JCW hatchback – and our exclusive image shows how it could look. Auto Express has received exclusive information from a MINI insider about the brand’s desire to up the ante in its hot hatch range. Our source told us: “There’s room for expansion in the hot hatch market.” They added: “I think there is potential. Britain is the home of MINI, and Britain is a strong market for the hot hatch.” When pushed for more information, we were told that there are no plans for a five-door John Cooper Works, but that the Clubman is “different turf”. Our insider’s comments back up spy shots (below). And with MINI pitching the new Clubman at…

INFINITI has only just entered the premium hatchback market with the Q30, but the luxury brand already has its sights set on the crossover class – and has unveiled the new QX30 crossover at the LA Motor Show this week. We first clapped eyes on the Mercedes GLA rival as a concept at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and since then the QX30 has made the transition from show stand to production reality relatively unscathed. Unsurprisingly, it shares almost all of its running gear with the Q30 (driven in Issue 1,395), but is set apart by suspension that’s been raised by 30mm, chunky wheelarch mouldings and front and rear skid plates. Under the skin is the same MFA platform that underpins the Mercedes A-Class, but given its more off-road…

MERCEDES debuted a facelifted version of its SL roadster at the LA Motor Show this week, ahead of first orders in April 2016. As with any mid-life update, the brand’s applied various aesthetic and performance updates to its two-seater drop-top. Look closely and you’ll notice the usual Mercedes grille has been turned on its head – with the new diamond look now wider at the bottom rather than the top. It echoes the 300 SL, which won 1952’s Carrera Panamericana road race in Mexico, and sits between new S-Class-inspired LED headlamps. The lower bumper has been redesigned, too, with the daytime running lights moved up to the headlamps. This leaves more space for intricate lower vents and a smaller central air intake. The bonnet is tweaked, removing the two central…

Unfair bung leaves a nasty taste for Brits EIGHT weeks into the emissions scandal, and VW’s disappointing handling of it continues. By giving customers in America a ‘goodwill payment’ – a sweetener or a bung, some might say – and then not offering owners elsewhere the same terms, it is essentially sending out a message that some buyers are more important than others. A discount scheme for UK owners is welcome, but let’s be clear – this is a device to sell more cars, not a universal form of compensation. You might wonder why the US has been prioritised. Yes, the emissions legislation is tighter. But clearly it is a more litigious environment. The reputational damage has arguably been worse there. And there are still questions regarding the legality or…

KIA is putting the final touches to a radical rival for Toyota’s all-conquering Prius. Due late next year, the hybrid crossover has been designed to create a new market sector – and Auto Express has driven it. In a surprising move, Kia’s decided to call the newcomer Niro. Until now, this had been the name assigned to the brand’s 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show concept. It was widely thought to be making its debut on the Nissan Juke rival that’ll arrive in 2018. Instead, the Niro will be the first small SUV crossover with a hybrid powertrain to come to market. At 4,355mm long, it fits between the Soul and new Sportage. It’s 55mm narrower and 100mm lower than the latter, too, and is set to launch in late 2016. The…

PEDESTRIAN and in-car casualty rates traditionally hit their annual peak in November, with a new report by the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) and Direct Line calling on all road users to take extra care this month. Pedestrians normally account for more than a quarter of all serious injuries in November. From 2010 to 2014 the month has averaged 565 pedestrian casualties – a 42 per cent rise from the year low of 397 in August. Car-occupant casualty rates also peak now, with an average of 832 serious injuries to drivers and passengers. Over the past five years an average of 2,135 people have been killed or seriously injured (KSI) on Britain’s roads in November, too, with people aged 16 to 24 accounting for 24 per cent. Rural…

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…

AROUND 73 per cent of British adults don’t understand how to use all of their car’s features, according to research by BookMyGarage.com. That may sound like a case of ‘don’t know, don’t care’, but at the same time 54 per cent bought their particular vehicle because of the systems it offered. So, if people are tempted by hassle-saving gadgets but can’t work out how to use them, what’s the point? We teamed up with tech site Alphr com to put the kit to the test to establish whether it’s user-unfriendly or simply that owners have all the gear but no idea. We broke our test down into five sections, rating infotainment systems on their usability, performance and connectivity, and their sat-nav, plus their cost. We then chose the 10 most…

Essentials Porsche Macan GTS Price: £55,188Engine: 3.0-litre 6cyl twin-turboPower: 355bhpTransmission: Seven-speed PDK auto,four-wheel drive0-62mph: 5.0 secondsTop speed: 159mphEconomy: 32.1mpgCO2: 207g/km ON SALE Now THE Porsche Macan hit the headlines when it launched last year as the best-handling SUV around. But now it’s even better from behind the wheel, as Porsche has applied its driver-focused GTS upgrades to make this the sportiest model yet. However, it’s actually got less power than the Macan Turbo. The 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 in the GTS delivers 355bhp and 500Nm of torque, which with launch control and the standard seven-speed PDK dual-clutch auto gearbox, means a scorching 0-62mph time of five seconds flat. Porsche has focused on tuning the Macan’s chassis, so the GTS sits 15mm lower than the lesser ‘S’ on its stiffer suspension. Like…

Essentials Audi Q7 e-tron Price: £65,000 (est. before £5,000 Government grant) Engine: 3.0-litre V6 diesel, plus electric motor Power/torque: 368bhp/700Nm Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, four-wheel drive 0-62mph: 6.0 seconds Top speed: 140mph Economy: 166.2mpg CO2: 46g/km ON SALE December ALTERNATIVE fuels are the future. From pioneers like Nissan to latecomers such as Volvo, nearly every manufacturer has an electric car or hybrid in its range. It comes as no surprise, then, that Audi’s e-tron family is expanding, and the big and brash Q7 SUV is the latest model to join the range. The new Q7 e-tron combines a 254bhp 3.0-litre TDI diesel with a 94kW electric motor to deliver total power of 368bhp. It’s got a sizeable 700Nm of torque, too, which comes in handy when you’re lugging around 202kg of…

CAR buyers across Europe have had their say, the judges have finished their deliberations and the results have been collated. So now we can officially announce the winners of this year’s coveted Golden Steering Wheel awards. The contest is organised by our German sister title, Auto Bild, and is among the most prestigious new car awards in Europe. It’s been running since 1978, and every year voters from across the Continent have had their say on what they think are the best new models on sale. Over the years there have been many different Golden Steering Wheel winners, but while the cars have changed beyond recognition, the selection process has remained tough and uncompromising. Once again, the initial voting process involved readers of Auto Express and our other sister titles…

We say... “The A4 is better than ever, and the cabin leads the way with its focus on tech and comfort. It makes an interesting alternative for buyers who don’t want the sporty character of a BMW 3 Series.” The winner is... Audi A4 OUR PICK: 2.0 TDI Ultra SE PRICE: £29,150 THE executive saloon sector is a tough battleground, and the new Audi A4 has been updated and revised in the right places to keep it at the top of the class. Go for the 148bhp 2.0 TDI diesel and you get a good mix of efficiency and performance, helped greatly by Audi’s latest weight-saving tech. The A4 isn’t tops for driving fun, but the first-class cabin is supremely refined. This Audi finished on top here, just ahead of…

We say... “The R8 was already very good indeed, and this version is a big improvement. It’s lighter, faster, stiffer and more powerful, yet more efficient and economical, too. It cabin is among the best of any sports car, at any price” The winner is... Audi R8 OUR PICK: R8 V10 PRICE: £119,500 IT’S only just been launched in the UK, but the all-new R8 has clearly already whetted the appetite of the public and our judges alike. From launch the Audi has a naturally aspirated V10, and as this is likely to be one of the last non-turbocharged supercars, it’s sure to be an instant classic. But there’s more to the R8 than its engine. Its construction uses aluminium and carbon fibre to keep weight down, while the quattro…

Facts, figures and advice powered by carbuyer.co.uk YOU can buy any new XF via the Jaguar Privilege PCP scheme, which offers a 5.9 per cent APR finance rate. There’s a generous deposit contribution of £700 or £870 depending on which model you go for – you get £870 off the V6 S tested here. You will need a £5,999 deposit, then there are 36 monthly payments of £732 and a final lump sum of £22,568 if you want to keep the car at the end of the deal. Alternatively, you can hand it back or negotiate terms on a new model. Audi also offers 5.9 per cent finance, but because the A6 isn’t a brand new model, the deposit contribution is far higher. Its example quote is for…

Skoda Citigo SE 5dr 1.0 60 PRICE: £9,485 ENGINE: 1.0-litre 3cyl, 59bhp CO2: 105g/km VW Group budget brand Skoda’s five-door Citigo is well matched here. While SE trim trails on kit, with air-con the highlight, the car arguably matches the i10 for style and refinement. Practicality is strong and performance adequate. Renault Twingo Play SCe 70 PRICE: £9,995 ENGINE: 1.0-litre 3cyl, 69bhp CO2: 105g/km DESPITE having its engine in the rear, the Twingo has a bigger boot than the Viva, at 219 litres. Space inside is more limited, but five doors give easy access. Funky graphics add flair, while the incredibly tight turning circle makes it easy to drive in town.…

NEW PRODUCT Bullet Carnauba Creme Glaze Kit Best price: £16.80 (250ml) Contact: 01886 821330, bulletpolish.co.uk IT’S hard to know what Bullet is trying to do with this kit. Even though it contains carnauba, the company makes little claim for durability, apart from the “long-lasting” shine. While it wasn’t disgraced, its rivals were clearly ahead on longevity. Its ability to remove light marks may help tired paintwork, but on our newish test car each product left a similar shine. The glaze goes on a lot more easily than double speed-wax, but you have to wait for it to haze and buffing isn’t as effortless as with the slick Armor All. While it was relatively easy to apply and may be a solution for older paint than our 18-month-old test car’s, price…

PRODUCT GROUP TEST 18 | 11 | 2015 Every week, we extensively test all the latest car kit. Log on to www.autoexpress.co.uk to look through our online test archive. Carrera Evolution LaFerrari Price: £120 Rating: Contact: 020 8421 5922, www.carrera-toys.com RECOMMENDED CARRERA products are popular in the hobbyist market, so fiddly construction and fragile contacts are easily forgivable – this track isn’t intended to be packed up regularly. As a proper ‘slot car’ racer, this is in a class of its own. Weighty, beautifully detailed cars race smoothly around a big track with lots of layout options. We liked the progressive nature of the controllers, too. Real FX Slotless Racing Price: £99.99 Rating: Contact: 01702 200660, www.realfxracing.com REAL FX essentially uses regular remote-control cars, but cameras in the underside are…

TOYOTA WEC racer Alex Wurz is to retire from motorsport after a 20-year career. The 41-year-old Austrian burst on the scene in 1996 when he won on his debut appearance at the Le Mans 24 Hours, driving a Joest-Porsche. He then moved to Formula One, scoring podiums for Benetton and Williams and spending many years as McLaren’s test driver. In recent years he made a return to sportscars, winning Le Mans again in 2009 for Peugeot and heading up Toyota’s return to the LMP1 ranks since 2012. This weekend’s WEC season finale in Bahrain will be his last professional race outing. In a statement on his website, Wurz said: “I’ve enjoyed half my life competing at the top of motorsport and another quarter getting there, so I feel the time…

Fiat Fullback pickup plays it tough FIAT has revealed the Fullback – a rival for Nissan’s Navara NP300 (driven on P43). The Fullback (above) is based on the Mitsubishi L200, and features a 2.4-litre diesel with either 150bhp or 180bhp, and four-wheel drive as standard. Available as a double-cab only, the Fullback can carry a payload of up to 1,045kg – only 5kg short of the L200. Prices should start at around £23,000 when the truck goes on sale next year. Fresh-faced GLS SUV names price AS the new SL was being revealed, Mercedes opened the order books for its updated GLS SUV. Two specs are available for the GLS 350d diesel – £69,100 AMG Line and £78,095 Designo trim – while the V8-powered AMG GLS 63 costs from £102,330.…

MOVING house or changing bank account means weeks of calls and letters to change your details on bills and official documents. It’s a necessary hassle, and it can be tricky remembering everything that needs updating. Car insurance is one of these, and latest figures show it’s an area being forgotten by many. That’s especially the case if you move job or get a promotion. It’s not a change that will immediately trigger the need to update your details on other documents like a driving licence or council tax bill. But it’s a change that – if left unattended – could invalidate your policy and subsequently mean you’re uninsured behind the wheel. Research by uSwitch.com shows the number of drivers at risk because of this could be as high as 60…

DRIVING in the dark means different things to different drivers. Some are timid; there are others who appear fearless. But what’s safest? How fast should you drive at night? How does driving in darkness affect your judgement and decision making? How do you ensure your speed is always safe? Driving at a safe speed in the dark is primarily based on three elements; what you can see, what you cannot see and what can reasonably be expected to happen. Another safe driving rule to use is to ensure you can stop ‘well within the distance you can see to be clear’. Many of us never think about such things, and always expect the expected... rather than expect the unexpected. Driving with the latter in mind and using the ‘what if’…

Essentials Toyota Prius Price: £23,395Engine: 1.8-litre petrol engine,97bhp, plus electricmotor, 71bhp 0-60mph: 10 seconds (est)Top speed: 115mph (est)Economy: 85mpg (est)CO2: 75g/km (est) ON SALE Now WHEN the Toyota Prius first went on sale in Japan in 1997, it was a technological marvel – a car that caused jaws to drop and environmentalists to open their chequebooks. Fast-forward 18 years, and Toyota is again creating a stir with the hydrogen fuel-cell-powered Mirai, but we shouldn’t forget the Prius. The brand has just launched an all-new fourth-generation model, and we were granted early access to it in Japan. Those who think the current car is a little too edgy probably aren’t going to like the newcomer’s design. It follows on from the Mirai and is an origami mishmash of crazy lines and…

Essentials Suzuki Baleno 1.0 Boosterjet Price: £14,000 (est) Engine: 1.0-litre 3cyl turbo Power: 110bhp Transmission: Five-speed manual, front-wheel drive 0-60mph: 10.5 seconds (est) Top speed: 124mph Econ/CO2: 62.7mpg/103g/km ON SALE May 2016 THE name may not be new, but the car certainly is. Suzuki is making a habit of developing small, practical and great-value hatchbacks, so the all-new Baleno arrives with a weight of expectation. Strangely, it enters a market Suzuki already occupies with the Swift. The brand says the two aren’t direct competitors; instead, it claims, the Baleno offers buyers a more spacious in-house alternative. The car sits on a fresh platform and is the first model to be offered with Suzuki’s new 1.0-litre petrol turbo. It’s 100mm longer and 50mm wider than the Swift, while the 355-litre boot…

We say... “Hyundai’s given the i20 greater showroom appeal, with more sophisticated looks than before. The cabin comes close to matching the VW Polo’s for slick design, and it’s one of the most spacious in the class.” The winner is... Hyundai i20 OUR PICK: 1.2 Premium PRICE: £14,025 IT’S not the most exciting supermini on sale, but the i20 ticks all the right boxes if you want a dependable, roomy and well equipped small car with a bit of style. The Hyundai uses an all-new platform, which maximises passenger space and allows a 326-litre boot that’s one of the class frontrunners. There’s plenty of kit in the Premium, with auto lights and wipers, climate control, lane-departure warning and cruise control. The i20 finished first, with the runner-up positions taken by…

We say... “The X1’s combination of practicality, efficiency, performance and engaging dynamics means it’s a consummate all-rounder. It looks like a smaller X3, yet it drives more like BMW’s saloon cars.” The winner is... BMW X1 OUR PICK: xDrive20d Sport PRICE: £30,630 WHILE the original X1 was a cautious step into the crossover market for BMW, the new model delivers a class-leading mix of 4x4 space, car-like handling and reasonable running costs. The entry-level sDrive models are the most efficient, but even the xDrive versions serve up great economy compared with four-wheel-drive rivals, while the enlarged body gives a big boot and plenty of space for five. This combination of talents placed the new X1 ahead of the forthcoming Mercedes GLC, while the Land Rover Discovery Sport upheld British honours…

Wheel options BOTH cars have 20-inch rims. The XF’s are an £800 option, while the A6’s come as standard. The Jaguar has standard 19-inch wheels, but offers 11 designs – ranging from £400-£1,200. Audi has two 20-inch alloy wheel options, plus there’s a 19-inch version that will help soften the ride a little. All are no-cost options. Headlamp tech JAGUAR and Audi are available with adaptive LEDs for £1,225 and £945 respectively. The XF’s give natural bright light, but the A6’s Matrix LEDs are something else. You can leave the main beams on and the lights seamlessly adapt to the road and other vehicles. Bodystyles THE first XF came as an estate, but now Jaguar offers the F-Pace crossover, it’s thought a load-lugging version is unlikely. This 3.0 BiTDI A6…

Essentials Caterham Seven 270S On fleet since: November 2015 Price new: £26,495 Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 135bhp CO2/tax: TBC Options: SV chassis (£2,500), limited-slip diff (£995), Sport suspension (£795), 15-inch alloys (£595), half hood (£195), side screen armrests (£95), lowered floors (£395), Black pack (£195), decal pack (£295) Insurance*: TBC Mileage/mpg: N/A Any problems? None so far *Insurance quote from AA (0800 107 0680) for a 42-year-old living in Banbury, Oxfordshire, with three penalty points. WE’RE welcoming a motoring icon to the Auto Express fleet in the shape of the new Caterham Seven 270S – and we helped build it. However, take the word ‘new’ with a pinch of salt, as the basic design has its roots way back in 1957. As I don’t have any children and can live without…

NEW PRODUCT Cuvva insurance app Price: From £7 Contact: www.cuvva.co ARRANGING temporary insurance is an irritating and expensive process – even though you may only need a car for an afternoon. That’s where brand new smartphone app Cuvva aims to help. “Rates are calculated on the car’s power and exactly where you’re driving, taken from the phone’s GPS” Simply sign up, and provide payment and driving licence details. You’re then asked to take a picture of your face using your phone’s camera – to confirm you’re the licence holder – plus a shot of the car you want to be insured on. From there you select the period of time you’d like to be insured for and agree on the price. As long as you have good data reception, approval takes…

Price: £14.99 Rating: THIS new fuel additive claims to improve efficiency by up to 15 per cent. With only a quarter of petrol left in our test car’s tank, we added Clean Drive after warming the engine. It claims to clean the fuel pump, pipes and injectors, plus lubricate the engine wall. If you run a diesel, Clean Drive will also clean the particulate filter. All this should help fuel travel more efficiently. We could hear the difference in engine note, while the steering felt lighter and the engine wasn’t as smokey. We recorded an improvement of just under three per cent in fuel efficiency; short of the claimed figure, but still welcome.…

AS the temperature falls and a wet winter looms, now is the time to add a layer of protection to your car’s paintwork. A raft of innovative products aims to take the effort out of the job, and one of the latest is Carnauba Creme Glaze Kit from Bullet Polish. Bullet says it’s an “easy on-easy off space age wax fortified with carnauba” that can remove light scratches and creates a “deep, long-lasting shine”. We put the glaze to the test alongside our reigning Best Buy, Bilt Hamber double speed-wax, plus top sealant Armor All Shield, itself a past champion. Each was applied to a bonnet recently clayed and stripped of wax. The car was driven for five weeks, and we regularly checked the finish and beading. We also rated…