Innholdsfortegnelse for November 25, 2015 i Auto Express

FIAT knows all too well how to play the retro card – without the 500, it’s possible the company might not be here today. So it’s a smart move to look to yesteryear for inspiration when it comes to the launch of a new roadster. The original Fiat 124 Spider was a massive hit in the sixties, especially in the US, which accounted for around 75 per cent of sales. The new model certainly got plenty of attention at the LA Motor Show, drawing one of the biggest crowds of press day (only beaten by the gathered throng jostling to hear VW’s US boss apologise yet again). Fiat’s senior product manager, Piergiorgio Di Miscio, told me: “The new car is inspired by the original, but it perfectly embodies our brand…

JAGUAR Land Rover has revealed plans to invest £450million into its new West Midlands engine manufacturing plant in Wolverhampton. Driven by global demand for current and future models, the expenditure at the site – which builds the new 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel engines for both Jaguar and Land Rover products – will see the plant double in size, despite only opening in 2014. Total investment at the Engine Manufacturing Centre (EMC) now totals £1billion. Speaking at the Los Angeles Motor Show, Jaguar Land Rover CEO Dr. Ralph Speth told Auto Express: “Wolverhampton’s density is very high and working well so we will be expanding our facility there. In fact, you may already have seen the excavators working. However, it’ll be a year and a half before we’re ready to open the…

THE new Honda Civic is set to arrive in the UK in 2017, available as before in conventional hatchback and Tourer estate guises. There will be a Civic four-door in the US, where saloons are hugely popular – but buyers will also be able to get this sleek new Coupé. The two-door debuted at the LA Motor Show, and while it’s unlikely to make its way over here, it does give British buyers a good idea of what’s coming with the next-generation hatchback model. It’s also been confirmed that the Civic Coupé will be built at Honda’s plant in Swindon in Wiltshire, as part of a £200million investment programme. The car is based on the same platform as other Civics, but takes inspiration from the bright green concept seen at…

AUDI bosses have confirmed that the German brand is “on the brink” of showing a new hydrogen car, which will be more dynamic and more efficient than anything currently in production. The fuel-cell model was mooted at Audi’s Future Performance Event in Madrid, but engineers are remaining tight-lipped on the production car’s possible bodystyle. It’ll build on previous hydrogen-powered A2 and Q5 concepts, as well as the current Audi A7 h-tron prototype (right), which does 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds and can deliver a range of more than 300 miles. Dr Rene van Doorn, powertrain engineer for fuel-cell technology, told us that Audi has four priorities for the immediate future, one of which is alternative drivetrains. “Audi is poised to go into volume production with fuel cells as soon as the…

A HANDS-OFF, non-regulatory approach will be taken by Government – and more powers handed to local councils – to tackle speed limits, road safety and surfacing issues in their areas. Talking to Auto Express, roads minister Andrew Jones, who took over the role in May, said local authorities are ideally placed to know what’s best for them rather than look to Whitehall to impose regulations. That extends to road safety, with Mr Jones ruling out the return of national targets to try to cut the number of deaths on British roads. That number rose for the first time in 30 years last year, but Mr Jones said: “Behind every fatality or serious injury statistic is a life ruined and a family shattered, and I am determined to do more. I…

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…

TWENTY five years ago, the rural calm of two small Derbyshire villages was shattered by news that Toyota was to build its biggest factory in Europe on their doorstep. One of the residents, John Lemmon, still vividly recalls the first meeting held in the Burnaston Village Hall when a huge number of people turned up to protest that it was going to have to be transferred to the local church. He tells us: “Everyone was opposed to the Toyota factory. We were all apprehensive about having a huge car plant on our doorstep. For a small rural community, it was the worst scenario possible.” John, a local councillor at the time, was one of the first people elected on to a Community Liaison Committee set up by Toyota to address…

ALONGSIDE the updated EcoSport, Auto Express was given the chance to sample a prototype version of the upcoming Titanium S model – due here next summer. Our car featured the same 123bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost engine, but the new flagship will only be offered with the uprated 138bhp version from the Fiesta Red and Black Editions. Still, it gave us a good idea of how a sportier, flasher EcoSport could look. Ford will pitch the Titanium S as the sportiest model in its supermini-SUV range, and the retuned dampers, optimised ESP and upgraded suspension certainly made it more playful. We’re looking forward to trying the faster engine, too, as the 123bhp car still felt gutless. It’ll get the same five-speed manual box, but the larger alloy wheels aren’t likely to…

Essentials SEAT Ibiza FR 1.0 EcoTSI Price: £16,140 Engine: 1.0-litre 3cyl turbo Power: 108bhp Transmission: Seven-speed auto, front-wheel drive 0-62mph: 9.3 seconds Top speed: 122mph Economy: 64.2mpg CO2: 102g/km ON SALE Now SEAT’s range is set to expand in the next few years with an influx of SUVs, but the Ibiza and Leon hatchbacks currently take the lion’s share of sales. The refreshed and more tech-laden Ibiza has finally arrived in the UK, and we’ve tested it in sporty FR trim with the brand new 108bhp 1.0-litre engine and a DSG automatic gearbox. Facing newer rivals like the Mazda 2, Hyundai i20 and Skoda Fabia, the seven-year-old Ibiza isn’t the freshest choice. This is its second nip-and-tuck during that time (and a subtle one), but it remains a very smart…

DS 4 Prestige BlueHDi 150 Price: £23,495 Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl diesel Power: 148bhp Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive 0-62mph: 8.8 seconds Top speed: 129mph Economy: 72.4mpg CO2: 103g/km ON SALE Now IT’S been more than 12 months since DS struck out on its own from Citroen, but bosses admit it will be years before buyers view it alongside fellow upmarket brands like Audi and Lexus. They hope the facelifted DS 4 will help – the premium hatch joins the revised DS 5 and existing DS 3 in the UK range, and we’ve driven it here for the first time. The DS 4 now sits lower to the ground, and gets a classy chrome grille, DS logo, intricate LED headlamps and reprofiled bumpers. It’s more plush inside, too, especially if you…

NEW: Honda Civic Type R PRICE: £29,995 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 306bhp THE looks are divisive, but the new Civic Type R promises more performance for just a bit more money than our test trio. Just be warned: it’s even more hardcore than the Ford, with a very firm ride. Plus, interior quality is lacking. USED: Volkswagen Golf R PRICE: £28,500 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 296bhp IF you fancy more security this winter, second-hand 4WD Golf Rs are going for a song. This price buys a new car with delivery mileage. It still looks chunky, while the solid drivetrain should put the power down even more effectively.…

Hyundai Santa Fe Premium (7 seat) PRICE: £32,445 ENGINE: 2.2-litre 4cyl, 197bhp KIA’S sister company Hyundai also offers a seven-seat SUV. The Santa Fe looks smart and has plenty of kit; and as it uses the same powertrain as the Kia, it’s good to drive. Premium trim gets lots of features, but is still attractively priced. Land Rover Discovery Sport SE TD4 PRICE: £32,395 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 178bhp THE entry-level Discovery Sport SE falls into the Sorento and Outlander’s price bracket, and with the new Ingenium diesel, the ‘5+2’ seat model is a great buy. It’s our favourite compact SUV, blending quality and off-road ability in a stylish body.…

NEW PRODUCT Gtechniq Interior Antibacterial Protection range Price: From £7.25 Contact: 01327 811 015, www.gtechniq.com STATISTICS show motorists spend an average of three years of their lives inside their cars, and that puts us in close proximity to a whole load of unpleasant bacteria. Things can get worse in winter, with moisture in the cabin making fabrics more susceptible to damp and mould. But the chemists at Gtechniq have teamed up with Biocote to create a range of antibacterial cleaners to keep you healthy. This new product line aims to create a more hygienic environment, and it claims to not only kill germs but also protect surfaces it’s applied to so they can’t develop again. The “extremely durable” line-up includes Leather Guard, Matte Dash protect, Tri-clean and Smart Fabric. And…

NEW PRODUCT Ring Automotive GPS Dash Camera Price: £149.99 Contact: 0113 231 2000, ringautomotive.com WE had high hopes for Ring’s first dash cam and it didn’t disappoint. Footage quality is great during the day and it’s easy to set up in the car. The neat camera is small enough to sit unobtrusively behind the rear view mirror. However, the lack of polarisation on the lens means headlight glare at night can obscure details. Ring does provide a video software CD, which allows you to display the footage and overlay the data from the built-in GPS. While it’s a bit tricky to set up, it works brilliantly. A few rough edges stop this from being a five-star product, and it’s the priciest buy, but it’s a great debut effort from Ring.…

Dear Lawrence, I’m after a fun and sporty two-seat roadster for weekend use, but I don’t want anything too hardcore. What should I be looking at for £3,000? Nicholas Muir, E-mail Contact: Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk CARS THE SERIOUS CHOICE Toyota MR2 FOR: Fastest choice here, sports car feel AGAINST: Expensive to maintain, impractical SQUARE-edged styling hides the only mid-engined car here, and the third-generation Toyota MR2 feels more like a Lotus Elise sports car as a result. It has an agile chassis and loads of feel, although with 138bhp it isn’t quite in the same league. Still, it’s the fastest car of our trio, even if you have to rev it. The MR2 trails on practicality, but post-2002 cars should avoid early glitches. Our search unearthed an 80,000-mile 53-plate MR2 in…

NEARLY 50 years since the original was introduced, Fiat has pulled the wraps off its new 124 Spider at the LA Motor Show, and here we can reveal the rear-wheel-drive sports car in all its glory for the first time. It’s the result of a joint venture between Fiat and Mazda, and is based on the sweet-handling fourth-generation Mazda MX-5. The 124 Spider will go on sale here next summer, priced from around £20,000. Despite sharing underpinnings, the two roadsters look very different. In fact, lead designer Felix Kilbertus told Auto Express there was no collaboration on the Fiat’s styling. “We started the project in 2013, and while we had details of the technical package, we didn’t see the MX-5 before its launch,” he said. “Our guiding start was the…

ALFA Romeo’s new BMW 3 Series-rivalling Giulia saloon (below) is due to eventually arrive in the UK in about 12 months’ time. However, it’ll be swiftly followed by an SUV sister car, according to an Alfa insider. The Giulia SUV, previewed in our exclusive main image, is likely to debut in the spring and follow the saloon on to the market in early 2017. Like the Giulia, it will sit on Alfa’s new platform that will eventually be stretched into a new 5 Series-challenging saloon and a larger SUV that will target the BMW X5 and Audi Q7. Like the Giulia, we’d expect the SUV to feature a 2.2-litre diesel engine – recent leaked documents have suggested it’ll be available in the Giulia with 150bhp, 180bhp or 210bhp. A new…

A DIESEL scrappage scheme should be considered by the Government, and vehicle excise duty should be based on nitrogen oxides, not just CO2. That’s the verdict of a new clean air report by MPs. The Environmental Audit Committee is calling on Chancellor George Osborne to announce new policies to encourage drivers out of polluting diesels in his Autumn Statement today (25 November). Huw Irranca-Davies MP, committee chairman, said: “The Chancellor has the chance to strike a better balance. A national diesel scrappage scheme could provide a shortcut to cleaning up the air in our cities.”…

THE Toyota Mirai is the first fuel cell vehicle to be eligible for the Government plug-in grant with more to follow, roads minister Andrew Jones has confirmed. The current £5,000 grant runs until February 2016 when an announcement will be made on a new tiered system, which is likely to include FCEVs. The Government has invested £7.5m in a hydrogen refuelling network, with Hyundai confirming the UK as a launch market for its model, and Honda to follow in 2016. Mr Jones said: “Our aim is to make almost every car and van zero emission by 2050. We expect FCEVs to be eligible for the PICG, subject to manufacturers going through the application process.”…

THE UK’s automotive workforce is the most productive in the European Union according to a new study – but the good news is covering up a more worrying statistic. The Automotive Council’s new report into the state of the industry ranks the UK 13th out of 24 countries for Government investment in research and development. The amount spent in the sector is 0.5 per cent of GDP – half of what the likes of the US, Germany or South Korea spend. It’s a shame, as slashing funding and cutbacks aren’t the only ways to balance the books. Investing in future tech and becoming a leader in the field can also be great for finances. Even a small investment is worthwhile, too, as the report shows every £1 invested adds £6…

NEW consumer law brought in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) – effectively a new name for Government-approved mediation for the settlement of disputes without court involvement. An EU Directive requires all traders to provide a form of ADR for their customers, whether the traders carry it out themselves or outsource it to another body. Practitioners of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute have been tasked to act as an approval body for these outside ADR providers. Currently, Motor Codes Ltd is the only approved ADR in the industry to offer a dispute resolution service, but it’s only for its garage members. The law states traders must be able to offer an ADR service or signpost the consumer towards a provider to settle disputes. The consumer isn’t bound to take up the offer…

Essentials Bentley Bentayga Price: £160,200Engine: 6.0-litre W12 twin-turboPower: 600bhpTorque: 900NmTransmission: Eight-speed auto,four wheel drive0-62mph: 4.0 secondsTop speed: 187mphEconomy: 22.1mpgCO2: 292g/km ON SALE Now BENTLEY is making some extremely bold claims about its new £160,200, 187mph Bentayga SUV. For starters, it’s said to be “the fastest, most luxurious and most exclusive SUV in the world”. At the same time, the car’s chief exterior designer, Sangyup Lee, has already told Auto Express that the Bentayga is “the most important launch in Bentley’s history. It’s a new type of luxury” – admitting that “we’re stretching our comfort zone here”. Whatever you may think of such claims, and whatever you make of the Bentayga’s, shall we say, challenging exterior design, the car represents a new era for Bentley, and a brand new marketing direction.…

Essentials Mercedes A 250 AMG Price: £29,030 Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo petrol Power: 218bhp Transmission: Six-speed manual front-wheel drive 0-62mph: 6.3 seconds Top speed: 149mph Economy: 41.5mpg CO2: 158g/km ON SALE Now THE Mercedes A-Class reinvented itself as a stylish executive hatch when the third generation was launched in 2012, but now Mercedes has given the range a bit of an update. The exterior revisions are subtle, chiefly introducing new lights front and rear, although the engine range has been tweaked to deliver greater efficiency, and the model line-up has been rejigged, too. One change is the car driven here, the A 250 AMG, which is essentially the hot hatchback of the range. It replaces the outgoing Engineered by AMG model, and slots in below the four-wheel-drive A 45 AMG…

Essentials SEAT Ibiza Cupra Price: £18,000 (est) Engine: 1.8-litre 4cyl turbo Power: 189bhp Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive 0-62mph: 6.7 seconds Top speed: 149mph Economy: 47.1mpg CO2: 139g/km ON SALE December NOT one to shy away from a hot hatch battle, SEAT has also given its ageing Ibiza Cupra a new lease of life, and we’ve driven it in Spain for the first time. You’ll be hard-pressed to spot the visual differences – some extra gloss-black trim and the standard car’s new LED daytime running lights are the only exterior changes. Cabin quality was a weak point on the outgoing model, but a new centre console brightens it up, and a slick 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth and DAB can be added for £240. The Cupra still suffers from a lack…

Usability THE Kia is the more versatile seven-seater in almost every measurable form here. On top of the details we’ve already mentioned, it features clever sill protectors that open with the doors, so you don’t get muddy trousers when climbing into the car after going off-road. It’s touches like this that edge the Sorento ahead of the Outlander. Quality WHILE the Mitsubishi is now more tempting thanks to its refreshed looks, it can’t match the Kia for quality. Both cars will appeal to families, but you can fit adults in the rearmost seats in the Sorento, while the Outlander will only take children – and the Kia feels more expensive inside. Design THE Outlander’s visual updates work well, especially the big chrome inserts. These cars feature big graphics and bold…

Essentials Jaguar XE 2.0d R Sport On fleet since: October 2015 Price new: £34,775 Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbodiesel, 178bhp CO2/tax: 111g/km/£20 Options: Bluefire metallic paint (£620), 18-inch alloys, Jet/Midnight Blue leather, etched aluminium veneers, ambient interior lighting (all no cost), Cold Climate Pack (£525), Parking Pack (£530), 10x10-way Electric Front Seats (£765), Wi-Fi hotspot (£300), InControl Secure (£510) Insurance*: Group: 27 Quote: £562 Mileage/mpg: 3,020/47.0mpg Any problems? None so far *Insurance quote from AA (0800 107 0680) for a 42-year-old in Banbury, Oxon, with three points. FORGET Porsche turbocharging its new 911s, or even Range Rover lopping the roof off the Evoque for the Convertible version; it’s the Jaguar XE that’s caused the biggest stir this year. Not only has Jag finally built a car that can kick BMW, Mercedes…

Got a query? Cat_Dow@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q How to shift protective film THE new Peugeot 5008 I bought recently still has protective film on the chrome door strips under the window. What’s the best way to remove this without scratching the chrome? Kevin Slattery, E-mail A PROVIDED the chrome finish is metal plate and not chrome-effect plastic, you can heat the glue with a hairdryer and peel it off. Apply De-Solv-It Sticky Stuff Remover (£4.99, right) on the remaining adhesive and use a damp cloth to shift the excess. Take care not to overheat the area, and test on a discreet area first if you’re not sure. Q Should I fit all-season tyres? THE tyres on my Suzuki SX4 4x4 will soon need replacing. Would you recommend fitting a set of…

DASH cams are booming with new, more feature-packed products launching every week. We’ve brought together two new devices and put them through their paces against the upgraded version of our Issue 1,304 test winner. New to the dash cam market is Ring Automotive – maker of several Auto Express Best Buys over the years. We’re testing its product against a new RAC camera, plus the Transcend DrivePro 220. All three record in 1080p full HD and have sensors to prevent footage from being overwritten in a crash. We put the cameras to the test with day and nighttime driving, and rated ease of use. We also factored in prices, taken from a range of sources as we went to press. The new Ring is a great effort with lots of…

Got any car queries? Martin_ Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Delivery delay on GLC DO you have any idea what is causing the delay in delivering the new Mercedes GLC? I was told my vehicle left the factory on 25 September, but I’m still without a car. Are others experiencing this as well? David Masters, E-mail AWE contacted Mercedes, which confirmed that this is not an isolated case, but there don’t appear to be any production problems. Other people in the UK have placed an order for a GLC and are still waiting. Keep in touch with your dealer for the most up-to-date information. Q Ordering a Mustang I’M looking to place an order for a right-hand-drive version of the upcoming Ford Mustang. Do you have any idea how long…

THERE are aspects of motoring life in America that we would rather not have in Britain, ta very much. For example, in Pennsylvania, Howard W. Altemos is a State Constable (his official title) who recently shot an unarmed, retreating motorist, Kevin McCullers. The bullet was pumped into him at 7.30am as he sat in his driveway. It lodged in his spine and left him permanently paralysed from the waist down. So McCullers must be a hardcore, armed and dangerous fugitive, right? Er, wrong. The man was “wanted – for unpaid parking tickets”. America can keep its guns and its iffy system of law enforcement/justice. But on a more optimistic note, there are plenty of US ideas and products that it could and should send our way. “Accident forgiveness” rather than…

“New Bentley hypercar will rival McLaren 675 LT and Ferrari 488 GTB in terms of performance” • Battery-powered Ferrari rival to be based on EXP 10 Speed Six • Faster, more aero coupé-SUV to sit above Bentayga BENTLEY will unleash not one but two brand new luxury cars, it has emerged, as early as spring next year. The first will be a faster, more powerful and more dramatically styled version of the Bentayga (driven on Page 26). Think BMW X6M and then some, according to Bentley insiders. Our exclusive main image shows how the new hot Bentley could look, complete with sloping coupé-style roofline and bulging wheelarches. Bentley product line director Peter Guest said the new car will be “much more biased towards on-road performance. But it will still have…

THE hi-tech new BMW 7 Series has clearly rattled Mercedes, as engineers have been spied testing an updated S-Class. The revised luxury saloon will feature some mild exterior tweaks, such as new high-performance LED headlamps, when it hits dealers later next year. Inside, the large digital instrument cluster is set to be paired with Mercedes’ latest COMAND system, which could also feature gesture control tech. There’ll be a raft of new autonomous safety systems, too. We know Mercedes is developing new ‘intelligent drive’ autonomous tech for the new E-Class, and the S-Class is expected to benefit as well. A combination of radars, cameras and sensors allows the car to create a…

VOLKSWAGEN boss Matthias Müller has confirmed there’ll be cutbacks of 1 billion Euros (£701.2m) per year in the wake of the emissions scandal, with the biggest casualty the new all-electric Phaeton. The car has been delayed, as have a new design centre at VW’s German HQ in Wolfsburg and a paintshop in Mexico. The brand will put more money into developing alternative drive technologies. Another pressing concern for VW is that UK Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has announced execs here could be prosecuted under the 2006 Fraud Act for making false representations. This carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.…

MAZDA revealed an all-new version of its flagship CX-9 SUV at the LA Motor Show. We won’t get it in the UK, but its styling could point towards a future seven-seat flagship for European shores. The design has been lifted straight from the CX-3 and CX-5 crossovers, and the sharp headlamps and big grille will look familiar to current Mazda owners. It’s available with an efficient new 250bhp 2.5-litre four-cylinder SkyActiv petrol engine, and rivals cars like the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Sante Fe.…

New face and fresh tech for baby Mirage THE US-spec Mitsubishi Mirage got a mid-life nip and tuck for the LA show, and the updated supermini (above) points to a series of changes for UK cars in the coming months. There’s a new grille and LED daytime running lights, while new trim and fabric options give the cabin a fresh look. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity have also been added for the first time. We await details on the car’s UK debut. Special Jeeps are on parade in LA JEEP trawled out a series of special editions in LA, including a purple Wrangler ‘Blackcountry’ and a new Grand Cherokee SRT Night edition. The standard SRT is already on sale in the UK, but the new Night model builds on…

Evoque Convertible turns on the style THE Range Rover Evoque Convertible can switch from roof up refinement to cruising in the sunshine in just 18 seconds. And this stunning car is what Land Rover is calling the first luxury drop-top SUV. You’ve seen the pictures from its official world debut at the LA Motor Show; now log on to watch our video of the car on the move. All-new Audi A4 meets 3 Series, XE EARLIER in the month (Issue 1,395), we brought the new Audi A4 together with the BMW 3 Series and Jaguar XE for a compact executive mega test. Our team put the trio through its paces at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground in Leics, and you can now see the cars in action in our video. You can…

HOT TOPIC Jaguar’s new XJ FROM: chris_xxxx THERE’S a lot of competition in this segment with the new BMW 7 Series and the Mercedes S-Class. I’ve never been a fan of the Audi A8, which just looks like an inflated A4. I think the XJ should be getting the larger 10.2-inch touchscreen to keep up with rivals, though. FROM: sirwiggum I ALWAYS liked the XJ, but it is disappointing to see gooseneck hinges in the bootlid. On an XE, it may be forgivable, but on a halo model like the XJ it just smacks of cost cutting. If a Peugeot 407 can manage a cantilever boot hinge, why can’t an XJ? Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk • “It appears Jaguar saloons are becoming a bit Audi-like. Would you…

Essentials Ford EcoSport Titanium Price: £16,445Engine: 1.0-litre 3cyl turboPower/torque: 123bhp/170NmTransmission: Five-speed manual,front-wheel drive0-62mph: 12.7 secondsTop speed: 112mphEconomy: 53.3mpgCO2: 125g/km ON SALE Now TO say the Ford EcoSport took a bit of a hammering when it launched last year would be an understatement. It was poorly built, awkwardly designed and not much fun to drive. It suffered from lacklustre engines and below-par running costs, too. The company’s dream of taking on the Nissan Juke had fallen at the first hurdle. But Ford quickly realised its mistakes and set to work on a revised model. Upgraded springs, dampers and steering, as well as stiffer anti-roll bars, lower suspension and improved sound deadening, should help right the car’s wrongs. We got our hands on the first UK models to see the results. Gone…

Essentials Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupé Price: £68,070 Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 Power/torque: 503bhp/700Nm Transmission: Seven-speed auto, rear-wheel drive 0-62mph: 3.9 seconds Top speed: 155mph Econ/CO2: 38.2mpg/200g/km ON SALE Now WE were blown away by the Mercedes-AMG C 63 saloon earlier this year (Issue 1,360), and the Estate (Issue 1,372) added a welcome dose of practicality into the mix. With such a good basis to begin with, surely the more desirable and svelte two-door C 63 Coupé can’t fail to impress? Sure enough, it doesn’t. While the C 63 saloon scores with its blend of stonking performance and interior space, the Coupé has to offer more blood and guts; it has to give us something altogether more raucous. It’s for this reason that Mercedes hasn’t just grafted on a new…

Essentials Porsche 911 Cabriolet Price: £87,641 Engine: 3.0-litre 6cyl twin-turbo Power: 365bhp Transmission: Seven-speed PDK auto, rear-wheel drive 0-62mph: 4.4 seconds Top speed: 180mph Economy: 37.3mpg CO2: 172g/km ON SALE Now DRIVING a convertible sports car should be an event. It’s about the theatre of getting behind the wheel, lowering the roof, firing up the engine and enjoying the noise. But what happens to the experience if that engine is now turbocharged? Like the Carrera coupé we tested last week (Issue 1,397), this facelifted Porsche 911 Cabriolet now uses a 3.0-litre flat-six twin-turbo engine, rather than the larger, naturally aspirated unit of the old car. But does that mean the days of the 911’s traditional rasping exhaust are now numbered? We jumped behind the wheel of the new entry-level £87,641…

Noise SPORT modes on the Peugeot and SEAT boost throttle response and, crucially, noise. The Leon sounds better than the artificial noise piped through the 308’s speakers, even though the exhaust whoosh is appealing from outside. The Ford’s naturally enhanced engine roar is the best – it builds from a deep rumble to a high-rev warble and fits the car’s character. Flexibility ONLY the Leon Cupra is available as a three-door, but these five-doors all have to seamlessly mix performance and practicality. The SEAT does this best, with the neatest blend of comfort, quality, performance and space. The 308 is the softest, while the Focus feels eager all the time. Sporty design ALL three cars look great, with styling pitched well for everyday use. The sharper Ford is more overtly…

Facts, figures and advice powered by carbuyer.co.uk UNTIL the end of next month, Mitsubishi is cutting £1,000 from the price of all diesel Outlanders, taking our GX4 test car down to £30,499. And at the bottom end of the range, it means you can pick up a seven-seat SUV for the price of a family hatch – the £23,799 GX2 still comes with climate and cruise control, a speed limiter and a tyre pressure monitor. Look elsewhere and there are some big cash discounts to be had on new cars built to order from dealers. We found a £3,835 saving at buyacar.co.uk , taking the price down to £27,664. This cash price applies to the finance deal as well – it’s based on a £2,780…

WE’D all love to be able to give the petrolhead in our life the car of their dreams this Christmas, but few of us have that kind of budget to play with. Still, you don’t need mega bucks to make a car fan smile when they open their stocking in a month’s time, as we’ve trawled the shops and websites to pick out 20 great motoring gifts for £50 and under. Gear Stick Cufflinks Price: £19.99 Contact: gettingpersonal.co.uk THERE’S a huge choice of car-related cufflinks on the market if you’re stuck for a car fan’s stocking filler this Christmas – and some are more tasteful than others. But we really like these. Although they’re more gearknob than Gear Stick, they’re subtle, silver-plated and feature a five-speed gate pattern. They even…

The Bunny Run Tim Topps (Matador, www.troubador.co.uk) Price: £8.99 (hardback) Rating: A ROAD trip with a twist, this tale follows author Tim Topps on a part-factual, part-fictional journey as he walks out on his wife and into his classic Sunbeam Talbot. He describes the commuter route along the roads of rural Oxfordshire, and some of his anecdotes are entertaining. But the general ambiguity of the book’s autobiographical-fictional approach makes for an unsettling read. A Sicilian Dream Duke Video (www.dukevideo.com) Price: £16.99 (DVD, 70 mins) Rating: THE Targa Florio road race, which took place on Sicily until the late seventies, has a place in motorsport legend, and this film looks back at its history. It’s presented by Alain De Cadenet, who nearly died on the race in 1971, and local historian…

CITROEN is set to take a year out of the World Rally Championship (WRC) next season in order to develop a new car for the series’ revised regulations in 2017. The French brand will also bring its highly successful World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) campaign to an end after the 2016 season, having competed for three years. Frenchman Sebastien Loeb, a nine-time World Rally Champion and six-time WTCC race winner for Citroen, will not drive for the brand next year. He’s instead moving to sister marque Peugeot to contest a full season of off-road rallies in a 2008 DKR, beginning with the Dakar in January. Citroen Racing team principal Yves Matton said: “We have never hidden our interest in the 2017 WRC regulations and the entire team is extremely motivated…