Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2, 2015 i Auto Express

IT’S always worthwhile catching up with Ian Robertson – BMW’s sales and marketing boss and the only Brit to sit on the company’s board in Munich. For the record, he’s also a former number one in the Auto Express Brit List and member of the Auto Express Hall of Fame. Robertson is something of a trailblazer and hugely influential among his German colleagues. He played a massive part in the development and launch of BMW’s ‘i’ brand and talks enthusiastically about the development of autonomous driving tech: “I use it every day in my 7 Series,” he told me. “At the moment we’re feet off with active cruise control and briefly hands off with lane-keeping assist. Next we’ll be eyes off and, finally, brain off!” Robertson is massively excited about…

EARLIER this year we discovered the entire Porsche 911 range would switch over to turbo power. The changes kicked off on the standard Carrera and Carrera S, and will follow with the Carrera 4 and Targa shortly. Now, however, Porsche has revealed the entirely unsurprising news that the 911 Turbo and Turbo S will keep their powerful forced-induction engines, while benefiting from a similar mid-life nip and tuck. The facelifted 911 Turbo gets a handful of changes, including a 20bhp power hike for the 3.8-litre flat six. That means the Turbo model now boasts 533bhp and the S gets 572bhp. Both versions have a new dynamic boost function, allowing drivers to get back on the power more quickly after lifting off. Extra power means extra performance, with the new models…

Get in festive spirit with prize giveaway TO be in with a chance of winning a whole host of festive prizes, head to autoexpress.co.ukto get involved in our 12 Days of Christmas giveaway (above). In association with Carbuyer.co.uk, we’ll be running a competition each day with a different selection of prizes on offer. Gifts up for grabs will count down in number each day, until our grand prize on 12 December. Among the goodies are model cars, books and car care hampers. New independent NOx ratings coming A NEW nitrogen oxide (NOx) rating scheme will be launched in early 2016 by UK specialist Emissions Analytics, to make real-world figures more transparent. The accreditation initiative will help buyers identify cars emitting the lowest amount of harmful pollutants, and assist policymakers and…

Full video report on Bentley’s Bentayga THE Bentayga is extending Bentley’s reach into the SUV market, but is it a wise business move for the brand? The order books certainly suggest so, and as special contributor Steve Sutcliffe reported in our Issue 1,398 first drive, the quality, refinement and performance of this luxury off-roader impress. Watch his video to see and hear the Bentayga in all its glory. Best infotainment systems reviewed OUR ultimate guide to infotainment in Issue 1,397 featured the 10 systems consumers are asking about most. We put them to the test across five categories: usability, performance, connectivity, sat-nav and cost. And you can see them in action by clicking on our sister website Carbuyer.co.uk. You can watch any of our videos on your phone Simply scan…

HOT TOPIC New Toyota Prius FROM: Albert YOU may love or hate the design of the new Prius, but I think everyone will agree that Toyota knows a thing or two about making class-leading hybrids. I’ll certainly be visiting my local dealer to have a go in what appears to be a much improved model. FROM: Pete Richardson AS a current Prius owner, I think Toyota is on to something. I’ve never had a car that’s been so cheap to run and own. It’s also relaxing to drive and the sound system is brilliant, too. I keep telling people to stop criticising the Prius until they’ve driven one. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk • “Is the design supposed to help the Prius achieve better fuel economy? If so,…

Essentials Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport Price: £29,000 (est)Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo petrolPower/torque: 286bhp/380NmTransmission: Six-speed manual,front-wheel drive0-62mph: 5.9 secondsTop speed: 155mphEconomy: 41mpg (est)CO2: 162g/km ON SALE February 2016 THE Volkswagen Golf GTI was the original hot hatchback. Conceived in the seventies as a secret after-hours experiment, it wasn’t expected to exceed a production run of 5,000 units. However, 40 years later the car is in its seventh generation, and more than two million have found homes across the globe. To celebrate this significant anniversary, VW has tweaked the formula by adding more power, better aerodynamics and semi-slick tyres to the Mk7 GTI. The result is this: the Clubsport. Previously available with 217bhp (standard) or 227bhp (with the factory-fit Performance Pack), the Golf GTI has long been one of our favourite hot…

Essentials Suzuki Vitara S Price: £21,000 (est) Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl turbo petrol Power/torque: 138bhp/220Nm Transmission: Six-speed manual, four-wheel drive 0-62mph: 10.2 seconds Top speed: 124mph Economy: 52.3mpg CO2: 127g/km ON SALE Now THE Suzuki Vitara is a very easy car to like. It’s handsome, built to last and represents rather good value for money. If there’s one criticism, though, it’s a lack of variety under the bonnet, with only a mediocre petrol and a gruff diesel to choose from. Now, however, there’s the Vitara S, powered by an all-new 138bhp 1.4-litre petrol turbo. We’ve driven it for the first time. The 1.4 turbo may be the smallest engine available in the Vitara – both the diesel and other petrol have 1.6-litre capacities – but it’s the most powerful and provides…

Essentials Volkswagen Passat Alltrack 4Motion DSG Price: £33,935 Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl diesel Power/torque: 187bhp/400Nm Transmission: Six-speed auto, four-wheel drive 0-62mph: 8.0 seconds Top speed: 137mph Economy: 54.3mpg CO2: 137g/km ON SALE Now WITH the unpredictable British winter well and truly here, there’s no better time to invest in some four-wheel-drive capability. If full-fat SUVs are a bit too ‘in your face’ for you, and crossovers aren’t quite up to the job, off-road estates such as the new Volkswagen Passat Alltrack could be just what you’re looking for. Think of this second-generation Alltrack as a Passat Estate with wellies on. Chunky bumpers give it greater protection in the rough, while the extra 27mm ride height and 4WD system will get you further through it. The Alltrack comes from the same off-road…

MODEL TESTED: MINI Cooper D Clubman PRICE: £22,245 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 148bhp MINI revived its Clubman nameplate back in 2007, 38 years after the original model first took to the streets of Britain. However, unlike that car, it met with a mixed reception. This second-generation modern Clubman promises much more, though, with improved practicality and MINI’s typical fun drive. Here we test the £22,245 Cooper D. Styling 3.7/5 THERE’S no mistaking the Clubman for anything other than a MINI, thanks to the British brand’s traditional styling cues. The designers have carried over the XL caricature styling details from the hatch, so the large, round headlamps and shapely grille give it a recognisable face – and with the bright LED running light rings, it’s the same story in the dark. Yet…

Accessibility THE Clubman’s double rear doors can be hard to open in tight spots. What’s more, the extended roofline means you have to stoop slightly to reach in, and you could bang your head if you’re not careful. Still, back seat access is good; the MINI has longer doors than the hatchback, so access is just as easy as in the Golf. Personalisation THERE’S a raft of options on the Clubman, including a variety of wheel designs, contrast roof colours and interior upgrades. Our car’s illuminated door trims add colour to the cabin at night. There are fewer options on the VW and Volvo, although the latter does have a range of alloys. Business costs THE MINI and VW are more expensive to run as company cars than the Volvo.…

OUR experts have calculated residual values for both the contenders in this test, but for the Porsche these figures are almost meaningless. Such is the reputation of 911 RS models, this all-new version has attained instant classic status. As a result, prices for the 991 generation have already gone through the roof. If you can get on the waiting list, a box-fresh model will set you back £132,451. If you can’t wait, then second-hand examples with a handful of miles on the clock are now changing hands for over £300,000! These eye-watering prices aren’t without precedent, however: values of the previous 997-generation, limited-run GT3 RS 4.0 now regularly exceed £400,000. It’s the 1973 original that set the tone for these ever-increasing values, though. Just over 1,500 examples of the legendary…

Car Registration Guide Peter Robson (Newby Books, www.newbybooks.co.uk) Price: £4.95 (hardback) Rating: DECIPHER number plates in detail with the help of this pocket guide. From military to ambassadorial cars in Italy to Iceland, it covers anything you could possibly want to know about vehicle licence plates over the course of 80 pages. There’s even a section for number plate spotters to note down their greatest finds. A niche purchase, but a very well constructed book. Aussie Grit Mark Webber (Macmillan, www.macmillan.com) Price: £6.99 (hardback) Rating: THIS is the hotly anticipated autobiography of veteran Formula One driver Mark Webber. Brutally honest, the Aussie gives readers a rare glimpse into the select circles of top-tier motor racing. From his home in Queanbeyan, New South Wales, to circuits like Monaco, and into the…

PLANS for a more affordable Formula One engine to be offered alongside the current complicated and expensive 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrids have been rejected by the F1 Commission. The proposal, which had the backing of both F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and FIA president Jean Todt, would have seen a third party produce a 2.2-litre twin-turbo V6 with a basic kinetic energy recovery system. The FIA got as far as calling for tenders from engineering companies interested in developing the so-called ‘client engine’. It would have provided approximately the same performance as the current 1.6-litre hybrids from Mercedes, Renault and Honda, but have been made available to customer teams for around half the cost. Ferrari had previously vetoed a plan to reduce the cost of supplying the current design of engines to…

HAD a good and productive day at ‘the office’ last week – driving and judging some of the World Car Awards nominees for 2016 in and around Los Angeles. A handful of the contenders at this Californian Test Fest were from outside the USA. But most were from within. And cars from GM – still America’s number one – dominated. How come? Because the cold, harsh truth is that in 2015/16, The General is putting on sale across the world far more new models than comparatively sleepy US rivals, Ford and Chrysler. For being so active, GM deserves much praise. But while America’s biggest vehicle manufacturing operation obviously doesn’t have issues designing and churning out new product, it is creating problems for itself by making its cars too, er, American.…

THE DS brand revolution continues, and with the push upmarket will come a range of new products. The existing DS 3, DS 4 and DS 5 have all been revamped for 2015, but next on the agenda for PSA’s newly formed luxury brand is a DS 3 SUV. Our exclusive images show how it may look. Citroen confirmed DS would become its own premium brand last year, with ambitions similar to those Toyota had with Lexus back in the late eighties. But there’s been no all-new products launched as yet, bar the DS 4 Crossback – which is essentially a jacked-up version of the revised DS 4. However, with the demand for SUVs in China and Europe seemingly insatiable, DS is prioritising a more conventional move into that sector. And…

A PERMANENT National Pothole Fund is to be set up and minor accident claims will be reformed, following Chancellor George Osborne’s joint Autumn Statement and Spending Review. Over the next five years, the Government will spend £250million on pothole repairs – although this represents only a fraction of its own estimated £8.6billion backlog. ‘Compensation culture’ will also be tackled, with reforms to car accident claims. The right to general damages for minor soft-tissue injuries will be removed, as will legal costs, by transferring personal injury claims of up to £5,000 to the small claims court. Osborne called for the estimated £1billion savings to be passed on to motorists, to cut premiums by £40-£50 a year. Improvements will be made to Operation Stack – which caused chaos earlier this year when…

A NEW ‘flow transformer’ will be fitted to the affected EA 189 1.6-litre engines in the Dieselgate scandal after the Volkswagen Group presented technical specifications to the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) in Germany. Only a software update is needed for 2.0-litre diesel engines, while the solution for 1.2 units is expected to be the same, but is awaiting approval from the KBA. In the 1.6 engines, the new part will be fitted directly in front of the air mass sensor, allowing it to return more accurate measurements. A software update will be applied, too, and the work is expected to take under an hour. The 2.0 engine software update will be dealt with in around half an hour by technicians. The VW Group said tests with new parts fitted…

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…

Essentials Jaguar XF 2.0d R-Sport Price: £36,850 Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl diesel Power/torque: 178bhp/430Nm Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive 0-62mph: 8.1 seconds Top speed: 142mph Economy: 65.7mpg CO2: 114g/km ON SALE Now WE’VE already been impressed by the Jaguar XF with the flagship 3.0-litre V6, but the entry-level 2.0-litre model is going to be the big seller. Promising low emissions and strong performance, this car has cost-conscious business users firmly in its sights. It uses the Ingenium four-cylinder diesel first seen in the smaller XE, and is available with the same choice of 161bhp or 178bhp power outputs. Here we try the more potent version in racy R-Sport guise. Prod the starter button and the 2.0-litre rumbles into life before settling down to a slightly clattery idle. It’s not intrusive, and…

Essentials Ford Fiesta 1.0 Mountune Price: £15,945 (plus £1,399 kit) Engine: 1.0-litre 3cyl turbo Power/torque: 163bhp/245Nm Transmission: Five-speed manual, front-wheel drive 0-60/top spd: 7.2 secs/125mph (est) Economy: 62.8mpg (est) CO2: 99g/km (est) ON SALE Now SPECIALIST tuner Mountune has been fettling fast Fords for years. Fiesta and Focus owners wanting more from their hatchbacks have long been able to upgrade their cars with performance-enhancing aftermarket add-ons. The latest tweaks, available in the MR165 kit, benefit owners of the Fiesta EcoBoost, and can be fitted to 123bhp or 138bhp cars for £1,399. Changes include a high-flow induction kit, larger-capacity intercooler and a selection of higher-quality pipes and hoses. The result is 163bhp and 245Nm from the tiny 1.0-litre three-cylinder. It certainly feels quicker than both the standard-output cars on the road.…

Isuzu D-Max Fury Price: £19,999 Engine: 2.5-litre 4cyl turbodiesel Power/torque: 161bhp/400Nm Transmission: Six-speed manual, four-wheel drive 0-62mph: N/A Top speed: 112mph Economy: 38.7mpg CO2: 192g/km ON SALE Now THE Isuzu D-Max has been on sale for three years now, but it’s been left in the shadows as a raft of new pick-ups – such as the Mitsubishi L200 and Nissan Navara – has hit showrooms. In a bid to bring the line-up back into contention, the brand has introduced a new Fury special edition. With its Magma Red paint, black highlights and matching leather seats, the Fury looks hot, but most of the upgrades are cosmetic. The brand says this special is for younger customers who want the top-spec D-Max’s pumped-up looks without the high price. This D-Max is a…

WITH diesels featuring VW’s ‘defeat device’ leaving question marks over emissions tests and news that UK buyers are being denied compensation, can the Golf still claim a road test win? Ignore the brand’s recent troubles, and the evergreen hatch is still a great car – few family models have such a breadth of talent. More importantly, in a recent German independent study of eight diesels in partnership with UK specialist Emissions Analytics, the latest Euro 6 Golf 2.0 TDI was by far the least polluting car. Perhaps there’s light at the end of the tunnel for VW.…

Essentials Audi RS3 Sportback On fleet since: August 2015 Price new: £40,795 Engine: 2.5-litre 5cyl turbo, 361bhp CO2/tax: 189g/km/£265 Options: Metallic paint (£550), Nappa leather trim (£795), Comfort and Sound package (£1,150), Dynamic package Plus (£2,495), Technology Package (£1,795), Audi Phone Box (£325), black styling pack (£695), privacy glass (£290), red brake calipers (£325) Insurance*: Group: 40 Quote: £672 Mileage/mpg: 6,891/26.8mpg Any problems? New tyre (£239), stop/start failure *Insurance quote from AA (0800 107 0680) for a 42-year-old in Banbury, Oxon, with three points. WELCOME to quattro country. With winter in full swing, the narrow lanes surrounding my Hertfordshire home are covered in fallen leaves, thick mud and deep puddles. These slippery and unpredictable conditions would force most high-performance cars to hibernate until spring, but they’re tailor made for our…

NEW PRODUCT No Water Needed Best price: £8.99 (750ml) Contact: 0161 706 0141, nowaterneeded.co.uk NEW waterless wash is made without carnauba wax, and has a high-gloss polymer to imitate the shine carnaubabased washes achieve. It means it’s great on glass, and it easily cleaned the glass boot door on our Renault Twingo test car. Shifting grime elsewhere on the body took more effort, but once buffed it left a much smoother finish than the Triplewax. The maker recommends you spray on to a cloth, presumably to reduce waste, but it meant we needed more wipes than with the other products to get a clean finish. Still, this looks good value, as two washable microfibre cloths are supplied, for cleaning and buffing. Blue and green colours help you tell them apart.…

Dear Lawrence, I’m in my seventies and am after a tall auto hatchback with easy access and good visibility. What would you recommend for £8,000? Geoff Edwards, Eastbourne, East Sussex Contact: Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk CARS THE COMFORTABLE CHOICE Vauxhall Meriva FOR: Novel doors, comfort, build quality AGAINST: Road noise, spec on base models THE original Meriva lacked sparkle, but Vauxhall changed that with the latest model. Its rear-hinged back doors provide easy access for all passengers. The rest of the car is a bit more conventional, and inside the Meriva is well built and has lots of space. It drives like an Astra, although the ride is firm and the Ford B-MAX is more fun. Plus, you’ll have to step up from a base Expression to get air-con. A 27,000-mile 13-plate…

DS’S range boom won’t just stop with the DS 3 SUV. As part of plans to have six new models on sale by 2020, it’s been confirmed that the brand will launch a full-size executive car as an indirect replacement for the quirky Citroen C6. A spokesperson told Auto Express the flagship model will sit above the DS 5 as a “proper E-segment car” to take on the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6. The new executive car will join the DS 3 SUV and also a large SUV as the brand priorities the global saloon and SUV markets. Future DS models will be crammed with tech to make them stand apart from German competitiors. DS boss Yves Bonnefort told Auto Express earlier this year: “DS is an alliance of…

National Pothole Fund A fund of £250million has been pledged over the next five years to pay for pothole repairs. Insurance claims Reforms to minor accident claims to save motorists up to £50 a year on insurance premiums. Operation Stack Pressure will be eased on Kent’s roads during Operation Stack, with £250m for a lorry park. Diesel company cars Removal of three per cent diesel company car supplement delayed until 2021. ULEV support Continued backing of ultra-low-emission vehicles, with £600m investment over the next five years.…

CAST your mind back to the General Election in May, and you’ll remember that motoring promises and policies were pretty thin on the ground from all parties. Auto Express – along with many motorists – was left bemused that such a large slice of the electorate was seemingly being ignored. Fast forward to now and it appears little has changed. We recently put several questions to roads minister Andrew Jones covering all aspects of motoring (Issue 1,398). We rounded off our Q&A by asking what he thought would be the biggest issue the Department for Transport will have to deal with in the next 10 years. For motorists, his answer was underwhelming. Mr Jones focused on two rail projects: London’s Crossrail for 2018 and HS2 to bridge the north and…

SO you’ve been summonsed to appear at the magistrates’ court for a speeding offence. For many drivers, it’ll be a first time – and the big question is, what should you expect? Attending court is likely to be a daunting prospect for many people, but it needn’t be if you have an understanding of what will happen. When you arrive, you report to a court usher, who will tell you when you need to go into court. The usher will also show you where to stand. Once in court you will be asked to confirm your name and address, and then to enter your plea. This is simply a case of saying ‘Guilty’ or ‘Not Guilty’, depending on whether or not you accept the offence. If you plead ‘Not Guilty’,…

FIGHTING the scourge of drinking and driving has not always been at the forefront of roads policing, but it’s definitely been one of the key roles for the past 50 years since Volvo’s Amazon was called up for duty. This Christmas, as the police once again ramp up breathalyser tests for the festive season, we’re on the cusp of another motoring milestone. January 2016 will mark the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the Road Safety Bill, which set the current blood-alcohol limit for drivers at 80mg per 100ml. Prior to that, there had been no legal limit at which prosecutions became automatic. A year after the bill’s introduction, police cars began to be equipped with new breathalyser technology, which allowed motorists to be tested at the side of the…

Essentials Lexus IS 200t F Sport Price: £31,495 Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo petrol Power/torque: 242bhp/350Nm Transmission: Eight-speed auto, rear-wheel drive 0-62mph: 7.0 seconds Top speed: 143mph Economy: 39.2mpg CO2: 167g/km ON SALE Now LEXUS committed itself to a hybrid future a long time ago, disregarding Europe’s demand for diesels. The brand has enjoyed a fair amount of success in Asia and the US, and hopes it can convince UK drivers that electrification is the key to driving satisfaction. However, in an attempt to offer buyers a bit more variety, Lexus is now selling a pure petrol version badged IS 200t. It costs £1,000 less than the equivalent hybrid, uses a 242bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, and comes paired with a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. That should hush critics of its usual…

Essentials SEAT Ibiza ST 1.4 TDI FR Price: £18,050 Engine: 1.4-litre 3cyl diesel Power: 104bhp Transmission: Five-speed manual, front-wheel drive 0-62/top spd: 10.3 secs/119mph Economy: 76mpg CO2: 97g/km ON SALE Now SUPERMINI estates still haven’t caught on in the UK. Renault’s Clio estate is sold only on the Continent, and Peugeot’s 207 SW is long gone. The only options are Skoda’s Fabia Estate and sister brand SEAT’s Ibiza ST. And the latter’s just been updated as part of a revamp for the whole Ibiza range. As with the hatch (driven in Issue 1,398), the ST’s exterior changes are subtle in the extreme. LED daytime running lamps, extra colours and new wheels feature, all of which enhance the five-year-old ST’s existing good looks. There’s no question that the newfor-2015 Fabia Estate…

Engines BOTH cars feature six-cylinder units and are within 50bhp of one another. But they’re very different. The 911’s naturally aspirated flat-six is pure race car, with a screaming 8,500rpm red line, razor-sharp response and exotic materials. The GT-R’s hand-built twin-turbo isn’t as characterful, yet it’s brutally effective, giving 0-60mph in 3.4 seconds. Extreme tyres TO maximise track performance, the 911 is fitted with Michelin Cup Sport 2 tyres. These have a 265 section at the front and a mammoth 325 at the rear. The Nissan’s Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres are narrower, at 255 and 285 respectively. Both sets of rubber are a little twitchy when wet, but deliver staggering grip once warmed through. Aerodynamics THE Nissan’s body is virtually identical to the standard car’s, but the 911 has…

Essentials SEAT Leon X-Perience SE Technology 2.0 TDI 150 On fleet since: July 2015 Price new: £26,905 Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbodiesel, 148bhp CO2/tax: 125g/km/£110 Options: Metallic paint (£575), SEAT Sound System (£260), rear side airbags (£300), adaptive cruise control with front assist (£515), divider net (£155) Insurance*: Group: 20 Quote: £543 Mileage/mpg: 22,165/47.2mpg Any problems? None so far *Insurance quote from AA (0800 107 0680) for a 42-year-old in Banbury, Oxon, with three points. “Eco Tips give you advice on how to save fuel, with messages telling you to change up a gear” THE past few months with our SEAT Leon X-Perience have been fun, but it hasn’t been plain sailing all the way. You see, there are so many messages that flash up on the multimedia screen and trip…

Got a query? Cat_Dow@dennis.co.uk  @AE_Consumer Q Pressure washer cleaner I WAS impressed by the Bosch AQT pressure washer in your recent test (Issue 1,393, above), and want to get one. Do you need any special products or can you use normal car shampoo? Ali Vanat, E-mail A TO get the best out of your pressure washer, you ought to use a specialist cleaner. They blast the caked-on dirt, leaving you to finish up with a mitt. Bilt-Hamber’s Surfex HD won our Issue 1,320 test by a clear margin, lifting more dirt than 11 rivals. It costs £14.28 for five litres. Contact www.bilthamber.com for more details. Q Repairing a head gasket MY head gasket is damaged. The quote for repair is more than I can afford, so I thought I’d use a…

WATERLESS washes are a great way to keep your car clean in poor winter weather when you are confined to the garage. New to this growing market is No Water Needed, so we put it up against the Auto Express Product Awards 2015 winner in this class, Meguiar’s Wash and Wax Anywhere, plus Triplewax’s new Shake & Shine – the follow-up to the brand’s commended Waterless Wash & Shine. We tested our trio on larger panels and more intricate areas, and as No Water Needed claims to tackle glass well, we also tried them here. Nozzle quality and spray patterns were rated, as were prices, taken from a range of sources as we went to press. Wash and Wax Anywhere is still our pick, while Shake & Shine would have…

Got any car queries? Martin_ Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Warranty query on C4 MY Citroen C4 needed a new thermostat housing. I went to an independent garage, but later realised the part was covered under warranty. Citroen has paid for the parts, but won’t pay for the labour. Is this fair? D Appadurai, E-mail A WARRANTY work should be done at an official dealer to avoid paying unnecessarily. Citroen’s acted fairly by paying for parts, but there’s no reason it should cover the independent’s labour – it would essentially be paying its wages. Q Why is my up! damp? I RECENTLY purchased a 2012 Volkswagen up! and have been getting heavy dampness on the inside of the front windscreen. Do you have any ideas what causes this? Justin Costello,…