Auto Express December 9, 2015

WHO would’ve thought, this time last year, that the biggest motoring story of 2015 would be about the Volkswagen Group recalling more than 11 million cars because they cheated emissions tests? One thing’s for sure, that story will rumble on in 2016 as customers and potential buyers continue to voice their disapproval. The latest UK registration figures show VW down 19.9 per cent, Audi down 4.4 per cent, Skoda down 10.9 per cent and SEAT down 23.8 per cent – in a market up by eight per cent. Read into that what you will. It’s a great shame, because the VW story has overshadowed what has been another stellar year for the car industry. In spite of VW’s best efforts, it should still be a record 12 months for car…

BMW will be celebrating its centenary next year, and plans to look forward rather than back with the unveiling of its next i model, the i5. Speaking exclusively to Auto Express, BMW’s board member with responsibility for sales and marketing, Ian Robertson, said: “Legislation means we’ll inevitably have more zero emissions cars and we’re exploring more i models, although no firm decisions have been made yet.” However, while a Tesla Model S-rivalling saloon or an extended version of the i3 have been rumoured, it’s understood from within Munich that an SUV is likely to be favoured by BMW’s hierarchy, and our exclusive images show how the i5 might look. SUV sales continue to grow across the globe, especially in the crucial Chinese market, and BMW bosses have been analysing Tesla’s…

THE all-new Volvo S90 has been revealed and will herald a new chapter for the brand when it joins the award-winning XC90 SUV in showrooms next summer. It will take on the likes of BMW’s 5 Series, the Audi A6 and Jaguar XF, as well as the new Mercedes E-Class. Like the latter, it will debut at January’s Detroit Motor Show. The S90 follows the lead of the XC90, and shares much of its DNA with its SUV sibling. It sits on the same Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform and uses an identical range of four-cylinder engines. It will come with steel or air-suspension systems and has a similar hi-tech, upmarket interior. The exterior also apes the SUV, with LED headlamps and the striking ‘Thor’s hammer’ daytime running lights, although…

VOLVO has hinted at its desire to launch more coupés and convertibles once it’s fully refreshed its current model range. An S90 Coupé is likely to be the first arrival, towards the end of the decade. Speaking with Auto Express, the brand’s senior vice president of design, Thomas Ingenlath, said: “First we’ll roll out the 90 cluster, then we’ll roll out the 60 cluster. Then, even that new all-electric product and – as everyone knows by now – an XC40 as well. We want to manage all this within a four-year period. In 2019, the XC90 will be the oldest car in our range.” He told us that the trio of concepts seen at the Frankfurt, Detroit and Geneva motor shows in 2013 and 2014 would “carry [Volvo] quite far”.…

VOLVO boss Hakan Samuelsson has announced that his company will accept full liability if any of its cars crash while in full autonomous driving mode. The company has already signalled its intent that no individual will be killed or seriously injured in any of its cars by 2020. This latest announcement paves the way for further development of autonomous driving technology. Until now, many legislators around the world have been wary of even allowing testing of such tech. This is due to the uncertainty over who’d be to blame, or face prosecution and claims for damages, in the event of a crash. But with Volvo’s landmark announcement, some territories will allow on-street testing of fully autonomous cars. Samuelsson said: “The absence of one set of rules means makers can’t conduct…

WHAT’S not to like about this set of headline-writing ingredients: 493bhp, 730Nm of torque, four-wheel drive, 1,550kg, 94.1mpg fuel economy and 70g/km CO2 emissions, all neatly wrapped up in the practical skin of the Peugeot 308 GTi? Well, you can’t actually buy this car yet. Indeed, unless the engineers at Peugeot Sport persuade their bosses to turn the 308 R HYbrid Concept into a production reality, you might never be able to drive this car. But having now driven it, I can tell you one thing without hesitation: Peugeot should build this car... and build it soon. The 308 R HYbrid is a game-changer if ever there was one. Considering the cars it would look to compete with – everything from a Honda Civic Type R up to and beyond…