Innholdsfortegnelse for 1461 i Auto Express

AS I write this, high-level discussions are taking place about the future of one of the UK’s biggest and most important car brands: Vauxhall. GM, the US owner of Vauxhall and Opel, is in talks with PSA, maker of Peugeot, Citroen and DS cars, about selling its loss-making European business. Meanwhile, UK politicians and union leaders are worrying about the threat of factory closures. This all comes at a time when there’s real hope for Vauxhall and Opel’s line-up in Europe. New SUVs are arriving, while the excellent Astra gives a strong indication of how good the new Insignia will be. Meanwhile, the Ellesmere Port and Luton plants are among the most productive in Europe. But why would PSA want to buy brands that compete directly with their existing line-ups?…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy THE SEAT Leon Cupra has been a fixture on the hot-hatchback scene ever since it first appeared as a V6 model back in 2000. In its most recent incarnation with four-cylinder power, it has seen outputs of 261bhp, 276bhp and 286bhp. Now SEAT has ramped it up again, with the Cupra 300. In fact, the Cupra 300 is the most powerful production-run SEAT ever. It gets a retuned version of the VW Group’s 2.0-litre turbo, producing 300PS (hence the badge) – or 296bhp. There’s more torque, too, as the old Cupra’s 350Nm is boosted to 380Nm. It’s available across an impressively wide band, from 1,800rpm to 5,500rpm. The Cupra 300 package will be offered across the three-door SC, five-door hatch and more practical ST estate bodystyles. The wagon…

THE Continental Supersports, says Bentley, is back by popular demand. The previous version, which arrived in 2009, shifted each of its 1,800 units in doublequick time, and buyers have been hassling dealers for a replacement ever since. The new Supersports will be limited to just 710 units across Coupé and Convertible bodystyles, and along with a useful uplift in power, Supersports customers expect a more aggressive and distinctive aesthetic. To that end the car gets a new front splitter and rear diffuser, bumpers, sills and bonnet vents, and smoked lights front and rear, plus what Bentley calls “black-finished brightware” rather than chrome trim. Inside, there’s plenty of quilted leather, while a pair of seats in the rear makes this Supersports more practical. Buyers who want an even more striking look…

MODEL TESTED: Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi 180 AWD ST-Line PRICE: £31,795 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 178bhp THE latest Ford Kuga is an update of the second-generation model that made its debut in 2012. Featuring refreshed looks, a tweaked interior, revised engines and a rejigged trim lineup, the newcomer aims to give the brand a bigger slice of the lucrative compact SUV class. There’s a choice of two and four-wheel drive, plus the option of 1.5-litre petrols and diesels. There’s also a larger 2.0-litre TDCi in two states of tune, and we test the more powerful 178bhp AWD auto here. The car costs £31,795 in new ST-Line trim. DESIGN & ENGINEERING FOR its refresh of the Kuga, Ford has taken inspiration from its larger Edge SUV. The newcomer gets the same vast…

SPACE is a key commodity in the world of MPVs, and Renault has pushed the boundaries of what the Grand Scenic offers by boosting its size. It’s only a slight growth, but compared with the third-generation car it replaces, this new model is now 75mm longer and 25mm wider, with a 35mm longer wheelbase to provide more passenger room. It also sits 15mm higher, with 30mm more ground clearance, giving the Grand Scenic a hint of SUV in its stance compared with the Citroen, which sticks to the conventional MPV recipe more readily. A standard panoramic roof on our Dynamique S Nav test car helps the cabin feel roomy in the front, while legroom in the rear is also fairly generous. However, although the middle row of seats slides forward…

NEW PRODUCT Dymag Boxstrom Carbon Hybrid Wheel Price: From £12,000 Contact: www.dymag.com RACING wheels are complex, with manufacturers constantly innovating to create the strongest and lightest rims possible. Dymag has been using clever carbon composite technology in motorbike wheels for a while now, but its latest creation for cars is the Boxstrom Carbon Hybrid wheel. On average, it’s a huge 40 per cent lighter than an equivalent cast aluminium wheel, and 25 per cent lighter than an equivalent forged alloy. This means a 30-60 per cent lower moment of inertia, and thus less resistance to acceleration, thanks to the better distribution of mass around the wheel. So the wheel could be a fine choice for amateur racers and keen track day fans alike, if they have deep pockets. A lightweight…

NEW PRODUCT Amtech 3W COB LED worklight & pick-up tool Price: £24.99 Rating: Contact: www.amazon.co.uk THERE’S not one but two sets of batteries in this well made tool – three AAAs for the work light and a trio of LR44s for the triple-LED torch. It can be used with the LED head pushed into the main body like a conventional torch or extended on the telescopic shaft, making the tool a useful 65cm long. The torch is mounted on a flexible shaft to help get light where you need it. The head also has a powerful magnet and we matched its claims to pick up a kilo. There’s a strong magnet and loop at the other end. We’ve come to expect great things from chip-on-board LEDs, and these deliver a…

VOLKSWAGEN didn’t rush to build its first SUV, but when it did – in the shape of the Touareg, which reached dealers in 2003 – it hit the spot. The Touareg was a big car, though; the brand needed something smaller and more affordable to make an impact with 4x4 fans. That’s just what it did with the Tiguan, which arrived here nine years ago. In typical VW fashion it featured a rather conservative design inside and out, plus it wasn’t much fun to drive. Yet it was well built, easy to live with and came with some fine engines and transmissions, which is why it proved a hit. The original was replaced last year by a new car (tested on Page 36), but now a Mk1 Tiguan can be…

MANUFACTURERS can make their cars brake, accelerate, steer and park without a driver, yet they still haven’t quite refined the art of the sat-nav after 25 years. Tales of motorists being directed down one-way streets or to towns of the same name but in foreign countries are common, and it appears Jaguar is the latest to be struck with some issues. Barrie Holden, of Oundle, Northants, reported concerns to Auto Express after purchasing his Jaguar XE from Pentland Jaguar, Perth, and using the in-built sat-nav to return home south of the border. He told us: “However you set it up, the sat-nav wants to take you down the most obscure country roads. These are not conducive to shortest time or distance, with the potential of damaging the car, never mind…

Joe_Finnerty@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer A WEEKEND shopping trip usually involves rifling through the sales, waiting outside a changing room for your partner and maybe lunch in the food court. But have you ever considered adding a car to your shopping list? Sure, it’s slightly pricier than your average pair of socks, but imagine being able to browse for a car in the same relaxed environment as any high-street store. For many people, the idea of heading to an out-of-town industrial estate packed with dealers to hunt for a new motor is daunting. Add in an overbearing car salesman plus the array of near-identical models on the forecourt and it’s a wonder so many car buyers still accept this as the norm. But the days of the traditional dealer may be numbered. Many…

Sam_Naylor@dennis.co.uk @SamNaylor_AE IT’S always big news when a new family hatchback comes along; despite the rise of fashionable SUVs and crossovers, this remains one of the most popular types of car here in the UK. Buyers love the mix of practicality, economy and driving fun you get with the likes of the Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen Golf – and now there’s a new Hyundai i30 ready to take on the establishment. We first drove the car on Spanish roads last month (Issue 1,457), initially trying the powerful 1.4-litre turbo for size. It impressed with its refined manners and grown-up character, but the lacklustre handling and fidgety low-speed ride left us wanting more. Now we’ve got the keys to Hyundai’s cheaper three-cylinder model to see if things can improve back in…

Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan VERY few cars can negotiate city life as well as a Smart. Similarly, electric vehicles tend to be a great fit for congested areas, thanks to their smooth powertrains and lack of local emissions. Combine the two and you should have one of the best urban vehicles on the market. To put that theory to the test, we’re trying the new Smart ForFour Electric Drive. As with the ForTwo ED and ForTwo Cabrio ED models, the new ForFour ED is a slight evolution of the formula. The electric motor gains 5bhp and a useful 30Nm of torque over the old car. Similarly, a more advanced (but 20kg lighter) lithium-ion battery sees range boosted to 96 miles. That’s still three miles less than a VW e-up!, however, and less…

RENAULT GRAND SCENIC New Grand Scenic builds on Renault’s strong history of MPVs with a bold look and cuttingedge technology. We see if it’s a success RENAULT has always injected a dose of style into its MPVs and the all-new seven-seat Grand Scenic is no different. The nameplate was originally launched 20 years ago, and while this sector of the market still caters for large families, their requirements have changed over the past two decades. As a result, all models get 20-inch wheels, as well as a hi-tech tablet infotainment system. However, practicality has to be at the heart of any MPV, so can the Renault cut it with the best in the class? FOR & AGAINST FOR: Distinctive style, good level of tech, fun to drive for an MPV…

1st NEW ENTRY Skoda Kodiaq Years: 2016 to date Best engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl diesel, 148bhp Insurance group: 17 Economy/CO2: 56.5mpg/131g/km WHY? Our current number one choice for families is the Skoda Kodiaq. Not only does the big SUV offer smart styling, it’s a brilliantly complete package all-round, combining a practical five or seven-seat interior layout with strong build quality and lots of technology. It’s good to drive as well; the Kodiaq feels more agile than its competitors in this class from behind the wheel, but remains comfortable and composed on the road. A strong range of engines also features. However, the real icing on the cake is the price: despite that long list of talents, the Skoda is one of the cheapest large SUVs currently in showrooms. From £21,495 (new)…

“Williams has hired a slew of big names as it aims to stay ahead of midfield challengers” Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk WILLIAMS last week became the first Formula One team to unveil its 2017 challenger, taking the wraps off the FW40. The car has been named to mark the Oxfordshire squad’s 40th anniversary in the sport and offers fans a first glimpse at how new F1 regulations brought in for this year influence how the grid looks. Just two images have been released initially, with a full unveiling and further technical details expected to follow on 25 February in Barcelona – two days before winter testing gets under way. The FW40 will be driven by Canadian teenage rookie Lance Stroll and hugely experienced Brazilian Felipe Massa, who postponed his retirement to fill the seat…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk THE new Lamborghini Urus SUV will cost from around £180,000 when it goes on sale by the end of the year, and it’s set to produce over 600bhp from a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, Auto Express can reveal. Described by company boss Stefano Domenicali as “a super sports car inside an SUV”, and previewed in our exclusive images, the newcomer is due to be officially revealed in the summer. It’s one of the most controversial models in Lamborghini’s 54-year history, and will cost approximately the same amount of money as a Huracán and come packed with supercar technology. Speaking exclusively to Auto Express, Domenicali said he predicts the Urus will account for more than half of Lamborghini’s global sales by 2019, with the UK potentially being the car’s third biggest…

SERVICE plans are a good way for car buyers to manage costs – you pay a one-off or monthly fee and all regular maintenance is covered for the length of the policy. That’s exactly what Tony Burgess of Heywood, Lancashire, had in mind when he visited his local Peugeot dealer, RRG Rochdale. Tony had recently bought a 2008, and was interested in the firm’s five-year service plan, which was advertised at £13.99 per month on its website – a total of £839.40 over the duration of the deal according to the site. “But the dealer quoted £1,223.58 based on my annual mileage of 7,000 miles,” said Tony. “I showed them a printout of the costs on the website, but the dealer was unaware of the prices and said it couldn’t…

Sam_Naylor@dennis.co.uk @SamNaylor_AE WHEN the revised Peugeot 3008 arrived at the end of 2016, we were impressed by the step up in quality and desirability, with the new car offering improvements in almost every area. Now it’s the turn of the larger 5008 – the second model the brand has transformed from an MPV to an SUV. It’s easy to see the connection from the styling, because the 5008 wears a similar face to its smaller brother. The high bonnet, wide grille and sharp headlights are all familiar. The main changes come at the back, where the longer roofline accommodates the third row of seats. This gives it a more upright look – and while you still get the distinctive triple LED tail-lights, the high shoulder lines look a bit awkward.…

Pictures: Pete Gibson Location: Longcross Proving Ground, Chobham, Surrey FORD is currently in the middle of a big product push, with new models coming thick and fast. From SUVs to city cars and everything in between, the firm is trying to fill every gap in the market. The latest addition to the line-up is the new Kuga, which is a heavy reworking of the second-generation model. Featuring bolder looks, a range of revised engines and a refreshed model range, the newcomer is ready to wade into battle in the evolving and increasingly competitive compact SUV class. This sector comprises a host of talented choices, including the recently launched Volkswagen Tiguan. Boasting a mixture of premium appeal, impressive practicality and cutting-edge kit, the rugged German machine presents a stern challenge. So…

CITROEN’S Grand C4 Picasso was one of the first models to use owner PSA’s versatile EMP2 platform, allowing the brand to develop something genuinely impressive in the seven-seat MPV sector. Just like the Grand Scenic (which uses the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s CMF-CD platform that also underpins the likes of the Renault Kadjar and Nissan Qashqai), the Picasso offers plenty of space wrapped up in an individual-looking package. Compared with the Renault, the Citroen feels even more light and airy inside, with great forward visibility thanks to the thin A-pillars. The sense of space is helped by the centrally mounted digital display, while it’s backed up by a roomier cabin than in the Grand Scenic. Storage is a match for the Renault, too, with drawers under the front seats, a big central…

products@autoexpress.co.uk @AE_Consumer AS a large lump of metal and further debris appeared from under the car in front during a recent journey, I knew it wasn’t going to end well. There was a hefty clang as the metal bounced off the underside of the L200’s chassis, and, sure enough, it was immediately followed by a strong vibration from the rear. I pulled over in the nearest lay-by to inspect the damage. The nearside rear puncture was no surprise, but the size of the hole was. There would be no repairing this tyre, due to the massive gash in the sidewall. This meant a replacement for the Mitsubishi needed to be sourced, and as Auto Express’s resident tyre tester, I thought I’d have no problem finding a Dunlop Grandtrek AT20. After…

2016 Results A-Class Factfile Years: 2012 to present CO2: 111g/km Fuel economy: 65.7mpg (A 200 d Sport) Best options: Sat-nav, cruise control, heated seats, park assist, keyless entry, sunroof Prices: From £10,500 OVERALL SCORE 88.49% Bars show where model finished out of 150 cars in our 2016 survey. The lower the rating the better GOOD “HIGH levels of safety kit and good tech.” “The 1.5-litre diesel is good for long cruises on the motorway.” “My car is equipped with the optional COMAND system which is excellent and works as expected.” “I’m very impressed by how comfortable the seats are. I do long trips with no backache.” “The fuel economy from the 2.1-litre diesel is surprisingly close to the official quoted figures.” “A great looking hatchback that’s easy to drive on a…

VW Polo 42.5mpg (on test) £54 fill-up Volkswagen Polo BlueGT Years: 2015 to date Engine: 1.4-litre 4cyl, 148bhp Ins grp: 23 Official econ/CO2: 60.1mpg/107g/km Why? Polo has sharp handling, but it’s also relaxing and comfortable when you want to take it easy. Prices from: £8,799 THE Volkswagen Polo has been on sale for seven years, but a 2015 facelift has kept it fresh. The BlueGT model here aims to combine the sportiness of the GTI and the efficiency of VW’s BlueMotion technology. While the Polo BlueGT gets 18-inch alloy wheels, the exterior tweaks are subtle compared with its outlandish rival here. Both models are powered by 148bhp 1.4-litre turbo engines, but the Polo is faster off the mark due to its stronger torque output. The quick-shifting DSG twin-clutch auto box…