Innholdsfortegnelse for 1465 i Auto Express

Q2 On sale THE baby of Audi’s SUV range, the Q2 competes against the likes of the MINI Countryman. Later next year, a hot SQ2 will be introduced to the range. Q3 On sale THE current Q3 is Audi’s oldest SUV, but next year, a new generation of the BMW X1 rival will be launched. Expect mini-Q5 looks. Q5 On sale SUCH is the popularity of the Q5 that Audi built a new factory in Mexico specifically to build it. The latest model has just arrived in UK showrooms. e-tron 2018 THE e-tron quattro concept from 2015 previewed Audi’s first all-electric car. A 310-mile range has been promised for the production model. Q7 On sale AS Audi’s current flagship SUV, the seven-seat Q7 faces stiff opposition from cars like the…

Sam_Naylor@dennis.co.uk @SamNaylor_AE MAZDA is gearing up to introduce electric drive tech to its cars around the world, and headlining the roll-out will be an all-new, bespoke electric vehicle, Auto Express can exclusively reveal. Insiders at Mazda have told us that the Japanese brand is targeting a launch date of 2019 for its new EV, and our exclusive images show how it could look. It will use Mazda’s latest design language, set out by the new CX-5 and RX Vision concept. Speaking to Auto Express at the recent Geneva Motor Show, European R&D boss Matsuhiro Tanaka said: “[A fully electric car] is one of the possibilities we are examining. A small car is best for an EV because bigger vehicles get too heavy with bigger batteries, and that doesn’t make sense…

Lightweight Lotus Elise Sprints in LOTUS has revealed a refreshed Elise for 2017, and with it comes a new lightweight variant of its sports car. Called the Elise Sprint – reviving the ‘Sprint’ name from the classic Elan – the car (above) features a host of weightsaving measures to trim its weight to 798kg dry. That’s 26kg lighter than standard versions of the updated model. The new Elise is available to order now, with prices starting from £32,300. Tariff-free deal key to Toyota UK future TOYOTA is urging the Government to prioritise a free-trade agreement with the EU following its £240million investment in its manufacturing plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire. The investment allows further production of vehicles on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, which underpins the latest Prius. But…

Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer OVER half of UK drivers are overpaying for their insurance by signing up to monthly instalments rather than making a single annual payment, an exclusive Auto Express investigation has revealed. Comparing premiums from various insurers, Auto Express found motorists who opt to pay for their policy on a monthly basis are charged 10 per cent more on average for the same cover, because insurers charge up to 19 per cent interest on monthly fees. Comparison site Gocompare.com claims 52 per cent of motorists opt to buy policies with payments split over 12 months. Buyers choosing even the cheapest policies can end up spending £50 more when paying this way, while those who select pricier premiums that bring perks like breakdown cover and courtesy car options were found to…

Hollywood inspired craze for modifying. But are these cars now fading out on UK roads? THE eighth instalment of the hugely successful Fast and Furious franchise hits cinemas next month, with the high-octane action certain to be a box office hit. When the original movie was released in 2001, it gave birth to a new breed of drivers interested in ‘modding’ cars, with extreme bodykits, tinted windows and big exhausts in fashion. Fans were even able to create their dream motors, mirroring the F&F models, in the Need for Speed video games that proved popular at the time. But while the appetite for the movie franchise and its ludicrous stunts appears to remain, the current generation of drivers has changed. Figures show the more outrageous – and at times, illegal…

Inbox What do you think? Contact Martin Saarinen FROM: Nicholas Hobson THIS is exactly what sports car manufacturers should concentrate on – low weight and a good amount of power, with a focus on handling. There’s too much emphasis these days on big power outputs and acceleration figures. FROM: Maximillian A BIT different for Renault, but not bad looking at all. I’m not sure if it can command the money, though. Placing the Alpine against the likes of Audi’s TT RS and the Porsche 718 Cayman S is a bold move; neither is a rival that can easily be beaten. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ▪ “For that money, I think both the Cayman S and the TT RS will have the Alpine beat. They’re too fast for this car.”…

MODEL TESTED: Kia Sorento KX-3 2.2 CRDi auto PRICE: £37,550 ENGINE: 2.2-litre 4cyl turbodiesel, 197bhp AT £37,550, the Kia Sorento KX-3 automatic is the most expensive choice here (although our pictures show a top-spec KX-4 model). We know there are plenty of positives about the car, but are they enough to look past the price tag as it lines up against the new Mitsubishi and its Hyundai cousin? DESIGN & ENGINEERING score 3.6 THERE’S no getting away from the fact that in KX-3 trim, the Kia is approaching Land Rover levels of cost. However, the Sorento has been a big driver in Kia’s aspirations to move upmarket, with the seven-seat 4x4 helping it achieve its ambitions to some degree. In Issue 1,452, the Sorento lost out to the Land Rover…

Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk FORD will be the first to admit it’s coming late to the SUV party. While many brands have showrooms full of them, Ford has only three, the Edge being the latest. So can the Edge start to position Ford as a major player in the lucrative SUV sector? We’ve added one to our fleet to find out. The Edge is a product of the ‘One Ford’ global strategy, so it’s no surprise there’s a distinct North American look and feel to it. From a quality point of view, though, you’d struggle not to think the car was European. However, catch a glimpse of the Edge in a shop window as you pass by and it’s a large car, dominated by a very American chrome grille. Still, it’s not unique;…

FIRST TEST Autoglym Ultra High Definition Shampoo Price: £17.50 Size: 1,000ml Contact: 01462 677766, www.autoglym.com Rating: THERE’S plenty to like about this luxury car wash from Autoglym, thanks to a new formula that promises to make washing your car a “multi-sensory experience”. The experience starts with the Ultra High Definition Shampoo’s packaging, which Autoglym claims wouldn’t look out of place in a drinks cabinet. There are no utilitarian five-litre packs here – we can’t think of many other shampoos that are presented in a box. You get a litre of Ultra HD shampoo, which pours like treacle and has a strong, pleasant, floral fragrance with a tropical edge. This delivers a decent foam, which lasts the entire wash, unlike with many rivals. It shifts grime easily – although so do…

Mercedes-Benz Classic Life Anonymous (earBooks, www.earbooks.net) Price: £39.99 Rating: THIS stunning history of motoring’s oldest name was published with Mercedes-Benz. While that may lend a bit of bias to the writing, it means amazing pictures and insider info. A smashing read marred only by both English and German words disrupting the flow of reading. And the attached jazz vinyl adds nothing to the book. Hell Drivers Available for: DVD, Blu-ray Price: £14.99 Rating: THE re-release of classic British movie Hell Drivers will make some people very nostalgic – and it holds up well for a 60-year-old film. It features a cast of British greats (from Stanley Baker and Patrick McGoohan to Sean Connery and even Sid James) racing along country roads in now-vintage trucks, including a Dodge 100 Kew. Gritty…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn VOLKSWAGEN has been relatively slow to pick up on the sales success of SUVs. But that’s about to change as the German brand rolls out new, more ‘emotional’ crossovers in the next 18 months. And it starts with the all-new Golfbased T-ROC, which we will see this summer. VW has been toying with the idea of a Golf-based SUV for over three years, since it revealed the T-ROC concept at 2014’s Geneva Motor Show. A debut for the production car was intended to be at this year’s Geneva show, but VW scrapped the idea and will instead launch it this summer, closer to its on-sale date towards the end of the year. The T-ROC will slot into VW’s line-up beneath the Tiguan (driven on Page 37), but sit…

James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor We get to grips with new Alfa SUV YOU’LL know that we’ve already given the Alfa Romeo Giulia saloon a big thumbs up here at Auto Express, but will the new Stelvio also impress? Alfa has jumped on the SUV bandwagon with the Stelvio, and it has all the right ingredients to be a hit. Join me as I head to the Stelvio Pass in the Italian Alps to see if the newcomer will worry the Jaguar F-Pace and Porsche Macan. Tesla ownership vlog now online AUTO Express has exclusive access to a Tesla Model S on a long-term loan. It’s a used one, bought through Tesla’s pre-owned scheme, and updates mean it’s better than when new. Watch Steve Fowler’s vlogs to see what life is like for…

Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer MOTORING’S biggest conundrum, and often the top gripe for car buyers, is how distant real-world fuel economy figures – and thus emissions – are from what the manufacturers quote. Motorists are disgruntled that their vehicles return nowhere near the efficiency advertised, while makers insist that the figures are for comparison purposes only and aren’t representative. The issue behind this frustrating situation is the current laboratory-based type-approval test called New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). Based on thought processes from the seventies, this is riddled with loopholes allowing makers to ‘optimise’ economy figures and quote emissions far below those achieved in the real world. And it leaves buyers with little indication of how efficient their new car will actually be. Thankfully, this is all set to change. From September, two…

MODEL TESTED: Mitsubishi Outlander 4 2.2 DI-D Automatic PRICE: £33,739 ENGINE: 2.2-litre 4cyl turbodiesel, 148bhp TO bring specifications into line with the popular Outlander PHEV plug-in hybrid, and give a more luxurious feel, Mitsubishi has tweaked the regular Outlander diesel range and added more equipment. We’re testing the top-spec Outlander 4 2.2-litre diesel automatic, which costs £33,739. DESIGN & ENGINEERING score 3.2 THE platform underneath this 2017 Outlander is the same as the model before it, but Mitsubishi’s engineers have made incremental tweaks to the suspension in an attempt to improve ride refinement and add stability. MacPherson struts take care of suspending the Outlander’s front end, while at the rear, there’s a multi-link axle. However, a new front suspension cross member has been added for reinforcement, while all the dampers…

MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER score 2.6 SD-based sat-nav Standard Key features: Sat-nav, DAB, Bluetooth COMPARED with the systems in the Hyundai and Kia, the Mitsubishi’s infotainment isn’t that advanced. Only top-spec Outlander 4 models get navigation as standard, but the seven-inch touchscreen’s graphics aren’t great. The differently sized shortcut buttons for various features are illogical and the menu layout is messy, so the system isn’t intuitive. DAB radio, Bluetooth and USB connectivity are also included, but the fact that these are kit highlights shows the limit of the Mitsubishi’s set-up alongside its competitors. The other cars on test offer more sophisticated real-time services and information. This distinct lack of cutting-edge connectivity is where the facelifted Outlander falls down when compared with more advanced models in its class. We think it’s a massive…

Jag E-Type inspires exclusive watch IN 1963, Jaguar produced only 12 E-Type Lightweight racers. But in recent years the originally planned run of 18 models has been completed. To celebrate these latest examples, Bremont has introduced a series of watches inspired by the E-Type Lightweight’s styling. The chronograph (above) features a white face with red-tipped hands, and the Jaguar Heritage logo above the six o’clock position. Its selfwinding mechanism uses what Bremont calls a “steering wheel weight”, visible through a sapphire crystal back. The £5,195 watch is available from www.bremont.com. Posh hire car as a Mother’s Day treat STRUGGLING for a gift for Mother’s Day (26 March)? Europcar is offering up to 50 per cent off certain models in its Selection range of hire cars. The deal covers everything from…

£22,000 for a small exec, but which one? Dear Lawrence, I’m looking to take advantage of the PCP craze and pick up a nearly-new small premium saloon outright. What are the best for £22,000? Simon Dyson, Oxford Contact: Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk CARS Jaguar XE FOR: Great looks, excellent ride and handling AGAINST: Mixed cabin quality, tight rear space OUR former Compact Executive Car of the Year, the Jaguar XE, is as desirable second-hand as it is new. One or two-year-old examples have shed nearly a third of their value – but it’s still a good-looking car with a great badge and a strong blend of ride comfort, refinement and handling prowess. But the diesel engine is a little noisy and it’s not particularly practical. We spotted a 2.0-litre diesel 163 Prestige on…

Motorsport reporter Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk IT’S all change in Formula One for 2017 as the new season roars into life at Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia, this weekend. The biggest and most obvious change is the cars; they’re now wider, better looking, have fatter tyres and produce much more downforce than last year. Lap times should be significantly reduced and drivers are hoping the recent trend of ‘saving the tyres’ is over. But there’s been a significant shake-up behind the scenes as well. The old guard of Bernie Ecclestone is no more, with three experts from US sports marketing giant Liberty Media now in charge. The former Mercedes and Ferrari man Ross Brawn has been tasked with reforming the spectacle and although there may not be immediate changes, everything is up for discussion.…

FORMULA One is down to just 20 cars from 10 different teams this season following the demise of long-time backmarker Manor during the winter. But there’s no shortage of interesting stories to be found up and down the field – not least the arrival of highly rated Finn Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes to replace reigning champion Nico Rosberg. The German will be watching proceedings from the comfort of his sofa this season, having shocked the sport with his decision to retire just days after beating Mercedes team-mate Hamilton to the 2016 title. Away from the ‘Silver Arrows’, fans are wondering whether the new rules will allow Red Bull, Ferrari or both to put together a title challenge in 2017, with the prospect of Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen…

JUST seen some up-to-the-minute figures showing how the world’s leading motor manufacturing countries fared last year. Now I don’t know whether to laugh, cry or resort to suspicion bordering on disbelief. Did China really build 24 million of the 72m cars made last year? If true, this means the Chinese churned out millions more than second-place Japan (7.9m), Germany (5.7m), the US (3.9m) and South Korea (3.9m) combined. Unbelievable. India (3.7m) is the next big thing, and is poised to overtake Korea, the US and then even Germany, thereby creating an Asian lock-out in the global Top 3 by 2020. But Spain and Mexico, producing 2.4m and 2m cars respectively, are other rising stars, while Brazil (1.8m) isn’t doing bad in ninth place. After a whirlwind 2016, Britain clung to…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods AUDI has officially announced that an all-new member of its SUV family, to be called the Q4, is on the way and will arrive in showrooms in 2019. The Q4 name was trademarked in 2016, and Audi has now confirmed that it will be used on a new crossover, which has been described by the brand as a “sporty, compact utility vehicle”. In real terms, it’ll be a production version of the TT Offroad concept (pictured) that was revealed at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show, and it will be a coupé-SUV to rival the upcoming BMW X2 and the larger Mercedes GLC Coupé. Audi officials talked openly of a Q4 project at the TT Offroad’s launch back in 2014, but the idea was shelved by a dispute with…

Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan CITROEN announced last year that it would be returning to its roots with an innovative new hydraulic suspension system, and now Auto Express has been behind the wheel of a prototype to sample the tech before it rolls out across the range from 2018. Called the Citroen Advanced Comfort Lab, the tech was previewed in a heavily modified C4 Cactus designed by an in-house team. As well as the brand’s new ‘Progressive Hydraulic Cushion’ spring and fluid-filled secondary damper set-up, the car features a new type of adhesive structural bonding that is said to improve body stiffness by up to 20 per cent. Further tweaks include redesigned tyres, new powertrain mounts, thicker glass and better insulation. Inside the car, the biggest change is comfy ‘memory-foam’ style seats with…

DESPITE car insurance premiums rising to record levels, classic cars are cheaper to insure than ever before. According to ClassicLine Insurance, average premiums for classic cars have fallen by 17 per cent in the past 10 years, from £131.84 to £109.51. The company says one of the reasons classic car insurance has not kept up with the rest of the market is that classics aren’t as complex to fix or used in the same manner as normal cars. The Association of British Insurers found the increasing technological complexity in modern cars has resulted in 32 per cent higher repair bills than three years ago – with the average cost of repair now £1,678. And although classic car prices are rising by around nine per cent each year, leaving fewer enthusiasts…

Director of Research at Thatcham Research (www.thatcham.org/car-safety) LAST month, we celebrated 20 years of Euro NCAP and a reduction of 182,000 killed or seriously injured incidents on UK roads since its car safety regime began in 1997. But I recently discovered that the celebrations had not quite gained the notice of car dealerships. When I bought a Skoda Citigo for my children to drive – a great safe, small car – the dealer tried to dissuade me from purchasing the optional safety pack, stating it would be a factory order and meant the car would take 12 weeks or more to arrive. He also said the system might not be any good. I replied: “Thanks for your advice, but I’ll order it anyway.” Safety should be prioritised within the sales…

MODEL TESTED: Hyundai Santa Fe Premium 7 seat 2.2 CRDi Automatic PRICE: £35,745 ENGINE: 2.2-litre 4cyl turbodiesel, 197bhp IF you want an automatic seven-seat SUV, Hyundai’s Santa Fe (updated last year) looks fairly pricey in comparison with the Mitsubishi, with the cheapest version starting from £35,745. But this nets you a Premium model, which counters its more expensive list price by offering even more kit than the Outlander. That’s the version we test to find out if it’s worth the extra – although the car in our pictures is a top-spec Premium SE. DESIGN & ENGINEERING score 3.4 DESPITE last year’s facelift, the third-generation Santa Fe is still based on the same platform that made its debut in 2012. This architecture also underpins the Kia Sorento; Hyundai and Kia are…

Results 1st KIA YOU have to pay for it in this company, but the Kia takes victory, thanks to its quality, flexibility and ease of use. It resists depreciation well, which helps offset the higher price, and for those buying on finance, the monthly cost is worth it. The Sorento isn’t as efficient as the Outlander, but it has its rivals beaten in every other respect. It’s just a pity its infotainment unit isn’t more modern. 2nd HYUNDAI THE seven-seat Santa Fe is still a competitive SUV and offers a good balance of equipment and refinement. However, it’s not as well finished as the Sorento nor as practical as the Outlander. It feels heavy and lethargic to drive, plus it doesn’t offer a running costs advantage over the Kia, which is why…

NEW PRODUCT Kärcher pressure washer range Price: From £99.99 Contact: 01295 752000, www.kaercher.com PRESSURE washer giant Kärcher has upgraded its innovative Full Control system for its 2017 line-up, giving users push-button control of water pressure. Full Control Plus can be found only on the new 145-Bar K5 and 180-Bar K7 Premium, which also get a revamped lance combining dirtblaster, vario and detergent nozzles. An LED display shows not only the water pressure, but also the correct level for the job. This sees a lower pressure for car work, and all levels can be selected via the display. Both machines also come with reel hose storage and patio cleaners. The K5 is £449.99 and the K7 Home £569.99. The original Full Control system, which shows water pressure on a lance-mounted display,…

Mini test OUR PICK AutoMate Rainguard Price: £5 Size: 500ml Rating: Contact: 01527 911322, www.liquidleather.com AS we found in our previous test (Issue 1,452), these combined products are no match for a specialist glass cleaner. Although they shift the grime, they take much longer to dry and buff to a shine. Rainguard is designed to be applied in a circular, overlapping motion, before being allowed to dry. That haze is then removed and buffed. It’s easy to see that the emphasis is on the coating rather than on grime shifting. Yet the grime was removed and the coating worked well, lasting over two weeks under the wipers. It was also working at the end on the unswept rear glass, albeit slowly. There was little between the two treatments in terms…

Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk A TOTAL of 16 entries are set to contest this season’s FIA World Touring Car Championship, including full manufacturer efforts from Volvo Polestar and Honda. Despite the modest number of cars on the grid, the absence of reigning champion Jose Maria Lopez and the all-conquering Citroen works team he raced for means the championship could be more open than it has been for several years. Topping the timesheets in preseason testing in Monza, Italy, last week was Briton Rob Huff. For 2017, the former Honda man has switched to the privateer All-Inkl.com Munnich Motorsport squad, which is running Citroen C-Elysees campaigned by the works team in 2016. “It’s only testing and counts for nothing, but it gives me confidence that what we’re doing and the way we’re learning the…