Innholdsfortegnelse for 1467 i Auto Express

Graham_Hope@dennis.co.uk “We are conscious of our core values, and value for money will be one of them with this car, too” Bernhard Maier Skoda CEO SKODA has confirmed that its Vision E Shanghai Motor Show concept will preview the first of five allelectric cars from the brand on sale by 2025. And according to boss Bernhard Maier, the production version of the coupécrossover will be in showrooms by 2020. The Vision E will be joined by an array of plug-in hybrid models, with the Superb saloon already slated for 2019. Insiders have confirmed to Auto Express that plug-in versions of the Kodiaq, new Yeti and next Octavia would be feasible, too. The news follows sketches (right) of the Vision E released last week, while a new profile shot of the…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods MERCEDES-AMG has rolled out a pair new performance SUVs in the shape of the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 and GLC 63 Coupé. Both hot SUVs feature Merc’s advanced 4MATIC+ four-wheeldrive as standard and are powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. The GLC 63 is a fresh rival for the Porsche Macan Turbo, while the Coupé establishes a new segment for high-performance Coupé SUVs. Under the bonnet sits AMG’s trusty hand-built V8 bi-turbo engine, producing 469bhp and 650Nm of torque. That means the new GLC 63 pumps out 35bhp more than the most potent Macan. For those after more punch, however, both the GLC 63 and GLC 63 Coupé will be offered in more powerful S guise, which raises output to 503bhp. Regardless of spec, power is delivered to the…

Undercover debut for new Mégane RS RENAULT has teased its forthcoming Megane RS, after posting a cloaked image of the hot hatch online (above). The teaser gives little away, but does confirm that we’ll see the car for the first time later this year; the Frankfurt Motor Show in September is likely to be the stage for the debut of the new Civic Type R rival. However, it’s not expected to go on sale until early 2018. It’s thought the RS will be front-wheel drive and develop around 300bhp. Mazda names its price for next CX-5 MAZDA has confirmed its new CX-5 crossover will start from £23,695. Sales are due to begin at the end of June. That buys a 163bhp 2.0-litre petrol model in SE-L Nav trim. Two diesel…

DESIGN bosses at VW Group have told Auto Express there is “potential for huge variety and emotion” in the design of the brand’s future autonomous vehicles, as different models will have distinct purposes. The VW Group has opened up a new Future Centre in Europe, built specifically to develop technology for the company’s range of future autonomous vehicles. Around 130 engineers are based there. Jürgen Michl, head of exterior design research at the facility, revealed that the VW Sedric concept (right) is merely a showcase for one of a wide variety of different body styles that can be made. “We are not just focusing on Sedric – that is a car designed to operate in a city and to be shared by service users, which is why it looks like…

James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor We take the Vauxhall Insignia on a European road trip and give the Kia Picanto a spin at youtube.com/Autoexpress. On the road with the new Insignia IT was only revealed a few weeks ago at the Geneva Motor Show, but we’ve already tried out the new Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport. It’s a crucial car for the firm, as it eyes up taking on premium brands for the first time. With this in mind, Steve Sutcliffe went for a road trip from Geneva through Germany and visited the HQs of Audi, BMW and Mercedes to see if the car is a match. Kia Picanto has plenty of Seoul THE city car class is hotting up, and a potential favourite is the Kia Picanto, driven on Page 30. With a…

Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer “IF the ice breaks, you have between 10 and 60 seconds to leave the car before it sinks. If you can’t open the doors, go through the windows or the roof.” These were the stern instructions from the man representing the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations just before we headed out on to the frozen surface of the deepest lake in the world in a Nissan Qashqai. Lake Baikal in Siberia is an odd place to find yourself in a car originally intended for the European market, but when the Qashqai was launched back in 2007, no one could have predicted just how successful the crossover would become, or the remote corners of the world it would end up in. Today, the Sunderland-built Qashqai has moved far outside…

Sam_Naylor@dennis.co.uk @SamNaylor_AE AS part of the recent round of updates for the ever-popular Volkswagen Golf, the range-topping R hot hatch has also been refreshed. Since this is a performance car, there’s been an obligatory power boost, and the new car now gets 306bhp from its 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine. That’s a 10bhp boost over the previous Golf R, and contributes to a quicker 0-62mph time, which now takes just 4.6 seconds in this DSG version. Get the R on the road, though, and the numbers soon melt into the background. With fourwheel- drive grip and that musclebound turbocharged engine blasting away up front, the Golf R is searingly quick. The seven-speed DSG gearbox changes up so quickly that you’ve barely had time to enjoy the acceleration before you’re at the…

MODEL TESTED: Citroen C3 PureTech 110 Feel PRICE: £15,235 ENGINE: 1.2-litre 3cyl, 108bhp THE C3 was a breath of fresh air when it arrived last year. It scaled down some of the quirky design features from the Citroen C4 Cactus crossover to give the supermini plenty of character, helping it stand out from the crowd in a busy sector. Our pictures show the range-topping Flair model, but here we test the £15,235 mid-spec Feel trim with Citroen’s PureTech 110 petrol engine. DESIGN & ENGINEERING LIKE the Micra, the C3’s underpinnings and mechanical make-up stretch further back than you might imagine. The pumped-up supermini body sits on Citroen’s PF1 platform, which is relatively old. However, it’s had plenty of development, so for this third-generation C3 the French brand continued the refinement…

FOR the time being, the £93,379 4S Diesel is the only diesel-powered Panamera in the range. Under the bonnet, the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 is new and produces an impressive 416bhp – more even than a 911 Carrera S. As well as plenty of power, it has a healthy 850Nm of torque that’s served up from a lowly 1,000rpm and doesn’t let up until 3,250rpm. Peak power kicks in just after this, and is sustained until 5,000rpm. Diesels usually struggle at higher revs, but the Porsche’s engine feels so muscular and continues revving in a linear fashion higher up the range, emitting a muted V8 rumble. With a new eight-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic gearbox, launch control and four-wheel drive, the Panamera’s performance is stunning. It sprinted from 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds,…

Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk WHEN it updated its 2008 crossover, Peugeot tweaked a number of different areas to help keep the car at the top of its game – but one thing it didn’t touch was the car’s controversial i-Cockpit layout. This has been a contentious subject since the concept first launched on its 208 supermini. Having spread to the 308 hatchback and 2008 we’re running on the Auto Express fleet, the small steering wheel set-up has been making waves once again. The idea of the i-Cockpit, Peugeot says, is that the small, sporty steering wheel is positioned lower down on the dash, with the dials and instruments above, so you peer over the wheel rather than through the gap between the centre and the rim. But as I found out after breaking…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Time for a rubber upgrade COULD you advise me on the best choice of tyre for my Mazda MX-5 Mk3.5 1.8? It has 17-inch wheels and I use the car all year round, not just in the summer. John Brandon, E-mail A WE last tested 17-inch tyres in 2015, when the Continental ContiSportContact 5 came out on top. This has now been replaced in some 17-inch wheel sizes by the updated PremiumContact 6 (above). We’ve tried this tyre, and it’s no less sporting than its predecessor, despite the different name. Q Fantastic plastic cleaner? MY vehicle has some hard-to-reach places around the switches on the dashboard that have dust in them. I’ve seen a gel keyboard cleaner online: would that be able to remove…

Mini test NEW PRODUCT Nonda Zus Price: £29.99 Rating: Contact: www.mobilefun.co.uk THERE’S a quality feel to this diminutive adaptor. It has discreet white lights, and we found that it fitted in places where larger devices couldn’t. The twin angled sockets and reversible outlets help keep things tidy. It pumps out 4.8 Amps maximum, and matched our test winner in the charge test, adding five per cent to our iPad2 in 15 minutes. In the car, the only drawback is the lack of outlets. The Zus app works with Android and iOS devices and was a breeze to pair with the adaptor. As it uses the phone’s GPS it can’t locate your car in a multi-storey car park, but it worked well when left in the open, displaying the car’s position…

Join the debate now... www.autoexpress.co.uk/opinion IN 1988, armed with little more than a manual typewriter, Toyota MR2, mullet, and passion for most things motoring, I helped establish and launch Auto Express. Since then I’ve averaged at least one column, feature, road test or news story per week. So I know a bit about the long and glorious history of what’s turned out to be Britain’s biggest-selling weekly motoring magazine and reigning Media Brand of the Year. Who’d have thought it, eh? Take it from me, one of the finest and most important components of Auto Express has been – and will continue to be – its Driver Power surveys. For current or would-be motorists bothered about cars, cash and customer satisfaction (just about everyone), the Driver Power process and findings…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn THE BMW 1 Series has been a huge success since it launched in 2004, but BMW is planning a complete rethink for the third generation of its premium hatchback. It’s due to arrive at the end of next year, before going on sale early in 2019, but while our images reveal that it’ll look similar to the model it replaces, a radical revamp under the skin will see rear-wheel drive ditched in favour of drive to the front axle. The new 1 Series will use the UKL platform that features on the BMW X1 and MINI range. While that will affect the way the 1 Series drives, BMW is confident that more people will benefit from the practicality and efficiency the new platform can offer. A longer wheelbase…

steve_fowler@dennis.co.uk @stevefowler SEAT will launch four all-new cars in the next few years that will include the brand’s first electric models. The Formentor large SUV (previewed in Issue 1,466) is one of the four, while another all-new model will also arrive, likely to be a crossover with a design that will “blur categories”, according to SEAT insiders. Chairman Luca de Meo told Auto Express that he’s already using an electric version of the Mii city car (right), based on the VW e-Up!, for his daily commute from the centre of Barcelona to the company HQ in Martorell, on the outskirts of the city. Although de Meo’s car is purely a development car, an updated e-Mii, based on a new version of the city car due in 2019, is likely to…

Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk AE_Consumer SCRAPPING spare wheels from standard kit on new cars, combined with the rise of dangerous potholes on UK roads, has led to roadside breakdowns rising by almost 200,000 last year. The AA recorded 3.63million calls last year, up from 3.45m in 2015. The breakdown provider said much of this was down to the fact more new cars have ditched spare wheels in favour of run-flat tyres or a bottle of tyre sealant. Last year, the RAC and the AA attended nearly 180,000 calls where a motorist had a flat tyre, but had no spare. In fact, a third of new cars today are sold without a spare, as car makers look to save on space and weight. President of the AA, Edmund King told Auto Express he would…

Solicitor www.consumer-genie.co.uk WHEN you buy a car from a trader, you are covered by the Consumer Rights Act, which says the vehicle must be of satisfactory quality and fit for its purpose – and the Act sets out exactly what your consumer rights are, if, for whatever reason, things start to go wrong. But you do not have the same consumer protection when buying a car from an individual – nor do you have the right to go back and get a refund or a repair if the car goes wrong after you’ve purchased it. When you buy privately, it is a case of ‘buyer beware’. The only rights you have is that the car must be as described by the seller, whether that’s verbally or in an advert. If…

steve_fowler@dennis.co.uk @stevefowler WHO’D have thought it? SEAT, for so long the problem child of the VW Group, is flying. Sales are soaring, thanks in no small part to the brilliant Ateca SUV (with two more SUVs coming in the next 12 months), and now the Ibiza supermini has been chosen to debut the Group’s latest small car technology. This is the first model to use the new MQB A0 platform, with all the lightweight and hi-tech benefits that brings. Yes, Ibiza before VW Polo, Audi A1, Skoda Fabia and a host of SUV spin-offs. That would have been most unlikely a few years ago. However, as SEATs tend to be pretty much as good as their sister cars, but usually with a style and price advantage, what’s not to like?…

Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan OF the circa 200,000 cars Volkswagen sold in the UK last year, nearly 77,000 were Golfs. Most boasted one of the brand’s petrol or diesel engines, but only a small fraction used electric or hybrid power. It’s not a huge seller, then, but VW’s UK team are hoping the plug-in GTE will rise to around 10 per cent of total Golf sales by the end of 2017. The Government hasn’t made that easy, though: from 1 April, the GTE went from road tax-free to £130 per year. Company car users still benefit from lower rates, but tax avoidance isn’t the only reason to buy the hybrid. Many will be swayed by the promise of up to 156mpg, 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds and a 20-mile EV range. Like other…

MODEL TESTED: Nissan Micra 0.9 IG-T Acenta PRICE: £15,115 ENGINE: 0.9-litre 3cyl, 89bhp WE’VE waited a while for a new Micra, but now that the Nissan is a proper small hatchback, rather than straddling the city car and supermini classes like its predecessor, the fight is on. It offers plenty of tech, striking looks and practicality to rival the best in its class. Our pictures show an N-Connecta model, but it’s the £15,115 1.0 IG-T Acenta we test here. DESIGN & ENGINEERING THERE’S no doubt that the new Nissan Micra is a radical departure from its rather bland predecessor. But while the angular design is new, the underpinnings aren’t quite as fresh. This fifth-generation Micra is based on a heavily revised version of the Mk4’s V platform, rather than the…

NISSAN MICRA NissanConnect Nav £700 option Key features: Apple CarPlay, traffic info score 3.6 APPLE CarPlay comes as standard on the Acenta model, but sat-nav with traffic information comes as part of the £700 Vision Pack, which adds NissanConnect touchscreen navigation. This is standard on Tekna cars. The smartphone integration is nicely done, with CarPlay giving you access to apps that allow music and entertainment on the move, as well as the ability to use Siri voice control from your smartphone to perform simple local searches using Apple’s Maps app. However, Android Auto isn’t offered, which is a mark against the Micra – although we’re told it’s coming in the future. The seven-inch screen’s graphics aren’t so high resolution. However, with hot keys flanking either side of the display, it’s…

THE four-door Panamera has always been the ugly duckling in Porsche’s line-up, but the German firm has honed the secondgeneration’s design so the proportions are a little less awkward. It looks more like a four-door 911 than ever, while the Panamera inherits some clever tech from top-end versions of its sports car sibling. The new chassis additions to the Panamera mean this four-seat luxury limousine offers incredible agility, while a new V8 turbodiesel under the bonnet ensures it has the power to match. FOR & AGAINST + FOR: Luxury levels of refinement, impressive interior tech, huge performance - AGAINST: Pricey, expensive options needed to extract the best, only four seats FIGURES Porsche Panamera 4S Diesel Price: £93,379 Engine: 4.0-litre V8 turbodiesel Power/torque: 416bhp/850Nm Transmission: Eight-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic, four-wheel drive…

You Can Drive A Porsche Philip Raby (self-published, www.amazon.co.uk) Price: £4.95 Rating: A STRAIGHTFORWARD title for a fairly concise book which might have you delving into the classifieds looking for a Porsche to buy! With good advice throughout, not everything is Porsche-specific, and a lot of this book’s tips can be applied to any used car purchase. Priced at under a fiver (or free if you’ve got Amazon’s KindleUnlimited), it’s a steal. Let Them Stare! Michael Hipperson (iStudio21 Publishing, www.istudio21.co.uk) Price: £15 Rating: THIS is a great account of one man’s motoring history, from humble beginnings in scrapyard-ready Vauxhalls right up to incredible supercars like the Ford GT40, Lamborghini Miura and Ferrari 308 GTS. Presented with plenty of pictures, it’s an interesting read, and gives an insight into what it’s…

F1 circus moves on to Shanghai Hamilton expecting tough fight Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk MERCEDES’ Lewis Hamilton is expecting a strong title challenge from Sebastian Vettel, after the Ferrari driver triumphed at the Formula One season opener last month. Heading into this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix, the British triple champion said: “I think this year we’re seeing the best drivers at the top... I’m really grateful to have that fight with [Sebastian], against Ferrari. It’s great. It’s going to be a very hard slog this season. “Racing the best is what Formula One is all about and it makes you work that much harder... I’m looking forward to that.” Vettel added: “[Hamilton] has proven to be one of the quickest drivers on the grid and I’d love to have a close battle. Obviously…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn BMW isn’t the only manufacturer putting the finishing touches to an all-new premium hatchback. We’ll see rivals from Mercedes, Audi and VW in showrooms by the end of 2019, all boasting new tech, efficient powertrains and autonomous driving. The industry’s focus may be on developing an army of SUVs, but hatchbacks such as the 1 Series are often the best sellers in a premium brand’s line-up. These are the incoming models that the BMW will face, and the cars that the manufacturers can’t afford to get wrong. “We’ll see rivals from Mercedes, Audi and VW in showrooms by 2019” VW Golf Mk8 2019 THE Golf Mk8 is the furthest away from showrooms, but it has already been described as ‘the versatile car’ by VW boss Herbert Diess. It…

RAC patrolman PUNCTURE repairs are the most common call-outs alongside cars that won’t start, and they can prove time consuming. A lot of people don’t even know if they have a spare wheel. They have a brand new car, and when you say this model doesn’t have a spare, they roll their eyes. People assume it’s the law to have a spare, but when they go to show you, there’s a moment of realisation. They feel they’ve been ripped off by the dealer, as nobody has told them there’s no spare. Some people will have it happen once, and then with their next car they will specifically ask for a spare, even if it’s only a space saver. If they have a spare, people are more unlikely to attempt to…

THE line between vehicles and smartphones is becoming increasingly blurred, as the Internet of Things connects everything around us. And the method of buying or owning these products is aligning, too, as manufacturers offer online options. But there is one anomaly: finance. Monthly contracts, rather than outright cash, now account for eight out of 10 new cars bought. Personal contract hire (PCH) and leasing is increasingly popular as consumers seek competitive monthly prices with no desire to own the car at the end. A report on the 2016 market by ContractHireAndLeasing.com also reveals the most popular term length was two years (59.2 per cent) with just one in 10 opting for a four-year deal. It seems we have become so used to refreshing products like phones after just two years…

Inbox What do you think? Contact Martin Saarinen FROM: Robbie SUZUKI has a good reputation for reliability and build quality, so £13,750 for a Swift that is fully loaded with kit and gets a mild hybrid engine seems good value to me. How much would you pay for a fully loaded Ford Fiesta or Skoda Fabia? FROM: MrKash THE Suzuki Swift does have two advantages over its Volkswagen Group rivals: four-wheel drive and super low weight. Apart from the microscopic rear windows, I think the design of this new Swift is okay compared with its rivals, too. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk “Japanese interiors are years behind Europe’s; they don’t seem to understand soft-touch dashboards or premium detailing.” E Monk “I think it looks great overall, but I can’t help…

Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram THE Kia Picanto was first launched in the UK in 2004 as the brand’s smallest car. Cheap and cheerful was its selling point, and it offered buyers style, kit and space, as well as low running costs. That model was replaced in 2011 by the sporty Mk2, which quickly gained momentum in the city car market. Since then, newer rivals such as the Skoda Citigo, Hyundai i10 and Renault Twingo have stolen the limelight by offering similar value, but with significantly upgraded interiors and more grown-up driving experiences. This new Picanto aims to right the old car’s wrongs, with a spacious cabin, more equipment and improved customisation. Three engines will be offered, including a three-cylinder turbo for the first time. First impressions are good. While it’s still recognisable…

Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan A TWO-and-a-half tonne Bentley with a V8 engine that’s capable of over 35mpg? That’s from the land of fantasy, right? In fact that’s reality, as we’ve driven Bentley’s first diesel model in the UK – the Bentayga Diesel. While the idea of an oil-burning Bentley may raise eyebrows, there are good reasons for buying one. Customers who chose the petrol W12 are unlikely to worry that it barely musters 20mpg, nor are many likely to be interested in the diesel’s lower emissions. No, this car’s real selling point is that it’ll manage nearly 600 miles on a tank of fuel. Compare that to the W12, which might scrape 350 miles, and you can see the allure. It means you’ll only have to deal with the undignified affair of…

MODEL TESTED: Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TSI 90 Match Edition PRICE: £15,090 ENGINE: 1.2-litre 4cyl, 89bhp THE Volkswagen Polo has dominated the supermini class ever since the facelifted model appeared in 2014. With a blend of refinement, quality, practicality and precision, it’s got all bases covered, which has allowed it to see off a host of newer rivals. Here we sample it in £15,090 1.2 TSI Match Edition guise, which delivers an impressive combination of value, kit, performance and efficiency DESIGN & ENGINEERING AN all-new Polo based on the firm’s scalable MQB architecture is due later this year, so the current car still uses the older PQ25 underpinnings that the firm has developed over the past decade or so. It’s a conventional layout, with strut front suspension and a torsion beam…

Results 1st VOLKSWAGEN ITS rivals are catching up, but the Polo is still a polished product that’s great to drive and is packed with tech. It emits the most CO2, but car tax changes mean that’s less important, while economy is on a par. It offers enough boot space for a supermini and clever packaging creates as much room as the larger Micra in the rear. Factor in rock-solid residuals and the VW retains its crown. 2nd CITROEN INTERIOR quality lets the C3 down compared to its interesting design. However, it offers the most space and affordable running costs. Factor in the Citroen’s decent level of performance that makes it easy to drive, and its relaxing ride quality, and it edges ahead of the Nissan. You get a good level…

THE Model S was facelifted last year, and while this design revision marked a significant point in the car’s history, Tesla has actually been constantly refining and tweaking the car since it went on sale in 2012. Over time, it’s added four-wheel drive, more power, extra range and other functionality (such as autonomous driving) released via over-the-air software updates, to the point where this Model S P100D is the most honed version on sale. The performance figures are mightily impressive, but is it enough to beat the Panamera? FOR & AGAINST + FOR: Performance, relaxing to drive, impressive range makes Model S very usable - AGAINST: Pricey to buy and expensive options, not as agile as some big cars, charging infrastructure still lacking FIGURES Tesla Model S P100D Price: £129,400…

Stuart_Milne@dennis.co.uk @stuartjmilne EAGLE-eyed readers will notice that there’s something different about our long-term Kia Niro. That’s because we’ve had to swap the Temptation Red car that made its debut on the Auto Express fleet in Issue 1,455 for an identical car, bar the obvious change to White Pearl metallic paint. The change came as a result of a mystery problem that emerged after just 600 miles in our original Niro, which Kia thought worthy of additional investigation. On starting the car, a whiff of petrol fumes would quickly enter the cabin, and when the engine was cold, it would hesitate under acceleration and had a lumpy idle. Once up to temperature, the problem would go away. This meant a trip to the dealer was necessary, so I booked the car…

Autophoto Paris tickets now on sale FONDATION Cartier, the art museum in Paris, France, will play host to a new exhibition of automotive photography – Autophoto. Opening on 20 April, the exhibition marks the 30th anniversary of the Hommage à Ferrari show, and will illustrate how the car reshaped photography in the 20th Century. More than 400 works will be displayed, plus a series of models and reproductions. Log on to www.fondationcartier.com for info. Rimmer Bros’ 4x4 catalogue out now OWNERS of Land Rovers and Range Rovers can now get their hands on a new parts catalogue from British specialist Rimmer Brothers. Covering all models from the Series I to the latest Range Rover, the catalogue is a direct line to the authorised Land Rover parts distributor. Anything the company…

PRODUCT GROUP TEST 5 | 4 | 2017 Every week, we extensively test all the latest car kit from tyres to trim cleaners. Log on to www.autoexpress.co.uk to look through our huge online test archive. Curver Large Toolbox 157705 Price: £20 Contact: www.amazon.co.uk Size (mm)/capacity: 510x260x250/33 litres Rating: BEST BUY FOR organisers, look no further, because the two removable, lid-mounted boxes here were brilliant. Opaque plastic allowed us to see what was where without opening, and with eight and 13 divisions, there was lots of choice. They slotted into the lid and both featured solid plastic catches. Sized ideally for almost all DIYers, the box was large enough to be useful and small enough to carry. It held our tools easily, and the two smaller sections in the tote tray…

Dear Lawrence, We’re upgrading our VW Golf to an SUV with four-wheel drive, but with dogs it needs to have a large boot. What should we look at for £15k? Jim Dobson, Sussex Contact: Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk Kia Sportage FOR: Smart styling, well equipped, warranty AGAINST: Firm ride, rear seat space THE Kia Sportage Mk3 was such a big improvement over the car it replaced that it helped to significantly lift the Korean brand’s reputation in Europe. The sharp exterior styling still looks good today, and is matched by a well equipped interior. The Sportage’s 2.0-litre diesel is punchy and the handling is tidy, but it can’t match the Mazda or Ford for ride quality and power. We spotted a 63-plate 2.0 CRDi KX-3 auto with 31,000 miles for £14,499. Ford Kuga…