Innholdsfortegnelse for 1484 i Auto Express

TORSTEN MÜLLER-ÖTVÖS Chief executive officer, Rolls-Royce Q THE Phantom VII is arguably still the best car in the world. How do you better that? A “Phantom VII fulfilled its task perfectly as it brought Rolls-Royce back to being the pinnacle of luxury. We have been very self-critical of VII and customer feedback also told us where we could improve .” Q Why won’t you be building Coupé and Drophead versions of the Phantom VIII? A “It’s about priorities; we’ve decided to invest in the Cullinan SUV. It’s more important we do this than introduce new versions of Phantom, particularly when we have Wraith coupé and Dawn drophead. To copy that story again would be nice but not a good investment. ” Q Is Rolls-Royce in danger of being considered an…

“A total of £246m will be made available for firms to develop and manufacture latest battery tech” THE Government has revealed plans to invest in the development of state-ofthe- art battery tech for electric vehicles. A total of £246million will be made available for firms to design, develop and manufacture the latest battery tech for use across multiple industries, including cars, over the next four years. Known as the Faraday Challenge, the programme will bring cuttingedge EV batteries to market. First will be a £45m competition, led by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), to create a virtual ‘Battery Institute’ to address the biggest challenges facing the fledgling battery industry. EPSRC CEO Prof. Philip Nelson said: “Batteries will form a cornerstone of a low-carbon economy, whether in cars,…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods ASTON Martin is warming up an allnew successor to its V8 Vantage, and these spy shots are our best look yet at the brand’s latest sports car ahead of its reveal later this year. The new model will serve as a rival for the Porsche 911 and Jaguar F-Type, benefiting from a lighter aluminium chassis and new turbocharged V8 engine. This isn’t our first look at the next Vantage; our spy photographers have snapped it testing before, although previous sightings have only shown mules wearing extensive camouflage from the larger DB11. SPIED These new shots give away much more, providing us with our first glimpse of the new Vantage in its production bodywork. The car is still heavily cloaked in a diversionary zebra-print wrap, but it’s now possible…

James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor Videowatch WE have a video report on the new Rolls Phantom and our A-Z of tech continues with D – all at youtube.com/Autoexpress. Video report on the new Rolls Phantom THERE’S a new Rolls-Royce in town, after the brand took the wraps off the Phantom VIII this week (Page 10). Lighter, stiffer, grander and more hi-tech than ever before, the limo is Rolls’ renewed bid to claim the title of ‘best car in the world’. You’ve read all about it in our news story, so now take a look at the new Phantom on film. Head over to our YouTube channel to watch the unveiling. Our A-Z of car tech continues with D OUR colourful trip through the wonderful world of car technology continues with the letter D.…

Self-healing roads RESEARCHERS at Delft University in the Netherlands have come up with a self-healing asphalt that incorporates steel wool fibres. The fibres are conducive to electricity and, at the first sign of a crack, a magnetic induction machine is rolled over the surface to heat the mixture and close the cracks before they develop into potholes. Researchers have conducted successful trials in the Netherlands on 12 different roads since 2010, with none needing repairs. Although the material will cost 25 per cent more than regular asphalt, like MacRebur’s MR6 compound, it could double road life, and save councils money long term. Infrared healing A RESEARCH partnership between Brunel University in London and engineering company Epicuro has developed a Controlled Pothole Repair System that uses infrared heat technology to double…

Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram IN a world where even Porsche is fitting its smallest sports cars with downsized turbo engines, BMW’s M240i stands proud as one of the only models still available with a sonorous six-cylinder motor. It still uses a turbo to boost performance and reduce emissions, but its comparatively large 3.0-litre engine is unique in this class. Like the diesel 2 Series we drove in Issue 1,483, the flagship two-door has been given a mid-life facelift – adding a subtle new look and fresh in-car tech. Our model on the international launch featured xDrive all-wheel drive, although UK cars will continue to be rear-drive only. All versions get a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, but our Coupé had the more desirable £1,300 ZF eight-speed auto. BMW’s updates are mainly visual…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @Jimmybrods THE Koleos is the last piece in Renault’s three-strong SUV jigsaw. It follows the smaller Captur and Kadjar in the expanding crossover line-up, but while they were new entries when they went on sale in 2013 and 2015 respectively, the Koleos name has been seen in Britain before. Renault pulled the plug on the original Koleos back in 2010, citing poor sales for its rapid demise. In the seven years since, however, the market for SUVs has grown exponentially, partly at the expense of MPVs – one of the French firm’s historical fortes. The manufacturer is taking things much more seriously with this new Koleos, and lining it up to face class leaders such as the Skoda Kodiaq and Nissan X-Trail (Page 28). It’s also the firm’s flagship…

Mercedes E 220 d Estate A HUGE estate car can seem irritating when you are trying to squeeze into small parking spaces or slither through commuting traffic. But the size comes into its own at weekends, when a big boot is a real luxury. Our Mercedes E-Class has been carrying everything from barrels of beer to DIY materials in the past few weeks, but nothing was as demanding as creative director Tom Barnard’s recent family camping trip. Careful packing was needed, but we’ve found that a big, family-sized tent will fit underneath the boot floor, in what used to be known as the spare wheel well. The space above is left free to swallow bags, cool boxes, chairs and everything else needed to survive nights under canvas. A nifty net…

Tinplate Toy Cars of the 1950s and 1960s from Japan Andrew Ralston (Veloce, www.veloce.co.uk) Price: £19.99 Rating: IGNORE the oddly specific title and this book is surprisingly charming. Cataloguing all these toy cars is clearly a labour of love, with just enough on each to be interesting. There’s a good mix of facts on the models and full-sized cars. Just be wary of browsing eBay after reading! Feel: My Story Freddie Spencer (Virgin Books, www.penguinrandomhouse.co.uk) Price: £20 Rating: THIS autobiography tells the tale of one of motorcycle racing’s biggest young talents. Author Spencer offers a candid look behind the scenes of his early success – when he won a yet-tobe- repeated double world crown in the same season, in the 250cc and 500cc classes – and eventual decline. The book…

Got any car queries? Michael_Cox@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Warranty refund options I BOUGHT a Ford Mondeo with 17,000 miles and 4,000 miles later have already had to replace the clutch and flywheel. This seems too early for a four-year-old car. Could it be a manufacturing defect rather than wear? Dave Ryan, E-mail A CLUTCHES aren’t covered under manufacturer warranties because they are considered ‘wear’ components. If you suspect a manufacturing fault you can have the car independently inspected by a registered dealer which will be able to highlight any underlying issues. Q Will oil cure dash rattle? THERE is a rattle coming from the pivots of the infotainment screen in my Mk1 Peugeot 3008. Will a squirt of WD40 or some sort of gel spray help reduce it safely? Tony Lewis,…

THE Sauber Formula One team has called off its arrangement with Honda for the Japanese manufacturer to supply it with power units for the 2018 season. Former Sauber team boss Monisha Kaltenborn did a deal with Honda for it to supply engines next year, but following Kaltenborn’s departure from the outfit in June the agreement has broken down. Honda’s Motorsports Division general manager Masashi Yamamoto said: “We had built a good relationship with Sauber, and had been looking forward to entering the 2018 F1 season together. However, during discussions after management changes at the team, we reached a mutual agreement to call off the project due to differences in the future directions of both parties.”…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn THE Volkswagen Golf will undergo its biggest transformation in 43 years for the next generation as the German brand prepares to roll out hybrid technology, slim down the model line-up and completely revamp the interior design. An unveil for the Mk8 hatchback has been earmarked for the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2019. The arrival of the next Golf – previewed in our exclusive images – will coincide with the roll-out of Volkswagen’s I.D. electric car family, which begins with the Golf-sized I.D. hatchback. However, boss Herbert Diess has said that despite the aggressive EV offensive, which will see at least five dedicated battery-powered VWs launch by 2025, the next Golf remains the brand’s focus. EXCLUSIVE IMAGES “Our images show svelte front end with lower bonnet and sleeker LED…

Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer THE UK will ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2040 as part of a plan to tackle air pollution. The move, which does not include hybrids, is part of the Government’s new air quality plan. On top of the sales ban, ministers are encouraging councils to increase the number of ‘clean air zones’ in the UK. Charges for older, more polluting vehicles haven’t been ruled out, plus councils have been given a green light to propose a targeted diesel scrappage scheme in heavily polluted areas. Councils with pollution problems have until March 2018 to propose their plans for cutting emissions. The Government has set aside a £2.7billion fund for the project. This includes: £1billion towards low emissions vehicles, including £100m towards charging infrastructure.…

Volvo SUV comes in from the shadows VOLVO has revealed the first official image of its upcoming XC40 small SUV by mistakenly publishing a teaser shot of the back end on its German website. The picture (above) was removed, but later resurfaced on a Volvo fan page on Instagram. It shows the BMW X1 rival’s tail-lights and sloping bootlid, echoing those on the larger XC60 and XC90 SUVs. The all-new XC40 will feature a range of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, plus plug-in powertrains. It’ll go on sale in 2018, priced from around £28,000. PAGE 36: New Volvo XC60 vs rivals Porsche Cayenne in emissions recall KO PORSCHE has been asked to issue an obligatory recall on 22,000 Cayennes over potential emissions discrepancies. German authorities found what they believe to…

Graham_Hope@dennis.co.uk OFFICIAL BRITISH buyers could have fewer cars to choose from in showrooms in the future, after the country leaves the European Union. According to Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) chief executive Mike Hawes, if the Government fails to secure the right Brexit deal, some manufacturers may simply opt not to sell certain models in the United Kingdom. Central to this scenario would be a realignment of the car homologation (certification) process. Currently whole vehicle type approval in the UK is carried out by the Vehicle Certification Agency based around European Commission directives. But with the Government embarking on negotiations to manage our departure from Europe, the industry is waiting to see what this means for the homologation process, and the potential repercussions. Hawes explained: “In terms of…

What do you think? Contact Michael Cox mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress Write to: Watcdog/Letters, Auto Express, Dennis Publishing, 31-32 Alfred place, London WCLE 7DP HOT TOPIC Jaguar E-Pace revealed FROM: JLConsult I LIKE the F-Pace, but had concerns that the design team had not been able to hide the 4x4 bulk in the skin of a Jaguar. I thought it would have an even bigger problem with the E-Pace, but if anything it is styled even better. It looks genuinely desirable. FROM: Chris Turner JAGUAR has such an amazing history with some truly iconic cars, including its most recent stunner, the F-Type. But these SUVs are a blight on that heritage. A company known for sports cars and luxury saloons cheapens itself by jumping on the SUV bandwagon. Join the debate at…

Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk @stevefowler IF some posts on social media are to be believed, those responsible for putting a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine into Jaguar’s F-Type two-seat sports car should be hung, drawn and quartered. Anything other than a supercharged V6 or burbling V8 is sacrilege, surely? We’re not ones to pre-judge, so let’s start by looking at the numbers. Jaguar’s engineers have boosted the 2.0-litre Ingenium engine found in the XE and XF saloons to 296bhp. Torque is up, too, with that figure now standing at 400Nm. That equates to a 0-62mph time of just 5.7 seconds, which isn’t too shabby. In fact, it’s just six-tenths of a second slower than a Porsche 718 Cayman. But cars like this are as much about character as they are pure performance, and this is…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn THE BMW 4 Series range – made up of Coupé, Gran Coupé and Convertible – has been around since 2013. The cabrio has always been the slowest seller, but have updates made it more appealing? We’ve driven it in the UK to find out. On the face of it, little has changed. Its recognisable front now features slightly larger air intakes, a subtle new bumper and twin LED headlamps. Tweaks have also been made to the engine line-up; the core 420i and 420d models remain, but 430i and 440i petrols have been added. We’re driving the 430i in standard M Sport trim. Previously, the 30i badge would have meant a tuneful 3.0-litre straight-six under the bonnet, but fold back the roof, hit the throttle and what you hear…

Sam_Naylor@dennis.co.uk @SamNaylor_AE JUST in time for the warm weather, I’ve been handed the keys to a new Mazda MX-5 RF – and I reckon it’s the perfect car for a balmy British summer. However, a weekend in the summer months here in the UK is just as likely to be hit by a thunderstorm as it is a heatwave, so it’s useful to know that your car is always ready for whatever the weather throws at it. Mazda’s ‘Retractable Fastback’ roof – it’s a folding hard-top to most of us – couldn’t be a better solution to our unique seasonal weather patterns. With the hood in place, the convertible might as well be a coupé, because the metal set-up makes it feel much more grown-up inside. The soft-top version of…

NEW PRODUCT Piloti Le Mans Driving Shoes Price: £158 (Circuit); £385 (Ligne) Contact: www.piloti.uk.com PILOTI has added to its range of driving shoes with two new special editions, commemorating the Le Mans 24 Hours. The design of the footwear harks back to the era of ‘gentlemen racers’. The Circuit and Ligne cater to different ends of the market. At £158, the casual, low-cut Circuit has a classic racing livery, with off-white uppers and contrasting race stripes in blue and red. A woven French flag pays further tribute to the race. The Ligne race boot (£385) is handcrafted in Italy from distressed Italian leather, and also carries the woven French flag detail. Both shoes feature Piloti’s signature Roll Control Heel, which supports the driver’s foot and claims to reduce fatigue during…

Williams’ ultra-light carrier helps sick tots WILLIAMS Advanced Engineering, part of the championship-winning F1 team’s group of companies, has used racing technology to produce the new Babypod – a transport system for seriously ill newborns. The lightweight baby carrier (above) is crafted from carbon fibre and weighs just 9.1kg – but can withstand an impact of up to 20G in the event of an accident. The Babypod is currently being used by the acute transport service at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital, but there are plans to market it to the wider medical community. App upgrade to air suspension system AIR suspension is one of the ultimate car upgrades, and now the AirREX systems can be controlled via a smartphone app, allowing on-the-fly ride height and air pressure changes. The…

PRODUCT GROUP TEST 2 | 8 | 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. PREVENTION is always better than cure, so why worry about removing marks from seats and carpets in your car when you can stop stains before they develop with a protector spray? These clever products form a hydrophobic barrier over the fabric, which prevent stains from soaking in. Instead the marks sit on top, ready to be mopped up in a matter of seconds. We’ve put eight fabric protectors to the test to see which is the most effective. Gyeon Q2 Fabric Coat Price: £30.95 Size: 400ml Contact: www.cleanyourcar.co.uk Rating: BEST BUY MINOR packaging tweaks since…

James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor IT doesn’t happen very often, but Rolls-Royce has launched a brand new car: the eighth-generation Phantom. Where previous Rolls-Royces in recent years have been reliant on BMW underpinnings, the Phantom VIII sweeps in a new bespoke scalable platform. This will underpin every Rolls for the foreseeable future: the next Ghost saloon, Wraith coupé, Dawn drophead convertible and the Cullinan SUV. Compared with the outgoing model, the new Phantom is lighter but up to 30 per cent more rigid. There’s a new double-wishbone front axle and five-link rear axle with selflevelling air suspension and even fourwheel steering. In addition, a new piece of technology should make Rolls’ famous ‘Magic Carpet Ride’ even more floaty. The ‘Flagbearer’ set-up uses a stereo camera system, built into the windscreen, that scans the…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods SUZUKI has revealed the first official image of its next hot hatchback, the all-new Swift Sport, which will make its full debut at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Even though the company unveiled the new model, it’s keeping all of the key details under wraps for now, so we’ll have to wait for official word from Suzuki on confirmation of the powertrain, price and on-sale date. OFFICIAL However, the newcomer should stay true to the previous-generation car’s role of providing a junior hot hatch experience on a budget. It’ll serve as a rival for the likes of the upcoming 197bhp Ford Fiesta ST and Volkswagen Polo GTI, but undercut them on price. We expect the Swift Sport to sit broadly in line with the outgoing model in terms…

OFFICIAL FORD has revealed a host of updates for the revised 2018 Mustang, with performance hikes for both the 5.0-litre GT and 2.3-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost car. The Mustang’s 5.0-litre V8 has been tweaked to deliver an extra 25bhp, taking total power to 454bhp and 569Nm of torque. A new 10-speed automatic gearbox has also been fitted, along with a Drag Strip mode which allows the Mustang to hit 0-60mph in under four seconds. The four-cylinder EcoBoost model produces no extra power at 306bhp, but torque increases by 41Nm, to 474Nm. Ford claims it is capable of 0-60mph in less than five seconds. But the revisions are for US Mustangs only. Ford UK could not say if British cars would be updated. TVR is taking shape TEASER REBORN British sports car…

THE new BMW Z4 has been officially teased for the first time, with a single image on the brand’s Twitter feed and the tag line: “Find out what’s hiding in the dark on August 17th at Pebble Beach”. The new sports car will make its debut at the Concours d’Elegance in California as a concept, with the production model due in the second half of 2018. The picture shows a sleek drop-top body, long bonnet and targa-style bulkhead. This is interesting because all previous spy shots of the Audi TT rival have shown a folding fabric roof. It will remain a compact two-seat convertible, and could come with a range of turbo engines. The Z4 will go on sale next year, priced from around £30,000.…

SUMMER is now in full swing, and while most of us embrace the warmer weather, sunshine and a few weeks of holiday, this time of the year also comes with an unexpected road safety concern. New research by the AA found that councils across the UK are failing to keep up with maintaining growing grass, bushes and trees, which, as a result, are blocking drivers’ views of road signs and junctions. A poll of 16,000 drivers revealed 42 per cent could no longer see road signs because of overgrown shrubs and long grass, with other motorists complaining of overhanging trees blocking important traffic signs. The numbers are also up by nearly four per cent compared with last year, with the east of England having the highest increase in drivers reporting…

Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer IS there a bigger bane on our roads than potholes? With our streets ageing, they now number in millions – and authorities are falling way behind when it comes to keeping up with repairs. The current backlog goes back 14 years, and will cost over £12billion to clear. As a result, one in six roads may face closure if they’re not repaired in the next five years, and with diminishing council budgets, that’s easier said than done. But what if, rather than working towards repairing our current roads, councils bring the network up to a modern standard and ensure it’s no longer susceptible to potholes in the first place? As it turns out, a British start-up is working on the solution, by mixing recycled plastics to create stronger,…

Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan WITH a facelifted version of the Nissan Qashqai already in dealers, it’ll come as no surprise to see that its platform-sharing bigger brother, the X-Trail, has been given the same treatment. We’ve driven the refreshed Skoda Kodiaq rival for the first time to see whether the updates go far enough. It’ll be the Kodiaq (crowned Best Large SUV at our New Car Awards 2017) that will give the new X-Trail its biggest headache. But there’s more competition in both mainstream and premium sectors, with cars like the Hyundai Santa Fe, new Mazda CX-5 and Land Rover Discovery Sport all vying for your cash. Still, more than 750,000 X-Trails (including Rogue-badged US versions) found homes last year, making it, Nissan claims, the world’s most popular SUV. Clearly, there’s no…

Sam_Naylor@dennis.co.uk @SamNaylor_AE WE’RE used to thinking about plug-in hybrid cars as fuel-saving commuters, but the new Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid is actually the most powerful saloon car the brand has ever built. The range already features electric power in the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, but that uses a V6 engine; this new version is built around the Turbo model’s muscular V8. The electric motor is the same as the one in the 4 E-Hybrid, offering a 31-mile electric range, and adds an extra 134bhp to the Turbo’s already-potent 542bhp. Even with an extra 130kg of batteries, the S E-Hybrid is two-tenths faster than the petrol Turbo from 0-62mph, taking just 3.4 seconds. While it feels predictably rapid from launch, it’s actually in gear where the plug-in really impresses. It has…

VOLVO XC60 score 4.3 Sensus Navigation Standard Key features: Sat-nav, online services A NINE-inch tablet-style touchscreen portrait display is standard on the Volvo, while the upright layout means it’s intuitive to use. As it’s a touchscreen with no wheel to control functions, it can be a little more difficult to use on the move on occasion, but most of the time the interface is simple enough to navigate. There are lots of standard features, too, including the 12.3-inch TFT driver display which shows the sat-nav map. This is easily a match for the expensive upgraded systems offered on the Q5 and GLC. DAB radio and Bluetooth come on all three cars, but the Volvo also gets Spotify, so you can stream music easily from phones and other devices on the…

Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk @stevefowler MY relationship with the McLaren 570GT has been a bit up and down. And it’s definitely down at the moment as the car is back at McLaren HQ for the third time since April. When it’s on song, there are few cars that look better or go better, as our car proved when I took it to a track day organised by sister title evo. To say it was the star of the show is something of an understatement – there were other supercars there (including other McLarens), but the stunning good looks of my Volcano Orange 570GT outshone everything else, while its performance on the track was just as impressive. To be given a rare chance to go flat out in the McLaren was a complete joy.…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Easy way to track mileage I USE my car for business, so I have to keep track of my mileage for expenses claims. Is there an easy way to store a record of the journeys I do? David Rawlinson, E-mail A AUTONECT Prolink (above, www.autonect.com) is a neat solution to splitting work and personal journeys. It plugs into the onboard diagnostics port, connects via Bluetooth to an Android or iOS phone app and monitors every journey; you then tag them for mileage claims. It also monitors fuel use, driving style and faults with the car. Q Black bumper trim is grey THE black trim on my 15-year-old car has discoloured in places; it’s various shades of grey. A bumper shine gives a darker colour,…

Mini test NEW PRODUCT Prodrive Hummingbird Price: From £3,495 Weight: 6.9kg Contact: hummingbirdbike.com Rating: IT’S immediately obvious how light the Hummingbird is compared with rivals. As well as giving the bike fast, agile handling, this makes it easier to carry to the car. The solitary cog of our singlegear test model allowed us to turn the pedals easily at most speeds, whether cycling on the flat or climbing a hill, although a four-speed version is available at extra cost. Folding the Hummingbird takes seconds. However, this only puts it in a part-compact state. The front wheel, pedals and seatpost must then be removed to make it as small as possible. Even then, the Bromptons are still more compact and easier to fit into a car boot. Plus, as much as…

Dear Lawrence, I’m sick of my old car throwing up big bills, so I want a nearly new runabout that’s cheap to own and run. What will £6,000 get me? Paula Barnes, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs Contact: Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk THE VALUE CHOICE Suzuki Celerio FOR: Spacious, good value, economical AGAINST: Cheap cabin trim, drab styling SUZUKI prides itself on offering great value for money, and the Celerio is its cheapest model. Don’t judge a book by its cover, because behind the boxy, bland exterior lies a practical and well equipped small car. It’s decent to drive, with the best performance here, slick controls and impressive fuel economy. However, its budget roots are laid bare with some cheap cabin trim. In the classifieds was a 2017 Celerio SZ2 with just delivery mileage for £5,989.…

NOTICED how little our Government ministers say and do about motoring? Today’s trains, buses, bicycles, railways and airports they’re obsessed with. True, they have just promised to halt the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2040, but that’s all in the name of improving air quality in the future. Meanwhile present-day motorists’ needs are still left unanswered, which is unacceptable considering drivers contribute £150million a day to the HM Treasury coffers and rarely see a proper return on their investment. Perhaps we should at least be grateful that transport minister John Hayes has finally expressed interest in a motoring matter – motorway service areas. Great. So he’s going to outlaw the extortionate prices charged at the pumps and neighbouring shops and coffee bars? Er, no. Not a chance. Neither…