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▪ Striking Polestar 1 due in 2019, on subscription service James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods POLESTAR, the former performance subbrand of Volvo, has revealed its first standalone model, the Polestar 1. It goes into production in 2019, will be built exclusively at a new facility in China and will be available to markets worldwide, including the UK, but in left-hand drive only. The production-ready coupé has been unveiled alongside news of two further all-electric Polestar products in the pipeline: a Tesla Model 3-rivalling saloon and a larger SUV. These models will be called Polestar 2 and 3 respectively. The Polestar 1 is touted as an “Electric Performance Hybrid”. It makes use of a 338bhp 2.0-litre fourcylinder petrol engine powering the front wheels and a starter motor generator injecting an additional 39bhp, while a…

New special takes CR-V out in style HONDA has unveiled a run-out special edition of the current CR-V crossover before the new model arrives next year. The S Plus (above) starts at £23,500 with a 2.0-litre petrol engine, and has a front splitter and tailgate spoiler, cruise control, Bluetooth, a reversing camera and Honda’s Connect infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s also available as a diesel for £24,500, but is two-wheel drive only. New battery tech’s six-minute charge A “GAME-changing” electric car battery capable of a full recharge in just six minutes is due to appear in 2019. Japanese tech firm and lithium-ion battery manufacturer Toshiba has announced a new material capable of doubling a battery’s anode capacity – the electrode used to discharge and recharge the battery.…

SEAT has signed off its first car based on the VW Group’s all-electric MEB platform – and it’s coming earlier than expected. The brand’s first pure EV, due in 2019, is likely to be a version of the Mii city car. A larger model wasn’t expected until 2021 or 2022. But the firm’s R&D boss Dr Matthias Rabe (above) told Auto Express: “The first MEB car is now signed off. It will be here in 2020. We’ve had the freedom to create our own vehicle on that technology, and it’s a really attractive car – one that you’ll want to drive.”…

Head of Police Liaison at TRACKER www.tracker.co.uk PEOPLE aren’t the only victims of identity fraud; cars are frequently cloned by criminals who steal a car and give it a new identity copied from a similar make and model of vehicle already on the road. Last month, the Metropolitan Police tracked and recovered a 2013 Land Rover Discovery in Carshalton, south west London, that was on false plates, despite being stolen only a couple of hours earlier. If it hadn’t been intercepted, it’s likely the criminals would have replaced the VIN number on the dashboard and the chassis plate. This isn’t difficult to do if you have the know-how and the contacts to produce a cloned car. Unfortunately, cuts to policing by the Government mean the vast majority of police forces…

HOW WOULD YOU FARE IN THE NEW DRIVING TEST? With December bringing a hugely updated driving test, we asked three recently qualified motorists to try it and rate it. Here’s how they got on Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer CARS have come a long way in the past 20 years. Electrification is now no longer a niche, vehicles taking over steering, braking and even parking is commonplace, as are cabins crammed with screens and tech to get us around traffic and keep us entertained. One thing that hasn’t changed much in 20 years, though, is the practical part of the driving test: a learner who passed in 1997 would have faced a near-identical assessment to someone today. This is despite rising traffic levels and changes to road laws. But not for long. In…

Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan “6 Series Gran Turismo name helps it fit in with BMW’s push to offer greater range of high-end cars” HOW do you solve a problem like the old BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo? Pigeonholed as a more practical 5 Series with a hatchback bootlid and raised seating position, it struggled to find favour with British buyers – and many people cited its ungainly looks as the prime reason. Not one to give up, BMW has gone away and revised the formula for the nextgeneration model. As before, it borrows its platform architecture from the latest 5 and 7 Series, and it’s nearly the same length as the latter. But the car is also lower and wider than before, with a sloping roofline and steeply raked rear window aimed…

Sam_Naylor@dennis.co.uk @SamNaylor_AE “Thanks to the turbos, V8 is incredibly flexible and can be left in gear as you wind through a series of corners” WHILE McLaren is struggling in Formula One, its road car division goes from strength to strength. With the latest Sports Series models such as the 570S and 570GT being joined by the Super Series 720S model, and the P1 already enjoying iconic status, the brand is becoming a huge hitter at the top end of the car market. Now, McLaren is introducing the next Sports Series model into its range: the 570S Spider. It’s the company’s lowestpriced convertible, but at £164,750 it actually rivals cars at the very top of other brands’ ranges, including the Audi R8 V10 Spyder. It’s easy to tell where this convertible…

MODEL TESTED: Peugeot 5008 1.2 PureTech 130 GT Line PRICE: £28,195 ENGINE: 1.2-litre 3cyl, 129bhp THE 5008’s baby brother, the 3008, rose to the top of its class, so Peugeot will be hoping this model can pull off the same feat. Here we test a £28,195 1.2 PureTech 130 version in GT Line trim. DESIGN & ENGINEERING score 4L 4.2 THIS second-generation 5008 is radically different from its predecessor, with Peugeot repositioning the car as a full-sized seven-seat SUV, to meet the growing demand of buyers for off-roaders. As part of that transition the car has moved on to the scalable EMP2 platform that underpins the smaller 3008 and cars from sister brand Citroen, such as the Grand C4 Picasso MPV. The technology Peugeot offers in the 5008 is interesting.…

PEUGEOT 5008 score 4.1 Connected Nav Standard Key features: Smartphone tech, nav PEUGEOT’S 12.3-inch dash display and eight-inch touchscreen deliver plenty of tech. All models get these screens, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while GT Line trim features sat-nav with three years of Live updates. This adds features such as traffic info, local search and weather forecasts. Voice control is included, but the 5008’s piano key-style buttons are good to use. However, they also highlight one of the system’s shortcomings: although you can go directly to the climate screen, there are no physical controls to alter settings, so you have to come out of the nav or media displays. Given the set-up can sometimes lag, this can be frustrating, but you can still see the nav on…

Otis_Clay@dennis.co.uk Second opinion “The Prius is great for driving in town thanks to its smooth, quiet powertrain, but the grabby brakes take some getting used to. The small wheels on our car mean the low-speed ride is good, too.” Sam Naylor Senior reviewer ALL good things have to come to an end. That’s true of our time with the Toyota Prius, which has sadly left our fleet – but it’s also true for me, every morning. At 5:30am each day, my alarm goes off, and I’m forced to drag myself out of bed and end a good night’s sleep early. Even after years of doing it, I’ve never managed to get used to these crack of dawn starts – but for the past 12 months, it has been made a…

BMW 5 Series Issues 1,476, 1,493 Citroen C3 Issue 1,483 Ford Edge Issues 1,465, 1,477, 1,494 Honda Civic Issue 1,485 Kia Niro Issues 1,455, 1,467, 1,492 Mazda MX-5 RF Issues 1,484, 1,493 McLaren 570GT Issues 1,475, 1,484 Mercedes E 220 d Estate Issues 1,472, 1,488 Mitsubishi L200 Issues 1,452, 1,461, 1,482 Nissan Micra Issues 1,476, 1,494 Peugeot 3008 Issue 1,489 Renault Mégane Issues 1,473, 1,491 Subaru Outback Issues 1,462, 1,473 Suzuki Ignis Issues 1,479, 1,491 Toyota Prius Issues 1,447, 1,463, 1,474 Volkswagen up! Issues 1,470, 1,486 Volkswagen e-Golf Issue 1,490 Volvo S90 Issue 1,488…

A SOCKET set is at the heart of any DIY mechanic’s tool kit because, unlike tools which can be used around the home, it is pretty much car-specific. While a set is a workshop essential, what’s in it is far from universal, with makers having different ideas of the ideal combination of sockets, extensions and other accessories. AA engineer Rory Stockbridge tested three key sockets for size and strength, taking them to above the British Standard requirement. We also assessed the ratchet wrenches and checked the sockets and accessories, while balancing each set against price from online sources. WINNER Sealey AK7960 Price: £56.40 Contact: www.sealey.co.uk IT’S the really neat touches that take the eye with this 27-piece socket set from Sealy, rather than the vivid green case, which is a…

Got any car queries? Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Is it OK to upgrade bulbs? I BOUGHT a Ford Ranger Wildtrack and do a lot of night driving. But I don’t find the lights suitable on unlit roads and want to upgrade. I’ve been told fitting another set of bulbs will cause fault codes to appear. Is this true? Andrew Montgomery, E-mail A AS long as you replace the manufacturer’s bulbs with a set that matches the car maker’s fitment/size there shouldn’t be an issue. The Ranger’s main beams come in size H4 and you can use sites such as autobulbsdirect.co.uk to browse for the brightest suitable set of bulbs. Q Short-term cover query MY mother has been taken ill and I will need to drive her to the hospital for the…

▪ Three petrol and two diesel motors at launch ▪ Range of personalisation options as VW goes ‘emotional’ Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk @stevefowle AS far as safe bets go a small, Golfsized Volkswagen SUV has to be among the best. In fact, you might well wonder what took the company so long. VW, of course, has had plenty on its mind recently, but with the SUV bandwagon showing no signs of slowing, there’s still plenty of time to jump on. And jump on is what VW has done with the T-Roc, a car that’s also supposed to usher in a new level of emotion among the brand’s cars. Now your, our and VW’s definition of emotion will probably vary, but in this case it means a small SUV that features some cute design…

Special new BMW SUVs at the double BMW has added two new trims to its SUV line-up: the X5 Special Edition and X6 M Sport Edition (above). Both will be available in the UK from December. The X6 is finished in Long Beach blue with carbon fibre interior trim strips, which are exclusive to the M Sport Edition. The model is offered across all engine options on the X6, with the exception of the M50d. UK has world’s first Zero Emissions Zone OXFORD is set to introduce the world’s first Zero Emissions Zone (ZEZ) by banning petrol and diesel cars from its city centre from 2020. The plan – a joint proposal by the city council and Oxfordshire county council – is to ban conventional fuel vehicles in parts of…

LEXUS has announced prices for the updated CT 200h, and the hybrid hatch (above) starts from £23,495. That buys an SE model, which gets 16-inch alloys, a seven-inch touchscreen and a reversing camera as standard. For another £1,500, the SE Plus Pack features bigger wheels, extra safety kit and sat-nav. Topping the range is the £31,245 F Sport Premier Pack, with leather, LED headlights, keyless entry and a 13-speaker Mark Levinson stereo. The CT is available to order now.…

▪ Law requires cooling off period ▪ Cars can be returned in 14 days Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer “A growing number of car manufacturers are looking to establish digital dealerships where cars are bought online” CAR buyers who purchase their vehicle online will have up to two weeks to decide if they like the vehicle before they can hand it back with no questions asked, thanks to a set of consumer laws relating to goods purchased online. The revelation comes as a growing number of manufacturers look to establish digital dealerships where cars can be ordered and bought entirely online. Speaking to Auto Express, Marcus Hodgkinson, founder of Sophus3, a web analytics firm working with many of the UK’s car manufacturers, said: “BMW already has a digital avenue in place, and Vauxhall…

It’s time for tighter drinkdrive laws – and greater resources to enforce them A LOT has changed in 50 years. Political regimes that dominated nearly half the world have crumbled, borders have moved and technology has developed in ways we simply couldn’t have imaged in 1967. But some things stay the same. Like drink-driving limits in the UK. The limit of 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood was introduced in October 1967, and remains in place today, apart from in Scotland, where lower limits have been brought in. This is odd, considering other laws have kept up with the times. Mobile phone use behind the wheel comes with double the penalties it did a few years ago. It’s illegal to smoke in the car with passengers under 18. Drug…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress Write to: Watchdog/Letters, Auto Express, Dennis Publishing, 31-32 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7DP HOT TOPIC Rolls-Royce Phantom FROM: Gregory Ford ROLLS-ROYCE is one of those car makers that’s in a league of its own. It is the benchmark other luxury cars are compared to. The engineering and attention to detail are like no other. The new Phantom is a fitting continuation of the tradition. FROM: Will Laurie I’M a little disappointed by the styling. I was hoping for a more modern take on the looks, because the new model appears similar to a Phantom from 2006. It looks more like a facelift. That said, I have no doubt that Rolls won’t have trouble selling it. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ▪ “There’s seemingly endless choice for customisation, which…

Visit autoexpress.co.uk for the latest new cars and drives John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.8 seconds/113mph Running costs 57.6mpg (official) £44 fill-up IT’S rush hour for new small SUVs at the moment. We’ve recently sampled the Citroen C3 Aircross and the Kia Stonic; now it’s time to try the SEAT Arona, the first offering in this burgeoning market from the colossus that is the Volkswagen Group. The Arona is, in effect, an SUV version of the latest Ibiza, because it shares a lot of the supermini’s mechanicals. Chief among these is the chassis, which is the A0 version of the VW Group’s MQB platform technology. The Arona is a larger vehicle, though – nearly 10cm longer overall and with a couple of extra millimetres in its wheelbase. Its roofline sits…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @Jimmybrods THIS has been a big year for the Skoda Octavia. The Czech sister model to the Volkswagen Golf and SEAT Leon won Estate Car of the Year at our 2017 New Car Awards, and it’s also been on the receiving end of a facelift, introducing a minor design refresh, new technology and also new engines. It’s out with the 1.4-litre TSI four-cylinder petrol, and in with the VW Group’s latest 1.5-litre unit. The 148bhp power figure is the same as before, as is the 250Nm of torque. But performance has increased on paper; the car is now three tenths faster from 0-62mph, taking eight seconds, and the top speed increases slightly to 136mph. However, the new 1.5-litre engine’s real party trick is the additional refinement and fuel economy…

MODEL TESTED: Nissan X-Trail DIG-T 163 N-Connecta 7 Seat PRICE: £29,350 ENGINE: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 161bhp AFTER making some subtle updates to the X-Trail range, Nissan is hoping that its sevenseat family 4x4 can still take the fight to newcomers such as the 5008 and existing models like the Kodiaq in this ever-expanding sector. Priced from £29,350 in N-Connecta trim (although our pictures show a Tekna) with this 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine, the Nissan has power on its side. But is this enough? DESIGN & ENGINEERING score 4L 3.7 BACK in 2013 Nissan repositioned the X-Trail as a more stylish SUV choice compared with its utilitarian predecessors. That change in philosophy for the car wasn’t as great as the more radical redesign for the 5008, but nevertheless Nissan was arguably one…

PEUGEOT 1st PEUGEOT’S 5008 has aped the successful recipe of the 3008, adding seating for seven. In this spec it’s more affordable, better equipped and more comfortable than the Kodiaq, and while it’s not quite as good to drive, it’ll be cost-effective to run. Lots of tech and practicality combine with an attractive list price (including PCP) to make this downsized large petrol SUV a likeable choice. SKODA 2nd SKODA’S Kodiaq is still the choice for keener drivers. The responsive engine and positive gearbox are good, but the Skoda is still composed and relatively comfortable. It mixes this with usability and tech – although some items are optional on SE trim. With all manual models getting 4x4, CO2 emissions are higher, but the performance benefits aren’t that great over the…

James_Disdale@dennis.co.uk “The Boxer engine layout means a low centre of gravity, resulting in impressive handling” SOME cars you can get the measure of pretty quickly. Then there are those like our Subaru Outback, which requires a little bit more time and familiarity to really get under their skin. The rugged estate lacks the glitzy appeal of models such as the Audi A4 Allroad, but get to know the Subaru and you’ll find that its many hidden talents run deep. It starts with the engine. While all its major rivals stick to the tried-and-tested in-line arrangement, Subaru has kept the faith with its flat-four ‘boxer’ design. At 148bhp the 2.0-litre lags behind the best for power, but its unique layout means the Outback has a surprisingly low centre of gravity, resulting…

products@autoexpress.co.uk @AE_Consumer WANT the best tech and accessories for your car? We’re here to help. The second instalment of our Product Awards 2017 recognises the finest kit we’ve tested over the past year, following our car care awards in Issue 1,478. This time our focus turns to gadgets, tools, electronics and safety items like wipers and headlight bulbs. Our team of experts has tested more than 120 products to sort the Best Buys from the overpriced and under-achievers, allowing you to shop with confidence when you want to upgrade the gear in your car. 126 products tested…

HONDA will give the new NSX GT3 race car its competitive debut at the FIA GT World Cup race in Macau, China, next month. Dutchman Renger van der Zande has been selected to drive the entry, which will be run by Italian team JAS Motorsport, Honda’s long-time works racing partner. “To be able to drive for Honda at Macau is an incredible opportunity for me,” he said. “This is the perfect place to showcase a car like this; the circuit has everything, and with my experience of racing there eight times, I’m sure we can put on a good show for Honda and for the fans.” The entry is intended to promote sales of the car to potential customer teams in Europe, the Middle East and Asia ahead of the…

▪ Exclusive images give away secrets of storming new super SUV ▪ Promises class-leading driving dynamics, V8 power and 4WD Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn JAGUAR Land Rover’s recent commitment to adding an electrified powertrain to every new model launched from 2020 doesn’t appear to be coming at the expense of raw performance. The Jaguar F-Pace SVR will be the next model to emerge from JLR’s Special Vehicle Operations division (SVO), and it’ll be one of the most powerful SUVs the British brand has ever produced. Auto Express understands that the car – previewed in our exclusive images – will make its global debut at next year’s New York Motor Show, before going on sale in the UK towards the end of 2018. Priced from around £70,000, it’ll become the most powerful and…

▪ British firm launches new flagship open-top grand tourer without a V12 ▪ Fabric roof and a host of personalisation options are available Dan_Smith@dennis.co.uk ASTON Martin has revealed the new DB11 Volante, a convertible version of its flagship sports car. First customers will take delivery of the soft-top during the first quarter of next year. The convertible shares the same bonded aluminium structure that also underpins the DB11 coupé, but it comes exclusively with the 503bhp 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8; there’s no V12 Volante available. Power is fed to the rear axle, which features a limited-slip differential, through an eight-speed paddle-shift automatic gearbox. Aston Martin has opted for a traditional fabric roof, which is made up of eight layers, rather than a complex folding metal arrangement. The hood takes 14 seconds…

James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor A PAIR of very different new SUVs take top billing this week. You can see both at youtube.com/Autoexpress. Our verdict on the Volkswagen T-Roc YOU’VE read editor-in-chief Steve Fowler’s first drive of the new VW T-Roc (Page 8); now watch the video. The T-Roc is an important new addition to VW’s SUV line-up. Tasked with appealing to younger buyers, it’s a different kind of car compared with the Tiguan and Touareg SUVs – but it still uses familiar engines and tech. Head over to our YouTube channel to see Steve’s video. Exclusive preview of new Range Rover WITH the new Velar stealing the limelight, the ‘big daddy’ Range Rover was looking a little tired. Now Land Rover has updated it with new technology, styling and a plug-in hybrid…

THE following provide help with motoring problems. Some services are free, others charge a fee or operate on premium-rate lines (p), while some offer advice for members only (m). Legal AA: 0345 850 1130 (m) RAC: 0330 159 1446 (m) Which?: 01992 878329 Citizens Advice Consumer helpline: 03454 040506 Local Trading Standards Local Citizens Advice Bureau Used car inspections AA: 0800 056 8040 RAC: 0330 159 0720 Technical advice AA: 0370 142 0002 (m) Driving licences DVLA: 0300 790 6801 Car registration/history HPI: 01722 422422 AA: 0800 316 3564 DVLA: 0300 790 6802 RAC: 0330 159 0364 Traffic information AA: 0906 888 4322 RAC: 09003 444999 (p) Problems with dealers The Motor Ombudsman: 0345 241 3008 Consumer Ombudsman: www.consumerombudsman.org RMIF: 0845 305 4230 Scottish Motor Trade Association: 0131 331 5510…

Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram “The X3 shares much of its interior layout and tech with the 5 Series, as well as its high-quality finish” LAUNCHED in 2003, the BMW X3 laid claim as one of the world’s first midsize premium SUVs. It’s a market that has since exploded – with rivals like the Audi Q5, Volvo XC60 and Mercedes GLC muscling in on a highly competitive segment. All three of the X3’s main rivals have been launched, revised or replaced in the past two years, however, which left the ageing second-generation BMW feeling a little long in the tooth. But now there’s an all-new model, with a new platform, new engine and new tech – and there’s an all-electric variant on the way, too. Our first taste of the new X3 comes…

Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan THE new Nissan Qashqai-rivalling Grandland X has now taken its place as the staple SUV offering in Vauxhall’s line-up. And with the PSA Peugeot- Citroen takeover of Opel and Vauxhall, the previously planned large SUV appears to be facing an uncertain future. So, for the time being, if you want a large family car with a raised ride height and a bit of off-road ability from Vauxhall, your sole option will be this: the Insignia Country Tourer. We’re driving it for the first time to see if it makes a viable alternative to full-size SUVs such as the Skoda Kodiaq (tested on Page 42). The previous Country Tourer was never a very big seller in the UK, but Vauxhall is keen to give it another go. As well…

MODEL TESTED: Skoda Kodiaq 1.4 TSI 4x4 SE 7 Seat PRICE: £27,235 ENGINE: 1.4-litre 4cyl, 148bhp UP to now, the diesel-powered Skoda Kodiaq has fended off all challenges from newer seven-seat 4x4s, retaining its crown as our Best Large SUV. However, here it’s tested in 1.4 TSI form, costing from £27,235 in mid-spec SE trim. DESIGN & ENGINEERING score 4L 4.2 AS with its two rivals here, the Skoda is underpinned by a modular platform, allowing the architecture to be scaled depending on the size of the car. The Kodiaq is the largest model based on the VW Group’s MQB platform, making this a thoroughly modern SUV. Under the bonnet there’s some advanced engineering to reinforce this, because it uses Skoda’s 148bhp 1.4-litre TSI four-cylinder turbo petrol engine. This features…

Renault Koleos dCi 130 Dynamique S Nav PRICE: £27,500 ENGINE: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 128bhp THE Koleos is a smart five-seat SUV, scaling up the recipe that won the smaller Kadjar praise. However, unlike its little brother, you can only get this car with a diesel engine, so if petrol power is a must, you might have to look elsewhere. Citroen G. C4 Picasso 1.2 PureTech 130 Flair PRICE: £26,815 ENGINE: 1.2-litre 3cyl, 128bhp IF you need seven seats but style isn’t so important to you, our favourite MPV, the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso, is definitely worth a look. It’s even more versatile than these SUVs, and in Flair trim gets a great level of kit, and you’ll save some cash, too.…

41st PLACE 2017 Results BMW 1 Series Factfile Years: 2011 to present CO2: 94g/km Fuel economy: 78.5mpg (116d SE) Best options: Sat-nav, active cruise control, park assist, adaptive lights, wireless phone charging Prices: From £6,295 GOOD “FOR a small family hatch, there’s plenty of power from the 1.5-litre diesel and it’s very good to drive.” “The ZF eight-speed auto gearbox is super slick; it’s well timed, too.” “No matter what the years have done to my frame, I still find the driver’s seat supportive and comfortable.” “I like the interior layout; all of the buttons are logically placed and I never have any trouble finding the right ones.” “My car handles brilliantly; there are sports cars that struggle to keep up with me around the twists.” NOT SO GOOD “THE…

Join the debate now... www.autoexpress.co.uk/opinion Motoring’s most outspoken and opinionated columnist sounds off MY heart says Sir Stirling Moss is Britain’s greatest-ever Formula One driver. But my head knows that it’s Lewis Hamilton – by a considerable margin. Around 160 Brits have competed in F1 over more than half a century, yet Lewis has already earned a quarter of the British wins. But he’s nearing retirement. And despite Britain’s proud record as the most represented country in the sport, F1 could soon be wholly absent of UK drivers. There are young guns waiting in the wings, but their entry into the top level of motorsport is uncertain as is their future success. And there are more important headaches for F1 because it’s not relevant, exciting, affordable or inclusive enough. Making…