Innholdsfortegnelse for 1559 i Auto Express

Deputy editor, Auto Express ON paper, the announcement is pretty much confined to commercial vehicles. Ford has renowned expertise in this area, with the successful Transit, and VW wants to tap into that to boost the fortunes (and profits) of its vans. The big news is what Ford could get in return: access to VW’s MEB pure-electric architecture. Assuming the Golf-sized model is as small as MEB will go, that would still give Ford a potential route to a Focus EV equivalent and at least one or two electric SUVs. Of course, building more models on the MEB platform would help VW to increase its own economies of scale, fast-tracking potential cost savings that will allow it to offer EVs at ever-keener prices. It’s potentially a win-win deal for both…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods MG’S revival is well under way following record sales in 2018, and there’s an all-new flagship SUV on the horizon. The firm’s Nissan Qashqai rival has been spied testing in right-hand-drive form for the first time, and it will be in showrooms later in the year. Called the HS in China, the crossover was launched there last August as a new C-segment SUV offering from the Chinese-owned marque. It’s unknown if the British version will adopt the same name. But it’s expected that the new model will act as a replacement for the existing GS, which will be removed from sale just four years into its lifespan when the HS arrives in UK dealers. The final design is based heavily on the X-Motion concept that was revealed at…

VOLVO is planning to make its car leasing services even more flexible later this year – potentially allowing customers to ‘opt out’ of a contract or switch vehicles after as little as three months. The Swedish brand’s Care by Volvo scheme rolls in servicing, maintenance and insurance alongside the vehicle lease, although its minimum period is two years. But Volvo UK boss Jon Wakefield told Auto Express: “Later this year we’ll be launching a product that has the full flexibility we’ve been striving to achieve. So, in effect, after three months you’ll be able to take yourself out of the contract. It comes with a fee, but it won’t be as much as settling the balance on the vehicle, for example. It should make it much easier to jump into…

Pass rates: TOP FIVE Honda Jazz (96.32 per cent pass rate) Porsche 911 (95.93 per cent pass rate) Toyota iQ (94.49 per cent pass rate) Mazda MX-5 (94.42 per cent pass rate) Porsche Boxster (94.4 per cent pass rate) BOTTOM FIVE Vauxhall Combo (74.15 per cent pass rate) Renault Mégane (77.47 per cent pass rate) Renault Kangoo (77.61 per cent pass rate) Citroen Dispatch (77.79 per cent pass rate) Ford Transit (77.95 per cent pass rate) Makers: TOP FIVE Honda (93.77 per cent pass rate) Porsche (93.18 per cent pass rate) Subaru (92.84 per cent pass rate) Lexus (92.61 per cent pass rate) Smart (92.42 per cent pass rate) BOTTOM FIVE Chrysler (80.14 per cent pass rate) Chevrolet (82.24 per cent pass rate) Renault (82.45 per cent pass rate) Citroen…

Hugo_Griffiths@dennis.co.uk @hugo_griffiths “The 4x4 [above] has a 280mm suspension travel limit; the rear-drive buggy is achieving 400mm”BERNARD LINDAUER X-raid technical director (below, right) LE Mans, the Isle of Man TT, the Indy 500 – some motorsport events truly capture the imagination, holding an almost mythological status among participants and spectators alike. And the most extreme, longest and arguably most exciting race going is the Dakar rally. Now in its 41st year, the Dakar remains as gruelling as ever, but it hasn’t all been plain sailing; there have been some concerns organisers couldn’t ignore. In 2008, the event was cancelled due to security concerns, and the rally moved from Africa to South America the following year. The name remains unchanged, however, and the excitement unparalleled. We’ve flown to Peru with MINI,…

Running costs 36.2mpg (official) £60 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.1 seconds/155mph mail@autoexpress.co.uk “Your only engine option is the full-beans 271bhp 2.0-litre turbo found in the i30 N Performance hatch” FIRST came the i30 N hot hatchback. Engineered and developed for Hyundai by an ex-BMW M Division engineer, it was an impressively accomplished first attempt at a genuinely sporting family car. Now, though, there’s a Fastback version and, as we’ll discover, it’s a shining effort as well. Priced at £29,995 (£500 more than the hatch) and using the same fundamental underpinnings as the 271bhp i30 N that made its debut to such acclaim in 2017, the Fastback N is actually the third car from Hyundai’s new N Division, although the second, the Veloster N, isn’t sold in Europe. Even in the…

Running costs 46.9mpg (on test) £52 fill-up/£140 or 27% tax Practicality Boot capacity 480 litres Performance 0-60mph/top speed 6.6 seconds/149mph Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 44.5/32.2/9.6m MODEL TESTED: BMW320d M Sport auto PRICE: £38,200 ENGINE: 2.0-litre4cyl, 187bhp WITH this new seventh-generation G20 3 Series, BMW has gone back to the drawing board, fitting an all-new platform, new engine tech, improved chassis sophistication and even more infotainment innovations. Let’s see how the car fares in £38,200 320d M Sport trim with the sport automatic gearbox. Design & engineering AS with BMW’s larger saloons and SUVs, this new 3 Series is now based on the CLAR architecture. As a result, there’s a weight saving of up to 55kg and as much as a 50 per cent improvement in torsional rigidity. The 3 Series uses a…

Which trim level might suit you? THE C 220 d model is available in SE, Sport and AMG Line specifications. Put down a £4,000 deposit and you’ll pay £447 per month on this car, based on a three-year PCP contract limited to 10,000 miles per year (with a £2,113 deposit contribution). SE cars are well equipped, coming with satellite navigation, a 10.25-inch screen, heated seats, cruise and climate control, AEB and a reversing camera. The mid-spec Sport version includes lowered suspension, LED headlights and sports seats, and costs £474 a month. AMG Line trim is an identical £474 a month, so you might as well move up. It brings 18-inch alloys, sports suspension, different brakes and a sportier interior. But SE features all the kit you’re likely to want as…

BMW 3 Series Live Cockpit Professional Standard Key features: Sat-nav, connectivity BMW’S Live Cockpit Professional package is standard on the M Sport 3 Series, bringing a 12.3-inch digital dash display and a 10.25-inch central touchscreen that can also be operated by the rotary iDrive wheel. This is still the best way to use the set-up on the move. It’s packed with features and easily has the measure of its rivals’ systems for ease of use, functionality and responsiveness. CarPlay is standard (the BMW loses marks for lacking Android Auto capability), while nav, traffic info and other connected services are included. Gesture control (no more than a gimmick), wireless charging and a WiFi hotspot are part of the £1,800 Technology Package, but it’s not necessary; the standard voice-activated BMW Personal Assistant…

Running costs 38.6mpg (on test) £48 fill-up/£140 or 23% tax Performance 0-60mph/top speed 9.6seconds/124mph Practicality Boot(seats up/down) 351/1,125 litres Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 46.0/33.6/9.6m WITH its transformation into this larger and more mature sixth generation, the VW Polo came of age. That’s thanks to a transfer to a new platform, called MQB A0 – similar tech to that underpinning the Golf, but down scaled slightly. It means the Polo shares its engines with its bigger brother, and it’s the 113bhp 1.0-litre turbo charged three-cylinder we’re testing (a cheaper, manual-only 94bhp model is also available). The TSI is a good performer. Smooth, torquey and refined, it propelled the Polo from 0-60mph in 9.6 seconds. While this was 0.8 seconds down on the Golf, these models aren’t defined by their performance; as long as…

How much will it cost you? THIS 1.5-litre TSI 130 engine is a popular unit, given its blend of performance and economy, and is therefore available from SE trim and above. In the five-door Match specification we’re testing, based on a 10 per cent deposit (£2,366) on a three-year PCP contract limited to 10,000 miles per year, the Golf will set you back a relatively reasonable £327 per month. Given the kit you get, at this price the Golf is an affordable car that should offer everything a buyer weighing up these two models is looking for. While the Polo is undoubtedly a great supermini that is now larger and therefore more practical and more usable than ever before–even encroaching on the Golf’s territory slightly in some areas of operation…

Pete_Baiden@dennis.co.uk WHAT is the ultimate test of a family car? For me, it’s the ability to travel long distances in relative comfort, while also swallowing a large amount of luggage. To see if our Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross fulfils that brief, I travelled more than 2,000 miles during the holidays to Wrocław, in south-west Poland, and back. Getting there meant driving through France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, before crossing into Poland. It’s a total journey time of almost 14 hours not counting stops, but the car performed well on the smooth Continental roads. The 1.5-litre petrol engine has felt more than powerful enough during my time with the SUV, but I was wondering how it would fare on the Autobahn. I needn’t have worried because the Eclipse Cross easily coped…

New track-inspired watches at the double OMOLOGATO is paying homage to two historic race circuits with its new Zandvoort and Kyalami watches, using a black and traditional Dutch orange colour scheme (above, left) and South Africa’s green and red respectively. Both watches feature tough sapphire glass and are the first products from the brand to use a Seiko movement – for a sweeping, rather than ticking, second hand. They join Omologato’s line-up of race-inspired watches, at £500 each. See www.omologatowatches.co.uk for more. JLR auto opening door brings mobility boost JAGUAR Land Rover has developed a new mobility aid: a car door that opens and closes for the driver as they approach. Still in prototype phase, the system can also operate via gesture control, and uses motion sensors as well as the car’s…

PRODUCT GROUP TEST 23|1|2019 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 WORKING on cars is inevitably a seriously messy task with oil, grease and road grime all finding their way onto your hands. To shift ground-in filth it’s best to invest in a specialist heavy-duty hand cleaner; relying on soap and lots of scrubbing with a nail brush is hard on the skin, and often nowhere near as effective as a cleaner designed to tackle typical car grime. So which is the one to clean your mitts when the job is done and tools are cleared away? We got down and dirty with eight to find out. How we tested…

Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk THE 2019 World Rally Championship bursts into life this weekend in the mountains around Monte Carlo, with some major moves on the driver market having taken place over the winter months. The biggest change is the reigning champion Sebastien Ogier joining Citroen from M-Sport, the team where he scored his two most recent drivers’ titles. He’s joined there by fast young Finn Esapekka Lappi, who makes the move from Toyota. Ogier says he doesn’t want team orders at Citroen, while Lappi believes the C3 WRC has the potential to be the fastest car on the stages in 2019, despite the brand struggling for competitiveness in recent seasons. Heading in the opposite direction to Lappi is Kris Meeke, who was dramatically dropped by Citroen mid-way through 2018, but found a…

● Newcomer will be first Audi built on VW Group’s MEB EV platform ● Dimensions similar to Q3, but interior space on par with larger Q5 James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods AUDI will waste little time in adding a third electric car to its line-up by previewing a new addition to the e-tron family at the Geneva Motor Show in March. As with the e-tron GT revealed at the Los Angeles Motor Show at the end of 2018, the next all-electric Audi show car will be another close-to-production concept, intended to send a strong signal as to where the brand sees the electric car arms race turning to next: small SUVs. While the full-size e-tron SUV joins the Tesla Model X and Jaguar I-Pace, and will soon take on competition from Mercedes and…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn THE automotive calendar traditionally kicks off with the Detroit Motor Show, but 2019 will be the last time. From next year the event will be held in June because the bright lights of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas continue to attract car makers’ attention, which has left the show halls in Motor City looking rather bare. Big American SUVs and lots of performance have long been the themes at Detroit, and this year was no different. The show was dominated by homegrown brands, such as Ford and General Motors, which both unveiled a wealth of new metal – most of which is never likely to come to the UK. But the two big US car firms were making headlines away from the show, too; both…

James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor Videowatch WE drive the new Hyundai i30 Fastback N and take a look at BMW’s latest 7 Series. See both videos at youtube.com/Autoexpress. Video verdict on hot i30 Fastback N coupé IT was only a matter of time before Hyundai added to its N range. But the new i30 Fastback N isn’t just a five-door coupé version of the i30 N hatchback. It only comes in 271bhp form and has improvements over the regular car. Read Steve Sutcliffe’s drive on Page 30, then be sure to tune into his video. Take a look around the updated 7 Series LAST week we showed you pictures of the new BMW 7 Series. ‘New’ is putting it a bit strongly, because it’s a facelift, but it’s still a pretty big update. There…

Contact Tristan Shale-Hester mail@autoexpress.co.uk AutoExpress Write to: Watchdog/Letters, Auto Express, Dennis Publishing Ltd, 31-32 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7DP HOT TOPIC Paying for new roads FROM: James Stothard ALL taxpayers pay for the UK’s roads, not just motorists. There’s no such thing as road tax. Vehicle Excise Duty is a tax on tailpipe CO2 emissions. There is no fee to use roads, with the exception of tolls, and there never has been. FROM: Riccardo G-B IF pedestrians, cyclists and public transport are given priority, they should pay for roads building and maintenance. Drivers are paying hundreds of pounds every year and getting less and less. It’s about time we took a stand on this issue. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “The people behind these proposals clearly don’t have to…

Running costs 49.2mpg (official) £60 fill-up John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy THE Toyota RAV4 may be a modest seller in the UK, but back in 2017, before the firm started phasing out the last generation, it was the fourth best-selling car on the planet. Over the 25 years since the original RAV4 made its debut, though, a plethora of similar vehicles has arrived – to the point where Toyota’s offering has risked becoming ‘just another SUV’, swamped by dozens of rivals. So for this fifth generation, Toyota has ripped up its rulebook on conservative styling and come up with a sharp-edged creation that should stand out a mile when compared with the likes of the Hyundai Tucson or the Volkswagen Tiguan. This individuality doesn’t stop at the styling, either, because in the UK…

Running costs 34.9mpg (official) £66 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 5.2 seconds/155mph James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods THIS year marks two decades of the Audi TT in Britain, and these shores have become a second home for the stylish German sports car. More than 142,000 of the 600,000 TTs sold globally across its 20-year lifespan and three generations have found a home in the UK. Brits clearly love this car. Coinciding with the TT’s 20th anniversary is a facelift for the Mk3 model. The changes make the car look more aggressive, and while Audi has also added new tech and kit, there’s been a reshuffle under the bonnet, too. The base car, now badged TT 40 TFSI under the brand’s rather convoluted new naming system, swaps out its 1.8-litre turbo engine for a new…

Which trim level might suit you? WITH a £4,000 deposit on a three-year PCP deal limited to 30,000 miles in total, the entry-level SE will cost £498 per month, helped by a £1,049 deposit contribution. This model gets adaptive LED headlights, automatic emergency braking, climate and cruise control, sat-nav and Apple CarPlay. Also included are heated seats, parking sensors, DAB and a reversing camera – pretty much everything you’d need. Stepping up to Sport trim adds 18-inch alloys, leather and some different exterior trim for £599 per month (plus a £1,071 contribution). Meanwhile, the M Sport brings different body styling, as well as Live Cockpit Professional, including a digital dash, for £591 per month (£2,824 contribution). However, we’d stick with SE spec for the best bang for your buck. Our…

Running costs 45.3mpg (on test) £73 fill-up/£140 or 33% tax Practicality Boot capacity 455 litres Performance 0-60mph/top speed 8.2 seconds/140mph Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 48.0/34.4/9.0m MODEL TESTED: Jaguar XE 20d R-Sport auto PRICE: £36,815 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 178bhp THE Jaguar XE shot to the top of its class when it arrived in 2015, and it stayed there until last year, when Mercedes’ updated C-Class took its crown. Our images show a Portfolio-spec car, but how does the XE 20d R-Sport fare against the new BMW 3 Series? Design & engineering IN 2018 Jaguar introduced a number of small updates to the XE range, and while it wasn’t a full-blown facelift, the new model features the company’s latest 10-inch In Control infotainment system and extra safety technology. It retained the 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel…

Figures Results 1st BMW THE 3 Series is king of the compact executive class. It sets a new benchmark for handling, but balances this with comfort and refinement. It’ll also be cheaper to run, boasts more practicality and an updated interior and infotainment that cement its first place finish. In almost every area the BMW betters its rivals, with advanced tech keeping up with buyers’ demands in this market. 2nd MERCEDES THE C-Class drops to second place. It’s still a solid all-rounder with a strong interior, plenty of updated technology, decent performance and good fuel economy – but it drops behind the BMW when it comes to ride, refinement and agility. The Mercedes is still comfortable enough and well equipped, but it’s also pricier, not as good to drive and…

How much will it cost you? PCP finance is the means by which the Polo and Golf can be considered in the same conversation. Of course, deals can be manipulated depending on your deposit or how much you want to pay per month, but with a 10 per cent deposit on each (that means £2,080 in the Polo’s case – with VW also throwing in £1,000), you’ll pay £310 per month. For a car close to the top of its class this is affordable and is cheaper than the Golf, but it’s not quite that simple. While R-Line trim gets a solid level of kit, there are models in the line-up that offer nearly as much but are more affordable still – and more comfortable. Still, the level of connectivity…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Shelf life of car care kit HOW long should normal car wash and wax products last if stored correctly? I have some Autoglym from 2013. Is it still okay to use? Keith Partridge, E-mail A AUTOGLYM says most of its products exceed its guaranteed shelf life of two years. Beyond that, it claims there should be no detrimental effect – although there is a chance the treatment may not be performing 100 per cent as it did when new. If you are still concerned, E-mail enquiries@autoglym.com and it can track the batch and check against the one it keeps. Q Tyre speed rating query I CAN only find H-rated versions of the tyre I want to change to. My car has V-rated rubber at…

JUST when you thought you’d seen every variation on the work light theme, NightSearcher produces the i-Spector 1000. There’s no wafer-thin blade of LEDs here, but rather a design more akin to a regular torch. NightSearcher calls it a wide-area work light, thanks to its 360-degree output. So how does it compare with our current pick of the new blade inspection lamps, the Sealey LED180? We rated light output, mounting options and features like power-saving modes and battery state indicators, plus prices from makers and online sources. Sealey hangs on to its crown here with its great balance of performance and price, but the i-Spector is a top-quality bit of kit that’s worth a look if you need to light a lock-up garage or workspace without mains power. “We rated…

MAHINDRA Racing’s Jerome D’Ambrosio is at the top of the points table heading into the third round of the FIA Formula E championship in Chile this weekend. The Belgian won last time out in Morocco and this, combined with his podium finish in the Saudi Arabian season opener, gives him a 12-point advantage over BMW i Andretti’s Antonio Felix da Costa and DS Techeetah’s Jean-Eric Vergne, who are tied in second position on 28 points each. Taking place around the streets of the South American nation’s capital, Santiago de Chile, this year’s ‘e-Prix’ is the second time the electric single-seaters have visited, but marks the debut in the country of the 2018-19 season’s all-new second-generation car. The race will be broadcast live for UK viewers on the BBC iPlayer service.…

New special Discovery marks 30th birthday TO mark 30 years of the Land Rover Discovery, the British firm has launched a limited-run Anniversary Edition. Based on the Discovery Sd6 SE, the newcomer (above) will be built only for the UK market and limited to 400 units. It features 22-inch alloys, a fixed panoramic glass roof, rear privacy glass, a 380W Meridian stereo and a choice of four metallic paint colours. The only engine option is the 302bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel. It’s on sale now, from £59,995. Stats show grey is new black for car buyers GREY has become the most popular paint colour for new cars for the first time since records began. Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show 495,127 new grey cars were registered…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy VOLVO will launch a ‘pseudo-SUV’ as an indirect successor to the existing V40 hatch, the company’s European boss has revealed. The Golf rival should be the next new Volvo to appear as the firm completes its 40, 60 and 90 line-ups, and builds on record sales in 2018 of more than 600,000 units. But Lex Kerssemakers, Volvo’s senior vice-president for Europe, told Auto Express that the need for electrification and customer trends would probably rule out a conventional low-slung hatchback replacement for the V40. “We need to do something more creative,” Kerssemakers said. “That’s why we have decided to not just replace the V40 on a one-to-one basis. The high seating position is really an issue, and we see a lot of people moving from a V40 into…

Hugo_Griffiths@dennis.co.uk @hugo_griffiths A TREASURE trove of MoT test data has been released by the Government which reveals the cars most – and least – likely to pass the annual roadworthiness exam. Taking the top spot for the model most likely to make the grade is the humble Honda Jazz (96.32 per cent pass rate), followed by the desirable Porsche 911 (95.93 per cent), with the diminutive Toyota iQ (94.49 per cent) snatching bronze. The Mazda MX-5 and Porsche Boxster round out the top five. And the least likely vehicles to pass their MoTs? Four of the bottom five are vans, a statistic likely to speak volumes about the harsh lives and high mileages that commercial vehicles experience. The Vauxhall Combo van posted the lowest pass rate (74.15 per cent), followed…

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.consumer-ombudsman.org RMIF: 0845 305 4230 Scottish Motor Trade Assoc. 0131 331 5510…

Running costs 40mpg (est) £60 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 5.6 seconds/162mph Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @AxleIngram MOTORSPORT tie-ins are common in the performance car world. Some have worked better than others: the brilliant Mitsubishi Evo VI Makinen Edition is revered by enthusiasts in a way that a Fiat Seicento with Michael Schumacher’s name scrawled along its sides, to be blunt, is not. Volkswagen is the latest brand to get in on the act with the Golf GTI TCR. That stands for Touring Car Racing – a motorsport series in which the GTI has scooped numerous driver and team titles across a range of national and international championships. The car can be considered a final flourish for the Mk7.5 Golf GTI, before the new eighth-generation version appears later this year. So where does the…

Running costs 46.1mpg (on test) £86 fill-up/£140 or 28% tax Practicality Boot capacity 455 litres Performance 0-60mph/top speed 6.5 seconds/149mph Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 52.3/40.7/10.3m MODEL TESTED: Mercedes C 220 d AMG Line PRICE: £39,160 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 191bhp IN facelifted form, the Mercedes C-Class won its first group test in Issue 1,542, heading to the top of its sector in 2018. Here we’re testing a C 220 d in AMG Line trim to match the BMW’s M Sport specification. But can the car retain its compact exec crown against the all-new 3 Series? Design & engineering ALTHOUGH the C-Class was updated last year, it’s still based on Mercedes’ Modular Rear Architecture (MRA), in contrast to the BMW, which is an all-new model. However, a new 191bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine was fitted…

Which trim level might suit you? ENTRY-level SE versions of the XE feature sat-nav, climate and cruise control, parking sensors and AEB as standard. A £4,000 deposit gets you a 2.0-litre turbo diesel 20d SE for £505 a month on a three-year PCP deal limited to 10,000 miles per year. Upgrade to Prestige spec, adding leather trim and a few other extras, and that figure drops to £425 thanks to a £3,360 deposit contribution from Jaguar. R-Sport models get a sportier look inside and out for £442 a month. A well-equipped Portfolio, with a Meridian sound system, as well as different leather and trim parts, will cost you £458 a month, while the Landmark Edition comes in at £492 a month. It brings special 18-inch alloys, a unique front bumper,…

NEW: Alfa Romeo Giulia 2.2 JTDM Speciale PRICE: £37,390 ENGINE: 2.2-litre 4cyl, 187bhp KEEN drivers will appreciate the Alfa Giulia’s fine handling. Its interior and infotainment are leagues behind the BMW’s, while the 2.2-litre turbo diesel is as noisy as the Jag’s 2.0 litre when revved. Still, the quick steering and chassis make this a sweet package. USED: BMW 530d M Sport PRICE: £35,000 ENGINE: 3.0-litre 6 cyl, 261bhp FOR this budget you should also consider a used 5 Series. You could get a larger saloon with a punchy straight-six diesel at this price. The 5 Series rides more smoothly than the 3 Series, even if it’s not quite as agile, due to its larger footprint.…

Running costs 41.9mpg (on test) £60 fill-up/£140 or 23% tax Performance 0-60mph/top speed 8.8 seconds/130mph Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 380/1,270 litres Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 48.8/35.2/10.3m THE Volkswagen Golf was the car that kicked off the German firm’s modular model line-up revolution. It’s based on the MQB platform matrix that can take elements, including chassis, engines, safety technology and connectivity, from anywhere within the ‘tool kit’ the brand has developed. This full MQB architecture means it can be scaled up to a size larger than the Polo’s MQB A0 underpinnings can manage, but the construction and philosophy are very similar for the two five-door hatchbacks we’re testing here. The Golf is a larger model so to obtain similar performance to the Polo, this 1.5 TSI EVO engine with 128bhp is necessary. Linked…

Darren_Wilson@dennis.co.uk FOR many people the annual Christmas holiday season poses the stiffest test of their family car. People, presents, traffic and mileage, all at the same time as everyone else. It could have been hell, but was almost enjoyable in our Mercedes A-Class. This year I was transporting five with my elder son George’s girlfriend Lucy joining us on a trip from south London up to visit family in North Lincolnshire. That in itself would be a challenge for some compact family hatches, but our three adult-sized teenagers slotted into the back in reasonable comfort. We did feel the need to stop more than usual for some leg stretching and I’d have moved my seat back a notch or two if I’d had the room. Likewise the boot swallowed a…

Alfa Romeo Giulia Issues 1,534, 1,544, 1,550 Audi A6 Avant Issues 1,555, 1,558 Dacia Duster New arrival Ford Fiesta ST Issues 1,552, 1,557 Hyundai Kona Electric Issues 1,551, 1,556 Mazda 6 Issues 1,549, 1,555 Mercedes A-Class Issue 1,550 Mercedes X-Class Issues 1,547, 1,557 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Issues 1,545, 1,553 Nissan Leaf Issues 1,533, 1,551, 1,555 Skoda Karoq Issues 1,536, 1545, 1,552 Suzuki Swift Sport Issues 1,532, 1,541, 1,544 Vauxhall Grandland X Iss 1,536, 1,540, 1,548, 1,556 Volkswagen Polo Issues 1,549, 1,558 Volvo V60 Issue 1,553…

NEW PRODUCT Goodyear SuperSport range Price: TBA Contact: www.goodyear.eu/en_gb NEXT month sees the arrival of the first sizes in a new, three-strong range of performance tyres from Goodyear. Unlike most tyre launches, this is not a replacement or upgrade of an existing model, but a new range designed to take advantage of the increasingly popular ultra ultra high-performance (UUHP) sector, normally the territory of stablemate Dunlop. All three new tyres slot in above the recently announced Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 (Issue 1,558) and claim to introduce tech that delivers major improvements to braking distances, as well as lap times on the track. Kicking off the line-up is the Eagle F1 SuperSport, which is the most road-biased of the three. Despite this, its track abilities are ensured thanks to stiff tread ribs…

Insane Mode Hamish McKenzie (Faber & Faber, www.faber.co.uk) Price: £14.99 Rating: SCEPTICS will find the first few chapters of this book exhausting. Author McKenzie tends to side with Tesla in most instances, stepping into cheerleading on occasion. But, past that, the story of Elon Musk and his various endeavours is interesting, and presented in an entertaining and concise way. Non-Tesla fans won’t be converted, though. Car electrical & electronic systems Julian Edgar (Veloce Publishing, www.veloce.co.uk) Price: £19.99  Rating: EDGAR has produced a very general overview of car electrics, targeted at the complete novice. It’s very well written and better-illustrated than something like a Haynes manual. But we wouldn’t troubleshoot with it; instead, we’d use it as an educational resource on the basics of electronic systems. Drive and Park Available for:…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Sponsored by Q Can I avoid £40k VED rate? I KNOW if I buy a car for more than £40,000 I would have to pay a hefty VED rate for five years, but would the same apply if I bought a £38,000 car and added £3,000 of extras? Michael Westrup, E-mail A THERE is no escaping this charge. The £310 Vehicle Excise Duty supplement, introduced in April 2017, applies to all new models with a list price of £40,000 – including options and before any discounts. The charge runs from years two to six of a car’s life, adding £1,550 to the cost of ownership over this period. Q Shocked by hike in premium MY insurer wanted to raise my premium from £510 to…

Motoring’s most outspoken and opinionated columnist sounds off “‘VolksFord’ would be selling to around one third of UK buyers. Rival groups and individual firms would not be happy” WITH eight brands already in the family, the Volkswagen Group has as many marques as it needs. Actually, I’d go further and argue it has too many. The German giant might do well to allow a couple to fly the nest. Why? Because they’re often – not always – competing directly with each other. And it’s you, the retail customer, who ultimately picks up the tab for these costly VW Group rivalries. This is perfectly illustrated in the mid-size hatch sector, where the Audi A3 goes head to head with the equally fine VW Golf, the brilliant SEAT Leon and the clever…