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James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk ● Hatch is revamped inside and out ● No pure-ICE models offered “The Jazz is the first Honda to use the new e:HEV twin-motor petrol hybrid powertrain” A FRESH Honda Jazz hatch is one of the biggest stories to come from this year’s Tokyo Motor Show. It’s due to go on sale early in 2020, riding on an all-new platform with a new two-motor e:HEV hybrid-drive set-up. The car’s styling inside and out is completely updated, and there’s a toughened-up SUV version, too. However, like the current car (right), this is still a supermini that apes MPVs, with a high roof and a large glasshouse for good visibility. At the front, you’ll spot larger headlamp units with integrated daytime running lights, a completely new grille and chunky bumpers. But…

Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk ● Mi-Tech previews next ASX ● Hybrid and EV versions due IGNORE the beach buggy looks, because hidden behind Mitsubishi’s Mi-Tech concept, unveiled at last week’s Tokyo Motor Show, is the company’s new ASX compact SUV. The Mi-Tech is an electric-powered car featuring a gas turbine to generate power for the onboard batteries. It can run on petrol, diesel, alcohol or kerosene, while four inboard electric motors give the car four-wheel drive, and plug-in technology boosts the battery’s charge. The gas turbine tech is some way from production, and although Mitsubishi revealed at Tokyo that it’ll be launching two new SUVs with plug-in power by 2022, Auto Express understands that the next-generation ASX won’t be one of them. Instead, it will be available with either full-electric or hybrid power…

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…

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk THIS is the all-new Renault Captur: a small crossover that shoulders big responsibility for the French brand. That’s because the car it replaces, the original Captur, has chalked up over 1.5 million sales since it was launched in 2012. But you could argue that, in a way, that car had it easy. It took the place of the dour Modus in Renault’s small-car range, and – with the Nissan Juke – helped kick-start the SUV-inspired crossover craze. So, while the first Captur had the market almost to itself seven years ago, today its replacement has as many as 20 rivals to contend with. So to keep itself at the top of the sales charts, a complete overhaul was needed. The Captur now shares a platform with the latest Clio,…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk Electric motor Power/range 134bhp/200 miles Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.0 seconds/93mph DS holds more than just ambitions of becoming an established premium car maker – quickly evolving into something of a French thorn in the side of the usual Audi, BMW and Mercedes suspects. This is a brand that wants you to take it seriously when it comes to electric cars, too, as signalled by its sponsorship of Formula E – F1’s all-electric cousin. Last year, the firm lent its name, money and powertrain technology to the winners of the series. DS is preparing for electric success away from the track, too. The DS 3 Crossback E-Tense is an all-electric B-segment SUV – an EV alternative to the Audi Q2, VW T-Cross and the latest, more upmarket Nissan Juke. It’s…

MODEL TESTED: Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio PRICE: £70,900 ENGINE: 3.0-litre V6, 503bhp ALFA Romeo’s Stelvio Quadrifoglio costs from £70,900, making it significantly cheaper than the BMW despite having the same power and torque output. We’ll find out if it’s as good as its German rival in other key areas that matter. Design & engineering THE Stelvio sits on the same platform as Alfa Romeo’s Giulia saloon, which was developed to make use of lightweight materials, such as carbon fibre for the driveshaft, and aluminium for many chassis parts. It has four-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox just like its rival here, but even though its engine produces the same 503bhp and 600Nm of torque as the BMW’s straight-six, it delivers it in a different way. The Alfa’s V6 is…

NEW: Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 PRICE: £74,679 ENGINE: 4.0-litre V8, 469bhp THE Mercedes GLC is a rival for the basic BMW X3, while the AMG GLC 63 takes on the high-end X3 M. It has a brash and exciting 4.0-litre V8 turbo engine with 469bhp on tap, plus chassis tweaks to improve handling over the standard version. USED: Porsche Cayenne S (2019) PRICE: £75,000 ENGINE: 2.9-litre V6, 434bhp PORSCHE’S Cayenne is a little bigger than our test rivals, so it’s more practical. It’s not quite as powerful, but makes up for that with its superb handling, which belies its size and weight, and a smooth ride. Cars with delivery mileage only are within budget.…

MODEL TESTED: Skoda Karoq 2.0 TDI 150 DSG 4x4 SE L PRICE: £30,785 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbodiesel, 148bhp THE Karoq is a class leader. Skoda’s mid-size SUV is our favourite car in this sector, so it represents what the SsangYong has to live with to cut it in this class. We’re testing a 2.0 TDI 150 DSG 4x4 in SE L trim, which costs £30,785. Design & engineering SUVs are all about style, which is why SsangYong has really improved the look of its new car. We’ll leave it up to you whether you like the styling of the Korando or not, but there’s no denying that the design of the South Korean newcomer is closer to class leaders like the Karoq. While the Skoda’s shape is obviously boxy, the…

Peugeot 3008 1.5 HDi 130 EAT8 Allure PRICE: £30,885 ENGINE: 1.5-litre 4cyl, 128bhp THE 3008 has the classiest cabin in the class, with great in-car tech and a comparable level of kit in Allure trim at a similar price. The BlueHDi 130 diesel engine and auto box are punchy and smooth respectively. The only downside is 4x4 isn’t offered. SEAT Ateca 2.0 TDI 150 4x4 DSG SE Tech PRICE: £30,760 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 148bhp SEAT’S Ateca is based on the same MQB underpinnings as the Karoq and shares its 148bhp 2.0 TDI engine, seven-speed DSG box and four-wheel-drive system. The Skoda is more rational, the SEAT sportier and a little firmer and more direct to drive if this is what you’re after.…

Citroen Berlingo A WEEKEND in our Citroen Berlingo has almost become a rite of passage for Auto Express staff, and recently it was the turn of content editor Alastair Crooks to have his first taste of the big red people carrier. His first task was to escape the city on a Friday in rush hour. Despite the car’s huge footprint, the relatively small steering wheel coupled with the set-up’s light weight made switching lanes and navigating the tight streets a doddle. Plus, the huge side mirrors helped our man to see lane-chopping motorcyclists approaching. The high driving position improved visibility, too. As the weekend came to a close, the dash indicated the AdBlue needed topping up. The price of AdBlue is pretty negligible, especially if you have a green conscience,…

Formula One All The Races – The First 1,000 Roger Smith (Veloce Publishing, veloce.co.uk) Price: £65 ONLY die-hard F1 fans need apply for this limited, one-of-1,000 book. It simply contains details of every race since 1950 – an impressive feat of research but one that makes this more of a reference title than an enjoyable read. It’s nicely bound, though, and looks great inside and out. How to be Formula One Champion Richard Porter (Virgin Books, penguin.co.uk) Price: £9.99 IF you enjoy Porter’s humour through his scriptwriting and editing for Top Gear and The Grand Tour, or his own satirical site, Sniff Petrol, then you’ll love this book. It’s laugh-out-loud funny in parts, and packed with the sort of observations you only gather from a lifetime of cynically watching racing…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Running-in time for Toyota Q I HAVE bought a new Toyota C-HR, but there’s no information on the running-in period in the handbook. Please can you advise how long I should run the car in for? Barrie Wellard, E-mail A TOYOTA told us it doesn’t have a recommended running-in period for the C-HR. Although it used to be vital to run a car in, high modern engineering tolerances mean it’s not as essential as it once was. However, it’s still a good idea not to accelerate too hard or rev the car too high or within the first 1,000 miles. Struggling to match paint Q I’VE been having difficulty getting a paint match for a repaired panel on my Rallye Green Skoda Octavia vRS.…

Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk ● F1 champion to drive Hilux ● Bike ace Coma will navigate FERNANDO Alonso has confirmed that he will contest January’s Dakar Rally in a Toyota Gazoo Racing Hilux, having undertaken a series of tests and off-road events over the past few months. The double Formula 1 world champion and two-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner is aiming to add the iconic off-road event to his roll of honour, as he continues his efforts to contest as many different racing disciplines as possible post-F1. The 2020 running of the Dakar takes place in the sand dunes of Saudi Arabia, having been run in South America from 2009 to 2019, and from Europe to its West African namesake before that. Alonso will have the experienced Dakar competitor Marc Coma in…

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk ● All-new eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf revealed in full ● Highlights include efficient engines and a cutting-edge cabin YOU wait years for a generation-defining Volkswagen launch, and then two come along at once. Less than two months after the reveal of the all-electric ID.3 (the car that points the way to the brand’s future) the brand-new Golf Mk8 has arrived. As with the model it replaces, this eighth generation of the iconic hatch will straddle the line between upmarket hatchbacks such as the BMW 1 Series and mainstream competition from the likes of the Ford Focus. Sales are due to begin in February next year, with first deliveries in April. From the outside, the biggest change comes at the front, where a low nose features a slimmer grille. It’s flanked…

ELSEWHERE at Honda, the Japanese manufacturer has confirmed it will launch two all-new models that have never been seen before by 2022. The first will be a new hybrid SUV, although Honda is remaining tight-lipped on exactly where the model will sit within its product portfolio. The obvious gap is at the top of the range, where the firm is without a direct rival for the likes of the Kia Sorento. Following the SUV will be the firm’s second, dedicated fully electric vehicle. It’s expected to be based on the same platform as the Honda e city car, which has been developed to accommodate compact bodystyles.…

ELSEWHERE at Tokyo, Subaru gave us a glimpse of its next-generation Levorg estate. While the firm refers to it as a prototype, the design of the Levorg on display at the show is essentially complete. It’s a sportier, bolder evolution of the firm’s current model. No exterior dimensions have been revealed, but it’s known to be based on the same platform as today’s car. It also gets a new powertrain, foregoing the 2.0-litre flat-four used in the current model in favour of a new 1.8-litre boxer engine. Precise figures and specifications of the new motor have not been confirmed, but Subaru claims that the powertrain focuses on lean-burn technology to deliver improved fuel economy. The company is keeping the new cabin under wraps for now, but promises that the vehicle’s…

James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk See the brand-new Volkswagen Golf in action, as well as the stars from the recent Tokyo Motor Show. See both at youtube.com/Autoexpress. See what the new Golf looks like on the road NOW you’ve read all about the new VW Golf (Page 8), you can see it in action. While some may moan it looks too similar to the last Golf, the evolutionary design is a key part of the car’s appeal. The interior is fresh and there are new engines – it’s all set to be a winner. Catch up on the stars from the Tokyo Show THE Tokyo Motor Show is always a highlight for one very good reason: it’s absolutely packed full of weird cars. This year, however, there were also some important launches of cars coming…

THIS is our first look at the new Audi RS 3, which will go on sale late next year. It will be the fastest model in the new A3 range, producing upwards of 400bhp. Audi is expected to retain the current car’s 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo petrol engine, seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and quattro all-wheel drive set-up. Like the outgoing model, the new RS 3 will look subtly aggressive, with a lower splitter, wider bodykit and flared arches.…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk Running costs 26.4mpg (official) £106 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 4.3 seconds/155mph THE BMW X6 is back, and if you’re in the market for a coupé-SUV, this is the one with the most history to hang its image on. Introduced in 2008, the X6 was the first SUV from a mainstream manufacturer to adopt an unconventional, sporty silhouette. Around 480,000 sales, three generations, and a handful of smaller siblings later, nearly every manufacturer is at it. The basics of the X6 go unchanged – under the coupé-styled bodywork, it’s little more than an X5. What that means is that this is a slightly less practical offering than the car it’s based on, for slightly more money – a couple of thousand pounds depending on which version you buy. While the…

BMW X3 M Competition BMW Professional Multimedia Standard Key features: Connected services, nav BMW’S infotainment feels a generation ahead of the Alfa’s. That’s partly down to the 10.25-inch screen on the dash, which is high-res and features modern, sharp graphics that match the smart cabin design. The control interface is spot-on, with a rotary dial for fine control and a touchscreen for quick inputs when you’re not driving. It’s easy to understand the menus and access each key function quickly, and the traffic information and mapping are great as well. Other connected services include an emergency call service and a concierge feature. However, it’s a shame for smartphone users – nearly everyone, then – that Android Auto isn’t available at all and Apple CarPlay costs £235 as an option. However,…

SsangYong Korando 9” HD Screen Standard Key features: Phone tech, big screen THE Korando’s infotainment set-up is great. The nine-inch touchscreen is bright and responds relatively quickly, even if some of the menu layouts and input fields are a little convoluted. The Skoda’s unit is still quicker to respond to inputs, though. You get lots of kit, with a TomTom nav system that offers traffic info. Alongside this there’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which given the SsangYong’s screen’s resolution is probably an even better option. You also get a 10.25-inch digital dash panel that is more than a little reminiscent of Audi’s system in layout and style – and we mean that as a compliment – even if it’s not as slick or as versatile. At least it’s fitted…

Enjoy an electrifying ‘ring experience JAGUAR is offering passenger rides in the first all-electric Nürburgring taxi – the brand’s I-Pace (above). Taking on the Nordschleife circuit in the hands of a professional racing driver, passengers will experience the 2018 Auto Express Car of the Year at its very best. Bookings for this experience are open until the end of the Nürburgring season in late November. Prices start from 149 Euros (£129) per lap and can be booked online at Jaguar Germany (jaguar.de). You can also book laps in the ballistic Project 8 saloon for 249 Euros (£216). Discounts for switch to all-season tyres TYRE manufacturer Vredestein has launched a campaign to promote the use of all-season tyres with a new ‘scrappage’ scheme. Customers will receive a discount off the price…

PRODUCT GROUP TEST 30|10|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 IF you need to carry tools in your car, a tough bag is generally cheaper than a metal or plastic toolbox, and their material construction is less likely to damage your car’s interior. In addition, softer handles and a shoulder strap mean they should be easier to carry, too. Size is important, with the capacity of your car’s boot and whether you want to carry an emergency kit or something more complete being important factors. Pockets both inside and out are useful for smaller items, as well as for keeping awkward shapes, such as cans or multimeters, separate and…

Luke_Wilkinson@dennis.co.uk ● Concept previews electric SUV ● New platform for future EVs “The Ariya is a glimpse of a new electric SUV that will arrive in 2021” THIS is the Nissan Ariya, a fully electric crossover revealed at last week’s Tokyo Motor Show that will soon join the Leaf in the firm’s electric-vehicle line-up. Nissan has hinted at the possibility of a Qashqai-sized electric crossover for several years, and the Ariya concept is a glimpse of the car that will make its way into showrooms in 2021, as a rival for the Volkswagen ID.4. “The Ariya is very near to becoming true – the concept is very near to reality,” Ivan Espinosa, Nissan’s Corporate Vice President of Global Product Strategy, told Auto Express. The electric crossover is built on a…

New Alpina B3 saloon blasts in with 457bhp ALPINA has revealed its latest BMW 3 Series-based B3 saloon (above). Power comes from an twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine with 457bhp and 700Nm – enough for 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds and a 188mph top speed. Elsewhere the B3 gains uprated suspension, a menacing bodykit, Alpina wheels and bespoke upholstery. Prices should start from £60,000 when sales begin towards the middle of next year. SEAT Mii electric costs from less than £20k PRICES for the new SEAT Mii electric will start from £19,300 including the UK government’s £3,500 grant. The brand’s first EV accelerates from 0-31mph in 3.9 seconds and boasts a 161-mile range. Using a 40kW fast charger boosts the 36.8kWh battery from zero to 80 per cent in 60 minutes,…

Hugo_Griffiths@dennis.co.uk ● 235 per cent jump in five years ● 1,522 cases in 2018/19 THE number of people investigated for cheating in their driving theory test has more than tripled over the past five financial years. A total of 1,522 cases were logged with the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) in 2018/19, compared with 454 probes in 2013/14. The rise follows the DVSA’s decision to take prosecutions for theory test fraud in-house, rather than rely on the Crown Prosecution Service and independent investigators. And, with more than 1,000 people suspected of cheating in the first five months of 2019/20, the DVSA is on track to investigate a record 2,421 candidates this financial year. The proportion of candidates caught cheating is tiny given the two million theory tests conducted each…

Sean_Carson@dennis.co.uk WHEN it’s time to produce a new Octavia, Skoda can’t afford to get it wrong. Almost 6.2 million examples have been sold since 1996 and one in three Skodas leaving showrooms bear this badge. So the firm has a lot riding on this fourth-generation version then. But after sampling a pre-series production car we’re pleased to say that Skoda is on to a winner again. That’s because it’s not strayed too far from familiar territory. The car is still based on the MQB platform, but it’s 50mm wider and 3mm taller, mostly due to styling changes. Ignore the camouflage. Take it from us that the Octavia is sharper, has more presence but still looks recognisably like a Skoda. And inside there are big changes, too; the materials feel plusher,…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress Write to: Watchdog/Letters, Auto Express, Dennis Publishing Ltd, 31-32 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7DP HOT TOPIC Zoe to replace Clio RS FROM: Paul Lowen BRING it on. EVs make natural hot hatches thanks to their instant torque and low centre of gravity. There are plenty of charging solutions for homes and public places now, and a 245-mile range is more than enough for most people. FROM: dukebox9reg I THINK there is a business case for selling the Clio RS as well. People buying one don’t want an auto box with a million settings, though. Keep it manual with one decent suspension set-up. It works for the Fiesta ST; the demand is there. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “I want to go back to when hot hatches were…

Bottoms up Start with the wheels first; you don’t want the strong cleaner used to linger on other parts of the car. Read the instructions Leaving the products for too long, using too much, or applying to warm paint could do more harm than good. Go two-handed Always use a pair of sponges or wash mitts, so your other hand isn’t leaving marks and can do some of the work. Clean the cleaner Make sure your sponges or mitts are clean, and check them during the wash; any dirt on them will damage the paint. Keep straight Use your wash mitts (or sponges) in straight lines where possible; that way, it will avoid creating swirl marks. Wetter is better Don’t let the car dry until you’ve rinsed any foam away.…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk IN many ways this faster, more powerful, more aggressive and more expensive A110 is the incarnation of Alpine’s iconic mid-engined two-seat sports car we’ve been waiting for all along. Because if there was a criticism of the original ‘new’ A110, it was that it lacked a bit of oomph in a straight line. But with an extra 39bhp from its 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and a chassis that’s both stiffer and more focused, this A110S should, in theory, put any such issues to bed. True, it costs over £8k more than an A110 in entry-level Pure spec, and is more expensive than a Porsche Cayman T. But Alpine bosses say the A110S offers an even more intense – and therefore a more rewarding – driving experience than the…

MODEL TESTED: BMW X3 M Competition PRICE: £77,190 ENGINE: 3.0-litre 6cyl, 503bhp THE new BMW X3 M Competition is based on the standard X3, which along with the normal Alfa Stelvio, is one of the best-handling cars in its class. But is the £77,190 X3 M Competition a winner here? Design & engineering BMW has used its latest architecture for the X3, so it shares parts with the X5, as well as the new 3 Series. In fact, the new 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine under the bonnet here is set to be used in the upcoming M3 as well. It’s a cutting-edge motor that uses 3D printing to build part of the cylinder head. The engine develops 503bhp and 600Nm of torque, figures that are identical to the ones…

ENGINES BOTH engines produce 503bhp and 600Nm of torque, but the layout of their six cylinders is different. The straight-six in the BMW is smoother but sounds flatter than the V6 in the Alfa Romeo. The Stelvio’s engine has more punch from lower in the rev range because its 600Nm arrives at 2,500rpm, and the BMW’s maximum torque figure arrives at 2,600rpm. Both deliver astonishing pace. BRAKES OUR Stelvio featured carbonceramic brake discs, which cost £5,900. They provide great stopping power, but the standard steel items do too, so you’ll have to decide if you think they’re worth it. They are snappier and harder to modulate than the BMW’s conventional brakes, so we’d stick with the Alfa Romeo’s standard set-up, which offers better feel at low speed as well. They…

MODEL TESTED: SsangYong Korando 1.6 Diesel Auto 4x4 Ultimate PRICE: £31,995 ENGINE: 1.6-litre 4cyl turbodiesel, 134bhp SSANGYONG says its fourth-generation Korando SUV is ‘all-new’. While much of it is, the 1.6-litre diesel engine we’re testing is an updated motor, linked to an automatic four-wheel-drive powertrain in top-spec Ultimate trim, which costs £31,995. A lot for a SsangYong? We’ll see. Design & engineering ARGUABLY the biggest leap the manufacturer has made with its most recent products comes with the design, and the Korando continues this theme. It’s definitely a step in the right direction for SsangYong. Given the way SUV buyers use their cars, improving the infotainment offering for this Korando is a big draw, too. Check out our full review of the in-car tech on Page 50, but the big…

OFF ROAD IF you plan to go off road think about the different driving modes available. The Korando can lock its centre differential for better traction on loose surfaces, with the off-road setting adjusting the ESC’s mode to complement this. The Karoq in SE L trim gets an off-road mode, but if you really want to explore off the beaten track in the Skoda, you might want to opt for the more off-road equipped Scout model. TOWING SSANGYONG and Skoda can both tow a similar maximum weight, although the Karoq exceeds the Korando by 100kg, at 2,100kg in total. These diesels should both have enough torque to pull most trailers and caravans easily, but the SsangYong’s lack of performance will likely be more noticeable. Still, the standard reversing camera should…

Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk WHEN the keys landed on my desk back in April, I never dreamt that our Volkswagen California – which is now a pre-facelift model, since an updated version launched recently – would prove so popular with my colleagues. Here, we’ve pulled together some of the experiences that the Auto Express team (and their families, of course) have had during the past six months and 10,000 miles. The Cali has been everywhere, from the south coast to Norfolk, Wales and France. It’s also doubled as my daily driver, ferrying me to work in central London, as well as to the airport and my parents’ home in Devon. It’s carried lots of rubbish to the tip during our house renovation, and even doubled as a mobile office on road test shoots.…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk @AE_Consumer I need to catch scratch leaver Q I’VE had my car scratched a couple of times now while parked in the street, but I’ve never discovered who did it. Would a dash cam be able to catch the culprits in the act? Marcus Johnston, E-mail A MANY dash cams have a parking mode which starts recording when movement is detected near the car. But it will only capture the area in front of the lens. A trail cam, which is used to film wildlife, could be the solution. Direct it at the side usually attacked. It also has the advantage of being harder to spot than a dash cam. Trim in a sticky situation Q I AM semi-retired and spending more of my time in…

THERE are few tools more useful for motoring DIY than the cordless drill. As well as drilling, it can be used for sanding, screwing and wire-brushing. Modern battery and motor tech means they perform on a par with mains equivalents, while the lack of a power lead makes them very versatile. On paper, the latest 20V brushless drill from Sealey looked impressive, so we put it up against our current champion. Our tough tests evaluated machine performance and battery capability. And as well as screwing, wire-brushing, drilling and no-load running, we noted extras such as cases, torque settings, lights and battery-state indicator. The HiKoki wins this test by a whisker, while a slightly better price could have seen the Sealey turn the tables. “Modern tech means cordless performance is on…

Motoring’s most outspoken and opinionated columnist sounds off “Six months after my plea for the rebirth of The British Motor Show, I’m thrilled to report that it’s back. Honest.” IN May of this year, via this weekly column, I called for the return of The British Motor Show. My rationale was – still is – that with new car sales deeply depressed, manufacturers and dealers need an event such as this. The same is true of companies trying to sell the automotive fuels of the future – electricity, hydrogen and other ‘alternative’ products. Kids must learn more about cycling, driving, autonomous vehicles, first aid, careers, ecomental and related issues. And as for the drivers of the UK responsible for its 40 million-plus vehicles, they love their cars. So, for heaven’s…