Innholdsfortegnelse for 1605 i Auto Express

Luke_Wilkinson@dennis.co.uk ● 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrol hybrids ● GR Sport and Trek Touring Sports introduced to the range THE Toyota Corolla is now only available with hybrid powertrains as part of a revamp to the hatchback that also adds two new variants. The removal of the 112bhp 1.2-litre turbo engine from the range means the Corolla is the sole hybrid-only model in its sector. It leaves buyers with a choice of 120bhp 1.8-litre or 177bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol-hybrid drivetrains. Both powertrains are paired with a CVT automatic gearbox; the lower-powered unit offers a 0-62mph sprint of 10.9 seconds and claimed combined economy of 57.7mpg. The 2.0-litre hybrid gives the Corolla hatch a 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds and claimed economy of 54.3mpg. The performance-inspired GR Sport (below) is the first of…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk ● New model to be based on Roma GT platform ● Ferrari also looking towards next hypercar THE technological underpinnings of the newly launched Ferrari Roma GT are to be used to support the most controversial vehicle planned in Ferrari’s 15 car-strong new-product push: the Purosangue SUV. Termed an ‘FUV’ by Ferrari marketeers, and due to be unveiled in 2021, the Purosangue will use an adapted version of a modular, multi-material, front-engined platform making its debut under the Roma. Ferrari chief technology officer Michael Lieters explained the technology to Auto Express at the Roma unveiling. “In general we will have two families of architecture – front- and rear-engine families,” he told us. “The modularity is there, and especially on the front-engined architecture we have to foresee many more models.…

James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk Latest Golf Mk8 put through its paces VOLKSWAGEN is shouting about its new range of ID. electric cars, but the launch of the new Golf is the big news. With global sales of more than 35 million, it’s a smash hit and a favourite among UK buyers. But will the new Mk8 version still be top of the tree? Watch my video to find out. Under the skin of Audi’s fastest SUV AUDI Sport is topping off its 25th birthday celebrations by launching probably the brashest, most in-your-face car it has ever worked on. The RS Q8 is a coupé-like SUV using the RS 6 Avant’s new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine and some mad styling. Watch our video to find out more. You can watch any of our videos…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress Write to: Watchdog/Letters, Auto Express, Dennis Publishing Ltd, 31-32 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7DP HOT TOPIC New Skoda Octavia FROM: Kirsten Farr I LOVE the look of this car. I’m especially glad Skoda has sorted out the front end, which I felt needed a redesign. I also like the look of the interior; it’s very smart with lots of tech. Hopefully, there’ll be a Scout version on offer in the UK. FROM: Scott Hemmings I LIKE it; I like it a lot. But I wonder if the Volkswagen Group isn’t shooting itself in both feet here. The more and more impressive Skodas become, the less justification there is for spending extra money on buying a VW or, increasingly, an Audi. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “I love…

James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk WHEN you’ve got a best-seller that’s clocked up more than 35 million sales, you wouldn’t want to change the recipe too much when it comes to launching a new generation. And that’s what’s happened with the new Volkswagen Golf Mk8. As its predecessors have done for years, the latest Golf pulls off the trick of being cleverly evolutionary – with the same platform as before, but with a host of new engines and fresh tech under the skin. We’ve already tried one of those new engines (Issue 1,603) – the eTSI, a 1.5-litre petrol with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and a dual-clutch DSG gearbox. We found it to be punchy enough, and the integration of petrol and electric to be smooth. Here we’re driving the 2.0 TDI diesel with…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk THE 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine wedged under the bonnet of the latest Porsche Macan-baiting Audi RS Q3 is a real magnet for buyers. It’s been around for a while (since 2010, in fact), with evolutionary changes delivered in regular instalments. Shared with the RS 3 hatchback and the TT RS, its power has been ramped up to 395bhp and is sent to a quattro all-wheel-drive system via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The most recent tweaks also ensured a new lease of life for the ageing engine, by making it compliant with the latest WLTP emissions regulations via the addition of a petrol particulate filter. It’s a change we’ve found a little frustrating in the latest RS 3 and the TT RS, where we felt it drained away some…

ANSWERS ON PAGE 147 THAT WAS 2019 How well do you remember the year? These will test your memory 1 Which brand launched a camper van called the Custom Nugget? a) Ford b) Volkswagen c) Mitsubishi 2 When BMW announced the arrival of an M850i xDrive Coupé First Edition, how many did it say will be built? a) 8 b) 400 c) 850 3 Audi announced the arrival of a Decennium edition this year to celebrate what? a) 100 years of Audi cars b) 10 years of the R8 c) 1,000 years since Germany founded 4 Fiat Chrysler announced that it was chopping which model from its UK line-up? a) Abarth 500C b) Stilo c) Fullback 5 Porsche revealed the price of its new 911 Speedster. How much was it? a) £1.3million b) £822,000 c) £211,599 6 Nissan unveiled an electric concept…

YOUR GREAT OFFER ■ FREE G3 Pro Multicleaner ■ All the latest news, road tests & reviews delivered to your door each week ■ FREE delivery of every issue ■ Save 50% on your subscription SAVE 50% ORDER ONLINE: dennismags.co.uk/autoexpress OR CALL NOW ON: 0330 333 9491 quoting offer code D1605 YOUR FREE GIFT G3 Pro Multicleaner is a truly versatile rigorous cleaning solution that is safe to use on all soft and hard surfaces, inside and outside your vehicle - from carpets and upholstery, through vinyl and paintwork to wheel arch liners and engine bays. It is a silicone-free product that will not discolour rubber, plastics, vinyl or fabric. For maximum performance, use neat, but it can be diluted with water for lighter contamination. ORDER ONLINE: DENNISMAGS.CO.UK/AUTOEXPRESS CALL NOW: 0330 333…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk Stopping keyless car theft Q I’VE just bought a car with keyless locks and ignition, but I keep reading about keys being hacked and cars stolen. What’s the best way to prevent my car getting nicked? Jolyon Prescott, E-mail A THERE are two approaches: one protects the key, and the other the car. A Faraday bag (above) will block the key’s signal, preventing it being cloned, and there are larger products to guard multiple keys in the house. Meanwhile, a steering wheel lock like the Stoplock Pro or Disklok will make stealing the car much harder and this should discourage thieves from bothering to try. Wipers are wide of the mark Q I RECENTLY purchased Bosch Aerotwin wiper blades on your recommendation. The driver’s-side blade misses…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Why has EV range dropped? Q MY electric car has an official range of around 300 miles, and I generally get 280 miles from a charge. This has recently dropped to 200 miles, though. Can you explain why? GP, E-mail A THE range is probably dropping as winter bites. EVs have an ideal operating temperature of 25 degrees Centigrade, with battery chemistries not responding well to cold. You’re more likely to use the heater in winter, too, further affecting range. It may be worth asking your dealer to perform a health check on your car, though. My lower Legend tax hopes Q I WANT to buy a 2008 Honda Legend, but its high CO2 emissions mean it costs almost £600 a year to tax. Is there any chance…

HOW OUR GUIDE WORKS PERFORMANCE: This is the manufacturer’s claimed acceleration time for a car, and is measured from 0-60mph or 0-62mph (0-100kph), in seconds. ECONOMY AND EMISSIONS: The combined economy and emissions figures in miles per gallon and grams per kilometre of CO2. Figures are the best ones achieved in the latest WLTP tests, but are unlikely to be representative of actual efficiency in everyday driving. INSURANCE: Group rating as quoted by the Association of British Insurers. WARRANTY: Next to each manufacturer’s name is the basic warranty period in months and miles for the mechanicals, corrosion and paintwork. LIST PRICE: This is the on-the-road figure and includes VAT, delivery to dealer, 12 months’ road tax, number plates and first registration. WILL IT FIT? Is your garage big enough? Our…

Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk ● Le Mans and WEC return takes shape ● Alliance forged with leading privateer team PEUGEOT has announced that it will join forces with leading privateer sportscar team Rebellion Racing for its return to Le Mans and the World Endurance Championship, from the start of the 2022-23 season. The French manufacturer recently confirmed its return to the top flight of endurance racing for the first time since 2011, while Rebellion Racing has been active in the WEC since the world championship began in 2012. The Anglo-Swiss squad recently won the 4 Hours of Shanghai. Peugeot has also released a concept image giving an idea of what the Peugeot-Rebellion Le Mans ‘Hypercar’ will look like. It’s set to use hybrid power and will carry styling cues from Peugeot’s road cars.…

Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk ● New platform, plus plug-ins and return of VXR badge for Astra ● Next Insignia given a more radical overhaul to boost sales VAUXHALL’S resurgence under the new ownership of the PSA Group is continuing apace, with major reinventions of the Astra hatchback and Insignia family car due in showrooms in the next 24 months. The new Astra will arrive first in 2021, and while the car will share much with other PSA-brand hatchbacks, Vauxhall boss Stephen Norman exclusively revealed to Auto Express that it will be “something much more than just a Vauxhall version of the Peugeot 308”. Auto Express understands that the Astra will eschew the current trend towards taller crossovers and be more of a coupé-style hatchback, as our exclusive images show. The new Vauxhall family…

NEW Jaguar design director Julian Thomson has told Auto Express that he wants to create more sports cars now he’s at the head of the British firm’s design department. The updated Jaguar F-Type is the first new model to be launched under his tenure as design director, but Thomson is keen to strengthen Jaguar’s position in the market. He told us: “Jaguar will always build sports cars. I’d love to do more than one.” Thomson believes that the growing threat to mainstream volume production could see a greater demand for luxury vehicles and sports cars. He said, “A part of me thinks there may be a resurgence of people enjoying transportation for transportation’s sake. I’d hope that truly special and luxury cars, sports cars, will find a place where they…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk THIS is our first proper look at the Gordon Murray Automotive T.50, a car that has been coined as a McLaren F1 for the modern era – and that’s from the man responsible for the iconic supercar that won the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1995. Legendary motorsport and automotive engineer Professor Gordon Murray is developing the ‘analogue’ supercar. It will be built in Britain and limited to 100 road car units, with a further 25 honed for track use. This first rear-quarter image of the T.50 – which is due on the road in 2022 – reveals some of the groundbreaking aerodynamics that the car will employ. This includes a large 400mm ground-effect fan, inspired by the Brabham BT46B Formula One car designed by Murray in the late…

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…

Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk IF the thousands of current Nissan Juke owners have been waiting for the new model to arrive, they need wait no longer. The new, British-built supermini-SUV is here – and now we’ve driven it for the first time on UK roads. Things have changed a fair bit since the original Juke arrived nearly 10 years ago. Its launch spawned a whole raft of talented rivals, many of which have progressed into their second generations long before the ageing Juke met its maker. But Nissan has listened to its loyal customers and given the new version more of the flair that graced the original, while righting many of the wrongs, too. So not only is it a bigger car – 35mm wider and 75mm longer – the boot has also…

Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk “The Superb plug-in has a level of sophistication that’s more akin to a Mercedes S-Class” Electric motor Power/range 114bhp/34 miles SKODA’s rollout of electrified vehicles continues at full speed. We recently drove the new Citigo-e iV (Issue 1,604), and now it’s the turn of the firm’s plug-in Superb. It’s on sale now, and while it uses the same running gear as the Volkswagen Passat GTE, it undercuts it by several thousand pounds. The Czech firm expects the hybrid model to account for around 20-25 per cent of Superb sales, and it’s easy to see why. A glance at the numbers suggests that both private and company car drivers could make substantial savings on fuel and tax costs. From April, the Superb iV will attract a 10 per cent rating…

Product Test Team THERE’S plenty of competition to make our top 20 and it’s hard to catch the eyes of our test team, which rates hundreds of products each year. Some tests are memorable because they break new ground – covering electric scooters or polishes for the first time – or because we used new facilities like those for our winter and all-season tyre tests at Papenburg, Germany. But here we focus on individual products which stood out. That could be because they were very clever, have standout performance or simply that we are still using them long after the end of the test. Over the next four pages we reveal why they are the cream of the 2019 crop, and why you might want one in your toolbox, workshop or…

THAT WAS 2019 1 a) Ford 2 b) 400 3 b) 10 years of the R8 4 c) Fullback 5 c) £211,599 6 a) Ice cream van 7 b) Moon buggy 8 c) £98,000 9 a) 812 Superfast 10 b) 8th generation SPORTING CHANCE 11 a) Jorge Lorenzo 12 b) Six 13 a) Estonian 14 c) Simon Pagenaud 15 a) Alexander Albon 16 a) Toyota 17 b) 385 18 c) 2 points 19 b) Vietnam 20 a) Citroen STATESIDE 21 a) 4,180,000 22 b) Red and blue 23 b) 1965 24 c) Median strip 25 b) 1985 26 a) 14 27 2) Key West, Florida to Fort Kent, Maine 28 3) BMW 29 2) 1974 30 a) 1969 Dodge Charger CARPLAY 31 c) Kraftwerk 32 a) Datsun and Buick 33…

THE proposed merger between PSA (with its Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Vauxhall and Opel brands) and FCA (Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge and Ram) could be tied up by the end of the year, according to reports. As we closed for press, both groups had told employees that a binding agreement would be signed within the coming weeks. The combined organisation is expected to be led by PSA CEO Carlos Tavares, with the global head count at both companies around 200,000 employees each, despite FCA having more brands. While a merger would create the world’s fourth-largest car maker, with global sales in excess of 8.5 million units, synergies in low-CO2 technologies and powertrains are expected to benefit both groups, especially FCA, while greater access to the Italian and US markets…

Hugo_Griffiths@dennis.co.uk ● An average of 91.6 per cent of council vehicles use diesel ● London is still running 724 non-ULEZ-compliant diesel vehicles THE vast majority of the 66,000 vehicles operated by UK councils run on diesel, Auto Express has discovered, with authorities admitting that no “viable electric alternative” to the fuel exists in “the vast majority” of cases. And, in areas where emission zones are operational or planned, council vehicles often breach the limits set or proposed. A total of 66,617 vehicles are operated by the 320 local authorities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that responded to our freedom of information requests, with 91.6 per cent running on diesel, and 62 council fleets consisting entirely of diesel vehicles. Local authority fleets comprise everything from bin lorries and gritters…

Conti GT celebrates Pikes Peak record BENTLEY has launched a limited edition version of the Continental GT (above) to mark the record-setting run for a production car at the Pikes Peak hill climb event. Only 15 examples will be built, all finished in the same lurid green paint with gloss black mirrors, front bumper inserts and 22-inch alloy wheels. Bentley’s 626bhp 6.0-litre W12 engine sends power to all four wheels via an eight-speed dual clutch gearbox. Blue Badge abuse up by nearly 18 per cent INCIDENTS of fraud related to disabled Blue Badges parking permits rose by 17.9 per cent in the last financial year, with 1,432 prosecutions made against people without disabilities using a friend or family member’s permit. The Blue Badge scheme was extended in June this year…

FORD has announced that the new Kuga SUV range will cost from £23,995 in the UK – a rise of £620 over the old version. The new model is a rival for the Skoda Karoq and Nissan Qashqai, and the Kuga is the first Ford to be launched with a trio of hybrid powertrain options. The brand’s familiar Zetec, Titanium, ST-Line and ST-Line X trim levels are available on the Kuga at launch. Zetec models are powered by a 118bhp 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbo petrol engine, and come as standard with FordPass Connect, wireless smartphone charging and advanced driver-assistance and safety features. The 222bhp 2.5-litre plug-in hybrid starts at £33,095 in Titanium trim, the same price as the 187bhp 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel version. Ford claims the plug-in can achieve 201mpg and…

Hugo_Griffiths@dennis.co.uk THE greatest promise the motor car makes is that of freedom: the ability to go where you want, when you want, as you wish. SUVs have always promised a little more freedom than hatchbacks or saloons because they can reach the parts other cars simply can’t, even if the furthest most are driven off road is a dropped kerb. But what if you took your SUV at its word? What if you used it to criss-cross the globe, taking in some of the most challenging terrains the world has to offer, on an odyssey that would see you swim in the Antarctic Ocean, drive along the highest road on the planet, and meet tribespeople who had never encountered a car before? And what if, just to make things more…

Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk MERCEDES has an SUV range that now spans eight distinct models, together accounting for a third of the maker’s global sales. A new version, no matter how niche, is big news for brand and customers alike. The GLE Coupé, first launched in 2015, is back for a second generation – and despite featuring a slightly shorter wheelbase than the standard GLE, it’s 39mm longer and 7mm wider than its predecessor. It’s on sale now, but the first cars will only arrive in UK showrooms next summer. A few months ago (Issue 1,596) we sat in a GLE Coupé alongside Mercedes’ director of SUV development, Dr. Andreas Zygan, but this is our first chance to try the car from the driver’s seat. A pair of plug-in hybrids will arrive at…

Vicky_Parrott@dennis.co.uk IT’S rare to drive a car that feels truly revolutionary, but that is exactly what the Porsche Taycan is – a vehicle that shows how much fun a plug-in future can be. It’s even more refreshing to know that the new ‘entry-level’ Taycan is as remarkable as its Turbo stablemate. Probably more so, since it packs up to 523bhp and 640Nm or, if you step up from the standard 79.2kWh battery to the 93.4kWh Performance Battery Plus we’re testing, 563bhp and 650Nm. That’s 0-62mph in four seconds, by the way, and it also means that the maximum range jumps from 252 to 287 miles. Even on 20-inch wheels in a British winter, Porsche’s range tool reckons that the 4S Plus will do about 220 miles between charges. Impressive, given…

THE new Defender is unrecognisable when it comes to technology. A suite of driver-assistance systems, connectivity features and infotainment displays makes it one of the most technologically advanced models Land Rover has ever produced. There’s also a new remote app which allows owners to pre-condition the Defender via a smartphone. Here are the tech highlights.…

Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk MOTORSPORT has been experimenting with different calendar formats and new markets in recent years. Both Formula E and the World Endurance Championship are now running to an autumn-to-summer schedule, and other series don’t wrap up until well into November and even December, which makes racing a year-round affair these days. There’s no shortage of great racing to be found in various series, and even Lewis Hamilton’s dominant run to a sixth F1 title was not without some occasional flashes of interest as the sport’s next big things, Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen, began to assert themselves. Here’s our full rundown of what happened in the major series over the last 12 months. FORMULA ONE Hamilton sees off challenges for sixth title MERCEDES superstar Lewis Hamilton clinched his sixth F1…

Motoring’s most outspoken and opinionated columnist sounds off “Some local authorities remain addicted to running their fleets on diesel while they make up punishing rules for the rest of us” HEARD the one about the 40-a-day smoker who refuses to quit while objecting to others who smoke? The serial adulterer who rarely goes home at night but preaches family values? The alcoholic who argues that it’s okay for him – but not others – to drink? Such folk exist and they are, of course, entitled to their opinions. But so am I. With all that in mind, my verdict on people such as this is that they’re at best gross hypocrites with zero credibility. Their ‘do what I say, not what I do’ approach proves how genuinely unreasonable and arrogant…