Innholdsfortegnelse for 1642 i Auto Express

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn THIS is the all-new Rolls-Royce Ghost, the second generation of the British firm’s most successful ever model. Rolls says it launched the Ghost in 2009 in response to younger customers who wanted a model that was slightly ‘smaller’ and less ‘ostentatious’. It went on to become the biggest-selling model in the company’s 116-year history. This new version is completely new from the ground up, switching to Rolls’ new aluminium space frame architecture that also underpins the latest Phantom and Cullinan SUV. Despite buyers’ initial wishes for a smaller model, the new Ghost is larger than the car it replaces. Overall length has grown by 89mm, now measuring 5,635mm, while its width has increased by 30mm to 1,978mm. Only one engine option is available under the bonnet: a 563bhp…

Canyon shows grand plans with concept car BIKE maker Canyon has revealed a small electric concept car, the Future Mobility Concept (above). It’s a tiny EV developed with the same ethos as the Citroen Ami. At just 83cm wide, it’s exceptionally narrow for driving around city streets, and is steered using joysticks by each of the driver’s hips. It weighs around 95kg and functions like an e-bike, with pedals and a small battery and motor for propulsion. Canyon claims a maximum range of 93 miles on battery power. Millions are at risk of driving with no MoT OVER four million motorists risk driving without an MoT due to demand after the six-month extension ended last month. Kwik Fit says 38 per cent of drivers book an MoT no more than…

Contact Tristan Shale-Hester mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress HOT TOPIC Kia Stinger FROM: John Waddell I’VE seen a few of these on the road, particularly when I was on holiday in Singapore. I think they look great. Why does everyone buy BMW, Audi and Mercedes saloons when you could have one of these and be a bit different? FROM: James Neill UNFORTUNATELY, I’ve found from talking to people that Kia as a brand still lacks premium appeal for many. Perhaps if the firm started a sub-brand, just like other companies have done, under the Stinger name it would sell more. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk “I like this, but what are those bonnet vents for? They make it look a bit aftermarket.” Chaz Stock “It’s a beautiful design, but I can’t imagine it…

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @AxleIngram RENAULT stole a march on its rivals when it came to selling pure-electric vehicles – no manufacturer has sold more EVs in Europe over the past 10 years. It’s not just the fully electric car market that’s expanding, though, but the electrified segment in general. So now Renault has decided to wade in with a range of hybrid and plug-in hybrid models to ease buyers towards the shift to full battery power. This, then, is the Renault Clio E-Tech Hybrid, a car which takes on the latest Honda Jazz Hybrid and Toyota Yaris with claimed fuel economy of 64.2mpg and a sub-100g/km CO2 rating. Renault’s first stab at a hybrid system offers a similar end result to the Yaris: short bursts of electric running, most effective for urban…

Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram Performance 0-62mph/top speed 5.4 seconds/112mph Running costs 134.5mpg (off icial) £68 fill-up “It rides well on 19-inch wheels, body control is good, and the steering gives you confidence” UNTIL now, if you wanted a compact executive Volvo estate with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, you had little choice but to opt for the fire-breathing 395bhp V60 T8 – with or without the punchy Polestar pack. At more than £50,000, though, it had a big price tag, despite its all-round abilities. Seeing sense, the Swedish maker has added a more keenly priced, but still quite quick, T6 to its BMW 3 Series-rivalling range. It’s certainly easier to make the numbers stack up; at a smidge over £45k, it’s more affordable for private buyers, while the company car drivers this model…

MODELTESTED: Honda Advance PRICE: £29,160 POWERTRAIN: 1 x electric motor, 152bhp THE Honda is the Japanese brand’s first electric car for Europe, but with rivals including the stylish MINI Electric, can the excel? We’re testing the £29,160 Honda Advance to find out. Design & engineering WHILE Advance is a trim level, it offers more power and torque compared with the entry-level car, at 152bhp and 315Nm respectively, even though both models use the same 35.5kWh battery pack – of which only 28.5kWh is usable. At 1,520kg, the Honda is also heavier than the 1,365kg MINI. However, the Honda hits back at its British rival with 100kW rapid charging, while the MINI makes do with 50kW DC charging. Hooked up to this most powerful feed, the Honda takes 30 minutes for…

Peugeot e-208 GT Line PRICE: £28,925 BATT/RANGE: 50kWh/217 miles THE Peugeot e-208 is less powerful than the Honda, but with a bigger 50kWh battery (plus 100kW charging), it also offers up to 217 miles of range. It’s a more usable small EV that focuses on style at an affordable price in GT Line specification. Renault Zoe i Iconic R135 Z.E. 50 RC PRICE: £29,495 BATT/RANGE: 52kWh/239 miles THE Zoe is our current small EV champ, because it offers enough style and with up to 239 miles of range, it’s the most usable car in its class. It is comfortable, drives well and in Iconic trim gets lots of tech and kit. Pay extra for the Rapid Charge model.…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn AS with a lot of people in 2020, my summer holiday plans were kicked into touch rather quickly. So after I, my girlfriend and the Nissan were all released from lockdown-induced hibernation, it seemed like a good opportunity to get out into the countryside for a spot of camping. The Juke has spent the vast majority of its time in and around London, commuting to and from the Auto Express office and rarely carrying more than two people at a time. So a trip with friends to more rural areas, loaded up with camping gear and four people, would be a test for this city-dwelling SUV. Having laid out two tents, four overnight bags, various pieces of folding camping gear, such as chairs and tables, as well as…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk Q I want to avoid black marks I’VE just bought a black car that’s been detailed to remove marks in the paint. I’ve seen lots of blemishes and swirls on other black cars and want to know how to avoid getting more. Charlie West, E-mail A TAKE care to avoid washing the car in sunlight because black absorbs heat quicker and can dry chemicals easily. Do as much as you can without touching the car using snow foam, degreaser and all-purpose or citrus cleaners and a pressure washer. Use soap and rinse buckets, a new microfibre wash mitt and a long-pile drying towel to minimise making marks. Q Are run-flats a good option? MY wife and I are now retired and I’m not sure we’re up…

Mini test NEW PRODUCT CEGAR 2020 10W Magnetic Wireless Car Charger Price: £24.99 Mounting: Dashboard/air vent Rating: Contact: www.amazon.co.uk A PRICE of just £25 was impressive given that it included an adaptor with two USB sockets as well as two mounting options – an air vent gripper and a small stick-on dash bracket The vent gripper was a push-fit cone with no clamp or hooks for the vanes, and wasn’t that steady in use. The latter was stable and simple to use, although the one-use adhesive pad means you have to place it correctly first time. If you have a phone case, it’s better to stick the magnet to the back of your phone, which attaches the phone to the mount securely. At a metre, cable length was short, and…

Dear Tristan, I’m looking for the best secondhand hard-top convertible I can buy for less than £20,000. What do you recommend? Connor Belshaw, E-mail Contact: Tristan_Shale-Hester@dennis.co.uk THE BALANCED CHOICE BMW Z4 FOR: Strong mix of performance and refinement AGAINST: Used examples are all at least four years old DUE to some midlife updates, there were quite a few variants of the Mk2 BMW Z4 by the end of its eight-year production run. Regardless of what’s under the bonnet, the Z4 is fast, fun and agile, although the ride in M Sport models might be too firm for some. For £19,995, you can bag a 64-plate, 14,500-mile 28i M Sport with a 245bhp 2.0-litre engine. Alternatively, a 14,000-mile 20i M Sport on a 66-plate with a 181bhp 2.0-litre unit will set…

Turkish GP joins as F1 2020 plans finalised FORMULA 1 has announced a final revised calendar for 2020, bringing back the Turkish Grand Prix in Istanbul (above) for the first time since 2011. F1 will race there on 15 November, following on from its event at Imola in Italy. Two back-to-back races in Bahrain, on 29 November and 6 December, along with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 13 December, will then bring the season to a close, after a total of 17 races. WEC shifts date of Bahrain finale THE World Endurance Championship has shifted the date of its 2020 finale in Bahrain to allow for preparations for the double-header F1 event in the Gulf nation (above). It’ll now take place on 14 November, a week earlier than initially…

Steve Fowler Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk @stevefowler AFTER 63 years and more than six million sales, it’s time for only the third generation of Fiat 500. This time, though, the new model will only be available as an electric vehicle – which seems apt for the world’s most fashion-conscious city car. And Auto Express has been to the 500’s home in Turin to get an early drive in a prototype of the new model. It’s a welcome return home to Fiat’s famous Mirafiori factory for the 500 – the result of a multi-million-Euro investment in the plant that backs onto Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ headquarters in Turin. The streets of the famous Italian city are ideal to test the new 500 on, too. But first Klaus Busse, head of design for Fiat, Abarth, Lancia,…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods HYUNDAI has revealed a heavily facelifted Kona, complete with a sporty N Line trim level. A new front grille is the highlight of the external revisions; it’s joined by a reshaped bumper, slimmer LED running lights and new-look headlights lower down. Around the back, the tail-light signatures have been updated and there’s a slight redesign of the rear bumper. Inside, design changes are limited to a redesigned centre console, an electronic parking brake and new trim elements. There’s also new technology. A 10.25-inch digital instrument panel is available on the Kona for the first time, lifted from the new i20 supermini. Also, the car’s standard touchscreen has been expanded from seven to eight inches and gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; driver-assistance features have been updated to the…

£54k baby Aston is quite the Spectre THIS is the DB5 Junior, created by the Little Car Company, the firm behind the Bugatti Baby II miniature EV replica driven in issue 1,641. At 2/3rd scale of the original DB5, the Junior is suitable for adults and children, with a maximum range of 40 miles and a top speed of 30mph thanks to a 6.7bhp electric motor. Prices start from £42,000, but extend to £54,000 for the DB5 Junior Vantage, which features a 13.4bhp motor. SEAT adds zest to the Ateca and Leon SEAT has confirmed UK pricing for the facelifted Ateca SUV, on sale now from £23,670. The £26,355 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol SE Technology is predicted to be the most popular model, while the new 296bhp Cupra Ateca will cost…

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @AxleIngram Essentials Kia Ceed 1.6 CRDi 48V iMT 3 Price: £24,500 (est) Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl mild-hybrid diesel Power: 136bhp/280Nm Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive 0-62mph: 10.2 seconds Top speed: 124mph Economy/CO2: 64mpg (est)/99g/km ONSALE January THERE’S no denying that Kia is at the forefront when it comes to producing electric powertrains, but the company still feels that there’s life in the old internal combustion engine yet. Kia’s latest bid to trim fuel consumption is known as Intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT) coupled with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. We’re trying it here for the first time in the Ceed hatchback, where it’s paired up with the existing 136bhp diesel. UK sales are expected to begin for the Ceed and its derivatives – XCeed, Proceed and Ceed Sportswagon – at around the…

sean_carson@dennis.co.uk Essentials Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ Premium Plus Price: £81,055 Engine: 3.0-litre 6cyl turbo petrol Power/torque: 429bhp/520Nm Transmission: Nine-speed automatic, four-wheel drive 0-62mph: 5.3 seconds Top speed: 155mph Economy: 26.2mpg CO2: 248g/km ONSALE Now Running costs 26.2mpg (official) £106 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 5.3 seconds/155mph THE performance-SUV market is crowded, especially at this subsuper-SUV level. There’s the Porsche Cayenne GTS, the BMW X5 M50i and now this, the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53. This is a car that, on the face of things, lets you have your cake and eat it, though, because the GLE 53 uses Mercedes’ EQ Boost mild-hybrid tech to improve performance and efficiency. This is a 2,305kg machine, mind, and with ‘only’ 429bhp to shift that bulk you might think the GLE isn’t all that rapid. You’d be…

MODELTESTED: MINI Electric Level 3 PRICE: £30,900 POWERTRAIN: 1x electric motor, 181bhp WE already know the Honda e is strong, but up to now the MINI Electric has been the one to beat when it comes to a small EV with style. Can the £30,900 top-spec Level 3 car compete? Design & engineering WHEREAS the Honda is based on the brand’s EV-specific platform, the MINI Electric is based on the brand’s UKL chassis, which it shares with BMW and other petrol and diesel-powered MINIs, so there’s possibly more compromise here on packaging. Smaller cars such as these often have smaller batteries, and so it is with the MINI. The pack is rated at 32.6kWh total (less than the Honda) but a greater percentage of that it usable, at 28.9kWh (more…

Honda e Honda Connect Nav Standard Key features: Five-screen set-up The e’s infotainment is one of its greatest features. Alongside those two screens for the mirrors there’s an 8.8-inch driver’s display coupled with a pair of 12.3-inch touchscreens. You can display a different range of info on either screen and, while the resolution and response to inputs are good – much better than any previous honda system – the left screen is quite far away, so it’s nice that you can switch the two displays’ layouts to make them easier to use. There’s sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB radio and some good connected services, as well as honda’s voice-activated Personal Assistant. This is okay, but just a little clunkier than it should be. There’s a gallery mode to…

DETAILS DESIGN is clearly a big part of both of these cars, which is why personalisation potential matters, too. The Honda’s 17-inch alloy wheels are striking and come with sticky Michelin tyres that improve the handling. However, this Charge Yellow colour is the only free shade; metallic paint costs £550, yet it’s included as standard on the MINI. You can also tweak more design details with the British model. INCENTIVES MANY manufacturers are offering incentives to get drivers into EVs, such as free public charging or a free home wallbox. However, neither brand here is offering such deal sweeteners. Honda does offer its e:Progress wallbox that packages an energy tariff into the equation, and while you can get an OLEV grant for a wallbox, MINI is still charging between £599…

Triumph TR4 & TR4A Paul Hogan (Veloce Publishing, veloce.co.uk) Price: £14.99 Rating: DESCRIBED as a ‘comprehensive troubleshooter’, this book is sort of a mini Haynes manual that takes you through some of this classic sports car’s common problems. There are suggestions for improvements and modifications, too. We like the no-nonsense tech and colour photography, but line drawings would be nice for more complex maintenance and repair tasks. London’s Emergency Service Vehicles Dave Boulter (Amberley Publishing, www.amberley-books.com) Price: £14.99 Rating: WITH nearly 200 images, this book covers just about every vehicle from the police, fire and ambulance services along with others you may not have considered, such as the British Transport Police, St John’s Ambulance, or even Diplomatic Protection Group units. Great for young emergency vehicle fans. Grand Truck Simulator Available…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@dennis.co.uk Q What will happen when water and my e-Niro mix? I HAVE a Kia e-Niro and I’m worried that if it rains while I’m charging it, the water could cause some electrical problems. Do you know of any companies that make covers for electric vehicle charging doors? David Burns, E-mail A WE don’t know of any such product, but we can assure you there is no need to be concerned about charging an electric car in the rain, as long as you’re using the appropriate charging cables (i.e. ones actually designed for charging EVs). Electric cars are made to be weatherproof and manufacturers conduct extensive testing to ensure there are no issues from rain or any other weather conditions. Q Space-reserving frowned on by traffic…

Visit carbuyer.co.uk for all the latest data plus indepth car reviews and videos 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 figure in miles per gallon and its emissions in grams per kilometre of CO2. Figures are the best achieved in the latest WLTP tests, but will vary according to equipment and are unlikely to be representative of everyday efficiency. 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. EVs and hybrids will have dedicated battery cover. LIST PRICE: This is the on-the-road figure…

Join the debate now at autoexpress.co.uk/opinion THERE has been little, if anything, to celebrate during this tragically dark year. And although it’s too early to start popping champagne corks or dancing in the streets, at least car users have a little something to smile about during late Summer, 2020. What brings us this welcome slice of hope, joy, justice and democracy is the U-turn from some politicians, safety advisers and others ‘in authority.’ They were responsible for a legally questionable land grab that saw barely adequate roads for motorised vehicles transformed into needlessly wide boulevards for pedestrians, and lavish highways for bicyclists. But there’s now a growing feeling that they went over the top by stealing too many miles of driving lanes from us, and some local authorities are backtracking…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy THIS is Skoda’s first bespoke electric car, the Enyaq, which will lead the Czech manufacturer into new territory when it lands in UK dealers in early 2021. The Enyaq is, in effect, the sister vehicle to the forthcoming VW ID.4. Like that car, it sits on the VW Group’s latest all-electric platform, MEB, which has been designed to maximise the packaging and efficiency benefits that come with electric cars. The Enyaq is a 4,648mm-long SUV, so it’s about 50mm shorter than Skoda’s flagship offering, the Kodiaq. But the Enyaq’s wheelbase is 2,765mm, just 26mm shorter than the Kodiaq’s, reflecting how the engineers have reduced the front overhang to help free up extra cabin space. While the car is being launched as a regularly shaped SUV, a more rakish…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy THIS is the facelifted Peugeot 3008, a revamped version of the family SUV that kick-started the French firm’s current boom period when it was first revealed in 2016. There’s a new frameless front grille, fresh LED headlamps and new full-LED tail-light clusters. Inside, the 12.3-inch fully digital dials have been updated with sharper graphics, while the central touchscreen is now a 10-inch unit with a higher definition than before. There are also two USB ports in the second row of seats and one in the front, along with wireless smartphone charging. Depending on trim, other cabin upgrades include Nappa leather in different colours, Alcantara lining, a frameless rear-view mirror and a dark lime wood finish. Powertrains are unchanged and some use plug-in tech. The four-wheel-drive Hybrid4 mixes a…

Legal AA: 0345 850 1130 (m) RAC: 0330 159 1446 (m) 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: 0113 222 2010 AA: 0800 316 3564 DVLA: 0300 790 6802 RAC: 0808 164 1923 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 Assoc. 0131 331 5510 Problems with makers The Motor Ombudsman: 0345 241 3008 Financial problems Financial Ombudsman: 0800 023 4567 Safety concerns/recalls www.check-mot. service.gov.uk…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods ALMOST every week in Auto Express you’ll see mention of a shadowy society in our news pages. It’s not a club with any secret handshakes, questionable affiliation tattoos, club charter or hierarchy. In fact, many people within it try their hardest to conceal their membership from other members. As you’ve probably worked out, we’re not talking about the Illuminati or the Blue Peter Fan Club here. Car spy photographers, or ‘our spies’, as we like to call them, are always out in the field, whether the manufacturers like it or not. When a car makes its first unofficial appearance by way of spy shot, the countdown to the big reveal truly begins. Over the years, world-exclusive snaps of upcoming models in various levels of disguise have brought stories…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn Essentials Ford Focus ST Mountune m330 Price: £31,164 Engine: 2.3-litre 4cyl turbo petrol Power/torque: 326bhp/515Nm Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive 0-62mph: 5.2 seconds Top speed: 155mph Economy: TBC CO2: TBC ONSALE Now IF fast Fords aren’t quite quick enough for you, Mountune has long been providing extra performance for a very reasonable price. This Focus ST Mountune m330 is the firm’s latest offering. The upgrade costs £589, and while it may only consist of a simple plug-in ECU remap, this off-the-shelf tweak brings a big serving of extra pace. Power from Ford’s 2.3-litre turbo petrol engine rises from 276bhp to 326bhp, and torque soars by 95Nm to a whopping 515Nm in total. Those are significant hikes in a car that wasn’t exactly lacking grunt in the first place,…

HONDA 1st THE Honda is the cheaper machine, yet it’s better equipped, more efficient, has more tech and offers slightly more range than the MINI, with greater charging flexibility, too. With four doors (albeit a tiny boot) it’s just that little bit more practical, and we love the Honda’s design approach. It’s not as fun as the MINI, but it drives well and is comfortable, so Honda’s first European EV takes victory here. MINI 2nd WE’D like a little more substance over style from both EVs, because they offer limited range and are on the pricey side. The MINI is great fun to drive, with electric performance really suiting its character, but it’s not quite as comfortable and doesn’t offer as much kit, yet it costs more. But the slightly…

McLaren reveals a Senna for little ones MCLAREN has expanded its range of supercars designed for kids with the new Senna Ride-On, which promises electrifying performance for three to six-year-olds across the country. Inspired by the full-sized Senna, the Ride-On has an electric motor that’s capable of propelling the car to an unspecified top speed. It has plenty of features, including push-button start and even an infotainment system complete with USB and SD card connectivity. Priced at £375, the car can be purchased from selected toy shops as well as McLaren dealerships. Extra protection for commercial VWs VOLKSWAGEN Commercial Vehicles has added new protection packs to its accessories range for the Amarok pick-up, plus the Caddy, Crafter and Transporter vans. Each pack contains rubber floor mats, rear bumper covers and…

PRODUCTGROUP TEST 2|9|2020 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 Kim Adams CLAY bars are the conventional way to prepare paint for a sealant or wax – but they are time-consuming to use, which has seen the rise of quicker alternatives. These do the same job of lifting bonded-on contaminants from the paint, but they use a sticky pad or surface rather than a clay. Because they’re usually palm-sized rather than the finger-tip pucks of conventional clays, they cover a larger area and speed up the job. They can also be washed and rinsed free of grit when dropped – unlike a clay, which needs to be binned. These cloths,…

Search more than 40,000 cars with competitive finance Order online, delivered to your door, 14 day money-back guarantee Richard Dredge A NEW Jazz has just hit UK roads, the fourth generation of a car that was first seen all the way back in 2001. From that first edition the Honda has been rare in its sector, with its high roof and ‘monobox’ silhouette that houses the pièce de résistance: cinema-style rear seats. Called Magic Seats, they offer a level of flexibility that none of the car’s rivals can match – even now, nearly two decades after it was first seen. They let you carry items behind the front seats while retaining a separate boot, allowing you to transport tall items that might need to remain upright. The Jazz is renowned…

Tanak rallying on home turf Young guns tipped to shine Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk AFTER a hiatus of nearly six months since March’s Rally Mexico, the teams and drivers contesting the 2020 World Rally Championship are back in action this weekend at Rally Estonia. The Baltic event wasn’t on the original 2020 calendar, but has been added as other planned rallies in farther-flung destinations for the primarily European based teams had to be cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Heading into the event, the Toyota duo of Sebastien Ogier and Welshman Elfyn Evans sit first and second in the drivers’ standings, but some observers think the level playing field of a new event that hasn’t been part of the series before could see one of the WRC’s rising young stars spring a…