Auto Express 1646

IN A fast-changing world, one thing has become more important than ever: getting good value for money. It’s something we’ve always been mindful of at Auto Express and it applies however much you might be thinking of spending on a car. It’s also why we were delighted to hear that the new Dacia Sandero (above) – famously Britain’s cheapest new car – will still have an ‘unbeatable price’ when it goes on sale later this year. An unbeatable price that is set to include more kit and quality – and a bit more style. Brands such as Dacia have really made other car makers sit up and take notice. But rather than react with low-priced, high-quality cars of their own, they’ve tended to push themselves further upmarket, away from Dacia…

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk • Uses Fiesta ST’s 197bhp engine for 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds • Driving modes and optional Quaife diff boost dynamic appeal BUYERS can’t get enough of compact crossovers, but few mainstream brands have a performance version in their line-up. Happily, Ford has addressed that with the all-new Puma ST. It’s the third model to join the Blue Oval’s current performance range, following the Fiesta and the Focus, and is the first crossover to receive the go-faster treatment by Ford Performance. With a power output of 197bhp and 320Nm, the Puma ST can’t match the likes of the 296bhp Volkswagen T-Roc R when it comes to firepower. However, it’s set to significantly undercut the VW on price; when the ST goes on sale in early 2021, it’s expected to start…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk • On sale by end of this year • Should be cheapest car in UK THIS is the Dacia Sandero, unveiled in detail a few weeks after the Renault-owned brand released a couple of teaser images that showed the new face of what is expected to be the UK’s cheapest new car. Following years of being based on ageing Clio mechanicals, this Mk4 Sandero switches to the same CMF-B platform as the latest Renault ’mini. But despite that, the new Sandero’s styling is evolutionary, with a Y-shaped LED light signature at the front and a wider track that gives a stronger look. There’s a more comfortable shape of door handle and, at the rear, the old-fashioned boot release is being kept only on basic editions, with the rest of…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk • Choice of three power outputs • Range of 224-323 miles VOLKSWAGEN is wasting no time in rolling out its fleet of new pure-electric vehicles as it unveils this, the all-new ID.4. It’s a Tiguan-sized SUV designed to take on the Tesla Model Y and Skoda Enyaq. The new SUV is based on the VW Group’s MEB platform, like the smaller ID.3 hatch, and two battery sizes have been confirmed for the new model: 52kWh and 77kWh. However, from launch, which is likely to be in early 2021, only versions using the larger battery pack will be offered, with the cheaper 52kWh models available later. ID.4s with the smaller battery are claimed to have a maximum range of 224 miles on a single charge, with a 146bhp or 168bhp…

BMW has pulled the wraps off the second-generation 4 Series Convertible. It’s available to order in the UK now, priced from £45,195. The styling is pretty much identical to the Coupé’s, save for a new chrome mesh radiator grille and a folding roof. However, for this second-generation model, BMW has ditched the old car’s folding metal hard-top for a new fabric roof. BMW says the new soft-top is 40 per cent lighter than before, while it can be operated at speeds of up to 31mph, taking 18 seconds to open or close. There’s also a new Air Collar system, which blows hot air onto the necks of front-seat passengers. Unlike the 4 Series Coupé, the Cabriolet comes in BMW’s M Sport specification as standard, so it features 18-inch alloy wheels, uprated…

MG adds a 254bhp PHEV to its large SUV MG has revealed a new plug-in hybrid version of its largest SUV, the HS. Priced from £29,995, the HS PHEV uses a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, six-speed automatic gearbox, a 16.6kWh battery pack and a 120bhp electric motor for a combined 254bhp. The 0-60mph sprint takes 6.9 seconds, the top speed is 118mph and the HS PHEV can run on battery power alone for 32 miles. MG claims the PHEV will deliver a WLTP fuel economy figure of 155.8mpg and emit 43g/km of CO2. When plugged into a 7kW charger, the battery takes three hours to replenish. Page 37: MG 5 EV driven Griffiths announced as SEAT’s new CEO THE new boss of SEAT is a Brit: former Cupra front…