Innholdsfortegnelse for 1648 i Auto Express

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn IN addition to its production-car plans, Mercedes also announced that it is developing an electric prototype that is claimed to have the longest range and highest efficiency of any battery-powered vehicle ever built. Called the Mercedes Vision EQXX, the prototype was teased with this shadowy silhouette (above) during the presentation of the brand’s new strategy. No technical information or performance targets have been issued, but a presentation slide teased “Shanghai to Beijing on one charge??”. That suggests a range of at least 750 miles between recharges is being targeted. Engineers working on the project claim that rather than increasing battery capacity (and with it, weight), advances in aerodynamic efficiency are key to unlocking such a large range. “The easiest way is to put a bigger battery in the…

THE future of the Audi R8 (right) has been called in question, because production of the new e-tron GT has been confirmed at Audi’s Böllinger Höfe facility in Neckarsulm, the location where Audi’s supercar is built. Both the electric e-tron GT and V10-powered R8 will run down the same assembly line – a first for Audi. This is possible thanks to huge investment in the site, which has enabled Audi to increase the plant’s flexibility and overall capacity. The move to produce the e-tron GT at the same site as the R8 could spell the beginning of the end for the mid-engined supercar. Bosses at Audi have been mulling over what to do with the next-generation R8, as the whole VW Group looks to adopt electric technology en masse. The…

Hugo_Griffiths@dennis.co.uk @hugo_griffiths A SHOCKING report has revealed the scale of the UK’s mobile-phone addiction, with large proportions of drivers admitting to using their phones when driving. The RAC surveyed 3,068 drivers, and found 18 per cent of those between 17 and 24 said they make or receive video calls. A staggering 42 per cent of young drivers said they make handheld calls behind the wheel, with nine per cent playing video games, and 37 per cent checking or sending texts or social media posts, or using the internet. But although young drivers seem most unable to give their whole attention to the road, drivers from all age groups reported concerning levels of smartphone use. Almost one in three (29 per cent) said they take or make handheld phone calls when…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @Autoexpress HOT TOPIC New BMW M3 FROM: Compo I TOTALLY understand why some will find it too much, but I like it. The massive grille looks better with a number plate breaking it up, and suits a performance car like this well. Not sure about the crease by the rear-door’s lower shutline, though. FROM: John Minshall THE exterior styling sadly just doesn’t work. It will sell, but probably in lower numbers than previous M3s. The Audi RS 5 looks much better. I’d wager both will remain niche purchases, though, as more people go for hybrids and EVs. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk “The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is the car the M3 will always have to beat, in my opinion.”Roger Chadwick “I’m not a BMW fan, but I like…

Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk @stevefowler Running costs 33.2mpg (off icial) £63 fill-up THIS car is the clearest indication yet that Cupra could be set to overshadow (or maybe one day replace) its SEAT parent. The Formentor is the first bespoke Cupra model, which will be followed by the El Born EV that Cupra has nabbed for itself. Volkswagen Group politics aside, we’ve had our first taste of the Formentor and it bodes well for the new standalone brand. With 306bhp from its turbocharged fourcylinder petrol engine, four-wheel drive and a sub-five second 0-62mph time, it’s more Audi S3 than Golf GTI. That also applies to the price – further proof that Cupra is an upmarket brand. The Formentor starts at a shade under £40,000, but that does buy you a low-slung SUV that’s…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy PORSCHE has been busy electrifying key parts of its line-up – including introducing the all-electric Taycan, which is now arguably the flagship of its range. But that doesn’t mean the German brand has forgotten how to do combustion-engined performance – and to prove this, it has just launched an updated Panamera Turbo S. It sticks with V8 power, but its retuned motor has some stonking outputs: 621bhp and a whopping 820Nm of torque – gains of 79bhp and 50Nm over the old edition. The new model’s key figures are 0-62mph in just 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 198mph – pretty astonishing for a car this big. And you feel it as you drive it, for the new Panamera Turbo S definitely has to be filed in…

Why it wins THE city car segment is challenging at the moment, but the onset of electrification has helped breathe some new life into the sector – and Volkswagen has exploited that nicely with its revised up! range. You can still buy the up! as a three or five-door model and with VW’s 59bhp naturally aspirated 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, and a great city car it is, too, with good punch around town and just enough performance to cut it with motorway traffic. It also rides well, offering a mature feeling to the way it deals with bumps and broken surfaces in towns and cities, where the up! will spend most of its time. It’s the grown-up feel and relatively strong practicality that are key to its appeal. But the…

Why it wins THE consistency of Skoda’s products is proof the brand knows what its buyers want as the market evolves, and this updated version of the Superb embodies that in a few key areas. First of all, there’s the range of choice the Superb offers when it comes to powertrains, and it’s been extended by the addition of Skoda’s iV plug-in hybrid. With 215bhp available and the potential for 34 miles of all-electric, zero-emission running thanks to its combination of a 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine with a 13kWh battery pack and electric motor, Skoda has moved with the market. It offers a Superb that will return a claimed 217.3mpg and CO2 emissions as low as 30g/km, which is why the iV is also an attractive option for business users.…

Why it wins IF you were going to list the key attributes any executive saloon needed to posses, it would read like a checklist for the new Mercedes E-Class: style, space, comfort and an element of luxury, efficiency, performance and technology. The updated E received a mid-life boost earlier this year, which elevated it to the top of its class. As well as some styling tweaks designed to bring its look into line with newer models of the family, Mercedes’ revised MBUX infotainment system, complete with twin 12.3-inch screens, was key to the upgrades. With more connectivity, sharper graphics and features such as augmented reality for the sat-nav, it’s as advanced as in-car tech comes. That’s supported by the availability of Mercedes’ excellent semi-autonomous driver aids – which will help…

Why it wins THE BMW X5 was there or there abouts in our 2019 awards, but the addition of a stellar plug-in hybrid model has elevated it to champion status in 2020, pushing it beyond the reaches of Land Rover’s Discovery, which took the title last year. That’s because the X5 x Drive 45e has a sumptuously smooth and powerful 3.0-litre straight-six turbo petrol engine that’s linked to a 24kWh battery and electric motor for a total of 389bhp. It means you can either sprint from 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds, or drive in electric mode for up to 54 miles, allowing owners to have their cake and eat it, with efficiency potential of 235.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 27g/km. It takes less than five hours to recharge from a home…

Why it wins MINIs are all about fun, and removing the roof for the MINI Convertible certainly adds to that, offering open-top thrills at affordable prices and with running costs that should be manageable, too. It’s yet another win for the MINI in this category, showing the car’s longevity and that, despite new rivals emerging – many of which are more expensive and more premium than the MINI – the British brand’s cabriolet has plenty of personality. The range now consists of five trim levels, including the smart sidewalk model in our pictures. Beneath the sporty John Cooper Works range topper are Classic, sport and Exclusive variants that subtly tailor the look and equipment on offer. But whichever you choose, all versions offer the same sharp handling MINIs are known…

Why it wins THE Zoe came of age in its second generation, and for many reasons. But we’ll start with arguably the most important one for an electric car: range. Thanks to its 52kWh battery, the Zoe offers up to 239 miles of range, which is more than EVs costing much, much more than the Renault. It bolsters this performance with strong charging capability, too, with 50kW rapid-charging technology available, which will allow the Zoe’s battery to be replenished to 80 per cent in as little as an hour and 10 minutes. However, the Zoe is a compact EV that most buyers will probably use for shorter trips, so you might not need to charge the car for two weeks at a time, depending on how you use it. Overnight…

Why it wins PREMIUM hybrid cars tend to feature plug-in technology, and although this equipment often adds to the cost, the higher price tag of a premium machine means it’s not as big a penalty. The Mercedes E-Class is no stranger to this award, having picked up the gong in this category last year with a two-pronged plug-in offering. Updates to the car for 2020 have only added to its appeal, so with the petrol-powered E 300 e and the turbodiesel E 300 de, the Mercedes E-Class is once again our Premium Hybrid Car of the Year. We’ve already covered the tweaks this 2020 E-Class received, making it our favourite executive model (Page 48), while the plug-in powertrains are superbly refined, thanks to the electrical assistance they offer, taking the…

Why it wins LEXUS’S results in our Driver Power ownership satisfaction survey are exemplary. Yet again the Japanese firm took top spot in our brand rundown, as voted for by you, our readers. You praised Lexus’s cars for their powertrains (it came top in this class), with hybrid tech coming to the fore to deliver good efficiency in its cars. The company also ranked in top spot for exterior and interior, as well as reliability and build quality, while Lexus scored in the top three for ride and handling and safety features, too. This kind of consistency shows why Lexus owners are a happy bunch and underpins the manufacturer’s success in our independent surveys. Lexus dealers also ranked first out of 30 of the biggest brands, with customers praising its…

Why it wins TO be crowned Auto Express Car of the Year, any vehicle has to have a special blend of talents that set it apart from not only rivals in its class – seeing it crowned a category champion – but also all of the award-winners from the different sectors we judge. The Skoda Octavia is that car. There’ll be a plug-in hybrid version joining the range in time, but the Octavia also proves that a pure-combustion engine vehicle still has the ability to be brilliant. A range of efficient petrol and diesel engines means there’s lots of choice, while even the relatively high-spec trims on offer at the moment, shortly after the Octavia went on sale, still have the Czech brand’s trademark focus on value, offering lots of…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk Q Cleaning up cleaning spot MY car has been parked in the same place for some years and underneath is a different colour to the rest of the block-paved area now. What’s the best way to clean it and even up the colour? Michael Doodson, E-mail A A PRESSURE washer is essential. You can use a lance, but it’s slow, and we’ve had good results with rotary patio cleaners, which are far faster. Water alone is often enough and you’ll be amazed at how much grime comes off. Work methodically to where debris can be run off, and resand gaps between the tiles once the area has dried. Q After a dog-friendly pick-up I’M thinking of buying a pick-up and want to carry my dog on…

IT’S only been a few weeks since we pitted the best front and rear dash cam combinations against one another in a multi-test (Issue 1,646), but since then two new cameras have been launched, which promise to capture high-quality front and rear footage for less than £200. The Road Angel Halo Pro looks like some of the £400-plus cams we’ve previously tested, but is priced at less than half that. Snooper is best known for its speed-trap warning devices, so it’s no surprise that its new dash cam incorporates this function. With two 1080P cameras, the DVR-5HD promises decent footage, too. Finally, our previous test’s ‘best value’ choice – the 4K-capable Kenwood A601W package – is defending its title. While the newcomers put up a good fight and have some…

Dear Tristan, I’m looking to spend up to £12,000 on a four-wheel-drive estate that can handle slippery roads. What do you suggest? Mark Rowan, E-mail Contact: Tristan_Shale-Hester@dennis.co.uk THE PREMIUM CHOICE BMW 3 Series Touring FOR: Excellent driving dynamics, premium cabin AGAINST: Smallest boot, firm ride with M Sport trim THE BMW 3 Series Touring has all the virtues and class of its saloon counterpart, but with the additional practicality of an estate thrown into the mix. The sixth-generation car we have here is available with a wide range of engines, but you’ll need a 320d, 330d or 335d diesel, or a 320i petrol, to get BMW’s xDrive four-wheel-drive system. For just under £12,000 you can have a 42,000-mile 64-plate 320d xDrive Sport, which has a 181bhp, 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine,…

Join the debate now at autoexpress.co.uk/opinion IT has been six months since this concerned citizen formally delivered his hand-crafted parchment to the UK Government at the highest (Cabinet) level. Respectfully, I reminded the boys and girls (allegedly) in charge of a few pro-car facts they didn’t know, had genuinely forgotten about, or chose to ignore thanks to their new ‘bash the motorist/bludgeon the traditional family motor’ rhetoric. By far the most important, potentially life-saving truth I passed on to our elected leaders last May went like this: when travelling in a pandemic-ravaged UK, the best, most responsible way for people to socially distance and, in turn, combat the threat of Covid-19 is to use private, simple-to-sanitise family cars, which the vast majority of adults already own or lease. But another,…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy Visit autoexpress.co.uk for your daily news updates • EQE next to appear in EV range • Part of Mercedes new strategy MERCEDES has announced sweeping changes to plans for its product line-up over the next five years – and it will double down on electric cars by introducing an executive saloon EV within the next 18 months, alongside two pure-electric SUVs and a flagship EQS limousine. Called EQE, the new saloon will give the German company a direct rival for the Tesla Model S and trump both of the current E-Class’s main competitors, the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6, by becoming the first full-electric offering from a German premium brand in that area of the market. The new model will be based on Mercedes’ dedicated Electric Vehicle…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn • Audi Sport’s first electric RS • Arrives at e-tron GT’s launch A HOT RS model will crown the all-new Audi e-tron GT line-up, the German brand has officially confirmed. The high-performance saloon will be the first fully electric vehicle to be developed by Audi Sport, and it will go on sale alongside the regular saloon in the middle of next year. Audi had intended to launch the new e-tron GT at this year’s Los Angeles Motor Show, but plans were scrapped due to the ongoing pandemic. The grand unveiling is now scheduled for early in 2021, but already Audi has confirmed that a hot version, badged RS e-tron GT, will be launched at the same time. It marks quite a shift in strategy at Audi Sport, whose…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods HOT on the heels of the new Golf GTI, Volkswagen has wasted no time in rolling out a more potent version: say hello to the new 296bhp Golf GTI Clubsport. The Clubsport is a lighter, more aggressive, track-biased version of the hot hatchback. It sticks with a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine, but its 296bhp output is an increase of 54bhp over the regular GTI. To avoid too much overlap with the forthcoming Golf R – anticipated to arrive with 328bhp – drive is sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox. With the power gains, VW claims 0-62mph in less than six seconds, while top speed is an electronically limited 155mph. The performance advances are not all through the engine, though. Significant chassis work…

Stuart_Milne@dennis.co.uk HOT hatches: they’re an established part of the motoring landscape, blending real-world practicality with sportscar pace. Ford has been at the forefront of hot hatches in the UK for decades, but the most recent RS and ST-badged Focuses and Fiestas owe their existence to one car, the Escort XR3, which celebrates its 40th birthday this month. No one really knows where the XR badge came from, although it first appeared on the Mercury Cougar XR7 from Ford’s US brand in the late sixties. In Europe, at least, bosses were in consensus that Ford should move away from its clichéd ‘S’ brand in the wake of the launch of the Volkswagen Golf GTI. So there was the desire to launch a new sub-brand, while a replacement for the rear-wheel-drive second-generation…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy Electric motor Power/range 201bhp/196 miles FOR a company that has been a pioneer in the electrification of the premium market, it’s taken Lexus an awfully long time to introduce a full EV. But at last it’s here in the form of the UX 300e – and we’ve had our first chance to try it on UK roads. The UX is Lexus’s baby SUV, of course – and it sits on the same TNGA underpinnings as the Toyota Corolla and C-HR. In the 300e’s case, you get a single electric motor mounted on the front axle, producing 201bhp and 300Nm of torque – enough for a 0-62mph time of 7.5 seconds. There’s also a 54.3kWh lithium-ion battery that’s good for a range of 196 miles, Lexus claims. The car…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn Performance 0-62mph/top speed 10.4 seconds/127mph Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 630/1,700 litres WE know that the latest Skoda Octavia is a brilliant family car. However, the First Edition models that initially arrived in showrooms were a little on the pricey side. There was always going to be better value to be found within the line-up and now we’ve had a chance to find it. As a 114bhp 2.0-litre diesel in SE Technology spec, this Octavia estate represents a pretty solid entry point to the range, priced at £24,530. But you could save yourself an extra £910 if you went for the 148bhp 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine. This may be an entry-level model, but you certainly wouldn’t think it judging by the amount of standard equipment inside. Cruise control, dual-zone…

Why it wins RENAULT went from zero to hero in the supermini class when its all-new fifth-generation Clio faced tough challenges from the likes of the SEAT Ibiza, the Ford Fiesta and the Peugeot 208; but it beat all of them to rise to the top of one of the most popular segments of the new car market in Britain. It’s our favourite supermini, and that’s due to a number of reasons. Firstly, the Renault is a genuinely practical vehicle. It’s a ‘big’ small car, so thanks to a good level of legroom inside for a supermini and a 391-litre boot – that’s larger than a Volkswagen Golf’s, for example, which shows the Clio’s capability – the latest Clio has the usability box ticked. Superminis have to score highly in…

Why it wins IF you’re after an estate car, space will be a high priority, and there aren’t many family wagons that offer more room for either passengers or their luggage than the latest Skoda Octavia Estate. Like the hatchback, the Estate benefits from the same tweaks to its engines, interior and infotainment. However, the primary reason it’s our winner for 2020 is the way that it combines 640 litres of luggage room – and the flexibility that any estate car such as this needs to offer – with technology, comfort, performance and efficiency. Levers in the load bay fold the rear seats flat, revealing up to 1,700 litres of carrying capacity, but just as in the hatchback, when the rear seats are up there’s a level of passenger room…

Why it wins TAKING much of the magic that’s made the latest Clio such a success in the supermini category, Renault has expanded the same recipe for its second-generation Captur – and with similar success. Thanks to its chunky body, this is a bigger, heavier car than the Clio, so the TCe 130 engine is the one to go for. It offers plenty of punch, giving ample performance, as well as the same great level of refinement we’ve come to expect from Renault’s latest products. However, it’s the Captur’s space and flexibility that make it a great small SUV and an Auto Express Award-winner. With sliding rear seats that let you prioritise either boot space or legroom, depending on your needs, the Captur will fit into your family’s life seamlessly.…

Why it wins MERCEDES’ small upmarket SUV has blossomed in its transformation to this second-generation GLA. The manufacturer’s smallest SUV impressed us earlier in the year with its blend of attributes, including the brand’s slick MBUX infotainment system that will make life with the car even easier. Premium buyers won’t stand for low-rent plastics, rumbly engines and sub-standard tech, but these are areas where the GLA excels. High quality and great materials combine with a range of punchy, frugal and smooth engines that – in some cases – are linked to new transmissions, so that on the move the car’s mechanicals melt away into the background. It’s true that premium cars come with premium price tags, but buyers at this level of the market are also looking for advanced, efficient…

Why it wins THERE have been new arrivals in this sector, with Porsche’s 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 and the BMW M2 CS both making waves. However, for us, it’s still the Alpine A110 that rules the roost overall. The standard car is fantastic, but the A110 S offers more power, performance and focus. Both are brilliant and give sensations that many of their rivals don’t. Essentially, the Alpine is a subtle car, not one you muscle around; its steering is light but full of life, and the chassis is compliant. It weighs just 1,098kg in its lightest trim, so the A110 doesn’t need to be stiffly sprung and heavily damped. It breathes with the road rather than bullying it into submission, and there’s surprising comfort to go with superb body…

Why it wins ZERO emissions makes the Tesla Model 3 a great compact executive saloon, as we’ve already seen (Page 46), but Tesla started life making EVs – and after an initial foray with a sports car, great EVs at that. Now with three models on sale and a number of future cars that it’s continually teasing to titillate its share price and excite potential new customers alike, the US tech company and its celebrity owner, Elon Musk, might be divisive, but there is no denying the engineering in its products makes them great electric vehicles. Which is why, for the second year running, the Model 3 is our favourite premium EV. Tesla stole a march on the big German three – Audi, BMW and Mercedes – and forced its…

Why it wins OUR pick-up class has been won for the second year in a row by the UK’s best-seller. In fact, the Ford Ranger doesn’t simply top the category, it dominates, and for very good reasons. It strikes a great balance between workhorse dependability and everyday comfort, because Ford has cherry-picked some of the best bits of its passenger car line-up to give the Ranger the kind of tech and quality that most rivals struggle to match. A major update in 2019 gave it a winning edge over its rivals, and it’s an advantage that it still maintains. Whether you’re choosing the utilitarian XL or a top-spec Wildtrak, you’re getting a truck that can cope with everything you throw at it, with enough space, payload and towing ability to…

Why he wins THIS year’s inductee into the Auto Express Hall of Fame is Ford’s Steven Armstrong. Currently working in China as president of Changan Ford, Armstrong has left a legacy of success wherever he has worked around the world – and that currently stands at six countries on four continents. Perhaps most notable is Armstrong’s work as Chief Operating Officer and then Chairman of Ford of Europe, laying the foundations for the impressive new products that we see within these Awards pages and a far healthier balance sheet for the Blue Oval’s operations on this side of the Atlantic. Armstrong started work as an apprentice with Automotive Products in the Midlands at the age of 16, following his father into the automotive industry. His route into Ford came via…

NEW PRODUCT Halfords tool sets Price: from £35 Contact: www.halfords.com IF you’re looking to start working on your car or need to add to your tools, you’ll welcome the handy additions Halfords has launched for its Advanced and Essentials ranges. For those starting a collection or needing a second set to carry around, there is the Essentials Home and Garage kit at just £35. The level and tape measure are perhaps more suited to the home, but there’s more for the garage, with sockets, screwdrivers (including precision versions), pliers and spanners in the tough, blow-moulded case. For more workshop-focussed use there is the £75 Garage Tool Kit, which packs 92 pieces into a moulded case. There are two 72-tooth ratchets, sockets, extensions bars, and Torx and Allen keys included alongside…

Formula 1 The Official History Maurice Hamilton (Welbeck, www.welbeckpublishing.com) Price: £25 Rating: THIS book feels far more expensive than its price tag. After more than 40 years of covering Formula 1, Hamilton has done a great job here, explaining where necessary and allowing the imagery to speak for itself the rest of the time. We particularly like the profiles on each champion. Porsche Boxster: The Practically Free Sports Car Robert McGowan (Starbunker, www.amazon.co.uk) Price: £13.75 Rating: MCGOWAN’S work is essentially a buyer’s guide detailing the process of acquiring and running a Boxster without spending the earth on repairs or day-to-day costs. With a hefty dose of man-maths, it’s believable, as well as reasonably entertaining. It’s certainly a must if you’re considering buying a Boxster. Racemasters: Clash of Cars Available for:…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@dennis.co.uk Q Shock after dealer’s warning about damper replacements I LEASED a new car in October 2019. It’s just had its first service and the rear shock absorbers are leaking. The dealer is doing investigation work, but says I may have to pay £580 for replacement. Is this right? Andrew Edwards, E-mail A SHOCK absorbers degrade over time and use, and are therefore ‘wear and tear’ items that tend not to be covered by warranties. Given the age of your car, however, the shocks could have a manufacturing defect, which may be detected by the dealer’s investigation, and covered by the warranty. It is also possible, though, that they were damaged by a pothole strike, which would not be covered. If the latter is the case,…

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: Combined WLTP economy figure in miles per gallon and emissions in grams per kilometre of CO2. Figures are 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 and includes VAT,…

EQA This small EV crossover – like an all-electric version of the GLA – is due to appear before the end of 2020. EQB An electric SUV that is focused on practicality. Think of it as a zero-emission version of the GLB. EQC The first pure EQ model – a family SUV with a range of up to 259 miles. EQE Swoopy executive saloon that’s set to be the second model launched on Merc’s larger electric-car platform. It’s likely to arrive in 2022, with an SUV version coming later. EQS The flagship model on EVA, this all-electric limousine is due next year, with a claimed range of around 450 miles, and there will be an SUV, too. EQV Converted V-Class people-carrier that went on sale in July, costing from £70,000.…

Amazon helps deliver Rivian’s electric van AMERICAN EV manufacturer Rivian has developed an all-new electric delivery van (above) that could become a common sight on roads in the near future. That’s because it has been created in collaboration with retail giant Amazon, which hopes to have 10,000 Rivian vans on the road by 2022. No specifications have been announced, but the Rivian van features a retro-futuristic design, full Amazon Alexa integration and semi-autonomous tech. Recall blow for Ford’s Kuga plug-in pioneer FORD is recalling all plug-in hybrid versions of its Kuga SUV due to a fault with the car’s battery pack that could lead to a fire. The firm is contacting owners telling them not to charge the Kuga PHEV’s battery, and to use the car only in default ‘Auto…

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…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn Performance 0-62mph/top speed 4.5 seconds/182mph IT would have been hard to imagine back in 1996, when Porsche first launched the Boxster, that this baby sports car would one day be packing a 4.0-litre flat-six engine developing just shy of 400bhp. Even harder to imagine would be a Boxster that costs in excess of £66,000, but that is just what we have here in the new 718 Boxster GTS 4.0. The important part of the car’s name is at the very end. The 4.0 indicates this GTS’s larger, naturally aspirated engine that has replaced the previous model’s turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder. Power swells from 361bhp to 395bhp, but more than just an injection of extra performance, the switch completely transforms the car’s character. Even before the wheels begin to turn,…

Auto Express Chief reviewer sean_carson@dennis.co.uk IT’S been an unusual year in the motor industry so far. With an enforced shutdown and dealers closed for months, it means the cycle of new products coming through the pipeline and hitting the pages of Auto Express has been skewed towards the end of 2020. But the pipeline has started flowing again and we’ve now driven, assessed and reviewed the host of new cars we’d been waiting for, so we can recommend to you the best buys in 24 different classes, as well as crown our overall Car of the Year for a turbulent 2020. From city cars to luxury models, alternative-fuel vehicles (including mild-hybrid, hybrid, plug-in and full-electric models), sports cars, practical cars and pretty much every sector of the new car market…

Why it wins DESPITE its predecessor winning this category many times, the new Skoda Octavia still had its work cut out to claim victory here, in a year when a new VW Golf, a new SEAT Leon and a revised Ford Focus with fresh engines hit the market. But it showed its breadth of abilities again, and that was enough to take victory, proving the Octavia’s credentials in a sector full of impressive machinery. Key to the Skoda’s success is its improved technology. With upgraded infotainment as well as more driver-assistance systems – vital to improve safety in a family car – the Octavia has also taken a step upmarket in quality and refinement, too. It’s still based on the same MQB architecture but, with subtly tweaked and tuned engines…

Why it wins THE Tesla Model 3 was our Car of the Year in 2019 and this year it shows yet again why it’s a winner, picking up our Compact Executive Car of the Year award. That’s because the government has changed its Benefit-in-Kind company car tax rules for this tax year so that pure-electric vehicles like this Tesla attract a zero per cent rate for company car tax. With this class dominated by business users, the financial incentives to run a premium EV are huge, and with masses of tech, great performance, genuinely usable range and impressive charging capability, the Tesla is a champion once again. There’s no need to go for anything more than the basic Standard Range Plus model, because it offers a range of 254 miles…

Why it wins IT’S fair to say that while the mid-size SUV class has been growing in popularity almost exponentially year on year over the last decade, the Ford Kuga SUV has been in the doldrums for most of that time. However, this third-generation model is a fantastic return to form for Ford, backing up the introduction of its fun-feeling Puma small SUV with exactly what buyers in this class want from a crossover. Based on the same platform as the Focus family hatchback, the Kuga boasts the Blue Oval’s trademark driver-focused approach, so the steering is quick and well weighted, and works nicely with the way the chassis is set up to deliver a fun driving experience. However, it doesn’t sacrifice comfort; although it’s certainly firm and communicative, the…

Why it wins THE Defender is one of the star cars of 2020, so it’s no surprise to see it claim an impressive win at this year’s New Car Awards. It almost has a foot in two camps, because in 110 form it can seat up to seven people. However, we know you buy cars with a keen eye on price, and with the five-seat 90 starting from £43,625, the headline figures mean it’s surprisingly affordable, even if you’ll have to spend a bit more than that sum for the specification of car you’ll really want. There are many positives to the Defender, but the real area that makes it is the car’s personality. It feels different to every other Land Rover SUV without sacrificing that element of luxury you…

Why it wins YET again the Civic Type R tops what is an Auto Express heartland category. But Honda hasn’t rested on its laurels, because the Japanese brand has overhauled its high-performance Civic variant for 2020, broadening the line-up to three separate models, as well as focusing development on tweaks to the already superb six-speed manual transmission and enhancements to the chassis. There are subtle styling modifications, too, but shy, retiring types once again need not apply, because the Civic Type R still boasts plenty of scoops and vents, including a larger radiator grille, which helps cooling. However, that’s not totally true, because one of the new variants Honda has added is the Type R Sport Line, which is a more subtle, slightly softer car without the huge rear wing.…

Why it wins YET more versions of Porsche’s iconic 911 have been released this year, including the supercar-quick 641bhp Turbo S and the retro-styled Targa variant, with its balletic folding-glass clamshell arrangement, to bolster the standard Coupé and Cabriolet models. This means there’s even more choice for buyers now, and an even bigger breadth of ability is covered by the 911 range, which is why it’s still our number one performance car. Porsche’s latest version may be bigger and heavier than ever, but it still feels like a 911 to drive, with a dry, raspy flat-six soundtrack from that rear-mounted engine that defines this car’s dynamics. It’s also pricier than ever, with the 911 range starting from £82,795, which is why we’d go for a base-spec Carrera. Thanks to its…

Why it wins PERSEVERANCE with hybrid systems has paid off for Toyota. The firm has years of development behind it, and its electrified products are showing a rich vein of form, which is why the all-new Toyota Yaris is our favourite affordable hybrid car for 2020. Based on an all-new platform closely related to the Corolla Hybrid – a car that picked up the gong in this category last year – the Yaris is agile and fun to drive, while practicality is fundamentally sound for a supermini, with an acceptable 286 litres of boot space. Hybrids needs to be efficient, and with economy as high as 68.9mpg and CO2 emissions as low as 92g/km, the Yaris fills the brief. It’s also surprisingly quick, with a combined 114bhp from its 1.5-litre…

Why it wins VANS have played a bigger role than ever in keeping the country moving in 2020. With lockdown restrictions limiting travel for the public in general, the UK van fleet has provided a vital lifeline for businesses and families across the country, handling deliveries of food, goods and supplies. And in our opinion there’s no van better than the Transit Custom. Ford’s medium-sized van is a veritable Swiss Army knife of a machine, with a broad variety of options available, from the basic to the sporty or rugged. There are two body lengths, a pair of roof heights, and passenger-friendly double cab in-van and Kombi variants, while the Tourneo Custom is a plush eight-seat passenger model based on the same body. Ford even offers the Transit Custom Nugget,…

CITY CAR Commended Volkswagen up! Hyundai i10, SEAT Mii Electric SUPERMINI Commended Renault Clio Ford Fiesta, Toyota Yaris COMPACT FAMILY CAR Commended Skoda Octavia Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla FAMILY CAR Commended Skoda Superb Hyundai Ioniq, Peugeot 508 ESTATE CAR Commended Skoda Octavia Estate BMW 3 Series, Mercedes E-Class COMPACT EXECUTIVE CAR Commended Tesla Model3 BMW 3 Series, Polestar 2 EXECUTIVE CAR Commended Mercedes E-Class Audi A6, Volvo S90 SMALL SUV Commended Renault Captur Ford Puma, Kia Soul EV MID-SIZE SUV Commended Ford Kuga Skoda Karoq, Toyota RAV4 LARGE SUV Commended SEAT Tarraco Kia Sorento, Skoda Kodiaq SMALL PREMIUM SUV Commended Mercedes GLA Audi Q3, Range Rover Evoque MID-SIZE PREMIUM SUV Commended Land Rover Defender BMW X3, Porsche Macan LARGE PREMIUM SUV Commended BMW X5 L-R Discovery, Porsche Cayenne LUXURY CAR…

Allo, Allo to the latest Citroen merchandise AS Citroen’s model range updates, so too does its merchandise – and the latest additions are very interesting. Top billing goes to the Citroen Ami Bluetooth speaker. It’s developed by Ultimate Ears and works as a standalone unit, but it’ll also slot into a dedicated spot on the dashboard of Citroen’s new Ami city car. A new Ami miniature is also available, as are fresh items in the ‘Oui are French’ line-up, such as a hoodie, umbrella, and wristwatch. The full range can be found at www.lifestyle.citroen.com. The prices are in Euros, but UK delivery is available. Fresh filter puts new Mokka on your drive THE new Vauxhall Mokka won’t reach dealers until next year but, thanks to a new Instagram filter, potential…