Auto Express 1658

Visit autoexpress.co.uk for all the latest new cars news IN the coming weeks – and at long last – the merger of two powerhouses of the automotive world will be complete. FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) and Groupe PSA (Peugeot Citroen) will combine to create Stellantis. Don’t get hung up on the agency-created name – you’ll never be able to buy a Stellantis 308 – but it will be the world’s fourth biggest car maker by sales volume. What makes this merger so exciting is that we have two partners who are currently on top of their game. The turnaround Carlos Tavares and his team have overseen at Peugeot, Citroen and Vauxhall/Opel has been hugely impressive, while Fiat, Jeep, Alfa, Maserati (and others) under Mike Manley’s leadership are already producing some…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods Visit autoexpress.co.uk for your daily news updates • Overhauled looks and electric drive for next-generation hatch • Mild-hybrid and plug-in technology will also be offered THE Peugeot 308 made a splash when it arrived for its second generation in 2014, picking up the title of European Car of the Year and kicking off a golden era for the French brand. But now it’s time for an all-new 308 to be launched. It’s due to be revealed in late 2021 before hitting the road in 2022. Previewed in our exclusive images and caught on camera by our spy photographers, the car will change dramatically when compared with the current model. A sharper, more angular design, similar to that of the latest 208, 2008 and facelifted 3008, is coming, and…

• SUV is key model for brand • 324-mile range for 77kWh car FIRST DRIVE THE new Volkswagen ID.4 SUV arrives as an all-electric alternative to VW’s best-selling model globally: the Tiguan. A fair amount is riding on its success and many families could see this as their first electric car. At 4,584mm in length, it sits between the Tiguan and the Tiguan Allspace for size. UK specifications are yet to be finalised, but the ID.4 1st Edition driven here is priced from 49,950 euros (£46,000) in Germany before any incentives. Throw-in the UK government grant and that places it closer to £43,000. The broad line-up planned for the ID.4 means the starting price will drop into the low-to-mid £30,000s when entry-level versions with smaller battery packs arrive. That means…

Luke_Wilkinson@dennis.co.uk @LT_Wilkinson • One-off SC20 revealed • Based on Aventador SVJ LAMBORGHINI’S racing division, Squadra Corse, has unveiled its latest one-off project – a bespoke, open-top supercar called the SC20. The newcomer is based on the Aventador SVJ, so is powered by the same naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 found in the donor car, and it has an output of 759bhp and 720Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a seven-speed automatic gearbox that sends drive to all four wheels. Despite the SC20’s mechanical similarities to the Aventador SVJ, its bodywork bears little resemblance. It’s an all-carbon-fibre creation, which draws inspiration from other one-off roofless Lamborghinis, such as the Aventador J and Veneno Roadster. The front splitter and bumper design are inspired by the Huracán GT3 Evo racer, too, while…

THE Skoda Citigo has just disappeared from the company’s line-up, but a new all-electric city car is on the cards with a Skoda version of the Volkswagen ID.1. The VW Group is developing a smaller MEB-entry electric car platform, which is likely to form the basis of the VW ID.1. And new Skoda chairman Thomas Schäfer has confirmed that it will build its own version. “We would definitely try and follow suit on that,” he said. “If the platform is there we could do something clever on top of it – it would definitely look completely different. “It’s a good side of the family so you don’t have to do everything yourself.” The MEB-entry family is expected to use a low-cost version of the MEB architecture, with an overall vehicle…

THE MoT test is to be made stricter, with cars having to meet tougher emissions targets, according to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). The annual roadworthiness check will also be updated to ensure recent developments in safety technology are inspected. The news comes after Neil Barlow, head of MoT policy at the DVSA, said: “The MoT will need to change if it is to stay useful, both in terms of safety systems and emissions.” Barlow added that while “there isn’t anything immediate” in the pipeline, and changes would be fair both to drivers and MoT testing stations: “If we want to keep driving down overall emission levels… we’ve got to check that cars are performing as they were designed.” Barlow stressed that fundamental checks such as ensuring tyre treads…