Innholdsfortegnelse for 1664 i Auto Express

AUDI A4 Price from: £31,510 PREVIOUSLY the car that slotted between the comfort-focused C-Class and sportier 3 Series, could the Audi A4 be about to feel the squeeze thanks to the Merc’s sporty new identity? BMW 3 SERIES Price from: £31,590 A FORMER Auto Express compact executive of the year, the G20-generation 3 Series has since been overtaken by the Tesla Model 3. But for petrol and diesel buyers, it’s still the best out there. JAGUAR XE Price from: £29,635 AN important facelift for the XE in 2019 has kept it right in contention. It’s still great to drive, has a better interior than ever before, and continues to have value for money on its side in this company.…

Hugo_Griffiths@dennis.co.uk @hugo_griffiths IT’S always risky predicting The Next Big Thing, but Abarth might just have it. It’s not the 595 Scorpioneoro pictured above which, while unquestionably a stylish special edition, is based on a car that’s been on sale for well over a decade. No, the exciting thing is how potential owners can try the car out. That’s because Abarth has just started a trial that will see prospective 595 buyers sent a wooden crate, inside which are a pair of high-end Bose headphones and a virtual reality (VR) headset. Pre-loaded on this headset is a three-minute film, which takes viewers on a ‘virtual test drive’ through stunning Welsh vistas in a 595 Scorpioneoro. I’ve tried VR in the past, and when used for corporate videos the experience can be…

We want to hear your views. Send your questions or opinions to the E-mail address below Contact Tristan Shale-Hester mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress FROM: Ian Culleton PUTTING down a few plant pots won’t make people choose to walk or cycle. The biggest obstacles are the weather and the fact most workplaces don’t have secure bike storage. Potholes also need to be fixed to avoid punctures. FROM: Janjua THE LTN in Waltham Forest has turned the area into an almost inaccessible maze. You keep going round in circles due to the number of roads that are closed or blocked off. People actively avoid the area now and don’t want to visit. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “These so-called LTNs are nothing more than road blocks that have bypassed democracy.” Paul Biggs ■…

Wheels “I LOVE the styling – the multispoke design is quite unique, particularly at the rear, which has a very deep dish,” says Chris. The wheels are different sizes, too – 14 inches in diameter at the front and 15 at the rear. Font THE script that depicts the DeLorean name perfectly sums up the early eighties. And its name was particularly appropriate for a stainless steel car: Rustproof. “It always looks particularly good,” says Chris. Climate control dial AN often overlooked feature that sums up the quirkiness of the DeLorean – moving the control to the correct setting on the left (such as defrost, heater or vent) sees it point to a corresponding symbol on the right. Why? Well, why not? Plate OBVIOUSLY, a feature unique to Chris’s car,…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy Running costs 46.3mpg (off icial) £53 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 11.9 seconds/112mph HYUNDAI will soon have an embarrassment of riches in the small SUV class. The Korean brand has a new offering, the Bayon, on the way in the coming months. And it will be joining a facelifted version of the Kona in the line-up. Here, then, is the revised version of Hyundai’s ‘original’ small SUV. It’s had a little more than the typical mid-life nip and tuck too. Its new bonnet and front end actually make the car 40mm longer overall than before. And the Kona gets a new electrified powertrain to accompany the full hybrid and, of course, the pure-electric versions (now built in Europe, and far more readily available than before as a result). The…

Running costs 33.6mpg (official) £80 fill-up/£475 or 37% tax Performance 0-62mph/top speed 5.7 seconds/149mph Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 655/1,790 litres THE GLE Coupé’s MHA platform was designed especially for Mercedes’ SUVs. It’s 33 per cent more rigid than the older architecture, yet it’s no heavier, because it uses plenty of aluminium. However, at 2,295kg, it’s still a tank, and the GLE Coupé feels it on the move to some degree. Neither it nor the BMW is a driver’s car, but the GLE feels more lethargic to turn, while that weight doesn’t seem quite as well controlled in quicker corners. That’s partly due to the set-up, because the standard adaptive air suspension in its default Comfort mode is soft, allowing for a good deal of cushioning when it comes to absorbing…

Essential Buyer’s Guide: Lancia Delta HF 4WD & Integrale Paul Baker (Veloce Publishing, www.veloce.co.uk) Price: £13.99 Rating: IF you’re buying Lancia’s rallybred classic, this book is a good place to start. It’s written by someone with first-hand experience of the car, and features points to watch out for, a run-down of the car’s history and specifications, and advice on maintenance. A valuable resource. Autocourse Annual 2020-2021 (Icon Publishing, www.iconpublishinglimited.com) Price: £47.50 Rating: RELIABLY brilliant, this annual is essential for hardcore F1 fans. With a foreword by Lewis Hamilton and expert commentary on matters technical, plus spreads on Le Mans, Touring Cars, Indycar and NASCAR, there’s something for everyone. Forza Street Available for: iOS, Android Price: Free Rating: GRAPHICALLY stunning, but with no control of the car’s steering, this game is…

Luke_Wilkinson@dennis.co.uk @LT_Wilkinson Visit autoexpress.co.uk for your daily news updates • Flagship grand tourer revealed in standard and RS guises • Up to 637bhp on offer and a range of nearly 300 miles AUDI has revealed its answer to the recently updated Tesla Model S, the e-tron GT. The new model uses the technology and platform that also underpin the Porsche Taycan, and it’s due to go on sale in the UK in May, with prices expected to start from around £100,000. Company boss Markus Duesmann describes the pure-electric saloon as “the most important vehicle for Audi”, occupying halo status in the brand’s line-up. To mark its range-topping credentials, the e-tron GT will be built at Audi’s Böllinger Höfe facility in Neckarsulm – the same factory that produces the R8 supercar.…

AUDI has confirmed that it plans to cull some of its internal combustion-engined models to make way for more all-electric e-tron models. First to go is likely to be the smallest Audi, the A1 (above), with Audi CEO Markus Duesmann telling Auto Express: “We do discuss what we do with the small segments. In the A1 segment we have several brands that are very successful, so we do question the A1 at the moment. “We will certainly offer the Q2 – that might be the new entry-level for us, we might not do a successor to the A1. “We have to cut back,” said Duesmann. “We don’t want to add the same portfolio electrically, and we do make purpose-built electric cars because we can offer more functionality. So that means…

WHILE Mercedes has confirmed a line-up of four-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol and diesel engines for the mainstream C-Class range, it has yet to confirm the cylinder count for the upcoming high-performance AMG versions of the new compact executive. Chief engineer Christian Früh wouldn’t be drawn on any speculation during our test ride in the new C-Class, but it is strongly rumoured that the next C 43 and C 63 models will turn to electrified versions of Mercedes’ latest M139 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, which was developed for the AMG A 45 hatch. In the A 45 S it produces 415bhp – which equates to an astonishing 207.5bhp per litre – but more power is possible. The engine can be mounted longitudinally under the C-Class’s bonnet and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system…

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) 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…

Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk @stevefowler Electric motor Power/range 434bhp/360 miles TESLA is the master of updates. Owners frequently find their cars have handy new functionality, thanks to free over-the-air software updates, but for the 2021 model year Model 3, the company has gone a bit further with some cosmetic tweaks, too. It’s nearly two years since the Model 3 was named Auto Express Car of the Year, and all the good stuff that makes it one of our favourite electric cars still stands. But for 2021, it’s out with shiny chrome on the outside, and in with cool satin black trim. The chrome window and mirror trim is now satin black, as are the door handles and side repeaters – little things that, to our eyes, give the Model 3 a sportier look.…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy “We wanted a good map that kept updating, a speech assistant that worked really well and an app store – in this case the Google Play Store - that we wouldn’t have to maintain ourselves”ALOKA MUDDUKRISHNA UX Designer, Polestar CAR buyers are often curious about what the ‘next big thing’ could be. For years we’ve been told to expect electrification – and now it really does seem to be picking up momentum. Autonomous self-driving tech, on the other hand, appears to have stalled a little. But there’s another huge development heading our way – and when it does arrive, it’ll be something we interact with pretty much every time we get behind the wheel. It’s called Android Automotive, and a string of major car manufacturers will introduce it…

AS buyers turned towards SUVs, off-roaders became mainstream – even when it came to premium brands. With the appetite for SUVs it meant these makers then turned towards other niches, and so the coupé-SUV was born. This small but lucrative class has been refined over the years, thankfully for Mercedes, because its original GLE Coupé wasn’t exactly a winner. Yet this second version boasts a massive amount of technology, plenty of premium appeal, individual style and, in GLE 400 d form, a gutsy but smooth engine that’ll also bring a great level of refinement. But it faces the BMW X6, which defined the Sports Activity Coupé field (BMW’s term, not ours), and after a Mk3 model arrived last year, it’s more ostentatious than ever. It has the latest tech and…

SAVE 47% Subscribers can enjoy their favourite magazine at almost half shop price. You’ll pay just £24.99 every three months, saving a massive 47%. WELCOME TO THE FAMILY We offer every subscriber a free welcome gift when they come on board. This month get an STP® Complete Fuel System Cleaner, worth £14.99. DELIVERED FREE Every issue is delivered to your door, free of charge. It’ll arrive in paper packaging, too, making it easier than ever to recycle. YOUR FREE GIFT Subscribe to Auto Express today and get a free STP ® Complete Fuel System Cleaner worth £14.99. STP ® Complete Fuel System Cleaner-Petrol is designed to clean and protect the entire fuel system for restored performance. With just one bottle, STP® Complete Fuel System Cleaner-Petrol will help remove deposits from…

Visit autoexpress.co.uk for our extensive product archive FORWARD-THINKING CYBEX SEAT LAUNCHED NEW PRODUCT Cybex Pallas G i-Size child car seat Prices: £264.95 Contact: cybex-online.com CHILD seat maker Cybex has launched the world’s first Group 1, 2 and 3 i-Size seat with a shield harness. The Pallas G is suitable for children over 15 months/76cm tall through to around 12 years of age, or 150cm/50kg. The forward-facing seat has been tested to the R129/03 standard, and replaces the Pallas S. Unlike most seats sold in the UK, the Pallas G uses an impact shield rather than a traditional harness. The shield secures the child across their chest and abdomen and is fastened using seatbelt-style buckles on either side – a design that reduces the possibility of incorrect fitment. Cybex claims the impact…

Vauxhall homes in on bigger EV offer VAUXHALL has expanded its home charging offer for customers who buy its Corsa-e electric car. In addition to PCH, those who buy through PCP or Conditional Sale will enjoy the same offer – a free home charging unit and 30,000 miles of free electricity. Customers will be given access to an exclusive British Gas tariff, with Vauxhall crediting the account each month up to a total of 30,000 miles of electricity over three years. The offer is valid on orders placed by 26 Feb 2021. Contact your local dealer or visit www.vauxhall.co.uk for more. ESB Energy grows to join with Zap-Map THE electric car charging app Zap-Map has announced a new partnership with ESB Energy, which is the latest operator to join the…

PRODUCT GROUP TEST 10|2|2021 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. THERE’S no doubt a clean car interior is a better place to be than one covered in grot and grime, but making sure you keep it that way will not only help preserve your car’s residual value, but also make it easier to sell on when the time comes. Dust, animal hair and food debris attack the seats and trim, while carpets can be worn out before their time under the regular onslaught from mud, grit and leaves. The easiest way to keep your cabin grime-free, particularly if you don’t have access to mains power where you clean your…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@dennis.co.uk Q How secure is an EV’s cable when the car is charging? WHAT is there to stop somebody unplugging an electric vehicle when it is parked up and charging? Are there any security features on the cable or the car to prevent this from happening? It could be a real problem. Derrick Leversuch, E-mail A THIS is something that the automotive industry has thought of, and EV manufacturers have already acted upon. It is now standard practice for charging cables for electric and plug-in hybrid cars to physically lock into a charging port while the car is parked up and on charge – all the owner has to do is lock the car. This prevents anyone passing by from unplugging the car, or even stealing…

Dear Tristan, I have £25,000 for a mid-size four-wheel-drive SUV that’s decent on long journeys and dirt tracks. What can I get? Jeff Warlock, Email Contact: Tristan_Shale-Hester@dennis.co.uk THE PREMIUM CHOICE Jaguar E-Pace FOR: Refined engines, spacious, premium image AGAINST: Underwhelming cabin, slow infotainment JAGUAR’S baby SUV offers a relaxed, refined driving experience, but with a mass of at least 1,775kg it’s heavier than the larger F-Pace, so doesn’t have the agility Jag tends to be known for. The steering offers good feedback and is well weighted once at speed, but can feel slightly heavy when driving in urban areas. Sharing a platform with the Range Rover Evoque ensures the E-Pace is decent off road. Your £25,000, gets an 18-plate, 24,000-mile D180 AWD in R-Dynamic SE trim, which has adaptive cruise…

Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk BRITS Paul di Resta and James Rossiter have been named as part of the works driver line-up for Peugeot’s 2022 World Endurance Championship (WEC) return. Ex-F1 driver di Resta is joined by fellow former Grand Prix racers Jean-Eric Vergne and Kevin Magnussen, as well as endurance veteran Loic Duval and young chargers Mikkel Jensen and Gustavo Menezes in the full-season squad, while Rossiter will serve as the team’s reserve and simulator driver. Commenting on the announcement, the brand’s motorsport director Jean-Marc Finot said: “The quality of relationship between everybody involved is fundamental. Over and above their individual racing skills, the main criteria we took into account were the ties they have with each other, their mindset and their ability to work together to motivate the team and help to…

Red Bull picks Ferrari 488 for DTM entries RED Bull is to enter a pair of Ferrari 488 GT3s run by Italian team AF Corse in the 2021 DTM series. An AlphaTauri-liveried car (pictured) will be shared by ex-Red Bull F1 driver Alexander Albon and New Zealander Nick Cassidy, as F1 testing and Formula E commitments allow. Cassidy’s fellow Kiwi Liam Lawson gets a full season in the second, Red Bull-liveried car. The 2021 DTM season will start in Monza, Italy, on 20 June. Grosjean gets IndyCar road-course deal FORMER Haas Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean has agreed a deal to contest the US IndyCar series with Dale Coyne Racing. The 34-year-old will race in the championship’s road-course events only; he has opted against running on ovals after consulting with…

Q What does the e-tron GT do better than the Taycan? A “We offer a different character – it’s more of a gran turismo car, so not as sporty as the Porsche, which is intentional – it fits the Audi customer better. You can decide which design you like more – it’s very subjective.” Q How is Audi changing? A “Design is still very important for our customers, but we have decided to bring Audi technology-wise into the lead – that’s our decision. That’s why we push so hard on new technologies and why we’ve set up Artemis [Audi’s hi-tech flagship EV project]. We are strong in hardware, but on software we have to catch up, and we will.” Q What can we expect from Artemis? A “Artemis will be…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn • Petrol, diesel and PHEV power • No EV version in the pipeline THIS is the new DS 4, a fresh crossover-inspired C-segment family hatchback that is designed to take on everything from the Volkswagen Golf to the BMW X2. Alongside the appeal-broadening SUV styling, the front end borrows several cues from DS’s flagship model, the DS 7 Crossback; slim LED headlamps sit just below the bonnet shutline, with daytime running lights cascading down the front end and blending into the lower bumper. Pop-out door handles have been added to aid aerodynamic efficiency, while the car is available with wheels up to 20 inches. There’s also a DS 4 Cross version, with added off-road styling and an advanced traction-control system, featuring snow, mud and sand modes. A sporty-looking…

New special editions at the double for Lotus LOTUS has launched special-edition versions of the Elise and Exige, to mark the end of production for both models. The Final Edition models (above) are well specced, and a new 240bhp option joins the Elise line-up alongside the lightweight 250 Cup variant. Similarly, the Exige Final Edition serves up more power than before, with up to 430bhp from its 3.5-litre V6. Elise Final Edition prices begin at £45,500, with the Exige Final Edition starting from £64,000. London C-Charge costs drivers £130m in fines MOTORISTS received £130 million in Congestion Charge fines in the 12 months up to September 2020, topping the £52 million in actual payments in the period. Data acquired by Citroen reveals Transport for London issued 817,000 fines to motorists…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy Visit autoexpress.co.uk for the latest new cars and drives Running costs 47.1mpg (official) £53 fill-up VAUXHALL has some classic nameplates in its line-up – Corsa and Astra being the prime choices. But Mokka is almost of equal importance to the British firm, thanks to the burgeoning market for small SUVs. The original Mokka and its facelifted version, the Mokka X, played their part in the initial take-up of B-segment SUVs in the UK. The Mk1 was launched in 2013 and since then, Vauxhall has sold more than 200,000. Those buyers will have been attracted by the elevated driving position and some sharp design work by Briton Mark Adams and his team. But it’s safe to say that dynamically, the Mokka as we know it was a bit disappointing,…

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @AxleIngram Running costs 64.2mpg (official) £51 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 11.1 seconds/112mph IF you think the Suzuki Swace looks strangely familiar, you’d be right. Apart from the Suzuki badging, this new estate is virtually identical to the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports. The Swace is the second Suzuki to copy Toyota’s homework (the first was the Across plug-in SUV) as part of an alliance between the two brands. The partnership should let Toyota benefit from Suzuki’s small-car know-how, while Suzuki gets to make use of Toyota’s hybrid tech. To that end, the Swace is even built in the UK on the same production line as the Corolla. Cosmetically, what little has changed is mainly at the front: the tweaked bumper gets new grilles and a repositioned logo. Less effort has…

sean_carson@dennis.co.uk TEMPTING finance deals have made it easier than ever to get into a new car, but if you still prefer to buy with cash and want to bag a bargain, or fancy a used model from a brand that might be out of reach with a new purchase, then check out these incredibly appealing half price heroes. We’ve spent hours scouring the classifieds to find a selection of worthy used choices. The formula is simple: across 10 different price brackets we’ve selected 95 brilliant picks that are all either 50 per cent of their original price or less. From frugal hybrids to high-performance models, as well as mainstream SUVs and luxury saloons, whether you’re after something small, something practical or something fun, there really is a car for everyone…

Running costs 36.2-38.7mpg (official) £98 fill-up/£475 or 37% tax Performance 0-62mph/top speed 5.5 seconds/152mph Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 580/1,530 litres THE X6 is based on BMW’s CLAR Cluster Architecture, so it’s a familiar construction that is used in other cars, such as the 5 Series saloon. But the X6 is jacked up considerably and the bulky body weighs a lot, just undercutting the GLE at 2,215kg. The two machines’ formula is similar, and the X6 has a more tapered roofline compared with the X5 it’s based on. In the 40d variant we’re testing (our pictures show a 30d), the 3.0-litre straight-six turbodiesel unit makes even more power than the GLE, at 335bhp, and an identical 700Nm of torque. Its slight weight advantage means the X6 is a little quicker from…

Steve_Walker@dennis.co.uk THE temperature is hovering around zero, the nights are still long, the weather’s wet and the roads are slippery – could there be a better time for the new Land Rover Discovery Sport to appear? Those two words – Land Rover – mean that the Disco Sport has a full suite of 4x4 tech under its skin. First and foremost though, it’s a family utility vehicle with a giant helping of utility. There are seven seats in our SE model, or a 5+2 arrangement as Land Rover modestly refers to it. Among the highlights, you also get a powered tailgate, electric front seats, a WiFi hotspot, auto high beam assist for the LED lights and a digital instrument panel, rounding off an equipment list that’s far from disappointing, even…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk Q Paint protection racket? I’M thinking of replacing my car this year, but every time I speak to a car salesperson, they seem more focused on selling me paint protection than they are the actual car. What’s your view on paint protection? Paul Walsh, E-mail A PAINT protection is a popular option and is used by professional valeters. If it’s something you want, we would recommend having it applied by a pro valeter after purchase (above), rather than at the dealership. Preparation is key to successfully applying a sealant, and the cost often depends on the amount required prior to putting it on. Q Brush up on clean valet kit YOU recently gave advice on washing microfibre cloths used for car cleaning (Issue 1,657). Do detailing…

THERE’S no doubt that cordless mini compressors take the strain out of keeping tyres topped up, but they’re not the cheapest option, nor the easiest to store. Mojietu claims it has the world’s smallest cordless compressor in its Wireless Speed Air Pump, which is available through the Indiegogo site for around half the price of full-size rivals. So can it still do the job? To find out we put it up against our current cordless compressor champion from Ring. We compared what you get for your money, and looked at specification and pumping, timing how long it took to inflate our 13-inch tyre from 20-30psi. Instructions and accessories were also factored in, along with the price from online sources. The mini Mojietu was outgunned here, but got the job done…

CO2/tax 139-164g/km £150-£205 Running costs 37-47mpg (1.4 T-Jet) £60 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.9 seconds/124mph Search more than 60,000 cars with competitive finance Order online, delivered to your door, 14 day money-back guarantee NOT many of the current crop of car makers can claim to have started selling their wares in the 19th century, but Fiat is one of them. Unfortunately for this Italian brand, however, of the brands that are more than 120 years old, Fiat is at the bottom of the pile in terms of sales performance in the UK, beaten by the likes of Peugeot, Renault, Skoda and Mercedes. Last year, for example, Fiat held just 1.18 per cent of the market (down from 1.29 per cent in 2019), and the vast majority of the cars the…

WORRIED by predictions that Fuel Duty will rise in the Spring Budget? Don’t be. In the great scheme of things, minor price increases at the pumps from next month are no big deal. There are massively more important things for car users to concern themselves with during their motoring and non-motoring lives. True, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has a circa £400billion Covid-linked debt, so he’s likely to make already-highly taxed petrol and diesel even more expensive. But put this still-unconfirmed increase in context by understanding that it will probably result in the weekly fuel bill for a typical private driver rising by a negligible amount. But even with such Treasury-led price hikes at the pumps, there’s no need for Mr, Mrs or Ms Average driver to spend more on fuel from…