Innholdsfortegnelse for 1665 i Auto Express

mail@autoexpress.co.uk UNTIL now, BMW has never really made a bona-fide hot hatchback. The magicians from Munich have given us a stream of fast and luxurious hatches such as the M135i, the M140i and more recently the M135i xDrive, all of which have been successful in their own specific ways. But never a car with the purity of purpose of a genuine, true-blue hot hatch. Step forwards the new 128ti. Powered not by a silky smooth six-cylinder engine but, instead, by a more prosaic 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged unit that’s normally found beneath the bonnet of a MINI Cooper, the 128ti represents a refreshing departure from BMW’s current penchant for making cars that are bigger, faster and heavier. In many ways it’s a back-to-basics type of car, one that contains a certain…

Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk @stevefowle MCLAREN’S race towards electrification starts here with the new Artura – what it refers to as a High-Performance Hybrid. The Artura replaces the Sports Series cars (based around the 570S) and sits below the 720S and 765LT models in the renamed Supercar range. Below the Supercars sits the McLaren GT, while above them are the Ultimate models, comprising limited-run cars like Senna, Speedtail and Elva. The new model introduces a host of fresh technologies, not least a completely new platform, dubbed McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA), which the company says is stronger, safer and lighter than the previous carbon-fibre tubs. This will be built at a new facility near Sheffield. At the heart of the Artura is a new 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine offering 577bhp and 585Nm of…

DRIVERS face being priced off the roads in the UK’s two largest cities, according to analysis of new clean-air-zone charges due this year. London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will expand from the relatively small Congestion Charge zone to the area within the North and South Circular roads on 8 October this year. Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone, meanwhile, comes into force on 1 June. In both, drivers of pre-Euro 4 petrol or pre-Euro 6 diesel cars will be charged a daily fee to enter them; London drivers pay £12.50, and Birmingham’s £8. Birmingham’s zone is smaller than the capital’s expanded one, though, applying to the area inside the A4540 Ring Road. An analysis of London ANPR camera data by the AA found a non-compliance rate of 16 per cent among…

sean_carson@dennis.co.uk WHEN it comes to hardcore performance cars, few command more attention than a new Porsche 911 GT3 – and this is the latest road racer from the German brand. Priced from £123,100, the new model has been developed in close collaboration with Porsche’s motorsport division, taking race-car tech to the road. This includes the GT3’s 503bhp naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six engine, meaning this is the only non-turbocharged 911 in the line-up. It will be offered with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Thanks to its launch control, the GT3 auto will accelerate from 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds. Buyers can also opt for a six-speed manual transmission. Despite the 992-generation GT3’s bigger body, and larger 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels (which house bigger brakes – steel as standard, carbon-ceramic optional),…

A CORONER has asked the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to investigate if Highways England should face corporate manslaughter charges following the death of a motorist on a smart motorway. The referral follows an inquest into a fatal accident on the M1 in 2018, which saw a driver’s car struck after they broke down on the road. The motorist was stuck in a live lane for 16 minutes before their car was hit by another vehicle, and it took a further six minutes for warning signs on overhead gantries to be activated. Highways England said it did not believe it had committed an offence, but the South Yorkshire coroner said the CPS should consider whether corporate manslaughter charges would be appropriate. AA president Edmund King said the key issue raised was “the…

tristan_shale-hester@dennis.co.uk @tristan_shale THE UK car industry has weathered several storms in recent years, with Brexit uncertainty causing significant difficulties, and Covid-19 closing dealerships and factories. But with a free-trade agreement with the EU now in place for cars, and the UK’s vaccine rollout well under way, things – while some way off being ‘normal’ – are more optimistic than they have been in recent times. The future brings more challenges, though. The Government’s confirmation in November last year that sales of new cars without significant electrification would be banned in 2030, before new internal-combustion-engined vehicles are outlawed entirely in 2035, sets a high bar for the automotive industry, not to mention car buyers. While we have a Brexit deal that’s largely favourable to the automotive industry, strict rules-of-origin legislation means…

sean_carson@dennis.co.uk ELECTRIFICATION is so important these days that even small, affordable cars are being supplemented with a battery-derived boost to help improve efficiency and save the planet (not to mention avoid fines for manufacturers). And so it is with this facelifted Kia Rio supermini, because the Korean compact five-door features a new mild-hybrid 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine. That’s as good a place to start as any, because the fresh unit is supported by a small lithium-ion battery that feeds a belt-starter generator. This can add a short boost of torque when pulling away or accelerating at low speed to help take the load off the petrol engine and improve efficiency, with claims of 52.3mpg and CO2 emissions of 122g/km, according to Kia. It’s a strong unit, too, pulling well from…

EXHAUSTS WE’VE talked about sound already, but the exhausts on these two cars are also used to improve their road presence and image. It’s a shame they don’t sound as good as they look; the Supra has a few woofles and pops in Sport mode, but the Jag’s engine lacks charm, and neither is an all-time great motor. Despite this, they do offer a more affordable path to sports car ownership. STYLING IT’S interesting to see these two cars lined up nose to nose because it shows that, while the basic rear-biased cab, short tail and long bonnet designs are similar in conceptual terms, the execution is quite different. The Toyota is much curvier, with softer surfaces and just a few sharp creases. The Jaguar’s muscular, chiselled shoulders and long…

Roadcraft: The Police Driver’s Handbook The Police Foundation (The Stationery Office, www.tsoshop.co.uk) Price: £18.99 Rating: THIS book makes a great supplement to an advanced driving course, or a good read for anybody who’s interested in how the police train their drivers. It contains a wealth of valuable tips, aimed at promoting a steady and panic-free method of driving. Not exactly entertaining, but interesting and useful. The Book of the Honda S2000 Brian Long (Veloce Publishing, www.veloce.co.uk) Price: £30 Rating: WHILE it was only on sale for a decade, the Honda S2000 captured many hearts with its rev-happy engine and classic two-seat convertible body. This is a fine history lesson, not exhaustive but well written and nicely paced to tackle in one go or dip into and out of as you…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@dennis.co.uk Q Should I mind the GAP when I’m buying a new car? I’M in the process of new-car shopping, and am weighing up the pros and cons of GAP insurance. It seems to be recommended by dealers a lot, but is it really worthwhile? Paul E, E-mail A GAP (Guaranteed Asset Protection) insurance is most useful for new cars bought using PCP and other finance deals, because insurers pay out what they deem to be the current market value of a car that is written off. If you have bought a new car using finance, the insurer may pay out less than is left owing on it, which leaves you to pay for the rest. GAP makes up this shortfall, so is worthwhile if you’ve…

Revised Audi RS 3 touring car revealed AUDI has unveiled a new RS 3 LMS racer for the global TCR category (above), previewing the styling of the upcoming road car in the process. A total of 180 examples of the original RS 3 LMS have been built for teams around the world. Julius Seebach, Audi Sport managing director, said: “The Audi RS 3 LMS is a clear commitment to customer racing… We want to continue the remarkable successes of the first generation.” Red Bull becomes World RX promoter RED Bull has become the new promoter of the World Rallycross Championship, picking up the baton after the previous rights holder stepped away in 2020. The drinks company’s WRC Promoter arm, which has been the rights holder of the World Rally Championship…

Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk @stevefowle • Ford’s next electric car takes advantage of VW tech deal • Puma-sized crossover likely to have a range of 250-350 miles FORD’S next electric car will arrive in just two years, Auto Express can confirm, and is set to be built at the firm’s super-efficient plant in Cologne, Germany. The ‘Mini Mustang’ will be based on the VW Group’s MEB electric car platform, following an announcement in 2019 that Ford had signed a deal to use VW’s tech. The first MEB car to be launched was the Volkswagen ID.3, and the new Ford is expected to be similar in proportions to that car, but with a more crossover-like body. That’s the route Ford went down with the Mustang Mach-E and it’s expected that it will take a…

FOR cars like these, finance makes sense. The BMW just shades the VW when it comes to lease costs, but with only £6 per month between the two, and these cars appealing to enthusiasts, it could be a case of personal preference when it comes to the buying decision with either of this pairing. Factor in the level of standard kit, though; while it only adds a few pounds per month for each option you add, from Steve’s analysis the GTI needs more boxes ticking on that list, and we think the Dynamic Chassis Control adaptive dampers are a must, because it broadens the Golf’s appeal and plays to its strengths. BMW wraps its options up in packs these days, and the Tech Pack is all we’d really suggest adding,…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods • Fresh-faced car on sale in June • Prices to start around £18k CITROEN has given the practical C3 Aircross compact crossover its first major facelift since it was launched in 2017. The redesign includes a new lower front apron with a larger air intake and a sharper-looking front bash plate. Its split headlights remain, but move from the rounded squares of the old model to thinner rectangular units, linked to the new front grille. Among the other changes are that the car’s colour palette has expanded, with seven new shades, and buyers can choose from a total of 70 contrasting body and roof paint schemes. A new diamond-cut and gloss black alloy-wheel design also arrives, available in 16 and 17-inch sizes. Citroen has introduced new interior trim…

MERCEDES has set its price for the new all-electric EQA SUV, with the entry-level EQA 250 Sport model on sale now, costing from £40,495 after the £3,000 government Plug-in Car Grant. Standard equipment includes Artico man-made leather upholstery and dual 10-inch screens for the instruments and infotainment. A sportier-looking EQA 250 AMG Line model is available from £41,995, to which buyers can add the Premium (£3,000) and Premium Plus packages (£6,000), introducing more luxury equipment and a panoramic sunroof. The EQA 250 uses a 66.5kWh battery and a 188bhp electric motor. Range is 263 miles and it can charge at up to 100kW DC.…

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.consumer-ombudsman.org RMIF: 0845 305 4230 Scottish Motor Trade Assoc. 0131 331 5510 Problems with…

1 Tesla OVERALL SCORE: 92.94% NO other network’s chargers are faster, easier to use, offer better value, or are more reliable than Tesla’s chargers. The firm will be pleased with that, because the Supercharger network is a big selling point for its cars. But therein lies the downside: Superchargers only work with Teslas, so if you’re after a different EV, you’re out of luck. 2 InstaVolt OVERALL SCORE: 85.11% THE best public chargepoint provider that’s open to cars of all makes, the InstaVolt network takes a silver medal in three of our four key areas, with quick and easy-to-use chargers that are also reliable. One snag is running costs, though, a category in which InstaVolt finished second from bottom in our poll. 3 ChargePlace Scotand OVERALL SCORE: 81.36% A STRONG…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy COMPACT SUVs have become the go-to family cars in recent years, so vehicles like the new Vauxhall Mokka have a very important role to play in mass EV adoption. Perhaps we shouldn’t be so surprised to see this all-electric version of the new Mokka already then: the Mokka-e, which shares its e-CMP platform with the Peugeot e-2008. It’s a 134bhp, front-wheel-drive EV with a 50kWh battery (45kWh of which is usable) delivering a range of around 201 miles between charges. Its onboard charger can cope with DC charging at up to 100kW, too, so it can be replenished from 15 per cent to 80 per cent of capacity in just half an hour; a 7kW home wallbox will take the battery from flat to full in seven and…

MODELTESTED: Toyota GR Supra 2.0 Pro PRICE: £45,995 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 254bhp TOYOTA has now brought its 2.0-litre GR Supra to the UK. At £45,995 in Pro trim (the only model available) it’s more affordable than the 3.0-litre version, but does it lose out as a driver’s car, or is it actually the purer model? What’s more, how does it compare to Jaguar’s alternative? Running costs 27.8mpg (on test) £62 fill-up/£475 or 36% tax Practicality Boot capacity 290 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 5.2 seconds/155mph Design & engineering IT’S well documented that Toyota collaborated with BMW to produce the GR Supra. As with the six-cylinder car, that means this 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged model uses a BMW-sourced engine and gearbox. Here, the engine produces 254bhp and 400Nm of torque. That first figure…

Toyota GR Supra Touch 2 with Go Standard Key features: Simplicity and ease of use ONE of the big benefits of Toyota’s joint venture with BMW to develop the GR Supra is the car’s infotainment system. It uses the German firm’s set-up wholesale, and is all the better for it. While Toyota has made great strides with its tech, BMW’s feels more advanced. As a result you get an 8.8-inch screen with sat-nav and Apple CarPlay, but the GR Supra was developed before BMW started implementing Android Auto, so that system isn’t available. However, the system is very easy to use, with great graphics, quick responses and logical menus. The screen is letterbox in its orientation and could be a little larger, while the digital dash isn’t anywhere near as…

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…

Cushty main draw at first Silverstone sale SILVERSTONE Auctions has confirmed its first sale of 2021 – the Race Retro live online auction – will take place on Saturday 27 March, and it has a rather familiar headline act: a Reliant Regal Supervan from Only Fools and Horses. Further lots are still being accepted, with viewings available in a safe and socially distanced manner via prebooking. The Regal joins everything from a 1957 Citroen 2CV to a 2004 Palmer Jaguar track day car in the catalogue. Find out more, or view the lots at www.silverstoneauctions.com. Nokian will roll out a fully recycled tyre NOKIAN Tyres has pledged to make a concept tyre only from renewable and recycled materials as soon as 2025. The firm already aims to develop tyres as…

PRODUCTGROUP TEST 17|02|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 IF your car’s boot gets used for anything more serious than the weekly supermarket shop, then the chances are a protector would help to preserve its resale values. Tools, garden rubbish, dogs and the like all take their toll on boot fabric and trim that’s not designed for heavy-duty use. You can protect just the base of the load bay, or add something to shield the sides and rear-seat back as well. Some manufacturers also offer covers that fit seat backs when they are folded flat, along with the headrests. So which is the best product to ensure your scruffy…

Search more than 60,000 cars with competitive finance Order online, delivered to your door, 14 day money-back guarantee CO2/tax 109-147g/km £150 Running costs 44-58mpg (1.2T 110) £54 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 10.6 seconds/117mph In association with UNTIL recently, Vauxhall didn’t have a great track record for SUVs. Its first were the Monterey and Frontera, which were rebadged Isuzus; as such they were rather workmanlike, and lacked finesse. The Antara of 2006 was better but still uninspiring, so when Vauxhall finally upped its game with the Crossland X and Grandland X that both arrived in 2017, they were long overdue. The Grandland X was up against the Ford Kuga and the smaller Crossland X was a rival for the Renault Captur, and was more competitive than its predecessors. A facelifted version,…

MOST things car, driver, tech and safety-related have improved beyond recognition and expectation in recent years. Generally, progress has been ridiculously impressive. But, some things – lethargy at Highways England, a need for more proactive communication at the DfT, and car-loathing at some councils – never change. These and other state organisations with ‘authority’ seem to handle the problem of snow and ice-covered roads (and pavements) as badly today as they did in years past – or worse. Citroen UK agrees. It has taken the unusual step of revealing that from 2017/18 to 2019/20 there was a 29 per cent drop in the average number of days councils spent gritting roads. Far too many ‘professionals’ who are paid to protect and serve our frozen highways and byways seem invisible, silent…

THESE are the first spy shots of what will become Ferrari’s first ever SUV – and it could be revealed later in 2021. Codenamed Purosangue – Italian for thoroughbred – Ferrari’s SUV has reached rolling prototype stage. These images show the Lamborghini Urus and Aston Martin DBX rival undergoing track assessment. This mule is wearing Maserati Levante bodywork, but the finished car is previewed in our exclusive image. Clearly, the Ferrari prototype sits lower to the ground than the Maserati, while hints of a much wider track come in the makeshift flared wheelarches. The pictures point to an SUV that won’t be particularly tall or high-riding, with a low nose and a low centre of gravity. The Purosangue SUV – previously unthinkable for the supercar manufacturer – has been made…

Pro motor drops VW ID.3 price below £30k VW has added a new 148bhp Pro motor option to some trim levels of the ID.3 line-up, bringing the starting price of its all-electric hatchback down to £28,670 after the government plug-in car grant. The new 148bhp motor is linked to a 58kWh battery. This gives the car the same claimed range of 263 miles as the 201bhp ID.3 variants on sale from launch, and accelerates from 0-62mph in 9.6 seconds. Pro-motor cars also get 100kW DC charging as standard. Most think learners should train for a year AN IAM Roadsmart survey of over 2,000 motorists has found 68 per cent think all new drivers, regardless of age, should have a minimum of 12 months’ training and supervised practice before being allowed…

THIS is our first official look at the next-generation Skoda Fabia supermini, which will be revealed this spring. In our brightened image, we can see it will be inspired by the latest Octavia’s design, with a similar windowline, tail-lights and prominent crease running from the headlights to the rear. It moves to the VW Group’s MQBA0 platform, and as well as new petrol engines and tech, Skoda promises more space inside than before, plus a boot 50 litres larger than before.…

Contact Tristan Shale-Hester mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress FROM: Joseph Lynn A FACELIFT with virtually no changes to the external design, but an entirely new interior? I guess Elon Musk intends to make the Model S like the Porsche 911 in that it will have a timeless design that doesn’t change with each generation. FROM: David Hall THIS interior looks fantastic and will appeal massively to people who like tech. I suspect the novelty will wear off quite quickly on the road, though. That steering wheel can’t be practical and I still don’t see the appeal of the huge touchscreen. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “Good luck using the 10-to-2 hand position that driving instructors recommend.” Michael Rhys ■ “I believe we have a better-quality steering wheel connected to our PlayStation console.”…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy Electric motor Power/range 107bhp/37 miles Performance 0-62mph/top speed 7.6 seconds/141mph THERE was a time, not too long ago, when the key model in any Audi line-up was the leanest diesel – the variant that could help user-choosers save the most on their company car tax bill while still allowing them to sit behind the wheel of a premium product on a daily basis. Now, though, the plug-in hybrid grabs the benefit-in-kind tax headlines, so this car, the A3 40 TFSI e, is a crucial weapon in Audi’s arsenal as it tries to poach sales from the Mercedes A-Class and BMW 1 Series. The A3 PHEV uses well known VW Group technology – which is to say that, on paper at least, there’s not an awful lot to separate…

MODELTESTED: Jaguar F-Type Coupé P300 PRICE: £54,510 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 296bhp JAGUAR facelifted the F-Type last year with styling and tech tweaks. The P300 is a direct rival for the Supra in terms of configuration, and we test the standard car, although the model in our pictures is the higher-spec First Edition version. Running costs 26.4mpg (on test) £76 fill-up/£475 or 37% tax Practicality Boot capacity 336 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 5.7 seconds/155mph Design & engineering WHEN it comes to Jaguar’s sports car history, 2021 is a big year for the firm, because the iconic E-Type celebrates its 60th anniversary. But here it’s the turn of the F-Type to battle it out against rivals like the GR Supra 2.0. The latest updates added a new nose inspired by the I-Pace…

Porsche 718 Cayman PDK PRICE: £48,150 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 296bhp THE 718 Cayman is available as a manual and a PDK dualclutch auto. It’s even better to drive than the Supra, and arguably more exotic than the Jag. The engine isn’t great, but this PDK-equipped model is a brilliant downsized sports car. Alpine A110 Pure PRICE: £47,810 ENGINE: 1.8-litre 4cyl, 249bhp AS the name suggests the Alpine A110 is one of the best-driving sports cars in this trim - and the model overall is Auto Express’ reigning best coupé. It’s lightweight and responsive; these two are a great pair of mid-engined rivals.…

Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 551/1,248 litres Running costs 29.8mpg (on test) £62 fill-up £150 or 37% tax Pete_Baiden@dennis.co.uk @petebaiden HYUNDAI and Kia have not always been the automotive powerhouses that they are now in the UK. They had to work hard to build up their reputation for superb reliability and build quality. So can fellow South Korean maker SsangYong follow suit? SsangYong models are a rarity – chances are you won’t see one on the road when you next leave the house – but the brand’s cars are getting better. Gone are the out-of-date interiors and strange styling of some of its earlier models. Arguably the best car the firm makes is the new Korando, and I ran one on the fleet for the best part of the last year…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk Q Pressure’s on to clean car MY parents’ car hasn’t been used while they’ve been self-isolating, and it’s covered in moss and grime from being left outside. What’s the best way to get it clean without harming the paint? Josh Samuels, E-mail A A PRESSURE washer will make this job much easier. See what can be removed simply by rinsing, then use a pre-wash and snow foam to soften the rest. Tackle moss-covered parts using an all-purpose cleaner with a brush. The rest will hopefully come off with a mitt, bucket and good rinse. If not, use an all-purpose cleaner before tackling with the mitt. Q Can you put a sock in tests? COULD you test snow socks, which do not seem to have been looked…

Search more than 60,000 cars with competitive finance. Order online, delivered to your door, 14 day money-back guarantee VAN-based MPVs are proof you don’t need a massive budget to get a modern car with seven seats plus a huge amount of cabin and luggage space. When you look at what they offer compared with an equivalent SUV, for example, their appeal is clear. The commercial-vehicle origins of these MPVs do present some issues as well as benefits, however. Their boxy styling aside, buyers will naturally have reservations about how vehicles of this type drive. Then there’s the matter of how many creature comforts and aesthetically pleasing bits of design can be found in cabins that were originally designed for hardy workhorses rather than family cars. But if you’re willing to balance those…

• Sprint races could set grids • New engine rules from 2025 Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk FORMULA 1 teams have given broad backing to planned Saturday sprint races to decide Sunday grids at some races in the coming season. They have also agreed to freeze engine development from the start of 2022 until the end of the 2024 season, when a new generation of engine rules will be introduced for the sport. The decisions were reached at last week’s meeting of the F1 Commission, which is made up of team, race promoter, FIA and F1 management representatives. The sprint-race plan has not been finalised, however, with teams wanting more detail as to how it would work and what races it would be used at before going ahead with it. According to a statement…