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AUTO Express readers are clearly aware of the process of electrification that all car companies are going through at the moment. Our inbox is split between those of you who want as much detail and clarification on EVs as possible, and plenty of folk who’d rather we focus on the efforts to extract every last bit of time and performance from combustion engines. Rest assured, this contrast is not lost on us; we love cars, after all. And that’s why we get slightly misty-eyed when putting together tests like this week’s front cover story: two rear-wheel-drive super-saloons (including one carrying the legendary M3 badge) with a combined output of more than 1,000bhp from a couple of turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engines. We’re not about to give out any spoilers here on…

sean_carson@dennis.co.uk VOLKSWAGEN’S all-electric ID sub-brand continues to grow at pace, with this new ID.4 SUV joining the line-up. It’s the second ID model following the ID.3 five-door hatchback, but this full SUV offers fresh appeal and even more style. Starting from £37,800 in 1st Edition trim (the only specification available so far) after the £3,000 UK plug-in car grant, and given that this ID.4 comes with the larger 77kWh Pro Performance battery and a 201bhp electric motor, plus lots of kit, it’s relatively well priced. Especially when you factor in the lower running costs compared with a petrol or even a hybrid SUV. Charging at home from a 7.2kW wallbox will cost £11.09 and takes a little over 12 hours. But this ID.4 also features 125kW rapid charging, which will…

FORD MUSTANG MACH-E Price from: £37,350 FORD’s entry-level rear-drive Mustang Mach-E is slightly cheaper, but doesn’t offer quite as much range as the ID.4, at 273 miles from the basic 68kWh battery. It is faster though (0-62mph in 6.1 secs) and more fun to drive. While the big infotainment screen looks good and works well, quality and practicality aren’t quite as good as the ID.4’s, but the Mach-E is a strong electric SUV that’s well worth considering. NISSAN ARIYA Price from: £37,500 (est.) NISSAN’S new Ariya electric SUV is based on an all-new platform. The more basic version should start from around £37,500 and offer 215bhp for a 0-62mph time of 7.5 seconds from its 65kWh battery. Two-wheel-drive models will offer more boot space, at 466 litres, but the 233-mile…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods RENAULT has committed to a rapid turnaround of what will become one of the most important cars the brand has produced in decades, when it reveals the all-new electric Mégane crossover later this year – only months after the surprise reveal of the Mégane eVision concept last October. Spied for the first time in late prototype form, the reinvented Mégane will open a new chapter for the French marque with former SEAT boss Luca De Meo now in charge. His plan, dubbed “Renaulution”, will see Renault launch seven new all-electric vehicles by 2025, with the reinvented Mégane being the first of the bunch. It’s one of several cars planned by Renault to use the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s new CMF-EV platform. “Like with the first generation of Mégane, this Mégane…

THE Mégane’s reboot as a crossover isn’t the only all-electric revival Renault has planned in the near future. Earlier in 2021, the brand revealed the stunning Renault 5 Prototype, which will be on sale by 2025 as an affordable electric supermini. Now, there’s also strong evidence that the third model in line for an electric rebirth will be the Renault 4: a trademark application for a new ‘4’ badge in the exact same style as that worn on the 5 Prototype has been discovered. Renault hasn’t gone on record with plans to revive the 4, but it’s been hotly rumoured since the 5 Prototype’s reveal. This year sees the original 4L celebrate its 60th anniversary, and Renault has teased that there will be a “surprise” based on the 4L van…

Luke_Wilkinson@dennis.co.uk @LT_Wilkinson • Update for UK best-seller • New tech from Puma likely THESE spy shots show that the Ford Fiesta is set to undergo a refresh in an attempt to reclaim its title as Britain’s best-selling car. In the first two months of 2021, Vauxhall has sold 247 more Corsas than Ford has shifted Fiestas. The updated model will go on sale later this year, and will boast more tech to help it draw level with supermini rivals such as the Corsa, the Renault Clio and Hyundai i20. Our pictures hint at a handful of small exterior design changes. Caught on camera in rugged Active spec, the updated Fiesta will receive a new front bumper, potentially with a new grille. Revised headlamps and running lights will feature, too. Changes…