Innholdsfortegnelse for 1691 i Auto Express

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk ● Brand set to increase EV range ● Mid-sized crossover on way KIA will follow its first bespoke electric car, the EV6 crossover, with two ‘EV’ SUV models, Auto Express has learned. According to European product boss Sjoerd Knipping, the Korean brand’s second “EVx” car will be a large SUV targeting the US. But more importantly for us, it will be followed by a model developed for the European market – Knipping spoke of “balancing” the US and other territories. Kia holds trademarks for badges ranging from EV1 to EV9. The large SUV could be branded EV7 or EV8, and it will offer seven-seat capability similar to that of Hyundai’s Ioniq 7 SUV confirmed for launch in 2024. It will be followed by a crossover potentially called EV4, sized…

Mountune kit boosts Focus ST to 360bhp FORD tuning specialist Mountune has released a power upgrade for the Focus ST hot hatch. The m365 kit costs £1,838 and comprises a specially designed, three-inch high-flow exhaust downpipe, a sports catalyst and an upgraded exhaust gas particulate filter. Combined with a new high-flow air filter and an ECU recalibration, these add 84bhp and 140Nm of torque to the standard car’s figures. Maximum power stands at 360bhp and 560Nm. Testing time for MoTs expected next month MORE than 5.5 million cars had their MoT certificates legally extended in 2020 under a Government scheme that allowed tests to be delayed by up to six months, official DVSA figures reveal. The AA has now warned that MoT bookings will be in very high demand next…

Stephen_Errity@autovia.co.uk “On street circuits, we adapt to variables. Get an idea of where the grip is, then get on with it”ANTONIO FELIX DA COSTA 2019-2020 Champion SEVEN seasons in, Formula E has become a fixture of motorsport, attracting manufacturers keen to bask in its green credentials, reach younger audiences and use it as a laboratory for electric technology. On the surface, there are similarities to F1. Both use single-seater chassis and boast impressive driving talent backed by big-name brands; the differences start with where they race. While F1 has its mix of historic venues and state-of-the-art modern circuits, Formula E has a “take it to the people” mentality that sees it race on tight and twisty temporary tracks in big cities. Last month saw its pandemic-delayed return to London, on…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy Running costs 234.5mpg (official) £145 VED Electric motor Power/range 64bhp/30 miles Practicality Boot capacity 308 litres RENAULT’S push towards electrifying its range is resulting in some slightly odd launch schedules. Its Mégane Sport Tourer estate got a plug-in hybrid before the end of 2020 and yet only now, eight months later, do we get the same set-up in the bigger-selling hatchback. Even so, with all of the mainstream VW Group models having PHEV versions, and the next-generation Vauxhall Astra and Peugeot 308 also set to offer plug-in power, now feels like a good time for this Mégane to benefit from this higher level of electrification. Or it would, were an all-new, pure-electric crossover with the same E-Tech nameplate not waiting in the wings, ready to be launched in…

THERE’S a lot of variety in the coupé market. Some models are raw and focus on driver interaction, while others, like the Audi A5, are comfortable and practical everyday cars with handsome looks. It’s closely related to the A4, so it’s a great choice for anyone looking for a car to get them to work in comfort, but who demands a little extra desirability than you get from a saloon or estate car. Despite the rakish roofline, the A5 still has room for kids in the back, even adults at a push. In fact, the interior might be the best thing about the car, because the quality is high, it looks very smart and has lots of hi-tech equipment. But check what’s included when buying, because the options list was…

Running costs 33.5mpg (on test) £104 fill-up/£275 road tax Practicality Bed length/payload 1,495mm/1,070kg Performance 0-62mph/top speed 13.0 seconds/112mph MODEL TESTED: Isuzu D-Max 1.9D V-Cross auto PRICE: £32,759 (ex. VAT) ENGINE: 1.9-litre 4cyl, 162bhp ISUZU has sold the D-Max pick-up truck in the UK for nearly 20 years, and the Mk3 arrived at the start of 2021. There is a wide range of variants on offer, and here we’re testing the top-spec V-Cross double-cab auto, which costs £32,759, excluding VAT. Design & engineering THE all-new Isuzu D-Max gets a sharper look when compared with its predecessor. Chief among the upgrades is a new “double-fang” grille, which comes with a different finish depending on the spec you go for. On Utility models it’s black plastic, mid-spec versions have silver or chrome treatments, while…

1st FORD IT’S still our favourite pick-up truck, but the Ranger’s advantage is getting smaller. These two trucks largely match each other in terms of price and kit, but the Ford edges ahead thanks to its smoother and punchier engine, excellent 10-speed auto and more comfortable ride. Add in the option of an even more powerful diesel and higher-spec variants, and the Ranger is a great all-rounder. 2nd ISUZU THE D-Max is an excellent alternative to the Ranger. It offers great value for money, is well equipped – even in lower-spec trim levels – and the five-year warranty will be attractive to many, plus it arguably has an advantage off-road. But the diesel engine lets it down: it’s noisy and underpowered compared with the Ford’s. The truck’s ride isn’t as…

Richard_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @rsp_ingram Running costs Official range/tax 244 miles/£0 Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 500/1,460 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 5.1 seconds/112mph EVER since I took delivery of our Hyacinth Red Mercedes EQC last December, I’ve found myself drawing comparisons with the MINI Electric I ran previously. In many respects, the Merc comes out on top: it’s more practical, it’s faster, and it’s more luxurious. But arguably of greater importance for many EV buyers, it’ll do more miles on every full charge. Almost immediately I saw my electricity bill rocket though. As things progressed into the new year and beyond, my calculations showed I was spending almost twice as much charging the EQC as I did the MINI. When you think about it, the reasons are obvious. The Mercedes weighs a substantial 2,495kg,…

6 ISSUES FOR £1 Then if you continue to subscribe after your trial you pay from just £26.99 every three months (saving you 43%). If for any reason you’re not satisfied you can cancel at any time and receive a refund on any unmailed issues. WELCOME TO THE FAMILY We offer every subscriber a free welcome gift when they come on board. This month get a bottle 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. For convenience, scan our QR code with your camera phone for quick access to our secure online store! YOUR FREE GIFT Subscribe to Auto Express today and get a free STP®…

NEW PRODUCT Sealey battery chargers Price: from £89.95 Contact: sealey.co.uk TOOLS specialist Sealey has added a range of top-spec battery chargers to its Premier range. They are all fully automatic, with a seven-stage charging programme to safely revive a battery as efficiently as possible. They can work with a range of common battery types, including lead acid, calcium, GEL and AGM, with the charger automatically selecting the correct mode. The unit can also detect whether the battery is six, 12 or 24V. Completely discharged batteries can be revived from zero volts, plus there’s a desulphation mode to repair long-neglected power packs. An LED screen monitors and displays charging modes, speed of charge and battery capacity. There’s also cable, lead and clip storage in the casing, which includes a hanging hook. There…

Lamborghini Countach Thillainathan Pathmanathan, Anne Christina Reck (Evro Publishing,evropublishing.com) Price: £60 Rating: THIS volume is well worth the price tag if you like detail. The two Countach owners who’ve put this title together clearly know their stuff, and write compellingly about it. Although it’s quite a chunky title, it’s not difficult to read. We’d love to see more detailed photography, though. The authors own the car on the cover, and finishing with a photoshoot of it would have been wonderful. Grand Prix: A History Through The Lens Michael O’Neill, Bruce Vigar (Sona Books, danannpublishing.com) Price: £24.99 Rating: THIS set comprises a large photobook and two DVDs. The former is brilliant and is stuffed full of actionpacked photos from across the history of GP racing. Production quality is high, and it’s…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@autovia.co.uk Q How long can owners leave a hybrid without starting it? TOYOTA recommends that owners of hybrid cars start their engines at least every two weeks to charge the batteries. How are these owners supposed to go on holiday or the like? It seems a gross inconvenience. Terry North, E-mail A WE asked Toyota for in-depth guidance on this issue, and the company advised us that newer hybrid models could potentially be left for closer to three weeks without being started. For older vehicles, however, the brand said the issue hinges on how new the car’s 12V battery is. If an owner can’t get someone to start their car for them while they’re away, trickle charging is advisable to keep the 12V battery in good…

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, delivery to dealer, 12 months’ road tax, number plates and first registration. EVs…

I KNOW about, appreciate and welcome progress. My first second-hand car was a beige, air-cooled VW Beetle with two lap belts, an AM radio plus one speaker, bad brakes and an incurable drink problem. Five years later my first new car was a black, water-cooled VW Golf with five seatbelts, an FM/AM/LW radio-cassette plus four speakers, anti-lock brakes, and a tendency to drink half as much fuel. How’s that for progress? The Golf – plus the under-estimated Polo – weren’t just spiritual/actual successors to the original Beetle; they were in an entirely different league in terms of improving the day-to-day lives of car occupants, while at the same time reducing road accidents, injuries and deaths. Wind forward three or four decades and VW-badged products – like the vast majority of…

THE British Motor Show is going ahead this week, and Auto Express has had a sneak peek of what you can expect at the event, which runs at Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre in Hampshire from 19-22 August. Inside the huge main hall, a Live Stage hosted by Tim Shaw and Fuzz Townshend from Car SOS will feature discussions and interviews on numerous motoring topics. There will also be a Tech Theatre hosted by automotive influencer Shahzad Sheikh, which will look at various issues surrounding electric cars, including servicing, tips and myth busting. “A Live Arena will put on high-octane motorsport and stunt-driving displays as well as supercar parades” A Live Arena hosted by Mike Brewer of Wheeler Dealers fame will put on high-octane motorsport and stunt-driving displays, as…

tristan_shale-hester@autovia.co.uk @tristan_shale FROM 1 September, all petrol stations must make E10 petrol – which contains 10 per cent bioethanol – the standard grade of unleaded, with E10 replacing E5, which contains five per cent bioethanol. The introduction of E10 is happening already because retailers can’t make the switch overnight, so we’ve answered some of the questions you may have. Q Why is E10 being introduced? A The extra bioethanol in E10 comes from crops, which absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) as they grow. It’s estimated switching to E10 equates to a two-per-cent reduction in CO2 per car, with the Department for Transport (DfT) expecting E10 to cut UK CO2 emissions by 750,000 tonnes a year, equivalent to taking 350,000 cars off the road. Q Can my car run on E10? A…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress HOT TOPIC Hyundai Ioniq 7 FROM: John Minshall THE electric car market is desperately short of proper seven-seat SUVs in my view, so this can only be a good thing. That said, I hope the final production version doesn’t have so large a grille as the model in your exclusive Images. FROM: Adam Roberts I WASN’T convinced at first by the idea of the Ioniq sub-brand but, credit where it’s due, I’m really impressed by what we’ve seen so far. The Ioniq 5 has had a cracking launch and the 7 sounds like a brilliant seven-seat SUV. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “Electric, seven seats, reasonable price and futuristic design – just what I’m looking for.” Ben Dawes ■ “Hope it’s not too big; the UK has…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk Boot space Seat up/down 667/1,150 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.4 seconds/130mph IT’S rumoured that Mercedes will reveal an all-electric G-Class with its EQG concept at the Munich Motor Show, but for many that won’t detract from the appeal of a combustion-engined G-Class. When the brand redesigned its icon in 2018, the car launched with V8 power in G 63 AMG trim. But another fuel choice has been added to the line-up before things go electric, with a less glitzy and more affordable G 400 d diesel model – and it’s really good. “More affordable” is a relative term when talking about the G-Class of course, because this top-spec AMG Line Premium Plus model comes in at £116,065, and even the base G 400 d costs from £101,565. Power comes…

Running costs 33.5mpg (on test) £109 fill-up/£275 road tax Practicality Bed length/payload 1,613mm/1,068kg Performance 0-62mph/top speed 11.4 seconds/112mph MODEL TESTED: Ford Ranger 2.0 EcoBlue 170 Ltd auto PRICE: £32,441 (ex. VAT) ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 168bhp THE Ford Ranger is our current favourite pick-up truck, having won the class in our New Car Awards for three years in a row. The truck in our pictures is the now-discontinued Ranger Thunder, which has a more powerful 210bhp twin-turbodiesel, but we’re testing the mid-range Limited model, with a 168bhp EcoBlue diesel and 10-speed auto gearbox. Design & engineering THE current Ranger’s basic body-on-frame platform has been around for a decade now, but constant revision means that the Ford is still a strong contender in the pick-up truck class. The most recent update in 2019…

PAYLOAD TO qualify as a light commercial vehicle, a pick-up truck has to be able to carry a payload of more than a tonne, and both of these trucks meet that requirement. For added security, we’d recommend adding a load cover. Both manufacturers offer various options on the accessories list, and a cover creates a secure load space. Be warned that it won’t be watertight, though. TOWING ANOTHER extra you’ll find in both trucks’ accessories catalogue are towbars. These will be fixed in place and usually include a 13-pin power connector, while the reversing camera will help with manoeuvring. Both trucks feature trailer sway control, an addition to the electronic stability control system that reduces the vehicle’s speed via braking to mitigate any ‘snaking’ that the tech might detect.…

Stuart_Milne@autovia.co.uk Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 460/1,510 litres Running costs 35.5mpg (on test) £140 fill-up £58 or 11% tax FAMILY holidays. Stressful in the build-up, and hopefully relaxing when you arrive. That was certainly the case recently, when the Milne clan decamped to north Devon for a week. The day before we headed off, I noticed that the Citroen’s near-side rear tyre was looking a little low. A quick examination showed a screw had punctured the tread; my worst fears were confirmed when my local fitter said it wasn’t repairable but did, remarkably, have the correct Michelin tyre in stock. At 4.45pm. On a Friday. That’s lucky. We set off, only to be confronted by an unhappy tyre pressure monitoring system. It turns out that the replacement tyre’s valve had been…

“Any clips are stored in a free, unlimited cloud account” NEW PRODUCT Nexar Beam dash cam Price: From £94.95 Contact: shop.getnexar.com IF you want to keep windscreen clutter to a minimum but still need the protection of a dash cam, the new Beam from Nexar could be for you. It’s the maker’s most compact cam yet, and Nexar says it is easy to hide behind a rearview mirror. It records in 1080p full-HD video through a 135-degree lens. A supplied 32GB SD card will give four hours’ recording time, but the unit also streams footage live to the Nexar app on your smartphone. The app can be used in the background, leaving the phone free for navigation and other functions. Storage can also be upgraded up to a 36-hour back-up with…

Derek Bell shirts will suit you to a tee LE Mans legend Derek Bell has teamed up with RetroClassic Clothing to create a range of T-shirts celebrating his motorsport career. Four races are depicted, starting with the 1971 Spa 1,000km, where he took pole and finished second in a Porsche 917. His Le Mans-winning Porsche from 1981 is also featured, plus his last victory in the 24-hour race in a Rothmans-liveried 962. The final design covers his podium in 1995 with son Justin in a McLaren. Go to retroclassicclothing.com to buy the shirts, which cost £24 each. Films put Falken in running for awards TYRE maker Falken has secured two nominations in the International Motor Film Awards 2021. The shortlisting comes after Falken became the first European tyre brand to…

PRODUCTGROUP TEST 18|08|2021 Every week, we extensively test all the latest car kit from tyres to trim cleaners. Log on to autoexpress.co.uk to look through our huge online test archive WHETHER you fancy yourself as a bit of a YouTube star or just want to record your driving to help learn racing lines or off-road techniques, you can now make professional-quality videos using equipment that costs less than a pair of performance tyres. Action cameras that capture footage from a track day or 4x4 adventure can cost as little as £34, but still record in 4K quality. That’s more than enough to keep your fans happy or show the detail you need to improve your technique. Unlike a phone or dash camera, these are designed to be securely mounted via…

Search more than 60,000 cars with competitive finance Order online, delivered to your door, 14 day money-back guarantee CO2/tax 106-114g/km £20-£30 Running costs 64-72mpg (1.6 TDI) £75 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 10.4 seconds/118mph YOU could be forgiven for not even realising that the fourth-generation SEAT Toledo ever existed – not because it was a bad car, but because it was one of those invisible models that came and went without anybody really noticing. Indeed, the three previous generations of Toledo were hardly big sellers, so SEAT’s decision to introduce a fourth take on the formula didn’t seem like the most logical move. Sure enough, the Mk4 sold in relatively small numbers, even though it was reasonably priced, inoffensively styled and offered a healthy dose of practicality. When you throw in…

● Toyota poised for another win ● Ferrari battles Porsche in GTE Stephen_Errity@autovia.co.uk LE Mans will play host to the World Endurance Championship (WEC)’s newfor-2021 Hypercar class for the first time on 21-22 August, as the legendary 24-hour race comes to the Circuit de la Sarthe. The 2020 event was postponed from its usual June date until September due to the pandemic, but still had to take place behind closed doors. This year’s race is also taking place later than usual, allowing organisers to welcome back a limited number of fans. On track, Toyota is the favourite to take a fourth overall win on the trot and a first with its new GR010 Hypercar. After three rounds, the #8 crew of Brendon Hartley, Kazuki Nakajima and Sebastien Buemi lead their…

Yousuf_Ashraf@autovia.co.uk @ashrafoncars ● Style inspired by 1974 icon ● Hybrid V12 makes 803bhp “The car blends cues from the 1974 Countach with contemporary Lamborghini touches” IT’S been 50 years since the Lamborghini Countach wedged itself into the supercar crowd with wild Bertone styling, a bellowing V12 and a race-inspired chassis. For 2021, the Italian marque is reviving the iconic name – so meet the reborn Lamborghini Countach. Just 112 examples will be built, each combining Lamborghini’s most advanced powertrain technology and an appearance that is distinctly Countach, with a wedge-shaped silhouette and numerous details that pay homage to the original model. The new car blends cues from the 1974 Countach with contemporary Lamborghini touches. Retro features include black NACA intakes along the flanks, and distinctive “Periscopio” lines running from the…

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 makers The Motor Ombudsman: 0345 241 3008 Financial problems Financial Ombudsman: 0800 023 4567 Safety concerns/recalls www.check-mot.service.gov.uk…

James_Brodie@autovia.co.uk @jimmybrods Performance 0-62mph/top speed 5.5 seconds/149mph Running costs 33.2mpg (official) £68 fill-up THE new Kona N – Hyundai’s first performance SUV – has been on the cards for a while now. It’s positioned as a much more powerful and costly alternative to our current favourite, the Ford Puma ST. However, it’s not quite into the £40,000-plus realm of all-wheel-drive competitors including the Volkswagen T-Roc R, Audi SQ2 and BMW X2 M35i. Power is provided by the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol unit found in the i30 N Performance, developing 276bhp most of the time, but with an overboost capability that takes it to 286bhp. It sends that power to the front wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic box – there’s no manual. The 0-62mph sprint takes 5.5 seconds with…

Stuart_Milne@autovia.co.uk AWARDS WINNERS 2021 AUTO Express covers the very latest new models every week, but our used-car pages are packed with information designed to help you buy a variety of second-hand models – and buy them well. Over the next 40 pages, we’ve rounded up what we think are the very best used options on sale today. You’ll find models of all shapes and sizes from city cars to sports cars to SUVs, plus our left-field choices if you fancy something a bit different. Prices start from £2,000, so there should be plenty to whet your appetite. With a proliferation of new cars on the market, the used sector is more packed than ever. Yet the pandemic has seen an unprecedented change in market conditions; due to the enforced slowdown…

BEFORE you rush off and buy a seven-seat SUV, have you considered a more conventional people carrier instead? After all, a Citroen Grand C4 Picasso (renamed the Grand C4 SpaceTourer from 2018) offers more practicality, comfort and value for money than just about any large SUV. That’s why it’s our winner in the MPV category once again – and it’s been a consistent winner in the Auto Express New Car Awards as well. It’s a brilliant family car, and as a used model it looks like a real bargain. Even seven adults can travel in the Grand C4 Picasso, because the rearmost seats are roomy and easy to access. While they are smaller, they’re better than those of virtually any SUV rival. The middle-row seats slide forwards and backwards independently,…

MANUFACTURERS have taken one of two approaches when pitching their new EVs. Some have chosen to go radical – to produce something that looks and feels like nothing else, in order to sell the technology in a new and exciting light. And some brands choose to offer buyers something that seems familiar, in order to reassure buyers that even though the fuel comes from a plug rather than a pump, it’ll still slip into everyday life. VW has gone for the latter – it doesn’t want to alienate customers new to electrification. This approach has worked brilliantly with the e-Golf. Here’s an electric car that doesn’t shout about its zero-emission tech – only the most eagle-eyed VW fans will notice the blue highlights and aerodynamic alloys that set it apart…

Isuzu D-Max Nine-inch touchscreen Standard Key features: Apple CarPlay/Android Auto THE latest D-Max follows changing convention in the new car market, because it doesn’t have sat-nav. Isuzu has shrewdly decided that a smartphone interface is a better addition, so you can use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and it has saved cash on expensive mapping software as a result. It’s a great addition, because the D-Max’s own system is a bit of a mess. It’s all touchscreen-based, although you can use the multifunction steering wheel and large colour screen between the dials to navigate, too. But there are some odd options, such as the DAB radio being a separate audio source from the FM and AM stations, while the various sub-menus are a fiddle to work through when you’re moving.…

Toyota Hilux 2.4 D-4D Invincible auto PRICE: £31,551 (ex. VAT) ENGINE: 2.4L 4cyl, 148bhp TOYOTA’S workhorse offers good value and striking looks, plus should be a reliable machine. Like the Ranger, there’s a more powerful diesel on offer with 200bhp, and at £31,551 the Hilux still undercuts both of our challengers here. SsangYong Musso Rhino LWB PRICE: £30,355 (ex. VAT) ENGINE: 2.2L 4cyl, 179bhp SSANGYONG extended the rear of the Musso to create the Rhino. It has a deeper bed than either rival here, and has a bigger payload, while a facelift coming soon might help buyers get more of a discount on that price tag.…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk Q Does snow foam work? I HELPED a friend wash his car because I wanted to try his snow-foam lance. We covered the bodywork and let it soak, but there was still dirt left behind when it was rinsed. Is this right? Jack Cookson, E-mail A SNOW foam is not designed to entirely remove dirt. Its purpose is to release grit and prevent muck being dragged over paintwork. This does not mean you no longer have to touch the car with a mitt, but it should reduce the risk of creating scratches and swirls when you do. Q Looking for quiet rubber I NEED to get some new tyres for my car, so I’m looking for something that’s less noisy than the rubber I’m replacing. How…

THE top of your car might appear to be shiny, but few of us will ever get underneath to see what is happening to the parts that don’t get the benefit of a sponge and chamois every Sunday morning. Suspension and chassis parts have a hard life, and even a relatively new car could be showing the first signs of corrosion. Simply protecting these exposed components with a rust preventer could keep them free of corrosion, warding off the welding torch and making removal of parts for repairs far easier. To test Muc-Off’s new HCB-1, we sprayed a sample of unpainted mild steel and placed it outside for eight weeks, occasionally dousing it with salty water. For comparison, we treated an identical sample with our winning multi-purpose spray, Bilt-Hamber Ferrosol.…

2021 Results 2008 Factfile Years: 2019 to present CO2: 113g/km Fuel economy: 65.7mpg (1.5 BlueHDi) Best options: Reversing camera, 3D i-Cockpit, wireless phone charger USED PRICES: From £18,800 OVERALL SCORE 90.23% Bars show where model finished out of 75 vehicles in our 2021 new car survey. The longer the bar the better GOOD “EXTERIOR benefits from clean lines, and the paintwork retains a shiny gloss several months into ownership.” “Very easy to fold the back seats down quickly if you need to create more boot space.” “Front seats are some of the easiest to adjust I’ve ever had; great when switching drivers.” “Distinctive styling, and I can’t fault any of the build quality. It’s nice to be able to say that.” “The suspension configuration feels just right, and there’s hardly…

Search more than 60,000 cars with competitive finance. Order online, delivered to your door, 14 day money-back guarantee WHEN the first Audi Q3 arrived a decade ago, it helped set the benchmark for small premium SUVs, and was a huge sales success for its maker. The Mk2 Q3 built on that, but faced renewed competition. After all, SUVs of all sizes and prices had grown hugely in popularity, and the pond in which the second-generation Q3 was swimming had become populated by a number of ever-more competitive fish. Take Volvo, for example. It built on the success of the larger XC90 and XC60 with the XC40, a car that promises everything that’s good about Volvo SUVs, but in a more compact package. The Mazda CX-5, meanwhile, is about the same age as…

THE Mazda CX-5 has the biggest and most powerful engine here, but that doesn’t help its performance. It’s significantly heavier than its rivals, lacks the midrange boost of a turbocharger, and its six-speed automatic gearbox pales in comparison with the speed of shifts the Q3’s seven-speed DSG delivers. Like the Audi, however, the Mazda feels well balanced. It may not ultimately be quite as sharp, but its ride is smoother, while the CX-5 handles better than the XC40 – the Japanese car’s steering feels more natural and less artificially assisted than its rivals’. Mazda may not be as upmarket a brand as Audi or Volvo, but in these trims the CX-5 has enough kit to stand up to its rivals. Build quality is more than fair, too, but one issue…