Innholdsfortegnelse for 1695 i Auto Express

TEN years ago this week, I started my Auto Express career wandering around the Frankfurt motor show looking at cars like the BMW i3 Concept and the then-new Volkswagen up!. Now in 2021 (and over 500 issues of Auto Express later) I’m just back from the Munich show, where the i3 still looks as good today as it did then, but the up!’s days are numbered. Back in 2011, the i3 was one of very few electric cars at the Frankfurt show. This year in Munich, there were very few cars that weren’t electric. However, electrification was only one battleground in Munich; sustainability was also well and truly on the agenda. It was the theme for BMW’s stand – and the impressive free display in the city centre (British cities…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler • Extreme-E to inspire hot EVs • UrbanRebel hot hatch possible CUPRA boss Wayne Griffiths has hinted that hot R versions of his brand’s electric models could be on the way. “Yeah, it could be a good idea,” he told Auto Express. “In an electric world, we have to find new ways of enhancing performance. So it’s not sound anymore, it’s not the exhaust, it’s not the backfire. It’s a different experience we need to come up with. But I think there’s room for that and we have to develop the capability.” Motorsport could well provide the inspiration, as Griffiths explained: “We’re racing in Extreme-E, so I think out of that experience – the motor racing with the electric cars – there we could get some elements to…

Chris_Rosamond@autovia.co.uk AN independent Office of Rail and Road (ORR) report into National Highways’ (NH) smart-motorway safety claims has backed the methodology used, but raised doubts about the quantity of available data. ORR is the independent regulator for road and rail safety, and it launched a probe into NH’s analysis on the orders of Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps. The probe followed fatalities on smart motorways, when broken-down vehicles stopped in their lanes and were hit by following traffic. Unlike regular motorways, which have a hard shoulder, all-lane running (ALR) smart motorways use overhead gantries to direct traffic to drive in all four lanes. Detractors say this leaves motorists with nowhere to go if their vehicles break down, apart from emergency refuge areas (ERAs) at 1.5-mile intervals. The intervention…

FOLLOWING in the footsteps of RS200 and Escort RS Cosworth police cars, Ford has revealed a law-enforcement version of the Mustang Mach-E. The EV could soon find its way onto police fleets, because many forces have already expressed an interest in running the all-electric Mustang. It’s a prototype for now, but Ford has collaborated with conversion partner Safeguard SVP to equip the Mach-E with LED strobe lights, sirens and radios. It’s based on the Mach-E Standard Range AWD model, which has 265bhp and a 68kWh battery for a range of 248 miles. PAGE 24: EVs for emergencies…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy Running costs 44.8mpg (official) £68 fill-up Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 445/1,623 litres DACIA is forging ahead with a major new-model push. We’ve been impressed by the latest Sandero and Stepway, and now the firm has given its existing SUV, the Duster, a few updates. The car gets a nip and tuck externally, with new alloy wheels and different headlights, and inside there’s a boost to infotainment, plus some nattier upholstery. Yet the engine line-up remains broadly unchanged, including an 89bhp 1.0-litre petrol, a 128bhp 1.3-litre petrol and, yes, diesel and LPG Bi-Fuel options. But here we’re driving the new range-topper, which mixes a 148bhp version of the 1.3 petrol with front-wheel drive and a new six-speed dual-clutch auto gearbox. Entry-level Essential versions cost just £13,995 and their equipment…

Richard_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @rsp_ingram Electric motor Power/range 282bhp/286 miles Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.8 seconds/112mph IT’S not often we review a car that is out of date before you’ve even read our words. But with this BMW iX3, that’s the case – or at least, in part. You see, while the pure-electric iX3 is new, the regular X3 on which it’s based has been treated to a mid-life facelift. The iX3, which launched just before the changes were announced, initially missed out. That has since been rectified, with the new M Sport and M Sport Pro models now benefiting from the same tweaks as their combustion-engined siblings. This Premier Edition variant, available for only a limited time from launch, therefore looks slightly different to the car you might order today. But with the…

Running costs 2.9m/kWh (on test) £13 home charge/£0 or 1% tax Practicality Boot (front/rear) 84/407 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 3.8 seconds/155mph TESTED: Porsche Taycan 4S Performance Battery Plus PRICE: £87,936 POWERTRAIN: 93.4kWh battery/twin motor, 563bhp THE Taycan 4S is priced from £84,030. Throw in a lengthy list of optional extras and cosmetic upgrades fitted to this test car, which includes 20-inch wheels (£1,776), a Bose sound system (a very Porsche-appropriate £956) and the £3,906 Performance Battery Plus (this upgrades the battery capacity from 79.2kWh to 93.4kWh), and the total closely matches the Audi’s list price, at £105,391. Design & engineering WHILE these two cars use the same platform, the Taycan is available with a much wider range of motor and battery options than the e-tron GT. The line-up kicks off…

DESIGN VERY few production car designs manage to stay faithful to the spectacular concept cars that preceded them, but the Taycan and e-tron GT are glorious exceptions. The Porsche Mission E’s cartoonishly large wheelarches and slim waistline were only slightly toned down for production, while the Audi is even closer to the original concept. Wheels, mirrors and glowing logos aside, it’s almost identical. CHARGING AN 800-volt electrical system is still a rarity in the latest EVs. Along with the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Taycan and e-tron GT are in an elite group with the tech. What it means over the 400-volt setups used by so many EVs is the lure of ultra-rapid charging. Find a charge point capable of delivering 270kW top-ups, and this pair can replenish…

Stuart_Milne@dennis.co.uk Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 460/1,510 litres EARLIER this year, Citroen published a report saying that a comfortable driving experience helps reduce road rage. It said 62 per cent of the 2,000 UK motorists surveyed had lost their temper, while 47 per cent had been on the receiving end. I often give short shrift to such stories, but after almost 4,000 miles in my C5 Aircross, I really do think there’s something in it. In my last report, I said that the car made a relaxing long-distance companion on a family holiday – and if there’s ever an occasion to provoke stress, it’s that. Much of that was, genuinely, down to the Citroen’s comfortable driving experience: a combination of excellent sound insulation, good visibility, compliant suspension at speed and Citroen’s…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk Q Help wipers pass screen test THE windscreen wipers on my car have started to judder and are failing to clear the screen properly. Is there an easy fix for this? Mike Beardley, E-mail A CHECK the arm isn’t twisted or bent and the base is securely fixed. Clean the screen with glass polish to remove contaminants that could affect the blades’ effectiveness. Check them for signs of hardening or damage. You don’t say how old the wipers are, but we’d replace them with our test-winning Bosch Aerotwin blades, which are known for their smooth running. Q Must I stick with XL rubber? I’VE recently purchased a 2017 Hyundai i10 Premium. There is no information label on the car and it currently has 175/65R14 tyres rated 86T XL. Why…

NOW that we seem to control all aspects of life through our phones, it’s logical that dash cams become connected, too. We’ve already tested a Thinkware unit that has its own SIM to send data from your camera when you’re away from your car, and decided we preferred Garmin’s WiFi-based solution. Now Nexar reckons it has another way to keep an eye on your car when you are parked or driving, with its new Beam. It automatically connects to an app on your phone when you are near the camera and sends footage to the cloud. While the Beam is clever, we found the constant connection drained the phone’s battery and data package, and our patience. Garmin’s 57 has better footage, but is complicated to set up. We tried them…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy • VW’s first bespoke compact EV to go on sale in 2025 • Target price of £17,000 and up to 248 miles of range WE’VE been wondering how Volkswagen would put everything it has learned from its first wave of pure-electric cars into the forthcoming generation of cheaper models. And now we know, thanks to this stunning concept, the ID. Life, which was one of the biggest debuts of last week’s Munich Motor Show. The ID. Life is designed to preview vehicles that will sit beneath the ID.3 hatchback in the VW EV line-up – and senior executives from the company have been quick to confirm that a production version is on the way. It seems likely that, given its five-door crossover bodystyle, it could become the ID.2,…

WHILE VW is focusing on its electrified future, in the present the brand released prices for the updated Polo. The five-door supermini is on sale now, priced from £17,885 for the new entry-level Life trim fitted with VW’s 79bhp naturally aspirated 1.0-litre petrol unit. Stepping up to the turbocharged 94bhp 1.0 TSI adds an extra £940, and with claimed fuel economy of 54.3mpg and 118g/km CO2 emissions, it’s the most efficient powertrain in the line-up. Comfort-focused Style trim (right) is priced from £20,785 and comes exclusively with the 1.0 TSI engine. This model features big-car innovations new to the Polo, such as adaptive matrix LED lights and a 10.25-inch digital dash. The sportier R-Line trim also starts from £20,785, featuring 16-inch alloys and a sharper bodykit, as well as sports…

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…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram THIS year has seen a severe drop-off in new-car production. In July 2021, UK car manufacturing hit its lowest level since 1956, but this isn’t an issue confined to our shores. A worldwide chip shortage has seen many of the big brands throttling back on production, and in some cases demand is beginning to outstrip supply, with these parts delays causing customers to wait for their new-car purchases. As a result, the used-car market is flourishing. There’s a plentiful choice of low-mileage two and three-year-old models, and while you might lose some of the original maker’s warranty cover, you could buy a vehicle where someone else has taken the biggest hit of depreciation. Crucially, you could drive away in a car the same day, and even grab a…

THE used car market is booming, but while prices are higher than ever for second-hand vehicles due to the global semiconductor shortage, it’s still a great time to buy a used car, not least because wait times will be significantly shorter. Our sister site BuyaCar.co.uk has more than 50,000 cars for sale spanning the whole spectrum of the market, with options to buy using cash, a PCP finance deal or through a hire-purchase arrangement; you’ll even be able to check your eligibility for finance there and then. With such scope when it comes to used models on offer, you’ll be able to find the perfect specification to suit your budget, too, and there’ll be advisors on hand to help if you have any burning questions. Be sure to do your…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram Running costs 52.1mpg (official) £70 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.7 seconds/130mph PEUGEOT has a new logo as part of its push to go more premium, and the first model to wear it is this new 308. It’ll rival the Skoda Octavia and Ford Focus as the most technologically advanced, efficient and refined family hatch from the French brand. It’s also the most eye-catching. Sleeker proportions play a part; it’s 105mm longer than before and sits 16mm lower. Whether fitting Peugeot shields to the front wings on top GT and GT Premium models is a cool touch or a bit much, we’ll let you decide. The cabin is another hit. It’s not just the contemporary design that stands out, but the finish. Build quality feels great and the switchgear…

Audi e-tron GT MMI Navigation Plus Key features: Google Earth mapping WHILE much of the e-tron GT is quite radical when compared with its Audi stablemates, its infotainment set-up is very familiar. The MMI Touch 10.1-inch display is paired with a 12.3-inch Digital Cockpit instrument panel, for what is undoubtedly one of the sharpest and prettiest systems around. It’s slick to use, too. The home page is laid out with neat tiles, while shortcut buttons remain to the right of the screen when entering sub-menus. Ease of input and loading times are a match for the Porsche, and among the fastest we’ve sampled; both systems took roughly 20 seconds for us to first enter an address via the search function, and then for that route to load. The mapping can…

NEW PRODUCT Nuna Next child car seat system Price: from £200 (base), £220 (seat) Contact: nunababy.com THE latest car seat system from Nuna allows parents to pick the chair that best suits how and where they carry their child. At the heart of the Next range is the £200 single-leg base. It has a low rebound bar for extra legroom, while the True Lock connection has 13 ISOFIX positions to perfectly suit your car. A fitted seat can also rotate 360 degrees. Parents can mount a choice of four seats to the base. The £230 Cari is a carry-cot design that allows babies to lie fully reclined. There’s an organic jersey mattress with a three-point harness to keep the child secure. Outside the car, the Cari can be fitted to a…

The Great British Road Trip Ricky James Nixon (Self-published, amazon.co.uk) Price: £7.99 Rating: IT’S always good to get some new ideas for where to take your car. There are some decent routes in here, and they’re set out with lots of detail on where to stop, places of interest or hotels to stay at. You might not read the book for the storytelling, but you may just find some ideas for your next holiday in the UK between the covers. BMW E30 James Taylor (Crowood Press, crowood.com) Price: £25 Rating: AS with most of the author’s titles, this has plenty of concise information. It’s interesting and informative, especially for the BMW fan, and M-car owners or enthusiasts will particularly enjoy themselves. The technical drawings and specs are a nice addition,…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@autovia.co.uk Q Will my 1997 Audi be able to run on the new E10 fuel? I OWN a 1997 Audi A3 Sport with a 1.8-litre turbo engine and am concerned that it may not be compatible with E10 petrol. I don’t want to pay more for E5 super unleaded, but should I play it safe and avoid using E10 altogether? Mark Preston, E-mail A YOU can check whether your car is E10-compatible on the Department for Transport’s website (gov.uk/check-vehicle-e10-petrol). The ACEA also has a list (acea.auto/publication/e10-petrol-fuel-vehicle-compatibility-list). These say that E10 is cleared for use in all petrol-powered Audis, except those with the first-generation direct-injection engines (a few A2s, A3s and A4s from 2003 to 2008). That means your A3 is compatible with E10 fuel. Q Should I switch to…

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/EMISSIONS/RANGE: Combined WLTP economy in miles per gallon, emissions in grams per kilometre of CO2 and maximum claimed range for EVs. 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…

Former Audi, Bugatti and Skoda designer Kaban joined VW as head of passenger car design at the end of last year. Q Which vehicles did you take as inspiration for the ID. Life? A “We looked at the Golf, at the T1 (VW microbus); we even looked at the Type 181 [a boxy convertible sold as the Trekker in the UK]. That car gives maybe not the best aesthetic, but a good experience.” Q So how would you describe what you’ve ended up with? A “I think the ID. Life has its own character, and VW is always looking for that. The design is very clean, with almost no fussy details which can get old. Everything is built around simple shapes, straight lines and so forth. The division of colours…

Yousuf_Ashraf@autovia.co.uk @ashrafoncars HOT on the heels of VW’s ID. Life will be a performance-focused GTX model, according to the brand’s sales and marketing boss, Klaus Zellmer. The ID. Life GTX is set to arrive soon after the eventual production version of VW’s baby EV crossover in 2025, bringing more power and a sportier chassis set-up, along with a host of cosmetic upgrades. Zellmer told Auto Express at the Munich Motor Show that the GTX name is set to be attached to every ID. model in the German brand’s line-up: “GTX, in the long run, is something that we want for every derivative,” he said. “So GTX is also something that we want to have, potentially, for the ID. Life”. This plan is integral to a new range structure that VW…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk • Brand working to increase hydrogen uptake • Fuel cell-powered sports car will go into production HYUNDAI has revealed its Vision FK sports car concept, previewing a sporty hydrogen fuel-cell model. It’s part of the brand’s Hydrogen Wave strategy to accelerate the uptake of hydrogen-fuel mobility up to 2040, which will also see two new hydrogen powertrains launched in 2022, one of which will power future Hyundais. The 670bhp concept has a sub-four-second 0-62mph time and more than 372 miles of range, Hyundai says. It follows the firm’s recent commitment to make all of its vehicles in Europe fully electric by 2035. To create the concept, Hyundai partnered with EV performance specialist Rimac Automobili (in which it owns a 12 per cent stake); the car marries a Hyundai-designed and…

Radford adds famous JPS livery to Type 62-2 RADFORD has revealed a more exclusive version of its Type 62-2 sports car, called the John Player Special (above), which will make its public debut at the Goodwood Revival, 17-19 September. The brand will build 12 JPS versions within the 62-strong run of its sports car. Production will start later this year, with first deliveries expected in 2022. As hinted by its nameplate, the Type 62-2 JPS wears a modernised version of the black-and-gold livery that appeared on many Lotus Formula One cars. Semiconductor woes hit UK new-car sales THE UK new-car market suffered its weakest August since 2013, with 68,033 registrations recorded, a 22 per cent year-on-year decline and down 7.6 per cent on the 10-year August average, as the semiconductor…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress HOT TOPIC Dacia Jogger FROM: Luke Geoffrey THIS will find a big market, I think. It looks as though it will be rugged and hard-wearing, but also spacious and extremely affordable. Probably all the car most families could ever actually need. Congratulations, Dacia, a good move. FROM: Mark Prior AT first glance, this looks to be a well designed, smart-looking car at a price that’s absurdly good value. It makes you wonder why all the other manufacturers are charging so much for their cars. I hope this isn’t too good to be true. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “Dacia could be on to a winner here. Most brands are forgetting what an MPV is.” Paul Harvey ■ “A massive leap forward that’s good news for the brand.…

tristan_shale-hester@autovia.co.uk @tristan_shale THE transition to zero-emission vehicles affects a wide range of people and organisations, from private motorists and small businesses, to large corporations and fleets. Even emergency services are having to think about which vehicles they’ll purchase to renew their fleets in an eco-friendly manner. However, with not just various practicalities to consider, but also cost-effectiveness – even more so when it’s taxpayers’ money at stake – it’s not as easy a task as one might assume. One fire brigade grappling with the dilemma is the Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) which is trialling a Tesla Model 3 that has been specially fitted with sirens and blue lights to see if it would make a suitable addition to the service’s ancillary fleet. AF&RS is especially keen to make…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram Running costs 20.0mpg (official) £122 fill-up Practicality Boot 235 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 3.7 seconds/208mph “Acceleration is accompanied by a deep guttural roar at lower revs, which transforms into an angry howl towards the red line” WE’VE never had any complaints about the power of the Bentley Continental GT, but that hasn’t stopped its engineers from adding more. With 650bhp, this is the most potent version ever. We’ve already sampled the Coupé on a racetrack, so now it’s time to find out how that sharper, more focused feel we discovered there translates onto the road in Convertible and Coupé bodystyles. That headline figure is 24bhp more than the existing W12 model, which the Speed in effect replaces in the UK line-up. The bump in output comes from software…

TESTED: Audi e-tron GT quattro Vorsprung PRICE: £107,300 POWERTRAIN: 93.4kWh battery/twin motor, 523bhp Running costs 2.9m/kWh (on test) £13 charge/£0 or 1% tax Practicality Boot (front/rear) 84/405 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 4.1 seconds/152mph AUDI’S rapidly growing EV range has the e-tron GT as its flagship. Our quattro model had some non-UK specific extras, including 21-inch alloys. Prices start at £81,200, while this Vorsprung trim’s significant extras raise the price to £107,300. Design & engineering THE second Audi EV to be launched couldn’t be more different from the first. The big, bulky e-tron SUV places comfort and practicality above all else, and to many people won’t look any different to a combustion-powered Audi, from which its adapted platform is borrowed. While the e-tron GT has almost the same name, those extra…

Audi RS 7 Sportback PRICE: £100,055 ENGINE: 4.0-litre turbo V8, 592bhp PERFORMANCE EV rivals are hard to come by, but Porsche and Audi both offer similarly quick combustion alternatives. The RS 7 has storming pace and exceptional traction from its 4WD system, but has a brawnier styling and a more spacious cabin than the e-tron GT. Porsche Panamera GTS PRICE: £107,880 ENGINE: 4.0-litre turbo V8, 476bhp IN many ways the Panamera remains a world-beating practical performance car. Its agility is more hot hatch than five-metre limousine, and in GTS form it’s at its most thrilling to drive. If you’re not ready to go full EV, there’s even a choice of plug-in hybrid powertrains.…

Pete_Gibson@autovia.co.uk Running costs 40.3mpg (on test) £68 fill-up, 34% BIK tax Practicality Boot (seats up) 450 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 8.9 seconds/126mph WHEN is an SUV not really an SUV? And when is a Cupra not really a SEAT? These and other mysteries will hopefully be solved over the coming months, as I probe a bit more deeply into the qualities of the latest car on our fleet, the Cupra Formentor. Up to now, you see, everything that’s come out of SEAT’s “premium” brand has been, well, a derivative of an existing model, like the Ateca and the Leon. But with the Formentor, the Cupra badge finally gets a vehicle all to itself. And, you could argue, a bodystyle, because whereas the Ateca is very much a conventional SUV, the…

RELAX IF YOU’RE IN A TIGHT SPOT NEW PRODUCT AndaSeat T-Compact Gaming Chair Price: £299.99 Contact: andaseat.com/uk IF space for homeworking and gaming is tight in your home, AndaSeat may have the answer with the latest addition to its line-up: the T-Compact. A slimmed-down version of the firm’s T-Pro 2, the T-Compact is described by AndaSeat as the “ultimate fabric” chair for the home office or gaming. The T-Compact has Re-Dense AD+ moulded foam to increase longevity and prevent any sagging on weight-bearing areas. A skin in the foam’s outer surface reduces air loss and helps to maintain its shape. The linen trim is breathable and is claimed to keep users cool over long periods. The back rest can be reclined from 90 to 160 degrees to suit a range of…

Your car could be a Hot Wheels champ HOT Wheels is offering one UK car fan the unique chance to have their motor immortalised as an authentic die-cast model. Submit a video of your car build online and the vehicle that “best embodies Hot Wheels’ high standards of performance, authenticity and garage spirit’’ will go head to head with other regional winners. The overall champion will be reproduced as a 1:64-scale Hot Wheels toy. Submit your video at hotwheelsuklegendstour.co.uk before 1 October, then watch the live judging on the Car Throttle YouTube channel. Hotter GT-R offers more driving thrills DRIVING experience provider U-Drive Cars has just upgraded its Nissan GT-R Nismo. The model is now a true Fast and Furious-style modified monster, wearing a Liberty Walk wide-arch bodykit with wings…

CO2/tax 114-121g/km £30-£130 Running costs 61-64mpg (2.0 TDI 190) £55 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 7.7 seconds/149mph Search more than 50,000 cars with competitive finance Order online, delivered to your door, 14 day money-back guarantee BACK in the sixties, when Volkswagen bought Audi from Mercedes-Benz, few people could have foreseen just what a powerhouse this all-encompassing premium brand would become. The seeds were sown in the seventies, then in the eighties Audi gained momentum thanks to its reputation as an innovator, with aerodynamic luxury cars that frequently offered the security of four-wheel drive. From being a bit-part player, Audi’s presence in the UK is now decidedly heavyweight, even though the brand is still outsold by both BMW and Mercedes. But that doesn’t matter to used-car buyers; what does matter is that…

Stephen_Errity@autovia.co.uk • Bottas moves to Alfa Romeo • Albon returns with Williams THE make-up of the 2022 Formula One grid fell largely into place last week, as Valtteri Bottas’ move from Mercedes to Alfa Romeo was confirmed, with George Russell coming from Williams to replace the Finn alongside Lewis Hamilton. Commenting on his Alfa deal, Bottas said: “I’m relishing the opportunity to help lead the team up the grid, especially with the new regulations in 2022 giving the chance to make a leap in performance. I’m hungry as ever for results and wins.” Russell, who raced for Mercedes in the 2020 Sakhir GP, when Hamilton caught Covid, said of his move: “It’s a special day for me. It’s a huge opportunity, and one that I want to grab with both…

Lotus Emira spawns GT4 racing version ONLY months after the roadgoing car was unveiled, Lotus has taken the wraps off a customer-racing version of its new mid-engined model, the Emira (above), built to the GT4-class technical rules. The car was developed in conjunction with the long-established British race engineering firm RML Group and will be eligible to race in the British GT Championship, as well as numerous other national and regional series. WRC postpones Japan return for a third year THE World Rally Championship’s return to Japan is off for another year due to the Covid state of emergency in the Asian country, with the series deciding to follow Formula 1 and MotoGP’s lead in pulling the plug on its 2021 visit. It’s thought that a return to Italy’s Monza…

FEELING good about 2030 – the most game-changing, controversial year of our motoring lives? Happy that you elected those here-today, gone-tomorrow politicians who have withdrawn your right to buy a new petrol or diesel car from 2030? Be honest – do we really believe that eventually, EVs will have the same retail prices as equivalent petrol or diesel models? Assuming that you’re not priced out of the motoring market onto public transport (this might just be part of the ‘plan’), do you actually like, trust and approve of the eerily quiet electricity-generating companies, plus their still-too-common power outages? And how confident are you that the EV charging networks, infrastructure, reliability, pricing and the like will be fit for purpose across hundreds of thousands of British miles in 2030? I’m desperately…