Innholdsfortegnelse for 1710 i Auto Express

Yousuf_Ashraf@autovia.co.uk @ashrafoncars ● Claimed range of 357 miles ● Hits 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds “The iX M60 develops a healthy 1,100Nm of torque, thanks to a dual-motor set-up” BMW has boosted the performance of its iX electric SUV with the new iX M60. With 611bhp and chassis tweaks by BMW’s M division, the iX M60 will rival the Tesla Model X when it launches in summer 2022. Sitting above the iX xDrive50 as the most powerful variant of BMW’s technological flagship, the iX M60 develops a healthy 1,100Nm of torque, thanks to a dual-motor four-wheel-drive set-up, and will sprint from 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds. It powers on to a limited top speed of 155mph, which is 31mph faster than the xDrive50. The latter does the 0-62mph sprint in 4.6 seconds.…

Open-topped MC20 sports car on its way MASERATI has revealed an official shot showing a disguised version of its new MC20 convertible sports car (above), confirming that “an early prototype has exited the gates of our Modena plant”. It points towards the roofless midengined model undergoing final development on the road, meaning we’ll probably see it unveiled later this year. The spy shot suggests that it uses a folding hard-top roof. England sees a rise in tyres being dumped THE number of tyres being fly-tipped in England has risen 25 per cent in the past year, with 15,076 incidents reported to local councils in 2020-21, compared with 12,076 in 2019-20, according to Kwik Fit’s analysis of Government data. This is in spite of drivers covering 21 per cent fewer miles…

CONGESTION Charge changes announced by London mayor Sadiq Khan have angered both drivers and the eco-lobby. A price hike from £11.50 to £15, plus extended hours and weekend charges, were introduced early in the pandemic to address Transport for London (TfL) losses as commuters stayed at home. The £15 daily charge will stay from 21 February, but week dayswill revert to pre-Covid hours of 7am-6pm, while weekends will be charged from 12pm-6pm. Drivers are angry that higher ‘Covid’ charges are staying, while clean-air campaigners accuse Khan of aiding a ‘car-led recovery’. TfL has a cash-flow crisis due to reduced commuting, and overly optimistic forecast revenues from the extended Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ).…

Running costs 60.1mpg (official) £60 fill-up Performance  0-62mph/top speed 9.8 seconds/114mph MAZDA recently announced an all-new hybrid Mazda 2 supermini based on the Toyota Yaris will go on sale later this year, but in a slightly confusing move for consumers, its recently updated Mazda 2 will be sold alongside the new, full petrol electric option - which is what we’re driving here - to give customers more choice. For the 2022 model year the Japanese manufacturer has given the compact hatchback some relatively significant updates to boost efficiency. Chief of which is the addition of Mazda’s e-Skyactiv G mild-hybrid powertrains. There’s also a new exhaust manifold for the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and a higher compression ratio, which has helped cut CO2 emissions by between 11 and 14g/km across…

Kia EV6 12.3-inch touchscreen Key features: Augmented reality THERE’S no question that the Kia wins the infotainment contest. Its twin, gently curved 12.3-inch screens look fantastic and work well; the display behind the wheel shows driving data, the other is a touchscreen for navigation and entertainment. There’s also a small touch-sensitive panel that switches between radio and air-con controls easily, and while we’d prefer real buttons here, the set-up is impressive and there are still physical dials to quickly change temperature, fan and volume settings. You get everything you need in the Kia, including built-in sat-nav with charging station data, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and wireless phone charging. The system is easy to use, the smartphone link works seamlessly and the touchscreen display is responsive. It’s all laid out well and…

STYLING THE Kia’s roofline is nearly 100mm lower than the Volkswagen’s, which, combined with its wider body, really emphasises the car’s rakish appearance on the road. While both cars are practical crossovers, the EV6 is closer in style to a high-riding hatchback. The dramatic tail-lights and snub-nosed bonnet give it a more eye-catching look – beside it, the GTX appears quite conventional. CHARGING BOTH manufacturers offer incentives to fit a home wallbox to charge these cars. Kia has a choice between PodPoint and BP Pulse, with the latter also offering 12 months’ free use of its public chargepoints. VW has partnered with Octopus Energy to offer its Octopus Go tariff. This costs 5p per kWh between 12:30 and 4:30 each night, while a £90 credit is offered to new and…

NEW PRODUCT Nextbase iQ smart dash cams Prices: TBC Contact: nextbase.com NEXTBASE claims it will transform the dash-cam market with its new range of iQ smart models, which boast artificial intelligence technology, plus features designed to keep drivers safe. The completely redesigned three-channel iQ cameras are based on an all-new operating system that is underpinned by a fresh smartphone app. Unlike with previous Nextbase models, footage is uploaded directly to the cloud rather than a phone, enabling live footage to be broadcast to synced devices anywhere in the world. The witness mode allows occupants to film potential “security” events and alert friends or family using Nextbase’s own native voice control. The firm claims it is faster than Amazon’s Alexa system featured in some of its other units. It’s also the world’s…

Fiat anti-theft app targets van crooks VAN theft is an enormous problem, but Fiat is helping tackle the issue with its latest Ducato and e-Ducato models, which are able to send a text to the vehicle owner if they detect somebody breaking in. Fiat Professional Theft Assistance detects break-ins, unauthorised towaways or battery disconnection, and can also alert customers via a call, E-mail or push notification in the Ducato’s companion app. The GPS co-ordinates can be provided, and the vehicle immobilised when it next stops. It’s available for all Ducato models – for more information, contact your Fiat Professional dealer. Nürburgring test centre for Hankook HANKOOK has opened a new branch of its Europe Technical Centre at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. It is close to the demanding circuit, so will allow…

CO2 /tax 248g/km £275 Running costs 30mpg (2.2 150 auto) £120 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 12.6 seconds/109mph THE Ranger name first appeared back in 1983 – but it was restricted to the US. Ford took until 1998 to bring the badge to the UK, and the Ranger is now our most popular truck. Since it landed here, pick-ups have become more mainstream and the bar has been raised with improved comfort and refinement, greater safety, and huge towing and off-road abilities. It’s easy to see why so many people use a pick-up every day – but read on before biting the bullet, because they aren’t for everyone. History THE Ranger T6 went on sale in November 2011, priced from £15,515. Buyers could choose between 148bhp four-cylinder 2.2-litre TDCI and 197bhp five-cylinder…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy ● Electric 500 could form basis for new five-door and SUV ● Simple Panda city car to offer electric drive on a budget FIAT is to use “affordable electrification” at the heart of a major product offensive over the next five years – and the Italian brand will establish the 500 and the forthcoming ‘reborn Panda’ as the pillars of its growth as part of the Stellantis group. The Italian manufacturer enjoyed strong sales volumes in 2021, thanks to the successful launch of the new, all-electric 500. Speaking exclusively to Auto Express, Fiat’s CEO Olivier François has now outlined how that iconic model will be the style focused offering in its portfolio, alongside a more pragmatic range of vehicles that will forego swoopy styling in the name of…

tristan_shale-hester@autovia.co.uk @tristan_shale POLICE are increasingly using dash-cam footage posted online by motorists to pursue traffic offenders, as the number of specialised traffic patrols declines. Official police data supplied to Auto Express shows the number of traffic officers patrolling UK roads has fallen by 16 per cent since 2015, following a longer-term trend. Meanwhile, 38 of the UK’s 45 police forces have adopted the National Dash Cam Safety Portal, a website launched three years ago by dash-cam maker Nextbase, which allows drivers to upload footage of alleged traffic offences for the police to review. More than 50,000 clips have been uploaded, and Nextbase says a third have resulted in police action, from warning letters to prosecutions. PC Lee Barton of West Mercia Police road policing division, said that 98 per cent…

Contact Tristan Shale-Hester mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress HOT TOPIC Zoe’s zero-star rating FROM: Steve Hudson I RECENTLY drove a five-month-old Renault Zoe and was concerned by the amount of grime left on the windscreen by the inadequate sweep of the wipers. I’d say the biggest risk of crashing is from the lack of visibility it causes! FROM: Paul O IT might seem like an extreme change, but removing a vital piece of safety equipment such as a side airbag seems like a terrible move to me. I think it’s only right that Euro NCAP has downgraded the Zoe’s rating appropriately in this case. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “I feel as though the Zoe’s overall design is in need of an update. This should prompt one.” Steve S ■“Why would a…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram Running costs 28.0mpg (official) £95 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.4 seconds/144mph WHEN Porsche announced its 2.0-litre Macan originally, enthusiasts raised eyebrows, but it proved to be brilliant, and now the brand has updated it before a new, electric-only Macan arrives later this year. This revised lowest rung of the Porsche crossover ladder targets the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and BMW X3, but there is much more to it than a cynical cash grab. From the outside, there’s not much to separate old Macan from new, with a tweaked grille the most obvious element. Instead, the updates focus on improving day-to-day life, courtesy of the brand’s latest infotainment system. The 10.9-inch display looks sharper and responds faster than ever; some might also spot that the steering wheel comes from the…

Running costs 3.1mi/kWh (on test) £14 recharge/£0 or 1% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 480/1,260 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 5.2 seconds/114mph MODEL TESTED: Kia EV6 AWD GT-Line S PRICE: £51,945 POWERTRAIN: 77.4kWh battery, twin e-motor, 321bhp THIS is the top-spec version of the Kia EV6 AWD – a GT-Line S. This £51,945 model is the more expensive of the two cars here, but you could also opt for a lesser GT-Line car, which at £47,445 costs less than the ID.4 GTX. Design & engineering THE EV6 is the first model in Kia’s line-up to make use of the Hyundai Group’s E-GMP platform. It’s designed specifically for electric cars, with the batteries located under the floor. The platform allows for MacPherson struts at the front and multi-link rear suspension, so under…

1st KIA THE EV6 sits head and shoulders above the GTX in this contest. It’s quick yet engaging to drive, its cabin feels luxurious, and it has better tech than its rival – both inside and in terms of charging capability. It’s more efficient, too, and has a long warranty. The boot is a little smaller than its rival’s and the ride is on the firm side, but it’s still a resounding win for Kia. 2nd VW THE ID.4 GTX is a victim of its own branding. The badge sets expectations high, and it fails to meet them. The GTX isn’t anywhere near as much fun to drive as a GTI model, let alone its rival from Kia here. All the car’s strengths – a big boot, passenger space and…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy Battery/charging 72kWh usable, 300 miles (official) 220kW DC (10-80% in 18 minutes) Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 527/1,587 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 7.4 seconds/115mph “With its dramatic, eighties-influenced design, the Ioniq 5 is bigger than it looks in pictures” IT’S always an exciting time when a new long-termer arrives on the Auto Express test fleet – and there’s definitely a further frisson of anticipation when the car in question is one of our award winners. So expectations are high for the latest model on my driveway: the Hyundai Ioniq 5, our reigning overall Car of the Year. This is, it must be said, not the first pure-electric Hyundai that has ended up outside my house for a prolonged period. A few years ago I ran a Kona Electric, and…

BMW X5 New arrival Ford Puma New arrival Honda e New arrival Mazda 3 Iss. 1,607, 1,613, 1,622, 1,628 Mercedes E 300 de Issues 1,609, 1,613, 1,619, 1,625, 1.635 MINI Clubman Iss. 1,603, 1,617, 1,624, 1,631 MINI Electric Issue 1,626 Mitsubishi L200 Issues 1,618, 1,628 NissanJuke Issues 1,612, 1,620, 1,627 Renault Clio New arrival Skoda Superb iV Issue 1,633 SsangYong Korando Issue 1,625 Volkswagen T-Cross Issue 1,611, 1,619, 1,627 Volvo S60 Issues 1,604, 1,618, 1,623 Volvo XC40 Recharge Issue 1,624…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk Q Cordless worklight solutions I’M looking for a cheap cordless worklight to keep in my car for emergencies. I’ve seen plenty online for less than £20 – are they any good? It also needs to be able to be charged in the car. Len Moore, E-mail A WE tested budget inspection lamps in 2020 and were surprised at what you get for around £15. The test was tied between the very similar Rolson 61467 (above) and Sealey LED317. They lasted around 2.5 hours, had hinged mounts for easy positioning and charged via a USB lead. Search around and they should be less than £15 now. Q Best bet for upgrading bulbs I WANT to replace my headlamp bulbs, but am unsure what to buy. I’ve heard the latest upgrade…

WINTER is the time when your windscreen wipers will really start to feel the strain. In addition to regular deluges of rain, sleet and snow, they also have to cope with frost, which accelerates wear. The inevitable salt and grime from the road surface will soon reveal any problems, causing irritating and potentially dangerous smears. Our reigning champions in the rain have long been Bosch Aerotwins. Rival Trico has just launched a challenger, though, in the form of its Exact Fit kits, which are said to be identical replacements for the original equipment fitted to many cars at the factory. We put them through our usual range of wipe and fitting tests to how they match up. The Tricos came close to matching the overall performance of the Bosch blades,…

THE Abarth sub-brand will beat Fiat to full electrification by a couple of years, and the company is working to create performance cues that can remain authentic in a world without combustion engines. At present, the only Abarths on sale are based on the previous generation, petrol-powered 500. But Fiat CEO Olivier François has confirmed to Auto Express that there will be a new, pure-electric Abarth developed from the electric 500 – as illustrated here – along with at least one additional model that will also be available as an EV. As a result, François says, Abarth should go pure electric by 2025. “Abarth is a 500, and the current 500 is born electric,” François told us. “And then there are the other models that are coming; by 2025 all…

THE following provide help with motoring problems. Some services are free, others charge a fee or operate on premium-rate lines (p), while some offer advice for members only (m) Legal AA: 0345 850 1130 (m) RAC: 0330 159 1446 (m) Citizens Advice Consumer helpline: 03454 040506 Local Trading Standards Local Citizens Advice Bureau Used car inspections AA: 0800 056 8040 RAC: 0330 159 0720 Technical advice AA: 0370 142 0002 (m) Driving licences DVLA: 0300 790 6801 Car registration/history HPI: 0113 222 2010 AA: 0800 316 3564 DVLA: 0300 790 6802 RAC: 0808 164 1923 Traffic information AA: 0906 888 4322 RAC: 09003 444999 (p) Problems with dealers The Motor Ombudsman: 0345 241 3008 Consumer Ombudsman: www.consumerombudsman.org RMIF: 0845 305 4230 Scottish Motor Trade Assoc. 0131 331 5510 Problems with…

Richard_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @rsp_ingram BELIEVE it or not, Volkswagen sold more Tiguan SUVs than it did any other model in 2020. Figures for 2021 haven’t yet been confirmed, but it shows the car’s popularity, VW shifting more of these family friendly models than it did the cheaper Golf or T-Roc. Globally, the Tiguan even out-sold the brand’s Polo supermini. Its popularity could, in part, be put down to the Tiguan being treated to a mid-life update, with buyers holding off to bag a new model when it hit the showrooms. The revisions brought new lights and bumpers, as well as fresh tech and new derivatives, including a performance-focused Tiguan R, and this, the plug-in Tiguan eHybrid. Cars such as these are becoming increasingly important for manufacturers like Volkswagen. While the ID.3 and…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk THE last 12 months proved to be turbulent for the automotive sector. Yet despite this we still saw the innovation, the pace of development and the ingenious solutions car makers are known for come the fore, overcoming difficulties caused by Covid and the ongoing supply issues with semiconductors. This resilience and collective ability will also result in some brilliant new cars in 2022, as we look towards the next 12 months in the automotive world. We’ve lined up 22 of the best and most important new cars coming this year, as a preview of what you can look forward to. All the models have something in common: they’re exciting and important offerings in their respective segments that will cause rivals in those classes to take note. We’ve lined up…

Running costs 2.7mi/kWh (on test) £14 recharge/£0 or 1% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 543/1,575 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.2 seconds/112mph MODEL TESTED: Volkswagen ID.4 All Wheel Drive GTX PRICE: £49,025 POWERTRAIN:, 77kWh battery, twin e-motor, 295bhp THE Volkswagen ID.4 GTX’s name is designed to remind you of the brand’s famous GTI badge. There’s no petrol to inject here though, so that ‘I’ changes to an ‘X’ for this all-electric performance model at the top of the ID.4 range. It costs from £49,025, although with a heat pump (£1,020) and three-pin charging cable (£185) added, our car’s as-tested price was £50,895. Design & engineering AS with the Kia, the ID.4 GTX uses a dedicated EV platform – in this case, the VW Group’s MEB architecture. Fundamentally, it’s quite a similar…

NEW: Hyundai Ioniq 5 Ultimate PRICE: £48,145 POWERTRAIN: 2x e-motor, 301bhp OUR 2021 Car of the Year is the sister model to the EV6, and it has many of the same traits. It has an even more upmarket interior and car styling, plus it’s more comfortable than the Kia. See concept-how we’re faring with one on our test-car fleet on page 52. USED: Tesla Model 3 Performance (2019) PRICE: £48,000 POWERTRAIN: 2x e-motor, 466bhp THE Model 3 Performance is a fantastic option if you aren’t wedded to the idea of an SUV. It’s great to drive, fast and offers almost as much practicality as its rivals. The tech is fantastic, and Tesla’s Supercharger network is the best around.…

tristan_shale-hester@autovia.co.uk @tristan_shale I’VE been fortunate enough to sample a decent number of the current crop of electric cars available to drivers in the UK, but I’ve never had the chance to run one on a daily basis until now. With our news editor James Brodie taking a well deserved holiday, I was more than happy to be handed the keys to his Fiat 500 long-termer for a few weeks. And I pressed the little Italian city car straight into action, its first task being a 150-mile trek to the West Country. The 500 didn’t take long to impress me. Its slick infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay functionality is a highlight, plus it’s effortless to drive in urban areas, thanks to its smooth electric powertrain, light steering and efficient regenerative-braking…

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NEW PRODUCT AndaSeat Navi Edition Price: £369.99 Contact: andaseat.com NEED a gaming chair to go with that console or driving game you picked up under the Christmas tree? AndaSeat may have the one just for you, because the latest addition to its line-up has been created with top esports name Natus Vincere (NA’VI). The new chair is based on the Dark Demon series, and comes in the Ukrainian-based team’s yellow and black colours with logo and team marking. Its design has been upgraded with a revised ergonomic profile created in Re-DenseAD+ Moulded Foam, with elements exclusive to the Navi edition. The foam’s density has been boosted to provide strong spine support during gaming sessions, plus AndaSeat claims it can go through more than 100,000 use cycles without losing shape. Its backrest…

The Impossible Road Trip Eric Dregni (Motorbooks, quartoknows.co.uk) Price: £26 Rating: PLANNING an American road trip? Then pick this up before you go, for a guide to some of the quirkier or less well known or glamorous attractions that litter roadsides in the USA. Whether it’s the world’s largest ball of twine, a water tower shaped like a peach or simply a roadside diner, there’s something here for you. Boring Car Trivia 3 Sniff Petrol (sniffpetrol.com) Price: £4.99 Rating: THE third of Richard Porter’s Boring Car Trivia books remains anything but. If you’ve always wanted to know how the doors of a Citroen XM were made, or why there were ripples in the Nissan Micra’s roof, get this. If you just like reading facts about cars, delivered with acerbic wit,…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@autovia.co.uk Q Non-warranty flywheel repair has left me in a spin MY dealer told me my 18-month-old car needs a new flywheel. I’ve only covered 45,000 miles, so this seems unusual. The dealer says this issue is not covered by the manufacturer warranty. What should I do?  C Paulson, E-mail A YOU should check the wording of your policy to decide whether or not the flywheel is covered; warranties vary in what they class as ‘wear and tear items’. If it is covered, tell the dealer; if not, you could consider asking for a goodwill gesture to help pay for the replacement – but there’s no guarantee of getting anything. You can also shop around, because an independent specialist may be able to replace the flywheel for a…

Join the debate now at autoexpress.co.uk/opinion DON’T expect me to apologise for driving to and from the place I was born – London – because I won’t. Why drive there? For work purposes, social or family gatherings, hospital appointments, shopping and the like. But for the past decade it’s been my (unpaid) part-time job as a volunteer/charity worker that’s seen me drive into the capital at all hours. I don’t do it for fun, I do it when it needs to be done in appropriate vehicles. So my carbon footprint ain’t heavy, and my conscience is clear. As for some hypocritical, limo-using London politicians – I don’t know how they sleep at night. They are, after all, the ‘leaders’ who insist on hitting drivers like me with their Congestion and…