Innholdsfortegnelse for 1725 i Auto Express

James_Brodie@autovia.co.uk @JPBrods ● Brand’s large electric SUV will be priced from around £110,000 ● Initial line-up promises up to 536bhp and top range of 410 miles “Newcomer is a battery-powered alternative to GLS SUV, and a seven-seat stablemate for EQS saloon” MERCEDES has revealed the new EQS SUV. The German manufacturer’s newcomer is a battery-powered alternative to its existing, Range Rover-rivalling GLS, as well as a taller-riding, seven-seat stablemate for the EQS saloon. It will go on sale later this year, probably starting from around £110,000 for the rear-wheel-drive EQS 450+. A pair of four-wheel-drive versions have also been confirmed, as has a luxuriously appointed Maybach model, which will be revealed at a later date. No high-performance AMG versions of the EQS SUV have yet been announced. As with the…

IN 2014/15, 108 people with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) were exposed to electromagnetic fields in the four most popular EVs of the day: the Volkswagen e-Up!, Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model S and BMW i3. The volunteers rode in the cars and then plugged them in. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich found no adverse effects and the study concluded that “driving and charging of electric cars is likely safe for patients with CIEDs”. In short, they found the electromagnetic field was too small to have a measurable effect. But it’s worth bearing in mind that a VW e-Up! of seven years ago could take a DC charge of up to 50kW. VW’s latest, the ID.Buzz, can take a fast DC charge of more than three times that (170kW).…

WE downloaded the Speedcam Anywhere app and tried it out for ourselves. It offers two modes: regular and pro. The former estimates a passing car’s approximate speed, whereas the latter reads the vehicle’s number plate and offers a more detailed result. A regular check costs one credit and a pro check is five credits. You get 30 credits for free when you first download Speedcam Anywhere; after that, you can buy an additional 1,000 credits for £15. We performed two runs in a car at an indicated 30mph and used the app’s pro mode to record it. The readout was 36.9mph on the first run; on the second, it was 42.9mph. These results were worryingly inaccurate, both drastically overestimating the speed of the car. After recording the video, we noticed…

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…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy Running costs 48.6mpg (official) £94 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 8.1 seconds/130mph CITROEN’S new big car, the C5 X, is being launched with a relatively simple line-up of just three powertrains. We’ve already been impressed by the plug-in hybrid (Issue 1,720), while acknowledging that its high price probably restricts its appeal to user-choosers looking for an efficient, tax-busting company car. Now it’s time to determine whether the entry-level petrol model has enough of the range-topper’s qualities to attract private buyers. There are, in fact, two pure-petrol versions of the C5 X sitting beside the PHEV. The mid-range model has a 1.6-litre four-cylinder motor with 178bhp and 250Nm of torque. But the entry point in this large hatchback crossover is a 1.2-litre three-cylinder unit, producing 128bhp and 230Nm, mated to…

Running costs 33.2mpg (on test) £88 fill-up/£520 or 37% tax Practicality Boot (front/rear) 150/184 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 4.9 seconds/170mph MODEL TESTED: Porsche 718 Cayman PDK PRICE: £47,230 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 296bhp PRICES for the Porsche 718 Cayman start from £47,230 when fitted with the PDK dual-clutch automatic gearbox, but a range of extras including adaptive dampers (£1,010), 20-inch wheels (£1,734) and torque vectoring with a locking differential (£926) lift the total cost of our test car to £54,982. Design & engineering THE introduction of the latest version of the Cayman reintroduced the 718 moniker from Porsche’s past. It looks back to the various 718 models that achieved so much success for the brand in the fifties and sixties, all of which were powered by flat-four-cylinder engines. And that is…

1st BMW WITH the new M240i, BMW has produced a brilliant mini-GT car. It’s sharp enough in the bends to thrill, but comfortable enough on long journeys, too. It’s the most spacious and practical car here, its tech is also the best, and it has plenty of equipment. The Porsche might ultimately be a better driver’s car, and the BMW is a little on the thirsty side, but as a complete all-rounder, it is very hard to beat. 2nd PORSCHE IF you’re aiming for the purest, most engaging driving experience, then look no further than the 718 Cayman. Its chassis remains utterly brilliant, and the steering, brakes and gearbox are all fantastic. Strong residuals along with decent economy even make it fairly cheap to run, too. With a more characterful…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 530/1,780 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 5.2 seconds/155mph PEUGEOT’S push to go premium is working. The more time I spend living with this 508 SW Peugeot Sport Engineered, the more I’m convinced of that – and it’s not just me, either. I’ve given friends and family members rides in the car, both short trips and long journeys, and they’ve all initially remarked on the 508’s styling. First impressions count, and on that front the PSE, with its sporty accoutrements, does well. Deep bumpers, big wheels, smart badging and a sleek rear, with a sporty spoiler and diffuser element in the rear bumper, complete with aero flicks, means this looks every inch the rival for premium fast German wagons. Its Selenium Grey paintwork also helps: it’s a…

NEW PRODUCT Hankook iON EV tyres Price: TBC Contact: hankooktire.com There will be three designs in the iON range, with a Ventus summer version arriving next month and a Winter i*cept iON available in September. There will also be an all-season Ventus iON A pattern for the US market. The range covers 18-22-inch rims and Hankook says it has used experience gained from optimising existing tyres for EVs, plus supplying electric motorsport series, in the new tyres’ development. KOREAN maker Hankook has taken the wraps off a new range of tyres specifically designed for electric vehicles. While the firm has EV versions of existing products, this is its first family of tyres produced solely for electric cars. The iON range has been designed to counter the greater weight of electric vehicles…

Great new accessories for D-Max pick-up ISUZU has launched new accessories for its D-Max. They include extensive packs such as the High-Line (above) for V-Cross models, with its gullwing canopy, water-defence kit, bed rug, roof rails, towbar, fender extensions, grille lamps, roof light bar and rearview mirror camera kit. There’s also a business-focused Mid-Line pack, or a Start-Line collection for the base DL20 D-Max. Each saves money over buying the items separately. Isuzu’s range comprises more than 160 accessories – contact your local dealer or visit isuzu.co.uk for more info. Premium Alfa book to debut at concours ONE of the stars of the Salon Privé London concours for rare and beautiful cars features in a new book, to be launched at the event on 21 April. The Alfa Romeo 12C Prototipo, a…

WHEN it comes to powered versatility, the jack-of-all-garage-trades has to be the cordless drill. With modern batteries and increasingly powerful motors, they offer all the benefits of a mains tool without the need for cables or a socket. As well as for drilling, they can be used as a power screwdriver, thread tapper, wire brush, and even a buffer for paintwork. So, which one should you invest in? We charged eight to find out. How we tested them OUR testing started with five minutes of no-load running at the fastest speed and then another five of hard work, using a wire brush to remove thick rust from a steel plate. We drove large screws into wood to assess the tools’ torque, and drilled into various metals. Comfort and the balance…

CO2 /tax 116-118g/km £165 Running costs 54-55mpg (1.5 TSI 130) £81 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.6 seconds/126mph THE Volkswagen Golf has become an institution since it first appeared in 1974. Almost half a century on, this perennially popular family car is still in production, in Mk8 form, and is as desirable as ever. It’s been offered as a hatchback, estate and a convertible over the years, and VW introduced a high-roof mini-MPV version in 2005, called the Golf Plus. Although this offered more practicality than the regular Golf hatch, sales figures were modest, but that didn’t stop the brand from introducing a sequel in the form of the Golf SV (Sports Van), which also didn’t sell in big numbers. Don’t be put off by this, though, because in many ways the…

Ferrari 296 GT3 rolls out for Fiorano test FERRARI factory drivers Alessandro Pier Guidi and Andrea Bertolini gave the brand’s new 296 GT3 customer racing machine its first shakedown run on the Fiorano track in Italy last week. Antonello Coletta, the head of Ferrari GT racing activities, said: “The new car has an intense testing program ahead of it, but we have already had some good feedback from this session.” Jenson Button set for Nitro Rallycross BRITAIN’S Jenson Button is to fulfil a long-held ambition of emulating his father John’s rallycross exploits, after signing up for a full season in the US Nitro Rallycross series, which will visit Lydden Hill in the UK in June. The 2009 Formula 1 world champion will pilot one of the series’ new-for-2022 FC1-X fully…

James_Brodie@autovia.co.uk @JPBrods ● Fresh look and latest tech for maker’s biggest-selling SUV ● Promises ICE and plug-in hybrid power; there’ll be no EV ONE of Audi’s SUV stalwarts is due to be replaced next year, for a final time before the brand’s European sales go fully electric in 2030. It’s the new Q5 – Audi’s rival to the BMW X3 and Mercedes GLE. The mid-size SUV will enter its third generation in 2023, and it’s already been spied deep into its development programme. While the larger Q7’s introduction in 2006 fired the starting pistol on what has become the expansive and arguably niche-filled Audi SUV line-up we have today, the Q5 remains the bedrock of the brand’s success in the SUV market. Globally, there isn’t a single Audi nameplate that…

Q Is the EQS SUV more important than the saloon? A It really depends on the market. Regarding the US and China, the SUV is really important to get right for them. But we always start development with the saloon and build from there. Q How does the EQS SUV influence the upcoming EQE SUV? A The EQE will sell in much higher numbers than the EQS. We don’t know yet about the sales split between the EQE saloon and SUV, but of course it will look as you expect. All four cars [EQS, EQS SUV, EQE and EQE SUV] come from the same platform and were developed together. Q What’s different about the EQS SUV and EQE SUV models? A The smaller wheelbase is the main difference; it’s 90mm…

MEDTRONIC is one of the biggest suppliers of implanted devices in the UK. We phoned the company’s advice line posing as an EV driver worried about an elderly relative fitted with a Medtronic implant. “A person [with a Medtronic device] shouldn’t be in the car when it’s charging,” Medtronic’s advisor told us. “This advice is for all electric cars. There are many different kinds of charging stations, and the spectrum is so wide, the best recommendation is not to be close when they are in use. “This type of tech is advancing very fast, and with a high-powered charger we don’t know what kind of range the EMFs may have.” Medtronic’s advisor made it clear the company was not aware of any specific issue, so his advice was generic. He…

THE Dacia Jogger has received a one-star rating in the latest Euro NCAP crash tests. While the Jogger’s adult occupant protection rating was fair at 70 per cent, its safety assist rating of 39 per cent was poor compared with similarly priced vehicles. However, few seven-seat models are as affordable as the Jogger and the Dacia’s rating (based on a test of the Sandero Stepway, pictured) under the latest, more stringent regime could be equated to higher ratings awarded to used models that will now be available for a similar price – around £15,000 for the most basic version. The lifestyle MPV shares its CMF-B platform with the Dacia Sandero and Sandero Stepway, which earned a two-star rating last year. At the time, the firm said: “At Dacia, the safety…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy ● Two EV sports cars planned ● Could use solid-state batteries HONDA has started taking the first steps towards full electrification – and now the company has announced that it is working on a pair of sports EVs, including a spiritual successor to the current NSX supercar. The Japanese firm’s existing flagship – the second generation of NSX – has less than a year left to run before it goes out of production. It was one of the first midengined supercars to embrace hybrid power, and Honda’s President, Toshihiro Mibe, revealed plans for a successor during a video presentation that outlined huge investment in a wider range of electric car projects, including a new joint venture with General Motors on EVs for the US market. Speaking in front…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk Running costs 47.9mpg (official) £66 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 10.9 seconds/118mph STYLE sells, which is why Volkswagen has concentrated its efforts on SUVs in recent years. It sells no fewer than five models now the Taigo has joined the line-up, with this new car offering an even more style-focused approach in the compact SUV class. The Taigo shares its mechanical make-up with the T-Cross crossover, so is based on the MQB A0 architecture that underpins cars such as the Polo supermini. We’re testing it in what will be big-selling 1.0 TSI 110 guise, with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and in high-spec Style trim. Priced from £28,255 in this specification, it’s the slightly less sporty route compared with the R-Line model that’s available alongside it; both sit above the…

Running costs 28.1mpg (on test) £90 fill-up/£520 or 37% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 305/712 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 3.7 seconds/155mph MODEL TESTED: Audi TT RS 2.5 TFSI quattro PRICE: £57,315 ENGINE: 2.5-litre 5cyl, 395bhp THE TT RS is the most expensive car of these three, but also the most powerful. Prices start from £57,315 for the model we have here, although with extras such as the Comfort and Sound Pack (£1,195), red RS Styling Pack (£1,125) and RS sports exhaust system (£995), the total climbs to £61,150. Design & engineering AUDI has a historical relationship with both five-cylinder performance engines and four-wheel drive that dates back to the original Quattro from 1980. As with that car, the TT RS is a highly tuned coupé that promises giant-killing pace. It…

NEW: Audi RS 3 Saloon PRICE: £56,230 ENGINE: 2.5-litre 5cyl, 395bhp WHILE the TT RS isn’t the most practical car here, you can still get that five-cylinder thrill with a little more space. The RS 3 has the same power and similar dynamics, but with the benefit of a big boot and easy rear access. USED: Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupé  PRICE: £48,000 (est) ENGINE: 4.0-litre V8, 469bhp WE have four, five and six-cylinder engines in this group, but dip into the used market and you could buy a V8 instead. The C63’s 4.0-litre engine delivers massive performance and a NASCAR soundtrack.…

Stuart_Milne@dennis.co.uk NICE car – what is it? It’s the question I’ve been asked continually since I’ve been running our Polestar 2. It’s not a particularly unusual enquiry, after all; we’re privileged to drive the very latest new-car launches on a regular basis. But in the case of the Polestar, it’s an easy, yet not especially quick question to answer. It’s easier to start with what it isn’t. It’s not a posh Volvo, as some have said. A Volvo driver might recognise the odd bit, but the Polestar doesn’t look like a Volvo, there are no Volvo badges anywhere and – unlike with new brand Cupra and SEAT’s relationship – it’s not sold through Volvo dealers. Our inquisitors usually walk away impressed by the car’s styling, interior, tech and raw numbers,…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk Q Spotlessly clean wheels – how? I’VE got a problem cleaning my wheels. I use a wheel cleaner then a mitt after rinsing, but there are still spots remaining even after using a pressure washer. Am I doing something wrong? Les Brown A IT sounds like you’re using the cleaner correctly. Tar can be left by some cleaners – use something like Autoglym Intensive Tar Remover to shift it. Also consider using a clay bar for other stubborn marks. Q Will covered light fail MoT? I FOUND the passenger airbag ‘on’ light in my Mk3 Ford Kuga distracting, so I bought a gel badge to cover it. Will this be an MOT failure? Nick Bennett A WE’RE not quite sure which light you’re referring to, but…

IF you’ve got a new baby, there is a long list of things you’ll need to buy in order to keep them happy and safe. If you plan to take them in a car, the list will be even longer. First up is a seat – and to give the best protection, it’s recommended that you put babies in rear-facing chairs in the back of the car. The trouble is that you won’t be able to keep an eye on them from the driver’s seat, and they can’t see you, either. The way to solve this is with an extra mirror mounted on the back headrest, which is angled so you can glance at your baby in the rear-view mirror. These have been used for decades, but now Travel Bear…

2021 Results GLA Factfile Years: 2013 to 2020 CO2: 144g/km Fuel economy: 40.4mpg (GLA 180) Best options: Metallic paint, DAB radio, sports seats, upgraded brakes USED PRICES: From £12,500 OVERALL SCORE 84.73% Bars show where model finished out of 75 vehicles in our 2021 new-car survey. The longer the bar the better GOOD “BOOT is a good size as it is. With the back seats folded down, I can carry my golf clubs or bicycle with ease.” “Seats are very comfortable, even on long journeys, and are easy to adjust.” “Some of the driver-assist functions can be deactivated with one button press.” “The GLA’s exterior styling is some of the best in the class, in my opinion.” “The kind of high-quality finish you would expect from a Mercedes, inside and…

MOST successful car ever? You know, the one bought in greater numbers than the combined might of the Ford Model T (16.5 million sold), the Volkswagen Beetle (21.5m) and the MINI (5.5m)? That’ll be the Toyota Corolla, in countless bodystyles – mostly finished in Born To Be Mild beige paint jobs. Since 1966, more than 50 million buyers across the globe have bought one! But a very different success that nobody could have predicted is currently being achieved by a very different car – the comparatively low-selling (for now), 100 per cent-electric Hyundai Ioniq 5. What we’re witnessing is a stylish, affordable-ish (in EV terms) family hatchback dramatically upping its status from rookie lightweight contender to reigning and respected heavyweight champion of the world. I exaggerate not when I say…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk ● Final concept in ‘Sphere’ trio ● Designed for maximum space WHILE Audi is readying its new Q5 SUV, it has also shown its vision of the future with this, the Urbansphere concept. The car completes the brand’s trio of ‘sphere’ concept models, after the Skysphere open-top sports car and Grandsphere luxury GT that previews the company’s next-generation A8. The Urbansphere shares elements of those models’ styling, too, with a fully blanked-off ‘singleframe’ grille flanked by a pair of slim headlights that suggest how Audis of the future could look. The MPV-like Urbansphere has been designed for use in megacities. It embraces the concept of interior space – and at 5.51 metres long and 2.01 metres wide, there’s plenty of it. Counterhinged doors and no B-pillars enhance this feeling…

RUTH Goss, Senior Cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said, “Any device that produces a strong electromagnetic field could potentially interfere with pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). “The very limited research suggests that it’s safe to use electric cars if you have one of these devices, but caution should be taken when using the charger as this is where the EMF appears strongest. However, more research is needed to establish the risks that high-power electric car chargers pose to people with a pacemaker or ICD. “If you have an electric car or are thinking about purchasing one, and you have concerns about magnetic fields, we recommend that you talk to the manufacturer of your device. You could also contact your doctor or pacing clinic for further advice.”…

Special-edition Fiat 500 hits right notes FIAT has unveiled the 500 La Prima by Bocelli, a new special-edition version of its electric city car designed to provide an improved audio experience. Created with Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, it features a 320W JBL audio system. The car (above) is based on the 500’s range-topping La Prima trim and offers a 199-mile range. Expect a small premium over the current range-topping 500, which is priced at £30,835. Increased government funding for EV scheme THE Government has extended funding for the Electric Vehicle Approved (EVA) scheme until April 2023. The scheme offers certification to car dealers who prove they have acquired a level of expertise in electric vehicle knowledge. The scheme was launched by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles and the National…

tristan_shale-hester@autovia.co.uk @tristan_shale “The footage can be saved by the user and a report can be generated, including the calculated speed” A NEW smartphone app allows users to record passing cars with their phone cameras and determine whether drivers are breaking the speed limit. Speedcam Anywhere can be used by pedestrians to take a video of a vehicle suspected of speeding. The software will read the car’s number plate and use DVLA data to identify its make and model, then determine the length between its front and rear axles. The app then compares this data with the video images to calculate the speed at which the car was driving. The footage can then be saved by the user and a report can be generated, including the calculated speed, which can then…

We want to hear your views. Send your questions or opinions to the E-mail address below Contact Tristan Shale-Hester mail@autoexpress.co.uk @Auto Express HOT TOPIC Farewell to Mondeo FROM: Richard Mahon VERY sad the Mondeo is no more. I’ve had loads of them from several generations. They’ve all been great to drive and all but one of them were extremely reliable. Not everyone wants an SUV, contrary to brands’ popular beliefs. FROM: Peter Johns THE first three Mondeos looked good in their day, especially the Mk3, which still looks excellent now in my opinion. After that, the design became lumpy and heavy, so I can see why this may have contributed to the Mondeo’s end. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “Shame the new Mondeo is for China only. I’ve owned…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram Running costs 48.7mpg (official) £82 fill-up Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 521/1,810 litres AMONG a very congested field of family crossovers, the Skoda Karoq is a car that we rate highly. However, with rivals as talented as the Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Qashqai and Peugeot 3008, there’s no point in getting complacent – which is why Skoda has given its popular SUV a facelift. The Czech brand reckons it has found room for improvement, and so has made subtle changes across the board. The updates are there to see from the outside where, much like the bigger seven-seat Kodiaq SUV, the Karoq sports a wider, more upright grille. The bumpers have also been reprofiled, while the head and taillights have been tweaked; the former have a little stepped element to…

Richard_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @rsp_ingram Performance 0-62mph/top speed 4.5 seconds/180mph Running costs 21.7mpg (official) £142 fill-up ONCE a contradiction in terms, the idea of a ‘driver-focused SUV’ isn’t the paradox it used to be. On the contrary, some of the most entertaining and exploitable cars we’ve driven over the past 12 months have features a raised ride height and chunky body cladding. Bentley is no stranger to sharp ‘soft-roaders’. The Bentayga has been around since 2016 and is widely considered to be one of the finest-handling cars in its class. The lighter V8 model has always struck a chord with those who prefer to drive, rather than be driven – and now Bentley has further enhanced its SUV for this even sportier S. The Bentayga V8 S boasts a set of very subtle…

Running costs 27.4mpg (on test) £85 fill-up/£520 or 37% tax Practicality Boot capacity 390 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 4.3 seconds/155mph MODEL TESTED: BMW M240i xDrive Coupé PRICE: £45,795 ENGINE: 3.0-litre 6cyl, 369bhp WE were big fans of BMW’s most brutish versions of its previous compact coupé, so with all the changes the manufacturer has made for this newcomer, can it hold on to the same magic? Prices for the M240i start from £45,795; with options, the model here comes to £49,840. Design & engineering WHILE the name remains the same as that of its predecessor, there are big changes under the skin of the M240i. It now moves on to BMW’s Cluster Architecture (CLAR) platform, which aligns it more closely with its 3 and 4 Series stablemates – and is…

BMW M240i 10.25-inch information display Key features: Multiple input methods WE generally rate BMW’s iDrive OS 7 as one of the best around, so next to two cars whose systems are starting to show their age, it’s easily the leader here. Its main strength is the sheer number of input methods available; a touchscreen is great while you’re parked, but the physical clickwheel and supplementary buttons mean it’s easy to make minor adjustments on the move, too. Factor in voice control which smartphone-recognition software aside – is among the best on the market, and this tech is easy to get along with. There’s even optional (and gimmicky) gesture control. As with most of the Coupé’s cabin, the infotainment is lifted almost wholesale from the 4 Series. There are two large displays;…

SAVE 43% ON THE SHOP PRICE After your initial 6 issue trial, your subscription will continue at £26.99 every 13 issues representing a saving of 43% on the shop price. FREE DELIVERY Never miss an issue with every copy delivered straight to your doorstep. FULLY FLEXIBLE You are able to cancel at any time using a dedicated customer portal or by getting in touch. There are more options than ever to subscribe to Auto Express with both print and digital versions available, or perhaps you’d like a combination of both, the choice is yours OK I’M IN! HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE? 1 ORDER ONLINE AT autoexpress.co.uk/subscribe (or call 0330 333 9491 if you prefer the human touch). 2 ENTER THE OFFER CODE DAPR22 and select the offer you’d like to take.…

“Parma Violets Superfoam is claimed to give top cleaning benefits” NEW PRODUCT Halfords new lines Price: From £12 Contact: halfords.com IF you prefer to do your buying in store rather than online, you’ll be pleased to learn that Halfords has just added to its shop line-up. Joining the chain’s car-care offering are two products from detailing favourite Autobrite Direct. To help keep swirls and scratches in paintwork to a minimum there is Parma Violets Superfoam, which delivers a super-thick purple blanket. And, as you’d expect, it has a Parma Violet perfume. On the performance side the product is claimed to give top cleaning, and it is pH neutral so it shouldn’t affect any wax or sealant already on the car. A litre costs £15. Once the car has been cleaned, the…

MG Y Type Sports Saloon Neil Cairns (Amberley Publishing, amberley-books.com) Price: £15.99 Rating: DESPITE its old-school looks the Y-Type was reasonably advanced for its time, which means there’s enough to write about to fill these 96 pages. The book is interesting throughout and authored by a long-time owner, who also gives advice on buying and maintaining one. How To Pinstripe, Plus Gold Leaf And Lettering Alan Johnson (Motorbooks, quartoknows.co.uk) Price: £25.99 Rating: THIS new ‘how-to’ title is particularly niche, but if you do have a hot rod or project car, or simply feel like learning a new skill, it’s a good place to start. It’s very thorough, with loads of great imagery to boot. The instructions make a lot of sense, too, even for a novice. Line Race Available for:…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@autovia.co.uk Q Can I reject van over missing equipment that I specified? I’VE just taken delivery of a new van, which I waited six months for, and found it’s missing several features I specified when I ordered it, including front parking sensors, blind-spot detection and a head-up display. Is this grounds for me to reject the van? SG, E-mail A SOME manufacturers are reducing the equipment on certain models to improve delivery times in the face of the chip shortage, but this should not be done without informing customers. You can reject your new van under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 for being “not as described” in exchange for a refund. You may want to take a partial refund and keep the van, or return it…

Stephen_Errity@autovia.co.uk ● All cars to get hybrid boost ● Final season for Jason Plato “The 15-second additional hybrid boost can be used to either attack or defend strategically during the races” A NEW chapter in the 64-year history of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) begins at Donington Park this weekend as the UK’s longstanding tin-top series adopts hybrid powertrains for the first time. The championship’s drivers will be in control of when to deploy the hybrid system using a steering wheel-mounted button; it sees cars receive up to 15 seconds of extra power per lap – a benefit that can be used strategically by the driver to either attack or defend during racing conditions. On the 29-car grid, reigning champion Ash Sutton has switched to a Ford Focus, turning…