Innholdsfortegnelse for 1736 i Auto Express

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk ● New model uses range-extending hybrid technology ● Up to 53.3mpg from set-up where engine powers electric motor THERE’S a huge focus on the Ariya SUV and Nissan’s full electrification in the future, but the company knows that not all of its customers are ready to make the jump just yet. Which is why the brand has developed the Qashqai e-Power. Think of it as a kind of range-extending hybrid and you’ll be somewhere close to the engineering concept. While it’s adapted from a similar set-up in the Japanese-market Nissan Note, the e-Power system has seen much engineering and tuning at Nissan’s technical centre in Cranfield to make it more European-focused. As a result, e-Power uses a clever 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with a variable compression ratio that…

FRENCH brand DS will keep smaller models in its range, including a successor to the DS 3 Crossback (right). It counters a trend among other premium manufacturers to switch towards larger vehicles. “When you look at the market and customer needs, there is still demand for a car which is around 4.4 metres long, with a kind of premium-ness,” DS CEO Béatrice Foucher told us. “Go below four metres, and there are cars doing the job – Smart, or the Fiat 500. So for me, this is not the territory I will expand into. “We will keep the customers we have; some moved from DS 3 to Crossback, and now we have good momentum with that.”…

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…

Matt_Robinson@autovia.co.uk @matt_201 Performance 0-62mph/top speed  3.2 seconds/202mph THE Lamborghini Huracán was a sales success from launch, only being usurped as Lambo’s most popular vehicle by the Urus SUV in 2018. However, its critical reception was more lukewarm. To some, it was a little too civilised for a mid-engined Lamborghini. Where was the company’s trademark flamboyance that gave us the Countach and Diablo? It turns out the potential was there all along, just waiting to be unlocked. It was first seen with the hardcore Huracán STO, but now Lamborghini has launched the Tecnica, which plugs the gap between the standard car and the STO with a less extreme aero package and a recalibrated version of Lamborghini’s Integrated Vehicle Dynamics system. In the Tecnica, this operates in a less extreme way than…

tristan_shale-hester@autovia.co.uk @tristan_shale ONCE a year, Skoda’s Azubi programme gives students from the brand’s Vocational School of Engineering the opportunity to let loose and create a driveable, one-of-a-kind car from scratch. The brief is the same every year, with a team of 25 students tasked to create and build a dream car based on a Skoda model that’s already in production. It isn’t just a case of taking an existing car and adding a few modifications, though, because this is a ground-up creation. The Azubi programme started in 2014, and has so far produced seven highly eclectic cars. These range from the Element – an electric beach buggy based on the Citigo-e iV – all the way through to the Mountiaq, a Kodiaq-based pick-up intended for exotic off-road expeditions. So when…

OUR CHOICE Renault Clio TCe 90 Evolution (£18,795) COMPETITIVE pricing makes it hard to look beyond the Clio. As standard, Evolution trim has 16-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, air-con, cruise control, and a seven-inch nav system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Renault offers a zero per cent PCP agreement over two years, with no minimum deposit. Place £3,544 up front, however, and the Evolution costs just £214 per month. WHY IT WINS RENAULT has followed up on convincing performances in 2020 and 2021 to make it a hattrick for the Clio this year. Rivals are closing on the chic French five-door, but its compelling combination of space, style and refinement makes it a tough nut for the competition to crack. At the heart of the Clio’s appeal is…

OUR CHOICE Renault Mégane equilibre EV60 (£35,995) THE Mégane range kicks off with the equilibre trim, which is priced from £35,995. Kit levels are very generous; 130kW rapid charging, 18-inch alloy wheels and heated front seats are all standard. In-car tech is catered for by a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and a nine-inch touchscreen set-up. WHY IT WINS RENAULT was an EV pioneer when it launched its Zoe city car a decade ago, so it was a surprise the firm took so long to add to its all-electric line-up. But the good news is that the all-new Mégane E-Tech Electric has been worth the wait. Its blend of engaging driving dynamics, cutting-edge tech and usability take it straight to the top step of the podium. Like all EVs, the Renault…

OUR CHOICE Kia Niro Niro EV 3 (£38,495) ELECTRIC is the way to go in the Niro range – it’s the smoothest and quietest powertrain, and it’s a bargain for company car users, too. We’d go for the 3 trim thanks to its large 10.25-inch touchscreen and all-round parking sensors. With a £4,000 deposit on a three-year PCP, it costs £483 a month. WHY IT WINS WHEN it comes to electrification in the small SUV sector, Kia is the king of the class. The Korean brand has consolidated what it learnt with the first-generation Niro SUV and has developed the recipe even further with this new model. A fresh platform means there’s more space inside than ever, making the Niro a practical machine no matter which powertrain you opt for;…

OUR CHOICE Mercedes GLA 200 AMG Line Executive (£38,345) FOR most buyers, the entry-level petrol engine will be more than adequate; the 159bhp GLA 200 still offers strong performance and decent efficiency. In AMG Line Executive trim, it’s priced at £38,345, and gets 19-inch alloys as standard, plus a reversing camera, 64-colour ambient lighting and sports front seats. WHY IT WINS THE Mercedes GLA chalks up a hat-trick of wins in the small premium SUV class, because there’s not a single rival that can compete with the German model’s talent and the choice available in one single package. First, there’s the number of variants available. At the lower end of the scale, there are modestly powered petrol and diesel options that manage to combine fuel-sipping MPG figures between the pumps…

WHY IT WINS THE car that pioneered the luxury SUV class more than half a century ago, the remarkable Range Rover is back to its best in 2022. All new from the ground up, the brilliant British machine effortlessly combines traditional opulence, comfort and refinement with state-of-the-art technology to deliver an incredibly advanced and appealing package. As with all of the best luxury cars, the Range Rover is an imposing presence on the road, its design referencing the original, but with a thoroughly modern edge. Yet it’s the big Brit SUV’s beautifully finished interior that’s the real star of the show. Not only is it more spacious than ever, it’s also dripping with lavish materials and has all the latest tech. There’s also a long-wheelbase option for those who want…

WHY IT WINS IT’S true that the convertible sector is dwindling, but Brits still love a drop-top, despite our often varied weather – and in 2022 the best in the business still comes from MINI. That’s because this compact four-seater delivers everything you want from a cabriolet, with fun driving dynamics, a desirable image and wind-in-the-hair thrills that won’t cost a fortune to buy or run. The latter is a key factor to the MINI’s win this year compared with more expensive, thirstier cars when motoring bills are soaring. The 134bhp 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo Cooper model is the one to go for, because it’s more affordable, still delivers strong-enough performance and offers the level of personalisation you expect from any MINI model. Of course, there are more powerful 2.0-litre versions…

WHY IT WINS IT may sound a little odd, but the standout feature of this year’s top premium EV is how much it feels like a combustion-engined car from the same maker. That’s because BMW’s i4 is, in effect, a pure-electric version of the 4 Series Gran Coupé – and that’s a very good thing indeed. The i4 takes much of what BMW has learned about EVs over more than a decade of selling the i3 and transfers it into an architecture that’s so clever it can support electric cars, hybrids and regular petrol and diesel vehicles. You’ll enjoy smooth, silent running from the electric motors, instant low-down EV punch and, thanks to the 80.7kWh battery, a real-world range of more than 300 miles. What’s really key here are the…

OUR CHOICE Ford Ranger 2.0 EcoBlue 170PS Wolftrak (£29,841 ex-VAT) FORD introduced the Wolftrak special edition at the end of 2021 to add a bit of style to the work-focused end of the Ranger line-up. The 168bhp version of the EcoBlue diesel has plenty of power, while the black exterior detailing, extended rear sports bar and black alloy wheels add to the look. It also includes sat-nav, rear parking sensors and a locking rear diff for improved off-road ability. WHY IT WINS WITH an all-new model waiting in the wings, this is the last hurrah for the current Ford Ranger. But it’s going out with a bang, courtesy of a fourth straight victory as the best pick-up truck on sale in the UK. The reasons for its victory are the…

WHY IT WINS WHEN it comes to developing cutting-edge technology that will go on to cascade into production models, Mercedes is in a class of one. And in a time where the focus is firmly on range and efficiency as we move into the EV era, the Mercedes Vision EQXX provides a tantalising glimpse of the near future. It’s the most efficient Mercedes ever, and recently travelled 747 miles from Stuttgart, Germany, to Silverstone in the UK on a single charge. It wasn’t achieved through hypermiling, either; the EQXX reached an EV-unfriendly 87mph on the autobahn. The 100kWh battery is of a relatively conventional capacity, but is 50 per cent smaller and 30 per cent lighter than the one fitted to Merc’s current flagship, the EQS. Many parts adopt a ‘bionic…

“THE ARIYA IS A PREMIUM-FEELING CAR AND BACKS IT UP WITH IMPRESSIVE TECH” WHY IT WINS DESPITE a drastic shift in the new-car market over recent years as fully electric models have become more prevalent, the criteria that make a car a winner in our awards haven’t changed. How we consider the tech on offer has, but the basics of performance, comfort and refinement, technology, practicality and usability (where an EV’s range and charging come in) have remained, and in 2022 it’s the Nissan Ariya that most convincingly covers all those bases; it’s a brilliant EV. The Ariya is the most premium-feeling Nissan we’ve seen yet, and it backs this up with impressive technology. Range is key, and even the entry-level 63kWh model offers a claimed 223 miles of range,…

Paper Games Frederick & Mae (Princeton Architectural Press, papress.com) Price: £16.99 Rating: NOT a printed word to be seen, but a classy solution for a long car trip. Passengers are likely to watch a movie or read a book first, but paper games are still good fun – and these five pads are printed for Dots & Boxes, Tic Tac Toe, Hedron, Nim and Hex. It’s a bit pricey, but neater than an A4 pad and a pen. F1 The Pinnacle Simon Arron, Tony Dodgins (Ivy Press, quartoknows.co.uk) Price: £136 Rating: A GORGEOUS-looking book based around pivotal moments in F1, which are captured in double-page spreads. Both authors are very knowledgeable, plus you’ll find an interesting foreword from the Haas F1 team’s principal. But there’s a lack of depth in places.…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk ● We’re behind the wheel of Nissan’s all-new electric SUV ● Model offers up to 250 miles of range in an upmarket package NISSAN is an electric pioneer. The brand beat its rivals to market with the Leaf electric hatch, launched more than a decade ago, but despite this, the Ariya is only Nissan’s second full EV model for Europe. But – spoiler alert – it’s a good one. While competitors such as the Volkswagen ID.4 feel like they have been rushed through in places, the Ariya is more convincing. Underneath the svelte, coupé SUV-style body sits the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s CMF-EV platform – the same basis as the Mégane E-Tech Electric family crossover. The Ariya is bigger, however, at 4,595mm long and with a 2,775mm wheelbase. Its battery options…

James_Brodie@autovia.co.uk @JPBrods ● New Golf-sized all-electric hatch goes on sale late this year ● Two battery options initially, 4WD version in development “The new MG looks unlike any of the brand’s current line-up, with a new design language” THIS is the latest all-electric member of the growing MG line-up: the MG4 – a cut-price alternative to the likes of the Volkswagen ID.3 and Nissan Leaf. Only revealed in Chinese specification as the MG Mulan a matter of weeks ago, the version destined for the UK is undergoing final testing. Its arrival on the European market has been confirmed for late this year and UK sales should start early in 2023. Despite the ever-growing importance of SUVs to manufacturers, family hatchbacks such as the MG4 remain hugely popular in Europe. Underlining…

Big, bad Bronco bound for Europe THE Ford Bronco SUV (above) is coming to Europe, but only in left-hand-drive markets. The reborn off-roader will be available in “strictly limited numbers” in selected countries, including France and Germany, from late 2023. There are no current plans for right-hand-drive production, let alone UK sales, but a spokesman said that the firm would “evaluate the opportunity in the future”. New body looks at road accident trends A NEW independent Road Safety Investigations Branch (RSIB) will investigate incidents on the country’s roads, with a view to advising on ways to reduce casualties. The RSIB will have a similar remit to the Air, Marine and Rail Accident Investigation Branches, but unlike those bodies, it will not send investigators to the scene. This will remain within…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler ● Our first ride in new RR Sport ● On track and mild off-roading THOUGH it has a new German heart, there’s something very British about the bellowing noise of the new Range Rover Sport’s 523bhp 4.4-litre V8 as we head down the straight of the Goodwood circuit. Behind the wheel is Matt Becker, JLR’s new vehicle engineering director. He’s only been in his role for five months, after seven years at Aston Martin, where he took charge of, among other things, the DBX SUV. Becker pulls into the pits and we climb in to the most luxurious Range Rover Sport cabin yet, dominated by a large 13.1-inch infotainment screen. Having just jumped out of a new Range Rover, the difference is clear – there’s no less luxury,…

NEW legislation now requires all electric vehicle chargers installed at home or the workplace to have smart charging capabilities. Smart chargers ‘talk’ to charge providers via a data connection, allowing consumers to easily access most cost-efficient low-rate tariffs offered at off-peak times of day. Smart chargers will also help energy companies manage the strain on the National Grid, by spreading loads throughout the day. Consumers are advised to make sure any new charger they buy is up to date with the law.…

Chris_Rosamond@autovia.co.uk THERE’S a brand new Honda Civic on the way to UK showrooms, but for all its technology and charm, it’s unlikely to match the historical significance of the first car to proudly wear the Civic badge. The Civic was launched in 1972 and was a game-changer for a company that until then hadn’t had a global hit on four wheels. With sales of its late sixties line-up of mostly tiny city cars and a larger saloon in the doldrums, two rival engineering teams within the firm were tasked to conceive the car that Honda should build instead. It was meant to be a contest between a band of young innovators and a team of its more established engineering talent, but according to the Honda history books, both teams came…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks Running costs 49.1mpg (official) £99 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.9 seconds/130mph DESPITE Vauxhall’s push for all its models to offer an electrified variant by 2023, the firm says its biggest seller in the new Astra Mk8 range will be the non-hybrid 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol. We’ve already driven this version in hatchback guise, but now it’s time to try it in the bigger, more practical Sports Tourer estate. As with its five-door sibling, the Astra Sports Tourer is available in three trim levels: Design, GS Line and range-topping Ultimate. The Ultimate won’t arrive until October this year, however, so we’re driving the mid-spec GS Line version. Vauxhall’s new design language puts emphasis on the terms ‘Bold and Pure’, and while we’ll leave you to make your own mind up…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk JUST as the motor industry thought it had weathered the Covid-19 storm, the sector has faced yet more turbulence due to chip shortages and, more recently, the war in Ukraine. But tough times bring innovation, and car makers have adapted; the 12 months since our last New Car Awards have seen some great new products arrive, from affordable family transport to advanced EVs, tech-filled SUVs and impressive performance machinery. So the challenges that brands are facing don’t seem to have impacted the quality of the cars on offer. The market is undergoing huge change, but combustion-engined models still play a huge part in our awards despite more and more EVs featuring. Electric cars are developing at such a pace, delivering impressive ability, while petrol power has plenty of life…

OUR CHOICE Dacia Jogger TCe 110 Expression (£17,945) THE Jogger’s appeal comes from its value; it’s hard to find another new seven-seater on sale today for less than twice the price. The mid-spec Expression trim has all the kit you really need, and on a four-year PCP deal, it’s possible to jump into one for £257 per month – with a tiny deposit of the same amount. WHY IT WINS IS it an SUV? Is it an MPV? Is it an estate car? Amazingly, the Jogger is all of those things – and it’s also our Family Car of the Year. A full seven-seater that costs the same to buy and run as a supermini, the roomiest model from the value-focused brand is also robustly built, good to drive and…

OUR CHOICE Nissan Ariya 63kWh Advance FOR most drivers, it’ll be hard to look past the entry-level Ariya Advance, because it’s still packed with gizmos such as a 12.3-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. The optional panoramic roof adds light to the spacious cabin; in this spec, a three-year PCP agreement with a £5,808 up-front payment brings the total to £559 per month. WHY IT WINS IT’S been quite a while since Nissan has had a contender in this hotly contested category, but the good news is that the brand’s smart Ariya SUV has been worth the wait. Featuring a compelling blend of head-turning looks, premium appeal and composed driving dynamics, the all-electric Japanese machine is a force to be reckoned with. Factor in rock-bottom company-car tax rates and…

OUR CHOICE Hyundai Tucson Premium 1.6 T-GDi (£30,200) THE electrified models will make sense for the company car user, but for private buyers it’s hard to look beyond the 1.6-litre turbo petrol model. In high-spec Premium trim, a three-year PCP with a £3,000 deposit comes to £407 per month – and that figure includes a £2,000 deposit contribution from Hyundai. WHY IT WINS IT’S a second win on the bounce for the Tucson, with consecutive Mid-size SUV of the Year awards for Hyundai’s sharply styled contender. It’s not just the design that sets it apart from the crowd in a fiercely competitive class, though, because it passes all of the family car tests with flying colours. There’s plenty of space for five adults, while head and legroom are among the…

OUR CHOICE Lexus NX 450h+ Premium Pack w/Lexus Link Pro (£51,900) IF you can stretch to the brilliant PHEV, it’s worth the extra cash over the standard NX 350h. We’d choose the Premium Pack model and add the optional 14-inch Lexus Link Pro touchscreen. With that option ticked, the PCP figure comes to £774 per month on a three-year agreement with a £5,000 deposit. WHY IT WINS LEXUS has long traded off its impeccable reputation for comfort, build quality and a dealer network that really cares about its customers, and the latest NX is a model that really reflects those enviable plaudits. The company is no stranger to electrification, having pioneered hybrid power for decades, but the NX is Lexus’s first plug-in hybrid. In 450h+ form, the upmarket SUV offers…

OUR CHOICE Hyundai i20 N (£25,250) THERE’S just one version of the i20 N on offer – and in fact, the only scope buyers have to customise their purchase comes from the exterior colour they’d like it painted. Put down £2,500 up front on a three-year PCP deal, and you’ll be facing a bill of £431 per month for the duration. No matter how you look at it, that’s a huge amount of fun for the money. WHY IT WINS HYUNDAI’S N department might be a relative newcomer to the hot-hatch fraternity, but its first offering, the i30 N, showed a huge amount of promise. The smaller i20 N has built on that to become our Hot Hatch of the Year. The standard i20 is a great base for a…

OUR CHOICE Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS (£112,000) IT’S possible to add to the £112,000 asking price through the extensive options list. Chief among the upgrades is the Weissach Pack; this adds a bare carbon-fibre bonnet, air intakes and a titanium roll cage for £11,186, while ultra-lightweight forged magnesium wheels add another £10,521. WHY IT WINS HOW do you make the best even better? If you’re Porsche, you transform the already-incredible Cayman GT4 into the jaw-dropping GT4 RS. The work of the brand’s motorsport department, this mid-engined missile crams all of the firm’s race-bred, high-performance know-how into a sensational sports car that’s as happy attacking the track as it is blasting down a B-road. Using some of the greatest hits from the brand’s ultra-focused back catalogue, this could be the…

OUR CHOICE Toyota Yaris Design (£22,140) A PAYMENT of £283 per month gets you into the Yaris Design, based on a PCP deal financed over three years with a £2,500 deposit. Beyond that fuel-sipping hybrid powertrain, the Design features 16-inch alloy wheels, a seven-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a reversing camera, and adaptive cruise control among its standard kit. WHY IT WINS TOYOTA’S persistence with hybrid technology has really started to pay off as the wider industry has moved towards electrification – and no car demonstrates this better than the Yaris. It’s the baby of Toyota’s hybrid range and yet it’s the model that feels furthest ahead of the curve in its class, delivering economy that very few of its rivals can match. In years gone by,…

OUR CHOICE Ford E-Transit 135kW 184PS L2 H3 Trend (£47,235 ex-VAT*) FOR the full E-Transit experience, choose a Trend model with the 12-inch touchscreen to make the most of the connectivity on offer. It also comes with a suite of safety kit, including lane-departure warning, front and rear parking sensors, auto lights and wipers, and cruise control. WHY IT WINS WHILE it’s late to the electric van party, the Ford E-Transit has set a new benchmark for the class. Ford hasn’t strayed far from the standard electric van formula, but what it has done is improved on it in every area. Even better, Ford has managed to do so while undercutting most of its rivals on price, too. Factor in the £5,000 Plug-in Van Grant, and the price gap between…

STUART ROWLEY Chief transformation & quality officer, Ford Motor Company MANY previous Auto Express Hall of Famers cite a love of cars as a secret to success, but the winner of this year’s Brit List, Stuart Rowley, maintains he’s more of a businessman than a car enthusiast. It’s certainly worked well, because over the past four decades with Ford, he’s risen to the top and is now one of the most trusted lieutenants of Ford CEO Jim Farley. As well as being chairman of Ford of Europe, Rowley has been entrusted with driving quality and global EV development – an area where Ford has been comparatively slow out of the blocks. That will change in the coming years, following a joint venture with the Volkswagen Group that allows Ford to…

Fresh pair of GWash shampoos on sale GTECHNIQ has introduced two new car shampoos. The second iteration of GWash is now fully biodegradable and is claimed to offer safe, deep cleaning. The formula contains wetting agents to help the wash mitt pass freely across the paint, and it’s compatible with all coatings and sealants. The firm has also launched Ceramic GWash (above), a shampoo including sealants that add up to three months’ hydrophobic protection. The products are offered in sizes from 250ml to five litres, and cost from £8.95 for GWash and £19.98 for the ceramic version. Visit gtechniq.com to find out more. Search on for next car to become model AFTER the success of its first Legends competition, Hot Wheels has renewed its search for the next real-life car to turn…

WHEN working on your car, at some point you’ll need some mechanical help to hold, cut, grip and turn – and this is where you will need a set of pliers. There are various types and sizes, but the place to start is a set of at least the three most important types: combination for heavy work; long-(or needle-) nose for delicate tasks; and side-cutters for use on plastics, rubber and cables. Over and above those, some sets also include water-pump (slip-joint) pliers, and less common are flat- and bent-nose versions. QUICK LINK TO BUY By following this affiliate link to Amazon, Auto Express will receive a small percentage of the money you spend if you choose to buy that product or, in some cases, other products from the site…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@autovia.co.uk Q How much will large alloys affect a car’s ride quality? I’M looking for a new car and browsing various online configurators as part of the process. I’ve seen some large 20-inch and 21-inch alloy wheels that look good, but are they likely to make the ride quality of the car noticeably worse? Nathan Kay, E-mail A SOME drivers like large alloy wheels and low-profile tyres because of the positive effect they can have on grip and handling, but ride quality does tend to suffer as a result of them being fitted. Manufacturers are well aware of the issue and can configure suspension set-ups to mitigate the issue. If you’re looking at cars with air suspension as an option, this could be helpful. The best thing…

Motoring’s most outspoken and opinionated columnist sounds off “Militant Mick and his comrades are reminding you that unpredictable trains are not the alternative to strike-free cars” BRITAIN’S top car salesman during this shamefully sabotaged summer of 2022 is… strike-obsessed railway bloke Mick Lynch. The RMT boss and his like-minded, pugnacious pals in the heavily subsidised bus, train, tram, London Underground and airline industries are back to their bad old ways of contemptuously disserving the travelling public they are, er, contracted to serve. Fair enough, if employees are in dispute with their employers over genuine issues such as pay, safety or security, the two sides are more than entitled to go head to head in an effort to resolve their differences, before signing negotiated settlements. Yet Militant Mick and other, lesser-known…

Ford Mustang Mach-E FORD’S Mustang Mach-E is one of the best-driving electric SUVs on sale. It’s firmer than the Ariya and therefore not as comfortable, however. A 70kWh battery on the Standard Range car delivers a claimed range of 273 miles, but it’s pricier and the Ford’s recharging capability isn’t quite as good as the Nissan’s, either. Standard Range Price: £47,530 Battery: 70kWh Power: 265bhp 0-62mph: 6.9 seconds Range: 273 miles Charging: 115kW (10-80% 38 min) Hyundai Ioniq 5 AS a former Auto Express Car of the Year, the Ioniq 5 is a great EV. The 58kWh Premium model is the closest on price to our Ariya test model, but it falls short on range and power, meaning this two-wheel-drive car isn’t quite as fast. That’s not the case with…

Chris_Rosamond@autovia.co.uk ● Compulsory fitment now live ● Regs likely to affect UK, too NEW cars launched in the European Union after 6 July must have Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) tech fitted by law, and all the signs point to similar rules being applied in the UK. Many cars in Europe and the UK already have speed-limit assistance that relies on info from GPS mapping and road-sign recognition, but systems currently have to be switched on by the driver. Under the new EU regulations, ISA will be active by default, although drivers will, for now, be able to turn the systems off at the start of each journey. As part of the new EU General Safety Rule, manufacturers are able to choose how their systems notify drivers of a speed limit…

James_Brodie@autovia.co.uk @JPBrods CITROEN has revealed a new model intended to fuse the practical and affordable family-friendly, all-electric e-C4 with a bit of flagship stardust from the new C5 X. The end result is the e-C4 X, which will be on sale in Britain by the end of the year. The new model sits on Citroen’s e-CMP platform, and petrol and diesel versions of the newcomer will also be produced. But in the UK we’ll only get the EV, which will start from around £35,000 when order books open in November at the earliest. Deliveries commence in the first quarter of 2023. A 50kWh battery is paired with an electric motor producing 134bhp and 260Nm of torque that drives the front wheels. Citroen claims a range of 224 miles for the…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress HOT TOPIC Peugeot’s new 408 FROM: Steve Dillon THERE seem to be quite a few cars out there now that only look good from one angle. For me, the curve of the 408’s roofline doesn’t work when everything else is so angular. I also think the old logo was stronger than the new one. FROM: Ian Lovell THERE are lots of black opaque panels on the rear quarter where I think there should be more glass. Is the car likely to have some substantial blind spots? The styling reminds me a bit of a Ford Mustang Mach-E, but I don’t like the wheels. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “Plug-in hybrids are not good enough. We need more full EVs to meet CO2 targets.” Rob Tyley ■ “Remember…

Matt_Robinson@autovia.co.uk @matt_201 Running costs 62.7mpg (official) £82 fill-up THE Corolla nameplate is one of the most prolific in the history of motoring. Some 50 million Corollas have been built, a number that is set to continue rising rapidly. In the UK, for instance, the Corolla is Toyota’s second most popular vehicle. The latest Mk12 version replaced the so-so Auris (which was still called the Corolla in some markets) in 2018, providing Toyota with a much more convincing family car, available in hatchback, saloon and estate guises. But with plenty of rivals, the firm couldn’t stay still for long, and for 2023, there’s a comprehensively tweaked version of the car arriving. Exterior changes include a new mesh pattern for the front grille, fresh alloy wheel designs, and on some trim grades,…

Performance 0-62mph/top speed 3.5 seconds/136mph Electric motor Power/range 617bhp/322 miles MERCEDES’S near-silent performance revolution continues with this, the EQE 53 from in-house tuning department AMG. It’s the more potent of two AMG-branded EQE models, sitting above the 43 version of the company’s mid-size electric saloon. The 53 badge signifies a dual-motor powertrain that kicks out a colossal 617bhp and 950Nm of torque even in standard form. But if you opt for the AMG Dynamic Plus package, the powertrain’s output rises to 678bhp and 1,000Nm of torque. Impressive stats, certainly, but then the EQE 53 weighs 2,525kg, so it needs a fair amount of grunt to achieve the performance an AMG-badged car in this class must have. On that front, in standard form the EQE 53 will sprint from 0-62mph in…

OUR CHOICE Fiat 500 42kWh Icon (£28,835) ITS advanced electric powertrain means the Fiat 500 is pricier than conventional city car rivals, but it compensates for this with lower running costs and much more kit. Our pick is the Icon: it gets a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, rain-sensing wipers and traffic-sign recognition all as standard. Place a modest £1,500 deposit on a three-year PCP agreement, and it comes to £404 per month. WHY IT WINS IT’S another big win for Fiat’s brilliant bambino, which takes back-to-back city car honours in 2022. A year on from its debut success, no rival can match the Italian machine’s blend of style, tech and all-round appeal, or the allure of its smooth, efficient electric powertrain. Of course, many buyers will be swayed by the…

WHY IT WINS IT’S a good thing the Octavia has a big boot, because it needs all the space it can get to carry off its huge haul of trophies. That’s because for the third year in a row the spacious Skoda has secured our Estate Car of the Year award – and it’s not hard to see why. The Czech machine has impressive carrying capacity, with a well shaped load area that offers 640 litres of space. Handy levers in the boot allow you to drop the rear seats in seconds, liberating a healthy 1,700 litres. There are loads of clever storage solutions, too, such as heavy-duty hooks, load dividers and a 12-volt power supply. The optional ‘Virtual Pedal’ allows you to open the powered tailgate when your hands…

WHY IT WINS FIFTY years after making its debut, BMW’s 5 Series is still at the very top of its game. Now in its seventh generation, the evergreen exec makes more sense than ever, its blend of upmarket image, top-notch quality and cutting-edge tech making it the perfect addition to any corporate car park. Like all BMWs, the 5 Series is a delight to drive, its precise steering and engaging handling helping to lift your spirits. Yet it’s also supremely comfortable, with a smooth ride and hushed refinement taking the sting out of the daily grind. Inside, the BMW serves up plenty of space to stretch out in, while the lavish use of luxurious materials gives the cabin a true club-class feel. It’s also crammed with the latest tech, including…

WHY IT WINS THERE’S a new winner in the Large SUV of the Year category, and that prize goes to the Skoda Kodiaq. The Czech brand’s handsome seven-seater has ranked right towards the top of the class ever since its release six years ago, but recent subtle upgrades have been enough to see it regain the honours. We’re fans of the slightly reprofiled styling; the front end features a more upright grille than before, plus a revised bonnet and slimmer headlights that now house matrix-LED lighting technology in higher trims. Some of the changes, including tweaked bumpers, a reshaped rear spoiler and new wheel designs, are claimed to boost aerodynamic efficiency – and at a time of spiralling fuel costs, even the smallest improvements that might help reduce fuel consumption…

OUR CHOICE Land Rover Defender 110 D300 HSE (£70,520) THE D300’s torquey diesel engine is a perfect match for the Defender, and the HSE trim is generously kitted out with ‘Windsor’ leather seats, a Meridian sound system and an 11.4-inch touchscreen. A three-year PCP deal with a £7,000 deposit brings the total monthly figure to £953. WHY IT WINS THE Defender has doubled down on its win at our New Car Awards last year, with a new bodystyle available to give buyers even more choice when it comes to large premium SUVs. Now on sale as a three-door 90, a 110 model that offers seating for five, six or seven people, and the newly introduced 130, with space for up to eight occupants, the Defender is a reborn icon that’s…

OUR CHOICE BMW 2 Series 230i M Sport (£39,655) WHILE the 220i is predicted to be the most popular model among buyers, the extra 61bhp of the 230i (which uses the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder) boosts performance; the 0-62mph time drops from 7.5 seconds to 5.9 seconds. The standard kit list includes 18-inch wheels, M Sport suspension and LED headlights. A £4,000 deposit on a three-year PCP brings the total figure to £596 per month. WHY IT WINS IF you want to succeed in the coupé class, then you need a car that combines style and sophistication with synapse-snapping driver engagement. Happily for BMW, the all-new 2 Series ticks every one of these boxes. As with its predecessor, the BMW is still more of a sleek two-door saloon than a true…

OUR CHOICE MG ZS EV Trophy Long Range (£34,495) THE Long Range battery option adds an extra degree of usability to the ZS EV, while the mid-range Trophy trim is loaded with kit, including a 360-degree parking camera and a panoramic sunroof. Monthly PCP payments come to £465 when you place a £4,000 deposit on a three-year deal. WHY IT WINS WHEN it comes to fully electric cars, few brands offer as much for your money as MG. The Chinese-owned British brand’s range has gone from strength to strength in recent years, with regular updates to its product line-up to keep the cars feeling fresh and competitive with the best in the class – and the newest MG ZS EV is a prime example of the formula being exploited effectively.…

WHY IT WINS PLENTY of people remain sceptical about plug-in hybrids, but improvements in tech mean that this type of car is increasingly able to back up its undoubted company-car tax benefits with proper reductions in real-world running costs. And we feel there’s no better example of this than the Mercedes C 300 e. Put simply, this feels like the least compromised plug-in hybrid that we’ve ever driven. It comes with a whopping 25.4kWh battery – larger than the set-up in the original Nissan Leaf EV – plus a 128bhp electric motor that has more than enough shove to carry a C-Class saloon by itself, and a 2.0-litre petrol engine for when you need maximum pace or want to go beyond the car’s pure-electric range. Speaking of which, the C…

WHY IT WINS EVOLUTION is very much the keyword when it comes to the van market. Makers strive to bring their models up to date with the latest tech, while still maintaining or trying to improve on the payload weights and cargo volumes that operators are used to. The latest Fiat Ducato is a prime example of this, and that’s why it takes our Van of the Year award in 2022. Apart from a new Fiat logo on the nose, from the outside the eighth-generation Ducato looks largely identical to its predecessor. That’s because it uses the same bodyshell, but this van is packed with new running gear and the latest tech. There’s a revised 2.2-litre Multijet 3 diesel engine under the bonnet that’s available in three power outputs (118,…

CITY CAR Commended Fiat 500 Hyundai i10, Toyota Aygo X SUPERMINI Commended Renault Clio Skoda Fabia, Vauxhall Corsa FAMILY CAR Commended Dacia Jogger Cupra Born, Skoda Octavia ESTATE CAR Commended Skoda Octavia Estate BMW 3 Series Touring, MG5 EV SMALL COMPANY CAR Commended Renault Mégane e-Tech Cupra Born, Mercedes A 250 e MID-SIZE COMPANY CAR Commended Nissan Ariya BMW i4, Mercedes C 300 e LARGE COMPANY CAR Commended BMW 5 Series BMW X5, Porsche Taycan SMALL SUV Commended Kia Niro Renault Captur, Toyota Yaris Cross MID-SIZE SUV Commended Hyundai Tucson Kia Sportage, Skoda Enyaq iV LARGE SUV Commended Skoda Kodiaq Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento SMALL PREMIUM SUV Commended Mercedes GLA Cupra Formentor, RR Evoque MID-SIZE PREMIUM SUV Commended Lexus NX BMW X3, Jaguar F-Pace LARGE PREMIUM SUV Commended Land…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk Q Speed course awareness IS it correct that you can do a Speed Awareness Course if you only exceed the limit by a small margin, rather than get points on your licence? Les Gooch A YOU may not be contacted at all if the margin is below 10 per cent of the limit plus 2mph. This is discretionary and it’s up to the local police to apply, as are many of the guidelines. Where you were caught – eg near a school – may affect their policy. You can also only do a Speed Awareness Course every three years or more, regardless of the speed over the limit – although if the excess is 10 per cent plus 9mph, it is not an option. Q Is ceramic car…

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CO2/tax 225g/km £165 Running costs 32.9mpg £139 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 11.9 seconds/115mph BRITISH buyers love budget brands, but with the likes of Kia and Hyundai moving upmarket, space has been left at the cheaper end of the market for those who focus on value for money over a posh badge. This is something that Korean company SsangYong has exploited. Founded in 1954 but not launched in the UK until the mid-nineties with the Musso and Korando, the firm has had a rollercoaster existence since then. Just like Kia and Hyundai, SsangYong arrived with cars that were great value and ultra-reliable, but ultimately uninspiring. Since then all three have upped their game considerably, but only Kia and Hyundai have made a real success of it so far. Will it be…

Stephen_Errity@autovia.co.uk ● Brown targets Formula E title ● Neom city project partnership MCLAREN will use Nissan powertrains and has signed a title partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Neom megacity for its first Formula E season, starting in January 2023. As previously announced, the Woking outfit will acquire the works Mercedes EQ team at the end of the current season. It’ll then be combined with the existing McLaren Extreme E team to form a ‘McLaren Electric Racing’ subdivision, which will be headed up by the outgoing Mercedes team principal Ian James. Both the Formula E and Extreme E cars will carry Neom logos. Speaking at the announcement, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown confirmed that the ex-Mercedes squad would not be moving into the McLaren Technology Centre in Surrey in the short term,…