Auto Express 1764

WHILE Ford has decided to can the Fiesta, Vauxhall resolutely ploughs on with the Corsa, the UK’s best-selling supermini for the past couple of years. As we reveal on page six, a rebooted model will be arriving later this year, showing that small cars are still important to some – not least buyers – in spite of Ford’s decision. Of course, economics come in to play, and the simple fact is that, for many car makers, it’s just not viable to produce a small car with the latest legislative demands – not least electrification – that make cars more expensive. We’re already seeing the prices of small electric cars creep up towards the £30,000 mark, although some of the monthly leasing rates we’ve seen recently (and you can see for…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk ● New front-end styling will be backed up by more range for Corsa Electric; petrol power retained for Britain’s best-selling supermini BRITAIN’S best-selling supermini, the Vauxhall Corsa, will be updated this year with petrol power retained for the combustion-engined line-up, while the Corsa Electric EV will receive a bigger battery for extra range, and a more powerful motor. Both versions of the car will feature fairly significant styling revisions – previewed by our exclusive images – that bring the Corsa into line with the rest of Vauxhall’s range. The most significant design changes will come at the front, where the old car’s more traditional grille will be replaced by Vauxhall’s now trademark Vizor panel. This black section will be discreetly vented to aid cooling in petrol models, while the…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk ● Hottest M3 boasts 542bhp ● CS gets M xDrive 4WD set-up “The BMW M3 CS delivers a claimed 0-62mph time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed that is limited to 188mph” FOLLOWING in the wheeltracks of last year’s M4 CSL coupé, BMW has unveiled a more extreme version of its M3 saloon. Called the M3 CS, the new car boasts an uprated engine with more power compared with the regular M3 Competition on which it’s based, as well as alterations to the chassis and lightweight parts that, collectively, aim to improve handling. The M3 CS’s engine output highlights its positioning, with the 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six unit producing 542bhp (39bhp more than the M3 Competition and identical to the M4 CSL) and 650Nm of torque. Where the CS…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler ● We talk to Renault UK boss ● Wants brand to be ‘big again’ RENAULT’S bold new product line-up, including the electrified revival of the famous 4 and 5 badges, is set to arrive in the UK from next year. But the ‘Renaulution’ is already having an effect over here, with some fresh plans already put into action. Speaking exclusively to Auto Express, Renault UK MD Guillaume Sicard revealed plans for a publicly available charging network based at many of Renault’s 140 dealers, while a new subscription service has been running for just over a month and is set to be expanded over the coming year. Renault UK is lagging behind other countries in terms of the company’s market share, but it bucked the overall trend of Renault’s…

JEEP’S all-electric Avenger SUV is now available to pre-order, with the high-spec 1st Edition model priced at £36,500. It’ll be followed by the full Avenger line-up – including more affordable trims – from June this year. Avenger 1st Edition models come loaded with features, including 18-inch alloys and a contrasting roof. Inside, there’s a 10.25-inch central touchscreen, voice recognition, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, all-round parking sensors and a 180-degree rear camera, plus wireless smartphone charging, a hands-free tailgate and keyless entry and start. Jeep claims a range of up to 248 miles for the Avenger, which is powered by a 54kWh battery, while 100kW charging means an 80 per cent top-up should take just over half an hour. Following on from the front-wheel-drive car, European Jeep boss Antonella…

THE latest C8-generation Chevrolet Corvette was the first to use a mid-engined layout, and now it’s the first to feature hybrid technology, too, with the arrival of the Corvette E-Ray. A naturally-aspirated 6.2-litre V8 still features, but it’s joined by an electric motor on the front axle for a total of 646bhp. This also means that it’s the first four-wheel-drive Corvette in history. The e-motor is fed by a compact 1.9kWh battery that’s only recharged while driving or under braking. Pure-electric driving at up to 45mph in ‘Stealth’ mode is possible, but expect zero-emissions range to be limited. Chevrolet claims the E-Ray sprints from 0-60mph in 2.5 seconds. Given that the C8 Corvette is available in right-hand drive, UK sales are possible.…