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news in brief

Extended Range ups MG4 to 323 miles THERE’S a new model in the MG4 line-up. Called the Extended Range, the new car costs £36,495 and offers the greatest range of any MG4, at 323 miles from a new 77kWh battery. With the same 150kW charging capability as the 64kWh Long Range car, the bigger battery takes 39 minutes to be topped up from 10 to 80 per cent charge. On sale now and based on Trophy spec, the car features loads of standard kit, including a 360-degree parking camera and wireless phone charging. Company cars losing appeal for workers? JUST 10 per cent of employees value the benefit of a company car, according to a survey of 850 HR professionals by recruiter Wade Macdonald. Responses to the survey suggest companies…

Massive rise in ‘crash for cash’ scams

IT must seem like easy money. Instead of delivering takeaways, scooter riders have heard that they can put their feet up, get a handsome pay-out and a brand-new bike. All they have to do is find a driver to take the blame for an accident – and that could be you. Experts say there has been a huge rise in bogus insurance claims as people turn to fraud. ‘Crash for cash’ scams cost the insurance industry – and innocent motorists – £336m a year, according to the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB). It says one in seven personal injury claims is suspect, with hot spots in Birmingham, Bradford and North London. Graeme Mulvoy, a partner at HF, a leading legal adviser to the insurance sector, says the scam sees moped-riding couriers…

New Lexus SUV priced from £30k

LEXUS has confirmed that its new compact premium SUV, the Audi Q2-rivalling LBX, will start from £29,995 in Urban trim. This edition features a 9.8-inch touchscreen with CarPlay and Android Auto, 17-inch alloys, LED lights, all-round parking sensors and a rear-view camera. Pricing for other models will be revealed later, with Premium adding more safety kit and heated seats. Premium Plus gets a digital dash and a head-up display, while the Design pack adds a two-tone roof. Top-spec Takumi trim includes a Mark Levinson stereo, while the Original Edition launch model has bespoke styling. The range is available to pre-order now with a £500 deposit, and orders open in October, with first deliveries set for March 2024.…

WHAT IAN DID NEXT

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler AMAZINGLY, it’s over four years since Ian Callum, one of the UK’s best and most celebrated car designers, left his role as head of design for Jaguar cars. But such is the wait for any sign of the long-anticipated new models that Ian’s award-winning designs – including the brand’s first all-electric car, the I-Pace – are still to be seen in Jaguar showrooms. Although it was a shock to much of the automotive world when Ian left Jag, there was always a plan for a company that would take Ian’s name and, in short order, become one of the most sought-after firms doing far more than just design and manufacturing – or coachbuilding, as it was once known. It didn’t take Ian and the Callum team long to…

8 min

Smart#1

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk “There’s very little electric motor whine, so the #1 is quiet on the move” SMART is back for the electric era as part of a 50:50 joint venture between Mercedes and Geely. The former has brought the design, while the latter has delivered the platform for the reborn Smart brand’s first vehicle since its return, the #1 (pronounced “hashtag one”). We’ve had a chance to try this new brand-defining car in the UK, with Smart moving from compact city cars to crossovers – although it has prior experience with electrification, having embarked on a trial project with the Smart ForTwo EV in 2008. This, however, is a different proposition. Under the smoothly styled skin sits Geely’s SEA platform, the same architecture that underpins the forthcoming Volvo EX30. The 62kWh…

5 min

DIG THE NEW BREED

Alpine A290 OFFICIAL DUE: 2024-25 WHILE the car shown here might be a concept, expect the production-ready Alpine A290 to look broadly similar. Based on Renault’s forthcoming 5 supermini, the Alpine will feature the sporty brand’s trademark quad-light set-up at the front and an X-shaped LED running-lights signature. Flared wheelarches will cover widened tracks on both axles, with a boot-lip spoiler and a deep rear bumper including a diffuser insert at the rear to balance the square-set front end. The rear could also feature imitation exhaust pipes inspired by the cooling air vents on a computer, as per the A290 beta concept. Expect a more conventional interior layout, with the five-door model featuring two rows of seats rather than the concept’s three-seat layout. Production specs have still yet to be confirmed,…

Mercedes-AMG A 45 S

MODEL TESTED: Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ Plus PRICE: £63,285 POWERTRAIN: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 415bhp AT £63,285, the A 45 S costs an incredible amount of money for a five-door hatchback, but there’s a huge amount of bespoke engineering to justify the Mercedes-AMG’s price tag. Tech highlights MECHANICALLY, the A 45 S is identical to before. Not that the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine needed more power, anyway; it kicks out 415bhp at 7,200rpm and 500Nm of torque. AMG’s engineers shaped the torque curve so that peak shove arrives at a fairly heady 5,000rpm. The block itself has been rotated 180 degrees relative to other A-Class engines, which means the turbocharger and exhaust manifold face the rear of the car and the intake is at the front, improving airflow both in…

7 min

Hands-on

Honda Civic Type R VS Mercedes-AMG A 45 S AN exciting driving environment starts with the steering wheel, and Honda has kept things simple with the Civic Type R’s. The main upgrades you’ll find over a regular Civic’s are cosmetic; in place of leather, there’s Alcantara. The material is grippy, the rim isn’t too thick and the padding is firm, so it’s great to hold, whether you’re driving keenly or just pottering around. If that isn’t enough, the bright-red Honda logo leaves you in no doubt that this is no ordinary Civic. MERCEDES has opted for a more gadgety approach for the A45’s wheel – something very much in keeping with the rest of the car. A pair of dials sprout from below the main horizontal spokes; the one on the right…

Results

WINNER 1st Honda Civic Type R ONCE again, Honda has proven it knows how to produce a stunningly capable hot hatch. It’s gone up against the ultimate of fast five-doors here and emerged victorious, not only because it runs the much more expensive Mercedes close – and beats it in some areas – when you’re driving flat out, but also because it does so while delivering feedback and driver enjoyment. Not only that, but it’s incredibly practical and easy to use. It’s not just the best hot hatch on sale today, it’s one of the greatest of all time. INTERESTED? Scan the code for further information + ● Phenomenal performance ● Capable chassis is full of feedback ● Spacious cabin ● All-round grin factor − ● A little thirsty ●…

Fleetwatch

Volkswagen T-Roc SOMETHING that shouldn’t be there is always easier to spot than something missing, and that was just the case with our long-term Volkswagen T-Roc. Products editor Kim Adams has been taking steps to sort the noisy wipers over the past few weeks, finally resorting to replacing the blades after cleaning the glass had little effect. His last update reported swapping the blades for a set of our test-winning blades from WiperBlades.co.uk but the jury was still out on whether it was a fix. It was some weeks before Kim drove in rain and it took him a while to realise the annoying squeaking had disappeared. The racket had got so bad the wipers had to be switched on and off manually in anything other than heavy rain (so,…

Laser’s little helper will get you out of a tight spot

NEW PRODUCT Laser Tools Electric Screwdriver 7985 Price: £49.49 Contact: lasertools.co.uk TAKE the grind out of dealing with multiple fasteners with this brand-new electric screwdriver from Laser Tools. Aimed at both DIY and professional users alike, the screwdriver (part 7985) is compact and has a rubber-coated casing for grip and control, even when hands are oily. It uses a quick chuck system for easy accessory swapping and comes with a magnetic holder and a range of ¼-inch drive bits. These cover Pz0, Pz1, Pz2, Pz3, 7mm flat and Torx T15, T20 and T25, which makes it suitable for many car fasteners. Power comes from a rechargeable 900mAh, 3.6V Li-ion battery which is revived using the supplied USB cable via any suitable adaptor, including domestic mains and 12V in-car sockets. It can…

books, games & apps

The Extra Mile Guide Kerry O’Neill (Printslinger, theextramile.guide) Price: £14.99 Rating: WE’VE all been in that situation where the need for a coffee and ‘comfort break’ beckons, but the only option is an overpriced motorway services. This book aims to offer an alternative, listing 275 places to stop within a mile or two of motorway and A-road junctions. It’s well laid out and full of places we’ll be trying ourselves. Range Rover Third Gen: The Complete Story James Taylor (Crowood Press, crowood.com) Price: £25 Rating: THE Mk3 was Range Rover’s offering for the early 2000s, and the one favoured by many as more analogue than its successor. This interesting and well presented book charts its genesis and development, and has a substantial section on the perils likely to be encountered…

BUYER’S GUIDE: Citroen C4 Picasso

CO2/tax 100-106g/km free-£180 Running costs 68-74mpg (HDi 120) £87 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 11.3 seconds/117mph CITROEN has a history of innovating and producing family-friendly cars, and nowhere was this more apparent than with the range of MPVs that started with the Synergie in 1994. Sold in some markets as the Evasion and also available in Fiat, Lancia and Peugeot forms, these seven-seat MPVs were a regular sight on UK roads. The Synergie was replaced in 2002 by the C8 (also developed in conjunction with the above brands), and then just four years later came the equally stylish C4 Picasso and Grand C4 Picasso, with five and seven seats respectively. An all-new model appeared in 2013/14, and it raised the bar in terms of quality, refinement, equipment and usability. So how…

7 min

Mercedes CLS

MERCEDES kick-started the four-door coupé revival with the original CLS in 2004, after Rover had introduced the concept way back in 1962 with the P5. That first CLS proved such a hit that a Mk2 arrived in 2011, with the Mk3 appearing seven years later. While Mercedes isn’t in the habit of producing sub-standard cars, we were really impressed by the CLS and, in particular, its peach of an engine. This 3.0-litre unit was borrowed from the S-Class, and with 335bhp (plus 700Nm of torque), the CLS was sports-car fast. But it wasn’t as agile, thanks to a 1,935kg kerbweight, which was the result of being loaded up with luxury kit, of which there was plenty. Although the first CLS Mk3s were delivered back in summer 2017, very few of…

World Rallycross in Germany for latest round

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram ● Kristoffersson leads RX1e… ● …but race may not be held THE World Rallycross circus heads into its final European round this weekend as the series descends on Estering in Germany. The tight, twisty course, located near Hamburg, is a magnet for closely fought action, while the ‘joker’ portion – which every driver needs to take at least once during a race – is a tighter, fiddly section which costs a lot of time. Its exit emerges across the finish line, which gives the potential for a dramatic climax. However, there is doubt about whether the top-class RX1e series will go ahead in Germany following the cancellation of the previous two rounds. The British event at Lydden Hill was called off after the pair of Lancia-badged Special One…

BACKCHAT

Motoring’s most outspoken and opinionated columnist sounds off FIRST there was Henry Ford. After that came John DeLorean. Now we have the next big thing: Henrik Fisker. Very few people in this world get to place their family name on the front and rear of their production cars. But these three auto industry titans have done exactly that. And in this respect, they’ve gone one better than Elon Musk. What’s more, I believe the South African creator of the Tesla empire could be in danger of losing his ‘world’s most famous car bloke’ title to the considerably poorer, more charming, lesser-known Dane that is Henrik Fisker. Auto Express has rightly given him and his products much coverage lately, but he deserves more. It’s true that he’s far from perfect and…

3 min

New JLR boss talks to Auto Express

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler YOU could hardly call Adrian Mardell’s rise to the top at JLR meteoric. “It’s been 32 years, nine months and four days,” he says, with the warm smile that’s become his trademark around the business. It’s fair to say his appointment as CEO was as much a surprise as the departure of his predecessor Thierry Bolloré, after just two years and four months, in November 2022. Mardell slipped into the interim CEO role – “I literally moved two desks from where I’d been,” he tells us – which was then confirmed last month. In a short period of time, he’s had a big impact on the staff, with one senior insider telling us “he’s really united the company and the workforce” and another saying “he’s one of us…

11 min

£200k Aston DB12 Volante set for debut at Monterey

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk ● “Open-top super tourer” ● 671bhp, 0-62mph 3.7 secs ASTON Martin is in the midst of a range-wide refresh, and this new DB12 Volante is the next step in the revitalisation of the firm’s line-up. The “open-top super tourer”, as Aston calls it, takes the DB12 coupé’s recipe and adds some extra drama with a convertible roof. Making its debut at Monterey Car Week in California, the DB12 Volante’s fabric roof (available in a choice of four colours) features eight layers of acoustic sound deadening and can be lowered or raised in a respective 14 or 16 seconds at up to 31mph. It can also be activated remotely. As with any convertible car, removing the roof from a coupé means a reduction in strength, so Aston has boosted the…

How to stop yourself being a victim or target

THE easiest way to avoid a claim is to make sure you are not involved in a collision in the first place. Be aware of anyone acting oddly and don’t put yourself in a position where you could be vulnerable. Watch out for vans that could be blocking your view on purpose. A dash cam won’t just be useful for proving the real course of events after an incident, it can also make you less likely to be a target. The ‘professional’ fraudsters will avoid vehicles with cameras. Dash cam company Nextbase’s head of road safety, Bryn Brooker, said: “Over the first six months of this year the amount of footage being uploaded to insurers via our app has increased two-fold on the same period last year. Luckily, everyone who…

● Inbox Your views

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress HOT TOPIC Toyota Land Cruiser FROM: Wilson Lawrence WHEN I first saw the new Toyota Land Cruiser at a glance, I thought it was a Land Rover. But for me it has hints of the Land Rover Defender, Jeep Renegade, Dacia Duster and Ford Bronco. FROM: Jim Skirtt THIS will take sales from the Ineos Grenadier. Toyota, of course, is bullet-proof, whereas I understand some Grenadier owners have gripes. I don’t expect a three-door, but I do expect Ineos to do that. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ◼ “Disappointed that it keeps the 2.8-litre engine and mild hybrids won’t appear for a long time.” Richard Ion ◼ “Land Rover looks but with Toyota dependability? You can count me in!” Barry Leslie ◼ “The Land Cruiser’s headlights nod back…

CALLUM LOUNGE CHAIR

I’VE always been fascinated by furniture design and had longed for a famous Eames chair – the lounge chair and ottoman created by Charles and Ray Eames in the fifties. The trouble is, when I finally got to try one, it just wasn’t very comfortable. Callum’s take on the lounge chair is very different. It’s one of those chairs that when you sit in it, your body just relaxes. So much so that an involuntary chuckle comes out. The headrest and armrests are in the perfect position, while the back is scalloped to provide decent support, but with plenty of comfort, too. Callum’s David Fairbairn tells us how the chair came about. “Basically, Ian wanted to do a chair,” he says. “One day, me, Adam and Ian – the three people…

Audi RS 6 Performance

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk AS the RS 6 approaches the end of its petrol-powered life, Audi has introduced a new Performance variant as a run-out model, offering more power from its twin-turbo V8 and a few choice upgrades to give the whole package a bit more pizazz. The RS 6 Performance’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 comes with larger turbos that make more boost to help unlock an extra 27bhp, giving a total of 621bhp. Torque has been bumped up by 50Nm, to 850Nm, with that grunt going through a revised eight-speed automatic transmission with upgraded software for snappier gearchanges. There have also been tweaks to the four-wheel drive system, with a new locking centre differential and some updated software to the limited-slip diff on the rear axle. The system can now send up to…

THE GREATEST OUR PICKS

Renaultsport Clio 182 THE Clio 182 followed the 172, the number outlining a small hike in power from the characterful 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. But it wasn’t just the big-engine-in-a-tiny-car feel that made the Renaultsport Clio (both the 172 and 182 editions) so great; the chassis was the best part of the package. While the 182 gained a few kilos over the 172, both models felt light and agile, with a tenaciously grippy front axle that meant the Clio locked onto your chosen line. You could also introduce a little bit of fun by lifting off the throttle mid-corner to bring the short-wheelbase Clio’s adjustability into play. By today’s standards the driving position feels like you’re in a van, but in a world of modern, turbo hot hatches, the naturally aspirated…

21 min

Honda Civic

MODEL TESTED: Honda Civic Type R PRICE: £49,995 POWERTRAIN: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 324bhp COMPARED with the prices of many hot hatchbacks, £49,995 is a very large sum of money. However, it’s still £13,000 less than the A 45 S costs, so is the Civic priced fairly? Tech highlights MUCH like the Mercedes, the latest-generation Civic Type R, known as FL5, features a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The unit is based on the outgoing FK8 generation’s K20C1 engine, but incremental improvements have both released more power and reduced fuel consumption. Among the changes are a revised turbo with fewer, reshaped turbine blades to reduce inertia, revised intake and exhaust systems that improve airflow by 10 and 13 per cent respectively, and improved engine cooling through a larger front air dam. There’s also…

7 min

Key battlegrounds

1 POWERTRAIN Both have 2.0-litre turbo engines, but the Mercedes pumps out a whopping 91bhp more than its rival. 2 TECH There’s much less to fiddle with in the Type R than in the AMG, so you just get on with the pleasure of driving. 3 LUXURY The Mercedes is clearly the more upmarket car here, but that counts for nothing in the world of hot hatches. 4 STYLING Both cars look fairly wild on the road, but the Civic’s squat stance is a little more purposeful.…

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YOUR SUBSCRIPTION OFFER: SAVE 43% OFF THE SHOP PRICE After your initial 6 issue trial, your subscription will continue at £28.99 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. YOUR FREE AUTO EXPRESS KEEP CUP Designed for drinking pleasure on the go: Caffeinate, hydrate, and everything in between. The KeepCup splashproof, press fit lid allows room for your nose, while the mouthpiece ensures optimal liquid flow and aroma release. Lovely to drink from with the lid on or off, it’s lightweight, easy to carry and fits comfortably in your hand, and in…

BLUETTI UNITS BRINGS POWER TO THE PEOPLE

NEW PRODUCT Bluetti Power Stations Price: from £599 Contact: bluettipower.co.uk IF you need power away from the mains, Bluetti has two new options to help you charge and run a large range of kit. For heavy-duty users there is the AC180, which has an 1,800W inverter and delivers 2,700W, making it possible to power a kettle or hairdryer away from home. It is ideal for campers or those working in garages without mains power, and has a 1,152Wh-capacity LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) battery and needs just 45 minutes to charge from flat to 80 per cent. Users can monitor consumption and status on the 1.7-inch LCD display, while there’s an uninterrupted-power option to keep a computer’s hardware powered in the event of an outage. There are two AC outputs, USB-C and…

news, deals & events

Kim’s Corner raises £3k for charity THE first two-day Waxstock detailer’s show raised a record £2,974 by selling samples left over from the Auto Express programme of product testing. Named after our products editor, Kim’s Corner was manned by Waxstock volunteers and sold mainly car-care products, but also other samples from the test team, plus donations from among the 60 exhibitors, with all takings going to the East Anglian Air Ambulance. Held at the Coventry Arena, the show celebrated its 10th birthday, and welcomed 4,000 visitors over the weekend, which included 22 hours of judging very shiny cars. Hyundai attempts to reinvent the wheel DYMAG and Hankuk Carbon are working with Hyundai on the development of new carbon hybrid wheels, intended for the firm’s N Performance products. A prototype was…

SUN SHADES

IT’S great to see sunny days, but they can make car travel seriously uncomfortable. Even with the air-con on, a car’s glass can magnify the sun’s rays and make the interior unpleasantly hot. Plus ultraviolet glare from the sun (UVA/B) can cause sunburn in the short term and bigger problems in the medium to long term. Fitting rear sunblinds makes a lot of sense, especially if children are on board. There are many sizes on offer, so check to make sure they are suitable for your vehicle before buying. Fitting a large blind to a small window will be awkward or impossible, while too small a design will allow more light in, reducing the benefit. Other options allow the window to be lowered while fitted, and roller blinds can be…

5 min

Style council

WITH small and mid-sized family cars becoming ever more luxurious, executive and luxury cars have had to work ever harder to justify their existence. They have to offer performance, safety and comfort, as well as plenty of space, with a healthy dose of luxury thrown in for good measure. Nowhere is this more evident than with this week’s flashback to a new-car twin test that we ran back in 2018. In the summer of that year, Audi launched its second-generation A7 Sportback, and we compared it with the third-generation Mercedes CLS, which had gone on sale just a year earlier. As you would expect from these two heavyweights, both companies pulled out all of the stops to come up with something that was distinctive, technologically sophisticated, refined and luxurious, while…

news in brief

Squadra Corse put V8 SC63 to the test LAMBORGHINI’S entry into the top tier of endurance racing, the SC63, has hit the track for the first time. Within a month of the car’s official unveiling at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the SC63 completed its first laps at Imola. This enabled the marque’s Squadra Corse motorsport department, plus the Iron Lynx team that will operate the cars on Lamborghini’s behalf, to get some early feedback from factory driver Andrea Caldarelli. Power for the newcomer is set to come from an all-new 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine. As the rules dictate, this will be combined with hybrid power and will be capped at a maximum output of 671bhp. The new car is set to make its debut at the opening round of…

EV5 is more practical alternative to EV6

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy ● Electric SUV aimed at Sportage owners ● Price likely to start at around £44,000 KIA has followed up its electric flagbearer, the EV6, with its largest UK-market model yet, the colossal EV9 seven-seat SUV. But the Korean brand is already lining up an additional vehicle that will be aimed squarely at existing Sportage owners considering making the jump to zero-emissions electric motoring. Due to go on sale in 2024, Kia’s new EV5 will take the EV6’s underpinnings but feature a boxier, more practical bodystyle that’s designed to appeal to family-car customers. We’ve already seen the EV5 in concept form; it was unveiled in March, as a preview for a car that’s due to go on sale in China before the end of this year. The production version…

3 min

Next VW California brings plug-in hybrid power

VOLKSWAGEN has teased its next-generation California camper van with a new concept that will make its debut at the Caravan Salon in Dusseldorf on 25 August. The new vehicle will be based on VW’s T7 Multivan and will come with the option of plug-in hybrid power. This concept sketch shows typical California traits, including a pop-up roof for extra space inside the van, as well as an awning and other accessories; another of VW’s design images shows a pop-out digital tablet for controlling features such as the air-conditioning and lighting. Volkswagen has previously stated it will look to create a ‘California Universe’, so other models – such as an ID. Buzz camper – are likely to appear in time. The new California is expected to go on sale in summer…

CCTV footage saves car driver from bogus £10k-plus claim

WHEN Ms X spotted a parking space in Haringey, North London, she thought her luck was in. The road was clear and traffic was light, so she checked the way wasn’t blocked and prepared for a parallel park into the spot. As she looked backwards and had almost completed the manoeuvre, a scooter rode into the front wing of her Ford Fiesta. The 29-year-old rider angrily claimed Ms X had pulled out of the parking space and hit his bike. He put in a claim with her insurance company for injuries to his right arm, knee and ankle, hire of a loan bike costing £7,176, repairs to the scooter to the tune of £2,852, and recovery. Ms X called in the police and made a report, which led to them…

Useful Contacts

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…

Honda CR-V

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram Running costs 353mpg (official) £70 fill-up HONDA has a rich history of being the first to introduce new tech. It did so with map-based sat-nav on the 1981 Accord, all-wheel steering with the 1987 Prelude, and it sold the UK’s first hybrid production car: the sleek Insight. With the original CR-V, it came a close second in kicking off what we now refer to as the family SUV class, pipped only by its Japanese rival, the Toyota RAV4. The CR-V is now in its sixth generation and we’re driving the newcomer for the first time. Given that Honda is a brand known for firsts, there’s some irony in the fact that the CR-V will be its first plug-in hybrid for Europe – some 10 years after Mitsubishi launched…

Ford Puma ST Powershift

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks “The MHEV isn’t as quick in a straight line as the regular ST, but there’s enough power to have fun” THEY say a problem shared is a problem halved, and with the Fiesta ST being sent into retirement, the burden of replacing Ford’s fantastic hot hatch has fallen to the Puma ST. Ford has in effect doubled the hot SUV’s line-up, however, by introducing this new mild-hybrid ‘Powershift’ version. The Puma ST shares many components with the Fiesta ST, and we’re big fans of the way the SUV drives. But this new Puma ST Powershift is different, because instead of a zippy 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine and a manual gearbox, it uses a turbocharged 1.0-litre mild-hybrid unit with an automatic gearbox. On paper at least, that doesn’t sound…

THINGS ARE HOTTING UP

LOOK back through earlier pages of this issue and you’ll see some of the finest hot hatches of the past. What we have here are two of the most brilliant that money can buy today. First is the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S, a car which, in its previous generation, came to define the hyper-hatch, and this version has taken things on to another level. There’s a facelift for 2023, so we wanted to put it up against another of the modern greats. The Honda Civic Type R has long punched above its weight, with the performance to see off rivals from the mainstream brands, and make many people question why there’s any need to go for a premium alternative, such as the A 45. But when push comes to shove,…

Infotainment

Mercedes-AMG A 45 S VS Honda Civic Type R MBUX | Key feature: AMG Track Pace driving analyser IN line with the rest of the revised A-Class range, the AMG A 45 S benefits from a new infotainment system. This brings with it different graphics, faster loading times and more menu options. There’s now a fingerprint sensor to load specific driver profiles, storing settings such as the seat position for various users. The USB ports also feature faster charging than on earlier models. For the AMG models specifically, extra functionality makes it easier to make the most of the car’s performance features. This includes a page that makes it much easier to customise and switch between drive modes than before. The Track Pace screen features track maps for international race circuits, and…

Number Crunching

THE Mercedes was always going to emerge from this contest as the more pricey contender, because the main aim of this contest was to discover whether or not the Civic Type R was able to punch above its weight. Even so, the gap between the pair over the course of three years will prove to be pretty vast. Based on a three-year PCP finance agreement and a £10,000 deposit, the A 45 S comes to £880 a month, which is a hefty £264 per month more than the Honda. That’s £9,504 over the course of three years. The running costs add up elsewhere, too. Our representative insurance quotes from the AA state that the A 45 will cost twice as much as the Type R, which swings things another £2,706…

MG4

Richard_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @rsp_ingram Performance 0-62mph/top speed 7.9 seconds/100mph Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 363/1,177 litres “The firm is on a roll in the UK – the MG4 is the second-best-selling EV on the market” WE’VE grown used to the cars we buy being subject to incremental improvements while they’re on sale. Tweaks designed to bolster standard kit or make our vehicles easier to live with mean model-year updates are now pretty commonplace. Less than 12 months since the electric MG4 went on sale, two more variants have already been added to the hugely popular EV line-up. There’s now an MG4 Extended Range, with a 77kWh battery and 323-mile range, as well as a 429bhp XPower hot hatch. So, naturally, being the current custodian of our Volcano Orange MG4 Trophy, when the invitation…

5 min

Are snow foams worth the trouble and expense?

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk YOU don’t get far on social media or YouTube when searching for cleaning tips and advice before seeing a car lathered in snow foam, looking like it’s just survived an Arctic blizzard. It might look impressive, but neighbours, and even a few passers-by, have asked if that thick layer of gloopy soap suds actually does anything. The same applies, to a lesser extent, to pre-washes – which are often citrus-based– and traffic-film removers (TFRs) that are loved by hand washers on closed service-station forecourts. For an answer, you need to understand what snow foams are designed to do. No matter how thick you pile the foam on or leave it to work and then energetically rinse it off, you will still need to get the wash…

Hawksmoor feels the pressure from Sealey

PRESSURE washers are a key part of any car cleaning routine, and our tests have proved that there’s a real difference between machines. While they may look similar, the specifications and designs will affect the effort and time it takes to bring the shine back to your grubby motor. When choosing, you’ll need to consider the accessories provided, blasting power, the length of hose and the ease of storing it all when the job is finished. Two big names have just launched new washers, each offering decent power and a snow-foam attachment, which makes them both perfect for car cleaning. They need to take on our current champion, the Hawksmoor. The Black & Decker was a disappointment and expensive, but the new Sealey was very impressive. However it can’t justify…

BMW i3

mail@autoexpress.co.uk UK’s biggest satisfaction survey Years: 2013 to 2022 CO2: 0g/km Maximum range: 125-174 miles (i3 S) Best options: Auxiliary cabin heating, reversing camera, Driving Assistant Plus USED PRICES: From £8,500 BMW’s i3 takes first place in the reliability category of our 2023 Driver Power survey, thanks to a second position for quality and sixth for reliability itself. The EV also scores very highly in the infotainment category, with fourth place for user-friendly switchgear, seventh for touchscreen sensitivity and the built-in sat-nav, and eighth for the balance between physical and touchscreen controls. The i3 finishes a creditable 13th for running costs, with owners even relatively happy with servicing prices, and they love the acceleration and smooth power delivery. Interior style and quality are rated 12th and ninth, but driving pleasure…

Audi A7 Sportback

ONCE Mercedes had discovered the latent demand for a more stylish and exclusive E-Class, it was inevitable that rivals would follow suit. Audi did just that with the A7 Sportback, which aped Merc’s formula but with a hatchback for added practicality. What the Audi could do magnificently was swallow huge distances with ease, and on our test car’s optional air suspension, it could do it more comfortably than the Mercedes, for a bit less money. Sure the Audi was less powerful and not quite as quick, plus it had one less ratio in its automatic gearbox, but it was still plenty fast enough. As you’d expect of such a large and luxurious car, there aren’t that many second-generation A7s to choose from on the used market. We found 200 or…

NEW CAR PRICES

HOW OUR GUIDE WORKS PERFORMANCE: This is the manufacturer’s claimed acceleration time for a car, and is measured from 0-60mph or 0-62mph (0-100km/h), in seconds. ECONOMY/EMISSIONS/RANGE: Combined WLTP economy in miles per gallon, emissions in grams per kilometre of CO2 and maximum claimed range for EVs. Figures are achieved in the latest WLTP tests, but will vary according to equipment and are unlikely to be representative of everyday efficiency. INSURANCE: Group rating as quoted by the Association of British Insurers. WARRANTY: Next to each manufacturer’s name is the basic warranty period in months and miles for the mechanicals, corrosion and paintwork. EVs and hybrids will have dedicated battery cover. LIST PRICE: This is the on-the-road figure and includes VAT, delivery to dealer, the first 12 months’ of emissions-based road tax,…

Famous Ferrari cars going under the hammer

A VERY special piece of motorsport history will pass over the auction block this week, when an ex-Michael Schumacher Ferrari F2001-B goes up for sale with Sotheby’s during Monterey Car Week in California. This particular chassis, number 215, was driven to victory by Schumacher during the 2002 Australian Grand Prix, the opening round of the German’s most dominant of his seven World Championships, where he finished on the podium in all 17 races. That included round two in Malaysia, where after bagging pole position, Schumacher suffered a first-corner collision with Juan-Pablo Montoya’s Williams-BMW, which broke the German’s front wing and he dropped to 21st. But he still recovered to finish the race in third. The Rory Byrne-designed F2001-B was an evolution of the F2001 in which Schumacher took his fourth…