Innholdsfortegnelse for 1873 i Auto Express

SOMETIMES in this business you meet people whose enthusiasm for developing cars that people will love makes you smile. Last week, I spent a day with Toyota and Lexus at their annual event, where they wheel out their latest shiny new things. There’s plenty going on, largely around electrification, but the point was repeatedly made that consumers need to choose the best powertrain, rather than being forced into tech they’re not ready to adopt. Or “carbon emissions are the enemy, not any particular type of technology”, as Toyota’s European boss Matt Harrison put it. But while new and updated mainstream Toyotas are interesting, plenty about the company’s character came out during its session on the GR brand in particular. It’s not that normal for companies to be so willing to…

THE low-cost EV space is already occupied by European brands, with Citroen and Fiat at the forefront with their bigger e-C3 and Grande Panda – although the ID.1 will be both less expensive and more sophisticated. So how can VW make the numbers work in a market where much pricier EVs have resulted in little profit? That’s the question we posed to VW’s member for research and development, Kai Grunitz, who explained how the brand will build a car at such a low price point, in relatively limited numbers. The lower cost of batteries is an obvious starting point, but VW is adamant that it’s not the silver bullet that will allow EVs to suddenly become profitable. “The battery is only one element, so if you want to reach that…

VOLVO has finally revealed its ES90, a flagship executive saloon car to take on rivals such as the BMW i5, Mercedes EQE and recently launched Audi A6 e-tron. The fresh model will get a brandnew 800-volt electric architecture that Volvo says will feature a 106kWh (102kWh usable) battery to give a maximum 435-mile range. The maker claims its Twin Motor flagships can charge at up to 350kW, adding 186 miles of range in 10 minutes. Moving the ES90 to this new architecture meant Volvo had to upgrade every component, from the battery cells and electric motors, to the climate and thermal management systems. But the big news will be the ES90’s polarising styling. It gets an almost crossover-like look and a swoopy hatchback-style profile not dissimilar to the Polestar 4…

MORGAN doesn’t launch a new car all that often, so its Supersport is all the more significant. A replacement for the Plus Six, the Supersport will sit above the Plus Four as the flagship in the company’s range. While the design might look typically Morgan, the car introduces key changes over the Plus Six, including a new aluminium chassis, a modernised interior and more wood than ever. The Supersport has been redesigned “from the ground up”, Morgan says. You can spot details such as larger eight-inch headlights from the limited-edition Midsummer, extra air vents above the front grille, a more curvaceous body and an open rear-end diffuser with new lights. There are two new wheel designs as well, while other fresh features include easier-to-use bonnet catches, new door hinges and…

FAULTY lights and electrical equipment make up one in four MoT advisories – that’s according to exclusive new data from Auto Express’s MoT checker service and likely to cause some concern given that we recently conducted a survey that found nearly one in six people ignore their advisories. While a quarter of advisories involve lighting and electronics, which could be the result of things like a failing battery or clouded headlights, one in five advisories are related to a car’s suspension system. This is only deemed of ‘major’ concern roughly 22 per cent of the time, though. However, while an issue with a car’s tyres is only the third-most common reason for an advisory to be issued, this is deemed ‘dangerous’ almost 60 per cent of the time; the minimum…

“BMW’s 3.0-litre engine has some help from a couple of turbochargers and a chunky mild-hybrid system” HOVERING somewhere around the middle of BMW’s SUV range, it can be a little tough to stand out from the crowd. But the brand’s new X3 M50 might just be one worth looking out for. The fresh X3 that was launched late last year seems to tread a fine line between being subtly styled, yet with enough individuality not to melt into a sea of rivals. While the M50’s design additions are limited to unique 21-inch wheels and four exhaust pipes, these add just enough muscle. BMW’s 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine has some help from a couple of turbochargers and a chunky mild-hybrid system. Peak power is rated at 392bhp, with 580Nm of torque…

THERE’S a small but discerning bunch of car buyers who wouldn’t have anything but an estate car. So when Volvo UK stopped selling wagons for a year, it didn’t migrate their buyers into SUVs, it just lost them to other brands. Big estate cars with electric power is a niche within a niche, one the German brands are just beginning to fill. Volkswagen’s ID.7 Tourer is the size of an aircraft carrier, which would probably be easier to manoeuvre on my wide driveway – five-point turns are common. I’m not complaining, because big equals bountiful space inside. My three daughters have moaned about being crammed into our Golf GTi for the past six months, but now they can stretch out their legs and pack the footwell with half of their…

HOTKIT ThuleSantu Price: £779.99 Contact: thule.com EVER wish your bike rack could do more? Thule has got your back. Its new Santu box is a hard-shelled cargo crate that fits onto the Epos and EasyFold 3 towbar-mounted cycle carriers, adding extra secure storage capacity for times when your boot is not big enough. Its low-profile design is said to make loading easier and reduce aerodynamic drag, while leaving the top of the car free for roof boxes, sports equipment or tents. Even with the box in place, the set-up can still carry a bike on the carrier by using a separate kit, eliminating the need to choose between transporting luggage or your cycle. The box is compatible with the bike carrier’s tilt function, allowing easy access to the car’s boot without…

WITH warmer weather on the horizon, councils will start repairing winter-wracked roads. While that’s good news for your car’s tyres and suspension, it brings the menace of fresh tar on the road surface which may be thrown up onto your paintwork and wheels. The best way to shift tar is with a dedicated remover. These cleaners will dissolve the splatters and are also effective on tree sap and glue residue. We tested three cleaners against thick tar spots on paintwork and gluey foam remnants on a number plate. GYEON’s new Q²M Tar is much more friendly to use than the solvent-based products, but while it cleared the mess, it took more time and effort. Gtechniq’s W7 is good value and effective, but Autoglym’s Intensive Tar Remover did just as well…

VOLKSWAGEN’S baby EV, the ID.1, is inching closer to production. But before it reaches showrooms in 2027, the German giant is giving us a proper taster in the form of the ID.Every1 concept. Just as the ID.2All Concept reignited excitement around a new all-electric production supermini due to arrive later this year, the smaller, city-focused ID.Every1 is an even more ambitious project that’s signalling an entry price of just 20,000 Euros (around £17,000) for the upcoming ID.1. VW says the ID.Every1 is around 80 per cent relevant to the new road car, with no major changes to the bodywork or styling. The wheels will be smaller, the door handles will be bigger and the head and tail-lights will change slightly. But, in essence, what you’re looking at is the new…

THE final model in a hat-trick of electric Toyotas has been unveiled, with the C-HR+ slotting between the forthcoming Urban Cruiser and updated bZ4X (right). Sharing almost nothing bar the name with the popular hybrid and plug-in hybrid C-HR, despite the similar coupé-like silhouette, the C-HR+ will arrive in the UK late this year with a pair of battery options and three power levels ranging from 165bhp to 338bhp in the rangetopping all-wheel-drive car. The most efficient version could cover more than 370 miles on a charge, while prices are likely to start below £40,000. The electric newcomer should be roomier inside than the hybrid C-HR, thanks to an extra 150mm added to the wheelbase. The EV’s boot is also slightly more spacious, at 412 litres, compared with the hybrid’s…

THE new Renault 5 has been a smash hit for the French firm – and the new Roland-Garros special edition hopes to bolster its popularity even more. Taking its name from the venue of the French Open tennis tournament, the new car has just gone on sale here in the UK, costing from £29,995. Four paint finishes will be available for the special edition – Arctic White, Midnight Blue, Diamond Black and Shadow Grey – and the Roland-Garros also gets a contrasting metallic black roof plus 18-inch black alloy wheels and the tournament’s logo on the front doors. Inside, there’s light grey upholstery and the dense weave is inspired by sports clothing. The backrests of the front seats have Roland-Garros logos embossed on them, while running across the satin-metal dashboard…

“THE A390 WAS GREAT FUN TO DRIVE IN THESE EXTREME, LOW-LIMIT CONDITIONS” THE all-new Alpine A390 will be unveiled on 27 May, as the French performance brand prepares to take on the Porsche Macan Electric with an electric five-seat ‘sport fastback’ it says will be even sharper to drive than its featherweight petrol sports car, the A110. Alpine is boldly calling the A390 a “true five-seater sports car,” and says it’s working to ensure it can deliver the level of performance and agility customers will expect from the brand, which until now has focused on sports cars and hot hatches. We’ve been told the A390 will be quicker than the A110 R – which means it should cover the 0-62mph sprint in well under four seconds. The new Alpine will…

“The Q5 sticks with a sophisticated yet understated look that’s peppered with styling cues from the A5” THE Audi Q5 was the brand’s biggest-seller globally last year – and by a long way, with nearly 300,000 examples finding homes, despite the outgoing model having been launched in 2016 and last updated in 2020. Now it’s the all-new Q5’s turn. Of course, other key players in this class – including the BMW X3 (driven on Page 28), Mercedes GLC and Lexus NX – have also been refreshed over the past few years, while the Volvo XC60 kicked off 2025 with an extensive facelift. Although the design of the X3 is more divisive than ever these days, the Q5 has stuck with a sophisticated, dynamic, yet understated look that’s peppered with some…

THE Isuzu D-Max is one of a handful of competitors in the pick-up truck market, but it’s unique in that it’s the only model that the Japanese company sells in the UK. It’s been available in its current guise since 2021, but the firm has given it frequent updates to keep up with rivals such as the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger. For 2025, Isuzu has added a subtly revised front end with new air intakes that help airflow around the front wheels, plus a tweaked bonnet line and new lights. At the back are another set of new lights and a redesigned tailgate, while inside there’s a more user-friendly infotainment system measuring eight inches across, or nine inches in the V-Cross model tested here. The twin-camera ADAS system has…

JAECOO will be an unfamiliar name to most UK buyers, but it’s part of a Chinese group which, worldwide at least, is much more well known. Jaecoo is a subdivision of Chery and was created as an SUV maker for export markets. Chery also owns the Omoda brand, which is another recent newcomer to Britain. Indeed, the Jaecoo 7 and Omoda 5 share the same platform. In both instances, huge standard kit levels are the aim here, but unlike Omoda, Jaecoo is pitched with a little more upmarket intent. That’s evident in the styling; the imposing front grille is hardly shy or retiring, while other areas – particularly at the back – have more than a hint of the Range Rover Velar. ENGINES & PERFORMANCE THE cheapest model in the…

IT’S no secret that Genesis is the posh brand in the Hyundai-Kia empire, so when I started out with a GV60 last August, the big question was whether it could justify the extra cost over the excellent equivalent models from its mainstream sister brands. However, if you’ll forgive me cutting to the chase, six months later I’m convinced that the GV60 is a very effective upmarket brother to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. It’s like choosing Pizza Express over Pizza Hut, or Waitrose over Tesco – you’re getting something similar, but just a bit classier. That impression is reinforced as soon as you set eyes on the GV60; I loved parking something so smart and distinctive on my drive. Thanks to its badge, plenty of people thought it…

Price: From £200 (TBC) Contact: blauerusa.com IS your wardrobe looking a little tired? Italian tyre manufacturer Pirelli has joined forces with American clothing maker Blauer to create a new collection of four unisex jackets that are made from recycled materials. The Blauer X Pirelli “capsule’ collection uses the latter’s distinctive black and yellow brand colours and features the two companies’ logos prominently on the garments. The first jacket is called the Performance Puffer and is made from recycled polyester with Taslan woven material inserts. A special lamination process makes the fabric waterproof and windproof, Blauer claims, while the adjustable hood and internal drawstring waist are said to ensure further protection from the elements. The pockets are also waterproof and designed for smartphones, while the chest has a built-in LED lamp. A…

AS the 2025 Formula One season kicks off this weekend, I’m reminded of my own brief and unremarkable ‘career’ as an F1 test driver, when I completed six laps of Leicestershire’s Mallory Park circuit. Miraculously, I kept the temperamental Tyrrell F1 car beneath me on the damp black stuff, and away from the even damper green grass that I came perilously close to putting a wheel on as my confidence grew… but my talent started to run out. At the opposite end of the scale are the blokes who, in 2025, have secured proper jobs as F1 pilots, with salaries somewhere between good and eyewateringly excessive. The rookies on the grid include Alpine’s Jack Doohan and Racing Bull’s Isack Hadjar, each understood to be on a basic starter/probationer wage of…

VOLKSWAGEN could bring a GTI version of the ID.1 to market in the spirit of the much-loved up! GTI and Lupo GTI. Speaking about the possibility of a sporty version of the new all-electric city car, board member for research and development, Kai Grunitz, said: “It could [be possible], as it uses the same front module [as the ID.2], but this would depend on the reaction of customers.” There is a precedent for hot A-segment models within VW, with the up! GTI being a huge hit, thanks to its low price and engaging dynamics. But where it’s near impossible to build a small hot hatchback in Europe in 2025 because of emissions regulations, an all-electric powertrain won’t be affected in the same way. Unlike the up! GTI, which featured a…

TOYOTA’S first and, for now at least, biggest electric model has been given an update, with the bZ4X’s range, power and tech all taking a step forward. External changes amount to a nip and tuck to the front end with sleeker headlights and a new bumper designed to improve aerodynamics. Inside, a 14-inch infotainment screen replaces the old 12.3-inch set-up. In a move that addresses a bZ4X weakness, maximum range jumps to more than 350 miles, compared with 318 miles on the current car, while the options of 218bhp with all-wheel drive and 204bhp plus front drive are replaced by a trio of outputs – 165bhp, 221bhp and a 338bhp all-wheel-drive flagship. Although maximum charging speed remains at 150kW, which is on a par with most rivals, if short of the…

NINE new fully electric cars will be launched by Toyota by the end of next year, including a pick-up and a production version of the Land Cruiser Se concept, shown below. Three SUVs – the new Urban Cruiser and C-HR+, plus the revised bZ4X (see left) – make up three of the six models that will wear Toyota badges. And at its annual media forum event in early March, the firm showed shadowy silhouettes of three more cars – a pair of larger SUVs and a pick-up truck – due before the end of 2026. Sister brand Lexus will add two cars to its revised RZ, one to be revealed next month and the other late this year, although Pascal Ruch, vice president of Lexus Europe, hinted that Toyota’s premium…

VOLVO is in the midst of expanding its range of EVs, and coming up soon will be the EX60 – a mid-size electric SUV to rival the Audi Q6 e-tron, Porsche Macan Electric and BMW’s forthcoming Neue Klasse SUV. Now, we’ve been given our first official look at the EX60 during the reveal of the ES90. A brief glimpse under a cover showcased some of the design cues of the new car, hinting it’ll continue with the styling already seen on the firm’s latest EVs. We can see Volvo’s new rear light signature: a cluster on the rear pillar and a main section on the rear threequarter–although this element doesn’t extend into the bootlid as it does on the EX30 and EX90. The new car’s overall proportions look similar to…

THE Volkswagen Tayron has been available in other markets for some time, but now the second generation has been brought to the UK to replace the Tiguan Allspace. It borrows plenty from the new Tiguan, but offers up to seven seats – a unique feature in Volkswagen’s SUV range. Prices kick off at just under £40,000, with the most powerful R-Line versions costing a little over £50,000. You can expect to pay a premium of around £5,000 for the Tayron over its Tiguan sibling. As with many other VWs, the Tayron range kicks off with Life trim and includes 18-inch alloys, LED exterior lights, VW’s Park Assist Plus system and a rear camera, plus twin screens with integrated satnav, adaptive cruise control, ambient lighting and wireless smartphone charging – all…

IT’S “lights out, and away we go!” with the 2025 Formula One season kicking off in Melbourne, Australia, this weekend. The pinnacle of motorsport promises plenty of action and a close title race for what is the end of this generation of grand prix cars. To give you the lowdown of what to expect, we’ve drawn up a list of the 25 things you need to know about this latest F1 championship. 1. HAMILTON AT FERRARI THIS is the one everyone’s been waiting for: Sir Lewis Hamilton is now in red, racing for Ferrari. While some have wondered whether the 40-year-old seven-time world champion still has it in him, Hamilton has said that he’s “really enjoying" his time behind the wheel of the works Ferrari; both he and teammate Charles…

SKODA has an ever-growing family of SUV options, including full-size seven-seaters such as the Kodiaq, fully electric options including the Enyaq and its new, more compact stablemate, the Elroq. The Kamiq sits at the most modest end of the group, in terms of both its size and its price. Base models start from less than £25,000, and from 2025 onwards, a revised trim structure has improved the levels of standard kit throughout the range. LED headlights, a rear-view camera and satellite navigation are standard on every model. Under the skin, the Kamiq sits on an enlarged version of the MQB-A0 platform that underpins superminis such as the Volkswagen Polo and Skoda’s own Fabia. ENGINES & PERFORMANCE THAT access to MQB tech has enabled Skoda to offer a range of very…

NEW statistics released by valuation expert cap hpi reveal that the automatic gearbox is making inroads on the dominance of the manual transmission in new cars sold in the UK. Last year, autos in all of their guises made up nearly 30 per cent of new-car sales, and in a decade automatics have seen a 118 per cent jump in numbers compared with manuals. One reason behind this is obvious, with the increase in market share for direct-drive EVs having an impact. Elsewhere, other than the Honda CR-Z, every hybrid and plug-in that’s been sold in the UK since the Toyota Prius first arrived at the start of the 21st Century has been an auto. In the performance car market, virtually no hot hatches, sports or supercars come with manuals,…

THE top small 4WD cars have rugged style, practicality and – in some cases – off-road ability in one package. There are plenty of options out there, and our expert road testing team has driven every single one (prices here are for the 4WD drivetrains), so read on to find the one for you. 1 Dacia Duster Pricesfrom£23,500 FEW cars offer the same combination of family-friendly practicality and off-road capability as the Dacia Duster, and fewer still manage to even come close to its sub-£24,000 starting price. It’s such a competitive offering that we couldn’t help but crown the Duster as our Small SUV of the Year in 2024. The latest generation of this no-frills SUV is a more modernfeeling car than its predecessor, but it still offers the same…