Sommaire pour 1422 de Auto Express

Visit autoexpress.co.uk for all the latest new cars news NISSAN’S acquisition of a 34 per cent stake in Mitsubishi last week was just the latest example of an ever compressing industry where brands are losing their individuality as they’re immersed into bigger, more powerful concerns. It follows Toyota’s takeover of Daihatsu earlier this year. It’s understandable, really. There are mutual benefits. Nissan benefits from Mitsubishi’s strong presence in south-east Asia. And Mitsubishi now has a powerful backer following a rocky period where it has admitted falsifying fuel economy figures. And of course, the pair will share technology and platforms, as is normal. To some, this kind of deal has led to a worrying homogenisation of the cars on offer to buyers. Shared resources often mean similar vehicles from different brands,…

Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk @stevefowler “Hot Cupra model would give the Ateca a sportier edge that rival SUVs currently don’t have” SEAT’S new Ateca SUV is still some months away from showrooms, yet Auto Express can exclusively reveal that plans are already under way for a super-hot Cupra version. The 300bhp model is likely to be unveiled at October’s Paris Motor Show to gauge public reaction to a hot version of SEAT’s first-ever SUV – and our exclusive images show how it might look. SEAT’s designers will give the already sporty-looking Ateca a more aggressive feel, with beefier bumpers and sills. They will also lower the ride height to reduce body roll in corners (although our first drive of a standard Ateca in Issue 1,414 revealed that it already feels sportier than many…

WEBSITES and online retailers are being called upon to ban ads offering services to remove diesel particulate filters (DPFs). Experts estimate that thousands of cars in the UK are currently being driven without their DPF, causing pollution levels to rise, thanks to services advertised on sites such as Google, eBay and Gumtree. These offer to remove the filter for a fee. Garages exploit a legal loophole whereby driving a diesel with its DPF removed is illegal, but the act of removing the filter is not. And online retailers have said that, until the law changes to make it illegal, the adverts would not be removed. DPFs trap harmful exhaust particulates, reducing the amount of harmful toxins released into the atmosphere. Poor air quality is associated with 40,000 premature deaths in…

Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer “Cars and people arrive and Reifnitz and the surrounding towns are consumed by this bizarre spectacle” TO our right is a rusty, 40-year-old VW Golf with a suspiciously immaculate V6 lurking under the bonnet. To our left is a Mk5 GTI painted entirely in red and gold, inside and out. Behind us is an ambulance crew ready and waiting, and on top of us is a jet fighter doing loops in the sky. Powerboats speed up and down the Alpine lake in front of us, and beer and music is to be found everywhere. For the uninitiated, Wörthersee is one of Europe’s biggest tuning festivals, where enthusiasts with a love for cars and aftermarket parts catalogues convene every May to celebrate all things modified. The meet is held…

Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan MINI isn’t known for its four-wheel-drive cars; its ALL4 system was previously reserved for its Countryman and Paceman crossovers. But now the bigger, more mature and versatile MINI Clubman is available with the set-up for the very first time, too. ALL4 is an intelligent system rather than a permanent one, so the Clubman remains front-driven until slip is detected, at which point it can recouple the rear wheels instantly. It also features torque vectoring – so it can brake or send power to individual wheels – and an electronic diff lock to boost traction out of bends. All that adds around 60kg to the standard Clubman’s kerbweight. Other than small badges on the front doors, there is nothing on the exterior or in the cabin to mark out…

Dean_Gibson@dennis.co.uk THE Mercedes S-Class has long set the standard for luxury limousines, and now the range has been expanded to include two-door Coupé and Cabriolet versions. The latter has just arrived in the UK, and we’ve sampled the entrylevel S 500 AMG Line model. Calling it the entry-level car is rather misleading, though, because at £110,120 it’s not cheap, and it comes with plenty of luxury kit as standard. Air-suspension, adaptive LED headlights, nappa leather and wood trim inserts are all included, while upgrading to the £4,995 Premium and £6,235 Exclusive packages (as fitted to our car) adds luxuries such as climate and massage seats, a heated steering wheel and armrests, 20-inch wheels and a 360-degree camera system. Head-turning looks also come as standard. The S-Class Cabriolet is essentially the…

Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram WHEN your £82,075, 513bhp S8 isn’t quite enough, thankfully Audi has you covered. This is the £98,395 S8 Plus, an even quicker, more powerful and pricier version of the already rapid saloon. We first drove the luxury limousine on German autobahns last year (Issue 1,395), where unleashing the full might of the 597bhp twin-turbo V8 engine was simple and straightforward. A case of point and shoot, if you like. But back in the UK, where the roads have disruptive bumps and potholes to contend with – not to mention speed limits – it’s an altogether different challenge for the big, fast Audi. From the off, the sort of performance the S8 Plus is capable of isn’t immediately clear. Around town the car wafts with composure and poise, effortlessly…

“People think you’re a magician. If only they knew how easy it was” FEW are better qualified to discuss the merits of Peugeot’s rallying heritage than Ari Vatanen. Back in the eighties, he contributed five wins to the 205 T16’s World Rally Championship legacy, and while he failed to secure an overall WRC title with the French firm, he went on to clean up in the Dakar with four wins in the 405 T16. He also helped commit one of the greatest-ever on-board clips to celluloid in Climb Dance during his victorious run in the legendary Pikes Peak hillclimb in Colorado in 1986. Erudite, affable and quick-witted – and with a diplomatic nous that saw him elected to the European Parliament in 1999 – Ari is also ideally placed to…

Dials THE i-Cockpit layout brings a smaller steering wheel, raising the dials above the wheel to allow the driver to look forward at the road ahead. Peugeot claims safety is improved as a result. Sportbutton FLICK the Sport button to enable the standard Driver Sport Pack. Pedal response is sharpened, engine note is amplified and info like power and torque is shown between the dials, which switch from white to red. Infotainment NEW 9.7-inch touchscreen is mounted high up on the centre console, and it provides everything from trip information and car settings to stereo displays. Even the air-con controls are housed here. Seats SEAT fabric resistance is tested early in the development process, as a robot applies the pressure of a human. The profile of a 75kg person is…

DS 3 Cabrio Elegance Price: £19,195 Engine: 1.2-litre 3cyl turbo, 129bhp 0-60mph: 9.6 seconds Test economy: 43.6mpg/9.6mpl CO2: 105g/km Annual road tax: £20 Fiat 500C Lounge Price: £17,230 Engine: 0.9-litre 2cyl turbo, 104bhp 0-60mph: 10.7 seconds Test economy: 50.0mpg/11.0mpl CO2: 99g/km Annual road tax: £0 MINI Cooper Convertible Price: £18,475 Engine: 1.5-litre 3cyl turbo, 134bhp 0-60mph: 8.9 seconds Test economy: 47.7mpg/10.5mpl CO2: 114g/km Annual road tax: £30 IF you’re looking for fun behind the wheel this summer, what better way to welcome the sun than with a compact convertible? Despite our not-so-favourable climate in the UK, we love cabriolets – and manufacturers have capitalised on our drop-top desire by offering many superminis in soft-top form. MINI’s Convertible is the latest to hit the market. It offers the same cute looks…

MODEL TESTED: Mercedes GLS 350d AMG Line PRICE: £69,110 ENGINE: 3.0 V6, 255bhp Testers’ notes “The GLS delivers a combination of luxury, refinement and off-road ability that’s hard to beat, but thanks to its sheer size, it’s a hugely practical car, too. It has electrically folding back seats, yet unlike the Audi’s set-up, they have one-touch operation, so they fold all the way without any extra input. The outer seats of the middle row also handily fold and flip forward with a single press of a button.” THE Mercedes GLS first appeared as the GL-Class in 2006, and the second-generation model, which the GLS is based on, arrived in 2012. As with the GL, there are two engine options in the GLS: the 3.0-litre V6 diesel tested here, or the…

Darren_Wilson@dennis.co.uk Second opinion “The Passat was crowned Best Estate Car at our New Car Awards last year with good reason. The blend of space, thoughtful touches and composed road manners makes it a brilliant choice for families.” James Disdale Road test editor IT’S amazing how different cars can affect the way you live. I’ve happily spent the past 10 months driving our Suzuki Vitara, and not once did I feel cramped or devoid of space. Yet within days of getting the keys to our new Volkswagen Passat Estate, I’ve turned into something of an ‘action man’, the Eddie Stobart of Auto Express. I’ve been shifting anything and everything I can fit into the car’s huge 650-litre boot – and the opportunity to move bulky bits about has opened up a…

NEW PRODUCT DOD LS470W dash cam and CELLINK B power bank Price: £199/£159 Contact: 07849 005401, www.hdigital-eye.com, car-dvr.co.uk THE dash cam market has exploded over the past year, and every new model trumps rivals with extra features. The latest is the DOD LS470W, which claims to be the first with ultra-low light sensitivity and ultra-fast GPS positioning. There’s a 150-degree wide-angle view and a 2.7-inch display. A G-sensor trigger will store data in the event of an incident automatically, plus video is date and time stamped to help with insurance claims. There’s a head-up display and a parking mode, too, and you can fix the camera to your screen or dash with a suction cup or adhesive bracket. The DOD LS470W also works with the Cellink B – the first…

“He’d have to pay for aircon to be regassed, and the gearbox and Haldex coupling oil to be changed” AFTER splashing out on a new car, many buyers also opt for a service plan to cover the recommended maintenance for the next few years. For either a one-off fee or set monthly payments your car will remain fully serviced, and in return you won’t encounter unexpected bills when visiting the garage. Except this isn’t always the case. Reader Steve Anderson contacted Auto Express after he discovered the service plan on his 2013 VW Tiguan didn’t cover all the servicing expenses. He found he’d have to pay more to keep his car in line with VW’s standards. Steve, from North Dalton, East Yorks, told Auto Express he bought the plan from…

Sam_Naylor@dennis.co.uk @SamNaylor_AE “Optional Flame Red paint and black alloys on our test car give fantastic style – but they do cost” SO far, 2016 has been the year of the mega-hatch, with the Ford Focus RS, Honda Civic Type R and Audi RS3 all battling for class honours with their incredible performance and ability. So, it would be understandable to forget about the Renaultsport Mégane – after all, this model has been around for six years. If you’re in the market for a hot hatch, however, don’t make that mistake. Renault’s latest version of the hot Mégane is this: the 275 Cup-S. In standard specification, it’s an absolute bargain compared with the £30,000-plus hot hatches mentioned above. Starting from £23,935, the Cup-S gets the most powerful version of Renaultsport’s 2.0-litre…

Countdown PEUGEOT’s fast road cars have something of a cult following – both in the UK and worldwide. And while we all have our favourites, which models are widely considered the best of all-time? Here, we count down our top 10, from the sleek and sexy RCZ R to the iconic 205 GTi and ferocious 106 Rallye. We’ve got the stats, facts and figures, as well as expert insight on each model. But what takes the crown? Read 10 405Mi16 ALTHOUGH it’s neither a hot hatch nor a GTi, the Peugeot 405 Mi16 is still more than worthy of its place in our Peugeot Sport road car top 10 – and not only because of the great TV advertisement that literally took our collective breaths away back in the eighties…

LIKE all the best hot hatches, Peugeot’s finest GTis have always stood out with their all-round abilities. They’ve mixed thrilling agility on twisty B-roads or race tracks with decent comfort and refinement on motorways and fast A-roads. So do the latest models to benefit from the Peugeot Sport treatment live up to the legend? The only way to find out was to put the new 208 GTi and 308 GTi through their paces on a road trip – 800 miles from London to Le Mans and back. Both are now badged ‘by Peugeot Sport’ to leave buyers in no doubt about their talents, and from the smile on his face, news editor Richard Ingram has enjoyed the drive to our rendez-vous point at Folkestone in the 308 GTi as much…

“DKR features a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel punching 350bhp through the rear wheels” PEUGEOT 2008 DKR Driver: Stephane Peterhansel Co-driver: Jean-Paul Cottret Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel Power: 350bhp Torque: 800Nm Maximum rpm: 5,000rpm Transmission: Six-speed sequential automatic, rear-wheel-drive Chassis: Tube frame, carbon-fibre cockpit Length/width/height: 4,284mm/2,200m/1,794mm Wheelbase: 3,000mm Wheel travel: 460mm Brakes: 355mm steel discs, four-piston monobloc calipers Wheels: 17-inch x 8.5-inch magnesium alloys Tyres: Michelin 37/12.5 x 17 raid tyres Fuel tank: 400 litres Maximum speed: 124mph “Peterhansel smiles genially, then attacks the rutted, lumpy terrain as if he hates the car” THERE’S only one man you should sit beside in a rally raider if you want to know what it takes to win the Dakar. Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel won the world’s most demanding off-road race six times on bikes and,…

Results 1st MINI IN virtually every way the MINI has the measure of the DS 3. It’s cheaper, more efficient and better to drive – but, importantly, the fully folding roof adds an extra dimension to the experience that neither rival here can compete with. Add a modicum of practicality, and the Cooper Convertible comes out on top. Just watch the price when choosing from the costly options list, though. 2nd FIAT LOW CO2 emissions and an affordable price tag make the 500C an attractive compact convertible. It’s not the fastest choice, but speed isn’t everything. The focus is more on fashion, which is where the Fiat scores highly. It’s also still good fun from behind the wheel, but should be frugal to run. However, the small boot and back…

Graham_Hope@dennis.co.uk Second opinion “The Sorento’s trip to Warwickshire was a rare trip out of London, and this regular urban use is taking its toll on fuel economy. A figure of 25.2mpg isn’t great. However, it’s the only blot on the copybook of the otherwise impressive Kia.” Dean Gibson Deputy road test edito “Whether it was traversing fields or negotiating muddy paths, the Sorento was never knocked out of its stride” OUR Kia Sorento has excelled on the suburban streets of south-east London during its eight-month stay with us. But with standard four-wheel drive, it’s capable of much more than the nursery run – so we decided to venture further afield to thoroughly put it through its paces. And where better to test its mettle than at the beautiful Heart of…

PRODUCT GROUP TEST 18 | 5 | 2016 Every week, we extensively test all the latest car kit from tyres to trim cleaners. Log on to www.autoexpress.co.uk to look through our huge online test archive. WHETHER you’re into kayaking, biking or simply run a smaller car safe in the knowledge a roof box will cope with the holiday luggage, a set of bars is essential. They unlock the potential for carrying loads on the roof, but as you might not want to leave them on permanently, simple fitting and removal is key. So which of eight sets makes your summer getaway painless? We put eight top-sellers through their paces. How we tested them EACH roof bar was road tested to check noise levels, and we also assessed the initial assembly…

FOR years BMW sold its products using the slogan ‘The ultimate driving machine’ – and with a reputation for building brilliant drivers’ cars, you’d think it would have a back catalogue of two-seater roadsters. However, apart from the rare and costly fifties’ 507, BMW shunned two-seaters for most of its 100-year history. It wouldn’t be until the 1996 Z3 that the brand would tap into the affordable sports car market. While the Z3 wasn’t a bad start, the original Z4 was far superior – and its Mk2 replacement was even better thanks to its sleeker design, coupé-cabrio format and improved dynamics. With the summer here at last, now’s the time to track one down. History THE second-generation Z4 reached the UK in August 2009. Initially there were 204bhp sDrive23i, 258bhp…

1 Land Rover Discovery THE Discovery still leads the premium SUV pack. It’s spacious, comfortable, smooth and refined, as well as simply unbeatable off the beaten track. It’s well worth the extra outlay over the Toyota. 2 Toyota Land Cruiser IT’S a supremely able performer in the rough and well equipped, but the Land Cruiser seems dated inside and the soft, bouncy suspension and underpowered diesel spoil the driving experience. Discovery 3.0 SDV6 HSE Years: 2010 to date Engine: 3.0-litre V6, 253bhp Ins group: 39 Official econ/CO2: 35.3mpg/213g/km Why? Few cars can match the Disco for refinement, comfort and off-road ability, if you can afford to run it. Prices from: £15,500 Land Cruiser 3.0 D-4D Invincible Years: 2008 to date Engine: 3.0-litre 4cyl, 185bhp Ins group: 38 Official econ/CO2: 34.9mpg/213g/km…

“Tell-tale RS design cues are evident, with oversized air intakes and bulging arches housing large alloy wheels” Sam_Naylor@dennis.co.uk @SamNaylor_AE HOT on the heels of the A6 due next year will be an all-new, sportier RS5, based on the A4 and yet-to-be-revealed A5. Spy shots have shown a prototype undergoing testing at Germany’s Nürburgring. Look closely, and tell-tale RS design cues are evident, with oversized air intakes and bulging arches housing large alloy wheels. The model gets a sleeker design than the current car (right), with sharper headlights, a more muscular-looking bonnet and slimmer door mirrors. The quad exhaust pipes on this test mule are likely to be changed to the traditional RS oval design when the car arrives in showrooms, too. Both the rear screen and bootlid appear more upright…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn “Extra shove lower in the rev range, along with extra flexibility it brings, only strengthens the car’s appeal” IF you’re in the market for a new Porsche 911, one thing you won’t be short on is choice. In total there are 16 models to select from; some are coupés, others convertibles, while a handful come with four-wheel drive. But what we have here, the 911 Carrera 4S, makes a case for itself as being the pick of the bunch. It costs from £90,843, which in terms of price puts it in the lower to middle tier. As with every standard 911, it now comes with a 3.0-litre twin-turbo flat-six which, in this S guise, produces 414bhp and 500Nm of torque. It’s a dramatic change from the old 3.8-litre…

Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram PEUGEOT Sport’s illustrious history dates back 35 years, with its wide-ranging success covering everything from rallying to Le Mans. But all the tech and expertise also filters down into its finely tuned road cars. Here, we take at look at the brand’s evolution from race to road, counting down its greatest hits, riding in some of its most exciting cars and speaking to the people behind the magic.…

“Under its skin, the Racing Cup is similar to the 308 GTi, albeit with an FIA-standard rollcage” “Racing Cup is 106mm wider and 35mm longer than regular GTi, and looks even meaner in the flesh” Essentials PEUGEOT 308 RACING CUP Price: £60,000 (est) Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl turbo Power: 304bhp Transmission: Six-speed sequential automatic, front-wheel drive 0-62mph: 5.0 secs (est) Top speed: 175mph (est) THE 308 Racing Cup is Peugeot Sport’s latest race car. It’s designed and engineered in-house, by the people responsible for the roadgoing 308 GTi. And this successor to the RCZ Racing Cup in Peugeot’s singlemake series best illustrates Peugeot Sport’s collision of road and race. Powered by a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged engine derived from that of the standard GTi, the race car develops an additional 38bhp –…

Joe_Finnerty@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer “The exhaust has been redesigned, the engine retuned and it’s gone on a diet” Engine AT the heart of the 308 GTi is a 1.6-litre THP petrol turbo engine with 247bhp or 266bhp and 330Nm of torque. Forged aluminium pistons, polymer-enhanced bearings and reinforced bolts help take the strain. Suspension PEUGEOT put its 308 GTi through rigorous testing on the four-poster bench at its Belchamp technical centre in France to ensure it could deal with uneven UK roads. Vertical jacks allow each wheel to accelerate up to 4m/s at 50g. The car is run on the bench for six weeks, then on the site’s tracks for 20 weeks. It endures intense heat and light to simulate three years and 149,000 miles of ownership. Exhausts EXHAUST manifold is crafted…

HOW TO ENTER To win this exclusive prize, simply answer the question below... QUESTION Who of the following isn’t a Peugeot Sport FIA World Rallycross Championship driver? • Timmy Hansen • Kevin Hansen • Hank Hansen To enter and for full terms and conditions, please visit autoexpress.co.uk/peugeotsport THE PRIZE INCLUDES ● Two tickets to round 8 of the FIA World Rallycross Championship in Lohéac, France, on 2-4 September 2016 ● A return Flexiplus Eurotunnel crossing ● The loan of a 208 GTi or 308 GTi by Peugeot Sport ● Three nights accommodation ● Access to Peugeot Sport hospitality throughout the weekend ● A meet and greet with the Peugeot Sport World Rallycross team…

Mercedes GLS 350d AMG Line Price: £69,110 Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel, 255bhp 0-60mph: 7.8 seconds Test economy: 26.7mpg/5.9mpl CO2: 199g/km Annual road tax: £270 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI quattro S line Price: £53,840 Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel, 268bhp 0-60mph: 6.3 seconds Test economy: 31.4mpg/6.9mpl CO2: 153g/km Annual road tax: £185 BIG luxury SUVs are becoming more and more popular, as car makers launch new models to tap into this lucrative market. And with high-end manufacturers such as Bentley, Maserati and Rolls-Royce stepping into the ring, the current crop needs a shake-up to remain competitive. One mainstay at the premium end of the class is the Mercedes GL, and the vast seven-seater has been given a refresh as part of the brand’s SUV range expansion, so it’s now badged the GLS.…

Results 1stAUDI THE Q7 isn’t as spacious as the GLS, but that will only be an issue if you need to use all seven seats on every trip you make. In every other area, it’s the Audi that has the advantage. It’s more efficient and offers similar performance and better handling, plus it has plenty of hi-tech kit. And as it costs significantly less to buy, you can splash out on options and still undercut the Mercedes on price. 2nd MERCEDES REBRANDING Mercedes’ largest SUV as the offroad S-Class is a big step, although in a lot of ways, the GLS pulls it off. It’s luxurious and is easily the most spacious seven-seater around, while the Q7 only matches its plush ride if you add air-suspension. However, the GLS is…

NEW PRODUCT Carrera slot cars Price: From £30 Contact: www.hobbyco.net SLOT car maker Carrera has updated its range with a number of new high-performance models ready to race. The first is the Chevrolet Corvette C7.R. The fullsized version it’s based on has recorded several wins in US endurance events, and although the legendary Corvette has lost a little of its old-fashioned American muscle car charm over the years, it’s still an attractive machine, and Carrera’s carefully detailed slot car version will make a fine addition to any collection. Another race car now immortalised in slot car form by Carrera is the Porsche GT3 RSR Lechner Racing, based on the endurance race winner. The GT3 RSR set a lap record at Germany’s Nürburgring race track for nonturbocharged cars, while the 911’s…

YOUR VIEWS ON YOUR CARS 2016 Results Model S Factfile Years: 2014 to present CO2: 0g/km Fuel economy: N/A Best features: Extra rear seats, Autopilot, 17-inch touchscreen, parking camera, Bluetooth Prices: From £51,995 OVERALL SCORE 97.46% Bars show where model finished out of 150 cars in our 2016 survey. The lower the rating the better GOOD “IT’S the best car I have ever owned or driven. My next car will definitely be a Tesla.” “Great acceleration, quiet cabin, regularly updated infotainment and superb service from Tesla.” “A real game-changer. It’s rewritten the rulebook for large exec saloons.” “I’d never go back to an internal combustion engine out of choice.” “Instant torque never gets boring and the fact it’s full electric makes it better.” “The range is really good for an…

Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk “Efforts to replace race in Moscow with Monaco proved unsuccessful” FORMULA E is facing disruption to its schedule as its second season draws to a close. One planned round in Moscow, Russia, has already had to be cancelled due to what the series called “unforeseen circumstances related to road closures”, while the finale in London’s Battersea Park is facing a legal challenge from residents. This weekend’s round of the electric single-seater series in the German capital Berlin is going ahead as planned, albeit in a different location to last year’s Tempelhof Airport, which is being used as a refugee accommodation centre. A new circuit closer to central Berlin will be used instead. Efforts to replace the Moscow event with a race in Monaco (which Formula E visited in its…