Auto Express 1402

IT’S fair to say that Ford has lost its way a little over the past few years – models like the latest Mondeo don’t have the sparkle of cars of old, while the ‘One Ford’ programme means we’ve had to suffer global cars like the EcoSport SUV. But if there’s one thing we Brits have always had a passion for, it’s fast Fords – and 2016 is going to be a cracker on that score. In a few weeks, we’ll be bringing you our verdict on the long-awaited new Focus RS. Before then, we’ve driven a car no less important to Ford – the first-ever right-hand-drive Mustang to be sold in the UK. Yes, this is one of those global Fords, but this time we can celebrate a car that’s…

THE Ford Mustang is one of the most famous cars of all-time; it’s arguably up there with the Volkswagen Beetle, Citroen 2CV and Porsche 911. However, Ford’s best known sports car has never been officially sold in the UK, and even grey imports that made it here have all been left-hand drive. But the brand is making amends with the all-new 2016 model, and Auto Express has got its hands on one of the first UK-spec cars. However, there’s a lot more to the latest Mustang than simply engineering it as a right-hooker, as it’s the first of its kind to get fully independent suspension front and rear, while Ford’s engineers have worked hard to ensure that the car delivers the kind of handling and performance that European customers and…

THE all-new Tiguan, which is set to hit showrooms this summer, will form the basis of a new SUV family from Volkswagen before 2020. Other new arrivals will include a seven-seat Tiguan XL, and a smaller Polo-sized supermini SUV – allowing VW to meet growing global demand. But the Mk2 Tiguan is the big news, so we’ve got the tape measure out, analysed the spec sheet and put it up against its closest rivals (opposite) to see how it fares. Revealed at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the newcomer has a sharp look that’s influenced by the latest Passat, plus more space and greener engines. We were given the chance to have a poke around the car in a studio in Wolfsburg, guided by product marketer for compact cars, Thomas Treptow.…

Nissan Qashqai n-tec 1.6 dCi Price: From £24,980 Engine: 1.6 4cyl diesel, 128bhp Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive 0-62mph: 9.9 seconds Top speed: 118mph Economy: 64.2mpg CO2: 115g/km Boot space: 430/1,585 litres Mazda CX-5 2.2 SE-L Nav Price: From £24,995 Engine: 2.2 4cyl diesel, 148bhp Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive 0-62mph: 9.2 seconds Top speed: 126mph Economy: 61.4mpg CO2: 119g/km Boot space: 503/1,620 litres BMW X1 sDrive18d Sport Price: From £28,280 Engine: 2.0 4cyl diesel, 148bhp Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive 0-62mph: 9.2 seconds Top speed: 127mph Economy: 68.9mpg CO2: 109g/km Boot space: 505/1,550 litres…

JAPANESE and Korean cars are more dependable than their European or US rivals, according to exclusive data provided to Auto Express by leading warranty provider Warrantywise. And we can reveal which brands have the highest – and cheapest – repair bills. Each make was ranked by a dependability factor, based on the number of reported faults or breakdowns, with a score of 75 representing the average. Any rating above that is considered good; below 60 signifies a high incidence of repair work is required. Average costs, age and model were also considered. To be included in the data, each brand was required to have at least 100 active Warrantywise policies, and in our tables analysing the cost of repairs (right), we’ve listed the models with the most policies. Toyota was…

LEARNER drivers will be allowed to practise on motorways before their driving test, while drivers caught using a hand-held mobile phone at the wheel will be more heavily punished under new Government road safety proposals. The policies are part of a £2million research programme into driver education that also includes ideas to improve safety for cyclists and motorcyclists and extra cash for police officers to enforce road rules. Currently, motorists are only allowed on the motorway once they have passed their practical driving test, despite never having driven on the roads before – an issue that’s concerned road safety groups for years. However, under the new Department for Transport (DfT) plans, learners would be offered the opportunity to take a motorway driving lesson with an approved driving instructor in a…