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THE McLaren name is so evocative here in the UK, it comes as a surprise that it’s hardly known at all in other parts of the world – including the US. That’s not only down to F1’s invisibility in the States, but the fact that McLaren Automotive is still one of the world’s newest car companies, only formed in 2010. So it’s nothing short of miraculous to see how far it’s come in such a short time, producing incredible cars like the 600LT Spider (Page 28) and the 720S Spider (you’ll have to wait until next week for that). While some British car makers are struggling, McLaren is going from strength to strength. As others are shedding workers, McLaren is busy recruiting. Last year, the Woking-based firm recorded global sales…

John_Mcllroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy THIS is the Citroen AMI ONE, probably the slowest concept car to be revealed by a major manufacturer at the Geneva Motor Show, and certainly one of the smallest. It’s a pure-electric two-seater that can, in theory, be driven by young people aged 16 and above. That’s because it fits into quadricycle regulations – the same formula used by several small-scale French manufacturers, plus Renault with its Twizy. The AMI ONE – so called because it references classic Citroens of old, incorporates the word ‘friend’ and suggests it will be the smallest model the firm will ever make – is, in effect, a design concept created on the brief of a modern-day 2CV. Citroen’s interior design chief Jean-Arthur Madelaine told us: “When the 2CV was created for the…

Glimpse inside new electric Skoda SUV SKODA has issued another teaser image ahead of the Geneva Motor Show, where it will introduce an electric SUV concept using Volkswagen’s MEB platform. The sketch of the cabin of the Vision iV (above) reveals a more futuristic take on the design introduced on the Scala. While the shape of the dash is reminiscent of the new hatchback’s, it is topped with a huge floating touchscreen and instrument panel. The centre console has been removed, too, to create space. Porsche buyers could face no-deal tariff KO PORSCHE customers are being asked to sign documents leaving them liable to pay 10 per cent extra for their cars if the UK leaves the EU without a trade deal and fresh import tariffs are imposed. But it…

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @AxleIngram THERE seems to be a fight ongoing between two VW Group brands to earn the title of the ‘world’s fastest SUV’. Lamborghini’s Urus wrestled the crown from the Bentley Bentayga W12, but it didn’t hold it for long: now the British marque has fought back with its new Bentayga Speed. While the title goes back to Crewe for the time being, it’s only a slim victory. Officially, the new Bentayga Speed will max out at 306kmh (190.1mph). The Urus achieves ‘just’ 305kmh – that’s 189.5mph to you or I. That record-breaking maximum comes courtesy of a 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12. Its 626bhp total output is 26bhp up on the previous range-topping Bentayga’s, while maximum torque remains unchanged at 900Nm. A retuned exhaust system gives the Speed a more purposeful…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress Write to: Watchdog/Letters, Auto Express, Dennis Publishing Ltd, 31-32 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7DP HOT TOPIC New BMW 7 Series FROM: Adrian P I’VE seen the reaction the 7 Series has provoked online, and it depresses me how everyone has, once again, criticised a controversial design. The truth of the matter is that until you see a car in the metal, you don’t really know what it looks like. FROM: Freewheeler THIS is an example of a handsome car being spoiled by a facelift. It might appeal in some markets, but it will be a turn-off to Europeans. That huge grille must be the elephant in the room when BMW designers meet up with their rivals. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ▪ “While big grilles are obviously all…

Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk @stevefowler “It’s an intoxicating experience and shows no discernable differences from the fixed-roof car” WE know that the McLaren 600LT is an incredible car. Back in September (Issue 1,543) we gave it a rare five-star rating, while our sister magazine evo named it Car of the Year. So along comes the convertible Spider version and it gets the same plaudits, surely? Well, let’s just talk through the differences before we give our verdict. In terms of the 0-60mph time, the stat stays the same, at a swift 2.8 seconds, in spite of a 50kg weight gain due to the motorised roof. Top speed drops slightly to a still-scintillating 201mph, and all that comes at a price of £201,500 before options – up £16,000 on the fixed-roof 600LT. So is…

John_Mcllroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy ALONG with the hatchback (left) and the Touring Sports estate, Toyota is offering the new Corolla as a saloon. It’ll sell in tiny numbers, the firm admits, but bosses hope it’ll appeal to some owners of the Avensis, which was axed last year. The four-door sits on the longer of the two Corolla wheelbases, so it should offer the same slightly larger rear cabin as the Touring Sports estate. It’s exactly the same price as the hatchback, and in the UK at least, it’s available only as a 1.8-litre hybrid. Unlike the other two body styles, incidentally, it’s not built in Britain; the saloons are made in Turkey. It’s a neatly styled thing, with different bumpers, headlamps and tail-lights, and oddly, an extra shade in the colour palette…

MODEL TESTED: Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC PRICE: £35,580 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 302bhp THE Mercedes-AMG A 35 currently sits at the top of the A-Class range. It’s the most expensive model of our group, at £35,580, although our test car was laden with expensive options, including the £2,595 style pack that adds the large rear wing. Design & engineering THAT spoiler, 19-inch alloys and aerodynamic trim on the bumpers are all part of the styling pack, because the standard A 35 looks much like a lesser AMG Line version. But AMG has applied plenty of tweaks beneath the skin to sharpen up the A-Class’s responses and make the most of its 302bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. There are MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link set-up at the rear, while…

Mercedes-AMG A 35 MBUX (10.25-inch) £1,395 option Key features: Large dual screens, nav OUR A 35 test car was fitted with the £3,895 Premium Plus pack, so it featured two 10.25-inch screens. They’re great, but the Mercedes drops points here because they’re not included as standard. The left-hand unit is a touchscreen, although there are touch-sensitive controllers on the centre console and steering wheel. None is ideal while on the move, because the Mercedes’ bumpy ride impedes accuracy. However, the touchscreen is the most responsive of the three here, and also has the sharpest, most modern look. The menus aren’t the easiest to flip between, but you do get a new sat-nav system that displays directions over a live view of the road ahead; it’s called augmented reality. Android Auto…

FORD’S Global B small car platform is a triumph. It means the Fiesta is great to drive, and its sporty credentials have only been enhanced with this ST-Line version. It doesn’t offer the same levels of thrills as its ST sibling, but there’s still a hint of that car’s fun, effervescent character in this lower rung of the Fiesta ladder. The steering is fast, lighter than the Yaris’s, but even more accurate, so combined with the Ford’s lighter kerbweight – it doesn’t have to carry around a heavy and old-school Nickel hydride battery like the hybrid Toyota, remember – it’s much more agile, changing direction in a way that seems to shrug off even tighter corners. It’s helped by a suspension set-up that offers plenty of cornering composure. It’s firm,…

Kim_Adams@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer OUR X-Class has been brilliant so far. It brings a new level of comfort to proven pick-up practicality, and its departure would normally mean a sense of loss. But while our four-cylinder X 250 d is now gone, I’m going to be running the V6-powered X 350 d instead. Right to the end, the X 250 d continued to impress, particularly with its compliant ride and effortless towing. I don’t suppose the big pick-up was too popular with my neighbours, although some were happy to take advantage of its large load bay. The last trip to the dump was to ditch a huge metal office cupboard – much easier to transport in a tough plastic-lined load bay than in an easily scuffed SUV interior. We’ve only notched up…

Not long to go to save on chain store deals THERE’S still a week to go on Halfords’ ‘Free for all February’ offers. As the name suggests, it’s a selection of free extras, saving customers money when they buy certain items. Included in the offer is free fitting of roof bars, dash cams or Pure digital radio adaptors. Customers will also receive a free detergent when they buy any Kärcher pressure washer (right), two sets of headphones with any Nextbase dual in-car DVD player, and an inspection light if they buy any Halfords Advanced socket set. The offers run until the end of the month. Stoplock explains its security switch SECURITY firm Stoplock has clarified why it will no longer use Thatcham approval for its line of steering wheel locks.…

PRODUCT GROUP TEST 20 | 2 | 2019 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 STORING your tools together makes losing them less likely, keeps them clean and means they’re easier to transport. But when considering a toolbox, practicality is a factor as well; while a large box carries more, it’s heavier and trickier to carry. Plastic (typically, polypropylene) boxes are lighter and just as strong as steel products. They also have no sharp edges, so are unlikely to damage your car in transit. Equally, plastic boxes won’t rust or seize. All the products we tested had an eye for securing with a padlock and some had organiser cases, which…

John_Mcllroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy THIS is the new Ford Focus ST, which will get more power than ever as it prepares to go into battle with the Renault Mégane R.S., Honda Civic Type R and the next generation of VW Golf GTI. The Mk4 ST will pack up to 12 per cent more power and 17 per cent more torque than the previous iteration. Those gains are likely to be necessary as the car squares up to the 316bhp Civic (tested on Page 36) and, within the next 12 months, a hot Mk8 Golf that’s expected to have up to 300bhp. Ford is continuing to offer the ST with a choice of petrol or diesel power, and the option of an Estate body style as well as the regular five-door. The 2.3-litre…

Luke_Wilkinson@dennis.co.uk @LT_Wilkinson THIS is our best look yet at the all-new, eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf. Our spy photographers caught this near-production-ready model on camera, midway through a hasty three-point turn. It is longer than the car it’s set to replace, and its headlights sit lower, adopting the brand’s ‘double hexagon’ signature. The bumpers are likely to be placeholders for the production model, however, while the tail-lamps remain hidden under masking. Despite the updates, the car is still recognisable as VW’s evergreen family hatch. Instead of focusing on the bodywork, engineers have completely overhauled the Golf under the skin, adding new hybrid technology and fresh engine options. Volkswagen says the Mk8’s cabin will undergo “a revolution” in design, ahead of the next wave of tech and digitisation. Design boss Klaus Bischoff said…

A NEW hot MINI is on the way – and it’s set to get a VW Golf R-beating 300bhp-plus. The John Cooper Works GP III, to give it its full title, is expected to use a heavily reworked version of the 2.0-litre turbo unit fitted to the current MINI John Cooper Works. Expect a larger turbo, an uprated intercooler and a new exhaust to boost power well beyond the existing 228bhp. Previewed in a selection of teaser images, the JCW GP III looks set to get a much wilder bodykit than any current MINI, too. Inspired by the 2017 MINI GP Concept, it will feature dramatic aerodynamic sculpting to the front bumper, leading into flared wheelarches. These are necessary to accommodate a wider front and rear track, and fatter alloy…

James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor SEE the new Bentayga Speed in action and take a look at the Lambo Urus. Both videos are at youtube.com/Autoexpress. Watch world-beating Bentley on the road NEXT month, the annual Geneva Motor Show takes place, and as usual I’ll be reporting live from the event. The new Bentayga Speed (left) will take centre stage on the Bentley stand, and I’ll be there to show you around. In the meantime, though, head over to our YouTube channel to see it in action. Lamborghini Urus walkaround video AS you’ve read, the Lamborghini Urus was the world’s fastest production SUV until its Bentley cousin stole the crown. But just because it’s been eclipsed in the Top Trumps stakes doesn’t take away from the appeal of this 189mph monster. And our walkaround video…

LARGE executive cars should be banned from the road in order to tackle climate change, according to a leading environmental scientist. Professor Kevin Anderson, from the University of Manchester, told a conference on emissions and low-carbon transport in London: “When I walked here, I passed a great big Audi sports car probably emitting 250g/km of carbon dioxide, two huge four-wheel-drives carrying some male egos and a massive great big Mercedes limo. Now, why on Earth, if we’re serious about climate change in 2019, are they allowed on our roads?” Anderson, who is head of energy and climate change at the University of Manchester’s School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, also accused governments of failing to address climate change adequately, and then suggested radical moves to do so. He declared:…

THE following provide help with motoring problems. Some services are free, others charge a fee or operate on premium-rate lines (p), while some offer advice for members only (m) Legal AA: 0345 850 1130 (m) RAC: 0330 159 1446 (m) Which?: 01992 878329 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: 01722 422422 AA: 0800 316 3564 DVLA: 0300 790 6802 RAC: 0330 159 0364 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…

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @AxleIngram THE Renault Kadjar SUV has been a popular choice within the family crossover class since its launch four years ago. Now, for 2019, the range has received a host of updates to keep it competitive against the likes of the Skoda Karoq, Volkswagen Tiguan and Nissan Qashqai. We first drove the revised car late last year (Issue 1,555), and this is our first chance to try it in the UK. There’s a tweaked exterior design front and rear, minor cabin improvements and the introduction of a new mid-spec trim level. The Kadjar ‘S Edition’ sits between the existing Iconic and GT Line models, neatly splitting the £3,000 price gap right down the middle. Every engine option in the range is either all new or has been heavily revised.…

Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram WE already rate the new Ford Focus Estate among the very best family cars on sale, and declared the range-topping Focus Vignale the most convincing posh Ford yet following our first drive in Issue 1,551. So does combining the two make the Vignale Estate the best Focus to date? It certainly isn’t short on appeal. The Vignale is just as practical and versatile as a standard Estate, with a big boot and cabin. Load capacity stands at 608 litres with the seats up, or 1,653 litres when they’re down; not far shy of the biggest cars in this class. Standard kit includes LED lights, dual-zone climate control, a reversing camera and SYNC 3 with CarPlay and Android Auto. The glorious Panorama roof (£995) floods the interior with light,…

MODEL TESTED: Honda Civic Type R GT PRICE: £33,525 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 316bhp HONDA offers the Civic Type R in two forms: standard and GT. Here we’re testing the £33,525 GT, which matches these rivals for kit but works out cheaper to buy. It’s our current favourite hot hatch, so it’s the model to beat. Design & engineering THE Honda Civic Type R is already a legendary hot hatch. While the current 2.0-litre turbo isn’t an all-time great (especially next to the high-revving motors in previous Type Rs), it produces 316bhp and 400Nm of torque, so it’s the most powerful car here. As with its rivals, the Honda features struts at the front and a multi-link rear, but unlike the A 35 and Golf R, the Honda is front-wheel drive…

NEW: BMW M140i 5dr PRICE: £36,550 ENGINE: 3.0-litre 6cyl, 335bhp THE BMW M140i offers something different in this class, because drive. It’s great fun to drive and that smooth and powerful unit is one of the best at this price. There’s a new, front-wheel-drive 1 Series coming soon, so act fast. USED: Audi RS 3 (2016) PRICE: £31,750 ENGINE: 2.5-litre 5cyl, 362bhp AUDI’S RS 3 is much more expensive to buy new than the A 35, but go for a late 2016 model and it’s within budget. We found one with 23,000 miles for less than £32,000. The RS 3 has an incredible engine, four-wheel-drive traction and a high-quality cabin.…

Volvo V60 AS we reported in Issue 1,560, our Volvo V60’s limited connectivity options were beginning to grate. We hadn’t specified ‘Smartphone Integration’, so our gleaming red wagon came without Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. But reviews and features editor Richard Ingram discovered the set-up could be retrofitted, so he booked the car into Volvo Cars West London. The pack, which consists of an extra USB data port in the central storage bin, plus Apple and Android operating software, costs £300 as a factory option. We paid just a little more (£350) for the retro installation, which seemed reasonable given the labour required. Volvo Cars West London’s service was excellent, and the car came back spotless, too. The dealer also carried out an update on the sat-nav, which staff said…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Burning question on smoking I’VE got friends who smoke cigarettes while they are driving. I always thought it was illegal to do this. Is it an offence to puff away when you’re behind the wheel? Tom Williams, E-mail A WHILE there is no specific offence of smoking while driving, in much the same way as drinking or eating, or any other distraction behind the wheel, if coupled with bad driving or if those actions caused an accident, it could lead to a careless driving charge. It is illegal to smoke in a car with a roof if a person under 18 is present. Q Testing Mot failure chances MY Mazda MX-5 is getting on a bit now and I’ve noticed some rust under the…

PHILIPS is the latest lighting specialist to update its challengers in the fast-moving LED work light market, aiming more at the professional end of the sector. The new lights may have pro credentials, but how do they rate against our test-winning Sealey LED180? We tried both the full-size RCH25 and the compact RCH5S against the multiple test-winning SlimFlex Sealey, assessing what you get for your money, beam brightness and spread. Extras such as charge and battery state indicators, low-power modes and mounting options were also rated. Battery life was checked and we factored in cost from makers and online sources. Sealey hangs onto its crown, but it was a close-run verdict with the large Philips, despite the SlimFlex model’s considerable price advantage. Its combination of decent beam and versatility means…

YOUR VIEWS ON YOUR CARS 2018 Results C-Class Factfile Years: 2014 to present CO2: 113g/km Fuel economy: 57.7mpg (C 200 d) Best options: Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, 360-degree camera, AEB, adaptive cruise Used prices: From £8,799 OVERALL SCORE 91.19% Bars show where model finished out of 75 vehicles in our 2018 new car survey. The longer the bar the better • GOOD “ENGINE is responsive and powerful when needed, but also capable of returning excellent fuel economy.” “There’s a lot of space in the boot; it’s easy to carry large and small items alike.” “Auto gearbox is seamless in its changes and responds quickly on kickdown.” “The C-Class has a sleek, chic, understated style; the DRLs look particularly good.” “Materials have a high-quality feel; fit and finish are perfect.” “Very comfortable…

Motoring’s most outspoken and opinionated columnist sounds off “If Jag is to turn things round, it has to get across the message that its cars are world class. And some are insanely good value” CAR company slogans, taglines, catchphrases – call them what you will – nobody pays any attention to them, right? At least they don’t when a firm such as Mazda devotes all of five minutes and a budget of a fiver, if that, coming up with a line as meaningless as “Zoom-Zoom”. Then there’s Cadillac’s “the new standard for the world” cry, which is much better, but plain wrong. “Below standard” would be more accurate. At Britain’s best-loved company, Jaguar, there’s much pain on the financial, employment, production, sales and other fronts just now. And, with this…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn THE wraps have just come off the hot Focus ST (Page 8), but later this year, a new car that’s arguably much more important to Ford’s future will enter showrooms: the third-generation Kuga. Due to arrive in dealers towards the end of 2019, the SUV is being tasked with not only stealing sales from the likes of the Volkswagen Tiguan and Renault Kadjar (driven on Page 30), but also assisting with reversing the brand’s fortunes in Europe and helping boost its profits in the region. The Kuga is Ford’s strongest-performing SUV on the continent; the firm sold 153,800 examples in Europe last year despite the car falling behind rivals in terms of comfort, refinement and availability of plug-in hybrid powertrains. But that is due to change with the…

THE special-edition Range Rover Sport HST has been unleashed. It features an all-new mild-hybrid 3.0-litre straight-six turbo, and a range of exclusive interior and exterior trim. On sale now, the HST costs £81,250. The new engine generates 394bhp and 550Nm of torque, and is assisted by an electrically driven compressor via a 48V mild-hybrid system. As a result, the car will sprint from 0-62mph in just 6.2 seconds and hit a maximum speed of 140mph. Thanks to that mild-hybrid system, Land Rover claims the Sport HST returns 30.5mpg fuel economy and emits 213g/km of CO2. The system can also recover energy using regenerative braking and store it in the battery for use later. On the outside, the special-edition Range Rover Sport gets one of two alloy wheel designs, a choice…

VOLKSWAGEN has released a sketch of its new T-Roc R. Due for unveil at next month’s Geneva Motor show, the performance SUV will get aggressive styling, a redesigned cabin and the engine from a Golf R. This is our first glimpse of the production-ready newcomer. It follows a stream of spy shots and teaser videos from Volkswagen, confirming the flagship. VW’s official sketch gives a reasonable indication of how the car will look. Aside from the oversized wheels, we expect the T-Roc R to adopt a wider track and lower ride height, and for a ‘dog-bone’ lower grille to feature in the front bumper. Test cars caught by our spies borrowed the golf R’s deep rear bumper and quad pipes, and inside we expect sports seats with contrast stitching. We’ve…

ASTON Martin has released a tantalising teaser image of its mid-engined hypercar, codenamed Project 003. The image (above) is our first official look at the brand’s Ferrari LaFerrari rival. It will feature a hybrid turbo V6 powertrain developing close to 1,000bhp, and 500 examples will go on sale in late 2021. The car is designed to sit beneath the Adrian Newey-designed Valkyrie in Aston’s line-up, and the picture shows it will have some similarly extreme aerodynamic profiling, such as the Le Mans Prototype-style rear shoulders and two large venturi tunnels. Active aerodynamic elements have been confirmed. The exhausts exit directly from the engine bay, further hinting at the newcomer’s performance potential. With the Geneva Motor Show around the corner, a close-to-production concept could well emerge within weeks, while Aston has…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn THESE images are our first official look at Audi’s Geneva show star: another e-tron concept, previewing what will be the fourth all-electric Audi when it arrives in production form towards the end of 2020. The brand has confirmed that the show car, called the Q4 e-tron concept, directly previews a showroom-bound model for the next decade, but little else. However, Auto Express understands that this will be the first Audi to sit on the Volkswagen Group’s dedicated MEB electric car platform. Audi’s sketches reveal a compact SUV with a coupé-inspired, rakish rear end and a highly-digitalised cabin. It features a cab-forward design, making use of the lack of engine up front to maximise interior space. The front end appears to be a slightly updated take on the firm’s…

ELECTRIC cars are cheaper to own and run than petrol or diesel models, even after their initial higher list prices are taken into account, according to a new study. The International Council for Clean Transportation analysed the overall cost of owning petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric variants of the Volkswagen Golf hatchback over four years. Researchers found the pure-electric e-Golf was the cheapest model in all ownership areas, offering a five per cent saving compared with a diesel Golf thanks to reduced maintenance costs, tax obligations, buying subsidies and the relatively low cost of electricity. But while the e-Golf was cheaper than its petrol and diesel stablemates to run, the plug-in hybrid Golf GTE was more expensive thanks to its relatively high purchase price and lesser savings on fuel, tax and…

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @AxleIngram THE Hangar Straight is the fastest part of Silverstone, which itself is one of the fastest race tracks in the UK. Braking as hard and late as you dare for Stowe corner takes nerve when you’re driving flat out in a near-two-tonne Skoda Kodiaq vRS at the best of times, but the sense of peril is intensified in thick fog. Not to mention the snow banks lining a track surface of 80cm-thick ice. The notion that Silverstone is a bleak, arctic landscape might be believable to anyone who’s stood on its infield in the middle of winter, but we’re a long way from Northants. However, we are driving the Grand Prix circuit: this is The Home of British Motorsport, only carved, in 1:1 scale, onto the surface of…

John_Mcllroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy Electric motor Power/range 70bhp/31 miles THE new Toyota Corolla looks like the right car at the right time – with hybrid powertrains across much of its range and a British manufacturing base. We were impressed when we tried a prototype last year (Issue 1,549), but now we’ve got the lower-powered hybrid in production form. The Corolla is actually being offered with a choice of three powertrains, because despite initial statements, Toyota GB has decided to produce a non-hybrid, 1.2-litre turbo petrol version on some trim levels. Yet the vast majority of Corollas sold will be electrified. There’s the 2.0-litre model we sampled before, and the more conventional (and more familiar, since it’s closely related to the current Toyota Prius and C-HR) 1.8-litre we’re trying. Performance is respectable, but…

MODEL TESTED: Volkswagen Golf R DSG 5dr PRICE: £34,910 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 306bhp THE Volkswagen Golf R set the blueprint for modern hot hatch design with its potent engine, four-wheel-drive layout and practical body. Prices for WLTP-homologated models haven’t been released, but you can buy a brand-new 2018 car from stock for £34,910, which sits between its rivals here. Design & engineering UNDER the skin of the Golf is the VW Group’s MQB platform, which is the basis of many different models. It’s versatile, too, which allows the R variant to use four-wheel drive. As with its competitors here, there are struts at the front and a multi-link rear axle, while the VW has a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox like the A 35. The 2.0-litre petrol engine produces 306bhp and the…

Steve_Walker@dennis.co.uk Second opinion “The eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system is one of the slickest you’ll find at this price and a real asset to the Karoq. Whether you’re programming the sat-nav or adjusting the driving modes, the controls are simple enough to be operated without diverting too much attention from the road.” CABIN While the sliding rear seats are a good feature, we’d have liked to have a little extra legroom in the first place. Door bins provide plenty of storage for odds and ends that’s easy to access Performance 0-62mph/top speed 8.9 seconds/126mph Running costs 37.5mpg (on test) £60 fill-up/£140 or 25% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 479-588/1,605 litres HATCHBACKS were once the jack-of-all-trades family cars of choice for UK buyers, but increasingly that mantle is being shared with the…

Alfa Romeo Giulia Issues 1,534, 1,544, 1,550 Audi A6 Avant Issues 1,555, 1,558 Dacia Duster Issue 1,561 Ford Fiesta ST Issues 1,552, 1,557, 1,561 Hyundai Kona Electric Issues 1,551, 1,556, 1,561 Mazda 6 Issues 1,549, 1,555, 1,560 Mercedes A-Class Issues 1,550, 1,559 Mercedes X-Class Issues 1,547, 1,557 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Iss 1,545, 1,553, 1,559, 1,562 Nissan Leaf Iss 1,533, 1,551, 1,555, 1,560 Skoda Karoq Issues 1,536, 1545, 1,552 Suzuki Swift Sport Iss 1,532, 1,541, 1,544, 1,559 Vauxhall Grandland X Iss 1,536, 1,540, 1,548, 1,556 Volkswagen Polo Issues 1,549, 1,558, 1,562 Volvo V60 Issues 1,553, 1,560…

Tatra: The Legacy of Hans Ledwinka Ivan Margolius and John G Henry (Veloce Publishing, www.veloce.co.uk) Price: £55 CZECH firm Tatra has a really interesting history; you might be surprised at how this little-known brand influenced the motoring world, especially Volkswagen and its Beetle. This book is packed with period photos, yet tails off in the post-war era, leaving later Tatras slightly underrepresented. Exceptional Cars: Maserati 4CLT Cristián Bertschi (Porter Press, www.porterpress.co.uk) Price: £30 AUTHOR Bertschi takes a remarkably detailed look at the story of this car, detailing its globetrotting journey. The book also features a personal account from a former owner who describes recreating a 4CLT engine from scratch. It’s well written, and the final studio photoshoot is a highlight. Crazy for Speed Available for: iOS, Android Price: Free DECENT…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Mystery of jerky VW T-Roc MY 1.5-litre petrol Volkswagen T-Roc ‘kangaroos’ in a jerky manner when pulling away in first at low revs, and the dealer is unable to fix it. Have you heard of this issue? Alex McComas, E-mail A WE approached Volkwsagen, and the company confirmed it is aware of reports that some vehicles with the 1.5-litre TSI EVO engine and a manual gearbox “can be slightly hesitant in the cold-running phase”. The brand says it is “currently developing a solution to prevent these rare effects in the affected vehicles”. Q Data concern over new BMW IF I buy a new BMW, is it possible to opt out of the ConnectedDrive scheme so the car doesn’t send any data to the…

Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk EVOLUTION not revolution was the watchword as the majority of Formula 1 teams took the wraps off their new cars for the upcoming 2019 season last week. With comprehensively reworked aero and engine rules on the way for 2021, radical new concepts weren’t expected, and most squads have made logical progressions from the design philosophies used in 2018. Pacesetters Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull are expected to continue dominating the front of the field, but Renault will be looking for a return on its investment, too, especially after signing Daniel Ricciardo. And it’s all to play for in the midfield, with McLaren and Williams fending off the challenge of the manufacturers’ ‘B-teams’ Haas, Alfa Romeo and Toro Rosso, while the reborn Force India begins its first full season under…