Auto Express 1728

AFTER just two years, CEO Tobias Moers is the latest senior executive to go through the well worn exit door at Aston Martin. Insiders and former staff members say he was one of the main reasons so many talented and long-serving employees had already left the business; his management style is, apparently, rather blunt. Sure, the numbers weren’t quite as healthy as shareholders might have wanted and that, no doubt, hastened his departure. But Aston chairman Lawrence Stroll has proved again he’s not afraid of a tough decision. But is he capable of a right decision? In comes 76-year-old former Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa as the new boss. Is that an appointment for the long term? Speaking to investors at Aston Martin’s first-quarter earnings call, Stroll said: “Amedeo is with us for…

James_Brodie@autovia.co.uk @JPBrods ● On the road in the compact SUV that’s aiming to put Alfa back on the map ● Petrol hybrid models offered at launch, plug-in model coming at a later date BETTER late than never? That’s certainly an adage that Alfa Romeo is pinning its hopes on with the Tonale. It’s the brand’s first entry in the compact SUV sector, rivalling the likes of the BMW X1, Mercedes GLA, Volvo XC40 and Audi Q3. Presented in concept form more than three years ago at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, the production version you see here has been developed during a change of ownership for Alfa, bringing with it a new boss with a grand plan to turn the marque fully electric by 2027. As a result, the car has had a few trips…

AFTER just two years, CEO Tobias Moers is the latest senior executive to go through the well worn exit door at Aston Martin. Insiders and former staff members say he was one of the main reasons so many talented and long-serving employees had already left the business; his management style is, apparently, rather blunt. Sure, the numbers weren’t quite as healthy as shareholders might have wanted and that, no doubt, hastened his departure. But Aston chairman Lawrence Stroll has proved again he’s not afraid of a tough decision. But is he capable of a right decision? In comes 76-year-old former Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa as the new boss. Is that an appointment for the long term? Speaking to investors at Aston Martin’s first-quarter earnings call, Stroll said: “Amedeo is with…

AUDI Q3 From: £31,625 THE starting price of the Audi reflects the broader range of models the German brand offers – in reality, the upper-mid spec £37,585 35 TFSI quattro S line is the Tonale’s real rival. Those seeking fun from behind the wheel will look past the Audi in favour of the Alfa, but the Q3 beats the Italian model on quality and is offered with four-wheel drive. It’s ageing a little now though, but a mid-life facelift is coming soon to fix that. HYUNDAI TUCSON From: £29,140 OUR reining champion in this segment, the latest Tucson has seen the Korean brand shoot for the stars with impressive results. An expansive line-up includes pure petrol, mild-hybrid, full-hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. As with the Audi, the Hyundai probably can’t match the Alfa…

James_Brodie@autovia.co.uk @JPBrods ● On the road in the compact SUV that’s aiming to put Alfa back on the map ● Petrol hybrid models offered at launch, plug-in model coming at a later date BETTER late than never? That’s certainly an adage that Alfa Romeo is pinning its hopes on with the Tonale. It’s the brand’s first entry in the compact SUV sector, rivalling the likes of the BMW X1, Mercedes GLA, Volvo XC40 and Audi Q3. Presented in concept form more than three years ago at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, the production version you see here has been developed during a change of ownership for Alfa, bringing with it a new boss with a grand plan to turn the marque fully electric by 2027. As a result, the car…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler ● New version of big seller ● On sale soon, from £79k “At first glance, the new car is still clearly a Range Rover Sport, both in proportion and detail” WHERE a new Range Rover leads, a new Range Rover Sport will surely follow, and only a matter of weeks after our five-star verdict on Land Rover’s new range-topper, along comes its bigger-selling, slightly smaller brother. It’s on sale soon and set to be in showrooms this September. Like its sibling, the Range Rover Sport features familiar styling cues, but with a new sense of minimalism and modernity – so it’s no surprise that Jaguar Land Rover creative director Gerry McGovern says the new model follows his modernist design philosophy: “It blends Range Rover luxury and capability with sporting character. It’s a redefinition of…