Auto Express 1754

EVERYONE loves a banger – a pre-loved motor with plenty of years, miles and owners under its belt that can be bought and kept on the road for peanuts. As is always the case when we have a retro rundown like our 90s special in this issue, I’m straight into the classifieds to see what I can get for not much cash. Mazda MX-5s can be had for under £1,000 (although decent versions of the original model – above – are at least three times that), while first-gen Toyota RAV4s are similar cash. Ford Mondeos of all sorts are even cheaper. But while banger-racing fans need not worry yet about a shortage of cars for the demolition derbies, the future paints a bleak picture for fans of cheap, old cars. Cut a…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler ● New MINI boss hints at plans to build rival to Volkswagen Golf ● Both petrol and fully electric powertrains are being planned MINI’S expansion under new boss Stefanie Wurst could well include a more direct rival for the Volkswagen Golf, Auto Express can reveal, and our exclusive images show how it might look. Already confirmed are new three and five-door Cooper hatchbacks, plus a convertible version, the new Aceman crossover (see P.8), which Wurst described as a “gamified concept”, and a bigger Countryman. Speaking to Auto Express, Wurst said: “We have a small and flat car [Cooper], we have small and high [Aceman] and we have large and high [Countryman]. “But we don’t have large and flat. Another body type is feasible. I’m a big fan of analysing different body types.” MINI insiders revealed to…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk ● New name for Audi e-tron ● Efficiency tweaks raise range “Even the entry-level Q8 e-tron 50 features an upgraded battery with up to 305 miles of range” EVOLUTION improves the breed, and that’s exactly what Audi is doing with its e-tron electric SUV, treating the car to major technology updates, more subtle styling changes and an all-new name, as part of a mid-life refresh. The e-tron SUV becomes the Q8 e-tron, with the new car still available in a choice of two bodystyles – the regular SUV and the swoopier Sportback model – as well as with three powertrain options. These Q8 e-tron models go on sale this month, with prices from around £69,000 and deliveries commencing in February next year. The entry-level Q8 e-tron 50 features an upgraded 95kWh battery with up to…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks ● First car shown by AEHRA ● Saloon to follow in 2023 AEHRA is a new car company aiming to upset a forming EV establishment. And you’d be forgiven for not knowing the brand (which is based in Milan, Italy), given that it was only launched earlier this year. What you see here is AEHRA’s first vehicle – an as-yet-unnamed SUV – which will be followed by a saloon next February. The company says its new SUV “rewrites the automotive design rulebook” and takes inspiration from motorbikes and supercars. Given its size, the car has remarkably sleek proportions, with short overhangs and a windscreen that extends over the front axle for a huge glasshouse. There are also no protruding door handles, which should aid the SUV’s efficiency, along with the tiny digital door mirrors.…

THE Ferrari SF90 Stradale is already the fastest road car ever to lap the brand’s Fiorano test track, but Ferrari is set to push the performance envelope of its V8 hybrid supercar even further with a new, more hardcore ‘Version Speciale’ model. Our spy photographers have captured the car testing, and despite the camouflage it’s clear that the new track-focused model will boast more sophisticated, aggressive aerodynamics to boost downforce and cut lap times. Expect a stripped-out interior to help reduce weight, as well as an even more extreme chassis set-up than the Assetto Fiorano pack-equipped SF90. The standard car’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 and electric motor system develop 986bhp, but it’s thought that the three-motor hybrid set-up could be tuned to deliver more power, as well as improved handling through tweaks to…

Porsche dials up the style on 718 ranges PORSCHE is bolstering its 718 Cayman and Boxster ranges with new Style Edition versions of both models. Based on the entry-level variants, the new cars are priced from £51,600 and £53,600 respectively, and offer the option of Ruby Star Neo paint, as well as other hues. Black exhaust tips, silver badging and 20-inch alloy wheels also feature. Cyclists should be insured, drivers say ONE in three British drivers believe cyclists should be banned from public roads and restricted to cycle paths. According to a Yonder survey of 12,000 drivers, one in three feel that too much funding has been allocated to cycling infrastructure. Meanwhile, seven in 10 said they thought cyclists should need insurance to ride on the road. The Highway Code was updated earlier this year…