Auto Express 1589

THIS week’s Auto Express shows that EVs have gone from emerging alternatives, suitable only for early-adopter technophiles curious to explore the latest advances on the market, to mainstream vehicles applicable to the masses. Even as recently as last year, who’d have thought that an electric car would have been capable enough on all fronts to go toe to toe with one of the best in the business, the BMW 3 Series? That’s exactly what we’ve got in this week’s issue – and the result of the shootout between electric and diesel power on Page 68 is an interesting and nuanced one. However, regardless of the winner, pitching Tesla’s latest (and arguably greatest) offering against the BMW has thrown up some intriguing evidence that proves that electric cars are genuinely viable today. Some…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods ● Mk2 small crossover is better to drive, gets Micra’s 1.0 T engine ● Larger body yields more space for passengers and luggage THE next Juke has been a long time coming, but if Nissan can repeat the popularity of its mould-breaking predecessor, the second-generation model will be a common sight on driveways up and down the land in the not-too-distant future. Most cars tend to remain on sale for some seven or eight years, but the Mk1 Juke has now ticked past nine. Its longevity is not just down to its success in what has become an enormous market segment – more than one million Jukes have been sold around the world since 2010 – but also because its creators have taken their time with this, the tricky second album. The first Juke…

CITROEN C3 AIRCROSS Quirky C3 crossover capitalises on comfort, but its huge boot and roomy interior make it top choice for families FORD PUMA Puma is based on the fantastic Fiesta, which bodes well for keen drivers, and we’ll be testing the new car soon RENAULT CAPTUR Despite looking like the old car, this Captur is all new. It shares a platform with the Juke and arrives this autumn SEAT ARONA One of our favourite small SUVs, the Arona mixes practicality with driver engagement. It’s a top all-rounder…

THIS week’s Auto Express shows that EVs have gone from emerging alternatives, suitable only for early-adopter technophiles curious to explore the latest advances on the market, to mainstream vehicles applicable to the masses. Even as recently as last year, who’d have thought that an electric car would have been capable enough on all fronts to go toe to toe with one of the best in the business, the BMW 3 Series? That’s exactly what we’ve got in this week’s issue – and the result of the shootout between electric and diesel power on Page 68 is an interesting and nuanced one. However, regardless of the winner, pitching Tesla’s latest (and arguably greatest) offering against the BMW has thrown up some intriguing evidence that proves that electric cars are genuinely viable…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods ● Mk2 small crossover is better to drive, gets Micra’s 1.0 T engine ● Larger body yields more space for passengers and luggage THE next Juke has been a long time coming, but if Nissan can repeat the popularity of its mould-breaking predecessor, the second-generation model will be a common sight on driveways up and down the land in the not-too-distant future. Most cars tend to remain on sale for some seven or eight years, but the Mk1 Juke has now ticked past nine. Its longevity is not just down to its success in what has become an enormous market segment – more than one million Jukes have been sold around the world since 2010 – but also because its creators have taken their time with this, the…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods ● Next-generation compact executive due to arrive in 2021 ● Hybrid drive systems set to spread throughout the range MERCEDES is applying the finishing touches to an all-new version of its biggest-selling model, the C-Class. The fifth-generation car will be out in the open in the next 18 months with a sharp new look and more efficient hybrid and plug-in powertrains. Alongside Mercedes’ focus on bringing 10 new pure-electric vehicles to market in the next three years, the C-Class plays an equally significant role in the German firm’s future; this model alone accounts for 20 per cent of Mercedes’ global sales. It will be revealed in the latter half of next year, before arriving in showrooms in 2021. The new model will continue to use the rear-wheel-drive MRA platform, which first arrived as the…