Auto Express 1591

CAR-sharing is nothing new – we’ve long been able to rent cars. But with ACES (Autonomous, Connected, Electric, Sharing) a car industry buzz phrase, it’s become a sector that’s gripped by start-up fever. Plenty of new companies are claiming to be the next big thing, some already backed by big names, while car makers are looking hard to see if it’s an opportunity or a threat. So when I was on holiday in the US recently and needed a car for a few days, I thought I’d look around at the options. One new one, Turo, looked great. Put simply, it’s like Airbnb for cars; owners advertise their cars for hire, they’re rated, the renters are rated and it’s all managed through Turo’s digital platform. Great. So why didn’t I use it?…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods ● All-new compact crossover boasts more space and boosted quality ● Brit designed and built model arrives in November, from £17,395 “Juke remains rakish, with exaggerated wheelarches, a rising window line, strong shoulders and a squat rear” THE compact crossover sector has grown significantly in recent years, with more than 20 supermini-sized SUVs on sale in Britain today. But one of the first of the breed has just been totally renewed. Say hello to the second-generation Nissan Juke. The newcomer replaces a model that’s been on sale for nearly nine years, and in that time the market for SUVs of this size hasn’t only increased in choice, it’s grown in quality, too. Perhaps that’s why the Juke has been in development a little longer than the usual window car makers give themselves. Designed in Britain…

CAR-sharing is nothing new – we’ve long been able to rent cars. But with ACES (Autonomous, Connected, Electric, Sharing) a car industry buzz phrase, it’s become a sector that’s gripped by start-up fever. Plenty of new companies are claiming to be the next big thing, some already backed by big names, while car makers are looking hard to see if it’s an opportunity or a threat. So when I was on holiday in the US recently and needed a car for a few days, I thought I’d look around at the options. One new one, Turo, looked great. Put simply, it’s like Airbnb for cars; owners advertise their cars for hire, they’re rated, the renters are rated and it’s all managed through Turo’s digital platform. Great. So why didn’t I…

NISSAN’S engineers have spent plenty of time in Europe developing the new Juke, with the aim of creating a crossover that’s even more composed than before. After a short drive around the twisting, undulating Alpine handling circuit at Millbrook Proving Ground in a pre-production prototype, we can confirm that it is. Body control has improved hugely, while the steering is better, too; it’s far more direct and naturally weighted. Perhaps the ride could be a little softer, though. Based on our brief taster, it’s at the firmer end of the scale for cars such as this, but perhaps that’s the trade-off for bestowing the Juke – admittedly a sporty crossover – with proportionally sporty handling. The new engine is a known quantity, and although it’s the only choice, it’s a well judged…

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @AxleIngram ●City car gets major tech and safety kit boost for third generation ●Engines get efficiency tweaks; prices expected to start at £11k “Hyundai boasts that the i10 will offer one of the most comprehensive safety packages in the class” HYUNDAI has given the city car market a welcome lift with the launch of its all-new i10. Revealed at this week’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the Mk3 model is due to go on sale early next year. The market for entry-level city runabouts has shrunk rapidly in recent months, with the Ford Ka+, Renault Twingo and Suzuki Celerio all being axed from UK showrooms. But Hyundai shows no sign of leaving the segment any time soon, as it reveals what it’s calling the most hi-tech city car ever. The VW up! rival is completely new from top…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods ● All-new compact crossover boasts more space and boosted quality ● Brit designed and built model arrives in November, from £17,395 “Juke remains rakish, with exaggerated wheelarches, a rising window line, strong shoulders and a squat rear” THE compact crossover sector has grown significantly in recent years, with more than 20 supermini-sized SUVs on sale in Britain today. But one of the first of the breed has just been totally renewed. Say hello to the second-generation Nissan Juke. The newcomer replaces a model that’s been on sale for nearly nine years, and in that time the market for SUVs of this size hasn’t only increased in choice, it’s grown in quality, too. Perhaps that’s why the Juke has been in development a little longer than the usual window…