Indice dei contenuti per 1557 in Auto Express

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn NOW we’re into 2019, many brands will want to forget about the past 12 months. Brexit uncertainty, confusion over diesel and WLTP compliance delays hit some harder than others. Analysing preliminary data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (which shows 2.36 million sales in total for 2018, down just under seven per cent), we run through which makers came out of 2018 bruised. We spell out their percentage sales drops and what new cars you can expect to see from those that need to do better. Audi (-17.84%) PERHAPS surprisingly, Audi had a rather dismal 2018, falling behind its main rivals BMW and Mercedes in the premium car sales chart. However, 2019 shows plenty of promise for the firm; a heavily updated version of its biggest…

New flagship heads updated CX-5 range MAZDA has launched a series of updates for its CX-5 crossover (above), including a new top-spec GT Sport Nav+ trim. The flagship car has 19-inch alloys, a seven-inch colour display between the dials, and ventilated and heated seats. It also comes with adaptive LED headlights, rear smart city brake and a 360-degree surround view camera. Across the rest of the range, every CX-5 gains Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and dual-zone climate control as standard. Don’t build roads for cars, says watchdog NEW and upgraded roads should prioritise pedestrians, cyclists and public transport over cars, according to a healthcare watchdog. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) says such measures would make people more active in their day-to-day lives. NICE claims physical inactivity…

RAC Insurance spokesman Simon Williams “DRIVERS might be surprised to discover that on average less than half of vehicles stolen from these police force areas end up being recorded as recovered, with the proportion in some parts of the country far lower than this. Combine this with the fact that vehicle thefts are actually increasing and a rather alarming picture is painted. “The fact that data appears to be collected and analysed inconsistently in some cases is also a worry – this data is surely the only way to understand the scale of the problem? While it is well documented that police forces are under severe resource pressures, it is ironic that clearer data would support their case for additional Government spending.”…

tristan_shale-hester@dennis.co.uk @tristan_shale Tackling the motoring issues that matter “When my diesel van is serviced, I know there’ll be a big bill; with the Tesla, there’s less to go wrong”PAULO BENFEITO Amore Bakery WE hear a lot about electric cars being the future of transport, but it’s easy to forget there are over four million vans on the UK’s roads, delivering vital goods to homes, businesses and institutions up and down the land. But while the number of electric vans on sale continues to grow, there has been a wider choice of electric cars for some time. Similarly, although early EV vans had limited ranges, often of 100 miles or less, Tesla’s Model S could travel up to a claimed 300 miles from launch in 2012. Now the likes of the…

Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram “It pulls strongly and the auto box almost always finds the right cog at the right time” Running costs 29.7mpg (official) £80 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 4.7 seconds/155mph LAST year the entire Mercedes C-Class range was given a subtle nip and tuck. Every version – saloon, Estate, Coupé and Cabriolet – benefited from updated lights and infotainment displays, plus extra options. The AMG versions were overhauled, too. The C 43 model, driven here in the UK for the first time, has an additional 23bhp and a wider torque band. It also gets aero tweaks, a new grille and round quad exhausts. But with the introduction of the 53-badged hybrid AMGs further up the range – both the E-Class and CLS are now available with mild-hybrid tech – are…

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @AxleIngram “On the move the T4’s extra performance over the T3 petrol is apparent” Running costs 40.4mpg (official) £66 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 8.5 seconds/130mph BUYERS are spoiled for choice in the compact premium SUV sector, and the Volvo XC40 is one of the most convincing cars in its class. More individual than an Audi Q3 and more relaxing to drive than a BMW X1, it’s proof that the Swedish brand offers something unique in this market. We love the diesels. The entry-level T3 petrol is adequate, but the T5’s availability in only the highest trim levels makes it just too expensive. So does this T4 model – as the middle child in the three-strong petrol range – make the most sense? This engine variant is offered in every…

NEW: Renault Mégane ST 1.5 dCi GT Line PRICE: £22,875 ENGINE: 1.5-litre 4cyl, 108bhp THE Renault Mégane is arguably the most stylish estate, which will be a big draw for many people. But it has substance, too, with an economical diesel engine, a big boot and a pleasant interior. USED: Mercedes E 220 d SE Estate PRICE: £22,999 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 191bhp IF you want more luxury and load space, you can do it on a modest budget. We found a 2017 E-Class Estate with 15,000 miles for just under £23,000, which looks like great value.…

Sam_Naylor@dennis.co.uk @SamNaylor_AE REGULAR readers will have spotted that the Ford Fiesta ST I’m running on the fleet made a starring appearance in our Christmas road test late last year (Issue 1,554). The idea was to bring together models that were available in 1988, the year Auto Express first hit the shelves, with their modern counterparts. So naturally I took the opportunity to drive the classic Fiesta XR2 that my ST was paired up with, to get a sense of how far the hot hatch has moved on in 30 years. The eighties model was on loan from Ford of Britain’s heritage fleet, and I had actually driven this very car almost exactly five years previously, just after I joined the team. The most memorable aspect of the XR2 was its…

Ford tech drowns out sounds for hounds FORD has unveiled an interesting use of noise-cancellation tech: a dog kennel. The hutch (above) cancels out the noise of fireworks that will have worried many owners in New Year celebrations; they cause stress to 45 per cent of dogs. As well as passive noise cancellation through high-density cork insulation, the kennel has microphones to detect noise outside and play opposing frequencies inside. This is an evolution of the tech found on the Edge SUV. It’s just a prototype for now, but the design is a part of Ford’s Intervention initiatives and, while it probably won’t make production, it could inspire other kennel makers to consider the tech. Classy new clock face sets the pace at Monza LUXURY watch maker Omologato has unveiled…

PRODUCT GROUP TEST 9 | 1 | 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 YOU don’t have to be a passionate detailer to buy screenwash. Just like oil, pretty much every driver will buy it, because few things are more irritating behind the wheel than trying to clear a mucky screen only for the wipers to make visibility worse as the pump delivers nothing but air. And, like oil, it’s one of the more complex products to buy; once you’ve picked from convenient ready-mixed or versatile concentrates, there is a bewildering range to choose from. So which is the wash to keep your screen clear during the big winter…

Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk HAVING started before Christmas in Ad Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, the 2018/19 Formula E season continues this weekend on the streets of Marrakesh, Morocco. BMW i Andretti’s Antonio Felix da Costa claimed victory in the season opener, but only after a late-race penalty for a technical infringement took DS Techeetah’s Jean-Eric Vergne and Andre Lotterer out of contention. The Franco-Chinese team is seen as the one to beat heading to Morocco, with Da Costa saying after the Saudi race: “In a way, it was good that we see someone still has the upper hand on us… This is a perfect scenario for us, to win the race, win the points but have something to make us go back to work and try and improve.” Nissan e.dams’ Sebastien Buemi, who ran…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods ● VW considering utilitarian electric 4x4 ● Would sit on same platform as I.D. range “EV start-up Rivian has already revealed a large, seven-seat SUV. But the proposed VW would be unapologetically a tough off-roader” VOLKSWAGEN is considering adding a rugged all-electric Land Rover Defender rival to its upcoming line-up of I.D.-badged vehicles, Auto Express has learned. VW’s head of strategy Michael Jost revealed that the brand is mulling over entering the off-roader marketplace, going toe to toe with the likes of the Jeep Wrangler and the next Defender. But Volkswagen will stand out from the crowd by offering a pure-electric model. American EV start-up Rivian has already revealed a large, seven-seat SUV featuring traditionally boxy proportions and a promise of off-road capability when it goes into production…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn VAUXHALL has safeguarded 1,250 UK jobs at its Luton factory by announcing that the new Vivaro Life, revealed above, will be produced at the Bedfordshire site. And Vauxhall will launch a pure-electric version in 2021. The Vivaro Life, which is a rival for the Citroen SpaceTourer, will be offered in two sizes: medium, which is 4.95 metres long, and large, at 5.30 metres. Both models feature the same 3.28-metre wheelbase. For maximum versatility, all the seats are fitted on aluminium rails, allowing them to be adjusted and removed when desired. Configurations range from four up to nine seats, while the front passenger chair can be folded flat to allow items up to 3.5 metres long to be transported. Removing all of the seats raises total luggage capacity to…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn ONLY weeks after the all-new Porsche 911 made its debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show in November, the German manufacturer has lifted the lid on the convertible variant of the latest 992 generation of the iconic sports car. Sticking with the soft-top set-up the convertible has featured since its debut in 1982, the fully-automatic roof includes an integrated glass rear window and magnesium bows to prevent the hood from ‘ballooning’ at high speed. The soft-top can be stowed in as little as 12 seconds and at speeds of up to 31mph, while a wind deflector has also been added to improve passenger comfort during top-down driving. All of the latest tech and visual changes that were first seen on the 992 coupé last year are carried over…

James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor Mégane R.S. vs rivals in mega hatch battle WE’RE starting 2019 with a familiar question: which hot hatch is fastest? We’ve pitched the new Renault Mégane R.S. against the excellent Hyundai i30 N and our reigning champion, the Honda Civic Type R. Can the R.S. earn victory with its four-wheel steering and nimble chassis? Steve Sutcliffe finds out. Behind the scenes at JLR Classic’s HQ AS 2018 came to a close I visited Jaguar Land Rover’s multi-million-pound ‘Classic’ operation in Coventry. Here JLR Classic rebuilds, restores and revives its greatest models and creates some brand new classics. Join me for this exclusive walkaround and see its secret car collection. You can watch any of our videos on your phone Simply scan this QR code.…

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 Problems with makers The Motor Ombudsman: 0345 241 3008 Financial problems Financial Ombudsman: 0800 023 4567 Safety concerns/recalls DVSA: 0300 123 9000…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk “You need to rev it quite hard to get the best out of it, and there’s never the same mid-range surge of energy that you get from a Porsche Cayenne” Running costs 23.5mpg (official) £97 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.0 seconds/156mph WHEN Maserati unleashed the Ghibli-based Levante SUV in 2016, its global sales pretty much doubled overnight. At that point, it was fair to say that the brand was well and truly back in business. Two and a half years down the line the Levante continues to do very well indeed for Maserati, with China being its number one market followed by the US, Germany and Italy; the UK sits at number five. Yet on the horizon there was a problem facing the company’s biggest-selling car. The most popular…

Otis_Clay@dennis.co.uk Running costs 36.0mpg (on test) £77 fill-up/£140 or 37% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 579/1,795 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.5 seconds/125mph IT doesn’t take much to get me confused at the best of times, and on top of that I can be extremely indecisive. So having to summarise the time I’ve spent with our Renault Koleos, and decide whether or not I’ve liked it, has me pulling my hair out. On the whole I love French cars; the way they drive, their characterful nature and the way French manufacturers put style first, even though sometimes these sleek looks can hinder practicality, performance or both – all of this really appeals to me. But when I first got the keys to our Koleos, I didn’t fall in love with it…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Replacing ageing tyres A FRIEND has told me that I should replace my tyres because they are five years old. All tyres are over the legal limit and the rears have very little wear. Do I need to scrap them? Harry Jepson, E-mail A TYRE industry advice is to replace tyres that are six years old or more. Michelin suggests tyres are inspected by a professional when they’re five years old, and every 12 months after that. This should prevent you buying tyres unnecessarily, but our tests have shown wet performance drops off as a tyre ages. Q Caring for cleaning cloths I’VE just bought a bundle of quality microfibre cloths. But I don’t want to replace them every few months, so how can…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy MERCEDES has brought us the first big launch of 2019: this new CLA, which will join the A-Class range at the lower end of the German manufacturer’s line-up. The original CLA was the first ‘coupé saloon’ to be offered in the A-Class’s segment. But rivals from BMW and Audi have subsequently arrived – and Mercedes has also added a regular saloon to the A-Class range – so the latest CLA needs a stronger identity as a more stylish four-door. The new shape should help, because this CLA is 48mm longer than before, and while it’s slightly narrower overall including the side mirrors, the body itself is more than 50mm wider. That’s allowed the firm’s engineers to widen the front and rear tracks by 63mm and 55mm respectively. Overall…

Hugo_Griffiths@dennis.co.uk @hugo_griffiths What our probe discovered “Forces will investigate all reports of stolen vehicles and will take action against the perpetrators where there is evidence to do so”National Police Chiefs Council FEWER than half the vehicles stolen in the UK have been recorded as recovered by police over the past 10 years, Auto Express can reveal. Freedom of Information requests to the UK’s police forces show officers logged 522,214 stolen vehicles between 2009 and 2018, but only marked 236,636 of them as recovered. With an average stolen-to-recovered ratio of 45.31 per cent over the past decade, some forces are leagues ahead of others in their posted results. Merseyside Police, for example, recorded 35,624 stolen vehicles from 2009 to 2018 and marked 26,816 as recovered, giving a recovery rate of 75.27…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress Write to: Watchdog/Letters, Auto Express, Dennis Publishing Ltd, 31-32 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7DP HOT TOPIC BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé FROM: Rich OB WHAT’S wrong with having variation? People complain when there is and complain when there isn’t! In this day and age, most manufacturers try to provide models for as many segments as possible. We’re waiting for the BMW 0 Series! FROM: Mark L THIS is clearly going to be a great car, but front-wheel drive? That’s not so good really. Worst of all, there appears to be no six-cylinder engine option, which is a terrible shame. We can only hope a future M version will add this to the range. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■“Much prefer the design of the bonnet, grille and lights…

sean_carson@dennis.co.uk @sean_carson_ Electric motor Power/official range 168bhp/193 miles BMW’S bravery and determination ensured the i3 was a roaring success when it was launched back in 2013. It was the first premium electric vehicle and, despite the high price, it sold strongly. But as time has passed, new rivals have popped up, offering even more affordability and better all-electric ranges. Now, though, the i3 has undergone change in the area that matters most to EV buyers: the battery. This new i3 gets a 120Ah (or 42.2kWh) battery. To put that into perspective, our Affordable Electric Car of the Year, the Hyundai Kona Electric, is available with a choice of 39kWh or 64kWh cells. It means the i3’s WLTP-rated range is up to 193 miles, while BMW claims a real-world 162 miles…

Ford Focus Estate SYNC3 Navigation £350 option Key features: Sat-nav, smartphone link ALL Focus Estates with this 1.5-litre diesel engine get an eight-inch colour touchscreen, but sat-nav isn’t fitted as standard here and costs £350 on ST-Line cars. Still, since the set-up includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, many users won’t feel too short-changed, instead using their phone to navigate when required. The Ford’s system looks initially a bit more dated than the other models here due to its basic graphics and simple menu layout. But you soon realise that these features make it easy to read and use on the move, although its rivals here look more modern and work well, too. CarPlay and Android Auto integrate with your device easily and quickly, while the bright screen…

Running costs 36.1mpg (on test) £51 fill-up/£140 or 25% tax Performance 0-60mph/top speed 9.1 seconds/129mph Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 278/941 litres Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 49.9/34.2/9.9m THE latest version of the MINI Cooper was launched last year and features new LED lights and some more kit. MINI also overhauled its trim line-up as part of the update, so it’s more traditional than before; Cooper refers only to the car’s engine (a 134bhp 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol), and the trim level choice is now Classic, Sport or Exclusive. Engineers didn’t need to change much with the updated MINI, because it was already among the best drivers’ cars in its class. In both three and five-door form the baby Brit is a delight from behind the wheel, thanks to quick and direct steering, lots of…

Kim_Adams@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Running costs 25.2mpg (on test) £100 fill-up/£240 tax Practicality Load bed volume/payload 2.48m2 1,047kg Performance 0-62mph/top speed 11.8 seconds/109mph AS the products editor at Auto Express, I don’t often get to drive supercars or exotic models, nor do I usually experience the kind of forecourt and car park attention such models attract – but our Mercedes X-Class is giving me a taste of it. I’ve never run a model on the fleet that has generated such interest, and it seems this is all down to that big three-pointed star on the X-Class’s grille. Some people are amazed that Mercedes makes a pick-up at all, while others simply want to know what it’s like. Then there are the seasoned truck users keen to find out if this should be…

Alfa Romeo Giulia Issues 1,534, 1,544, 1,550 Audi A6 Avant Issue 1,555 Dacia Duster New arrival Ford Fiesta ST Issue 1,552 Hyundai Kona Electric Issues 1,551, 1,556 Mazda 6 Issues 1,549, 1,555 Mercedes A-Class Issue 1,550 Mercedes X-Class Issue 1,547 MINI Cooper 5-door Issues 1,538, 1,546, 1,552 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Issues 1,545, 1,553 Nissan Leaf Issues 1,533, 1,551, 1,555 Renault Koleos Issues 1,530, 1,542 Skoda Karoq Issues 1,536, 1545, 1,552 Suzuki Swift Sport Issues 1,532, 1,541, 1,544 Vauxhall Grandland X Iss 1,536, 1,540, 1,548, 1,556 Volkswagen Polo Issue 1,549 Volvo V60 Issue 1,553…

Murciélago Thillainathan Pathmanathan (Veloce Publishing, www.veloce.co.uk) Price: £60 Rating: PART-history lesson and part-buyers’ guide, this was written by the owner of the Murciélago on the cover. His purchasing journey is covered in detail, along with lessons on what to look out for when buying this slice of exotica. It’s nicely written and has lots of good photos, but it’s pricey for this calibre of print quality. Berlinetta ’60s Xavier de Nombel (Dalton Watson Fine Books, www.daltonwatson.com) Price: £75 Rating: THIS is a follow-up to the author’s previous Berlinetta ’50s book, charting gorgeous Italian coupés, both production and otherwise. De Nomble is primarily a photographer, so it’s no surprise that this coffeet-able book majors on its truly stunning pictures. They do the beautiful cars justice. Kart Stars Available for: iOS, Android…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Sponsored by Q Puzzled by fuel price gap WHY has the price of a litre of diesel risen, when petrol prices are finally coming down on garage forecourts? Is this something to do with the demonisation of diesel cars? Alan Dumbarton, E-mail A THE Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) told us various factors cause this differential. Diesel is in high demand in Europe for heating oil but, conversely, the end of the American summer driving season means there’s a surplus of petrol. The PRA also pointed out that diesel has more additives in it than petrol, pushing costs up. Q Concern over car’s lost power MY car seems to have lost power since I bought it five years ago. It is now noticeably slower when…

Motoring’s most outspoken and opinionated columnist sounds off “Enough of the negative car stories. This year is shaping up to be one of the most exciting ever, with big discounts and an EV war” MY phone didn’t stop ringing over Christmas and the New Year as the BBC, Sky TV and other broadcasters sought my views on a variety of mostly negative car-related stories. Nissan’s banged-up chairman Carlos Ghosn (unfriendliest car guy I’ve ever met) was the man they desperately wanted to discuss as he languished in jail contemplating a possible 10-year sentence. But, on a less serious note, why no knighthood for serial F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton in the New Year Honours list? I wish I knew. Traffic chaos as we drove home for Christmas; the Blue Badge…