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Inside line on new Mercedes GLB SUV MERCEDES has confirmed that a new SUV named GLB is in the works and will be previewed at the Shanghai Motor Show later this month. This teaser image (above) hints at the Concept GLB’s cabin, and clearly showcases some close-to-production elements such as the layout and positioning of the switchgear and the latest MBUX infotainment system. The GLB will be a boxier, more practical, traditionally shaped small SUV, and will be revealed later in 2019. Low Emission Zone hits drivers in capital LONDON’S new Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) came into effect on Monday. Now, anyone driving a pre-Euro 4 petrol car or pre-Euro 6 diesel into the Congestion Charge zone must pay a £12.50 daily fee, enforced 24 hours a day, 365…

ON the face it, this is a PR coup for Toyota, appearing to have the earth’s best interests at heart. But if you look beyond that, there are sound business reasons for the company to release so much of its own knowledge on hybrids, electrification and hydrogen fuel cells. The wider car industry does feel like it is at a tipping point towards the wider adoption of electrification – not least because of the crippling fines that are going to hit manufacturers if they don’t manage to reach targets that have been set to reduce CO2 emissions. However, Toyota knows that implementing further levels of the technology on smaller cars will still be costly. Its latest move will help it to share information with its rivals and, potentially, pick up a…

James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor On the road in new BMW Z4 sports car IN the past, if someone asked you to name a German two-seat sports car, chances are it wouldn’t be BMW’s Z4. But now it might, because there’s a brand new model, which was jointly developed with Toyota and aims to beat the Porsche Boxster once and for all. Steve Sutcliffe finds out if it does. We drive new SUV that replaces DS 3 THE DS 3 hatchback was the car that started off Citroen’s DS sub-brand, but the death knell is already ringing. Eventually the premium French supermini will be replaced by this, the new DS 3 Crossback SUV. It has five doors and a raised ride height, but is it any good? Richard Ingram reports. You can watch…

AN analysis of official police data has uncovered huge variations in the number of speeding tickets issued across the country, with some forces catching 160 times more drivers than others. Just 1,191 motorists were caught by Wiltshire Police and cameras during the 2017/18 financial year, compared with 199,337 in the area covered by Avon and Somerset constabulary. The Home Office figures, analysed by Dr Adam Snow for the RAC Foundation, show 2,292,536 speeding offences were detected across England and Wales in 2017/18, up four per cent over 2016/17. Of these, 44 per cent resulted in a speed awareness course, 34 per cent led to a fixed penalty notice, 11 per cent were cancelled, and 10 per cent went to court. Avon and Somerset Police caught the most speeders, followed by West…

Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram SPARTANBURG is BMW’s home away from home. The firm’s factory in the United States directly employs around 11,000 people and supports another 17,000 across South Carolina – accounting for a staggering 1.6 per cent of the state’s total workforce. Spanning an under-roof campus that measures approximately seven million square feet, BMW’s Spartanburg facility was constructed in just 23 months. The first model (a white E36 318i, in case you were wondering) rolled off the line back in September 1994. Since its inception, Spartanburg has produced more than 4.5 million cars, earning its place as the global hub of BMW’s extensive range of X-badged SUVs. That’s big business for the sprawling plant; of the 2.1m BMWs built around the world in 2018, almost 800,000 were SUVs. Every SUV apart…

sean_carson@dennis.co.uk @sean_carson_ THE Pista Spider is a swansong for Ferrari’s 488 supercar. This 50th and most powerful series production convertible Ferrari marks the last in the line for the 488, because its replacement will arrive this year. As last hurrahs go, this is a triumphant one. Let’s start with the numbers. This midengined drop-top has 710bhp and 770Nm of torque from a 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8, which means 0-62mph in 2.85 seconds and a top speed of 212mph. The engine has been carried over from the Pista coupé. Like the coupé, the Pista Spider gets new turbos, lightweight titanium connecting rods, a lightened crankshaft and flywheel, hollow inlet valves and an Inconel exhaust among other features, which together save 18kg and give a freer-revving feel compared with the standard car. Internal…

MODEL TESTED: SEAT Ibiza 1.0 TSI 115 FR Sport PRICE: £19,320 ENGINE: 1.0-litre 3cyl, 113bhp THE SEAT Ibiza is one of the best superminis around and this 113bhp version is a top choice within the range, offering a good combination of performance and economy. In FR Sport trim (the car in our pictures is an FR) it costs from £19,320. Design & engineering SEAT has built the Ibiza on the VW Group’s versatile MQB A0 platform, which uses clever packaging to maximise interior space, while providing an accomplished base chassis for the brand’s engineers to work from. It has MacPherson-strut front suspension and a torsion beam at the rear, just like the Micra, and as with the Nissan, the FR Sport also has a stiffer set-up than other Ibiza models.…

NEW: MINI Cooper Classic 5dr PRICE: £18,330 ENGINE: 1.5-litre 3cyl, 136bhp THE MINI is among the most enjoyable superminis to drive and has plenty of performance, yet comes in within budget next to its rivals in this test. You’ll have to add optional extras to match them on kit, but whatever you spend, the MINI is brilliant fun. USED: Ford Fiesta ST-3 (2018) PRICE: £19,500 ENGINE: 1.5-litre 3cyl, 197bhp BUY used and a Ford Fiesta ST is within reach, even in top-spec ST-3 form. We found one from last year with just 2,600 miles for £19,500. That’s cheap for one of the best hot hatches ever. It’s rapid and handles well, but the ride is very firm.…

Pete_Baiden@dennis.co.uk Running costs 33.1mpg (on test) £77 fill-up/£140 or 35% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 448/1,140 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.7 seconds/127mph IT’S now the end of my time with the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, but one question still remains: why are there so few of them on UK roads? Earlier this year Mitsubishi announced that the Eclipse Cross had passed the 80,000 global sales milestone, with more than 33,000 of those sold in Europe. However, during the six months that I’ve been running the car on our fleet, I can only remember seeing three other examples on the road – and one of those was a hire car. The limited number in my part of the UK is certainly not down to how it performs as a family SUV, though.…

Alfa Romeo Giulia Iss 1,534, 1,544, 1,550, 1,565 Audi A6 Avant Issues 1,555, 1,558, 1,566 Cupra Ateca Issue 1,564 Dacia Duster Issues 1,561, 1,564 Hyundai Kona Electric Iss 1,551, 1,556, 1,561, 1,566 Kia e-Niro Issue 1,569 Kia Ceed Issue 1,567 Mazda 6 Issues 1,549, 1,555, 1,560 Mercedes A-Class Issues 1,550, 1,559, 1,568 Mercedes G-Class Issue 1,565 Mercedes X-Class Issues 1,547, 1,557, 1,563 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Iss 1,545, 1,553, 1,559, 1,562 Nissan Leaf Issues 1,533, 1,551, 1,555, 1,560, 1,568 Volkswagen Polo Issues 1,549, 1,558, 1,562 Volvo V60 Issues 1,553, 1,560, 1,567…

Car Number Classics Nicholas Young (Self-published, www.carnumberclassics.com) Price: £50 WE can’t argue with the huge task of researching this book of early number plates and their owners, but it’s in danger of becoming outdated very soon. It’s also far too heavy to be anything other than a reference book at home. We reckon such details work better online. Nissan GTP & Group C Racecars 1984-93 John Starkey (Veloce Publishing, www.veloce.co.uk) Price: £25 ALTHOUGH this is a fairly narrow view of just a few years and just a few cars, it’s told in Veloce’s usual easy style, making it accessible. You’ll definitely need an interest in the era, though – there’s little for most readers otherwise. The standard is also a little suspect – we’d prefer higher-quality paper and printing. UK…

● Leclerc stakes title claim ● Hamilton defends Vettel Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk SEBASTIAN Vettel is under pressure at Ferrari ahead of this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai. Team-mate Charles Leclerc’s breakthrough performance in Bahrain – and Vettel’s spin while battling with Lewis Hamilton in the latter stages of the same race – have cast doubt on Ferrari’s pre-season commitment that Vettel would be its number-one driver, with Leclerc being given a year to get up to speed. Following the events in Bahrain, the question is being asked whether Leclerc is the man to take the fight to Mercedes, now that the Italian team seems closer on pace to the Silver Arrows than during 2018. Leclerc was praised for both his dominant pole position and race-leading performance, as well as the mature…

● Free access to 24,000 patents ● Should help reduce tech costs Hugo_Griffiths@dennis.co.uk @hugo_griffiths TOYOTA is freeing up access to almost 24,000 patents relating to hybrids and electric cars, to make it easier for other manufacturers to develop such vehicles. The Japanese company is one of the pioneers of petrol-electric hybrid tech, and has more than 20 years’ experience producing hybrid cars since the debut of the original Prius back in 1997. It released more than 5,000 patents in 2005, but is now opening the doors for other manufacturers to access a further 2,590 royalty-free patents on electric motors, 2,020 on power control units, 7,550 on system controls and 2,380 on hydrogen fuel-cell technology. The knowledge is based on the past two decades of development, but Toyota also admitted that…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress Write to: Watchdog/Letters, Auto Express, Dennis Publishing Ltd, 31-32 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7DP HOT TOPIC New Cayenne coupé FROM: Daniel Ali I ADMIT it may not be the most tasteful car money can buy, but I really like the look of this. Porsche’s iconic design language really shines through in the new shape. It’s like a 718 at the front and a 911 at the back. I might buy one. FROM: Paul Owen FOR that sort of money, you would be mad not to have a Jaguar I-Pace instead, unless 292 miles between charges isn’t a long enough range for you. It offers similar performance with lower running costs, albeit a bit less badge kudos. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “The £62k starting price is too…

Running costs 56.6mpg (official) £60 fill-up John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy THE Skoda Scala is the model designed for people who want a Skoda as their family car, but for whom the Octavia is just that little bit too big. The Scala, then, is a straight-down-the-line rival for the likes of the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and VW Golf. It’s 4,263mm long, so around 10cm longer than the Volkswagen, but the wheelbases of the two cars are much more closely matched. Under the skin, the new Skoda is based on the MQB A0 platform, which it shares with the SEAT Ibiza and VW Polo, instead of the more expensive A1 version that underpins the Golf, Octavia and SEAT Leon. The Scala will be offered with a choice of petrol engines – a 1.0-litre…

MODEL TESTED: Suzuki Swift Sport PRICE: £17,499 ENGINE: 1.4-litre 4cyl, 138bhp THE Swift Sport is a bit of an outsider in this test because it has extra power and a more focused chassis than its rivals. But thanks to a £1,000 discount currently on offer from Suzuki, it costs just £17,499. The Sport is its own model with no other trim levels. Design & engineering WHILE many superminis share platforms with other brands, the Swift stands alone, although its sister car, the Baleno, also uses Suzuki’s ‘Heartect’ architecture. This platform has a big focus on keeping weight down, and the cars that use it are consistently among the lightest models in their class – and it’s the same story here. The Swift Sport differs from the standard car and its…

Dawn_Grant@dennis.co.uk WITH our Volkswagen Polo spending most of its time in and around London, it’s always nice to take it on a longer trip – and a weekend away with my husband for our wedding anniversary presented the perfect opportunity. The trip to the Cotswolds along the M4 proved the Polo was more than comfortable on the motorway, and although it took some punishment from the high winds, it still felt solid on the road. Activating the speed limiter also took away the stress of sticking to the endless 50mph average speed cameras, which are in place as Highways England upgrades part of the network to a Smart Motorway. We’ve had no more problems with the infotainment system, and the eight-inch touchscreen is easy to use. The sat-nav worked well,…

LEGO pieces together McLaren Senna model McLAREN and LEGO have teamed up to create a full-sized model of the Senna supercar. The brick-built version (above) is identical in size to the original and finished in the same grey and orange as the smaller Speed Champions model (£12.99 from shop.lego.com). It even features real wheels and tyres, as well as a driver’s seat, pedal box and steering wheel. Nearly half a million bricks went into the model, and it took some 5,000 man-hours to complete. The LEGO Senna will be displayed at McLaren promotional events throughout 2019, starting with the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. Online app shows full cost of car ownership AUTOMOTIVE data experts at HPI have developed a new online service that uses their data to show a…

THIS is the all-new Mercedes-AMG CLA 35, which joins the firm’s freshly launched range of entry-level ‘35’ performance models. Like the A 35, the hot CLA will feature a tuned 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine with 302bhp, a reworked interior and sporty AMG bodykit. It’ll go on sale in the UK in August. The CLA 35 feeds its power through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and four-wheel drive, delivering a 0-62mph time of 4.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. Inside, buyers get Merc’s dash-spanning MBUX infotainment system, a flat-bottomed multifunction AMG steering wheel, a pair of leather-and-microfibre-trimmed sports seats, red seatbelts and a customisable ambient lighting set-up with 64 colours. Exterior revisions include larger brakes, 18-inch wheels, AMG bumpers, larger side skirts, a performance exhaust and a lip…

McLAREN has dropped a big hint as to how its upcoming mid-engined ‘Grand Tourer’ will look by issuing a set of official teasers of the car. The firm says that the as-yet-unnamed new model is now entering the final stages of development after it was a surprise announcement at the Geneva Motor Show in March. This clearer look reveals a long, low and wide mid-engined supercar. It also has a surprisingly large front overhang, presumably to allow room for a boot that’s functional enough for long-distance touring. Look down the flanks of the new GT and you’ll spot a set of huge air vents behind the doors. They feed the twin-turbo-charged 4.0-litre V8 that will sit in the middle of the chassis, although McLaren has yet to confirm how much power…

THE following provide help with motoring problems. Some services are free, others charge a fee or operate on premium-rate lines (p), while some offer advice for members only (m) 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…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk JAGUAR has never had it easy with the XE. But that’s the nature of the beast when the competition you must face is world class and comes at you in several different forms. Step forward the excellent Mercedes C-Class, the ever-improving Audi A4 and BMW’s superb all-new 3 Series. So the XE has been given a major mid-life revamp, plus simplified engine and model line-ups, to keep the British sports saloon competitive with its rivals from Germany. On the outside the Jag’s been thoroughly redesigned, so it looks wider, lower and more aggressive, with new LED lights front and rear, and sportier bumpers at both ends. In the flesh it looks bigger, lower, more expensive and more imposing, which is some achievement considering that its dimensions remain basically unchanged.…

MODEL TESTED: Nissan Micra DIG-T 117 N-Sport PRICE: £19,010 ENGINE: 1.0-litre 3cyl, 115bhp NISSAN’S updated Micra was launched earlier in the year, and the range now includes this slightly fruitier N-Sport model, powered by a 115bhp 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. It costs £19,010. Design & engineering THE Japanese brand has worked on improving areas that were lacking in the pre-facelift Micra, starting with the engine. This new 1.0-litre motor replaces the previous 0.9-litre unit, which left a lot to be desired, and in the N-Sport the engine produces a competitive 115bhp. In addition, the company has fitted a fresh NissanConnect infotainment system, and cars with the latest motor feature 10mm lower suspension and revised steering to boot. However, the Micra hasn’t undergone a fundamental change. The basic suspension layout is…

Nissan Micra Nissan Connect Standard Key features: Smartphone link, DAB N-SPORT models come as standard with a seven-inch touchscreen display, which features DAB and Bluetooth functionality. Unfortunately, the screen is the worst here, because it is unresponsive to touch inputs, often ignoring or missing finger presses, and the menu layout is both ugly and confusing to navigate. The graphics are dark, too, and look old-fashioned. The saving grace is the fact it has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard, which means you can bypass Nissan’s built-in interface completely and rely on your phone instead. You also get access to nav as a result. This is important because the Micra doesn’t come with sat-nav included – and it’s not even available as an option on N-Sport trim. Many buyers rely…

THIS hot Ateca is Cupra’s first standalone car, but despite the fresh badge the formula is familiar, because the standard SEAT Ateca’s MQB chassis is the base for this more powerful model. There’s MacPherson-strut suspension at the front and a multi-link rear axle due to the 4Drive four-wheel-drive system. The chassis has been tweaked so it sits 20mm lower than the SEAT donor and has firmer springs. These changes have been made to offset the SUVs taller ride height compared with a hot hatch and help it handle more sharply. Adaptive dampers are standard, with Comfort and Cupra settings at each end of the scale. The Ateca’s ride is still compromised, though. Our car also had the Comfort and Sound pack, as well as the Design package, adding £5,275 to…

James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor ‘O ROMEO, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo?’ It’s probably the most famous line in literary history and could be the most symbolic, romantic and yet agonising moment in theatrical history, too. Everyone knows the scene where Juliet leans over her balcony and asks why Romeo has to be a Montague. Shakespeare’s tragedy is among his most famous plays. And while the Giulia won’t go down in history as one of Alfa’s most well known cars, let me explain why I believe it’ll earn a place in the marque’s canon of great works. Alfa Romeo has all the heritage of the best car brands, and yet has had enough reboots and X Factor sob stories to rival a mid-nineties teenage pop group. The latest comeback was in 2017, with…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Can’t find space-saver to suit I HAVE a car with 18-inch wheels, but there is no spare. I’d like to buy a space-saver that I can keep in the boot; I just can’t find one that’s big enough. Does such a thing exist? If so, where? Jonathan Simpson, E-mail A THIS can be a problem, particularly if the car has brakes to match the rims, but a new kit (above) from Tyremen (www.tyremen.co.uk) may suit. This includes an alloy rim, scissor jack, wheel brace and bag, with Continental or Uniroyal tyres. Expect to pay around £250. Q How can I scare off rodents? RATS or mice have taken something of a liking to the under-bonnet soundproofing on my car. Are you aware of a product that can…

A CORDLESS air compressor makes it easier than ever to ensure your tyres are inflated to the right pressure. In turn, that will keep your car safer and save you fuel into the bargain. On top of that, it can also be used for other tyres (cycle, quad bike and lawnmower) and is ideal for motorhome and caravan owners. Here, we’re pitting new offerings from Ring and Draper against our most recent test winner, the Ryobi R18I-0. All boasted three scales – psi, kPa and bar – and we pumped up a 15-inch tyre from 20-30psi, noting how long this took and checking the gauges’ accuracy. Next, we timed the inflation and deflation of a double airbed, as well as measuring the noise level and making a note of details…

WHETHER you’re a regular picnicker or just going on a long journey, it’s good to have a powered coolbox. And not just in the summer; if you choose one with a heat facility, it can be used all year. A 20/25-litre box is fine for general use, but larger families will need more room; and a box that works from the mains as well as a 12v supply is more versatile – you can start it cooling down before you set out, making life easier for your car’s battery. You can run a 12v box from the mains using a transformer, which typically costs £15-£20. A variable temperature control is increasingly important to save energy and avoid cooling/heating too much. Some boxes won’t cool to below zero degrees Celsius to…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Handling parking problem PEOPLE park on a blind corner near my home, which is dangerous because other drivers come whizzing round and nearly have headon collisions. Can I ask for new restrictions? Ralph Scott, E-mail A IF you feel the situation is dangerous, contact your local council and request that it paints double yellow lines on the corner to stop anyone parking there. If your neighbours feel the same way, ask them to do the same thing, because more residents getting in touch will make the council more likely to listen to you. Q Is it okay to self-service car? MY car is quite old and getting expensive to service. Can I save money by carrying out some of the required work myself, asking a garage…

Dear James, The roads in my area are terrible and I want a car that rides well. I don’t mind what it is. What do you suggest for £15,000? June Wilson, E-mail Contact: James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk • THE SUV CHOICE Kia Sorento FOR: Tough, reliable, practical and affordable AGAINST: Not much refinement or premium appeal THE second-generation Sorento isn’t quite the mainstream high-quality Kia model we know today, but it’s not without its charms, and the 45,000-mile, £14,999 13-plate KX-2 2.2-litre diesel we found is a lot of car for the money. This is a large and comfortable seven-seat SUV. Every version is all-wheel drive and has a 2.2-litre diesel engine, which pulls well but isn’t the most refined or economical unit. KX-2 spec adds privacy glass, leather, Bluetooth, dual-zone climate control…

A SWITCH to electric power for the World Rallycross Championship (World RX) in 2021 has been called off, after not enough car makers committed to the transition. World RX managing director Torben Olsen said: “We have been in discussions for nearly two years with a number of manufacturers. Ultimately it emerged that the manufacturers were not yet ready to commit in sufficient numbers to make a fully electric championship a reality.” The series will instead introduce a new electric-powered support category, named ‘Projekt E’, which will race at World RX weekends alongside the headline petrol-powered Supercars category by 2021. The 2019 season of the championship got under way last weekend in Abu Dhabi, with 16 drivers on the full-season entry list, which no longer features any works teams.…

ALEX Lynn will race for the Jaguar Formula E team for the remainder of the series’ 2018-19 season, after the British squad elected to part company with Nelson Piquet Jr. Lynn (below), who has tested for Jaguar in the past and raced for DS Virgin, will drive alongside Mitch Evans, starting this weekend at the Rome e-Prix. Elsewhere, German Max Guenther makes a return to the cockpit at Geox Dragon, after he was dropped from the team earlier in the season in favour of Felipe Nasr.…

Motoring’s most outspoken and opinionated columnist sounds off “To say that the Korean car industry has changed since 1987 is the automotive understatement of the century” JAPAN massively changed the car game between the sixties and the eighties. China will bust out of its 10-million-square-kilometre ‘local’ patch to perform on the world stage proper from 2020 to 2050. But if you’re looking for the nation that’s rocked the car design/manufacturing/retail scene more than any other between the nineties and today, look at The Land of Morning Calm: South Korea. When, in 1987, I first parachuted into the country, which is about the size of Scotland, it was rebuilding after the triple trauma of the Japanese occupation, the Korean War and the assassination of its president. South Korea wasn’t just rough…