Table of contents for 1519 in Auto Express

• New fourth-generation family car range revealed in full • Sharp design, latest tech aim to return it to top of class “Focus has been overhauled with a brand-new look, more tech and trim options than ever” James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor MEET the new Ford Focus. One of Britain’s favourite family hatchbacks has been overhauled for 2018 to coincide with the Focus’s 20th anniversary. It’s got a brand-new look, more tech and toys, and more trim options than ever before. With Volkswagen nabbing second place in the UK’s new car registration tables last year, and arrivals such as the Kia Ceed and Toyota Auris just around the corner, Ford’s outgoing Focus was falling behind the times. As a result, the firm has retaliated with the fourth-generation Focus, which arrives in the summer…

TWO new sporty-looking SUVs have been added to Volkswagen’s UK range, in the form of the T-Roc R-Line and the Tiguan Allspace R-Line. On the T-Roc, VW’s smallest and newest SUV offering, R-Line trim brings 19-inch alloy wheels and unique, racier styling with fresh front and rear bumpers, a new roof spoiler and black wheelarch extensions. Minor tweaks are found inside, too, with the addition of a flat-bottomed R-Line sports steering wheel and new ‘Carbon Flag’ pattern upholstery on the seats. Standard equipment includes VW’s Active Info Display digital dials, an eight-inch central infotainment display, sat-nav and sports suspension. Prices start at £26,450 for the 148bhp 1.5-litre TSI petrol-engined T-Roc R-Line. A more powerful, all-wheel-drive 187bhp 2.0-litre model and a 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel version are also available. The Tiguan Allspace…

THE Citroen C1 has been updated with fresh options and tech, plus revised engines and two new special editions. There’s new badging on the back and three new colours, alongside new bi-tone roof shades for the Airscape version. New interior trim features, too. Elsewhere, Citroen has announced C1 Urban Ride and C1 Elle variants, priced from £12,225 and £12,705 respectively. The list of driver assistance features now includes automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, hill start assist and a reversing camera. Citroen says Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now operational through the seven-inch touchscreen. Completing the updates is a revised three-cylinder engine. It’s the same 71bhp unit found in the Toyota Aygo, which shares the C1’s platform. Manual and automatic cars will be offered when they go on sale…

THE Jaguar F-Type has been updated for the 2019 model year, with a host of changes including extra paint options and torque vectoring across the range. In addition, the sports car inherits Jaguar Land Rover’s power-related badging system. That means the entry-level model takes the P300 nameplate, while the V6 cars are badged either P340 or P380. The 400 Sport is no more, but the R and SVR are unchanged. Prices for the updated car start from £50,810 for the most basic 2.0-litre F-Type Coupé, and rise to £118,235 for the range-topping SVR cabrio. Changes under the skin are slight, but all cars now get standard torque vectoring. The P380 version adds a limited-slip diff and adaptive dampers. Inside, the car now comes with Jag’s 10-inch InControl Touch Pro screen…

THE future of Vauxhall’s Luton plant has been assured – with the brand’s owner PSA confirming the next generation of Vivaro van will be built in Bedfordshire. The new model will go on sale in 2019. Speaking at the announcement in the factory last week, PSA chairman Carlos Tavares said: “This is a major milestone for the future of Luton, and a key enabler to serve our ambitions in the market.” Tavares announced production would increase from 70,000 to 100,000 vans – insisting that if demand continued to increase, the plant could also build the Peugeot Expert and Citroen Dispatch. Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders CEO Mike Hawes said: “This is great news for the UK automotive sector and especially for the Luton plant.”…

Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.0 seconds/134mph Running costs 40.9mpg (official) £73 fill-up “While initial acceleration is reasonable, it becomes sluggish at mid-range speeds” IT’S not unusual for multi-national car makers to create China-only models. What is rare is for one to launch a car in the Far East, only to bring it to Europe a year later – something that’s about to happen with the Citroen C5 Aircross. This car shares its EMP2 platform with Peugeot’s 3008 (tested on Page 52) and 5008, plus the Vauxhall Grandland X and recently launched DS 7 Crossback. It’s one of the most distinctive Citroens for years, and furthers the expressive design language first seen on the C3 Aircross. The C5 Aircross’s exterior stands out from the crossover crowd, but despite its big wheels and…

Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram WHILE we must wait for the Cupra badged Ateca SUV, SEAT’s sports car boffins have hinted at its promise with their most powerful hot hatch ever. But as rivals turn up the wick with faster, four-wheel-drive family cars, SEAT keeps things simple and incremental upgrades have ensured that the Leon Cupra remains relevant. So is the brand’s latest effort the best of the lot? We drove the limited-run Cupra R in Spain last year (Issue 1,502), and were impressed by the punchy powertrain, playful chassis and sweet steering. In fact, it all but fixed the standard car’s few failings, turning the Leon into a proper Honda Civic Type R rival. Back on UK roads, little has changed. The Cupra R is a fine hot hatch, feeling harder, more…

Running costs 32.7mpg (on test) £76 fill-up/£140 or 32% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 385/1,275 litres Performance 0-60mph/top speed 8.7 seconds/120mph Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 53.3/38.1/10.1m MODEL TESTED: Subaru XV 2.0i SE Premium Lineartronic PRICE: £28,510 ENGINE: 2.0-litre flat-four, 154bhp SUBARU’S XV has been around for six years now, but it’s fair to say the 4x4 hasn’t exactly been a sales success. The Japanese brand is hoping to address that with this revised version. Priced from £28,510 in top-spec SE Premium guise, can the XV see off the cheaper Mitsubishi and Skoda? Design & engineering THE updates to the Subaru aren’t exactly obvious, with minor tweaks to the styling inside and out, some improved interior materials and extra refinement the things you’ll notice at first. Even though the looks don’t show an…

Running costs 34.3mpg (on test) £50 fill-up/£140 or 35% tax Performance 0-60mph/top speed 6.1 seconds/143mph Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 286 litres/N/A (VDA) Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 42.3/32.6/9.1m TOYOTA returned to the World Rally Championship in 2017 with its Yaris WRC – with some success, we might add – and this project partly inspired the Yaris GRMN hot hatch. That four-letter tag stands for ‘Gazoo Racing tuned by the Master of Nürburgring’, and highlights where the car has been partly developed and how serious Toyota is about the project. Just because a car works well at the German race track is no guarantee it’ll succeed in the UK, but the Yaris is a riot on B-roads that challenge other hot hatches. There’s some stiffening for the structure, including a front suspension brace, while…

@stevefowler WINTER dragged on a little too long this year, but I will admit to having a slightly smug feeling with a Discovery on my driveway. The SUV’s real go-anywhere ability has come in handy as the amount of rain has left some of my local roads impassable to many cars. But not mine. I can raise the air suspension if needed, but one big benefit of the Disco’s normal ground clearance is its ability to glide through water that leaves other cars (and some SUVs) turning around and finding an alternative route. It’s the same with the countless potholes that are making so many of the roads on our network seem more like off-road tracks. Some of the ruts are so deep I’m glad the Discovery has hardy Pirelli…

“BlackVue dash cam will be able to capture and record a greater amount of detail, such as number plates” NEW PRODUCT BlackVue DR750S dash cam Prices: From £249.95 Contact: 01555 709729, www.blackvue.uk DASH cam specialist BlackVue has added a new, top-of-the-range dual cam to its product line-up. The DR750S replaces the best-selling DR650S and features Sony STARVIS 1080p full-HD sensors, bringing “significant video performance improvements” over the outgoing model, according to the manufacturer. The newcomer can be bought as a dual camera (DR750S 2CH) or a single (DR750S 1CH) package. And whichever you go for, enhanced ISO sensitivity means the device promises an even better night mode. Another notable feature is the 60-frames-per-second recording option for the front camera. This means it will be able to capture and record a…

YOU can save money by doing your own valeting and jobs on your car, but it can be messy. And working on rough surfaces or cold, hard floors can take its toll on your body. A padded kneeler can ease the strain not just on your knees, but also on your back and clothing, plus protect against rogue fasteners, cold and spilled liquids. There’s plenty of choice out there. Larger mats are generally better value for money and offer greater versatility, but require more storage space and are trickier to carry around in the car. A folding mat, meanwhile, is pricier but takes up less room when not in use. Which one should you choose to take the strain out of DIY work? We got down and dirty with eight…

105g/km (0.9 TCe 90) £20/£140 Running costs 62mpg £54 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 12.2 seconds/113mph RENAULT has some great small cars in its back catalogue, including the 4 and the 5. In 1990 the brand came up with another landmark model: the Clio. Famous for its adverts that featured Nicole and Papa, the first edition of the Clio looked stylish and was great fun to drive. Yet, as with the second and third generations that followed, it wasn’t the last word in build quality or reliability. So when Renault introduced the Clio Mk4, one of the key requirements was that it was built to a far higher standard. And that’s what we got, without losing the enjoyable driving experience, the value for money or the cheeky design. History THE Clio…

“Load bay is the same as in car it replaces, but newcomer has a more rakish tailgate” John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy THE latest-generation Audi A6 saloon hasn’t reached dealers yet, but the German brand has wasted little time in revealing the Avant estate version. A rival for the BMW 5 Series Touring and Mercedes E-Class Estate, the latest A6 Avant gets the same evolution in styling as its four-door sibling. The car is slightly larger than its predecessor – 10mm longer, 20mm wider and 6mm taller – but its front and rear overhangs are both reduced, thanks to an extended wheelbase. That should improve cabin space, particularly for those sitting in the rear seats. The rest of the shape echoes the saloon’s styling. At the front, there’s a 3D effect to the…

RENAULTCLIO “Major upgrades include the introduction of a 48V starter/generator” John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy RENAULT’S small cars face stiffer competition than ever before – and here’s the proof that the French maker is gearing up new versions of its Clio hatch and Captur SUV to fight respective rivals like the new Ford Fiesta and SEAT Arona. Spied for the first time testing in Spain, the Mk5 Clio will continue to be based on the current car’s CMF-B platform. But it’ll get a series of major upgrades over the outgoing model, including mild-hybrid tech that will introduce a 48-volt integrated starter/generator to improve fuel economy on the petrol engines. The units in question are likely to be the latest 1.3-litre turbo motors, along with an updated version of Renault’s well-proven 0.9-litre three-cylinder. Given…

“Lexus is looking to offer ‘something different’ to counter the Mercedes A-Class and BMW 1 Series” John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy LEXUS is planning a radical successor to its CT hatch – and the newcomer could be offered as a pure-electric Tesla Model 3 rival, as well as a petrol hybrid, Auto Express can reveal. The existing CT is still being sold in several countries, including the UK, where its hybrid-only powertrains have given it an extended lease of life. But the forthcoming arrival of the new UX small crossover had been expected to sideline the five-door hatch altogether. However, Lexus’s European boss Pascal Ruch has told us a CT successor is on the way, and the brand is looking to offer “something different” to counter the Mercedes A-Class and BMW 1 Series.…

IT is not uncommon for car insurance to increase at renewal time, but one Auto Express reader was so shocked at the hike in his premium that he contacted us to see if we could get an explanation. John Rous, from Brinkworth, Wilts, told us: “I insured my BMW M140i from new with BMW insurance and paid £335.28.” Come renewal, however, John was quoted £548.85 for another year’s cover, even though none of his circumstances had changed. John queried the extra cost with BMW, but “the agent could give me no definitive reason”. He looked elsewhere, eventually getting his M140i insured for just under £300. We contacted BMW, which told us its insurance was provided by Allianz, and explained: “In the first quarter of 2017, Allianz introduced a change to…

Running costs 44.8mpg (official) £53 fill-up James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor THE updates to the MINI Hatch (driven in Issue 1,517) have also found their way on to the Convertible. For 2018, the drop-top gets a tweaked look and new tech, as well as more scope for personalisation than ever before. Like the Hatch, the Convertible’s facelift is subtle. At the front there are new headlamps and daytime running lights, while at the rear you’ll notice the standard (in the UK, at least) Union flag LEDs. The MINI’s expansive use of chrome can be toned down if you add the black exterior pack, while winged badges, fresh colours and extra wheel designs also feature. The hatchback’s 3D-printed nameplates and dash trims are available. Standard kit includes a multifunction steering wheel and a 6.5-inch…

Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram IN 2016, we put the Nissan 370Z up against the (then new) Ford Mustang EcoBoost. We confirmed that while Nissan’s sports car had plenty of old-school charm at launch in 2009, it had dated in the seven years since. Now we’re in 2018 and the 370Z is nearing a full decade on sale. Despite its advancing years, Nissan hopes a fresh set of tweaks will offer appeal in the face of newer rivals, which range from hot hatches to two-door coupés. The model year 18 updates include new door handles, subtly tinted lights, new 19-inch alloys and striking Infra Red paint. Place it alongside an Audi TT and few would know it’s a 10-year-old design. Inside, there’s a touchscreen sat-nav, but no DAB radio, which seems stingy. You…

Running costs 30.1mpg (on test) £72 fill-up/£140 or 32% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 341-448/1,122 litres Performance 0-60mph/top speed 8.5 seconds/124mph Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 52.3/39.8/10.2m MODEL TESTED: Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 4 1.5 MIVEC Auto 4WD PRICE: £27,915 ENGINE: 1.5-litre 4cyl, 161bhp MITSUBISHI’S new mid-size family SUV looks competitive on paper, with a far more modern design and approach than the brand’s ASX. At £27,915 for this petrol auto ‘4’ trim we’re testing, it’s the most affordable model of the trio on test, but do you pay a penalty elsewhere? Design & engineering THE Eclipse Cross is based on a revised version of Mitsubishi’s GS Platform, also known as “Project Global”, which is a joint development between the brand and Daimler/Chrysler. It’s been around for a while, underpinning other products, such as…

BRITAIN has always been a haven for hot hatchbacks. Buyers here love the blend of hardcore performance and usability these models deliver – and none is arguably more hardcore than the new Toyota Yaris GRMN. Small, sporty cars like this are perfect for twisty British roads, and this limited-run hot hatch offers vital specs that highlight this. Never one to follow the crowd, Toyota does things its own way with the GRMN, but even so the car is matched by the Peugeot 208 GTi by Peugeot Sport when it comes to its focused set-up and the performance on offer. One area where they don’t quite match is price; the Yaris is expensive. The question is whether it’s worth the money. Toyota Yaris GRMN Japanese firm turns to Gazoo Racing for its…

Performance 0-62mph/top speed 11.2 seconds/117mph Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 591/1,670 litres Running costs 48.9mpg (off icial) £65 fill-up “i-Cockpit set-up is a bit awkward in some Peugeots; in 3008 you sit high enough that seeing the speedo isn’t an issue” IT’S time to say goodbye to our Peugeot 3008, and I’m gutted to see it go, because the French crossover has really left a lasting impression on me. For me, it’s the best car the company makes, and deserved to pick up the Best Mid-Size SUV crown at our New Car Awards 2017: the 3008 brings some French chic to the crowded class. There are so many competitive models in this market that it can be difficult to work out which one is my favourite. In the past I’ve run…

2017 Results Audi A1 Factfile Years: 2010 to present CO2: 97g/km Fuel economy: 67.3mpg (1.0 TFSI) Best options: Multifunction steering wheel, xenon lights, sat-nav, heated seats Used prices: From £5,700 OVERALL SCORE 86.53% Bars show where model finished out of 75 vehicles in our 2017 new car survey. The longer the bar the better • GOOD “THE A1 is simply the best-looking small car on sale today.” “Dual-clutch gearbox is easy to use, and each gear is well placed.” “A1’s seats are comfier than those in my Volvo – high praise indeed.” “Love it. Has a smooth, quiet ride, feels safe and is cheap to run.” “Big windows and small size mean visibility is excellent.” “Standard Dynamic suspension is well balanced for UK roads.” “The interior is finished to a…

Mercedes E-Class E 220 d AMG Line Years: 2016 to date Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 191bhp Ins group: 31 Official econ/CO2: 72.4mpg/112g/km Why? E-Class balances strong performance and comfort with sensible economy and a raft of tech. Prices from: £25,789 WHEN the current Mercedes E-Class arrived in the executive class, it instantly established itself as the saloon to buy, thanks to its sumptuous, S-Class inspired interior and technology. While competition has undoubtedly hotted up, the E-Class remains a strong all-round package, and is right up there for performance, comfort and luxury. The current model was too new to be included in our most recent Driver Power satisfaction survey, but Mercedes came a disappointing 21st in the makers’ chart. BMW 5 Series 520d xDrive M Sport Years: 2016 to date Engine: 2.0-litre…

Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk THE World Rallycross Championship (World RX) blasts back into action at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona this weekend, following a winter of big announcements as manufacturers step up their involvement in the fast-paced, mixed-surface motorsport discipline. Swede Johan Kristoffersen, the series’ reigning champion, forms part of an unchanged line-up at Petter Solberg’s PSRX Volkswagen Sweden team. The all-conquering Polo has been further refined for 2018, but Kristoffersen sounded a note of caution at the season launch, recalling how close his margin of victory was several times last year. Peugeot has long had a presence in rallycross in collaboration with the family-run Swedish outfit Team Hansen, but following the conclusion of its Dakar programme, the full weight of Peugeot Sport is now behind the effort, with rally legend Sebastien…

“We know the restrictions in terms of cost and time of the police developing a platform, so it was easy for us to take the initiative”BRYN BROOKER Nextbase Hugo_Griffiths@dennis.co.uk @hugo_griffiths DASH cam owners could soon be able to send footage of dangerous and illegal driving to police across England and Wales thanks to a revolutionary new online portal, Auto Express can reveal. Forces in the two countries are preparing to modernise the way they accept dash cam footage from drivers, following the creation of a universal online platform to receive recordings. The Nextbase National Dash Cam Safety Portal will allow owners of any brand of dash cam to upload footage of dangerous driving. Together with a witness statement and details of where the offence took place, the footage would be…

SKODA has slightly altered the Superb line-up for 2018, with a racy new SportLine Plus range-topper. The Czech firm has tweaked the standard SportLine, too, removing kit and cutting the price. SportLine cars lose their 9.2-inch nav unit in favour of a smaller eight-inch set-up, while prices have been reduced by £470. SportLine Plus muscles in with the bigger screen as standard, as well as heated seats, blind spot detectors and an electric tailgate. Prices start at £29,330, which is a £1,500 premium over the SportLine model. Elsewhere, cars in SE L Executive trim add keyless entry and a colour trip computer to the equipment list. L&K editions now feature a heated steering wheel, ventilated seats and a reversing camera. The updated Superb line-up is available to order in the…

“Due to recent VED updates and other factors, Dacia says it can no longer sell Sandero at such a low price” THE Dacia Sandero is still Britain’s cheapest car – just – after the maker increased the price of the entry-level Access by 16.7 per cent, or £1,000. That takes the hatch from £5,995 to £6,995, despite an unchanged spec. Since it went on sale in 2013, the Sandero’s £5,995 headline figure has been unaffected by inflation, tax changes and industry-wide list price hikes. But due to recent updates to Vehicle Excise Duty and other external factors, bosses have decided it’s no longer feasible to sell the bargain model for such a low price. Regardless, the Sandero still costs £500 less than a Suzuki Celerio, and is significantly cheaper than…

“Average difference between motorway and national fuel prices is currently 18.35p per litre. In 2011 it was 7.5ppl” Hugo_Griffiths@dennis.co.uk @hugo_griffiths “EXPLOITATIVE” prices at motorway filling stations could come to an end after the Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, said he was “concerned” expensive fuel could be a safety risk. In a letter to Andrea Coscelli, head of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Grayling said: “I am writing to raise concerns and request that the CMA considers opening an investigation into the retail price at Motorway Service Areas (MSAs). “I am concerned that prices which are higher than other forecourts may exploit users in a situation where there is less choice and competition, and discourage motorists from stopping and re-fuelling when, for safety reasons, they should.” Grayling asked the CMA to…

“Drivers who forget to turn their headlamps on risk having their DRLs dazzle other motorists” DAYTIME running lights (DRLs) risk dazzling drivers at night, England’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO) has warned. Professor Dame Sally Davies said in her annual report: “At night, if [DRLs] do not dim… they can be very dazzling.” Prof Davies added that this posed a potential safety risk: “Older drivers, in particular, will be dazzled by oncoming vehicles, with the risk that they may not see hazards until too late.” While modern DRLs are designed to switch off when a car’s headlights are on, drivers who forget to turn their headlamps on, or don’t switch these to ‘auto’, risk having their DRLs dazzle other motorists. The CMO’s comments come after research by the RAC found 15…

THE fonder you are of a car, the more likely you are to forgive it the odd niggle. But what happens when a vehicle you love develops so many faults your patience wears thin, and you don’t want to take it back into the garage again? That’s the experience Lee Ryan from Epping, Essex, had after his 2016 Range Rover Sport developed several separate faults, requiring multiple visits to his Land Rover dealer – one lasting two months. Lee’s Range Rover had issues with its parking cameras, and showed error messages relating to its stability control, hill descent control and All Terrain Progress control systems. While these were rectified under warranty, and Lee said Grange Land Rover of Woodford had been helpful, one intermittent fault – which had been present…

Performance 0-62mph/top speed 3.6 seconds/195mph Running costs 26.8mpg (official) £96 fill-up Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk @stevefowler THERE was a time when Aston Martin could barely manage to launch a new car every few years. It wasn’t that long ago, yet the British brand has turned a big corner under the stewardship of Brit boss Andy Palmer. With the company’s finances in good order and hot on the heels of the DB11 comes the most important car of them all: the new Aston Martin Vantage. Priced from £120,900 before you plunder the tempting and deep options roster, this new Vantage has a tough adversary in the Porsche 911 Turbo. But while there are plenty of price, power and performance similarities, the Aston goes about things in a different way; a typically British way. Let’s…

Performance 0-62mph/top speed 7.9 seconds/132mph Running costs 40.4mpg (off icial) £67 fill-up Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram SEAT now offers its Ateca SUV with a choice of six engines, two gearboxes and either front or four-wheel drive. On top of that there are five trim levels and countless equipment packages, and if that’s not enough, a 296bhp Cupra version is on the way, too. Those wondering what a fully-laden, top-of-the-range SEAT SUV would look like need wonder no more – because the car you see here is exactly that. Fitted with the most powerful 2.0 TSI petrol engine, a DSG gearbox and all wheel drive, it comes packed with loads of clever kit and convenient features. The flagship motor is available either in XCellence or FR trims. The latter was added to the…

Pictures: Pete Gibson Location: Putney, SW London COMPETITION between mainstream manufacturers is becoming ever tighter as more and more makers join the SUV fray. And Subaru is aiming for a slice of the action with its updated XV family 4x4. The newcomer boasts more power and practicality than before, with improved quality and refinement to boot. These are key attributes in a market where it seems firms need a family 4x4 in their line-up if they want to genuinely vie for sales. But the XV isn’t the only new Japanese contender on the SUV block. Mitsubishi has also recently launched the Eclipse Cross, and while this car doesn’t actually replace the old ASX, it makes a lot more sense for families. With a more modern design, a new petrol powertrain…

Running costs 34.2mpg (on test) £60 fill-up/£140 or 26% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 479-588/1,810 litres Performance 0-60mph/top speed 8.8 seconds/126mph Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 46.5/32.2/8.0m MODEL TESTED: Skoda Karoq 1.5 TSI DSG Edition Price: £28,410 ENGINE: 1.5-litre 4cyl, 148bhp THE Skoda Karoq arrived last year and immediately went straight to the top of the class, defeating our previous family SUV favourite, the Peugeot 3008. In every sense then, this is the car the two new contenders have to beat, but it’s not a foregone conclusion. In £28,410 1.5 TSI DSG Edition spec (although our pictures show an SE L), can the Karoq carry its momentum to win here? Design & engineering THIS is the latest SUV to join Skoda’s line-up. There’ll be an even smaller model to complement the range, but…

Running costs 35.5mpg (on test) £60 fill-up/£140 or 26% tax Performance 0-60mph/top speed 6.3 seconds/143mph Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 285/1,076 litres (VDA) Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 48.3/35.8/9.1m THE 208 GTi has been upgraded throughout its life, and the updates for this Peugeot Sport version turned the car from an also ran into a real compact hot hatch contender. Compared with the standard GTi, this more focused 208 has a 6mm wider track front and rear. It also sits 10mm lower and gets a bespoke geometry set-up. Firmer springs and dampers feature as well, to control the 18-inch wheels, wrapped in sticky Michelin Pilot Sport tyres. And there’s a Torsen limited-slip differential. If you think that sounds like quite a focused set-up, it is. The Peugeot feels every inch the hardcore little pocket…

Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 290/980 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 10.5 seconds/113mph Running costs 45.1mpg (on test) £51 fill-up OUR Ford Fiesta is about as ‘ordinary’ as new cars get: Britain’s best-seller, in mid-range specification propelled by the entry-level 99bhp 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine. Years ago a supermini like this served as simple transport and little else. It had no real reason to entertain; if you bought one, you were committed to saving money and not much else. But the mint-green Ford puts a smile on the face of everyone who drives it. Other members of the team, many of whom spend time with vastly more expensive and more powerful machinery, have commented constantly over the past few weeks on just how sweet the Fiesta is to drive. I’ve been behind…

NEW PRODUCT Pioneer AVH-Z2000BT multimedia head unit Price: £379 Contact: www.pioneer.eu INFOTAINMENT specialist Pioneer has added yet another head unit to its connectivity-focused AVH range. The AVH-Z2000BT is a double-DIN slot design with a 6.2-inch resistive touchscreen which gives access to a range of features designed to mirror smartphone functionality in-car. The Japanese manufacturer was one of the first to use Apple CarPlay in aftermarket units, so it’s no surprise to see it on the Z2000BT. This feature mimics the iPhone and iPad interface on the head unit, allowing it to control several key phone functions such as phone calls and texts, plus music. It can also run AppRadio +, which will allow Apple device owners to use the popular community-based Waze sat-nav app; this can’t be done through CarPlay,…