Table of contents for 1562 in Auto Express

All-new Corsa steps out of the shadows THIS is our first official glimpse of the all-new Vauxhall Corsa (above). The supermini is one of the UK’s biggest-selling cars and its dramatic new look is due to be revealed in the coming months. The image shows that the Corsa will be fitted with Vauxhall’s IntelliLux LED headlamps, which the firm says will be a first in the class. A pure-electric variant will arrive shortly after the standard version to rival the Renault ZOE. No-deal Brexit could mean plate changes BRITS driving to EU countries after 29 March may need to fit new number plates or buy a GB sticker if a hard Brexit occurs, the Government has revealed. The ‘Euro-plate’ number plate, which features a GB logo on an EU flag,…

• Aggressive styling for sports car • Five-cylinder motor carried over Luke_Wilkinson@dennis.co.uk @LT_Wilkinson HOT on the heels of the updated TT, Audi has launched a fresh version of the flagship TT RS. Both Roadster and Coupé variants have been updated with a new look and stick with the 395bhp five-cylinder engine. It’s available to order this month, priced from about £60,000 for the Coupé and around £62,000 for the Roadster. The RS model adopts a more masculine appearance than the standard car, with a deeper front bumper, a large front splitter, RS honeycomb grille, wider side skirts, a fixed rear wing and a redesigned back bumper with a black RS diffuser and twin sports exhausts. Buyers can also choose between 19 or 20-inch alloy wheels. Despite the exterior tweaks, Audi…

1950s-60s US and UK experiment with wires embedded under roads to guide self-driving cars and recognise other vehicles 1986 German van fitted with cameras and sensors interprets data and then issues driving commands 1987-1995 Prometheus project sees car self-drive for 98 miles; adaptive cruise and blind spot assist come from Prometheus 1990-2000 Developments include US researchers covering 3,100 miles with 98 per cent autonomy 2010s Google and Apple join scores of car makers in declaring interest in self-driving cars 2015 Monitored AV trials on UK public roads; Government founds Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles 2018 Pedestrian in US killed by self-driving Uber, despite presence of in-car safety operative 2019 DfT announces planned changes to law to allow “advanced trials” of AVs on public roads with no safety operator 2021…

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…

MODEL TESTED: Porsche Macan PRICE: £46,344 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 242bhp THIS 2.0-litre car is the entry-level model in the new Macan range. Prices start from £46,344, so it’s well matched to the F-Pace. However, it’ll have to live up to the Jag’s new technology, too. Let’s find out how much of an improved package the Porsche is. Design & engineering UNDER the skin, the Macan still uses the same platform, so there are no huge changes here. That means the basic suspension layout remains, with double wishbones at the front and a multi-link set-up at the rear. However, there are lighter but firmer springs, which are claimed to improve handling without compromising comfort. Other alterations ensure it’s even more refined. The optional Porsche Adaptive suspension Management (PAsM) function is probably…

TECHNOLOGY UPDATED infotainment in the Macan is a big improvement. We know buyers are placing increasing importance on this element of any new car – even more so with premium models such as these – and porsche has addressed this. It makes the car even easier to live with, although we’d still like to see android auto added to the list of kit. Otherwise, it’s one of the better infotainment units currently on the market. NOISE THE F-pace used to be available with a supercharged petrol V6, and while the Macan still comes with a multi-cylinder unit, these four-cylinder motors are likely to be more popular choices. That has an impact on noise; despite the sporty-looking tailpipes, neither sounds great. The Macan’s motor rasps only under hard acceleration in Sport…

MODEL TESTED: Kia Picanto S 1.0 T-GDI GT-Line PRICE: £14,720 ENGINE: 1.0-litre 3cyl, 99bhp THE latest Kia Picanto is more grown-up than ever, and this GT-Line S model sits at the top of the range with the new 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine. It’s £14,720 list price puts it at the expensive end of the city car market, but match its spec with options on the VW up! and the cars cost a similar amount. Design & engineering PREVIOUSLY the Picanto was available with a 66bhp 1.0-litre engine or an 83bhp 1.25-litre unit, but this new turbo version boosts power to an impressive 99bhp. It’s manual only in this form, although a four-speed automatic box can be specced on the 1.25-litre model. The Kia matches the VW’s suspension layout, using MacPherson-strut…

GEARSHIFT THE Picanto’s gearshift is precise and thrilling to use, especially since keeping the revvy engine in its power band is so much fun. It has a mechanical feel without being too heavy as well. The up! has a fantastic shift, too. It’s lighter than the Kia’s but no less satisfying to use. The Volkswagen’s is very slightly better placed in relation to the steering wheel, and the throw is also marginally shorter. WHEELS THE Kia comes with 16-inch alloy wheels as standard in GT-Line S trim, while the High up! makes do with 15-inch rims. However, the ride quality in the Volkswagen is better and the Picanto can sometimes thump into potholes, partly due to those larger wheels. The Kia has a racier look overall, because GT-Line S spec…

General makes mark with two new tyres CONTINENTAL-owned US maker General has introduced two summer tyres in Europe: the Altimax One and Altimax One S (above). They’re available for 15 to 20-inch wheels and the brand claims the new products offer great handling and braking capabilities on dry roads. The One features a three-groove tread and will be available in 12 sizes for cars such as the Ford Fiesta. The One S is wider, with a four-groove pattern and will be available in 37 sizes, fitting models such as the Volkswagen Golf. For more information visit www.generaltire.eu. Festival of Speed to salute record breakers GOODWOOD has announced the central theme for the 2019 Festival of Speed. The event will focus on ‘Speed Kings – Motorsport’s Record Breakers’ and will honour not…

NEW Zealand racer Brendon Hartley (below) returns to the World Endurance Championship paddock this year, following his departure from the Toro Rosso F1 team. The ex-Porsche LMP1 ace will drive for the Russian SMP Racing squad at the Sebring and Spa rounds, deputising for Jenson Button, who has Super GT races in Japan on those dates. Button will be back for Le Mans in June, however. Elsewhere, Hartley has also secured a simulator driver role with Ferrari, and will undertake Formula E testing with Porsche.…

● Mild-hybrid tech at launch; PHEV due to follow in 2020 ● Choice of three petrol and three diesel engine options John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy THE new Range Rover Evoque is one of the most important cars in the history of Jaguar Land Rover, replacing the smash-hit original version at a crucial time for the company’s bank balance. And while the official launch isn’t until the spring, Auto Express has been given an introduction to the new model on UK roads by Land Rover’s chief development driver, Mike Cross. The all-new Evoque lives up to that billing because while its chassis is, in theory, related to the D8 platform that underpinned the first-generation car, it has gone through major changes to allow for electrification. All automatic-transmission Evoques (in effect, everything but the…

ELSEWHERE at BMW, the firm has given us our first look at its radical new electric SUV. Previewed by the iNEXT concept, the model will showcase the most advanced level of autonomous and battery technology. Still several years away from production – it’s not due to arrive until 2021 – the newcomer will sit above the forthcoming iX3 in the range, with the manufacturer having applied to trademark every badge from iX1 to iX9 for its future line-up of electric SUVs. BMW says the purpose of the winter excursion is to test the limits of the iNEXT’s all-wheel-drive system, as well as find out how cold weather affects the efficiency of its electric motor and battery pack, which is expected to be a 120kWh unit delivering a range of 435…

WE drive a very special, tough Skoda and count down the best small SUVs on sale. See both at youtube.com/Autoexpress. James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor We give bulletproof Skoda our best shot THINK armoured limo and a Mercedes S-Class or the Prime Minister’s Jaguar XJ spring to mind, not a Skoda. However, the firm has created a bulletproof version of its Superb Estate, and it’s protected against handguns and even missiles. We take the tough Czech out for a spin. Best small SUVs on sale today revealed NOBODY could have predicted the rise in small SUVs and crossovers, and it seems they’re here to stay. With such a diverse range on offer there’s one for everyone, including the Dacia Duster (above). But which are the best? We count down the finest models on the…

“WE support the Government’s ambition to position the UK at the vanguard of technology development,” said Avery. “We also welcome the advent of fully automated cars and the many benefits to mobility and car safety they will bring. But the desire to accelerate the implementation of these technologies while keeping all road users safe is a delicate balancing act. Safety must be a key priority and must not be compromised to achieve a leadership position. We look forward to the opportunity to engage in the Government’s consultation on The Automated Driving Code of Practice.” HAWES said the DfT’s decision “paves the way for the next phase of automated vehicle trials in the UK, and is a welcome step forward in cementing the UK as a global hotbed for innovation in…

James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor TWO-door sports cars aren’t often criticised for their poor practicality, but Mercedes thinks there’s a market for those who want to have their cake and eat it. The result is this: the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door. This is a car that, in theory, takes all we love about the standard Mercedes-AMG GT Coupé, while adding usability and space so your family can come along for the ride. It rivals cars such as the Aston Martin Rapide S and forthcoming BMw 8 Series Gran Coupé, but unlike those models, the 4-door separates itself by sitting on a different platform from its conventional GT sibling. Beneath that super swoopy body lies the architecture that underpins the latest Mercedes E-Class. It’s used on everything from the E 220 d to the AMG…

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @AxleIngram IT’S not often that we get to talk about the latest version of a car losing power, but that’s exactly what has happened to the skoda superb. More stringent WLTP testing regulations have forced the fitment of an exhaust particulate filter, so while the eco benefits are welcome, the changes have chipped 8bhp from the engine output, too. Saying that, the revised 268bhp total isn’t to be sniffed at. Indeed, it’s enough for the superb to keep its billing as the most powerful skoda – more brawny even than the brand’s sportiest cars: the 242bhp Octavia vRS and the 237bhp Kodiaq vRs. That power, and the hefty 350Nm torque spread, comes from the 2.0-litre engine that’s offered in various states of tune throughout the Volkswagen Group family –…

MODEL TESTED: Jaguar F-Pace 25t R-Sport PRICE: £46,030 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 247bhp AS a former Auto Express Car of the Year, the F-Pace knows how to win. In fact, when it last met the Macan – both in 3.0 V6 diesel form – it rose to the top. However, the market has changed, hence the updated 2.0 petrol Porsche, so can this £46,030 Jaguar in 25t R-Sport spec find success again? Design & engineering THE Jaguar’s platform uses some aluminium components to help keep weight down, and although at 1,831kg it’s a bit heavier than the Porsche, it’s also physically larger, so this slight deficit is countered in other areas. The engine has a little more power than its rival, too. It’s a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol turbo from JLR’s Ingenium…

Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.0 280 Speciale PRICE: £45,590 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 276bhp The Alfa Stelvio’s 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine is one of the crispest around, and it boasts even more power than the Porsche or Jag for a similar price. Quality isn’t up to scratch, but it’s great fun to drive for an SUV, with lots of agility. BMW X3 xDrive20i M Sport PRICE: £42,370 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 181bhp IT’S not as powerful, or quite as sporty looking, but the new X3 is still great to drive, and it’s more practical than the Porsche. The trade-off for the less potent engine is a lower list price, too, which leaves you more to spend on extras.…

MODEL TESTED: Volkswagen High up! 1.0 90 5dr PRICE: £13,360 ENGINE: 1.0-litre 3cyl, 89bhp THE Volkswagen up! is the only version of the VW Group’s city car siblings that features a turbocharged petrol engine in its range. Here we’re testing the top-spec High up! model in five-door form to match its range-topping Picanto rival, although at £13,360, it’s a bit cheaper than the Kia. Design & engineering BENEATH the skin of the up! is the same chassis that underpinned the original car and its Skoda Citigo and SEAT Mii cousins at launch in 2012. All three use the VW Group’s NSF (New Small Family) platform, which has MacPherson struts and a torsion-beam rear axle, like the Kia. The Volkswagen’s engine has 10bhp less than the Picanto here, at 89bhp, but…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Okay to overtake a gritter? GRITTING lorries have been out on the roads in my area over the past few weeks. I saw several cars overtake one because it was travelling slowly. Is this a good idea? Richard Gallagher, E-mail A APART from any damage to paintwork that may be caused as you overtake, it largely depends on conditions. If roads are already slippery it’s a bad idea, because the surface in front of the gritter (above) may not be treated, and conditions dangerous. If roads are being gritted ahead of freezing weather, it may be safe to pass. Q Tax and MoT for a classic car MY classic car will be 40 years old later this year. Does its age mean that I…

CHARGING while you drive is vital if you use mobile nav or other power-sapping apps, and a Qi inductive wireless holder lets you revive your device without any fiddly cables. Newer smartphones have Qi capability, but most can be adapted by using a case or plug-in receiver, and a dedicated holder helps to keep you legal. We tried them with a large Android phone, a small samsung S3 and an iPhone 6. to test charging under load, we ran CoPilot sat-nav on the latter on a half-hour route, checking charge before and after, then tried a similar no-load test. Build and ease of use were rated, we wanted a stable mounting and reliable Qi connection, plus we noted price. the stable MSC mount wins because it’s a complete package. While…

YOUR VIEWS ON YOUR CARS 2018 Results Fabia Factfile Years: 2014 to present CO2: 111g/km Fuel economy: 49.6mpg (1.0 MPI 75PS) Best options: Metallic paint, electric rear windows, parking sensors, climate control Used prices: From £5,400 OVERALL SCORE 89.39% Bars show where model finished out of 75 vehicles in our 2018 new car survey. The longer the bar the better • GOOD “IT’S a proper Tardis inside, with more space than some cars from the class above.” “The autonomous emergency braking system has saved me from a few potential crashes.” “My car is very fuel efficient. I average about 55mpg, which is more than adequate.” “I have had my Fabia for more than three years and it has been totally trouble-free.” “The seven-speed DSG automatic transmission is smooth when changing…

Motoring’s most outspoken and opinionated columnist sounds off “Who’d have thought it, eh? Little Britain boasting more World Car Finalists in 2019 than Japan and the US put together” AFTER the first round of voting for the 2019 World Car Awards, the unexpected happened. Britain’s battered and bruised motor industry was, in effect, voted third on the planet for desirable, quality products that impress and satisfy the people who drive them. Or, to be more precise, four British cars – the Aston Martin Vantage, Jaguar’s E-Pace and I-Pace, plus the McLaren 720S – enabled the UK to proudly occupy that coveted third-place slot. We already knew these were world-class cars. Now more than 80 jurors – most of whom are non-Brits – have decided they should go through to the…

IT’S-32 degrees Celsius outside, a dazzling yellow sun is clinging to the horizon and, dancing across Arjeplog’s vast frozen, snow-blanketed lake in sweden, Land Rover’s new Evoque is doing things that frankly beggar belief. At least it is in the hands of Carl Richards, principal engineer responsible for the stability controls of the Jaguar Land Rover group’s more space-efficient ‘mixed material’ Premium transverse Architecture platform that underpins the Evoque. It’s his 21st winter in the frozen north. All Mk2 Evoques are powered at the car’s launch by JLR’s 2.0-litre Ingenium engines, in both diesel and petrol guises. We’re in the all-wheel-drive 296bhp turbo petrol range-topper with nine-speed ZF auto box, a car capable of accelerating from 0-60mph in 6.3 seconds on the way to a top speed of 150mph. What’s…

BMW will also expand its family of plug-in hybrid cars by launching a PHEV 3 Series Touring for the first time as part of the upcoming next generation, Auto Express can reveal. Bosses told us it is BMW’s desire for electrification to become “the norm”. As a result the firm will remove all hybrid-specific styling cues from its electrified cars this year; iPerformance badges will be dropped, while subtle blue accents will be replaced with body-coloured trim. The 330e Touring will be fitted with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 182bhp, linked to a 67bhp electric motor. We expect economy figures to be similar to those of the 330e saloon, at around 138mpg, with CO2 emissions of 39g/km.…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress Write to: Watchdog/Letters, Auto Express, Dennis Publishing Ltd, 31-32 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7DP HOT TOPIC New Toyota Supra FROM: Tom Bo LOTS of people are complaining the power output is too low, while forgetting a true driver’s car is all about the handling, feel and driving experience. These qualities should not be sacrificed for the sake of any straight-line speed figure. FROM: Samuel V I THINK the exterior design is excellent – a great homage to the original Supra. The interior is a massive letdown compared with the old model, though. It’s not powerful enough, either – the previous version was practically a supercar! Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ▪ “The interior is lifted straight from a BMW and the exterior doesn’t look as good as the…

TUNGSTEN: Early headlights had a tungsten filament in a vacuum-sealed bulb. The filament could leave deposits on the headlight lens. HALOGEN: By adding a halogen into the vacuum-sealed bulb, engineers solved the filament-deposit issue. However, halogen lights have poor energy efficiency by today’s standards. XENON: A xenon headlamp, or high-intensity discharge (HID) bulb, generates light by creating an electric arc between two electrodes. Xenon bulbs are brighter than halogens, but cost more to buy. LED: Light-emitting diodes consume little energy and produce a clear, bright beam, although understanding how they work requires learning about electron holes and semi-conductors. Long-lasting, but expensive to replace, Matrix LEDs can turn off individual diodes to optimise available light. LASER: Offered with a handful of high-end cars like the BMW i8, a laser beam shines…

Porsche Macan PCM Standard Key features: Improved nav, connectivity THE 10.9-inch screen update has evolved the Macan’s infotainment to the point where the set-up is now the best in its class. You get plenty of features as standard, including satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay (but no Android Auto), connected services, DAB and more. The beauty of the system is how it works. It responds quickly, there’s plenty of display space and the unit is easy to use on the move because there’s a small ledge below the screen to anchor your hand and keep it stable when pressing the display. However, the new infotainment stands to highlight that other areas of the cabin are now looking a little dated. There’s a small digital display next to the central rev counter that…

Kia Picanto 7” Touchscreen sat-nav Standard Key features: Sat-nav, smartphone link THIS GT-Line S Picanto has a seven-inch touchscreen with smartphone connectivity, and in this company it outclasses its opponent in the infotainment category. Kia’s is one of the better infotainment systems available, with logical menus and a reasonably responsive interface. It could load up more quickly, but at least the smartphone interfaces work well here. The fact that it has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard (even in lower-spec GT-Line models) means that you can use your smartphone on the larger display, which makes seeing maps and navigation instructions easier. Other features on the Kia’s system that aren’t included on the Volkswagen are a reversing camera and wireless smartphone charging; the latter a handy feature in a city car.…

Pete_Baiden@dennis.co.uk Running costs 33.2mpg (on test) £75 fill-up/£140 or 32% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 341-448/1,140 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 10.3 seconds/127mph I’VE now spent more than four months behind the wheel of our Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, and I’ve come to realise it’s a car with a split personality. In fact, it reminds me of one of my favourite books: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson. For those not familiar with the novel, it tells the story of the respectable Dr Henry Jekyll, who spends his life battling to control his evil alter ego Mr Edward Hyde. Although not quite as extreme, that’s how the Eclipse Cross behaves in day-to-day life. It’s often good one minute and bad the next. There’s much to…

Alfa Romeo Giulia Issues 1,534, 1,544, 1,550 Audi A6 Avant Issues 1,555, 1,558 Dacia Duster Issue 1,561 Ford Fiesta ST Issues 1,552, 1,557, 1,561 Hyundai Kona Electric Issues 1,551, 1,556, 1,561 Mazda 6 Issues 1,549, 1,555, 1,560 Mercedes A-Class Issues 1,550, 1,559 Mercedes X-Class Issues 1,547, 1,557 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Issues 1,545, 1,553, 1,559 Nissan Leaf Iss 1,533, 1,551, 1,555, 1,560 Skoda Karoq Issues 1,536, 1545, 1,552 Suzuki Swift Sport Iss 1,532, 1,541, 1,544, 1,559 Vauxhall Grandland X Iss 1,536, 1,540, 1,548, 1,556 Volkswagen Polo Issues 1,549, 1,558 Volvo V60 Issues 1,553, 1,560…

FIRST TEST Cybex for Scuderia Ferrari Pallas S-Fix child seat Price: £300 Rating: Contact: www.cybex-online.com/en-gb/car-seats/pallassfix THOSE wishing to inject a little supercar style into family life can do so with these new Ferrari-branded child seats. Cybex for Scuderia is available in three age groupings: birth to 18 months, up to four years and nine months to 12 years. We tried the latter, which is for children weighing nine to 36kg, and adjusts as your little one grows. For younger children, the adjustable Impact Shield slots over their lap, with the horizontal portion of the seatbelt looping around the device, and the diagonal section slotting into a clip near the top of the seat. A 12-position, height-adjustable headrest ensures a good fit, while the unit can also be reclined with one hand.…

Discovery: Essential Buyer’s Guide James Taylor (Veloce Publishing, www.veloce.co.uk) Price: £12.99 Rating: THIS dinky guide takes you through the things to look out for when buying a Land Rover Discovery. As with every guide in this big-selling series, it’s compact, concise and genuinely useful – and it’s written by a long-time owner who knows his stuff. Burning Men Burning Men Pictures (www.burningmenthemovie.com) Release: 1 March Rating: THE car’s the unspoken star in this film – a Volvo 131 Amazon that carries the characters across the UK. the gritty movie is mostly shot from point of view, and it has an interesting aesthetic and cool rock ’n’ roll soundtrack. Proof that classic cars and classic rock go together perfectly. Ultimate Car Driving: Classics Available for: iOs, Android Price: Free Rating: GREAT…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Sponsored by Q Grants for work EV chargers TWO of my employees who own plug-in vehicles have requested I install EV charging points in the office car park. Can I get a grant from the Government to help me do this? Andrew Townsend, E-mail A THE Workplace Charging Scheme offers money towards the up-front costs of a business purchasing and installing EV charging points. Applicants can receive a grant of up to 75 per cent of the total purchase and installation costs of one charging point, capped at £500 per socket for a maximum of up to 20 sockets. Q What’s an air-con refresh? I’VE booked my car in for a service and the dealer has offered to do an air-conditioning refresh at the…

Dear James, I need an economical petrol-powered, automatic crossover that’s easy to get into. What can I get for £18,000? Phil oxford, E-mail Contact: James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk • THE SENSIBLE CHOICE Kia Niro FOR: Refinement, great infotainment, long warranty AGAINST: Jerky transmission, sluggish acceleration WHILE the star of the Niro range is undoubtedly the all-electric variant, the hybrid version has still found favour with buyers thanks to its mix of SUV style and impressive economy figures. A budget of £18,000 will be enough for a 67-plate model with around 10,000 miles on the clock. For the money, you’ll get a sensible, spacious family car, with generous equipment regardless of trim level. Although it doesn’t handle quite as sharply as its rivals here, the Kia is refined, competent and easy to drive. WHILE…