Table of contents for 1588 in Auto Express

Member of the Board of Management Volkswagen Brand for Sales, Marketing & After Sales Q. Who are you targeting with this car? A. The car itself has very few natural competitors in the market. So it lends itself to customers who want to express themselves, people who don’t have to make pure, rational choices. They want something very unique. Q. Do you think competitors could join you, or is this a segment you’ll be alone in? A. You have to make three big decisions: do you want to invest in the cabriolet segment, which is a very small segment? Do you have a base car that actually allows you to create a cabriolet? We’ve seen one example where it didn’t really work. And thirdly, can it be affordable enough so…

Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk @stevefowler ● Sketch shows sleeker city car ● Final car revealed next month THIS is our first official look at the upcoming, all-new Hyundai i10. The fresh city car will be unveiled in full at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show. The sketch reveals a radical rethink for the brand’s VW up! rival, transforming it from a conservative and frumpy five-door to something far sleeker, but still offering five-door practicality. We’re promised that the sketch is pretty close to the car that will make it into showrooms early next year. The new model looks lower and wider than the current i10, with a deep, wide grille flanked by circular daytime running lights. Meanwhile, the big news inside is a major tech upgrade, with the latest connectivity including Apple CarPlay and…

Hugo_Griffiths@dennis.co.uk @hugo_griffiths EXCLUSIVE data has revealed that motorists whose cars develop faults could net some huge savings if they opt to have a broken part repaired by a specialist, or buy a reconditioned unit. That’s instead of having a brand-new item fitted by a manufacturer’s franchised dealership. The figures come from the database of aftermarket warranty firm Warrantywise. It searched its claims files for instances in which main dealers wanted to replace one or more broken parts, but it transpired that an independent repair would be a far more affordable and similarly effective solution. Some claims saw a reconditioned part, rather than a brand-new item. But in most instances a specialist was able to fix the part in question, saving some serious money, while also challenging the disposable reputation that…

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…

TO many people, the outgoing Audi A6 Allroad was a car for buyers who couldn’t decide whether they wanted an estate or an SUV. Its makers said that it offered the best of both worlds, while others thought it was a jack of all trades and master of none. Following the launch of the standard A6 last year, Audi has slowly expanded its executive car range – first with the Avant estate model, and more recently with its racier hybrid S6 TDI versions. Now it’s the turn of the rugged A6 Allroad, and while UK prices and specs haven’t been announced, we’ve been given the keys to a European model for an early first drive. In Germany, the A6 Allroad will be available exclusively with Audi’s powerful V6 TDI diesel…

sean_carson@dennis.co.uk @sean_carson_ Electric motor Power/range 469bhp/375 miles AS production of Tesla’s Model 3 (left) has ramped up, the maker has not neglected its big-selling Model S – the car that put the brand on the map back in 2012. The most recent round of updates was announced in April, and feature a more efficient motor, faster charging capability and new adaptive suspension. Unlike many of Tesla’s periodic enhancements, most of the new car’s changes relate to hardware, rather than software. So while the new suspension will accept over-the-air updates in the future (we experienced one during our time with the car, in fact), it’s available only on new cars for the time being. Tesla claims the revised set-up makes the Model S more comfortable on the motorway, yet more agile…

MODEL TESTED: Skoda Scala 1.6 TDI 115 SE PRICE: £20,265 ENGINE: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 113bhp THE Scala is the cheapest car in this test, starting from £20,265 in SE form as driven here. It has a 1.6-litre diesel engine with 113bhp and a six-speed manual gearbox. Design & engineering THE Skoda’s engine is shared with many other models in the Volkswagen Group range. It’s a four-cylinder unit that produces 113bhp and 250Nm of torque, so it has the same power output as the petrol engine we tested last time, yet the diesel has more torque, which is the figure that often affects an engine’s flexibility. Scalas use an evolution of the MQB architecture that underpins many VW Group cars, and the variation here is called MQB A0. This is mostly used…

Skoda Scala Radio Bolero Standard Key features: Smartphone link, USB C EVEN in mid-spec SE trim, the Skoda Scala features DAB radio, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as part of its eight-inch touchscreen. Although there’s no sat-nav as standard, most buyers will be able to use their phones to access Apple and Google’s mapping systems. If you don’t have one, navigation will set you back £1,230 as part of an upgrade that increases the screen size to 9.2 inches. It also includes a digital instrument cluster as well, and is a £530 option on SE trim. The user interface is easy to understand, and the screen is responsive to the touch, including while hooked up to your phone. USB-C ports in the centre console mean it’s bang up to…

MODEL TESTED: Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet PRICE: £109,398 ENGINE: 3.0-litre flat-six, 444bhp WE’RE testing the new Carrera 4S version of the 911 Cabriolet here. So while it’s four-wheel drive when compared with the rear-driven AMG, it brings their respective prices closer for parity, at £109,398. It’s a chunky price tag, but is it worth it? Design & engineering LIKE the 911 Coupé, this 992-generation Cabriolet is based on a new platform that includes more aluminium than ever before to help keep kerbweight down. This stands at 1,635kg for this Carrera 4S, which is unsurprising given the 911’s increase in size over its predecessor. The Cabriolet is currently offered in Carrera, Carrera S and Carrera 4S guises, all with Porsche’s eight-speed PDK, dual-clutch automatic gearbox – a manual box is…

NOISE THESE two cars exemplify how turbocharging can still deliver different personalities. The 911’s engine is flatter, more reserved and less characterful; the AMG’s V8 motor delivers an incredible level of noise. It feels less like a turbo unit than the Porsche’s, with better throttle response. The sound from those tailpipes betters the Porsche’s exhaust note, too, even with the 911’s sports system fitted. BALANCE THE 911’s chassis has more ability, but the AMG delivers beautiful balance. There’s not quite as much grip in the GT, while the 4S 911 finds more traction, but the Mercedes’ rear wheels claw the road well. You really have to provoke the GT to explore that typical AMG character trait that lets you indulge in some little slides. It’s entertaining, even if it’s not…

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @AxleIngram AFTER precisely six months and 5,508 miles, the time has come for our Kia Ceed to be returned. I’ve driven previous generations of the car, and although this version is one apostrophe lighter than its predecessor, the Korean hatchback still makes one very tempting package. My job means I do plenty of miles, driving to various press events, airports and photo shoots across the UK – plus the odd weekend away when I’m not at work – so, when I was looking for a car, I wanted something dependable and easy to use. In that respect, I couldn’t ask for any more from this Korean hatchback. Take reliability, for instance. Yes, there was a dodgy brake sensor, but that was the only fault – and a minor one…

Audi e-tron Issue 1,579, 1,585 BMW 3 Series Issue 1,576, 1584 Citroen Berlingo XL Issue 1,579 Cupra Ateca Issues 1,564, 1,573, 1,581 Dacia Duster Issues 1,561, 1,564, 1,572, 1,575, 1,583 Ford Focus Issue 1,582 Honda CR-V Hybrid Issue 1,576, 1584 Hyundai Santa Fe Issue 1,575, 1,580, 1,587 Jaguar I-Pace New arrival Kia e-Niro Issue 1,569, 1,580 Kia Ceed Issue 1,567, 1,577, 1,582 Mazda MX-5 Issue 1,573, 1,585 Renault Mégane R.S. Issue 1,581 SEAT Tarraco Issue 1,574, 1584 Skoda Fabia Issue 1,572, 1,582 Volkswagen California Issues 1,578, 1,583, 1,586 Volkswagen Touareg Issue 1,580, 1,585…

Jeep CJ 1945-1986 Robert Ackerson (Veloce Publishing, www.veloce.co.uk) Price: £19.99 FEW vehicles say ‘America’ more than the Jeep CJ; it’s held in similar regard to the Land Rover Defender, and the first civilian iteration was in production for more than 40 years. This book covers it in good detail with tons of photos. It’s also good on the big number of small variations found on Jeeps of this era. Well priced and well worth it. Take the Slow Road: Scotland Martin Dorey (Conway, www.bloomsbury.com) Price: £18 AUTHOR Dorey has travelled the country extensively in his camper van and offers a gentle introduction to those who might be experimenting with camping or motorhoming. Even seasoned travellers will appreciate this guide, and it’s a superb gift for anyone planning a trip, too.…

Dear James, As a cellist who travels a lot between concerts. I’m after a long-legged estate that performs well. My budget is £15k. Aaron Baker, E-mail Contact: James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk THE PRACTICAL CHOICE Skoda Octavia vRS FOR: Excellent practicality, build quality, good value AGAINST: Not the most engaging to drive, plain styling THE Octavia vRS Estate isn’t that lairy for a sporty estate, nor is it the most characterful car on the market. However, it’s the most practical of the three cars here and offers plenty of pace, while remaining composed. Solid build quality and exceptional value only add to its appeal. With all the seats folded, the boot has 1,740 litres of space, while its low lip and wide opening make loading items easy. It also manages to balance sportiness with…

CURRENT World Rally Championship leader Ott Tänak looks set to stay with the works Toyota team for 2020 and could sign a new deal with the Tommi Mäkinen-run squad by the end of this month, according to reports. The Estonian told media at the recent Rally Finland that he wanted to settle his future around the time of Rally Germany, which takes place on 22-25 August. Mäkinen added that he feels confident of retaining Tänak’s services. On the back of his strong performances this year and in 2018, the 31-year-old was being courted by both Hyundai and his former team M-Sport. But Hyundai now looks to have set its sights on Irishman Craig Breen, who impressed on a one-off outing for the squad in Finland. Toyota, meanwhile, is rumoured to…

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @AxleIngram ● All-new supermini set to get a rugged SUV-style makeover ● Hybrid drive inspired by CR-V will be sole drivetrain option “The Jazz won’t grow significantly in size, but it will sit on a new platform to boost its practicality” HONDA’S small car line-up is set to receive a much-needed shot in the arm at the end of the year, when the new fourth-generation Jazz takes to the stage at October’s Tokyo Motor Show. And as Honda looks to electrify its model range, the new Jazz will be hybrid only. While previous versions of the Jazz have sported an upright MPV-like appearance, the next-generation car will have mini SUVs like the SEAT Arona and Citroen C3 Aircross in its sights. This will help to broaden its appeal, courtesy…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods ● Turbo S E-Hybrid has 671bhp ● 0-62mph in 3.8 secs; 183mph PORSCHE has pushed the performance envelope of the Cayenne SUV even further, with the unveiling of the Turbo S E-Hybrid version. The newcomer launches in both the Cayenne’s regular and new Coupé (pictured) bodystyles. Forget the Lamborghini Urus and the Bentley Bentayga; this new eight-cylinder, electrically assisted model is now the most powerful SUV the Volkswagen Group produces. It’s the joint most powerful Porsche, too, because it shares its running gear with the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid. That means a 542bhp turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 sits under the bonnet, and it’s linked to an electric motor producing an additional 134bhp. Neither unit quite produces maximum power at the same time, but they deliver a total of 671bhp,…

TO demonstrate how much it’s possible to save by repairing a faulty part at an independent specialist, rather than buying a new one from a franchised dealer, Warrantywise gave us some examples from its claims records (below). The figures speak for themselves, with savings in excess of £1,000 being common. The data also shows the wide range of faulty parts that can be repaired rather than replaced, from complex mechanical components to advanced electronic systems. In addition, these savings can be made on models from a variety of different manufacturers. It’s worth stopping to check what your options are when something goes wrong, no matter which make of car you own. When this Range Rover’s gearbox gave up the ghost, rebuilding it was more than £1,000 cheaper than fitting a…

sean_carson@dennis.co.uk @sean_carson_ A FEW years ago, Auto Express drove an early prototype of a Kia designed to take on BMW and Audi at its own game in the sports saloon market: the Stinger GT S. According to Kia’s head of research and development, Albert Biermann (poached from BMW, incidentally), it was a car “that needed to surprise people” – and it did just that. It showed Kias could be fun. Fast forward a few years, and the car that helped change perceptions of the Korean brand has received another injection of life. The Kia Stinger GT420 is a one-off track car created by Kia UK with help from sister company Hyundai and its European Technical Centre in Germany. The story starts with that early prototype – the car that covered…

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @AxleIngram IT takes just 3.8 seconds for the new Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S to sprint from 0-62mph. It’s a time many supercar makers would have been proud of 15 years ago, yet now you can stroll into a Mercedes dealer and buy an SUV that makes it look easy. It’s a number that means the refreshed AMG model, which gains the same styling and tech upgrades as the rest of the GLC range, is a match for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio in a straight-line sprint. The new BMW X4 M and the Jaguar F-Pace SVR (at a languid 4.1 seconds each) trail behind. Much like the 63-badged models across the rest of the Mercedes-AMG family, the GLC features a 4.0-litre engine that nestles a pair of turbos between…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk THIS new Range Rover Sport 3.0 P400 is a hugely significant new car – not just for Land Rover, but for the entire Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) organisation. Why? Because its new 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine contains technology that will, in the fullness of time, find its way into much of the maker’s model range. JLR announced recently that by 2020 every car it sold would contain some kind of electrification or be a full-EV. It was a bold statement, yet the engine in this new P400 proves that it’s not, in fact, hyperbole. It’s a straight-six rather than a V6, for starters, with Land Rover’s engineers claiming that an in-line arrangement is inherently smoother than a vee. Besides, in-line sixes were part of the Jaguar design ethos long…

MODEL TESTED: Ford Focus 1.5 TDCI EcoBlue 120 Zetec PRICE: £21,345 ENGINE: 1.5-litre 4cyl, 118bhp THE Ford Focus has always been the driver’s choice in this class, but is that enough here? We’re testing it in Zetec form (our pictures show an ST-Line) with the 1.5-litre 120 diesel engine, which starts at £21,345. Design & engineering THIS is the fourth-generation Focus, and it follows the template set by the superbly successful original that was launched in 1998: a family car that’s also great fun to drive. That’s thanks to Ford’s C2 platform, which uses MacPherson struts for the front suspension, and a torsion beam at the back (some higher-powered models use a multi-link set-up). It’s been designed to make the car handle well, and it has certainly worked. Here it…

Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI 115 SE PRICE: £22,450 ENGINE: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 113bhp THE Golf is an evergreen choice, because it has a huge range of talents. It’s comfortable, spacious, good to drive and frugal, so ticks many of the same boxes as the Scala. But it’s not such good value for money. The SE trim you’d want is more expensive. Vauxhall Astra 1.5 Turbo D Bus. Ed. Nav PRICE: £21,030 ENGINE: 1.5-litre 4cyl, 120bhp DON’T discount the Vauxhall Astra, because it’s still a brilliant family car with lots of standard kit. You can easily get one with sat-nav for around the cost of the Scala. The Astra is also fun to drive and rides smoothly, too. It’s not quite as practical, though.…

MODEL TESTED: Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster PRICE: £115,875 ENGINE: 4.0-litre V8, 469bhp A FACELIFT for the Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster has kept it fighting fit against newer rivals like the 911 Cabriolet, with some significant updates to improve its appeal. At £115,875 it’s dearer than even the 911 Carrera 4 S Cabriolet, but price isn’t as much of an issue as ability at this level. Design & engineering THE GT is based on an aluminium chassis with double wishbone suspension all-round – while the 911 uses more aluminium than ever, there’s still steel present. The AMG also uses some magnesium components, yet it still weighs more, at 1,690kg, than the 911’s 1,635kg. This difference is offset by the extra firepower from the AMG’s thunderous V8. In GT form the 4.0-litre twin-turbo engine…

NEW: Audi R8 V10 Spyder PRICE: £136,985 ENGINE: 5.2-litre V10, 562bhp FOR a little more than the GT you get quite a bit more power and stunning supercar looks. The midengined R8 V10 Spyder sounds great, and with four-wheel drive is as quick as the 911. Be prepared to sacrifice a little usability for the styling. USED: Mercedes SLS AMG PRICE: £121,850 ENGINE: 6.2-litre V8, 563bhp THE SLS is the GT’s predecessor. All AMGs are now turbocharged, but the SLS was one of the last remaining non-turbos, with its glorious 563bhp 6.2-litre V8. In the Roadster you can hear the noise even more clearly, and it looks great.…

Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk @stevefowler “Our I-Pace is living up to its award-winning five-star billing” Running costs Official range/tax 258 miles (WLTP)/£0 Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 656/1,453 litres THE latest arrival on our fleet has a lot to live up to. A year ago, the Jaguar I-Pace was the first pure-electric car to be crowned Auto Express Car of the Year. Then in April this year, I was one of the jurors who voted it World Car of the Year. So it’s fair to say I’m already a fan of the I-Pace, but living together day-in day-out can change any relationship – so let’s see what happens over the coming months. With the first few hundred miles under its stylish 22-inch alloys, things – like the car – are looking good. I collected…

Give your BBQ a taste of the Nürburgring HAVE you ever wanted your grilled meat to taste like a racetrack? That could be a possibility with the new Nordschleife barbecue seasoning. Sold exclusively through online merchandise store www.nordschleife.us, the 300-gramme pack is ideal for adding flavour to meat or, as the seller suggests, a ‘racing sausage’. The exact ingredients of the seasoning remain unknown, although at €14.90 (about £13.64) per packet, we’d certainly hope for some premium herbs and spices. There’s no word either on whether the seasoning improves lap times. Order it exclusively online now. Kim’s Corner gives air ambulance a lift THE biggest Waxstock detailing show yet also saw record takings at Kim’s Corner, the stand selling leftover samples from Auto Express car care testing, plus contributions from other…

WHETHER you drive abroad once a year for the annual holiday, or once a week on business, you’ll need to make sure your car is legal and safe to drive. For many countries in Europe, that means having to carry extra safety equipment on board by law, much of which isn’t required in the UK. The neatest and cheapest way to ensure you’re prepared is with a pre-packaged travel kit to store in your boot. We tested eight to see which is the best European travel companion. PRODUCT GROUP TEST 14|8|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 Ring Travel Kit RCT1 Size: 461x211x91mm Contact: www.amazon.co.uk BEST BUY RING’S best-selling kit…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Waiting for compensation IN November 2018 I was awarded £100 by the Motor Ombudsman (TMO) for a faulty used car. The dealer won’t pay and the TMO hasn’t returned my E-mails. What can I do? Mike RJ, E-mail A IN normal circumstances, contacting the Ombudsman should resolve non-payment of compensation, and dealers can face sanctions from TMO in such situations. The Ombudsman apologised for the delay in responding to your emails, and said its compliance department “will follow this up to ensure that the award is made”. Q Claiming for pothole damage I HIT a pothole so severely that I had a puncture and think my tracking is out. How can I claim compensation for this damage? Ben Peters, E-mail A HAVE a…

Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk ● Geox Dragon signs Kiwi racer ● BMW’s da Costa bound for DS TOYOTA Le Mans 24 Hours racer and ex-Toro Rosso F1 man Brendon Hartley is set to join the Formula E grid next season, having signed a deal to race for the Geox Dragon squad in the electric championship. The team, run by Jay Penske (son of US racing legend Roger Penske) finished ninth in the 2018/19 standings, running Max Günther and Hartley’s fellow Toyota pilot José María López. It’s not yet known if either of them will return to partner the Kiwi for the 2019/20 season, which kicks off in Ad Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, in November. Hartley, who spent four seasons at the wheel of a Porsche in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) prior to his…

Motoring’s most outspoken and opinionated columnist sounds off “This translates into a £1.73bn weekly profit, which is more than some leading vehicle manufacturers earn in a whole year” EVER get the feeling that some corporations charge motorists too much for car-related products? That their profit margins are obscenely high? That they’d still be fabulously profitable, even if they seriously slashed their retail prices? For emergency and other reasons, the mobile phone is essential for today’s car user, and the iPhone is among the best. But isn’t Apple taking the you know what by amassing an annual profit of almost $60billion (£49.5bn) from its customers? That’s well over £850million a week during its last financial year. Arch rival Samsung Electronics (not to be confused with Samsung’s car arm and other divisions)…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods ● New drop-top SUV revealed ● Prices from around £25,000 “The T-Roc Cabriolet continues 70 years of convertible production at VW’s Osnabruck factory” THIS is the brand-new Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet – and in a world of increasingly niche SUVs, this could be the peak of the genre. It joins the 302bhp T-Roc R as an offshoot of the standard SUV, and it will make its public debut at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show. In the UK, it marks the return of a convertible to VW’s line-up; final orders for the Beetle Cabriolet were taken in February, and no drop-top has been in the range since. It’s a car without a direct ancestor to look back upon, while the Range Rover Evoque Convertible is the only recent compact SUV…

Three cheers for MINI’s 10 million milestone THE 10 millionth MINI has rolled off the production line at the BMW-owned brand’s plant in Cowley, Oxfordshire. Coinciding with the 60th anniversary of Sir Alec Issigonis’ legendary creation, the milestone model – a MINI 60 Years Anniversary Edition based on the three-door Cooper S – was built on 24 July. Nearly as many BMW-era MINIs have been built as the original – 5.3 million of which were made from 1959 to 2000. EV sales triple while overall figures slump SALES of electric cars more than tripled in Britain in July, based on Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) year-on-year data. Registrations shot up 158.1 per cent over July 2018, but all-electric vehicles still account for only 1.4 per cent of sales…

James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor Get the full lowdown on Peugeot’s e-Legend IT’S nearly a year since Peugeot stole the Paris Motor Show with its e-Legend concept. Harking back to the classic 504 Coupé, the e-Legend also gave glimpses to the future of autonomous driving. We’ve had a chance to poke around it in depth; Johnny Burn is your guide. Your guide to going topless this summer IT’S official: July 2019 was the hottest on record. With Britain basking in the heat, it means this is the perfect time to be considering buying a convertible. Here we run down the best models on the market. From two-seaters that major on thrills to glamorous four-seaters, we go through our picks of the year. You can watch any of our videos on your phone Simply…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress Write to: Watchdog/Letters, Auto Express, Dennis Publishing Ltd, 31-32 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7DP HOT TOPIC New Audi S8 FROM: Russell Harwood THERE’S no getting away from the fact it’s quite an extravagant car, but this does hold a lot of appeal. There’s something wonderful about a big, luxurious saloon car that can cruise along effortlessly or go like the clappers! FROM: antonyr IT won’t sell and the few that find homes will be a bargain in one year or so when they’ll be worth a fraction of the new price. Also, I thought Audi was on the way to a new design language? This just looks like more of the same. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “Why is Audi making this a petrol-electric hybrid, but making…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.0 seconds/143mph CO2/tax 39g/km £135 or 16% COULD the new BMW 330e be the 3 Series of choice? That’ll depend largely on your needs, but remove any preconceptions about what this kind of car should be, and you’re left with a dynamic, engaging sports saloon that’s capable of up to 41 miles on electric power alone. That sounds enticing, and that’s the impression we got when we drove a late pre-production model back in March (Issue 1,565). Now that we’ve been for a run in the finished article, we can confirm that this is a 3 Series with serious mainstream appeal. First of all, the numbers. Prices start from £37,875 and rise to £39,980 for the range-topping M Sport car driven here. It’s only a…

sean_carson@dennis.co.uk @sean_carson_ Electric motor Power/range 235bhp/254 miles MUCH has been written about the Tesla Model 3 already – in the car’s troubled gestation, few might have believed it could turn into a world-beater. We’ve already driven the Performance and Long Range versions of the Model 3, but now it’s the turn of the mainstream variant: the Model 3 Standard Range Plus. That tag comes courtesy of the basic 3’s £37,340 starting price, which has recently been cut to make it even more affordable. For that you get a 55kWh battery and a single motor delivering 235bhp and 375Nm of torque to the rear wheels, for a claimed 0-60mph time of 5.3 seconds and up to 254 miles of range – although those numbers are most likely to be mutually exclusive.…

MODEL TESTED: Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC 120 SR PRICE: £22,600 ENGINE: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 118bhp BUYERS of new family hatches are just as interested in the tech on board as they are the practicality or performance offered, which is why we’re testing an SR model (Sport trim pictured). It has a touchscreen to match its rivals, but lower-spec versions don’t get this. SR starts from £22,600, but PCP prices are competitive (see Through the Range, right). Design & engineering THE sporty Type R version of Honda’s latest Civic has been scooping up awards since it was launched, and it’s still the best hot hatch on sale. Some of the DNA from that car trickles down into this diesel family model, including the unusual and bold looks, as well as its driving…

Porsche 911 PCM Standard Key features: Twin cockpit screens, nav ALL 911s now come with a 10.9-inch touchscreen with very hi-res graphics. The Mercedes is a match for the 911 here, though. Porsche’s system works well, with the display responding quickly to inputs, as well as more complex requests, like pinching and swiping. The nav works well, but CarPlay integration is just as good, so it gives owners options for the method of infotainment. Mercedes’ older-style system used to be easier to use on the move, but both now have touch-sensitive inputs, so the scores are fairly level here. At least you directly touch the Porsche’s screen, which makes it a little easier than manipulating the AMG’s trackpad. With most functions controlled by the screen there are fewer buttons, with…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Buying handy light bulb tool A I NOTICED the tool your tester was using to change a light bulb (Issue 1,580) in the Product Awards and thought it looked like a good idea. Any tips on where I can buy one? Lucas Johnson, E-mail A THE grips came from my own tool box and were part of a kit Philips used as a dealer incentive some years ago. I was lucky enough to be given one to try, so I don’t have a retail source for them. But an internet search revealed that Euro Car Parts (www.eurocarparts.com) offers a similar, if not the same, kit for £12.99. Q Am I right to go cordless? A MY angle grinder and drill are coming to the…

A SCORCHING summer raises the threat of a hosepipe ban, but if that does happen, there are plenty of choices for cleaning your car’s body. Some can be used on wheels, but what about specialist disc-dust removers? In Issue 1,568 we tried Armor All’s solution – a wipe – and now we’re testing Meguiar’s alternative. The US specialist has produced Ultimate Waterless Wheel & Tyre, which claims to clean wheels and give your tyres a glossy finish, but does it work? We tried it alongside the Armor All wipes on a nearly new rim and on a set of older alternatives with a poor finish. We noted how easy they were to use plus how quickly grime was removed, and factored in price. Meguiar’s is best on good-condition wheels but…

YOU need more than just a travel kit to get ready for a European driving trip. Make sure your car is properly insured, and be prepared to get an International Driving Permit if you plan to travel after 31 October, in case of a ‘no deal’ Brexit. What you need to carry in the car varies from country to country, but as a basic minimum you’ll need a GB sticker (although this isn’t needed if your number plate has the blue EU strip), a warning triangle and headlamp converters to prevent you dazzling traffic with lights that are designed for driving in the UK, on the left side of the road. Hi-vis vests are a legal requirement in most countries and you should ideally have one for each person in the car.…