Table of contents for 1894 in Auto Express

A RECENT early viewing of an updated model provoked an interesting chat about the future of different bodystyles. We all know that SUVs have come to dominate the car market recently, with drivers loving their higher driving positions, butch looks – which hint at an active lifestyle that may, or may not, exist – and the perceived safety they offer. SUVs have plenty of critics, though, and have been an easy target for people who don’t like the idea of a rugged-looking vehicle that never leaves the city, and object to a body that is likely to be heavier, less efficient and more harmful to anything it hits than that of a traditional car. However, some believe the hatchback is far from dead. The move to crossovers and SUVs has…

NO one does special trim levels like MINI – and now there’s a new one called Monochrome. It’s available on both the Cooper Electric hatch (top) and Aceman small EV (bottom). Both models have the smaller battery option in their ranges, and the Cooper Monochrome starts from £26,905, placing it between the entry-level Cooper E and the Cooper SE. The Aceman starts from £28,905 in Monochrome trim (again, sitting between E and SE) with first deliveries from January 2026. Monochrome buyers get a choice of two colours – Midnight Black or Nanuq White – and inside, there’s ‘multitone’ fabric upholstery with white and yellow stitching, and a head-up display for the driver, plus adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera and MINI’s driver assistant. A wireless smartphone charger is standard too,…

NEWLY appointed Renault CEO François Provost has insisted that the accelerated development process of the upcoming Twingo (see left) is “the right pace to apply to all [Renault] products”. The Twingo (left) has gone from concept to production in just 21 months. Sub-brand Dacia will push things even further, slashing a car’s development time to 16 months. Provost said such speed will ensure the “acceleration of [Renault Group’s] transformation” over the next few years. New-car development times range from two to five years, but Provost said that his firm’s ability to transform these times will be a “key performance trigger” in the short to medium term. Reducing development times brings “innovation quicker to the customer”, he added, suggesting Renault wants to keep its products competitive in a way it has…

IT’S been more than 120 years since a driving licence became a necessity in the UK, and the forthcoming digital driving licence is set to become the next innovation in its development. Originally, a driving licence – or a ‘Driving Certificate’ as it was then known – was a yellow sheet of paper issued by the Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland. After the passing of the Road Traffic Act 1934, the licence was only issued after a driver had passed a proficiency test. This sheet gradually evolved into a small booklet, then back to a sheet of paper and then the plastic photocard which, under the Identity Documents Act 2010, can be used as an official form of identification. The next step, as with seemingly everything nowadays, is…

THIS is the BMW M3 CS Touring: a car which shows that M division isn’t shy in giving its more practically minded customers the chance to access the CS experience. And if past CS models are anything to go by, they’re in for a treat. From the previous generations of the M2 and M5, plus the current M3 saloon and M4 coupé, those two letters have come to represent the sweet spot in their respective M car ranges: more performance, more ability, but not really at the expense of comfort. The CS takes an already intimidating-looking M3 and turns up the menace. That huge front grille has been opened up with fewer elements inside. The same goes for the intakes either side, flanked by an enlarged front splitter, which, like…

Assetto Corsa Competizione Platform: PlayStation, Xbox and PC DEVELOPED by Italian studio Kunos, Assetto Corsa has become a well loved sim series, with the ‘Competizione’ version designed to focus entirely on GT racing, with a collection of cars from different manufacturers. All these vehicles have distinct handling characteristics and unique engine sounds. As you progress through the game, you’ll accumulate a driver rating, which evaluates factors such as how safely you drive, plus your overall race pace and consistency. There are dozens of custom events available to play, while you can easily enter a Quick Race for a short dose of wheel-to-wheel action. Gran Turismo 7 Platform: PlayStation THE godfather of sim racing, Gran Turismo practically invented this genre of game. GT7 is the latest entry into the series, with…

ON the surface, the 5008 might seem like simply the next in line of Peugeot’s SUV family, but there’s a little extra significance this time around. That’s because the 5008, which quickly followed its closely related smaller sibling, the 3008, is based upon the STLA Medium platform – architecture that will form the basis of not only a range of Peugeots, but also cars from the wider Stellantis group. On the face of it, there are certain things that Peugeot has got very right here; the interior design and quality have built on the good work of the Mk2 5008 that was released in 2017, while there’s more space inside than in its predecessor, too. The new platform has allowed Peugeot to build on its EV push, and the entire…

IF you’ve ever tried reading up on quantum-string theory or solving three Rubik’s cubes while also attempting to juggle, you’ll have at least some idea of the brain-scrambling confusion faced by UK electric-car buyers over recent years. Range anxiety, depreciation, battery life, chip shortage, environmental impact, charging infrastructure, the ICE ban, the ZEV mandate and government grants – electric cars have faced a storm of complex issues, conflicting advice, and wild opinion. Consumers who fancy an EV have been faced with an almost-weekly reason to seriously doubt that they’d be making the right decision. Meanwhile, the world wonders why the uptake of EVs by private buyers has been less than spectacular. Could the new grant be a watershed moment that clears the uncertainty and means more consumers can confidently buy…

THE Honda Civic Type R isn’t long for this world, and we can’t help but feel a little sad. It’s not just a great hot hatch, but a phenomenal performance car. Finding one model to fill that void is tough, so we’ve found three alternatives for the same £57k budget that’ll bag a final Type R Ultimate Edition model. You could splash out £57k on a farewell Type R Ultimate Edition, or buy three hot used-car alternatives for the same sum 1 AUDI RS 4 £22,495 THE Honda Civic Type R is a rare thing; an engaging driver’s car with room for five people and the dog. But no car maker does practical performance better than Audi, and the RS 4 is one of the finest fast wagons of all time.…

HYUNDAI is set to bring in a brand-new Tucson to the UK in the second half of next year – and our exclusive images show you what to expect. This crucial model will introduce a tougher and more rugged exterior design, a hi-tech interior and fresh hybrid powertrains, giving it the ammunition it’ll need to take on its key rivals – many of which have recently been updated themselves. Hyundai has been tight-lipped about information specific to the Tucson, but the brand has released lots of broad details about new tech that will be used on the model. And given that it has been seen on test, its development appears to be more advanced than previously thought. Based on the first full-body prototypes spied in Germany, our exclusive images show…

MERCEDES has revealed the first glimpse of its next-generation design language, including a feature that will ensure you always notice when one of its models is bearing down on you in your rear-view mirror – presumably in the fast lane of the motorway. Centred around a three-panel light-up grille and an illuminated badge, the new look will appear on the electric-only Mercedes GLC with EQ Technology, which is set to make its public debut at next month’s Munich Motor Show. The manufacturer is calling it a reinterpretation of “one of the most iconic design elements in automotive history” – referring to its recognisable chrome grille styling that dates back to the early 20th century. This dramatic reinvention features 140 LEDs hidden behind a “smoked-glass-effect lattice structure”, which power 942 backlit…

VAUXHALL has introduced the Frontera Electric Long Range and it’s on sale now, from £27,495. That makes it £4,000 more than the regular Frontera Electric, but with a 54kWh battery, the Long Range can go up to 253 miles on a charge – 67 miles further than the 44kWh model. Like the entry-level Frontera Electric, the Long Range comes in two trim levels – Design and GS – and both get 16-inch black steel wheels, black skid plates and body-colour bumpers. Inside, there’s Vauxhall’s ‘Pure Panel’ cockpit with dual 10-inch widescreen displays, sat-nav, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus wireless smartphone charging. The Long Range GS, priced from £29,895, adds 17-inch alloys, gloss-black door mirrors, silver skid plates, a black roof, tinted rear windows and LED rear lights. It…

THE new Nissan Micra is an all-electric supermini developed in collaboration with Renault. Its compact size and upright proportions make it an ideal choice for buyers looking for an urban supermini, plus it comes with the latest technology and a striking look. It’s only available with a five-door body, and while full UK specifications have yet to be finalised, we do know it’ll come with two battery options, and in three trim levels. Pricing is also yet to be set, but we suspect it’ll start in the region of £24,000, rising to somewhere around £30,000. Look closely at the Micra and you might find an element or two in common with the new Renault 5, but the French car is one of our favourite new superminis, so this is no…

WHEN the Jeep Avenger first arrived, its classification as a small, electric front-wheel drive SUV seemed at odds with the US brand’s credentials as a manufacturer of rugged 4x4s. However, we were impressed by the neat touches that marked it out as a Jeep, while the overall design delivered plenty of style in a package that was well suited to the urban jungle. The Avenger line-up has since expanded to include a petrol-hybrid variant that comes in front-wheel-drive and 4xe guises, with the latter adding an electric motor to the rear axle for four-wheel drive. And to celebrate this model’s arrival, Jeep has joined forces with outdoor leisure specialist The North Face to create a special edition emphasising the Avenger’s off-road credentials even further. Positioned at the top of the…

SINCE its launch in 2002, the Kia Sorento has been a dependable, if a little staid, spacious family SUV, throughout its first three generations. It wasn’t until the Mk4 edition was launched in 2020 that the model was injected with a little more style, adopting an American-inspired look from the USmarket Telluride. A facelift in 2024 tweaked its look ever so slightly, bringing the design more closely in line with the brand’s electric range, including the EV3 and EV9. ENGINES&PERFORMANCE IT’S common to see electrification throughout many large SUV models’ engine line-ups these days, and there is still the occasional diesel option around, too. Kia is rare in offering buyers a choice of a diesel, full hybrid and plug-in hybrid all in one vehicle. There’s no fully electric version, because…

From £5.99: Simoniz’s Back to Black is a serial test winner, but will it still emerge as the shining star after facing Race Glaze’s new Trim Wizard? MINI TEST Craig Cheetham FADED plastic trim can make your car look tired, especially on SUVs where chunky wheelarch surrounds and lower bodywork protection can be prone to sun damage. Several products can restore the original finish, from spray-on aerosols, to professional solutions that require careful application. In previous tests, Simoniz’s Back to Black Tyre and Trim has been our Best Buy three times in a row. Here, it meets a new rival. Trim Wizard is a solvent-free product from Race Glaze, and it sits halfway between slow-toapply professional detailing liquids, and those that do the job quickly. It claims to restore plastics…

HYUNDAI’s hot N sub-brand will not restrict itself to EVs, according to Joon Park, vice president of the N Management Group. This renewed strategy will see a series of lighter hybrid cars appear alongside high-power electric models, including the Ioniq 5 N and imminent Ioniq 6 N. “We’re not limiting ourselves to EVs,” Park said. “We will go further with the ICE-based cars as well; this is not the end of our journey. I cannot tell you exactly – but lighter, more agile, nimble, and exciting. These are the key elements that we are heading to.” Headlining the range of new petrol-powered vehicles will be a circa-300bhp version of the new Tucson – previewed here in our exclusive image. It’s likely to use a “next-generation” 1.6-litre petrol-electric hybrid system, possibly…

THE Government could soon mandate breathalysers and ‘black boxes’ on all new cars following a rise in drink and drug-driving deaths in the United Kingdom. Almost 400 people died in 2023 following a collision involving someone under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Latest Department for Transport statistics show that while the number of people who died as a result of drink-driving dipped slightly year on year by 14 per cent to 260, those losing their lives as a result of drug-driving rose by 38 per cent to 124 in 2023. Now Labour is considering adopting the European Union’s latest GSR2 car-safety regulations, which could see items such as alcolocks (essentially breathalysers that prevent those under the influence from driving), ‘black boxes’ (which log details such as speed and inputs…

“THE N-ONE E: IS DESIGNED TO MEET STRINGENT KEI CAR REGULATIONS, BUT THE SUPER EV WILL BE MORE SUITED TO EUROPEAN ROADS” HONDA’S getting back in on the action at the entry-point of EV motoring with its Super EV. But, don’t be fooled by the ‘concept car’ label, because the brand will launch the Super EV in the UK and Europe in 2026, joining the ranks of other funky low-cost EVs such as the Fiat Grande Panda, Renault 5 and Hyundai Inster. The Super EV is based on the new N-One e: shown here and recently revealed for the Japanese market. There will be changes, but it gives us a good indication of what to expect from the successor to the Honda e. However, whereas the Japanese-market model complies with…

OUR spies have finally caught the new Renault Twingo testing in prototype form before its full reveal next year. The city car-sized model is an all-electric take on a model that first made its name the early nineties, and our spy shots reveal it has lost little of what made the original such an icon. The Twingo will rival lots of similarly sized EVs that will be joining the class over the coming years, such as a new £15k baby EV from Dacia. But its biggest threat will come from the Volkswagen ID.1, which is due in 2027. The prototype Twingo has a slightly taller roofline than the concept that was unveiled in 2024, giving it larger windows and doors. As well as helping with visibility and cabin access, it…

HOUSEHUNTERS worried whether they might be able to plug in their electric car can now use a new feature that will allow them to check whether a property has EV charging pre-installed, or whether there is infrastructure nearby. Vauxhall and property website Zoopla have developed a new tool, which will enable users of the site to filter properties that have EV charging, as well as locate the nearest on-street EV charger. Research from Vauxhall shows that 40 per cent of homeowners plan to consider EV charging when purchasing their next property. But the properties on Zoopla’s website that mention having EV charging make up just 1.6 per cent of listings. Such a low figure would be less of a concern if on-street chargers were abundant everywhere, but the vast majority…

“At high speeds, the damping is well set up – on the right side of comfortable without being floaty” MG’s recent rise has been well documented with the Chinese-owned company now a significant player in the electric-car market. Over the past six years MG has been the second biggestselling EV maker here in the UK for private retail customers, with only Tesla ahead. Impressive stuff given that MG is also selling petrol and hybrid cars. Even MG concedes that its rapid growth rate was always going to slow down. However, it still wants to achieve a market share of five per cent (the firm is at four per cent so far in 2025) and to help it grow, it’s looked to its home Chinese market – particularly fellow SAIC-owned brand,…

MOTOR racing has, in principle, stayed very much the same over the past 150 years or so, since the first organised race in the UK was held in Manchester between what were described as “two road steam carriages”. But whether the vehicle is powered by steam, petrol or electricity, the fundamentals remain consistent: the fastest car wins. Video games, on the other hand, have seen a dramatic transformation over the years. While there almost always remains an ‘objective’ – whether that be solve a puzzle, slay a horde of zombies or win a race – the sheer complexity and number of games available have exploded over the past few decades. In fact, many people now argue that video games can genuinely be considered as an art form. Competitive gaming has…

I ACUTELY remember moving into a new house and wondering, “What on earth am I going to do with all this space?” I had the same feeling when I took delivery of the Vauxhall Grandland Electric that had just joined our fleet, because it certainly lives up to the ‘Grand’ part of its name. Recently, the Vauxhall’s fittingly vast proportions have been incredibly handy. While my adoption of roles has historically been restricted to amateur theatre, over the past month or so I’ve found myself playing the parts of chauffeur, man-in-a-van and garden-waste disposal officer – all of which the Grandland was more than capable of assisting me with. For a long time, the Vauxhall Grandland has, first and foremost, been a family car, and the switch to electric propulsion…

HOT KIT Turtle Wax Reactor Price: £16.95 Contact: amazon.co.uk CAR care giant Turtle Wax has reacted to rivals and upgraded its wheel cleaner to a new formulation, which it claims is easier to use and more effective – particularly on exceptionally dirty alloys. The new Hybrid Solutions Reactor All Wheel Cleaner features the same colour changing technology that has been seen on Auto Express Award-winning products from rival companies in the past few years. The iron-dissolving ingredients specifically target the metal particles in stubborn brake dust deposits, which are created as the car’s discs and pads wear. Because they can be red hot when you slow the car down from high speeds, they become embedded in the surface of the wheel’s paint coating. The chemicals in the Turtle Wax cleaner react…

GARAGES can be dusty environments, leading to cobwebs, dirt and deposits landing on your car, even if you’re doing the right thing by keeping it out of the elements. That’s where an indoor car cover comes in. If you own a hobby car or a classic model, then you’ll certainly want to keep it clean and free of contaminants, both to protect the precious paintwork and also to keep it clean and ready for action on those special days when you get to use it. We’ve brought together a selection of covers suitable for cars that are kept inside, including indoor-specific items and multi-purpose products, which can be handy if you’re planning a weekend away and have to leave your car outside at the mercy of the elements overnight. All…

I DON’T often get to hang out with special people who are among the best in the world at what they do. But occasionally, I’ve had the privilege of sitting and learning alongside former Jaguar design god Ian Callum and other legendary designers, including Frank Stephenson, in their studios. The greatest-ever Formula One commentators – Murray Walker and Martin Brundle – welcomed me into their homes. Closely working with legendary broadcasters Sir Michael Parkinson and Andrew Neil on LBC radio changed my life – not least because they helped me secure my motoring show on the station. I’ve been driven by Stirling Moss, Brundle, Sebastien Loeb and Colin McRae. Nigel Mansell and Michael Schumacher also selflessly allowed me into their garages on days they won Formula One races. “NO BODY…