Table of contents for 1794 in Auto Express

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy ● New four-wheel-drive coupé● More power and a 2+2 layout MERCEDES took a pop at the Porsche 911 when it launched the AMG GT back in 2014. But things are about to get really serious with the arrival of the second-generation car, which looks set to be a closer rival than ever to the iconic 911. The new model shares its platform with the AMG-developed SL, so is now a 2+2 with small rear seats, much like the majority of 911 variants. Merc clearly hopes this additional practicality will give customers one less reason to pick Porsche’s offering. The overall look is an evolution of the original GT, albeit with a longer-looking wheelbase, a front-end design more in keeping with Merc’s current styling direction and, at the rear,…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress We want to hear your views. Send your questions or opinions to the E-mail address below FROM: Tony Bartlett IF the chief executive of Moto Services can’t get electricity organised to run high-power EV chargers at his service stations, what chance has the country got of organising nationwide charger coverage before 2030? FROM: Paul Remple THE Government, this one or the next, needs to get real about the challenges everyday drivers are going to face if we’re all going to be buying EVs in only a few years from now. For now, if you haven’t got a home charger – forget it. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ▪ “Why does Moto services need to signpost cheaper fuel? Just cut the prices and we’ll buy it.”Martyn Wojcik ▪ “A…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram THE Range Rover Velar has been with us for six years, and now is the time for the first significant update for the model that sits between the entry-level Evoque and the more luxurious Range Rover Sport. When it first hit the road back in 2017, the Velar flaunted a design that wouldn’t have looked out of place on a concept car. It’s therefore understandable that the cosmetic exterior changes for this mid-life facelift are very subtle. At the front, the grille features revised inserts, while at the rear the lower area of the bumper has been mildly reprofiled – and that’s pretty much it. These changes to the Velar take the brand’s ‘reductive’ design philosophy a step further, with this look trickling down from the latest Range…

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk TO suggest that Italian design house Pininfarina is responsible for some of the most beautiful cars ever is not hyperbole. It’s created everything from stunning Ferraris and Alfa Romeos to MGs and even the occasional Peugeot during its 93-year history, yet the badge was generally kept to the front wing, not front and centre. That’s all changed. Headlining a plan to start building cars that are at the pinnacle of the luxury market, Carrozzeria Pininfarina has now diversified into Automobili Pininfarina, set up alongside the existing design house to create its first bespoke car in a generation. And the model is considered so important, it has been named after the brand’s founder, Battista. This plan has been in the ether for quite some time. This electric hyper-GT was shown…

MODEL TESTED: ID.3 Pro S PRICE: £42,870 POWERTRAIN: 1x e-motor, 77kWh battery, 201bhp 201bhp Powertrain 1x e-motor 77kWh Battery/charge £22 7.9 seconds Performance 99mph 385 litres Seats up/down 1,267 litres THE ID.3 we have here is in top-spec Pro S trim. At £42,870, it’s quite a significant price for a five-door family hatchback – even one with an electric powertrain. With options, the car in these images comes to a chunky £51,215. Tech highlights THE Volkswagen Group invested heavily in an all-new platform to carry its brands into the electric era. The ID.3 was the first production car to feature this tech, and the on-paper specs are still strong when compared with newer rivals. In the model we’re testing, energy is supplied by a 77kWh battery, which according to WLTP…

WINNER 1st MG4 ONCE again, the MG 4 proves itself to be a fabulous electric car. We’re impressed with the way that it rides, handles and steers, performance is more than good enough for a car of this type, and it’s got enough range to easily work as many buyers’ only car. There are flaws, but it’s so cheap compared with rivals that making a few concessions is easy. With an ever-expanding range, the MG4 looks set to get even more versatile; we don’t see it relinquishing its crown any time soon. ● Stunning value for money● Engaging handling yet comfortable ride● Long warranty● Strong equipment levels ● Questionable build quality● Clunky infotainment tech● Not as spacious as the VW● Charging could be faster INTERESTED? Scan the code for further…

SAME CLASS Nissan Leaf WITH every passing year EVs are flowing on to the used car market at an ever-increasing rate – and the car that started it all for mass-market EVs in the UK is dropping to tempting prices. Some will find the original Leaf’s range too compromising, but the second-gen car’s larger battery was good for 168 miles – a figure we closely matched during our 5,000 miles living with one. Plenty of three-year-old examples go for roughly £15,000. ● Low used prices● Plenty of choice ● Feeling its age● Underwhelming to drive SAME MONEY Hyundai Ioniq 5 FOR the same price as a brand-new MG4, you’re able to get your hands on another award-winning Hyundai – this time the striking Ioniq 5. For the money, you’re looking…

Dean_Gibson@autovia.co.uk @DeanGbsn Practicality Cargo space/payload 3.1 cubic metres/672kg Running costs 49.0mpg (on test) £83 fill-up/£320 road tax ACCORDING to Wikipedia, white-van man is “typically perceived as a selfish, inconsiderate driver that is often aggressive”. I can’t say it’s a stereotype that I’ve come across that often, though, and it’s certainly not one I’ve tried to live up to. One of the benefits of reviewing vans is that manufacturers often spec up their demonstrators with kit that punters can add when they make their purchase, and one highlight of the Volkswagen Caddy Cargo is the wide variety of colours that are on offer. Okay, so it’s not quite as wide-ranging as the sample brochure in my hands above, but the swatches I’m holding are a pretty fair representation of what’s available.…

Storage firm looks after the detailing BESPOKE Handling, a vehicle storage and transport firm in West Sussex, has opened a detailing and valeting bay to ensure all the cars it handles can be kept in the best possible condition. Using Gtechniq cleaning and protection products, the facility can help preserve or restore paint condition before cars go into or leave storage. It also offers pre and post-track driving detailing services to remove signs of circuit use. For more information visit bespokehandling.com. VW’s Live Tour gets update for owners VOLKSWAGEN has added a new feature to its Live Tour service, in addition to updating it with the facelifted ID.3. The feature, intended to bring the showroom to your living room, offers potential customers the chance to have a guided tour around…

THE expansion of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone and introduction of similar schemes across the country has left lots of people facing the prospect of having to replace noncompliant cars, or pay to drive in their home area. To be exempt, petrol-engined cars must comply with Euro 4 emissions regulations, which means anything registered from January 2006. The rules are different for diesel-engined cars, and they must comply with Euro 6 emission limits introduced in September 2015. Some makers adopted Euro 4 or Euro 6 tech ahead of time, while some cars show up as not being exempt when they are, or at least should be. Look at the online checker at gov.uk/clean-air-zones, which will tell you whether any potential purchase will be charged to enter any zones around the…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks ● GP circus returns to Zandvoort ● Sights on local boy Verstappen THE summer break is over and Formula One is back, this time at the twisty coastal Zandvoort circuit in the Netherlands. The season’s championship leader Max Verstappen has won both of the previous races at Zandvoort since the track’s return to the F1 calendar in 2021, and he will be a firm favourite to take victory once again, tying him with Sebastian Vettel for the most consecutive wins in a season (nine). Meanwhile, a win for Verstappen or team mate Sergio Pérez would also extend Red Bull’s consecutive win record to 14 races, dating back to last season. Verstappen now has a 125-point lead over Pérez, and although there are 10 races left it seems inevitable…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk ● Switch to CMP platform opens door for EV, petrol and mild-hybrid powertrains● Newcomer is set to focus on offering practicality, usability and value for money VAUXHALL is undergoing a design revolution. We’ve just seen the future-gazing Experimental concept (Issue 1,792), while the Astra is now one of the better-looking hatchbacks and the Mokka these days is a style-led SUV. And now the firm is readying a new small crossover for 2024 to sit alongside the latter model as a practicality-focused offering for buyers who want more space and utility. Recently caught testing – and previewed by our exclusive images – the replacement for the Crossland will wear the brand’s now trademark Vizor grille and feature solid surfacing to bring it into line with the rest of the models…

Up to 340 miles range for Fisker’s new truck FISKER has confirmed initial spec details for its Alaska pick-up truck (above), with the new machine featuring two battery options. Packs of 75kWh or 113kWh will be available, offering claimed ranges of 230 and 340 miles respectively. Power outputs from its dual-motor set-up haven’t been confirmed, but the brand has revealed a best 0-60mph time of 3.9 seconds. Pothole backlog needs dedicated funding AHEAD of the next general election, all political parties should commit to a 10-year pothole repair programme funded by ring-fencing 2p per litre from fuel duty, the Local Government Association of England and Wales says. “Decades of reductions in funding from central government to local repair budgets has left councils with a huge pothole repair backlog,” said LGA…

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) 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: 0113 222 2010 AA: 0800 316 3564 DVLA: 0300 790 6802 RAC: 0808 164 1923 Traffic information AA: 0906 888 4322 RAC: 09003 444999 (p) Problems with dealers The Motor Ombudsman: 0345 241 3008 Consumer Ombudsman: www.consumerombudsman.org RMIF: 0845 305 4230 Scottish Motor Trade Assoc. 0131 331 5510 Problems with…

MODEL TESTED: MG4 Trophy Long Range PRICE: £32,495 POWERTRAIN: 1x e-motor, 64kWh battery, 200bhp 200bhp Powertrain 1x e-motor 64kWh Battery/charge £19 7.9 secs Performance 100mph 363 litres Seats up/down 1,177 litres THE entire MG range is cheap, although some of its models feel as if that’s for a good reason. The MG4 starts from £26,995 – exceptionally low for a car in this class – and at £32,495, this Trophy Long Range, which we’re currently running on our long-term test fleet, is still competitive. Once options are added to both the MG and VW, there’s a staggering £18,025 gap between the two. Tech highlights MECHANICALLY the MG4 has a lot in common with the ID.3; not only in its specs, but also in the fundamental approach to its overall design.…

SAME CLASS Hyundai Kona Electric BOTH of these models have a tough fight on their hands against our 2023 Car of the Year, the Kona Electric. Hyundai listened to owner feedback on the first-generation version; as it turned out, most were delighted with the car already, but some wanted a little more space. Hyundai obliged with its newcomer, which gets a bigger cabin and boot. It’s more grown up to drive, too, with improved refinement, an efficient powertrain and strong performance. Crucially, all versions get a heat pump as standard – and at £34,995, the base model costs only slightly more than the MG. ● Practical cabin● Relaxing to drive● Keenly priced ● Charging speeds could be faster● Styling not to everyone’s tastes● MG is more fun SAME MONEY Renault…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk USING power tools when working on a vehicle is usually about making the task easier or doing it quicker. That’s not really the case with a car dryer, though, which is more about keeping the need to touch the bodywork to a minimum and preventing marring the finish with swirls and microscopic scratches. The idea is that, after washing and rinsing, you use the blower to blast away water rather than soaking the moisture up with a microfibre drying towel. The upside is less risk to your paint, but the downside is that doing the whole car takes longer than using a towel – particularly a big one like our test winner from Armor All. For large panels such as the bonnet or roof, a towel…

FOR many drivers, getting from A to B involves electronics and GPS satellites, but there are still many who prefer paper maps, as is proven by the large number still available. The easiest and cheapest way to get British/UK mapping is to buy a road atlas, and of the various sizes we favour A3, because it’s the best for scale and ease of route planning. Here we’re comparing the new 2024 atlases from A-Z, Collins and the AA. The scales are of similarly large sizes and we checked for up-to-date mapping by looking for six road projects, four small hamlets, and wanted to see the London congestion charge zone and the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) shown. Motorway junctions along with restrictions, town-centre maps and tourist info were also on…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk THE 2023 Driver Power survey made clear that owners rate the interior and practicality of their Foresters very highly, but reliability appears to be an issue, and hybrid tech isn’t enough to lift the fuel economy score above 67th. On a more positive note, Forester owners rate its all-wheel-drive handling third and ride quality fourth overall, but driving pleasure languishes in 60th place. Luggage space and seating versatility come sixth and fifth respectively, with rear legroom also sixth. The Forester is first for all-round visibility, but owners are less impressed with the cabin layout and tech. It’s ranked fourth for climate control, but sat-nav and touchscreen sensitivity rankings are dire. WE SAY “The Forester sits in a niche almost of its own. It’s not as good to drive as…

Sutton retains BTCC lead after Knockhill wet win DESPITE torrential rain, the British Touring Car Championship heated up at Knockhill last time out. Series leader Ash Sutton (above) delivered a memorable win from sixth on the grid in his NAPA Racing Ford Focus ST in the weekend’s third and final race. Jake Hill’s BMW 3 Series secured the other two wins, moving him into third overall. Tom Ingram had a disappointing weekend in his Hyundai i30, managing only 10th, third and a disqualification. Ingram still sits in second place overall, however, keeping the pressure on Sutton. The next rounds of the championship take place at Donington, where last year both Hill and Ingram picked up wins. The BTCC has already raced at Donington this season, on the smaller National layout.…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks ● Lanzador revealed in Monterey ● Classed an ‘ultra GT’ by firm EVEN as a brand with some of the greatest combustion engines in its portfolio, Lamborghini is firmly embracing all-electric power – and the Lanzador concept gives us our best indication yet of how the Italian firm’s first production EV will look. The Lanzador also sees the return of an unconventional bodystyle for Lamborghini, with the concept featuring a 2+2 seating arrangement, complemented by a taller ride height and a sleek profile. Speaking about the Lanzador at its unveiling at Monterey Car Week in California, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann said the firm is “opening a new car segment: the ultra GT”, while the brand’s head of design, Mitja Borkert, described the process of creating the car’s bold styling:…

Chris_rosamond@autovia.co.uk ● Electric Streets of Britain aims to increase numbers of public chargepoints● Figures show many councils unprepared for 2030 internal-combustion ban VAUXHALL has launched its ‘Electric Streets of Britain’ campaign to increase the numbers of kerbside chargepoints in residential streets. It comes on the back of data revealing that 71.6 per cent of councils have no strategy for installing them. The car maker says 40 per cent of UK households don’t have a private driveway, rising to more than 60 per cent in towns and cities. That leaves potentially millions of drivers unable to charge cars at home. This matters to Vauxhall, because it has pledged to sell only EV models from 2028, ahead of the Government’s ban on internal-combustion-powered cars in 2030. With 80 per cent of EV…

FORD will take on European rivals such as the Porsche 911 GT3 RS with this, the limited-run Mustang GTD. The brand’s most focused ’Stang yet, it has a 5.2-litre supercharged V8 with a targeted 789bhp output. This drives an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox through a carbon-fibre propshaft, while carbon-ceramic brake discs and huge calipers should give braking performance to match the acceleration. A sophisticated suspension setup that allows for a 40mm-lower ride height in Track mode combines with an aggressive styling package that features a huge rear wing and a race car-style undertray; active aerodynamic components feature to balance downforce and straight-line speed. Ford boss Jim Farley said: “This is a new approach for us. We didn’t engineer a road car for the track, we created a race car for the…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk Performance 0-60mph/top speed 3.5 seconds/186mph Running costs 27.0mpg (official) £105 fill-up Practicality Boot 407 litres JLR’S new CEO, Adrian Mardell, gave us our best insight yet into Jaguar’s future (Issue 1,793), with hints of an electric GT. But before we see the first step in Jag’s next era, we’ll wave goodbye to the current petrol-powered phase of the company’s history with this F-Type R 75 coupé. This is a celebration of three quarters of a century of sports cars from Jaguar, starting with the XK 120 in 1948. It’s an emphatic finish for the F-Type, too, taking the R’s 567bhp 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine and adding some flourishes to the package for this commemorative model. In fact, if you want a V8 you really should go for this 75…

IT looks pricey on paper, but VW is being punchy with the ID.3’s finance deals, offering buyers a £3,000 deposit contribution and 4.9 per cent APR off the bat. As a result, a three-year PCP agreement with a £5,000 deposit costs £555 per month. However, strong discounts aren’t enough to bring the ID.3 level with the MG’s class-leading figures. Even without any manufacturer deposit contribution, the MG4 starts at £101 per month less than the VW. The MG also saves buyers some cash when it comes to servicing. The brand recommends a check once a year or every 15,000 miles; sticking to the annual schedule sees the maintenance come to just over £360 for three years. VW’s ID service plan costs £720 for the same period. At £582 a year,…

ELECTRIC FAMILY CARS There are choices to be made beyond the two versions of the ID.3 and MG4 we’ve tested here “THE new, bigger-battery MG4 Extended Range wasn’t quite available to drive at the time of our test. It gets a 323-mile WLTP range, bumps power up by 42bhp to 242bhp, yet it’s still £5 per month cheaper than the ID.3 – before you dip into the VW’s pricey options list.” “SINCE we took delivery of our long-term MG4, MG has added a rear wiper to the standard kit list. It may seem like a very minor addition, but given the way that we’re regularly needing to rinse the rear screen of our car during the UK’s rainy weather, it’ll be a very welcome extra.” “THERE are still a few…

Pete_Baiden@autovia.co.uk @PeteBaiden THE second-generation Dacia Duster has been on sale since 2017 and in many ways it’s starting to show its age, but a mid-life facelift arrived last year and was then quickly followed by another update as the budget Romanian brand revised its logo. This latest refresh has given the Duster a distinctive new look, with the company’s ‘link’ logo, which consists of the letters D and C merging in the middle, dominating the car’s grille. It’s one of the first things people notice about the Duster, with my dad even thinking it was an all-new car. It’s amazing that such a subtle redesign can have such an impact. Even my son Hugo has been taken in by the Duster’s charms. He’s at the age where he’s starting to…

NEW PRODUCT Angelwax car care range Price: From £14.41 Contact: angelwax.co.uk SCOTTISH car-care producer Angelwax has launched four new products aimed at cleaning not just your car but also your kit. First is an all purpose car cleaner called Myriad APC, which comes in concentrated professional-strength form so that it can be diluted to suit the cleaning job to be tackled. Inside the car it can be diluted to 100:1 to clean plastic and fabrics. Carpets need an 80:20 mix, while it should be diluted 50:50 for engine cleaning. Simply spray on, agitate with a brush or a cloth, then rinse or remove with a damp microfibre cloth. It costs £18.65 for a one-litre bottle. The second car newcomer is H2NO! which can be used as a waterless or rinseless…

50 Years with Ferraris Neill Bruce (Evro Publishing, evropublishing.com) Price: £45 Rating: PHOTOGRAPHER and author Bruce has been shooting Ferraris for decades, and this book contains much of his work with importer Maranello Concessionaires as well as motor shows, factories and events. It’s great to view and interesting to read. The Complete Book of Classic Ford and Mercury Muscle Cars 1961-1973 Donald Farr (Chartwell Books, quartoknows.com) Price: £30 Rating: JUST over a decade of Ford and Mercury provides enough to fill a book with muscle cars. It’s presented very well with tons of contemporary and period photos plus period ads and clippings. There’s plenty of Mustang action, but some of the less iconic cars also get a chance to shine. City Connect Available for: iOS, Android Price: Free Rating: THIS…

Search thousands of new and used cars online CO2/tax 76-83g/km £170 Running costs 55-62mpg (1.8 Hybrid) £62.50 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 10.9 seconds/112mph IT seems incredible that the Corolla was one of Toyota’s core products when the firm arrived in the UK in the mid-sixties – and nearly six decades on it’s still part of the line-up. Only the name remains, of course, but with more than 50 million sold worldwide so far, you can’t blame its maker for sticking with something so instantly familiar. Whereas the Corolla has been sold continuously around the planet for more than 50 years, that’s not so in the UK, because the Auris took over for a while. That was a capable but ultimately rather uninspiring car, and when the Corolla picked up the…

I’VE been to a few motor shows in my time. And I can sum most of them up with one-word descriptions. Tokyo is bonkers, Frankfurt knackering, Seoul lackadaisical, Detroit perilous, London toast, Munich unproven, Shanghai scary, New York edgy, Paris aloof, Geneva ruined and LA groovy (man). Then there’s Farnborough – home to the British Motor Show for the last three years and, with a bit of luck and a tad more interest from car makers, should be around for many more. My one-word description for this, our national car exhibition? Inspiring. At this event, the people are as important as the cars. I can’t fail to be inspired by Andy Entwistle, who cleverly spotted that a lethargic Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders could no longer be bothered to…