Table of contents for 1876 in Auto Express

I’VE had a couple of interesting chats in recent weeks about the ‘right’ size for EV batteries. Manufacturers are battling to find the balance between cars with enough range for drivers not to worry about running out of charge, while keeping weight and bulk down. It’s something of an impossible problem, particularly while we’re still in the early stages of EVs being accepted into the mainstream. People need the comfort blanket of a big range figure when they start driving an EV, until they get the experience to know that the range isn’t suddenly going to plunge and strand them, and until they can trust the public charging network. But there are now many cars with an official range of well over 300 miles, and while that figure will rise…

IT’S been a long time coming, but this is our first official look at the all-new Nissan Micra that will go on sale this year. The supermini has been reborn as an EV, and is based on the same technology as the new Renault 5, by virtue of the Renault Nissan Mitsubishi Alliance partnership. Yet Nissan hasn’t simply stuck its badge on the R5 and called it a day. The front end features a sharply angled nose and large round daytime running lights that resemble those on the curvy Mk3 Micra launched in the early 2000s. The new Micra also gets a different front bumper and alloy wheel design, plus an embossed shoulder line. However, some details, such as the square rear end and rear door handles tucked up into…

BENTLEY is embarking on an all-electric future and its first EV will be the ‘Urban SUV’ that we have just spied on the road. You might notice the prototype Bentley has a vaguely familiar top hat. It’s based on the upcoming Porsche Cayenne EV, which we saw testing earlier this year. Bentley’s use of the Porsche’s body shouldn’t come as a surprise though, because just like the current Cayenne and Bentayga, the new Porsche and Bentley SUVs will share a common electric architecture. As part of Bentley’s ‘Beyond100’ strategy, the British brand said in 2024 that its first BEV will come out in 2026 and create a new segment, becoming “the world’s first true Luxury Urban SUV”. We believe the car has been pushed back to 2027, although Bentley plans…

MG has confirmed its popular MG4 hatchback will get a refresh later this year, rather than being replaced by the all-new version revealed in China last week. Despite sharing the same name, the Chinese-spec EV is slightly larger than the European MG4 and on a different platform to the one sold here, which shares its underpinnings with the MG S5 electric SUV. That means the updated tech and cabin improvements in the new S5 will find their way onto the MG4 later this year, as it reaches its third birthday. These are likely to include the 12.8-inch touchscreen that we found to be responsive and easy to read when we tried it on the S5. That SUV also has a set of physical knobs and buttons for easier adjustment of…

THIS is our first official look at the all-new Alfa Romeo Stelvio, as the brand’s flagship SUV gets in shape for its global debut towards the end of this year. As before, the model will take the fight to the BMW X3 and Audi Q5, but it’ll also challenge premium electric SUVs, because for the first time the will line-up will include an EV option. The second-generation Stelvio is currently being assessed in extreme conditions in Sweden. And judging by these first pictures from Alfa, the new car will be much longer than its predecessor and have an even more rakish roofline. Up front, the iconic Scudetto grille will feature, between what appear to be long daytime running lights that wrap around the nose and nearly onto the wings. Given…

HOWEVER you approach it, £5,600 is a lot of cash to lose. It’s not the sort of loose change that falls down the back of the sofa, and if a bill dropped through your letter box demanding you to pay, chances are you’d be, to put it mildly, miffed. Yet the new Citroen e-C4 has somehow managed to lose exactly that amount – but in a very good way. The prices of the five-door hatch, plus the saloon-bodied e-C4 X, have dropped by £5,600 compared with the pre-facelift model. As a result, the range now kicks off from £26,295. That’s £600 less than the cheapest Vauxhall Corsa Electric, a car that sits in the segment below when it comes to size. Similar discounts will be applied to the petrol and…

IT’S tough to know if autonomous driving is coming or going sometimes. The idea of cars driving themselves has been around for decades and plenty of brands have set ambitious dates for launching ‘driverless vehicles’. Many of these haven’t seeing the light of day due to costs, technological barriers, customer demand or, in many cases, governmental red tape. There are some regions around the world that already have this tech roaming the roads, but thanks in part to tight regulations, it’s yet to roll out to the general public here in the UK. However, as we’ve recently experienced courtesy of Nissan’s European Technical Centre in Cranfield, Beds, that doesn’t mean fully autonomous cars aren’t already on our streets in some capacity. Nissan has recently completed its latest stage of autonomous…

WITH so many electric vehicles of varying shapes and sizes floating around at the £30,000-£40,000 mark, it can be hard to pin down how each settles into different size classes. In the case of the Elroq, it’s closer to a full-size SUV than many similarly priced rivals, such as the Kia EV3 and Renault Megane E-Tech. At nearly 4.5 metres long and 1.6 metres tall, it’s best to view the Elroq as a slightly shorter version of Skoda’s Enyaq. It’s better value than the Enyaq, because like-for-like, the Elroq is nearly £6k less than its big brother. And after several encounters with Skoda’s newcomer to date, that vast gulf in price for very little difference in substance makes the Elroq feel like a bit of a bargain. ENGINES & PERFORMANCE…

WE’RE still enjoying the movie-star looks of the Peugeot E-3008, whether that be the chiselled exterior lines or the almost sci-fi vibe of its interior. Beyond the glamour, the coupé-style SUV continues to serve us well as a family vehicle too, with a pleasant cabin ambience making it a comfortable travelling companion. It’s not as spacious as one might imagine though, and anyone with older teenagers or those who regularly travel with adults in the back should make sure they’ll actually fit. The ride quality can feel unsophisticated on poorer surfaces, too, and there are a few other areas where the Peugeot’s appeal can appear relatively superficial. It’s not very engaging to drive, for starters. The steering feels vague and that tends to be compounded by the corners of the…

ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners have been singling out Sports Utility Vehicles as the root of all evil for years. But the vilification of SUVs on the grounds of their supposedly unnecessary bulk, climate-changing emissions and general profligacy appears to be doing nothing to stop motorists from buying them. According to the latest figures from analysts at GlobalData, 54 per cent of cars sold across the world in 2024 were SUVs. That’s a three per cent increase on 2023, and five per cent up on 2022. This strong growth comes at a time by which many of those who make a living watching the global car market had predicted we’d be seeing a swing towards smaller, lighter and cheaper electric cars. But the SUV has other ideas and so do consumers. What’s going…

THIRTY years ago, almost to the day, a trio of motor-mad males committed themselves to three very different car-related causes. Back then, Lewis Hamilton was 10, a karting cadet, but big, brave and smart enough to persuade McLaren boss Ron Dennis to recruit him. Lew then morphed into the most successful F1 pilot ever. Enough said. At the same time, Wang Chuanfu, a young chemist/researcher, had even bigger, braver, smarter ideas as he founded and launched BYD, a company that just announced monster revenues of $107 billion (£83bn) in 2024. Miraculously, Wang has elevated the outfit into the third best-selling brand on the planet. I happily assumed the role of chief columnist on Auto Express in early 1995. Now, some 1,530 weeks and 1,530 issues later, I’m still here, somewhat…

THE all-new, third-generation Nissan Leaf has been revealed ahead of its full launch in the second half of this year. And as we’ve known for some time, the pioneering electric hatchback has been transformed into a stylish, high-riding crossover. The looks are inspired by the Nissan Chill-Out concept presented back in 2021, with the new Leaf carrying over several key elements, such as the signature ‘boomerang’ lights, and the distinctive wheel design. Both of those were also included in our exclusive (and as we can now see, incredibly accurate) images of the new Leaf published last year. Other details include a rather sharply pointed nose featuring a full-width lightbar and an illuminated Nissan badge. There are also flush-fitting handles on the front doors, with the rear door handles hidden high…

CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves chose not to increase the burden on drivers in her annual spring statement last week, and instead stuck to her previously announced policy of a single ‘tax and spend’ event annually – meaning drivers should be safe until the next autumn Budget at least. While nothing new for drivers was announced in the House of Commons as Reeves gave the Government’s response to the latest economic forecasts by the Office for Budget Responsibility, many are nonetheless confronting significant rises in their road tax bills as part of the package of measures outlined last year, which are only now coming into force. As per Reeves’ announcement in the autumn Budget, VED (also known as road tax) rose on 1 April from £190 annually to £195. The first-year VED…

THERE have been rumours of a hot Skoda Elroq vRS for some time, and the company has now announced the car will make its debut on 3 April at Milan Design Week in Italy. A short teaser video has already been shown, and we can clearly see the hot Elroq’s gloss-black grille, Mamba Green paint and beefier bodykit. There’s a unique set of aero wheels, too, plus bespoke seats with green stitching inside. It’s likely that the Elroq vRS will be fitted with the standard car’s biggest 77kWh battery, plus two motors producing in the region of 300bhp. It should be capable of 0-62mph in about six seconds and a range of well over 300 miles. We expect the hot SUV to start from around £45,000 – £10-12k up on…

WHEN the Jeep Avenger was launched back in 2023, Auto Express’ consensus was that it was a stylish, compact all-electric SUV that looked and felt ideal for European markets. It was a touch expensive, but very nearly took our Car of the Year gong that year. Now, however, the EV market has exploded with new offerings that offer better range and more features, yet cost less. To compensate, Jeep brought out a cheaper hybrid version, but that felt like little more than a small European hatchback from the wider Stellantis group with a Jeep badge glued to the nose. So, the company has now revealed a fresh and still EU-friendly hybrid model with a clever new four-wheel drive system and a more rugged persona. The 4xe set-up combines the existing…

WHILE some brands have created all-new models for the electric era, and others have simply stopped making internal combustion-powered cars altogether, Renault has chosen to adapt by updating household nameplates to become fully fledged EVs. Allow for the bit of licence in adding E-Tech to the name, and that’s what has happened to the Megane. Moving into its fifth generation since the 1995 original, it has now fully turned its back on petrol and diesel power. The Megane has always offered distinctive design (remember the big-booted Mk2?), and this latest car takes a dramatic turn again, with a sleek, rakish shape and almost cartoonishly large 20-inch alloy wheels. In a class that’s filled with compelling alternatives, it gives the Megane a unique selling point. ENGINES & PERFORMANCE RENAULT has kept…

PUTTING on a coat helps protect us from the weather – and your car’s paint needs shielding from the elements too. Insect splats, bird droppings, tree sap and even car cleaning can stain and scratch the surface, dulling the finish and making the car look tired. Traditional waxes will need topping up every few months to remain effective, but the new breed of ceramic coatings are more durable, sometimes lasting from one to three years. To test them, we prepared a scrap car’s bonnet by stripping off any previous coatings before it was machine polished with a cutting compound to ensure an even surface. The ceramics were then applied according to the instructions and the bonnet was left outside for six months, with washes using a basic car shampoo every…

NO matter how much you look after your car, time will gradually rob the paint of its shine. Colour restorers return the gloss by using tiny abrasive particles to gently remove the small imperfections in the paint or surface lacquer. Machine polishing makes life easier, but we polished by hand instead. We sectioned off a weather-worn bonnet and applied the samples using a clean sponge pad, weighted at 150g to ensure even pressure across the test. Each was rubbed on a 15cm section of paint 20 times, then removed with a clean microfibre cloth. Points were awarded for the shine, ease of use and value. T-Cut Perfect Compound Rating: Price: £11.24 Size: 500ml Contact: mymotorworld.com T-CUT’S latest formula shows the original colour restorer is still up with the best. The cream…

SMALL-car specialist Smart is investigating the feasibility of reinventing its iconic ForTwo for the modern age, with the firm’s European boss telling us the model will “define the A-segment” by staying true to the company’s core values. Speaking exclusively to Auto Express, Smart’s European CEO Dirk Adelmann said to “stay tuned” for more information on the next-generation city car. “The A-segment is, for us, very interesting, because it is growing,” he said. It’s thought the model could launch by the end of the decade, priced from around £20,000. Separately, Smart’s head of design Kai Sieber told us: “The ForTwo is the core of our brand. It’s still our very clear intention to bring it back.” While the new car will most likely retain its compact footprint and spacious interior, it…

PEUGEOT will bring back the legendary GTi badge on a hot version of the electric 208. “I’m in a position to confirm we will reintroduce GTi on an E-208 as soon as possible,” said Alain Favey, the brand’s new CEO. “It’s a signal that we want to reconnect with our past. GTi shows our performance orientation and our involvement in motorsport – performance is what Peugeot stands for.” The GTi revival will start with a pure-electric model of the existing generation. Could Peugeot unleash combustion or plug-in hybrid GTis? “We don’t exclude that there might be other executions under the GTi badge, but nothing is planned,” said Favey. A pure petrol GTi would be difficult given tightening CO2 targets, but hybrids could figure as Peugeot rolls out the branding on…

THE Omoda 9 SHS (Super Hybrid System) is about to land in UK showrooms, and it could take the title of Britain’s longest-range plug-in hybrid. While figures are still to be confirmed, the maker says it’ll offer an “expected” range of more than 700 miles, including 93 miles of electric running. Measuring 4,775mm long, the Omoda 9 rivals SUVs such as the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento and Skoda Kodiaq. It’s almost exactly the same size as the new Volkswagen Tayron. But the VW’s 25.7kWh (19.7kWh usable) battery is dwarfed by the Omoda’s 34.5kWh unit, which features “state-of-the-art M3P” technology. This set-up also brings a distinct cost advantage over conventional lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. That big battery is linked to a 1.5-litre TGDI turbo petrol engine, three-speed hybrid transmission and…

PRESIDENT Donald Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on all cars imported to the US last week, in a move that threatens up to £7bn of UK vehicle exports. Last year, the automotive industry accounted for 14 per cent of all UK exports to the States, with Land Rover and MINI especially exposed to a big tariff hit — the US is JLR’s biggest market. Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated the UK was “in extensive talks” as part of an attempt to carve out a trade agreement with the US, aimed at eliminating the threat of tariffs across a range of industries, including cars and steel. “That’s what we’re working on and we’ve got a few more days of negotiations before any tariffs come in,” she said, but the chances of…

“Part of the reasons for the Enyaq’s price rise is that it has a slightly bigger battery and much more standard kit” WE’VE been huge fans of the Skoda Enyaq since it was launched in 2020; the brand’s first bespoke electric car has proven itself to be one of the best SUVs on the market. Buyers clearly agree, with more than 270,000 examples having been sold worldwide to date. The Enyaq has, so far, managed to stay one step ahead of the newer electric SUVs that have arrived to try and challenge it. But now there’s a rather big elephant in the room: the new Skoda Elroq, which faces the stylish Renault Megane in this week’s road test (page 36). The Elroq is, in essence, a smaller version of the…

MAKING an electric sports car isn’t easy. Fitting a bulky battery into a low-slung, two-door body is only the start, while dealing with the inevitable weight penalty and dynamic compromises is another issue entirely. Yet Maserati is one of the few manufacturers to have deemed it possible – albeit for an eye-watering starting price of almost £200,000. The GranTurismo Folgore is a five-metre-long, triple-motor 2+2 with 751bhp and up to 1,350Nm of torque. On paper it has all the right ingredients. Slipping into the leather-covered cabin, the first thing you notice is how low you’re able to sit – even with that chunky 92.5kWh battery hiding beneath your backside. There’s extensive adjustment for the seat and steering wheel, so you can tweak things to provide a decent view out –…

I’VE never been one for jumping on a bandwagon, but I’m certainly joining a big – and growing – crowd by embarking on life with a brand-new Dacia. The brand enjoyed a record year in the UK in 2024, registering almost 32,000 new cars, and along the way found a home for the country’s 100,000th Duster since the original model first reached these shores in 2013. Much has changed since then, but the third-generation Duster that I collected from Dacia’s flagship dealer in Brentford, west London, has much in common with its predecessor – not least its rugged charm and no-nonsense character. I already know I’ll find this new model fascinating to run, because I didn’t really like the original Duster. I thought it was crude and uncomfortable, while the…

NOW spring is here and temperatures are rising, washing your car won’t seem like such a chore. Plus it shouldn’t become filthy again as soon as you’ve driven down the road. A thorough spring clean doesn’t just make a car look better, it also helps to get rid of the road salt and other nasties that can accelerate corrosion and wear away your paint’s shine. Having the right products will save you time and give you a winning result. To help choose the best we have put 65 lotions and potions through our rigorous tests, using sectioned-off parts from scrap cars so comparisons are fair. Wheel cleaners were compared on plastic covers and a neglected alloy rim, while we worked out the most effective fabric cleaner by tackling grime smeared…

NO matter how careful you are, spills will happen and your car’s fabrics are going to suffer. A wet vac or steam clean is the best solution, but it’s not always practical. Instead, many people will reach for an upholstery cleaner. To find the best, we divided up a grubby carpet floor mat and a section of an old car seat that were individually marked with lipstick, chocolate and coffee. The cleaners were applied according to the instructions, using any supplied brush or cloth, or a fresh microfibre for each product. The results were rated, along with a score for ease of use and value. Duel Logic All Purpose Interior Cleaner Rating: Price: £7.99 Size: 500ml Contact: duelautocare.co THE Duel needs diluting before use, but that makes it very economical. We…