Auto Express -julkaisun 1606 -irtonumeron sisällysluettelo

GAZOO Racing camouflage and a dashboard shielded from prying eyes are an unsubtle hint that the car we’re about to drive is still a prototype, so it’s too early to say whether the GR Yaris is a reincarnation of the Subaru Imprezas, Mitsubishi Evos and Toyota Celica GT-Fours of the nineties. But after a short squirt along some Portuguese roads in Toyota’s latest creation, it’s fair to say that the early signs are certainly promising. The GR Yaris’s structure feels very strong, letting the suspension do its best work over bumps and sunken drain covers. It’s surprisingly pliant, and makes the car feel less hardcore than you’d expect. The notchy, GT86-like gearshift and firm brake pedal feel more serious, the fairly high driving position less so, but it’s the way…

THE Auto Express Driver Power survey – the biggest car-ownership survey of its kind – is now open. The 2020 poll is more comprehensive than ever, giving you the opportunity to tell us what you really think of your car. The survey only takes around 10 minutes to complete and covers aspects including how economical and reliable your car is, how comfortable its seats are, and how enjoyable you find it to drive. Our aim is to leave no stone unturned in the quest to build up a real picture of the cars that you drive and own. Your views are valued both by readers and car makers, so head over to autoexpress.co.uk/driver-power to tell us what you think.…

Hugo_Griffiths@dennis.co.uk @hugo_griffiths NO invention has had more impact on the modern world than the car, which makes it worthy of celebration – or at least close assessment. That’s the thinking behind a bold new exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Titled ‘Cars: Accelerating the Modern World’ and running from now until April, it’s an enjoyable, thought-provoking show. “The car is the most important design object of the 20th Century in that it’s effected so much change,” says exhibition co-curator Brendan Cormier. “But sometimes you’re too close to something to have a proper look. This exhibition steps back for an objective glance at the car.” The show is arranged thematically rather than chronologically, and one of the first exhibits is the jet-powered 1953 Firebird concept car from General…

MANUFACTURERS 7 July: Citroen (100 years) 10 July: Bentley (100 years) 11 July: Fiat (120 years) 1 September: Lexus (30 years) CARS IN PRODUCTION Audi RS 4 (20 years) BMW X5 (20 years) Honda Insight (20 years) Land Rover Discovery (30 years) Lexus LS (30 years) Mazda MX-5 (30 years) Mercedes G-Wagen (40 years) Nissan Skyline GT-R (50 years) Nissan Z (50 years) Porsche 911 GT3 (20 years) Porsche Panamera (10 years) Skoda Fabia (20 years) Toyota Yaris (20 years) Vauxhall Astra (40 years) CARS NOT IN PRODUCTION Aston Martin One-77 (10 years) Audi A2 (20 years) Mini (60 years) Citroen Xsara Picasso (20 years) Clio Renaultsport (20 years) Ferrari 458 (10 years) Ford Capri (50 years) Honda S2000 (20 years) Lancia Delta (40 years) Pagani Zonda (20 years) Skoda…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods FAR from being on its way out, the little Volkswagen up! city car has been given an important task as it charges towards its ninth year of being on sale. You see, next year Volkswagen will begin to roll out its family of ID. electric cars, all of which are built using a bespoke platform (called MEB) and designed as genuine alternatives to conventionally powered models such as the evergreen Golf. However, this latest incarnation of VW’s battery-powered e-up! will still provide the entry point and cheapest way into the German manufacturer’s new EV line-up. Unlike its siblings from SEAT (driven Issue 1,602) and Skoda (Issue 1,604), which were not previously available as EVs, the e-up! is only undergoing a mild mid-life refresh. It doesn’t receive a new…

Lexus RX L Lexus Navigation Standard Key features: CarPlay and Android Auto THE 12.3-inch infotainment system has always been the RX’s downfall. While it’s been improved by the addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, one of the big drawbacks is the touchpad control system. The panel has touchscreen tech, too, but it’s quite far away from you and the touchpad is so frustrating to use. The cursor jumps from option to option – and generally not the one you want – at the slightest touch. The graphics aren’t the greatest and the layout of the menus could be simpler. For example, you must press a physical button to access the air-con option when you’re already in the climate menu. At least the large screen can display a lot. The…

Expert insight James_Howe@dennis.co.uk AS the motoring world continues to move towards electrification because of political and environmental pressures, hybrids of every kind are gaining traction across all sections of the market. With technology moving on at pace, what was once a strange concept is now a must-have for a large proportion of buyers. It’s not hard to see the appeal. Conventional hybrids do a great job of improving the efficiency of mid-sized, petrol-engined family cars and SUVs, while reducing CO2 emissions and often allowing for a few miles of pure-electric travel if you’re careful with your right foot at town speeds. They also make a lot of sense for lower-mileage or urban-based private buyers, as well as for those at the mercy of company car tax rates. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs)…

Stuart_Milne@dennis.co.uk Running costs 41.8mpg (on test) £69 fill-up/£455 or 16% tax Performance 0-62mph/top speed 5.3 seconds/149mph PLUG-IN hybrid power has come to the Audi Q5 range, and let’s get one thing out of the way: apart from the ludicrously long name, our Q5 55 TFSI e quattro 367PS quattro S line Competition S tronic is a very nice thing indeed. It blends all that’s good about a Q5 with the promise of ultra-low running costs and incredible performance. On that last point, it’ll show a clean pair of heels to plenty of sports cars, and while the SQ5 trumps the PHEV from 0-62mph, it’s close enough to make no difference. But I’ll be seeing how close it comes to the claimed 117.7mpg in the coming months. Ditto the 26-mile electric…

Audi’s mobile help for e-tron owners A NEW concierge service is being offered to owners of the all-electric Audi e-tron – via mobile messaging app WhatsApp. The service will be manned from 8am to 9pm, seven days a week, which means that any queries from customers about their new EV will be answered by a team member within moments. Using WhatsApp also means photos, videos and sound recordings can be sent as well as text with minimum hassle. Audi intends to use feedback to improve the e-tron user experience. UK motor show gives boost to recruitment NEXT year’s British Motor Show in Farnborough, Hampshire, has announced it will host the National Automotive Recruitment fair on its first day, 20 August. In support of the UK motor industry, the fair will…

PRODUCT GROUP TEST 24|12|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 FANCY getting a dash cam? Well, you could already have one in your pocket, because there are now plenty of apps that will turn your smartphone into an in-car camera, and most of them are free to download. Retrieving video footage from a phone is easy, too, but there are a few downsides. First, you’ll need a solid mounting that doesn’t obscure the lens. Also bear in mind that the cameras on most smartphones won’t be able to capture as much in a frame as a dash cam, plus they use a lot of power, and could even make…

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @AxleIngram ● A-Class-based small SUV reveals a chunkier look ● Flagship AMG model manages 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds MERCEDES’ glut of new models shows no sign of letting up, because the firm has just pulled the wraps off the all-new GLA. When it goes on sale next spring, it’ll take on the likes of the BMW X2 and Audi Q2. It’s the smallest SUV in Merc’s range, but compared to its predecessor, the new GLA has morphed into a more SUV-appropriate shape. While the old model stood at 1,507mm – barely higher than the A-Class hatchback – the new car is 104mm taller. Combined with an overall length that’s down by 14mm, the final look is chunkier and more upright than before. While the recently-released GLB has a square,…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy ● Mustang EV range to expand ● Makes use of MEB platform FORD is aiming to use its tie-up with Volkswagen on electric vehicle platforms to expand the range of Mustang EVs beyond the recently revealed Mach-E, Auto Express understands. The US manufacturer caused a storm in November when it revealed the Mustang Mach-E as its first bespoke EV. High-level sources have indicated that Ford is already considering expanding the family to appeal to a wider range of customers. Speaking to Auto Express, Ford of Europe’s Chief Designer Murat Gueler said: “The Mustang influence wasn’t considered until an earlier direction with the car wasn’t really working. Once we introduced Mustang as inspiration, it came together quickly. We’re really excited by what this brings to the electric car, and…

Renault sets its price for new Captur SUV THE new Renault Captur (above) will cost from £17,595 in the UK, with the first customer deliveries due in March. Three trim levels (Play, Iconic and S Edition) and four engines make up the line-up. All come as standard with LED headlamps, 17-inch alloys and a seven-inch infotainment system. Prices rise to £24,795 for top-spec models, while the Captur, as well as all other new cars from Renault, is now covered by a longer five-year, 100,000 mile warranty. Dearer finance mooted for petrol, diesel cars CAR finance interest rates could become higher for petrol and diesel cars as governments take steps to address global climate change. Lord Stern, a member of the Government’s Council for Science and Technology, told The Sunday Times…

James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor This week we take a peek at the new Jag F-Type and visit locations from The Italian Job movie. See both at youtube.com/Autoexpress. Take a look around fresh Jag sports car NEXT year is a big one for Jaguar. The company has had to play second fiddle to sister brand Land Rover recently, but that won’t be the case in 2020. There will be a raft of updated models, including this new F-Type. Join me on an exclusive walk around the refreshed car. Visit iconic locations from The Italian Job I’LL let you into a little secret – our feature on The Italian Job in this year’s Christmas double Issue (No. 1,605) was a tricky thing to organise, but hugely rewarding. And now you can do you own Italian…

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 Problems with makers The Motor Ombudsman: 0345 241 3008 Financial problems Financial Ombudsman: 0800 023 4567 Safety concerns/recalls DVSA: 0300 123 9000…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods Running costs 47.9mpg (official) £55 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.3 seconds/121mph THE curtain falls on 2019 with the launch of what’s likely to be one of the UK’s best-selling cars in 2020. It’s the Vauxhall Corsa, and while much news about the newcomer has focused on the all-electric version that’s on the way, the first superminis to arrive will stick with petrol and diesel power – albeit taken from a new source. That’s because the latest Corsa benefits from technology borrowed from Vauxhall’s new parent company, the PSA Group. Despite a difficult birth, the supermini has undergone quite a transformation; the bonnet is longer and the roof sits 48mm lower at its tallest point. All the surfacing changes significantly, and every model gets LED lights. One of the…

Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram THE current fuss around family cars is centred on the all-new Volkswagen Golf Mk8, but that doesn’t mean other manufacturers are resting on their laurels. Conscious of quite how capable this new hatchback will be, makers are rushing to update their fast-selling favourites. Honda is no exception – the company quietly revised the Civic with a smattering of tweaks last month. Not content, it has now added Sport Line trim to the range, designed to steal sales from rivals like the Ford Focus ST-Line and SEAT Leon FR. Instead of acting as a standalone spec, Honda’s sporty tweaks are applied to the flagship EX, but will later be added to the to cheaper SR, too. For £1,000 you can now turn your family car into a wannabe Type…

MODEL TESTED: Lexus RX 450h L Takumi PRICE: £63,355 ENGINE: 3.5-litre V6 + 2 electric motors, 308bhp THIS new RX L isn’t a huge alteration from what came before it, but Lexus has listened to customer feedback and improved the car in key areas. We’re testing a £63,355 top-spec RX L 450h Takumi to find out if the changes have worked. Design & engineering WE’LL start with the big updates. The infotainment has always been one of the RX L’s failings, but it’s been updated to include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – firsts for Lexus. The chassis has also received some technical tweaks to improve handling. These alterations have also allowed the Japanese manufacturer to soften the RX L’s springs, to improve comfort, it claims. There’s also something called…

BMW X5 xDrive45e M Sport PRICE: £66,665 ENGINE: 3.0-litre 6cyl + e-motor IF you want a premium hybrid SUV (and we’d recommend a plug-in), your seven-seat options are quite limited; batteries tend to be under the boot, which rules out seven seats. The BMW X5 xDrive45e in M Sport trim has lots of efficiency potential, though. Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid PRICE: £68,423 ENGINE: 3.0-litre V6 + e-motor THE E-Hybrid is our pick of the Cayennes. It’s only a five-seater, but fits the high-end image offered by Lexus and Volvo. The powertrain is nicely engineered and blends great performance with decent efficiency. The chassis offers strong handling and comfort.…

YOUR GREAT OFFER ■ FREE G3 Pro Multicleaner ■ All the latest news, road tests & reviews delivered to your door each week ■ FREE delivery of every issue ■ Save 50% on your subscription SAVE 50% ORDER ONLINE: dennismags.co.uk/autoexpress OR CALL NOW ON: 0330 333 9491 quoting offer code D1606 YOUR FREE GIFT G3 Pro Multicleaner is a truly versatile rigorous cleaning solution that is safe to use on all soft and hard surfaces, inside and outside your vehicle - from carpets and upholstery, through vinyl and paintwork to wheel arch liners and engine bays. It is a silicone-free product that will not discolour rubber, plastics, vinyl or fabric. For maximum performance, use neat, but it can be diluted with water for lighter contamination. ORDER ONLINE: DENNISMAGS.CO.UK/AUTOEXPRESS CALL NOW:…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk Q Shed a light on bulb winners YOU recently tested H4 bulbs, but I want to buy performance bulbs for my Vauxhall Astra, which uses H7s. Is the result also valid for these bulbs?John Simmons, E-mail A OUR H7 champ is Philips RacingVision. Over all of our bulb tests, the winner has come from Philips, Osram or GE (now known as Tungsram). The firms are all original-equipment suppliers and lead halogen-bulb development. The differences in performance between them are small. Q Help with an older driver MY mother, who is in her late 80s, gave me a lift recently, and now I’m concerned about her driving. She was quite slow, but seemed to lack awareness of what was going on. Is there a way to tell…

WATERLESS cleaners are no longer just for summers with hose pipe bans, but can be used year round with or without the help of a hose. They’ve become a car care range essential, and Halfords has just introduced one to its McLaren line-up. The popularity of waterless cleaners means there’s plenty of competition, not least from multiple test winner Meguiar’s Wash & Wax Anywhere. To find how the newcomer matched up we tried both on panels covered with light winter grime. We assessed how they went on, looking for a fine, wide mist, and then cleaned multiple areas using the same amount of wiping, checking how much was left to buff off. Ease of getting a shine was also monitored, plus how well they beaded water over four weeks. The…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy ● Rapid supermini on the way ● 4WD manual, up to 275bhp THIS is the car that has the potential to be 2020’s most potent supermini, and one of the fastest hot hatchbacks around: the Toyota GR Yaris, previewed in camouflaged form ahead of a final release in mid-January. We already know that the GR Yaris will be unlike any other hot supermini on the market. Developed by Toyota’s rally team, Gazoo Racing, it’ll be four-wheel drive and have a six-speed manual gearbox, and it’s expected to feature a bespoke 1.6-litre, three-cylinder engine producing more than 250bhp – perhaps as much as 275bhp. That’ll put it as much as 50bhp clear of the previous hottest supermini to be offered, the Audi S1. The GR Yaris has two purposes.…

tristan_shale-hester@dennis.co.uk @tristan_shale ● 14-fold increase in penalties ● More red routes planned A GROWING number of UK councils have introduced red-route parking restrictions, leading to a 14-fold increase in penalty charges over the last five years, Auto Express can exclusively reveal. Double red lines and other red route restrictions, such as single red lines and signposted red routes, were introduced in London in 1991 to prevent drivers parking on busy thoroughfares. Since then, 360 miles of red route have sprung up in the capital, with drivers fined £110 for parking on the routes, and Transport for London generating revenue of £32.8million in the 2016/17 financial year from fines. Other local authorities are now following suit, with 15 councils outside London confirming they have either introduced red routes, or are planning…

Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk @stevefowler BMW bosses have ended years of speculation by confirming that a standalone model from the firm’s M Division is in the product plan. And it could be here within the next few years, Auto Express can reveal. BMW M’s strategy of developing high-performance versions of standard BMWs, such as the M3 and M5, has been successful for decades. But it’s not since the BMW M1 from the seventies that the M Division has had its own vehicle. Speaking to Auto Express, BMW M boss Markus Flasch told us that’s about to change: “I can think of doing standalone M cars – I like the idea and I think we’re going to do something in this direction.” The plug-in hybrid Vision M Next concept revealed earlier this year (below) gave…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress Write to: Letters, Auto Express, Dennis Publishing Ltd, 31-32 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7DP HOT TOPIC Ferrari Roma FROM: David Dyche WHAT a stunningly beautiful car the Ferrari Roma is; refreshingly free from the creases and contours car designers overdo so much nowadays. I was once told: “A good artist knows when to stop”. The same should apply here. FROM: Ben West NOT sure I’m 100 per cent sold on the looks; the back end is fantastic, but the headlights and grille are a bit awkward. That said, I’d take the Roma over an Aston Martin DB11; it’s got a much nicer interior and infotainment set-up. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “Perfect GT car right there. I’d rather it had a V12, but that’s probably being too…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy PERHAPS it’s a sign of just how much the car industry has matured over the past 30 years, but 2019 has marked an unusually high number of significant anniversaries in the world of motoring. Famous brands like Bentley and Citroen notched up major milestones this year, along with many much-loved models that have long since departed the showrooms. But there are plenty of stalwart badges entering their fourth and fifth decades, too, as we’re able to highlight here, with a look through some of the year’s biggest birthdays. “2019 has marked an unusually high number of significant anniversaries in the car world” Clio Renaultsport Production: 1999-2019 Generations: 3 Our pick: R.S. 182 Trophy RENAULT had more than dabbled with hot versions of its Clio supermini before 1999, thanks…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk Running costs 20.5mpg (official) £107 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 3.8 seconds/155mph A FEW years ago the idea of a genuinely sporting SUV was mostly a thing of hyperbole, a concept dreamt up by whatever any given car maker’s marketing department needed to justify its existence. Nowadays, though, there are lots of truly impressive, seriously fast and surprisingly sharp SUVs on the market – ones that have cutting-edge dynamics, vast amounts of power and massive performance. And many of them also cost large amounts of money. There’s the Porsche Cayenne Turbo, for example, as well as the Range Rover Sport SVR, BMW X5 M and – the governor of them all – the Lamborghini Urus. But now there’s a new kid on the block: the Audi RS Q8. It actually…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods WHEN we ran a Volvo V60 Momentum on our fleet last year, it was a hit with all who used it. Consensus across the office was quickly established – Volvo had smashed it out of the park; and even the entry-level D3 was a plush package. The V60 range is pretty extensive if you dip into the price list, though, and right at the top end sits this: the V60 T8 Twin Engine Polestar Engineered. It’s the fastest and most expensive version to date, but it doesn’t quite shape up as a straightforward rival for the likes of the Mercedes-AMG C 43, Audi S4 or the new BMW M340i. That’s because this £57,000 Volvo uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged petrol engine and an electric motor to develop…

MODEL TESTED: Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine R-Design PRICE: £66,645 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl + electric motor, 385bhp THE XC90 hybrid T8’s credentials are well known – we’ve run one on our fleet – but this update has seen Volvo boost battery capacity, so let’s see how it fares against the revised RX L. At £66,645 in R-Design trim, it’s more expensive, but is it better value? Design & engineering UNLIKE the Lexus RX L, the Volvo XC90 comes with petrol and diesel engine options, all of them four-cylinder units. This T8 Twin Engine Hybrid version supplements its 299bhp supercharged and turbocharged petrol engine with an updated 11.6kWh lithium-ion battery driving an 86bhp electric motor on the rear axle. Combined, the T8 puts out 385bhp, which is a significant chunk more…

MODES BOTH cars have driving modes, but we’d leave them in Eco because it’s where both hybrids are at their most effective. The Volvo has a ‘B’ setting to boost the level of regenerative braking, while there’s a ‘Charge’ mode that uses the engine as a generator to force-feed the battery with energy. The Lexus’s engine charges the battery intelligently, and harvests energy under braking when slowing down. POWERTRAIN HYBRID power isn’t all the same, and these two rivals prove that. The Lexus can’t be plugged in at all; its electric power is generated using the petrol engine and regenerative braking. The Volvo can be charged up like an electric car using a plug socket or charging point, yet it can also top up its own battery using the same…

BMW 530e IT’S a generation behind the newer 330e and its more sophisticated tech, but the 530e is still one of the best plug-in hybrid executive saloons. Starting with such a strong base helps; the 5 Series’ peerless ride and handling are a good match for the impressive performance from the 252bhp 2.0-litre engine and electric motor. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV THE car that started the PHEV revolution in the UK is still a good choice if you need a practical plug-in hybrid that’s reasonably priced. A 28-mile all-electric range is respectable, as is claimed economy of 140mpg, plus you get four-wheeldrive. The car is only average to drive but it’s affordable and well equipped. VW Passat GTE VW updated the Passat GTE recently and it straddles the line between family…

sean_carson@dennis.co.uk @sean_carson_ MY journey with the BMW 3 Series has come to an end – but that journey involves much more than the six months the car spent on our test fleet; in fact it began well before our car arrived in April 2019. I went to many places and used our 320d saloon for many things, but the idea of wanting to run one – and my journey with the seventh-generation 3 Series – started out way back in the summer of 2018. As our picture timeline shows, I was lucky enough to join BMW’s engineers at its technical centre at the Nürburgring in Germany for some final validation testing of a late prototype, and to hear straight from the guys behind the development of the new car just…

Alastair_Crooks@dennis.co.uk @AllieCrooks AS the owner of a Renaultsport Clio 197, I wasn’t about to pass up the opportunity to take our Mégane R.S. 300 Trophy for a weekend; and given how much I love my Clio, I had big expectations for our 296bhp hot hatch. The Mégane’s first duty was to take me to Silverstone on the Saturday, where I drove a friend’s modified Renaultsport Clio 200 around the famous grand prix circuit for the first time. Despite a decade and 100bhp separating the two, there are elements of the Clio 200 that can be found in our Mégane Trophy. The steering is quick and full of feedback, and the pedal feel is excellent, making heel-and-toe shifting very easy. The engines are both revvy and powerful enough for surprising performance,…

Fuelling the Motoring Age Nick Evans (The History Press, www.thehistorypress.co.uk) Price: £12.99 DO you ever think about the origins of the grimy garage where you top up with fuel? Evans has produced this lightweight (but not light on content) book stuffed with photos, ads and memorabilia from his collections and other people’s, telling the story of the petrol station from its origins in the twenties, up to today. It’s a fascinating subject and a book we were hooked on instantly. Alfa Romeo 155/156/147 Competition Touring Cars Peter Collins (Veloce Publishing, www.veloce.co.uk) Price: £40 A REALLY in-depth look at the Touring Car careers of the Alfa Romeo 155, 156 and 147 and their endeavours in DTM, ST and BTCC racing. It covers the first two cars in great detail, but in…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@dennis.co.uk Q Drawing a blank on MP3s WHEN I upload MP3 music files via USB to the Sensus Connect infotainment system in my Volvo, it splits up songs from albums with various artists. Can I fix this?Stewart Heap, E-mail A THERE are several complaints about this on Volvo forums. The solution is to blank out the artist tag on affected MP3 files using your home computer, before re-inserting the USB stick into your car and browsing by album. You should then be able to view and play albums with various artists in sequence. Q Goodwill hunting I BOUGHT a new car in 2017 and the brake discs have corroded after just two years and 12,000 miles. The dealer refuses to replace them under warranty. What are…

Dear Luke, I have £9,000 to spend on a reliable family SUV that’s comfortable and relaxing to drive. What do you recommend? Craig Barker, E-mail Contact: Luke_Wilkinson@dennis.co.uk ⚫ THE RELAXING CHOICE Renault Kadjar FOR: Neat styling, good value, relaxing to drive AGAINST: Smallest boot here, clunky infotainment THE Kadjar shares its underpinnings with the Nissan Qashqai, so it’s a good family car that’s also cheap to run. It rides well, too, as long as you avoid models with 19-inch alloy wheels. The 472-litre boot is the smallest of these three cars, but should be enough for most occasions. The Kadjar and Tucson are level-pegging when it comes to value for money, with your £9,000 budget netting low-mileage examples of both. We found a 2016 1.2-litre petrol Kadjar, with 44,000 miles…

Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk ⚫ Full rundown of dates and locations of the major world championships IT SEEMS there’s more motorsport on than ever these days, with Formula 1 expanding to a record 22 races for 2020. Elsewhere, the autumn-to-summer calendars of Formula E and the FIA World Endurance Championship ensure that action continues all year round, while the World Rally Championship, World Rallycross Championship and World Touring Car Cup provide plenty of production-based racing action. The UK continues to play host to lots of world-class motorsport, too, with the British Grand Prix joined by rounds of the World Endurance Championship and World Rally Championship in 2020, along with an all-new Formula E event in London’s Docklands that serves as the electric series’ season finale in July. Finally, while all dates were correct…

Motoring’s most outspoken and opinionated columnist sounds off “Showrooms are being revolutionised by EVs, but whether traditional car dealerships sink or swim remains to be seen” WE’RE into the last few moments of the 2019 new-car sales game. But the referee – the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) – hasn’t yet blown its final whistle before confirming the year-end score. Sadly and needlessly, it’s likely to be 2019 lost, 2018 won. Put another way, unless there’s an 11th-hour spike, we’re looking at a drop in car registrations year on year. That’s bad for motor manufacturing/trade companies and employees; local air pollution (newer vehicles are generally cleaner); HM Treasury, whose VAT receipts will be down; and you, the motorist, who might have bought a new car this year –…