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Chris_Rosamond@autovia.co.uk ● Adepitan praises AE for highlighting the difficulties faced by disabled drivers when it comes to public EV chargers TV presenter and paralympic gold medalist Ade Adepitan has backed Auto Express’s call for action on accessibility to electric cars for disabled drivers, after we shone the spotlight last week on a woeful lack of accessible public charge points in the UK’s near-30,000-strong network. “It’s a great campaign, and Auto Express is to be congratulated for taking it on board,” Adepitan says, “Am I surprised by your findings? Absolutely not. As someone with a disability, and like most people in the disability world, I’m just used to it.” Our report (Issue 1,698) revealed a shocking lack of consideration of accessibility needs in the UK’s public charging network, with providers seemingly…

Contact Tristan Shale-Hester mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress FROM: Steve Jewiss ONE of the major selling points of any luxury car, particularly Rolls-Royce, is the quietness and refinement, even with a combustion engine. I’m interested to see how the firm will make the Spectre even quieter than a Phantom. FROM: Mark Cater I HOPE this turning point for Rolls-Royce’s powertrains also comes with a change in its design. The classic models were gorgeous to look at, but since BMW took over, the boxy shape and square headlights have ruined everything. Don’t forget Toyota’s Urban Cruiser SUV FROM: Tim Deacon I’VE heard it said that the new Toyota Yaris Cross (Issue 1,684) is the first small SUV from Toyota, but what about the Urban Cruiser of 2009 to 2012? I know of one that…

Yousuf_Ashraf@autovia.co.uk @ashrafoncars Running costs 52.3mpg (official) £52 fill-up AS it wades into the ultra-competitive small SUV segment, the new Honda HR-V has quite a task on its hands. With the HR-V, Honda is pinning its hopes on a self-charging hybrid powertrain and sleek, minimalist styling to win buyers over. It has a roofline that’s 20mm lower than its predecessor’s, plus increased ground clearance, so you could be forgiven for assuming headroom is at a premium inside. It isn’t. The new HR-V’s packaging puts paid to these concerns, because Honda has housed the battery for its e:HEV hybrid powertrain below the boot, allowing a lower floor beneath the front and rear seats. This solution has impacted the boot capacity, though. At 319 litres, load space is a significant 32 per cent…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk Running costs 232.3mpg (official) £71 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 7.7 seconds/145mph IF you have 30-35 grand to spend on a premium hatchback nowadays, your choice is varied and the cars available to you are either good or excellent, and most of them emanate from Germany. Which means the overtly French new DS 4 has a big mountain to climb to persuade punters away from the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class default choices. But DS is confident it can take a slice of this lucrative pie with the sharp-looking new DS 4. It claims customer service will be second to none, to a point where owning the car will be a genuinely pleasurable experience, from the moment you express an interest in it to the aftersales treatment.…

Renault Arkana Easy Link with 9.3-inch screen Key features: Siri/Google voice assistance Touch 2 with Go Navigation Key features: Connected services THE Arkana comes with a seven-inch touchscreen as standard, although S Edition and above get a 9.3-inch portrait display. Plus all Hybrid models come with a seven-inch display screen in place of an analogue instrument panel, which displays plenty of useful information right below your eyeline. The 9.3-inch main screen is the better of the two systems in this test; it’s sharper and has a higher resolution than the panel in the Toyota. The graphics are prettier and look more modern, while the built-in sat-nav is also easier to use than the C-HR’s. Many people will use Android Auto or Apple CarPlay instead, and it works well here. The…

HYBRID TECH BOTH models exploit petrol and electric power to achieve impressive economy figures. We prefer the Toyota’s powertrain because it feels better integrated overall. The CVT gearbox is better suited to switching between engine and electric power when you are at a junction or in traffic, and the Toyota is quieter and smoother at low speed. The Renault’s brakes are also harder to operate smoothly. STYLING WHILE this pair sport the sort of chunky cladding and bold grilles of most family SUVs, it’s at the rear, where the sloping roofline and rakish haunches make this duo stand out from the typical options. The GR Sport Toyota in our photos also has a deep spoiler for a more purposeful appearance. You can decide which you prefer, but both brands have…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk Performance 0-62mph/top speed 4.8 seconds/155mph THE holiday season seems like a long time ago now, but with a busy summer meaning time was slipping away, my partner Sophie and I decided to book a week’s break in Cornwall to catch the last of the sun’s rays before they got blocked out by a blanket of autumn Of course, my better half was in charge of the packing, and with my golf clubs taking up the back seat, we made the most of the S3’s relatively compact 325-litre boot. It’s compromised by the four-wheel-drive car’s diff under the floor, but the S3 still took a golf trolley, two suitcases and another squishy bag. Soph packed light so there was only a little overspill into the cabin. Some of it might…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk No hose? No problem! YOU often recommend using lots of water to clean a car to protect paint, but I live in a flat. Can I still clean my car or should I take it somewhere to get it washed? Josh Jennings, E-mail OU can clean a car without a hose, but it’s not ideal for long-term paint protection. A waterless cleaner is good for lighter grime and will leave a barrier, while a large bucket of water with a grit guard, mitt and a few microfibre cloths can do the job. Use the soaked mitt to lift the grime, then pull a microfibre cloth across the panels to dry. Use another cloth to then buff the dried area. Why are EV tyres so special? I’VE…

ONCE you’ve had a dash cam fitted to your car, you might feel a bit unprotected without one. While having any camera is better than none, two is better still. Adding a rear-view lens will mean you’re covered for tail-end shunts and will give valuable extra context to any driving incidents. Now there’s a new two-channel challenger in the hard-fought market from infotainment specialist Pioneer. To see if it moves the game on, we put it up against similar set-ups from top makers Nextbase and Kenwood. Pioneer’s VREC-DH300D offers good-quality front and rear views at a reasonable price, but it has to battle the budget versions of our two favourite dash cams from Nextbase and Kenwood. While the Pioneer and Nextbase put up a good fight, the Kenwood package has…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler “If Cupra wants to muscle in on the upmarket elite, it need look no further than Volvo – a real premium player” THE clamour for car makers to be seen as premium is only matched by the rush to get increasingly sought-after electric cars into showrooms. EVs are in demand and EVs with posh badges mean bigger profits for those who make and market them. That’s partly the thinking behind Spanish upstart Cupra. Once just a tag for hot SEATs, it’s now a brand in its own right, attracting younger buyers with its upmarket positioning and sporty styling. As with everyone else, it’s going fully electric, and the Cupra Born is its first EV. It shares its tech with other members of the Volkswagen Group, starting with the…

James_Brodie@autovia.co.uk @jimmybrods THE all-electric MG ZS EV has been given a huge facelift, with fresh styling and technology plus, crucially, a new, larger battery that unlocks a significant increase in the car’s range. The updated ZS will be on sale in Britain next month, and while prices here haven’t been revealed, potential buyers are being invited to register their interest. Two versions of the updated ZS have been confirmed: a Standard Range model using a 51kWh battery, and a Long Range version with a new 72kWh pack placed under the floor. The two model line-up replaces the old ZS, which was only available with a 44.5kWh battery, and capable of a range of 163 miles under WLTP testing. MG’s 51kWh Standard Range model is capable of 198 miles under WLTP…

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.consumer-ombudsman.org RMIF: 0845 305 4230 Scottish Motor Trade Assoc. 0131 331 5510 Problems with…

Yousuf_Ashraf@autovia.co.uk @ashrafoncars Performance 0-62mph/top speed 3.9 seconds/139mph Electric motor Power/range 537bhp/318 miles Practicality Boot space 470 litres THE i4 is BMW’s first electric car to receive the M Division treatment, so if any EV will deliver thrills for enthusiasts, it should be this one. Things look promising on paper; the i4 is based on the 4 Series Gran Coupé, but its eDrive electric motors produce a thumping 537bhp and 795Nm of torque, and drive all four wheels. Under the skin, the i4 M50 is equipped to impress, and the styling doesn’t fail to turn heads either. The stretched proportions of the Gran Coupé bodystyle give the i4 real presence, but the pair of enormous kidney grilles are undoubtedly a big, bold statement on what is otherwise a pleasingly understated design.…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram Running costs 50.4mpg (official) £55 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 10.0 seconds/127mph THE Skoda Fabia has become a byword for an affordable, practical supermini, and a popular car overall. The Czech brand has shifted 4.5 million examples since the Fabia made its debut back in 1999. More than two decades down the line, we’ve reached the fourth generation. It impressed us in Poland last month, but now we’ve had a chance to try it on UK roads. This latest Fabia finally sees the model move onto the Volkswagen Group’s MQB-A0 platform that has been used by the VW Polo and the SEAT Ibiza for a while now. This architecture brings plenty of benefits, because it’s not only more rigid than the old car but also lighter. So while the…

MODEL TESTED: Renault Arkana E-Tech Hybrid 145 S Edition PRICE: £28,600 ENGINE: 1.6-litre 4cyl hybrid, 140bhp Running costs 50.7mpg (on test) £68 fill-up/£140 or 25% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 485/1,263 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 10.8 seconds/107mph OUR Renault Arkana is an E-Tech Hybrid 145 model in S Edition trim, which costs £28,600 before options. With metallic paint and a handful of extras it comes to £29,800, just £40 less than the Toyota C-HR in Design trim that it’s up against. Design & engineering UNDER the skin, the Arkana uses an extended version of Renault’s CMF-B platform, the same architecture as the current Clio and Captur. Since the Arkana is a larger car than either of those – and quite a bit more expensive – some of the things that…

1st TOYOTA THE Toyota C-HR is the winner here because it’s significantly better to drive than the Renault. It’s not just that the Toyota is more enjoyable but also because it’s quieter, more comfortable and even more economical than its rival. Its hybrid powertrain is smoother and it’s well equipped, too. Rearward visibility and poor infotainment tech aside, it’s a deeply accomplished family SUV. 2nd RENAULT IF you love the Arkana’s styling then it’s not without merit. You’d have to put up with an unsettled ride and dull handling though, which is why it falls behind the Toyota here. Wind and road noise harms its long-distance ability, but it did prove to be frugal. The Arkana is more practical than its rival, and has much better tech, but it’s not…

Hyundai Tucson OUR Hyundai Tucson should be feeling pretty happy with itself right now. As well as having an Auto Express Award under its belt, the Korean SUV has also just been named Car of the Year by our sister title Carbuyer. That reaffirms its position as not only the best mid-size SUV right now, but also one of the best cars on sale in the UK full stop. However, being the hybrid rather than plug-in hybrid model meant that our car wasn’t immune to the recent fuel crisis; talk about range anxiety! We actually got as low as 10 miles of fuel left at one stage, but the fact that the Tucson would run for short bursts on the electric power it generates itself did provide some reassurance –…

The Van Conversion Bible Charlie Low, Dale Comley (Independent Publishing Network, amazon.co.uk) Price: £26 Rating: VAN life is becoming more popular as people embrace holidays in the UK. This book guides you through converting a van yourself, instead of buying one ready-made, and does so extremely well, with excellent points that you might not have considered. Definitely pick this one up before you start a conversion. The Story of Mini Ben Custard (Welbeck Publishing Group, welbeckpublishing.co.uk) Price: £12.99 Rating: THIS is a charming little book about one of the most charming little cars of all time. The Mini story never gets old, from its genesis at the hands of Sir Alec Issigonis to its retirement and eventual rebirth in the 2000s, and right on to the models you can buy…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@autovia.co.uk Q Conflicting information on changing up! timing belt MY Volkswagen dealer says my up! needs a new timing belt after five years and 15,000 miles. I read in an Auto Express buying guide that there’s no set interval. Which is correct and do I need to pay £500 for the change? GB, E-mail A WE spoke to Volkswagen and received confirmation that while there’s no set mileage interval for replacing the timing belt on an up!, it’s recommended after five years. As such, your dealer’s advice is sound and it is advisable to change the belt. Should the belt fail, the damage to the engine could result in a far bigger bill. You could consult an independent specialist to find a lower quote. Q Where…

HOW OUR GUIDE WORKS PERFORMANCE: This is the manufacturer’s claimed acceleration time for a car, and is measured from 0-60mph or 0-62mph (0-100kph), in seconds. ECONOMY/EMISSIONS/RANGE: Combined WLTP economy in miles per gallon, emissions in grams per kilometre of CO2 and maximum claimed range for EVs. Figures are achieved in the latest WLTP tests, but will vary according to equipment and are unlikely to be representative of everyday efficiency. INSURANCE: Group rating as quoted by the Association of British Insurers. WARRANTY: Next to each manufacturer’s name is the basic warranty period in months and miles for the mechanicals, corrosion and paintwork. EVs and hybrids will have dedicated battery cover. LIST PRICE: This is the on-the-road figure and includes VAT, delivery to dealer, 12 months’ road tax, number plates and first…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy SKODA has made huge strides with its latest Octavia and the all-new Enyaq iV electric SUV, but the brand hasn’t forgotten its flagship saloon and estate, the Superb, which celebrates its 20th birthday this year. Spied testing recently, the Mk4 model will introduce a fresh approach to exterior styling and an all-new cabin when it arrives in 2024. The Superb will still be based on MQB, the VW Group’s modular platform. But as the car caught testing shows, it will get a slight increase in length and wheelbase to help further distance it from the Octavia, which grew for its fourth generation. Expect the Superb’s exterior look, as previewed in our exclusive images, to make use of that extra length, including a slightly longer rear overhang and an…

Updates forC4and electric e-C4 line-ups CITROEN has updated its C4 (above) and e-C4 models for 2022 with new body colours and wheel designs. Real-world driving range has improved for the electric model, too, thanks to enhanced efficiency, although the WLTP-certified range remains at 217 miles. A rejigged range structure sees some engine variants removed from lower spec trims, while Citroen has introduced its Smart Pad Support system – which includes a universal tablet holder – to entry-level Sense trim. Geneva Motor Show postponed again DESPITE a recent announcement that the 2022 Geneva Motor Show would go ahead next February, event organisers have now cancelled the European new car expo, citing ongoing problems with the Covid-19 pandemic. Geneva’s organising committee said that with continuing travel restrictions affecting international exhibitors, media and…

MAZDA has revealed plans to expand its SUV line-up in Europe with the confirmation of several new cars, three of which will arrive in the next two years. One of the new models will be the long awaited rotary-engined range-extender version of the MX-30 (right), which is currently only available as a pure EV. This will be introduced in the first half of 2022. The brand has also confirmed two new SUVs in what it calls its “Large Product Group”, using a new scalable platform. Called the CX-60 and CX-80, these new SUVs will come to the UK. The CX-60 will be a two-row SUV and the CX-80 a three row variant of the same model, possibly making use of a longer wheelbase to offer seven seats. Arriving by 2023, the…

tristan_shale-hester@autovia.co.uk @tristan_shale THROUGHOUT automotive history, there have been cars that define decades, and one prime example is the Ferrari Testarossa. Produced from 1984 to 1991, the first-generation Testarossa epitomised the eighties. The idea of owning an automotive style icon such as the Testarossa is an attractive one, but even beyond the initial price barrier (a good example will set you back between £120,000 and £250,000 today) the reality of owning an old Italian supercar will be too much of an inconvenience for some, with mechanical and electrical faults to be expected and a driving experience that’s less impressive now than it was 37 years ago. That’s not necessarily the case any more, though, because a new Swiss-Italian firm named Officine Fioravanti (not to be confused with the automotive design studio…

LEXUS took its time with its first mid size premium SUV, the NX, and it hasn’t been in a hurry to replace the original. But after seven years on sale, the NX is finally being succeeded by an all-new version. The second-generation NX sits on the brand’s latest TNGA-K platform. It grows by just 20mm compared with its predecessor, and while the design is different, it’s an evolution, with tighter surfaces and sharper creases instead of a totally new look. A large spindle grille and slim LED headlights mean the NX still has Lexus’s family face. Despite the similarities, 95 per cent of the NX’s components are new, and that includes the powertrain in this NX 450h+ model. Because while there is a regular hybrid in the line-up, the 350h,…

MODEL TESTED: Toyota C-HR 1.8 Hybrid Design PRICE: £29,840 ENGINE: 1.8-litre 4cyl hybrid, 120bhp Running costs 52.4mpg (on test) £58 fill-up/£140 or 26% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 377/1,160 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 11.0 seconds/105mph WE’RE testing the 1.8-litre version of the Toyota C-HR SUV here, which is closely matched to the 1.6-litre hybrid Arkana. Our pictures show a model in GR Sport trim, but our verdict is based on the Design trim, which is much nearer to the Renault’s price and specification. Design & engineering THE C-HR uses Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, so it shares parts with the Japanese manufacturer’s Corolla, Prius and RAV4 models, among others. This also means it features a clever double-wishbone rear suspension layout that contributes to the car’s smooth ride and enjoyable…

NEW: Honda HR-V i-MMD Advance PRICE: £29,210 ENGINE: 1.5-litre 4cyl, 129bhp THERE aren’t many direct rivals for the hybrid Arkana and C-HR, but the upcoming Honda HR-V will provide a stern test. Like this pair, it relies on a clever hybrid system to boost efficiency, and it promises some much-improved infotainment technology from Honda, too. USED: Lexus UX 250h F-Sport PRICE: £27,000 (2019/69) ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 180bhp THE Lexus UX shares much mechanically with the C-HR. It’s comfy and good to drive, but it’s more upmarket inside than either of our test duo and is backed up by an excellent dealer network. We found an F-Sport model with 27,000 miles for £27,000. AEB = Autonomous Emergency Braking. *Engine only. **Part of option pack. ^Results for Captur. In red = equipment…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods Running costs Official range/tax 199 miles/£0 Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 185/550 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.0 seconds/93mph IN the grey corner, weighing in at 1,395kg and with an undefeated record in Auto Express group tests… the current champion in the Auto Express New Car Awards City Car of the Year category, the new, all-electric Fiat 500. In the fetching yellow jumper is me, its custodian for the next six months. This impressive small electric car, which beat its rivals on test and did enough to convince us to bestow New Car Awards honours on it this year, is about to enter its toughest bout yet. We’re going to find out how it stacks up in daily life on the Auto Express fleet. Why the boxing references? Well, aside…

Ring the changes with car jewellery SCRAPCARCOMPARISON has joined forces with Edward Fleming jewellers for what sounds like an exhausting proposition: engagement rings that not only use recycled materials from scrapped car catalytic converters, but come in bespoke designs to mirror any car model. Examples created for promotion include a Mini Cooper-inspired ring with a setting designed to look like a Minilite alloy, a Lamborghini Huracán design inspired by that car’s sharp styling, and a Ford Fiesta version with diamonds set to look like the model’s headlights (above). Pricing depends on your imagination, and you can get a quote at scrapcarcomparison.co.uk. Kia infotainment app gets a rebrand KIA has rebranded its UVO Connect system of app connectivity to Kia Connect. It links a smartphone app to the infotainment set-up in…

CO2/tax 115-154g/km £155 Running costs 56mpg (1.2 P’tech 110) £61 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 11.3 seconds/115mph CITROEN has a long history of not following the crowd when it comes to the design and engineering of its cars. It’s an approach that has led to it going bust on more than one occasion, even if the firm is in rude health today. While the brand is more conservative with its engineering, you can’t accuse its designs of being derivative. Take the C3 Aircross, for example. It may be one of many different mini-SUVs on the market, but you’re not going to mistake it for anything else. It’s also a versatile car, with an interior that offers lots of comfort and practicality. So it’s no wonder this car has been a hit…

Stephen_Errity@autovia.co.uk “Kalle Rovanperä and Elfyn Evans lead Toyota’s charge, while Esapekka Lappi alternates with Sebastien Ogier” • Breen to drive new Puma WRC • Finn Lappi returns to Toyota M-Sport Ford has signed Irish driver and co-driver pairing Craig Breen and Paul Nagle to lead its World Rally Championship (WRC) assault in the first two seasons of the new hybrid-engined Rally1 era. Beginning with 2022’s Monte Carlo Rally, the duo will crew the team’s Ford Puma WRC for a full-season campaign, having tackled only partial seasons with both Citroen and Hyundai in recent years. Commenting on the announcement, Breen said: “It has been a long road for us in the championship, with many twists and turns, but we’ve been given a golden ticket to drive for the most prestigious marque…

IT’S time to put a stop to their road accident-enhancing antics, before someone gets killed. Those who’ve lately used anarchic tactics to occupy and bring havoc to our driving lanes are guilty of illegal acts, increasing the likelihood of injuries and deaths, provocatively squaring up to members of the public. Their senseless, counter-productive displays have been a textbook case of how to lose friends and not influence people. Fighting the good, peaceful, legal fight for the right cause is to be applauded and respected. But making the strategic decision to do battle in the wrong place (on motorways and other major roads), at the wrong times (often during rush hour) against the wrong people (innocent members of the general public) ranks as trouble-making mayhem bordering on thuggery. Yup, I do…