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PEUGEOT has improved the efficiency and battery range of its fully electric e-208 and e-2008 models. Although the two cars still feature the same 50kWh battery and 134bhp electric motor, they both achieve around 15 miles more range on a charge. Peugeot quotes a range of 225 miles for the new e-208, while the range of the e-2008 has been increased to 214 miles. To achieve this Peugeot has tweaked the electric motor’s final drive so that it doesn’t need to spin as fast to maintain motorway speeds. This reduces energy usage on faster roads. Further tweaks include the fitment of ultra-low-rolling-resistance tyres, reducing drag, a more efficient heat pump and a new humidity sensor that adjusts the climate control to maximise efficiency. The revisions aren’t yet confirmed for the…

A SPORTS Tourer estate will be added to Vauxhall’s Astra line-up, offering extra practicality over the five-door model. The new car will be available with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid options. Expect the PHEV estate to have a zero-emissions range of less than the hatchback’s 35 miles, and a smaller boot than other Sports Tourers. The hatchback’s trim structure of Design, GS Line and Ultimate will probably be applied to the Sports Tourer range, too. Prices could start from £24,000 when the new model goes on sale early next year.…

Richard_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @rsp_ingram Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.2 seconds/112mph Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 543/1,575 litres Electric motor Power/range 295bhp/299 miles “The steering appears weightier than on the standard car, and is perfectly quick and direct” VOLKSWAGEN’S world-famous GTI badge turned 45 this year. Celebrated since 1976, for many, these three letters define the archetypal hot practical car. But now VW is embarking on a new era for the electric generation. In addition to the brand’s various ID. bodystyles, VW also has a range of GTI-inspired performance models in the works. Not to be confused with their petrol siblings, these EVs will all use the GTX name starting with this, the ID.4 GTX. Compared with a regular ID.4, the GTX has an extra motor on the front axle, lifting power to 295bhp. The…

Running costs 33.1mpg (off icial) £85 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.4 seconds/146mph LIKE the old adage about London buses, we’ve waited ages for Genesis to arrive in Europe and suddenly the company has a full range of six models (and even more on the way) to choose from. Talk about jumping into a market with both feet. And this is the latest arrival: the G70 Shooting Brake. Genesis claims this is a car designed wholeheartedly with Europe in mind, unlike its other models. After all, we do still buy estate cars in sizeable numbers, despite the SUV onslaught. The G70 Shooting Brake has a fairly broad church of rivals, from traditional premium estates such as the BMW 3 Series Touring and Mercedes C-Class estate, to more style-led alternatives such as…

AS Europe moves towards a 2035 deadline by which all combustion engines will be banned from sale, we have to accept that electric cars are the future – and in the short-to-medium term that electrification of fossil-fuel-burning engines will help to prolong their life. But this needn’t be a bad thing, because already there’s a legion of excellent all-electric, plug-in and “self-charging” hybrid new models on sale. Where possible, we’ve picked our favourite all-electric cars in the key classes, listed two hybrids that include plug-in and more conventional self-charging set-ups for those looking to dip their toe in the water, and added an internal-combustion model (which may have mild-hybrid tech, which we’re not counting as hybrid here, because they can’t move under electric power alone) if you’re keen to stick…

WHEN manufacturers such as Volkswagen load their chips on electrification, you know the revolution has started. That makes it all the better for us, with spacious family hatchbacks at affordable prices offering good real-world range without compromise. Some are even focusing on being fun to drive. Pragmatic PHEVs and hybrids are here to provide a more affordable offering, plus we’ve got an alternative family five-door for you, if you’re not yet set on electrification. OUR PICK “VW’s ID.3 line-up isn’t exactly simple, but at least it gives you plenty of choice when it comes to motor and battery options.” Volkswagen ID.3 FOLLOWING on from the original Beetle and the Golf, the ID.3 is VW’s most important car in a generation. It paves the way for an electrified future, and the…

THESE bigger and generally pricier machines fall into a class that adopted full electrification relatively early, and as a result their size and higher price tend to mean large all-electric company cars offer plenty of performance, range and rapid recharging technology. As a business user paying only one per cent Benefit-in-Kind tax on an EV, the prices of these cars might not be so important, but there are plenty of appealing plug-in hybrid options as well – and, of course, a solid ICE alternative. OUR PICK “Given its ever-expanding line-up, superb dynamics, solid range and relatively affordable prices, the Taycan is a great option – doubly so if used as a company car with low running costs.” Tesla Model S IT’S been around for nearly a decade, but the Model…

MODELTESTED: BMW 320d M Sport PRICE: £40,505 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 187bhp Running costs 56.2mpg (on test) £89 fill-up/£155 or 29% tax Practicality Boot capacity 480 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.8 seconds/149mph FEW rivals have ever managed to topple the 3 Series from the top of the compact-executive saloon tree, so will the latest C-Class finally wrestle its crown away? We’re testing the BMW here in one of its most affordable forms – before options, at least. This 320d in M Sport trim starts from £40,505, although the extras added to the car shown in these images – which include the £2,500 M Sport Pro pack, £1,950 Comfort Plus Pack and £1,900 Tech pack – bring the total to £48,005. Design & engineering WHEN the seventh-generation 3 Series hit the road…

Audi A4 S line 40 TDI quattro PRICE: £39,950 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 201bhp THE other challenger from the German big three remains a deeply appealing proposition. It’s closer to the Mercedes in character, with an emphasis on comfort meaning the A4 is an effortless cruiser. Mild-hybrid tech makes the diesels frugal, while the cabin feels understated yet flawlessly built. Jaguar XE R-Dynamic HSE D200 MHEV PRICE: £35,705 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 197bhp WHILE the BMW has always led the way for driving dynamics, the XE pushes it very hard. It can’t quite compete with the Merc’s tech-fest, but recent updates have introduced a brilliant infotainment system. Emissions are a little high, but it’s competitively priced.…

NEW PRODUCT Ring EV cables Price: From £174.99 Contact: ringautomotive.com AUTOMOTIVE electrics specialist Ring has entered the fast-growing electric-vehicle market with a line-up of charging cables. There are five models in the range, which covers cars with both Type 1 and Type 2 sockets. All the cables connect to Type 2 charge points, which are standard across Europe. The newcomers are compatible with all EV makes, apart from Tesla. There are two models for Type 1 electric vehicles, with both 16 and 32-amp charge rates covered. Like all the new leads, they are five metres long, with the slower 16-amp version costing £174.99 and the faster option £199.99. Prices are the same for the Type 2 to Type 2 16 and 32-amp cables. The final cable is for Type 2 to…

Britain’s Toy Car Wars Giles Chapman (The History Press, thehistorypress.co.uk) Price: £12.99 Rating: THERE are a few books around on Matchbox, Corgi and Dinky toy cars, but this ties the three together. Packed with nostalgia and memories of the author’s own collection, it’s a must-read for collectors and enthusiasts. And it’s good to see that the imagery is of play-worn examples instead of just new and shiny ones. Mercedes-Benz W124 Brian Long (Veloce Publishing, veloce.co.uk) Price: £45 Rating: FOND memories of the W124’s elegance, solidity and comfort are present in this detailed and extensively researched book. It’s beautifully produced and packed with hundreds of photos, mainly period press and promotional shots, which come out very well. It’s in-depth enough to satisfy any curiosities you might have had about this well…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk • Two digital dashboard displays available • Eco pack features vegan recycled materials SKODA has updated its best-selling Karoq family SUV for 2022, with minor styling tweaks, improvements to the driver-assistance and infotainment tech, more sustainable materials inside and better aerodynamics to boost efficiency. The grille is now hexagonal and wider, while the headlights (now available with optional matrix LED tech) and tail-light units are slimmer. The wheels are available in diameters ranging from 17 to 19 inches, and also now feature plastic aerodynamic trims. New front and rear bumpers are joined by a larger rear spoiler. Inside, the Karoq will be offered with an Eco pack, which features seat covers made from vegan recycled materials. Practicality is unchanged, with the new Karoq offering 521 litres of boot space.…

Mercedes reveals EQB seven-seater’s prices PRICING for Mercedes’ EQB seven-seat electric SUV has been confirmed, with the 219bhp entry-level EQB 300 4MATIC starting from £52,145 in base-spec AMG Line trim. This rises to £53,564 for the 288bhp EQB 350 4MATIC AMG Line model, with AMG Line Premium trim adding a further £3,000 to both models. Both cars claim 257 miles of range from a 66.5kWh battery. Rapid charging at 100kW means a 10-80 per cent charge takes 32 minutes. Chip shortage slashes car production in UK CAR manufacturing in the UK fell 41.4 per cent year-on-year in October 2021, with just 64,729 vehicles rolling off production lines, making for the worst October for the industry since 1956. The global semiconductor shortage was the main cause, said the Society of Motor…

Chris_Rosamond@autovia.co.uk “Groups are getting together and planning protests right across the country, including Glasgow, Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool and London”ANDY SPENCE Fuel protest organiser THE organiser of the fuel price protest that blocked the A1 in Newcastle says groups around the country are plotting similar actions, and that Britain should stand by for more disruption if calls for reductions in fuel taxation go unheeded. “I can promise a winter of discontent,” farmer and haulier Andrew Spence told Auto Express after a 5mph rolling blockade caused a five-mile tailback on the A1. “Groups are getting together and planning protests right across the country, including Glasgow, Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool and London,” he said. “Coming up to Christmas the last thing we want to do is make life difficult, but our Newcastle…

We want to hear your views. Send your questions or opinions to the E-mail address below Contact Tristan Shale-Hester mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress HOT TOPIC Mobile phone laws FROM: Joel Alderman THIS is going to make it almost impossible for anyone who works behind the wheel to do their job. How will a delivery driver click the button to say they’re en route? How can a taxi driver accept a mobile booking? It makes no sense. FROM: Noddy Davies IT’S all well and good having an ever-expanding book of road rules and laws to make driving safer; they’re definitely needed. But how can they be policed effectively with so few road traffic officers on patrol? Simple answer is they can’t. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “But cars with massive touchscreens stuck…

Luke_Wilkinson@autovia.co.uk @LT_Wilkinson Running costs 47.8mpg (off icial) £66 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 10.2 seconds/121mph TALK about a tough gig. The new Suzuki S-Cross is entering an incredibly crowded class where it’ll go up against the likes of the ever-popular Nissan Qashqai and the Volkswagen Tiguan. As a result, Suzuki has taken a look at the things its rivals do well and used them as the starting point to develop an S-Cross that will beat its rivals wherever it can. This includes the engine, a turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol unit, which produces 127bhp and 235Nm. It’s a proven powertrain that’s very willing, with all of that torque coming on strong right through the mid-range. Even if you ask for full power in sixth gear at 1,500rpm the engine will respond,…

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THE rising popularity of SUVs means the humble estate car has lost out a little when it comes to practical transport, especially if you want an all-electric load lugger. That’s why there are just two pure-EV choices here – one an affordable model and one a high-end premium proposition – but both offer all the qualities we’d expect to appeal to their customers. Plug-in hybrids still make plenty of sense here too; while you might compromise slightly on boot space – something that is a valuable commodity in an estate, granted – low running costs offset this and give plug-in models plenty of flexibility, which is what an estate is all about. OUR PICK “The MG 5 shows electric estates can work. Plenty of range and practicality in an affordable…

THIS is one class where battery-electric vehicles have taken off, combining zero emissions with the smart looks an SUV bodystyle brings. Buyers love compact crossovers like this, and with the promise of ultra-low running costs, a small SUV is an enticing proposition. There are many great examples in this sector, but don’t discount a hybrid alternative, because depending on how you’ll use your car, a petrol-electric powertrain could suit you better. We’ve lined up mainstream and premium models here, as well as a fun-to-drive petrol alternative. OUR PICK “A new Niro might have broken cover (page 8), but the current car – available as HEV, PHEV and EV, still offers huge choice and flexibility” Kia e-Niro KIA turned the EV market on its head with the brilliant e-Niro, which left…

A BIGGER budget opens up some interesting propositions when it comes to fully electric and hybrid motoring. In this class you’ll often find range flagships from many manufacturers, whether they be luxury saloons, high-end SUVs or sportier hybrid coupés. Whatever you pick, these should offer relatively affordable running costs – but if you’re looking for a luxury machine with an exquisite combustion engine before electric models become the norm, we’ve got a great alternative, too. OUR PICK “Mercedes’ flagship EQS offers a great all-electric range and advanced infotainment. It shows what will trickle down to more affordable models.” Mercedes EQS AS with all Mercedes’ flagship saloons, the EQS is at the cutting edge of tech. It has a huge 107.9kWh battery and range of up to 453 miles. Air suspension…

Mercedes C-Class MBUX Nav Premium Standard Key features: 11.9-inch portrait screen THE C-Class has taken a leaf out of the S-Class’s book, sporting two giant digital displays. The centrepiece is the 11.9-inch portrait touchscreen. Set slightly lower than the BMW’s, it falls less easily within your eyeline but it is closer to your hand – just as well, because most of the non-driving functions are adjusted here. While the huge display might appear intimidating at first, it all feels quite intuitive. Its size allows for large on-screen icons, which can be selected easily, even on the move. A drag-down menu at the top brings up short-cuts that can be customised. Loading times are impressive. Programming a nav route took us 17 seconds (almost identical to the BMW’s time), while two…

AUDIO BOTH cars have upgraded systems. While the BMW’s Harman Kardon set-up is clear and powerful, it can’t match the Merc’s Burmester. Clarity is on a par, but the C-Class really wins out with fullness of sound; you’re fully surrounded by the music. The bass, which helps overcome engine/road noise, is more powerful but has no distortion. For the price, few audio setups match this Merc’s. DIALS A DIGITAL instrument panel has become the standard for this sector, allowing drivers to scroll through the various functions easily and safely within their line of sight. The C-Class boasts the better set-up, with a greater scope for customisation, sharper graphics and a more colourful screen. The BMW’s layout looks fussy beside it – a shame, when the brand’s analogue clocks were among…

Monster Volvo lates t Hot Wheels model A 1969 Volvo P1800 gasser drag racer (above) has been announced as the winner of the Hot Wheels Legends Tour. The highly modified dragster – dubbed Ain’t No Saint – beat competition from around the globe to win first the UK semi-final and eventually the overall prize. It’ll now be immortalised as a genuine Hot Wheels model, available soon on supermarket shelves. The gasser sports a Chevrolet-sourced 7.4-litre big-block V8, 671 GMC supercharger and dual four-barrel carbs, and is capable of running the quarter mile in 10 seconds. Lane-closure warnings now available on Pure ROAD Angel has introduced a new feature to its Pure speed-camera detectors. As part of the Smart Motorway subscription package, the Road Angel Pure will now notify drivers of lane…

OVER the years driving games have been getting closer to the real thing, as graphics have improved and handling has become increasingly accurate. Some are so close to reality when paired with a steering wheel and race seat, that professional racers turned to gaming in place of real race events during the 2020 lockdowns. It means race fans are really spoilt for choice when it comes to picking a game, whether they prefer F1 to rallying, or street racing to karts. There’s also a decision to be made about whether to go all-in with a simulation experience or opt for a more arcade-style racer. It’s been two years since we last tested driving games and many developers have released new titles in their respective series. So, with Christmas fast approaching,…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@autovia.co.uk Q How can I avoid car rental firm’s high excess charge? I’M going on my first foreign holiday post-Covid and am going to hire a car while I’m away. The rental company has a £2,000 insurance excess, though, which I can only avoid by paying a much higher daily rate. How else can I not risk paying this? Peter Clark, E-mail A THERE are several third-party companies that offer rental car excess insurance policies, so that in the event of an accident you won’t have to pay £2,000. These can often be purchased on a daily basis and are much cheaper than the protection offered by the rental firm. Be sure to read up on this well in advance of your trip and decide what…

A DIRTY, sneaky, little secret has arrived on some petrol and diesel forecourts. It’s the £8 gallon and it’s one of the motoring rip-offs of the year – not least because, very deliberately, the eye-wateringly high price isn’t clearly displayed to unsuspecting customers. Come to think of it, from the illuminated roadside signs to the forecourts, forecourt shops and pumps themselves, there are zero references to the historically important fact that the £8 (£8.04 to be precise) gallon has already been dumped upon us. Instead, and only when a motorist gets up close and personal with a pump, there are tiny, sometimes poorly lit mentions of “176.9p per litre” – the highest price I saw last week. But why not quote the price per gallon, too? It would be easy,…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk • Design study teases new flagship 4x4 • Plug-in SUV combines performance and luxury ELECTRIFICATION has already started to spread to the world of performance, and BMW is embracing this with its new Concept XM, a plug-in hybrid prototype that previews a high-performance petrol-electric production SUV that we’ll see in 2022. The series model will be called XM, and BMW has confirmed that it will be available exclusively in M guise – the first standalone M model since the M1 supercar. It’s being launched in the division’s 50th anniversary year, and the XM will be the first electrified BMW in the high-performance sector. The Concept XM uses a newly developed M Hybrid drive system that consists of a turbocharged V8 and an electric motor, together delivering a total of…

• Retailers face ‘greedy’ claims • Wholesale fuel prices falling WITH prices for super-unleaded nudging past the £8-per-gallon mark at some pricier filling stations, such as Clacket Lane Services on the M25 (where we saw 173.9p a litre last week), the RAC is concerned that some retailers are hanging on to extra margins instead of dropping prices in line with global oil prices. According to data gathered by RAC Fuel Watch, the average price of unleaded was 113.99p this time last year, when the retailer average margin per litre was 8p for unleaded petrol. Last week the average price per litre was 147.59p, yet the retailer margin was 14p. According to the RAC, retailers should drop prices by 6p a litre to reflect wholesale prices. RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams…

Electric motor Power/range 590bhp/313 miles Performance 0-62mph/top speed 3.7 seconds/155mph “There’s an accuracy and natural weight to the steering that are redolent of the firm’s traditionally powered sports cars” IT’S the Porsche way to roll out a GTS model a few years into a car’s life, and it often turns out to be the one to have, due to the variant’s focus on driving dynamics with concessions to luxury and everyday usability. And so it is with the new Taycan GTS. The GTS slots in between the Taycan 4S and the Taycan Turbo and uses the 93.4kWh Performance Battery Plus, which here offers a claimed range of up to 313 miles. As in the rest of the Taycan line-up, 270kW DC rapid charging means a five to 80 per cent…

FEATURING • Britain’s best EVs rated • Is an EV right for you? • How to buy and run an EV • Charging explained ELECTRIC cars have been around for a while now and there’s an impressive range of models available, as you’ll see in our feature starting on page 38. As editor of Auto Express’s sister title DrivingElectric I’m asked a wide range of questions every day by motorists looking to make the switch to an EV. We’ve got all the answers on our website, drivingelectric.com, but we’ve summarised the most common over the following pages. Q: What is an electric vehicle, and could it be an everyday car? A: There are several classes of electric vehicle, but arguably the easiest one to remember is the battery-electric vehicle (BEV),…

FULLY electric superminis have been on the rise in recent years, with manufacturers designing many of their combustion-powered models to also accept batteries and electric motors. Of course, this means the price also rises, but that can be offset if you buy on finance – and don’t forget these cars have much cheaper running costs, too. Most of these machines offer genuinely usable range and surprisingly strong performance, without much sacrifice when it comes to practicality. If you use a small car only for shorter trips, an all-electric supermini could be the perfect model for you. OUR PICK “After years of refining the concept, Renault’s Zoe has really nailed it. It’s refined, offers great range and is surprisingly affordable, with some great deals available.” Peugeot e-208 WHEN it comes to…

WHERE diesel once dominated this class, taxation rules now mean you need an EV to benefit big from favourable company car tax rates – and that’s no bad thing, because there are some fantastic EVs on sale in 2021, offering genuinely usable range and superb performance. However, if you’re still not sold, a plug-in hybrid makes a great halfway house, with relatively low running costs but often more flexibility. And if you cover huge mileage, a modern diesel is still a great option. OUR PICK “Hyundai’s stylish Ioniq 5 has moved the goalposts for what’s possible in this class. Superb range, strong styling and great infotainment all help.” Tesla Model 3 TESLA’S entry-level model has taken the UK by storm, regularly topping the sales charts – and it’s not hard…

JUST as mid-size family SUVs are big business, alternative-fuelled cars in this class are one of the biggest areas of expansion when it comes to full-electric and electrified cars. From mainstream brands to premium manufacturers, in this sector everyone seems to be offering a more efficient choice that uses a battery and electric motor to fully propel or assist progress. Just make sure the car you choose will suit your lifestyle – even if that means buying a combustion-only model. OUR PICK “The Q4 e-tron has the premium feel we expect of an Audi, ramping up the refinement thanks to its smooth powertrain. It’s a really appealing electric SUV.” Tesla Model Y FEW cars have been as eagerly anticipated as the Model Y. Blending the range, performance and tech of…

Our guide to the best EVs to buy now AS the switchover to electric vehicles gathers pace, it’s increasingly important that consumers have access to the best information. That includes insight into the public EV charging infrastructure provided by the leading chargepoint operators, and as usual the Driver Power Survey delivers. With feedback from real customers who have already experienced the public charging network, the survey highlights the best and worst performers in the eyes of their users. Plus, this year we’ve expanded the survey to include questions on important factors such as lighting and security at charging stations, reliability, prices and customer service levels. So if you’re new to the world of EVs and public charging, our ratings provide a great insight into what you might expect from a…

MODELTESTED: Mercedes C 220 d AMG Line Premium PRICE: £46,215 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 197bhp Running costs 53.6mpg (on test) £99 fill-up/£155 or 29% tax Practicality Boot capacity 455 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 7.3 seconds/152mph THE fight between BMW and Mercedes for compact-executive saloon supremacy continues into another decade – but will the new C-Class overcome its rival? We’ve got the C 220 d here, in AMG Line Premium trim. The only extra fitted to this car is the Spectral Blue paint finish, which adds £685 to the £46,215 on-the-road figure. Design & engineering WHILE the latest C-Class marks an all-new generation and gets a new model code (known internally as W206), it rides on the same Modular Rear Architecture (MRA) platform as before – albeit with extensive updates. The most…

BMW 1st THE old champion still deserves the top spot here. It continues to offer the best balance between ride and handling in the sector, its cabin has the most intuitive technology, and the build quality remains excellent. What seals it for the 3 Series here, though, is that on a range of lease deals it represents much better value for money than the latest C-Class, too. MERCEDES 2nd MAKE no mistake – the new C-Class is a brilliant car, and only just behind the 3 Series. Cabin space and fuel consumption are closely matched, while it’s slightly more refined, too. The new infotainment system is fantastic, and kit levels are impressive. However, it’s a little too expensive beside the BMW, without offering any significant advantage. Still, it runs its…

Stuart_Milne@dennis.co.uk Running costs 201 miles range (off icial) £0 tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 310/1,060 litres PETROL or electric? It’s a question that more and more motorists are asking. Indeed, the industry expects more plug-in vehicles will join Britain’s roads this year than during the whole of the twenty-teens. It’s easy to see why. They’re great to drive and cheap to run, and driving a tailpipe-less car feels the right thing for me. But is it right for everyone? To find out, just as we did with the three Citroens on page 18, my Mokka-e has been joined by its petrol-engined partner. Stellantis is one of the few firms to offer the choice of combustion or full electric power within the same model range, so the similarities in styling, practicality…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk Q Will toothpaste clear lights? WHAT’S the best way to remove fogging from plastic headlamps? I’ve been told toothpaste will do, but does it work and will it harm the light? Mark Griffin, E-mail A WE tested toothpaste as part of our 2019 headlight restorer test. Yes, it does work, but it required a lot of rubbing and the finish was not great. There’s also no way of preventing the fogging returning. Our pick is Armor All’s Headlight Restorer Wipes (above) at just £10. Q Caring for a car in winter I BOUGHT an MGB in the summer and will take it off the road for the winter. I plan to use an indoor cover, but I’m worried about damp, because my garage attracts a lot…

Mini test OUR CHOICE 303 Graphene Nano Spray Coating Price: £19.95 Rating Size: 473ml Contact: motorgeek.co.uk THE pack promises a year’s worth of “premium protection” and at the end of our four-month test it was still clearing its section. It had slowed, but the 12-month claim is not unreasonable, and it’s all achieved with remarkably little fuss. Paint only needs to be clean and dry, with no need to clay or correct first. Just spray the coating on a microfibre, apply, allow to haze then buff off with a clean cloth. It can also be applied in sunlight, does not need to be kept under wraps and away from water for 24 hours, and can be used on other surfaces. It was close with Turtle Wax, but Flex flagged after four…

PRODUCTGROUP TEST 1|12|2021 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 Dirt5 Rating: Price: From £54.99 Available for: PS4/PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC DIRT 5 is related to the excellent sim-focused Dirt Rally 2.0 in name alone. The racing is fast-paced across sand, ice, snow, dirt and tarmac with vehicles including traditional rally cars, rock bouncers, and buggies. You can play with friends or online, but while it’s a lot of fun, the handling dynamics offer little variation, making it feel a little repetitive. WRC10 Rating: Price: From £49.99 Available for: PS4/PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC WRC 10 is a faithful recreation of the official championship and…

CO2/tax 130-144g/km £155 Running costs 38-47mpg (E’Boost 125) £76 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 10.3 seconds/123mph BY the time the Ford Escort went off sale in 1998, it was well past its sell-by date. That became even more apparent when its replacement was revealed: the sharply styled Focus, which genuinely moved the game on for small family cars. With each generation, the Focus got ever more impressive in terms of comfort, safety and practicality, and while the first take is generally regarded as the Focus’s finest hour dynamically, Ford’s hatch has long been at (or towards) the top of the class for driving enjoyment. By the time the Mk4 arrived in 2018, Ford had sold more than seven million Focuses globally, and this model is more accomplished than ever. History THE…

• Verstappen heads Hamilton • All-new Saudi track’s debut Stephen_Errity@autovia.co.uk FORMULA 1’s back-and-forth title battle enters its final stages on 5 December with the first of two back-to-back races in the Middle East that’ll decide the fate of the 2021 World Driver’s Championship. The Jeddah Corniche circuit in Saudi Arabia is the all-new venue for the race on the 5th, before the show moves to the more familiar settings of Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi the following weekend. Organisers have faced a race against time to get the Saudi track ready for its inaugural event, with the finishing touches still being made in the weeks before track action was due to begin. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton is the man in form coming into the event, having notched up against-the-odds victories in…