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Richard_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @rsp_ingram BMW has finally taken the fight to the Mercedes C-Class with a number of updates for its popular 3 Series range, designed to pique the interest of company-car drivers looking to lower their annual tax bill. The changes include a bigger battery for the 330e plug-in hybrid, which now boasts 63 miles of zero-emissions range. This officially marks the 3 Series’ second mid-life facelift – the first was implemented almost exactly two years ago. However, this time around the tweaks are mostly mechanical; visual changes are limited to some new paint options, alloy-wheel choices and interior fabrics. For this round of updates, BMW (in the UK, at least) has ditched diesel power completely, slimming down the engine range to offer just two petrols and a plug-in hybrid. The…

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk Updated GTS has new 3.6-litre engine with hybrid assistance Styling and interior tweaks introduced across full 911 range “Porsche has never been shy about wanting to fit a hybrid system to its iconic sports car” PORSCHE has revealed its long-awaited hybrid 911 alongside wider updates to the iconic sports car. Now in the 992.2 generation, the range is initially headlined by the GTS edition, featuring a new engine. More variants will come over the following months, but the line-up will launch with the GTS and Carrera. They’re available to order now, priced from £99,800 for the Carrera and £132,600 for the GTS, with deliveries towards the end of the year. The heart of the GTS continues to be a turbocharged flat-six engine, but bored out to 3.6 litres and…

DRIVERS can now access cheaper public EV-charging rates whenever there’s excess green energy available on the grid, thanks to a new ‘Plunge Pricing’ scheme available on the free Octopus Energy Electroverse app. Available on iOS and Android, it offers EV drivers access to 15-45 per cent lower rates which, according to Octopus, should on average save £6.50 per top-up. Plunge Pricing events will continue in 2024, with Electroverse offering access to “more than 700,000” public chargers across the UK and Europe from operators such as Ionity, Shell, Osprey and Instavolt.…

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 makers The Motor Ombudsman: 0345 241 3008 Financial problems Financial Ombudsman: 0800 023 4567 Safety concerns/recalls www.check-mot.service.gov.uk…

Dean_Gibson@autovia.co.uk @DeanGbsn WHEN petrochemical billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe founded Ineos Automotive, it was his intention to build a go-anywhere 4x4 that was a spiritual successor to Land Rovers of old. As we’ve discovered, the Grenadier does exactly that, and now the company is expanding its offering, by creating the Grenadier Quartermaster pick-up. If you hadn’t already surmised, the Quartermaster (named after an army officer responsible for logistics and the supply of provisions) is a body variation of the existing 4x4. From the nose to the trailing edge of the rear doors, it looks identical. The changes further back include an extended 3,227mm wheelbase (up by 305mm) while the open pick-up bed stretches the car’s overall length to 5,440mm, making the Quartermaster longer than a Ford Ranger. The four-door, five-seat double-cab…

WINNER 1st BMW 530e WHEN one of the few points of contention we can find is that the lower model in the range is likely to be all the car that most buyers really need, it hammers home just what a brilliant all-rounder the latest BMW 5 Series really is. Performance, refinement, practicality and technology all take a giant leap beyond what was on offer in its predecessor and, the slightest firmness to the low-speed ride aside, the new 5 Series is supremely comfortable and wonderfully refined, too. INTERESTED? Scan the code for further information ● Handling● Refinement● Space● Interior design and finish ● Low-speed ride● Too few physical controls● Digital dials look a bit fussy● 520i is much cheaper RUNNER-UP 2nd Mercedes E 300 e IT may have to…

SAME CLASS BMW 5Series FOR less than half the price of a brand-new 5 Series, you could get your hands on a low-mileage, four-year-old version of the outgoing model instead. It may miss out on some of the very latest infotainment technology, but the Mk7 5 Series is still great to drive and a brilliant long-distance cruiser. The icing on the cake is the fact that for less than £30,000, you can get a 530d with a torquey and refined 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine. ● Great to drive● Refinement ● Older infotainment tech● Slightly firm low-speed ride SAME MONEY Porsche Taycan IF you were given the choice of a brand-new BMW or a two-year-old Porsche, which would you choose? That decision becomes very tough when you consider that not only…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk Running costs 33.9mpg (on test) £77 fill-up, £570 or 37% tax Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.9 seconds/151mph SAYING goodbye to our Audi TT Roadster Final Edition does genuinely feel like the end of an era. For the TT has been on sale for over a quarter of a century, gaining – and mostly maintaining – many fans. Deservedly so as far as we’re concerned. The TT isn’t just a sportscar, it’s an icon. Or at least it was. Its time is officially over, not just with us in the case of this 40 TFSI Final Edition Roadster we’ve very much enjoyed, but also for the brand, the era, the car itself. Because once the TT is gone, there will be no turning back. Audi has no plans for a hybrid…

Virtual-reality drives with new MINI tech IF you think today’s cars and roads are too dull to really enjoy driving, MINI might have the answer. The brand’s new mixed-reality tech blurs the lines between real life and video games, letting drivers immerse themselves in a different environment without leaving their car. Users wear a VR headset to drive through virtual scenery, keeping full awareness of their real surroundings through external camera streams. The tech is unlikely to make it onto the roads any time soon, but could help refine automated-driving systems and potentially allow full gaming integration within your car. Drivers come clean over car-care choices CAR-care producer Autoglym has warned motorists of the dangers of using common household products to clean their vehicles. A survey commissioned by the brand…

CO2/tax 122-136g/km £190 Running costs 47-52mpg (1.5 TSI) £70 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.2 seconds/133mph IF you had to come up with a list of the world’s most conservative car makers, Volkswagen would probably be near the top of the list. But while its cars are generally evolutionary rather than revolutionary, they’re easy to recommend and buyers clamour for them, so this German company clearly knows what it’s doing. When the original Golf arrived 50 years ago, it was a high-quality alternative to cheaper rivals, but few could have foreseen what an institution it would become. The Golf Mk8 typifies Volkswagen’s approach, because it’s essentially an evolution of the Mk7, but features enough new tech and design advances to mark it out as something new. And when your baseline is…

Motoring’s most outspoken and opinionated columnist sounds off IT’S make your mind up time! And the decisions you’ll make could be the difference between you having a day-to-day life as a car user with a 24/7 personal mobility machine parked outside your home, and losing the privilege. The stakes genuinely are that high. This time last week in Auto Express I said – prematurely, according to some – that the 2024 General Election campaign had already started. And on the very same soggy day, it did – with 4 July officially confirmed as the time to vote. Potentially it’ll be a life-changing moment for motorists and their passengers, who must choose the party they want running their roads, managing their motoring taxes, and revealing dates for the ban (or maybe…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks Compact electric SUV takes design inspiration from EV9 flagship EV6-sourced battery offers a range of up to 372 miles THE latest addition to Kia’s range of electric cars has arrived: say hello to the EV3 SUV. If it looks a bit familiar, that’s because at Kia’s 2023 EV Day we were treated to an intriguing look at a slew of future models – including the EV3 Concept. Now that the production version has been revealed, we can see that its design has stayed true to the striking show model’s. When it goes on sale later this year, the EV3 will be the smallest of Kia’s bespoke electric models until the EV2 joins the range in 2026. It will line up in the same compact family-car class as the…

Ellis_Hyde@autovia.co.uk @EllisDrives CHINESE company Omoda is focusing on value, but sister brand Jaecoo has more premium aspirations. And we’ve had our first taste of what’s to come from a division that has its sights set on Audi and other upmarket names. The brand’s initial offering is the Jaecoo 7, which rivals the Audi Q3, and we were impressed by the finish and quality in the pre-production example we drove. Attention to detail inside the cabin also stood out, down to the rivets in the door handles – like those in the latest Land Rover Defender. The Jaecoo’s boxy shape creates a huge amount of headroom all round, and there’s plenty of legroom for six-feet-tall adults to sit comfortably in the rear. However, the 412-litre boot capacity doesn’t quite match up…

Updated Qashqai names its price THE facelifted Nissan Qashqai (above) will start from £30,135 when it goes on sale in June. The lowest price is some £3,000 higher than before, but that’s because the entry-level Visia trim has been axed from the line-up. The updated range consists of five trim levels: Acenta Premium, N-Connecta (from £32,305), Tekna and N-Design (both priced from £34,845), and finally Tekna+, with prices for the top-spec model starting from £38,875. Bugatti will fuel the needs of rich buyers HYPERCAR brand Bugatti will continue to build petrol cars for the long term, its boss has revealed. Mate Rimac, CEO of the French brand’s parent company Rimac, has suggested that Bugatti could even go as far as building synthetic fuel stations at the homes of its super-rich…

Tom_Jervis@autovia.co.uk @thomaswjervis ACCORDING to Newton’s third law of motion, if two objects collide, the forces they impart on each other are of equal magnitude to what was propelling them in the first place. In layman’s terms, this means that when a car stops moving – in a crash, for example – there’s quite a bit of excess energy that needs to be redistributed somewhere – especially when it comes to larger vehicles. It’s no wonder then that so many people are concerned about how our streets are rapidly being populated by two-tonne-plus electric SUVs, with some even touching three tonnes. Only a few decades ago such heft was reserved for the most expensive of luxury cars or commercial vehicles. Now, even Volvo’s entry-level electric SUV, the EX30, weighs in at…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy Running costs 45.6 mpg (official) £66 fill-up MINI is pushing relentlessly towards electrification – with two EV versions of its latest, all-new generation of three-door hatchback a case in point. But the brand knows that plenty of customers aren’t ready to leave combustion power just yet – so it is also launching petrol editions of the same model, and we’ve had our first chance to try one of them. Although the new J01 MINI EV sits on bespoke all-electric components, the petrol version of the same car, codenamed F66, uses an updated version of the previous generation’s UKL1 architecture. The idea is that the same ‘top hat’ gets fitted over different underpinnings – but the EV and petrol cars aren’t quite identical; the ICE models are very slightly…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks REVIVING famous nameplates for new EVs seems to be a common trend in the car industry these days, so we weren’t too surprised to see the Renault Scenic badge on an all-electric family SUV. It may be a new addition to the firm’s ‘E-Tech’ range, but the Scenic’s CMF-EV platform is shared with the Megane. The Scenic is larger, though, with its longer wheelbase making it a rival to the Skoda Enyaq, Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5. There are three trim levels available: Techno, Esprit Alpine and Iconic. Plus two batteries are offered – a 60kWh unit that’s exclusive to the Techno trim level, and an 87kWh option. The cheapest Scenic edition costs just £37,495, rising to £40,995 with the larger battery. Renault has kept things simple…

MODEL TESTED: 530e M Sport Pro PRICE: £62,455 POWERTRAIN: 2.0-litre 4cyl PHEV, 295bhp 295bhp Powertrain 2.0 litre 4cyl 60 litres Tank/battery 19.4kWh 6.3 seconds Performance 143mph 520 litres Boot space THE 530e line-up starts from £59,455, but our M Sport Pro model costs £3,000 more. Thanks to a few select options, including the £3,300 Technology Plus Pack and striking Fire Red paint, the car in these pictures costs £72,875. Tech highlights WHAT is clear from the off is that unlike some PHEVs, these rivals offer up as much go from the EV side of their powertrains as they do from the petrol element. The BMW’s Cluster Architecture was designed to accommodate traditional internal-combustion engines, fully electric powertrains, or a mix of the two. Here it really is a mix, with…

SAME PRICE Range Rover Velar TAKE one look at the Range Rover Velar, and it isn’t hard to see why some buyers have left the traditional exec-saloon class behind. For similar cash to the 5 Series and E-Class, it’s possible to get into one of the most striking SUVs on the market. But there’s genuine substance behind that sleek exterior, because the Velar is great to drive, with composed ride and smooth handling. The one thing counting against it is the powertrain; although the petrol and diesel options are solid, the PHEV powertrain isn’t as smooth as the BMW’s and Mercedes’, and it’s also thirsty once the battery has depleted. ● Striking looks● Great ride and handling● Slick infotainment ● Refresh spoiled cabin ergonomics● Not quite as refined as BMW●…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk WHEN a family member or friend sets out on the road to getting a full driving licence, it’s certainly an exciting time – but it can be a stressful one too. You will also need to be honest about whether you have the necessary skills, patience and time to teach an inexperienced driver without causing a family feud or falling out with a friend. If you are confident in your ability and the car’s suitability, then you can save a fortune by giving your learner a head start. But you will need to make sure the vehicle you’re using is properly insured. This will usually be cheaper than you expect, but be warned: the cost for a learner is a lot less than for a newly…

USING a head torch quite literally gives you a hand whatever you’re doing, whether it’s fault-finding in the engine bay, changing brake pads or walking back from a breakdown at night. The Nightsearcher 700R won last time out, taking the title from its 580R predecessor, and now the company has added motion-sensor (hands-free) control. We put it up against the standard 700R and Nitecore’s heavy-hitting NU43. We used the trio in a variety of situations and compared their specifications, notably the light (measured in lumens), modes, battery and weight. We always like to see some kind of IP certification against dust ingress (the first figure), and moisture (the second). You’d be pleased with any of these units, all of which provide lots of useful light. With the added Lightwave function,…

Keen to learn more about the EV3, we grabbed 10 minutes with Kia’s EU boss. Q With the Niro EV and EV3 so similar in size, how are they able to sit alongside each other in the line-up? A “We believe they can coexist, because the Niro has a wider powertrain spectrum. The Niro inherits compromise because of its platform versus the EV3, but the Niro will still act as a stepping stone from hybrid to full EV. The charging speed, range and interior roominess of the EV3 are superior.” Q Do you expect the EV3 to be the most popular electric car in Kia’s range? A “Definitely the biggest-selling Kia EV. As for overall, Sportage is our number-one model, followed by Niro and Ceed.” Q You committed to having…

Tom_Jervis@autovia.co.uk @thomaswjervis Local authorities make rules Calls for a UK-wide standard COUNCILS in the UK cannot seem to decide when a pothole needs repairing, with almost a third refusing to publish their criteria online. That’s according to Channel 4’s latest Dispatches documentary, which uncovered a huge disparity in how local authorities judge pothole severity and what metrics must be fulfilled in order to trigger a repair. Of the 206 councils that hold jurisdiction over their roads, roughly a third (35 per cent) said they will only fix a pothole if it reaches a certain width or depth. However, these parameters differ from council to council; while most councils (54) state a minimum depth of 4cm, some – such as Nottingham, Thurrock and Warwickshire – say a pothole must be 5cm…

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk AUDI will celebrate the 25th anniversary of its iconic RS 4 by introducing a new Edition 25 model, limited to just 250 units in Europe, with 50 scheduled to come to the UK. Technical changes are subtle, but Audi has deployed an aggressive remap of the engine-management system to squeeze an extra 19bhp out of the standard car’s twin-turbocharged 2.9-litre V6. Peak power is now rated at 463bhp, with torque remaining unchanged at 600Nm, while a collection of other upgrades borrowed from the previous RS 4 Competition feature. These include a more aggressive transmission calibration, unique tuning for the Sport Quattro differential, a reduction in sound deadening to increase the noise inside the cabin and a louder RS Sports Exhaust. Audi quotes a 0-62mph time of 3.7 seconds, 0.4…

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk Jeep’s clever four-wheel-drive model will be the most capable Avenger yet, without forgetting about efficiency JEEP has revealed a new version of the compact Avenger SUV called the 4xe (four-by-E). It boasts a clever powertrain design that uses electric motors to both improve efficiency and unlock the maker’s famous all-wheel-drive potential. Due to join the line-up later this year, the new Avenger 4xe will sit alongside the existing mild-hybrid and EV models, adding yet more breadth to the range. The 4xe powertrain works by combining the car’s existing 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors, one mounted on each axle. Both motors assist the petrol engine, which predominantly drives the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. The hybrid system has a small lithium-ion battery, and isn’t…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress YOUR VIEWS This week’s letters Ford’s ZEV scheme is from another Galaxy FROM: Clyde Brown FORD thinks it’ll be able to meet the 22 per cent ZEV target by reducing production of ICE cars. I wonder what planet they are on? Few people want to buy EVs, so doing this will merely reduce all the brand’s sales. I think it’s tantamount to shooting oneself in the foot. Young designers’ futures look bright FROM: Ian Yearsley I LOVED your recent article on the future of car design (Issue 1,831). There are clearly some great young designers out there, all boasting some really innovative ideas. In my opinion it’s safe to say that the car-design industry looks like it’s in even safer hands. Motorists should vote with caution FROM: William…

Chris_rosamond@autovia.co.uk NOT long ago, the outline of a Land Rover bedecked with blue lights and police stickers was a common sight on motorway or dual carriageway overpasses. Presumably not much good in a hot pursuit – on tarmac at least – but you couldn’t argue with the reassuringly characterful appeal of a Landie kitted out for emergencies. Nowadays you scarcely see a police car of any sort on the road, thanks to the proliferation of speed cameras and Highways Agency ‘traffic officers’, who help to keep our major routes rolling. Even the Highways Agency has ditched their JLR products in favour of Volvo XC90 or BMW X5 plug-in hybrids, but that famously wasn’t something Britain’s richest man, Jim Ratcliffe, was prepared to do. When the owner of chemicals giant Ineos…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk THE original Mustang was unleashed in the summer of 1964. In the six decades and more than 10 million sales that have followed, Ford has nurtured its iconic sports car into a best seller. This seventh-generation version has been comprehensively redesigned to celebrate the success of its ancestors, and to take the Mustang howling into the 21st century. So while it still adheres to the traditional V8-engined, rear-driven formula that we’ve come to know and love over the years (there is no four-cylinder version for Europe this time round), the latest Mustang is, Ford claims, a sharper sports car, for a new generation of customers. Powered by a heavily revised 5.0-litre ‘Coyote’ V8 and featuring a raft of styling upgrades inside and out, the reborn Mustang is now a…

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk “The numbers are quite something, with the V12 engine rated at 813bhp and the motors then adding 147bhp each” THE Revuelto is the next chapter in Lamborghini’s V12 supercar story, joining a lineage that has adorned bedroom walls across the world for years. Over the decades, most of these models have shared a mid-engined layout and a set of dramatic scissor doors, and the new Revuelto continues in fine form. But this latest-generation car signals something different for the Italian supercar brand. The Revuelto might retain a naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine, but it now works in conjunction with three electric motors that are powered from a small lithium-ion battery pack. Yes, Lambo’s signature supercar has gone hybrid. The numbers are quite something, with the V12 engine rated at…

MODEL TESTED: Mercedes E 300 e AMG Line Premium Plus PRICE: £76,610 POWERTRAIN: 2.0-litre 4cyl PHEV, 309bhp 309bhp Powertrain 2.0 litre 4cyl 50 litres Fuel tank £75 fill up 6.4 secs Performance 147mph 370 litres Boot space THE E 300 e we’re testing is in high-ranking AMG Line Premium Plus trim. At £76,610, it’s pricier than the BMW, but there are very few options to add to that, although this car’s Driving Assistance Package Plus lifts the cost to £78,305. Tech highlights ON paper, these two cars have very similar PHEV powertrains. As with the 530e, the E 300 e uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine boosted by a single electric motor to drive the rear wheels. There are differences in output, though; while the 201bhp petrol engine in the…

THESE two brilliant four-door saloons are incredibly hard to separate in most areas, but when it comes down to cash, then a clear gap emerges. Next to the 530e, the E-Class starts to look very pricey on PCP finance deals, due to a high interest rate and no deposit contribution versus the £2k discount that BMW offers. Place a £5,000 deposit on a three-year PCP agreement with a 10,000-mile annual limit, and the BMW comes to £904 a month. That sounds like a lot until you realise that the Mercedes costs £1,347 a month. Of course, that’s the top-spec E 300 e, so you can save with the AMG Line Advanced, but even that car comes to £1,211 a month. If you spec the BMW with the 10 grand-plus worth…

EXECUTIVE SALOONS Still can’t make you mind up? Our experts give some more food for thought for buyers in this class “We don’t think that many buyers will need more performance from their PHEV than the 530e offers, but a range-topping 550e fits just that bill. A straight-six petrol engine and a marginally more potent electric motor deliver 483bhp and 700Nm – good for a 4.3-second 0-62mph time.” “While the battle is close when an internal-combustion engine is on the table, the gap between BMW and Mercedes grows much wider with EV powertrains. The 5 Series is arguably at its best as the all-electric i5, but the EQE is a letdown, failing to live up to the E 300 e’s high standards.” “This pair have the potential to push the…

Andy_Pringle@autovia.co.uk THERE’S no better indication of how seriously BYD is taking its assault on the UK market than walking into one of the brand’s new showrooms. Which is what I did when collecting my new Dolphin fleet car. BYD Milton Keynes is a gleaming place that sits happily alongside franchises for premium brands on the city’s outskirts. The car park is packed with brand-new examples of the Chinese firm’s handiwork, not least because 10 Dolphins have just been delivered on the morning of our visit. True, it’s a Tesla Model 3-rivalling Seal that takes centre stage in the showroom, but although I’m here to pick up BYD’s smallest car, I’m not short-changed on the experience. That’s a thought that constantly comes to mind as salesperson Sophie Barrella talks me through…

Harry Varley: A Man Who Made Motoring History Ian Coomber (Fonthill Media, fonthill.media) Price: £30 Rating: HARRY Varley was one of the trio responsible for the three-litre Bentley, helped develop the modern automotive piston, and designed Vauxhall’s Griffin badge. This well researched and written book is ideal for those with a particular interest in the early days of Bentley. Mercedes-Benz Cars 1947-2000 James Taylor (Veloce Publishing, veloce.co.uk) Price: £19.99 Rating: THIS is the latest in this publisher’s series of manufacturer titles. Each Merc model gets an entry with a description and tech details, plus photos from archives and owner’s clubs. It’s a good reference title and doesn’t miss anything that we could see, but it’s not really a relaxing read or a coffee-table book. Big Rig Racing Available for: iOS,…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk A 16th position overall in the running costs section – including a ninth place for economy and a 25th for servicing costs – is the Toyota Yaris’s most satisfying result. Next up is a pleasing 20th for ride and handling, a category that includes a 22nd place for driving pleasure, and 30th for handling, along with a less impressive 52nd for braking. Practicality and boot space scores are all in the lower half of the table, as are the cabin features – where a 57th place for front-seat comfort is one of this supermini’s less satisfying figures. Not quite least though, because the built-in sat-nav scores a dismal 61st. Overall value isn’t quite what it could be either, with owners rating the Yaris at 37th. WE SAID “The latest…