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John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy Volkswagen’s refreshed Golf flagship now puts out 329bhp VOLKSWAGEN is gearing up to launch its most powerful production version of the Golf yet – and we’ve had an early chance to get behind the wheel. The face-lifted four-wheel-drive Golf R will make its debut this summer, complete with a 10bhp power boost that takes it to 329bhp – a figure previously reserved for special-edition versions of the hatchback. As a result, the standard Golf R models will now crack the 0-62mph dash in 4.6 seconds (hatch) and 4.8 seconds (Estate) – while an optional pack can lift the speed limiter from 155mph to 167mph. The slightly ragged wrap and the disguised interior on our test car hides many of the new R’s details, but we know it will…

Chris_rosamond@autovia.co.uk Just 450 chargers adapted TV’s Adepitan: no change yet JUST 2.3 per cent of UK on-street EV chargers meet the needs of disabled people, according to a survey of 223 councils on behalf of the Vauxhall Electric Streets of Britain campaign. The results show that only 450 of the 19,546 on-street chargers in council jurisdictions have adaptations for disabled drivers, in spite of the PAS 1899 accessibility standard launched in 2022. Eighteen months on, the reality is that just 238 (1.2 per cent) of public chargers identified in the survey conform to the Government-backed voluntary guidance, while only 105 (0.5 per cent) of the highlighted chargers are located in a disabled parking bay. London councils have installed more than 60 per cent of the nation’s on-street chargers, yet not…

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…

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk THE original Tesla Model 3 Performance was dubbed a ‘BMW M3 killer’ when it was announced back in 2017. The high-performance EV certainly had astounding pace, but its driving experience was dominated by some pretty major dynamic inadequacies, which were thrown into sharp relief next to the M car. So, here we are with the significantly updated Tesla, and once again that same M3-killer rhetoric is present. So, is the claim more accurate this time around? While the updated Model 3’s restrained aesthetic remains, there are lots of new details that give the car a more serious stance. The bumper is completely different, with a big splitter and large air intakes. The body sits lower and on a set of 20-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin rubber, too. At the…

CAPRIS used to be cheap and specialists were plentiful, but despite the car’s cult following, specialists are now few and far between, and values have skyrocketed. Prices start at £8,000 for a four-cylinder Capri Mk3 that’s usable but scruffy, and rise to £40k-£50k or more for mint sporting Mk1s, Brooklands and Tickfords. You can buy a decent 2.8i for £12k-£15k; just make sure that it’s not a tarted-up heap. Parts availability is generally poor when it comes to panels and trim, and some engine parts are scarce, although much of the rest is easy enough to source. The body work borders on the crude, so it’s easy to check every where for corrosion and poor-quality crash repairs. Gear boxes are strong (there were even some autos) and so are differentials.…

MODEL TESTED: Avenger 1.2 100 Summit PRICE: £27,759 POWERTRAIN: 1.2-litre 3cyl turbo petrol, 99bhp 99bhp Powertrain 1.2 litre 3cyl 44 litres Fuel tank £65 fill up 10.6 seconds Performance 114mph 380 litres Seats up/down 1,277 litres THE Jeep Avenger is now available in three forms: fully electric, hybrid or with a 1.2-litre petrol engine, a manual gearbox and front-wheel drive. We’re testing the latter here in top-spec Summit trim, which starts from £27,759. Tech highlights THE Avenger has elements of the larger Renegade in its charming looks, but it’s hardly related to that car at all. The Renegade is based on the same platform as the Fiat 500X and came from the era before Peugeot and Citroen’s owner bought the Fiat-Chrysler stable of brands. Now that Jeep is part of…

IF, as with the majority of new-car buyers in the UK, you plan to take out a PCP finance deal on either of these cars, then it’s the Avenger that represents slightly better value for money. Using a £5,000 deposit to cover a 36-month agreement covering 10,000 miles a year, the Jeep comes to £274 a month, compared with £318 for the Skoda. That gap narrows if you go for our pick of the Kamiq range, the SE L, but it’s still a little more pricey, at £288 a month. Both deals are sweetened by deposit contributions; the Czech car gets a £1,750 discount, while it’s £1,000 for the Avenger. The Jeep’s APR of 7.9 per cent is two points higher than the Skoda’s, though, so longer four-year terms will…

SMALL SUVs With bigger margins to be made on high-riding small cars, which models offer the best compromise? John McIlroy Editor-at-large “THE Jeep’s engine is really punchy for a little three-cylinder motor. Don’t worry about it only having 99bhp, because it feels just as quick as the Skoda unless you really press it hard, and in cars like these, that’s something most drivers will do very infrequently anyway.” Rich Ingram Deputy editor “DESPITE its strong showing here, the Avenger is still better with electric motors under the skin than it is with a petrol engine. The ride is more settled, most likely because of the added weight of the battery, plus it’s quieter, more relaxing and just plain easier to drive.” Jordan Katsianis Senior staff writer “SKODA has kept the…

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk IT’S not often that we get the chance to experience a genuinely all-new car. Gentle evolution has generally been the key to success across 120 years of motoring, but electrification has turned this all on its head. And for Mercedes, the all-electric EQE is that giant leap – a new take on the exec saloon. There’s no doubt the EQE certainly looks different, and it elicited responses both good and bad from friends and family that occasionally came along for a ride. It’s never quite sat right with me, and has taken a while to put my finger on it, but I’ve come to realise the EQE appears to be modelled on a computer mouse. In any case, it’s been a fascinating experience to have an EQE for an…

Chris_Rosamond@autovia.co.uk WELCOME to the Driver Power 2024 New Car Survey, the latest instalment of the UK’s best known and most anticipated guide to customer satisfaction among real-world buyers in the new-car market. Based on the opinions of thousands of survey respondents, who have generously taken the time to share personal insights into their car-ownership experience, the Driver Power survey provides a wealth of valuable information for potential buyers of the top 50 cars listed here in our results. The results cover a wide range of categories and subcategories, so that we can measure and compare owner satisfaction levels for each. The scores are processed with proper statistical weighting applied, with the aim of providing a representative picture of car purchasers’ views across the nation. So read on to find out…

Chris_Rosamond@autovia.co.uk MOST car buyers weigh up potential purchases by comparing similar models, which makes the value of a Driver Power class win significant for drivers and manufacturers alike. It’s just one of many ways to cut the data that the survey generates, but perhaps it’s the most realistic way to look at the results from a consumer perspective. We’ve split our results into a total of nine different vehicle classes this year, ranging from the smallest city cars at one end of the scale, to large SUVs and executive models at the other. The class breakdown covers all the models that make it into the Driver Power top 50 rankings this year, but as you’d probably expect it’s the small and mid-large SUV segments with the greatest number of contenders.…

Hunt starts for next Hot Wheels Legend ENTRIES are now open for the UK leg of the Hot Wheels Legends Tour. This will see the winning modified vehicle modelled as a Hot Wheels car. New for this year is a partnership with the Gravity Show (held on 24-25 August at the NEC, Birmingham), where the three finalists will be judged by a team led by Hot Wheels’ designer Craig Callum. The winner will then compete in the semi-final and the global grand finale. Entrants should upload a description and video and of their car before 5 July at hotwheelsuklegendstour.co.uk. Top Laser Tools video will win racing chair LASER Tools’ Show & Tech channel is challenging mechanics, engineers and DIYers to send in their best product-demonstration videos, for a chance to…

NOTHING lasts forever, as former workers and customers of Rover, Saab and several other now-defunct car-manufacturing firms will testify. A different type of casualty, Rudolf Diesel (1858-1915), will be turning in his grave as new cars powered by the highly fuel-efficient and durable tech he invented will soon be banned in what I consider to be a blatant act of unjustifiable homicide. And yet another landmark decision that’s beyond ridiculous came last week with the announcement that the world’s greatest car exhibition is dead. Not only that, but they – the ‘organisers’ of the Geneva Motor Show – also went a depressing step further by saying the biggest, most prestigious event for 100-plus years (it attracted up to 600,000 customers annually) is buried too, and will not return. How on…

Steve_Walker@autovia.co.uk Funky new look inspired by Japanese armour Tech upgrades include integration of Google apps POSSIBLY more than any other car, the Nissan Qashqai has come to represent the SUV’s dramatic transition from a niche off-road utility vehicle to a cornerstone of the main-stream car market. Often credited with originating the ‘crossover’ SUV, where actual 4x4 capability took a back seat to everyday practicality, Nissan’s biggest seller became, and remains, one of the UK’s most popular cars. But the Qashqai has an ongoing battle to stay at the top, and this facelift of the third-generation car is designed to beef up its arsenal. You’ve got new, slimline lighting elements on the front end, including a row of daytime running lights. At the rear, there’s no change in the shape of…

Dean_Gibson@autovia.co.uk @DeanGbsn RENAULT is busy with new model launches in 2024. Cars such as the Rafale, Symbioz and revived Scenic have already made an impression, while the hotly anticipated 5 supermini and 4 crossover are coming later in the year. But Renault hasn’t forgotten its core line-up, and the Captur small SUV has been given the facelift treatment. The updates are clear to see, with a new face for the car that has a more rugged appearance and brings it into line with the wave of new models. There’s the latest Renault logo on the nose, while the plastic trim across the front (the air intakes are set below in the front bumper), radiates out from the badge to the slender LED headlights. There are updated tail-lights (also LED), while…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks THE hybrid Polestar 1 smashed its brief as a statement of intent for the fledgling Swedish brand. It was followed by the adept Polestar 2, which proved the now EV-only business could go toe to toe with the best of the electric-car world. Now comes the Polestar 3, which could easily become the ‘difficult third child’, rather overshadowed by the maker’s first two (rather excellent) creations. Polestar has a sequential naming system, and has confirmed it’ll only ever use a badge once. There will never be another Polestar 3, then, which makes this something of a do-or-die moment. Going up against the likes of the BMW iX and the Mercedes EQE SUV in the premium electric-car sector, the Polestar 3 is priced from £75,900 in standard Long Range…

WINNER Skoda Kamiq 1st THE face-lifted Kamiq is a fundamentally better car than its rival for its intended audience: it’s more comfortable, more practical and easier to drive than the Jeep, while also feeling more upmarket inside and bringing all the tech you could want for daily life. Its slightly meagre standard-kit list means that you don’t get as much for your cash, but it balances that out with more performance, and no matter how much you pay, you can’t add a better ride or more interior space to the Jeep. • Comfort • Practicality • Interior quality • Infotainment tech • Low equipment levels • Big bump harshness • No electrified powertrains • A little dull to drive INTERESTED? Scan the code for further information RUNNER-UP Jeep Avenger 2nd…

SAME CLASS Renault Captur THE second-generation Captur has just been updated (see Page 22), but the earliest examples of the outgoing model can now be yours for as little as £9,000. Comfort and space run the Kamiq very close, but it’s also better equipped and a little more fun to drive, and feels at least as posh inside. If you’ve got closer to £16,000, you can get your hands on a plug-in hybrid model that’s able to cover many short journeys on electric power alone. • Comfortable and smart cabin • Great value • Pure-petrol car short of power • Small screen on base model SAME MONEY Volvo XC40 THE XC40 is larger than the Kamiq or Avenger, but it’s also a lot more luxurious. It combines smart exterior looks…

Pete_Baiden@autovia.co.uk @PeteBaiden Running costs Official range/tax 353 miles/2% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 570/1,610 litres WHAT’S the ultimate test for any electric car on the Auto Express fleet? A road trip, of course. The Skoda Enyaq 85 Edition Coupé has been with us for a few months already, but I had my doubts over the Czech brand’s claimed range of 353 miles. So I decided to put it to the test and see just how far I would be able to get on a single charge in the car. The first thing to do was to carefully plan a route, because I wanted to make sure I would be within touching distance of a place to top up as the battery neared empty. After looking at a road map and…

47. Ford Focus Mk4 82.80% YEAR OF INTRODUCTION 2018 KEY POINTS The Focus is destined for the chop, and the scores reflect a lack of appeal THE Mk4 Ford Focus was designed to look a little bit sportier than the model it replaced, and it came with greatly updated tech and a luxury Vignale trim. Owners don’t appear to have engaged much with the styling, and driving pleasure is rated in a lowly 48th place. A 27th spot for rear-seat legroom is the Focus’s best subcategory rating, followed by 34th for servicing costs. Boot space is close behind, and the Ford is 38th for its audio systems and 41st for the balance between physical and touchscreen controls. But it’s one place off the bottom for reliability and quality. Focus production…

Chris_Rosamond@autovia.co.uk CATEGORIES: Value • Powertrain • Exterior • Interior & comfort • Practicality & space • Ride & handling • Safety features • Economy & running costs • Reliability & build quality • Infotainment, connectivity & electrics BREAKING down the Driver Power scores into their respective categories gives an extra insight into the strengths and weaknesses of various models, from the perspective of their most important critics – you, the buyers. Typically, even the cars with the highest overall rankings can have areas where they perform below par, while poor overall performers can pull rabbits out of hats in some categories, too. As you’ll already have seen here in the results, and may have already experienced if you’ve completed the survey yourself, we break down the Driver Power results into…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk A LOT will depend on how old your children are and what they are looking for in an RC car. If they’re much below eight years old, they will be probably best suited to the cars found in toy shops, where their links with TV shows or films are often a bigger factor than their performance. For older kids, where their driving skills have developed to make the most of proportional steering and progressive throttles, we’d look at specialist websites and shops, where the choice is huge, particularly among the ready-to-run (RTR) models that dominate the market. There are some excellent choices among road, track and rally cars, but these often need smooth asphalt or similar, which limits when and where they can be run. We’d…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk LAND ROVER has had its fair share of negative press recently, thanks to its cars suffering from uncertain reliability and poor parts supply, while high theft rates have led to sky-high insurance premiums on some models. But the company has fought back, and a 39th place for the Evoque in this year’s Driver Power New Car survey – not horrendous for a car launched six years ago – reflects positivity among owners. The star of the show is the exterior design, but the interior styling gets a big thumbs up, too, as does the overall driving experience. However, running costs, value and reliability drag down the Evoque’s standing in the survey, as you can see on page 60. WE SAID “It’s not the most practical SUV and reliability can…

Ellis_Hyde@autovia.co.uk @EllisDrives Updates consistent with petrol-powered three-door MINI Cooper Three and four-cylinder engines offered, but no manual gearbox “MINI is offering plenty of customisation, including nine exterior paint colours” THE new MINI Cooper 5-Door has arrived to offer a slightly more practical alternative to the classic three-door hatch. Unlike its smaller sibling, however, this five-door edition only comes with petrol power. If you want an EV, the closest option in the MINI range will be the pure-electric Aceman crossover, which was revealed in Issue 1,828, and arrives late this year. Compared with the regular MINI Cooper, the five-door is 172mm longer and slightly wider, plus its wheelbase is 72mm longer. MINI claims rear cabin space is noticeably wider and can comfortably accommodate three passengers across. The five-door model also boasts…

MANUFACTURER discounts on electric cars are “unsustainable”, says the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Latest data shows that the retail demand for EVs is still declining. UK car registration figures for May did offer a glimmer of hope, because EV sales in the retail sector only dropped by two per cent compared with May last year, while the retail sector overall fell 12.9 per cent. However, enticing buyers into EVs is proving costly for car makers, with a recent report from the Economic Intelligence Unit spelling out that most automotive companies are making losses on their EV business.…

Ineos customisation service set to launch INEOS has announced the formation of a new Arcane Works programme that will allow buyers of the Grenadier 4x4 (above) the chance to personalise their SUV in a way not previously possible. The service will give buyers an almost unlimited palette of materials. As well as aesthetic upgrades, the programme will be a test bed for new tech, including powertrain upgrades and chassis systems. It’ll launch at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. Covers come off new Bugatti next week BUGATTI’S all-new V16 hybrid hypercar will be revealed on 20 June, launching the brand into a new electrified era. Being just the third all-new model in Bugatti’s modern history under the Volkswagen Group umbrella, this new car will replace the Chiron and bear…

Ellis_Hyde@autovia.co.uk @EllisDrives SUV-styled EV will share platform with Renault Megane Third-generation Leaf to be built in Sunderland WE’VE known for some time that the trailblazing Nissan Leaf will transform from a family hatchback into an SUV for its next outing. But thanks to a recent teaser video, hints from Nissan’s CEO, and insights shared by one of its European design bosses, we now have a clear picture of what the all-new Leaf will look like – as previewed by our exclusive image. Earlier this year, Nissan president and CEO Makoto Uchida confirmed that the brand’s Chill-Out concept, revealed back in 2021, would inspire the next-generation Leaf. Speaking to Auto Express, Nissan’s VP of Design for Europe, Matthew Weaver, provided clarity on how close the designs are: “Obviously linking concept to…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk AutoExpress YOUR VIEWS This week’s letters Dreaming of a Dacia tie-up with Lambo FROM: Dave Dunning THE tail-lights on the new Lamborghini Revuelto look awfully similar to those on the Dacia Duster. That’s something I’d like to see: a Lambo-tuned Duster, to make up for Dacia pinching the light design. It’d fit in nicely in the line-up below the Urus. We live in hope! I’m still not convinced by ‘amazing’ EVs FROM: Philip Mason WITH any new ‘amazing’ product, I wait for a year or two to see the reality, and I’m glad that I didn’t buy an EV straight away. Public chargers that don’t work or have long queues, and the toxic range anxiety, means that ICE will be my choice for the foreseeable future. Is design as…

Shane_Wilkinson@autovia.co.uk IT’S fair to say that Ford knows how to build a good SUV. The supermini-based Puma was the UK’s best-selling car last year, and it’s continued to dominate into 2024. Its larger sibling, the Kuga, isn’t an uncommon sight on our roads, either. The mid-size SUV sector is a tough one, though, and new rivals continue to arrive at an unrelenting rate. The third-generation Kuga was launched in 2019, so the time has come for a big mid-life refresh in an attempt to keep it ahead of competitors. The biggest and most obvious update is on the outside. A brand-new gloss-black grille, redesigned adaptive headlights and an LED light bar bring the Kuga’s front end more into line with other members of Ford’s line-up, with an overall design that’s…

MODEL TESTED: Kamiq 1.0 TSI Monte Carlo PRICE: £29,285 POWERTRAIN: 1.0-litre 3cyl turbo petrol, 114bhp 114bhp Powertrain 1.0 litre 3cyl 50 litres Fuel tank £74 fill up 9.7 seconds Performance 121mph 400 litres Seats up/down 1,395 litres WHILE the Kamiq in our pictures is a top-spec Monte Carlo model with a DSG automatic gearbox, we’re testing it as a manual in order to give the closest comparison to the Avenger. Like this, the Kamiq comes to £29,285 in its highest trim level, although the most affordable option with this engine, the SE, starts from £24,970. Tech highlights THE Skoda sits on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB A0 architecture, so it shares many parts with the VW T-Cross and SEAT Arona. As with those models, and just like the pre-facelift car, the…

SAME CLASS Citroen C3 IF value is really your thing, then it’s hard to look beyond the all-new C3. Under the skin it’s a relative of the Avenger, riding on a simplified version of the Jeep’s CMP platform known as STLA Smart. The result is a car that’s outwardly more modest, but even more talented. Citroen has focused on comfort and space, so the C3 has a smooth ride and more room in its cabin than its Stellantis counterpart, but it uses the same punchy 1.2-litre petrol engine. Then there’s the price: the C3 range kicks off from just £17,790 for a petrol model, while at £21,990, the e-C3 is set to become one of the cheapest electric cars on sale today. • Comfortable ride • Spacious cabin • Strong…

1. WINNER Dacia Duster Mk2 90.79% YEAR OF INTRODUCTION 2017 KEY POINTS Great value shouldn’t mean undue compromise, say Duster drivers DACIA’S Duster is a no-nonsense SUV that blends exceptional value for money and utility, with decent comfort and convenience. All this is complemented by few unnecessary frills, in a fashionable segment of the car market. That recipe’s appeal shouldn’t need spelling out, but an overall win in the 2024 Driver Power New Car survey surely drives home the point for any doubters. There’s a new Duster arriving in UK showrooms this autumn, and these results show it’s got a lot to live up to. Owners of the outgoing version are sold most strongly on its value for money, where it tops the Driver Power table. But that’s not its…

NEW PRODUCT Andersen EV A3 charge point Price: from £995 Contact: andersen-ev.com THE drive to make home electric-vehicle chargers complement their surroundings has taken another step with the arrival of the new Andersen A3. It offers no less than 247 colour and finish options, including one by former Jaguar Land Rover design director Ian Callum. The full range includes both wood (£200 extra) and metal finishes, plus a limited-edition £320 carbon-fibre version. Buyers can choose from 13 colours for both the body and fascia. The Callum Designs’ finish features a textured wood that “plays with the signature Callum tartan”. At 430 x 310 x 148cm, the A3 is 20 per cent smaller than the existing A2 charger and is limited to a maximum 7kW charge rate, while its stablemate can deliver…

A History of Motoring Through 100 Legendary Cars Gerard de Cortanze (Albin Michel, albin-michel.fr) Price: £35 Rating: THIS very handsome book focuses on vehicles that have advanced automotive history. The translation from French is slightly clunky in places, but the photographs are the stars here. Saab Celebration Cole Lance (Pen and Sword, pen-and-sword.co.uk) Price: £30 Rating: SAAB bit the dust a good few years ago, but many still have the Swedish brand at the forefront of their minds. They will love the quality of the photographs in this book, which have been reproduced to a very high standard. It’s devoid of technical information but the captions are well written and fairly informative. It’s a great tribute. Crash of Cars Available for: iOS, Android Price: Free Rating: YOU go around a…

CO2/tax 132g/km £190 Running costs 45mpg (1.4 T-GDi) £72 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 8.8 seconds/130mph IT’S 50 years since the Volkswagen Golf was launched, and across all eight generations so far, you’ve known exactly what you’re getting. The same goes for decades of BMW 3 Series and 5 Series sales, but not every maker is so consistent. Take Kia, which introduced its tiresomely named pro_cee’d in 2007 as a rather underwhelming three-door hatch. By the time the Mk2 was launched in 2013 it was sportier, but still just a three-door model. Then in 2019 came the all-new third-generation car with a much tidier name (Proceed), but it was now a sleek five-door estate that took the best of everything that the Ceed Mk3 had to offer, then wrapped it up…