Table of contents for 1614 in Auto Express

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk ● New i20 reveals sharp look ● More efficient and practical THIS is the new Hyundai i20, which is due to hit showrooms in September. The new supermini aims to steal a march on talented rivals such as the Ford Fiesta and Renault Clio by delivering superior safety kit, class-leading in-car entertainment and mild-hybrid powertrains. While the i20 uses a heavily updated version of the current model’s platform, from a design point of view it takes a radical departure from its predecessor. It’s the first Hyundai to use the company’s new design language, which means more sharply defined body surfacing and angular headlights (featuring full LEDs on top models), which blend into the edges of the wide grille. At the back, the new model gets a full-width strip connecting…

tristan_shale-hester@dennis.co.uk ● Birmingham and London clean-air schemes at odds with each other ● Different data sources put some cars in emissions ‘no-mans land’ AUTHORITIES running clean-air zones in two UK cities are using emissions data from conflicting sources, so cars that are exempt from London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) may be charged to enter Birmingham’s upcoming Clean Air Zone (CAZ). That’s despite both zones being based on the same emissions standards: Euro 4 for petrol cars, and Euro 6 for diesels. London’s ULEZ enforcement system and online checker uses data from car makers, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA). But Birmingham’s CAZ, which will see drivers charged £8 to enter parts of the city from this summer, relies on a Department for…

Steve_Walker@dennis.co.uk ● New compact electric SUV to be called Enyaq ● ‘E’ naming structure will roll out across EV range SKODA has confirmed that its upcoming electric SUV will be called the Enyaq. The car will be Skoda’s second all-electric model, following the Citigo-e iV, and it’s the first to be based on the new MEB electric car architecture that’s been developed by the Volkswagen Group and is already underpinning the VW ID.3 electric hatchback. We’ve already been given a taste of what the Enyaq will look like by the Skoda Vision iV concept, which was shown at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. That car had a coupé-like curving roofline and achieved four-wheel drive by using two electric motors, one on the front axle and one at the rear. There’s…

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) Which?: 01992 878329 Citizens Advice Consumer helpline: 03454 040506 Local Trading Standards Local Citizens Advice Bureau Used car inspections AA: 0800 056 8040 RAC: 0330 159 0720 Technical advice AA: 0370 142 0002 (m) Driving licences DVLA: 0300 790 6801 Car registration/history HPI: 01722 422422 AA: 0800 316 3564 DVLA: 0300 790 6802 RAC: 0330 159 0364 Traffic information AA: 0906 888 4322 RAC: 09003 444999 (p) Problems with dealers The Motor Ombudsman: 0345 241 3008 Consumer Ombudsman: www.consumer-ombudsman.org RMIF: 0845 305 4230 Scottish Motor Trade Assoc. 0131 331 5510…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk ON the surface, it might seem like a curious decision on Porsche’s behalf to fit the new 718 Cayman GTS with the exact same 4.0-litre flat-six engine and manual gearbox as the wonderful GT4, then charge £11,260 less for the privilege – because at a stroke the GTS would appear to make the GT4 seem at the very least expensive, at worst virtually redundant. But of course it’s not quite as simple as that. For starters, the GTS uses conventional suspension front and rear, whereas the GT4 rides on the same rather more sophisticated and focused rose-jointed suspension, lifted pretty much lock-stock from the 911 GT3. Second, the GTS rides on far less sticky Pirelli P Zero tyres, whereas the GT4 comes on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s. Third,…

sean_carson@dennis.co.uk WHEN it comes to super-saloons and estates, the arms race between the German manufacturers has moved away from chasing ludicrous power outputs and more towards tech – and there’s no better example of this than the new Audi RS 6 Avant. We’ve driven it for the first time in the UK to see just how that tech copes with our roads. Of course, there’s still more power with this new, fourth-generation car – 592bhp to be precise. But it’s a smaller jump on from its predecessor than other generational steps in the RS 6 Avant’s lineage. There’s also 800Nm of torque from the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, and the engine is one area where much of the development has been focused. It now has 48-volt mild-hybrid tech to help boost…

Audi Q2 SHARING much with the VW T-Roc, the stylish Q2 offers a good amount of space inside and Audi’s high build quality. Some cheap plastics and dated infotainment let it down, though. It still works well as an overall package despite its relative age, however, while the sporty SQ2 is a viable rival for more traditional hot hatchbacks. Mazda CX-3 WITH quality to rival the best cars here and a driving experience that’s lots of fun, the CX-3 is a strong contender. It’s one of the most handsome small SUVs, too, while high-spec models get a level of finish that feels luxurious compared with some. Clunky infotainment and some out-of-place naturally aspirated engines count against it. Nissan Juke THE car that started it all recently got a much-needed replacement,…

MODEL TESTED: Dacia Duster TCe 100 4x2 Comfort PRICE: £13,995 ENGINE: 1.0-litre 3cyl, 99bhp HERE we’re testing a Dacia Duster 1.0 TCe 100 in Comfort trim, which costs £13,995; and despite the affordable price, this is actually the most expensive model you can get with this engine. Design & engineering THIS updated version of the Duster was launched in summer 2018, using the same basic architecture as the previous model (and some older Renaults), and with a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre petrol at the bottom of the range. That engine is now gone, and instead Dacia has introduced this new 99bhp 1.0-litre unit. That old engine was never one of the car’s strong points. The 1.6-litre motor was noisy and needed to be revved hard for any performance. This new engine…

BRANDS THE Dacia brand is Romanian, but French firm Renault owns and manufactures the cars. This means there’s lots of switchgear inside that comes from older Renault models, such as the previous Clio. The MG name is British, and the brand was known for its sports cars in the past, but the company now mainly builds SUVs and is owned by SAIC Motor, a Chinese car manufacturer. GO ELECTRIC? THE petrol-powered ZS isn’t the range’s sweet spot. The engine and gearbox could be better, but there is a solution. The MG ZS EV is one of our favourite affordable pure-electric cars, and it offers strong performance, ultra-low running costs and a claimed 163-mile range from its 44.5kWh battery. Priced from £22,495 after the plug-in grant with lots of standard kit…

Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk Running costs 2.5 miles/kWh 220-mile range Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 656/1,435 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 4.5 seconds/124mph WHO doesn’t like a makeover? A cut-price way to a new you can really put a spring in your step. And it’s something we’re going to be able to enjoy a lot more with our cars: quick makeovers that make us feel like new. My I-Pace has had an upgrade. So not only will it now go further on each charge, the infotainment is also a whole lot more reliable, and the car will now receive further upgrades via the magic of the Internet. SOTA (or OTA) – standing for Software Over The Air – refers to the ability to upgrade without visiting a dealer. Sometimes you won’t even notice, but as…

New delivery service to cars goes on trial VOLKSWAGEN is trialling its We Deliver service – where parcels are delivered directly to a customer’s car rather than their home or workplace (above). UK tests have begun in Milton Keynes, in partnership with the courier Hermes. The courier is given a single-use, time-limited access code and GPS co-ordinates to help locate and access the car, after which they take a photo of the delivery and confirm they’ve locked the vehicle. If trials in Milton Keynes are successful, the service will be rolled out across the UK to owners of VWs fitted with the We Connect Plus package, so most cars built after 2 January 2019 are eligible. Pirelli is a leader for eco-responsibility TYRE maker Pirelli has secured a gold award…

PRODUCT GROUP TEST 19|2|2020 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 BATTERIES are the main cause of cold-weather breakdowns, so it pays to have a charger. A good one will not only get you on your way, but will also keep the battery in top condition with regular maintenance. Plus, for infrequently used cars, a charger will keep them ready to go when you want. But choosing a charger is not easy due to the bewildering array of charging modes, battery types and specs, so which is the one to keep you motoring? We went to CTEK’s Swedish R&D centre to find out. How we tested them WE were able…

REIGNING champion team Mercedes once again ran its new challenger behind closed doors at Silverstone for its first appearance, with Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton turning the first laps on Valentine’s Day. Sporting new sponsorship from chemicals company INEOS, the new W11 builds on the design of last year’s W10 and is the car with which Mercedes hopes to score a seventh consecutive constructor’s championship. Technical director James Allison said the team would not be repeating 2019’s strategy, when it surprised everyone by bringing a heavily revised car design to the second week of pre-season testing.…

THE boss of VW’s R Division, Jost Capito, has also shed light on how the firm’s efforts in electric motorsport will influence its road-going EVs in a way other brands can’t match. “In Formula E or E TCR [touring cars], you don’t have the freedom to develop the battery,” he told us. “But it’s not just about the car on track with electric cars; it’s how to recharge. “For Pikes Peak, they had to charge the ID R in 10 minutes, so we have a lot of technology in how to handle the cooling and heating system to get the best charging.” Capito’s background in the World Rally Championship and F1 is helping VW to speed up development of future performance electric projects. Other senior VW bosses have confirmed that…

MERCEDES has added another performance-based SUV to its ranks with the unveiling of the new AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC+ Coupé. A rival for the BMW X6 M, it’s powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 equipped with Mercedes’s EQ Boost 48-volt starter-generator mild-hybrid system. Only top-spec S models will be offered to UK buyers, which means a power output of 603bhp and 850Nm of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed auto gearbox; Merc claims 0-62mph takes 3.8 seconds. To keep all that power in check, Mercedes has fitted a range of chassis upgrades, including uprated air suspension, an electronically controlled locking rear diff, six-piston front brakes and AMG’s active roll stabilisation system, which Mercedes claims helps to reduce body movement.…

Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk ● Full-size off-roader uncovered ● Plug-in model due later in 2020 THIS is the new Kia Sorento, the Korean company’s flagship SUV that will be launched with diesel and hybrid power, with a PHEV due before the end of the year The all-new model has been revealed ahead of its public debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. This early unveiling is of a Korean-spec car, although differences from European versions will be marginal. The Sorento takes its styling cues from the larger, US-only Telluride SUV, but the design has been toned down for the European market. There’s a familiar tiger-nose grille flanked by new LED lights, which connect to a sharp shoulder line that runs around the entire car. The split, vertical-orientated tail-lights allow a wide, square boot…

Flat-six Boxster on the road PORSCHE’S decision to drop six-cylinder engines from the Boxster wasn’t well received by the brand faithful. If you wanted flat-six power, you had to dig deep for a Boxster Spyder, but now Steve Sutcliffe discovers that the new six-cylinder 718 GTS 4.0 is both a better road car, and a relative bargain in comparison. youtube.com/Autoexpress INSIGHT vs PRIUS Two hybrid legends go head to head in this special video as we sample the early years of automotive electrification. Toyota’s Mk1 Prius set a template that endures to this day, while the Honda Insight was a much more unusual affair. youtube.com/drivingelectric SKODA CITIGOe iV The Citigoe iV is one of the cheapest electric cars on sale, but it still manages to offer up to 162 miles…

Vicky_Parrott@dennis.co.uk I WENT to school in the eighties and nineties; peak Back to the Future era. While the big hair and shiny clothes have certainly come and (mostly) gone again since then, the vision of driverless cars has been as persistent a dream as that of Marty McFly’s achingly cool hoverboard. In fact, both technologies exist, just in somewhat limited guises. Weirdly, Lexus made a hoverboard back in 2016, and other innovators have also achieved the levitating-board trick. Autonomous driving, however, is in a far more advanced state. In fact, if your car has adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, which are as routine as a reversing camera on a new model in 2020, then ultimately your car can drive itself. Sort of. But Nissan has taken a step forward…

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk THERE’s now a bewildering amount of choice in the small-SUV market. UK buyers have no less than 20 cars to choose from, and here’s the latest arrival – the all-new Peugeot 2008. It uses a platform that means petrol, diesel and pure-electric versions of the 2008 are available; most rivals simply stick with petrol power alone. And if that’s not enough of a unique lure, the newcomer’s distinctive styling might stick out in what’s becoming a conventional-looking class. Things get better inside, too. The 2008’s dashboard looks great, and it has the build quality to match; only the Mazda CX-30 feels on its level for fit and finish at this sort of price. There’s fancy 3D digital-instrument tech ahead of the driver, too. As for family matters, the 2008…

Expert insight James_Howe@dennis.co.uk IT’S no secret that the new car marketplace today is dominated by SUVs of all sizes. However, it’s the smallest ones that are proving particularly popular with buyers. Largely based on supermini underpinnings but boasting the raised driving position and extra flexibility that so many motorists crave, small SUVs suit modern family life perfectly; many models stand not only as viable supermini alternatives, but also as rivals to more traditional, larger family hatchbacks. Pioneering cars in this class, like the original Nissan Juke, set the benchmark for small SUVs and since then, every manufacturer has rushed to get its own piece of the action. There’s now something different for just about everyone, so whether you prioritise comfort, practicality, sportiness or style – or any combination thereof –…

MODEL TESTED: MG ZS 1.0T GDI Auto Excite PRICE: £16,045 ENGINE: 1.0-litre 3cyl, 109bhp ALTHOUGH our pictures show a higher-spec ZS, we’re testing an entry-level version, because it’s closer to the Dacia in price, at £16,045. In other words, even the cheapest version of the MG is still over £2,000 pricier than its rival in top-spec form. Design & engineering TWO engines are on offer in the MG ZS: a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol and the 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol we’re testing here. The former is manual-only, while the latter only comes with a dual-clutch automatic gearbox, and it’s front-wheel drive. With 109bhp, the MG’s engine is a little more powerful than the Duster’s, yet both have 160Nm of torque. But that torque arrives lower down in the rev range in…

NEW: SsangYong Tivoli 1.6 SE PRICE: £14,495 ENGINE: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 126bhp FEW brand-new SUVs fall into this budget, but the Tivoli is one. It’s not at its best in basic petrol form, but it is quite well equipped and has a decent amount of room inside. There’s also the chance to move up to the larger XLV version. USED: Skoda Karoq 1.0 TSI SE (2018) PRICE: £14,635 ENGINE: 1.0-litre 3cyl, 113bhp OF all the options at this price, a used Karoq is most likely your best choice. We found one with 25,000 miles for less than £15,000 with the fine 1.0-litre petrol engine in SE form. It’s comfortable, good to drive, spacious and well built.…

Stuart_Milne@dennis.co.uk Running costs 44.0mpg (on test) £68 fill-up/£455 or 16% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 395 litres/N/A ZERO to 62mph in 5.3 seconds. There are SUVs that accelerate faster, I know, but not many can show our Audi Q5 PHEV a clean pair of heels. In fact, it’s only fractionally slower than a Porsche Boxster, and the drivers of plenty of hot hatches wouldn’t know which way it went. It’s not just the numbers that impress, but how the Q5 gathers pace. The initial launch is powerful, but the way the car continues to relentlessly build speed shocks the most. The petrol engine feels muscular, but you’re always aware of the assistance that makes the performance electrifying – in more ways than one. It’s here that you really get a…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk Q Getting rid of smoky smell I’VE been given a car by my aunt, who has decided to stop driving. The only problem is she smoked in it and it’s very smelly and dirty inside. What’s the best way to repair the damage?Felix Bruning, E-mail A IT may not be possible to remove all traces of cigarette smoke, but a thorough vacuum with a brush and crevice tool, plus cleaning of all glass, upholstered and plastic surfaces with an all-purpose cleaner should make a noticeable difference. An air-conditioning cleaner can also help to remove any lingering smoke smell. Q What’s my caravan limit? MY wife and I like the idea of a family holiday touring with a caravan. What’s the best way of knowing how big…

BRINGING fragrances more commonly experienced in the shower to your car may not be the most obvious move, but that’s what Halfords did when it added Lynx to its range of air fresheners. So will the deodorant, aftershave and shower gel smells make a welcome travelling companion? To find out we compared gel versions of the Lynx range with Amazon best-seller, California Scents Coronado Cherry, and our test favourite can, Refresh New Car Scented Gel. We assembled a ‘tasting’ panel to assess the perfumes, and checked durability over three weeks outside but under-cover to accelerate use. We also looked for ways to adjust perfume strength, and the ability to sniff before you buy. The final factor was price, taken from online sources. Lynx proved a hit with our tasting panel…

Dear Luke, I need a reliable family car that won’t cost the earth to run. I have a budget of £8,000. What do you recommend? Rory Peters, E-mail Contact: Luke_Wilkinson@dennis.co.uk • THE MODERN CHOICE Hyundai i30 FOR: Refined, decent infotainment, newest model here AGAINST: Limited choice available at this budget THE third-generation i30 offers a similar proposition to the old Kia Cee’d (right), prioritising comfort over handling. But it’s the current-generation car, so you get better quality and an updated infotainment system. As a used buyer you’ll be able to benefit from the balance of Hyundai’s five-year warranty, and while there aren’t a huge number of current-generation i30s around for the right budget, we found a 2017 example, with 52,000 miles on the clock, priced at £8,000. THE Hyundai feels…

Motoring’s most outspoken and opinionated columnist sounds off “The skinny £106bn HS2 project needs to be built wider, then reclassified as a 24-hour multi-vehicle transport corridor” THAT’S it, the referee’s made his decision, the HS2 game is over, and it’s time to accept this skinny rail road will be built – at a cost of £106billion. Never mind that the ref (Boris Johnson) won’t be Prime Minister, and may not even be alive by the time the monster project is completed at a total cost that’ll inevitably exceed that current estimate; think nearer £150bn-£200bn, I reckon. Significantly, in the very week Bo Jo formally gave it his controversial nod of approval, the Chancellor and former Transport Secretary (who knows a thing or two about rip-off railways!) walked out on his…

Polestar 2 Price: £46,400 (Incl Govt. grant) Engine: 78kWh battery, two electric-motors Power/torque: 402bhp/660Nm Transmission: Single-speed auto, four-wheel drive 0-62mph: 4.7 seconds Top speed: 130mph (est) Range: 292 miles ONSALE Now Tesla Model 3 Price: £47,000 (Incl Govt. grant) Engine: 75kWh battery, two electric motors Power/torque: 362bhp/575Nm Transmission: Single-speed auto, four-wheel drive 0-60mph: 4.4 seconds Top speed: 145mph Range: 348mpg  ONSALE Now…

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk ● Next Golf R will have 328bhp and be revealed later this year ● Expect four-wheel drive, seven-speed DSG, 0-62mph in 4.5 secs THE next Volkswagen Golf R won’t be officially revealed until the second half of 2020, but our spy photographers have already snapped the hottest version of the Mk8 Golf completely undisguised during its development programme. UK buyers are huge fans of the outgoing model; even five years after the Mk7 R’s release, we bought 5,317 of them last year – more than any other market worldwide. So VW hasn’t seen much need to dramatically tweak the winning formula. That can be seen in our latest spy shots. Like its predecessor, the newcomer won’t wear an overtly aggressive bodykit; instead it’ll go for an understated-yet-sporty look. However,…

More details of new Jazz hybrid confirmed HONDA has confirmed that the new Jazz supermini (above) will make use of a new hybrid powertrain that will return up to a claimed 63mpg. The new system, called e:HEV, combines a 1.5-litre engine with a twin electric-motor set-up and a compact lithium-ion battery. Total power stands at 108bhp with 253Nm of torque, which enables a 0-62mph time of 9.4 seconds. The powertrain also allows the Jazz to run in pure-electric mode for short bursts. LPG power is now available on Dacias DACIA has launched a new factory-fitted dual-fuel petrol and LPG powertrain that will be available on every model that the company sells in the UK. The new models are called Bi-Fuel, and feature a new 99bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine…

Luke_Wilkinson@dennis.co.uk “Outlander shares the concept’s boxy silhouette, flat bonnet and high-mounted daytime running lights” MITSUBISHI is applying the finishing touches to an all-new version of the UK’s best selling plug-in hybrid – the next-generation Outlander PHEV. The car was previewed by the Engelberg Tourer concept (below) at last year’s Geneva Motor Show, and the styling of this pre-production mule looks remarkably similar. It shares the concept’s boxy silhouette, flat bonnet, high-set daytime running lights and three-pronged LED headlamps. Up front, it also has the latest version of Mitsubishi’s “dynamic shield” radiator grille. The new Outlander will continue to be offered with a choice of petrol and plug-in hybrid power – although the latter powertrain is expected to make up the majority of the car’s sales. The outgoing model was the…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress Write to: Letters, Auto Express, Dennis Publishing Ltd, 31-32 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7DP HOT TOPIC New BMW 4 Series FROM: Simon L THERE’S no doubt BMW’s current styling direction is controversial, particularly the large grilles, but at least it’s got people talking. Folk often complain that all modern cars look similar to one another; I’m glad this is different. FROM: Mark Christmas I’VE been a BMW owner for 14 years and was considering the new 4 Series as my next car, but if these images are accurate then I can see myself in an Audi or Mercedes before the end of 2020. Sadly, BMW is losing its way. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “The grille has always been the Achilles’ heel of BMW design, but that’s…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk “The Gran Coupé adds an extra hit of style plus sharper but more refined driving dynamics” NOT long ago, the idea of a four-door coupé was something of an anomaly. But increasingly this formula is appealing to young, upwardly mobile types who more often than not haven’t yet had kids. And the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé is the very latest one, filing yet another niche in the German brand’s ever-expanding model range. It’s based on the regular front-wheel-drive platform of the new 1 and 2 Series, and adds an extra hit of style plus sharper but more refined driving dynamics, according to BMW, while also providing a bigger boot than its hatchback cousins. In 220d form, as tested here, it costs from £31,355 and is powered by a…

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk THUMB possibly the coolest starter button on any car – it’s hidden beneath a fighter jet-style flip lid – and the mid-mounted, 631bhp, 5.2-litre V10 engine of the new Lamborghini Huracán Evo Spyder bursts into life with a shocking bark. This is essentially a mid-life refresh for Lamborghini’s drop-top supercar, which now packs more power than ever in a bid to keep its nose ahead of the Audi R8 Spyder. It’s significantly more expensive than its Audi sibling, but significantly more powerful, too, owing to this extensive update for 2020. Pull on the right-hand paddle shifter and move away, and the Huracán bobbles along the road. The low-speed ride is comfortable enough by supercar standards, but switch to the more aggressive Sport or Corsa modes, and it becomes unpleasantly…

Dacia Duster MediaNav Standard  Key features: Sat-nav, smartphone link THE Duster’s infotainment set-up is functional and comes with sat-nav fitted as standard – something that is missing from the MG’s system. The interface uses chunky, colourful buttons, which means it’s reasonably easy to understand, but the system is slow to load, the screen isn’t very responsive, and it looks very cheap and downmarket. However, you do get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality, and these are the best way to operate the system. The USB port is oddly located, on the top of the screen bezel, and there’s no great place to put your handset when it’s plugged in, because the cable blocks your view of the screen in right-hand-drive cars, which seems an oversight in the UK. The system…

The All-American Hot Rod Michael Dregni (Crestline Books, www.quartoknows.co.uk) Price: £11.99 HOT rodding is one area of American car culture that most petrolheads have an opinion on, because while it’s not so big this side of the pond, who isn’t interested in stuffing lots of power into a classic US car? This is a good read; a reasonably brief history but well illustrated with photos and lots of graphic art. Tesla Model 3 User’s Guide Sheryl Scarborough, Jerry Platt (PS Productions, www.teslamodel3guide.com) Price: £9.11 THIS book promises to ‘mansplain and ma’amsplain’ Tesla’s hit electric car, and it does just that – from the perspective of a pair of die-hard fans. There’s some useful information under the fawning, such as learning how to charge, while the section on costs is vital…

Q Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@dennis.co.uk Q Do old EVs cost more to run? I WANT to understand the running costs of electric cars with regards to older, depleted batteries. Does the cost-per-mile increase as battery capacity falls over time?Chas M, E-mail A THE cost of recharging does not rise as battery capacity falls. Depletion means the battery can no longer hold the same charge as before, so a charger can’t add as much. EV batteries are proving far less prone to depletion than some feared, though. Multiply your electricity rate by your battery capacity to get a full charge’s cost. Q Silent treatment from MINI MY 2011 MINI Countryman has the option to play music via USB on the audio menu, but there’s no sound when I plug my…

Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk ● Majority of 2020 grid unveiled ● First of two three-day tests in Barcelona gets under way Wednesday FORMULA 1 is go for 2020, with the majority of teams having taken the wraps off their new cars ahead of testing getting under way at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona on Wednesday morning. All teams except Alpha Tauri, Racing Point and Williams had revealed their cars by Friday evening, with no major design surprises to note. This was largely expected, given 2020 is the last year of the current tech rules cycle before a comprehensive overhaul for 2021. All teams will therefore have to strike a delicate balance between developing their 2020 cars during the season and ensuring they’re in the best position for 2021. The established order of…