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THESE new teaser images show the latest vehicle to join the Lexus line-up: its new LBX model, which is unveiled on 5 June. Thought to be a small crossover, the LBX could draw upon synergies with sister brand Toyota and use the same TNGA-B platform. Given the Japanese premium brand’s experience with electrification, the LBX will likely use a hybrid powertrain and could inherit the same 114bhp 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol-electric set-up as the Yaris Cross, or Lexus may choose to upgrade this with a more powerful option. Expect the interior to be a cut above the Yaris Cross’s, with typical Lexus build quality and the brand’s latest infotainment. The teaser shots show a sharp lighting signature, as well as the brand’s new Spindle Body front-end grille design.…

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk • New SV performance flagship packs 626bhp twin-turbo V8 • Lowered air suspension features clever anti-roll tech LAND Rover has revealed its new Range Rover Sport SV, a high-performance flagship to rival top-end SUVs from Bentley, BMW and even Lamborghini. This new SV (note, not SVR) will be priced considerably higher than its predecessor, Auto Express has learned, and will launch in fully loaded Edition One trim for the first year of sales. As with all new V8-powered Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models, the new SV features a BMW-sourced twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8. Here it produces 626bhp, a 59bhp rise compared with the old SVR’s supercharged unit. Torque is also up 50Nm to 750Nm. Performance is significantly improved as a result, with the 0-62mph time dropping to just…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress HOT TOPIC Land Rover Defender FROM: Chris Isaac THE whole point of the Defender was to be a simple, ultra-tough dependable workhorse. This one’s an expensive posh Range Rover with a Defender badge – bring out a stripped-down version worthy of carrying the Defender name. FROM: Gavin Keaty MOVE on, Mr Nostalgia (Chris Isaac). If Land Rover made a Defender as you suggest, nobody would buy it. The trim of the old Defender was the same as most cars out then, just as this one is now. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ▝ “It’s like they took a leaf out of Volkswagen’s book with the T5 – it’s a pricey ‘lifestyle’ vehicle.”Simon Ellwood ▝ “Of course it’s not like a Land Rover from the fifties, just like a…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk Electric motor Power/range 355bhp/364 miles Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.0 seconds/130mph MERCEDES’ flagship all-electric EQ model has arrived in the UK, with the EQS SUV crowning the range (Maybach EQS SUV notwithstanding). And it certainly has a range-topping price tag to match its status, because this ‘entry-level’ (a relative term, of course) EQS 450 4MATIC SUV costs £129,740 before you’ve even thought about adding any optional extras. Whether you like the big off-roader’s smooth styling or think it looks like an amorphous blob will be a subjective call. But the shape is driven by the need for this massive machine’s aerodynamic performance to extend its range. Thanks to a 108.4kWh battery, this EQS 450 can travel up to 364 miles on a charge, according to Mercedes’ claims. You can’t quite…

WINNER Ford Focus ST Track Pack 1st BOTH of these hot hatches score strongly for thrills, but the Focus takes the win because it offers just a little bit more; it’s sharper, more sophisticated and slightly faster. While it also costs a little more for a cash buyer, it’s also cheaper than the i30 N on monthly payments, while slightly undercutting its rival on other running costs. There’s a big boot and plenty of rear-seat space, too. Overall the Track Pack makes this swansong for Ford hot hatches one of its best drives ever. • Fantastic poise and grip• Strong performance• Composed ride• Generous boot space • Slightly tight headroom• Not much performance tech• So-so gearshift• Road noise INTERESTED? Scan the code for further information RUNNER-UP Hyundai i30 N 2nd…

SAME CLASS Audi RS 3 Sportback FOR similar money to a new Focus ST, you could have an Audi RS 3. It would be four or five years old, which means the previous-generation model, but we reckon the earlier car’s cabin is a nicer place to be than the newest one. Even better, you still reap the benefits of a phenomenal engine. With around 400bhp and five cylinders, it blows the Ford and the Hyundai away in terms of speed or character, although it isn’t as much fun to drive. • Stunning performance• Great five-cylinder soundtrack • Numb handling• Less roomy than the Ford SAME MONEY BMW M340i xDrive IF you want a car that’s great to drive but easy to live with, then it’s hard to look beyond a…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler IT’S amazing what numbers stick in your head. For me, 10.95 metres is something I recite probably a little too often, and always with a smug smile on my face. The reason? A five-metre-long SUV should not be able to turn around in just 10.95 metres, but that’s just what my Range Rover does. For context, my daughter’s MINI turns around in about the same space – and her car is over a metre shorter. The secret is the Range Rover’s rear-wheel steering; the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the fronts at low speeds to achieve that astonishing turning circle, then they move in the same direction as the fronts at higher speeds to aid stability when cornering. It’s not that I throw my SUV…

Audi SQ5 Sportback Issues 1,755, 1,765, 1,778 BMWX1 Issue 1,772, 1,781 Citroen C5 X Issues 1,763, 1,770, 1,778 Cupra Born Issues 1,757, 1,767, 1,776 DS 4 PHEV Issue 1,777 Mazda CX-60 Issues 1,758, 1,764, 1,779 Peugeot 308 Iss. 1,755, 1,764, 1,773, 1,779 Range Rover Issue 1,774 Renault Megane E-Tech Issues 1,766, 1,775 Skoda Karoq Issue 1,781 VWCaddy Cargo New arrival VWTransporter Issue 1,775 VWT-Roc Issue 1,777 Volvo XC40 Recharge Issues 1,763, 1,769, 1,780 Your ultimate guide to buying and owning an electric car…

Triumph Cars 100 Years Ross Alkureishi (Motorbooks, quartoknows.co.uk) Price: £45 Rating: A SOMEWHAT misleading title. Triumph didn’t start producing cars until 1923 and stopped in 1984, although the brand began in 1885 and continues today, selling motorbikes. However, if you can get past the inconsistent title, you’ll find a well researched and well produced book. Bike fans, stay away – this is strictly about fourwheelers. But it’s a good read, especially for those interested in the British motor industry. Gearheads Jonathan Wong (Illuminated Ideas Incorporated, amazon.co.uk) Price: £13.15 Rating: FINALLY, a car-related picture book for kids written and illustrated by someone who knows what they’re doing. Petrolhead parents will love reading this to their children – the illustrations may be simplified, but they’re spot-on accurate and paired with fun facts…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk ECOSPORT owners told us in our 2022 survey that they really like the way the car looks and drives. Responses are good enough to rate the car 11th overall for its styling and sixth for the quality of the exterior finish and materials. The Ford crossover is also rated 11th for front-seat comfort and 16th in the ride and handling category. However, the EcoSport’s small boot is enough of an irritation to be rated in 74th place, one up from the very bottom of the chart. The interior storage spaces are also ranked way below average. On top of that, owners think the running costs are too high for a car of this size, primarily because they are disappointed with its fuel economy. WE SAID “The EcoSport has never…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk • Update for electric saloon inspired by look of Tesla Roadster • New small electric hatchback teased with a £30,000 asking price TESLA’S updated Model 3 is taking shape, with the fresh all-electric saloon set to receive a facelift that will tidy up its styling with a sleeker, sharper-looking front-end design, plus new tech updates inside – including a controversial swipe-to-select function for Drive and Reverse as part of the Model 3’s infotainment set-up. Our exclusive image shows how the updated Model 3, Dubbed Project Highland, could look. Based on a leaked image of a prototype version of the new car, our rendering includes the facelifted Tesla’s cleaner front bumper design (which, unlike the outgoing car, won’t feature foglights) and slimmer revised headlight clusters. These units will show off…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy • Power gains give coupé performance boost over DB11 • Cabin tech upgraded with in-house infotainment set-up ASTON Martin has been through plenty of turmoil over the past few years, but it’s finally ready to launch a product blitz, starting with the new DB12. On paper, the new arrival is an evolution of the DB11 that has been a cornerstone of Aston’s line-up since 2016. But such are the increases in power and performance over that model that Aston claims the vehicle goes beyond grand tourer status to become “the world’s first super tourer”. The DB12 does indeed share its bare underpinnings with its predecessor – but the bonded extruded-aluminium structure has been reworked, with an engine cross brace, a new front crossmember and a different rear bulkhead,…

Chris_Rosamond@autovia.co.uk • Peugeot owner relies on dealer’s reminders for regular servicing • Missed corrosion inspection led to warranty claim being refused THE importance of keeping anticorrosion warranties up to date has been highlighted after Auto Express reader John Cousins got in touch over a rejected claim for a corroded door. John bought a new Peugeot 3008 in 2018 and has since kept to the recommended service schedule, making appointments at his local dealer in Chelmsford, Robins & Day Stellantis. He was able to rely on the dealership’s regular reminders to let him know when a service was due, and he also made sure the servicing record was kept up to date with the appropriate dealer stamps. “At times in the past the service book hasn’t been stamped, and I’ve subsequently…

THE following provide help with motoring problems. Some services are free, others charge a fee or operate on premium-rate lines (p), while some offer advice for members only (m) Legal AA: 0345 850 1130 (m) RAC: 0330 159 1446 (m) Citizens Advice Consumer helpline: 03454 040506 Local Trading Standards Local Citizens Advice Bureau Used car inspections AA: 0800 056 8040 RAC: 0330 159 0720 Technical advice AA: 0370 142 0002 (m) Driving licences DVLA: 0300 790 6801 Car registration/history HPI: 0113 222 2010 AA: 0800 316 3564 DVLA: 0300 790 6802 RAC: 0808 164 1923 Traffic information AA: 0906 888 4322 RAC: 09003 444999 (p) Problems with dealers The Motor Ombudsman: 0345 241 3008 Consumer Ombudsman: www.consumer-ombudsman.org RMIF: 0845 305 4230 Scottish Motor Trade Assoc. 0131 331 5510 Problems with…

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk Performance 0-62mph/top speed 4.8 seconds/168mph Running costs 40.9mpg (official) £90 fill-up ON first inspection, the new Alpina D4 S Gran Coupé doesn’t get off to a great start, thanks to its opinion-splitting design. The beaver-like BMW nose is at its most awkward on the 4 Series, with its complex plastic grille patterns and fussy detailing – and this is arguably made worse by Alpina’s typical chin spoiler and decals. While the 4 Series Gran Coupé’s body is certainly sleek and muscular, somehow the new 20-inch wheels can seem a little lost in the arches. Looks are subjective, though, and we’re judging the D4 S on its ability – of which there’s a lot, making it one of the best modern long-distance cruisers this side of a Bentley Continental GT.…

MODEL TESTED: Focus ST Track Pack PRICE: £39,950 POWERTRAIN: 2.3-litre 4cyl turbo petrol, 276bhp 276bhp Powertrain 2.3 litre 4cyl 52 litres Fuel tank £75 fill up 5.7 secs Performance 155mph 443 litres Seats up/down 1,454 litres BUYERS can get behind the wheel of the Focus ST from £36,950, but we’re keen to find out whether the Track Pack, which is available as a £3,000 option, is worthwhile. The Mean Green paint of our test car costs another £825, which brings its total cost to £40,775. Tech highlights WE’RE well acquainted with the fourth-generation Focus ST, and it’s not a car that we’ve ever felt was lacking in terms of sharpness. That hasn’t stopped Ford from trying to improve things, though, and the result is this Track Pack. The upgrades look…

SAME CLASS Honda Civic Type R YES, the Civic Type R now costs nearly £50k. But even at that price, the latest Type R is punching well above its weight. With 324bhp, it has almost 50bhp more than our test rivals, and while its 5.4-second 0-62mph time only just beats the ST’s, that’s down to traction. Once moving, the Civic will run hyper-hatches from Mercedes and Audi close in a straight line. Come to a corner and it’ll blow them all away. It’s not quite as agile as the Ford, but the Type R combines stability and adjustability like nothing else in the class. Best of all, basic controls such as the gearshift, steering and pedal weights are perfect and a joy to use. • Brilliant engine and gearbox• Sharp,…

Dean_Gibson@autovia.co.uk @DeanGbsn Practicality Cargo space/payload 3.1 cubic metres/672kg Practicality Cargo space/payload 5.8 cubic metres/1,165kg “It’s good to see what progress looks like in the world of vans” EVERYTHING ends, and unfortunately our time with the Volkswagen Transporter Sportline has come to a close. We’ve been bowled over by its performance and sporty looks – as well as its cargo carrying – but it’s the oldest model that VW now offers in its commercial vehicle line-up, so it was time for a change. Enter the VW Caddy Cargo, which is the newest member of the combustion-engined van line-up; only the electric ID. Buzz Cargo is fresher. With a swap from a model first introduced in 2016 to one that arrived four years later, it seemed like a good opportunity to see…

A ride on the wild side from the Little Car Co THE latest venture from the Little Car Company is in stark contrast to its past classic offerings: a full-scale version of the Tamiya Wild One remote-control car, based on the eighties original and named the Wild One MAX (above). It’s 3.6m long and will be road-legal as a quadricycle. Electrically powered, with a top speed of about 60mph, it’ll go into full production in early 2024 and interested parties can reserve one for a £100 deposit at wildonemax.com. Prices will be revealed soon. Meridian is picking up good vibrations USUALLY, feeling vibrations through your car seat is cause for concern. But soon it could be the mark of a banging tune, thanks to new Vibrohaptic tech being developed by…

THERE’S little worse than turning the ignition key and hearing an ominous click from the starter motor, a sure sign that your battery is on its way out. But gone are the days of finding a friendly motorist with a set of jump leads to get going – all you need to be on your way quickly is a portable jump starter in your glovebox. There are lots to choose from, with a variety of different capacities (measured in Amp hours – Ah) and with a raft of extra functions. Importantly, all our test units are fitted with at least one USB socket, making them useful charge points for phones, tablets etc. Most are also charged using a USB cable and so can be topped up from the mains or…

Search thousands of new and used cars online Running costs 4.4mi/kwh (58kWh) £21.05 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 7.3 seconds/99mph TRANSLATE ‘Volkswagen’ into English and you get ‘people’s car’, which is what the brand’s first product aspired to be. The Beetle was aimed at putting Germany on wheels, and while the story is more convoluted than that, you can’t argue with more than 21 million sales over almost six decades. Long before the air-cooled Beetle was axed, the Golf had become VW’s people’s car; since its launch in 1974, this semi-premium hatchback has become the default choice for many families around the world. But time never stands still, and with car makers switching their production to EVs, VW was keen to be at the vanguard – to produce an electric car…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram • New eco rules spurred U-turn • Giant will supply power units “The world’s pinnacle form of racing is striving to become a sustainable series. This is in line with the direction Honda is aiming toward carbon neutrality”TOSHIHIRO MIBE, Global CEO of Honda HONDA has announced that it will continue its participation in Formula One beyond 2026, at which point it will become the power-unit supplier for the Aston Martin squad. This will mark a return to F1 for the Japanese automotive giant, after it withdrew its official involvement with Red Bull Racing and AlphaTauri at the end of the 2021 season. Since then, the two energy drink-backed squads have continued to run the Honda RA621H under the Red Bull Powertrains moniker, and have announced that Ford will…

JAKARTA plays host to rounds 10 and 11 of the Formula E season this weekend. The Indonesian double-header will see New Zealand’s Nick Cassidy looking to maintain his control of the championship; the Envision Racing driver finally reeled in long-time front runner Pascal Wehlein’s lead last time out after taking a brilliant victory in Monte Carlo. Starting 10th, Cassidy pulled off a fabulous performance to bring himself into contention for the win, battling his countryman, Jaguar’s Mitch Evans, over the final laps. Evans, who also climbed to the top from sixth on the grid, had been swapping places with Cassidy for a few laps, before an accident for ABT Cupra’s Nico Mueller on the penultimate tour locked the results in as the race finished behind the safety car. Cassidy leads…

PEUGEOT head office didn’t agree with our suggestion that dealers have a duty of care to provide corrosion warranty inspection reminders, even though it does issue reminders for warranty-critical servicing. “As with all maintenance and contractual warranties outlined in the customer’s handbook, it is the responsibility of the customer to ensure these are carried out,” the firm told us. However, Peugeot couldn’t tell us the recommended cost of an inspection, saying, “There is no fixed pricing.” We asked Ford and Nissan for details of their anti-perforation warranties, and both said that customers should be able to rely on warranty inspections being part of routine servicing, and at no extra cost. “The Ford Pass App is the best way to track maintenance history and will also offer alerts and reminders,” a spokesman…

Limited-run MyAmi Buggy on sale in June CITROEN’S funky MyAmi Buggy (above) is coming to the UK, with the quadricycle set to go on sale on 20 June, priced from £10,495. However, if you want one of the more rugged, off-road-focused EVs, you’ll have to be quick – just 40 units have been confirmed for Britain. The regular Ami’s doors have been replaced by metal tubing for the Buggy, while body cladding and a detachable soft-top complete the car’s look. Major rise in pothole-related callouts to AA THE AA wants to make 2023 ‘The Year of the Pothole’ after reporting a huge 29-per cent rise in pothole-related callouts in April, compared with April 2022. That’s 52,000 breakdowns, and the AA is urging drivers and riders to report “every single crack,…

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk THIS year marks the 30th anniversary since the release of one of the 20th century’s most iconic city cars. We’re not talking about a Mini, or the original Fiat 500, but something much more modern, and more Gallic. It is, of course, the original Renault Twingo. It was a monobox city car that was never officially sold in the UK, but one whose resounding brilliance certainly didn’t escape our collective notice. To celebrate this milestone, we’re catching up with its creator, Patrick le Quément, who was a driving force of car design during two decades as vice-president of corporate design at Renault. Our meeting proves he’s a man whose wit is just as finely tuned as his aesthetic sensibility. Born in France, and later schooled at what is now…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy Running costs 56.5mpg (off icial) £72 fill-up DACIA isn’t about to rush electrification. But where it’s feasible, it can happen – and that’s the case with this Jogger Hybrid. We were impressed with the efficiency-focused model when we tried it in Portugal earlier this year. Now it’s time to see how its mix of seven-seat practicality with a 1.6-litre petrol engine, a pair of electric motors and a 1.2kWh battery fares on British roads. The powertrain is a familiar one from Renault, but it still adds a whack onto the bill; this model costs from £22,595. That’s expensive by Jogger standards – the range starts from £18,295 – but enough to put this version pretty much into a class of one. Dacia claims that the new arrival can…

Dean_Gibson@autovia.co.uk @DeanGbsn IT’S been a while coming, but the second-generation Volkswagen Amarok is finally here, and we’ve spent time at the wheel of the newcomer on UK roads. The new model marks the latest fruits of co-operation between VW and Ford, a partnership that has already seen the Caddy Life MPV rebranded as the Ford Tourneo Connect, while Ford’s new Explorer electric SUV will take advantage of VW’s MEB platform. In the Amarok’s case it shares its underpinnings with the Ford Ranger, including engines, suspension, transmissions and electronics, although from the outside there are some distinct differences in their designs. The Amarok features squared-off wheelarches and a front end that gives it a familiar VW face, while at the rear the large, flat Amarok-branded tailgate is flanked by C-shaped tail-lights.…

MODEL TESTED: i30 N 2.0 T-GDi Performance PRICE: £35,110 POWERTRAIN: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo petrol, 276bhp 276bhp Powertrain 2.0 litre 4cyl 50 litres Fuel tank £72 fill up 5.9 secs Performance 155mph 381 litres Seats up/down 1,287 litres THE i30 N in these pictures uses a dual-clutch automatic gearbox, although the car we’re testing against the Focus is the six-speed manual version. Starting from £35,110, it’s cheaper than the Focus to buy outright, and the only extra fitted to our car is the £300 Polar White paint. Tech highlights WITH a 2.0-litre turbo petrol compared with the Ford’s 2.3, you might expect the i30 N to fall short of its rival, but the Korean contender produces the exact same peak of 276bhp. It does offer less torque – at 392Nm, it’s…

ON the face of it, the Focus looks like it’s going to be the more expensive car to buy of this pair. With the Track Pack factored in, the Ford costs £4,840 more than the i30 N, and because the ST is estimated to hold onto a smidge under half of its value after three years, the Hyundai, at 53.3 per cent, depreciates less too. But dive into the running costs and things swing in the Ford’s favour. Place a £5,000 deposit on a three-year PCP deal, and the i30 N comes to £563 per month, while the Focus costs £505. It’s worth noting that the Ford’s finance numbers are limited to 9,000 miles per year, and the Hyundai’s are capped at 10,000 miles, but even if you increase the…

HOT HATCHES Enjoy these fast five-doors while you can, because electrification will come to the category soon enough “IF you’re happy to give up a little room, then the Toyota GR Yaris is still well worth a look. It trades any sort of reasonable rear space for a four-wheel drive system and a 257bhp three-cylinder engine, which combine with a short wheelbase to deliver incredible B-road pace.” “IN previous Focus generations, the ST model sat below an RS performance flagship. Ford chose not to go that route this time. But if you want more speed, you can turn to Mountune. We’ve driven its M365; with 360bhp going through the front wheels, it makes for a very lively driving experience.” “BOTH of these cars sit in the top 37-per-cent Benefit-in-Kind bracket,…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk YOU can do pretty much any DIY car maintenance or repair job with hand tools – spanners, sockets, screwdrivers and other essentials like pliers, hammers and torque wrenches. While having a power tool doesn’t mean you you’ll never use them again, it will take the strain out of a job, helping you complete it more quickly and with much less effort. So what’s first on the shopping list? Before choosing which tool, in this era of cordless devices, you need to pick a brand or system. After you’re committed to one, you can then invest in a couple of large-capacity power packs plus a charger, and use them with a range of tools. The choice will depend on budget, but both Draper and HiKOKI have tools…

THERE seems to be an endless number of variations on the cordless LED work-lamp theme. And we like to take a look at as many as we can, because there’s not much work you can do on a car that can’t be made easier by adding some extra light. This time we get up close to a recent addition to the NightSearcher range: the iSpector 750. To see how good it is, we’re testing it against one we missed from the latest range launched by Ring, and our current favourite in this sector from Philips. As usual, our testers looked at light spread and power, mounting and charging options, and took into account runtime, weight and price among other factors. The NightSearcher is an excellent package, but you pay for…

Sutton and Cammish plan Thruxton thrills THE British Touring Car Championship circus heads to Hampshire next, with rounds 10-12 set to take place at the high-speed Thruxton circuit. It’s a track at which the NAPA Racing Ford Focus pairing of Ash Sutton and Dan Cammish look to be hot favourites. Cammish was extremely strong in this season’s early rounds, but a crash in qualifying last time out at the Snetterton track in Norfolk forced the Yorkshireman to fight hard to gain ground from the very back of the grid. Sutton, meanwhile, had a serene time up at the front, taking two wins from pole position, and a fourth place in the reverse-grid race, to place him at the top of the standings so far, ahead of Tom Ingram (Hyundai), Colin…

Join the debate now at autoexpress.co.uk/opinion I’ve been privileged enough to drive a few ridiculously powerful cars on both road and track. And I’m not complaining about that happy fact. The Dodge Viper I pedalled at the Las Vegas Speedway (and on Sunset Boulevard, LA) terrified me. At the other end of the scale, Audi’s Le Mans prototype – later the road-going R8 – proved to be sublimely civilised on the Willow Springs International Raceway. But it was just after I officially recorded 211.88mph when driving the world record-breaking Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse at Volkswagen’s Ehra-Lessien test track that I whispered “enough already” to my satisfied (but not smug) self. After that day in that car, I got the need for speed out of my system. With all this…