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ALONG with some of the Auto Express team, I was lucky enough to head up to Yorkshire recently to go back to school for the day. Many of us haven’t really thought about how we drive since that joyous moment an examiner told us we’d passed our test, but a day with Paul Ripley’s excellent instructors was a chance to reset and consider bad habits. The course revolved around on-road hazard awareness, reading the signs and clues all around so you’re in a position to spot danger earlier, and be better placed to deal with it when it occurs. In this job, where we spend a disproportionate amount of time driving unfamiliar cars on unfamiliar roads, it’s important to make sure the Auto Express team is as skilled as possible.…

THE Land Rover Discovery Sport is more than a decade old, but the versatile seven-seat family SUV isn’t being forced into retirement. Instead it’s been updated for the 2026 model year with a more defined look, a bigger touchscreen and two new special editions. Dynamic S is now the entry-level Discovery Sport spec, which Land Rover says gives the SUV a “dynamic and purposeful look” with a gloss-black finish on the grille, wheelarches, side cladding, lower bumpers and other trim parts, plus dark ‘Discovery’ lettering on the bonnet. There are new alloy wheel designs, too. Every Discovery Sport now gets an 11.4-inch curved touchscreen running Land Rover’s Pivi Pro infotainment system from the Range Rover, which also means wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard. A fully digital…

AUTO Express found out recently that Smart is preparing a successor for its ForTwo city car, which could leave the door open for the Smart Roadster to return. Introduced back in 2003, the tiny, lightweight two-seater was respected for its balanced mid-engined layout. One noteworthy fan was legendary Formula One car designer Gordon Murray, who used a Roadster as his daily driver. We asked Smart UK CEO Jason Allbutt about a new Roadster during an exclusive interview with Auto Express. He laughed, but seemed enthusiastic: “We used to have one of those in the family, and [it was] particularly good fun,” he told us. “For a country that has more rain than probably any other European market, we are lovers of coupés and roadsters. So yes, I could see a…

THIS is the Renault Vision 4Rescue concept: a small, all-wheel-drive SUV designed with tech to help restore communication in disaster zones. The original Renault 4 was used for many things during its life, including as an ambulance and a police car, and now the 21st-century interpretation has been repurposed by the emergency services to meet all the needs of a modern fire department. Renault’s Vision 4Rescue concept has been designed with help from firefighters and is essentially a hi-tech toolbox on wheels with some unique features. For instance, the large box on the roof houses an observation drone, plus antennas and other kit for restoring communication networks in the wake of a disaster. The car features interconnected solutions that are part of an ecosystem developed by Software République – a…

CONSUMERS have been advised to steer clear of using car finance claim firms, because the UK’s top financial watchdog says they could be spending money unnecessarily. The Financial Conduct Authority has begun setting out advice surrounding a possible redress scheme with regard to the ongoing car finance scandal which, experts say, could see billions of pounds made available for possible claims. With firms now popping up to assist potential claimants, the FCA has told drivers that by using one “they may end up paying for a service they do not need and having to pay up to 30 per cent in fees out of any award they may receive”. Instead, consumers can submit timestamped complaints and claims. Tools such as those on the Money Saving Expert website can help them…

WE’RE going to get straight to the point and start this review by saying the DS Automobiles No8 is a very good car. There’s no caveat to this, no obvious ‘buts’ or deal breakers, aside from maybe just one. No matter how good or bad they are, big, expensive French cars just don’t sell well here in the UK. And if this remains the case for the Citroen spin-off brand’s new flagship, it would be a shame, because there’s a lot to like. Under the skin, DS has used the same STLA Medium platform as found on the new Citroen C5 Aircross and Peugeot E-3008, but here there’s a stretched wheelbase plus a lowered roofline. This yields a couple of immediate benefits, such as a sleeker silhouette that does a…

THE Bentayga isn’t just a staple of the Bentley range, it’s also the company’s most popular model, making up over 40 per cent of its sales in recent years. That popularity stems from its practical and fashionable SUV roots, of course; the maker confidently claims the Bentayga’s breadth of abilities is wider than that of any other car on sale. That’s particularly bold, given that the car’s powertrain options have narrowed of late; we recently bid goodbye to the legendary W12 that has featured since the car’s launch. Yet while the likes of the Flying Spur and Continental GT have become plug-in hybrids, the Bentayga can still be had with a petrol V8. It’s this that powers the updated Speed. It isn’t short on firepower. The 4.0-litre twin-turbo unit makes…

OVER the course of five generations and nearly three decades, the Scenic has slowly transformed from a sensible, practical MPV into a more rakish and desirable SUV. That transition really took off with the latest edition, which also becomes the first to ditch an internal-combustion engine and embrace electrification. Renault’s EV range is looking strong from top to bottom; the stylish R5 and R4 are at the smaller end, while the Scenic E-Tech sits above the Megane as the largest EV in the brand’s line-up. There isn’t really a weak link among that quartet, yet the Scenic still manages to stand out; its all-round performance at competitive prices – made even more tempting thanks to cost cuts introduced in April this year – make it a hugely appealing family car.…

ONE of the areas of your car that takes the most abuse is its floor, with driver and passengers climbing in and out, mucky shoes, shuffling feet and shopping bags all contributing to wear and tear. If you don’t protect your car’s carpets, then before you know it, you may find them stained, scuffed or holed. And on the basis that new carpets are an interior-out job, the cost of replacement can be huge. That’s why a set of floor mats is a sensible investment, but with a wide choice of aftermarket options available, which is best? Here, we’ve brought together a mixture of mats – universal and tailored, rubber and fabric – to see which are tougher than the rest and will provide the best protection. How we tested…

CAR drivers and their passengers waited more than 100 years for a revolution. Then two came along at about the same time. First, it was the arrival of pure-electric cars. But the talk is now rapidly diverting to the next big, even more revolutionary thing – autonomous vehicles. I’m comfortable confessing that I instinctively love cars and vans that can be, er, driven. Those that drive themselves I merely, and cautiously, like. Motorised vehicles with four or more wheels and purportedly requiring zero human input at point of use just ain’t appropriate for everyone on every road. For blind or partially sighted people, folk with other disabilities or the elderly living in the remotest areas, fair enough. Otherwise, it’s a definite no from me. I have previous with notoriously expensive…

YOU’RE looking at the all-new Audi Q3, the brand’s critically important compact SUV that makes up a huge proportion of its sales in the UK and across Europe. Lots of new Audis have been flying out of factories of late, but the new Q3 is the first from the brand’s next generation of smaller models, and packs some impressive powertrain figures, plus a high-end interior. Priced from £38,300 when it arrives in September this year, UK model range will be offered in three trim levels, topping out at just over £50,000 for the fully loaded Edition 1, which has the highest-performing 262bhp petrol engine and comes with quattro all-wheel drive. A sleeker Sportback variant will join the range in a few months’ time, but Audi has been a little more…

A NEW all-wheel-drive version of the Vauxhall Grandland SUV has been announced – the brand’s first EV to feature a dual-motor system. The regular Grandland Electric uses a 210bhp electric motor to drive the front wheels only, but the AWD model adds another 110bhp e-motor to the rear for a combined 320bhp, with 509Nm of torque. The increase in power will propel the family SUV from 0-62mph in 6.1 seconds. It will offer four drive modes: Normal, Eco, Sport and AWD. These will adjust the power output, steering and throttle settings, traction control and when the rear e-motor kicks in, to offer the best stability and efficiency. It uses the same 73kWh battery as the single-motor variant, dropping the range from 330 to 311 miles, with 100kW charging giving a…

ACCORDING to Apple, CarPlay is used more than 600 million times per day. It’s no surprise, then, that the tech giant wants to keep evolving its in-car software. As such, Apple CarPlay Ultra is on its way, billed as a giant leap in terms of functionality. Set to arrive later this year, CarPlay Ultra will, at first, only be available on Aston Martin cars, but more manufacturers have signed up and are set to bring it to their model ranges in the near future. Before its release to the public, we’ve taken a deep dive to uncover what you can expect from this next generation of smartphone mirroring. DIGITAL DIALS THE headline feature of CarPlay Ultra is how the software now extends into the base car’s instrument cluster, providing essential…

THE Skoda Elroq is set to be another runaway success for the Czech car maker. The company has taken 70,000 orders in nine months, and it was Europe’s best-selling EV in April. The firm’s sporty vRS brand continues to flourish, too; almost half a million models – across the Fabia, Octavia, Kodiaq and Enyaq nameplates – have left the factory with the hallowed badge on the back, and the story looks set to continue with its next instalment: the Elroq vRS. Except the Elroq doesn’t get a vRS badge on the back – only on the front wings. The styling for Skoda’s latest sporting hopeful is best described as subdued; apart from our car’s Mamba Green paint (a no-cost option), external changes are largely limited to new bumpers, different wheels,…

MANY performance EVs focus on acceleration, but the Kia EV6 GT is a model that attempts to inject some involvement into the mix with a chassis designed to entertain in corners, too. And with the EV6 facelift now reaching the flagship of the model range, Kia has given it some enhancements to boost its appeal even further. The updates include the redesigned front end with a new running light signature, plus the Yacht Blue matte paint option seen in these pictures. Inside, revised materials are enhanced by neon green detailing exclusive to the GT. Under the skin is the bigger 84kWh battery that came with the standard EV6 update, giving a range of up to 279 miles here, while the two-motor powertrain has been boosted by 64bhp and 30Nm to…

OUR Mazda CX-30 continues to impress, and as the British summer begins to show its face, the car is looking its absolute best. Which is largely down to one thing: its stunning Soul Red Crystal metallic paintwork. My CX-30 arrived in this vibrant hue back in November, and even under the gloom of winter skies, it stood out. Now, with the sun gracing us with its presence, the depth and lustre of this shade are truly breathtaking. Mazda has always had a knack for creating eye-catching colours, but Soul Red Crystal takes it to another level. It’s a multi-layered paint process that genuinely seems to glow, shifting from a deep, rich red to a brighter, more fiery tone depending on the light. Parked next to more sombre shades of grey,…

ALONG with my official duties as a member of the Auto Express team, I’m also the unofficial go-to car guru for family, friends, friends of friends, acquaintances, passers-by, and pretty much everyone else who has a remote idea of what I do for a living. I’m always happy to help, but a recent encounter has left me feeling a little perturbed. In the same week, I was approached by my partner’s best friend and one of my old university lecturers – two people I was more than willing to assist with car buying (especially when they admitted that their know-how was somewhat limited). One had sadly seen their beloved Vauxhall Corsa written off due to a distracted lorry driver (thankfully nobody was injured), while the other needed a replacement for…

WE like the Mercedes C-Class here at Auto Express, thanks to its impressive on-board technology, stunning cabin design and solid range of engines – but even in its most basic C 200 form it costs £46,175. With this budget in mind, we studied the Auto Express classifieds to see what three cars we could get as an alternative. 1 MERCEDES CLS £25,000 IF you’re looking for a Mercedes to ferry you up and down the country in stylish comfort, forget the C-Class – this far more striking CLS is what you want. At £25,000, it takes up a decent chunk of our budget, but as with the two models that preceded it, this third-generation CLS is a real looker. The 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine offers a smooth power delivery, which…

ONE of the most iconic names in motoring history has returned, with a splash of retro backing up its modern powertrain. The Peugeot E-208 GTi brings agile hot hatch handling, plus more power and more aggressive styling than the already mean-looking 208 supermini. Unveiled at the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans 24 race, the E-208 is the first Peugeot to get the ‘GTi’ branding since the old petrol-powered 208 GTi, which made its debut in 2016. Since then, Peugeot has identified its performance models under the ‘Peugeot Sport Engineered’ umbrella, instead. The E-208 is certainly a return to form if the numbers are anything to go by; the new GTi develops 276bhp from its front-mounted electric motor – identical to the output of the GTi’s platform-sharing sibling, the Alfa…

ELSEWHERE, Volkswagen has revealed a new Polo Edition 50 to celebrate the popular supermini’s half century. Priced from £26,350, the special edition will be available in limited numbers in the UK, with sales starting later this month. Unique to the Polo Edition 50 is the Crystal Blue paint, further enhanced by 17-inch alloy wheels and unique Edition 50 badges. Uprated LED front and rear lights are also standard fit. Inside, VW has added more Edition 50 badges, plus a gloss-black dash insert and rear privacy glass. There is also a panoramic glass roof, dual-zone climate control, a reversing camera and keyless entry and start. Under the bonnet is an 89bhp three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine linked to a five-speed manual gearbox. There’s no sign of a dual-clutch option, or more powerful…

UBER is to start trials of driverless taxis in London next year, ahead of the Tesla Cybercab (below), due to arrive in the US “before 2027”. The ride-hailing platform has been working with UK artificial intelligence firm Wayve to perfect its Level 4 autonomous driving tech in “complex driving environments”. The announcement comes after the Government said it would begin implementing a fast-track framework to introduce autonomous “taxi and bus-like” pilot services to UK roads. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the project will “drive growth, create 38,000 jobs and add £42bn to our economy”. Uber has not confirmed whether its pilot scheme will be open to the public or, indeed, how it will be implemented; the firm says it will announce further details “in the coming months”. Its chief operating…

AUDI has totally nailed the commodification of the curvy car roofline with its Sportback models. Right across the brand’s range, customers are invited to sacrifice a few thousand pounds, and a little boot space, for the sleeker, coupé-like profile created when a car’s roof curls gently down at the rear rather than diving abruptly off the cliff of a tailgate. The Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron is simply another variation on that popular theme. It’s expected that around 20 per cent of UK Q6 e-tron buyers will choose a Sportback. Its roof is 37mm lower than the regular SUV’s, and gently arches down to a subtle bootlid spoiler. These customers are paying an extra £2,500 over the standard five-door SUV, but see a 15-litre reduction in boot capacity and less headroom…

“THES-TUNE WAS A PERFORMANCE UPGRADE AVAILABLE ONLY IN JAPAN, WITH JUST 20 PRODUCED PER MONTH THROUGHOUT 2005” THE number of Nismo models that have officially come to the UK can be counted on one hand, but nonetheless Nissan’s performance arm is one that’s well respected within the industry and has been the source of some of the most lauded and legendary Japanese enthusiast cars of the last few decades. We got behind the wheel of three of Nismo’s finest cars – its first in the UK, its greatest and its most recent – and spoke to some of its top officials to understand what makes the performance sub-brand so integral to Nissan’s success, plus what we can expect down the road. But first, let’s begin with a quick history lesson.…

THE original Grandland made its debut in 2017, and while it has proven popular with owners, it has never quite had the appeal to fly off forecourts at the rate of rivals such as the Kia Sportage or Hyundai Tucson. This second-generation model, however, has a much more striking design, which should make it more appealing than the car it replaces. It’s now available with a fully electric powertrain, too, taking on rivals as wide-ranging as the Skoda Enyaq, Renault Scenic E-Tech, and even Tesla’s Model Y. ENGINES & PERFORMANCE FROM launch, the Grandland Electric comes with a single powertrain option. This uses a 207bhp electric motor driving the front wheels with a 73kWh battery pack. The performance is some way short of class best, but a 0-62mph time of…

GETTING a flat battery is the most common reason for breakdown service call-outs, closely followed by another type of flat – a punctured tyre. If you want to help yourself get back on the road rather than wait hours for help, you could invest the cost of your annual breakdown premium in one of these combined tyre inflators and jump start packs. Despite being small enough to keep in your glovebox, each of these three is capable of starting most engines with ease using plug-in jump leads They will also top up four tyres or inflate at least two from flat, have built-in work lights and USB sockets to keep devices charged if needed. The new Nightsearcher is a class act, but pricey. Unless its bigger size is an issue,…

OWNER VIEWS ON THE UK’S BEST CARS “The boot is fine for a few bags of groceries, but it’s not spacious if you need to carry larger items. I wish it could accommodate more.” “I love how sporty my Fiesta ST feels. The handling is so responsive, and although it’s small, it packs a punch and is fabulously agile.” THE last Fiesta was made in 2023, but well into 2024 there were still lots of them available through Ford dealerships. While notching up a 48th place in our top 50 might not seem very impressive, for a car that was introduced in 2016 it’s pretty good going. Having said this, the Fiesta doesn’t score well in any specific areas. It manages just one top-20 score, with a 19th place for…