Tabla de contenidos para January 2024 en CAR UK

THERE’S CONSIDERABLY MORE INTERIOR SPACE AND THE BOOT FLOOR IS LOWER Switching to the CMF-B architecture brings packaging benefits, too. There’s considerably more interior space and the boot floor is lower, while the tailgate opening is wider and taller –meaning the boot capacity grows by six per cent to 472 litres under the parcel shelf. CAR has sat in the new Duster and can report it’s roomy in both rows, with easier access now that the rear door aperture is wider. The upticked rear side window makes you worry about a pinched, sporting SUV roofline, but it’s a trick of the eye; there’s actually plenty of space for limbs and luggage. Dacia has historically spurned tech for tech’s sake (even banning electric seats in all models to date), but Duster…

FJ Bruiser A 1966 Toyota FJ45 subjected to gamma radiation. Armed to the teeth with off-roading tech and a massive 11.8-litre NASCAR V8, it also has a caterpillar track fitted to the underside in case it’s beached. 10/10 Get ready to survive the apocalypse LX600 AAP Lexus’s tarted-up version of the Land Cruiser gets, er... another tarting up, this time embracing all the ‘outdoor lifestyle’ cliches: quick-release Kammok awning, camp kitchen… 4/10 Fancy wrap and an awning Kona Jayde Hyundai’s crossover is here finished in a gorgeous colour, modded with new suspension and bike accessories. The best bit? Turquoise tartan Recaros inside. 5/10 Max lifestyle for max drag Safari Rally Z Nissan and Tommy Pike Customs have built a rally-spec Z. As well as riding the Sterrato/911 Dakar wave, it…

Want to go full KITT with your DS? If you’re quick, you can join a free pilot scheme that’s running until the end of February to have OpenAI’s ChatGPT tool installed into DS’s voice assistant. The tool operates in a conversational way and responds to questions or prompts from users. OpenAI says it’s capable of ‘answering follow-up questions, admitting its mistakes, challenging incorrect premises and rejecting inappropriate requests.’ The tool also learns from the interactions it makes with people. ChatGPT is at the centre of the debate regarding AI usage, and it clearly does have limitations. For example, while it has access to vast wells of knowledge and data, it can sometimes fabricate responses or lack common sense to add context; prompts that you provide it need to be specific…

Flagship 7 is Hyundai’s take on the Kia EV9 What do you do when you want to showcase all your EV know-how in one big, pricey package? You build a luxury SUV, of course! The upcoming Ioniq 7 will become the flagship model of the all-electric Ioniq range, boasting seven seats and the kind of stand-out styling and technology that’s drawn so much attention towards the Ioniq 5 and 6 models. We’re yet to see a finished version of the car, but we’re expecting plenty of design cues to carry over from the Seven concept unveiled in 2021. Given how closely the production Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 followed the look of the 45 and Prophecy concepts respectively, it’s likely to look a lot like the Seven. Plus, as it’s…

Go ahead. Be as sniffy as you like about the idea of slapping Lotus badges on made-in-China electric heavyweights. Splutter about power-assisted door closing. But the fact is that it’s working. Lotus is on course for its best-ever sales year, and that’s mostly down to the recently launched Eletre, not the combustion-engined Emira. The Emeya will join the line-up next year. It shares the Eletre’s fundamental underpinnings, but it’s significantly lower, in the style of a GT. It has five doors, if you include the huge hatch that opens on to the shallow rear boot, and a choice of four or five seats. It’s likely to follow the same pattern as the Eletre: entry and S models, then an R version with the wick turned up and a two-speed transmission.…

There’s a lot we don’t know about the 992.2-generation Porsche 911 that's due to arrive in less than a year. But the thing we do know for sure is the most significant: that it will have a new engine line-up including, for the first time on a 911, a hybrid. Key new arrival is a turbocharged mild-hybrid unit (T-HEV). It’s ‘self-charging’ – that is, the battery gets charged by the engine and brake regen, not by being plugged in. The e-motor is capable of generating an extra 80bhp or more, fed by a high-performance Varta battery thought to be 2kWh in capacity. Inspired by the KERS technology used in F1, the software for the fast-charging 400-volt system was, we hear, co-developed by Porsche and Rimac. The T-HEV system fuses two…

Think the upcoming Renault 5 is a bit ordinary? Alpine is here to save the day – and define the future of the hot hatch while it’s at it. We’ve already had a glimpse of its design, courtesy of the A290 concept. Under the skin it’ll borrow one of the Megane E-Tech’s e-motors (which are more powerful than the R5’s) and employ more sophisticated suspension for zippy handling. NEED TO KNOW I What is it? A proper electric hot hatch I Tech? F1-spec traction control, potent e-motor, Brembo brakes I Aimed at? Francophile thrill-seekers I When can I have one? It’s expected on sale in the summer of 2024…

There’s a future for Giulia. The Tonale is getting up to speed. The 33 Stradale shows that Alfa’s lost none of its ambition. And now it’s time to attract some new folks to fall in love with Alfa – not with a glamorous convertible (not yet, anyway) but with a small electric crossover. The ever-shrewd Stellantis product plan means Alfa’s new small crossover will run on the same platform as the Avenger. NEED TO KNOW I What is it? Alfa’s replacement for the Mito I Tech? Stellantis’s e-CMP platform, 33 Stradale supercar-inspired design – or so they claim I Aimed at? Alfa Romeo newbies I When can I have one? Goes on sale in the summer Illustrations: Avarvarii…

The posh-roader electrified Range Rover engineers talk with glee about electrifying their hero model. Spawning a full EV helps with key brand attributes: it’ll be whisper-quiet for starters, with nary a judder of combustion clatter. Furthermore, Lode Lane’s offroading expertise can precisely control traction at each wheel thanks to highly adaptable software governing electric motors. It’s being developed at JLR’s new £250 million Future Energy Lab in Coventry. The long-range rover There’s a clear trend emerging that big batteries have become the ultimate luxury status symbol. German premium saloons were first to break the 100kWh barrier and the battery boom shows no sign of abating. It’s why the RollsRoyce Spectre has a 102kWh cell. Expect the electric Range Rover to follow suit, allowing an official range comfortably approaching 400 miles.…

Lamborghini is going from strength to strength. Sales are healthy and, though the Urus SUV is doing a lot of the heavy lifting, it’s backed up by strong performances by the special-edition supercars upon which the company was built. The recently revealed Lanzador is proof, too, that the great e-transition holds no fear for Sant’Agata, even if it is taking its sweet time. But the two cars that really pave the way for the rest of the decade are the Revuelto, the recently released V12 plug-in hybrid flagship, and this, the related Huracan successor. Together they must keep the flame burning by futureproofing the visual, aural and dynamic drama so synonymous with the brand. And against all the odds it looks like they might just manage it… On paper the…

Dacia Jogger Extreme TCe 140 Hybrid Month 4 The story so far Extreme enough for most + Handles tricky soft-roading with ease Really needs a clean Logbook Price £24,645 (£25,295 as tested) Performance 1598cc four-cylinder, 140bhp, 10.0sec 0-62mph, 103mph Efficiency 57.6mpg (official), 50.3mpg (tested), 109g/km CO2 Energy cost 14.1p per mile Miles this month 744 Total miles 5923 When I’m using the Jogger while photographing CAR Giant Tests, it needs to perform many roles: spacious enough to carry everything I need to bring with me to do the job, roomy enough for me to lay in the boot for car-to-car photography, a mobile office during the day, a canteen for lunch breaks, comfortable transport to and from the location and, crucially, it must be able to go everywhere the cars…

Range Rover D350 HSE Month 5 The story so far The 53-year-old icon brought slap bang up to date + Refinement; ownership experience (it’s not broken down) Humongous blindspot; big tank fills EV-quick Logbook Price £113,120 (£128,180 as tested) Performance 2997cc turbodiesel six-cylinder, 345bhp, 516lb ft, 6.1sec 0-62mph, 145mph Efficiency 37.2mpg (official), 35.7mpg (tested), 207g/km CO2 Energy cost 14.0p per mile Miles this month 1214 Total miles 17,335 I’m led into a darkened room and asked to stand on an illuminated circle. The music and light show begins, with imagery projected onto awhite-wrapped SUV that revolves slowly. X-ray views of the chassis, then body panels appear and the wheels spin as the Range Rover powers through different landscapes. Dramatically the room goes black once more, the cover is whipped off…

If, like me, you jumped into your first automatic car thinking you drove it like a kart – left foot for slower, right foot for faster – then, like me, perhaps you also head-butted the windscreen the first time you stopped. But the Audi’s been great for working on my left-foot control. I’ve been forcing myself to left-foot brake. And it’s getting there; handy for teasing what is a fast, hefty car into greasy autumn corners with a little useful front-axle load, then being able to accelerate again instantly. Some EVs kinda do this for you, with strong regen, but Porsche doesn’t believe in strong regen, so the Porsche-based Audi’s three levels are mild, milder and imperceptible. BEN MILLER Audi e-Tron GT Month 12 The story so far Audi’s Taycan…

Jaguar F-Pace SVR Month 7 The story so far Jaguar’s bigger SUV given some in-house performance upgrades + Looks, chassis, performance and practicality in one fine package Fuel economy from the ageing if charismatic engine Logbook Price £85,180 (£87,940 as tested) Performance 5000cc V8 supercharged, 516bhp, 4.0sec 0-62mph, 178mph Efficiency 23.1mpg (official), 17.7mpg (tested), 178g/km C02 Energy cost 38.7p per mile Miles this month 529 Total miles 7589 When the Jaguar F-Pace SVR arrived at CAR, it was fresh from a strong showing against the Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo and M3 Touring. And as I write this, it’s backed up those solid first impressions with almost 6000 miles and seven months as a highly polished daily driver. This would largely have been true too of a pre-facelift model. The…

1 BMW X5 50e THE GOOD: Massive 67-mile official e-range; horizon-eating performance THE BAD: Hybrid hardware cuts into boot space to the tune of 150 litres; no seven-seat option THE UGLY: Not much now that the facelifted 50e model with more e-range and power is here THE ONE TO BUY: This one, for £79k 2 PEUGEOT 308 THE GOOD: Bravely avant-garde design; decent fuel economy; different THE BAD: Still persisting with the infernally small steering wheel THE UGLY: Interior layout looks fab but can be a stressfest to use day-to-day THE ONE TO BUY: Starts at £550 per month for the 180. Stretch to 225 spec with extra power and kit if you can GIANT TEST WINNER 3 PORSCHE CAYENNE THE GOOD: Handling; driver focus; choice of body styles; 0-62mph…

GIANT TEST WINNER 1 LAND ROVER DEFENDER THE GOOD: Reboot brings untold dynamic improvements wherever you drive THE BAD: Second-row access is a pain in the 90; expensive; 130 in particular is very big, so parking can be tricky THE UGLY: Alternatives to white steel wheels are offered. Why? THE ONE TO BUY: Range spans 90, 110 and 130 bodies, with significantly different dimensions but remarkably similar character and the genuine off-road ability that Land Rover always delivers so convincingly. Heart says petrol V8 90, head/wallet say diesel-six D250 110 GIANT TEST WINNER 2 PORSCHE MACAN THE GOOD: Handles better than any other SUV. And some hot hatches THE BAD: Hardly an original choice – but then there’s good reason for that THE UGLY: Be patient – there’s an all-new…

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Clap your eyes on this newcomer and you won’t mistake it for anything other than a Dacia Duster. The dimensions are intact – just slightly wider and lower than the Mk2 – and much of the visual language is carried across, but with crisper, sharper-suited surfacing. But it’s also significantly different in some ways, inside and out. There’s more cosmetic cladding, and if you get up close you’ll see a virtue-signalling recycling logo embossed on the fake cooling duct beneath the mirror. It’s made of Starkle, a sustainable new material that’s composed of 20 per cent recycled plastics, part of the Renault Group’s continued focus on improved sustainability. This new Duster has more sustainable materials and more safety and convenience technology than ever before, while still trying…

1975: Dacia 1302 The original tough-nut Dacia was a pick-up available with two- or four-wheel drive and the mother of all loadbays. Survived from 1975 to 2003 in various guises 2010: Dacia Duster 1 After the early exploits of the Logan low-cost saloon, Renault-era Dacia turned its attention to a no-nonsense SUV in 2010. An instant hit, Brits waited until 2013 for RHD 2022: Dacia Manifesto Influential study defining Dacia DNA and pushing the minimalism we’ve come to expect. Introduced Starkle, the recycled plastic cladding now on Duster 2024: Dacia Duster 3 Evolved for the second half of the ’20s, the latest Duster ushers in a slicker look, the latest group hardware and more connectivity, but still starting under £20k…

ANDREAS BOVENSIEPEN, CEO, ALPINA AUTOMOBILES The passing of Alpina founder Burkard Bovensiepen in October must seem particularly symbolic to fans of Alpina’s uniquely classy take on go-faster BMWs. Aged 86, his death comes only 18 months after Alpina announced the sale of naming rights to BMW and just two years before the final Buchloe-built Alpina leaves the line, after which BMW takes production inhouse. Despite record production figures, Alpina’s decision was prompted by forthcoming development costs for electrified powertrains and driver-assistance systems. Burkard was Alpina, growing the company from an aftermarket Weber carb upgrade in 1965 to a manufacturer in its own right by 1983. He even pushed BMW to develop a lighter version of the 2800 CS for racing, lighting the fuse on the 3.0 CSL ‘Batmobile’. Andreas Bovensiepen…

SMALL BUT MIGHTY Single-rotor Wankel engine, valued for its smooth delivery and compact size, fits under the MX-30’s bonnet. Engine feeds the battery; e-motor drives the wheels. RETRO NOISES Because it serves the battery, not your right foot, the rotary powertrain can surprise you when it starts up. Energy monitor shows when it’s active. CHOOSE WISELY Efficiency is a bit wonky but, if you treat it like a PHEV and plug in whenever possible, the MX- 30 R-EV can be a very efficient machine.…

The 300-mile test NEW CAR MEETS REAL WORLD It’s not often you get a frisson of excitement at the prospect of a long drive in a Kia. But as we stand in Trieste airport, despite the rain lashing rivers across the stark concrete surroundings, our 800- mile trek through nine countries is an oddly alluring prospect. There’s so much about this trip that’s intriguing. It’s through largely unfamiliar territory, for one – starting in Italy and zigzagging north to Germany. It’s an unusually long trip for an EV, which adds a tinge of uncertainty about the charging infrastructure. But mostly it’s because of the car itself. Kia has been on a roll recently, building on its base of reliable and affordable transport with an increasingly desirable line-up. It’s no longer…

Rolls-Royce famously doesn’t brag about the power outputs of its cars. Buyers just trust that it’s more than adequate for the job in hand. That hasn’t rubbed off on sister brand BMW, which has just handed its most luxurious limo off to M division to create the all-electric i7 M70. With headline figures of 651bhp and 811lb ft, this is a 5.4m-long limousine that weighs in at 2.7 tonnes, and will leap to 62mph in 3.7 seconds and top out at 155mph. Will you want to? That level of performance is borderline unpleasant if you’re in the back and not expecting it, and downright disconcerting if it comes while you’re Lady Penelope-ing out in one of the airline-style recliners, watching the 32-inch Theatre Screen drop down from the ceiling and…

EV ACCE PTANCE + KING KODIAQ + GIGAFACTORY + GBU Loved your Honda retrospective in the October issue. If only you’d been able to devote a bit more space to it, I’m sure there was plenty more that Colin Goodwin had to say about every one of those cars and bikes, and more besides. I share CAR’s enduring attachment to Honda, and faith in its ability to pull out of what could easily be mistaken for a slump. It’s its own worst enemy, putting out way too many dull SUVs (only some of which we get in the UK), and discarding innovations before they’ve had a chance to catch on. Imagine if they’d bothered to get the Element to drive properly, or persevered with the Integra Type R, or the…

ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE THAT’S MORE LIKE IT The 2018 Vantage fell short; weird looks, uninspiring interior, awkward dynamics. But as Aston continues its ascendance, expect greatness Elegant again A distinctive if polarising form, the 2018 Vantage bravely ditched timeless elegance for something bolder, more distinctive. Fine. Except that great Astons, like 911s, should be timeless. To that end the 2024 Vantage gets a new grille and sleeker lights for the kind of elegance we can all get behind. Expect no change at the rear: with its aggressive diffuser and sleek light bar, it doesn’t need fixing. More powerful New-era Aston’s merrily turning up the wick on its AMGsourced V8s – the sensational DB12’s good for 671bhp and, with 590lb ft, far more torque than the DB11 it replaced. New Vantage…

When the CS version of the M2 arrives, we expect a price uncomfortably close to £100,000. (The last M2 CS cost £75k before options; the M3 CS from £115k.) Crazy money if you’re thinking of it as a hotted-up junior saloon. Not so ridiculous, though, if you think of the CS as a track-ready road car encapsulating everything M knows about performance. And be in no doubt, M’s been on a CS roll in recent years, minting future classic after future classic in the form of the M5 CS, M2 CS and M3 CS – cars ostensibly only subtly altered from their source material, but that in reality deliver a paradigm shift in driver involvement and reward. Decent residuals, too. The Mk2 version will get light weight panels, a carbonfibre…

Audi is gearing up for an absolutely bumper 2024. By our count there are 12 new models set to be launched, not including S and RS variants, of which there are at least six. Amid all the welcome hurrahs there are also two departures to be mourned, namely the R8 and TT. The main attractions are the repeatedly delayed Q6 along with the new A6 e-Tron Sportback and Avant. While the coupe-like five-door Sportback was clearly influenced by the 2021 Shanghai show car, the Avant is closely related to the design exercise unveiled last year. The Q6 e-Tron will also be offered in two styles, the SUV and a Sportback. The 6 family are all based on the PPE components set developed with Porsche, which doubles the voltage to 800…

Once per decade, Ferrari gives the world a hyper-hypercar. The Enzo was 2002, the LaFerrari was 2013 so it stands to reason that we’re due another mid-mounted monster, and this time it’s likely to be the closest anyone can get to a Le Mans car on the road, celebrating Ferrari’s win at the endurance race last June. Details remain scarce – even the F250 name remains unconfirmed. But we suspect it will be the first non-V12 of this lineage, opting for the hybridised, ‘hot-vee’ V6 from the 296, here dialled up to 11. Given that the 296 GTB manages 819bhp and the hybrid V8 SF90 produces 987bhp, you’d wager on the F250 going well north of 1000bhp. So 1300bhp like the Gran Turismo concept? More than likely. Further differentiators from…

The Countryman grows again. This time, though, the move is arguably one of Mini’s smartest moves yet. The new big Mini still has the styling and interior design of the new hatch (which launches at the same time), but the rear seats and boot are spacious and usable. As well as two electric variants, there are petrol versions –including a 296bhp JCW Countryman. NEED TO KNOW I What is it? The biggest Mini yet, sent to claim the school run I Tech? Circular infotainment screen, BMW iX1 platform, newfound family-car chops I Aimed at? Trendy small families I When can I have one? February 2024…

Clean, reduced, purposeful and neatly proportioned, the EX30 could easily pass as an entry-level Polestar. It’s a good-looking piece of kit inside and out, just about roomy enough for mum, dad and up to two sprogs. And, remarkably, it’s priced from £33,795. That’s Corsa money, for something that looks and feels considerably more substantial. It’s an agile, comfy and stylish all-rounder which can cover up to 295 miles on a single (if not overly fast) charge. The entry-level 268bhp EX30 is £13,610 less expensive than the 235bhp C40 Recharge, which has a bigger boot and more space in the back but offers few other tangible benefits. At £38,545, the long-range Volvo EX30 could lure away BMW iX1, Audi Q4 and Mercedes EQA buyers. An extra £7200 gets the twin-motor Performance…

There was a fair bit of nail-biting going on during the run-up to this drive. After all, Merc’s recent run of high-performance cars hasn’t been overly blessed with gongs: the hyped four-cylinder C63 PHEV fell short of expectations; the latest SL turned out to be poorly packaged and dynamically off-kilter; and the AMG versions of the EQE and EQS aren’t the sub-brand’s finest hours either. And this new GT, which shares much with the SL, promises the unappetising combination of a 270kg weight gain and the loss of the coveted transaxle layout for a less charismatic all-wheel-drive chassis. The new GT 63’s power output of 577bhp from a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 matches the R version of the previous GT, but length, width, height and wheelbase have all gone up substantially.…

What we took for granted for so long suddenly seems quite exceptional. Two new premium cars, with not a single charging cable between them. But here they are, combustion-engined four-door saloons from BMW and Mercedes; in some ways doing what they’ve done for decades, in other ways very different. To paraphrase Mark Twain, reports of their death have been greatly exaggerated. In the past, the 5-series and E-Class were flag bearers for two different worlds. The BMW was as a rule the driver’s choice, more involving and dynamic, a sporty car for a clientele who pictured themselves in the fast lane of the autobahn, less so on urban boulevards. The Mercedes was typically a more comfort-orientated status symbol, safety-rich as well as notably plusher inside. But the lines have recently…

Hello Genesis GV70 Electrified Month 1 The story so far Not a bespoke EV, but a good one, our road testers say. Will a long-term test confirm that? + Popular, proven EV drivetrain; impressive refinement New luxury brands are risky on residual values Logbook Price £64,405 (£78,895 as tested) Performance 77.4kWh battery, twin e-motors, 483bhp, 4.2sec 0-62mph, 146mph Efficiency 3.6 miles per kWh (claimed), n/a tested, 0g/km CO2, range 283 miles (claimed) Energy cost n/a Miles this month 1102 Total miles 6870 Let’s be honest: a six-month or even one-year test in a BMW, Mercedes or Audi is unlikely to shake out any serious flaws in the car or the networks that support it. The German premium brands have the construction of their cars and the cosseting of their customers…

The CX-60 is a car of firsts for Mazda. Its first premium SUV, the first to use an all-new north-south platform and the first Mazda offered with a plugin hybrid engine, joined recently by the range-extender MX- 30. But is it really the first Mazda family car you might consider choosing over a BMW? We put over 20,000 miles on our PHEV in a year so we had plenty of time to get under the skin of the thing and work out what it does well and where it needs to improve. And while there isn’t a car on the planet that doesn’t end up with notes in each column, the CX simply has too many in the wrong one. But before we get to them let’s give credit to…

What a difference 3kWh makes. That’s the extra electricity our home charger reckons it’s able to get into the plug-in Lexus RX versus the recently departed plug-in VW Multivan, and it’s taken us from an electric-only range of just under 30 miles to one of just over 40 – enough that the petrol engine in the RX hasn’t started at all this month. Both EV ranges are bang on the WLTP figure, but a bonus is that while the VW averaged around 2.5 miles per kWh, the Lexus has achieved almost 3.0. Yet while the VW would take on board up to 10.9kWh against a battery size of 13kWh, the Lexus’s 13.9kWh max fill is some way short of its 18.1kWh capacity. That’s 77 per cent, versus 84 per cent…

I’m on the M25 in a thunderstorm trying to find out to what extent I can drive the Tonale without using the engine. At 65mph, with cruise control on, my attention is divided between the road and three key dials: fuel range, combined range, and electric range. Usually the fuel and electric dials add up to the combined range, but things take a turn when the fuel range turns to a ‘-’ – and the combined range does too. Yet the car still registers 20-ish miles of electric range. I chicken out and head to the nearest petrol stop, thankfully around five miles away. The last bit of the journey appears to be entirely on electric power; so it’s a huge relief when I finally make it to the familiar…

HOW DOES NEW GBU WORK? Fewer classes, more frequent updates and all the attitude you’ve come to expect from GBU GIANT TEST WINNER 1 HONDA CIVIC TYPE R THE GOOD: Feel, feedback, focus: a phenomenal full-sized hot hatch THE BAD: Nearly £50k for a frontdrive hatchback with barely any more power than before THE UGLY: Probably the last of its kind; good job it’s one of the best THE ONE TO BUY: There’s just the one model; expect to pay around £470 on a PCP with a £14k deposit GIANT TEST WINNER 2 TOYOTA GR YARIS THE GOOD: A modern-day rally homologation special THE BAD: Road noise like a death-metal gig; joke rear seats THE UGLY: Long waiting list due to high demand; high chairs THE ONE TO BUY: Opt…

1 BMW M3/M4 COMPETITION THE GOOD: Mighty straight-six; front axle’s never-give-up attitude; dreamy chassis balance THE BAD: No manual; nearly 911 money now THE UGLY: M3 Touring £85k new but changing hands for six figures THE ONE TO BUY: The CS, if you were lucky enough to bag one of the 100 BMW brought here. Now available as an estate: rejoice! GIANT TEST WINNER 2 BMW M5 COMPETITION THE GOOD: An animal when you want it to be; reasonably urbane family transport when you don’t THE BAD: Hard ride on Competition suspension; priced above £100k THE UGLY: CS and Competition both off sale now THE ONE TO BUY: Hurry, hurry. There are some new M5 Comps in stock on BMW’s website 3 MERCEDESAMG S63 THE GOOD: V8 plus e-motor shows…

RETRO RANSACK Renault is pilfering all sorts from its back catalogue, reviving the Renault 4 and 5 as EVs and giving the Scenic and Espace name plates a new lease of life. The latest is the confirmation that the Twingo will return, seen first via this very cutesy Twingo E-Tech concept revealed during electric sub-brand Ampere's first-ever capital markets day. SILVER BULLET Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo calls the new EV a ‘silver bullet for sustainability in the urban environment’ and claims it will be ‘a game changer like it was 30 years ago’. De Meo also says it will occupy 20 per cent less space than the average European car and emit 75 per cent less CO2 than the average car sold in Europe in 2023. FACTFILE Powertrain…

Tell us about your first car ‘I bought a used 1.6-litre Mk1 VW Golf in 1980. I tuned it with Bilstein shock absorbers and a front spoiler.’ What is your proudest achievement? ‘After seven and a half years at BMW AG I joined Alpina and convinced my father to develop the BMW Z8 as an Alpina with an automatic gearbox. This car opened the US to Alpina in 2003 – a market that’s nowadays as important as Europe.’ What’s the best thing you’ve done in a car? ‘Winning the 1998 Nürburgring 24 Hours with Hans Stuck.’ Tell us about a time you’ve screwed up… ‘We entered the Chinese market from 2016 with our B4 and B7. Due to tax penalties, China favours big cars with long wheelbases and tiny engines.…

Mazda’s obsession with the Wankel rotary engine has spanned decades. Now the tech returns in the quirky MX-30 crossover as a range-extender. The version in question is called the MX-30 R-EV, priced from £31,250, and it sits alongside the pure electric one – which has a very short range. Rotary engines are prized for their smooth power delivery, compact size and low weight – but can be thermodynamically inefficient compared to conventional engines and prone to higher oil consumption and rapid wear. Mazda says it’s worked hard on improving rotor durability and fuel economy here. The R-EV can be charged conventionally (Mazda quotes 90 minutes for a 20-80 per cent charge on a 7kW charger) and, on a full charge, the R-EV claims a range of 53 miles from its…

Without the large round emblems that shout Volkswagen, the ID. 7 could be almost anything. But perhaps this bland me-too look is exactly what the world market wants. After all, pretty Volkswagens like the ID. Buzz and Arteon Shooting Brake have not set showrooms alight. So who knows? At £55,570, the five-metre-long ID. 7 is substantially less expensive than the equally roomy (but more powerful) Mercedes EQE 350 and the even bigger BMW i5. It’s close in size, output and price to the Hyundai Ioniq 6, and falls between the Tesla Model 3 and Model S. The new VW is very much a full-size saloon, but isn’t particularly wide, and has a turning circle that’s unusually tight at 10.9 metres, so it doesn’t feel cumbersome. The big beneficiaries of the…

If you thought Smart was moving away from its roots with the #1, you might want to turn the page now rather than read about the #3. Whereas the #1 clung to the original Smart’s space efficiency – it was a sub-4300mm-long SUV with Mercedes E-Class levels of space, after all – the #3 is one of those genre-straddling coupe SUVs. That style of car may make no sense, but they sell well. And Smart has executed it thoroughly. The roofline and suspension are lowered, wheelbase stretched and there’s a more rakish nose and tail, too. The rest of the #3 is more familiar – no surprise given that it’s on the same platform as the #1. Your choice is 49kWh or 66kWh battery, the latter available with single or…

As I head out of the vast expanse of South Korea’s capital city, I have a choice to make. Front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive? It sounds like the quandary of a K-Pop megastar chewing over which of their multi-car fleet to enjoy on today’s errand, but instead this is the question facing me in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. Open up the N Torque Distribution menu and a level of choice that’s unavailable in any petrol car is right in front of you. Swipe the slider to the left, you get Honda Civic Type R. Move it to the right, it’s old-school BMW M140i. Or leave it in any of the other nine intermediate settings for everything else in between. We’re often told the EV opens up countless…

Out with a bang The most significant M car due in 2024 is the seventh-generation M5, which adopts the 748bhp V8 hybrid drivetrain from the XM Label Red, BMW’s 2023 Pikes Peak car. The switch to a highperformance plug-in hybrid system is the last in a long line of dramatically different drivetrains, from the first straight-six (E28) via a V8 (E39S) and the short-lived V10 (E60) to the 4.4-litre V8 (F10/F90), which forms the basis of the new G90 M5’s engine, boosted by a 195bhp e-motor, with xDrive all-wheel drive. Black magic The future top-of-theline 5-series features a more aggressive and more dramatically sculpted front bumper boasting a larger allblack pyramid-shaped lower air intake, wider lateral upright cooling ducts and a meanlooking blacked-out grille. The black theme is repeated at…

The EV6 and EV9 are good, so hopes are high for Kia’s compact electric crossover. The new EV3, seen here in concept form, is likely to replace the funky-if-forgotten Soul. The Korean brand is targeting an entry price of around £25,000, putting it in the crosshairs of the Volvo EX30. Expect a good range and quick charging from the production car, which is set to use the E-GMP platform. NEED TO KNOW I What is it? Likely Kia’s cheapest EV I Tech? Seats made from mushrooms (yummy!), configurable interior I Aimed at? Tesla Model Y sceptics I When can I have one? Expect to see it towards the end of 2024…

Following in the wide and knobbly tyre tracks of the GMC Hummer EV and the Rivian S1, Mercedes is about to electrify the G-Class. Dubbed EQG, the near-silent eco-friendly three-tonner shares the boxy body with the facelifted combustion-engine versions that go on sale simultaneously in the summer. The 326bhp G400d will be replaced by the mild-hybrid 385bhp G450d, the G500 swaps the thirsty 416bhp V8 for a hybrid 3.0-litre six rated at 466bhp, and the output of the G63 AMG is expected to climb from 577bhp to 621bhp by means of the beefier AMG GT-4 engine. And if aV8 now sounds very old-hat to you, your alternative awaits in the form of the all-new fully electric EQG featuring four e-motors – one at each corner – and a 107kWh battery.…

If the Renault 5 is a dead-cert smash hit, the 4 is a little more complicated to unravel. Your eye immediately decodes the fizzy 5, but the 4 that’s been revea led as a concept laden with off-road hardware takes a while longer to absorb. It’s all electric and shares the same A mpR Small (for merly CMF-BEV) hardware as its fashionable supermini sibling, a long with cabin components including the dashboard and f ront seats. You can see echoes of the original 4 in the styling, for sure, but this one is boxier and engineered for practicality not purity. From behind, it actually looks remarkably similar to the Mini Countryman whose sales it is eagerly eyeing up. The Renault 4’s more upright stance majors on space and versatility. It’s…

1st BMW 520i We could make a strong case for the Merc to be first. But when there are two keys to pick from, the enthusiast will grab the one with the roundel ★★★★☆ 2nd MERCEDES E220d Plusher, roomier and more comfortable, the E-Class is a little less refined and dynamically not quite as involving as the 5-series ★★★★☆ Let’s not lose sight of the basics here. Both contenders are visually appealing, well proportioned, nicely put together and decently equipped. They also both drive well and feel pretty special, in the grand scheme of things. The criticisms we have of them are mostly about the fine margins and the nuances, about the infotainment and availability of a seat massage function. These are both fine cars, proudly maintaining their respective traditions.…

For all the tabloid hysteria around EVs and charging, running the Taycan as a daily driver has been remarkably easy. It’s not got the longest range in the world – the figures say it’ll do 274 miles, in reality that’s nearer 220 to be safe – but in three months of varied driving I’ve rarely had to use a public charging point. Partly that’s because I’m lucky, in that I have chargers both at home and at the office, and also because it’s been unseasonably warm so the efficiency has come easier. Arecent run to Castle Combe to race with my dad in a TVR Grantura (a yin and yang moment if ever there was one) gave me one of those chances to try the public charging network. It was…

A while back I wrote that our Cupra Leon was like a pint-size Audi RS6, with its fastback estate-car shape, all-wheel drive and 306bhp. Well, an opportunity to drive the new RS6 Performance put that theory to the test. Boosted to a phenomenal 621bhp, this new edition of Audi’s super-Avant is the most powerful ever, which means any speed comparison is pointless – with a 0-62mph time of 3.4 seconds, the Audi will crush anything this side of a Lamborghini. I still think the ‘Mini-Me’ comparison works, though: the Cupra engine is half the size and makes half the power, and the car is half the price (the Audi is £127k in Carbon Vorsprung spec). And I still love the shape of the Leon – the arches aren’t quite as…

A 755-mile return trip to Bangor showed up everything good and bad about the ID. 5 specifically, and electric cars generally. At Keele services on the M6, after reversing into the last free charging bay, I hooked up to the Gridserve unit. Instantly, the irate driver of a BMW i4 charging from the same unit began to reprimand me. When two cars share a charging unit, the juice is halved between them. So he wanted us to wait 15 minutes without charging until he was fully charged at the unit’s maximum wattage. Calmly explaining that we also needed to recharge asap antagonised him further. He hurled some abuse before driving off in a huff. BEN WHITWORTH Volkswagen ID. 5 Pro Performance Tech Month 3 The story so far Long-distance cruising…

BMW i7 xDrive60 M Sport Month 6 The story so far Half a year in the i7: a fascinating taste of where BMW EVs are heading + Outright luxury; spellbinding refinement; slick drive How much tech is too much? And that divisive styling Logbook Price £111,900 (£125,705 as tested) Performance 102kWh battery, twin e-motors, 537bhp, 4.7sec 0-62mph, 149mph Efficiency 3.2-3.4 miles per kWh (official), 2.7 miles per kWh (tested), 0g/km CO2 Energy cost 9.7p per mile Miles this month 1540 Total miles 8182 Ah, that grille. After six months and 8000 miles, it’s the aspect of the i7 that people want to talk about more than any other. Munich has previous form when it comes to disruptive design, from turn-of-the-century Chris Bangle era to more recent Adrian van Hooydonk challenges.…

GIANT TEST WINNER PORSCHE 911 THE GOOD: Style, like 911s, never goes out of fashion THE BAD: The base Carrera now costs almost £100k – yet that’s not enough to stop it being a clear class winner; road noise now up to 11 THE UGLY: To some, it’s now more comfy GT than sports car; canny options list pushes you to spend like a lottery winner THE ONE TO BUY: Carrera S with the PDK gearbox for £110k on the nose; the Sport Chrono package is bundled in, but you’ll still pay for the Porsche badges on the wheels to be coloured in GIANT TEST WINNER 2 ARIEL ATOM THE GOOD: A beautiful object as well as a thrilling drive; think of it as a modernised Lotus Seven crossed with…

GIANT TEST WINNER 1 PORSCHE TAYCAN THE GOOD: Interstellar acceleration; stellar handling; agreeably tactile; roomier than a 911 THE BAD: Empty interior; ferociously expensive; not a 911 THE UGLY: Begs to be thrashed, but thrashing it clobbers the range THE ONE TO BUY: Choose your body style from saloon, estate or the borderline SUV-ish Cross Turismo. Prices start at £79k; the sensible Taycan 4S is £91k, sharper GTS is brilliant and Turbo just bonkers; top models cost upwards of £149,300 2 TESLA MODEL 3 THE GOOD: New lights, new colours, new aero and improved interior: it’s had a refresh, but remains good to drive and easy to live with THE BAD: That refresh hasn’t added the knobs and buttons that would reduce driver distraction THE UGLY: Panel gaps to swallow…