Table of contents for 1746 in Auto Express

TWO of Jeep’s other electric models, the premium Wagoneer S and rugged Recon, are heading to the UK, the firm’s boss has promised – delivering very different experiences on the same platform. Due from 2025, the new duo will use parent firm Stellantis’s new STLA Large bespoke electric platform. The Recon is described as a “brother to the Wrangler” and it has unashamedly taken design cues from that model, with an upright stance, a bluff front end, wide haunches and chunky bumpers. As with the Wrangler, the doors of the Recon can be removed and the roof is retractable to give occupants an added dose of the great outdoors. The Wagoneer S, however, will be positioned as a premium SUV, to go up against the BMW iX, Audi e-tron and…

Ferrari’s commercial boss tells us what the Purosangue means for the famous brand. Q How important is the Purosangue to Ferrari? A “It’s extremely relevant. It’s covering the last segment not covered by Ferrari and means the brand answers all our clients’ needs in its range.” Q Will the Purosangue be Ferrari’s biggest seller? A “We committed to not going over 20 per cent of total sales. This car is not a volume maker. We remain consistent with Enzo Ferrari’s mission to be exclusive.” Q Who’s going to buy the car? A “It’ll be less intimidating and something you can drive with friends and family. It will attract people new to Ferrari, but most cars at the start will go to existing clients we need to reward for their connection…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk HOT TOPIC Skoda Vision 7S FROM: Alan Thornton I WOULD argue this isn’t really an SUV. Look how low to the ground it is. I don’t think it’s a bad-looking car inside or out, though, apart from the carpet, which looks a bit cheap. I wouldn’t swap my current gas-guzzler for an EV anyway. FROM: Will HB I KNOW this makes me sound about a thousand years old, but so many modern cars have lost their brand identity. There’s nothing about this that shouts Skoda. It could just as easily be a Hyundai, Kia or anything else. It’s a shame. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “My Skoda Superb can already seat my three kids with plenty of boot space left over.”Dado Andder ■ “I’d rather have an old…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk FOR years Lexus has tried and not always succeeded in taking on the established premium players, but more recently it has hit a rich vein of form. Thanks to an all-new platform and, in a first from Lexus, a plug-in hybrid powertrain, the brand’s latest NX mid-size premium SUV features a brilliant blend of qualities in this most competitive of classes. And now Lexus is aiming to scale up that formula for its all-new RX. Whereas the NX rivals models such as the BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC, the RX is a BMW X5 and Mercedes GLE competitor. But like its smaller sibling, this fifth-generation RX is also based on the new GA-K platform and features Lexus’s 450h+ powertrain, making it the first-ever plug-in hybrid RX. In fact, Lexus…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy Battery/range 83kWh (usable) 322 miles (WLTP) Performance 0-62mph/top speed 7.6 seconds/100mph WHEN is a flagship not a flagship? That’s the question that you might ask yourself when considering an electric car – and it’s certainly a quandary that applies to our current Car of the Year, the Nissan Ariya. Our initial verdict on the all-electric SUV was based on a version with front-wheel drive, 215bhp and a 63kWh battery. But since then, the Ariya’s range has expanded to include larger batteries and more powerful motors, including a supposed range-topper with four-wheel-drive e-4orce technology. If you want, in fact, you can spec the Nissan up to a creation with an 87kWh battery and 302bhp – and there’s a more potent Performance edition coming with 389bhp. And yet, good though…

Citroen C5 X MyCitroen Drive Plus Key features: Wireless charging THE C5 X features the latest generation of Citroen’s infotainment tech, which is a massive leap forward compared with its previous systems. Key among those improvements is the display; the huge 12-inch panel shows a main menu page that is clearly laid out, with shortcut tiles to one side, while the chief selected function (media, navigation or whatever you prefer) covers the main section of the screen. Shortcut ‘keys’ are located along the right-hand side of the display. There are also two main physical shortcuts below the screen – one home button and one for the driver-assist systems. Some of the sub-menus linked to these are a little more fiddly than the Skoda’s and the layouts aren’t quite as tidy.…

STYLING WHILE some people might find it tricky to get their head around the C5 X’s shape, it’s a design that’s littered with intricate details; the X-shaped headlamps are echoed by the rear lights, while the subtle lip spoiler adds definition to the bulbous rear. The Skoda Superb is much more understated; it’s an exercise in simple lines, sharp creases and tidy detailing. It’s less attention-seeking than the Citroen, but it’s still a car that’s worthy of admiration. FEATURES BOTH cars have some unique features to help them stand out. On the Citroen, these are because of engineering decisions such as the unconventional suspension design and seat padding. The Skoda has its ‘Simply Clever’ details. Among these small but useful touches are an ice scraper/magnifying glass/tread depth gauge stored in…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy Charging Battery (usable) 83.7kWh Max charging 270kW DC Performance 0-62mph/top speed 4.1 seconds/149mph “I BET it’s fast, innit?” has been a regular feature in conversations with random bystanders about our Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo over the past few months. There’s something about the Taycan’s front end – not only the Porsche badge, but also that ultra-wide stance and the aggressive vents at the leading edge of each wheelarch – that tells onlookers more than enough about the car’s performance. I’m not telling them any fibs, either, when I reply that the CT is indeed shockingly rapid, even in our ‘modest’ 4S spec. But here’s the thing; the ‘Turismo’ element of our Taycan has probably impressed me more on a daily basis than its powertrain – which can deliver…

THIS was the test debut for the Winter 2, which was launched late last year and completed the Italian Formula One tyre supplier’s revamp of its Cinturato line-up. Like the Michelin, it has a tread which opens up as it wears, but when new it was a match for the French producer and Hankook in a tightly packed field. The Winter 2 was happiest on the snow, where its performance was close to our top tyres. It took second spots for traction and handling, plus two fourths. While other tyres may have stronger front grip, the Pirelli’s rear was controlled and was easier to keep straight than some rivals. It was a bit further away from the leaders in the wet, but was ahead of Michelin and Vredestein. It fared…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@autovia.co.uk Q What do blue signs on the side of the motorway mean? WHEN driving on the motorway, I’ve noticed square blue signs with yellow writing that don’t seem to mean anything. They display the motorway name, then some seemingly random letters and numbers. What are they? Peter Camberwell, E-mail A THESE are driver location signs, which are placed approximately 500 metres apart along the side of motorways in England, but not the rest of the UK. The first line states the name of the motorway and the second lane is a letter indicating which carriageway you’re on. The final line is the distance in kilometres from a designated point on the motorway. These are used by emergency services and contractors. Q Should DPF put a…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk ● Petrol-electric hybrid and an EV with a range of 300+ miles ● Dashboard is likely to borrow heavily from the Ioniq 5 EV SUCH is the pace of development in the compact SUV world that we’re never far away from a fresh debut – and the next car to take aim at the top of its class will be the second-generation Hyundai Kona. Auto Express understands that the compact SUV will break cover early next year, and development prototypes are already being tested around the world. As with sister brand Kia’s Niro family, it’s likely that the upcoming Kona will move to the Hyundai Motor Group’s latest K3 platform, and deliver greater practicality. Full-hybrid and all-electric models are expected to be offered, with the Kona HEV set to…

Q Will Avenger open up Jeep to new customers or is it to help existing owners move across to electric? A We believe it will be ‘conquest’. We’ve had clinics for the car with customers, including in the UK. The reaction was substantial; Avenger is a more compact product, an EV, very functional, and the women in the clinics loved it. On top of that, even with the front-wheel-drive EV version, it’s really capable; we have hill descent control and the ability to alter the traction control system for different types of surfaces. And approach and departure angles are best in class, but also somewhat better than Renegade. Q You’ve stated a target of 400km of electric range for Avenger, which is more than Stellantis’s other small electric SUVs. Which…

tristan_shale-hester@autovia.co.uk @tristan_shale ● Top five challenges on roads ● Costs and policing included PRIME Minister Liz Truss has appointed a new Secretary of State for Transport: Anne-Marie Trevelyan. Although she’s remaining tight-lipped about what she wants to achieve in the job with regard to roads – the Department for Transport says she needs some time to settle into the job before she can set out her goals – there’s certainly no doubt the MP for Berwickupon-Tweed has her work cut out. During her Conservative leadership campaign, Liz Truss pledged to scrap smart motorways and even promised to look into the practicalities of making motorway speed limits advisory. However, British motorists face a far wider range of difficulties than that. On that note, here are Auto Express’s top five issues for…

KAMM recreates sixties Porsche 912 NEW Budapest-based brand KAMM Manufaktur has unveiled a restomod of the Porsche 912 from 1965-1969. To create the KAMM 912c (above), a donor car is restored “to perfection”. Steel parts are replaced with carbon and the brakes, chassis, suspension, wheels and tyres are enhanced. A bespoke JPS Aircooled 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 168bhp is fitted. Production of the 912c starts in 2023, with a price of 325,000 Euros (about £282,570). August bucks trend of falling new-car sales NEW-car registrations in the UK rose by 1.2 per cent in August 2022, ending five months of decline. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said 68,858 new vehicles were registered in what is typically a quiet month. Private and business registrations grew by 3.2 per cent and…

NISSAN’S Qashqai could get the trick four-wheel-drive powertrain from the newly launched X-Trail, Auto Express has learned. The Japanese brand’s Global Strategy Director, Cliodhna Lyons, said the 210bhp e-4ORCE system would bring “advantages in confidence and performance” to the Qashqai. “I can’t confirm or deny it’ll happen,” Lyons told us, “but we’re looking into it.”…

tristan_shale-hester@autovia.co.uk @tristan_shale THERE’S advertising everywhere you look these days. Whether you’re watching TV, browsing social media or walking through a city centre, there’s no escaping the constant flow of bright pictures and bold text, all designed to catch your eye and plant a particular brand name in your head. Of course, adverts can often be annoying – this may even be a desirable quality if it makes you remember the product – but the best pieces of marketing are those that stick in people’s minds for positive reasons. And like almost every other industry, the automotive sector depends on advertising; you’ll even find adverts in the magazine you’re currently reading. Arguably the most iconic piece of automotive marketing isn’t an advert you can read, listen to or watch. Instead, it’s…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk Running costs 235mpg (official) £80 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 8.3 seconds/155mph PEUGEOT is going through a period of reinvention, with all-new models such as the forthcoming 408 and heavily revised cars, including the 308 hatch, underpinning its push to go more premium. But what about existing models such as the 508? Well, the brand has upgraded the range with some subtle styling alterations and spec tweaks to boost its appeal. The range now starts with Active Premium trim, with more kit, while the old Allure spec has been axed in favour of Allure Premium. Above this there’s GT, and this GT Premium model. It also features subtle styling updates, including black door mirror caps and a dark chrome grille insert with a black surround, while all 508s now have…

MODEL TESTED: Citroen C5 X Shine Plus PureTech PRICE: £31,280 ENGINE: 1.2-litre 3cyl turbo, 129bhp ALTHOUGH the C5 X range kicks off from less than 30 grand, the version we’re testing here is the top-spec Shine Plus trim, which in 1.2 PureTech form comes to £31,280. The only extra fitted to our test car is metallic paint, at £650. Running costs 47.1mpg (WTLP) £90 fill-up/£165 or 32% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 545/1,640 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 10.4 seconds/130mph Design & engineering READERS with long memories might be looking at this grand, luxurious Citroen and be feeling a sense of deja vu. The brand is no stranger to building big, waftable cars, but models such as the XM and C6 – although undoubtedly clever – didn’t exactly set sales records. This…

1st CITROEN THE long wait for a credible Superb challenger is over. The C5 X once again shows Citroen taking its own approach to luxury and comfort, and it’s a fine attempt. But above all the impressive virtues that include space, comfort and tech, it’s the strong value for money that really helps the C5 X win this contest. Competitive residual values mean this big Citroen makes financial sense, too. 2nd SKODA TAKE money out of the equation, and the Superb is the superior car. It’s even more spacious, the engine is smoother and more powerful than the Citroen’s, and it’s almost as comfortable, yet is more competent through the corners. The margins are tiny in each area, though, and the Citroen is much cheaper to finance. The Skoda’s strengths…

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BMW iX3 PEOPLE often think SUVs are more practical than hatchbacks or estate cars. After all, they have taller bodies, so it makes sense that they should have more space on the inside. Yet special contributor Chris Lloyd isn’t totally convinced. Yes, SUVs are taller, but that’s only useful if you can stack objects on top of each other, which isn’t always ideal. Having borrowed Carbuyer and DrivingElectric editor Richard Ingram’s electric BMW iX3 for a couple of weeks, Chris discovered that the mid-size SUV’s 510-litre boot was three litres smaller than his 2009 Volkswagen Passat Estate’s. But while the BMW is 150mm taller than the VW, it’s 40mm shorter. The boot isn’t as deep as the Passat’s, either. A selection of items that went straight into the VW, laid…

WHILE the numbers put the Alpin 6 last in this test, the margin between it and the next two tyres, and even our third-placed Hankook is tiny and there’s nothing to choose between them in the real world. That’s not bad from a tyre we first tested in 2019, and it was closer to the winner here than when it finished third that year. As part of Michelin’s drive for tyres to remain effective throughout their life, the Alpin 6’s grooves widen as the tread wears. In as-new condition it was the best tyre in the snow and we suspect Michelin has worked on this because it was not a pacesetter here in the past. It was best in a straight line accelerating and braking. Care was needed on the…

USUALLY, we work our way up from the bottom of the results table and those that need to work on their performance. That’s not the case here, because the entire field is closer than the gap between first and second positions in last year’s test. The Michelin may have been around a while, but it is definitely the tyre to have on snow. Among the test newcomers the Vredestein is good in the dry, while the Pirelli has decent grip in the wet and on snow, but struggled for fuel economy. Hankook was the best of the rest, but will have to wait for its first winter win. The top two in our past two winter tests went head to head again, with the gap between them even smaller this time…

CO2 /tax 112-115g/km £165 Running costs 43-47mpg (1.0 TSI 115) £68 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 10.2 seconds/120mph WHEN Volkswagen tested the waters in 2003 with the launch of its first SUV, the Touareg, the German manufacturer soon found that it had a hit on its hands. The problem was that while a lot of people rather fancied a VW SUV of their own, the Touareg was a big and expensive car, so its size and cost meant that it was out of reach for many. It didn’t take long for Volkswagen to offer a solution, though, in the form of the original Tiguan of 2008. When that model also proved a hit, the firm continued with its quest to offer ever-smaller crossovers, first with the T-Roc in 2017, then with the…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram ● Three Swedish drivers dominate Rallycross after Latvia ● Montalegre double-header this weekend ROUNDS four and five of the World Rallycross Championship are hosted by Portugal this weekend. It’s the third venue for the series since the changes which have converted the championship to pure-electric power. The new machines are powered by two electric motors (one driving each axle) for a combined 671bhp and 880Nm – delivering explosive performance. The Montalegre event, located about 70 miles north east of Porto and close to the Spanish border, promises more intense action across its 0.587-mile track that mixes tarmac and gravel. Johan Kristoffersson will aim to maintain his perfect start to the 2022 season, following wins in Norway and the two rounds in Latvia last time out – his fifth…

WRT’s R8 dominates GT World Challenge THE Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe series heads to Valencia on 16-18 September for the title decider of the Sprint Cup season. Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts head to Spain with their WRT-backed Audi R8 holding a 10.5-point lead in the standings, thanks to a double victory last time out in Misano. They’re chased by the Mercedes-AMG GT3 of Timur Boguslavskiy and Raffaele Marciello, who settled for a brace of second-place finishes in Italy. The Sprint Cup standings run alongside those of the Endurance Cup, with the scores combined for the overall series. Marciello leads the way in that championship, following his success alongside Jules Gounon and Daniel Juncadella at the 24 Hours of Spa in July. Vanthoor and Weerts are second. While the…

JUST hours into her new job, we learned a little about the approach and attitude Liz Truss and her team are adopting towards roads, transport, journey times, freedom of movement and Britain’s most popular mode of transport – the motor car. You might have spotted that, on the Monday she was formally ‘voted in’ (by her party, not the public) as Prime Minister, she still travelled in her BMW ministerial car. Honestly, can you imagine a just-announced leader of say, Germany, France, Italy or the USA travelling in anything other than a German, French, Italian or American vehicle on the day he or she landed the biggest job? Not in a million years. Thankfully, the next day our new PM at least had the sense to switch to wheels from…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks ● Range of 249 miles ● Four-wheel drive planned JEEP has taken the wraps off its first fully electric car: the Avenger. We’ve seen it testing before, but now we know what the firm’s new compact SUV will look like it reaches the UK in early 2023. The Avenger will be the first of four pureelectric SUVs from Jeep, with the retro-styled Recon, premium Wagoneer S and an as-yet-unnamed fourth model making up the rest of its full EV line-up. The range will help with Jeep’s firm plans to have an electric version of each of its models – and to only sell EVs in Europe by 2030. The Avenger will make its public debut at the Paris Motor Show in October, which will coincide with pricing announcements.…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler ● Four-seater due on sale next year, priced around £350k in UK THE Ferrari Purosangue, the brand’s first SUV, has been revealed – although the company is quick to claim that it’s not actually an SUV. “It’s unlike any other car,” says Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna. “It’s a sports car opening a new segment.” The Purosangue is the firm’s first ever four-door four-seater, with access to the rear via a powered, rear-hinged ‘welcome’ door. However, measuring 4,973mm long and 1,589mm tall, it’s only slightly shorter and lower than a Lamborghini Urus. The Lamborghini is considerably more practical, though, with a 616-litre boot compared with the Ferrari’s 473-litre luggage space. But when it comes to the price, the Purosangue is indeed in a class of its own. While an…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy Euro NCAP rating: CHINESE newcomer Ora has joined Tesla’s Model Y in landing top marks in the latest crash-test results from Euro NCAP. Ora’s Funky Cat – a five-door hatchback that will go on sale in the UK soon as a rival for the likes of the Kia Niro and the recently launched MG 4 – scored a maximum five stars overall, with an 83 per cent score for adult occupant protection, 83 per cent for child occupants and 74 per cent for vulnerable road users. The Model Y almost set a new benchmark overall, though, with a 98 per cent score for its safety assist systems – a record in itself – plus 97 per cent for adult protection, 87 per cent for child occupant protection and…

Legal AA: 0345 850 1130 (m) RAC: 0330 159 1446 (m) Citizens Advice Consumer helpline: 03454 040506 Local Trading Standards Local Citizens Advice Bureau Used car inspections AA: 0800 056 8040 RAC: 0330 159 0720  Technical advice AA: 0370 142 0002 (m) Driving licences DVLA: 0300 790 6801 Car registration/history HPI: 0113 222 2010 AA: 0800 316 3564 DVLA: 0300 790 6802 RAC: 0808 164 1923 Traffic information AA: 0906 888 4322 RAC: 09003 444999 (p) Problems with dealers The Motor Ombudsman: 0345 241 3008 Consumer Ombudsman: www.consumer-ombudsman.org RMIF: 0845 305 4230 Scottish Motor Trade Assoc. 0131 331 5510 Problems with makers The Motor Ombudsman: 0345 241 3008 Financial problems Financial Ombudsman: 0800 023 4567 Safety concerns/recalls www.check-mot.service.gov.uk…

Dean_Gibson@autovia.co.uk @DeanGbsn Running costs 31.4mpg (official) £102 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.0 seconds/124mph WE’VE already tried the Volkswagen Multivan as a plug-in hybrid, and were impressed by its refinement, comfort, and hugely practical interior. The other thing that appealed was that while its one-box shape is quite van-like, the Multivan doesn’t have a commercial vehicle sibling, which means VW’s engineers have made it more car-like to drive than any van-based counterpart. These traits are common to the whole Multivan range, with petrol and diesel versions also available alongside the PHEV. Here we’re trying the 2.0 TSI petrol van, which comes with 201bhp (14bhp less than the PHEV) and a saving of around £1,000 over the plug-in model. From the outside there are no differences between the TSI and the hybrid,…

tristan_shale-hester@autovia.co.uk @tristan_shale ANYONE who has been fortunate enough to have driven a Lotus will understand the appeal of the firm’s sports cars. That baton is now being carried by the Emira, which was launched as a new addition to the range after the Elise and Exige went out of production. However, Lotus isn’t just a big name in the road-car business. The Norfolk-based firm also has a huge motorsport pedigree and there has always been a strong link between the two sides of the company. Although the days of founder Colin Chapman have long passed and Lotus no longer has a Formula One team, that passion for motorsport still remains and the latest expression of that driving force is the reason we’ve been invited to the famous Lotus factory at…

MODEL TESTED: Skoda Superb 1.5 TSI DSG SE L PRICE: £33,015 ENGINE: 1.5-litre 4cyl turbo, 148bhp Running costs 43.7mpg (WLTP) £119 fill-up/£165 or 34% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 625/1,760 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.2 seconds/137mph MANY rivals have come and gone, but seven years after the current model’s launch, few have managed to come close to the Skoda Superb’s all-round ability. The closest comparison in terms of spec to the C5 X is SE L trim; it’s priced at £33,015 when paired with Skoda’s 1.5 TSI turbo petrol engine and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Design & engineering THE Skoda Superb and the Citroen C5 X have one thing in common: they both draw upon widely used tech from their respective manufacturer groups, both for the chassis and the engine…

NEW: Mazda 6 Sport Skyactiv-G PRICE: £29,140 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 163bhp THE stylish Mazda 6 is another left-field alternative to the Superb. It might not quite offer the same level of space as these rivals, but it compensates with a fabulous interior and a brilliant mix of comfort and roadholding. It’s great value, too. USED: Mercedes S 500 L AMG Line PRICE: £31,000 (’14) ENGINE: 4.7-litre V8, 449bhp you really want luxury, why not go all out and get a Mercedes S-Class? We found a 2014 example with 43k miles for just over 31 grand. Running costs will be a bit steep with a 4.7-litre V8, but for space, comfort and refinement, it’s sublime.…

products@autoexpress.co.uk Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 521/1,436 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.3 seconds/112mph “The wallbox was installed just after the Lexus arrived. It lets me make the most of the NX’s plug-in hybrid technology” THERE’S always a learning curve when you take on a new test car. But in my many years of getting used to a new arrival, it has never been as steep as when I took delivery of the Lexus NX 450h+ PHEV. On the face of it, the NX appeared much like the SUVs I’ve owned for most of the past decade, but the two filler flaps are what sets it apart. While I’ve driven hybrid and fully electric cars, I’ve never tried to live with one and the experience is quite different to the ICE cars…

products@autoexpress.co.uk In association with FOLLOWING record-breaking temperatures and extreme weather warnings this year, evaluating winter tyres now may seem a little odd, but this is the time for drivers to plan for similar extremes during the colder months. Swapping tyres for the seasons is the ultimate solution to ensure you have the best performance to suit whatever the weather throws at you. We return to the big-selling 205/55R16 size we last tested under restricted circumstances, due to Covid, in 2020, when Bridgestone took its first win in our tests with the Blizzak LM005. It also saw a top performance from the Continental WinterContact TS 870, which was not included in the final results because its launch was delayed by a year. Michelin is also back with its Alpin 6. Hankook…

BRIDGESTONE and Continental have been slugging it out at the top of our winter tyre test for the past two years and 2022 was no exception, with the pair head and shoulders above their rivals. This time the Japanese producer has to give best by the smallest of margins to its German rival. Just a handful of percentage points separated the two in the wet and snow tests, but in the dry the Blizzak was more convincingly beaten by the TS 870. It was a metre behind in braking and four tenths of a second slower around the handling track. The LM005 remains a very effective tyre, though, taking wins in wet braking and wet handling. On the handling circuit there was little to choose between the pair, but the…

PORSCHE has turned down the chance to enter the final round of this year’s WEC championship with its all-new LMDh racer. The series’s organisers had offered special dispensation for manufacturers to enter an LMDh car for the 8 Hours of Bahrain ahead of a full campaign in 2023. While the cars would be ineligible to score points at the Sakhir circuit, it was considered a potentially useful barometer for new squads ahead of next year. In a statement, Porsche said, “It was an interesting option for Porsche Penske Motorsport to use the FIA WEC race at Bahrain as an additional test, but we opted against this due to different reasons. We want to maximise track time and be as cost-efficient as possible. Based on this, we decided to add two…