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People power is the driving force behind our survey

Visit autoexpress.co.uk for all the latest new cars news OVER the 19 years Driver Power has been running, we’ve produced somewhere in the region of 1.5 million words, over around 2,000 pages, analysing roughly 20 million data points in the process – so it’s fair to say we’ve got a good idea of what works, and what doesn’t, as far as car ownership is concerned. This week, franchised dealerships go under the microscope, and sadly some of the themes are all too familiar. Too many dealers aren’t good enough at getting the basics right, with complaints about unreturned phone calls, overcrowded car parks, shabby waiting areas and service centres that are unable to fix faults. It’s also sad to see the same names propping up the table, once again. That’s…

2 min

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Merc’s EQE SUV spotted out in the wild

“The EQE should be able to charge at 350KW, which will top up the battery to 80 per cent in 20 minutes” Jonathan Burn Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn Uses the MEA EV platform Fast charging, huge range MERCEDES is ramping up development of its fleet of electric-powered EQ models, as early prototypes of the EQE SUV hit the road in Germany for the first time. Mercedes’ ambition is to have a range of fully electric vehicles under the EQ brand (see below) that mirror the firm’s conventional line-up. The first was the EQC – an electric alternative to the GLC – and the more compact EQA and EQB models will arrive at the end of this year. Beyond that will be the EQE – a badge that will be shared across a…

4 min

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Mach-E special is a drifter’s dream

FORD has revealed a one-off racing version of its new Mustang Mach-E electric SUV, which features a heavily modified powertrain, chassis tweaks and significant aerodynamic alterations. Called the Mach-E 1400, it has been created in collaboration with US tuning specialist RTR. The 1400 features seven electric motors – three for the front axle and four for the rear – with 1,400bhp. The motors are also configurable, offering the driver a choice of either front, rear or four-wheel drive. They’re powered by a specially developed 56.8kWh battery and supported by a heavy-duty cooling system, which Ford says will decrease the amount of cool-down time between runs. Performance figures haven’t been revealed. The Mach-E 1400 features fully adjustable suspension, larger brakes, an improved electronic brake servo and a new hydraulic handbrake for…

1 min

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M20 is named highway to hell

THE M20 is the worst motorway in England, and the M11 is the best, according to a survey of more than 8,000 drivers by the independent watchdog, Transport Focus. Drivers who frequent the M20, which runs through Kent from the M25 to Dover, gave it an overall score of just 62 per cent. Those familiar with the M11, which runs from the North Circular Road in London to Cambridge, graded it at 92 per cent. The survey, which assessed the Strategic Road Network (SRN) of motorways and A-roads operated by Highways England, found that the A66, from Richmond, North Yorks, to Penrith, Cumbria, is the best major A-road, with a satisfaction rating of 90 per cent. The A34, which runs from Winchester, Hants, to Salford, Greater Manchester, came bottom, thanks to…

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Useful Contacts

THE following provide help with motoring problems. Some services are free, others charge a fee or operate on premium-rate lines (p), while some offer advice for members only (m) Legal AA: 0345 850 1130 (m) RAC: 0330 159 1446 (m) Which?: 01992 878329 Citizens Advice Consumer helpline: 03454 040506 Local Trading Standards Local Citizens Advice Bureau Used car inspections AA: 0800 056 8040 RAC: 0330 159 0720 Technical advice AA: 0370 142 0002 (m) Driving licences DVLA: 0300 790 6801 Car registration/history HPI: 01722 422422 AA: 0800 316 3564 DVLA: 0300 790 6802 RAC: 0330 159 0364 Traffic information AA: 0906 888 4322 RAC: 09003 444999 (p) Problems with dealers The Motor Ombudsman: 0345 241 3008 Consumer Ombudsman: www.consumerombudsman.org RMIF: 0845 305 4230 Scottish Motor Trade Assoc. 0131 331 5510…

1 min

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Suzuki Swift Sport Hybrid

James Brodie James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods THE Suzuki Swift Sport has forged a reputation as a lightweight, no-nonsense and affordable hot hatchback. But with emissions regulations tightening, and electrification becoming a key theme across Suzuki’s range, 2020 sees the hot version of the Swift become the final vehicle in the brand’s line-up to get hybrid powe Alongside the Japanese model’s 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine is a new belt-driven starter generator supported by a 48-volt electrical system, and a small battery under the driver’s seat. It’s a big update for a small performance car, and the mild-hybrid set-up results in some fairly drastic alterations to the Swift’s power, acceleration and economy. Overall it drops from 138bhp to 127bhp, but torque increases to 235Nm and is available lower down in the rev band,…

6 min

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ICON DRIVE FORD FOCUS MKI

Sean Carson sean_carson@dennis.co.uk @sean_carson_ WHY WAS IT SO GOOD? THE original Ford Focus proved that cars don’t need lots of power, an exotic badge or a massive price tag to be brilliant – especially when it comes to how they drive. The Focus arrived at exactly the right time for Ford. By the end of the last millennium, the Blue Oval needed a top-quality product to replace the ageing Escort, and the company invested massively in ensuring the Focus was a success. No two ways about it, the Escort that the Focus replaced was rubbish. It was outclassed by much more modern family hatchbacks, didn’t drive very well, and was long in the tooth, surviving for the last years of its life only on the loyalty of Ford fans, the…

3 min

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Your top models to own

DID YOU KNOW? In 2009, only around seven per cent of new cars sold were sports utility vehicles; today, roughly one in three new cars sold in the UK is an SUV EVERY year, Auto Express surveys thousands of readers in the Driver Power new car ownership survey, and we published the 2020 results in April (Issue 1,621). This industry-leading research gives us unparalleled insight into owners’ day-to-day experiences with the new cars they’ve bought in the previous two years, allowing a comprehensive series of rankings to be created. These scores are based on a wide range of areas, taking into account the smoothness of electric motors, engines and gearboxes, handling, practicality, reliability and more. Our overall winner in the 2020 Driver Power new car survey was the Kia Sorento,…

9 min

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THE DEALERS

1. Lexus 93.42% WHEN Lexus came top of our Driver Power rankings last year, we said we couldn’t remember a time when a brand posted such an impressive suite of scores in one of our surveys. Yet the Japanese firm has done it again in 2020, generating the sort of feedback that can only be described as exemplary. No other brand has franchised dealers that employ such polite staff, you say, while communication to customers is nothing short of perfect. You also highlight that Lexus service centres are faster and more effective at maintaining your cars than any other firm’s workshops, while the top-place ranking you award to the availability of courtesy cars indicates getting a spare set of wheels when your vehicle is in a Lexus workshop is something…

3 min

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Mercedes GLA

MODEL TESTED: Mercedes GLA 220 d 4MATIC AMG Line Premium Plus PRICE: £43,260 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 187bhp THE second-generation GLA has arrived sporting a new look, engines and tech. Here we test the £43,260 GLA 220 d 4MATIC AMG Line Premium Plus model, which is pricier than the Volvo. Design & engineering IT’S easy to see how much this Mk2 GLA has matured into a fully-fledged SUV; it’s 10cm taller than its predecessor, and Mercedes claims there’s even more room inside, despite it being 1.5cm shorter. That transformation has been made possible thanks to the car’s MFA2 platform, the second generation of Mercedes’ Modular Front-wheel-drive Architecture. However, here the GLA uses Mercedes’ 4MATIC four-wheel-drive system, which features a new electro-mechanically operated clutch. Most of the time the torque split is…

6 min

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Infotainment

Mercedes GLA MBUX Standard Key features: Augmented reality nav The GLA’s infotainment is great. The built-in sat-nav features augmented reality, which means it will overlay directional arrows onto a live picture of the view ahead of you displayed on the standard 10.25-inch touchscreen. It’s clever tech, but you have to take your eyes off the road to benefit from it, so it has its strengths and its flaws. Of course, if you’d prefer to use one of the smartphone integration packages, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are both standard. You’ll have to plug in your phone, but there is also wireless charging if you don’t use either of these functions. Otherwise, the graphics are super-sharp and the touchscreen responds quickly; you can use the touch-sensitive pad on the transmission tunnel,…

4 min

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Fleetwatch

BMW X5 CAR keys are important. A cheap-feeling key is like a limp handshake, while a really good keyfob makes you feel good about a vehicle before you’ve even seen it. Editor-in-chief Steve Fowler’s plug-in BMW X5 came with BMW’s display key – a monster of a digital device given its function, with its own screen that lets you control the locks, climate control and check on the car from your armchair. But it’s around 100mm long, 60mm wide and weighs roughly 50g – and all of its functions are mirrored on the BMW connected app on Steve’s iPhone anyway. So this begs the question, is it really necessary? Not only is the key a bit chunky, but it also needs charging! It can be charged in the X5’s wireless…

2 min

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NEW TOOLS LAUNCHED FOR THE HOME MECHANIC

NEW PRODUCTS sealey tools and kit price: From £7.14 Contact: www.sealey.co.uk ANTICIPATING a rise in DIY car repairs post-lockdown, Sealey has been busy adding to its range for home mechanics. Even if you already have a set of spanners, the latest additions to Sealey’s line-up will likely still appeal because they combine an open-end with a flexi-head, 100-tooth WallDrive ratchet ring. the 12-piece AK63940 Ratchet combination Spanner Set is part of the platinum series; the spanners are made from hardened, tempered chrome-vanadium steel with a slim design and a satin finish. the set covers 8-19mm, includes a rack, and currently costs £101.94 (normally £155.94). Owners of SUVs, EVs and other heavy types of car will appreciate the extra lifting power of Sealey’s new three-tonne trolley jack. the 3001cXp design features…

2 min

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books, games & apps

Bruno Sacco: Leading Mercedes-Benz Design 1979-1999 Nick Greene (Crowood Press, crowood.com) Price: £27.50 PART biography, part celebration of Sacco’s work – including the 190E, W124 E-Class and W126 S-Class. The content is slightly disjointed at first, but battle through and it’s enjoyable, helped along by more than 300 photos and illustrations – vital in a design-led volume such as this. Origami Vehicles In Colourful Diagrams Hadi Tahir, Harri Thaha (Independently published, amazon.co.uk) Price: £17.99 THESE range from the slightly tricky to the very difficult indeed – if you’re an accomplished origamist you’ll relish the challenge, but it might be tough going otherwise. Still, the results are charming, and there’s a good variety of vehicles, from cars to lorries and bikes to boats. Desert Drifter Available for: iOS, Android Price: Free…

1 min

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Tristan Shale-Hester

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@dennis.co.uk Q What’s the legal status of Euro-branded reg plates? I’VE noticed some new 20-plate cars with the EU symbol on their registrations, even though the UK has left the European Union. Are these plates still legal post-Brexit, or will people have to buy replacement items? DW, E-mail A UK number plates bearing the EU symbol – sometimes known as Euro plates – are still legal to have on your car, and will continue to be so. The Government hasn’t announced any plans to ban them, and at the moment they still allow you to drive a UK-registered car in the EU without a GB sticker. However, after the transition period finishes at the end of the year, it will be necessary to affix a GB sticker…

2 min

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New 2 Series Coupé sticks to BMW’s rear-drive roots

Visit autoexpress.co.uk for your daily news updates “The coupé will share almost nothing with other models in the 2 Series range” James Brodie James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods New sports car will be based on shrunken CLAR platform M2 flagship due to return with six-cylinders and a manual box BMW currently has a focus on developing a fleet of new electric vehicles, but the German manufacturer hasn’t forgotten its core customer base, because an all-new 2 Series Coupé is on the way. The new model is aimed squarely at the driving enthusiast, because it will be rear-wheel drive, while manual gearboxes and a straight-six petrol engine will appear. Coming in 2021, the arrival of the new coupé means the 2 Series model range will continue to be the most diverse in BMW’s line-up.…

4 min

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Porsche hikes flagship Panamera to 621bhp

Hybrids get a better e-range GTS power raised to 473bhp FIRST RIDE Dirk Branke PORSCHE has faced one of its toughest makeover challenges for years with the Panamera. The super-saloon has been honed over two generations, and the German firm seemed happy with its work on the current model. So which direction should it take with the facelift? Luckily, thanks to the 911, Porsche’s engineers have had plenty of experience of chipping away at a model over time. So the facelifted Panamera will get more performance, the chassis will be finely tuned, and smarter multimedia will be introduced for its autumn debut. What the Panamera will not get is a radical styling overhaul. There’s a new graphic in the rear light strip, a redesigned rear diffuser and, at the front…

2 min

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news in brief

Revised Mégane adds a plug-in hybrid RENAULT has revealed that the updated Mégane range (above) will start from £20,740 in the UK. The hatchback will go on sale in August, sporting a range of styling, interior and trim updates, as well as a new plug-in hybrid powertrain. The entry-level Iconic kicks off the range, with prices climbing to £36,495 for the flagship RS Trophy 300. The new plug-in hybrid Mégane E-Tech is only available as a Sport Tourer estate for now, priced from £30,685. A hybrid hatchback will follow. Driving tests back on in England and Wales DRIVING tests in England have officially resumed, with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency urging learners to speak with their instructors before rebooking to ensure their skills haven’t become rusty during lockdown. Candidates…

1 min

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MINI unleashes refreshed Countryman JCW crossover

MINI has revealed the facelifted version of the highperformance Countryman John Cooper Works crossover. As with the standard Countryman, the revamped JCW gets a new grille and updated LED headlamps. The outgoing model’s optional Piano Black styling package is now standard; it swaps the old car’s chrome headlamp trim, rear light bezels, grille surround and door handles for gloss black replacements. The exhaust tips are now larger, too. Inside, the Countryman JCW sports a new five-inch digital instrument cluster lifted from the MINI Electric hatchback, some Piano Black trim for the dashboard and door cards, plus two new leather upholstery colours. Power comes from a 302bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, which drives all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. MINI says 0-62mph takes 5.1 seconds and top speed…

1 min

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SHRINE TO MARANELLO

Tackling the motoring issues that matter Ben Barry FOR many Ferrari fanatics, collecting model cars is a substitute for owning the real thing. But Geoff Batterbee is an exception to the rule: he sold a full-size 360 Spider to fund a home extension to house his ever-expanding model Ferrari collection. The result: a shrine to Maranello on a quiet suburban street in Greater London. There are few clues to Geoff’s passion for Ferrari when you arrive at the family home, and he doesn’t come across as at all socially awkward, in the way his obsessive collecting might suggest. Now 65, he retired a few years ago as managing director of a security company because he’d grown to hate the city; he has a lovely wife, Janet, who entirely supports and…

8 min

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Skoda Octavia

John McIlroy John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk THE Skoda Octavia has always been a car with a sharp sense of focus – not too posh, nor too expensive, but targeted superbly at those who want just that little bit more space than you get in a Volkswagen Golf, but who don’t want to pay a premium for it. We were very impressed when we drove the estate version of the new generation of Octavia in the UK in June; now we’ve had our first chance to try the hatchback. To recap, the Octavia stays on an evolution of the MQB platform that underpinned its predecessor. It has grown a little – the hatchback is 19mm longer overall – and gained a sharp new look. The fourthgeneration Octavia is being launched with 1.5-litre petrol engines…

4 min

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ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BUYING A CAR

Hugo Griffiths Hugo_Griffiths@dennis.co.uk WELCOME, once again, to the results of our latest Driver Power survey. This issue, we’re telling you everything you need to know about the car-buying landscape, detailing the best and worst dealers out there, and also highlighting 50 cracking car deals that are available right now. Some of these will put a brand-new set of wheels on your driveway for less than many people spend on their lunch each day, with manufacturers offering interest-free finance, chunky deposit contributions and payment holidays to ease the burden for those in tricky circumstances during these trying times. We’ve also covered the best breakdown providers, because however reliable new cars are, once a manufacturer policy runs out, you’ll want to get the best cover you can. So read on, enjoy and,…

1 min

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TOP 50 DEALS

DID YOU KNOW? Three-year finance deals used to be the norm, but 42 and 48-month contracts are increasingly common; these reduce the all-important monthly repayments you’ll make Hugo Griffiths Hugo_Griffiths@dennis.co.uk THE number-one consideration for anyone buying a new car is how much it will cost. Working this out used to be a simple case of looking at list prices but, as fewer people buy their cars outright, comparing deals is now an essential part of the shopping process. Here, we outline 50 deals on the top cars from our Driver Power new-car survey from April (Issue 1,621). We detail the monthly repayments you’ll make with a typical deposit, and also highlight if manufacturers are offering low interest rates or making deposit contributions to help. But comparing these elements alone isn’t…

27 min

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Your top six breakdown service providers rated

Hugo Griffiths Hugo_Griffiths@dennis.co.uk @hugo_griffiths WHILE it’s possible to take out breakdown cover if and when you have a fault with your car, this adds stress to an already difficult situation. What’s more, you’re less likely to get a good price if you’re making a ‘distress’ purchase. Here, we detail the best breakdown firms in the business, looking at how quickly technicians turned up, how effective they were at getting you back on the road, and a number of other factors. We’ve changed how we calculate our scores for 2020, putting an emphasis on the callout experience itself, and less on how easy it was to take out cover in the first place. BREAKDOWN DATA How long did it take the breakdown provider to arrive at your vehicle? Less than 30…

5 min

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Volvo XC40

MODEL-TESTED: Volvo XC40 D4 AWD Inscription Pro PRICE: £39,450 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 187bhp THE XC40 shook up this class when it went on sale in late 2017, but a few years on, newer rivals have emerged. So is it still a contender against cars such as the new Mercedes GLA? We’re testing the top-spec D4 Inscription Pro to find out. Design & engineering THE first thing to mention is that, despite both of these cars being the top-spec diesel models, the Volvo is £3,810 cheaper to buy than the Mercedes. However, the GLA’s lower AMG Line Executive trim still gets features to match the Volvo, and it’s more on par, at £39,935. Mechanically, Volvo uses a similar approach to Mercedes and many of its rivals, and the XC40 is based…

6 min

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YOUR GREAT OFFER FREE Gtechniq welcome gift All the latest news, road tests & reviews delivered to your door each week FREE delivery of every issue Save 47% on your subscription at just £24.99 every 13 issues ORDER ONLINE: (Scan our QR code for quick access!) dennismags.co.uk/autoexpress OR CALL NOW ON: 0330 333 9491 quoting offer code D1637 YOUR FREE GIFT Gtechniq C2 Liquid Crystal C2 Liquid Crystal is the revolutionary way to make your car shine and stay clean longer, thanks to Gtechniq’s unique Smart Surface Science With C2 your car will get instant, effective protection from UV and dirt for up to eight months. Gtechniq ZeroR Microfibre Buff Cloth This short pile warp knit 300gsm, 40x40cm, high polyamide content cloth is the optimum cloth for removing residues from…

1 min

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THIS WEEK’S HOT KIT

NEW PRODUCT Sygic sat-nav app speed cams Price: £13.48 Contact: www.sygic.com ONLINE and offline sat-nav app Sygic has added mobile speed camera alerts to its range of extras. The smart alert system relies not just on user input, as you will find with most rivals, but also takes data from third parties, government research, news feeds and field surveys. Sygic says the new feature will help drivers avoid inadvertently getting speeding fines, and contributes to road safety by ensuring limits are stuck to by drivers using the system. The app differs from many rivals because it can be used offline when Internet access is poor. Maps are loaded to the phone, and the app can create routes and give instructions offline. There are three packages currently available for iOS and…

1 min

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news, deals & events

Ford unveils range of easy-fit shields OPERATORS using Ford commercial vehicles as buses, patient transfer transport or taxis can now choose from a new range of protection shields (above) from the official Ford accessories range. available for the transit Custom and full-sized transit, the shields can be installed between front passengers or behind the front seats. they’re made from easy-to-sanitise transparent pVC and can be easily installed and removed, with no interior modifications required. screens for the smaller transit Connect and Courier models will follow later this year. Contact your local Ford dealer at www.ford.co.uk/dealer-locator. Taycan tyre ‘cuts noise, boosts range’ TYRE maker Hankook is supplying the porsche taycan electric car with its new Ventus s1 evo3 eV – a tyre specially developed for battery-powered vehicles. Changes to accommodate porsche’s…

1 min

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E-SCOOTERS

PRODUCT GROUP TEST 29|7|2020 Every week, we extensively test all the latest car kit from tyres to trim cleaners. Log on to www.autoexpress.co.uk to look through our huge online test archive Pure Air Pro Price: £679.99 Available from: www.purescooters.com Power: 350w Scooter weight: 17kg Range (claimed): 22 miles PURE’S new scooter doesn’t have any gimmicky features, but it makes up for this in sturdiness. It’s a hefty machine, designed to be used every day in the British climate. It has proper waterproofing, self-healing pneumatic tyres, big, 10-inch wheels and is rated for riders up to 120kg. It will be annoyingly large and heavy to lift up stairs or into a car boot frequently, but it feels as though it is built to last and is confidence-inspiring to ride. If we…

6 min

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BUYER’S GUIDE: Alfa Romeo Giulia

Richard Dredge ALFA Romeo has just celebrated its 110th anniversary, and since it built its first car in 1910, this Italian brand has had a roller coaster ride in terms of its sales and fortunes. For years, Alfa has seen itself as a genuine alternative to the German premium brands, but with a more sporting, soulful edge. Potential buyers haven’t necessarily always seen it this way though; they often perceive Alfa Romeos as fun to drive but fragile, with poor dealer support. While the cars continue to be dynamically very capable, they’re now much more dependable than they used to be, and while the dealer network can still be rather inconsistent, buying an Alfa Romeo isn’t the game of Russian Roulette that it used to be. History THE Giulia went…

8 min

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NEW CAR PRICES

HOW OUR GUIDE WORKS PERFORMANCE: This is the manufacturer’s claimed acceleration time for a car, and is measured from 0-60mph or 0-62mph (0-100kph), in seconds. ECONOMY AND EMISSIONS: The combined economy figure in miles per gallon and its emissions in grams per kilometre of CO2. Figures are the best achieved in the latest WLTP tests, but will vary according to equipment and are unlikely to be representative of everyday efficiency. INSURANCE: Group rating as quoted by the Association of British Insurers. WARRANTY: Next to each manufacturer’s name is the basic warranty period in months and miles for the mechanicals, corrosion and paintwork. EVs and hybrids will have dedicated battery cover. LIST PRICE: This is the on-the-road figure and includes VAT, delivery to dealer, 12 months’ road tax, number plates and…

1 min

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Ferrari revamps technical team ahead of Silverstone F1 double

• Binotto remains after reshuffle • Hamilton laments fan absence Stephen Errity Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk FERRARI has initiated a restructuring of its technical team, following the squad’s disastrous start to the 2020 Formula One season in Austria and Hungary at the start of July. After the two races at the Red Bull Ring and one at the Hungaroring in three weeks, Ferrari is fifth in the constructors’ standings, behind Mercedes, Red Bull, McLaren and Racing Point. Charles Leclerc’s drive to second in the season-opening Austrian Grand Prix has been the team’s sole high point of 2020, with pre-season predictions that it would be off the pace of the leaders looking accurate. In contrast to previous Ferrari crises, there hasn’t been a clear out at the top; team principal Mattia Binotto stays in…

3 min

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All-electric iNEXT SUV on target

James Brodie James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods ELSEWHERE at BMW, preparations are being laid for a brand new, all-electric flagship SUV that will be quite unlike anything else in the brand’s line-up, according to one of the company’s top designers. Speaking with Auto Express, BMW Head of Design Domagoj Dukec shone a little more light on the electric SUV project. He confirmed its production name will be iNEXT, and it will be the “pinnacle” of the BMW line-up when it arrives in 2021. “The iNEXT will be a purpose-built product, and it stands for something different,” he explained, outlining how it won’t be an electric version of an existing BMW SUV. “It’s coming with a complete new electric system, a new interior, a completely new experience of SUVs. It’s not called i7 or…

2 min

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JLR contactless tech could boost road safety

JAGUAR Land Rover has teamed up with the University of Cambridge to produce an all-new, contactless touchscreen infotainment system, which the firm claims can keep drivers focused on the road and limit the spread of bacteria and viruses. The technology uses an array of driver monitoring technologies – including a vision-based gesture tracker, an eye-gaze tracer and radio frequency-based sensors. Drivers can select functions by hovering their finger roughly over a widget on the touchscreen and the car’s artificial intelligence system will figure out the user’s intent, even over bumpy roads. Lab tests and on-road trials have shown that JLR’s predictive touch technology could reduce the amount of time a driver spends physically interacting with the infotainment screen by as much as 50 per cent, in theory increasing the amount…

1 min

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End in sight for expensive m-way fuel?

Hugo Griffiths Hugo_Griffiths@dennis.co.uk @hugo_griffiths “EXPLOITATIVE” fuel prices at motorway filling stations could soon become a thing of the past, after the UK’s largest motorway services’ operator announced a significant cut in the cost of petrol and diesel at a number of its stations. Moto, which runs more than 60 services across the UK, is trialling an eight penceper-litre cut at three of its sites, a price drop that will make motorway fuel “highly competitive against local petrol stations”. The trial will be expanded to all Motooperated filling stations if it is successful. Prices for unleaded will be set at 111.9 pence-per-litre, and diesel at 117.9 penceper-litre, at three sites: Frankley services on the M5 near Birmingham; Lancaster services on the M6; and Donington Park services on the M1, near Derby.…

2 min

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Inbox

Your views We want to hear your views. Send your questions or opinions to the E-mail address below Contact Tristan Shale-Hester HOT TOPIC Suzuki Across FROM: John Minshall PREDICTABLE rather than adventurous design, but Suzuki needs something to replace the Jimny and compete in the SUV market. To be fair, the 47-mile electric range is pretty good! I can actually see this selling rather well in the UK. FROM: Jeremy Morris I KNOW they’re very different types of SUV, but it seems extremely sad to me that just as the quirky, fun little Jimny gets the axe, Suzuki unveils this big, bland behemoth that’s simply a rebadged Toyota RAV4. Sign of the times, I fear. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk “Who is going to buy a RAV4 with the wrong…

2 min

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Mercedes GLB 220 d

Visit autoexpress.co.uk for the latest new cars and drives “It’d be churlish of us to go any further without admitting that this car does indeed have one or two nods to the iconic G-Class” John McIlroy John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy SOMETIMES a new car arrives and it turns out to be a little different from what we had been expecting. And the Mercedes GLB is one such model. All through its development period, this vehicle swirled around the rumour mill billed as a ‘mini G-Wagen’ – a more rugged small offering that could even be a rival for the likes of the Jeep Renegade. And then when it arrived, it turned out to be nothing of the sort. In fact, the GLB is a very coherent competitor in the mid-sized SUV market…

7 min

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Audi A3 Saloon

Alex Ingram Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @AxleIngram THIS is the new Audi A3 Saloon, although we’d forgive you for needing a nudge to realise as much. The truth is, buyers couldn’t get enough of the outgoing A3, even towards the end of its life, so there was little reason for Audi to mess with a successful formula when the time for a replacement arrived. From some angles it’s difficult to tell old from new. The keen-eyed will notice the Quattro-inspired slot above the single-frame grille, new bumper designs and sharper creases on the bonnet and the car’s flanks. In addition, the headlights get a more exaggerated L-shaped kink at their lower edge. The cabin, meanwhile, has been subjected to a complete overhaul. The infotainment display of the old car has gone, replaced by…

4 min

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OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Hugo Griffiths Hugo_Griffiths@dennis.co.uk @hugo_griffiths BACK in April 2019, we bought precisely 161,064 new cars in the UK. Fast-forward to the same month this year, and that number had shrunk to trace levels, with just 4,321 new cars finding homes – and only 871 of those purchases were made by private buyers. This evaporation of sales was the result of dealers being forced to close during lockdown, but things are starting to look up. In June, with English dealers reopening at the start of the month, the UK market was down by a little over a third, reflecting the fact that Scottish and Welsh franchises weren’t allowed to start trading until later in June. Now dealers across the UK are back in business, and are welcoming customers with open – if…

2 min

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Your best car dealers

“However you intend to buy your next car, our Driver Power dealer survey is an essential read” DID YOU KNOW? Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders shows there are 4,900 franchised car dealers in the UK, and 590,000 people work in the automotive retail sector Hugo Griffiths Hugo_Griffiths@dennis.co.uk @hugo_griffiths THE car-buying landscape is undergoing significant changes at the moment due to coronavirus. Online sales and augmented reality technology (see Issue 1,635) are being embraced wholeheartedly by manufacturers and dealers that want to offer shoppers as many routes into a new car as possible. With these changes, the importance of our Driver Power dealer satisfaction survey has arguably increased. That’s because gauging how efficient and effective dealers are can be tricky in the virtual world, yet these elements…

21 min

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Lofty ambitions

MERCEDES took a while to make a small SUV available in the UK, and when it did, the original GLA wasn’t exactly at the sharp end of the class. But now there’s an all-new, second-generation GLA here to right those wrongs – or so Mercedes sincerely hopes. Its sporting new tech inspired by its A-Class family hatch sibling – and we already know how advanced that feels inside – which puts the GLA on a par with Volvo’s small SUV, the XC40. Volvo also took its time to enter this compact premium SUV sector. But after changing hands and rebranding itself largely as an SUV manufacturer under Geely ownership back in 2015 with the XC90, the execution of the XC40 showed the firm is very much in a new era…

2 min

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Rivals: Four alternative SUVs

Audi Q3 MODEL: 40 TDI S tronic S line PRICE: £39,920 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 187bhp AUDI’S approach to its Q3 compact premium SUV is similar to that of Mercedes and Volvo; the Q3 uses a modular platform and a 2.0-litre diesel engine producing the same 187bhp as its rivals. There’s a dual-clutch gearbox, too. The motor is strong but not as refined as the GLA’s, while the dual-clutch transmission is jerkier at low speed. The Audi’s ride is a little firmer than the Mercedes’, especially in sporty S line spec, so it’s also not as comfortable, but the on-board tech is certainly a match for the Merc’s. However, one area where the Q3 really excels is practicality. The back seats slide so there’s between 530 and 675 litres on offer,…

4 min

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Toyota Corolla Touring Sports

Darren Wilson Darren_Wilson@dennis.co.uk I HESITATE to suggest that anything positive has come out of lockdown, other than spending more time with the family. But there’s been one faint silver lining. With Toyota’s first tentative steps toward collecting cars involving a swap, I got my hands on a shiny new Corolla Touring Sports for a two-week loan period when our Corolla hatch was finally collected in early June. Anyone familiar with my previous reports will be aware that while our Corolla hatch had so many positive attributes, I struggled with the small boot. The space was just about OK because it took my new grandson’s buggy and the weekly family shop. But the raised floor to accommodate the 12V battery (there’s no space up front with the larger 2.0-litre engine) just…

3 min

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Kim Adams

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk Q Help me to banish this whiff I BOUGHT a two-year-old SEAT Ibiza for my son, but the interior smells of stale smoke. Can you recommend something to get rid of the smell? Wilson Smith, E-mail A THIS has to be one of the trickiest valeting tasks. Start with all the fabrics – seats, carpets and headlining – using an upholstery cleaner and a wet and dry vacuum. Steam cleaning is also an option. Use an air-con cleaner, and if the car has one, change the pollen filter, too. If the smell persists, your final option is to hire an ozone generator for a few hours. Q My friend’s been LED astray A FRIEND has just upgraded the exterior and interior lights on his car to LEDs. I thought…

1 min

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Road atlases prove their worth in a digital age

Mini test OUR CHOICE A-Z Great Britain and Northern Ireland Super Scale 2021 Price: £14.99 Scale: 2.5mpi Contact: 01732 783422 www.az.co.uk THE A-Z large-scale atlas is logically arranged, with the countrywide mapping followed by approach roads and town plans. We liked the air and sea port plans, eight of each, and the major city approach plans (for London, Birmingham and Manchester) were suitably detailed. The 70 town plans covered all bases and we thought the London congestion zone in particular was clearly marked. Places of interest and attractions were shown on the maps and listed at the rear of the book, along with their postcodes. Overall, the best way from A to B remains the A-Z. Dave Pollard DESPITE the relentless march of sat-nav, many drivers still prefer to use…

2 min

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Ford Kuga

2020 Results Kuga Factfile Years: 2012 to 2020 CO2: 171g/km Fuel economy: 60.1mpg (2.0 TDCi 148) Best options: Climate control, leather, sunroof, power-operated tailgate USED PRICES: From £6,000 OVERALL SCORE 89.75% Bars show where model finished out of 75 vehicles in our 2020 new car survey. The longer the bar the better WE SAID “THE second-generation Kuga has only recently been replaced, but it does many things right. It’s fairly practical, with a decent boot, while owners like the infotainment – although the car could be more fun to drive.” INTERIOR Owners rate the Kuga’s cabin, saying it’s well built and spacious, with enough room for five and decent storage up front GOOD “REAR legroom is exceptional, even for a large SUV. With tall people in the front, there’s still…

2 min

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Sport for haul

ONCE upon a time, drivers who needed a car with lots of room for passengers and luggage would have had little choice but to purchase an MPV. But things have changed, because SUVs of all shapes and sizes have increased in popularity, with larger models becoming the mainstay of drivers who need room for their children, pets, bicycles and pretty much anything else you can think of. Not only are seven-seat SUVs extremely capable, but they succeed where MPVs failed in becoming properly desirable, thanks to their more imposing looks and off-road ability – or at least the promise of it. Here, we compare three key players: the Skoda Kodiaq, which has long been one of our favourite large SUVs, and two newer models – the rugged Mitsubishi Shogun Sport and the…

4 min

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BACK CHAT

I’M not sure if it’s laziness, complacency, arrogance or lethargy that’s the issue at some franchised dealerships. But I do know that many just don’t try hard enough – while continuing to press their self-destruct buttons. Take the Land Rover and SEAT dealer networks as examples. Both manufacturers are investing billions, and producing their finest cars ever. Yet in return, their networks have dumped themselves respectively in last and second-last in the Driver Power dealership survey (page 56). If directors and dealer development managers at these two giants aren’t demanding gargantuan changes at retailer level, they should be. Even I – a fan and former paying customer of both marques – feel deeply miffed. I’ve never known the Midlands firm working longer, building better cars, or trying harder. Meanwhile, the…

2 min