Table of contents for 1610 in Auto Express

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk ● New GTS 4.0 models revealed ● 395bhp, six-speed manual box PORSCHE is reintroducing six-cylinder engines to its entry-level sports cars, the 718 Cayman and 718 Boxster. This is the new GTS 4.0, which uses a mildly detuned version of the naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat six already fitted to the hardcore Cayman GT4. It’s a direct replacement for the existing GTS, which was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, and a riposte to critics of the car’s engine note. However, Porsche hasn’t removed flat-four engines from the range entirely; they will continue to be sold in the standard and S versions of the Boxster and Cayman. The flat six produces 395bhp in the GTS 4.0, which is 19bhp less than the GT4, and the engine revs up to a…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk ● Toyota teases new model ● 4WD likely to be offered TOYOTA is promising a “standalone” approach with its forthcoming Nissan Juke-rivalling small SUV, which it confirmed plans for last week. As detailed exclusively by Auto Express at the start of this month (Issue 1,607), the new model will use the same TNGA-B architecture that underpins the new Yaris. However, in confirming plans for the car’s production, Toyota said that, while it will be built alongside the supermini in France, it will have a distinct look of its own. A single official teaser sketch suggests an edgier design theme than that used on the Yaris. Toyota Europe’s Vice-President Matt Harrison said the car will “not be just a Yaris with body cladding and raised suspension”. The new model will…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk ● Halo model arrives in 2025 ● Will lead 11-strong EV line-up KIA has outlined plans to create an 11-strong line-up of fully electric vehicles by 2025, with a dedicated electric model, capable of more than 311 miles on a single charge, due on sale by 2021. It’s part of a £19billion programme that Kia has dubbed ‘Plan S’. This sets the company a target of hitting one million sales of ‘eco-friendly’ (a mix of low and zero-emission) vehicles by 2026. Half of these will be full EVs by the brand’s own sums. The new EV is expected to be a production version of the Imagine concept, a high-roofed fastback first shown at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, roughly between the size of the X-Ceed and the Sportage. At…

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.consumer-ombudsman.org RMIF: 0845 305 4230 Scottish Motor Trade Assoc. 0131 331 5510…

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk THIS is the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 – a car which, by emitting just 29g/km of CO2, has comfortably the lowest tailpipe emissions of any car in the SUV range. Perhaps surprisingly for a car with such a low emissions figure, it’s also the most powerful model. The 3008’s plug-in hybrid system uses two electric motors – one on each axle – producing 108bhp each. They are joined by a 197bhp 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine that means there’s a combined output of 296bhp and 450Nm of torque. Select Sport mode, and this four-wheel-drive family crossover will sprint from 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds. It really feels it, too. Plant your right foot and the 3008 surges forward with a near hot-hatch-like shove, and nearly with the sound to match. Take things…

Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk Performance 0-62mph/top speed 13.8 seconds/105mph Running costs 45.6mpg (official) £53 fill-up STILL top of the sales charts, the Ford Fiesta has long been a favourite, both with us here at Auto Express, and with families up and down the land. But a new threat has emerged: the latest Renault Clio. The French hatch is a strong contender in the supermini class, and a broad range of spec and engine options give buyers greater choice – especially since Ford culled the Zetec model from the Fiesta line-up. While this wouldn’t usually be cause for concern, the gulf between the entry-level Fiesta Trend and the sporty ST-Line was exaggerated by Ford’s lacklustre 1.1-litre engine: we far prefer the eager turbocharged EcoBoost units on higher-end models. But Ford has now dropped that…

MODEL TESTED: Volvo V60 D4 Inscription Plus PRICE: £40,465 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 187bhp THE Volvo V60 is a Scandinavian alternative to the German executive car options, and it brings its own approach and style as a result. Here we’re looking at the front-wheel-drive D4 model (£40,465), because the all-wheel-drive version only comes in off-road-focused Cross Country form. Design & engineering THE V60 is built using Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), which is the larger of the Swedish brand’s two platforms and means the car shares parts not only with the S60 saloon, but also the XC90, S90 and V90. It uses MacPherson struts for the front suspension and a multi-link layout at the rear, which is a standard set-up for this class. This D4 is front-wheel drive; for AWD you’ll…

THE current SUV craze happened partly because style-conscious buyers were looking to stand out from the crowd. But now most manufacturers offer these higher-riding models, and that has meant that buyers are looking for the next niche: the coupé-SUV. The Audi Q3 Sportback fulfils the brief nicely, combining conventional SUV practicality with coupé-like styling. But that puts it in direct competition with one of our favourite compact, coupé-like crossovers (and a previous road test winner in this magazine): the Lexus UX. Practicality and value are important considerations here, but it’s also a battle between diesel and petrol hybrid. So we’ll see how these two cars compare for economy – yet another front where this fight will be won. Audi Q3 Sportback Sleeker version of Audi SUV sacrifices some of its…

Triumph TR6: Your Expert Guide Paul Hogan (Veloce Publishing, veloce.co.uk) Price: £12.99 RATHER than being a buying guide, this book is aimed at helping current TR6 owners diagnose and repair some of the car’s most common problems. It’s easy to grasp and well presented, with clear text and useful colour photos. It covers both UK and US-specification TR6s. Well worth buying if you’re already an owner. Blood, Sweat and Tyres David Long (The History Press, www.thehistorypress.co.uk) Price: £9.99 APPARENTLY aimed at those wanting to add a lighter side to the horror of their commute, this book is jam-packed with anecdotes and facts about motoring, racing, cars, roads, and just about every other topic you can think of. Easy to dip into and out of, irreverent and funny throughout, plus it’s…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk ● Alfa Romeo’s third SUV is due to go on sale within two years ● Set to be based on PSA platform, with petrol and electric options “The merger between FCA and PSA gives Alfa access to all it needs to get a compact crossover to market quickly” ALFA Romeo has refocused its future product plan and will launch a new baby crossover designed to rival the Nissan Juke in the next two years. The crossover will also be the Italian company’s first model to be offered with the option of fully electric power, official documents have revealed. The firm was relatively late bringing its first SUV, the Stelvio, to market in 2017 and since then Alfa has yet to broaden its SUV offering. Aware that it is losing…

News and features editor IS the move back to six cylinders for the 718 Cayman and Boxster recognition from Porsche that it should have never removed them in the first place? Perhaps. But while the switch to a flat-four angered enthusiasts (and continues to do so), it doesn’t appear to have put off people who actually bought the cars. The sales numbers speak for themselves; UK sales have remained largely consistent before and after the switch, peaking at 2,971 units in 2013 with a low of 2,392 sales last year. For that reason, it’s unlikely Porsche will see a sales spike, but Internet forums will at least be a little quieter. “The switch to flat fours doesn’t actually appear to have put off buyers”…

OVER at Jaguar, the firm’s development team has also been busy: this is our first look at the all-new, all-electric Jaguar XJ. It’s due to be unveiled later this year and will be a direct rival to the Tesla Model S. Following the I-Pace SUV, this new XJ will be Jaguar’s second EV. But while the I-Pace was a new project, the XJ is a bold reinvention of one of the company’s most iconic models – although the finished car won’t look like the mule in these pictures. It’s camouflaged by what looks like a very modified XF body, but we can see the stretched wheelbase, wider track and taller sills, presumably to accommodate batteries for the electric powertrain. The new XJ is based on a new platform called MLA,…

We hit the road in first Aston SUV THE Aston Martin DBX is one of this year’s most eagerly anticipated new cars. The SUV is crucial to the firm’s fortunes, and it has the potential to launch an exciting new future for the British brand. Before its launch later this year, we’ve had an exclusive drive of a prototype. Steve Fowler reports. youtube.com/Autoexpress LAND ROVER DISCO SPORT The 2020 Discovery Sport looks very much like the outgoing car, yet it boasts new underpinnings, mild-hybrid engines and a brand new, more expensive-feeling dashboard. But is that enough to keep it desirable? Our man James Batchelor finds out. youtube.com/carbuyer SUBARU FORESTER The Forester e-Boxer has all the off-road credentials that you’d expect, but it now comes with a hybrid powertrain. Vicky Parrott…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress Write to: Letters, Auto Express, Dennis Publishing Ltd, 31-32 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7DP HOT TOPIC Ferrari Purosangue FROM: David Braine WITH so many manufacturers trying their hand at sporty SUVs, I can’t help but be interested to see what Ferrari comes up with. As one of the greatest sports car companies of all time, it should be able to make something amazing. FROM: Simon Jarratt ANOTHER illustrious car maker has caved in and decided to make an SUV. This is a real shame; it dilutes the brand and moves it away from its core principles, even though I understand at the end of the day it’s a business decision. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “Looks a bit better than the Urus. Would rather Ferrari stuck to…

WITH expensive, made-to-measure cars, comes customer expectations that far exceed most other automotive segments. The team at Alvis understand this, as was evident when Auto Express joined Peter Barford – the man responsible for quality control (QC) on the Continuation Series. Every inch of a finished car is pored over in minute detail. To our untrained eye the Vanden Plas looked a quick clean away from being ready for delivery, but Peter saw otherwise, drawing up a list of infinitesimally small snags. Barford’s QC role extends further than most: he’s the last to see the car before it is transported to Japan, and the first to meet it on the other side of its international journey, where he’ll personally drive the Tourer to the Alvis distributor’s showroom in Tokyo.…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk RARELY does a new car from a new (or in this case, revitalised) brand come along and give the established big-hitters a serious run for their money, but the Alpine A110 is one of those cars. The fact it’s the current Auto Express Coupé of the Year goes to show you how highly we rate it. Not quite satisfied, the French firm has developed an even more focused, more powerful version to try and cement its place as an accomplished sports car specialist. It’s called the A110 S and this is our first chance to get behind the wheel in the UK. The basic recipe for a car designed to give you a bit more of everything is as you’d expect. Power from the 1.8-litre turbo is up by…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk THE Mercedes-AMG GT R Roadster is the fastest, most powerful and dearest convertible ever to wear a Mercedes badge. It’s about as extreme as roadsters get. That, in itself, is a bit of a head-scratcher. Mercedes-AMG had gone to great lengths to make the regular GT R as focused as can be, with carbon-fibre panels, four-wheel steering, a nine-stage traction-control system, active aerodynamics and carbon-ceramic brakes. But now it’s lopped off the roof and added 80kg. And at 1,710kg, the Roadster is no featherweight. However, Mercedes-AMG isn’t alone in this; Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren all have open-top versions of their top-tier performance cars. If you want to add the GT R Roadster to your fleet you’d better be quick; only 750 examples will be built. And at £178,675, it’s…

MODEL TESTED: BMW 320d xDrive Touring M Sport PRICE: £41,325 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 187bhp BMW launched this version of the 3 Series with an all-new platform, fresh engines and the latest in-car tech. Now it’s time to see how the Touring version rates. Here we’ve got a 320d xDrive in M Sport trim, which costs £41,325. Design & engineering THE Touring adds a longer roofline and a different tailgate in its transformation from saloon to estate, which also means the boot becomes part of the cabin. This allows you to fold the rear seats down to create even more room inside, but we’ll take a closer look at this in the Practicality section. Many of BMW’s models are based on the brand’s CLAR architecture, including the latest 3 Series. The…

BMW 3 Series Touring Live Cockpit Professional Std. Key features: Sat-nav, online services AN 8.8-inch system is standard on all cars, but M Sport models get a larger 10.25-inch display, plus a digital dash to match its rivals here. There’s sat-nav, plus live traffic information, Apple CarPlay, voice features and over-the-air map updates. Sadly, Android Auto isn’t available at all. The Technology Package costs £1,900 and adds a head-up display, gesture control (a gimmick), wireless phone charging and a WiFi hotspot. We’d go for the wireless charging option on its own for £350 if you need that function, because it’s an expensive pack otherwise. The rotary control on the centre console makes use while driving very easy, and you can operate it without taking your eyes off the road, which…

LIKE many of Audi’s cars, this Q3 Sportback is based on the brand’s MQB scalable platform. Its versatility is highlighted by the fact that this architecture also underpins rapid sports cars like the TT RS in the brand’s line-up. This car isn’t quite so racy, but all Q3 Sportbacks do get sports suspension, progressive steering and the Audi drive select system as standard. However, this sleeker model doesn’t drive all that differently to the standard Q3, with these features present on the Sportback – which, of course, is no bad thing. The steering is a good weight in the default mode, but there’s little feel. It is nicely precise and responds well to inputs, though. The ride is generally fine as well, although on our car’s 19-inch wheels the suspension…

Darren_Wilson@dennis.co.uk Running costs 44.2mpg (on test) £55 fill-up/£135 or 22% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 313/1,052 litres Performance 0-62 mph/top speed 7.9 seconds/111mph IT’S four months since the award-winning Toyota Corolla (it was our Best Affordable Hybrid Car at last year’s Auto Express Awards) arrived on our fleet, and it’s fair to say it’s popular with my colleagues and neighbours alike. That’s not at all surprising, because it’s a good-looking car, often complimented when I’m out and about and praised among those that have driven it in the office. I wasn’t really expecting that popularity to follow me home, though. Two of my neighbours own Denim Blue Toyotas. Living either side of me, both work for a firm that appears to use economical Toyota hybrids as staff cars. One neighbour,…

Lamborghini goes the whole hog with Alexa PERHAPS it’s an unexpected move from a brand best known for its extremely loud, outlandish supercars, but Lamborghini has become the first car maker to incorporate full Amazon Alexa voice assistant interior functionality. The latest Huracan EVO can control and be controlled by Alexa. Owners can, for example, ask their home systems to pre-heat the car before they step in. You’ll need to be in possession of both a £200k Huracan EVO and an Amazon Alexa device to take advantage. To find out more, search ‘Huracan EVO and Amazon Alexa’ in YouTube to see a short demonstration video. Tech keeps volume down while you chat IN-CAR audio wizard Harman has revealed new tech that’s designed to make having conversations with your passengers easier.…

PRODUCT GROUP TEST 22|1|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 THERE are dozens of products for keeping your car’s interior plastics and hard surfaces spick and span, but not only is it more convenient to use a wipe, it’s also easier to get the cleaning power just where you need it. Many wipes can be used in the workshop or even in the home, too, which adds to their versatility. Most come in a choice of packs and either your car or how you use them will be key to deciding which is for you. Tubs usually contain more wipes and are cheaper, but are bulkier to carry around.…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@dennis.co.uk Don’t abandon all hope Q A CAR has been abandoned on my road and is obstructing access for large vehicles. I reported it to the DVLA, council and police, but no action has been taken. What can I do? Name withheld, E-mail A WHEN dealing with an abandoned vehicle, the authorities are required to give the registered keeper seven days’ notice before taking action. Wait a while and, if nothing happens, contact both your local council and the DVLA again and press them to remove it. It might be of help if you can get your neighbours to report it as well. Delving into the past Q I BOUGHT a used car from a dealership but there is a gap in its service history. Can I obtain the…

Dear Luke, I’m after a performance car that can seat four people, and I have £12,000 to spend. What do you recommend? George Howdon, E-mail Contact: Luke_Wilkinson@dennis.co.uk • THE SENSIBLE CHOICE Skoda Octavia vRS FOR: Spacious, swift, comfortable and practical AGAINST: The least exciting of these to drive SKODA’s third-generation Octavia vRS shares its underpinnings with the Golf GTI, but its less prestigious badge means you can get a lot more car for your money. The Octavia vRS is also spacious, hard-wearing and has the added bonus of being available as an estate. We found a 2015 model, with 82,500 miles on the clock, for £8,995, and it had more standard kit than the equivalent Golf. If you want to use the full budget, we found a 2016 hatchback with…

Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk ● Tänak versus Neuville battle awaits at Hyundai ● Evans takes on Ogier at Toyota for season opener “Reigning champ Tänak is relaxed about the prospect of intra-team battles with new Hyundai team-mate Neuville” RALLYE Monte Carlo kicks off the 2020 World Rally Championship (WRC) this weekend, with Hyundai and Toyota’s new signings, Ott Tänak and Sébastien Ogier, expected to battle for the title. However, they will also have to face the challenge of Hyundai’s established star, Thierry Neuville. Reigning champion Tänak told the series’ official website that he’s relaxed about the prospect of intra-team battles with Neuville. “I’m sure there’ll be a big fight, but as long as the fight stays in the stages, I don’t see any problems,” he said. “Normally it should work out that this…

Motoring’s most outspoken and opinionated columnist sounds off “JLR needs smaller cars and SUVs. Jag and Land Rover could design them, Peugeot can do the bits beneath the skin” WE’RE barely a month into 2020, yet it’s already clear that this’ll be The Year of the Carlos. The first one (Ghosn) is the Brazilian-born bad boy who, until recently, was the cockily confident godfather of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. But after jumping £9million bail (that must’ve hurt) and going on the run to sunny Beirut, he currently holds the dubious title of world’s most famous international fugitive. Never has a global motor industry executive fallen so far, so fast, so hard, so bloody painfully. The other Carlos (Tavares) is the Portuguese superstar who enjoys life as the charming and calming, less-is-more…

OFFICIAL documents only show us what Alfa has planned for the next two years. However, there are notable gaps to be plugged in the firm’s product plan, and the recent merger with Groupe PSA creates a wealth of opportunities for the Italian brand. Although there is no official word on a replacement for the Giulietta hatch, it would come as no surprise to see Alfa launch such a model on the EMP2 platform used by the like of the Peugeot 308. A car like this is still key in the European new car market and the ready-made platform gives the opportunity to develop a credible Audi A3 rival quickly and with the option of plug-in hybrid technology. Less likely is a new version of the MiTo supermini. Alfa executives have…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk ● Sketch released online in China ● Engineering base on the way TESLA has dropped an official hint on how a baby hatchback model could look – just as the company confirmed plans to start engineering cars in China. An unattributed design sketch was issued as part of a string of official communications by Tesla on China’s WeChat social networking service. Roughly translated, one of the statements accompanying the image said, “In the end, it will be interpreted as an original Chinese Tesla, and go global.” The single sketch shows a car with clear current Tesla design cues at the front end, but more complex surfacing along the flanks and a swoopier, taller tail end that hints at the vehicle being a baby hatchback. Such a model would be…

Limited edition marks the end of Mulsanne BENTLEY has marked the end of Mulsanne production with a limited run of 30 special-edition cars named after the V8 motor that powers it. The 6.75 Edition (above) is based on the Mulsanne Speed and its engine develops 530bhp and 1,100Nm of torque. Bentley’s coachbuilding arm Mulliner has given the car a raft of cosmetic changes, including an engine number plaque signed by Bentley’s Chairman and Chief Executive, Adrian Hallmark. Wireless charging trial for pure-electric taxis TAXI drivers in Nottingham are to benefit from new wireless charging pads that top up electric cabs’ batteries while they sit in ranks, after the Transport Secretary announced a £3.4million pilot scheme. Nottingham City Council will purchase 10 Nissan and LEVC electric cabs for the trial, providing…

TOYOTA’S plug-in hybrid RAV4 (below) will be the most powerful version of the family SUV ever when it goes on sale later this year, it has been confirmed. The 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid will have 302bhp, allowing the RAV4 to sprint from 0-62mph in just over six seconds and go at up to 84mph on electric power alone. According to Toyota, the RAV4 PHEV will be able to travel 38 miles in electric mode, and CO2 emissions will be just 29g/km. The RAV4 PHEV is due to go on sale in the second half of 2020.…

BMW has broadened the 3 Series, X3 and X4 line-ups by introducing a new mild-hybrid powertrain. The set-up comprises a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel and a 48-volt system with a starter-generator and additional battery that provides an extra 11bhp. The system is now standard in the 320d saloon and Touring estate, and allows the engine to turn off when coasting at speeds below 99mph. Elsewhere in the 3 Series range, the 318i ditches its three-cylinder engine for a more powerful 156bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit developing 250Nm of torque. PAGE 36: New 3 Series Touring vs rivals…

james_howe@dennis.co.uk ALVIS is a British brand with a rich history of technical innovation, high-quality manufacturing and engineering prowess – but younger readers would be forgiven for not knowing the name. That’s because the company, founded in Coventry in 1919 and a prolific producer of fine automobiles for decades, slipped into relative obscurity after producing its final car in 1967. The marque never fully disappeared, however. Its entire stock of spares, sales records and original engineering drawings was moved to new premises in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, where – under the Red Triangle name – the company continued to offer comprehensive support for existing cars, regardless of age and long after production had ceased. It’s a service that continues to this day thanks to an unparalleled combination of parts, expertise and original materials.…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk THE new car market has changed significantly in the decade since Volkswagen launched its R performance brand. Today, small SUVs dominate, and in an effort to capitalise on their success, VW has given its own contender in the class a racy makeover; meet the T-Roc R. Like the rest of the T-Roc range, this hot model shares its running gear with the Golf. That means the engine, transmission and electronics come from the Golf R, but they have been tweaked to suit the SUV body. The Golf R has established itself as a car that delivers easily accessible performance, and the T-Roc R is no different. Fire up the engine – which sounds a little flat without the optional Akrapovic exhaust – and in Comfort mode it feels barely…

Luke_Wilkinson@dennis.co.uk SUBARU’S new mild-hybrid Forester has been tasked with combating the SUV’s reputation for poor fuel economy. It joins a heavily populated marketplace of mid-sized off-roaders, rivalling the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5 and Volkswagen Tiguan, and this is our first chance to test it in the UK. Unlike Foresters of old, this new model has ditched turbocharging for mild-hybrid drive in a bid to improve economy and emissions. The Forester is now only available with Subaru’s e-Boxer powertrain, which comprises a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre flat-four petrol engine, a compact lithium-ion battery pack and a gearbox mounted electric motor for a combined output of 148bhp and 196Nm of torque. The shift to hybrid drive has produced mixed results. While a claimed emissions figure of 154g/km is reasonable for an SUV of…

MODEL TESTED: Mercedes C 220 d Estate AMG Line Edition PRICE: £41,155 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 191bhp THE Mercedes C-Class was facelifted in 2018, and the saloon version fared well, winning its first test in that year. This is the first time we’ve brought the Estate version together with its rivals, and in C 220 d AMG Line Edition trim, it costs £41,155. We were supplied with a 4MATIC four-wheel-drive model, so our economy and performance figures are for this specification, but it’s no longer available new. Design & engineering THE C-Class Estate is based on Mercedes’ Modular Rear Architecture (MRA). This isn’t a brand new set-up like on the latest BMW 3 Series; it was what underpinned the previous model, too, but has evolved to feature the latest technology. Another…

NEW: Audi A4 Avant 40 TDI quattro S Line PRICE: £41,275 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 187bhp AUDI’S A4 Avant is another top choice. It has a smaller boot than the 3 Series, at 495 litres, but it’s still practical and has lots of passenger space. It’s efficient enough to match competitors, and the refined driving experience offers plenty of appeal. USED: BMW 530d xDrive Touring M Sport PRICE: £42,000 ENGINE: 3.0-litre 6cyl, 261bhp A £40,000 budget is enough for one of the very best and most luxurious estates around. We found a six-cylinder 5 Series Touring with just over 5,000 miles on the used market for £42,000. It’s more comfortable and more spacious than the cars above.…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk Running costs 30.2mpg (on test) £79 fill-up/£465 or 37% tax Practicality Boot capacity 410 litres WE’RE into the second half of our term with the Jaguar XE P300 HSE R-Dynamic, so it’s time to talk about what has become apparent to me about the car so far. Firstly, I really do like the way it steers, and that’s despite the front axle being responsible for delivering some of the load (this is an all-wheel-drive model). Jags have all steered well in recent years, but I think the XE might be the sweetest of them all. There’s a genuine finesse about its steering, plus a lovely blend of weighting and feel that makes it a pleasure to guide through corners. It’s something you simply don’t get in any of its…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk In-car kit for bad weather Q MY daughter has a fairly long commute and I’m concerned about her getting caught in the severe weather we sometimes have. Is there a kit I can put in the car to help if she gets stranded? Harry Yeoman, E-mail A THERE are kits available, but you can also put one together easily. A blanket, torch, shovel, walking shoes or boots, de-icer and ice-scraper are all easy to keep in the car. Something to eat and drink is also good, as are an emergency triangle and a hi-vis vest in case of breakdown. While not part of a kit, winter or all-season tyres will reduce the risk of getting stranded in snow. Shine the right light abroad Q DOES anyone…

YOUR VIEWS ON YOUR CARS 68th PLACE 2019 Results C1 Factfile Years: 2014 to present CO2: 93g/km Fuel economy: 57.3mpg (1.0 e-VTi) Best options: Air-conditioning, alloy wheels, touchscreen, reversing camera. Used prices: From £3,250 OVERALL SCORE 89.46% Bars show where model finished out of 100 vehicles in our 2019 new car survey. The longer the bar the better GOOD “CHARACTERFUL styling. It’s an unpretentious city car that does exactly what I need it to.” “Interior is neatly designed, comfortable and easy to use.” “Love the folding canvas roof on mine – it gives a real open-air driving experience.” “Performance is pretty decent, especially considering it only has a 1.0-litre engine.” “I took mine across Europe and was surprised by its long-distance cruising ability.” “It’s an inexpensive car, but Apple CarPlay…

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 and emissions figures in miles per gallon and grams per kilometre of CO2. Figures are the best ones achieved in the latest WLTP tests, but are unlikely to be representative of actual efficiency in everyday driving. 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. LIST PRICE: This is the on-the-road figure and includes VAT, delivery to dealer, 12 months’ road tax, number plates and first registration. WILL IT FIT? Is your garage big enough? Our…

A TOTAL of 39 cars line up for the Daytona 24 Hours in Florida this weekend – the opening round of the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship. The top Daytona Prototype (DPi) class sees names like Sébastien Bourdais and Loïc Duval (JDC Cadillac), Simon Pagenaud and Juan Pablo Montoya (Acura Team Penske) and Kamui Kobayashi, Scott Dixon and Ryan Briscoe (Konica Minolta Cadillac) go head to head for overall honours. Brits Harry Tincknell and Oliver Jarvis are each in one of the two works Mazda DPis, while the GT Le Mans class sees Corvette race its new mid-engined C8 for the first time against rivals from BMW and Porsche. Finally, the GT Daytona ranks see 18 GT3-class cars entered, including Porsche, Lamborghini, Lexus, Aston Martin, Acura, Mercedes, Ferrari and Audi representation.…