Table of contents for 1459 in Auto Express

Visit autoexpress.co.uk for all the latest new cars news IF there’s one person worth listening to on the subject of technology, it’s BMW’s British board member (and Auto Express Brit List winner) Ian Robertson (above). Having launched BMW’s i brand to establish his company at the forefront of electric car tech – which is now paying off handsomely – he’s now at the forefront of BMW’s autonomous push. “We’re building a big resource base in-house to take this forward,” Robertson told us. “We’re building a new campus in Munich and in the second half of this year we’ll put forty 7 Series on the road with the autonomous next steps on board. Over the next four-and-a-bit years we’ll develop the tech and that will be delivered within the next i…

@rsp_ingram THE conventionally styled people carrier is dying, and it looks like the Citroen C3 Picasso will be the latest model to transition from MPV to SUV. Called the C-Aircross Concept, Citroen’s latest crossover will make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The French brand is describing the car’s look as an “internationally oriented bodystyle” – using the bold concept to announce its offensive on the European SUV segment. It takes its styling cues from the new C3 hatchback, as well as the pumped-up C4 Cactus, and offers plenty of hints as to how the final car could look. The maker’s nowsynonymous Airbumps feature on the doors, while raised suspension and body cladding give it a distinctive SUV design. Scuff plates and roof bars offer added…

Performance 0-60mph/top speed 3.6 seconds/189mph Running costs 22.0mpg (official) £91 fill-up @stevefowler NEVER one to miss an anniversary, BMW celebrates 30 years of V12 engines in its range-topping 7 Series this year – it was back in 1987 that the V12-powered 750i was born. A little tenuous, perhaps, but it does give the brand a neat link to this, its latest flagship, the extensively named M760Li xDrive. Let’s talk through that nomenclature: M because this model is born from the new M Performance line-up; 760 because, well, there’s a 6.6-litre V12 engine under the bonnet (we don’t get that bit, either); L for long-wheelbase configuration; i for a petrol model and xDrive denotes four-wheel drive. Of all those numbers and letters, it’s the M badge that is most important. Especially…

29 PAGES OF GREAT DEALS NOTHING beats the excitement of getting the keys to a factory-fresh new car, but bagging a top-value secondhand model comes close – and this sense of satisfaction is heightened if you pay less than half the new price. In our brilliant used car special, we’ve scoured the classifieds to reveal over 100 Half-Price Heroes that are sure to bring a warm glow of money-saving satisfaction. With everything from city cars to SUVs covered, over 11 price categories starting from under £1,000, we’ve got something for every taste and budget. Each price band also features a Joker, which represents a bargain buy for owners who like to live on the wild side. And we’ve also drawn up a list of half price zeros; cars that are…

SUV HYUNDAI SANTA FE WE FOUND: 2.2 CRDi GS (2006/06 reg, 90k miles) Price new £20,995 Now £3,899 Engine: 2.2-litre 4cyl, 148bhp Economy: 34.9mpg CO2/tax: 214g/km/£295 Euro NCAP: 4 stars (2006) THE Santa Fe has consistently been the model to showcase Hyundai’s next stage of development. The original marked the company’s debut in the SUV class, while the latest Mk3 takes the manufacturer further upmarket than ever. But arguably it’s the Mk2 Santa Fe that really shifted perceptions. This second incarnation ditched the original’s ungainly looks in favour of a rounded profile that was stylish to the point of desirable. Even better was the raft of standard kit, while the option of a third row of seats added a new level of practicality. Today, the seven-seater is the one to…

EV BMW I3 WE FOUND: i3 (2014/14 reg, 19k miles) Price new £30,680 Now £14,500 Engine: 125kW electric motor, 168bhp Economy: N/A CO2/tax: N/A/£0 Euro NCAP: 4 stars (2013) ELECTRIC cars are a step into future technology for many buyers, so why not invest in one of the most radical-looking choices out there, and arguably the most convincing EV to date? The i3 is a showcase for BMW’s clean technology, and its quirky looks only help to cement its technological appeal. There are two versions of the car: a pure EV or a range extender (REx) with a two-cylinder petrol motorcycle engine that acts as a generator. Trawl the classifieds, and you’ll that find nearly twice as many REx models are available, but the former is the cheaper option. If…

SUV RANGE ROVER WE FOUND: 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography (2013/62 reg, 125k miles) Price new £94,720 Now £45,995 Engine: 4.4-litre V8, 334bhp Economy: 32.5mpg CO2/tax: 229g/km/£500 Euro NCAP: N/A IT’S our pick in the SUV category in this price band, but the Range Rover could easily occupy the luxury car class, too. We found an Autobiography-spec version of the current-shape Range Rover for £46,000, and while the regular model is plush enough, thanks to its standard-fit air suspension and spacious cabin, this version takes things to another level. Massage seats, panoramic glass, a top-end Meridian speaker system, self-closing doors, digital TV and adaptive cruise control are all included, while passengers in the back get their own DVD-based entertainment system with TVs in the rear headrests. The model we found was powered by…

THE pace is hot at the top of the executive saloon sector. BMW knows it, which is why it’s gone to town with the development of its allnew, seventh-generation 5 Series. A glut of new premium saloons arrived last year, including the Mercedes E-Class, which hit the market with a range of advanced technology, autonomous driver aids, more space than ever and a slick cabin. It’s our current executive champion, and the car BMW will have to beat. However, the 5 Series has traditionally offered a dynamic edge over its rivals, too, so while it will face some stiff competition from the E-Class on everyday issues such as versatility, safety and tech, if it wants to reign as the best-handling saloon in the sector, it will have to outpace the…

Darren Wilson Darren_Wilson@dennis.co.uk AFTER 10 months on our fleet, it’s time to say farewell to our Volkswagen Passat Estate. I’m certainly going to miss our classy SE Business model, and not just for its obvious load-lugging capabilities. Looking back over previous reports, it occurred to me that I’ve been so focused on the Passat’s practicality, sleek design and calming qualities that I’ve neglected to mention how much fun it’s been to actually get behind the wheel and drive it. Although many of its 5,912 miles have been racked up plodding through city traffic in commuter chaos, when I’ve had the opportunity to hit the open road in the Passat, the size of my smile has increased, just like the fuel consumption in town jams. Given its impressive credentials as a…

Sealey E5188 Multi-Purpose RotaryToolSet Price: £41.73 Speeds: 8,000-35,000rpm Contact: 0151 608 8844, www.toolandfix.com Rating: BEST BUY UNCHANGED from last time, our previous Sealey winner was up against some serious new competitors. The 170W tool was an accomplished performer at low and high speeds, and although the bolt cutting results were almost identical to the X1340’s, it was much quieter and smoother in getting through it. We’d have liked a stand for easier use, but the flexible shaft is a handy addition, plus an incredible 219 accessories are included – the highest number here. The price clinched it. PowerPlus 180W Multi Tool X1340 Price: £49.99 Speeds: 10,000-34,000rpm Contact: 08448 092 592, www.ukhs.tv Rating: RECOMMENDED POWERPLUS doesn’t stint on specification, especially at the price. At 180W, it was the most powerful on…

1st NONMOVER Vauxhall Astra Years: 2015 to date Best engine: 1.0-litre 3cyl petrol, 104bhp Insurance group: 11 Economy/CO2: 67.3mpg/102g/km WHY? Vauxhall managed to transform the venerable Astra from an also-ran into the best car in its class in one generation. The latest model doesn’t exactly look revolutionary from the outside, but it’s lighter, more efficient and better to drive than ever before. Factor in a spacious and high-quality cabin, as well as some impressive technology – including the OnStar concierge system, which can do everything from supply destinations for your sat-nav to call the emergency services after an accident – and the Astra is a really complete package. Our pick of the range has to be the punchy, smooth and efficient 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol version. From £15,915 (new) 2nd NEW…

Renault Scenic RENAULT hasn’t quite gone the whole hog with its latest Scenic. Despite giving it crossover styling cues such as larger wheels and a raised body, the car remains an MPV at heart. Bosses admit the Scenic will be axed if it doesn’t win over fussy European buyers – but with the Kadjar SUV selling so well, there’s little cause for concern. Peugeot 3008 SUV CITROEN’s sister brand has totally reinvented its 3008 family car, ditching the frumpy MPV styling in favour of a more desirable SUV offering. The bold front end and raised suspension appeal to a younger market, while the tech-laden but practical interior – including a bigger boot – offers everything the modern car buyer needs. Vauxhall Crossland X THE Crossland X sits on a platform…

EXCLUSIVE IMAGE @Jonathan_burn SEAT is gearing up to launch its first fully electric car in 2019, and its debut foray into the world of electrification could be a new version of its Mii city car. R&D boss Dr Matthais Rabe told Auto Express that SEAT’s first EV will be based on today’s technology rather than the new MEB electrical architecture the VW Group has developed for its fleet of new EVs. For SEAT to be competitive in this market, a price point of “around 20,000 Euros” would be necessary “if you want to be in the heart of the European market”, according to SEAT boss Luca De Meo. That points to a Mii-based model using the same basic technology from sister car, the Volkswagen e-up!. But to differentiate it from…

HIGHER insurance premiums on electric cars and hybrid models are the main factor in putting off drivers from making the switch. Figures from the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) revealed many drivers are concerned about air pollution and see ultra-low emission vehicles as the answer, but nearly three-quarters are deterred by higher annual insurance rates. Insurers charge up to 50 per cent more on some models, mainly due to the higher purchase price of EVs and hybrids and lack of skilled mechanics available to do repairs. To reduce premiums and remove the obstacle for owners wanting to switch from a diesel or petrol car, the IMI is calling on Government to invest £30million in training from the £600m fund it created to promote emission-free vehicles. IMI CEO Steve Nash…

SMALL MINI COOPER WE FOUND: Cooper 1.6 (2001/51-reg, 115k miles) Price new £11,600 Now £995 Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 116bhp Economy: 42.2mpg CO2/tax: 163g/km/£185 Euro NCAP: 4 stars (2002) Few cars combine the MINI’s mix of talents. Its retromodern looks, compact dimensions, fun handling and classy cabin set new standards in the supermini class when the model arrived at the start of the millennium, and it’s a formula that MINI maintains to this day. The first BMW-era MINIs are closing in on their 20th anniversary, and now could be the time to bag a bargain, before the car ends up in the realms of modern classic territory. There are still plenty to choose from at this age, but it’s better to find one with a full service history to prove it…

EV NISSAN LEAF WE FOUND: Visia (2014/14 reg, 9k miles) Price new £26,490 Now £7,500 Engine: 80kW electric motor Economy: N/A CO2/tax: 0g/km/£0 Euro NCAP: 5 stars (2012) THE Nissan Leaf is an electric car pioneer, but the used market doesn’t hold it in such high regard – just look at how much money it loses when compared with a Peugeot 308 of a similar age (below). Still, if battery power fits into your lifestyle, the Leaf is an enticing prospect. For this price, go for a car with a battery lease deal. We found a Leaf in Nissan’s approved used network that had six months of free battery lease included, and the offer of a free home charge point installation. Work out the cost of the lease first to…

LUXURY LEXUS LS WE FOUND: 600h (2007/57 reg, 54k miles) Price new £81,400 Now £19,985 Engine: 5.0-litre V8 hybrid, 438bhp Economy: 30.4mpg CO2/tax: 219g/km/£285 Euro NCAP: N/A FOR the chief executive who wants to travel incognito, the Lexus LS is absolutely perfect, due to its blend of impeccable refinement and unassuming looks. The flagship Lexus limo costs up to £100k new, but thanks to the brand’s relative lack of prestige in the UK, you can now pick up a 10-year-old example for nearly a tenth of this figure. Pay that, and you’ll be getting a hybrid drive system that delivers lower running costs than most other diesel limos. It also gives the LS 600h impressive performance, and a claimed 0-62mph time of 6.3 seconds is impressive for a car with a…

ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE S WE FOUND: V12 Vantage S (2014/14-reg, 38k miles) Price new £139,145 Now £62,995 Engine: 6.0-litre V12, 565bhp Economy: 17.0mpg CO2/tax: 388g/km/£515 Euro NCAP: N/A EVEN after 12 years in production, the Aston Martin Vantage is one of the most beautiful cars on the road. And with constant development over the years, it has kept pace with luxury sports car rivals along the way. While the limited-edition GT12 and GT8 pay homage to the brand’s GT racing models, you can have just as much fun with the ultimate production version of the standard car, the V12 Vantage S. This model takes the standard V12 Vantage and gives it a makeover into a more focused sports car, featuring a new V12 engine with 565bhp. This means a 205mph…

THIS WEEK’S HOT KIT Visit autoexpress.co.uk for our extensive product archive NEW PRODUCT Fun Zone Jaguar Price: Free Contact: www.la-plagne.com FANCY driving a Jaguar F-Type? How about driving it on ice? Well, you can at the French ski resort of La Plagne and, best of all, it won’t cost you a thing. A new partnership between the Alpine ski resort in the Tarentaise valley and Jaguar Land Rover has created the Fun Zone, which gives visitors the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a fourwheel- drive F-Type SVR, powered by a 567bhp V8 engine, on a specially created ice circuit. The Fun Zone, which was opened by Haas Formula One driver Romain Grosjean, provides an instructor for each session so you can learn to drift and slide. Amazingly it…

2016 Results Yaris Factfile Years: 2011 to present CO2: 75g/km Fuel economy: 85.6mpg (1.5 Hybrid) Best options: Sat-nav, parking sensors, cruise control, lane-departure warning Prices: From £4,000 Good “MY hybrid Yaris is very fuel efficient, and I love how quiet it is.” “I like the look of it, and for a small car it comes with great safety features.” “I don’t pay road tax and return about 65mpg in normal day-to-day driving.” “It’s a great car on the motorway; it feels like a much larger car.” “The 1.4 diesel is a good unit. The Yaris is economical and capable of overtaking.” “The Toyota is an easy car to drive every day.” “There’s surprisingly good boot space.” Not so Good “I’M not impressed by the tech. The radio crackles and the…

Classy interior gives the Q5 a premium feel Audi Q5 29.5mpg (on test) £89 fill-up Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI S line Plus Years: 2009 to 2016 Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 222bhp Ins grp: 30 Official econ/CO2: 39.2mpg/168g/km Why? Audi Q5 is better to drive than its rival here, and it’s cheaper to run as well. We’d pick the diesel, though. Prices from: £22,000 AUDI’s original Q5 was replaced last year, but it’s still a popular choice. Launched in 2009 and facelifted in 2012, this mid-sized SUV offers a premium feel and solid build quality inside, while the brand’s trademark quattro four-wheel drive was standard on every model. All versions of the Q5 are composed and capable on the road, regardless of whether you’re in town or on the motorway, with good…

THE next VW Golf is likely to ditch its smaller diesel engines in favour of micro-hybrids using 48-volt electrics, the company’s boss has suggested. The newly facelifted Mk7.5 Golf is offered with a mix of 1.6 and 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesels, with power outputs ranging from 113bhp up to 181bhp. However, speaking at the launch of the car, VW boss Dr Herbert Diess admitted that the future of smaller diesel engines is now uncertain, because of the increasing costs of cleaning up the technology for ever-tightening legislation. “The next Golf – the Mk8 – will lead a strong roll out of 48V electrics,” said Diess. “I think we will have to substitute some of the diesels for micro-hybrids in that car. They will have similar fuel efficiency and better acceleration, but…

IF there’s one thing every car owner dreads, it’s the sight of rust. Even if the car is new and under warranty, rust issues can take months to resolve and repair. Such was the case for Daniel Berry, of Tilbury, Essex, who contacted us after his rusty Dacia Duster had spent over six months in the garage for repairs, with no end in sight. “I bought the car in August 2014. It was first registered by the dealer in November 2013, but it was pretty much brand new when I got it,” Daniel said. Despite being nearly new, the car was far from troublefree, as Daniel soon had to take it in for work on interior lighting and an oil leak. But the biggest issue was rust. “I had to…

ROVER 100 Horrifying results of the Rover 100’s crash test helped to inspire current standards of car safety assessment @AE_Consumer THE bonnet crumples, the windscreen shatters, the roof buckles and the steering wheel and dashboard hurtle towards the head of driver. It’s all over in seconds, but the result is sickening. A closer look at the crash aftermath reveals the passenger has suffered severe leg injuries, and the child in the rear seat has slammed their head into the seat in front. It’s a nightmare scene. Fortunately, what we’ve witnessed isn’t a road traffic accident with multiple fatalities, but a controlled Euro NCAP test where a 20-year-old Rover 100 has been smashed into a wall at 40mph with dummies in the seats. While the wreckage makes shocking viewing – even…

Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.8 seconds/144mph Running costs 44.1mpg (official) £54 fill-up Antony Ingram DRIVING enthusiasts have long cried out for a more powerful version of Mazda’s MX-5 sports car, but it’s taken the Italian engineers at Abarth to finally produce one. We love the standard Fiat 124 Spider – so much so that it beat its MX-5 sister car in our Issue 1,440 road test. But when we drove the faster Abarth version in Italy in Issue 1,426, the clunky automatic gearbox left us wanting. Now, we’ve got a manual model in the UK to decide whether the most powerful ‘MX-5’ is in fact the best ‘MX-5’. Initial signs are good. Where Fiat’s standard 124 can look a little awkward from some angles, the Abarth improves on every glance. The…

FAMILY FORD MONDEO WE FOUND: Mk3 2.0 Zetec (2007/57 reg, 112k miles) Price new £17,195 Now £1,450 Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 143bhp Economy: 35.8mpg CO2/tax: 189g/km/£270 Euro NCAP: 5 stars (2007) PUSH towards the £1,500 mark and you can get a lot of car for your money. That’s exactly what the Mk3 Ford Mondeo offers, because it’s simply huge. Ford took great pride in the fact this version was as wide as a BMW 5 Series, and the result is a vast interior with loads of space for five occupants and their luggage. Yet despite its size, the Mk3 is still as much fun to drive as its predecessors, and it’s as nimble as a Focus on a twisty road. The very earliest Mk3 Mondeos are hitting their 10th birthdays, so…

HOT HATCH FORD FIESTA ST WE FOUND: ST-2 Mountune (2013/13 reg, 41k miles) Price new £17,995 Now £8,850 Engine: 1.6 4cyl, 180bhp (standard) Economy: 47.9mpg CO2/tax: 138g/km/£130 Euro NCAP: 5 stars (2012) NO other hot hatch on sale can match the Fiesta ST for driving thrills, and if you buy one used you could be getting one of the performance car bargains of the decade. The ST takes the already fun handling of the standard Fiesta and cranks it up to 11, with more direct steering and stiffer suspension. You get a 180bhp turbo fourcylinder, which is paired with a precise sixspeed gearbox, delivering punchy acceleration. here are ST-1, 2 and 3 trims on offer, although the ST-2 offers the best value. It’s worth seeking out a car that’s been…

STYLE AUDI A7 WE FOUND: 3.0 TDI quattro S line (2012/12-reg, 63k) Price new £49,800 Now £20,000 Engine: 3.0-litre V6, 242bhp Economy: 47.1mpg CO2/tax: 156g/km/£185 Euro NCAP: N/A HERE’S proof that you don’t have to compromise on practicality if you want a stylish executive car. The Audi A7 shares much of its running gear with the A6 saloon, but it’s a swooping five-door coupé that turns heads wherever it goes. It’s only offered in higher-grade trims, so it couldn’t look downmarket even if it tried, while the sharp angles and frameless windows give it a sporty profile. Inside, it’s a plush and luxurious executive model, while standard automatic gearboxes mean it’s a very relaxing long-distance cruiser. The real draw of cars at this price is that highly specced models don’t…

Sean Carson Sean_Carson@dennis.co.uk SOMETIMES we might go to a dealer to take delivery of a new test car, talking through its merits and our choice of options with a salesperson so we’re fully up to speed. However, despite a recent facelift, we’re pretty familiar with the Citroen C4 Picasso’s strong points, so we pressed this revised version of the firm’s fiveseat MPV into service straight away. Its credentials as a true multi-purpose vehicle are exactly what I was aiming to explore on a recent trip to the north-east. A family friend’s house move meant they needed to dispose of a barely used sofa, so with an ageing couch looking sorry for itself at my home, I shot off in the C4 up the M1 to Newcastle to pick up a…

Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.3 seconds/126mph Running costs 30mpg (ML 320 CDI) £116 CO2/tax 249-260g/km £515 Own a second-hand car in great condition and want it featured in an Auto Express buyer’s guide?Get in touch via mail@autoexpress.com Contacts Official www.mercedes-benz.co.uk Forums www.mercedesforum.com www.benzworld.org www.mercedesclub.org.uk www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk Richard Dredge THE world’s oldest car maker was no stranger to SUVs when it launched the original M-Class in 1998; its G-Wagen had already been in production for more than two decades. However, while the G-Wagen was accomplished in the rough, Mercedes needed a luxury SUV that could compete with rivals including Jeep and Land Rover. The result was the US-built M-Class, or ML, which proved a disappointment in many ways, from the build quality to the driving experience. So when an all-new version arrived in…

All the action from the world of motorsport Stephen Errity Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk TOYOTA aims to step up the pressure on Porsche this year in a bid to make up for its devastating penultimate-lap retirement while leading Le Mans last June. The Japanese brand has announced that it’ll enter three hybrid LMP1 cars at both the 24 Hours itself and the preceding six-hour World Endurance Championship event at Spa in Belgium, reverting to two cars for all the other WEC races. The previously rumoured signing of triple World Touring Car champion Jose Maria Lopez has also been confirmed, with the Argentinian driver joining Brit Mike Conway and Kamui Kobayashi in one car, while Sebastien Buemi, Anthony Davidson and Kazuki Nakajima crew the other. Veteran Frenchman Stephane Sarrazin steps back from a full-season…