Table of contents for 1615 in Auto Express

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk ● Range expands to include sensible and extreme variants ● Tweaked styling and suspension, but engine is unchanged HONDA has bolstered the Civic Type R line-up for 2020, not just with a facelifted model, but with two brand-new variants. Earlier in the year, an updated version of the Type R GT was revealed with tweaked styling, a retrimmed interior, revised suspension and damping, plus a new laptime logging function. This car is now joined by a more subtle variant, plus a stripped-back, lightweight, limited-edition special. The yellow Civic above is the Type R Limited Edition. Only 100 are coming to Europe – 20 for the UK – and you can think of it as Honda’s answer to the Renault Mégane R.S. Trophy-R – the car that stole the Type…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk ● Australian marque is no more ● Ends 164 years in business AUSTRALIA’S best-known car manufacturer Holden is to be axed by owner General Motors. It has decided to wind down all of Holden’s operations in Australia and New Zealand by 2021. The move brings an end to a brand whose history stretches back 164 years. Originally founded as a saddle company, Holden has been manufacturing cars since 1908. It has been part of GM since 1931. Holden enjoyed spells as Australia’s best-selling brand, and played its part in a tribal rivalry with Ford that mirrored the split between Vauxhall and Ford customers in the United Kingdom. Down Under the battle lines were drawn in motorsport, especially in the country’s most famous race, at the Mount Panorama circuit in…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk LAND Rover has named its price for the three-door ‘90’ version of the new Defender – and has started taking orders, too. It’s been confirmed that the new model will cost from £40,290 in the UK. That gives the reborn Land Rover’s range an entry point almost £5,000 less than when the car went on sale in five-door 110 form in September. That figure gets you a basic Defender 90 equipped with the same 197bhp D200 diesel engine that features in the lowliest 110. But the three-door is slightly lighter, so the entry-level 90 manages 0-60mph in 9.6 seconds (0.3 seconds faster than the longer 110). And while the cars have the same NEDC-equivalent CO2 emissions figure of 199g/km, the 90 scores marginally better on the tougher WLTP test,…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress Write to: Letters, Auto Express, Dennis Publishing Ltd, 31-32 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7DP HOT TOPIC Toyota GR Corolla FROM: Mitchell Jackson LAUNCHING in 2023? Surely it needs to be now? The game will have changed by then. Sure, it will be a fun car, but I can’t see it competing in the top tier. We’re spoilt for choice for hot hatches and this Corolla’s pitching for mediocrity. FROM: Hebegebe CONSIDERING Honda and Hyundai have produced the best hot hatches recently with the i30 N and Civic Type R, I wouldn’t be surprised if another Asian firm knocks things out of the park with a top-notch affordable performance car. VW be warned! Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “It’s not all about power. If this is brilliant to…

THE drama of walking into Aston Martin’s Stowe pit garage and seeing two DB5s was tempered by realising one had great gashes running down its nearside flank. Close inspection revealed some movie magic at play: these battle scars were stickers, applied to a stunt DB5 to achieve precisely the effect they had on me. Built on a custom spaceframe chassis and powered a 300bhp six-cylinder naturally aspirated engine, eight stunt DB5s were made for No Time to Die. Aston has full computer-aided design (CAD) data for the DB5, so their carbon-fibre bodies are as faithful as faithful can be. Two real DB5s are used for close-up and interior shots in the film, but these are too precious to be used for chases, so the stunt cars take their place.…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk Performance  0-62mph/top speed 3.9 seconds/155mph Running costs  33.6mpg (official) £64 fill-up WE were mightily impressed by Mercedes-AMG’s second crack at an ultra-hot A-Class when we tried the A 45 S in Spain last summer. And now, at last, we’ve had a chance to see whether these good impressions still apply on British roads. It’s worth a quick recap on the stats, since figures like this tend to focus the mind. The A 45 S gets an all-new 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, because it had to; AMG discovered early on that there was no way it could get any more out of the motor in the last A 45. Starting from scratch allowed the engineers in Affalterbach to boost both power and torque, to the point where this new model…

Vicky_Parrott@dennis.co.uk THE Peugeot e-208 is one of the most significant cars of the moment – not just to its French maker but also to car-buyers. Being superminis, the e-208 and its sibling, Vauxhall’s e-Corsa, could intrude into the awareness of the general motoring masses more than any other electric car yet. So it’s good news indeed that the e-208 is set to give the electric car a good rep. We were worried about ride comfort after trying the car in Portugal last autumn, but since then the engineers have taken a spanner to the suspension for some final tweaks. It’s worked wonders, because the e-208 now feels composed, even on 17-inch alloys over very scruffy British rural roads. Sure, it’s a little restless over coarse surfaces and high-frequency undulations, but…

FROM its launch in 1976 until the present day, the Ford Fiesta supermini has rarely been knocked off the top spot of the UK new car sales charts. It’s easy to see why – the small Ford has always been stylish, great to drive, affordable to run and safe. It’s become an icon in a car-obsessed country, and virtually everyone has a memory of their first time driving or being driven in a Fiesta. This popularity and long lifespan means that there’s a Fiesta available for everyone, from a latest generation ST hot hatch packed with tech, to a Mk7 that’s an ideal runabout that still cuts a dash. History THE Fiesta has always been offered in threeor five-door body styles, allowing buyers to pick between sportier looks or practicality.…

THE Focus caused a sensation when it arrived in 1998, sweeping aside the sixth-generation Escort with a clean-sheet design. Ford and Vauxhall dominated sales in the UK, and the blue oval’s latest family car was like nothing the public had seen before thanks to its radical ‘New Edge’ styling. The Focus also set a handling benchmark thanks to its Control Blade independent rear suspension. This set a precedent still evident today, with every Focus since engineered and marketed as a better driver’s car than its rivals. Subsequent generations have grown in size and weight and been filled to the brim with technology and safety devices, but a sporting feel is still baked into the Focus DNA. History THE Focus has been offered as a three or five-door hatchback and an…

WHEN the Mercedes A-Class arrived in 1998 it was unique, looking like a cross between an MPV and a hatchback, and with a ‘sandwich’ floor design. It offered the same space as a C-Class, while its engine was designed to slide under the cabin in a smash. The Mk2 followed the same innovative formula, but it wasn’t without issues. It was costly to build, and its polarising looks meant sales floundered. For the Mk3, Mercedes switched to a more conventional hatch look, taking on the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series. With its sporty, low-slung design and an upmarket cabin, it was far more successful. History THE A-Class got off to a rocky start, with tyre and suspension changes drafted in after a Scandinavian slalom test caused a rollover. When…

THE Kia Sportage has evolved into a top family SUV, offering great value, impressive build quality and decent engines. Now in its fourth generation, it continues Kia’s tradition of offering generous kit and space at reasonable prices. A seven-year warranty is a real boon for used buyers, too, being transferable between owners; purchase a three-year-old Sportage today and you could easily be covered until you buy your next car. Not that much seems to go wrong, though, while servicing is affordable as well. History WHEN the Sportage Mk2 hit showrooms it looked fairly dowdy, and its 2.0 and 2.7-litre petrol engines are pretty thirsty. Look past this, though, and you’ll find a capable tow car, off-roader and family wagon all in one. As a result, the Sportage has proved popular.…

THE BMW 3 Series has never been the cheapest model on sale, but if you want a car with a great image and top driving experience, it could fit the bill perfectly. First launched in 1975, the 3 Series is the performance benchmark for compact executive cars, famous for its potent engines and balanced rear-wheel-drive chassis. Such a revered badge means a used 3 Series costs more than an equivalent VW Passat or Ford Mondeo, but you’ll also get more back when it comes time to sell on. Plus owners will tell you that ‘The Ultimate Driving Machine’ is worth the extra money thanks to its engineering and build quality. History LAUNCHED in 1997, the fourth-generation 3 Series (known by its E46 model code) is popular with enthusiasts, thanks to…

MODEL TESTED: Audi RS 6 Avant Vorsprung PRICE: £109,250 ENGINE: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, 592bhp THE RS 6 is an Audi Sport icon. Its fast estate is now into its fourth generation with this latest car and while the recipe is broadly unchanged, lots more tech has gone into creating the model. We’re testing a £109,250 Vorsprung model to find out what it’s like. Design & engineering AUDI has based the RS 6 on the conventional A6 Avant, so it sits on the MLB evo platform. That means there’s a multi-link suspension set-up front and rear, with adaptive air suspension as standard or, on Vorsprung models, conventional steel springs and adaptive dampers. The engine is a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 with 48-volt mild-hybrid tech to improve efficiency. This means that the engine…

SOUND BOTH our test cars featured sports exhausts to enhance their V8 engines’ sound signatures. But from inside the Panamera sounds best. The RS 6 burbles menacingly outside, but in Dynamic mode the sound is synthesised in through the speakers and it sounds artificial. Still, we love the fact manufacturers are applying clever tech such as 48V hybrid systems to keep the V8 motor alive. REAR STEER YOU might not think this is much of an issue, but the Audi’s standard rear-wheel steering really comes in handy, making this massive estate feel much smaller in tight spaces. Yet it doesn’t hurt its dynamic ability too much. It’s true that the steering isn’t as engaging as the Porsche’s, but the Audi makes its advantage stick in other areas. Both cars are…

MODEL TESTED: MG HS 1.5T-GDI Exclusive PRICE: £22,995 ENGINE: 1.5-litre 4cyl, 160bhp MG’s trademark good value for money looks like it’s still present here because this top-spec HS 1.5T-GDi in Exclusive trim costs just £22,995 with a manual gearbox, undercutting the base-spec Karoq. Design & engineering HOWEVER, the MG’s price advantage isn’t quite as big as you might think; it’s just £885 cheaper than the Skoda. It comes incredibly well equipped for the cash, with satellite navigation, decent smartphone connectivity, heated leather seats and climate control. There is also MG’s safety technology package, LED lights, parking sensors and a reversing camera, and climate and cruise control. Quality is okay inside, too. Top-spec Exclusive models feature plenty of leather trim on the dashboard and doors, and the cabin feels like it’s…

SCREEN TIME THE MG’s screen is a perfect example of too much tech too poorly executed. In theory it’s fine, but it lacks the Skoda’s processing power and because so much is accessed through the big 10.1-inch panel, it makes living with the car harder than it needs to be. All the driving functions, climate control, multimedia and nav are tweaked from the screen. It leaves you longing for some physical buttons. HANDLING WHILE SUVs like these might be more about comfort, the HS acquits itself fairly well when it comes to handling. It’s safe and secure, so it’s not the most dynamic, or the most comfortable, car in its class. Still, compared with something like the Nissan Qashqai, it shows how Nissan has failed to evolve its model enough…

Pete_Baiden@dennis.co.uk I’M loving life with the new BMW 1 Series. It’s been a pleasure to drive, it’s the most practical version ever, and the high-quality interior means the cabin is a great space to spend time in. However there’s an elephant in the room that needs addressing – the economy. When I first took delivery of our 118i M Sport I was averaging around 33mpg, but I expected that figure to rise as I went on some longer trips instead of just cruising around town. But, well over 3,000 miles later, that hasn’t been the case and I’m still struggling to get above 34mpg. It’s particularly disappointing because BMW quotes fuel-consumption figures of between 42.2 and 47.1mpg for this car. That’s quite a big difference from what I’ve been managing,…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk Q How to get rid of scratches? I’VE picked up some scratches on the side of my car from a bush next to where I park. I’ve tried to get them off with a scratch remover, but they’re still visible. Is a respray required?George Peters, E-mail A IF the paint isn’t broken a respray is probably not needed. Applying a cutting compound by hand can take quite a while before it has a major effect, so try using a powered polisher. Meguiar’s has a new scratch-remover kit with a polisher that goes on a drill. We’ve also had good results with the brand’s dual-action kit, which is also attached to a drill. Q Another bulge in the wall WHILE I was recently replacing a tyre on…

IN our last dash cam duel, the VIOFO A129 Duo went up against our test favourite, the Nextbase 422GW and lost – but only just. Now VIOFO is back with the A129 Pro Duo, which has full 4K footage to give you the best chance of capturing vital details. We downloaded the footage to a phone and a laptop to check the ease of transferring data and assessed the quality of the images taken at day and night and on rough roads. The best camera would need to be able to read number plates in bright and low light. With its 4K capability and fine night vision sensors, the A129 gives sharp high-quality footage. But setting up, downloading and managing footage is tricky. Due to this, and the VIOFO’s extra…

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk ● Cupra Leon range will include plug-in hybrid for first time ● Hatch offers up to 296bhp, with 306bhp and 4WD in estate SEAT’s performance arm, Cupra, has revealed its version of the latest Leon, and there’s a significant twist. It will be available in both hatchback and estate forms, and will produce as much as 306bhp, but the new hot hatch will also be offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Designed, engineered and built at the new purpose-built Cupra facility in Martorell, near Barcelona, Spain, the Cupra Leon will face rivals like the Hyundai i30N and Ford Focus ST. It’ll also need to fend off other competition from within the Volkswagen Group; both the Skoda Octavia vRS and VW Golf GTI will make their debuts soon. From the…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk ● Concept previews new EV ● Design and tech showcase “Precept is so named because it shows the styling direction that Polestar intends to take” THIS is the Polestar Precept, a new concept from the Swedish brand that is likely to preview a new production model that will arrive within the next four years. Described by Polestar as a “four-door grand tourer” – but featuring a shape that takes aim squarely at the Tesla Model 3 and Model S – the Precept is so named because it shows the styling direction that Polestar intends to take as it moves away from its initial models, the 1 and 2. Those cars are based on concepts from Polestar’s fellow Geely-owned brand Volvo. No technical information has been released apart from confirmation…

MERCEDES has released the first details on its latest small performance model: the AMG-badged GLA 45 S. The rapid A-Class crossover gets the same 415bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine as the A45 S. It also gets the same eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and 4MATIC four-wheel drive, with torque control across the rear axle to help with cornering and acceleration. The car can crack 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds – half a second slower than the A45 S. Styling upgrades include LED headlights, flared front wheelarches, 19-inch alloy wheels and a rear diffuser, while the large rear wing will be optional. The cabin gets a Nappa-leather steering wheel and yellow contrast stitching on the seats. UK sales should start in April, although first deliveries won’t be until late summer. The car will…

Monaro GTS 327 (1968) Slotting a US-sourced 5.4-litre V8 into the first generation of the Monaro gave Holden its first true performance car. Importantly for brand devotees, it also brought the company its first win in the Bathurst 500 race. Commodore SS HDT Group A SV (1988) HOLDEN was desperate to beat Ford in touring cars, so it made this special with the help of the UK’s Tom Walkinshaw Racing. It was the first Commodore of its generation to have fuel injection. Commodore GTS-R (1996) MOTORSPORT knowledge influenced the mid-nineties fast Commodore again, as Holden’s engineers bored out the standard 5.0-litre V8 engine to 5.7 litres and fitted carbon-fibre elements to help trim a few grammes off at the scales. Monaro CV8 (2001) THE rebirth of the Monaro name on…

JAGUAR Land Rover has been flying parts out of China in suitcases due to the coronavirus outbreak, chief executive Ralf Speth has admitted. JLR, like many car manufacturers, is struggling with parts-supply issues as the virus closes down factories and makes transporting goods from Asia to its UK plants difficult. Staff have been packing suitcases with parts and checking them in as luggage on flights back to the UK, while new cars are being delivered to customers with one key instead of two. “We have flown parts in suitcases from China to the UK just to make sure that we have got the right parts,” Speth said at the unveiling of JLR’s autonomous Project Vector Concept (right). He added: “Every car only gets, at the moment, one key fob, just…

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…

Steve_walker@autoexpress.co.uk Performance 0-60mph/top speed 5.9 seconds/140mph Running costs 25.1mpg (official) £130 fill-up THE Range Rover’s position as the luxury SUV of choice has been coming under growing threat – not just from rivals but also increasingly pertinent questions around the environmental impact of using a car like this when something smaller and more eco-friendly might suffice. Range Rover’s answer has been to improve its flagship’s efficiency, and offer greener models. A P400e-badged plug-in has joined the line-up and so has the P400 we’re looking at here, a mild-hybrid version with a new turbocharged and supercharged straight-six Ingenium petrol engine. Priced from £90,010, the P400 can’t match the 75mpg-plus fuel economy the plug-in model returns, but its 25.1mpg is almost identical to the figure claimed for the Range Rover’s SDV8 diesel…

Stuart_Milne@dennis.co.uk BRITAIN’S used car market is in rude health. While economic turmoil is impacting new car sales, there were 7.8 million used car transactions last year, just a fraction of a per cent down on the year before. A quick look at the Auto Trader website shows there are more than 450,000 second-hand cars you could buy today, with thousands more on Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, eBay and others. The choice is almost limitless. But how can you be sure that you’re buying the right car at the right price – and one that has an honest history? Over the next 30 pages, we’ve produced buyer’s guides for some of Britain’s most popular used cars. And because buyers’ budgets vary enormously, we’ve dug deeper than just the most recent models. So…

BUYERS after a grown-up supermini, will usually plump for a Volkswagen Polo. Ever since it arrived in 1974, it’s been the solid and dependable choice. Doors that shut with a thunk and simple but attractive cabins are Polo hallmarks, along with confidence-inspiring handling that prioritises comfort over outright poise. Seen by many people as the ‘baby Golf’, the fifth-generation car became noticeably better to drive, offered generous kit and had some excellent engines. It’s also aged very well, making it an excellent used bargain. History WHEN it arrived in 2002 the Mk4 Polo wasn’t the most exciting supermini to drive, but it boasted VW’s typically excellent build quality and a plush interior. It didn’t have huge amounts of kit, either, but the cabin materials and design were significantly ahead of…

THE Vauxhall Astra, Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf have ruled the hatchback class for two decades. In that time, value for money, a huge dealer network and elaborate marketing campaigns have made the Astra a household name. Its immense popularity means prices have been driven down, and the Astra is one of the biggest second-hand bargains around. Previous-generation Mk6 Astras are readily available for less than the cost of a deposit on a new car, while even the latest version can now be had for city car prices. History ACROSS the generations, the Astra has been available as a three and five-door hatch, a coupé, a practical estate and as a folding hard-top convertible. All have their own merits, with the three-door Astra Sport Hatch and later GTC models being…

FOLLOWING its launch in 1996, the Audi A3 was the first upmarket small car to prove a sales success. It showed that buyers were prepared to pay more for a hatch with a premium badge and interior. Over three generations the A3 has continued to offer the same recipe: take Volkswagen Golf underpinnings and add the same nose as bigger Audis, a top-notch interior and desirable kit. Of course, the arrival of the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class means the A3 faces stiff competition. History LAUNCHING in 1996, the A3 Mk1 was the grown-up hatch for the upwardly mobile, but today you can bag one for far less than the price of a new city car. Well maintained examples still cut a dash, and S3 quattro models with more…

IT was a case of third time lucky for Ford when it entered the SUV race with the Kuga in 2008. Neither the Explorer nor Maverick that came before it really took off, but the new model was an instant hit. Based on the top-selling Focus Mk2, and with cutting-edge looks, the Kuga appealed to a new wave of compact SUV buyers as the class took off. This is a high-riding model that looks good, has a decent boot and handles better than a traditional 4x4. Crucially for its sales success, it also costs hardly any more to maintain than the average family car, and can return well over 45mpg in diesel form. History THE launch car had intelligent four-wheel drive, but front-wheel drive soon followed, and a 134bhp 2.0…

FOR several decades the Mercedes C-Class has been a key player in the compact-executive class. But thanks to its badge, the C-Class is seen by many as a status symbol, and it’s long been the car to pick if you wanted the best interior quality, comfort and technology. This appeal doesn’t deteriorate with age, either; used models are highly sought after. Dealer servicing and parts have a reputation for being expensive, but there are numerous independent Mercedes specialists who can help lower running costs for older cars. History THE new millennium ushered in the second-generation C-Class, known internally as the W203, with curvier looks, a sharper chassis and more room than the BMW 3 Series. AMG models set the pulse racing, but this model coincided with a period of uncharacteristically…

MODEL TESTED: Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo PRICE: £121,935 ENGINE: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, 542bhp THE Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo is a natural rival for the Audi RS 6, as the specs show, but it’s pricier, as we’ve already seen. Is it worth the extra? Design & engineering PORSCHE’S Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo uses the same basic engine as the RS 6. It’s the twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 used by many Volkswagen Group brands, but here in the Panamera there’s no 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The unit produces 542bhp and 770Nm of torque, so it’s 50bhp and 30Nm down on the Audi, but the Porsche is a little lighter, so performance should be similarly quick. There’s four-wheel drive, too, with double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear axle. The Panamera has an eight-speed…

Mercedes-AMG E 63 S Estate PRICE: £100,050 ENGINE: 4.0-litre V8, 604bhp WITH 640 litres of boot space and more power than either rival in this test, the E 63 S Estate is a monster performance wagon. However, it’s not as comfortable and the overall quality isn’t as high as in the RS 6 or the Panamera. It feels more raw. Audi RS Q8 PRICE: £103,750 ENGINE: 4.0-litre V8, 592bhp IF you’re dead set on an Audi but like the idea of an SUV, then the brand’s RS Q8 boasts the same engine but a different image. It’s not as good to drive as the RS 6 but it is very practical; picking one is down to the style of car you’re after.…

MODEL TESTED: Skoda Karoq 1.5 TSI ACT SE PRICE: £23,880 ENGINE: 1.5-litre 4cyl, 148bhp MATCHING the top-spec MG on price is an entry-level Karoq SE (our pictures show a higher-spec Edition model), which comes in at £23,880 with the 1.5-litre TSI engine and six-speed manual gearbox. But there’s more to this test than a simple analysis of the figures, as we’ll see. Design & engineering FOR a start, while the Skoda might be £880 more expensive than the MG, there isn’t too much difference in the level of core kit. The Skoda gets an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, for example, providing owners with sat-nav through their device. Parking sensors are included, as are cruise control and some key safety tech, while you get DAB radio, too.…

FIRST TEST Tamiya Mercedes G 500 R/C car Price: £249 Contact: www.jadlamracingmodels.com ELECTRIC cars are the latest in-thing, but Japanese firm Tamiya has built millions of them since the fifties – and they’re a tenth of the size of the one sitting on your drive. The brand’s remote-controlled models have been on kids’ wishlists for decades, and we tried out one of its latest kits, a recreation of the iconic Mercedes G 500. This new Tamiya model costs £249, but you have to pay extra for a controllers and battery. It also needs a substantial investment in time to build, and a fair degree of skill. There are gearboxes, suspension and other intricate mechanical parts that need to be assembled. In terms of difficulty, we found following the instructions was somewhere…

This is Banger Racing Jerry Fisher (Independently published, www.amazon.co.uk) Price: £15.50 THERE’S more going on than mindless destruction in banger racing. Long-time pundit Fisher takes a look at the politics and the skills involved, which many probably thought never existed. He concentrates on the series’ evolution, and the book is very interesting, but quite short. Type 7: Volume One Ted Gushue (Delius Klasing, www.delius-klasing.de) Price: 49.90 Euros (£41.99) THIS coffee table book curates posts from Porsche’s stories on Instagram into a beautifully bound volume. It has little narrative, so you can just enjoy photos of incredible cars by talented photographers. It’s certainly a sign of the money brands such as Porsche are pumping into social media. Stylish and not hugely pricey for this style of book. Crossy Road Available for:…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@dennis.co.uk Q Scottish drink-drive limit I’M going to Scotland for a weekend soon and will attend a party one night. Is it true that the drink-driving laws are harsher there than in England? If so, what’s the legal limit?Name witheld, E-mail A YES, Scotland does have a lower drink-drive limit. In England and Wales it’s 80mg per 100ml of blood, whereas Scotland adopted a lower limit of 50mg in 2014, which is in line with the majority of European countries. The best advice we can offer is to avoid alcohol before driving; it’s safer to get a taxi or a lift. Q Insurance write-off puzzle I WAS involved in a no-fault accident and my insurer wants to write my car off, even though it’s worth more…

Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk ● Team debuts trick steering ● Rivals can’t match lap times FEBRUARY sees Formula One testing take place ahead of the 2020 season, and this year Mercedes has once again led the way. Not only has the team topped the time sheets at the first test in Barcelona, but it has also made headlines with the latest technology found on its W11 racer. In-car footage from Lewis Hamilton’s and Valtteri Bottas’ cars appeared to show the steering wheel moving forwards and backwards under acceleration and braking. Team technical director James Allison said the new system was called DAS, for ‘Dual Axis Steering’, and that it had been cleared with FIA technical personnel. He wouldn’t elaborate on the expected benefits of the system for car performance, but it’s thought that…

Deputy News Editor, Auto Express THE new Leon marks not one, but two important milestones for Cupra. Look beyond the hybrid power headlines, and this newcomer means that the Cupra sub-brand has finally been totally unified, following a confusing period when the existence of the Cupra Ateca clashed with the previous Leon Cupra, which was sitting awkwardly in SEAT’s regular line-up. From this point, every hot SEAT will simply be a Cupra, with a Cupra badge and no branding whatsoever from its parent company. A loss for the mothership? Absolutely. But to judge from this new Leon, it means those responsible for Cupra cars can be more flamboyant and expressive. “From this point, every hot SEAT will just be a Cupra, with no SEAT branding”…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk ● Flagship model revealed ● Hybrid drive from launch THIS is the DS 9, a new range-topping saloon from PSA Group’s premium arm, designed to rival the likes of the Mercedes E-Class and Jaguar XF. It expands the DS line-up to three cars, sitting above the DS 3 and 7 Crossback SUVs, and is the company’s long-promised halo model. It’ll be heading to the Geneva Motor Show in March, and will go on sale here later in 2020. It sits on PSA’s EMP2 platform for larger vehicles, which is shared with the DS 7 Crossback and the Peugeot 508. However, the new DS 9 occupies a larger segment than its Peugeot relation. At 4,930mm long and 1,850mm wide, it slots into the full-size executive car market, and is the…

Geneva debut for Toyota’s small SUV TOYOTA has confirmed its new small supermini-SUV will be unveiled at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show. The car will rival the latest Nissan Juke and new Renault Captur (driven on page 26). Teased in an official image showing its rear lights (above), the unnamed model will use the GA-B platform that underpins the forthcoming Yaris. Toyota has confirmed the car will have intelligent four-wheel drive and a hybrid powertrain. Mixed benefits for ride-hailing service A NEW study has found that the launch of Uber is associated with a nine per cent fall in road accident injuries, although the opposite is true in London, where a rise in sprains and bruises correlates with the rollout of the ride-hailing firm. The University of Oxford study says…

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk ● Hatch’s refresh ushers in new looks, tech and engine revamps HYUNDAI has given the i30 a mid-life facelift, to keep its family hatch in the fight alongside the new Volkswagen Golf. The exterior has been updated subtly, but N-Line cars (pictured) now really stand out compared with the standard line-up. The front and rear bumpers are more aggressively sculpted, there’s a new wider grille, and the fresh LED headlights have a new daytime running signature. Elsewhere the rest of the range gets a different shape for the grille and extra chrome trim. Around the back, the only real change is the new LED tail-lights. Fresh 17 and 18-inch wheels arrive, too, while there are also three new paint finishes. The engine line-up has been overhauled. The old 1.4-litre…

First look at Hyundai’s new i20 AS well as a new i30 (left) Hyundai has also revealed a fresh i20 with cutting-edge tech, and it could shake up the supermini market. We’ll find out in the coming months whether the brand has a Clio-beater on its hands, but as Alex Ingram found when he saw the car, the early signs are very good indeed. youtube.com/Autoexpress PEUGEOT e-208 The new e-208 has much to prove. It’s the first household-name model with pure-electric power, and the first to challenge established alternatives like the Renault Zoe and Nissan Leaf. Vicky Parrott finds out what it’s like to drive on UK roads. youtube.com/drivingelectric You can watch any of our videos on your phone Simply scan this QR code.…

Hugo_Griffiths@dennis.co.uk WHEN Aston Martin calls, you pick up the phone. And when Aston Martin calls offering the chance to drive a selection of cars from the forthcoming James Bond film, you don’t so much clear your diary as carpet bomb it. Now in his 67th year on the page and 58th on the screen, Bond has been portrayed by six actors over the course of the film franchise, but his association with Aston Martin has been more faithful. Aside from the odd flirtation with Lotus, BMW and Bentley – and glossing over author Ian Fleming’s intention that Bond be a Bentley Boy – Aston Martin is as intrinsic to 007 as olives are to Martinis. The latest movie, No Time to Die, is in cinemas on 3 April and is…

joe_holding@autoexpress.co.uk Running costs 47.1mpg (official) £56 fill-up MOST of us remember 2012 for the London Olympics, but at Renault there’s a different memory: the launch of the original Captur. It was the company’s first small SUV and a model that has gone on to sell 1.5 million examples worldwide. The time has come for a new one, though, and now we’ve tried it on British roads. The new Captur sits on the same CMF-B platform as the latest Clio and it’s 110mm longer, 19mm wider and 17mm taller than the original model. A wider grille and LED lights front and rear help it to cut a more impressive figure on the road. Basing it on the new Clio has transformed the driving experience, too. The steering is precise and gives…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk THE four-door coupé is a weird kind of animal. But it’s a new-ish kind of design, invented by Mercedes with the original CLS in 2004 and now copied increasingly by the rest of the industry. Here’s the latest from BMW, the all-new £37,255 BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupé. It’s powered by the same potent but uninspiring 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine as the M135i, and uses a slightly softer version of that car’s four-wheel-drive chassis. The M235i GC might be an odd-looking car on the eye – but on paper it’s a lot harder to argue against. It gets lots of kit as standard and has 302bhp and 450Nm of torque, so it can hit 62mph from rest in just 4.9sec. Yet it can also do a respectable 42mpg. Its…

IT’S more than a quarter of a century since the Vauxhall Corsa arrived to replace the Nova supermini. In the years since, it’s battled with the Ford Fiesta for sales and become one of the most popular cars on Britain’s roads in the process. Affordable prices and a huge dealer network have certainly helped, as well as the fact that there’s a version on offer for almost any buyer – from ultra-efficient small diesels to a VXR hot hatch capable of more than 140mph. Almost everyone has owned, been a passenger in or even learnt to drive in a Corsa. Mass production also means that the Corsa is a staple of the used car market, providing buyers with a wide range of trims, engines, ages and colours without having to…

IN 1975, six enthusiastic Volkswagen employees worked afterhours to shoehorn a larger engine into their Golf family car. A year later the GTI was launched and the hot hatch was born. When righth-and-drive examples arrived in 1979, UK sales grew stronger and the GTI cult grew. Customers loved the Mk1 GTI’s blend of usable performance, sharp handling and classy looks. Here was a car that was great to drive, but also spacious enough for trips away and comfortable enough to take your nan to the shops. History IT’S not been without its missteps, though. The Mk3 and Mk4 were too heavy, and the GTI badge became more of a trim level than a performance model. Yet the Mk5 resurrected its status. It has a talented chassis with independent rear suspension…

THERE had been plenty of small SUVs before the Qashqai arrived in 2006, but Nissan’s innovative design sparked the crossover trend. Here was a road-biased, mainly front-wheel-drive model with the chunky looks and raised ride height of a 4x4, but the running costs of a family hatch. Nissan even bowed out of the hatchback class altogether, replacing its Almera and Primera models with the Qashqai. The SUV flew out of showrooms; nearly 100,000 were sold in the first year across Europe alone. Now more than a decade old, early Qashqais are a great second-hand buy. History IT’S hard to remember a pre-crossover time. The Qashqai proved the advantages of extra ride height, including excellent speed-bump manoeuvrability and improved visibility. Its cabin was well designed, and the Mk1’s 1.6-litre petrol and…

IT’S the car that put modern-day Skoda on the map, and the Octavia is a spacious, reliable family model that punches above its weight. Whether it’s the hatch or estate, it beats class rivals for practicality. Skoda’s stroke of genius was fitting stretched bodywork to Golf underpinnings, allowing the brand to offer more for less. To make the sums work, interior design had to be slightly pared back, but materials still felt robust, and newer versions are hardly basic. More than two decades on there’s now an Octavia for every budget, whether it be a sensible and economical estate or a hot vRS performance model. The latter has proven remarkably popular, accounting for around one in five of all Octavia sales. History FIVE years after Skoda became part of the…

Audi RS 6 Avant MMI Navigation Standard Key features: Three-screen set-up THE usual three-screen Audi MMI set-up is standard here (12.3-inch digital dash, 10.1-inch touchscreen, 8.6-inch touchscreen climate panel), but there are some RS-specific features, such as the dash skin when you select either one of the two new RS driving modes, plus an RS monitor that can show you the temperature of different mechanical components. When it comes to infotainment, nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and connected services are standard. The set-up works as well as in any other Audi, with sharp graphics, a responsive screen and bright colours. However, MMI is also not the easiest system to use on the move. Vorsprung adds a head-up display and a B&O stereo, which delivers and impressive sound. The whole…

MG HS 10.1” Colour Touchscreen Standard  Key features: Sat-nav, connectivity ALL MG HS models get a 10.1-inch colour touchscreen as standard, and Exclusive trim gets all the features possible, including an upgraded six-speaker stereo, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and sat-nav fitted. While the navigation is okay, like the rest of the MG system, it’s a little fiddly to use. The same is true of the climate control, although there are a few touch-button shortcuts low down, which help navigate the set-up. The main problem with the HS’s system is that while the screen is bright and the graphics okay, it can take a long time to respond to your inputs, which is frustrating (see Head-to-head, right). At least it’s placed in a good position on the top of the…

Kim_Adams@dennis.co.uk Running costs 25.9mpg (on test) £97 fill-up/£260 tax Practicality Payload capacity 1,085kg Performance 0-62mph/top speed 10.6 seconds/115mph AFTER 12,000 miles, our hard-working SsangYong Musso has finally left our fleet. It has taken me all over the UK, plus on several Continental trips, but none of them were as eagerly anticipated as the recent trip to collect the latest addition to my track-car fleet: a Caterham Seven. I could have driven the road-legal Seven home, but tackling the M25 with no screen didn’t appeal; plus, I needed somewhere for the spare wheels and tyres that came with the car, and the Musso’s load bay was ideal. The eight rims still left lots of space for other kit, despite the bed being shorter than most rival trucks’. Even so, it’s still…

New Puma shoes get the sole of a Pirelli SPORTSWEAR brand Puma has teamed up with tyre manufacturer Pirelli to create the new Replicat-X 1.8 Pirelli shoes. They are inspired by motorsport and available to buy now from the Puma website in men’s sizes 3.5-13. The shoes feature an oversized rubber sole inspired by the Pirelli Cinturato tread pattern, and have a quick-lacing system for speedy starts. They’re part of Puma’s motorsport line-up, which also includes BMW and Sparco-branded trainers. View the whole range by visiting puma.com. Jag I-Pace on the pull with Rameder towbar ELECTRIC vehicles are known to supply huge levels of torque from a standstill, so in theory they make perfect tow cars. Rameder has capitalised on this by producing the first towbar available for the all-electric Jaguar…

PRODUCT GROUP TEST 26|2|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 MODERN motoring is expensive, and saving money is a priority. By using a high-quality pressure gauge you can do just that, because making sure your tyres are correctly inflated means you can get more miles per gallon and ensure they last longer. You’ll also be safer; the right pressures optimise braking and handling. Having your own gauge is a good idea, because those in petrol stations are often abused and inaccurate. Check your handbook or sticker on the car – usually on a door pillar or the fuel-filler flap – to make sure you’re inflating correctly. So which is…

Motoring’s most outspoken and opinionated columnist sounds off “The small, four or five-seat car is to brands what the one-bed or studio flat is to the house-building industry” WORRIED by recent tales of sensibly priced small cars being killed off? No need. These are the only factory-fresh vehicles many consumers can afford; therefore they’re here to stay. True, such humble city cars are becoming pricier to build in this brave new world, where eco-mental regulations are increasingly demanding. But manufacturers know these are the products that allow motorists a foot on the new car-buying ladder. The small, four or five-seat car is to brands what the one-bed or studio flat is to the house-building industry. Of the 10 best-selling cars in Britain last year, half – including the number-one-selling Fiesta…