Table of contents for 1655 in Auto Express

Luke_Wilkinson@dennis.co.uk @LT_Wilkinson • New entry-level SUV planned • Will share much with i20 HYUNDAI’S best-selling models are SUVs and crossovers, and now the Korean brand has revealed that it plans to add another to its line-up. The new model, called the Bayon, will arrive in the UK in the middle of 2021 as a new entry-point into Hyundai’s crossover range. Previewed in our exclusive images, the Bayon will be based on the same platform as the latest i20 supermini, so will sit below the Kona in Hyundai’s current line-up. Official specifications of the new car have yet to be confirmed, but the Bayon is expected to share its chassis and powertrain configuration with the i20. The supermini currently has a petrol-only line-up, consisting of an 83bhp 1.2-litre four-cylinder unit and…

VW names its price for latest Golf Estate PRICES have been revealed for the new Volkswagen Golf Estate (above), starting from £24,575 for entry-level Life spec and climbing to £35,560 for the range-topping, off-road-inspired Alltrack variant. Life and Alltrack are joined by Style and R-Line trims, alongside a range of petrol and diesel engines. A hot Golf R Estate with up to 316bhp hasn’t been confirmed yet, but is on the way, and is likely to be revealed in 2021. ‘Free parking would boost hard-hit shops’ PARKING charges should be suspended from mid-December to boost Covid-hit local economies by making Christmas shopping easier, according to the AA. The organisation says free parking would aid social distancing by stopping crowding around ticket machines. AA president Edmund King said: “Just as Dickens…

We want to hear your views. Send your questions or opinions to the E-mail address below Contact Tristan Shale-Hester mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress HOT TOPIC The big EV switch FROM: David Thomas THIS eco-friendly approach sounds lovely, but it will be chaos if the infrastructure is not in place. Plus a new electric supermini will need to be the same price in 2030 as a new petrol supermini is in 2020, or new car sales will plummet. FROM: Alan Turner I DRIVE my diesel Skoda Yeti to southern Spain, via the Portsmouth-Santander ferry, every year. It’s a 762-mile journey and I only stop once for a couple of minutes for a break and fuel. I’ll consider an EV when they can do the same. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■“Is there enough…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn A CAR doesn’t become the most successful model within the entire Volkswagen Group by being divisive. Offering a daring design isn’t going to help you achieve nearly one million sales in a single year, which is how many VW Tiguans found homes globally in 2019. You need a crowd-pleasing approach that’s going to help pull in as many customers as possible. So when VW came to update its latest Tiguan, driven here in the UK for the first time, you can guarantee there was one simple instruction: change as little as possible. From the outside, the revised Tiguan has been sharpened up slightly at the front with a pair of reshaped LED headlamps and sleeker grille, but along the flanks and at the rear, it’s a case of…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk Running costs 28.2mpg (off icial) £75 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 4.2 seconds/191mph “The 911 manual sounds better and feels every inch as fast as the PDK-equipped Carrera S” A FEW years back, Porsche announced that it was going to drop the manual transmission from the 911 line-up. Enthusiasts couldn’t believe their beloved sports car was no longer going to be available with three pedals in the footwell and a gearstick between the seats. Porsche gave several extremely plausible reasons why it had reached this decision. The firm pointed out that the 911 was faster, more efficient, more economical and, for an increasing number of approving customers, more engaging with a “PDK” dual-clutch gearbox. But the enthusiasts continued to holler, and eventually Porsche – to its credit – listened to…

MODELTESTED: BMW 320i Touring M Sport PRICE: £38,025 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 181bhp THE BMW 3 Series Touring is the Arteon Shooting Brake’s natural rival, and it’s the £38,025 320i model in particular (although our pictures show a 320d) that we’re testing here. Design & engineering IN the past, BMW’s 3 Series Touring has competed with Volkswagen’s Passat Estate, but that car is more staid and less about style and driving enjoyment, so now VW offers the Arteon Shooting Brake, these two cars are closely aligned. That’s especially true on price, because in two-wheel-drive 320i M Sport spec the BMW is actually £395 cheaper than the VW. However, while you do get a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and an eight-speed automatic gearbox, you don’t get as much power or torque,…

DOORS THE VW’s coupé-inspired styling is reinforced by its frameless doors. They’re a lovely, stylish design touch that help distance it from more conventional estates in the VW line-up based on the same platform and using identical powertrains. The BMW has conventional doors and more glass, especially in the rear, so it feels a little lighter and the windows drop all the way into the doors. TECH IN a battle of the digital dashboards the VW’s is unfortunately lagging behind, as we’ve already mentioned. The brand has access to a higher-resolution 12.3-inch driver display, and this tech featured in the Golf Mk 7.5, for example. This must be a cost-cutting exercise. Next to the BMW’s more expansive, more sophisticated dash panel the Volkswagen’s unit feels more like a toy tablet…

TWO new rally games have been released to coincide with the launch of next-generation consoles and in time for Christmas. Dirt 5, the latest in the series, is joined by WRC9, the official game of the World Rally Championship. But which is best? The Dirt series switches between arcade and simulator-style racing, with Dirt 5 sitting very firmly in the former camp, after the ultra-realistic Dirt Rally 2.0 in 2019. On the other hand, WRC9 offers realistic gameplay and a digital recreation of the 2020 WRC. For pure fun we’d point you towards Dirt 5, but if you want something a little more realistic and challenging then WRC9 is best. It’s close enough to Dirt Rally 2.0 when it comes to driving dynamics, while the official licence means it has…

IT’S beginning to feel a lot like the lawless Wild West out there. The traditional, quintessentially British sense of fair play that most of us know, love and respect is fast disappearing, no? Small but symbolic example: the other day I asked a parking attendant on the warpath to please pause, be less aggressive, kinder, more reasonable to the distressed lady he was about to zealously ticket. His instinctive reply? “I don’t do reasonableness.” He might have been the same git I saw earlier on public transport, without a mask, but with rancid boots unreasonably plonked on the seat opposite. Sadly, such people aren’t rare in Broken Britain, 2020. ‘Unreasonableness’ seems to be the new norm. And there’s often evidence of it at local authority level, where cowboy councils in…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods • Electric Fiat 500 combines classic lines with latest EV tech • Up to 199 miles of range and prices starting at less than £20k REINVENTING an icon can be tricky, but Fiat’s first attempt at reimagining the classic 500 for the 21st Century was a resounding success. Launched in 2007, the ‘new’ 500 has been a phenomenal hit in its 13-year reign as one of Europe’s favourite city cars. But it’s about to be superseded by this: the all-electric, third-generation 500. The underlying technology and platform are new, it’s 61mm longer and 29mm taller to accommodate the new powertrain, but the new 500 is still a familiar face. Small design tweaks aside, it’s unmistakably a 500, especially in profile. It will also still be offered in hatchback…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn • JCW in line for electrification • GP3-based model due in 2021 MINI has announced that it will develop a fully electric John Cooper Works model – and released these official spy images as confirmation. It was only a few weeks ago that head of MINI Bernd Körber hinted to Auto Express that the company was investigating electric power for future JCW performance models – and we haven’t had to wait long to see what’s coming up. No technical information on the electric JCW has been issued, but these official images clearly show that an electric version of the recently-launched GP3 will be the first hot MINI to go electric. The roof-mounted wing, blistered wheelarches and aggressive bodykit have all been transferred directly from the GP3, but look…

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @AxleIngram • Chassis tweaks and torque boost • On sale now, prices from £77,595 HOT on the heels of the revised F-Pace, Jaguar’s Special Vehicle Operations division has updated the range-topping SVR version. The Porsche Macan Turbo rival is available now, priced from £77,595. The changes are subtle but extensive and cover a range of areas, including the SVR’s styling, aerodynamic efficiency, engine, drivetrain, chassis and in-car tech. From the outside, the new F-Pace SVR can be identified by a new front bumper with larger, more squared-off air intakes than before. The front splitter is also wider and flatter, and Jaguar says these changes contribute to a 35 per cent reduction in aerodynamic lift. Beneath the SVR’s vented bonnet sits a revised version of the existing car’s 5.0-litre supercharged…

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

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy MANUFACTURERS face a tricky balancing act when it comes to their performance badges, but you can’t accuse Skoda of not being committed to vRS. The latest Octavia vRS is available with three powerplants – a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol, a 1.4-litre petrol-based plug-in hybrid and, at some point in the first half of 2021, a turbodiesel edition that can be had with four-wheel drive. All of these iterations are available as hatchbacks or estates, too, giving the vRS nameplate great breadth. We’re starting here with the petrol edition, in estate form and equipped with a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission (a six-speed manual is in the pipeline too). The engine produces 242bhp and 370Nm of torque from 1,600rpm – enough to take the car from 0-62mph in less…

NEW PRODUCT Michelin e.Primacy Prices: TBC Contact: www.michelin.co.uk MICHELIN has long been at the forefront of environmental concerns with its Energy Saver ranges and has championed the safe use of tyres down to the legal limit. The latest addition to its line-up takes that a step further, and is its first CO2-neutral product. The French firm says the e.Primacy will be CO2 neutral at the time of purchase via investment in projects that avoid or absorb carbon emissions during production, as well as designing an energy-efficient tyre to reduce its impact in use. The e.Primacy has also earned an Environmental Product Declaration quantifying its eco credentials. Tyres account for up to 30 per cent of a car’s fuel use, and the e.Primacy is designed to reduce rolling resistance while maintaining…

VW Type 2 Transporter 1949-1967 Richard Copping (Amberley Publishing, www.amberley-books.com) Price: £14.99 Rating: NOT the first book about the iconic VW – nor will it be the last – but this is a compact and detailed dive into the history of the ‘splittie’. Now revered as a retro masterpiece, and popular among camper enthusiasts, books on the Transporter are an essential addition to any VW fan’s library. quattro: The Race and Rally Story Jeremy Walton (Evro Publishing, www.evropublishing.com) Price: £50 Rating: FEW words are linked so strongly to rallying as quattro – Audi’s name for its high-performance four-wheel-drive cars. This book celebrates 40 years in racing and rallying. It’s well written and paired with more than 300 high-quality photos. A fantastic title for any fan of the brand. Trucks Off…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@dennis.co.uk Q Can you shed any light on why sunroof won’t open? MY car’s electric sunroof won’t open. I’ve turned the engine on and off and checked the fuses, but still no joy. My garage is fully booked so can’t look at it; what else can I try? Dave P, E-mail A NOT much, unfortunately. If the sunroof were stuck open, you might be able to persuade a mechanic to take a look as an emergency measure, but some garages are still catching up with backlogs from the first lockdown. Given that it’s stuck shut, it’s a convenience rather than a security or weather issue, so if you’ve cycled the car’s engine on and off and checked the fuses, stop there. You risk damaging the mechanism,…

Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk @stevefowler ANY reboot of an iconic model is fraught with difficulty, not least the reaction from faithful fans of the original. So who better to give a view on the all-new, all-electric Fiat 500 than the owner of an original 1971 Fiat 500L and the President of the Fiat 500 Club UK, Steve Rider? You’ll know Steve better as the host of motorsport coverage across the BBC and ITV for many years, but his passion for 500s started at an early age. “The first car my family owned was a Fiat 500, which my brother bought,” Steve tells us, “So there’s always been an emotional attachment.” However it was the endorsement of one of the UK’s most famous car designers that persuaded Steve that he should own a 500.…

TOYOTA has given the Camry an update for 2021, comprising a minor visual update and tech improvements inside. A new front bumper, a reshaped radiator grille and two new alloy wheel designs in either 17 or 18-inch diameters have been added to the saloon. Inside, a new nine-inch infotainment system replaces the old car’s seven-inch unit and adds support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for the first time. A range of new safety kit, such as lanekeeping assist, has also been added.…

AUTO EXPRESS has teamed up with Nilfisk and will give away six of its Buddy II 18 T cleaners. The vac, which won our car workshop vacuum cleaner test back in 2019, is perfectly suited to DIY chores, and boasts a 1,200W motor, a wet filter and a range of accessories. Now we’re giving you the chance to win your very own Nilfisk Buddy II 18 T, worth £99.99. To enter, all you have to do is visit www.aex.ae/vacuum, answer a simple question and give us a few details so we can contact you if you’re the lucky winner. We’re reserving three of these amazing vacuums for our subscribers, too, so join us today to boost your chances of a win. T&C: One entry per person. Limited to the UK…

tristan_shale-hester@dennis.co.uk @tristan_shale IT’S possible to buy a car – new or old – for just about any purpose. Whether you need to dash about on motorways, cut across country lanes, tackle speed bump-laden towns, carry four passengers plus their luggage, or be able to conquer almost any terrain, there’s a car for you. However, half a century ago, a group of designers and engineers asked themselves if there might be a car that could do all of these things and much more. The result was the original Range Rover of 1970, and it’s a car that not only ticked almost every motoring box going, but also gave birth to an entire brand, which now has four models in its stable, enjoys global success and is one of the best-known premium…

Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @AxleIngram Running costs 40.4mpg (off icial) £48 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.5 seconds/144mph THIS is the Ford Fiesta ST Edition, a new version of the finest small hot hatchback on the market that aims to deliver an even purer driving experience for just 300 British buyers. Changes to this limited edition model are more than just skin deep. Ford hasn’t turned to the marketing and design departments and come up with a silly styling package (although the Azura Blue paint is exclusive to the Edition), nor has it simply slapped on a loud exhaust (but pops and bangs are still on tap). Instead, Ford’s engineers have been tasked with making the ST’s already brilliant chassis even more engaging. To achieve this, the standard suspension has been replaced by adjustable…

MODELTESTED: VW Arteon Shooting Brake 2.0 TSI DSG PRICE: £38,420 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 187bhp VOLKSWAGEN is hoping its Arteon Shooting Brake will provide a stylish alternative to the big-selling Tiguan SUV for buyers after practicality in a more dynamic package. We’re testing the £38,420 2.0 TSI 190 DSG R-Line model to find out. Design & engineering LIKE so many of VW’s models, this Arteon Shooting Brake is based on the Group’s scalable MQB architecture. That also means it uses a similar set of components when it comes to the suspension, powertrain and infotainment. With it sharing much of its engineering with other cars, think of this as a much sleeker VW Passat Estate, just as the five-door Arteon fastback is in effect a sleeker version of the more pragmatic Passat…

Audi A4 Avant 40 TFSI S line PRICE: £38,970 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 201bhp AUDI updated its A4 Avant not so long ago, so it features mild-hybrid tech. With 201bhp, it’s stronger than our test rivals, while the 495-litre boot is just shy of the BMW’s capacity. Material quality inside is great, and it’s more refined than the VW. Mercedes C 200 Estate AMG Line Edition PRICE: £39,005 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 181bhp WITH only 400 litres of boot space (albeit 1,480 litres with the seats folded) the C-Class Estate is a little more limited, but it’s good value in AMG Line Edition trim, which gets lots of kit, while the C 200 gets mild-hybrid technology for a 14bhp boost.…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk Q Is solar charger compatible? I READ your review of solar trickle chargers (Issue 1,651) and want to know if I can use one with my 2017 Ford Kuga, because this has a 75 Amp EFB (enhanced flooded battery) rather than an older lead-acid battery. Will it be compatible? Fred Anderson, telephone A WE’VE checked the instruction manuals for all of the chargers, and the only exclusion mentioned is lithium-ion batteries, which are not generally fitted to internal-combustion cars. The only charger which specifically says it’s safe to use with EFB is the Optimate. However, we see no reason that the others shouldn’t be compatible, because EFB is a development of lead-acid technology. Q Should I make the switch? I PURCHASED a new Mercedes GLB in…

HERE’S hoping that we can all be with our loved ones at Christmas, right? After such a tumultuous 2020, there’s no doubt that we all need a bit of cheering up. But whatever the season holds, if you have a petrolhead in your life you might be struggling with gift ideas. We’re here to help, with our list this week consisting of brilliant gift ideas for less than £50. Want to spend a little extra? Don’t worry – next week, we’ll be featuring gifts costing £50 and above, perfect for making a big statement, or even treating yourself. Walletwerkswallet Price: From £27.07 Contact: walletwerks.com THESE ultra-cool wallets are made with iconic automotive seat fabrics and high-quality leather. A wide array of brands is accounted for, so you could match your…

Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk • Toyota ace 14 points ahead • Monza Rally closes season “The last Briton to win the WRC was Richard Burns in 2001” BRITAIN could see its next world rally champion crowned this weekend, as Toyota’s Welsh ace Elfyn Evans heads to the season-ending Monza Rally in Italy with a 14-point lead at the top of the table. The last Briton to take the WRC’s top honour was Richard Burns, who triumphed with Subaru in 2001. Fans and former colleagues recently marked the 15th anniversary of the Reading-born driver’s death, aged 34, from a brain tumour. The Monza Rally was a late addition to the 2020 WRC schedule. It is in effect an expanded version of the Monza Rally Show, usually a fun off-season event held at the Italian…