Table of contents for 1762 in Auto Express

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk ● Concept uses STLA Large EV platform and has 500-mile range ● Hypersquare steering wheel is the highlight of hi-tech interior PEUGEOT has revealed its Inception concept at the Consumer Electronics Show 2023, with the sleek new saloon highlighting an exciting vision for the brand’s future and outlining initial details of parent firm Stellantis’s STLA Large platform. The Inception is five metres long, with its size “deliberately chosen to highlight the many innovations of this manifesto”. It’s set to inspire future products, down to the most compact cars in the range, from 2025. Mounted between the axles is a 100kWh battery, which the brand claims is good for a range of 800km (497 miles). The battery supplies two electric motors – one on the front axle, the other on…

AMERICAN brand Chrysler has revealed its Synthesis cockpit concept at the Las Vegas technology show. Although the firm’s models aren’t sold in the UK, the concept previews some of the tech that will filter down to other brands owned by Chrysler’s parent company Stellantis, including Peugeot (above left). Based on the STLA SmartCockpit next-generation interface and featuring the STLA Brain software, the Synthesis concept – built around the idea of a two-seat vehicle – has two 37.2-inch screens with AI that can ‘learn’ user preferences over time. Over-the-air update capability is also included, along with a virtual personal assistant to boost connectivity. STLA AutoDrive allows for Level 3 autonomous driving technology. It’s likely much of this tech will be used by European Stellantis brands, such as Alfa Romeo, Citroen and…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler ALTHOUGH EV sales are now second only to petrol for the first time (see left), there are growing fears that the state of the public charging network could become the biggest barrier to EV ownership. With sales of purely combustion-engined models set to stop by 2030, new car buyers will have to switch their allegiance to electric cars whether they like it or not. However, with recent stories of electric vehicles having long waits at public charging facilities over the Christmas holidays, SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes has warned that EV uptake is faltering, with the slow introduction of chargepoints potentially hitting further adoption of EVs. “Infrastructure is the major challenge,” said Hawes. “Charging anxiety is the biggest obstacle. “Even taking the government’s lowest target of 300,000 chargepoints by…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy ● Second-generation compact SUV spied testing ahead of reveal ● Regular hybrid and plug-in powertrains set to be offered TOYOTA previewed the look of its second-generation C-HR with a dramatic concept late last year, and these latest spy shots suggest that the edgy design is going to be retained by the production model. Caught on roads close to Toyota’s European R&D base, this prototype shows how some of the key cues from the concept – called C-HR Prologue – will be retained. The camouflage does a reasonable job of disguising the details, but the overall profile reveals that the chunky ‘blade’ C-pillars are going to make it to showroom vehicles, along with the roof spoiler. The majority of the headlight units are hidden, but there’s enough visible through…

FIAT wants to build its own version of the Ami, potentially called Topolino – and the company’s boss has confirmed to Auto Express that his brand is “in active discussions” with Citroen and Opel about the project. Olivier François believes that the Ami could help his brand to deliver better urban mobility. When asked directly if he has been in talks about the vehicle, he told us, “Yes, for sure. I have had discussions. If I jump into that space – which I want to do – then it’s clear that I have a very good base with that Citroen/Opel car.” It’s believed that Fiat’s take on the car could carry the Topolino badge (the nickname of the original 500) and offer an opening fabric roof. François told us: “These…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk I’M sitting in the driver’s seat of a new BMW M2. The 453bhp 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six engine is idling away in front of me with bassy menace – and the experience is made all the more pulse-quickening by the fact that, although I can see my outstretched arms and hands resting on the sporty steering wheel, above that my field of view is dominated not by the outside world and an expanse of tarmac in front of me, but a digital depiction of a racetrack projected onto the screen of the Virtual Reality goggles I’m wearing. In a minute my instructor is going to ask me to floor the throttle and unleash the M2’s performance to try and set a lap time around the aforementioned track. The car will…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks WHEN we first tried Toyota’s new pumped-up city car, the Aygo X, it was in top-of-the-range ‘Exclusive’ trim, but now there’s a new model crowning the line-up in the form of this Air Edition version. It’s based on the mid-range Edge when it comes to the level of kit, but (as the name suggests) the Air Edition is fitted with a folding fabric roof, so now Toyota’s smallest car can go toe to toe with the convertible version of Fiat’s cutesy 500 city car. These are the only two cars in their class. It’s no secret that city cars are on the wane in Europe as makers struggle to conjure profits from models in this segment. A direct replacement for the decade-old Volkswagen up! isn’t on the cards,…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram Running costs 43.5mpg (official) £71 fill-up Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 410-520/1,289 litres THERE’S a new range-topper for the Citroen C3 Aircross line-up, called the Rip Curl. It’s not the first time the Australian surfing brand has given its name to a French five-door model; along with previous versions of the C3 Aircross and the first-generation C4 Cactus, the name found its way onto a Mk3 Renault Clio trim level, too. While the link between any of those cars and carving Bondi barrel waves might seem like a bit of a stretch, it’s possibly the least tenuous here. Given that this is one of the most spacious compact SUVs around – and has roof rails as standard – it shouldn’t be too hard to load some boards and surfing…

Running costs 2.8mi/kWh (on test) £16 recharge/£0 or 2% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 228/858 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 8.3 seconds/99mph MODEL TESTED: GWM Ora Funky Cat First Edition PRICE: £31,995 POWERTRAIN: 1x e-motor, 48kWh battery, 169bhp WE can’t blame you for being unfamiliar with the Ora brand; even in its native China, it only came into existence in 2018. Since then, a variety of small electric vehicles have rolled off the production line, most of which with a Cat-based name – Black, White, Punk and Big, to name a few. In other markets, the car you see here is known as the Good Cat, but here it’s called the Funky. In First Edition trim it costs £31,995, which climbs to £32,790 with our car’s Aurora Green paint and white…

MG 1st THE MG takes its second victory in an Auto Express group test. We’re impressed by the MG4 in many areas: the way it handles, its compliant ride, the strong performance, the spacious cabin and decent boot, plus its competitive – if not quite class-leading – efficiency. Most of all, though, alongside almost any other EV on sale today, it offers great value, so its minor flaws are so much easier to forgive. ORA 2nd SOME cars grow on you the more you live with them. The Funky Cat is one that makes a fabulous first impression, but begins to reveal areas that have room for improvement the longer you spend with it. Some will be charmed by its design alone, and the price is still competitive in the wider EV…

SAVE 43% ON THE SHOP PRICE After your initial 6 issue trial, your subscription will continue at £28.99 every 13 issues representing a saving of 43% on the shop price. FREE DELIVERY Never miss an issue with every copy delivered straight to your doorstep. FULLY FLEXIBLE You are able to cancel at any time using a dedicated customer portal or by getting in touch. YOUR FREE GIFT Money is tight, make your screenwash go further with a free gift of CarPlan Demon Shot Screenwash Booster. Demon Shot is a new, innovative screenwash booster from CarPlan. Demon Shot can either be diluted with water or used neat to boost your existing screenwash temperature, meaning it is ideal for emergency or routine top ups. One bottle of Demon Shot makes up to…

Jacky Ickx: His Authorised Competition History Jon Saltinstall (Evro Publishing, evropublishing.co.uk) Price: £95 Rating: AN extensively researched book that outlines Ickx’s 565 races. Across motorcycle trials, sports cars, Formula 2, Formula 1 and his Le Mans wins, followed by rally raids – few drivers could command such a tome. For the price it’s as well produced as you’d expect, with great imagery. Renault 4 Mark Bradbury (Amberley Publishing, amberley-books.com) Price: £15.99 Rating: A COMPACT book about an icon of the compact car world. As with most Amberley titles, it’s not extensive but is a great start to a motoring library. It’s full of useful titbits of info, as well as plenty of colour photography, and lots are more candid shots of restored cars today, rather than purely delving into the archives.…

CO2 /tax 142-200g/km £165 Running costs 41.5mpg (1.5 TSI 150) £92 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.9 seconds/124mph SEAT was founded in 1950 in Spain, but was swallowed up by the Volkswagen Group in the mid-eighties. For years after that the firm struggled to find its place, with buyers not sure what the brand stood for. The arrival of the sharply styled third-generation Leon was a turning point, but it was the arrival of the company’s first SUV in 2016 that set SEAT on the road to success. That vehicle was the Ateca and it really struck a chord with buyers, just like its smaller sibling, the Arona, which turned up a year later. SEAT then completed its hat-trick with the introduction of the Tarraco, its first seven-seat SUV. This model embodies…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler ● Golf name may be used on EV ● Could be sold alongside ID.3 VOLKSWAGEN recently announced a hefty set of upgrades for its ID.3 all-electric hatchback – but the company isn’t about to give up on its more famous family model, the Golf. And now, brand boss Thomas Schäfer has said that the iconic badge might be applied to an EV after the combustion-engined versions cease production. The current Mk8 Golf is due for a facelift this year, and this is likely to bring further mild-hybrid tech. Recent spy shots have also shown that VW is tweaking the controversial infotainment system, while increasing the size of the central touchscreen display. This is likely to be the last generation of the Golf to feature a combustion engine. But…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler ● EVs now second most popular type of vehicle after petrol cars ● Qashqai first Brit-built car to top annual sales chart for 24 years NEW car sales dropped to 1.61 million in 2022, down by two per cent on 2021 and the worst year since 1992, as the pandemic hangover continued and the restriction on supply of parts for new cars hit hard in the first half of the year. However, Nissan has managed the disruption to the supply chain better than most, enabling the Qashqai to top the sales chart for the first time, with 42,704 cars going to customers in 2022. The Qashqai has been designed and engineered in Britain and is built in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear. Andrew Humberstone, managing director of Nissan Motor…

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 Future of hydrogen FROM: John Minshall THERE is only a future for hydrogen cars if the proper refuelling infrastructure is installed. We’re struggling in the UK with sufficient and reliable electric vehicle chargepoints. What makes us think we could handle hydrogen stations? FROM: Grant Rossouw I CAN see hydrogen vehicles becoming a more prominent mode of transport in the future, especially with high electricity costs and demand. Diesel was once laughed at as a newcomer, but was better than petrol in many ways. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “Hydrogen will have a place in a decarbonised world, but it will be niche – not for the…

Richard_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @rsp_ingram “To the untrained eye, the new GLC looks much the same as the old car” A GOOD all-rounder isn’t particularly hard to come by these days. There are lots of cars that serve their intended purpose, confidently and unobtrusively going about their business while making the lives of their owners easier. The previous-generation Mercedes GLC was one such car. Quiet, comfortable, even pretty efficient, it was inoffensive to look at and felt like it was built to a high standard. It came with the required level of interior tech, while the boot was a good size, too. But now there’s a new one – not that you’d know it, because to the untrained eye the 2023 model looks much the same as the old car, albeit tightened up…

Dean_Gibson@autovia.co.uk @DeanGbsn BRITISH motoring enthusiasts are an eclectic bunch. If you’re a fan of vehicles with two, three, four wheels or more, then there’s sure to be a club or group of like-minded individuals that shares your passion. There are organisations dedicated to marques, or even specific models, while others come together in celebration of certain types of vehicle configuration, whether it’s three-wheelers, 4x4s, two-strokes or even the humble van. The latter might seem like a niche of special interest, but the weekend-long Classic Commercial Vehicle show at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon, Warwickshire, is an excuse for enthusiasts to gather and show off their beautifully restored vehicles. Mixing with the immaculately presented lorries and gleaming trailers were a number of smaller models that show how the van has…

Running costs 3.1mi/kWh (on test) £22 recharge/£0 or 2% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 363/1,177 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 7.9 seconds/100mph MODEL TESTED: MG4 SE Long Range PRICE: £29,495 POWERTRAIN: 1x e-motor, 64kWh battery, 200bhp COMPARED with its rival’s Funky Cat name, a simple ‘4’ seems like it’s lacking a little imagination. Still, MG’s first EV developed from the ground up has impressed us already, overcoming the Kia Niro EV in a group test last summer. But its Chinese rival here is much cheaper than the Kia, so can the MG maintain its winning streak? Here we have an SE Long Range model, which at £29,495 is very competitively priced. Design & engineering THIS pair are electric family hatchbacks from the Far East, but their mechanical make-ups are very different.…

Renault Megane E-Tech Techno PRICE: £39,495 POWER: 60kWh battery, 217bhp INCREASE your budget, and the Renault Megane E-Tech is a cracking alternative. It’s great to drive, spacious and has some of the best in-car tech in the segment. It’ll comfortably top 200 miles between charges in the real world, too. MINI Electric Level 2 PRICE: £31,000 POWER: 32.6kWh battery, 181bhp MORE stylish than the Funky Cat and more fun to drive than the MG, the MINI Electric feels like a much higher-quality product than either. The trade-off is that the MINI is more cramped inside and has a much shorter range.…

Steve_Walker@autovia.co.uk Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 575/1,653 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 8.6 seconds/128mph I LOVE estate cars, but it’s fair to say that the average UK family car buyer doesn’t. If sales figures and the proliferation of different model types across the market are any indication, most people would much rather have an SUV. And who can really blame them? Whereas the good-old estate was once the practical family car of choice, it was first usurped by the origami seating systems of MPVs, and then blown out of the water as SUVs transitioned from specialist rough-terrain tools to cars for all occasions. The traditional estate lacked versatility and seemed dull by comparison. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) classes SUVs as Dual Purpose Vehicles and tells us that 156,000…

Listen out for hi-tech McLaren headphones McLAREN has joined forces with Bowers & Wilkins to launch a special version of the audio expert’s top-of-the-range headphones. The Px8 McLaren Edition is an audiophile’s dream, with 40mm carbon-cone drive units, advanced noise cancellation, and wireless connectivity. The British-designed product is finished in Galvanic Grey and Papaya Orange, inspired by Bruce McLaren’s early racing cars. The £699 headphones are available to order from the Bowers & Wilkins and McLaren store websites. Study reveals danger of worn vehicle tyres AN academic study conducted by the Centre for Automotive Industry Research at Cardiff University has concluded that driving with worn tyres can increase a vehicle’s stopping distance seven times more than drink-driving does. The study, commissioned by Halfords, also shows tyres on the legal limit…

WEEKLY tyre pressure checks are an easy way to stay safe and save cash. Under-inflated tyres can affect your car’s handling and braking, plus lead to extra wear. Low pressures also increase fuel or battery use. Having your own pump means you can check pressures and top up when it suits you. Electric inflators are easier, but in these cost-conscious times, are generally more expensive than a decent foot pump. Tyres will frequently only need a few psi to bring them back to the ideal pressure, so it’s no great physical effort. But which is the puff daddy? We got physical with eight pumps to find out. How we tested them LARGER tread plates were favoured, because these make pumps easier to use. We also looked for an accurate, easy-to-read…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram ● First of 16 rounds this weekend ● Marks race debut of Gen 3 car THE 2023 Formula E World Championship kicks off this weekend in Mexico City, and season nine of the all-electric series brings huge changes with it. In a category that has always majored on unpredictability, the combination of new Gen 3 cars that are faster but trickier to drive than their predecessors, a fresh tyre supplier, new teams and a merry-go-round of driver transfers means that predicting who will finish the season as champion is harder than ever before. If a driver wants to take the spoils at the end of the 16-race series, the first thing they will need to get used to is the latest Formula E car. The Gen 3 model…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk ● Radical saloon shown at CES ● Focuses on digital connectivity WITH new cars packing more tech than ever, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas is increasingly becoming a major motor show for brands, and the latest to reveal a new project at CES 2023 is BMW, with its i Vision Dee concept. The electric show car hints at the future of the 3 Series saloon, reinvented for a new era and based on BMW’s Neue Klasse platform. The i Vision Dee boasts retro-themed design cues but with cutting-edge features, such as an evolution of BMW’s E-Ink technology. “Dee” stands for Digital Emotional Experience, with the aim of “creating an even stronger bond between people and their cars”. Key to this, BMW says, is the Mixed Reality…

ELECTRONICS giant Qualcomm has revealed a standalone Digital Chassis concept car at CES 2023, with the four-door coupé-SUV showcasing the firm’s future Artificial Intelligence, voice control and digital ecosystem tech. Qualcomm, known for making electronics processors, says its Snapdragon Digital Chassis concept features “immersive infotainment, driver assistance and enhanced safety” and “brings the software-defined vehicle to life”. This is a huge growth area for the automotive industry, and firms such as Qualcomm are keen to get in on the act by providing open-source, scalable and upgradable software platforms for vehicle makers to base their infotainment and autonomous driving features on. Cloud-based on-demand services are highlighted by the concept, with Qualcomm also developing facial-recognition tech that can alter settings based on the user.…

DACIA has confirmed pricing for its first-ever hybrid model, the Jogger Hybrid 140. Starting from £22,595 in entry-level Expression trim, the seven-seat model features front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, blind-spot warning, full keyless go, heated mirrors, an eight-inch multimedia set-up with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus automatic air-conditioning all fitted as standard. Stepping up to top-spec Extreme SE costs £800 extra, but brings black alloys, heated seats and built-in sat-nav. A seven-inch instrument cluster is exclusive to the Hybrid. The new Jogger Hybrid is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor supplied by a compact 1.2kWh battery, managed by a multi-mode clutchless automatic gearbox. The total output is 138bhp and 0-62mph takes 10.1 seconds, but more importantly, the hybrid set-up boosts efficiency,…

Sporty revisions for Jaguar I-Pace line-up JAGUAR has revised its I-Pace EV, as well as adding a UK-only 400 Sport model. The regular range now features the R-Dynamic pack as standard, while the range-topping 400 Sport comes with performance seats, a bootlid spoiler, air suspension and 22-inch wheels. Minor updates include a smoothed-in ‘shield’ grille finished in Atlas Grey, with other body parts in the same finish. The range is still up to 292 miles, while prices start from £69,995 for the R-Dynamic SE, with the 400 Sport at £79,995. Remove phones from illegal users – experts POLICE should confiscate phones from drivers caught using their device behind the wheel, experts have argued. Gary Digva, founder of dash-cam and speed camera-detector firm RoadAngel, said a zero-tolerance policy is needed towards…

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.consumerombudsman.org RMIF: 0845 305 4230 Scottish Motor Trade Assoc. 0131 331 5510 Problems with…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks Performance 0-62mph/top speed 3.5 seconds/190mph Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 616/1,596 litres WITH the introduction of the Urus Performante, you might wonder why anyone would take a second look at the more conservative Urus S. No other car company has a reputation like Lamborghini for wild designs and an intoxicating driving experience, and the Urus S could seem a bit contradictory at first glance. It’s the replacement for the standard Urus, and arrives five years after the model first went on sale. To say that the Urus has been a success over that time is something of an understatement, because it’s been Lamborghini’s biggest seller and key to record growth last year. It makes sense, then, that the Italian firm hasn’t fiddled with the Urus too much for this…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy Electric motor Power/range 563bhp/267-318 miles Performance 0-62mph/top speed 4.0 seconds/155mph FEW areas of the market are moving as quickly as electric vehicles, with software tweaks often playing a big role in adjusting how each car behaves and performs. So it’s hardly surprising that the Porsche Taycan has continued to evolve since it made its debut in 2019. However, we’re not talking about a full facelift here – rather a series of upgrades that have been drip-fed into the line-up, and in many non-hardware cases, offered to existing Taycan owners as well as new ones. We sampled a fine example of this iterative process last year, in the form of the Taycan Sport Turismo GTS. But now we’ve had a chance to see how the mods affect not the…

GWM Ora Funky Cat 10.25-inch display Key features: Virtual assistant THIS early edition of the Funky Cat’s infotainment system doesn’t have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but both will be added later on this year. As it turns out, it needs them, because the built-in set-up can be quite frustrating to use. The 10.25-inch screen is a decent size, but the buttons are tiny. The on-screen keyboard which pops up when plotting a route, for example, shows such slim buttons that it’s very fiddly to use even when you’re parked. Some of the heating controls take permanent residence along a side bar on the display, but whether operated from here or on the climate menu screen, it’s similarly awkward. At least the basic window heater controls are physical. Some cameras,…

STYLING AT a time when so many brands go for aggressive designs on even humdrum cars, the Funky Cat offers a refreshing change. It’s unusual in some places – such as the full-width light bar that’s so high it’s set into the rear window – but is certainly eye-catching. The sharply styled MG is also distinctive, but to our eyes its proportions are a little awkward and not as cohesive. QUALITY THERE’S a few things that take the veneer of quality off the Funky Cat’s image. Whether it’s the sounds it plays when switching drive modes – they reminded us of a late-nineties PlayStation racing game – or the First Edition badge on the centre console that looks like it’s been glued in place as an afterthought, some areas feel…

Pete_Gibson@dennis.co.uk Running costs 46.6mpg (test) £69 fill-up Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 451/1,445 litres “The totally different front end and those narrow tail-lights give it a more planted look” IT must be hard for car manufacturers when they come to replace a successful model. Admittedly, Kia’s first-generation Niro wasn’t exactly the biggest-selling vehicle in the world, yet it had its dedicated followers, drawn in by the wide choice of powertrains – hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric – offered across the range. But as the miles pile on in our Niro Hybrid, I keep catching sight of the Korean car on my drive or in car parks and filling stations, and noting what an effective job Kia did of evolving such a solid formula. It’s a larger car than before, with…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk Q Picking the screenwash star DO you have any recommendations for de-icer and screenwash following the recent cold snap? Have you tested these? Paul Mostyn, E-mail A WE regularly test screenwash, and our current favourite is Prestone Extreme Performance Screen Wash (above). It’s ideal for this time of year, and it starred in our freeze test. Just make sure you use the correct dilution. We haven’t tested de-icer for many years, but our preference is a trigger pack rather than an aerosol because they work in all temperatures, they often have a wider spray and you get more solution for your money. Q Fuelling petrol conundrum I’VE put my Mazda MX-5 away for the winter. I cleaned it before placing under a cover, but I was…

PLIERS are a tool-box essential and with a set of combination, long nose and side cutters, you’ll be able to cope with most situations. Laser’s latest variation on the theme is its High Leverage versions and here we pit them against the Silverline VDE trio, which won our last multitest. We looked for good build quality, comfort and practicality, including when coated in oil or grease. We wanted jaws to move smoothly, plus we assessed grip by undoing nuts tightened to various torques. For cutting we used various thicknesses of electrical wire, and as an ultimate challenge, a Bowden cable. Storage was factored into the verdict, as was price from online sources. For typical use the Silverlines make lots of sense, but the Laser trio was very impressive and a…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk LAST year’s Driver Power survey saw the latest Honda Jazz move up five places in the rankings compared with the previous model in the 2021 survey, which should have been music to the ears of the company’s engineers. The car’s clever interior hits the right note with owners, who rate practicality and boot space as the fifth best in the entire survey. Reliability is another strong point for the Jazz, and the running costs are comfortably lower than average, with fuel economy in particular singled out for praise. But the driving experience appears to need a little fine-tuning. The acceleration is rated as the worst of any car in the entire survey and poor ride comfort irritates owners. WE SAID “It’s super-efficient, furnished with new infotainment tech and should…

Yousuf_Ashraf@autovia.co.uk @ashrafoncars AT the turn of the new year, the world of rallying and Gymkhana lost one of its biggest stars. At home in Utah, Ken Block was killed tragically in a snowmobile accident at 55 years of age, leaving the motoring landscape in a far more vibrant state than when he entered it. Block began his national motorsport career in the Rally America series at the relatively late age of 37, and flashes of success led to him taking part in the World Rally and Rallycross Championships later in his career. The Californian gave respectable showings at the highest level, but he soon found an untapped potential that elevated him beyond his race results. In a perfect storm of creativity and car control, Block revolutionised automotive content with a…

YOU’LL have seen elsewhere (pages 12-13) the individual brands that put in mega, mediocre or miserable performances on their respective UK showroom floors last year. But it’s not just about the solo artists. The antics of the automotive supergroups are important, too. Between January and December 2022, did the largest, noisiest and richest sell the most cars? Short answer: sometimes, but not always. The truly international Volkswagen Group – Audi, Bentley, Cupra, Porsche, SEAT, Skoda and VW – convincingly claimed the number-one spot. A collective sales figure of almost 350,000 was deeply impressive. That said, with almost a quarter of a million Audi and VW-badged cars being purchased in Britain in a year, it could be argued that they’re becoming a tad common. And with registrations up by more than…