Table of contents for 1865 in Auto Express

AMID all the tech-driven excitement of the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show, there was one thing that left me feeling uneasy. These shows are always about cutting-edge innovations and how brilliant they are going to be, but I found myself leaving Las Vegas pondering how much drivers are going to welcome one development in particular. As cars get smarter in terms of on-board gadgetry, their thirst for knowledge will only increase. And, as Honda admitted when pushed on the subject, it’s going to create a divide between people happy to share their lives with their car, and those concerned about what it knows about them and where the data goes. The implication is, if you don’t engage with the car’s desire to know you, you won’t be able to enjoy its…

THE next-generation Renault Twingo is edging ever-closer to production, with the company revealing a prototype interior at the Brussels Motor Show this week. Following last year’s Twingo E-Tech Electric concept, and news that the car will be realised in production form soon, Renault has now given us a peek at the new model’s interior. Betraying the car’s budget billing – prices are set to start from under 20,000 Euros (£16,700) – its dashboard is dominated by a pair of big digital displays, which sit above a row of rotary climate-control dials. Renault says the 10.1-inch central infotainment screen and seven-inch digital instruments feature “original graphics”, but the fonts and layouts will be familiar to anyone who’s sat in the firm’s latest EVs. Plus the column mounted gear selector seems identical…

WHILE the Mazda 6e, Renault Twingo and BYD Atto 2 stole the headlines, it’d be remiss of us not to highlight last week’s Auto Express cover star, which was also on display for the first time at the Brussels Motor Show. Displaying its fresh face, the updated Skoda Enyaq looked like a brand-new model under the bright lights of the expo hall. Its Modern Solid design language brings it in line with the smaller Elroq, tying the two together to create a family look. If it’s even half as good as its predecessor, Skoda will be onto a winner; we can’t wait to drive the car for ourselves later this year.…

TOYOTA revealed two new high-performance GR Yaris concept cars at the Tokyo Auto Salon, as well as announcing a new motorsport conglomerate that combines Toyota Gazoo Racing and Rookie Racing to create TG-RR. The first of the concepts previews a new aero package that Toyota will soon offer on the recently updated GR Yaris. This includes a much larger and adjustable rear wing, fresh front wing vents, a vented bonnet, and rear bumper vents along with a vertical handbrake that’s inspired by its WRC Rally car counterpart. It also features optional rivets on the bumpers’ extremes to help keep them attached at seriously high speeds. But the more dramatic show car was a GR Yaris M Concept that introduces two significant changes over the standard all-wheel-drive hatchback. Firstly, the engine…

TOYOTA’S M Concept might look like little more than a chopped-up GR Yaris with some aggressive wings and a side air-intake, but it’s what it represents that won us over. At a time when brands continue to fight an uphill battle to bring electric models to market, Toyota hasn’t given up on the engineering that needs to go into the combustion engines that we use now, and will continue to use in the short to mid-term. Toyota’s measured approach to how it handles the switch to EVs now looks to be rather smart. That it is benchmarking this engineering on sports cars is even better.…

UK pricing for the Dacia Bigster has finally been confirmed, with the mid-size SUV starting from £24,995, and even the flagship full-hybrid version costing less than £29,500. The Bigster undercuts key rivals, such as the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage and Ford Kuga, while its starting price matches the MG HS. Order books open in March, but buyers can pre-order a Bigster now with a refundable £250 deposit. Three trims and a trio of hybrid powertrains will be offered. Entry-level Expression cars get a 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, seven-inch digital dials, dual-zone air-con, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. Safety kit includes traffic-sign recognition with speed alert, cruise control, lane-change alert, lane-keep assist, driver-attention warning, advanced emergency braking and an…

THERE are few types of cars on sale that need to cover quite so much ground as the large, luxurious sporting estate. Over the years, Audi has been responsible for some of the best of them, with its executive-sized S6 running highspec engines that have included V8s, clever twin-turbocharged V6 diesels and even – briefly and rather ridiculously – a naturally aspirated V10 motor also found in a Lamborghini. Now Audi has brought the S6 name back again, with its e-tron modifier confirming that this is a whole new type of high-end, high-speed hauler. The new S6 e-tron Avant is actually a pretty big deal, because not only does it top the new A6 line-up (for now, at least), but it also heralds a bespoke new platform co-developed between Audi…

TYRES TYRES are your first port of call. While well known brands are always desirable, the wheel and tyre sizes on cars of the mid-eighties were very different to today’s models. This means even the most attentive previous owner might have had to compromise when buying tyres to fit their car – you can’t get Michelin Cup 2s for 14-inch wheels, for instance, so a hot hatch or sports saloon might be rolling on something less than sporty. MECHANICALS YOU’LL want evidence that the oil is topped up and in good condition, that there’s no milky sludge under the oil filler cap denoting evidence of it mixing with coolant, and no oil or fluid leaks – and of course, the engine should run well, even if you get more noise…

MAZDA is a rather curious manufacturer. Never afraid to innovate and tread where others fear to go, it’s perhaps been a victim –certainly in terms of sustained UK sales–of its more individual approach to automotive design and technology. With UK car registration data showing that SUVs are now the most popular cars in the country (dethroning the out-of-favour supermini), it’s important that every brand succeeds in this competitive segment. That’s why we’re putting Mazda’s smallest pure-petrol SUV, the CX-30, under the spotlight. I’ll be running the stylish compact crossover for 12 months to see how it shapes up and how it copes with the rigours of family life. Mazda says the CX-30 epitomises ‘Jinba ittai’, which translates as “horse and rider as one”. It’s the approach Mazda’s designers and engineers…

THE plastic headlamp lenses fitted to almost every car over the past 30 years have all sorts of advantages over old and fragile glass lenses. After a few years of exposure to the sun and dirt they can start to look dull and cloudy, while leaving it too long to fix things means reduced performance at night, perhaps even leading to an MoT failure. It’s possible to restore the plastic by polishing it in the same way that you might approach tired paintwork, by taking off the rough and weathered layer. While you can do this with any type of polish, it’s crucial to seal it with a special lacquer after treatment or the dullness will quickly return. In our tests we found Armor All’s Headlight Restoration Wipes make the…

TESLA has revealed updates to the Model Y for 2025, with major design changes for the exterior alongside a revamped interior. The new car has been shown in China and Australia, and we expect UK sales to begin imminently too. The 2025 Model Y (codenamed ‘Juniper’ throughout development) will be hugely important for Tesla, given the car’s popularity. With more than 1.2 million sold, it was the world’s best-selling car in 2023, and in the UK, the electric SUV was the fifth most popular model in 2024 – ahead of the VW Golf and Hyundai Tucson. Rather than borrow its fresh styling elements from the Model 3, the new Model Y has takes on a more distinctive facelift. The new front end mimics that of the Cybertruck, with a sharp,…

HONDA is considering a replacement for its funky ‘Honda e’ electric hatchback, potentially based on the 2023 Sustaina-C concept – with a development plan being looked at for a small sub-£30,000 EV that would sit outside the brand’s new seven-car 0 Series platform. The first two 0 Series cars – the as-yet unnamed large saloon and SUV models – were unveiled in prototype form at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas last week. But speaking at the event, Honda’s Global Head of Electrification Business Development, Katsushi Inoue, said the brand is aware of the need for more affordable electric vehicles. He also said the 0 Series platform wouldn’t support anything smaller than a Civic-sized car. “We are thinking about it away from 0 Series,” he said. “We’re at…

SIX months after taking power, the Labour Government has reversed the previous administration’s decision to extend the ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars until 2035. This means no new ICE cars will be allowed to be sold in the UK after 2030 – a move that critics have described as “a step too far”. Heidi Alexander, who recently replaced Louise Haigh as Labour’s Transport Secretary, said in a statement that “the need to transition away from a reliance on fossil fuels has never been clearer, and the transition to zero-emission vehicles will play a critical role in quickly reducing carbon emissions and improving our energy security”. In September 2023, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pushed back the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars…

ASTON Martin has pulled the covers off the Roadster version of its updated Vantage. Deliveries of the Vantage Roadster will begin in spring with the same technical revisions applied as to the coupé, including more power and a new suspension set-up to accompany its restyled exterior. The folding hood remains unchanged, however, with Aston Martin claiming it is still the fastest electric convertible roof in the world, taking 6.8 seconds to open. Under the bonnet is a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 Mercedes-AMG engine, with 656bhp and 800Nm. And given that the Roadster weighs a mere 60kg more than the coupé, the convertible has the same top speed as the hard-top– 202mph–and a 0-60mph time of 3.5 seconds. It has an eight-speed auto gearbox, with a limited-slip electronic diff feeding the rear…

“The brand’s claim that this is the quietest Volvo ever made is quite believable” THE EX90 aims to bring Volvo into a new premium realm – backed up by pricing that starts at just under £100,000. And with seven seats and pure-electric power, the new range-topping SUV doesn’t actually have too many close rivals. For now, the Volvo offers a single Ultra trim level, which comes loaded with kit, including a 14.5-inch central display, a nine-inch instrument binnacle, front and rear heated seats, a Bowers and Wilkins stereo and wireless phone charging. There’s also pixel-LED lights, 22-inch wheels and a heat pump, plus – being a Volvo – loads of safety equipment. The cabin looks and feels more minimalist than that of the similarly styled XC90. This does come at…

IN today’s new car market, the focus is often on fresh niches that seem to appear as frequently as political party leaders. But that’s not the case for one of Italy’s oldest automotive institutions – the Maserati GranCabrio. This luxurious, four-seat open-top GT can trace its lineage back nearly 70 years. The question is, does it deserve any reverence now, or is it out of touch? Underpinning the GranCabrio is a relatively simple chassis that can trace its roots to the Alfa Romeo Giulia. Yet despite this, the GranCabrio still looks purpose-built, with a low, long bonnet and elegant, rounded haunches. The overall design might not be a big shift from the previous generation car, but that model was so sleek and alluring that it really doesn’t matter at all.…

FORD ESCORT THE third-generation Ford Escort was in its dying days during 1985, but it was still topping the charts. It could also be a van or an estate, and even came in various sporty guises – who didn’t lust after an XR3, RS Turbo or XR3i? More than 1.5 million Mk3 Escorts hit the road over a five-year sales period. VAUXHALL CAVALIER AFTER Ford’s Sierra failed to fully capture British hearts and minds, the Mk2 Vauxhall Cavalier shot to the top of the sales charts. Offering space, economy and decent performance, Vauxhall’s finest was the car of choice for families and fleet managers alike, and was renowned for its reliability. MG/AUSTIN METRO HOW do you follow an act as iconic as the Mini? You develop an all-new car with…

IT might be odd to suggest that the M5 is competitively priced, but with a starting price of around £111,000, it’s on a par with the non-hybrid Audi RS 7 and significantly less expensive than the Panamera, which offers the same sort of performance. Whether those capable of spending well over six figures on a performance car care about such things is another question entirely. ENGINES&PERFORMANCE AN M5 always needs something pretty special under the bonnet, and the previous F90 generation model didn’t shy away from that, courtesy of its twin-turbocharged V8. There’s no downsizing this time around, because a 4.4-litre unit with 577bbhp and 750Nm looms large beneath that bonnet. In order to up the ante though, that petrol engine gains a boost from an electric motor, too. On…

“THE NEW SCENIC IS A MUCH SHARPER THING TO LOOK AT THAN THE MPVS THAT WENT BEFORE” ELECTRIC cars were supposed to revolutionise car design. The idea was that once the engine, gearbox, fuel tank and other bulky components of petrol or diesel cars were replaced by batteries, which are far more adaptable in terms of dimensions and where they can be located, designers would have the scope to get wild and funky. It hasn’t really happened yet, as far as I can see, but Renault’s latest Scenic is, at least, a handsome beast by mid-size family car standards –especially compared with the MPVs that preceded it in the Scenic bloodline. We’re now a few months into our time with the Scenic on our long-term test and I remain a…

Price: £16 Contact: lasertools.co.uk EVEN the most careful mechanic will have the occasional butterfingers moment, and inevitably the crucial bolt you drop (or your 10mm socket)will land somewhere in the inaccessible depths of a dashboard or engine bay. These are the times when a pick-up tool becomes indispensable. The new 9055 from Laser Tools combines a traditional spring-loaded four-prong grabber claw with a strong magnetic head that can hold up to 900g. The durable, plastic-free construction features a blue anodised aluminium handle, while the 9055 also includes a bright, integrated LED lamp that helps effective retrieval of small parts from dark, hard-to-reach areas. It’s powered by three inexpensive LR44 watch batteries. The Laser’s flexible shaft bends around obstacles then springs back to its original shape, providing manoeuvrability in tight spaces, and…

HOW OUR GUIDE WORKS PERFORMANCE: This is the manufacturer’s claimed acceleration time for a car, and is measured from 0-60mph or 0-62mph (0-100km/h), in seconds. ECONOMY/EMISSIONS/RANGE: Combined WLTP economy in miles per gallon, emissions in grams per kilometre of CO2 and maximum claimed range for EVs. Figures are achieved in the latest WLTP tests, but will vary according to equipment and are unlikely to be representative of everyday efficiency. INSURANCE: Group rating as quoted by the Association of British Insurers. Warranty: Next to each manufacturer’s name is the basic warranty period in months and miles for the mechanicals, corrosion and paint work. EVs and hybrids will have dedicated battery cover. LIST PRICE: This is the on-the-road figure and includes VAT, delivery to dealer, the first 12 months’ of emissions-based road…

THE MX-30 is currently the only all-electric Mazda on sale in the UK, but the Japanese brand’s EV line-up is to be bolstered by a new saloon called the 6e. However, despite already being on sale in China as the EZ-6, the 6e is not scheduled to arrive here until 2026. That’s some time after the European launch (set for the summer), possibly due to complications converting the car from left to right-hand drive. The car is built in China rather than Japan. However, Mazda has already provided details on the newcomer, including its expected range and performance figures. The pricing has not been announced, but we expect the Mazda to start from around £40,000 when it arrives in the UK. The new 6e is 4,921mm long, 1,890mm wide and…

THE Genesis GV60 premium electric coupé-SUV – a sister car to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 – has received a fresh and slightly sportier look, plus a cabin revamp that brings a 27-inch touchscreen. The new front bumper is more aggressive, while the brand’s signature split headlights now incorporate ‘Micro Lens Array’ tech that’s claimed to offer better performance and light control. There’s a new 21-inch five-spoke alloy wheel design, while the side skirts, wheelarch cladding and rear bumper are body-coloured. The GV60 swaps its twin 12.3-inch digital screens for a single 27-inch panel, and there’s a fresh three-spoke steering wheel. Genesis hasn’t informed us of any technical changes, but the EV6 and Ioniq 5 both replaced their 77.4kWh battery with a new 84kWh unit, and we expect…

LOCAL councils are calling on the Government to “reconsider” holding back funding for pothole repairs because even the additional cash promised is, according to industry experts, “a fraction of what’s needed to prevent further decline”. At the tail end of 2024, Chancellor Rachel Reeves doubled down on Labour’s election manifesto pledge to fill one million potholes per year by announcing £500million in road maintenance funding for 2025 – as a supplement to the £1.1billion already allocated after the cancellation of the controversial HS2 rail project. But sources on the ground say that a large chunk of this cash is still being held back, preventing necessary maintenance from being carried out. While the Government has allocated funds to each corner of the country, it has kept back what it describes as…

IF you’re in the market for a new car, there has arguably been no better time to broaden your horizons and try something different. There is so much choice, with both new and legacy manufacturers pushing boundaries and shortening product lifecycles to keep their cars competitive. Chinese maker XPeng is looking to capitalise on this with its G6 electric SUV – a Tesla Model Y rival that’s due on sale this spring. It’ll lead an onslaught that includes the larger G9 and a luxury MPV, before two further cars arrive in 2027. The firm, supported in the UK by importer International Motors (IM), wants to have 20 dealers here by the end of 2025. We drove the G6 in The Netherlands last year, where the model has been on sale…

PRICED at more than £145,000, the Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid finds itself in something of a middle ground, fighting off the Bentley Flying Spur above and less expensive, but similarly rapid, alternatives such as the BMW M5 and Audi RS 7 below. For the Panamera’s mid-life revisions, Porsche has introduced subtle styling tweaks (the more bluff front bumper with squared off intakes is the most notable), plus other more significant changes under the skin. Many of these focus on the chassis, with a new and improved air-suspension system (known as Porsche Active Suspension Management, or PASM) fitted on every model, while active ride tech is available on the E-Hybrid variants. The option, which costs a hefty £6,978, was fitted to our test car. ENGINES&PERFORMANCE WE never felt that the previous car…

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IF you want to sell your car for what it’s actually worth, then it takes much more than a bucket of water, a sponge and a quick vacuum. Of course, cleaning should be one of the first things you do–not least for the professional-quality photos you’ll take –and the more thoroughly you can do it, the better. However, there are plenty of other ways you can set up your car and yourself for hassle-free negotiations. For a start, it’s useful to run an HPI check on the car to find any dodgy history around MoTs, insurance claims, ownership or outstanding finance (even though some buyers will want to do this themselves). Having the knowledge that your car’s history is all in good order will not only put your mind at…

SO how often do local councils or national Governments embark on market research aimed at discovering what type of car is right for real-world motorists, their families, budgets, jobs and general lifestyles? The short answer is rarely, if ever. Sure, they stage their occasional consultation exercises, which are largely symbolic and hopeless, because the powers that be tend to do what they want, regardless of the priceless feedback they get (but ignore) from car users. The absence of proper consumer research, the presence of increasingly meaningless consultations, and the general contempt politicians have for circa 42 million licence holders combine to lead us to where we are today: them telling consumers to buy pure-electric cars, while 80 per cent-plus of the buying public says no thanks. The publication last week…