Table of contents for 1503 in Auto Express

’TIS the season of goodwill and only the most hard-hearted among you will fail to raise a flicker of interest at the news Saab’s 9-3 (above) has been reborn as an all-electric model being built in Tianjin, China under the NEVS brand. There are plenty of Saab aficionados still around, and any story that conjures up even the faintest of hopes that their much missed favourite company is on its way back is generally lapped up. You can read our coverage on autoexpress.co.uk. Let’s be clear, though: this is not the return of Saab, as was trumpeted by some media outlets. It’s NEVS using familiar tech to create new models for emerging markets. Turkey could follow China. In many ways, though, the story summed up an alarming trend we’ve seen…

LAND ROVER bosses have revealed that a luxury two-door version of the Range Rover is in the pipeline, with a likely reveal of the model in the first half of next year. Jaguar Land Rover teased the idea of a two-door SUV in 2004 with the Range Stormer concept (right) and Land Rover’s design boss Gerry McGovern has let slip that the idea is back on the table. Speaking about a potential replacement for the two-door Evoque at this year’s Los Angeles Motor Show, McGovern explained: “There’s probably less market for a two-door [Evoque] and given that we have a cabriolet there’s no need. “But as we get bigger you can think about going two-door because it becomes more exclusive, which might give you a hint,” the Land Rover design…

Hugo_Griffiths@dennis.co.uk @hugo_griffiths THE Fiat Punto has been awarded no stars after being crash tested by independent safety expert Euro NCAP – the first time such a score has been handed out. The Punto, introduced in 2005 and still on sale, was re-examined as part of Euro NCAP’s efforts to identify cars “past their sell-by-date where safety is concerned”. Euro NCAP explained the Punto’s no-star score “came because of low scores for its crash performance, combined with the absence of key technologies such as autonomous emergency braking [AEB]”. As well as no stars overall, the Punto was given zero per cent in the safety assist category. This, too, was the first time such a score had been awarded by Euro NCAP. Matthew Avery, director of insurance research at Thatcham Research, which…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn “It’s a completely alien experience not being aware of what is going on ahead of you, but it’s soon quite easy to relax” RENAULT is serious about autonomous cars. Within the next 18 months the French brand will begin to roll out selfdriving technology across its range of models, and the Renault Symbioz concept represents the marque’s ultimate goal. It’s fully electric, features Level 4 autonomous driving functionality and can be connected to every ‘smart’ device you own. To see the tech in action Auto Express joined Renault’s engineers on test in France. The Symbioz concept at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show previewed Renault’s ‘vision’ of what the future could be like in 2030, but this running prototype gives us a closer understanding of the tech the brand predicts…

BREAKDOWNS are never fun. Just ask Ben Sandground, from Edgware, north London. He got in touch after spending several hours trying to get his vehicle recovered. Ben and his wife were driving on a Sunday night when one of their car’s tyres punctured. He called his breakdown provider, the RAC, and after an hour waiting on the phone, was told that it would take up to 90 minutes for a technician to arrive. “I explained that my heavily pregnant wife was with me and that I would appreciate it if the RAC could improve on the 90-minute wait time,” Ben explained. The RAC said he’d be placed on a priority list. After waiting, Ben called the operator, only to be told it would take more than four hours to reach…

Jordan_Katsianis@dennis.co.uk @JordanKatsianis AS far as car films go, it’s hard to argue against the success of the Fast & Furious franchise. It’s 16 years since the original movie came out, with Universal Studios having wrapped up its eighth iteration earlier this year. Now the franchise is about to be reformed once again, this time in a spectacular live show taking place in January at the O2 Arena in London. Auto Express spent some time behind the scenes, talking to some of the drivers, choreographers and producers of the show to get a sense of what to expect from Fast & Furious Live. Although the event will take place at the O2 Arena, we’ve come to the old army barracks at Cottesmore, Oakham, East Midlands, where some of the rehearsals are…

Running costs 25.0mpg (est) £103 fill-up Performance 0-60mph/top speed 8.0 seconds/112mph (est) IN America, Jeep enthusiasts have been fretting that the new Wrangler would be a Fiat-fettled shadow of its former self. After driving the US-spec Wrangler in Arizona, we can assure both American and British fans that they have nothing to fear. The new Wrangler once again offers uncompromising off-road ability that comes at the expense of on-road behaviour. If you liked the old Wrangler, you’ll love the new one, but if you weren’t a fan, this version is unlikely to change your opinion. Although the Wrangler is all-new, the basic formula of two solid axles strapped to a steel frame hasn’t changed. The chassis is stiffer and wider, and the wheelbase on both two and four-door cars is…

On your marks, get set, go! Not many people are likely to have experienced a competition like Hyundai’s Family Games. For this international battle, families from Germany, Spain, France and the UK will go head to head over a long weekend (arrive on Friday, Family Games on Saturday and depart on Sunday) in the south of Europe. Each family can be made up of four participants; as part of the Family Games, each of the four Hyundai i30 models will be tested across four disciplines. The challenge sees the i30, i30 Tourer, i30 N and i30 Fastback showcasing their strengths: from practicality to manoeuvrability. This is a unique opportunity to compare the different models. Which best fits the needs of a modern family? The Family Games take place in January.…

CO2/tax 139g/km £450 or 29% Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 650/1,740 litres Performance 0-60/30-70mph 9.4/9.4 seconds Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 40.6/31.3/8.6m Running costs 37.9mpg (on test) £73 fill-up MODEL TESTED: Jaguar F-Pace 2.0d 180 R-Sport AWD Auto PRICE: £41,330 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 178bhp THE Jaguar F-Pace won our 2016 Car of the Year award thanks to its impressive mix of sharp looks, comfort, refinement and agility. We’re testing the 2.0-litre diesel AWD model in R-Sport guise, which costs from £41,330. DESIGN & ENGINEERING score 4.1 THE F-Pace is based on Jaguar’s iQ-AL platform that also partly underpins the XE and XF saloons, which helps it feel as sporty to drive as it looks. That’s because it shares the saloon’s suspension set-up, which uses double wishbones at the front and a multi-link rear axle…

THREE decades ago one of the most memorable adverts on TV was for Wash & Go. A cheerful catchline asked us why we thought it necessary to take two bottles into the shower when just one would do. If eighties tech allowed us to combine shampoo and conditioner into one, then is it a backwards step that our new MINI Countryman PHEV needs two types of fuel? Is it an inconvenience or a great advance? That question has us in a bit of a lather. There’s no doubting the tech really is clever. MINI has combined a 1.5-litre petrol three-cylinder at the front and an 87bhp electric motor at the rear; together they produce a substantial 221bhp. There’s the added advantage of four-wheel-drive grip, potential for great economy and silent,…

Honda Civic EDITOR-in-chief Steve Fowler highlighted the excellent retractable parcel shelf in our Honda Civic (Issue 1,490), which came in particularly handy recently when he was transporting his labrador in the back. That parcel shelf has also proven useful for reviews editor Richard Ingram, who loves the way it slides out of the way when he’s loading his bike. Over the years, Richard has grown used to lifting out bulky shelves when travelling with it, but with the Civic there’s just no need. However, its compact and lightweight nature does have a downside, because the lift-out fabric ‘shelf’ has now disappeared completely. Our man will be making a call to local dealer Chiswick Honda in the coming days to enquire about a replacement part, but isn’t too worried about security…

▪ New V40 due in 2019 aims to follow success of XC90 and XC60 ▪ Drivetrain options will include pure-electric and hybrid power John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy VOLVO will follow up its successful XC SUV range with an all-new V40 to rival the Volkswagen Golf, Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series – and it’ll challenge its German rivals by offering not only a plug-in hybrid version but also a pure-electric edition. The XC40 is the first of the Swedish brand’s cars to be launched on its all-new platform architecture, called Compact Modular Architecture (CMA). But Volvo plans to quickly expand its line-up on the new chassis, with the next model expected to be a replacement for the ageing V40 hatchback. The new V40 will look a little wider than the XC40 because,…

AHEAD of Mercedes pulling the wraps off an all-new version of the G-Class at the Detroit Motor Show in January, the firm has given us a glimpse of the retro SUV’s cabin. Mercedes says the model has taken a major step forward in quality and comfort compared with the old G-Class, which had its roots in the seventies. The cabin takes inspiration from the latest E-Class, with the same dual-screen display for the instruments and infotainment. Despite the inclusion of high-end leather and carbon fibre trim, there are retro details carried over from the old model. The new G-Class has more passenger and storage space, and goes on sale next summer.…

ALPINE will follow up its new A110 coupé with an even lighter and more powerful version, Auto Express can exclusively reveal. Known internally as the ‘Sport Chassis’ model, the range-topping A110 will have as much as 300bhp from a tuned version of the standard car’s 1.8-litre engine. Insiders from the reborn Renault brand predict that this will fire the tweaked A110 from 0-62mph in less than four seconds. Extensive use of aluminium means the standard car weighs 1,050kg, but Alpine’s engineers think they can take another 50kg out by paring back the interior trim, with a target weight of just 1,000kg. The chassis and suspension will also be “between 15 and 20 per cent” stiffer on the Sport to further boost on-road performance. We understand the project is almost signed…

“The BMW technician told Steve that routine servicing does not include checking for fault codes” TAKE your car in for a service and items such as tyres, brakes and the oil level will be checked. But despite all the tech on modern vehicles, any software updates and faults may be missed, as one reader found out. Steve Jones, from Sandhurst, Berkshire, got in touch with Auto Express after his 16-plate BMW X3 came to a halt just a month after a full main dealer service. “I was 80 miles from home and exiting a motorway when a warning flashed on the display about a drivetrain issue,” he said. Steve called BMW Roadside Assistance, which dispatched an engineer, whose diagnostics software found a fault code stating a problem with the EGR…

“We tied in road trip to mark the Seven’s 60th birthday with 50 years of cult TV series The Prisoner” “Changes over more modern Caterhams may be limited, but they add such a period feeling to the little sports car” James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor EARLY Monday morning, London. It’s a crisp start and I’m circling Parliament Square for what seems like the 18th time, just to bag that ‘perfect shot’. We’re causing quite a stir: cyclists give us a wave, taxi drivers wind down their windows for a chat and even some Japanese tourists are momentarily distracted from their guided tour of Westminster Abbey to take photos of us. In hindsight it was only to be expected. I’m dressed in a dark blue blazer and sitting in a pale green open-topped sports…

Running costs 57.6mpg (official) £76 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.9 seconds/134mph James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor ANOTHER week, another SUV. The latest model to muscle its way in is one that’s wearing a different badge, however. It’s not a VW, BMW or even a Jaguar. It’s a DS. A DS, you say? That’s right. This is the DS 7 Crossback and it trades on a premium ownership programme, luxurious materials and a stylish design. But more importantly, says the marketing blurb, is the automotive embodiment of French couture. But first, we need to set the scene. The Crossback is a brand-new model for DS Automobiles, a company that recently divorced from Citroen to create a French premium brand in its own right. No matter how hard you look, though, you won’t find the…

Running costs 39.8mpg (official £99 fill-up John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy LEXUS isn’t pulling any punches when it comes to the fifth generation of its flagship, the LS. The Japanese brand has given its Mercedes S-Class and Audi A8 rival a new platform, adapted from the chassis first seen on the LC sports GT, and a heavily revised hybrid set-up. There’s now just one wheelbase, but it stretches 35mm beyond the previous longwheelbase variant, and four-wheel drive continues to feature in the range. We tried a twin-turbo V6 petrol LS in Issue 1,502, but UK buyers will be offered only the hybrid. It mixes a 295bhp 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine with a pair of electric motors, giving a combined output of 354bhp; enough for the four-wheel-drive model to reach 62mph in 5.4 seconds.…

Running costs 55.0mpg (est) £45 fill-up THE Suzuki Swift Sport is a hot hatch with a mission: to show off the limits of the brand’s athleticism, in a small and fun package. And from its stylish body, to its lively performance, it’s an instant success. The new Swift Sport will arrive in the UK in the spring, and, on paper, at least, will instantly lock horns with warm hatchbacks such as the SEAT Ibiza FR. Yet, it hopes to punch well above its weight, as we found out on our drive of an early Japanese model. Fire up the turbocharged 1.4-litre engine and the first thing that you’ll notice are the graphics that light up the dash. Normally such displays have been reserved for highperformance machines such as the Nissan…

CO2/tax 138g/km £450 or 29% Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 550/1,600 litres Performance 0-60/30-70mph 8.0/8.1 seconds Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 43.9/32.5/8.5m Running costs 33.5mpg (on test) £73 fill-up MODEL TESTED: BMW X3 xDrive20d M Sport Auto PRICE: £41,380 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 187bhp BMW has sold more than 1.5 million X3s since it first went on sale in 2003, but the previous second-generation model was starting to feel old. The new car is a step forward, and we’re testing the xDrive20d in M Sport trim, which starts at £41,380. DESIGN & ENGINEERING score 4.2 THIS third-generation BMW X3 is an all-new model based on the brand’s CLAR platform, which it shares with the excellent new 5 Series saloon. That means the newcomer is 55kg lighter than before, but retains similar dimensions to the old…

BMW X3 score 4.4 BMW Professional Navigation Standard Key features: Real-time traffic, widescreen THE latest BMW Professional Navigation system is standard on M Sport models. It uses a slick-looking 10.25-inch widescreen display, which sits on top of the dash in your eyeline, so is easy to read and is a good size. The user interface is slick, fast and easy to understand, which puts it ahead of both rivals here for use on the move; it features a rotary dial as well as a touch pad interface, too. Features include live traffic updates for the sat-nav (which are excellent), a 20Gb hard drive for adding your own music, online weather and news updates and 3D mapping. It’s a great system, but it’s a shame that Apple CarPlay is a £235…

CO2/tax 132g/km £140 or 28% Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 506/1,620 litres Running costs 41.1mpg (on test) £69 fill-up Otis_Clay@dennis.co.uk WHEN I found out that the latest family SUV to join our test fleet would be the Mazda CX-5, I couldn’t help but think of all my favourite things about the country it comes from. From clothing to cuisine to comics, there’s so much to love about Japanese products. I’m always happy with a bento box for lunch, and my new running shoes make burning off the calories that bit easier afterwards. And it’s the same story with cars, as the Japanese-built models I’ve run over the years have been brilliant. The previous Mazda I ran for Auto Express was the 3 hatch, and I was looking forward to finding out…

“Both cameras record in 1080p full-HD quality, and BlackVue says low-light performance is improved” NEW PRODUCT BlackVue DR750S dash cams Prices: From £249.95 Contact: www.blackvue.uk DASH cam specialist BlackVue has released a new dual camera that sits at the top of its range. The sleek-looking DR750S replaces the DR650S, and according to the company, is the world’s first connected dash cam. The new product comes as both a dual (DR750S-2CH) or single (DR750S-1CH) camera. Both the front and rear cameras record in 1080p full-HD quality, and BlackVue says the device’s low-light performance has been improved. This is thanks to the ‘Enhanced Night Vision’ feature that maximises brightness in low light settings thanks to increased ISO sensitivity. It’s also capable of recording in 60 frames per second (fps) – higher than…

ROBERT Kubica’s chances of managing a miracle Formula One comeback six years after his serious rally crash look to be over. Williams is reported to be no longer considering the Pole for a 2018 race seat after running him in the post-Abu Dhabi Grand Prix test sessions last month. The 33-year-old also tested for his former team Renault several times this year, but its line-up of Carlos Sainz Jr and Nico Hulkenberg has been confirmed. Renault test driver Sergey Sirotkin has now emerged as the leading candidate for the second Williams seat, joining the Canadian Lance Stroll. The 22-year-old Russian has driven in numerous Friday practice sessions in recent seasons and scored GP2 and Formula Renault wins.…

Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan McLAREN has taken the wraps off its most extreme production car to date and given it one of the most iconic names in motorsport: the Senna. It sits at the top of the company’s model range as part of the flagship Ultimate Series and has been developed to give “the most intense circuit experience of any road McLaren”. Only 500 examples will be produced, which have all been sold already, with a price tag of £750,000 each. Vehicle Line Director Andy Palmer said the engineers’ brief for the car was to “make it as fast as we possibly can going around a track, but also make it roadlegal”. Palmer describes it as the “lightest, fastest, most engaging McLaren yet”. Under the skin is the most powerful version ever…

BREAKDOWN services need to fix a variety of faults, but the AA has revealed that it was animals which caused some of the craziest call-outs of the past 12 months. Appropriately for this time of year, one motorist phoned for assistance after her vehicle – carrying two reindeer and Santa’s sleigh – suffered a snapped alternator belt. Among the other odd call-outs were Fluffy the hamster, who became trapped in the dashboard of one family’s car after escaping his cage. There was also the case of zookeepers whose car had broken down on the way back from a local library with a meerkat in the back. One patrol jacked up a car to shift a fox sheltering in its engine bay, while the AA claims that it rescues an average…

AUDI is set to launch a facelifted TT next year, and our spy photographers have captured a barely disguised mule undergoing testing on German roads. The minimal camouflage suggests that exterior updates to Audi’s BMW 2 Series rival won’t be extensive, but we can see they will include an updated LED headlight design and a honeycomb mesh grille to replace the existing horizontal bars. The interior is expected to benefit from some of the technology that debuted in the latest A8 and A7 Sportback, but watered down to suit the TT’s more reasonable price point. That means we’re unlikely to see the new three-screen infotainment system, but the Virtual Cockpit should be updated with new features and driver-assist functions. The TT’s 2.0-litre turbo petrol and diesel engines will remain with…

Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.7 seconds/147mph Running costs 47.9mpg (official) £48 fill-up Sean_Carson@dennis.co.uk @Sean_Carson_ FOLLOWING the glut of small cars released earlier in the year, it’s now time for the tranche of hot hatchbacks. Arriving just in time for Christmas is the new VW Polo GTI, and it’s bucking the trend. While most of its rivals, including the forthcoming Ford Fiesta ST, use downsized engines, the GTI’s motor has grown. Since 2010 the unit has swelled in size from 1.4 to 1.8 litres, and now this car is sporting the same sized 2.0-litre fourcylinder turbo as its Golf GTI big brother. However, with only 197bhp it’s not as potent, but then the Polo is a smaller car, so there’s still plenty of punch. Auto models will hit the UK in May…

Performance 0-62mph/top speed 4.1 seconds/174mph Running costs 32.1mpg (official) £66 fill-up “It is extremely fast point-to-point, but also the first fast Audi estate to feel nicely balanced” Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan PERFORMANCE estates have been the holy grail for car enthusiasts for years. With an immense range of abilities hidden behind a subtle, practical body, it’s not hard to see the appeal of a fast load-lugger. Audi has been a dominant force in this segment for two decades now, and the latest RS 4 Avant aims to continue where the old car left off. It’s available to order now, but ahead of UK cars arriving early next year we went to Spain for an early drive. This RS 4 ditches the sonorous, naturally aspirated V8 found in the previous two models for…

Performance 0-62mph/top speed 3.8 seconds/176mph Running costs 31mpg (est) £70 fill-up Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn ALFA Romeo finally appears to have got its act together. After years of failed attempts, it has delivered two competitive cars in the Giulia saloon and Stelvio SUV. We’ll even see the Alfa badge slapped on the side of a Formula One car from 2018. Now the firm is turning up the heat even further with the Stelvio Quadrifoglio. It’s aimed directly at the Porsche Macan Turbo and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 and will wade into a segment that’s only going to get even more competitive in the coming months, as Jaguar and BMW engineers put the finishing touches to cooked-up versions of their respective F-Pace and X3 models. The faster Stelvio follows on from the Giulia Quadrifoglio…

CO2/tax 148g/km £140 or 31% Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 505/1,432 litres Performance 0-60/30-70mph 9.0/8.3 seconds Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 53.0/36.4/11.5m Running costs 39.4mpg (on test) £73 fill-up MODEL TESTED: Volvo XC60 D4 R-Design Auto PRICE: £39,705 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 187bhp THE Volvo XC60 is a key rival for the X3 to beat, as it impressed us enough in 2017 to claim the Auto Express Best Premium SUV title. Here we’re testing the 2.0-litre diesel D4 model in R-Design trim, which costs £39,705. DESIGN & ENGINEERING score 4.2 THE Volvo XC60’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform means it shares a lot of parts with the larger XC90 SUV, and it’s easy to spot many of those similarities. The exterior and interior design are clearly closely linked on both cars. Both models also use…

Results 1st BMW WITH a class this competitive, it’s a narrow win for the BMW X3. It’s even more comfortable than the Volvo and nearly as good to drive as the F-Pace. It’s also the fastest and the most refined SUV here, while it offers lots of practicality, the highest quality cabin and plenty of technology. It might be pricier than its rivals, but the difference is small enough for the BMW to secure the win. 2nd VOLVO THE XC60 is still a top choice in the premium SUV class, but just loses out to the X3 here. The XC60 is comfortable and good to drive, but just doesn’t have the BMW’s breadth of ability. It does have a top-notch interior on its side, and it’s great value too, both…

Sam_Naylor@dennis.co.uk @SamNaylor_AE YOU may well have noticed that our Volvo looks a little different to the last time we reported on it (Issue 1,488). That’s because we’ve recently swapped our original S90 D4 Momentum for an R-Design model with the same engine. The sportier-looking trim level is the biggest seller in the range, so we are keen to find out why buyers are opting for this kitted-out version of the Swedish saloon. The R-Design version comes as standard with 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, plus a deeper front bumper, a special grille and LED foglights. Those new features don’t transform the car’s looks, but they’re enough to give it a hint of sportiness. It’s the same ‘sheep in wolf’s clothing’ ethos that BMW and Audi have been using for years with…

NEED TO KNOW Four-cylinder automatic cars have five gears, whereas the V6 and V8 models feature a seven-speed automatic. NEED TO KNOW Make sure the boot seals are in good order, because once they start leaking the car’s electronics will be damaged. NEED TO KNOW The optional speed-sensitive steering is worth having, and the system is even better on facelifted SLKs. www.autoexpress.co.uk/driverpower Performance 0-62mph/top speed 7.7 seconds/143mph Running costs 32-36mpg (SLK 200) £84 fill-up CO2/tax 184-209g/km £240-£305 ALTHOUGH the Mercedes SLK wasn’t the first coupé-cabriolet (Peugeot got there first, six decades earlier), it was the first with global premium appeal. The original SLK (codenamed R170) arrived in 1996, then in 2004 an all-new second-generation model went on sale, codenamed the R171. While the Mk1 was a very good car, the…

Infiniti QX30 QX30 2.2d Premium Tech Years: 2016 to date Engine: 2.1-litre 4cyl, 168bhp Ins group: 23 Official econ/CO2: 57.6mpg/128g/km Why? Infiniti’s small crossover has distinctive looks, lots of kit and rarity, plus an appealing cabin design. Prices from: £20,495 SHARING its platform and engines with the GLA, Infiniti’s QX30 is a raised-up version of the Q30 hatchback. The styling is more interesting than the Mercedes’, while the cabin is brighter and features nicer materials. However, it offers less space than the BMW. To drive, it’s largely the same as the Mercedes, with a strong but noisy 2.1-litre diesel and adequate ride and handling. The QX30 should be similarly reliable as the Mercedes, with its proven mechanicals. Mercedes GLA GLA 220 d Sport Premium Years: 2014 to date Engine: 2.1-litre…