Table of contents for 1488 in Auto Express

Michael_Cox@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer SEVERAL of the country’s biggest car makers have announced trade-in and vehicle scrappage schemes to help reduce the number of older, more polluting vehicles on the road. This follows the Government’s air quality plan that aims to ban petrol and diesel sales in the UK by 2040. Ford is one the latest to join the growing list of brands offering drivers discounts towards a new vehicle when trading in their old motor. The manufacturer will knock £2,000 off the list price of a new model when a buyer trades in a pre-Euro 5 car of any make registered before 31 December 2009. The scheme will run from 1 September until 31 December this year and every car traded in will be crushed. Other marques such as BMW, Hyundai,…

‘EQA’ lifts the lid on Mercedes-EQ plans MERCEDES will reveal a fresh EQ concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month, hinting at a compact entry into the firm’s upcoming line-up of EQ EVs. The car, previewed in our exclusive image (above), is likely to be badged EQA. It is the second model to fall under the EQ umbrella, after the Generation EQ concept was seen at the Paris Motor Show in 2016. Mercedes is planning to introduce 10 all-new EVs by 2025. Demand sees Aston smash profit record ASTON Martin has reported record halfyear profits in the first six months of 2017. Revenue almost doubled year-onyear, as demand for its cars increased. Pre-tax profits of £21.1m (up to 30 June) reversed an £82.2m loss in the same period in…

James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor Walkaround video on VW’s new T-Roc A NEW SUV seems to arrive every week from the big brands – apart from Volkswagen, that is. The German giant only has two conventional SUVs in its range, but the launch of the T-Roc changes things. As you’ve read on Page 8, it’s the first VW SUV that’s more about fashion than family life, although with its Golf platform it uses a conventional recipe. Log on for this special walkaround. Our A-Z of car tech continues with F OUR in-depth tour of all the tech on the modern-day car continues with the letter F. This time our special contributor Steve Sutcliffe explains how things like fly-by-wire throttle and steering controls, four-wheel drive and future technology are changing the cars we’re driving.…

Martin_Saarinen@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer WHAT do upcoming blockbuster hits such as Kingsman: The Golden Circle and Mary Poppins Returns have in common with TV shows like Peaky Blinders? Apart from big budgets, star-studded casts and action-packed scenes, it’s the cars they feature. The Rolls-Royce Phantom (Kingsman: The Golden Circle), the Austin Taxi (Mary Poppins) and the Clyno Estate (Peaky Blinders) all come from a collection of cars that’s one of the most sought after by the UK’s film and TV studios. Handing over rare and classic cars for up to six months to shoot a movie isn’t easy, which is why there are only a handful of companies and individuals catering for production companies. And Studio 434, based in Potters Bar, Herts, is fast becoming the go-to choice. To find out what…

MODEL TESTED: Renault Koleos dCi 175 4x4 X-Tronic Signature Nav PRICE: £34,200 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 175bhp THE Renault Koleos returns to the UK as the brand’s largest, plushest SUV. The French manufacturer says most buyers will go for high-end models, so here we’re testing the top-spec Signature Nav. With the most powerful 175bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine, plus an automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive, this version of the Koleos costs from £34,200. score 4.0 DESIGN & ENGINEERING THE Koleos name was previously used on a mid-sized SUV that was dropped in 2010; this new model shares nothing with that car. It’s now a large SUV that sits at the top of the Renault range, and is aimed at buyers wanting plenty of space and a more upmarket feel. It’s based on…

RENAULT KOLEOS score 3.9 R-Link 2 Standard Key features: CarPlay, Android Auto, nav A SEVEN-inch touchscreen display is fitted as standard on every Koleos, but our Signature Nav model comes with this larger 8.7-inch screen. The sat-nav system is provided by TomTom, so you get live traffic and European mapping included, and the instructions are clear and easy to read. DAB radio and Bluetooth are standard, alongside Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It’s a shame the smartphone link is displayed as a tiny landscape-orientated box in the middle of the screen, rather than taking up the full portrait display. It feels like an oversight when you’ve got this kind of screen in the car. The display is nice and big, but it’s not as good as the unit fitted in…

Autodrome: The lost race circuits of Europe SS Collins and Gavin D Ireland (Veloce Publishing, www.veloce.co.uk) Price: £45 Rating: BEGINNING on a high note with Brooklands, this book takes you around some of the Continent’s lost and forgotten circuits. Each entry talks you through the track’s history and corners, and finishes with some pictures of the venue in its current state and in its glory days. Detailed, well written and beautifully photographed Crashed and Byrned Tommy Byrne with Mark Hughes (Irish Vintage Scene Publishing, www.irishvintagescene.ie) Price: €23 (£20.97) Rating: THE half-autobiography/halfbiography style of Crashed and Byrned won’t suit all. It can be hard to follow – and Byrne’s contributions are unpleasantly foul-mouthed and obnoxious in places. It’s a warts-andall account of how hard it is to get into F1 from…

Got any car queries? Michael_Cox@dennis.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q Rusty discs affect braking? MY two-year-old Ford Fiesta is used mainly in town. I’ve noticed rust building up on the brake discs, particularly if the car isn’t driven for a few days. Will this affect braking performance? Ruth McPheat, E-mail A BRAKES often pick up surface rust, particularly after wet weather, but this is quickly cleaned off by the brake pads once driving so check it’s gone after a decent-length journey. Rust is unlikely to affect brake performance unless there is severe corrosion caused by poor maintenance over a prolonged period of time. Q Phone cradle and the law I READ that using a mobile while driving can now land you with six points on your licence and a £200 fine. But what…

GRABBED an £8 cup of lukewarm tea, plus a local broadsheet newspaper in a Seoul hotel cafe last Friday. ‘Partial strike adds to Hyundai Motor headaches’ was the first headline. ‘Korea’s auto industry faces crisis’ another one screamed. But those alleged problems apply more to giants like Hyundai-Kia than minnows such as SsangYong. This is a small, maverick, underdog firm that knows its tiny place in the colossal automotive world. SsangYong’s unapologetic thing is unglamorous, durable, value-for-money, long-lasting workhorses that are so niche there’s likely to be only one – if that – in every town. This makes them borderline exclusive – a bit like Ferraris... and Infinitis. SsangYong (meaning Double Dragon) is confident without being cocky. And it’s realistic enough to admit that although it may not have a…

▪ New SUV takes tech from Golf ▪ On sale October, starting at £19k Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram VOLKSWAGEN has finally pulled the wraps off its Golf-based T-Roc SUV. After countless concepts, teaser images, sketches and spy pictures, the crossover will go on sale later this year priced from around £19,000, putting it up against the Mazda CX-3 and new MINI Countryman. Using the VW Group’s versatile MQB platform, the range features six engines, two gearboxes and front or four-wheel drive. The entry-level car will get a 113bhp 1.0 TSI turbo petrol, while a new 148bhp 1.5 TSI Evo will also be available. A 2.0 TSI with 197bhp will complete the petrol line-up. Volkswagen will also offer the T-Roc with three TDI diesel engines from launch. The 113bhp 1.6 is only available…

BMW BMW’S trade-in scheme only covers older diesels. Those trading in any pre- Euro 5 diesel car, regardless of brand, will get £2,000 off the cost of a new BMW or MINI emitting less than 130g/km of CO2. Models from BMW’s i range and the MINI Countryman PHEV are also eligible, with the discount coming on top of the current Government plug-in car grant. BMW says buyers will also receive a fair trade-in price for their old vehicle. The scheme runs until the end of 2017. Hyundai DRIVERS trading in their old Euro 1 to Euro 4 petrol or diesel vehicles can benefit from discounts of up to £5,000 on a new Hyundai. Euro 1 to Euro 3 models will be scrapped, while Euro 4 vehicles will be sold on…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrod FERRARI has revealed the Portofino, a new ‘entry-level’ GT designed to replace the California T. It will make its debut at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show. The Portofino features more power, a new, lighter chassis and more aerodynamic bodywork than the outgoing California T. Under the bonnet sits the same 3.9-litre turbo V8 found in the car’s predecessor, but tweaked with new engine management software and a host of new components, including new pistons, conrods and a redesigned intake system. The V8 now produces 592bhp, an increase of 40bhp. The additional power means a tenth of a second has been shaved from the car’s 0-62mph time; it will now complete the dash in 3.5 seconds, while the top speed is claimed to be in excess of 199mph. Ferrari…

Traffic and transport law specialist www.keepmeontheroad.co.uk DASH cams are among the most popular pieces of aftermarket tech. The devices were first introduced to protect against insurance fraud, yet they’re now used to record general motoring offences. With fewer officers on our streets, traffic police have had to find costeffective ways to tackle misdemeanours such as speeding and using a mobile phone while driving. Motorists are now being encouraged to share dash cam footage with the police (see Page 18). Although it’s compulsory for local authorities and highways agencies to display signs wherever traditional cameras are in use, no such laws exist for dash cams. And while the majority of motorists understand the importance of road traffic laws, many are disgruntled when they receive a fixed penalty or court summons for…

NOBODY likes the thought of being stranded at the roadside. But if the worst happens and your car splutters to a halt, you need the best to get you moving again. GEM Motoring Assist provides some of the highest-quality breakdown cover on the market, according to the people who know. In the Auto Express Driver Power survey – Britain’s biggest study of driver satisfaction, polling thousands of motorists annually – the firm has been voted best breakdown cover provider for seven out of the past 10 years. That’s a ringing endorsement. In topping the Driver Power 2017 breakdown chart, GEM Motoring Assist came first for friendliness and helpfulness, with customers praising its outstanding, second-to-none personal service. Talking of personal service, GEM’s Defaqto fivestar- rated breakdown cover is personal, too –…

MODEL TESTED: Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 190 4x4 DSG SE L PRICE: £34,035 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 187bhp THE Skoda Kodiaq took the Best Large SUV trophy at our New Car Awards 2017, so it’s a fierce competitor here. For this test, we’ve lined up a 2.0 TDI 190 4x4 DSG model in SE L trim (although our pictures show a top-spec Edition). It costs from £34,035 in seven-seat form. score 4.4 DESIGN & ENGINEERING UNDER the skin, the Kodiaq uses the VW Group MQB platform, and it shares engines and other parts with many other models, including the Volkswagen Tiguan and SEAT Ateca. A key selling point for the Kodiaq is that it’s available with the option of a third row of seats, so while it’s a direct rival for…

NEW PRODUCT Thinkware F100 dash cam Price: From £119 Contact: www.thinkwaredashcam.uk DASH cam specialist Thinkware has added a new mid-range camera to its growing range. The F100 comes as a front-facing or two-way device. Featuring a Sony Exmor CMOS image sensor, the F100 camera is capable of recording in 1080p HD quality at 30 frames per second. The lens has a 135-degree field of vision. The sleek camera comes with an advanced parking mode. When triggered, this records 20-second video clips for up to two days. Thinkware also supplies the F100 with a rear-facing camera (priced from £168). This can record 720p footage at 30 frames per second. Commercial vehicle drivers with no access to a rear windscreen can opt for the F100 alongside a £218 waterproof version of the…

Pro anti-rust formula now available to all THERE are a few established names in the corrosionprotection business, but a previously trade-only British brand claims to beat them all. XCP Professional Rust Blocker (above) is newly available and promises to outperform rival formulas. It can be sprayed, wiped or brushed on, and is said to form a lasting barrier against corrosion. XCP Professional products can now be bought by the public, with Rust Blocker costing around £14. See www.xcp-protection.com for info. Scientists create the ultimate driving song AUTO Express’s Mike Rutherford put forward his 12 ultimate driving songs in Issue 1,486, but now researchers at New York University claim to have a different answer. They’ve teamed up with Ford, Spotify and Hot Chip’s Joe Goddard to create ‘Momentum’. Produced with an…

THE coolant works harder than most of the other fluids in your engine. This blend of water and antifreeze is essential all-year round, preventing freezing in the winter and boiling in the summer, plus corrosion at all times. For all engines, antifreeze is mixed with water as per the maker’s instructions to provide the required protection. In addition, corrosion inhibitors are part of the package and help prevent the waterways from sludging up with rust. But antifreeze doesn’t last forever – typically between two and five years – so checking its current effectiveness is essential to know when it’s due for a change. That’s where a coolant tester comes in. We rate eight of these simple float-type devices ranging in price from £2 to £12. PRODUCT GROUP TEST 30 |…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy BENTLEY is aiming to build upon record sales and the burgeoning success of its Bentayga SUV with this all-new, thirdgeneration Continental GT sports tourer, which has been revealed ahead of a public debut at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show. The newcomer’s front-end styling incorporates elements seen on Bentley’s EXP 10 Speed 6 sports car concept. Meanwhile, the rear retains the Conti’s ‘haunch’ over the wheels, but the tail-lights and hatch have a neater, more resolved look. The model now sits on the VW Group’s latest MSB platform, so it shares some components with Porsche’s recently launched new Panamera. It also boasts 48V electrics to help power the active anti-roll bars. This technology, called Bentley Dynamic Ride, is part of a concerted engineering effort to make the latest Conti…

Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan DACIA has revealed its new Duster ahead of the car’s public debut at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show. The budget 4x4 is being updated with exterior design changes and an overhauled cabin. Due on sale next year, the revamped SUV represents an evolutionary generation jump. It will retain tweaked versions of the same 1.5-litre diesel and 1.2 petrol motors as the outgoing model. It sits on the same platform as the old car, too, and is near-identical in terms of dimensions. But according to the brand’s design boss, Laurens van den Acker, every body panel is new. The latest-generation car has a wider track and reprofiled side panels to ensure the wheels better fill the arches, while the windscreen has been moved forward by 100mm to improve space.…

Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram BMW’S facelifted i3 has been officially unveiled ahead of its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month, with a hotter i3s model joining the standard EV. While the basic version keeps the 168bhp electric motor of the current i3 – named Best Electric Car at our New Car Awards – the i3s is tuned to offer 181bhp and an extra 20Nm of torque. That means 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds; 7.7 seconds in the heavier range-extender i3s. The i3s features lowered suspension, specially developed springs, dampers and anti-roll bars. It sits 10mm lower, and the track has been widened by 40mm. An optimised stability-control system is said to offer “confident handling in all conditions”, while Dynamic Traction Control allows “mild and safe controllable drifts”. There’s a revised bumper…

BACK in May, a new set of EU laws was passed that allows member countries to access each others’ national databases to obtain driver details in order to fine foreign motorists caught committing driving offences while in the country. This means that foreign police can now use DVLA data to track British drivers committing driving offences, such as speeding abroad, and slap them with fines of up to £640. Recent estimates suggest that up to 500,000 drivers risk fines from France alone. At the end of the day, speeding is an offence, so it’s fair that British drivers who get caught exceeding the limit have to pay up. But the same cannot be said of foreign drivers caught in the UK, because British police won’t be able to fine motorists…

FROM: AlfaFan PEOPLE often say the most beautiful cars come from Italy, and I agree. This Aston Martin styled by Zagato is the perfect example of why Italian design houses are some of the best. Improving the Aston’s looks is not easy, but Zagato has done it masterfully. Inbox What do you think? Contact Michael Cox Write to: Watchdog/Letters, Auto Express, Dennis Publishing, 31-32 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7DP FROM: AstonV12 I CAN’T wait to see the Aston Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake in real life. The sketches look great, and I think the Ferrari FF/GTC4 Lusso needs some competition. A proper V12 and 4WD would make it an ideal choice for those looking for the ultimate estate. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ▪ “AS design exercises these Zagatos are fantastic,…

MODEL TESTED: Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi 180 AWD PowerShift ST-Line PRICE: £32,295 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 178bhp FORD updated the Kuga SUV at the start of this year, with a new look and some extra equipment. Our 2.0 TDCi PowerShift AWD model costs from £32,295 in this ST-Line trim level. score 3.6 DESIGN & ENGINEERING IN ST-Line spec, the Kuga features a bodykit, 18-inch alloys and black roof rails. It’s the sportiest-looking SUV here, but the interior is quite a way behind its rivals’. Some plastics that look and feel cheap mean it isn’t as upmarket as either competitor. Bulky-looking trim and a fussy dashboard make the Ford feel dated in this company – and while having an eight-inch screen sounds good, it’s the worst unit here. It isn’t very responsive,…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk @AE_Consumer Q How can I pass screen test? AFTER 40 years of driving, I still hate cleaning the inside of a windscreen. It’s awkward to do and however much effort I put in and what I use, the glass never ends up as clean as it should. What’s the best product and easiest method? John Martin, E-mail A OUR test-winning glass cleaner is CarPlan Screen Clean (£3.49, www.tetrosyl.com). Spray it on a microfibre cloth and use a second cloth to buff. Wrap around a wooden spatula to get into the gaps. Wipe horizontally on one side and vertically on the other so you can spot streaks. Q Winter vs all-season tyres THIS autumn, I’m considering buying a set of winter tyres, but like the idea of…

MODERN cars are so packed with equipment that just getting to what you need to work on can be awkward. An inspection camera, or borescope, can help you see deep into the engine bay. We tested three in Issue 1,462, but the two reviewed here are different. They have no display; instead, you use the bigger screens on a smartphone or tablet, connecting via WiFi and an iOS or Android app. It’s easy to snap photos and videos for later review or to forward them by text or E-mail. We connected each camera to two iOS and two Android devices, then compared features and functions. The new Silverline 725352 had a big price advantage and, although its probe is shorter, it would be fine for most jobs. This camera wouldn’t…

£15,000 for a big people carrier, but which one? Dear Lawrence, I need a large MPV that can carry my tools in the week, and ferry five teenagers about at the weekend. What will £15k get me? Barry Simpson, Durham Contact: Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk THE ALL-ROUND CHOICE SEAT Alhambra FOR: Spacious, versatile and good to drive AGAINST: Cabin a bit dark, slightly firm ride SEAT’S Alhambra is an excellent used buy. It’s the most modern feeling car here and the nicest to drive, plus the design and materials inside shame the Turismo’s. Kit on base cars is a bit miserly, though. Unlike with these rivals, a turbo petrol is available, but unless you’re averse to diesel, the torquey and smooth 2.0 TDI is the best bet because it offers a great blend…

Stephen_Errity@dennis.co.uk THE World Endurance Championship (WEC) heads to Mexico for the first ‘flyaway’ round of 2017 this weekend, with Porsche’s Le Mans-winning trio of drivers hoping to extend its lead in the premier sportscar series. Brendon Harley, Earl Bamber and Timo Bernhard top the standings, with 108 points to the 78 scored by Toyota’s front-running line-up of Anthony Davidson, Kazuki Nakajima and Sebastien Buemi thus far. Porsche’s Andre Lotterer, Nick Tandy and Neel Jani are the next-highest scoring crew in the top LMP1 category, with 46 points. In the WEC’s LMP2 class, meanwhile, a driver reshuffle at the CEFC Manor squad sees Brits Ben Hanley and Matt Rao joining French ex-F1 driver Jean-Eric Vergne in the #24 entry for the Mexico race. Rao drove for Manor in 2016, but began…