Table of contents for 1734 in Auto Express

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy ● Firm’s first EV arrives in 2025 ● F1 tech will be carried over ALMOST half of all Ferraris sold will be purely electric by the end of the decade, and four in five will be electrified in some way, the company has announced. Speaking at the Italian brand’s Capital Markets Day, Ferrari’s CEO Benedetto Vigna said that while the firm is committed to combustion engines – including the use of synthetic fuels – it will commence an EV rollout with Ferrari’s first electric car in 2025. “I believe combustion engines still have a lot to give,” Vigna said, “and we will develop solutions that will contribute meaningfully to decreased CO2 emissions.” Vigna said that Ferrari expects around five per cent of its sales to be EV by…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk ● Petrol and hybrid power ● Electric version to follow PEUGEOT is broadening its range with this new 408 “dynamic fastback” saloon that will be positioned between its 508 large family car and the 3008 SUV. As a raised-up five-door with a large hatchback, the French brand says the 408 puts a focus on practicality and style, and is the first car of its kind on the market. While the car’s design breaks new ground for the company – including the treatment of the 408’s grille, something we’ll see feature on other new Peugeots – the recipe underneath is based on known technology. The 408 sits on the latest evolution of the EMP2 platform and will be powered by pure-petrol and plug-in hybrid powertrains from its launch in early…

Rally success recalled in special Alpine A110 A NEW special-edition version of the Alpine A110 has been revealed, paying homage to the brand’s rallying prowess. The A110 Tour de Corse (above) is inspired by the 1975 car from that event. It comes finished in a black, yellow and white livery, with white 18-inch alloy wheels. Power is provided by a turbocharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine developing 296bhp. Just five of the 150 examples planned will come to the UK, with a price tag of £66,855. Drivers warned to pick repairers carefully THE risk shoddy repairs can pose to a car’s advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) has been highlighted. Paint repair specialist Revive! says additional expertise is needed to work on a car with ADAS, and drivers must consider this when picking where…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy ALFA Romeo’s Quadrifoglio performance models will make the transition to pure-electric, boss Jean-Philippe Imparato has promised – and there could yet be a place for the badge to feature on the newly launched Tonale. The most potent version of the Audi Q3 rival so far is the plug-in hybrid variant, which has a combined output of 271bhp. But Imparato believes that the car’s chassis could “cope easily with 300bhp, or more”. And while a Tonale Quadrifoglio is not imminent, he says that customer demand could persuade Alfa Romeo to develop it. “Quadrifoglio is not the vocation of Tonale, for the moment,” Imparato told us. “For this car, I focused our energy on the transition [to electrification] so for the moment I’d say Tonale is a plug-in hybrid with…

Legal AA: 0345 850 1130 (m) RAC: 0330 159 1446 (m) Citizens Advice Consumer helpline: 03454 040506 Local Trading Standards Local Citizens Advice Bureau Used car inspections AA: 0800 056 8040 RAC: 0330 159 0720 Technical advice AA: 0370 142 0002 (m) Driving licences DVLA: 0300 790 6801 Car registration/history HPI: 0113 222 2010 AA: 0800 316 3564 DVLA: 0300 790 6802 RAC: 0808 164 1923 Traffic information AA: 0906 888 4322 RAC: 09003 444999 (p) Problems with dealers The Motor Ombudsman: 0345 241 3008 Consumer Ombudsman: www.consumer-ombudsman.org RMIF: 0845 305 4230 Scottish Motor Trade Assoc. 0131 331 5510 Problems with makers The Motor Ombudsman: 0345 241 3008 Financial problems Financial Ombudsman: 0800 023 4567 Safety concerns/recalls www.check-mot.service.gov.uk…

2012 ANDY PALMER EX-Aston boss is now busy with the likes of bus maker Optare and battery tech firm InoBat. 2013 IAN ROBERTSON BMW’s sales & marketing boss retired from the German OEM in 2018. 2014 STEPHEN ODELL EX-Ford exec is no longer part of mining firm EVRAZ, but he’s still involved in wood maker Accsys. 2015 ALAN BATEY FORMER boss of GM North America is on the board of Spectrum, a group of automotive companies. 2016 MIKE MANLEY LEFT his role as US boss of Stellantis last November. Now CEO of AutoNation, an American car sales firm. 2017 LINDA JACKSON SHAKE-UP at Stellantis placed our 2017 winner in a new role: CEO of Peugeot. 2018 DUNCAN ALDRED BOLTON boy Aldred remains in charge of General Motors’ Buick and GMC…

Dean_Gibson@autovia.co.uk @DeanGbsn WITH the MPV market now all but killed off by SUVs, buyers in need of multi-seat practicality have two options. The first is to buy a seven-seat SUV and deal with the compromises that a smaller body requires, or you choose a van-based model. But now, there’s a third alternative. The Volkswagen Multivan is an MPV from the German brand’s commercial vehicles division that won’t get a van equivalent. It replaces the Caravelle, and under the skin is a platform using MQB underpinnings, so plug-in hybrid drive is also available. The exterior is definitely a talking point. It’s a clear marker between the old Caravelle and electric ID. Buzz due later this year, and while that silver and metallic orange scheme won’t be to all tastes, it does…

MODEL TESTED: Range Rover D350 Autobiography PRICE: £122,375 ENGINE: 3.0-litre 6cyl, 345bhp Running costs 32.4mpg (on test) £148 fill-up/£520 or 37% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 818 (to roof)/1,841 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.1 seconds/145mph THE fifth-generation Range Rover comes in standard and long-wheelbase bodies, while petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid drivetrains are available; an all-electric version is due in 2024. For this first test, we have a standard-wheelbase D350 diesel model in plush Autobiography spec. At £122,375, it undercuts the Bentayga by more than £35,000, although there are plenty of personalisation options that can significantly increase the price. Design & engineering IT’S been a decade since the last Range Rover was launched, and it’s clear that Land Rover’s design team didn’t want to mess with that car’s instantly recognisable…

Range Rover 13.1-inch Pivi Pro Key features: 3D cameras, head-up display LAND Rover’s latest Pivi Pro infotainment system is a great piece of kit that’s easy to use. The large 13.1-inch screen in the Range Rover makes things easy to access, and the home screen is split vertically into three, with navigation, phone and audio settings next to each other. Everything works slickly, while a wireless smartphone connection means your device is connected to the system as soon as you climb aboard. The shortcut keys on either side of the main screen are useful, while a single menu shows every function available, including the set-up of the Terrain Response system, massage seats, cabin air-filtration system and settings for the LED ambient lighting. Land Rover’s surround view cameras work well, and…

Aston Martin DBX PRICE: £168,300 ENGINE: 4.0-litre V8, 542bhp ASTON has followed Bentley’s lead by making the DBX more of a driver-focused SUV than most rivals. Its Mercedes-sourced twin-turbo V8 packs a punch, and the chassis has the talent to make the most of its performance. Mercedes GLS 600 Maybach PRICE: £169,635 ENGINE: 4.0-litre V8, 549bhp THE upmarket Maybach version of the GLS is Germany’s answer to the Range Rover, and is designed with rear-seat passengers in mind. Look past the ostentatious exterior and you get an elevated cabin that shares much with the S-Class limo.…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk Q Getting tired of false alarms THE tyre-pressure warning goes off on my car every few weeks or so. I have had the tyre checked by a fitter, but it was okay. Should I ignore the alert and just reset the system? A Paul White THERE’S obviously something amiss here, so it needs investigating. Check the tyre every couple of days to see if it is losing pressure. If the loss is small, get the tyre remounted and check for corrosion on the rim where the tyre bead sits. If the tyre maintains pressure and the alert still goes off, there’s likely to be a problem with the sensor. Q Hose choice winds me up I’VE just had an outside tap installed for car washing and watering. I don’t…

INSTALLING a GPS tracking device might seem like something from a spy movie, but they are now affordable enough to be used by anyone who would like to keep an eye on their car. They’re not just to help you locate your pride and joy if it’s been stolen either. A tracker can help you to keep tabs on your mileage for business expenses, and check where your car is being stored by airport valet parking or how it is being treated by others who might be driving it. Here, we’ve tested DIY devices that are simple to fit, but will let you keep an eye on your car for a fraction of the cost of a professionally installed tracker. Our previous winner is challenged by a newcomer, the TruTrak…

UNLIKE tests where the number of rivals is in double figures, there are no bad tyres here. But the margin of victory – often less than one per cent in past tests – is a clear indication that Continental has set new levels of performance for this sector. The SportContact 7 has a sharpness that rivals cannot match, plus it’s able to turn that lively feel into quick lap times and short stopping distances. Remarkable. If the Continental is a clear winner, then there’s little to choose between the other two. Neither gives any cause for concern in the wet or dry, but the Michelin suits high-mileage drivers where economy is a factor. If wet grip is key, go for the Pirelli.…

In association with Search thousands of new and used cars online CO2/tax 123-132g/km £165 Running costs 48-52mpg (1.5 TSI) £87 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 8.5 seconds/143mph LAST year marked a quarter of a century since the Octavia was reintroduced to the Skoda range. It had originally been offered between 1959 and 1971, long before the Czech marque was swallowed up by the Volkswagen Group. Relaunching the Octavia was a great move, because that 1996 model ruffled a few feathers in the family car market, with its well made and roomy cabin, efficient engines and impressive value for money. By 2004 an all-new Octavia had arrived, and then another in 2013. By the time the Mk4 appeared in 2019 (even though it’s the Mk5, strictly speaking, thanks to that much earlier…

Alastair_crooks@autovia.co.uk ● Upcoming new MG roadster will be based on Cyberster concept ● Could share platform and tech with recently revealed Mulan BEST OF BRITISH ISSUE MG has built much of its reputation on small, simple roadsters that were fairly affordable, but aspirational. This is something that the Chinese-owned iteration of the brand hasn’t been shy to emulate. And now a new MG sports car takes a step closer, as fresh leaks all but confirm that the brand is returning to its roots, with a small, probably all-electric roadster. The car could hit the roads in 2024 to coincide with MG’s centenary, possibly with an MGC EV badge, following parent firm SAIC filing a trademark for the name. Direct rivals will be few and far between, but the new car…

Chris_Rosamond@autovia.co.uk ● Business secretary asks CMA to investigate fuel retailing ● Authority’s initial findings must be published by 7 July AS SOARING fuel prices continue to set records, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an urgent investigation into the activities of petrol retailers and distributors. When Auto Express closed for press, the average price for unleaded had reached almost £1.90 per litre, and prices of over £2 per litre were common on motorway service station forecourts. The shocking price increases have hit individuals and businesses hard, and there’s increasing pressure for government action. “We are struggling to understand why the Government refuses to talk about further intervention to help drivers,” said RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams. “Other countries across Europe are clearly taking the situation more seriously,…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress HOT TOPIC Cupra EVs FROM: Gareth C I LOVE the design language that Cupra is going with and am particularly glad the Tavascan looks so similar to its concept. EVs that stand out from the crowd appeal to me more than bland ones, and I’m sure this is the case for other drivers. FROM: Will Peters I LIKE the look of the UrbanRebel electric hatch; I bet it will be fun to drive. Not thrilled to see two SUVs, though. One would be understandable, but how about a saloon or estate instead? Or even a sports coupé or convertible? Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “Will Cupra be able to deliver these cars? I’ve been waiting for my SEAT Ateca for six months.” NJ Finches ■ “I struggle…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk Running costs 56.5mpg (official) £83 fill-up BEST OF BRITISH ISSUE NISSAN is a pioneer of electrification, stealing a march on its rivals in Europe with the Leaf EV. When it comes to hybrids, though, the firm has been slow to electrify its most popular models – but that changes in 2022. It’ll soon launch the Qashqai e-Power, but before that comes the Juke Hybrid. The headlines are pricing from £27,250, a 25 per cent increase in power over the pure-petrol Juke and a 20 per cent improvement in fuel consumption. There’s 141bhp in all, split between a 93bhp 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a 48bhp electric motor mounted in a multi-modal automatic gearbox with two ‘EV’ speeds and four ‘ICE’ speeds. This powertrain is similar to that used by…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk PERFORMANCE cabriolets are a dying breed. Book-ended by cars such as the Mazda MX-5 at the lower end and many carbon fibre-chassis roadsters beyond the £100,000 mark, the BMW M4 Competition Convertible doesn’t have much in the way of competition at this level of the market. That might be why BMW has chosen to continue with its open-top two-door sports car when rivals from Mercedes-AMG, and Audi’s RS department’s mid-size soft-top models are off sale for the time being. In fact, the closest rival for this BMW when it comes to performance is Porsche’s 911 GTS Cabriolet, but at £121,180, it’s significantly more expensive. So, is the M4 Competition Convertible good value? At £85,870, not exactly, but it does offer genuine sports car performance. The 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo engine…

MODEL TESTED: Bentley Bentayga V8 PRICE: £157,800 ENGINE: 4.0-litre V8, 542bhp Running costs 20.2mpg (on test) Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 484/1,774 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 4.5 seconds/180mph THE Bentayga is Bentley’s best-selling model, and as with the Range Rover, it’s possible to ramp up its price well beyond the £157,800 starting point. We’re testing the standard V8 petrol model here (there is no diesel option), but the car in our pictures is the higher-spec, driver-focused V8 S model. Design & engineering BENTLEY has tapped into the vast resources of the Volkswagen Group for the Bentayga’s platform, but there’s much more to this luxury SUV than just rebranding some existing technology. Under the skin, it uses the group’s MLB Evo platform, which is also shared with the Lamborghini Urus and Porsche…

1st RANGE ROVER THE Range Rover sets the standard for all other luxury 4x4s to follow, and the latest model maintains that tradition. It’s hugely comfortable, refined and relaxing to drive or be driven in, and the luxuries on board mean it feels special, whether you’re popping to the shops or crossing the country. Diesel power still makes sense if you do longer drives, but the plug-in version is the one we’d go for. 2nd BENTLEY THE main difference between the Bentayga and its rival here is that the Bentley is more focused on its driver than its passengers. It offers the kind of luxury interior that Bentley does so well, but the driving experience is more focused on performance than the Range Rover’s. It’s a fantastic piece of kit,…

SAVE 43% ON THE SHOP PRICE After your initial 6 issue trial, your subscription will continue at £26.99 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. There are more options than ever to subscribe to Auto Express with both print and digital versions available, or perhaps you’d like a combination of both, the choice is yours OK I’M IN! HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE? 1 ORDER ONLINE AT autoexpress.co.uk/subscribe (or call 0330 333 9491 if you prefer the human touch). 2 ENTER THE OFFER CODE DJUN22 and select the offer you’d like to take.…

Alfa Romeo Giulia Issue 1,728 BMW iX3 Issue 1,731 Citroen e-Berlingo Issues 1,718, 1,727, 1,732 Citroen e-Dispatch Issue 1,733 DaciaJogger New arrival DS 7 Crossback Issue 1,727 Ford Ranger Issues 1,694, 1,701, 1,713, 1,721, 1,728 Honda HR-V eCVT Issue 1,732 Land Rover Defender New arrival Mazda CX-5 Issues 1,726, 1,733 Nissan Qashqai Issues 1,707, 1,716, 1,724 Peugeot 508 SW Issues 1,714, 1,725 Polestar 2 Issues 1,719, 1,725 Porsche Taycan CT Issue 1,730 SkodaFabia New arrival ToyotaYarisCross Issue 1,730…

Twin-Cam Extravagance Chris Wiblin (The Rapier Register, rapierregister.com) Price: £50 Rating: WRITTEN by a Rapier expert, this is an incredibly in-depth look into a niche – though fabulous – vehicle. It includes a list of all known models, while the story is told in great detail and is engaging to read. For the few it will appeal to, this is matchless. i-SPY on a car journey in France Collins Michelin, collins.co.uk Price: £3.99 Rating: HEADING to the continent this summer and need something to occupy the kids? i-SPY books remain great when the iPads have run out of battery. This one’s full of French road signs, attractions and landmarks, presented in the usual fun and engaging style. You can still send off for your badge when you get a high-enough score,…

In association with Search thousands of new and used cars online DESPITE the onslaught of 2,000bhp battery-powered hypercars and uber-luxurious EVs, the natural stomping ground of electric cars is arguably still congested cities. Continuous stop-and-go traffic helps keep the battery juiced up for extra range, and you can slip through low-emission and congestion zones without paying a penny; plus that’s not to mention the instant acceleration and serene, silent running. Volkswagen recognised this and packaged an electric drivetrain into the diminutive up! city car to create an EV version, with sister brand Skoda following suit and building the closely related Citigo-e iV. Neither model has an especially impressive range figure, nor sizzling dynamics, but they tackle the job at hand very well indeed. With the same platform, battery and electric motor…

Global touring cars head for MotorLand ROUND four of the WTCR Touring Car World Cup takes place in Spain this weekend at the MotorLand Aragón circuit, and Hyundai’s Mikel Azcona will be looking to consolidate his lead in the championship standings on home soil. The Spaniard is being chased by Argentine Nestor Girolami for Honda, and the Cyan Racing Lynk & Co team, with last year’s champion, France’s Yann Ehrlacher, currently six points adrift of Uruguayan team-mate Santiago Urruita. Brit Rob Huff will be looking to build on the momentum of a podium finish that he scored in race two last time out in Hungary. He currently leads the WTCR Trophy for privateers in his Cupra Leon, placing him ninth in the overall standings. British tin-top series revs up for…

James_Brodie@autovia.co.uk @jimmybrods ● Fresh bodystyle for M car ● 503bhp and 650Nm of torque “BMW claims 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds, just one tenth of a second slower than the M3 Competition saloon” FORMING a big part of BMW M division’s 50th anniversary celebrations is a new and arguably long-overdue member of the M3 line-up in the shape of the M3 Touring estate. While BMW did produce a one-off concept version of the E46 M3 Touring in 2000, this was a technical exercise for M engineers, rather than a serious exploration into a practical bodystyle for the then coupé and convertible-only performance icon. Since then, the M3 has become a saloon, while the coupé and convertible models have adopted the M4 badge. Now, the estate version is finally here, and it…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy BEST OF BRITISH ISSUE NEW challenges, such as the war in Ukraine, have joined a disappointingly persistent semiconductor crisis in keeping the car industry on its toes over the past 12 months. But our annual rundown of the UK’s top 50 executives in the car business shows British experience and creativity are possibly more valued than ever. With many of the biggest groups restructuring, to focus their resources and cash on development in key areas such as electrification and more digital customer experiences, it seems UK nous is trusted to deliver results at the highest levels. There are some signs, meanwhile, that these shifts towards technology and more immersive customer journeys might help Brit-born female execs to come up through the ranks. But it remains frustratingly early days, and…

Matt_Robinson@autovia.co.uk @matt_201 Running costs 21.9mpg (official) £136 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 3.7 seconds/204mph THE Audi R8 and its fabulous V10 are on borrowed time. It’s dodged rumours of downsizing, but the end is nigh for the supercar that transformed Audi’s image. It’ll almost certainly be replaced with something all electric. But don’t feel too sad, because Audi won’t let its mid-engined star go out without a bang – although this R8 Performance RWD is more of a support act for the R8’s swansong. One that’s worth turning up to the show early for. Rear-drive R8s have been around for a while now, starting with the limited-run RWS, before the R8 RWD became a permanent fixture. This R8 Performance RWD serves as a replacement for both the latter car and the…

BEST OF BRITISH ISSUE AN all-new Range Rover doesn’t come along very often, so when it does arrive, it’s something of a big deal. What you see here is the fifth generation of a model that has more than half a century of history, and with every new incarnation there has been a move further upmarket. The latest model is the poshest yet, and that’s saying something when its predecessor was still a top choice for luxury up until the end of its production run. As well as plenty of creature comforts, the latest Range Rover features lots of tech to make life easier, while a variety of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains are offered. Here we’re testing the D350 diesel, which comes with mild-hybrid technology. The new Range Rover…

OFF ROAD YOU’D have to be pretty committed to take a six-figure 4x4 off the beaten track, but both of these cars are able to offer more off-road ability than most buyers are ever likely to need. The Range Rover uses the latest Terrain Response 2 off-road electronics, which let you choose settings for different conditions. At its maximum ride height, the Range Rover has 284mm of ground clearance and a wading depth of 900mm on offer. Even better is that the car’s touchscreen can show live information about the car’s wading depth, pitch and roll angles, steering lock and status of the locking differentials. The Bentayga isn’t quite as comprehensive, but the ride height can be raised for improved clearance and it has locking diffs and hill descent control…

Stuart_Milne@dennis.co.uk LIKE the two cars here, I thought that picking my favourite Polestar would be a simple black or white decision. In the black corner is the flagship of the range, the full-house, £49,900 Long range Dual motor with a smattering of options. In the white corner, it’s the underdog, the Long range Single motor, with a list price £3,000 lower. There’s loads to love about the Long range Dual motor, such as some serious firepower and unflappable four-wheel drive. Over the five months I’ve spent with it so far, I’ve absolutely loved it. But it’s easy to be swayed by the trappings of a top-spec car, and I was keen to see if it really is the pick of the range. So with my black car returning to Polestar…

NEW PRODUCT Wallbox Pulsar Max Price: £589 (plus installation) Contact: wallbox.com IF the thought of a clunky EV charging unit on the front of your house puts you off going electric, then the latest addition to the Wallbox range may change your mind. The Pulsar Max is compact and available in a range of colours. The new unit also aims to be easy not just on the eye, but on the wallet too, given that it uses Wallbox’s Eco-Smart technology to charge entirely from solar panels or combine them with power from the grid. The Max is based on the Pulsar Plus and is available in six matte colours – black, white, grey, green, blue and yellow – to match where it is located on the house. It also features the…

Race ahead with new Le Mans gloves THE Outlierman has announced a new collaboration with the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and launched the first items in a limited-edition collection: driving gloves. Three designs have been released: Arnage in suede, Mulsanne in soft Nappa lambskin, and Tetre Rouge, which is fingerless. All are handmade in Italy and will be joined by more items later this year, including ties, pocket squares, scarves, wallets and swim shorts. The gloves are priced from £290.59 and available at theoutlierman.com. JLR extends sat-nav system on new cars JAGUAR Land Rover has added a new feature to its vehicles via an over-the-air update, giving the latest models What3words functionality. This is a navigation system that divides the world into 3x3-metre squares and gives each a three-word address.…

In association with CONTINENTAL made bold claims about the performance of its new SportContact 7 when the new flagship tyre was launched at the end of last year. Compared with the SportContact 6 it succeeds, the firm said it had made major gains in the wet and dry. In our initial, limited comparison at the Continental proving ground those claims were backed up with major improvements detectable over the old design, mainly in the wet. But then, all new tyres claim to be better than their predecessors and pretty much always are. The big question was how would the new tyre fare against rivals in the UUHP (ultra ultra high performance) sector? To find out, when travel restrictions and weather conditions allowed, we headed to Continental’s Uvalde, Texas, facility, which…

In association with IT is rare for new tyres to perform worse than the models they replace, but the gaps are often small, to the point where many launches provide no comparison. That wasn’t the case at the SportContact 7’s debut last year and when we compared the old with the new, we knew why. Continental has really found something with the new tyre and even the most insensitive tester could feel the difference. Our time in Texas proved that it retains this performance advantage over its rivals and not only its ageing predecessor. Just one second place, in curved aquaplaning, prevented a clean sweep of the driving tests. And these weren’t narrow wins – the Continental was clearly ahead of its rivals, particularly in the wet, where it had…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@autovia.co.uk Q How can I cut my costs when fuel for car is so expensive? THE ridiculously high price of petrol is having an impact on my wallet. Do you have any tips on how I can save money? Are there any retailers offering petrol at more sensible prices or is the situation bad everywhere? Thomas Langmead, E-mail A UNFORTUNATELY, petrol and diesel are very expensive all over the UK at the moment. If you’re able to easily complete your journey on foot, by bike or on public transport, this may be more cost-effective. If this isn’t possible, try finding out which fuel stations near you are charging the least – most likely supermarkets – and avoid motorway service stations. Finally, try to save fuel by driving…

Dean_Gibson@autovia.co.uk @DeanGbsn ● Toyota star leads title race ● Loeb returns for Kenya THE World Rally Championship moves continents this week, as the teams head to Africa and the Safari Rally in Kenya. The event was reinstated as a world championship round last year, and it promises to be the most gruelling event yet for the latest Rally1 cars. Toyota driver Kalle Rovanperä has a strong 55-point lead over Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville in the driver’s championship, courtesy of a hat-trick of wins in the first five races of the season as well as strong form in the Power Stage events at each round. Thanks to his championship lead, Rovanperä was first on stage in the previous round, Rally Italia Sardegna, putting him at a disadvantage as he swept the gravel…

Motoring’s most outspoken and opinionated columnist sounds off IN an increasingly undignified Britain dogged by a serious and worsening cost of living crisis, some cash-strapped citizens have already been forced to ask themselves the difficult question of eat or heat? But now the financial mayhem is going from bad to worse they’re having to decide whether it’s the eating, the heating or the commuting that’s got to go. Sadly, there are reports emerging of employees on low to lower-medium salaries no longer able to afford to commute to the hospitals, shops, care homes, factories and other low-wage places they work. Those who commute by car are finding that colossal price increases at the pumps (or hikes in the cost of charging their EVs) are killing them financially. And for commuters…