Table of contents for 1781 in Auto Express

IF XPeng does start a UK assault in the next 18 months, the G9 could well be joined in showrooms here by the P7 saloon, an obvious rival for the likes of the Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Ioniq 6. The P7 is an older car than the SUV, and while it shares some platform parts, it sticks with 400V electrics instead of the G9’s 800V architecture. Its charging is slower as a result, at up to 175kW. On the road, the P7 feels more agile than the G9 and, even on regular springs and dampers, comfy enough to compete with its obvious rivals. The P7’s range is impressive too, at up to 358 miles in rear-drive form, but the cabin is a notch behind that of its taller stablemate.…

Audi names its price for new SQ8 e-tron AUDI’S refreshed SQ8 e-tron SUV (above) will cost from £97,500, the company has announced. The range for the three-motor all-electric model, which will be available in SUV and Sportback ‘coupé’ bodystyles, begins with Black Edition, which brings 21-inch alloys, matrix-LED headlights, four-zone climate control and sports seats. There’s also the top Vorsprung Edition, which costs from £114,500. Pick-up option added to Munro’s MK1 range SCOTTISH off-roader brand Munro has unveiled a pick-up version of its MK1. The blocky EV aims to mix off-road ability and practicality for buyers “operating in ultra-challenging environments”. It costs from £49,995 (plus VAT), can take a 1,050kg payload and has a towing capacity of up to 3,500kg. The company will offer a choice of a 61.2kWh or…

We want to hear your views. Send your questions or opinions to the E-mail address below Contact Chris Rosamond mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress FROM: Joseph Lynn AS a roadster owner, I have mixed feelings. I want the roadster to continue in the EV era, but I have reservations. No manual gearbox, high weight and no engine note removes some of the fun. And what will the handling be like? FROM: Graham Morrissey THE motor industry is missing the point. Electric cars need to be small compact low-range vehicles for city types, while the rest of us stick to big SUVs that will do 600 miles on a tankful. If I want a two-seat sports car, I’d want a V8 engine. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk “I couldn’t bring myself to own a…

Richard_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @rsp_ingram EV figures 157-mile range (official) 85kW rapid charging SLOWLY but surely, all corners of the car market are turning electric. What started as an option for big, bulky SUVs, has now trickled down to superminis and even sports cars – plus near enough everything in between. Attempting to leave no stone unturned, Abarth reckons it’s now time for an electric hot hatchback. As they did in the fast-dwindling ICE era, Abarth’s efforts focus on the humble Fiat 500. Taking the EV city car as a base is no bad thing, though; while it’s not as much fun as a MINI Electric, the latest Fiat offers a great balance of ride and handling. Yet Abarth has gone back to the drawing board for the 500, binning the standard car’s…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram “The result is 488bhp, 33bhp more than before, edging it closer to the M3 Competition” IT’S been a big 12 months for BMW’s M Division. Munich’s motorsport arm celebrated its 50th birthday by releasing its first purpose-built M car since the original M1, which took the imposing form of the plug-in hybrid XM SUV. A model much closer to M’s original core values was the new M3 Touring, the very first big-booted hot 3 Series. It didn’t disappoint, providing all the excitement of an M3 saloon but with the practicality of a 500-litre boot thanks to its wagon bodystyle. Neither are cars for the shy or retiring, though, so if you want a more subtle way of going very, very quickly, there is an alternative: the Alpina B3…

WEIGHING up the finances, once again this pair proves to be very closely matched. Take the monthly PCP figures; based on a three-year deal, with a £5,000 customer deposit and a 10,000-mile annual limit, the Vauxhall comes to roughly £410 per month, while the Kia is just under £3 less. Vauxhall offers a £750 deposit contribution, but the Kia’s more generous £1,500 discount – plus a slightly more competitive interest rate – swings things in its favour. The Kia also gains slightly on its rival when it comes to servicing. Vauxhall’s three-year plan costs £20 a month (£720 over 36 months), while the Kia undercuts this, at £539. The marginal gains the Kia holds in fuel economy save it £30 per year. But the Grandland recovers some ground when it…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk WHEN you buy a new or manufacturer-approved used car, getting it serviced when required is a no-brainer. With a new car, free servicing is often used as an enticement to buy or you can get a cost-saving package of services, so it’s in your interest to book your car in for attention when necessary. A manufacturer-approved car will probably have a decent maintenance history and be sold with a recent service. Plus, with both used and new cars, not servicing them when required will hit you in the wallet at resale time. But what if the car is older, with an incomplete or missing service history? An independent dealer may service it before they sell it, but that’s unlikely if you’re buying privately, and you only…

NEW PRODUCT Kaiweets ES20 137 in 1 Precision Screwdriver Set Price: £39.99 Contact: amazon.co.uk Total bits/sockets: 120/9 Rating: POWERED by a 0.35Ah rechargeable battery, the ’driver has buttons for forward and reverse with a choice of two torque settings (0.15-0.35Nm), and a max rotation speed of 200rpm. It can be locked for manual use, but it’s easy to accidentally tap the ‘on’ buttons and, at 190mm long, it’s a bit clumsy. We like the tough and well organised three-part textile holder. The first two hold a huge range of bits and, although they are mostly smaller sizes, all are clearly marked and housed in non-removable plastic holders. The third section has accessories for working on phones and tablets. This is an interesting set, if pricey, and geared more to repairing small…

Search thousands of new and used cars online CO2/tax 185-199g/km £320-£365 Running costs 35-40mpg (SDV6) £134 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.8 seconds/130mph THIS year Land Rover celebrates its 75th anniversary, and it’s fair to say that the brand has come a long way since 1948. For many years its products were crudely engineered yet capable of going anywhere, but in the eighties there was a shift towards greater luxury (the original Range Rover was surprisingly utilitarian), and things have gathered pace since then. The Mk1 Range Rover Sport from 2004 could climb mountains or cruise at high speed on a motorway, all in perfect luxury. The second take on the formula was even more impressive, but it was also far more complex, which had an impact on reliability. So should…

Leung looks for more Donington success THE British GT season heads to Donington this weekend for the fourth race of the calendar. Leading the series is the Century Motorsport team, thanks to 35-year-old Darren Leung and Dan Harper, 22, in their BMW M4 GT3. Leung won his only race in the British GT championship last year at Donington. Last year’s British GT champ Ian Loggie is in second place overall with his new team, 2 Seas Motorsport, although he’s still driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, as he did last year. Just 10.5 points separate the top four teams and with Donington a two-hour race, a maximum 37.5 points will be awarded to the winner. Rain stops play at IndyCar 500 test day IMOLA wasn’t the only motorsport event to receive…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy • Plug-in hybrid variant is set to join the line-up in 2024• Long-standing model grows in size and adds lots of tech BMW has been using a twin-track approach on electrification for some time, mixing combustion power with pure electric on several vehicles. But now the German brand is really ramping it up by applying the policy to one of its most iconic models: the all-new 5 Series. The eighth generation of the executive saloon will be sold as a petrol model or an EV, after a radical range overhaul that sees diesel ditched (in the UK, at least), a plug-in petrol hybrid offered alongside mild hybrids, and a further growth in dimensions to improve the cabin space. An evolved version of BMW’s CLAR platform underpins the car,…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk • Latest corporate look revealed• Hybrid petrol and new EV options “A flush panel between the headlights creates a solid look, with squared-off headlight units” BRITAIN’S favourite supermini has been updated for 2023, with the Vauxhall Corsa receiving new styling, more tech, mild-hybrid petrol engines and a boost in range for the Corsa Electric. The biggest change is to the car’s looks, with Vauxhall tweaking the Corsa’s front end to add its now-trademark Vizor grille. The compact five-door model is the last car in Vauxhall’s line-up to receive this styling feature, which has already been seen on the Mokka, Astra and Grandland. There’s a flush black panel between the headlights, creating a solid look, with the new, squared-off headlight units (upgraded IntelliLux matrix pixel LED units are available for…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy • At the wheel of five-seat G9• UK sales not yet confirmed CHINESE brands are racing towards Europe right now, and many have the UK in their sights. Shanghai company XPeng is hoping that it can join in the rush, and this is our first chance to see how the firm’s flagship SUV, the G9, feels to drive, ahead of a potential arrival in British showrooms late next year or early in 2025. The G9 is a five-seat SUV that’s slightly longer, both overall and in wheelbase, than the likes of the BMW X3. It comes in three specs, starting with a rear-drive 75kWh edition that offers 286 miles of range. The two extended-range versions have 93kWh (net) capacities. One has the same 308bhp rear-drive set-up as the…

Chris_Rosamond@autovia.co.uk • 14.1 per cent drop in a year• May help buyers of used EVs PRICES for used electric cars have slumped as hybrid and ICE rivals soar in value, according to analysis from Autovista, the company behind Glass’s Guide. It says the average retained value in April for a used electric car after three years and 36,000 miles was 47.6 per cent of its new cost. That’s in stark contrast to the retained value of self-charging hybrid models, at 72.8 per cent, and petrol-engined cars at 67.1 per cent. Even supposedly out-of-favour diesels performed much better than electric cars, retaining an average 65.1 per cent of their value at three years old. Compared with last month, the EV figure has dropped by 9.7 per cent, and it’s down by…

THE following provide help with motoring problems. Some services are free, others charge a fee or operate on premium-rate lines (p), while some offer advice for members only (m) Legal AA: 0345 850 1130 (m) RAC: 0330 159 1446 (m) Citizens Advice Consumer helpline: 03454 040506 Local Trading Standards Local Citizens Advice Bureau Used car inspections AA: 0800 056 8040 RAC: 0330 159 0720 Technical advice AA: 0370 142 0002 (m) Driving licences DVLA: 0300 790 6801 Car registration/history HPI: 0113 222 2010 AA: 0800 316 3564 DVLA: 0300 790 6802 RAC: 0808 164 1923 Traffic information AA: 0906 888 4322 RAC: 09003 444999 (p) Problems with dealers The Motor Ombudsman: 0345 241 3008 Consumer Ombudsman: www.consumer-ombudsman.org RMIF: 0845 305 4230 Scottish Motor Trade Assoc. 0131 331 5510 Problems with…

THE Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato (meaning ‘dirt road’ in Italian) is limited to 1,499 cars globally, and marks the final evolution of the Huracán, the marque’s most successful supercar in terms of sales. Although a final 60th anniversary car will follow, based on the regular, road-focused Huracán series, this gravel-ready special is one of the last derivatives on the car’s decade-old platform. It’s also the swansong for the Huracán’s fabulous V10 engine. The Sterrato was born from off-road testing while developing the Urus SUV in 2017. The engineering and design team was inspired to create a prototype off-road version of the Huracán, partly for R&D and partly for fun. They had so much fun with it that hopes for a production version quickly gathered momentum. When CEO Stephan Winkelmann returned to…

WINNER Kia Sportage 1st ONCE again, the Sportage proves why it’s such a strong performer. There really is no glaring weakness in its game, with pretty much any quality you can think of rating from above average to class leading. There’s loads of space inside, it’s comfortable and decent to drive, and it’s more powerful yet slightly more frugal than the Grandland. With a little more star quality than its rival and costing an almost identical amount to run over three years (or being far cheaper to lease), then it takes a deserved win. • Spacious cabin• Solid ride/handling balance• Frugal engine• Infotainment tech •Rough engine note• Less standard safety kit than Vauxhall• High insurance costs INTERESTED? Scan the code for further information RUNNER-UP Vauxhall Grandland 2nd IT’S the runner-up…

Pete_Gibson@autovia.co.uk Running costs 44.9mpg (on test) £84 fill-up £180 or 35% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 588/1,810 litres Performance 0-6xmph/top speed 8.8 seconds/126mph WE chop and change a lot between different manufacturers with our long-term test cars, but it’s always reassuring to go back to a brand you’ve experienced (and enjoyed) before. That’s certainly the case for me now, as I welcome the latest, updated Skoda Karoq to our fleet. I’ve plenty of experience of the Czech company’s vehicles, having had everything from a 1.2-litre Yeti to a Superb and even an Octavia vRS spending extended stays on my driveway over the years. And I’m pleased to say that the Karoq – which remains one of Skoda’s most important models in the UK – feels very much like a typically…

Audi SQ5 Sportback Issues 1,755, 1,765, 1,778 BMWX1 Issue 1,772 Citroen C5 X Issues 1,763, 1,770, 1,778 Cupra Born Issues 1,757, 1,767, 1,776 DS 4 PHEV Issue 1,777 Mazda CX-60 Issues 1,758, 1,764, 1,779 Peugeot 308 Iss. 1,755, 1,764, 1,773, 1,779 Range Rover Issue 1,774 RenaultMeganeE-Tech Issues 1,766, 1,775 Skoda Karoq New arrival VWCaddy Cargo New arrival VWTransporter Issue 1,775 VWT-Roc Issue 1,777 Volvo XC40 Recharge Issues 1,763, 1,769, 1,780 Your ultimate guide to buying and owning an electric car…

BUYING a separate screwdriver for every fastener you encounter would cost a fortune, so a multi-bit set makes a great deal of sense. But which is best? This test is different because we’re putting the previous Halfords winner up against the new ES20 set from Kaiweets, which includes an electric screwdriver. We’re looking for a good range of bit sizes and types, with duplicates for the most-used, because they’re the most likely to be damaged. A case is always useful and any holders should be clearly marked with the size, and so should the bit itself. A ratchet driver should be lockable, which covers all bases. Despite still not coming with a case, the Halfords set remains the one to beat, combining a very useful selection with a seriously good…

IT remains to be seen how BMW’s chassis tweaks have affected the petrol-powered 5 Series, but we can confirm from a short drive in both i5 variants that it’s destined to remain the exec saloon of choice for keener drivers. The steering feels sharp and rear-axle steering helps the whole package to feel more agile than a car weighing 2.2 tonnes should. Indeed, on the right road it could almost pass for its smaller, svelter stablemate, the 3 Series. Both electric powertrains offer lots of shove and exceptional motor refinement. Ride quality, particularly on the adaptive suspension set-up, is exceptional. So while this is the biggest step in the history of one of BMW’s most famous models, we’re already convinced that, regardless of powertrain, it’s going to feel every bit a…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks • Revised look for SUV • Petrol, diesel and PHEV power THE Volkswagen Touareg has just received a mid-life facelift, with changes not only coming to the exterior design and interior technology, but also the way the premium SUV drives. The Touareg is going up against perennial rivals such as the BMW X5 and Mercedes GLE, and VW says it has “implemented the wishes of customers in the new model”. Starting with the cosmetic updates, the facelift is pretty comprehensive. At the front, there’s a new grille, bumper and headlights to give the Touareg a more aggressive look. The rear features a full-width light bar and illuminated VW badge. Fresh wheel designs up to 21 inches in size are available. Four trim levels will be offered: Touareg, Elegance,…

HYUNDAI has worked with legendary designer Giorgetto Giugiaro to recreate the car that established the Korean brand in its own right nearly half a century ago. The legendary Italian designer created the Pony Coupé concept back in 1974, when Hyundai was still in the early days of car production and lacked its own styling studio. It was one of five prototypes built, but never made production because of economic conditions. However, the concept has now been restored to its former glory by Giugiaro and his son Fabrizio, using the original specs and materials. The reborn Pony Coupé concept is powered by a 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 81bhp and driving the rear wheels.…

BRITISH jobs are at risk if import tariffs are imposed on UK-built electric cars sold in Europe, says Vauxhall owner Stellantis. The warning comes as UK industry voices clamour for more government support over the transition to EV manufacturing. The corporation told a parliamentary committee last week that UK car factories will be forced to close with the loss of thousands of jobs, if rules on local content in the Brexit deal are not renegotiated. Currently, cars are exempted from the standard Brexit trading rules, which means ‘only’ 40 per cent of an EV and 30 per cent of its battery content must be made in the UK or Europe. Those figures start to rise from next year, and by 2027, any car’s battery must be produced entirely within the UK…

Chris_Rosamond@autovia.co.uk WOULD you consider letting a garage or bodyshop fit second-hand parts from a scrap dealer to your pride and joy? If the answer’s no, then you’d better check the small print on your insurance. Any number of policies these days have a clause in the T&Cs saying that repairs can include salvaged parts at the whim of your insurer. They call the parts ‘recycled’ or ‘green’ rather than second-hand, which puts a more positive spin on the proposition, and insurers don’t allow any safety-critical used parts to be fitted when dealing with a claim, regardless of their reported condition. Used body and trim parts are fair game, though, as long as they are in a suitable condition, and as long as the car they came from is no older…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram Running costs 273 miles (official) £21 recharge Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.7 seconds/112mph SMART is moving up in the world. At 4,270mm long, the new Smart #1 is almost as long as a pair of ForTwo city cars – if one was parked perpendicular to the kerb – and it’s the company’s first entry in the compact premium electric SUV sector. It lives up to the notion that new cars keep getting larger, but more significantly the #1, driven here for the first time on UK roads, is a change of direction for the firm. It’s the first all-new model to be released since Smart became a joint venture between Mercedes and Chinese company Geely, and it turns its back on the dinky but cleverly designed city cars of…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk THE things I really like about our third-generation long-term BMW xDrive23i M Sport X1 are, in no particular order: the way it looks, the combination of comfort and support on offer from its excellent sports seats, the impressive quality and fine basic design of its high-class interior, the admirable amount of space and practicality it has in its rear seats and boot, its complex-but-brilliant new central touchscreen control system and, for most of the time, the way it drives. That’s a pretty long list of positives, and there aren’t too many negatives I’ve unearthed over the first 4,500 miles with which to ruin it, either, apart from the overly aggressive response of its brakes and the fact that the rev counter isn’t always displayed (call me old fashioned, but…

NEW PRODUCT EZVIZ H8 2K Pan & Tilt Outdoor WiFi security camera Price: £109.99 Contact: argos.co.uk EZVIZ has just launched a cost-effective option for drivers looking to add an extra level of security to garages, outbuildings and driveways, with the H8 2K camera. Key to the success of security cams is minimising false alerts, so the H8 uses an AI algorithm to detect activity. This allows it not only to spot people and vehicles, but also a waving hand, so video calls can be initiated with the young or elderly. The pan and tilt 360-degree panoramic coverage means the camera can watch over outbuildings and parking places, and alert the user via smart notifications. Video is shot in 2K and it an lock onto moving objects, plus the AI tech recognises…

Aston blends with Bowmore for whisky ASTON Martin has collaborated with the Bowmore distillery to create a highly exclusive whisky: the Mokume Edition. The 52-year-old single malt is sold in a one-off decanter made by Aston Martin with a top built up from carbon filaments. It’s linked to 18 special-edition DBX SUVs, created by Aston’s bespoke division and featuring copper inlays made from an original Bowmore whisky still. The decanter and its contents will be auctioned at RM Sotheby’s in May, with the proceeds (estimated at £140,000) donated to the Bowmore Legacy project. Visit sothebys.com for further details. Plug and play EV conversion for Minis ELECTROGENIC, creator of bespoke electric conversions for classic Minis, has launched a plug and play solution that it claims can be fitted by any qualified…

75th Anniversary Porsche 356 Gordon Maltby (Motorbooks, quartoknows.co.uk) Price: £60 Rating: THIS is an in-depth book, presented beautifully with fab imagery and engaging text. The author knows his onions – it’s a fascinating read, especially for fans of the brand. Even the more passive admirers will find something to enjoy. It’s pretty enough to make a great coffee table book, too. Sir Henry Royce: Establishing Rolls-Royce Peter Reese (The History Press, thehistorypress.co.uk) Price: £17.99 Rating: AN excellent biography of one of the most influential men in early motoring, although it also details his influence on aviation. It’s well researched and pitched at a level where even the more casual reader won’t struggle to understand it. Eminently readable, fascinating and quite inspirational given Royce’s humble beginnings. Smash Bandits Available for: iOS,…

Chris_Rosamond@autovia.co.uk KIA has seven cars in the 2022 Driver Power survey, with the Xceed claiming first place, and owners say there are a lot of reasons to like the 16th-place Ceed. In particular, they’re impressed with the low servicing costs, the number of standard safety features and the balance between the physical and touchscreen controls. Reliability is ranked above average, and boot space is impressive, owners tell us. The Kia also scores well for styling, inside and out. But the results show that drivers don’t love the way the Ceed drives. The Kia is ranked 65th for its powertrain, with the smoothness of the gearbox and the engine note being particularly criticised. The ride and handling scores are merely average, too. WE SAID “If you’re looking for a family hatchback,…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks • Team hoping for a big boost in Monaco to revitalise season FORMULA One returns to Monaco this week after heavy flooding in northern Italy led to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola being cancelled. The big news heading into the iconic street circuit event is Mercedes’ planned roll-out of long-awaited upgrades to its W14 car. Back at the Miami Grand Prix, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff confirmed changes to the car were planned for the Emilia Romagna race. Now Monaco will see the debut of Mercedes’ revisions, although there may be limits to the benefits of introducing them at Monte Carlo’s uniquely tight and twisty track. The alterations to the Mercedes car are significant, and we expect to see new bodywork, a fresh floor and a revised…

Join the debate now at autoexpress.co.uk/opinion EERILY and suspiciously quiet is how I’d describe the often fabulously wealthy companies who sell petrol, diesel, LPG, electricity and even a little hydrogen or solar to members of the public via their highly profitable retail outlets. I’m talking here about public filling stations, service areas, fuel forecourts, charging points and other retail establishments in town, out of town, alongside busy motorways, next to quiet country roads, at supermarkets, you name it. Trouble is, most people, me included, are in the dark about how much money each company wants from us for our respective fuels (and yes, electricity is just another fuel) when we’re out and about. As for typical pence-per-mile figures for, say, pure-petrol and 100 per cent-electric cars, refuelled/recharged when drivers are…