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sean_carson@autovia.co.uk ● New X5 M and X6 M Competition SUVs revealed ● First M division models to feature 48-volt mild-hybrid technology “To match the performance-focused mechanical improvements, BMW’s design team has given the two new M models an aggressive look” HOT on the heels of the updated X5 and X6 (Issue 1,766), BMW has officially unveiled its X5 M and X6 M performance SUVs, both of which will be available in Competition form only. This pairing marks the first time that BMW has offered 48-volt mild-hybrid technology on any of its M division models, and the small electrical boost supports a new 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine. Total power stands at 626bhp for both models, while the hottest X5 and X6 also produce a total of 750Nm of torque, available…

LAST year, Apple revealed details of an update to its CarPlay phone-based infotainment system, but it seems Google has beaten its rival to the punch. It is already rolling out a brand-new look and more features for its Android Auto connectivity tech, following the completion of its development phase. There’s a new split-screen display, regardless of the screen type or size it’s displayed on, which Google says gives access to drivers’ most-used features in one place, reducing the need to return to the home screen or scroll through apps. Google Assistant has been integrated further and can now offer ‘contextual suggestions’, such as sharing arrival times, playing recommended music and “helping you be more productive in the car”. The tech giant also says that digital car key-sharing will be rolled…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk AFTER Toyota revised its Corolla family hatchback and Touring Sports models recently, the Suzuki Swace family estate, which shares the Corolla’s underpinnings, has also been updated. It offers more performance without an impact on efficiency, and additional technology, too. While the Swace retains the 1.8 hybrid powertrain as its only option (there’s no 2.0 hybrid, as found in the Corolla), the electric motor’s output has increased from 71bhp to 93bhp, so the combined power output now stands at 138bhp. That’s a 15 per-cent increase compared with the old model. It means performance has improved, with the Swace’s 0-62mph time dropping to 9.4 seconds, 1.7 seconds faster than before. This performance has been possible with no change to the car’s economy or emissions, claims Suzuki, so the updated Swace still…

MARKING 25 years of its iconic sports car, Audi has revealed the TT Final Edition model, available as a coupé or Roadster and in either 40 TFSI petrol or TTS form. The high-spec Final Editions feature a black styling pack, 20-inch alloys and red brake calipers. Inside, the extended leather pack, Technology Pack and MMI Navigation Plus are all included. The models go on sale from March, with prices starting from £41,910 for the coupé and £43,660 for the Roadster.…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks Running costs 64.2mpg (official) £59 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.7 seconds/109mph WITH the excellent GR Yaris, GR Supra and GR86 within its stable, Toyota’s sporty Gazoo Racing brand has cemented itself in the performance car world. It makes business sense, then, that the GR name should extend to milder cars, in a similar vein to Ford’s ST-Line and Hyundai’s N Line trims. Step forward the Yaris GR Sport. We love the GR Yaris, so much so that it won our Performance Car of the Year award in 2021. You should rein in your expectations, however, because the Yaris GR Sport is based on the standard Yaris, rather than the rally-bred, limited-run three-door model. As with the last Yaris GR Sport, the new one uses a hybrid powertrain, including…

● National Highways admits it can’t deliver planned schemes ● Budget cut by £3.4billion while costs have risen by £3.6bn WE’RE in the middle of the second of the trio of five-year Roads Investment Strategy plans – RIS1, 2 and 3 – which were announced in 2014. About £17bn was spent as part of RIS1 from 2015 to 2020, with £27bn allocated for RIS2 from 2020 to 2025, yet almost a year ago, National Highways (NH) admitted delivery of the 69 schemes planned for RIS2 was impossible. It cut the number of RIS2 projects to 58, while the DfT reduced the budget by £3.4bn. The National Audit Office (NAO) says costs for the surviving projects have risen by £3.6bn, and it has been critical of NH planning and budgeting. “DfT…

THE used car isn’t the bargain it once was. With long waiting times for a lot of new cars, many buyers are turning to second-hand motors, and that increased demand has had an inflationary effect on prices. However, things are definitely starting to ease, and there are still great deals worth seeking out. We’ve rounded up 92 used cars that are worth spending your hard-earned cash on, from sub-£1,000 bargains to nearly new and in some cases pretty plush options nudging £30,000. There’s a focus on practicality here, but we’ve allowed ourselves to indulge in the occasional bit of spice. Keep an eye out for the buying advice we’ve interspersed throughout these pages, so if you do spot something you like, you’re well prepared to look for the right things,…

WINNER BMW M850i 1st IT doesn’t take long behind the wheel of the 8 Series to grasp that BMW set out to produce a continent-crushing grand tourer. It managed to fill its brief very well indeed. This is a comfortable four-seater that’s at home on a motorway or when gently cruising along with the roof down. Yet there’s more capability from the chassis than you might expect, and the engine hangs on to the coat tails of the Mercedes. Once the gulf in prices (especially with finance deals) is considered, then the BMW takes the win in this test. ● Brilliant refinement ● Strong performance ● Slick infotainment tech ● Not the sharpest to drive ● Heavy depreciation ● More buffeting than the SL with the roof down RUNNER-UP Mercedes-AMG…

SAME CLASS Aston Martin DB11 Volante IF £180,000 for a new DB11 Volante is a little too much, then a nearly new version will fall within the SL’s budget. Even beside the handsome Mercedes, the Volante will draw admiring looks, while its long-distance ability is second to none, thanks to its mix of performance and comfort. We’d like the cabin to feel a little more special for the cash, but otherwise it’s a fabulous standard-bearer for the best of British. ● Long-distance comfort ● Beautiful styling ● Cabin quality could be better ● Not much space in the back SAME MONEY Ferrari Portofino IT’S the entry-point to Ferrari’s range, but the Portofino still oozes that Maranello character. There’s true supercar performance on offer, plus excitement from the rear-drive chassis and…

Pete_Gibson@dennis.co.uk Running costs 50.5mpg (test) £69 fill-up Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 451/1,445 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 10.8 seconds/102mph “Our first Niro had to go back because of a fault, and the second was far from infallible” THERE are times, it must be said, when you have to look beyond a certain issue or problem with a car, and try to see the bigger picture. And that’s certainly been the case with our Kia Niro Hybrid, which has occasionally put us through the mill over the past six months, while still managing to demonstrate plenty of pleasing qualities. To recap, Kia sells the Niro in three versions – full hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and highly rated EV. We elected to not be thrown at the mercy of the UK charging network, which…

SAVE 43% ON THE SHOP PRICE After your initial 6 issue trial, your subscription will continue at £28.99 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. YOUR FREE GIFT Money is tight, make your screenwash go further with a free gift of CarPlan Demon Shot Screenwash Booster. Demon Shot is a new, innovative screenwash booster from CarPlan. Demon Shot can either be diluted with water or used neat to boost your existing screenwash temperature, meaning it is ideal for emergency or routine top ups. One bottle of Demon Shot makes up to…

Forgotten Motoring: A Miscellany on the Open Road Peter Ashley (ACC Art Books, accartbooks.com) Price: £12 Rating: THIS book looks back at life on the UK’s roads when businesses used Morris 8cwts and a family car was likely to be a Humber or a Hillman. It won’t take long to finish this picture book and its charming commentary, but everyone you show it to is likely to find something that makes them say ‘ooh!’. British Luxury Cars of the 1950s and ’60s James Taylor (Shire Library, bloomsbury.com) Price: £8.99 Rating: WITH names such as Alvis, Lagonda and Jaguar gracing the pages, this is a fantastic era of motoring to focus a book on. As with most Shire titles, it’s short, although a useful ‘further reading’ section gives you some ideas…

CO2 /tax 159-219g/km £220-£360 Running costs 38-40mpg (sDrive23i) £82 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.6 seconds/151mph OF the mass-market premium brands, BMW has been close to the front of the pack of car makers producing drivers’ cars. Despite this, its focus has been more on ‘sporting’ cars rather than sports cars. If you’ve wanted a brilliant family estate or SUV that’s also fun to drive, BMW has delivered, but if you fancied a two-seater roadster with an emphasis on dynamics over practicality, not so much. Then in 1996, the company launched the Z3, which offered a blend of style, usability, affordability and fun. The Z4 that replaced it built on this, with the Z4 Mk2 bringing everything nicely up to date. Now the Z4 Mk2 is a modern classic. History THE second-generation…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks ● All 2023 cars now revealed ● First race on 5 March in Bahrain THE full 2023 grid of Formula One cars has been confirmed, with all teams revealing their new liveries. Minimal changes to the regulations have been introduced, so we’re not seeing any radical alterations, unlike last year when components such as larger wheels, front-wheel covers and smoother surfacing were implemented. Most teams have subtly tweaked their looks since last year, but Mercedes has reverted to the black scheme that it used in 2020 and 2021 in a stand against racism. However the reason for the switch is a bid to save weight, with team boss Toto Wolff saying, “We were overweight last year. This year we have tried to figure out where we can squeeze…

IF TV news bulletins, radio phone-ins, newspaper headlines and social-media discussions are anything to go by, the subject of air quality is close to the top of the agenda again. And that’s no bad thing. Whether you’re a walker, pedaller, public transport struggler or car/van user (personally, I’m all of the above), rich or poor, a city or country person, young or old (or old, but young at heart like me!), the debate isn’t merely welcome – it’s imperative. But if it’s to be conducted correctly, fairly and productively, there has to be a shift away from the increasingly common stance from motorist-loathing politicians, public transport-obsessed eco-warriors and others, that cars are the problem here. Organisations and individuals singling out the car as the cause of air pollution are being…

Yousuf_Ashraf@autovia.co.uk @ashrafoncars ● Plans are in place to turn Insignia into a high-riding crossover ● All-electric powertrain will be optimised for 450 miles of range LAST year the UK bade farewell to the Vauxhall Insignia. The once-popular family car suffered dwindling sales before being discontinued in the wake of the SUV boom and a much-heralded push towards electrification. But Auto Express has learned that Vauxhall is planning for the Insignia’s return with a radical class-busting replacement by the middle of the decade. As our exclusive images preview, the new model is likely to take the form of a high-riding, sleekly profiled crossover. Vauxhall Vice President of Design Mark Adams has revealed that in response to the SUV trend, the next Insignia will abandon the more traditional hatchback design. Speaking exclusively…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler ● Qashqai rival is Omoda’s first UK car ● Full range to come from Chinese brand ANOTHER new name will be arriving in UK showrooms in the early part of 2024, when the Omoda 5 will spearhead a range of new models coming from Chinese car maker Chery. Although Omoda won’t be familiar to UK buyers, the name Chery may well ring bells, thanks to its joint venture with Jaguar Land Rover in China. Despite only being founded in 1997, Chery is already the biggest exporter of cars in the country. The Omoda 5 is a mid-size SUV set to rival the likes of the Nissan Qashqai. It makes use of Chery’s own T1X platform and will initially be powered by a 1.6-litre TGDI petrol engine delivering 194bhp…

We want to hear your views. Send your questions or opinions to the E-mail address below Contact Tristan Shale-Hester mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress HOT TOPIC ULEZ expansion FROM: Danny Watkins THERE’S a lot of hullabaloo about the ULEZ expansion, but it doesn’t affect that many people. Most petrol cars built after 2005 and diesels built after 2015 are compliant. The average age of a car in the UK is 8.4 years. FROM: Gareth Field THE ULEZ expansion is a money-making exercise, plain and simple. Or, worse, it could be a convenient excuse to install ANPR cameras down every single road in London that will then be used for other enforcement actions. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “It won’t happen. There’s too much opposition from the public and councils.” Ian Dent ■…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks “At higher speeds, the C 300 d can almost replicate the smooth running of an S-Class luxury car” IT’S no secret that the UK diesel market is struggling. Just over three per cent fewer diesel cars were sold in 2022 compared with 2021 and it doesn’t look like that trend will change any time soon. So does diesel even remotely make sense in 2023? Mercedes obviously thinks it does, because the latest C-Class comes with a variety of diesel options, including this 300 d Estate model. Ignoring the hot AMG models, the C 300 d sits just below the range-topping C 300 e plug-in hybrid petrol model in the line-up. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel is the same unit as in the more affordable 220 d and is essentially…

Yousuf_Ashraf@autovia.co.uk @ashrafoncars Performance 0-62mph/top speed 7.8 seconds/146mph Plug-in hybrid Electric range/BIK rate 39 miles/12 per cent VAUXHALL is on the road towards full electrification, with the firm pledging to become EV-only as soon as 2028. As part of this plan, it’s created the GSe performance sub-brand, which is currently applied to plug-in hybrids. We tried the Astra GSe hatch recently (Issue 1,765) and now it’s time to see how the Sports Tourer estate fares. Under the skin, Vauxhall’s GSe models feature a more powerful 222bhp version of the Astra’s 1.6-litre plug-in hybrid petrol powertrain. There’s a retuned chassis, too, with the goal of the GSe brand to combine efficiency and driving fun in one package. Vauxhall has abandoned the boisterous visuals of its older VXR models in favour of a…

● £12.64billion needed to return local roads to proper condition ● RAC survey shows record level of frustration among drivers “THE link between underinvestment and the decline and below-par conditions of our roads is clear, with local authorities telling us it would take £12.64billion to bring them up to scratch,” said Rick Green of the Asphalt Industry Alliance. The RAC has recorded record levels of frustration in its driver surveys this year, too. “We’ve called on the Government to look at the condition of roads as a priority, and to look at new ways of funding maintenance,” said Nick Lyes, RAC head of roads policy. “Drivers pay £40billion to the Treasury every year and don’t believe they’re getting back what they put in. In fact, they think they’re getting less…

MATT ROBINSON Deputy executive editor Used prices are rising, but new ones are going up faster still, so buying second-hand will see someone else taking the depreciation hit. JOHN McILROY Deputy editor On some cars, certain engines and trims are sought after, so if you’re willing to compromise, you can pick up big savings. STEVE FOWLER Editor-in-chief Any new or used car purchase should be a fun process, from doing your research, to test driving it and sealing the deal, so enjoy it! SEAN CARSON Associate editor Everything is online these days, but when buying used, I print off the ads for each car I’m considering for a direct comparison in front of me.…

469 bhp Powertrain 4.0 litre, V8 18.9mpg Fuel tank £119 fill-up 3.9 secs Performance 183mph 213 litres Boot space MODEL TESTED: SL 55 4MATIC+ Premium Plus PRICE: £147,475 POWERTRAIN: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo petrol, 469bhp AT £147,475, the SL 55 certainly comes with a big asking price. But as we’ll see, Mercedes has thrown everything it knows at this newcomer when it comes to performance and luxury-oriented tech. Our car’s gorgeous Patagonia Red paint is a £1,600 option, lifting the total to £149,075. Tech highlights MERCEDES performance division AMG started with a clean sheet when it began development of this Mk7 SL. The result is an all-new roadster architecture, with a composite aluminium structure that shares nothing with its predecessor, or with any other Mercedes model. The new bodyshell’s torsional stiffness…

SAME CLASS Bentley Continental GTC WITH prices starting from nearly £200,000, the Continental GTC is hardly cheap, but it quickly reveals so many layers to its repertoire that more than justify that price – plus the inevitable extras once you start to customise every leather, wood and metallic surface. The 542bhp twin-turbo V8 engine allows for a top speed of 198mph, yet in terms of comfort and refinement, it beats even the already impressive BMW. Judge it by its luxury and sense of occasion (take the pure theatre of the rotating central display, or the Naim sound system, which is among the finest in any car), and little else comes close. ● Fantastic performance ● Wonderful refinement ● Beautifully finished cabin ● Expensive to buy ● Thirsty ● Infotainment isn’t…

Dean_Gibson@autovia.co.uk @DeanGbsn Practicality Cargo capacity/payload 0.65 cubic metres/425kg “The Corolla’s car-derived cabin is more upmarket than in most small vans” I HATE to admit it, but driving the Toyota Corolla Commercial made me a little bit paranoid. This feeling wasn’t due to worries that it would break down or need some TLC to keep it in tip-top shape – it was a Toyota, after all – but was more to do with what was going on around you. Chiefly, the things you couldn’t see. Part of the Corolla’s conversion from five-seat Touring Sports estate to two-seat Commercial is the addition of opaque tints for the side windows, but these had a surprising impact on rearward visibility. If you’re tall like me, then you’ll appreciate the wide range of seat adjustment…

BMH springs into action for Brit classics LEAF your worries behind and spring forward with your classic restoration project with British Motor Heritage, which has added a range of replacement suspension parts to its inventory. Owners of MGB, MGC, Midget/Sprite, MG TA, TB, TC, TD and TF, Triumph TR2 and Spitfires and Austin Healey 3000s can now buy original-quality leaf springs for their cars. Made in conjunction with UK-based GB Springs, the newcomers are batch-tested and carry the BMH stamp of approval. Visit bmh-ltd.com for more information, to find a supplier or to browse the whole catalogue. Poll shows tyre load knowledge is poor A SURVEY of 1,000 motorists commissioned by Apollo Tyres has discovered that only six per cent of UK drivers can identify a tyre’s load rating. It is signified…

1975-1981 Cavalier Mk1 VAUXHALL’S first Cavalier was a smash hit. Based on the second-generation Opel Ascona, and available as a saloon or coupé, it scored well against the ageing Mk3 Ford Cortina, and demand outstripped supply in the early months. 1981-1988 Cavalier Mk2 SwITCH from rear to front-wheel drive didn’t dent the Cavalier’s popularity. A five-door hatchback and an estate joined the saloon, while the SRi performance variant had up to 130bhp and a top speed of 120mph. 1988-1995 Cavalier Mk3 Two-door and estate models were binned, leaving only a five-door hatch and four-door saloon. This generation introduced ABS and airbags, plus a high-performance version with 200bhp and four-wheel drive. 1995-2002 Vectra B THE Vectra name had been used by Opel since 1988, but Vauxhall didn’t use it until the…

Espace badge set for return on hybrid SUV RENAULT has teased its forthcoming Espace, revealing that the famous MPV name will transfer to a more SUV-style model when it arrives later this year. The new Espace will rival the likes of the Nissan X-Trail, with which it shares a platform, and will take several cues from the Austral SUV. It should be offered in five and seven-seat form, and feature Renault’s hybrid and mild-hybrid petrol powertrains. However, the new model is not expected to go on sale in the UK. Popular Austrian VW festival cancelled FEARS about its environmental impact have caused the cancellation of one of Europe’s top Volkswagen car festivals. The event in Wörthersee, Austria, which was first run in 1982, has fallen victim to a political push…

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…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler Performance 0-62mph/top speed 4.1 seconds/177mph Electric motor Power/range 134bhp/25.5 miles BENTLEY is taking a step-by-step approach towards electrification, with the Flying Spur saloon the latest to get the plug-in hybrid treatment, and we’ve driven it in the UK for the first time. Electrification suits a Bentley. You get the balance of swift, silent electric progress (for up to 25.5 miles on a full charge) with V6 petrol and electric power combined when you want a bit of performance. In fact, it’s more than just a bit of performance, given that 536bhp will get the Flying Spur from 0-60mph in just 4.1 seconds, only 0.1 seconds behind the V8. As for economy, the Hybrid delivers a claimed 85.6mpg versus 22.2mpg for the V8. In the real world the savings…

“I’M a driver myself and I get a row from my other half every time I hit a pothole. I can tell you the state of the little lane that my house is on – I saw a picture of the surface of Mars recently, and it wasn’t dissimilar. “How is it monitored? Do you look at the number of complaints or claims that a local authority gets from drivers? The first scrutiny will be with the Secretary of State once he’s made decisions about budget. There are inflationary pressures and competing priorities, but I want to scrutinise how decisions are made, and if there is the right balance between public transport projects, road improvements and everything else.” “There are competing priorities, but I want to scrutinise how decisions are…

THERE are lots of ways to buy used. Of course, at the bottom end of the market and the lower price brackets that we’ve selected, cash is still king. And paying cash also means you might be able to haggle a little more (depending on where you buy from) to bag as big a bargain as possible, given the current squeeze on the cost of motoring we’re experiencing. However, as prices rise and your sources for second-hand cars widen – including manufacturer forecourts and big used-car outlets – finance becomes a major factor. Taking credit will most likely be through a PCP deal, which will see you put down a deposit (maybe even using your own car in part-exchange as a source of funds), before paying a monthly sum over…

523 bhp Powertrain 4.4 litre, 8cyl 22.1mpg Fuel tank £101 fill-up 4.1 seconds Performance 155mph 350 litres Boot space MODEL TESTED: M850i xDrive Convertible PRICE: £119,200 POWERTRAIN: 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbo petrol, 523bhp WHILE the M850i is cheaper than the Mercedes on paper – prices start at £119,200 – there’s a much longer options list to bump that cost up. The car you see in these images has £15,000-worth of extras, bringing the total much closer to the Mercedes, at £134,200. Tech highlights EARLY 2022 saw the 8 Series receive a subtle range of mid-life updates. The changes include a reprofiled front bumper with revised air intakes, while the kidney grilles are now backlit for a more distinctive presence at night. The M850i also features the door-mirror design previously reserved for…

NEITHER car is likely to be bought on the strength of its value for money above all else, but for those who might consider it a deal-breaker, the BMW offers significantly lower costs over a three-year finance deal. Place a £15,000 deposit on each for a three-year PCP agreement with a 10,000-mile annual limit, and the Mercedes comes to a fairly startling £2,766 per month. That’s with a representative APR of 11.9 per cent. That figure is high compared with BMW’s 4.9 per cent representative figure, which makes a huge difference in itself when borrowing such large sums. The biggest difference between the two, however, comes through BMW’s incentives, which currently include a whopping £17,000 discount off the list price of the M850i when taking finance. Match the terms elsewhere,…

PREMIUM CONVERTIBLES There’s plenty to think about when it comes to these two convertible sports car rivals Sean Carson Associate editor LOOK at the SL 55’s specs, and it’s clear that Mercedes-AMG set its sights squarely on the Porsche 911 without considering the other competition. Unfortunately, the SL is too heavy and lacking in feedback to beat the Porsche, yet it barely offers any more refinement, either. John McIlroy Deputy editor WHILE the BMW is undoubtedly impressive, I can’t help but feel that the next step down in the 8 Series range offers 95 per cent of the performance while delivering near-identical levels of comfort and luxury. What’s more, the 840i starts from £88,160 – more than 30 grand less than the M850i. Dean Gibson Senior test editor I’M looking…

Dawn_Grant@autovia.co.uk Running costs 49.3mpg (on test) £78 fill-up Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 422/1,389 litres AFTER only three months on the fleet, it’s already time to say goodbye to our Vauxhall Astra. I’m pleased to report that we found plenty to recommend in the latest generation of one of the UK’s favourite vehicles. But it did have a tendency to cry out for attention a little too often. I’m referring to the alarm, which proved to be the only major glitch during the Astra’s time with us. Early on, it developed a habit of going off randomly. On the majority of occasions, it was very soon after the vehicle had been locked – and so most of these incidents happened outside my flat. But it did make me a bit paranoid…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk HOW TO Change a wheel Sort out a puncture CHANGING a wheel was something just about every driver faced a decade ago, but the rise of large rims and the replacement of spare tyres with sealants and pumps has seen the need to get down and dirty with a jack and brace decline. There are still times it needs to be done, however. Breakdown services are hard pressed and can take hours to turn up to change a wheel if the driver is not vulnerable or in a dangerous place. If you have the equipment and a spare tyre in the boot, you could save yourself hours at the side of the road. You may also need to do it at home if you discover a puncture…

CAR makers have invested millions on sophisticated infotainment systems, but many drivers prefer to use their phone’s apps. For this reason, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have become must-have features on any new car. But there is no need to upgrade your motor just to get this functionality; you can just fit a new entertainment system. There are fitting kits which will allow you to swap the factory-fit infotainment to a standardised double-DIN touchscreen unit. In most cases the device just plugs in and can even incorporate steering-wheel controls and reversing cameras. Kenwood’s DMX5020DABS won our last test and has had a £50 price drop. Its new rival here is from Road Angel, a name we respect for its dash cams and speed-camera detectors. It’s a good first effort, but…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk OWNERS tell us they love some aspects of Evoque ownership, but there’s one big issue with the Range Rover: reliability. Although a 53rd place in our 2022 survey meant it wasn’t quite the worst car listed (there are 75 overall), it was Evoque Mk2 owners who recorded the most faults, with more than half of those who responded saying they’ve had problems with their cars. Suspect reliability is not the only issue, either, with running costs ranked in 74th position, while for value the Evoque clinched last place in the survey. There are some big upsides to ownership, though. The exterior design was rated in first place overall, while ride and handling earned the sixth spot. WE SAID “Some rivals offer a more engaging driving experience, but the Evoque…

Wehrlein on top of the Formula E standings IN four previous seasons in Formula E, Pascal Wehrlein only managed one win, but the German driver has already racked up two in the opening four races of 2023, leading the championship ahead of Britain’s Jake Dennis. The race taking place in Cape Town, South Africa in late February is the first Formula E event to run in the country. Like almost every other Formula E event, it will be held on a street circuit, around the Soccer City stadium and through Cape Town’s Waterfront district. Formula E bosses will be hoping for a better performance from the Gen3 car after data from the Diriyah race in Saudi Arabia showed the new racer was slower than the Gen2 model from the 2022…