Table of contents for 1777 in Auto Express

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk • New i5 electric executive saloon to launch alongside ICE 5 Series • Maximum range of 362 miles; hot M60 model boasts 590bhp “The i5 delivers the balance between comfort and sportiness that every 5 Series has, but its ability has been widened to offer more of both“ THE importance of the i5 to BMW is as great as any car the brand has launched in a long time. The 5 Series is an iconic nameplate – BMW has shifted more than 10 million units in seven generations – and the i5, which is arriving alongside combustion-engined variants of the new 5 Series, is arguably the biggest step ever for the range. But BMW is well placed to capitalise on the growing market for premium EVs, having exploited this…

Gerry McGovern has scored huge hits with Land Rover in recent years. We chatted to him to find out how he has approached a carte-blanche rethink of Jaguar. Q Has reinventing Jaguar been a glorious opportunity or a bit of a challenge? It’s exciting, of course, but could it be daunting as well? A “I don’t consider it daunting. This is absolutely the right way forward for this business, and I’ve more enthusiasm for it now than I’ve ever had. It’s a real opportunity – big stuff.” Q Jaguar is a brand that has perhaps been focused on its heritage in previous years. How have you taken that equity but looked to the future? A “It’s actually there; we found a quote from [Jaguar founder] Sir William Lyons in an…

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk • Mk3 SUV increases in size • Electric and petrol power AFTER images leaked of the brand-new MINI Hatch (Issue 1,775), another all-new MINI has been spied in production form – this time the 2024 Countryman. The new SUV isn’t due to make its debut until later this year, but these shots show the Countryman apes the smaller Cooper hatchback’s cleaner, more contemporary appearance, but with a square-edged look to the grille, headlights and lower bumpers. This car’s lime-green S badges suggest it is a pure EV, which we’ve already experienced from the passenger seat (see right). The new Countryman’s similarities to the upcoming electric Cooper include distinctive features such as sculpted bodywork that flares gently at the wheelarches, creating a defined shoulder below the window-line. The blacked-out pillars…

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.consumerombudsman.org RMIF: 0845 305 4230 Scottish Motor Trade Assoc. 0131 331 5510 Problems with…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks ALFA Romeo claims that the Tonale SUV will be its most popular model in the coming years, and that this plug-in hybrid version will account for at least half of sales, so there’s a lot riding on this new car. The UK also has one of the biggest take-up rates of plug-in hybrid vehicles in Europe. We’ve driven the Tonale PHEV before on the continent, but now it’s time to see how it stacks up on our roads. The Tonale has plenty of solid PHEV rivals in the shape of the latest BMW X1, plus the Mercedes GLA, Audi Q3 and Volvo XC40. However, only the X1 sits in the same eightper cent company-car tax band as the Tonale, and Alfa is placing plenty of importance on fleet…

products@autoexpress.co.uk Running costs 46.3mpg (off icial) £73 fill-up, 32% BiK tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 445/1,290 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 8.3 seconds/128mph WHEN the T-Roc arrived on my drive, there was definitely a case of ‘Honey, I shrunk the car’, because it’s the smallest daily driver I’ve had for some years. Bearing in mind my motorsport habit, all of my recent choices have focused on a vehicle’s ability to tow a car-transporter trailer and lug a large mound of tools and spares, plus all the safety kit that’s required for a day or weekend at the track. Looking at the T-Roc, I was glad that I’d invested in my own pick-up as a towcar, because the words skin and rice pudding came to mind when considering hooking up my trailer…

Coming to a MINI screen near you? MINI has revealed a virtual assistant that could feature in future models. Spike the bulldog, a friend of the brand since 2001, will be brought to life as a digital personality on the central infotainment screen of the MINI Concept Aceman, as more of an ‘active protagonist’ than voice-only options. Although MINI hasn’t announced whether Spike will join production cars as a full-time furry friend, MINI’s head of design says ‘he is not just a design experiment’. Lighting up time for classic Defenders AUTOMOTIVE lighting manufacturer Glohh will release a modernised replacement light unit for the classic Land Rover Defender. The Glohh GL-2 lights, compatible with cars built between 1983-2016, will ‘draw inspiration from the way light shapes the world to strike a…

The Complete Book of Chevrolet Camaro David Newhardt (Motorbooks, quartoknows.com) Price: £45 Rating: THIS is a comprehensive guide for Camaro lovers, providing a detailed overview of every model from its inception to the present. Some readers may be overwhelmed by the tech details, but this a must-have for Camaro fans, that may need some effort to fully appreciate. Complete Guide to Motorhoming in Europe Kathryn Bird (Wandering Bird, quartoknows.com) Price: £13.99 Rating: A VALUABLE resource for anyone planning a trip across Europe. This well researched book provides comprehensive information for each country. But it could benefit from more visual aids and updated info on newer motorhome models. Reckless Getaway 2 Available for: iOS, Android Price: Free Rating: RECKLESS Getaway 2 feels like a not-quite-so-polished clone of Smashy Road. The fundamentals…

Search thousands of new and used cars online IT’S almost three decades since the original Honda CR-V was unveiled. Launched in 1995, it was Honda’s first in-house SUV, and it was available with an optional bootmounted shower, but only with a petrol engine. The car proved hugely popular, and Honda built on this success with an all-new CR-V in 2001, which was available with diesel power for the first time. By the time the fifth-generation CR-V arrived in 2018, it was available with seven seats and a hybrid powertrain. But this year the CR-V Mk5 will be superseded by a bigger model, leaving a smaller ZR-V to fill the space left by the outgoing CR-V – a car that still has lots to offer, despite its age. History THE fifth…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks • Red Bull are race favourites • Alonso, Hamilton aim to shine UNPREDICTABILITY is usually the basis of exciting races in Formula One, and if there’s a place where anything can happen, it’s the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. In the five times F1 has raced there, Mercedes has won twice and Red Bull three times, but no driver has secured more than one victory. Only Valterri Bottas has managed to clinch it from pole position as well, back in 2019. F1 has seen 83 red flags in its history, but a significant number of them have been waved in the past three years – 13 in fact. Last time out at the Australian Grand Prix there were three stoppages in a single race. The 2022 Baku event was red-flagged…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy • Skoda inspired to expand its EV plans after success of Enyaq iV • Updates also planned for Octavia, Kamiq and Scala ICE models “The most radical addition to the plan will come when Skoda launches an all-electric estate” “Arguably the most significant of the new arrivals could be the as-yet-unnamed small SUV”Avarvarii SKODA has had a smash hit with its all-electric Enyaq – but now the brand is set to build on its already-ambitious plug-in plans by introducing six new models within the next four years – including a baby SUV and a rakish wagon that’s the spiritual successor to the Octavia estate. The VW Group brand already had plans to introduce three fresh EVs by the second half of the decade, including a seven-seat flagship previewed…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy • Jaguar brand to be completely ‘reimagined’ • All-new range to consist of just three cars JAGUAR will be led into its all-electric future by a £100,000 four-door GT – and prototypes of the new model will be testing on road by the end of the year, the company has confirmed. The British brand has released the first details of a major reboot, with no replacements planned for its existing models. Instead, Jaguar is being moved upmarket to stand alongside Range Rover, Defender and Discovery as one of four ‘brand pillars’ of JLR (see story, below). The first evidence of this will be the four-door GT, due to go on sale in late 2024, with first deliveries from 2025. The first of a three-car line-up, it will be…

THE Range Rover Velar will lead the push of smaller models towards pure-electric powertrains, when its all-new generation arrives in 2025. JLR has announced that its mid-sized platform, EMA, is now being developed solely for EVs, instead of the planned mix of electric and hybrid set-ups. The firm has said that the first car to use EMA will be a ‘medium-sized SUV from Range Rover’. Auto Express understands that the car is the Velar – and that it will be built at Halewood, Merseyside, with an electric Mk3 Evoque that is likely to arrive in around 2026.…

Goodwood FoS turns spotlight on Porsche PORSCHE will again be the featured marque at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The 2023 event celebrates the 30th anniversary of the FoS, and coincides with 75 years of Porsche sports cars. Expect an iconic sculpture to reflect this, while “a parade of Porsches that have helped define and guide the company’s vision – on circuit and street – will feature on the Goodwood Hill”. Drivers overwhelmed by in-car technology A SURVEY of modern car drivers for Hyundai suggests 40 per cent don’t use all their on-board tech, with a huge 68 per cent saying they’re ‘overwhelmed’ by the gadgets and features. Polling also shows 65 per cent of drivers with voice activation don’t use it, while 57 per cent don’t even use their…

WITH just over a decade until the first end-of-sale deadline for diesel HGVs, there is not a single HGV-dedicated electric charging or hydrogen filling point on Britain’s main trunk roads. The fact has been highlighted by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which last week issued a blunt appraisal of the Government’s efforts to support the transition of heavy road transport to zero-emissions. “The market is shackled by the absence of infrastructure and lack of plan,” it said. “With just over a decade until the first deadline for the UK’s diesel HGV workhorses… lack of infrastructure makes it impossible for operators to contemplate investments to decarbonise their fleets, putting critical CO2 savings of up to 21.1 million tonnes a year at risk.” From 2035, all new HGVs below…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks WE all know BST stands for British Summer Time, but in the case of the Polestar 2 BST Edition 270 it’s actually an abbreviation of ‘Beast’ – a name given to a development version of this car that ran at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2021. The BST Edition 270 was the brainchild of Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath, who still drives ‘The Beast’ around in Gothenburg. We’re behind the wheel of the production model here, which is limited to only 270 units globally. Just 40 of them are coming to the UK, and they’re all already spoken for. So what exactly is this rare Polestar 2 edition? Well, it gets the same 78kWh battery and powertrain as the dual-motor model fitted with the optional Performance Pack. Total…

Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 390/1,190 litres “The interior has a really premium feel, with very little black plastic on display” I’VE swapped from one Stellantis product to another, but while there are plenty of similarities under the skin between our new DS 4 and the Vauxhall Astra that I previously ran, the French car looks and feels like a very different beast. The DS 4 is aimed at premium hatchbacks such as the Mercedes A-Class, BMW 1 Series and Audi A3, and while the design has been toned down a bit since earlier DS models, it definitely isn’t trying to follow the crowd. Whether you appreciate the French idea of premium luxury or not, you have to agree that it stands apart from its German rivals. Personally I like the…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk NEVER having to change a punctured tyre, or sit on the roadside waiting for a breakdown service to do it for you, will be appealing to just about every driver. The allure of run-flat tyres only increases if you are anxious about waiting alone in remote areas, particularly at night. You’ll also not need to carry a spare, wheel-changing gear or get-you-home pump and sealant, freeing up boot storage. In spite of these advantages, the drawbacks mean most cars still come with conventional tyres that need changing or sealing when they puncture. The current generation of run-flat tyres has its roots in the late nineties, when several tyre makers launched designs that aimed to run 50 miles at 50mph on zero air. When pressure is lost,…

NEW PRODUCT Pure Advance Price: £799.99 Available from: purescooters.com Power: 500W Scooter weight 16.2kg Range (claimed): 24.8 miles Rating: PURE has scooped up engineers from the likes of Dyson and folding-bike maker Brompton to create the Advance. The result is an e-scooter that’s packed with clever features. The most radical is a move away from the traditional skateboard-style deck to a pair of fold-down footplates. These mean you have your feet in a more natural – and stable – standing position when riding. The wide handlebars fold, meaning the Advance will easily fit in a hatchback’s boot. If you want to go smaller still, there is a version which folds in the middle so it can slot into the luggage rack on a train. Other clever features include Audi-style scrolling indicators…

PREVIOUSLY known as V8 Supercars, Australia’s Supercars Championship saw the debut of its new Gen3 class this year. However, while car choice has been reduced in a bid to cut costs for teams – with the grid split between the new seventh-generation Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 – the series is thriving. After six rounds, Camaro driver Brodie Kostecki leads the title chase ahead of Ford’s Chaz Mostert and last year’s champion, Shane van Gisbergen. The next race is the Perth SuperSprint, where van Gisbergen took victory in 2022.…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks • All-new model revealed • MHEV and plug-in options “The new E-Class incorporates styling elements inspired by the S-Class and EQE models” THE sixth-generation Mercedes E-Class has arrived, and some significant improvements have been made to the long-running executive saloon car, which will rival the new BMW 5 Series (see Page 10). Every powertrain available in the new E-Class is electrified, following the example set by the facelifted GLE SUV. However, unlike the forthcoming 5 Series, there’s no all-electric version; that alternative is provided by the similarly sized EQE model. When it comes to design, the new E-Class is an evolutionary step over its predecessor. It incorporates styling elements from the S-Class and EQE models – especially the new-look grille (which can be backlit as an option) and…

THE Land Rover badge is to take a back seat compared with some of the firm’s leading models, as part of a major rebranding exercise. Jaguar Land Rover is shortening its own title to JLR, and plans to base its model strategy and retail experiences on four core ‘brand houses’: Range Rover, Defender, Discovery and Jaguar. As a result, Land Rover’s presence will be made more subtle at dealership centres, and particularly at alternative retail set-ups like pop-up stores or boutiques devoted to one brand. JLR has also appointed individual CEOs to Defender, Discovery, Range Rover and Jaguar, and the company’s Chief Design Officer, Gerry McGovern, said, “Range Rover is already a brand. So is Defender. Customers who buy Range Rovers tell us, ‘I have a Range Rover.’ “Clarity of…

Ellis_Hyde@autovia.co.uk @ EllisDrives • Production version of coupé-SUV sticks closely to 2019 concept • Two versions will go on sale next year, priced from around £55k IT’S been five long years since the Cupra Tavascan concept was unveiled, but the sporty Spanish brand has finally revealed the production-ready version of its all-electric coupé-SUV. It’ll hit the streets in 2024 as a rival to the recently released Polestar 4 and Tesla Model Y. The road-going Tavascan’s styling is faithful to the 2019 concept, with the production car retaining the polished black A-pillars and heavily sculpted bodywork. New details for this car include a black front fascia that’s unique to the Tavascan, illuminated Cupra logos and a three-triangle headlight signature – a motif repeated in the tail-lights. These are linked by a…

New Civic Type R sets Nürburgring record HONDA has claimed a new lap record for front-wheel-drive cars at the famous Nürburgring circuit, with the Japanese brand’s latest Civic Type R lapping the 20.832km-long circuit in 7:44.881. The 324bhp FL5-generation Civic hot hatch (above) was shod with sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect tyres. Its predecessor, the FK8 Type R, set a FWD Nürburgring lap record six years ago, but the newer FL5 model undercut that mark by 3.5 seconds. Self-driving Jags set to deliver Asda shopping ASDA has partnered with autonomous vehicle technology start-up Wayve to deliver groceries to customers using self-driving Jaguar I-Pace cars. The trial at Park Royal Asda in London covers a catchment area of 72,000 houses, and locals may be reassured that legislation currently requires…

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk • Latest 750S replaces 720S • Available as coupé or Spider THE next chapter in McLaren’s supercar future has been revealed with the debut of the 750S. A successor to the 720S, the new car sits at the centre of McLaren’s supercar range and is available as a coupé and a Spider from launch. The 750S is an evolutionary model, retaining familiar technical elements that include a carbon-fibre monocoque chassis, a turbocharged V8 engine and the firm’s Proactive Chassis Control adaptive suspension system. The 4.0-litre unit’s twin-scroll turbos benefit from increased boost pressure, while the V8 gets lightweight forged pistons, a bespoke engine management system and a new stainless steel exhaust that’s 2.2kg lighter than the 720S’s. The result is 740bhp and 800Nm, an increase of 30bhp and 30Nm…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress HOT TOPIC Audi’s baby EV FROM: Fred Kipling AT last an EV that doesn’t look like an EV. In my opinion it’s all down to design of what is the “radiator grille”, which on this Audi doesn’t look like most of the other grilles, that is, a blank sheet of metal. Well done, Audi. FROM: Chris Wright I LIKE this Audi EV a lot; it’s a normal mid-sized car, not something gimmicky and odd-looking. I started this whole electric venture seven years ago with a red Audi A3 e-tron PHEV, and I’d definitely have one of these if it’s any good. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “Yet another ID.3 clone from the VW Group. Audi should be allowed to be its own brand.”Luke Baldwin ■ “After four…

Richard_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @rsp_ingram Electric motor Power/range 154bhp/245 miles Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.3 seconds/93mph Practicality Boot (seats up) 380 litres CO2/tax 0g/km 2% BiK tax liability IN the same way we never expected to see the likes of Ferrari and Aston Martin build an SUV, a Jeep with little true off-road prowess could be considered sacrilege in the eyes of brand purists around the world. And yet, with the compact SUV segment now the second-biggest in Europe, and Jeep looking to extend its low and zero-emission reach in key markets, it’s using all of parent company Stellantis’s platform know-how, launching its first EV with two-wheel drive. Jeep’s smallest model uses Stellantis’s latest tech, which means a 54kWh battery for a maximum range of up to 248 miles (245 on models in Summit…

Dean_Gibson@autovia.co.uk @DeanGbsn THE clock is ticking on the Mercedes B-Class, with the company confirming that its premium five-seat MPV won’t be replaced once production of the current generation ends. However, that hasn’t prevented Merc from boosting the car’s appeal with this mid-life update. Much like the updated A-Class (driven in Issue 1,773), the B-Class benefits from a subtle exterior facelift that now includes adaptive LED headlights on all versions, but the big changes are reserved for the interior. Recycled materials have been incorporated into the cabin’s construction, but you’d be hard pressed to tell where they’ve been used, because the B-Class remains a premium product that features plenty of soft-touch materials and Merc’s upmarket metal switchgear. There are hard plastics for the lower door trims, but overall this is a…

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FIRST TEST AVA Car Care Bucket Price: £34.90 Rating: Contact: avastore.co.uk WHEN you look at the tools and potions you use to keep your car looking good, the humble bucket is probably not something you think is in need of reinvention. After all, it only has to hold soapy water to keep us happy. But AVA, a company that is better known for its pressure washers, has taken a fresh look at this essential part of car care. The result is something that goes ‘beyond the pail’ by having numerous clever features to help justify this bucket’s eyebrow-raising price. The most obvious characteristic is the shape. According to AVA, a traditional round bucket encourages water to swirl when you plunge in with your sponge or wash mitt. Like stirring a drink,…

ALTHOUGH the law around e-scooters isn’t changing as fast as many people would like, the technology is still moving quickly. Advances in batteries, drivetrains and security mean that these machines are evolving to become ever more usable, whether you are riding them on private land or running the risk of a fine by using them on a road. For testing we abide by the law, but we do favour e-scooters that conform to European legislation regarding speed limiters and lighting, because these are the most likely to be legalised in the UK when the law is changed. Pure has really pushed the boundaries with the new Advance, which is the first e-scooter to radically rethink the format to make it more stable and easier to ride. It’s expensive and takes…

Chris_Rosamond@autovia.co.uk WHILE a 23rd place in the 2022 Driver Power new-car survey is a pretty positive result, Volvo’s smallest SUV has experienced a 15-place fall in the rankings compared with its excellent showing in the previous year’s Driver Power poll results. There are still aspects of XC40 ownership that drivers really like, especially relating to the car’s interior. It takes third place overall for front-seat comfort and also has top-10 rankings for rear-seat legroom and the availability of interior storage. As you would expect from a Volvo, the safety systems are highly rated, too. But owners seem to have been shocked by the price of servicing, while 25.3 per cent have had something go wrong. WE SAID “The XC40 is a strong contender in its class. It’s not a revelation…

Join the debate now at autoexpress.co.uk/opinion SHOCK, HORROR! The most important bloke in the corridors of power has finally learned of a huge, previously ignored group of people called motorists. And he’s promising to do something for us. Rishi Sunak aims to improve the safety of 50 million car drivers and passengers by providing confirmation that he’s axing his Government’s plans for future ‘smart’ motorways. Too little too late from the Prime Minister? Maybe. But at least he’s partly addressing the inappropriately named ‘smart’ motorway problem, which we’ve suffered for about 17 years. Shame on the countless, clueless, couldn’t-give-atoss PMs and other ministers who weakly permitted such schemes to thrive under their watch. Good on Sunak for promising to build no more. But he must also ensure that existing ‘smart’…