Table of contents for 1825 in Auto Express

Ellis_Hyde@autovia.co.uk @EllisDrives “Of the 30 global models, 16 will be electrified, with the rest relying solely on internal-combustion engines” Reborn Micra, Juke and Leaf among planned newcomers New tech promises boosted power, efficiency and cost savings NISSAN has confirmed that it will launch five fresh electric vehicles in Europe by 2026, including the all-new Micra and Juke, as well as the replacement for the pioneering Leaf electric hatchback – which is likely to be a crossover SUV. The first of these to arrive will be the new Nissan Micra, due to be unveiled later this year. It will be based on the same technology that underpins the recently unveiled Renault 5 E-Tech. It will be produced by the Renault Group’s EV-dedicated company Ampere, and be based on its AmpR Small…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler Kia EV9 beats BYD and Volvo Wins also for BMW and Toyota THERE was more Korean success at this year’s World Car of the Year awards, with both Kia and Hyundai claiming wins alongside BMW, Volvo and Toyota. Kia’s all-electric EV9 SUV scooped the ultimate prize, being named World Car of the Year for 2024 at last week’s New York International Auto Show. The new model beat competition from the Volvo EX30 and BYD Seal to take the prestigious overall award. It also picked up the title of World Electric Car of the Year ahead of the BMW i5 and, as with the main award, the EX30. There was some success for Volvo, though, with the EX30 taking the World Urban Car of the Year award. Other winners…

VAUXHALL’S Mokka Electric line-up has received a new entry-level trim called Griffin, which slashes the price of the battery-powered small SUV. Starting at £29,495, the Mokka Electric Griffin undercuts Design trim level by £7,115. It’ll be available to order from 17 April, with deliveries beginning in June. The Griffin uses the older 50KWh battery, offering 209 miles of range, and features a 134bhp motor. Standard kit includes heated front seats and steering wheel, a rear-view camera and a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system.…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler Long-range plans prove Fiat’s famous Panda name is far from going extinct New family of models will share practicality, roominess and simplicity JUST a few weeks ago, Fiat CEO Olivier François stunned the automotive world with not only one Fiat Panda concept, but a whole family of Pandas. Now, speaking exclusively to Auto Express, he explains why the time is right for the famous name to be reinvented for a new generation. François and his bosses had teased us with new Pandas before, most recently with the Centoventi concept from 2019. “I’ve been brand CEO since 2011,” says François, “and I had all these Pandas already designed and so on. The thing is that I had no platform.” Now, with Fiat firmly ensconced in the Stellantis family, he…

Tom_Jervis@autovia.co.uk @thomaswjervis New guidance from Magistrates’ Association calls for reform, and aims to expose ‘secret’ Single Justice Procedure system MAGISTRATES have accused the UK’s courts of “fast-tracking” speeding fines, without reviewing all of the necessary pleas and evidence. In a newly issued 12-point set of recommendations, the Magistrates’ Association (MA) called for “reform” and “transparency” on the UK’s Single Justice Procedure (SJP), saying the “secret” way this operates can cause harm for “some of society’s most vulnerable people”. The Single Justice Procedure is the most common judiciary method in the UK, with more than 40,000 criminal cases being handled this way each month. It generally covers most motoring offences, including speeding, using your phone while driving, overtaking a cyclist dangerously, driving without insurance and running a red light. The SJP…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks Melbourne action keeps teams on their toes More stories to tell as F1 heads to Suzuka WHO could’ve predicted the drama of this year’s Australian Grand Prix? Max Verstappen’s early retirement gave a rare opportunity to the rest of the grid for a win, which was grabbed firmly by Carlos Sainz – a man who had been on the operating table just two weeks earlier for an appendix removal. You might think Azerbaijan would be next on the calendar, but Japan has been shifted up from its usual summer spot. Just as in 2023, Verstappen will be heading to Suzuka having not won a race (he finished fifth in Singapore last year before Japan), and the defending champion will be hoping for a repeat of last year, when…

Renault 5 - Recycled denim DID you know that your old pair of Levi’s could have made it into this year’s hottest EV? The electric Renault 5 gets recycled denim fabric on the seats (below) – a throwback to the R5 Blue Jeans Edition of the late eighties. Range Rover Evoque - Eucalyptus Melange fabric RANGE Rovers are known for being wrapped from wheel to wheel in the finest leather, but what should vegan customers do? Land Rover thinks it’s found the solution with posh fabrics made of eucalyptus – a plant that grows fast and consumes very little water. Cupra Born - Seaqual recycled marine plastic fabric THERE are estimated to be at least 171 trillion pieces of plastic floating in our oceans, and in a bid to rectify…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk THE Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is an even better car to drive than the road after which it’s named – and, in places, the Stelvio Pass is quite some road. But then, the Quadrifoglio has always been one of the world’s more exciting SUVs, and Alfa has just made it a whole lot better. The 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine has got a touch more power (512bhp), with torque unchanged at a thumping 600Nm. The eight-speed paddle-shift auto gearbox it’s attached to is also the same as before, but the drive modes and software have been tweaked, making it sharper when needed and otherwise more refined. As a result, the performance is pretty savage for a 1,850kg car with five seats and a very big boot (525 litres with the…

WINNER Renault Clio 1st WITH its combination of decent space, good ride comfort, agile handling and value for money, the Renault Clio remains an excellent all-rounder that’s difficult to beat in the supermini sector. The most recent updates have done nothing to detract from its talents, while the hybrid system feels better calibrated and more sophisticated than Toyota’s tried-and-tested set-up. Combine this with an interior that looks and feels more upmarket than the Clio’s price suggests, and it’s a winner. • Great value for money • Effective hybrid system • Decent cabin quality • Boot and passenger space • Infotainment shows its age • High boot lip • Shorter warranty than Toyota • Flimsy switchgear in places INTERESTED? Scan the code for further information RUNNER-UP Toyota Yaris 2nd THERE’S plenty to like about the Yaris, and…

SAME MONEY Toyota Corolla IF you like the idea of hybrid drive but need more power and space than the Yaris has to offer, then a used Corolla hatchback will be a suitable alternative. At this price you’re getting a prefacelift model, but like the Yaris, the lower-powered version of the Corolla offers more than enough performance and fuel economy. The 1.8 is available in every trim, so you could opt for racy GR Sport specification, or the even more practical Touring Sports estate. • Efficient hybrid tech• Good to drive • Class rivals are roomier• Not the best infotainment SAME CLASS MINI Cooper FOREGO rear-seat space and a MINI Cooper could be a sporty alternative. There’s no hybrid drive here, just a very efficient engine that’s equipped with an…

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk WE’RE now a good way into our stint with the moody black Mercedes EQE, and during the bleak winter months there has been a particular highlight to driving around in the gloom. Being a top-spec Premium Plus, our car features the firm’s Digital LED headlights, and they are a truly brilliant innovation. Bright LEDs aren’t inherently new tech – almost all new cars feature them – but it’s in the active-lighting arena where they can vary. This is an area in which Mercedes has always been right at the forefront of technology, and this is demonstrated on the EQE. As well as standard full and dipped beams, the Digital aspect is where things get really advanced, because it uses up to 1.3 million individual light pixels to actively adjust…

SPRING is the perfect time to clean the grime from your car and look forward to a summer of shining paint and gleaming interiors. We’ve put 86 lotions and potions through the most rigorous tests in the business. This will help you make the most of your money and time by choosing the most effective car care treatments. This year’s main test sees us put snow foams under the spotlight. Once you’ve finished cleaning the paintwork, you might want to attend to any minor damage with a scratch remover, or add some extra gloss with a wash wax treatment. We also run the rule over leather and interior trim cleaners.…

WHETHER you are the type of driver who likes to pamper your car every weekend, or someone who cleans it only when the neighbours start to complain about the state it’s in, you might wonder about the real cost of washing your vehicle. The products we test here at Auto Express throughout the year can seem expensive in isolation, so is it actually cheaper just to nip to your local hand wash, or even run your car through an automated machine at a petrol station? We fired up the spreadsheet to work it out. The automated car wash FIRST, we visited a nearby automated car wash, at the BP fuel station in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. The mid-price option seemed to be the best value, offering a shampoo, wheel and under-chassis wash,…

CO2/tax 0-153g/km £0-£180 Running costs 43-50mpg (PureTech 130) £64 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 8.9 seconds/122mph IT’S amazing how much some mainstream brands have upped their game when it comes to design, build quality and reliability – plus, as a result, desirability. Several of them are part of the Stellantis Group, and these include Vauxhall, Citroen and Peugeot – all of whom are streets ahead in most respects compared with where they were only a few years ago. The 2008 is a perfect example of this, because when the original was launched in 2013 it was worthy enough, but it didn’t stand out in any way. The second-generation 2008 arrived seven years later, morphing into a more muscular SUV in the process. This metamorphosis led to showroom success despite high purchase…

jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk All-new Explorer EV sits at the heart of Ford’s future plans Official specs revealed – what are our first impressions? FORD is going through huge changes. Iconic nameplates such as Fiesta and Mondeo have been taken away, with the Focus next on the chopping block. The future is all electric, and the new Explorer is at the heart of the plan. Now, Auto Express has had an early chance to see how the car is shaping up from the passenger seat. This should have happened well before this point, of course – the Explorer was revealed over a year ago – but Ford took the tough decision to delay the project, to ensure that the latest battery technology could be used. As such, we’re only now getting the proper…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks Neolun SUV concept unveiled Futuristic look for luxury EV GENESIS has recently had a rethink on how its operations should be structured in the UK, but the Korean premium brand isn’t about to hold back on its product offensive in the meantime. It’s even aiming to take on the forthcoming all-electric Range Rover, with this ambitious Neolun concept. The show car points towards a large, all-electric SUV that could become the new Genesis GV90. Although technical details haven’t yet been revealed, it’s clear that the Neolun is physically much bigger than the firm’s current largest SUV, the GV80. With its all-electric powertrain, we expect the GV90 to go up against not only the legendary Range Rover, but also the Volvo EX90, Mercedes EQS SUV and BMW iX. The…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress YOUR VIEWS This week’s letters A number of problems with PHEV economy FROM: Richard Rouse HOW are car makers allowed to get away with such delusional economy claims for their PHEVs – for example, 348mpg for the Mercedes AMG E 53 (Issue 1,822)? Surely the figure should reflect how many miles can be driven on one gallon of fuel plus a full battery? Icon Drive brought back bad memories FROM: Clyde Brown I WAS interested to read the Icon Drive featuring the Rover SD1 (Issue 1,823). I bought a 1981 V8S back in 1984, but the quality was so bad I renamed it my V8 Morris Marina. I remember the bad smell, and closing the door only for the entire door card to come off in my hand.…

HYUNDAI has given its i30 family hatchback a sharp new look and boosted the onboard tech for 2024. This is the second facelift for the third-generation i30 since the car was launched in 2017, following a nip and tuck in 2020. The updates apply across the line-up, which comprises the hatch (seen here), as well as the fastback and estate, which are not available in the UK. Up front, the grille pattern, foglight housings and bumper have all been tweaked, while the chrome trim on the rear is now a more angular shape. There are new 16-inch alloy wheels, along with LED headlamps and tail-lights as standard. Changes to the hatch’s cabin include a smoother finish for the dashboard, a gloss-black centre console, new seat patterns and four upholstery options,…

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk FEW modern cars have quite the reputation of the Toyota Land Cruiser. Whether it’s peacekeeping in international war zones, crossing the Nullarbor Desert or driving over the Arctic tundra, a Land Cruiser has long been the vehicle of choice to get you there and – crucially – back. Now we’re driving a near-production-ready prototype of the all-new Land Cruiser 250, a car with over 70 years of heritage to live up to. All Land Cruisers in the UK will be fitted with a 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The motor produces 200bhp and 500Nm of torque, those figures being available across a very wide rev range, with peak torque coming in at just 1,600rpm. Fans of the Land Rover Defender will note these are some…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy EV range/charging 329 miles (official) 195kW DC (10-80% in 34mins) Performance 0-62mph/top speed 4.4 seconds/120mph (est ACCORDING to Rolls-Royce, there’s never been a model in the company’s history with the initial level of interest and orders to match the Spectre, the luxury marque’s first EV. We liked the car when we tried it in America last year – but now it’s time to see how it stacks up on UK roads. First, a brief recap. The Spectre is an imposing all-electric two-door that measures not far off five-and-a-half metres in length. There’s no denying that it’s colossal, and it looks heavy from some angles, although the subtle metallic-green paintjob of the car tested here does it a few favours in this regard. Beneath it all sits Rolls’s Architecture…

MODEL TESTED: Yaris 1.5 VVT-i Design PRICE: £23,535 POWERTRAIN: 1.5-litre 3cyl petrol hybrid, 114bhp 114bhp Powertrain 1.5 3cyl hybrid 36 litres Fuel tank £52 fill up 9.7 seconds Performance 109mph 286 litres Seats up/down 947 litres THE current Yaris was launched in the UK in 2020, and this mid-life update adds the option of a more powerful hybrid powertrain, uprated infotainment and additional safety kit. The range starts at £22,630, but we’re testing the next rung on the ladder here with the £23,535 Design model. Tech highlights AS with the pre-facelift Yaris, the new model is offered exclusively as a petrol-electric hybrid. It features a three-cylinder naturally aspirated combustion engine with variable valve timing, along with a modest 0.76kWh battery that powers the electric motor. Drive is sent to the…

SAME CLASS Skoda Fabia THERE’S no hybrid option available in the Skoda Fabia line-up, but that shouldn’t rule it out as a leading supermini choice. It has even more space inside than the Clio, including a vast 380-litre boot that challenges cars from the class above for outright capacity. The Fabia’s 1.0 TSI engine options offer a good mix of performance and economy (official figures are around 55mpg for manual cars and 50mpg for the DSG autos). Plus the cabin looks a little more adventurous than that of previous-generation Fabias, while retaining the usual range of Simply Clever touches that the Czech manufacturer applies to all of its cars. • Spacious interior• On-board tech• Cabin comfort • No hybrid tech• Road noise at higher speeds• Not fun to drive SAME…

Q Why is the brand-new Explorer such a significant model for Ford of Europe? A“This is our first electric vehicle that’s been designed in Europe for Europe, and it will be the first in a range of electric vehicles we are launching that are different from those we built in the past. These are true to the brand, and are derived from our global icons.” Q Talk us through your collaboration with Volkswagen. A“I think our engineers did a fantastic job to create a distinct Ford product on the basis of technology we’re getting from Volkswagen. The exterior design is clearly distinct, clearly Explorer. When you sit inside the cabin, we have the large vertical screen, the same user interface from our Mustang Mach-e, but also the driving experience. We…

Final diesel Volvo rolls off production line THE last-ever Volvo fitted with a diesel engine has rolled off the line at the Torslanda plant in Sweden (above). The car was a version of the XC90, and the shift away from diesel is part of Volvo’s drive to full electrification with its pure-EV and plug-in hybrid models. But the move will no doubt leave a hole in its line-up for high-mileage motorists. The current XC90 will initially continue to be sold alongside the new all-electric EX90 in plug-in form only. McLaren’s first hint of new design direction SPORTS car brand McLaren has given us a first indication of its future design path, highlighting elements that will feature across its supercar range, as well as EVs and passenger cars. This includes focusing…

Maserati on track with extreme new supercar MASERATI has released official pics of its MCXtrema undergoing tests ahead of development sign-off next month. The track-focused supercar (above) is not approved for road use, but is based on the MC20. However, it is considerably lighter and gets a retuned version of that car’s twin-turbo V6 engine, producing 720bhp. Production will be limited to 62 examples worldwide. Dacia piles on safety kit for no extra cash DACIA is fitting extra safety features to its Sandero, Sandero Stepway (below) and Jogger models, making the three compliant with EU EGSR2 legislation. All versions of the trio get intelligent speed assist, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS), driver drowsiness and attention warning, rear parking sensors, and automatic headlights as standard. The prices…

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 makers…

PORSCHE has been forced to axe its 718-badged models, the Boxster and Cayman, from the European Union – but they’ll continue to be offered to British customers. The German brand says that cybersecurity rules, due to be introduced in July, are behind the move, which mirrors that already applied to the petrol Macan. However, the UK does not adhere to the same EU legislation imposed in this instance, so the Boxster, Cayman and Macan will remain on sale here. In a statement issued to Auto Express, Porsche said: “Sales of the 718 models with an internal-combustion engine are discontinued in the EU, and some states that apply EU legislation, from now on.” The 718 Cayman GT4 RS and 718 Spyder RS escape the axe “due to small-series regulations”.…

Tom_Jervis@autovia.co.uk @thomaswjervis CAN choosing to have leather in your car ever be considered the most ethical and sustainable option? That might sound like a trick question; hide, luxurious and hard wearing as it is, is still the by-product of a dead animal, and while many of us are guilty of consuming burgers, steaks and other meat products on a regular basis, the concept of slaughtering beasts on an industrial scale may not necessarily sound like the best choice for our planet – or our consciences. Polestar, on the other hand, is one of the car manufacturers that continues to think otherwise. To show us why, it invited us all the way up to Scotland to visit Bridge of Weir, venerable purveyor of the finest automotive leather, including that used in…

Yousuf_Ashraf@autovia.co.uk @ashrafoncars Electric motor Power/range 590bhp/399 miles Performance 0-62mph/top speed 3.7 seconds/155mph WALK up to the updated Porsche Taycan and you might wonder whether the German manufacturer has really changed its flagship electric car that much. With the exception of a subtly redesigned front bumper, new headlights and an (optional) illuminated Porsche script at the rear end, the design of the swoopy saloon is very much business as usual. Don’t be fooled, though, because this is a seriously comprehensive facelift, and one that is designed to keep the Taycan competitive in a fast-developing market. The Porsche has been upgraded in every metric, in fact – from charging speed to performance, range and handling ability – and the end result is one of the most complete, desirable EVs you can buy…

Ellis_Hyde@autovia.co.uk @EllisDrives LIFE can be awkward when you’re the middle child, as the Skoda Scala can attest. We’ve proclaimed it to be among the best family hatchbacks around since it was introduced in 2019, thanks to its impressive levels of space, comfort and kit. Yet most people have forgotten that it exists. So a mid-life refresh could be just what the car needs to make an impression. The styling changes –mostly to the bumper and a new grille – aren’t hugely dramatic, but work together to give the Scala a sportier, yet elegant look. Matrix LED headlights are also available on the Czech model for the first time, either as standard on top-spec cars or as an optional extra lower down the range. Every Scala now has dual displays inside,…

MODEL TESTED: Renault Clio E-Tech 145 Evolution PRICE: £21,295 POWERTRAIN: 1.6-litre 4cyl hybrid, 141bhp 141bhp Powertrain 1.6 4cyl hybrid 39 litres Fuel tank £57 fill up 9.3 seconds Performance 112mph 301 litres Seats up/down 1,006 litres THE Clio offers a strong mix of talents, with a good-quality cabin, decent handling and lots of kit for a competitive price. We’re pitching the entry-level Evolution model, which starts from £21,295 in hybrid guise, against the Yaris. Tech highlights WHILE Renault was a little late to the hybrid party when compared with Toyota, the tech used in the Clio offers more power but with similar efficiency. The system is based around a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol unit, but it features two electric motors and a larger 1.2kWh battery. This combination is rated at 141bhp,…

BOTH cars come with deposit contributions – £1,000 for the Yaris, £750 for the Clio – and this narrows the gap between the two if you buy on finance. With a £2,500 deposit, and on a three-year/10,000-mile personal contract plan, the Yaris in Design trim costs £316 a month. But the Clio is £19 a month cheaper, at £297. If you keep either car at the end of the term, then the Yaris has a smaller balloon payment, at £11,250. The Renault is slightly ahead in every metric for other costs. The firm’s service plan is £10 a month cheaper, our sample insurance quote of £1,071 is £368 a year less, and fuel costs based on our test returns will be marginally more affordable over three years. Both cars have…

SUPERMINIS Our experts give you some food for thought if you’re interested in buying a Toyota Yaris or Renault Clio “THE more powerful Yaris has been introduced to meet demand, but it doesn’t seem like a necessary upgrade if you’re going to be driving around town most of the time. The extra grunt will help on the motorway, but it seems like an expensive upgrade.” “Renault needs to go all the way and add a flagship Alpine hot hatch to the Clio line-up. Toyota has proved there’s demand for such models with its GR Yaris, and some of that car’s star quality rubs off onto the standard range. Renault could even hark back to its Clio Cup machinery.” “The Clio in our pictures is the car I’m currently running on…

Darren_Wilson@autovia.co.uk “What better model to use for our photoshoot than our Car of the Year?” UNSURPRISINGLY, our 2023 Car of the Year, the Hyundai Kona Electric, made a flying start on the Auto Express fleet. And it recently won another road test, beating Honda’s e:Ny1 (on name alone, I reckon). So what better model to use for our Car Care Special photoshoot (page 55) than our award winner? Its white-leather interior and trim were ideal for our pictures. To be fair, one of the only criticisms I could pin on the Kona in my first report was the interior material quality. The hard, scratchy plastics felt a little cheaper than I’d expected, but they’ve emerged unscathed from everyday life, so they barely needed a clean. Likewise the seats remain unmarked,…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk IF everything in the Volkswagen line-up were as reliable as the Polo, the brand might be in trouble – according to Driver Power feedback, at least. Our Reliability section takes into account overall quality as well as reliability, and the Polo ranks 75th for the former and 68th for the latter, for an overall category rating of 71st. There are similarly poor results for the number and function of safety features, while front-seat comfort scores a poor 67th. When the Polo’s highlights are restricted to a 26th place for the built-in sat-nav and 33rd for fuel economy, it’s easy to see why owners only award the small Volkswagen a rather uninspiring 52nd position for value for money. WE SAID “It’s more like a shrunken Golf than ever, and offers…

IT’S decision time for British-born and based manufacturers building cars in big numbers. Can they explain why, apart from Brexit, they and smaller firms collectively produced an impressive 1.7 million cars in 2016, but a mere 905,000 last year? When Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says his UK Government is “backing our car-manufacturing industry” and that “the UK is the best place to build cars of the future”, can we believe him? Thanks to the likes of Aston Martin, Bentley, Caterham, Jaguar, Lotus, Land Rover, McLaren, Morgan and Rolls-Royce, the UK has plenty of firms (most, if not all, foreign-owned) building upmarket cars. Trouble is, they’re costly and only produced in low to medium volumes for wealthy minorities. Therefore, they accounted for just a tiny fraction of the 72 million car…