Table of contents for 1756 in Auto Express

MORE should be done by local authorities to tackle disabled parking-bay abuse, say respondents to Disabled Motoring UK’s (DMUK) ‘Baywatch’ survey. Nearly 80 per cent of drivers think there’s insufficient oversight of protected parking schemes, while 70 per cent say they’ve never had their Blue Badge inspected by a parking official. The charity also criticised supermarkets, after 70 per cent of drivers who reported parking-bay abuses said stores failed to take any action. “The poor state of the nation’s disabled parking provision continues to prevent people from living independent lives,” said DMUK. “It is vital that the parking industry understands the importance of providing and enforcing adequate disabled parking.”…

REDUCING speed limits to 20mph has little effect on road safety, according to a study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. Researchers analysed 76 roads in Belfast before and after 20mph limits were introduced, comparing them with other roads in Northern Ireland where 30mph or 40mph zones remained. They found there were “no statistically significant differences” in the long-term rate of crashes and casualties, or the average speed of traffic. Roads with 20mph limits did, however, experience less traffic, according to the research.…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy THROUGH a gap in the trees, at the bottom of some landscaped gardens coated in autumnal fallen leaves, the proof of an emerging new British car company and engineering force suddenly becomes visible. There, in the distance, lies the bare shell of a factory that will make Gordon Murray Automotive’s exclusive supercars from the start of 2024. The building – all 4,000 square metres of it – is a couple of weeks off being made watertight, and the site near Windlesham in Surrey is a hive of activity as builders race to beat the winter rain. Health and safety signs abound, attached to high fences sealing off the facility – but today Auto Express is being granted an exclusive tour. Our guide is not Gordon Murray himself but…

Matt_Robinson@autovia.co.uk @matt_201 Performance 0-62mph/top speed 7.8 seconds/145mph Running costs 211.3mpg (official) £66 fill-up PEUGEOT has always had a penchant for the unconventional, so perhaps the new 408 shouldn’t be too much of a surprise. Peugeot calls it a ‘C-segment fastback’, and it’s a five-door hatchback with an almost saloon-like three-box shape, complemented by a lifted, SUV-esque stance complete with protective body cladding. The aesthetic won’t appeal to everyone, but you have to agree that it’s a striking thing to look at. Inside, it offers a similar-looking cabin to the 308, and the 408 shares many parts. That means a plush, stylish space with a central stack angled towards the driver. Within lies Peugeot’s latest infotainment. There are more responsive touchscreen systems on offer, but it’s much better than what came…

Performance 0-62mph/top speed 4.5 seconds/181mph Running costs 27.4mpg (official) £105 fill-up ON paper, you might look at the Porsche 911 Carrera T and think the near-£10,000 premium it commands over a base Carrera is a steep one to pay to have Porsche’s least-powerful 3.0-litre flat-six engine with a seven-speed manual gearbox, a combination not available with a regular Carrera. You might also think that for an additional £4,300, you might as well go for the more powerful Carrera S, which is also available with a seven-speed manual gearbox. But this would not only be missing the point of the T, you’d also be missing out on the best 992-generation Carrera model you can buy. It’s that good. The formula the T follows is a simple one. Porsche takes a Carrera…

YEARS OF MANUFACTURE 2019-present PRICE NOW FROM £25,600 KEY POINTS Fantastic scores, with maintenance costs the only fly in the ointment WITH only two category scores outside the top 10, the BMW 3 Series takes a well deserved 3rd place on the Driver Power used car podium – and for the second year on the trot. Judging by the feedback from owners, it really is hard to fault this swishy executive favourite, and the bills for servicing and insuring it are the only obvious downsides. Apart from a 61st place for running costs, the 3 Series really does cover all the bases, from a superbly rewarding driving experience to a fantastically designed and trimmed cabin with terrific practicality. When a 20th place for boot space looks like an outlier, you…

THE used-car brand survey reveals the attitudes of drivers of all surveyed models in a maker’s line-up to gauge the satisfaction with their activity as a whole. This includes ratings for cars that don’t necessarily make the top-75 model survey thanks to low individual sales numbers, because together with their stablemates they provide a statistically valid overview of a brand’s performance. It’s notable that most of the top-performing brands don’t fare very well for most or fewest reported faults, which illustrates the importance of measuring satisfaction in these areas. Some cars and brands that are greatly loved are potentially the most challenging to own for reliability. That’s just one aspect that makes Driver Power so interesting! 31. Fiat 80.70% SHARE OF OWNERS EXPERIENCING FAULTS 25.16% FIAT props up the bottom of…

Running costs 34.9mpg (WLTP) £114 fill-up/£165 or 37% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 530/1,400 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 7.3 seconds/136mph MODEL TESTED: Audi Q3 Sportback 40 TFSI quattro S line PRICE: £39,970 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 187bhp THE Audi Q3 has been around for some years now, but does it still have the ability to match the newcomer from BMW? While the car pictured is a 35 TFSI, we’re testing the Q3 in more powerful 40 TFSI guise, which at £39,970 in S line trim and the Sportback body, undercuts its rival on price. Design & engineering AT 4,500mm long, the Q3 is the same length as the BMW to the millimetre. The X1 is only 2mm wider and has a 12mm longer wheelbase, too, yet up close, the Q3 looks…

Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce PRICE: £42,495 ENGINE: 1.5-litre 4cyl, 158bhp ALFA knows how to make a stylish entrance, and the new Tonale joins the class with such a pretty design that it’ll be enough to swing many buyers. Others will find a pricey car that’s let down by an underwhelming hybrid powertrain, though. Mercedes GLA 200 AMG Line Premium PRICE: £40,645 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 161bhp IN the face of the new X1, the GLA’s reign as our Small Premium SUV of the Year is under threat. The Mercedes has fabulous tech and a roomy cabin, but the BMW is more refined, more fun to drive, more practical and offers stronger performance.…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk Q Can I replace lost alloy key? I RECENTLY discovered the key for the locking alloy wheels on my car has gone missing. Can I get a replacement? If so, where? Saul Burney, E-mail A DEPENDING on the age and make, these can be sourced from the main dealer. You will probably need the VIN number to identify which locking nuts or bolts were fitted to your car. If this is not possible, tools are available to remove locking nuts. A workshop may be able to help if you don’t want to invest in your own. Finally, replace the old nuts with some like those from McGard. Q How do I fully clean screen? I’VE seen long-handled windscreen cleaners advertised. Are they any good? I always struggle…

Chris_Rosamond@autovia.co.uk THE mid-size Mercedes SUV is good to drive, say its owners, who rated the GLC eighth for its engine and gearbox in our 2022 Driver Power New Car Survey. Rear-seat legroom is praised enough to secure a top-10 position, too, and the safety systems earn the GLC number-six spot in that category. But this Mercedes isn’t a cheap car to run, and the GLC finished 75th – the worst of any car in the survey – for fuel economy and running costs, and 72nd for value. Servicing prices in particular are highlighted by drivers as being expensive, while too many owners have also been visiting their dealer. A third say they have had something go wrong, with the GLC’s most common faults being with the electrical system. WE SAID “The…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks ● German lands full-time seat ● Replaces Mick Schumacher NICO Hulkenberg will return to the Formula 1 grid in 2023, having signed with American outfit Haas. The 35-year-old German will partner Kevin Magnussen, 30, for the upcoming season. This means Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher, is likely to be without a seat. The final vacancy remaining for next season is with Williams, who will sign Logan Sargeant, subject to the US driver qualifying for a Super Licence. Schumacher failed to score points in 2021, with Haas welded to the back of the grid, but a more competitive showing from the team in 2022 has only resulted in two point-scoring finishes for Mick, although Magnussen has performed even better. There could be a way…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy ● Abarth 500e is based on Fiat 500, but with more powerful motor ● Faster around Balocco track than petrol-powered predecessor FIAT has committed the iconic 500 city car to a pure-electric future – and now it’s time for the company’s performance brand Abarth to deliver its take on the model, with the Abarth 500e. The first all-electric Abarth in history takes the regular 500 EV’s recipe and adds several key features to give it a more sporting flavour. Chief among these is a boost to the front-mounted electric motor, which delivers 152bhp (up from the 117bhp of the Fiat version) and 235Nm of torque, to bring a 0-62mph time of seven seconds. Exterior styling tweaks include a more aggressive front bumper, side skirts and a rear diffuser,…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks ● Fifth-generation car arrives later this year ● Plug-in hybrid set to follow next spring A FIFTH generation of Toyota’s Prius is due to arrive later this year, but the UK will not be getting the latest version of the car that defined the start of the hybrid era when it was launched in 1997. The popularity of the hybrid C-HR and Corolla in the UK has seen Prius sales decline and a Toyota spokesman said: “Over the years we have launched a much greater selection of self-charging hybrids, covering all the main segments of the market and meeting a much wider customer base.” Toyota will continue to offer the Prius with series-parallel hybrid tech when it’s launched towards the end of this year, with a new plug-in…

Yousuf_Ashraf@autovia.co.uk @ashrafoncars ● Seven-seat SUV revealed ● More than 400 miles of range US electric car maker Lucid Motors hit the ground running with its Air saloon, and now the start-up brand is joining the booming electric SUV market with a seven-seat model. The Lucid Gravity will feature plenty of Air-derived technology when it arrives in 2024. The styling is immediately familiar, with the Air’s distinctive contrasting roofline carried over to the SUV. The Gravity will be offered with five, six and seven-seat options, so we expect it to be around five metres long, and the boxy shape of the tail should provide lots of rear-cabin headroom. Even so, the SUV has clearly been optimised to reduce drag, with a steeply angled windscreen that extends deep into the bonnet to…

tristan_shale-hester@autovia.co.uk @tristan_shale “Taxes should support decarbonisation and the delivery of net zero, rather than threaten EV markets”Mike Hawes Chief executive, SMMT “The Chancellor’s EV taxation actions will dim the incentive to switch to electric vehicles”Edmund King OBE President, AA ELECTRIC vehicle owners will pay vehicle excise duty (VED) from April 2025, Chancellor of The Exchequer Jeremy Hunt has announced in his Autumn Budget. New zero-emissions cars registered from 1 April 2025 will be liable to pay the lowest first-year rate of VED – for vehicles with CO2 emissions one to 50g/km – which is currently set at £10 per year. From the second year of registration onwards, they will move to the standard rate, currently £165 per year. Any zero-emission cars that were first registered between 1 April 2017 and…

We want to hear your views. Send your questions or opinions to the E-mailaddress below Contact Tristan Shale-Hester mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress HOT TOPIC New Volvo EX90 FROM: DB I UNDERSTAND Volvo has been a premium brand for some time now, but how many people have nearly £100,000 to spend on a car? There should be more of a focus on making a practical electric hatchback for up to £25,000. FROM: Ian Stone I WAS shocked when I read that this will cost £100,000 – the XC90 was never a car for the masses, but that seems an enormous amount. I suppose it’s in line with the likes of the new Range Rover, though. I’ll never be able to afford that. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “Looks great, despite the price…

Q The factory is being prepared to start making T.33 from 2024. Do you already know what follows that? A “We’ve just started work on it, actually. It’s Project Three. T.50s is a derivative of T.50, of course, so after T.33 comes number three. We’re now into the up-front work – packaging and styling, for example. And of course, it’s more than clear that we’ll use the V12.” Q Gordon actually hinted a while back that the T.33 could be the last car without even mild-hybrid assistance on the V12. It sounds like the commitment remains strong anyhow? A “Yes. I mean, we want to use it as much as possible because we’ve paid for its development and it’s unique to us, so we want to extract as much use…

Dean_Gibson@autovia.co.uk @DeanGbsn Performance 0-62mph/top speed 7.9 seconds/111mph FORD’S Raptor line-up has thrilled us with its feel-good off-road performance offerings. And here’s the latest member of the line-up: the second-generation Ranger Raptor, now on sale in Britain. The look evolves to align with the larger F-150 that’s so popular in the US. The Raptor gains flared wheelarches and bigger bumpers with large tow hooks front and rear, black alloys with all-terrain tyres, silver bash plates and an exclusive Code Orange colour scheme that completes the look. Inside, Ford has updated the Ranger with the latest tech from its car range. Given that this is the top-spec model, it features a 12-inch portrait touchscreen with SYNC 4 infotainment, while a sharp 12.4-inch digital dashboard is also included. The Ranger Raptor will be…

VISIT US AT autoexpress.co.uk/subscribe to claim your special offer or call 0330 333 9491 using offer code P22XM Calls to 03 numbers will be charged at your standard local rate. This offer closes on 24th December 2022. The number of issues published in a 3, 6 or 12 month period will vary for each magazine. Discounts are based on the shop price of a single issue. The number of issues ordered will be displayed upon checkout. Offer only available on subscriptions delivered to UK addresses. All gift subscriptions will begin in January 2023. SCAN ME!…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk THE Driver Power Used Car Survey provides a fascinating insight into satisfaction levels for a huge range of very different vehicles. But the class winners are especially interesting for buyers who are looking for a particular type of vehicle. That’s very likely to be an SUV of some kind these days, as the fashion for raised ride heights and boxy, practical bodies has percolated deeply into the used car market. The results show, too, just how pleased owners are with this latest trend for SUVs, with many such vehicles packing the upper echelons of the top 75 most satisfying cars in the survey as a whole. Comparisons within a class also reduce the impact of varying expectations in different segments of the market. You might think owners of expensive…

YEARS OF MANUFACTURE 2017-present PRICE NOW FROM £12,500 KEY POINTS The Karoq is a consummate performer and a worthy runner-up THE runner-up in our 2022 used-car survey is the superlative Skoda Karoq, with owners falling over themselves to say nice things about it. In fact the only negativity comes in the form of a poor 51st rating for exterior design, and a merely average 42nd and 34th for acceleration and gearbox smoothness. But the counterpoint to that is an array of first, second and third places across categories such as front seat comfort, rear legroom, seating flexibility, user-friendly switchgear, infotainment, servicing costs and value for money. Backed up by top-10 results for ride, handling, safety system functionality, overall reliability and quality, the Karoq is a tour de force. Living with…

BMW X1 BMW Operating System 8 Key features: ‘Hey BMW’ voice control AFTER years of granting users a range of input methods, BMW has finally ditched the iDrive click wheel controller. We think that’s a shame, because while touchscreens are much faster for entering commands when parked, the clickwheel was perfect for minor tweaks to settings on the move, because you didn’t need to take your eyes off the road. BMW reckons that its voice-recognition tech is now good enough to take its place. It’ll learn your accent and mannerisms over time, and although our two weeks with the car weren’t enough to let this develop, it seemed to be accurate, only once confusing a radio station request. As with the electric BMW i4’s system, climate controls have moved to…

AUDIO AUDI has recently started a tie-in with Sonos for its audio set-ups, and the result is that the Q3 is a great place to be if you enjoy listening to music on the go. There’s just enough punch for even low-end frequencies – the sort that are often drowned out by road and engine noise – to still stand out, and higher notes are clear. Our X1 was fitted with a Harman Kardon system, which just pipped its rival. GRILLES BMW has evolved its successful X1 for a second time, and we think it’s pulled it off – as long as you can get over its desire to fit ever-larger grilles to every new car it makes. Audi is no stranger to big grilles, but to our eyes at…

SAVE 43% ON THE SHOP PRICE After your initial 6 issue trial, your subscription will continue at £26.99 every 13 issues representing a saving of 43% on the shop price. FREE DELIVERY Never miss an issue with every copy delivered straight to your doorstep. FULLY FLEXIBLE You are able to cancel at any time using a dedicated customer portal or by getting in touch. 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…

Beautiful Machines: The Era of the Elegant Sports Car Blake Z. Rong (Die Gestalten, uk.gestalten.com) Price: £45 Rating: THIS gorgeous coffee-table book features some of the most beautiful cars of all time. Photography is superb and the accompanying text is interesting and factual, although a little florid. It’s worth buying just to stare at the cars. Well worth the price. Range Rover James Taylor (Amberley Publishing, amberley-books.com) Price: £15.99 Rating: IT feels as if this book was rushed out with the newest chapters on the very latest Range Rover half-finished; just five pages are dedicated to the hugely complex and interesting L460 model. The rest of the generations are covered in good detail, though, especially the long-lived Mk1. The story of how the tough off-roader became one of the world’s…

Performance 0-62mph/top speed 3.7 seconds/191mph CO2 /tax 205-304g/km £165 Running costs 26-29mpg (Carrera S) £114 fill-up NEXT year the Porsche 911 will celebrate its 60th birthday, and since the first edition was launched in 1963 (as the 901, but swiftly renamed 911 after complaints from Peugeot), this is a car that has become ever more impressive with each passing generation. While it would be easy to think that the 911 hasn’t evolved all that much over the years, because the basic shape has stayed the same and it’s been fitted with a rear-mounted flat-six engine, each new generation of the car has brought seismic changes. The move from air to water cooling for the engine was one, while the platform, the engines and transmissions and the technology have all changed radically…

MUCH as we love it, the car isn’t always the star. Sometimes it’s actually less important than the people, the numbers, and the jobs in and around the automotive business. First, a handful of (many) developments in growth-obsessed, recession-ravaged Britain as we approach the end of 2022: the population recently hit 68 million (in a land where our road ‘system’ is set up to deal with more like 50 million); the general annual inflation rate hit a 41-year high of 11.1 per cent; and hikes in the prices of new cars, and the petrol, diesel and electricity to power them, are even higher. As for interest rates, they’re through the roof, too. And with few, if any, ordinary, working-class families able to save up the necessary £40,000(ish) for even a…

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 makers The Motor Ombudsman: 0345 241 3008 Financial problems Financial Ombudsman: 0800 023 4567 Safety concerns/recalls www.check-mot.service.gov.uk…

Andy_Goodwin@autovia.co.uk “It’s clear that BMW hasn’t shied away from building the most overtly sporty small executive car” WHILE BMW’s SUVs have delivered healthy sales numbers, the 3 Series has been quietly doing the business for the company too, racking up more than 1.1 million global customers since 2019. Now, it’s been treated to a mid-life refresh. Given the car’s success, BMW has kept the exterior changes unsurprisingly subtle, with larger kidney grilles and slimmer headlights (now full-LED as standard) up front. Wheels measure up to 20 inches in diameter and two ‘frozen’ matte-effect paint finishes have been added to the range. M Sport versions – the most popular trim in the UK – have added visual aggression, with a large rear diffuser-style bumper and two large (and functional) exhaust tips…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk THE feedback from owners of used cars is arguably more valuable than the insights on brand-new ones for the millions of drivers in the UK who don’t want a shiny showroom-fresh model. Indeed, in the current market, where used prices are at record highs, making the right buying decision is even more vital. And we believe the Driver Power Used Car Survey 2022 is the best consumer tool out there for anyone looking for genuine insights into the comparative merits of rival used cars. These are the UK’s most satisfying used cars to own, as voted for by the people who already do. Massive 35-page used-car guide UK’s No.1 car satisfaction survey results…

Chris_Rosamond@autovia.co.uk DRIVER POWER is unique as the UK’s largest independently published survey of consumer attitudes to owning cars, and this year we’ve already shared the results of our New Car survey (Issue 1,733), giving details of the vehicles that are the most satisfying to own across all sectors of the market – including petrol and diesel models, and the new wave of hybrid and plug-in electric cars. Our Used Car survey by its very nature still focuses on the more traditional sectors, and some of the top-performing models are becoming ‘traditional’ fixtures at the top of the standings, too. As we see increased take-up of EVs and hybrids in future years, it will be fascinating to see how these new powertrains perform in terms of ongoing consumer satisfaction. Meanwhile, over…

Running costs 39.9mpg (on test) £90 fill-up/£155 or 36% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 540/1,545 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 7.1 seconds/145mph MODEL TESTED: BMW X1 xDrive23i M Sport PRICE: £41,470 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 215bhp WITH the M Sport trim expected to be chosen by more than half of X1 buyers, that’s the model we’re testing here. Paired with the xDrive23i powertrain, it’s priced from £41,470. With options such as the £1,500 Technology Plus pack (adding features like augmented-reality navigation and a head-up display), the £1,000 panoramic sunroof and £1,050 electric front seats, that climbs to £49,000. Design & engineering FOR its third generation, the X1 has bulked up slightly, but not by as much as the square shoulders might suggest; it’s only 53mm longer, 24mm wider and 44mm taller than…

BMW 1st REVAMPS to the X1 haven’t made much difference to what was already a winning formula. In truth, every car in this segment has its flaws, and the BMW’s – an overly firm ride – can be partially put down to the spec of our test car. In most other respects, it’s a great effort; there’s loads of space, fantastic in-car tech, it handles well and fuel economy is impressive, given the performance on offer. AUDI 2nd GIVEN that the BMW is new and the Q3 has been around for some time, the margin between this pair isn’t as wide as we’d expected. That mainly comes down to the Audi being the more relaxing car to drive, plus its tech works well and even in Sportback form, boot space is great.…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk Running costs 51.8mpg (on test) £68 fill-up/£155 or 29% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 320/1,274 litres THERE was an unusual hiccup in the otherwise seamless operation of our Honda HR-V at the end of its tenure with us. Colleague Richard Ingram wanted to produce a video review of the car for our DrivingElectric.com website, so I took it upon myself to vacuum and scrape out lots of the dog hair, welly mud, lolly wrappers and straw that cars in the Rosamond household have a habit of accumulating. The Honda was parked around the corner, so I drove it to the house with no dramas, then stopped with all the doors and tailgate open for an hour or so as Messrs. Dyson and Muscle worked their magic. It was looking…

Time for exclusive Hennessey watches SUPERCAR brand Hennessey Special Vehicles has joined forces with Paris-based Skeleton Concept to create the Hennessey Venom F5 Concept, a limited-edition watch inspired by and paired to a Venom F5 hypercar. Each timepiece has the inscribed chassis number and a band colour-matched to one of the Venom F5s, while the bezel is made of carbon fibre with a clear sapphire-crystal case. The watches will cost around $200,000 (£167,000) each and will be matched to one of just 24 cars. Smart idea to weigh up charging costs SMART Home Charge has launched a tool that allows EV and plug-in hybrid drivers to compare the costs of various EV-specific energy tariffs. These tariffs provide an off-peak rate overnight, which is perfect for topping up your car’s battery,…