Table of contents for 1776 in Auto Express

Company specialist gives the lowdown on ID.7’s tech and positioning Q How has customer feedback on existing ID products shaped what you’ve done with the ID.7? A “We got a lot of feedback from our customers in terms of the HMI [Human-Machine Interface, or dashboard controls], and in my opinion fixed mainly all of them. We created a whole new system to make it much more personalised and intuitive, integrated the climate on the first layer, lit up the touch sliders. We take the comments from our customers seriously.” Q You say ‘fixed’ – were some aspects not quite right on initial ID cars? A “There’s always space for improvements and we learn with our ID family. Our aim is to make every car even better than the car before.”…

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk @jordankatsianis ● Changes to SUV and Coupé include new styling and updated cabin ● Revised and simplified range on sale now, priced from £67,400 WORK is already well under way on a new all-electric Cayenne, but that hasn’t stopped Porsche putting together a comprehensive upgrade for the existing combustion-powered model. The Cayenne is a crucial profit-making car for Porsche, and this new model features a simplified selection of petrol engines. The range opens with the base Cayenne and Cayenne E-Hybrid, both featuring a slightly revised version of the previous 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6. Power stands at 353bhp on the base model (up from 335bhp), while the E-Hybrid jumps by 8bhp, to 463bhp. This second car features a more powerful electric motor and a larger-capacity 25.9kWh battery (although the pack’s physical…

ALONGSIDE its XM Label Red (left), BMW has also unveiled a new flagship for its luxury i7 electric saloon line-up. The M70 xDrive uses a pair of electric motors for 651bhp, making it the most powerful BMW EV so far and able to sprint from 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds. The rear motor features an M-specific set-up, while an M Sport Boost function raises the maximum torque from 1,015Nm to 1,100Nm. This is also the case when the M Launch Control system is engaged. The M70’s two motors are fed by a 101.7kWh (usable) battery with claimed range standing at a maximum of 348 miles; 195kW charging means 106 miles of range can be added in just 10 minutes. There’s an M-specific tune for the adaptive air suspension, along with 21-inch…

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…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks Running costs 47.1mpg (official) £73 fill-up WHEN we first drove the revised T-Roc, we tested it in range-topping (T-Roc R aside) R-Line spec and couldn’t help but feel that a cheaper version of Volkswagen’s small SUV might be a better option. Now it’s time to give the T-Roc another chance as we check out the mid-range Style model. In the ever-competitive small SUV sector, where the smallest improvements can make a big difference, the T-Roc needs to look the part, so VW has not messed around too much with the looks of its Ford Puma rival. The Style version gets simpler front and rear bumpers than the sporty R-Line, with a two-tone paint finish for the roof an option. There are 17-inch wheels and silver roof rails too,…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy THINGS happen pretty quickly at BYD. The Chinese brand only launched its first Europe-targeted car last year, with the Atto 3. But even as the small SUV goes on sale in the UK, alongside the Dolphin there’s this Seal to try. The Seal is clearly a crack at a rival for the Tesla Model 3. It has an aerodynamic saloon body and sits on BYD’s latest ‘e-Platform 3.0’, using BYD’s ‘blade’ battery that’s a structural part of the car. The Seal is longer than the Atto 3, and indeed the Model 3, at 4.8 metres, and its luggage capacity is 402 litres – or a Model 3-beating 455 litres when the underbonnet storage area is included. There will be two powertrains to choose from. The rear-wheel-drive version has…

Matt_Robinson@autovia.co.uk @matt_201 AS a consequence of the looming electric age we need to prepare ourselves for the loss of a great many cars we love that are powered by a bit of ‘suck, squeeze, bang and blow’. All the vehicles you’ll read about over the next 32 pages are living on borrowed time, but rather than sit sulking, we want to celebrate the greatness of each and every motor while we still can, whether it’s a humble three-cylinder Fiat or a V10 Lambo. If you’re in a position to buy any one of these, don’t hesitate. Matt Robinson Deputy executive editor “Rather than sit sulking, we want to celebrate the greatness of each and every motor while we can”…

Matt_Robinson@autovia.co.uk @matt_201 “Our road trip says goodbye not just to the F-Type, but to all combustion-engined Jaguar sports cars” AS a tunnel approaches, I shift down a few gears, double-check I’m definitely in Dynamic mode, and prepare my lugholes for a noisy assault. I don’t need to worry about dropping the car’s windows, because the Jaguar F-Type P450 I’m driving is a convertible. What comes next is an almost painful V8 cacophony that blasts through the air. Even with a couple of particulate filters up its exhaust, this F-Type really delivers on the noise front. In some ways, it’s better than earlier cars – the pops and bangs of older models weren’t compatible with modern regulations, which has left us with a more cultured, and (marginally) less anti-social soundtrack. But…

YOU’VE seen some great new-car buys, but you have other options – although if the question is “What modern classic should I buy to make a profit?”, then the answer is: “You shouldn’t”. Cars become collector’s items for all sorts of reasons, but attrition and modification increasingly make unmodified survivors the last of their kind and desirable as a result. So unless you run a hedge fund and want to gamble on some exotics that might be worth millions in years to come, it’s best to just pick a collector’s car that you can really enjoy. And if it doesn’t lose anything or even goes up in value, that’s a bonus. Here are some prime cuts that guarantee fun and thrills, and, over time, could still give you a return.…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram THE Mazda MX-5 is a brilliant car in many ways, but a recent journey proved that an accurate fuel gauge isn’t one of its strongest points. With a 74-mile journey ahead, I set off with just a mile or two of fuel less than that figure left, according to the Mazda’s trip computer. Surely a gentle 60mph cruise and the clear roads of a 5.30am start will set that straight, I think. Empty motorway and a gentle cruise achieved, a predicted range that drops at comfortably more than a mile at a time says otherwise. Despite the light-footed driving and an average well in excess of 40mpg, a quick splash and dash is needed to reach my destination. In a time when EVs deliver eerily accurate trip estimations,…

288bhp Powertrain 1x motor, rwd 90kWh Battery £30 recharge 6.4 secs Performance 130mph 430 litres Seats up/down 895 litres MODEL TESTED: EQE 350+ Exclusive Luxury  PRICE: £86,345 POWERTRAIN: 1x e-motor, 90kWh battery, 288bhp OUTSIDE of the AMG variants, what we have here is the highest-spec EQE available. The 350+ Exclusive Luxury trim costs £86,345, while many of the paint finishes are no-cost options, so the final price won’t stray too far from that. Tech highlights AT first glance, the EQE is hard to tell apart from its big brother, the EQS. Both have a similarly sleek shape – the EQE boasts an impressively slippery drag coefficient of 0.22Cd – and mechanically they have plenty in common, too. Variants of the same EV-specific architecture underpin both cars and both use similar…

SAME CLASS Audi e-tron GT AT £85,185, the Audi e-tron GT quattro neatly splits the asking prices of our EQE and optioned-up G80 test cars, but feels like it has the visual drama of a car that costs twice the price of either. There’s much more to the e-tron GT than its concept-car styling, though. Under the skin is a 93.4kWh battery that promises a 305-mile range, a 469bhp twin-motor set-up that delivers a 0-62mph time of 4.1 seconds, and genuinely engaging handling combined with a superbly resolved ride. It’s a little cramped inside compared with our test cars, but if you can live with a little less space, it’s a brilliant alternative. ● Fabulous styling ● Strong performance ● Great ride and handling ● Cramped rear seats ● Small…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk HOW TO… Avoid unnecessary MoT test failures AS motoring costs continue to climb, we all have to put a bit more effort in to cut expenditure to a minimum. One of the biggest money pits can be the annual MOT test. You can’t prevent a failure if there’s a serious problem, but a few DIY checks can prevent paying a retest fee that could be avoided. DVSA figures show the most common reason for failure – around one in five cars – is faulty lights or signalling, and this is easily checked. Turn side, head and foglights on one by one to ensure they all work, and test indicators. If no help is available to check brake lights and poor-earth faults, which can see one circuit…

WHILE battery and LED development has given us ever-more powerful cordless worklights, sometimes you just need something to slip in your overall pocket to light under the bonnet or wheelarch without scorching your retina. NightSearcher has a new option with its iSpector Mini, while there’s a Pocket option in the new Philips Xperion 6000 line-up. To see how good they are, we put them up against our current favourite small inspection lamp from Clarke. We checked light output, spread, runtime and mounting options, plus looked at how they were charged. We also wanted to monitor that charge and the battery state while in use. Protection ratings earned marks and we factored in price. Clarke hangs on to its crown because it gets so much right. The Philips is close behind,…

Chris_Rosamond@autovia.co.uk THE Qashqai has been a huge success for Nissan, but it no longer has the sector to itself. And while 27th place in the 2022 Driver Power new car survey is above average, there are eight mid-size SUV rivals that score higher, suggesting the Nissan’s special sauce has tastier competition these days. There’s nothing drivers seem to really dislike about Qashqai ownership, but they also struggle to come up with anything that is exceptional. The highest score is fifth place for the audio system, while smartphone connectivity and the air-con also have good ratings. On the negative side, the number of safety features isn’t enough to satisfy owners, and the rear-seat legroom is too tight. WE SAID “While Nissan is usually synonymous with reliability, the second-generation Qashqai has some…

A TYPICAL new car at 20-25 grand is bit like a three-quid cappuccino in a cardboard cup, a £5 burger in a brown paper bag, a 20-quid ‘dinner’ for one at a modest restaurant, the hotel room for £100 a night, that 25-year mortgage costing £1,000 monthly. I’m not talking here about premium, high-quality or classy purchases. Instead, they’re all basic, unglamorous and very real-world. But, give or take a few pennies or pounds, millions of financially hard-pressed working Brits remain just about willing and able to pay the sort of prices quoted above. Think of these items as average goods and services bought by Mr & Mrs Average earning average (or thereabouts) wages. But how would such a consumer react if the vehicle manufacturer upped the price of that…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk ● Documents for Chinese authorities show new two-seat sports car ● Several electric powertrains to be offered, from 310 to 536bhp LEAKED pictures of the forthcoming MG Cyberster have given us our best look so far at the Chinese-owned British brand’s roadster, which is yet to make its full debut. The front and rear shots of the red car (pictured, right) were filed with Chinese officials and have confirmed what the MG will look like when the covers come off, along with some important interior details. The finished car takes its squared-off kamm tail from the Cyberster concept (below) that was first revealed in 2021. But while some elements from that Shanghai Motor Show car have been toned down for production – including the ‘Magic Eye’ headlights that opened…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler ● Coupé-SUV on sale in 2024 ● Prices to start at £55,000 POLESTAR likes to do things differently. It thinks of itself as a global company, with a grounding in Sweden, an engineering base in the UK and production facilities in China – and it’s listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange in New York. That different approach continues to the cars themselves, including their design and naming. With no legacy models to worry about, we’ve had Polestars 1 and 2, with the 3 SUV set to launch in the UK later this year. Now we have this new Polestar 4 – a coupé-SUV, which is set to become the company’s biggest-selling model when it goes on sale in spring 2024 – while the 5 and 6 are still…

Updated, diesel-free Astra line-up on sale VAUXHALL has given its Astra range a tech and kit boost, with the high-spec Ultimate and sporty GSe models getting the firm’s IntelliDrive 2.0 system with semi-autonomous lane-change assist. The more basic Design trim receives some styling tweaks, while orders for the Sport Tourer Ultimate are now open, with prices starting from £33,765. At the same time, Vauxhall has also dropped diesel Astras from UK price lists. Legal battle ahead for Mayor’s ULEZ plans THE High Court will hear a challenge to London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s Ultra Low Emission Zone expansion plans in July, following legal action by four Tory boroughs and Surrey County Council. Khan intends to widen the zone to incorporate most of the area within the M25, meaning anyone with a…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @tristan_shale “The automotive sector is starting to look at things like active noise cancellation, and that’s something we’ve been developing for years in headphones”STEVE HOYLE Director of product management BOWERS & Wilkins has a few different company mottos, one of which is: “Music that will soon be heard everywhere is first heard through our speakers”. That’s because the music industry regards this British firm as one of, if not the greatest, audio manufacturers in the world. Its loudspeakers can be found in star-studded locations such as Abbey Road, Skywalker Ranch and AIR Studios. Musicians and sound engineers value the unparalleled accuracy of Bowers & Wilkins devices, which replicate music as close to real life as possible, rather than try and artificially enhance any aspects as some other products might.…

Performance 0-62mph/top speed 5.6 seconds/146mph Running costs 161.1mpg (official) £63 fill-up THIS is the car formerly known as the DS 7 Crossback. As with the DS 3, its maker has dropped ‘Crossback’ as part of a midlife facelift. It’s now known as the DS 7 in a simpler line-up, and this is our first chance to try the revised BMW X3 rival in the UK. The DS 7’s nip and tuck takes in the design ethos first seen on the DS 4 hatchback, boasting a sharper look than before, thanks to the larger grille, slimmer LED headlights (with new Pixel LED Vision 3.0 matrix technology) and the fresh vertical running lights, designed as four downward strakes on each side of the grille. A refreshed selection of wheels and paint colours,…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler LIKE it or not, this is a huge period of change for the automotive industry. The sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned in the UK by 2035, with manufacturers gearing up for a fully electric future. Although there’s the possibility of the internal-combustion engine surviving thanks to emerging technologies such as e-fuels (page 62), really the next few years are your last chance to buy a brand-new traditional ICE car. Over the pages that follow, we’ve given our expert insight into which petrol and diesel models still on sale you should ‘buy before they die’. This includes everything from affordable runabouts, to super-fast sports cars. Plus, we’re saying farewell to some much-loved models and looking back at some of the things that made ICE…

1984 The F-Type name is informally used for a pair of concepts: the XJ41 and XJ42. The project eventually forms the basis of the later Jaguar XK and the Aston Martin DB7. 2000 The F-Type name appears again for a concept sports car with V6 power. A mid-engined version reaches an advanced stage, but development is cancelled. 2013 Jaguar finally produces a production F-Type, with styling closely mirroring the C-X16 concept of 2011. It launches as a roadster with supercharged V6 and V8 power. 2014 Coupé version of F-Type launches, completing the line-up and bringing with it an R version with a 542bhp supercharged V8. It’s also available with a supercharged V6. 2016 SVR version arrives as the most powerful F-Type yet, thanks to 567bhp supercharged V8, which is complemented by…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk “The Continental GT boasted a 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 motor producing 552bhp, which was a lot for the time and still is today” EARLIER this year Bentley announced that it would cease production of its iconic turbo W12 engine in April 2024, so what better way to mark the remaining 12 months of production than driving the best of the firm’s range in flagship W12-engined Speed trim? The venue is Aspen, Colorado, on a technical, icy, snowy track, plus some on-road miles too. Bentley marked its milestone announcement by confirming the most powerful version of the motor yet, the ultra-exclusive 740bhp Batur. Sadly, we won’t be able to get our hands on one of the 18 hand-crafted examples just yet, so we’ll have to make do with the ‘regular’ cars…

359bhp Powertrain 2xmotors, 4WD 87.2kWh Battery £30 recharge 4.9 secs Performance 139mph 354 litres Seats up/down N/A MODEL TESTED: G80 Electrified Luxury PRICE: £69,805 POWERTRAIN: 2x e-motors, 87.2kWh battery, 359bhp WITH a starting price of £69,805, the G80 Electrified costs much less than its rival here. However, there is a range of option packs that bump up the price considerably. Add the extras of our test car, and the total climbs to within touching distance of the EQE, at £84,215. Tech highlights Unlike the EQE, which was designed to be an EV from the outset, the G80’s chassis was originally intended for combustion powertrains. Fitting electrical running gear means some compromises in packaging, but in terms of motor and battery specs, the numbers are certainly competitive. There are two electric…

TO compare the two cars, we’ve taken representative figures for both based on a three-year PCP finance deal, with a £10,000 customer deposit and a 10,000-mile annual limit. On these figures alone, the EQE proves to be the slightly better value for money, coming in at £1,131 per month compared with £1,181 a month for the G80. You can thank the EQE’s residuals for that. It holds on to 56.1 per cent of its original price after three years or 36,000 miles, compared with 47.5 per cent for the Genesis. If you’re buying either of these cars with a bank loan and an intent to own it outright, then this difference is worth taking into account. While those figures show the difference in cost between the two on a PCP,…

EXECUTIVE SALOONS It’s an impressive feat for Genesis to beat Mercedes in a class that it has traditionally excelled in Sean Carson Associate editor “THIS test result is a really impressive showing for Genesis. Not because it has produced a car that can go toe-to-toe with Mercedes and come out on top, but because it has made a machine that’s more desirable.” John McIlroy Deputy editor “WITH Mercedes faltering and both BMW and Audi yet to bring their models to market, Genesis has a golden opportunity to grab a lead in the executive EV sector. Even once those rivals come out, they’ll need to be very special to wrestle the class lead back.” Dawn Grant Picture editor “I CAN see what Mercedes was getting at with the EQE – focusing…

tristan_shale-hester@autovia.co.uk @tristan_shale Running costs 50.3mpg (on test) £59 fill up Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 415/1,220 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 7.9 seconds/111mph MUCH like my furry friend Shadow, the Honda Civic e:HEV has been a faithful companion over the past six months. When we first took delivery, I was living in London and so the Japanese family hatch barely exceeded 20mph as it sat in endless traffic jams. Various trips outside the city for work and leisure, however, gave it the opportunity to get up to motorway speeds. Then, when I relocated to rural Somerset, the Civic had to get its white paint muddy as it coped with narrow country lanes and wet weather. I’m therefore of the opinion that I’ve thoroughly tested the Civic on just about every type of…

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…

FIRST TEST Clarke Electric Drill Sharpener CBS20 Price: £36.98 Rating: Contact: machinemart.co.uk IT can be a pain when progress stops part-way through drilling metal as the bit loses its cutting edge. Usually, you simply buy a replacement, but a recent addition to Clarke’s range can sharpen the bit to be reused. So does the CBS20 work? To find out, we got a sample from Clarke, along with one of its pillar drills (CDP5RB £119.94), and dug out one of our many blunt bits. Using a luggage scale to ensure the same pressure was always being applied, we timed how long it took a bit to go through thin sheet metal. We then sharpened it. This involved dropping the bit into the correct-sized hole, adjusting the grinding stone via the rotary knob,…

The Spirit of BMW Vaughan Grylls (Batsford Books, batsfordbooks.co.uk) Price: £12.99 Rating: BMW has created some incredible drivers’ cars, and this book does a good job of giving a whistle-stop tour through them. Given the low price, it’s nicely produced, well written and concise, though not exactly detailed. A good pairing to the Saab book we reviewed a couple of weeks ago. When the Wheels Come Off Vaughan Grylls (The History Press, thehistorypress.co.uk) Price: £12.99 Rating: THE successor to a book we quite enjoyed, telling stories of a time when cars had carbs and Ford Escorts didn’t sell for six figures. The author has a lighthearted style, but even he’ll admit some of the stories are embellished. A relaxed read and sure to conjure up memories for anyone who was a child…

CO2 /tax 99-210g/km £0-£385 Running costs 22-27mpg (2.0d 180) £90 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 7.6 seconds/140mph JAGUAR’S former CEO Thierry Bolloré announced before his departure that the way forward for the brand was to go more upmarket. Some have doubted that Jaguar can do this, but one thing is for sure: when it has tried to produce cheaper cars in volume, the strategy hasn’t worked. That was true of the X-Type and it’s also the case for the XE, despite both being desirable. The fundamental problem for Jaguar is that buyers don’t want saloons, and unlike its rivals, the XE doesn’t come in estate form – not that those are that popular any more, either. With SUVs having stolen sales from the family saloon and estate classes, the XE makes a…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram ● Donington hosts round one ● Tom Ingram defends his title THE opening round of the 2023 British Touring Car Championship takes place on 23 April at Donington Park, with the Leicestershire venue’s undulating track and huge banks giving spectators a fantastic view of the action. The national circuit’s 1.98-mile layout, which skips the Melbourne hairpin that’s part of the Grand Prix course, should deliver some action-packed racing, and many drivers will be out with a huge amount to prove coming into this season. Reigning champion Tom Ingram will be defending his 2022 crown, and is once again racing for the Bristol Street Motors with Excelr8 team in a Hyundai i30 N Fastback. Ingram won his title the hard way last year, with four drivers entering the final…

Matt_Robinson@autovia.co.uk @matt_201 ● Latest electric model introduces new infotainment tech ● Driving range of up to 435 miles for large-battery version THE Volkswagen ID range has grown a little bigger, thanks to the introduction of the all-new ID.7. At nearly five metres long, it’ll challenge the Tesla Model 3, with VW calling the ID.7 the ‘ID. flagship’. Propelling the new model is a rear-mounted electric motor, which is powered by a 77kWh battery in the ID.7 Pro that will be available from launch, while the 82kWh ID.7 Pro S will arrive later. VW gives projected WLTP range figures of up to 382 miles and 435 miles for the two derivatives: the Model 3 offers up to 374 miles. It’ll be slower than the average Tesla, however, with a power output…

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk @jordankatsianis ● Hybrid power will be the only option for UK buyers ● Sporty esprit Alpine trim level joins the range THE Renault Clio has been given a substantial makeover for 2023, with the French brand unveiling a sharp look for its popular supermini and a new sporty ‘esprit Alpine’ trim level. The Clio is a crucial model for Renault in European markets including Britain, having sold more than 16 million units since it was introduced in 1990. Here in the UK, 1.1 million Clios have found homes. Key changes to the Clio focus on styling and tech, including a dramatic new face with design elements inspired by the firm’s Megane E-Tech Electric family hatch and Scenic Vision concept. The new Clio’s LED headlights are slimmer than before and…

Skoda shines a light on pedestrian safety CAR-to-pedestrian communication to improve safety is being trialled by Skoda, with the Czech firm fitting its Enyaq iV with a special grille that can display signals to tell pedestrians when it’s safe to cross the road (above), or if the car is about to move off. Replacing the car’s backlit Crystal Face grille with programmable LEDs that can be controlled separately, it’s possible to create animations. The development is part of a trial to improve road safety. Big bid leaves lucky buyer in seven heaven THE world-record sale price for a car registration plate has been shattered at a Dubai auction, where £12million was spent on a plate bearing the number 7. The fantastic sum trumps the last Dubai record from 2008, when…

AS part of its new strategy to focus on high-end luxury models, Mercedes has revived the Maybach name for the electric era with its flagship EQS 680 SUV. Based on the regular EQS SUV, the car features a special grille and lots of chrome, plus the trademark two-tone paint scheme. A pair of electric motors delivers 649bhp, while claimed range stands at 373 miles. The electric powertrain should suit an ultra-luxurious Maybach model, while Mercedes has equipped the 680 with special mounts for its motors and lots of acoustic foam to suppress noise on the move. Air suspension and rear-axle steering are both fitted as standard, while inside, the Maybach EQS SUV is equipped with a pair of 11.6-inch screens in the rear and reclining Executive seats with a massage…

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk @jordankatsianis ● Centenary models revealed ● New kit for Giulia and Stelvio HOT on the heels of the recently updated Giulia and Stelvio ranges, Alfa Romeo has now revealed the revised flagship Quadrifoglio performance models, which will initially be available in this special ‘100 Anniversario’ spec. As with the standard editions, the new Quadrifoglios offer some tech updates, but also feature more significant mechanical changes that should improve the already brilliant super-saloon and SUV. These begin with a slight increase in power from the twin-turbocharged 2.9-litre V6, rising from 503bhp to 512bhp. The engine produces 600Nm of torque between 2,500 and 5,000rpm in both cars. The eight-speed automatic transmission is unchanged, but a new, purely mechanical limited-slip differential is now fitted to the back axle on the rear-drive saloon…

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 Ford Capri FROM: Joseph Lynn I’M not surprised by the news of this car. Why does everything today have to be an SUV? There’s very little choice if you want anything else, plus companies are slapping classic badges on new cars that bear no relation to the original. FROM: Gary Teck HOW does the Capri name even make sense in the current line-up alongside Mustang, Kuga and Puma? It’s a lesson in how to take an iconic car and ruin it. What is the obsession with SUVs? What happened to being creative and different? Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “SUVs have a place, but so would…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy Performance 0-62mph/top speed 7.0 seconds/99mph Electric motor Power/range 201bhp/265 miles ELECTRIC cars have been coming in phases – higher-end models first, followed by alternatives to family SUVs and hatchbacks. But the next 18 months look set to deliver a wave of affordable small EVs – and the BYD Dolphin will be one of them. Before you snigger at the name, it’s worth remembering that there is serious clout behind this hatchback. The Dolphin is the most compact model offered by the world’s second-largest battery manufacturer, and it’s designed to sit beneath the Atto 3 in a UK line-up that appears destined to go from zero to three models in barely a year. We’re driving a late prototype European-spec Dolphin here, but senior officials have already confirmed that it’s…

Q What’s happening to petrol and diesel cars? A PETROL and diesel have been the standard choice of car fuel for as long as any of us can remember. Sometimes – particularly in recent years – prices have skyrocketed or supplies have run dry, but on the whole it’s been easy to stop at a petrol station when required, top up your tank and be on your way in a matter of minutes. For reasons we needn’t go into, however, fossil fuels are being phased out and the harmful pollutants from petrol and diesel models need consigning to the history books. That’s why car manufacturers – who are being pushed by legislation and enforcement from all levels of Government – are moving to new forms of propulsion, particularly electric motors.…

Dean_Gibson@autovia.co.uk @DeanGbsn FEW cars are as ingrained in the nation’s psyche as the Ford Fiesta. It’s been a mainstay of Ford’s line-up for 47 years, and has been at the top of the sales charts for much of that time, too. However, all good things must come to an end, and Ford is pulling the plug on Fiesta production this year, as it looks forward to a new era of electrification. With that in mind, we thought it appropriate to pay a visit to the places in the UK that have helped the Fiesta achieve more than 20 million sales worldwide. And what better way to do that than in one of the last and arguably best of the breed, the Fiesta ST? Rewind to the early 1970s, and the…

Alfa Romeo V6 The ‘Busso’ V6 featured in many cars, such as the SZ (above). It was known for its great noise and punchy power delivery, plus the polished-chrome inlet on some cars. Ferrari V12 The Italian firm’s ‘Colombo’ V12 was in production for more than 40 years, but one of the finest examples of the motor has to be the 3.0-litre unit in the 250 GTO (above). Ford 1.0 EcoBoost Not all great engines are in performance cars. Ford’s UK-developed three-cylinder turbo EcoBoost unit won countless Engine of the Year titles – and for good reason. Porsche flat-six For Porsche fans, the ‘Mezger’ motorsport-derived flat-six engine is legendary. Full of character, it was arguably at its best in the 997.2 GT3 RS pictured above. RoverV8 Any list of top engines has to have…

WINNER Genesis G80 Electrified 1st WITH the G80’s biggest weakness – its combustion engines – taken out of the equation, we were expecting the Genesis to perform strongly. But to beat Mercedes is a massive achievement. Some of the options are pricey, but go easy on those, and it’s a car that’s much less expensive to buy and run than its rival, yet delivers stronger performance and better handling. Perhaps most surprising is that it feels more special than the EQE. We’d like a slightly smoother ride, but otherwise it’s an impressive effort. ● Performance ● Running costs ● Rear-seat space ● Decent efficiency ● EQE is more refined ● Occasionally fidgety ride ● Infotainment input issues INTERESTED? Scan the code for further information RUNNER-UP Mercedes EQE 2nd IN some areas, the…

SAME CLASS Tesla Model S Performance THE car that started it all for electric execs is still a compelling option. The Model S scores strongly for range, efficiency and the fact that the brand’s Supercharger network is so easy to use. But it’s also spacious inside, with a vast hatchback boot that’s far larger than those of either the Mercedes or the Genesis, plus another at the front. For £75,000, you can get a three-year-old model in Performance trim, which means a mind-blowing 0-60mph time of 2.3 seconds is on offer. Price: £75,000 (2020/70-plate, 10-25k miles) Powertrain: 2x e-motors, 603bhp, 100kWh battery, four-wheel drive 0-60mph: 2.3 seconds Claimed range: 402 miles SAME MONEY Porsche Taycan CT TESLA’S performance is all well and good, but if you want real driver involvement…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy Electric vehicle 341 miles range (WLTP) Max charging: 135kW DC Performance 0-62mph/top speed 7.0 seconds/99mph Practicality Boot (seats up) 385 litres WE KNOW what you’re thinking: latest long-term report on an EV, photoshoot in a charging hub – get ready for a tirade on how fickle the UK’s infrastructure is, right? Wrong. That’s not why we’re here. Now that spring has truly sprung, temperatures are generally sitting in double figures most days – and our Cupra Born is finally living up to its billing: a modestly sized family hatchback with a whopping battery. To recap, our edition of the racier EV features the largest battery pack that you can currently find in the VW Group’s line-up of MEB-based vehicles. It’s 77kWh net (82kWh gross), and that’s enough for…

Track battle for Baby Bugattis launched THE Little Car Company, maker of the Bugatti Baby II retro racing car, has partnered with HERO-ERA to launch the Bugatti Baby II championship. Using the Baby II (above), a 75 per cent-scale reproduction of the Bugatti Type 35, 20 adult and child teams – who will benefit from coaching by Le Mans winner Andy Wallace – will test themselves with three rounds of skills-based driving events, at Bicester Heritage in April, Silverstone in May, and Prescott Hill Climb in July. Participation is on a first-come, first-served basis, and interested parties should visit heroclub.eu for more info. BMW opts for B&W audio in new XM AS well as the new i7 (see page 18) Bowers & Wilkins will also provide the audio for BMW’s new XM…

LAMBORGHINI Squadra Corse has named Daniil Kvyat (right) as a factory driver for 2024. The former Toro Rosso and Red Bull Formula One driver will take part in development of the marque’s LMDh competitor before competing with Iron Lynx Lamborghini in the World Endurance Championship and US IMSA series. Russian Kvyat returns to endurance racing after his 2022 squad, the Russian-backed G-Drive outfit, withdrew from the LMP2 class at the eleventh hour in protest at the restrictions imposed on Russian entrants by the FIA. As well as testing, Kvyat will drive for Prema Racing in the LMP2 class alongside fellow Lamborghini factory driver Mirko Bortolotti and Doriane Pin. Kvyat – a three-time F1 podium finisher – will have another familiar face in the squad, with ex-Haas and Renault racer Romain…