Table of contents for 1778 in Auto Express

ORA, maker of the Funky Cat electric supermini, has confirmed its second model to be sold in the UK: a fastback saloon rival to the Tesla Model 3. It’s known as the Lightning Cat in China, but while the new car has yet to be named in the UK, Auto Express believes it could be called the 07, with the Funky Cat becoming the 03. It will have a range of up to 300 miles, and will come in rear-drive and four-wheel-drive forms (the latter with 395bhp and a 4.4-second 0-62mph time). It will go on sale early next year. Ariya and T-Roc clean up at NCAP VOLKSWAGEN’S compact T-Roc SUV is the cleanest combustion-engined car yet tested by Green NCAP, gaining impressive scores on the organisation’s clean-air index. Unfortunately…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress HOT TOPIC MG Cyberster FROM: Jakob Holgersson I HOPE there’ll be a fixed-roof version of the MG Cyberster. I just don’t like the way convertibles look and I don’t want to pay extra for a bunch of complexity that only makes the car less sexy and heavier. FROM: Alexander Björk FINALLY we get to see a proper sports car and not a stupid Sports Utility Vehicle/Crossover, or whatever the name is for the motorised Hapsburg chins that are plaguing our roads today. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk “I hope MG has improved its build quality, and that the soft-top isn’t prone to leaks.”Michael Norris “MG will find a lot of goodwill. Just don’t make the car flash and heavy; go the Mazda route.”Darren Lewis “As a two-seat, soft-top…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk WHEN we speak to Kevin Fitzpatrick, he admits he’s feeling a little worse for wear from his retirement do the previous night. But no one can begrudge him that, because this is a man whose retirement has been very well earned. Anyone who has visited Nissan’s plant in Sunderland – officially titled Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK, or NMUK for short – will know that the sheer scale of the site, where around 6,000 people are employed, is breathtaking. That certainly wasn’t the case, however, when Kevin joined Nissan 38 years ago. He was one of the original 22 supervisors hired in preparation for the Bluebird going into production at the still-to-be-constructed site. As a result, Kevin’s career charts the history of a factory that has become one of the…

WHILE the Q8 e-tron pictured here is the high-end Vorsprung trim, we’ve based these PCP prices on the Sport version. Even so, the Genesis proves to be cheaper to run. Place a £10,000 deposit on a three-year PCP agreement, and the Electrified GV70 comes to £900 per month, undercutting its rival by £265. Over 36 months, that translates into a £9,518 difference. Even if you load the GV70 up with all the extras of our test car, it still undercuts the Audi, coming to £1,052 per month. The Genesis saves in other areas, too. A five-year care plan includes not only the warranty and roadside assistance, but also servicing. It’s cheaper to insure, while its better efficiency figures mean that it’ll cost £118 less to charge over the course of…

PREMIUM ELECTRIC SUVs There are plenty of options open to buyers that mean both cars will have a tough time making sales “ONE of the biggest competitors for the GV70 comes from within the Genesis stable itself. The GV60 is smaller on the outside, has more space inside and is similarly well equipped, but it costs less to buy. The twin-motor Sport model has similar speed but is more efficient, too.” “FOR some people, the thought of a 483bhp family SUV will, perhaps rightly, seem a little daft. We’d love to see Genesis release a single-motor version of the GV70. Even with half the power, its performance would be okay, and it’d be cheaper both to buy and to run.” “THE BMW iX is pricier than these contenders, but it…

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NEW PRODUCT Laser Tools EV cables Price: £454.13 (Type 2 to 13A mains 8628) Contact: lasertools.co.uk AS the electric vehicle (EV) car parc grows, so does the charge-cable aftermarket, as owners try to be ready for any opportunity to top up. New on the growing market is Laser Tools, with a comprehensive range covering a spread of requirements. For home use connecting to wallbox chargers, there are three single-phase Type 2 to Type 2 cables, starting with the 5m 8620 (£406.27), 10m 8621 (£626.64) and 5m extension 8622 (£454.13). All can charge at up to 7.4kW. There are also 5m extensions for three-phase (usually public) chargers with up to 22kW capacity. For home charging without a wallbox, there’s the Type 2 to 13 Amp three-pin plug 8628 at £454.13, and the…

USING a combination of a car and pushbike for a journey can work brilliantly, but there are usually several reasons why more of us don’t cycle more – including steep hills and the size of the bike. A folding electric model collapses down small enough to fit in the boot of your car, while the motor takes the sweat and muscle sting out of uphill slopes. Up until now, our favourite e-bike has been the MiRider One – and the firm has recently improved its machine by adding three gears, with the GB3. The range remains the same, but the price does increase by £900 compared with the single-speed One. It’s still much cheaper than the Brompton C-Line Explore, yet if you are looking for value, there is always the…

Find out how much your car is worth right now or check the price of a car you’re looking to buy The new Auto Express free car valuation tool will give you an accurate price based on the latest UK car market data, fast. WHY VALUE YOUR CAR WITH AUTO EXPRESS? EASY, FAST & FREE Input a car registration number, add a few other details, then click through to your valuation. FOR BUYERS & SELLERS Get relevant part exchange, private sale or dealer forecourt prices, depending on your buying or selling status. A PRICE YOU CAN TRUST Prices are updated live from the latest UK car market data for a true guide to any car’s value right now. ENTER YOUR REGISTRATION NOW! Scan with your smartphone to receive an instant…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler ● Next-generation MINI EV to have range of up to 250 miles ● Higher-tech, but simpler-looking interior THE much-teased and often-spied all-new MINI hatch is still a year away from showrooms, but Auto Express has already been behind the wheel of the fresh, fully electric MINI Cooper – and it’s set to be an even bigger hit than the current model. Despite the imminent arrival of the new car, the current MINI is still sitting pretty in the list of the UK’s top 10 best-selling cars of 2023 – with the all-electric Cooper SE accounting for 25 per cent of sales. We’ve been invited to a snowy Austria to put the new car – still in pre-production form and clad in colourful camouflage – through its paces on…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk ● Based on CMF-B platform ● Potential hybrid model DACIA has a big few years ahead. We’ll soon see an all-new SUV called the Bigster, which will push the range up into a new sector the brand has never before occupied – but before that Dacia will launch an all-new version of its big-selling Duster SUV, and our spy photographers have caught the new car testing. The new Duster is set to make its debut next year, and will move to the Renault Group CMF-B platform, which is the architecture that underpins the company’s existing Sandero and Jogger models, and will also for the basis of the Bigster. As a result, we’re not expecting big changes under the bonnet, with the Duster set to remain exclusively powered by combustion…

New body formed to oversee EV charging A NEW industry body responsible for the UK’s EV charging infrastructure has been launched, with ambitious plans to double the size of the charging network by the end of this year. It is called ChargeUK and comprises 18 companies that include the likes of Ionity, BP Pulse, Gridserve and Osprey. Those involved have outlined collective investment of more than £6billion up to 2030, with funding for “tens of thousands” of new chargers that are set to be installed through 2023. Electrification boosts UK car production UK car production rose by six per cent to 219,887 units in Q1 2023. The figure was boosted by a 75-per cent surge in hybrid, plug-in and full EV numbers in March, when four out of 10 cars…

Dean_Gibson@autovia.co.uk @DeanGbsn RARELY do the worlds of automotive and theatre collide. Aside from the occasional racing-car reveal or a prop for a professional dancer to jump around on, you won’t normally find a car taking pride of place on stage. But when you’re bringing one of the most popular movies of the eighties to the West End – one that features a car as an integral part of the plot – then things get complicated. Back To The Future: The Musical opened to rave reviews at London’s Adelphi Theatre in September 2021, and has since gone on to wow audiences of all ages with its mix of songs old and new, sharply choreographed dance routines and cutting-edge special effects, all of which are designed to capture the spirit of the…

WINNER Genesis Electrified GV70 1st THE Genesis takes the win here, but not convincingly so. In some areas it’s very strong; it’s more than quick enough to see off the Audi, the classy cabin is a match for the Q8 e-tron’s, while Genesis’ comprehensive aftersales services are reassuring. However, it does come with a few flaws. Because the Electrified GV70 isn’t built from the ground up as an EV, it’s tighter inside than some rivals, although the same can be said for the Audi. The driving dynamics could be more polished, too. Straight-line performance Classy cabin Decent efficiency Strong aftersales package Inconsistent ride Smaller boot than rival’s Range Pricey option packs INTERESTED? Scan the code for further information RUNNER-UP Audi Q8 e-tron 2nd AUDI was fairly early to get into the…

SAME CLASS BMW X5 xDrive 45e ONE of the most convincing posh SUVs you can buy combines combustion and EV powertrains. A great all-rounder in any trim, the X5 is spacious, beautifully built and rides even better than the Audi. In xDrive 45e guise it does 40-45 miles on battery power, yet its creamy six-cylinder petrol allows longer trips on a whim. Now available for under £50,000, but for new Electrified GV70 money you can get a two-year-old car with only a handful of miles. Superb ride and refinement PHEV flexibility Weight Thirsty in petrol-only mode SAME MONEY Tesla Model X IT’S getting long in the tooth now, but the Model X still has a few tricks up its sleeve. It leads the class when it comes to performance, efficiency,…

Darren_Wilson@autovia.co.uk Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 545/1,640 litres Running costs 41.3mpg (on test) £85 fill-up IT’S no secret that many Auto Express staff began predominantly working from home after the 2020 pandemic. One major downside of this is our loss of the office car park. Previously, we could easily grab keys from the lockbox, to take out and test anything from our long-term fleet. In an effort to redress this balance, we’ve set up Testing Tuesdays, when we group manufacturer cars along with long-term loan vehicles so that the wider team can jump behind the wheels and get a feel for the models that we cover week in, week out. The latest event grouped Stellantis cars, including several Citroens. Online reviews editor Ellis Hyde borrowed the flagship C5 X I usually…

McLaren loads up for its 60th anniversary LUXURY travel brand Tumi has teamed up with McLaren to celebrate the supercar company’s 60th anniversary, with a new range of bespoke luggage resplendent in McLaren’s Papaya colour. The set (above) includes a backpack, carry-on suitcase, crossbody bag, sling and accessory case. Tumi has also relaunched its existing McLaren collection, including a further collaboration with Formula One driver Lando Norris to produce a range of carbon-fibre luggage. All items can be found at uk.tumi.com. Luxury marque’s latest home decor BENTLEY Home has hit Milan Design Week 2023 with a range of seven brand-new furniture pieces, ideal for the discerning design buff who has a taste for luxury British cars. In collaboration with designers Federico Peri, Riccardo Cavaciocchi and Carlo Colombo, the range includes…

Formula One Drive to Survive: The Unofficial Companion Stuart Codling (Motorbooks, quartoknows.co.uk) Price: £22 Rating: THIS companion to the Netflix series provides greater insight into the F1 world – from the drivers to the techs and those behind the scenes who keep the whole shebang running. Great for fans of the series or the sport in general, but tries to cover a lot. Real followers might want more depth. The Story of Porsche Luke Smith (Welbeck, welbeckpublishing.com) Price: £12.99 Rating: A COMPACT but concise and well written history of the Porsche brand. Well presented in a smart package that’ll look good in a marque library, it boasts excellent imagery. It covers the milestones in the firm’s history along with the most important cars, from the 911 through to racers and…

Chris_Rosamond@autovia.co.uk THE MINI Hatchback records a spectacular bounceback on the Driver Power leaderboard in the 2022 new-car survey. It finishes in a strong 11th place, having only made it to 59th the year before. Owners tell us they really like the way their MINIs look and drive. The safety kit and infotainment systems are rated highly enough for third places overall. Plus the MINI can boast several top spots, with best-in-survey results for the engine sound, seat comfort, overall quality and road-holding. But there are some predictable downsides to MINI ownership. Owners don’t like the servicing costs, its tiny boot or the lack of cabin storage. And rear-seat legroom was rated 75th – worst in the entire survey. WE SAID “Combining attractive styling with a great driving experience, the MINI…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram • Street circuit tests efficiency • Wehrlein in lead of title race THIS weekend sees Formula E reach its most glamorous destination of the year, as the all-electric circus moves to Monte Carlo for the Monaco E-Prix. The Formula E cars run on a near-identical layout to that of the famous Formula 1 race; the only exception on the 2.047-mile layout is a slightly revised arrangement for the Nouvelle Chicane, which comes quickly after the exit of the iconic tunnel. The track is a real test of efficiency; the power-sapping steep run up the hill from St. Devote towards Casino Square is followed by a downhill run back towards Portier. On that stretch the best cars will be able to recover up to 600kW in brake regeneration –…

FRANZ Tost has announced that he will step down as team principal of the Alpha Tauri F1 squad at the end of this season. The team said the move was about “securing long-term stability and ensuring continuity”. Tost will take on a consultancy role until the end of 2024. The 67-year old Austrian has been in F1 since 2000, first with BMW Williams, before taking on his current role back in 2005 when the Minardi squad was bought out by Red Bull to form the Scuderia Toro Rosso team, which was rebranded as Alpha Tauri in 2020. Tost will be replaced by Frenchman Laurent Mekies, who is currently the Assistant Team Principal at Ferrari and will return to the squad that he last worked for in 2014. Mekies’ departure continues…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy ● Hot Skoda EVs on the way ● Enyaq tech will speed arrival SKODA is pushing ahead with bringing its vRS performance sub-brand into its expanding range of electric vehicles – and that could well mean a hot version of the first addition to the line-up, the Elroq. Designed as an electric alternative to the Karoq – the name is a portmanteau of Electric and Karoq – the Elroq is a 4.5-metre-long family SUV. It will lead Skoda’s EV expansion in UK showrooms in the second half of 2024, with a range of battery sizes and a choice of single and dual-motor variants. Skoda has not detailed plans for any further performance models since the arrival last year of its first all-electric vRS vehicles, the Enyaq and Enyaq…

Chris_Rosamond@autovia.co.uk ● Li-ion fires burn fiercely ● Water jet cuts through casing WATER jet tech from Swedish firm Cold Cut Systems could be deployed against the increasing threat of so-called thermal runaway blazes in electric vehicle batteries, following successful tests by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (SCCA). The risk of fires in EVs, although small, is a big worry for fire services. Lithium-ion batteries burn fiercely, potentially producing ‘jet flames’ and venting highly toxic gases, such as hydrogen cyanide. A number of EVs burning in a confined space, such as an underground car park, could quickly become too hot for crews to access. It also takes a vast quantity of water to extinguish an EV fire safely – up to 150,000 litres. A fire in a combustion-engined vehicle is typically…

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 33.2mpg (official) £94 fill-up WHEN Alfa Romeo revealed its first ever SUV, the Stelvio, back in 2016, we found it to be a genuine contender for the established German competition, thanks to its fantastic driving characteristics and easy-on-the-eye design, inside and out. Fast-forward to 2023 (yes, more than six years later) and Alfa Romeo has given the Stelvio a facelift, alongside the refreshed Giulia saloon (see Page 25), to bring it up to date with the fresher Tonale in its range. In terms of design, Alfa Romeo clearly feels that less is more, because there are only a few subtle cosmetic changes here. The headlights now feature three individual lights, just like the Tonale, paying homage to the SZ Zagato. The distinctive triangular ‘Trilobo’ grille (as…

ANOTHER week passes, another new variant of the Mazda MX-5 emerges. This time, we’re testing the Retractable Fastback RF model in 1.5-litre form and new Exclusive-Line trim. This mid-spec model is probably the one you’ll want to go for as well (some caveats not withstanding, which we’ll get to in a moment), because it comes with most of the kit you’ll need, some of the toys you’ll want, and few items that really push the price up. It splits the entry-level Prime-Line and top-spec Homura models. This lesser-engined RF Exclusive-Line model costs £30,025 and features 16-inch alloy wheels as standard. These don’t actually look as small as they sound, given the MX-5 compact dimensions, and they mean the ride is acceptable, too. Other standard-fit equipment includes heated, black leather seats,…

SAME CLASS Mercedes EQC BACK in 2019 we pitted the Audi e-tron SUV against the EQC, and the Mercedes just emerged victorious. In most areas the pair are very closely matched, and both have similar strengths: comfort and refinement are among their biggest plus points. Efficiency was the deciding factor; as in this test, the Audi managed 2.3 miles per kilowatt hour, but the Mercedes achieved 2.7mi/kWh. However, the Q8 e-tron’s larger battery means that it now has a greater range than its rival, and it’s more spacious, too. If Mercedes wants to keep pace in this sector, it’ll need to up its game at least as much as Audi has. Comfort Efficiency Safety tech Less roomy than rivals Uninspiring handling Less range than competition SAME MONEY Lexus RZ TOYOTA…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk Running costs 39.8mpg (on test) £115 fill-up £1,565 or 37% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 500/1,470 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 5.1 seconds/155mph THE car world is on a charge towards electrification. It was always coming, but that significant event back in 2015, which saw Volkswagen – one of the world’s biggest automotive brands – cheat emissions tests with its diesel models, definitely accelerated the switch. As part of that, and over the following eight years, diesel has been demonised and treated like a hazardous, toxic fuel in some parts. But despite its less-than-clean-and-green image these days, I am here to argue its case. You see, when done correctly – as per my SQ5 Sportback long-termer – I think diesel still has a part to play. I’m not saying EVs,…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk WE have tested both products alongside each other in the past, but it is hard to compare the two because they are so different, despite doing essentially the same job. As a result, we decided to split them, looking at clay bars alone, then mitts, cloths and iron removers in their own test. Each of the products has a role to play in preparing paint for a wax, coating or some other form of last-stage protection. Traditionalists will always opt for the clay bar. This can be easily moulded into a ‘fingertip’ shape and you get better feedback as you run the clay over a contaminated panel, because it begins to require less effort as the particles are lifted away. You do get some of that…

NEW PRODUCT MiRider GB3 Price: £2,495 Weight: 17.3kg Gears: Three Range: 45 miles Rating: Contact: mirider.co.uk WE love that MiRider has ignored the traditional e-bike layout by enclosing three gears in the rear hub, a design that is said to make the GB3 feel more balanced to ride. Its rear suspension means it doesn’t struggle on poor road surfaces, either. A belt (not chain) drive improves maintenance – and you will avoid oily marks on your clothes and trim, too – while a gel saddle adds to the comfort. The gear system is easy to use, and reminds us of Sturmey-Archer systems of the seventies. The extra ratios add to the efficiency, especially up steep slopes, meaning you don’t need to use maximum assistance.…

Search thousands of new and used cars online BMW kick-started the premium small-hatch sector in 1993, with the E36 3 Series Compact. But that car never really captured buyers’ imagination, and while it sold in reasonable numbers, it didn’t match the popularity of the 1996 Audi A3. As a result, that arch-competitor is often credited with creating the premium small-hatch sector, even though BMW got there first. On the back of its rival’s tremendous success with the original A3, BMW came back for more with the first 1 Series in 2004, and the model’s instant acceptance led to the second-generation, more cohesively designed 1 Series of 2011. When the Mk3 arrived in 2019, it was the best yet, despite (or maybe because of) BMW switching from rear to front-wheel drive.…

Join the debate now at autoexpress.co.uk/opinion I FEAR that in the final week of April, our much-loved world of motor cars, motorists, motoring and manufacturing went ever so slightly mad. But bonkers doesn’t necessarily mean bad. And Skoda proved this by doing what some of its rivals might consider insane: actually telling the truth (we hope); doing away with the usual motor industry BS; keeping consumer matters simple; acknowledging the necessity for affordable EVs; giving appropriate assurances to current and future customers. From its global HQ in the Czech Republic, the company even put everything in writing so its strictly on-the-record promises can be challenged if they’re not delivered in future. That’s either mad or very clever. The latter, I reckon. Examples of Skoda’s deliverables (touch wood) that are now…