Table of contents for 1779 in Auto Express

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk ● A290 EV set for debut in 2024 ● Cabin draws on racing heritage “The name – pronounced A290 ‘beta’ – is derived from the gaming world” ALPINE will take up the mantle from Renaultsport when it comes to hot hatchbacks, and this Alpine A290_ß show car previews a future hot hatch from the sporty French brand. The name – pronounced A290 ‘beta’ – is derived from the gaming world, where developmental programmes are given this tag, highlighting that this car previews a production model that’s set to make its debut in 2024. Although this A290_ß show car is based on a one-off bespoke platform not dissimilar to that of the Renault R5 Turbo 3E concept shown last year, the production version will be based on sister firm Renault’s…

Chris_Rosamond@autovia.co.uk ● Cheaper diesel wholesale prices not reflected at pumps DIESEL drivers were ripped off by £9 every time they filled their tanks in April, as supermarkets and other retailers were accused of ‘price gouging’ motorists. The wholesale price of diesel – what filling stations pay for their supplies – dropped below the price of petrol for the entire month. According to RAC Fuel Watch, the wholesale diesel price was 6p a litre below that of unleaded. Yet diesel fuel on average remained a whopping 13p per litre more expensive, with drivers filling up at 159p instead of the 146p they should have paid. RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “Diesel drivers across the UK mainland continue to lose out badly at the pumps. They’re paying 13p a litre more…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler ● Jeep boss tells us why electric power is such a benefit to brand “There will be a clear difference in off-road ability, according to Meunier” JEEP’S march towards full electrification is gaining pace. The small all-electric Avenger arrives in the UK this year, and it will be followed by the large luxury Wagoneer S and Wrangler-inspired Jeep Recon – both of which are expected to be revealed in 2024 and hit the UK in 2025. However, Jeep boss Christian Meunier has now confirmed that the next-generation Wrangler – the firm’s off-road icon – will not only be all-electric, but also even more capable off the tarmac than the current car. Jeep has teased the prospect of an all-electric Wrangler in the past, with the Magneto concepts built…

We want to hear your views. Send your questions or opinions to the E-mail address below Contact Chris Rosamond mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress HOT TOPIC Jaguar’s EV future FROM: Clint Connor SO what would you be paying for? Just an electric motor and battery the same as a normal electric car, with the same performance figures. Anyone who pays a premium for an electric prestige car is an absolute mug. FROM: Darren Smith DEBADGE 20 EVs and put them in a line-up and get the general driving public to say what model is what. Even what the manufacturer is. The majority simply wouldn’t have a clue and, worryingly, probably don’t even care. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “The headline should be ‘Get ready to say goodbye to Jag’. If they don’t…

Richard_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @rsp_ingram IT’S not often that a car’s core running gear is fundamentally altered midway through its lifecycle. Yet with the basic C40, as well as the mechanically similar XC40 (Page 24), Volvo has moved the electric motor from the front axle to the back. Historically, rear-driven cars have been favoured by enthusiasts, although Volvo claims the changes made here are mainly to improve efficiency. As tested – and despite there being no tweaks to the battery size or chemistry – our single-motor C40 in mid-spec Plus trim offers a claimed 295 miles of range, up from 269 miles previously. But the maximum charge rate on updated single-motor XC40 and C40 cars drops from 150kW to 130kW, apparently due to a change in battery supplier. It means that they take…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk Performance 0-62mph/top speed 5.3 seconds/99mph Electric motor Power/range 309bhp/271 miles WE’VE waited a long time for Lexus to offer a big, bespoke premium EV – and we’ll have to wait a little longer for the full effect, because the RZ with drive-by-wire steering and a yoke-style steering wheel won’t arrive until next year at the earliest. But the version with conventional steering is here now, so has playing the waiting game worked? How does it compare with rivals such as the BMW iX3 and Tesla Model Y? Well, the cabin is certainly as premium-feeling and as well built as you’d expect of any Lexus with a £64,500 price tag (our car is a base-spec RZ 450e Premium Pack). Inheriting the infotainment from its NX and RX siblings, the RZ’s…

201bhp Powertrain 1x e-motor 60.5kWh Battery/range 260 miles 7.3 secs Performance 99mph 440 litres Seats up/down 1,338 litres MODEL TESTED: Atto 3 Design PRICE: £38,990 POWERTRAIN: 1x electric motor/lithium-ion battery, 201bhp WHILE other BYD models such as the Seal and Dolphin have aquatic-themed names, the Atto 3 is said to be named after the smallest measurement of time, the attosecond. The three stands for its supposed attributes of being speedy, energetic and dynamic. Here we’re testing the Atto 3 in top-spec Design trim, which costs £38,990. Tech highlights IT’S a new name to the UK, but BYD – short for Build Your Dreams – is one of the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturers. The automotive division of the larger BYD company has been around since 2003, building cars, buses, lorries…

SAME CLASS MG ZS EV GIVEN that the Niro EV straddles the divide between hatchbacks and SUVs, we could just as easily have put the MG4 in here. Either way, MG’s electric offerings are competitive, courtesy of their great-value pricing and decent driving range. The ZS EV matches the Niro for boot space, while the 73kWh version offers a WLTP-tested range of 273 miles, which is right in the ballpark of the two models tested here, and the kit list is easily a match for what’s on offer with BYD. What’s more, a list price of £35,495 for the top-spec Trophy Long Range model undercuts the Atto 3 Design by £3,500. SAME MONEY Cupra Born PROVING that the BYD Atto 3 isn’t as cheap…

Pete_Baiden@autovia.co.uk @PeteBaiden Running costs 65.6mpg (on test) £510 or 12% tax “I’ve unintentionally dazzled so many drivers that I’m running out of ways to apologise” A CAR can be great to own, but sometimes there’s a single issue that taints your opinion of it, just one thing that niggles away and becomes more and more annoying the more you use it. That’s what has happened with the Peugeot 308 SW that I’ve been running on our fleet. I’ve loved driving it daily, it’s almost been the perfect family car. But I’ve started to dread getting behind the wheel after it gets dark. It’s all because the High Beam Assist on our GT Premium model seems to have a mind of its own. There’s no rhyme or reason as to when…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk SUMMER is only just around the corner, which means thoughts start to turn to holidays, and for many that can include towing. Whether it is a caravan, a trailer tent or just something to transport your camping gear, it pays to make sure that what you’re planning is safe and legal. The law changed at the end of 2021, doing away with the requirement for drivers who got their full licence after 1 January 1997 to take a further test to drive the bigger car-and-caravan combinations. Note that the laws are different in Northern Ireland, though. The result is that everyone can now tow a trailer with a 3,500kg MAM (Maximum Authorised Mass), while drivers who passed their test prior to 1996 can drive a vehicle…

NEW PRODUCT NightSearcher ZOOM 700R Rechargeable Spot-to-Flood Head Torch Price: £40.95 Rating: Power: Li-poly/0.8Ah Contact: shop.nightsearcher.com OUTWARDLY, the 700R is identical to the test-winning 580R. It has a rechargeable power pack mounted behind the light and can also run on three AAA alkaline batteries. It’s 12g lighter than the 580R, but the controls for the four modes and impressive wide-to-spot zoom both copy that unit’s logical and easy-to-use layout. The light outputs are 700, 310, 25 and 10 lumens instead of the 580R’s 580, 270, 30 and 10 lumens. It stood up well to the 1,000-lumen LED Lenser, the zoom modes being a little better defined and not so wide. The five-year warranty and IP64 waterproof certification impress.…

Search thousands of new and used cars online IN 2021 the Formentor was the first bespoke Cupra model, arriving after SEAT elevated what was once a name applied to sporty derivatives of its mainstream models to ‘brand’ status. The new Formentor found itself plunged into the deep end, where some pretty big sharks were circling. To see if it would sink or swim, we pitched the Cupra against two premium rivals in the shape of 2.0-litre petrol versions of the Porsche Macan and Alfa Romeo Stelvio in a three-car road test. The Porsche shares its engine with the Cupra – and the Volkswagen Golf GTI – albeit a version with a bit less power. The Stelvio splits the VW Group-owned pair when it comes to horsepower and performance, but as the biggest…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk ● Pure-petrol engines remain alongside mild hybrid and full EV ● New battery gives electric e-2008 252 miles of claimed range PEUGEOT’S 2008 small SUV is a big success story for the French brand, routinely among the top three best-selling compact crossovers in Europe and topping the list in 2021. To continue that success, the company has revealed an updated 2008, sporting tweaks to the styling, a new electrified range of engines and up to 252 miles of range for the e-2008 full EV. The pure-petrol motor remains, with a choice of 99bhp or 128bhp 1.2-litre three-cylinder PureTech units, linked to either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox. We expect performance will be unchanged compared with its predecessor, which accelerated from 0-62mph in 12.2 and 10.7 seconds for…

THE man behind the A290_ß show car gives us insight into the design and what will make it on the production version. Q Is it difficult to design a sporty EV with a low driving position, given that the battery is mounted in the car’s floor? A“Yes and no. The production car will have a lower seating position. Yes, the battery does hinder this slightly, but the dynamic feeling comes from the low centre of gravity. That weight [the battery] is very low, so the car feels very agile.” Q What does the A290 represent for Alpine? A “It’s an exciting opportunity. We are a young brand going from one to three cars in our range over the next few years – but also going full EV with those cars.…

Steve Fowler Editor-in-chief, Auto Express I WANT my nine quid back! In fact, I want my £18 back, because that’s what I’m owed after filling up my diesel car twice in April, at supermarkets and paying close to 160p a litre. We’ve known for a while that supermarkets have been leading the fuel-price con on drivers, ratcheting prices up fast and dragging their heels when it comes to passing on price cuts. But the news that they’ve been busted overcharging diesel drivers so cynically is nothing short of a scandal. Supermarkets on the side of UK consumers? They’re having a laugh.…

Summer unveiling for Volvo’s next EV VOLVO has confirmed that its new baby SUV will be called EX30, and it will make its global debut on 7 June. The electric model, teased in this shadowy image (above) will be the first Volvo to use the SEA platform developed by the Swedish brand’s parent firm Geely. It’s expected to be offered with a choice of battery capacities and rear or four-wheel drive. The firm is likely to start taking pre-orders for the vehicle as soon as it lifts the covers. PAGE 22: Updated C40 and XC40 driven Brit firm offers EV kit for classic Mini ELECTRIC conversion specialist Electrogenic has launched a new kit designed for the original Mini. The pre-assembled unit replaces the A-Series engine with a 60bhp electric motor…

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…

Richard_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @rsp_ingram IT’S all change at Volvo. As well as an overhaul for its single-motor electric SUVs, the punchier all-wheel-drive XC40 and C40 Recharge cars have been updated with bigger batteries for more range. Previously fitted with a 78kWh (75kWh usable) battery, the XC40 Twin now gets a larger 82kWh (79kWh usable) unit, adding up to 24 per cent more range. Volvo claims the dual-motor XC40 in entry-level Core specification will do up to 334 miles – and 326 miles in our test car’s Ultimate trim. In theory, that elevates Volvo’s smallest SUV from EV also-ran to one of the longest-range models in its class. For context, a Tesla Model Y can cover up to 331 miles. In addition, the new XC40 Twin can now charge at speeds of up…

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk @jordankatsianis Performance 0-62mph/top speed 8.2 seconds/93mph Electric motor Power/range 181bhp/124 miles WITH a strict 999-unit run, only 150 of which will be coming to the UK, the MINI Electric Convertible will be something of a rarity. And at £52,500, it would likely have stayed that way, even if it had been put into full series production. So this MINI Electric Convertible is more of an appetiser for the world of open-top MINI EV motoring. Under the skin, the new Convertible features the same basic powertrain as the hard-top, with a 181bhp electric motor powering the front wheels. Performance is spritely, rather than sporty, with 62mph reached in 8.2 seconds; that’s nearly a second down on the standard electric hatch, due to a hefty 1,470kg kerbweight. The extra weight comes…

201bhp Powertrain 1x e-motor 64.8kWh Battery/range 285 miles 7.8 secs Performance 103mph 475 litres Seats up/down 1,393 litres MODEL TESTED: Niro EV 3 PRICE: £39,545 POWERTRAIN: 1x e-motor, 64.8kWh battery, 201bhp COMPETITIVE pricing means that the top-spec BYD Atto 3 Design undercuts the mid-range Kia Niro 3 by £555, although our test car’s extras of a heat pump (£900) and metallic paint (£595) widen the gap even further. Tech highlights WHILE the Atto 3 uses a bespoke electric-car platform, the Niro EV’s underpinnings are designed to also accommodate hybrid and PHEV running gear. However, this hasn’t compromised the Niro’s packaging when compared with the BYD, because while it’s narrower, lower and shorter overall – but has an identical wheelbase – cabin space is better. The 64.8kWh battery is nearly five…

THE main advantage that the Atto 3 has over the Niro EV in terms of the finance figures is that BYD is offering a £3,000 deposit contribution to attract buyers into showrooms. Combine that with a typical 10 per cent deposit, and it means that the top-spec Atto 3 Design costs around £32 a month less than the Niro EV 3 on a Personal Contract Plan. Add a heat pump to the Kia to match the Atto 3, and the gap almost doubles, while a top-spec Niro 4 with a heat pump will set you back £677 a month. Buyers without a deposit are in luck when it comes to the Niro EV, because Kia is currently offering the option of putting no money down at the start of a…

COMPACT ELECTRIC SUVs BYD has succeeded in toppling Kia here – is it a sign of what’s to come from the Chinese wave? Sean Carson Associate editor “IT’S not easy to launch a new car from an unknown manufacturer, so BYD must be applauded for getting so much of the Atto 3 right. Changes to the market mean that now is the time for new firms to take on legacy manufacturers, and on this basis, they’re going to do well.” John McIlroy Deputy editor “WHAT’S impressed me most about BYD is how quickly the company has gone from its initial promise of getting to market to actually having cars in dealers. With most legacy manufacturers, it’s a drawn-out process, but it’s only been nine months since BYD first declared its…

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THERE are lots of price and type choices when it comes to buying a head torch, but for the past few years, NightSearcher’s Zoom 580R has swept all before it. That model has now been replaced by the Zoom 700R and we wanted to see if it could continue the winning run. To test how well it fared, we put it up against two of the previous big-hitters: the Ring RIL6400 and LED Lenser H7R Core. We performed our usual tests, working on the car in a garage and in the open. We compared the specifications, looking at battery size, charging time and ratings for shock and moisture/dust resistance. The king is dead, long live the NightSearcher Zoom 700R, which carries on its predecessor’s legacy. The LED Lenser came close…

Chris_Rosamond@autovia.co.uk HAVING won the Driver Power new-car survey outright in 2021, the Kona only just missed the podium in 2022. Owners are particularly pleased with how easy it is to connect a smartphone, plus they say the Kona’s touchscreen is responsive, its sat-nav works well and its controls are user-friendly. The Hyundai SUV earns strong marks for its engine and gearbox; acceleration is good, there are no issues with noise, and the gearboxes are smooth. It’s highly reliable and screwed together well, plus the steering and brakes are responsive. And while owners aren’t overly impressed with the Kona’s boot capacity, its front seats are comfortable, plus there’s excellent all-around visibility and low running costs. WE SAID “The all-electric Kona EV sets high standards with its long range and decent price…

BRANDS Hatch is hosting round two of the Fanatec GT World challenge this weekend, giving British fans a chance to see some of the world’s top GT3 racers battle it out on the Grand Prix circuit across two one-hour sprint races. The first round of the season was the Endurance Cup race at Monza, which saw the Rowe Racing BMW squad finish one-two, with the winning car driven by Philipp Eng, Marco Wittmann and Nick Yelloly. The final podium spot was bagged by the Iron Lynx Lamborghini Huracán squad.…

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk ● Spyder RS is final petrol Boxster ● Same engine as Cayman GT4 RS PORSCHE has revealed the last hurrah for its petrol-powered Boxster: the new 718 Spyder RS. This final version of the sports car will be revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July as a major part of the brand’s 75th anniversary celebrations. The Spyder RS features a unique mix of engine, suspension and styling elements, in effect bridging the gap between the existing Spyder and Cayman GT4 RS. Its engine is the same 4.0-litre flat six as in the GT4 RS. This is the first time Porsche’s full-fat ‘boxer’ engine has found a home in a Boxster, and it will be the last. It produces identical figures to the Cayman: 493bhp and 450Nm of…

First EV from Abarth will cost from £34k ABARTH has confirmed UK specs for its new 500e. Following the Scorpionissima launch edition, the range will offer two trims in both the hatch and Cabrio. The basic 500e will get 17-inch wheels, a 10.25-inch infotainment system and Abarth’s sound generator as standard, and cost from £34,195. The 500e Turismo features 18-inch alloys, Alcantara on the dash and steering wheel, heated front seats and a rear-view camera. It costs from £38,195; in both versions, the Cabrio carries a premium of £3,000 over the hatch. Puma in top spot as new-car sales grow THE UK’s new-car market continued its recovery in April, recording its ninth consecutive month of growth. A total of 132,990 cars were registered, an 11.1-per cent increase over April 2022.…

COUNCILS applying for new powers to enforce breaches of yellow-box junction rules risk fining drivers unfairly, with 61 per cent of the proposed enforcement locations directly contravening government guidelines. The RAC reviewed all 111 yellow box junctions proposed for enforcement by 27 councils and found 91 per cent of the sites had issues. The motoring organisation is now calling on the Department for Transport to carry out an urgent review of its guidelines to clarify “what is and isn’t enforceable”. “Enforcing yellow boxes means that the driver of a vehicle overhanging a box for just a moment can get a ticket,” said an RAC spokesman. “Yet many drivers end up stopped or trapped in these junctions through no fault of their own.”…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk ALONGSIDE the new Peugeot e-2008 (Page 6), Citroen has updated the e-C4 and e-C4 X electric models that are based on the same Stellantis e-CMP platform. The big news is that both cars get a new 54kWh battery that offers up to 17 miles more range than its predecessor, depending on spec. As a result, both EVs now top out at a claimed 261 miles. A fresh, more efficient motor also contributes to the increase in range, and alongside improvements to its energy consumption, the new unit produces more power, offering 154bhp. While Citroen hasn’t outlined acceleration figures, with 260Nm of torque and an extra 20bhp, we’d expect a cut of a few tenths of a second compared with the 134bhp model’s 10-second 0-62mph time. The new powertrain will…

Chris_Rosamond@autovia.co.uk ONLINE retailer eBay has relaunched its ‘Certified Recycled’ second-hand parts programme, with a new website portal dedicated to parts sold by accredited vehicle dismantlers. eBay claims that UK shoppers saved £99million in 2022 buying second-hand parts instead of new replacements for worn out or damaged items. According to its own marketplace data, Certified Recycled parts are up to 70 per cent cheaper than new equivalents, but eBay is also promoting the use of recycled parts to help to reduce carbon emissions. It claims online shoppers using its platform saved 16,000 tonnes of CO2 last year, and kept 3,000 tonnes of waste out of landfill by choosing to buy salvaged parts from accredited dismantlers. While saving money is a prime motivator for many, it’s ongoing supply chain delays for new…

Matt_Robinson@autovia.co.uk @matt_201 SUPERCAR buyers have never had it as easy as they have these days. Modern entries in the genre tend to be reliable, easy to see out of, and in some cases they even ride eerily well. It wasn’t always like this. Just take the Lamborghini Countach for example. It’s difficult to get in and out of, rear visibility is pretty much non-existent, and whether you’re pootling around or driving hard, it’s a bit of a handful. Entry-level supercars weren’t much better, but one manufacturer – Honda, of all of them – changed things with its very own mid-engined wonder. The project can be traced back to the early eighties. From the outset, Honda’s creation was to be mid-engined, which back then was completely new territory for the firm.…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram MASERATI returned to form with its MC20 sports car, but it’s SUVs that will keep the company afloat – and the mid-size Grecale has the potential to generate big profits if the firm gets it right. Having driven the base-spec GT model on the international launch, it showed promise. Now it’s time to try the Porsche Macan rival on UK roads, and in mid-spec Modena trim, to see if we can uncover any more sophistication (or any possible flaws) that smooth, European asphalt didn’t reveal. From a design point of view, the simple fact that it has a little more grace than a BMW X3 M, and a fresher look than a Porsche Macan, will be enough for some; Maserati’s most modern interpretation of its design language definitely…

WINNER BYD Atto 3 IT’S a close-run thing, but BYD’s competitive finance figures help the Atto 3 seal victory. It gets a lot of things right, with a focus on refined comfort that will make it easy to live with around town. The rotating touchscreen is a bit of a gimmick, but it’s a talking point in a cabin that’s bursting with features. It’s the driving experience that disappoints the most, with a lack of all-round polish, while the cabin ergonomics won’t suit all tastes. If BYD is quick to fix these points, it will claim more scalps in the future. 1st INTERESTED? Scan the code for further information RUNNER UP Kia Niro EV IF the finance package were more competitive, then…

SAME CLASS Skoda Enyaq iV CHOOSING an early Enyaq over these two rivals will get you one of the most upmarket cars that Skoda has built, while this price bracket allows you to choose a large 82kWh-battery version. This is good for a range of 339 miles in certain trims, while a large boot and decent cabin space put it ahead of both rivals here. And given that it’s based on the same platform as the Cupra Born, it should deliver a better driving experience than the Niro or Atto 3. SAME MONEY Mercedes EQA WHILE BYD is a bit of an unknown quantity, the three-pointed star of Mercedes carries a strong reputation with it, and you can get behind the wheel of a 24-month-old EQA…

Andy_Pringle@autovia.co.uk Performance 0-62mph/top speed 5.8 seconds/124mph Running costs 47.7mpg (on test) £81 fill-up/£510 or 12% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 570/1,726 litres IT’S funny how a living with car can make you change your opinion of yourself. I’d never thought of myself as a tech-lover, yet the technology in our CX-60 is the thing that I appreciate most. Many are features that I take advantage of on pretty much every journey. None of them is unique to the CX-60, but the package helps this big car fit easily into my family’s life. That experience starts with items such as the automatic headlights and wipers. It’s great to just be able to jump into the car, press the start button and go without having to worry about the lights and the…

NEW PRODUCT Sealey pressure washers and vacuum Price: from £71.94 Contact: sealey.co.uk AS part of its latest tool promotion, Sealey has added three brand-new pressure washers to its line-up. The range kicks off with the P1610, which packs a 1200W motor delivering up to 100bar and a 390L/hr flow rate. It comes with a five-metre hose featuring rotablast and fan nozzles, plus a soap dispenser. It currently costs £101.94 – reduced from its £119.94 list price. Next up is the PW1860 at £137.94 (with the current £18 discount), featuring a 1600W motor with a flow rate of up to 420L/hr and a 130-bar maximum. It has the same nozzles and soap dispenser with the five-metre hose. Usefully, the motor is self-priming, so it can be used from a still water source…

Go under the cover with Aston V53 mag ASTON Martin has relaunched its ultra-luxury lifestyle magazine, V53 – an expansive and high-end showcase of the world of the firm, featuring road cars, racers, brand ambassadors and the marque’s other lifestyle ventures. The mag also contains “curated lifestyle and cultural stories that we know our Aston Martin community will love”. It’ll be published three times a year, in English and Mandarin, and the first issue can be acquired, along with a subscription for the rest, at theastonmartinmagazine.com. Toyota GR GT Cup comes to GT7 game TOYOTA has renewed its commitment to e-motorsports with the Toyota Gazoo Racing GT Cup, an online race for the Gran Turismo 7 game. The cup uses many of the virtual Toyotas in GT7, with the first…

Hillman Cars James Taylor (Shire Library, bloomsbury.com) Price: £7.99 Rating: THIS is a concise history of Hillman from its inception in 1907 to its eventual demise. The firm’s back catalogue includes enduring and interesting cars such as the Minx and the Mini-rivalling Imp. There’s not room in this dinky book for a lot of detail, but if you’re after a whistle-stop tour of the brand’s major moments, it’ll suit just fine. Motoring Daze Michael Burgess (Self-published, amazon.co.uk) Price: £8.99 Rating: POSSIBLY a good buy if you’ve a breakdown-service worker in your life, because they might identify with the stories. Some of the tales are genuinely amusing for all audiences, but it’s packed out with a lot of filler that doesn’t really land, at least with this reviewer. It’s also let…

CO2/tax 31-162g/km £170-£180 Running costs 40-42mpg (GLA 200) £84 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 8.7 seconds/130mph MERCEDES jumped on the SUV bandwagon pretty early on in the nineties with the ML-Class, which arrived in the UK 25 years ago. And since then the company has launched one SUV after another, including at least one in every segment. The smallest of them all is the GLA, which proved an immediate success when it appeared in 2014, thanks to its relative affordability and stylish design. Mercedes then built on this car’s success with an even more capable second-generation GLA, the first examples of which are just coming out of warranty. History THE Mk2 Mercedes GLA arrived in UK showrooms in summer 2020, and buyers were able to choose from four different four-cylinder engines:…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram ALPINE has revealed a very special version of the A110, designed specifically to take on one of the most fearsome motorsport events on the planet. The wild-looking coupé will be heading to the United States on 25 June to take on the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. ‘Hill’ is slightly underplaying the severity of the task at hand; the 12.42-mile course winds its way up the Pikes Peak mountain in Colorado and features 156 turns as it climbs to the finish line 14,115 feet above sea level. The A110 Pikes Peak will compete in the Time Attack 1 category; a class which, although fundamentally based on production cars, allows the potential for plenty of aerodynamic add-ons to help the cars stick to the road at an…

Join the debate now at autoexpress.co.uk/opinion AS we say goodbye and good riddance to the early-2020s, which were riddled with everything from deadly Covid and rampant inflation to shattered disposable incomes, there’s no doubt that sales of 100-per-cent-electric cars from UK showrooms have increased – but at a painfully slow rate. From January to April last year, they had a mere 14.4-per cent share of the new car market. Then, in the same period of 2023, the figure crept up to 15.4 per cent. But such a meagre increase raises doubts, worries and scepticism among manufacturers, consumers and others that the UK Government’s ban on new petrol and diesel cars simply can’t be met by January 2030. Honestly, is the EV market really ready, happy, willing and able to grab…