Table of contents for 1786 in Auto Express

• First drive of electric N model • Clever tech emulates petrol power IF you’re to believe Albert Biermann, executive technical advisor to Hyundai’s N division and the man who masterminded the brand’s i30 N hot hatch and superb i20 N sporty supermini, the Ioniq 5 N is “not about the numbers”. The brief for this car – Hyundai’s first sporty EV – is to put fun at the forefront of the driving experience. And the new model certainly has plenty of technology on board to do that, as we’ve just experienced from an early first taste of an Ioniq 5 N on track at the Nürburgring GP circuit and the roads around the famous German venue. Rolling out on to the circuit, I start playing with the Hyundai’s N…

• We join UK development team • Car sits on bespoke platform “Folk at Polestar’s skunkworks say this is a vehicle they’ve dreamt of engineering” POLESTAR has not been subtle about its ambitions for the forthcoming Polestar 5, due by 2025 – and the centre of the car’s development is here in the UK. We’ve been given the chance to ride shotgun in an early prototype at its UK-based proving ground. The 5 will be totally different to the other models in the Polestar range, thanks to the agility that CEO Thomas Ingenlath has fed into the Swedish company. Instead of taking an existing platform from Volvo or Geely, Polestar is developing a totally bespoke extruded and bonded-aluminium architecture, specifically to suit the 5 and, in time, the open-top Polestar…

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…

@stevefowler Practicality Boot (7/5-seat mode) 333/828 litres Electric motor Power/range Up to 380bhp/336 miles “The EV9 is an enjoyable car to pilot; not sporty in any way, but grippy and composed” KIA’S march upmarket is gathering pace with the arrival of the world’s first all-electric seven-seat SUV: the EV9. The fast-growing company, which topped 100,000 UK sales for the first time in its history in 2022, has been edging closer to premium-brand status for years now. But it was its first all-electric-only model – the EV6 – that really cemented its position in challenging the world’s automotive elite. Want proof? Buyers aren’t baulking at paying the £60,000-plus price tag for the top-of-the-range EV6 GT – and which brand’s cars do you think are most likely to be part-exchanged for EV6s?…

@AllieCrooks Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.3 seconds/153mph Running costs 34.4mpg (official) £89 fill-up IF you think coupé-SUVs are a niche within a niche, then think again, because Mercedes expects its new GLC Coupé to account for up to 20 per cent of its GLC SUV sales. Given that the GLC is itself the bestselling Mercedes worldwide, this sportier version will account for significant numbers. The car we’re trying here is in range-topping AMG Line Premium Plus trim, which is a hefty £10,000 more than the entry-level AMG Line with the same engine. In this case, the GLC 300 uses a 258bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged mild-hybrid four-cylinder petrol. Merc’s latest 12.3-inch central touchscreen and 11.9-inch driver’s display feature here. It’s an intuitive set-up with crisp resolution, and our only gripe is that on…

MODEL TESTED: Austral E-Tech Hybrid Iconic Esprit Alpine PRICE: £39,495 POWERTRAIN: 1.2-litre 3cyl turbo petrol hybrid, 197bhp 197bhp Powertrain 1.2-litre 3cyl 55 litres Fuel tank £79 fill up 8.4 secs Performance 108mph 555 litres Seats up/down 1,495 litres THE Austral tested here is in top-spec Iconic Esprit Alpine trim. It’s priced at £39,495. Tech highlights AS the successor to the Renault Kadjar – a car which in its day was a class leader in the segment – the Austral has plenty to live up to. On paper at least, it appears to have taken a huge step forward when compared with its predecessor. The CMF-CD platform is shared with the latest Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail, plus the Europe-only Renault Espace. It allows for the integrating of electrified powertrains, and Renault…

SAME MONEY Skoda Superb Estate IF you want a practical, spacious family car, then an SUV isn’t the only way to go. Estates offer similar space in a sleeker package, and nothing nails the wagon formula like a Superb. First of all, there’s the space – legroom easily tops both the Hyundai and the Renault, and the 660-litre boot is simply massive. The Skoda is relaxing to drive, too, and while there’s no hybrid option, a 2.0-litre diesel with 197bhp is more than a match for the hybrids in terms of performance and efficiency. For similar cash to the Austral and Tucson, SE L trim includes matrix LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels and leather seats. • Vast interior and boot space• Comfortable ride• Strong performance • Jerky DSG gearbox• No…

TO wash your car while minimising the risk of scratching the paint, you need a mitt, and now there’s a new premium option on the market from Autoglym. The firm already has the Microfibre Wash Mitt in its range, but this latest addition is part of its Polar line-up. So how does it match up against our current serial test winner from Armor All? To find out, we weighed both mitts when dry, and after soaking and draining for a minute. We then used both with a bucket of shampoo and rated fit, finger protection and how easy they were to use in a complex front grille. The final factor was the mitts’ price. After all that, Armor All hangs on to its crown, thanks to the significant price difference,…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk GREAT value appears to be a hallmark of the Skoda Kodiaq, with owners awarding it fifth place overall in this category of the 2023 Driver Power Survey. Evidently that’s not due to its fuel economy, which rates in only 61st place, but the Skoda’s practicality is excellent. It earns first position for seating versatility, and third places for luggage space, cabin storage and rear-seat legroom. Powertrains are a weak point, with 68th place for engine sound and 59th for acceleration. But ride quality is great, rated in 16th place, and the Kodiaq is ranked 24th for driving pleasure. Reliability is a very positive 14th, but connectivity and sat-nav functions rate poorly, at 50th and 65th respectively. WE SAID “The Kodiaq is an impressive all-rounder and one of the best…

ROUND nine of the IndyCar season is heading to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, the second road course in a row. The previous event took place at Road America in Wisconsin, where reigning champion Álex Palou took his third win of the season. He grabbed a late lead from Colton Herta who, despite leading for much of the race, eventually slipped back to fifth after a long final stint saw his tyres degrade in the closing stages. The podium was rounded out by the 2023 Indy 500 champion Josef Newgarden and Pato O’Ward. Palou, who in the week preceding Road America was testing an F1 car with McLaren at the Hungaroring, has won three races this year, and is one of only two drivers, alongside Marcus Ericsson, to finish in…

• Available with both full-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains • Output ranges from 138-220bhp; deliveries start in late 2023 THIS new Toyota C-HR is the reason we don’t get the latest, super-striking Prius in the UK. The Japanese brand thinks its second-generation C-HR covers all the bases that UK buyers are looking for, so there’s no need for the Prius here. The new SUV does make a convincing case for itself, though, with full-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, and a sharper, more striking look. This second-generation C-HR features C-shaped LED running lights and a two-tone front bumper insert lower down. The contrasting black body colour is continued across the car’s flanks, kicking up behind the rear doors to reinterpret the C-HR’s trademark C-pillar kink. There’s a neat dual-element rear spoiler…

@johnmcilroy OUR PICK OF HOME-GROWN TALENT THE UK’S car-manufacturing industry is in a major state of flux, with concerns over the effects of Brexit on the supply chain, and horse-trading over battery gigafactories. But the country’s management, engineering and design skills are still clearly highly regarded within the global car industry – and that’s reflected in our annual rundown of the UK’s top 50 influences over the cars we buy and drive. The revised order includes a chopped-and-changed top 10, new entries, and evidence that Chinese brands are turning to UK expertise. It’s also good to see two female UK execs within our top 10, although the higher echelons of the motor industry still badly need more diversity. The overall picture is positive, though, with lots of evidence that UK nous…

PEUGEOT has already made significant headway in building an association in the minds of buyers between electric power and its affordable, stylish model range. A key car in establishing that connection has long been the e-2008, a compact SUV that’s now been upgraded with focused changes. The battery pack has been expanded from 50kWh to 54kWh. That extra capacity and improved efficiencies in the battery’s technical make-up mean a claimed range of 251 miles, an improvement of around 38 miles. The front-mounted e-motor is slightly more powerful than before, with 154bhp, giving a 0-62mph time of 9.1 seconds. Performance feels just about adequate in the Normal drive mode, while Sport helpfully increases the accessibility of the power on offer through a more sensitive throttle. The basics are sound, though, with…

@stevefowler ACCORDING to Mercedes-AMG boss Michael Schiebe, the well heeled buyers of AMG-fettled S-Class models just want the very best of everything. They’re a demanding lot, as you would expect from high flyers spending £186,015 on a car. But this is no ordinary car – it’s the most powerful S-Class ever, with 792bhp and a whopping 1,430Nm of torque. Those huge outputs come from the combination of a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine and a plug-in hybrid system. This features an electric motor, sitting on the rear axle, that’s been developed with the F1 know-how of Mercedes High Performance Powertrains. The 13.1kWh battery has been tweaked to offer repeatable performance boosts, rather than electric-only range, which sits at just over 20 miles; the battery power also helps to deliver a…

MODEL TESTED: Tucson Hybrid N Line S PRICE: £39,005 POWERTRAIN: 1.6-litre 4cyl turbo petrol hybrid, 227bhp 227bhp Powertrain 1.6-litre 4cyl 52 litres Fuel tank £75 fill up 8.0 secs Performance 120mph 616 litres Seats up/down 1,795 litres WE’RE testing the Tucson here in N Line S trim which, at £39,005, just dips under the Austral’s price to the tune of £490. Tech highlights THE Hyundai Group’s N3 architecture forms the basis of the Tucson. The platform is also shared with the larger Santa Fe, plus the Kia equivalents: the Sportage and the Sorento. As with the Austral, the Tucson is powered by a mix of petrol and electric energy sources. While they fundamentally operate in the same way, the main difference between the two is that the Hyundai is equipped…

WHEN it comes to competitive finance deals, few brands are quite so punchy as Renault, and that trend continues with the Austral. There are two separate offers to choose from; pick a two-year contract and take advantage of a zero-per cent interest rate, or take a three-year deal for free servicing. Based on the latter, if you put down £5,000 up front (plus a £1,000 contribution from Renault) then it comes to £502 per month. Match those terms with the Hyundai, and despite a larger £1,500 deposit contribution, it’ll cost £528 a month. Thanks to that free service package, further cash is saved, because the Tucson costs £627 over three years. During our test, the Austral averaged 43.0mpg, compared with 39.9mpg for the Tucson. Based on today’s petrol prices, that…

COMPACT SUVs The Tucson fends off another class challenger – is there any model that could eventually beat it? Sean Carson Associate editor “THE fact that the Austral’s ride is so fidgety is a disappointment, because there’s definitely a capable car in there somewhere. We’re keen to try it in Techno spec to see if the smaller wheels and torsion-bar rear suspension have any effect on the way that the car behaves.” John McIlroy Deputy editor “AFTER the impressive Megane E-Tech, we were hoping for just a little bit more from the Austral, especially in the handling department. Renault has plenty of form when it comes to developing a keen and capable chassis, but on this occasion it seems like it’s been a little too clever for its own good.”…

Maserati rolls out member scheme MASERATI has launched Tridente, a new membership programme that will give fans and owners access to three levels of benefits. There’s a Blu Tier open to anybody, a Platinum Tier for Maserati owners, and a Diamond Tier for those who own a Project24 or GT2. All customers can access exclusive content, but Platinum members can also have private tours of the factory, personalised accessories and other benefits. Diamond members enjoy a selection of luxury experiences. For more info, download the Tridente app. Hunt starts for next Hot Wheels legend HOT Wheels has launched its 2023 Legends Tour, aimed at finding the next amazing modified vehicle to be immortalised as a Hot Wheels car. Entries are open now, and for the first time, the UK final…

Aston Martin: The Complete Story Matthew Vale (The Crowood Press, crowood.com) Price: £35 Rating: THIS book is easy to read and well produced, with large, colour pictures. It covers the history of the brand from its early days in London through to the David Brown years and the modern era. It looks good, but some small factual errors, as well as proofreading issues, rather mar the experience. Great British Cars Stephen Barnett (Summersdale, summersdale.com) Price: £12.99 Rating: COVERING the cars your parents or grandparents drove, this is a nostalgia trip for many people, neatly presented with a mixture of photography and print from period advertisements. It goes further than just Cortinas, too – it’s good to see some less common and under-appreciated models get their due. The entries are short,…

CO2/tax 112-134g/km £35-£180 Running costs 54-65mpg (2.0 TDCi) £86 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.3 seconds/134mph IT’S 30 years since the Ford Mondeo reached UK showrooms, but while it was once one of the most popular cars on our roads (almost 130,000 were sold here in the first year), the final example was made in 2022, with the firm’s large family car a victim of brand snobbery and changing tastes. That first-generation Mondeo helped to change perceptions of Ford, with buyers and reviewers alike deeply impressed by the car’s dynamic abilities, as well as its practicality and value. As the Mondeo got older, it started to be affected by middle-age spread, with everything getting bigger and heavier, but this was still a very likeable car that stayed true to its roots.…

Toyota Motor Europe’s design boss gives lowdown on new C-HR’s styling Q The first C-HR was so striking. What were the challenges in reimagining its signature design cues for this second car? A “It was difficult! The C-HR is an iconic vehicle, so we had to decide what to carry forward or design new. We wanted to keep some DNA, some C-HR-ness – the C-pillar, the diamond motif – but with a cleaner look. I think we have done a good job: the new car is bold.” Q It looks so much like the Prologue concept. You must be pleased with how much you retained? A “Yes, we kept everything, pretty much. The whole picture, we didn’t want to change it, and we only altered some small details a little,…

Petrol and diesel units added to C4 X line-up CITROEN has decided to offer its C4 X high-riding saloon with regular petrol and diesel power, alongside the initial EV-only versions. The new models will share all of their key features with the electric car, but start at nearly £10,000 less than the zero-emissions alternative. The C4 X will be available with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, producing either 98bhp with a six-speed manual gearbox, or 128bhp when paired with an eight-speed automatic. Petrol versions come in four trim levels, starting at £22,080, while the 128bhp diesel auto comes only in top-spec Sense Plus, priced from £29,170. There’s also a new range-leading e-C4 X, with 154bhp and a larger 54kWh battery. SsangYong name to be replaced with KGM THE SsangYong name…

@AllieCrooks THE Skoda Kodiaq has long been an Auto Express favourite – and it seems UK buyers agree, since we’re the second-biggest market for the brand’s family SUV. The second generation of the car is eagerly awaited, and we’ve grabbed an early drive in a prototype to see how it’s shaping up. Skoda is pushing ahead with all-electric models, but the new Kodiaq will feature its own electrification, in the form of mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid power. The PHEV model is expected to join the range in spring 2024, but mild-hybrid assistance will be available from launch early next year. We’re driving the front-wheel-drive mild-hybrid 1.5-litre petrol here. Alongside it in the range there will be a regular 2.0-litre petrol with four-wheel drive. The current car’s two diesels will be…

@AutoExpress HOT TOPIC Renault Austral FROM: Chris Welch NO I wouldn’t. SUVs are pointless, and an estate/wagon is far more capable, usually much cheaper to buy, and gives better fuel economy. Their resale value is pretty strong, too, and they’re much better looking, of course. FROM: Steve Brown AN estate car would not get you to some of the places I get to in my SUV. I also enjoy a better view of the road ahead. That may be pointless to you, but it’s not to the millions who buy them in preference to an estate car. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk “With prices for the Austral starting from £36,995, I think I’ll take two.”Michael Westrup “No, I wouldn’t buy one. How many older Renaults do you see on the…

2012 Andy Palmer EX-Aston boss and Nissan Leaf pioneer has a number of positions, including one with battery firm InoBat. 2013 Ian Robertson BMW’s sales and marketing boss retired from the German OEM in 2018. 2014 STEPHEN Odell EX-Ford exec is involved in wood firm Accsys, and is a council member at the University of Nottingham. 2015 Alan Batey Former boss of GM North America has recently joined board of component packaging firm Advantek. 2016 Mike Manley SINCE leaving Jeep and Stellantis in 2021, Manley has been CEO of huge US car retailer AutoNation. 2017 Linda Jackson STILL rated highly by Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares, our 2017 winner is flying high at Peugeot. 2018 DUNCAN ALDRED FORMER Vauxhall chief Aldred has global control of General Motors’ Buick and GMC brands.…

@rsp_ingram Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 345/1,310 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 7.0 seconds/100mph AFFORDABLE EVs remain few and far between. Right now, only a handful cost less than £30,000, with even a pauper-spec Peugeot e-208 costing considerably more than a basic petrol BMW 1 Series. The BYD Dolphin is an exception to that rule, however. The Renault Zoe rival will start from just £25,490, almost £6k less than the Peugeot and a good chunk cheaper than rivals from Vauxhall, Citroen and even MG. Base Active versions get a 45kWh battery (due Q1 2024) with 211 miles of range, but with only 93bhp, we suspect it could feel lethargic out of town. Every car gets a 12.8-inch touchscreen, electric synthetic-leather seats, alloy wheels and a 360-degree camera. Stepping up to Dolphin Boost…

WINNER Hyundai Tucson THE Tucson is proving a tough car to beat in this segment, and once again it has managed to see off a newer rival. Its mix of space and style puts it on a very strong footing, but it backs that up with a smooth ride, impressive refinement (engine note aside), solid safety ratings and a cabin that’s more than spacious enough for family life. The Renault uncovers some chinks in the Tucson’s armour – most notably that it could be a little cheaper to run – but it’s not enough to overturn its strengths elsewhere. 1st • Impressive refinement• Comfortable cabin• Strong residual values• Large boot • Not the most fun to drive• Rough engine note• Not as frugal as the Renault INTERESTED? Scan the code…

SAME MONEY Audi Q4 e-tron SOME see hybrid powertrains as a stop-gap towards fully electric vehicles, and for around £40k it’s possible to make the zero-emission leap with a two-year-old Audi Q4 e-tron. It scores highly for the quiet and smoothness of its electric motors, and the MEB platform offers exceptional cabin space for its footprint. Thanks to 135kW charging, a 5-80 per cent top up can take as little as 29 minutes, and the ‘40’ powertrain has a range of 322 miles. • Electric smoothness• Spacious cabin • So-so interior quality• Average performance SAME CLASS BMW X3 IF you’re willing to dip into the used-car market, you can pick up a model with a premium badge for similar cash. The BMW X3 is one of the strongest there is;…

@johnmcilroy Practicality Boot (seats up) 385 litres Electric vehicle 341 miles range (WLTP) Max charging: 135kW DC WE saved the best till last with our Cupra Born, which has now gone back with a smidgen over 9,000 miles on the clock after six months of service. For most of that time, our 77kWh V3 all-electric hatch has been restricted to daily commutes and school runs. But on literally its final weekend in our hands, we gave it a proper test with a dreaded family road trip. Predictions of sunny weather forced my hand in half-term week, and persuaded me to book a few days’ holiday in Chester, around 200 miles away from home. The plan for the journey north was to leave my driveway with a full charge, then stop…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk THE big positive here is that you’ve already spotted you’ve got a problem with a tyre. Many of us will be driving cars with tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), which have been mandatory on all new cars since 2012 and should alert you to a problem. While their accuracy is generally good – sensors in the tyre are usually better at giving the pressure levels, and those that use speed sensors are good at spotting air loss – there is inevitably some tolerance built in before an alert is given, to allow for tyres cooling and heating. A manual check with a gauge in similar weather conditions – first thing in the morning is a good time – is the best way to monitor slow pressure…

NEW PRODUCT Autoglym Polar Mitt Price: £14.99 Rating: Contact: autoglym.com FINISHED in Polar’s purple and white livery, this mitt has cotton microfibre and polyester strands, unlike the noodles of Autoglym’s existing design or its rival here. It’s super-soft to the touch, with a slightly larger pocket than the Armor All. The mitts weighed the same dry, but the Polar retained 50g more water in our absorption test. It fits well, helped by the stitching between the middle fingers, which means controlling the mitt is easy. There was also far less drag on our dirty panels, but no change in cleaning power – a useful advantage, particularly on a large car. We like the included bag, too, for use when machine washing or storing, to prevent contamination. It’s not a cheap mitt,…

PRODUCTGROUP TEST 28|6|2023 Every week, we extensively test all the latest car kit from tyres to trim cleaners. Log on to www.autoexpress.co.uk to look through our huge online test archive IF you’re making the switch to an electric or plug-in hybrid car, you’ll find life much easier with a dedicated charger at home. They represent a major investment, with even the cheapest likely to cost around £1,000 once fitted. But compared with using a three-pin plug, they’re safer, more convenient and may actually pay for themselves over the course of a few years by allowing you to take advantage of cheaper overnight energy tariffs and renewable electricity from solar panels. While all will do the same basic job of getting power into your car, there is a bewildering array of…

• Verstappen leads the charge to Austria’s Red Bull Ring • Alonso and Hamilton hot on his heels after Canadian battle “That success was capped off thanks to Adrian Newey collecting the constructors’ trophy for Red Bull; Newey himself has overseen the design of 11 world championship-winning cars” MAX Verstappen will look to continue his staggering form at round 10 of the 2023 Formula One World Championship – and if any extra incentive is needed, it takes place at his team’s home circuit. Austria’s Red Bull Ring is set in the beautiful Styrian hills, and the 2.68-mile track consists mainly of fast straights and punctuated tight corners – with a small section of medium-speed corners that favour cars with efficient aerodynamic packages. Much of the circuit shares common traits with…

IT’S the biggest, brightest, best-value brand you’ve barely heard of. And I don’t mind admitting that this car maker, born just 20 years ago, excites me more than any other mass manufacturer as we hit the halfway point of 2023. BYD Auto (what?) is a Chinese company that’s just arrived in Britain and immediately shocked me with its apparently high-quality cars, positively provocative prices, and no-nonsense strategy of less talk, more action. Make no mistake, it’s here to disrupt. Sure, Polestar and Tesla played their parts in giving the traditional automotive business in Britain a kick up the backside. But not as effectively as I expected. Also, Polestars at up to £86,000 apiece (with “dismal reliability stats,” according to AE’s Driver Power survey) are hardly enabling us to access the…