Table of contents for 1791 in Auto Express

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk ● New S/T celebrates 911’s 60th ● GT3 motor and a manual ‘box WITH the EV era approaching, Porsche is making the most of its petrol-powered models and has revealed the new 911 S/T, which costs a whopping £231,600. The limited-edition S/T celebrates 60 years of the 911 and was inspired by the rare 1969 model of the same name. It offers the unique combination of the naturally aspirated flat six from the GT3 RS with a manual transmission and a road-biased chassis set-up. The 4.0-litre motor produces 517bhp and revs to 9,000rpm, with an increased focus on throttle response. The six-speed transmission comes with shorter gear ratios and a new lightweight clutch that weighs 10.5kg less than the unit used in a standard GT3. The body is based…

MORE details have been revealed about the new MINI Cooper Electric’s tech, with the infotainment featuring different sounds linked to the car’s driving modes. Core is the default setting, with a sound that can be heard both inside and outside the car, the latter helping to warn pedestrians. Go-Kart mode features a signature with a “pronounced pitch and fall”, Balance recreates sounds of the forest, while Timeless captures the original car’s A-Series engine and exhaust notes of cars such as the MINI GP, mixed with the basic sound of the Core mode.…

HONDA could be readying a new all-electric sports car for release later this year. The Japanese brand previously revealed an image teasing two racy models – one likely to be a successor for the NSX and the other a sports car more in keeping with the S2000. It seems this latter model could break cover towards the end of 2023 to celebrate Honda’s 75th anniversary; the S2000 was revealed to celebrate its 50th. The brand’s technical consultant Ko Yamamoto has already stated that Type R models could be all-electric if they can deliver the necessary driving pleasure.…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress FROM: Danny Watkins “OVERTAKING is a cinch, making this a humble five-seat hatchback that would show a Porsche 911 a clean set of heels from 30-70mph.” I love that a £36,000 unassuming Chinese electric hot hatch is quicker than a 911. FROM: Ross Trousdale I’D rather have 150bhp and be able to red line the car all the way round a twisty road with the exhaust roaring, than 429 silent ponies and be losing my licence after eight seconds, but each to their own. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “Which 911? The bhp/tonne ratio is no better than the 25-year-old 996 Carrera 4…” Alistair Taylor ■ “I see lots of the ordinary models and the Trophy on the road, so this should sell, too. Duncan Macrae ■…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk Performance 0-62mph/top speed 7.6 seconds/99mph Electric motor Power/range 148bhp/265 miles Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 361/1,176 litres HONDA is on a roll at the moment. Its Civic family hatchback is Auto Express’s reigning Affordable Hybrid Car of the Year, and despite not being at the races when it came to SUVs for a while, it’s reinvented its range with a small HR-V, a new mid-size ZR-V and a larger CR-V on the way. These cars have also been joined by the rather awkwardly named e:Ny1 (no, we’re not sure why Honda didn’t call it ER-V either), the firm’s second electric car in Europe alongside the Honda e city car. The e:Ny1 is a similar size to the HR-V hybrid, and while it shares some styling cues, the new car is…

MODEL TESTED: Macan GTS PRICE: £71,700 POWERTRAIN: 2.9-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol, 434bhp 434 bhp Powertrain 2.9 litre 6cyl 75 litres Fuel tank £108 fill up 4.3 secs Performance 169mph 458 litres Seats up/down 1,503 litres VALUE for money isn’t something you might immediately associate with Porsche, but in this contest, the Macan GTS looks keenly priced. For £3,890 more than the Maserati, the Macan gets a big upgrade in power, but is there more to the GTS than simply more horses under the bonnet? Tech highlights THE Macan weighs more than the Grecale in this particular contest, but the main reason for that is the bigger engine that it comes with. Considering that there’s a 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 up front, a 65kg difference between the two doesn’t seem so large.…

SAME CLASS Alfa Romeo Stelvio QF THE Grecale isn’t the only high-performance Italian SUV. If you have £80,000, then it’s possible to get behind the wheel of the fabulous Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio. While that might seem like quite a jump in price from the Maserati, there’s a good reason for that. Instead of a slightly underwhelming four-cylinder engine, what you’re getting here is a thunderous twin-turbo V6 producing a whopping 503bhp. As a result, it blows both the Grecale and the Macan away in a straight line – 0-62mph takes just 3.8 seconds – but it also has the dynamic ability to keep up with the Porsche in the corners. • Fabulous engine  • Sharp handling  • Striking looks • Interior lacks Grecale’s wow factor  • Clunky in-car tech …

Toyota Corolla CURRENT affairs editor Chris Rosamond hasn’t been making quite as much use of the Corolla as he’d like. It’s typically excused from sharing his regular trips around the M25 to a weekend boat project, because it’s not big enough for toolboxes, kids and the family dog. That’s a pity, given that it gets a chance to show its mettle on the 200-mile return trip. It’s a pleasure to be able to rely on the active cruise control and lane-keeping assistance to remove some of the chores of hacking around the motorway. Setting the cruise control at a speed-camera-friendly limit isn’t the best way to get value out of the Toyota’s 1.8 hybrid powertrain, though: 46mpg is a couple of mpg less than Chris gets from his 2009 Mercedes…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk THIS is the question reader Chris Banting asked after seeing our test results and recommendations for 200 per cent-brighter headlamp bulbs. He is in the relatively rare position of having a car fitted with both reflector and projector headlamps – a 2013 Ford Fiesta Titanium X. He could see little difference after fitting the 200 per cent bulbs to the dipped-beam projector lamps, but the extra light was very noticeable in the main beam with its reflector. In our tests we use reflector headlights for both the H7 and double-filament H4 bulbs and had not come across the problem. So we took Chris’s question to Philips’ lighting specialist Lukas Kuepper, who has facilitated many of our headlamp bulb tests. He confirmed Chris wasn’t mistaken and that…

NEW PRODUCT Philips Xperion 6000 Headlight Price: £34.99 Contact: philips.co.uk Power: LFP/1.2Ah Rating: THIS new Philips design features an unusual FLP 1.2Ah battery (lithium iron phosphate, a type of li-ion) and claims impressive performance, with a choice of 300 or 150 lumens (lm) from the 130mm strip LED or 120lm from the side-mounted spotlight. The latter can turn through 60 degrees, which is useful to get light in exactly the right place. The strip lights work well and even on full power we didn’t get flare and bounce, with the LEDs spreading the light evenly. It is a few grammes heavier than the other lights, at 84g, but this was barely noticeable as we worked. As with the Sealey, it has hands-free operation but usefully requires two passes of the hand…

PRODUCTGROUP TEST 2 | 8 | 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 IT’S easy to think of torque wrenches as tools only for professionals, but even a simple job like changing a wheel is done better – and with less risk of failure or damage – if you use one. There’s a whole host of other jobs that are in the same league, such as brake, engine or suspension work. And a torque wrench won’t break the bank – decent tools can be had for well under £40. So there’s no doubt you need one, but which should you buy? We put 10 through their paces to find…

CO2/tax 133-137g/km £180 Running costs 49mpg (Cooper) £56.80 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.8 seconds/123mph FEW cars have enjoyed the enormous sales success of the BMW MINI since it first arrived in 2001. Seen by many buyers as a baby BMW, there’s nothing exclusive about the model, yet this is a car with a following that rivals haven’t been able to emulate. Much of that is down to the feel-good factor conjured up by the cheeky styling inside and out, although the go kart-like handling also goes some way to explaining why the MINI is so popular. Another reason is the wide model range, which from 2004 included a convertible. Stylish and fun to drive, just like the hatch, the Convertible Mk2 from 2009 was even better, and it’s one of…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks • Star seeks first Finland win • Leads title race comfortably THE ninth round of the World Rally Championship takes place in Finland, where home favourite Kalle Rovanperä will be hoping to extend his commanding lead in the title race. The young Finn is on course to take his second championship even with five rounds to go, thanks to a 55-point gap between him and second-placed driver and Toyota team-mate Elfyn Evans. Rovanperä looked unstoppable last time out in Estonia, racking up 13 consecutive stage wins and beating Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville by 46.5 seconds across the sweeping gravel roads. Rovanperä came close to winning his home event for the first time in 2022, missing out by 6.8 seconds to Ott Tänak, so will be looking to make amends…

UXBRIDGE, 21 July, 2023: the ballot papers are counted and the local, real-world folks voted at their by-election to kill off the proposed rollout of the Ultra Low Emission Zone across the 606 square miles of Greater London – some of which is open, sweet-smelling countryside. Labour should have won, but didn’t because it aligned itself with, and was tainted by, the proposed £12.50-per-day ULEZ racket. The Conservatives won because they adopted an anti-ULEZ stance. Game over? Er, not quite. London, 28 July, 2023: High Court judges living in a very different world gave permission for local Mayor Sadiq Khan to start snatching those payments from the pockets of drivers he deems to be driving the wrong cars and vans – even though the Government, DVLA and Police say they’re…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy ● Subtle makeover includes new lights and bumpers front and rear ● Interior has been upgraded, while option packs add more kit SKODA recently announced an expanded assault on the electric-vehicle market, with a number of new SUVs and even an estate proposed. But the Czech brand isn’t about to abandon its petrol-powered heartland just yet. It’s treating its Kamiq small SUV to a range of updates in a bid to keep it fresh against new rivals such as the Jeep Avenger and Hyundai Kona. As is the norm with a mid-life facelift, the Kamiq doesn’t get any major changes to its sheet metal. But there’s a fresh look to the front end, courtesy of a more upright, larger grille and slimmer headlights. Revised front and rear bumpers…

THE MPV sector is currently undergoing a small resurgence, led by the Volkswagen ID. Buzz, and Mercedes is riding that wave, after unveiling a facelifted line-up of V-Class and EQV models. Pushing further upmarket with even more tech and luxury, the new cars feature twin 12.3-inch displays running the brand’s latest MBUX infotainment. Safety kit has been improved too, while new trim levels have been added to the V-Class, with Style, Avantgarde and Exclusive specs now offered – although Merc has yet to confirm if all will be coming to the UK. The changes include a new Marco Polo camper, plus the new V-Class and EQV – all arriving in showrooms from next year. New Vito and e-Vito vans also benefit from the updates.…

Fans confirm Cupra concept’s spec CUPRA’S DarkRebel digital concept has taken a step closer to becoming a physical reality. The brand launched an online campaign for fans to spec the car, receiving more than 270,000 configurations to influence the final, physical show model. Submissions have now closed – although the configurator can still be used – but a reveal date for the machine as it moves from digital to reality hasn’t been outlined. Legislation boosts EU’s EV infrastructure THE European Union has passed new laws which will make it much quicker and easier to access electric-car chargepoints across the continent over the next 18 months, with rapid chargers mandated every 38 miles along the EU’s main roads by 2025. These points will have to supply at least 150kW, while hydrogen…

Chris_Rosamond@autovia.co.uk ● Parts shortage means dealers can’t carry out recall work ● But confusion reigns over whether cars are safe to use in interim BMW has been criticised for failing to provide information to drivers hit by its latest airbag recall, including refusing to say whether affected cars are safe to drive. Auto Express reader Richard Pears from Glasgow was one of almost 100,000 UK BMW drivers who reportedly received recall notices in late May. His notice stated: “If you are involved in a collision, the airbag may deploy with too much explosive force, and has the potential to fatally or seriously injure vehicle occupants.” BMW’s letter stated the airbag would be replaced free of charge, and that the company was “preparing parts and our employees” to support repairs. It…

ASTON Martin boss Lawrence Stroll has confirmed that plug-in hybrid power will roll out across the British brand’s ‘core’ line-up, including the DBX (right), from next year. Mercedes-sourced technology is set to feature in petrol-electric models. Stroll told investors and media “Our electrification journey will start with Valhalla, our first PHEV supercar, and we plan to expand our PHEV range into our core vehicles, which will bridge the customer journey from ICE to BEV.” Aston will likely use AMG’s 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 and electric motor set-up, as seen on the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door.…

Dean_Gibson@autovia.co.uk @DeanGbsn SOME performance-car makers are famous for their engine configurations. Subaru has its boxer fours, Audi its five cylinders, Porsche its flat sixes and Mazda the rotary. For BMW, while it has dabbled with four, eight, 10 and even 12 cylinders, it’s the straight-six layout that has powered some of its most popular M-badged machines. If you’re a regular reader of Auto Express, then you’ll know how we feel about the company’s latest six-cylinder sports car, the M2. We awarded it our Performance Car of the Year title at the 2023 New Car Awards, after it saw off the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 in a twin test (Issue 1,790), and proved a match for the E46 M3 CSL in terms of character and entertainment (Issue 1,785). The M2…

IF you’re looking to finance a Grecale or Macan through a PCP agreement, then it’s the Porsche that proves to be the less expensive of the two. On matching terms (£10,000 deposit/three-year term/10,000-mile annual limit) the Macan costs £944 per month, while the Grecale is £1,004. Over the course of three years, that works out to a difference of £2,165 in the Porsche’s favour. However, the Maserati’s figure also includes three years’ of servicing. Porsche maintenance costs vary based on the individual dealer, but we found a price of £1,425 for one major and two intermediate services. The Porsche also costs more to insure, and very slightly more to refuel. Once all the various costs are added up, the Macan’s three-year figure comes to £60,314. The Maserati undercuts it slightly,…

FAST SUVs It’s not the newest kid on the block, but the Macan is still the performance SUV to beat Sean Carson Associate editor “IT’S amazing how good the Macan feels to drive after so long, especially given its starting point. This is a car whose MLB platform is most closely related to the competent but very sensible Audi Q5, yet will give many hot hatches a run for their money in the corners.” Alex Ingram Chief reviewer “MASERATI is such a hard manufacturer to predict. The incredible MC20 stunned us by shooting to the top of the supercar pile, yet other models in its range are underwhelming. Will the upcoming GranTurismo replacement be hit or miss? We’ll have to wait and see.” Dawn Grant Picture editor “THE Grecale makes…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler OF all the questions I’m asked by potential Range Rover owners, the most frequent of all is which powertrain I’d recommend – petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid? With the long-anticipated fully electric Range Rover (see Page 38) not due until 2025, the plug-in hybrid is as electrified as you can go for now – but I call it a second-generation PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) because it has a bigger battery than earlier models, to enable it to go further on electricity alone. There are two flavours of PHEV Range Rover, with different power outputs for the 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine. They both use the same 141bhp electric motor, with power coming from a 38.2kWh battery. For context, that’s a bigger battery than in the all-electric MINI! I…

NEW PRODUCT AA 2024 atlas range Price: from £5.99 Contact: theaa.com DRIVERS may have all manner of apps and electronic kit to get from A to B, but for an overview of an area an atlas is hard to beat, and the AA has launched its 2024 range. Available from Amazon and other booksellers, the line-up spans A3 to A5 formats in spiral, hardback and flexibound finishes, and at a range of prices. If you like your maps in big A3 form, there’s the Big Easy Read Britain (£16.99) in both spiral and flexibound formats, with a scale of 2.5 miles to an inch (mpi), largeprint place names and an index. There’s also the Big Road Atlas Britain (£14.99 spiral, £12.99 paperback) that features a four-page route planner. The A4 Easy…

WE’VE long been fans of head torches, because they’re a great way to get light where you’re looking while leaving your hands free. But a protruding lamp can be a hindrance for close-up work. To solve this problem, makers have exploited the advances in strip LEDs by mounting them across the forehead, sometimes backed up by a spotlight on the side to add distance to the beam. Philips has just launched its own version, the Xperion 6000 Headlight, which we put up against similar designs we’ve previously tried from Sealey and Ring. We assessed light output, battery performance, size and charging time, weight, technical specifications and shock/moisture protection ratings. They were then worn under a car bonnet and at a workbench, while we noted ease of use and comfort. Everything…

FORMULA One has announced that each of the 10 teams participating in the world championship will have at least one driver in the all-female F1 Academy series. To further strengthen the link between the Academy and F1, each team will also have its livery on a car in the series. The aim of the F1 Academy is to promote an avenue for women to potentially reach F1. Susie Wolff is managing director of the series and is one of the few women to have driven in a Formula One race weekend. In 2023, the inaugural season of F1 Academy, just the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, is hosting a race as part of the support bill. But the schedule will expand in 2024. The 15-driver grid has five…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks ● Seven-seat SUV is updated ● New look and tech on board WHILE Kia is expanding its all-electric line-up – especially with SUVs such as the recently launched EV9 and upcoming EV5 – the Korean firm hasn’t forgotten its combustion-engined cars, and has unveiled a facelifted version of its Sorento large SUV. Images published in the Korean firm’s home market show a fresh front-end design for the fourth-generation model, along with tweaks to the Sorento’s interior. The current car was launched in 2020, and since then the Sportage family SUV has hit the roads, plus the EV9 has been revealed. The latter is a similar size to the Sorento, and both cars offer seven seats. It’s clear that the EV9 has influenced the Sorento’s new look, although there…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks ● Seal U shares saloon tech ● Range in excess of 300 miles CHINESE brand BYD has impressed us so far with its new offerings, the Atto 3, Dolphin and Seal – and those cars will soon be joined by a new SUV, called the Seal U. Full UK specifications will be announced when the car makes its European debut at the Munich Motor Show in September, but we already know some early details on the all-electric machine. As the name suggests, the Seal U takes its design inspiration and technology from the Seal saloon. As a mid-sized SUV, the Seal U will rival the likes of the Ford Explorer, Tesla Model Y and Volkswagen ID.4. Underpinning the Seal U is the same e-platform 3.0 as used by…

Chris_Rosamond@autovia.co.uk AS car and truck makers continue to develop green hydrogen fuel-cell powertrains, a new trial aims to determine whether the natural gas grid can be used to efficiently transport hydrogen to filling stations around the UK. It’s believed the use of existing mains gas pipes to move hydrogen might offer clear cost savings when compared with road distribution. It could help drive growth in the UK’s hydrogen fuel network, potentially making hydrogen-powered fuel-cell EVs more viable in the longer term. The UK’s National Transmission System (NTS) for natural gas extends across the majority of the country, and equipment capable of injecting hydrogen gas into the pipelines has already been developed. It has also been determined that the NTS can safely carry a blend of natural gas containing up to…

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…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler Electric motor Power/range 557bhp/440 miles Performance 0-60mph/top speed 3.7 seconds/127mph OF the numerous start-ups aiming for your attention in the electric-vehicle space, Fisker is different. This, after all, is a car company that doesn’t build cars. As with Apple, Fisker gets other people to make its products; in the case of the new Ocean, it’s contract manufacturing firm Magna. And the next model, the Pear, will actually be made by Foxconn, which produces many of the world’s iPhones. Magna builds the Ocean in a ‘carbon netzero plant’, while the thinking that’s gone into every element of design and production to ensure every element of the car – and the company’s suppliers – are as sustainable as possible is impressive. This is truly a vegan-friendly car; leather isn’t an…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler MERCEDES-AMG is at something of a crossroads. Or perhaps it’s more of a T-junction, since carrying straight on isn’t an option, with an all-electric future looming in the 2030s. The brand has to commit to electrification of one sort or another, and it’s already well down that path, with a few plug-in hybrid models and AMG versions of the all-electric EQE and EQS saloons. The Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV, though, is the first all-electric SUV that’s been breathed on by AMG. It follows a similar theme to other models, using the same EQ platform as the EQE and EQS saloons and the EQS SUV, but with a fair amount of fettling for a more focused feel. Two AMG-spec electric motors sit on the car’s axles, with beefed-up innards to…

MODEL TESTED: Grecale Modena PRICE: £67,810 POWERTRAIN: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo petrol, 325bhp 325 bhp Powertrain 2.0 litre 4cyl 64 litres Fuel tank £92 fill up 5.3 secs Performance 149mph 535 litres Seats up/down N/A A PRICE of £67,810 sees the Grecale Modena undercut the Macan GTS by around £4,000. However, it only has a four-cylinder engine, while adding options brings price parity with the Porsche. Tech highlights THIS medium-sized SUV is an all-new Maserati, but under the skin it makes use of some familiar technology. It’s based a variation of the Giorgio platform that underpins the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio, and given that these two sit near the top of their respective classes when it comes to ride and handling – especially in hot Quadrifoglio form – that seems…

WINNER Porsche Macan MANY new rivals have tried to wrestle the performance SUV crown from the Macan, but it still manages to come out on top. Porsche has managed to wrap all of its usual qualities into a practical SUV body and as a result little else this size or weight feels so brilliant to drive. The fact that its sharp handling, composed-yet-engaging cornering, superb steering and rapid, charismatic V6 are all available for less than the price of a four-cylinder Grecale shows how strong the Macan is as an overall package. • Superb handling  • Tuneful and rapid V6 powertrain  • Precise steering  • Excellent fit and finish • Firm ride  • Less spacious than its rival  • Meagre standard safety kit  • Pricey options 1st INTERESTED? Scan the…

SAME MONEY Audi RS 4 Avant A DESIRE for both practicality and performance doesn’t necessarily mean that you need an SUV, and the RS 4 Avant is one of the finest alternatives. A large front air dam and bulging wheelarches show that this is no regular A4; instead, it packs a 2.9-litre tri-turbo V6 with 444bhp – enough to comfortably outsprint these SUVs, with a 4.1-second 0-62mph time. It’s almost as sharp as the Porsche to drive, rides better and there’s a 495-litre boot. • Rapid in any conditions• Good comfort and refinement • Less roomy than the SUVs• Flat engine note SAME CLASS Cupra Ateca IF you can’t quite stretch to the Maserati or Porsche, but still want hot SUV thrills, then the Ateca is a cracking cut-price alternative.…

Dawn_Grant@autovia.co.uk Running costs 42.8mpg (on test) £58 fill up Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 390/1,190 litres AFTER a brief four and a half months on our fleet, it’s time to say goodbye to the DS 4 PHEV. I’ll admit that when it first arrived, I was pretty confused, because it just didn’t seem to fit into any particular category. Its footprint is longer than many hatchbacks’, and it’s taller, but it doesn’t have the true height of an SUV. The classy styling and premium feel quickly won me over, though, and the car looks right at home in our main pic, looking across Poole Harbour to the affluent Sandbanks area of Dorset. As I’ve reported previously, the DS 4’s interior comfort is first class, and by sticking to the company DNA…

Snap the e-3008 with #CamoCatch PEUGEOT is upping the hype for its new e-3008 electric SUV with a social media campaign called the #CamoCatch challenge. Camouflaged prototypes of the e-3008 will undergo development tests on European roads this summer, and people are invited to photograph it (if safe) and post the pictures on social media, tagging both #CamoCatch and the Peugeot account. Those who spot the car will be entered into a prize draw where six winners can try the e-3008 during press test drives. So keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready. Book opens a new chapter for museum THE National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, Hants, is to diversify into automotive publishing using its extensive archive of photography, film and existing titles. The first book will be a…

Le Mans Winning Colours Mick Hill (The History Press, thehistorypress.co.uk) Price: £25 Rating: THIS book records every Le Mans winner over the past 100 years. The author/illustrator shows each car in profile and wonderful detail. It’s a great way to show the evolution of what makes a winner. The pictures are paired with a short report on the car, but those expecting more prose will be disappointed. Visually it’s excellent, though. Silver Arrows Andrew Noakes (Crowood Press, crowood.com) Price: £25 Rating: MERCEDES’ record in motorsport is both long and wide ranging, and this book does a pretty good job of getting through as much of it as possible, right from the beginning up to its latest successes in Formula One. Comprehensively illustrated, it’s an excellent record of the marque’s various…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk IN this year’s Driver Power survey, the Captur Mk2 notches up one top-10 score, which is for its infotainment. The ninth place includes a fourth for the audio system, seventh for phone connectivity, 10th for the sat-nav and 11th for touchscreen functionality. Owners rate the Captur 17th in the reliability category and 27th for ride and handling, the former including 12th for overall quality and the latter including a strong 16th for driving pleasure. Factors dragging the Captur’s score back down to earth include a gloomy 62nd for exterior style and 57th for the look of the interior, while the number of safety features ranks a poor 70th. Overall value is well down the table too, at a disappointing 46th. WE SAID “Performance is fine, running costs are sound…