Table of contents for 1792 in Auto Express

@stevefowler ● Simplified construction process ● Up to 600 miles of range HOT on the heels of its Ocean all-electric SUV, Californian start-up Fisker has revealed four new models: the smaller Pear SUV, the Ronin sports car, the Alaska pick-up and an off-road version of the Ocean, called Force E. The Pear – set to become Fisker’s biggest seller when it goes on sale in 2025 – sits below the Ocean in the line-up and will cost from $29,900 (£23,500) in the US. As with the Ocean, the Pear will be built by another company on behalf of Fisker, in this case Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn, which is more famous for making iPhones than cars. Pear stands for Personal Electric Automotive Revolution. The SUV shares its big brother’s sporty styling…

Khan expands ULEZ scrappage scheme LONDON mayor Sadiq Khan has expanded the Ultra Low Emissions Zone scrappage scheme. All Londoners with a non-ULEZ compliant car will now be eligible to apply for a £2,000 grant. Khan’s announcement brought London’s outer boroughs into the ULEZ scheme’s remit, despite strong local opposition from drivers. There’s a £160 million fund to cover the scheme, but grant-eligible cars need to have been registered at their owner’s London address since January 2022, and have insurance, road tax and an MoT certificate. Fleet sales show huge 63-per cent increase CAR fleet registrations increased by 63 per cent in July to 80,961 vehicles, but private new-car registrations grew by just a third of one per cent to 60,045. SMMT figures show that ‘electrified’ vehicles took more than…

@AllieCrooks ● New 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser unveiled with bold retro design ● Iconic off-roader returns with fresh technology and powertrains TOYOTA’S Land Cruiser has enjoyed worldwide success during its 72-year history and now the Japanese brand has unveiled an all-new model, which it says “focuses on its traditional strengths of quality, durability, and reliability to tackle the toughest conditions”. This new Land Cruiser taps into the retro charm of its predecessors, with the car presenting a “back to its origins” look, according to Toyota. This is achieved through a chunky profile, featuring a bluff front end reminiscent of the original Land Cruiser’s, protective cladding all around and angular surfacing. If the Land Cruiser’s bodywork gets damaged during an off-road excursion, Toyota also says it has designed the car’s panels…

@AutoExpress HOT TOPIC Dacia Spring EV FROM: Patrick Hostler IF I was going to buy a modestly priced EV, Dacia would be high on my list. I have friends who’ve owned their cars, and while they are built to a price, and hardly the most exciting cars, they’ve proved incredibly reliable and robust. FROM: Gary Hitchcock HATS off to Dacia for coming a long way from their humble beginnings to what they offer now: no-frills, well made, good-looking cars. The only drawback I’ve seen in reviews is the rear space – a 5ft+ person would struggle to fit. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk “One for the ‘EVs are too expensive’ crowd. It might not be that great, but that’s your budget EV.”Dan Litt “Others will have £20k EVs with more…

VOLKSWAGEN’S ID.3 is the car that took the German firm into its third era, following on from the Beetle and the Golf. It was a revolution for VW, focusing on software and tech for this bespoke EV. But it was also not without its flaws, because it was late, felt rushed to production and featured buggy software at launch. To address many of these issues, revolution has turned to evolution with this updated ID.3, which focuses on improved quality inside, more advanced software and a subtly revised design. But let’s start with that first point – could you have imagined a decade ago the Golf being outdone when it comes to quality by cars from the likes of Kia? But that’s what happened, so the revised ID.3 now features some…

THIS is the last new combustion-engined Lotus sports car. That’s a line that started with the Seven, captured the world’s imagination with the Elan, hit the silver screen with the Esprit, turned to the Elise for Lotus’s salvation, and all ends with this, the turbocharged four-cylinder Emira i4. Developed alongside the Toyota-engined V6 Emira, the i4 takes the 2.0-litre turbo engine and gearbox from the Mercedes-AMG A 45 and squeezes them into the middle of the Emira, which requires a number of changes from the B-pillars back. These include a new, 12kg-lighter aluminium subframe, new shear panels, uprights, and wishbones, while the electronics also required significant changes. In the Emira i4 the Mercedes-AMG unit produces 360bhp and 430Nm of torque, and the car can cover the 0-60mph sprint in 4.3…

188bhp Powertrain 1.5 litre 3cyl 55 litres Fuel tank £79 fill up 7.9 secs Performance 105mph 435 litres Seats up/down 1,379 litres THE Qashqai in our pictures is in Tekna trim, priced at £39,210. To bring parity with the top-spec ZR-V Advance, our figures are based on the Nissan in its highest Tekna+ trim, costing £42,050. Tech highlights AS with the Honda, the Nissan engages in a little platform sharing. In addition to using the same architecture as the larger Nissan X-Trail, the Qashqai also has one of its own rivals – the Renault Austral – sharing the same underpinnings, as part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. However, both manufacturers have gone their own way with the development of the various models, especially when it comes to the powertrains used. The…

OF all the numbers we’ve stacked up in our real-world road tests, this contest proves to be one of the most closely matched yet. For all of the general running costs, such as servicing, insurance and fuel, the pair exchange small jabs, scoring few points over one another. The Nissan is £15 a year cheaper to insure based on our representative quotes from the AA, it’s £57 per year cheaper to service over 36 months, yet the Honda’s slightly higher mpg figure – 45.6mpg versus 45.3mpg – helps it to recover £9 per year. But the winning hit comes from the ZR-V’s PCP deal. As it stands, Honda offers a £1,500 deposit contribution – double what Nissan throws into a Qashqai deal. With a further £5,000 up-front customer payment, a…

MID-SIZE SUV Our test competitors are pretty evenly matched, so here are some more points for you to consider Sean Carson Associate editor “THE ZR-V sits well in its own class, yet we can’t help but feel most buyers would be better served by the Civic. It’s got the same hybrid powertrain, but is more comfortable, refined and fun to drive, and has a larger boot, too. Most importantly of all, it’s better value for money.” John McIlroy Deputy editor “NISSAN has proven in recent years that it’s still capable of delivering box-office hits with the Ariya EV, but the Qashqai doesn’t quite live up to the incredibly high standards of its predecessor. Unfortunately for the Japanese brand, there are more talented alternatives out there now.” Dawn Grant Picture editor…

FINISHING in the middle of our 2023 Driver Power survey, it is fitting that the 3008 attracts middle-of-the-road results, dropping no clangers but not giving much cause for celebration. A pair of 21st-place finishes for the interior and practicality are the Peugeot’s most impressive results, while running costs and infotainment are the most disappointing, at 58th and 60th. But within the categories there are some extreme results, including a 75th for smartphone connectivity, along with 11th and 12th places for the interior and exterior styling. Versatility and boot space rank in 19th and 16th, while the 3008 comes a welcome 23rd for the quality of its cabin. WE SAY “For many, the 3008 will offer everything they need: it’s economical, feels upmarket and is easy to use, all at a…

@AxleIngram “At Croft, the NAPA Racing team emerged from the break as strongly as it entered it” ● Shortest track on the calendar● Six points between top two THE British Touring Car Championship heads to Scotland this weekend for its traditional August slot at Knockhill. At 1.27 miles, it’s the shortest track on the calendar, but it consistently produces drama. The circuit is packed with challenging corners responsible for many iconic BTCC moments, such as the opening righthander that drops into Duffus Dip and Leslies towards McIntyre; it was the scene of Gabriele Tarquini’s spectacular barrel roll in his Alfa Romeo 155 back in 1994. Weather will always have an influence over proceedings, with the Fife topography often throwing up changeable conditions. The championship’s summer break ended as track action…

THE five weekends of jinxed July hopelessly failed to live up to our car-related expectations. Instead, they were dominated by unprecedented levels of frustration, disappointment and financial losses as events were cancelled, and doors and gates were slammed in our unhappy faces. Credit where it’s due, the Super Touring Power gathering at Brands Hatch on 1 and 2 July got the month off to a reasonable start. It wasn’t a bad warm-up act for the real thing a week later – the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, which I’ll remember for mixed emotions and harsh reality checks. Why? Because it was the end of an era. The bright, bouncy Belgian-Brit Lando Norris effectively inherited the title of ‘UK’s Top Formula One Driver’ from a tired, old, disenchanted Lewis Hamilton. Don’t…

@johnmcilroy ● VW plans to continue GTI name in electric era ● ID.2 GTI set to have 223bhp and be two-wheel drive VOLKSWAGEN’S iconic GTI badge has been under threat, with the likely demise of combustion-engined Golfs and Polos, and the use of GTX for high-performance electric cars. But Auto Express can now reveal the company has mapped out a way for the GTI name to continue into the next decade, as a sub-brand for faster versions of smaller, cheaper EVs. Up to now, the most compact of VW’s bespoke electric cars has been the ID.3 hatchback – but the company is committed to a cheaper model, slightly smaller than the current Polo supermini and priced at around £22,000. Previewed by the ID. 2all concept shown earlier this year, and…

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…

WINNER Honda ZR-V 1st IF we had to place an order for either of these cars today, then the Honda would just hold an edge. The ZR-V is more spacious inside than the Nissan, a little more fun to drive, and thanks to competitive finance incentives at the time of writing, it’s also slightly better value for money. It also manages to maintain just enough of the Civic magic, and has clothed it in an SUV package that many buyers will find appealing. However, we can’t help but feel that if you look beyond the style, then the Civic is still a better car overall. ● Slick hybrid powertrain● Secure handling● Generous equipment levels● Impressive rear-seat passenger space ● Fidgety ride● Small boot● Low driving position● Occasionally laggy powertrain INTERESTED?…

SAME CLASS Ford Kuga Hybrid THE Kuga has long been one of the dependable choices in this class, with Ford’s SUV never failing to deliver great handling and a practical cabin. If you can’t quite stretch to the brand-new alternatives here, then it’s possible to snag a two-year-old Kuga with 12,000 miles or so for less than £30,000. It’s a likeable, capable SUV overall, although the hybrid tech isn’t as slick, quick or efficient as what either Honda or Nissan offers. ● Great to drive● Competitive used values ● Hybrid technology lags behind the best in class● Dated interior SAME MONEY Skoda Enyaq iV WITH so many EVs hitting the roads each day, the choice on the used-car market is increasing. The Skoda Enyaq is among the best, and while…

Running costs 30.1mpg (on test) £89 fill-up £180 or 37% tax Practicality Boot space 420 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 4.9 seconds/155mph SOMETIMES a second chance can be a brilliant opportunity. I remember the first Cupra Formentor Auto Express ran on its fleet some 18 months ago: a 1.5 TSI 150 in a lower-spec trim level. I liked it, but there was something missing for me. As good as it looked, as nice as it was to drive and as well as it covered all the bases a family SUV needs to, it never quite wowed me. Not so with this new Formentor that’s just pulled into the office car park. That’s not because it has more power, even though the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine’s 306bhp means the Cupra lives up to…

● Brand’s new styling previewed ● SUV could go into production VAUXHALL is set to evolve its latest design language even further and has unveiled its Experimental concept to give a preview of how this will look on future models. The new coupé-SUV could even go into production, based on parent firm Stellantis’s STLA Med platform and potentially wearing a Manta badge. Vauxhall says that “with an ultra-modern exterior design, the Experimental gives a clear vision of where the brand will be heading in the coming years.” Called ‘Bold and Pure’, this next chapter of the design language features a ‘4D’ representation of the brand’s now-familiar Vizor front end. An illuminated Griffin logo sits in the centre of the blanked-off grille, which is framed by the firm’s ‘Compass’, marked by…

BRITAIN’S best-selling car of 2022 – the Nissan Qashqai – is gearing up for a refresh. Our photographers have caught the new model testing with a disguise that suggests a more streamlined grille and headlight arrangement for the updated model, which could be influenced by the firm’s Ariya EV (left). Don’t expect any changes to the powertrain line-up however, with mild-hybrid and e-Power hybrid models expected to remain the only options. PAGE 30: Qashqai tested against new Honda ZR-V…

New Renault Clio on sale now, priced from £21,295 RENAULT has launched its new Clio E-Tech Hybrid supermini, and has confirmed that the new entry-level Evolution trim is priced from £21,295. On sale now, the Evolution starts the newly slimmed-down range, and features a seven-inch touchscreen with sat-nav, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a digital dash of the same size fitted as standard. There’s also 16-inch wheels, rear parking sensors, air-conditioning, LED lights and full keyless go. Next up is Techno, priced from £22,695, which adds larger 17-inch wheels, front parking sensors and wireless phone charging. Top-spec Esprit Alpine (£24,095) gets a 10-inch dash and a 9.3-inch screen, sportier looks and adaptive cruise control. Next Vauxhall Crossland set to feature EV power ALONGSIDE the Experimental concept (Page 10) that…

NEW figures show that deaths involving drink-driving have hit their highest level since 2009, with a “significant rise” over the previous year’s records. The statistics relate to 2021, and show that 260 people were killed in collisions where at least one of the drivers involved was over the drink-drive limit. This is an 11 per cent increase from a decade ago and represents 17 per cent of all road deaths in the UK. However, overall drink-drive related injuries have fallen by a massive 32 per cent since 2011, which is thought to be due to improved car safety. Overall, an estimated 6,740 people were either killed or injured in accidents when at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit in 2021. Young male drivers from Wales are the most…

@matt_201 IF there’s one word that’s most closely associated with Volvo, it’s surely ‘safety’. The Swedish manufacturer has made great strides in making its cars safer, as well as everyone else’s; don’t forget, the three-point seatbelt was a Volvo invention that it then made available to other manufacturers. The term ‘sporty’, on the other hand, probably isn’t something that’d spring to mind as quickly. And yet, Volvo has had a damn good go at challenging preconceptions of sensibility with some red-hot models. The 740 Turbo was perhaps the first notable attempt, with the assistance of some particularly punchy marketing. “The basic idea behind the Volvo 740 Turbo,” one print advert read, depicting the car next to a Lamborghini Countach towing a trailer. “How to survive a midlife crisis with dignity,”…

@stevefowler OF all the brands we saw for the first time at this year’s Shanghai Auto Show, HiPhi was the one that impressed us most. As with so many of its compatriot car firms, the speed of its arrival is shocking by western standards. HiPhi’s parent firm, Human Horizons, was founded in 2017 and launched in 2019 with a three-point strategy based around smart cars, smart cities and smart transportation. This, its first car, was originally seen in October 2020, with the first customer delivery a little over six months later. Now it’s on sale in Europe, with right-hand-drive cars just a couple of years away. But it’s HiPhi’s different approach to luxury that impressed us, as it has Chinese buyers; already HiPhi is the best-selling luxury electric vehicle brand…

181bhp Powertrain 2.0 litre 4cyl 57 litres Fuel tank £82 fill up 7.9 secs Performance 108mph 380 litres Seats up/down 1,301 litres HONDA has been on a roll recently, and the Civic is one of our favourite family hatchbacks. Can the ZR-V live up to the standards set by its little brother? Here we’re testing the SUV in top-spec Advance trim, which costs £42,895. Tech highlights HONDA believes the lines between B-segment and C-segment SUVs are blurred to the point where the Japanese brand can shoehorn an extra sub-category between its existing HR-V and CR-V models. It’s a part of the class which contains the most popular family crossover of them all, the Nissan Qashqai, and one which Honda felt it needed to have a crack at. And it has…

SAME CLASS Hyundai Tucson Hybrid ONE of the sharpest-suited rivals in this class is the Hyundai Tucson. There’s far more to its talents than a striking face; behind that LED lighting array is a fantastic all-rounder. The well built cabin has loads of space, and at 616 litres, the boot is simply vast compared with the Nissan’s or the Honda’s, despite the fact that the Tucson is about the same size outside. In terms of refinement and stability, little else in the class can match the Hyundai. Kit levels are excellent, and even in top-spec Ultimate trim, the Tucson just dips below £40k. The only downside is that the hybrid system isn’t as slick, nor as frugal, as its rivals’ here. ● Comfort and refinement● Excellent equipment levels● Huge boot…

Running costs 50.5mpg (on test) £81 fill-up/£510 or 12% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 570/1,726 litres “I like how many times I have had to go to a petrol station lately – not once in July” MY working life is all words, words, words, yet when it comes to our plug-in hybrid Mazda CX-60, all I think about are numbers, numbers and more numbers. In particular, I’ve been focusing on fuel economy, and I’ve gone so far as to set up the Mazda’s infotainment system so that at the end of every journey the central screen displays what economy the car achieved on that trip. And that’s on top of often glancing at the screen to see how the economy changes over the course of a journey in the ebb…

OUR tests are often close and, behind our champion, it was particularly tight. A tweak in weighting would mean several tyres would swap places, so it is key to look at the percentage ratings rather than just overall position. It is hard to separate second through to eighth or ninth, so your choice will depend on your individual preferences. In the last two spots we have two makers we know can do better with tyres that are probably due to be replaced. Hankook needs to do its usual development job on the Prime 4. A test of part-worn tyres would better suit the Primacy 4+ but it still works from new. Kumho needs to work on its wet performance, while fuel economy must be a concern for Vredestein. No such…

CO2/tax 144g/km £180 Running costs 44mpg (A110 Legende) £63.90 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 4.5 seconds/155mph IN 2025, it will be 70 years since the founding of a French car company that’s something of an institution in France, but which never made it big in the UK, despite hugely positive coverage across the media. Alpine was set up in 1955 by Jean Rédélé, who used Renault running gear to help create his sports cars; then in 1973 Alpine was swallowed up by Renault. Back in the eighties Renault tried to conquer the UK market with its Alpine GTA, but despite glowing reviews, the car struggled to sell; its successor, the A610, suffered the same fate, leading to Alpine closing down in 1995. Renault then revived the brand in 2017 with an…