Table of contents for 1803 in Auto Express

CITROEN says the C3 Aircross will be 25 per cent quicker to build than its legacy cars, possibly signalling a new wave of affordable EVs. Consumers have long moaned about a lack of price parity when it comes to EV vs ICE, but Citroen’s new manufacturing techniques could be the light at the end of the tunnel. And this is merely the start; we’ll see the platform as the basis for other value models in the future, and if the corporate giant can get the fundamentals right, there’s nothing stopping it fitting a retro body to the versatile chassis and a new badge to the nose. Bingo, you’ve got the next Fiat Panda. If there’s substance to go with the style, and the maker’s claims of reduced complexity ring true,…

Smart #1 price falls with entry-level Pro A CHEAPER version of the Smart #1 baby SUV is on the way, with prices due to start from around £32,000. The #1 Pro (above) is on sale in Germany now, and Smart UK has said it is looking to bring the more affordable model here. It’ll use a smaller, 47kWh battery for a maximum range of 192 miles, and we can expect a little less standard kit when it arrives in the spring. Stellantis sets out its commercial stall STELLANTIS, the massive automotive group behind firms such as Citroen, Vauxhall and Fiat, has revealed that its future commercial vehicles will fall under the banner of ‘Pro One’. Before long we can expect to see second-generation, zero-emission powertrains, a “hydrogen solution”, full connectivity…

FULL UK specs for the updated Peugeot 208 have been revealed, with prices starting at £20,400 for the petrol model, rising to £32,400 for the all-electric E-208. All versions are available to order now, with deliveries in the next few months. The 208 range will be split into three trim lines – Active, Allure and GT – with a further limited-run E-Style model available exclusively with the E-208. As well as a new look, all cars now get a 10-inch touchscreen, while Allure and above also feature digital instruments. Two mild-hybrid PureTech petrol engine options, available with 100bhp or 136bhp, have also been introduced.…

AS well as tickling its current range (above), Toyota will unveil a pair of concepts at the upcoming Tokyo motor show. The FT-Se (top right) appears to be a sports coupé, complete with GR badging. All but certain to be pure electric, it could preview a successor to the current Supra or even a return for the Celica name. The FT-3e (bottom right) looks like an angular SUV, featuring chunky body cladding and a slim wraparound tail-light. The production version is expected to sit above the current BZ4X in Toyota’s range.…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks • Hatch will be first all-electric model in Vauxhall’s sub-brand VAUXHALL’S sporty VXR sub-brand may have been quietly axed in 2017, but the British firm is now building a range of performance models under the GSe moniker. And the next will be a Corsa supermini, Auto Express can reveal. The GSe badge stood for Grand Sport Einspritzung, which translates from German as Grand Sport Injection, when it featured on the Commodore GS/E and Monza GSE back in the seventies and eighties. But it’s now it stands for Grand Sport Electric. The Corsa will be the manufacturer’s first pure-electric GSe model, following in the wheeltracks of the plug-in hybrid Astra GSe hatchback and Grandland GSe SUV models. Both of these cars combine a turbocharged petrol engine with electric motors,…

WORLD-class sports stars have formed part of a group that has invested £174million into the Alpine Formula One team. In the initial deal, Otro Capital acquired a 24 per cent stake in Alpine in June this year, but the group now has further financial backing from a host of premier sporting talent. Among them are two-time unified heavyweight boxing world champion Anthony Joshua, former world number-one golfer Rory McIlroy, and Liverpool and England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold. Also chipping in are ex-Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata, plus Super Bowl winners Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. The Alpine squad hasn’t lived up to its own expectations this season, and a turbulent 2023 has led to it parting ways with its team principal and sporting director.…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy THE second-generation Hyundai Kona made a strong impression on us when it was revealed; indeed, its combination of improved space, big-car tech and a mixture of powertrains secured it our outright Car of the Year gong at our New Car Awards. Hyundai has been padding out the range ever since, and now’s our first chance to try the starting point: the entry-level petrol version. And this really is a baseline. The car gets a very different look in Advance trim; as well as a more humble powertrain, you’ll find plenty of grey cladding on the outside. Under the bonnet is a three-cylinder turbo engine producing 118bhp and 172Nm of torque. There isn’t even any mild-hybrid assistance to help it along. Indeed, Hyundai claims a leisurely 0-62mph time of…

Richard_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @rsp_ingram WITH the nights drawing in and the temperatures falling, there’s no shying away from the fact that the colder months are coming. But before you batten down the hatches and light the log burner, now might be the time to consider upgrading your wheels. Over the next 32 pages, we’ve rounded up the very best SUVs on sale in the UK. Whether you’re after the reassurance of all-wheel drive, or simply value the added safety of a raised ride height offering a better view out, our list of the 114 best SUVs has you covered. We’ve looked at petrols and diesels, hybrids, plugins and fully electric models, from the very cheapest runarounds, through to six-figure luxury off-roaders. And if you’re not looking to splash out on a new…

ON the following page, we look at the costs to buy and run each of these machines, and it’s here where the Grenadier loses the most ground to its rivals. On a personal contract plan with a £20,000 deposit, a monthly outlay of £1,052 is more than double the £489 a month asked for a Defender, although the optional final payment of £32,428 is more than £12,500 less than Land Rover asks for the Defender (£44,969) if you want to keep the car at the end of the agreement. In comparison, the Ranger Raptor is around £100 per month more than the Defender, but the final payment is more reasonable, at £27,072. However, Ineos isn’t necessarily targeting PCP buyers, and instead has declared an intention for the Grenadier to be…

What we tested WE returned to the popular SUV size of 235/55R18, and all the tyres were supplied by the manufacturers. There were no limits on speed or weight ratings, which we’ve listed below, along with the EU tyre label rating for fuel economy (RR), wet grip (WG) and pass-by noise (N). A is best for the first two, while lower is better for the decibel level. Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 104 V (RR:C WG:B N:72dB) Michelin CrossClimate 2 100 V (RR:C WG:B N:71dB) Bridgestone Turanza 6 Enliten 100 V (RR:B WG:A N:69dB) Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2 104 H (RR:C WG:A N:71dB) In association with…

Formula One Legends Dan Peel Sona Books, (danannpublishing.com) Price: £21.99 Rating: BEAUTIFULLY produced, with big spreads detailing the most iconic drivers, teams and races from decades of F1 history. This book wisely chooses not to go too deep in its 144 pages and can used as a jumping-off point for further exploration. It’s also accessible for younger readers, with a fact-file style. The Jaguar XK140 in the Southern Hemisphere John Elmgreen and Terry McGrath JT Publications, (jtpublications.com.au) Price: $375AUD (£194.45) Rating: INCREDIBLY specialised but exhaustively researched and produced, this book charts the 525 XK140s that made it to the Southern Hemisphere (mostly Australia and New Zealand, but there are two cars on Reunion Island). The research is highly respectable and it’s resulted in an interesting niche title. Off-road Unchained Available…

Ellis_Hyde@autovia.co.uk @EllisDrives • We drive Clio, complete with striking new face, in UK for first time • Pure-petrol and hybrid powertrains on offer, plus revised trims THE fifth-generation Clio is an Auto Express favourite, with three Supermini of the Year awards to its name. But while Renault is introducing an all-new generation of models, the time has come for the ever-popular small car to get a nip and a tuck. And now we’ve had a chance to try the updated version for the very first time. The new look includes cues from the likes of the Megane, with the ‘F1 Blade’ in the front bumper and vertical daytime running lights. There’s also a redesigned Renault logo in the heart of the grille, while the rear features new lights, plus aero…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks • New look and revised tech • Range of up to 421 miles THE facelifted Tesla Model 3 is now on sale in the UK, having been revealed at the 2023 Munich Motor Show in September. Coming in at less than £40,000, the Model 3 undercuts a raft of similarly sized rivals. The entry-level Rear-Wheel Drive model costs from £39,990 and has a range of up to 344 miles on the standard 18-inch wheels. The Long Range car can do up to 421 miles, and is priced at £49,990. Both models are available to order now, with first deliveries due in January. Two new colours are available: Ultra Red and Stealth Grey – the latter of which Tesla claims “accentuates” the shape of the updated Model 3. The…

Chris_rosamond@autovia.co.uk THE EU-funded Green NCAP organisation has launched a new award spotlighting the whole-life CO2 impact of the most environmentally friendly new cars, designed to help consumers concerned about climate change make better-informed choices. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) award comes with an eye-catching stamp declaring the most carbon-efficient vehicles are a ‘greener choice’, and the organisation says the new scheme will encourage buyers to consider a car’s whole-life climate impact, instead of focusing on its powertrain or efficiency figures. So far, only four cars have made the grade: the Dacia Spring, Ora Funky Cat, Renault Mégane E-Tech and Tesla Model 3. To earn the award – and Green NCAP’s stamp of approval – cars must achieve five stars in its Life Cycle Assessments that have been carried out since…

Chris_rosamond@autovia.co.uk THE average price of comprehensive car insurance hit a new record high of £924 in the third quarter of 2023, according to the Confused.com Insurance Price Index. Prices have rocketed by 58 per cent, or £338, since this time last year, the highest annual rise in nearly two decades, based on data from more than six million quotes for premiums. Shocking rises are being felt across the board, but younger drivers are suffering most, with 18-year-olds paying an average of £2,995 for an annual policy, a hike of 89 per cent (or £1,414) in the past 12 months. It’s even worse for 17-year-olds, where the average policy has risen by 93 per cent, reaching an eye-popping £2,613. According to Confused.com, reasons for the rapid surge in prices include the…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress HOT TOPIC Zeekr X SUV FROM: Peter Hurwood IF the Chinese are to make a dent in the European car market, they’ll do it by selling EVs at low prices. But I hope the British government slaps a heavy import tax on these cars, to protect our motor industry. FROM: Bill Barr It’s a nice car but is way overpriced, at £45,000. [I understand] BYD is having huge difficulty shifting Atto 3s that are £8,000 less and the Volvo EX30 will also be less. I’m guessing Geely don’t want to sell many Zeekrs in the UK. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “The problem I have is no one has heard of them. What will these cars be worth come resale time?”Ian Newton ■ “It is sure to…

THERE are lots of hugely popular classic car shows in the world, but for one single model to attract around 80,000 people from all over Europe to a single event is a pretty big deal, especially when said model is a van. It’s been more than 75 years since the iconic Volkswagen Type 2 was first designed, and to celebrate this milestone, the brand organised a full-scale festival in the van’s hometown of Hanover, Germany. And when we say a festival, we mean an event complete with live bands, massive crowds and rows of portable toilets. This celebration isn’t just for Type 2 fans, though, because more than 6,000 VW campervans and buses of all generations travel from far and wide to pitch up at the festival campsite. It’s a…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler STANDING out in a crowded electric SUV market is difficult for established brands. But new ones? And those from China? As many have shown, that’s hard. Nio, however, stands a better chance than most and could well upset the premium-car apple cart – for a number of reasons. Based on our drive in the new EL6, the car is good. Really good. We thought the same of the ET7 when we drove it last year – so much so that it got our vote in sister title Auto Bild’s Golden Steering Wheel Awards. We also like the way the Nio folk are developing their brand; we came away from the Shanghai Auto Show really impressed with how they’re curating a community around the company. That’s before you take…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy DESPITE Hyundai having no plans for a second-generation Kona N, the maker believes it can tempt petrolheads into its baby SUV with this: a 1.6-litre petrol car with some sporty upgrades. The specs look promising enough on paper. The four-cylinder turbo engine produces 195bhp and a useful 265Nm of torque, fed through either a six-speed manual or the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic we’re testing here. There’s no electrical assistance, but 0-62mph takes 7.8 seconds. Decent, but more than a second slower than a Ford Puma ST. To complete the performance image, this car’s powertrain is only available in the top two trims: Ultimate and N Line S. The latter gets a natty bodykit – different front and rear bumpers, bespoke side skirts and a twin-tip exhaust – plus gloss-black…

Dean_Gibson@autovia.co.uk @DeanGbsn IF you’ve bought an SUV – especially one in our rundown that comes with four-wheel drive and dedicated off-road settings – there’s every chance you’ll want to see exactly what it can do in the rough. Well, Auto Express is here to help, as we head into the dirt with a Jeep Wrangler to give you top tips and advice for any potential off-road adventures. The best way to make the most of your car’s ability will be to take it on a properly prepared course, although do make sure that you’re insured for such driving beforehand. If you want to use the public highway for so-called ‘green laning’, then you need to find unclassified roads (UCRs) or byways open to all traffic (BOATs). The easiest way of…

Ineos Grenadier WHEN designing a go-anywhere 4x4, necessity dictates that you’re bound to use similar styling cues to rival models. Yes there are some similarities to the old Defender, but there are also nods to the Jeep Wrangler, and overall the rugged looks hold appeal that’s backed up by excellent off-road ability. VS Land Rover Defender THE Defender’s clean-sheet design takes the opposite approach to the Grenadier, with the squared-off looks taking priority over the car’s off-road ability. Even the car’s accessories, such as roof bars or the externally mounted storage panniers, seem to be more about style over substance. VS Ford Ranger THE latest Ranger is already an imposing-looking machine, thanks to its bluff front end and C-shaped daytime running lights, but the Raptor turns things up a notch.…

WINNER Land Rover Defender LAND Rover purists were up in arms when the current Defender appeared, but there’s no doubt that its reinvention for the 21st century gave it a new lease of life. It delivers the upmarket qualities of the Range Rover models, while adding a rugged touch that extends its appeal to a broader spectrum of buyers. A wider range of abilities, a higher-quality interior and lower overall costs mean it has the edge over its rivals here. • Great on and off road• Comfortable at all speeds • Not as focused as Ineos• Options can ramp up price 1st RUNNER-UP Ineos Grenadier IF you need a car solely for off-road driving, then the Grenadier is second to none. What’s more, it manages to combine this with on-road…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy • Offered with petrol, hybrid and electric powertrains • Five seats as standard, with the option of an extra pair “The Aircross will feature the same front-end treatment as the C3 but with a chunkier bumper” CITROEN has just launched the fourth generation of its C3 supermini (issue 1,802) – but the company has bigger, bolder plans for the next C3 Aircross, which will count not only the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur as rivals, but also larger seven-seaters such as the Dacia Jogger when it arrives next year. Clearly tasked with carrying parent group Stellantis’s fight to value king Dacia, Citroen will use the C3’s new ‘Smart Platform’ and many of its build techniques in the second-generation C3 Aircross. The firm teased the new small SUV model…

LANCIA has confirmed details of its all-new model range, due from 2024. The Stellantis-owned firm is set to return with a solid plan, embodying the same design and technology philosophy it did in its heyday. This mantra will be channelled into three all-new models: a hybrid and electric Ypsilon supermini, a full-EV Gamma fastback and possibly even a Delta sports car. There’s no word on a possible return to the UK, though; the limited sales potential and requirement for right-hand drive remain significant roadblocks.…

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.consumerombudsman.org RMIF: 0845 305 4230 Scottish Motor Trade Assoc. 0131 331 5510 Problems with…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram “The team’s best race performance at Le Mans came in 2022” THE Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus squad, which has competed in the World Endurance Championship since 2020, has announced that it will not continue with the series next year. SCG, run by American entrepreneur Jim Glickenhaus, joined the WEC under the new hypercar regulations alongside Toyota. The initial $20million budget cap appealed to the small Connecticut-based outfit, but since then, rising costs and the arrival of a glut of manufacturers, including Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, BMW and Cadillac, have made the team’s participation harder to justify. In its three years of racing at the Le Mans 24 Hours, all six of SCG’s entries have reached the chequered flag – a remarkable achievement while competing against huge manufacturers. The team’s best…

Richard_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @rsp_ingram Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.5 seconds/116mph HONDA’s product range is expanding. Ignoring the Civic family hatch, its SUV line-up alone now spans four distinct models. But with the latest ZR-V almost identical in size to the outgoing CR-V, where does that leave the maker’s venerable flagship? Bigger than before in every dimension, the CR-V has taken a step upmarket. On size alone, the Honda is longer than a Nissan X-Trail, Skoda Kodiaq or Kia Sportage. But with prices starting from a scarcely believable £45,985, the CR-V is also much more expensive than those cars. We’ve already driven the fleet-friendly plug-in (Issue 1,793), but now we’ve been thrown the keys to the regular hybrid. Unlike its rivals, whereas the PHEV is front-driven, the e:HEV is all-wheel drive only. Both versions…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler PORSCHE seems to be able to do no wrong these days, whether it’s refreshing its core petrol-powered line-up, or going for full-on electrification. Whichever direction it takes, driver appeal is undiluted, while quality, tech and everyday usability just keep getting better and better, too. Plug-in hybrids are often seen as the worst of both worlds, though – petrol power lumbered with a heavy battery to drag around, plus a limited all-electric range without the financial benefits of a full EV. Could the latest Cayenne, now in its third generation and with a recent round of revisions, buck the trend? As you’d expect, the focus is clearly on performance, so it only seemed right that our first taste of the raciest Cayenne was on a race track. Not only…

WHETHER it is preparing your rims prior to adding a protective coating for the cold weather or simply shifting grime, you’ll need a wheel cleaner this winter. There is now a new option from Halfords, which has created an Advanced car-care range that has a wheel cleaner featuring the latest formula that turns red as it works. The retailer might be late to the ‘red revolution’, but does it offer anything new? To find out we put it up against our serial champion, Bilt-Hamber’s Auto-Wheel, which was a pioneer of the colour-changing cleaners. We applied each product on some long-neglected wheel trims, allowed the cleaner to work, then gently rinsed and assessed progress. We also took a weighted brush to ensure consistent pressure and agitated each cleaner before rinsing. Multiple…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk BAGGING 16th place for practicality in this year’s Driver Power survey deserves some credit, but a scan of the Tiguan’s other results reveals nothing else in the top half of the table. The next best attribute is the interior, but that’s ranked only 42nd. Yet that’s much better than the 70th this SUV musters for powertrains, not to mention 67th for its exterior, while value came in at 66th position. Sluggish acceleration and dowdy styling are the main issues, but front-seat comfort and quality are also marked poorly. The strong score for practicality can be credited to a fourth place for interior storage and 11th for versatile seating, while visibility from the driver’s seat is rated at an encouraging 16th. WE SAID “The Tiguan is a solid performer rather…

THE old adage that ‘you get what you pay for’ used to be so, so true – but no longer. How come? Because, on the negative side, some misguided consumers choosing new cars with insanely high retail prices are clearly not getting anything like what they’re paying for. Honestly, are we really supposed to believe that, for example, all those premium and non-premium five to seven-seat SUVs in the showrooms with price tags approaching or exceeding £100,000 (that’s supercar/luxury car territory) represent good value for money? I think not. Especially when some are depreciating by circa £60,000 in their first 36 months. Wouldn’t you rather spend that sort of money building an appreciating extension onto the family home or a brick garage/workshop/office/studio/guest room next to it? Conversely, car buyers who…