Table of contents for 1820 in Auto Express

Ellis_Hyde@autovia.co.uk @EllisDrives ● Second-generation supermini has firm’s first full-hybrid powertrain ● Chinese brand claims auto-only hatchback can return up to 64mpg “The new MG3 can sprint from 0-62mph in eight seconds, compared with more than nine seconds for its Clio and Yaris rivals” THE all-new, Mk2 MG3 has finally been unveiled – more than a decade after the current model was launched – and is aiming to disrupt the supermini class and challenge the Renault Clio and Toyota Yaris. Revealed at the Geneva Motor Show this week, the MG3 looks to make several leaps forward from the original. Chief among them is the use of MG’s first full-hybrid powertrain, similar to those used by the Yaris and Clio. The ‘Hybrid Plus’ system features a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and an…

THE DVLA has revealed its list of new-for-2024 number plates judged too saucy for the streets, and there are plenty of potential shockers on the banned list. Twice a year, in March and September, the DVLA issues the new combinations of letters and numbers featuring the new ‘age identifier’. These combinations appear on the plates of newly registered cars, but there’s also a list of banned plates that will never see the light of day This time around, it’s the ‘4’ in ‘24’ that’s causing problems, due to its similarity to the letter ‘A’. So luckily for the prudish – or the merely polite – number plates such as AS24 OLE, BA24 TDS, W24 NKR, SL24 GSS and SH24 GED won’t be seen on the roads this spring.…

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk ● Flagship 321bhp version of electric hatch introduced ● Extra power accompanied by tweaks to chassis THIS is the Cupra Born VZ, a new high-spec version of the all-electric hatchback that’s promising serious hot-hatch performance when it arrives later this year. Its single motor produces 321bhp, and alongside the near-100bhp increase over the regular car come chassis and styling upgrades. As well as that headline power figure, Cupra is also quoting a huge increase in torque, from 310Nm to 545Nm. These improved figures should transform the Cupra’s on-road performance, something previewed by its 5.7-second 0-62mph time. The top speed has risen as a result of the changes too, from 99mph to 120mph. This extra performance is generated by a new electric motor and inverter system that’s found on other…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress Official fuel economy figures are a fantasy FROM: Simon Matthews YOU tested the new Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid PHEV (Issue 1,817) quoting WLTP economy of 188.3mpg – who are they trying to kid? The ASA should ban these totally fantastical figures. WLTP is supposed to be more accurate than the old system, but it is not fit for purpose! We must rethink how car insurance works FROM: Derek Bevan INSURANCE needs to be a composite arrangement (Issue 1,818). Vehicles would be insured when parked in a public space or at the keeper’s home, while the owner would be insured when driving a car. Drivers would be classified by age or experience to qualify for vehicles. Include location of charge port in tests FROM: Anthony Oakley I HAVE a narrow driveway…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram THERE are plenty of examples of new cars with prices that cause us to double take, and it’s usually for the wrong reasons. But when a premium brand such as Volvo announces that the entry-level version of its new, all-electric small SUV will kick off from £33,795, it’s a surprise of the pleasant kind. Here is a well established premium brand releasing a new car for a price that isn’t just undercutting the cheapest version of one of our favourite EVs, the Hyundai Kona Electric, it’s also giving a host of newcomers from the Far East a run for their money. Although the entry-level model is the one grabbing headlines with its price, we’re driving the top-spec model here: the EX30 Twin Motor Extended Range Ultra. It takes…

Ellis_Hyde@autovia.co.uk @EllisDrives SKODA has become known to many for its SUVs in recent years, whether that be the boxy and beloved Yeti, all-electric Enyaq or seven-seat Kodiaq. But right now, its best-selling SUV globally is also its smallest; the Skoda Kamiq arrived in 2019, and remains a rival to big-hitters such as the Ford Puma, Renault Captur and VW T-Cross. Being in one of the most hotly contested segments of the new-car market means competition is fierce, and there are fresh or facelifted models arriving on nearly a bi-monthly basis. So Skoda decided it was high time that the Kamiq was given its own mid-life spruce-up, including styling refinements and new technology. The aim with the design updates was to give the Kamiq a more robust look. Up front, the…

THIS season should have kicked off with an incredible amount of optimism for Red Bull, having come off its most dominant season ever with the third consecutive world championship for Max Verstappen and the second constructors’ championship in a row. However, the controversy surrounding team boss Christian Horner following serious allegations around his conduct is, at the time of writing, still ongoing. Regardless of the immediate future of the team principal, Red Bull is once again going into a new season as clear favourite. Only a rare off-colour performance in Singapore prevented the team from winning every single race in 2023, and such a dominant car in the early stages of the year will have given the Milton Keynes-based squad plenty of time to focus on its latest challenger, while…

MCLAREN had a dramatically contrasting season of two halves in 2023. It started the campaign with one of the slowest cars on the grid and for the first eight races, even scoring points was a struggle for the young and extremely talented driver pairing of Britain’s Lando Norris and rookie Australian team-mate Oscar Piastri. However, a significant update introduced at the Austrian Grand Prix transformed the team’s fortunes. First time out with the revisions, Norris took fourth place in qualifying, and held position for the race. Over the remaining 13 races, he took seven podiums and scored more points than any driver other than Max Verstappen. Piastri also scored a couple of podiums following the updates, the highlight of his year coming in Qatar, when he managed to brilliantly fend…

HAAS will be bracing itself for a difficult 2024. Following a turbulent winter for the squad after the sudden departure of fan-favourite team boss Guenther Steiner, it will be a year to hold onto the tail end of the field under new principal Ayao Komatsu, who was Steiner’s former second-in-command. Komatsu will have a tough job on his hands to turn around last year’s form, where the cars often showed top-10 singlelap pace, but were blighted by high tyre degradation in races. An experienced driver line-up of Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen is carried over, which should ensure some stability. DRIVER #1 Kevin Magnussen @KevinMagnussen Races 163 | Wins 0 Titles 0 | Last year 19th Age 31 ONLY street tracks brought the Dane joy last year, with 10th-place finishes…

MODEL TESTED: GLA 250 e AMG Line Premium PRICE: £46,820 POWERTRAIN: 1.3-litre 4cyl/e-motor/16kWh battery, 215bhp 215bhp Powertrain 1.3 litre 4cyl PHEV 35 litres Fuel tank £49 fill-up 7.9 seconds Performance 130mph 445 litres Seats up/down 1,385 litres THE second-generation Mercedes GLA was launched in 2019, while revisions in 2023 introduced a subtle exterior update and fresh on-board tech, including a new version of the MBUX infotainment system. Tech highlights THE revisions to the GLA are the same as those found across every small Mercedes – the A-Class, B-Class, CLA and GLB – all of which are based on the company’s MFA2 platform. Blink and you’ll miss the reprofiled nose, while the MBUX updates will only be obvious to existing GLA owners. It’s a similar story for the plug-in powertrain, where…

OUR finance calculations are based around a representative example provided by Alfa Romeo that covers a 47-month term. Stump up £10,299 up front and Alfa will throw in a £500 deposit contribution, so the Tonale costs £499 a month. On the same terms, the GLA costs £526 a month, while a final payment of £22,850 means you can keep the car. The Alfa’s final optional payment is £500 cheaper. Insurance costs are similar between these two, but if you buy a Tonale on finance, it’s eligible for three years of free servicing, which offers a £1,260 saving over Mercedes’ maintenance plan. Our estimated fuel costs are based on using the petrol engine once the hybrid system’s battery has been depleted, and the Mercedes is more efficient than the Alfa to…

SMALL PREMIUM SUVs There’s plenty of variety in the small plug-in SUV sector, but you need to be sure it’s the right format for you. “AS we’ve seen with so many PHEVs, if you don’t keep the battery charged up, real-world fuel economy takes a beating. The weight of the discharged electrical system combined with a small engine that’s being made to do all the work truly is the worst of both worlds.” “KEEPING a PHEV charged unlocks the best efficiency, but if you don’t have access to a socket where you park your car, you’re stuck. A conventional hybrid would be a better option here. Official economy for the Tonale hybrid is more than 10mpg up on what we achieved in the PHEV on test.” “I RAN the Tonale…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy AT its launch, the Jeep Avenger was described as a “car designed in Europe, and built in Europe, for Europe”. But as we reach the halfway point in our time with the baby SUV, we’ve been surprised by how much of an American accent it has. Fact is, Jeep’s global design teams were responsible for the car – with the whole project overseen by Ralph Gilles from HQ in Detroit, US. And as our weeks with the car roll by, I’m increasingly convinced that the Avenger’s styling is a bit of a masterclass in how to take common components – in this case, the Stellantis Group’s CMP platform – and turn them into something distinctive. From the seven-bar front grille, to those squared-off wheelarches and incredibly short overhangs,…

NEW PRODUCT Volt Lite folding ebike Price: from £2,899 Contact: voltbikes.co.uk THERE’S a new option for drivers looking to save time and, possibly, cash on the daily commute, with the arrival of the Lite folding ebike from UK producer Volt. The Lite joins Volt’s existing ebike range, including the two Metro folding models. But, as the name suggests, the new design is easier to carry, because it’s some 4kg lighter. With the battery, it weighs 18kg, thanks to a lightweight 6061 T6 aluminium frame, making it one of the lightest folding ebikes on the market, according to Volt. When folded, the frame is held together by a magnet, so it’s easy to carry and lift in and out of a car boot. The bike is powered by a 250W motor, which…

Track stolen Nissans via your smartphone NISSAN has introduced a Stolen Vehicle Tracking function to its NissanConnect Services app, which aims to give owners more peace of mind and convenience. Working through Vodafone Automotive, the firm behind Nissan’s connected services, the app can now track a vehicle through GPS and provide its location to the police. If requested, the vehicle’s ignition can also be deactivated remotely. The service is available on the Ariya, and certain Qashqai and X-Trail models produced from 2022. Owners can activate a subscription to track their vehicle for £99 per year in the Nissan Connect Services app. Wet champ Ultrac fitted to new BMWs BMW has selected the Vredestein Ultrac as original equipment for the new X2 and 5 Series. A 225/55 R18 Ultrac will be…

In association with Trusted Reviews | Owner Opinion | Expert Advice FOR many people, a car is merely an appliance that gets them from A to B. Then at the other end of the scale are the cars that cater for the hardcore enthusiast. These are models developed for those buyers who will spend whatever it takes to secure the most rewarding and exciting drive. They want to turn every journey into an occasion, and that’s exactly what this pair of high performers will do. While the idea of pitching a Porsche Cayman against a Renault Megane might seem like madness, the GT4 and RS Trophy-R we’re testing here represent landmarks in the development of the scalpel-sharp enthusiast’s car. Incredible to drive and available in very limited numbers, the thing about…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy ● We view production version of brand’s eagerly awaited EV hatch ● UK to get more powerful models when 5 goes on sale this autumn “The 5 is a baby EV with a choice of battery sizes, seating for five people and a boot capacity that’s the equal of many bigger superminis” A STELLAR concept car can often be a challenge to turn into a production version, with real pressure to deliver something close to the show vehicle. That’s been precisely the case with the reborn Renault 5, presented here in the MINI and Fiat 500-rivalling form that you’ll be able to buy in the UK this autumn. The 5 is a baby EV with a choice of battery sizes, seating for five people and a boot capacity…

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 makers…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy FOR the second generation of X2, BMW has treated its oddball crossover to a total rethink. It’s available as an EV for the first time, and is also switching bodystyles. In simple terms, the X2 moves from being a car that was neither a proper SUV nor a realistic five-door hatchback, to a true coupé-SUV sister to the X1. You can buy the newcomer with a choice of petrol engines, but it’s also being offered as an electric iX2. The EV range starts with the iX2 eDrive20, which has a single front-mounted motor with 201bhp and 250Nm of torque, and a 64.8kWh (net) battery that’s good, BMW claims, for a range of between 272 and 283 miles. Rapid recharges are possible at up to 130kW, so a 10…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram THE 2024 Formula One season is nearly upon us, and there’s only one question on everyone’s lips: can anyone beat Max Verstappen? The Dutchman is on the verge of becoming an all-time F1 great, but there is a range of talented youngsters and two hugely experienced multiple world champions who want to end his and Red Bull’s dominance. Who’s most likely to challenge for the crown, and what changes for 2024 will influence how the season pans out? Our eight-page preview highlights the main things to look out for. MORE RACES THAN EVER EXPECT to see lots of exhausted faces in the paddock in 2024, with the F1 circus set to travel to 24 different destinations this year; that’s two more than in 2023 and more than any…

ASTON Martin proved to be the surprise of the paddock during the early stages of 2023. A strong start saw Fernando Alonso taking third place for the squad on his debut, while Lance Stroll, despite still recovering from injuries sustained in a cycling accident, was sixth. Alonso went on to scoop six podiums in the first eight races. But Aston lost its way somewhat through the mid-season, taking a direction with the AMR23 that caused Alonso and particularly Stroll to struggle. A brilliant second place in the changeable conditions of Zandvoort and a stunning defensive drive to fend off Sergio Perez in Brazil weren’t enough to stop Alonso slipping behind Lewis Hamilton in the final driver standings, while the team slumped to fifth overall. DRIVER #1 Fernando Alonso @alo_oficial Races…

THE somewhat awkwardly rebranded Visa Cash App RB squad, formerly known as Alpha Tauri, which was formerly known as Torro Rosso, is a team that aims to distance itself from its previous Red Bull B-team billing. With that comes a shiny new livery, but still the Honda RBPT hybrid powertrain that it used the season before. The squad will be looking for a little more stability in its driver line-up to help it push forward this year. Following the rather abrupt dumping of 2022 Formula E world champion Nyck de Vries 10 rounds in, the return of the ever-popular Daniel Ricciardo was cut short after the Australian broke his hand in a qualifying crash for the Dutch Grand Prix. That saw Kiwi youngster Liam Lawson acquitting himself brilliantly for five…

ROUND 1 29 FEB-02 MAR Bahrain Sakhir ROUND 2 07 MAR-09 MAR Saudi Arabia Jeddah ROUND 3 22 MAR-24 MAR Australia Melbourne ROUND 4 05 APR-07 APR Japan Suzuka ROUND 5 19 APR-21 APR* China Shanghai ROUND 6 03 MAY-05 MAY* United States Miami ROUND 7 17 MAY-19 MAY Italy Imola ROUND 8 24 MAY-26 MAY Monaco Monte Carlo ROUND 9 07 JUN-09 JUN Canada Montreal ROUND 10  21 JUN-23 JUN Spain Barcelona ROUND 11  28 JUN-30 JUN* Austria Red Bull Ring ROUND 12  05 JUL-07 JUL Great Britain Silverstone ROUND 13  19 JUL-21 JUL Hungary Budapest ROUND 14  26 JUL-28 JUL Belgium Spa-Francorchamps ROUND 15  23 AUG-25 AUG Netherlands Zandvoort ROUND 16  30 AUG-01 SEP Italy Monza ROUND 17  13 SEP-15 SEP Azerbaijan Baku ROUND 18  20 SEP-22 SEP*…

MODEL TESTED: Tonale 1.3 PHEV Q4 Veloce PRICE: £48,495 POWERTRAIN: 1.3-litre 4cyl, 276bhp 276bhp Powertrain 1.3 litre 4cyl PHEV 43 litres Fuel tank £61 fill-up 6.2 seconds Performance 128mph 385 litres Seats up/down 1,430 litres THE Tonale is currently Alfa Romeo’s smallest model, and is designed to open up the marque to a new market. The top-spec Veloce model in plug-in hybrid form costs £48,495, although the options fitted to our test car bump the price up to £52,945. Tech highlights WHILE the Tonale is a relatively new car for Alfa Romeo, its underpinnings can be traced back to the company’s pre-Stellantis years. In fact, its roots go as far back as the Fiat Grande Punto, but it has evolved a great deal over the years, so much so that…

WINNER Alfa Romeo Tonale 1st THE Tonale was heralded as a new dawn for Alfa Romeo, and it’s certainly the most convincing car that it currently produces. It delivers a sporty drive and it looks the part, while practicality is competitive for the class. The plug-in model isn’t as efficient as some rivals when the battery is depleted, while some of the quirks of the cabin layout will take some getting used to. But it’s worth persevering, because the Tonale offers character that’s lacking from rivals in the sector. ● Sharp looks ● Tidy handling ● Decent rear-seat space ● Competitive finance ● GLA is more efficient ● Some ergonomic quirks ● Road noise at higher speeds ● Rear visibility INTERESTED? Scan the code for further information RUNNER-UP Mercedes GLA 2nd WHILE the GLA finishes second here,…

SAME MONEY Porsche Cayenne WITH a new Cayenne hitting the roads recently, prices for the previous-gen model are becoming more competitive, and there are plenty of three and four-year-old examples on the market for around the 50-grand mark. That gets you a plug-in hybrid model which sources its petrol energy from a lusty 3.0-litre V6 engine that delivers strong performance on the road. Despite its size, it handles brilliantly, and interior quality is fabulous. ● Strong performance ● Sharp handling ● Bulky dimensions ● Running costs still high SAME MONEY Lexus NX 450h+ OUR current favourite PHEV SUV, the NX 450h+ combines all the usual Lexus strengths of interior space and soothing refinement with a brilliant PHEV system. Key to its success is the performance of its electric motors in particular –…

THIS is a common question at this time of year, when you look at your car covered in grime and can’t wait to shift it. A pressure washer doesn’t just save time and energy, it can also be good for your car because it can blast away the grime without harming paintwork before you even think about tackling it with a soapy mitt. It also opens the door to using a snow foam, which helps loosen that dirt before rinsing and grabbing the sponge. Many machines come with a snow foam dispenser, but market-leading brands can also work with specialist lances. Every two years or so, we test the current best sellers and come up with our pick of the crop. That choice will suit most users and budgets, but…

A MULTI-BIT screwdriver set is a great way of being able to deal with most fasteners without having to buy or store loads of screwdrivers. But when you just want a glovebox companion or something to carry around for an emergency, you don’t need all that choice, and half a dozen or so bits is quite enough. Laser’s eight-bit kit has just hit the market, so we tested it against stubby bit-and-driver kits from Sealey and Stanley. We looked for what we think are the most useful bits for car use: slotted, crosshead, hex and Torx. Pozidrivs can be handy in the garage, but there are few on a car. Bits should always be marked for size and type, and it’s a bonus if they’re colour coded. A ratchet always…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk YOU might expect style to be the top-scoring Driver Power category for Toyota’s edgy SUV, but owners rate the way it drives even higher: ride quality, road handling and steering response all just make the top 10. That said, respondents do rate the exterior design highly, in ninth place, with a 15th for interior style, and the same for front-seat comfort. The running costs category gets off to a good start with 15th for economy and 23rd for servicing, but a 50th place for insurance costs spoils the party. Child-friendly features rank well, though, as does the user-friendliness of the controls, at 18th. Overall value, at 44th, is the C-HR’s worst category, but boot space isn’t far behind, with a ranking of 33rd. WE SAID “With its interesting, funky…

Richard_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @rsp_ingram ● Open-top model joins line-up ● 0-62mph takes 3.0 seconds AS is traditional, McLaren has taken a hacksaw to the roof of its latest production model to create the Artura Spider. The maker claims performance is “almost indistinguishable” when compared with the coupé, thanks in part to a 19bhp power boost that will also be made available to existing Artura customers. With the roof up, the Spider looks nearly identical to the coupé. In fact, the nose is unchanged, and only once you reach the top of the A-pillars do you notice any visual or aerodynamic tweaks. Here, a pair of gurney flaps have been incorporated into the top of the windscreen to help reduce buffeting when the roof is lowered. The Spider uses the coupé’s carbon-fibre monocoque…

NEW rules that would have seen company car Benefit-in-Kind tax charges applied to double-cab pick-ups have been scrapped by HMRC – a week after being announced. The U-turn follows HMRC’s decision to update guidance on double-cab pick-up trucks, when the Treasury announced that from 1 July this year they would no longer be taxed as goods vehicles. Instead they would be classed as cars for the purposes of calculating capital allowances and Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) liabilities for drivers, closing a perceived ‘loophole’ where company users benefit from private mileage while avoiding thousands of pounds of company-car BiK tax. The Government says it has “listened carefully to farmers and the motoring industry”, and acknowledged that the guidance would have been inconsistent with its support of both sectors, so double-cabs will continue to…

Mercedes lifts the lid on CLE Cabrio pricing THE new Mercedes CLE Cabriolet (above) is on sale now, priced from £52,995. The range starts with the CLE 200, which boasts a 201bhp 2.0-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine. There’s also a CLE 220 d diesel, plus CLE 300 and CLE 450 4MATIC petrols; the latter is priced from £70,265. AMG Line cars get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a reversing camera, wireless phone charging, heated seats and adaptive headlights. There’s also an AMG bodykit with 18-inch wheels. Full-fat AMGs will join the range later. Hyundai luxury arm changes sales pitch GENESIS has confirmed it is moving to a traditional dealership model, having launched in the UK in 2021 as a direct-to-consumer brand. The maker says the change will give potential customers greater…

Chris_rosamond@autovia.co.uk ● Never-ending backlog predicted as 5m learner drivers fight for 1.8m driving test slots in 2024 FRUSTRATED learner drivers looking to take driving tests will be dismayed to learn that demand in 2024 could exceed capacity by a staggering 177 per cent. The claim follows crunching of official data by young driver insurance specialist Marmalade, which has estimated that 5,004,282 learners will be fighting for just 1,808,148 test slots this year. Marmalade claims the data also reveals that the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) capacity to conduct driving tests is a third lower than required, and that the service will again be overwhelmed, leading to a “huge rollover” of tests into 2025. The firm has warned that “the backlog might never end if capacity doesn’t increase”. Breaking down…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks THE future is electric for the Volkswagen Tiguan. At last year’s Munich Motor Show, CEO Thomas Schäfer said Tiguan (alongside the Golf and GTI nameplates) is a badge that will live on into the EV age. So does that shift in focus mean Volkswagen has taken its foot off the gas for this all-new, combustion-engined, Mk3 model? Certainly, the latest car doesn’t push the envelope in terms of looks; at first glance you might even mistake it for the outgoing model. But playing it safe with the styling makes more sense when you consider that the Tiguan is Volkswagen’s global best seller. Jump inside and the first thing that strikes you is that the interior is almost a carbon copy of the new Passat’s. In our test car’s…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy BMW hasn’t forgotten about petrol power with its reborn, rethought X2. There’s understandable focus on the electric versions, but you can also get the car with three-cylinder power and, if you want a lot more performance, as this X2 M35i xDrive. This variant packs four-wheel drive and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder motor pumping out 296bhp and 400Nm of torque. It’s good for 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds, but comes in just under £50,000 – slightly less than where the iX2 starts, in fact. The M35i gets a bespoke chassis tune, complete with adaptive (frequency-selective) dampers and a 15mm lower ride height. But we should probably cut to the chase at this point and say that these modifications are not enough to deliver an entertaining drive. The powertrain plays a big…

Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram FOR the first time in the sport’s history, every driver who finished the previous season will return in the same seat for the next. That stability in the driver market might suggest a similar end result in 2024, but stability in the technical regulations will give a chance for the chasing pack to close in on the dominant Red Bull team. Here are this year’s runners and racers.…

A REBRANDING for Sauber is only temporary – the Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber name is essentially a placeholder before the squad becomes a fully factory-backed Audi squad from 2026, a change that has naturally led Alfa Romeo to withdraw from its partnership. Among all the liveries on the grid, the lurid green flashes on the body of the new C44 will make it easy to spot during a race. Whatever the team is called, the new backers are bringing in lots of funding, which the squad will use to improve the Hinwil team’s infrastructure before the German giant wades in with its full force. And it can’t come soon enough; last season was underwhelming for Sauber, with its handful of points finishes throughout the year barely enough to keep…

SAME CLASS BMW X1 AS this test has revealed, even the strongest options in this class are not without their flaws. And that applies to our current favourite in this segment, the X1. Its issue comes with ride comfort; we strongly recommend avoiding the M Sport models, because the bounciness becomes borderline unacceptable. In softer X Line trim and on smaller wheels things improve, which allows you to appreciate an otherwise superb car. Its PHEV system is the best in this segment by some margin in terms of EV range and performance, and it’s the most fun to drive. Its roomy cabin also has a mix of the most modern tech and design. ● Superb performance ● Sharp handling ● Spacious cabin and boot ● Hard ride ● No iDrive clickwheel ● Pricey option…

NEW PRODUCT Laser Tools range additions Price: from £12.05 Contact: lasertools.co.uk LASER Tools has been busy adding to its already-considerable range of handy items you never knew you needed until you’ve actually got one. Topping the list for those who’ve ended up with de-icer all over their gloves during the recent cold spell is a spray can trigger. It fits most standard aerosols and provides a pistol grip that keeps fingers away from the nozzle. It’s ideal if you use aerosol paints and the like, where overspray easily gets on fingers. It costs £12.05 – a small price to pay for clean hands and gloves. Working on used cars inevitably means coming across hard-to-reach, damaged or stuck fasteners that get rounded off as you try to free them. The Laser solution…

The Italians (Gestalten, uk.gestalten.com) Price: £55 Rating: AN extremely handsome coffee table book packed with some of the most beautiful Italian cars from the 1920s up to the 2000s. You’ll find some of the very best from Pininfarina, Zagato, Bertone and Giugiaro, presented beautifully and with some informative – if largely supplemental – text to accompany. Definitely one for aesthetes or those with a particular fondness for Italian metal. The World of Formula One Michael O’Neill (Sona Books, danannpublishing.com) Price: £21 Rating: THIS is aimed at newer converts to the sport, like those who may have been drawn in by Netflix specials such as Drive to Survive. As a result, seasoned F1 fans might not find much depth here. But it’s a great grounding in Formula One, with driver profiles,…

In association with Trusted Reviews | Owner Opinion | Expert Advice CO2/tax 173-229g/km £570 Running costs 32-34mpg (3.0 TDI 286) £112 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.1 seconds/146mph THE literal translation of Volkswagen is ‘people’s car’, which conjures up images of economical family vehicles available to all – much like the original VW, the Beetle. An image that the term doesn’t match quite so neatly with, is that of a very costly full-sized SUV, but the arrival of the Touareg shows just how elastic the VW brand is. An attempt to go upmarket with the Phaeton wasn’t successful, but just as that luxury saloon was launched, so was the company’s first SUV, the Mk1 Touareg. This proved to be rather more of a hit than the Phaeton and sure enough, the…

THEY’RE undoubtedly good – and getting better – at designing and building cars. But most of the world’s manufacturers aren’t great at talking about themselves or answering to their buying public. True, when it comes to telling current or potential customers what models they’re marketing at the minute and why consumers should be buying or leasing them, they do an excellent job. But what other significant efforts do manufacturers make to ensure they have proper, two-way conversations with existing customers they’re desperate to retain, or new clients they’re hoping to attract? Rarely do they invite the punters to witness first hand how vehicles are carefully and lovingly built. Even rarer are opportunities for keen customers to talk cars and related matters with frontline experts employed in the design and engineering…