Table of contents for 1845 in Auto Express

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk ● 717bhp plug-in hybrid performance estate ● Takes on Mercedes-AMG and Audi RS wagons “Features all of BMW M’s usual chassis tricks to make the estate a serious high-performance driver’s car” THIS is the long-awaited BMW M5 Touring, a 717bhp plug-in hybrid performance estate that’s got Mercedes-AMG and Audi RS family haulers in its sights. BMW M doesn’t always gift us an estate variant of its high-performance M models, but for the first time since the E61 5 Series from 2007, the M5 Touring is back. Revealed at Monterey Car Week in California, the Touring joins the saloon, which was unveiled back in July. It features the same set of powertrain and chassis upgrades, not to mention butch styling and exceptional performance figures. The technical package is based around…

THIS is the Porsche 911 Turbo 50 Years – a limited-edition sports car designed to celebrate 50 years since the first 911 Turbo was introduced. Painted in Turbonite grey with matching wheels, the model is based on the existing Turbo S, and it boasts 641bhp. It can be ordered with the Porsche Heritage Design Package, adding graphics and other details. The 911 50 Years is available to order now, priced from £200,600. Only 1,974 examples will be built.…

New Citroen all set for happy Holidays CITROEN has revealed new details of its Holidays (above), with prices starting from £56,590. Available to order now, the camper is described by its maker as a “true mobile cocoon”, allowing for “constraint-free travel”. As with Volkswagen’s new California (Page 28), the Holidays gets a pop-up roof and two beds, plus a sink, gas hob and fridge. However, unlike the VW, the Citroen is offered solely with a 177bhp 2.0-litre HDi diesel engine. Ready to drive an EV? New app will tell you IF you’ve ever wondered whether an electric car would suit your lifestyle, BMW’s latest smartphone app might give you an answer. As part of an update, the My BMW App can now tell you what proportion of your journeys could…

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk ● Brand’s flagship hatch is back to battle Mercedes and BMW ● Chassis updated to improve agility, but no more power AUDI’S refreshed RS 3 has been revealed, packaging a new look and more features into the popular high-performance model. It will be available as both a five-door hatchback and four-door saloon when it goes on sale later this year. Prices start at £59,510 for the hatchback, with the saloon costing £1,000 more. Fans of the previous RS 3’s five-cylinder petrol engine will be happy to hear the motor has been retained, and it produces the same power output (394bhp) and torque (500Nm) as before. This is channelled through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and a Haldex-like all-wheel drive system, with the same torque-vectoring diff mounted on the rear axle.…

Tom_Jervis@autovia.co.uk @thomaswjervis ● Inside E.ON Drive TestingLab ● Shaping future EV mobility ENERGY supplier and chargepoint operator E.ON has described the switch to EVs as a “one-shot deal”, as it unveiled its new state-of-the-art EV chargepoint-testing laboratory designed primarily to make EV top-ups easier and more reliable. The firm, known for its renewable-energy tariffs, as well as its recent partnership with Coventry City Council, has opened the doors to its 10,000-square-metre facility in Essen, Germany. It invited Auto Express along to see how it intends to bolster consumer confidence in EVs, by providing independent feedback to manufacturers of both cars and chargers, and ultimately improve the entire user experience. The whole project is the brainchild of 19-year E.ON veteran and self-described “dinosaur” Timo Ferger, who founded the original E.ON charging…

Paul.Barker@carwow.co.uk @paulbarkerauto Performance 0-62mph/top speed 10.2 seconds/125mph Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 520/1,480 litres “The 3008 can run on electricity for short bursts, but only if you’re incredibly light on the throttle” PEUGEOT’S new 3008 is a fine example of a modern car launch: kick off with the headline-grabbing electric model, before quietly sneaking in the one likely to be more popular in the short term. The hybrid version of the eye-catching mid-size SUV has far less power (134bhp versus the E-3008’s 207bhp), but on the flip-side, it’s over £11,000 cheaper. It’s also arguably more practical for anyone not yet willing or able to take the plunge into EVs. Power comes from the same 1.2-litre turbocharged engine and small electric motor as found in the Vauxhall Corsa Hybrid (Page 30), albeit…

Chris_Rosamond@autovia.co.uk BUCKLED tightly into the passenger seat of the BRZ coupé as it sits on track resplendent in Subaru’s iconic World Rally Blue paint, engine burbling purposefully, and with a racing driver to my right, this feels much like any other motorsport ‘ride experience’ that’s been laid on for the media. But there’s something a bit different about this one, and it gives the lie to the old adage that life offers no second chances. The car is a former Category N write-off, which has been restored to roadworthy condition before being transformed into a racing car, while the drivers getting the chance to live out their dreams on track are former service personnel, and themselves survivors of life-changing events. The ‘Cat N wreck to racer’ project is run by…

MODEL TESTED: Nissan Qashqai e-Power N-Design PRICE: £39,620 POWERTRAIN: 1.5-litre 3cyl hybrid, 187bhp 187bhp Powertrain 1.5-litre 3cyl hybrid 55 litres Fuel tank £82 fill up 7.9 secs Performance 105mph 479 litres Seats up/down 1,415 litres AMONG the changes to the Qashqai line-up is a revamped trim structure, which includes the new N-Design model that we’re driving here. It costs £39,620 in e-Power hybrid form. Tech highlights NOT much has changed on the technical side, but then the Qashqai already had one of the most intriguing powertrain options in its class. The e-Power hybrid system mixes a petrol engine with an electric motor; so far, so conventional. The Qashqai’s clever trick is that the petrol engine never directly drives the front wheels. Instead it works as a generator, which sends energy…

SAME CLASS Hyundai Tucson KIA’S relative from Hyundai also fares strongly in the sales charts, but based on our findings behind the wheel (and against the pennies), it should be the Tucson in second and the Sportage eighth rather than the other way around. Interior space and cabin finish are great, but the Tucson is better to drive – less wayward in the corners yet with similar comfort levels. A bigger PCP deposit contribution makes the Hyundai cheaper than the Kia at the moment, and so close to the Nissan that the choice comes down to the overall package, where the Tucson still holds an advantage – as it does against the rest of the class. ● Space● Stability and comfort● High equipment levels ● Hybrid lacking in refinement● Flat-footed…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk When should I change my car’s battery? THIS inquiry comes from reader Nick Dare, who was called in to rescue his son’s car, which refused to start because of a battery that went flat after being left for a week. A charge got it going again and it is now starting as it should, but Nick is worried that it may let his son down again. There’s a variety of reasons why a battery fails to turn the engine but let’s start with checking if it is still working as it should. You’ll need a multimeter and our current test winner is the well specified Draper 92433 at around £45. We’ve also had good results with the Laser 8801 at around half the price, which has…

THERE’S a world of digital information hidden behind your car’s dashboard. An on-board diagnostic (OBD) port has been fitted to virtually every car for the past three decades, allowing mechanics to download and clear fault codes using a reader. Priced from less than £15, these readers are cheap enough to be in every DIY mechanic’s tool box. But if you are prepared to pay a little more, you can buy an even more sophisticated device that is able to do a much deeper dive into a modern car’s vital statistics. You can even unlock features such as scrolling indicators or automatic door locking, where available. We’ve previously tried Carly’s scanner and were left unimpressed. It appears to have improved, but it’s not as impressive as the newcomer from OBDeleven. But…

YOU had to be there, really. And I’m delighted to say that I was. On all four days. I’m talking about last week’s British Motor Show, where I got up close and personal with Tesla’s Cybertruck (more impressive than in photos) and the new Ford Capri (in name only, tragically). Over on the Best Cars of the Year (Best COTY) stand at our national car exhibition, BYD was voted Best Car Company by a panel of international judges (me included) for being just about the most daringly ambitious manufacturer in the world right now. Apart from building all-new models every few seconds, it’s establishing a network of plants in Europe and elsewhere to complement its existing Chinese factories. I’ve never known a company so blatantly determined to take on and…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy NEW generations of Lamborghini supercar don’t come along all that often – but the latest introduction marks an even bigger step than normal for the Italian brand. Say hello to the Temerario, the replacement for the Huracán, and a model that takes Lambo’s entry-level supercar away from V10 power and into the world of turbocharging and electrification. The lineage of normally aspirated, mid-engine V10 Lamborghinis stretches back to the Gallardo, which was introduced more than two decades ago. But for the Temerario, the company has invested heavily in a new specification of twin-turbocharged V8 powerplant, complete with a flat-plane crankshaft. This can match the potent output of the unit in the Urus SUV, while delivering a higher red line for a more visceral sound. “The company has invested…

Tom_Jervis@autovia.co.uk @thomaswjervis ● Unexplained rise in deaths ● A “major worry”, says AA boss FATALITIES in vehicle fires have risen despite the number of actual fires having fallen annually since the Covid-19 pandemic – and the unexplained increase is puzzling car-safety experts. Cases of vehicle fires dropped between 2019 and 2021, due to the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns. Since then, the incidence of fires has remained consistently low, yet the number of fatalities sits stubbornly high, with 135 deaths caused in this way over the past five years. Last year alone, 35 people died in vehicle fires – 25 of which involved cars. Compare this with the five-year period before the pandemic, in which an average of 22 people died annually in vehicle fires. Between 2022 and 2024, this number has…

Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk YOU’RE looking at the new Polosized Volkswagen ID.2, which has been spied testing for the first time on Germany’s Nürburgring race circuit. Despite being clothed in a shortened ID.3 body, the new ID.2 will use a new MEB Entry architecture. An optimised version of the normal MEB platform, this will be more versatile, and also support front-motor powertrains as opposed to the ID.3’s rear-motor layout. This prototype doesn’t quite show off the new proportions, thanks to the ID.3 body on top, but we expect the traditional supermini shape to return – as previewed by Andreas Mindt’s ID.2all Concept (top). Another major difference can be seen with the charge port; this sits on the front wing of the prototype, rather than on the rear quarter as with all current MEB…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk @AutoExpress Bring back the much-missed Ford Fiesta FROM: Francis Samuels THE final Fiesta left the factory in July 2023 and since then, public perception of EVs has degraded. Other brands have filled the Fiesta-sized hole with better cars, longer warranties and fair prices. The Puma lives on, but leave a new Fiesta too long and buyers will abandon Ford. “Ford may suffer from axing Fiesta” Prioritise comfort over kerb appeal FROM: Michael Corbyn WHY are car makers obsessed with fitting bigger wheels as you move up their model ranges? l’d like the added extras of a higher trim level, but your tests often say, “the larger wheels hurt comfort”. I’ll take a comfy ride and less visits to the dentist over a prettier car any day! MG HS has…

Chris_Rosamond@autovia.co.uk IT’S a long climb up into the cab of an articulated lorry, and as I mount the steps of the brand-new MAN eTGX, I wonder if someone has forgotten to hand me a risk-assessment form. I’m not surprised to learn later that statistics show 2,000 workers are seriously injured each year in falls from vehicles and their trailers. At least there’s a comfy air-sprung chair at the top of my ascent, and a great view out of the vast windscreen. The height is unlikely to be the first aspect of the e-truck that strikes you though; rather it’s the ability to glide almost silently into view under electric power that is initially so remarkable. If you thought the first electric car you saw seemed a bit surreal as it…

Richard_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @rsp_ingram Running costs 42.2mpg (official) £86 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed N/A/117mph THE Volkswagen California has been a camper-van legend for more than two decades. The German brand isn’t about to rest on its laurels, however, and it has just launched an all-new generation based not on a commercial vehicle as before, but on the Multivan MPV instead. This should, in theory, make the California more refined and car-like than ever – and the camper now gets two sliding doors, one on each side, for greater practicality. At least, that’s the idea. We’re testing the most lavish of three specs (Beach, Coast and Ocean), so our model is fitted with a compact kitchenette, shortened to allow access via that new left-hand door. It comes with a sink, pull-out fridge and…

IT’S one thing rescuing a Cat N write-off to be fettled under professional guidance for use on the track, but should you consider saving one for the road? In many cases, the answer could be a resounding yes. Cat N isn’t a safety classification, but one applied to a damaged car when insurers calculate it to be worth less than the cost of repair. With workshop and parts prices spiralling, that means you’re increasingly likely to turn up a bargain with a Cat N tag. “Consumers are seemingly unaware of insurance write-off categories and what these really mean. With some fixes to get them back on the road being relatively straightforward, the parts motorists might require are easy to find,” says Laura Richards, spokesperson for eBay car parts and accessories.…

MODEL TESTED: Kia Sportage Hybrid GT-Line S PRICE: £40,690 POWERTRAIN: 1.6-litre 4cyl hybrid, 212bhp 212bhp Powertrain 1.6-litre 4cyl hybrid 52 litres Fuel tank £77 fill up 8.4 secs Performance 113mph 587 litres Seats up/down 1,776 litres THE GT-Line S is the peak of the Sportage range, and that’s the model we’re testing here. At £40,690 for the Hybrid model, it’s £1,070 more expensive than the Qashqai that we’re evaluating. Tech highlights KIA’S approach to the hybrid system is more conventional than its rival’s. Here, a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine does most of the legwork, but for gentle throttle openings and when coasting, the four-cylinder unit can shut down and hand responsibility over to a 59bhp electric motor. The 1.5kWh battery isn’t as large as the Nissan’s, but much like its…

BASED on the crucial PCP figures, the Nissan is better value than the Kia. A three-year deal with a £5,000 deposit and a 10,000-mile annual limit for the Qashqai comes to £490 a month, which undercuts the Sportage GT-Line S by £45 a month. A larger deposit contribution helps the Nissan (£1,750 versus £1,500), as does a lower rate of interest (5.99 per cent APR versus 7.9 per cent). It’s worth noting that the top-spec Sportage GT-Line S isn’t the trim we’d go for because it’s expensive. That price affects private buyers, too, because it also succumbs to the extra £410 annual VED rate applied to £40,000-plus vehicles. While the Nissan costs £180 a year to tax, the Kia will set its owner back £590. Our pick of the Sportage…

MID-SIZE SUVs These family-friendly models are a key class for manufacturers, but what do our experts think? “IT’S staggering that these two family SUVs rank second and third in the UK’s new-car sales charts. The Sportage is only just behind the Ford Puma for number-one spot, and in July both the Kia and the Nissan proved to be more popular than the smaller, cheaper Ford.” “ANOTHER full-EV alternative to the cars we’re testing is the Peugeot E-3008. There’s plenty to like, because it’s similarly priced, the hybrid system is fairly smooth and its interior quality blows anything else of this size away. Despite its swoopy coupé-like roof, it’s even roomy in the back.” “AS with the pre-facelift model, Nissan still offers its ProPilot driving tech, which combines adaptive cruise control…

Pete_Baiden@autovia.co.uk @PeteBaiden Running costs Official range/tax 364 miles/2% Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 570/1,610 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.7 seconds/111mph LOVE them or hate them, coupé-SUVs are here to stay. Some people like the sportier looks and sleeker styling, while others simply can’t see the point of an SUV that offers less space while costing more. When the Skoda Enyaq 85 Edition Coupé arrived at Auto Express, I was firmly in the former camp, and I was a little disappointed that the regular Enyaq wasn’t joining our fleet instead. However, having spent the past six months living with the car, I have become a convert. Before you stop reading, let me explain. Firstly, let’s address the practicality issue. If you were to take a look at the two Enyaq models side…

Inside Osca Carlo Cavicchi (Evro Publishing, evropublishing.com) Price: £95 Rating: THIS book features images by Bolognese photographer Walter Breveglieri, and draws on the stories and memories of three employees of the OSCA marque. If you’re familiar with the Maserati brothers who formed the OSCA company, then you’ll enjoy the insider tales of these great little sports cars. It’s pricey, though. Texas Legend Jim Hall and his Chaparrals George Levy (Evro Publishing, evropublishing.com) Price: £60 Rating: JIM Hall’s career in motorsport includes spells as a driver, team manager and car designer. Such a life makes for an interesting biography and this certainly is. It’s comprehensively illustrated and photographed, well written and very interesting. Technical information on his engineering advances is less detailed, though. Traffic 3D Parking: Escape Jam Available for: iOS,…

mail@autoexpress.co.uk STRONG ratings for powertrains are a great fit for BMW’s sporty brand values, and 3 Series owners award the car 12th place for acceleration and 13th for gearbox smoothness. The 3 Series ranks 16th for handling and 22nd for ride quality, but only a mid-table 24th for driving pleasure. The sat-nav finishes in seventh spot and smartphone connectivity sixth, while there’s an eighth place for the user-friendliness of the controls. Perhaps more surprising is the seventh spot for fuel economy, although service costs are way down in 41st place. The interior also scores well, with 13th awarded for quality and finish, as well as for rear-seat legroom. WE SAID “With its class-leading blend of performance and economy, the 3 Series went straight to the top of the class when…

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…

Ellis_Hyde@autovia.co.uk @EllisDrives C02/tax 105-107g/km £180 Performance 0-62mph/top speed 10.6 seconds/106mph Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 492-624/1,582 litres ‘VOITURES à vivre’ means ‘cars for living’, and it’s a philosophy that connects Renault’s most family-focused models, starting with the Renault 16 in 1965, as well as the original Espace of the eighties and the Scenic of the nineties. The latest branch of this curious family tree is the brand-new Renault Symbioz. It’s looking to challenge the big-selling Nissan Qashqai, and to help do that, every Symbioz has a full-hybrid powertrain as standard. Prices start from £29,295, undercutting the most basic Qashqai by nearly £1,000, and the e-Power hybrid version of that car by more than £5,000. Symbioz buyers can pick from Techno, Techno Esprit Alpine and Iconic Esprit Alpine trims. Even base models…

Ellis_Hyde@autovia.co.uk @EllisDrives Running costs 60.1mpg (official) £63 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 8.6 seconds/133mph THE Vauxhall Corsa has been offered with the simple choice of pure-petrol or pure-electric power for some time now, which seemed to suit lots of buyers quite nicely. The recently facelifted supermini was the third best-selling car in the UK last year, as more than 40,000 examples left showrooms across the country. But there’s now a third option: the Corsa Hybrid. Although it’s a case of better late than never, given that plenty of other superminis have already adopted the tech. The stylish Renault Clio E-Tech springs to mind, plus the Toyota Yaris and new MG3. The hybrid powertrain in the Corsa is available in a selection of models from Stellantis (Vauxhall’s parent company), from the Jeep…

WINNER Nissan Qashqai 1st IT’S the first win for the Mk3 Qashqai in an Auto Express comparison test, an impressive turnaround considering previous results. The great hybrid powertrain helps secure the victory, while the small revisions in this mid-life update boost its appeal. But the key factor behind the win is its improved value for money; strong finance offers make it cheaper than ever. A win against a Sportage, one of our class favourites, is a big coup. Its strong sales run deserves to continue even further. ● Smooth, responsive hybrid● Refinement● Value for money● Equipment levels ● Decent but not class-leading boot space● Rear-seat bench position● Not the most fun to drive● So-so residual values INTERESTED? Scan the code for further information RUNNER-UP Kia Sportage 2nd IF outright space…

SAME CLASS Toyota RAV4 NOBODY does hybrid better than Toyota, which means that if you only have the budget to dip into previousgeneration petrol/electric SUVs, then the RAV4 is impossible to overlook. For £15,000 we found plenty of used models from around 2017 that match our test cars for power, performance and efficiency. It’s decent to drive, spacious, and has Toyota’s strong brand satisfaction. The only downside is the seven-year-old in-car tech. ● Frugal● Spacious cabin ● Clunky infotainment● CVT ’box causes engine drone SAME MONEY Volvo XC60 FOR roughly the same price as each of these two SUVs, the used market grants access to a similarly sized car that looks and feels much posher. Four-year-old XC60s with 20,000 miles on the clock are available for around £40k, and they…

Darren_Wilson@autovia.co.uk IT’S funny how things go around, because this is not the first time that I’ve run a MINI Countryman long-term test car. Back in 2011, I had a diesel Countryman ALL4 for a nine-month loan and I struggled to give the keys back. I remember that it was refreshing to be able to drive the MINI brand, but in a more usable ‘family focused’ vehicle with my children (see inset). Fast forward 13 years and it’s now my eldest son’s children that populate our Countryman test car on weekends away. A lot has changed in that time, mind you. Child car seats, buggies and, frankly, all of us have grown in size. Thankfully, this hasn’t presented the new Countryman with too many issues. It has 450 litres of boot…

Tavascan to get Sennheiser audio CUPRA has partnered with Sennheiser for its upcoming Tavascan electric SUV, making it one of the first car brands that Sennheiser has collaborated with. The system will analyse different musical components and redistribute them through the car, “enhancing its emotion”. Listeners can choose how immersive they want the experience to be on a scale of zero to three. The Tavascan hits the UK market towards the end of the year. Visit cupraofficial.com for more. Scorching seats a thing of the past? NISSAN is aiming to put an end to scorching car interiors on sunny days with its new paint system. Developed in partnership with Radi-Cool, the prototype paint reacts to light and counteracts the sun’s rays, reducing the transfer of heat into the vehicle. During…

CO2/tax 0g/km Free Running costs 124-165 miles (35.5kWh) £11.70 full charge Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.7 seconds/87mph ALTHOUGH Mazda didn’t start selling cars in the UK until a little more than 50 years ago, the company has already celebrated its centenary. That was in 2020 – a momentous year, because it was also when Mazda introduced its first-ever production EV, the MX-30. Stylish, ultra-safe according to Euro NCAP, great to drive and with novel rear-hinged back doors, the MX-30 promised much. But in the fast-paced EV world, sadly the Mazda newcomer didn’t deliver; in two separate Auto Express twin tests it came second to the Jeep Avenger and Kia Soul EV respectively, both of which cost more but offered better value, with much greater usability in terms of range and practicality.…