Table of contents for 1859 in Auto Express

IT was never going to be a smooth ride relaunching a brand as well loved in the UK as Jaguar. But for the responses online to be quite so immediately negative must have taken some at the company by surprise. They say that all publicity is good publicity, but this may be stretching the point in the same way the outcry at Ford’s resurrection of the Capri as an electric SUV did earlier this year. Us Brits seem to excel in having marques we’re passionate about, but not enough to actually go out and buy their cars. The demise of the MG Rover Group is a prime example, so something had to change for a Jaguar brand that sold only 14,000-or-so cars in the UK last year, 29th in the…

KIA has revealed its brand-new, range-topping, high-performance EV9 GT electric SUV at the Los Angeles Motor Show, adding some serious punch to the futuristic-looking seven-seater. The new flagship EV9 doesn’t only boast a big chunk of power and some extra torque, though. It also brings with it Kia’s first use of elements such as virtual gearshifts (VGS) as well as an electronic limited-slip differential (LSD), which have been so successful in turning sister brand Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N into a class-leading performance car. Underpinning the EV9 GT’s upgrades is a sizeable power boost up to an estimated 501bhp, which is generated by two electric motors – one on each axle. This is split between a 214bhp front unit and a 362bhp rear one, with total peak power providing that combined…

WHILE we drivers can be a bit selfish, barging our way through traffic when we’re late for work, in the case of spotting a pothole, it may be in our interests to consider those around us. Of the thousands of pothole-damage claims made annually, most are dismissed under a law that essentially relinquishes the council in question from any responsibility if it is not “reasonably expected to know” of the pothole’s existence. This leaves drivers to pay hundreds of pounds in repairs due to the underfunding of roads – an insult, given the ever-growing cost of VED and fuel duty. With this in mind, we urge you to report any dangerous potholes to your local authority. Most councils have a ‘report a pothole’ webpage, while you can email National Highways…

BENTLEY has dropped hints that it’ll introduce a new high-performance petrol variant of the popular Bentayga SUV next year, and that the model won’t have any form of significant hybrid assistance. While this doesn’t really fit with the brand’s Beyond100+ hybrid and electrification strategy that will kick off in 2026, the new model will no doubt sit well with customers keen to get their hands on a high-performance Bentayga – especially after the recent demise of the W12 model. The new version will very likely use a tuned version of the existing Bentayga’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8. The well proven powertrain is currently rated at a relatively modest 542bhp, even in the sportier S guise, but insiders have hinted that it’s going to be even more powerful. Historically, the company designed…

HELPING to steer the SBW revolution at ZF is Chassis Engineering vice president Bal Panaser, who leads the team at the firm’s UK R&D centre. With his finger on the pulse of global product trends, he’s well placed for a view on how soon the tech will go mainstream. “You’ll see family passenger vehicles with steer-by-wire in China next year,” he predicts. “In Europe, maybe at some point towards the end of 2025, but I think the take-up will be on a niche basis due to the conservative nature of European OEMs. In China, things will ramp up significantly in ’26 and ’27.” However, he reckons developments at ‘China speed’, not least from start-ups with no heritage of using anything but SBW, could affect the pace of roll-out here. “If…

YOU might think that the most frequent recipient of the Auto Express Convertible of the Year award would be the Mazda MX-5. Perhaps the Porsche Boxster? Maybe the BMW Z4? But no. Long-time readers will know it was the previous MINI Convertible, which managed to take home the gong seven times. So, the replacement for the brilliant little drop-top has some big shoes to fill. Luckily the new MINI Cooper Convertible is off to a strong start, because it’s based on an updated version of the previous model’s platform. However, the suspension, transmission and steering have all been tuned differently to the previous generation, as well as other versions of the MINI Cooper. Some styling elements have been carried over too, such as the tail-lights. However, these feature new internals…

GENESIS GV60 IT’S no secret that Genesis is part of the Hyundai empire and its cars share much with plenty of Kia and Hyundai models. But it’s important that a Genesis looks and feels more upmarket than, say, an Ioniq 5 – and I think the GV60 generally does, with its large infotainment screen and classy materials. So I’m surprised that wireless Apple CarPlay isn’t available, especially when there is a wireless charging pad. I reckon that trailing a cable across the cabin cheapens the overall effect. ANDY PRINGLE VOLKSWAGEN ID.BUZZ THE ID.Buzz is 1.93 metres tall, and in such a big car, dimensions are important. Most car parks have a 2.0-metre height limit, which is fine; the VW’s windscreen gives a great view of the concrete you’re mere centimetres…

DeLorean: The Rise, Fall and Second Acts of DeLorean Matt Stone Motorbooks quarto.com Price: £30 Rating: THE basics of the DeLorean story are well known: the eighties’ icon, built from spare parts in the uneasy political landscape of Northern Ireland. This book dives a lot deeper, and follows the life and career of the founder, John Z DeLorean, and how his early work ties in with the creation of the DMC-12. The info on prototypes and concepts is fascinating, with original sketches showing the inception of Giugiaro’s design. Extremely well produced with loads of high-quality imagery, it’d be a great gift for fans of this sports-car icon. Porsche 911 991: The Definitive History Brian Long Veloce Publishing veloce.co.uk Price: £50 Rating: A HUGE and fairly pricey tome detailing just eight…

FAST-developing technology means there’s a constant flow of new ways to start a car with a flat battery. The latest to arrive is the Defender Hylite Jump-Lite, which combines engine starting with a powerful torch and phone charging. We compared it to our current pick, Clarke’s JSM1000, and logged the amp hour rating (Ah), weight, socket protection, and accessories such as cables and power outlets. Clamps were assessed for ease of use, and we measured the cable length. We used each on a very flat battery on a 1.6-litre petrol engine, turning it over five times for five seconds with a rest of two minutes in between. The Clarke remains in top spot, excelling at car starting while offering plenty of charge options – and all for seriously good value.…

WHY choose ordinary when you can experience luxury for the same price? Britain’s cheapest new car, the Dacia Sandero, offers reliable transport for £13,795. It’s straightforward and efficient, perfect for practical, no-frills travel without breaking the bank. However, for the same price – or even less – the used-car market opens up a world of possibilities for those wanting a bit more flair in their daily drive. Take the Bentley Continental GT. Early models from around 2004, with 60,000 miles or so, can be found for £12,000 to £13,000. This grand tourer, with its 6.0-litre W12 engine and more than 500bhp, still commands attention on the road. Driving a Bentley, even an older model, elevates routine commutes into something special. For performance and charm, consider the Jaguar XKR. Mid-2000s cars…

THE maddest, baddest, saddest week of the year so far? Possibly the one we’ve just endured. The madness came courtesy of the UK Government and its summit meeting with motor industry chiefs. Up for discussion were mega-important matters such as the ZEV mandate (see page 17), job losses, the threatened 2030 ban on new ICE cars, plans for EVs to succeed them and, in turn, the future and rapidly changing shape of mass manufacturing at major factories still building vehicles in Britain. UK car industry life-savers such as BMW/MINI, Land Rover, Nissan and Toyota, we salute you. With all this and more on the agenda, and so much at stake, surely Prime Minister Starmer and/or Net Zero Minister Miliband should have taken the lead? Instead, Transport Secretary Haigh (famous for…

THIS is the Hyundai Ioniq 9: an all-new flagship electric SUV that aims to elevate its manufacturer into uncharted territory. It follows the IONIQ Concept ‘SEVEN’ from 2021; the name change leaves room to expand the range at a later date. The 9’s specs are certainly strong: a massive 110kWh battery, an 800-volt electrical architecture and more than 300 miles of range – even on the fastest Performance AWD model. There’s space for seven inside, and a huge boot capable of carrying more than a small van. Hyundai refuses to implement an Audi-style cookie-cutter design language, meaning each of its Ioniq models looks distinct. Head of design Simon Loasby sees Hyundai’s EV line-up like a series of chess pieces, where each car plays a different role; the 9 is apparently…

THE new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé is about to arrive in UK showrooms, but we were fortunate enough to get behind the wheel before anyone else, taking the new M235 out on a test track at the BMW Performance Centre in South Carolina, USA. We didn’t fancy spending our limited time with the performance hatch testing it in Comfort mode or toying with the infotainment system. So as soon as we had the turbocharged engine fired up, we switched into Sport and activated launch control. With the brake pedal released, the car sends all its 296bhp and 400Nm through all four wheels and pins you to the body-hugging M Sports seats. As you approach the redline, pulling on the shift paddles on the steering wheel, the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox…

VOLKSWAGEN has slashed up to £4,850 off the starting prices for its ID.3 electric hatchback, ID.4 family SUV and ID.5 coupé-SUV, thanks to the introduction of new entry-level Pure variants, each powered by a 52kWh battery. The biggest discount comes on the ID.3; now starting from £30,850, it sits in between its two key rivals, the £26,995 MG4 EV and £33,995 Renault Megane E-Tech. The new entry-level Pure Essential offers approximately 240 miles of range. A 168bhp e-motor drives the rear wheels, while a 145kW maximum charging speed means a 10 to 80 per cent top-up should take only 25 minutes. Standard equipment on the ID.3 includes a 12.9-inch central touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a small digital driver’s display, ambient lighting, 18-inch steel wheels, LED headlights and…

JAGUAR’S drip-feed of its shift to becoming an all-electric luxury brand is gathering pace, with a tease of the concept car that will be revealed at Miami Art Week on 3 December. The image (below) appears to show the rear of a car with a bold, flared wheelarch, as well as one of the company’s new design cues: the ‘strikethrough’ of 16 horizontal lines. The concept car will hint at Jaguar’s future design – the reimagined brand’s first production car will be a four-door GT with a range of more than 400 miles, costing about £130,000. That car should hit the road by the end of 2026, and will be joined by two more within 18 months. The GT has already begun testing, with Jaguar releasing shots of a disguised…

STILL in only its second generation, two decades on from the original model’s launch, the XC90 has become something of an institution for Volvo. As the brand’s flagship (at least on the combustion-engined side, now that the EX90 EV has arrived), its seven-seat practicality, refinement, build quality and, above all, safety help give it a different appeal to the likes of its BMW X5, Audi Q7 and Mercedes GLE competitors. This year marks the most significant update for the second-generation XC90 since its arrival in 2015. Volvo likes to drip-feed tweaks to its models rather than give them full-blown mid-life refreshes, so the sizeable changes to the exterior, plus revised suspension, a new interior and fresh technology feel quite drastic. The timing for these changes is certainly interesting. As mentioned,…

THIS big, luxurious and very orange saloon might appear similar to the Bentley Flying Spur that’s been on sale since 2019, but trust us when we say things have definitely changed under the skin. Initially launched with a pure V8 or W12 engine, the Flying Spur has always been more opulent than German rivals such as the Mercedes S-Class or BMW 7 Series, while offering a more engaging drive than the Rolls-Royce Ghost. Yet although the last iteration could easily be considered the best version yet, it still had one or two gaps in its repertoire that stopped it short of being a total triumph. This is something Bentley wants to address with this heavily revised Speed, which features the muscular 771bhp plug-in hybrid powertrain from the new Continental GT.…

WHAT WE WOULD CHOOSE BMW While the Audi is better specced, the difference in list price between the two means there’s some wiggle room to add a pack or two to the M135 to bring it up to the same level. The £2,750 Technology Plus Pack is a good upgrade. AUDI With so much kit as standard, we wouldn’t really want to add anything else, but a panoramic roof costs £1,200, or comes in the £3,050 Technology Pack Pro, which also brings matrix LED lights, electric seats and more.…

HEAR the words ‘electric car’ in a conversation and it’s not long before the word ‘range’ is mentioned, because many people are fixated on just how far EVs will go on a single charge. I have been an electric convert for the past couple of years, though, and as a result it’s something that has worried me less and less over time, especially as many modern cars now have bigger batteries and are, in theory, becoming more efficient. The more you drive an EV, the more you get used to how they perform and plan journeys accordingly. Range anxiety is almost a thing of the past. But I’m now finding range dominating my thoughts once again and it’s all down to the latest arrival on our fleet: the Honda e:Ny1.…

Price: £190 Rating: Contact: currys.co.uk AS a nation, we love our cups of tea or coffee, and we will invest a lot of effort into getting the brew just right. If it’s a coffee-shop habit you’re feeding, you could be spending a decent amount of money on each mugful, too. This means you’ll want it to stay at the perfect drinking temperature for as long as possible. An insulated cup or flask will keep the precious liquid warm, but it’s likely to be too hot or cold when you want to drink it. If you have deep pockets and love a gadget, then the Ember Travel Mug 2+ could be the answer. The flask will fit perfectly into most cars’ cup-holders, and it uses a built-in battery that powers heating elements…

GETTING dirt under your nails used to be an inevitable part of doing work on your car, but nowadays any professional will tell you that you need to take care of your hands. Apart from the time you’ll need to spend cleaning after a spanner session, the chemicals in cleaners and used engine oils will dry out your skin, and have been linked to disease. Using disposable gloves means you can protect your hands, by simply peeling them off when you’re done. Having an extra layer to protect against scrapes and cuts is welcome, too. We tested eight brands, focusing on those made of nitrile, which gives better protection against chemicals than the more supple and elastic latex. How we tested DISPOSABLE gloves should be flexible enough to be comfortable…

AN all-new Grandland has just been unveiled, but the outgoing model leaves with its head held high and a mid-table ranking in our 2024 survey. Notching up 23rd place this year is quite an achievement, because last year the Grandland managed just 52nd out of 75, having come 24th in 2022, seventh in 2021 and 69th in 2020. It’s fair to say that it isn’t the most consistent performer in our Driver Power surveys… Despite its age, this year the smart Vauxhall SUV nets strong results in most categories, ranging from 13th for powertrains to 42nd for the visibility of the touchscreen displays and the user-friendliness of the switchgear. But you don’t need to be exceptional in any area if you’re strong across the board, and with 15th for economy…

AS the industry switches to electric power, the performance-car market remains as diverse as ever. With everything from family-friendly hot hatchbacks to fully fledged sports cars, these models deliver true driving thrills. We’ve thoroughly tested every one, so read on to discover the top 10 performance cars to buy right now. 1 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Prices from £65,000 THE age of the electric car is upon us, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is proof that an EV can be a great performance car. Not only does it top this list, but it also took our Performance Car of the Year trophy at the 2024 Auto Express New Car Awards. It really is that good. There’s a feeling that Hyundai really let its engineers go to town with the…

HYUNDAI is preparing to fill out its Ioniq EV range with a line-up of smaller cars designed to sit below the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6. The company says it takes a long-term view on its UK future, as it aims to capitalise on the B and C-segment family car markets. We already know what sister company Kia has planned – the EV3 will hit showrooms in the coming weeks, and a smaller EV2 has been spied testing – giving us a hint at what might be in store for Hyundai. Speaking to Simon Loasby, head of Hyundai’s global design centre, we asked if the maker would do more localised models aimed at catering for specific market needs. He said: “If there’s a need, if there’s a volume, and we…

STELLANTIS, the massive conglomerate behind Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat and a whole host of other brands, says its new STLA Small platform could be seen underpinning cars by next year – providing fresh competition to supermini-sized EVs. While announcing the latest details on STLA Frame – the company’s upcoming platform for large SUVs and commercial vehicles (below right) – Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said STLA Small was still “on track” for a late 2025 or early 2026 launch. However, he also said that in the wider automotive industry, “the shift to electrification hasn’t been as fast as many predicted”. In order to counter this, Stellantis would continue to develop “multi-energy to stay flexible”, and this ability will be seen on upcoming STLA Small cars. Auto Express exclusively revealed back in…

SIMON WILLIAMS RAC’s head of policy“THE COST IN TIME AND MONEY OF DEFENDING CLAIMS APPEARS TO FAR OUTWEIGH THE EXPENSE OF REIMBURSING DRIVERS FOR THE DAMAGE DONE IN THE FIRST PLACE” THE number of pothole-related compensation claims submitted to councils has more than doubled in the past year, with local authorities refusing to pay out on the vast majority of occasions, citing ignorance of the issue in question as the main reason. The figures once again highlight not only the poor state of Britain’s roads, but also the lack of understanding of how dire things have become. A recent RAC Freedom of Information request to 21 county councils across the UK found that, between 2022 and 2023, the number of compensation claims submitted by drivers grew from 8,327 to 20,432.…

IT may have received a mid-life facelift earlier this year, but further tweaks have come to the VW Golf in the form of an array of new engines and adjustments to the trim levels. The Black Edition will now receive a 1.5-litre eTSI mild-hybrid petrol and a diesel 2.0 TDI, while the Match will get the plug-in eHybrid powertrain. All are available now. Pricing for the 1.5 eTSI and TDI starts at £33,690 and £35,500 respectively. Both have 148bhp and are teamed with a seven-speed auto, with the 0-62mph sprint taking 8.4 seconds in the mild-hybrid petrol and 8.0 seconds exactly in the diesel. Sitting one rung below the GTE, the Black Edition comes with 18-inch alloys, IQ. Matrix LED headlights, illuminated door handles, heated front seats and black exterior…

DS is about to lift the lid on a new electric coupé-SUV with a driving range of up to 466 miles. The Stellantis Group’s French premium brand has released a teaser image of the vehicle in a wrap inspired by the livery of its Formula E race car. Its gold and black design incorporates prominent ‘750’ numbering on the flank to reference the 750km (466-mile) range that would rank it among the longest-range EVs currently on sale. DS says that the design is set to achieve a very low aero rating of 0.24Cd. Other stand-out features include slim ‘Pixelvision’ headlights with prominent fang-like daytime running lights and, at the rear, long, vertical light bars at the far corners. The unnamed DS will be revealed before the end of the year…

CHINESE brand Nio could be the first car manufacturer to offer a pure steer-by-wire (SBW) system in Europe, if it decides to begin deliveries of its flagship ET9 luxury crossover in key markets next year. Toyota should be relatively close behind with its One Grip Motion steer-by-wire system, which is expected to be available on the bZ4X and Lexus RZ 450e in the UK at some point in late 2025 or early ’26. Other manufacturers and suppliers are developing variations of the new tech, which removes the need for a steering column – or any mechanical link – between the driver and the steered axle in their car. We can’t say for sure whether Nio will be first, because although the ET9 is available for pre-order in China, with deliveries…

SINCE the demise of the Vauxhall Insignia, the Grandland has secured its position as the Brit brand’s flagship car, and the latest generation has cemented that by stepping up in size. The Grandland is 173mm longer, 49mm wider and 36mm taller than before, and certainly looks like a bigger and more imposing car than its predecessor. But while the Grandland Electric is the edition Vauxhall is most excited about, the hybrid version we’re driving will be the one that appeals to drivers not ready for full electrification just yet. It’s a regular hybrid, combining a petrol engine, a small battery and an electric motor. In this case, that’s a 134bhp 1.2-litre three-cylinder, along with a little electric motor that uses a 48-volt battery to power the car for short periods.…

WHAT it means to be a motorist is changing fundamentally. For starters, the types of car we drive are vastly different to those we did 20 years ago in terms of both proportion and powertrain; modern family car buyers, for example, are now choosing high-riding SUVs over hatchbacks, and we’re slowly being encouraged to switch from our polluting petrol and diesel cars to more climate-friendly EVs. But it’s not only the vehicles themselves that are changing; the whole car-ownership landscape may look rather different in 10 or 20 years. Mobility as a Service (MaaS) has been earmarked as something that could potentially bring about the end of car ownership as we know it for many people. MaaS is defined as a ‘digital interface to source and manage the provision of…

THE new government began its research into headlight glare and the dangers it causes only a month ago. But I wouldn’t be surprised if the number of complaints has skyrocketed since the nights got darker and I discovered the Swift’s rather temperamental auto-dimming headlight feature. Of course, this isn’t something exclusive to the Suzuki; in fact, I’d bet almost every single car on the Auto Express test fleet boasts some kind of auto-dipping headlight function. But what truly gets me is how the Swift’s set-up lulls me into a false sense of security. For example, I can be driving along and the system works completely fine, switching the headlights from full to dipped beam almost instantaneously. Then, once the car senses I’m getting a little too comfortable, it decides not…

Price: Various Contact: lasertools.co.uk TIRED of spilling fuel when filling up your mower or track car? Laser Tools has just launched a new pump alongside three new work lights. The fluid-transfer pump (part number 8954) can work with non-corrosive liquids, and it has an auto-stop function to prevent overfilling and spills. The 385mm rigid pump is designed to work with jerry cans of up to 20 litres and transfer up to seven litres a minute through the 585mm flexible discharge hose. This has a plastic nozzle with a clip to secure it in the receptacle. Constructed from ABS, polypropylene and polyethylene, it runs off two AA batteries and is turned on via a simple slide switch. Expect to pay around £30. Meanwhile, the cordless rechargeable work lights take different approaches.…

Price: £349.99 Rating: Contact: garmin.com A DASH cam needs to be pretty special to be worth nearly £350, and Garmin’s new top-of-the-line X310 would seem to have it all. The camera itself is tiny, at a mere 7x4.8cm, making it about a quarter of the size of a smartphone. It records in 4K, and the lens includes a polariser to reduce glare from direct sunlight and headlamps at night, ensuring sharp images in all light conditions. There’s also a GPS receiver to add speed and location data to footage, plus a 2.4-inch colour touchscreen that is unusually responsive and easy to use. As you’d expect, there is also a smartphone app to view and download footage. The clever part is that this will automatically organise video clips from up to four…

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