Thursday, May 31, 2018

New facelifted Audi A4 spotted on the road

https://ift.tt/2kEMjHC

Jonathan Burn 2018-05-31 15:00

An updated version of the popular Audi A4 saloon is on the way, with 48v mild hybrid tech likely

Audi A4 facelift - front

An updated version of one of Audi’s biggest sellers, the A4 saloon, will arrive before the end of the year, Auto Express can reveal.

Despite sales figures for the A4 slipping in the wake of buyers flocking to SUVs, the saloon remains Audi’s biggest seller in Europe; tens of millions of pounds will be pumped into the development of the updated A4 to increase its appeal. 

Ahead of the car being revealed, possibly at this year’s Paris Motor Show, spy shots have shown the Mercedes C-Class rival undergoing testing in Germany. It’s clear the A4 won’t benefit from a dramatic exterior redesign; the modest disguise suggests a reshaped front bumper will be the biggest visual change. However, new headlamps and a reprofiled rear bumper are also expected.

Best executive cars on sale

The light disguise could indicated that Audi is focusing more on the tech beneath the skin; 48v mild hybrid technology can be integrated into the new model without huge reengineering costs as the saloon shares the same platform with the A8, which debuted the technology at Audi. 

It’s also likely Audi will ditch the existing 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo engine for the VW Group’s larger capacity 1.5-litre unit. Power and efficiency updates on the 2.0-litre petrol and diesel as well as the 3.0-litre diesel are expected, too.

The facelifted A4 will kick start updates across the rest of the model range; the saloon and estate will receive the updates first before Audi turns its attention to the A4 Allroad and performance-based S4 and RS4. 

Can updates to the Audi A4 lift it to the top of the executive car class? Check out our list of the current top 10 right here...



from Featured Articles https://ift.tt/2H7U6GL

Toyota GT 86 Club Series Blue Edition launched

https://ift.tt/2LJXyuy

Jonathan Burn 2018-05-31 14:45

Club Series gains second model as Toyota makes nod to racing heritage with GT 86 Blue Edition

Toyota GT86 Club Series Blue Edition - front

This is the Toyota GT 86 Club Series Blue Edition. It’s the second model to join the Japanese firm’s Club Series lineup, which was launched to celebrate Toyota’s motorsport heritage. Prices start from £29,980.

As its name suggests an exclusive exterior finish marks out the Blue Edition, while contrasting black detailing has been applied to the front grille, rear spoiler and diffuser. The cabin has also been trimmed in Alcantara and black leather.

Best sports cars on sale 2018

Under the skin the Blue Edition makes use of the same 197bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder Boxer engine used in the standard GT 86, which can be paired with either a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox. The manual is the quicker of the two taking a claimed 7.7 seconds to get from 0-62mph, while the auto takes 8.4 seconds. Top speed is 140mph and 130mph respectively.

Standard kit includes a limited-slip differential, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats and Toyota’s Touch 2 infotainment system.

An optional Performance Pack is also available on the Blue Edition and adds Sachs-tuned suspension and dampers, Brembo brakes, red brake calipers and black 17-inch alloy wheels.

Read our review of the 2017 Toyota GT 86 Orange Edition



from Featured Articles https://ift.tt/2xtMJtz

‘Charging points must keep up with EVs’ popularity’

https://ift.tt/2slIRpC

Steve Fowler 2018-05-31 10:00

With up to a million electric cars due to hit Britain’s roads by 2020, can our charging infrastructure keep up?

This week I’ve been lucky enough to take delivery of a new Nissan Leaf. And as it’s built in the North East, I felt it only right to head up to Nissan’s factory in Sunderland to get my new car.

Given the new Leaf’s claimed range of 235 miles, I hoped I’d be able to do the 273-mile trip back south to my home with just one stop for charging. You can find out whether I managed it in a few weeks.

The best electric cars on sale in 2018

With an electric car now on my driveway, I was interested to see a prediction from data specialist Emu Analytics that there’ll be an 83 per cent shortfall in EV charging points by 2020. Its report claimed we’ll need 83,500 points – up from today’s 16,500 – to serve an estimated one million EVs on the road.

So should we be worried? David Martell, boss of Chargemaster, which runs POLAR – the UK’s largest charging network – thinks not. “Car buyers can rest assured that the charging infrastructure to support electric cars will keep pace with the market, as we will deploy thousands of home, workplace and public charging points over the coming years,” he said.

“It’s inaccurate to suggest we have a nationwide shortfall today, but of course more charge points will be needed in the future. We expect to be operating around 50,000 public charging points by 2022, out of a total of 100,000 across the UK, likely to rise to over 500,000 by 2030.”

What I know from my time running a Tesla last year is that EV owners have to develop their own strategy towards charging. With the Leaf, I’m hoping to charge my car at home once a week and that should be enough for my 44-mile round-trip commute, Monday to Friday. Good job, as the charging points in our central London car park are usually all busy. Let’s hope that’s not the sign of things to come.

Would an electric car suit your needs? Read our guide to living with an EV



from Featured Articles https://ift.tt/2xwsdsk

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Aston Martin Vantage vs Porsche 911 GTS

https://ift.tt/2H4sTEH

2018-05-30 11:30

It’s judgement day for the cool new Aston Martin Vantage as it takes on the legendary Porsche 911 GTS

Aston Martin Vantage vs Porsche 911 GTS - header

Aston Martin is entering a new era, and models such as the latest Vantage are propelling the British marque to the forefront of the sports car class. At least, that’s the theory we’re putting to the test here.

With a technical tie-up that sees it use an engine from AMG but Aston’s engineering know-how for the chassis, the signs look positive. But to rise to the top the newcomer will have to beat the car that’s dominated this sector of the market for more than 50 years: the Porsche 911. And specifically here, the GTS model.

Following our early taste of the Vantage, Aston’s chief of vehicle attribute engineering, Matt Becker, told us this is the car the company benchmarked during the development process. So with the 911 in the Aston’s crosshairs, can the new model win? 

Head-to-head

Model: Aston Martin Vantage Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS PDK
Price:  £120,900 £105,006
Engine:  4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 3.0-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power/torque:  503bhp/685Nm 444bhp/550Nm
Transmission:  Eight-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive  Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, four-wheel drive 
0-60mph: 4.2 seconds 3.0 seconds
Top speed: 195mph 191mph
Test economy:  15.8mpg 26.6mpg
CO2/tax: 230g/km/£450 192g/km/£450
Options:  Sports Plus seats (£1,495), Zaffre Blue Q special paint (£3,995), ventilated and heated seats (£995), Tech Pack (£2,995), 20-inch forged black wheels (£3,495), satin carbon-fibre trim inlay (£1,495), black side window finisher (£1,295), perimeter camera (£995) Metallic paint (£834), Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (£6,018), rear-axle steering (£1,592), Porsche Dynamic Lighting System Plus (£1,772), park assist front and rear with camera (£1,128), Alcantara Package (£2,391)

Aston Martin Vantage

For: Looks and image, ride comfort, sweet steering matched by muscular powertrain.
Against: Not as poised as Porsche, gearbox could be sharper, body control breaks down at higher speeds. 

Any sports car should offer a slice of theatre – and that’s exactly what you get from the new Aston Martin Vantage. Swing the long door open and upwards, drop yourself into the low-slung but supportive seat, thumb the pulsing red starter button and listen to that 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 explode into life.

The AMG-sourced engine produces 503bhp and 685Nm, while Aston has tuned the set-up for the character it wanted in the Vantage. That includes replacing AMG’s twin-clutch transmission with a regular eight-speed auto – for better low-speed drivability, we’re told.

Best sports cars on sale

However, the Aston does use AMG’s E-Diff, and to great effect, because it’s a key component in the car’s sweet balance. The all-aluminium structure and 50:50 weight distribution help, as does the nicely weighted steering. With all that torque and a great connection to the car via the steering and throttle (response is solid and predictable), the Vantage will play the hooligan and indulge owners in its inherent balance. But focus on tidy driving and it’s a neat, effective performance car.

On test, the Vantage sprinted from 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds, not helped by a lack of traction compared with the Porsche – even though the E-Diff does its best – and slower gearchanges.

This showed accelerating from 30-70mph, where the Aston was half a second slower through the gears, taking a still impressively rapid 3.2 seconds. It’s the shift quality that’s more noticeable; the changes don’t slice home with the precision of the Porsche’s. On occasion you also have to wait for downshifts in manual mode, but it’s a consummate, smooth cruiser in auto.

This is a minor flaw in an otherwise well-executed package, enhanced by the Aston’s GT credentials. On the road in the softest of its three suspension settings the Vantage flows, riding with fluidity that belies its sporting intent. There’s plenty of suspension movement, but it’s comfortable, rounding off bumps and harsh ridges with a good degree of grace.

However, up the pace and this vertical movement becomes a problem. The dampers’ Track mode is too firm for the road, and in Sport it pogos around; increase your speed on a typical British B-road, and the body control ebbs away where the 911 remains resolutely tied down. Even in the Sport+ setting it hops. There’s still lots of grip and you can lean on the chassis hard, but you’ll find it’s not quite as poised nor as rewarding as the Porsche, although it’s still thrilling.

Testers’ notes

  • Infotainment: Vantage gets the last generation of Mercedes’ infotainment. It works well enough, but trails behind more up-to-date systems.
  • • Transmission: Gearbox lets the side down, because the shifts aren’t as slick as in the Porsche, which hampers performance.
  • • Cabin: Quality of materials is an improvement over recent Astons, but button-heavy layout is a little confusing.

Porsche 911 GTS

For: Incredible performance, huge reserves of grip and agility, surprising usability.
Against: Not as exclusive as the Aston, lacks some of the Vantage’s effervescent character.

The 911 is the barometer by which every new sports car needs to be measured – and for good reason, because despite some significant changes over recent years (water-cooled engines, electric power steering and now turbocharging on all but the motorsport-inspired models), the iconic Porsche has resolutely remained the class benchmark.

This is because of its performance first of all. Our GTS 4 PDK model streaked off the line from 0-60mph in a staggering 3.0 seconds; that was 1.2 seconds faster than the Aston, which was far from slow itself. Although part of this is due to four-wheel-drive traction, the 911’s excellent launch control and PDK box mean it simply slices through the ratios with stunning speed where the Aston feels a little hesitant.

The powertrain isn’t the extent of the 911’s talents, though. In fact, the chassis is easily its equal. Its damping is sublime, which means the GTS always feels composed and planted, even on undulating, bucking B-roads. The level of grip will challenge your bravery, while the feedback from the steering inspires total confidence to do so.

Its poise and balance edge it ahead of the Aston. Even the 911’s firmer Sport mode for the dampers is still usable on the road, more rigidly controlling body movement and tying the chassis down to retain its composure over challenging stretches of tarmac. It’s at this point that the Vantage just starts to lose touch with the Porsche.

The 911 rides sweetly, too; although it doesn’t quite have the plush, long suspension travel feeling and therefore the compliance of the Vantage, it’s still not uncomfortable. The 20-inch alloys thump a little over road studs, but the Aston isn’t immune from that, either, while there’s marginally more tyre roar in the Porsche.

You can drown that out by switching on the sports exhaust. Even though the GTS now uses a 3.0-litre turbocharged flat-six motor, it still has that dry rasp for which the 911 is known and a lovely howl as you extend it towards the rev limiter, overlaid by a faint turbo whoosh.

Like the Aston, it revs with linearity, and although it’s down on power compared with the Vantage, with 444bhp and 550Nm of torque, the Porsche still delivers great flexibility. With one fewer ratio it pretty much matched the Aston in the lower gears from 30-50mph, although it lagged behind between 50 and 70mph due to its torque deficit. It still doesn’t ever feel slow.

Testers’ notes

  • • Infotainment: High-resolution touchscreen comes with Apple CarPlay, DAB and satellite navigation included as standard.
  • • Transmission: Slick PDK gearbox works with the rest of the powertrain for blistering performance.
  • • Cabin: Driving position is great, while the quality of the materials used is superb.

Verdict 

First place: Porsche 911 GTS

The GTS’s ability is simply stunning. It delivers supercar speed for sports car money, and has balance and poise that give an addictive level of engagement. Add surprising fuel economy, decent practicality and more tech at a lower price, and it secures top spot here. 

Second place: Aston Martin Vantage

While the Vantage is a stunning car, it just has to give best to the 911. It’s beautifully balanced and Aston has repurposed the engine to great effect, but the 911 has a higher-quality feel, is cheaper to run and ultimately offers a more rewarding driving experience.



from Featured Articles https://ift.tt/2sqzq7j

New Kia Proceed spied testing

https://ift.tt/2LHYOhR

Jonathan Burn 2018-05-30 11:25

Shooting brake version of the new Kia Ceed spied testing, with potential for a hot GT version

Kia Proceed - spyshot 2

Kia’s new model offensive shows no sign of letting up as the Korean firm is putting the finishing touches is a swooping shooting brake variant of the new Ceed. And to go with its sharp new look there could also be a hot GT version.

Based on the Proceed concept displayed at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the shooting brake is expected to carry over the concept’s name and will sit alongside the more conventional and practical Ceed Sportswagon. The Proceed name was previously used for the old three-door hatch.

Best executive cars on sale 2018

What will set the Proceed apart even further is the addition of a performance-based GT model; it’s likely that Kia will fit a tuned version of its 1.6-litre turbo engine, developing 200bhp. However, Kia bosses have previously suggested that their hot GT models will not be as focused as sister brand Hyundai’s N-badged cars.

The rest of the Proceed lineup will be littered with regular petrol and diesel engines to cater for buyers who are more concerned about running costs.

Next year, the Ceed line-up is expected to expand even further to include an SUV that will sit between the Stonic and Sportage in the range.

How well do you think of the forthcoming Kia Proceed is shaping up in these spy shots? Let us know in the comments…



from Featured Articles https://ift.tt/2xsVEve

New Aston Martin DB11 AMR 2018 review

https://ift.tt/2LGhVJe

Aston Martin DB11 AMR - front
30 May, 2018 (All day) David Vivian

The new 630bhp Aston Martin DB11 AMR has arrived as a replacement for the original V12, and we drive it for the first time

With its limited-edition, green-and-yellow-striped livery, the DB11 AMR could be a mobile billboard for Aston Martin’s racing team. But the new 630bhp V12 is undoubtedly a mouth-watering prospect for anyone with £174,995 to spend on a superfast GT.

Like Mercedes’ AMG and BMW’s Motorsport divisions, Aston Martin Racing (AMR) leverages a little extra love for the company’s production cars.

• Best sports cars on sale 

The DB11 AMR in effect retires the original DB11 V12, launched in 2016, as well as putting 127bhp of clear blue water between itself and the entry-level DB11, powered by a twin-turbo AMG V8. Elements of the V8’s chassis have been carried over to the new model. So on paper, the AMR should be the fastest, best-handling DB11 yet.

A 30bhp power hike for the 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 isn’t as dramatic as it could have been, but 630bhp at 6,500rpm still shades the Bentley Continental GT W12’s 626bhp and the Mercedes-AMG S 65 Coupe’s 621bhp.

A claimed top speed of 208mph and a 0-62mph time of 3.7 seconds keep the Aston’s nose just ahead, too. ZF’s eight-speed auto transmission remains in situ but with faster-shifting, more aggressive Sport and Sport+ settings. They join a louder, fruitier, freer-breathing exhaust, with more crackles and pops on the overrun to give the DB11 a racier persona.

AMR giveaways on the outside include exposed carbon-fibre trim, gloss-black detailing, dark surrounds for the headlights and smoked skins for the tail-lamps. The monochrome theme continues with a dark front grille and tailpipes, gloss-black roof and roof strakes, while the exposed carbon-fibre weave of the side sills and splitter lends the exterior some subtle contrasts.

Inside, the introduction of dark chrome is matched by extra Alcantara, although it’s traditional leather that wraps around the chunky rim of the curiously four-cornered steering wheel.

The DB11 AMR’s extra power, lighter forged wheels and chassis tweaks are easy to appreciate from the off, even in the softest ‘GT’ powertrain and chassis modes. Switch up to Sport or Sport+ and you’ll be amazed what the big car can do.

Few senior GTs hustle like this one; it’s a seriously quick and extremely secure bit of kit that doesn’t require hero-level skills behind the wheel to go stunningly fast. And if you really want to wring the neck of every last horsepower and extract maximum value from Aston chief engineer Matt Becker’s chassis handiwork and Bridgestone’s fat rubber, Sport or Sport+ is the place to be.

But you’ll also be losing something. The meaty precision of the steering, the perfect body control and tireless braking can all be experienced in the default ‘GT’ mode, together with a smoother ride and silkier gearshifts.

In this mode – and later, when we take in a few miles of unrestricted autobahn – the DB11 AMR truly feels like a car of immense performance that’s completely comfortable in its own skin. It’s a car that’s able to travel at an eyewatering lick anywhere that can accommodate its rather portly width without looking or sounding as if it’s trying that hard.

This seems rather at odds with the core message of the AMR division, but, truly, it’s the car’s best trick.

4
Make no mistake: the DB11 AMR is a great GT with an extraordinary breadth of talent and an extra dose of hardcore on standby. The enhanced howl of the V12 in full flight is a joy, and performance is simply mighty. But if anything the pumped-up Sport settings detract from the effortless fluency and sense of dynamic coherence that are present in GT mode.
  • Model: Aston Martin DB11 AMR
  • Price: £174,995
  • Engine: 5.2-litre V12 petrol
  • Power/torque: 630bhp/700Nm
  • Transmission: Eight-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
  • 0-62mph: 3.7 seconds
  • Top speed: 208mph
  • Economy/CO2: 24.8mpg/265g/km
  • On sale: Summer


from Featured Articles https://ift.tt/2LJugfI

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Bulletproof Skoda Superb launched

https://ift.tt/2GYFr0x

Jonathan Burn 2018-05-29 12:00

Constantly finding yourself under heavy machine gun fire? The new bulletproof Skoda Superb is the car for you...

Armoured Skoda Superb - front cornering

This is a Skoda Superb Estate for people who have made one too many enemies in their life. It might look almost identical to a standard Superb, but an extensive armoured conversion helps to protect its occupants from bullet and explosive attacks. 

Priced from £118,688 the armoured Superb is the result of a three-year project with a British based team, and each conversion takes four weeks. While the exact details of the body armour remain under a strict need-to-know basis, the conversion ensures that the passenger cell is reinforced to the extent that it meets PAS 300 standards for ballistic and blast protection. 

The armoured car starts life as a Superb 2.0-litre TDI but the brakes and suspension have been uprated, while the wheels are modified to ensure the car is still drivable even when the tyres have deflated.

The added weight of the reinforced steel and bullet-resistant glass have blunted performance; a quoted top speed of 120mph-plus is roughly 20mph down on the standard 187bhp model. There’s no official 0-62mph time, but it won’t match the unprotected car’s 8.4 second time.

Aside from a control panel for the emergency lighting and siren systems, the interior remains much the same as any other Superb. There’s a roomy five-seat cabin, a 660-litre boot and an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Like any other new Skoda, the armoured vehicle comes with a three year warranty, though it’s unclear whether machine gun fire-related paint blemishes are covered.

Is almost £120k a bargain for a bulletproof car? Let us know your thoughts below...



from Featured Articles https://ift.tt/2GZWuPx

Speeding drivers could be given warnings instead of tickets

https://ift.tt/2wKdR7i

Hugo Griffiths 2018-05-29 10:40

Proposals from Police Scotland would see drivers avoid tickets if not caught speeding again within three months

Speeding motorists could soon be given written warnings instead of speeding tickets under new plans from Police Scotland.

The proposals would see drivers caught speeding by police officers in 20 and 30mph zones given a written warning, which would expire with no action after three months if no further speeding offences were committed in that time. Motorists caught speeding again within three months would receive points and a fine.

Half of drivers say speeding is acceptable

The system would not be applied to drivers caught by speed cameras, and those receiving a warning would not have to tell their insurance company. Estimates put the number of drivers who would qualify for a warning at 18,000 each year.

Police Scotland’s head of road policing, Chief Superintendent Stewart Carle, told The Scottish Mail on Sunday: “If you have an opportunity to say ‘Speeding is one of four fatal factors and we’re not going to prosecute on this occasion, we’re not going to give you a fine, will you accept this warning?’, I think most people will say ‘Yes, absolutely’.” Carle said such an approach would allow prosecuting authorities to focus on more serious cases.

Police Scotland are also said to be considering the introduction of speed awareness courses, which are offered in England to drivers caught breaking limits by certain amounts, but are not available north of the border.

If given the green light by Scotland’s Crown Office prosecution service, the warning system could be in place within a year. A Crown Office spokesman cautioned, however, that “no decision will be made on… speed awareness courses and their possible relationship with alternatives such as warnings until the findings of the evaluation report have been considered.”

Read our guide to speeding fines and how to appeal them



from Featured Articles https://ift.tt/2xnaW4I

Monday, May 28, 2018

Specialist car parts: keeping models from dead brands on the road

https://ift.tt/2sfxAa9

Martin Gurdon 2018-05-28 14:00

Lancia, TVR, Saab, MG Rover, Chrysler and Chevrolet owners keep their motors running without dealers. We visit the specialists who help

The living dead feature - header

When car manufacturers disappear, the vehicles they made live on for much longer, often changing owners for years before they finally end up in the scrapyard. 

Cars from brands such as Chrysler, Saab and Lancia can still be bought in quantities on used sites, but what about spare parts and servicing? With no dealers around to help out, to whom can owners turn? 

It turns out that there’s a wide web of independent specialists catering for those who still drive products of defunct brands. We spoke to six of them to find out if the living dead are still worth owning and what spare parts and servicing are like.

Saab

Weald Automotive, Kent

Twelve years ago, Saab main dealer technician Darren Worsley grew sick of commuting and set up his own repair centre in a Kentish barn, working with ex-Saab main dealer mechanic Neil Webb. It’s seven years since Saab filed for bankruptcy and Weald Automotive in Kent is among a thriving community of independent brand specialists.

“I’ve worked on Saabs since 1988; Neil began a couple of years before me,” Darren told us. A few diehard owners still run 900s and 9000s, but Darren said his biggest client base is older drivers with 9-3s and 9-5s. If they want to stick with Saab he suggested driving petrols, as the Alfa-designed 1,900cc diesels can be troublesome. The venerable Slant-4 petrol engine can experience balancer shaft drive chain problems, he added, and dual-mass flywheels are weaknesses for petrols and diesels. 

‘Headlines of Saab’s return highlight an alarming trend’

“Fifty per cent of the parts are in the UK, the rest are in Sweden,” he said. But some parts are getting scarce; he recently had to have a 9-3 power steering pipe made. Darren told us he didn’t think GM’s culture suited Saab, and while he praised the way the US giant boosted sales, ultimately what finished the brand, in his eyes, was the recession and the dominance of prestige German marques.

Chrysler

CJS, Norwich 

Julian Osburne, owner of Chrysler-Jeep repair specialist CJS, has been fixing the American giant’s cars for 20 years. He told us he rates even less-fancied models like the PT Cruiser, which he said is “a Marmite car, but the 2.2 diesel engine comes from the Mercedes Sprinter van. It’s bulletproof”.

For Julian, 2.5 diesels work well in the Voyager MPV. He added: “You’ll get 40mpg.” And he assured us 3.3-litre petrols are smooth and strong, but warned that autos struggle with the 2.8 diesel’s torque. Julian explained the heavy 300C saloon suffers suspension bush and ball joint trouble, and because some are over 12 years old, repairs like an oil pump change (a 30-hour job) or replacing six injectors (£200 each) can outstrip a car’s value.

Fiat Chrysler to pursue GM merger

Parts supply is mostly good, but he recently struggled to find ECUs, and was forced to resort to used units or independent American suppliers. As far as the Norfolk-based garage boss is concerned, Chrysler died in the UK due to ill-judged pricing and an image weakened by importing similar Dodge and Plymouth models. But Julian is frustrated that some buyers are now wary of the brand. “It’s a pity,” he told us. “There really aren’t a lot of problems with these cars.”

TVR

X Works Service, Lancashire

Heath Briggs and Paul Forrest had worked at TVR’s famous Blackpool factory since the early nineties. “We were there when they turned the lights out,” Heath recalled. After the sports car firm went bust, Heath and Paul started their independent TVR repair and restoration business in a Lancashire barn. Early jobs included finishing assembly of the last new TVR Sagaris.

Welsh Government purchases three per cent stake in TVR

Today, Heath told us parts supply is excellent, thanks to marque specialists and TVR’s new owner. He assured us the cars are less frail than folklore suggests, with drivetrain experts de-bugging engines. 

But that’s not to say there aren’t issues. Heath said: “Wiring looms and fuse boards get old, we see electric window problems and bodywork micro blisters.” Used spares can also be costly and rare: he recently spent £1,000 on four Griffith alloy wheels. And Heath has seen mechanical damage where cars that have been idle for months are started “with bone-dry engines”. The garage owner told us the Chimera is a good way into TVR ownership.

Lancia

Omicron Engineering, Norfolk.

In the late seventies, Lancia sold more cars in Britain than BMW. But by 1994, when parent company Fiat pulled the plug on UK sales, the marque’s reputation had been fatally damaged by the severe rust problems of its Beta models from the eighties.

Today, fans of the Italian brand are catered for by Norfolk-based firm Omicron Engineering, which was set up in the early eighties by ex-Lotus engineer Martin Cliffe. “Getting fiddly things made is a perennial problem,” said Omicron’s Andrew Cliffe. “Engine parts can be made in small numbers, but rare distributor caps are a real headache.” 

Top 10 greatest Lancia cars ever

He told us the pretty Fulvia coupé is the most accessible Lancia, but added he still sees cars that have suffered “20 years of bodging”, which can take many man-hours to unpick. Today just a few hundred Lancias remain in the country, kept going by a small band of fans and experts, but the later, less-fancied cars are nearly extinct. When did you last see a Lancia Dedra? 

Chevrolet

Buckingham & Stanley, Cambridgeshire 

Family-owned Buckingham & Stanley, a Cambridgeshire fixture since 1958, was an early Saab dealer that then took on Chevrolet. 

The US brand vanished from the UK in 2015, but the garage still services the numerous survivors. Yet sales manager Rupert Flemming told us that work is falling off as warranties expire and owners migrate to smaller independent garages – although Chevrolet still lists 74 UK service specialists on its website. “Paying £139 for an oil and filter change comes as a bit of a shock,” Flemming explained.

Facelifted Chevrolet Camaro revealed

A B&S technician who is fully qualified to work on the hybrid Volt is still kept busy, though. “We get customers all the way from Nottingham,” Flemming added. “This technician recently showed the Norfolk fire brigade how to deal with an electric car after a smash.”

Flemming told us that some Chevrolet engineering is crude but, diesel injector problems aside, the cars are robust and parts supply is decent. He added that Orlando MPVs are well-equipped, bargain-priced seven-seaters, and had good things to say about the Spark city car, adding: “It ticks along like a sewing machine and just keeps going.”

MG Rover

SAS Autos, Birmingham

When MG Rover went to the wall in 2005, Tom Wetton’s retirement plans went with it. So Wetton, an engineer who’d spent 19 years with the company – including looking after its press cars – set up SAS Autos to repair and service surviving MGs and Rovers. 

While many of those cars are now in their late teens, he told us he still sees a steady flow of 200s, 400s, 25s, 45s, 75s and their MG equivalents. Many have older owners, although a few diehard boy racers still thrash 200s and 25s. But Wetton said he is yet to see one of the rare TF sports cars briefly built by MG’s current Chinese owner. 

MG X-Motion concept revealed at Beijing with UK release in 2019 

He still fixes lots of blown head gaskets on K Series petrol engines. “Rover thought one in four would give trouble,” Wetton explained. “The door locks on 75s also cause problems, and we repair lots of exhaust manifold gaskets and CV joints.” The BMW-designed diesels in the 75 are tough, he told us, but warned of failing drive belt pulleys.

The causes of MG Rover’s failure are no secret, but Wetton pointed to a lack of investment, asset stripping and ageing products. Desperate cost saving also meant the final cars were less solid and more fault-prone than the 17 or 18-year-old cars he told us he usually works on.

Enjoyed reading about older cars? Then why not read about our trip inside Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works?



from Featured Articles https://ift.tt/2xhlWAF

Used Kia Picanto review

https://ift.tt/2ktukDS

Used Kia Picanto - front
28 May, 2018 9:00am Richard Dredge

A full used buyer’s guide on the Kia Picanto covering the Picanto Mk1 (2004-2011)

If ever a car single-handedly turned round a company’s fortunes it was the Picanto, a city car that showed Kia was quite capable of producing genuinely great products.

Replacing the Pride with something better wasn’t a tough ask, but Kia really did exceed public expectations with the Picanto, thanks to the car’s accessible purchase price, relatively generous equipment, spacious cabin and generally excellent build quality.

It’s not bad dynamically, either, and running costs are low thanks to the real everyday prospect of 55mpg. Most Picantos have been very reliable, but with early cars now 14 years old, some problems have inevitably arisen. 

Models covered

  • • Kia Picanto Mk1 (2004-2011) - Original city car is roomy, economical, reliable – and surprisingly capable.

Kia Picanto Mk1 

History

The Picanto arrived in the UK in May 2004 as a five-door hatch (there was never a three-door option) and with a choice of 1.0 or 1.1-litre engines. While the smaller engine initially came in entry-level GS form only (an even cheaper S edition arrived in June 2005), the 1.1-litre unit was offered in LX and SE specs, with a leather-trimmed SE+ being introduced in November 2005.

At launch, a diesel version was promised, but it never came to the UK. A facelifted Picanto appeared in January 2008: it had a new nose and tail, plus switched-around column stalks to put the indicator control on the left. The designations were also revised, with 2, Ice and 3 models above the entry-level car, known simply as Picanto. 

Kia Picanto Mk1 reviews

Kia Picanto in-depth review
Kia Picanto review

Which one should I buy?

The 1.0-litre engine offered 60bhp and 85Nm of torque, whereas the 1.1 was rated at 64bhp and 90Nm. On the road, the extra grunt makes a big difference.

The entry-level 1.0 GS came with central locking, front electric windows and a CD/tuner, while the 1.1 LX added air-con, remote central locking, electric rear windows and door mirrors, plus an alarm. Unusually, while the GS and LX offered five seats, the range-topping SE only had space for four, along with alloy wheels, a slightly sportier exterior and front foglamps.

The 1.1 LX could also be specified with an automatic gearbox, which is unsophisticated but reliable. These auto cars are surprisingly costly to buy. 

Alternatives to the Kia Picanto Mk1

The Ford Ka (1996-2009) is one of the best Picanto alternatives thanks to a plentiful supply, low running costs and great dynamics, although it was only ever offered in three-door form.

The Fiat Panda (2003-2012) came as a five-door only, but it feels more modern and engaging. The Citroen C2 still looks smart, but more comparable with the Picanto is the original Citroen C1 (or its Peugeot 107 and Toyota Aygo siblings). Cheap to buy and run, fun to drive and distinctively designed, C1s are great for economy motoring. Related to the Kia is the Hyundai i10, which was also a turning point for its maker. The Suzuki Alto is cheap, both to buy and to run, but it’s also very basic. 

What to look for: 

Safety

There is a canister of foam instead of a spare wheel, but the well in the boot floor can accommodate a full-sized wheel. 

Chassis

Anti-roll bar bushes dry out, leading to creaking from the steering on full lock, especially when pulling away.

Engine

If the idling is erratic on start-up, it’s usually a sticking idle speed control or faulty throttle position sensor. 

Controls

Handbrakes can fail if the car has been left for a while, due to discs cooling and contracting, so check for play. 

Interior

As long as you avoid entry-level models, the Picanto doesn’t feel too spartan, although it is clearly a budget car. A high roof line ensures the cabin feels airy and provides decent space for four. The seats are comfy enough, but there’s limited adjustment for the driving position. The boot is average at 220 litres, or 885 litres with the rear seats folded. 

Running costs

All Picantos need attention every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. Services alternate between minor and major, at costs of £169 and £359 respectively from a franchised main dealer.

A value service is also available for any Picanto, at £99; this is little more than an oil and filter change, along with a check over to ensure that the car doesn’t need further work. However, these urban runabouts are so mechanically simple that any independent garage will be perfectly happy to carry out maintenance on one.

All Picanto engines have a cambelt. It needs replacing every 60,000 miles or six years, at £237. Fresh coolant is needed every six years or 60,000 miles, at £74.

Recalls

The first-generation Picanto has been the subject of two recalls. The first was in June 2010 and affected cars built between October 2009 and February 2010, arising from the possibility of leaks from a cracked fuel pipe.

Recall number two was issued in December 2012, and affected more than 7,300 Picantos. It related to corrosion in the rear brake calipers, leading to the handbrake failing to hold the car on an incline. 

Driver Power owner satisfaction

While the Picanto Mk2 has frequently appeared in our Driver Power satisfaction survey, the Mk1 was never rated, despite its popularity. The car’s strengths are its low running costs along with reliability and ride comfort. It’s clear, however, that the Picanto is now dated when it comes to areas such as connectivity and safety.

The original Picanto still looks smart, and it’s still good to drive thanks to its light weight and compact dimensions. Compared with the latest city cars – including the new Picanto Mk3 – the original Picanto is dated in terms of refinement, safety and equipment. But if finances are tight and you just need some seriously cheap transport that won’t let you down, the Kia should be a safe place to put your money. It’ll come as no surprise that the car isn’t remotely sporty thanks to Kia’s fitment of small engines, but if affordability and dependability matter more to you than performance, then the first-generation Picanto is a car that’s still easy to recommend.


from Featured Articles https://ift.tt/2sjxEVI

Sunday, May 27, 2018

‘Wealthy dealers remind us we should demand hefty discounts in showrooms’

https://ift.tt/2xi0MCh

Mike Rutherford 2018-05-27 16:00

With so many millionaires and billionaires in the industry, we should insist on cheaper car deals, says Mike Rutherford

I don’t have a problem when personal fortunes are earned by the best, brightest and hardest-working entrepreneurs and employees in the car business. Bernie Ecclestone, for example, was a poorly educated kid from one of the grottier streets of south London. Yet he went on to make himself the biggest mover and shaker in Formula One, plus a £2.5 billion fortune.

Another working class lad done good is Lord Bob Edmiston, a lovely bloke who spent his £6,000 redundancy cheque from Jensen Motors setting himself up as the official UK importer for marques such as Hyundai, Isuzu, Subaru and Great Wall. At 71, Bob’s recently joined the billionaire club and that’s after the countless millions he’s donated to charities.

Guide: how to buy a new car

The privileged few don’t offend me just because they’re wealthy at the expense of motoring/motorsport consumers. But I look at some of them and wonder how they got so rich. More baffling is how their wealth can increase massively in just a short period.

Mechanic-turned-new-car-dealer Arnold Clark (RIP) recently left his family around £1bn, but their wealth has continued to grow by around £1.5m a week over the past year. London used-car salesman Geoff Warren, of Cargiant, has seen his wealth rise by almost £1m a month since this time last year. He now qualifies as a half-billionaire (£560m). The likes of the Clarks and Mr Cargiant are reminders that retailers can afford to greatly slash their profit margins. So don’t be afraid to demand hefty discounts when buying new or used. Leave a few extra pounds in your pockets, rather than lining theirs.

Lewis Hamilton’s year-on-year increase of £28m (giving him a lifetime pot of £159m) seems extreme when considered that he merely pedals a Formula One racer on Sundays. But this was a year in which he won back the world championship. Excessive, yes. But fathomable, too. Unfathomable is the situation Toto Wolff finds himself in. He works with Lew in the Mercedes F1 camp. And with wife Susie, the occasional pitlane pundit on television, he saw their joint wealth rise by £82m to £322m over the past 12 months.

Neither do I understand how a bloke who currently sells vacuum cleaners, while vowing to become a car designer/manufacturer/retailer, has seen his wealth rocket by £1.7bn in the past year alone. Sir James Dyson is currently good for £9.5bn. Will that pot shrink or grow when he makes the bravest move of his life and enters the motor industry? We’ll see. I think he’d be better off building state-of-the-art road-sweeping vehicles. There you go, James. No need for a billionaire like you to pay for business advice from a pauper like me.

Could we soon be driving Dysons instead of Dacias? Mike Rutherford thinks it’s a possibility



from Featured Articles https://ift.tt/2sdZF1D

Alpine A110 vs Audi TT RS vs Porsche 718 Cayman

https://ift.tt/2krZnQs

2018-05-27 11:00

As Alpine returns with A110 sports car, we see if it’s a match for the Porsche 718 Cayman and Audi TT RS

Alpine A110 vs Audi TT RS vs Porsche Cayman - header

You might be wondering what a small French-registered sports car with an unfamiliar badge on its nose is doing lined up against two firmly established German sports models.

For readers with a longer memory, though, this is an exciting moment: far from being a new manufacturer hoping to take on two of the greats, Alpine is a name with a history of motorsport victories and beautiful sports cars.

Best sports cars on sale in 2018

The Alpine brand has some heritage to it, then, but is this new A110 model a return to the glory days of the sixties, or has the French marque got left behind during its absence from the market?

The A110 is built at the firm’s plant in Dieppe, where its parent company’s Renault Sport models are also made. Engineers from the Renault Sport team have also had a hand in the Alpine’s development. So this new model has heritage and modern-day performance car kudos.

But can it really take on the mighty Porsche 718 Cayman S and Audi TT RS? Read on to find out if the A110 can beat its more powerful rivals on UK roads…

Alpine A110

Model: Alpine A110 Premiere Edition
Price: £51,805
Engine: 1.8-litre 4cyl petrol, 249bhp
0-60mph: 4.6 seconds
Test economy: 34.4mpg/7.6mpl
CO2: 138g/km
Annual road tax: £450

The Alpine A110 isn’t a new name; it’s shared with the sixties icon from which it takes its design inspiration. This is an all-new car, though, and uses a mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive layout just like its namesake. It’s a thoroughly modern sports car with a 249bhp turbocharged petrol engine.

The driver-focused design philosophy of the Alpine sounds promising, and the good news is that the A110 is fantastic to drive. The car has an initially softer feel in the way it rides than its rivals here, allowing more body roll when you turn into a corner than either the Porsche or Audi.

However, once you start to get in tune with its character and build up the pace, it’s very rewarding. The movement in the suspension set-up not only means it’s comfortable even over rough roads, it also maintains traction very well, but when the wheels do start to slide, it feels natural and fun.

The Alpine’s chassis feels lively and engaging, and while it’s ultimately not quite as dynamically adept as the 718 Cayman S, the A110 is just as much fun to drive from behind the wheel, albeit in a subtly different way to the Porsche.

Both trump the TT RS for driver appeal, yet neither car’s engine is as entertaining as the Audi’s sublime five-cylinder unit. The 1.8-litre four-cylinder in the Alpine is strong and sounds great, and is more fun to rev than the gruff flat-four in the Cayman S.

While the Alpine doesn’t match its rivals for off-the-line pace, taking 4.6 seconds to get from 0-60mph (the Cayman recorded 3.9 seconds and the TT RS 3.5 seconds), it put in very strong in-gear times: 30-50mph in third and fourth took 2.0 and 2.8 seconds respectively, thanks to short gearing, beating both of its rivals’ times. In top gear, the A110 went from 50-70mph in 5.7 seconds, while the Porsche took 9.3 seconds and the Audi took 8.0 seconds.

While it wasn’t as fast from a standing start, that low kerbweight helped in gear, while the lack of mass and the superb chassis mean the A110 wouldn’t be left behind by its rivals on a winding road or a track.

The low seating position offers good visibility and comfort even when driving hard. The dual-clutch box isn’t as snappy as the Porsche’s PDK transmission, but does its job and is fast enough to satisfy a keen driver.

Testers’ notes: “At 4,180mm long and 1,798mm wide, the Alpine is the smallest car of the three. Combined with good visibility, it feels easy to place and therefore very rewarding to drive, even on tight B-roads.”

Porsche 718 Cayman

Model: Porsche 718 Cayman S PDK
Price: £53,853
Engine: 2.5-litre 4cyl petrol, 345bhp
0-60mph: 3.9 seconds
Test economy: 24.6mpg/5.4mpl
CO2: 167g/km
Annual road tax: £450

There are plenty of options when you’re picking a 718 Cayman. First, you can choose between the standard car and this 2.5-litre 345bhp S model. Then there’s the manual or PDK auto boxes; it’s the latter we have to match its rivals, at £53,853.

The Cayman’s ride is a bit stiffer than its rivals’, but not by a huge margin. It means the Porsche shines on twisting tarmac. The PASM adaptive dampers allow a range of settings, although the 718 is always composed and offers enough compliance to balance its firm set-up.

Despite the 20-inch wheels, our car was comfy over rough B-roads, and wasn’t short on traction. Body roll is tightly managed and the Cayman’s control weights are heavier and more satisfying than its rivals’, which combine with the sublime driving position to create one of the best enthusiast’s cars you can buy.

There’s a lovely level of feel through the steering that gives you a sense of the 718’s balance. There’s much more feedback than in either of its rivals, particularly the numb TT RS, and the Cayman comes alive when you push it hard, sweeping through bends with incredible composure. It’s a very satisfying car to drive and you can feel – and, importantly exploit – the Porsche’s agility.

The PDK automatic transmission is smooth when you need it to be and shifts quickly when you’re driving hard; it’s one of the best gearboxes around. Unfortunately, however, the flat-four engine is disappointing. It has plenty of power, and the low-down torque results in some pretty serious performance figures. But it sounds genuinely unpleasant, and the exhaust ‘enhancer’ button on the centre console just makes this drone even louder.

Still, the Porsche managed a very impressive 3.9-second 0-60mph sprint time, despite being rear-wheel drive only. It also took a blistering 3.6 seconds to go from 30-70mph through the gears, well ahead of the A110’s 3.9 seconds thanks to the superior, faster-shifting box. The TT RS posted a time of 2.1 seconds in that test, though. The Porsche’s 3.0-second time from 50-70mph in fifth gear is also particularly impressive, beating the Audi by a whole second and the Alpine by a second and a half.

Testers’ notes: “The flat-four engine in the 718 S produces 420Nm of torque from just 1,900rpm, which means you can exploit the car’s sweet chassis with less effort. You don’t always need to be at high revs to enjoy it.”

Audi TT RS

Model: Audi TT RS
Price: £52,480
Engine: 2.5-litre 5cyl petrol, 395bhp
0-60mph: 3.5 seconds
Test economy: 23.0mpg/5.1mpl
CO2: 187g/km
Annual road tax: £450

The RS is the flagship of the Audi TT range, and at £52,480, it’s also one of the priciest models in the line-up. Still, with 395bhp this car has some pretty serious performance up its sleeve. It’s the most powerful model here, but also the heaviest, so can it match two talented rivals for pace and handling?

There’s real rally heritage present in the Audi, just like there is in the Alpine A110. With the TT RS, it’s the quattro four-wheel-drive system and turbocharged five-cylinder engine that remind us of Audi’s impressive record in the sport in the eighties.

The engine dominates the car. It defines the way the TT drives and is ballistic. There’s a little turbo lag, but as the revs rise the noise is intoxicating, turning from a deep growl into a musical wail. And with 480Nm of torque available from 1,700rpm, the Audi makes its advantage pay in a straight line.

It sprinted from 0-60mph in just 3.5 seconds, which is partly because of the engine’s power output, partly down to the quattro four-wheel-drive system and partly thanks to the swift seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The box isn’t quite as rapid as the PDK unit in the Porsche, but is a match for the Alpine’s DCT transmission.

A heavy kerbweight and longer gearing meant it was a tenth of a second behind the Alpine from 30-50mph in third gear, taking just 2.1 seconds. It completed the same test in fourth gear in 3.3 seconds, though, which was slower than both rivals but still blisteringly fast in a wider context.

Exploiting the TT RS’s engine is great fun, so it’s a shame the handling doesn’t quite match it for engagement. The Audi is very grippy and composed, but because it’s quite heavy, it just doesn’t have the agility or balance of the Alpine or Porsche. While the steering is fast and accurate enough, it doesn’t relay the same feedback as its competitors.

It does ride fairly well, and even feels relatively smooth at low speed, but the lightweight Alpine and superbly set-up Porsche have the Audi’s measure for smoothness as well, especially on a bumpy B-road.

The Audi is arguably the best motorway cruiser; there’s road noise in all three but wind roar is minimal here and the standard cruise control, comfy seats and useful driver aids mean it’s best for longer trips.

Testers’ notes: “The four-wheel-drive system makes the most of the power to deliver strong performance, but the RS understeers on the limit and, disappointingly, doesn’t have the adjustability of its rivals.”

Verdict

First place: Porsche 718 Cayman

Superior handling nudges the 718 Cayman ahead in this photo finish. It rides and steers beautifully, and delivers incredible pace. If the flat-four engine served up a more effervescent character and it had more standard kit, this would have been a more convincing victory. The Alpine is nearly as much fun and has a more entertaining engine, so for some buyers it’ll be the better pick.

Second place: Alpine A110

The new A110 is a sublime sports car and very much deserves the legendary badge on the bonnet. Its tidy handling and smooth ride mean it’s brilliantly entertaining, and the focus on weight reduction has huge benefits to economy as well as agility. It feels very different to the Porsche on the road, but is very nearly as engaging. It also looks stunning and feels just as special.

Third place: Audi TT RS

The TT RS boasts one of the best engines on sale today, which for some people will be reason enough alone to choose one. It’s good to drive, but doesn’t offer as much depth of adjustability as its rivals, which is why it loses out here. However, it is more practical than the Porsche and Alpine and has a generous amount of standard kit, although it is pricey to buy and run.

Other options for similar money…

NEW: Alfa Romeo 4C

Price: £52,835
Engine: 1.75-litre 4cyl, 237bhp

The Alfa 4C uses the same low-weight philosophy as the Alpine, with a carbon-fibre chassis and a mid-mounted four-cylinder turbo petrol engine. Powertrain and chassis flaws hurt its appeal, but it’s similarly focused and light weight.

USED: Porsche 911 Carrera PDK

Price: £48,995
Engine: 3.4-litre 6cyl, 345bhp

A used Porsche 911 brings arguably the best of all three rivals here. It has a sublime chassis, a superb six-cylinder engine and enough practicality, too. We found a 43,000-mile 991-generation example from 2012 in the classifieds for just £48,995.

Figures

Porsche 718 Cayman S PDK Alpine A110 Premiere Edition Audi TT RS
On the road price/total as tested £53,853/74,277 £51,805/£51,805 £52,480/£61,780
Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000) £30,535/56.7% N/A £28,077/53.5%
Depreciation £23,318 N/A £24,403
Annual tax liability std/higher rate £3,662/£7,324 £2,836/£5,673 £3,818/£7,636
Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles) £2,705/£4,509 £1,935/£3,224 £2,894/£4,823
Insurance group/quote/road tax cost 44/£665/£450 44/£665/£450 43/£640/£450
Cost of 1st/2nd/3rd service £485/£615/£485 N/A £309/£465/£309
Length/wheelbase 4,379/2,475mm 4,180/2,420mm 4,191/2,505mm
Height/width 1,295/1,801mm 1,252/1,798mm 1,344/1,832mm
Engine 4cyl flat-four/2,497cc 4cyl in-line/1,798cc 5cyl in-line/2,480cc
Peak power/revs 345/6,500 bhp/rpm 249/6,000 bhp/rpm 395/5,850 bhp/rpm
Peak torque/revs 420/1,900 Nm/rpm 320/2,000 Nm/rpm 480/1,700 Nm/rpm
Transmission 7-spd PDK auto/rwd 7-spd DCT auto/rwd 7-spd DCT auto/4wd
Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel 64 litres/sealant kit 45 litres/sealant kit 55 litres/sealant kit
Boot capacity (front/rear) 150/275 litres 100/96 litres 305 litres (rear)
Kerbweight 1,385kg 1,103kg 1,440kg
Turning circle 11.0 metres 11.6 metres 11.0 metres
Basic warranty (miles)/recovery 3yrs (unlimited)/3yrs 3yrs (60,000)/3yrs 3yrs (60,000)/1yr
Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos. N/A N/A 18th/15th*
NCAP: Adult/child/ped./assist/stars N/A N/A 81/68/82/64/4
0-60/30-70mph 3.9/3.6 secs 4.6/3.9 secs 3.5/2.1 secs
30-50mph in 3rd/4th 2.3/3.1 secs 2.0/2.8 secs 2.1/3.3 secs
50-70mph in 5th/6th/7th 3.0/4.6/9.3 secs 4.5/4.7/5.7 secs 4.0/5.7/8.0 secs
Top speed/rpm at 70mph 177mph/2,100rpm 155mph/2,800rpm 155mph/2,000rpm
Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 44.0/32.9/8.1m 44.0/33.2/8.3m 45.7/33.5/8.4m
Auto Express econ. (mpg/mpl)/range 24.6/5.4/346 miles 34.4/7.6/341 miles 23.0/5.1/278 miles
Govt urban/extra-urban/combined 29.7/47.1/38.7mpg 34.5/56.5/46.3mpg 25.0/44.1/34.4mpg
Govt urban/extra-urban/combined 6.5/10.4/8.5mpl 7.6/12.4/10.2mpl 5.5/9.7/7.6mpl
Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket 265/167g/km/34% 190/138g/km/28% 284/187g/km/37%
6/£126/£362^/£1,086^
Airbags/Isofix/park sensors/camera Yes/no/£413/no Two/no/yes/no Four/yes/yes/£550
Auto box/lane keep/blind spot/AEB £539/£228/yes/£294 Yes/no/no/no Yes/yes/£595/no
Climate ctrl/cruise/leather/heat seats £581/£1,397/no/no Yes/yes/no/no Yes/yes/yes/yes
Met paint/LEDs/keyless go/pwr tailgate Yes/no/yes/yes Yes/yes/yes/no £550/yes/yes/no
Sat-nav/dig dash/DAB/connect apps No/yes/no Yes/yes/yes/no Yes/yes/yes/yes
Wireless charge/CarPlay/Android Auto No/no/no £325/£250/£250


from Featured Articles https://ift.tt/2scewsC