From hatchbacks to hypercars, all manner of cars grabbed headlines in 2019, but these were some of the biggest and best news stories
Another year has come to a close. 2019 was packed to the rafters with news, with a host of new cars emerging, as well as scandals, deaths and recalls also hitting the headlines in the course of the past 12 months.
Once again SUVs proved their popularity with even more manufacturers jumping on the bandwagon. Marques such as Aston Martin entered the ever-growing sector with the DBX, while Volkswagen and Ford filled niches with their respective T-Cross and Puma crossovers.
• Best hatchbacks to buy
Electric cars hit the headlines again in 2019 with more emphasis on cheaper prices, bigger batteries and increased range. Volkswagen revealed the production-ready ID.3, targeting everyday households, while at the other end of the market, the Taycan made its first appearance as Porsche’s flagship model with a price tag starting north of £100,000.
Despite electrification being seen as the future of motoring, that didn’t stop a few brands from flying the flag for fire breathing petrol engines. Toyota finally gave us the Supra back in January after what seemed like a lifetime of teasing while Mercedes went mad and jammed a 415bhp turbocharged four-cylinder engine into its A-Class - creating the most powerful hot hatch ever in the process.
It wasn’t all big reveals though, as plenty of important consumer stories also made big impacts on the industry and motorists. Parking fines, car theft and number plate cloning all rose dramatically while concerns over the safety of smart motorways grew. Plus, a controversial ruling back in March saw the start of mandatory speed limiters being introduced in all European cars.
Scroll down or click on the anchor links below to read our round-up of the biggest news stories of 2019...
Jan-Feb • Mar-Apr • May-Jun • Jul-Aug • Sep-Oct-Nov
January
Toyota kicked off 2019 with the car that had been four long years in the making – the all-new Supra. The much-anticipated successor to the last Supra that arrived in 1993 had been the subject of years of rumours, teasers and online speculation, but we got our first look at the new model at January’s Detroit Motor Show.
Despite Toyota being one of the world’s biggest automotive manufacturers, the car was developed in conjunction with BMW and the new Z4. Both models share the same chassis, engine and hardware in order to keep costs down – sales of two-door sports cars are relatively small, so both companies had to find a suitable partner in order to make their respective projects viable.
The new Supra measures in at 4,379mm in length, 1,292mm in height and 1,854mm in width, making it longer, lower and wider than a Toyota GT86. The wheelbase is shorter, however, and the tyres are wider, which Toyota said was designed to give a sharper and more engaging driving experience. Toyota’s Gazoo Racing team also helped develop the Supra to ensure the model could deliver the best-possible performance on road and on track.
The shape and overall look of the new Supra are reminiscent of those of the 1993 car, but they’ve been modernised with slender LED headlamps and sharper, more aggressive bodywork. However, there are also some additional retro touches in the mix, such as the ‘double-bubble’ roof – a nod to the Toyota 2000GT from the sixties. Inside, though, it’s a different story; the cabin design and overall architecture are virtually identical to those found in the BMW Z4. The same steering wheel, infotainment system and dashboard can also be seen in the Z4 roadster.
All Supras sold in Europe are powered by – you guessed it – a BMW-sourced turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder, which puts out 335bhp and 500Nm of torque. As standard it’s paired with an eight-speed ZF auto box that sends power to the rear wheels. Toyota says that makes it good for a 0-62mph time of 4.3 seconds and a 155mph top speed. Under the skin, the Supra also features an active differential, which is operated by a dedicated control unit. This is able to monitor a variety of vehicle parameters from throttle input to chassis yaw rate, and then adjust the amount of torque between the rear wheels in order to maximise both traction and performance.
Renault pulled the wraps off the fifth-generation Clio at the beginning of the year, promising extra tech and space plus a range of more efficient engines. Based on a fresh platform, called CMF-B, the model also has all-new panels – despite the car looking rather like its predecessor. It’s also the first Clio to be offered with a hybrid powertrain; a 1.6-litre petrol engine is mated to a pair of electric motors and a 1.2kWh lithium-ion battery, which Renault says should allow low-speed driving in fully electric mode. The big changes come inside, however, with a new portrait infotainment system and plusher materials.
The number of cars stolen in the UK increased by nearly 50 per cent over a five-year period, Home Office figures published in January revealed. Police forces across the country received reports of 111,999 stolen vehicles in 2017/18 – a 48.7 per cent increase on 2013/14’s figure of 75,308. The data also showed an 8.4 per cent year-on-year rise in incidents of items being stolen from vehicles, up from 258,346 in 2016/17 to 280,032 in 2017/18. The theft increases came at the same time as the advent in keyless technology and a fall in numbers of road-traffic officers.
It was a bad start to the year for Carlos Ghosn, who eventually – but voluntarily – decided to step down from his position as the boss of Renault. This saga rolled on from the end of 2018, when he was arrested in Japan on charges of misconduct and understating his pay. Ghosn made the decision to step aside while still in jail in Japan, because he was denied bail.
Local councils slashed their road spending by £400million over four years, despite having seen a £165m rise in revenue from their parking operations. Confused.com analysis revealed councils in England, Wales and Scotland made £847m net revenue from all parking charges and fines in 2017/18, compared with £682m in 2013/14, but cut road spending from £2.8 billion to £2.4bn.
February
Peugeot was first out of the blocks with its all-new 208 supermini in the run-up to the Geneva Motor Show. The Ford Fiesta rival has lagged behind its rivals in virtually every aspect, so the French brand took a rather radical approach with the latest model. Based on a new platform, called CMP, the 208 is the first Peugeot to be offered as petrol, diesel and fully electric model. This is a real USP for the supermini, because it’s also the first car in its class to be offered with a trio of different powertrains.
The entry-level PureTech 75 has a 74bhp 1.2-litre petrol three-cylinder that propels the front wheels via a five-speed manual box. A more muscular PureTech 100 turbo takes power up to 99bhp and gets a six-speed manual. Peugeot’s EAT eight-speed automatic is optional with this edition, while the top-spec 128bhp PureTech 130 features the auto as standard.
As diesel sales continue to dwindle, especially in smaller cars such as the 208, the only option here is a 99bhp 1.5-litre four-cylinder paired with a six-speed manual. It’s expected to make up only a fraction of all 208 sales. The most interesting of the trio is the electric e-208. It’s powered by a 50kWh battery that drives a 134bhp electric motor on the front axle. Peugeot says it’s good for up to 211 miles on a single charge.
Whichever edition you go for, one thing will remain consistent: the design. Peugeot has intentionally made the electric version identical to the conventional petrol and diesel models, so as not to deter buyers with an alienating EV design. Elements of the latest 208’s styling nod to the French firm’s past. The curved C-pillar and thick black arch extensions are an homage to the legendary 205 GTi, but Peugeot’s modern-day design cues are still present in the fang-shaped LED daytime running lights and claw-like headlamps.
The cabin is a big step on from any other supermini, too. A new 3D version of Peugeot’s trademark i-Cockpit makes its debut, and ‘piano key’ switchgear replaces a lot of conventional switches to give a more upmarket look. All models also feature touchscreen infotainment; on lower-spec variants it is a seven-inch display, while top-spec editions get a larger 10-inch unit.
Skoda completed its SUV line-up in February with the launch of the Kamiq crossover. The new model is designed as the entry-point for Skoda’s SUV range, and sits beneath the Karoq and Kodiaq models as a rival for the popular Nissan Juke.
The Kamiq is the largest car in its class, at 4.24m long, which should come as little surprise for a car from a manufacturer that puts practicality ahead of everything else. As a result the Kamiq has as much rear passenger space as the larger Octavia hatchback, while the 400-litre boot puts it ahead of many of its rivals. There are plenty of Skoda’s ‘simply clever’ features, too, including an LED torch in the boot and an ice scraper behind the fuel filler cap.
The car has plenty of tech inside as well, with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster sitting alongside a 9.2-inch central display on the dash. The crossover shares a platform with the Scala hatchback, so the familiar engine and gearbox options include 1.0 and 1.5-litre petrols, and a 1.6-litre diesel.
A BMW recall left some owners having to go for up to two months without their cars after the maker admitted there were issues with part supplies and workshop availability. The recall campaign was launched in October 2018, and identified 268,000 diesel BMWs in the UK – out of 1.6 million worldwide – that had the potential to suffer a glycol leak in the exhaust gas recirculation valve coolers, leading to fire “in extreme cases”. The huge parts demand placed unprecedented strain on BMW’s suppliers, with many customers left stuck with courtesy cars.
Ford revealed the latest version of its Mk4 Focus ST at the beginning of the year, and it remained the only car maker to offer its hot hatch with the choice of either petrol or diesel power. This Focus ST is the most powerful the firm has ever produced; the 2.3-litre turbo, derived from the old Focus RS’s, develops 276bhp and 420Nm of torque. And while the diesel can’t quite match those figures, the 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel still puts out 187bhp and 400Nm, allowing a 0-62mph of 7.6 seconds. Better still, you can even have the Focus ST as an estate if you need practicality.
The Passat was given a fresh lease of life in February, with a range of tweaks and the arrival of a more efficient version of the plug-in hybrid GTE. Both the saloon and estate received reshaped bumpers and new headlamps. Company car drivers were the most pleased, because the fuel-sipping GTE was updated with a larger battery, allowing 35 miles of pure-electric driving.
Jan-Feb • Mar-Apr • May-Jun • Jul-Aug • Sep-Oct-Nov
Review of the Year 2019
• Best car news stories of 2019
• Best car reviews of 2019
• Best car group tests of 2019
• Best long-term tests of 2019
• Best motoring features of 2019
• Best car videos of 2019
• Best motorsport stories of 2019
• Our highlights of 2019
Click onto page 2 to continue reading the big news stories of 2019...
Jan-Feb • Mar-Apr • May-Jun • Jul-Aug • Sep-Oct-Nov
March
The automotive world made its annual pilgrimage to Switzerland in March for the Geneva Motor Show. Held at the Palexpo not far from the shores of Lake Geneva, the show once again delighted attendees with a rich mix of new cars on display. Whether outlandish supercars or affordable superminis prick your interest, Geneva had it covered.
There were a number of world debuts at this year’s show, most notably the Alfa Romeo Tonale. While still officially a concept, the SUV will morph into a production vehicle in 2020. Another concept, the Nissan IMQ, gives us a glimpse of the next-generation Qashqai that reaches showrooms in 2022, including a potential range-extender powertrain.
Perhaps the biggest attraction, and most popular stand at Geneva, was Aston Martin. The British firm has a rich history of high-performance vehicles, and the Vanquish Vision concept continues that trend. It previews Aston’s mid-engined Ferrari and McLaren rival, due in 2022.
When it arrives it will revive the famous Vanquish name and be the first home for an all-new V6 engine with hybrid tech. Aston hasn’t confirmed any performance details, but company boss Andy Palmer has said the engine will feature an F1-style KERS system to boost acceleration.
At the other end of the spectrum, a fleet of new superminis attracted a lot of attention, chief among them the new Centoventi concept from Fiat. The small, electric hatchback is a car the Italian firm could desperately do with in its range, and although it sports rugged Panda-like proportions, the concept could be a model in its own right, rather than a replacement for the much-loved Panda.
And after endless concept cars, we were finally able to see the production version of the Honda e electric city car. Compact, boxy and retro-infused, the hatchback is unlike any Honda we’ve seen before. The 124-mile electric range could be a potential weak link, however.
Porsche ventured into the SUV-coupé segment in March with the Cayenne. As you’d expect, the main changes are to be seen at the rear, where the Cayenne’s roofline falls away more aggressively to give a sportier profile. Mechanically the model is the same as the regular Cayenne; the range kicks off with a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 and is topped by a 671bhp Turbo S E-Hybrid.
A new Tesla is always big news, and the arrival of the Model Y in March was no different. The compact SUV was launched at the firm’s factory in California and CEO Elon Musk claimed it is likely to become the company’s biggest-selling model when it arrives in 2020.
The Model Y is based on the same set of chassis components as the Model 3 saloon, although it’s slightly longer and wider. Overall it’s comparable to a BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC in terms of physical size. The styling is also familiar, resembling a slightly inflated Model 3, but with a much taller roofline and glasshouse.
Tesla says the entry-level Long Range will cover 300 miles on a single charge and hit 0-60mph in 5.5 seconds. Above it sits the Dual Motor edition, which sacrifices some range – a total of 280 miles is claimed – for 0-60mph acceleration of 4.8 seconds. At the top of the line-up is the Model Y Performance, capable of 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds. However, UK buyers will have to wait until 2021 to take delivery.
In March, the Department for Transport confirmed that all new cars going on sale in the UK from 2022 will be fitted with EU-mandated speed limiters. The intelligent limiters use traffic-sign recognition cameras and/or GPS data to determine the speed limit and automatically restrict engine power if the driver does not adhere to the limit themselves – although they will be able to ‘accelerate through’ the limiters by pressing the accelerator hard. Data loggers, autonomous emergency braking, lane assist, driver fatigue detection, rear sensors or cameras and pre-wiring for alcohol interlock devices are set to be introduced at the same time.
In one of the most shocking stories Auto Express has ever reported, we uncovered how cars that had been written off following accidents were coming back with a clean bill of health in history checks run by HPI and Experian, putting the safety and money of the vehicles’ owners at risk. The issue related to gaps in the database used by the checking companies to determine if a car has been written off.
Figures we uncovered from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) showed that there were 688,435 vehicles logged as written off in the previous financial year, but the database used by HPI and Experian held just 597,278 vehicles. Potential reasons for the 91,156 missing write-offs included cars that only had third-party cover, and fleet vehicles with high insurance excesses that were not claimed for by their owners, and were therefore not declared ‘total losses’ by insurers.
The Motor Insurers’ Bureau, which manages the database used by history-checking companies, subsequently admitted it ”didn’t know the direct scale of the gap” until our investigation was published, and said it was now proactively working with the DVLA to solve the issue.
April
The arrival of a new Ford Kuga in April was big news for British SUV buyers. Since hitting the market in 2012, the second-generation Kuga has been an ever-present figure in the UK’s top 10 most registered new cars. This third-generation model – which is hitting the roads now – builds on the basics of the Kuga recipe, but with one key new ingredient.
Ford has started to electrify its line-up, and the arrival of a plug-in hybrid version of the new Kuga, which is capable of a claimed 235.4mpg, represents an important step forward for the brand, given the model’s popularity.
Conventional petrol and diesel models will continue to be offered, while the design is all-new, inside and out. There are clear nods to the latest Focus on the outside, and a dashboard lifted directly from the brand’s popular family hatchback.
Aston Martin took the top off its fastest ever car in April, with the reveal of the stunning DBS Superleggera Volante. A true Aston rival for the Bentley Continental GT Convertible, it features a twin-turbo 5.2-litre V12 with 715bhp and 900Nm torque. The DBS Superleggera Volante is capable of 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 211mph; all that power is sent to the rear axle through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Priced from £247,000 from launch, it commands a hefty premium over the hard-top DBS Superleggera – £22,500 more than the coupé, to be exact.
Toyota gave away 23,740 patents for hybrid and electrified vehicle technology in order to help other manufacturers develop eco-friendly cars. The patents related to areas including electric motors, power-control units and system controls. In addition, Toyota would also offer fee-based technical support to companies developing and selling EVs using its batteries, motors and control systems.
Volkswagen continued a steady stream of all-electric concept cars by revealing the ID. Roomzz at the Shanghai Motor Show. Previewing a large, seven-seat electric SUV destined for the Chinese and US markets, it uses the same MEB underpinnings as the much smaller ID.3 hatchback, and will become a production model and fresh rival for the Tesla Model X in 2021.
Driver Power, the UK’s largest car satisfaction survey, returned in April, with thousands of readers giving us the lowdown on what life is really like with the cars you can buy today. The title of best new car to own went to the Toyota Prius, which had fantastic scores across the board, but won particular favour with its affordable running costs, smooth powertrain and comfortable ride.
Second was another Toyota in the shape of the Lexus IS. The hybrid compact executive saloon impressed with its smooth drivetrains, well-designed interior and unimpeachable reliability. A surprise third-place finish went to the Alfa Romeo Giulia. Owners reported that the executive saloon is so good to drive that they could forgive its slightly below-par exterior build quality and limited interior storage.
Moving on to class winners, Auto Express readers chose the Kia Picanto as the best city car, giving it high scores for style, build quality, reliability and safety. In a double win for Kia, the Rio was rated as the best supermini; you ranked it as the cheapest car to service in the whole survey. The Fiat 500 won best premium small car, with an impressive 10th-place overall score for driving pleasure. Our ultimate winner – the Prius – was top of its compact family car class, while the Mazda 6 came out as the best family car.
The Citroen C4 Picasso’s clever interior helped it win best MPV, while the title of best small SUV went to the SEAT Arona. The best mid-size SUV was the Peugeot 3008, while the best large SUV was the immensely practical Kia Sorento.
The premium mid-size and large SUV categories saw victories for the Volvo XC60 and Lexus RX respectively. Lexus also picked up best executive car with its GS and best compact executive car with its second-place-overall IS. Finally, the Hyundai Ioniq was the best electric car, the Mazda MX-5 was the best roadster and the Lexus RC won best sports car.
The number of cloned cars quadrupled over the course of six years, according to official figures. Only 1,255 vehicles were reported as cloned in the 2012/13 financial year, according to the DVLA, rising to 4,802 in the nine months between April and December 2018. Car cloning is when number plates from one car are copied and fixed to an identical model in order to disguise its identity.
Rumours started to circulate in early 2019 that new speed-camera tolerances on some motorways were so strict that drivers could receive penalties for breaking the 70mph limit by 1mph. So Auto Express asked the UK’s 45 police forces via Freedom of Information requests how strictly their 3,224 speed cameras enforce limits. The majority confirmed that their cameras only activate when drivers exceed the speed limit by 10 per cent plus 2mph, in line with guidelines from the Association of Chief Police Officers. For example, most cameras won’t issue tickets until someone is driving at 35mph or more in a 30mph limit.
Jan-Feb • Mar-Apr • May-Jun • Jul-Aug • Sep-Oct-Nov
Review of the Year 2019
• Best car news stories of 2019
• Best car reviews of 2019
• Best car group tests of 2019
• Best long-term tests of 2019
• Best motoring features of 2019
• Best car videos of 2019
• Best motorsport stories of 2019
• Our highlights of 2019
Click onto page 3 to continue reading the big news stories of 2019...
Jan-Feb • Mar-Apr • May-Jun • Jul-Aug • Sep-Oct-Nov
May
As one of Britain’s best-selling cars, a new Corsa is big news – even more so for the fresh one revealed back in May. It was the first Vauxhall to arrive with a clear influence from now-owner Peugeot-Citroen (PSA) in its engineering. Due to a switch to the CMP platform, this Corsa shares its underpinnings with the latest Peugeot 208. Also, just as with that car, an all-electric version tops the new-look range.
This Corsa-e will launch the company’s strategic push towards the electrified and all-electric market. In addition to the pure-EV Corsa, Vauxhall-Opel plans to offer an electrified variant of every model in its range by 2024, with four set to launch by 2020.
The new Corsa was originally planned to arrive on a new platform developed by Opel in Russelsheim, but it was swapped on to the PSA-derived CMP set-up extremely late in the model’s development, with the design of the car altered to suit the fundamental changes under the skin.
The E-CMP version of the new platform sees a 50kWh battery pack now located under the Corsa’s floor. The electric motor driving the front wheels is rated at 134bhp, while a maximum range of 211 miles is claimed. An 80 per cent top-up of the battery takes 30 minutes using a 100kW rapid charger, while an 11kW charger for home use is included as standard. The Corsa-e is priced from £26,490, and with orders now open it’ll be on UK roads in April 2020.
Showcasing the new Corsa as an electric model in April, and waiting until far later in the year to reveal the new petrol and diesel versions that’ll be on roads before it, was an interesting introduction to this latest-generation supermini. These regular cars will arrive from January, with new PSA-derived three and four-cylinder options.
Mercedes unveiled its vision of an accident-free future – an autonomous concept with a host of hi-tech safety features. The GLE-based ESF can coexist with both autonomous cars and those with human drivers. Features include a hazard-warning robot that deploys from the car’s rear after an accident, a laser projector for displaying messages on the back window and a safer airbag design.
May brought the news that red X signs indicating a closed lane on a smart motorway would be enforced by cameras, with offenders receiving a Fixed Penalty Notice, three points and a fine of up to £100. Previously, drivers could be penalised for breaching X rules only if a police officer witnessed them doing so. Highways England issued more than 180,000 warning letters to drivers ignoring red X signs between January 2017 and May 2018.
An extensive facelift for the evergreen A4 was one of May’s biggest stories – and while most mid-life refreshes amount to some new headlights and trim pieces, the updates to this fifth-generation Audi were as far reaching as things go. A total visual transformation gave a sportier look, complemented by a cabin overhaul that centred around new infotainment. There were fresh engines, too, with all but the 2.0 and 3.0-litre diesels featuring mild-hybrid technology. Meanwhile, the hot S4 moved somewhat surprisingly towards diesel power – a total recipe change.
It was all change for the latest BMW 1 Series when the new model was revealed back in May. A switch in platform to the UKL underpinnings that support the MINI Hatch meant that the manufacturer’s junior model went front-wheel drive for the first time – removing any chance of a six-cylinder range-topping M140i in the process.
The latest 1 Series is the most dramatic transformation bestowed upon BMW’s family hatchback since the model’s introduction in 2004. Alongside the switch to front-drive, the newcomer is also a far more practical proposition than before. Boot capacity has grown by 20 litres to 380 litres, and interior space has increased, too.
However, BMW’s engineers have still placed plenty of emphasis on ensuring that the car is fun to drive. While there’s no six-cylinder model, when we eventually got behind the wheel in July we found the new 302bhp four-cylinder M135i to be up there as one of the best-handling hot hatchbacks on sale right now.
Back in May, Dyson was looking to blow away the electric car competition – and patents awarded to the manufacturer gave us an idea of what to expect. The published statistics revealed that the brand’s debut model would take the form of a seven-seat crossover. As with its other home appliances, Dyson promised many unique innovations that would set the vehicle apart from other EV rivals. The patent drawings showed the car in profile, with a high floor in which to store the battery was offset by a low, sleek roofline. The wheels, pushed out to each corner, measured a vast 24 inches. But trouble lay ahead.
June
June saw BMW lift the wraps off its wild M Next concept, whose sharp creases and wedge-like shape took inspiration from the iconic M1 supercar of the late seventies. But it also looked to the future, and it’s expected to form the basis for the i8 sports car’s replacement. The plug-in hybrid system is slated to produce 592bhp.
Ford confirmed that its engine plant in Bridgend, South Wales, would shut by late 2020. Although 400 workers had already taken voluntary redundancy, the news was a blow to the 1,300 staff who had stayed on. Ford’s European president, Stuart Rowley, told us at the time that the company remained “committed to the UK”, but said the plant was “economically unsustainable”.
In a bid to crack down on noise pollution, the Government announced plans for ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) cameras to be fitted with noise detectors. This would let the authorities issue fines to owners of vehicles with exhausts that breach noise limits. A seven-month trial, during which no fines are being issued, began in June; if successful, the tech will be fitted in earnest.
Back in June, Ford announced that it would revive one of its most exciting nameplates from the late nineties: the Puma. But in a sign of how buyers’ tastes have changed, we learned that the original car’s Fiesta-based coupé feel had been replaced by one which, although still derived from the Fiesta, took the shape of a small SUV.
So rather than shrinking into a small, agile sports car, the new Puma is 46mm longer, 54mm higher and 71mm wider than the car on which it’s based. When it arrives in 2020, it will compete with the Renault Captur and Nissan Juke. Items like the curved headlights make a nod to the original Puma, as does the coupé-like roof, but otherwise the shape is pure five-seat crossover.
Inside, the dash is lifted from the Fiesta and topped off with Ford’s SYNC3 infotainment and new hi-tech digital dials. Further back, a 456-litre boot – accessed by a hands-free auto tailgate – looks set to be among the best in the class, while removable, washable seat covers add to both the car’s sensible side and its scope for personalisation.
At launch, Ford bosses were adamant that, true to the original, the new car would be top the class for driving fun. Under the bonnet will sit the tried-and-tested EcoBoost petrol engines ranging from 94bhp to 153bhp, several of which will benefit from mild-hybrid tech. At a later date, a hot ST version is likely to follow, too.
Later on in the year, Ford announced prices for the upcoming model. It confirmed that the Puma range would kick off with the Titanium trim, complete with wireless charging and massaging seats for £20,845. At launch, the £22,295 Titanium First Edition would also feature adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera, plus heating for both the front seats and the steering wheel.
Another launch model, the ST-Line X First Edition, is set to cost £25,195 when order books open. Standard kit will include 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, sports suspension and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.
One thousand horsepower: the figure Ferrari declared for the SF90 Stradale when it lifted the wraps off its latest hypercar in June. While 986bhp doesn’t quite have the same ring to it as the metric output, it is no less eye-opening; power comes from a mix of a 4.0-litre V8 turbo (making 769bhp on its own) and three electric motors. The result? A 211mph top speed and 0-62mph in 2.5 seconds. But believe it or not, this is a car with eco-credentials, too. The SF90 uses a plug-in hybrid system that allows it to travel up to 15.5 miles on electric power alone.
Once again, we brought you an invaluable round-up of the best motoring-related products on the market, with the Auto Express Product Awards 2019. Continental won our coveted Product of the Year prize for making a clean sweep in all of our seasonal tyre tests. We also handed out awards for washing and valeting products, drills, screenwashes, satellite-navigation units, headlight bulbs, dash cams, cordless vacuum cleaners and screwdrivers – plus pretty much anything else you could ever need for your car or garage.
Mercedes revealed the latest addition to its SUV family with the all-new GLB. The car’s boxy styling had more than a hint of a mini G-Class about it, setting it apart from rivals such as the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 not only in terms of design, but also for practicality. That’s because, uniquely in this class, the A-Class-based GLB boasts space for seven people.
Jan-Feb • Mar-Apr • May-Jun • Jul-Aug • Sep-Oct-Nov
Review of the Year 2019
• Best car news stories of 2019
• Best car reviews of 2019
• Best car group tests of 2019
• Best long-term tests of 2019
• Best motoring features of 2019
• Best car videos of 2019
• Best motorsport stories of 2019
• Our highlights of 2019
Click onto page 4 to continue reading the big news stories of 2019...
Jan-Feb • Mar-Apr • May-Jun • Jul-Aug • Sep-Oct-Nov
July
It was months in the planning, weeks in the writing and days in the shooting all of the coveted Auto Express New Car Awards winners to put together our biggest issue of the year. Many victors in many classes went forward to fight for the overall gong, but there could only be one winner.
Showing the successful onset of electric cars and just how talented the best of them are, the Tesla Model 3 drove away with the title as our Car of the Year. It fought off stiff competition from cars like the Skoda Scala in the process.
Tesla has led the charge when it comes to premium electric cars, and its Model 3 not only brought the entry price to Tesla ownership down to a more affordable level when it launched (although it’s still not exactly cheap), but also addressed some of the issues we’d had with previous Tesla models. Quality felt like a step forward and, if not perfect, an improvement.
But it was the ease of use that impressed us. An official range of 254 miles was backed up by an easy 220 miles from the efficiency numbers we recorded, so the Standard Range Plus model will be enough car for most.
The Performance showed it was lightning quick – as rapid as some super-saloons – while a greater claimed range of 329 miles is also offered. That’s thanks to its bigger battery, making it the model to choose if you want to cure your range anxiety.
In the other classes, there were wins for Skoda with its new Scala. It knocked the Volkswagen Golf off the top spot in the family car class, thanks to its blend of space and affordability without sacrificing kit.
New entrants like the Mercedes E 300 de plug-in hybrid showed what a good halfway house looks like if you’re not ready for a full EV. Elsewhere, the Ford Fiesta and Honda Civic Type R cemented their positions to hold on to their respective supermini and hot hatchback titles.
The overriding impression we got from the best new cars on sale was that we’ve rarely had it so good. From refined, mature city cars like the VW up! to luxury models such as the Mercedes S-Class and our Performance Car winner – the all-new Porsche 911 – there’s something for all tastes and all budgets. But the common theme with the 26 cars we crowned as class winners was that they’re all extremely well executed machines that deliver exactly what a buyer who’s looking for those respective vehicles wants. This is what makes an Auto Express New Car Award winner.
Our exclusive investigation revealed huge discrepancies in car battery costs, with some drivers paying as much as £1,250 for battery replacement at main dealers, while others spent as little as £98. We compiled a list of the UK’s 20 best-selling cars and contacted three franchised dealers across the country for prices. One Mercedes dealer quoted £1,248, while another charged just £315.
The unveiling of the first all-new Lotus in almost a decade didn’t disappoint: the £1.7million Evija hypercar wowed us when it first broke cover, and the fascination didn’t stop at the wild venturi tunnels that exit from the car’s hoop-like LED tail-lights. That’s because the Evija showcased an all-electric drivetrain with numbers that defied belief. Four motors – one for each wheel – combine to produce a staggering 1,972bhp and 1,700Nm. That’s enough for a 0-62mph time below three seconds, a 0-184mph time under nine, and a top speed of more than 200mph.
Renault sought to place itself as the posh option in the small SUV class when it revealed the Renault Captur Mk2. Sharing its platform with the new Clio, the Captur also borrowed the supermini’s interior architecture – no bad thing, because it benefitted from the tech and build quality that could rival many premium crossovers. Elsewhere, the new underpinnings also meant the Captur would become more spacious, more refined and safer than ever before, while a plug-in hybrid model was confirmed for future sale. All the more impressive considering that the Captur starts from a competitive £17,600.
The reveal of the latest Mercedes-AMG A45 meant one thing: one of the hottest hatches ever just got more extreme. Power comes from a 415bhp 2.0-litre, turbo four-cylinder engine, with drive sent to all four wheels, which gives the car a 0-62mph of 3.9 seconds; that’s faster than the AMG GT. Clever electronics include a ‘drift mode’ that allows drivers to engage in tyre-smoking antics on track.
Our second Driver Power survey focused on manufacturers’ franchised dealer networks, as well as insurance and breakdown firms. Lexus won the competition by a clear margin, coming first in every category except value for money, where it finished fifth. Sister brand Toyota came second, while Subaru’s impressive network took bronze. The majority of respondents to our survey didn’t have any problems with their dealer in the prior 12 months, although one in 10 did have issues. GEM Motoring Assist was voted the best breakdown provider for the seventh year in a row, while NFU Mutual was ranked as the best insurer.
August
Some MPs called for a ban on hands-free phone calls behind the wheel. A committee heard evidence that such calls are just as distracting as holding the handset, and said the Government should “explore options for extending the ban on driving while using a handheld mobile”. They added that the current penalties for using such a mobile are not strict enough and should be increased.
The Range Rover Evoque Convertible didn’t exactly prove itself to be a roaring sales success, but that didn’t stop Volkswagen telling us back in August that it plans to dip its toe into the world of drop-top SUVs with the T-Roc Cabriolet.
Taking the place of previous style-led VW convertibles such as the Golf and Beetle, while cashing in on the ever-growing SUV craze, the open-top T-Roc sports a chunky two-door body with space for four inside. The fabric hood takes only nine seconds to retract at the touch of a button, and can operate at up to 19mph. This folding roof means that practicality will fall behind the standard T-Roc SUV’s, though; at 284 litres, boot space has dropped by 161 litres.
Production of the T-Roc Cabriolet will take place at VW’s Osnabruck factory, which is the production site of many other of the brand’s historic convertibles including the Karmann Ghia, Mk1 Beetle and Golf Cabriolet. The new model looks set to hit showrooms by spring 2020, with UK prices expected to start from approximately £25,000.
In August, Highways England laid a section of the southbound M1 between Junctions 23 and 22 with a new asphalt compound partially made up of rubber from disused tyres. It was trialling this in an effort to simultaneously save money and help the environment. Around 40 million waste tyres are produced every year in the UK, more than 500,000 of which end up in landfill.
Ahead of the Frankfurt Show Audi showed off its new RS 6. The latest fast wagon from the German company was revealed with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 – enough for 592bhp, 800Nm and a 0-62mph sprint in a supercar-baiting 3.6 seconds. Performance is enhanced by the fitment of a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, which recovers energy during deceleration and adds a small boost under acceleration. At the same time, the system also trims the car’s fuel consumption figures. The RS 6 is set apart from lesser models in the A6 range, thanks to a wild bodykit and wheels measuring up to 22 inches in diameter.
Jan-Feb • Mar-Apr • May-Jun • Jul-Aug • Sep-Oct-Nov
Review of the Year 2019
• Best car news stories of 2019
• Best car reviews of 2019
• Best car group tests of 2019
• Best long-term tests of 2019
• Best motoring features of 2019
• Best car videos of 2019
• Best motorsport stories of 2019
• Our highlights of 2019
Click onto page 5 to continue reading the big news stories of 2019...
Jan-Feb • Mar-Apr • May-Jun • Jul-Aug • Sep-Oct-Nov
September
There is no bigger European motor show than Frankfurt. But September’s running of the biennial event did feel rather more ‘focused’, with fewer concepts and some notable absentees, such as Ford, Citroen, Peugeot, Nissan and Toyota. The public also stayed away; official attendance was down by almost a third on 2017.
The overwhelming trend among the manufacturers who did attend was electrification, as they clamoured to show that they’re responding to the desires of rule-makers and, increasingly, the needs of customers. Volkswagen has invested billions in playing catch-up on EVs, and the production-ready ID.3 made its debut. Indeed, it took over almost all of the VW stand on press day, while sister brands Audi, Skoda and SEAT had a quieter show – ensuring a clear run at the headlines for the all-new electric hatchback.
It didn’t need much help: while the ID.3 looks relatively conventional, it retains the cutting-edge infotainment and EV-only packaging advantages of the original concept. That means the ID.3 is the size of a VW Golf, with roughly similar boot space and much-improved rear legroom, plus an augmented-reality nav system that ‘projects’ directions on the windscreen so the arrows appear to be actually pointing down the street in question. Three battery sizes will be offered, with ranges from 242 to 342 miles.
Elsewhere, Cupra drew headlines with its dramatic-looking Tavascan – an electric SUV that’s all but certain to make production, Vauxhall showed the Corsa-e for the first time, and BMW polarised opinion with its controversial Concept 4, an early preview of the next 4 Series. In contrast, Hyundai’s well-received Concept 45 showed how retro influence could be an emerging theme of new car design, following the likes of the Fiat 500 and Honda e.
Perhaps the biggest star of Frankfurt wasn’t electric at all, however; indeed, the reborn Land Rover Defender looked about as far away from an eco-hatch as you could get, with an evolution of the original’s rugged looks, a supremely functional cabin and, we’re promised, even more off-road capability. However, the chunky SUV – which made its debut in three and five-door form, along with a commercial version – will get plug-in electrification down the line.
In September, the AA discovered a 2016 Highways England report that revealed breaking down in a live lane on an all-lane running (ALR) section of a smart motorway during off-peak hours is 216 per cent more dangerous than on a conventional motorway with a hard shoulder. However, the motorway network operator said its data showed smart motorways were safer overall.
The Nissan Juke pretty much invented the ‘small SUV’ class – so the second generation of the funky crossover was one of 2019’s biggest launches, period.
The old car’s looks were designed to provoke a reaction, on the grounds that it’s better to do that than to be bland. And sure enough, the Mk2 Juke is a clear evolution that takes advantage of developments in LED lights and metal pressing that have occurred since the original car appeared. It’s still unmistakably a Juke, though – distinctive in a class that has become incredibly crowded over the past decade.
Under it all is the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s latest small-car platform, as seen on the newly launched Clio. Its higher-tech construction has allowed Nissan to make the new Juke not only slightly larger but also a little lighter – potentially helping fuel efficiency. Inside, the cabin gets a much-needed boost in quality and technology. The car is being launched with a single 1.0-litre petrol engine option, but a hybrid version is likely to follow in 2020.
The global auto industry mourned one of its real giants in September, when Ferdinand Piech, grandson of Ferdinand Porsche and the man behind the relentless expansion of the Volkswagen Group, passed away at the age of 82. Piech spent much of his life working for key German car manufacturers – first Porsche, then Audi, where he was instrumental in the creation and success of the four-wheel-drive Quattro. He also played a key role in the financial turnaround of Volkswagen in the early nineties.
A Transport Select Committee report argued that all UK motorists should be banned from parking on pavements so that pedestrians – particularly the visually impaired, wheelchair users or those with children in pushchairs – are not put in danger by having to step into the road, and vulnerable people don’t feel trapped in their homes. The move would echo rules that already exist in London.
October
New car launches don’t get much bigger than a fresh generation of VW Golf – and the eighth incarnation of the iconic family hatchback was unveiled in its home town of Wolfsburg, a few weeks after the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The look of a new Golf is traditionally an evolution of what’s gone before, and this one is no exception; chief designer Klaus Bischoff and his team haven’t messed around too much with the winning formula. There are subtle changes, though, particularly around the front end, where the team have made greater use of LED tech to give the car much slimmer headlights. The profile remains pure Golf, however – not least because the car is on basically the same platform as before: the VW Group’s ubiquitous MQB.
That doesn’t mean that the Golf hasn’t received a major tech upgrade. The car gets a 48-volt mild-hybrid system on its 1.5-litre turbo petrol motors, and the 109bhp version of the 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol. The system harnesses energy when braking and then delivers up to 16bhp and 25Nm to boost performance and fuel-efficiency.
There will also be a couple of diesel engines in the range, and the GTE plug-in hybrid produces 242bhp, which makes it as potent as the outgoing Golf GTI Performance Pack. A successor to that hot hatch is on the horizon too, of course, and it should pack well over 270bhp. But there won’t be a successor to the pure-electric e-Golf; VW believes the recently launched ID.3 should satisfy customer demand for an EV family hatch.
Perhaps the most significant changes to the Golf come in the cabin. VW is taking a major gamble on functionality by removing many physical switches, replacing them with touch-sensitive surfaces. There’s even a ‘swipe strip’ in the middle of the dashboard that combines controls for the ventilation and, bizarrely, the infotainment volume and more.
The goal has been to declutter the car’s fascia and open up the Golf’s cabin – and there’s no doubt that this has been achieved. The adoption of the 10.25-inch ‘Virtual Cockpit’ digital instrument panel across the range is a first for the class, too. But it’ll be fascinating to see how traditionalists – and older customers – react to this level of tech and the new interfaces. In many ways, this may be the most radical Golf in many a year.
October’s unveiling of the new generation of the popular Toyota Yaris was a significant development because the supermini promises to challenge the likes of the Ford Fiesta and Renault Clio on efficiency. The new Yaris sits on the latest version of the TNGA platform, which allows the car to get a fresh hybrid powertrain mixing 1.5-litre petrol power with a lithium-ion battery.
British domestic appliance giant Dyson spent much of 2019 releasing key details about the firm’s vision for its first electric car, a large SUV originally due by 2021 – but then it announced that it wouldn’t be making it after all. Boss Sir James Dyson said he could “no longer see a way to make it commercially viable”. The challenges of setting up a manufacturing process and a retail network ultimately proved too great. Some of Dyson’s ideas could be licensed elsewhere – but they’ll end up on cars that don’t carry the Dyson badge.
News that the number of fatal accidents on Britain’s motorways rose by 19.4 per cent in 2018 was met with dismay by road safety groups, with 92 collisions resulting in the deaths of 107 people – up from 77 accidents that led to 99 people losing their lives in 2017. Figures from the Department for Transport also showed that the number of motorway accidents in which motorists sustained ‘serious’ injuries increased by 10 per cent over the same period.
Nissan gave us a thinly veiled glimpse of its next fully electric model at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show with the Ariya concept. It will go into production in 2021, acting as a rival for a range of other upcoming electric SUVs, such as the VW ID.4 and Audi Q4 e-tron. Nissan’s SUV is based on a new platform dedicated for electric vehicles and is powered by two electric motors to give four-wheel drive. Nissan executives have said the concept is “very close to reality”.
Arguably the biggest star of the Tokyo Motor Show was the new Honda Jazz. The fourth generation of the popular, practical supermini retains some of the key features that have made it a hit over the years, including the ‘cinema-style’ rear seats with foldable bases. The e:HEV powertrain is a twin-motor hybrid system related to that used in the larger CR-V. Expect it to be mixed with 1.0 or 1.5-litre petrol power – although Honda has yet to issue any detailed specs, beyond confirming that the new Jazz will be offered in a range of different themes, including a psuedo-SUV version.
November
With premium performance SUVs proving to be such lucrative cars, it was only a matter of time before Aston Martin got in on the act. And when its new DBX was revealed last month, it didn’t disappoint.
This was a car which, unlike many of its more bluff, imposing rivals, managed to cut a sleek figure while delivering SUV-like space and practicality. There’s room inside the beautifully trimmed interior for five, while the car’s 632-litre boot is truly vast by any measure.
The bodystyle is unlike any Aston Martin’s before it but the quoted performance figures are very familiar. Power comes from a retuned version of the Mercedes-AMG 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, which sends its 542bhp and 700Nm via a nine-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels. The result? 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds and 181mph flat out.
You’ll need deep pockets to buy a DBX, though. Prices for Aston’s new SUV will start from £158,000, and the first deliveries are being made next spring.
The Skoda Octavia has always been seen as something of a trusty workhorse, but the latest iteration of the family hatchback and Estate surprised us. The posher, fourth-generation model has sleeker styling (particularly inside, where the cabin gained two huge digital displays and a funky two-spoke steering wheel), increased cabin space, and new hybrid engines. These include mild 48-volt set-ups and a plug-in system that combines a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol with an electric motor for up to 34 miles of zero-emission driving.
Taking an iconic American name and applying it to an SUV is a risky move, but that’s what Ford did when it unveiled the Mustang Mach-e, a pure-electric SUV, at the Los Angeles Auto Show this month. The most potent Mach-e GT will deliver a 0-60mph time of less than five seconds, made possible by a twin-electric motor set-up with 458bhp and 830Nm of torque. Batteries will provide up to 99kWh of capacity – enough for a deeply impressive 370 miles. Prices for lesser models – with 255bhp and a range of around 280 miles – start from £40,270.
Bristol became the first city in the UK to propose an outright ban for private diesel cars in its city centre, regardless of how modern or clean they are. The plans, subject to approval by Westminster, would ban private cars from a large area of the city centre from 7am to 3pm. A secondary clean air zone covering a larger area of the city will cost taxi and van drivers £9 per day.
The all-new Ferrari Roma was the fifth new model to emerge from Maranello in 2019. The front-engined GT plugs a gap in the Italian firm’s range as a rival for the Porsche 911 Turbo and Aston Martin DB11. The Roma is powered by a version of Ferrari’s twin-turbo 3.9-litre V8 and develops 612bhp – enough to cover the 0-62mph sprint in 3.4 seconds and get past 200mph.
We’re set to see the world’s fourth-largest car maker by volume after news came in November that a merger between PSA and FCA had met with approval from both companies’ boards. PSA (owner of Peugeot, Citroen and Vauxhall) and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles announced plans for a 50:50 merger, with the resultant company expected to produce 8.7 million vehicles a year.
Hyundai’s biggest-selling car around the world is the Tucson and, at November’s Los Angeles Motor Show, the Korean firm pulled the wraps off the Vision T concept that previews the next-generation model. The new Tucson is due to be revealed in the next 18 months and will adopt a plug-in hybrid powertrain as well as Hyundai’s new corporate family face as seen on the Vision T.
Jan-Feb • Mar-Apr • May-Jun • Jul-Aug • Sep-Oct-Nov
Which was your favourite news story of 2019? Let us know your thoughts on the comments section below…
Review of the Year 2019
• Best car news stories of 2019
• Best car reviews of 2019
• Best car group tests of 2019
• Best long-term tests of 2019
• Best motoring features of 2019
• Best car videos of 2019
• Best motorsport stories of 2019
• Our highlights of 2019
