Glendal's Favorite Reviews: September 2020

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Electric car energy tariff and charging comparison site launched

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The UK’s first all-in-one website for comparing electric car-focused energy tariffs, home charge units and charger installations has been launched.

Comparison site Rightcharge has the potential to save customers more than £230 per year, as well as in excess of £100 on the upfront cost of installing a home charge unit.

SEE MORE Energy firms want the right to switch off electric cars charging at home

Electric car registrations are up 157 per cent so far in 2020, but Rightcharge says drivers who buy EVs are missing the opportunity to switch to special EV energy tariffs and install smart charge points, costing them hundreds of pounds a year in energy bills in some cases.

Rightcharge aims to prevent this by allowing drivers to compare the most suitable tariffs and chargers, as well as find out which firm is best to have install the charger.

EV-oriented energy tariffs and smart chargers save electric car drivers money by only charging their vehicles at times when electricity is cheap. However, only around 20 per cent of EV owners currently use such a tariff.

Charlie Cook, founder and CEO of Rightcharge, said: “The explosion of EV ownership means there is more choice than ever of cars, chargers and energy tariffs. However, without easy to compare information, drivers are still in the dark about what options work best for them to get the best deal.

“Our free online tool is the only service on the market that solves this for drivers, providing easy to understand and impartial advice that’s tailored to every customer.”

Rightcharge is also partnering with a number of leasing companies and car dealerships across the UK to help those buying a new EV compare their home charging options.

Cook added: “Our relationships with charge point providers and hand-picked installers mean we can give customers the best possible experience and price. Dealerships and leasing companies are experts in educating consumers about the benefits of EVs, but by partnering with Rightcharge, they also have instant access to the UK’s only all-in-one comparison service for home charging.”

Click here for our list of the best electric cars on sale right now...

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"Value for money is more important than ever"

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In a fast-changing world, one thing has become more important than ever: getting good value for money. It’s something we’ve always been mindful of at Auto Express and it applies however much you might be thinking of spending on a car.

It’s also why we were delighted to hear that the new Dacia Sandero – famously Britain’s cheapest new car – will still have an ‘unbeatable price’ when it goes on sale later this year. An unbeatable price that is set to include more kit and quality – and a bit more style.

SEE MORE Cheapest cars on sale 2020

Brands such as Dacia have really made other car makers sit up and take notice. But rather than react with low-priced, high-quality cars of their own, they’ve tended to push themselves further upmarket, away from Dacia and the still-unfulfilled potential of new value brands from the Far East.

Some still offer good value, though, like Kia with the new Sorento tested this week. It’s got a hefty price tag, for sure, but the quality on offer for the price is impressive.

Then there’s MG – in my view one of the most exciting car brands of the moment and one that’s enjoying huge growth in sales. Why? Because it’s hit on a formula the British public seem to like – good-quality cars at an affordable price. Not unlike Dacia.

The new MG 5 we drive this week offers estate-car space with an advanced electric powertrain – it’ll do around 200 miles on a charge – all from £24,495. It may not be the best-looking or best-driving car you can buy, but it comes loaded with all the latest tech you’ll want (and a bit more), loads of space and a seven-year warranty for what is these days not a huge sticker price. It’s no wonder more and more people are flocking to MG dealers and leaving with their cars as happy customers.

If you take a look at the premium brands selling cars in huge numbers, there tends to be a good reason for that, too. Yes, the cars are good, but some of the deals are even better. Good value will always win favour with car buyers.

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New Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition 2020 review

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Verdict

A short race-circuit drive leaves us wanting more miles in the extra-focused Civic Type R Limited Edition. Honda’s engineers have made only small tweaks but the overall package feels sharper than ever - and a total hoot to drive on track days. The price doesn’t even look that bad, compared with some rivals, so it’s a pity the production run is so limited.

The Honda Civic Type R has long been at the more extreme edge of the hot hatchback spectrum - even if the addition of a softer side in the latest incarnation has helped it to be our pick in the class. But someone at Honda obviously felt there was demand for even more focus - and this Civic Type R Limited Edition is the result.

And before you ask, yes, it is a properly limited edition. Just 100 examples of this car are being produced in total and the 20 that were earmarked for British buyers were sold in a couple of hours. Honda UK reckons it could have shifted double the amount, apparently - and that’s with a price tag fast approaching £40,000.

SEE MORE New Honda Civic Type R 2020 review

As is often the case with these things, you’re actually paying more for less when you sign the cheque for that amount. Power remains the same as regular editions, so the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder motor produces 316bhp and 400Nm of torque. But it loses a few choice items from the spec sheet - air conditioning, for starters, plus the infotainment system and sound deadening material that’s taken out of the roof lining, rear hatch, front bumper and dashboard.

Factor in new 20-inch forged BBS wheels, which shave 2.5kg off each corner, and you end up with a net saving of 47kg compared with a Type R GT. That’s enough of a diet for the adaptive dampers and power steering to have required recalibration.

To round it all off, you get a natty bespoke yellow paint scheme that shows every one of the Civic’s considerable number of bodywork creases, and, more usefully, Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tyres that promise to be a little bit more tacky than the standard car’s Continentals.

We’ve only been able to try the Type R Limited Edition around the twisty Great Tew circuit near Chipping Norton. But some back-to-back comparison allows us to tell you that those who are eagerly awaiting their Type R Limited Edition are right to feel impatient.

The latest updates to all Civic Type Rs bring benefits on the circuit; the steering is beautifully weighted and impressively direct, the ride and body control are brilliantly judged for a smooth circuit and there’s really not that much interference under hard acceleration. The gearshift is the best of any hot hatch, helped further by a newly added counterweight and a teardrop gear knob. All told, the Civic is an easy car to drive quickly and a really rewarding one to thrash.

But if anything, it’s the combination of the new brakes (which are shared with regular facelifted Type Rs), the lighter kerbweight and the sticky rubber that’ll grab your attention. You can really hold on to speed for longer in braking zones, counting on the extra stopping power to pull you forward in your seat belts as you explore the excellent feel through the middle pedal. It’s huge fun and definitely a notch on from a regular Type R - although we’ll have to reserve judgement on how it translates to on-road behaviour.

There’s very little inside to remind you that you’ve spent extra cash on your Civic - beyond the absence of air-con and a blank space where the infotainment screen should be. But you at least get a numbered plaque - and unlike in the even more hardcore (and considerably more expensive) Renault Megane RS Trophy-R, you can seat more than two people in the cabin.

Model:	Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition
Price:	£39,995
Engine:	2.0-litre 4cyl turbo petrol
Power/torque:	316bhp/400Nm
Transmission:	Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
0-62mph:	5.7 seconds
Top speed:	169mph
Economy:	33.6 (est, WLTP)
CO2:	191g/km (est, WLTP)
On sale:	Sold out

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New heavy-duty Ford Transit 5.0-tonne revealed

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Ford has expanded the Transit range with this: the 5.0-tonne. Ford says it’s the most capable model in its commercial vehicle range, which offers competition for the MAN TGE and the largest Mercedes Sprinter. It’ll go on sale this November, with first deliveries expected to arrive before the end of the year.

Like its name suggests, the Ford Transit 5.0-tonne has a gross vehicle weight of 5,000kg. It can support a maximum payload of 2,383kg, which is 300kg more than the standard van. Ford also says the new model lends itself particularly well to conversions, such as tippers, police vans, ambulances and 19-seat minibuses.

SEE MORE Best big panel vans 2020

To cope with the extra carrying capacity, Ford has beefed up the Transit’s mechanicals, adding uprated rear brakes, stronger hub assemblies, heavy-duty ancillaries and wider wheels and tyres. The van’s upper body has also been reinforced, to provide better support for greater cargo weights.

There’s also an uprated rear axle and differential, which was lifted from the North American Transit and is rated for 3,500kg. This is paired with a stronger front axle, which offers an extra 225kg-worth of carrying capacity over the standard van alone.

Ford only offers one engine on the Transit 5.0-tonne. It’s a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel unit which has an output of 168bhp and, more importantly, 390Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, although buyers can have a ten-speed automatic gearbox as an optional extra.

When paired with the automatic gearbox, the engine offers a claimed WLTP fuel economy figure of 24.3mpg, while emissions figures stand at 305g/km of CO2. Buyers should also bear in mind that, due to the size and weight of the Transit 5.0-tonne, they’ll have to sit an additional driving test before they can legally drive the van on UK roads.

Now read our run-down of the best large panel vans on sale now…

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New Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition 2020 review - pictures

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Pictures of the new Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition 2020

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New heavy-duty Ford Transit 5.0-tonne revealed - pictures

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Pictures of the new heavy-duty Ford Transit 5.0-tonne

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BMW 3 Series Touring review - pictures

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Pictures of the BMW 3 series Touring in UK - 2019

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Crash for cash: Insurance fraud set to rise, experts warn

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Crash for cash scams and other insurance fraud schemes are likely to become more common as people look for easy money in the face of the current economic climate, experts have warned.

Fraudulent insurance claims increased 17 per cent in the wake of the 2008 recession - and the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) fears the economic impact caused by Covid-19 could cause a similar spike. Last year, there was a five per cent rise in fraudulent claims.

SEE MORE Spike in road accidents during 10-minute evening period

One form of insurance fraud that the public is being warned to look out for is crash for cash. This is where a fraudster drives dangerously - typically slamming on the brakes in front of another car - to intentionally cause a collision and then claim for compensation.

One in ten road traffic collisions are linked to a suspected crash for cash scheme, which can leave innocent motorists injured and out of pocket, in many cases losing their no claims bonuses. The IFB also warns that drivers who haven’t been driving as much as normal due to Covid-19 restrictions may be at additional risk if their road skills are somewhat rusty.

An insurance scam of some form takes place every minute in the UK, costing consumers more than £3billion per year. To help combat this, the IFB, the Association of British Insurers and City of London Police Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department are launching a Stop the Scams advertising campaign, which will see animated scam warnings rolled out across social media.

Ben Fletcher, director of the IFB, said: “With Covid-19 causing so many people to lose out financially, it sadly means there are more opportunities for insurance scammers to exploit the vulnerable. These fraudsters don’t care who suffers - from the elderly to key workers, we’ve seen them get targeted.”

Detective Superintendent Peter Ratcliffe, head of the City of London Police’s Economic Crime Funded Units, added: “Fraudsters will use any opportunity to try and steal money from the public, including the exploitation of tragic events such as the current worldwide Covid-19 pandemic.”

Click here for information on how to beat insurance fraud scams....

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New BMW X2 M Mesh Edition SUV revealed

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BMW has expanded the X2 SUV line-up with this – the M Mesh Edition. Based on the range-topping M Sport X variant, it outfits the firm’s small sporty crossover with a unique paint scheme, a reupholstered interior and few exterior trim tweaks. It’ll go on sale in the UK in spring next year, although prices are yet to be confirmed.

The body of the BMW X2 M Mesh Edition is finished in Brooklyn Grey metallic paint, and the cladding on the crossover’s side skirts, doors and wheel arches use a unique Frozen Black-Brown metallic paint. The orange decals are optional, but if they take your fancy, BMW will fit them at no additional cost.

SEE MORE Best small SUVs and crossovers on sale 2020

Other tweaks over the standard X2 include a new mesh radiator grille, black window surrounds, black chrome exhaust tips and a set of unique aerodynamic alloy wheels, in either 19-inch or 20-inch diameters, with inserts to match the car’s orange decals.

Buyers can also choose to tone down the Mesh Edition’s colour scheme by opting for one of BMW’s more subdued paint finishes – such as Alpine White or Phytonic Blue. If Sunset Orange paint is selected, the decals and wheel trims are swapped for black replacements.

Inside, buyers get some new aluminium trim for the dashboard, unique treadplates, BMW branded puddle lighting and a pair of M Sport seats trimmed in exclusive Mocha Brown leather and Alcantara upholstery. There’s a set of new floor mats, too, with piping to match the car’s orange decals.

Buyers can also choose from a couple of optional extras, such as adaptive LED headlights and a panoramic sunroof. There’s a few technology options to choose from as well, including either a 8.8-inch or 10.25-inch touchscreen, a larger 5.7-inch display for the gauge cluster and a head-up display.

The Mesh Edition is available with all of the X2’s engines but the 302bhp 2.0-litre unit fitted to the X2 M35i. So buyers can choose from two petrol engines, three diesel units and a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

The petrol range opens with the sDrive18i, which is powered by a 134bhp turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder unit. Above that sits the sDrive20i, which features a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, with an output of 176bhp and 280Nm of torque. The latter option can also be optionally specced with four-wheel-drive

The diesel range is based around the same turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit in varying states of tune. The entry-level sDrive18d produces 148bhp and 350Nm of torque; the sDrive20d has 187bhp and 400Nm of torque and the range-topping xDrive25d generates 228bhp and 450Nm of torque.

Buyers can also opt for the xDrive25e. The system features a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, a compact electric motor and a 10kWh battery pack, for a combined output of 217bhp with 365Nm of torque. With a full charge, BMW says the powertrain will deliver up to 148.6mpg and cover around 35 miles on electric power alone.

Click here to read our in-depth review of the BMW X2 SUV...

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New BMW X2 M Mesh Edition SUV revealed - pictures

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Pictures of the new BMW X2 M Mesh Edition

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“I’m all for going green, but not if it pushes me into the red”

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I know every car maker under the sun is falling over itself to develop electric cars at the moment, but I can’t see EVs gaining mass acceptance until the Government dips its hands into its pockets and makes them more affordable.

Why? Well, the answer is in black and white on our best car leasing deals page. We happily tell you that the Skoda Citigo e iV – a pure-electric car – is one of the best cars you could buy for less than £10 a day. And it is.

SEE MORE Best electric cars to buy 2020

Trouble is, just below is another rightly recommended small car, the petrol-engined Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 SE SE Premium – and it will cost you just £4.61 a day. If you’re like me and work out your finances on a monthly basis, the maths says that the Corsa is almost £100 a month less. Plus, it’s a bigger and well specified car, with a very decent average economy of 53.6mpg.

To my mind, what that shows is that buying a small electric car makes no sense for the very people for whom it should make the most sense: people living in urban or suburban areas, with low annual mileages, who mostly use their car for pottering about.

Unless you have deep pockets, £100 each and every month is a significant sum of money. And, yes, I know that electric cars are cheaper to run and all that, but you’ve got to go a long way to make up that £100 deficit – especially when the alternative is pretty economical.

To cut a long story short, I’m all for going green, but not if it pushes me into the red. And that was why, when I looked at getting a new car, an electric car was out of the question on my family’s budget. In the end, we went for a lovely five-door hatch – with a petrol engine. Not even a plug-in or mild hybrid.

For now, EVs aren’t going to get much cheaper, so the only way to bridge that £100 gap every month is to give buyers some major incentive to make them financially attractive. I love driving electric cars, I appreciate that they put out less pollution, and I know they’re the future. But, most people in this country buy with their wallets, not their consciences.

So, come on, Boris, I know it’s not easy when you’re faced with a pandemic, but if you want EVs to be the present, you need to make the sums add up for people who might be considering buying one.

Click here for our list of the best car leasing deals available right now...

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Tuesday, September 29, 2020

New DVLA service lets you order replacement logbooks online

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A new online service from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has slashed the time it takes to order and receive a replacement V5C logbook from six weeks to just five days.

The DVLA receives roughly half a million requests for replacement logbooks due to loss or damage, and the postal system that was previously the only option (but continues to be offered) requires drivers to post in a V62 request form, together with payment of £25, and then wait a month and a half for a new V5C to be delivered to them.

SEE MORE Buying a used car: your complete guide

The new online option slashes that wait time significantly, and while the cost remains the same, online payment methods mean drivers no longer need to find their chequebook, or buy a postal order. Those wishing to order a replacement V5C should visit the DVLA’s website to access the service.

The DVLA has been experiencing significant delays due to staff working from home and other difficulties brought about by coronavirus, while some of its postal-only systems are at odds with digital services that allow drivers to renew their VED road tax online, or gives private parking companies access to driver details so tickets can be issued.

The online replacement V5C option is part of a series of modernisations and improvements being made by the DVLA, and is the second such system to be launched by the organisation lately. Back in June, the DVLA allowed drivers to change the address on their logbook electronically, rather than having to go through the rigmarole of posting in hard-copy documents.

The DVLA’s chief executive, Julie Lennard, said: “DVLA’s new online service to apply for a duplicate log book is quick and easy to use and means customers who have unfortunately either lost or damaged theirs will receive their new document within a matter of days.

“We know how important a log book is to motorists so if you have lost or damaged yours, the quickest way to get your duplicate document is go to GOV.UK.

Click here for more info on how to transfer car ownership...

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New sporty Hyundai i20 N Line revealed for 2020

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Hyundai has broadened the appeal of the all-new i20 by adding a sporty new N-Line model to the line-up, intended to rival the likes of the Ford Fiesta ST-Line and Peugeot 208 GT.

The new Hyundai i20 N-Line gets a range of performance-inspired add-ons and goes on sale in the UK at the beginning of next year.

SEE MORE New 2021 Hyundai i20 N spied tearing around the Nurburgring

On the outside, N-Line models get a more aggressive looking front bumper, with grey detailing and a black grille designed to look like a chequered flag. There’s a new sporty rear bumper that houses a triangular fog lamp, while twin exhaust tips mark it out from the rest of the i20 range.

Inside, Hyundai has added N-Line sports seats, while red stitching can be found on the steering wheel and seats. Metal trimmed foot pedals and a leather trimmed gearstick and gaiter have also been introduced.

i20 N-Line buyers are offered two engines. The first is an entry-level four-cylinder 84bhp 1.2-litre MPI petrol engine, while 99bhp or 119bhp versions of the new turbocharged three-cylinder 1.0-litre t-GDI are also on offer. Both of the higher-powered engines come with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, as well as the option of Hyundai’s new Intelligent Manual Transmission clutch-by-wire system.

As standard all N-Line models get 17-inch alloys, a digital instrument display and a range of Hyundai’s SmartSense safety and driver assistance systems. A five-year unlimited mileage warranty is also standard.

Looking to 2021, the new i20 N-Line will be joined by a proper hot-supermini in the form of the full fat i20 N, currently in development by the brand’s performance division. Up to 200bhp is expected alongside serious chassis revisions, with a price tag to rival the Ford Fiesta ST when it goes on sale.

What are the best superminis on sale right now? Click here for our top 10...

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New sporty Hyundai i20 N Line revealed for 2020 - pictures

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Pictures of the new Hyundai i20 N Line

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New Audi A3 40 TFSI e PHEV revealed with 41-mile electric range

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Audi has confirmed details for a new plug-in hybrid variant of the A3 Sportback. Orders for the new model open this week, with prices starting from £33,060.

The new Audi A3 40 TFSI e shares its powertrain with plug-in hybrid versions of the new Volkswagen Golf and Skoda Superb; the 1.4-litre petrol engine works alongside an electric motor to produce a total output of 201bhp which, S3 aside, makes it the most powerful powertrain option in the current A3 line-up.

SEE MORE Best plug-in hybrids 2020

The petrol and electric units produce maximum torque figures of 250Nm and 330Nm respectively, though both produce their peaks at different points, resulting in a total combined output of 350Nm. Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox.

The A3 40 TFSI e accelerates from 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds - 0.8 seconds quicker than the 148bhp A3 35 TFSI petrol auto.

A 13kWh battery pack promises a range of approximately 41 miles between charges. CO2 emissions are rated at 31g/km, while it achieves 282.5mpg on the WLTP testing cycle - though this will vary based on the type of journeys undertaken.

The car starts in electric mode by default, and the driver can choose to run in an electric-only mode, at which point the 107bhp motor can take the A3 up to a zero emission 87mph top speed. A regular hybrid mode allows the car to figure out what it deems to be the most efficient use of petrol and electric energy, while a hold function keeps a certain level of charge in the battery - ideal for saving some battery life for a low emission zone later in the journey.

Much of the braking force in everyday driving is taken care of by motor regeneration. Instead of grabbing the regular brake calipers, any deceleration of up to 0.3 g uses the motor to send up to 40kW of energy back into the battery to prolong range.

When parked, the battery can be charged through a Type 2 connection. From empty to full, the process takes four hours, and drivers using the myAudi app can schedule the charge time to make the most of cheaper electricity tariffs.

The need to accommodate a fuel tank and the hybrid tech has compromised practicality; boot space drops from the standard A3’s 380-litre volume to 280 litres. With the rear seats folded, this figure rises to 1,100 litres.

The A3 Sportback 40 TFSI e will be offered in two trim levels. Sport models get 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights (matrix LED units are optional) dual-zone climate control, leather seats, and safety systems like autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, turn assist and swerve assist.

S-Line models get 18-inch alloy wheels, but due to the fact that these increase the CO2 emissions slightly, Audi offers smaller 17-inch items as a no-cost option. Other additions include LED rear lights with scrolling indicators, privacy glass, front sport seats with contrast stitching, and different interior trims.

Click here to read our review of the new Audi S3 Sportback...

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