Thursday, August 3, 2017

BMW, Mercedes and VW agree on emissions software update for 5.3m cars

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Emissions tests questioned

The move agreed with German authorities includes an incentive scheme for owners to trade in their old car for a new, less polluting vehicle

2017-08-03 09:45

A trio of German car makers have agreed to issue a software update on 5.3 million diesel cars to cut pollution levels by nearly a third. 

BMW, Volkswagen and Daimler – the latter the parent company of Mercedes – reached an agreement with German authorities to update 5.3million cars with Euro5 and 6 diesel engines with a software tweak that will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 25 to 30 per cent. No customer will be charged for the update. 

Of the 5.3 million cars, 3.8 million come from VW  – of which 2.5 million have already been upgraded as part of the emissions scandal. A further 900,000 Daimler vehicles will be involved, and 300,000 vehicles from BMW.

The carmakers also agreed to set up an incentive scheme, where drivers of older, more polluting models would be able to trade vehicles in exchange for a new, low-emissions vehicle

Mercedes announces £195m technical fix for 3 million vehicles

The move follows similar announcements made by Mercedes, Audi, Porsche and VW. Last month, both companies announced they would issue a voluntary software update on cars sold in Europe to improve their NOx emissions under real world driving. Mercedes issued a £195m technical fix on three million cars in Europe, while Audi, Porsche and VW said their update would apply to 850,000 cars with the VW Group's V6 and V8 diesel engines. 

BMW is offering owners across Europe an “environmental bonus of up to €2,000,” for owners of Euro 4 or older diesels who trade in their car and purchase a new BMW or MINI. According to BMW, the new car has to be either a BMW or MINI fitted with Euro6 engine or electric and hybrid technology.

Audi, Porsche and VW issue voluntary retrofit for V6 and V8 diesels

Harald Krueger, chairman of the board of management at BMW said: "The meeting [between BMW and German authorities] was an important step. We support the initiative and are investing in the Sustainable Urban Mobility fund. State-of-the art diesels will definitely play an important role in future mobility, as well." 

Find out the full story on the VW emissions scandal here...

Martin Saarinen

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Wednesday, August 2, 2017

New Porsche Cayenne prototype review

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Porsche Cayenne prototype - front
2 Aug, 2017 11:00pm Thomas Geiger

A few weeks ahead of the new Porsche Cayenne’s world premier, we joined the engineers for an early drive

When Porsche launched the first generation Cayenne in 2002, the company made a bold step away from the core of its brand – an SUV is not a move you’d have expected from one of the finest sports car manufacturers around. But 15 years and more than half a million sales later thanks to China and the US the Porsche brand has changed completely.

The Macan and Cayenne are Porsche’s big players, so it wouldn’t be crazy to think of Porsche as an SUV-manufacturer that builds a few sports cars. But when the third generation Cayenne is launched next month at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Porsche will take a step closer to its core values once again. At least that’s what the engineers are saying as we join them on the final stage of the Cayenne's development programme in Barcelona to get an early taste of the new SUV. 

To make it feel more Porsche than ever there’s a lot of talk between engineers about firmer suspension, more precise steering, a more dynamic behaviour in tight corners and more powerful engines. 

As within the previous generations Porsche is building the Cayenne on the same architecture as the Audi Q7 and the forthcoming Volkswagen Touareg. “But we did a lot of work so that the customer can’t feel that,” Peter Hass, the group leader for vehicle testing of Cayenne, told Auto Express during test drive.

To give the Cayenne a unique setup engineers not only changed the software of the steering and suspension, but also some of the hardware including the axles and the four-wheel drive system. The wheelbase is also around 100m shorter than the Q7, but overall the new Cayenne is longer than the car it replaces.

While the structure is Q7, the engines will be familiar from the new Panamera; the only difference being that they are mated with an eight-speed automatic rather than a double clutch-system to ensure an even more comfortable gearshift, better off road-performance and a smoother start while towing.

All engines will deliver more power and provide better efficiency than in the outgoing model. In the initial batch of cars, Porsche will fit the entry-level Cayenne with a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 developing 335bhp, while a 2.9-litre twin-turbo with 434bhp in the Cayenne S and a mighty 4.0-litre V8 with its 540bhp in the Cayenne Turbo sit above it – so no diesels initially. And you don’t need much imagination to image a Cayenne GTS, a Turbo S and a plug-in-hybrid further down the road.

Despite no diesels from launch, the oil-burner is still on the engineers list; the biggest markets for the Cayenne are China and the USA and both are pure petrol markets so the diesels will arrive a little later. 

Even before we switch places with the engineers and get behind the wheel for a short moment, you can easily recognize the benefit of the new platform, the loss of about 70kg and kerb weight just below two tons for the entry model due to more aluminium and lightweight materials.

The new three-chamber air-suspension now gives more variety for the three different drive modes and while Comfort feels more resolved on high-speed highway-driving, the car feels more agile and responsive in the Sport and Sport+ mode than before - especially when you swing along a curvy country road at higher speed; it feels more balanced and doesn’t lean excessively into corners. It’s no 911 or even a Macan, but it feels more Porsche than before.

The cabin also looks pretty familiar when you lift the camouflage for an instant. You will see the same instruments with the two big screens left and right of the prominent analogue rev-meter in the centre, while the enormous touch sensitive centre from the Panamera also features. It feels clean, modern and a huge improvement over the outgoing Cayenne, with less buttons and switches, more gloss and glamour and an up to date infotainment system.

After half a day with the development team and their prototypes the new Cayenne is no secret to us anymore. We have learned how the team has injected a lot of trademark Porsche-genes into the Audi-platform and have seen how the excellent Panamera influences the interior design and on-board technology. 

The only detail that is still hidden is the final shape of the third generation SUV. Despite the car being disguised there won’t be many surprises; the proportions and dimensions haven’t changed all that much - the car is only a tiny few millimetres wider, 10mm lower and 50mm longer than before. And most significantly, the Cayenne is way too important for Porsche to risk making huge changes, as one engineer put it: “You don’t start a revolution on one of your most important cars.“ 

In its third attempt, Porsche is finally getting it right with the Cayenne. Even from this brief taste the SUV has been moved on significantly over previous generations with better tech and a more dynamic drive. With unique engines over Audi and VW, plus a set-up more agile than the BMW X5, it feel like Porsche is focusing on the driver and engagement behind the wheel more than ever.


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SEAT Born name for new pure-electric car

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SEAT badge

Trademark applications suggest new SEAT Born name for the brand's bespoke electric car, which is due to arrive in 2020

2017-08-02 16:20

SEAT has lodged trademark applications which suggest that its bespoke electric car could be called the SEAT Born, Born-E or E-Born when it arrives in 2020.

The Spanish brand is said to be preparing at least two pure-electric vehicles - and the first of these, due in 2019, is expected to be a version of the e-Mii city car that is currently undergoing small-fleet trials at a Barcelona technology lab.

Best electric cars on sale right now

However, last week the firm applied to register three names based on Born - one of the trendiest areas of Barcelona, and an ideal environment for an electric vehicle. SEAT sources have denied any knowledge of the proposed name but Auto Express understands that Born, Born-E and E-Born - all applied for amid a flurry of registrations for SEAT’s public poll for a name for its larger SUV - are under consideration as possible badges for the company’s bespoke electric car, based on the VW Group’s MEB electric vehicle architecture. 

The choice of an urban district - instead of an entire city - would also be a break from SEAT’s traditional naming methods, drawing a dividing line between its MEB-based products and its conventionally powered models. Two of the proposed registrations also feature ‘E’ as a prefix and suffix - a clear sign that the project connected with the name is likely to feature electrification. 

The car in question is unlikely to reach showrooms until 2021 or even 2022, because SEAT is expected to be the last of the VW Group’s four main brands to launch a car on the MEB platform. VW is expected to lead the way, with the production version of the I.D. concept, although Audi’s first MEB offering would follow soon after. It’s understood that Skoda could then be given the nod ahead of SEAT, because of the Czech manufacturer’s presence in the EV-focused Chinese market.

Would you buy an all-electric SEAT? Let us know in the comments section below...

John McIlroy

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Used MINI Roadster review

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Used MINI Roadster - front
2 Aug, 2017 4:00pm

A full used buyer’s guide on the MINI Roadster covering the MINI Roadster Mk1 (2012-2015)

BMW has never been afraid to think big when it comes to the MINI, which is why when it introduced the Mk2 hatch in 2007 it was just the start of an ever-expanding range that would also include the two-seat Roadster and Coupe.

The Roadster was intended to be more sporting than the regular MINI Convertible, featuring a stiffer bodyshell and the brand’s more powerful engines, with the entry-level model being the Cooper. By offering strictly two seats only, boot space was improved – and hence so was usability. The car was only ever going to be a niche product, but if you don’t need four seats it could be just the job if you’re looking for stylish, open-top thrills this summer. 

Models covered 

  • • MINI Roadster (2012-2015) - Two-seater baby Brit scores on fun. What’s it like used?

MINI Roadster

History

The Roadster’s timeline is straightforward, as once the model had been launched in the UK in spring 2012, there was no development of it until its demise in 2015. From the outset there was a four-strong line-up with the cheapest model (priced at £18,015) being the 122bhp Cooper. Above this was the 184bhp Cooper S, while at the top of the range was the £24,850 211bhp John Cooper Works.

All of these were powered by a 1,598cc petrol engine, but diesel fans could buy a Cooper SD Roadster, with a 143bhp 2.0-litre engine. Each derivative featured a six-speed manual gearbox with a six-speed auto optional; the latter has a big impact on fuel economy, and thus CO2 emissions.

MINI Roadster reviews

MINI Roadster in-depth review
MINI Roadster JCW in-depth review
MINI Roadster long-term test review

Which one should I buy?

Whether to buy petrol or diesel is your first decision; don’t dismiss the Cooper SD too lightly, though; it has a terrific engine and you might get a better deal with diesel starting to fall out of favour. Both the manual and automatic transmissions are excellent, although the latter is quite rare.

If you want a petrol edition the John Cooper Works is the most costly, and as it’s especially driver-focused you might find it hard work on an everyday basis. The Cooper might feel rather anaemic, which is why the much more zesty Cooper S offers the best balance of usability, costs and performance. Most MINIs come with an option pack or two, so pin down the exact spec of any potential purchase. 

Alternatives to the MINI Roadster

The MINI Roadster was pitched squarely against the Mazda MX-5 – a fearsome rival, as it’s so talented and affordable in terms of purchase and running costs, as well as reliability. The MX-5 is desirable because it’s so usable, plentiful and brilliant to drive. 

Another pair of key rivals that are more costly and arguably more sporting thanks to being rear-wheel drive (the MINI is front-wheel drive) are the BMW Z4 and Mercedes SLK. Pitched at a higher level than the MINI, these cars will cost you more to buy, as will the Audi TT Roadster – another very capable and desirable drop-top with its powerful petrol and diesel engines, classy cabin and top-notch build quality. 

What to look for:

Sound quality

If you’re looking at a MINI with an upgraded sound system, check that the speakers are working properly; sometimes they don’t.

Suspension

The run-flat tyres combined with the stiffer suspension of the Roadster may well mean that some owners will find the ride a bit too harsh.

Convertibles

Where the Convertible has a multi-layer roof, the Roadster gets a single-layer item, so refinement  isn’t quite as good. 

Storage space

The Roadster is strictly a two-seater; there isn’t any space in the back for luggage. But that’s because boot space is expanded.

Interior

The Roadster’s cabin will be familiar to any MINI owner, with supportive seats, good build quality and a bit of an over-designed feel. The 240-litre boot might not sound very promising, but it’s bigger than the 125 litres of the Convertible, and a ski hatch allows you to carry longer loads.

Running costs

All MINI Roadsters have variable servicing, allowing up to two years or 16,000-20,000 miles between check-ups. The service schedule alternates between minor and major at £230 and £390 respectively, or £185 and £285 once a Roadster reaches its fourth birthday.

Fresh brake fluid is required every two years (at £50), while the air-con is checked every service; recharging it costs around £80. There’s no cambelt to replace, which cuts bills. Most MINIs are sold with a TLC all-inclusive servicing package which lasts three years or 36,000 miles (previously five years or 50,000 miles); this can be topped up by three years or 30,000 miles for £299.

Recalls

MINI has a good record when it comes to recalls. Since the Mk2 car was introduced in 2007, the BMW sub-brand has called its cars back just once.

That came in August 2013, affecting 19,168 examples of the Countryman and Paceman fitted with the N47T 2.0-litre diesel engine. Moisture could get into the wiring connector for the electric power-steering. MINIs built between August 2010 and March 2013 were caught up in the campaign, but the Roadster wasn’t affected. 

Driver Power owner satisfaction

The Roadster hasn’t been rated on its own in our Driver Power survey, but the regular car graced the poll in 2014, coming 142nd; in 2016 it finished one place higher. The last time the Mk2 made the top 100 was in 2011, when it scored 55th. The year before it came 49th, while in 2009 it managed 40th.

The Roadster is every inch a MINI in that it has the unmistakable cute looks, slightly over-designed interior, excellent build quality and classic fun driving experience. However, while most MINI owners enjoy good levels of refinement, you don’t get these with the Roadster. If you do a lot of motorway journeys you might find it all gets rather tiring. Compared with any of the other MINI derivatives (some John Cooper Works editions excepted), the Roadster feels quite hardcore in terms of comfort and noise levels. You should try before buying, but there’s a good chance you’ll be hooked.


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BP to install electric car charging stations

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Volvo XC90 T8 - charging

Oil giant says its in talks with electric car manufacturers over installing charging points across its network

2017-08-02 14:55

BP is set to install electric car charging stations across its UK petrol station empire in the future, according to the company’s chief executive Bob Dudley.

Speaking to Reuters, Dudley said the company is in talks with car manufacturers on installing electric car charging points across BP fuel stations. The company has over 3,100 fuel retail sites in the UK. “We have discussions going on with a lot of the EV manufacturers to have a tie-up with our retail network for charging,” said Dudley.

Best electric cars

The news comes just a week after the UK Government announced it would ban the sale of conventional petrol and diesel cars by 2040, placing an onus on the charging infrastructure to grow rapidly to meet growing uptake of electric vehicles.

A previous investigation by Auto Express found that the UK’s public charging infrastructure is struggling to keep up with electric vehicle purchases. In this year’s Queen’s Speech, it was announced that major fuel retailers across the motorway network will be required to install charging points in the future.

• Motorway services and major fuel sites to have electric charging points

But BP isn’t the only fuel retailer eyeing electric charging. Shell, a main rival to BP, has committed to similar plans. Shell is aiming to open 10 charging stations at its fuel retailers across the UK this year, with more to follow in the future.

Would you buy an electric car if it could be charged at your local petrol station? Tell us in the comments below... 

Martin Saarinen

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‘The Phantom has been a success, so why change a winning formula?’

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Rolls Royce Phantom

Carmakers won’t abandon popular designs even if new models are anti-climactic, argues Graham Hope

2017-08-02 14:00

One of the great privileges about this job is the opportunity to see new cars – or pictures of new cars – before they are presented to the wider world. The anticipation is always tangible as we open the images on our laptops and cast our eyes over the first official shots of an all-new model.

We had one of those moments this week, as the team huddled around a computer to check out the new Rolls-Royce Phantom. And the reaction as that first image opened up before our eyes? “Oh.”

Best luxury cars 2017

Because, let’s be honest here, it looks rather a lot like the last one, doesn’t it? It’s not the first time this has happened recently; the BMW 5 Series and Audi Q5 didn’t exactly reinvent the wheel, either.

Explaining Rolls-Royce’s position, designer Alex Innes admitted: “It’s similar to the old car in terms of lineage. We wanted the new car to be unmistakably ‘Phantom’ but modernise it.”

And you know what? I get that. The Phantom has been a big success for Rolls, so why mess with a winning formula? In many ways, creating a car that needs so little done to it in terms of a design update is mission accomplished for car companies. Customers will buy it regardless of how it looks (and what this impoverished commentator thinks).

So the rationale is understandable, and I acknowledge the Phantom is everything you expect a Rolls to be. But as car fans above all else, there’s always that little sense of anti-climax here in the Auto Express office when companies prove so restrained in updating their new models.  

On a slightly separate theme, and again speaking as a petrolhead, I was rather bemused at some of the hysterical headlines in the mainstream press that accompanied last week’s announcement of a petrol and diesel ‘ban’ in the United Kingdom by 2040. We bring you the real story here.

Do you disagree with Graham? Let us know in the comments section below.

Graham Hope

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Mercedes-AMG E 63 S vs Audi RS7 Performance

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The wild Mercedes-AMG E 63 S meets the Audi RS7 in a mega 600bhp 4WD saloon fight

2017-08-02 11:15

Performance saloons have taken yet another step towards supercar territory, and it’s the new Mercedes-AMG E 63 S that’s arrived looking to upset the apple cart. This twin-turbo V8 four-door has more power than a Lamborghini Huracan, highlighting just how much potential Mercedes and rival Audi are packing into their family cars these days.

To harness all that force, the new E 63 S is now four-wheel drive. This is a controversial step for some, but it’s in an attempt to maximise acceleration and security, allowing the driver to access more of that power more of the time.

Best performance cars on sale

One consequence of this move is that the AMG now falls in the firing line of one of the best high-performance four-wheel-drive cars on sale: the Audi RS7 Performance. It, too, boasts a turbo V8 with nearly 600bhp and all-wheel drive, but with enough comfort, space and tech to make any journey easy. Which will be victorious in our battle of ultra-fast family cars? 

Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 

Model: Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4Matic+
Price: £88,490
Engine:  4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, 604bhp 
 0-60mph:  3.3 seconds 
Test economy:  20.7mpg/4.6mpl  
CO2:  207g/km  
Annual road tax:  £450

Mercedes’ in-house tuning division AMG is known for packing an incredible level of power into its saloon car bodies, and the latest E 63 pushes boundaries further than the brand has before. Here we test the more potent £88,490 E63 S model.

On the road is where the E 63 really asserts its authority. The 604bhp twin-turbo V8 is ferocious and, thanks to launch control and four-wheel drive, it hurled the E 63 from 0-60mph in just 3.3 seconds on test. Not bad for a near-two-tonne saloon.

With 850Nm of torque on overboost (100Nm more than the Audi) from as low as 2,500rpm, in-gear performance was colossal, too. The E 63 was 3.1 seconds faster from 50 to 70mph in eighth, while it held an advantage pretty much everywhere over the RS7. Its sharper nine-speed dual-clutch transmission ripped through the gears from 30 to 70mph in just 1.8 seconds, 1.9 seconds faster than
the Audi. The gearbox is also more responsive in manual mode, rifling up the ratios quicker than the Audi and downshifting with less hesitation.

With the £1,000 performance exhaust, the E 63 is more vocal than the RS7. It’s also more hardcore on the move. The Mercedes is stiff; even with the three-stage adaptive dampers in the softest setting the body is controlled more tightly than the Audi’s. The air suspension has been tuned by AMG for better body control and the tauter chassis relays more movement through to the cabin, its fat 20-inch wheels thumping over creases in the road.

While the RS7 is softer and more supple, this means it’s nowhere near as capable in corners. The E 63’s steering is lighter and communicates in more detail what’s going on with the front wheels, which gives you confidence to push. Active engine mounts improve agility, but it’s not all about flat-out performance. It’s as much about fun, and while the E 63 isn’t quite as comfortable, the Drift mode – which turns the car into a rear-drive saloon – means you can easily indulge in some traditional AMG behaviour and unlock the chassis’s balance. 

Testers’ notes: “E 63 owners get a free driver training package so they can safely learn to explore the car’s limits. With 604bhp and rear-wheel-drive-only potential, it’s a worthwhile exercise.” 

Audi RS7 Performance 

Model: Audi RS7 Sportback Performance
Price: £94,185
Engine:  4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, 597bhp
 0-60mph:  3.9 seconds 
Test economy:  18.4mpg/4.1mpl
CO2:  221g/km
Annual road tax:  £450

Audi boosted the RS7’s appeal halfway through the model’s lifecycle by adding this £94,185 Performance version. This increased the power to 597bhp, meaning it can compete with Mercedes’ E 63 S on paper, but is this enough to challenge the AMG for supremacy on the road?

With 100Nm less torque and no race-start function due to the conventional eight-speed automatic gearbox, the RS7 covered 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds – still quick, but some way behind the E 63. The transmission also showed its downside going through the gears between 30 and 70mph, where it trailed the Mercedes by 1.9 seconds.

However, it is genuinely smooth in auto mode, which makes the RS7 easy to live with. The chassis set-up is softer, too, and even on large 21-inch wheels the Audi rolls over bumps where the Mercedes tends to get upset. It’s still no super-smooth cruiser, but it offers more long-distance comfort than the E 63.

Turn on to some country lanes and it’s clear the Audi is outclassed. The engine revs with a bassy rumble through its sports exhaust, popping and banging on downshifts, but the throttle response is snatchy in Dynamic mode and the gearbox jerks going up and down the ratios in manual as if it’s right on the limit of what it can handle.

The steering is more corrupted by the presence of a pair of driveshafts at the front, too. There’s little feel and it’s more resistant to your inputs, and although there’s plenty of traction, the RS7’s chassis feels heavy and lethargic compared with the more agile AMG’s. Even in the firmest damper setting, it struggles to contain its mass and isn’t as adjustable as the E 63. It also pitches more violently under hard acceleration and braking. Ultimately, it doesn’t have the control or composure of the AMG, nor the bombastic engine. It’s still fairly fun and ridiculously fast, but the AMG shows the pace of progress.

Testers’ notes: “Both the RS7 and E 63 place their turbos inside the cylinder block’s V for improved throttle response. The Mercedes engine is the sweeter and offers unbelievable urge.” 

Verdict 

First place: Mercedes-AMG E 63 S

The E 63 S is a stunning supersaloon. It’s not lost much of its character in the move to 4WD, while drift mode adds a dose of old-school AMG flavour. Instead, it’s even more effective most of the time, mixing huge pace and usability. It’s pricey and won’t be cheap to run, but the savings over the RS7 and the extra tech highlight just how comprehensive a package the E 63 is.

Second place: Audi RS7 Performance

There’s no denying the RS7 now feels at least a generation behind the curve. It’s not as fast nor as fun or as adjustable as the AMG, and can’t match its practicality or cutting-edge tech. The RS7 still has its merits thanks to its quality, comfort and true all-weather pace, but a high price and eye-watering running costs limit its appeal compared with the E 63. 

Is it worth waiting for this model? 

BMW M5

Due: Late 2017 
Price: £85k (est)
Engine: 4.4-litre V8, 610bhp (est)

It’s not just AMG turning to four-wheel drive. BMW’s next M5 will send power from its twin-turbo V8 to all four wheels. There’ll be a drift mode, too, along with practicality and tech that should give the E 63 a serious rival.

Figures

Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4Matic+ Audi RS7 Sportback Performance
On the road price/total as tested £88,490/£101,320 £94,185/£115,360
Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000) £49,103/55.5% £39,850/42.3%
Depreciation £39,387 £54,335
Annual tax liability std/higher rate £6,495/£12,989 £6,877/£13,754
Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles) £2,938/£4,896 £3,305/£5,508
Ins. group/quote/road tax cost 47/£1,340/£450 50/£1,534/£450
Cost of 1st/2nd/3rd service £45pm (3yrs/3 services) £376/£669/£1,213
Length/wheelbase 4,988/2,939mm 5,012/2,915mm
Height/width 1,463/1,907mm 1,419/1,911mm
Engine V8/3,982cc V8/3,993cc
Peak power/revs  604/5,750 bhp/rpm 597/6,100 bhp/rpm
Peak torque/revs  850/2,500 Nm/rpm 750/2,500 Nm/rpm
Transmission  9-spd dual-clutch/4wd 8-spd auto/4wd
Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel 66 litres/compressor 75 litres/repair kit
Boot capacity (seats up/down) 540 litres/N/A 535/1,390 litres
Kerbweight/payload 1,955/570kg 1,930/585kg
Turning circle/drag coefficient 12.5 metres/N/A 11.9 metres/N/A
Basic warranty (miles)/recovery 3yrs (unlimited)/3yrs 3yrs (60,000)/3yrs
Service intervals/UK dealers 15,500 miles (1yr)/147 Variable/118
Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos 21st/12th 18th/15th
NCAP: Adult/child/ped./assist/stars 95/90/77/62/5 (2016) 91/83/41/86/5 (A6, 2011)
0-60/30-70mph 3.3/1.8 secs 3.9/3.7 secs
30-50mph in 3rd/4th 1.6/2.6 secs 2.1/2.4 secs
50-70mph in 5th/6th/7th/8th 2.6/3.7/5.0/7.9 secs 2.8/4.0/6.1/11.0 secs
Top speed/rpm at 70mph  155mph/1,500rpm 155mph/1,700rpm
Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph  44.9/33.2/8.9m 48.4/32.2/9.1m
Noise outside/idle/30/70mph 63/56/63/69dB 68/51/59/67dB
Auto Express econ (mpg/mpl)/range 20.7/4.6/301 miles 18.4/4.1/304 miles
Govt urban/extra-urban/combined  24.1/37.2/31.0mpg 21.2/38.7/29.7mpg
Govt urban/extra-urban/combined  5.3/8.2/6.8mpl 4.7/8.5/6.5mpl
Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket 315/207g/km/37% 355/221g/km/37%
Airbags/Isofix/parking sensors/camera Seven/yes/yes/yes Six/yes/yes/£810^
Auto box/stability/cruise control/AEB Yes/yes/yes/yes Yes/yes/yes/£2,100
Climate control/leather/heated seats Yes/yes/yes Yes/yes/yes
Met paint/LED lights/keyless entry & go £645/yes/£2,595* Yes/yes/£750
Sat-nav/USB/DAB radio/Bluetooth Yes/yes/yes/yes Yes/yes/yes/yes


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