DS has announced pricing and specification details for a special launch edition of the DS 7 Crossback, the La Premiere.
Featured technology includes a semi-autonomous driving system called DS Connected Pilot which uses adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. DS Active Scan Suspension employs a camera to anticipate any irregularities in the road surface in order to optimise comfort.
Customers can choose from three paint finishes: pearlescent Pearl White, Perla Nera Black or metallic Cumulus Grey. Exterior styling is completed by 20-inch gloss-black alloy wheels.
The inside of the cabin features an exclusive BRM R180 timepiece and uses ‘Art Rubis’ burgundy as a contrasting colour. La Premiere badging appears on the dashboard and floor mats.
The La Premiere is available with a choice of two engines. The Diesel BlueHDi 180 S&S and the Petrol THP 225 S&S are both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
DS is inviting its customers to place a reservation for the La Premiere special edition until the end of the year either in showrooms or online. Pricing for both the diesel and petrol engines starts at £42,650.
The Yeti is no more – the Skoda Karoq will go on sale as the brand’s second SUV later in 2017.
The new model, which will be unveiled in Stockholm, Sweden on 18th May, is a much more typical SUV compared to the Yeti that was more distinctive in shape. It will sit alongside the larger Kodiaq, measuring 4,382mm long, 1,841mm wide and 1,605mm high, with a 2,638mm wheelbase on front-wheel-drive models (2,630 with all-wheel-drive).
A rear-seat VarioFlex system will be on offer, allowing the bootspace to vary between 479 and 588 litres. Folding the rear seats down will allow a 1,630-litre volume and they can be removed altogether to create 1,810 litres of space.
Five engine choices will be available, TSI petrol and TDI diesel units ranging in output from 115hp to 190 hp, and four of them new to Skoda. They will be matched to six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG auto transmissions and all will feature start-stop and brake energy recovery.
Digital dash
Technology upgrades include LED headlamps and the first digital instrument panel offered in a Skoda. A host of driver-assistance systems are included in the specification while infotainment options range up to Columbus and Adamson systems operated through a touchscreen, and including the Skoda Connect assistance service.
The name comes from the same tribe that inspired the title of the Kodiaq, the Alutiqs who live on the island of Kodiak off the southern coast of Alaska. In their language Kaa Raq means ‘car’ and Ruq ‘arrow’. Skoda says this naming style will be adopted for other future SUVs.
Figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that March 2017 was a record month for UK car manufacturing.With an increase of 7.3%, March saw 170,691 vehicles produced, the most manufactured in a single month since 2000.March’s strong output contributed to a record quarter for UK car manufacturing with 471,695 vehicles produced. This 7.6% increase on last year helped make it the biggest Q1 for 17 years.
The comparatively weak pound drove export demand, which was up 10.6% on the same period in 2016. British brands like Jaguar, Land Rover, Bentley and Rolls Royce continued to appeal to overseas buyers, while volume brands like Nissan, Honda and Toyota also maintained strong export outputs. More than 76% of UK manufacturers’ output for March was for a customer overseas, with one car exported every 20 seconds.
The strong export market offset a decline in domestic sales, with demand down 4.3% in Q1, despite record sales in March ahead of changes to VED rates.
Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of the SMMT, offered this assessment: “UK car manufacturing is accelerating with low emission diesels accounting for a large proportion of the market.” Hawes also issued a warning on Brexit, deeming the maintenance of free trade between the UK and EU “vital”.The output from UK car manufacturers has steadily increased.
What is it?
The Kia Picanto is the all-new third-generation version of the brand’s mass-selling city car.
Key features:
More space, more efficient, new tech.
Our view:
The Kia Picanto is improved in all areas and will remain a leading contender in the city car market.
Type of review:
First drive
City cars are a declining sector of the UK market – the creators of the third-generation Kia Picanto admit such in the press pack introduction to the car. The crossover takeover has reached the traditional small car’s patch as more buyers abandon traditional small cars for chunky, boxy machines in which they can sit higher up.
However, the market in which the Picanto competes is still huge business for Kia, its little car taking more than 60,000 of the one million annual A-segment sales. And nowhere is this more true than in the UK. British buyers, more than half of them women, account for almost a quarter of all European Picanto sales, the model regularly in the UK’s city car top five.
So there is no doubting the importance of this launch to Kia, and the recipe appears to make no radical departures, but to improve the car in all areas.
Next page:Exterior and interior design
The Car Expert has been awarded Best Automotive Blog (company division) at the UK’s largest awards event for independently-produced digital content, the UK Blog Awards.
It was the fourth year in a row that The Car Expert has made the finals of the awards, but the first time in the Company division. Previously, the site was categorised in the Individual division, and was Highly Commended at last year’s awards, as it had been a one-man show until last July.
As our regular readers will be aware, The Car Expert absorbed Car & Van News last year, and we also established a sister site for commercial vehicles, The Van Expert. The site has been reorganised, and we welcomed Andrew Charman as our news and road test editor.
It has been a huge year for us, and an enormous amount of work has been put in by the team. To win this award in our first year as a team is a great achievement. Last year the prize was won by Car Throttle, so it is an honour to follow in their wheeltracks and be chosen over a strong field of other sites.
Thank you to everyone who voted for The Car Expert to help us reach the finals every year for the last four years.
A huge thanks to Andrew Charman for his efforts since joining us, which has allowed us to add new car reviews and daily news updates to the site.
Now part of Immediate Network, we have a young team of content and social media editors who have made an important contribution to our growth. Special thanks to Jamie Munro, who did a lot of the work to integrate the Car & Van News reviews with our site, and Katharine Morgan for her news reporting since joining the team a month ago – especially during the Geneva motor show. Our new logo and all of the design improvements have been made by Immediate Network’s designer, Phil Allardice.
Finally, I would personally like to thank my wonderful partner Kate for all her support for nearly six years since The Car Expert first become an idea. She has been very patient as so many of my weekends and nights have been devoted to working on the website.
We are continuing to develop the site and add more features, and our traffic continues to grow. We have some big plans for the future, and I look forward to showing them off soon. We welcome any of your feedback and thoughts, and we will keep working hard to make The Car Expert even better.
Stuart Masson
Editor,
The Car Expert
Mazda has updated its Mazda2 hatchback and introduced two new models, the GT and GT Sport, as part of a simplified model range.
All models feature new seat fabrics and a new steering wheel, while the side indicators have moved up into the door mirrors. The windscreen is now made from noise-insulating glass, and there has been extra soundproofing material fitted under the bonnet and inside the tailgate, parcel shelf and spare wheel well. Mazda has also made minor adjustments to the front suspension and the electric power steering.
All models above the entry-level 75hp now come with a seven-inch colour touchscreen display and infotainment system. This includes satnav, DAB digital radio and cruise control. New safety equipment for all 90hp and 115hp models includes autonomous emergency braking and lane keeping systems.
The new GT and GT Sport models sit at the top of the revised Mazda2 range. Two exclusive colours, Deep Crimson Mica and Eternal Blue Mica, are available, while LED headlights and LED daytime running lights are as standard. Also included are a rear spoiler, 16-inch alloy silver alloy wheels, black leather seats and a colour head-up display.
Entry-level 75hp models start from £12,695 with the entire Mazda2 range on sale from 1st June.
Hyundai has announced a limited edition Santa Fe Endurance Edition, celebrating the first passenger vehicle to be driven across Antarctica. 500 examples will be available in the UK.
A modified Santa Fe became the first passenger vehicle to be driven across Antarctica in December last year. Patrick Bergel, great-grandson of the polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, made the trek in a 2.2-litre diesel Santa Fe, whose modifications included large, low-pressure tyres, a 250-litre fuel tank and a pre-heater to cope with the sub-zero Antarctic temperatures.
The Santa Fe Endurance Edition is based on the 2.2-litre diesel 4WD Sante Fe Premium SE model. The otherwise optional convenience pack is included, along with unique logos, side steps, a dark grey finish to the 19-inch alloy wheels and a choice of five colours.
The Santa Fe Endurance Edition starts from £38,995 on-road, and will be available to order from 18th May.
Volkswagen has debuted its zero emissions I.D. Crozz concept at the Shanghai motor show. The four-door I.D. Crozz is a crossover SUV concept model, and joins the I.D. hatchback which debuted in Paris last year, and the I.D. Buzz electric camper van concept shown in Detroit in January.
The zero-emissions I.D. Crozz will target a 310-mile range, which goes a long way to ensuring it will be suitable for most driving requirements. Featuring all-wheel drive, driven from two electic motors, the I.D. Crozz has a fully autonomous mode which is activated by holding down the VW badge on the steering wheel for three seconds.
The concept’s electric powertrain is capable of producing 300hp and a top speed of over 110mph. According to Volkswagen, the battery can be charged from flat to 80% in 30 minutes when using a fast-charging system at 150kW DC power.
Technological innovation is extended beyond the powertrain. Information is projected into the driver’s field of vision by augmented reality, while gesture control is used to activate the light shade in the transparent sunroof.
The I.D. Crozz is more compact than the new Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace, but provides a similar amount of space inside. This is achieved by positioning the suspension and drivetrain to the corners of the vehicle and integrating the battery into the floor. In the cabin, fold-up rear seats and wide-opening electric doors offer further flexibility when it comes to space.
A production version of the I.D. Crozz is scheduled to arrive in 2020.
The Caterham Seven, which is the descendant of the original Lotus Seven, has been around for a while now – 60 years in fact. To celebrate, Caterham has created this – the Seven Sprint.
Epitomising Lotus founder Colin Chapman’s ideas of a lightweight, good to drive two-seater, the Sprint happily flaunts its retro looks. Underneath the bonnet sits a small 660cc three-cylinder turbocharged motor from Suzuki. This may not sound like much, but given the Sprint’s low weight of 490kg, it’s more than enough to get it up to speed in a brisk enough time.
It’s hard not to love the look of the Seven Sprint. The exterior has been tastefully finished, with touches such as the traditional metal model badges at the rear and the crème alloy wheels giving it a distinctly retro appeal. Inside, it’s just as pretty, with comfortable sports seats trimmed in red leather and a thin moto-lita steering wheel transporting you back to the early days of Caterham. It’s all very well executed, however – it feels every bit of its £27,995 price tag.
All of the dials are clear and easy to read, and the toggle switches for the headlamps have a refreshing amount of robustness to them. The handmade quality of the Sprint is hard to ignore, and it’s something buyers will no doubt appreciate too.
Space and practicality
Caterhams aren’t exactly well-known for their practicality levels, and the Seven Sprint is, unsurprisingly, no different. There’s not even a glove box in this model, though you do get the added bonus of a 9-volt charging point. In all fairness, though, the area behind the rear seats is more than enough for a soft weekend bag or a few items of shopping, so taking the Sprint for a weekend away isn’t unimaginable.
Behind the wheel
You’d be hard-pressed not to wear a big grin when driving the Caterham Seven Sprint. It’s a truly refreshing driving experience, one without the distractions found in modern cars. The steering offers huge amounts of feedback, with each and every difference in road quality being translated through the steering wheel and into your hands.
That said, this does mean that longer journeys can be tiring – though the Seven Sprint was never designed to be a long-distance commuter.
The five-speed gearbox is a delight to use, though it can be notchy when cold. The handling is sharp and nimble, while the narrow tyres fitted to all four wheels ensure that the Sprint is a lot of fun at even low speeds. Though Caterham creates cars that will easily reach 60mph in half the time that the Sprint does, you never feel like you’d want more power – the Sprint has just enough shove for all occasions.
Value for money
Yes, the £27,995 that the Seven Sprint is a fair amount of money. You don’t get much in the way of standard equipment, technology or even comfort, for that matter.
However, what you do get is an all-encompassing experience, one which makes you wonder just why you need 18-way adjustable seats or radar-guided cruise control at all. In all fairness, some may not appreciate the car’s exposure to the elements nor its relatively unrefined character at motorway speeds, but the vast majority will enjoy the way it feels.
Who would buy one?
It’s safe to say that the Caterham Seven Sprint would suit those drivers who want a car to keep in the garage and wheel out on sunny Sunday afternoons for a leisurely drive through the country. However, it’d be just as well accustomed to daily driving. Yes, you’ll probably have to get a little more wrapped up than you would in a normal car, but it’s more than worth it.
The overall experience is one you’ll want to have time and time again, which is why if you do choose a Caterham, it’s best to use it each and every day.
As has been expected for a long time now, Jaguar Land Rover’s four-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine has found its way under the bonnet of the Jaguar F-Type sports car.
Already used in a number of Jaguar and Land Rover models, the 2.0-litre variant used in the Jaguar F-Type has been suitably beefed up for duty in the two-door sports car. Producing 300hp and paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the F-Type four-cylinder has a 0-60mph time of 5.4 seconds and a maximum speed of 155mph.
Manufactured in the UK at a new facility in Wolverhampton, the Ingenium engine offers a significant improvement in efficiency compared to the more expensive V6 and V8 F-Type models. Fuel consumption has been reduced by 16% compared to the 340hp V6 engine in what was previously the entry-level model. Weighing 52kg less than the V6 version, the Ingenium-engined F-Type is expected to offer improved agility.
Updates across the Jaguar F-Type range
The new engine is part of a broader refresh for the F-Type range, which first went on sale in 2012. Most noticeably, the front and rear bumpers have been redesigned, and it is now available with full LED headlights and lighter 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, minor updates include slimline seats, an improved infotainment system, more chrome and aluminium trim bits and a frameless rearview mirror.
Safety-wise, Jaguar has introduced a forward-facing stereo camera and the F-TYPE comes with autonomous emergency braking and lane departure warning as standard. Optional safety features include traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistant and a driver drowsiness detector.
The F-Type four-cylinder will be available as both a coupeé and convertible. It is on sale now, with prices starting from £49,900.
MG is set to build its first sports car since 2011, if the MG E-motion concept is anything to go by.
The electric car concept has been unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show, and industry insiders suggest that it will reach production, retaining its electric drivetrain, by 2020. If so it would see the now Chinese-owned MG taking on the Tesla Model S.
Officially MG says that the car offers ‘a glimpse of the future’ and is a ‘next generation vehicle (aiming) to push the boundaries of innovation and technology, while meeting the needs of today’s trend-setting car buyers.’
Details of the plug-in electric drivetrain have not been released but MG says that it makes the E-motion capable of a sub four-second 0-62mph time, while having a range between charges of more than 310 miles.
The car is also equipped with an intelligent infotainment system and fully internet-compatible, which MG believes will position it perfectly for the younger market.
Notable styling elements of the four-seater car include the butterfly doors and a starlight matrix front grille and headlights that the designers says have been inspired by the London Eye.
First images of the Vauxhall Grandland X have been unveiled ahead of the SUV’s debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
A larger sister to the recently revealed Crossland X, the Grandland X is expected to target the likes of the Nissan Qashqai and SEAT Ateca in the booming crossover market.
The car is built on the same architecture as the Peugeot 3008 in a joint programme between Vauxhall and new owners PSA Group. At 4.477mm in length, 1844mm width and 1636mm high, with a 2675mm wheelbase, the Grandland X will be the largest SUV in the brand’s now three-strong range.
Vauxhall appears to have foregone an opportunity, however, to make the Grandland X a seven-seat SUV. It is described as having a spacious interior to carry five passengers and their luggage, the boot space being 514 litres, expanding to 1652 litres with the rear seats folded.
Currently there are no details of the car’s powertrain options apart from Vauxhall stating that Grip Control, PSA Group’s off-road traction aid will be available. This suggests standard versions of the Grandland X will be front-wheel-drive.
It is expected that PSA Group engines will be part of the line-up and industry observers expect entry-level models to use a 1.5-litre petrol unit.
The technology available with the new SUV is being heavily promoted – the Grandland X will include a host of assistance and comfort systems. Among them are adaptive cruise control with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, a driver drowsiness alert and park assist. Adaptive Forward Lighting LED headlamps include a cornering light, high beam assist and auto leveling.
Heated seats both front and rear and a heated steering wheel will also be available, as will a smart tailgate that opens with a kick.
Vauxhall’s latest IntelliLink connectivity systems and the personal connectivity and service assistant Vauxhall OnStar will as expected form part of the Grandland X specification.
The Vauxhall Grandland X is expected in UK showrooms early in 2018.
The facelifted Mercedes-Benz S-Class is debuting at the Shanghai Auto Show with the major headline a new range of engines.
Mercedes says that several new engines are planned for the new S-Class when it is launched throughout Europe from July. They include petrol and diesel in-line six cylinder units, a new V-8 bi-turbo petrol engine and a plug-in hybrid with an electric range of about 31 miles (50km).
The use of in-line six cylinder units is a switch in direction for Mercedes-Benz which has been using V6 units since 1997. The new units are evolved from the latest four-cylinder engine range and are expected to be expanded into other Mercedes models.
What is not known yet is how many of the new engines will be available in S-Class models on sale in the UK market.
Diesel variants are expected on sale first and will include the in-line six available in the S 350 d4Matic model with 286hp and 600Nm of torque, and the S 400 d4Matic with 340hp and 700Nm – the most powerful diesel car yet built by Mercedes-Benz.
Despite the significant power increase, the new units use seven per cent less fuel than the previous equivalents, quoted at 51.4mpg and 145g/km and 50.4mpg and 147g/km respectively.
New digital displays dominate the cockpit.
Changes to the S-Class include subtle exterior modifications including a new radiator grille, along with a new front and rear bumper with bolder air intakes. Cars bought with the optional multibeam LED headlamps include a ‘three torches of light’ styling element.
The interior is now fully digital with two-new high-resolution screens, each of 12.3 inches, creating an impression of a wide-screen cockpit. Like rival Audi it includes virtual displays ahead of the driver, who can choose from three formats and individually configure them.
Smartphone-style swiping motions will activate touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel, allowing complete control of the infotainment system without taking hands off the wheel.
Other advances include further technology progressing towards fully-autonomous driving. The ‘Intelligent Drive’ systems on range-topping models now includes Distornic Active Proximity Control and Active Steer Assist now further raid keeping a safe distance from the car in front and staying in lane.
Mercedes is also debuting what it describes as ‘Energizing’ comfort control. Offered as an option, it links various comfort systems in the car together, such as climate control, ambience lighting, massage and fragrancing functions, to allow occupants to set all aspects to their personal preference.
The facelifted S-Class is expected in UK showrooms in October.
The Skoda Vision E, unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show, is a concept for an electric car but its bold styling also previews the look of future Skoda production models.
Industry observers suggest that a production electric-powered crossover expected from the Czech brand in 2020, one of five fully-electric cars promised by 2020, will be directly evolved from this concept.
The Vision E is the first fully electric concept from Skoda and is built on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB (modular electrification toolkit) architecture. It mounts electric motors on the front and rear axles for a total output of 300hp and an all-wheel-drive powertrain.
Skoda adds that the concept is capable of 112mph and offers a range of up to 311 miles. It also boasts wireless charging using a floor panel that reaches 80 per cent of battery capacity in just 30 minutes.
Space-generating layout
Measuring 4688mm long, 1924mm wide and 1591mm high the Vision E also has a 2851mm wheelbase, which is 60mm longer than the recently launched Kodiaq SUV, and made possible by the compact nature of the electric drivetrain and battery pack.
The resultant interior space is generous, further aided by the lack of a transmission tunnel. Notable elements include rotating, body-contoured and slightly raised individual seating positions, multiple touch displays for driver and front passenger along with a central touchscreen in the middle of the dashboard and phoneboxes on the inside of the doors.
A distinctive exterior design features a bold shaped bonnet with an LED lighting strip running across the entire width below the narrow, triangular Matrix LED headlamps, a gently sloping roofline that gives the car a coupe-look, a lack of door pillars and rear-hinged doors which allow very easy access.
Skoda intends that from 2025 one in four of its cars sold worldwide will be a plug-in or pure electric vehicle. The first will be the PHEV version of the Superb, expected in 2019.
The Citroën C5 Aircross SUV, launched at the Shanghai Auto Show, will include the first plug-in hybrid model from the French brand.
The five-seater will go on sale first in China and arrive in European showrooms in 2018. It will become Citroën’s major player in the still-booming compact crossover segment, rivalling the likes of the segment-creating and still mass-selling Nissan Qashqai.
Production versions of the C5 Aircross will include petrol and diesel powertrains but it is the plug-in hybrid variant that is causing the most interest. Combining a 200hp engine with electric motors on the front and rear axles will promise a total power output of more than 300hp, making it Citroën’s most potent production car yet.
Citroën says that four driving modes will be available in the PHEV version of the C5 Aircross. All electric will have a range of up to 36 miles (60km), while there will also be a long-distance Hybrid mode during which the system will not recharge, a Combined mode and a 4×4 mode.
Standard versions of the car will be front-wheel-drive only, but will offered with the PSA Group’s highly effective Grip Control system that aids traction on off-road surfaces.
The C5 Aircross is based firmly on the Aircross concept first shown in 2015 and is built on the PSA Group platform that also underpins the recently released Peugeot 3008. It measures 4500mm long, 1840mm wide and 1670mm high, on a 2730mm wheelbase, and promises a boot capacity of 482 litres.
A new suspension system debuts with the model, described by Citroën as ‘an important milestone’ in the development of its Advanced Comfort programme. The system uses ‘Progressive Hydraulic Cushions’ to improve damping quality and overall ride comfort, and according to its creators has resulted in the filing of 20 new patents.
‘Magic carpet’ ride
The new Citroën system adds two hydraulic stops to each suspension unit – one for rebound and one for compression, resulting in the suspension functioning in two steps, depending on the loads placed on it. The hydraulic stops are used when required and are said to create a ‘magic carpet’ effect, as if the car were flying over bumps and dips in the road.
Citroën CEO Linda Jackson describes the New C5 Aircross as “the symbol of a brand with strong momentum,” and the first practical illustration of the brand’s offensive on the SUV market.
“(The C5 illustrates) our ability to approach it in our own way, with greater emphasis on character, comfort and on-board well-being – New C5 Aircross will clearly be a major growth driver for Citroën,” Jackson adds.
What is it: The Infiniti QX30 is the premium brand’s entry into the booming crossover market.
Key features: Sharp looks, standard all-wheel-drive, plenty of equipment.
Our view: The Infiniti QX30 has its flaws but overall is a viable premium crossover for those looking for something different to the masses.
Review type: Full road test
Anyone who follows the motor industry knows that these days virtually no manufacturer can do without an SUV or crossover model. Even the premium market is no longer immune from such things, and so we now have the Infiniti QX30.
That Nissan’s luxury brand should go the crossover route is no surprise – while a major player in the US, Infiniti is still having to work hard to establish itself in Europe, and with direct rival Audi’s Q3 totally outstripping its sales predictions, there is clear evidence that upmarket buyers are as crossover hungry as the mainstream.
Next page:Styling and interior
Toyota has unveiled a new crossover SUV concept at the New York motor show, called the Toyota FT-4X.
The concept is built on the Toyota New Global Architecture platform, shared with the latest Prius and C-HR models. It previews a possible replacement for the popular retro-style FJ Cruiser, which was not sold in the UK but has been very popular in the USA and other markets.
Unlike the current trend for crossover and SUV models to look softer and more car-like, the Toyota FT-4X has a much squarer and more rugged look. Like the FJ Cruiser, the new concept has been designed by Toyota’s Californian design studio, and is aimed at “young urban people”.
The interior has been conceived as a large and versatile open space, with easily-accessible storage for all kinds of kit. The rear hatch has heated and cooled compartments, a wet zone with all-weather mats for muddy kit, and a concealed storage compartment under the cargo floor. The interior light can be removed and used as a rechargeable torch, and the stereo system can also be removed for use away from the car.
Should a production version see the light of day, it would likely be powered by a small-capacity four-cylinder petrol engine – presumably connected to a hybrid system in a similar fashion to the new C-HR crossover. The FT-4X features a full mechanical four-wheel drive setup with selectable low-range gearing.
The new Jaguar F-Pace has been selected as the 2017 World Car of the Year, which was announced at the New York motor show today.
The F-Pace also won the 2017 World Car Design of the Year in addition to the overall award. The runners up were the Audi Q5 and Volkswagen Tiguan. Last year’s winner was the Mazda MX-5 roadster.
An initial field of 23 cars was narrowed to a short list of ten, with the three finalists announced at the Geneva motor show last month.
Several category winners were also announced, as follows:
2017 World Car of the Year: Jaguar F-Pace
2017 World Luxury Car: Mercedes-Benz E-Class
2017 World Performance Car: Porsche 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman
2017 World Green Car: Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid (Prius Prime in some markets)
2017 World Urban Car: BMW i3 (94Ah battery version)
2017 World Car Design of the Year: Jaguar F-Pace
This is the 13th year of the World Car of the Year awards. Under the rules of the WCOTY Association, a car must be available for sale on at least two continents by 31 May 2017 to be eligible for this year’s awards.
David Brown Automotive has revealed its Mini Remastered, a comprehensive reimagining of the classic sixties British city car using contemporary technology – and a hefty price tag.
The Mini Remastered is the second project for David Brown Automotive, following the Speedback GT which launched in 2014. Each Mini takes over 1,000 man hours to hand-build at the company’s Silverstone HQ.
Based on the classic Mini and in no way connected with the modern MINI brand owned by BMW, the Mini Remastered combines the iconic looks of the original Mini with aspects of the Speedback GT’s design. The Mini Remastered is available in standard trim or two limited production special editions: ‘Inspired by Cafe Racers’ and ‘Inspired by Monte Carlo’.
Classic looks but all-new construction
About the only parts carried over from an original Mini are the engine and gearbox, which have been completely reconditioned. The chassis and panels are all new, and have been ‘de-seamed’ to smooth out the distinctive inside-out appearance of the original panel joins.
Structural beams and support struts provide additional rigidity, while soundproofing gives a much quieter ride than the original. The deep and lustrous paint finish seen in the images below is apparently the result of a four-week process.
Inside, an all-new handcrafted layout includes bespoke sculpted seats, retro-style Smiths dials and a David Brown Automotive engraved steering wheel. A cup holder has been added to the central console and the leather-lined luggage space and petrol tank come in the car’s contrasting roof colour.
Mini Remastered
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The Mini Remastered features a number of technological updates, although that’s a low bar to clear – the original Mini wasn’t exactly extravagantly kitted-out even by 1959 standards. The infotainment system includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a four-speaker sound system, keyless ignition, a USB connector and charging point. Push-button start and remote central locking are also included.
The Mini Remastered a fully-reconditioned 1,275cc engine, which apparently provides a power increase of up to 50%. The four-speed gearbox has also been re-engineered, and the suspension and brakes upgraded over original specifications.
Create your own bespoke Mini Remastered
Being a completely hand-built and bespoke vehicle, personalisation options abound. The car’s paint finish, roof colour, interior trim and wheels await your imagination, with the opportunity to add almost any additional options and accessories you can think of.
Pricing for the Mini Remastered has yet to be announced, but reports have suggested it is likely to start at about £70,000 and climb quickly. The car will make its debut at the Top Marques Monaco show in Monte Carlo later this month.
Completing the paint finish on the Mini Remastered is a four-week process
Audi has confirmed that it will be adding two new models to its ever-expanding crossover/SUV family, with the Q8 and Q4 set to go into production over the next two years.
Audi is hopeful that the new Q models will “increase its competitiveness in an extremely important segment.”
Audi Q8 to sit at the top of the SUV family tree
The Audi Q8, which has already been previewed at both the Detroit and Geneva motor shows this year in different configurations, will sit at the top of a full range of eight Audi Q-model crossover/SUV models when it enters production in 2018. Like the A8 saloon to be unveiled later this year, it will feature the company’s latest efforts in assistance and infotainment systems.
The new Audi Q8 will be produced alongside its Q7 sister in Bratislava, Slovakia, at the Volkswagen Group production plant that also produces the Volkswagen Touareg, Porsche Cayenne and new Bentley Bentayga.
Audi Q4 plugs yet another niche
The Q4 will be a coupé-style small crossover, based on the existing Audi Q3 compact SUV and using the Volkswagen Group’s modular MQB platform.
Production will commence in 2019 in Győr, Hungary, where the Audi TT range is currently assembled. Audi Q3 production will also move to the Hungarian plant next year, from its current assembly site at SEAT’s Martorell factory.
Volvo has opened order books for the new XC60 SUV, with first deliveries expected in the Autumn.
Prices will start from £37,205, buying the version with the D4 diesel engine in entry-level Momentum trim.
The launch of the XC60 brings Volvo’s latest Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, which debuted with the range-topping 90 Series models, to the brand’s mid-series cars.
Other elements working down from the 90 Series cars include the latest more efficient Drive-E powertrains, and the connectivity, entertainment and safety technology advances.
Trio of engines
Initially the XC60 will be available with three engine options, all 2.0-litre four-cylinder units. All are combined with eight-speed auto transmissions and all-wheel-drive.
The D4 diesel produces 190hp and returns combined cycle fuel economy of 55.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 133g/km.
Its more powerful sister the D5 has 235hp, 51.4mpg and 144g/km, and also boasts the PowerPlus feature that uses compressed air to spin up the twin turbochargers and cut lag.
The petrol option is the T5, with 254hp, economy of 39.2mpg and emissions of 164g/km.
Standard equipment on entry-level Momentum versions include leather-faced upholstery, LED headlights with active high beam, two-zone climate control with a ‘CleanZone’ air-filtration system, heated front seats, a powered tailgate and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Also standard is the Volvo Sensus infotainment system. This is based around a nine-inch portrait-style touchscreen and includes satellite navigation with lifetime annual map updates and Real-Time Traffic Information (RTTI), and voice-activation. Access to the internet and a range of cloud-based apps such as Spotify, TuneIn, Stitcher and Yelp is also offered.
Safety technology standard across the XC60 range includes Volvo’s City Safety system. This offers automatic emergency braking with pedestrian, cyclist and large animal detection, and Steer Assist. Dubbed a world first by Volvo, this attempts to avoid or cut the severity of collisions by aiding steering inputs.
Meanwhile on the options list for every car is the semi-autonomous drive system Pilot Assist. At speeds up to 80mph it can assist with the steering and control acceleration and braking required to keep the car within lane markings and at a set cruising speed or distance from a vehicle ahead. Volvo says that Pilot Assist is a step towards fully autonomous driving.
Aston Martin has announced the limited edition Vanquish S inspired by the Royal Air Force’s world-famous aerobatic team. The Vanquish S Red Arrows edition was commissioned by Aston Martin Cambridge and created by the brand’s bespoke specialists, Q by Aston Martin.
The model was announced at the official handover of the former RAF facility in St Athan, South Wales, which is set to become Aston’s Martin’s second UK manufacturing site.
The Vanquish S Red Arrows edition is the third Q by Aston Martin commission by Aston Martin Cambridge and follows the V12 Vantage S Spitfire 80 edition and the Vantage S Blades Edition.
The production run will be limited to just ten vehicles, nine of which will be available to purchase. This echoes the nine-aircraft formation made famous by the Red Arrows.
The tenth car will be raffled off by the RAF Benevolent Fund in support of former servicemen and women and their families. Raffle tickets are £20 and you can sign up for an email alert to notify you when the raffle goes live.
The Vanquish S Red Arrows edition is finished in Eclat Red, in homage to the livery of the Red Arrows since 1965. ‘Eclat’ – ‘brilliant display’ – is the Red Arrows’ motto. The look is completed by white and blue detailing along with Union Jack enamel wing badges.
Inside, the green contrast colour is inspired by the traditional RAF flight suit.Interior details take their cue from both the Red Arrows and the RAF. The pinewood green contrast colour is inspired by the RAF’s classic flight suit, and green webbing is also used for the seat belts.
A Red Arrows logo – nine aircraft in diamond formation – is embroidered on the seat backs and also features on the sill and engine inspection plaques. These will be signed (one through ten) by the corresponding Red Arrows pilot.
Ditching the rear seats available in a regular Vanquish, the rear of the cabin houses twin racing helmets which are finished in the livery of the Red Arrows.
Owners of the Vanquish S Red Arrows edition will each receive a 1:18 model of their car and the BAE Systems Hawk aircraft used by the Red Arrows since 1979, as well as a car cover and a Build Book.
The Vanquish S Red Arrows editions are available to purchase at Aston Martin Cambridge.
What is it? The Audi Q5 is an all-new version of the brand’s big-selling mid-sized SUV.
Key features: More interior space, handling, efficiency and technology improvement.s
Our view: The new Audi Q5 is an effective evolution and likely to remain a best-seller for the brand.
Type of review: Taster test.
The Audi Q5 was the second SUV to be launched by the German premium brand in 2008, but has since become a cornerstone of a Q line-up that already includes the Q3 and Q7 and is set to add a Q4 and Q8. Audi has sold 1.6 million Q5s globally, putting it comfortably ahead of direct rivals such as the BMW X3 and more recently the Jaguar F-Pace.
So for the all-new second-generation version, on UK roads in June, it is no surprise that evolution is the order of the day, making the most of Audi’s gains in construction and technology. Despite being a larger car, the new Q5 has also been on a diet, losing up to 90kg depending on model, and mostly achieved through using new materials such as high-strength steels and aluminium.
Visually it’s a good looking SUV – from the large, signature Audi grille, the profile sweeps back in a style much more large car than SUV. Boxy is not a word you use with this car.
Which is interesting as in fact, the new Q5 outstretches its predecessor in virtually all areas, measuring up 3cm longer at 4.7m, an unchanged width of 1.9m, and 6mm taller at just under 1.7m.
The wheelbase has been extended by a mere 1cm, which claims to free up more interior space, and certainly as one slips inside it feels a roomy car in front or back. Again, all the vital dimensions have grown – two adults will feel comfortable travelling in back, and there will be space for their luggage too, the boot volume up by 10 litres to 610 litres (1,550 with the rear seats folded).
It’s hard to write anything new and different about Audi cockpits, because the recipe doesn’t appear to change. All the buttons are in basically the same places and the fit and finish is excellent. The MMI controller is as efficient as ever – its screen is not touch-sensitive, which we like, and one addition is a touchpad at front of the transmission tunnel
Our test car is to upmarket S line specification and includes such niceties as the highly desirable virtual cockpit with Google Earth mapping visible on the instrument panel behind the steering wheel.
The virtual cockpit remains a nice-to-have…
Test car’s MMI system includes a touchpad.
Powertrains
Audi launches the new Q5 range with a simple, two-way engine choice. The car for our brief taster test is fitted with the 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine of 190hp, while petrol fans, for now, must make do with an also 2.0-litre TFSI unit with just 252hp.
There is a further petrol option, with a 3.0-litre TFSI unit of 354hp, but that’s in the performance-pitched SQ5 that launches at the same time as the stock car.
Of course this exclusive choice will expand before long. A new version of the 3-litre TDI will be first in line with power increased to 286hp, and we can be confident that there will be more, considering the previous generation ended up with an extensive powertrain choice that extended to a hybrid model and a diesel version of the SQ5.
Our brief test drive around enjoyable roads in Warwickshire proved that the Q5 is a very confident SUV. Both of the 2.0-litre engines are combined with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission and the ultra version of the quattro all-wheel-drive system. This runs in front-wheel drive mode when cruising to save fuel.
As well as the weight saving, the Q5’s on-the-road prowess benefits from a new five-link suspension system and updates to the electro-hydraulic power steering. On the options list, but not fitted to our test car, is Dynamic Steering, varying its ratio dependent on speed and steering input. However, we do get the no-cost option of stiffer, ‘S sport’ suspension, while if we wanted to spend money on the options list we could go the full self-levelling air suspension route.
Initial impressions suggest a very efficient, comfortable cruise while in the corners the car is, well normal. It doesn’t bring a grin to the face with sharp turn-in and sports-car like grip, but it doesn’t unnerve either – it does everything… well perfectly fine, thank you.
Equipment
The new Q5 comes in the established SE, Sport and S line specifications, and now includes a more extensive standard equipment list. The Smartphone interface, parking sensors, a powered tailgate and the Drive Select system with its Comfort, Dynamic and Efficiency modes are supplied on all cars.
However there is also a very long options list – our test car boasted some 13 of them, including the £250 virtual cockpit and a ‘Technology Pack’, adding such niceties as navigation, wireless phone charging and connected services, and also adding a cool £1,100 to the price. Dip into the list too deeply and it’s very easy to take even an entry-level Q5 past the £40,000 mark that now bumps up annual VED tax costs by £310 a year.
Most buyers will probably live with that, however. While detailed opinions will await our full appraisal, it’s immediately clear that the new Q5 is a significant evolution of its predecessor, and likely to maintain the numbers that have made it a best seller.
Model tested: Audi Q5 2.0 TDI quattro 190hp S line S tronic
Price: £40,220 (Range price £37,150-£ 41,040)
On sale: Orders Feb 2017, on road June 2017
Engine: 2.0-litre diesel, 190hp, 400Nm
0-62mph and max speed: 7.9 sec, 135mph
Economy and emissions: 56.5mpg, 132g/km*
Key rivals: BMW X3, Mercedes-BenzGLC, Jaguar F-PaceTest date: April 2017
* = with 18-inch wheels
The Car Expert Taster Tests are concise summaries of new models to the market, that we have driven for under 50 miles. They are often preludes to full road tests of the vehicle at a later date.
Aston Martin has begun a new era in its history, taking over the site where it will build the DBX SUV.
In a special ceremony at St Athan in south Wales the luxury car maker took possession of three ‘super hangars’ from the Ministry of Defence. These will house the production facility for the DBX, which is expected to start coming off the line in late 2019.
The event marked the start of phase two of the project, which will see the conversion of the three hangars. Aston Martin has already begun building the front office and showroom areas of the new facility, which in total covers 90 acres, significantly more than the brand’s existing Gaydon plant. Like St Athan this was built on a former Royal Air Force base.
Job creation
By the time production starts 750 jobs will be created at St Athan, employees selected from more than 3,000 applications. The first staff employed for the new plant are already training at Gaydon.
The site was officially handed over to Aston Martin president and CEO Dr Andy Palmer by Secretary of State for Defence Michael Fallon. The importance of the new plant to the Welsh automotive industry was demonstrated by the presence at the event of Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones, and Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns. All three, commented Dr Palmer, had been instrumental in securing the site for Aston Martin.
Carwyn Jones added that with phase II of redevelopment commencing at St Athan, supply chain companies throughout Wales will also have the opportunity to bid for contracts worth over £60m through the Welsh Government’s own Sell to Wales procurement site.
The super hangars dominate the new home of Aston Martin in Wales.
“Aston Martin is a major success story for Wales and I look forward to further building on our working partnership to bring maximum benefits for the economy and the reputation of Wales worldwide,” he added.
Global winner
Speaking directly to The Car Expert following the ceremony, Dr Palmer said that the St Athan site had been chosen over 20 possible production locations around the globe primarily because of the passionate support offered by the Welsh Government.
“The single-minded passion of the minister to get us here closed some of the other problems,” Dr Palmer said, adding that the existence of the three super hangars to convert would save the project about a year in delivery time compared to a greenfield site.
Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer was impressed by the Welsh Government’s efforts to bring the company to Wales. Photo: Andrew Charman
Aston Martin has high hopes for the DBX, which was displayed in concept form at the ceremony. The company predicts production of 4,000 to 5,000 a year, which will effectively double the current total annual volume and is described by Palmer as “a significant uplift.”
The St Athan plant has a potential capacity of 7,000 vehicles per annum, however, and with Aston Martin planning seven new models, Palmer confirmed that a car wearing the Lagonda badge is also under consideration for production in Wales. However it is still to be given the green light.
The Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer will be unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show in September as the third member of the brand’s latest large car range.
The car is effectively an off-roader version of the Sports Tourer, the estate variant of the new Vauxhall Insignia line-up. It targets the likes of the Volvo V90 Cross Country, Volkswagen Passat Alltrack, and Audi A4 and A6 allroad models.
Vauxhall says that the Country Tourer is more spacious and considerably lighter than its predecessor, thanks to its all-new architecture, and includes much innovative technology.
The car sits 2cm higher from the ground compared to the Sports Tourer, and comes with signature black cladding around its lower shell, along with silver front and rear skid plates to give it a more rugged appearance.
New diesel engine
According to its makers the Country Tourer will be offered with a wide powertrain range, though details are yet to be specified. It will likely follow that of the Sports Tourer but will include a new range-topping diesel engine and the availability of an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
All-wheel-drive will also be on offer, with torque vectoring – this employs two electrically controlled multi-plate clutches to more precisely transmit power to each wheel as it is needed.
The car will use an improved version of the FlexRide chassis that adapts the dampers, steering, throttle response and shift points (on automatic models). There are three modes, ‘Standard’, ‘Sport’ or ‘Tour’, which can be selected by the driver.
The new Country Tourer has a 9cm longer wheelbase compared to the previous version, while cargo space with the 40/20/40 seats folded down goes up 135 litres over the old car to 1665 litres.
Technology aids include a feature of the Keyless Open & Start that allows the tailgate to be opened by a simple kicking motion under the rear bumper. A vehicle silhouette projected onto the ground shows the correct area and another kicking motion will close it.
Other technology is shared with the Grand Sport and Sports Tourer variants. Among highlights are the second generation of adaptive IntelliLux LED matrix headlamps, which has 16 LED segments integrated into each slim design, and includes active curve lighting and and LED spotlight with a range of up to 400 metres.
A head-up display, adaptive cruise control(ACC) with automatic emergency braking, Lane Keep Assist with automated steering correction and Rear Cross Traffic Alert will also be available for the car, as will Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible IntelliLink connectivity infotainment systems.
Vauxhall is not yet indicating prices for the Insignia Country Tourer but as the car will be pitched as a range-topping member of the Insignia line-up, it is likely to cost somewhat more than the around £25,300 of its predecessor.
The Car Expert has been awarded Best Automotive Blog (company division) at the UK’s largest awards event for independently-produced digital content, the UK Blog Awards.
It was the fourth year in a row that The Car Expert has made the finals of the awards, but the first time in the Company division. Previously, the site was categorised in the Individual division, and was Highly Commended at last year’s awards, as it had been a one-man show until last July.
As our regular readers will be aware, The Car Expert absorbed Car & Van News last year, and we also established a sister site for commercial vehicles, The Van Expert. The site has been reorganised, and we welcomed Andrew Charman as our news and road test editor.
It has been a huge year for us, and an enormous amount of work has been put in by the team. To win this award in our first year as a team is a great achievement. Last year the prize was won by Car Throttle, so it is an honour to follow in their wheeltracks and be chosen over a strong field of other sites.
Thank you to everyone who voted for The Car Expert to help us reach the finals every year for the last four years.
A huge thanks to Andrew Charman for his efforts since joining us, which has allowed us to add new car reviews and daily news updates to the site.
Now part of Immediate Network, we have a young team of content and social media editors who have made an important contribution to our growth. Special thanks to Jamie Munro, who did a lot of the work to integrate the Car & Van News reviews with our site, and Katharine Morgan for her news reporting since joining the team a month ago – especially during the Geneva motor show. Our new logo and all of the design improvements have been made by Immediate Network’s designer, Phil Allardice.
Finally, I would personally like to thank my wonderful partner Kate for all her support for nearly six years since The Car Expert first become an idea. She has been very patient as so many of my weekends and nights have been devoted to working on the website.
We are continuing to develop the site and add more features, and our traffic continues to grow. We have some big plans for the future, and I look forward to showing them off soon. We welcome any of your feedback and thoughts, and we will keep working hard to make The Car Expert even better.
Stuart Masson
Editor,
The Car Expert 
The technology available with the new SUV is being heavily promoted – the Grandland X will include a host of assistance and comfort systems. Among them are adaptive cruise control with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, a driver drowsiness alert and park assist. Adaptive Forward Lighting LED headlamps include a cornering light, high beam assist and auto leveling.
Heated seats both front and rear and a heated steering wheel will also be available, as will a smart tailgate that opens with a kick.
Vauxhall’s latest IntelliLink connectivity systems and the personal connectivity and service assistant Vauxhall OnStar will as expected form part of the Grandland X specification.
The Vauxhall Grandland X is expected in UK showrooms early in 2018.
A distinctive exterior design features a bold shaped bonnet with an LED lighting strip running across the entire width below the narrow, triangular Matrix LED headlamps, a gently sloping roofline that gives the car a coupe-look, a lack of door pillars and rear-hinged doors which allow very easy access.
Skoda intends that from 2025 one in four of its cars sold worldwide will be a plug-in or pure electric vehicle. The first will be the PHEV version of the Superb, expected in 2019.
A new suspension system debuts with the model, described by Citroën as ‘an important milestone’ in the development of its Advanced Comfort programme. The system uses ‘Progressive Hydraulic Cushions’ to improve damping quality and overall ride comfort, and according to its creators has resulted in the filing of 20 new patents.
Its more powerful sister the D5 has 235hp, 51.4mpg and 144g/km, and also boasts the PowerPlus feature that uses compressed air to spin up the twin turbochargers and cut lag.
The petrol option is the T5, with 254hp, economy of 39.2mpg and emissions of 164g/km.
Standard equipment on entry-level Momentum versions include leather-faced upholstery, LED headlights with active high beam, two-zone climate control with a ‘CleanZone’ air-filtration system, heated front seats, a powered tailgate and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Also standard is the Volvo Sensus infotainment system. This is based around a nine-inch portrait-style touchscreen and includes satellite navigation with lifetime annual map updates and Real-Time Traffic Information (RTTI), and voice-activation. Access to the internet and a range of cloud-based apps such as Spotify, TuneIn, Stitcher and Yelp is also offered.
Safety technology standard across the XC60 range includes Volvo’s City Safety system. This offers automatic emergency braking with pedestrian, cyclist and large animal detection, and Steer Assist. Dubbed a world first by Volvo, this attempts to avoid or cut the severity of collisions by aiding steering inputs.
Meanwhile on the options list for every car is the semi-autonomous drive system Pilot Assist. At speeds up to 80mph it can assist with the steering and control acceleration and braking required to keep the car within lane markings and at a set cruising speed or distance from a vehicle ahead. Volvo says that Pilot Assist is a step towards fully autonomous driving.
Inside, the green contrast colour is inspired by the traditional RAF flight suit.Interior details take their cue from both the Red Arrows and the RAF. The pinewood green contrast colour is inspired by the RAF’s classic flight suit, and green webbing is also used for the seat belts.
A Red Arrows logo – nine aircraft in diamond formation – is embroidered on the seat backs and also features on the sill and engine inspection plaques. These will be signed (one through ten) by the corresponding Red Arrows pilot.
Ditching the rear seats available in a regular Vanquish, the rear of the cabin houses twin racing helmets which are finished in the livery of the Red Arrows.
Owners of the Vanquish S Red Arrows edition will each receive a 1:18 model of their car and the BAE Systems Hawk aircraft used by the Red Arrows since 1979, as well as a car cover and a Build Book.
The Vanquish S Red Arrows editions are available to purchase at Aston Martin Cambridge.
