Auto Express April 06, 2022

SUPERMINI SHOWDOWNN6o-1.12,7A2p3ril|2£032.620 EXCLUSIVE NEWEVCHARGER EVERYONE CAN USE TEvSsTFEaDbiNaeawndFYieasrtias NEW BABY ALFAWBREIETKALIYNC’SARBEMSAT-GVAAZLIUNEE COMING SOON wThaenJtutkoedrriivvael you’ll DRIVEN THIS WEEK KIAONNIRBFOEOUEIFLFNLFESIDIICND-IUFEAOP>L Maserati’sMacanrival Updated MG5EV Toyota’surbanSUV Can all-new SUV spearhead brand’s revival? Sleek new looks for bargain wagon Aygo gets reborn as cool crossover ku.oc.sserpxeotua.www 272688 459077 9 41 USEDBUYINGGUIDE BagaMazda3from£







CONTENTS News | New Cars | Features | Tests | Products | Buying cars | Sport 14 More tech for big-selling Kia Niro Newsweek FeaturesCNeOwVGEiuRliaBaandbySteAlvlifoawSillUfoVllotwofkoritchkco-smtinagrtAuredicQo2vreivrayl 8 12 OEanrlytdhrieverionapdre-ipnrondeucwtionGeelencetrsicisSUGVVsh6o0ws promise 14 KLoiwadroewvneoanlselescptrieccfasmfiolyrSnUeVwas dNeitraoils confirmed 17 TPiocsyaontdascpoecnsffiorrmVWs GGoRlf RCorivraoll–labhutoitt’shnaottcfohr the UK 18 NBerwitdfeirsmignsrehmoowvess ‘bfaurrlielyrsafocrcleessss-aibblleeE’Vcdhriavergrser 8 Small SUV leads Alfa’s model charge New carsWHhoywcarpboradndisuwmanst ttoacrosnnsehctiwftithcasprosrts personalities 20 FCirOstVveErRdictMonasItaeliraantfiirGm’rseaclla-nleew Macan rival 24 12 Early drive of the best Genesis yet 24 Maserati Grecale SUV: first verdict NCeOwVloEoRk,MimGpro5veEdVtech for value-driven electric estate 28 PMoorresdcyhneamMicaficnaesnseTfor driver-focused mid-size SUV 30 28 New tech and kit for improved MG 5 30 Extra focus for latest Porsche Macan 32 20 Why car makers sponsor sport stars 66 Used Mazda 3 under the spotlight Road testsCCiOtyVcaErRhasTothyeoXtafacAtoyrg–obuXt at a price ProductsCReOfreVshEeRd FSorudpFieesrtma tiankiessohnoSwkoddoawFanbia & Toyota Yaris 34 34 Ford Fiesta takes on Fabia & Yaris 52 IOs uarPHcEaVrsa:sBtepMbWack3w3a0rdes fToor uEVridnrigvers? 54 www.autoexpress.co.uk OEVugrivceanrKse:yFtoiathte5C0it0y as it leaves our fleet NHeowt RkCitoff-roaders from Tamiya 57 NHeowmCCeTsVefrcoumrEitZyVIZcammeeetsraWsansview favourite 61 62 Buying carsGWePrSatetrtaheckbeesrtsgadgets to track your car YOowu lnoveerSsUhV’as veceonthomeyi,rbsuat wyaonnt mKoirae sNpaircoe 65 CShOarVp-EdRriviUngsheadtchbuisyaegrre’satgaull-irdoeun:dMerazda 3 66 ‘OFpiennd-aimr setaras fdrormopFi-atto, SpmcairttyancdaPreufogero£t 9k’ 70 72 RegularsANllethwe icnaforyporuicneeesd before you head to the showroom HGoewt tAounteot aEgxrepartedsesaleonveyoruyr wfaveoeurkite magazine 50 FSoprmourlta One outlines its return to Las Vegas feet 80 MBaikeckRucthhearftord on why motorists should vote with their 82 6April2022 5

with confidence. with leat er seats. with our xpert advice. with pea e of mind. with a little extra oo ph. with the nance sor ed. Why choose BuyaCar? Rated ‘Excellent’ on Peace of mind All our cars come from UK dealers, with rigorous checks and tests. The very best prices We’ve travelled the UK to find the best prices, so you don’t have to. Zero hassle We’re with you every step of the way, from finance to after-sales and everything in between. We’re part of the Autovia family. Autovia Buyacar Ltd t/a Buyacar is a credit broker and not a lender. Registered at 31-32 Alfred Place, London, WC1E 7DP (GB09151058) (FRN:667368) Buyacar is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

THISWEEK Visit autoexpress.co.uk for all the latest new cars news Editor-in-chief: Steve Fowler Deputy editor: John McIlroy Are these signs that Alfa isExecutiveeditor:StuartMilne News, reviews and tests finally on the right trackNVeidwesoCacnhSodieAnensrfteeiscSCovnoothrictaleituipfeweafmfrstwsoretnedereieivdustddieticeit:itretwooM:orrAer:r:i:Y:rlkJaD:aSoesAemueRtlaasaeuenunixstrfhGICCBAneairrgbsororfhrssooadrookrmaidnnesf Consumer DCOETNATIALSCT Deputy conCsounmseurmaenrdafnedatfueraetsueredsiteodr:itTorirs:tCahnrSishRaoles-aHmeostnedr Products Products editor: Kim Adams Production “WE’LL admit we’ve had false dawns in the facebook.com/autoexpress Deputy eMxCaenhcauiegtfiivsneugSebeud-debitid-toeiortdro::iMrtS:oatArut:ntaPdRratyouMbPlrioAninrlsttgooolnnne past, but...”. Similar words have been uttered @AutoExpress frequently by senior folk in the car business, usually youtube.com/autoexpress Digital about companies at the start of another false dawn. [email protected] CarCbounyteernctoendtietonrCtsae:DrdSbrihituvoayirnnesger:E&BWleeDiSlnckrteiGiCrvnniuricOsinoosomngutrnalpEaci,rnlondwHeena,WcaetgMrtbreereirinnsivybclieitgWteepseeewdradGoedisritddoiitonteoiuoortgdrc:dor:,ie:RsrtACS:roiocn:hStrnhPed:at,eaePpryTlvrtahioGedeeuemoBIHlWnnoAaJagEadedirrdrlwrvaakrveieemmitinnsyyr Alfa Romeo is one brand that has always promised, but Consumer&[email protected] never really delivered. Plenty of products have shown Tests [email protected] DrivingElectric content editor: Ellis Hyde signs of brilliance that win life-long fans, but to be really Subscriptions03303339491 Design & Pictures successful you need to be able to sell to the car-buying [email protected] majority not the faithful minority – or the curious. SeSnCeironeraioptriPhvdieocettdsouiigrrgeerncaeetpdorh:irtVe:oDrirc::atPDorerraetiweannGCWoiGbiqlrssauoonenntt Stellantis has a number of brands that show promise, £1EmSPVoEEtCRoIrYAinLWgOEnFEeFKwEfRsodrGeleeltisvasel.lr..ethde FOISRSSIUJXUESST Film team Alfa being one (DS and Maserati the others). Yet in my near-30 years writing about cars, there have been Subscribe to Auto Express today HFeilamdmofavkiedre:oG:rEetghDaonwSsmwaelell numerous ‘this is it’ moments, but I can’t remember and get six issues for just £1, plus Video editor: Will Ward any Alfa being the complete package; beautiful (always), a free STP Complete Fuel System Special Contributors great to drive (usually), well made (er...). Cleaner worth £14.99. This is Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares has put one of his most designed to clean and protect the ENuicaonlaDoHiuSgm,teSeva,erDaSrhuAtBcnrldaifdyfelPe,ayVl,imcRkoeirbB, AKuentledenrre-aHanes,nOCdoteinsrrsCaoldanty,, trusted lieutenants in charge of Alfa: Jean-Philippe fuel system for lower emissions Advertising & Promotions Imparato. He worked wonders at Peugeot, particularly and restored performance. If you on his specialism: quality. He has given the French brand continue to subscribe, you’ll pay ClieAnctcosauSlneetnsmPiSmoDuearabnniogCnliapioiaosgtergmaherpeliarmnbrrMstosgr:ieo:daaDrmPnnrucekiisdcaeametnmrldtiriPoaipienaMrnuguengCbebemcalmrlrletgi:ieaosmsaSednrhhn:roeiaee:tAapnghrKrgm:ht:e,eseHSMirrr,er:iraoN:tyiDVrllLBeleaLaayuasahalnkJeilmTedPeeSnarewbSrttTyaairuilaankromrtdnleksrtt a combination of style and craftsmanship that rivals the just £26.99 every three months – Head of PR and communications: Karen Parry best mainstream makers and has won favour with buyers. 43 per cent off the shop price. Now it’s time to turn that obsession with quality ChiAeCfuEftioOnvaAinaucGtioarvoliouafpfMiCceeEdrOA:ia:KuA:etNonrrvidyciyaoOOlLkailidmBkhiaiatatdeemdes towards Alfa Romeo. Being a Frenchman in charge of Vtoissuitbasucrtiobee,xapnrdeesnst.ecroth.uekc/osduebDs1c7r2ib3e CONTENT SYNDICATION SALES this most Italian car company is another challenge, but or call 0330 333 9491 Imparato’s knack of expressing his vision and passion caElOl-+mu4ra4ciol(nn0it)c2eon0lte3i_s8c9arev0aa3sil9ea9yb@8lefaofourrtmosvyoinraed.cidcoea.tutaikoilonsr.. for his products makes him a leader you want to follow. Sixissuesfor £1 Every13issues:£26.99 Copyright © Autovia Limited 2022. All rights reserved. This week, our man John McIlroy caught up with Sixmonths:£53.99 Annualsubscription:£105.99 Imparato at the factory building the Alfa Tonale, a car that Europe:£130 Restofworld:£200 Auto Express is a registered trade mark. would already be on sale if it hadn’t been for Imparato Auto Express is published weekly by Autovia Limited. Autovia is a trading name making changes to the car’s – you guessed it – quality. Subs E-mail [email protected] of Autovia Limited, registered in England and Wales no. 13018565. Registered Imparato is always a good interview; candid and forthright. He knows what’s wrong with Alfa, and what Osunblisncerisputibosncaritbwewr swe.rmviacneaCgheamnygmeaygosu.rcaod.udkress and renew your address: 31-32 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7DP. VAT number 494616317. it needs to turn its long-held promise into reality. Neither the whole of this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced, stored Our man McIlroy can be tough to impress, but Ttoewll uins£a1b0o0utoyfoAumracazornfovroaucchhaenrcse in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the he came away liking what aTwehlnaeedncUttcrsoKictv’oesmrhnsoeudnameerlwbfsre,oaramnosdnywueoesuclel.adaOrsocuawarrsrnsaue,nrrpvgslehueysiopipfssmesutiorrmovtoelp,yrldie,nirDegtrsoiiesvules,surhePeystobh.wraiednra,envedr written permission of the publishers. Registered as a newspaper at the he saw with the Tonale. ● Whatdoyouloveandloatheaboutyourcar?● Howgood Maybe this is the time for arethedealers?● Wouldyourecommendyourcartoafriend? Post Office. Pictures submitted to Auto Express are sent at owners’ risk. While Alfa Romeo to really shine. every care is taken, neither Auto Express nor its agents accept any liability Twowhawve.ayouutroseayx,pscraenstsh.ecQoR.ucokd/edarbiovveero-pr goowtoer for loss or damage. Originated on Apple computers. SEdTiEtoVrE-iFnO-cWhiLeEfR Creative repro manager: Dave Kinnard Creative repro artworker: Renato De Araujo [email protected] Printed by Walstead Bicester, Launton Road, Bicester, Oxon OX26 4QZ. @stevefowler Distribution: Marketforce (UK) Ltd, 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, Paddington, London W2 6JR. Tel: 020 3787 9101, Website: www.marketforce.co.uk AUTO EXPRESS ROAD TESTS All Auto Express tests are carried out at private proving grounds where cars are driven to the limit and performance tested using Racelogic VBox computer timing equipment. Auto Express also assesses the cars over many miles of mixed public roads before delivering its Road Test Verdict. Auto Express is independently measured AveragbeyctirhceuAlautidointBJaunre-Daeuco2f0C2irc1u:l3a4ti,o9n2s9. Auto Bild GroAuuptoneEtxwporerkssoifsmpaagrtaozfinthees Tfihberep,ampaenruufsaecdtuwreitdhibnytmhiisllms wagitahzainveailsidpcrhodaiuncoefdcfurosmtodsyu.stainable www.autoexpress.co.uk 6April2022 7

TOPSTORY Visit autoexpress.co.uk for your daily news updates John McIlroy ●● AWlofarkplaalnsos snteawrtesmd oanllsSuUcVc,ebssuoilrtsintoPGoliaunlida,staoloriovnalaAnuddSitQel2vio SUV Joh@[email protected] ALFA ROMEO is about to kick-start its in effect be Stellantis’s rival for the Audi c“sthoNoemmebxpeteltewhsttie-ensgthehlaeelilvnsoeegftftsoeheragwtmiistehinnt range recovery with the new Tonale – Q2 and MINI Countryman. itnheEucarospeein. T2h0a2t4w.”ill be and the firm will build on this with a baby Imparato said he is confident that the SUV due in 2024, with the company’s boss CMP architecture – which also underpins JCEEAONA-lPfaHRILoImPPeEo IMPARATO promising that even this smallest of models everything from the Peugeot 208 and will still “drive like an Alfa”. Vauxhall Corsa to the DS 3 Crossback – The Italian brand is gearing up to push can be adapted enough to deliver the its Tonale family SUV into showrooms in the spirited driving dynamics expected by Alfa second half of 2022, but the management customers. “You will see that it will be an is already turning its focus towards a Alfa Romeo,” he said. “We are spending smaller model that will arrive around 18 time on designing that car with the same months later. Plans for this new car were spirit. And the driveability of the car, the confirmed in Polish media late last year, performance of that car, will be driven by when it emerged that the Stellantis plant in the tuning thatwe do on theTonale.We can the country’s Tychy region has been chosen have the driveability of an Alfa with this to make new models for Fiat, Jeep and Alfa. type of product; I have no doubt of that.” All three of these vehicles are widely The baby Alfa SUV will be the first car tipped to be smaller cars using the CMP in the company’s history to be offered in and (all-electric) e-CMP architectures, pure-electric form – although Imparato which will allow the Tychy plant to operate suggested that it will be available as a closer to its maximum efficiency. hybrid as well as an EV. This is not a Speaking to Auto Express, Alfa Romeo powertrain line-up currently offered on any CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato has now all of the Stellantis CMP models, but it’s likely but confirmed that the car due in 2024 is a to reflect the imminent adoption of a new downsized sibling of the Tonale, designed 48-volt, electrified mild-hybrid automatic to give his firm a presence in Europe’s transmission. A joint venture between booming small SUV class. Stellantis and Punch Powertrains, it’s due “With Tonale, we are coming back to the to go into production soon at a plant in C-SUV segment, which is one of the best Metz, France, and will be paired with segments in Europe,” he told us. “Next we the 1.2-litre PureTech petrol engine have to complete the offer with something that will probably be the sole ICE else that is in the best-selling segment in offering. It’s unlikely to deliver Europe. That will be the case in 2024.” long periods of electric-only Company executives, including design running, but it could boost the director Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos, are car’s efficiency around town. expected to sign off the final look of the The three-cylinder unit baby SUV this week. Our exclusive images can produce up to 153bhp show how the recently previewed stance of – and this seems the likely the CMP-based small Jeep could be used maximum for the new to support a sister model from Alfa. With Alfa, unless engineers a more premium positioning, this car will can squeeze in OPINION John McIlroy puty Editor, Auto Express JEAN-PHILIPPE Imparato didn’t earn his position as one of Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares’s most trusted lieutenants by shirking difficult decisions. And it would appear that he’s certainly making some big calls at Alfa Romeo. Brand devotees will probably be chewing their fists in frustration when they hear that at least one reborn Spider is in the works, but that there’s no prospect of it arriving until at least three SUVs have been successfully introduced. However, that’s how it has to be. Frankly, we’d be more worried if Imparato were promising coupés and drop-tops aplenty, while ignoring the volume markets that will really shore up Alfa’s balance sheet. As it stands, a year into the job he remains resolutely focused on what will make the company money – and appeal to the greatest number of possible customers. It sounded like an eminently sensible plan 12 months ago; and it still does. 8 6April2022

TOPSTORYAlfa’sbabySUV bNiegwthbinagbsyfSoUrVAlifsasRtaormt eoof EXCLUSIVE Small SUV will arrive in 2024, followed by EV successors to Stelvio and Giulia Avarvarii EXCLUSIVE IMAGES 6April2022 9

TOPSSTORY Alfa’sbabySUV “reWdenhuamvbeearlsretoadbylacgko,nbeuftrowme Wdmoeonrw’et;wiltlhanenertevteoisrglnooosbeoapmctkioo,nnee.v”year.ny CJEEAONA-lPfaHRILoImPPeEo IMPARATO Stellantis’s 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, customers into the BEV era. He said, “We EXCLUSIVE IMAGES which can stretch to more than 220bhp. love Giulia and Stelvio and we have to In any case, it is conceivable that certain work on those two cars. We will do it.” This REBORN markets may choose to make the small SUV supports an earlier interview with Auto the flag-bearer for Alfa’s rapid push towards Express where Imparato said, “The shape ctAbhoulfanattt’asitnshCueaEeOnGaiEhsuValaisaospnwallelyioldlogne,d full electrification by 2027, opting not to of the Giulia is fantastic, I don’t want to offer the car with in combustion-engined lose this. The car is absolutely gorgeous, www.autoexpress.co.uk form at all. The EV model should have so there is a future for this type of car.” 134bhp as standard, but Alfa could look He reiterated that the firm could even to replicate any tricks that Jeep pulls with a revisit some of its most iconic nameplates second rear-mounted motor to give the car and bodystyles in zero-emissions form, more power and four-wheel drive. Expect a once the line-up, sales and balance sheet battery capacity of around 55kWh. have been stabilised after years of under- Imparato also confirmed that Alfa will be investment. This would not be until well into the first Stellantis brand to use the group’s the second half ofthisdecade, he suggested. bespoke all-electric STLA platform tech, with “We will never give up dreaming,” he a standalone electric model due in 2025 – said, “so yes, we have projects for Spiders. and that a further EV will follow in 2026. But it will not be something I will be able These are likely to be successors to the to sell to my president [Carlos Tavares] or Giulia saloon and Stelvio SUV, bringing convince him to validate before having both nameplates and, Alfa hopes, existing secured the profitability of Alfa Romeo that is positive today. We have already gone ftf“gauhTontihrsutg.eareTessohtfhuioecasr,cp,Itasehdroioosistnfhtt’yatehpbwreeesaoGiosnliufutactlteiaoalry.l”iosse from red numbers to black, but we don’t want to go back, ever. We will never lose money any more; there is no option. “I have to feed the customers, the Alfa Romeo network with offers in the short-term period that are at the core of the European market and at the core of the switch to carbon neutral. For me, it’s an existential JEAN-PHILIPPE IMPARATO CEO Alfa Romeo question; it is not a choice-driven one.” 10 6April2022

TOPSSTORYAlfa’sbabySUV NEW ERA FSfoeiatioUlfrehwfsreVctytirhtlbAewrlcirdlcboifidlaemlfinobatsiornespomgublwtd,hrebbeeeaa-ulslbty Shorter lifespan for Tonale ALFA’S push to become an all-electric although as a player in a big-selling brand by 2027 is likely to result in more area of the market, it would be an rapid model cycles through this decade, ideal choice for a successor based the company’s boss has suggested. on Stellantis’s all-electric STLA The Italian brand’s new family SUV, architecture. The smaller SUV described the Tonale, will have its first full year of in our main story will sit on the CMP production in 2023, in both mild-hybrid platform and can therefore become an and plug-in hybrid forms. But Alfa CEO EV-only offering as and when required. Jean-Philippe Imparato confirmed that Alfa’s Pomigliano factory in Naples the plan is to sell only pure-electric cars currently manufactures around by 2027, potentially freezing out the 15 Tonales a day, allowing a team of combustion engine-based model after quality-control engineers to check every just five years in showrooms. vehicle and feed back any required “By 2027 we will sell only electric improvements before the official cars, across the range, around the ramp-up of production, to around world,” Imparato told us. When asked 23 cars per hour, by mid-summer. how that would affect the Tonale, he said, “You can decide to increase the r“mmeItaaa’scrnktaaedgqteeuepmevesoentlndiuotitnniaognondof.”nlwifteehcewycillel speed of rotation. That’s part of the decision we have to make; it’s a question of lifecycle management and we will react depending on the market evolution.” There’s no scope for the Tonale to switch to pure-electric power – JEAN-PHILIPPE IMPARATO CEO Alfa www.autoexpress.co.uk 6April2022 11

NEWS GenesisGV60 Sport Plus Price: £65,405 Batt./motor: 77.4kWh/2x e-motor Power/torque: 429bhp/605Nm Transmission: fSoiunrg-lwe-hsepeeleddriavuetomatic, 0-62mph: 4.0 seconds Top speed: 155mph Range: 289 miles Charging: 350kW (10-80% 18 mins) ONSALE Now DRIVEN On the road in new Sean Carson ●● FRrievsahlsETVesslaamMpoleddelinY,tAheudUiKQ4 [email protected] GENESIS launched in Europe last year if you hit the steering wheel-mounted Boost with a flurry of ‘new’ products – mostly button, each motor receives a 27bhp uplift cars it had been selling elsewhere, but that for 10 seconds giving a total of 483bhp and were new to the UK. The brand isn’t new 700Nm of torque. Despite the GV60’s to electric cars either, but this GV60 EV is considerable kerbweight, this is enough where the upmarket Korean brand really for a 0-62mph time of 4.0 seconds. gathers pace – and we’ve tried a pre- The hit of thrust is instant and solid when production car on UK roads in £65,405 you ask for the GV60’s full performance, but Sport Plus trim to judge Genesis’ chances even in a straight line, you’re also aware of of challenging premium EVs such as the its weight as the car squats down at the rear Tesla Model Y and the Audi Q4 e-tron. and bounds forward. Genesis will no doubt The GV60 is based on the E-GMP platform iron out one or two pointswe found on this also used by the impressive Kia EV6 and our pre-production car, but it’s universally good reigning Car of the Year, the Hyundai Ioniq 5. news at this late stage of development. So, it packs a 77.4kWh battery within its 2.9- Although the car’s weight is still apparent metre wheelbase for a claimed range of 289 in the way it handles, and the GV60’s body miles, and with 350kW charging capability, a does roll as a result, it gives a sensation of 10-80 per cent top-up takes just 18 minutes. how much grip is available. The front end Sport Plus trim signifies that the battery has bite turning into roundabouts, while feeds a pair of electric motors, one on each the electronic limited-slip differential at the axle, for four-wheel drive. Collectively they rear helps to tighten the car’s line once you deliver 429bhp and 605Nm of torque, but apply the throttle; gently is best until you 12 6April2022

FIRST DRIVE NEWSGenesis GV60 nosbiG eteP HANDLING PERFORMANCE iADmbsehaminniaceggacopdnsnsepmurdislfefiegle,itaescrehetscsaahlihistnfvewtioisotenarGen,egalVtl.ioil6seo0 givPefrosercsaasirn1a0gn-Bseeoxcootsrnatdb5u4btbuthorsnpt w Genesis EV get the wheels straight, but once they are, opens to reveal a 432-litre load area, which the ferocity of the acceleration is brilliant. is competitive enough. There’s also lots of The ride is fine, if a little inconsistent on space in the front, while the infotainment is our car’s 21-inch wheels. It’s mostly smooth, simple, with a slick, quick-to-respond set-up. but thumps do make their way through to the The qualityissound, too, with lotsoftactile cabin; occasionally there are worse reactions surfaces that seem befitting of the hefty than you might expectto minor imperfections, price tag, even if the brand’s image might but other times it reacts more smoothly to not yet be quite a match for it in some eyes. bumps you think would really upset the car. But that’s not for us to decide, and with The GV60 is already a refined car when it this GV60, Genesis looks set to change comes to ride comfort, but if the engineers perceptions. The individual design turns can fine-tune the Road Preview system – heads, while the interior, technology and which uses sat-nav data and a camera to driving experience back this up with a depth scan the road ahead, setting the suspension that all stems from the platform the car is up to deal with bumps in advance – then it’ll based on. Genesis’ charge starts here. improve itsdynamic performance further still. A little inconsistency in the throttle’s Verdict DETAIL response from a dead stop in Normal and Rbbieanvnuoicdedotleuntppdisoosaepwncdmake,2caorre1eegs-diiatisnnlrytg-caashrvaieelegrwafeiratnahtgregeeoodeeoio,,slmsd; Eco modes was the only other noticeable gripe. The car’s steering, meanwhile, felt fast THE GV60 is the most convincing Genesis 6April2022 13 and more positive than in its Ioniq sibling. yet, even ifit’llbe pricey.Thispre-production Inside, clever packaging means there’s car nails many areas an upmarket EV needs plenty of leg and headroom in the rear, but to, with great performance, charging and at more than five metres long, you’d expect range, while the refinement, qualityand tech this from the GV60. The powered tailgate seem sound. Itshould be a strong contender. www.autoexpress.co.uk

MoreNEWSKiaNiro space, extra tech for ●● FHryebsrhi-df,aPceHdEKViaanNdirEoVroepvetiaolnesd tN‘BbhilOeraodLCEe-DpV’ itlghlaearttscocovleorusred OFFICIAL John McIlroy RESTYLE Joh@[email protected] NstfcarhlooeececnwaekontnelNeettdrrniao-rcdlolnoactorhht,hhkaawaeisrnngitEgaehV THENiro kickstarted Kia’stransformation “All three versions of into a leading EV brand. And now, five tuhpednaetewdNpiorwo ceortmraeinwsi”th years since its debut and after more than 300,000 sales, a new Niro goes on sale this month before deliveries start in August. The new Niro – which will again be available in hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure- electric versions – is the first Kia to use the latest generation of its mid-sized K platform. The car shown here isthe new Niro EV(the name changes from e-Niro). The front looks smaller, it has the same multifunction panel cleaner, with a central socket for the charger in the dash, so you can flick between the and a frunkoffering about 20 litres ofstorage. infotainment and heating controls. The big change really comes at the side, The boot is a decent shape, and it has a with a much more dramatic look. On the EV variable-height floor, but the capacity varies it’s enhanced by steel-grey inserts, along depending on the powertrain. The most with the coloured ‘blade’ over the C-pillar. spacious of the trio is the EV, with 475 litres, All three Niros get updated powertrains. not including the frunk. The Hybrid offers The Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid still use Kia’s 451 litres, and the PHEV 348 litres. 1.6-litre GDi petrol engine, along with a six- This Niro should deliver more EV tricks speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. than the old model. Kia promises increased The Hybrid has a 1.32kWh battery and integration with its phone app, for remote offers 139bhp, while the beefier PHEV gets control of key functions, and the navigation a boost in battery size to 11.1kWh and system will recognise when you’ve targeted delivers a combined output of 180bhp. The a charging station and pre-condition the EV has 201bhp and a 64.8kWh battery. battery to maximise recharge speeds. Hybrid Kia expects the PHEV to manage 40 miles models will also recognise low-emissions on electric power alone, while the EV should zones and try to maximise electric running claim up to 288 miles. Both hybrids manage within them, and on the PHEV you can 0-62mph in around 10 seconds, and this define and save your own electric-only drops to just under eight seconds in the EV. areas for specific zero-emission trips. This Niro is 65mm longer than the car it Kia is still finalising UK specs and prices, replaces, and the wheelbase has stretched but three trim levels will be offered with too, so there’s now more room on board. every powertrain. Given the slight increase The dash is dominated by the twin 10.25- in size and improved spec, expect a modest inch displays similar to the new Sportage’s. price rise over the outgoing model – perhaps And while the screens in the Niro are a little starting at around £26,000 for the Hybrid. Simpler Corsa and Mokka ranges on sale now OFFICIALREVISIONSto theVauxhallCorsa and compared with the old trim. The Corsa GS SCoMrsAa lLinLeE-uRp Mokka line-ups have been announced for Line starts with a new 74bhp 1.2-litre three- 2022, with a simpler structure revealed. cylinder engine, priced from £19,490, while slaitserpnivmcodeurslUtt:yDtletoeGinmstStihrgayLrnte-ien,ee The Corsa – Britain’s best-selling car in the Mokka GS Line costs from £24,640. 2021 – is now offered in three trim levels Ultimate remains the top trim level, and instead of four, while the new Mokka range equipment levels are unchanged. However, shares the same three-trim structure. it represents better value because the price Design replaces SE Edition as the entry- has dropped to £23,375. Meanwhile, the level grade for both cars. It’s priced from Mokka Ultimate is priced from £28,825 and £17,340 for the Corsa and £22,265 for the offered with a new 128bhp three-cylinder Mokka, with the same level of standard petrol engine paired with a six-speed equipment as before, including a seven- manual gearbox, and Alcantara upholstery. inch central touchscreen, and cruise control Pure-electric versions of both models on the Mokka. The Mokka Design is also remain on sale, but in fewer trims than UiMabcsyunoPlstiekntGiikwtdll’saeRt1ororA2appf8fneDetbgrtrriheEemopdDl(aletwehbnUvirotgleehtvieilnem-ie)na, te offered with new engine options. before. The Corsa-e line-up starts from £27,055 in GS Line trim, capable of 222 GS Line is the new sporty variant, taking miles on a full charge, and all models are the place of SRi Line, but with some slight also upgraded with the toggle-shift drive modifications. Vauxhall claims a drop in selector already used on the Mokka. price of £1,000 across the GS Line range 14 6April2022

NEWSKiaNiro r new-look Kia Niro innebwrisef UonS iotspefunesltrheesetarvpes FwtCsoioOmomCriRodlbavsBirindotIa-orD1tir9soeDwnlaaEsnetiaNdnrg N30e0w+TmoyiloetsaoEfVrahnagse THE global oil price dropped by $5 dthreugbsaanrneeadmpolantges TOYOTA’S bZ4X electric SUV will offer (£3.80) a barrel when US President up to 317 miles of range, official tests Joe Biden last week announced plans Naughty plates banned have confirmed. The front-wheel-drive to release 180 million barrels from THE Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency are forbidden, as are those linked to model will make the most of what the the country’s Strategic Petroleum (DVLA) has released its latest list of drugs, such as G22 NJA. The latest list car’s 71.4kWh battery can offer, while Reserve (SPR). At up to one million registrations that are too rude for the was sent to Auto Express following a the four-wheel-drive car (fitted with the barrels per day, this will potentially road, this time for the 22-plate. Freedom of Information request. same battery) serves up a claimed 285 represent the largest-ever release miles of range, making both variants from the SPR. The plan aims to Anyone with a foul mouth won’t be Plates are banned if they “may cause competitive against rivals. With 150kW ease price pressures on the back allowed swearing-related combinations offence, embarrassment or are in poor rapid charging, an 80 per cent top-up of predictions that daily global such as F22 CKK and BA22 ARD. Once taste”. The DVLA says only a small number will take less than 30 minutes. demand for oilcould outstrip supply again, registrations referring to Covid-19 of combinations go on the suppressed list. by 800,000 barrels as part of the Caht ahriggehrerroeldlouuctaatiiomns fall-out from Russian sanctions. AT least 50,000 electric vehicle charge The SPR can store up to 730 points are to be installed by eEnergy million barrels of crude oil at full by 2030, as the firm partners with EO capacity. The US keeps its reserve Charging to provide accessible EV deep underground in huge salt charging for 32,000 schools, colleges dome caverns on the Gulf Coast. and universities across the UK. The companies believe that the 225,000 staff and 2.66 million students at UK higher education institutions have been under-represented in the rollout of charging infrastructure. The chargers will run on clean energy to protect consumers from rising energy bills. mCuoprreapsoewtseirtfsuplrBicoernfor CUPRA has confirmed prices for the higher-performance eBoost derivatives of its Born EV. The 225bhp 58kWh eBoost model offers 24bhp more than the regular car and starts from £37,445, while the 77kWh model offers the same power, but more range for £40,215. Cupra hasalso outlined representative finance deals for the Born range, starting from £399 per month based on a four-year deal limited to 10,000 miles a year with a £7,338 customer deposit. 6April2022 15

gRaeinnakuiltt’isndryannagme ischdaukeo-up OFFICIAL Extra kit has been added to the revised Captur and Clio ranges, while the latter gets a new hybrid system Hispano-Suiza returns RENAULT has refreshed the Clio and Captur line-ups called E-Tech 145. The set-up still makes use ONE of two companies that are claiming the rights to the for 2022, introducing new trim levels, extra equipment of a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine and classic Hispano-Suiza sports car name has unveiled its and a new hybrid powertrain option for the Clio. a small battery and motor system, but power new performance model, called the Maguari HS1 GTS. Tnhoewrestaarnednsoamt 1e4ch3abnhipc,awl cithhaCnOge2sfrfoomr th9e6gC/akpmtu.r. Both line-ups now begin with Evolution trim, This production car shares its lines with a concept from which gains a new seven-inch TFT instrument The 2022 Clio is on sale now, with prices the 2010 Geneva Motor Show and is powered by a 5.5-litre cluster over the Iconic Edition model it replaces. starting from £18,795 for the Evolution model twin-turbocharged V10 engine that produces 1,184bhp and with Renault’s TCe 90 three-cylinder petrol 1,100Nm of torque. Drive is sent to the rear wheels through a Techno is the new mid-range option instead of SE engine. The new-look Captur line-up begins from seven-speed automatic gearbox and the HS1 GTS can sprint Edition, but again the spec list is carried over, with £22,195, although the Evolution model remains from 0-62mph in less than 2.8 seconds, according to claims. the addition of tinted windows and chrome detailing. the only version of the Captur that isn’t available with plug-in hybrid power. An aluminium chassis and carbon-fibre body panels Sporty R.S Line completes the line-up as before, help peg the car’s kerbweight to a quoted 1,890kg. Hispano- but with a new 10-inch TFT instrument cluster, while Suiza hasn’t outlined the cost of the GTS, but the firm offers the Clio is offered with an updated hybrid drivetrain a bespoke tailor-made option for each customer, including unique interior upholstery and paintwork, plus what it describes as “the finest materials that money can buy”. 16 6April2022

GR Corolla hot hatch muscles inNEWSToyotaGRCorolla Sean Carson OFFICIAL [email protected] GARGCGorRolElaStSakIeVsE THE Toyota GR Yaris isn’t available in the sfbbphfrotaeuooyretwtmlctinghnheesegrch.tmosUiNannasSmesflilwpormeominrrrahealeYyrotadkitoreints, US, but the brand has revealed an all-new GR Corolla hot hatch that will be sold there. The car uses the same 1.6-litre three- cylinder turbocharged engine as the GR Yaris, but power is increased from 257bhp to 295bhp. It has the same four-wheel-drive system, while the Circuit Edition model features Torsen limited-slip differentials on the front and rear axles. Drive is transmitted via a six-speed manual gearbox. Performance figures are yet to be confirmed, but the GR Corolla’s extra power when compared with the GR Yaris should mean a 0-62mph time of around five seconds. The visual makeover for the GR Corolla is extreme, featuring a deep front bumper with a large mesh grille to aid engine cooling. There are also more vents in the bodyworkbehind the front wheelarches, which house 18-inch alloys and bigger brakes. The front and rear arches have been stretched to cover a wider track, and at the rear there’s a roof spoiler and a big bumper with three separate exhaust exits. Sports seats and GR branding feature inside. However, Toyota has confirmed that the GR Corolla won’t be sold in the UK.

New EV chargerNEWSCAMPAIGNUPDATE answers call fo REVEALED ‘Barrier-free’ design offers hope for less-able drivers who want to switch to EVs, but ca Chris Rosamond WHAT WE WANT [email protected] DESIGN agency Duku has revealed a ● UacrcgeesnstibplreoEviVsicohnarogfe sites AEFOQCRCUEAASLLSL world-leading, fully accessible public ● oGnovmeirnnimmeunmt rneugmulbaetirosn charger for electric cars, complete with ● CEooqbmuliagpalaittniyoieAnsctto20m1e0et a range of features intended to remove ● aMbooruetpEeVoapclecetsaslikbiinligty barriers for less-able drivers. The new 7-22kW charger design has a patented fully assisted cable feed that is operated by buttons on the plug, so it can be deployed one-handed. A motorised drum delivers only the length of cable required, removing the effort of coiling and uncoiling. There’s an accessible user interface designed to meet guidance on optimal graphics, information and colour use, and the charger features contactless payment so it doesn’t need a touchscreen, buttons or a mobile phone app to operate. The unit rotates 90 degrees so you can swivel it out of direct sunlight or point the cable towards your vehicle. The cable, and the unit itself, are coloured to improve visibility and reduce TEST the hazard for partially sighted pedestrians. adEttaehmnnemesdieilpngylsetenaYcwhiatwderticreocthhsutcoaelatdrrgrgieeedtr Significantly, the design has no vulnerable cabinet that requires protection from parking scrapes or bumps. This means the charger can be fitted at road level, with no obstacles for wheelchair users, who can easily get close to the unit. The secret is a crash- resistant base with a self-righting post that the charger in Dundee. “I find driving really weight and difficulty of using cables, and entered the public consultation phase and protects the internal high-voltage cables. liberating,” she said. “Unfortunately, due to obstructions around the base. A ‘tethered’ is due to be published later this year. The plastic shroud at the base of the the lack of accessible charging infrastructure charger means the user does not need their Consultancy Urban Foresight worked post is designed to deform to absorb light in the current market, I am yet to own an own cable, and we then challenged closely with Duku on the eight-month impacts, or be quickly and inexpensively electric vehicle. Having reviewed Duku’s ourselves to overcome the issue of moving charger project, part-funded by Innovate UK, replaced following a heavier bump. Duku new charger design that provides a the cable to the car and removing the need and project manager Clare Pennington said: claims its ‘plug-and-play’ system means completely barrier-free solution for my for bollards around the base.” He confirmed “With the potential for hundreds, possibly a unit can be replaced in 10 minutes particular requirements, this may well the unit is being developed for mass thousands of chargepoints to be installed using a pre-installed groundbox. change in the near future!” production, potentially as soon as 2024. before the guidance is published, it’s really TV presenter, journalist and accessibility Duku director Andrew Aylesbury told The new charger meets or exceeds draft important for organisations to be proactive consultant Emily Yates, who drives and uses Auto Express: “Problems identified from guidance for a new voluntary BSI Group and consider what they can do now to Fresh 7 Series shaping up nicelyawheelchair,participatedinarecenttrialof initialresearchwerepredominantlythe accessibilitystandard,whichhasjust ensure their chargepoints are accessible.” Sean Carson also tried BMW’s new V8 (again, specs slightly more tightly controlled body Verdict unconfirmed), which sounded great and movement transmitting a little more [email protected] pulled hard. But it feels as if the age of vibration through to the cabin on the DRIVING this early i7 proves that the electrification now better suits a luxury i7’s 20-inch wheels. But it also brings age of electrification has overtaken BMW’S 7 Series luxury limousine is the car’s brief than a combustion engine. a boost in agility during quick direction combustion engines in luxury cars. German brand’s flagship, so every changes. Not that many people will drive The new 7 Series is also loaded with successive generation points towards the The i7’s extra mass made it slightly more or be driven in an i7 in this way, but the technology and the signs are positive. technology we might see on the smaller comfortable (but slightly less agile) on the handling capability is there, and BMW 5 and 3 Series models. And the same is true move. Ride comfort from the fresh chassis, still sees this as a “core competence”. www.autoexpress.co.uk of this latest seventh-generation 7 Series, which has new adaptive air suspension and which we’ve tried in prototype form. active anti-roll control, is brilliant. It offers Steering and stability are good (and We tested an i7, which will come in three the kind of float on undulating roads you helped by rear-axle steering) while the editions. Our ‘middle’ model (no specs are expect from a luxury limousine, with even i7 is clearly packed full of technology. This available yet) should offer more than 400 our pre-production car’s yet-to-be-finalised includes a clever new remote-parking miles of claimed range and felt smooth and calibration and suspension components feature that will all be unveiled, along with swift; you’d never need more performance filtering out noise and vibration. full details of 7 Series and i7 specifications in a luxury car – and the refinement here and prices, on 20 April. Customer deliveries really suits the car’s brief and character. We Select Sport mode and the dampers of the flagship model will start in November. tense up ever so slightly, which results in 18 6April2022

or accessibility Inbox Yourviews an’t rcouaiPassinfdeLdDnbdeUleueesockvGiienguensenG’lss,s-etahwacEdrhaliDlytaenthordadgInnebeNaddoert qWueewstaionntstoorhoepairnyioonusrvtioewthse. SE-emnadilyaodudrress below whoobsutaseclewshteoedlcrhivaeirrss Contact Tristan Shale-Hester HOT TOPIC Ford Fiesta facelift FROM: Levent Taskan IT looks like a FROM: Adam Gorse I SAW one of these small van, which I actually mean as a facelifted models on the road recently good thing given the size restrictions and I thought it looked rather in this segment. The trouble is that it gormless. I don’t think this facelift seems to have barely changed with has done any favours for the exterior this facelift and is therefore starting design, and I say that as a Fiesta fan. to look long in the tooth. I hope the next one is better. FoRovereadrdtFehireessartearefrsedusipvheiedrdmedini barcrfoi“heDrraremu-raqfgkryueecuroiep’rsmpeasnmrropoetlilevuwceniuttdietlEoesalVnys”r Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk aEnMdIaLYccYeAssTiEbSilitTyVcopnressuelntatnert ■ “No accounting for ■ “Fiestas do seem a ■ “I’m not a fan of the taste, but I think this good choice for a reliable design; it looks like FIRST DRIVE looks infinitely better supermini. My 2010 Mk7 some sort of mini than the Vauxhall Corsa.” model is still going well.” MPV from the back.” COMING OF AGE Steve Michael Tom Jardine Wayne Gillions m7WprseueSiafitritekhnfsoreeisrasemmmsiletu.aonIxmnotutsct,ohereeyr,eaxlsectntcarcrdaotorrmniwlecikgxfeopceierogttlwhahlebteenlret sBtiigllgseurccharaghroilltetsopairce DisVaLlAic’seqnuceictkostehrrvililce www.autoexpress.co.uk FROM: Bob Bull WHY is it that car FROM: Peter Roberts SINCE the start designers are continuing to incorporate of the pandemic, the DVLA has had ever-bigger front grilles? With a few lots of criticism for its processing exceptions, your 109 New Cars (Issue times. I found my driving licence was 1,718) take it up a notch. With electric missing on a Wednesday, ordered a cars needing less cooling, why don’t replacement online and received it brands incorporate more aerodynamic the following Saturday. The service and smarter front designs? really exceeded my expectations. bSpreaarkedaotwhonuvgichttimfosr Mquyosteond’isdinn’stuardadncuep FROM: J Campbell MY car recently broke FROM: Paul Reed I TRIED to add my down in a town centre and wouldn’t 22-year-old son as a named driver on start. While waiting for recovery, my 89-year-old father’s car just in case multiple passing drivers shouted he should need to drive it, but the abusive comments at me, and a bus insurer wanted £200 for this. Baffling driver blasted his horn. Motorists that a young, keen-eyed driver with a should show more empathy in clean licence should be considered situations of this nature. riskier than an elderly one. FIESTA ON TEST: Supermini faces rivals – P34 6April2022 19

INSIDESTORY Tackling the motoring issues that matter FROEARCTHHEINSGTRS Sports stars, that is. We turn the floodlights on car brands and their sporting connections Graham Hope IN an increasingly polarised world, sport has a great knack of bringing people together, whether as participants or spectators. So it’s no surprise car makers want to be a part of the action at both elite and grassroots level, through sponsorships of events, teams or individuals. Over the next four pages, we look at how and where some of the leading manufacturers are involved, the different kind of partnerships they form, the extent of their investment – and crucially what they get in return. CITROEN - AG2R CYCLING TEAM A GOOD way for a car maker to increase its exposure is via a deal that sees its partner take on its name, as has happened with the AG2R Citroen cycling team on the Union Cycliste Internationale World Tour. The outfit, formed in 1992, was previously known as AG2R La Mondiale before Citroen took over co-sponsorship status with French insurance company AG2R in 2021. Despite controversies in recent years, cycling has a strong pull for car companies; there’s a shared focus on mobility, it appeals to young and old alike and is truly international (the 2022 AG2R team features riders from nine different countries). Plus, there is the added bonus of being able to promote the company’s product as ‘support vehicles’ – in Citroen’s case the C5 Aircross and Space Tourer XL. KIA- TENNIS AND FIFA WORLD CUP THE Korean company’s deals with football’s World Cup (worth a reported £25m) and tennis’s Australian Open have, it claims, resulted in “dramatic improvements in brand awareness and perception on a global scale”. Kia provides a vehicle fleet to both events, and receives massive exposure via prominent branding beamed across the world on extensive TV coverage. There was an added bonus this year when Kia ambassador Rafa Nadal (right) won a record-equalling 21st grand slam in Melbourne. But being involved in such events brings increased scrutiny. Both tournaments attracted negative headlines: this year’s Australian Open was embroiled in a row over Covid vaccines, and concerns over workers’ welfare and gay rights have dogged the 2022 Qatar World Cup. In November it was reported that organiser FIFA was still short of sponsors. Clearly, for Kia and other global companies still involved, the benefits outweigh the risk of adverse publicity. But it is obviously a topic of some sensitivity, with Kia unwilling to comment when we asked it about the controversies. 20 6April2022

INSIDE STORYSportssponsorship ON YOUR BIKE Cycling is a great fit for Citroen, because the AG2R team includes the car maker’s name in its title and uses the brand’s products as support vehicles on the UCI World Tour HONDA- ENGLAND RUGBY CUPRA- WORLD PADEL TOUR WHILE many of the sponsorships featured here are CUPRA has been in existence for only four years, decided on at a global level, there is also plenty of and the Spanish company freely admits increasing localised activity, with the British arms of brands awareness of what it stands for is a “key objective”. often free to do their own deals (subject to head office approval). A good example of this is Honda What better way for a new brand to do this than by UK’s partnership with England Rugby. raising the profile of an exciting, dynamic sport that will be unfamiliar to many people? Padel is best The link-up sees the Honda logo appear on the described as a blend of tennis and squash, usually Under-20 and Under-18 playing and training kits, played in doubles on an enclosed court that is one the senior team’s training facility Pennyhill Park third of the size of a tennis court. renamed as the Honda England Rugby Performance Centre, and the provision of a fleet of vehicles. Cupra is sponsoring the World Padel Tour, has joined Wilson to market a custom racquet, “Our ability to provide an eco-friendly, electrified and has big plans for the sport’s fleet was a big consideration,” explained Honda’s development. “We firmly PR and events section manager Emma Butler. But believe in its international there was more to it than that. “Our audiences potential and have the aligned, and that was key,” she said. ambition to make it an Olympic sport,” according And rugby fans from the other home nations to Antonino Labate, director needn’t feel alienated; Honda is looking at ways of strategy and operations. to support community rugby right across the UK. 6April2022 21 www.autoexpress.co.uk

INSIDE STORY GAME ON Mercedes has had MERCEDES - ESPORTS AND GOLF partnerships in eSports in recent ONE of the attractions of sports sponsorship is the way years as gaming’s it allows manufacturers to connect with target groups of global appeal potential customers. That obviously has a bearing on the continues to grow. sports they get involved in. Since the eighties, Mercedes The firm has been has been heavily involved in golf, through its support for involved with golf major championships The Masters and The Open, and over four decades players such as Bernhard Langer and Rickie Fowler. But a sure sign that Mercedes’ customer base is expanding is the company’s venture into eSports in recent years, by way of partnerships with developer and publisher RIOT Games and German-based team SK Gaming. The latter’s Project Avarosa, a programme designed to create a professional outfit for female and non-binary gamers, seems a world away from the genteel, conservative environment of the Augusta National golf course and shows how partnerships can shift perception of a brand. . LOTUS - CYCLING GB BRANDS’ sporting partnerships often go beyond traditional sponsorships. Such was the case with Lotus’s tie-up with the Great Britain cycling team. The firm’s engineering division teamed up with Hope Technology to develop a new track bike used by British riders at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Lotus created the cycle’s front forks and handlebars, utilising wind tunnel technology to good effect. As with Lotus cars, the focus was on minimising weight while maximising strength. It worked, with the likes of Laura Kenny, Jason Kenny and Katie Archibald all enjoying success in Japan, helping Team GB top the cycling medal table with seven medals (three gold, three silver and one bronze). MAZDA- HIROSHIMA TOYO CARP LOCAL HEROES Mazda’s close ties with Hiroshima SPONSORSHIPS are often a trusted way of forging bonds are a key part of its sponsorship of with a local community. And that is very much the case with the city’s baseball and rugby teams Mazda, the company which is based in, and inextricably linked with, Hiroshima, the city in the south-west of Japan that was devastated by a nuclear bomb in World War II. Mazda played a key role in rebuilding Hiroshima, and still takes the city’s welfare seriously. One way it does this is by supporting local sport, and in particular Hiroshima Toyo Carp, who play in the Nippon Professional Baseball Central League. The team is 60 per cent owned by the Matsuda family – which founded Mazda – while the firm itself owns a 34.2 per cent share, and home matches take place at the 32,000-seat Mazda Stadium in Hiroshima. Even the name, Toyo Carp, comes from Mazda’s original name, Toyo Kogyo. The firm also used to own the city’s professional rugby union team, who compete in the top tier of Japanese rugby, and it remains a heavy backer, as evidenced by the outfit’s new name – the Skyactivs Hiroshima, a not-so-subtle reference to Mazda’s engine tech. Explaining Mazda’s ongoing desire to promote and support Hiroshima, senior managing executive officer Masahiro Moro said: “More than 50 per cent of our employees are from this region, so we have a very strong wish to contribute to its society.” 22 6April2022

INSIDE STORY GOOD FIT ASOLWMAEYTSIMGEOSTITODPOLAESNN…’T Golfer Paul Casey’s lifelong love affair with Porsche made him ON rare occasions sponsorships go wrong, a natural choice to become a as Premier League club Arsenal discovered brand ambassador for the firm when it apparently did a deal with Chinese car firm BYD in 2018, after successfully PORSCHE - PAUL CASEY partnering with Citroen for years. MANY makers have what are termed brand Within weeks of announcing BYD as ambassadors – essentially high-profile automotive sponsor, it became clear that stars who appear in PR campaigns for the Arsenal had been scammed, because the manufacturer and receive a car or cars in return. individual who signed the deal off on BYD’s behalf didn’t actually work for the These deals can produce some odd pairings, Guangdong-based company. but have most credibility when the athlete has an authentic love for the brand. One good All mention of the ‘partnership’ quickly example is Porsche ambassador, golfer Paul disappeared from the club’s website. Casey, a five-time veteran of the Ryder Cup, who went up the hill at the Goodwood Festival WGEHTYIDNOVOCLAVREMD?AKERS of Speed last year in a Cayenne Turbo GT. A YOUGOV poll published this year found that Prior to signing up with the German maker, car makers are the most likely firms to be considered a good Casey had already amassed a small collection fit for sports sponsorships by consumers, with 36 per cent of of classic and modern Porsches and admits his those surveyed saying they were appropriate sponsors, ahead passion for the brand dates back to childhood. of tech and telecommunication brands (both 34 per cent). TOYOTA- THE OLYMPICS So clearly there is an expectation from the public that auto manufacturers will get involved in sport. But, very simply, THE biggest sporting event in the world is unquestionably what’s in it for them? Riccardo Tafa (above), managing director the Olympics. Independent research showed that 3.05 of RTR Sports Marketing, a respected London agency that billion people tuned in to coverage of the Tokyo games. has been in the business for 25 years and specialises in sponsorship for Formula E and Moto GP, explained the appeal. It’s no surprise, then, that the world’s biggest car firm, Toyota, is a sponsor, reputedly paying nearly $1billion “Car makers have lots of money and need to be perceived (£760m) in 2015 for an eight-year deal, which, among other as relevant,” he said. “To be a top-tier brand you need to be elements, covered the provision of vehicles for the games. where the public attention is. Sponsorship is a way of getting to your target by passing through the heart, the creation of an But Toyota’s involvement in Tokyo didn’t go entirely to emotional bond with something that your target loves. With plan. With the 2020 games delayed for a year due to Covid, traditional advertising, you know that they bought the space, held without fans and sparking significant debate in Japan they want to get at you. But when you are embedded in the as to whether they should go ahead at all, Toyota chose not action, the creation of an emotional bond results in sales.” to have its executives attend the opening ceremony and took the decision not to air Olympics-themed TV ads. Tafa added that the longevity of some sponsorship deals, prove they work. “Car makers are not benefactors; there is a Too close an association with such a contentious event clear return on investment,” he claimed. could be problematic, it was felt, and as Toyota chief communications 6April2022 23 officer Jun Nagata explained at the time: “There are many issues with these Games that are proving difficult to be understood.”

NEWCARS Visit autoexpress.co.uk for the latest new cars and drives “You sense that there’s the SchUaVrawcatnetrionfgatnoebnretearktafrineien”g Sean Carson in 2023, but for now, there’s a choice of leisurely pace, the eight-speed automatic Essentials two 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder gearbox’s shifts are slurred nicely. [email protected] mild-hybrid options offering 296bhp in The car’s steering feels fast and positive Maserati Grecale GT the entry-level GT trim and 325bhp in the enough, and while we could sense some roll Price: £60,000 (est.) MASERATI may be going all-electric, mid-spec Modena edition. Both models in corners, it still feels agile despite its size Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo petrol having outlined its ‘Folgore’ strategy, develop 450Nm of torque. and weight. However, our test route through Power/torque: 296bhp/450Nm but the Grecale mid-size SUV is where the Above these sits a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 the centre of Milan and around the outskirts Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, brand’s renaissance really starts. version of Maserati’s new Nettuno unit that of the city didn’t let us explore the car’s To make money – and the company also powers its MC20 sports car, pumping handling any further than a few left-right four-wheel drive will need to prove itself viable under the out 523bhp and 620Nm of torque in the bends on a horribly torn surface, so we’ll 0-62mph: 5.6 seconds Stellantis umbrella – you need to compete Grecale Trofeo. These powertrain options have to wait until we’ve driven it in the UK Top speed: 149mph in this class. After Porsche released its also dictate standard equipment, and we’re for a full judgement. Being shod with winter Economy: 32.5mpg Macan SUV (the new Macan T version is focusing on the more affordable GT here. tyres in 24-degree heat also didn’t help. driven on P30), a direct competitor for the Maserati says the MHEV system’s extra The same is true of the ride quality – CO2: 198g/km Grecale, in 2014, it became the German torque makes it feel more like a six-cylinder. although our GT model had the optional air brand’s best-selling model. It highlights the While this is a stretch – not least due to the suspension (it’s standard on the two higher ONSALE June market’s appetite for this kind of car, which has only grown over the last eight years. droning engine note, which doesn’t project trims). Initial impressions suggest that this Being based on an updated version ‘luxury’ – you do notice some assistance car has a soft set-up offering compliance of the Giorgio platform already used by the giving strong mid-range acceleration around over gently undulating roads, but riding on Alfa RomeoStelvioSUV is a good place to town and on country roads. 20-inch wheels, the chassis occasionally start, while all the powertrains offer some Officially, the 0-62mph sprint takes 5.6 struggles to deal with sharper bumps, form of electrification across the board. seconds, but at higher revs, the 1,870kg sometimes crashing and thumping. The Grecale Folgore will become SUV doesn’t feel that rapid, so it’s best to You get a sense there’s the character of Maserati’s first full EV when it launches cruise in the Grecale. Driving at a more an agile, engaging SUV wanting to break 24 6April2022

28 MG5EV 30 PORSCHEMACANT 32 TOYOTAAYGOX Sharper looks and an Behind the wheel of We find out if new improved interior boost new Touring version SUV-inspired city appeal of well priced EV of sharp-handling SUV car has the X factor tcwSroaTiotdhYlemamLeIpaNturakrGlpttohriEsrmeveee,prnwiyeoicdtneejgustasvhtieligfnhohtarslissgfhebhaoettwecurn.raeMfd;tseainmsssiegairdnnaeesti,dh’sip E£tloh6Qae0dU,G0er0dIeP0cwaMwiltehhEeiskNnietTi,xtwpgEehovceeitcnsehdobynatoosusesaw-tlsaeoprttuehflcdrisoGemsTxuptamreirmomctuecgnroidvmeens Maserati Grecale GT FIRSTDRIVE New SUV will spearhead famous Italian brand’s revival 6April2022 25

NEWCARS MaseratiGrecale INTERIOR awfmcCibseoanahwindblndaiteliirennpmsloipchbtlgaeshoyeilvsreiorsteaiifctdnst,aleeeuwlglssyxoiisugtoh,rndy “pTahinetreedawreoloodts, sotfitlochveeldylmeaattheeriraalsn,dinmcluetdainl tgrim PGTlohrRneagcnAawklCesh’TsteoIerCetlbhlAaaetLsiveIe,TlyY pieces.The craftsmanship seems strong, too” rtinhoeotrhmee’sfroperaleprnastseysaeotnsf gers free, but in terms of ride and powertrain capability come built in. It’s a massive refinement, we’re not sure it fully meets the improvement over Maserati’s old Fiat- luxury aspirations the brand is targeting. Chrysler-based infotainment systems and Inside, things are better. There are lots of will be a big positive in its push to steal lovely materials, including painted wood on sales from rivals such as the Macan. But the doors, stitched leather and some nice then, with prices for the Grecale set to start metal trim pieces. The craftsmanship in the from around £60,000 when it goes on sale finishing of these areas seems strong too, this summer, you’d expect this. which serves to highlight the few creaks and The Italian car beats its German rival on squeaks we heard from our early-build car. some practicality points, though. The extra According to Maserati, its designers have length in the platform’s wheelbase helps to focused on a minimalist, modern look that create a good level of legroom in the back promotes functionality, so there are few seats, while along with decent head and physical controls on show. Instead, most shoulder room, it makes the Grecale the actions are carried out through the central most spacious SUV in its class, according 12.3-inch touchscreen and a smaller 8.8- to Maserati. We certainly had no trouble inch panel that sits below it. sitting on the rear bench. The system’s layout is a bit overwhelming With 535 litres of boot capacity (a little at first, but you get used to it quickly, while down on the 570 litres you get in the Trofeo the graphics are sharp and the responses due to the mild-hybrid system’s packaging), quick enough. It comes loaded with features it also offers more luggage space than and strong connectivity (including wireless the Macan, while returning a claimed Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) even in 32.5mpg and 198g/km toofoC.O2 means this base-spec GT car. it’s a more efficient car, There’s also a configurable digital The Trident brand has always dashboard and a new digital clock – the carried a certain cachet that appeals first in Maserati’s history – that is the focal on a different level to some of its point for voice commands and can display German competitors, and with the a compass rose or G readings if selected. Grecale’s sleek design inspired by the Alexa integration features as part of the MC20 in some areas (plus, no detail is Maserati Intelligent Assistant system, while decorative, everything has a function), it sits other connected services such as fuel-price easily in this class, even if it feels lacking in data and over-the-air software update a few areas compared with the best. 26 6April2022 www.autoexpress.co.uk

aLMnUadtXefreUieaRllseYaxpreenpsluivseh. NEW CARSMaserati Grecale bccHoaeorutw’tsledebrvhuienairlv,daeoqfubeurewaeelainatryrleyas DDbyiIgStitwaPolLdtAaosuYhchisscjroeiennesd ncfaolleisrmwoinafdfteoeiagtcatiutoianrnlemtcsroleoln;ctkaand Verdict THE Grecale is the car Maserati has needed in its line-up for nearly a decade. It offers something a little different in the mid-size luxury SUV sector, and that alone will be enough to tempt some buyers to pick it. Arriving with mild electrification – plus a full EV set to launch next year – there’s technology to compete in this class on merit. However, initial impressions from our first drive suggest that the Grecale falls short in some areas it needs to nail. Our car’s ride comfort and refinement could have been better, even if the qualityofthe materialsinside did mostly live up to the car’s predicted price.  6April2022 27

NEWCARS MG5EV PaMcfGkoar5gaiEnmVg’sitdhb-ePsoiboRzaetAtietseCnsrt’TytattImehC,eeAbaluanLtrsIg4Tteh7Ys9et mSgaimnvodeodoreMetrvhnGisnl5oeoodasketma(ioal-rbleiogvhet)s rliottrooemos,iissnostthMilelGfraesirah.roTfuholedrrpeb’asespsplereanncgttyeicroasfl, www.autoexpress.co.uk 28 6April2022

Essentials MG 5 EVMG5EV NEWCARS FIRSTDRIVE Fresh-faced electric MG 5 EVLong Range estate loads up on style, inside and out Price: £30,000 (est) Batt./motor: 61.1kWh/1x e-motor Thomas Geiger base-spec model. It means an 80 per Power/torque: 154bhp/280Nm WHEN it comes to electric cars, SUVs cent recharge will take 40 minutes. Transmission: Sfrionngtl-ew-shpeeeelddraivuetomatic, make plenty of sense, thanks to their raised Aside from straight-line performance, ride height helping to package a big battery. the updated MG 5 EV’s refinement is 0-62mph: 8.3 seconds MG knows as much, because its ZS EV is a strong, and it’s also comfortable. It’s Top speed: 115mph big-seller for the British brand. But it also far from a luxury machine, but the ride knows diversity is key, which is why the settles down well when cruising. Range: 249 miles (WLTP) Chinese-owned company is still plugging This comfort-focused approach does Charging: 87kW (0-80% 40mins) away with the MG 5 EV electric estate, mean that there isn’t much of a sporty feel, having facelifted it for 2022. but the MG’s steering is sharp enough and ONSALE Late 2022 While confirmed for Europe, Auto Express its handling is safe and secure, offering understands that the car will make an plenty of stability in corners. EcaVr’sIfNreFsOhlyCshtayrlgeidngnopsoein; t8i7skmWoruanptieddchoanrtghee appearance in the UK market towards The regenerative braking is also smooth the end of 2022. So, ahead of the and intuitive, and allows you to drive along cmfoairpnaaubt0eil-si8t.y0Ainspe1s1rtkacWnednoatnrrdebcoohanardrLgocenhgtairmRgeaernogisfe4inm0clouddeelds updated car arriving, what’s it like? mostly just modulating the throttle to adjust Underneath, the MG 5 EV Long Range your speed, which makes the MG relaxing to EruQnsUaIPneMwEinNfoTtaNinemwe1n0t.2s5y-sitnecmh ttohuacthlosocrkesen model still boasts a 61.1kWh battery, drive in pretty much every situation. which powers a 154bhp electric motor It’s relatively practical, too, as you’d gswlaihcuiklge.eIltoc’sltusjsootienfrekfdiot rbcotyhmaeescseaavr’essnns-teianwncdhdaadrdsighibtaolard, on the front axle. Conversely, and as with expect from an estate. Although having to the ZS EV, the smaller-battery 50kWh car accommodate a battery means it’s far from actually gets more power due to the the most cavernous when it comes to load battery’s different operating voltage. space, with 479 litres on offer with the rear However, a 0-62mph time of 8.3 seats in place and 1,367 litres with them seconds for the top model is still more than folded down, there’s plenty of legroom and fast enough, with smooth, swift, step-free a good amount of headroom in the rear. acceleration on tap. Plus, both cars offer Up front, MG has given the interior an the same 280Nm of torque, so the impressive overhaul, with a smarter cabin difference on the move isn’t so great. layout that features a seven-inch digital What is of more use is the Long Range gauge cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen model’s 249-mile WLTP-certified range mounted higher on the dash. This runs MG’s compared with the Short Range car’s latest iSmart Lite infotainment system, which claimed 199 miles from a full charge. also features Apple CarPlay and Android The Long Range car also features Auto compatibility. It’s a worthwhile step faster rapid-charge capability, with forward, as are the cabin materials. a maximum speed of up to 87kW The brand has also overhauled the car’s possible, compared with 70kW in the exterior styling, giving it a much fresher look with slimmer headlights connected by a thin plastic strip and a centrally mounted charging port on the nose. The front bumper is chunkier and looks sportier, while at the rear, new, slimmer tail- light units with a Y-shaped LED signature give the 5 EV a smarter, more premium look. There’s a level of kit to match this impression. It’s likely the new MG 5 EV will come in Comfort and Luxury trims when it arrives in the UK, with even the base-spec car featuring LED lights, the new infotainment, a rear camera, a three-pin socket to power other equipment, air-con and adaptive cruise with autonomous emergency braking. Prices are likely to start from just under £30,000. Verdict M“ItG’s5fa’srrfirdoemseatltulexsudryomwnacwheinllew, bheunt tchreuising” SHARPER styling, an improved interior and uprated technology help to boost www.autoexpress.co.uk the MG 5 EV’s appeal. The running gear underneath provides decent performance and the car’s solid range remains, which, along with predicted affordable pricing, is a positive. ____b 6April2022 29

NEWCARS PorscheMacanT w“Wheeerel-cdkroivnethhoatt hmaatcnhyefos uarr-e mMwhaoicrceahncisrTectdhreiabdnleitSrtUiovVatlhaseltteoProtnhrasetcivhees”, PorscheMacan T KNNEEODWTO FIRSTDRIVE Behind the wheel ofTouring version of SUV MdsraaaeirnoddaeadoercafrarbisbnkmnpaliaosdsiTrdhhigr’lseoeeainsrdrgdsg,re,iinlle, Alex Ingram helps to improve cornering agility. The rear-driven feel, highlighting the new Alex@[email protected] 2.0-litre unit makes 261bhp and 400Nm model’s retuned traction control system. of torque, with the latter available from In a first for a four-cylinder Macan, it’s IN Porsche’s vernacular, ‘T’ stands for 1,800rpm through to 4,000rpm, the same also possible to add air suspension. The ‘Touring’. It’s a title that’s been applied as the base Macan. However, thanks to the £1,044 extra also adds an uprated rear anti- in the past to the brand’s sports cars that standard Sport Chrono Pack, the 0-62mph roll bar, and drops the suspension a further might not have the most power or the time drops by 0.2 seconds to 6.2. 10mm (or 20mm in Sport Plus mode). lowest 0-62mph time, but aim to give the The key changes are to the suspension, The air set-up keeps the platform stable keen driver a pure, engaging experience. which gets a specific tune. On standard and level even under hard cornering. In For the badge to now appear on an steel springs, it sits 15mm lower than the Sport and Sport Plus modes the ride gets 1,865kg SUV might seem like an oxymoron. regular Macan and gets the brand’s PASM incrementally busier, but it’s never harsh. But this is the Macan T, and Porsche reckons adaptive damping system as standard. In Comfort, it’s just as relaxing as rival cars, that for similar money to premium SUV While the Macan has always been an but unless you’ll be doing a lot of motorway rivals from BMW and Jaguar, there’s genuine astoundingly sharp, composed car by SUV cruising, where the air suspension set-up is Porsche DNA for keen drivers to enjoy. standards, these changes make the front slightly more refined, we’d save the cash. The T is priced from £53,970, £5,000 even keener to turn in and keep a flat stance The seven-speed PDK gearbox is flawless. more than the entry-level Macan, but just through turns. The damping is so well set up. It’s super-smooth and the changes are as £660 less than the S. However, to help save Even while attacking the Col de Turini’s sharp and as swift as you’d ever need in an weight the T uses the 2.0-litre four-cylinder harsh, undulating roads in France, the T SUV. The steering is wonderfully weighted engine shared with other VW Group models, clings onto its line doggedly in the face of and gives positive feedback, while the such as the Golf GTI, only here it’s mounted harsh mid-corner bumps. Where some rivals brakes are powerful and reassuring, even longitudinally. The smaller engine weighs would get upset, the latest Macan shrugs off after heavy and repeated use. From the 59kg less than the V6 models, and all that the worst surfaces. In the dry, there’s more point of view of enjoyment and capability, mass removed from the nose, Porsche says, grip than power, but in the wet, it adopts a we reckon that many four-wheel-drive hot 30 6April2022

MeIbhhNxuaaaclliTfflted--ellAElreeqilRaacnuatltahIna,OletwintarRd,yhraiilse NEW CARSPorsche Macan T aupshpoolrsttieerryfeaedlds Essentials Porsche MacanT Price: £53,970 Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo petrol Power/torque: 261bhp/400Nm Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch auto, four-wheel drive 0-62mph: 6.2 seconds Top speed: 144mph Economy: 26.4mpg CO2: 242g/km ONSALE Now EslmsehtQavoaenrrUeldpo,aIinfPrredtkuMs.iiptNt,ioEvewnewNisttiThocvee2uMn0astar-eneic;ndacicnnfohufnoTlalstlhaooloailfneysfmes(alaeeftignftuttot)reoeidisssdas PRACTICALITY Macan’s 458-litre sRMbeoeaaaostrtsesirsaaentabidteGshtrhaienrecedaslrmpeoaoo(cPmseatyggSerUeonV2wo4rsu)ivgtbaohul,s1t,t,dh5inro0ocu3plgulhidtthrineesg. hatches are more credible rivals to the Agate Grey metallic paint, and the 20-inch Macan T than SUV alternatives, which is alloy wheels come in a complementary dark credit to the Porsche. titanium shade. There are 13 exterior colour As effective as the four-cylinder engine is, options to choose from, too. it might not suit everyone. It sounds okay, Inside, the Macan T gets a unique part- but isn’t exactly bursting with character, and leather, part-‘Sport-Tex’ Alcantara-like trim, while that flat torque curve makes the motor with silver contrast stitching and embossed Verdict fairly flexible, it means it isn’t particularly Porsche logos on the headrests. Following rewarding to rev out. The heftier V6 options updates to the Macan range in the second IF you need the practicality and might sacrifice the last word in agility, but half of 2021, there’s a new centre console space of an SUV, but don’t want the trade-off for a richer sound and more that replaces the old physical buttons with to sacrifice driving fun, then the muscular mid-to-high range might be worth it a touch-sensitive panel. It’s slightly less Macan T is the sweetest-handling for some, especially because the extra outlay confusing than the vast array of buttons option on the market. The car is for the S isn’t really that much beyond the T. that were there previously, and it also looks responsive and entertaining, and The Macan T stands apart from the rest of a little smarter. Above it sits a 10.9-inch matches this with quality and kit. the range with subtle cosmetic details. The touchscreen. It’s slick and responsive, but However, the V6-powered S is only grille, door mirrors, side blades, rear spoiler there’s no Android Auto compatibility, slightly pricier, and benefits from and badging are all finished in Porsche’s although Apple CarPlay is fitted. a more tuneful engine that feels more befitting of a Porsche. To “The Macan T stands apart from the rest of us, that’s a worthwhile trade-off. the range with some subtle cosmetic details”  6April2022 31

Toyota Aygo XNEWCARS ToyotaAygoX FIRSTDRIVE We discover if SUV-inspired Aygo has the X factor James Brodie longer. That mainly translates into more something that would have separated Jam@[email protected] room up front. The freshly designed dash is the Aygo X from other city cars, although centred around a new touchscreen. In the it would have added weight and cost. FOR many members of the millennial entry-level Pure car, a seven-inch panel is The engine’s lack of torque means generation, the Toyota Aygo has been standard. But top-spec Exclusive models, you need to work the five-speed manual a trusty first car. But now we’ve reached the as driven here, get a nine-inch unit with gearbox to keep momentum. So it’s a good Mk3 of this city class stalwart, and the Aygo sat-nav, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. thing that it’s a nice-enough transmission, – like its customer base – has grown up. There’s still lots about the Aygo X’s with a good weight and throw. We’d pick It’s now called the Aygo X (pronounced cabin to remind you of Aygos of the past. it over the CVT automatic unit. Combined Cross), and it turns to its bigger brother, the Painted metal lines the doors in place of with a light clutch pedal and steering, it Yaris supermini, for its technical basis. It sits interior trim and there are no soft-touch makes the car easy to dart around town in. on Toyota’s GA-B platform and keeps to the plastics; to keep the cost as city car-like The enjoyable city dynamics are joined confines of the city-car segment, but is now as possible, they’re cheap materials. by ride quality that feels as if it belongs to 3.7 metres long. Ride height is up by 11mm The two back-seat occupants won’t feel a car from the segment above, thanks as part of an SUV-inspired makeover, while the gains of the expanded size, either, with to the Aygo X’s taller ride height and the the driver’s seating position is 55mm higher. legroom still tight. Even shorter drivers will mature platform inherited from the Yaris. We’ve driven a pre-production car, but leave those sitting behind lacking space. In this regard, it offers a slightly more this is our first encounter with the finished Toyota’s familiar 1.0-litre three-cylinder grown-up driving experience than many product, which is now on sale in the UK, petrol engine produces just 71bhp and city cars currently on sale, but not game- with first deliveries coming later this month. 93Nm of torque. As before, progress is changing. It’s also more expensive than An entirely new front-end design is more slow, taking 14.9 seconds from 0-62mph. its rivals, so buyers hunting for a small imposing and SUV-like. Chunky, blackplastic But it’s only overly thrummy if you really car on a budget may lean towards the cladding surrounds the wheelarches, which rev it out; that aside, it’s a refined car Kia Picanto or the Hyundai i10. The Korean house very un-city-car-sized 18-inch wheels. when you eventually get it up to speed, pair don’t offer the taller ride height, but The design is more evolutionary towards the and it cruises at motorway pace quite they do provide a similar level of big-car back, though. It keeps the previous model’s happily. As for fuel economy, we saw kit for less money than the Toyota. The i10 pop-out rear windows, a boot lid made from 40.1mpg, and there’s none of Toyota’s in Premium spec even advances on the a single pane of glass, and similar vertical hybrid expertise here. Perhaps that’s Aygo X with luxuries such as heated seats. tail-lights. Even the Aygo badge is the same, a“Int’ds aitrcerfuiniseedscaatrmwohteonrwyaoyupgaecteitquupitteohsappepeidly,” except for the new ‘X’ suffix. cAawunyirtdgrhoepnaXltatfsSaotUlillcleVorc-wslratisdydletdehihnecergaigzhet The exterior redesign reflects what you’ll discover inside. The Aygo X is wider than the old Aygo, with a wheelbase that’s 90mm 32 6April2022 cmiItAnhaNyfeengoTaotfbnaiEvewsienRcit-mthhIshOepeornensReeeet.wdnisCA,mfamowCbraVoiinntaTrheuma£aasu1lidp.,xt1ovaLe0amcos0ennatcogupteieuprcserctmfhiwrrnaeoihunsdnemsetoemsfliobgiosvanlsdesiaroennd www.autoexpress.co.uk

Essentials 1T.o0yVoVtaT-AiyEgxoclXusive Price: £17,715 Engine: 1.0-litre 3cyl petrol Power/torque: 71bhp/93Nm Transmission: Ffriovne-ts-wpheeedelmdrainveual, 0-62mph: 14.9 seconds Top speed: 98mph Economy: 58.8mpg Verdict SACOL2E: 110g/km PTlh8ith2erRe9easvAslyiiwtClrlieitTsteshiImtwCsrseAiqtachuLroittsIuheTeledahYtbibsgeeAhinny,tcrghihpocolkafwXoyc’lesedv,beeedorx,opastalomonfldoofeisanrtdsgfiln2tao3gt1. ON EXACTLY who will buy the Toyota Aygo X Now is tricky to define. It’s a strong city car that’s fun in town, civilised to drive outside it, and has more advanced interior and driver-assistance tech over the old Aygo. But while its SUV-inspired makeover rings in the change, sales success will hinge on whether typical city car buyers are willing to fork out more for the Toyota’s aspirational image over well equipped, good-value, but more conventional rivals. Being restricted to just one 71bhp engine isn’t ideal, either, when rival models in the class are offered with more power. ___`b 6April2022 33

ROADTESTS Visit autoexpress.co.uk for the latest new cars and drives F12o5rPdSFimesHtEaV1.0TiEtacnoiBuomost T1.o5yVoVtaT-YiaIrciosn 1S.k0oTdSaI 1F1a0bPiaS SE L Price: £20,940 Price: £20,820 Price: £19,730 Engine: 1.0-litre 3cyl turbo, 123bhp Engine: 1.5-litre 3cyl hybrid, 114bhp Engine: 1.0-litre 3cyl turbo, 108bhp 0-62mph: 9.4 seconds 0-62mph: 9.7 seconds 0-62mph: 10.0 seconds Official economy: 58.9mpg/13.0mpl Official economy: 68.8mpg/15.1mpl Official economy: 55.4mpg/12.2mpl CO2: 114g/km Annual road tax: £155 CO2: 92g/km Annual road tax: £145 CO2: 117g/km Annual road tax: £155 Pictures: Pete Gibson www.autoexpress.co.uk 34 6April2022

Playing catch-up? Competition in the supermini class is intense a–gisatinhsetuSpkdoadtaeadnFdoTrdoyFoietsatraivsatillsl?a challenger ONCE upon a time (and not long ago), mild-hybrid tech now features across the the Ford Fiesta was the number one range. But has Ford done enough to keep supermini on the block. It was the UK’s best the Fiesta at the cutting edge? seller, and its mix of practicality, style and To find out, we’ve lined up two rivals that Testers’ notes engaging driving dynamicsmeant it was a top will push it to its limits. The latest Skoda choice in a class packed with talented rivals. Fabia offers practicality and quality by the “The arrival of the new Fiesta marks the end of Vignale as But time moves on. The Vauxhall Corsa bucketload, and it achieves this while a trim line. The plush spec pushed prices higher than the has nabbed the Fiesta’s title as the UK’s offering fantastic value for money, too. ST hot hatch, so sales were slow, but now Ford offers it as number one, while newer supermini rivals At a similar price to the Fiesta is have raised the bar in other areas. the Toyota Yaris. The latest version is an upgrade for Titanium, Active and ST-Line models.” To help the Fiesta remain competitive, built around hybrid drive, so it’s more Ford has updated it for 2022. There’s a efficient than the Fiesta, but is that Sean Carson subtle new look and more kit, while all there is to the Japanese hatch? www.autoexpress.co.uk 6April2022 35

ROAD TESTS FordFiestavsrivals MODELTESTED: Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost 125PS mHEVTitanium PRICE: £20,940 ENGINE: 1.0-litre 3cyl petrol, 123bhp ONE thing that hasn’t changed with the facelifted Ford Fiesta is the extensive range of variantsonoffer.Herewe’retestingthe123bhp Titanium model, which costs £20,940. However, the Running costs carinourpicturesisahigh-specST-Line Vignale 58.9mpg (official) variantwitha153bhpversionof theEcoBoostpetrol £69 fill-up/£155 or 26% tax engine, which costs £28,135 including options. Practicality eDnegsiingnee&ring 4.2 score SINCE this is a mid-life facelift, the Boot (seats up/down) updated Fiesta treads a familiar path in 311/1,093 litres termsof itschanges.Thebasiccarremainslargely untouched, so it’s the same size, shape and layout Performance as before, but Ford has added new styling details and extra equipment to boost the car’s appeal. 0-62mph/top speed The exterior updates focus on the nose and 9.4 seconds/124mph lights, with Ford’s blue oval badge set into the grille rather than sitting above it. LED headlights are now Ford Fiesta fitted as standard across the range, while at the back, the tail-lights are redesigned with black Teonpo-usgehllitnogkseuepperitmcionmi hpaestbiteiveenwuipthdtahteedfr,obnutt-irsuintners? surrounds. Every trim level also gets unique exterior design elements, including new wheels, www.autoexpress.co.uk to help distinguish them from each other. Inside, the focus is on improved technology rather than a design revamp. There are new seat fabrics, but the Fiesta features the same eight-inch touchscreen as before, while the physical controls for the air-conditioning have been tweaked slightly. Theotheraddition(butonlyif youchoosethe Vignale spec upgrade) are digital dials, which give the cabin a more modern appearance. Unfortunately thequalityof theplasticsusedthroughoutthe cabin hasn’t been improved, and the Fiesta feels a step behind its rivals here in this regard. Mild-hybrid technology now comes as standard on123bhpand153bhpversionsof the1.0EcoBoost engine, with a 48-volt belt-driven starter-generator that provides energy recovery and assistance when necessary. It means the stop-start system cuts the engine before you’ve come to a halt, while the engine fires up as late as possible whenyou’rereadyto moveawayagain. Therestof theFiesta’sunderpinningsarethe same as before, with a MacPherson strut system up front and a torsion beam at the rear, just like its rivals here. However, that’s no bad thing when  it comes to the Fiesta’s driving dynamics. Driving score 4.7THE Fiesta has always been the top choiceif youwantafun-handling supermini, and that remains the case with this updated model. It’s no exaggeration to say that its keen turn-in, agile chassis and eager responses mean that not only is it a class leader, but it’s also one of the best-handling cars for sale in the UK. The way the Fiesta behaves and reacts to your inputs mean it will inspire confidence in novices, and it’ll put a smileonthefaceof drivingenthusiasts,too. Not everyone wants a sporty drive, but while the Fiesta’s ride is a little on the firm side – and the 18-inch wheels on the car in our pictures only exacerbate this characteristic – the 16-inch wheels foundonTitaniummodelshelp totaketheedgeoff. Therestof thecontrolsareuser-friendly,too,witha crisp gearshift and steering that weights up naturally 36 6April2022

ROAD TESTSFordFiestavsrivals Details Updated Fiesta comes with new wheels and exterior trim that changes with the spec level chosen Performance 6April2022 37 EcoBoost engine is punchy, while hybrid tech improves refinement www.autoexpress.co.uk

ROAD TESTS FordFiestavsrivals thefasteryou go. Visibilityisfineforthemostpart,  although the Fiesta’s thick rear pillars do restrict the view over your shoulder a little.   Ford’s EcoBoost petrol engine is a decent performer. With 123bhp on tap, it’s the most powerful motorhere,anddeliversa0-62mphtimeof 9.4 seconds. However, it has less torque than the Skoda’s unit, and needs working a little harder to make the mostof thepoweravailable.Thankfullythethree- cylinderthrumisn’ttoo intrusivewhenusingallthe revs. Selectable drive modes – Normal, Sport and Eco – adjust the engine’s throttle response. Practicality score 4.1CABIN comfort is decent in the Fiesta. There’sawiderangeof adjustmentfor most drivers to get comfortable at the wheel, and you can either set the driver’s seat low to go with its sporty drive, or high to give a clearer view ahead. Space up front is good for two, but cabin storage isn’tamatchfortheSkoda’s.The doorbinsaresmall andthetrayaheadof thegearleverisonlyjustbig enough to fit the latest smartphones. The Fiesta is even tighter in the back. Access is tricky thanks to the small doors and a low roofline that’s easy to hit your head against, and once you’re in place even the shorter Toyota Yaris has more legroom. Small rear windows add to the cramped feel. The Fiesta edges ahead of the Yaris again courtesy of its larger 311-litre boot, although that’s still 69 litres behind the Fabia. The 60:40 split-folding back seats drop down flat to create a 1,093-litre cargo area. Interior Ownership score 4.4FORD has upgraded the Fiesta’s safety Cabin updates are kitaspart of themid-lifeupdate.The minor, while black mainadditionis theintroductionof a plastic trim doesn’t ‘Wrong Way’systemonsat-nav-equippedcars, feel as upmarket as whichwarnsdriversif theyarejoiningaone-way Fabia’s finish street or motorway slip road in the wrong direction. Other innovations include an alert to check the Boot backseatsforoccupantsif thecar’selectronicshave detected the back doors have been opened, while There’s 311 litres Ford’sMyKeysystemreturns,allowingowners to of space in the set limits for the car’s speed, audio volume and other back of the aspects when registered drivers are behind the wheel. Fiesta and a high load lip Running costs score to negotiate 4.1FITTING 48-volt mild-hybrid tech to the Fiesta has reaped benefits in terms of officialfueleconomywhencompared withitspredecessor. Whendriving,it’sclearthat the stop-start system is more active than before, butit’sneverintrusiveinits operation. Official economyof upto58.9mpgisbetterthan the less powerful Fabia, and a larger fuel tank means the Ford will go further between fills. However, the full-hybrid Yaris is better still, with a best of 68.8mpg. Testers’ notes “Three and five-door Fiestas used to be offered across the range, but now only the baseTrend, sporty ST-Line andST hot hatch can be had with the former.” CAhleiexfIrnegvrieawmer 38 6April2022 www.autoexpress.co.uk

ROAD TESTSFordFiestavsrivals sserp ot gniog fo emit ta tcerroc secirp ecnanif dna sreffo llA THROUGHTHE RANGE Which trim level might suit you? FORD’S 123bhp 1.0 EcoBoost engine is available in every trim in the line-up, from the basic Trend, through Titanium (Ford doesn’t offer Zetec any more), Active and ST-Line, with a Vignale upgrade package available on the latter three specs. Ford is offering a £1,250 contribution to get behind the wheel via Ford Options. With a £3,000 deposit on a 36-month PCP deal with a 10,000-mile annual limit, the Fiesta Trend is available for £262 a month. For the Titanium version tested here, it’s £304 a month, while adding the Vignale pack (which includes digital dials, bigger wheels, a rear camera, LED tail-lights, two- zone climate control and different seat trim) sees this rise to £321 a month. The off-road-inspired Active and Active Vignale are £317 and £332 a month respectively, while the sporty ST-Line and ST-LineVignale are slightlylessat£312 and £330 a month. As you’ll see, these prices are higher than they are for its rivals here. Our choice: Fiesta Titanium Vignale NEXT CAR Sports front seats come with ST-Line Vignale trim;Titanium has conventional cloth Practicality Pressing the tinydrive mode selectorallows you to tweak the car’s throttle response The Yaris is the smaller car, but rear seat space is the tightest in the Fiesta, and cabin quality is poorer Digital dials are part of the £1,700 Vignale upgrade that’s available forTitanium cars 6April2022 39

ROAD TESTS FordFiestavsrivals Detail MODELTESTED: Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI 110PS SE L Latest Fabia adds style with LED running lights, PRICE: £19,730 ENGINE: 1.0-litre 3cyl, 108bhp cabin detailing and funky wheel designs WE’VE already been impressed by the Fabia, but this will be another stern test for Skoda’s latestsupermini.Itgetsoff toagoodstart,though, because this 1.0 TSI model in SE L trim undercuts 4L Running costs both rivals here by more than £1,000, at £19,730. 55.4mpg (official) £66 fill-up/£155 or 27% tax Denegsiingnee&ring 4sco.r5e SKODA sticks with an evolutionary Practicality design ethos for the exterior of the Fabia, so while the latest car is all-new underneath, the Boot (seats up/down) bodywork looks largely the same as before, save for 380/1,190 litres the Octavia-inspired grille up front and LED lights. It’s handsome enough, but not a car that turns heads. Performance TheFabiawasthelastof the VWGroup superminis to move to the MQB-A0 platform 0-62mph/top speed (afterthe VWPolo,SEATIbizaandAudiA1),and 10.0 seconds/127mph the benefits are to be found in every area. There’s improved refinement, more space inside than Skoda Fabia before, and the latest safety tech is now included, whilecabinqualityisastepaheadof theFiesta’s. Ctozegcohwhitahtcithsocfofemrsfomrtoarnedstcyolemapnedtitteivcehptrhicainngever There are soft-touch plastics up front, and the fabrictrimon thedashboardisanotherhighlight. www.autoexpress.co.uk Even more impressive are the design details –from the Fabia-branded instrument cowl to the chunky outer air vents and stylish two-spoke steering wheel –whichofferasenseof stylethatwasunheardof fromtheworthy-but-dullFabiasof old.It’snot quite as upmarket in the back, though, where thereareplentyof hardplasticsstillonshow. Powercomesfromthe VWGroup’strusty1.0TSI three-cylinderturbochargedpetrol unit.Hereit makes108bhp,andthere’s200Nmof torque on tap, too. That’s 20Nm more than the Fiesta’s EcoBoost unit, and helps the Fabia feel punchy, despite its power deficit to the Ford. SinceSELspecisnearthetopof theFabiafamily, it comes pretty well equipped compared with its rivals here. Keyless start, ambient interior lighting and a large 9.2-inch infotainment display with sat-nav are all included, as is the now-ubiquitous umbrellainthedriver’sdoor. What’smore,the price difference between the Fabia and its rivals here means you can add a few choice extras, such asthe WinterPack(heatedwindscreen,steering wheel and front seats, £520), and digital L dials (£465) and not break the bank. Driving score 4.4WHILE the Ford Fiesta takes a lead for driving dynamics, the latest Skoda Fabia focuses more on comfort. It’s still a reasonably engaging car to drive, with good grip and quick steering, but there’s not much feedback through the wheel, while the soft suspension results in more body roll in corners. Thecombinationof softsuspension,16-inchalloy wheels (which feature funky-looking plastic inserts) and tall tyres means the Fabia is a lot smoother to drive than the Fiesta, especially at lower urban speeds.Ithasaprettyquietcabinmostof thetime, too, although we did notice some booming tyre roar when travelling at motorway speeds – this wasn’t present in the other two cars when they weredrivenonthesamestretchof tarmac. The Fabia’s six-speed manual gearbox offers crisp shifts, but since the three-cylinder TSI engine has 40 6April2022

ROAD TESTSFordFiestavsrivals www.autoexpress.co.uk Performance Fabia focuses on comfort more than sharp handling, but its torquey engine feels strong 6April2022 41

ROAD TESTS FordFiestavsrivals 200Nmof torquethat’savailablefromlowintherev  range,youdon’tfeel theneedtowork thegearlever quite as hard as the Fiesta’s to make progress. A  0-62mphtimeof 10secondsexactlyistheslowest  here, but the Fabia has enough mid-range urge that it’smorethancapableof keepingpacewithtraffic. Practicality 4sco.4re THE Skoda Fabia is longer and has a lengthier wheelbase than its two rivals here, but perhaps more importantly, it’s nearly 5cm wider than the Fiesta, so it feels the mostspaciousof thesethree.There’splentyof adjustment to get comfortable at the wheel, while thedashboardlayoutandviewof theroadareboth easy to get along with. However, don’t go thinking that the Fabia is a big car – it’s just as easy to position on the road as its narrower rivals here. Space in the back is generous, with more knee andheadroomthanineitherof itsrivals.It’llbeabit of asqueezewiththreeacrosstheback,thankstothe Skoda’s large transmission tunnel cramping foot space, but travelling three-up is something that you’re unlikely to even consider in the other two cars. Rear passengers also get their own air vents, while the seatback pockets are split in two, with one regular-sized pocket and a shallow, Interior narrow one designed for smartphones. Boot space is the best here. There’s 380 litres on Lots of neat details offer,whichisnearlyasmuchasyou getinsome mean cabin design compact hatchbacks, while there are hooks and metal is night and day lashingeyesthatallowyou tostraplooseitemsin.If when compared you need to fit child seats, there are the usual two with past Fabias, Isofix mounts for the outer rear seats, and another and it all feels set on the front passenger seat, too. well built Ownership score Boot 4.2THE Fabia is the newest car here, and its five-star Euro NCAP score will have been As well as having earned under the most recent test regime, the biggest havingbeendonein2021.TheToyota Yarisalsohas cargo area, Fabia afive-starrating,andsinceitwastested in2020,the has lashing eyes, scoresarecomparable. Withafive-starratingearned bag hooks and in2017,theFiestacan’tbedirectlycompared withits elastic straps rivals here, but given that Ford has added more safety kit to the car, it’s still going to be a safe machine. Running costs score 4.4WHILE stop-start is fitted to the Fabia, itslackof hybridtechharmsfuel efficiency.Anofficialfigureof 55.4mpg would be impressive were it not for the fact that the Fiestaandthe Yarisareevenmorefrugal.However, if youcover longerdistances,wherehybridtechis less effective, then the differences will narrow. Poor residuals are another blot on the Fabia’s copybook. A 41.7 per cent rating is nearly 15 per cent behind the Yaris, and seven per cent behind the Fiesta. Testers’ notes “If you want a sporty Fabia, then the Monte Carlo can be had with a 148bhp 1.5 TSI petrol engine and DSG gearbox for £23,560.” CAhleiexfIrnegvrieawmer 42 6April2022 www.autoexpress.co.uk

ROAD TESTSFordFiestavsrivals sserp ot gniog fo emit ta tcerroc secirp ecnanif dna sreffo llA THROUGHTHE RANGE Which trim level might suit you? RESIDUAL values have an impact on monthly PCP repayments, but since the Fabia has cheaper list prices than its rivals here, its poorer forecasts are largely offset. Choose a 36-month deal with a slightly higher 10,000-mile annual limit, andSkoda will add a £500 deposit contribution. With £3,000 down, this means an SE Comfort model (the lowest spec offered with the 1.0 TSI 110PS engine) is £243 a month. This gets 15-inch alloys, a 6.5-inch infotainment system, multifunction steering wheel and rear parking sensors. For only £5 a month more, the Colour Edition adds 16-inch black alloys, a contrast roof and the Virtual Cockpit digital dials. The SE L model tested here is £272 a month, and adds keyless starting, the 9.2- inch nav system and dual-zone climate control. At the top of the range, the Fabia Monte Carlo introduces gloss blackexterior styling, red cabin highlights, the Virtual Cockpit and sports seats for £277 a month. Our choice: Fabia Colour Edition NEXT CAR Seats are comfortable and offer a wide range ofadjustment fordrivers ofall sizes Practicality Six-speed manual gearbox has slick action and makes the most ofthe torque on offer Wide cabin helps to create the most interior space of this trio, while rear airvents are a bonus Touchscreen is clearand easy to use thanks to its position,set high on the dashboard 6April2022 43

ROAD TESTS FordFiestavsrivals MODELTESTED: Toyota Yaris 1.5 VVT-i Icon Details PRICE: £20,820 ENGINE: 1.5-litre 3cyl, 114bhp Excel in pictures gets neat touches; Icon makes do with LED running lights and 16-inch alloys NOWinitsfourthgeneration,theToyota Yaris isanestablishedmemberof thesupermini class. The current car’s arrival in 2020 brought with itrefinementstothewaythe Yarishandled,plus Running costs greaterefficiencyfrom itshybriddrivesystem.Here 68.8mpg (official) we test the £20,820 entry-level Icon model, although £59 fill-up/£145 or 22% tax the car in our pictures is a top-spec Excel version, which starts from £23,780 Practicality 4.4 eDnegsiingnee&ring score Boot (seats up/down) 286/947 litres OF the three cars tested here, the Yarisistheone thatsticksclosesttothe ‘mini’partof thecategoryname.It’s168mm shorter than the Skoda, although it’s taller than both rivals here, and slightly wider than the Fiesta. That makes for a compact, stocky appearance for the Yaris,anditscurves,bulgesandgaping grilleare Performance quite the contrast when compared with the slippery looking Fiesta and straight-edged Fabia. It’s a similar 0-62mph/top speed storyinside,wherethe Yarisgoesitsownwayin 9.7 seconds/109mph termsof cabinlayout.Thedashboardhasalotof black plastic on show, but the heavily sculpted door cards feature additional fabric trim to give italift,whilebuildqualityishardto fault. Undertheskin,too,the Yarisgoesitsownway when compared with its rivals here. It’s based on the smallestversionof Toyota’sNew GlobalArchitecture and features a conventional MacPherson strut/ torsion beam layout front and rear, but it’s the drive system that really sets the car apart in this company. Toyotahaspursuedtheuseof hybridtechnology foralongtime,andthe Yarisfeaturesthemost compactsystemthat’severbeendeveloped bythe firm. It combines a 90bhp 1.5-litre three-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine and a 79bhp electric motor that work in conjunction to drive the front wheels. Drivetrain losses (including the use of a CVT-style gearbox) mean there’s a combined output of 114bhp–whichputsthe Yarisbetweenitstwo Toyota Yaris rivals here – while a lithium-ion battery pack stores  energy for the electric motor to use. Hefyfibcriiedndcyrivjuesmt paarrktsotfhaecYoamrispoleuttehaelrle-ro–ubnudt ipsaitcskage? The hybrid system isn’t the only technological highlightinthe Yaris,becauseeventheentry-level Icon model is equipped with some smart kit. Lane assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera and smartphone connectivity are all included. Driving score 4.2EVEN though the Yaris is fitted out with hybrid drive (and comes as standard with a space-saver spare wheel, too), Toyota actually quotes a kerbweight forthecar that’slighterthaneitherrivalhere. Itmeansthatthe Yarisfeelslightandnimble when changing direction, while its compact dimensionshelpyoumakethemostof thisfeeling. It can’t match the Fiesta for pure handling thrills, butit’sstillcapableof puttingasmile onyourface. Toyotahasmorethan25yearsof experiencewith hybridtechnology,andthe Yaris’ssystemiswell suited to the supermini. The three-cylinder engine thrums away in a similar style to the Ford and Skoda motors, but the Toyota’s CVT gearbox means that when the engine does rev, road speed doesn’t increase at the same rate. However, the electric motor is effective in getting to work at the same time, so 44 6April2022 www.autoexpress.co.uk

ROAD TESTSFordFiestavsrivals www.autoexpress.co.uk Performance Yaris feels nimble, although it’s at its best when cruising at low speeds 6April2022 45

ROAD TESTS FordFiestavsrivals you don’t spend as long waiting for the revs to match  the car’s speed as you did in older hybrids.   Onceunderway,the Yarisisquietandrefined, and it rides pretty smoothly. There’s less cabin noise than the Fabia at motorway speeds, while the hybrid system’s tendency to favour electric drive over the petrol engine means the Toyota is relaxing around town. A useful addition is a sound generator, which warnsotherroadusersof yourpresencewhenusing electricdrive,butitdoesn’tharm cabinrefinement. Practicality 3sco.8re THEpenaltyforthe Yaris’scompact dimensions is that there’s less space inside than you’ll find in its rivals here. It’s perfectly acceptable up front, although there is a small glovebox, and the sculpted door trims limit thesizeof thebins.Butit’sintherearwherethe biggestsacrificeshave beenmade. Atallroof meansheadroomisfine,butkneespace isn’tas generousasyou’llfindintheFabia.However, becausethe Yarishasalongerwheelbasethanthe Fiesta, it actually has more legroom than the Ford. Attherear,the Yaris’sbootistallandnarrow in comparison with its rivals here, but the load lipisof asimilar height,whilethere’sonly 286litresof spaceonoffer.Foldthebackseats and this increases to 947 litres, which is still a little way behind its rivals here. Interior Ownership 4sco.r6e There’s lots of black ALL three cars come with a basic plastic inside, but warranty that covers the car for its first Yaris is well built. threeyearsof ownership,butToyotahasa Eight-inch screen trumpcardupitssleeve.Getyour Yarisserviced is replaced by at a Toyota dealer, and it will add another 12 months seven-inch item of warrantyforamaximumof 10yearsor100,000 in Icon trim milesof coverage,whichevercomessooner. You canaddthisatanytime,too,soevenif youget Boot yourcarservicedoutsideof thenetwork,you can get warranty cover again just by booking a Tall, narrow service at a Toyota franchise. boot has a wide Why you would look beyond the Toyota dealer opening, but network is a wonder, though, because the firm’s none of the kind franchises always rank in the top 10 for customer of extras seen satisfaction in our Driver Power surveys. In 2021, on the Fabia Toyotarankedsixth,well aheadof Fordand Skoda in 12th and 14th respectively. Running costs score 4.5IF you’re looking at one of our trio as a companycar,thenthe Yarisleadsthe way. Low emissions from the hybrid system put it in the 23 per cent Benefit in Kind bracket,fourpercentaheadof theFiesta. Thatmeansannualtaxcostsof £949foralower- rate taxpayer, but business users can save even more by going for an electric supermini instead. Testers’ notes “Bulbous rear arches mean it’s easy to confuse the Yaris with the GR hot hatch from behind, helping the halo model’s appeal rub off on the standard car.” xfIrnegvrieawmer 46 6April2022 www.autoexpress.co.uk

ROAD TESTSFordFiestavsrivals sserp ot gniog fo emit ta tcerroc secirp ecnanif dna sreffo llA THROUGHTHE RANGE Which trim level might suit you? THERE’S just one hybrid drive option for the Yaris, and it comes in all four trims – Icon, Design, GR Sport (which replaced Dynamic at the end of last year) and Excel. Toyota is currently offering zero per cent APR finance on the Yaris, while the car’s strong residuals mean that monthly costs are similar to those for the Fabia. The Icon model tested here costs £240 a month on a 36-month PCP with a £3,000 deposit and 10,000-mile annual mileage limit. Move up to Design trim at £250 a month, and you add an eight-inch multimedia screen, LED headlights and full colour instruments. The GR Sport features extras inspired bythe GRYarishothatch, including 18-inch alloys, stiffened suspension, a rear diffuser and sportier kit inside. You pay for it, though, at £281 per month. At the top of the range is Excel trim, which adds front and rear parking sensors, app connectivity, part-faux leather trim and folding door mirrors. This is £289 a month. Our choice: Yaris Design INFOTAINMENT & SPECS You have to upgrade to Excel trim and add a pack to get this eight-speakerJBLaudio Practicality You can prioritise electric drive, but hybrid system is best when left to its own devices Despite being the shortest car here, the Yaris has slightly more rear legroom than the Fiesta Digital energy display shows powerflow between the wheels and the hybrid system 6April2022 47

ROAD TESTS FordFiestavsrivals InfotainmentFord Fiesta SYNC 3 Navigation Standard 4L L LKeyfeatures:FordPassConnect Which multimedia system is best for music, sat-nav & connectivity? Skoda Fabia Toyota Yarisscore score score 4.0 Amundsen navigation Standard 4.2 3.9Keyfeatures:Voice control,web radio ToyotaTouch 2 Standard Keyfeatures: Smartphone integration IT’S a shame that Ford hasn’t upgraded the Fiesta with the SINCEtheFabiaSELisnearthetopof themodel ALLversionsof the YarisgettheToyotaTouch2 same large 10-inch touchscreen that’s now offered in the range, it comes with an upmarket infotainment infotainment system, but Icon models use a seven-inch Focus, because it could’ve been a game-changer. However, system as standard. The Amundsen set-up looks multimedia screen, compared with an eight-inch set-up theFiestawouldhaveneededawholesaleredesignof its great in this company, with a large 9.2-inch display fortherestof therange. Wehaven’tsampledthesmaller dashboard to fit it, which was probably unfeasible thatfeaturessharp,high-contrast graphicsthatare system, but even the larger screen has to play second withinthetimeandbudgetconstraintsof thisfacelift. easy to read, and large on-screen tiles to help you best to Skoda’s set-up for display quality. navigate the car’s assorted settings. SomethingelsetheFocushasbenefittedfrom isthe Thetouchscreenitself issethighonthedashboard additionof SYNC4,buttheFiestamakesdowiththe The display has five touch-sensitive shortcuts keys on soit’seasytoseeandreach,whiletheuseof physical mostrecentversionof SYNC3onitseight-inch each side, although these controls aren’t quite as easy to buttons and control knobs is a better solution than touchscreen. That’s no hardship, because the system use as physical buttons. We’d also quite like a volume knob theSkoda’stouch-sensitivekeys,evenif thebuttons has enough functionality built in to be useful, but it instead of the touch-sensitive interface, because pressing themselvesareon thesmallside.Toyota’smenusystem doeslooklikeanolder systemwhencomparedwith these is more distracting than operating a twist control. isn’t quite as clear as the set-up in the Skoda, and there thehigh-resolutionscreenof theSkoda’sset-up. Skoda’s excellent multifunction wheel means it’s easy for areafewtoomanysub-menusto navigatethrough thedrivertoavoidusingthesecontrolsmostof thetime. if youwanttochangeasetting–radiostation The graphics are a bit harder to read, and the selectionisespeciallyfrustratingif youhaven’t mapping isn’t the clearest we’ve seen, but the shortcut Sat-nav comes as standard, while Skoda includes 12 set up your favourites for instant access. buttons across the screen are a useful touch. monthsof CareConnectonlineservices.Thisprovides online traffic alerts, music streaming and online radio As with its rivals here, Apple CarPlay and Android If youdon’twanttouseFord’ssystem,thenApple stations. YoucanaddSmartlinkwirelesssmartphone Auto smartphone connectivity is fitted as standard, so CarPlayandAndroidAutoareincluded, allowingyouto connectivity to all models for an extra £55. youcanbypassToyota’ssystemcompletelyif youwant. access your smartphone’s functions quickly and easily. Resolution Fiesta’s system feels like it’s a Display Alarge screen, high-contrast Access High-set screen is in yourline of generation behind the set-ups in the Skoda graphics and easy-to-operate menu tiles sight, while physical buttons are small, but and Toyota, but at least the smartphone help Fabia stand apart from its rivals here. easy to use. Icon models feature a smaller connectivity is quick and easy to use Online services boost functionality seven-inch touchscreen system FOR AND AGAINST FOR AND AGAINST FOR AND AGAINST Well positioned screen, Big, bright display with high-resolution Physical buttons are easy to use, separate climate controls graphics, menus are easy to navigate smartphone connectivity Graphics look a little dated, Only 12 months of online services, A few too many sub-menus to navigate mapping isn’t very clear touch-sensitive shortcut keys through, low-resolution graphics 48 6April2022 www.autoexpress.co.uk

ROAD TESTSFordFiestavsrivals Figures 1S.k0oTdSaI 1F1a0bPiaS SE L 1T.o5yVoVtaT-YiaIrciosn FEmocHordEBVoFioTesistttaa1n21i5.u0PmS £19,730/£22,915 £20,940/£20,940 On the road price/total as tested £8,227/41.7% SPARE WHEEL £20,820/£20,820 BENEFITIN KIND £10,051/48.0% SERVICING Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000) £11,503 SPACE saver is £11,847/56.9% COSTS are less £10,889 INTERVALS for the £1,092/£2,183 part of Comfort £8,973 than they are for £1,082/£2,164 Fiesta are every Depreciation £1,627/£2,711 Package, which £949/£1,898 rivals, but hybrid £1,530/£2,550 two years or 18,000 Annual tax liability std/higher rate 12/£382/£155 also adds a £1,310/£2,183 only makes 17/£417/£155 miles, while its rivals Annual fuel cost (12k/20kmiles) £456 (2 services) variable boot floor 13/£421/£145 sense over an £330 (1 service) need attention 4,108/2,564mm and a screen- £500 (2 services) EV if you travel after 12 months Insurance group/quote/VED 1,459/1,780mm mounted USB 3,940/2,560mm long distances 4,040/2,493mm or 10,000 miles. Cost of 1st/2nd/3rd service 3cyl in-line/999cc socket to fit 1,500/1,745mm every day. 1,476/1,735mm TOWING 108bhp a dash cam. 3cyl in-line/1,490cc WARRANTY 3cyl in-line/999cc FIGURE quoted Length/wheelbase 200Nm ECONOMY 114bhp STANDARD three- 123bhp for the Fiesta is Height/width 6-spd man/fwd LACK of hybrid 141Nm year warranty is 180Nm for an unbraked Engine 40 litres/£320* assistance means CVT auto/fwd bolstered by 12 6-spd man/fwd trailer, Skoda and Power 380/1,190 litres Fabia’s otherwise- 36 litres/yes months of Relax 42 litres/£150 Toyota ratings Torque 1,194/436/1,100kg impressive 50mpg 286/947 litres cover at every 311/1,093 litres are for braked Transmission 9.9 metres official economy 1,085/530/450kg service, for up 1,275/410/605kg versions. 3yrs (60k)/3yrs figures are the 11.0 metres to 10 years. 10.2 metres Fuel tankcapacity/spare wheel 12th/14th poorest here. 3yrs (unltd)/1yr 3yrs (60k)/1yr Boot capacity (seats up/down) 85/81/70/71/5 (’21) WIRELESS CHARGE 5th/6th 25th/12th Kerbweight/payload/towing weight 10.0 secs/127mph COMES as part 86/81/78/85/5 (’20) 87/84/64/60/5 (’17) 50.4-55.4mpg of Convenience Turning circle 11.1-12.2mpl Package with 9.7 secs/109mph 9.4 secs/124mph Basic warranty (miles)/recovery 117g/km/28% keyless entry 57.6-68.8mpg 54.3-58.9mpg Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos Six/yes/rear/no (keyless starting is 12.7-15.1mpl 11.9-13.0mpl NCAP: Adult/child/ped./assist/stars £1,000/£785/no/yes already included) 92g/km/23% 114g/km/27% Yes/£470 and hill-hold assist. 0-62mph/top speed No/£520* Eight/yes/no/yes OPTIONS Six/yes/rear/£400* PAINT WLTP combined £610/yes Yes/yes/no/yes IF you want to add £1,500/yes/no/yes OUR car’s WLTP combined Yes/no Yes/yes more kit beyond No/£350* Beautiful Berry Yes/£465 No/no metallic paint or No/£300* metallic purple Claimed CO2/tax bracket Yes/yes £585/no sat-nav, you need £525/yes is one of Ford’s Airbags/Isofix/park sensors/camera £620*/yes/yes No/no to change to a Yes/no Exclusive colours, Auto box/lane keep/blindspot/AEB £495/no different trim level. Yes/no which costs £775. Yes/yes Yes/yes Climate control/adaptive cruise No/yes/yes £425*/yes/yes Leather/heated seats Metallic paint/LED headlights Keyless entry & go/power tailgate Sat-nav/digital dashboard DAB radio/connected services Wireless charge/CarPlay/Android Auto Results 1stSKODA 2ndTOYOTA 3rdFORD ROADTEST THE latest Fabia is a SHRINKING the hybrid IF a fun drive is a top convincing supermini that drive system to fit into priority for you when ASFPKAROB2DI0A2A2 offers practicality, plenty of cabin the Yaris is a fantastic feat, because choosing a supermini, then the Ford space, decent value for money and – it hasn’t compromised the car’s Fiesta is still top dog. However, there dare we say it – a surprising amount of packaging or performance. Owners aren’t any other areas where it’s able style, especially with that sharp-looking will be pleased with the low everyday to take a lead. This mid-life facelift interior. Build quality is great, and while running costs, but there’s no avoiding adds more kit and some styling the engine delivers reasonable, if not the fact that the Yaris is a smaller car tweaks, but it’s not really enough in scintillating performance, the pay-off than the Fabia, and its boot space is the face of some very talented rivals. is the Fabia’s comfortable ride, compromised. Stronger finance And while the car’s hybrid tech boosts which will help owners while away offers when compared with the economy, we wish Ford had pushed their time at the wheel. Fiesta bump it up into second here. even further forward in this regard.    AEB = AutonomousEmergencyBraking. *Jointoptions. In red = equipmentfitted to our testcar. Insurance quotesfrom AA (Tel0800 107 0680or www.theAA.com) for a 42-year-old living in Banbury, Oxon, with three penaltypoints. Residualvaluesprovided byCDLVIP Data. Rivals Mazda 2 115PS GTSportTech Renault ClioTCe 90 R.S. Line Othtihsecraotepgtoiornys...in PRICE: £20,945 ENGINE: 1.5-litre 4cyl, 113bhp PRICE: £20,985 ENGINE: 1.0-litre 3cyl, 89bhp www.autoexpress.co.uk WHILE the recently introduced 2 Hybrid is a rebadged Yaris, OUR favourite supermini can’t match our trio here for supermini is still being straight-line performance, but it makes the newcomer. It’s a up for that by offering more s fantastic refinement and an tch for the Fiesta in terms of upmarket cabin that feels entertaining handling, while more expensive than its the top-spec GT Sport Tech £21k asking price suggests. undercuts the Fiesta Titanium. 6April2022 49

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