Autocar UK - 13 July 2022

84 Pages·2022·104.8 MB·English

i X
T H E #bornelectric
ALL­ELECTRIC
REQUEST YOUR
EXTENDED
TEST DRIVE*
Mpg (l/100km): Not applicable. CO emissions: 0 g/km. Electric energy consumption (combined): 20 to 21 kWh/100Km / 3 – 3.1 miles/kWh. The iX xDrive40 electric range:
2
246­257 miles. The iX xDrive50 electric range: 366­382 miles. These figures were obtained after the battery had been fully charged. The iX is a battery electric vehicle
requiring mains electricity for charging. Figures shown are for comparability purposes. Only compare electric range figures with other cars tested to the same technical
procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the starting charge of the battery, accessories fitted
(post­registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load.
*Participating Retailers only. Test drive subject to applicant status and availability.
T H I S W E E K
‘Choose any motoring subject and we have an object that represents it’
56
Issue 6523 | Volume 313 | No 3
NEWS
COMMENT
6
Audi A3 Electric-only Mk5 due 2027, topped by RS3
10 GOV’T MUST PRIORITISE
TVR update New investment and plans for three EVs
12
Alpine A110 All-new sports car to be EV halo model
14 TRANSPORT ISSUES
Red Bull hypercar Top engineer Newey on his RB17
16
Dacia’s UK success Brand boss on growing its sales
18
UK-EU trade war risk What it means for car industry
20
Car subscriptions Cazoo is the latest to can the idea ELECTRIC MUSTANG BUILT WITH F1 KNOW-HOW 52 THE QUEEN’S
TESTED
speech in May included
28
Jaguar C-Type Continuation Le Mans icon remade
a transport bill intended,
32
Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid New-gen PHEV hits target
34 among other things, to
Lightyear 0 Solar-powered car from Dutch start-up
36
Nissan Qashqai e-Power Crucial and unusual hybrid improve the provision of badly needed
37
BMW Alpina B3 More muscle for facelifted saloon
37 charging points for electric cars.
Vauxhall Grandland 1.2 Turbo 130 Best-seller rated
38
Range Rover D350 HSE ROAD TEST A delay to this bill with the current
FEATURES turmoil in Westminster could push it
46 dangerously close to the timing of a
Toyota Aygo X Rugged city crossover vs Fosse Way
50
The Romans empire Secrets of supercar specialist general election, which threatens to
52
Charge Cars Electric Mustang Bullitt-era car reborn
send what’s contained within it back to
56 ALL-NEW RANGE ROVER D350 ROAD TESTED 38
Beaulieu motor museum We go behind the scenes
square one. The roll-out of the charging
OUR CARS
network cannot aff ord any slowdown,
64
Ford Puma ST Final verdict on go-faster crossover
given the government has mandated
66
Volkswagen ID 4 GTX When tech proves unhelpful
67 that new cars must be EVs from 2030.
Ford Mustang Mach-E Can we live with how it rides?
Delays cannot be allowed to happen.
EVERY WEEK
More challenges remain. Hybrids can
15
Jesse Crosse What MQB has done for the VW Group
17 be sold alongside EVs from 2030-2035
Matt Prior A Ram in the UK: that’s about the size of it
21
Jim Holder Is Saudi money just what Aston needs? but we’re still waiting to hear what
23
Steve Cropley A Discovery steps up; podcast idea
24 the government will class as a hybrid.
Subscribe Save money and get exclusive benefits
Damien Smith Why British GP was F1 at its best 26 Fuel duty and prices remain sky-high,
60
Your Views McLaren 720S tops 35mpg; X5; dealers JAGUAR’S C-TYPE CONTINUATION DRIVEN 28 pricing many off the roads. New cars
63
On this day 1947: Italian coachbuilders; new circuit
82 remain in short supply, which has sent
Slideshow Cabrios that took the path less travelled THE AIR INTAKE
(cid:96)
prices of used cars sky-high, putting a
DEALS
WILL STAY DRY BUT further squeeze on personal fi nances.
68
As good as new How to bag a luxury BMW X7 for less
69 Plenty of headaches for the current
James Ruppert Cars that fail their first MOT test
70 I’M WORRIED ABOUT
Cult hero Mk3 Toyota MR2: who needs the MX-5? (at the time of writing!) transport
72
New cars A-Z Key car stats, from Abarth to Zenos
secretary Grant Shapps, then, but few
81 WATER POURING IN
Road test index Track down that road test here
would bet against this portfolio ending
Autocar, ISSN number 1355-8293 (USPS 25185), is published weekly by Haymarket Media Group, Bridge UNDER THE DOORS up in new hands very soon, and with it
House, 69 London Road, Twickenham TW1 3SP, United Kingdom. The US annual subscription price is (cid:97)
$199.78. Airfreight and mailing in the USA by agent named WN Shipping USA, 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd
Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA. Periodicals postage paid at Jamaica NY 11431. US Postmaster: Send new priorities and policies emerging.
address changes to Autocar, WN Shipping USA, 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434,
USA. Subscription records are maintained at Haymarket Media Group, Bridge House, 69 London Road, The road to 2030 means that transport
MATT PRIOR TAKES THE TOYOTA AYGO X
Twickenham TW1 3SP, United Kingdom. Air Business Ltd is acting as our mailing agent.
Autocar is published by Haymarket Automotive, Bridge House, 69 London Road, Twickenham, Middlesex,
THROUGH A FORD WHILE GREEN-LANING 46 policy needs to be at the top of all
TW1 3SP, UK, haymarketgroup.com Tel [phone]
Autocar magazine is also published in China, Greece, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, COVER
Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand. agendas in government, not just the
STORY
Autocar is a member of the Haymarket ISSUES WITH transport secretary’s.
Independent Press Standards is certified by BSI to YOUR MAG?
Organisation (IPSO). environmental standard For subscriber issues, call
We abide by the Editors’ Code of ISO14001 and energy 0344 848 8816. If you can’t find
Practice and are committed management standard a news-stand copy of Autocar IMAGE Mark Tisshaw Editor
to upholding the highest ISO50001 in your local area, email
standards of journalism. If you [email protected]
think we haven’t met those
standards and want to make [email protected]
a complaint, contact
@mtisshaw
[email protected].
For more information, contact
IPSO on 0300 123 2220 or
visit www.ipso.co.uk
(cid:51)(cid:40)(cid:41)(cid:38)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:73)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:71)
youtube.com/autocar
(cid:55)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:71)(cid:88)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3)
(cid:73)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:92)
(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3) facebook.com/autocarofficial NEVER MISS
(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:86)
Autocar
(cid:90)(cid:90)(cid:90)(cid:17)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:17)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:17)(cid:88)(cid:78) is a member of the twitter.com/autocar AN ISSUE
organising Subscribe p24
committee of AUDI A3’S ELECTRIC FUTURE INCLUDES RS3 6 autocar_official
Car Of The Year
caroftheyear.org
13 JULY 2022 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 5
N E W S
GOT A STORY?
Email our news editor
[email protected]
IMAGE
Super-hot RS3 to top
electric Audi A3 range
New platform, advanced tech, fast charging, 435-mile range: arrives in UK in 2027
6 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 13 JULY 2022
Platform for new
A3 makes debut
under ID 4 saloon
IMAGE
WHAT AUDI NEEDS TO DO
PIERS WARD
Despite a lot of the recent mountain pass. We never
fast Audi headline-grabbers went over 55mph but it was
all being about the upper a pinch-me moment, with
echelons of its range, it’s the balance and usability
the little ones that stick making it a near-perfect
in the memory. They’re companion.
the ones that have zinged It’ll be interesting to see
and generally been a little whether Audi’s EVs can
less like a sledgehammer maintain the sense of the
when finesse is called for on car being your mate rather
today’s roads. than your master. Audis
Audi has form here, are best when they’re not
with a lineage of small simple point-and-squirt
fast cars since the first machines, a common
Audi Quattro. It’s all about characteristic of EVs, so
accessible power. On the the engineers will need to
recent launch of the RS3, bear that in mind for the
I had 30 minutes on a next generation.
(cid:96)
The new SSP platform will support
single-motor rear-wheel drive
and dual-motor four-wheel drive
(cid:97)
T
he next Audi A3 is set to skateboard-style SSP (Scalable drive for the first time since current Audi Sport-fettled month in the UK alone.
become an electric-only Systems Platform) electric the model’s introduction in A3 variants: the S3 and RS3. An electric RS3 will be the
model with a maximum architecture – the same 1996, though the most potent These are comfortably the entry point into the newly
range of more than 400 structure that is set to make models are tipped to adopt a best-selling cars in Ingolstadt’s electrified performance
miles and the choice of either its debut on the upcoming twin-motor, four-wheel-drive performance line-up, with 753 line-up, being sold alongside
standard rear- or optional Volkswagen ID 4 saloon set-up reminiscent of the RS3s and 442 S3s sold last rapid and outlandishly styled
four-wheel drive, sources at currently being developed sporting variants of the
the car maker have revealed. under the internal working Combustion A3s upcoming electric A4 and
The decision means the title Project Trinity. It will also will bow out with A6 successors. Audi Sport’s
popular hatchback and saloon underpin an Audi sibling model current model transition to an electrified
will abandon petrol, diesel, known as Apollon. portfolio has kicked off with
plug-in hybrid and natural gas The move comes after Audi range-topping variants of
power to go up against the rejected a proposal to develop the E-tron SUV and E-tron
Volkswagen ID 3 with a raft a new entry-level electric GT saloon, and it is expected
of battery and powertrain model on the existing MEB to ultimately match the
options and next-generation platform, which is used by the diversity and scope of its
technology. Q4 E-tron and closely related current performance range,
Scheduled for UK launch ID 4 and Skoda Enyaq iV. which comprises highly strung
in 2027, the fifth-generation The switch to electric power variants of most Audi models.
A3 will be based on the means standard versions of the Instant-torque electric
Volkswagen Group’s new A3 will abandon front-wheel power will see the ‘RS3 ◊
13 JULY 2022 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 7
Δ E-tron’ outpace the current
five-cylinder petrol car in AUDI’S EV ONSLAUGHT:
a straight line – so expect a
sub-3.8sec 0-62mph time,
and the innovative torque-
WHAT’S COMING WHEN
vectoring functionality fitted
to Audi’s existing fast EVs
will no doubt trickle down to
upcoming entrants to mimic
the combustion car’s dynamic
agility. It could also be the
first of a breed, with rivals
BMW, Mercedes-Benz and
Volkswagen yet to unwrap
2023 E-TRON
electrification plans for their
own hottest hatchbacks. Audi’s first series-production EV will remain on sale as the
The A3 line’s electrification wider line-up goes EV-only but it will get a series of hefty
aligns with recent comments updates to keep it competitive against newer rivals like the
by Audi CEO Markus Duesmann BMW iX and Mercedes EQE SUV. Due on sale in 2023, the
that all new Audi models will be facelifted E-tron line-up will bring a huge increase in range
exclusively electric from 2026. – reportedly more than 373 miles per charge – courtesy
Speaking to German of upgraded electronics, more efficient motors and a
magazine Wirtschaftswoche, new-generation battery.
Duesmann explained how this
switch will be underpinned.
“In our current ICE portfolio,
we are using three different
architectures, and our BEV
[battery-electric vehicle]
offer is already based on
two different architectures:
the MEB and PPE [Premium
Platform Electric]. In the
second half of this decade,
we will introduce the SSP to
form one strong mechatronic
platform,” said Duesmann,
who is also R&D boss of the
Volkswagen Group.
Among the advantages
offered by the new SSP
architecture over today’s MEB
structure are a lower floor
height and greater modularity
for increased differentiation
between models.
The SSP platform is also
designed to support a new
800V electric architecture.
This will offer significantly
faster charging times than
the 400V system of existing
MEB-based models and enable
speeds of up to 270kW, which
is good for an 80-mile top-up
in 10 minutes. Duesmann said ROOM FOR A LITTLE ONE?
the SSP architecture will use
what he calls a “unified cell With the next-generation A3 Styling cues showcased image by moving away from
format” and offer a range of up primed to serve as the entry on that concept have more accessible propositions.
to 435 miles. Although the SSP point into Audi’s new-era been carried through to That weakens the prospect
platform is being developed to electric car line-up, and the subsequent studies – as has of any production version
accept solid-state batteries, current A1 and Q2 confirmed its emphasis on self-driving of the AI:ME, although the
they are not planned to be to bow out at the end of their functionality – but as each chances are that its defining
offered with the next A3. life cycles, the firm looks to brand in the VW Group characteristics will still
Autocar has been told that be following a similar path strives to carve out a defined, influence the next-generation
the next A3 has been conceived to Mercedes: abandoning bespoke identity in the A3, despite that car using the
as a five-door hatchback low-margin entry models electric era, Audi will look new SSP platform, instead of
and four-door saloon, both in favour of larger, more to strengthen its premium the concept’s MEB.
IMAGE
with incremental increases profitable ones.
in dimensions. Those privy Indeed, Audi has not AI:ME concept
to early design proposals followed sibling brands will influence
say Audi designers have Volkswagen, Skoda and Seat the all-new A3
taken full advantage of the in previewing a compact
packaging solutions offered by MEB-based urban EV for
the dedicated SSP platform, launch in 2025, which raises
providing the A3 with altered questions about the fate
proportions, including shorter of 2019’s AI:ME concept:
overhangs, a shorter bonnet a striking vision of what an
line, a longer cabin and autonomous, urban-oriented
larger wheelhouses. Audi EV could look like.
GREG KABLE
8 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 13 JULY 2022
NEWS
IMAGE
2024 A4 E-TRON
Audi will go after the indomitable Tesla Model 3 – and its increasingly popular rivals, the
IMAGE Polestar 2 and BMW i4 – with an electric version of the next-generation A4. To be sold
alongside an array of familiar combustion and hybrid options, the A4 E-tron will share its
Q6 sibling’s PPE platform but will be styled similarly to its combustion counterpart.
Expect a four-wheel-drive RS-badged range-topper, too.
2024 A6 E-TRON
Closely previewed in concept form – as both a Sportback saloon and an Avant estate – the
dramatically styled A6 E-tron won’t immediately replace the current A6 but will serve as a
long-legged and promisingly potent zero-emissions equivalent. Audi’s betting big on the
continued popularity of the estate car in certain markets, whereas its Mercedes rival has
hinted that it could leave the segment entirely.
2024 Q6 E-TRON
The electric equivalent of Audi’s best-selling Q5 crossover will
be based on the new PPE EV platform that Audi is developing
with Porsche and, as such, will be a close technical relation to
the upcoming Porsche Macan EV. The flat floor and lack of an
engine will make for a much more spacious cabin than that of
the Q5 and the new-generation architecture will make it
competitive in terms of range, charge times and performance.
2024 A8 E-TRON
Described as a “private jet for the road”, this sleek BMW i7 rival – previewed by 2021’s radical
Grandsphere concept – will major on autonomous functionality and connectivity. As such, the
cabin will be a minimalistic and airy ‘lounge-style’ environment with a drastic reduction in the
number of buttons and screens. It will be more of a GT than the current A8, so expect greater
focus on straight-line speed and cornering dynamics.
13 JULY 2022 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 9
TVR revival back on the cards
Griffith production finally looks close to starting and three new EVs are in the offing
A
WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW
recent invite received should – on paper at least to start building the Griffith will go towards preparing the
by Autocar to a preview – edge it for technological came earlier this year, when production line for the V8 ■ Where is the money
of TVR’s electrified functionality, efficiency and it announced “a multimillion- Griffith, readying an electrified coming from?
future unveilings outright performance. Plus, it pound investment” from version of the coupé and Ensorcia’s investment is said to
suggests the firm is getting would be one of just four cars South American partner firm repaying a £2 million loan from be enough to set TVR on a path
back on track with its revival on sale still using a naturally Ensorcia – which describes the Welsh government, which to production and repay its
plan, which has been beset by aspirated V8, alongside the itself as a “group of companies it will settle on 30 September, most significant debts, but it is
significant setbacks since it Lexus LC500, Lexus RC F that are dedicated to the though any interest accrued unclear if the sports car firm
revealed its debut model, the and Ford Mustang. The last of development of net-zero post-January 2022 will be
Griffith, in September 2017. which uses the same 5.0-litre carbon technology and repaid in instalments
It follows an announcement Coyote unit but is tipped to go environmentally sustainable quarterly.
from the beleaguered TVR hybrid in 2024. With an ICE production and processing
marque that it will launch ban looming in the UK – and of battery metals in South
an electric version of its most likely in the EU – the shelf America”. Neither TVR nor
delayed Griffith sports coupé life of a non-electrified sports Ensorcia put a number on
in 2024 and has partnered car is vastly diminished. the investment but said it
the Formula E race series in
a bid to promote its new EV ■ Production is not
aspirations. These are the yet under way
latest in a series of ambitious The last official update about
pledges made by the revived TVR’s factory in Ebbw Vale,
British marque since it Wales, came in December
revealed the Griffith in 2017, 2020 and promised that
each of which has raised work was soon to begin on
questions about the viability an extensive renovation
of the project, given it has yet programme for the existing
to start producing the Griffith. buildings with a view to
Here is a summary of what getting a Griffith production
we currently know about TVR line up and running. (The
and the key things we need to originally intended production
learn from the preview event start date was 2019.)
later this month. Ultimately, TVR plans to
employ 200 people at the
WHAT WE KNOW
factory and says “significant
■ The Griffith is five years old progress” has been made.
Even before it begins rolling Autocar has learned TVR
down the production line, the anticipates signing a lease
car that will spearhead TVR’s deal in the coming weeks, now
bold new era is as old as the that the shell of the building
Ferrari Portofino, Volvo XC40 is ready for the installation of
and current BMW M5 – all of tooling and equipment.
which have long since been Delays initially stemmed
through extensive mid-life from the Welsh government’s
facelifts. Interestingly, the 3% stake in the sports car
Griffith was revealed at the firm, which, under EU rules,
same time as the long- necessitated a lengthy
delayed Mercedes-AMG One, tendering process for the
although that car is now finally sourcing of a construction
on its way to customers. contractor.
So the Griffith’s design,
cabin and technology are no ■ TVR has a new
longer as cutting-edge as was financial backer
presented at launch, which The most concrete indication
means established rivals that TVR is almost in a position
VW AMAROK GROWS AND HARNESSES MORE TECH
The second-generation Volkswagen Amarok – twinned
with Ford’s Ranger – is larger and more advanced than the
model it replaces. Due in the UK this year, the new pick-up
will be launched with three engines in seven power outputs,
topped by a 247bhp turbo 3.0-litre V6 diesel, and a choice of
New double-cab manual and automatic gearboxes. A four-door double-cab
Amarok arrives
arrives first, with a two-door workhorse planned for 2023.
later this year
10 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 13 JULY 2022