As a parent I was shocked to discover that more than three quarters of us here in Blighty either buy their child’s first car outright or contribute money towards it. According to the people at Moneysavingheroes.co.uk, £1500 was found to be the average amount given for a car purchase. It was also found that one in five parents received help to buy their first car. Didn’t happen in my case, but my parents helped in so many other ways, especially my mum, who didn’t tell my dad that I painted car parts on a rug, leaving some obvious overspray. The bottom line is that parents want to guarantee that their offspring have the safest and most reliable set of wheels possible. As I have often explained, it’s all about the insurance – that’s the beginning and the end of it. Don’t think you can buy a cheap classic and sit back; insurance companies hate them, along with some diesels and less safe older cars. You will have to spend hours of your life getting insurance quotes, too. For the moment, though, let’s spend £1500 on something that is first-driver friendly. A Volkswagen Polo. I’ve bought one of these for a teen and the 1.4 was actually pretty cheap to insure. So a 2004 1.4 Twist with 75,000 miles isn’t half bad at £1500. A one-owner, too. Then again, a 2004 Ford Fiesta 1.4 LX with 94k miles at the same money is also worth considering, because servicing will always be very affordable. Otherwise there is the Vauxhall Corsa, a 2007 Design with over 100,000 miles that is worth considering as a more recent alternative to the Ford. What may be less reliable and less cheap to fix is a 2007 Citroën C3 1.4i Cool with a fresh MOT and proper service history. It even has a warranty for parts and labour, so maybe we’ll feel better about buying one of these. You could, though, consider a Chevrolet Aveo 1.2s. A 2009 with less than 80,000 miles is within the £1500 budget. Probably the best example of a teen-friendly model would be a 2006 Toyota Yaris 1.0 VVT-I T3 with just shy of 100k miles. It has a service history and it’s a dealer part exchange, so they have an obligation to make sure that it is in roadworthy and warranty-worthy condition. My advice for buying a teen a car is to do all the hard graft by checking out the insurance implications in your postal code. What is affordable in one area of the UK may be a bit pricey in another. This will be boring, but is more than worth doing – if you are a proper parent. What we almost bought this week Cheap when new, even cheaper used. This 140,000-mile, 2013 Duster with full history is up for £2795. It’s described as being in good condition, but a few models delivered between January 2013 and August 2014 suffered rusty sills caused by poor paint application. Dacia repaired affected cars, so there should be nothing to worry about. Tales from Ruppert’s garage Innocenti Mini, mileage – 6801: All my cars seem to leak some fluid or other. It’s what they do. When I’ve been using The Italian Job on local errands I noticed there was a little dribble every time I stopped. It was pretty clearly water and at first I did think it was rather more serious. Even the seller didn’t think the cooling was particularly reliable. Indeed, when I first got it, escaping steam seemed to be an issue, and I did toy with the idea of a new radiator. At the moment all that happens is the dribble when it stops, but there’s no overheating or running a bit of a temperature. Bit like me in old age, really. A reader writes The Innocenti: The best thing about writing for Autocar is making contact with you, dear reader. You ask the cleverest questions and you tell me interesting things. Recently these have been Innocenti related. I have talked to a couple of owners and the man who serviced Lord Donald Stokes’s. Here’s an even bigger surprise posted to the Autocar office: this novel by reader Frank Kirtley. I’ve started it and I will let you know what it’s about, but for now it’s brilliant someone called a book The Innocenti. Glad to have some bedtime reading. Readers’ questions Question: I’ve just bought a new Audi RS3 Sportback on a PCP. Once it’s run in, I plan to have it chipped. Who do you recommend for the work? Kevin Salter, Colchester Answer: If you don’t mind, we’ll avoid answering that since we’re not a tuning magazine, and in any case, there are many other things to consider when uprating an engine. Instead, it concerns us that you think you’ve bought your RS3. In fact, you’re renting it, and Audi Finance is your landlord. And just as some landlords don’t like you changing things in their houses, so Audi Finance is unlikely to appreciate you sneaking more horses under the bonnet. Ask permission, first. It’ll probably say no. John Evans Question: I’m interested in a nearly-new Infiniti Q50, but despite the dealer’s assurances, I’m worried about servicing, parts and the warranty in light of Infiniti pulling out of Europe. What do you think? Harry Jordan, Castle
Origin: James Ruppert: How to buy your kids a car
Autocar confidential: Porsche’s colour conundrum, Renault hatches a plan and more
In this week’s round-up of automotive news bites, we hear why Volkswagen’s CEO thinks EVs are the only way, how Porsche created the 911’s interior colour combinations, and more. Renault’s hatch, back? Renault will not quit the small car segment, unlike some brands, according to its Europe boss Jean-Christophe Kugler. “I’ve been asking my team to investigate deeply this segment” he said. “Let’s look at it and understand what is the evolution in the main cities.” Kugler also claimed car sharing could make the Twingo – now dropped from the UK – more viable. Porsche’s colourful combos One of the biggest challenges in developing the new Porsche 911 was making sure that all the interior trim colours matched, according to the firm’s quality control boss, Frank Moser. He noted the 11 interior colours offered on the new 911 had to work with 16 equipment levels and across 300 visible parts featuring 51 different materials, produced by 76 different suppliers. Ssangyong predicts a taxing period for manufacturers The growing uptake of EVs is going to have major effects on the rest of the UK car industry when it comes to taxation, according to Ssangyong’s UK MD, Nick Laird. “Manufacturers invested big in diesel technology for 20 years because that’s what all the signals the governments were giving. The government needs to find that (missing fuel duty) from somewhere.” Is hydrogen a load of hot air? “There’s no alternative to electricity to cut emissions and make mobility CO2-free,” VW Group chairman Herbert Diess said, despite Audi recently restarting its hydrogen powertrain research. The group’s vehicles are responsible for 1% of all transport-related emissions worldwide and it is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
Origin: Autocar confidential: Porsche’s colour conundrum, Renault hatches a plan and more
2019 Audi A4: pricing for facelifted executive car revealed
The updated Audi A4 range is due to go on sale soon, and pricing has appeared on some company car lists. Although it hasn’t been officially announced by the brand, an industry source confirmed to Autocar that the 2019 A4 will start from £30,725 in base Technik form with the 35 TFSI petrol engine. The 188bhp diesel is automatic-only and priced from £34,480. Those figures represent an increase of around £1500 over the previous entry-level SE spec. However, technology and kit upgrades will help justify the list price increase, as will competitive leasing costs. The non-RS range flagship at launch will be the newly diesel-powered S4. That’s priced at £47,295 in standard trim, with higher-spec Black Edition and Vorsprung models also available. In an attempt to keep pace with rivals such as the new BMW 3 Series, the compact executive saloon has received an exterior and interior revamp to bring it in line with Audi’s current design themes. The firm says the changes are more substantial than is usual for a facelift, and include a range of hybridised engines. The revised A4 will be available with three 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engines featuring a 12-volt mild hybrid system and ranging from 148bhp to 241bhp, along with two diesels: a 188bhp 2.0-litre and a 241bhp 3.0-litre. A 12-volt mild hybrid 2.0-litre diesel unit, with 134bhp or 161bhp, will follow after the launch. The S4, a rival to the Mercedes-AMG C43, will be offered in Europe purely as a mild-hybrid diesel, with a 3.0-litre engine mated to a 48-volt integrated starter/motor for a total output of 342bhp and 516lb ft of torque. The S4 will be offered with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive, with sport suspension as standard and a sport differential and suspension with damper control available as options. The entry-level 35 TFI and 40 TDI will be offered after launch with a manual gearbox as standard. All other models will be automatic as standard. Seven and eight-speed ’boxes will be used, with a six-speed manual following as an option. Entry-level A4s will be front-wheel drive, with Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system available on higher-spec models. The A4 will be sold with standard and sport suspension, with two adaptive systems available. Those systems work with damper control and feature a Comfort mode that lowers the ride height by 10mm and a Sport setting with a 23mm reduction in the ride height. As for the design, the A4 will now feature a wider and flatter grille, with a revamped side profile that has sharper, more sculpted shoulders and clearly defined lines. Audi’s design team has also introduced more bespoke styling elements on the S line, S4 and Allroad quattro variants, including bespoke grille designs, in order to give each a more distinctive identity. The revised interior is built around the latest version of Audi’s MMI infotainment system, featuring a 10.1in touchscreen. That screen can be operated by using touch or voice control. Audi has scrapped the rotary controller that appears in the outgoing model. A full 12.3in digital driver information display and head-up display are available as options. The revised A4 will be offered with a number of driver assistance systems, grouped into three packs. Options will include automatic cruise control, which, Audi says, can use ‘car-to-x’ navigation data from external devices such as traffic signs to increase accuracy. The rugged Allroad quattro model, as before, features an extra 35mm of ground clearance, additional underbody production, a wider front and rear track and optional Allroad-specific suspension. QA with Amor Vaya, Audi exterior designer What did you focus on with the redesign? “The A4 is a well-proportioned car, but the old one was occasionally called a little boring. We’ve put a lot of life and energy into it. We didn’t want to change the design principles, but we wanted to make a statement.” How did you do that? “The design is now a lot richer, more expressive. We’ve focused on the detail, with the use of 3D design elements, chrome parts and other small things that can make a big difference.” What are the challenges of doing a facelift design? “The fixed points were all designated six or seven years ago, so we have to work around that. That gives some limitations, but we’ve evolved the A4’s design substantially.” Why focus on differentiating the S4 and Allroad quattro? “We wanted to give each variant its own character. We’ve been criticised before for making every model and variant look similar, so now each model has its own character, and every car inside that model family does,
Origin: 2019 Audi A4: pricing for facelifted executive car revealed
New 2019 Audi A4: UK pricing for facelifted exec revealed
Audi’s major mid-life upgrade of its A4 range is due to go on sale soon, and pricing has appeared on some company car lists. Though not official announced by the brand, an industry source confirmed to Autocar that the 2019 A4 will start from £30,725 in base Technik form with the ’35’ TFSI petrol engine. The 188bhp diesel is auto-only and priced from £34,480. Those figures represent an increase of around £1,500 over the previous entry-level SE spec. However, technology and kit upgrades will help justify the list price increase, as will competitive leasing costs. The non-RS range flagship at launch will be the newly diesel-powered S4 TDI. That’s priced at £47,295 in standard trim, with higher-spec Black Edition and Vorsprung models also available. In an attempt to keep pace with rivals such as the new BMW 3 Series, the compact executive saloon has received an exterior and interior revamp to bring it in line with Audi’s current design themes. the firm says the changes are more substantial than is usual for a facelift, and include a range of hybridised engines. The revised A4 will be available with three 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engines featuring a 12V mild-hybrid system and ranging from 148bhp to 241bhp, along with two diesels, a 188bhp 2.0-litre and a 241bhp 3.0-litre. A 12V mild-hybrid 2.0 TDI diesel, with 134bhp or 161bhp, will follow after the launch. The S4 model, a rival to the Mercedes-AMG C43, will be offered in Europe purely as a mild-hybrid diesel, with a 3.0-litre TDI mated to a 48V integrated starter/motor for a total output of 342bhp and 516lb ft of torque. The S4 will be offered with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive, with sport suspension as standard, and a sport differential and suspension with damper control available as options. The entry-level 35 TFI and 40 TDI will be offered after launch with a manual gearbox as standard. All other models will be automatic as standard. Seven- and eight-speed ’boxes will be used, with a six-speed manual following as an option. Entry-level cars will be front-wheel drive, with Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system available on higher-spec models. The A4 will be sold with standard and sport suspension, with two adaptive systems available. Those systems work with damper control and feature a Comfort mode that lowers the ride height by 10mm and a Sport setting with a 23mm reduction in the ride height. As for the design, the A4 will now feature a wider and flatter grille, with a revamped side profile that has sharper, more sculpted shoulders and clearly defined lines. Audi’s design team has also introduced more bespoke styling elements on the S line, S4 and Allroad quattro variants, including bespoke grille designs, in order to give each a more distinctive identity. The revised interior is built around the latest version of Audi’s MMI infotainment system, featuring a 10.1in touchscreen. That screen can be operated by using touch or voice control. Audi has scrapped the rotary controller that appears in the outgoing model. A full 12.3in digital driver information display and head-up display are available as options. The revised A4 will be offered with a number of driver assistance systems, grouped into three packs. Options will include automatic cruise control, which, Audi says, can use ‘car-to-x’ navigation data from external devices such as traffic signs to increase accuracy. The rugged Allroad quattro model, as before, features an extra 35mm of ground clearance, additional underbody production, a wider front and rear track and optional Allroad-specific suspension. QA with Amor Vaya, Audi exterior designer What did you focus on with the redesign? “The A4 is a well-proportioned car, but the old one was occasionally called a little boring. We’ve put a lot of life and energy into it. We didn’t want to change the design principles, but we wanted to make a statement.” How did you do that? “The design is now a lot richer, more expressive. We’ve focused on the detail, with the use of 3D design elements, chrome parts and other small things that can make a big difference.” What are the challenges of doing a facelift design? “The fixed points were all designated six or seven years ago, so we have to work around that. That gives some limitations, but we’ve evolved the A4’s design substantially.” Why focus on differentiating the S4 and Allroad quattro? “We wanted to give each variant its own character. We’ve been criticised before for making every model and variant look similar, so now each model has its own character, and every car inside that model family does,
Origin: New 2019 Audi A4: UK pricing for facelifted exec revealed
Car Review: 2019 Hyundai Veloster N
OVERVIEW An eccentric little hatchback that just so happens to be a firecracker of a car PROSCapable and entertaining performance, crisp manual transmission, hatchback lends a sense of practicality CONSHarsh ride, some interior materials not quite up to par VALUE FOR MONEYExcellent WHAT TO CHANGE?Make the interior a bit nicer HOW TO SPEC IT?Exactly like this Finally. Hyundai finally did it.To be fair, the Veloster has always stood out from the masses. Its three-door configuration and catfish-like maw definitely pushed the little Hyundai more towards eccentric rather than generic, but it never quite had the performance to back up the styling. Sure, you could spec it with a 201-horsepower turbo-four and a six-speed manual, and a few special edition models throughout the years got upgraded suspension bits and tires, but thats about it. The Veloster mightve been promising on paper, but it didnt live up to that performance potential where it actually matters you know, in real life. Not anymore. For 2019, the Veloster grows up. It keeps the funky three-door layout, but the curves and bulges are squared-off and deflated, and the interior is a bit more conventionally laid out. But most importantly, Hyundai has introduced what well now expect from any vehicle getting the full N treatment, transforming the Veloster from eccentric little car into what it shouldve been since Day One a proper, no-nonsense hot hatch. Finally.Just like its Turbo forerunner, on paper the Veloster N is promising. This time around, a 2.0-litre turbo-four kicks out 275 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque, available as early as 1,450 rpm, and its hooked up to a six-speed manual. The N also sees a laundry list of upgrades to the chassis, suspension, and powertrain, including more bracing and cooling ducts, stickier tires, an electronic limited-slip differential and adjustable dampers, an active exhaust system, and you know what? We can go over all of the Ns enhancements over the standard Veloster with a fine-tooth comb, but theres no fun in that.The key difference here is, in the real world, the N actually delivers on the performance its spec sheet promises. Set your foot on the clutch pedal and prod the start button, and the turbo-four wakes up with a bark. Theres a touch of torque steer when you nail the go-fast pedal, but the N pulls hard and builds speed, err, rather effectively. The clutch is heavy enough but still easy to modulate in traffic, and the shifter smoothly and satisfyingly clicks into each gear. Stability control and the automatic rev-matching downshifts can be fully disabled. Steering is surprisingly communicative, and effort varies depending on which drive mode youve activated and theres plenty to choose from. Youre kidding yourself if you think the Veloster N will ride as well as a Palisade, or even an Elantra, but in its default Normal mode, it rides well enough over bumps and rough pavement. The exhaust mode is fairly subdued, too still growly, but it doesnt drone at all. Bump the car into Sport mode and the steering becomes a little heavier, the suspension a little stiffer in exchange for better cornering, and the exhaust a little louder. N mode lets you take full advantage of the Velosters performance potential, but its not the best choice for daily driving it hunkers down and takes a corner incredibly well, but the ride is unbearable. Kidney-punching levels of unbearable. Youll enjoy N Custom mode the most, letting you have (almost) free rein to configure the powertrain and chassis just the way you like it. Sadly, the Veloster resorts to Normal mode on startup, but after all, you cant have your cake and eat it, too. Thankfully, you can easily shuffle between the drive and N modes via the baby blue buttons on the steering wheel.Yes, the N is another performance car saddled by adaptive this, sport-plus that, rev-matching whatever, and driving modes out the wazoo. But even with all this, its still a legitimately fun and engaging car. The N comes alive on a snaking backroad, tackling corner after corner flat and without breaking a sweat. Its borderline ridiculous how much speed you can carry; this is a front-wheel-drive hot hatch, yet theres little understeer and the sticky Pirelli P-Zero tires just refuse to let go. Theres an ever-so-slight lick of torque steer if you pin the throttle too soon, but thats not a dealbreaker when the hilarious cracks, pops, and burbles from the exhaust pipes as you flick through the gears slap a big, stupid smile onto your face. This is one firecracker of a car.Inside the N, the apple doesnt fall far from the tree. This means a no-nonsense layout with physical buttons and knobs, an eight-inch touchscreen handling infotainment duties, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. There are a few bits letting you know this is a special little car: The stitching, various trim bits, and even the seat belts are finished in a powdery blue
Origin: Car Review: 2019 Hyundai Veloster N
Used car buying guide: Audi S3 Mk1
In today’s world of 375bhp superhatches, it’s tempting to look down on cars such as the 207bhp Audi S3 of 1999 and sniff. Except that back then, the performance reference points were legends such as the 207bhp Volkswagen Golf G60 Limited 1.8 16v Syncro of 1990 and the 212bhp Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evo 2 2.0 16v of 1993. Judged against those heroes, the S3 doesn’t look so bad after all (we’ll ignore the inconvenient presence of the 204bhp VW Golf 2.8 VR6 4Motion, also launched in 1999). It gets better, since while today an 80,000-mile Integrale Evo 2 costs from around £50,000 and, when they come up for sale, a G60 Limited around the same, a tidy S3 of 2002 with the uprated 222bhp engine can be on your driveway for just £2250. It will have done 188,000 miles, though, and to be fair to the G60 and especially the Integrale, it lacks charisma and heritage, not to mention their panache. But for driving enthusiasts on a budget, the S3 is worth more than a sniff. In 1999, it shook up the hot hatch world. Here was an all-wheel-drive, three-door hatch capable of 0-62mph in 6.6sec one moment and bumbling to the shops the next – duties its solid construction suggested it would perform for years to come. Like most Audis then and since, it’s a discreet thing. True, its wheel arches are slightly wider than an A3’s of the time, its bumpers are deeper and it wears a tasty set of 17in Avus six-spoke alloys, but otherwise it hides its light under a bushel. At launch, the S3’s 1.8-litre 20-valve turbocharged engine was pegged to 207bhp to avoid embarrassing the newly arrived TT. However, in 2001, with its hand forced by the launch of a new generation of powerful rivals, Audi increased the power to 222bhp, a move that saw the car’s 0-62mph sprint time fall to 6.4sec. Crucially, the engine, now codenamed BAM, gained stronger con rods. The S3 was facelifted the following year, receiving one-piece headlights, revised tail-lights, a new S3 badge and restyled tailgate trim. From launch, the S3’s standard trim included climate control, self-levelling xenon headlights, electric Recaro sports seats and a half-leather finish. Options included larger 18in alloys and a Bose sound system. The S3’s thoroughly sensible-looking and solidly fixed interior has lasted well, although we’ve seen enough worn leather bolsters to know this area of the cabin can be an issue. Today, of course, the only feature that matters is a full service history. The oil and filter should have been changed every 10,000 miles, the Haldex coupling oil every 40,000 and the timing belt, tensioner and water pump, ideally with a metal impeller in place of the plastic one, every 60,000. Don’t be put off by a high mileage or multiple owners (to be expected after 19 years): it’s that service history that matters. And if it comes to it, go for the 222bhp version with its stronger engine. How to get one in your garage An owner’s view Steve Harris: “I saw the S3 and had to have it. It’s a 2002-registered car and the mileage is high at 170,000 but, in the two years I’ve had it, it’s not put a foot wrong. It feels as solid as it must have done when it left the showroom. I reckon this generation of S3 just pre-dated the next level of electronics because I can fix most things on it and, in any case, there are lots of forums offering good technical advice. The only upgrade I’ve made is fitting a Bilstein B12 suspension kit, which I reckon has tightened the handling.” Buyer beware… ■ Engine: Check condition of the breather pipes at the inlet manifold and ideally replace them and the vacuum pipes. Watch for uneven idling or lumpy running, signs the diverter valve, mass airflow meter or ignition coils have failed. If the temp gauge is all over the place, suspect the thermostat or temperature sender. If the low coolant level is indicated on start-up but the reservoir is full, the coolant level sensor in the header tank may have failed. ■ Transmission: Check clutch operation. On high-mileage cars, consider replacing the slave cylinder and clutch, and the flywheel. ■ Suspension and steering: At this age and mileage, budget to replace all the suspension bushes. Check the front and rear anti-roll bar sheaths, which have been known to break. Corrosion can cause springs to break, so inspect them too. ■ Brakes: Check operation of the brake sensor behind the brake pedal and the brake servo pipe, both known trouble spots. ■ Body: Check behind body strips where rust can form. Affected areas include the door bottoms. Easier to spot is rust on the roof rails and gutters. It’s a performance car so check for fresh paint and filler, and that the tyres are worn evenly. ■ Interior: Check if the digital display has lost its pixels (see below), that the air-con blows cold and that the glovebox hinges aren’t broken. Also worth knowing The S3’s stereo and digital instruments can have issues. Among the companies that can help is Cluster Repairs UK
Origin: Used car buying guide: Audi S3 Mk1
Jaguar Land Rover’s survival bid: five new cars in two years
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has embarked on a two-year programme of new vehicle launches and massive industrial investments designed to transform the company’s financial fortunes and put it on a long-term, stable footing. As well as three entirely new model lines – the new Defender family, the luxury Jaguar J-Pace SUV and a new Range Rover crossover – JLR engineers are replacing the XJ with an electric super-saloon next year and creating a new version of the evergreen Range Rover by 2022. All of these new models will be built on JLR’s brand-new ‘flex’ MLA architecture, which offers mild- and plug-in hybrid drivetrains as well as a pure-electric option. According to official company documents, there will also be an all-electric Range Rover model and an all-electric Discovery model before 2025. There are no plans for an all-electric Defender spin-off, though. The internal-combustion models sold by all of Land Rover’s three so-called ‘brand pillars’ – Range Rover, Discovery and Defender – will be available in only mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid forms by 2025. Autocar can also reveal the MLA-based models will have a new SOTA (software over the air) capability, with 14 ‘modules’ in the vehicle’s electrical architecture that are connected to the internet. JLR says the new SOTA set-up will allow it to reduce warranty claims, avoid the need for some recalls, offer predictive servicing and even user-based insurance. Over-the-air feature upgrades for MLA models are also being planned, as well as “in-vehicle rewards and payments”. JLR is hoping to use data generated by real-world use of the new vehicles to inform future model development, too. The first all-new JLR model is the Defender, which will arrive later this year and be made at the new Nitra plant in Slovakia. This is a challenging project for the British car maker because it is a new model, based on a new architecture and built in a new factory with a relatively new workforce. But as Autocar’s scoops have revealed, the new three-model Defender range has huge potential in the lucrative market for premium family SUVs. The electric XJ, first reported by Autocar in 2015, replaces the outgoing XJ saloon, which has just ended a decade-long production run at the Castle Bromwich plant near Birmingham. The new model – due in around 12 months – is expected to be an unashamed super-luxury car in the mould of more expensive Mercedes-Benz S-Class variants (setting it well apart from the ageing Tesla Model S), while also being more driver orientated. JLR will be hoping that the XJ steals a march on premium EV rivals, offering a zero-emission luxury vehicle that’s ideal for East Asian megacities. Later on, plug-in petrol-electric versions of the XJ will be launched. Next up at the remodelled Castle Bromwich plant will be the Jaguar J-Pace, which will be larger and more upmarket than the F-Pace. The J-Pace is also expected to be offered as a pure EV and is unlikely to be made public until early 2021. The upcoming fifth member of the Range Rover family, due in late 2021 and scooped by Autocar in 2017, is also based on the MLA platform. It’s described on JLR documents as a “medium SUV” and is expected to sit between the Evoque and Velar. It will be more road orientated and its smaller frontal area will ensure it will be the most economical member of the Range Rover family as well as the first all-electric Range Rover. Despite JLR registering the historic Road Rover nameplate, there’s no news on what name the showroom version will take. Initially, there was some surprise in the car industry that the under-utilised Castle Bromwich plant is to receive significant investment to convert it to build JLR’s MLA platform. Recently, however, it was revealed that JLR had received a loan guarantee from the UK government for half a billion pounds. The money is expected to help not only the conversion of Castle Bromwich but also planned investments in a new battery factory at Hams Hall, east of Birmingham, and the manufacture of electric motors in the UK. JLR has already announced that it is teaming up with BMW to develop next-generation electric drive units (EDUs) for future electrified vehicles. JLR will make the EDUs at its Wolverhampton engine plant, which, the company says, will be able to switch seamlessly from making the Ingenium petrol and diesel engines to building the EDUs. Recently, JLR boss Ralf Speth said the battery makes up 40% of the cost of an EV and that locally built battery packs for UK-made vehicles is an economic necessity. Unless battery production is secured for the UK, Speth predicted, the UK car industry will see production moving overseas. Although JLR is clearly executing an ambitious and very promising product plan over the next 12 to 24 months, it has plenty of issues to deal with in the near term, with sales of existing models continuing to slide. In the first four months of 2019, Jaguar sales fell 11% and Land
Origin: Jaguar Land Rover’s survival bid: five new cars in two years
BTCC 2019: Ingram, Turkington and Butcher split Snetterton wins
Tom Ingram, Colin Turkington and Rory Butcher split the race wins in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship’s visit to Snetterton, with a one-off tyre rule helping to spice up the racing. For the first time, drivers were required to run all three of the BTCC’s Dunlop tyre compounds in the three races at the Norfolk track. The difference in pace between the three compounds led to plenty of overtaking, particularly in the final race. Ingram started the opening race from pole position after topping qualifying in his works-backed Speedworks Toyota Corolla by 0.002s from works Honda Civic Type-R driver Dan Cammish. Despite an early push from Cammish, Ingram pulled clear for a comfortable victory, his second of the year. Sam Tordoff finished third in his Civic Type-R, completing a podium lock-out for drivers running the soft tyre. Works BMW UK driver Colin Turkington was the top driver on the medium tyre in fourth, extending his championship lead over his fifth-place WSR team-mate Andrew Jordan. The BMW 3 Series of Turkington and Jordan both ran the soft tyre for the second race. They quickly moved into second and third, putting intense pressure on leader Ingram, who was hampered by success ballast. Turkington finally made his move on lap seven, pushing Ingram wide – blocking Jordan’s path in the progress. That allowed Cammish to jump up to second, with Ingram sliding down the order. His day worsened when he picked up a technical problem, dropping out of the points. Turkington’s win was the tenth for the new 3 Series this season, with Jordan recovering to third ahead of Ollie Jackson (Ford Focus RS). The third race was full of drama. Chris Smiley (Civic Type R) started from pole, but was soon overhauled by former champions Jason Plato (Vauxhall Astra) and Ash Sutton (Subaru Levorg). They staged an intense battle, while further back the Civic Type-Rs of Butcher and Josh Cook used their soft tyres to charge up the order from 12th and 15th on the grid. The battle for the lead culminated with Sutton, Plato and Butcher heading down the back straight side-by-side, with the inevitable contact at the next corner dropping the first two down the order and leaving Butcher clear for his second win of 2019. Cook finished second ahead of Smiley, Rob Collard (Vauxhall Astra) and Plato. Turkington finished tenth, and now leads Jordan by 36 points in the title race. Butcher is third, 22 points further back. The next round is the second visit of the year to Thruxton on August
Origin: BTCC 2019: Ingram, Turkington and Butcher split Snetterton wins
B.C. long weekend means lots of car shows
Local artist Jody Wilson shows his mad skills with another cool build. It’s Go Time is a 1955 Chevy Gasser that is over the top awesome.Cam Hutchins Everything is coming up threes this long weekend. There are three great car shows in the Lower Mainland, three on the Island and three in the Interior . Toss in some racing and even a tractor pull, and it truly is a carnuts full pull holiday weekend.That, of course, is a term that comes from tractor pulling, and after 15 years away the Campbell family is bringing it back to Agrifair Saturday through Monday. Come by at noon each day to meet the driver, and dont forget to bring some really good ear protection along too!Ill be there one of those days, and I also plan to log some good kilometres checking out the Old Time drags, WestCoasters Daze, the Shelby show at Hallmark Ford, and if I can squeeze it in, the Sun Festival in Tsawwassen. So many shows, so little time. Bill and Joan Ronald’s 1967 Camaro RS SS 350 that was sold new in Georgia. Cam Hutchins Last Saturday I spent the day at Mission Raceway Park track for a very fun day of action celebrating a quarter-century of road racing at the Rivers Edge circuit. One of the highlights was the Formula Ford action, with more than a dozen beautiful Van Diemen open-wheel racecars going head to head.On Sunday I was at the car show at Tsawwassen Mills that saw more than 500 cars on display. So many cool cars to see, chief among them Bill and Joan Ronalds stellar Mountain Green 1967 Camaro that was sold new in Georgia. Talented local artist Jody Wilson was showing off his 1955 Chevy Gasser dubbed Its Go Time, featuring a straight axle, flip hood dual quads and tons of attitude. This beast makes it debut on the track this weekend at the Langley Loafers Old Time drags. And then there was Mike Learys 1934 Ford Roadster, a car that won best hot rod at the show and one that Ive been watching come together online.So no matter where you are this weekend have fun and remember long weekends allow you to go to more car shows with a kid.SHOWSAUG. 3-4What: The Van Isle Shriners Show ShineWhere: ParksvilleWhen: Saturday Cruise starts a 5 p.m. from Wembley Mall. Sunday show from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Community Park. Shriner pancake breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m.Admission: Free. Parking by Donation in The Shriners LotInfo: 250-756-4952 or rrayner@gulfview.caWebsite: vanisleshrinersshowandshine.comAUG. 3What: Blast From The Past Car ShowWhere: Coombs Fairgrounds, CoombsWhen: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.Admission: By donationRegistration: $20Info: 250-586-2250 or kathleen.smith@shaw.caWebsite: oceanidlers.orgWhat: Riverboat Days Car ShowWhere: Terrace Sportsplex, TerraceWhen: 10 a.m. to 3 pm.Admission: FreeRegistration: Friday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday at 9 a.m. $10Info: 250-635-4727 or skeenavalleycruizers@gmail.com info@riverboatdays.caWebsite: riverboatdays.caWhat: Rotary Wheels Car ShowWhere: Rotary Park, Penticton.When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.Admission: $2. Children under 12 freeRegistration: 7 a.m. $20 and open to all vehiclesInfo: 250-497-6679 or rotarywheelscarshow@gmail.comWebsite: pentictonrotarywheelscarshow.ca Cam is among the many who have been following the build of Mike Leary’s 1934 Ford Roadster online. Cam Hutchins AUG. 4What: WestCoasters Daze Show ShineWhere: Semiahmoo Park, White RockWhen: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.Admission: FreeRegistration: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. $10 and open to all vehiclesInfo: 604-306-4208, therodgod@shaw.ca or harleystop@hotmail.comWebsite: therodgod.comWhat: Kars Under the K Show ShineWhere: Main Street, KeremeosWhen: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Admission: FreeRegistration: 8 a.m. $15 and open to all vehiclesInfo: 250-499-2634 or karsunderthek@outlook.comWebsite: karsunderthek.wix.com/karsunderthekAUG. 5What: Shelby Mustang ShowWhere: Hallmark Ford, 10085 152nd St., SurreyWhen: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.Admission: FreeRegistration: 9 a.m. $20 and open to all Ford vehiclesInfo: 604-805-4749 or ptekatch@gmail.comWhat: Tsawwassen Sun Festival Show ShineWhere: Winskill Park, TsawwassenWhen: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Admission: FreeRegistration: $20 and open to all collector, modified, and historic cars and trucksInfo: 604-943-0354, slwhitelaw@telus.net or gregfahlman@hotmail.comWebsite: sunfestival.caWhat: Comox Valley Vintage Wheels Nautical Days Car ShowWhere: Marina Park, ComoxWhen: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Admission: FreeRegistration: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. $10 and open to all vehiclesInfo: 250-339-2386 or pamac@shaw.ca Michael Webb pilots his 2008 V Diemen DP-08-2 Formula Ford during the 25th anniversary of road racing at Mission Raceway Park last weekend. Cam Hutchins COMPETITIONAUG. 2-4What: Langley Loafers Old Time DragsWhere: Mission Raceway Park, 32670 Dyke Rd., MissionWhen: Gates open at 8 a.m.Info: 604-826-6315, info@missionraceway.com, 604-534-2698 or info@langleyloafers.comWebsite: langleyloafers.comWhat: Campbell Motorsport Truck and Tractor PullWhere: Abbotsford Exhibition Park, 32470 Haida Dr., AbbotsfordWhen: 2 p.m.
Origin: B.C. long weekend means lots of car shows
Road to regret: the cars we should have kept
Like keen fishermen, Autocar’s writers are often spinning yarns about “the ones that got away”, but they’re not talking about elusive carp. If you’ve been lucky enough to own one of your dream cars, you might be familiar with longing for a machine you once owned. Whether through financial necessity, profit-hunting or just poor decision-making, these are the much-missed motors we let go. Subaru Impreza WRX My dark blue ‘bug-eye’ 2001 WRX stayed only a year, and that pains me. I bought it for three grand in 2011 and sold it for half that. You’d pay a bit more today, but finding a car like mine would be tricky: it was as discreet as a WRX could be and mechanically just as Fuji Heavy Industries had intended. Aside from its over-light steering, it did much of what a Lancia Delta Integrale Evo could do – accelerate, grip, turn and soak up B-roads with ease – with the significant advantages of feeling rock solid and costing buttons. Proof that beauty is skin deep. Richard Webber Triumph TR2 Special Ideally I’d have kept every car and bike I’ve owned, but selling them on has let me afford the next one, so I’ve no real regrets. Well, maybe one. Two. Three at a push. I do miss a Triumph TR2 Special (pictured), which was beautifully crafted, looked like a 1930s racing car, drove quite endearingly and was a one-off, so I won’t find another. It now lives in Germany. But if I’d kept everything I wouldn’t now have a Honda Africa Twin, which, in a ‘Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance’ way, I’m bonding with immensely. I’ll never sell it Matt Prior Porsche 911 S I’m probably the only person on the planet who sold a classic Porsche 911 and doesn’t like talking about it. With fantastic timing I managed to sell our 1970 911 S just before prices went crazy. Okay, mine wasn’t a perfect example by any means, but values went so high that it would have been worth investing a bit of money on sprucing it up. Doing that and then selling it on would have paid off our mortgage. But never mind. We did 67,000 miles in it, which included a drive to Sicily and back for our honeymoon. Colin Goodwin Nissan Micra Hard to believe a 1.0-litre Nissan Micra Mk2 could make the cut, but when you’ve put blood, sweat and tears (all literal, alas) into turning granny’s shopping car into a rally weapon (all exaggeration, alas), you grow quite fond it of it. All but the welding work was done my myself and mates, from swapping the shocks for Bilstein competition units to various safety upgrades and stripping out as much weight as humanly possible. The car cost £500 and the kit to make it eligible for the Formula 1000 (as in 1000cc – this was a 50bhp beast) Rally Championship another £1000 or so. I do have to admit, however, that the majority of the car you see here wasn’t the one I sold: an unfortunate roll wrote off most of this red devil, necessitating another shell… Jim Holder Jaguar XJS V12 HE I’ve never been a total fan of the XJS, which drives too much like a saloon, but its combination of velvet manners, extraordinary styling (and ever more so with time) and V12 power tempted me to buy a chestnut metallic 19,000-miler in 2007. I put 7000 totally reliable miles on it in nine years and only sold it because of a tax bill. I’ve regretted it ever since. The car’s amazingly original rust-free condition would be hard to repeat and I even liked its oh-so-’80s brown paint, despite my wife’s unprintably disparaging description of the hue. My regret led to some auction bidding for another later, but prices have risen substantially since my foolish sale. Richard Bremner Porsche 911 RS Carrera ‘It’ was a 1995 Porsche 911 RS Carrera. The 993-generation car. Rarer than a Ferrari F40 and probably the best air-cooled 911 of all to drive. I bought it in the early part of this century when such cars were cheap and sold it after two years to buy an old Chevy Camaro race car. It took two seasons of racing for the Camaro to run me out of money, so then I had no Porsche and no racing. Not good. But nothing like as bad as what happened to 993 RS prices after I sold: today my car would be worth at least £200,000. I’m too ashamed to admit in print what I sold it for back then. Andrew Frankel Volkswagen Golf GTI Obviously I should have kept them all. Life happens, though, and with the arrival of our daughter we needed a big, safe second-hand Saab 9000. The 1984 Volkswagen Golf GTI I’d had for almost 10 years had done so many miles, the odometer had gone on strike. It was only an eight-valve and there was no power steering, but it was a truly wonderful way to travel. I got about £800 cash for it, which was pretty good for a tired hot hatch, which is all it was. But it was an iconic one, too, which paid for a cot and lots of nappies. James Ruppert Peugeot 205 GTi After lots of bangers, the first nice car I ever owned was a 1988 1.6-litre 205 GTi, bought for the princely sum of £2500. It gave me 20,000
Origin: Road to regret: the cars we should have kept
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