Porsche is understood to be developing two-door coupé and cabrio versions of the Panamera designed to rival the BMW 8 Series and Aston Martin Vantage. 

According to reports, which senior figures at the firm have not denied, Porsche is developing the two variants of its grand tourer for a planned unveiling next year. The cars are designed to offer enhanced practicality and space over the 911 but still be considered as 2+2s rather than outright four-seaters. 

Asked about the possibility of such cars, Porsche design boss Michael Mauer, who designed the original Panamera, said: “As a designer there are no limits to what I can conceive. I believe it is the design department’s role to sketch and consider every model it can for the future so that we are ready should anyone wish to pursue a project. 

“But if you are asking me to confirm if such projects are on the way then you are going to be disappointed. It is not my role to consider such things.” 

Reports in German media suggest plans for the cars are already well advanced and speculate that they will sit on shortened versions of the Panamera’s MSB platform. Were a version of the 2015 Bentley EXP10 Speed 6 concept to be given the go-ahead (unlikely, given recent reports), it is possible that this too could use the platform, bringing a further economy of scale. 

There is also a suggestion the cars will not carry the Panamera name, to fit a sportier, less practical end of the market. But powertrain options are expected to be taken from the Panamera range and include a plug-in hybrid option, given the need to reduce overall fleet emissions and the fact that more than half of European Panamera buyers opt for that set-up at present.

Read more

Used car buying guide: Porsche Panamera​

Porsche Panamera GTS 2018 review​

BMW 8 Series review

The old ‘win on Sunday, sell on Monday’ adage was always something of an oversimplification for car makers to go motor racing, but the ethos does still stand. Will BMW really sell more of its new 3 Series because Andrew Jordan scored a win first time out in the British Touring Car Championship? Unlikely. But it sure doesn’t hurt BMW’s cause to re-establish the model as the totem for saloon-car excellence. 

It’s heartening that motorsport is still of value to car makers in these fast-evolving times, and beyond the BTCC, there’s a great example on the global stage of a rising Chinese brand using racing to introduce itself to the world. 

We’ve yet to see Geely’s Lynk&Co on European roads, but that hasn’t stopped it showcasing the 03 TCR in the FIA World Touring Car Cup – and like BMW’s 3 Series in the UK, it’s already a winner. 

A four-car super-team has joined the burgeoning series, headed by a trio of drivers who share eight World Touring Car Championships between them: 49-year-old French legend Yvan Muller, Guernsey’s Andy Priaulx, who is making a tin-top return this year at the age of 44, and Sweden’s Thed Björk. Muller’s promising nephew, 22-year-old Yann Ehrlacher, is in the other 03. 

But the interest goes deeper than its stellar drivers, because Geely is offering the world a sneak preview of its cars before they are launched beyond its domestic market. “This is a global programme, meaning it has relevance for both China and the western market,” says Lynk&Co Cyan Racing’s Johan Meissner. 

So why WTCR? “It’s a perfect match for us,” he says. “[The TCR rules] utilise standard road cars as a base, providing us with an opportunity to connect the race and road car development. The WTCR also has extremely close and competitive racing, with 2019 promising to be one of the toughest touring car seasons ever. Our target is to become world champions.” 

The Swedish-based Cyan Racing team has already made a splash. At the Marrakech street circuit earlier this month, Björk finished second on the 03 TCR’s debut, then took a historic win – the first for a Chinese car maker in an FIA event – in Race 3 after Muller retired from the lead. 

WTCR resumes this weekend in Hungary. It’s a great global series – a shame, then, that it lacks a round in Britain.

Read more

BTCC 2019: New BMW 3 Series takes first race win​

Lynk & Co reveals 493bhp concept car based on TCR race car​

BTCC 2019: why the sport is back to its best

With the quirky Yeti crossover, Skoda proved something that many of us had come to doubt: that while the Volkswagen Group’s strategy of sharing platforms, engines, suspension systems and whatever else between the various models across its brands is clearly good for business, would any of them ever be able to produce a car with a discernible personality of its own?

Then, in 2009, the Skoda Yeti arrived, with its unusual styling and a distinct character all of its own. 

The Yeti predated today’s seemingly unstoppable SUV-mania, and even now it doesn’t really sit comfortably in that category. It shared its underpinnings with the Volkswagen Golf, and although it is a little taller than a conventional hatchback, it doesn’t have so many of the unavoidable drawbacks of a high-riding SUV. In fact, its seating position and on-road manners are much more car than SUV-like, which means it can be fun to drive on the right road. That’s where the better part of its distinctive personality comes from. 

What the Yeti does borrow from today’s SUVs is flexibility, practicality and, if it’s a four-wheel drive model, real off-roading ability. The VarioFlex rear seat system – which allows you to slide the bench forwards and backwards, remove it entirely or pull out only the middle chair to create more second-row space for two – gives the Yeti a level of versatility few other cars can match.

For all of those reasons, it is close to incomparable as an affordable family car a decade after its launch. The cheapest official Approved Used cars start at around £7000 and many of them have covered fewer than 50,000 miles. The 4x4 models start at £8000 and it’s worth paying that bit extra. Not only does a second driven axle make the Yeti better suited to winter driving (particularly when matched with winter tyres), but the four-wheel-drive cars also benefited from a more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension architecture. 

The 2.0-litre turbodiesel that you’ll find beneath the bonnet of the vast majority of these Yeti 4x4s is strong and torque-rich, whether it’s in the lower, 138bhp state of tune or the higher 168bhp specification. Upwards of 45mpg is well within reach, too. Approved Used Skodas come with a 12-month warranty and roadside assistance over the same term, although buyers have the option of upgrading to 24-month cover.

What’s most agreeable about the Yeti, though, is that Skoda’s designers and engineers were able to peer into an enormous warehouse packed to the rafters with VW Group mechanical components, all of them very well used across the business and long since over-familiar, and yet they pulled down only the right parts and wrapped them up in a funky body to create not only an original concept but also a very charming car. With the Yeti having now been replaced by the Russian-doll Karoq, we’ll probably never see its like again. 

Need to know

The Yeti’s slightly odd front styling won’t be to all tastes, not least due to its somewhat gawky foglights. Skoda updated the car with a more conventional front end in 2013 and these models aren’t much more expensive today. 

On top of the VarioFlex rear seat system, the front passenger seat can also be folded forward into a horizontal position. That means the Yeti can be used to transport very long objects, such as rolled-up carpets or, er, guttering. 

A number of owners have reported issues with hesitating engines. This can be fixed by the fitment of a shim beneath the turbo solenoid, which is a cheap and simple repair that should have been applied to an approved car. 

Our pick

Skoda Yeti 2.0 TDI 4x4 170: A 4x4 Yeti with the more potent diesel engine is uniquely appealing: quick, good to drive and practical. On a set of mud and snow tyres, it’ll also go much farther into the woods than you might imagine.

Wild card

Skoda Yeti 1.2 TSI: Front-drive Yetis don’t have the 4x4’s low-grip traction and aren’t as fun to drive, but it’ll be more than adequate in most circumstances. The 1.2-litre petrol engine is cleaner, too.

Ones we found

2012 Yeti 1.2 TSI, 40,000 miles, £7295 

2014 Yeti 1.6 TDI Greenline, 52,000 miles, £7985 

2012 Yeti 2.0 TDI 4x4 Elegance 140, 59,000 miles, £8000 

2013 Yeti 2.0 TDI 4x4 Elegance 170, 56,000 miles, £9495

Read more

Skoda Yeti: full road test

Taking the Skoda Yeti on an epic journey through Bhutan​

Skoda to build new European factory to meet demand​

Volkswagen has begun testing its ID R electric race car at the Nurburgring, ahead of an attempt to set a new lap record for electric vehicles.

The 671bhp ID R, which broke the outright record at the Pikes Peak hill climb last year, has been heavily modified to cope with the 12.9-mile Nordschleife's long straights and fast corners. A new F1-inspired aerodynamics package includes a new rear wing, redesigned front splitter and drag reduction system (DRS) which, when deployed, reduces downforce by as much as 20%.

Changes to the energy management system help the car reach its top speed faster, while using less energy from its twin lithium-ion battery packs.

Driver Romain Dumas, who has won the Nurburgring 24-hour race four times, will be aiming to dethrone the Nio EP9 electric hypercar. It set the record for fastest EV around the 'Ring in 2017 with a time of 6:45.90. 

"The extent to which the ID. R has been continuously developed compared to 2018 is impressive," Dumas explained. "I can’t wait to finally drive the ID. R on the Nordschleife.” 

The modified car is aiming for an average speed of 112mph around the circuit, and should achieve top speeds of 168mph on the straights. That suggests it won't seek to challenge the 5min 19.545sec outright record set by the Porsche 919 Evo hybrid last year.

Volkswagen has also teamed up with free-to-play racing simulator RaceRoom to let players digitally compete with its real-world record attempt. A virtual version of the ID R was created using data from the original car, with VW Motorsport engineers helping to create a realistic driving experience.

“The ID. R’s mission to be the spearhead of the fully electric ID. product family from Volkswagen continues in full force,” Volkswagen's Motorsport Director Sven Smeets, said. “Once again, this time in 2019, the ID. R will demonstrate the great potential of electric drive, combining emissions-free technology with true emotion.”

READ MORE

How Volkswagen broke the Pikes Peak hillclimb all-time record

Pikes Peak record holder Volkswagen ID R takes to Goodwood hill

Volkswagen to bid for electric Nurburgring lap record

Volvo has launched what it claims is the “UK’s most comprehensive online new car buying service”.

The initiative - live at www.volvocars.co.uk/order-online - allows buyers to configure their new car, part exchange their old one and, if necessary, sign a finance agreement online in less than 20 minutes, according to its creators. Volvos can be bought on factory order or from stock, with orders always linked to a retailer which will set pricing. Used Volvos could be offered at a future date. All sales will be subject to distance selling regulations, giving customers who choose to buy entirely online further consumer rights.

Initially only the XC40 will be sold online, but the service will be rolled out across more models from next month. Buyers can purchase their car with cash, on a PCP or a PCH, however the latter will not be possible via an electronic signature until the second half of 2019. The configurator is set up to amend the monthly cost of leasing the car as a customer adds options, in order to give them a live quote.

“Whether online or offline, the way people buy cars has changed. Customers now have much more control over the process, and Volvo Online helps them to take that one step further,” said Volvo UK managing director Jon Wakefield. “It makes life as easy as possible without compromising on choice or security, and lets customers drive the purchase process when it’s most convenient for them.”

Other manufacturers, including Hyundai, Peugeot, Ford and Tesla, have unveiled similar online purchasing initiatives, although reports suggest that, to date, they have been more useful for gaining customer behaviour insight than profitability.

“It is very clear that we are entering this space in order to learn,” said Wakefield. “By engaging in this way with our customers we will find out what they want. Our expectation is that a significant number will enjoy the process as part of the transaction, and as we learn we can adapt our service.”

Volvo also faces strong opposition from intermediary sites that work with retailer groups to offer its cars, often at significant discounts.

These include Autocar’s sister site What Car? which links buyers to retailers of cars at its Target Price - the most its mystery shoppers say you should pay for a new car - or below.

However, Wakefield stressed that individual Volvo dealers will be able to set their pricing for the online initiative. “Our retailers will be free to set prices, but if you are wanting to buy on price alone then there are aggregators out there,” he said. “What we’re offering gives you a guiding hand, with a stress-free brand experience.”

Volvo’s sales to date in the UK are up 39% year-on-year, driven by the ongoing success of the XC40 and new launches such as the upcoming S60. The UK recently overtook Sweden as Volvo’s third biggest market, behind China and the US.

READ MORE

Annual sales of Volvo XC40 set to double in 2019

Volvo primed to replace V40 with SUV-coupe

UK hosts ‘world’s largest Volvo gathering’

Peugeot has begun taking reservations for its next-generation 208 supermini, which will be offered with a choice of petrol, diesel and electric power.

The 208, which made its public debut at the Geneva motor show following last month's global reveal, isn't set to go on sale in the UK until 2020, with order books opening later this summer - but public demand has meant Peugeot is now accepting early reservations.

Buyers can pay a refundable £500 deposit to secure their choice of GT Line Puretech 100 petrol with 8-speed automatic, BlueHDi 100 diesel with 6-speed manual, or the electric e-208. They will be contacted once orders begin to confirm their choice, and will be the first to be offered test drives. 

Around 4cm longer, lower and 30kg lighter than the car it replaces, the new 208 will offer a “more dynamic stance” than the previous one, according to Yann Beurel, the 208’s design manager, who describes its looks as “futuristic and young”. 

The car is five-door only and based on Peugeot’s new CMP (Common Modular Platform) architecture, which underpins the latest DS 3 Crossback. It will form the basis for the next Vauxhall Corsa now that Vauxhall-Opel has been integrated into the PSA Group. 

Codenamed P21, the new 208 will offer its three powertrain options “without any compromises”, according to 208 product manager Nicolas Bonnardon. 

At launch, it will come with a petrol 1.2-litre tuned for 75bhp (with a five-speed manual), 99bhp (six-speed manual) or 128bhp (eight-speed automatic); a 99bhp 1.5-litre diesel (six-speed manual); and a 136bhp electric powertrain. 

Bonnardon told Autocar that, on the new WLTP legislative drive cycle, the electric 208 will have a range of up to 211 miles thanks to a 50kWh battery, which can be charged to 80% from empty in 30 minutes. 

All variants are front-wheel drive. Batteries for the electric 208 will sit in an H-section stretching beneath the rear seats, which is where the fuel tank is on internally combusted (ICE) variants, to beneath the front seats. 

Visually, bar some colouring on the front, the badges and the addition of aerodynamic wheel trims, there will be very little difference between ICE and EV 208s because PSA thinks EVs and plug-in hybrids will become a natural part of each car’s range. 

“We wondered if customers would want specificity on an EV,” said Beurel. “But they said they ‘didn’t want a flag on the top’ so the frontal intake takes body colour and there’s a blue-green tint on the lion badges.” 

In the UK, trim levels will be Active, Allure, GT-Line and, exclusive to the EV, GT. On the GT-Line and GT, black wheel-arch extensions are applied because the two versions get a 12mm-wider track than lesser 208s. On the GT-Line, it’s for effect only, but the EV’s powertrain necessitates it because its front axle comes with a wider stance. Wheel sizes are 16in or 17in. Peugeot’s designers, like a lot of companies, would prefer larger, but “in this segment, cost is important”, said Beurel. 

Inside, the 208 gets an update of Peugeot’s still-controversial i-Cockpit, which features a small steering wheel that tends to sit beneath or, for some drivers, in the line of sight of the instrument pack. 

Bar the option of a night-vision camera, convenience, driver assist and infotainment systems on offer in the new 208 are the same as in the bigger, more expensive 508. But there’s new equipment in the 208, too, including a neat three-dimensional element to the instrument cluster. Using a reflective screen as in a head-up display, the most important info can be brought to a small screen in front of the main instrument pack. 

“What’s important is that it’s not entertainment: it’s information,” said Beurel. “It’s spectacular but it’s really useful when driving.” 

In addition, the EV version of the 208 features pre-heating and cooling via a smartphone app. All 208s include a wrap-around dashboard, with a central 10.0in touchscreen on higher-trim levels and a 7.0in version on lower-trim variants, and all cars get four USB ports. 

And if the i-Cockpit layout has its critics? “We’ve sold five million cars with the i-Cockpit,” said Beurel, “and customers are telling us that they’re happy with it.”

Q&A with Gilles Vidal, Peugeot design boss

What’s the thinking behind the new 208’s design? 

“Basically, the idea was to make sure we were doing a sexy little hot hatch, in a modern kind of way. If you look at 206, 207, 208 along the years, the generations became more mono-spacey-looking, which was maybe a trend of the 1990s, 2000s. But here we wanted to have this really amazing sexy-looking, four-wheels-in-the-corners cute thing.” 

Is that why the windscreen has moved rearwards? 

“Sure. And to achieve this look, you don’t just need the silhouette. You need to have muscle. Not too much, and some shoulder but not too much, and the wheels in each corner, ideally. Hence the idea of having these added-on black pieces.” 

What’s it like without them? 

“When you do not have them, the body is quite sculpted, so it casts a strong shadow and the form makes the wheel look bigger and the wheel right in each corner of the car.” 

Is that hard to achieve? 

“In the automotive industry, there are more things in the nose so overhangs grow bigger and bigger. The obvious example is if you look at Minis: the first, second and third one. Every time you have to add more and more material [to meet safety regulations]. So the idea for us was to trick all those constraints to end up with a cute little thing with ideal proportions as much as we could.”

Read more

Peugeot 208 review

Geneva motor show news

Peugeot 508 PHEV 2019 protoype review

I don’t think you can read too much into the recent announcement that Infiniti, the posh arm of Nissan, is going to withdraw from sales in Europe. 

I once sat in a room with Carlos Ghosn, formerly the boss of RenaultNissan, where he said he didn’t care how many cars Infiniti sold in Europe, so long as the sub-brand’s profit margin was into double digits. Although apparently he’s not quite so influential now as he once was. Anyway, it turns out that double digits on naff all is still naff all. 

But in that ‘double digits’ figure you can see why having a posh brand was so appealing to Nissan in Europe. It also reveals how tight profit margins are if you’re not a premium car maker. The market is so cut-throat that normal car makers aspire to moderate single-digit figures, so if they have an underwhelming year, or if they find themselves behind the curve of a new trend, they can be scuppered for ages. 

So they all want a bit of what DS, the posh bit of Peugeot-Citroën, has been similarly explicit about. Premium bits of the car market account for 11% of all car sales, DS says, but 37% of all profits. And so DS would like to sell cars into 70% of this profit-rich environment. 

Which, as Infiniti has found in Europe, is a problem. How do you convince people that your car is worth spending more than average money on? The easiest way is to be German or British or Italian and to have been doing it for a century already. Then you can claim that you’re ‘the ultimate driving machine’ or ‘engineered like no other car’. Which is fine. If it’s still true. 

But here’s the thing: what if it isn’t? Or, at least, what if it’s true for some of your cars but very much not true for others. Because while it’s irresistible for ‘normal’ car makers to try to sell cars in the premium market, it’s similarly tempting, for makers of hitherto posh cars, to try to sell them to people who previously couldn’t afford them. 

So if you want to lease a Mercedes-Benz or an Audi for not much more than £200 a month, you can. Or, in other words, give up a daily latte and a Ford Fiesta, and you can probably have an Audi A1. Doing that doesn’t sound so premium at all – and if you’ve sat in an A1, it probably doesn’t feel it, either. 

And so Audi will keep making R8s and Mercedes will keep making G-Classes because they need to keep reminding you that, deep down, they make top-end cars, even when, quite a lot of the time, they don’t. And I suspect the world’s ordinary manufacturers will keep trying, and, quite often, failing, to find ways of pushing above that line, because they don’t make cars that command six-figure prices and whose performance or engineering we go gooey about. So we’ll never quite buy the fact that a DS is an Audi rival even if it looks different and feels better inside. 

But the lines between the premium and the ordinary have never been more blurred. And while there’s a lot to be gained, if you’re Infiniti or DS, by trying to step above it, if we start to see the reality for what it is, it strikes me there’s a lot to lose for premium car makers who step below the line, too, and expose the whole charade for what it is. 

Read more

Infiniti pulls out of Europe

DS 3 Crossback BlueHDi 100 Prestige 2019 UK review

Top 10 best premium electric cars 2019

Small, relatively cheap electric vehicles such as the Seat Minimó could save the city car, according to the firm’s boss Luca de Meo.

Discussing the future of cars like the Seat Mii - a joint venture alongside the Skoda Citigo and VW Up - de Meo said: “When we sell a Mii I don’t make any money, the dealer makes maybe 200 euros and maybe they’ll then get 100 euros from the first service, only for the car to be taken to a local garage afterwards. There is not much business in that over 10 years.

“But how do most people use those cars? Would it be better for them and for us to buy transport by the kilometre, rather than the car? A Mii is massively over-engineered for a car that will most often be used for three miles to get across town.

“Wouldn’t the customer and our business be better off if they could rent a cheaper, but more fit for purpose vehicle for 20 cents a kilometre? If that vehicle was in more use, shared by users, and it covered 150-200 miles a day I’d be looking at 15,000 euros over three years.

“If a vehicle like the Minimó can be made for half the cost of a Mii then there is a business case for it. Not overnight, but there could be a solution there. And this is especially true when a car like the Mii, even at its most efficient, produces about 90g/km of CO2. If the target you need to hit is below 80g/km, then you may as well build a car than emits 0g/km.”

READ MORE

Seat to add six electrified models by 2021 after record 2018

Seat el-Born is brand's first bespoke EV

Twists & turns: 66 years of Seat cars

McLaren will launch a new “rule-breaking” grand tourer in May with more of a bespoke look and feel than the 570GT, according to the firm’s boss.  

First detailed at last month’s Geneva motor show with heavy camouflage, the latest images have allowed our designer to render an undisguised image of the car. It’s expected to share less resemblance to existing McLaren models, although it won’t be a four-seater.

The as-yet-unnamed model is expected to be powered by McLaren’s 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, with more power than the 562bhp 570GT. Speaking at last month’s Geneva show, McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt said the car will be “more differentiated” than the 570GT was compared with the 570S, with a “more dedicated focus on the characteristics you want in a GT”.

The first customer cars will arrive this autumn with an expected price of around £145,000, after a formal reveal in May. It’s the fourth car to reach production under the Woking brand’s Track25 business plan, out of a total of 18 new models due by 2025.

When the new model was announced at Geneva, Flewitt said that it could be the first of several more practical, but still performance-focused, cars produced by the firm.

Flewitt said: “It will be a car that combines competition levels of performance with continent-crossing capability, wrapped in a beautiful lightweight body. It’s a car that has been designed for distance and one that will also provide the comfort and space expected of a grand tourer.

“But it will also have a level of agility never experienced before in this segment. In addition, it will be the lightest of grand tourers and, by also having the best power-to-weight ratio, I promise it will be one of the quickest.”

Suggesting that the new grand tourer could be the first of several such models, Flewitt also confirmed that it would sit outside its established, three-tier line-up of Sports Series, Super Series and Ultimate Series families at the firm, instead saying that the car will be “a unique, tailored model”. 

Although McLaren has trademarked the GTZ name recently, insiders have told Autocar this is to future-proof potential names of products, rather then being specific to either the GT or a potential collaboration with Zagato.

McLaren's hybrid plans are more advanced than rivals

In a separate interview with Autocar, Flewitt claimed that the brand remains on course to have part-electrified models on sale before Aston Martin. “Aston are talking about competing with us, but there isn’t anything near the road yet,” Flewitt said. “We prefer to talk about it when we’ve done it.”

He confirmed that the first hybrid McLaren, the replacement for the Sports Series that is due next year, will send both petrol and electric power through the rear wheels only, while an all-wheel-drive hybrid system is being considered for higher-performance models. 

“I can't see us doing a mechanically driven front axle," he admitted, "but I could see an electrically driven front axle in the future. Apart from the traction benefits, which increase the appeal in certain markets, you also get a very significant ability to recharge your hybrid with an electrically powered front axle.”

McLaren is also believed to be switching to a weight-saving, smaller capacity V6 to combine with electric power. The forthcoming Sports Series replacement is also expected to come with a charging port. “Plug-ins have to be part of the equation,” Flewitt said. 

“We’ve got to be honest: we’ve been driven to this by emissions regulations. I may be out of touch with what Fiestas can do these days, but when I look at [our] first car and its CO2 emissions, it looks like what I used to aspire for Fiestas to achieve in my Ford days – it's staggeringly good.”

While it won’t be possible to fully cancel out the weight penalty of a hybrid system, Flewitt hopes to minimise it. “I’ve always said my ambition was to launch the hybrid at the same weight as the outgoing car,” he said.

“We’re not going to hit that, but we’re going to be within 30-40kg. When you think the P1 hybrid system was 140kg, we've done a huge amount to manage the weight… I've driven a prototype of it and the car is very compelling. We wouldn't be launching it if it wasn't going to be.”

Read more

McLaren to launch 18 models and move to hybrid powertrains by 2025​

McLaren Senna vs Alpine A110: can less be more?​

Geneva motor show news

Aston Martin DB9, £29,950: You could argue a DB9 looks at its best in the classifieds, where it’s someone else’s problem.

Still, it does get you dreaming, especially one like the 66,000-mile, 2005/05-reg car we found in black, shot against an austere Edinburgh terrace. Equipment includes a Linn sound system, xenon headlights and rear parking assistance. 

All the signs of a good purchase are here: factory-spec Bridgestone Potenzas all-round, main dealer service mileages laid bare for examination and a recent service ensuring there should be no horrors waiting in the wings. 

It costs less than £30,000 but that’s just the start. You’ll need to budget at least £1000 a year for servicing and other expenses, and that’s before road tax. It would be sensible to maintain its main dealer service record, but we’d understand if you went in favour of a specialist who prefers to repair rather than replace. 

So what to look for? Check the weepage holes on the sides of the cylinder blocks that are a clue to cylinder liner corrosion. Examine the timing cover seal and the gearbox oil cooler system for oil weeps. Then listen for noisy valve gear from cold and when warm. Check the condition of the coil packs: if they’re faulty, the engine may misfire or feel hesitant. 

The DB9 is a heavy car so on the test drive feel for tired suspension bushes and worn springs. This example is an automatic, so check changes are smooth (the rare manual ’box eats clutches). Don’t gloss over worn leather trim – it’s expensive to repair – and check the electric windows work. 

We’re confident our find is a good ’un, but you can never be too careful. 

Fiat Uno Turbo, £17,500: Actually, tempting though this example of a 1980s hot hatch is (50,000 miles, one lady owner), you’re welcome to it at this money. It’s had a thorough mechanical overhaul and a lick of new paint. Do let us know how you get on with it.

Porsche Cayenne Turbo, £4990: It’ll be expensive to run but, with just one owner and a full book of service stamps, this Cayenne Turbo is too good to ignore. We’d check the coolant pipes and coil packs, propshaft centre bearing and front wishbones, and that all the toys work.

Jaguar XF, £3500: Autocar ran an early XF diesel and what a wonderful motor it was, so we were drawn to this 2008 2.7 TD Premium Luxury. It’s done 132,000 miles but it has a full Jaguar service history and there are no advisories on its latest MOT.

Hyundai S Coupé, £2995: Mid-life chassis tweaks gave the S Coupé the handling finesse earlier versions lacked. This 2007/07 example has done 70,000 miles. The service history looks a little patchy but these are tough and simple old things, so we’re not too concerned. 

Auction watch

Vauxhall Omega MV6: With a 215bhp 3.2 V6, subtle bodykit and understated saloon body, this Omega MV6 auto is the definition of a Q-car. It romped home at auction, making £4440 on the hammer. The 2001-reg motor had 72,000 miles and belonged to the boss of a Vauxhall dealership, so had enjoyed five-star treatment. Upgrades included an Irmscher grille and a Powerflow exhaust. As a special incentive on the day, the boss threw in its Y11 VXL registration number. The car’s sure to attract attention at club meets, where enthusiasts earnestly debate the Omega’s comparison with rival Beemers and Mercs. 

Get it while you can

Volkswagen Up GTI, price new - £14,055, price now - £12,490: If you love small cars, Autocar’s recent story on their possible extinction is a wake-up call for those interested in models such as the Volkswagen Up GTI. When it first landed last year, there was a queue around the block. You’ll still have a bit of a wait, but why bother when you can get your hands on a nearly new one now and save a pretty sum in the process? One like the 2018/68-reg example we found. It’s an ex-demonstrator with 1800 miles, so fingers crossed it hasn't been thrashed too much. 

Clash of the classifieds

Brief: Find me a 4WD cross-country/ Allroad-style estate for £8000.

Volvo XC70 2.4 D5 SE AWD Auto: Volvo was one of the first to offer a jacked-up estate car (the other being Audi) and the brand is well known for good load-luggers – ergo, a Volvo XC70 makes a whole lot of sense. The car I’ve found is a luxurious SE model with the obligatory heated seats, along with Volvo’s charismatic five-cylinder 2.4-litre D5 engine – which has more than a passing resemblance, sound-wise at least, to an old Audi Quattro. This one has done only 70,000 miles since it was new in 2008 and it has a full service history, all for just £7495. Max Adams

Subaru Outback, £7997: In matters of taste, there is no argument; and in matters of off-roading, everyone doffs their cap to a Subaru. This barely used 2011 Outback is the supreme all-rounder. It’s built so well it’ll never go wrong, and its four-wheel-drive capabilities are such that it can tow horseboxes, traverse streams, plough across fields and take the family to Cap d’Antibes on holiday without ever missing a parish quiz night or a school run or a farmers’ ball. That flat-four diesel will cover huge distances, too, while the luxurious interior will impress even the Chipping Norton set. Mark Pearson

Verdict: That Volvo is still a stylish conveyance but the tough Subaru is its match in all areas, and is younger too. 

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Tesla is preparing to open UK order books for the Model 3, according to company CEO Elon Musk.

In a tweet, Musk said the online order page would open "around May 1 or 2", allowing UK customers to place an order before Tesla raises the price of its 'full self-driving' autonomous functionality. From the 10th of May, new orders will need to pay an additional $1000 for the feature.

Tesla had previously confirmed that the Model 3, in AWD Long-range guise, will offer 338 miles of range on a WLTP cycle, meaning it takes the lead in Europe as the EV with the longest official range.

The Hyundai Kona EV previously laid claim to the title, with a range of 279 miles in 64kWh form. 

The car maker launched its configurator in December for European customers who had already put down a deposit for a Model 3 saloon, which in the process revealed previously unconfirmed pricing and range details. 

Model 3 pricing announced in Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands and France suggest the entry-level EV will be available from around £50,000, falling to £46,500 after taking into consideration the £3500 UK government incentive for zero-emission vehicles.

The Model 3 is on show in UK dealerships for the first time, with demonstration models on display at Tesla’s London Park Royal and Manchester Stockport locations, ahead of right-hand-drive models arriving in the second half of 2019.

Two models will be available at launch: the four-wheel-drive, long-range version is capable of 338 miles on a single charge, according to WLTP testing. The Model 3 Performance can do 330 miles.

Tesla Model 3 review

The 4WD version reaches the 0-60mph benchmark sprint in 5.1sec and has a top speed of 140mph, while the Performance achieves 0-60mph in 3.5sec. 

Cheaper Model 3 variants are due to arrive later, potentially lowering the entry-level cost to around £35,000.

If so, it would go up against combustion-engined compact executive cars such as the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Jaguar XE and Mercedes-Benz C-Class in terms of pricing and size.

Model 3 owners will not get free access to the Tesla Supercharger high-speed charging system, with the American company planning to charge for electricity as demand grows and it requires more investment to build up its charging network.

Tesla’s latest results from the third quarter of 2018 showed that it hit production targets for the Model 3, building 53,239 units. This followed a tumultuous second quarter in which a temporary ‘tent’ was constructed outside the firm’s Californian plant containing another production line so as to increase output.

Prospective Tesla Model 3 owners tell us why they're buying one

Tesla revealed its Semi lorry in November last year, and this is expected to go into production in 2019. Its next model, the Model Y small SUV, is expected to be revealed in March 2019.

The highly anticipated Roadster, a sports car which promises to hit 0-60mph in 1.9sec, is pegged to arrive in 2020.

Read our Tesla Model X road test

Read more - Tesla's Gigafactory in numbers

California-based EV start-up Zero Labs Automotive has unveiled a re-engineered classic Ford Bronco with an electric powertrain. 

The electric version of the iconic 1965 4x4 features a brushless permanent magnet AC motor producing 277lb ft of torque and 434bhp – a 500% increase over the original straight-six petrol engine. 

Power is sent to either the rear axle or all four wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox, marking a break from convention for EVs, which typically make use of a single-speed transmission.

Zero Labs' first production vehicle stores its power in a 70kWh lithium ion battery pack, making it good for a claimed 190 miles of range.

Despite significant modification to the original chassis, the electric Bronco is said to retain 1000 original parts.

The model's renowned off-road capability has been preserved with the installation of a two-speed transfer case, high-performance front and rear differentials, adjustable coilover suspension and Brembo six-piston disc brakes, while the styling has been recreated with newly fabricated carbonfibre body panels, which are claimed to be fitted with 4mm of tolerance. 

Buyers can specify bespoke interior material options, with a range of sustainable and vegan-friendly finishes available. A digital instrument display features, but it has been designed to mirror the shape of the original analogue display. 

Those interested can now place a reservation through the company’s website. The initial production run is limited to 150 units. 

Zero Labs says the electric Bronco was designed over the course of three years to be low-maintenance and environmentally friendly, with the ability “to be enjoyed now and well into the future”. 

Zero Labs founder Adam Roe said: “A clean energy future doesn't have to come at the expense of our past.

“We have committed ourselves to providing car lovers with both the spirit of our past and a clean energy future but at today’s standards.” 

The electrification of classic cars is a growing trend; Aston Martin now offers reversible electric powertrain conversions for classic models, Jaguar sells the E-Type Zero and an electric classic Mini has been put into limited prodcution by Swindon Powertrain.

Read more:

Ford's baby Bronco SUV leaked in dealer presentation​

Aston Martin offers 'reversible' electric conversion for classic cars​

Swind E electric classic Mini on sale from £79,000​

Aston Martin has previewed a new manual gearbox ‘AMR’ variant of the latest Vantage sports car, set to be revealed within the next week. 

AMR, which, unsurprisingly, stands for Aston Martin Racing, is a badge that has been used on a number of special edition Astons in the last few years, and is currently used on a more driver-focused version of the DB11 and a run-out special of the Rapide.

In keeping with the theme of driving engagement, the Vantage AMR will see the return of a manual gearbox to the brand for the first time since the previous-generation model in 2017.  

In recent years Aston has used a six-speed manual ‘box in certain models, but the V12 Vantage S was fitted with a seven-speed manual towards the end of its life, making use of a motorsport-inspired dog-leg first gear layout. That allowed the top six gears to remain in the traditional ‘H’ pattern that most drivers are familiar with. 

It’s not clear yet whether the new manual Vantage will revive this format, but it’s a strong possibility. Porsche offers a seven-speed manual transmission on its 911 Carrera, a close rival to Aston’s sports car.

The AMR will continue to retain the Mercedes-AMG sourced 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, which might receive a small power boost. Expect styling tweaks, bespoke interior trim and perhaps some subtle chassis revisions, too. 

Previous AMR models have been available on a limited production run with a significant price increase, and that’s likely to be the case with the new car. Expect more details to emerge in the coming days. 

Read more:

Aston Martin Vantage review

Aston Martin DB11 AMR review

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante is 211mph drop-top

McLaren will unveil a "rule breaking" new GT car next month, and new spyshots detail a design the firm's boss claims is more bespoke than the 570GT.

Complimenting official 'spyshots' released by McLaren during March's Geneva motor show, fresh images show the car testing in a camouflage wrap, but reveal much of the car's shape. Unlike the 570GT, which shared a strong resemblance in profile to the 570S, the new car has a unique body design. 

The as-yet-unnamed model is expected to be powered by McLaren’s 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, with more power than the 562bhp 570GT. Speaking at last month’s Geneva show, McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt said the car will be “more differentiated” than the 570GT was, with a “more dedicated focus on the characteristics you want in a GT”.

The first customer cars will arrive this autumn with an expected price of around £145,000, after a formal reveal in May. It’s the fourth car to reach production under the Woking brand’s Track25 business plan, out of a total of 18 new models due by 2025.

When the new model was announced at Geneva, Flewitt said that it could be the first of several more practical, but still performance-focused, cars produced by the firm.

Flewitt said: “It will be a car that combines competition levels of performance with continent-crossing capability, wrapped in a beautiful lightweight body. It’s a car that has been designed for distance and one that will also provide the comfort and space expected of a grand tourer.

“But it will also have a level of agility never experienced before in this segment. In addition, it will be the lightest of grand tourers and, by also having the best power-to-weight ratio, I promise it will be one of the quickest.”

Suggesting that the new grand tourer could be the first of several such models, Flewitt also confirmed that it would sit outside its established, three-tier line-up of Sports Series, Super Series and Ultimate Series families at the firm, instead saying that the car will be “a unique, tailored model”. 

Although McLaren has trademarked the GTZ name recently, insiders have told Autocar this is to future-proof potential names of products, rather then being specific to either the GT or a potential collaboration with Zagato.

McLaren's hybrid plans are more advanced than rivals

In a separate interview with Autocar, Flewitt claimed that the brand remains on course to have part-electrified models on sale before Aston Martin. “Aston are talking about competing with us, but there isn’t anything near the road yet,” Flewitt said. “We prefer to talk about it when we’ve done it.”

He confirmed that the first hybrid McLaren, the replacement for the Sports Series that is due next year, will send both petrol and electric power through the rear wheels only, while an all-wheel-drive hybrid system is being considered for higher-performance models. 

“I can't see us doing a mechanically driven front axle," he admitted, "but I could see an electrically driven front axle in the future. Apart from the traction benefits, which increase the appeal in certain markets, you also get a very significant ability to recharge your hybrid with an electrically powered front axle.”

McLaren is also believed to be switching to a weight-saving, smaller capacity V6 to combine with electric power. The forthcoming Sports Series replacement is also expected to come with a charging port. “Plug-ins have to be part of the equation,” Flewitt said. 

“We’ve got to be honest: we’ve been driven to this by emissions regulations. I may be out of touch with what Fiestas can do these days, but when I look at [our] first car and its CO2 emissions, it looks like what I used to aspire for Fiestas to achieve in my Ford days – it's staggeringly good.”

While it won’t be possible to fully cancel out the weight penalty of a hybrid system, Flewitt hopes to minimise it. “I’ve always said my ambition was to launch the hybrid at the same weight as the outgoing car,” he said.

“We’re not going to hit that, but we’re going to be within 30-40kg. When you think the P1 hybrid system was 140kg, we've done a huge amount to manage the weight… I've driven a prototype of it and the car is very compelling. We wouldn't be launching it if it wasn't going to be.”

Read more

McLaren to launch 18 models and move to hybrid powertrains by 2025​

McLaren Senna vs Alpine A110: can less be more?​

Geneva motor show news