Autocar magazine 29 January - on sale now
This week: Mini Electric and Honda E driven, Mk4 Seat Leon revealed, hybrid SUV super test and much more
The long-awaited fourth generation Seat Leon was officially revealed this week, bringing more rear space, upgraded interior technology and the introduction of hybrid power to the range.
We got to see both hatchback and estate versions of the new Leon, which will be offered in mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid forms, then quizzed the head of vehicle development to find out what went in to turning the car to make it feel different from the Mk8 Volkswagen Golf with which it shares a platform. Get all the details in this week’s issue.
*ALSO IN THIS ISSUE*
The return of the Ford Focus RS depends on the Blue Oval’s engineers ability to create a high-output hybrid powertrain that will fit with the new European Union fleet Co2 emissions targets. We talk details with Ford insiders and bring you the latest on the next fast Ford.
Wireless charging might be fairly common in smartphones, but charging a car without any wires is proving a lot harder. We look at the technology, speak to the engineers working to make it happen, and look at the companies offering different takes on convenient charging for electric cars.
Elsewhere in the news, a rugged Volkswagen ID 4x4 is tipped for 2023 to bring off-road ability to the company’s rapidly growing range of ID electric cars, the European future of the Suzuki Jimny may be in doubt as EU emissions targets loom, our spy photographers catch the upcoming Range Rover Sport and Mercedes-Benz SL going through testing, and we examine how changing public attitudes towards meat are pushing development of animal-free upholstery in our cars.
*Reviews*
Two big first drive reviews of two small EV runabouts this week, as we drive the production versions of the Honda E and Mini Electric for the first time. Honda’s effort embraces technology and was built from the ground up for short journeys through tight city streets, while the Mini aims to retain the formula set by the petrol-powered hatchback. We give verdicts on both.
We also drive the Renault Clio E-Tech, a new take on hybrid technology Renault expects to become a large part of its supermini range, and experience the Peugeot 208 on UK roads for the first time.
Elsewhere, the Nissan Juke is the star of this week’s road test. The mould-setting compact crossover is still built in the UK, but will the second generation model prove as popular as the first?
-*Features*-
Diesel seems to be fighting a losing battle to petrol-electric power, and nowhere is that more evident than the mid-size SUV class. We took four hybrid rivals to task to find out which offers the best combination of performance, economy and price, then pitted the winner against a diesel to see if the black pump can still claim to do things better.
For one small Volkswagen specialist located in the shadow of North Kensington’s now infamous Grenfell Tower, proximity to the tragedy almost made it impossible to return to normal - until a sideways move into electrifying classic cars brought a second wind to the business. We talked to its owner, and drove one of his classic VW Beetle EV conversions.
For ten years, the Rally for Heroes charity event has raised money for armed forces veterans with guided drives through Europe - but it isn’t just about stunning roads and fast cars. We speak to the people behind the event to find out why it’s about remembrance as well as fundraising.
Finally, some of the greatest cars ever to grace our roads did so using engines borrowed from other manufacturers. Our list counts down ten of the best.
*Opinions*
Steve Cropley spends a sizeable portion of his week in Hethel to go behind the scenes at Lotus, exploring preserved buildings that now sit alongside all-new structures as evidence of how much the brand has grown, before telling a few war stories from the old days. Elsewhere, Matt Prior decodes industry buzzwords to work out what car makers think customers will want from their motoring in 70 years’ time.
-*Deals*-
High mileage motors shouldn’t be a turn-off when it comes to buying second hand, according to our used expert James Ruppert. The Bangernomics evangelist explains why searching for cars with over 100,000 miles on the clock can save you some serious money. Entry-level Porsches that can be bought for an entry-level price are few and far between, but the 924 is still great value. It’s the star of our used buying guide, while our nearly-new guide explains why the much more practical Skoda Superb Estate is a great used purchase.
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