Running a car is an expensive business. Once you’ve come to terms with the purchase price, you need to factor in the cost of depreciation, tax, insurance, maintenance and fuel.
Here, we reveal the cheapest new and used cars to drive on a cost per mile basis according to Choose My Car. The figures are based on the average fuel economy, the tank capacity and how much it costs to fill the tank. The results are presented in reverse order.
In all cases, the figures should be used as a guide. The costs will fluctuate depending on the driver and the cost of fuel. The majority of the cars in the top 20 are powered by a small petrol engine, but the Mazda CX-3 bucks the trend by boasting a 2.0-litre unit. Thanks to Mazda’s Skyactiv technology, the fuel should cost 13.04p per mile.
Citroen C3 – 12.89p per mile
It’s important to note that it’s not just brand new cars in the top 20. Take the Citroen C3. We’re not talking about the current model with the Airbumps, rather the original C3 sold between 2002 and 2010. More specifically, the Citroen C3 powered by the 1.1-litre petrol engine. Used prices start from around £1,000.
Vauxhall Corsa – 12.83p per mile
Next up is the Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 Easytronic, which is about as exciting as it sounds. ‘Easytronic’ is Vauxhall-speak for ‘power-sapping automated manual transmission’, which is hardly a match made in heaven for a 1.2-litre engine. Auto Express used words like ‘jerky’, ‘blunts’, ’frustrating’ and ‘modest’ in its review. You have been warned. Still, think of the pennies you’ll be saving.
Skoda Octavia – 12.69p per mile
The second-generation Skoda Octavia arrived in 2004, by which time it was cementing a reputation for offering practical motoring on a budget. In truth, the entry-level 1.4-litre 16v petrol engine is the weakest of the units offered, but it’s the one you need if you’re hoping to save money. Prices on Auto Trader range from £500 to £2,500.
Mini Cooper – 12.69p per mile
With one or two exceptions, the majority of cars in this top 10 are about as exciting as a night in with a cash flow statement. But do the sums and you’ll see that the Mini Cooper adds up to being a great buy. It’s fun to drive, good to look at, and boasts a brand as strong as any other at the small end of the market. All this for 12.69p per mile.
Renault Clio – 12.56p per mile
When Renault launched the third-generation Clio, the outgoing version remained on sale badged as the Campus. Even with a budget price, it was hard to recommend the Clio Campus, because the supermini had moved on. Today, that’s less of an issue, which makes the Clio Campus 1.2 16v a cost-effective used buy.
BMW 2 Series Active Tourer – 12.42p per mile
The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is one of only two premium models to make the top 20 – not to mention the only MPV. Its inclusion is a little odd, because the 225i xDrive automatic was the least efficient engine available on the 2 Series Active Tourer. The 225i is no longer available to buy new and there are just four for sale on Auto Trader.
Honda Jazz – 12.39p per mile
“If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life, never make a pretty woman your wife.” Jimmy Soul’s advice might seem a little misguided in 2020 – especially if you read the rest of the lyrics. In reality, the secret to leading a happy life is to buy a Honda Jazz. Satisfaction, dependability and reliability are (almost) guaranteed.
Ford Fiesta – 12.34p per mile
When talking about the Ford Fiesta, most used car guides reference the fact that there’s plenty to choose from so you can afford to be picky. But how many used examples are on sale today? Right now, Auto Trader has 13,300 listings, with prices ranging from £250 to £26,500. According to Choose My Car, a Fiesta 1.0 built between 2013 and 2017 will be the most frugal.
Skoda Fabia – 12.26p per mile
Wouldn’t it be neat if we could sneak a Ford Mustang onto the list? You could use it to convince your better half that running a V8 is a cost-effective and sensible thing to do. Instead, you’re faced with the prospect of running a Skoda Fabia 1.2 with a measly 75 horses on tap. Still want that Mustang, etc?
Kia Picanto – 12.19p per mile
A top 10 finalist in the list of cheapest cars to run – and if you buy a used Kia Picanto aged younger than seven years, you’ll still get some of the manufacturer’s amazing seven-year new car warranty, for ultimate budget motoring peace of mind.
Fiat 500 – 12.03p per mile
The Fiat 500 is the automotive equivalent of having your cake and eating it – it’s fun to drive and cheap to run. That said, the cake phrase has always seemed a little odd. What’s the point of having a cake and not eating it? You buy or bake a cake with the intention of eating it. Unless you’re a baker, in which case you plan to make money from it. Perhaps that’s the point. Moving on…
Seat Arona – 12.03p per mile
Although it’s fashionable for motoring writers to pour scorn on compact crossovers, the Seat Arona is actually rather good. It boasts a spacious cabin, it’s pretty decent to drive, and some of the trim levels offer premium levels of equipment. Opt for the 1.5-litre TSI engine to save money on fuel.
Audi A3 – 11.98p per mile
The Audi A3 is the first car on the list to drop below the 12p mark. People like the A3 because it feels like an upmarket Volkswagen Golf. It also wears an Audi badge, which means it looks good parked in the office, gym or Starbucks car park. Choose My Car says the 1.2-litre TFSI engine is the one to go for.
Volkswagen Polo – 11.56p per mile
How long do you reckon it takes the 60hp Volkswagen Polo 1.0 to hit 62mph? The answer is 16.5 seconds, which is roughly the time it will take you to realise that you should have bought something a little quicker. Like a push bike.
Volkswagen Golf – 11.46p per mile
The Volkswagen Golf with a 110hp 1.0-litre TSI makes more sense than the Polo. Not only is it bigger, but good fuel economy will be easier to achieve as you won’t be pushing the engine to the limit in order to make swift progress. It’s also a Golf, which will impress your neighbours. Probably.
Seat Leon – 11.31p per mile
Alternatively, you could buy a ‘Spanish Golf’. The Seat Leon shares its platform with the Volkswagen Golf, but offers better value for money and an improved look. According to Choose My Car, the 130hp 1.5-litre TSI is the best engine on a cost-per-mile basis. It’s worth noting that the Leon will depreciate faster than the Golf.
Peugeot 208 – 10.90p per mile
Into the top three we go. We start with the outgoing Peugeot 208. When powered by the 1.0-litre Puretech 68 engine, the little Pug will cost 10.90p per mile to run. Not bad, eh?
Toyota Yaris – 10.60p per mile
Toyota dominates the top two positions, with the Yaris 1.0 grabbing second spot. The current Yaris has been on sale for nearly a decade, but a new model will arrive in 2020. It’s coming to a bingo car park near you.
Toyota Aygo – 10.55p per mile
The little Toyota Aygo shares its platform with a Citroen and a Peugeot, but while the French pair are absent from this list, the Aygo 1.0 grabs top spot. Choose My Car says it will cost 10.55p per mile. Out of curiosity, do you want to know the figure for the Range Rover 5.0 V8? Of course you do. It’s 36.25p per mile. Ouch.
The three-door Land Rover Defender 90 is now on sale, with prices from £40,290. This follows the launch of the five-door Defender 110, which is experiencing ‘unprecedented demand’ at dealers.
For those wanting to put their Defender to work, there will also be a commercial derivative. It will cost from around £35,000 when it joins the range later in 2020.
The Defender 110 has apparently been customised on Land Rover’s online configurator 1.21 million times.
Contrary to the rugged image of the Defender, the most popular accessory pack in those configurations was Urban. It joins Explorer, Adventure and Country as one of four flavours of Defender that buyers can choose.
More than 35 percent of configurations were the Urban spec. Perhaps the Mercedes-Benz G-Class should be worried.
“We have experienced unprecedented demand for new Defender 110 and the official introduction of Defender 90 is sure to boost interest,” said Finbar McFall, Land Rover global product marketing director.
“If our experience with the Defender 110 is anything to go by, we can expect over half of customers to opt for one of the four accessory packs, making new Defender the most accessorised and personalised Land Rover we have ever produced.”
If you like the idea of the cheaper, smaller 90, but worry about practicality, fear not. Although it only has two traditional doors, it also has a front-row centre seat, offering seating for six.
If you’re more eco-minded, there will be a Defender for you soon. This year will see the marque launch a plug-in hybrid variant.
Highways England has released details of new vehicles designed to place cones at roadworks. The machines will reduce risk for road workers.
The automated cone-laying machines will take the place of two workers hanging from a truck, placing cones as it drives along.
Around 260-300 cones are required for a 2.5-mile road closure. That means workers shift between five and six tonnes of cones, each weighing 10kg, over the course of a shift.
Include other objects such as frames, signs, lamps and sand bags, and that’s an eight- to 10-tonne payload. A single kilometre of cone-laying takes 15 minutes. That means that live traffic exposure for these workers at present totals around two hours.
The process of establishing roadworks should also speed up. Pending further successful testing and refinement of the design, the cone-laying machines could be in service by the end of the year.
Two vehicles have been developed. One by Highway Care and one by King Highway Products. The former has been testing at Bruntingthorpe airfield, while the latter is due to be trialled next month. Highways England has invested £1.27 million into the scheme, via the Innovation Designated Funds programme.
Highways England set criteria for the machines, which must be safe in terms of all road users and pose no risk to traffic. In terms of performance, they need to lay or collect cones at a rate of one every 10 seconds. Both machines are expected to be used if they both pass the tests.
“We are constantly looking for ways to improve safety for everyone who works and travels on our road network and have been delighted with the initial tests of this innovative vehicle,” said Highways England’s Martin Bolt.
“The first tests have been very positive. We have already received a lot of interest and support from the industry, applauding an initiative that will take the human element out of putting cones and therefore take away an element of potential risk.
“As well as taking away this physical and laborious task, these automated machines will also help us to redeploy the workforce to some of the many other traffic management duties.”
Buyers of exclusive German sports cars have long had the chance to add their own custom touches. However, Porsche has upped the ante with a new direct printing option.
It allows customers to add a replica of their very own fingerprint to the bonnet of a new 911, creating a truly unique vehicle.
The bespoke creation is due to a new printing process, developed by the Exclusive Manufaktur department at Porsche’s Zuffenhausen headquarters.
This fingerprint won’t polish out
Sports car owners might typically spend ages detailing their cars to remove fingerprints. Porsche’s new process ensures the large scale replica applied to a new 911 stays for good.
A specialist team at Porsche’s paint shop worked to develop the printing technology, allowing the complex design of a fingerprint to be replicated.
Using a similar concept to an inkjet printer, a robotic arm is in charge of applying the fingerprint design. A clear coat is added afterwards to ensure the hard work is not rubbed off, with the bonnet polished to a gloss finish.
Technology with a human touch
Christian Will, Vice President Production Development at Porsche AG, comments that the “ability to control the nozzles individually permits targeted application of every paint droplet” with the new print head technology.
Porsche will initially limit the painting technique to fingerprints for now, plans are in place to expand it to other customer-specific designs.
For now, the fingerprinting option will be offered solely for the latest Porsche 911, starting in March 2020. Priced at €7,500 (£6,300, $8,100), this is a rather pricey way to add a custom touch to a new sports car.
Leaving a mark
Porsche is also keen to note that all biometric data is handled “to make sure it cannot be used for an unauthorised purpose”. How important that is when you have decided to publicly display your fingerprint to the world is another matter.
Customers are kept fully informed of how the process works, and have control over their personal information.
Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur has also recently announced two new body kits for the latest 911. These might be a more conventional option for buyers wanting to add a personal touch to their new car.
The 90th Geneva International Motor Show gets underway next month, kicking off with the media days on 3 and 4 March 2020. We’ll be braving the wheeled flight bags and sacrificing our shoe leather to bring you all the big reveals and the latest concepts. In the meantime, here are some of the cars we’re expecting to see in Switzerland.
Ferrari Roma
Although it was unveiled to the press in November, the Ferrari Roma will make its public debut at the Geneva show. The ‘2+’ coupe boasts a 3.9-litre V8 twin-turbocharged engine producing 620hp, which is enough for it to hit 62mph in just 3.4 seconds, plus a top speed just shy of 200mph. The seats in the back are fine for children – if your children happen to be a pair of tufted capuchins. In truth, they’re designed to fold down to create more space, allowing you to enjoy the ‘carefree lifestyle of 1950s and 60s Rome’. Sounds idyllic.
Aston Martin Vantage Roadster
If the Ferrari Roma has a little too much roof, the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster might be the V8 toy you’re looking for. It weighs just 60kg more than the coupe, which means it’ll hit 62mph in 3.8 seconds – 0.2 seconds slower than the ‘standard’ Vantage. Crucially, the Z-fold roof can be lowered in 6.7 seconds or raised in 6.8 seconds at speeds of up to 31mph. The Vantage Roadster costs £126,950, with deliveries beginning in the spring.
Porsche 911 Turbo
At the time of writing, there are images of the new Porsche 911 Turbo S circulating on social media. Whether or not this means Porsche will release official photos and details of the car ahead of Geneva remains to be seen. In the meantime, we know that the Turbo and Turbo S will be powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre flat-six engine, with the S developing in the region of 620hp. Cabriolet versions of the pair will arrive at a later date.
Fiat 500e
Meanwhile, back in the real world, an electric version of the Fiat 500 is likely to be very popular. Predictably, the 500e will look similar to the standard 500, which will continue to be offered alongside the EV. We know that it will feature a completely new cabin, but little is known about the architecture. It will need to match the range of the Mini Electric and Honda e, so we’d expect something in the region of 150 miles.
Renault Morphoz
Not to be confused with the plasticine character created by Aardman Animations, the Renault Morphoz is described as a ‘modular vehicle’ that previews a new family of electric vehicles. Renault says it ‘adapts to the personal needs, desires and uses of each user’. A new electric car is required to replace the ageing Renault Zoe.
Audi A3
As Audi’s most popular model in Europe, there’s a lot of pressure on the new A3. It shares a platform with the recently launched eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf, with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid versions likely to be offered in the UK. The lightly camouflaged prototypes suggest Audi has taken an evolutionary approach to the styling, but you can expect an improved cabin, more tech and future S3 and RS3 models.
Seat Leon
Has the new Seat Leon upstaged its German cousin? We reckon it looks sharper than the Volkswagen Golf, with a design that’s more cohesive, if a tad derivative. The three-door Leon has been consigned to the history books, but it’s Seat’s first fully connected vehicle, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on board, and vehicle data monitoring via an app. Plug-in and mild hybrid versions will be available, while a performance version will be launched under the Cupra banner.
Skoda Enyaq
The Enyaq is the first all-electric Skoda – and the first of 10 electrified vehicles to be launched by the Czech brand. Aside from the fact that the Enyaq is an SUV – and that its name is derived from the Irish name ‘Enya’ – we don’t know a great deal about the Enyaq. The platform sharing Volkswagen ID.3 offers a range of between 242 and 342 miles, so we’d expect something similar here.
Alpine A110
Alpine will unveil two limited edition versions of the A110 sports car, along with the SportsX styling exercise. Taking its inspiration from the Alpine A110 Monte Carlo Rally car of 1973, the SportsX features a 80mm wider body and ground clearance raised by 60mm. Unfortunately, we’re not expecting the limited editions to be based on this ‘coupe SUV’.
Toyota Yaris GR and small SUV
The new Toyota GR Yaris is a custom-built hot hatch that will be built in low numbers to help deliver WRC competition success. Not to be confused with a special edition, the GR Yaris is the real deal. It has been created by Toyota Gazoo Racing and WRC team Tommi Makinen Racing, with first deliveries expected in the second half of 2020. Toyota will also unveil a new small hybrid SUV, while giving European debuts to the new RAV4 plug-in hybrid, Yaris and Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car.
Czinger 21C
Czinger will build just 80 units of its ‘groundbreaking’ 21C hypercar, with road and track variants being readied for Geneva. Both are powered by a 2.88-litre flat crank V8 with a pair of turbos. It develops 1,250hp at 10,500rpm to deliver some eyebrow-raising performance figures. In ‘standard’ guise, the 21C will hit 62mph in 1.9 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 432km/h (268mph). We’re itching to see the 3D-printed hypercar up close.
Dacia electric city car
Dacia is entering the EV market with an electric show car. Little is known about the Dacia EV, aside from the fact that the company is promising to deliver ‘the most accessible 100 percent electric city car on the market’. This could mean a sub-£25,000 EV with a range of up to 150 miles – a kind of budget alternative to the Honda e and Mini Electric. This could be an interesting one, so we’ll be on the Dacia stand at 8am for the first glimpse of the budget EV.
Porsche 718 Cayman and Boxster GTS
Porsche will give European debuts to the new 2020 GTS versions of the 718 Cayman and Boxster. The big news is the return of the flat-six engine, which is combined with a six-speed manual gearbox. The 4.0-litre unit produces an impressive 400hp and 310lb ft of torque, with performance figures that are only marginally slower than the GT4. Prices start from £64,000 for the 718 Cayman, or £66,000 for the 718 Boxster. Orders can be placed now.
Honda Civic Type R
Honda has given the Civic Type R a mid-life refresh, and introduced a pair of special variants. While the regular Type R receives a mild makeover, the Limited Edition is the most extreme version to date. Just 100 of these track-focused Type Rs will be available, with upgrades including BBS alloy wheels, Michelin Cup 2 tyres and modified dampers. Meanwhile, the Sport Line is a more mellow affair, with Honda removing the rear wing and adding soft-sidewall Michelin tyres and more sound deadening.
Kia Sorento
The fourth-generation Kia Sorento sits on a new platform and, for the first time, will be offered with a hybrid powertrain. Kia has paired a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 44.2kW electric motor and a 1.49kWh battery pack. A plug-in hybrid version will follow later. Alternatively, UK buyers can opt for a 2.2-litre diesel engine producing 202hp. All UK variants will be seven-seaters.
Lexus UX 300e
The first all-electric Lexus will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show. The UX 300e features a 54.3kWh battery beneath the cabin floor to deliver a WLTP range of 186 miles. Recharging to 80 percent is available in 50 minutes when using a DC charger, or a full charge will take seven hours using a domestic socket. Lexus says the UX 300e will go on sale in the UK in January 2021, with prices announced nearer the time.
BAC Mono One
BAC is using the Geneva Motor Show to say goodbye to the Mono. Just three examples of the Mono One will be available worldwide, before production stops to make way for a new car in 2021. The three editions are made up out of BAC’s corporate colours of white, black and red, with each one featuring a Bjork-robot-inspired logo on the wing and headrest. Which is something we never thought we’d write.
Bentley Mulliner Bacalar
The Bentley Mulliner Bacalar ‘will only be enjoyed by a very few’. This is Bentley-speak for expensive and limited edition. The company says the Mulliner Bacalar represents ‘the future of coachbuilding’, so we’re intrigued to see what it is. It’s likely to borrow heavily from the EXP 100 GT concept of last year – with all units snapped up before the car is unveiled next month.
Hyundai Prophecy
From the atmospheric teaser image, the Hyundai Prophecy looks remarkably like a Porsche 911. The reality is likely to be very different, but Hyundai has certainly got our attention. The press release uses many words but gives little away – you can tell it’s motor show season – but the electric concept is said to define the direction of future Hyundai designs. Still want that Magentis?
Volkswagen Golf GTD
Volkswagen says the Golf GTD boasts ‘the most powerful and, thanks to twin dosing, cleanest turbo diesel injection (TDI) engine ever to be installed in a Golf’. The 2.0-litre diesel is likely to produce around 200hp, while mild hybrid tech should boost the fuel economy. The engine starts via a pulsing button in the completely digitised cockpit.
Hispano Suiza Carmen
Inspired by the Dubonnet Xenia of 1938, the Hispano Suiza Carmen features a fully electric 1,019hp (750kW) powertrain and a bespoke carbon-fibre monocoque chassis. It weighs just 1,690kg, which helps it to hit 62mph in under three seconds and to reach a top speed limited to 155mph. It costs €1.5m (£1.25m) plus taxes, and only 19 will be built from late 2019 until 2021.
Apex AP-0
Designed and built in the UK, the Apex AP-0 is an “‘xpertly crafted EV sports car’. It weighs just 1,200kg, with Apex claiming it offers ‘rapid acceleration, superior agility, outstanding handling and exceptional cornering ability’. The British manufacturer also claims that the AP-0 features tech that makes it more aware of the world around it…
Mercedes-Benz E-Class facelift
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class facelift has been caught testing and, judging by its appearance, it’s ready for Geneva. The styling will fall into line with the rest of the range, while the E-Class will also get the latest MBUX infotainment software. You can also expect new mild and plug-in hybrid powertrains, plus an improved cabin and enhanced driver assistance systems. There are no official images, so here’s the outgoing E-Class looking like it’s on the front cover of a power ballad CD.
BMW 330e Touring
A new BMW 330e Touring plug-in hybrid will join the 3 Series range in the summer, with both the saloon and estate offered with a choice of all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive. Like the 330e saloon, the Touring estate pairs a 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to deliver a claimed 176mpg, with CO2 emissions of just 39g/km. It also offers up to 34 miles of electric range.
Volkswagen Golf GTI
The pre-show teaser image for the Volkswagen Golf GTI is… illuminating. It features both the red stripe on the radiator grille and an optional LED crossbar integrated in the daytime running lights. It’s also the first Golf GTI to feature a completely digitised dashboard, which seems a world away from the original Mk1. Volkswagen says the power delivery of the GTI engine will ‘exceed expectations’. No pressure.
Skoda Octavia vRS iV
Like before, the new Skoda Octavia vRS will be available as a practical hatchback and an even more practical estate. The big change is the plug-in hybrid powertrain, which develops a total system output of 245hp. Skoda hasn’t supplied any efficiency figures, but we’d expect you to be able to achieve a short commute on electric power. For now, the company is promising ‘superior fuel economy and low CO2 emissions’.
Automobili Pininfarina Battista
Automobili Pininfarina is marking the 90th anniversary of the famous design house with a special unveiling in Geneva. The company says the Battista development mules have ‘achieved 80 percent of their performance capability without issue’, with the first deliveries expected later this year. Pininfarina is calling the 1,900hp Battista ‘the world’s first fully electric luxury hypercar’.
Renault Twingo ZE
Renault will present a 100 percent electrified stand during press days, with eight cars on display. One of these will be the new all-electric Renault Twingo. But before you get too excited, it’s not coming to the UK. The Twingo was developed from the ground up with electrification in mind and is expected to offer around 70 miles of range.
Hyundai i30
The facelifted Hyundai i30 will feature a redesigned bumper, new LED headlights and V-shaped daytime running lights. That much is clear from the teaser image, but further changes include new rear bumper, rear lights and alloy wheel designs. Hyundai will also unveil an N Line version of the i30 estate. This is fine, but we’d really like to see a full-fat i30 N wagon…
Bentley Continental GT Mulliner Convertible
Bentley says it’s ‘raising the bar for luxury open-top Grand Touring’ with the launch of the Continental GT Mulliner Convertible. The car boasts ‘Diamond-in-Diamond’ interior quilting which adorns all four seats, the door casings, rear quarters and the tonneau cover. It takes almost 400,000 stitches, with each diamond containing exactly 712 individual stitches. Further treats include 22-inch polished wheels with self-levelling badges, mood lighting, illuminated tread plates and LED welcome lights. As for the price, if you have to ask…
Aiways U6ion
Shanghai-based Aiways will unveil an all-electric crossover concept at the Geneva Motor Show. Not much is known about the U6ion, but it’s based on the same platform as the U5 electric car. Chief designer Dongfei Luo said: “The U6ion sketches present a crossover coupe with a harmonious and exciting body shape, aimed at attracting young car users looking for a zero-emission SUV that offers style, practicality and electric performance.”
Hyundai i20
The new Hyundai i20 is lower, wider and longer than its predecessor. It’s also four percent lighter than the outgoing model, which, when combined with new mild hybrid technology, should make the 2020 i20 more efficient. Available connectivity equipment includes a 10.25-inch digital cluster, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and wireless charging.
Aiways U5
The European version of the Aiways U5 electric SUV will make its debut in Geneva. More details will be revealed at the show, but the company says the U5 “will offer a unique means of owning a new electric vehicle that will provide users with an original customer experience”. Aiways is offering 10-minute test drives at the show.
DS Automobiles
A Citroen SM will be on display on the DS Automobiles stand – 50 years to the day since it first appeared. We understand DS will also unveil a ‘sophisticated and technically advanced’ new car, but we can’t look beyond the SM. That’s the danger of taking a heritage car to a motor show – it tends to hug the limelight. Come back in March for our round-up of the best reveals and the coolest concepts at the Geneva Motor Show.
Polestar Precept
Polestar is growing up, and distancing itself from parent company Volvo, with the sleek Precept concept. It’s designed as an indication of where the fledgling electric marque will go in the near future. If that means a new model the same size and with similar styling to this, perhaps Porsche and Tesla should be worried. We reckon the Precept, with its recycled fishing net carpets and reclaimed plastic bottle seats, could be the coolest concept of Geneva 2020.
Polestar has revealed the Precept concept ahead of its debut at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show. It’s an ‘expression of intent’, designed to show Polestar’s future design and philosophical direction. It might have already snagged the title of Geneva 2020’s coolest concept.
Even the name ‘Precept’ tells the car’s story, meaning ‘a manifesto of things to come, a declaration’. For Polestar, it’s the biggest diversion yet away from parent company Volvo in terms of design and ambition.
“Precept is a declaration, a vision of what Polestar stands for and what makes the brand relevant,” says Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar.
“The car is a response to the clear challenges our society and industry face. This is not a dream of a distant future, Polestar Precept previews future vehicles and shows how we will apply innovation to minimise our environmental impact.”
Firstly, that styling. It’s a proper knockout, isn’t it? It might be the first EV design to do away with the internal combustion design trope of an air intake at the front, and look good for it. Polestar says the grille has been replaced by a ‘Smartzone’. Instead of an inlet, there’s an arsenal of sensors to aid the car’s autonomous efforts.
‘From breathing to seeing. An area which once channelled air to radiators… now houses technology for safety sensors and driver assistance’, says the company. In the Smartzone are two radar sensors and a high-definition camera, while at the top of the glasshouse is a lidar pod.
Otherwise, Polestar says the design ethos for the Precept is ‘minimalistic athleticism’. You can see its Volvo roots, but there’s more definition and much more aggression. The ‘Thor’s hammer’ lighting has been split into two pieces, for example, for a more Polestar-specific design.
The styling is also aimed at improving aerodynamics. The integrated front wing gets air flowing over the car more efficiently, while the rear features vertical aero elements integrated into the light bar.
The Precept is also designed to be practical, with a large 3.1-metre wheelbase and a boot that latches high up for a large aperture.
“Polestar Precept’s aesthetics are rooted in cutting-edge technology rather than looking back in time at historical, automotive references,” said Maximilian Missoni, head of design at Polestar.
On the inside, Polestar has pushed the envelope of sustainable material use. New flax-based composites for cabin panels and seat-backs shave weight by 50 percent, and plastic waste by 80 percent. In place of leather comes a 3D-knitted fabric made from recycled PET bottles. The seat bolsters and headrests are made of recycled cork vinyl and the carpets from reclaimed fishing nets.
Grand designs: Polestar inaugurates new minimalist company HQ
In terms of technology, the new portrait 15-inch centre touchscreen and 12.5-inch driver display use a next-generation interface powered by Android. Very Tesla-esque, but a generation or two ahead. The instrument cluster also houses driver monitoring sensors, including eye-tracking.
Curiously, no mention is made of what powers the Precept, besides how the ‘large battery pack’ and its location in the car enable its sleek looks.
You’ll be able to see the Precept at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show, March 5-15, in Hall 5. We wonder if Mr Musk will pay the stand a visit.
Honda has suggested it will soon release a catalogue of parts for the S2000 sports car. But it needs owners’ help with deciding which parts to offer.
On a Japanese website, Honda teased that a catalogue will go online sometime in June 2020. At the moment, the site shows an X-ray diagram of an S2000, with a caption: ‘S2000 parts catalog website. 2020.6’.
Honda will be taking recommendations from Facebook and Twitter. Posts with suggested parts to reproduce must be hashtagged #S2000PartsCatalog, and be posted between now and the end of April.
It’s the latest in a trend of Japanese marques announcing parts for their most iconic models. Toyota, for example, recently announced it will be remanufacturing parts for the Mk4 Supra. Mazda also has a restoration program for the MX-5, while Nissan has looked at reproducing parts for Skylines.
The Honda is, by comparison, quite new, but is still considered a part of that era, albeit its tail end. There’s no forgetting the S2000’s older brother, the NSX, either.
Although these are modern classics, marques catering to older models is not unusual From Land Rover to Lamborghini, in-house programs are the norm for restoring classic models to as-new condition. It’s especially common among exotic brands. The difference here is that Honda is unlikely to take your car, strip it down and fully recommission it. Come back in another 30 years’ time, maybe.
Rumours of a Honda S2000 revival have lingered on and off since the last variant’s demise.
Honda celebrated the car’s 20th anniversary by presenting a specially updated version at the Tokyo Auto Salon, along with an original Civic Type R. Upgrades for the S2000 included a revised front bumper, reworked suspension and an improved sound system.
A poll of 1,415 motorists has found 90 percent want action taken against fuel vendors with significantly higher prices on motorways. Motorway fuel prices can be up to 37 pence per litre more.
Additionally, 94 percent of drivers said they want to see the price of motorway-sold fuel brought into line with prices elsewhere. The government already announced plans to investigate high prices at motorway filling stations. However, little has come of it so far in terms of price changes.
According to the RAC Fuel Watch, the current average price of diesel in the UK is 127p per litre, while petrol 124p is per litre. Yet many motorway filling station charge much more.
The ultimate guide to finding cheaper fuel
As an example, I just checked a route on Waze from where I live in Suffolk down to Brands Hatch in Kent. Prices for petrol didn’t go over 131p per litre all the way down the A11. However, as soon as the route switched to the M11, Birchanger Services popped up as the next stop, with a dizzying fuel price of 147p per litre.
If I were to fill a 55-litre tank at Birchanger, therefore, I’d pay £80, instead of £69 at my local vendor. That’s an £11 difference.
“The results of the Motorpoint poll clearly show the strength of feeling among motorists about the ‘exploitative’ price of fuel on our motorways,” said Mark Carpenter, chief executive officer at Motorpoint.
“While many drivers value having the services available, and don’t mind paying a small premium for the convenience, the current disparity between the price of fuel on our motorways and the price of fuel elsewhere are completely unjustifiable and action is needed to bring them more in line with each other.”
A ban on the sales of new petrol and diesel cars was expected to come into force in 2040. Earlier this month, it was reported that this ban could be brought forward – and would include hybrids and plug-in hybrids.
In an online document, the government said that a ban ‘could be earlier if a faster transition appears feasible’. There are rumours of a 2030 deadline, although much will depend on the results of the consultation.
The government says it is seeking views on the following:
The phase-out date
The definition of what should be phased out
Barriers to achieving the above proposals
The impact of these ambitions on different sectors of industry and society
What measures are required by government and others to achieve the earlier phase out date
‘Confusion and instability’
The industry is calling for clarity. In response to the recently announced 7.3 percent fall in the UK new car market, Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said: “The new car market is a key driver of the UK’s overall economy, so another month of decline is unsettling.
“Consumer confidence is not returning to the market and will not be helped by government’s decision to add further confusion and instability by moving the goalposts on the end of sale of internal combustion engine cars.
“While ambition is understandable, as we must address climate change and air quality concerns, blanket bans do not help short-term consumer confidence. To be successful, government must lead the transition with an extensive and appropriately funded package of fiscal incentives, policies and investment to drive demand. We want to deliver air quality and environmental improvements now but need a strong market to do so.”
Consultation open until 29 May
The SMMT is demanding an extension to the Plug-in Car Grant (PiCG), which is set to expire in March, arguing that it should be widened to include plug-in hybrid vehicles.
It also wants to see what it calls ‘an extensive package of government support’ for consumers, manufacturers and the charging network.
Consumers have until the end of 29 May 2020 to have their say on the date of the proposed ban. Details of where to send comments can be found here.
What’s more, one in five said they use less than half of the technology that their car features. A paltry 10 percent said they understood less than a fifth of their car’s equipment.
“We’ll provide show visitors with the opportunity to immerse themselves in all of the latest and greatest tech that the car industry has to offer,” said British Motor Show CEO, Andy Entwistle.
The goal is to provide education on the kind of features many may have, and could benefit from, but don’t use.
“It’s clear that consumers need greater understanding about just how technologically advanced cars are,” Entwistle continued.
“The British Motor Show 2020 is an indispensable opportunity for them to find out.”
Further research found that 71 percent of drivers feel they were not given adequate information or education by their dealer.
One in four, worryingly, said that no information whatsoever was given on their car’s tech. Many of these features are expensive boxes to tick on certain cars. If they go unused, it’s money wasted for the buyer.
The 2020 re-launch of the British Motor Show will take place at the Farnborough International Expo Centre. It runs during the summer holidays, between August 20-23.
Footfall is expected to be around 50,000 over the course of the show. Tickets are available for £18.50 for adults, or £37 for a family with free admittance for children.
