Renault has announced prices and an expected delivery date for the new Clio. Buyers will start receiving cars in October 2019, having paid from £14,295 for the privilege.
As standard, the 2020 Clio comes well equipped. All cars get full LED headlights, air conditioning, cruise control, DAB and advanced driver assistance systems.
For comparison, the fourth-generation Clio, which debuted in 2012, currently starts from £13,620.
Upgrading from Play to Iconic specification costs from £15,295. This adds keyless keycard access, rear parking sensors and LED fog lamps. On the inside, you get a leather steering wheel and seven-inch iteration of the Easy Link multimedia system with sat-nav, which features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Leapfrog to the top of the line-up and R.S. Line replaces GT Line. The latter is available at present from £16,370, but the new R.S. Line is £17,795 minimum. It gets a rear-view camera and front parking sensors as standard.
New to the Clio range is the S Edition, which sits below the R.S. Line. It takes a less sporty approach, but includes the Smart Cockpit 9.3-inch multimedia screen and 10-inch TFT instrument cluster. We don’t know yet how much S Edition cars will cost.
All together, Play, Iconic, S Edition and R.S. Line make up Renault’s ‘EasyLife’ model strategy.
Depreciation is the difference between the price you pay for a new car and the amount you receive when you come to sell it.
Most cars lose between 50 and 60 percent of their value in the first three years, with the biggest hit taking place in the first 12 months.
Here, we reveal the slowest depreciating electric cars, with data supplied by CAP. The results are presented in reverse order, with the slowest depreciators at the end of the gallery.
14. Renault Zoe
In nearly a decade, the Renault Zoe has shifted from concept to close to 150,000 registrations, establishing an 18.2 percent share of the EV market in Europe. Used prices start from £7,000, so it’s not particularly good at holding its value. CAP says the Zoe will lose just under £16,000 in three years, giving it a retained value of 47.5 percent. It’s the only car on the list to finish below 50 percent.
13. Nissan e-NV200
We’re braced for a new wave of electric cars to roll in on the tide, but the Nissan e-NV200 is one of the more established members of the EV fraternity. Launched in 2014, the e-NV200 is an all-electric version of the NV200 van, with the early versions offering a range of up to 110 miles. A 2014 model year e-NV200 should retain 52.6 percent of its value after three years.
12. Kia Soul EV
The first Kia Soul EV was never more than a niche player in the UK, with the boxy SUV let down by a high price tag and a limited range. The all-new model should come with a similar price, but with a more realistic 280-mile electric range. In the meantime, the old Soul EV should retain 52.8 percent of its value after three years, losing around £14,500 in the process.
11. Nissan e-NV200
It’s the Nissan e-NV200 again, this time in post-2015 guise. It’s available in five- or seven-seat guise, with post-grant prices starting from a little under £30,000. You can expect a range of between 124 and 187 miles, which is 60 percent further than the previous-generation battery. It will retain 56.2 percent of its value after three years, helped in no small part by the fact that you’re not exactly spoilt for choice when it comes to all-electric seven-seaters.
10. Smart EQ Fortwo Cabrio
The electric Smart Fortwo Cabrio appears twice, with the recently rebranded EQ version up first. Right now, this is your only choice if you’re after an electric convertible, although you’ll have to make do with two seats and a limited 70-mile range. CAP says the Smart drop-top will lose £11,730 in the first three years, giving it a retained value of 56.7 percent.
9. Smart EQ Forfour
In pure monetary terms, the four Smart cars on this list lose the least amount of cash. Take the Smart EQ Forfour, which costs upwards of £18,190 after the plug-in car grant, but will lose just £9,420 after three years. So while two electric cars at opposite ends of the price spectrum might have similar rates of depreciation, the financial hit will be more severe on the expensive EV.
8. Smart Fortwo Cabrio
It’s the Smart Fortwo Cabrio again, this time in pre-EQ branding guise. Strangely, CAP reckons the older version is better at holding its value, retaining 58.4 percent of its purchase price after three years. Right now, the Smart EQ Fortwo Cabrio is available on a three-year personal lease for £279 a month after an advance rental of £1,585.
7. Smart EQ Fortwo
The EQ Fortwo is the smallest electric Smart, but the one with the largest retained value after three years. With a tight turning circle and tiny dimensions, it’s perfect for the city centre, where the 70-mile range should be enough for the majority of buyers. Buy one today and it should retain 59.7 percent of its initial value in 2022, but with EV tech moving on at such a rate, it might find itself outmoded by the likes of the Honda e, Mini Electric and Peugeot e-208.
6. Tesla Model S
Although the Tesla Model S arrived in 2012, the CAP depreciation data relates to the facelifted model, introduced in 2016. Prices start from £77,200, with performance variants available from £91,800, and used examples remain in strong demand. On average, a Model S will lose £39,200 of its value in the first three years, giving it a retained value of 60.8 percent.
5. Hyundai Ioniq EV
The Hyundai Ioniq is a relative newcomer to the electric car party, but its residual values are worth making a song and dance about. CAP says the Ioniq EV will retain 61.7 percent of its value, losing £11,740 in the first three years. It helps that it will still have the remainder of its five-year warranty, giving peace of mind to the new owner.
4. Nissan Leaf
To date, more than 400,000 Nissan Leaf electric cars have been sold globally, making it the world’s most popular electric car. Recently, Nissan unveiled a new range-topping Leaf e+ Tekna, which delivers 217hp of performance and 239 miles of electric range. Buy a new Nissan Leaf today and it could be worth 64.5 percent of its original purchase price in 2022. That said, you need to factor in variables such as mileage, condition, market trends and spec.
3. Tesla Model X
With an entry price of £82,200 for the standard version, rising to £96,400 for the performance variant, the Tesla Model X is the most expensive electric car to feature in the CAP data. It should retain 64.6 percent of its value after three years, although new electric SUVs from the likes of Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi could put a dent in its residual values. It will be interesting to see how the new Model 3 performs on the used car market.
2. Volkswagen e-Golf
Such is the rate of progress in the EV segment, the Volkswagen e-Golf is beginning to look a little dated. At around £30,000 after the plug-in car grant, it’s relatively expensive, while the 144-mile range simply isn’t enough for a car of this ilk. But it’s biggest problem is the imminent arrival of the ID.3, a car designed from the ground up to be an electric vehicle. That said, the e-Golf will retain 66.3 percent of its value after three years.
1. Jaguar I-Pace
The current World Car of the Year is also top dog when it comes to depreciation. CAP reckons the Jaguar I-Pace will retain an impressive 74.6 percent of its value after three years, as motorists clamour to get their hands on one of the most sought-after cars on the market. Next year, the I-Pace SUV will be joined by an all-electric XJ saloon.
The Model 3’s visual makeover consists mainly of carbon aero addenda.
At the front, a new splitter reduces lift at high speed. A rear lip spoiler and diffuser help balance it out, and match the carbon side skirts.
The wheels have been changed for 21-inch forged items from Vossen. The spokes are curved and aerodynamically shaped like a windmill, helping to vent the brakes. They can polished or brushed, in one of 72 different colours.
Dropping the Tesla onto these bulbous new wheels is aluminium sports suspension, which lowers the car by up to 40mm.
A more subtle 30mm drop is available if you choose the spring upgrade in combination with stock dampers.
Reduced drag due to the lower ride height can reduce power consumption on long-distance drives by up to seven percent, says Novitec.
The Tesla Model 3 is the UK’s hottest EV to lease
Trimming a Tesla like a supercar
Novitec is known for its lavish and luxurious interiors. The Model 3 gets the full works, with leather and Alcantara available in any colour you wish. The carbon dashboard also adds a more exotic feel to the Model 3’s futuristic cabin.
A subtle upgrade seems unlikely from the company responsible for monstrous N-Largo modified McLarens and Ferraris, but Novitec has enhanced the Model 3 with the deftest touch.
An already agreeable looking car just got a very well-measured dose of attitude.
The police and other emergency services can now place orders for the Skoda Scala hatchback.
The Scala is the latest model to join Skoda’s ‘blue-light line-up’. The larger Octavia, along with the Karoq and Kodiaq SUVs, feature prominently in existing emergency fleets.
The fully-converted Scala comes with a range of gear that readies it for service. LED signal lights let everyone know the Skoda is in pursuit, as does a 100-amp three-tone siren.
Built-in active safety features such as blind-spot detection, side assist, front assist and lane assist all lend themselves to work with the services. A spacious cabin and 467-litre boot help, too.
The Scala went on sale earlier this year as a rival to the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Kia Ceed.
“Our partnership with emergency services teams stretches back over a century,” said Henry Williams, head of fleet at Skoda.
“It’s that extensive knowledge in the sector that makes Skoda a reliable partner for both technologically advanced cars and value for money, and Scala, our most connected car to date, more than fits the bill.”
Peugeot has prepared its 3008 crossover for wilderness adventures.
The car started life as a 1.6-litre PureTech GT Line, not unlike one you might see outside a school at closing time. This one-off, however, had bigger plans.
So what’s different about this special 3008? Quite a bit. Cooper AT3 off-road tyres wrap the 17-inch steel wheels, while the underbody is protected by skid plates.
There’s also a massive LED light bar mounted atop a stout alloy roof rack. And the 3008 is a camper of sorts, thanks to the addition of a retractable ARB Simpson roof tent.
Out back, there’s a bike rack and bike for when the trails get too tough even for this pumped-up Pug.
Although the incongruity of a 3008 getting this treatment is interesting, it pays to remember that Peugeot is no stranger to extreme off-roading, with its history of Dakar Rally machines.
The 3008 truck was created specifically for a Top Gear magazine feature and successfully tackled part of the Ho Chi Minh trail in Vietnam.
“This one-off model exemplifies the practicality and off-road ability of our best-selling SUV,” said David Peel, MD of Peugeot UK.
“With relatively minor modifications, the 3008 has tackled some tough terrain, proving the effectiveness of its Advanced Grip Control technology and demonstrating its true outdoor potential.”
The Dacia Duster has earned praise from Good Housekeeping magazine, winning the Reader Recommended award.
There are four areas assessed by the panel at the Good Housekeeping Institute: performance/enjoyment, overall acceptability, whether they’d purchase again, and whether they’d recommend a product to friends and family.
An impressive 92 percent of Duster owners would happily recommend the car to people they know. Also, 85 percent said the Duster was good value for money, with an overall rating of 8.4 out of 10.
The Duster is ‘far better for the money’ than ‘more expensive competitors’, says Good Housekeeping, and beats them ‘hands down’.
It also ‘looks stylish, has innovative technology and a quality interior and exterior’.
The Duster seems to punch above its weight in terms of perceived quality, equipment and style, reckons the expert panel, perhaps proving that saving doesn’t necessarily mean sacrifice.
“We’re hugely excited by the positive response and feedback that owners have for the Duster and delighted that the car has received a Good Housekeeping Reader Recommended stamp of approval,” said Ben Fletcher, head of Dacia UK.
Around 43,000 car insurance claims are turned down every year, leaving motorists out of luck and out of pocket.
Conversely, insurers pay out just under £22 million for private car insurance claims every day, which equates to just under £3,000 per claim.
If you want to avoid being one of the two percent of motorists who have their car insurance claim rejected, take a look at these five ways to ensure a claim doesn’t get turned down.
Buy the right policy
Not having the right cover in place is one of the most common reasons why car insurance claims are turned down. Don’t just buy on price – make sure you consider all your needs. For example, if you drive to work, make sure the policy includes commuting.
The claim value being below the policy excess is another reason why claims are rejected. Be sure to check your voluntary and complusory excesses before arranging cover.
Read the small print
It’s always tempting not to read the small print, but you could be missing out on what isn’t covered by the policy. The policy document will outline any procedures you need to follow, such as notifying the insurer if you change your job or move house.
Modifying your vehicle could invalidate the policy, so notify your insurer if you fit a towbar. Similarly, if you exceed your agreed annual mileage, you’re at risk of having your car insurance claim rejected.
Secure and maintain your car
Insurers expect drivers to take steps to prevent accidents, theft, loss or damage. A theft claim will be rejected if the key has been left in the ignition or the driver is found to have been under the influence of drink or drugs.
A car insurance policy is invalid without a current MOT certificate unless the vehicle has been declared SORN and the policyholder has arranged laid-up cover.
Act quickly and follow the procedures
In the event of a claim, follow the procedure outlined in the policy document and report losses promptly. The insurance company will guide you through the claims process and deal with a third party on your behalf.
Be sure to write down anything relating to an accident; dashcam footage and photographic evidence can be extremely useful in the event of a claim.
Be honest if you want a successful car insurance claim
Don’t bend the truth when arranging cover or making a claim. Providing incorrect information or omitting details could invalidate your insurance, as could exaggerating the value of a claim.
If an insurance company finds that you have been dishonest, they are entitled to decline the entire claim.
‘Insurance is complex’
Matt Oliver from GoCompare, the company behind the car insurance advice, said: “Insurance is complex, but when applying for cover, it’s essential to be honest, and take the time to read through the policy details to make sure it covers everything you need and has excess levels you can afford.
“The information you give when applying for insurance is used to determine the cost of cover, so omitting information or bending the truth to get a cheaper deal could land you in trouble if you need to make a claim.”
Audi’s e-tron Scooter concept is part e-scooter, part skateboard and 100 percent electric, and it’s coming to a street near you in 2020.
Designed to be transported by car, bus or train, the e-tron Scooter weighs 12kg and its handling is “like surfing waves”, says Audi. Makes a change from Mini’s claims about ‘go-kart’ handling…
Interestingly, Audi says that the electric scooter could be offered to customers who buy regular e-tron models, with charging possible via a dedicated socket in the boot. It’s a like a modern-day equivalent of the Honda City/Motocompo partnership.
‘On the move in cities’
“With the Audi e-tron Scooter, we appeal to customers who are on the move in cities, sustainably and multi-modally – and for whom style and functionality are important,” said Thorsten Schrader, project manager for micro-mobility at Audi.
“Although riders keep one hand on the handlebar, they control the scooter like a skateboard with their feet by shifting their weight. The movable axles with four wheels allow unusually tight curves. Of course the e-tron Scooter also moves straight ahead. But the feeling of flow only comes when you start carving on asphalt – and that is surprisingly easy with our new concept.”
The e-tron Scooter features a display showing the battery status, with riders accelerating and braking by means of a shift grip. A range of 12.5 miles is achieved through recuperation when the electric scooter brakes, which should be enough for the morning commute or the trip to the station.
With one hand free the rider is able to look around and give hand signals, which could come in handy as more of these urban mobility solutions hit the streets.
Top speed is 12.5mph – possibly more if you’re brave enough going downhill – while the headlight, daytime running light, rear light and brake light are all LED. The deck can be configured in wood or carbon.
Production and sales are scheduled for late 2020, with a price tag likely to be in the region of €2,000 (£1,845). Form an orderly queue.
Car leasing – or Personal Contract Hire (PCH) – is a cost-effective alternative to a Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) deal.
It works in a similar way to a business car lease, with motorists paying an initial rental cost and then a flat monthly fee. In the case of personal car leasing deals, VAT is included in the price, and at the end of the contract you simply hand the car back.
Here, we reveal 20 car leasing deals that have caught our eye. All images are for illustrative purposes and the deals are correct at the time of writing (5 August 2019).
Ford Fiesta – £152.98 a month
There are plenty of good leasing deals available on Britain’s most popular new car. All Car Leasing is offering the Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost Titanium X for £145.04 a month after an initial rental of £1,305.40. This is based on a 48-month contract and 5,000 miles a year.
Find out more about this deal
Peugeot 3008 – £238.74 a month
Sticking with All Car Leasing, the Peugeot 3008 1.5 BlueHDi Allure is available for £238.74 after a £2,148.66 initial rental. This is based on a 36-month contract and 8,000 miles a year.
Find out more about this deal
Vauxhall Astra – £126.26 a month
A revised Vauxhall Astra is on the way, which means the outgoing version is available with some tempting lease deals. Leasing.com is offering the 1.6-litre petrol Elite Nav for £126.26 a month after an initial payment of £1,331.34. This is based on 24-month contract and 5,000 miles a year.
Find out more about this deal
Mazda MX-5 – £178.79 a month
Fancy seeing out the summer in a sports car? Hippo Leasing is offering the Mazda MX-5 1.5 SE for £178.79 a month over four years. This is after an initial payment of £1,609.09, with the mileage restricted to 5,000 a year.
Find out more about this deal
Renault Kadjar – £201.45 a month
The Nissan Qashqai might be the country’s most popular crossover, but the platform-sharing Renault Kadjar is arguably the better car. Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is offering a Kadjar in GT Line spec for £201.45 a month after an initial rental of £1,208.70. This is based on a 48-month contract and 8,000 miles a year, although other options are available.
This is true of all the deals featured here – the leasing companies offer flexible mileage restrictions and contracts. The BMW 3 Series is a popular choice for business users, but Select Car Leasing is offering the 320i M Sport to personal customers for £304.79 a month. You’ll pay an initial £2,743.09 and be restricted to 5,000 miles a year over three years.
Moving up a segment, the Jaguar XF is available for less than the BMW 3 Series. You’ll pay £257.23 a month via All Car Leasing after an initial rental of £2,315.09. This is based on a 24-month contract and 5,000 miles a year.
Find out more about this deal
Seat Leon – £185.98 a month
The ‘Spanish Golf’ is available for £185.98 a month after an initial rental of £1,115.86. The deal is based on the Seat Leon 2.0 TDI FR on a 36-month contract, with First Vehicle Leasing restricting you to 8,000 miles a year.
Find out more about this deal
Vauxhall Corsa – £138.06 a month
There’s a new Vauxhall Corsa on the way, which means the outgoing version is ‘going cheap’. Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is offering the well-equipped 1.4 SRi VX-Line Nav for £138.06 after an initial rental of £828.36. This is based on 48 months and 5,000 miles a year.
Fancy leasing one of the most-wanted cars on the market? Select Car Leasing is offering the Tesla Model 3 for £361.19 a month after a relatively hefty £3,250.60 initial fee. This is based on a 24-month contract and just 5,000 miles a year.
If you haven’t fallen for the charms of an SUV, the Skoda Octavia estate makes a great deal of sense, especially in vRS guise. All Car Leasing is offering the 2.0-litre TSI 245 for £227.81 a month after a £2,050.27 initial rental. This is based on 48 months and 8,000 miles a year.
Find out more about this deal
Fiat 500 – £117.68 a month
Nationwide Vehicle Leasing is one of a number of companies offering the Fiat 500 for a tempting price. The 1.2 S can be yours for £117.68 a month for four years after an initial rental of £706.08. The 5,000 miles a year restriction might be enough, but it can be increased in exchange for a higher monthly payment.
There’s still time to get your hands on the current Volkswagen Golf GTI. Select Car Leasing is offering the GTI Performance for £253.19 a month on a two-year contract. You’ll pay an initial £2,278.69, although you might find the 5,000 miles cap a little too restrictive.
Find out more about this deal
Volkswagen Golf R – £297.59 a month
You could have a similar problem with this deal, but a Volkswagen Golf R for less than £300 a month will be a tempting proposition for many motorists. The initial fee is £2,678.29, with the All Car Leasing contract lasting 36 months.
Find out more about this deal
Toyota Corolla – £207.22 a month
The Corolla is back in Britain, and you can lease one for £207.22 a month. The Hippo Leasing deal is based on the 1.8 hybrid in Icon trim and follows an upfront payment of £1,864.95. The 48-month contract limits you to 10,000 miles a year.
Find out more about this deal
Volkswagen Polo – £166.04 a month
Select Car Leasing is offering the Volkswagen Polo 1.0 Evo 80 Beats for £166.04 a month after an initial payment of £1,494.40. The 8,000 miles a year limit doesn’t sound too restrictive, but you’ll be tied into a four-year contract.
Leasing.com is offering a big car for not an awful lot of money. The Volvo S90 2.0-litre T4 Momentum is available for £225.36 a month after an initial payment of £2,388.24. The 5,000 miles a year limit is a bit miserly for a car of this size, especially over a four-year contract.
Find out more about this deal
Dacia Logan MCV – £155.99 a month
Britain’s cheapest estate car is available for £155.99 a month via First Vehicle Leasing. The deal is based on the Dacia Logan MCV in Comfort trim, with only £935.93 to pay upfront. This price is based on 5,000 miles a year and a three-year contract.
Find out more about this deal
Citroen C4 SpaceTourer – £55.19 a month
This is only a short-term deal, but just look at the monthly payment. National Vehicle Solutions is offering a Citroen C4 SpaceTourer 1.2 PureTech Flair for £55.19 a month after an £1,800 initial rental. The 10,000 miles per year restriction is far from unreasonable.
Find out more about this deal
Jaguar I-Pace – £460.24 a month
The current World Car of the Year is one of the must-have electric cars right now, but leasing isn’t a cheap option. That said, £460.24 a month for the Jaguar I-Pace EV400 S puts it on a par with more conventional premium motors, as does the £4,142.12 initial fee. The Select Car Leasing deal is based on a three-year contract and 5,000 miles a year.
With the start of Monterey Car Week less than a fortnight away, now is the time to start thinking about what vehicle to turn up in.
Many big auction houses will be holding sales at Monterey, that won’t be much use if you actually need a new ride to arrive in.
Fortunately, auction website Bring a Trailer has a number of sales finishing before the start of Monterey Car Week, including this modified (and supercharged) 1998 Acura NSX-T.
Helpfully, this Berlina Black NSX-T is located in Sacramento, California, placing it just a few hours away from the center of Car Week festivities.
As an NSX-T, it features the removable targa roof panels, offering up open-air motoring in this mid-engined sports car. The tradeoff for the removable roof was a loss of chassis rigidity, and additional weight from the extra bracing required.
Retro road test: Honda NSX
The seller notes that the paintwork does have some minor cosmetic flaws, and that the hood was repainted by the previous owner. Having covered 63,000 miles, this NSX has clearly been driven and enjoyed.
Owned by the seller since December 2003, some 23,000 miles have been added during their tenureship of the NSX-T. The seller is also responsible for adding the Comptech supercharger.
The standard ‘98 NSX-T was fitted with a 3.2-liter V-6 engine, producing 290 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. Adding forced induction, along with a Comptech exhaust system and manifold headers has resulted in a substantial boost.
Power now peaks at 385 horsepower, with torque at 274 lb-ft. Dyno printouts have been supplied to confirm the output, whilst commenters on Bring a Trailer have also endorsed the Comptech supercharger setup.
A six-speed manual transmission handles the extra power, with an uprated DC Sport clutch also fitted. Driving Ambition, a noted Californian NSX specialist shop, completed a replacement of the timing belt amongst other maintenance work in 2011.
Last serviced six months ago, this NSX-T is also compliant with California’s requirements on emissions testing. A new owner should seemingly have no worries about driving it down to Monterey.
Bilstein shock absorbers with modified toe links have been fitted. A set of 17-inch alloy wheels from the later facelifted NSX are also present, along with spacers. The seller notes that this has caused rubbing on the front wheel wells, but that the original rims are included.
Black leather can be found throughout the interior, adding a luxurious feel in keeping with the upmarket image the Acura badge is intended to portray.
Standard equipment includes automatic climate control and cruise control. Unlike earlier models with the manual transmission, this NSX-T benefits from power steering.
A Pioneer touchscreen stereo system has also been added by current owner. This features satellite navigation, meaning there should be no issues on locating Car Week meetups.
Originally registered in Texas, followed by Pennsylvania, the NSX-T now comes complete with a clean California title. It is also current wearing a NSX-related license plate for good measure.
Although the car was reported stolen in May 2003, an inspection recorded “no or little damage” when recovered.
The combination of mileage, and the boosted performance from the supercharger, mean a new owner could potentially enjoy thousands more miles cruising beneath the California sun. Bidding ends on Friday August 9, giving the new owner a week to prepare for Monterey 2019.
With the start of Monterey Car Week less than a fortnight away, now is the time to start thinking about what vehicle to turn up in. 
Helpfully, this 
Owned by the seller since December 2003, some 23,000 miles have been added during their tenureship of the NSX-T. The seller is also responsible for adding the Comptech supercharger. 
Originally registered in Texas, followed by Pennsylvania, the NSX-T now comes complete with a clean California title. It is also current wearing a NSX-related license plate for good measure.