What is a self-charging hybrid? It’s a term that’s had a lot more airtime recently from many car manufacturers, including Toyota and Kia. Also, how do these cars differ from plug-in hybrids? Wonder no more…
What’s the difference between plug-in and self-charging hybrids?
It’s no coincidence that the term ‘self-charging’ gained traction as plug-in hybrids started to proliferate. The distinction is quite obvious when you compare them. A self-charging hybrid is one you can’t plug in to charge the batteries separately. Instead, on-board systems top up the batteries as you drive, via energy recovery during braking, solar panels and the combustion engine itself.
A plug-in hybrid is more complex. While the engine and recovery systems do feed into the batteries, there is the added option of literally plugging in. In urban environments, if you can charge overnight or at work, you may find yourself never using the combustion engine. If you don’t bother to charge a PHEV, it’ll run like a regular hybrid. In other words, it’ll self-charge only.
Then again, if you never use the petrol engine, what’s the point in having it? Isn’t it just dead weight? That’s the debate.
In reality, PHEVs are a baby-step towards electric motoring rather than the giant leap to a full EV (and the associated reliance on range and infrastructure). A PHEV allows you electric car life in the city and normal car life beyond, without worrying about where the next charging point is.
Have hybrid cars always been self-charging?
Yes, they have. If it’s not a plug-in hybrid, it’s a self-charging hybrid. The term is half-marketing, half-distinction. It separates ‘normal’ hybrids from plug-ins without demoting them as such.
What you mustn’t assume is that the car is self-charging in the sense that it will pick up juice overnight. The charging only comes when you operate the vehicle.
Hybrids: things to remember
Firstly, you can’t plug in a self-charging hybrid. And yes, self-charging is just another way of saying ‘hybrid’ that keeps it distinct from the plug-in models.
Both types are at their best at low speeds rather than long-distance high-speed driving. Plug-ins merely offer the option of juicing up at a standstill.
Last year, private car sales accounted for 44 percent of registrations in 23 of the European markets, according to data released by JATO Dynamics. It means that business and fleet registrations make up the majority of sales in Europe, with 8.35 million units outnumbering the 6.63m sales recorded in the private sector. But what are the cars people are most likely to spend their own money on? We have the answers, with the results presented in reverse order.
10. Toyota Yaris – 65 percent private registrations
The results are based on private registrations as a percentage of overall sales. This can be a useful gauge of the strength of brand awareness among consumers and an indicator of health within the industry, as discounts tend to be less aggressive than they are in the business or fleet segments. The JATO data puts the Toyota Yaris in 10th place, with private registrations accounting for 65 percent of total sales.
9. Mazda CX-3 – 65 percent
Superminis and compact crossovers feature heavily in the JATO data, which is hardly surprising, as these models tend to be favoured by private buyers. A huge 65 percent of all Mazda CX-3 sales are private registrations, contributing to an overall figure of 58 percent for the brand.
8. Hyundai Kona – 66 percent
Thanks to a comprehensive five-year/unlimited mileage warranty, Hyundais are very popular in the retail segment, although the private/business split is 53/47 percent across Europe. The split for the Kona compact SUV is more pronounced, with private registrations accounting for two-thirds of all sales.
7. Kia Stonic – 66 percent
The Kia Stonic is another car benefitting from a comprehensive warranty, a factor that will come into play when consumers are looking at buying a new car with their own money. Kia’s compact crossover is based on the Rio and prices start from £16,540, although it’s worth noting that you’ll need to upgrade to the Stonic 3 if you want a version with the full five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.
6. Ford Ecosport – 69 percent
Predictably, Ford has a strong fleet and company presence across Europe, with the business sector accounting for 54 percent of all registrations. The Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo are big players in the fleet segment, which leaves the Ecosport to fly the flag for retail. UK prices start from just shy of £18,000, rising to £21,000 for the ST-Line (pictured).
5. Suzuki Swift – 70 percent
With a range comprising the likes of the Celerio, Ignis, Swift and Jimny, it should come as little surprise to discover that Suzuki has a strong private bias. Just 32 percent of overall registrations are sales to fleet, dealers and companies. The Swift is a private sector hero, recording a figure of 70 percent.
4. Ford Ka+ – 70 percent
While the current Ford Ka+ might lack the verve and character of the original Ka, it makes for a compelling proposition, offering the benefits of a five-door supermini at city car prices. Prices start from £11,295 for the basic Studio version, rising to £12,295 for the Studio. You can even get a Ka+ Active crossover for £13,445.
3. Kia Picanto – 70 percent
Right now, Kia is offering up to £2,000 off a Picanto city car when you trade in your old car, which will tempt even more private customers into parting with their cash. The Picanto is offered in a staggering eight different trim levels, including the sporty looking GT-Line and rugged X-Line models.
2. Dacia Duster – 76 percent
Dacia has the private sector all sewn up, with the budget brand enjoying 79 percent penetration across Europe. That’s a truly remarkable figure that allows the company to focus its efforts on a targeted consumer marketing campaign. Just 24 percent of Duster sales are to fleets, dealers and companies.
1. Dacia Sandero – 86 percent
But the Dacia Sandero goes one step further, with 86 percent of the hatchback’s total registrations coming from the private segment. The Sandero remains an attractive proposition for private buyers, and while the £6,995 Access might be a little basic for some, the £7,795 Essential represents exceptional value for money.
And the high-flying fleet heroes…
But what about the business heroes? Across 23 European markets, Lithuania has the strongest fleet bias, with business sales accounting for 76 percent of all registrations. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the business figure in Switzerland is just 37 percent, while the UK is 56 percent in favour of business sales. Here, we list the biggest players in the fleet sector, with the results presented in reverse order.
Mercedes-Benz enjoys a staggering 66 percent penetration of the business segment, with the E-Class its star player in this lucrative segment. The E-Class is available as a saloon, estate, coupe and cabriolet, along with a rugged All-Terrain premium wagon.
9. Skoda Octavia – 75 percent
Skoda’s rise to prominence has been well documented, but the fact that 64 percent of European sales are business registrations might surprise a few people. It also serves to highlight just how far the brand has come in a short space of time. The Octavia is a fleet hero, but it’s not Skoda’s best performer.
8. Vauxhall Astra – 77 percent
Vauxhall and Opel enjoy a strong business presence in Europe, with fleet sales accounting for 65 percent of total registrations. The Astra is a fleet favourite, but it’s not the only Vauxhall in the top 10.
7. Audi A4 – 81 percent
The A4 is one of two Audis to appear in the top 10, with the compact executive displaying a strong business bias. Interestingly, there’s no place in the top ten for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
6. BMW 3 Series – 81 percent
But there is a slot for the BMW 3 Series, which remains one of the most sought-after cars in the fleet segment. The new 3 Series will be on the shortlist for many business users in 2019, so the proportion of fleet users could go up.
5. BMW 5 Series – 82 percent
It’s another BMW in fifth place, with the 5 Series just edging ahead of its smaller sibling. It’s worth pointing out that the JATO data is based on the 100 best-selling cars in Europe last year. Had the data included all cars, we’d have expected to see the likes of the 7 Series and S-Class in the top 10.
4. Skoda Superb – 83 percent
Thanks to its generous proportions, a long list of standard equipment, a range of efficient engines and strong value for money, the Skoda Superb is a no-brainer for business users. You don’t need to think outside of the box. And other such cliches you might hear in a boardroom.
3. Audi A6 – 84 percent
The Audi A6 finishes third, but we’ll use this slide to mention Volvo. Although the Swedish company doesn’t have a model within the top 10, it has the highest penetration of the business segment in Europe, with 71 percent of the brand’s volume due to fleet and company registrations.
2. Volkswagen Passat – 84 percent
Think about some of the cars of old that might have appeared in the top 10. The likes of the Ford Mondeo, Renault Laguna and Peugeot 406 are three names that spring to mind. Today, the Volkswagen Passat finishes joint-top.
1. Vauxhall Insignia – 84 percent
The Passat and Vauxhall Insignia can’t be separated in terms of business penetration. According to Felipe Munoz of JATO, “The introduction of WLTP in September had a big impact on business/fleet registrations, which had soared in the previous months. Nevertheless, their volume fell quite sharply in September when dealers couldn’t register the non-homologated versions of certain models.”
Tesla’s latest over-the-air update gives you a dog-friendly mode and an opportunity to turn your car into a giant four-wheeled surveillance system.
Say what you want about Tesla, but one quantum-leap advancement that it has pioneered in the automotive industry that you simply cannot argue with is over-the-air updates. In the past, upgrading your car was a matter of buying parts and taking it into the shop or spannering it yourself.
In Tesla vehicles, new features can be added while you sleep, with simple internet-fed software installations. Dog and Sentry modes are the latest and they won’t be the last…
What is Tesla ‘Dog mode’?
Introducing Dog Mode: set a cabin temperature to keep your dog comfortable while letting passersby know they don’t need to worry pic.twitter.com/xFU6MGZT53
Dog mode allows the driver to set a comfortable temperature for your four-legged companions for when he or she is out on an errand. That’s the bit that’s crucial to your pups. What’s crucial for concerned dog-loving passers-by is the enormous message displayed on the screen; “My owner will be back soon. Don’t worry!”, with the temperature displayed even larger.
Such a good idea that addresses something that bothers a great many people.
Sentry mode uses the car’s various monitoring systems, including the cameras, to continuously examine the surrounding area when it’s left unattended.
If a ‘minimal threat’ – such as someone leaning on the car – is detected, the car goes into ‘alert’ state, where the screen shows a message warning that there are cameras recording.
‘Alarm’ state activates when there’s an attempted break-in or a similar greater threat. This includes activating the alarm, upping the brightness of the centre screen and playing music at full volume. The owner will also be alerted via the app and a video recording (beginning 10 minutes before the threat occurs) will be downloadable via a pre-inserted memory stick.
The feature needs to be activated every time the owner wants it running. Model 3 gets it first, with post-August 2017 Model S and X models following shortly thereafter.
Swind is the latest company to give a classic an electric spin, with the new E Classic Mini. The big surprise? Electric power could make the classic Mini we all know and love even better than it ever was.
What makes the E Classic Mini tick?
Swind and parent company Swindon Powertrain have a history working with F1 engines. With provenance abound, what have Swind done to the Mini, then? The headline figures are as follows: 125-mile range from a 24kwh lithium-ion battery, around 110hp from the electric motor, 0-62mph in 9.2 seconds, and an 80mph top end.
As standard, it can be recharged in four hours, although a fast-charge option is available.
A big question mark around electric cars is often weight. As it happens, the E Classic Mini has piled on just 80kg, taking it up to 720kg. The weight distribution has actually improved, with a 57/43 front-to-back, compared to a standard classic Mini’s 68/32.
Also improved is boot space, given that the petrol tank is no longer there. An increase of 200 litres is not to be sniffed at. Updating the suspension and brakes to modern standards is a nice touch, too.
The E Classic Mini isn’t just a garage bodge-together, either. Prototypes have completed over 10,000 real-world miles of testing in conjunction with thousands of hours of simulation testing.
Modern touches
As standard, you get USB charging ports, underfloor heating(!), heated leather seats and heated front and rear screens. If you ask nicely, you can have infotainment, sat-nav, power steering, air conditioning, bespoke paint, increased performance and even a soft top.
Can I have one?
Yes, if you’re fast… and relatively rich. There’s to be a limited production run of 100 cars, each costing at least £79,000. We suspect, for some, there won’t be a price too high for what has to be the ultimate fashion statement.
With the ULEZ coming in in April, is there a cooler car for use in London in 2019? It’s not the longest range or the fastest, but this old Mini would be the perfect retro-modern runaround in a big city and is a worthy update to the classic formula.
“The classic Mini has such a special place in people’s hearts, not only in the UK but around the world,” said Raphael Caillé, managing director of Swindon Powertrains.
“The packaging of Sir Alec Issigonis’ 1959 design was truly ground-breaking and now we are making it relevant again. Its compact size and good visibility, together with contemporary performance and handling, makes it a car you’ll want to drive in the city and put a smile on your face.”
Britain’s used car market declined 2.1 percent in 2018, with 167,980 fewer secondhand motors changing hands compared with 2017. The decline wasn’t as severe as the new car market and is still the third highest year on records going back to 2001, with a total of 7.9 million transactions. Here, using data supplied by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), we reveal Britain’s most popular used cars, with the results presented in reverse order.
10. Audi A3 – 119,545 sales
The Audi A3 has been one of Britain’s most popular premium hatchbacks for many years, so there are plenty of used examples to choose from. The first A3s arrived in Britain at the tail end of 1996, initially as a three-door hatchback, with a five-door variant arriving in 1999. Today, it’s available in four body styles: three-door, five-door, saloon and convertible.
While the used car market was down in 2018, sales of hybrid, plug-in hybrid (such as the Audi A3 e-tron) and battery electric cars were up 27 percent to 106,658. Sales of petrol cars were down 4.2 percent with diesel holding steady with a 0.3 percent increase.
Renault will reveal an all-new Clio at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show in March, but used examples remain very popular in Britain. The replacement for the Renault 5 arrived in 1990 and was named European Car of the Year in 1991. Last year, 137,180 Clios changed hands in Britain.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “It’s encouraging to see more used car buyers snapping up low-emission vehicles as supply grows – but those sales remain low as an overall proportion of the market. We still need the right policies and incentives from government to give new car buyers confidence to choose the cleanest petrol, diesel and electric models that best suit their needs, so that even more drivers can benefit from this exciting technology as it filters down to the used market in the coming years.”
Superminis remained the largest segment in 2018, with a huge 33 percent market share, although sales were down 3.7 percent to 2,618,544. The Volkswagen Polo was one of the most popular superminis, with used car sales of 155,468 in 2018.
Along with the used car data, the SMMT has also revealed the most popular colours for used cars in 2018. Black was the favourite with 1,663,013 transactions, followed by silver/aluminium (1,598,828) and blue (1,402,110).
The MINI went on sale in the UK in July 2001, with buyers queuing up for a slice of retro-evolutionary motoring. Eighteen years on, it remains as fashionable as ever, with owners loving its styling, dynamics and personalisation options. Some 160,000 MINIs changed hands in 2018.
According to the SMMT, more used cars were bought and sold in the South East than in any other region, with 1,174,807 transactions taking place. Next up was the North West (838,278), West Midlands (791,444), East (767,240) and South West (753,284).
The BMW 3 Series is the only executive car to appear in the top ten, with used car sales approaching 200,000. Interestingly, the executive car sector was one of two segments to experience an increase in 2018, with sales up 9.3 percent.
With a new 3 Series hitting showrooms in 2019, the used car market could experience a flood of pre-owned examples as buyers upgrade to the newer model. Some 14 million units have been built since the 3 Series arrived in 1975.
The Vauxhall Astra might be struggling in terms of new car sales, but it remains in demand among used car buyers. Strong fleet and rental sales certainly help, with a ready supply of nearly-new examples hitting the market on a regular basis.
Last year, just 160,275 new Astras were registered across Europe, as sales plummeted by 27 percent. This made it Europe’s 21st most popular car; it’s unlikely to hold on to a top 25 slot in 2019.
The Volkswagen Golf might be Europe’s most popular new car, but for Britain’s used car buyers, it’s only marginally more popular than the Astra. Last year, 262,508 Golfs found a new home, making it the most popular car with a semi-premium badge.
There are plenty of Golf models to choose from, with strong new car sales resulting in a huge supply of used examples. A cursory look on Auto Trader reveals cars ranging from Mk3s costing £250 to nearly-new Clubsports costing £40,000.
Britain’s third most popular new of 2018 was also the third most popular used car. But while 52,915 new Corsas were purchased last year, a staggering 313,702 used examples changed hands.
The current Corsa is the oldest car in its segment by a comfortable margin, so a replacement is long overdue. Fortunately, a new Corsa is on the way, based on the same platform as the next-generation Peugeot 208.
Unsurprisingly, it’s a Ford one-two at the top, with the Focus finishing second with 322,532 used car transactions in 2018. Launched at the 1998 Geneva Motor Show, the original Focus shocked the world with its ‘New Edge’ styling, revolutionary interior and sharp dynamics.
The second-generation Focus arrived in 2004, before making way for the Mk3 model in 2011. The fourth-generation Focus went on sale in 2018, with prices starting from £18,300.
Britain’s most popular new car is also the favourite used car, which will come as no surprise to anybody. The Mk1 Fiesta was introduced in 1976 and immediately struck a chord thanks to its low price, sharp looks and low running costs.
By sticking to that winning formula – not to mention introducing sporty variants along the way – the Fiesta has remained Britain’s most popular used car for many years. Last year, 361,000 used Fiestas found new homes in Britain.
Speaking about the used car data, Nathan Coe, chief operating officer and chief financial officer at Auto Trader, said: “Whilst the impact of the ongoing fuel debate, WLTP regulations, and Brexit anxieties were keenly felt in the new car market, the used car market, which although marginally down on 2017, has shown resilience. It highlights that despite the dent in consumer confidence, demand remains high as consumers continue to change their cars on average every 3.3 years, which is still in line with the car parc turn trends we have seen over the last 10 years.”
Zero-emission cars in demand
“It’s encouraging that the growing level of consumer appetite in new AFVs (Alternative Fuel Vehicles) is starting to trickle through to the used car market, albeit growth is off a very small base. The trend in AFVs is being mirrored on our marketplace. For over a year fuel related searches attributed to AFVs remained flat at just 4 percent. However, between July and October 2018, searches grew to 7 percent. At the current trajectory, we anticipate one in ten fuel related searches will be for a zero-emission car by the end of the year,” he continued.
The market looks in ‘fine fettle’
James Fairclough, CEO at AA Cars, added: “The used car market slowed down slightly in the run up to Christmas with sales falling by 0.7 percent on the previous year. Considering the wider economic picture and ongoing consumer uncertainty, the market looks in remarkably fine fettle. Additionally, alternatively-fuelled vehicles continued to defy the overall downward trend and saw another uplift. Even though electric and hybrid cars still don’t make up a large proportion of the secondhand market, their ever-increasing uptake is a testament to the quality of stock available on used forecourts.”
Interesting few months
“While the government has started to withdraw its more attractive incentives for AFVs, the secondhand market is still benefiting from the knock-on effect of these grants from years past and continues to benefit from the arrival of nearly-new stock. The next few months will be interesting for the car market as a whole, but as always, the dealers who are responsive in their ability to source stock and provide adapted solutions online and on the forecourts will continue to grow in the year ahead,” he continued.
I was tempted to stay in bed. With the wind and rain crashing against the bedroom window and the radio reporting “atrocious driving conditions”, the thought of venturing out from beneath the duvet was about as appealing as a spot of early morning root canal surgery.
But it’s not every day you have a Wraith Black Badge parked outside your house, even if a Cullinan would have been a more suitable Rolls-Royce for a courageous battle against Storm Erik, or whatever the most recent bout of bad weather was called.
This was to be a different kind of fight. The plan was to tackle the A4069 – also known as the Black Mountain Pass – considered, by some, to be Britain’s best road. It sounded like a good idea on paper, but Erik was in town to play party-pooper, and he wasn’t about to let the fastest and most potent Rolls-Royce enjoy the freedom of mid-Wales.
Wake up to money
In the meantime, there was the small matter of a short schlep along the A30 and up the M5 for a 7am rendezvous with Bradley and his camera equipment. I click the button on the thickset key fob to awaken the Wraith from her sleep – the door handles illuminate and the slimline LED headlights cast enough light on the surroundings to prompt the local birds into a pre-dawn chorus.
The vampish Flying Lady, dressed in black on Black Badge models, emerges from her sanctum atop the noir-like grille to take up a position akin to a figurehead on the bow of a ship. A rather apt analogy, given the prevailing weather conditions. It’s just as well the Wraith features a steering wheel the size of a helm.
Once inside, safe from the continuing wind and rain, the electric suicide door shuts with a reassuring thud, plunging the cabin into near silence. Few, if any, cars cocoon you from the outside world quite like a Rolls-Royce – the ambient lighting, starlight headliner and lambswool foot mats can give hygge a run for its money in terms of cosiness.
With the 6.6-litre V12 engine ticking over and the heated seat set to the max, I spend the first five minutes searching in vain for a USB port. The Wraith – a car that dates back to the 2013 Geneva Motor Show – might be the last word in performance luxury, but from a connectivity point of view, it is being left behind.
Six years is a long time in the automotive world, so while newer luxury and premium cars boast multiple USB ports, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Wraith Black Badge has to make do with DAB and Bluetooth. Sensing that Bradley will require some juice for his camera gear, I stop off to buy a USB adapter for the cigar lighter socket.
It’s one of two cigar lighters in the Wraith, which are complemented by a pair of ashtrays – old-school features in a thoroughly old-school cabin. An unashamedly analogue cabin that’s dripping in old money charm – anything digital is either hidden away or cleverly disguised.
It’s funny: while premium carmakers go to obsessive lengths to garnish their cabins with the latest touchscreen infotainment systems, digital displays and climate controls that allow you to set the temperature to the nearest half-a-degree, Rolls-Royce steadfastly refuses to conform.
The blowers can be set to soft, medium, high or max, while the temperature is controlled by a set of traditional rotary controls. The art deco dials, complete with dim lighting, remain one of my favourite features of the car.
Severn heaven
Ninety minutes later, I’m sat in the dark alongside the River Severn, between the two bridges, waiting for the arrival of Bradley. Both the car and I have enjoyed a stress-free drive on the M5 – the Wraith’s power reserve rarely dropping below 90 percent, while I’m no less comfortable than I was beneath my duvet.
The rain has stopped (for a while), but the night sky has made way for ominous looking clouds on the other side of the river with the wind strong enough to make opening the Wraith’s Swiss bank vault-like doors feel like a morning workout.
None of this discourages us from setting the sat-nav to Llandovery – the northern gateway to the A4069.
The skies seem to get darker the further west we head, and by the time we’re bypassing Merthyr Tydfil, we’re facing a two-pronged attack by Welsh rain and commuter traffic. The wipers are unable to cope with the conditions, and soon we’re slowing to a steady crawl.
Maybe we should have headed south. With the strong winds and a 6.6-litre V12 at our disposal, we could have made the south of France for lunch and be back in time for tea. Instead, we’re facing the wrath of Storm Erik in what is now a two-tone Andalusian White and grubby Wraith.
We press on, with any attempts at a rapid exit from a roundabout greeted by wheelspin, a flashing traction control light and the profound fear of having to call the Rolls-Royce press office with tales of an unfortunate encounter with the crash barrier.
Chasing waterfalls
Crossing into the Brecon Beacons, we catch our first sight of the snow that blanketed much of the country just a week earlier. Fan Fawr appears to be enjoying its role of a water fountain, sending torrents of rainwater towards the A470. We watch as the waterfalls are taken by the wind, with the water transported vertically up the peak.
Only a fool would take a £340,000 (including options) 624hp Wraith into mid-Wales in conditions such as these, we ponder as we watch a legion of squaddies clamber out of a Defender for some exhausting manoeuvres in the wet.
Turning left off the A470 towards Sennybridge, we’re greeted by what can only be described as carnage. Rocks, stones and even the occasional brick have been strewn across the road by the water gushing out of the fields, with the monotony of the debris broken only by the pools of standing water.
The driving conditions are as atrocious as the weatherman warned at stupid o’clock this morning. The road is passable – just – but when you’re using the centre of the road to wade through standing water, you just have to pray that you’re not going to be greeted by a Suzuki Vitara hurtling round the bend. Suzukis appear to be as common as sheep in this part of the world.
We needed fuel. This is a regular occurrence in a car that’ll do 19.3mpg on a combined cycle. Hypermiling in a Wraith isn’t recommended, especially in mid-Wales where petrol stations don’t appear as frequently as sheep… or Suzukis.
It’s as though the engineers at Rolls-Royce had this in mind when they configured the display to tell you that you’re using a reserve tank, rather than the usual ‘low fuel’ alert. Nothing focuses your mind on dwindling reserves of fuel quite like the word ‘reserve’.
The first stab at refuelling ends in failure, partly because there was no super unleaded on offer, but also because I was unwilling to risk the 21-inch carbon-alloy composite alloy wheels between a high kerb and a badly parked Countryman.
Did I mention that each wheel costs £5,000? This figure is never far from your mind when you’re driving a Wraith Black Badge – get a width restriction wrong, and you’ll be parting with the equivalent of a family hatchback to put things right. Call me risk-averse, but I rather fancied handing the car back with a full quota of unblemished alloys.
Fortunately, the next petrol station was a little more Wraith-ready, and as I brimmed the tank, a chap filling his Rover 420 made an admiring comment about the car. I can’t tell you precisely what he said, because it was difficult to hear above the sound of the wind and rain lashing the Oil4Wales filling station.
Needless to say, I made some humble remark about it not being my car, although he would have guessed this from the sight of my £30 hoodie and Converse.
Following the road less travelled
Age-wise, I hit the Rolls-Royce audience profile squarely on the nose, but I’m far removed from the demographic. The Black Badge press material from 2016 makes for interesting and mildly amusing reading – at times it’s like a series of Instagram updates from a social media influencer.
“Today’s generation of young, self-empowered, self-confident rule-breakers are just as uncompromising and unapologetic in their choice of living and lifestyle as their predecessors. They follow the road less travelled, live the unconventional life, darkly obsessed by their own pursuits and accomplishments from which they derive a pure adrenaline rush.”
Today’s road less travelled with its promise of a pure adrenalin rush was now just a few miles away, but these self-confident rule-breakers needed breakfast.
Llandovery was in the midst of playing host to its own natural disaster movie. We’re greeted by the sight and sounds of metal bins crashing into the sides of parked cars and recycling boxes being carried across the road by the wind.
The sight of the aftermath of a JCB used to steal a cash machine from the local Co-op only added to the sense of it looking like a scene from Llandovery Has Fallen. Gerard Butler was nowhere to be seen, so we headed for the sanctuary of the Old Printing Office cafe for crumpets.
“Just passing through?” enquired the lady behind the till. Glancing out of the window at the weather when I outlined our plans, she told us that Jeremy Clarkson and James May had stayed in the hotel opposite. I suspect they weren’t in town for the crumpets.
Waze and making waves
Venturing back to the Wraith – and with no sign of Gerard Butler – we dodge low-flying bric-a-brac and follow a faded red E36 BMW 316i towards the A40. The chap behind the wheel – who you just know has owned the car from new – is forced into an emergency stop as a green recycling bin makes a break for freedom. Llandovery was falling, and we needed to get out of town.
The A4069 starts on the western fringe of Llandovery and snakes its way south before ending in Brynamman just 20 miles later. You can split it into three sections, with the speed limit getting progressively slower the further south you go.
From Llandovery to Llangadog it’s a typical British A-road – the surface is good, the lanes are wider, and the hedges mask a succession of farms and fields. It is, if you like, an appetiser for the main event.
It’s not without incident. Appearing over the brow of a hill – never easy when you have the full length of the Wraith’s bonnet pointing at the sky – half the road is blocked by a fallen tree. Bradley promptly alerts other users via the medium of Waze, as I begin to question what we’re letting ourselves in for.
At Llangadog, there’s a sharp left between the Castle Hotel and a village shop, where the elongated bonnet becomes a bit of a hindrance. Fortunately, the vampish Spirit of Ecstasy is on hand to perform the role of navigator.
Once past the signs for Bethlehem – turn right at the football pitch if you’re in the midst of a different pilgrimage – the road becomes a whole lot more technical, and the speed limit drops to 50mph.
Today, 20mph almost seems optimistic, let alone the dizzy heights of 50mph. The road hugs the River Sawdde, which at times looks ready to turn the A4069 into a tributary. At 1,948mm wide, the Wraith is narrower than a Range Rover, but it barely fits along its side of the road.
Having a steering wheel the size of the London Eye adds to the exaggerated sense of girth, while the £5k wheels are never far from your mind. It’s fun – up to a point – but the Wraith is feeling like a duck out of water. I fully intended to keep it that way.
Black Mountain Pass
Eventually, the road emerges from the trees, before a cattle grid signals the beginning of stage three – the Black Mountain Pass. It’s a breathtaking view, although it’s hard to distinguish between the gushing waterfalls and the snow still hanging on from a week earlier.
One thing is clear – even in the gloom of the mid-Wales weather – is the stretch of glistening tarmac clinging on to the edge of the hillside. After a couple of double bends, the road passing over a narrow bridge and heads up towards its most photographed corner.
Before then, there’s the small matter of maintaining traction as the Wraith struggles to gets its power down. With 620lb ft of torque, the Black Badge makes light work of hauling itself up towards the summit, but today, enthusiastic bursts of acceleration are greeted with wheelspin in first, second and third.
A 40mph limit was introduced years ago, but today, the series of signs serve only to ruin the landscape. Quite why so many lollipops are required is anyone’s guess, but the view would look a lot tastier without them.
I can’t resist trying a little antisocial driving on the famous hairpin, but the traction control acts like a sleeping policeman, telling me to behave and ruining the momentum ahead of the continued climb past and beyond Herbert’s Quarry.
Once you reach the top, the views become even more spectacular, and the A4069 teases you with a vision of the road of your dreams. Think of the best Scalextric layouts you created as a kid and exchange the living room carpet for moorland, and you’re halfway there.
I could do with some Magnatraction today. The road is coated in stones and pedals, which act like ball bearings, robbing the 285/35 Continental tyres of grip. The road feels too narrow and twisty for the 2.4-tonne Wraith and is arguably better suited to cars like the Elise, GT86 and 205 GTI. Not that they’d be out in this weather.
For such a big car, the Wraith Black Badge is surprisingly agile, but asking it to tackle a series of double bends with vigour is akin to asking the Royal Albert Hall to appear on Strictly Come Dancing.
More than just a novelty act
One could argue that the Wraith is also too quick for this kind of road. It’ll sprint to 62mph in 4.8 seconds, but it actually feels faster in real life. Planting your right foot in the lambswool results in the back of the car squatting down on its haunches, like a big cat ready to pounce.
Quick as a flash, you’ve hit the speed limit, regardless of what road you’re travelling on. It’s an intoxicating and addictive experience, especially when the electronic aids are forced to work overtime to keep the car on the straight and narrow.
At times, the Wraith can feel a little out of control, like a tiger on a loose leash. It’s as though the engineers wanted to give the ‘wealth-creating entrepreneur’ (Rolls-Royce’s words) a feeling of control and power. The Wraith’s rapid acceleration might be a novelty, but I suspect this is one novelty that will never wear off.
Once at Brynamman, we turn around to repeat the journey in the opposite direction. By now, the low cloud that had capped the peaks like tufts of cotton wool have dispersed, but the rain is getting heavier.
Any hopes of capturing video are quite literally blown away by the strong winds, while the near-horizontal rain hitting your face like tiny needles is making photography a challenge.
I decide to call it quits when the Wraith is sent aquaplaning towards the side of the road only for the tyres to miraculously and mercifully find some grip before the Rolls-Royce becomes an expensive moorland ornament. It took a lot longer for my heart rate to return to normal.
Paddles required
Heading back to Llandovery, I discuss the Wraith’s place in the world of driver-focused performance cars with Bradley, and in particular this Black Badge version.
Up here, on the A4069, particularly in these conditions, the Wraith would struggle to find friends. It lacks the precision and deftness of touch that is required to get the best out of the Black Mountain Pass.
It’s over-engineered for this particular task. Even with the blanket speed restriction removed, the Wraith would be too quick between the corners – you’d be forever scrubbing the speed long before you reach a bend.
A pair of steering wheel paddles would undoubtedly add to the sense of involvement, but paddles of the seafaring variety may have been more appropriate today.
But ask a group of road testers which car they’d like to venture home in and there’d be a queue of people ready to grab the keys to the Rolls-Royce. There is just so much to love about the car, and its talents extend to far more than just supreme luxury and craftsmanship.
The steering is so direct and positive, the brakes appear good to enough to stop the earth from spinning, and the way in which the air suspension is configured to be soft enough to smooth out the worst of Britain’s roads yet supple enough to remain fluid when cornering is as beguiling as it is bewildering.
Meanwhile, the driving position is bewitching. You sit low-slung behind the massive wheel, with the view ahead enhanced by the narrow windscreen, head-up display and Spirit of Ecstasy. It makes it surprisingly easy to plot a path along the road ahead, with the precise steering giving you the confidence to tackle long and sweeping corners at speed.
And then, when you hit the motorways again, the Wraith Black Badge seamlessly morphs into a long distance cruiser of the highest order, matched only by other cars from within the Rolls-Royce stable.
I was only half joking when I told Bradley I was contemplating a trip to Inverness after I’d dropped him off near Bristol. Even the M6 on a Friday evening would feel pleasant in a Wraith.
River deep, mountain high
Meanwhile, there was still time for one last excursion. With glimpses of blue sky in the distance, I noticed that we were just 13 miles from Llanwrtyd Wells – the smallest town in Britain.
Not an interesting fact in the context of the Wraith, but the town lies a few miles away from the Abergwesyn Pass, arguably one of the most scenic roads in Wales, if not the entire country. It’s an opportunity that’s too good to miss.
Just before noon, we find ourselves nestled between Cefn Coch and Pen Carreg-Dan, staring at a view that wouldn’t have looked out of place in Skyfall. It’s a humbling and life-affirming experience; both literally and metaphorically, the Abergwesyn Pass feels like a world away from the rest of civilisation.
Moving on, a trio of fast-running fords are crossed with a little trepidation – and a little help from the raised suspension function – before the Wraith makes light work of the Devil’s Staircase, although it struggled for grip on the switchbacks.
For the next 90 minutes, we have the entire road to ourselves, stopping many times to allow Bradley to grab photos as we make our way past the Llyn Brianne reservoir and back down into Llandovery.
It was on the Abergwesyn Pass and the subsequent roads that the Wraith Black Badge really shone. As a relaxed, effortless and refined Grand Tourer, it’s almost without equal, with enough precision to ensure it doesn’t feel out of place on a B-road.
The V12 engine generates enough noise through the sports exhaust to make it sound interesting, with Rolls-Royce allowing a subtle hint of the soundtrack to enter the cabin. But as impressive is the way in which it settles to a quiet hum – at times, all you can hear is the sound of tyres on the wet road.
A national treasure
With Bradley safely deposited at his Corsa, I made my way back down the M5, contemplating a final verdict for the Wraith Black Badge.
You’d expect a car costing the best part of £240,000 before VAT and options to be great, but you can’t really judge a Rolls-Royce against other vehicles. A Rolls-Royce is more like a feat of engineering that should be placed alongside historic buildings, aircraft and landmarks. A national treasure, if you like.
Driving a Wraith Black Badge is something that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime, and while I wouldn’t recommend heading for the Welsh hills during a storm, it’s incredibly reassuring to know that it can handle such conditions with aplomb.
I’m not entirely convinced that the A4069 is Britain’s best road – the 40mph limit has put paid to that – but the Wraith Black Badge is one of the world’s best cars. Long may it rain.
Honda has given us a glimpse inside the hotly-anticipated2019 production version of the Urban EV. The retro-futuristic all-electric concept debuted in 2017 to an uproarious reaction, prompting Honda to fast-track a production version. Here’s our first look at the prototype due at Geneva…
The five-door Urban EV
Our immediate first observation is that on one of the screens we can see the production car’s silhouette, complete with… five doors. That is a departure from the concept but not an unwelcome one. It doesn’t appear to have impeded on the Urban EV’s unique style.
Retro style survives to production
Happily, the full-width minimalist digital dash of the concept has largely carried over. There’s a distinctly production-looking wheel you wouldn’t be surprised to find on any other Honda and a very clean, premium-looking and user-friendly interface.
What’s decidedly not retro, is what we think could possibly be screens and cameras instead of door mirrors… Not the screen to the left of where you’d normally find the speedo and rev counter…
Below the screen, there remains a lovely wood-looking trim, as seen on the prototype Whether it’s actual wood or an eco-friendly imitation remains to be seen. Either way, we’re a fan of the aesthetic, which harks back to the original Honda Civic interior.
Honda Urban EV – the first mainstream electric car?
There remain big questions about the Urban EV when it arrives.
Will the real-world driving range be tenable? How fast can you charge it up? Will it be affordable? Honda has undoubtedly addressed any image problems electric cars have with what must be one of the coolest-looking small cars in a generation.
However, in going to production, we hope it’s also addressed some of the serious issues that hamper real-world electric cars in their quest for the mainstream.
Speculation remains rife. Either way, we can’t wait for Honda to reveal all next month on March 5 at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.
Jaguar Land Rover has revealed an all-new British-built six-cylinder petrol engine. The new 3.0-litre six-cylinder motor produces 400 horsepower and is equipped with fuel-saving mild hybrid technology.
The first vehicle to get the new engine is the Range Rover Sport HST special edition.
Land Rover isn’t making us wait for the new engine, either: ordering is open now, with prices starting from £81,250.
The new engine, a straight-six design, is being built at the firm’s £1 billion engine plant in Wolverhampton. It succeeds the outgoing 3.0-litre supercharged V6 engine which JLR bought in from a Ford factory in South Wales.
Using the latest technology means it is more efficient and economical, averaging 30.5mpg in the big Range Rover Sport, and producing 12 percent less CO2 than its predecessor (it emits 213g/km).
More significantly, a standard gasoline particulate filter (GPF) means particulate emissions are down by a massive 75 percent.
It’s also fast, accelerating from 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds. The new engine combines turbocharging with an electric supercharger, which gives near-instantaneous boost. This means it responds to the accelerator very crisply, particularly at low speed.
Mild hybrid tech
The supercharger is powered by a high-capacity 48V electrical system – which also gives it mild hybrid (MHEV) tech. The engine stop-start function is extended, and using electric power to boost the engine when pulling away helps reduce real-world fuel consumption. It is recharged automatically when the driver presses the brake pedal.
Nick Rogers, JLR engineering director, is clearly proud of the landmark new engine, which the firm will build alongside other motors in the Ingenium family at its Wolverhampton factory. “In-line six-cylinder engines are inherently better balanced than V6 designs,” he said.
“Advanced features, including an electric supercharger, ensure distinctive Range Rover Sport performance and responses, while the intelligent MHEV system harvests energy to improve economy and reduce emissions.”
The launch Range Rover Sport HST is market out by unique carbon fibre trim on the bonnet, grille, side vents and boot lid, plus red brake calipers. It’s available in five colours: Santorini Black, Fuji White, Indus Silver, Firenze Red and Carpathian Grey.
Inside, there are new colour combinations, suede steering wheel and gearlever, plus satin chrome paddleshifters and Dynamic sports seats.
Land Rover adds that a lower-power 360 horsepower version of the engine will be offered in selected global markets, too.
Last week, Volkswagen of America revealed the latest version of the performance Jetta GLI at the Chicago Auto Show. Custom-designed and built to appeal to a market which appreciates the compact sedan, the new GLI is a lesson in adding extra practicality to the Golf GTI.
It managed to trigger a wave of nostalgia, leading us to reminisce about the history of VW’s quicker versions of the Golf with the big boot.
The Jetta has previously been credited with saving the Volkswagen brand in North America, and it continues to be a lynchpin of the model range. Yet for consumers in the UK and Europe, buying a Jetta of any kind is no longer an option.
Putting the boot in
It was late 2017 when the Volkswagen Jetta disappeared from price lists in the UK and Europe. The Golf’s traditional four-door brother slipped quietly into the night, taking with it a car which had been on sale for almost four decades. The news hardly came as a shock.
During 2017, Volkswagen sold an impressive 115,000 Jettas in the United States. By comparison, only 6,900 found homes across the whole of Europe in the same year. Even Infiniti managed to shift more examples of the Q30 than that.
With an European new car market obsessed with SUVs and crossovers, the sensible three-box saloon is drifting further into obscurity. Sales of traditional cars fell by 8% across Europe in 2018, whilst demand for SUVs increased by a staggering 19%. Normal saloons just appear too last century.
Fiscal responsibility
Despite this, British motorists are willing to fall over themselves to snag the latest deal on a premium-branded compact saloon. The number of lease deals available on the BMW 3 Series or Mercedes-Benz C-Class proves there is still some inherent saloon interest out there.
But, with finance more important than outright list prices, this only worsened the outlook for the Jetta. Lower demand means lowers residual values, making those all-important monthly payments higher.
It would take a seriously committed buyer to decide to pay more each month for a saloon, when the latest new crossover could be less painful on the wallet. Paying less, but still being ‘on trend’ is a win-win for most consumers.
What we’re missing out on
Looking at the details of the new 2019 Jetta GLI, it’s hard not to feel slightly hard done by. Volkswagen has worked hard to make its latest performance sedan standout, with it appearing much like the Audi S3 saloon from certain angles.
With 228hp and 258lb-ft of torque, plus a standard six-speed manual gearbox and Volkswagen’s trick VAQ limited-slip differential, all the performance ingredients are there.
The GLI also gains brakes from the Golf R, plus a set of distinctive alloy wheels. Volkswagen will even throw in LED lights, dual-zone climate control, Beats Audio, and even a six-year/72,000-miles warranty.
Whilst pricing has not yet been announced for the GLI, the finished article is unlikely to be much above $32,000 (£25,000).
Betta Getta Jetta!
Even with the new seventh-generation Jetta only reaching showrooms in the second quarter of 2018, Volkswagen of America still managed to sell more than 90,000 of them in 2018. Although the US market is suffering the same lure of the crossover SUV, there is at least still some interest in sedans.
It helps that the Jetta is a recognisable brand in itself in the US, whilst here it existed to many as “not a Golf” or “the one with a boot that isn’t the Passat” maybe. That lack of image is what doomed the Jetta, but also gives it a blank canvas to start afresh from.
Given the current interest in 1990s nostalgia, maybe this is the perfect time to bring back the Jetta to Europe. Make it cheap, give it bold retro colour choices, and market it to millennial hipsters as the underground alternative to the SUVs everyone is buying.
However, new figures reveal the crucial role Sunderland still plays in UK automotive, with two of its models making the top 10 list of the world’s best-selling British-built cars.
Indeed, the Nissan Qashqai takes first place in the chart, ahead of the Oxford-built Mini and Swindon’s Honda Civic. The ageing Nissan Juke still managed to perform well, with seventh place in the worldwide best-sellers chart.
In fourth place was the Toyota Auris. The Japanese firm will be hoping to move up the charts in 2019 when the all-new Corolla goes on sale. But even the outgoing Derby-built Auris beat the Ellesmere Port-built Vauxhall Astra in the sales chart. This surely should be cause for concern for the British brand.
Jaguar Land Rover dominated the lower half of the top 10 British best-sellers. Its most popular model worldwide remained the Range Rover Sport, with the Range Rover, Range Rover Velar and Jaguar F-Pace also appearing in the top 10.
Although JLR’s profits are down, the fact high-margin models such as these still easily outsell lower-margin vehicles such as the Jaguar XE will have helped stem the losses.
In 2018, 1.24 million British-built cars were exported, to more than 160 countries globally. Our top export market is the EU, accounting for over half of British exports. The USA, China, Japan and Turkey are other important markets.
And within the EU? The top export market for British cars is Germany, followed by Italy, France, Belgium and Spain.
Top 10 British-built best-sellers worldwide in 2018
Jaguar Land Rover has revealed an all-new 
Looking at the details of the new 2019 Jetta GLI, it’s hard not to feel slightly hard done by. Volkswagen has worked hard to make its latest performance sedan standout, with it appearing much like the Audi S3 saloon from certain angles.
Even with the new seventh-generation Jetta only reaching showrooms in the second quarter of 2018, Volkswagen of America still managed to sell more than 90,000 of them in 2018. Although the US market is suffering the same lure of the crossover SUV, there is at least still some interest in sedans.
Nissan’s UK car factory in Sunderland has been in the headlines recently, following the firm’s decision to 