Love can be a fickle thing, even when it comes to one of the biggest purchases most people make. Auto Trader asked owners how much they agree with the statement ‘I love my car’ to establish which brands get the most endearment. We’ve presented the results in reverse order, meaning those at the beginning get the least affection from those that drive them.

30th – Vauxhall

It might be one of the biggest selling brands in the UK, but popularity doesn’t necessarily equate to affection for Vauxhall and its products, leaving it bottom of the pile. Despite a relatively modern range of cars and cheap pricing, perhaps Vauxhall suffers from being a brand driven by those who view their cars purely as transportation, but nothing more.

29th – Mitsubishi

The Japanese brand might have been implicated in a fuel consumption scandal in its home country, although that probably doesn’t explain the low position for Mitsubishi amongst British drivers. The ASX and Outlander are both commendable, but hardly get pulses racing in a way offerings like the Lancer Evolution used to. Time will tell if the forthcoming Eclipse Cross can attract new buyers who’ll love, not just tolerate, a Mitsubishi.

28th – Peugeot

Judy Murray might be a big fan of Peugeot, and looks very happy here with her new 3008, yet other owners seem to have fewer reasons to smile. It may be due to vast scores of drivers taking advantage of finance deals purely as a means to an end, rather that deeply lusting over a new 108 Access with its 14” steel wheels and 68hp 1.0-litre engine.

27th – Renault

Forget the halcyon days of the 1990s, seeing Nicole running off with Bob Mortimer in that classic Clio advert. Right now, Renault owners seemingly feel more like the jilted Vic Reeves, despite good-looking new cars like the Megane and Scenic. La Regie may have a reputation for lacking reliability, although a recent survey put the brand only slightly below the industry average on that front.

26th – Citroen

Maybe we should blame Brexit for the wealth of French brands propping up the bottom of this list, especially with Peugeot Citroen having recently acquired Vauxhall. This low placing seems a little unfair on Citroen, which has recently returned to making interesting and fun cars like the Cactus and new C3. Low ratings in dependability surveys might explain the hint of resentment owners feel towards their cars, however.

25th – Nissan

Does familiarity breed contempt? With thousands of Jukes and Qashqais lining our roads, they’re seemingly not doing enough to enamour them to their owners. Whilst the crossover might be king of the road in 2017, it probably won’t wake you at 5am begging to be driven to the hills. Nissan may therefore be a victim of its own success, with a range of family cars just too practical and reliable to get the loins burning.

24th – Mazda

With the MX-5 roadster apparently the answer to any motoring conundrum, the low placing of Mazda has thrown us a little here. The current range is packed with handsome and fun machinery, whilst the brand also has a heritage for the funky and interesting. We’ll maybe just have to assume the only Mazda owners who answered the survey were ones forced to buy a Premacy when they really wanted an RX-8.

23rd – Dacia

Unquestionably humble, Dacia has built a brand image centred on selling new cars priced cheaper than you might ever believe. The compromise comes in the form of older technology, styling best described as utilitarian, and interiors that major in pragmaticism. As such, a Dacia is a purchase most likely made after several hours with a spreadsheet and calculator, rather than on impulsive lust.

22nd – Honda

The Civic might be built in Britain, but owners apparently aren’t taking jingoism as a reason to love a Honda. With products that constantly appear in lists of most reliable purchases, there’s only so much that offerings like the Civic Type R can do to get the blood pumping. Another one to file under the sensible investment category.

21st – Toyota

With Prius drivers garnering a – perhaps unfair – reputation for piety to the hybrid drivetrain, we might have expected such dedication to push Toyota higher than this. Cars like the British-built Auris, along with the Yaris and Avensis, are deeply sensible choices and might mean an ownership experience built on trust and reliability. Maybe the next survey needs more GT86 owners to complete it…

20th – Suzuki

Although Suzuki sales volumes are hardly massive in the UK, the brand does have something of a cult following. The new Vitara is easy to recommend, while the new Swift and Ignis are both capable of making drivers smile. Just clearly not enough to see the company pushed further up this list. For shame, Suzuki owners!

19th – Skoda

Inside the top 20 brands and we start to see more of a pull from those who have an actual affinity for their car, against those who are more ambivalent towards it. With the jokes about Skoda reliability now decades old, and unfounded based on numerous surveys, the Czech brand is no laughing matter. Perhaps it’s almost a little too serious these days, with fun cars like the Yeti having to make way for more grown-up offerings.

18th – Fiat

Given the considerable popularity of the Fiat 500 in Britain, we’re willing to wager that it is owners of them helping push the Italian brand higher up the rankings. All that Latin charm and soul is clearly more than enough to overcome Fiat’s reputation for flaky build quality.

17th – Hyundai

As a contender for best image makeover Hyundai should be right at the very top. The brand now features a model range that includes the desirable Tucson, but still retains the comfort of a standard five-year warranty. New products like the pictured i30 N hot hatch, along with the Kona compact crossover, might find even more love for Hyundai.

16th – Alfa Romeo

Owning an Alfa Romeo is a well-trodden trope for anyone who aspires to truly be considered a petrolhead. It’s also as much of a cliched concept as that of Alfa Romeos being unreliable and badly made. The two ideas almost balance each other out, with Alfa just below the midpoint of this survey.

15th – Ford

With a reputation built on being all things to all people, Ford has an established history in the UK which helps and hinders in equal measure. For everyone with a Focus RS or Mustang, there is also someone with a rusty first-generation Ka. Given the vast numbers of cars Ford sells in Britain, being middle of the table for product ownership affection is a commendable achievement in itself.

14th – Kia

Much like Hyundai, Korean stablemate Kia has also undergone a cultural awakening in recent years. With rebadged Mazda products long since banished to the history books, Kia’s offerings today are good enough to make owners genuinely care. The Sportage SUV attracts a loyal following, whilst the Picanto supermini also generates a buzz of enthusiasm. We imagine that seven-year warranty helps keep customers happy, too.

13th – Seat

Typically pegged as the exciting Mediterranean cousin to other staid Volkswagen Group brands, Seat is on a roll at present with the Ateca, Leon, and new Ibiza all being praised by the media. Competitive pricing, good dependability levels, and distinctive styling also must play a part in winning over owners. Only badge snobbery about it not being a Volkswagen could potentially explain Seat not placing higher.

12th – Aston Martin

In a survey of 10,000 car owners, there comes a point where statistical deviations might skew things. One negative view of Aston Martin ownership is likely to have a more dramatic impact in comparison to an unhappy Ford driver. Still, an Aston Martin creates strong expectations, and features a commensurately high price tag, that means not everyone might be 100% satisfied all the time.

11th – Volkswagen

Despite several years of continuing dieselgate drama, somehow that isn’t enough to stop a considerable number of Volkswagen owners from loving their cars. Presumably, the owners of cars without diesel engines which required fixes to be made by dealerships. Dieselgate aside, the Volkswagen ownership scene is typically evangelical about its love for Wolfsburg, so this high placing should come as no surprise.

10th – Volvo

Sneaking into the top ten is the Scandinavian brand that has gone from being a byname from safety sensibility, to one of effortless chic. The new V90 and XC90 are truly desirable premium products, while Volvo has also scored extremely strongly in recent desirability surveys. However, getting overly excited isn’t Scandi-cool style, which might explain why Volvo hasn’t placed even higher here.

9th – Audi

Fittingly for its position within the Volkswagen Group empire, Audi comes out as the top mainstream VW Group brand on this list. Despite a poor showing in recent dependability surveys, and a perceived lack of value for money, most Audi owners are seemingly still quite happy to admit they love their choice of car.

8th – Jeep

Buying a Jeep is all about making a statement. You’re eschewing Japanese and European brands, and purposefully picking the American icon over everything else. Short of hoisting The Stars and Stripes outside your house, it’s a surefire way of showing off your love for things on the other side of the Atlantic. Such dedication means owners are perhaps inclined to overlook any flaws, and thus love their Jeep.

7th – BMW

Does it matter that BMW came bottom of a recent dependability survey, or that dealers are apparently only just above average for the premium sector? Clearly not, as owners are still positive about how much they care for their Bavarian machine. With a longstanding upwardly mobile image, BMW is still an aspirational brand for many and owners are happy to shout about how good it is.

6th – Mini

Although not inclined to shout as loudly as Mini owners, who manage to feel love for their rides even more than those who own products of parent company BMW. Owners might not rate them highly for value, but a youthful image and an emphasis on driving enjoyment no doubt play their part here.

5th – Mercedes-Benz

With a brand value that seems to grow each year almost as much as its product range, that Mercedes-Benz places at number five shouldn’t be a shock. Dominance for the past three seasons in Formula One will have boosted goodwill from owners, while having links to the creation of the world’s first automobile is always useful. With an ever expanding range, that still maintains a premium perception, expect owners to keep declaring love for their ‘Benz.

4th – Land Rover

Further proof that sensible objective considerations like reliability and cost matter little when it comes to how someone feels about their car. Despite Land Rover languishing near the bottom of a recent dependability survey, and reports of electrical issues with new products, the owners surveyed by Auto Trader don’t seem to care. Fourth place for Land Rover demonstrates that sometimes subjectivity matters more when it comes to car ownership.

3rd – Lexus

What makes the top three place of Lexus even more impressive is remembering that this is the newest brand on this list, at less than three decades old. In that time, Toyota’s luxury arm has created a range of products with an obsessive attention to detail and a corresponding reputation for dependability. Third place for Lexus proves that reliability doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of emotion when it comes to how owners feel about their cars.

2nd – Jaguar

Jaguar has undergone a renaissance in the care of Tata Motors, ditching the retro influence across the product range but not forgetting the brand’s heritage. Products like the F-Pace and F-Type have generated substantial demand from the public, while the forthcoming E-Pace and I-Pace look set to continue that trend. Owners have clearly caught that buzz, with Jaguar leaping to second place here.

1st – Porsche

Congratulations, Porsche. Top spot on the list of most loved brands according to owners surveyed by Auto Trader. Whether a survey result matters to a company that has taken victory at Le Mans some 19 times, or is reported to be the most profitable car manufacturer on the planet, is a moot point really. All those factors are intrinsically linked, and most important here is that owners really do love their Porsches, whether it be diesel Macan or a 911 GT3.

The new Mini Electric Concept car will debut at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, giving us our first taste of how the British-built 2019 Mini Electric will look. And it’s an important car: “Mini and electrification make a perfect match,” says no less a man than BMW AG chairman Harald Krüger.

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First news: it’s clearly derived from today’s Mini Hatch, which is great news: it signifies BMW’s ambition for this to become a volume model, rather than a bespoke low-volume, high-cost bookend to the range. Deriving it from the regular Mini hatch also means volumes theoretically can be as high as the market demands.

It’s a Mini Hatch that’s been given a serious streamlining makeover, though. The Mini headlights and hexagonal grille are familiar, for example, but the grille itself has been reinterpreted to reflect there’s now no engine behind – it’s thus fully closed, for better aerodynamics. Soo too are the simulated air intakes in the front apron.

There’s a “Striking Yellow” accent bar within, carrying the to-be-familiar Mini ‘E’ badge, something neatly echoed by the LED running light in the headlights themselves. Further back, there’s a plethora of lightweight mounded fibreglass add-on parts to smooth the flow of the Mini Electric Concept through the air.

Front bumper air curtains feed into the bottom of the doors via a recessed air channel. this cleans up airflow over the wheels, something also aided by the unique design of the alloys themselves. 

Mini’s smoothed the appearance of the car itself too, by the use of matt exterior paint: only the ‘E’ logo above the front wheel is shiny. There’s more Striking Yellow detailing and, on top, a neat roof that transitions from matt white to high-floss yellow.

Note the recessed doorhandles, the smoothed-over Mini A-pillar panels, integrated rather than separate wheelarch spats, the lack of a fuel filler flap – all to smooth out the surfaces. Mini chiefs also suggest this could hint at how future Minis themselves look: less chrome sparkle, more simplicity. We shall see.

At the rear, it’s a minimalist Mini, shorn of add-ons such as rear wipers, exhaust pipes and stick-out downforce-inducing aero kit. Surfaces are instead clean and clear, with the rear apron carrying subtle air deflectors and fibreglass diffuser. Also note the Union Flag-style tail lamps, in homage to the divine Mini Rocketman concept of a few years back.

All the aero inlays have been made via 3D printing, something Mini’s keen to highlight for its potential to allow “small-run or individually personalised parts”… is this our first look at the next stage in Mini customisation?

Speaking of the car itself, BMW Group Design senior vice president Adrian van Hooydonk said the Mini Electric Concept’s surfaces “have a sense of precision and contemporary clarity about them that gives added impact to the car’s efficient character”. It is “a quintessential Mini… [but] conveys whole new take on the concept of sportiness”.

We’ve yet to see the inside: it seems it’s too early to talk about that. It’s also not yet saying what sort of electric drive system it has: performance and battery capacity thus remain unknown. Will we find out more in Frankfurt next month? Best come back to Motoring Research to see if we do – and to hear first-hand from the top brass at Mini itself…

Mini Electric Concept: in pictures

The new Bentley Continental GT is here at last – and boy, has Bentley been busy. Designed, engineered and built (sorry, ‘handcrafted’) here in Britain, the new model boasts a fully adaptive chassis using 48-volt Dynamic Ride System, an all-new 6.0-litre W12 TSI engine with 635hp, a new eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, cutting-edge Super Formed body tech and, above all, a deliciously indulgent interior.

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The new Continental GT will make its world debut at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show next month, where Bentley chairman and chief executive Wolfgang Durheimer will showcase what he says is “the pinnacle of our design and engineering achievements.

“We are the world leader in luxury mobility… the new Continental GT encapsulates our desire to innovate as well as celebrate our heritage and take the Bentley ownership experience to the next, unparalleled level.” Be in no doubt, the firm is heralding this as the definitive luxury GT car.

It has four more spacious seats and a bigger boot for “genuine real-world usability”, while “unrivalled” attention to detail delivers a properly posh cabin that’s “tailored specifically to the modern luxury customer”. And there’s no better showcase of this than the Bentley Rotating Display.

On one side, it has more of the wood veneer Bentley’s wood shop does so well. One smooth electronic rotation later, it has three watch-like analogue dials. Another whirr, and a lush, rich 12.3-inch touchscreen is yours to savour. Interior theatrics: Bentley’s got them nailed. And that’s not all…

New Bentley Continental GT: styling

The new Continental GT is a clear evolution of today’s model, but one given more of a contemporary reinterpretation than we perhaps expected (more than you’d get between generations of Porsche 911, for example). It’s clearly still the familiar Bentley luxo-GT so many know and love but, the more you look, the more you realise how much it’s been modernised and optimised. 

The front wheels are 135mm further forward, allowing Bentley to stretch the bonnet and lower the nose. It’s thus different in profile to the original, but still decidedly Conti GT: just follow the power line from the twin round headlights right across to the tight, muscular rear haunch for evidence of that.

The biggest styling evolution comes at the rear, where there are now ellipse-shaped tail lamps. They mimic the exhausts below, says Bentley: they also mimic the delicious EXP10 Speed 6 of recent years. Indeed, so too does much of the Conti GT’s newfound muscularity and sharp sculpting. Here’s hoping it still leaves room in the range for a Speed 6 itself…

Bentley’s also seriously proud of the new car’s LED Matrix headlights. All the internals are transparent, like “the finest cut-crystal glasses… with sharply defined edges that catch the light like a diamond”. It makes them look, says Bentley, like an illuminated gem: there’s even a welcome sequence that gently illuminates the headlights as you approach (although oddly, it’s a cost-option…).

Colours? Choose from 17, which apparently leads the luxury GT class for choice, and there’s another 15-colour portfolio for interior leather and carpets. What’s more, a number of launch cars will be offered in a further, limited, range of colours – but if you’re rich enough, a fully bespoke colour matching service is also offered.

New Bentley Continental GT: inside

The new Continental GT interior is, basically, going to make jaws drop, the firm says (it phrases it slightly differently, but you get the idea). The wood alone should do this: sporting dual veneers for the first time, there’s more than 10 square metres of wood inside each Continental GT, the assembly and fitting of which takes fully nine hours.

There are luxurious surfaces everywhere, with blinding attention to detail. Bentley uses pillow knurling for some switches and controls, for example: it’s softer and more refined than classic mechanical knurling. And diamond knurling delivers a luxurious feel to other surfaces: choose these new finishes on the vents, bezels and other controls. Bentley even now fits bronze inserts between surfaces on some controls: a “hidden delight,” it says.

Seats set new industry standards for comfort, it says, and can be clad in ‘diamond in diamond’ quilt. All the glass is laminated so their occupants enjoy an interior nine decibels quieter than before. Just the job to show off audio systems that, even as standard, comprise a 1,500-watt Bang & Olufsen setup. Pay to upgrade, and you can have a 2,200-watt Naim system.

New Bentley Continental GT: driving

Bentley is the world’s biggest producer of 12-cylinder engines. The new W12 TSI’s “benchmark” performance combines 635hp with 664lb ft of torque, for 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 207mph.

It’s greener than before, with Bentley Variable Displacement tech shutting down half the engine under light loads, and it’s even smoother than before thanks to a slick dual-mass flywheel. Should sir want to show off its accelerative talents, Sport Launch mode serves up split-second-perfect dashes at the press of a button (and the gentlemanly stomp of an accelerator pedal).

The old fixed-split all-wheel-drive system is upgraded to Active All-Wheel Drive, with fully variable torque splits that nevertheless uses rear-wheel drive as much as possible, both for efficiency and dynamics.  

The 48-volt suspension tech provides the electrical firepower to stop the new GT rolling through corners without spoiling its straight road air sprung comfort. Passengers are cushioned from excessive movement, says Bentley, but the driver also senses plenty of effortless precision. Moving the engine further back in the chassis also improves weight distribution and dynamics.

Bentley fits 21-inch wheels as standard, 22-inches as an option, and the front brakes are now even bigger still: their diameter is a staggering 420mm. That’s 16.5 inches!

New Bentley Continental GT: in pictures

The new Porsche Cayenne, revealed here ahead of its 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show debut, may not look completely new, but Porsche insists that it is: the “sports car amongst sports utility vehicles” is both sportier and comfier, as the firm moves its range-topping SUV further upmarket to give the smash-hit Macan further space to develop.

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Surprisingly, Porsche says the new Cayenne is more like a 911 than ever as well. How? Through some of its details: the use of mixed tyres, where the rears are wider than the fronts, for example. The availability of Cayenne-first rear-axle steering. Standard active all-wheel drive Porsche 4D Chassis Control, and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control electronic anti-roll for the S. Even the 911-look Sport Chrono Package steering wheel Mode button.

Oh, and like retro 1980s Rothmans-liveried Porsche 911 SCs, it will still genuinely go off-road – not that many owners are likely to exploit this (despite the new Offroad Precision App that details and films rough terrain). They’ll be more interested in on-road potency: Porsche delivers by ensuring even the cooking Cayenne S can go from 0-62mph in under five seconds.

Prices? The new Cayenne costs from £55,965, and the Cayenne S is priced from £68,330. Surprisingly, both are available to order right now; deliveries will begin April 2018.

New Porsche Cayenne: styling

It’s “new and yet familiar,” the 2018 Cayenne, acknowledges Porsche. Dimensionally, it’s 63mm longer (now just a smidgen under five metres) and 9mm lower; the 2,895mm wheelbase remains the same but the profile appears more streamlined. The wheels are an inch wider on both standard Cayenne and sportier Cayenne S – wider at the rear than the front, remember. They are at 19-inches in diameter as standard, up to 21-inches as an option.

Bigger front air intakes and horizontal light edges make it look wider; LED headlights are fitted to all new Cayenne, with the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDSL) offered as an option, so owners can boast of no fewer than 84 individual LED units: they respond actively to not glare oncoming traffic, and even ensure you’re not dazzled by the glare from reflective road signs.

At the rear, there are yet more LED light units, and a 3D Porsche logo that spans the interconnecting red LED strip between the units themselves. Behind it lies a massive 770-litre boot, a whopping 100 litres bigger than before. The Cayenne is still a five-seater: owners have zero interest in a seven-seat Porsche SUV.

New Porsche Cayenne: interior

Like the latest Panamera, the new Cayenne has been given a digitised interior makeover. The centrepiece is a 12.3-inch full HD touchscreen, which incorporates the latest Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system. Porsche Connect Plus online functionality is, needless to say, standard.

There are still some conventional buttons, but there are a lot more smartphone-like controls set within a glass-look touch surface: users get both acoustic and haptic feedback (you ‘feel’ a pulse when you operate them).

Porsche has retained its central analogue rev counter for the driver, but now fits two 7-inch HD displays either side, that are fully configurable. You can have retro-look dials, but also enjoy readouts from, say, a Night Vision Assist thermal imaging camera, or the surround view parking camera system. Audio? Depending on your budget, it comes from Bose or Burmester.

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New Porsche Cayenne: driving

The faster Cayennes are still to come: at launch, it’s either regular Cayenne or hotter Cayenne S (significant detail note: there’s no diesel at launch… will there be one at all?).

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The Cayenne has a 3.0-litre V6 turbo petrol, producing 340hp and 331lb ft of torque. That’s good for 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds, or 5.9 seconds if you choose the Sport Chrono option pack (most surely will). It is capable of 152mph; Porsche isn’t yet quoting economy or CO2 figures.

The Cayenne S has a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6, as already seen in the Panamera (and, ahem, the Audi RS5). Here, it’s tuned to put out 440hp and 405lb ft of torque, for a 5.2-second 0-62mph time that again drops to 4.9 seconds if you choose Sport Chrono. Drive regularly in Germany? You’ll find this one can do 164mph. Both have a new eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic with PTM Porsche Traction Management.

The new Cayenne is up to 65kg lighter than the current car, thanks to using both aluminium and steel in construction. The body, for example, is made entirely of aluminium. And Porsche’s chuffed to bits with its new lithium ion polymer battery, which alone cuts 10kg from the car’s weight. It all helps drop weight of the standard model down to below two tonnes for the first time.

Porsche 4D Chassis Control is standard, and the Cayenne S adds Porsche Active Suspension Management. You can optionally have adaptive air suspension plus, as mentioned, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (whose 48-volt electronics give it the necessary firepower) and rear axle steering to make the new Cayenne more manoeuvrable in town, more agile in corners and more stable at high speeds.

Porsche is renowned for its great brakes. With the new Cayenne, it’s offering Porsche Surface Coated Brake (PSCB) anchors for the first time. They comprise a cast iron disc with a tungsten carbide coating: benefits include more stopping power, less wear and, interestingly, less brake dust. For the moment, it’s Porsche exclusive tech, which can be spotted by the white brake calipers and, once run in, the ultra-shiny disc surfaces.

New Porsche Cayenne: in pictures

BMW has updated the i3 range with a crisp new look and a hot new range-topper, the i3S. The new model line will make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show and go on sale from November. Prices will start from £34,070, £1,000 more than today’s model, but still from under £30,000 once the Plug-in Car Grant is factored in.

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The new range is based around the 94Ah (33kWh) battery, which has now been standardised across the range (the REX range-extender kit is offered as an option). The regular i3 produces the same 170hp as before; the i3S ups it to 184hp, for a cut in 0-62mph time from 7.3 seconds to a hot hatch-like 6.9 seconds. 

The i3S also gets a sporty chassis makeover, with a 40mm wider rear track, bigger 20-inch alloys, 10mm lower ride height plus bespoke springs, dampers and anti-roll bars. ASC stability control is revised, Dynamic Traction Control allows “mild and safely controllable drifts”, there’s a sport setting for the steering and a sport mode to configure the entire car with a suitably racy feel. 

The i3S will go faster before its speed limiter kicks in: 99mph rather than 93mph. And BMW says modified electric motor control, which uses bespoke taper roller bearings, optimises power delivery at high motor rpm – at its limits, there’s a 40 percent improvement in power and torque. 

Explore its more dynamic traits and you may well need to recharge it more often; BMW’s improved this too, by offering the latest BMW i Wallbox and charging cable. This charges the i3 up more quickly; BMW says 112 miles of range can be added in less than three hours – five times faster than a domestic plug socket. 

Claimed range for the i3S, according to the NEDC test cycle, is 174 miles; for the regular i3, it’s between 180 and 186 miles.

2018 BMW i3 and i3S: styling and interior

The big change at the front of the 2018 i3 is the standardisation of full LED headlights. This sees the old round halogen main beam lamps replaced by LED indicator strips which, along with new front bumpers, give the front end a crisper, cleaner look. The i3S takes this a step further: its bumper has black outboard inserts with colour strips inset. You can also get a two-tone effect with a black bonnet option. 

There’s a new bumper at the back, which is widened on the i3S to reflect its wider track. There’s a neat visual trick at play here as well: BMW fits the tailgate badges further outboard on the i3S, to make it appear broader. 

Choose from two new-for-2018 colours pictured here: Melbourne Red and Imperial Blue. 

Inside, BMW’s latest touchscreen iDrive system is fitted. It has a 10.25-inch screen, tile-based menu structure and standard Apple CarPlay. There’s a broader range of connected services too, some of which hook into EV-specific systems so you can, for example, closely monitor and control charging remotely. 

Prices are up by around £1,000. They start from £34,070 for the i3, and £36,975 for the i3S. Both models are eligible for a category 1 government Plug-in Car Grant, taking £4,500 off what you pay for both: the i3 thus costs from £29,570, and the i3S, £32,475. 

2018 BMW i3 and i3S: in pictures

Volkswagen has built its 150 millionth car, 81 years after series production of the Type 1 Beetle began. And fittingly, the 150 millionth car is a Golf: since its launch in 1974, Volkswagen has built more than 34 million of them.

The 150 millionth VW was a blue Golf GTE, assembled at the original Wolfsburg factory in Germany – Volkswagen now has more than 50 factories in 14 countries, a key factor in accelerating it towards the 150 million total.

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Wolfsburg has alone still produced 44 million Volkswagens though, and other long-running VW model lines also boast big numbers: the firm has built 20 million Passats, 19.5 million Jettas and 17 million Polos.

When production finally ceased in Mexico in 2013, the firm revealed total production of its original Beetle had reached 21.5 million.

Naturally, bosses organised a presentation on the production line in Wolfsburg, attended by CEO Dr. Herbert Diess. “I see the 150 millionth Volkswagen as an incentive to do everything to ensure a good future for Volkswagen,” he said.

The firm, currently still battling to restore its reputation in the wake of the dieselgate scandal, is now planning a future focused heavily on electric cars. Its new I.D. family of EVs will be built on an all-new electric car architecture, with the first model hitting the road in 2020.

By 2025, Volkswagen plans to hit the 1 million mark for electric cars. Meanwhile, it will also launch 10 new cars in 2017, and says it will offer a total of 19 new SUVs by 2020.  

Guy Martin is hanging up his motorcycle racing leathers (and truck mechanic overalls) this weekend – to don a set of Williams Martini Racing F1 fireproofs and join its pit crew for the Belgian Grand Prix. 

Martin has already reportedly visited the Williams F1 HQ in Grove, Oxfordshire, to be drilled on the tasks he’s set to undertake: it seems being in an F1 pit crew is far from just attending to the racers during pit stops. 

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The team says Martin’s jobs will start before the race weekend even begins. First, he will help the car crew build up the Williams FW40 racing car from its various disassembled pieces stored in the team’s trucks. Then, he’ll join the team for Friday’s two 90-minute practice sessions, another hour’s practice on Saturday, before the three-stage qualifying session.

Martin will also take part in the race itself, looking after drivers Felipe Massa and Lance Stroll’s cars. It’s not yet clear what Martin’s duties will be during the pitstops, but the team has already underlined the pressure he’ll be under: it currently holds the record for the fastest F1 pitstop of 2017, with an amazing 2.02-second turnaround during the British Grand Prix. 

Williams adds that Martin will also have to hang around at the end of the race. Stripping the cars, taking down the garage and packing everything into the trucks takes “at least” 10 hours once the chequered flag has been waved. 

“Guy will, of course, stay to the end.” 

Martin has had a dramatic racing season so far in 2017, with a nasty crash during the Isle of Man TT leading to his withdrawal from the event and, in turn, him stepping down from the Honda Racing team. It was even suggested he may retire from motorcycle racing completely, but Martin has since clarified that he only meant stepping down from road racing. 

“Racing’s been good to me, but I’m bored of it,” he said. Being an F1 mechanic is a new challenge we’re certain to hear more about during this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix…

The new Volkswagen T-Roc is VW’s long-awaited rival to the Nissan Qashqai crossover SUV, a model that it believes “sets a new benchmark in the booming SUV segment”. Ordering begins in September 2017 and European deliveries will start in November.

• September 2017 new car offers: your complete guide

Volkswagen punchily says the T-Roc will compete in the €20,000 class in Germany: while it’s unlikely to have a starting price from £18,500 in the UK, it will still go head-to-head with the Nissan on price. 

Pleasingly, the new T-Roc has very distinctive styling that’s a real contrast to the sober, discreet Golf it’s derived from. Bulging, sharp-edged wheelarches, flowing roofline and a very distinctive front end are all certain to ensure it stands out within an ever-growing sector; for once, Volkswagen hasn’t watered things down from previous exciting-looking concepts. 

This should help Volkswagen snare a strong share of the huge small SUV market, which it predicts will grow from 6.4 million units today, to a whopping 10.6 million by 2027. It’s going to be sold globally, with the focus on Europe and China because almost 80 percent of small SUVs are sold.

Volkswagen says that, along with Tiguan, Touareg and the not-for-Europe Atlas and Teramont, the T-Roc completes its SUV range (for now, at least). The name itself is interesting, too: the firm cheerily admits it’s been derived from the word ‘rock’… before telling us it “really rocks the segment – sometimes louder and sometimes more subdued”. Cringe. 

Volkswagen T-Roc: in detail

The new Volkswagen T-Roc is, at 4,234mm long, 252mm shorter than the Tiguan. It’s 1,819mm wide and 1,573mm tall. The boot is 445 litres with the seats up, 1,290 litres with them folded, which Volkswagen’s calculator suggests is “one of the largest luggage compartments in its class”. 

Six engines will be offered: 1.0 TSI 115, 1.5 TSI 150 and 2.0 TSI 190 petrols, 1.6 TDI 115 and 2.0 TDI 150 or 190 diesels. The lower-power ones are front-wheel drive, with 4Motion available on the punchier ones. Six-speed manual or DSG autos, too. It’s pretty much as per the Tiguan. 

Volkswagen is pleased as punch with its new trim range, which it says follows the Arteon in comprising a ‘Y’ structure: basically, base, then either a stylish or a sporty one, with roughly equivalent equipment levels. In the UK, it’s likely to deploy Elegance and R-Line badges respectively for these trims. 

All models get a 6.5-inch touchscreen, with posher variants getting an 8.0-inch glass-covered setup. Volkswagen’s latest virtual instrument binnacles will be optional: it calls them ‘new generation Active Info Displays’. The 300-watt Beats premium audio system should go down well with the kids, too. 

And if you want to make your T-Roc even more distinctive-looking, you’re in luck: the ‘style’ trim (that’s Elegance, remember) will have a bi-colour design as standard, offering a choice of three different roof colours. A decided break from the traditional Volkswagen past, and sure to be a popular, standout choice. You can’t get contrast roof colours on a Qashqai now, can you?