The sale of Vauxhall/Opel from General Motors to PSA Group has been completed ahead of what Opel chief Michael Lohscheller is describing as a “historic day”.
The deal makes PSA the second biggest car manufacturer in Europe behind Volkswagen Group, accounting for a market share of 17 percent.
“We are proud to join Groupe PSA and are now opening a new chapter in our history after 88 years with General Motors,” said Lohscheller. “We will continue our path of making technology `made in Germany´ available to everyone. The combination of our strengths will enable us to turn Opel and Vauxhall into a profitable and self-funded business. We have set ourselves the clear target of returning to profitability by 2020.”
PSA announced plans to buy Vauxhall and sister company Opel in March as part of a £1.9 billion deal. Since then, speculation about the future of Vauxhall’s UK plants in Luton and Ellesmere Port has been rife – with the company refusing to comment about potential job losses.
Cost cutting and streamlining is a priority for the firm’s new owners, though, with a goal of two percent profit by 2020 and six percent by 2026.
PSA chairman Carlos Tavares said: “We are witnessing the birth of a true European champion today. We will assist Opel and Vauxhall’s return to profitability and aim to set new industry benchmarks together. We will unleash the power of these iconic brands and the huge potential of its existing talents. Opel will remain German, Vauxhall will remain British. They are the perfect fit to our existing portfolio of French brands Peugeot, Citroën and DS Automobiles.”
As the deal comes to a close, PSA has announced a number of new appointments for its management team.
Christian Müller, previously vice president global propulsion systems – Europe and with Opel since 1996, succeeds William F. Bertagni as vice president engineering.
Rémi Girardon, previously senior vice president group industrial strategy at PSA, will succeed Philip R. Kienle as vice president of manufacturing.
Philippe de Rovira, previously group controller at PSA, replaces Michael Lohscheller as chief financial officer.
Michelle Wen, group supply chain management network director at Vodafone procurement, will be joining the Opel leadership team, replacing Katherine Worthen as vice president of purchasing and supply chain.
PSA has been working with Opel/Vauxhall since 2012. The first collaboration, the Vauxhall Crossland X, is now on sale, with the Grandland X SUV set to follow later in the year.
We only have ourselves to blame. Ever since the last Peugeot 205 GTI rolled off the production line in 1994, we’ve been lauding it as the greatest hot hatch of all time: a never-to-be repeated special from the glory days of the manic hatchback.
Peugeot created some terrific follow-up acts – the GTI and Rallye versions of the 106 and 306 were absolute gems – but these were largely forgotten beyond enthusiast circles, leaving the 205 GTI to be proclaimed as some kind of automotive demigod.
This reputation has been cemented by a succession of gushing articles, to the point at which a low-mileage 205 GTI can sell at auction for £38,480, and nobody is really surprised. That’s knocking on the door of £40k for a car that is hardly on the endangered list.
To the 4,800 or so people who have a 205 GTI sat in their garage, it might be time to fix those jobs you’ve been planning for a few years. To the 1,300 people enjoying life with a taxed and tested example, you might want to adjust the agreed value on your insurance policy.
More retro cars on MR:
BMW M3 CSL review: Retro Road Test
Honda Insight review: Retro Road Test
Peugeot 205 Rallye review: Retro Road Test
The lion’s king?
Some context: at the same Silverstone Auctions sale, a Porsche 968 Clubsport and a BMW M5 each sold for circa £30,000, while the hammer fell on a Lotus Elise S1 with 1,633 miles on the clock for £24,750. Each one guaranteed to be included in a barroom chat about the world’s best drivers’ cars.
That’s not to say the 205 GTI isn’t worthy of the plaudits and accolades bestowed upon it. You need only spend a few minutes behind the wheel to understand the hype. It is, undoubtedly, one of the best of its breed. Whether it’s the best is a matter of opinion. It’s not even clear if the 1.6 or 1.9 is the lion’s king.
As for the price, while a raised eyebrow is a justifiable response, who are we to say that what is essentially a showroom-fresh 205 GTI isn’t worth the equivalent of two Ford Fiesta STs? Nostalgia is a wonderful thing and, as we’re about to discover, it’s creating some remarkable auction results.
We’re in this situation thanks to a number of factors, most notably low interest rates and the fact that new cars are available for less than most people spend on their monthly groceries. With more disposable income, 30- and 40-somethings can purchase what they couldn’t afford to buy (or insure) when they were new. Hey, and best of all, you can look at it as an investment.
Only you shouldn’t. Cars, especially driver-focused examples, are there to be driven and enjoyed. And while the first £50,000 Peugeot 205 GTI looks worryingly likely, history shows that classic car booms have a tendency to go bust rather abruptly. That investment might disappear quicker than a lift-off-oversteering hot hatch into a hedge.
Here are four of the most eye-watering prices at the Silverstone Auctions sale. And there’s not a premium badge in sight.
Peugeot 205 GTI: £38,480
We’ve been here before. In August 2016, a 1989 205 GTI sold at the Silverstone Classic auction for a then-record £30,938. With just 7,986 miles on the clock, it demonstrated that low mileage is a factor when shifting modern classics for a hefty price.
Fast-forward 12 months and the 1988 205 GTI sold for £38,480. Again, mileage is a factor, as this example – originally registered to Peugeot Talbot Motor Company and used as a competition prize – has a mere 5,726 miles on the clock.
Ford Capri 280 ‘Brooklands’: £55,125
Fast Fords are riding the same wave as the Peugeot 205 GTI, with the blue collar heroes achieving some truly remarkable figures. In March 2016, a Capri 280 ‘Brooklands’ with 936 miles on the clock sold for £54,000.
The restored example on offer at the Silverstone Classic sale sold for £55,125, despite having 14,680 miles under its wheels. There was a time, not too long ago, when five figures was a lot for a Capri. Today, you seemingly need to part with at least £50,000 for an excellent example of the last-of-the-line special.
Which is ironic, given the fact that Ford struggled to sell the Capri 280 for just under £12,000. Buyers were able to see through what was essentially a cosmetic upgrade based on the 2.8i Special, and many examples were left languishing in Ford showrooms.
I like the Capri 280, so much so that I bought one a dozen or so years ago. At the time they were relatively cheap – I paid £3,000 for my one-owner example – with the Capri still suffering the after-effects of a severe image crisis.
Watching values of even the lowly four-cylinder models climb ever higher is hard to take for someone who took a great deal of flak for driving Capris before they were cool. Or maybe it’s the fact that I sold my 280 for just £3,500. Ouch.
Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth: £114,750
Regardless of how you feel about a Ford Sierra costing well in excess of £100k, it’s relatively easy to justify the seemingly inflated figure. The RS500 Cosworth is dripping in homologation provence and a mere 500 road cars were built.
Each one was built by Tickford, with car number 387, as sold in the Silverstone Auctions sale, leaving the factory on 28 July 1987. This is no mass-production hot hatch or last-of-the-line special: the RS500 is a motorsport thoroughbred with an enviable competition history.
But, yes, it’s still a Ford Sierra for £115k…
Vauxhall Lotus Carlton: £72,000
Lotus Carlton values are rising faster than you can say ‘an outrageous invitation to speed’. Again, mileage and condition has played a significant part in the auction price, with car number 28 having just 4,500 miles on the clock. Another example, with 73,000 miles on the clock, sold for £23,625 at the same auction.
Bargain Hunt
If the media and auction houses are to be believed, the chances of securing an affordable modern classic are slimmer than finding a genuine barn-find on eBay. But before you cry into your can of Tab Clear, the Silverstone Classic sale demonstrates that all isn’t lost.
Take the Lotus Elise S1 with 1,633 miles on the clock. An auction price of £24,750 is seemingly a good deal for one of the first off the line, and is certainly cheaper than a brand new Elise. Good value? We think so.
Other performance ‘bargains’ include a Bentley Turbo R with 27,189 miles on the clock (£8,437), Bentley Arnage Red Label (£16,310), BMW 3.0 CSI (£31,500), Alfa Romeo RZ (£42,750) and Fiat 1000 Abarth TC (£13,500). It’s all relative, of course, but a super-rare and super-exotic RZ looks like good value at £42k.
The question is, will the current boom continue for the foreseeable future? The evidence suggests that the most in-demand modern classics will continue to hold their value, most notably those with ultra-low mileages, competition history or performance pedigree. Fast Fords, Peugeot 205 GTIs, Saab 900 Turbos, Porsche 944s, German saloons and the like are examples of cars likely to ride out a future dip in the market.
For now, some thinking outside the box is required in order to secure a modern classic for a realistic price. Think Citroens of the 80s and 90s, performance Renaults, Type Rs, late MR2s, V6 and V8 barges: there are bargains to be found in the classifieds.
In the meantime, it’s time to grow accustomed to a world in which mass-produced hot hatches of the 80s sell for £40k and the hammer falls on Ford Capris for £50k. Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.
History is peppered with brilliant fast Fords: the Escort RS Cosworth, Sierra RS Cosworth, GT40, RS200… All are fully deserving of their huge following – and, most of the time, the crazy prices they tend to command.
If, like me, you’re a fan of the underdog, you’ll be pleased to read that two of the best fast Fords ever can be bought with a much more modest budget. The first is the Racing Puma – a frantic 155hp baby coupe that tussles with the Honda Integra Type R for the title of the best handling front-wheel-drive car of the 90s. But only 500 ever left the production line, and far fewer remain. Most of the tidy ones are being tightly held onto by owners hoping fast Ford mania soon extends to the FRP. And a cheap, rusty example is just asking for heartache.
So that leaves just one affordable fast Ford that you should actually spend your money on: the seventh-generation Fiesta ST. Although production of this model has only just ended (its replacement is imminent), it’s already won a place in our hearts as one of the best fast Fords ever made.
And the good news is: prices are incredibly reasonable. Just £7,500 will buy you a mid-range 2013 ST-2 with high miles, while around £10,000 offers a range of tidy ST-2 and 3s (the latter comes with luxuries such as sat-nav and cruise control). Stretch to £15,000 and you can get a pre-registered factory-fresh example.
So why should I buy one?
For one last hurrah, we took the outgoing Fiesta ST to North Wales to remind ourselves what’s so good about it. Honestly, first impressions? We struggled to remember what all the hype was about. You sit far too high in the Recaro seats, a hot hatch trademark, and the interior is downmarket at best. Although the majority of ST buyers opt for higher-spec versions, we reckon there’s a lot to be said for choosing the entry-level ST and doing without the next-to-useless sat-nav.
Now that the negatives are out of the way, we can get on with reporting how fantastically fun the ST is to drive. The eager 1.6-litre engine produces 200hp on overboost (that drops to 182hp should you keep full throttle for more than 15 seconds… good luck), and that’s pretty much exactly the right amount of power for a car of this size, without being overwhelming. If you do want a little more, tuning company Mountune will increase that to 215hp for around £650 – and the conversion is approved by Ford, so won’t void your warranty.
As standard, turbo lag is barely noticeable, with linear power delivery pretty much all the way up to the 6,500rpm redline. But it’s not the engine which makes this car one of the best fast Fords ever. Its eager handling is up there with the Racing Puma – so keen to turn in, with its electronically-assisted steering willing to keep the driver informed. Usually, the steering is begging for more – go on the power mid-bend, expecting it to the run wide, and power is shifted between the front wheels via Ford’s enhanced torque vectoring control and it tightens up in a way that defies physics. Its unflappable.
A post shared by Andrew Brady (@theandrewbrady) on
Combine that impressive engine with, frankly, amazing handling, and – to top it all off – a pleasingly-slick six-speed ’box and you’ve got one of the best hot hatches ever sold. Fortunately, plenty have been sold – unlike the Racing Puma – meaning they’ll be affordable for a while yet.
However, with its replacement going down the three-pot turbo route, we suspect the outgoing Fiesta ST is the one that will go down in history as one of the great fast Fords. Forget the Escort Cosworth, this is the car we’ll be reminiscing about in 2040.
What should I look out for?
Check the bodywork for signs of crash damage. Do all the panels line up with minimal gaps? Are they all the same shade? Fiesta STs often suffer from stone chips to the front – if they’ve been repaired, has the job been done well?
The standard 17-inch wheels are prone to damage from kerbing. While this can be repaired, be cautious of how a car’s been looked after if all four wheels are badly kerbed. It might also be a sign of more serious suspension issues – for example, the steering geometry might be out of alignment.
As standard, the Fiesta ST comes with Bridgestone tyres. This is a performance car and you want premium, matching tyres all round.
Inside, check everything works and look for wear – especially to the seat bolsters, which might suffer if the car’s been driven by a larger person.
Potential plutocrat? Budding billionaire? We’ve found the car for you. The 2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom promises to be the most comfortable, opulent and downright indulgent way to waft from board meeting to private jet. So what’s new?
‘Phantom’ is the longest-running model name in motoring. The first Phantom was launched in 1925 as the successor to the Silver Ghost. This is the eighth-generation car (“motor car” in R-R speak) and its design draws heavily on the 2003 Phantom VII – the first Rolls developed under BMW.
Looking leaner
See the new Phantom in the metal though, as we did at the world debut in London, and it looks leaner and more muscular. It’s even – dare we say it? – subtly sporty. Rolls’ traditional ‘Pantheon’ grille is integrated into the bodywork for the first time, framed by more curvaceous headlights with frosted glass internals.
The Phantom is still huge, of course (even 22-inch alloys look slightly lost in those wheelarches), but its side-profile is more dynamic, with a sweeping roofline and tapering tail. Bountiful quantities of hand-polished stainless steel adorn the grille, door handles and window-surrounds, making the car sparkle under studio lights.
Ideal for state occasions
Underpinning the new Phantom is a new aluminium spaceframe. This, the company says, will be “scalable to the size and weight requirements of different future Rolls-Royce models, including those with different propulsion, traction and control systems.” Reading between the lines, that includes the forthcoming four-wheel-drive Cullinan SUV. It’s also 30 percent stiffer than the outgoing Phantom’s chassis.
The engine is new, too: a 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12 that develops 571 horsepower and a mighty 664 lb ft of torque at 1,700 rpm. With an eight-speed automatic gearbox linked to the sat nav for anticipatory shifts, Rolls promises “near-silence” in the cabin and the “calm low-speed progress associated with state occasions.” All you need are a set of flags for the front wings.
No performance figures have been quoted yet, but expect a marked improvement on the old car (sorry, “motor car”), which managed 0-62 mph in 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 149 mph. Adequate, then.
A mobile art gallery
Open the Phantom’s huge, heavy doors – rear-hinged at the rear, as before – and you’re greeted with the pièce de résistance. “The Gallery” runs the full-width of the dashboard and is a glass-fronted, hermetically-sealed space where owners can “curate” their own bespoke artworks.
Two examples were displayed at the Phantom reveal. “Immortal Beauty” by Nymphenburg is an intricate display of porcelain flowers, while “Digital Soul” by Thorsten Franck is the map of an owner’s DNA recreated in 24-carat gold. We’d question the impact the latter would have on resale value, though…
Naturally, most Phantom owners will be sat in the back, where they can enjoy the largest version yet of R-R’s twinkling Starlight Headliner, heated side and centre armrests, plus a drinks cabinet stocked with whisky glasses and champagne flutes.
If you have to ask…
Deliveries of the new Rolls-Royce Phantom start in 2018, so get saving now.
Predictably, there’s no word yet on prices, but around £350,000 ($460,000 in the United States) seems likely. Beyond that, with the number of bespoke options available, the only the limit is your bank balance. Time to dream big.
It’s 25 years since the top flight of English football went all champagne and prawn sandwiches, with the birth of the Premier League. Since then, much has changed, and not just matters on the pitch.
Television revenue has transformed the game, with enough cash floating around to make Premier League players some of the richest sportsmen in the world. As a result, most top-flight footballers can afford to take their pick of the cars available in the lavish showrooms of West London and Cheshire.
And yet, the most popular car purchased on finance by Premier League footballers has a relatively modest starting price of £30,760: the Range Rover Evoque. Quite a surprise, given the fact that the average Premier League salary is £2.4 million.
But is it such a big shock? May we suggest that the Evoque is just one of a stable of cars earned by each footballer: the ‘tender’ to a fleet of land-yachts and exotics. The ideal car for the school run or nipping into town for a packet of Match Attax.
The other cars on the list are more predictable: Lamborghini Aventador, Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, Bentley Bentayga and Jeep Wrangler Kahn Sahara, to pick just a few from the top 10.
It’s all a far cry from the days when Gary Lineker could be seen turning up for training at Leicester City’s Filbert Street ground in a dealer-supplied Fiat Uno or Fiat Strada. Or when Liverpool’s John Barnes became the first player in England to earn £10,000 a week, kickstarting the era of crazy football wages.
Fast forward to the 2016-2017 season and Liverpool’s highest earner was Philippe Coutinho on £150,000 a week, while former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney topped the table on a staggering £300,000 a week.
Forget a sponsored Ford SportKa, because today, Wayne Rooney could afford to buy every single SportKa in the country, sort out the inevitable rust around the filler cap and wheelarches, before handing them back to their previous owners. Now that he has returned to Goodison Park, we think he should recreate this photo, just for old times’ sake.
Footballers with finance
But with Premier League players earning so much, why are so many cars bought on finance? After all, Wayne Rooney could afford to buy an Evoque Convertible using the money he earns in one day.
Darren Selig, CEO and co-founder at JBR Capital, explained: “The highest-earning premiership players can bring in six-figure salaries each week and could buy many of the cars on this list easily without finance, but like regular motorists, it pays to be smart and they are increasingly savvy in their financial affairs.
“Footballers want the monthly cost of the loan to be as low as possible, so they can remain flexible. They would rather spend large sums on investments such as property, and do not want to overextend their budget with outright purchases. They also generally run finance deals from two to four years, as these allow them the most flexibility.”
The top 10 list of cars bought on finance, in full:
Sales of new petrol and diesel-engined cars will be banned in 2040, the UK government is expected to announce today. The measures are part of its new clean strategy that aims to bring UK air quality in line with EU targets.
Uncertainty remains, however, on whether the ban is for all new petrol and diesel cars, or only those lacking some form of electric assist, such as hybrids or plug-in hybrids.
Existing cars already on the road will not be banned from use.
The ban of new petrol and diesel cars will be part of a £3 billion air quality package, which will include a fund for local councils to tackle pollution hotspots. This will include rephasing traffic lights, altering ‘traffic calming’ measures such as mini roundabouts and speed humps, and cleaning up local bus fleets with retrofit emissions technology.
Environment secretary Michael Gove will announce the government’s air quality plan later today. It will follow a similar announcement by the French government two weeks ago. Swedish carmaker Volvo also hit the headlines recently, by announcing it would only sell electrified new cars from as soon as 2019.
Air pollution is estimated to cause 40,000 premature deaths in the UK: a government spokesman told the BBC it was “the biggest environmental risk” to public health. “This government is determined to take strong action in the shortest time possible.”
There is also speculation a scrappage scheme for older polluting models may be introduced later in the year, possibly in time for an expected autumn Budget.
Last week, Britain’s first all-electric new car showroom was opened in Milton Keynes. Motoring Research was there at the opening, that transport minister Jesse Norman said would help knock down a whole series of myths about buying an electric car. “That makes it much easier to think about buying one.”
Ferrari is determined not to let its 70th anniversary pass without fanfare. The Prancing Horse is galloping around the world, with a series of events designed to mark 70 years of the world’s favourite supercar brand.
In the UK, Ferrari is the midst of a nationwide tour of the official dealer network, with the London leg the most high profile event since the Goodwood Festival of Speed. We have the photos.
Taking centre stage on its own podium was a limited edition LaFerrari Aperta, which is essentially a LaFerrari with less roof. Power is sourced from the same 6,262cc naturally-aspirated V12 engine, with a 0-62mph time of sub three seconds and a top speed in excess of 217mph.
Star of the show
The London event was organised by luxury dealer group H.R. Owen, which assembled 70 Ferraris to mark the occasion. A total of 200 LaFerrari Apertas will be built, with H.R. Owen advertising one for sale via its website. If you have to ask the price…
Waterloo Place
H.R. Owen’s customer cars lined up on Waterloo Place in a gathering that’s said to be the largest of its kind ever to grace London. It’s not everyday you see 70 Ferraris in one place.
If your name’s not down…
The dealer group pulled a few strings to arrange the closure of one of London’s busiest roads, giving its customers an easy route to Waterloo Place. “The group is forever giving back to its customers,” said Ferrari, as if owning one of its cars isn’t enough.
Red and black
London is famous for its red buses and black cabs, but Waterloo Place played host to a sea of red and black Ferraris. A feast for the eyes of the smartphone generation.
A party with atmosphere
“The Waterloo Place event really got things going in style,” said the dealer group. “We had some truly amazing models lining up for media, members of the public and enthusiasts to see, with a friendly and lively atmosphere that really portrayed what H.R. Owen is all about.”
Ferraris in convoy
Having left Waterloo Place, the Ferraris formed a convoy for a drive out of London and into the countryside.
Ferrari 488 GTB
A Ferrari 488 GTB follows a 488 Spider out of London. The Spider is factory-fresh, having been registered in mid July. Not a bad way to christen your new motor.
Ferrari F430 Spider
As befitting of an event celebrating the heritage of Ferrari, not all of the cars on display were from the current range. The F430 Spider still cuts a mean figure, although bad news was to follow for this driver, when, two days later, the 2007 car failed its MOT.
To Buckinghamshire
The Ferraris made their way, flags and all, to Buckinghamshire, with the crowds and congestion only serving to slow things down. Still, 30 miles in traffic is still 30 miles behind the wheel of a Ferrari.
Hedsor House
The destination: Hedsor House, for champagne, canapes, a BBQ and another opportunity to take some photos.
BMW has confirmed it will build an all-electric version of its popular Mini Hatch in Oxford – despite previous threats that it would shift production to mainland Europe if Britain left the EU.
Production of the electric Mini will start at the firm’s Plant Oxford in 2019, giving buyers the choice of petrol and diesel internal combustion engines as well as a plug-in hybrid and a battery electric vehicle. The electric powertrain, meanwhile, will be built in Bavaria before being shipped to the UK to be fitted to the car.
“BMW Group Plants Dingolfing and Landshut play a leading role within our global production network as the company’s global competence centre for electric mobility,” said BMW’s board member for production, Oliver Zipse.
“Our adaptable production system is innovative and able to react rapidly to changing customer demand. If required, we can increase production of electric drivetrain motor components quickly and efficiently, in line with market developments.”
Essentially, if demand for electric cars escalates as it’s predicted to, it’ll be easy enough to transfer resources from petrol and diesel models if the cars are built in the same factory.
BMW Group says it expects electrified vehicles to account for 15-25% of sales by 2025, but factors such as regulation and the charging infrastructure will influence their success in the near future.
The announcement is good news for the 4,500 workers employed at the manufacturer’s Cowley site in Oxford. Previously, BMW had suggested it might move production of its Mini model elsewhere following Brexit. Speaking to the BBC, a spokesman said BMW “neither sought nor received” any reassurances from the UK government on post-Brexit trading arrangements.
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: “This is a huge and totally deserved boost to a world class workforce that has endured a tough few months.
“Around the world and for generations the Mini means made in Britain. With the electric Mini being built in Cowley the tradition continues but with the added bonus that this is one of the important innovations of tomorrow.”
Transporting a family is hard work at the best of times, but trying to do it on a budget is even tougher. Fortuntely, trying to be fiscally responsible doesn’t mean you have to compromise on a new car – as these 12 choices demonstrate.
As one of the cheapest cars on sale in the UK, the Dacia Duster is perfect for embracing automotive austerity. There’s genuine off-road ability and its looks are pleasingly utilitarian, rather than needlessly overstyled. The interior is equally spartan, but it means you can let kids and dogs go wild, and fill the 451 litres of boot space without concern.
The Access model is priced from £9,495, and really is budget motoring: a radio is not even standard. You’ll have to adjust your wing mirrors manually, but at least the windows are operated electrically. Move further up the range and you’ll get sat nav and air conditioning included, but the Duster makes the most sense bought as cheaply as possible.
Dacia Logan MCV Stepway: from £11,495
The regular Dacia Logan MCV is a cheap and cheerful compact estate, but moving up to the Stepway version adds extra glamour with off-road-ready bodywork. Think of this as a very cut-price alternative to the Audi A4 Allroad or Volvo V60 Cross Country. Although with 1,518 litres of boot space with the seats down, the MCV Stepway is actually more practical than those premium machines.
With a starting price of £11,495, the Logan MCV Stepway might seem pricey for a Dacia, but you do gain a more substantial level of specification. Parking sensors, air conditioning and even satellite navigation come as part of the deal in Laureate trim, while there is a choice of petrol or diesel engines.
Suzuki Baleno: from £11,999
Created as a larger alternative for buyers who have outgrown the Swift supermini, the Baleno offers up a decent combination of price and practicality. It’s big on interior space, with plenty of room for those up-front and for rear passengers. The boot can also hold 320 litres of luggage: on par with the bigger Ford Focus.
Suzuki offers a comprehensive standard specification across the Baleno range, with even the £11,999 entry-level SZ3 packed full of features: DAB radio, air conditioning, automatic headlights and even a leather-covered steering wheel are all there. SZ3 trim means you only get the 1.2-litre petrol engine, though. You’ll need to spend an extra £2,000 to get your hands on the superb 1.0-litre turbocharged Boosterjet engine.
Nissan Pulsar: from £13,275
While the Juke and Qashqai crossovers take all the Nissan limelight, the hatchback Pulsar is left in the shadows. This is a conventional family hatch in the truest sense of the word, bringing nothing revolutionary to the segment. That doesn’t have to be a bad thing, though – especially if you happen to have children with rather long legs.
Yes, the Pulsar has the largest amount of rear legroom in the entire C-segment hatchback class: enough to shame much bigger cars. It’s also competitive in terms of boot space, beating the omnipresent Volkswagen Golf with 385 litres. The cheapest 1.2-litre turbo Visia model includes air conditioning, cruise control, and Bluetooth connectivity, all for the bargain price of £13,275.
Citroën C4 Cactus: from £13,770
Proof that family motoring on a shoestring doesn’t have to be dull, the styling of the C4 Cactus is divisive, but undoubtedly quirky. Yet it is also practical, with the trademark Airbumps helping protect the bodywork from errant car doors and shopping trolleys. Drivers benefit from the commanding view created by the raised ride height, although rear passengers have to contend with windows that only pop open.
Stylish utilitarianism is the name of the game with the C4 Cactus, with a standard touchscreen display controlling almost all functions and cutting the dashboard button count down to virtually zero. Entry-level Touch models are rather sparse on kit, but do at least gain electric front windows, DAB radio, and cruise control as standard. Air conditioning isn’t even optional on Touch trim – worth bearing in mind given those pop-out rear windows.
Suzuki Vitara: from £14,999
Forget the Vitara from the late 1980s and early 1990s. There are no ultra-wide bodykits or rhino-branded spare wheel covers here. Today the Vitara is a family-friendly compact SUV, with a practical interior and a driving experience far more fun than you would ever believe. It might not have the biggest boot, at just 375 litres, but overall space is good for young families.
For a pound less than £15,000, you’ll be getting the Vitara in SZ4 specification. It means you miss out on the touchscreen multimedia system offered higher up the range, but do still get a DAB radio, cruise control, automatic air conditioning, and 16in alloy wheels. SZ4 trim limits engine options to just one: a 1.6-litre petrol with 120hp driving just the front wheels. Best keep your off-roading aspirations to a minimum, then.
Kia Cee’d: from £15,365
The existing Kia Cee’d has been around since 2012, with an all-new version planned for next year. That doesn’t mean you should discount the current Cee’d though, as it still offers a pleasing blend of value and usability, plus good looks. It’s also impossible to rule out the value of the standard seven-year/100,000-mile warranty if you plan on keeping your Cee’d for the long haul.
Kia doesn’t do optional extras, meaning the trim level you pick is all-or-nothing. Entry-level ‘1’ specification comes with air conditioning, dual projector headlights, Bluetooth connectivity and a DAB radio as standard. There’s not even alloy wheels at this basic specification level, while the standard engine is a naturally-aspirated 1.4-litre petrol with 98hp and the potential for a combined 47.1 mpg. Take solace in the handsome styling, and make use of the luggage space that rivals a far costlier Volkswagen Golf.
Fiat 500X: from £15,430
Forget ideas of the tiny Fiat 500 city car. The 500X is a compact crossover based on the Jeep Renegade, but undercutting its American rival by almost £3,000. It’s bigger than it looks in photos, meaning cabin space is capable of making adults feel well accommodated, both front and rear. Boot space of 350 litres is nothing to write home about, but retro styling and the potential for 4WD will always create limitations. The interior does at least feel well made, with added Italian design flair.
Shopping at this price point means buying a 500X in ‘City Look’, which means no off-road bravado. The entry-level ‘Pop’ model brings a choice of 1.6-litre petrol or 1.3-litre diesel engines, with the latter adding £1,585 to the price. Standard specification includes air conditioning, cruise control, electric windows, and a body-coloured dashboard. Plus, can you really put a price on retro charm?
Vauxhall Astra: from £16,535
It’s built in Britain and was the 2016 European Car of the Year, fending off challengers like the Volvo XC90 and Mazda MX-5. Despite all that, the Astra tends not to rate too highly in terms of desirability, which does it something of a disservice. It’s a thoroughly competent family hatchback, provided you can see beyond the inevitable desire for a Volkswagen Golf.
With prices beginning at £16,535, the Astra costs some £1,230 less than the German machine, and is more than £3,000 cheaper than the lowliest Ford Focus. Proof that substantial savings abound if you can park your badge snobbery. The entry-level Design model comes with cruise control, air conditioning, and even Apple CarPlay/Android Auto as standard.
Skoda Octavia Estate: from £18,395
If maximum load space is top of your priorities, say hello to the Octavia Estate. Visually it isn’t the most exciting car, and the use of the Octavia for everything from minicabs to ambulances and unmarked police cars certainly gives a it a blue-collar reputation. However, there’s a reason it gets picked for practical roles, and that’s its gigantic 610 litres of boot space with the rear seats up – swelling to a vast 1,780 litres with them folded flat.
With prices from £18,395, there is something of a compromise to pay for all that internal real estate. Basic ‘S’ trim means a 1.0-litre petrol engine with 115hp, but that’s still enough for the Octavia to achieve 0-62mph in 10.1 seconds and return an official 59mpg. You’ll also get air conditioning, an 8in touchscreen multimedia system, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, DAB radio and 16in alloy wheels as standard.
Vauxhall Zafira Tourer: from £18,685
Previous generations of the Zafira have hardly had the greatest image, but at least the Tourer brings genuine good looks to the MPV party. It’s a full seven-seater, with over 1,800 litres of luggage space with the seats down – and is better to drive than you might imagine. If you can ignore any personal hang-ups about the Vauxhall badge, this may be the answer to your family needs.
As with the Astra, entry-level with the Zafira Tourer means Design trim. However, just like with the smaller hatchback, this is still very generous in terms of standard specification. Air conditioning, front and rear parking sensors, 17in alloy wheels, cruise control and a DAB radio are all part of the kit. A 140hp 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine is the cheapest offering, capable of 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds with a combined 44mpg.
SEAT Alhambra: from £25,435
Once upon a time, large MPVs roamed the retail parks and service station car parks of the nation in droves. Today, a big upmarket seven-seater MPV is something you turn to when you need a very particular set of skills. Fortunately, just like Liam Neeson in Taken, the Alhambra is rather good at taking care of your kids, with a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.
It might be the most expensive car here, with prices starting from £25,435, but that comfortably undercuts key competitors like the Ford Galaxy and Volkswagen Sharan. Even with all seven seats in use, there’s still 267 litres of luggage space, while with the rear seats folded flat it becomes a gargantuan 2,297-litre-capacity van. All versions get alloy wheels, climate control and Bluetooth connectivity as standard.
It is the very antithesis of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, but that doesn’t make the Festival of the Unexceptional any less interesting. In fact, we’d politely suggest that the cars on display on the manicured lawns of Stowe House have touched the lives of more people than any of the priceless wonders hurtling up the hill in Sussex.
Grab your drip trays as we take a tour of some of the nation’s most brilliantly unexceptional and unexceptionally brilliant cars.
Peugeot 205 GTI 1.6 vs Peugeot 205 GTI Mi16: Retro Road Test
Award winners
Some cars are more unexceptional than others. Here we see Richard Holness and his DAF 33, Mark Ashbridge and his Datsun Sunny and Colin Corke alongside his Austin Allegro. The Sunny was named as the most unexceptional car at the show (which is a good thing), the DAF finished second, while the Allegro was named People’s Choice.
Exceptional setting
The Festival of the Unexceptional is open to ‘ordinary’ classic cars and commercial vehicles of the late 60s, 70s and 80s. Exchange the lake for the Goodwood hill and the exhibits for exotic supercars and this could pass as a scene from the Festival of Speed. It’s like a car boot sale, circa 1989.
Stone, Tempra, no pilots
A Fiat 128 estate, Vauxhall Firenza, Austin Montego and a Fiat Tempra: it could only be the Festival of the Unexceptional. There are fewer than 20 Fiat Tempras on the roads of Britain, making it an exceptionally rare sight. Fair play to owner Gavin Bushby for keeping the Tempra legend alive.
Life on Mars
Unexceptional cars of the past are often required to act as props in period movies and television series. Peter Bell’s Renault 12TL made an appearance in the time-travelling drama, Life on Mars.
No More Heroes
Volvo 740, Austin Princess, Mk1 Vauxhall Astra, Peugeot 505 and Renault 12: all once familiar sights, now in serious danger of extinction. We should salute the owners for keeping these mundane heroes alive. Simon Martin, owner of the Volvo, was named best dressed man at the festival.
Ford Sierra
When the Ford Sierra arrived in 1982, its space-age styling was deemed to be too radical for conservative Britain. There were no such issues for the Giugiaro-designed Renault 19, but the pair are overshadowed by the lesser-spotted Clan Crusader.
Visitor car park
More than 2,000 exceptional people descended on Stowe House for the unexceptional display, with the car park no less interesting than the main event. A Fiat Cinquecento, Vauxhall Nova and Nissan Patrol are just three of the highlights.
Italian, French and Dutch
Further along the line we find a Fiat X1/9, Peugeot 406 Coupe and a DAF 55. The Dutch-built car has around 48,000 miles on the clock and is a Deluxe model. Trim levels were far easier to understand in the early 70s. Deluxe = posh. Well, poshish.
Porsche 944
You know you’re at the Festival of the Unexceptional when a Porsche 944 looks overdressed and out of place. The Wolseley Six ‘Landcrab’ looks far more at home, while on the right you’ll find a Beetle, Bluebird and Figaro.
Hillman Avenger
The Hillman Avenger was Britain’s car to take on the world, but very few remain on the road. This 1973 Avenger GLS is owned by Robert Nutter and appears to have caught the eye. Note the vinyl roof: once a must-have car accessory.
Citroen 2CV Beachcomber
The Citroen 2CV was anything but unexceptional, with its simple, low-cost construction helping to mobilise an entire nation following the end of the Second World War. This 1983 Beachcomber special edition is far removed from the 1948 original.
Fiat Panda
Another triumph of construction and packaging, the Fiat Panda is a true Italian great. The original was launched in 1980 but remained in production until 2003. It’s eccezionale, as they say in Italy.
Feast of the Unexceptional
Sponsors Hagerty awarded a prize for the ‘Feast of the Unexceptional’, or best picnic at the event. It was won, not by these ladies in the back of a Land Rover, but John Usher, the owner of an Austin Maestro. His Rubik’s Cube Battenberg cake pink sponge fingers were named as the dish of the day.
Childhood memories
Angus Forsyth, managing director of Hagerty International, said “Our Festival of the Unexceptional celebrates the cars that were the workhorses of their day: the base model saloons, hatchbacks and estates that were sold in their millions between roughly 1968 and 1989, and are now so rare. I just love overhearing enthusiasts at this unique concours d’ordinaire event commenting that they haven’t seen one of those in years, the cars that we all remember from our childhoods.”
2018 Festival of the Unexceptional
The date of the 2018 Festival of the Unexceptional will be announced early next year, but Hagerty has confirmed that it will return for a fifth time. Time to prepare your own unexceptional motor?
Potential plutocrat? Budding billionaire? We’ve found the car for you. The 2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom promises to be the most comfortable, opulent and downright indulgent way to waft from board meeting to private jet. So what’s new?
It’s 25 years since the top flight of English football went all champagne and prawn sandwiches, with the birth of the Premier League. Since then, much has changed, and not just matters on the pitch.
Sales of new petrol and diesel-engined cars will be banned in 2040, the UK government is expected to announce today. The measures are part of its new clean strategy that aims to bring UK air quality in line with EU targets.
Ferrari is determined not to let its 70th anniversary pass without fanfare. The Prancing Horse is galloping around the world, with a series of events designed to mark 70 years of the world’s favourite supercar brand.
Transporting a family is hard work at the best of times, but trying to do it on a budget is even tougher. Fortuntely, trying to be fiscally responsible doesn’t mean you have to compromise on a new car – as these 12 choices demonstrate.
It is the very antithesis of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, but that doesn’t make the Festival of the Unexceptional any less interesting. In fact, we’d politely suggest that the cars on display on the manicured lawns of Stowe House have touched the lives of more people than any of the priceless wonders hurtling up the hill in Sussex.
