Ford has revealed a special edition of its 2018 GT supercar in celebration of the GT40 Mark IV race car driven to victory in the 1967 Le Mans 24 Hour race.
The ’67 Heritage edition comes a year after the ’66 Heritage edition and commemorates a winning drive by Dan Gurney and A.J. Foy.
Finished in gloss Race Red paint with white strips along with white ‘No. 1’ bonnet and door graphics, the GT ’67 Heritage edition looks every bit a race car for the road. 20-inch forged aluminium wheels complete the look, along with the exposed carbon package and red brake calipers.
Inside, carbon fibre seats with red stitching give the cabin a sporting look. The seat belts are red, too, while the paddle shifters are finished in anodised grey. Each ’67 Heritage edition car also features a numbered plaque – although Ford hasn’t revealed how many will be sold. It’s fair to assume a very limited number will be made, however.
“The first Heritage edition car was a huge success, honouring our history with a modern interpretation of the Le Mans winner,” said the car’s exterior design manager, Garen Nicoghosian. “Continuing with a Ford GT based on the winning GT40 Mark IV race car was simply something we needed to do.”
Ford has launched an online configuration tool for the model, but we’d get on the phone to your Ford dealer if your keen to get your name down for the limited edition model.
“In creating a worthy successor to the ’66 Heritage edition, we logically looked at our next historic Le Mans victory with the all-American team of Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt,” said Ford Performance’s global director, Dave Pericak. “The Ford GT ’67 Heritage edition pays homage to that win, with a modern take on one of the most important vehicles in Ford’s storied history of racing.”
The chances are you won’t remember the coolest car from the year you were born. After all, you were concentrating on other things, such as growing up and keeping your parents awake at night. But just in case you’re wondering what was the king of cool in the year of your birth, here are some suggestions. It’s a highly subjective opinion…
You weren’t the only star born in 1957, because Jaguar unveiled something rather special. In the modern era the XKSS would be referred to as a supercar; a road-going version of the Le Mans-winning D-Type racing car. Developed for export to the United States, nine were lost in a fire at Jaguar’s Browns Lane factory, meaning just 16 were ever built. In 2016, Jaguar announced that it would be building nine ‘new original’ units for the UK market, each one with a price tag of £1 million.
1958: Armstrong Siddeley Star Sapphire
The Star Sapphire was billed as “the managing director’s car,” and it was, for Armstrong Siddeley, the last hurrah for this famous old marque. As opulent as a Rolls-Royce and with the styling to match, the Star Sapphire was powered by a 4.0-litre engine offering “sparkling performance” while delivering “club chair comfort”.
1959: Jaguar Mk2
On stand number 134 at the 1959 Earls Court Motor Show, Jaguar unveiled the Mk2, claiming it to be the most advanced and lavishly equipped high performance luxury car it had ever produced. It became an icon of the 1960s, with the 3.8-litre version proving to be a performance legend.
1960: Panhard PL17
A total of 606 Panhards were officially sold in the UK between 1958 and 1966, with sales hampered by the nation’s conservative tastes and high prices. The PL17 was billed as offering the comfort of a large car (five seats), the economy of a small car (50mpg) and the performance of a sports car (80mph). But in 1960 it cost around £1,000, or £21,400 in today’s money.
1961: Mercedes-Benz 300SE
What a majestic thing. In 1961, the Mercedes-Benz 300SE represented opulence on four wheels: the flagship W112. Air suspension, disc brakes, automatic transmission and power steering were a few of the luxuries, with power sourced from a fuel-injected 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine. Class.
1962: Renault 4
Both arrived in 1961, but the 300SE and Renault 4 occupied very different ends of the motoring world. This was Renault’s ‘Citroen 2CV’, majoring on practicality and utilitarian appeal, with a low price to match. “Enter the most remarkable car of the year,” proclaimed Renault in 1962. With sales totalling more than eight million, it was remarkably successful.
1963: Maserati Sebring
In 1963, a Maserati Sebring would have set you back around £5,200 including purchase tax. In contrast, a Citroen DS19, one of the world’s most advanced cars, cost £1,600. In today’s money, then, a Sebring would cost in excess of £100,000: a reminder of a time when Maserati stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the motoring elite.
1964: Ford Lotus Cortina
The original Ford Lotus Cortina was unveiled in Monte Carlo in January 1963, with the twin-cam engine of the Elan and Europa inserted into the two-door body. Early examples were fitted with aluminium doors, boot lid and bonnet to stay true to Colin Chapman’s ‘simplify, then add lightness’ philosophy. The Lotus Cortina could sprint to 100mph in 30 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 108mph.
1965: Porsche 912
It might look like a Porsche 911, but the 912 was powered by the four-cylinder engine from the 356, the car it replaced in 1965. Porsche’s lower-cost entry-level model bridged the gap between the 356 and the arrival of the VW-Porsche 914 in 1968.
1966: Jensen Interceptor
The Jensen Interceptor might have been built in the thoroughly British surroundings of the West Midlands, but it owed much to the Italians and the Americans. The delightful body was penned by Superleggera Touring in Milan, while the 6.3-litre V8 was supplied by Chrysler of Detroit.
1967: Aston Martin DBS
Touring of Milan was also asked to design the Aston Martin DBS, but when the Italian coachbuilder was wound-up in 1966, William Towns was drafted in to pen the replacement for the DB6. These were good times for the British car industry, with the Interceptor and DBS arguably two of the coolest GT cars ever built.
1968: Isuzu 117 Coupe
That the Isuzu 117 Coupe is so beautiful should come as no surprise, as the styling was the work of the genius that is Giorgetto Giugiaro. Sadly, the 117 is all too often overlooked and Isuzu has been left to concentrate on commercial vehicles. The 117 and Piazza would grace the back catalogue of any major car manufacturer.
1969: Ford Capri
Ford’s promotion of the Capri was a marketing masterclass, a case of knowing your audience and how to appeal to their needs and wants. Nobody needed a 2+2 coupe based on the more humble Cortina, but Ford spoke directly to the working class man, gracing press shots with elegant and pretty ladies. “The car you always promised yourself,” said Ford. For many men, it was.
1970: Alfa Romeo Montreal
To those who claim that the 1970s was the decade that style forgot, here’s the Alfa Romeo Montreal. Oh, sure, it was unveiled at Montreal’s Expo ‘67 – hence the name – but production didn’t start until 1970. Sadly, problems with the Italian workforce meant that UK deliveries began in 1972, a full year behind schedule.
1971: Alpine A310
If you were born in 1971, ask yourself this: have you aged as well as the Alpine A310? Or, to put it another way, would you look this good with a set of six headlights? Power was sourced from a 1.6-litre engine lifted from the Renault 17 TS, until the V6 arrived in 1976. Top speed: 140mph.
1972: Renault 5
Renault went on the offensive when it launched the 5, taking a swipe at the Volkswagen Beetle and Mini. A car “designed for the seventies,” it said in 1972. It was certainly forward-thinking, ushering in the dawn of the supermini. “A car for its time,” said Renault, before landing the ultimate blow: “As the beetle and mini were in their own good times.” Ouch, and in lower case, too.
1973: Matra Bagheera
When reviewing the Matra Bagheera in 1976, Car magazine made a heartfelt plea to British Leyland. “Good sirs, if a mixture of Chrysler bits, some glassfibre and a certain amount of developmental skill and understanding can produce a delightful modern car as this, why did you not long ago give us a similar machine with a 1275 Mini power plant or a Maxi engine or even a Princess unit resting there behind our backs?” Quite.
1974: Volkswagen Scirocco
The Scirocco was based on the Mk1 Golf platform, but arrived earlier than the hatchback, with VW bosses keen to iron-out any issues prior to the launch of its key model. Built by Karmann in Osnabrück and styled by Giugiaro, it’s questionable whether or not Volkswagen has created anything prettier.
1975: Lancia Montecarlo
Something flawed but super-desirable was born in 1975. No, not you, but the Lancia Montecarlo. It was destined to wear a Fiat badge, sitting above the X1/9, but was always sold as a Lancia. It wasn’t particularly quick and there were a number of quality issues – most notably the brakes – but it remains an object of desire. Much like you, then.
1976: Aston Martin Lagonda
The Lagonda was so forward-thinking and complex, even Aston Martin couldn’t figure out how to build it. So, while the car was unveiled in 1976, production was delayed until 1978. Solid state digital instruments, finger-touch switches and self-locking doors were fine on Tomorrow’s World, but not in the real world. There were many warranty claims.
1977: Matra-Simca Rancho
“Perfectly at home in both town and country. Rancho seats seven in comfort, and with the rear seats folded there really is an astonishing amount of carrying space.” The Matra-Simca (later Talbot) Rancho was so far ahead of its time: a soft-roader and an early pioneer of the crossover. Land Rover must have approved, because the Discovery of 1989 looked remarkably similar.
1978: Saab 900
The Saab 900 was unveiled in 1978 and released for sale in 1979. Although based on the 99, it was entirely new from the A-pillars forward and was quite unlike anything else on the road. You always got the sense that Saab put its owners first, as demonstrated by the industry-first pollen filter.
1979: Lancia Delta
While the Integrale receives all the attention, it’s easy to overlook the elegance of the ‘basic’ Lancia Delta. Once again, we have Giorgetto Giugiaro to thank for this masterpiece.
1980: Audi Quattro
For 1980, there can be only one. The Audi Quattro was a landmark car in so many ways, most notably in world rallying, where it rewrote the rule book. It also demonstrated that four-wheel drive could work for volume production cars and laid the foundations for the future of Audi.
1981: Honda Quintet
Remember the Honda Quintet? This was essentially a four-door hatchback version of the Accord, styled to give it a more family-friendly feel. “The quintessential car for the 80s,” proclaimed Honda, with the adman scouring the Scrabble dictionary in search of words beginning with ‘Qui’. Is the Quintet cool? Absolutely, but we’re not entire sure why.
1982: Citroen BX
The BX was Citroen’s landmark car, certainly in the UK, as it thrust the brand into the mainstream, becoming a fleet favourite and a consistent top-seller. “Loves Driving, Hates Garages,” proclaimed the press ads, as the BX cemented its position as one of Citroen’s best-selling vehicles.
1983: Fiat Uno
This was a big year for motoring launches, with the VW Golf Mk2, Peugeot 205, Fiesta Mk2 and Austin Maestro appearing for the first time. Choosing the coolest of 1983 is tough, but we’re opting for the Fiat Uno. Why? Because Giorgetto Giugiaro, of course.
1984: Ferrari 288 GTO
You can thank the madness of Group B rallying for the creation of the 288 GTO, but when the race series was cancelled, Ferrari faced a dilemma: cancel the project or press on regardless. Fortunately, it chose the latter, not least because the demand was so high. In total, 272 were built and it remains one of Maranello’s greatest hits.
1985: Autobianchi Y10
The Autobianchi Y10 – sold in the UK as a Lancia – was designed to be a chic small car for drivers with premium aspirations. And while it’s fair to say it looked better on the streets of Milan and Turin than it did in Macclesfield and Tamworth, we miss the Y10, especially in Turbo guise.
1986: Porsche 959
Even by today’s standards, the Porsche 959 is a devastatingly quick supercar. Top speed was just shy of 200mph, while the 0-60mph sprint was polished off in less than four seconds. It was a technological masterpiece, offering a tantalising hint of the supercar of tomorrow.
1987: Alfa Romeo 164
The Type Four platform was a joint-venture between Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia and Saab, with the aim of creating four executive saloons. The 164 was by far the best looking of the four, with attractive Pininfarina styling. In 3.0-litre V6 form, it’s also one of the most alluring cars of the 80s.
1988: Volkswagen Corrado
The Corrado was designed to sit somewhere between the Volkswagen Scirocco and Porsche 944, but history will recall that it failed to hit the mark. It’s a prime example of a car that was critically acclaimed and loved by owners, but hampered by a high price and buyer apathy.
1989: Citroen XM
Often referred to as the last true Citroen, the XM faced the difficult challenge of replacing the CX. Contemporary reviews aren’t too favourable, with the engines coming in for criticism and the Hydractive suspension, for all its cleverness, failing to reach the heights of the CX and DS before it.
1990: Range Rover CSK
The Range Rover CSK was unveiled in 1990 and named after Charles Spencer King, the genius behind the original two-door Range Rover of 1970. Its primary role was to promote the development of Land Rover’s new anti-roll suspension, but it was, at the time, the fastest production Range Rover ever built.
1991: Bugatti EB110
In 1991, exactly 110 years after the birth of its founder, Ettore Bugatti, the company unveiled the EB110. It was powered by a quad-turbocharged V12 engine and featured permanent four-wheel drive and the world’s first carbon-fibre chassis.
1992: Autozam AZ-1
Search online for the ‘coolest kei car’ and the chances are this will be near the top of the list. The Autozam AZ-1 might be small, but it boasts a pair of gullwing doors. And gullwing doors are cool, right?
1993: Lister Storm
The Lister Storm is unquestionably the greatest supercar to emerge from Leatherhead. Its 7.0-litre V12 engine was the largest V12 engine fitted to a production car since World War II and developed around 550hp and 538lb ft of torque. The top speed of 208mph and 0-60mph of 4.1 seconds meant that the Storm was a favourite Top Trumps card.
1994: Fiat Cinquecento Sporting
In 1994, the Fiat Cinquecento Sporting was Italy’s answer to the Mini Cooper. Power was sourced from a 1.1-litre Punto engine, while further upgrades included stiffer springs, four-spoke alloys and a front anti-roll bar. Pound for pound, the Sporting was the most fun you could have for £6k.
1995: Fiat Barchetta
Fiat did a great job of extending the use of the Punto, with the Barchetta borrowing its front-wheel drive platform. Don’t let the fact that the sports car is left-hand drive only put you off, because this is a credible alternative to the Mazda MX-5.
1996: Lotus Elise
Can it really be 21 years since the launch of the Lotus Elise? It redefined what we expected from a sports car, utilising an aluminium tub to great effect. It was, quite simply, one of the best drivers’ cars of the 20th century.
1997: Ford Puma
Speaking of great drivers’ cars: the Ford Puma is proof that a front-wheel drive coupe can deliver the same thrills as a rear-wheel drive sports car. If you were born in 1997, celebrate by buying something else that’s celebrating its 20th birthday. Yours for as little as a few hundred quid.
1998: Audi TT
The original Audi TT remains the epitome of cool: the concept car made a reality. Few cars have offered a such compelling blend of styling, interior quality and image. A modern classic.
1999: Honda Insight
We’re getting to the stage now when some of the original eco-pioneers are becoming classics in their own right. The Honda Insight was a technologically advanced hybrid hamstrung by poor practicality and space-age looks. Clever thing.
2000: Spyker C8
We’re stopping at the year 2000, because this is the final year in which somebody could be born and hold a valid driving licence in 2017. Some cool cars arrived this year – Lotus Exige, Vauxhall VX220, BMW Z8, to name but three – but we’re settling on something Dutch: the Spyker C8.
Car buying websites such as WeBuyAnyCar are leaving motorists almost £1000 worse off compared to what they would get through selling their car privately, claims independent new research commissioned by Auto Trader.
On 4 August 2017, consumer insight agency Join the Dots researched guaranteed sale valuations for over 300 cars from WeBuyAnyCar, and then compared them to Auto Trader private sale valuations. The average shortfall was £958: in 98 percent of cases, WeBuyAnyCar’s price was lower than the Auto Trader real market value.
Premium brands were hit particularly hard. The average loss for a BMW was £1282; for Audi, it was £1142 and Mercedes-Benz, £1044. SUVs were also valued an average of £1237 less, “proving 4x4s to be the least profitable car type to sell through WeBuyAnyCar than privately on Auto Trader”.
The biggest shortfall was for a 5000-mile 2016 Ford Focus RS: WeBuyAnyCar offered £8835 below the Auto Trader private sale price. Join the Dots senior research director Chris Haydon said the study “reveals the trend… that could strip consumers of significant profits if they don’t understand the true market value of their car”.
The research was commissioned by Auto Trader to provide market insights into its latest initiative: free listings for sellers of cars costing £1000 or less. WeBuyAnyCar, on average, offered 27 percent of the Auto Trader private valuations for these cars – that’s a £586 shortfall, meaning you could potentially more than double your money if you sold your cheap car privately rather than going for the convenience of sites such as WeBuyAnyCar.
Bargain Auto Trader cars costing £1000 or less
Some motorists will still prefer WeBuyAnyCar for this very reason – a quick, instant sale, rather than having to field calls from potential buyers, take them on test drives, go through the haggling process and such like. But given the extent of the potential shortfall, it’s likely many may now question just how much that convenience is worth…
Car tracking expert Tracker has warned that car thieves are using a clever new technique to steal cars from outside their owners’ homes using keyless entry systems.
The so-called ‘relay’ method uses two criminals working together. One stands near the door of the owner’s home, within range of the car’s key fob. A device used by the crooks then picks up the key fob signal from inside the house and relays it to the car. If it’s successful, the criminals can start the car and drive away within seconds.
“At Tracker, we are seeing more thefts recorded as ‘stolen without the keys’ which suggests that electronic manipulation and cyber compromise are on the increase,” said Tracker’s head of police liason, Andy Barrs. “The new relay attack technique has gained significant ground in the US and Germany, but it’s also beginning to take hold in the UK, so vehicle owners need to protect themselves and their assets.”
German research reveals BMWs and Peugeots are most likely to be targeted using keyless techniques, but testers have managed to unlock a wide variety of vehicles using the relay method. The BMW 7 Series, Toyota Prius, Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus are the most affected, says Tracker.
Barrs adds: “As relay attacks become even more prevalent, owners need to protect themselves, particularly since criminal gangs are routinely using relay devices to exploit weaknesses in keyless security systems across a broad range of manufacturers. These tools are readily available on the internet for as little as £80 and thefts typically occur in residential areas, where cars are parked relatively close to the house, especially at night.”
Ford knows how to appeal to the mainstream car buyer. Its Fiesta supermini has remained the best-selling car in the UK since 2009, while the Focus is a favourite among company car drivers and families alike. It can do performance cars, too, from the Fiesta XR2 to the latest Focus RS. But there have been a few duffers over the years. Keep scrolling to discover the most controversial Fords ever.
Never mind being one of the most controversial Fords ever, the North American market Ford Pinto is one of the most controversial cars, full-stop. It was subject to a huge recall in 1977 when it was discovered that locating the fuel tank behind the rear axle could have explosive consequences. Ford was accused of knowing about the design fault, and subsequently faced more than 100 lawsuits following the recall.
Ford Bronco
Ford couldn’t have predicted the Bronco’s rise to infamy. When ex-NFL player and movie star OJ Simpson went on the run from police following the murder of his wife and her friend, he used his Bronco as his getaway car. Unfortunately for Ford, more than 95 million people tuned in to watch the chase unfold live on TV. The Bronco has been synonymous with OJ Simpson since then. Bizarrely, Ford has said it will be bringing back the Bronco badge for 2020.
Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer was a top-heavy SUV based on the Ranger pick-up truck. In a bid to improve stability while keeping costs to a minimum, Ford lowered the suspension and reduced tyre pressures. This increased temperatures of the standard Firestone tyres during everyday driving, which could lead to the tread separating from the tyre. Blaming Firestone for the issues, Ford issued a recall in 2001, but only after hundreds of crashes involving Explorers, some of them fatal.
Ford Escort Mk5
“Ford’s new Escort meets its rivals… and loses”, read the cover of Autocar magazine on 29th August 1990. The fifth-generation model of Ford’s popular family hatchback was a real dud, with disappointing engines, bland styling and handling that couldn’t compete with cars such as the Volkswagen Golf.
Ford Figo
It wasn’t so much the Indian market Ford Figo that’s proved to be controversial, but the advertising around it. An ad for the Fiesta-based supermini appeared on Ford India’s website showing former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi with a group of gagged women in the boot of the car. Beneath the picture, it stated: “Leave your worries behind with Figo’s extra-large boot.”
Ford Ecosport
Ford desperately needed a small crossover to rival the Nissan Juke. Rather than designing an all-new Fiesta-based crossover for the European market, it brought its Ecosport ‘world car’ across. Reviewers were pretty unanimous that the Ecosport was one of the worst new Fords in a long time, and sales reflect this.
Ford Capri
The Ford Capri was intended to be a Mustang for Europe, but it fell well short of being a European pony car. The Mk1 shared a lot of components with the Cortina family saloon, and was offered with a range of engines kicking off with a disappointing 1.3-litre four-cylinder unit. It was far from a European Mustang, but the Capri proved to be a sales hit and is a desirable classic car today.
Ford Escort RS Cosworth
The Ford Escort RS Cosworth was so quick that, back in the day, police cars couldn’t keep up with them. As they were relatively easily to steal, they were very popular with joy riders and more serious criminals alike, making them extremely expensive to insure. A great car, but one that got Daily Mail readers in a twist almost as much as the Lotus Carlton.
Ford Scorpio
The Ford Granada was a reasonably successful and attractive executive car. We’ve no idea what Ford was thinking when it introduced its replacement, the Scorpio, in 1994. It featured bulbous headlights and to this day, Ford hasn’t revealed the chief designer responsible for its controversial appearance (“Nearly every Ford designer had a go at this one”, said Ford’s product development man at the launch). It wasn’t a massive sales success.
Ford Sierra
After 20 years in production, Ford axed the popular Cortina and replaced it with this: the first-generation Sierra. Nicknamed the ‘jellymould’ because of its futuristic styling, sales of the Sierra were initially slow. This wasn’t helped by speculation that its design hid crash damage (its smart bumper design could withstand minor impacts, concealing more serious damage underneath), and rumours even arose that Ford might reintroduce the Cortina.
Ford Mustang II
The second-generation Mustang was launched in time for the 1973 oil crisis, and was very different to the original. To appeal to a wider market, the V8 was axed in favour of an in-line four-pot, plus an optional V6. It was based on a smaller platform shared with the Ford Pinto. As soon as America moved on from the oil crisis, Ford had to re-engineer the engine bay in order to squeeze in a V8.
Ford Five Hundred
Launched in 2005 as a successor to the popular Ford Taurus, the Five Hundred was uninspiring in many ways. It was based on a Volvo-sourced platform, with no rear-wheel-drive option and bland styling. Its designer, J Mays, likened it to the Audi approach, but buyers weren’t convinced. It was heavily revamped and rebranded as a Taurus after just two years on sale.
Ford Probe
Originally intended as a replacement for the fourth-generation Mustang in America, the Mazda MX-6-based Ford Probe instead filled a gap previously occupied by the Capri in Europe. Divisive looks, along with disappointing engines, front-wheel drive and that name contributed towards the Probe being a flop. It was axed in 1997.
Ford Mustang Mk6
The latest Mustang is the first to be officially sold in Europe, and it’s proving to be a hit for Ford, fast becoming the most popular sports car with more than 250hp in the UK. However, not everyone is a fan. Its Line Lock feature, which lets drivers pull a burnout at the press of a button, was banned in Australia, while initial crash tests in Europe awarded it just two stars.
Ford Model T
The Ford Model T is accepted as being the world’s first mass produced car: one that changed the motoring landscape entirely. But you can imagine the hysteria around it at the time? “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses,” Henry Ford allegedly said at the time.
Ford Focus CC
Ford commissioned Italian styling house Pininfarina to turn its popular Focus into a convertible. You wouldn’t believe it to look at it, though. The Focus CC’s two-piece folding hard-top contributes to its ungainly looks, while practicality also took a knock. Added wind noise and issues with the retractable roof mechanism meant the CC sold in relatively small numbers.
Ford Fusion
In some ways, the Ford Fusion was ahead of its time. Based on the fifth-generation Fiesta, the Fusion was a half-hearted attempt at a crossover, intended to appeal to young, active buyers who’d appreciate the added practicality and beefed-up looks. Instead, it proved to be popular with older drivers who appreciated the ease of getting in and out, along with its increased headroom.
Ford Excursion
Based on the Ford F-250 Super Duty pickup, the Excursion was the longest and heaviest SUV to ever enter production. Intended for the North American market, the Excursion proved to be too big even for American roads, and was axed in 2005.
Ford Torino Talladega
The Ford Torino Talladega was a muscle car built for a matter of weeks in 1969 before it was axed on cost grounds. Intended to make Ford more competitive in NASCAR and sold under homologation rules, the beefed-up Torino was named after the Talladega Superspeedway, which opened the same year. It didn’t last long before Ford abandoned all its racing programs after being questioned over their cost compared to improving the efficiency and safety of its road cars.
BMW has launched a new scrappage-style scheme that offers owners of older diesel cars an extra £2,000 off any new BMW or Mini – provided the new car emits 130g/km CO2 or less.
The BMW ‘Lower Emissions Allowance’ incentive is targeting owners of diesels with Euro 4 emissions compliance or less: in other words, most cars built before 1 September 2009 (BMW and Mini car dealers will help determine whether your vehicle is eligible or not).
The £2,000 allowance is on top of any other trade-in prices, dealer offers, discounts or government incentives, meaning owners of older cars could potentially get quite a tasty incentive to swap into a modern Euro 6 model.
BMW is not forcing people into a petrol car or plug-in hybrid, either: all new models are eligible for the saving, provided they emit 130g/km CO2 or less. “For those who the alternative drivetrains do not suit their lifestyle we still offer allowance qualifying Euro-6 compliant petrol and diesel engine cars that are cleaner than ever,” said BMW Group UK CEO Graeme Grieve.
80 percent of new BMWs emit 130g/km or less, and 70 percent of Mini models are also eligible: the full list is shown on its website.
BMW does, however, point out that it has a decent range of electrified and electric models, including the i3, i8, BMW I Performance plug-in hybrids and the new Mini Countryman PHEV…
The small print
Not everyone can just go and buy an old diesel tomorrow in order to save £2,000 on a new BMW or Mini, though. “To ensure fairness,” customers must have owned the car for at least a year. The new model must also be registered to the same name and address as the old trade-in dirty diesel.
BMW vows dealers will give a “suitable average price” for their old car as trade-in: this is on top of the £2,000 allowance.
Only private buyers can take up the offer (sorry, those running seriously tired fleets of diesels) and all new cars must be registered by 31 December 2017.
“BMW offers the widest range of low emission vehicles of any manufacturer,” said Grieve. “We know in the early phases that people still need some incentive to make the jump to fully electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles and that is why we are delighted to announce this new allowance.”
Data released today by the new and used car website reveals that it saw a 680 percent increase in consumers searching for electric cars on July 26th, as well as a 257 percent rise in petrol ethanol searches. Hybrid searches increased by 170 percent while bi-fuel cars, such as those fitted with LPG conversions, saw a 129 percent rise in popularity.
The ban will be on sales of all new petrol and diesel vehicles (not including hybrids), and will not affect the sales of secondhand cars. Despite this, the data from Auto Trader suggests people are keen to trade their petrol and diesel cars for plug-in vehicles ahead of the ban coming in.
As diesel cars continue to face a difficult time, Auto Trader says it has seen a dip in the number of people searching for diesel vehicles. Around a quarter of searches on the website are based on fuel type, with 71 percent of those seeking a diesel car in November 2016. This dropped to 54 percent in May 2017, but are now on their way back up – with diesel vehicles accounting for 56 percent of all fuel-specific searches in June.
While more car buyers continue to search for diesel vehicles rather than petrol models, this might be because anyone searching based on fuel type place a higher importance on fuel economy. Three quarters of Auto Trader searches don’t specify a fuel type.
“Given the level of coverage it’s not surprising there has been a decline in searches,” said Auto Trader’s retailer and consumer product director, Karolina Edwards-Smajda. “But despite the ongoing negative rhetoric, the impact on diesel has been fairly limited up to this point. The return to growth on our marketplace is testament to not only the resilience of diesel, but also its popularity amongst car buyers.”
Secondhand diesel values lag behind
As demand for secondhand diesel cars has taken a slight knock, so too have their prices. In July 2017, the average price of a used car was £11,780, 4.5 percent higher than it was for the same month in 2016. Despite this average market increase, diesel is the only fuel type where month-on-month price increases are slowing. The average year-on-year price increase for diesel used cars was just 1 percent in July 2017, compared to a year-on-year price increase of 7.7 percent for petrol vehicles.
Edwards-Smajda added: “While diesels remain a popular option for car buyers, it’s interesting to observe that at a time when the used car market is experiencing year on year growth, the ongoing negative commentary is having a slight impact on their retail value. Given the timing and the fact the slowdown is isolated only to diesel, a coincidence seems unlikely. Price is still increasing year on year, but growth is slowing, suggesting retailers are finding it harder to increase prices.”
It’s easy to claim you can’t put a price on safety, but when it comes to buying a new car you don’t need to break the bank to protect yourself on the road.
All of the 20 cars featured here have been given the highest possible rating of five stars for safety by Euro NCAP, yet presently cost less than £20,000.
Safety ratings explained
Established in 1997, the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) has challenged car manufacturers to take safety seriously. Subjecting new cars to a series of crash tests, Euro NCAP independently rates new cars on a scale of one to five stars. As safety technology has developed, Euro NCAP has changed the rating process to take this into account.
This means it’s harder to achieve a maximum five-star rating in 2019 than it was in 2012, with cars also needing standard crash avoidance technology to claim top marks. To keep things recent, our list only includes cars tested since 2013, while any cars no longer in production have been excluded.
Suzuki Ignis (with Safety Pack)
With a starting price of just £10,849, the Ignis supermini is the cheapest car on our list. There is a catch: the five-star rating awarded in 2016 only applies to the Ignis when specified with an optional ‘Safety Pack’.
This pack includes a camera-based automatic braking system that, without, sees the Ignis score just three stars. However, even adding the £750 Safety Pack to the price of the entry-level SZ3 model, still sees the Ignis undercut everything else on this list.
Skoda Fabia
Skoda takes safety seriously, so you can be confident that even the most basic Fabia supermini will have your back, despite costing just £12,255. Awarded top marks when assessed in 2014, the Euro NCAP testers noted that the passenger compartment of the Fabia remained stable on frontal impact, with good protection of head and legs.
The entry-level S trim means no air conditioning or satellite navigation, but you can add a blind-spot monitor and hill-hold assist if you so wish.
Nissan Micra (with Safety Pack)
As with the Ignis, in order to claim the full five stars, the Nissan Micra needs to be equipped with certain safety features. Fortunately, all Micras sold in the UK come with the requisite Lane Departure Warning, and Intelligent Emergency Braking to qualify for five stars. It means you can spend just £12,880 and feel quietly confident.
Toyota Yaris
Currently available with a £525 discount if ordered by 30 June 2019, the Toyota Yaris achieved a maximum five-star rating when it was tested in 2017. Toyota’s Safety Sense package comprises a pre-collision system with autonomous emergency braking, automatic high beam and lane-departure alert, and is standard across the range.
All models apart from the entry-level Yaris Active also feature road-sign assist. Take advantage of the discount and the Yaris range starts from £12,995.
Kia Rio
Order a Kia Rio ‘1’ without the optional Advanced Driving Assistance Pack (ADAP) and you’ll be driving a car with a three-star safety rating. Spend £350 and you’ll own a supermini with a five-star rating. It seems like a small price to pay for an enhanced safety package.
Alternatively, opt for the Rio ‘2’, which features the safety pack as standard, along with alloy wheels, rear electric windows, a seven-inch display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Rio ‘2’ prices start from £14,735, while the Rio ‘1’, without the safety package, costs £12,495.
Honda Jazz
The sensible car of choice for many, it is perhaps hardly unsurprising that the Honda Jazz notched up a strong performance when evaluated by Euro NCAP in 2015. It’s adult occupant rating of 93 percent even outscores the latest Civic, along with good protection against whiplash for both front and rear passengers.
An active city braking system is standard on all models, including the cheapest S version that costs just £14,600.
Seat Ibiza
Scoring an impressive 95 percent for adult occupant crash protection, the Seat Ibiza comes with a wealth of airbags, brake assistance technology, and even a speed limiting function as standard.
With the poverty-spec S model no longer available, the Ibiza range looks a whole lot more desirable, with the entry-level SE offering 15-inch alloy wheels, a 6.5-inch colour touchscreen, LED daytime running lights and metallic paint.
Citroen C3 Aircross
If you’re looking for a reason to opt for the Citroen C3 Aircross over the standard C3 supermini, the fact that the high-riding version achieved a five-star safety rating might sway your decision.
While the scores of 85 percent for adult protection and 82 percent for child protection are marginally lower than those achieved by the C3, the C3 Aircross performed better in the pedestrian safety and safety assist categories. Prices start from £15,550.
Ford Fiesta
Tested in 2017, the Ford Fiesta was rated 87 percent for adult protection and 84 percent for child occupant protection. A score of 60 percent for driver assistance is less impressive, but lane departure warning and lane keeping assist are standard across the range.
Sadly, autonomous emergency braking costs extra. The Fiesta Zetec costs from £15,670.
Volkswagen Polo
The Volkswagen Polo has a solid and dependable reputation to uphold, so a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating was almost guaranteed. A score of 96 percent for adult occupant protection is seriously impressive for a supermini – only the larger and more expensive Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Volvo XC60 scored higher in 2017.
All Polo models come with autonomous emergency braking, but other systems are optional. Prices start from £15,735.
Suzuki Vitara
The £16,999 Suzuki Vitara in SZ4 trim comes with seven airbags, Isofix child seat mounts, electronic stability control and cruise control with a speed limiter. Higher specification versions also include radar-operated brake assist, which the Euro NCAP assessors noted as ‘good’ when tested in 2015.
All of the above helps the Vitara make a strong case for itself in the competitive compact SUV market.
Hyundai i30
It should be no surprise that the latest Hyundai i30 comes packed with standard safety equipment. That includes autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and a forward-facing camera that scans for potential collisions.
All of this kit comes as standard on even the cheapest S model, priced at £17,130. Euro NCAP was impressed, awarding the i30 five stars after testing it in 2017.
Seat Arona
Another car tested in 2017, the Seat Arona delivered a better set of results than its platform-sharing sibling, the Ibiza. The 95 percent for adult occupant protection and 60 percent for driver assistance systems are the same for both cars, but the Arona’s 80 percent for child protection is three percent higher than the Ibiza’s score of 77 percent.
It’s a likeable compact SUV that’s big on space and surprisingly fun to drive. The Arona range kicks off at £17,150.
Hyundai Kona
While the Seat Arona is based on a supermini, the Hyundai Kona was built from the ground up as a compact SUV. Autonomous emergency braking is optional on trims up to and including Premium SE, and standard on Premium GT.
Blind-spot detection is standard on Premium SE and Premium GT trims, while rear-cross traffic alert is fitted on Premium SE trims and above. All Kona models get driver attention alert and downhill brake control. Kona prices start from £17,305.
Kia Stonic (with Safety Pack)
In standard form, the Kia Stonic was awarded a three-star safety rating, but add the Advanced Driving Assistance Pack (ADAP) to the mix, and the Stonic earns the full five stars. The pack costs £400 on the Stonic ‘2’, but is standard on the ‘3’ and ‘4’. Prices start from £16,815 (without the pack).
Vauxhall Crossland X
The Vauxhall Crossland X is based on the Peugeot 2008, a car that was awarded a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating back in 2013. Four years later, the Vauxhall achieved the same rating – a good result considering the test gets harder every year. All models come with lane-departure warning, traffic-sign recognition and cruise control, with prices starting from £17,715.
Renault Megane
Another Renault, another five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP. Tested in 2015, the Megane made sure the reputation of the French brand was upheld, scoring a very respectable 88 percent for adult occupant safety. Even pedestrian safety was rated well at 71 percent, although try to avoid the hard A-pillars if you have the misfortune of being hit by a Megane.
Prices start from £17,820.
Ford Focus
Tested in 2018, the new Ford Focus delivered a solid set of results, scoring no lower than 72 percent in any of the four categories. Parents will like the fact that it scored 87 percent for child occupant safety – two percent more than the adult occupant score.
The Focus features three radars, two cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors – more than any other Ford in history. The range kicks off with the £18,305 Style, but you can now order a crossover-like Focus Active.
Vauxhall Astra
Built in Britain, and a favourite of police forces throughout the land, the Astra undercuts many C-segment hatchback rivals, with prices from £18,905.
It also picked up the award for European Car of the Year for 2016, and was tested by Euro NCAP in 2015 where it was awarded all five stars. The assessors noted particularly good performance in side impact testing, despite a rear door coming open unexpectedly.
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic received a four-star rating when it was tested in 2017, but the car was retested later that year following a curtain airbag deployment issue.
With Honda fixing the problem, the Civic was awarded a five-star rating by the safety experts. Euro NCAP said: “Honda has introduced a modified side curtain airbag to lessen the impact of head bottoming out, seen in the previous assessment, of the head of 10-year child dummy in the side barrier test. Honda is working to further develop the side curtain airbag to improve performance in this area.”
Fast Ford fans flocked to Silverstone this weekend for the annual Ford Fair event. In its 32nd year, more than 18,000 Blue Oval fans visited the show, with a wide range of modern, retro and classic Fords on display. Continue scrolling to see the highlights.
With 4,000 cars at the event, there was a Ford for everyone. How small does this Mk2 Escort look next to a Focus ST?
Fans wanting to try their cars on track could book a session on Silverstone’s legendary National circuit throughout the day.
For those searching for a rare part for their Ford, a Retail Village covered a huge area dedicated to traders and a vast autojumble.
To celebrate 15 years of the original Focus RS, the Mk1 Focus RS Owners Club gathered with a line-up of the rare Imperial Blue cars.
Of course, it wasn’t just the Mk1 Focus RS enjoying all the attention. A line-up of Mk2 and Mk3 models, with a wide range of modifications, also featured.
Is this the ultimate fast Ford? Fans enjoyed a rare glimpse of the 2017 Ford GT supercar. Power comes from a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 producing 656hp.
Another iconic anniversary being celebrated at this year’s Ford Fair was 25 years of the Escort RS Cosworth. The blue collar supercar was powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 230hp as standard. But some tuning companies have been able to double that.
Fast Ford fans not taking their cars out on track could get their thrill by watching stunts in the live action arena. Here, Paul Swift’s team put on an incredible display using Focus STs…
Not to mention a new Focus RS, which was driven around the arena on two wheels.
For classic Ford fans, a special Classic Zone featured a variety of Fords from yesteryear.
Ford itself also had a number of models on display, just in case any visitors were considering an upgrade. Here’s a Ford Mustang convertible in 2.3-litre Ecoboost guise.
Even in the age of online auctions, nothing beats an old-fashioned autojumble.
Where else will you find an original Ford GT40 parked next to the new GT? Which would you take home?
How do you measure the value of a car? A low price is one thing, but the gloss will soon wear off if you’re forever spending money on parts and repairs. Equally, a more expensive car could be rated as excellent value for money if it never goes wrong and puts a big smile on your face.
And, sure, a new car review might provide some insight into a vehicle’s strengths and weaknesses, but real-world experience is far more valuable. Which is where Auto Trader’s ‘best value’ list comes in. Using the views of 10,000 car buyers, it has created a rundown of the cost-efficiency of 10 car brands. We’ll present the results in reverse order.
10. Citroen
Once upon a time, Citroen was the world’s most innovative carmaker, before it descended into the automotive equivalent of the bargain basement bucket towards the end of the century. Today, the innovation might be lacking, but its range of cars is arguably more interesting than the supposedly premium DS Automobiles. Discuss…
9. Volvo
This will be seen as a good result for Volvo, with the Swedish brand keen to compete with the premium Germans without adopting a me-too approach to design and marketing. It’s working, because the XC90, XC60, V90 and S90 are terrific cars.
8. SEAT
SEAT is on a bit of a roll at the moment, with motoring experts hailing the new Ateca as the best thing since somebody took a knife to a loaf of bread. The new Ibiza is also a bit of hit and has the potential to steal sales from its Polo sibling and the new Fiesta. SEAT also sells the Toledo…
7. Jaguar
There will be some head-scratching going on at Jaguar Land Rover, with the latter brand near the bottom of Auto Trader’s chart. The Jaguar range is shaping up rather nicely, with products that tick both the ‘head’ and ‘heart’ boxes. If the F-Type appeals to the heart, the F-Pace can appeal to both.
6. Lexus
Such is Lexus’ reputation for reliability and excellence, a top 10 finish was almost guaranteed. The posh arm of Toyota tends to score well in customer satisfaction surveys and was recently named ‘Best Manufacturer’ in the Auto Express Driver Power Survey. In the same survey, its dealers were named the best in Britain.
5. Skoda
And so we reach the top five, where we find Skoda, which has managed to upstage Volkswagen, Audi and SEAT. The Kodiaq is arguably the most convincing new crossover of 2017, although we’re a little sad to be waving goodbye to the Yeti. Its replacement, the Karoq, has a lot to live up to.
4. Hyundai
If you’ve been paying attention, you can probably guess the top four using a process of elimination. Hyundai has always appealed to the head, but the launch of the i30 N hot hatch should add some much needed emotional qualities to the brand. Meanwhile, Hyundai offers a five-year unlimited mileage warranty.
3. Kia
Speaking of warranties… Kia offers a seven-year warranty, but it’s worth noting that, unlike Hyundai’s five-year cover, this one is limited to 100,000 miles. Kia’s range kicks off with the £9,450 Picanto S, but extends to the £42,045 seven-seat Sorento KX-4.
2. Suzuki
Suzuki doesn’t make an expensive car – although the £22,249 Vitara S raises a few eyebrows – but this result is proof that cheap can be cheerful. There’s a ‘Ronseal’ quality to Suzuki’s range: all the cars do exactly as they promise. Even the bargain basement Celerio is well equipped and surprisingly appealing.
1. Dacia
Congratulations, Dacia, because 10,000 Auto Trader readers believe you build the best value cars in Britain. Prices start from £5,995 for the basic Sandero Access, but the majority of buyers splash the cash on some much needed ‘luxuries’. Here’s a side note: far from being worth next to nothing on the secondhand market, we couldn’t find a used Dacia for less than £2,600.
Update (August 31, 2017): Dacia says ‘we keep things simple’
Dacia has responded to news that it’s been voted the best value car brand in the UK. Dacia UK’s head, Louise O’ Sullivan, said: “The Dacia range offers UK drivers the most affordable new cars on the market and a rapidly growing number of them are drawn to the brand because we keep things simple and offer cars we know our customers want.”
It comes a day after Dacia revealed the first photos of its new Duster ahead of its reveal at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
Car buying websites such as WeBuyAnyCar are leaving motorists almost £1000 worse off compared to what they would get through selling their car privately, claims independent new research commissioned by Auto Trader.
BMW has launched a new scrappage-style scheme that offers owners of older diesel cars an extra £2,000 off any new BMW or Mini – provided the new car emits 130g/km CO2 or less.
How do you measure the value of a car? A low price is one thing, but the gloss will soon wear off if you’re forever spending money on parts and repairs. Equally, a more expensive car could be rated as excellent value for money if it never goes wrong and puts a big smile on your face.
