Jaguar F-Pace programme director Andy Whyman believes the new SUV will be as transformational for the firm as the Range Rover Evoque has been for Land Rover.
“The ingredients are there,” he said at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. “The vision has been clear from the start and it’s a logical new car for us in a fast-growing segment.”
The Evoque heralded the start of the current boom in Land Rover sales and even today, five years after launch, the factory is still operating around the clock to build more than 100,000 units a year.
Jaguar, which last year sold 81,570 cars, feels the F-Pace will deliver a proportionally similar lift – and will mean the entire brand should no longer outsold by the smash-hit Range Rover Evoque.
No crossover with Land Rover
Whyman says there was never any concern that the first-ever Jaguar SUV would step on the toes of Land Rover.
“Both brands are very different and are positioned separately: our research shows there’s likely to be little cross-shopping between the F-Pace and Land Rover models.
“It’s first and foremost a Jaguar: it handles like a Jaguar, has sports car proportions and, while it can tackle mixed-road conditions, is a road-biased vehicle.
“It’s obvious to customers that the Jaguar and Land Rover brands are different: we don’t expect Range Rover Sport customers to start looking at F-Pace.”
Whyman also said the firm is comfortable with its first SUV. “It is natural to us – we don’t think of it as an SUV: it ‘feels’ like a Jaguar.”
Jaguar has revealed the new F-Pace SUV on the eve of the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. Its first 4×4, the sporty-looking new ‘performance crossover’ goes on sale in 2016 priced from £34,170.
Jaguar F-Pace SUV revealed in World Record stunt
The new Jaguar F-Pace is a sporty five-seat crossover that has one car in its sights – the Porsche Macan. Jaguar says the standard-setting Porsche is the best car in this sector for driving dynamics – and is the one it’s focused on beating…
Built in Britain at Jaguar’s Solihull plant, the F-Pace is targeted with bringing a whole new sector of customer to the Jaguar brand. 4 in 5 buyers will be new to the brand and, of all the firm’s new cars, it’s the F-Pace that will “forever change perceptions of the brand”.
The idea of designing an SUV, admits Jaguar design director Ian Callum, was something “I never dreamt of doing”. Jaguar, after all, owns Land Rover, which only makes… SUVs. However, the market now demands SUVs in all shapes and guises – so Jaguar had to respond.
The Jaguar F-Pace is thus designed as a performance crossover SUV, one that takes direct influences from the Jaguar F-Pace (hence the name).
Unlike Land Rovers, you’ll rarely see F-Pace off-road; but you will, hopes the brand, see them in high streets across the world – the medium-sized SUV sector the F-Pace competes in is set to grow 50% between now and 2020…
F-Pace: concept car to production
The Jaguar F-Pace is the production version of Jaguar’s stunning C-X17 concept car, revealed two years ago at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. This was the first clear signal that the brand wanted to make an SUV…
Since C-X17, Jaguar’s been working hard to productionise it, says Callum. “Every millimetre has changed since the concept – but not so you’d notice.” Can you tell the difference?
“The F-Pace is true to the spirit of Jaguar,” says designer Callum. “It has elegance, a sense of speed and motion that most SUVs don’t have.” Size-wise, it’s similar to the Porsche Macan, and will also compete with the Audi Q5 and BMW X3.
Callum uses descriptions such as strong proportions, sweeping rooflines and strong haunches to describe the F-Pace. “I could be talking about the F-Type, and this is no coincidence – there’s a lot of that car in the F-Pace.”
The tail lights are similar to the Jaguar F-Pace – which, said Callum, are influenced by the E-Type. Most won’t realise this but “I know where it came from,” he said…
It’s a five-seat SUV – you wouldn’t be able to get that sweeping roofline if it was a seven-seater. Jaguar has no plans to make a seven-seat version: it’ll leave that market to Land Rover.
Callum’s given the F-Pace a simple look inside, in contrast to the ‘fussy’ interiors of some rivals. Once cool feature is the illuminated smartphone holders on the centre console – after all, says Callum, who wants to store smartphones in cupholders…
Jaguar says the F-Pace has the world’s most advanced infotainment system, with more computer processing power than a Boeing 777. It’s called InControl Touch Pro and uses a 100GB SSD, Ethernet networking and a quad core processor.
The F-Pace even debuts a new piece of wearable Jaguar technology – the Activity Key. This is a waterproof band you can wear when swimming, that unlocks the car instead of a key. It’s a Jaguar first.
It’s built on Jaguar’s aluminium-intensive architecture also used by the new XE and XF. It has double wishbone front suspension and Integral Link rear suspension that are sold in three grades – two of them the same as on the sporty F-Type.
Most F-Pace will likely be sold with the 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine, offered in rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive guise. It also offers a V6 turbo diesel and the two V6 engines taken straight from the F-Pace – it currently thus produces up to 380hp, for 0-60mph in 5.1 seconds. Watch out, Macan…
The Jaguar F-Pace will cost from £34,170: that will buy you a 180hp 2.0-litre Ingenium turbodiesel with a manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive.
Deliveries of the Jaguar F-Pace will begin in 2016, although the firm says customers can head over to its website right now to start configurating the car.
The F-Pace will be sold in familiar Jaguar trim lines: Prestige (from £34,170), R-Sport (from £36,670), Portfolio (from £39,170) and the sporty S (from £51,450).
Jaguar has an extra range-topping model for the launch of the F-Pace, called First Edition. This has extras such as mighty 22-inch alloys, Windsor leather seats, LED headlights and a panoramic roof. It costs from £65,275.
The new Bentley Bentayga SUV has been revealed ahead of its public debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show next week.
And you can come out from behind the sofa now, because the Bentley Bentayga isn’t as scary as the EXP 9 F concept led us to believe. Still has a silly name, mind.
Bentley isn’t afraid to roll out a number of superlatives and Top Trump style claims to support the launch of the new Bentayga. Are you sitting down?
OK, well according to Bentley, the Bentayga is ‘the fastest, most powerful, most luxurious and most exclusive SUV in the world’, making it the SUV to beat all SUVs, right?
Bentley ventured across five continents during the development of the Bentayga, claiming to have undertaken the most exhaustive programme in the brand’s history. Dirt and gravel in South Africa, the dunes in Dubai, mud in Crewe and the freezing temperatures of the North Cape, the Bentayga has been there, done that. Not to mention 400 laps of the Nürburgring.
From EXP 9 F to Bentayga
Bentley’s first SUV has come a long way since its debut as the EXP 9 F concept of 2012. It’s fair to say the concept didn’t receive unanimous support at the Geneva Motor Show.
Back then, Bentley spoke of positioning the SUV above the likes of the Range Rover, Porsche Cayenne Turbo S and Audi Q7, charting new territory for a car of this ilk.
At the time, the idea of a Bentley SUV hadn’t been granted full board approval, but given the popularity of SUVs, it’s no surprise to see the EXP 9 F becoming a reality.
The Bentley Bentayga is powered by an all-new 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine developing an almost ridiculous 599hp at 5,250-6,000rpm.
And we haven’t even mentioned the 664lb ft of torque between 1,250 and 4,500rpm. The Bentayga has just upped the ante in the powerful SUV stakes.
All of which means the Bentley Bentayga has a top speed of 187mph and a 0-62mph time of 4.1 seconds. You may not like the idea of a super SUV, but these figures are astonishing.
Amazingly, the Bentayga emits ‘just’ 292g/km CO2, in part thanks to Bentley’s Variable Displacement system, allowing the engine to run as a six-cylinder.
Release the throttle in gears 5th to 8th and the Bentayga will open the torque convertor, dropping the engine to idle and allowing the SUV to coast, thus saving fuel.
At launch, the W12 is the only engine available, but Bentley will offer diesel and hybrid variants in the future. It’s unlikely that these will offer the same jaw dropping performance figures.
Bentley claims the Bentayga offers the widest range of on- and off-road drive settings of any vehicle. It’s all thanks to the Drive Dynamic Mode and optional Responsive Off-Road Setting.
Eight driving modes are available, with the Driver Information Panel displaying information on pitch, roll, wheel articulation, steering angle, compass bearing and altitude.
As you’d expect, the Bentley Bentayga is loaded with the latest array of safety and support mechanisms, including adaptive cruise control, park assist, traffic sign recognition and night vision.
None of this will shield you from the attention you’ll almost certainly receive when driving the Bentayga. It’s certainly better looking than the concept, but it’s hardly subtle.
At the front you’ll find swathes of in-your-face mesh and what Bentley calls ‘floating’ all-LED headlamps. Beauty, they say, is in the eye of the beholder. You can make up your own mind.
The rear end is far less offensive with lights that feature B-shaped illumination graphics. The large Bentley badge is a helpful reminder of what has just overtaken you.
But if the exterior styling is up for debate, there can be no doubts about the interior. According to Bentley, it’s ‘the world’s finest cabin’, so read on to find out why.
The dashboard has been inspired by Bentley’s ‘wing’ design and can be finished in one of seven different veneers. Oh, and did we mention the 15 different interior hides?
Highlights include the Bentley knurling on the drive mode selector, gear knob, bullseye vents and organ pulls. One can also select from 15 different carpets.
The front seats offer 22-way adjustment, enhanced with six-programme massage function, seat heating and ventilation. Cliche alert: this looks a fine place to be.
Almost as good as the rear seats, which can be ordered in either two- or three-seat configuration. Opt for the former and you’ll be treated to 18 different adjustments, massage, ventilation and footrests.
Open the hands-free tailgate to reveal 430 litres of boot space (590 with the load cover retracted) and a fixed back, dividing the cabin from the boot.
Should sir or madam wish, the boot can be ordered with a folding event seat, presenting a viewing platform for use at the polo or cross country eventing.
At launch, the Bentley Bentayga is available with an integrated Mulliner hamper set, complete with fridge, fine china cutlery, crockery and crystal glass. You can also order a Mulliner Tourbillon by Breitling clock.
Deliveries will commence in early 2016, by which time Bentley will have released prices for the Bentayga. Don’t expect much change from £150,000.
Porsche has revealed a mid-life facelift for its 911 Carrera and Carrera S models – with the biggest change being a new, twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre flat-six engine.
It’s the first time entry-level 911s have used forced-induction in the car’s 52-year lifespan, meaning it’s a controversial (if predictable) move for the carmaker.
Put your prejudices to one side, however, and you’ll be treated to the fastest 911 Carrera and Carrera S models ever.
How fast is the 2016 Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera S?
With a boost of 20hp, the Carrera now boasts 370hp and the Carrera S 420hp. Torque has been increased by 44lb ft for each model, available at 1,700rpm to 5,000rpm. Both redline at 7,500rpm – meaning, Porsche insists, enthusiasts won’t miss the 911’s typical sonorous flat-six engine sound.
Fitted with the PDK transmission, the 911 Carrera coupe with optional sport chrono package reaches 62mph in 4.2 seconds, while the Carrera S takes just 3.9 seconds. That’s 0.2 seconds quicker than the outgoing models – and the S is the first 911 Carrera ever to break the 4.0 second barrier.
The 911 Carrera’s top speed has been increased to 183mph (a rise of 4mph), while the Carrera S can now reach 191mph (3mph faster than previously).
What about efficiency?
In traditional turbocharged fashion, efficiency has been improved by as much as 12% compared to the outgoing models.
Fitted with Porsche’s PDK transmission, the 911 Carrera will return 38.2mpg on the combined cycle (an increase of 3.8mpg), while the Carrera S is capable of 36.7mpg (compared to its predecessor’s 32.5mpg).
This translates to CO2 emissions of 169g/km for the Carrera PDK and 174g/km for the Carrera S PDK.
What else is new?
As part of the optional sport chrono package, the 911 Carrera now features a ‘mode switch’ on the steering wheel – derived from the hybrid mode switch of the Porsche 918.
This allows drivers to switch between ‘normal’, ‘sport’, ‘sport plus’ and ‘individual’ driving setups. There’s also an additional ‘sport response’ button – allowing maximum acceleration for 20 seconds by holding onto the optimum gear and adjusting the engine management for a more spontaneous response.
For the first time, Porsche’s active suspension management (PASM) chassis is fitted as standard to Carrera models – lowering the right height by 10mm. New dampers combined with wider rear wheels improve body control, says Porsche.
Orders are now being taken for the new Porsche 911 Carrera, with prices starting at £76,412 (Carrera S £85,253). Deliveries will begin in December.
Police say they are having to respond to emergency calls in Vauxhall Corsas not equipped with sirens following budget cuts made by the Government.
West Midlands Police have had to use the Vauxhalls – which are kitted with blue lights but no sirens – to reach emergency calls over 100 times in the last 12 months, according to reports.
The force has 109 Vauxhall Corsa patrol cars on its fleet, intended for non-emergency use only. Budget cuts, however, mean they’re being used to respond to urgent 999 calls.
Officers are told they’re not allowed to break the rules of the road without sirens – leading to ‘huge frustration’ as they struggle to make their 15 minute target to reach crime scenes.
Superintendent Kerry Blakeman, from the West Midlands Police’s operations department, told local newspaper the Express and Star: “Any officer can respond to an incident if they are suitably trained to drive at speed and are in an appropriate vehicle – with lights and siren.
“Officers who are not appropriately trained and/or driving an appropriate vehicle can attend an incident as quickly and safely as possible while complying with the Road Traffic Act just as members of the public should.
“Incidents graded as ‘immediate’ are responded to as soon as possible, usually in a matter of minutes and on many occasions require the use of lights and sirens.
“At no point was the Corsa intended for response work as it is a low performance vehicle.”
Google has patented a system that will let your sat nav warn you of bumpy roads using sensors fitted to other vehicles.
The GPS system will monitor vibrations inside cars to work out how bumpy a road is and pinpoint where potholes are.
This will then let you choose an alternative, smoother route avoiding the most potholed roads.
The data is also likely to be passed onto Google’s own self-driving cars to provide a more comfortable ride for their passengers.
The company already uses GPS data from phones running Google Maps to monitor traffic conditions and provide routes which avoid jams.
A similar system is already in the pipeline from Jaguar Land Rover. This uses sensors to profile the road’s surface and adjust the car’s dampers in preparation for hitting a pothole.
This information can also be shared between cars fitted with this system – and JLR is also working on using it to report deteriorating road surfaces with local councils.
“Leave in time for a nightcap in the onboard bar and dine from a menu created from the finest Scottish produce. Enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep in your cosy cabin and wake refreshed to breakfast in bed.” Sounds idyllic, doesn’t it? The Caledonian Sleeper train must be the ultimate way to travel between London and Edinburgh.
Or is it?
A little over two years ago, I ‘raced’ the Cornish Riviera sleeper train between London and Penzance and – by visiting every station and sticking to all the speed limits – I beat the train by a few seconds. No really, I did. It was a proper Top Gear-style photo finish. Only without the brilliantly-executed script and huge production budget. You can read about the exploits over on PetrolBlog.
I always promised myself I’d do it again. The sleeper train to Scotland was an opportunity too good to miss. So when Rolls-Royce got in touch to say that if I was ever planning to do something similar, they’d provide car, I jumped at the chance. And tonight, the race, or should I say, Wraith, is on. Hashtag #WraithTheTrain, etc, etc.
At around ten to midnight, the passengers onboard the Caledonian Sleeper will be settling down to enjoy a nightcap, before enjoying a relaxing sleep. Meanwhile, somewhere outside Euston Station, a pair of intrepid (read: foolish) explorers will be firing up the V12-engined Rolls-Royce Wraith and attempting to escape from London.
All things being equal, the train should pull into Edinburgh’s Waverley Station at 07:22, precisely 7 hours and 32 minutes after leaving London. By following a similar route to the train, essentially via the M6 to Carlisle and then across to Edinburgh, the Wraith should arrive within seven hours. Take the more direct route via the A1 and it takes 7 hours and 13 minutes. Either way, we should beat the train.
But throw into the equation Britain’s love affair with overnight roadworks, average speed cameras and delays getting out of London and into Edinburgh, and we have ourselves a leveller. A combined fuel consumption of 20.2mpg will result in a number of stops for fuel, so this one is going to be tight. Incidentally, the Wraith is currently averaging 14.1mpg…
Of course, you can get to Edinburgh quicker by taking a train at a more sensible time. But to do so would be to go without the luxury and class of the Caledonian Sleeper. And what better car to pit against the grace and pace of the luxotrain than a 6.6-litre Wraith, the most-powerful Rolls-Royce in history. With 623hp and 590lb ft of torque on tap, it’s hardly lacking in power. Mind you, at £255,365 (plus taxes), our test car represents a far more expensive route north than the price of a train ticket.
Right now, there are four questions to be answered. Firstly, will the amount of coffee consumed be greater than the amount of super unleaded? Secondly, which route will we actually take? Thirdly, will we actually beat the train to Edinburgh? Finally, wouldn’t it have been more sensible to stay at home to watch the Great British Bake Off?
Find out the answers to all this and more by following @MajorGav on Twitter or using the hashtag #WraithTheTrain. If you see us heading north, give us a Railway Children-style wave. But no petticoats. Thank you.
The Toyota GT86 has been around for a few years now, and has proved to be a controversial car. Many love its simple, modest-grip, rear-wheel-drive setup, while others fail to see past its lack of power and dated interior.
Buyers have certainly struggled to justify it against cheaper, faster hot hatches such as the Ford Fiesta ST, which goes some way towards explaining why sales have been so disappointing.
One car that has been overlooked as a rival to the GT86 is the Mazda MX-5. Despite being the world’s best-selling sports car, in recent times it has put on weight and (perhaps unfairly) developed an image as a fashion accessory rather than a true sports car.
That’s set to change with the launch of the fourth-generation Mazda MX-5, due on sale in the UK at the end of this month. The new model is 100kg lighter than its predecessor and shorter than any MX-5 ever – even the 1990 original.
We recently went to the Scottish Highlands to find out if it is now a serious driver’s car – but we also decided to put it head-to-head against the slightly more expensive Toyota GT86. Which will come out on top?
Toyota GT86: On the road
If we could award a star rating on driver experience alone, both of these would be five-star cars.
The Toyota GT86 feels like a much more exotic car than a twenty-something-grand coupe. You sit low, and the Milltek Sport stainless steel exhaust system fitted to our test car makes a pleasing burble on start-up.
The steering is heavy – bordering on too heavy when manoeuvring in tight situations. But that adds to the feeling that you’re driving something more akin to a supercar than a competitor for a hot Fiesta.
Once out on the road and past national speed limit signs, the GT86’s foibles (of which there are many, we’ll come to those shortly) are soon forgotten. Even with the wider 235mm Pirelli P Zero tyres fitted to the 18-inch alloys of our test car, there’s not an endless amount of grip.
That’s part of the GT86’s charm, though. It’s a refreshingly analogue car in a time of turbochargers and copious grip. The chassis is so communicative that you always know what’s going on. Not that you need to be a pro to drive one – after a bit of time with it, your confidence will increase. It’ll teach you a lot more about driving than an over-assisted hot hatch will.
At first, the GT86 feels slower than you might expect, particularly if you’re used to driving turbocharged cars. It lacks torque and putting your foot down at low to middle revs results in a lot of noise, but won’t pin you back in your seat. With peak torque at around 6,500rpm – just short of the redline – you really have to rev this engine to extract its best performance.
You soon get into this mindset, however. The six-speed gearbox is a fairly sweet unit, if a tad notchy, and a light flickers telling you when to change up. You soon get into a rhythm, exploiting its peaky power delivery and changing up just as you touch the redline.
If you drive the GT86 in this manner it’s unlikely to feel slow. It’s more than capable of overtaking slower traffic and you can soon be travelling very quickly. The low-down driving position and communicative steering add to the sensation of speed. Sure, a hot hatch might beat it in a drag race, but the GT86 is such a thrilling car to drive on normal British roads that you soon forget about the hard facts and figures.
Mazda MX-5: On the road
We’ll concentrate on the 2.0-litre Mazda MX-5 here as, although some argue the 1.5-litre is the sweeter unit, the bigger engine is the one closest to the GT86 in terms of both price and power.
Ah, power. If the GT86 feels lacking, you’d have thought the MX-5 would be in desperate need of a hot version – the 2.0-litre packs just 160hp.
But 160hp combined with a low 1,075kg kerb weight means it’s actually brisker than the GT86 – hitting 62mph in 7.3 seconds compared to the Toyota’s 7.7 seconds.
It accelerates in a similar way to the Toyota, with torque peaking high-up in the rev range at 4,600rpm. It’s an engine that loves to rev, but it does seem sprightlier than the Toyota – that 0.4 second gap to 62mph makes a surprising difference.
But straight-line acceleration isn’t what either of these cars is about. The MX-5’s compact dimensions make it feel nimbler than the GT86, while both are wonderfully communicative and feel like could be fairly tail-happy should you turn off the traction control systems.
The GT86 we had on test was fitted with 40mm lowering springs, so provided a firmer ride than a standard version. The MX-5, however, provided a surprisingly compliant ride, only getting unsettled by the harshest of bumps.
That’s always been the delight of the MX-5. Not only is it extremely entertaining if you push it hard, it’s also very happy being driven at low speeds. In that way, it’s probably an easier car to live with every day than the more focussed GT86.
Toyota GT86: On the inside
As good as the GT86 is to drive, it’s as let down by its interior. It feels like a Toyota from at least 10 years ago – with lots of dark, hard plastics making the cabin feel quite claustrophobic.
It’s more practical than the MX-5 – it’s got rear seats, for a start, although they really are only a token gesture for young children. There’s plenty of stowage space, too – something the MX-5 is seriously lacking in.
Toyota says its interior has been designed with a lightweight ethos in mind – pointing out its frameless rear-view mirror as an example of where weight has been saved. But you find yourself asking if this is just an excuse for penny-pinching.
Standard equipment is lacking. There’s no DAB radio (although it is ‘DAB-ready’, says Toyota). It’s amazing how much you take things like hill-hold assist and stop-start for granted – and having to take your hands off the steering wheel to change the volume of the radio feels very old-fashioned.
Our test car was fitted with the optional Touch and Go satellite navigation system. It’s a clumsy, old-fashioned unit that even looks a bit aftermarket. For the £750 Toyota asks, we’d recommend swerving it in favour of a TomTom on the windscreen. Old-fashioned, for sure, but so is the car.
The GT86’s interior does have a few saving graces, however. The bucket seats not only look great and provide plenty of support, they’re also surprisingly comfortable. We also particularly like the steering wheel… a minor thing, perhaps, but one that does make a big difference to the overall driving experience. At 365mm, it’s particularly small, making it easy to extract the best out of the sporty Toyota. The chrome sports pedals are also nicely placed for enthusiastic drivers.
Mazda MX-5: On the inside
Considering Mazda has also gone hard on the lightweight ethos, the MX-5’s interior is much more pleasant than the GT86’s. It will also look familiar to anyone who’s spent time in the latest Mazda 2 or CX-3.
It feels very modern, with bits of chrome giving it an upmarket feel and red stitching adding to its sportiness. The sat nav is easy to use, while the prominent rev counter emphasises the MX-5’s rev-hungry nature.
It’s only when you look really closely that you notice minor weight-saving measures, such as the lack of padding on the sun visors. Overall, though, it’s not detrimental to the driver or passenger’s comfort – which is impressive considering how much weight they’ve managed to cut on the new model.
One thing it does lack is storage space. There are no door bins, the cup holders are flimsy removable items, and there is no glovebox. A minor gripe on the face of it, but it does irritate when you struggle to find somewhere even to put your mobile phone.
If you can cope with the compact nature of the MX-5’s interior and don’t mind the lack of storage, it runs rings around the GT86 here.
Toyota GT86: Running costs
The old-fashioned nature of the GT86’s engine, combined with the fact you will thrash it anywhere, means it’s not particularly efficient. Officially, it returns 36.2mpg on the combined cycle, but do expect this to drop significantly.
CO2 emissions of 180g/km mean you’ll pay £225 a year in road tax (£350 in the first year), while if you’re looking at one as a company car you’ll be paying a BIK tax rate of 31%.
Traditionally, though, Toyotas are extremely reliable. This means you shouldn’t suffer many of the unexpected costs you might associate with sports cars.
Mazda MX-5: Running costs
The 2.0-litre high-compression Skyactiv engine in the MX-5 returns 40.9mpg on the combined cycle, while emitting 161g/km CO2. That puts it into the ‘G’ tax band, resulting in £180 tax for the first year, and the same for following years.
Like Toyota, Mazda has a reputation for reliability, so we wouldn’t be worried about owning one when it’s out of warranty (after three years compared to the Toyota’s five).
Neither should be costly to run, providing you’re not expecting diesel-like economy. Without resorting to the ‘smiles per gallon’ cliche, both cars offer an awful lot of fun for relatively affordable running costs.
Mazda MX-5 versus Toyota GT86: Verdict
If you’re serious about driving, neither the Toyota GT86 or new Mazda MX-5 will disappoint, despite their relatively modest power.
The MX-5 is a much more sorted package. It seems easier to live with, and its interior, although not as practical as the Toyota’s, feels of much better quality.
It’s also nimbler and offers more fun at low speed. The little roadster is just as happy on city streets as being pushed to its limits on track.
The Toyota GT86 feels, and looks, more special. It’s a more focussed car to drive, and its poor sales mean it still turns heads three years after its launch.
Like past models of the MX-5, we expect the fourth generation will soon become a victim of its own popularity, appearing across the UK quicker than you can fold its manual soft-top roof down.
For most buyers, the Mazda MX-5 makes a lot more sense than the Toyota GT86. It’s cheaper, faster and has a much nicer interior. Handling is on par with the Toyota, and the Mazda also has that added boon of being able to go topless.
Are we saying don’t buy the GT86? Not at all. If you can make the GT86 work for you, it’s a purchase we’d fully respect. It feels more special than the MX-5 and is likely to stay rare for longer. Don’t let it’s relative lack of power bother you, but that interior is a sacrifice you’ll have to justify. Many will find that difficult.
You can now inform the DVLA that you’ve sold a car to a trader or private buyer online, rather than filling in the relevant sections of the V5 logbook and notifying the organisation by post.
It come as part of the DVLA’s purge on unnecessary paper – following axing the tax disc and paper counterpart driving licence.
When selling your car privately, you’ll still have to fill in the V5C/2 section (new keeper supplement) and give that to the buyer.
But instead of filling in other sections of the V5, the DVLA advises you to destroy it and notify them online.
How does it work?
As the seller, you’ll get an instant email confirmation and a letter confirming you’re no longer the registered keeper. You’ll also get an automatic refund on any tax left on the vehicle – as tax is no longer transferable.
The buyer will also get an email confirmation (if you provide their email address) and a new paper V5 within five working days.
If you sell your car to a dealer or within the motor trade, you can also use the service to notify the DVLA.
Are paper V5s being axed?
Unlike paper counterpart driving licences and tax discs, the DVLA isn’t axing paper V5s entirely. You’ll still get one when you buy a car, and it is still possible to send it off in the post to notify the DVLA of any changes.
You can also transfer personalised registration numbers through the DVLA’s website.
ALSO READ
Stop wasting money on fuel says government – buy an EV
Do you know the number to ring in an emergency in the EU?
More than four in 10 car insurance policies exclude cover for damage by valet parking staff – despite ‘meet and greet’ services becoming increasingly popular in the UK.
GoCompare Car Insurance, which analysed 230 comprehensive car insurance policies to reveal the findings, is thus warning Brits to check their policies carefully before using such services.
Examples where valet parking cover may be excluded by car insurance policies include:
Airport ‘meet and greet’ car parking
Hotel chains
Entertainment venues
Hand car wash valet services
Matt Oliver, car insurance spokesman at Gocompare.com said: “Valet parking is becoming more common in the UK.
“While valet parking can be a convenient way to park your car, especially at airports, any damage to your car while in the care of the valet service might not be covered by your car insurance.”
A sure-fire way to spoil a holiday upon your return…
What else should I check before using valet parking?
Oliver also advised you check terms and conditions on the valet operator’s side, too. “These will outline what insurance cover, if any, they offer, and detail any exclusions, limits and excesses.
“Typically, operators offer very limited cover for damage to your car, which you will need to spot and report to them when you collect your vehicle.”
Make sure you do this before driving away – scour the car carefully because once you leave, you’ll find it very difficult to argue your case if you subsequently spot any damage.
“Any possessions left in your car are also typically excluded.” So don’t forget to take everything valuable out before you leave the car…
MORE on MR
Car insurance still getting cheaper – but it won’t last
The best travel apps for your summer holidays
Do you know the number to ring in an emergency in the EU?
Jaguar F-Pace programme director Andy Whyman believes the new SUV will be as transformational for the firm as the Range Rover Evoque has been for Land Rover.
