Month: January 2019

What is it?

ES is a nameplate steeped in history for Lexus — but one many here in the UK are unlikely to of heard of before.

Roll the years back to 1989, and to the launch of the Lexus brand globally. The ES was one of two cars tasked with allowing this new Japanese firm to take on traditional premium rivals — and its success has seen it now enter its seventh-generation.

Despite that, this is the first iteration of the executive saloon coming to the UK — replacing the slow-selling GS. Is it enough for Lexus to find success in a segment so traditionally dominated by the Germans?

What’s new?

The ES is both new to the UK, and totally new in this form. It’s set upon the GA-K (Global Architecture-K) platform, which will also see action as host of the latest Toyota Camry further on into 2019.

There are some brand firsts for Lexus here too, with a new 2.5-litre petrol engine featuring as part of an overhauled hybrid system, while new safety assistance technologies back up the forward-thinking approach here.

It’s also the first time Lexus has had a real go at making its trendy F Sport grade distinguishable from the rest of the range here. How? Having got behind the wheel of it, we’ll come to that…

New year, new Lexus ES pic.twitter.com/BWTmYHCpYW

— Ryan Hirons (@RyHirons) January 9, 2019

What’s under the bonnet?

Here in the UK, we’ll only see the ES in 300h form — meaning it’s powered by a 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, capable of developing a combined 215bhp while torque is rated at 221Nm for the internal combustion engine and 202Nm for the electric motor. The system is paired with a CVT gearbox.

As a result, 0-60mph comes in 8.7 seconds with a top speed of 112mph possible. Lexus claims the ES300h can achieve 53mpg on the combined cycle while emitting 106g/km of CO2 emissions.

In a move that’s to be expected of Lexus at this point, the system is well-refined and just simply does the job. There’s not an abundance of power, but enough for it to accelerate briskly to motorway speeds and sit there quietly thanks to its electric capabilities. That said, the old CVT trick of making an engine sound like a vacuum cleaner while getting up to speed is all too present.

What’s it like to drive?

Buyers of a Lexus ES will likely do most of their driving on a motorway, and it excels here. Lexus has worked hard to ensure it’s a quiet and comfortable thing at speed (they say 93 per cent of the hidden metal is covered in soundproofing material), and it has paid off.

It rides exceptionally well and there’s so little noise coming into the cabin that you could probably hear a baby breathing while hurtling along at 70mph.

Don’t expect the excitement to ramp up when things get twisty though — despite the F Sport’s attempts to bring that to the table. What sets this model apart is trick adaptive suspension that, in simple terms, aims to bring a more involved drive when pressing on while creating a more comfortable environment at a cruise. It does the latter well, but there’s little sense of involvement under harder loads.

How does it look?

Unmistakably Lexus is the best way to describe the looks of the ES. It manages to be reserved yet bold at the same time, largely thanks to the gargantuan spindle grille sitting at the front of the car.

F Sport variants get a model-specific take on that grille, boasting a honeycomb pattern in favour of the lined unit found on other trims. On top of that, it also boasts 19-inch alloy wheels, jet black exterior highlights, tweaked bumper designs and a subtle boot lid spoiler.

The F Sport package doesn’t make the ES look over-styled to our eyes, but those who want the ‘sporty’ option in the range to stand out might be left wanting for more.

What’s it like inside?

Cabin quality is of a seriously high standard in the Lexus ES. Plush materials are present on every visible and touchable surface in the cabin, while an abundance of leather ensures the seats and steering wheel match the impression of quality.

That said, the driving position almost feels like an afterthought — it’s slightly offset from a natural position to the pedals and pushed almost into the door.

Lexus also claims best-in-class distance between the back of the rear seats to that of the front passenger. That’s an elaborate way to say it’s pretty spacious for those in the back too, offering bags of legroom for even taller adults. As for boot space, the ES offers 454 litres.

What’s the spec like?

Pricing for the Lexus ES begins at £35,150, with standard-fit equipment including adaptive cruise control, automatic LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors, heated electric seats, a reversing camera, rear privacy glass plus the Lexus Navigation infotainment system displayed on an eight-inch touchscreen (and sadly still linked to a dodgy trackpad).

On top of that, upgrading to F Sport brings with it the previously mentioned styling tweaks and suspension upgrades, plus unique seats and power folding mirrors. The F Sport is available from £38,150.

Those wanting a little more luxury over the standard car can opt for the £45,650 Takumi trim — bringing with it 18-inch alloy wheels, blind spot monitoring, an automatic boot, a 10-inch head-up display and a larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen.

Verdict

While the Lexus ES300h remains its only variant, it’s not going to be knocking the established German rivals from the perch — but the Japanese firm will be the first to tell you it isn’t aiming to do that.

Rather, this is an alternative for those who want hybrid efficiency and strong quality yet have residual values and low running costs strong in the back of their minds. It helps the car itself is pretty good too — offering bags of luxury and tech in a comfortable package.

Alternatively-fuelled cars remain the niche choice, but perhaps it’s fair to say the Lexus ES is well positioned to be a seriously strong executive contender when the majority become plugged into the electric revolution.

Facts at a glance

Model as tested: Lexus ES300h F Sport
Price: £38,150
Engine: 2.5-litre hybrid
Power (bhp): 215
Torque (Nm): 221 (engine), 202 (electric motor)
Max speed (mph): 112
0-60mph: 8.7 seconds
MPG: 53.0
Emissions (g/km): 106

If you’ve looked at the specifications of any new car in the last couple of years or so, you’re very likely to have seen lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist or even lane-follow assist on the list.

It’s no accident (no pun intended) – these systems have become virtually essential for modern cars, and even play a part in Euro NCAP crash tests. In fact, the European Commission aims to make it compulsory equipment by 2020.

But what exactly is lane-departure warning – and is it something you should be looking out for when you choose your next car? We unravel the mystery…

What is it?

This system comes in three flavours – lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist and lane-follow assist, and each is slightly more sophisticated than the last. The basic system, lane-departure warning, does exactly what its name suggests.

If you stray out of your lane on a marked road, lane-departure warning will give you a visual, audible or haptic notification – sometimes a combination of all three. This could involve a buzzer, dashboard icon, or even vibration of the seat or steering wheel.

Lane-keep assist is more involved. It features actuators in the steering assembly, which can actually twitch the wheel back into line – preventing you from drifting out of your lane altogether.

With safety features like Lane Departure Warning now standard, New Mazda CX-5 goes above and beyond across every grade #mazda #mazdaaus #zoomzoom #cx5 #acutabove

Find out more: https://t.co/Ew8wBzkKcF pic.twitter.com/Pei6HI9yAQ

— Mazda Australia (@MazdaAus) January 3, 2019

Finally, there’s lane-follow assist, which keeps your vehicle in the centre of its lane with no intervention – allowing the driver to take their hands off the wheel for brief spells if necessary. It’s considered a level 2 autonomous driving feature.

All three systems are disabled if the driver is indicating, so legitimate lane changes shouldn’t trigger any warning.

How does it work?

Lane-departure systems use a camera assembly, usually mounted high up in the windscreen, to track the white lines of the road, both solid and dashed. The camera’s positioning allows it to see the maximum possible distance ahead – usually at least as far as the driver can.

The system tracks the positioning of the lines, and should the car exceed given limits it assumes the driver has drifted out of their lane. It then activates warnings and, depending on the system fitted, can steer the car back into line.

The camera is often used for multiple applications, such as forward collision alert, autonomous emergency braking or even automatic wiper speed control.

Lane departure warning will only usually activate when the car is travelling over a certain speed, limiting it to relatively straight A-roads and motorways. That’s a good thing – after all, you don’t want your car buzzing at you for every movement across white lines on a roundabout or in a supermarket car park, for example.

Can it be fooled?

It certainly can. Lane departure systems rely on footage from a camera, and we know how easily they can be compromised.

Dirt or excess water over the lens will disable the system, as it simply can’t see the road markings ahead.

Pilot Assist in new #Volvo S90 is tremendous… Once you've got over fear of it not working pic.twitter.com/FkLrNj8uLW

— BATCH (@JRRBatchelor) July 11, 2016

Equally, poorly maintained roads with faint, broken or incomplete white lines may confuse the computer. It’s just a good thing the roads of Great Britain are so fastidiously maintai… oh. Right.

Then there are situations where the white lines don’t necessarily correspond to where you should be going. One example of this is in roadworks or contraflows, where the lanes are marked out with studs and the white lines haven’t been covered over. You may need to force your way past the lane-departure system in instances like this, or merely switch the system off.

Do I need it?

Safety equipment is one box we’d always recommend ticking on a car’s options list, so if lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist or lane-follow assist (or any manufacturer rebranding of these systems) are available on your new car, we’d recommend opting for them.

However, do bear in mind that these are driver assistance systems – not driver replacement systems. All of them require the slab of meat behind the wheel to be in control at all times. Even systems that offer a degree of autonomy need the driver to monitor proceedings. Therefore, if you’re opting for these systems to make your life easier, you may be a little disappointed.

Driving in the city can be difficult. There’s congestion, endless yellow boxes and tight, narrow streets to navigate. It’s why the city car makes so much sense; they’re compact, cheap to run and cheap to repair too.

And thankfully they aren’t too expensive to buy used. We’ve picked a £7,000 budget to find some of the best used inner-city cars available to buy today.

Volkswagen up!

The oddly-punctuated up! started a revolution for city cars when it launched in 2012 – proving beyond any doubt that they could rival their larger siblings for quality, refinement and driving enjoyment. The up! may only be 3.5 metres long, but offers a supple ride and nippy handling that many a supermini would be proud of.

It also looks brilliant, costs absolute peanuts to run and will genuinely seat four six-foot adults. What is there not to like? Our budget will give you your pick of the classifieds, and there’s plenty of individually configured models to choose from. We’d opt for the beefier 74bhp engine, and avoid any extra-large alloy wheels that spoil the ride.

Smart ForTwo

You couldn’t really have this list without a Smart, could you? One of the most iconic city cars of all time, the Smart ForTwo is most at home in urban environments. A teeny-tiny turning circle coupled with an equally dinky body size makes it perfect for nipping in and out of traffic, while its short length famously allowed it to park nose-in into parallel bays.

There are plenty of these available on the used market now, with most available for well under our £7,000 budget. You may even be able to grab a punchy, Brabus-tuned version – there for those who want a little more performance.

Renault Twizy

Electric power may be the future of motoring, but if you’re on a budget it can be pretty hard to muster the cash needed for a full-sized model. The Renault Twizy neatly sidesteps this, though, by offering electric mobility with a difference – the difference being, it’s not really a car.

The Twizy is classed as a ‘heavy quadricycle’ and its options list includes items such as doors and windows. Occupants sit one behind the other, and with a top speed of 50mph it’s strictly for inner-city use. However, if you’ve a short commute and want to slash your fuel bills, it’s a step up from a moped… Even a new Twizy comes in under our budget, though you’ll need to factor in the cost of leasing the battery.

Suzuki Cappuccino

When it comes to small cars, the Japanese are the experts. The Kei car is the country’s answer to large, dense cities — offering surprising amounts of space, comfort and safety in an incredibly compact package.

Kei cars can also be fun, too, and that brings us to this — the Suzuki Cappuccino. This dinky little convertible offers style and efficiency — thanks to a tiny three-cylinder engine. Thanks to its compact dimensions and two-seat form though, it also weighs a mere 725kg — making it serious fun to throw around a corner too.

Dacia Sandero Stepway

Dacia’s cars are all stunningly cheap, and the Sandero Stepway is no exception – our budget will buy you a virtually brand-new model. It may be based on the foundation of an old Renault Clio, feature comparatively underpowered and polluting engines and have all the interior luxury of a fridge-freezer, but the Stepway does have plenty going for it – especially as a city car.

First of all, there’s the comfort. It’s not exactly clear how Dacia does this, but the Sandero Stepway is capable of completely ignoring speedbumps. Space is good too, with the large Sandero giving plenty of room for large adults. Add in a good reputation for reliability and decent driving manners and the Sandero Stepway is a winner.

Kia Picanto

Kia’s Picanto has, for some time now, been the go-to choice for those drivers who want a reliable, efficient and good-to-drive city car on a budget. Used examples make even more sense, particularly if you can get one with some of its seven-year warranty still intact (it stays with the car, not the driver).

There are several examples available at this price point, and though you may not get bundles of in-car tech, you will get a superbly reliable car which will deliver each and every day.

The issue of new car safety is one that never really goes away, which is why crash-testing is so important. Independent organisations, such as Euro NCAP, the NHTSA in North America or ANCAP in Australia perform these tests so that consumers are fully aware of how safe the car they’re about to buy is – and in some cases, to alert manufacturers of serious safety failings.

Euro NCAP governs the cars sold in Europe and the UK, so its results are important for consumers over here. In 2018, the organisation crash-tested 23 new cars – rating each out of five stars.

All but three of these cars scored four stars or above, but technicians at the organisation noted some real standouts. Here are the best and the worst…

Safest small family car – Mercedes-Benz A-Class

The A-Class is a small car packed with big-car features, so it’s no surprise that Mercedes fits a raft of standard safety equipment to protect its occupants. All A-Classes get autonomous emergency braking capable of detecting cars, cyclists and pedestrians, plus lane-departure warning. That helped it achieve a none-too-shabby 75 per cent score in the Safety Assist category.

More impressive were the baby Benzes’ scores for Adult, Child and Vulnerable Road Users – with 96, 91 and 92 per cent respectively. Those are remarkable numbers by any standards, and mean the A-Class is the safest small car NCAP tested in 2018.

Safest large family car AND safest hybrid car – Lexus ES

The replacement for the Lexus GS, the ES is able to call on the mighty parts bin of one of the world’s largest car manufacturers – Toyota – for its safety equipment. Its score of 77 per cent in the Safety Assist category reflects this.

Knee airbags for both driver and passenger contributed to a 91 per cent score for Adult occupants, too, with the only issue being poor protection of the rear passenger’s pelvis in certain situations. Not a bad rap sheet at all.

Safest large SUV – Hyundai Nexo

The Hyundai Nexo may look like a conventional – albeit sharply-styled – SUV, but underneath the skin lurks the first hydrogen fuel-cell car Euro NCAP has ever crash tested. Though scaremongers will reference hydrogen’s flammable nature and the pressurised way it’s stored, Euro NCAP’s proven that it’s not only safe, but is used in the safest large SUV it tested in 2018.

The Nexo only fell down on Pedestrian safety with a 67 per cent score, but scores of 94, 87 and 80 per cent in Adult, Child and Safety Assist categories are all exceptional. The Nexo proves the future can be just as safe as the present.

Least safe cars tested in 2018

Suzuki Jimny – three stars

The old Suzuki Jimny was on sale virtually unchanged for two decades – but Suzuki didn’t seem to take the opportunity to brush the new model up on safety. Lack of an active bonnet and a rudimentary autonomous emergency braking system harmed its safety assist score, while the car’s boxy bodywork and unforgiving panels mean pedestrian protection is pretty poor. Still. Adult and child occupant scores aren’t too bad, so the Jimny still scores three stars.

Jeep Wrangler – one star

Think Suzuki Jimny but on a bigger scale – the 2018 Wrangler is a reimagining of a classic, without too many changes to the recipe Jeep buyers know and love. The end result? A scary 50 per cent score for Adult occupants, thanks to poor protection of the legs and torso, and a truly miserable 32 per cent in the Safety Assist category – the Jeep does without even optional autonomous emergency braking or lane keeping assist.

Fiat Panda – no stars

Oh dear, Fiat’s not had such a good time of late. Just a year after the Punto hatchback scored a zero-star rating, the Italian brand’s smallest car is back with the same score. The Panda’s crash protection was rated weak for several areas, particularly the head, neck, and rear passenger’s chests. A measly seven per cent Safety Assist score rounds off this poor showing.

It’s worth mentioning that Euro NCAP tests are the textbook definitions of moving the goalposts – the Panda scored four out of five stars when it was first tested in 2011, and it hasn’t become less safe since then. Rather, the crash tests have become more taxing, and so cars that were good once simply aren’t up to the mark of today.

Nissan has developed safety technology that it says will help drivers see hidden or obscured obstacles.

Designed to combine the digital universe with the physical one, ‘Invisible-to-Visible’ – or I2V – merges data from 360-degree sensors with data from the cloud, enabling the car to show the driver their surroundings, pointing out hazards and even predicting what’s coming next, showing what might be behind a building or around a bend.

It will go on show at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas next week, and project engineer Tetsuro Ueda explained: “Simply put, the ‘metaverse’ is the virtual universe. Sensor data, cloud data and artificial intelligence live in the digital world, and their communication language is binary.

Nissan’s new Invisible-to-Visible technology is coming to #CES2019, innovating how cars integrate into society. For more details, visit our newsroom: https://t.co/xKpZ5rv6R2 #Nissan #IntelligentMobility pic.twitter.com/uIdNzN6BED

— Nissan (@Nissan) January 3, 2019

“However, humans can’t understand what’s being communicated just by looking at the binary data. I2V technology merges the digital world and the real world to a new level of connectivity that connects cars to the metaverse.”

Local data about physical surroundings is collected by on-board sensors and combined with global data about transport infrastructure from the cloud. “These allow the artificial intelligence to drive the car. When the car processes the data and visualises it, the driver feels at ease and can trust the car,” said Ueda.

Other data can be presented to the driver via various methods. Nissan’s examples include a floating avatar that acts as navigator, as well as superimposed road instructions and voice warnings.

The system can even display animated local guides to show drivers around unfamiliar cities and call on cloud data to figure out when and where a parking space might become available.

CES runs from January 8 to 11.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has designed a way for van drivers to get fit following the festive period.

Many people head to the gym at this time of the year after a spell of overindulgence, but it can be difficult for busy van drivers to fit in the time to keep fit – particularly as they spend an average of 2.89 hours a day behind the wheel.

To help make exercising a little easier for van drivers and tradespeople, Volkswagen has devised an exercise regime that uses everyday tools and van body panels.

Although a survey of 500 van users by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles found that the average driver aims to exercise at least twice a week, and one in 10 say they follow a healthy diet, it can still be tough for those behind the wheel to spend enough time active.

That’s why VW says a range of exercises – from ‘bumper dips’ to ‘panel push-ups’ – could help to get the blood pumping when out on the road.

Sarah Cox, head of marketing for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “Our brand promise Working With You is devised to keep customers and their businesses moving forward, and that goes beyond just the health of the vehicle.

“It’s all part of putting our customers first, and this unique programme could see Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Working Out With You in 2019!”

Up first is a cable skip for 30 seconds, followed by 30 seconds of rest. This is repeated 10 times.

Then there’s the toolbox squat and raise for 10 to 20 reps. The driver has to hold a toolbox out in front of them and squat from the knees with back straight and feet flat. Then they need to stand up straight and raise the toolbox above their head and repeat.

Third is a pipe clean and press for 10 to 20 reps. Put a section of pipe on the floor and bend down while keeping the back straight. Pick up the pipe and lift it to chest height, before pressing it overhead with straight arms.

Seated wrench curls are up next, again for 10 to 20 repetitions. Open the side door of the van and sit on the edge. Take a wrench and lift it from waist to shoulder while keeping the body still. Repeat while alternating between hands.

Finally, there are panel push-ups. The driver should place their hands on the bumper, facing the van in a traditional press-up position, then they need to lower themselves towards the bumper before pushing back up. This should be done for between 10 and 20 reps.

Dream cars are meant for bedroom wall posters, right? Well that’s not always the case, as on occasions you can get the car of your dreams for a reasonable sum of money.

We’ve plucked a £50,000 budget from the air, and found ten of the very best ‘dream’ cars that you could realistically buy with it.

Audi R8

Audi’s original R8 broke the mould when it came to supercars, because it was one you could actually use day in, day out. Rock-solid build quality paired with good looks and an inspiring drive meant that the R8 was immensely popular when it was first released – and there are now plenty of used examples to choose from.

At this price point you’ll be able to get your hands on the full-fat 5.2-litre V10-powered version, and you can even get it with a manual gearbox, which is the one to have.

Bentley Continental

Bentley’s Continental makes for an exceptionally good used purchase. Particularly in this price range, you’ll be able to get yourself a clean, relatively low-mileage example. But that’s not the best thing – you’ll be bagging a W12 engine, and a luxurious cabin too.

For under £50,000 you’ll be able to choose between coupe or drop-top too.

Porsche 911

You can’t go wrong with a Porsche 911, right? One of the most beloved sports cars of all time, the 911 is an ideal everyday dream car – you can enjoy it on tight, twisty roads, but it’s just as adept at doing the supermarket run.

You’ll be able to pick up a clean 991 example at this price point, though there are a variety of classics available too – it’s down to what you fancy.

BMW Z1

BMW’s striking Z1 may not be your stereotypical dream car, but it’s one we feel is worth considering. Why? Well, for starters, the doors go up and down electronically – and it’s hard to describe just how cool this is.

On a bright summer’s day, you won’t regret opting for the Z1. We promise.

Aston Martin DB9

Aston Martin’s DB9 relaunched the brand back into the mainstream, taking over from the older DB7. It was a resounding success; the car’s engine, construction and general driving style were leagues ahead of the car it replaced.

It’s an impressively good used buy, too. The market is awash with decent examples, and our budget will net you a decent, well cared for model.

Nissan R34 Skyline GT-R

In terms of cult followings, the R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R is right up there. Made famous by its appearance in iconic motoring movie Fast and Furious, the R34 is loved by enthusiasts across the globe.

Twin-turbocharged engines were used throughout the car’s life, though this was one vehicle favoured by tuners more than any other – so these powertrains were frequently boosted and pushed to incredible power outputs.

Jaguar E-Type

Think ‘classic car’ and your brain has probably already started forming the picture of an E-Type. Still touted as one of the most beautiful cars ever built, this picture of classic elegance is unlikely to ever depreciate in value again and can provoke smiles in even the meanest of pedestrians. Opt for a Series 1 for maximum kudos, but you may need to stretch our £50k budget to get a good one…

Mercedes 280SL ‘Pagoda’

Our £50,000 budget won’t stretch to the iconic 300SL – more’s the pity – but it will get you a 280SL and that’s almost as good. This gorgeous cabriolet produced a genuinely impressive (for the time) 168bhp from its 2.8-litre straight-six engine, and the option of a distinctive detachable ‘Pagoda’ hardtop. Timeless, classic, beautiful and distinctive.

Morgan Aero 8

When Morgan’s Aero 8 first came out, it was slammed for being, well, a little odd-looking. However, behind the rather frog-eyed front end sat a proper V8 engine, linked to the rear wheels via a manual gearbox – though it was later available with an automatic.

In terms of standing out, you’ll do well to better the Aero 8. Both in terms of styling and overall theatre, this a tough car to beat – particularly at this price point.

Ferrari 360

We couldn’t finish this list without a Ferrari, could we? And what better Ferrari to pick than the 360 – arguably one of the most iconic and popular cars to ever wear the prancing horse.

And better still, 360 models are relatively simple to get your hands on, particularly for our budget. Just keep a close eye on the car’s service history and general condition – 360s are notorious for going wrong if not maintained properly.