Author: Rebecca Chaplin

The average cost of car insurance is now £107 more expensive than it was 12 months ago, according to new data.

Drivers taking out insurance in the first three months of 2023 would find it costing on average £637, some 20 per cent higher than it would have been for the same period last year.

This figure also puts average insurance prices at the highest since they peaked in 2011.

The research carried out by One Poll for insurance aggregate website Confused.com also found that of the 2,000 UK surveyed, more than half (55 per cent) received a higher renewal price than if they shopped around.

On average, those surveyed had a renewal price £53 higher than their existing policy, compared to £28 higher according to the latest index data reports.

Those living in inner London saw prices rise the most, up by £203 (23 per cent) on average in the past 12 months, and those in outer London an average rise of £158 (23 per cent) meaning average premiums now stand at £1,067 and £845 respectively.

Drivers in Northern Ireland saw prices increase an average of £123 or 21 per cent and Central Scotland also saw an increase of £105 (22 per cent).

Drivers aged 21 saw the biggest increase in average insurance price for the last three months, up £271 (23 per cent), meaning their average policy costs £1,471.

However, for increases over the past 12 months, 17 year olds saw the biggest average growth, up £446 or 38 per cent on average.

Louise Thomas, Confused.com car insurance expert comments: “For drivers who’ve bought policies already this year, the spike in costs might have come as quite a shock. But although there are increases for both new and existing drivers, the evidence shows how shopping and switching at renewal can save money.

“With the average cost of car insurance around £657, drivers might be thinking how they can help to keep costs down. As well as using price comparison sites to find the best deals, drivers should also be accurate with information they give to insurers.”

She added: “For example, telling your provider that you drive fewer miles than you actually do doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll get a cheaper price. If feasible, paying for your insurance annually and having a multi-car policy can also help with the price you pay.”

What is it?

Audi has looked at a flourishing SUV market in a world that is taking electric vehicles seriously for the first time and made a very sensible decision to launch the e-tron. It’s the first of three new all-electric cars on their way by 2020, all of which will wear the e-tron name but with GT and Q4 added for those coming later this year.

What’s new?

Driving the all-electric @AudiUK e-tron around the beautiful Yorkshire Dales today. pic.twitter.com/2byQHHHFAs

— Rebecca Chaplin (@believebecca) April 9, 2019

This is the first time that Audi has sold a completely electric model. However, you shouldn’t feel bad if it didn’t jump out as anything other than another Audi SUV. While there are some subtle updates to the overall image, it does look very similar to other models in the Q range – and we don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing.

What’s under the bonnet?

This is all powered by two electric motors, paired with Audi’s electric all-wheel-drive system. The e-tron 55 quattro uses Audi’s new and confusing naming system that brings electric, petrol and diesel powertrains under the same umbrella.

In this case, it means its electric motors produce 265kW of power – or 355bhp in old money – which will take the car to 60mph in 5.7 seconds. That’s not going to feel like the fastest Teslas on the market, but for a mid-sized SUV it’s still pretty quick off the mark.

The e-tron is also capable of charging to 80 per cent in 30 minutes from a fast charger and its maximum capacity can last for up to 259 miles.

What’s it like to drive?

If I were to hand the keys for the e-tron to my mum, I’m not sure she’d notice it was an electric car. OK, she might detect the slight whirring noise that you wouldn’t get from anything other than an EV, but this could be the most convincing electric vehicle masquerading as a conventional car around.

Maybe this has more to say about the refinement of Audi’s standard engines, or it’s possible that the e-tron has arrived at the perfect time when driving an electric car really is, well, normal. Power delivery is great, the ride is smooth – even at high motorway speeds – and the steering feels responsive.

We knew exactly how far we would be driving on our test drive – around 20 miles within the initial range given – but my driving style didn’t change, I wasn’t worried about running out of charge, and we safely arrived back with more charge than expected.

How does it look?

The e-tron has been given some styling additions that both update the car’s look compared with others in the Audi range and improve efficiency. From the front, it shares a similarly striking look to the latest Q8 model. However, has this moved on far enough from the existing range of SUVs? Take out of the equation that this is an EV therefore most buyers expect some futuristic technology, and it just doesn’t feel as special as it should when older Q-model SUVs drive by with a very similar design.

What’s it like inside?

In fairness to the e-tron, if you opted for the launch edition you’ll get the very special wing mirror cameras – or you can opt to replace your standard mirrors with these pod-like cameras. This displays what’s behind you on small OLED screens in the doors. To use them at first is a little jarring but slowly your brain adjusts to what you’re seeing. Apart from this, high-quality and durable interior materials are used and you get the latest Audi dual-screen infotainment system with haptic controls.

What’s the spec like?

The price of the e-tron does start a little high at £70,805. You could buy a Q8 for £10,000 less or an entry-level Jaguar I-Pace comes in a little cheaper. However, the e-tron is packed with some great standard equipment and arguably better space than either of those models. At entry level, the e-tron gets 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, air suspension, keyless entry, leather seats and parking cameras.

Verdict

The Audi e-tron has completely wowed simply because it is so normal. For years, we’ve been testing electric cars with spaceship-like qualities, but Audi has taken the features of its fantastic SUV range and seamlessly added all-electric power. Paired with its impressive range and high-quality specifications, it’ll surely be convincing more people to make the switch to electric driving.

Facts at a glance

Model as tested: Audi e-tron 55 quattro
Price as tested: £74,895
Engine: Twin all-electric motors
Power: 265kW/335bhp
Torque: 561Nm
Max speed: 124mph
0-60mph: 5.7 seconds
Range: Up to 259 miles
Emissions: 0g/km

Tesla’s long-awaited Model 3 has made its official public debut in the UK three years after the first orders were placed.

When the all-electric saloon was first announced in September 2015, there was an incredible response with 325,000 deposits taken globally. Since then, the production timetable has stretched with numerous problems afflicting the California-based tech company.

Although deliveries in the US have begun, this is only the start for UK customers who will have never seen the car in the metal before without travelling abroad.

The Model 3 made its debut appearance at Tesla’s Park Royal centre, on Dukes Road in London, and those who had put down a deposit for their own were invited for a first glimpse.

Tesla also confirmed at the event the range of its long-range rear-wheel-drive Model 3, after it completed the Worldwide Harmonised Light-Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), as 338 miles.  However, there is also the option of a dual-motor all-wheel-drive version, although the range for this model hasn’t been officially confirmed.

This is the smallest family car in the Tesla range but still boasts impressive performance figures. The Model 3 will be capable of 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds and can hit a claimed top speed of 155mph.

The Model 3 is also the most affordable car from the brand yet, with US prices starting from $35,000 (around £27,000). UK prices still haven’t been confirmed, but interested buyers can put down a £1,000 deposit on the car maker’s website to join the order queue.

Audi has revealed its all-electric SUV at a glitzy world premiere in San Francisco.

Called the E-tron Quattro, it’s one of the most tech-focussed cars on the market with some truly unique features.

While buyers will be impressed with its range of more than 200 miles on a single charge, those who love high-tech kit will be wowed by its world-first video camera wing mirrors, six touchscreens and stylish LED lights.

It comes with Quattro all-wheel drive that its designers claim is better than any version used on an Audi before.

Homologation for the UK hasn’t been completed yet, but Audi estimates it’ll have a range of 248 miles in real world conditions. That puts it up against premium electric car rivals the Tesla Model X and Jaguar I-Pace for range, however higher capacity 100D Teslas and Mercedes’s EQC will exceed this.

Although specific details for the UK are yet to be confirmed, prices will start at around £70,805 when it goes on sale in November. Audi has said that some European customers will have theirs before the end of 2018.

The electric car is capable of 0-60mph in 5.7 seconds and it can hit a limited top speed of 124mph thanks to its 402bhp (300kW) power output and torque of 664Nm, which is available almost instantly.

The E-tron can be charged to 80 per cent in 30 minutes using a fast charger and sets a new standard with its ability to charge using a high powered 150kW unit. At home, it can charge at 11kW in around eight hours and has the option to charge at 22kW too.

As standard, the car gets a CCS rapid charger port on the driver’s side of the car, but buyers can choose to add a second AC port on the passenger side so they’re never caught out by an awkward charger.

Features such as this have been carefully thought through to make it one of the most practical electric cars on the market. The ports are hidden behind a discreet cover, which moves sideways rather than out – making it easier to charge even in a tight garage.

The car’s cameras make it possible to see a 360-degree recreation of the vehicle and its surroundings on the main infotainment touchscreen. The high-definition seven-inch OLED touchscreens in the door, connected to the side cameras, can also be easily adjusted too.

While the E-tron doesn’t look dissimilar to other SUVs in the Audi range, the aerodynamics have been key in the design and engineering process.

As standard it gets air suspension that’s capable of altering the height of the car depending on the speed. The roofline, body panels and wheel designs all help to reduce drag and increase range.

Orange touches are unique to this car, on the seats, brake calipers and E-tron logo, with only this, partially-closed grille and the clever light signatures that would distinguish this car as an EV.

The small SUV will face tough competition from the Tesla Model X, Jaguar I-Pace and Mercedes EQC but it has all the right credentials in the practical family car stakes with five seats, 600 litres of boot space and a further 60 litres of storage space under the bonnet.

After months of teasing and pre-production drives, we’ve finally been let loose in Jaguar’s electric I-Pace.

The I-Pace, with its impressive 298-mile range, is bringing the fight to the only other electric SUV currently available in the UK – the Tesla Model X.

With both cars’ price pushing the more premium end of the market, which one offers the most for your money? We drove them back-to-back to compare what’s on offer.

Size

When it comes to space, the Model X does have more of it purely because it can accommodate seven people. With a high roofline, there’s plenty of headroom too. The I-Pace is far more coupe-like and compact in design, with only five seats.

Comfort

If you spend a lot of time in the car, the I-Pace is where you’ll want to be. Despite those sculpted, sporty seats’s appearance, they are actually very comfortable. Pair that with the optional air-suspension and the Jag floats down the road. Meanwhile, the seats in the aren’t very comfy for long journeys and the car rattles across bumps, although it also has air-suspension that can be modified to counteract some of this.

Speed

Who said electric cars aren’t about going fast? If it’s one thing they’ve got going for them it’s great pace off the line. While the middle of the range 100D Model X can hit 60mph in 4.7 seconds, the I-Pace will do it in 4.5. However, opt for the Tesla’s more powerful P100D and that time drops to 2.9 seconds. The Tesla also wins on top speed, being able to reach 155mph when the Jaguar can only do 124.

Range

The Model X has been putting other EVs to shame with its range since 2015, boasting 351 miles from the 100D on one charge. However, the I-Pace does come close with 298 miles of range. These figures both sound like a lot, but day-to-day it means most people won’t have to ever worry about charging away from home. Unless you drive very carefully, it’s unlikely you’ll get spot on these claims though, but you can drive your EV without any of that nasty range anxiety.

Tech

If you’re looking for something a bit wacky in the I-Pace, you might be disappointed. What you’ve got here is everything you would expect from a car today. In fact, it’s pretty easy to forget you’re even in an electric car. It does get the infotainment system you’d also find in the Range Rover Velar and the option to cut out sound from outside the car with noise-cancelling or add in spaceship like sounds that respond to your driving.

For buyers who love tech, the Model X has a lot more to offer. The iPad-like screen with Google Maps, Spotify and TuneIn all built in works well and, for the show-offs among you, the falcon wing doors are a real treat.

Design

Electric cars often get the special treatment when it comes to design, and they can be an acquired taste. In the case of the Model X it’s certainly been divisive. The bulbous exterior, falcon wing doors and other touches such as the very large windscreen have not been popular with everyone. The I-Pace, on the other hand, is stylish and sporty. It fits in beautifully with the Jaguar SUV range and is sure to impress on the open road.

Cost

The Model X starts at £71,350 for the lower powered 75D version but jumps to £88,050 for the 100D or £128,250 for P100D models. The I-Pace starts at £63,495 for the S and climbs to £74,445 for the top HSE model or £81,495 for the highly specified First Edition model. However, both are eligible for the £4,500 Government grant.

For the quirks, range and extra seats, the X has a lot of appeal. However, if you’re looking for a premium SUV with the added benefit of a long-range electric powertrain then the I-Pace is a very compelling choice.

Chinese shopping centre Tmall and Ford have partnered to offer people the convenience of picking up a car from a giant vending machine.

Alibaba Group, which owns Tmall, opened the Super Test-Drive Centre in Guangzhou yesterday, allowing potential buyers to pick from 100 cars using their mobile phone and take one for a three-day test drive.

‘We are looking for ways to simplify customers’ lives and give them the ultimate try-before-you-buy experience,’ said Dean Stoneley, vice-president of marketing at Ford Asia Pacific, at the launch event.

‘It’s about having them try Ford vehicles and ultimately buying the vehicle at a Ford dealership.’

The customer can search for a new Ford on the Alibaba app. The system then uses face recognition when the customer arrives at the vending machine and the car is delivered straight to them.

When the partnership was announced in December 2017, Ford Motor Company executive chairman Bill Ford said: ‘China is not only the largest car market in the world, it’s also at the heart of electric vehicle and SUV growth and the mobility movement.

‘The progress we have achieved in China is just the start. We now have a chance to expand our presence in China and deliver even more for customers, our partners and society.’

China is the biggest car market in the world. But the most exciting thing about this market isn't that people are buying a lot of cars — it's how people are buying them. Alibaba's #Tmall partnered with @Ford to launch this “Super Test-Drive Center” in China. Take a look! pic.twitter.com/R070YDq2by

— Alibaba Group (@AlibabaGroup) March 26, 2018

Last week, Ford of Britain announced a partnership with Next stores to increase its representation in a similar way but on a much smaller scale – and without the vending machine.

It will start with a five-car showroom in the refurbished Next store in Manchester’s Arndale shopping centre, where test drives will be available and new cars can be handed over.

The hope is also that Alibaba’s analytics and marketing resources can be used by car brands and distributors to better target car buyers.

Gu Wango, general manager at Tmall Auto, said Alibaba would release the vending machine’s technology to the entire industry so that it could build stronger connections with consumers and support distributors ‘in the hope of helping upgrade the automotive sector as a whole’.

Cao Zhenyu, a senior executive at Changan Ford Automobile, the manufacturer of Ford passenger cars in Chongqing, China, added: ‘If we lengthen the duration of test drives, consumers can make buying decisions with more confidence and ease.

‘We want consumers to take our cars out travelling and on their daily commutes for them to fully experience our products, and eventually have that translate to sales at our physical stores.’

This car vending machine isn’t the first to be put into practice, with Carvana opening a 24-hour machine in the United States in 2017.