Author: Ryan Hirons

France is no doubt one of, if not the, most popular destinations for Brits looking to flee abroad for the summer. With just the Channel separating us, access is easy thanks to frequent and inexpensive ferries.

For many, driving through our European neighbours is the only way to do it — and with scenic views, wonderful roads and easy passage to other areas of the continent, who can blame them?

If you’re looking to hop in your car and head over, you’re going to need to prepare yourself though. Here are our tips for driving in France this summer.

Prepare your car

Before leaving for France, it’s vital to prepare your car for the trip. French road law requires equipment that isn’t mandatory in the UK — namely a warning triangle, high visibility vest, first aid kit, a foil blanket, spare bulbs and a breathalyser that has both not been used and carries NF approval markings.

You will also need to adjust your headlamp beams so as to not dazzle other drivers, as well as placing a GB sticker on or next to your registration plate (this is also required when driving in any other European country). It’s easy to pick up these supplies at many petrol stations, your local supermarket, car parts shop or even on the ferry.

Make sure to carry identification documents for yourself, along with proof of insurance and the V5C for your vehicle. It’s always a good idea to do essential checks on your car ahead of a long trip too.

Check insurance and breakdown coverage

Alongside preparing your car for the journey, checking your insurance and breakdown coverage may be the most important part of a drive across France.

Don’t just assume you have the correct policy to take your car abroad. While many insurers offer European driving on standard policies, it’s better to be safe than sorry — especially as some offer reduced coverage when on the continent, as well as imposing limits on the number of days you can drive outside of the UK.

Breakdown cover is a different ball game when abroad, particularly so in France. On most roads, you can use UK companies for coverage — although you’ll likely need to take out a separate policy. You’ll be provided with a UK-based number to contact, guaranteeing you’ll be in contact with an English-speaking advisor.

Motorways differ slightly, as they are privately managed across the Channel. Should you break down on a motorway, you’ll need to use an emergency orange telephone to request towing assistance to an area where your regular provider can offer assistance. You may be charged extra for recovery.

Road laws and conduct

As a general rule, most road laws and the highway code in France are similar to those in the UK — albeit on the right side of the road.

Stick to right lanes on roads with more than one and overtake on the left. It’s a common misconception that all roundabouts in France give priority to the right, but that’s not often the case anymore. However, some do still use this system – even if you’re already driving around it!

If you’re heading to large cities, you may need an emissions classification sticker — known in France as a Crit’Air vignette. These stickers denote the level of emissions your car produces, which may exempt it from certain areas.

While UK driving licences are valid in France, you must be older than 18 to operate a vehicle in the country.

Toll roads, toll roads, toll roads…

Unlike the UK, where the cost of using major roads is covered by paying your road tax, French autoroutes are controlled by private firms and as a result, commonly require a toll cost to use.

Prices vary and it’s worth carrying extra change, although Visa and Mastercard payments are widely accepted.

Drink-driving and drug laws

Despite the country’s reputation for fine wine — be wary of drink-driving regulations in the country.

The legal limit of alcohol in the blood is 0.5 grams per litre, although, for drivers with less than three years of experience, this is reduced to 0.2. Driving under the influence of drugs is strictly prohibited.

As a general rule, avoid drinking if you’re planning to drive and vice-versa.

What is it?

Mazda has been on something of a roll in recent years. The latest MX-5 roadster has proven a success, the introduction of the CX-3 and CX-5 have given the brand leverage in the SUV market and both the 2 and 3 hatchbacks remain seriously competent options.

Now, in an effort to push on even further, the 6 has seen a refresh in both saloon and ‘Tourer’ (estate) form. This generation of the flagship Mazda has been around since 2012 though, so is a facelift enough to keep up with rivals?

What’s new?

At a first glance, the number of changes to the 6 may not be obvious, but under the skin – and above it for that matter – there have been quite some substantial changes.

One of the most prominent is the introduction of a new-to-the-UK 2.5-litre petrol engine which, perhaps surprisingly given the current push for ultra-low emissions, is naturally aspirated.

A number of visual tweaks have also been made to give it a more aggressive look, while the cabin has also seen a total overhaul to bring it in line with the latest Mazda offerings.

Mazda yet again knocking it out of the park, this time with the refreshed 6. Big fan. #Mazda #Mazda6 #carsofinstagram

A post shared by Ryan Hirons (@rth42) on Jul 18, 2018 at 10:33am PDT

What’s under the bonnet?

We got behind the wheel of a Tourer featuring the new 2.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, which is exclusively paired up to a six-speed automatic gearbox. The unit produces 191bhp and 258Nm of torque, capable of taking the car from 0-60mph in 7.9 seconds. As for efficiency, Mazda claims 42.2mpg on the combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 153g/km.

It’s an impressive unit that’s suited well to both a cruise — aided by cylinder deactivation tech, which shuts down two of the engine’s cylinders under light load — and some spirited driving, offering plentiful power and a crisp note to boot. Sadly, it’s a little short-changed by the somewhat sluggish automatic gearbox that often feels indecisive about what gear it wants to be in.

What’s it like to drive?

Mazda has always prided itself on delivering machinery that’s fun to drive no matter the size or purpose, and the latest 6 is no exception. Although the suspension has been re-tuned to offer greater comfort, it hasn’t affected the behind-the-wheel experience — resulting in an estate that can deliver a smile on your face that you may struggle to find outside a hot hatch.

It’s just as good on a long drive, too. Road noise is limited, and the efforts to improve refinement have worked — offering a relaxing ride on even the bumpiest of UK motorways.

You’ll even find it pretty capable as a town machine, even with limited rear visibility – though that’s offset with the inclusion of a 360-view camera.

How does it look?

You’d be forgiven for thinking little has changed on the new 6 at a first glance, but there have been plenty of subtle changes to the way it looks.

A revised grille heads up the fresh aesthetic and is joined by new headlights which incorporate the fog lights. At the back of the car, there are more painted surfaces than before and the exhausts have been pushed further out.

We think it’s a seriously handsome looking thing, especially in the new Soul Red Crystal Metallic paint — which Mazda says is 20 per cent brighter and 50 per cent deeper in colour than the previous Soul Red.

What’s it like inside?

The cabin of the Mazda6 has seen a total overhaul to bring it up to speed with the rest of the range. Most obvious is the dashboard-mounted eight-inch display, replacing the previous smaller unit found in the centre of the dashboard.

Updated materials give it a more premium feel overall and do well to bring the 6 right back up to date with rivals – despite its advancing years.

As for boot space, that’s unchanged whether you opt for saloon or estate – there is 483-litres and 522-litres respectively with all rear seats in place.

What’s the spec like?

Our test car was decked out in top-of-the-range GT Sport Nav+ grade, meaning a ton of equipment comes in the package. Luxury highlights include Ultrasuede and Japanese Sen wood trim, a full LED instrument cluster, ventilated and heated front seats and a sunroof.

Bags of safety tech also comes as standard across the whole range now, including radar-guided cruise control, blind spot assistance and autonomous emergency braking.

It’s easy to call £32,695 a lot on paper, but considering the levels of equipment, we’d call it good value.

Verdict

A welcome refresh to the Mazda6 ensures it can still keep up with key rivals like the Volkswagen Passat, Vauxhall Insignia and Ford Mondeo despite now growing a bit in age. It still offers the most dynamic driving experience of the bunch, while now also bringing tons of tech.

We’d be inclined to opt for a smaller petrol engine if only for a manual gearbox, but the 2.5-litre unit feels fruity and boasts good economy too.

The Mazda6 may just be one of the most well-valued packages on today’s market.

Facts at a glance

Model: Mazda6 Tourer GT Sport Nav+
Price: £32,695
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Power (bhp): 191
Torque (Nm): 258
Max speed (mph): 139
0-60mph: 7.9 seconds
MPG: 42.2
Emissions (g/km): 153

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is one of the motoring world’s best-loved events and the biggest of its kind in the UK. Held in the grounds of Goodwood House in Sussex, the event for 2018 will run from Thursday, July 12 to Sunday, July 15.

Though the heart of Goodwood is the famous hill climb, it’s grown into a massive showcase of some of the world’s rarest and most beautiful classic cars, as well as an occasion for manufacturers to display their latest and greatest metal to an adoring crowd.

Once again, the driveway of Goodwood House will play host to a vast central sculpture, which this year celebrates the 70th anniversary of Porsche. The Festival of Speed itself celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

Read on for a preview of some of the new metal we’re expecting to see at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed…

Toyota Supra production prototype makes public debut

We, at last, saw a first glimpse of the long-awaited Toyota Supra revival at this year’s Geneva Motor Show in the form of the GR Supra Racing Concept, although a road-going version has so far eluded us. That’s set to change at the Festival of Speed, with Toyota bring along a prototype version of the production sports car to the show — albeit in heavy camouflage.

Jaguar F-Pace SVR

Making its dynamic debut at the show is the incredible Jaguar F-Pace SVR. This SUV packs a 542bhp supercharged V8 engine and will head up the iconic hill climb alongside the 592bhp XE SV Project 8 and Invictus GT4 Racing F-Type SVR.

Bentley Bentayga Pikes Peak

Having just taken the Pikes Peak Hill Climb SUV record off the Range Rover Sport, the Bentayga Pikes Peak will tackle the rather less daunting hill climb at Goodwood. A limited-run road car will follow shortly.

VW I.D. Pikes Peak

Another Pikes Peak star is the VW I.D. Pikes Peak, which took the overall record by more than 16 seconds. The all-electric I.D. is another step towards Volkswagen’s fully electric I.D. range.

Autonomous hill climb attempts

Two firms are both attempting to send an autonomous car along the Goodwood hill climb this year — albeit with very different approaches. First is the Roborace Robocar which is set to be the star of an upcoming driverless racing series, while Siemens will using a classic Ford Mustang retrofitted with autonomous tech.

Alpine A110 GT4

A racing version of the glorious Alpine A110 will make its debut up the hill, along with two different trim levels of the road-going car.

Land Rover 70th parade

This year, Land Rover celebrates its 70th anniversary and a parade of machines from every era of the manufacturer will be taking to the hill climb on Thursday afternoon. With seven decades of cars to choose from, expect to see some very cool stuff.

BMW 8 Series breaks cover

The BMW 8 Series feels like it’s been a long time coming, but we’ll finally get a chance to see the undisguised production version as it goes up the Goodwood hill.

BMW i8 Roadster

Also from the BMW camp, the i8 Roadster will make its dynamic debut at the event.

Brabham BT62

Brabham’s back – this time with a track-only hypercar that will set potential owners back a cool £1 million. We’ve seen the car on display before but this will be the first time it’s been driven in public.

McLaren P1 GT ‘Longtail’

McLaren specialist Lanzante has created a ‘Longtail’ version of the British manufacturers’ P1 hypercar — harking back to the F1 GTs of the 90s. We’ve only seen a teaser image so far, but expect this to be a real showstopper when its revealed at Goodwood next week.

McLaren 600LT

…and while Lanzante reveals a ‘Longtail’, so too will McLaren themselves. The 600LT will make a public debut at the FoS, and is essentially a 570S turned up to 11 — boasting more power, less weight and angrier looks.

Mercedes-AMG GT four-door coupe UK debut

Mercedes-AMG has been teasing a four-door performance model to sit alongside the AMG GT, and we’ll finally see the car in the metal at Goodwood. It’s also making a run up the hill. No name has been revealed yet.

Polestar 1

Although not destined to arrive in the UK as a right-hand-drive machine, the Polestar 1 will be available on our shores in limited numbers and will be present at this year’s Festival of Speed. As well as being on display, it’s slated to be going up the hill climb during the event too.

Tesla Model 3 European debut

We’ve been waiting a long time – and for those who’ve placed orders, they’ll be waiting even longer – but the latest product from US-based Tesla Motors will make its European debut at the show. The affordable Model 3 is capable of delivering 220 miles on a charge and will do 0-60mph in around five seconds.

Electric cars are the future and its one that seems brighter and cleaner than the petrol-driven world we live in now.

Not only are we sold to the idea of electric vehicles (EVs) being much cleaner to run than oil-burning alternatives, but also far cheaper to live with as well.

So, electricity is much, much cheaper than petrol or diesel, but did you know that you can even get it for free? Well, you do now — and here are five ways you can charge your electric car without having to spend a penny to be plugged-in.

Harness the sun

Solar power has long been a go-to method for charging all manners of electric devices cleanly and perhaps most importantly, for next-to-no cost — and many EVs take advantage of the technology.

A number of manufacturers offer solar panels on electrified cars — including Nissan with the Leaf (although that merely keeps the 12V battery ticking over) and Toyota with a solar roof for the Prius.

You could even invest in solar power for your house and charge your car from the mains, effectively giving you a free charge – though it’s worth noting this entails a significant upfront cost.

Catch the wind

Ok, we may not recommend setting up a full-scale wind turbine in your back garden — that might upset the neighbours — but a small, garage-based setup could see a gentle breeze top your EV up.

Similar to solar panels, you can set up a smaller turbine up at home which will generate clean and totally free electricity for you to use. Perfect for keeping your EV at maximum capacity for longer periods of time.

Head to a supermarket

Combine your shopping time with your charge cycles and you might just never have to pay for a full battery again.

A variety of supermarkets in the UK — including Lidl, Asda and Tesco — offer free electric vehicle charging for customers, meaning you can simply rock up in an EV, plug in and crack on with your shopping to return to a car ready to go right back on the road.

Buy a Tesla

When you buy a brand-new Tesla, you don’t just receive a tech-loaded, cutting-edge electric car — but also free charging for it, too. Well, at least for a small while.

Owners of either a Model S or Model X are entitled to 400kWh of free charge on its Supercharger network annually — which Tesla says can get you up to 1,000 miles. That may not sound like much, but those spare miles could get you from London to Glasgow, then back again at no cost — with plenty to spare too.

Giving back to the grid

Vehicle-to-grid technology is becoming ever closer to a mainstream reality, and one that could thrive in a society full of electric vehicles.

While not strictly free in the sense of there’s no initial cost to use the electricity, any energy that is left spare in your EV — or created by regenerative braking for that matter — can be sold back to the power grid, making it more stable and also allowing consumers to earn cash from power companies.

The amount of money you can earn can vary depending on times — giving back power in peak evening periods could net you more cash than during weekdays, for instance.

Although it’s currently in its infancy, expect vehicle-to-grid tech to take off big time in the future.

What is it?

Peugeot has been on something of a push to move up the car market. It recently introduced a new corporate design to give a premium look, brought its innovative i-Cockpit tech into production and all while retaining the functionality the firm’s machines are known for.

One piece has been missing from the premium puzzle, though — a genuinely appealing saloon offering, which is something the French firm hasn’t really had for a couple of decades. Well, now one’s here — introducing the Peugeot 508.

What’s new?

The 508 is now in its second generation, but this is effectively a rewrite of the saloon in order to make a real impact on the market.

First up is the new design — taking Peugeot’s latest corporate look and placing it in perhaps its most complete form yet, with a sleek body and impactful, angular front fascia. The flagship-like look continues inside the car, with the firm’s i-Cockpit the star of the show.

There’s also a ton of tech on-board, including night vision — a claimed first for the segment — allowing drivers to catch obstacles otherwise difficult to see when driving in pitch-black conditions.

What’s under the bonnet?

We got behind the wheel of the Peugeot 508 in GT BlueHDi 180 EAT8 flavour, meaning it’s powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine paired up to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The powertrain develops 177bhp and 400Nm of torque, capable of taking the saloon from 0-60mph in 8.1 seconds and up to a top speed of 146mph. As for efficiency, Peugeot claims it can achieve 60.1mpg on the combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 124g/km.

It’s an engine that’s extremely well suited to a cruise. Sitting on a motorway in Comfort mode, it’s well-refined with little noise being fed into the cabin. It’s potent enough for a bit more spirited driving, however, it begins to feel a tad gutless when strung out higher in the rev range.

This is a bit of a stunner pic.twitter.com/rnSceM4uTa

— Ryan Hirons (@RyHirons) June 27, 2018

What’s it like to drive?

The Peugeot 508 delivers a driving experience that matches the looks. It feels agile and capable of taking pretty much anything you’ll throw at it when pushing it on a B-road.

Steering is very well-judged while the chassis itself appears finely tuned — an engine with more poke under the bonnet could very well create a serious performance machine. (Did someone say 508 GTI?).

Despite delivering on the hard-driving front, it manages to be a comfortable cruiser too. The suspension is supple and road noise is pretty limited in the cabin. Switch on the adaptive cruise control (albeit once you find the oddly-located switch) and you could easily chew up hundreds of miles without hassle. It is, however, a little let down with poor rear visibility which can make the 508 difficult in tighter spots but sensors all-around aid that.

How does it look?

Peugeot’s current corporate design is one we’re big fans of, and the 508 might just be the epitome of it.

The sleek body allows the sharp fascia and LED headlights to make a striking impact on the overall design, and the walrus-esque daytime running lights create something of a concept car effect. We’d go as far to say this is the best-looking Peugeot of the decade.

If it was our money, we’d be going for the Ultimate Red paint finish. It stands out from a crowd of subdued greys and really makes the best of the sharp bodywork.

What’s it like inside?

Step inside the Peugeot 508 and you’ll find perhaps the best application of its aviation-style i-Cockpit technology to date — you almost get the sense the car was designed to fit around the interior, rather than vice versa.

The jet plane-like effect works seriously well here, with a low-down driving position creating a sense of being in a sports-focused machine — enhanced further by the compact steering wheel.

It’s not all rosy, though. Premium-feel materials in the car aren’t exactly bad to touch, but they’re by no means the most convincing in the segment.

As for practicality, you’re looking at 487 litres of boot space while seating five people — all of which can be comfortably in the car, even adults.

What’s the spec like?

Prices for the Peugeot 508 start at £25,000, although our GT test car comes in at a seemingly hefty £36,400.

There’s a good amount of equipment thrown in for that price, though. Assistance tech includes adaptive cruise control with lane keep assist, all-round parking sensors and blind spot detection.

Luxury kit is generous too, with electric seats that boast a massage function along with heating, dual-zone climate control, the i-Cockpit cabin and a 10-inch infotainment display with support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

On top of all that, there are full LED headlights with automatic high beams and 19-inch alloy wheels to build on that sporty appearance.

Verdict

The Peugeot 508 is the best car the firm has produced in a long, long time. It’s a genuinely desirable saloon — something the firm hasn’t delivered in a long time — and one that deserves to sell well.

It manages to achieve that difficult blend of a good-looking car that’s great to drive while also being even better suited for the everyday commute. It’s not without its flaws, but none are earth-shattering and there’s no reason to not buy the 508 in comparison with rivals.

Have to say, the 508 is seriously impressive pic.twitter.com/LiTQv5oISM

— Ryan Hirons (@RyHirons) June 28, 2018

Facts at a Glance

• Model as tested: Peugeot 508 GT BlueHDi 180 EAT8
• Price: £36,400
• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel
• Power: 177bhp
• Torque: 400Nm
• Max speed: 146mph
• 0-60mph: 8.1 seconds
• Fuel economy: 60.1mpg
• Emissions: 124g/km
• Rivals: Vauxhall Insignia, Volkswagen Passat, Ford Mondeo

Autonomous cars are coming. As exciting and/or terrifying as it may sound, there’s a good chance that in the future we’ll all be carting around in driverless vehicles.

It may sound like an age away, but driverless technology has made leaps and bounds over the past few years and we’re seemingly getting very close to just hopping into a car that can take us anywhere, all by itself. At least, that’s what manufacturers will want you to think.

“The technology is in advance of what the consumer understands and what the laws allow you to do,” Matthew Avery, director of insurance research at vehicle research firm Thatcham Research, tells us. We’ve been invited down to Thatcham’s test centre to experience first-hand some of the misconceptions of today’s ‘autonomous’ technology.

The firm, along with the Association of British Insurers, is urging manufacturers to deliver more clarity on what constitutes a driverless feature and a driving assistance feature.

“Manufacturers advertising self-driving cars in their literature isn’t a good thing” Avery continued, “I think the consumer needs to be brought in clearly step-by-step.”

Our first practical demonstration brought us to the passenger seat of a Tesla Model S 75D — perhaps the car most known for its ‘autonomous’ capabilities today. Just before setting off with its Autopilot mode in full swing, we’re alerted to the firm’s advertising of the feature online.

‘Full Self-Driving Capability’ reads the headline, with the promise of the car being able to match speed to traffic, automatically change lanes and self-park — among others.

“It asks me once to put my hands on the wheel, and that’s it for the rest of the journey” states Avery as we reach a faux motorway laid out on the runway in Autopilot mode — and a quick glance over to the dashboard proves he isn’t wrong.

An important safety message from @ThatchamRsrch expert Matthew Avery. @EuroNCAP will have more to say on the future of autonomous driving technology later this year. #forsafercars #AVs #AutonomousVehicles #autonomousdriving pic.twitter.com/PYYKiW4Vkd

— Euro NCAP (@EuroNCAP) June 12, 2018

It is worth mentioning Tesla insists that buyers are clearly told how Autopilot functions, and are reminded of their responsibility to pay attention when using the system. A Tesla spokesperson said: “The feedback that we get from our customers shows that they have a very clear understanding of what Autopilot is, how to properly use it, and what features it consists of.

“When using Autopilot, drivers are continuously reminded of their responsibility to keep their hands on the wheel and maintain control of the vehicle at all times. This is designed to prevent driver misuse and is among the strongest driver-misuse safeguards of any kind on the road today. Tesla has always been clear that Autopilot doesn’t make the car impervious to all accidents and the issues described by Thatcham won’t be a problem for drivers using Autopilot correctly.”

Expectedly, the Tesla easily navigates itself between the clear white lines ahead of us — even when encountering a slight bend — but the big problem arises when those lines come to a sudden stop.

Lost, it tries to pick out a path to follow on the blank tarmac ahead of us before letting go and bringing itself to a gentle stop — but not without a rather jolty ride along the way.

“We like that it brings itself to a stop — what we don’t like is that it hasn’t observed any input during the process, putting a potentially distracted driver and those around at risk,” Avery said, more calmly on this runway than likely would’ve been the case on a busy public highway.

It’s not only Tesla with this sort of issue, though. In fact, what was up next proved to be much more dangerous.

We hop into a BMW 530e fitted with ‘Driver Assist Plus’, which the German manufacturer describing it as offering “partially autonomous driving” — ‘partially’ proving the keyword.

“It’s better than the Tesla in that it asks every 15 seconds if my hands are on the wheel, but it’ll take any movement — so I only have to give the wheel a wiggle” mentioned Avery, once again in the driver’s seat.

Spent the day with @ThatchamRsrch discussing the misconceptions of today's autonomous technology — along with a pretty good seat for a demonstration pic.twitter.com/6Ab3lOnpiw

— Ryan Hirons (@RyHirons) June 8, 2018

We approach the same faux motorway as the Tesla — only this time as the car comes to the radius, it continues straight onwards — across the multiple lanes and sends us facing the prospect of hitting a concrete barrier at speed. Or it would have, had we not been on a runway.

Our final exercise for the day started with us being told: “you’ll be safer in the back”. Consider us excited.

So, into the rear of the Tesla, we climbed. We followed behind the BMW with Autopilot enabled, this time showing how it deals with a late lane change from the car in front.

Our first run saw the BMW peel away into the right-hand lane at a good distance from stopped traffic ahead — allowing the Tesla to read a parked car (actually in this case, a soft Ford Fiesta-esque target built to mimic a car) early on, coming to a safe halt behind. A good start, we thought.

Spent the day with @ThatchamRsrch discussing the misconceptions of today's autonomous technology — along with a pretty good seat for a demonstration pic.twitter.com/6Ab3lOnpiw

— Ryan Hirons (@RyHirons) June 8, 2018

We approached the same situation again, only this time the 530e ahead made a very late manoeuvre at speed — one that could happen in the event of a sudden traffic jam. The Model S didn’t have time to read the hazard itself — one that an attentive human could likely pick up beforehand — and despite pre-warning the driver and slamming the brakes on, flew straight into the back of the soft target.

It serves as a stark reminder though that we’re still a long way from a full autonomous future — and just how informed the consumer needs to be on remaining attentive. It’s poor enough happening at a closed course, but had that been on a public road? Chaos.

Full autonomy is coming and with the rate ‘autonomous’ technology on offer today is rapidly improving. For now, though, it’s clear that we’re a while off hopping into a car that we can pay no attention to while in the driver’s seat — and Thatcham’s message to manufacturers on clarity is something to be listened to.

What is it?

Much like Fatboy Slim in the 90s, Jeep’s back once again for the Renegade with a facelifted version of its compact SUV.

Introduced back in 2013, the Renegade was brought in by the FCA-owned, iconic American firm to capitalise on the boom in popularity for big-in-nature, but small-in-stature cars with using its legendary ruggedness as a key selling point.

It’s proven popular so far in parts of Europe, but the Renegade remains a rare sight on UK roads — though Jeep will be hoping a refresh of the model might bring it to the forefront of a market that shows no signs of slowing down.

What’s new?

On the face of things, this may look little more than just a fresh face on an ageing body — and you actually wouldn’t be too far wrong.

The new Renegade doesn’t revolutionise the formula, but there’s definitely some noteworthy changes — the most obvious being its new front fascia that brings an array of LEDs to the mix.

New powertrain options are present, too. An entirely refreshed petrol range features for the compact SUV — though diesel options remain unchanged at the core, with a few minor tweaks to update them.

Back once again with the Renegade master pic.twitter.com/kbS7le4ZgK

— Ryan Hirons (@RyHirons) June 11, 2018

What’s under the bonnet?

One of the new petrol options on offer powered our Jeep Renegade test car. It’s a three-cylinder 1.0-litre turbocharged unit, delivering 118bhp and 190Nm of torque — here paired up to a six-speed manual gearbox that sends power through to the front wheels. There’s been no official word on how that translates into performance times or efficiency yet.

It’s a flexible enough unit, offering a nice, wide band of power across the rev range that proves plentiful around the town — although a lack of refinement becomes quite noticeable on the motorway cruise. The six-speed gearbox has a positive feel to it too, with a satisfying robustness to each change and with ratios well-matched to the engine.

What’s it like to drive?

The Renegade never really set the world alight with its driving experience upon introduction, and the facelift version hasn’t really done anything to fix that.

While the new petrol engines are very good, the SUV is little on the vague side in terms of steering input — making it a less town friendly than rivals. At speed, poor ride quality and high wind noise means it’s not well suited to chewing up motorway miles either.

What it does offer over rivals is genuine go-anywhere capability — at least in off-road focused Trailhawk form. The sense of ruggedness is pedalled by marketing across the compact SUV spectrum, but the Renegade actually has the actions to back the words. A brief off-road run in the trail-rated version proved pleasant, tackling some pretty tough conditions without so much as a wheel spun.

How does it look?

The Jeep Renegade is arguably one of the more interesting cars in its segment when it comes to design — scaling down the trademark boxy Jeep style into a funky little shape.

A bit of nip-and-tuck has done it no harm, either. This facelift hasn’t brought a whole lot in the way of visual changes, but a redesigned front fascia with full, circular LED headlights brings it up-to-date and allows it to further stand out in a very crowded market.

It’s a shape that suits brighter colours, too. Our test car was finished in a dark blue hue, but a glance at some more vibrant tones on offer gave us a better impression of how quirky the Renegade looks.

What’s it like inside?

The boxy theme continues to the interior of the Jeep Renegade — but we wish it hadn’t.

Space is quite cramped up front and it’s hard to find a driving position that’s just about right — often feeling too high sat, far away from the pedals while also being too close to the steering wheel. You’d struggle to fit any regular sized humans in the back row, too.

That said, headroom is plentiful thanks to the car’s tall design and although hard plastics are present — there’s also faux-leather seats which feel plush, along with a dashboard coated in soft-touch plastic.

There’s plenty of quirks to be found too, adding to the funky nature of the Renegade. Take a glance around the cabin and you’ll see speaker surrounds that feature embossed emblems of the iconic seven-slot Jeep grille, which can also be found next to the rear-view mirror. A little glance at the bottom right corner of the windscreen will reveal a miniature Willy’s Jeep decal, too.

What’s the spec like?

Exact specifications and pricing for the UK have yet to be confirmed, so it’s hard to say just how much value you’re getting for the money, but we can tell you our Limited trim test car had a reasonable amount of kit on.

Exterior equipment included the new LED headlights and 19-inch alloy wheels — while inside the car, cruise control, a panoramic sunroof and an 8.4-inch infotainment display with support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay took the spotlight.

There’s new safety assistance tech for the facelift Renegade as well. Lane departure warning and ‘Intelligent speed assist’ — which automatically adjusts cruise speed — with traffic sign recognition will both come as standard across Europe. Automatic parking will come later in 2018, too.

Verdict

While a facelift of the Jeep Renegade has gone some way into improving the quirky SUV, we still think it will remain an infrequent sight on UK roads.

It just doesn’t drive as well as rivals, and space is pretty limited. That said, if you want to stand out — this is the car to do it, offering bags of funk in a tiny package. It helps that the Jeep badge brings tons of appeal, too.

And if you truly want to take your compact SUV off-road, the Renegade Trailhawk might actually be the class leader.

Facts at a glance

Model as tested: Jeep Renegade Limited
Price: TBA
Engine: 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder
Power (bhp): 118
Torque (Nm): 190
Max speed (mph): TBA
0-60mph: TBA
MPG: TBA
Emissions (g/km): TBA

Audi has unveiled the latest offering in its five-strong SUV range – the Q8.

A new flagship for the brand’s model line-up, the Q8 is the heart to the Q7’s head. It’s a stylish off-roader with a coupe-like rear roofline, intending to compete with a huge number of rivals both in-house and from outside.

Just within the VW Group the Q8 has to deal with rivals such as the Volkswagen Touareg, Porsche Cayenne, Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus, while Mercedes’ GLE Coupe and BMW’s X6 both provide strong competition.

The Q8 features styling similar to that of its two preceding concepts – the Q8 Concept and Q8 Sport Concept. Audi says that this previews the next-generation design language for all the brand’s SUVs, mainly in the styling of the front grille.

The distinctive ‘Singleframe’ forms an octagonal surround to the grille, which Audi describes as ‘brawny’. Moving down the car’s flanks, there are standard-fit LED headlights, bold rear haunches and wheel surrounds that give the impression of bulky arches.

The rear features a tapering roofline and a full-width glossy styling element that encompasses the Audi badge and the rear lights.

World debut of the five-seat Audi Q8 SUV – the new luxury flagship in the Q range https://t.co/oefKQliHfr pic.twitter.com/v2wK6soJ08

— Audi UK Press Office (@AudiUKPress) June 5, 2018

Overall, the Q8 is lower and wider than its Q7 sibling, but shares the same wheelbase. With only five seats inside, though, there’s more room for rear-seat passengers.

The dash features the same layout as the A8, A7 and A6 – it consists of a twin-screen infotainment display and Virtual Cockpit digital dial pack.

The Q8 will launch with just a single engine option – a V6 diesel, badged 50 TDI and putting out 282bhp and 600Nm of torque. A lower-powered 228bhp diesel and 335bhp V6 petrol will join the range early in 2019, and all three engines are mated to 48V mild hybrid systems to allow seamless stop-start and coasting functions. Expect a hot SQ8 and hybrid e-tron model, too. All will be mated to quattro four-wheel drive.

Prices for the Q8 are likely to start slightly above the Q7 – expect a price tag of around £65,000 for entry-level 50 TDI models. The Q8 is set to go on sale in the summer.

 

Recharging your electrified car could get even easier – if BMW’s new wireless charger catches on.

The industry-first, which is being sold under the manufacturer’s ‘i’ division and covers all of its hybrid and electric vehicles, is now available in Germany as a leasing option for its 530e iPerformance hybrid saloon, with a UK introduction to follow shortly.

It consists of two components – a ‘GroundPad’ charger and ‘CarPad’ receiver fitted to the underside of the vehicle – and is a simple system that works similarly to wireless chargers for smartphones. Drivers simply park the front of the car over the GroundPad and the battery will begin to charge with no extra input needed.

Placing the car over the GroundPad is easy, too. On-board wifi in the pad communicates with the vehicle to show an overhead camera display on its infotainment screen, allowing for precise parking.

With 3.2kW of charging power available, the pad can take the hybrid’s battery from zero to full capacity in around three and a half hours, and the system automatically turns off when fully charged to save energy.

Fearful of harsh weather interrupting your charging? That’s not a problem either, as the system has been designed to work in rain and snow, meaning wireless charging all year round.

.@BMWi launches the world’s first factory-fitted fully integrated inductive charging facility for the high-voltage #battery in a plug-in #hybrid vehicle, utilising #electromagnetic fields. #BMWGroup #BMWi #next100

Read more here: https://t.co/kAKXgViU9e pic.twitter.com/z5xGKlOyxF

— BMW Group (@BMWGroup) May 28, 2018

It will, however, switch off if ‘foreign matters’ are detected – so it shouldn’t attempt to recharge the cat if it decides to take a nap on the pad.

BMW will recall 312,000 UK vehicles at risk of an electrical fault that has been linked to a fatal crash.

The manufacturer will contact owners of the affected models – BMW 1 Series, 3 Series, Z4 and X1 petrol and diesel models made between March 2007 and August 2011 – in the next three weeks, a spokesman said.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) said last week BMW had failed to alert UK authorities to 19 cases of electrical faults in one of its models.

Former Gurkha soldier Narayan Gurung, 66, died on Christmas Day 2016 when he crashed his Ford Fiesta into a tree in Hampshire while swerving to avoid a BMW car which had cut out due to an electrical fault, an inquest in Woking, Surrey, was reportedly told.

But an investigation by BBC Watchdog Live found the issue could be in a wider number of vehicles than those covered by the original recall of 36,410 cars in 2017.

A BMW spokesman said: “Now we recognise the need to widen the recall to capture a larger cohort of cars. We are widening the net as a precaution.”

He added the fault could be fixed within two hours and involved replacing a plug.

The firm has not advised customers to stop driving the vehicles.

Mwape Kambafwile told the BBC he stopped driving his BMW 3 Series car after it cut out completely while he was driving in December 2016.

He said: “I just thought to myself if I was driving on the motorway with my family in the car, that could have been very dangerous.

“I took it to BMW. The next day they called me to say they had found a fault, it looks like the cable had burnt out and no current was passing through the fuse box.

“I felt so uncomfortable driving it that we took taxis, I walked to work every day. It was a nightmare, it wasn’t safe enough to drive.”

Watchdog Live will air on Wednesday at 8 pm on BBC One.