Description

Tuning and diesel cars go together like Mickey and Minnie and Ant and Dec and this month’s issue is all about tuning, as well as economy motoring. We’ve got a feature on tuning an older diesel car without killing it, hints and tips on economy motoring, an insight into the latest emissions busting technology that will be under the bonnet of your car soon, and a 2020 motoring dictionary to decode all the terms you hear about associated with electrified motoring.

Pride of place on the cover is the new Volkswagen Golf, and we’ve got the first information on the eighth-generation car. There’s also news about BMW’s 2 Series Gran Coupé and we take a tour around Jaguar’s new design studio at Gaydon in Warwickshire. In EcoCar, we take a look at the stars of the Tokyo motor show, as well as the new Volvo XC40 Recharge and all-new Toyota Yaris. For hydrogen fans, there’s news of the next generation Toyota Mirai and there’s also the first photos and information on Toyota’s plug-in hybrid RAV4.

This month’s twin test is between two siblings – the Skoda Superb and the Volkswagen Passat. We also drive the Audi Q3 Sportback, Volvo XC90 and Kia XCeed – all on UK tarmac. Citroën’s C4 Cactus is driven with the new BlueHDi 120 engine and automatic transmission. In EcoCar, we try out the updated Renault Zoe, test the facelifted Lexus RX 450h and drive Subaru’s e-Boxer powerplant under the bonnet of the XV and Forester, in addition to testing the Volkswagen Passat GTE plug-in hybrid.

Our used car buyer’s guide is all about the Audi A1 1.6 TDI, as well as revealing Doctor Diesel’s heroes or zeroes for this month. We wave goodbye to our Kia ProCeed long-term test car, but welcome a Skoda Scala its place. If you haven’t already seen the facelifted Diesel Car & Eco Car magazine, then get yourself a copy now, because we’ve freshened the layout and design, and made it easier to read. There’s brand new features and items being added in every issue. That’s in addition to all your favourites, including Doctor Diesel, The Extra Mile, Marketplace and Legal i. And of course, we have the most up-to-date data section in the business. You really can’t miss it.

News:

• BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
• Jaguar design studio
• Toyota Yaris
• Toyota RAV4 PHEV
• Volkswagen Golf 8
• Volvo XC40 Recharge

Tested:

• Audi Q3 Sportback S line 2.0 TDI (150) Automatic
• Citroen C4 Cactus Flair BlueHDi 120 Automatic
• Kia XCeed 3 1.6 CRDi
• Lexus RX 450 h F Sport Automatic
• Renault Zoe GT Line R135 Z.E.50
• Skoda Superb SE L 2.0 TDI (190) Automatic
• Subaru XV e-Boxer SE Premium
• Subaru Forester e-Boxer XE Premium
• Volkswagen Passat SEL 2.0 TDI (190) Automatic
• Volkswagen Passat GTE 1.4 TSI Plug-in Hybrid Automatic
• Volvo XC90 D5 AWD Inscription Automatic

Twin test:

• Skoda Superb SE L 2.0 TDI (190) Automatic vs Volkswagen Passat SEL 2.0 TDI (190) Automatic

Long-term test reports:

• Citroen C5 Aircross Flair Plus BlueHDi 130 Automatic
• Ford Focus Estate ST-Line X 2.0 EcoBlue Automatic
• Honda Civic EX 1.6 i-DTEC Automatic 4-door
• Kia ProCeed GT-Line 1.6 CRDi
• Land Rover Discovery Sport HSE SD4 Automatic
• Peugeot 508 GT-Line 2.0 BlueHDi 160 Automatic
• Renault Kadjar S Edition Blue dCi 115
• SEAT Tarraco Xcellence 2.0 TDI (181bhp) DSG Automatic
• Skoda Scala SE 1.6 TDI
• Volvo V60 D3 R-Design Pro Automatic

Features:

• Tuning an older diesel car without killing it
• Eco driving tips
• New emissions busting diesel technology
• 2020 Motoring Dictionary

 Used Car Buyer’s Guide

• Audi A1 1.6 TDI

Regulars

• News and views
• What’s On
• Marketplace Statistics
• Marketplace In The Pipeline
• Marketplace What’s New
• Marketplace Interview
• Doctor Diesel
• Highway Cod
• Legal i
• The Extra Mile
• Buying, Selling and Maintaining
• Doctor Diesel’s Heroes or Zeroes
• Product Inspector
• EcoCar News and views
• EcoCar Marketplace
• EcoCar Bright Spark