Description

One of the most popular small cars of the 1970s and 80s has been brought bang up to date with an electric twist and Phil Huff was at an exclusive unveiling ahead of its Geneva motor show debut. In addition to languishing on the cover of the March 2024 edition of Diesel&EcoCar, we’ve got a four-page introduction to Renault’s fresh new 5 E-Tech.

We’ve also got news of the facelifted Volkswagen Golf, as well as the updated Ford Puma, Audi Q7, Porsche Taycan and Hyundai Bayon. Porsche’s all-new Macan makes its debut on our pages, alongside the BMW 5 Series Touring and Dacia Spring. There are reports of irregularities with Toyota’s diesel engines and a first look at the Stellantis STLA large platform that’s set to underpin a range of new Jeep, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati products in the future.

We get behind the wheel of the monstrous Kia EV9, try out the lengthy Volkswagen ID.7, and put Skoda’s facelifted Kamiq through its paces. We’ve also been driving the facelifted Renault Arkana, the mildly updated Mazda2 and the latest Mercedes-Benz GLB in diesel guise.

This month’s used car buyer’s guide is all about the Vauxhall Mokka 1.5 Turbo D and we have a rundown on last year’s new registrations figures in our unique and comprehensive way – it’s worth buying the magazine just for that in-depth analysis that you won’t find anywhere else. In Our Cars, we wave goodbye to the Citroën Ë-C4 X and DS 7 and welcome a Skoda Karoq and Hyundai Kona Electric to the fleet.

Tested:

• Kia EV9 GT-Line S 7-seat Automatic
• Mazda2 Homura Aka e-Skyactiv G
• Mercedes-Benz GLB 200 d AMG Line Premium Plus Automatic
• Renault Arkana esprit Alpine E-Tech Hybrid 145 Automatic
• Skoda Kamiq SE 1.0 TSI (115)
• Volkswagen ID.7 Match Pro Automatic

Long-term test reports:

• Citroen E-C4 X Shine Plus Automatic
• Cupra Formentor VZ2 e-Hybrid 245 DSG Automatic
• DS 7 Rivoli BlueHDi 130 Automatic
• Genesis GV70 Sport 2.2 AWD Automatic
• GWM Ora Funky Cat First Edition Automatic
• Hyundai Kona Ultimate Electric Automatic
• Mazda CX-60 AWD Takumi e-Skyactiv D
• Peugeot 408 Allure Premium Plug-in Hybrid 225 Automatic
• Skoda Karoq SportLine 2.0 TDI 4×4 Automatic

Features:

• 2023 New Car Registrations – an in-depth comprehensive analysis
• A to Z – ’24’-plate new registration special issue
• Current affairs – what is the ZEV mandate all about?
• Gadget Inspector
• Techzone – Bosch automatic valet charger
• Technology explained – what is geofencing?
• The Doctor – advice column
• You, the jury – ULEZ

Buying, selling and maintaining

• Generation Game – Audi A3 – 2012-2016, 2016-2020, 2020-on
• Hero or zero – Skoda Roomster
• Product watch – DPF Cleaner
• Remember this – SEAT Cordoba Vario
• Secondhand shootout – Citroen C5 Aircross vs Renault Kadjar

Used Car Buyer’s Guide

• Vauxhall Mokka 1.5 Turbo D

Data Files

• A-to-Z – Percentage of sales for each form of propulsion for each brand in the UK during 2023
• Forgotten Concept – 2014 Land Rover Discovery Vision
• Joy of Lists – Booted cars that had were given a different name from their hatchback counterparts
• Megafactories – Fukuka, Japan factory
• The most comprehensive and up-to-date in the business

Regulars

• News and views
• News in pictures
• Motoring Morsels
• Refuelling Costs
• Gadget Inspector
• The Doctor
• This Month
• Current Affairs
• Techzone
• Roadwatch
• You, the jury
• Motorgrump
• Bright Spark
• DM@il
• Tuning Torque
• Tuning specialists directory
• Buying. Selling and Maintaining
• The Generation Game
• The Doctor’s Hero or Zero
• Marketplace Statistics
• Marketplace In The Pipeline
• Marketplace What’s New
• Data Files
• Next month