Description

The new BMW X5 is the star of this month’s show, and not only is it powered by diesel with mild hybrid technology, but it also comes as a petrol, plug-in hybrid, fully electric and at a later date hydrogen power. The large SUV truly is groundbreaking and shows off the latest Neue Klasse styling and technology. We’ve also got news of another German great, with the return of the Audi A6 allroad to these shores. And we can’t wait, as we’ve missed it from the lineup. There are the first pictures of the Škoda Peaq, as well as a great interview with the CEO of Škoda, Klaus Zellmar. There is a first look at the MG Go! Concept, updated Audi A3 and the supercar rivalling Denza Z. Dacia has released more information on the Striker, we’ve got photos of the new Audi Q7, the Volkswagen ID. Cross, BMW M Neue Klasse concept, facelifted Volkswagen Caravelle and MG Cyber Concept. Finally, we’ve got the first official camouflaged photos of the Range Rover GT that will be arriving in showrooms next year.

We’ve been driving the DS No7, the cute Honda Super-N, Leapmotor B05 and BYD Dolphin G, as well as testing the returning Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. We’ve also been behind the wheel of the Lexus RZ 550e, the Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric, Aion V, BYD Atto 2 DM-i, Volkswagen ID. Buzz Long wheelbase and Toyota Land Cruiser with diesel power and mild hybrid technology. We welcome the KGM Torres EVX, Renault Megane E-Tech, Škoda Octavia E-Tec, Hyundai Tucson, Genesis GV60 and Suzuki e Vitara to the long-term fleet and wave a fond farewell to the Volvo XC90.

It’s our summer special issue and we’ve been looking at five convertibles with prices ranging from just £1,000 and tell you about the best beaches that you can still drive on. We also look at starter cars for new drivers and in this month’s used car section we deliver a buyer’s guide on the Mercedes-Benz GLA (2023-onwards), as well as examining three different generations of the Škoda Kodiaq.

This is in addition to all of your other favourite features including The Doctor, Motorgrump, Fully Equipped, Bright Spark, and the most up-to-date data section in the magazine business. Don’t forget to check out one of our newest columns, Grand Designs, that places a spotlight on the Honda Accord 2.2 i-CTDi Sports Study concept car from 2003, as well as an interesting look at past prototypes, clay models and design sketches, some or all of which you may never have seen before.

Tested:

• Aion V Premium Pack Automatic
• BYD Dolphin G DM-i Comfort Automatic
• BYD Atto 2 DM-i Boost Automatic
• DS No7 Étoile FWD Long Range Automatic
• Honda Super-N Advance Automatic
• Leapmotor B05 Automatic
• Lexus RX 550e F Sport Takumi Automatic
• Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 4Matic electric Premier Edition Automatic
• Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Diamond Automatic
• Toyota Land Cruiser Invincible 2.8 D-4D 48V Automatic
• Volkswagen ID. Buzz Long Style Pro 86 Automatic

Long-term test reports:

• Abarth 600e Scorpionissima Automatic
• Citroën C5 Aircross Max Plug-in Hybrid 195 Automatic
• Cupra Terramar VZ2 1.5 eHybrid DSG Automatic
• Genesis GV60 Pure Automatic
• Hyundai Tucson N Line S 1.6 T Hybrid Automatic
• Isuzu D-Max Double Cab V-Cross Automatic
• KGM Torres EVX K50 Automatic
• Renault Megane E-Tech Iconic Esprit Alpine Comfort Range Automatic
• Škoda Octavia SportLine 1.5 E-Tec DSG Automatic
• Suzuki e Vitara 61kWh Motion 2WD Automatic
• Toyota Yaris Cross GR Sport Hybrid 1.5 VVT-i Automatic
• Vauxhall Frontera GS 1.2 Hybrid 145 (5-seat) Automatic
• Volvo XC90 Ultra T8 PHEV AWD Automatic

Features:

• Bright Spark – Chinese takeaway
• Current affairs – Are rural areas being left behind?
• Gadget Inspector
• Motorgrump – Tomorrow’s classics
• Technology explained – Soft close doors
• The Doctor – advice column
• The best versus the rest – Starter cars for new drivers

Buying, selling and maintaining

• Generation Game – Škoda Kodiaq – three generations explored
• Hero or zero – GWM Ora Funky Cat/03
• Product watch – Airport drop-off charges
• Remember this – Volkswagen Polo Mk3
• Secondhand shootout – Audi Q7 vs Land Rover Discovery

Used Car Buyer’s Guide

• Mercedes-Benz GLA (2023-on)

Data Files

• Denied diesels – Talbot Tagora DT
• Forgotten Concept – Honda Accord 2.2 i-CTDi Sport Study
• Joy of Lists – All the models that have featured the 1.3 CDTi engine from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Powertrain
• Under development – Hyundai Motor Group Namyang development centre
• The most comprehensive and up-to-data in the business

Regulars

• News and views
• News in pictures
• Motoring Morsels
• Refuelling Costs
• Day trip to…
• What’s On
• Gadget Inspector
• The Doctor
• This Month
• Current Affairs
• The Legal Lane
• Techzone
• The best versus the rest
• Motorgrump
• Fully equipped
• Bright Spark
• DM@il
• Tuning specialists directory
• Buying. Selling and Maintaining
• The Generation Game
• The Doctor’s Hero or Zero
• Marketplace Interview
• Marketplace Statistics
• Marketplace In The Pipeline
• Marketplace What’s New
• Data Files
• Next month
• Grand Designs