Five interesting facts about the BMW i3

The BMW i3 is currently on test with us in the Cars.co.za garage. Whilst we get to grips with the Rex (range extender) model we thought we would take an in depth look at what BMW has done to make the i3 a cool electric car.

We already know that the i3 uses an electric motor to get around and in the Rexs case has a little petrol motor to charge the batteries when they get low on juice. What else makes the i3 different to other electric cars?

Five interesting facts about the BMW i3

1. Sustainable materials were used on the interior

The interior of the BMW i3 features door trim panels and a dashboard made from renewable natural fibres, naturally tanned leather, and open-pore eucalyptus wood sourced from renewable forests. Overall, 25% renewable raw materials and recycled plastics were used in the interior of the BMW i3. The textile upholsteries are made of up to 100% recycled polyester. A further 25 % recycled plastics are used in the exterior.

2. Factory powered by renewable electricity

The electricity for production of BMW i3 and i8 at the Leipzig plant also comes exclusively from renewable energy sources. Wind turbines were installed on site in order to supply electricity directly for the production process. In addition, the energy required for manufacturing at the carbon-fibre plant in the USA comes from locally generated hydropower.

3. Enhanced aerodynamics

Aerodynamics are a key element in enhancing efficiency and increasing range. BMW uses fully concealed under-bodies that prevent wind turbulence under the car, while aero-flaps improve the aerodynamics of the wheel arches and side sills behind the front wheels. This reduces wind resistance and the cars energy consumption, extending the range.

4. The battery is cooled as you drive

A cooling system keeps the battery at its optimal operating temperature at all times. Drivers can also activate economical driving modes at the push of a button, thus extending the range by around 30%.

5. Lightweight materials used

Chassis architecture, specifically designed for the development of electric cars, reduces the weight and increases the range. Carbon fibre and Aluminium combine to form an ultralight, strong design. The result: improved energy efficiency, extended range and greater safety.

Keep your eyes peeled for our full review of the BMW i3 coming your way soon!

New Chrevrolet Cruze: Buying Advice, Pricing & Rivals

If you dont like sedans, youre probably living in your own personal Golden Age of motoring. It feels like the choice of SUVs and Crossovers and MPVs and SAVs grows by the minute.

But if Toyotas Corolla sales figures are anything to go buy, there is still a significant number of South Africans who just like a bonnet, four doors and a boot thank you very much.

See our Toyota Corolla video review here:

It was inevitable that a few other manufacturers would want a share of this corner of the market, and Chevrolet have had a very decent crack at it, with the Cruze.

Recently refreshed, it looks sharper and now includes touchscreen infotainment, and it keeps that very solid feel; in fact, I think this car feels better built than the venerable Corolla.

In this video, we take a detailed look at the new 1.4T Cruze Auto, which is an admittedly pricy option in the range. Well get a good look at the boot space on offer (generous), take you through the new MyLink touchscreen (exciting) and well even talk about engine options (not so exciting).

Well end off with a comparison between an equivalent Toyota Corolla and an equivalent Hyundai Elantra, in a bid to help you decide between the three.

See a full side-by-side comparison between the three click here:

Interested in a new Chevrolet Cruze?

Interested in a new Toyota Corolla?

Interested in a new Hyundai Elantra?

	2015 Chevrolet Cruze 1.4T Auto	Toyota Corolla 1.6 Prestige Auto
Price	R272 400	R269 600
Engine	1.4-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol	1.6-litre 4-cyl petrol
Power	103 kW	90 kW
Torque	200 Nm	154 Nm
Fuel economy	6.8L/100km	6.3L/100km
0 100km/h	10.4 seconds	11.1 seconds
Top speed	204kph	185kph

	2015 Chevrolet Cruze 1.4T Auto	Hyundai Elantra 1.6 Premium Auto
Price	R272 400	R276 900
Engine	1.4-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol	1.6-litre 4-cyl petrol
Power	103 kW	96 kW
Torque	200 Nm	157 Nm
Fuel economy	6.8L/100km	6.9L/100km
0 100km/h	10.4 seconds	11.6 seconds
Top speed	204kph	195kph

UPDATE: Ford Focus RS Revealed, Coming to SA in 2016

The third generation Ford Focus RS was officially unveiled earlier this year after an online teaser campaign and Ford have now revealed output figures for the high-performance vehicle. With a 2.3-litre four-cylinder Ecoboost turbocharged engine sourced from the SA-bound Mustang, this new Focus RS will continue the legacy of fast Fords.

The first generation Ford Focus RS came to SA in extremely small numbers and was a bit of a handful to drive. Powered by a 2.0-litre Duratech turbo engine with 158 kW and fitted with a Quaife limited slip differential, this Ford Focus RS scared and enthralled those who drove it.

The second generation Ford Focus RS is what I call the Hulk, thanks to its rather vibrant green paint and muscular body kit. Coupled with a monstrously tuned version of the 2.5-litre turbo engine found in the Focus ST, this Focus RS boasted 224 kW and 440 Nm. Having driven that car, I can tell you that it was next level extreme. Not only was it fast, it was also excessively loud and felt like a racecar for the road with its rorty exhaust and turbo whistles.

Ford Focus RS Details

Welcome then, to the third generation of Ford Focus RS. Gone is the five-cylinder motor and in its place is an all-new four-cylinder turbocharged engine. Its a 2.3-litre and is the same motor that does duty in the Ford Mustang. Ford has now confirmed that the new Focus RS will offer 257 kW and 440 Nm of torque, with an additional 30 Nm overboost available.

This very special 2.3-litre EcoBoost unit will inspire drivers as they feel the surge of the turbo, and reward them as they take it to the red line all delivered with a visceral sound guaranteed to put a smile on your face.” says Dave Pericak, global director, Ford Performance.

More importantly, the new Ford Focus RS will feature all-wheel drive with torque vectoring, meaning cornering ability will be superb. Power is transmitted to all four wheels through a six-speed manual transmission, which will keep the enthusiasts happy. The all-wheel drive system is based around twin electronically controlled clutches, which simulate the same effect as a limited-slip differential.

This system then uses sensors to continuously monitor the current conditions and then sends the power from the engine between the front and back wheels. As much as 70% of the vehicle’s power can be sent to the rear. It can also send power to either side of the rear axle. This is most useful when it comes to sharp turning, where the outer wheel will receive added grunt which improves stability and turn-in. Ford claims that it will ‘virtually eliminate understeer’. We’ll have to take Ford’s word on that, for now.

Ford announced that Youtube star and rallycross driver Ken Block was a consultant on the Focus RS project, which should mean the car is dramatic and exciting. Ken Block will show off his talent in the new Focus RS at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Ford South Africa confirmed that the new Ford Focus RS will arrive on our shores in 2016, and the vehicle forms part of a plan to deliver 12 performance vehicles by 2020.

Update: New MINI Clubman Shown

Official images of the second-generation MINI Clubman surfaced on the internet yesterday and MINI has now revealed further details. The four-door sub-compact station wagon features some interesting styling and shares the same platform with the latest MINI hatchback and the BMW 2-Series Active Tourer.

New MINI Clubman Details

The new MINI Clubman has grown in length by 27 cm and is 9 cm wider. The wheelbase has also been extended by 10cm. This means that cabin space has increased and the new Clubman can accommodate 300L in the boot which expands up to 1 250L with the rear split seats folded down. From the images above, it’s also clear that the new Clubman features two rear opening doors.

Three engines power the new Clubman. The first is a 1.5-litre TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder engine offering 100 kW and 220 Nm torque with 10Nm overboost. 0-100 kph is achieved in 9.1 seconds with a top speed of 205 kph.

The MINI Cooper S Clubman is powered by a four-cylinder 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo engine with 141 kW and 280 Nm of torque with an additional 20 Nm overboost. 0-100 kph is achieved in 7.1 seconds with a top speed of 228 kph.

Diesel heads can opt for the MINI Cooper D Clubman which is fitted with a four-cylinder a 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo engine offering 110 kW and 330 Nm of torque. 0-100 kph is achieved in 8.5 seconds with a top speed of 212 kph.

A 6-speed manual transmission is standard. An 8-speed Steptronic transmission will be optionally available for the first time in a MINI and will be available for the Cooper S Clubman and Cooper D Clubman. The Cooper S Clubman can also be had with an optional 8-speed Steptronic sport transmission while a 6-speed Steptronic transmission can also be fitted to the Cooper Clubman.

The new MINI Clubman can be expected in South Africa in the first quarter of 2016.

We also spotted some MINI pre-production prototypes last year, check them out!

Hot Hatchback Popularity in South Africa

There’s a never-ending debate raging on in the motoring world and the hot hatchback is smack-bang in the middle of it all. If I had to ask you what the best hot hatchback is, what would you say? Think carefully now, it’s not that simple to answer.

We took to social media with our weekly #ChooseDay to dig a little deeper and find out what you, our readers, considered to be the hottest hatchback and the results were very interesting. Not only did we receive hundreds of responses, we also received a diversity of opinions which is to be expected when debating hot hatch supremacy.

Before we reveal the results, some clarification is in order. We could only select four hot hatchbacks to lead the question, so many potential favorite hot hatches took the back seat. One key prerequisite however was that power output had to exceed 200 kW. With this in mind, we chose the following hot hatchbacks to start the debate: Renault Megane RS 275 Trophy, Ford Focus RS, Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG and the ever popular Volkswagen Golf R.

Admittedly, the Focus RS is a curve ball as it’s not even available in South Africa yet, but it will in all likelihood shatter dreams when it arrives on our shores in 2016. Likewise, the Renault Megane RS 275 Trophy was literally launched in South Africa this month, so it’s new to our market and has a lot of convincing to do to oust its competitors, but it’s very pretty nonetheless. Also be sure to take a look at best value for money hot hatchbacks here!

Hot Hatchback Popularity in South Africa

At the time publishing this article, our sample was taken from 400 votes to determine which of these hot hatches was held in highest regard. And the winner is…

1. Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG – 49% of total votes

With a landslide victory, 49% of respondents were convinced that the Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG is the hottest hatch on the road. It’s difficult to argue with that, especially when you consider that the world’s most powerful production 2.0-litre turbo engine is lurking under the bonnet. With its 265 kW and 450 Nm of torque delivering blistering performance through a seven-speed DCT gearbox, the A45 AMG with 4Matic all-wheel drive is a freak force that’s tough to beat. The 0-100kph sprint is achieved in 4.6 seconds before reaching a limited top speed of 250kph. The Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG is all yours for R659 717.

MUST WATCH:

2. Volkswagen Golf R – 25% of total votes

There’s no doubt about it, the Volkswagen Golf R is very much loved in South Africa and its monthly sales figures, which are in excess of 100, are testament to this fact. What’s not to love? The Volkswagen Golf R offers 206 kW and 380 Nm of torque from its turbocharged 2.0-litre engine. The Golf R is available with either a 6-speed manual or DSG transmission and acceleration to 100kph takes only 5 seconds before reaching a top speed of 250kph. Pricing starts at R510 400 for the manual while the DSG derivative is priced at R525 900. Judging by our drag race video (see above) between the A45 AMG and the Golf R, second place is just about right for this hot hatch.

3. Ford Focus RS – 23% of total votes

Snapping at the heels of the Golf R with 23% of the votes is the Ford Focus RS. It was surprising to see such huge interest in a car that will only be available in South Africa in 2016, but you can bet your top dollar that the RS is going to rustle some feathers in the hot hatch roost when it arrives. We know that the RS is equipped with a 2.3-litre turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive which makes it a strong contender. Official figures have just been released and Ford claims 257 kW and 450 Nm with 470 Nm available on overboost for 15 seconds. Gear changing will happen via a 6-speed manual transmission and for the speed freaks among us, you can expect sub 5 seconds in the 0-100kph sprint and a top speed of 250kph, easy. South African pricing and availability is yet to be confirmed.

4. Renault Megane RS 275 Trophy – 4% of total votes

The Renault Megane RS 275 Trophy, despite its sexy looks, came in limping across the finish line with only 4% of the total votes. But don’t laugh, the Trophy is underrated and its 201 kW and 360 Nm of torque is no joke. This hot hatch comes fitted with a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The 0-100kph sprint is achieved in 6 seconds before reaching a top speed of 255kph. The Renault Megane RS 275 Trophy is priced at R449 900. We currently have the Trophy on test, so you can expect a full review soon.

Feel free to name your favorite hot hatchback in the comment section below…The debate rages on.

Alfa Romeo Giulia (2016) Officially Revealed

The long-awaited successor to the Alfa Romeo 159 has been unveiled and we attended its international preview at the Alfa Romeo Museum in Milan, Italy. The Alfa Romeo Giulia has been one of the best kept secrets in the car world, with very little information being made available and almost no prototypes were spotted on the road. You can read our speculations about the car here and then compare it to the factual information in this article. The Alfa Romeo Giulia is finally here and its arrival today coincided with the brand's 105th year of car manufacture (previously it made aircraft engines) and the event was held at the revitalised Museum, which reopened its doors to the public after being closed for some time. Before we dive into the Alfa Romeo Giulia itself, the other big announcement is that there's been a logo change. While the differences aren't immediately noticeable, there's a renewed emblem with a modern touch.

Alfa Romeo Giulia Details

A lot is expected of the Alfa Romeo Giulia and we think the brand has delivered a product that is able to take on the German rivals and be a logical choice, as opposed to being an emotional purchase. How can you not be emotional when you see the new Giulia for the first time? The rear diffuser with quad exhausts as well as carbon fibre boot lid gives it a menacing appearance, while the big wheels with carbon ceramic brakes mean business. The cars you see here are the flagship Quadrifoglio Verde performance version which use a Maserati/Ferrari-sourced motor. It's a six-cylinder biturbo engine with an estimated output of 375kW. The Alfa Romeo Giulia is claimed to hit 100kph in just 3.9 seconds. Despite it being a performance car, there's a strong focus on emissions and economy, and the Giulia features cylinder deactivation. More importantly, Alfa Romeo has done substantial work on the weight of the car as well as the handling. There's extensive use of carbon fibre and light materials such as aluminium. Carbon fibre is used for the prop shaft, bonnet and roof, while aluminium is used in the doors, engine and suspension. The seats' structural frame is also made of carbon fibre. One of the big talking points is Alfa Romeo returning to rear-wheel drive. While all-wheel drive is on the cards, its the choice of rear-wheel drive that has really raised eyebrows. Combined with ultra-sensitive steering, torque vectoring and 50/50 weight distribution, the new Alfa Giulia looks like its going to be quite a driver's car. While we don't have any official images of the Alfa Romeo Giulia's interior, we can tell you that after peering through the window, there's a distinct Italian look and its all driver focused. One of the big things we noticed was the revised Alfa DNA system, which is now a dial. There's Dynamic and Natural, which we've seen before in the MiTo and Giulietta, but the Giulia now features Advanced Efficient as well as a full-on Racing mode. The interior will feature materials such as wood and carbon fibre, to name but a few. With the Giulia, Alfa Romeo is hoping to jumpstart its brand. It's been drifting on a road of mediocrity for some time now and was in dire need of fresh product. The Alfa Giulia is the first of many cars and we're looking at about 8 or even 9 in the next few years. Internationally we'll see a few variants of the Giulia such as diesels, station wagons and so on.

Coming to SA?

We quizzed the local Alfa Romeo representative and while he couldn't confirm an exact date, estimates of as early as December 2015 were given. To be realistic, we could see it in the fourth quarter of 2016. The key things here are the exchange rate and the demand for the bread-and-butter models. As exciting as the Giulia QV is, we reckon it's not going to be under R1-million, which is fair considering its targeting the BMW M3 and Mercedes-Benz C63. If the lower-specced entry levels are priced competitively and if the build quality is as improved as Alfa Romeo says it is, we're on course for a Germany vs Italy war again.

Mahindra Genio Plus Now in SA

In addition to the Genio single and double cab bakkie currently on offer in South Africa, Mahindra has now introduced the Genio Plus to market with a load capacity of more than 1 000 kg. The new Mahindra Genio also adds a number of standard features over and above its counterparts.

What does the Mahindra Genio Plus offer?

The Genio Plus comes fitted with a front bull bar, rear bumper, side steps, front cab-mounted roll bar and a rear tailgate-side roll bar. The large corrugated cargo box is rubberised for added durability and the Genio Plus rides on alloy wheels.

In the cabin you will find two independent seats covered in durable cloth upholstery. The centre console features two cup holders and there’s a digital clock mounted above large air vents. For entertainment, the Genio Plus comes fitted with a MP3 radio/Cd player and there is a SD card slot as well as a USB port.

Standard features include electric windows and exterior mirrors, fog lamps, air conditioning, central locking and power steering. ABS is is also fitted as standard.

Under the hood lies a 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine offering 88 kW and 290 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission. Mahindra claims a combined fuel consumption figure of 7.9L /100km with an approximate range of 900km from its 74-litre fuel tank.

Mahindra Genio Plus Price in South Africa

Mahindra Genio Plus – R209 995

Alfa Romeo Giulia What We Know So Far

Italian car maker Alfa Romeo is a brand that is built on passion and emotion, and it has held petrolheads enthralled for generations. Products such as the modern 8C supercar and 4C sportscar, along with decades of heritage based on racing and Italian charm have won Alfa Romeo global iconic status, but questions about reliability, build quality and dealership service have dented the brands reputation. Resale values are generally poor too, which adds insult to injury.

Ask any person about Alfa Romeo and most will smile and talk about how pretty the cars are, but when you ask about potential ownership, youre met with a firm Not for me! How can a brand be so desirable, yet the mention of ownership is enough to have them flee for the mountains?

Locally, the Alfa Romeo offering is limited to the compact MiTo, a stylish and very Italian alternative to the Mini, and the Giulietta a Volkswagen Golf rival thats oh so close to being an outstanding product. Then theres the 4C which is a breathtakingly pretty and exclusive sportscar offering an enthralling drive, but it comes with one very high pricetag.

There is a dire need for a premium sedan from Alfa Romeo that can take on the likes of the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-class – a serious money maker that can turn the brands misfortunes around. Alfa Romeo did well in the early 2000s with the 156, a sedan that offered a lot, while not costing too much money. It was excellent and was awarded South African (and European) Car of the Year titles. Unfortunately the 156’s subsequent replacement, the 159 and its Brera coupe sibling were certainly eye catching, but were not good enough to sway potential buyers from German rivals. Its a shame, as the 1.750 TBi-powered 159 was actually quite enjoyable to drive.

Alfa Romeo 159 Successor: What We Know

As you read this right now, were on our way to Milan, Italy to see the new Alfa Romeo Giulia. Unlike other cars which generally get spotted on the roads as pre-production mules and teased in the run-up to the launch, Alfa Romeo has done a sterling job of keeping the 159 replacement under wraps. Heres what we know so far:

At this stage, globally it’s being called the Giulia, but we don’t know if this is confirmed. Internally its called Project 952 and will be going head to head with Germanys finest, the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4. Jaguars XE is expected to be benchmarked too. The Fiat Group has a lot of expertise in its arsenal and from our understanding, were looking at Maserati underpinnings for this important new Alfa Romeo. Wed assume this would come from the Ghibli the brands compact sedan. Maserati products are all rear-wheel drive, which means we could have a real drivers car on our hands, too.

Potential Engines

In terms of engines, the Fiat Group has some great powerplants to draw from. From the Multi Air small capacity turbocharged motors to some quality JTD diesels, theres a lot to choose from. The 1.7-turbo used in the Giulietta QV could also make an appearance. However, with such an illustrious motorsport heritage behind its name, four-cylinder motors just arent going to cut it. A flagship model in the 159 replacement could even feature something as sensational as a biturbo V6 developed by Maserati/Ferrari, which would really get tongues wagging. While we dont quite think theres going to be a BMW M3 rival, itd be good to see a 335i and Audi S4 competitor. We would happily love to be wrong though

Start of an Alfa Romeo Rebirth?

This weeks reveal is not just about one car though. The 159 replacement forms part of Alfa Romeos plan to launch up to nine vehicles by 2020. This nine-car plan is the brainchild of Alfa Romeo boss Harald Wester who is under the cosh to deliver new products, demonstrate innovation and ultimately turn the brands misfortunes around. Right now, there are just two models in the Alfa Romeo lineup that target popular segments, but the reality is people are looking elsewhere. Both MiTo and Giulietta are a few years old already and the lack of new vehicles aside from halo models is painful. As far as other potential new Alfa Romeo cars go, were possibly looking at a larger executive vehicle to rival the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class (remember the Alfa 166?) as well as a crossover.

This is Alfa Romeos time to shine and time to show us what weve been waiting for. We, and most petrolheads out there, sincerely hope that the 159 successor, or Giulia as it’s been unofficially named, is the product to restore Alfa Romeo to its former glory.

Bakkie Gravel Braking Test: Toyota Hilux vs Ford Ranger vs GWM Steed6

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

In the third installment of our three-way bakkie shootout, we headed back to our massive, secret gravel pit to test arguably the most important aspect of any bakkies dynamics: the ability to stop quickly when not on tarmac.

The bakkie is a class of car that arguably spends more time on gravel roads than any other, and with the double cab bakkie only growing heavier and heavier, we wanted to see which of our three bakkies had the best stopping power.

The test was simple, wed accelerate each bakkie up to 80kph and jump on the brakes. Wed laid cones out in 5 metre gaps, which would help us measure the stopping distance quickly and easily.

I would be driving the Toyota Hilux 3.0 D-4D Legend 45, Dave was in the hefty Ford Ranger Wildtrak and Ash would be piloting the wildcard in the group, the GWM Steed6.

All the results can be found at the end of the video. See what we did there.

Interested in a Toyota Hilux?

Interested in a Ford Ranger?

Interested in a GWM Steed6?

Compare the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger and GWM Steed6 here!

	Toyota Hilux 3.0 D-4D Double Cab 4×4 Raider Legend 45	Ford Ranger Double Cab Hi-Rider Wildtrack Auto
Price	R513 000	R494 900
Engine	3.0 litre 4-cyl turbo diesel	3.2 litre 5-cyl turbo diesel
Power	120 kW	147 kW
Torque	343 Nm	470 Nm
Fuel economy	8.6L/100km	9.1L/100km
0 100km/h	N/A	N/A
Top speed	170kph	Not available

	Toyota Hilux 3.0 D-4D Double Cab 4×4 Raider Legend 45	GWM Steed6 2.0VGT Double Cab Xscape
Price	R513 000	R329 900
Engine	3.0 litre turbo diesel	2.0 litre 4-cyl turbo diesel
Power	120 kW	105 kW
Torque	343 Nm	305 Nm
Fuel economy	8.6L/100km	8.8L/100km
0 100km/h	N/A	N/A
Top speed	170kph	150kph

Bakkie Gravel Braking Test: Toyota Hilux vs Ford Ranger vs GWM Steed6

BMW i8 Wins 2015 International Engine of the Year Award

The groundbreaking BMW i8 supercar with its 1.5-litre hybrid powertrain has won the 2015 International Engine of the Year Award. The BMW i8 was launched in South Africa earlier in the year along with the BMW i3 and so far the interest in these vehicles has been phenomenal.

The victory marks the end of Ford’s reign, winning three years with its 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, which placed second this time round with only 7 points separating the two leaders. Even so, the 1.0-litre EcoBoost is not to be scoffed at, it’s a good engine that does service in a number of local products in South Africa including the Fiesta, Focus, EcoSport, and Tourneo Connect. Third place was scooped by PSA Peugeot Citroen’s three cylinder 1.2-litre turbo engine which does service locally in the Peugeot 308, Citroen DS3 and Citroen C4 Cactus.

The International Engine of the Year Award is judged by respected motoring journalists consisting of 65 jury members from all around the world. This year’s winning engines combine high-end performance with advanced technologies that reduce emissions and improve emissions. Let’s take a look at the top 3 results in each category.

BMW i8 wins International Engine of the Year Award

1. BMW 1.5-litre three-cylinder electric-gasoline hybrid (BMW i8) – 274 points

2. Ford 1.0-litre EcoBoost (Ford Fiesta, B-Max, Focus, C-Max, Grand C-Max, Fiesta Red/Black, Mondeo, EcoSport, Tourneo Connect / Courier) – 267 points

3. SA Peugeot Citroen 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo (Peugeot 208, 308, Citroen C3, DS3, C3 Picasso, C4 Cactus, C4, DS4) – 222 points

Sub 1-litre

1. Ford 1.0-litre EcoBoost (Ford Fiesta, B-Max, Focus, C-Max, Grand C-Max, Fiesta Red/Black, Mondeo, EcoSport, Tourneo Connect / Courier) – 444 points

2. General Motors 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo (Opel Adam, Opel Corsa) – 176 points

3. BMW 650cc two-cylinder electric petrol range-extender (BMW i3) – 163 points

1-Litre to 1.4-Litre

1. PSA Peugeot Citroen 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo (Peugeot 208, 308, Citroen C3, DS3, C3 Picasso, C4 Cactus, C4, DS4) – 243 points

2. Volkswagen 1.4-litre TSI Twincharger (Volkswagen Eos, CC, Tiguan, Seat Ibiza, Alhambra, Ibiza Cupra) – 174 points

3. Volkswagen 1.4-litre TSI electric-petrol hybrid (Volkswagen Golf GTE, Audi A3 e-tron) – 165 points

1.4-Litre to 1.8-Litre

1. BMW 1.5-litre three-cylinder electric-petrol hybrid (BMW i8) – 262 points

2. Audi 1.8-litre TFSI (Audi A1, A3, A4, A5, A6, Seat Leon FR, Skoda Octavia, Superb, Yeti, Volkswagen Jetta, Passat) – 177 points

3. BMW/PSA Peugeot Citroen 1.6-litre turbo petrol (Mini Clubman Cooper S, Coupe / Roadster Cooper S, Countryman Cooper S, Paceman Cooper S, Clubman Cooper Works, Coupe / Roadster Cooper Works, Countryman Cooper Works, Paceman Cooper Works, Peugeot 208, 308, 3008, 508, 5008, 208 GTI, 308 GT, RCZ, RCZ R, Citroen DS3, DS3 Racing, C4 / DS4, DS4 Racing, C4 Picasso / Grand Picasso, C5, DS5) – 158 points

2-Litre to 2.5-Litre

1. Audi 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo (Audi RS3 , RS Q3) – 347 points

2. Mazda 2.2-litre turbo (Mazda 3 / Axela, 6 / Atenza, CX-5) – 184 points

3. Ford 2.3-litre turbo (Ford Mustang, Ford Focus RS, Explorer, Lincoln MKC) – 154 points

2.5-Litre – 3-Litre

1. BMW M 3-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder (BMW M3, M4) – 246 points

2. BMW 3-litre twin-turbo six cylinder (BMW M135i, 235i, 640i, 335i, 435i, Z4 35i, 535i, X3 35i, X4 35i, X5 35i, X6 35i, Z4 35is) – 178 points

3. Porsche 2.7-litre Boxer (Porsche Boxster, Cayman) – 158 points

3-Litre to 4-Litre

1. McLaren 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 (McLaren 675LT, 650S, 625C, 12C) – 258 points

2. Mercedes-AMG 4-litre biturbo V8 (Mercedes-AMG GT, GT S, C63 AMG, C63 S AMG) – 239 points

3. Porsche 3.8-litre Boxer (Porsche 911 Carrera S, 911 GTS, 911 GT3, Cayman GT4) – 214 points

Above 4-Litre

1. Ferrari 4.5-litre V8 (Ferrari 458 Italia, 458 Speciale) – 295 points

2. Ferrari 6.3-litre V12 (Ferrari F12 Berlinetta) – 222 points

3. Mercedes-AMG 5.5-litre V8 turbo (Mercedes-AMG E63 AMG, CLS63 AMG, ML63 AMG, GLE 63 AMG, E63 AMG S, CLS65 AMG, S63 AMG, SL63 AMG, G63 AMG, GL63 AMG) – 140 points

Green Engine

1. Tesla full-electric powertrain (Tesla Model S) – 239 points

2. BMW 1.5-litre three-cylinder electric-petrol hybrid (BMW i8) – 191 points

3. BMW full-electric powertrain (BMW i3) – 103 points

New Engine

1. BMW 1.5-litre three-cylinder electric-petrol hybrid (BMW i8) – 339 points

2. Mercedes-AMG 4-litre biturbo V8 (Mercedes-AMG GT, GT S, C63 AMG, C63 S AMG) – 209 points

3. Ferrari 3.9-litre biturbo V8 (Ferrari California) – 159 points

Performance Engine

1. Ferrari 4.5-litre V8 (Ferrari 458 Italia, 458 Speciale) – 236 points

2. Mercedes-AMG 4-litre biturbo V8 (Mercedes-AMG GT, GT S, C63 AMG, C63 S AMG) – 148 points

3. Porsche 3.8-litre Boxer (Porsche 911 Carrera S, 911 GTS, 911 GT3, Cayman GT4) – 129 points

Five interesting facts about the BMW i3