Biggest car news stories of 2014
We look back at the stories that made 2014 a vintage year for car news
2014 was a huge year for car news. There were a huge number of exciting new models revealed, such as the Mazda MX-5, Jaguar XE, Volvo XC90 and Land Rover Discovery Sport.
That's not all, though. Auto Express has brought you exclusives throughout the year - for example the confirmation of the Tesla Model 3, which turned out to be our most read online story ever.
It's not all about new car reveals, though. The news we bring to you ranges from driverless cars to 2014's changes to road tax - and everything in between.
Read on to see the biggest news stories we ran through each month of 2014...
January
Toyota stars at Detroit as FT-1 marks dramatic return to form
Toyota brought the Detroit Motor Show to a standstill in January with the FT-1 – a front-engined, rear-wheel-drive concept. It harked back to the legendary Supra, Celica and 2000GT models, but also pointed the way to future sports cars from the brand.
Toyota intended the car to be just a styling exercise, but the company isn’t ruling out bringing a production version to life. It wouldn’t tell us what was under the bonnet, although it did let slip that the car wasn’t a hybrid but had a “high output” internal combustion engine – even though the brand is known to be working with BMW on a hybrid sports car platform.
Kevin Hunter, president of Toyota’s CALTY design studio in America –where the FT-1 was penned – told us the car’s styling was a “symbolic new chapter for Toyota design”, and revealed the aim was to produce a car that “stirs emotion”. We just hope the FT-1 gets the green light.
February
BMW gets it right again on MINI Mk3
The new, third-generation MINI was undoubtedly one of the most important car launches this year. BMW had an enormous task to recreate the cheeky demeanour of the two previous generations, while introducing a fresh platform and new engines, as well as meeting stringent crash-testing regulations.
And that’s before you consider it had to keep MINI fans around the world happy! But our drive in February proved that BMW had pulled it off – and in quite some style. Predictably, to meet those crash regulations and address drawbacks of the old model, the new MINI grew in size – 98mm longer, 44mm wider and 7mm taller.
That drew some criticisms, but we were delighted with the larger boot, which can take 211 litres. We loved the engine line-up, too. Our pick is the 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol, with its revvy and efficient character.
Quirky thinking marks out C4 Cactus
Citroen has always liked to go its own way, and the C4 Cactus – revealed in full production form in February – was proof that the manufacturer has no intentions of giving up that philosophy. The Nissan Juke rival burst on to the scene offering a modern and fresh take on the crossover, mixing great style with lightweight materials.
This bold design showcased how future Citroens are set to look, with the entry-level Cactus tipping the scales at 965kg – nearly 300kg less than its big-selling Juke arch-rival. Obviously the big news was the unusual ‘Airbump’ panels – little pockets of air attached to the doors to banish irritating supermarket car park dings. Later in the year we got behind the wheel of the French fancy, and thought it was the right car at the right time for the brand. It’s a real breath of fresh air in the burgeoning SUV sector.
March
Audi wows Geneva show with cutting-edge new TT
The all-new TT was first revealed at this year’s Geneva Motor Show –with the eagerly anticipated coupé causing quite a stir on the Audi stand. It debuted the brand’s pioneering dashboard design and 12.3-inch virtual cockpit display – a technological masterpiece that ditched conventional dials in favour of a TFT screen capable of displaying sat-nav and audio controls in place of the speedo and rev counter.
This new tech was complemented by a class-leading interior and stylish exterior with sharp creases and a bold family grille. But it wasn’t until later in the year – when we found out how good it was to drive – that the new TT package really came into its own. Featuring a range of fast and efficient 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines, the entry-level TDI Ultra is capable of a scarcely believable 67mpg. Audi also used the Geneva show to hint at a hardcore lightweight TT quattro sport model with a stripped-out interior and four-wheel drive.
April
Skoda rules Driver Power roost again
Once again, Skoda dominated our annual Driver Power survey, with its models making up the top three places, as voted for by 50,000 of you in the UK’s most influential car reliability and satisfaction poll. The Yeti finished in first place for the third year running, while the Citigo was a new entry at number two and the Superb rounded things off in third. And there was further cause for celebration at Skoda, as it was also crowned the top manufacturer in Driver Power.
Elsewhere, BMW walked away with two class winners, as the 5 Series finished top of the executive car standings and readers named the 3 Series the best compact executive model to own. Peugeot had a strong year, too, with a total of seven models in the top 100, including two new entries – the 308 and 2008. In addition, the RCZ was voted best sports car.
The biggest fall in the table was recorded by the Volkswagen Golf Mk6, which dropped a massive 73 places, closely followed by the Renault Mégane Mk3 – it plummeted 72 positions in the chart.
Land Rover shows bold look for its new family
It feels like years since we first saw the concept that would morph into 2015’s Land Rover Discovery Sport, but it was only in April. The car previewed replacements for the Discovery and Freelander, and had a bold, seven-seat design and rear-hinged doors.
It provided us with our first look at some of the technical highlights set to debut on future Land Rover products, too, including an ‘invisible bonnet’, that lets you see what the front wheels are up to, space-age gesture control and laser headlights. The unveiling also gave us an insight into the new, larger Discovery family, which will kick off with the Freelander-replacing Discovery Sport, followed by a full-size SUV and an offshoot that remains unknown – likely to be the smallest Land Rover to date.
Design boss Gerry McGovern said: “The car encapsulates our vision for the Discovery family. “Rather than produce one car that fits all, we wanted to do a family that can broaden our reach, as the Evoque did with Range Rover.”
May
Vauxhall Viva scoop as famous name returns
Back in May, we brought you the news that Vauxhall was set to revive the famous Viva badge on a brand new budget city car. The revelation caused shockwaves, attracting the attention of the national press, as this would be the first time we’d seen the Viva nameplate since 1979.
Our exclusive image showed how we thought the model might look, with Corsa-inspired design cues – plus we reported how Vauxhall was aiming for a starting price of around £7,000. To help cut costs, the Viva will be based around the next-generation Chevrolet Spark rather than on its own bespoke platform. The model was officially revealed later in the year, with a debut planned for the 2015 Geneva show.
June
Google car’s glimpse of driverless future
Not content with its domination of the Internet world, Google moved into the car market when it introduced its fully autonomous vehicle in June. The prototype features similar tech to that already seen on some Mercedes and Volvo models, and can transport passengers without any direct input. But the hi-tech highlights don’t end there. Using their smartphone, passengers can call on the Google car, get it to drive itself to wherever they are and pick them up.
The prototype is fully electric and limited to 25mph. Google intends to build around 200 by the end of 2015, with the public being invited to trial them once testing has been completed. Sophisticated lasers, sensors, cameras and radar allow the Google car to build up a 3D image of its surroundings.
July
Baby Brit crowned our Car of the Year
There were some flag-waving, patriotic celebrations at our annual New Car Awards, as the brilliant, British-built MINI swept all before it to take the Car of the Year 2014 crown. Although it doesn’t look very different to its predecessor, the latest version is all-new under the skin. As a result, it’s roomier, more refined and costs less to run than ever before.
The cheeky-looking hatch also boasts a host of big car kit, including adaptive dampers, forward-collision alert, radar cruise control, LED headlamps and a head-up display. Yet despite the addition of these hi-tech gadgets and the extra comfort and refinement, the newcomer hasn’t lost sight of its fun-loving roots.
Its sharp steering and agile, engaging handling are pure MINI, while new three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines deliver the ideal blend of efficiency and pace. So it was a worthy winner – and the arrival of a five-door later in the year helped cement the MINI’s place at the top.
Tesla exclusive is our biggest story ever
We broke a Tesla world exclusive in July, and nearly took down the Internet in the process. When the story naming the brand’s smaller, more affordable, BMW 3 Series-rivalling saloon as Model III was uploaded to our website, it was quickly picked up by other sites around the world and became our most read story ever. Why?
Interest in this pioneering electric car company had reached fever pitch of late, as it has a charismatic boss, its Model S is selling strongly and it has a raft of exciting new products on the way. The Model III will be unveiled in 2016, and go on sale in 2017, sitting on an all-new platform that’s 20 per cent smaller than the Model S’s. As a result it’ll be significantly cheaper, too, at around £30,000 in the UK.
Tesla won’t be sacrificing quality or tech, though – expect a range of around 200 miles on a single charge. Later on, Tesla’s vice-president for engineering, Chris Porritt, told us that there are plenty of ideas for the Model III beyond the saloon seen in our exclusive images. “We want this car to be £30,000 to £35,000, with derivatives which will appeal to all sorts of people. SUVs, estates – who knows?” he said.
August
Volvo finally takes wraps off cool new XC90 SUV
The long wait for Volvo to reveal its new XC90 finally came to an end in August, and the brand didn’t hold back with its flagship SUV. This is the first car based on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) and features an all-new engine range together with a sophisticated design. It’s longer, taller and wider than its predecessor, and further distinguishable on the road thanks to the ‘Thor’s Hammer’ LED running light signature.
Inside, the XC90 takes a leaf out of the Tesla Model S’s book with a large, portrait-orientated infotainment screen. Plus, there’s enough space for seven people in the three rows. Under the bonnet, a new line-up of four-cylinder engines includes a supercharged and turbocharged T6 2.0-litre petrol with 316bhp and a 222bhp D5 2.0-litre diesel, plus there’s a 395bhp petrol-electric plug-in hybrid.
September
Jaguar finally takes wraps off its new 3 Series-rivalling XE
Jaguar unveiled its most important car for decades in September. The new XE is set to take the fight to compact executive class leaders such as the BMW 3 Series, and features a sleek and sporty, yet fairly conservative design. But it’s underneath where the small Jag is a revelation. It’s 20 per cent stiffer than the larger XF saloon, and 75 per cent of the chassis is made of aluminium.
This innovative platform means the XE could be almost 200kg lighter than the equivalent 3 Series, promising not only an engaging drive, but enhanced efficiency. Key to that will be the new ‘Ingenium’ engine family, which kicks off with a 161bhp 2.0-litre diesel.
Despite a healthy 380Nm of torque, it promises 75mpg fuel economy and an impressive 99g/km of CO2. Other new tech includes Jaguar’s InConnect touchscreen system, which offers on-board Wi-Fi for unrivalled connectivity. Prices will start at £26,995, with first deliveries in May 2015.
New MX-5 ready to live up to the legend
The Mazda MX-5 is the world’s most popular roadster of the past 25 years, with nearly one million finding homes globally, so the all-new 2015 model has a lot to live up to. Revealed before the Paris Motor Show, it gets a more masculine and aggressive look and is shorter, lower and wider than the Mk3 it replaces. The front and rear overhangs have been reduced by a significant 90mm.
The interior is driver focused with great visibility, but features familiar tech from the 3 hatch. Thanks to the extensive use of aluminium in the chassis, this MX-5 shaves 100kg off the last model’s weight. There’s also 50:50 weight distribution, and a lower centre of gravity to improve agility. We expect the 1.5 and 2.0-litre SkyActiv petrols to appear, with around 130bhp and 165bhp respectively. Mazda claims its focus will be efficiency, with the weight saving reducing emissions and fuel consumption.
October
Drivers in uproar over tax changes
After 93 years, the tax disc was scrapped on 1 October, causing widespread confusion. Nearly half of drivers said they didn’t know about the change despite it being first announced last year. Nothing really changed in the way tax is bought, but there was uproar nonetheless. Many drivers were upset that refunds would be issued when a car was sold, as they felt they were being shortchanged.
November
Hamilton clinches second world title
Lewis Hamilton won his second Formula One world championship in dominant fashion under the floodlights of the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. The Brit’s season-long battle with Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg was resolved almost at the first corner, as he powered away from second place on the grid and into a commanding lead that he never looked like relinquishing.
A controversial double-points rule for the season finale meant that Hamilton had to finish in at least second place to guarantee winning the title, but in the end, mechanical problems for Rosberg’s car meant the German was battling just to finish the race, let alone challenge for victory.
Elsewhere, the event capped off the Williams team’s 2014 resurgence with a double podium finish for Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas. It was also four-time world champion driver Sebastian Vettel’s final race for the Red Bull team ahead of his move to Ferrari for the 2015 season.
December
Viva is back as Vauxhall unveils stylish city car
Hot on the heels of the new Corsa, Vauxhall revealed the third member of its small car family, the Viva, earlier this month. The model revives a name last seen 35 years ago on a small saloon, with the Viva evolving to become a classy-looking city car for budget-conscious buyers.
Prices are set to start from a little over £7,000, which will mean the Viva undercuts a host of rivals including the SEAT Mii, Skoda Citigo and Volkswagen up! family, plus newcomers like the Toyota Aygo and Citroen C1. Of course, if a rock-bottom purchase price is absolutely key, then the £5,995 Dacia Sandero still rules the roost.
However, with its stylish exterior, Adam-inspired interior and smooth 74bhp three-cylinder engine as standard, the Viva promises to be something altogether more upmarket. UK prices and specs are still yet to be revealed, but we expect all models to emit less than 100g/km of CO2, while there’s space for five at a push and a decent-sized boot.
