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With economic uncertainty on the horizon for the foreseeable future, and car sales plummeting after the start of lockdown, 2020 might not seem like a good time to buy a car.

Buying a car in 2020: my experience of visiting a Covid-secure dealership

With economic uncertainty on the horizon for the foreseeable future, and car sales plummeting after the start of lockdown, 2020 might not seem like a good time to buy a car. Even for the lucky ones whose finances have not been affected by the pandemic, there is still a certain level of anxiety associated with the process of buying a car in these strange times; visiting multiple dealerships, speaking to sales advisors indoors and at close distance, and test-driving vehicles that have been touched and sat in by dozens of previous customers can be daunting, especially for those who have additional health risks.

Last week, my partner James decided to upgrade his car; partly to reward himself after starting his career as a junior doctor during one of the most challenging periods faced by the NHS, and partly because his Skoda Citigo, a practical and reliable companion during his student days, no longer satisfied him in terms of power and speed. As an aspiring motoring journalist, I was curious about the way car dealerships were dealing with the pandemic and creating a Covid-secure environment for their customers, so I decided to follow James’ journey and find out what it’s like to buy a car during a pandemic.

Like most other aspects of life these days, the initial stage of the process had moved into the virtual sphere; while browsing around for cars, we noticed most recent listings included video tours of the vehicle as well as photos. This meant we could avoid doing too many in-person visits, only making a trip to the dealership once the final choice of car had been made. After a few weeks of browsing, James eventually settled on a 2017 BMW M240i which was on offer at our local dealership, Rybrook Warwick.

After the car had been chosen and the budget calculated, it was time to visit the dealership for a test drive. We were, of course, both wearing masks and carrying hand sanitiser in our pocket, but I didn’t know what the experience would be like after almost six months of being cooped up in our flat with nowhere to go except the supermarket and the hospital.

My concerns disappeared once we walked through the door; the dealership had a well-functioning arrangement in place, with Plexiglas screens everywhere, a one-way system for getting around the building and hand gel dispensers at every corner. The sales advisors were all wearing masks and kept distance with each other as well as the customers, despite neither being a legal requirement for employees in the workplace; even the furniture had been rearranged to create a two-metre gap between chairs.

The test drive was similarly Covid-secure in all aspects. The car had clearly been deep-cleaned and sanitised since the last prospective buyer had viewed it, with not a single fingerprint visible on the shiny interior trim. Even the smallest of details had been considered; the keys were wiped down with disinfectant before being handed to us, as was the pen James used to sign the paperwork.

We finalised the purchase on the same day and picked up the car later in the week, sealing the deal with an elbow bump. By the time we drove off and headed home, my anxiety over picking up the virus had been replaced by excitement over the new car.

Buying a car might not be the first thing on people’s minds at this time, but for those who are spending their time in lockdown looking for new wheels, the dealership’s (or private seller’s) approach to Covid safety should be taken into account just as much as other factors, no matter where your dream car is coming from.

Recently, the government suspended MOT tests across the UK for six months due to the coronavirus pandemic, after motorists expressed concerns over the consequences of not having a pass certificate due to MOT testing centres shutting down.

COVID-19: Drivers given six-month emergency MOT extensions

The Department for Transport (DfT) announced that all vehicle owners were to be granted the special dispensation from Monday, 30th March. Prior to the announcement, road users expressed concern that failing to have a valid MOT would mean they could not legally drive their cars as they could not apply for car tax or insurance.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency had previously put a three month exemption in place for heavy goods vehicles and buses but faced calls to extend this to cars. The six month extension will mean cars and vans can continue to use the road even if their MOT has expired.

Car repair and maintenance garages will remain open to ensure all vehicles are “kept in a roadworthy condition, which drivers still have responsibility to ensure”, the government said. It will help key workers such as those working in healthcare and food supply service to keep going to work during the crisis.

In a statement, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “We must ensure those on the frontline of helping the nation combat COVID19 are able to do so. Allowing this temporary exemption from vehicle testing will enable vital services such as deliveries to continue, frontline workers to get to work, and people get essential food and medicine.

“Safety is key, which is why garages will remain open for essential repair work,” he said.

Despite the cancellation of the 2020 Geneva Motor Show, car manufacturers have still been busy unveiling their latest creations and sharing them online. Read on for Driver Buddy’s round-up of the newest models from Aston Martin, BMW, Honda and more.

Virtual Geneva Motor Show Round-Up

The first stand-alone model from CUPRA is a four-wheel drive coupe-crossover. It is available with either a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine putting out 306bhp, or a plug-in hybrid powertrain producing 242bhp.

In a first for Morgan, the Plus Four is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The old model’s steel ladder chassis has been replaced by the bonded aluminium platform first used on the Plus Six, but the new car retains the narrower body associated with four-cylinder Morgans.

The Octavia vRS iV is Skoda’s first plug-in hybrid performance car. With a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine and an 85kW electric motor providing 243lb ft of instant torque, the Octavia is capable of accelerating from 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds, yet also emits just 30g/km of CO2.

Priced from £24,900, the fourth generation Audi A3 will initially be available with turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel engines, both producing 148bhp. Audi’s configurable digital instrument cluster, or ‘virtual cockpit,’ is fitted as standard, as is a 10.1-inch touchscreen display.

The face-lifted E-Class is available with a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine equipped with 48-volt ‘mild hybrid’ technology. An integrated starter-generator provides an additional 20bhp and 132lb ft of torque.

The Concept i4 gives an insight into the production version of the BMW i4 due to be launched in 2021. The four-door Gran Coupe produces 523bhp from its electric motor and has a range of 373 miles.

The new Honda Jazz will be offered in Europe solely with a hybrid powertrain, consisting of two electric motors and a 1.5-litre petrol engine. A new ‘Crosstar’ variant brings SUV styling to Honda’s B segment hatchback.

The Bacalar represents a return to coachbuilding for Bentley’s Mulliner division. The two-seat, open top ‘Barchetta’ uses sustainable materials in its construction, including a wraparound dashboard made from Riverwood that has been naturally preserved for over 5000 years.

As birthday presents go, a special edition of a 1874bhp electric hyper GT isn’t a bad one. Built to celebrate 90 years since Pininfarina was founded, the Anniverario has a new livery, more downforce and a higher 217mph top speed compared to the ‘regular’ Battista.

The UX 300e is Lexus’s first fully electric car. The compact SUV is expected to have a range of more than 186 miles when it goes on sale in January 2021.

It wouldn’t be a motor show, even a ‘virtual’ one, without a futuristic concept car with some unusual technology. As well as demonstrating Hyundai’s latest design language, the Prophecy is controlled with two joysticks located on the centre console and door trim.

Despite being developed in just over 12 months, the V12 Speedster has its own platform and a unique body that goes without a roof or windscreen. What it does borrow is the 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 engine from the DBS and DB11, here with an estimated 705bhp.

A large saloon with a 2.9 metre wheelbase, plug-in hybrid powertrains and an active suspension system that responds to the road ahead, the DS 9 is the French brand’s new flagship model. It offers up to 31 miles of all-electric range.

The latest version of the Chiron has been designed to optimise the car’s handling. With a 50kg weight reduction, increased downforce, closer gear ratios, revised suspension setup and grippier tyres, on a winding road or racetrack the Pur Sport is likely to be the fastest Chiron yet. 

The second generation of BAC’s single-seater road car features a turbocharged engine for the first time. Producing 332bhp in a car that weighs just 570kg, this gives the Mono a power to weight ratio of 582bhp-per-tonne. 

For more coverage from the ‘Virtual’ Geneva Motor Show, check out our article the ‘Virtual’ Geneva Motor Show big reveals, featuring new cars from the likes of Alfa Romeo, McLaren and Porsche.

The cancellation of this year’s Geneva Motor Show following the coronavirus outbreak has given rise to a new phenomenon – the ‘virtual’ motor show.

The cancellation of this year’s Geneva Motor Show following the coronavirus outbreak has given rise to a new phenomenon – the ‘virtual’ motor show. Rather than unveiling their latest models on a stand full of journalists, manufacturers streamed their own ‘digital’ press conferences to show off their new products. From this flurry of launches, Driver Buddy brings you ten of the big reveals… 

Alfa Romeo’s Giulia saloon was a long-awaited return to form for the Italian brand, so the prospect of a lighter, more powerful version is mouth-watering indeed. The Giulia GTA gets a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 that produces 533bhp, an increase of 30bhp over the Giulia Quadrifoglio, while a 100kg weight reduction has trimmed the GTA’s total mass to 1520kg. A stripped out GTAm version, with a roll bar replacing the rear seats and more extreme aerodynamics, is also available.

The Spring Electric Concept previews what Dacia claims will be “Europe’s most affordable all-electric vehicle.” The production version will have a range of over 124 miles when it is launched in the first half of 2021. Not only will it be Dacia’s first electric car, it will also be the first city car in the Dacia range.

For hot hatch fans, the eighth generation Golf GTI was the big news from VW’s press conference. The new model is powered by a 242bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed manual gearbox or an optional seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Design highlights include an illuminated radiator grille and fog lights integrated into the honeycomb air intake. Also joining the Golf line-up are the hybrid GTE (with an identical power output to the GTI) and the diesel-powered GTD.

Traditionally, a new Golf GTI would be one of VW’s most important model launches. But given current market trends, arguably the company’s biggest announcement was that it will be launching its first electric SUV later this year. Called the ID.4, it is based on the same MEB platform as the electric ID.3 hatchback, and has a claimed range of up to 310 miles.

Extra power probably isn’t something the McLaren 720S needed, but that’s what this new ‘Longtail’ version gets. Its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 now produces 755bhp and 590lb ft of torque, propelling the 765LT from 0-62mph in 2.8 seconds and 0-124mph in 7.2 seconds. It should make quite a noise, too, thanks to a quad-exit titanium exhaust system that contributes to an overall weight saving of 80kg. Despite these impressive numbers, McLaren’s chief test driver Kenny Brack claims the 765LT is “not all about performance,” with linear and predictable dynamics helping to create a “natural and seamless” feel to the way it drives.

The Porsche 911 Turbo S is known for its blend of performance and usability, and the latest 992 generation looks set to continue that trend. Available as a Coupe and Cabriolet, it has a 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat six generating 641bhp. With an eight speed PDK gearbox and all-wheel drive, the Turbo S should have no problem making the most of that power, as demonstrated by its 0-62mph time of 2.7 seconds.

Koenigsegg claims to have created the world’s first “Mega-GT” with its latest creation, the Gemera. It’s a genuine four-seater with – wait for it – 1700bhp and 2581lb ft of torque. Generating those enormous figures is a hybrid powertrain comprising a 2.0-litre twin-turbo three-cylinder engine and three electric motors. Yet the Gemera is also practical, with a range of 621 miles (including 31 miles on electric power alone) and space for four full-size carry-on suitcases. Not only that, the Gemera’s environmental credentials can match those of a full EV – when running on the right renewable fuel, it’s capable of being CO2 neutral.

According to Christian von Koenigsegg, founder of the company which bears his name, the Jesko Absolut is “the fastest Koenigsegg we will ever endeavour to make.” The company currently holds the official record for the fastest production car of all time with the Agera RS, which achieved an average speed of 277.9mph. Koenigsegg has not revealed exactly how fast he thinks the Jesko Absolut could go, only saying the car has the potential to reach “unheard-of speed in record-setting pace.”

Fiat Chrysler Automobile’s (FCA) first electric car is the third generation Fiat 500. Sold exclusively with electric propulsion, the new 500 has a range of 199 miles. Using an 85kW fast charger, the batteries can be replenished to 80% capacity in 35 minutes. The Fiat 500 is also the first car from FCA to feature the group’s new connected infotainment system, which Fiat brand President Olivier Francois says is “iPhone fast.”

AIWAYS will be the first Chinese brand to bring an electric vehicle to Europe when sales of its U5 SUV start in August. However, the company’s operating model is perhaps just as interesting as the car itself. They plan to adopt an online, direct-to-consumer approach for sales, and will establish a network of partners to take care of test drives, servicing and other customer-facing activities.

'Virtual' Geneva Motor Show - The Big Reveals

Tag: covid-19

Buying a car in 2020: my experience of visiting a Covid-secure dealership

COVID-19: Drivers given six-month emergency MOT extensions

Virtual Geneva Motor Show Round-Up

'Virtual' Geneva Motor Show - The Big Reveals

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