McLaren Special Operations (MSO), the bespoke division of McLaren Automotive, is extending its Sports Series with the introduction of the 570GT MSO Black Collection.
It features a new MSO bespoke carbon black exterior paint, as well as an upgraded sports exhaust with lightweight Nano Black finisher and sport pack. Only 100 examples are being offered globally at a price of £179,950, with deliveries starting this summer.
The MSO Defined Black Pack replaces standard-fit dark palladium components including front and rear splitters, side skirts and air intakes with black. Completing the look are the five-twin-spoke forged wheels with a new gloss black diamond finish, shod with Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres and black brake calipers with carbon ceramic brakes.
The interior of the McLaren 570GT is enhanced with new MSO Black Collection trim, which includes a unique combination of jet black leather with carbon black Alcantara accents on the centre tunnel, lower instrument panel, headliner, steering wheel and speaker surrounds.
The electric and heated memory sports seats are wrapped in semi-aniline leather featuring unique MSO logo embroidery on the headrests. The ignition key is painted in carbon black, as is a bespoke dedication plate located under the centre console.
A panoramic roof incorporating a UV-filtering black privacy tint glass is standard and can be upgraded at additional cost to include an electrochromic function. This allows customers to select their preference from five different degrees of tint using electrochromic ‘smart glass’ technology.
The 570GT MSO Black Collection also includes the GT Upgrade Pack comprising vehicle lift, rear-view camera, electrically-adjustable steering column and a 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins stereo system.
If you want a new hybrid car that won’t plunge in value during its first year then the one to go for is the Toyota C-HR, according to a new study by automotive data researchers HPI.
In fact, Toyota and its luxury brand Lexus dominated the results between them, affirming the company’s long-standing commitment to hybrid cars as a viable alternative to diesels for car buyers.
The HPI analysis looked at hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles at one year old and 10,000 miles, and found the Toyota C-HR (£26,301 new) retains 84.5% of its value in that period and loses around £4,000. The Lexus NX (£38,976) comes a close second, holding 79.5% of its value and losing £8,038 over the same period.
Commenting on the study, Chris Plumb from HPI said: “While hybrids have grown in volume in recent years, they still remain relatively scarce in the used market compared to the traditional fuel types.
“As plug-in hybrid vehicles have not been widely adopted by fleets in any volumes, supply reaching the markets is patchy and demand exceeds supply. Buyers should avoid high mileage and poor condition examples as they are a turn-off to second-hand buyers. Finally, always make sure you pick a vehicle with a full service history.”
The list is completed by; the Toyota Prius+ (78.6%), Suzuki Ignis (78.3%), Toyota RAV4 (77.4%), Kia Niro (77.2%), Toyota Prius (76.6%), Lexus IS (74.4%) and Hyundai Ioniq (74.1%).
Less than a third of UK drivers have enough personal association with their cars to give them a pet name, according to a survey by driving organisation IAM RoadSmart.
The poll, carried out by the independent road safety charity on its Facebook and Twitter channels, revealed how unsentimental Brits are when it comes to their vehicles.
On Facebook in the space of 24 hours this week 703 people voted: some 469 people said their car did not have a name (67%), while 234 had given their car a moniker. On Twitter 131 people voted. Some 69% said they had not given their car a name and 31% had.
Some names given to cars include a Hyundai i20 called Holly, a BMW called Brad, a Jeep called Dudley, a Volkswagen Beetle in yellow and black called Bumblebee and a Land Rover called Toby.
Other more individual choices include Gargamel (after the evil character in the Smurfs cartoon series), Black Dahlia, NATO Anti-Tank Vehicle (a Volvo 340!) and Dorcas (a Biblical character known for her good works).
One very affectionate account read: ‘Mr Bimble, our Metro – 23 years old, still bimbling along, and left everyone standing in the snow!’
Two people chose to call their cars KITT, after the talking Pontiac driven by Michael Knight (played by David Hasselhoff) in the ‘80s TV series Knight Rider. One of these is a Tesla Model S.
Sarah Sillars, outgoing chief executive officer of IAM RoadSmart, said: “People seemed to enjoy our survey, and while they clearly have a lot of affection for their vehicles, giving them a name seems to be a step too far for the majority. But even some of the very best drivers remain more than happy to buck the trend and give their car a name.”
What is it? The latest Citroën C4 Cactus is an updated, repositioned version of the brand’s mould-breaking family car.
Key features Improved ride quality, improved comfort, ‘different’ detailing
Our view The new Citroën C4 Cactus has grown up, but while more conventional it’s not completely so, still offering styling to appeal, together with significant improvements in ride quality and interior comfort.
Anyone considering a Focus, Astra or Golf should also look at this.
The updated C4 Cactus is more conventional, but not too conventional
Full review
Introduction
The Citroën C4 Cactus first appeared in 2014 and kicked off a new era of more distinctive models from the French brand. The car was also hard to pigeon-hole and as Citroën already sold a Focus-rivalling C4 family hatch, some dubbed the Cactus an SUV.
But it wasn’t really like any normal SUV, in fact it wasn’t really like anything else, with its quirky styling, particularly on the interior and most controversially in the form of the large ‘airbump’ body cladding hung on the doors.
Now there is a significantly updated version of the Cactus, and Citroën has addressed the confusion, sort of. Firstly the new car is more grown up, so less quirky, though thankfully not to the degree that one would call it conventional.
It also now has a more obvious place in the Citroën line-up. In the last four years the C3 Picasso MPV has been replaced by the C3 Aircross SUV, and the C4 hatch, which didn’t sell in great numbers, has been dropped. All of which, Citroën’s marketing types tell us, creates a gap in the range for the Cactus to move “upmarket” into the family hatch segment. Simples…
The major changes to the new Cactus involve suspension and comfort – it’s the first model in the European Citroën range to get the ‘Progressive Hydraulic Cushion’ suspension system, and the first Citroën anywhere with the brand’s ‘Advanced Comfort’ seats.
Externally, Citroën insists that 90% of the components have changed. The quirky, chunky looks that convinced some the car was an SUV, and helped to attract more than 30,000 buyers, have gone – the airbumps are still there, but now in a more innocuous strip at the base of the doors.
There is a broader look to the front end, extensive use of chrome detailing on front and back, while the new LED lamps have black inserts. The car looks stylish while more mainstream, but Citroën’s current mainstream is attractive, so it turns heads in the right way.
The new Citroën C4 Cactus is less quirky, more stylish
Buying and owning a Citroën C4 Cactus
This is a ‘mid-life evolution’ of the Cactus, so in terms of shell it’s the same as the outgoing car – 4.1 metres long with short overhangs front and rear, a 2.6-metre wheelbase, on underpinnings shared with the Peugeot 208 and DS 3. Citroën continues to claim a 150kg weight advantage over perceived rivals, the best power to weight ratio in the market we are told, leading to less fuel consumption and lower emissions.
The big change is in the suspension, with the addition on all versions of Citroën’s Progressive Hydraulic Cushions. Developed in the brand’s World Rally Championship motorsport programme, the system adds two hydraulic aids to the dampers, producing a ‘magic carpet’ ride. To prove it, the route on the UK launch event deliberately targeted some of the most pothole-scarred roads in Buckinghamshire.
The C4 Cactus is priced to compete, starting from a mere £17,265 – for now. This buys the Feel Edition, a specific launch model and the only one available with the 82hp petrol engine. After May the range will revert to Feel, starting from 17,965 with a 110hp engine, and Flair, from £19,865 again with the 110hp unit.
Said engine range is familiar to followers of PSA Group products, though we are told it has been revised for the new car. All three petrol units are three-cylinder units of 1.2 litres, the third being a 130hp version offered for the first time on the Cactus. All bar the 82hp variant are turbocharged, while for diesel fans there is a single four-cylinder 1.6 diesel of 100hp, the only engine to dip its CO2 emissions below 100g/km.
All engines are combined with five-speed manual gearboxes, apart from the 130 which gets a six-speed. Alternatively, the 110 petrol can be specified with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Feel models come as standard with such niceties as 16-inch alloy wheels, parking sensors, hill-start assist, fog lights that see around corners and an infotainment system based around a seven-inch touchscreen and including DAB digital radio, Bluetooth and smartphone compatibility.
Upgrade to Flair and the alloys get an inch larger while equipment highlights include a satellite navigation system with access to connected emergency and assistance services, a panoramic glass roof, rear parking camera and extra safety aids.
Personalisation is a big part of the Cactus offering and this includes 31 exterior colour combinations, focusing on nine body colours and four colour packs applied to such areas as the foglamp surrounds and airbumps. Four different interior designs are also offered.
At the time of writing the latest Cactus had not been crash-tested by Euro NCAP. Back in 2014, the previous version scored four stars, but the new model has gained from additional safety technology particularly in the form of driver aids. Autonomous braking, speed limit recognition and blind-spot monitoring are among a suite of driver assistance technologies available, though you do need to go for the Flair trim to get them as standard.
Inside the Citroën C4 Cactus
The ‘maturing’ of the C4 Cactus has not meant removing the interior niceties
Within the Cactus is hidden the second major innovation, the Advanced Comfort Seats. Citroën makes no bones about aiming to be a manufacturer renowned for the comfort of its cars, and goes about achieving it with large seat swabs, high-density foam, a thick textured surface and extra bolstering. At least for the front-seat occupants – those in the back make do with something more traditional.
However, it’s a comfortable environment whether in front or back. Even tall occupants will not feel cramped in the front seats, and while the rear is cosier there is plenty of room for two – it’s a bit tight for three.
Boot space, meanwhile, is 385 litres. This is comparable to many of the car’s rivals, and it’s a practical space – square with no lumps of suspension turret and the like getting in the way. However, it is a quite high loading lip to lift bags over.
Thankfully the ‘maturing’ of the Cactus has not extended to removing some of the interior niceties that this writer so liked on the original. The flat padded front shelf, forming the top of the glove box, remains, as do the very neat straps acting as door closers – quirky in a very positive way. Mind you in some areas this does seem to be at the expense of convenience features – the lack of grab handles above the doors is noticeable for example.
Driving the Citroën C4 Cactus
The C4 Cactus really does soak up virtually everything pitched up into it.
Much of our launch event testing was conducted with the 110hp engine, cars with this unit and in Flair trim expected to be the biggest sellers. It’s a refined powerplant and certainly suits the efforts made to take the car upmarket.
Being a three-cylinder, this unit does have the characteristic low-rev chug, which one notices basically due to it being the only audio note of any significance. Much effort has been expended on the acoustic comfort for occupants, with thicker glass, new door seals and more sound insulation. That engine note is by no means intrusive, if anything attractive, and soon fades to very little sound at all as the car accelerates.
Said engine is also eager in its acceleration but soon settles into a smooth cruise on the motorway. The 130 variant is certainly more powerful, though one questions whether it’s worth another £800 and fuel consumption and emissions penalties (albeit slight ones).
You have got to hand it to Citroën – the potholes and tarmac dips and bumps on the test route were truly scary in places. But as promised, the suspension of the Cactus really does soak up virtually everything pitched up into it. The most severe jolts are smothered to the point of being merely noticeable in the cabin, rather than alarming.
The car is quite softly suspended and one notices it when pitching into a corner, in that the car does lean over a bit, but it is all very controllable and overall this feels like a comfortable car to do many a mile in.
Summary
When the Citroën C4 Cactus launched in 2014 its basic refusal to conform to stereotype won it fans, and those fans may worry at talk of the car ‘growing up’. True, the exterior mods have made the Cactus look more conventional, though thankfully not completely, while inside the clever touches remain.
More importantly, the extensive revamp, particularly the suspension and interior comfort changes, have added significantly to the appeal of the car – they are indeed advances for which the function fulfils the hype.
The Cactus remains a car that will appeal to those who need a family hatch but who don’t want a family hatch like everyone else’s. And in this case, choosing to be different doesn’t come with penalties – in a very competitive market sector the Citroën C4 Cactus is very much a contender.
Company car drivers are being reminded that on 06 April, the start of the 2018/19 tax year, benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax rates will increase across the board.
For cars with carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions above 75g/km – which is most vehicles – there will be a 2% increase in BIK tax. This means, for example, that an employee driving a 120g/km petrol engined model will see their tax bill increase from 23% of the P11D value in 2017/18 to 25% in 2018/19.
At the low-emissions end of the scale, rates for cars with emissions of 0-50g/km increase by 4% and those with emissions of 51-75g/km by 3%.
Source: gov.uk
Diesel supplement also increasing
What’s more, the current company car BIK tax supplement for diesel vehicles will increase from 3% to 4% at the same. As a result, employees driving diesel cars will experience a three percentage point tax hike starting next month.
The supplement increase is estimated by the Government to impact on 800,000 employees and is being applied to all diesel cars that are not certified to the Real Driving Emissions 2 standard. As of right now, there are no certified models available.
When HM Treasury announced the supplement increase in last November’s Budget it forecast that drivers of a BMW 3 Series (CO2 emissions 111-130g/km) would see tax bills rise in 2018/19 by £60 (basic rate taxpayer) and £120 (higher rate taxpayer), drivers of a BMW 6 Series (CO2 emissions 131-150g/km) by £125/250 and drivers of a Ford Focus (CO2 emissions 91-100g/km) by £43/£86.
Motorists are being advised to check the condition, tread depth and pressure of their tyres on a regular basis or face a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each defective tyre.
The warning has come from road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist, as the Government commissions a study to understand the relationship between tyre degradation, time and road safety.
GEM road safety officer Neil Worth commented: “We rely on our tyres to keep us safe on journeys. After all, they provide the only contact between the car we’re driving and the road surface. In an extreme situation, correctly-inflated tyres with good levels of tread will allow all the other safety systems on a car to work at their most effective.
“Inadequate tread or incorrect pressure mean one thing: the safety systems on your vehicle will not work as efficiently. That’s why regular checks on tyre inflation and tread depth are so important.”
GEM points out that there are also fuel economy benefits from properly-inflated tyres – incorrect inflation increases the chances of damage to a tyre, and under-inflated tyres create more resistance on the road, leading to an increase in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Neil Worth concludes: “We’re urging drivers to take time on a regular basis to ensure their tyres are correctly inflated, with plenty of tread. Straightforward checks don’t take long, and good tyres really could prove a life-saver for you and your passengers… possibly on your very next journey.”
Eight simple tyre care tips:
Check the tread on each tyre on a regular basis – every two weeks should be a minimum.
Remember that you should carry out proper checks across the entire width of a tyre and around its circumference. Check the depth of the main tread grooves in several places across and around the tyre.
Use a simple gauge to check tread depth. The legal minimum tread depth for a car is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread width and round its entire circumference.
You will also find tread wear indicators at regular intervals around the main grooves. When a tyre’s tread surface is worn to the same level as these indicators, then the tyre is at the legal limit and must be replaced.
Check for any cuts, tears, swellings and bumps. These could be caused by going through a pothole or hitting the kerb. If there’s anything to give you cause for concern, then get the tyre checked by an expert as soon as possible.
Check pressure using a tyre pressure gauge or the air machines found on most garage forecourts (some will charge you, a few are still free). Pressures for your car can normally be found in your owner’s manual. You may also find the pressure marked on the driver’s door pillar or inside the fuel flap. Otherwise, look up the pressures you need using a tyre pressure website.
Recommended tyre pressures change if you are carrying a full load or a lot of passengers. So make sure you use the right figure for the journeys you are about to make.
Don’t forget to check the condition of your spare tyre. Too often it’s the forgotten tyre until you suddenly find you need it.
Last year more than a quarter of all drivers changed their car insurance provider, according to new figures from comparison site GoCompare.
The number of people in the UK who switched their car insurance increased from 22% in 2016 to 27% in 2017. The increase in switching activity has been largely attributed to rising premiums in the car insurance market, which reached record levels last year and are believed to have prompted more drivers to investigate their options.
Average motor premiums rose by 9% in 2017, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), adding an extra £40 to the average motor insurance policy.
In a wide-ranging survey, the report revealed that 47% of people switched at least one of the top 10 financial products in the last 12 months, with car, home insurance and household utilities the most likely to be switched.
Matt Oliver from GoCompare commented: “In 2017 car insurance premiums hit a record high and the cost of home cover also increased, and it seems this was the cue for many people to shop around and switch to a better deal. We know from our own research that nothing makes loyal customers head for the exit quicker than an insurance renewal letter telling them their premium is going up.
“Customers have woken up to the fact that, where insurance is concerned, loyalty doesn’t pay. Providers typically use their best deals to attract new customers, so often the only option for existing customers is to go elsewhere.
GoCompare’s top five tips to help people get the best deals
Plan ahead in order to give yourself time to review your arrangements and make sure that you’re still getting a good deal, keep a diary note of key dates including renewal dates, expiry dates of fixed rates or tariffs, the end of introductory offers.
Never accept an insurance renewal or energy tariff change without first checking that the new price you are being offered is competitive.
As well as comparing prices and headline rates, check the small print of the deal you are being offered. Make sure that you are making like-for-like comparisons and understand all the charges, any penalties, exclusions and terms and conditions you will be required to meet, and that the product is right for you.
If you’ve signed up for a product with an attractive introductory rate, make sure you review the arrangement before the end of the offer period otherwise you could end up paying more in the long run.
Use a comparison website – they provide quick and up-to-date information on a wide range of financial products and services.
Fiat has unveiled yet another new 500 special series, this time called Collezione. It is available both as a hatch and a convertible, featuring new chrome trims on the front bumper, bonnet and mirror caps, an exclusive 16-inch alloy wheel design and two new two-tone paint schemes.
Several colour combinations can be chosen, including the two-tone Primavera (Bossa Nova White and Lunar Grey) and Acquamarina (Bossa Nova White and Smooth Mint) combinations, as well as Taormina Ivory, Bossa Nova White White and Epic Blue. A chrome Collezione logo autographs the boot lid.
The interior has a colour-coded dashboard: white in combination with Primavera and mint in the combination with Acquamarina. The seats are also in two colours, with a grey striped base and ivory upper section, and are embroidered with the 500 logo. The Collezione logo also appears inside, embroidered on the floor mats.
The new Fiat 500 Collezione is optionally available with Fiat’s latest seven-inch touchscreen and HD LIVE radio, which is also Apple CarPlay ready and Android Auto compatible. There are also the options of integrated TomTom navigation and a Beats Audio stereo upgrade.
The Fiat 500 Collezione is on sale now. It is only available with the 1.2-litre 69hp petrol engine, coupled with either a five-speed manual or Dualogic automated manual transmission. Prices start at £13,865 on-road.
Vauxhall has introduced its electronic IntelliGrip traction control system on the new Grandland X SUV, which was not available when the model was launched last year.
The system is exactly the same as available on various Peugeot SUVs, which is not surprising as the Grandland X is based on the Peugeot 3008. It uses the car’s stability control and engine management settings to optimise grip for four different surfaces (road, snow, mud and sand, plus you can disable it altogether). Only the front wheels are driven, as with any Grandland X model.
The idea is that the IntelliGrip system offers comparable traction and stability to a four-wheel drive system but with much less weight, and therefore better fuel economy and emissions.
The system has been broadly praised in reviews of different Peugeot models, although ultimately it is not a genuine off-road substitute for a full four-wheel drive system. For the light dusting of dirt or snow that your average faux-by-four will ever have to face, however, it’s likely to be perfectly satisfactory.
There are five modes available to the driver to select from:
Normal/On-road: Default setting for normal on-road driving. The electronic stability programme (ESP) and traction control are calibrated for normal road driving conditions.
Snow: Traction control minimises the slip of the front wheels, slows the spinning wheel down and transfers the torque to the other front wheel.
Mud: This mode allows more slip on muddy surfaces, enabling the wheel with the least traction to spin when the vehicle is launching to ensure that mud is removed and the tyres can re-establish traction. Meanwhile, the wheel with the highest grip is provided with the highest torque.
Sand: Sand mode allows a small amount of simultaneous wheel spin on the two driven wheels, enabling the car to advance and reducing the risk of sinking.
ESP Off: This deactivates the ESP and traction aids to give the driver complete control over the vehicle’s movement at low speed. The electronic nannies automatically switch back on into normal mode at speeds above 31mph.
The IntelliGrip system is available with any of the powertrain combinations on the Grandland X, excluding 2.0-litre 177hp diesel variant in Ultimate trim. It is part of the “All Road Pack” option, which also includes five-spoke, 18-inch alloy wheels and 225/55 R18 all-season tyres. The “All Road Pack” option can be selected for SE, Tech Line Nav, Sport Nav and Elite Nav model variants.
Dacia has revised its compact SUV Duster line-up and launched two new trim levels, expending the range to a total of three grades; Access, Air and Nav+.
The new Air trim starts at £10,995 on-road and features air conditioning, DAB digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity, height-adjustable driver’s seat, 16-inch steel wheels, body-coloured front and rear bumpers, electric front windows, USB and AUX connections, and front fog lights as standard.
The new Nav+ trim starts at £13,095 on-road and, in addition to the Air, adds a seven-inch touchscreen multimedia system with satnav, rear parking sensors, reversing camera and 16-inch alloy wheels. It also features electric rear windows, heated and electrically-adjustable door mirrors, on-board computer and a leather steering wheel.
Access and Air versions of the Duster are available with a 1.6-litre 115hp petrol engine. The Nav+ is available with a 125hp petrol engine or a 1.5-litre dCi 110hp diesel engine.
All versions of the Duster can be specified with either two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive and a manual gearbox. The automatic six-speed automatic transmission is only available on Nav+ trim with the diesel engine, priced at £15,495 on-road. The pairing returns fuel economy of 62.8mpg (NEDC combined) and CO2 emissions of 116g/km.
The new Duster range, which starts at £9,495 on-road, is available to order now with first customer deliveries from April.
The 2016 Ford Ka (petrol manual) was, on average, the fastest-selling used car at dealerships in the UK last month according to Auto Trader, taking an average of 17 days to leave forecourts.
Hot on its heels were three SUVs, the 2015 Audi Q5 (diesel automatic) and the 2015 Vauxhall Antara (diesel manual) which both took an average of 19 days to sell in February, and the 2011 Audi Q5 diesel manual, which averaged 20 days between arriving on the forecourt and departing with a new owner.
Wintry conditions in February boosted the popularity of SUVs, with six of the ten fastest-selling vehicles on Auto Trader being 4x4s (or faux-by-fours). The Hyundai ix35, Volvo XC90 and Mazda CX-5 also made the top ten.
The 2015 Ford Ka was the fastest-selling car in February, says Auto Trader
February was another solid month for used diesel cars, making up seven of the national top ten-selling models on its site. A diesel also took the top spot in three of the 13 regions and countries tracked: North West (2016 Hyundai Tucson – diesel manual – 19 days), Wales (2017 Nissan Qashqai – diesel manual – 24 days) and Northern Ireland (2017 Volkswagen Golf – diesel manual – 37 days).
Hatchbacks were outnumbered nationally, but at a regional/country level, they were the clear winners, recording the fastest turn of sale in all but one region. In fact, so popular was the hatchback in the West Midlands, the South West, Yorkshire and Northern Ireland last month, no other body type made it onto their respective top tens.
So, what does this mean for used car buyers? Well, if you’re looking for a two-year-old Ford Ka or one of the other popular models listed above, you need to move fairly quickly rather than dragging your heels. And you should probably not expect as much opportunity to haggle on price as you might get on less popular models.
That’s the advice from automotive data experts cap hpi who have compiled a short-list of depreciation busting cars – vehicles that represent a great brand new purchase for drivers.
Top of the list is the Ford Ka about which Mark Bulmer, Black Book editor at cap hpi says: “Ford introduced a car with five doors that’s only a fraction smaller than Britain’s top seller, the Ford Fiesta, and priced it from less than £10,000.
“The car is well finished both inside and out. Its competitive price is backed up with low insurance bandings ranging from group one for the 75hp model – the only five-door car in this class to achieve the minimum rating – to group five for the higher-powered Zetec.”
This is followed by the Dacia Sandero Stepway and Audi A1 while in fourth place comes a surprise – the Porsche Macan, about which Mark says: “The Macan is like a large hot hatchback, whilst at the same time a medium-sized luxury SUV. This car has been built with the emphasis on performance and driver enjoyment rather than a load-carrying SUV. Other similar vehicles fail to match the driving dynamics and build quality of the Macan.”
WLTP may not be the snappiest of abbreviations, but it will soon become an important part of the car-buying process along with monthly payment budgeting, creature comfort choices and, of course, colour.
In essence, this is a new fuel economy and emissions testing regime aimed at holding car manufacturers more accountable for the data they produce on new cars, while giving customers a more accurate picture of how their car will perform in the real world.
The Car Expert looks at what WLTP is all about and how it will become part of your decision making when buying a car.
Real-world emissions testing will now be done on all new cars.
What is WLTP?
WLTP stands for the somewhat cumbersome “World Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure”.
It’s a new EU testing regime launched in September 2017. New cars are tested in a completely new way to give buyers more reliable figures on achievable miles per gallon (mpg) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
In theory, this should help you more accurately compare and select the car best suited to the type of driving you do. It will also determine how much road tax (actually called vehicle excise duty, or VED) or company car benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax you will have to pay; both of which will continue to be linked to CO2 emissions.
It’s now six months since WLTP was introduced, and in another six months (September 2018) there will be WLTP test information on all new cars on sale in UK showrooms.
Will Brexit affect whether these EU rules will apply to the UK?
No. Regardless of what happens with Brexit, this is a European-wide standard that is part of a wider regulatory process. It forces all car manufacturers to dramatically reduce the CO2 emissions of new cars.
Car makers have been ordered by the EU to reduce the average CO2 emissions across all new cars sold in 2021 to just 95g/km or face hefty fines. As all car manufacturers will have to build cars that comply with this order for other European markets anyway, it would make no sense for the UK to implement different regulations.
Why is WLTP being introduced?
Good question. The answers range from a genuine need to address air quality across the continent, especially in heavily congested cities – some of which have already moved to ban diesel-engined cars – as well as the lasting legacy of Dieselgate, where the Volkswagen Group was found to have falsified the CO2 ratings of certain vehicles when undergoing emission testing.
No, Volkswagen, we haven’t forgotten.
Also, the previous system was antiquated and widely discredited. First introduced in the 1980s and not updated since 1997, the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) relied solely on rolling-road tests to produce emissions and fuel economy ratings reflecting the best possible outcomes in controlled laboratory conditions.
However, cars have moved on since the NEDC tests were last updated more than 20 years ago. The average vehicle is now loaded with high-tech safety and comfort features, from electronic stability control, parking sensors and airbags, to air conditioning, heated windscreens and electric seats. Yet the way vehicles were tested had not kept pace, resulting in a gap between performance in the lab and on-road where fitment of these in-car technologies can differ across models, and conditions such as speed, congestion, road surface and driving style can vary dramatically from journey to journey and driver to driver.
These advanced safety and comfort features may not be fitted to vehicles as standard and only available at extra cost, or they may be fitted in some countries but not others. Many of these items can impact the weight and/or aerodynamics of a car, and therefore affect their emissions and fuel economy. Yet under the current rules, only the most basic model without any such extras is tested.
Under WLTP, cars will be individually rated according to what gear they have onboard. It’s fair to assume that the more kit is added, the poorer the rating will be, and this will impact pricing. Expect car makers to look closely at how they can bundle creature comforts together and delete some options to achieve the best possible ratings and prices.
The car manufacturers have also become exceptionally good at gaming the current system, by optimising their vehicles to perform better in the lab tests – even if that means compromising real-world performance for their customers. The idea is that this should not be possible under the new tests.
Ultimately, car buyers should get a better idea of what the real fuel economy and emissions levels of a new car should be under WLTP than the old NEDC tests.
New WLTP lab test will make cars work harder and more accurately replicate real driving conditions.
How does the WLTP test fuel economy and emissions?
The old NEDC system determined test values based on a theoretical driving profile; think of boffins in lab coats with clipboards gathered around a car on a rolling road.
However, the WLTP cycle was developed using far more rigorous rolling road testing (see the infographic below), combined with real-world driving data to better represent everyday driving. What this means is that the boffins are still there (although clipboards have been traded for tablets) but their laboratory findings are married to those produced by cars driven by real drivers on real roads equipped with high-tech emissions measuring devices.
The WLTP driving cycle is divided into four parts with different average speeds reflecting different roads: low (city), medium (urban), high (A-road) and extra high (motorway). Each part contains a variety of driving phases, stops, acceleration and braking phases. For a certain car type, each powertrain configuration is tested with WLTP ratings reflecting the car’s lightest (most economical) and heaviest (least economical) loads.
WLTP was developed with the aim of being used as a global test cycle across different world regions, so tailpipe emissions and fuel consumption values would be comparable across borders. It will be the new standard across Europe, with other governments invited to recognise it for their countries.
What’s so real about real-world testing?
What differentiates WLTP from NEDC is the inclusion of (sorry folks!) yet another acronym: RDE, or Real Driving Emissions.
In a world first, new models being developed for sale in the UK and Europe will need to prove their air quality credentials by undergoing real-world road testing.
This uses special portable emissions measurement equipment to record and analyse the trace tailpipe emissions of pollutants CO2, nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulates, while the car is driven in a wide range of every-day and extreme conditions, including carrying a heavy load up a steep hill at high speed in very low temperatures.
RDE testing has been designed to demonstrate that new cars’ emission ratings are those achieved in real-world conditions meaning the tough Euro-6 engine emissions standard are met on the road as well as in the lab.
Portable emissions testing equipment
How do the NEDC test ratings compare with WLTP?
Not very well! It is expected that most cars tested under WLTP and RDE are likely to show poorer fuel economy and higher CO2 emissions than the same car tested under the old NEDC test.
According to JATO Dynamics, the automotive industry research company, cars already retested under WLTP are showing a greater than expected increase over their original NEDC CO2 rating.
Significant rises in CO2 emissions were found across the board. For example, a Peugeot 308 with a 1.2-litre 130hp petrol engine saw its rating rise from 104g/km (NEDC) to 117g/km (WLTP), an increase of 13%.
Meanwhile, a BMW X6 3.0-litre diesel increased from 157g/km (NEDC) to 183g/km (WLTP), an increase of 17%.
Expect similar discrepancies in the fuel consumption figures published by car manufacturers, especially as the current claimed combined ratings are mostly unachievable in real-world driving.
Will WLTP ratings apply to all new cars?
Yes. From September 2018, if a car has not got its WLTP certification it cannot be sold in the UK.
By September 2019, all cars will also have undergone the full RDE testing for both NOx and particulate emissions.
Is this the end of the old NEDC ratings?
Not just yet, as there will be a transition period in place while the new standards are phased in. New cars will be tested under both the new WLTP and old NEDC protocols until 2020. The exisiting NEDC ratings for CO2 and fuel consumption will still be used to calculate both road tax (VED) and benefit-in-kind (BIK) company car tax until 2020.
This will probably be confusing at first, but it will at least allow car buyers to see how inaccurate the old tests are in comparison to the new ones. If you are comparing different models when you are looking to buy a new car, it will be very important to make sure you are comparing like-for-like figures, rather than the new WLTP figure for one car against the old NEDC figure for another car.
Hopefully from 2020, when the old NEDC ratings are finally phased out, there will be more clarity.
McLaren has teased photos of its next Ultimate Series hypercar, along with a promise that the new model will be the fastest ever produced by the brand.
The ‘Hyper-GT’ will exceed the 243mph top speed of McLaren’s previous record holder and its first road car, the iconic McLaren F1.The marker was set on a German test track by British Le Mans 24 Hours winner in 1998.
Like its predecessor, produced between 1992 and 1998, the newcomer will be a three seater, with a central driving position. We exclusively snapped the car on the road about six months ago, just days before McLaren confirmed its existence and released its own official photos of the prototype track testing.
The car will be powered by a hybrid drivetrain combining a twin-turbo V8 engine with electric motors, and is expected to be significantly more powerful than the current most potent McLaren production car, the 1,000hp P1.
Currently officially known by its BP23 code name, the car will carry a proper name – McLaren’s Ultimate Series models are named whereas the more mainstream Sports and Super Series models carry numbers.
The BP23 is also being pitched as the most luxurious McLaren yet made. Each will be personalised to their customer by McLaren Special Operations, and production of the cars will begin at the end of 2019.
McLaren intends to build 106 examples of the BP23 – exactly the same number as was produced of the McLaren F1. And anyone who believes they can afford the likely £2 million price tag will be disappointed – since the car was announced in November 2016 all have already been reserved.
What is it? The current Nissan Navara is the third generation of a core pick-up contender.
Key features Multi-link rear suspension, improved interior, downsized engines
Our view The current, third-generation Nissan Navara does a very good job of bringing SUV-like refinement to the pick-up sector without compromising payload capacity or off-road ability.
Rear suspension changes, in particular, have made the Navara Double Cab a vehicle one can confidently use at work in the week and at play over the weekend.
The Nissan Navara is one of the best-known pick-up trucks on the market, and when the latest, third-generation model went on sale in 2016, it replaced a model that had lasted for a decade.
The revamp was not before time for other reasons. The Navara has always had core rivals in the Toyota Hilux and Mitsubishi L200, but recently, the pick-up market has significantly expanded.
The new Renault Alaskan is essentially another version of the Nissan; the Volkswagen Amarok is rising in popularity, and in particular, Ford’s decision to properly sell its Ranger in Europe for the first time has proved a big success, the model becoming very familiar on UK roads. And if money’s no object, one can even buy a Mercedes-Benz pick-up now – like the Renault, it’s also based on the Navara platform.
So the Navara has had to raise its game, and Nissan’s recipe has been to make improvements in several areas without compromising the features that have previously made the vehicle so popular, especially its go-anywhere all-wheel-drive capability.
The Navara is available as a King Cab or Double Cab – our test vehicle is the latter, and it is this that has seen the major chassis changes. The leaf springs formerly suspending the back axle may have suited the working environment but they were somewhat harsh on rear-seat occupants, so the replacement with a multi-link setup was welcome.
Up front, the 2016 update saw the diesel engine downsized to 2.3 litres, which can be had with either 160 or 190hp. It’s up to 24% more efficient than the engine it replaced.
Inside there were major quality upgrades, along with a healthy injection of the latest technology including such niceties as the 360-degree around view monitor, which Nissan was an early adopter of.
Nissan has made major improvements to the Navara’s comfort without compromising its capability
Buying and owning a Nissan Navara
Double cab pick-ups have become more and more popular as genuine dual-purpose vehicles – work truck during the week and family car on the weekend. This has meant that pick-ups have had to evolve, with more comfort and better road manners but without compromising the ‘day job’.
One of the stated aims with the latest Nissan Navara was to make it more SUV-like and our test model came fitted with the Grand Truckman hard top, the less expensive of two options in this area. For around £2,000 fitted, the unit completely covers the load bed and includes a heated rear window, pop-out side windows, an interior light and roof bars, while also dialling into the vehicle’s central locking. There is also a premium version, costing close to £3,900, that adds full interior lighting and trim, as well as a stop light.
Nissan has made some changes to increase the Navara’s capacity. Our Double Cab has a load bed extended by just under 7cm over its predecessor. Now almost 1.6m long, it’s at the top end of the sector. Combine that with a payload rating in excess of one metric tonne and a 3.5-tonne towing ability, and this vehicle is built to be a workhorse.
The load bed is swathed in tough plastic while notable is the C-channel load system, a neat addition. Solidly built channels are fitted to the rear of the cabin bulkhead and the sides of the load bed, in which clamps slide to secure cargo. With pick-ups naturally light in the rear end the last thing one wants is up to a tonne sliding around in the rear as you go around corners…
Mechanically the choice of Navara is simple – one diesel engine, two power levels, manual or auto transmission, selectable all-wheel-drive on all models except one version of the King Cab. Four trim levels are available, while standard equipment on all versions includes seven airbags, an electronic braking differential, off-road electronic aids including hill start assist, cruise control and electric windows.
The five-year warranty is a welcome part of the standard specification, while when tested in 2015 the Navara earned a four-star Euro NCAP safety rating. It scored particularly highly in a side impact barrier test, but in other tests protection of the rear-seat passengers was marked down, while the low-speed autonomous emergency braking system was only an option.
Inside the Nissan Navara
Anyone getting into a Navara after a Qashqai or an X-Trail will be in familiar surroundings.
Nissan has tried very hard to improve the interior quality of the Navara, appreciating that many owners will want to use their weekday workhorse as weekend family transport, while some will buy it simply because they like driving pick-ups.
For the third generation, the insides underwent a complete redesign, making use of Nissan’s experience with its more road-only SUVs and in the process freeing up more space. Anyone getting into this after a Qashqai or an X-Trail will be in familiar surroundings.
So while the fixtures and fittings remain robust, as they must be in a working vehicle, there is also a sense of style and quality, within our top-spec model a lot of piano black trim included. It’s good looking without descending to a level that would be impractical in such a vehicle.
We are told that the support in the front seats was evolved from techniques created by the NASA space programme! Whatever, it works – the seats are very comfortable even after a long trip, the writer completing a couple of hundred motorway miles in the Navara.
Our test car is to top-line Tekna specification, so comes with plenty of toys. Those seats are leather upholstered and heated. The seven-inch touchscreen of the infotainment system dominates the centre console, and includes DAB digital radio, a colour reversing camera (combined with sensors on the Tekna), Bluetooth audio streaming, app integration and live traffic updates.
Said screen also serves as the screen for the Around View Monitor. This system, which uses cameras to give the driver a bird’s eye view of the car, is particularly useful when negotiating a tricky and tight off-road course.
In total, the revamp of the interior has been well executed, and only the height above the ground reminds occupants that they are in a pick-up.
Driving the Nissan Navara
Navara feels like an SUV to drive, and rear passengers will really feel the difference
With our test vehicle boasting the higher power engine, there was no shortage of get-up and go. Nissan has provided a proper engineering solution to adding potency to the 2.3-litre diesel unit, the 190hp employing two turbochargers whereas the 160 unit has only one. As a result, acceleration is smooth and refined, quite unlike the loud, clattery progress that once was the norm on such vehicles.
Our test model is fitted with the six-speed manual transmission and this is less impressive than the engine. The long gear lever can sometimes be a little vague to shift. There is an auto option that we haven’t tried, but which could be a viable alternative in this environment.
All-wheel-drive is easily selected from a dial on the centre console, and it includes both high and low-range settings – a locking differential is available as an option, but in standard form the Navara is more than capable off-road, and comes with such aids as hill descent control.
Without doubt the biggest gain on the latest version is the change to the rear suspension. The five-link unit that now comes as standard on the Double Cab is in a different league to the former leaf-spring setup (which remains on the King Cab). Once when driving such vehicles the attention was always on the over-lively rear end, but now it feels just like an SUV to drive, while rear-seat passengers will particularly appreciate the improvements in comfort.
From the driver’s seat, this pick-up is still one high-up machine, but also one that can carry far more speed into corners with confidence. Grip levels are improved and there is far less of that waggly rear-end sensation that used to have one treating bendy bits with caution, especially in damp conditions.
One aspect that is notable – the exterior restyling that accompanied Nissan Navara Mk3 included a raising of the front wings, probably to make it look more like an SUV. This does make them a little too prominent in the eye line when driving, though generally this is a good vehicle to see out of, with the around-view monitor as back-up.
Summary
The Nissan Navara has always been a leading contender amongst workhorse pick-up trucks, but today such vehicles are expected to do a lot more than simply be workhorses. In its third-generation form the Navara addresses these requirements and meets them in style.
The current Navara is a good-looking vehicle which inside offers much comfort in quality surroundings, and plenty of technology. It is also a comfortable vehicle to ride in, so long as one chooses the Double Cab which the vast majority of buyers will. The rear suspension changes have effectively revolutionised the vehicle’s ride quality and handling ability.
At the same time, the Navara has lost none of the robust ability that vehicles of this type need first and foremost. It offers a good-sized load bed with excellent payload and towing capacity. And it can carry that payload into the most inhospitable of conditions thanks to a very effective all-wheel-drive chassis.
For anyone who would really like an SUV, but who needs a pick-up, the Nissan Navara will be high on the consideration list.
The Geneva motor show is one of the two most important European events of the year and manufacturers target their most important unveilings in Switzerland. However, Geneva has another side.
No front-line motor show attracts quite the variety of wild and wacky cars as does Geneva. Outlandish concepts that demonstrate the breadth of a styling house’s imagination, compete for space with equally wacky cars that tiny never previously heard-of manufacturer sunset will soon be in production – but which are never subsequently seen on a road.
To conclude our coverage from this year’s show, here we highlight some of the novel creations that make Geneva great.
This is the Rimac C_Two, and if the name sounds familiar, it’s because there has been a Rimac Concept 1. Nine of them were built, and one was famously crashed and set on fire by a certain Richard Hammond.
The C_Two is built in Croatia, it has an electric drivetrain, with apparently 1,914hp, and claims a 0-62mph time of 1.85 seconds and a top speed of 258mph. The two-seater is propelled by four electric motors and has a claimed range of around 400 miles between charges.
Lvchi Venere
This four-seater limousine comes from Chinese newcomer Lvchi Auto, and is powered by a 1,000hp electric drivetrain. Four electric motors are involved with a claimed 0-62mph time of under three seconds.
Debuting at the show, Lvchi has big plans – it will start taking orders for a sports car and a coupé at the end of December 2019, by which time an electric SUV, MPV and saloon will have been unveiled, and two and four-seat city cars and a five-door hatch are planned by 2020. The company plans to sell 100,000 cars in 2019 and 550,000 by 2023, by which time its Chinese plants will be joined by one in Italy…
Chelsea Truck Co 6×6
This may look like a Land Rover Defender because, basically, that’s the starting point for this huge six-wheeled vehicle, called the 6×6 Civilian Carrier and built by the – wait for it – Chelsea Truck Company.
No, it’s not the Chelsea Tractor Co, and yes the firm is based in London. Almost 5.5 metres long, the vehicle boasts exterior styling carried out by UK aftermarket specialist Kahn Design, and unsurprisingly it claims to offer a great deal of off-road prowess…
Sbarro 4×4+2
And while we are talking six-wheelers… This is the 4×4+2 from French creators Sbarro. Think it looks scary? You would be right, but we can add some extra frightening facts – several components, including the engine, started life at Porsche…
Renault EZ-Go
This concept could be for real, because it’s on the Renault stand. The EZ-Go is an autonomous vehicle that in the future could provide the role of taxi in emissions-free city centres.
Six occupants can be accommodated, all sitting facing each other, and they enter through a glass roof that raises out of the way.
Mansory Bugatti Veyron Vivere Final Diamond Edition
Everyone we have shown pictures of this car to has reacted – well not very positively. It is a take on the Bugatti Veyron by German aftermarket stylist Mansory. The effect, employed as liberally inside as on the exterior, is a sort of polished marble, actually created using carbon fibre.
Would you pay £1.5 million or so to have your car look permanently as if it has been snowed on?
PAL-V Liberty
This extraordinary device claims to be the world’s first production flying car. The PAL-V Liberty is made in Holland and is a three-wheeled dual-engined vehicle, one for driving it on the ground and the other for powering the rotor blades atop it.
Those perusing it at the Geneva show are able to place orders for the first production versions, due on and above the roads in around a year. The cost? a mere 499,000 Euros, around £445,000 in UK money, before taxes. That price does include some flying lessons, but if it’s still a bit too steep, PAL-V plans a Sport model at a mere €299,000 (£254,000). Time we feel, to fly away from Geneva…
Star of the Citroën stand at the Geneva motor show is an all-new version of the Berlingo Multispace van-based MPV.
Citroën claims to have created the ‘leisure activity vehicle’ market when it launched the first Berlingo 22 years ago, and globally the model is now the brand’s second-largest seller. More than 1.7 million have found owners, beaten only by the C3.
The third-generation Berlingo will for the first time be available in two body lengths. These are dubbed M and XL and measure 4.4 and 4.75 metres respectively.
The longer variant will join the now exclusive club of people carriers offering seven seats, while the second row will continue to provide three individually folding seats. Also available will be a flat floor through to the folding front passenger seat, offering maximum load lengths of 2.7 or 3.05 metres.
Underpinning the new model is Citroën’s latest EMP2 platform, and this has resulted in visual changes. The new Berlingo has a higher and shorter front end with a more forward-set windscreen. It also gains the ‘air bump’ styling side panels first seen on the first Cactus.
Technology upgrades to the Berlingo will include 19 driving assistance systems and four connectivity technologies. The engines will be updated too, including PSA Group’s new BlueHDi 130 1.5 diesel unit, and the new EAT8 eight-speed automatic gearbox.
New C4 Cactus popping up in UK showrooms
Berlingo sales are expected to begin in the second half of 2018, by which time the latest C4 Cactus will already be on the roads. The model makes its debut motor show appearance just as it is launching in the UK, the major changes seeing a pitch further upmarket with more comfort and updated technology.
The C4 Cactus is the first European Citroën offered with the Progressive Hydraulic Cushions (PHC) suspension system, producing what the brand describes as its ‘magic carpet ride’ effect. Citroën’s Advanced Comfort seats are also fitted, for the first time on any production model.
The first fully electric Audi production model, the e-tron, is on show in prototype form at Geneva, and at the same time dealers are starting to take orders for the newcomer.
The Audi e-tron is an electric SUV, and when the first versions hit UK roads in early 2019 they will be direct rivals to the Jaguar I-Pace.
Audi describes the e-tron as a milestone model for the company’s future, and according to CEO Rupert Stadler the first of many electric cars. “In 2020 we will have three all-electric vehicles in our product range, with a four-door Gran Turismo – the production version of the Audi e-tron Sportback concept – and a model in the compact segment joining the sporty SUV,” he says.
“We will be launching more than 20 electric cars and plug-in hybrids by 2025 – spread across all segments and concepts,” Stadler adds.
Few specific technical details of the e-tron are yet being revealed, Audi only stating that it will offer five people and their luggage similar space to one of the brand’s traditional premium cars, and offer a driving range comparable with a conventionally powered equivalent.
Recharging to 80% capacity will take less than 30 minutes at fast-charging stations with up to 150kW capacity, while the e-tron’s drivetrain will also offer full all-wheel-drive capability.
Audi is not yet quoting prices either, but confidently expects huge demand for the e-tron. Early buyers are being asked to pay a £1,000 deposit, either at dealers or on the Audi UK website, which will place them on a priority list for the first production cars.
Prior to the official launch, Audi is putting 250 examples of the e-tron, each wearing the same camouflage livery as the Geneva show display car, through an extensive testing programme. More than three million miles of testing is planned on four continents and at extremes of temperatures.
A fleet of e-trons has been driving around the streets of Geneva during the show, clearly hoping to draw some attention away from the Jaguar rival launching at the event.
Motorists are backing calls to create segregated cycle routes on the UK’s single-carriageway A-roads, according to a survey of over 1,000 drivers for road safety charity Brake and insurance company Direct Line.
Drivers questioned said they believe the current road network is not fit for cyclists and building dedicated cycleways should be the Government’s priority for roads investment.
They stated that the 60mph speed limit on single-carriageway A-roads is too fast to assure the safety of cyclists, and that both the warning signs and space available for cyclists are inadequate.
This sense of risk is echoed by the overwhelming majority of survey respondents, stating that they would advise children or teenagers never to cycle on single-carriageway A-roads or only to cycle with an adult.
Better cycle routes would encourage more drivers to take up cycling
The Brake and Direct Line survey found that such investment would significantly increase the numbers of motorists who would take-up cycling. Some 70% of drivers said they currently never cycle on single-carriageway A-roads, and more than half commented that they would be persuaded to if there was a demarcated space for cyclists.
Joshua Harris, Brake’s director of campaigns, said: “Getting more people cycling is a win-win for the Government, delivering both personal and public health benefits. Contrary to popular opinion, our survey shows that the majority of drivers are willing to switch modes and cycle if safe facilities are available.
“We echo the call from drivers and urge the Government to prioritise investment in safe, segregated cycle routes in the upcoming Road Investment Strategy.”
Gus Park, managing director of motor insurance at Direct Line, added: “All road users should be able to undertake their journeys safely. Many who would cycle choose to drive instead, as they feel some roads are just not safe enough for them to use.
“Single-carriageway A-roads are vital arteries within our road infrastructure, but they need to ensure they can accommodate all road users, regardless of their preferred method of transport, now and in the future.”
The Government is currently consulting on billions of pounds of investment in both the Strategic Road Network and the Major Road Network.
The Toyota Supra is on its way back, and a racing concept unveiled at the Geneva motor show gives strong hints to the look of the new sports car.
There has not been a Supra in the Toyota range for 16 years, and the new one has come about as the result of a joint project with BMW that will also create the next BMW Z4. However, we understand the two will be very different cars.
“Yes, the Supra is returning,” said Toyota Motor Europe president and CEO Dr Johan Van Zyl, unveiling the car at the Geneva event. “This concept is a clear signal of our intention to bring back one of our most legendary sports cars to the market.
“This baby, developed by Toyota Gazoo Racing, is a thoroughbred designed for the race track, the best way of taking our ‘Supra Hero’ into a new era. It has been made light, compact and, of course, fast. I think you will agree it looks amazing.”
Toyota not giving too much away just yet
Toyota is not giving many clues as to just how close to the production Supra the racing concept is, merely stating that it demonstrates the brand’s “commitment to bringing the Supra back to the market,” and “shows the future potential for a car that can deliver high performance both on road and track.”
Just what level that performance might reach is currently being kept under wraps too, with no technical details released to accompany the concept. Industry rumours suggest that the road car will produce around 340hp from its engine and, of course, offer a sub-four-second 0-62mph time.
Visually the concept is clearly in the traditional Supra mould – a muscular-looking, front-engined, rear-wheel-drive two-seater sports car.
Unsurprisingly, the racing concept makes extensive use of lightweight composite materials in such areas as the wide front and rear bumpers, front splitter and rear diffuser, side skirts, door mirror housings, the bonnet and the rear wing. Even the window are lightweight lexan, rather than glass.
The new Supra road car is expected to break cover in 2019.
Many visitors to the Ford stand at the Geneva motor show will be drawn by the Ford Mustang Bullitt – a new limited edition model paying homage to the iconic movie starring Steve McQueen.
However, the stand also hosts important European debuts for the revamped Edge large SUV and the Ka+ Active version of the mini-crossover.
First seen at the Detroit show in January, the Mustang Bullitt will go into production in June. It is the third such model, following versions launched in 2001 and 2008, and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the car’s starring role in the film.
The Bullitt’s 5.0-litre V8 engine will be tuned to produce an anticipated 464hp, 14 horses more than the current most potent model, the GT. It also includes rev-matching technology to smooth out gear changes.
Buyers of the Bullitt will be able to choose liveries connected to the film, either Shadow Black or a Dark Highland Green exterior colour. Ford is not currently saying how many will be made to UK specification or what they will cost.
Technology updates for Edge large SUV
The revamped Edge is described as Ford’s most technically advanced SUV yet. Its drive assistance technologies, in particular, are updated to make the most of current camera and sensor advances. The adaptive cruise control includes a system to keep the car centred in its lane, while post-collision braking and an evasive steering aid also feature.
When the latest Edge goes on sale it will be available with a new 238hp bi-turbo diesel engine and equally new eight-speed auto transmission.
New Ka+ Active joins the range
The KA+ Active capitalises on a growing trend for crossover-styled city cars, with more muscular body styling, a ride height raised by 23mm and bespoke chassis settings.
On its arrival in showrooms in the summer of 2018, the Ka+ Active will be offered with an extensive standard specification. Prices will start from £10,795 and for the first time powertrain choices will include a diesel, a 95hp 1.5-litre unit.
Nissan has announced a number of new features and design upgrades to its ageing Juke compact crossover, in a final fling before the model’s expected replacement towards the end of this year.
The most obvious visual changes include a dark chrome treatment of the V-shaped grille, dark headlamp interior and dark turn indicators on the door mirrors.
LED fog lamps are now standard from Acenta grade upwards, and there are new 16-inch alloy wheel designs. In addition, the 18-inch wheels on the Tekna grade can be personalised with coloured inserts.
Coloured body parts, including front and rear bumper finishers, doors side sills and mirror caps, are also available through Nissan’s personalisation program. These are standard on the Bose Personal Edition model (which replaces the old N-Connecta model) and optional on Tekna models. Two new body colours – Vivid Blue and Chestnut Bronze – join the colour palette.
Inside, Nissan has introduced the Bose Personal audio system, featuring two Bose UltraNearfield speakers built into the driver’s seat headrest. The system is standard on the Bose Personal Edition models.
Other changes to the interior include a choice of two new personalisation colours – Energy Orange and Power Blue – for the central console, air vents, door inserts and seat upholstery. Gloss black interior personalisation remains available as before. This personalisation offering is standard on BOSE Personal Edition and Tekna specification models.
There is apparently also a higher grade of leather on the steering wheel, plus a higher-resolution driver trip computer display.
Nissan helpfully points out that all models come with air conditioning, electric door mirrors, power windows, CD player plus auxiliary port and LED daytime running lights as standard. If you happen to have just woken up from a ten-year-long coma, this may sound amazing. For everyone else, not so much.
Acenta grade adds the Nissan Dynamic Control System, front fog lamps, cruise control with speed limiter, climate control, privacy glass, USB port and Bluetooth connectivity.
The Bose Personal Edition grade comes with an upgraded infotainment system, reversing camera, keyless start, electrically-folding door mirrors, part-leather seats, automatic headlights and the Bose Personal sound system.
Finally, the top-spec Tekna grade adds lane departure warning, blind spot Warning, Intelligent Around View Monitor and full leather heated front seats.
The upgraded Nissan Juke is on sale in the UK from May 2018.
Starting today (Friday) and running until Monday (12 March), Vauxhall dealers across the country are offering customers £500 worth of free fuel with every new car and van purchase made this weekend.
This offer is in addition to Vauxhall’s existing new car finance offers and anything else you can negotiate with the dealer. The £500 free fuel offer is available with any new Vauxhall car, SUV or commercial vehicle.
Based on the current average petrol price of 121.9p per litre, £500 would buy you approximately 410 litres of fuel. Vauxhall’s expert team of calculator button pushers have worked out that customers choosing a Corsa 1.0-litre petrol three-door model, which achieves 64.2mpg, could enjoy 5,778 miles of motoring on free fuel – although this is entirely unrealistic and based on a best-case scenario that won’t ever happen in the real world.
On the other hand, if you’re buying one of the last-ever VXR8 saloons, £500 of petrol will probably only get you as far as the next petrol station…
The SEAT stand at this year’s Geneva motor show is divided very deliberately into two – one side marking the launch of Cupra.
While the name may be familiar, applied to the most performance-pitched versions of SEAT cars in the past, in future it will be marketed as a completely separate performance sub-brand – in a similar fashion to the way Citroën’s DS line was separated out into the upmarket DS Automobiles brand.
Initially, Cupra models will be reworked versions of SEAT cars – the first, the Cupra Ateca, is on the Geneva stand and it is likely that it will be followed by new variants of the familiar Ibiza and Leon models, but this time with no sign of any SEAT badges.
Later on, however, Cupra could produce bespoke cars – by 2020 the brand is expected to offer a seven-strong line-up.
According to SEAT President Luca de Meo , the Cupra brand is part of a diversification of SEAT’s business and the development of new models that can be profitable. “Cupra aims to appeal to new customers who want to avoid entering in the luxury segment but at the same time want to feel special.”
The Cupra Ateca has a 2.0-litre petrol engine with 300hp, all-wheel drive and a newly-developed version of the VW Group seven-speed DSG auto transmission. Developments to this are aimed at making it sportier, with faster, smoother shifts.
Cupra look
Cupra models will also gain bespoke styling. The Ateca’s upper grille is fitted with a honeycomb mesh, a bespoke bumper and detailing in gloss black – in this case on the roof rails, wing mirrors, window frames, side mouldings, wheels, front grille and front and rear diffusers, and the spoilers that frame the rear window.
Black brake callipers, quad exhaust pipes and bespoke 19-inch alloy wheels also feature, along with Cupra logos in copper on the six exterior colours, dubbed Energy Blue, Velvet Red, Brilliant Silver, Rodium Grey, Magic Black and Nevada White.
Inside there is Alcantara upholstery on the door panels and seats, the latter stitched in grey as is the leather steering wheel. A carbon fibre effect is added to the sides and aluminium pedals included. Equipment levels are high too, highlights on the standard equipment list including keyless entry and start, a wireless charger, 360º top view camera, eight-inch touchscreen navigation system, digital instrument panel, and park assistance.
Electricity is also expected to be a central part of Cupra’s plans, with some observers predicting it will launch electric models before SEAT. The electric touring car racing version of the Leon, debuting on the stand, is badged as a Cupra.
The all-new Mercedes-Benz A-Class is now available to order in the UK, with first deliveries scheduled for late May. It has had its first public outing at this week’s Geneva motor show.
The new version of Mercedes’ smallest model is available in three trim levels – SE, Sport and AMG Line – and with a choice of three engines, all with a seven-speed automatic gearbox. Prices start from £25,800 for the entry-level A 180 d SE, with the petrol models starting at £27,500 for the A 200 SE and £30,240 for the A 250 SE.
Mercedes-Benz is promoting the advanced technology and connectivity features of the latest A-Class range, with even basic models offering a high specification.
The entry-level SE features twin seven-inch displays for instrumentation and infotainment. The central touchscreen runs Mercedes’ latest MBUX multimedia system, including ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice activation. The SE specification also gets 16-inch alloy wheels, DAB digital radio, a combination of cloth and artificial leather upholstery, active lane-keeping assist, speed limit assist, keyless starting and manual air conditioning.
Sport specification adds full-LED headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, a different kind of cloth/fake leather upholstery and automatic climate control.
As usual, AMG Line models will be visually distinguished from lower-spec models through a range of exterior changes. These include 18-inch alloy wheels; AMG body styling that comprises deeper front and rear bumpers with bigger vents; artificial leather/artificial suede microfibre upholstery and a chunkier sports steering wheel.
A-Class engine choices
The A 180 d uses a 1.5-litre diesel engine, which produces 116 hp and 260 Nm of torque. It delivers up to 68.9 mpg on the combined cycle, with a top speed of 125 mph. It can travel from 0 to 62 mph in 10.5 seconds.
The A 200 is powered by a 1.4-litre petrol engine with an output of 163 hp and 250 Nm. It can deliver up to 51.4 mpg.
The A 250 has a 2.0-litre petrol engine that generates 224 hp and 350 Nm. It claims 45.6 mpg on the combined cycle. It can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 6.2 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph.
Options packages
There are a number of options available. The Executive equipment package costs £1,395 and upgrades the standard seven-inch central touchscreen media display to a ten-inch item, as well as adding active parking assist, heated front seats, and folding mirrors.
For £2,395, customers can specify the Premium equipment line which, in addition to the Executive line, adds a ten-inch cockpit display to the ten-inch central touchscreen to create a widescreen effect across the dashboard, plus 64-colour ambient lighting, illuminated door sills, keyless entry, upgraded sound system and a rear armrest.
The Premium Plus equipment line includes the Premium and Executive lines, and then adds memory function for the driver and front passenger seats, multibeam LED headlights with automatic high beam, and a panoramic sunroof.
The Advanced Navigation package introduces augmented reality into the onboard satellite navigation. Using a camera located at the top of the windscreen, the infotainment screen overlays the navigation display with the actual road ahead, making for clearer, more obvious navigation.
The package includes Traffic Sign Assist, which automatically reads road signs, making sure the driver is always aware of the current speed limit. The Advanced Navigation package costs £495 and is only available on top of the Executive, Premium or Premium Plus equipment lines.
McLaren Special Operations (MSO), the bespoke division of McLaren Automotive, is extending its Sports Series with the introduction of the 570GT MSO Black Collection.
This is the Rimac C_Two, and if the name sounds familiar, it’s because there has been a Rimac Concept 1. Nine of them were built, and one was famously crashed and set on fire by a certain Richard Hammond.
This four-seater limousine comes from Chinese newcomer Lvchi Auto, and is powered by a 1,000hp electric drivetrain. Four electric motors are involved with a claimed 0-62mph time of under three seconds.
This may look like a 
And while we are talking six-wheelers… This is the 4×4+2 from French creators Sbarro. Think it looks scary? You would be right, but we can add some extra frightening facts – several components, including the engine, started life at Porsche…
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Underpinning the new model is Citroën’s latest EMP2 platform, and this has resulted in visual changes. The new Berlingo has a higher and shorter front end with a more forward-set windscreen. It also gains the ‘air bump’ styling side panels first seen on the first Cactus.
Just what level that performance might reach is currently being kept under wraps too, with no technical details released to accompany the concept. Industry rumours suggest that the road car will produce around 340hp from its engine and, of course, offer a sub-four-second 0-62mph time.
The 
