McLaren Automotive has set a milestone with the building of the 10,000th car at its factory.
Car number 10,000, a 570S finished in Ceramic Grey paintwork from the McLaren Special Operations ‘Defined’ palette, has emerged from the brand’s Production Centre in Woking, Surrey. However it won’t be going far, being retained as part of the McLaren heritage collection.
The milestone has been reached just over five years after the first car, a McLaren 12C, was completed, and less than two years since car number 5,000 was built.
In early 2016, a second shift was introduced into the McLaren Production Centre to cater for the increased volume that resulted from the introduction of the Sports Series family, today comprising the 540C, 570S and 570GT. This took capacity at the Production Centre from 10 to 20 cars per day.
The year of 2016 has also seen the announcement of the brand’s third year of profitability in the first five years it has been producing cars – unprecedented in the automotive industry.
The brand is currently on target to almost double its sales in 2016 compared to 2015, from 1,654 cars last year to more than 3,000 cars in 2016, of which over 90 per cent will be exported.
McLaren Automotive CEO Mike Flewitt believes the short time in which the 10,000 milestone has been reached shows the growth of the company.
According to Chief Executive Officer, Mike Flewitt, the fact that it took the company 42 months to build 5,000 cars and just 22 months to build the next 5,000 speaks volumes about the pace of development at McLaren.
“Much of that development is thanks to the introduction of the Sports Series family of cars and it’s therefore fitting that the 10,000th car is a McLaren 570S,” Flewitt says.
The McLaren Production Centre took 14 months to build, from breaking ground until 18th July 2011 when the first car, a 12C, was approved for shipping. The facility has since been the only location where McLaren cars have been built, from the initial 12C and 12C Spider, through to the 650S and 675LT in the Super Series, as well as each of the 375 highly-bespoke P1 cars.
Today, the Production Centre employs around 750 people out of a total of approximately 1,750 staff at McLaren Automotive.
Aston Martin has begun construction of its new factory at St Athan in south Wales.
The plant, which reuses the ‘super hangars’ of the former MoD base on the site, will be the home of the new Aston Martin SUV, production of which is scheduled to begin in 2019.
Aston Martin symbolically marked the physical start of the project when contracts were exchanged between company CEO Dr Andy Palmer and Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones AM, finalising the sale of the site.
In February Aston Martin announced the selection of St Athan as its second manufacturing facility, choosing it from 20 potential locations across the globe. The plant is part of a £200 million investment by the company which has also seen a recruitment drive for 750 new employees to work at the new site – some of these are already training, building the Aston Martin DB11 at the brand’s existing Gaydon facility in Warwickshire.
Phase I of the build process involves the creation of the customer and staff reception areas, administration and management offices and the employee restaurant. Local Welsh firm TRJ Contracting has been selected to carry out this part of the project.
Phase II will commence in April 2017 when Aston Martin gains access to the three super hangars that will house the new manufacturing facility.
The three ex-MoD ‘super hangars’ will form the heart of the Aston Martin plant.
Dr Palmer describes the exchanging of the contract, giving first access to the St Athan facility, as a “milestone in our 103-year history”.
“Work now starts in earnest to turn our plans into reality – since taking the decision to build our first SUV in Wales we have been impressed with the commitment and approach from both the MOD and the Welsh Government in making this project work,” Dr Palmer says.
After numerous online leaks, the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe has been unveiled ahead of its expected debut at the Detroit motor show in January.
Unlike the previous generation E-Class coupe, which was actually based on a C-Class platform, the new model is based on the same architecture as the E-Class saloon launched earlier this year. The new car is now physically larger than its little brother, unlike the old model which was virtually identical in size to the C-Class coupe.
The exterior styling bears a strong resemblance to Mercedes’ recent models, the E-Class saloon, C-Class saloon and coupe. As with the saloon models, spotting the difference between an E-Class coupe and its little brother is fairly difficult. The big difference is the glasshouse design, as the E-Class follows previous generations with a pillarless sweeping roof arc and opening rear windows. The C-Class coupe has a conventional B-pillar and fixed rear windows.
Inside, the new E-Class coupe has adopted the layout from the saloon variant, including the optional dual 12-inch screens which between them cover a large amount of the dashboard. The new model is also significantly roomier than the previous model, which will particularly benefit rear passengers.
AMG E-Class coupe on the way?
Mercedes-AMG is believed to be planning its own versions of the new E-Class coupe, which are yet to be announced. The performance brand did not produce an E63 version of the previous coupe because it did not feel the structure was strong enough to cope with such a high level of performance (since the old model was basically a C-Class coupe with the B-pilar chopped out).
The E-Class coupe is likely to be loaded up with luxury features and options to distance itself from the C-Class coupe underneath it in the huge Mercedes-Benz range. Air suspension will be available, along with all the latest safety and comfort technologies that Mercedes can offer.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe
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UK pricing and specification has yet to be announced, but the range is expected to follow the previous model’s mix of petrol and diesel engines. At the global announcement of the new E-Class coupé, the engine line-up consisted of a 194hp 2.0-litre diesel, a 2.0-litre petrol engine in both 184 and 245hp variants, and a 3.0-litre V6 petrol unit producing 333hp. The petrol engines are carried over from the previous model, while the diesel is new to the E-Class coupe but already used in the C-Class and E-Class saloons.
Further down the track, an E-Class cabriolet seems inevitable, along with further engine variants and possibly a hybrid model. Diesel versions dominated UK sales for the previous model, and are expected to do so again with the new one.
It is likely that UK specifications will follow the SE and AMG Line trims already established. The new E-Class coupe is expected to arrive in the UK in April 2017.
While the end of the year brings a clutch of awards in the automotive world, those from Euro NCAP will mean more than most to the average motorist.
The safety body has announced its three best-in-class accolades from the 18 new models it subjected to crash tests in 2016.
The Toyota Prius topped the large family car category, the Hyundai Ioniq was the best small family car and the Volkswagen Tiguan was named best small off-roader.
Also effectively ‘best in class’ was the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, but it was the only executive car tested. However Euro NCAP states that it performed well and was especially noted for its exceptional performance in child occupant protection.
“With an automatic passenger airbag disabling system and excellent dynamic test results, it is clear that Daimler has invested greatly in an area of assessment recently made more demanding by Euro NCAP,” the testers say.
The best-in-class accolades are even more relevant as the year saw some significant changes to Euro NCAP’s ratings scheme, with the automotive industry reacting accordingly.
The Toyota Prius took one of three best-in-class accolades.
For example, the inclusion of tests for pedestrian-detecting autonomous braking systems drove a huge increase in the fitting of technology described by the testers as ‘life-saving.’
While some manufacturers offers such systems as an option, it was good to see many fitting it as standard equipment. The Prius was the first car to undergo tests of its AEB Pedestrian technology – its standard-fitted safety pack, ‘Toyota Safety Sense’, performed well and managed to recognise and avoid or reduce the severity of potential crashes with pedestrians.
Euro NCAP testers also highlighted the excellent performance of the new SEAT Ateca in these tests.
The best in class accolade was based solely on cars tested with safety measures supplied as standard equipment. However EuroNCAP points out that several manufacturers are now taking advantage of its newly introduced dual rating system, which awards a second star total to cars when they are fitted with safety equipment available as options.
Many makers specify safety packs as options, these usually including the auto-braking technology often with pedestrian protection included. EuroNCAP performed such tests on superminis, small family cars and one pickup – the Suzuki Ignis, for example scored three stars in standard form and a top five stars with its Dual Camera brake support system, standard on top models, optional on others.
According to Euro NCAP secretary general, Michiel van Ratingen, the safety body recognizes that some technologies are expensive and it may not be possible for manufacturers to include them as standard equipment across the range and, at the same time, keep entry-level cars affordable for the target market.
“The dual rating scheme lets them phase in sales more gradually, keeping cars affordable but, at the same time, giving consumers the chance to take advantage of these important safety technologies – we’re pleased to see such a broad uptake of pedestrian-detecting AEB systems in 2016, as standard or as an option,” van Ratingen says.
Here enduring a side impact, the Hyundai Ioniq also earned crash-test praise.
However no details of the new car have been released apart from a sketch, and a timescale for its introduction has not been stated.
The Toyota announcement says merely that the brand “will use experience gained from its full-blooded return to the World Rally Championship to develop and improve its road car technology and expand the Yaris range with a new performance-focused model.”
The sketch suggests that the Yaris hot hatch will be styled to take on rivals such as the Ford Fiesta ST and forthcoming hot hatch superminis from Kia, Nissan and Volkswagen. Enlarged wheels under extended arches, further bodywork add-ones including a rear spoiler, and a low ride height are all indicated in the sketch.
The hot hatch could be powered by a 1.6-litre turbo engine, like the WRC version, though with rather less than the 380hp of the competition car. Likely direct rival the Ford Fiesta ST puts out a maximum of 200hp.
Industry sources also suggest that the car could be dubbed the Toyota Yaris Gazoo, linking it directly to the motorsport programme.
Ferrari has surprised the automotive world with a new limited-edition model called the Ferrari J50, unveiled today in Tokyo.
Only ten examples of the new Ferrari J50 will be built by its Special Projects division, based on the still-new Ferrari 488 Spider. The targa body form is designed to echo the successful GTS models of the 1970s and 1980s, starting with the Dino 246 GTS and then achieving considerable success with the 308 GTS and its successors.
The exterior styling is a major departure from Ferrari’s existing range, with a more minimalist approach and more horizontal lines. It gives the J50 a futuristic and very different look from its 488 Spider sister, although there are numerous nods to famous Ferrari models from the last 50 years.
Ferrari J50 blends style and substance
As with all modern Ferraris, the exterior design is a combination of art and science. The J50 displays detailed aerodynamic developments with a number of significant functional solutions. The radiators have been positioned closer together, and the front bumper has been completely redesigned. The windscreen header rail has been lowered allowing more airflow over the aero foil and thus over the rear spoiler.
The rear is aggressively styled, with the quadruple taillight design widening the car visually under a high-downforce wing profile. The rear diffuser shape is apparently inspired by jet engine afterburners to give the car a powerful stance. The wheels are a 20-inch forged alloy design, crafted specifically for this limited-edition model.
The engine is the same 3.9-litre V8 found in the Ferrari 488, boosted by 20hp to produce 690hp in the J50, and running through a seven-speed double-clutch transmission.
Inside, the cockpit layout is lifted almost entirely from the 488 Spider, with unique trim adorning the seats in a pattern which echoes the rear bonnet. The targa top is a two-piece carbon fibre affair, which can be stowed behind the seats for open-top driving.
The Ferrari J50 was unveiled during a special celebration held at the National Art Center in Tokyo to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Ferrari in Japan.
A very limited edition of 25 Aston Martin DB4 G.T. models is to be built, each expected to cost around £1.5 million and to be effectively replicas of originals dating from 1959.
The Aston Martin DB4 G.T. Continuation follows a current trend, already undertaken by the likes of Jaguar with its lightweight E-type, to either continue the model numbers of classic cars, or fill in gaps in the original run.
Aston Martin Works will build the cars at the sports car brand’s original home of Newport Pagnell, returning car production to the Buckinghamshire town after a 10-year gap.
Each will be to lightweight specification, constructed for track use only, and following the original blueprints of the 1959 version. This was evolved from the production Aston Martin DB4, and launched in the same year Aston Martin took outright victory in the Le Mans 24hrs.
The DB4 G.T. was shorter, lighter and more aerodynamic than its production stablemate, and used a more powerful version of the car’s 3.7-litre straight-six cylinder engine. It won its very first race, at Silverstone driven by Stirling Moss.
Aston Martin built 75 DB4 G.T. cars between 1959 and 1963, of which just eight were to an even more bespoke lightweight specification. If one was to come up for sale today its price would comfortably exceed £3m.
Newport Pagnell, here building cars in 1959, will again be the production base for the DB4 G.T.
The new car will be built to replicate the original but also to blend in modern construction techniques, particularly in performance, handling, braking and safety – power will be rated at 340bhp to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission and limited slip differential.
The new line will be numbered from 0203R, the VIN number of the last original DB4 G.T. being 0202R.
To enable owners to enjoy their cars to the full, Aston Martin will also be creating a two-year track driving programme around great race circuits of the world, with expert instructors on hand to the level of the brand’s multiple Le Mans 24hrs class winner Darren Turner.
According to the commercial director of Aston Martin Works, Paul Spiers, the DB4 G.T. Continuation will combine the authenticity of a hand-crafted David Brown era car with sympathetic application of modern engineering advancements and performance enhancements.
“The DB4 G.T. Continuation is a fusion of classic design and contemporary methods,” says Spiers, adding that the production base at Newport Pagnell is equally notable.
“The DB4 G.T. Continuation is hand built in the same location as its illustrious forebears, and marks the return of production to the historic home of Aston Martin for the first time since the last Vanquish S was completed in 2007,” he says.
Like their forebears the new Aston Martin DB4 G.T owners will be able to enjoy their cars at top international circuits.
What is it? The Audi A5 is an all-new version of a highly successful coupé. Key features: Weight saving, sharper shape, more space and tech. Our View: The second generation of the Audi A5 builds on the success of the first model, evolved in all areas without losing the original appeal. Type of review: First UK drive
A typically busy year of launches for Audi ends with the first deliveries of the new, second-generation Audi A5 Coupe, and this is an important model for the brand.
It might not be one of the core, larger-volume models, but the A5 is Audi’s contender in a market where desirability is everything. The brand’s Jon Zammett claims that the two-door, booted car is the spiritual successor to the original Audi Quattro of the early 1980s, and that when the first A5 went on sale in 2007 it revolutionised a market that until then had consisted totally of four-door saloons.
Audi A5 Coupe styling
There is no doubt that the A5 has been a major success for Audi, and as a result while the Mk2 version may be completely new from the ground up, it is also an evolution of what has gone before.
So the styling of the new car’s body is fresh, but existing A5 owners will immediately recognise it as a member of the family, with details passed down such as the wave-shaped shoulder line, long bonnet and wheel-on-each-corner proportions.
There are changes of course, most visually in the grille that is noticeably wider, but flatter, while the windscreen pillars have been shifted further back – the car looks the part.
The aerodynamics have been improved. Measures such as relocating the mirrors from the base of the windscreen pillar to the tops of the doors allow Audi to claim the A5’s CD figure of 0.25 as best-in-class. Combined with weight saving of up to 60kg, this is good news in the eco department.
The diet comes courtesy of Audi’s latest multi-material construction techniques, a process we’ve seen on several other models now. The new Audi A5 sits on the latest evolution of the VW Group’s widely employed MLB architecture – it is 47mm longer than its predecessor at 4,673mm, while the width loses 8mm to measure up at 1,846mm. At 1,371mm the height is only a single digit less than its predecessor but still one of the lowest in the segment.
The wheelbase grows too, by 13mm, which frees up some extra interior space, and certainly there is no lack of interior room in either front or back seats. And then there is the boot, 10 litres larger than its predecessor at 465 litres.
Inside the Audi A5 Coupe
Step inside, and first-generation A5 owners will notice big changes, while anyone who drives a 2016 Audi will be in familiar surroundings. In this case evolving from the likes of the Audi A4, the latest cockpit design offers great quality and attention to detail – the ambient lighting, for example can be adjusted by 30 shades.
What one gets in terms of equipment will depend on which of the three trim levels, SE, Sport or S line, is chosen, and how deeply the ever-more widened options list is dipped into. Zammett says that typical A5 customers will have no qualms about spending £4,000 more on the top-spec versions; “it’s not a price-sensitive car, people choose a coupé as a lifestyle choice,” he adds.
It’s pretty likely, therefore, that many will go for the MMI navigation plus upgrade which extends the touchscreen monitor atop the centre console to eight inches and crucially dumps the analogue dash dials for the now well-known Audi digital cockpit.
At launch the A5 customer has a choice of a petrol engine and two diesels – plus a somewhat special petrol unit. All are improved over predecessors, with quite a lot more power and up to 22% better fuel economy.
By far the majority of sales, particularly to fleet buyers, will come from the 2.0-litre TDI diesel of 190hp – in its most economical form, mounted in an Ultra designated car, it returns combined cycle fuel economy of more than 70mpg, and CO2 emissions of just 105g/km.
On the road
The Car Expert drove the Audi A5 Coupe 190 TDI on the launch event and it fulfils the brief in all areas – a wide spread of usable power with plenty of low-down torque, plus refined cruising at motorway speeds.
If one wants more power with similar economy, the six-cylinder 3.0-litre diesel of 218hp ticks all the boxes, and it will be available from early 2017 in a significantly more potent 286hp version.
For petrol fans the current engine of choice is a 2.0-litre unit of 252hp – or one can go for the Audi S5 performance model, unusually launching at the same time as the first new A5s – it uses a newly developed 3.0-litre version of the six-cylinder engine with 354hp on offer, 21 horses more than the previous S5. We’ll be producing a separate test on the S5 soon.
If there has been a regular criticism of Audi cars in the recent past it has been for ride quality. Not so the new Audi A5. Whether in standard front-wheel-drive versions or with the quattro all-wheel-drive that is optional across the range and standard on 3.0-litre diesels, the car rides roads in comfort, smothers poor surfaces and corners with confidence-inducing precision.
Aiding the basics is of course plenty of technology – Audi tells us that some 30 driver assist systems are available for the A5. The Audi Drive Select offers plenty of choice in the car’s setup, the options list includes such notables as adaptive suspension with damper control, and there are a host of new technologies that can for example keep the A5 in its motorway lane, move and stop the car in a traffic queue, even stop the driver exiting the door and being hit by a passing car – certainly perusing the choices available and adding up the costs will be a major part of the A5 buying process…
First deliveries of the coupé are underway as this is published and the car will soon have plenty of siblings for company in showrooms. The Audi A5 range is now a family – the five-door Sportback variant arrives in January, and a cabriolet will not be far behind.
The new Audi A5 Coupe achieves its purpose – it builds on the success of the initial model and keeps Audi firmly in the battle for dominance of a sector where desirability means as much, perhaps more, to the customer as does specification.
Models tested:Audi A5 Coupe 2.0 TDI S tronic 190PS On Sale: December 2016 Range price: £36,480-£41,375. Audi S5: £47,000 Insurance groups: TBA Engines: Petrol 2.0. Diesel 2.0, 3.0. Audi S5: Petrol 3.0 Power (hp):252. 190, 218. Audi S5: 354 Torque (Nm):370. 400, 400. Audi S5: 500. 0-62mph (sec):5.8. 7.7, 6.2. Audi S5: 4.7. Top speed (mph): 155. 146*, 155. Audi S5: 155 Fuel economy (combined, mpg): 47.9. 67.3*, 61.4. Audi S5: 38.2 CO2 emissions (g/km): 141. 111*, 123. Audi S5: 170. Key rivals:BMW 4 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupé Test Date: November 2016 * = with 18-inch wheels. With 17-inch – 130mph, 70.6mpg, 105g/km
In 2014, sales in the used car market started to pick up real pace and have showed little sign of slowing down since.
Between January and June this year, more than four million used cars changed hands in the UK, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). That’s a record number for the first six months, and the trend appears to be continuing, which is expected to make 2016 a record year for used car sales.
This increase in sales, fuelled by an 8% jump in demand, has been married to five years of consecutive growth in the new car market. Quite simply, there are more cars in the used car market now, so prices are competitive and the consumer’s choice is huge. However, with more cars to choose from, there is inevitably a larger chance of buying a bad one.
So what measures can you take to avoid driving off in a lemon?
V5C form – Is the seller the registered keeper of the car? If the answer is no, then you should ask why. There’s a chance this is a quick sell, with the seller trying to get the lemon off their hands without even registering it in their own name.
MOT certificates – Check the mileage information carefully, and make sure it lines up with the service history and the odometer on the car. Any period of very low (or zero) annual mileage may mean the car has been off the road for a long period of time for substantial repairs. Also look for any advisories – it is not illegal for a dealer to sell a used car with MOT advisory notices, but you should treat any advisories as imminent repair bills.
Car history – If you are uncertain about the seller then look into getting a full vehicle check from a registered mechanic or breakdown cover company.
Consider the valuation carefully
Understanding the true value of the car you’re looking at is, well, invaluable, for a number of reasons – the obvious one being that you don’t want to overpay for a car… but actually it’s underpaying that is more likely to leave you with a lemon. If the deal looks too good to be true, it usually is!
There are a number of valuation services online that only require the vehicle’s mileage, registration and car insurance renewal month to generate a reasonably accurate figure to start your own calculations.
Run through an inspection checklist
An inspection checklist is great to have in your armoury at a dealership or during a private sale. Mainly because you’re going into a pretty stressful environment, and forgetting little details will be inevitable.
You’ll most likely remember to check the condition of the tyres and the wear and tear of the bodywork, but what about the spare tyre or any dampness under the floor mats? There are plenty of example checklists available online, so a quick search will yield some good choices.
Be vigilant during the test drive
An American study by DMEautomotive found that one in six car buyers do not take a test drive at all when buying a car. That’s an extraordinary statistic considering what a substantial investment buying a car is for most of us.
Not only should you insist on a test drive, it’s also vital to be extra alert when you do, particularly with a used car. Have a think about how you are most likely to use the car and then take it into those environments. If you’re driving in the city, take it up and down hills – and then into areas with plenty of traffic. Test the clutch for a high biting point, and the brakes for a slow response rate. Both factors could mean the car is need of a trip to the mechanic.
If you’re planning on commuting everyday on the motorway, don’t be afraid to find the nearest dual carriageway to see how it runs above 60mph. Does the steering hold the car straight? Is the engine tone consistent?
Mechanical checks really worth investigating
Having a cynical mindset is a good starting point when you buy a used car, although there are plenty of well-meaning car dealerships and private sellers out there. For now, though, let’s pretend there aren’t.
The odometer (mileage counter) is the big one to look out for here. Worn screws around the panel could mean it’s been replaced or tampered with. Remember to double check the mileage against the MOT certificate.
Under the bonnet, other surprises may await. Look for warning signs of leaks or spilled fluids – check the oil filler cap, brake fluid reservoir, windscreen washer bottle and radiator.
Right at the front there should be a saddle which holds the top of the radiator and connects the front wings. You should see it screwed onto the car’s frame. If there is any welding, you will want to forget the car. Welding, in general, is a big red flag that you should always question.
But what if I’ve already bought the lemon?
With the Consumer Rights Act 2015, car buyers are well protected if they do business with a dealership, although far less so with a private seller. Your rights depend on how quickly you take action, with the possibility of a full refund protected by law for only 30 days.
For more information on getting that lemon out of your life, check out The Car Expert’s guide to your rights on rejecting a car.
The first examples of the reborn Alpine sports car range will be members of a limited edition run.
Alpine, which has been relaunched by Renault, is opening order books for the ‘Première Edition’ versions of its forthcoming, yet to be named production car.
Only 1955 versions of the Premiere Edition will be made, the number recalling the year when Alpine founder Jean Rédélé established the company.
The cars will be priced in France at between €55,000 and €60,000, including taxes, and the only way to reserve an example is through a bespoke app downloadable from the Alpine website at alpinecars.com. The top price would equate to around £51,000 in the UK.
Reserving the Alpine Première Edition using the app and making an initial payment of €2,000 will allow customers to select their preferred number – from 1 to 1,955 – depending on availability.
This number will appear on a plaque fixed to the centre console and customers will also be able to specify the colour of their car from either ‘Bleu Alpine’ (Blue), ‘Noir Profond’ (Black) or ‘Blanc Solaire’ (White).
“The Première Edition versions of the new model will be the first to come off the line and we wanted to allow Alpine fans to choose the number of their car,” says Alpine managing director Michael van der Sande.
“The interest that the announcement of Alpine’s return has generated across the globe inspired us to give sports car enthusiasts and Alpine fans early opportunity to reserve the new car.”
Few technical details of the car have been made available so far. Alpine says these will be released in the first quarter of 2017, and adds that the car will be capable of a 0-62mph time of 4.5 seconds. Industry sources suggest it will use a 1.8-litre version of the 1.6 turbo engine in the Renault Clio RS, with about 250hp available.
Alpine deliveries are expected to begin in late 2017.
The all-new version of the flagship Lexus LS model will be unveiled at the Detroit motor show in January.
The reveal of the fifth-generation saloon at the Detroit show will come exactly 28 years after the first LS 400 launched the Lexus brand at the same show.
Details of the new Lexus LS are currently scarce, its makers only saying that it will offer a bold new look, with a coupe-like silhouette, while still boasting plenty of interior space.
However the car is expected to closely follow the LF-FC concept unveiled at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show.
The car will be built on an extended version of Lexus’s new global architecture for luxury vehicles (GA-L) rear-wheel drive platform, which also underpins the forthcoming Lexus LC luxury coupe. Lexus adds that the LS will ‘feature visionary technology.’
The production Lexus LS is expected on sale in 2018, as a rival to the likes of the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Powertrain options will include a hybrid unit with more than 500hp on tap. In 2019 the car could gain a hydrogen engine, using the technology developed by parent brand Toyota most recently in the Mirai.
The Lexus LS is widely expected to be based on the LF-FC concept shown at Tokyo in 2015.
For all the latest news on the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, keep checking our dedicated Detroit page here at The Car Expert.
The look of the much-trailed new Vauxhall Insignia has been unveiled, with the model taking the new name of Insignia Grand Sport.
The Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport will make its public debut at the Geneva motor show in March and go on UK sale in the summer of 2017.
It faces a major task – the current Insignia, on sale since 2008, has consistently led its segment in sales, selling 46,324 examples in its best year of 2011. Last year the car sold 33,717, despite manufacturers from the premium sector now targeting mainstream large car sales – effectively the two segments have merged and the Insignia now holds third in class behind the Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 Series.
The new car boasts a more aerodynamic shape than its predecessor – its visuals are evolved from the Monza concept car of 2013 and with a 0.26 drag factor that is claimed to be class leading.
Vauxhall Insignia brand manager Douglas McColm told The Car Expert that while the current Insignia in size and space sits between rivals the Volkswagen Passat and Skoda Superb, the new car will be larger than the Superb and only just smaller than the BMW 5 Series.
It sits on a new vehicle architecture which cuts the car’s weight by up to 175kg. The wheelbase is extended by 92mm but with shorter overhangs, while the car’s track is extended by 11mm. The roof, however, is 29mm lower and the height of the driving position drops by a similar amount.
Vauxhall is not yet revealing the Insignia’s engine line-up, stating only that they will all be latest-generation units. However we do know that an all-wheel-drive transmission with torque vectoring will be available, as will a new eight-speed auto gearbox.
Technology will feature heavily on the car, including LED matrix lighting, Lane Keep Assist, Head-up Display, front and rear-seat heating and a heated windshield. Infotainment and connectivity will be provided by the IntelliLink system and Vauxhall’s extensive OnStar personal assistant service.
And while the car now takes the name Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport, the Grand Sport will not feature on the badging. An estate version will follow, the Sports Tourer.
Vauxhall expects to sell around 30,000 of the new Insignia Grand Sport in 2017. More than nine in every ten will be to fleet buyers, and diesel sales will dominate petrol by a similar percentage. McColm admits, however, that he expects some change in engine preferences in the future, with more buyers switching back to petrol.
The most potent SEAT Leon Cupra yet will launch in 2017 with 300hp on offer.
In showrooms in March, the new Cupra takes the title of the most powerful road car in SEAT’s history, thanks to its uprated version of the familiar 2-litre TSI petrol engine also in the Volkswagen Golf R. While its power hike over its predecessor is only 10hp, torque jumps from 350 to 380Nm, over a wide usable range from just 1800 to 5500rpm.
No performance details have yet been released – the current Cupra has a quoted 0-62mph time of 5.8 seconds.
The new Cupra will be available in three-door SC, five-door hatch and for the first time an estate ST variant. This model will be supplied with the 4Drive all-wheel-drive system and a DSG auto transmission.
All Leon Cupra models will also include dynamic chassis control (DCC), a progressive steering system and an electronic self-locking differential as standard. The Cupra Drive Profile will feature four modes – Comfort, Sport, Individual and a performance focused Cupra mode.
Full specifications of the car, and pricing, will be revealed closer to order books opening.
The Subaru BRZ sports coupe has been updated, with major changes across all areas of the car.
The upgrades come in the wake of an update to the Toyota GT86, the two effectively the same car.
Visually the BRZ now has a wider, lower front-end, designed Subaru says to limit the airflow into the front intake and improve ride and handling. LED headlamps are fitted for the first time, the rear lamps are redesigned as is the rear spoiler, and new 10-spoke alloy wheels fitted.
Various internal measures to the engine include a lower-friction camshaft and lighter rocker arms, plus polishing measures to the valve. The results are said to be more responsiveness and improved efficiency, though official figures have not yet been quoted.
Redesigned dampers improve cornering precision and reduce body roll, while cutting vibration for greater ride comfort.
A new track mode on the drive mode selector is specifically designed for driving on race circuits, while Hill Start Assist is also fitted. Also track focussed is a four-inch LCD information display on the instrument panel, showing a G force meter, steering angle gauge, brake force gauge, lap timer and torque/power curves.
A smaller steering wheel is fitted with audio controls now included on it, while the fit and finish of the cabin has been changed to give an impression of higher quality.
Prices for the 2017 model Subaru BRZ are yet to be announced.
Britain’s new car market topped 2.5 million vehicles last month – the first time the figure has been reached in November.
The 184,101 vehicles registered in the month was 2.9% higher than in November 2015, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT), that compiles the figures.
So far in 2016 a total of 2,514,764 cars have been registered, putting the market on course to beat the 2015 full-year total of 2633,503.
Fleet sales are still driving the market, the sector up 5.1%t in November as the private market slipped by 1.2%. Petrol-powered cars also appear to be making a comeback, up by 7.9% as diesels slid 2.9%.
The biggest growth in percentage terms, however, is coming from alternatively-fuelled vehicles, which includes electric and hybrid cars. Demand for these surged 25% in November with 6,663 vehicles registered. While such vehicles still form a very small part of the overall market at 3.6%, they are showing great momentum with 82,650 buyers having so-far chosen the alternative-fuelled route in 2016.
SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes believes the latest advanced technology and cutting-edge designs are continuing to attract buyers into showrooms.
“It’s encouraging to see that alternatively fuelled vehicles, although still a small proportion of the market, have seen strong growth this month achieving a record market share,” he says.
“Long-term government support and incentives are essential if these vehicles are to command a larger market share in the future,” Hawes adds.
Earlier this month the SMMT predicted this year’s market would finish 1.7% up on 2015 with 2.678 million units registered, but in 2017 and 2018 will dip by 5% and 1.3%.
In the month its replacement was revealed, the Ford Fiesta continues to dominate the new-car top ten, with 8,382 registrations in November, more than 3,500 ahead of nearest rival the Vauxhall Astra.
Year-to-date 112,327 new Fiestas have been registered, ahead of the Vauxhall Corsa (73,112), the Ford Focus (65,554), Volkswagen Golf (64,137), Nissan Qashqai (59,480) and the Astra 54,585).
If you’ve ever walked into a new car showroom, you will know that buying a car is quite different from shopping in a normal retail store.
In pretty much any other retail environment – even those selling very expensive wares – you can wander around the showroom in peace, look at different items and casually browse their offerings. You can check price tags, ask straight questions and (usually) get straight answers in return. You can explore at your own pace and you don’t always feel like you have to justify your presence to the sales staff.
In a car showroom, however, that doesn’t normally happen.
The usual practice when you set foot in a car showroom is that you are immediately accosted by a sales executive or even a ‘professional greeter’. They want to know why you’re there, what you’re looking for, how much you have to spend, and they always want to obtain as many of your personal and contact details as they can get. Even if all you want is a brochure (mind you, not many car companies still offer printed brochures, instead helpfully offering to email you a digital one as soon as you hand over your email address).
The new car dealership has one of the most aggressive sales environments of any retail venue. Wave off that first sales consultant and another one will appear. Keep rebuffing them and sometimes a manager will even march up to you, effectively demanding to know why you’re wasting everyone’s time and not buying a car already.
Qualification – it’s dealer-speak for interrogation
If you do actually want to speak to a sales consultant, or finally yield to their persistent questioning, then a very structured interrogation swings into place. It’s called ‘qualification’, and it is designed to get as much information out of you as possible, covering every aspect of your personal information and circumstances, all to be used to try to sell you the car they want you to buy, which is not necessarily the car you actually want.
The information you provide is logged in detail, and is accessible by not only the sales consultant, but also the business manager (to sell you finance and insurance products) and the sales manager. Even the manufacturers will access your information, so they can analyse your responses and blitz you with marketing paraphernalia until the end of time. Your data is compared with other customers and scrutinised long after you have left the showroom.
Most car buyers find the relentless pestering and questioning to be invasive and annoying, and feel it makes the whole experience of buying a car to be extremely unfriendly and uncomfortable. Some manufacturers are particularly insistent on this very harsh interrogation process, and one gets the feeling that those manufacturers think the customers should feel privileged to be able to buy their cars. The salesman may appear all friendly and understanding, but be under no illusions that he is ever on your side.
Believe it or not, this guy does not really have your best interests at heart…
Commissions and targets – it’s all they care about
There are two words you need to understand which drive everything which happens in a car dealership, and why the dealership personnel behave the way they do – commissions and targets.
Nearly everyone you talk to at the dealership is paid largely on commission. The sales executive, business manager, sales manager and so on – all of them receive a relatively small base salary, with the majority of their earnings coming from commissions on selling you their products. So everything they all say or do is geared around you buying their car (and associated extras), because they all get paid a percentage of the money you spend at their dealership.
The other driver for everything that happens at a dealership relates to sales targets. The manufacturer sets monthly, quarterly and annual sales targets for the dealer, and the dealership management then does the same for each of its sales staff. There is then a complicated combination of penalties for failing to meet targets and rewards for exceeding them.
For the dealership, failing to hit quarterly sales targets can mean many thousands of pounds of lost funds from the manufacturer, and for sales executives, failing to hit sales targets can mean losing their jobs. At the end of every month, numbers are tallied, commissions are calculated, the scores are reset to zero and it all starts again.
The other thing about commissions and targets is that they are only counted after the customer has paid for their car and driven off into the sunset, not when they actually sign their contract. So if you order a new car this December but don’t actually take delivery until next April, the dealership can’t count the sale towards its target until April and the sales team won’t get their commission payment until the end of May – some six months after they actually “did their job” and sold you the car, and over a month after you took delivery.
This is very frustrating for the dealership, and also increases the risk of the sale being cancelled at some point during the waiting period. As a result, they are always far more interested in selling you a car they have in stock right now, so they can get their hands on your money as soon as possible.
“I know you said you hate this car. No-one likes this car, but we’re still going to talk about it for the next 15 minutes because I’ll get a big bonus if I can sell it”
So how does this affect me when I’m buying a car?
The end result of this obsession with commissions and targets is that the dealership staff are all desperate to sell you a car from their current stock, with finance, plus insurance, plus any number of other extras, because their salaries and their jobs depend on it. There is constant pressure on sales staff to deliver results, regardless of how many customers actually visit the showroom.
Dealers know that customers get frustrated by the car buying experience. They also know that this frustration will often lead to the customer running out of patience and agreeing to buy a car just to make the whole painful experience stop. So rather than try and make the customer feel more at ease, they effectively engage in a war of attrition and will do whatever they can to keep you in that showroom for as long as possible, knowing that the longer they have you there, the better their chance of wearing you down and getting your signature on a contract.
Trying to leave a car showroom without buying a car is a bit like trying to escape from prison – there’s a whole lot of people who are desperate to keep you from getting out until they’re ready to release you, which is right after they get your signature and deposit.
“OK, you can go home now”
Buying a car – how to make the most of it
So how do you, as a customer, make the most of your car buying experience in such a hostile sales environment? Well, understanding the process gives you a much better basis to conduct your purchase. Every ‘recommendation’ a sales executive gives you has to be taken in the context that it is leading you towards the conclusion that they want, not necessarily the one you want.
Before you walk into a showroom, do your homework thoroughly. Know how much you want to spend, and stick to it. The dealer wants to sell you a car, so make them work for your money. Make them meet your requirements, not the other way around. For some great tips, check out The Car Expert’s Ten Golden Rules for buying a car.
If you are not happy with the way you are being treated, walk away. Simply leave and don’t get sucked into any further discussions. Remember, it’s your money, so you should be the one who decides how to spend it. There are plenty of car dealers in the UK, so don’t waste your time dealing with poor levels of service.
Last updated December 2016. Originally published November 2012 – not that much has changed, and the traditional car sales model is still an awful experience for many people.
It is not often that one drives a new car and then struggles to pigeonhole it against direct rivals. The new Suzuki Ignis is just such a car, however.
While reviving a name last used by Suzuki a decade or so ago, the new Ignis is a world away from the odd, jacked-up supermini that was its predecessor. This is a small crossover, with lots of style and surprising interior space.
Suzuki’s reputation for effective small cars is well established and the Ignis looks to take this on a step. It is the second car, after the Baleno hatch, to use the new platform unveiled under the brand’s ‘Suzuki Next 100’ strategy in 2015. The architecture achieves the twin goals of increased rigidity, up by 10% on previous Suzuki models, and reduced weight, the lightest Ignis weighing in at a mere 810kg.
The exterior styling is funky, looking purposeful and muscular as crossovers are expected to.
The car has a very strong face, with sharp lines in the grille providing a frame for the LED headlamps, while retaining Suzuki signature elements, such as the blacked-out windscreen and door pillars and the clamshell bonnet. And several previous Suzuki models are referenced in the detailing, such as the vents in the rear screen pillars, taken straight from a long-forgotten car called the SC100.
That bonnet is short on length, the Suzuki platform strategy aiming to minimise the size of the engine bay to create more interior space. And boy does it do so. Front seat room is generous, but it is equally so in the rear – there really is room to carry four full-size adults in comfort in this car, which cannot be said of so many rivals of similar size.
A big help to this is offered in second-tier SZ-T models and above, which replace the rear bench seat with two individual ones that can slide back and forth by a total of 165mm. Even with these slid right back a usable boot remains – quoted capacity of the boot is a competitive 267 litres, though this drops to 204 litres if one chooses the all-wheel-drive version with its rear differential. Fold the seats down and that capacity climbs to 514 litres, or 1,100 litres loaded to the roof.
Interior finish is to familiar Suzuki standards – while not exactly plush, it’s practical, though the bright colour detailing that is applied to the base of the centre console with certain exterior finishes will not be to everyone’s taste. The infotainment touchscreen looks a bit of an afterthought, stuck atop the centre console, but it works effectively enough.
Ignis engine and drivetrain choices
Currently there is only one engine option, Suzuki’s 1.2-litre Dualjet petrol unit of 90hp, but this is offered in two distinct forms. The standard variant promises a 0-62mph time of 13.5 seconds, 61.4mpg combined cycle fuel economy and emissions of 104g/km, whether one chooses it with a five-speed manual or the five-speed Auto Gear Shift (AGS) transmission.
The unit can also be had, however, with Suzuki’s SHVS mild hybrid system, effectively a starter motor generator that provides some extra potency under acceleration and generates electricity under braking. It makes a big difference to the 0-62mph sprint time, cutting it by 2.1 seconds, while adding more than four miles to the mpg, and dropping CO2 emissions under the magic 100g/km marker.
Choose your Ignis with Suzuki’s All-Grip all-wheel-drive system, that is only available combined with SHVS, and the car goes four-tenths quicker still! Fuel economy of 60.1mpg and emissions of 106g/km are still impressive considering the extra capability of traction through every wheel.
On the road
Times have long gone when 90hp meant sluggish performance, and the Ignis bowls along the road quite happily, especially with the hybrid assistance fitted on our test car. Like most petrol engines it’s at its best further up the rev range, and stiff gradients do need swift work down the gears. But the powertrain is responsive and refined, even at the Autostrada limits of the Rome launch event route.
The Ignis rides well on good road surfaces, and copes manfully on less than perfect tarmac. A series of bumps and dips will unsettle the chassis, but not alarmingly so, while the steering feels a little divorced from the wheels when cornering enthusiastically, but generally it’s an comfortable car to travel in.
Price and specification
Ignis buyers will have a choice of Suzuki’s usual three grades, with entry-level SZ3 versions boasting a strong standard equipment list stretching to air conditioning, DAB radio with Bluetooth and electric front windows.
SZ-T versions add satellite navigation, a parking camera, larger 16-inch alloy wheels, extended roof rails and those rear sliding seats.
Cars with SHVS and if required the All-Grip are only available in top SZ5 specification, which gains auto air conditioning, keyless entry and start, rear electric windows, LED headlamps with daytime running lights and front foglamps.
Suzuki has an extra weapon in its Ignis armoury – highly competitive prices. The Ignis will start from £9,999 for SZ3 models, £11,499 for SZ-T and £12,999 for the range-topping SZ5 in 2WD form – 4WD adds and extra £1,000.
Ignis safety rating(s)
Just in time for the launch, the Ignis has earned a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP, but only if fitted with the Dual Camera Brake support system, which is standard on SZ5 versions and optional on the rest of the range.
This system warns the driver of a likely collision and applies the brakes if needed, while it also includes lane departure warning and sounds an alert if the car begins to weave, such as if the driver suffers from drowsiness.
In terms of target market, the Ignis is probably closest to the Fiat Panda 4×4 or Panda Cross– but it ticks so many boxes that it is worthy of consideration by people buying across the small car line-up. Its looks may well appeal for those wanting something different to the pack, while its rear seat space will even bring it onto the radar of those buying in the next segment up.
The Ignis has already proven itself in Suzuki’s home market on Japan – available there since February 2016, it had clocked up almost 18,000 sales by November. European audiences first saw it at the Paris motor show in September and it will be in UK showrooms in January 2017.
Suzuki UK management says it hopes to sell 6,000 examples of the Ignis a year, mostly to people who have not bought from the brand before. On the strength of our first drive, those figures look easily achievable.
Goodwood Motorsport has announced updated dates for its flagship Festival of Speed for 2017, after a change to next year’s Formula 1 calendar was made this week.
Goodwood’s dates are always subject to change, depending on movements in Formula One and other calendars which are yet to be finalised. However, the current plan is below. The dates for the 75th Members’ Meeting have been confirmed and are not subject to change.
75th Members’ Meeting: 18-19 March 2017 (confirmed)Goodwood Festival of Speed & Moving Motor Show: 29 June – 2 July 2017Goodwood Revival: 8-10 September 2017
Tickets for all three events always sell out well in advance, so keep your eyes on their website for information. The Members’ Meeting is currently only open to GRRC members, with a limited number of tickets being made available to the general public from 2 January 2017.
Hopefully there will be no further changes to the F1 calendar and these will be the definite, final, confirmed dates. Most of the F1 teams have a strong presence at the Festival of Speed every year, and 2017 should be no different. At the 2016 event, Nico Rosberg was hugely popular with the fans and spent additional time at the event after Lewis Hamilton cancelled his scheduled appearance at the last minute.
Of course, if you can’t get tickets then you could always apply to be a volunteer…
Rolls-Royce has offered the first glimpses of its forthcoming SUV.
Two officially-released images show the camouflaged car ‘Project Cullinan’, which Rolls-Royce states will begin testing in public in December. The Cullinan title will not necessarily be adopted as the name for the production version, expected to launch in 2018.
After Christmas the car will be taken to the Arctic Circle for cold-weather durability and traction testing, and this will be followed in 2017 by a hot-weather programme in the Middle East.
All of this is to ensure the car meets the ‘Effortless, everywhere’ phrase that Rolls-Royce has applied to it. Absent from the release, however, is any mention of the phrase SUV, the Cullinan described instead as a ‘all-terrain, high-sided vehicle.’
Major customers have also seen the engineering mule created to develop the new all-wheel-drive suspension system, and testbeds for the aluminium architecture that will become the basis of all new Rolls-Royce models released after 2018.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös describes the emergence of the test car as “an incredibly exciting moment in the development of Project Cullinan both for Rolls-Royce and for the patrons of luxury that follow us around the world.
“Bringing together the new four-wheel drive system and the new ‘architecture of luxury’ for the first time sets us on the road to creating a truly authentic Rolls-Royce which, like its forebears, will reset the standard by which all other luxury goods are judged,” Müller-Ötvös adds.
Ford has unveiled the new Fiesta amongst a host of headlines at a ‘Go Further’ event in Cologne.
The new Fiesta range will launch in 2017 in four distinct versions, while Ford is also announcing its intention to start testing autonomous cars on European roads, and revealing a version of its three-cylinder EcoBoost petrol engine with cylinder deactivation technology.
The Fiesta, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2016, will be offered in the familiar Titanium, a performance-pitched ST-Line version that likely previews the next Fiesta ST, a model in Ford’s upmarket Vignale sub-brand, and a new crossover-styled Active model.
Adding the Vignale and Active versions to the range of Britain’s best-selling car is seen by many as Ford’s answer to the growing threat from premium brands expanding into small cars, such as Audi with its Q2. Industry sources suggest that the upmarket-pitched Vignale and Active could be expanded further across the Ford range.
The exterior design of the latest Fiesta is evolved from the current model, with no radical styling departures. Details of the new car are currently scarce, though Ford does say that it will have an “ergonomic interior that offers a floating high-definition touchscreen” along with the Sync 3 communications and entertainment system, and for the first time in a Ford a premium B&O Play sound system.
More personalisation options will also be available for the Fiesta, following the current industry trend.
Similarly, there are no details yet as to the powertrains for the new Fiesta range, but they will no doubt include a new version of the 1.0-litre EcoBoost unit, which Ford says will be the first three-cylinder engine in the world to feature cylinder deactivation.
The technology can disengage or re-engage the cylinder in 14 milliseconds, is promised to be imperceptible to drivers in terms of operation and engine performance, and will aid fuel economy and emissions improvements.
Ford also announced the results of a European survey it commissioned as part of its Smart Mobility programme, revealing that the main benefits of self-driving cars in the view of motorists would be the ability to enjoy passing scenery, catch up with family and friends, and read a book.
Under the programme, testing of Ford’s autonomous cars will expand onto European roads in 2017, adding to extensive testing already underway in the US.
According to Ford Europe Middle East and Africa president, Jim Farley, the brand has met aims made at the first ‘Go Further’ event four years ago. “Ford promised a leaner, smarter business in Europe with great products and new technologies – and we’ve over-delivered through the talent, ingenuity and passion of our people,” Farley says.
“We have delivered an all-new SUV line-up; set the performance car segment alight with our Focus RS and Ford Mustang; strengthened the backbone of our business with our award-winning commercial vehicle range; and re-written the rulebook on compact engines with our 1.0-litre EcoBoost – and that’s before we get to the next generation Fiesta,” he adds.
Four major car manufacturers have taken a big step towards creating a standardized method of charging electric vehicles.
BMW Group, Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company and the Volkswagen Group with Audi and Porsche, are planning a network of high-powered DC charging outlets on major long-distance travel routes throughout Europe.
Eventually the network will number around 400 locations, offering power levels of up to 350kW, which will significantly reduce charging times compared to those offered by current charge outlets.
Only cars fitted with the Combined Charging Standard (CCS) connector will be able to use the stations. CCS is described as compatible with most current and next-generation EVs, and with such a large swathe of the automotive market backing it the system will present a strong case for being adopted as an EV standard.
BMW and Volkswagen EVs already use CCS for charging, but typical of rival systems is ChaMeDo, used by Nissan, Peugeot and others.
According to those behind the plan the goal is to enable long-distance travel through open-network charging stations along highways and major routes, which has not been feasible for most battery electric vehicle drivers to date.
The charging experience is expected to evolve to be “as convenient as refueling at conventional gas stations.”
Such a network is considered essential to encourage the wider take-up of EVs among consumers. “This high-power charging network provides motorists with another strong argument to move towards electric mobility,” says BMW chairman Harald Krüger, while his counterpart at Audi, Rupert Stadler, adds; “We intend to create a network that allows our customers on long-distance trips to use a coffee break for recharging.”
The joint programme comes as the manufacturers plan great expansion in the number of electric vehicles they offer – Daimler alone intends to have 10 fully electric cars in its range by 2025.
Volkswagen will unveil a new upmarket saloon, the Arteon, at the Geneva motor show in March.
The large four-door car will replace the CC, production of which has just ended.
So far Volkswagen has only issued a sketch of the new car, which is said to debut a new ‘progressive’ design language for the brand.
According to a release from Volkswagen the Arteon is a totally new model that will sit above the Passat and “emphasises emotion in the upper mid-class.”
The front end of the car is described as a ‘highly expressive, horizontally accentuated brand look,’ suggesting that it will appear on other future VW models. Notable details include the bars of the radiator grille – these extend into the three-dimensional headlights, which feature LED lighting elements.
The Arteon will also feature frameless windows on the doors and a top-hinged and wide-opening tailgate.
According to the car’s exterior designer, Tobias Sühlmann, the Arteon will offer a unique combination. “At first sight, the Arteon arouses enthusiasm through its expressive design – it then surprises through its practical virtues,” he says.
As for the name, this is also composed of two parts – according to Volkswagen the ‘Art’ describes the saloon’s harmonious lines and emotionality, and the ending ‘eon’ identifies it. Volkswagen’s premium model in the Chinese market is known as the Phideon.
Further details of the Arteon will no doubt emerge closer to its Geneva reveal. It is due on sale in European markets from the summer of 2017.
So a new 3008 arrives not before time, and Peugeot is very clear to differentiate it from its predecessor by calling the newcomer the ‘3008 SUV’. Whereas the first 3008 was more people-carrier than off-roader in its look, this new model boasts the more muscular styling and jacked-up driving position that are proving big successes for its wide variety of rivals.
The car certainly looks the part. It has a much bolder front end with strong vertical lines and most notably the almost vertical grille. There is a high waistline, prominent body mouldings and underside protection that gives the impression of a more off-road styled vehicle, and this is added to by the jacked-up ride height of 220mm and sharp approach and departure angles of 20 and 29 degrees respectively.
The new 3008 is another to use the modular EMP2 architecture developed by Peugeot’s parent company PSA Group. As a result the car is 80mm longer than its predecessor, with a wheelbase increased by 62mm to 2675mm. This of course frees up more interior space, such as 24mm in the rear legroom, and 36mm more headroom so long as one doesn’t go for a glass roof. Boot space jumps considerably too, by almost 90 litres to 520 litres, or 1,670 litres if one drops the rear seats.
The extra space is not, however, the major first impression gained when getting into the 3008. Peugeot has made it clear that one of the pillars of its growth strategy is to move the brand upmarket, achieving this through more exciting, technology packed cars but very importantly through greater quality – and it shows.
The cabin is a very agreeable place to be. The surfaces are to high standards and well fitted, while the dash area is superbly crafted. The driver grips a compact steering wheel with a squared-off top, operates a gear handle, rather than a lever that is as easy to use as it is futuristic-looking. And this lever sits ahead of one of the largest central glovebox units this reviewer has ever seen on a car.
A neat detail is the row of piano-key switches just above the gear shift. These replace the buttons that formerly festooned the touchscreen surroundings, and control most of the car’s major functions. Initially it can be awkward hitting the right key as the graphics are quite small, but it soon becomes second-nature.
Pride of place, however, goes to the latest version of Peugeot’s digital i-Cockpit – a revelation that makes even Audi’s much-praised virtual cockpit look so last-generation.
The system combines the eight-inch touchscreen atop the centre console with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel in front of the driver. This can be configured in various ways and the graphics involved justify the use of that much–abused phrase state-of-the-art.
One can have traditional dials, in a range of finishes that appear as metallic as they are not, or clever scrolling displays that look as if they have come off the set of the latest Star Trek movie. And the system offers a host of clever touches, such as the rev counter graphic dissolving to show a turn instruction when the sat nav is in use. It is tempting to simply just sit and play with the system…
The interior and its i-Cockpit form a major plank of Peugeot’s marketing for the 3008 and that’s a good thing as powertrain-wise there are no big headlines. But this is not a bad thing as the line-up of two petrol engines and four diesels, all familiar units from the Peugeot range, seems well suited to the 3008.
One thing you will not be able to select, however, is all-wheel-drive. Peugeot believes that its customers want the off-road appearance but not the ability, the evidence being that AWD versions of the previous 3008 accounted for less than two per cent of sales.
One all versions of the new 3008 can be had with Grip Control, an electronic traction control system that offers various modes and effectively can provide much of the safety and ability – Peugeot has famously had journalists drive Grip-Control equipped cars up snow-covered indoor ski slopes – that all-wheel-drive offers, but without the complexity, or anything like the cost.
During the launch event, The Car Expert was able to drive cars with the 120hp diesel engine, which is expected to be the most popular among buyers, and the range-topping GT which uses a 180hp diesel and a six-speed auto transmission.
The engines are refined and freely giving of their pace, while the car as a whole is very accomplished. It corners well and stays pleasingly upright, commands issued through well-weighted steering. Only the manual gearbox is occasionally a little less than slick in operation.
The new 3008 range comprises four trim options. The two mainstream levels are dubbed Active and Allure – as part of the upmarket push Peugeot believes buyers will want plenty of equipment and so entry-level Access models are not in the UK range. This means, for example, that all versions include the i-Cockpit.
Also available are GT-Line, offering more sporty styling even with the lowest capacity engines, and the range-topping GT, which only comes with the 180hp diesel and an auto gearbox. This model can also be specified with a two-tone exterior finish dubbed ‘Coupe Franche’ – a look that will not appeal to all…
The new Peugeot 3008 instantly propels itself into contention for the most stylish member of the ever-widening compact SUV club, especially once one gets inside it. There is only one issue, the cost. Its starting price of £21,795 is almost £4,000 more than the equally new SEAT Ateca, which according to Peugeot staff on the launch event is considered the 3008’s direct rival.
So someone in the market for a compact SUV will save themselves a lot of money buying the SEAT – but they will get far more car with the Peugeot…
Mercedes-Benz has announced prices for its latest Mercedes-AMG GT models, the Roadster and R Coupe.
Orders are now being taken for the GT Roadster at prices starting from £110,145, and the range-topping GT R coupe at £143,245.
GT roadsters are all powered by a 4.0-litre biturbo V8 engine, producing 476hp in the stock model and 557hp in the GT C variant, sending it through 62mph from rest in 3.7 seconds compared to the 4.0 seconds of its sister.
Both roadsters include a three-layer fabric roof that opens or closes electrically in around 11 seconds at speeds of up to 31mph, and is available in black, beige or dark red colours.
Standard equipment on the GT Roadster includes 19-inch alloy wheels, the distinctive AMG ‘Panamericana’ grille, a wind deflector, performance exhaust system, heated AMG sports seats with the Airscarf neck heater and black Nappa leather upholstery.
£110,145 buys the Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster.
GT C Roadster variants grow their wheels to 19 and 20 inches (front and back), while among the other added extras are Burmester surround sound audio, the Parktronic parking aid with reversing camera, a Keyless-Go entry package and an Active Air Control system – this uses flaps in the lower front bumper that adjust according to the car’s speed, increasing high-speed stability and reducing drag.
The AMG GT R Coupé is being pitched as a potential rival to the McLaren 570S, and at an almost identical price. Its 4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine generates 585hp and 700Nm of torque, which gives the car a 0-62mph time of 3.6 seconds.
Its standard equipment package includes AMG sports bucket seats, a carbon fibre roof, the Panamericana grille, bespoke body styling and a rear aerofoil, yellow brake calipers, the performance exhaust system; 19/20-inch alloy wheels (front/back), sports tyres, Parktronic, a performance steering wheel and an AMG Interior Night package that comprises black door sills; steering wheel gear shift panels in black; black inserts below head restraints and a black strut in the luggage compartment.
Among the extensive options for the GT R is the ‘green hell’ paint finish worn by the launch car, for an extra £7,500.
More muscular visuals and a state-of-the-art cockpit are highlights of the new Peugeot3008 SUV, on UK sale in January.
The second-generation model has been completely redesigned as the brand looks to capture a bigger slice of the growing SUV market. The 3008 will join the 2008 launched earlier in the year, and the 5008 unveiled at the Paris motor show and on sale next May, in a market that is now 2.5 times bigger than when the first 3008 launched in 2009.
The new model is described by its makers as the ‘3008 SUV’ rather than the ‘3008 Crossover’ title attached to its predecessor, and as a result gains more muscular styling, with a more upright grille, distinctive creases in the panels and a high ground clearance with sharp approach and departure angles.
It is in the cabin, however, where the changes are most obvious – while boasting much higher perceived quality of fit and finish, the interior is dominated by the latest version of Peugeot’s i-Cockpit, which combines an eight-inch centre-console mounted touchscreen with a 12-inch digital instrument panel. The panel graphics are already being praised as more up to date than current premium market offerings.
The new 3008 will be built in Peugeot’s factories in France and China. It sits on the PSA EMP2 platform and at 4.4m in length is 8cm longer than its predecessor with a 6cm longer wheelbase and a bigger boot, up by 100 litres to 591 litres.
Peugeot claims class-leading economy and emissions across the 3008 powertrain range, all of which are already existing units. Petrol buyers can choose from a 135hp 1.2-litre engine with six-speed manual or six-speed auto gearboxes, and a 165hp 1.6-litre unit combined with the auto ‘box.
Diesel engines are all of 1.6 litres, on offer in 100, 120, 150 and 180hp power outputs. The 120 can be specified with the auto transmission as an option, while it is the only option on the range-topping 180.
There will be no all-wheel-drive versions of the 3008 – according to Peugeot product manager Simon Broome less than two per cent of buyers chose AWD in the Mk1 3008. However the Grip Control electronic aid for driving on difficult surfaces is available as an option across the range.
The first 3008 models will arrive in showrooms in January 2017 at prices starting from £21,795. Peugeot is also highlighting greatly reduced running costs, not least in terms of insurance. More safety features and significant cuts in repair costs – notably deleting the complex two-part tailgate of the previous version – have slashed insurance groups from 20A to 11E.
