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Hyundai i30 N hot hatch to cost from £25K

Andrew Charman
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Hyundai i30 N hot hatch to cost from £25K

The Hyundai i30 N, the brand’s first outright performance model, will go on sale in January with prices starting from £24,995.

The petrol-engined hot hatch is the first car to be released under the N performance sub-brand that Hyundai intends to expand into other models. We are told the N stands for both Namyang – Hyundai Motor’s global R&D Centre in Korea where the car was created – and for the Nürburgring circuit in Germany, home to Hyundai Motor’s European Test Centre where the i30 N was developed.

Two versions of the car will be available, the i30 N and i30 N Performance, both using the same 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine. The stock model will produce 250hp, the i30 N Performance an extra 25hp. Torque figures are 353Nm across both cars, with an overboost feature that can add an extra 25Nm, resulting in a 6.4 second 0-62mph time for the i30 N, three tenths quicker for the Performance model.

Performance modifications

Added to the i30 standard equipment list are performance upgrades, including 18-inch alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres, electronically controlled Suspension, 17-inch ventilated front brake discs with 16in rear versions. A Torque Vectoring System and steering wheel mounted Drive Mode Buttons allow the driver to customise engine and suspension settings.

The Performance version carries a £3,000 higher price tag. The alloy wheels grow to 19 inches with bespoke compound Pirelli P-Zero tyres, an electronic Limited Slip Differential is added and the brakes increased by an inch in diameter all round. An Active Variable Exhaust system adds a bespoke sound while inside the front seats are electric and upholstered in leather and suede.

Further modifications over stock i30 models include body stiffening – the front suspension strut rings are reinforced, the front subframe reinforced, a central tunnel support bracket added along with a rear stiffness bar across the rear wheel arches. Both cars include Launch Control to make the most of acceleration from a standing start, a Rev Match Function for more effective gear changes, and ‘Brake Control knock back pre-fill’ – this helps keep the braking response at a peak after high-load cornering.

Volvo ‘Care by Volvo’ scheme takes on leasing

Andrew Charman
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Volvo ‘Care by Volvo’ scheme takes on leasing

Volvo is launching a premium leasing programme called ‘Care by Volvo’.

The scheme is regarded as an answer to the increasing trend, particularly amongst premium buyers, to lease a car rather than make an outright purchase.The Swedish brand claims that Care by Volvo will make running a car as simple as owning a mobile phone.

Described as a subscription service, the programme will be based on a pre-negotiated monthly fee, and will provide customers with a new car every 24 months.

Fixed prices

Volvo says that those using the service will not have to worry about traditional extras such as deposits, insurance, taxes, service fees and differing prices based on buyer age and their location. The programme will offer standard rates with no negotiations – research suggests that this is an element of the car-buying process that most puts off customers.

There are also plans to launch a range of digital concierge services to Care by Volvo customers – these could include fuelling and cleaning the car, picking it up for service and delivering online orders to it.

According to Volvo, even full-service leasing does not offer all the elements, such as digital services, planned for the Care by Volvo programme – there will even be a facility to switch cars temporarily.

The new programme is being launched with the new XC40 SUV and Volvo says buyers will be able to share their car with friends using a new digital key technology. This will be offered as standard to Care by Volvo customers.

“In a time where consumers are used to transparent flat fees for all sorts of services, the traditional process of buying and owning a car can be perceived as rather complicated – Care by Volvo changes all of that,” says Volvo president and CEO Håkan Samuelsson.

In the UK, Care by Volvo will be launched alongside the new Volvo XC40 when it arrives in early 2018, but only to customers inside the M25 to start with. The company intends to widen the reach of the programme and expand it to other models, as well as introducing the digital concierge services, over time.

Care by Volvo The Car Expert
XC40 first car to be offered under Care by Volvo scheme.

Volvo XC40 to take on Evoque and Q3

Andrew Charman
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Volvo XC40 to take on Evoque and Q3
The Volvo XC40 expands the Swedish manufacturer’s SUV line-up to three and gives it a direct rival to the Range Rover Evoque and Audi Q3 in the growing market for smaller premium SUVs. Available to order now at prices from £27,905, and with first deliveries in early 2018, the XC40 is the first car built on the brand’s new modular vehicle architecture, CMA. All future 40 series cars will use this platform, which will include full electric vehicles. The Volvo XC40 measures 4425mm long, which is 263mm less than its XC60 sister model, on a wheelbase of 2702mm. Volvo says that the new model offers a new take on interior storage, the same level of safety, connectivity and infotainment services available in the larger 60 and 90 series cars, and one of the best equipment levels in the sector.

Clever storage

New ideas for use of interior space include more storage in the doors and under the seats, a bespoke space for phones (including inductive charging), a fold-out hook for small bags and a removable waste bin in the tunnel console. Meanwhile among a suite of driver-assistance features available will be the Pilot Assist system with its semi-autonomous steering, and a 360-degree camera that helps drivers manoeuvre their car into tight parking spaces. Styling-wise the XC40 will be clearly related to its larger siblings, though the interior is a step forward – the infotainment retains the portrait-style screen of the latest larger cars while the cockpit also includes a digital TFT display for the driver’s instruments. Initial powertrain choices for the XC40 will range across 190hp D4 diesel or 250hp T5 petrol engines built to Volvo’s Drive-E programme. These will be added to later by the first model to use the brand’s new three-cylinder engine as well as hybrid and pure electric versions.

Skoda Karoq SUV priced at £20.9K

Andrew Charman
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Skoda Karoq SUV priced at £20.9K
The Skoda Karoq SUV will cost from £20,875 when it goes on sale on 3rd October. The newcomer, which debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show, effectively replaces the Skoda Yeti and targets the booming compact SUV market and in particular the segment-leading Nissan Qashqai – though the Skoda’s starting price is almost £1,600 more than the Nissan. Four engine options will be available to Karoq buyers at launch, with more expected to follow at some point. The choice will be between petrol units of 1.0-litre size with 115hp outlet and 1.5-litre with 150hp, and diesels of 1.6 115hp and 2.0 150hp – the latter the only engine that can be combined with all-wheel-drive. Six-speed manual gearboxes will be standard but seven-speed automatics will be optional.

Trio of trim levels

Three trim levels will be on offer, Skoda’s familiar SE and SE L and the new Edition grades, though the top Edition model will only be available with the 150hp engines. Among standard equipment on SE models are 17-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, LED rear lights, dual-zone climate control, front and pedestrian driver warnings and a driver fatigue sensor. SE L models start from £23,165 and among the additional equipment are an increase in the alloy wheels to 18 inches, satellite navigation with and eight-inch touchscreen display, keyless entry and start/stop, full LED headlights with adaptive front lights, heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors with a camera on the rear, and Alcantara upholstery. Range-topping Edition models, £2,595 more expensive than SE L equivalents, grow the wheels further to 19 inches, and add a panoramic sunroof, metallic paint and leather upholstery as standard. The infotainment touchscreen grows too, to 9.2 inches and includes gesture control, an electric tailgate is fitted as is LED ambient lighting are several extra safety and driver assistance systems. These include a lane departure warning, blind spot protection with a rear traffic alert and traffic sign recognition. First Skoda Karoq customers are likely to receive their cars in mid-January 2018. Skoda Karoq The Car Expert

Kia Stonic goes on sale at £16.3K

Andrew Charman
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Kia Stonic goes on sale at £16.3K
The new Kia Stonic small SUV will cost from £16,295 to £20,495 when it arrives in showrooms at the end of next month. The newcomer, which debuted at the Frankfurt motor show earlier in September, is Kia’s first entry in the booming small SUV/crossover market.  Sales of such vehicles have soared by 50 per cent since 2014 and are expected to go up another 40 per cent by 2020 by which time across Europe there are expected to be 2.2 million such vehicles. Kia expects to sell at least 7,000 Stonics in the UK in 2018, rising to 10,000-plus a year. The Stonic is based on the same underpinnings as the Rio supermini and reflects the trend among buyers to move out of smaller cars into small crossovers, which are felt to have more presence on the road. The Stonic measures 4140mm long which is only slightly more than the Rio, but it is 70mm taller and rides 42mm higher off the ground.

Five choices

Kia will offer the new model in five versions – three powertrains and two trim levels. Engine choices will be across 99hp 1.4-litre and 120hp 1-litre turbo petrol units, or a 1.6-litre turbodiesel of 110hp, all with six-speed manual gearboxes and stop-start functions. All versions will be front-wheel-drive – very few buyers in this market want all-wheel-drive. All versions will be available in ‘2’ trim, but buyers will not be able to choose the 1.4 petrol with the higher specification ‘First Edition’ grade. Standard equipment in 2 models includes a 7-inch infotainment screen with DAB radio and MP3 compatibility, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. All models get a safety package that includes Electronic Stability Control, Vehicle Stability Management and a hill-hold system. First Edition models upgrade the infotainment to a seven-inch touchscreen and navigation system with Kia’s Connected assistance service. Auto-emergency braking, a lane departure warning system, blind-spot warning and an alert of crossing traffic when reversing are also standard, along with a driver attention monitor and auto high-beam headlamps. The First Edition also features two-tone paintwork. Kia Stonic The Car Expert

Ford simplifies Mondeo line-up

Stuart Masson
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Ford has reduced its Mondeo range from seven to five models, trying to maintain sales in the face of the never-ending growth of SUVs at the expense of large saloons. With 85% of Mondeo sales going to business users as company or lease vehicles, Ford has paid particular attention to reducing Benefit in Kind (BIK) tax liabilities, with reduced prices across the range. On-road prices have been reduced by £2,500 on the entry-level Zetec Edition model up to £3,000 on the top-spec Vignale. Ford claims that this will save company car drivers of up to £240 per year, plus a £300 saving on an employer’s fleet National Insurance costs. The price and specification revisions have also meant that finance and leasing prices remain competitive, with average lease prices remaining at current levels despite added equipment in each model. The Mondeo range now starts with the Zetec Edition model AT £19,445 on-road, and then branches in either a more sporting direction (ST-Line and ST-Line Edition) or a more luxurious direction (Titanium Edition and Vignale). The ST-Line Edition and Titanium Edition models are new additions, while the Vignale flagship now incorporates the previously-optional Nero appearance pack. This includes dark-tinted 19-inch alloy wheels and dark chrome trim. There are no mechanical updates, so the 2018 Mondeos will be the same as the current-spec cars to drive. First deliveries of the upgraded models should start in November. Ford Mondeo ST-Line estate

Car manufacturers electrify Frankfurt

Stuart Masson
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Car manufacturers electrify Frankfurt

The Frankfurt motor show is, by far, the largest motor show in Europe and held every two years. Geneva might be the darling of the supercar manufacturers, but Frankfurt is a tour de force for the big German car companies and other major brands.

This year, the overwhelming theme for almost everybody was electrification. Almost every concept car and new production model featured either a hybrid or fully-electric drivetrain of some sort. With numerous governments planning to ban purely petrol and diesel cars in coming decades (the UK expiry date for non-electrified new cars is 2040), the car manufacturers were rolling out their latest ideas for electric vehicles.

Three-pointed star of the show

There was no doubt about the leading attraction at Frankfurt this year. Mercedes-Benz finally took the wraps off its long-awaited Mercedes-AMG Project ONE supercar. As close as you can possibly get to a Formula One car for the street, this 1,000hp monster is powered by a hybrid powertrain developed from Lewis Hamilton’s championship-winning F1 car.

Mercedes-AMG Project One The Car Expert

Bentley’s next big leap

We’d already seen the photos, but Frankfurt marked the public debut for the all-new Bentley Continental GT, powered by a substantially reworked 6.0-litre W12 petrol engine. The original model revolutionised Bentley when it was launched in 2003, and was updated in 2010. Now the third-generation model promises to lead Bentley into the next decade, with a plug-in hybrid and possibly even a fully-electric model to follow.

Ferrari redefines the “entry-level” model

Replacing the successful California model, which has marked the gateway to the Ferrari range for the last decade, is the new Ferrari Portofino. With 600hp on tap and a handy 70kg weight reduction, however, its performance is anything but pedestrian. Styling is also smoothed out compared to the rather fussy California, especially with the folding hard-top roof in place.

Ferrari Portofino - Frankfurt motor show 2017 (The Car Expert)

Audi finally builds a rear-wheel drive car

For decades, Audi has championed the safety benefits of all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive over the driving dynamics of rear-wheel drive. When the brand took control of Lamborghini nearly 20 years ago, the first thing it changed was to add all-wheel drive to the Italian supercars to make them safer and easier to drive.

So it was to everyone’s great surprise that Audi whipped the covers off a special version of its R8 supercar called the RWS, which stands for Rear Wheel Series (as usual, Audi is great at catchy names). Only 999 are planned to be built, and they are likely to sell out quickly.

Audi R8 V10 RWS The Car Expert

Next page: Living in electric dreams

Ford introduces new Focus RS Edition

The Car Expert staff
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Ford introduces new Focus RS Edition
Ford has unveiled the new Focus RS Edition, claiming the vehicle provides even more driving appeal over the regular Focus RS for those looking for something extra. Dynamic torque vectoring and a Quaife limited slip differential are the key features of the RS Edition, which can be differentiated from a garden-variety Focus RS by its searing Nitrous Blue paint with matte black and carbon fibre detailing.

Focused on performance

The Focus RS Edition boasts the same 350hp from the 2.3-litre engine as the regular Focus RS, but the Quaife LSD promises greater traction for improved acceleration. Ford claims the Focus RS Edition can reach 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds, thanks to its combination of all-wheel drive, Quaife LSD and launch control system. Inside, drivers will be welcomed by Recaro shell seats, trimmed in Nitrous Blue to match the exterior, and carbon fibre trim details throughout the cabin. Standard safety technology includes privacy glass, rear parking sensors and an autonomous emergency braking system. The Focus RS Edition was on display at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show, and is available to order now from £35,795. Ford Focus RS Edition at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show

Frankfurt: Honda commits to electric future

The Car Expert staff
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Frankfurt: Honda commits to electric future
Honda has announced at the Frankfurt motor show that electric technology will feature in every new model the brand launches in Europe. The company aims for ‘electrified’ vehicles (conventional hybrids, plug-in hybrids and full electric vehicles) to make up two-thirds of its new vehicle sales in Europe by 2025, as part of its ‘Electric Vision’ strategy. Globally, it hopes to achieve the same levels by 2030. This would set Honda well on the way to hitting the UK government’s requirement for all vehicles to be electrified by 2040. To support this new vision, Honda also unveiled the Urban EV concept car and a CR-V Hybrid prototype at the show. “Here in Europe, we see this move towards electrification gathering pace at an even higher rate than elsewhere,” said Honda President and CEO Takahiro Hachigo. Hachigo also confirmed that the company’s electric future could be with us very soon, as a production version of the Urban EV has been confirmed for 2019. The futuristic design features of the concept could be the first glimpse of what future Honda vehicles may look like. The CR-V Hybrid – set to launch in 2018 – will also be Honda’s first hybrid SUV available in Europe. Honda Urban EV concept car - Frankfurt 2017 (The Car Expert)  

Frankfurt’s best of the rest round-up

Andrew Charman
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Frankfurt’s best of the rest round-up
The press have gone home and from today (Thursday 14th) the Frankfurt Motor Show opens to the public, running until Sunday 24th September. Over the past couple of days The Car Expert has posted details of many of the new models on show. If you are one of the thousands of visitors heading for the show over the next fortnight, you will also want to check out some of the other new metal that we highlight here.

Frankfurt show The Car Expert BMWBMW Z4

Here’s a car we are looking forward to the arrival of. The BMW Z4 concept, displayed at a motor show for the first time after its debut at the Pebble Beach Concours, previews a production model reviving the roadster line and due on sale in 2018. Yes this is a concept but we are told at least 80 per cent of it will be replicated in the showroom car.

SEAT Frankfurt show The Car ExpertSEAT Arona – and others

SEAT has its second new SUV, the compact Arona, on display in the Frankfurt halls but has also revealed that its competition to find a name for the forthcoming largest seven-seat model is down to just four names. Drawn from 10,130 entries the finalists are Alboran, Aranda, Avila and Tarraco. The one rule of the competition was that the name had to relate to Spanish geography, so ‘Seaty Mc Seat Face’ was eliminated at the first hurdle…

Mercedes-Benz Frankfurt show The Car ExpertMercedes-Benz X-Class

Mercedes-Benz is entering the pickup market but does not expect to be getting down and dirty on building sites. The long-trialled X-Class unveiled at the show is pitched very clearly as a lifestyle vehicle. On sale later this month from £34,500, it includes many upmarket car features, but Mercedes adds that it is also fully capable with a choice of permanent or part-time all-wheel-drive matched to a four-strong engine-line-up.

Maserati Frankfurt show The Car ExpertMaserati Ghibli

Leading the Maserati Frankfurt stand is the significantly revamped Ghibli. The sports saloon, the best-selling model in Maserati’s history, gains a major styling refresh and a great deal more technology, including for the first time electric power steering – Maserati following the example of related brand Ferrari in dumping hydraulics for electrics. The Ghibli now comes in two new trim levels, GranLusso and GranSport, and the top all-wheel-drive Shibli S Q4 variant hits 62mph in a mere 4.7 seconds.

Frankfurt show The Car Expert AudiAudi Elaine

As well as the Aicon electric saloon, Audi is displaying a second concept at the show, the Elaine SUV. The clue is in the names, which both include the letters AI; these two are all about artificial intelligence, or ‘Audi Intelligence’ – see what they did there? While not quite as far-seeing as the Aicon, the Elaine does include a great deal of autonomous technology, such as the ability to park itself while the driver watches from the pavement…

Frankfurt show The Car Expert SmartSmart Vision EQ

Smart believes that it has the key to future city cars with this electric concept. While the parentage is obvious, the Vision EQ is a self-driving machine that will be a focal part of future car-sharing technology – the cars will travel through city streets, automatically finding customers who need to use them.

Renault Symbol Frankfurt show The Car ExpertRenault Symbioz

This design study from Renault fast forwards all the way to 2030. The Renault Symbioz is a concept with two electric motors that totally integrates itself into the owner’s life. Not only does it plan ahead, for example only charging itself when the driver’s diary suggests it is going to be used, but when parked at home it functions as a part of the house, with wi-fi, putting energy into the home and such like…

Chery Exceed Frankfurt show The Car ExpertChery Exceed

The Chinese are very much coming. Chery, China’s largest brand, has made no secret of its plans to enter the European market, and this SUV will lead the way. Focused firmly on Western buyers, the Chery Exceed will be sold in hybrid, plug-in and full electric form, and Chery will open a European research and design centre to spearhead its expansion. When, and where, we don’t yet know…

Wey XEV Frankfurt Motor Show The Car ExpertWey XEV

This is the XEV, a plug-in hybrid SUV displayed by Chinese brand Wey, which is effectively the upmarket sub-brand of the rather better known Great Wall. No Wey is this coming to Europe or the UK, as Wey is only marketed in its home market and there have been no indications that is about to change. Except if that’s the case, why pay to display your wares at Frankfurt?

Borgward Isabella Frankfurt Show The Car ExpertBorgward Isabella

A classic name rides again on this striking concept from revived German brand Borgward. The Borgward Isabella is an all-electric coupe that might reach production one day as a range-topping model for the brand. Before that we are likely to see the BX7 SUV – Borgward’s new European plant in Bremen (story here) is close to completion.

Thunder Power Frankfurt Show The Car ExpertThunder Power

And finally… Thunder Power may sound like a character in a Superhero B movie, but in fact the name belongs to a Taiwanese auto brand with big ideas. The SUV pictured here is the latest model  a pre-production version of an electric saloon, on sale in 2019 and set to be followed b y a coupe and SUV variants. The range-topping variant is said to have a sub four-second 0-62mph time and a plus-400 mile range. Look out Tesla…

Frankfurt: Vauxhall offers four debut models

Andrew Charman
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Frankfurt: Vauxhall offers four debut models
Two versions of the new Insignia and the Grandland X SUV have all made their debut on the Vauxhall Frankfurt stand. Both the Insignia GSi, a performance version of the large car with all-wheel-drive, and the off-road styled Insignia Country Tourer are unveiled at the show virtually as they go on sale. The Insignia GSi, reviving a nameplate last seen on the Vectra, gains a new FlexRide chassis setup and Bremb o brakes to support its performance-pitched image. The 2-litre turbo petrol engine generates 260hp and is matched to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, with paddle shifts on the steering wheel. The new Country Tourer is distinguished from its Insignia siblings by its black protective cladding and silver front and rear skid plates. It sits 20mm higher than the stock Insignia, and uses all-wheel-drive with torque vectoring and a pair of multi-plate clutches in place of the usual rear differential.

Premium space

The Grandland X completes the three-strong SUV line-up, following on from the Crossland X launched earlier in the year. As its name suggests 200mm longer than the Crossland X, it retains a five-seater layout, being pitched as the most premium and spacious model in the SUV range. Vauxhall has also unveiled two variants of the Vivaro van in business shuttle form. The Tourer Elite will be offered with a 1.6-litre CDTi BiTurbo engine with 125 or 145hp, in either L1 or L2 body lengths. Alongside it will be a lifestyle pitched variant, the Tourer Weekender, which a third-row bed. It will be available with the 1.6-litre engine in both power outputs but in L2 body length only, and both new models will be built at the brand’s UK van plant in Luton.
Vauxhall Country Tourer Frankfurt The Car Expert
Vauxhall Country Tourer is off-road styled Insignia model.

Frankfurt: Porsche Cayenne updates are mostly within

Andrew Charman
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Frankfurt: Porsche Cayenne updates are mostly within

The third-generation Porsche Cayenne, debuting at the Frankfurt show, is a major reworking of the model despite appearing little changed from the exterior.

Porsche’s biggest-selling model has been re-engineered on a new and lightweight platform, significantly more aluminium being incorporated into the body structure to save weight, and a great deal of new technology added, much of it taken from the 911 sports car. The new Cayenne weighs up to 85kg less than its predecessor despite a longer length of 63mm and more standard equipment.

Cayennes now boast rear tyres wider than those at the front and the option of rear-wheel steering. Active all-wheel-drive is standard, there is a three-way air suspension system, and the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) electronic roll stabilisation system has more options for settings allied to performance or comfort.

New interior

The interior has also been completely revamped, incorporating the ‘Porsche Advanced Cockpit’ and the luggage compartment extended by 100 litres to 770 litres. The car boasts a 48-volt electric system, and significantly more connectivity options for occupants in what Porsche describes as a fully networked car.

Deliveries of the new Cayenne start in April 2018 and initially the car will be offered in the familiar standard and S models. The stock versions is powered by a six-cylinder 3.0-litre turbo petrol engine with 340hp and a 6.2 second 0-62mph time, while the Cayenne S uses a 2.9-litre V6 petrol of 440hp, cutting the 0-62mph time to 5.2 seconds. Specifying the Sport Chrono option package on either model shaves another three-tenths from the acceleration.

Also seen for the first time at Frankfurt is the latest Cayenne Turbo version, with its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol unit pumping out 550hp. This sends it through 62mph in 4.1 seconds, while the Sport Chrono package shaves that to 3.9 seconds.

Porsche Cayenne Turbo The Car Expert

Frankfurt: Mini electric and extreme concepts debut

Andrew Charman
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Frankfurt: Mini electric and extreme concepts debut

Unveiled at Frankfurt is the Mini Electric Concept, which as well as previewing the production Mini EV expected to go on sale in 2019, gives a strong hint to the brand’s future styling direction.

The BMW-owned brand’s personnel insist that the Mini Electric Concept is just that, a concept, and not necessarily any clue to how the production model will look. But it is clear from its exterior design that the fourth generation of the reborn 1950s classic could go for a more sporty look, sharper, cleaner and more minimalist.

Many of the details on the current generation have been smoothed out on the new model, though Mini insists this is to aid aerodynamics and the range of the electric powertrain.

Details of that powertrain are yet to be revealed, the only statement being that it will “always (be) quick off the mark.” Similarly, the concept does not have an interior, that is for future versions ahead of the production model.

The production version of the Mini Electric Concept will be built at the brand’s Oxford, UK plant from 2019 and will form a major element of the ‘Number One – Next’ strategy of Mini’s parent BMW Group.

It won’t be the first electric Mini – 10 years ago the Mini E was built as a purely experimental model on the 10th anniversary of the brand’s revival, and only 600 were made. Earlier in 2017, a plug-in hybrid version of the Countryman SUV was launched.

Works for the track

Also debuting on Mini’s Frankfurt stand is the most radical version of the top performance model yet. The John Cooper Works GP Concept is described as ‘the ultimate in sporting agility on the race track and the road.’

Its styling is certainly extreme, with large front and rear bumper units, side skirts and a not very subtle roof spoiler. It sits on 19-inch wheels and boasts a full roll cage and bucket seats.

Mini is not stating any performance figures for the concept – the previous GP model launched in 2012 offered 219hp and the current John Cooper Works model produces 230hp, so the GP is likely to be above this figure.

Similarly there is no confirmation that the concept will make it to production – however, such a car was launched as one of the final models in both the first and second generation versions of the Mini.

MIN I JCW GP Concept The Car Expert
MINI John Cooper Works GP is extreme concept.

Frankfurt – Ferrari Portofino becomes new entry model

Andrew Charman
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Frankfurt – Ferrari Portofino becomes new entry model

Frankfurt sees the debut of the Ferrari Portofino, a 2+2 convertible intended to replace the California T and to be the new entry model to Ferrari ownership.

The V8 GT Portofino is a 2+2 convertible with a folding hard top. Thanks to a complete redesign of the retractable hard top mechanism it now opens or closes in 14 seconds, while a new design of housing allows three cases to be carried in the boot with the roof up, two with it down.

The Portofino’s 3.9-litre V8 engine is developed from the California T unit and puts out 600hp, which is 40hp more powerful than in the California T. It will take the car through 62mph in 3.5 seconds and onto 124mph in 10.8 seconds. Top speed is said to be over 199mph.

Weight saving

Ferrari states that the Portofino is significantly lighter than its predecessor, though has not yet stated figures. Achieving the savings involved a complete chassis redesign – an example being the windscreen pillar (A-pillar) that now comprises two components instead of the 21 of predecessor cars. As a result body stiffness increases by 35 per cent.

Major suspension changes are also a part of the Portofino menu. Springs are stiffened at the front by 15.5 per cent, 19 per cent at the rear. The car’s Magnaride system now uses dual-coil dampers, and with other measures contributes to improved body control and reduced rolling in corners. The car also boasts electric power steering and an electronic rear differential for the first time.

Ferrari is yet to release prices for the Portofino.

Ferrari Portofino, The Car Expert

Frankfurt: Bentley Continental GT a ‘milestone’ model

Andrew Charman
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Frankfurt: Bentley Continental GT a ‘milestone’ model
Big things are expected of the third-generation Bentley Continental GT, unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show. The original, which launched in 2003, is said to have established a new market segment for luxury grand tourers. This latest model is according to Bentley improved in all areas, boasting a new chassis, engine, transmission and suspension, and could even outsell the Bentayga SUV that has been such a success for the brand. Bentley CEO Wolfgang Durheimer emphasised the importance of the Continental GT to the luxury brand, telling those gathered for the unveiling that “today is a defining moment for Bentley Motors.” He added that the Continental GT, designed, engineered and built in Britain, “signals a milestone on the road to future success for Bentley.” On the road the new Continental GT is described by engineering head Rolf Frech as sharper, lighter faster and more refined than its predecessor. The 6.0-litre W12 twin turbo engine is all new, with 635hp and 900Nm of torque on tap, and matched to a dual-clutch eight-speed transmission. While a large luxury car the Continental GT will still crest 62mph from rest in just 3.7 seconds and go on to a maximum speed of 206mph.

Plug-in model to follow

Combined cycle fuel consumption is 23.2mpg with CO2 emissions of 270g/km – the most efficient version of the W12 yet. Further powertrains will join the range including for the first time a plug-in hybrid version. Chassis upgrades, meanwhile, include the adoption of the 48v electrically powered Dynamic Ride system first seen in the Bentayga, together with an all-new air spring and damper system. Notable in the completely redesigned interior are a fully digital driver display and a three-sided rotating section in the centre of the fascia. One side matches the wood veneer of the rest of the fascia, the second houses three analogue duals and the third a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Bentley Continental GT The Car Expert

Frankfurt – Renault Megane R.S. steers four wheels

Andrew Charman
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Frankfurt – Renault Megane R.S. steers four wheels
The latest generation of the Renault Megane R.S. hot hatch is debuting at the Frankfurt motor show, and claiming to be the first car in its segment with four-wheel steering. The new model, which has been developed by the brand’s competition department RenaultSport, will be offered in Sport and Cup versions. The 4Control technology will be offered as standard on both – with the rear wheels steering by up to 2.7 degrees in a different direction to the fronts, the car promises greater agility through tight turns and more stable when cornering at speed. The Megane R.S. also gains an all-new 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine offering 280hp and 390Nm of torque, and matched to a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed auto transmissions. The power figure is under the plus-300hp outputs of rivals such as the Ford Focus RS and Honda Civic Type R, but Renault is confident its car will be competitive thanks to the four-wheel steering.

More potent version to come

No performance figures for the Megane R.S. are yet being quoted, but Renault also plans to launch a Trophy version before the end of 2018, and this will have an engine producing 300hp and 400Nm together with further performance upgrades. Chassis upgrades to the new Megane R.S., which is now based on a five-door shell, include front and rear hydraulic compression stops on the suspension. Developed for motorsport, these add extra damping and eliminate a rebound effect that harms cornering ability. The car’s front suspension has also been completely redesigned. Order books for the Megane R.S. will open in Spring 2018 and the car has already been given the thumbs up by Renault Formula One driver Nico Hulkenberg, who was involved in its development. “Thanks to the new technologies it packs, including 4Control technology, New Mégane R.S. is even more efficient and nimble than its predecessor – it’s a delight to drive,” he says. Renault Megane RS The Car Expert

Frankfurt: Volkswagen T-Roc kicks off brand renewal

Andrew Charman
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Frankfurt: Volkswagen T-Roc kicks off brand renewal

The much-trailed Volkswagen T-Roc compact SUV makes its public debut at the Frankfurt motor show, and is being seen as the start of a new era as VW attempts to put its emissions crisis behind it.

The T-Roc is the first major launch in a brand offensive that will see Volkswagen renew its model range over the next three years. “We will be thoroughly updating our vehicle range by 2020 and expanding into important segments,” says VW passenger cars chairman Dr Herbert Diess.

Two-tone paintwork

Lifestyle will be a major element of the T-Roc sales story – as detailed when first unveiled at Lake Como earlier this month – it will be the first VW SUV  available in two-tone paintwork, a range of colours on offer with visually contrasting roof, windscreen pillars and door mirror housings.

Volkswagen will offer both front and all-wheel-drive versions of the model. It promises that it will combine the ability of an SUV with the driving dynamics of a hatch and offer ride comfort on a par with the Golf. Three petrol and two diesel engines will be available, matched to six-speed manual or seven-speed auto transmissions.

Also set to appeal to buyers will be the range of assistance systems available on the car, including Front Assist and Lane Assist as standard and an optional Traffic Jam Assist system. The cabin gains the latest generation of VW’s Active Info Display systems and full connectivity. The car on show in Frankfurt is to the brand’s R-line trim, in addition to the announced T-Roc, Sport and Style grades.

The T-Roc is scheduled to go on sale at the end of 2017, at prices predicted to start from around £19,000. It will sit in the VW range below the Tiguan, and will be joined in 2018 by a smaller sister model, the T-Cross.

Frankfurt – new electric concept previews BMW i5

Andrew Charman
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Frankfurt – new electric concept previews BMW i5
The BMW i Vision Dynamics, debuting on the German brand’s busy Frankfurt show stand, previews an i5 sister to the existing i3 and i8 electric cars, and expected to launch in 2021. Described by its makers as a ‘four-door Gran Coupe’ the i Vision Dynamics uses the same electric system of the i3 compact car and i8 sports car. Range is quoted at 373 miles, with a 0-62mph time of just 4.0 seconds and a top speed of more than 124mph.

Outstretching 3 Series

The car takes styling cues from the Vision Next concept unveiled by BMW in 2016 as a celebration of the brand’s centenary. It measures up at 4800mm long, 1933mm wide and 1387mm high – 167mm longer, 122mm wider but 42mm lower than the current best-selling 3 Series model. BMW chairman Harald Krüger describes the concept as electrifying the heart of the BMW brand and, at the same time, elevating the brand’s I electric sub brand into a totally new dimension. “With the BMW i Vision Dynamics we are showcasing how we envisage future electric mobility between the BMW i3 and BMW i8: a dynamic and progressive, four-door Gran Coupe,” he says. Also on the BMW stand is the Concept X7 iPerformance, a luxury SUV concept. This is also set to reach production in late 2018 as the range-topping X7, taking on the likes of Range Rover. The version on show in Frankfurt boasts a plug-in hybrid powertrain, combining BMW’s eDrive electric technology with a TwinPower turbo petrol engine that will allow it to travel more than 60 miles fully electrically. Production models are expected to also offer traditional petrol and diesel powertrains.
BMW Concept X7 iPerformance The Car Expert
Concept X7 iPerformance previews range-topping BMW X7 SUV.

Frankfurt – Toyota Land Cruiser beefs up

Andrew Charman
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Frankfurt – Toyota Land Cruiser beefs up
The updated version of the Toyota Land Cruiser, one of the few remaining SUVs with true off-road capability, debuts at the Frankfurt motor show. Changes to the robust vehicle include styling enhancements to give it a more modern but durable look, a higher quality interior and driving improvements. The exterior modifications increase the length of the vehicle by 60mm to 4840mm and are also aimed at making off-road progress easier – they include reshaping the bonnet to improve downwards visibility at its centre, and raising the tops of the wings so the driver can more easily judge where the edge of the vehicle is. Inside the driver will find the switchgear more sensibly grouped, the layout dominated by a new eight-inch touchscreen for the Toyota Touch 2 with Go multimedia system, Optitron meters and a 4.2-inch display ahead of the steering wheel.

Interior extras

Occupants now have the use of front seat ventilation, rear seat heating and automatic climate control, while an electric heated windscreen, heated washer nozzles, reverse-tilting door mirrors and a new smart key design have also been added. The Land Cruiser retains its single engine choice, a 2.8-litre turbodiesel with 178hp and 370Nm of torque. This takes the big vehicle through 62mph in 12.7 seconds while returning combined cycle fuel economy of 38.2mpg and CO2 emissions of 194g/km. Eastern European markets also get the option of 2.7 and 4.0-litre petrol engines but there appear to currently be no plans to offer these engines to UK buyers. Safety features have also been upgraded, particularly on vehicles with the automatic transmission. These now get Toyota’s Safety Sense active technology package that includes a Pre-Collision System (PCS) with pedestrian detection function, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) and Automatic High Beam (AHB). A Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and an upgraded tyre pressure warning system are also part of the revamped package. Toyota Land Cruiser The Car Expert

New Subaru Impreza promises more space, less weight

Andrew Charman
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New Subaru Impreza promises more space, less weight

The latest Subaru Impreza is debuting at the Frankfurt show and like its predecessors will be a permanently all-wheel-drive option to rivals such as the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra.

Using the same Global Platform architecture as the Subaru XV launched at the Geneva show in March, the fifth generation of the five-door hatch is 10mm lower, 35mm wider and with a 25mm longer wheelbase compared to its predecessor. This translates to a cabin 29mm wider at the front and 34mm at the rear, with 26mm more rear seat legroom and 10 litres of extra luggage space in a boot extended by 41mm.

Engines on a diet

The Impreza will be offered with Subaru’s familiar and highly compact Boxer flat-four engines. The 1.6-litre 114hp launch engine is said to have had 70 per cent of its components redesigned, shaving 14kg from its weight. Similarly, the 156hp 2.0-litre unit, that will join the range at a later date, has been 80 per cent redesigned, shaving 12kgs.

The Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) has also undergone a redesign, with yet more weight savings of 7.8kg and wider ratios to improve acceleration. Meanwhile, the Impreza’s chassis is significantly stiffer, improving both handling and refinement with less noise and vibration entering the cabin.

When it goes on sale later in 2017 the Impreza will be fitted with Subaru’s complete Eyesight safety package, ranging across Pre-Collision Braking and Throttle Management, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure & Sway Warning, Lane Keep Assist and Lead Vehicle Start Alert.

Subaru is not currently saying whether the Impreza range will eventually include a WRX model – these rally-inspired versions were once a core part of the model line-up.

Subaru Impreza Frankfurt The Car Expert

Hyundai Kona heads busy Frankfurt stand

Andrew Charman
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Hyundai Kona heads busy Frankfurt stand
The Hyundai Kona is one of three debuts for the Korean brand that considers Frankfurt its home motor show in Europe. The new Kona small SUV, the i30N performance model and the i30 Fastback coupe variant have all been created at Hyundai’s European and German headquarters – the brand has its design, technical and testing centres, and its motorsport operations, in the region around Frankfurt. Closely related to Kia’s Stonic also debuting at the show, the Kona will go on sale with optional on-demand all-wheel-drive and a range of powertrain options including the latest double-clutch automatic transmissions. It is expected to target the likes of the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur, and like the Stonic will become one of the biggest-selling models for its brand.

Race-inspired hot hatch

The i30 N is Hyundai’s first performance model to go on general sale, and is inspired by the recently launched Touring Car racer built to the global TCR series regulations. It uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with 250hp in standard from – this can be boosted to 275hp with the optional Performance Package, cutting the 6.4-second 0-62mph time to 6.1 seconds. The i30 Fastback will provide Hyundai with a contender in the growing five-door coupe segment. It will be powered by two downsized turbocharged petrol engines carried over from the recently launched latest Hyundai i30 hatch models, and will be supplied with the latest Hyundai SmartSense active safety and driving assistance technology. Hyundai is also showing a new powertrain line, dubbed Smart Stream. First in the new line-up are a 1.6-litre T-GDi engine and an eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. New technologies on the engine include Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD), which independently tunes valve opening and closing to maximize performance and fuel economy while cutting emissions. The transmission, meanwhile promises quicker and smoother gear changes than its predecessor, also contributing to lower fuel consumption. Hyundai i30N Frankfurt The Car Expert

Frankfurt – Mercedes-Benz EQA set to rival BMW i3

Andrew Charman
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Frankfurt – Mercedes-Benz EQA set to rival BMW i3

The Mercedes-Benz EQA, unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show, is set to provide competition for BMW’s i3 electric compact car.

Displayed as a concept, the EQA is the second model in the Mercedes EQ sub brand of electric cars. The production version will go on sale in 2020 and will join the larger EQC model in showrooms.

The EQA uses a pair of electric motors providing permanent all-wheel-drive. It will make use of scalable battery architecture, allowing its output to be increased to more than 200kW – equivalent to 272hp. The range will extend to around 250 miles, again dependent on the battery capacity installed. Wallbox, rapid and induction (using sensors in the road surface) charging methods will be available for the car.

Mercedes-Benz EQA Concept The Car Expert

‘Sensual’ body style

Like its EQC sister model, the EQA’s styling turns around the current trend by reducing sharp edges and lines to a minimum for a more curved appearance dubbed ‘Sensual Purity’. A styling highlight is the lighting, that uses laser fibres to produce a spiral-shaped signature.

The car is built on a versatile new platform that Mercedes-Benz will use on all its forthcoming electric models. The EVA platform supports a wide range of packaging including front, rear or all-wheel-drive, and enables the EQ range to be built on the same production lines as conventional Mercedes cars.

According to Mercedes-Benz head Dr Dieter Zetsche, the EQA is indicative of an electric initiative that is gathering pace. “By 2022 Mercedes-Benz Cars will have launched more than ten all-electric vehicles on the market, and the Mercedes-Benz Concept EQA proves that we are serious about introducing electric mobility throughout the portfolio,” he says.

Frankfurt – big hopes for Kia Stonic SUV

Andrew Charman
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Frankfurt – big hopes for Kia Stonic SUV
Many heading for the Kia stand at the Frankfurt show will be looking to check out the Proceed Concept revealed last week, but also debuting is an important new crossover, the Kia Stonic. Further expanding Kia’s presence in the fastest-growing segment of the UK and European market, the Stonic will soon be in showrooms – The Car Expert will be bringing you a full UK test this time next month. Designers of the Stonic describe it as ‘an eye-catching and confident compact crossover’ and ‘the most colourful Kia ever.’ The car is clearly aimed at the lifestyle market, with the mass-selling Nissan Juke its prime rival.

More colours than any other Kia

Signature styling elements such as the ‘tiger-nose’ grille remain but the car also boasts a two-tone paint finish. It can be ordered in up to 20 colour combinations, with a choice of five contrasting colours for the roof. Similarly, buyers can choose from a range of colour packs for the interior. But Kia adds that the basics have not been forgotten, the Stonic packaged to release as much interior space as possible, and available with all the latest safety and connectivity technology. Kia is not yet releasing details of the Stonic powertrain line-up, only stating that they will comprise a range of lightweight petrol and diesel engines, each paired with a manual transmission – suggesting that initially at least there will be no auto option. The engines are likely to replicate those in other Kia models, including petrol units in 84hp 1.25-litre, 100hp 1.4 and 120hp 1.0 turbo form, and a 110hp 1.6 diesel. Kia expects big things of the Stonic, predicting that it will become one of the brand’s top three sellers.

Frankfurt – Audi Aicon has no steering wheel or pedals

Andrew Charman
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Frankfurt – Audi Aicon has no steering wheel or pedals

When not talking electric, the Frankfurt show is all about autonomy and the Audi Aicon is a clear vision of the brand’s future self-driving technology.

The four-door 2+2 concept for a luxury saloon of the future is a fully autonomous vehicle, to the extent that the car does not even possess a steering wheel or pedals – these “unnecessary” items have been removed to liberate more space for occupants.

Audi describes the car’s interior as equivalent to a first-class airline cabin. And the space within is huge, created by the sheer size of the car at 5444mm long with a wheelbase of 3470mm – some 240mm longer than the current extended Long version of the latest Audi A8. Large glass surfaces also help to create the impression of space.

Headlights – so last century

As well as predicting a possible self-driving future, the Aicon also previews technology likely to find its way onto future Audi mainstream production models. This could include the lighting which replaces conventional headlights with digital display surfaces using hundreds of triangular pixel segments that form three-dimensional recreations of the Audi AI symbol.

According to Audi an autonomously driving vehicle of the future will not need long-range headlights. The Aicon uses a laser and radar sensor system that even in the dark can reliably find the way and detect possible obstacles in good time. Projector modules illuminate the road and surroundings in high resolution and project signals onto the ground. They can even communicate warnings to passers-by before they can see the car.

The Aicon powertrain comprises four electric motors with a total 260kW output – equivalent to 353hp. Each drives a single wheel and are individually controlled to provide continuously variable quattro all-wheel-drive capability. And perhaps demonstrating that the designers have thought of everything –when passengers exit the Audi Aicon in the dark, a ‘light companion”’’ is activated: A mini-drone with a flashlight safely illuminating the user’s walking path to their door!

Audi Aicon Concept The Car Expert

Frankfurt: Volkswagen I.D. Crozz EV ‘close to production’

Andrew Charman
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Frankfurt: Volkswagen I.D. Crozz EV ‘close to production’

The latest version of the Volkswagen I.D. Crozz, unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show, is a further major pillar of the group’s electric strategy that will see some six billion Euros of investment in the next five years.

The I.D. Crozz is a four-door SUV/coupe crossover model and was first shown at the Shanghai event in April – the latest version boasts revised front and rear styling which is considered to more closely replicate that of the production version set to launch in 2020.

The interior has also been redeveloped, making the most of the lacks of central door pillars (B-pillars) to create what Volkswagen describes as ‘a superior amount of space and highly versatile seating concept.’

‘Golf-like’ handling

The car boasts all-wheel-drive, using two electric motors, one mounted on the front axle and one on the rear. The battery pack is incorporated low between the axles which the car’s creators say gives it handling characteristics comparable to a Golf GTI hatchback.

Total power is 306hp, top speed 111mph and Volkswagen quotes a range between charges of 310 miles. The battery pack can be charged to 80 per cent capacity in 30 minutes using a fast-charger system.

The I.D. Crozz will launch alongside the I.D. compact car in 2020, and will be followed by the I.D. Buzz in 2022 – this car a modern version of the brand’s famed Kombi camper van. All three share the same electric platform that is critical to Volkswagen’s electric strategy – the Frankfurt show has also seen the unveiling of ‘Roadmap E’, a group-wide electric strategy described as the most comprehensive in the global automotive industry and promising 80 new electric vehicles by 2025.

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