Further details of the updated BMW 4 Series have been released.
As previously announced, the range gets styling updates inside and out, including 18 and 19-inch alloy wheels and two new exterior paint finishes, as well as a host of the latest technology.
The digital cockpit features a new navigation system and is compatible with Apple CarPlay. Personalisation options now include a choice of three leathers and two interior trim finishes. Real-time traffic updates and LED fog, head and tail lights are now as standard.
BMW has not updated the drivetrains on offer for the 4 Series, but either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission can be specified depending on the model.
Pricing starts from £33,555 – a £1,030 increase on the amount originally announced in January. Customers can place their orders for the 4 Series now.
Six years after the model first went on sale, Land Rover has announced a special edition model of its popular SUV: the Range Rover Evoque Landmark.
March saw UK car manufacturing at a record high and, according to Land Rover, an Evoque rolls off the production line at their Halewood plant every 170 seconds. The site has produced 600,000 units of the Evoque since 2011, with the majority destined for export markets.
Based on the 180hp TD4 diesel Evoque, the Landmark is available in three colours: Yulong White, Corris Grey and Moraine Blue. Exterior design details include grey accents with the fixed panoramic glass roof and 19-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, the Evoque Landmark features leather seats with contrasting grey stitching, as well as keyless entry and automatic handsfree tailgate.
An array of optional technology includes a ten-inch touchscreen which provides a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot and is compatible with Spotify. Owners can use a dedicated app to check the fuel level and location of their vehicle and to pre-heat or cool the cabin. Those opting for Touch Pro Services get real-time traffic mapping and a sidebar featuring weather, news headlines and a flight tracker.
Pricing for the Range Rover Evoque Landmark starts from £39,000 for the manual model and £40,000 for the automatic. Land Rover will open its order books on 10th May when the Landmark appears at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
Toyota is claiming the title of the world’s fastest SUV after a specially-built Land Cruiser clocked up more than 230mph.
The ‘Land Speed Cruiser’ was driven by former Toyota NASCAR driver Carl Edwards, smashing the previous record by 19mph during runs on the 2.5-mile runway at the Mojave air and space port in California, USA.
The major modification to the Land Cruiser was to the 5.7-litre V8 engine offered in US versions of the SUV. While its 386hp is far in excess of the 177hp available in UK models, it was comprehensively uprated. Two enormous Garrett turbochargers were added, boosting peak power to more than 2000hp.
Other modifications included the addition of a purpose-built racing transmission, while to accommodate purpose-designed suspension wider Michelin tyres the frame was narrowed by three inches. Aerodynamic improvements, meanwhile, improved dropping the entire car closer to the ground.
Supersonic runway
Development testing was carried out by Toyota test driver and championship road racer Craig Stanton at the brand’s Arizona Proving Ground, and he made the initial runs at Mojave, achieving 198mph. Edwards then took over for the record runs on the runway built for supersonic aircraft. His first run clocked 211mph, but he found himself running out of space to slow the Land Cruiser down.
Dialling in more boost enabled the 230mph run and the NASCAR driver believed he could have gone faster with more runway available. “At 225 mph, the thing was wandering a little bit,” Edwards said. “All I could think was that Craig said, ‘No matter what, just keep your foot in it,’ and we got 230mph. It’s safe to say that this is the fastest SUV on the planet.”
Honda has announced details of UK pricing and specification for the latest Civic Type R, which was unveiled at the Geneva motor show earlier this year.
The latest Civic Type R has an optimised version of its predecessor’s 2.0-litre turbo engine which now produces 320hp and a maximum torque of 400Nm. This is paired with a six-speed manual transmission.
The GT model boasts a number of additional features including blind spot information, dual-zone climate control, auto dimming rear view mirror, Honda’s infotainment system with Garmin Navigation, wireless charging, high power audio and LED front fog lights.
The Civic Type R is due to hit UK showrooms in July with the entry-level model starting from £30,995 and the GT from £32,995.
Mercedes-Benz has extended its SLC range with a new entry-level petrol model called the SLC 180. At the same time, it has also discontinued the Sport specification for all SLC models in the UK, making AMG Line the only trim level for all engine variants.
The 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine produces 156hp and peak torque of 250Nm. It has a top speed of 140mph and a 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds. Mercedes-Benz claims that the petrol engine has a fuel economy of 48.7mpg.
All engines in the SLC range are paired with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. Customers can opt for a nine-speed automatic transmission at an additional £1,600.
All models in the SLC 180 AMG Line come with 18-inch alloy wheels, Active Brake Assist, cruise control, air conditioning, sports suspension and a sports braking system as standard.
On sale now from £32,039, the Mercedes-Benz SLC 180 is expected to arrive in showrooms by late summer.
SEAT has announced details of pricing and specification for its fifth-generation Ibiza, which premiered at the Geneva motor show. The updated supermini, launched exclusively as a five-door model, joins the redesigned Leon and SEAT’s first SUV, the Ateca.
The new Ibiza features several new exterior colours, an eight-inch infotainment screen on selected models and is the first model to be built on the new A0 specification of the Volkswagen Group’s modular MQB platform.
SEAT is offering the Ibiza with a choice of four engines, including a new 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit which produces 75hp.
The Ibiza is available in five trim levels. The entry-level S includes air conditioning, electric front windows, automatic headlights, Bluetooth and Front Assist. The SE adds 15-inch alloy wheels, cornering front headlights, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control and SEAT’s multimedia package. The sporty FR features 17-inch alloys, dark-tinted rear glass, twin exhausts, sports suspension and rear disc brakes. The top-of-the-range Xcellence includes 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and go, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.
SEAT’s multimedia package consists of an eight-inch colour touchscreen, navigation with 3D map display, voice recognition, DAB radio and two USB ports. A Beats audio system is optional.
With prices starting from £13,130, the fifth-generation Ibiza is available to order now ahead of its arrival in showrooms on 21st July.
What is it? The new SEAT Leon is a mid-life refresh for brand’s biggest-selling model.
Key features Subtle styling changes, new engine option, updated tech.
Our view The revamp to the SEAT Leon is all that is needed to keep a top-contending model competitive – it remains a must-try for any family hatch buyer.
When the SEAT Leon launched in 1999, it established the Spanish brand as a mainstream contender. It has since become SEAT’s best-selling model, in one of the most competitive sectors in the market where its rivals include top-ten fixture cars such as the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra.
The market is changing, however, with more and more buyers defecting from traditional family hatches to SUVs – SEAT is adding two more to the Ateca it launched in 2016. So the Leon needs to evolve to stay in the game.
And that is exactly what the latest package of changes, applied to the third-generation Leon launched in 2012, comprise. This mid-life refresh is not about major headlines but a host of upgrades, mostly making use of the new technology launched in more recent newcomers such as the Ateca. The biggest news is the availability of a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine previously only offered to continental buyers.
The new Leon arrived in showrooms in February, the revamp applied at the same time to all three versions – three-door SC, five-door hatch and ST estate, while also extending to the range-topping off-road pitched Leon X-perience. For the purpose of this review, however, we are focusing on the core five-door hatch.
Exterior and interior
SEAT describes the new exterior look as ‘subtle changes’, which is fine as the canvas the designers have to work with is so good anyway. The Leon has long been considered one of the best-looking family hatches on the market, with a purposeful profile based on sharp crease lines – notably on the bonnet and flanks.
The revamp seeks to add a little more sportiness to those looks. A slightly bolder front end gains a lower bonnet, wider grille and a redesigned bumper. The new technology is in the form of LEDs in the headlights, indicators and fog lights – yes we know the previous Leon had LED headlamps, but apparently the new ones offer triple the light intensity of their predecessors.
Equally, the Leon’s interior has been much praised for its cockpit-like feel, with the instruments grouped towards the driver and all placed close together, being very easy to use. Here again, it’s about subtle improvements, with new finishes and ambient lighting in a choice of eight colours which “occupants can adapt according to their mood.” Does one really get in a car and think “I’m not very happy this morning, so I’ll change the lighting from orange to blue”?
Seriously, however – it’s a very effective interior and does not require much in the way of improvement, although the major update (replacing the manual handbrake with an electric one) does free up lots of between-the-seats space.
The Leon was one of the first new models launched on the VW Group’s flexible MQB platform and thus there is plenty of space for front and rear passengers and their luggage. At 380 litres the boot is some 64 bigger than in a Focus, and 10 more than the Astra. Drop the rear seats and it extends to a gargantuan 1,470 litres, though loading requires humping one’s luggage over a rather high rear sill.
Powertrains
Propulsion choices for the Leon remain plentiful, drawing on the many options in the VW Group engine catalogue. The five petrol units available range from 1.0 to 1.8 litres and 115 to 180hp, while there are three diesels, a 1.6-litre with 115hp and a pair of 2.0-litre units with either 150 or 184 horses.
Of this eight just two are changed over the previous model. The 1.6 diesel has had its power increased by five horses to 115hp, while improving economy and emissions, while there is a completely new-to-the-UK unit in the form of a 1.0-litre three-cylinder TSI. This is an impressive little engine, its sub 10-second 62mph sprint feeling enthusiastic while the combined cycle fuel economy is comparable to the diesels and the emissions figure of 102g/km best in the range.
SEAT expects, however, that the 1.4 petrol, with its clever ability to shut down two cylinders when cruising to save fuel, will remain the most popular choice amongst retail buyers. Fleet drivers meanwhile will go for the smallest diesel.
Six speeds are general across the transmission range, whether in manual or in the auto gearbox, though the 1.6-litre diesel has a five-speed manual ‘box and there are seven with the 1.4 EcoTSI engine and the auto-equipped 1.6 TDI.
On the road
Both of the most popular engines and the new 1.0-litre came under The Car Expert’s gaze during the launch event, and it is to little surprise that all behaved impeccably. They combine smooth, almost silent progress with eager pick up and smooth shifts whether through manual or DSG transmissions.
All testers of family hatches know that the Ford Focus offers the most effective chassis, but the Leon comes very close to bettering it, adding to the car’s generally sporty profile. A series of twisting bends is accomplished in fine style with precise turn-in and fine control through the apexes with plentiful grip. Equally, cruising at speed limits the Leon is assured, effectively smothering road surface imperfections.
Equipment
Five trim levels are on offer across the five-door range, including a new top-level XCellence grade. But perhaps most notable is the excellent safety package.
Standard safety features extend to multi-collision braking and a new tiredness recognition system, that reacts to changes in the inputs to the steering wheel and sounds a warning. DSG (automatic) models gain a host of extras including a lane-keeping function and even the ability to slow the car to a stop if the driver does not react after a certain period.
Other new technology options available with the Leon are headed by connectivity. These range up to a hub that maintains full functions of any smartphone through the car while wirelessly charging said phone at the same time.
Summary
The SEAT Leon has always been regarded very highly and the package of updates applied to the latest model simply enhance a quality package. It’s thoroughly practical while offering more personality than its perhaps more mainstream-regarded sister, the Volkswagen Golf. Buyers in the market for a family hatch should have the Leon high on their consideration list.
Renault has announced pricing and specification details for its all-new Koleos which debuted at the Paris motor show last year.
The Koleos joins the Kadjar and Captur in the increasingly-crowded crossover segment. The six-version line up is available with a choice of two of Renault’s existing trim levels: Dynamique S Nav and Signature Nav.
Options for the Koleos include hands-free parking, heated and ventilated front seats, powered automatic tailgate, easy-folding rear seats and opening panoramic sunroof. The Koleos’ infotainment system consists of thirteen speakers, 8.7-inch screen compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The new Koleos is available with a host of advanced driver assistance systems including advanced emergency braking, blind spot warning, lane departure warning, over-speed prevention, traffic sign recognition and hill start assist. A rear parking camera and front and rear parking sensors are as standard on all models.
Renault offers the Koleos with a 4-year/100,000-mile warranty, 3-year paint warranty, 12-year cover against corrosion and the Renault Assistance package. Priced from £27,500, the Koleos is available to order now with deliveries commencing later this summer.
New styling and safety features are the order of the day for the facelifted Peugeot 308 hatch and estate models, including the performance GTi hatch.
Modifications to the 308’s styling include a new bonnet, grille, front bumper and elliptical headlights. All models get LED daytime running lights as standard.
The Peugeot 308 boasts greater connectivity with a touchscreen that uses Mirror Screen to display the user’s smartphone. It’s also compatible with MirrorLink, AndroidAuto and Apple CarPlay. The 3D satnav with voice control uses TomTom to provide realtime traffic updates.
The current-shape 308 received a five-star Euro NCAP rating when tested back in 2013. Optional safety features now include Active Safety Brake, Active Lane Departure Warning, adaptive cruise control and Visiopark1 with 180° rear camera and Park Assist function.
Customers can choose from a range of petrol and diesel engines. The new 308 is the first PSA Group model to get 1.5 BlueHDi 130 stop-start diesel engine, while the BlueHDi 180 stop-start diesel engine is exclusive to the 308 and can be paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission.
The updated Peugeot 308 is available for UK delivery from September onwards.
SsangYong has updated its Korando SUV with a redesigned grille and headlights, intended to bring the Korando in line with its other models: the Tivoli, the Tivoli XLV and the recently-announced Rexton.
The Korando gets new fog lights, a lower valance and bonnet, LED daytime running lights and a new steering wheel. The SUV can accommodate five people, has a 2-tonne towing capacity and a 1,312-litre boot.
Driven by a 2.2-litre diesel engine, the Korando produces 180hp and has a maximum torque of 400Nm. The engine can be paired with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission.
All models have electrically operated and heated door mirrors with puddle lamps, RDS radio, iPod and Bluetooth connectivity, air conditioning, tinted glass and roof rails as standard.
The top-of-the-range ELX adds front and rear parking sensors, rear-view camera, seven-inch touchscreen, TomTom satnav, 18-inch wheels, leather seats, heated steering wheel and heated front and rear seats.
The 2WD SE starts from £17,000, the 4×4 SW from £18,500, the 4×4 ELX from £22,000 and the ELX with automatic transmission from £23,500. The Korando SUV comes with SsangYong’s five-year unlimited mileage warranty and is on sale now.
There have been a number of stories in the mainstream media recently about PCP (personal contract purchase) car finance driving a boom in car sales that will shortly become a bust, with massive knock-on effects for the car industry and the UK economy.
The Telegraph, the Sun, the Times and others have reported that the Bank of England is looking to regulate PCPs to prevent lenders charging excessively high interest rates to sub-prime customers. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has also launched an investigation into how car finance is sold at dealerships, having stated a while back that it was watching the industry for evidence of mis-selling.
The tabloid papers have jumped a few steps forward and are predicting madness and mayhem if the number of PCP agreements falls, whether as result of Brexit, tougher selling rules or some other reason. With about 75% of personal car purchases from traders currently being made on a PCP agreement, a reduction in car finance approvals could lead to a significant downturn in sales. This has the potential to negatively affect the factories that build the cars, the dealers who sell them and most everyone else involved in the enormous automotive industry.
There are a few separate issues at play here, which inevitably have been mixed up – much like the Volkswagen Dieselgate scandal from 18 months ago that has catalysed an anti-diesel crusade around the world.
Interest rates are too high for sub-prime borrowers
As part of its evaluation of the broader credit market in the UK, the Bank of England is concerned that some car finance lenders are loaning money for PCP car finance to sub-prime (higher-risk) customers at excessively high interest rates. The Telegraph has reported that the Bank of England is contemplating tougher affordability tests, similar to those imposed in recent years on mortgage applications.
Should affordability tests be strengthened, more people might be declined finance, resulting in fewer customers. This would initially have an impact on new and used car sales at the cheaper end of the marketplace, as inevitably sub-prime loans tend to be for lower amounts than normal loans. But, there is the potential for a knock-on effect if cheaper cars become harder to sell, gradually pulling prices down across the board.
The Bank of England’s investigations are part of a broad look at how the finance markets operate. It is taking a big-picture approach, while the Financial Conduct Authority is separately looking at the issue of how PCPs are being presented and sold to customers.
“Mis-selling” is a strong accusation in the financial world, usually with strong repercussions. So when the FCA announced that it had opened an investigation into the mis-selling of PCPs by car dealers, it generated headlines and provoked a strong response from car industry groups.
However, the FCA’s announcement, as reported in the Times, should not come as a surprise. The FCA said long ago that it was monitoring the situation and was considering an investigation – The Car Expert reported on it last July – and it had been discussed less formally for many months before that. Claims lawyers have also been priming themselves to launch action against dealers and finance companies who are guilty of mis-selling PCP car finance.
The FCA’s main concerns are that PCP products are not being adequately explained to customers, and are not being presented in an impartial manner.
In a speech at the Credit Summit conference in London in March 2017, Jonathan Davidson, Director of Supervision – retail and authorisations at the FCA, said: “Relevant here is not just the question of affordability, but also whether consumers are able to compare and choose effectively between financing options.
“The range of products available means that consumers’ choices are not always straightforward and they may have to take account of a number of variables in order to determine the most suitable product for their circumstances. These variables will depend on their attitude towards ownership of the vehicle at the end of the contract and the amount they want to pay on a monthly basis.”
Anyone selling car finance at a dealership must be accredited by the FCA to do so, but crucially they are only accredited in a ‘non-advisory’ capacity. This means that the salesperson is obliged to present you with all of the available finance options in a fair and transparent manner, highlighting the relevant points to consider, so that you can make an informed decision in your own time.
The reality is often very, very different for most customers. Salespeople in franchised dealerships are heavily financially incentivised to sell cars with PCP car finance packages, with monthly targets to hit and significant rewards or penalties based on their performance. Inevitably, this means that salespeople are pushing customers towards PCP offers instead of other alternatives – either consciously or subconsciously.
In some dealerships, salespeople are also measured on how much money each customer is financing, the idea being to push customers towards borrowing more money by purchasing a more expensive car and/or putting down a smaller deposit.
It is difficult to establish how prevalent this sort of selling behaviour is throughout the industry without active intervention and enforcement by the FCA. Indeed, this does not appear to be happening at anywhere near the levels required, especially when it comes to actively monitoring what is being said by sales staff to customers.
Sales staff are required to complete an online FCA quiz each year to maintain their accreditation, but this is easily cheated (for example, one employee can complete the quiz for all staff members) and it does not provide insight into what is actually going on at point of sale.
How can the system be improved?
Unsurprisingly, the car industry is happy with things as they are, and has no interested in reforming the system to make life better for customers.
However, the FCA has already introduced new regulations for selling GAP insurance which could provide a guide to how car finance sales could be improved. Since September 2015, car dealers are not allowed to sell GAP insurance as an add-on on the same day they sell a car. From the day GAP is first discussed, there must be specific written information provided to customers and then there must be two clear days until a buyer can actually purchase GAP insurance for their car. So if you are discussing GAP insurance for your new car on a Monday, the dealer cannot sell you GAP until Thursday.
The regulation of GAP insurance was implemented to stop widespread price gouging on by dealers all across the country, to a captive customer who often had never even heard of GAP. A similar principle could be applied to car finance.
There is no reason (apart from obvious resistance from the car industry) that a 48- or 72-hour period could not be mandated between providing a formal car finance offer and signing an agreement. Similar advice material could be provided to buyers, just as now happens with GAP insurance sales, allowing buyers to make a more informed decision about their purchasing plans.
An alternative option, which would encounter even more resistance, is mandating a proper cooling-off period that applies to both the finance agreement and the vehicle sale. A PCP car finance agreement, like any other finance agreement, has a 14-day cooling-off period whereby the borrower can cancel the contract without penalty. That’s all well and good in theory, but it’s not that simple.
Most car sales agreements do not have any cooling-off period, so cancelling your PCP simply means you then have to pay for the car in cash. Given that people tend to use a PCP because they don’t have the cash to pay for the car, the current cooling-off provision is meaningless. If buyers were able to cancel their PCP and return the car as well, dealers would be far more careful about how they sold the product in the first place…
But is the current media storm going to lead to a brighter future for car buyers, or will it simply blow over with no real improvements? And will the economy come crashing down if PCP car finance deals suffer?
So what will really happen to how PCPs are sold?
Contrary to the tabloids’ sensationalist headlines, there is unlikely to be any great crisis if there is a crackdown on PCP sales tactics. In fact, there are already some brands and dealers who are gradually starting to move away from PCPs.
What will happen is that finance companies will simply shift their efforts to other finance methods, like leasing, rather than PCP offers. Leasing is much less transparent, and conveniently avoids most of the legal obligations and consumer rights associated with purchase agreements like PCP and HP (hire purchase) finance. That’s great for dealers but even more disadvantageous to customers.
Other finance mechanisms, like peer-to-peer lending schemes, have been growing in the sub-prime market in recent years as well, so there will always be ways for people to finance cars. But, just like the crackdown on payday loans led to an increase in logbook loans, that doesn’t mean it will lead to a better outcome for consumers.
Additionally, the growth in online car sales is likely to weaken dealers’ hands in pressuring customers to take finance. As more manufacturers start offering buyers the option to conduct every aspect of their car purchase online, it becomes easier to ensure that the rules and regulations are actually being followed. Customers will have to click to download documents, and confirm that they have read and agree to the terms and conditions. If they choose not to read those documents, that’s not the seller’s problem.
Tougher car finance rules could well have a significant impact on the car market. But if a significant chunk of today’s car sales are being made on terms that are unfair to consumers, why should it be allowed to continue?
Consumer rights should always take priority over corporate profits, and the scare-mongering from the car industry is simply evidence that this is not currently the case.
New car registrations slumped by 20% in April 2017 compared to last year, as the market was hit hard by changes to the cost of road tax.
Figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that registrations of new cars fell 19.8% to 152,076 units following March, the biggest month on record, which saw 562,337 cars registered.
Despite the downturn in April, strong sales in March mean that 2017’s year-to-date performance remains at record levels. 972,092 were registered from January to April, up 1.1% on last year, although the next few months are not expected to maintain last year’s pace.
Sales of petrol, diesel and alternatively-fuelled vehicles declined in April.
The new vehicle excise duty (road tax) rates came into force on 1st April and have affected demand for new vehicles across the board. Registrations by private buyers, businesses and large fleets fell 28.4%, 21.0% and 12.3% respectively.
Tax rises for hybrid and electric vehicles affected the alternatively fuelled vehicle market which saw a downturn of 1.3%, the first for 47 months.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, remained optimistic however, stating that a downturn had been expected as a result of fewer selling days over Easter and changes to VED rates. The SMMT “expects demand to stabilise over the year as the turbulence created by the tax changes decreases.”
The Ford Fiesta remains the UK’s best-selling car.
Maserati has announced the introduction of a petrol engine to its Levante SUV model in the UK, going back on its original claim that there was not enough demand for the model here.
One of the criticisms levelled at Maserati since the Levante was unveiled at last year’s Geneva motor show has been that the model was only available in the UK with a diesel engine, while other markets were offered a petrol alternative.
Maserati has now rectified this matter with the Levante S, powered by a 430hp 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine built by Ferrari. The Levante S has a top speed of 164mph and a 0-62mph time of 5.2 seconds.
The petrol engine joins the V6 275hp 3.0-litre turbo diesel powertrain that was launched in the UK last year.
The Levante S comes with active air suspension as standard and offers five varying ride heights. Intelligent Q4 AWD is included and a wide range of optional equipment is offered.
The Levante S starts from £70,755 and will be available in the UK from September.
Mazda has announced an updated CX-3 range and added a new GT Sport specification to the thirteen-model line-up, which arrives in UK showrooms this summer.
The CX-3’s safety system and diesel engine have been upgraded, and G-Vectoring Control (GVC) introduced. GVC first appeared earlier this year on the Mazda3 and is standard across the CX-3 range. It optimises weight distribution on the wheels when cornering, which Mazda claims offers more precise handling whilst improving comfort.
All CX-3 models from SE-L Nav trim upwards, feature Advanced Smart City Brake Support which has been upgraded to include pedestrian detection, using a forward facing camera to detect obstacles.
A new steering wheel is standard across the range, as is extra sound insulation and heated electrically folding wing mirrors. Top-of-the-range Sport Nav models offer a heated steering wheel and colour head-up display.
The CX-3 range is available with a choice of eight petrol and five diesel models. The revised Mazda CX-3 range starts from £18,495 and arrives in the UK this summer.
GT Sport
Alongside the updated CX-3 range, Mazda has introduced a new flagship special edition: the GT Sport. With a limited production run of 500, the GT Sport features the same equipment as the CX-3 Sport Nav models, but has a sportier look with a black rear roof spoiler and 19-inch silver alloy wheels. The GT Sport’s 120hp petrol engine can be paired with either manual or automatic transmission, the former costing from £22,895 and the latter from £24,095.
Dacia has announced UK pricing and specification for its updated Logan MCV Stepway, which was unveiled at the Geneva motor show earlier this year.
The Logan MCV maintains its 573-litre boot space, while the Lauréate trim adds a two-tone bumper, satin-effect chrome skid plate, fog lights and LED daytime running lights. ‘Stepway’ decals feature on the front doors and dark metal is used for the wing mirrors and roof bars.
Customers can choose from nine different paint finishes, and the Logan’s overall look is completed by 16-inch wheels. Inside, the Logan includes upgrades that Dacia introduced across the board in 2016.
Standard specification for the Logan includes heated and electrically adjustable wing mirrors, rear parking sensors and a height-adjustable driver’s seat. The infotainment system features a seven-inch touchscreen, USB and AUX sockets, Bluetooth connectivity and satellite navigation.
The Logan is available with a choice of two engines: the TCe 90hp petrol or the dCi 90hp diesel. Both are paired with a five-speed manual transmission.
The Logan MCV Stepway is priced from £11,495 and is available to order now, with UK deliveries commencing from June.
Volvo has announced the extension of its Lux upgrade to the S60 and V60 Business Edition models as the current models head into their final months of production, with an all-new replacement due to arrive next year.
The Lux upgrade is already available for the SE, R-Design and Cross Country. The Business Edition is a popular specification and in 2016 accounted for 29% of Volvo’s total S60 and V60 sales.
Standard specification for the S60 and V60 includes autonomous emergency braking, satellite navigation, DAB radio, Bluetooth, dual-zone climate control, cruise control and LED daytime running lights.
The Lux upgrade adds 17-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, an active information display and rear parking camera.
The Volvo S60 Business Edition Lux starts from £24,545 and the V60 from £25,745. The D2 diesel versions of both have a benefit-in-kind tax rate of 22%. The upgraded S60 and V60 Business Editions are available to order now.
Renault has announced UK pricing and specification details for its new Captur, which was unveiled at the Geneva motor show earlier this year. The mid-life update of Europe’s best-selling crossover brings it closer in style to other models in the Renault range.
The new Captur offers a number of personalisation options. Seven different interior customisation packs can be paired with one of the six exterior packs to give buyers far more choice in how their car looks.
Five different trim levels are offered, in the normal progression of Renault model ranges: Expression+, Dynamique Nav, Dynamique S Nav, Signature X Nav and Signature S Nav. Three different multimedia systems are available according to trim level. R&GO transforms the user’s smartphone into a table connected via a universal cradle, while R-LINK’s seven-inch touchscreen incorporates navigation, 3G connectivity, Bluetooth and media playback.
The Captur scored a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating when originally tested back in 2013, although the testing regime has become tougher since then. All models have cruise control, speed limiter, hill-start assist and roll movement intervention as standard. Blind spot warning, front parking sensors, a reverse parking camera and hands-free parking are available at additional cost.
UK customers have a choice of two petrol engines; the 0.9-litre TCe 90hp and the 1.2-litre TCe 120hp, and two diesel engines; the 1.5-litre dCi 90hp and dCi 110hp. Manual versions feature a stop-start system to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
Prices for the new Captur start from £15,355 with UK ordering now open and deliveries expected to begin from July.
Suzuki has announced pricing and specification details for its third-generation Swift, which goes on sale in June.
As standard, the five-model range comes with six airbags, air conditioning, DAB radio with Bluetooth, LED daytime running lights, 15-inch wheels and front electric windows.
The entry-level 1.2-litre SZ3 with Dualjet engine and manual transmission is priced at £10,999. The mid-range 1.0-litre SZ-T with Boosterjet engine and manual transmission adds a rear view camera, Smartphone link display audio, 16-inch alloy wheels and costs from £12,999. The top-of-the-range 1.0-litre SZ5 with Boosterjet engine and automatic transmission starts at £15,849 and features 16-inch polished alloy wheels, satellite navigation, keyless entry and rear electric windows.
Customers can choose metallic paint at £485 or dual-tone metallic paint at £650.
All models are covered by Suzuki’s three-year/60,000-mile vehicle warranty and come with one-year AA Suzuki Assistance offering 24-hour UK and European roadside assistance and recovery.
DS has announced pricing and specification details for a special launch edition of the DS 7 Crossback, the La Premiere.
Featured technology includes a semi-autonomous driving system called DS Connected Pilot which uses adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. DS Active Scan Suspension employs a camera to anticipate any irregularities in the road surface in order to optimise comfort.
Customers can choose from three paint finishes: pearlescent Pearl White, Perla Nera Black or metallic Cumulus Grey. Exterior styling is completed by 20-inch gloss-black alloy wheels.
The inside of the cabin features an exclusive BRM R180 timepiece and uses ‘Art Rubis’ burgundy as a contrasting colour. La Premiere badging appears on the dashboard and floor mats.
The La Premiere is available with a choice of two engines. The Diesel BlueHDi 180 S&S and the Petrol THP 225 S&S are both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
DS is inviting its customers to place a reservation for the La Premiere special edition until the end of the year either in showrooms or online. Pricing for both the diesel and petrol engines starts at £42,650.
The Yeti is no more – the Skoda Karoq will go on sale as the brand’s second SUV later in 2017.
The new model, which will be unveiled in Stockholm, Sweden on 18th May, is a much more typical SUV compared to the Yeti that was more distinctive in shape. It will sit alongside the larger Kodiaq, measuring 4,382mm long, 1,841mm wide and 1,605mm high, with a 2,638mm wheelbase on front-wheel-drive models (2,630 with all-wheel-drive).
A rear-seat VarioFlex system will be on offer, allowing the bootspace to vary between 479 and 588 litres. Folding the rear seats down will allow a 1,630-litre volume and they can be removed altogether to create 1,810 litres of space.
Five engine choices will be available, TSI petrol and TDI diesel units ranging in output from 115hp to 190 hp, and four of them new to Skoda. They will be matched to six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG auto transmissions and all will feature start-stop and brake energy recovery.
Digital dash
Technology upgrades include LED headlamps and the first digital instrument panel offered in a Skoda. A host of driver-assistance systems are included in the specification while infotainment options range up to Columbus and Adamson systems operated through a touchscreen, and including the Skoda Connect assistance service.
The name comes from the same tribe that inspired the title of the Kodiaq, the Alutiqs who live on the island of Kodiak off the southern coast of Alaska. In their language Kaa Raq means ‘car’ and Ruq ‘arrow’. Skoda says this naming style will be adopted for other future SUVs.
Figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that March 2017 was a record month for UK car manufacturing.With an increase of 7.3%, March saw 170,691 vehicles produced, the most manufactured in a single month since 2000.March’s strong output contributed to a record quarter for UK car manufacturing with 471,695 vehicles produced. This 7.6% increase on last year helped make it the biggest Q1 for 17 years.
The comparatively weak pound drove export demand, which was up 10.6% on the same period in 2016. British brands like Jaguar, Land Rover, Bentley and Rolls Royce continued to appeal to overseas buyers, while volume brands like Nissan, Honda and Toyota also maintained strong export outputs. More than 76% of UK manufacturers’ output for March was for a customer overseas, with one car exported every 20 seconds.
The strong export market offset a decline in domestic sales, with demand down 4.3% in Q1, despite record sales in March ahead of changes to VED rates.
Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of the SMMT, offered this assessment: “UK car manufacturing is accelerating with low emission diesels accounting for a large proportion of the market.” Hawes also issued a warning on Brexit, deeming the maintenance of free trade between the UK and EU “vital”.The output from UK car manufacturers has steadily increased.
What is it?
The Kia Picanto is the all-new third-generation version of the brand’s mass-selling city car.
Key features:
More space, more efficient, new tech.
Our view:
The Kia Picanto is improved in all areas and will remain a leading contender in the city car market.
Type of review:
First drive
City cars are a declining sector of the UK market – the creators of the third-generation Kia Picanto admit such in the press pack introduction to the car. The crossover takeover has reached the traditional small car’s patch as more buyers abandon traditional small cars for chunky, boxy machines in which they can sit higher up.
However, the market in which the Picanto competes is still huge business for Kia, its little car taking more than 60,000 of the one million annual A-segment sales. And nowhere is this more true than in the UK. British buyers, more than half of them women, account for almost a quarter of all European Picanto sales, the model regularly in the UK’s city car top five.
So there is no doubting the importance of this launch to Kia, and the recipe appears to make no radical departures, but to improve the car in all areas.
Next page:Exterior and interior design
The Car Expert has been awarded Best Automotive Blog (company division) at the UK’s largest awards event for independently-produced digital content, the UK Blog Awards.
It was the fourth year in a row that The Car Expert has made the finals of the awards, but the first time in the Company division. Previously, the site was categorised in the Individual division, and was Highly Commended at last year’s awards, as it had been a one-man show until last July.
As our regular readers will be aware, The Car Expert absorbed Car & Van News last year, and we also established a sister site for commercial vehicles, The Van Expert. The site has been reorganised, and we welcomed Andrew Charman as our news and road test editor.
It has been a huge year for us, and an enormous amount of work has been put in by the team. To win this award in our first year as a team is a great achievement. Last year the prize was won by Car Throttle, so it is an honour to follow in their wheeltracks and be chosen over a strong field of other sites.
Thank you to everyone who voted for The Car Expert to help us reach the finals every year for the last four years.
A huge thanks to Andrew Charman for his efforts since joining us, which has allowed us to add new car reviews and daily news updates to the site.
Now part of Immediate Network, we have a young team of content and social media editors who have made an important contribution to our growth. Special thanks to Jamie Munro, who did a lot of the work to integrate the Car & Van News reviews with our site, and Katharine Morgan for her news reporting since joining the team a month ago – especially during the Geneva motor show. Our new logo and all of the design improvements have been made by Immediate Network’s designer, Phil Allardice.
Finally, I would personally like to thank my wonderful partner Kate for all her support for nearly six years since The Car Expert first become an idea. She has been very patient as so many of my weekends and nights have been devoted to working on the website.
We are continuing to develop the site and add more features, and our traffic continues to grow. We have some big plans for the future, and I look forward to showing them off soon. We welcome any of your feedback and thoughts, and we will keep working hard to make The Car Expert even better.
Stuart Masson
Editor,
The Car Expert
Mazda has updated its Mazda2 hatchback and introduced two new models, the GT and GT Sport, as part of a simplified model range.
All models feature new seat fabrics and a new steering wheel, while the side indicators have moved up into the door mirrors. The windscreen is now made from noise-insulating glass, and there has been extra soundproofing material fitted under the bonnet and inside the tailgate, parcel shelf and spare wheel well. Mazda has also made minor adjustments to the front suspension and the electric power steering.
All models above the entry-level 75hp now come with a seven-inch colour touchscreen display and infotainment system. This includes satnav, DAB digital radio and cruise control. New safety equipment for all 90hp and 115hp models includes autonomous emergency braking and lane keeping systems.
The new GT and GT Sport models sit at the top of the revised Mazda2 range. Two exclusive colours, Deep Crimson Mica and Eternal Blue Mica, are available, while LED headlights and LED daytime running lights are as standard. Also included are a rear spoiler, 16-inch alloy silver alloy wheels, black leather seats and a colour head-up display.
Entry-level 75hp models start from £12,695 with the entire Mazda2 range on sale from 1st June.
Hyundai has announced a limited edition Santa Fe Endurance Edition, celebrating the first passenger vehicle to be driven across Antarctica. 500 examples will be available in the UK.
A modified Santa Fe became the first passenger vehicle to be driven across Antarctica in December last year. Patrick Bergel, great-grandson of the polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, made the trek in a 2.2-litre diesel Santa Fe, whose modifications included large, low-pressure tyres, a 250-litre fuel tank and a pre-heater to cope with the sub-zero Antarctic temperatures.
The Santa Fe Endurance Edition is based on the 2.2-litre diesel 4WD Sante Fe Premium SE model. The otherwise optional convenience pack is included, along with unique logos, side steps, a dark grey finish to the 19-inch alloy wheels and a choice of five colours.
The Santa Fe Endurance Edition starts from £38,995 on-road, and will be available to order from 18th May.
The Car Expert has been awarded Best Automotive Blog (company division) at the UK’s largest awards event for independently-produced digital content, the UK Blog Awards.
It was the fourth year in a row that The Car Expert has made the finals of the awards, but the first time in the Company division. Previously, the site was categorised in the Individual division, and was Highly Commended at last year’s awards, as it had been a one-man show until last July.
As our regular readers will be aware, The Car Expert absorbed Car & Van News last year, and we also established a sister site for commercial vehicles, The Van Expert. The site has been reorganised, and we welcomed Andrew Charman as our news and road test editor.
It has been a huge year for us, and an enormous amount of work has been put in by the team. To win this award in our first year as a team is a great achievement. Last year the prize was won by Car Throttle, so it is an honour to follow in their wheeltracks and be chosen over a strong field of other sites.
Thank you to everyone who voted for The Car Expert to help us reach the finals every year for the last four years.
A huge thanks to Andrew Charman for his efforts since joining us, which has allowed us to add new car reviews and daily news updates to the site.
Now part of Immediate Network, we have a young team of content and social media editors who have made an important contribution to our growth. Special thanks to Jamie Munro, who did a lot of the work to integrate the Car & Van News reviews with our site, and Katharine Morgan for her news reporting since joining the team a month ago – especially during the Geneva motor show. Our new logo and all of the design improvements have been made by Immediate Network’s designer, Phil Allardice.
Finally, I would personally like to thank my wonderful partner Kate for all her support for nearly six years since The Car Expert first become an idea. She has been very patient as so many of my weekends and nights have been devoted to working on the website.
We are continuing to develop the site and add more features, and our traffic continues to grow. We have some big plans for the future, and I look forward to showing them off soon. We welcome any of your feedback and thoughts, and we will keep working hard to make The Car Expert even better.
Stuart Masson
Editor,
The Car Expert 
