New Vauxhall Maloo gets power-boost

Vauxhall’s new Maloo pick-up has received an all-new, supercharged 6.2-litre, 536PS V8 engine.

Vauxhall describes its only pick-up as ‘possibly not a contender for next year’s MPG Marathon’ but it will haul up to 540kgs from standstill to sixty in ‘an unfeasibly short space of time’ - 0-62mph takes 4.6 secsonds.

For 2016, the new LSA engine brings maximum power up from 431PS for the outgoing LS3 V8 to 536PS, and an increase in torque from 570Nm to 671Nm. First seen in the current VXR8 GTS launched last year, the LSA is essentially the same unit fitted to the Camaro ZL1, albeit in a slightly re-tuned form. An Eaton 4-lobe supercharger, stand-alone water-to-air charge-air cooling system and high-flow exhaust system with bi-modal exhaust function turn the Maloo into the fastest production ‘ute’ manufactured in Australia, and the fastest CV available in the UK.

To cater for the extra 105PS of power and 101Nm of torque compared with the outgoing Maloo, modifications have been made to the vehicle’s chassis. Spring and damper rates have been stiffened to reduce body-roll and further improve turn-in, while the unique rear suspension module delivers improved rear stiffness and rear braking efficiency. Also now standard on the Maloo LSA are Launch Control (manual models only), a limited slip differential, sat-nav, Bluetooth, Onyx Leather trim, and EDI (Enhanced Driver Interface).

In addition to more power and standard equipment, the 2016 Maloo also receives exterior styling upgrades with the front end featuring a re-designed fascia incorporating a subtle splitter, while the addition of pitch-black bonnet air vents help deliver ‘an even more aggressive look’. The pitch-black theme is carried through to the mirror-backs and wing-vents, with a new 20-inch, five-spoke alloy wheel design completing the styling package. Two new colours – ‘Slipstream’ (vibrant blue) and ‘Some Like it Hot’ (metallic red) - complement the Maloo’s fresh new look.

The Vauxhall Maloo is priced from £54,500 on-the-road.

Order books open for all-new Nissan NP300 Navara

The new NP300 Navara pick-up is available to order at dealerships nationwide from today.

The new model will arrive in Nissan showrooms from January, priced from £18,376. The NP300 Navara recently scooped the Intentional Pick-up of the Year award, and is available in five new trim grades - Visia, Acenta, Acenta+, M-Connecta and Tekna.

The pick-up is available with either a double cab or a king cab, and a 190PS twin-turbo or 160PS single turbo version of the new 2.3-litre dCi engine. There is a choice of two or four-wheel drive and either 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic transmission.

Built on a 'robust' chassis, the pick-up includes a range of new-features such as a five-link rear suspension for the Double Cab model and a 67mm longer roadbed. Many of the new model's safety features are incorporated across the range as standard. These include Forward Emergency Braking on all double cab models, driver, passenger, side, knee and curtain airbags and electronic Limited Slip Differential.

James Wright, Managing Director of Nissan Motor UK, said: "The NP300 Navara is a strong product offer in terms of innovative technology, superior on-road and off-road capabilities, engine performance and payload capacity. Now we've made this award-winning pick-up even more desirable to customers with highly competitive deals on both finance and servicing to make ownership as attractive as it will be rewarding."

For a short time the NP300 Navara is available with three years' free servicing, while loyal customers can benefit from five years' free servicing. In addition, all models receive a full manufacturer five-year/100,000 mile manufacturer warranty.

Commercial Vehicle Prices are OTR prices, excluding VAT but include first registration fee of £55 and first year VED.

New Fiat Fullback pick-up revealed

New Fiat Fullback pick-up revealed

New Fiat Fullback pick-up revealed

Fiat has unveiled a new pick-up called the Fullback.

The new pick-up truck is named after the cornerstone Fullback position in rugby and will be available in the UK in autumn 2016.

Unveiled at the 2015 Dubai International Motor Show, the new, medium-duty pick-up will join Fiat's Professional range and will be available in double cab body style configuration only for the UK, making it an 'ideal vehicle' for both commercial and leisure time activities, says Fiat.

Measuring up to 1,780mm in height, 1,815 mm in width and 5,285mm in length, with a wheelbase of 3,000mm, the Fullback will offer a 'competitive payload' of 1,045 kg and will be powered by a 2.4-litre, aluminium, turbo-diesel engine with a power output of either 150hp or 180hp. Two transmissions will be available, a new six-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed automatic transmission with sports mode, and both will be combined with a four-wheel drive system.

The Fullback is Fiat Professional's first contender in the medium-duty pick-up truck segment in the EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) region. Visitors to the 2015 Dubai International Motor Show will also be able to see the Fiat Fullback equipped with a selection of special accessories currently under development by Mopar, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' brand for after-sales service.

Available in the UK in two trim levels, pricing and specifications will be announced closer to the vehicle's launch in autumn 2016.