supermini

Concept Car, News

Suzuki Baleno set for Frankfurt debut

The all-new Suzuki Baleno is to make its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

The debut of the full production version follows on from the iK-2 Concept seen at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. 

The Baleno is to feature the first application of a newly developed 1.0-litre BOOSTERJET direct injection turbocharged petrol engine. 

Suzuki says the Baleno's layout has been optimised and various technologies used to reduce weight in order to meet the rigorous size and weight requirements specific to compact cars. 

Further details will be revealed at the Suzuki press conference at the Frankfurt Motor show on Tuesday 15 September.

The new Baleno is scheduled to go on sale in the UK early next Summer.

Hatchback, News

Renault reveals 'Iconic' Special Edition models

Renault has added 'Iconic' Special Edition models to its Captur Clio and Twingo range.

The new trim level is available across different engine options - including the recently announced Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) automatic transmission for Twingo TCe90.

The Twingo Iconic is based on the Dynamique version of Renault's city car and includes cruise control, speed limiter, DAB radio, Bluetooth, R&GO smartphone-based navigation, electric front windows and electric heated mirrors and front fog lights. Ultraviolet Iconic side decals and 16-inch Ultraviolet Emblem alloy wheels complement the range of four colours available - including two new and unique metallic paints: Ultraviolet and Lunar Grey. Black alloy wheels are available as a no cost option. Extra tinted rear windows and gloss black door mirrors complete the exterior enhancements.

On the interior there is black part-leather upholstery with white and ultraviolet piping, 'Renault' door sill plates, floor mats with an ultraviolet Twingo motif and a matt ultraviolet touch pack. The latter can be substituted with gloss black as a no cost option. The Twingo Iconic also gets climate control as well as automatic lights and wipers.

Available to order with two engine choices - the SCe 70 and the TCe90, the turbocharged TCe90 being available with both manual and the all-new EDC dual-clutch automatic transmissions. The Twingo's engine range offers CO2 emissions as low as 95g/km and returns up to 67.3mpg on the official combined cycle (NEDC).

The Clio Iconic 25 Nav supermini is available with TCe90 Stop & Start, dCi90 Stop & Start and dCi90 EDC engines. Based on the top-of-the-range Dynamique S specification, the special edition receives 17-inch 'Desire' alloy wheels with black inserts, chrome window sills, extra-tinted rear windows and tailgate, and cross-hatch-style wing mirror decals as standard. The decals complement the range of four 'stylish' exterior colours on offer - Ivory, Diamond Black, Oyster Grey and Mercury. To add to the uniqueness of this special edition, customers can choose to complement the exterior colour with the optional black and white cross-hatch-style roof decal, to match the wing mirrors.

On the inside, GT part leather upholstery with front heated seats joins a leather armrest and leather handbrake, matched with an aluminium gear lever. The black and white cross-hatch design seen on the exterior can also be found inside, with touches to the air vent surrounds and door armrest. Automatic climate control with one touch quick demist function, rear electric windows and electrically adjustable, folding and heated door mirrors is also standard. The Clio's engine range offers emissions as low as 82g/km CO2 and returns up to 88.3mpg on the combined NEDC cycle.

The Captur Iconic Nav Special Edition is available for the same price as the Captur Signature Nav. Like the Signature Nav, the Captur Iconic Nav sits on the trim level above Dynamique S Nav. The model receives two-tone exterior colour as standard, with six different body colour options and either a Black, Ivory or 'Cappuccino' roof. 17-inch 'Explore' alloys with Cappuccino inserts are standard on the special edition.

The interior gets Cappuccino part-leather upholstery with front heated seats as well as a bronze-tinted chrome interior pack on touch points around the cabin. Driver aids and Renault's Techno Pack which includes R-Link Evolution, rear parking camera and European Mapping, as well as an electrochrome rear-view mirror are fitted as standard. The Captur's range of four engines offer emissions as low as 95g/km and returns up to 78.5mpg on the combined NEDC cycle.

Prices start at £11,845 OTR for the Twingo Iconic SCe 70 S&S, £16,775 for the Clio Iconic 25 Nav Tce 90 and £18,395 for the Captur Iconic Nav TCe 90, with The special editions available to order from 1st December.

City Car, Hatchback, News, Family Car

MG3 refreshed for 2016

The MG3 hatchback has received updates for 2016.

The latest version of the 5-door city car will be available to buy next week, and offers customers better fuel consumption, lower tax and an updated personalisation range - which includes the launch of new combinations and roof colours.

The supermini, which now benefits from a more economical 124g/km of CO2 and a stop-start EU6 engine, also comes with a new chrome grille 'to complement the MG family face'. The MG3's Red Rose and Hello Yellow paints are now available with selected roof colour combinations of white or black.

Matthew Cheyne, Head of Sales and Marketing for MG, said: "The MG3 has continued its success from the day it launched in 2013 and, with all that it offers, it's easy to see why so many people have fallen for our fun-packed and stylish supermini. Now we're giving customers a little bit more, with the addition of some great features, but still keeping the price low; making it great value for money and setting us apart from our competitors.

The MG3 EU6 is the latest car to be launched from the Longbridge site. Customers can choose from the four models starting with the MG3 3Time which costs £8,399 OTR, the MG3 3Form from £9,599, the MG3 3Form Sport from £9,899, an MG3 3Style model from £10,49 and MG3 3Style Lux - which comes with the addition of leather seats and is priced from £10,999 OTR.

Hatchback, News

Mazda2 Sport Black special edition revealed

Mazda's supermini range has been boosted with the launch of the all-new Mazda2 Sport Black special edition.

With higher levels of standard specification, sporty styling enhancements and the opportunity to personalise your car, the Sport Black is based on the 90ps SE-L Nav model, but with 'subtle styling enhancements'. 'Brilliant Black' front and side skirts contrast with both the free-of-charge Soul Red Metallic and Snowflake White Pearlescent paint choices, while the Sport Black is further distinguished by its Brilliant Black roof spoiler and chrome exhaust trim.

Further customisation options includes exterior graphic designs and contrasting door mirror covers. Sweeping from the headlights to the taillights a 'KODO' - Mazda's 'Soul of Motion' design theme - graphic follows the lines of the side profile as they intersect at the centre of the car, while the Race graphic adds sporty stripes low down behind the front wheel. Customers can choose to add either or both of these decals to their Sport Black.

In addition to the standard equipment of the SE-L Nav, the Sport Black comes with 16" Gunmetal alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, auto lights, rain-sensing wipers and rear parking sensors.

"Thanks to its combination of fun-to-drive handling, stylish looks and generous equipment, the all-new Mazda2 is already winning over UK supermini buyers and our latest special edition model offers even greater value to our customers. With extra standard equipment, plus striking styling enhancements the all-new Mazda2 Sport Black is sure to be a very popular addition" said Peter Allibon, Sales Director of Mazda Motors UK.

Arriving in dealerships from the 1st September, the Mazda2 Sport Black special edition is priced at £15,395 OTR.

Hatchback, News

Honda reveals all-new Jazz

Honda has pulled the covers off its all-new Jazz supermini.

With a new platform increasing overall length by 95 mm, the latest Jazz is proportionally bigger on the inside than the previous generation model. Honda says specifications are 'generous across the range', with base-grade S models fitted as standard with features such as air conditioning, cruise control with speed limiter and dusk sensing auto lights. Every grade comes with Honda's City-Brake Active to help avoid low-speed accidents.

The Jazz will be available with a new 1.3 litre i-VTEC petrol engine, from Honda's Earth Dreams Technology series, delivering 102 PS at 6,000 rpm. Honda says the power unit delivers the 'sprightly driving performance' of the previous Jazz's 1.4 litre engine, together with fuel economy equivalent to its 1.2 litre.

Combined with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a newly developed CVT, emissions are as low as 106 g/km of CO2. The CVT's driveability is given a more natural 'multi-gear' feel through the use of new control software which simulates seven speeds and provides optimised gear change mapping.

The mid-grade SE model, priced from £14,595, gets front and rear parking sensors, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors and 15" alloy wheels. Honda's Driver Assistance Safety Pack is also included, giving owners the extra reassurance of five advanced active safety aids.

Those opting for the top-grade EX model (from £15,715) gain smart entry and start, automatic climate control and six-speaker audio upgrade. Styling is enhanced with 16-inch alloy wheels and front fog lamps.

Customers opting for the SE or EX models will also benefit from the Honda Connect in-car infotainment system as standard. This Android-based system features an app-based 'pinch, swipe and tap' interface accessed on a seven-inch touchscreen in the centre of the dash.

Honda Connect comes with pre-installed apps, with others available for download from the Honda App Centre. These give 'rapid' access to internet-based services such as web browsing, real-time traffic information, news and weather, social media, and internet music stations.

Boot space comes in at 354 litres with the rear seats up and 897 litres with the rear seats down thanks to Honda's Magic Seat system, which allows for numerous cargo configurations.

Leon Brannan, Head of Cars at Honda UK, commented: "The all-new Jazz signals the fourth of five new and refreshed models for Honda in Europe in 2015, an exciting year in which we're boldly re-energising the brand. The Jazz is a world car that has now sold over 5 million units since it was introduced in 2001. The greatest strength of Jazz is its broad appeal to different customer segments, and we're confident this latest generation will only broaden that appeal."

The all-new Honda Jazz will go on sale in the UK in September with on-the-road prices starting at £13,495 for the S manual to £16,815 for the EX with CVT.