Jaguar Land Rover’s ‘Classic’ division is moving its headquarters to a new £75m facility in Coventry, due to open early next year. JLR’s engineers have been demonstrating their skills with the restoration of a Series 1 Land Rover that returned home from Queensland, Australia after a hard life of farming. Retaining all original parts where possible, the show car was dismantled with all panels restored, the engine was stripped and rebuilt, before being finished in its original Bronze Green colour.
4x4
VIDEO: Bentley Bentayga SUV revealed
Bentley has unveiled its first ever SUV - the Bentayga. Described as the most powerful SUV in the world, the Bentayga's 6.0-litre turbocharged engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, for a 0-62 time of 4.1 seconds and top speed of 187 mph. An integrated skid plate in the lower front bumper, along with muscular haunches and large, 22-inch alloy wheels, hint at the cars off-road capabilities while up to eight drive settings help with variable rugged terrain. The Bentayga will be debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Concept, 4x4, Motor Show, SUV
VIDEO: Citroen reveals new Cactus M concept
Citroen has unveiled a new concept – the Cactus M – aimed at outdoor types. The M pays homage to Citroen’s iconic Mehari, which also featured a completely open cabin, with drainage holes so it could easily be cleaned with a hosepipe. With a raised body and large wheels underlining its ‘go-anywhere’ ability, the concept also comes with a housing for surfboards and an inbuilt step for rear seat passenger access. The Citroen Cactus M will make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this month.
VIDEO: Jeep Renegade showcar in Montreux
Jeep has unveiled a pair of bespoke Renegades to mark its global partnership with the Montreux Jazz Festival. Created by Garage Italia Customs - the latest project of former Fiat Marketing Manager, Lapo Elkann – the cars are finished in nine coats of paint, based on the lacquered body of electric guitars, with guitar string graphics drawn across the bonnet and boot. On the inside, black denim fabric lines the cabin, offset with Dark Brown natural leather.
4x4, Celebrities, Events, SUV
VIDEO: New Jaguar F-Pace breaks cover
Jaguar's new F-Pace has made its first public appearance, as a support car for Chris Froome and Team Sky at the Tour de France. The prototype shed its hard camouflage - instead sporting a specially created wrap, hinting at the final design of the new SUV. Running on large alloy wheels, the new car also features two large tailpipes and red brake calipers. The new Jaguar F-Pace will be fully unveiled for a world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
VIDEO: Fiat launches special edition Panda K-Way
Fiat has teamed up with pac-a-mac brand, K-Way for a new Special Series. The Panda K-Way launches with a choice of petrol or Bi-fuel, Methane engines while a 1.3-litre turbodiesel joins the range later. The special Panda features twenty colour combinations and titanium detailing while on the inside the interior is decorated with K-Way's distinctive colours on the personalised seat belts, key cover and the multilayer carpets. Launched in Italy, the special edition Panda K-Way hits European showrooms soon.
VIDEO: All-new Audi Q7
Audi's all-new Q7 has been trialed by motoring journalists ahead of its late UK summer arrival. Powering the seven-seat SUV from launch is a 3.0-litre TDI engine with 600Nm of torque, mated to an eight-speed tiptronic transmission. 0-62 takes just 6.5 seconds with fuel consumption of up to 47.9mpg. On the inside, a second-generation infotainment system offers a comprehensive range of new driver assistance technology. Order books for the Audi Q7 are open now with prices starting from £50,340 OTR.
4x4, Family car, SUV
VIDEO: Fiat 500X scores 4 out of 5 Euro NCAP
Fiat's new 500X has scored a 4 out of 5 Euro NCAP Safety Rating. In the side barrier test the 500X scored maximum points, with good protection of all body regions - while in the full-width barrier test, protection of all critical body areas fared well however protection for the rear passenger dummy 's chest was noted as adequate. The bonnet provided a good protection to the head of a struck pedestrian, but poor results were recorded along the edge of the windscreen and pillars.
SUV, Technology, 4x4
VIDEO: BMW reveals plug-in hybrid X5
BMW has revealed a new plug-in hybrid version of the X5. The xDrive40e combines the versatility of the large SUV, with BMW's eDrive technology for greater efficiency. A 2.0-litre petrol engine is paired with an electric motor for a total system output of 313bhp. 0-62 takes 6.8 seconds and the top speed is limited to 130mph, while fuel economy is as high as 85.6 mpg and CO2 emissions are as low as 77 g/km. The plug-in hybrid BMW X5 is set to go on sale in the Autumn. Prices have yet to be announced.
SUV, Luxury, Motor Show, 4x4
VIDEO: Range Rover SVAutobiography to debut in NY
A new flagship Range Rover - the SVAutobiography - will debut at the 2015 New York Auto Show. Built at Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations department, the new SUV features unique exterior design enhancements, an exclusive premium leather interior with plenty of luxurious touches. Available in standard and long wheelbase derivatives, the option of a 550PS 5.0-litre supercharged V8 is also available for the first time. Priced from £148,900 OTR the new Range Rover SVAutobiography goes on sale this summer.
SUV, Hybrid, Electric car, 4x4
VIDEO: Mercedes facelifts GLE and adds new hybrid model
Mercedes has facelifted its GLE for 2015 and added a plug-in hybrid model. New headlamps with daytime driving lights form the brand's 'hallmark eyebrows' while at the rear, new LED lamps join redesigned tailpipes. The new GLE 500 e 4MATIC plug-in hybrid is powered by a 333bhp V6 petrol engine and a 116 horse power electric motor – resulting in a total system output of 650 Nm of torque. Mercedes's first ever plug-in hybrid SUV produces 78g/km of CO2 emissions and returns 85.6 mpg. Pricing and specification have yet to be announced.
VIDEO: Jeep Renegade prices confirmed
The new Jeep Renegade has gone on sale in the UK. The Renegade is Jeep's first entry into the small SUV segment and is available with two or four-wheel drive. The Renegade also features a choice of six petrol and diesel powertrain combinations as well debuting a new nine-speed gearbox. Prices start at just under £17,000 for the 1.6-litre petrol to £27,995 OTR for the 4-wheel drive 2.0-litre diesel Trailhawk 9 with Speed Automatic
VIDEO: All-new Audi Q7 to cost £50k
Audi has confirmed its all-new Q7 SUV will be priced from £50,340 OTR when it goes on sale in April. The SE launch model is powered by a 272PS V6 TDI, mated to an eight-speed tiptronic transmission, while a more frugal 3.0 TDI variant joins the line-up later in the year. The Q7 S line model costs £53,835 OTR and is fitted with all-weather LED headlights, 20-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass and S line styling enhancements. First customer deliveries are set for August.
VIDEO: Land Rover strikes partnership with Virgin Galactic
Land Rover has confirmed a long-term partnership with Richard Branson's commercial spaceline, Virgin Galactic. The announcement was made alongside SpaceShipTwo, the world's first commercial passenger carrying spacecraft, together with Land Rover's newly-unveiled Discovery Vision Concept, on board the USS Intrepid in New York. A fleet of Land Rovers will be based at the Virgin Galactic test centre in California, providing a 'shuttle' service for future Astronauts.
4x4, Concept, SUV, Technology
VIDEO: Land Rover invents invisible car
Land Rover's 'Transparent Bonnet' technology is to offer drivers a digital vision of the road ahead making the front of the car appear invisible. Cameras located in the front grille capture data which is fed to the Head-Up Display, effectively creating a 'see-through' view of the terrain through the bonnet and engine bay. Drivers climbing steep inclines or manoeuvring in tight spaces will see an augmented reality view showing the angle and position of the front wheels. The new technology will be showcased on the Discovery Vision Concept at the New York Auto Show.
VIDEO: New Jeep Renegade revealed
Jeep has revealed the all-new Renegade -- its first entry in the small SUV segment. The new model is said to combine Jeep's heritage with fresh new styling and features designed to appeal to a youthful and adventurous audience. Drive comes from a choice of 16 powertrain combinations including the world's first nine-speed automatic transmission in the segment. For off-road fans, the Trailhawk model features 'Jeep Active Drive Low', which includes a 20:1 crawl ratio and a Selec-Terrain system. Prices for the new Jeep Renegade have yet to be announced.