Suzuki’s new IGNIS has achieved a five star safety rating in the latest round of Euro NCAP crash tests. The range-topping SZ5, fitted with the forward facing Dual Camera Brake Support system, received two stars more than the entry-level model. It’s the first supermini to be evaluated under Euro NCAP’s new two tier system, which allows the model with the highest level of safety equipment to be tested separately. The new Suzuki IGNIS will hit showrooms in January 2017, with pricing yet to be announced.
Nissan has confirmed its all-new Micra will start from £11,995 OTR. From launch, the 5th generation hatchback will be available with a 0.9-litre turbocharged petrol engine or a 1.5-litre diesel, both delivering 90bhp. There will be five trim levels, and plenty of customisation options including personalisation packs, contrasting colours, 17” alloys and body decals. The range will top out at £17,295 for the Tekna model when sales kick off in 2017.
Production of Mazda’s new CX-5 compact SUV has commenced in Japan. Set to go on sale in company’s homeland in February 2017 - then globally shortly after - Mazda says it has refined virtually every aspect of the new car. First unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show, it's powered by a choice of two petrol engines as well as a 2.2-litre diesel unit. Featuring G-Vectoring Control for improved dynamic handling the interior has a strong focus on ‘human sensibilities’ with a first in class windscreen head-up display.
Order books have opened for the new Volkswagen Amarok Pick-up. Available in three trim levels - a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine replaces the outgoing 2.0-litre unit and, in the range-topping Highline model, can deliver up to 240 PS for a 0 to 62 mph time of 8.0 seconds. The revamped Amarok can be ordered with permanent four-wheel drive and a mechanical differential lock for when the going gets really tough. Prices start at £32 and a half OTR for the Trendline, with a new Startline entry-level model set to join the range in 2017.
Motoring journalists have had their first taste of Maserati’s new Levante on UK roads. As well as trying it on the tarmac they also got the chance to test the SUV’s off-road capabilities. Aided by standard-fit active air suspension, which offers five varying ride heights, the Levante also features a mechanical limited-slip differential and all-wheel drive with torque vectoring. Power comes from a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine, delivering a 0-62mph time of 6.9 seconds and combined fuel economy of up to 42.8 mpg. On sale now, the Maserati Levante is priced from £54,335 OTR.
Formula E race team NextEV has launched a new brand - NIO - with its EP9 road car. Powered by four high-performance inboard motors with four individual gearboxes, it pumps out the equivalent of 1,360 PS for a 0-124mph time of 7.1 seconds and a top speed of 194mph. The electric supercar has also set a new lap record at the Nürburgring - completing the 20.8km ‘Green Hell’ in 7min 5secs - making it the fastest electric car in the world. With an interchangeable battery system, the EP9 is designed to be charged in 45 minutes and has a range of 265 miles.
Jeep has pulled the covers its all-new Compass SUV at the LA Auto Show. Described as having best-in-class 4x4 off-road capability, the new SUV is available in four trim levels and with a choice of five engines – two diesel and three petrol. All models come with Jeep Active Drive, which can send 100% of the total torque to any wheel, as well as a Jeep Selec-Terrain system for up to five off-road modes. UK spec has yet to be announced, although a spokesman has confirmed that the Compass will be coming to our shores.
Alfa Romeo has revealed its first ever SUV - the Stelvio. Available in three trim levels, the range-topping Stelvio Quadrifoglio - unveiled in Los Angeles - has a 2.9-litre V6, delivering 505 bhp, for a 0-60 time of just 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 177 mph. All-wheel-drive is standard across the range along with a carbon fibre driveshaft, dual exhaust, alloy wheels and an F1-inspired flat-bottomed steering wheel with push button start. Alfa Romeo has yet to confirm when the Stelvio will arrive in the UK.
The new Toyota C-HR, or ‘coupé, high-rider’ has been given the once over by a select group of motoring journalists, in Spain. Models tested included the 1.8 hybrid - which returns 74.3 mpg - and the 1.2 turbo petrol model which can hit 62mph in 10.9 seconds. Available in three trim levels, all come with Toyota's Safety Sense, alloy wheels and a touchscreen infotainment system. Available to order now, first customer deliveries are expected in January 2017, with prices starting at just under £21k OTR.
Jaguar has revealed its first-ever electric vehicle - the I-PACE Concept - in Los Angeles. The I-PACE combines five-seater SUV versatility with an F-Type inspired, lower driving position. 0-60 is dispatched in under 5 seconds thanks to 400PS and 700Nm of instant torque from the front and rear electric motors. The battery pack sits flat between the axles, offering a predicted range of over 310 miles, and can be 80% recharged in 90 minutes. A production-ready I-PACE will be revealed in late 2017 going on sale in 2018.
The Volkswagen Golf has been updated with a focus on digital technology, becoming the first compact car to feature gesture control. Exterior changes are subtle with redesigned bumpers and restyled headlights with LED daytime running lights, while on the inside there’s a completely new generation of infotainment systems. Powertrain revisions include a new 150 PS, 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine plus a power boost for the GTI model up to 245 PS, while a new 7-speed DSG transmission which will gradually replace the old 6-speed box. UK pricing and specification for the new VW Golf has yet to be announced.
Audi’s new Q2 compact SUV is on sale now, priced from £22,380 on-the-road. Available in three trim levels and with a choice of either a 1.4-litre petrol or two diesel engines - an entry-level 1.0 TFSI petrol unit will join the range later this year, bringing the Q2’s entry price down to £20,230 OTR. Standard features include a range of alloy wheels, 6-speed transmissions and LED headlights on the S line trim. A special Edition #1 model tops the range at £35,730 OTR, in 4WD 2.0 TDI guise.
Skoda has facelifted its Octavia saloon and estate, with crisp lines, a new grille and new LED dual headlights. The rear has also been tweaked, while on the inside new features includes updated driver assistance technology and a choice of three new touch screen infotainment systems. Two petrol and two diesel engines will be available from launch when the revamped Skoda Octavia hits showrooms early next year.
The all-new Countryman is the biggest ever MINI. It features an extended wheelbase which creates more interior room and an extra 220 litres of boot space compared to the outgoing model. Power comes from a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines, while the hybrid model - MINI’s first ever - has a total system output of 224 bhp, a zero emissions range of up to 25 miles and purely electric top speed of 78mph. Prices have yet to be announced.
Ford has facelifted its Kuga SUV for 2017. Featuring a new grille and restyled headlights with new LED daytime running lights, a performance-inspired ST-Line model will also be available for the first time. Power will come from TDCi diesel and EcoBoost petrol engines - with the 1.5-litre diesel returning 64.2 mpg - while the most powerful petrol unit - a 1.5-litre EcoBoost produces 182PS, sent to all four wheels. New technology features include Ford’s SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system, as well as driver assistance technologies such as Perpendicular Parking and Active City Stop.
A special exhibition was held at the Paris Motor Show, celebrating the role of the car on the silver screen. ‘Engine! The Car at the Movies’ displayed historic film cars ranging from a 1977 ‘Transformers’ Chevrolet Camaro - albeit a replica - to the actual Porsche 908 driven by Steve McQueen in the 1971 ‘Le Mans’ film. A replica of the Ford Mustang from the 1968 film Bullitt - also starring McQueen - was on show alongside a Dukes of Hazard 1969 Dodge Charger, aka The General Lee.
Modern day film cars included James Bond’s new Aston Martin DB10 from the film ‘Spectre’ as well as the DBS which was heavily crashed in ‘Quantum of Solace’. No movie car collection would be complete without a ‘Back To The Future’ De Lorean - flux capacitor and all - which was joined by a fellow 80s icon - a recreation of the Ghostbusters converted Cadillac ambulance, also known of course as the Ectomobile.
Paris saw the unveiling of some new super-sexy Grand Touring cars. Ferrari pulled the covers off its new GTC4Lusso T. Replacing its predecessor’s V12 engine with a turbo-charged 3.9-litre V8, the new model is aimed at buyers seeking a sportscar that is drivable on a daily basis, says Ferrari. Switching from four-wheel-drive to rear-wheel-drive has reduced weight, making it only a tenth of a second slower from 0-62mph than the V12. Porsche revealed the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid which was making its world debut at the Paris Show. The all-wheel drive super-coupé’s electric motor combines with a 2.9-litre V6 petrol engine to deliver a total system torque of 700 Nm – enough for a 0-62mph time of 4.6 seconds, or a 31 mile range in pure electric mode. And finally, there was a show debut for the Mercedes AMG GT R. Joining the new Roadster model, the hard-top GT R - finished in a Nurburgring-inspired ‘Green Hell’ paintwork- is powered by a 4.0-litre V8 with 585bhp for a 0-62 time of 3.6 seconds, and a top speed of 198mph.
As the Paris Motor show enters its final week, we round-up some of the top concept cars making the headlines. Mercedes revealed its new Generation EQ SUV. Said to preview how future Mercedes electric cars might look, the concept is powered by two electric motors and has a range of up to 310 miles. Volkswagen unveiled its new zero-emissions I.D. concept. Based on an all-new vehicle architecture, VW says the I.D. will be the first of a new fleet when it launches in 2020, with prices comparable to those of the current Golf. The Lexus UX features rear-hinged doors, sharp lines and a coupe like roofline. The concept is expected to heavily influence a forthcoming CT200h hatchback replacement in a more SUV-like guise. Meanwhile, Mitsubishi pulled the covers off its GT-PHEV Concept. The GT stands for Ground Tourer, with the large SUV’s plug-in hybrid system using three electric motors and a 2.5-litre petrol engine for a combined hybrid cruising range of over 720 miles and CO2 emissions as low as 26g/km.
It isn't all Concepts and performance cars in Paris as many forthcoming production models were also on show. Kia revealed its all new fourth-generation Rio. With a ‘progressive’ new design and a longer wheelbase, Kia promises class-leading practicality and safety. Nissan’s all-new 5th generation Micra is aimed at the European market as opposed to the global design of its predecessor. It will come with a 0.9-litre petrol engine or a 1.5-litre diesel unit when it launches in March 2017. The new Audi RS 3 made its debut in saloon form. The RS 3’s transversely-mounted 2.5-litre TFSI engine delivers a 0-62 mph time of 4.1 seconds, and a top speed of 174mph. Hyundai pulled the covers off it all-new i30. Designed in Europe the i30 features a newly developed Cascading front grille, while power comes from a downsized engine line-up including an all-new 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine.
