Audi has confirmed its first ’S’ variant of the Q7 SUV will cost upwards of £70k OTR. With the German brand claiming it’s the most powerful diesel SUV on the market, it seemed only right to put the SQ7 TDI’s 900 Nm of torque to work.. against a fighter jet. With 435 PS, 0-62 is dispatched in 4.9 seconds thanks in no small part to Audi’s new electrically driven turbochargers. Powered by compressor technology rather than exhaust flow, the new system effectively consigns conventional ‘turbo lag’ to history. The Audi SQ7 TDI is on sale now.
MG has confirmed pricing for its all-new GS SUV. First seen at the London Motor Show, the entry level ‘Explore’ model comes with cruise control, automatic headlights and air conditioning - and starts just a fiver short of £15-grand. The mid-range ‘Excite’ model costs from £17,495 and adds DAB radio, Bluetooth and rear parking sensors, while the flagship ‘Exclusive’ model is also available with MG’s first 7-speed automatic gearbox, and gets leather sports seats as well as iGo Sat Nav, for £21k OTR.
Volvo has unveiled two new small concept cars - the 40.1 and 40.2 - both built on a new compact platform. The SUV and hatchback mark the official launch of Volvo’s new small car strategy. The Swedish company plans to expand into the market for premium small cars, aiming to compete with its global competitors in the next four years. The concepts feature a bold exterior and interior design as well as ‘industry-leading’ connectivity and autonomous drive technologies, while the new range will also include electric and plug-in hybrid models.
MG has pulled the covers off its new SUV - the GS - at the London Motor Show. The British brand’s first SUV will be powered by an 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine and will be available in three different trim levels. The range-topping GS will also be available with the option of a DCT gearbox which promises to be more responsive, delivering a smoother ride. Pricing has yet to be confirmed but MG says it will be consistent with its other ‘affordable’ models.
Jaguar unveiled its new F-Pace at the Frankfurt motor show with a gravity defying loop-the-loop stunt. Pro driver Terry Grant undertook two months of intensive training to ensure his body was prepared for the 6.5G he experienced when sending the lightweight SUV through the loop. The stunt also broke the Guinness World Record for largest ever ‘loop-the-loop’ in a car, measured on the diameter of the loop at 19.08 metres. A First Edition F-Pace is on sale now, limited in the UK to just 200 units, its priced at £65,275 OTR.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mercedes has confirmed its new mid-range SUV - the GLC - will be available in the UK. The new model replaces the GLK which was only available in left-hand drive markets and features an all-new design upgraded technology and improved efficiency – with fuel consumption reductions of up to 19 per cent. All models feature 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive while Mercedes is also offering a plug-in hybrid variant for the first time in the segment. Prices for the Mercedes GLC start at £34,950 OTR when is goes on sale later in the year.
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.
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.
Mercedes has pulled the covers off its new GLC Coupe concept SUV, at the Shanghai Auto Show. The 'close-to-production' vehicle provides a glimpse of forthcoming off-road models from Mercedes, with the sporty show car bringing the idea of the GLE Coupe into a more compact segment. Running on 21-inch wheels, the concept is powered by a 367bhp, V6 borrowed from Mercedes-AMG, with 520 Nm of torque mated to a 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive system.
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.
Toyota pulled the covers off the first ever Hybrid version of the RAV4, at the 2015 New York Auto Show. The Hybrid's powertrain combines a 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, plus an additional motor powering the rear axle to deliver electronic all-wheel drive. The unveiling of the hybrid coincides with a revamp of the entire RAV4 range, which includes exterior styling tweaks, an improved cabin and additional technology and safety features. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is set to arrive in the UK early next year.
Lexus has unveiled its all-new RX at the 2015 New York Auto Show. The SUV's new front end features a spindle grille design with a chrome-finished border, LED headlamps and redesigned fog lights. Blacked-out C-pillars create a floating roof effect, while new 20-inch alloy wheels can be customised. The hybrid powertrain features an a total system output around 300bhp while a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine version will also be available when the new RX goes on sale in later 2015.
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.
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.
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
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.
