Saturday, February 29, 2020

Car buyers could get compensation after claims of price fixing by shipping companies

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Hugo Griffiths 2020-02-29 18:15

Class-action lawsuit claims dealers and buyers were overcharged due to price-fixing cartel of five car-shipping companies

Car ship

Motorists and businesses who bought or leased a new car between October 2006 and September 2015 could be entitled to compensation, following claims that five shipping companies conspired to fix the prices they charged for transporting new cars and vans to the UK. An estimated 80 per cent of motorists who purchased a car or van during the above period may have been overcharged as a result of the cartel.

The compensation could arise due to a group legal action that has been filed to the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) under the Consumer Rights Act. The action claims five maritime carriers - MOL, “K” Line, NYK, WWL/EUKOR and CSAV - participated in a cartel the could have seen dealers overcharged for car delivery costs, with these costs passed on to the consumers and businesses who bought cars.

How to get the best deal when buying a new car

Because the case is being lodged with the Competition Appeal Tribunal, affected buyers are automatically entered into the claim by default, and could receive compensation of up to £60 for every new car or light commercial vehicle bought or leased during the period. The total cost of the claim is estimated to be in excess of £150m.

Buyers of cars from makers including Ford, Vauxhall, Volkswagen, Peugeot, BMW, Mercedes, Nissan, Toyota, Citroen and Renault may be affected by the case, and those wishing to find out more or register their interest can go to https://www.cardeliverycharges.com.

The case follows a ruling by the European Commission (EC) in 2018 that found all five of the shipping companies were involved in a cartel, with four of the five firms fined a total €395 million (£337m) for these practices - though MOL was granted immunity from fines due to early cooperation with the investigation.

The Commission found that the firms engaged in “market sharing, price fixing, customer allocation and capacity reduction, concerning deep sea [Interoceanic or intercontinental] car carrier services.” 

The aims of these practices were, according to the EC, to ensure “that the car carriers would keep their respective businesses for certain customers and/or certain routes. They also aimed to preserve their position in the market and to maintain or increase prices, including by resisting requests for price reduction from certain customers.” Similar investigations by countries including Australia, China, American and South Africa resulted in fines exceeding $755 million (£586m). 

The case is being spearheaded by Mark McLaren, previously of Which? magazine, who said: ““When UK consumers and businesses purchased or leased a new car, they paid more for the delivery of that car than they should have done, as a result of a long-running cartel by five of the world’s leading maritime shipping companies...I strongly believe that compensation should be paid when consumers are harmed by such deliberate, unlawful conduct.”

David Scott, from law firm Scott+Scott, which has been instructed by McLaren, said: “Claims of this kind, where very large numbers of class members each suffered losses that are too small to litigate individually, are precisely the types of claim that the UK collective actions regime was designed to facilitate.”

Did you buy a new car between 2006 and 2015? Let us know if you think you should get compensation below...



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Friday, February 28, 2020

Number of supermarket EV chargers doubles in two years

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Tristan Shale-Hester 2020-02-29 00:01

More than 600 supermarkets in the UK now offer electric vehicle charging facilities, with a total of 1,115 chargers between them

The number of electric vehicle charge points at supermarkets has doubled in two years, new data reveals.

Supermarkets across the UK installed 542 electric car charging points between October 2017 and the end of 2019, bringing the total number of chargers to 1,115 across 608 sites, and representing a 95 per cent increase over the period.

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The data, compiled by Zap-Map and analysed by the RAC, shows 6.5 per cent of all electric vehicle charge points in the UK are now located at supermarkets, with five per cent of the UK’s 11,979 supermarkets catering to electric car drivers.

In the two-year period, 313 stores added chargers with, on average, two charging units installed per site. Customers spend an average of 45 minutes in the supermarket, which the RAC and Zap-Map say is “a more than reasonable amount of time to top up an electric car”.

Drivers can charge their electric cars 122 of ASDA’s 633 branches, giving them the greatest proportion, with 19 per cent of stores featuring at least one charger. Morrisons offers chargers at 89 of its 494 stores, which equates to 18 per cent. Sainsbury’s, meanwhile, has 139 chargers. 

While Tesco only has electric car chargers at four per cent of its branches, this represents 149 stores, meaning it has the greatest number of locations with charging facilities. Tesco also has the highest number of individual charge points, at 281.

Volvo XC90 - charging

The RAC also highlights that a number of chains - including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Iceland and Co-op - have high numbers of shops in town and city centres without car parks, significantly skewing their proportions of charge points per store.

RAC spokesman Simon Williams commented: “It is extremely positive to see the supermarkets making it easy for drivers to go electric. Having more chargers that are readily available will help to speed up the transition from petrol and diesel cars to electric ones.”

Melanie Shufflebotham, co-founder of Zap-Map, added: “With 89 per cent of EV drivers taking the availability of charge points into account when selecting their parking, providing charging can be a real differentiator locally in the competitive supermarket sector.

“This seems to be recognised by some supermarkets, notably Tesco and Sainsbury’s, providing EV charging for free.”

Do you think more supermarket EV chargers are a good thing? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below...



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New BMW X5 M Competition 2020 review

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BMW X5 M Competition - front
28 Feb, 2020 11:00pm Steve Fowler

The new 617bhp BMW X5 M Competition is a fine example of what BMW's M Division can do

When the original BMW X5 was launched just over twenty years ago, it was launched in the USA at the Road Atlanta racetrack. It was a bold move by BMW, but then the X5 has always been an SUV that justifies the Sport as much as the Utility Vehicle tag.

Now we’re back in the US – where all X5s are built – to drive the latest version and the latest BMW to wear an M badge - the new BMW X5 M Competition.

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M Division has worked its magic on the X5 twice before, but this takes it to a different level. Almost every part of the car has been tweaked, with a new M-designation for each new feature.

At the heart of every M car is the engine, in this case a 4.4-litre V8 with M TwinPower Turbo tech – we warned you. That means two turbochargers sit within the V of the engine, with the Competition version of the X5 M (BMW GB isn’t bothering with the ‘standard’ version) offering a mighty 617bhp and 750Nm of torque.

That power goes through an eight-speed M Steptronic gearbox to the M xDrive four-wheel drive system featuring an active M Differential, while there’s a bespoke M exhaust.

The M Servotronic steering controls M light-alloy wheels (21-inch at the front, 22s at the back), while M compound breaks reign all that power in.

On the outside, the X5 gets the M design treatment with larger air intakes, M gills on the front side panels, traditional M-aero door mirrors, rear roof spoiler and a diffuser lower down, with two pairs of exhaust pipes peaking out. It’s mean, but slightly subtler than some high performance SUVs.

It’s the same inside where quality is as good as it gets, there’s a fabulously beefy M steering wheel, plenty of M embellishments, a spot-on driving position and super-suportive M multifunction seats. It’s all, well, mmmmmm.

So how does it drive? First you’ve got to choose your drive setting: Road, Sport or Track. More likely you’ll be delving into the many menus to find M mode so you can select your own settings for the drivetrain, steering, dampers, stability control, exhaust note and even brake feel. Our favourite? Stick everything in Sport, but leave the dampers in Road. The red buttons on the steering wheel can be used for instant access to two settings of your choice.

Prod the Start button and the V8 jumps to attention, giving a hint of the excitement to come if you have the loud option selected and you get to floor the throttle.

Do that and the X5 M will leap forward, accompanied by a decent growl, hitting 62mph in just 3.8 seconds as the gearbox punches through the gears so quickly you’ll hardly feel the changes.

There are no electric systems boosting engine power, so acceleration rises like a sprinter – quickly – rather than being totally instant. In these days of electrification, it’s deliciously old school.

While the M people have done an incredible job on all fronts, this is still a big, heavy car. You could never describe the X5 M as lithe, but it feels considerably lighter than its 2310kg suggests – quite a feat in itself.

Throw it into a corner and it’ll stay flat and grip hard. With the M xDrive system sending plenty of power to the big rear wheels, where the active diff also does its work, there’s a greater sense of agility than we’ve seen in an M SUV before. It takes an intake of breath to go hard as you exit the corner, but there’s no danger of lurid slides, while the steering feels quick enough to adjust things swiftly if you need to. There’s a decent sense of what the tyres are doing up front, too – another oddity in an SUV.

We’d caveat all this with a caution over the ride; even in the softest Road setting, it’s firm. It feels less likely to jolt and jiggle as the previous X5 Ms, but this isn’t a car that’ll cosset.

It’s fun and addictive, though; nowhere near as adjustable as a lower-set M-car and even less likely to want to be used in Track mode where the name suggests it should. The V8’s soundtrack that’s boosted through the speakers adds nicely to the drama, though.

Of course, you have to pay a fair bit for this M expertise wrapped up in a large, easy-to-live-with SUV  (it’ll seat five at a cinch with a 650-litre boot). The UK’s X5 M Competition cars will cost £110,610. If you want the slightly more svelte X6 M Competition – which M’s engineers tells us feels pretty much identical in spite of a slightly lower weight (and, for the record, while the X6 remains aesthetically challenged, this is the best yet) – you’ll have to find £113,310.

4
BMW’s latest M car is a fine example of what M Division can do to what is, let’s face it, not a natural home for its handiwork. As high performance SUVs go the X5 M Competition is quick and hugely capable, while it’s a technological tour de force and highlights how BMW’s build quality is as good as it now gets. It’ll provide a stiff challenge for a Porsche Cayenne Turbo, and even the more expensive Aston Martin DBX.
  • Model: BMW X5 Competition
  • Price: £110,610
  • Engine: 4.4-litre V8 twin turbo petrol
  • Power/torque: 617bhp/750Nm
  • Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
  • 0-62mph: 3.8 seconds
  • Top speed: 180mph
  • Economy/CO2: 22.1mpg/291g/km
  • On sale: Now


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New sporty Volkswagen Arteon R-Line Edition uncovered

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Alex Ingram 2020-02-28 12:32

The Volkswagen Arteon R-Line Edition, which is limited to just 1,000 examples, features extra standard kit and a unique colour scheme

Volkswagen Arteon R Line Edition - front

Volkswagen has revealed the Arteon R-Line Edition. Orders are open now, with production for the sporty trim level of the Passat’s coupe-like relation limited to just 1,000 units, with prices starting from £36,850.

As with other VW models dressed in the R-Line trim, the Arteon gets a range of cosmetic upgrades to separate it from the lesser models. Most notably is the colour scheme: the Arteon’s body is finished in Moonstone grey complemented by a contrasting black finish for the roof, door mirrors, and the 20-inch alloy wheels. Privacy glass is standard, while to the rear there’s a small black lip spoiler on the boot lid and a pair of chrome-effect tailpipe-like trims.

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Inside, the Arteon R Line Edition gets full nappa leather trim and the winter package as standard, which includes seat heating for the outer rear passengers. Adjustable ambient lighting also features, as does a 12.3-inch ‘Digital Cockpit’ - VW’s customisable instrument panel.

Buyers get a choice of one petrol and two diesel engines. The diesel range starts with a 2.0-litre turbocharged unit with 187bhp; above it sits a twin-turbo variant with 237bhp and 500Nm of torque. The petrol option is the most potent: the 2.0-litre turbo petrol is essentially a detuned version of the engine used by the Golf R. Here, it makes 268bhp and is matched to a four-wheel-drive system. Every version is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. 

The two most powerful R-Line Editions come with adaptive dampers, which adjust the suspension's rate of response based on the selected driving mode. As with Volkswagen’s full-blown R models, it’s also possible to fully deactivate the ESC system.

Do you like the look of the new Volkswagen Arteon R-Line Edition? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below...



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2020 Geneva Motor Show set to be cancelled due to coronavirus

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John McIlroy 2020-02-28 09:45

The 2020 Geneva Motor Show will be called off after the Swiss government banned public gatherings of more than 1,000 people

Geneva Motor Show - Renault

The Geneva Motor Show looks likely to fall victim to the coronavirus, after the Swiss government announced on Friday morning that it was banning large public and private gatherings until at least mid-March.

The announcement comes after a week of horse-trading between the Geneva show organisers and car manufacturers, many of whom have been pulling out senior executives and engineers from show appearances over concerns about the virus and possible quarantine situations.

Best concept cars of the 2019 Geneva Motor Show

Switzerland reported fresh cases of the virus this morning. But sources say the motor show organisers have been awaiting a government instruction on the event’s viability, potentially because of insurance implications.

However, Bloomberg is reporting this morning that the authorities have now decided to ban public and private gatherings with more than 1,000 people until 15th March at the earliest - following a similar policy by the neighbouring German government. This relatively small number of people is likely to make the car show impossible to stage - although no official notification from the show has been forthcoming.

Dozens of new-car launches and reveals are planned for the event, which was due to open with its traditional press days on Tuesday and Wednesday next week.

Are you sad to see the 2020 Geneva Motor Show called off? Let us know your thoughts below...



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Thursday, February 27, 2020

Brabus reveals its 800 Adventure XLP take on the Mercedes G-Class

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Iain MacKenzie 2020-02-27 18:18

Brabus has turned the Mercedes-AMG G63 into a high-performance off-road pick-up truck

If you find that the new Mercedes G-Class isn’t practical enough, the folks at Brabus have got you covered with this high-performance, off-road pickup. The Brabus 800 XLP will make its debut at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show

Taking the current Mercedes-AMG G63 as a base, the engineers at Brabus HQ have grafted on a pick-up truck load bed without compromising rear cabin space. To achieve this, the wheelbase of the donor car has been extended by 50cm. To boost the vehicle’s looks and off-road capabilities, Brabus has also equipped it with suspension and portal axles developed especially for the purpose.

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Power is supplied by the 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 in Brabus 800 PowerXtra + specification, which produces a dramatic 789bhp and 999Nm of torque. With it, the Brabus 800 Adventure XLP sprints from zero to 62mph in just 4.8 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 130mph due to the higher centre of gravity and the 22-inch all-terrain tires.

Fuel economy and CO2 emissions are quoted as 20mpg combined and 345g/km so running costs are going to be on the expensive side. 

Prices for the Brabus 800 Adventure XLP ‘First Edition’ start at £395,766 rising to £677,312 for the Geneva show car. The latter does include the Wingcopter - a 150mph ‘high-end drone’ - on the back, though.

How would you use your BRABUS 800 Adventure XLP? Let us know in the comments below...



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Citroen ami ride review

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27 Feb, 2020 6:00pm Richard Ingram

We hitch a ride in the all-new Citroen ami, a Renault Twizy rival designed to bring car sharing to the masses

“When was the last time you sat in a car and couldn’t touch the windscreen?” asks Citroen’s new CEO Vincent Cobee as we climb out of his all-new ami city car.

It’s a valid question, and one to which we can’t fathom an easy answer. The feeling of space inside the ami is quite unlike anything we’ve driven in recent years. The dashboard sits stretched out way ahead of the driver and passenger – the large glass roof flooding the cabin with light.

• Best electric cars on sale

Despite the fact our first taste of the ami is restricted to a lap of Paris’s La Defense Arena, it gives us an early opportunity to experience the quadricycle on the move. Critics may scoff at the ami’s sparse cabin, but it feels functional and logically laid out – with little more than a small digital readout ahead of the driver and a mobile phone cradle on the centre console.

There are no plush plastics or lush leathers – this is a car built to cost, and one that will need to withstand the abuse of multiple unapologetic users on any given day. It feels cheap, almost as if it could be hosed down after each use. 

There’s no air-conditioning, but there is a heater, which in addition to the wide-opening asymmetric doors gives it a big advantage over its Renault Twizy rival. The windows flip up manually, like those in a Citroen 2CV, but even at low speeds they fill the car with fresh air, which bodes well for scorching summer days.

Our driver gives the ami a quick burst of acceleration as we round the corner to the back straight, and while it doesn’t pin us in our seat, there’s enough shove for something of this size. The ami’s top speed is limited to 27mph in order to comply with European quadricycle classifications.

It’s easy to see the ami’s appeal – not least because its price promises to undercut every new car on sale bar none. But as a hop-in-hop-out, zero commitment car sharing solution for urban dwellers without the want or need to own their own transport, it’s surely the blueprint all others must follow. 



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New all-electric Citroen ami city car revealed

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Richard Ingram 2020-02-27 13:30

The electric Citroen ami city car has a range of up to 44 miles, and can be driven by 14-year-olds without a driving license

Citroen ami - front

This is the Citroen ami, a radical new city car created to support city dwellers who want sporadic access to all-electric transport designed exclusively for urban situations.

Exclusively revealed by Auto Express last summer, the ami project is, in effect, a production version of the AMI One concept that made its debut at 2019’s Geneva Motor Show. The concept’s core looks have been retained, including a simple design that uses common body panels front and rear, as well as along each flank. As such, the two doors open in different directions; the driver’s is rear-hinged, while the passenger’s has a more traditional front-hinged configuration.

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The boxy two-seat vehicle is just 2.41 metres long, 1.39 metres wide and 1.52 metres high; that makes the ami significantly shorter and narrower than a Smart ForTwo. And the new French model also has a turning circle of just 7.2 metres - smaller than the ForTwo’s and even tighter than that of the latest LEVC London taxi.

The ami’s specs are designed for use around town - particularly because it is classified as a quadricycle and so can, in theory, be driven by 14-year-olds without a licence in some European countries. The car has a 5.5kWh lithium-ion battery, giving a range of up to 70km (44 miles). It can be recharged using a three-pin plug in three hours, using a built-in cable that is stored in the passenger doorway. The vehicle’s top speed is just 45kph (28mph), another sign that it is designed for traffic-clogged city centres.

Inside, much of the AMI One concept’s stripped-back interior treatment has been retained. There’s no conventional central display; instead you store your mobile phone in a holder high up on the fascia and it acts as an infotainment hub and navigation screen. There is, however, a basic instrument panel mounted on the steering wheel - a feature that is likely to have been introduced to satisfy legislation requirements.

There’s no conventional boot, but the ami does have a storage recess at the passenger’s feet and another area behind both occupants. The pared-back nature of the cabin means hard, washable materials in lots of key areas, plus - in a nod to the original Citroen 2CV - windows that tilt open upwards instead of sliding up and down.

Citroen sees the ami as a rival not only to small city cars but also to the emerging trend of electric bicycles in major city centres. As such, the pricing options for the car are varied and flexible. It can be bought outright for €6,000 (£5,050) in France - or customers can commit to a long-term rental which requires a deposit of just over €2,600 (£2,186) and then 48 monthly payments of just €19.99 (£17).

Equally, for those after maximum flexibility and a weatherproof alternative to electric scooters, the ami will be offered through Groupe PSA’s Free2Move car sharing service at a cost per minute of €0.26 (21p). The company expects that by 2030, around a third of all kilometres travelled will be via shared mobility.

The car will be offered in seven different versions, with optional equipment including a storage tray, a smartphone clip, a door storage net and a hook for a handbag. Four colours will be available, along with a couple of options back that bring graphics and a roof trims to help owners to personalise their car.

The ami is being launched at the end of March in France, with sales following soon after in Spain, Italy, Belgium, Portugal and Germany. UK sales are not part of this initial rollout, not least because Citroen is still studying the legal framework on the car’s viability, local government commitment to infrastructure, and the costs of converting it to right-hand drive.

Head over to our sister site DrivingElectric to find out the best electric city cars on sale right now...



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Wednesday, February 26, 2020

New 2020 Volkswagen Golf GTD diesel revealed

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James Brodie 2020-02-26 23:01

New Volkswagen Golf GTD completes trio of performance Golfs revealed ahead of Geneva Motor Show

2020 Volkswagen Golf GTD - front 3/4 static

Alongside the new Golf GTI at the Geneva Motor Show, a hot diesel version has also been revealed: the Golf GTD. 

It completes a trio of ‘GT’ badged hot Golfs, alongside the petrol-powered GTI and the new plug-in hybrid GTE. The GTD is positioned as more of a long-range cruiser, with a theoretical maximum range of almost 600 miles on a single tank of fuel.

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Key to this is the GTD’s powertrain, which is a fresh development of Volkswagen’s popular 2.0-litre TDI turbodiesel unit. Power now stands at 197bhp, with torque rising to 400Nm. There’s a new catalytic converter system with twin ad-blue dosing selective catalytic reduction, reducing CO2 emissions compared with the previous car. Drive is sent to the front wheels, via a seven-speed DCT gearbox only. No performance, fuel economy or CO2 figures have been published.

The GTD will also be available with the same optional chassis equipment as the GTI, which brings 15mm lower sports suspension, a locking front differential, and adaptive dampers that work with the car’s various drive modes.

On the outside, the sporty body kit is shared with the GTI, but the GTD has one or two very subtle differences. All of the red detailing found on the GTI is replaced with dark grey, and there’s a different design for the standard alloy wheels. At the back, a single twin-exit tip replaces the GTI’s dual exhaust setup.

Similarly, in the cabin, sports seats are finished with tartan fabric, though the pattern itself features light-grey stripes rather than red. Like the GTI, final UK specifications have not been confirmed, but it’s likely that a 10.25-inch digital instrument display will be standard, which features bespoke graphics and a user interface theme using the GTD’s light-grey identification colour. 

Prices will likely start from around £31,000 when the new GTD goes on sale in the UK later in the year. 

Would you pick the new VW Golf GTD over the petrol-powered Golf GTI? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below...



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New 2020 Mk8 Volkswagen Golf GTI blasts in with 242bhp

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James Brodie 2020-02-26 23:01

New Volkswagen Golf GTI pairs together legendary GTI recipe with Mk8 Golf's latest technology

2020 Volkswagen Golf GTI - front 3/4 static

Here is the eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf GTI, which goes on sale in the UK this summer only a few months after the introduction of the regular Mk8 VW Golf.

The UK market ranks as one of the most important destinations for this latest car, given British buyers’ preference for hot Golfs. Around 40 per cent of all Golfs sold in the UK last year came from the GTI/GTE/GTD and R ranks, so in terms of overall share, the GTI is a heavy lifter in the line-up.

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Volkswagen has avoided any major alterations to the recipe, keeping the GTI free of hybrid assistance. As on all recent Golf GTI generations, a turbocharged four-cylinder engine sits under the bonnet, sending power to the front wheels exclusively via a newly developed six-speed manual gearbox. However, a seven-speed DSG automatic with paddle shifters is available as an option, updated with a new shift-by-wire system.

The turbocharged 2.0-litre TSI engine now produces 242bhp and 370Nm of torque, and is the fourth generation of the familiar ‘EA888’ engine. While no final performance figures have been issued, that marks an increase of 15bhp and 20Nm over the Performance Package version of the last Golf GTI, so a limited top speed of 155mph is expected, along with a slight improvement on the old car’s 6.4-second dash from 0-62mph. 

From the outside the GTI remains somewhat understated, the bodykit and spoiler barely any more aggressive than regular members of the Golf line-up. However, VW has re-incorporated some trademark GTI touches into the design, while introducing something new at the front bumper too. 

The classic GTI red pinstripe is present and correct at the front, linking the two LED headlights together with a new optional full-width lighting strip lining the car’s nose. Below sits a new front bumper with a large honeycomb-style grille, within which a new optional fog light system with chequered flag patterning is available.

Moving down the sides, the GTI rides on five-spoke, diamond cut 17-inch wheels as standard, with 18 and 19-inch sets optional. However, UK specifications have yet to be finalised so this line-up may change. Wider side sills appear, while around the back the dual exhausts still feature. The GTI lettering is found right beneath the VW badge, in the middle of the bootlid, for the first time. A small hatch-lid spoiler appears too, rounding off the subtle but sporty touches. 

It’s a similar story inside, whereby the interior of the normal Golf has received one or two bespoke GTI applications. There’s a new flat-bottomed steering wheel with GTI lettering and red detailing on the bottom spoke, while tartan checked upholstery returns on the standard fit sports seats - but with a twist. The pattern is colour coded across the GTI/GTE/GTD family, with red stripes in the GTI, but blue in the plug-in hybrid GTE and light grey in the GTD diesel. These colour themes are repeated throughout all three models. 

A standard 10.25-inch digital instrument panel sits behind the steering wheel, with GTI-specific graphics. The centre of the dashboard is occupied by an 8.25-inch touchscreen display, upped to 10 inches optionally, although again, UK equipment levels could be different. Ambient lighting with 30 selectable colours swathes around the dashboard and footwells. There’s a new GTI-specific gearknob on six-speed manual versions, too.

A raft of safety and assistance features will be available, while the GTI also includes the latest version of Travel Assist semi-autonomous driving, enabling automatic acceleration, steering and braking at speeds up to 130mph on motorway style roads. 

Expect prices to rise a little over the outgoing GTI Performance Pack, owing to the new technology on board; a tag of around £34,000 when the car hits showrooms in the summer seems likely. Further variants of the GTI, such as Clubsport models and track-hardened TCR versions, are expected to follow in due course.

Do you like the look of the new Volkswagen Golf GTI? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below...



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DS Aero Sport Lounge concept unveiled

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Luke Wilkinson 2020-02-26 11:45

DS' latest concept boasts a range upwards of 400 miles and previews a new bodystyle for the electric age

DS Aero Sport Lounge concept - front

DS has unveiled the Aero Sport Lounge concept ahead of this year’s Geneva Motor Show. It’s a streamlined, all-electric, pseudo-SUV – and it’s a vehicle that the French brand hopes will revolutionise the electric luxury car market, thanks to its focus on efficiency.

The concept’s electric drivetrain was designed using knowledge gained from DS’s experience in the Formula E racing series. It comprises a 670bhp electric motor and a floor-mounted 110kWh battery pack, which provides a claimed 0–62mph time of 2.8 seconds and a range “greater than 400 miles.”

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The DS Aero Sport Lounge concept measures five metres from nose to tail and rides on a set of 23-inch alloy wheels. Up front, there’s a pair of Matrix LED headlights and the radiator grille has been replaced with an interactive screen, which features an illuminated badge.

Speaking to Auto Express, DS design chief Thierry Métroz explained that the large dimensions, poor aerodynamics and heavy kerb weights of traditional SUVs means that they are unable to properly exploit the benefits of electric powertrains – which is where the Aero Sport Lounge concept comes in.

DS says this concept previews a new body style for the electric age – and it’s been designed to be as aerodynamically efficient as possible. The company claims the car’s steeply raked roofline and broad-spoke alloy wheels reduce drag, while the radiator grille and front bumper efficiently directs air down the car’s flanks to a pair of aero channels.

Métroz hinted that the look of the ASL will influence the next generation of DS models, and that a production-ready version of the concept could reach showrooms by 2025.

The interior of the Aero Sport Lounge concept is equally unconventional, featuring a range of unusual materials. The seats are trimmed in a fine-weave satin cotton, while the doors sport a three-material microfibre cloth. The concept’s dashboard and seat backs are also clad in dried, untreated rye straw, which DS says is both heat and water resistant.

What do you make of the DS Aero Sport Lounge concept? Let us know in the comments section below… 



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Drivers of expensive cars less likely to stop for pedestrians

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Hugo Griffiths 2020-02-26 11:00

American study finds that for every £800 increase in a car’s value, the likelihood it will stop at a pedestrian crossing fall by 3%

Angry driver

Drivers of expensive cars are less likely to stop at pedestrian crossings, an American study has found.

Researchers observed hundreds of cars at zebra crossings in America, where vehicles are required by law to stop, and found owners of less expensive cars were significantly more likely to stop for pedestrians compared to those in more expensive vehicles. On average, the value of a stopping car was $5,900 (£4,560), while the value of a car that failed to stop was $8,000 (£6,180).

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The study, published in the Journal of Transport & Health, initially set out to investigate race and gender bias related to pedestrian accident rates; but while some link was found in these areas, it was not statistically significant. Instead, the data showed that the value of a car was the greatest predictor of whether a driver would stop. Taking values from the well-respected US price guide Kelly Blue Book, the study found that for every $1,000 (£800) increase in the value of a car, the likelihood its driver would stop fell by three per cent. 

While American laws for pedestrian crossings are different from those in the UK, the researchers’ chosen crossings were close to UK zebra crossings, comprising two “zebra-striped, non-signaled [traffic lighted] midblock crossing[s]”.

Explaining why this might be, Dr Courtney Coughenour of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, who led the research, said drivers of less expensive cars might be more likely to empathise with people on foot. “A lower ability to interpret thoughts and feelings of others along with feelings of entitlement and narcissism may lead to a lack of empathy for pedestrians among higher SES [socioeconomic status] drivers which may result in lower yielding behaviors”, Dr Coughenour wrote in the Journal of Transport & Health.

She added: “Drivers of higher cost cars may have been less accustomed to and ill prepared to yield for pedestrians, as higher SES is associated with lower rates of active transportation.”

The study saw participants wearing brightly coloured T-shirts wait at US crosswalks in Portland, Oregon and in Las Vegas, and observed the behaviour of 500 cars. But while the value of cars being a strong predictor of how likely cars would be to stop is undoubtedly telling, perhaps more significant is that of the 500 cars observed, just 129 stopped at crossings where they were legally mandated to do so.

What car do you think is least likely to stop for a pedestrian? Let us know in the comments below...



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Vauxhall weighs in with strong sales as PSA increases profits

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John McIlroy 2020-02-26 10:00

The 2019 financial results from Group PSA make happy reading for the Peugeot, Citroen, DS and Vauxhall car brands

Vauxhall Corsa - Vauxhall badge

British brand Vauxhall has contributed significant profits to a strong set of financial results in 2019 for its parent organisation, Group PSA, it has been announced.

The automotive giant, which includes brands Peugeot, Citroen and DS as well as Vauxhall and Opel, sold slightly fewer cars overall in 2019 compared with 2018, but increased its profit margin for the sixth straight year, to 8.5 per cent. Its net income rose 11 per cent, delivering a net profit of €3.3billion (£2.76billion).

FCA and PSA merger agreed

PSA boss Carlos Tavares paid particular tribute to the staff at Opel and Vauxhall - brands that only joined the company when they were purchased from General Motors in 2017. Reported jointly, their profit margin stood at 6.5 per cent - less than three years after they were, in effect, rescued by the PSA buyout. “Opel and Vauxhall successfully delivered all the metrics of our plan,” he said.

“This is a very significant achievement in very short period of time. I’d like to express a very specific thanks and congratulations. It has been a very hard period for the team but they have done it: they have turned around their company. After 20 years of red ink, they moved to profit in two years. That deserves specific recognition.”

The strongest of PSA’s brands was arguably Citroen, which gained market share across Europe - but there was also some good news for PSA’s premium brand DS, which increased its global sales by 16 per cent. It was also the only one of the PSA Group’s car brands to report an actual increase in vehicle unit sales - from 53,265 to 61,989.

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“DS is an interesting case,” Tavares said. “Let’s recognise that in 2019 it made 60,000 extremely profitable sales. This is not only a good business but it is also a premium brand. We are very excited. At the end of the day, we are betting on the expertise and creative power of our people. And since I joined this company I’ve never been disappointed by that, ever.”

PSA is predicting that its margins will retract slightly in 2020, as the firm reacts to an expected decrease of the car market of three per cent in Europe and two per cent in Russia. “Our balance sheet is robust,” Tavares said, “and we are fit to face the uncertainties that we can predict. But this is not enough; it’s not enough to be a highly profitable car company.

“It is fundamental that we contribute to the wellbeing of the societies in which we operate. Since December 2018, we have significantly reduced the emissions of the cars that we sell. If we look at December 19, we’ve reduced by 11g/km the [average] CO2 emissions of our passenger vehicles. The way we are managing the CO2 performance of our sales is very sophisticated and efficient. We are sure we will meet the European CO2 target in 2020. We are not in a defensive mode on CO2 emissions; we believe it is a competitive edge for our company.” 

The improved results - in the face of decreased sales - are a sign that PSA’s brands are selling higher percentages of new higher-end vehicles on which margins are higher. 

Tavares also believes that PSA’s strategy of offering the latest 208 with a choice of petrol, diesel and pure-electric power will allow Peugeot to react to customer trends as they develop. “Our decision to offer multi-powertrain platforms is now fully aligned with the market,” he said. “It gives us a lot of flexibility to adapt to this volatile world.” But he admitted that the company is already looking at broadening its line-up of electric powertrains. “We are preparing to offer a wide array of ranges for our electrified vehicles,” Tavares said. 

Do you think the future is bright for Vauxhall? Let us know in the comments…



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New 2020 Land Rover Defender 90 to go on sale from £40,000

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John McIlroy 2020-02-26 09:30

Three-door Land Rover Defender 90 will undercut the larger 110 by nearly £5,000

Land Rover has named its price for the three-door ‘90’ version of the new Defender – and has started taking orders, too.

It’s been confirmed that the new model  will cost from £40,290 in the UK. That gives the reborn Land Rover’s range an entry point almost £5,000 less than when the car went on sale in five-door 110 form in September. 

• New Land Rover Defender ride review

That figure gets you a basic Defender 90 equipped with the same 197bhp D200 diesel engine that features in the lowliest 110. But the three-door is slightly lighter, so the entry-level 90 manages 0-60mph in 9.6 seconds (0.3 seconds faster than the longer 110). And while the cars have the same NEDC-equivalent CO2 emissions figure of 199g/km, the 90 scores marginally better on the tougher WLTP test, so it should be slightly more economical in the real world.

The 90’s engine range also includes the D240 (a 237bhp diesel) and a pair of petrols, the 296bhp P300 and the 395bhp six-cylinder P400. The last of those engines, which is fitted with mild-hybrid technology, is comfortably the fastest Defender 90, with a 0-60mph time of 5.7 seconds. All cars feature an automatic transmission.

Land Rover believes the 90 could be a popular choice with urban buyers as an alternative to regular premium SUVs. The 90 loses the 110’s seven-seat capability, but it will be offered with the option of a third seat up front, allowing five or six seats. With a spare wheel in place, it’s 4,583mm long – so slightly shorter than Land Rover’s own Discovery Sport, and only 20mm longer than the (five-seat) Audi Q3.

As with the larger 110, the 90 is being offered with a series of packs, badged Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban. These focus on everything from more extreme off-road ruggedness and protection, to styling and extras.

Land Rover says 1.21 million vehicles have been specced on the Defender’s configurator since last September. Within that number, more than half of prospective buyers have chosen one of the Accessory Packs and the most popular addition, the Urban Pack, has featured in 35 per cent of configurations, the manufacturer claims.

A plug-in hybrid version of the Defender is expected to arrive before the end of this year, and Land Rover will also make both the 90 and 110 models available as work-focused commercial editions starting from around £35,000. 

Click here to check out how we'd spec our Land Rover Defender...



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Tuesday, February 25, 2020

New Renault Captur 2020 review

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Renault Captur - front
26 Feb, 2020 6:00am Joe Holding

The second-generation Renault Captur small SUV is a seriously tempting package

Most of us remember 2012 for the London Olympics, but at Renault there’s a different memory: the launch of the original Captur. It was the company’s first small SUV and a model that has gone on to sell 1.5 million examples worldwide. The time has come for a new one, though, and now we’ve tried it on British roads.

The new Captur sits on the same CMF-B platform as the latest Clio and it’s 110mm longer, 19mm wider and 17mm taller than the original model. A wider grille and LED lights front and rear help it to cut a more impressive figure on the road.

• Best small SUVs and crossovers

Basing it on the new Clio has transformed the driving experience, too. The steering is precise and gives you the confidence to place the car accurately on a narrow road, while the soft suspension makes the Captur much more relaxed than many of its rivals. There’s a fair amount of body lean, but any roll is well damped, and the pay-off is a comfortable ride, even on rougher surfaces.

Inside, the influence of the new Clio is inescapable, but this is no bad thing; the use of soft-touch plastics throughout the interior makes the Captur a class-leader in this regard. Build quality feels strong, too.

The new platform and bigger dimensions have brought gains in passenger space and practicality. Rear legroom has improved, Renault says, and boot space has swelled to 536 litres. There’s a caveat, though: the rear bench now slides back and forth, and that headline figure assumes you’ve pushed the seats so far forward they are virtually unusable. Shove the bench right back and you’re looking at 422 litres of volume.

Base-spec cars come equipped with automatic wipers and climate control, while lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, traffic-sign recognition, active emergency braking and cruise control are thrown in, too.

A 4.2-inch digital display within the instrument cluster is teamed with a seven-inch colour touchscreen, and navigation is provided on all but entry-level Play models. The graphics are sharp enough and the screen responsive, but the set-up is not as intuitive as systems in VW Group rivals. So it’s good news that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is also standard.

The Captur’s biggest failing? That’d be the 1.0-litre petrol engine tested in this TCe 100 model. The 99bhp unit can only muster 160Nm of torque, and it’s every bit as pedestrian as the 13.3-second 0-62mph figure suggests. The saving grace is that the claimed fuel economy of 47.1mpg looked easily achievable on our drive through the Cotswolds.

On the motorway, the Captur needs to be revved hard in low gears to pick up speed, although the five-speed manual in our car felt nice and slick. We’ve also sampled the 1.3-litre TCe 130, and while its automatic gearbox is sluggish as you pull away from junctions and roundabouts, the additional power makes the car much more capable.

The Captur has the ingredients to be a sales success, and Renault’s competitive finance will put it at the front of buyers’ minds. Monthly repayments of £249 over a 49-month term follow a deposit of £289 on Iconic TCe 100 cars, putting it in the same ballpark as the SEAT AronaSkoda Kamiq and Citroen C3 Aircross. Factor in Renault’s five-year, 100,000-mile warranty, and you’ve got a really strong offer on the table.

For those after even lower running costs, a plug-in hybrid variant arrives in July. In what will be a first for the class, its 9.8kWh battery could offer up to 30 miles of range.

4
Never before have there been so many great small crossovers to choose from, but the new Renault Captur is right up there with the very best. Yes, some rivals stand out as being more practical or better to drive, but few offerings in this class set such a high bar across so many key areas for customers. A great finance package is the clincher, and the arrival of a plug-in hybrid version this summer will add another talent to its already-extensive list.
  • Model: Renault Captur TCe 100 Iconic
  • Price: £20,560
  • Engine: 1.0-litre 3cyl petrol
  • Power/torque: 99bhp/160Nm
  • Transmission: Five-speed manual, front-wheel drive
  • 0-62mph: 13.3 seconds
  • Top speed: 107mph
  • Economy/CO2: 47.1mpg/116g/km
  • On sale: Now


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New 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S launched with 415bhp

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Jonathan Burn 2020-02-25 23:01

The pumped-up Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S crossover is due in UK showrooms this summer

Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S - front action

This is the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S. The hot crossover has been officially revealed ahead of its public debut at next week’s Geneva Motor Show.

The rapid A-Class-based crossover gets the same 415bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine as the A 45 S. It also gets the same eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and 4MATIC four-wheel drive too, with torque control across the rear axle to help with cornering and acceleration. The car can crack 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds – half a second slower than the A 45 S.

New Mercedes-AMG A 45 S review

The hot GLA rides on MacPherson struts at the front and a four-link set-up at the rear, while adaptive damping with three modes comes as standard. Large six-piston brakes, which come as part of the AMG Dynamics Plus pack, are also standard.

AMG’s familiar Dynamic Select programme is also fitted, allowing drives between five driving modes. They range from Comfort to Race, while a new Master setting has also been introduced that enables “slight oversteer”. However, there is no Drift mode like that fitted to the A 45 S hatchback. 

Styling upgrades include LED headlights, flared front wheel arches, 19-inch alloy wheels and a rear diffuser, while a large rear wing will be optional. The cabin gets a Nappa-leather steering wheel and yellow contrast stitching on the seats.

The overall cabin architecture is largely carried over from the A 45 S; twin digital displays house AMG-specific telemetry technology and augmented 3D graphics for the navigation system. . 

UK sales should start in April, although the first deliveries won’t arrive until late summer. The car will continue to be pitched slightly above the equivalent A-Class, so expect prices to start at around £52,000.

Do you like the look of the new Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S? Let us know your thoughts below...



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New 2020 Hyundai i30 facelift breaks cover

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Alex Ingram 2020-02-25 23:01

The Hyundai i30 hatchback, Fastback and Wagon receive revised styling, improved infotainment and mild hybrid powertrain options

Hyundai i30 facelift - studio front

This is the facelifted Hyundai i30. The third generation model has received a host of updates to keep the model fresh in the face of competition from the Ford Focus and the new Volkswagen Golf.

Inside and out, the styling changes to the i30 are subtle. From the outside, the most obvious changes come at the front, where a new bumper design sits below a wider, more shapely grille, and new headlamp units feature LED running lamps.

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This time around, however, there’s a greater difference between the regular models and the sporty N Line trim. The rest of the range gets a different shape for the grille and extra chrome bits for a slightly classier look.

Around the back, the only real change comes at the tail lamps, which now feature LED graphics. New 17- and 18-inch wheel designs feature, while there are three new paint finishes to choose from, including the ‘Sunset Red’ shown in these images.

Inside, the i30 gets improved infotainment tech, including a 10.25-inch touchscreen that has already featured in the latest Ioniq and Kona. It provides a clearer layout, including customisable shortcut tiles on the home screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard, and later in 2020, they will be able to function wirelessly.

Ahead of the driver, the latest i30 is now available with a seven-inch display. The digital part includes the speedo and trip functions, and its graphics change based on the driving mode. It’s surrounded by analogue dials, including a rev counter, fuel gauge and temperature readout.

The i30’s engine lineup has been completely overhauled for 2020, with a range of updated petrol and diesel units, plus mild hybrid tech. The old 1.4-litre unit has been significantly re-engineered into a new 1.5-litre unit, which kicks off the range with 108bhp. A turbocharged version of the same unit tops with 158bhp - 20bhp more than the old 1.4 turbo. 

That turbocharged model also benefits from a 48-volt mild hybrid system, which uses energy recovered under deceleration to enable quicker stop/start systems and engine-off coasting. The same system is also fitted to a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol with 118bhp (the same engine will also come without the hybrid setup) and to a 134bhp 1.6-litre turbo diesel. 

The final engine option is a non-hybrid 1.6-litre diesel with 113bhp. The lowest powered petrol is only available with a six-speed manual gearbox, while the rest are available with a choice of seven-speed dual clutch auto or a new six-speed manual. This is able to disconnect from the engine when the driver lifts off the accelerator to save fuel.

Safety functions have also been upgraded for the latest model, with four systems making their way onto the i30 for the first time. Lane Following Assist combines with adaptive cruise control to enable a semi-autonomous driving function for short periods of time, while blind spot collision warning can both alert the driver of other vehicles and swerve to avoid a collision. A rear collision avoidance system is able to brake the car while reversing if necessary, while a further system can warn the driver if the car ahead has moved away in heavy traffic.

There will be one or two revisions to the trim levels when the revised range comes to the UK towards the end of the year. The sporty fastback models, for example, are set to be offered exclusively in N Line trim. While the Estate will now be offered as an N Line, this combination is unlikely to be offered here.

Do you like the look of the facelifted Hyundai i30? Let us know your thoughts below...



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Monday, February 24, 2020

New 2020 VW Touareg R revealed with plug-in power and 456bhp

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Alex Ingram 2020-02-24 23:01

The hot Volkswagen Touareg R SUV combines a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 with a 134bhp electric motor

VW Touareg R - front

This is the new Volkswagen Touareg R. The most potent version of the firm’s flagship SUV packs a 456bhp plug-in hybrid powertrain capable of returning CO2 emissions of around 44g/km, says VW.

Those figures are made possible by a petrol/electric powertrain largely carried over from the Bentley Bentayga Hybrid. That means that under the bonnet there's a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine with 335bhp. It’s paired with a 134bhp electric motor housed within the eight-speed automatic gearbox to deliver permanent four-wheel drive in both combustion and electric driving modes.

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Combined, the two systems offer a total of 700Nm of torque. Performance figures are yet to be confirmed, but Volkswagen believes that the Touareg R will cover the 0-62mph sprint in around five seconds.

The Touareg R is able to drive at up to 87mph in fully electric mode, while a 14.1kWh battery stored between the back seats and the boot allows for an estimated all-electric range of 27 miles. The larger battery does not affect passenger space, but the boot has shrunk to 610 litre capacity.

As with other Touaregs, the R shares its underpinnings and tech with other big SUVs like the Audi Q7, Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus. The R rides on air suspension, but while some of its sister vehicles feature four-wheel steering and active anti roll suspension, the packaging constraints of the hybrid system means that the R does without either. However, Volkswagen engineers confirmed that they are looking to introduce the systems at a later date.

From the outside, the Toureg R is set apart from the rest of the range thanks to unique alloy wheels measuring between 20 and 22 inches in diameter.

The Lapiz blue paint finish, a signature of the brand’s R models, also features here, while the Touareg is the first hot VW in Europe to feature the new ‘R’ logo. The black exterior pack offered as an optional extra on other Touaregs is standard here, and the rear of the car is finished off with a pair of large trapezoidal tailpipes.

Inside, the Touareg R gets a new sports steering wheel and unique seating upholstery. The ‘Innovision’ in-car tech, which comprises a 15-inch touchscreen and 12-inch digital driver’s display, is standard, as is a semi-autonomous driving function that can take care of acceleration, steering and braking at speeds of up to 155mph.

Prices of the Touareg R are still to be announced, but should be confirmed a little closer to the release date, expected to be the fourth quarter of 2020.

What are the best plug-in hybrids on sale? Head over to our sister site DrivingElectric to find out...



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New Aston Martin DBX by Q shows off customisation options

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John Mahoney 2020-02-24 12:00

Aston Martin's 'Q' customisation division has been let loose on the brand's new DBX SUV

Aston Martin DBX by Q - front

The heavily customised Aston Martin DBX by Q has been revealed ahead of its official launch at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

Claimed to highlight the 'rule-breaking customisation' that is achievable through its Q bespoke division, the DBX by Q is said to showcase Aston Martin's 'darker side'.

Aston Martin DBX prototype review

That goes some way explain why the tailored DBX by Q is painted in dark satin grey, sits on huge gloss black 22-inch wheels, features a darkened grille and ditches all of its exterior chrome. A full carbon fibre exterior styling pack completes a look that’s claimed to portray an aggressive, confident attitude.

Inside, the bespoke division has worked hard to recapture the menacing exterior within the cabin. ‘Obsidian black’ leather seats and machined carbon fibre finish around the centre console, as does a single piece of herringbone finished boot floor that, again, has been weaved using carbon fibre. 

Contrasting with all the gloominess, there's diamond patterned satin aluminium that's used on the door pulls, lever, and centre console surround.

If you're wondering how much it all adds to the DBX's, already towering £158,000 price tag - Aston isn't saying yet, but the work and attention to detail that has been lavished by its Q department, only goes to demonstrate the commitment the British brand's devotion to making your new SUV unique.

Don't believe us? The show car's centre console's carbon-fibre finish was a real labour of love taking 280 individual layers of carbon-fibre laid meticulously by hand before a 12-hour curing process. The centre console then underwent 90 further hours of milling before it was judged ready.

Commenting on the Aston Martin DBX by Q, design boss Marek Reichman said: "the example shown today is just one sphere of inspiration that can be explored, but with DBX providing the ultimate canvas to bring a vision to life, I fully expect to see a wide and broad variety of creations over the coming months.” 

Aston Martin says following its debut at the Geneva Motor Show, the DBX By Q's special satin paint and carbon exterior pack will both be available to order on the rest of the DBX range.

Click here for everything in the build-up to the 2020 Geneva Motor Show... 



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