Audi Q2 Books Are Now Open

Order books have already opened for Audi's new entry-level crossover. The Audi Q2 falls short of rivals in terms of the other premium German marques, however its closest competition includes popular cars like the Nissan Juke and Vauxhall Mokka X.

Just like the rest of Audi's range, The Q2 will come in three different guises - SE, Sport and S line.

The Audi Q2 SE features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard as well as Bluetooth, progressive steering, heated and electrically adjustable door mirrors and 16-inch alloys. The interior inlays can be finished in white or orange, or for an additional charge you can make them matt brushed aluminium or even illuminated (part of the LED Interior Pack Advanced).

Sport adds cruise control, automatic lights and wipers, cloth sports seats and Audi drive select which allows the driver to alternate between 5 driving modes. The alloys also get an upgrade, to 17 inches, and this time the inlays are either red or yellow, no white or orange, however the two other options are still available.

Top-of-the-range S line brings with it the mandatory aggressive bodystyling and larger 18-inch alloy wheels, in addition to some smart tech such as LED headlights, tail lights and interior lights. The sports seats are finished in part leather, and this time you get brushed aluminium inlays as standard.

The C-pillar is under equally as strict rules as the dashboard inlays. SE gets Manhattan grey, Sport gets Ice silver (or Manhattan grey as an option), and S line gets matt Titanium grey (or Ice silver as an option). All three trims can alternatively specify Ibis white.

For those seeking something a little more special, the Audi Q2 Edition #1 delivers just that. Outside, the theme is grey - Quantum grey paint, Manhattan grey contrasting bumpers and skirts, and shocking  brilliant black C-pillar blades. If that's not enough, Audi will also include the black styling pack which adds a bit of style to the rear diffuser, exterior mirrors and single-frame front grille, and 19-inch diamond-cut gloss anthracite black rotor alloy wheels. Inside, the colour theme changes to brown - there's Amaretto brown contrast on the Fine Nappa leather sports seats, the floor mats, kneepads and door armrests.

The usual list of suspects appears time and time again in Audi's options list, and the Q2 is no different. This includes the Audi virtual cockpit, a head-up display, adaptive cruise control with stop & go function, traffic jam assist, lane departure warning system, traffic sign recognition and rear cross-traffic alert. It is worth noting that Audi pre sense front with pedestrian recognition comes as standard.

From the word go, the Germans are restricting us to two engines. The highly regarded 1.4 TFSI, a petrol engine that produces 148 bhp yet manages a claimed 54.3 mpg thanks to the capability of running off just two of four cylinders at cruising pace. The CO2 emissions of 119 g/km, 0-62 mph time of 8.5 seconds and top speed of 131 mph are all very favourable.

For the sensible ones, the 1.6 TDI is the best choice. The four-cylinder diesel engine will produce 114 bhp and an adequate 250 Nm of torque between 1,500-3,200 rpm. Audi claims 64.2 mpg and 114 g/km. With a top speed of 122 mph and a sprint time of 10.3 seconds, the 1.6 TDI will definitely be able to hold its own on the motorway.

Both engines will be available with a 6-speed manual transmission, or optionally a 7-speed dual-clutch S tronic gearbox. The 1.6 TDI paired with the S tronic transmission will arrive a bit later than the others.

If you can wait until the end of 2016, a 3-cylinder 1.0 TFSI will become available, with its 114 bhp. At the same time, there will also be a 2.0 TDI with 148 bhp which will come as standard with the 7-speed S tronic.

Lastly, in mid-2017, a 2.0 TFSI will join the crew. It will be exclusive to quattro all-wheel-drive and the S tronic transmission. This is the point where the 148 bhp engines (1.4 TFSI and 2.0 TDI) will be optionally available with quattro, too.

The cheapest Q2 at the moment is £22,380, however the 1.0 TFSI will cut under this soon at £20,230, significantly higher than the likes of the Nissan Juke.

Hyundai IONIQ - HEV, PHEV and BEV

Hyundai's IONIQ was built to be an eco car from the word go. It will come in the form of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and a battery electric vehicle (BEV). No gas guzzlers here, then!

Hybrid

The hybrid makes use of a 1.6-litre petrol engine as part of its green formula. The entry level SE trim comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, DAB digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, rear parking sensors, a rear view camera, Autonomous Emergency Braking, a Lane Keep Assist System and individual Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems. This comes at the cost of £19,995. The entry-level Toyota Prius is considerably more expensive, with prices starting at £23,295, however standard equipment is more generous with features such as LED headlights and tail lights, automatic lights and even Road Sign Assist.

The IONIQ Hybrid Premium is likely to be the best selling of its type offered by Hyundai because standard kit is in line with the entry-level Prius. It includes luxuries such as keyless entry with push-button start, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, bi-xenon headlights, LED tail lights and a TomTom sat nav with smartphone connectivity using the latest Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This comes at an £1,800 premium over the SE.

Top-of-the-range Premium SE costs yet another £1,800 over the mid-range Premium and comes with leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a powered driver's seat with memory function, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Front Parking Assist. You can even upgrade your Premium SE Hybrid to have 17-inch alloy wheels.

The Hybrid model is available in 7 colours - black, white, silver, grey, brown, blue and orange. Inside, Hyundai has made use of a 'Lava Stone' colour scheme with contrasting blue accents throughout.

A total system output of 141 horsepower and 265 Nm is put down to the road through a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission - no fussy CVTs here! Nought to sixty-two is covered in 10.8-11.1 seconds, with a top speed of 115 mph. Hyundai claims a combined 83.1 mpg, with CO2 emissions of 79-92 g/km.

Electric

Your entry point for the IONIQ Electric is Premium grade, skipping SE completely. The standard kit mirrors the Premium in the Hybrid range, but adds automatic wipers, 16-inch alloys, LED headlights and tail lights and a smart cruise control. This costs £28,995, or £7,200 more than the Hybrid Premium.

Yet again, you can upgrade to Premium SE which features the same kit as before, with the same additional cost of £1,800. This time, the IONIQ Electric Premium SE gets EV-specific 16-inch alloy wheels.

Despite the comparably high pricing, it's expected that you could take away up to £4,500 from the price thanks to the Government's Plug-in Car Grant. Every IONIQ Electric comes as standard with rapid charging capabilities, allowing it to reach 80% in 33 minutes when using the '50kW CCS Combo Rapid' public charger. You can also charge it using a 3-pin plug, just like your laptop or smartphone. Adjustable regenerative braking ensures the best range possible.

The IONIQ Electric is available with mostly the same colours as the IONIQ Hybrid apart from grey and brown, but it does gain its unique yellow paint. Inside, the same 'Lava Stone' colour scheme is used, but this time with copper accents.

The Electric is quicker than the Hybrid, reaching 62 mph in 9.9-10.2 seconds. That's thanks to a 120 horsepower and a decent 295 Nm.

Plug-In Hybrid

The IONIQ Plug-In Hybrid will also use a 1.6-litre petrol engine but with bigger batteries. Pricing and specification is yet to be announced.

Pricing

The Hybrid will be in showrooms on the 13th of October, with only 27 showrooms getting the Electric by then. The rest will have to make do with waiting until 2017 before having the Electric on display.

No matter which model you choose, you're guaranteed a 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty, with an additional 8-year 125,000-mile warranty for the high-voltage batteries.

The pricing is as follows:

• Hybrid SE - £19,995
• Hybrid Premium - £21,795
• Hybrid Premium SE - £23,595
• Electric Premium - £28,995
• Electric Premium SE - £30,795

The Hybrid's BIK is 15%, with the Electric being lower at 7%.

Renault Clio Gets a Host of Updates

At first glance, the facelifted Renault Clio looks no different to the one that's been on our roads since late 2012, so what has Renault done exactly?

Materials are said to have been passed down from more premium models, meaning they're of higher quality. As well as some new materials, Renault has also changed a couple of its design cues - there's a slightly different grille and the LED daytime running lights are now C-shaped on higher-end trim levels, in keeping with the latest Renault models.

Inside, the steering wheel, gear lever and door panels have all been tastefully redesigned in favour of a classier cabin. The seats are more supportive and also feature better quality upholstery.

In terms of in-car tech, the R&GO® infotainment system is now available right across the range, even on entry level models, meaning you needn't opt for an unnecessarily high trim level. A smartphone-based app connects to the car in 4 key areas - navigation, phone, multimedia and vehicle data. Media Nav Evolution adds the 7-inch touchscreen.

The Clio has always had a reputation of being easy to drive both in towns and out on the motorway. The story is no different today thanks to the availability of front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and even hands-free parking. Obviously you'll have to pay more for these types of luxuries.

There are many other luxuries that you can add to your Clio, such as LED headlights, illuminated vanity mirrors, an auto-dimming electro-chromatic rear-view mirror and door mirrors that automatically fold in upon locking the car.

If you're into your music, which is quite likely considering the Clio's demographics, you can specify a  BOSE ® sound system with 7 speakers.

In terms of power, the new Energy dCi 110 engine offers adequate power with no compromise when it comes to running costs. The 1.5-litre engine makes 110 horsepower and 260 Nm of torque, the latter at just 1,750 rpm. It will average a claimed 80 mpg and emit 90 g/km making it free to tax.

Also available is the dCi 90 which will average up to 88 mpg (so they say), the naturally aspirated 1.2-litre petrol and the turbo-petrols, in the form of the TCe 90 and TCe 120. The worst engine you can opt for is the 1.2-litre petrol which averages 50 mpg and emits 127 g/km of CO2. As well as manual transmissions, some engines come with Renault's 'EDC' dual-clutch gearbox.

Expression, Play, Dynamique Nav and Dynamique S Nav are the four choices you'll have. Whatever you pick, you'll have cruise control with a speed limiter, electric front windows, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, central locking and a start/stop button.

Play introduces front fog lights, air conditioning and 16-inch alloy wheels. Dynamique Nav includes features such as the 7-inch touchscreen, automatic lights and wipers and body-coloured door mirrors, while Dynamique S Nav adds full LED front and rear lights, 17-inch alloys, rear electric windows and rear parking sensors.

Sitting above these are the RenaultSport models - the Clio RS 200 EDC and the Clio RS 220 Trophy. Both use a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine and Renault's dual-clutch transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddles, producing 200 and 220 horsepower respectively.

It takes 6.6 seconds for the 220 Trophy to reach 62 mph, and it goes on to a top speed of 146 mph. It's the worst for the environment, yet still promises 48 mpg and 135 g/km.

For comparison, the VW Polo GTI produces 192 horsepower from a 1.8-litre turbo-petrol, however it takes 0.1 s more to reach 62 mph. The story's the same for the SEAT Ibiza Cupra. The Vauxhall Corsa's 1.6-litre turbo-petrol gets it there in 0.1 s quicker than the Clio RS 220, whilst producing just 205 horsepower. Ford's way behind with a sprint time of 6.9 seconds from its 182 horsepower 1.6-litre turbo-petrol fitted to the Fiesta ST.

Tow Car Awards - 2016 Winners PLUS Tow Car of the Decade Announced

If you're a keen member of the Caravan Club, or just enjoy caravan holidays, it may be time to upgrade your car to a newer, more fuel efficient model. But without the help of experts comparing hundreds of cars, it's difficult to know where to start.

That's where the Tow Car Awards come in, which look at 5 different weight categories as well as some other specifics, such as eco-friendliness, the MPV class, petrol power and lightweight cars. Not only are there those categories, but there is an overall winner, and the winner of the decade.

Cars are tested with a caravan or trailer that weighs 85% of the car's kerb weight, or with a caravan or trailer that reaches the car's claimed towing limit if this is lower than 85%. Tests include high-speed stability at higher-than-legal speeds, slalom, emergency lane changes, acceleration, braking and hill starts on 1-in-6 slopes. They're also tested on how well they deal with a typical family's holiday load, buying and running costs, and day-to-day driving. Let's take a look...

• Best Ultralight Tow Car

Suzuki Vitara 1.4 Boosterjet Allgrip S (£20,899)

If you're not a brand snob, then this is definitely the car to go for in terms of what you get for your money. Standard kit on this S model includes ALLGRIP, Suzuki's four-wheel-drive system, keyless entry and go, a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, LED headlights, automatic lights and wipers, Bluetooth and 17-inch alloys. The only let-down? The 1.4-litre petrol engine. An adequate 138 bhp and 220 Nm make for good town driving, but compared to its rivals who offer diesel options, this Suzuki would struggle towing heavier loads under hard acceleration. Claimed figures are just over 50 mpg with CO2 emissions of 127-128 g/km with the 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmissions. Both can carry 1,200 kg braked and 400 kg unbraked, however the manual model only weighs 1,210 kg (the auto is 25 kg heavier). A 375-litre boot is below average, and the total with the seats folded flat only increases to 710 litres.

• Best Petrol Tow Car

Ford Mondeo Vignale 2.0 EcoBoost (240 PS) auto (£30,855)

Forget about Style, Zetec and Titanium, because the Vignale offers whole new levels of luxury for the Ford brand. It features 18-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry and go, an 8-inch touchscreen with the upgraded Sony sound system and a rear view camera, as well as Vignale-specific styling inside and out. The EcoBoost engine does not disappoint - 237 bhp and 340 Nm are far from average on a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine. So far so good - that's until you look at the running costs. CO2 emissions are high for a family saloon at 171-176 g/km. MPG figures are also very poor, in the region of the mid to late 30s. It's not even very quick, with 0-62 mph being covered in 7.9 seconds. Depending on which size spare wheel you opt for, the boot capacity ranges from 458 to 550 litres, or 1,356 to 1,446 litres with the rear seats down.

• Best MPV

SEAT Alhambra 2.0 TDI (184 PS) SE Lux DSG (£35,190)

This SE Lux model is almost at the top of the tree with only the FR-Line blocking it from taking the crown - it already overrules the S, SE and Connect. It's far from basic which is great for the kids as well as the adults. As well as 17-inch alloy wheels, sat nav, a reversing camera, heated front seats, leather upholstery and an electronic limited slip differential, you'll also get automated rear sliding doors, an automated boot and a large panoramic glass roof, the front part of which slides and tilts. The 2.0-litre TDI engine is the best in the range, but that's what you'd expect. After all, it's the same engine used in the VW Golf GTD! A total of 380 Nm are at hand too, which means you'll be able to pull the whole family and the caravan around with very few worries. Despite having the aerodynamic qualities of the Taj Mahal, it's still able to achieve over 50 mpg and emit 139 g/km of CO2. It's the same story whether you go for the 6-speed DSG automatic or the 6-speed manual. 

• Green Award

Kia Cee'd Sportswagon 1.6 CRDi (134 bhp) 2 (£19,895)

The Cee'd Sportswagon 2 sits somewhat at the bottom of the range above the 1 and below the 3, 4, 4 Tech and GT Line. Standard kit is what's to be expected for under £20k but it still offers enough creature comforts, including 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, front fog lights, LED daytime running lights, DAB radio, air conditioning and Bluetooth. The 1.6-litre diesel engine isn't the most refined in the business, and only produces 280 Nm of torque, but this all makes sense when you realise it does over 70 mpg, emits 102 g/km, and still gets to 62 mph in 10.1 seconds. The boot measures 528 litres, or 1,660 litres with the seats folded down, and it'll tow 1,500 kg braked.

• Up to 1,400 kg:

Honda HR-V 1.6 i-DTEC SE (£22,440)
SE sits between S and EX in the HR-V lineup and boasts features such as 17-inch alloy wheels, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, automatic lights and wipers as well as cruise control. The front-wheel-drive car uses a 6-speed manual transmission to deliver 118 bhp and 300 Nm. Claimed figures are almost 70 mpg and 109 g/km of CO2. The HR-V boasts a 470-litre boot which can be extended to 1026 litres with the back seats folded down. Maximum towing weights are 1400 kg braked and 500 kg unbraked.

• 1,400 - 1,549 kg:

Skoda Superb Hatch 2.0 TDI (150 PS) SE Business (£22,555)

Yet again, the chosen model sits right in the middle of the range, above S and SE, yet below SE L Execute and Laurin & Klement. It features Alcantara and leather upholstery, 17-inch alloy wheels, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, rear parking sensors and automatic wipers. The chosen engine is the 148 bhp 2.0-litre diesel as opposed to the 187 bhp model - it has 340 Nm of torque. With the 6-speed manual transmission it's capable of exactly the same MPG and CO2 figures as the Honda HR-V. Add dual-clutch automatic transmission and you lose a few miles to your gallon and emit enough CO2 to make you pay £30 a year in annual road tax. There's also a four-wheel-drive version with manual transmission which has the same MPG figures as the automatic, however it emits an extra g/km of CO2, rated at 120. The front-wheel-drive models can tow 2,000 kg braked or 750 kg unbraked, however this increases to 2,200 kg for the 4x4 model. The Superb offers a superb boot too - 625 litres, or 1760 with the seats down.

• 1,550 - 1,699 kg:

Jaguar XF 2.0 i4D (180 PS) Prestige auto (£34,550)

The Prestige is your entry point to Jaguar's XF before you consider upgrading to Portfolio, R-Sport or S, but if towing the caravan is your main priority, the Prestige offers more than enough standard kit. Xenon headlights, leather upholstery, heated front seats, rear parking sensors, automatic lights and wipers as well as keyless entry and go. If you want to save yourself a little cash you can always have a 6-speed manual in this car, but it doesn't suit the Jaguar's class one bit. Both the automatic and manual have claimed figures of 65.7 mpg and 114 g/km of CO2, with 178 bhp and 430 Nm being delivered this time through the rear wheels. A four-wheel-drive automatic XF can be an option if you often find yourself in a muddy field, though. This comes at the expense of running costs - 57.7 mpg and 129 g/km of CO2. Nevertheless, the 178 bhp model is definitely the one to go for out of the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder units, as opposed to the lesser powered 161 bhp model.

• 1,700-1,899 kg:

Land Rover Discovery Sport TD4 (180 PS) SE Tech auto (£36,350)

Just like the Jag, this Land Rover is the entry point to the Disco Sport range. Well, almost. Above SE, the SE Tech is crushed by the HSE, HSE Black, HSE Luxury and HSE Dynamic Lux. This is no bad thing, as it features automatic lights and wipers, cruise control, 18-inch alloy wheels, an 8-inch touchscreen, part leather upholstery and front heated seats. Unlike the 148 bhp model, this 178 bhp model gets 7 seats, making it more practical. If you want to save a bit of buck you can opt for a 6-speed manual transmission, but the 9-speed automatic that the experts have chosen makes for effortless driving. The 430 Nm of torque and four-wheel-drive are a perfect combination for caravanning, but 53.3 mpg and 139 g/km needs to be pointed out. With all 7 seats in place, you're left with a dismal 194 litres of cargo area, but fold down the two rear rows down and you get 981 or 1,698 litres.

• 1,900 kg +

Land Rover Discovery 3.0 SDV6 (256 PS) Graphite (£47,505)

The Graphite model comes as standard with xenon headlights, front and rear parking sensors, 19-inch alloys, leather upholstery with front heated seats, cruise control, keyless entry, a reversing camera and the upgraded Meridian sound system. All of this, and it's the entry-level Discovery. Other than this, your only option is the Landmark, or the Commercial SE. The 280-litre boot is great for a 7-seater, however in 5-seat mode it boasts 1,192 litres of space. A total of 2,558 litres can be freed up with the 5 rear seats folded down. As regards engines, your only choice is the SDV6 diesel engine. The 3.0-litre V6 produces 252 bhp and 600 Nm. The all-wheel-drive and 8-speed automatic transmission have poor results - 36.7 mpg and 203 g/km of CO2.

OVERALL WINNER

In the eyes of the Tow Car Awards, the overall winner of 2016 is the Skoda Superb Hatch 2.0 TDI (150 PS) SE Business (£22,555).

TOW CAR OF THE DECADE

The awards have reached 10 years of existence, therefore the first Tow Car of the Decade has been chosen. Since 2007, the experts have agreed that the Land Rover Discovery 4 has been most practical.

PREVIOUS WINNERS

Previous Tow Car Awards winners included:

• VW Passat Estate 2.0 TDI 4Motion Sport - 2007
• Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Titanium auto - 2008
• Volvo XC60 D5 SE Geartronic - 2009
• Land Rover Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 XS - 2010
• VW Passat Estate 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Sport - 2011
• Jaguar XF 2.2D Premium Luxury - 2012
• Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI CR 150PS Elegance - 2013
• Nissan Qashqai 1.6 dCi (130PS) Stop/Start System Acenta Premium - 2014
• VW Passat Estate 2.0 TDI BMT 150PS SE Business DSG - 2015

Updated Peugeot 2008 Unveiled

The refreshed Peugeot 2008 is already in showrooms across the UK for ordering, but what makes this different to is predecessor?

It has grown from an almost awkward oversized hatchback to a miniature crossover. The higher trim models get features like flared wheelarches, scuff plates and a more upright grille which all give it a very sophisticated appearance.

As well as Access, Active and Allure, Peugeot will offer you a sportier GT Line which is already an option on the 108, 208, 308 and 508. No matter which level of trim you opt for, you will be greeted with Peugeot's i-Cockpit® from the moment you step inside. The design of this cockpit allows you to see over the small, sporty steering wheel as opposed to through, where the slightly raised instruments will give you all the information you need at a quick glance.

The 7-inch touchscreen features smartphone connectivity as well as a reversing camera. When it comes to safety, Active City Brake will help you avoid low speed collisions, while Park Assist will help you finish off your journey with ease.

As regards engines, the 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine can be had in multiple guises, with power ranging from 81 to 128 bhp. The 1.6-litre 4-cylinder diesel comes with a range of outputs, ranging from 75 to 118 bhp. The diesels are definitely the most sensible - with promised figures of over 70 mpg, they're also free to tax and do not belong to the 3-cylinder category which has a noteworthy soundtrack.

Mercedes Bring the Cabriolet Name to the C-Class Range

Just as you'd expect, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet follows the same design cues as the Coupé with one exception, the multi-layer electronically-operated acoustic soft-top that replaces the standard metal roof. It will fold up or down at speeds of up to 31 mph, and can be had in black, dark blue, dark red or dark brown.

But enough about that, what about the standard equipment? Mercedes will throw in a reversing camera, a Garmin sat nav, heated seats, Active Park Assist, LED headlights, DAB digital radio, and sports seats finished in mad-made Artico leather. That's what makes up entry-level Sport trim, which is finished off with 17-inch alloy wheels and keyless entry (the latter being available solely on automatic models). And if that's not enough, two convertible specialities are included too - Airscarf will keep your neck warm with heater vents built into the headrests, and Aircap will lessen the effects of the wind in your hair by diverting it over the windshield and above the cabin.

For £1,495, you can upgrade to AMG Line. This adds a black ash wood trim with brushed aluminium detailing, a sports flat-bottomed steering wheel, steel sports pedals, black roof lining, AMG bodystyling and 18-inch alloys. The C-Class Cabriolet finished in AMG Line gets a 15 mm lower suspension setup.

Premium Plus package (£1,695) is only available on automatic models, and adds blind spot monitoring, lane keep assistant, Distronic Plus, Pre-safe Plus and Pre-safe Brake with pedestrian detection for everyone's utmost safety.

Two petrols and two diesels are available. The C 200 and C 300 both make use of a 2.0-litre petrol engine, producing 184 and 245 horsepower. Claimed MPG figures are in the 40s, and both are available with the 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic transmission however the C 200 comes as standard with a 6-speed manual.

When it comes to diesel power, the C 220 d produces 170 horsepower. The 6-speed manual is reserved for rear-wheel-drive models, however the 9G-TRONIC is available on RWD and AWD. There's also a C 250 d with 204 horsepower and a 9G-TRONIC.

If you want something a bit quicker, Mercedes will sell you the AMG C 43 4MATIC. The 3.0-litre bi-turbo V6 produces 367 horsepower and gets to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds through the 9G-TRONIC gearbox. Standard kit for this sizzling soft-top includes 18-inch alloy wheels, an AMG performance exhaust, black mirrors housings, Artico and Dinamica upholstery and the words 'BITURBO 4MATIC' places on the front wings.

Of course, if this isn't fast enough for you, the C 63 will be what you're looking for. The 4.0-litre V8 produces 476 horsepower and 650 Nm, making it good for 0-62 mph in 4.2 seconds. Upgrade this to the C 63 S for an additional 34 horsepower and 50 Nm, shaving 0.1 s off the sprint time.

The Mercedes-AMG C 63 comes with Nappa leather upholstery, "V8 BITURBO" on the front wings and a spoiler lip. The C 63 S adds a Nappa and Dinamica sports steering wheel, 19-inch alloys, an electronic rear limited-slip differential and AMG performance seats which are an option on the C 63 (£1,405).

The boisterous cars cost £65,685 and £72,245, however if you've got £78,295 that you need to spend, put down your deposit on the C 63 S Edition 1 which features unique diamond-stitched Nappa upholstery in black and brown, matt carbon fibre interior trim and bespoke alloy wheels which measure 19 inches up front and 20 inches at the rear.

Don't worry, for £36,200 you can get the entry-level C 200 Sport, just over £4,500 more than the C-Class Coupé.

Vauxhall Mokka X Pricing Announced

If you're in the market for a funky crossover that oozes style, you could have shortlisted the Vauxhall Mokka. If so, I suggest you wait for the Mokka X's arrival in October.

The frugal 1.6-litre turbodiesel produces 110 horsepower, and with a 6-speed manual gearbox it's capable of a claimed 72.4 mpg, emitting 103 g/km. Shame there's no tax-free option, something that Renault already has under its belt with the Captur's dCi 90 and dCi 110 engines.

Entry-level Design Nav models come equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, front fog lights and an 8-inch IntelliLink infotainment system.

Top-of-the-range Elite Nav features luxuries such as leather upholstery and heated front seats and steering wheel.

Engine choices are a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre petrol with 115 horsepower, however it's the 1.4-litre turbo-petrol that really packs a punch with 140 horsepower and some low-down shove. Diesel engines are available too, the 1.6-litre unit can be had with 110 or 136 horsepower.

The 1.6-litre petrol engine is what sets the foundation for each trim level's pricing, which goes like this:

• Design Nav - £17,590
• Active - £19,655
• Elite - £22,155
• Elite Nav - £22,855

An upgrade to the 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine will cost you £655 on all trims apart from Design Nav where it comes in at £720.

Upgrade your 1.4 to automatic for £930, or to all-wheel-drive for £1,740 (£1,580 on Design Nav). Upgrade the 1.4 all-wheel-drive to automatic for a further £1,260.

The 1.6 diesel can be had with or without Vauxhall's fuel-saving ecoFLEX technology, on the 110 or 136 horsepower model. Either way, it'll cost you zero, nothing, nada. Make the 1.6 136 an automatic for £1,005 (another £10 for Design Nav), or to manual all-wheel-drive for £1,700.

Vauxhall Zafira Tourer Pricing

The new, latest-generation Zafira Tourer has been officially released and will be in showrooms from October, and the strategy Vauxhall has opted for couldn't be more simple.

Your first point for consideration is whether you want petrol power, or do you prefer diesel? Ok, now that you've decided, it's time to select which engine best suits your needs. Well, that's what usually happens, except Vauxhall has just two engines.

The 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol produces 140 horsepower, and the 2.0-litre turbodiesel produces a respectable 170 horsepower, which means the 1.6-litre turbodiesel of old will not be carried over. All we can do is hope that these two engines will suit everyone's driving needs.

Nevertheless, both are available with manual or automatic transmissions. Choose the 2.0 CDTi with manual transmission and you get stop/start which helps reign in the CO2 emission figure to 129 g/km. You'll be looking at MPG figures in the mid-50s. Slightly disappointing after having considered that the Citroën Grand C4 Picasso has a 110 horsepower diesel engine that promises 74.3 mpg and sub-100 g/km of CO2 making it free to tax. Even the BMW 220d Grand Tourer slips into the CO2 category below the Zafira Tourer, promising over 60 mpg. The Zafira Tourer, in fact, shares similar stats to the 220d xDrive - BMW's four-wheel-drive 7-seater.

Maybe engines are not Vauxhall's strong point in the Zafira Tourer range, but build quality is something that certainly doesn't disappoint, and there's plenty of options to choose from. See below the trim levels' pricing when specified with the 1.4i engine.

• Design - £18,615
• Energy - £21,735
• SRi - £23,280
• SRi Nav - £23,980
• SE - £23,265
• Tech Line - £20,310
• Elite - £24,745
• Elite Nav - £25,445

Should you want to make this a 1.4i with automatic transmission, you can add £1,520. If it's diesel power you're after, add £3,010 to Design, Energy, SE and Tech Line, or £3,075 to SRi, SRi Nav, Elite and Elite Nav. Automatic transmission for your diesel engine will set you back £1,125 on Design, Energy, SE and Tech Line, or £1,060 on SRi, SRi Nav, Elite and Elite Nav.

Entry-level Design comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors and Vauxhall's 7-inch IntelliLink infotainment system which is optionally available with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

Top-of-the-range Elite Nav adds the upgraded satellite navigation system as well as 18-inch alloys, a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats with leather upholstery, electronic climate control and front fog lights.

Fiat Sees the Introduction of the 500S

Sportier bumpers, side skirts and a rear spoiler all make the Fiat 500S stand out from its regular 500 sister. The Satin Graphite paint applied to the 15-inch alloys, door handles and mirrors among other things is certainly a lot more upmarket than the previous generation of Fiat 500.

Also included as standard on this sporty sibling is a chrome tailpipe, front fog lights, tinted rear windows, black front air intakes and a honeycomb grille. Should you want to upgrade your 500S, 16-inch alloys are a must. Their matt-black diamond finish makes them a great addition, and the £200 price tag isn't too much of a drawback.

Inside, black sports seats and a black roof lining give it a somewhat dark ambience, however this isn't too bad given the overall dimensions of the car. The contrasting door panels and seat edges add a touch of colour to the cabin, and can be finished in blue, white or yellow.

When it comes to technology, a 7-inch TFT display comes as standard in place of a conventional instrument cluster. Another 7-inch display is used for the Uconnect infotainment system which features live services, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, auxiliary input, DAB digital radio and AM/FM. For a further £250, a 3D TomTom satellite navigation can be specified.

Add to that another £300 and Fiat will upgrade the audio system to a brand-new BeatsAudio™ setup. It features 7 speakers with a total output of 440 watts.

Severn airbags, ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution, ESC, Hill Holder and an emergency braking assistance system are all standard safety kit which is great news for a car in this segment of the market, however things like these have become to be the expected norm in recent months.

Don't be fooled by the Fiat 500S's sporty looks, though. It is essentially a Fiat 500, and that's reflected in engine choice. A 69 horsepower 1.2-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine sets good foundations for sales, however it's the 0.9-litre 2-cylinder engine that will be of most interest. The 1.2 or the 85 horsepower 0.9 come as standard with a 5-speed manual transmission, with an optional 5-speed automated manual for those who prefer automatic driving. A 6-speed manual is used, however, for the 105 horsepower 0.9-litre engine. It doesn't matter which engine you choose, claimed MPG figures are above 60 across the range. This is true for the only diesel too, which is said to achieve 83.1 mpg. The 1.3-litre MultiJet II produces 95 horsepower yet emits just 89 g/km of CO2.

Pricing for the Fiat 500S is as follows:

• £12,950 - 1.2-litre petrol engine
• £14,250 - 0.9-litre petrol engine (85 hp)
• £14,730 - 0.9-litre petrol engine (105 hp)
• £15,350 - 1.3-litre diesel engine

The regular Fiat 500 starts at £11,050 for entry-level Pop trim. Make that £11,925 for the mid-range Pop Star and £12,950 for top-end Lounge.

Mercedes E-Class Estate Quickly Joins Saloon

The Mercedes E-Class Estate is now in its sixth generation, having had a complete redesign just a few days ago to fit in line with the all-new E-Class Saloon.

The main reason you would buy an estate over its saloon equivalent is, of course, the boot space. That's why the E-Class manages to squeeze in 670 litres of capacity into a well-shaped area, with the narrowest part, between the wheel arches, being 110 cm. Fold the seats down and you're faced with an 1820-litre cavern. As standard, Mercedes will give you 40:20:40 split folding rear seats - essentially each rear seat will fold down individually. Another standard feature is a clever system that allows you to make the rear seat backs roughly 10 degrees steeper, which frees up a further 30 litres of space in the boot whilst still allowing "full use" of the seats. Electronic switches in the boot make it easy to fold down the rear seats without having to walk around to the back doors.

EASY-PACK is what Mercedes calls its electronically powered tailgate, and guess what, it comes as standard. What doesn't come as standard is the KEYLESS-GO with HANDS-FREE ACCESS which allows you to open the boot with a kicking motion under the rear bumper. Your guess is as good as mine when it comes to why Mercedes capitalises its options and technology, though.

Being an estate, you're likely to be loading the boot up quite a bit. That's why a self-levelling rear air suspension is, yet again, standard kit. All-round AIR BODY CONTROL air suspension is, however, an option. The self-levelling rear air suspension can deal with up to 745 kg in the boot, depending on the model you choose, which is in the region of 10 people's weight. It can also deal with a trailer which can weigh up to 2,100 kg.

Inside, you can have your E-Class Estate similarly specced to the E-Class Saloon. The main feature is what appears to be one long high-res screen taking place of the instrument cluster and infotainment display. In fact, it consists of two 12.3-inch displays that sit behind one long sheet of glass. The driver can control what he or she sees with touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel, the regular touchpad and controller in the centre console which recognises handwriting for the satellite navigation, and the LINGUATRONIC voice recognition.

Mercedes has taken all the steps it could to make the E-Class Estate "one of the quietest estate vehicles" in its class. This has included sealed door handles and door joints, extra sealing on the side windows, and wing mirrors and A-pillars that have been optimised aeroacoustically. If that's not enough, the Acoustic Comfort package can be specified at an additional cost from late 2016, and features an acoustic film in the windscreen and side windows as well as more insulation in the rear footwells and central tunnel.

Active Brake Assist will, in worst case scenarios, apply the brakes autonomously in order to help avoid any collision. DRIVE PILOT, an option, is as near to autonomous driving as we can get today. It's essentially an advanced cruise control that can work at speeds of up to 130 mph. Another cool bit of tech is the Remote Parking Pilot, which allows you to perform tight manoeuvres from outside the vehicle using nothing but your smartphone, similar to what we saw with the latest-generation BMW 7 Series.

So now that we've covered what makes the E-Class Estate different to the Saloon, let's take a quick look at the engines. Unfortunately, there's nothing new. All the Saloon's engines have just been carried over.

A brand-new 2.0-litre diesel engine is set to replace the noisier 2.1-litre unit. That will be found in the E 220 d which boasts a reasonable 191 bhp and 400 Nm. With CO2 emissions of just 109 g/km, the E 220 d will be very good to tax. MPG figures are a claimed 67.3, with a 0-62 mph sprint time of 7.7 seconds which is quick enough for most buyers.

Fancy yourself a more powerful diesel? Mercedes will be releasing the E 350 d in the last quarter of 2016. Its 3.0-litre V6 makes 254 bhp and 620 Nm. MPG figures are a bit lower, at 52.3, with CO2 emissions rising to 140 g/km. A provisional 0-62 mph time has been given to it of 6.2 seconds.

All models come as standard with the 7G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic transmission. Shift times are quicker for the AMG E 43 4MATIC, though. This uses a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine to produce 396 bhp and 520 Nm. It will race to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds and emit a not-so-good 192 g/km. Mercedes claims a combined figure of 33.6 mpg.

Rivals such as the Volvo V90 and Audi A6 Avant offer similar engine choices, with two diesels and a plug-in petrol hybrid for the Volvo and two diesels and a 4.0-litre V8 petrol for the Audi. BMW currently offers the most, however this model has been going the longest and therefore has had time to see the introduction of more engines along its timeline. These include 5 diesels and 3 petrols.

Audi A5 Gets Long Needed Update, but Looks the Same as A3, A4, TT, Q7...

Audi seems to be using the same facelift clinic for its range, and to be perfectly honest, I'm already a bit tired of the design. We've already seen the bold design right across the range from the TT to the A4, right up to the Q7. Well, surprise surprise the A5 has joined the crew.

It's not necessarily all that bad - the A5 has been around since 2007 pretty much unchanged. A stretched wheelbase means more room inside, and combine that with short overhangs and you have yourself a more premium looking car. The singleframe grille extends from the end of the bonnet right down to the bumper and certainly gives the A5 Coupé some presence. A set of LED tail lights come as standard, however it's the optional LED headlights (specifically the high-end Matrix LED headlights) that you want!

Audi's engineers have managed to shave, in some cases, up to 60 kg off the A5 Coupé over its predecessor. That's like removing a teenager from the car. The class-leading drag coefficient of 0.25 will also contribute to saving fuel in the long run. In fact, Audi claims that you'll be able to get up to 17% more performance whilst using up to 22% less fuel. It's a win-win situation, or at least it is on paper.

From launch, Audi will be offering two petrol engines and three diesels with power outputs of between 187-282 bhp. The 6-speed manual and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions are available on the 4-cylinder engines as well as the 215 bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel. The 282 bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel gets the special treatment with the 8-speed tiptronic automatic, in fact so does the S5 Coupé.

On the subject of the S5 Coupé, its 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine produces 349 bhp (21 more than before), kicking it to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds. The latest quattro all-wheel-drive system with ultra technology will also be available, however only on the 4-cylinder petrol and diesel engines with manual transmission. This is the system that we saw not too long ago debut on the A4 allroad quattro 2.0 TFSI.

Inside, Audi has used the same technique as it has in its other models - horizontal lines create the illusion of more space, particularly a wider cabin. It's no surprise, then, that the Audi virtual cockpit will become an option in the latest A5 Coupé, a 12.3-inch TFT display that replaces the traditional instrument cluster. Nevertheless, its 1,440x540 pixel resolution makes for great viewing with crisp images. There will even be an 8.3-inch infotainment display available. The standard infotainment makes do with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but step it up and you can get luxuries such as wireless phone charging and a Bang & Olufsen sound system! The 465-litre boot gains 10 litres over the old model, but the 40:20:40 split folding rear seats definitely make it easier loading longer items.

Safety hasn't been completely disregarded. Audi has many technologies to its name, just some of which including active lane assist, pre sense, park assist, cross traffic assist rear, exit warning, collision avoidance assist, turn assist and traffic sign recognition. All of which will be available on the A5 and S5 Coupé.

Enough about how the other half live, how about what's included as standard on the base model A5? You'll be pleased to know that xenon headlights are standard as well as LED tail lights, interior lights and daytime running lights. A 7-inch infotainment display with Bluetooth and USB connectivity are also included. As for safety, pre sense city comes as standard as well as Audi drive select.

Order books will not be opening until the end of summer, with deliveries coming in just before the end of the year. There's no mention of pricing yet, but the current generation starts at £29,190 and goes up to £42,990 for the S5 Coupé.

There are two main rivals that Audi has its eyes on, one of which being the BMW 4 Series with a slightly higher price tag of £30,260. BMW offers a lot more in terms of powertrains, with 4 diesels (418d, 420d, 430d and 435d) and 3 petrols (420i, 430i and 440i). BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive setup is an option on the 420d, 430d and 420i, as well as being standard on the 435d. There's even an M4 to rival a future RS 5 Coupé.

The second rival is the recently launched Mercedes C-Class Coupé with an even higher price tag of £31,585. In terms of engines, there are fewer - 2 diesels (C 220 d and C 250 d) and 2 petrols (C 200 and C 300). All but the C 300 are optionally available with 4MATIC four-wheel-drive. Mercedes will offer you a warm C 43 4MATIC and a bubbling C 63 too.

The S5 Coupé has its eyes firmly set on the C 43 4MATIC (£46,280) which shared its 0-62 mph time of 4.7 seconds. It has nothing to worry about with the 440i (£42,235) though, which is 0.3 s slower.