Renault Zoe: Full Review

Renault Zoe (13,945 - £16,045 including Government Grant)

For:

• High levels of standard equipment
• Comparably low price

Against:

• Low range
• Battery rental costs (or high battery purchase cost)

Engines & Powertrains

The Renault Zoe's electric motor produces a measly 87 bhp, but don't let this put you off. With 220 Nm of torque and a weight of around 1,500 kg, the front-wheel-drive EV is certainly nippy around town.

But that's exactly where the Zoe belongs. Push it along a slip road and it'll take 13.5 seconds to reach 62 mph, and as with many other electric vehicles, it has a low governed top speed of 84 mph.

The 22 kWh battery pack has a claimed range of 130 miles, although in the cold winter months this can easily be halved. Charging times vary depending on the power output, but a full charge will likely take the best part of 9 hours. Some rapid charging stations can reach 80% in just 30 minutes which is more useful.

The Zoe falls into the 15-16 insurance groups which is significantly better than the Nissan Leaf and BMW i3.

Interior & Practicality

Step inside and the first thing that you'll notice is the 7-inch R-Link touchscreen. The familiar digital climate control dials are shared with other Renault models giving it a sense of familiarity.

Down by the automatic-style gearshifter, the 'Eco' button gives the driver the choice to save a few more miles at the expense of some 'engine' power.

Standard equipment for the Zoe is generous and includes cruise control and a speed limiter, Bluetooth connectivity and air conditioning. Outside, LED daytime running lights and bi-halogen projector headlights are fitted too.

This is all relevant to the entry-level 'Expression Nav', however it's 'Dynamique Nav' that adds 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic lights and wipers, rear parking sensors and camera, and keyless entry. There's also a top-of-the-range 'Dynamique Nav Rapid Charge' which features all of the same kit as the standard 'Dynamique Nav' with the addition of a Chameleon Charger that allows the battery to be charged to 80% in 30 minutes as opposed to 1 hour.

A feature that really stands out is pre-conditioning. Standard right across the range, it allows the driver to activate the air conditioning or heating while the car is charging so that the temperature is already set for when you're ready to go.

The Renault Zoe's impressive boot measures a total of 338 litres which can be compared to that of the VW e-Golf (343 litres). This can be extended to 1225 litres with the rear seats folded down, which again, is in line with the e-Golf (1233 litres). These measurements are significantly better than the BMW i3 (260 / 1100 litres).

Safety & Reliability

As you'd expect with a class-leading car from Renault, the Zoe won the full 5-star Euro NCAP crash test rating. They even pushed the batteries to the limit (including exposure to water) to ensure that occupants will remain as safe as possible.

Runnings costs for Renaults are not generally an issue, which is the same for the all-electric Zoe, however the materials used may raise a few eyebrows. Scratchy plastics are just one hint of the asking price of the Zoe.

Pricing

Usually, I don't tend to add a pricing section to car reviews, however the Zoe makes an exception due to the fact that it's an EV with separate pricing for both the car and batteries.

The car can be bought for between £14,000 and £16,000, as well as monthly payment deals. But the point that raises the most questions among buyers is the battery pack.

Regularly, customers would rent them from Renault from £45 to £103 a month depending on mileage and term length. This includes free repair or replacement should they drop below 75% of their original performance. This of course will be terminated when it's time to sell the car.

Buyers can also chose to buy the batteries outright for the hefty sum of £5,000. Renault will sell these with a free 5-year 60,000-mile guarantee, this time when the batteries degrade to 70% of their original performance.

Rivals & Competition

There are very few electric vehicles on the market at this current moment in time - not even enough to fill in each category of car size. The best rivals for the Zoe include:

• BMW i3
• Volkswagen e-Golf
• Nissan Leaf

Honda HR-V: Full Reivew

Honda HR-V (£18,495 - £26,055)

For:

• Sleek, modern design
• Class-leading practicality

Against:

• Only available as front-wheel-drive
• Lack of engine choice

Engines & Powertrains

Despite being a crossover, the HR-V is only available in front-wheel-drive. Although Honda has entered the incredibly lucrative compact crossover segment, it may come as a surprise that there are only two engines on offer.

For those who favour diesel power, the 1.6-litre i-DTEC unit offers in excess of 70 mpg and CO2 emissions from as little as 104 g/km. There's 118 bhp on offer, however the 300 Nm of torque does come in quite late at 2,000 rpm. Nevertheless, it is capable of reaching 62 mph in a not-too-shabby 10 seconds exactly.

If petrol is more your style, the 1.5-litre i-VTEC is what you'll end up with. It's the only petrol-powered engine in the HR-V range. It offers 10 more bhp over the diesel engine, but a significant drop in torque to a total of 155 Nm. Yet again, the i-VTEC engine will require a lot of revving to get the most power, with torque and power peaking between 4,600-6,600 rpm. Honda claims that this engine will return more than 50 mpg and emit 120 g/km.

Both engines come as standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, however the 1.5-litre i-VTEC can be specified with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Fiddling with the software, Honda says the CVT delivers power through a 'multi-gear' technology, making it feel more like a traditional 7-speed automatic. This can be noted when braking, where the system seemingly downshifts to provide more engine braking. Of course, it's still a CVT which does not make way for the most exhilarating of drives.

Some buyers may find the HR-V to be quite expensive to insure, with the petrol falling into group 18 and diesels a bit higher at 20.

Interior & Practicality

The chic one-piece touch-sensitive panel that houses all of the controls for the car's climate control oozes sophistication and helps entice those who wouldn't usually consider a Honda. The infotainment display with minimal buttons also looks great in the centre console.

The leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel is a great feature, but some may find the amount of buttons to be overwhelming at times. All models feature an electronic parking brake which helps promote the feeling of airiness.

The giant central speedometer dominates the instrument cluster, sitting amid the equally-sized rev counter to the left and driver information display to the right. A nice little touch is the fact that the whole cluster glows green when being driven in an eco-friendly manner.

Entry-level 'S' has a 5-inch infotainment display as standard, but it's the 'SE' that adds Honda CONNECT - a 7-inch touchscreen that runs an Android operating system. Nevertheless, all models have DAB digital radio and Bluetooth connectivity.

Even the standard HR-V is equipped with alloy wheels, daytime runnings lights, all-round electric windows and cruise control with a speed limiter.

It's the top-of-the-range 'EX' that gains leather upholstery with heated front seats, LED headlights, a reversing camera and keyless entry.

All members of the HR-V family have Honda's Magic Seat system. For those who are unfamiliar with this innovation, the seat bases can be folded into the backrests of the rear seats so that, in the case of the HR-V, you can transport items that are up to 124 cm high, in the rear footwells (and where the seat base usually is!).

Behind the wide-opening tailgate is a 470-litre boot with easy access thanks to a low load lip. Fold down the 60:40 split folding Magic Seats to uncover a total loading area of 1,533 litres. Thanks to the flat folding rear seats, the HR-V can carry items up to 184.5 cm long. When equipped with a flat-folding front passenger seat, this length grows to 244.5 cm.

Safety & Reliability

Passive safety equipment, such as the 8 airbags as standard, aren't enough to secure top marks in safety ratings nowadays. That's why all HR-Vs are equipped with the City-Brake Active System. A radar senses moving objects ahead and can automatically apply the brakes, although the system only works at speeds of up to 20 mph.

Optionally available is the Advanced Driver Assist System. As well as a radar, it incorporates front- and rear-facing cameras. At speeds of over 9 mph it is able to alert the driver of a possible collision, and the Lane Departure Warning System does exactly what it says on the tin. Other features are the High-beam Support System and Traffic Sign Recognition which can display a maximum of two signs in the instrument cluster. This works hand-in-hand with the Intelligent Speed Limiter to ensure the driver is sticking to the speed limit at all times, whether it means slowing down the car gradually and gently or alerting the driver should he or she exceed the speed limit by more than 2 mph. Don't worry, it can be disabled!

The Honda HR-V, therefore, earned the full 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

The HR-V is covered by a 3-year 90,000-mile warranty, however this can be upgraded to 4 or 5 years for £460 or £850 respectively.

Rivals & Competition

If you're in the market for a Honda HR-V, it's worth checking out some of its closest rivals:

• Nissan Juke
• Renault Captur
• Vauxhall Mokka

#wcoty2016 - World Car Awards

World Green Car Award

The winner for this category was the Toyota Mirai. The judges were looking for environmental responsibility, that's to say tailpipe emissions and fuel efficiency among other things. That's why the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCV) Mirai took first place - zero emissions yet 153 bhp and 335 Nm.

To reach first place, the Mirai was up against its own sibling, the facelifted Toyota Hybrid, and foreign rival Chevrolet Volt. Previous winners for this category have included the BMW i8 (2015), BMW i3 (2014), Tesla Model S (2013), Mercedes S250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY (2012), Chevrolet Volt (2011), Volkswagen's BlueMotion (which was available on the Polo, Golf and Passat) (2010), Honda FCX Clarity (2009), BMW 118d EfficientDynamics (2008), Mercedes E320 BlueTEC (2007) and Honda Civic Hybrid (2006).

World Luxury Car Award

Taking the gold medal this year was the BMW 7 Series which received its upgrade in the autumn of 2015. Starting from a little under £65,000, it comes as standard with a smartkey, a 10.25-inch infotainment display, LED headlights and four-zone climate control.

The Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 were its competitors for first place. Previous winners only include the Mercedes S-Class Coupé (2015) and Mercedes S-Class Saloon (2014), as that's when the award was introduced.

World Performance Car Award

With an all-new look, the Audi R8 Coupé wowed supercar fans. It also wowed the judges at this year's WCOTY Awards, more so than the Honda Civc Type-R and Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupé which it was up against. For £110,000, 533 bhp is yours, but step up to £135,000 and get the full 602 bhp of the V10 plus model. Power comes from a 5.2-litre naturally-aspirated V10 engine and quattro all-wheel-drive.

Former winners of this award include the Mercedes-AMG GT (2015), Porsche 911 GTE (2014), Porsche Boxter/Cayman (2013), Porsche 911 (2012), Ferrari 458 Italia (2011), Audi R8 V10 (2010), Nissan GT-R (2009), Audi R8 (2008), Audi RS 4 (2007) and Porsche Cayman S (2006). So there we have it - Audi's R8 is no stranger to the World Performance Car Award!

World Car Design of the Year

In with a chance of winning were the Jaguar XE and Mazda CX-3, but the Mazda MX-5 took it away from them. According to the judges, Mazda's MX-5 has a design that's "exciting, distinct and fresh".

It was the shocking Citroën C4 Cactus that won the award in 2015, with the BMW i3 in 2014. Following these are the Jaguar F-Type (2013), Range Rover Evoque (2012), Aston Martin Rapide (2011), Chevrolet Camaro (2010), Fiat 500 (2009), Audi R8 (2008), Audi TT (2007) and Citroën C4 (2006).

World Car of the Year Award

Lastly, the 2016 overall winner. Yet again, it's the Mazda MX-5. Competitively priced and substantially under £20,000, this roadster delivers all the driving thrills anyone could ask for, which helps it take the highest position above the Audi A4 Saloon and Avant, and Mercedes GLC.

A long list of previous winners includes the Mercedes C-Class (2015), Audi A3 (2014), VW Golf (2013), VW up! (2012), Nissan LEAF (2011), VW Polo (2010), VW Golf (2009), Mazda2 (2008), Lexus LS 460 (2007), BMW 3 Series (2006) and Audi A6 (2005).

Audi's Latest 'quattro' All-Wheel-Drive to be Used on New A4 allroad

Audi has been busy developing a new quattro all-wheel-drive system with the aim of reducing CO2 emissions and improving fuel efficiency.

The latest-generation A4 allroad quattro will be driven in front-wheel-drive mode while pottering around town, but with a refresh rate of every 10 milliseconds, the system can decide to send power to all wheels in a split second.

The self-locking centre differential generally sends 60% of the power to the rear wheels, with the other 40% being channeled through the front wheels. It can, however, send a maximum of 70% to the front, or 85% to the rear, should the conditions require it.

The quattro system decides what's necessary not only by monitoring the road conditions but also assessing the driving dynamics and behaviour.

As well as featuring the new quattro system, the new Audi A4 allroad quattro will have a 34 mm higher ground clearance over the standard Avant.

Engines include a 249 bhp 2.0-litre TFSI turbocharged petrol and three turbodiesels. A 2.0-litre TDI with 187 bhp and two 3.0-litre TDIs with 215 or 268 bhp.

Audi's class-leading technology can be specified, as expected, on the allroad. Not only does this include the Audi Virtual Cockpit and Matrix LED headlights, but an adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist. A feature that can take care of not only throttle and braking, but also steering, in stop-start traffic at speeds of up to 37 mph.

Order books for the new Audi A4 allroad quattro are expected to open in late April, with first deliveries coming this June.

All-New Mercedes GLC Coupé Finally Enters Market and Fights off BMW's X4

At 1.6 metres high, the Mercedes GLC Coupé is slightly shorter than the BMW X4 and a fair bit shorter than the regular GLC. It's also 8 cm longer than the regular GLC despite sharing the same wheelbase, which helps give it the coupé-esque look Mercedes was aiming for.

The A-pillar is more gently raked, which when combined with the short overhangs and sharp spoiler lip similar to that of the S-Class Coupé, makes the GLC Coupé a very elegant car. Nevertheless, it's an SUV. We're reminded of that with the pronounced shoulders, prominent bumpers and bold grille.

Inside, the large console panel is a one-piece design with the intention of making the interior of the GLC Coupé a light and airy place to be. At one end, it fuses into the double-door centre storage compartment, while at the other end it's joined by a separate tablet-style infotainment display. Its 491-litre boot is in line with competition from BMW and Porsche, and can offer over 1,200 litres of space upon folding down the rear seats.

As standard, all GLC Coupés will get DYNAMIC SELECT with the usual five driver profiles (ECO, COMFORT, SPORT, SPORT+ and INDIVIDUAL). AIR BODY CONTROL is not part of the package and will come at an extra cost for the customer. It's an air suspension system that will adapt to the driver's needs, such as lowering by 15 mm in SPORT+ mode or dipping the rear end by 40 mm for ease of access into the boot.

With a Cd value of 0.31, it's significantly better than the BMW X4 (0.35), but weighing as little as 1,710 kg, the GLC Coupé isn't too dissimilar to the X4. The low weight figure is achieved thanks to the use of aluminium and high-strength steel. The 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission unit also weight 12 kg less than the previous generation.

Mercedes plans to offer four diesel engines and four petrol engines, the latter encompassing a hot AMG version and a plug-in hybrid. But from launch, we'll be more limited on choice.

The GLC 220 d 4MATIC and GLC 250 d 4MATIC use the same engine tuned to either 168 or 201 bhp. They're both capable of a claimed 55 mpg, emitting as little as 131 g/km. Those figures are impressive when considering both models are equipped with a heavy four-wheel-drive system.

At the moment, there's only a GLC 250 4MATIC when it comes to petrol power, which produces 208 bhp. It will be joined by a Mercedes-AMG 43 4MATIC which gets its 362 bhp from a bi-turbocharged V6 powerplant, making it good for 0-62 mph in less than 5 seconds.

Just like many other models offered by Mercedes, the GLC Coupé will also be home to a plug-in hybrid model. Called the GLC 350 e 4MATIC, it will emit as little as 59 g/km despite getting to 62 mph in 5.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 146 mph. With an output of 316 bhp, it fair outweighs the GLC 250 4MATIC. It can even travel some 20 miles on electric only.

Most models will be fitted as standard with 4MATIC all-wheel-drive, with all but the GLC 350 e 4MATIC Coupé using a 9-speed automatic transmission (9G-TRONIC). It's the 7-speed 7G-TRONIC that finds itself in the hybrid.

Standard equipment is extremely generous, with 18-inch alloy wheels, a reversing camera, keyless entry, fake leather and an electric tailgate. COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST, ATTENTION ASSIST, Crosswind Assist and Headlamp Assist are also part of the extensive kit list.

An ENTRY 1 special edition will be available from launch with 20-inch AMG alloys, designo paint and two-tone leather upholstery.

Mercedes CLA Gets a Facelift

Mercedes claims that since they've started selling more compact models (of which there are a total of 5: A-Class, B-Class, CLA, CLA Shooting Brake and GLA), the customer base has become younger. This can only mean one thing. The Germans need to step away from the old man's wood and start thinking about what younger customers are looking for.

The facelift paves Mercedes' way for doing just that. New bumpers at the front and subtle changes at the rear make it look just that little bit more sleek, while a black diamond grille oozes quality.

Outside, a new Cavansite blue metallic paint is available alongside five 18-inch alloy wheels. Step inside and some new seat covers and trim parts broaden the options list. Chrome-plated controls such as those of the door-mounted electrically adjustable seats remind the occupants that they're sitting in what is essentially a premium compact vehicle.

All CLA models are equipped as standard with active brake assist, but the options list goes a long way. Some of its assets are LED headlights that have been tweaked to closely resemble natural daylight as opposed to bright xenon. Talking about xenon headlights, the new LED technology, according to Mercedes, uses 60% less energy, and up to 70% less energy than standard halogen headlights.

Elsewhere, you can find the tickbox for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as keyless entry which now includes hands-free access to the boot via a waving motion by the foot under the rear bumper.

One thing you won't be short on is engine choices. There are no less than 11 engines with two- or four-wheel drive as options.

Kicking off the diesels is the CLA 180 d BlueEFFICIENCY. Power comes from a 1.5-litre engine, with figures of over 80 mpg and as low as 89 g/km. Despite that, the 108 bhp and 260 Nm make it good for 0-62 mph in 11.6 seconds.

There's also a regular CLA 180 d which isn't quite as efficient. Two 2.1-litre diesel engines produce 134 and 175 bhp and 300 and 350 Nm. They're the CLA 200 d and CLA 220 d, both of which are optionally available with 4MATIC four-wheel-drive. Running costs are around the 70 mpg mark, with emissions below 110 g/km. You can't go wrong.

The extensive petrol lineup starts with another economy-orientated model, the CLA 180 BlueEFFICIENCY. This time, a 1.6-litre engine produces 120 bhp and 200 Nm. This means around 50 mpg and 117-126 g/km of CO2.

Another bog-standard CLA 180 is available as well as a more powerful 154 bhp 250 Nm CLA 200. It's the CLA 220 4MATIC that really impresses. Mercedes has channelled 181 bhp and 300 Nm through all four wheels, whilst still retaining mpg figures in the 40s and around 150 g/km. That's from a 2.0-litre unit, just like the CLA 250 and CLA 250 Sport, both of which can be specified with 4MATIC. They produce 208 and 215 bhp and 350 Nm, yet can still achieve figures not too far from those of the CLA 220 4MATIC.

Lastly is the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC which boasts all the same figures as the AMG A 45 4MATIC hot hatch. They are 376 bhp, 475 Nm, around 40 mpg, 162 g/km of CO2, and more crucially, 0-62 mph in 4.2 seconds. That's all from a modest 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine.

Facelifted SEAT Ibiza Gains Cupra Model with 189 bhp and 320 Nm

SEAT has been manufacturing the Ibiza since 1984 and it's now in its fourth generation. It's this Ibiza that is the latest to undergo the Cupra treatment. 

The latest generation Ibiza Cupra joins the facelifted Ibiza family with a 1.8-litre petrol engine. It produces 12 bhp more than the old 1.4-litre supercharged petrol engine and an additional 70 Nm. This means there's a total of 189 bhp and 320 Nm, the latter of which being available across a broad 1,450 to 4,250 rpm spectrum. Nought to sixty-two mph is completed in 6.7 seconds, and the supermini goes on to a top speed of 146 mph. SEAT likes to think that the Cupra will achieve 45.6 mpg, but you can easily knock 10 mpg off this if not more in the real world.

The 6-speed manual gearbox replaces the previous dual-cluch automatic, with 4 out of every 5 hot superminis being equipped with manual transmissions. Other changes include larger front brakes and adjustable damping and steering. 

All of this means great fun on the weekends, but where the facelifted Ibiza really excels is in its technology. Standard equipment for the Cupra is a 5-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Bluetooth and steering wheel-mounted controls. 

Automatic headlights and wipers, an electronic differential lock and Cupra sports seats join the equipment list, alongside 17-inch alloy wheels, tinted rear windows, bi-xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights and tail lights and cruise control. 

If that's not enough, the Ibiza Cupra Black adds sportier red brake calipers and an upgraded 6.5-inch touchscreen with 3D mapping and voice controls.

Pricing for the Cupra starts at £18,100 and climbs to £18,900 for the Cupra Black before options. It's available in showrooms now.

MINI Adds One D to Clubman Range

Already available as a Cooper, Cooper D, Cooper S and Cooper SD, MINI decided to act upon positive sales figures with all-wheel-drive variants. That's why ALL4 was added to S and SD trims. Now, MINI has announced plans to add a One D to sit below the Cooper D.

As regards the engine, power comes from a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbodiesel with outputs of 114 bhp and 270 Nm. Both manual and automatic models get to 62 mph in 10.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 119 mph, but the manual is slightly more efficient. Zero road tax is only applicable to the 99 g/km manual, the automatic's 104 g/km places it into the first paid bracket. Both have claimed figures of between 70-75 mpg.

When it comes to equipment, the One D gets 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, front fog lights, automatic headlights and wipers, air conditioning and DAB digital radio.

Despite the reasonable entry-level kit, MINI expects half of all buyers to part with almost £3,000 for the Chili Pack. This adds part leather sports seats, keyless entry, parking sensors, automatic climate control and LED headlights and fog lights.

Prices start at £21,375 for the manual with a £1,495 premium for automatic models. The One D goes on sale in April.

Fiat Tipo Trio - Saloon, Hatchback and Estate

Fiat's Tipo was first unveiled in saloon guise last summer at the Istanbul Motor Show, but even today we still don't know if it's coming to the UK.

Tipo Saloon

We do know, however, that the hatchback and estate models will be arriving on our shores.

Fiat claims that the hatchback will comfortably sit three 6-foot rear passengers, with an overall length of 4.37 metres. That's exactly as long as a Volvo V40. The difference between the V40 and Tipo hatchback? Its boot. The Tipo offers 116 litres more (440 litres), with the estate boasting an even larger 550 litres. There is an additional 12 litres of storage space dotted around the cabin.

In fact, the Fiat Tipo Hatchback offers on average more than 70 litres more space than 21 of its rivals, with only the Peugeot 308 (+30 litres) and Honda Civic (+37 litres) offering more.

Tipo Hatchback

Available in 3 trim levels, all models will include air conditioning, electrically adjustable door mirrors, 6 airbags, DAB digital radio, Bluetooth, a multifunction steering wheel and electric front windows (with estate models gaining electric rear windows).

Two MultiJet II diesel engines will be available, a 1.3-litre offering 94 bhp and 200 Nm, and a 1.6-litre with 118 bhp and 320 Nm. The later, when paired with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission, is said to achieve 76.3 mpg and 98 g/km of CO2.

It's best to avoid the entry-level 1.4-litre 16v petrol with its 94 bhp and 125 Nm, in favour of the 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol whose 118 bhp and 206 Nm make it a lot more enticing.

A 1.6-litre e-TorQ petrol engine produces 108 bhp and 152 Nm, using a more conventional 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission.

Tipo Estate

Sports Tourer Estate Joins the Astra Family

Having already made a great impression, the Astra family is now extending with the addition of a more practical estate. It goes on sale this month with a starting price of £16,585.

Its 1630-litre boot with the seats folded down trumps that of the Ford Focus Estate (1502 litres) and Volkswagen Golf Estate (1620 litres).

The new Astra Sports Tourer is a techno-fest that's widely available to the public. Inside, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provide integrated smartphone connectivity, while an automatically opening tailgate (part of the Keyless Entry and Start package) makes loading the boot a lot easier.

As well as the 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine (£17,285) and 1.6-litre Whisper Diesel (£18,785) that can return 83.1 mpg and emit 89 g/km, the Astra Sports Tourer gets a new 1.6-litre bi-turbodiesel. Official figures come in at 67.3 mpg and 112 g/km, despite sprinting to 62 mph in just 8.4 seconds.

Vauxhall Mokka X Previews New Design Language

Arriving in British showrooms late in 2016, the Mokka X demonstrated a new design language for the future SUVs and crossovers of Vauxhall. These include a wing-shaped horizontal front grille and a sharp set of LED daytime running lights. The rear of the Mokka X remains mostly unchanged, with it being a facelift as opposed to a brand-new car.

It features a brand-new, redesigned dashboard that's said to be inspired by the current-generation Astra.

Vauxhall's refreshed crossover will feature a new 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol unit that's able to produce 150 bhp. With a 6-speed automatic transmission, it returns a claimed 42.8 mpg and emits 154 g/km. All-wheel-drive models are driven by the front wheels in normal conditions, with up to 50% of the power being delivered to the rear wheels in slippery situations.

Vauxhall GT Concept

Powered by the same 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine found in the ADAM, Corsa and Astra, the GT concept produces 143 bhp and 205 Nm of torque. Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a 6-speed sequential transmission which features steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

With a sub-1,000 kg weight, the GT gets to 62 mph in under 8 seconds and on to a top speed of 134 mph.

Familiar Vauxhall technology is used in the GT concept, including the glare-free high-beam lighting from the IntelliLux LED matrix lighting. The button-free interior is operated primary by voice controls and a central touchpad.

Despite having a definite concept car look about it, the GT could make its way to British showrooms in the distant future as an affordable yet attractive sports coupé. The camera replacements for wing mirrors are very unlikely to be carried over, as is the extreme design.

SsangYong XIV-2 Concept Hints at Future Mid-Sized SUV

SsangYong's XIV-2 concept car previews a next-generation mid-sized SUV for the Korean brand. A mid-sized SUV equates to something similar to the Hyundai Tuscon, with its dimensions for width, height and wheelbase being 5-10 mm different, and the XIV-2 being 35 mm shorter.

The woodgrain floor and Alcantara headlining show off a more premium side of SsangYong. There are even speakers mounted in the bucket seats and lights in the doors that react to the beat of the music making the concept a particularly playful one.

As well as a 133 bhp 320 Nm 1.6-litre turbodiesel, the XIV-2 uses a 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid powertrain. Its electric motor produces about 14 bhp making it just a mild hybrid. This is reflected in its less-than-impressive CO2 emission figures of 120-135 g/km.

Audi Welcomes Q2 SUV to the Range

At 1.51 metres tall, the Q2 is slightly higher than Mercedes' GLA. Its 1.79-metre width also puts it in line with the GLA, whereas the length is its differentiating factor. At 4.19 metres, the Q2 is over 20 cm shorter.

As with all of Audi's latest models, the Q2 can be specified with the virtual cockpit - a digital display that replaces the instrument cluster. A head-up display is also an option. As standard, though, the Q2 will get Audi's pre sense front. A system that helps avoid accidents by autonomously braking.

Other technology available on the Q2 includes an adaptive cruise control with stop & go function for traffic jams, a lane departure warning system, traffic sign recognition and rear cross-traffic assist that makes reversing out of a parking space a lot easier.

All models have the German's MMI infotainment display that's controlled by a rotary knob and two buttons, not a touchscreen.

With 405 litres on offer, the boot is actually 76 smaller than that of the GLA. It does offer 25 litres more than the Volkswagen Golf. With the rear seats folded down, a 1,050-litre cargo space is revealed.

When it comes to power, two petrol engines and two diesel engines will be seen from day one. These include a 3-cylinder 1.0-litre and a 4-cylinder 1.4-litre petrol engines, as well as the 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre diesel engines that have power outputs of 114 and 148 bhp. A 2.0-litre petrol engine will enter the lineup later in 2017.

If you prefer not to have the 6-speed manual transmission, a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission called S tronic is available on all models. The higher-powered diesel is available with quattro all-wheel-drive and the 2.0-litre petrol engine will come with quattro as standard.