Ford delivers more power and better emissions on revised KUGA SUV.

• Ford offers most powerful diesel Kuga SUV; 2.0-litre TDCi engine delivers 180PS and 400Nm of torque
• Revised Kuga 2.0-litre TDCi diesel delivers 10 per cent more power, and emits up to 19g/km less CO₂
• Ford will offer a 150 PS 2.0-litre TDCi option that delivers 122g/kmCO₂* – an improvement of 12 per cent.
• 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol emits 11g/km less CO₂ than the outgoing 1.6‑litre EcoBoost
• Auto-Start-Stop and Active Grille Shutter now standard on all Kuga models. SYNC with AppLink for voice-activating apps is also now available

The Ford Kuga is now available with a significant range of upgrades that include the smart utility vehicle’s most powerful diesel powertrain to date.

Improvements to the Kuga’s diesel and petrol engine range also deliver lower CO₂ emissions. Kuga is offered with more advanced technologies as standard that help reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions, including Auto-Start-Stop and Active Grille Shutter.

“Ford has updated the Kuga range with models that deliver more power and lower emissions. Tiger Eye metallic is a bold new colour not previously seen on any Ford vehicle, and SYNC with AppLink will help ensure drivers can be more connected on the move while keeping their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe.

Ford’s 2.0-litre TDCi diesel powered 95 per cent of the Kugas sold in the UK during the first nine months of 2014. Ford has now increased peak power of the engine by 17PS to 180PS and peak torque to 400Nm, up from 340Nm. This engine choice will deliver the most pulling power ever for Kuga, particularly when combined with Ford’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system that is chosen by most customers.

Ford is introducing its new 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine to Kuga, reducing CO₂ emissions to 143g/km from 154g/km – an improvement of more than seven per cent over the outgoing 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine*. Ford will also offer a 150PS 2.0-litre TDCi option that delivers 122g/km CO₂* – an improvement of 12 per cent.

Smart utility vehicle

Ford SYNC with AppLink will now enable drivers to voice-activate apps, while keeping their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. These already include leading music-streaming service Spotify, Audioteka, Glympse and Radioplayer.

Ford’s latest sales data revealed a high take-rate for Kuga’s advanced driver assistance technologies: around a third of vehicles were sold with Rear View Camera and more than half featured Active Park Assist technology that helps drivers to parallel park.

On top of the Cruise Control with Adjustable Speed Limiter, that is offered as standard on the Titanium series and above,  Kuga is also available with Adaptive Cruise Control including Forward Alert, which warns drivers if they are travelling too close to the vehicle in front. 

Another standard technology is the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, which warns if any of the tyres lose significant pressure during a journey. Further available technologies include Hands-Free Tailgate,Blind Spot Information System,Active City Stop,Lane Keeping Aid, Lane Keeping Alert, Auto High Beam,Driver Alert, and Traffic Sign Recognition.

Kuga will boast new colours in Ruby Red Metallic, Magnetic Metallic and, for the first time on any Ford vehicle, Tiger Eye Metallic. A body-styling kit enhances the appearance of the Titanium X Sport even further.

Since Ford’s new Kuga’s  launch in the UK, supplied by Ford’s Valencia assembly plant in Spain, more than 200,000 vehicles have been sold across Europe.

Ford’s expanding range of SUVs in Europe already includes the all-new EcoSport and will also next year include the charismatic, spacious and smart Ford Edge.

Ford Kuga Engine Upgrades

Engine	Transmission	Power	CO2-combined**	CO2 improvement over previous engine
1.5-litre EcoBoost	FWD Manual	150 PS	143 g/km	7.1 per cent (11 g/km)
1.5-litre EcoBoost	AWD Automatic	182 PS	171 g/km	4.5 per cent (8 g/km)
2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi	FWD Manual	150 PS	122 g/km	12.2 per cent (17 g/km)
2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi	AWD Manual	150 PS	135 g/km	9.4 per cent (14 g/km)
2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi	AWD PowerShift	150 PS	140 g/km	11.9 per cent (19 g/km)
2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi	AWD Manual	180 PS	135 g/km	9.4 per cent (14 g/km)
2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi	AWD PowerShift	180 PS	140 g/km	11.9 per cent (19 g/km)

AUDI A7 enhanced by a raft of revisions, making it the best A7 to date.

Acclaimed five-door coupe is enhanced by a raft of revisions to styling, engines and technology

• New generation A7 Sportback available in the UK from quarter 4 of 2014 – UK pricing to be confirmed nearer to launch
• Styling enhancements and upgrade to standard LED headlights across the range, interior decor and infotainment improvements, revised EU6-compliant engines and new transmissions
• New A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI ultra capable of returning up to 60.1mpg with CO₂ output from 122g/km
• S7 Sportback features 450PS and innovative COD technology

A new 60mpg V6 TDI ultra model is just one of the highlights of the new generation Audi A7 Sportback range, which has also been refreshed by other new engine configurations, plus new transmissions, new headlights and tail lights and upgraded infotainment systems. The latest incarnation of the multi-talented five-door with the emotional appeal of a coupe, the comfort of a saloon and the practicality of an Avant estate will arrive with its first UK customers in the last quarter of 2014. 

Back when the A7 Sportback first debuted in 2010, Audi was already setting new standards in automotive design. Its long bonnet, flowing C-pillars and steeply raked rear end create a dynamic overall impression which has been amplified further in the new generation car by a raft of styling revisions.

The most striking changes are to the single frame grille, which adopts the latest hexagonal design, to the bumpers, which have been subtly resculpted, and to the tailpipes, which now have wider, trapezoidal apertures. LED headlamps also now complement the A7 Sportback’s familiar LED daytime running lights as standard, and can be further enhanced by  Matrix LED headlights.

By quite literally forming a beam using a matrix of individual Light Emitting Diodes, these advanced units can provide optimal lighting by dimming specific individual diodes to divert their pool of light around oncoming and following traffic without reducing their intensity in other areas. Dynamic indicators with a sweeping function in the direction of the turn are also standard at the rear and optional for the front light units. 

The body of the new Audi A7 Sportback consists primarily of aluminium and high-tech steel grades. It is extraordinarily lightweight and designed for maximum comfort in terms of noise. The cargo space under the long, electrically powered tailgate has a base capacity of 535 litres. When the rear seat backs are folded down this increases to 1,390 litres.

The sleek sophistication of the exterior is echoed in the car’s interior. The dominant element is the horizontal line surrounding the driver and passenger. The dashboard gives an impression of lightness and elegance which is now further enhanced by new interior materials, including aluminium/Beaufort walnut inlays. The colour palette has been revised, and now offers additional colour options now extending to include the Valcona leather upholstery available as an upgrade to the standard Milano leather in versions below the S line. In S line versions, which previously featured Valcona leather exclusively in black as standard, a Lunar silver option is also now offered.

The front seats can be optionally equipped with ventilation and massage functions, and there are four seat versions to choose from. The MMI radio plus operating system is standard and can be supplemented as an option with a head-up display that projects all important information onto the windscreen.

Power and efficiency: two TFSI and three TDI engines

From launch, the new generation A7 Sportback will be available with a choice of five powerful and highly efficient engines. The two petrol and three diesel units offer power outputs ranging from 218PS to 333PS, and comply with stringent EU6 emissions legislation.

Many aspects of the 3.0 TDI clean diesel with 272PS have been newly developed. In the “ultra” version with 218PS and front-wheel drive, the 3.0-litre V6 is capable of returning an outstanding 60.1mpg, corresponding to CO₂ emissions of 122 grams per kilometre. The top-of-the-range engine, the 4.0-litre TFSI, is available in the Audi S7 Sportback. It delivers 450PS of power and uses innovative COD (cylinder on demand) technology.

The 3.0 TDI biturbo, which delivers 320PS, works with an eight-speed tiptronic transmission; all other engine configurations work with a seven-speed S tronic transmission. In the versions with front-wheel drive, the dual-clutch unit replaces the eight-speed multitronic CVT transmission and has been fully redeveloped. For engine outputs of 272PS and above, quattro permanent all-wheel drive can be supplemented with the sport differential, which actively distributes power between the rear wheels.

The chassis, too, combines great precision with relaxed comfort. The new Audi A7 Sportback features wheels with diameters ranging from 18 to 21 inches. Some engine configurations are equipped with new lightweight brakes. The power steering system features an electromechanical drive for high efficiency.

The Audi drive select dynamic handling system is standard. Options include dynamic steering, two sports suspension options and adaptive air suspension; in the S7 Sportback, the air suspension has a firmer setup.

Latest generation MMI and Audi connect

The new generation Audi A7 Sportback leads the competition in terms of infotainment. It now features the latest generation of the Audi modular infotainment system built around the Multi Media Interface. The top system uses a powerful new graphics processor from Audi’s partner Nvidia and includes MMI touch, enabling the driver to scroll and zoom in lists and maps via a touchpad.

The perfect supplement to MMI Navigation plus is Audi connect, and in the latest generation A7 Sportback this option now links the five-door coupe with the Internet via the latest LTE high-speed data transmission standard for ultra-fast 4G click-through and download functionality. The Audi phone box option is also now available – it enables occupants to connect their mobile phones to the car‘s antenna for improved reception simply by placing them in the phone box compartment. The top of the hi-fi line is the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System.

The assistance systems – including adaptive cruise control with stop & go function, the further improved night vision assistant and the Audi pre sense safety system – are also state of the art. Audi side assist and Audi active lane assist, now featuring new Active lane centring technology, work closely together to make lane changes even safer.

SEAT upgrades range for even more value for money.

• Spacious Toledo now offers even more equipment for less money
• Range now starts at just £10,000 for the five-seat, big-booted hatchback
• Over £1,000 worth of extra kit now included with SE models
• SEAT revises the majority of its range for added freshness and value
• Leon FR TDI 184 PS now available with DSG automatic

The SEAT Toledo was already a car with unquestionable value for money on its side – but it’s just got even better. That’s because SEAT has added a load of extra equipment to the spacious five-door hatchback for no extra cost.

In fact it costs less, thanks to the decision to chop £2,500 off the price of every Toledo until at least the end of 2013. That means the starting point of the Toledo range is now just £10,000, for a Toledo E 1.2 12V, while a top-of-the-range Toledo SE 1.6 TDI Ecomotive costs just £15,340.

The specification upgrades apply to S and SE models, with the former gaining a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, rear electric windows, rear parking sensors and a centre-rear headrest. This is in addition to the already standard Bluetooth, a six-speaker stereo with USB port, air conditioning, and electric heated door mirrors.

SE cars gain SEAT Media System 2.2, formerly a £700 option, which is a colour touch-screen system including satellite navigation, DAB digital radio and Bluetooth audio streaming. And as well as the rear parking sensors and centre rear headrest offered with S, the SE also gains dark tinted rear windows. In addition, SE comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, cruise control and automatic climate control.

All told, the added equipment value for S cars is £430, and for SE £1,080.

The SEAT Toledo remains one of the most practical-per-pound cars on the market, with a huge 550-litre boot accessed via a large hatchback tailgate, and seating for five adults. Across the range it’s extremely economical too, with the Ecomotive S version returning 104 g/km CO2 and 72.4 mpg combined, while even the 1.2 TSI 105 PS petrol model is rated at 56.5 mpg.

SEAT model year 2014 improvements

As part of the process of constantly refining the product and increasing value for the customer, SEAT has implemented a number of improvements across its model line-up for the 2014 model year.

Mii

SEAT’s city car will, from the beginning of 2014, sport the new SEAT logo first worn on the new Leon, and will for the first time be available with DAB digital radio and a SEAT Sound premium audio system, which includes a boot-mounted subwoofer. Those options are for the Ecomotive trim level and above. A new colour, Night Blue, comes to the range, while there are various trim and wheel changes to refresh the line-up. Please ask the SEAT Press & PR office for details.

Ibiza

As per the Mii, the Ibiza range will also wear the new SEAT badge from the turn of 2014, and will be available with a DAB digital radio for the first time. The SEAT Portable System Live is improved across the range, with the standard unit now including ‘SEAT Call’, for faster communication with emergency services in the event of an accident. In addition, Cupra models will have a ‘Performance Display’ application added to the system, which shows attributes including turbo boost pressure and G-force.

Leon

A DSG transmission option has been added to the range-topping Leon FR TDI 184 PS, which brings the convenience of an automatic transmission but with no loss of performance. Equipped with DSG, the Leon FR TDI 184 PS retains the manual’s 7.5-second 0-62 mph time, while its CO2 rating is raised only slightly, to 119 g/km for SC and five-door versions and 122 g/km for the ST.

SEAT has introduced Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Front Assist as a Leon option, available with SE and FR versions, and a new ‘Dynamic Multi’ alloy wheel design is available. Tow bar pre-installation is now available across the range.

SEAT sales success

SEAT UK recently celebrated its best ever month for sales, with the 8,498 new car registrations made in September 2013 the most that the company has enjoyed in a 23-year history; SEAT was established in the UK in September 1985. In fact, the September sales tally capped off SEAT’s best quarter ever, which follows its best half-year ever, between January and June 2013. All told, SEAT is on course for a record-breaking year