TMW - The best coupe on the market, the Subaru BRZ, had to beat, easy to love !

The Subaru BRZ is unashamedly a Toyota with new badging, but is it, well, the answer to that question is no, the beating heart of the car is Subaru through and through, the Boxer engine moves the car so far away from Toyota that you might be forgiven for thinking that this is an all new car.

The BRZ is a 2+2, you most definitely not get adults in the back, not unless they have no legs, because once you get the front seats into a decent position there is no leg room at all, the front seats are extremely well made, once you are in place, there is no way you're going anywhere, they cosset you like not many other seats around.

The interior is well made, with decent soft touch plastics and leather trimmed parts, all the buttons and switchgear are placed perfectly for your hands, and you never have to stretch or look away for too long to do, whatever you need too.

The Sat Nav is good, however it can be a little slow at times, but only when you have lots of turns and junctions in quick succession, the steering is really precise and the car goes exactly where you point it, there are loads of toys and info that you can utilise, the display system can be utilised to give you many different pieces of info from mpg, to distance travelled to power output.

The short shift gearbox is great, it changes gear swiftly and precisely, and the power that this brings is also brilliant, the BRZ can pull away like a car with far more power, thats how great the Boxer engine is.

The boxer engine might be powerful, and at 180g/km comes somewhere higher up the scale, it also offers not too bad fuel consumption.

• Urban Cycle - 27.2mpg
• Extra Urban Cycle - 44.8mpg
• Combined - 36.2mpg

The combined figure is nearly achievable, during our time with the car, we came away with an average of about 32mpg, which is a great result for the car, however, we did complete a few long distance motorway journey's, and after these runs, we didn't feel tired or too uncomfortable, a nice touch is the windows dropping slightly on opening and closing so that it makes it less prone to breakage.

The outside of the car, like the inside, gives you an air of sportiness, with the large spoiler, and deep front bumper, the growl of the engine too makes you feel ike you are about to drive something special, and over all you get a lot of kit and technology.

• Automatic Headlights
• LED Headlights
• Satellite Navigation
• Power Folding Door Mirrors
• Rear Diffuser
• Rear Spoiler
• 17" Alloy Wheels
• Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel-Gearshift-Handbrake Lever
• Power Windows
• Remote Control Central Locking
• Dual Zone Air Conditioning
• Subaru Starlink
• 6.2" Touchscreen

And these are just a small amount of the bits and pieces you get, they all go together to make a great sports car, one thats hard to eat.

CONCLUSION

The Subaru BRZ is a great car, there really is no getting away from it, it does everything you ask of it, and far more, however, it is compromised, its only a two seater, you just can not get anyone else in the back, it is very cramped with no leg room at all.

It has enough boot space, plenty of cubby holes and lot of toys and tech, goes like stink and performs really well, however, this is a weekend car really, and a car for a "couple" rather than a family, or a wealthy family that wants a second car. The Boxer engine performs like only a Boxer engine can, it's am amazing power-plant, and the car is great, who cares if it is based upon a Toyota, for this is a SUBARU plain and simple.

Our time with the Subaru BRZ is up, but as we say goodbye to the sporty coupé, we can also welcome back one of the brand’s most famous nameplates to the UK: the WRX STi.

Favourable exchange rates and strong customer demand have meant that the latest STi, which wasn’t previously destined for our shores, has now gone on sale. At £28,995, it’s £5,000 more than the BRZ, but aside from the paint, are there any similarities between the two?

Both cars have boxer engines, but it’s a 2.0-litre four-cylinder in the BRZ and a 2.5-litre turbo in the STi. Power delivery is surprisingly similar – both seem a bit lacking in torque low down in the revs, doing their best work near the red line.

Mercedes-Benz announces pricing and specification for the updated new SLC Range.

• Entry-level petrol engine added to SLC range, priced from £32,039
• Features a turbo-charged 1.6-litre petrol engine with 156 hp
• Six-speed manual gearbox as standard
• On sale now, with first deliveries arriving late summer

The SLC 180 AMG Line has been added to the SLC range, with prices starting from £32,039 OTR.

With monthly payments starting from as low as £276, the new SLC 180 makes the Mercedes-Benz roadster range more accessible than ever before.

The SLC 180 features a turbo-charged 1.6-litre petrol engine producing 156 hp and 250 Nm. It can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 7.9 seconds and has a top speed of 140 mph. It emits a low 134 g/km of CO2 and delivers up to 48.7 mpg combined. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, or for £1,600 customers can opt for a 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox.

The SLC 180 AMG Line comes as standard with 18-inch alloy wheels; Artico seats; Active Brake Assist; cruise control; air conditioning; sports suspension; and sports braking system.

The SLC Sport model line has also been discontinued to make the range even simpler, with AMG Line now the only option. The price of AMG Line trim has also been reduced by £500, making the SLC line-up even more attractive.

Possible purchase costs

Representative PCP example: SLC 180 AMG Line with metallic paint and a six-speed manual transmission

36 monthly payments of1	£275.08
Customer deposit	£3,999
On-the-road price	£32,679
Retailer deposit contribution	£6,158.34
Duration of agreement	36 months
Optional purchase payment2	£15,850
Amount of credit	£22,519.15
Total amount payable3	£35,922.73
Purchase activation fee2	£10
Fixed interest rate	5.56%
Representative APR	5.7%

Model featured is an SLC 180 AMG Line at £32,679 on-the-road (OTR price Inc. VAT, delivery, 12 months’ Road Fund Licence, number plates, first registration fee and fuel). 

¹Finance offer based on an SLC 180 AMG Line with metallic paint and manual transmission on a 36 month Mercedes-Benz Agility Agreement. Based on 10,000 miles per annum. Vehicle condition, excess mileage and other charges may be payable. Guarantees may be required. ²Payable if you exercise the option to purchase the car. ³Includes optional purchase payment, purchase activation fee and retailer deposit contribution (where applicable). Orders/credit approvals on selected SLC models between 4 May and 30 June 2017, registered by 30 September 2017, excluding Mercedes-AMG models. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Some combinations of features/options may not be available. Please contact your Retailer for availability. Credit subject to status by Mercedes-Benz Finance, MK15 8BA.

Prices correct at time of going to press 04/17.

Jeep vs Aircraft, which do you think comes of best in a race, four wheels or two wings ?

• Jeep’s high-performance Grand Cherokee SRT races aerobatic plane around course
• Stunt inspired by HEMI engine’s ‘fighter plane’ heritage
• Grand Cherokee SRT and plane hit speeds of 140mph
• Race took place around Blyton Park Driving Centre, Lincolnshire
• Starting price for Grand Cherokee SRT: £66,865 OTR

Jeep has displayed the raw power and speed of its 6.4L V8 HEMI engined Grand Cherokee SRT by becoming the first 4x4 vehicle to race a plane around a track – and winning.

The Jeep vs plane challenge was inspired by the origins of the HEMI engine which was first developed for the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighter aircraft, and is now, in its latest form, housed under the bonnet of the Grand Cherokee SRT.

Blyton Park Driving Centre, Lincolnshire, hosted the head-to-head around its 1.8 mile circuit and saw both car and plane reach speeds in excess of 140 mph. While the Grand Cherokee SRT tackled the race track, the Silence SA1100 Twister plane navigated around seven-metre high pylons, as they both attempted to reach the chequered flag first.  

Capable of reaching 0-62mph in less the five seconds, the 6.4L V8 HEMI powered Grand Cherokee SRT delivers a massive 461hp, and is packed full of high-performance technologies including launch control, Selec-Trac transmission and air-cooled 6 piston Brembo brake callipers which have a stopping distance of 116ft from 60-0mph.

The Grand Cherokee SRT was driven by Ed Morris – the youngest ever British driver to compete at Le Mans 24 hour, while the Silence SA1100 Twister plane was flown by Peter Wells, a specialist aerobatic pilot with over 25 years of flying experience.

Vital statistics

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT	Vs	Silence SA1100 Twister
Price: £65,995		Price: £110,000
Engine: 6.4 litre V8 HEMI		Engine: UL260ISA
Power: 461 BHP		Power: 110 BHP
0-62mph: Five seconds		0-62mph: 4 seconds plus minus in the air 12 seconds standing start
Top Speed: 160 MPH		Top Speed: 178 MPH
Number of seats: Five		Number of seats: One
Luggage: Hatchback 35.1 cu ft		Luggage: 9M cubic capacity
Special skills: High performance SUV with Launch Control		Special skills: Loop the loop and corkscrews

The New Passat GTE is now available to order in the UK, with 166mpg, 39g/km & a top speed of 140mph, what's not to like.

• State-of-the-art plug-in hybrid model joins award-winning Passat range
• Sports performance and exceptional economy come together in family-friendly model
• Available to order tomorrow, with prices starting from £36,525 (RRP OTR) excluding grant

Space, pace, and environmental credentials that even before its official UK showroom debut have already secured it a prestigious ‘green’ award: the new Volkswagen Passat GTE is calculated to offer drivers the very best of all worlds.

A winner in the Large Family Car class in the recent Next Green Car Awards even before its showroom debut here, the new Passat GTE is available to order tomorrow through the Volkswagen UK retailer network with prices starting at £36,525 (RRP OTR), excluding Government Plug-In Car Grant of £2,500.

The first Passat with a state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid drive system, the innovative new car offers spirited performance alongside the possibility of zero emissions when driving in all-electric mode. 

Available in saloon or estate body styles, the most environmentally responsible Passat to date emits just 39g of CO₂ on the EU Combined Cycle, equating to fuel economy of 166 mpg.  Yet with 400 Nm of torque and combined system power of 218 PS, the new car can sprint from rest to 62 mph in a lively 7.6 seconds before heading to a top speed of 140 mph, where legal. The potential range between refuelling stops is more than 660 miles.

The Passat GTE is a plug-in hybrid that can be driven up to 31 miles on electric power alone in E-Mode.  A 1.4-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine delivers 156 PS, while the electric motor adds a further 115 PS. Underlining its engaging performance capabilities, the electric motor alone can provide up to 330 Nm of torque from near-standstill.

A specially developed six-speed DSG gearbox is standard on the Passat GTE and features a third, disengagement clutch.  This decouples the TSI motor whenever possible, to allow the vehicle to make best use of kinetic energy and hence increases efficiency still further.

Building on the already elegant lines of the new Passat – voted European Car of the Year 2015 - the Passat GTE is distinguished outside by distinctive C-shaped LED daytime running lights and an additional blue line across the radiator grille: design cues which are shared with the award-winning Golf GTE.  A redesigned front bumper and 18-inch alloy wheels also mark out the new car.

Inside, in addition to the optional innovative Active Info Display with specific customised read-outs, standard features include blue ambient lighting, a leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel with blue decorative stitching, GTE-specific gear knob with blue stitching and seats covered in Alcantara with Vienna leather side bolsters.  Unique GTE badging also marks out the new Passat.

Bristling with innovative and engaging new technology, the new Passat GTE boasts Volkswagen’s new Car-Net e-Remote app which allows a wide variety of tasks – including charging – to be controlled via smartphone.  All climate control functions can be also activated remotely, while information on the vehicle’s state of charge, recent driving data or last parking position can be displayed.  It is also possible to check whether the doors are closed and the lights turned off.

The Passat GTE’s electric motor develops maximum torque of 330 Nm and offers continuous torque of 170 Nm. The 1.4-litre direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine is as sophisticated as the electric motor and drivetrain. This four-valve per cylinder unit from the EA211 engine family uses an ultra-rigid die-cast aluminium crankcase.  Maximum power of 156 PS comes at 5,000 rpm, and maximum torque of 250 Nm is on offer between 1,500 rpm and 3,500 rpm.

Under normal circumstances, the Passat GTE starts in pure electric E-Mode. When it reaches minimum battery charge hybrid mode is activated. Here the Passat GTE operates as a full hybrid, charging the battery under deceleration and automatically using the TSI motor and/or electric motor as required.  However, should the driver wish to conserve electric power (for example to use E-Mode in a city at the end of a journey), Battery Charge mode can be selected.  For maximum power, GTE mode can be chosen: this uses both petrol and electric motors.

The car’s lithium-ion battery is fitted in the floor area of the rear seat bench. Comprising eight modules of 12 cells each, it creates a nominal voltage of 360 V and power of 9.9 kWh, with a peak output of 85 kW.  The high-voltage battery is overseen electronically by the Battery Management Controller, which manages various functions including the battery’s liquid cooling system.

Charging is achieved either via a standard UK domestic mains outlet in around four hours and 15 minutes; or in two hours 30 minutes from a dedicated wallbox with a 3.6 kW supply.

The Passat GTE comes in two highly specified trim levels in the UK.  On top of the standard features of the Passat GT (such as Adaptive Cruise Control with Front Assist and City Emergency Braking, Discover Navigation, Bluetooth and parking sensors), standard items include LED headlights and tail lights, Mode 2&3 charging cables and Car-Net e-Remote.  Standard items on the GTE Advance trim also include the new Active Info Display, Discover Pro navigation (eight-inch screen), Nappa leather, Area View and LED premium headlights.

Despite its extra technology and revised styling, dimensions of the Passat GTE match those of the standard Passat, including boot volume (402-968 litres for the saloon and 483-1613 litres for the estate).

Judges in the Next Green Car Awards said of the Volkswagen: “Volkswagen’s Passat is an excellent large family car that performs well in every area. Add to it the plug-in hybrid powertrain that effortlessly provides drive for all situations and the Passat GTE becomes a dominant model in the large family class.”  

Volkswagen Passat GTE
Model	Engine	Gearbox	Power	CO2(g/km)	OTR RRP	OTR RRP with OLEV grant
Passat GTE	1.4 TSI with electric motor	Six-speed DSG	218 PS	39	£36,525	£34,025
Passat GTE Advance	1.4 TSI with electric motor	Six-speed DSG	218 PS	39	£40,180	£37,680
Passat Estate GTE	1.4 TSI with electric motor	Six-speed DSG	218 PS	39	£38,075	£35,575
Passat Estate GTE Advance	1.4 TSI with electric motor	Six-speed DSG	218 PS	39	£41,730	£39,230