The latest Skoda Kodiaq SE Technology comes with more it, better tech and more efficient.

• Kodiaq SE Technology from £26,860 to £28,345 for 5 seat versions and £27,860 to £29,345 for 7 seat versions.
• Competitive Whole Life Costs for fleets and low running costs for drivers
• Innovative technology as standard to keep business connected on the move
• Available with a 2.0-litre diesel 150PS engine and choice of front and four-wheel drive and manual or DSG gearboxes.

ŠKODA launches specially configured Kodiaq SE Technology for business customers. Combining sleek design, ample interior space and simply clever innovations ensures the latest addition to the Kodiaq range is an ideal companion for business users.

A highly competitive vehicle, the Kodiaq SE Technology 2.0-litre TDI 150PS DSG offers the perfect rational and emotive balance for corporate fleets, small businesses and company car drivers. Emitting 131 g/km of CO2, the Kodiaq has a P11d value of just £26,860 and BIK of 28%. In addition, the Kodiaq boasts low VED rates, SMR costs and greater fuel efficiency than its leading competitors keeping Whole Life Costs low for the duration of ownership.

SE Technology includes a host of innovative tech as standard to support business on the move. ŠKODA Connect turns the Kodiaq into a fully connected vehicle with Infotainment Online providing satellite navigation, traffic reports and calendar updates. Drivers can instantly sync contacts from their phone to the car, which can be accessed via steering wheel controls or voice activation for a safer way to make calls on the road.

As an option for fleets regularly undergoing long distances, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) can be added to assist the driver in maintaining the selected speed and desired gap between the ŠKODA Kodiaq and the car in front.

The versatile Kodiaq is available in both five and seven seat variants, and boasts one of the largest load spaces in its class - perfect whether transporting goods or passengers. Kodiaq features 720/630/270 litres of boot space with the rear seats up and 2,065/2,005 litres with the seats down in the five and seven seat models, respectively. The SE Technology model also comes with front and rear parking sensors as standard. Further equipment, such as Autonomous Emergency Braking, can detect dangerous situations involving pedestrians or other vehicles in front of the car, and can automatically apply the brakes

Henry Williams, ŠKODA Head of Fleet, comments: “We’re already seeing excellent growth in fleet channels, and the Kodiaq is an important addition to our fleet model range for 2017. The overwhelming interest we have had in Kodiaq proves the car’s mix of smart tech, safety kit and sleek design is appealing and combined with competitive Whole Life Costs, makes it the perfect fit for business.”

Land Rover Freelander set to become a Tata

The current Land Rover Freelander is set to live on as the basis for a new Tata SUV, when the outgoing SUV is replaced later this year.

When production of the current Freelander ends by the end of 2014 to make way for a new model in the Discovery family, some of its tooling will be shipped to India and its L359 platform used to underpin a new Tata SUV, according to Autocar’s sister publication Autocar India. 

The Economic Times of India reports that a team of 45 engineers are already working on the new SUV, with a targeted launch date of 2016. Around half of the current Freelander is set to be changed for the Tata SUV, and the new model will be built to meet Jaguar Land Rover’s quality standards.

The new SUV is codenamed Q5. It is set to be a five-seater with a seven-seat option, and be priced at around £20,000.

That’s around double the price of the firm’s slow-selling current range-topping crossover, the Aria, with the Q5 marking Tata’s first entry into the premium market. It’s also the first example of platform sharing between Tata and JLR since the former bought the latter from Ford six years ago.

REPORT HERE

New Fiat 500L MPW on sale now in the UK, not a pretty car this one.

• New FIAT 500L MPW has arrived in UK showrooms
• Available in 5-seat and 5+2-seat* configurations
• Most compact 5+2-seat* people carrier in the segment
• Two trim levels, four engines and
• 7 body colours and 9 bicolour combinations
• Prices start from £15,795 OTR for the 500L 1.4 Pop Star

Following the successful launch of the FIAT 500L in March and the 500L Trekking in June, the newest member of the 500L range now goes on sale in the UK: The new FIAT 500L MPW.

The 500L MPW is the perfect expression of FIAT’s know-how in making space-efficient cars with a twist - combining the charm and agility of the FIAT 500 with the comfort and contents of a C-segment car and the space and the versatility of a people carrier.

In either five-seat or optional 5+2-seat* configuration, the FIAT 500L MPW offers two compelling packages: As a five-seat vehicle the FIAT 500L MPW is a credible alternative to a traditional C-segment estate, combining exceptional roominess and comfort with an impressive load capacity of 638 litres and all within a footprint at least 20cm shorter overall.

As a people carrier it is the most compact 5+2-seater* in its segment, measuring just 4,352mm in length, 1784mm in width and 1,667mm in height, while still offering the same kind of load-carrying versatility of the five-seat version when its rearmost seats are folded flat and stored neatly under the boot the floor.

The new Fiat 500L MPW will be offered in two trim levels: Pop Star and Lounge. Equipment highlights on the Pop Star version include air conditioning, cruise control, 16-inch alloy wheels, a 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Uconnect, six airbags, a full suite of stability and traction control safety systems as well as rear parking sensors.

The Lounge version builds on the Pop Star’s high specification level by adding rear electric windows, front fog lights, dual-zone automatic climate control, automatic headlamps, rain sensors,
front seats with seat back tables and storage nets, an electro-chromatic rear view mirror, rear privacy glass, floor mats and an electric glass sunroof.

The new FIAT 500L MPW engine range consists of four power plants: The 95hp 1.4-litre petrol (5-seat only); the 105hp 0.9 TwinAir petrol; the 85hp 1.3 MultiJet (also available with the Dualogic automatic transmission) and the 105hp 1.6-litre MultiJet. A total of 9 different colour choices are available, plus a variety of contrasting roof and mirror colour combinations, as well as a range of alloy wheels in different sizes, styles and colours.

Prices for the FIAT 500L MPW start at £15,795 for the 1.4 Pop Star while the 7-seat versions start at £17,990 for either the TwinAir 105hp Pop Star or 1.3 MultiJet 85hp Pop Star.