Subaru, The launch of a new car and the event that goes with it.

I was sitting on my computer when i had the unmistakable ding to say i received an email, and was surprised to see an invite to the launch of a new car, namely the new Subaru XV, the all wheel drive estate style SUV, and being that it is Subaru, we knew that the launch would not be a normal one.

And it was not, we had an early start to arrive at the airport, where they event was being held, and we found ourselves at an aeroplane, where the event was to based out of, up the steps and into the plane, we found a new car, not something we were expecting to find, but a nice surprise, along with plenty of info and pictures.

Breakfast was how it should be, bacon rolls, with loads of bacon, so no complaints there and another tick, we were then invited to take our seats where we were introduced to some of the Subaru hierarchy, and an introduction to the brand, the future and the reason we were there for.

And that reason was the new XV, a stunning car, now that might sound like a huge comment to make, and it is not made lightly, the XV is a massive leap forward, from safety, to design, to technology and comfort.

SAFETY

The car has been heavily updated, to not only make it far more safe, probably one of the safest cars in the segment, with the ABS, it benefits from Subaru's Global Manufacturing Platform (GMP), this is a higher rigidity, with vastly more strength, along with a lower weight, which in turn gives the car a better rolling resistance for an even better driving experience.

The car also benefits from a Rear Vehicle Detection system, which includes Blind spot monitoring, Lane change assist and rear cross traffic alert, which can alert the driver to a possible collision, the XV also benefits from the full 5* Euro NCAP rating for safety, it has also been declares the Euro NCAP Best In Class, safest small family car 2017 having achieved the best scores in it's segment for Adult and Child occupancy and pedestrian protection, and a very good for the Autonomous Emergency Braking and Lane Support Systems.

TECHNOLOGY

The entire Subaru range is well kitted out, but the XV does benefit from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 2, allowing easy connectivity for your smartphone, and the use of hands free, which keeps the driver more in control, thus keeping everyone safe whilst driving, the car also benefits from a reversing camera to aid in parking, and the view from that camera is wider than on some other so called premium products, the LED steering responsive headlights follow the car, whether on a straight or around a bend, which maximises visibility.

The keyless entry and push button start system amkes getting in and going easy, rather than press a blip, if you have the key in your pocket, grab the door handles and the the car doors will unlock, the same for the push button, as long as the key is on you, the car will start.

ENGINE

The Subaru range is famous for it's Boxer range of engines, they are powerful, yet economical, the powerplant sits lower down in the car to make it more stable, and combined with the Symmetrical All Wheel Drive is a set up that is hard to beat.

The XV comes in two engine specs the 1.6L and the 2.0L, the 2.0L can manage a 120mph top speed with a 10.4 seconds 0-62mph, and the 1.6L comes with a great fuel consumption of :-

• Urban             35.8mpg
• Extra Urban    50.4mpg
• Combined       44.1mpg

COMFORT

The XV is one of the most comfortable cars i have had the pleasure of driving, the setas are very supportive, and allows you to place both the seat and steering wheel into numerous positions, so no matter how big or small you are, you will find a seating position to suit. Every thing is within easy reach, and so simple to use, from the steering wheel controls to the navigation and secondary switchgear.

There is loads of space in the car, with more room than needed up front for the driver and passenger, access to the rear seats is very easy, and seating is equally as comfortable, and the boot space is really big for a car in this class, so overall, space is great, and with a lot of glass, the available viewability is also great.

The Air con and heating are simple to use, and gives the driver and passenger swift heat in the cold, and cold air in the heat, it does all this with ease, but thats not all, the car comes very well equipped and all models include.

• Subaru Boxer engine (1.6 or 2.0 litre petrol)
• Permanent Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
• Lineartronic Continuous Variable Transmission
• EyeSight Driver Assist technology
• X-Mode with Hill Descent Control
• Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection – Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• High Beam Assist
• LED Steering Responsive Headlights
• Keyless Entry & Push Button Start System
• 8” multi-function colour touchscreen with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™
• Reversing camera
• Dual-zone Automatic Air-conditioning System
• Power-folding heated door mirrors
• Aluminium alloy wheels (17” or 18”)

And lastly for the car is the pièce de résistance and thats the Eyesight system, one of the most intuitive and capable systems that you will find, it includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking, Pre-Collision Throttle Management, Lane Sway and Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist and Lead Vehicle Start Alert.

The system that i think is brilliant is the autonomous slowing down to a halt and speed gaining as the vehicle in front slows and speeds up, it is available on other cars, but this one is far superior, and the first time you try it, it is really scary, just allowing the car to slow down and pick up speed as it see's fit to do, dependant on the traffic.

CONCLUSION

The car and brand is great, comparing the new XV to the old version on our test day, showed how much the new one has moved ahead, from its look and the way it drove, it is a stunning car, and one that you must consider, very highly when looking for a car in the class, and with pricing starting at £25,000, you really do not need to spec up the car as it probably already has what you need, but please do consider it, you will not be disappointed.

The Audi Q2 and A5 are both awarded the full five star Euro NCAP.

• Top grades for active and passive safety, including pedestrian protection
• Emergency braking assistant standard on the Audi Q2
• Greater safety on the Audi A5 thanks to Audi pre sense city

The new Audi A5 and Q2 have each been awarded a full five star rating in the Euro NCAP test, confirming their place among the safest vehicles in the segment. 

This is true for both adult and child safety, for pedestrian protection and for other safety systems.

Emergency braking systems were introduced to the evaluation procedure in 2016. The Audi Q2 is equipped as standard with the emergency braking assistant as part of Audi pre sense front. 

The system examines whether other vehicles or pedestrians are in the path of the vehicle. If a collision is imminent, it warns the driver and if necessary initiates automatic emergency braking.

The new Audi A5 Coupé and A5 Sportback models were also awarded the top grade of five stars by the examiners. Both models offer high levels of safety for adults and children, as well as good pedestrian protection.

The standard Audi pre sense city helps the A5 Coupé and A5 Sportback to avoid accidents. At speeds of up to 52mph, the system scans the road for other vehicles and pedestrians using a windshield-mounted front camera with a range of over 100 metres. If it detects an impending collision, the driver receives a series of warnings, and if necessary the car initiates maximum braking. 

At speeds up to 24mph, accidents can be avoided completely within the system limits. 

At higher speeds (up to 52mph), warnings and brake intervention reduce the impact velocity.

The Audi A5 also features an extensive range of other assistance systems, for example collision avoidance assist or turn assist. While collision avoidance assist helps the driver to drive around an obstacle, turn assist monitors oncoming traffic when turning across the flow of traffic at low speed. In a dangerous situation, it brakes the vehicle to a complete stop, if necessary, to prevent a turn when there is oncoming traffic.

The Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) has been investigating the crash performance of new car models since it was established in 1997. In order to simulate real-life accident conditions better, the consortium continually tightens crash safety requirements.

The new Alfa Romeo Giulia has been named ‘Safest New Car’ in the Carbuyer ‘Best Cars’ Awards

The new Alfa Romeo Giulia has been named ‘Safest New Car’ in the Carbuyer ‘Best Cars’ Awards, adding to the large collection of international prizes already won by the new sports car.

Presented by Carbuyer editor Stuart Milne at an awards event today (30 November) in London, the ‘Safest New Car’ title came following deliberation from Carbuyer’s team of motoring experts, after safety was found to be one of the website’s readers’ most popular searches.

“The Alfa Romeo Giulia is the long-awaited replacement for the 159 saloon, and with good looks, impressive engines and plenty of interior space, it’s certainly been worth the wait,” says Stuart Milne. 

“It also scored top marks this year in the Euro NCAP crash tests. It achieved a remarkable 98 per cent score for adult occupant protection, beating cars like the Mercedes E-Class and Volkswagen Tiguan.

“Testers praised the Giulia’s structural integrity and the ability of the Autonomous Emergency Braking system to work at higher speeds. With that hugely impressive adult occupant protection score, we've named it our Safest New Car.”

Created by the Alfa Romeo Style Centre, the exciting Giulia is a new expression of the best Italian tradition that combines harmonic proportions, linearity of style, high quality materials and sophisticated aluminium, wood and leather accents. All these are embellished with iconic elements originating in the brand's over 100-year history, the most significant of which is the trefoil, arguably the most famous emblem of Alfa Romeo design.

“Safety is of paramount importance to us at Alfa Romeo, just as it is to our customers, so I am particularly delighted that the experts at Carbuyer have voted the Giulia as their safest car,” says Damien Dally, head of brand, Alfa Romeo UK.

“It’s just one more excellent feature of a car that people already love for its looks, style and awesome performance.”

The Alfa Romeo Giulia range starts at £29,180 (OTR) for the 2.0 Turbo Petrol 200hp.

TMW - The C4 from Citroen is a brilliant car, so, why does it not sell better than it does ?

When you develop a car in the hotly contested family hatchback segment, you have a vast amount of great cars to compete with the Golf and Focus along with the Astra and Peugeot 308 are just a small amount of cars that you would be competing with.

So, you really have to have something special to draw sales away from those market leaders, and sometimes you develop a car that is good, very good in fact, yet does not sell in the numbers that you would like it too, this car is one of those, the Citroen C4 hatchback is a brilliant car.

The current C4 is part of a range of products, in name if not in build, the C4 Cactus, C4 Picasso and Grand Picasso, these cars are very successful, which begs the question why is the standard car not as popular, could it be that it it not as beautiful or dynamic as other cars in this segment, could it be that the car does not offer the same tech as others, or, maybe, its just a car that does not float peoples boat, i dont know why.

The C4 is a great car, regardless of what other magazines and online motoring sites say, the C4 is a must when you're considering a new car, yes the car might not have the most modern of looks, but as you sit inside the car, the outside is of little concern, but inside the car is right up there, modern, great looking, nice soft touch materials, easy to reach switchgear, easy to use touchscreen and far more besides.

This model we tested is the C4 Flair PureTech 130 S&S 6-Speed Automatic, so a step up the scale, the Touch is the entry-level trim for the Citroen C4. It comes with 16-inch steel wheels with plastic hubcaps, heated door mirrors, a black cloth interior, a multi-function steering wheel with buttons to control the radio on it, six airbags, cruise control and storage drawer under the front passenger seat.

You then move up to the Feel trim level which adds 16-inch alloy wheels, a leather steering wheel and gearknob, cruise control with a memory function for your most regularly used speeds, stop/start to save fuel in traffic and DAB digital radio. You also get Bluetooth to let you make hands-free phone calls, and there's a USB socket to let you play music from your mobile devices.

And lastly you come to the top trim level, the Flair takes everything the Feel model has and adds tinted rear windows, chrome-look door mirrors, rear parking sensors, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, a noise-reducing windscreen and a seven-inch touchscreen to control the DAB digital radio.

The interior has some nice touches like being able to change the colour of dash dials, something simple but a nice touch, the auto gearbox display shows which gear you are in, and if you move it into selectable, it shows which gear you're in and whether you need to move up or down the gear range.

The exceptionally comfortable seats offer suitable bolstering where needed, the nice sized steering wheel, decent and proper hand brake lever, nicely damped buttons and soft feel stalks as well as well weighted doors, so that they close without needing to be slammed all make for a nice interior.

There is loads of space for the driver and passenger, and once the seats are in place, the rear passengers are well catered for, again with really comfortable seating, which then brings us to the boot, this is superb in available space, the car also comes with a number of cubby holes and spaces for oddments all around.

The drive is equally as good and quiet, the car tested is the 1.2 litre PureTech turbo, it goes really well, and grips to the road equally as good, being a large car with a smallish engine, does affect the fuel consumption where the manufacturer's claimed figures being :-

• Urban 46.3mpg
• Extra Urban 67.3mpg
• Combined 57.6mpg

Not the best mpg in the world, but also far from the worst, the car swiftly get to its top speed of 122mph, with a 0-62 time of 10.9 seconds, quite sedate, but should you give the car some "beans" you wont feel left wanting, it really does get up and go.

Being that it is the top spec car you can be assured that it will come well equipped, and you wont be disappointed here either :-

• Cruise Control with Speed Limiter
• TPMS
• Stop & Start
• Rear Parking Sensors
• ABS
• EBD
• EBA
• ESC
• Traction Control
• Auto Activation of Hazard Lights in Rapid Deceleration
• Power Steering
• DAB Digital Radio
• 7" Touchscreen
• Panoramic Sunroof

Just a short selection of the available equipment that is fitted as standard on the car, along with many safety features giving the C4 a Euro NCAP Five Star rating, something that many people regard as a must have these days.

The car also comes with 113g/km CO2, and is rated in the "B" road fund licence, together with a one year or 16,000 mile service length and a three year 60,000 warranty that the car comes with, making this a really good car to have.

OVERALL

The C4 is an extremely good car to own, ot goes very well, and stops equally as well, has comfortable seating along with nice touch plastics and fabrics, easy reach soft touch buttons, well weighted power steering and a raft of standard equipment.

The car is great around town, with the start & Stop system helping to save a few pennies on fuel, and at motorway speeds, you can cruise along at 70mph and have a conversation with your passengers without having to raise your voice.

The glass area makes for a brilliant all around view, with the addition of the panoramic sunroof, with multi position cover, means you can position the cover where you want it, to block out sunlight or have it right open to allow a very light and airy interior.

Yes you could buy a Golf or a Focus, a Megane or Astra or maybe the sister brands 308, but with a little checking online, you will see that you can locate the C4 with thousands of pounds off retail, bringing the asking price down to a really ow level..

IRELAND - Alfa Romeo launches the Giulia in Ireland with a very tempting start price, and comes with a host of standard kit.

• The all-new Alfa Romeo Giulia pricing starts from €39,995
• Built around Alfa Romeo’s all-new rear-wheel drive architecture, with perfect 50/50 weight distribution and distinctive Italian styling
• Euro NCAP Five Star rating – highest ever score for adult occupant protection
• Five trim levels available: Giulia, Super, Super Sport, Super Lux and the range-topping Giulia Quadrifoglio
• Four engine versions available mated to ZF® eight-speed automatic gearbox: 2.2 litre JTD diesel with either 150hp or 180hp, 2.0 litre petrol with 200hp and 2.9 litre V6 petrol engine with 510hp
• Range-topping Giulia Quadrifoglio capable of 0 to 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds

Alfa Romeo Ireland has announced pricing and specification details for the highly anticipated Alfa Romeo Giulia range, with prices starting from €39,995.

Built around Alfa Romeo’s all-new rear-wheel drive architecture, the Giulia features short overhangs, a long bonnet, muscular haunches and the longest wheelbase in its segment. 

Careful management of weights and materials has resulted in perfect 50/50 weight distribution across its axles, while the sophisticated four-arm Alfa™ Link rear suspension (with an Alfa Romeo-patented solution for toe adjustment) and new double-wishbone front set-up have been specifically tuned to maximise its dynamic abilities and enhance driving comfort.

Another debut for the Giulia is a new semi-virtual steering axis which optimises the filtering effect and guarantees rapid, accurate steering by keeping a constant caster trail in corners. Meanwhile, the advanced Alfa™ Torque Vectoring double-clutch rear differential system precisely controls the torque delivery to each rear wheel to improve traction in low grip conditions without having to run up against an invasive stability control system.

To obtain an excellent power-to-weight ratio and outstanding torsional rigidity, the new Giulia utilises an array of high-strength and ultra-lightweight materials including, for example, carbon fibre for the driveshaft, aluminium composite and plastic for the rear crossmember and aluminium for the doors, wings, engines, brakes and suspensions – including the front suspension domes and front and rear sub-frames. The Giulia Quadrifoglio takes this attention to detail a stage further with its carbon fibre bonnet, roof, front splitter, rear spoiler and body inserts.

The all-new Alfa Romeo Giulia model range features five trim levels – Giulia, Super, Super Sport, Super Lux and the top of the range Quadrifoglio – and is available in 13 different exterior colour options. Drivers can also choose between four engine variants (two petrol and two diesel), all of which are paired to a new ZF® eight-speed automatic transmission as standard.

Even the entry level ‘Giulia’ includes a comprehensive list of standard equipment, including new efficient active safety systems such as Forward Collision Warning (FCW) with Autonomous Emergency Brake (AEB) and pedestrian recognition, Integrated Brake System (IBS), and Lane Departure Warning (LDW). All of these advanced features have contributed to the all-new Alfa Romeo Giulia being awarded a prestigious Five Star Euro NCAP rating, with 98% protection result for adult occupants, making it the highest score ever achieved by a car,.

The stylish and functional features of the entry level model also include 17-inch alloy wheels, LED rear lights, a chrome exhaust and aluminium brake calipers. As with all Alfa Romeo vehicles, the interior of the car focuses on driving satisfaction with a new UConnect™ 6.5-inch display infotainment system with rotary pad control, Bluetooth connectivity and an eight speaker audio system, dual-zone climate control, Alfa™ D.N.A. rotary driving mode selector, 3.5-inch TFT colour display, rear parking sensors, automatic light/rain sensors, cruise control, and leather steering wheel with controls including ignition start button 

The Giulia trim is available in two engines, a 2.2 litre JTD 150hp diesel and 2.0 litre 200hp turbo petrol, priced at €39,995 and €40,395 respectively.

Stepping up to the Super version,  the specification is enhanced with a wealth of additional interior and exterior features including  an exclusive alloy wheel design, chromed exterior window surrounds and on the 2.2 litre JTD 180hp diesel, dual chrome exhaust tips.

Inside, the Giulia Super features Alfa Romeo’s new UConnect™ 8.8-inch 3D navigation system with integrated maps, split screen function and DAB radio,. There’s also an electro-chromic auto-dimming rear view mirror, a 7-inch TFT display, aluminium door sills as well as leather and cloth seat trims available in three colour options. The engine range comprises the 200hp 2.0 litre turbo petrol, the 2.2 litre JTD 150hp and 2.2 litre JTD 180hp diesel powerplant. Prices for the Super range start at €41,995 for the 2.2 litre JTD 150hp version.

Next in the range are the Giulia Super Sport and Lux trims, also available with a choice of the 200hp 2.0 litre turbo petrol and 2.2 litre JTD diesel engine with an output of either 150hp or 180hp.

Drivers wanting an even sportier presence on the road can upgrade to the Giulia Super Sport. From the outside, enhancements include 18-inch alloy wheels, painted brake calipers, dark tinted privacy glass and distinctive 25W Bi-Xenon headlights with LED DRL. Inside, the sporty tone continues with leather seats available in three colour options, a sports leather steering wheel, aluminium pedals, brushed aluminium effect centre console and door moulding inserts, and steering column-mounted gear shift paddles.

For those seeking enhanced comfort, looks and driving pleasure, the Giulia Super Lux is sure to entice as it brings together many of the most popular features available including a rear view camera, adaptive cruise control, power folding exterior mirrors, leather upholstery, 25W Bi-Xenon headlights and 18-inch ‘Luxury’ design alloy wheels.

For a limited time period to celebrate the launch of the all-new Alfa Romeo Giulia, both the Super Sport and Super Lux trims are available for an additional €171 over the comparable Super version.

Topping the range is the Giulia Quadrifoglio. Powered by a new 510hp, 600Nm Bi-Turbo V6 petrol engine, with an eight-speed paddle shift automatic transmission as standard, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is capable of sprinting from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds and on to a top speed of more than 307km/h, with low emissions of 189g/km. 

Pricing for Alfa Romeo’s advanced new super saloon will start at €99,945 with an outstanding standard specification including 19-inch Quadrifoglio alloy wheels, a front sports bumper with Alfa™ Active Aero splitter, a sporty rear bumper with functional diffuser and distinctive quad tailpipe sports exhaust system. It also features Alfa™ Active Suspension, Torque Vectoring and D.N.A. Pro selector with race mode, power folding exterior mirrors, 35W Bi-Xenon headlights with AFS technology, front and rear parking sensors and a rear view camera with dynamic gridlines.

Interior highlights include Quadrifoglio sports seats trimmed in leather and Alcantara, an exclusive Quadrifoglio sports steering wheel with red ignition button, Alfa Romeo’s new UConnect™ 8.8-inch 3D navigation system, dual-zone climate control, automatic light/rain sensors and cruise control with speed limiter.

Orders can now be taken at Alfa Romeo dealerships nationwide with the first models due to arrive in showrooms in November 2016. 

New Alfa Romeo Giulia Price List

Giulia 2.2 Turbo Diesel AT8 150hp	€39,995
Giulia 2.0 Turbo Petrol AT8 200hp	€40,395
Giulia Super 2.2 Turbo Diesel AT8 150hp	€41,995
Giulia Super 2.2 Turbo Diesel AT8 180hp	€43,795
Giulia Super 2.0 Turbo Petrol AT8 200hp	€42,395
Giulia Super Sport 2.2 Turbo Diesel AT8 150hp	€42,166
Giulia Super Sport 2.2 Turbo Diesel AT8 180hp	€43,966
Giulia Super Sport 2.0 Turbo Petrol AT8 200hp	€42,566
Giulia Super Lux 2.2 Turbo Diesel AT8 150hp	€42,166
Giulia Super Lux 2.2 Turbo Diesel AT8 180hp	€43,966
Giulia Super Lux 2.0 Turbo Petrol AT8 200hp	€42,566
Giulia Quadrifoglio 2.9 V6 Bi-Turbo AT8 510hp	€99,945