TMW - The updated Isuzu D-Max Blade, better looks, better comfort and more kit.

After testing the last model, the Fury, i was given the opportunity to try the updated D-Max Blade Automatic, and to say this car, compared to the previous one, is a vast difference, is an understatement.

With only the AT35 and Yukon that sits above the Blade, you know that you are getting a well kitted out car. And you do, the car costs £27,999, but our car here today comes with some extra's

• Tow Bar - £187.50
• 13 Pin Towing Electrics - £140.004
• Special paint Pearlescent White - £250.00
• Bed Rug - £375.00
• Lazer Lights - £412.50

Taking this car to £29,364, now thats a lot of money, but you are getting a lot of car for that money, for a start you get a double cab, making access so much easier for back seat passengers, and to be honest i think it looks a lot better too as a Double, the car has had an update since the last time we tried one, and again, it looks far superior, with new look frontage, with new bumper and lights, it gives it a more muscular and purposeful look.

inside the car you get a full leather upholstery, with a better sat nav, buttons and switchgear all to hand and not miles away like you find in some other cars, it is also far more comfortable than before, and being an auto, its far easier to drive, why would anyone have a manual gearbox these days when auto's are just so good.

The Access for rear seat passengers as mentioned is really easy and once there they have loads of space to get comfortable, even with the front seats set further back, there is still enough leg room for anyone that would require lots of space.

The Blade can do a claimed 112mph, not that you would want to do that, it would be a little rough, driving at motorway speeds is perfect, comfortable and quiet, anything more and it does get a little noisy and rough, although the 1.9 litre is very capable, it is tuned more for "work" than leisure.

 The fuel consumption of the D-Max is claimed to be

• Urban 30.4mpg
• Extra Urban 40.9mpg
• Combined 36.2mpg

We found it difficult to get to those figures but we were not far adrift at all, and we were impressed at what was achievable, its also not the "cleanest" pick up on the market with 205g/km, but it is Euro 6 Compliant, if the car was able to achieve the combined figure of 36.2mpg it would give the car a touring figure of 605 miles between fill ups.

The changeable set up between 2WD and 4WD is with a dial, and allows the car to be able to be taken off road, we didn't do this, but with the large chunky tyres, going off the beaten track and onto more harsh terrain seems like it would be very easy indeed.

There is no getting away from the fact that this is a very large car, it handles as such, thankfully getting in and out of parking spaces is easy with the reversing camera, but it does poke out of the end of a normal sized bay, but to be honest most cars are getting this big, whereas parking bays are getting smaller, so something needs to be done.

Because the car is high up the list of models you can be assured that you get loads of kit, some of which are :-

• LED lights from and rear
• Tinted Windows, load liner (additional carpeted cost)
• Electric Windows
• Central Locking
• Keyless Entry and push Button Start
• Gear Shift Monitor
• Touchscreen with Multi Information Display
• Bluetooth
• DAB Radio
• Apple Car Play
• Android Auto
• Front and Rear USB Ports
• Multiple Speakers
• Loads of Storage
• Leather seats 
• Arm Rest
• Carpets
• Hill Descent Control
• Hill Start Assist
• Full Range of Safety
• 18" Alloys

And thats just the tip of the iceberg, there are far more toys to play with and believe me, you can spend a vast amount of time working out all the bits and pieces.

CONCLUSION

This new model, well updated, heavily, is a huge step forward and is far superior in all aspects, from drive, comfort, economy, safety and additional equipment, it is a more capable car than the model it replaces.

This car really moves the goal posts and by some way too, there are now more and more of this style car available in the UK, from Nissan, Renault, Mercedes, Ford and Volkswagen, each has their own capabilities, but the Isuzu D-Max combines all for a great price, you would be silly not to consider the car over and above the competition, thats just how good this car is !

New Tivoli continues to garner great press and i cant wait to do a road test on this car.... Ssangyong!!!!!!!

• Tivoli B-segment SUV now available from just £12,950 or £159/month*
• Three trim levels - SE, EX, ELX
• 1.6 litre Euro 6 engines - petrol & diesel
• 6 speed manual & 6 speed Aisin automatic transmission
• Front wheel drive or intelligent 4x4
• High level of safety with seven airbags across the range
• Class leading 5 year limitless mileage warranty

The contemporary SsangYong Tivoli B-segment SUV is now available from SsangYong dealers, with prices starting from just £12,950.

Speaking at the launch, Paul Williams, CEO of SsangYong Motor UK, said:  “In the highly competitive compact SUV sector, Tivoli is a car that’s really going to cause a stir.  With its contemporary design and well styled and finished interior, this is a modern, safe, well-built and comprehensively equipped car, and at a price and warranty level no other brand can match.  From just £12,950 or £159 a month* Tivoli is superb value for money.”

The Tivoli is extremely well equipped, and the range comprises three main model options - SE, EX and ELX, while for those who want further individualisation, the My Tivoli programme offers a wide number of further choices.

Tivoli SE - from £12,950

The Tivoli SE starts from just £12,950, and is powered by a 1.6 litre Euro 6 petrol or diesel engine (from August) with manual transmission.  Finished in a smart grey cloth trim, it includes 16” alloy wheels, cruise control, a stop/go system (petrol), Smart steering (normal, comfort and sport modes), an RDS/Bluetooth radio and seven airbags.

Tivoli EX - from £14,600

The EX adds the option of automatic transmission on the petrol powered car, (diesel automatic and diesel 4x4 manual are available through the My Tivoli personalisation programme), grey or beige leather upholstery, 18” alloy Spiral wheels, dual zone climate control, 7” touch screen smart audio system with rear view camera, heated front seats, front fog lights and a luggage load cover.

Tivoli ELX - from £16,000

The top of the range ELX is available with the full choice of petrol, diesel, manual and automatic transmission, front wheel drive or 4x4, and features Diamond cut alloy wheels, a smart instrument cluster, smart keyless starting, front & rear parking sensors, privacy glass, rear spoiler, automatic headlamps, rain sensing wipers, full TomTom navigation system with 7” touch screen, rear view camera, and the option of the Styling pack and Red leather pack via the ‘My Tivoli’ personalisation programme.

The PCP programme, which is being administered by SsangYong’s finance provider GMAC, offers purchasers realistic deposits and highly competitive monthly payments.  

* Example PCP rate for the Tivoli SE, based on 36 months/10,000 miles per year

	Tivoli SE
35 monthly payments of	£159
OTR cash price	£12,950
Customer deposit	£2,993
Total amount of credit	£9,957
Interest charges	£1,608
Optional final payment - see note	£6,000
Fixed rate of interest per year	6.68%
Length of agreement	36 months
Total amount payable	£14,558
Excess mileage per mile	£0.09
Based on annual mileage	10,000pa
APR representative	6.9%

Note

Option 1 - Pay final payment & retain the car

Option 2 - Return the car

Option 3 - Trade in against a new SsangYong

The PCP programme is available through participating SsangYong dealers and GMAC UK Plc.

5 year limitless mileage warranty

As with all models in the SsangYong range, the new Tivoli is covered by a best-in-class 5 year limitless mileage warranty.  Designed to be totally transparent and give customers complete peace of mind, ‘limitless’ means just that: not a maximum mileage condition that some brands impose in their small print.  

All the major mechanical components are covered including wheel bearings, suspension joints and bushes, steering joints, shock absorbers and even the audio system.  Wearable components such as clutch discs and brake friction materials which could have their life reduced by poor driving are covered for one year or 12,000 miles, and the battery and paintwork for three years.

USA - New Limited Edition beelte added to range gives, classic looks and greater value.

Limited-edition 1.8T Coupe further improves the Beetle’s compelling value story

On Thursday 25th September, Volkswagen of America, Inc., announced that the limited-edition Beetle Classic model will go on sale this week, starting at $20,195 for the 1.8T Coupe. This new model enhances the value story for the Beetle, adding a host of new features in addition to the Beetle’s already extensive list of standard equipment. Currently, this is the lowest priced model in the Beetle lineup, starting nearly $1500 lower than the Beetle 1.8T automatic.

The Classic trim features 17-inch “Heritage” aluminum-alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, a leather-wrapped shifter knob and handbrake lever, Sirius XM® Satellite Radio, an RNS® 315 navigation system, a multifunction steering wheel, two-tone brown “Sioux” leatherette and checked cloth seating surfaces, comfort front seats with driver’s side lumbar support, and a six-speed automatic transmission. The car is available in three colors—Pure White, Black Uni, and Reflex Silver—and has an understated retro look inside and out.

The Beetle Convertible Classic will go on sale early in 2015, starting at $25,995. It adds the same interior and exterior features as the Coupe. Both the Coupe and the Convertible are fitted with the 1.8-liter turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® four-cylinder engine that makes 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. The Beetle 1.8T Coupe has an EPA estimated highway fuel economy rating of 33 mpg with the six-speed automatic transmission, and the 1.8T Convertible achieves 32 mpg.