Vauxhall Motors will launch the All-New Insignia Grand Sport with IntelliLux LED lighting as standard.

• 32 LED segments automatically deliver optimal light performance without dazzling other road users
• New functions enhance long-range visibility with spotlight and curve illumination
• Innovative Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport realises headlights of visionary Monza Concept

Vauxhall will launch the next-generation of IntelliLux LED lighting with the all-new Insignia Grand Sport in 2017. In addition to the numerous benefits of the award-winning matrix technology, the more refined and sophisticated IntelliLux LED highlights feature new functions that further improve night-time visibility.

Having developed its matrix lighting technology in recent years, Vauxhall has introduced a 32-light system within the Insignia Grand Sport’s ultra-slim headlamps. The increased number of LED segments in the headlamps results in smoother transitions between lighting patterns to suit every driving condition. Automatically and constantly adapting the range and distribution of light from the headlamps, the new Insignia Grand Sport delivers a brighter light in a precise manner, at all times managing to avoid dazzling other road users.

New functions, including curve and spotlight illumination, improve long-range visibility when driving at night. When taking a curve with the full beam engaged, the light intensity automatically rises based on the steering angle, in order to increase the illumination and help the driver to see the road situation ahead. Each headlight also features a high-beam spotlight for additional illumination up to 400 metres ahead, further improving the Insignia Grand Sport’s long-range visibility.

“The new Astra shows the benefits of our IntelliLux LED headlights, and our engineers have been able to take it to another level with the Insignia Grand Sport,” said Ingolf Schneider, Engineering Group Manager, Exterior Lighting. “The second generation of this innovative technology introduces new features that improve visibility, and therefore safety, when driving at night.”

First shown on the Vauxhall Monza concept in 2013, demonstrating the company’s vision of how its cars would look in the future, Vauxhall introduced its IntelliLux LED matrix headlights in the award-winning Astra last year. Initially featuring a 16-light system, Vauxhall has been able to develop the technology significantly with the second generation, incorporating twice as many LED segments while maintaining an ultra-slim appearance.

Vauxhall Motors are looking forward to 2017 with a host of replacements and all new cars to complement its current range.

• Five important model launches in 2017 bring further diversity and appeal to range

Vauxhall is set for a ground-breaking 2017, with a total of five major product launches that will add further variety to its range – already one of the largest in the UK – while at the same time entering new market segments.

Crucially, as well as the introduction of range-building derivatives, Vauxhall will bolster its credentials by offering a compelling alternative to ‘premium’ models in the D-sector with the all new Insignia Grand Sport, while also growing volume still further in the SUV/crossover class with not one, but two new models.

‘2017 will be a landmark year for Vauxhall,’ said Rory Harvey, Chairman and Managing Director. ‘Our portfolio will grow, for sure, but it’s the quality and innovation which underpins our new products that will surprise customers. 

The Insignia Grand Sport will force buyers to reassess how they perceive our brand, and later in the year our two crossover offerings will bring Vauxhall to, in many cases, completely new sets of buyers.’

Vauxhall’s Five Stars of 2017:

1.     The new Insignia Grand Sport will be the new flagship product of Vauxhall’s range. Despite being a large and practical five-door hatchback, it will have a coupe-like silhouette, huge driver appeal and a class-leading all-wheel-drive system. Existing model still leads the mainstream D-sector in the UK, but Grand Sport is set to challenge premium rivals.

2.     Hot on its heels will be the new Insignia Sports Tourer, taking many of its design cues from the 2013’s visionary Monza Concept. Compared with the existing model, interior space has increased significantly, especially in the rear cabin and luggage area, but not at the expense of its design, which is lithe and rakish.

3.     Completing the new Insignia range next year will be a Country Tourer model, complete with all-wheel-drive as standard and off-road looks. A genuine multi-task vehicle.

4.     Vauxhall’s recently launched Mokka X will be joined by the new Crossland X at the start of next year. The exciting crossover will appeal to buyers with families who demand agility and convenience in urban driving, but with enough comfort and performance to cover long distances at the drop of a hat.

5.     Completing Vauxhall’s SUV/crossover family in 2017 will be a new C-segment crossover, similar in size to the Astra and Zafira Tourer, and with an especially sporty design.

The Paris Motor Show will see the World Unveiling of the Euro Spec Civic and Jazz Spotlight Special Edition.

• Honda unveils the European version of the new Civic Hatchback
• Sedan version also makes European debut
• New Jazz Spotlight Edition showcases new premium look and feel for supermini

Honda will take the next step in its European product offensive at the 2016 Paris Motor Show with the unveil of the new Civic Hatchback.

Global premiere of Civic Hatchback

The Civic Hatchback makes its global motor show debut at Paris, showcasing the mass production exterior and interior design. The car is set to appear in showrooms across Europe from early 2017.

Civic is Honda’s biggest selling nameplate worldwide and the brand has undertaken the most comprehensive research and development programme in its history for this tenth edition.

Honda’s stand will also feature the four door sedan model of Civic. Built at Honda’s production facility in Gebzé, Turkey, the new design includes an improved exterior and interior design. While not on sale in the UK, this car will be available in mainland European markets from early 2017.

Jazz Spotlight Edition

The Jazz Spotlight Edition will make its debut at the Paris Motor Show. The Jazz Spotlight Edition is an evolution of the Honda Jazz Keenlight concept revealed at Geneva earlier this year.

While not available in the UK, the Spotlight Edition is based around a series of design features aimed to appeal to a more fashion conscious customer. Enhanced elements include bronze front grille decoration, door mirror decoration, decals along the flank of the car, unique 15” alloy wheels, tailgate decoration, steering wheel and centre console treatment.

Philip Crossman, managing director at Honda UK, commented: "The unveil of the 10th generation Civic at this year's Paris Motor Show continues the journey we started last year with the complete overhaul of our entire range.  

"Couple that with the fact the introduction of the new Civic heralds a new era for the plant in Swindon, as it will become the global manufacturing hub for the British-built Civic hatchback, and we are in a fantastic position going forward."

Peugeot is pushing ahead with growth plans in Chin and Asia, the new 4008 SUV is the start of 1 Million units per year by 2018.

• A plant opened as part of the Push to Pass strategy for profitable growth, which will see 20 new launches in China and Southeast Asia by 2021
• A plant dedicated to the production of SUVs, a fast-growing segment in China
• Capacity to build 300,000 vehicles a year, in line with the target of selling one million vehicles in China and Southeast Asia in 2018
• The Peugeot 4008 will be the first vehicle produced

As part of the implementation of the Push to Pass plan and to support the China & Southeast Asia region's goal of selling one million vehicles in 2018, DPCA today inaugurated its fourth assembly plant in Chengdu, China.

The ceremony was attended by Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the Managing Board of the PSA Group; Zhu Yanfeng, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dongfeng Motor Corporation; Denis Martin, the PSA Group's Executive Vice-President, China and ASEAN; Liu Weidong, Chief Operating Officer of Dongfeng Motor Corporation; Su Weibin, General Manager of DPCA; Jean Christophe Marchal, Executive Vice-President of DPCA and representatives of Sichuan province and the municipality of Chengdu.

The fourth DPCA plant will manufacture vehicles for the Dongfeng Peugeot, Dongfeng Citroën and Dongfeng Fengshen brands on the PSA Group's EMP2 platform, primarily in the SUV segment. Production will begin with the new Peugeot 4008 SUV, which is scheduled for launch in November 2016. Following a gain of 53% in 2015, the SUV segment continued to expand rapidly in first-half 2016, with 44% growth. It currently accounts for 38.8% of the Chinese market. As a whole, the Chinese auto market offers great potential. Car ownership stands at 75 vehicles per 1,000 inhabitants, and the country recently overtook the United States to become home to the world's largest middle class, which represented 110 million people at end-2015. This figure is forecast to double to 220 million by 2022.

Leveraging the best practices of PSA and Dongfeng Motor (DFM), DPCA built the plant in two years according to the highest industry standards. The world-class facility uses a flexible manufacturing system that enables close cooperation with suppliers, while adhering to the most stringent environmental principles.

In addition to the CAPSA plant in Shenzen, which manufactures DS models, DPCA's production base now comprises four assembly plants: three in Wuhan, in Hubei province, and one in Chengdu, in Sichuan province. With this new facility and DPCA's latest 5A+ medium-term plan unveiled on 11 May, the PSA Group and DFM have demonstrated their commitment to strengthening their strategic partnership in order to satisfy the needs of the Chinese market. The two partners are pursuing three clear-cut objectives for improving the joint venture's financial performance:

• Significantly increasing customer satisfaction with products and services to become one of the top three in the industry by 2018 and No. 1 by 2020
• Generating revenue in excess of RMB 100 billion by 2020
• Achieving profitable, sustainable growth underpinned by productivity gains of 30% by 2020

During the ceremony, Carlos Tavares said: "This new plant will help us to expand our vehicle range in the fast-growing SUV segment and meet the needs of our Chinese customers. It represents an important step in implementing our Push to Pass plan and achieving our objective to launch 20 new models in China by 2021 and sell over one million vehicles in the region by 2018."

The All-New Renault Scenic is the 20th Renault to gain the coveted five star Euro NCAP rating.

• The All-New Renault Scénic has received a five-star safety rating from the independent organisation, Euro NCAP
• As the 20^th Renault vehicle to receive a five-star Euro NCAP rating, All-New Scénic demonstrates over 15 years of Renault’s commitment to safety  
• The All-New Renault Scénic sets itself apart from the crowd through a number of state-of-the-art technologies, including active emergency braking with pedestrian detection as standard; a first for vehicles in its segment.

The result highlights Renault's commitment to safety, particularly with the All-New Scénic, which arrives in the UK later this year. The All-New Scénic stands out with a 90 per cent score for adult occupant protection, 82 per cent for children and 67 per cent for pedestrians.

Top-level passive safety

The All-New Renault Scénic is amongst the best in its class when it comes to passive safety features.

The All-New Scénic uses a structure consisting of reinforced steel skirts, side members, windscreen pillars and posts, allowing it to protect the lives of occupants inside the safety cell.  

Parts of the structure are "ultra-high elastic", with each square millimetre able to resist up to 120kg of pressure. In addition, crumple zone steel located outside the passenger compartment allows for an impact to be absorbed, thus also protecting the lives of occupants inside the safety cell.

The All-New Scénic is equipped with two curtain airbags for the first and second rows and two lateral airbags in the front. It also has two new-generation front airbags that make use of adaptive technology. Based on sensor information, airbag inflation level is adapted for both driver and passenger.

With All-New Scénic's embedded technologies, driving is safe and serene.

The All-New Scénic makes use of premium segment features and several types of innovative equipment. It is the only vehicle in the C-MPV segment to offer an Active Emergency Braking System (AEBS) with pedestrian detection as standard. To put drivers at ease and warn them in the event of risk, All-New Scénic offers:          

• Hands-free parking     
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW)           
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)     
• Adaptive Cruise Control           (ACC)
• Fatigue detection warning with trajectory analysis         
• Active Emergency Braking System (AEBS) with pedestrian detection

Other five-star rated Euro NCAP Renault models

1. 2016 All-New Renault Scénic     
2. 2015 All-New Mégane 
3. 2015 Talisman 
4. 2015 Kadjar, 
5. 2015 Espace
6. 2013 Captur, 
7. 2013 ZOE        
8. 2012 Clio         
9. 2009 Mégane Grand Scénic      
10. 2008 Mégane
11. 2008 Koléos   
12. 2007 Laguna   
13. 2005 Clio         
14. 2004 Modus 
15. 2004 Mégane Coupe Cabriolet  
16. 2003 Scénic, 
17. 2003 Espace    
18. 2002 Vel Satis, 
19. 2002 Mégane
20. 2001 Laguna 

All-new Volkswagen Tiguan is packed with the latest cutting edge and all new technology.

• All-new Volkswagen Tiguan is packed with the latest cutting edge technology
• Tiguan seamlessly integrates smartphone functionality on the road
• Volkswagen Tiguan on sale now from £22,510 (RRP OTR)

The need to integrate today’s consumer technologies such as smartphones seamlessly into our homes, offices and cars is becoming essential for many.  Recognising this trend, when designing the new Tiguan, Volkswagen engineers have ensured the car is packed with state-of-the-art features that support connectivity and functionality more easily than ever.

The new Tiguan’s cool, calm, connected nature enables its driver and passengers to stay in touch while on the move.  Whether it’s getting the latest traffic information, streaming some music or dictating a text hands-free the latest Volkswagen SUV is equipped for the task.

All new Tiguans offer, as a minimum, Volkswagen’s impressive Composition Media system.  This includes an eight-inch colour touch-screen, DAB digital radio receiver, CD player, USB connection and the simultaneous pairing, via Bluetooth, of two compatible mobile phone devices.¹

Once a smartphone is paired with the Tiguan the driver or passenger can make and receive phone calls via the car’s built-in microphone and infotainment speakers.  When the car is stationary the driver or passenger can even read and reply to SMS text messages using the touch-screen display, if they have an Android smartphone.

Internet on the move

Of course mobile phones now do so much more than merely text or call contacts.  This is where Volkswagen’s Car-Net comes in.  Car-Net refers to in-car internet connectivity and it brings the best functions of a smartphone – entertainment and convenience – into the Tiguan, simply and securely.   

A range of services are available, and for access to the full functionality all the driver needs to do is set up an account at volkswagen-car-net.com and download the Car-Net app to their smartphone.

Car-Net kicks off with the App-Connect system.  Available on entry-level S trim, and standard on all other trims, App-Connect allows the display screen of a smartphone to be ‘mirrored’ on the Tiguan’s Composition Media touch-screen by connecting the phone via a USB cable.²  

This is compatible with smartphones that run Apple, Google and Android operating systems, meaning the function is available to almost every smartphone user.

Crucially, the Tiguan also allows the use of certified apps on its infotainment touch-screen.  And if the app supports voice control then that will work in the Tiguan too!  With safety in mind, only certain apps can be used while the Tiguan’s wheels are in motion. 

One such app is MirrorLink’s Cam Connect.  This allows the infotainment display to be connected to a GoPro camera, which can be mounted in the vehicle or in a trailer that’s being towed by the Tiguan.  This is useful if you have a dog in the rear of the vehicle, or if you’re towing a horse box and you want to check on your animal without having to pull over.

In the fast-moving world of digital development, the list of apps that are accessible while on the move is growing all the time.  Apple’s CarPlay supports Spotify; the music streaming service, Stitcher; which offers a variety of radio shows and podcasts; and the video calling app Skype.  

Android Auto works with a variety of apps, including instant messengers WhatsApp and KiK, and GoogleHangouts too.  These apps are navigated using the car’s steering wheel controls.

Volkswagen’s ‘Guide and Inform’ system is the next step in truly bringing the online world into the new Tiguan.  

It operates via Volkswagen’s familiar Discover Navigation system and opens up access to a wide range of useful information, including traffic conditions, fuel location and pricing, parking space availability, the weather at the destination and customisable news feeds.  

A press of the Point of Interest button in the navigation menu provides a wide variety of options to find the precise information required.  For example, a list of petrol stations can be sorted by the distance from the Tiguan or even by the price of the fuel.

Alternatively, the driver can search for points of interest on the volkswagen-car-net.com website while at home or at work.  The ‘Destination Import’ function then allows them to send the information to the Tiguan’s navigation system.  Complete routes can be sent to the car so the driver simply gets in, downloads the journey and starts driving. 

Once under way, the Tiguan will know if traffic is building up along the route and will re-calculate the journey to find the fastest option.  

The Tiguan’s live traffic information is based on the Traffic Message Channel, which supplies continuously updated traffic data throughout Europe.  Alternative routes are automatically chosen and the corresponding estimated time of arrival is updated accordingly.

All Car-Net ‘Guide and Inform’ services are standard equipment on trims from SE Navigation and above, and are optional on the Tiguan S. A three-year subscription to the ‘Guide and Inform’ service is included, so the maps are constantly updated, too.³

Tiguan’s active information

The most comprehensive mobile connectivity available in new Tiguan is Car-Net ‘Guide and Inform Plus’.  Optional on S, SE Navigation, SEL and R-Line trims, ‘Guide and Inform Plus’ adds voice activation technology to the already thorough ‘Guide and Inform’ offering.  It brings Google Earth™ into the car, while Google Street View™ can also be displayed on the colour touch-screen.

A crucial feature of Car-Net is the way in which the Car-Net app acts as an e-Remote for the new Tiguan.  Before the driver gets into the car, he or she can use the Car-Net e-Remote to pre-set the air conditioning so the cabin is at their preferred temperature.  The e-Remote also displays the vehicle’s mileage, last parking position and will even inform the driver if the headlights are on or not. 

The connectivity of the new Tiguan makes it one of the most advanced cars in its class, but it’s far from a ‘one trick’ SUV.  Another technological highlight is the Active Info Display: a 12.3-inch high resolution TFT display screen located in the instrument binnacle.  

It offers a digital speedo and tachometer, and the display can be customised to show almost any of the car’s other parameters.  Particularly useful is the wide-screen navigation display, which replicates the information on the TFT display in the centre console.  Active Info Display is available on trims from SE and up, and is standard on the SEL and R-Line models.

Another key feature is the Head-up Display that projects driving information, including current speed and the speed limit, onto a retractable screen within the driver’s field of vision. This fighter jet-inspired technology is an option on Tiguans from SE and above.

The beautiful Aston Martin DB11 takes yet another award as it thrills everyone that views such a stunning car.

• First award for new Aston Martin DB11
• DB11 named winner by a jury of experts from ten global automotive magazines

Aston Martin is celebrating a victory in the prestigious Car Design Award, presented at the Salone dell’ Auto Torino, Italy. The new DB11 was named Production Car of the year by a jury of experts from ten international automotive magazines. 

The jury stated: “The design team has further evolved Aston Martin’s historical design cues and proportions – an elongated bonnet, aluminium roof and muscular rear fenders – a more daring interpretation. 

Flowing in an unbroken arc from A-pillar to C-pillar, the dramatic new roof strake adds a new flavour of modernity to the DB11. Once again Aston Martin has demonstrated of being capable to blend elegance and power.”

The first product launched under the company’s ‘Second Century’ plan, DB11 showcases a fresh and distinctive design language, pioneering aerodynamics and is powered by a potent new in-house designed 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine. Heralding a new design era for Aston Martin, DB11 is the latest landmark in a remarkable aesthetic journey; one that gave us icons such as the DB2/4, DB5 and, most recently, the DB10 developed specifically for James Bond. DB11 re-imagines the relationship between form and function with a series of fresh design signatures.

Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman said: “We are delighted that the new DB11 has been awarded this prestigious award so soon after its launch, this is testament to the brand values and design philosophy of Aston Martin.  Every millimetre of DB11 has been re-imagined from the ground up, and every part of DB11 is designed to create the world’s most alluring DB to date.”

The award ceremony took place in Parco Valentino Torino last Wednesday. Mark Kenworthy, Regional Director of Aston Martin Lagonda of Europe, said: “The Aston Martin DB11 is the bold new figurehead of the illustrious ‘DB’ bloodline and an authentic, dynamic sporting GT in the finest Aston Martin tradition. Winning this prestigious award even before the DB11 arrives at dealerships in October this year, underlines the outstanding achievements of our design and engineering teams.”