WHAT CAR AWARDS - The best family car under £18,000 goes to the multi award winning Astra.

After an extremely successful first year on the market, 2017 has started strongly for the Vauxhall Astra, which has again been recognised in the Family Car category at the WhatCar? Car of the Year Awards. The latest win in the hotly-contested category helps to solidify the new Astra as one of the top models on the market.

The award-winning Astra picked up the award in the highly-competitive Best Family Car for less than £18,000 category. Honoured for the second year running, the Astra was commended for its running costs, value-for-money and infotainment. 

With strong competition in this category, the Astra has proven itself to be the best car for not only family duties, but the daily commute and business use too.

“This is arguably the toughest class of all,” said Steve Huntingford, WhatCar? Editor. “Competition is so fierce that even a single weakness is usually enough to rule a car out of the running. This is the second year running that the Astra has claimed this price point and this year we’re recommending a new 109bhp 1.6-litre diesel. For a modest premium over the entry-level petrol, you’ll be getting one of the best performers yet in our real-world True MPG tests.”

“The Astra isn’t just about incredible value-for-money, though; it’s one of the best cars in the class on merit. It’s good to drive, smart inside and more practical than many of its peers, with lots of rear knee room and a whopping boot. We rate it as the best family car you can buy today, thanks to its blend of modern technology, excellent value for money and superb overall ownership experience.”

“The Astra is the best family car on the market and we are delighted to receive this recognition from What Car?” said Rory Harvey, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director. “Last year was quite a year for the Astra; it won a host of top awards as well as topping its segment in the fourth quarter and the second half of the year.”

Rounding off last year in style, Vauxhall’s multi award-winning Astra celebrated a sales hat-trick by being number one in its segment in each of the last three months of 2016. According to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the Astra cruised to victory with 15,948 sold in the fourth quarter and a total of 32,313 sold between July and December 2016, making it the best-selling car in its segment in the second half of the year, too.

This sales momentum capped a superb year for Vauxhall’s family hatchback, having built up an impressive list of accolades including 2016 European Car of Year, a game-changer award from Autocar and category wins at the Auto Express, What Car? and Fleet News awards

Tivoli range to be extended with XLV - the multi-role compact SUV with increased load carrying capability

86^th Geneva International Motor Show 2016

Stand: 4131

• Tivoli range to be extended with XLV - the multi-role compact SUV with increased load carrying capability
• Mild hybrid SIV-2 concept hints at a future midsize contemporary multi-purpose crossover

International launch of the SsangYong Tivoli XLV

Following the successful launch of Tivoli, SsangYong will launch an extended car at Geneva to provide even more carrying capacity and practicality - Tivoli XLV. The car was shown as the XLV Air concept at the IAA motor show in Frankfurt last year, and following extremely favorable feedback the company has decided put the car into production.

Sharing the same platform and 2,600mm wheelbase as the Tivoli, the XLV features a lengthened body from behind the C pillar, an increase of 235mm over the standard car, expanding the load capacity to a huge 720 cubic litres of space. Meanwhile, the styling cues that distinguish Tivoli are retained, including its harmoniously fused SUV body design, sports coupé look and floating roofline.

Designed to offer a multi-role, multi-function solution to a wide range of customers, Tivoli XLV provides just the versatility needed to meet a wide range of individual lifestyles. It will be offered with a choice of a Euro 6 compliant 1.6 litre petrol or 1.6 litre diesel engine, and matched with the option of a 6-speed manual transmission or 6-speed Aisin automatic, two-wheel drive or four wheel drive. 

Note: UK specification to be determined.

SIV-2 development concept

SsangYong will also showcase its SIV-2 (Smart Interface Vehicle) midsize premium SUV concept at the show.

As the next iteration on from the SIV-1 concept which was shown at Geneva in 2013, this takes a step further under the design concept of ‘Dynamic Motion’.

Based on SsangYong’s development theme of ‘Robust, Specialty, Premium’, this new concept pursues the emotional interface between the driver and car, and will evolve to become a key strategic model within the SsangYong range.

The SIV-2 is a mild hybrid, powered by a 1.5 litre direct injection turbocharged petrol engine combined with a 10kW electric motor-generator and a 500Wh lithium ion battery. This creates a 48V mild hybrid system which offers quiet and efficient driving, reduced CO₂ emissions and silent running when idling and at slow speeds.

This eco-friendly concept features a lightweight body, a low centre of gravity and a chassis and suspension system that can be further developed to create alternative models with high efficiency powertrains such as HEV, PHEV and EV to future proof the SsangYong brand.

Peugeot launches the 2016 2008 DKR, bigger, more powerful and offers a real chance of a certain win next year.

• PEUGEOT 2008 DKR16 unveiled
• Benefits from a 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo diesel engine, now with more power
• Improved aerodynamics with revisions to the bonnet and roof-mounted air-intake

An updated version of the two-wheel drive beast that made its debut on the epic Dakar Rally in January has been revealed.

This latest evolution of the car, which is scheduled to make its competitive debut later in the year before heading to South America, is longer, wider, lower and more powerful than its predecessor: presenting a more aggressive stance, with a raft of improvements under the skin as well.

The front and rear overhangs have been reduced, enhancing the car’s go-anywhere ability. This is vital when it comes to tackling the varied obstacles, such as sand dunes, river beds and huge rocks, that characterise the Dakar, making it one of the last true sporting adventures left on earth.

The PEUGEOT 2008 DKR16 also benefits from improved aerodynamics: the bonnet and roof-mounted air-intake have been heavily revised in order to provide more balanced downforce between front and rear. The new air scoop also ensures better airflow.

Other evolutions lie under its carbon skin. The suspension has been redesigned to deal more effectively with the different and rough terrains. It also benefits from better weight distribution, as well as magnesium one-piece wheels for the first time, matched to lighter tyres from Michelin. These replace the aluminium two-piece wheels from last year, with the combination resulting in a significant weight saving.

The new car has been a continual work in progress, with development work starting as soon as the original car crossed the finish ramp in Buenos Aires just over seven months ago, at the conclusion of this year’s Dakar.

PEUGEOT’s engineers went over their ‘Lion’ piece by piece, analysing what could be done better, with the help of its Dakar experts Stéphane Peterhansel (an 11-time winner), Carlos Sainz (a two-time world rally champion and also former Dakar winner) and Cyril Despres (a five-time Dakar winner on bikes).

These improvements were gradually applied and assessed through a series of tests, culminating in a one-two finish for Peterhansel and Despres on the recent China Silk Road Rally, using an interim-specification car. This was essentially the 2015 model with a number of development parts for 2016 added.

There are some surprises under the bonnet as well. Despite the air restrictor, the 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo diesel engine now has more power. The driveability of the engine is increased too, which will be particularly useful during twisty stages.

PEUGEOT SPORT Director Bruno Famin, overseeing the final test in Morocco to sign off the latest incarnation of PEUGEOT’s Dakar challenger, commented:  “There isn’t one big change that we have made on our car: instead it has been a series of small evolutions in different areas, which together we hope will amount to an overall improvement. The areas we have concentrated on include bodywork and aerodynamics – as a result of which the car looks slightly different compared to last year – as well as engine and suspension, which is all under the skin. 

The tests we have carried out up to now, as well as our one-two finish in China recently, indicate that we are heading in the right direction. You really cannot compare our state of preparation now to how it was for our first Dakar this time last year, when everything was new to us! Of course you can never say that you are completely ready for the Dakar either, because you simply never know what it will throw at you, but certainly this time we are more ready.”

Peterhansel and Sainz have driven the new car through the different phases of its development and found it to be a useful step forward from its predecessor, providing greater driveability, power and traction.

Peterhansel, who gave the PEUGEOT 2008 DKR its first-ever overall win in China, said: “You can really feel the difference now that the car is longer and wider, with a lower centre of gravity, because it’s a lot more stable so cornering speeds are faster. You can feel the difference in the engine as well: not only is it more powerful, but you can also use all the power even at low revs. We’ve almost got a ‘problem’ now of how to manage all that power most effectively, but this is a very nice problem to have. We’re still not at the maximum of our capabilities, but testing has been very productive so far.”

Sainz stayed behind to concentrate on development work rather than competing in China. As a result, he has accumulated plenty of experience of the brand new challenger. The Spaniard added: “It’s been good testing and the car has been running really well. The potential of the car is much, much bigger than it was at this time last year and reliability has been solid too. We’ve changed quite a lot in the car in many key areas, so really we can call this one a completely new car compared to last year. I feel optimistic.”

The Frankfurt Auto Show sees more new concepts from SUV maker, Ssangyong, the XLV-Air & XAV-Adventure.

66th Frankfurt International Motor Show 2015

Ssangyong to showcase Tivoli Diesel and two new concept models, XLV-Air and XAV Adventure.

• International launch of Tivoli diesel Offering dynamic driving and fuel economy
• World Premiere of XLV-Air, the pre-production model of long-bodied Tivoli
• Unveiling of XAV-Adventure, an authentic SUV concept with a contemporary touch

SsangYong Motor Company (CEO Johng-sik Choi; www.smotor.com/en) will Introduce diesel Tivoli - the smart compact SUV, and two concept models based on the Tivoli platform, XLV-Air and XAV-Adventure at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show. 

Powered by a 1.6 liter diesel Euro 6 engine, diesel Tivoli offers a Powerful yet eco-friendly and quiet driving performance, and is available with manual or automatic transmission Either, 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive.

XLV-Air (smart Exciting Lifestyle Vehicle) is the pre-production model of the long-bodied Tivoli qui Will Be lancé early next year. As a multi-role SUV it offers Increased luggage space, and comes with a choice of 1.6-liter petrol or 1.6-liter diesel engines, matched with the option of a six-speed automatic (Aisin) or manual transmission, and two or four wheel drive .

XAV-Adventure is the latest compact SUV concept from SsangYong, a reinterpretation of the company's iconic Korando brand with a modern and masculine touch. Targeting active and young generations, XAV-Adventure offers maximum drivability and off-road capability as authentic a compact SUV.