Purpose

I will try my best to provide detailed info on various cars and what is like to live with them, I have already produced a few for Jaguar-car-forums, I will do my best to be unbiased, but it will be hard for some cars. I will re-produce press releases and copy from other motoring news.
Showing posts with label diesel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diesel. Show all posts

Saturday, 20 May 2017

Vauxhall announces specification for the All-New Crossland X a new model added to it's SUV Stable.

MARKET AND MODEL
  • All-new crossover model to be launched in booming SUV segment
  • Elevated seating position, spacious interior, practical and flexible
  • Arrives in showrooms this summer
DESIGN AND PRACTICALITY
  • Urban crossover with bold design and ‘floating’ roof
  • Driver and passenger experience heightened thanks to intelligent design
  • High levels of flexibility and comfort with sliding rear seats
DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS AND CONNECTIVITY
  • Comprehensive infotainment features
  • Raft of driver assistance systems
  • Vauxhall OnStar standard across Crossland X range
POWERTRAINS
  • All-aluminium petrol and diesel engines
  • Direct injection with turbo charging for power and low fuel consumption
  • Choice of five or six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions
RANGE, PRICING & EQUIPMENT
  • Highly-competitive pricing from just £16,555 on-the-road
  • Powertrains from 81PS to 130PS
  • Crossland X on sale now; first deliveries this summer
MARKET AND MODEL
  • All-new crossover model to be launched in booming SUV segment
  • Elevated seating position, spacious interior, practical and flexible
  • Arrives in showrooms this summer
Crisp and compact on the outside, spacious and flexible on the inside, with unique two-tone paintwork and SUV-styling, this is Vauxhall’s all-new Crossland X.
Alongside the popular Mokka X, the newcomer is a key new model in Vauxhall’s burgeoning SUV offering, which is due to grow further still in 2017, with the launch of the larger Grandland X later in the year.
While the Crossland X’s recently-launched sibling, the Mokka X, has all-wheel-drive capability, is 70mm higher and has larger wheels for buyers with a taste for adventure, the Crossland X has a firm family focus, with a Tardis-like cabin providing high degrees of practicality and flexibility.
Also, at just 4.21 metres in length, the Crossland X is more compact than the Mokka X, and a full 16cm shorter than the Astra Hatch, offering owners greater convenience while driving and manoeuvring in towns and cities. Adding to Crossland X’s urban appeal is an elevated seating position to give the driver better visibility, as well an overall height which is raised ten centimetres above the Astra’s.
With rivals such as the Renault Captur and Peugeot 2008, the Crossland X enters a different SUV class to the Mokka X, whose competitors include the Nissan Juke and Skoda Yeti.
Exceptional driver and passenger comfort has been an obvious priority for Vauxhall as it enters this class. The Crossland X has specially designed, AGR-certified seats for the driver and front passenger, while rear passengers can adjust their seating position to increase leg room. This seating flexibility is equally valuable for luggage capacity, which is a class-leading 410 litres with the rear seats up. The flexibility of the rear seats allows the luggage capacity to be increased if additional leg room is not required.
Additional innovations in the Crossland X make driving safer and more comfortable, and include a 180-degree panoramic rear-view camera, advanced park assist, forward collision alert with pedestrian detection and autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition and side blind-spot alert, among others.
The cutting-edge technology is not limited to driver assistance and safety features though, with drivers benefitting from exceptional connectivity that is becoming the norm in Vauxhall models. Vauxhall OnStar – as well as IntelliLink infotainment systems, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – keeps drivers connected in a convenient and responsible way through an up to eight-inch colour touchscreen. An extensive petrol/diesel engine portfolio with manual and automatic transmissions also features to suit any driver preferences and requirements.
“Crossland X is as multi-talented as it is stylish,” said Rory Harvey, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director. “It 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. Our customers’ expectations are changing, so the timing is perfect for an additional model in the Vauxhall range, which caters for a new breed of buyer.”
Since 2012, the Mokka (which has recently been replaced by the new Mokka X) has found more than 120,000 buyers in the UK, its single biggest market in Europe, and this has been set against an SUV segment that has grown year-on-year. The Crossland X is set to bring further growth when it goes on sale this summer.
Forming a key part of Vauxhall’s ‘Five-Star’ 2017, which will see five major product launches in just one year, the Crossland X will be joined by another newcomer to the ‘X’ family, the larger Grandland X – which will compete in the compact SUV class (SUV C-segment) – later this year.
DESIGN AND PRACTICALITY
  • Urban crossover with bold design and ‘floating’ roof
  • Driver and passenger experience heightened thanks to intelligent design
  • High levels of flexibility and comfort with sliding rear seats
As a true urban crossover, the Crossland X delivers bold design features in a compact, balanced package. The model’s length of 4,212mm, coupled with width of 1,742mm and height of 1,590mm, give it a dominant and well-proportioned stance. It is the latest model in the Vauxhall range to embrace the company’s design philosophy of ‘Sculptural artistry meets technical precision’, giving it a rugged, yet sophisticated, finish.
From the front it is recognisably a Vauxhall, with a prominent grille featuring the iconic Griffin, as well as Vauxhall’s signature LED daytime running lights. Chrome accents coupled with AFL LED headlights give the perception of extra width, while additional features taken from larger SUV models give the model a confident appearance.
The crisp side lines and ‘floating roof’ visually separate the lower and upper sections of the vehicle and lengthen the Crossland X. Like the Vauxhall ADAM, customers can order a different colour for the roof to give more personalisation and improved road presence. The prominent rear of the Crossland X makes a clear SUV statement with its visible underbody protection and the highly-mounted split rear lights also feature the ‘double-wing’ graphic to form the intersection between the boot lid and the downward-sloping roofline.
The interior of the Crossland X offers sculptural design and precision, with the instrument panel and centre stack horizontally aligned to the driver for added functionality. High quality finishes are provided with chrome accents around the cluster and air vents, while the centrepiece of the interior is the up to eight-inch colour touchscreen.
Driver and passenger experience is not only heightened by the intelligent design and infotainment system, but with the model’s comfortable seating and spacious layout too. Uncommon for the segment, the Crossland X features first class ergonomic seats for the driver and front passenger to make long journeys comfortable, and give generous leg room.
High levels of flexibility are also offered throughout the model, largely thanks to the sliding rear seats. Able to move forwards or backwards up to 150mm, the 60/40 split folding seats provide additional leg room to the rear passengers for added comfort, or alternatively can be moved to create additional luggage space up to a class-leading 520 litres. When the rear seats are folded down completely, luggage capacity increases to an impressive 1,255 litres, with the wide number of permutations in between making the Crossland X capable of carrying a wide range of everyday items as required.
DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS AND CONNECTIVITY
  • Comprehensive infotainment features
  • Raft of driver assistance systems
  • Vauxhall OnStar standard across Crossland X range
In a segment where safety is a key concern, the Vauxhall Crossland X makes journeys more relaxing and safer with the inclusion of the latest technology and assistance systems. Full-LED headlamps ensures outstanding visibility when driving at night or in gloomy conditions, and includes functions such as cornering light, high beam assist and auto levelling to ensure optimal visibility in all road situations.
The optional Head Up Display reduces the danger of distractions, projecting the most important data such as speed and navigation into the driver’s direct line of sight without hindering vision.
Vauxhall’s Front-Camera System can process a wide range of data points and forms the basis of driver assistance systems such as Traffic Sign Recognition and Lane Departure Warning. The Crossland X also offers Cruise control with speed limiter to make long distance journeys more enjoyable, and a Forward Collision Alert with pedestrian detection and autonomous emergency braking (available Model Year 18) helps to avoid accidents and protect those both inside and outside the vehicle. Emergency braking is activated if a hazard is spotted and the driver does not react once the alarm and visual warning have been triggered. Furthermore, the Forward Collision Alert is combined with a three-level Driver Drowsiness System.
The Crossland X comes with a Panoramic Rear View Camera that increases the angle of sight at the back of the vehicle to 180 degrees, giving the driver sight of other road users on either side when reversing. Elsewhere, the latest generation of Advanced Park Assist facilitates parking by recognising suitable parking spots and automatically parking the vehicle when required. In the colder winter months, the heated steering wheel and heated windscreen increase driver comfort and safety, and easy access to the Crossland X is guaranteed thanks to Keyless Open & Start.
Drivers of the new Vauxhall Crossland X with OnStar will always be fully connected thanks to the powerful 4G/LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot, to which they can connect up to seven mobile devices. In addition, they have access to convenient services such as up-to-date vehicle diagnostics.
POWERTRAINS
  • All-aluminium petrol and diesel engines
  • Direct injection with turbo charging for power and low fuel consumption
  • Choice of five or six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions
The all-new Crossland X comes with a range of lively and efficient engines to choose from. The three-cylinder petrol and four-cylinder diesel engines available with the Vauxhall Crossland X are state-of-the-art, all-aluminium units that combine driving pleasure with impressive fuel efficiency. With the exception of the entry-level petrol engine, all use direct injection systems in combination with turbocharging. Efficiency is further enhanced by the friction-optimised transmissions, with five and six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions available across the range.
The entry-level engine is the 1.2-litre petrol with 81PS (54.3mpg combined; 116g/km CO2). Elsewhere in the range, the 1.2 Turbo with petrol direct injection is available in three variants. The efficient ECOTEC engine is equipped with the five-speed manual transmission (58.9mpg combined; 111-109 g/km CO2) and delivers 110PS, while the 1.2-litre combined with the six-speed automatic gearbox is equally as powerful (57.3mpg combined; 123g/km CO2). Both engines deliver peak torque of 205Nm at only 1,500rpm, with 95 per cent available up to 3,500 rpm.
The top-of-the-line petrol engine is the 1.2 Turbo with 130PS, delivering maximum torque of 230 Nm from 1,750 rpm (55.4mpg combined; 116g/km CO2) and six-speed manual transmission. This takes the Vauxhall Crossland X from zero to 62mph in 9.1 seconds and to a maximum speed of 128mph.
The line-up also includes two turbocharged diesel engines, including the 1.6 diesel with 99PS and maximum torque of 254Nm at 1,750rpm. The efficient diesel ECOTEC variant, with Start/Stop, emits as little as 93g/km CO2 and achieves up to 78.5mpg combined. The most powerful diesel is the 1.6 with 120PS (70.6mpg combined; 105g/km CO2) and maximum torque of 300Nm, to provide power in all situations. Together with the six-speed manual transmission, the all-new Crossland X 1.6 diesel completes mid-range acceleration from 50 to 75 mph in 10.5 seconds, which is especially important for overtaking, and has a maximum speed of 116mph.
With plenty of power at low rpm, the all-new Crossland X boasts excellent handling and extremely economical driving.
RANGE, PRICING & EQUIPMENT
  • Highly-competitive pricing from just £16,395 on-the-road
  • Powertrains from 81PS to 130PS
  • Crossland X now on sale; first deliveries this summer
Vauxhall’s all-new Crossland X is now on sale, priced from just £16,555 on-the-road, having made its world debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show in March.
The entry-level SE trim is available from just £16,555 on-the-road, with a 1.2i (81PS) petrol engine and five-speed manual transmission. The top of the range model is the six-speed manual 1.6CDTi (120PS) S/S diesel in Elite Nav trim, available from £21,380 on-the-road.
Available with several 1.2i-litre petrol engines, the Crossland X offers a choice of five-speed or six-speed manual transmissions, or a six-speed automatic gearbox. The 1.2i S/S (130PS), with six-speed manual transmission, is available from just £18,290 on-the-road in the generous Tech Line Nav trim. The Crossland X range includes SE, SE Nav, Techline Nav, Elite and Elite Nav model trims, ensuring a suitable model for every driver.
For drivers preferring a diesel engine, the 1.6 Turbo D ECOTEC S/S (99PS) with manual transmission is the most economical in the range, with CO2 emissions of 93g/km. Starting in SE trim from £18,715 on-the-road, the frugal engine is available at all trim levels. The diesel range is also available with the more powerful 1.6 Turbo D S/S (120PS) engine that, when coupled with a six-speed manual gearbox, has CO2 emissions of just 105g/km. It is available from just £19,575 in Techline Nav specification.
Officially launched at Geneva Motor Show in March, the Crossland X has a number of innovations to make driving safer and more comfortable. These include a 180-degree Panoramic Rear-View Camera, Advanced Park Assist, Forward Collision Alert with Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Speed Sign Recognition and Side Blind Spot Alert, among others.
The cutting-edge technology is not limited to driver assistance and safety features though, with drivers benefitting from exceptional connectivity that is becoming the norm in Vauxhall models. Vauxhall OnStar, as well as IntelliLink infotainment systems – compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – keep drivers connected in a convenient and responsible way through the colour touchscreen.

Tuesday, 14 March 2017

TMW - Subaru pushes out the boat for the Outback - the best car they produce.

Subaru is most definitely on the come back trail, they have a brilliant range of cars from the Levorg to this, the Outback, and many others in between from other off roaders and sports cars, and the car that gave them the reputation that they so well deserve, the WRX/STi, this and the BRZ are two models that we will be testing over the coming months, and i can not wait.
But, back to the car we have here today, the 2.0D SE Outback, this really is a stunning car to drive, is one of the most comfortablest, easy to drive, easy on the eye and a general all round brilliant car, from the outside the estate looks a big car, and it is, there is no getting away from this, yet it is very easy to drive, the steering is light and precise and you never feel like it is vague and unresponsive.

Once you get the seats and steering wheel into your ideal driving position you never need to move them again, and from there everything is so ideally placed, from the switches to the touch-screen Infotainment system, to the buttons that work the heating seats, which on a cold day are a welcome addition.
Driving the car is so easy, and when driving at a steady speed you hardly notice that you are in a diesel, it is that quiet, and smooth, the four wheel drive, which Subaru is famous for, is a great addition and keeps the car on the straight and narrow, put the cruise control on and you can just let the car "get on with it", it will even slow down and pull away on it's own, as well as let you know when you start to "drift" across onto another lane, or off to the side of the road.

The seven speed auto is very smooth and moves up and down the gears without any fuss or judder, if you're driving perfectly you only know the gears are changing by the rev counter moving up and down, thats how smooth and quiet it is.
The seats are some of the most comfortable i have sat in whilst driving, they are like armchairs, they cosset and keep you in position, which in turn makes for a great driving experience.

The fuel consumption stated by Subaru is
  • Urban Cycle           37.7mpg
  • Extra Urban Cycle  53.3mpg
  • Combined Cycle     46.3mpg
If you manage to get the 53.3mpg, combined with teh fuel tank size, you should get over 700 miles out of the car, the Subaru also has a CO2 level of 159g/km which for a car this size is really good and helps with the BIK should you utilise the car for business usage, Top Speed is a decent 119mph, not that you will be doing that in the UK, well, you shouldn't, Should you 😀

The Outback is a great car, and if all you got was a standard spec model you would be more than happy with it, yet, it does not stop there, this model comes complete with a host of kit as standard.
  • LED Headlights and Tail Lights
  • Pop Up Headlamp Washes
  • Power Fold Heated Door Mirrors
  • Automatic Raise and Close Tailgate
  • Flappy Paddles
  • Seat Heaters
  • All Round Power Windows
  • Cruise Control
  • Vehicle Dynamics Control
  • Subaru Starlink Connectivity
  • Hill Start Assist
  • Active Torque Vectoring
  • Centre Differential
  • Whiplash Reducing Seats
And this is just a small amount of the standard kit, there is far far more to be added to the list.

Rear space is at a premium, with more than enough for three well set adults on the back seats, added to this there is a acres of space in the boot for loads of luggage, shopping or, with the seats down, some larger pieces of furniture.
Subaru is definitely on the rise, there is the updated BRZ, XV and Levorg all imminent, along with the second year of BTCC, and the continued use of the WRX/STi in privateer hands around the globe in numerous rallying events.

The Outback is a brilliant, car, and one that can accommodate everything you throw at it, it is a brilliant family car, as well as a car that can be utilised as a business car, either way, you could find few cars that fulfil all your requirements.

Monday, 9 January 2017

The UK see's higher sales in 2016, but will 2017 carry on the growth with so much against it ?

  • Highest ever number of new cars demanded by UK customers, with 2,692,786 registered in 2016, up 2.3% on previous year.
  • Wide choice of new car models and affordable finance deals drives market to new high with fifth consecutive year of growth.
  • December only the second month of negative growth in 2016, as registrations dip -1.1% to 178,022 units.
The UK new car market achieved another record year in 2016, with annual registrations climbing for the fifth year in a row to almost 2.7 million, according to figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The market has experienced uplifts in 10 out of the last 12 months, albeit finishing with a December down slightly by -1.1% – with 178,022 new cars registered in the month.

Buyers were attracted by a range of new car models and attractive finance deals, pushing registrations up to 2,692,786 in 2016 – up 2.3% on the previous year and broadly in line with expectations. The UK new car market is one of the most diverse in the world, with some 44 brands offering nearly 400 different model types – and 2017 looks set to be another competitive year with almost 70 new launches already planned over the next 12 months. 
Fleets were responsible for most of the growth, with demand growing to a record 1.38 million units. The private market remains at a historically high level, with more than 1.2 million private buyers registering a new car in 2016, although demand did fall over the latter three quarters. The competitive range of affordable finance is a crucial factor driving private demand as consumers are able to take advantage of low interest rates and flexible payment options.
Diesel and petrol cars continued to be by far the most popular fuel types for consumers with market share at 47.7% and 49.0% respectively. However, alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFVs) experienced a strong uplift in demand, up 22.2% across the year. Plug-in hybrids and petrol electric hybrids, in particular, experienced significant growth, with demand up 41.9% and 25.1% respectively. Meanwhile, more than 10,000 motorists chose to go fully electric in 2016 – up 3.3% on 2015.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “Despite 2016’s political and economic uncertainties, the UK’s new car market delivered another record performance as car makers offered an incredible range of innovative and high tech models. 2017 may well be more challenging as sterling depreciation raises the price of imported goods but, with interest rates still at historic lows and a range of new models arriving in 2017, there are still many reasons for consumers to consider a new car in 2017. Looking longer term, the strength of this market will rest on our ability to maintain our current trading relations and, in particular, avoid tariff barriers which could add significantly to the cost of a new car."

Tuesday, 22 November 2016

2017 Mitsubishi Outlander Diesel now on sale in the UK with improved specification and a Diesel PHEV Variant.

  • 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander Diesel now on sale in the UK
  • Improved specifications across all variants sees Diesel aligned with PHEV
  • Manual and automatic transmission options available
  • All Wheel Control (AWC) 4WD system that seamlessly switches between modes to match the driving conditions
  • Prices from £24,999
The revised Mitsubishi Outlander Diesel is now available in showrooms across the UK, offering a host of new features to align it with the 2017 PHEV. 
Improved and updated interior detailing adds more luxury and refinement to the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander Diesel, while keeping functionality and value for money in mind. 
A new centre console and shark-fin antenna appear on all variants as standard as well as front footwell lamps, console box illumination, a 12V socket in the boot and rain and dusk sensors.
The 2017 Outlander provides an improved driving experience; the rear shock absorber has been altered with a new valve, enhancing the stability and comfort of the ride.   

Outlander 4 in particular boasts additional safety features, including blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert and a 360 degree camera. This variant also welcomes an electronic parking brake and auto hold button on automatic versions, offering a more compact and sleek interior design, in line with the leather upholstery.
All variants have a technologically-advanced 2.2-litre diesel unit, in both automatic and manual transmission. The manual version has a six-speed gearbox, which delivers a top speed of 124mph, while the automatic variants reach 118mph. The on-demand 4WD system improves stability, traction, fuel economy and emissions. The Outlander Diesel is kind to the planet; manual variants produce CO2 emission of just 139g/km and are capable of 53.3 mpg on the combined fuel economy cycle. Automatic versions produce 154 g/km and return 48.7 mpg.
The Outlander Diesel Range
Outlander 2: Seen as the entry-point Outlander for private buyers, it comes fully loaded with equipment perfect for potential purchasers, boasting clever technology such as Active Stability and Traction Control (M-ASTC), Auto Stop & Go (AS&G), Hill Start Assist (HSA) and an adjustable speed limiter. Cruise control comes as standard, as does dual-zone climate control and there’s a radio/CD/MP3 player with six speakers and front electric windows. Airbags and 16-inch steel wheels also feature, as well as roof rails, auto dimming rear-view-mirror and LED daytime running lights.
Outlander 3: Outlander 3 steps up the game with a brand new electronic parking brake which features on the automatic versions, as well as a Brake Auto Hold button. This variant also boasts a third row of full seats for comfort and convenience, which can be split and folded with ease. In addition there’s dual-zone air conditioning, front fog lamps, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding door mirrors, colour LCD display, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth hands-free with steering mounted controls, privacy glass and silver roof rails. Manual and automatic versions are keyless operation with a start/stop button.
Outlander 4: New additions to the Outlander 4 include a heated steering wheel, LED front fog lamps, blind spot warning and rear cross traffic alert, electronic parking brake, Brake Auto Hold button and a 360 degree camera with steering wheel switch (automatic version only). This variant also has leather upholstery, a heated and electric driver’s seat, LED headlights, Mitsubishi Multi Communication System with sat nav and rear-view camera, as well as DAB radio.
The Outlander Diesel range is backed by five year, 62,500 mile warranty. The Mitsubishi Service Plan covers scheduled maintenance for the first three years and is available for £700.