Two new range's for Renault's hugely popular Master and Trafic Commercial Vehicles.

• Order books now open for new Renault multi-seaters
• Trafic available in short and long wheelbase versions
• Trafic has choice of four 1.6 dCi engines and two trim levels
• Master offered as 6- and 9-seat Combi, 17-seat Minibus and Trabus Glazed Panel Van  
• All Master versions powered by 2.3 dCi engines
• Four-year, 100,000-mile warranty and four years roadside assistance as standard
• Trafic Passenger from £20,145 excl. VAT and Master Passenger from £22,100 excl. VAT

Order books are now open for the All-New Renault Trafic and New Master Passenger multi-seater van ranges, with first deliveries expected in the UK early in 2015. The Trafic Passenger range starts at £20,145 excl. VAT, while pricing for the Master Passenger begins at £22,100 excl. VAT.

The Trafic Passenger is available with short (3098 mm) or long (3498 mm) wheelbases, four 1.6-litre dCi turbodiesel engines – depending on version – and a choice of ‘Business’ or ‘Sport’ trim levels. All versions have three rows of three seats, although buyers have the option of deleting the third row to increase load capacity. Sport models are also available with two individual front seats as a no-cost option.

The Master Passenger is sold as a 6-seat Combi, 9-seat Combi, 17-seat Minibus and Trabus Glazed Panel Van. They are powered by four different versions of the 2.3-litre dCi turbodiesel engine, one of which offers the convenience of Renault’s Quickshift robotised semi-automatic gearbox. ‘Business’ trim is standard on all models, which gives DAB Radio, CD, USB and Bluetooth connectivity as well as ESC (Electronic Stability Control) with Grip Xtend, Hill Start Assist and Trailor Swing Assist. 

The 6-seat Combi has a 3182 mm wheelbase, for the 9-seat Combi this is extended to 3682 mm, while for the 17-seat Minibus the wheelbase is even longer at 4332 mm. The Trabus Glazed Panel Van is offered in medium- and long-wheelbase formats.

ALL-NEW TRAFIC PASSENGER

Altogether, there are 17 versions of the All-New Trafic Passenger – 11 with Business trim and six with Sport. Business models are available with 90 hp, 115 hp and ENERGY 120 and 140 hp versions of the 1.6-litre dCi engine, giving fuel economy of between 42.8 and 49.6 mpg (combined cycle), with CO₂ emissions ranging from 149 to 174 g/km. All engines apart from the dCi 90 are available with Sport trim.

Standard equipment includes three rows of three seats, with the third row removable; a driver’s seat with armrest and both height and lumbar adjustment; a rake- and reach-adjustable steering wheel; electric front windows, with one-touch operation on the driver’s side; a DAB radio with USB and AUX sockets; a trip computer; electrically adjustable heated door mirrors; two large sliding side doors; heating elements and a wiper for the tailgate glass; Electronic Stability Control with Hill Start Assist and Grip Xtend; anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Force Distribution; tyre pressure monitoring; and remote locking with deadlocks.

Sport versions add metallic paint; a body-coloured front bumper, door rail, tail-light column and door mirrors; a Brilliant Black logo surround and premium chrome grille; automatic headlights and wipers; the Renault MediaNav 7-inch touchscreen multimedia and navigation system; Bluetooth; manual air conditioning; a premium dashboard with a smartphone dock; a leather-trimmed steering wheel; front fog lights; rear parking sensors; and cruise control with a speed limiter. 

Business models are trimmed in Muscade upholstery and have 16-inch steel wheels, while Sport versions have Java upholstery and 17-inch Cyclade alloy wheels.

NEW MASTER PASSENGER

The New Master Passenger range consists of three 6-seat Combi models, powered by 110, 125 and ENERGY 135 hp 2.3-litre dCi engines; two 9-seat Combis with the 125 and 135 dCi engines; two versions of the 17-seat Minibus with a 150 hp dCi engine; and two versions of the Trabus Glazed Panel Van, both with the 150 dCi engine. The six-seater Combi 125 dCi is fitted as standard with the Quickshift transmission, which is also available with the 17-seat minibus. Fuel economy is between 34.8 and 44.1 mpg (combined cycle), with CO₂ emissions of 166 to 212 g/km.

Standard equipment includes a DAB radio and CD player with Bluetooth and a USB socket; a trip computer; driver’s seat height and lumbar adjustment plus an armrest; steering wheel height adjustment; electric front windows; one sliding side door on the left; electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors; Electronic Stability Control with Hill Start Assist, Trailer Swing Assist and Grip Xtend; anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Force Distribution; remote locking; and the Renault Anti-Intruder Device (RAID).

Items specific to Combi models are adjustable headrests, deadlocks, six cargo anchorage points and two ISOFIX child-seat mounting points. Minibus variants have an exterior electric side step and side marker lights; a dual split underseat storage compartment and pivoting seatback table; a 12-volt power socket on the D-pillar; a digital tachograph with CAN interface; an engine limiter to restrict speed to 62 mph; a first-aid kit; two 2 kg foam fire extinguishers; an access rail; central overhead lighting and gangway lighting; individual spotlights; and an overhead storage rack above the seats. 

Trabus models also have deadlocks, rear anchorage points, the speed limiter and side marker lights. Combi and Trabus models have Kaleido dark grey upholstery, while the Minibus has Funaia blue and orange upholstery.

The All-New Trafic and New Master Passenger ranges are covered by Renault’s four-year warranty, which offers unlimited-mileage cover in the first two years and then two further years of protection up to 100,000 miles.      

          

TECHNICAL INFORMATION – ALL-NEW TRAFIC PASSENGER

Model	Power (hp/rpm)	Torque (Nm/rpm)	0-62 mph (sec)	Top speed (mph)
dCi 90	90/3,500	260/1,500	15.9	95
dCi 115	115/3,500	300/1,500	12.4	104
ENERGY dCi 120	120/3,500	320/1,500	12.0	107
ENERGY dCi 140	140/3,500	340/1,500	10.8	112

OWNERSHIP INFORMATION – ALL-NEW TRAFIC PASSENGER

Model	Mpg	CO2 (g/km)
dCi 90	42.8	174
dCi 115	42.8	174
ENERGY dCi 120	49. 6	149
ENERGY dCi 140	45.6	164

PRICING – ALL-NEW TRAFIC PASSENGER

Model	Basic Price	VAT	Total Retail Price	OTR
SL27 dCi 90 Business SWB	£20,145	£4,029	£24,174	£25,124
SL27 dCi 115 Business SWBB	£20,645	£4,129	£24,774	£25,724
SL27 ENERGY dCi 120 Business SWB	£21,245	£4,249	£25,494	£26,299
SL27 ENERGY dCi 140 Business SWB	£21,845	£4,369	£26,214	£27,054
SL29 dCi 115 Business SWB	£21,145	£4,229	£25,374	£26,324
SL29 ENERGY dCi 120 Business SWB	£21,745	£4,349	£26,094	£26,934
SL29 ENERGY dCi 140 Business SWB	£22,345	£4,469	£26,814	£27,764
LL29 dCi 90 Business LWB	£21,345	£4,269	£25,614	£26,564
LL29 dCi 115 Business LWB	£21,845	£4,369	£26,214	£27,164
LL29 ENERGY dCi 120 Business LWB	£22,445	£4,489	£26,934	£27,739
LL29 ENERGY dCi 140 Business LWB	£23,045	£4,609	£27,654	£28,494
SL27 dCi 115 Sport SWB	£22,945	£4,589	£27,534	£28,484
SL27 ENERGY dCi 120 Sport SWB	£23,545	£4,709	£28,254	£29,059
SL27 ENERGY dCi 140 Sport SWB	£24,145	£4,829	£28,974	£29,814
LL29 dCi 115 Sport LWB	£24,145	£4,829	£28,974	£29,924
LL29 ENERGY dCi 120 Sport LWB	£24,745	£4,949	£29,694	£30,499
LL29 ENERGY dCi 140 Sport LWB	£25,345	£5,069	£30,414	£31,254

TECHNICAL INFORMATION – NEW MASTER PASSENGER

Model	Power (hp/rpm)	Torque (Nm/rpm)	0-62 mph (sec)	Top speed (mph)
dCi 110	110/3,500	285/1,500	tbc	tbc
dCi 125	125/3,500	310/1,500	15.0	89
ENERGY dCi 135	125/3,500	310/1,500	13.2	93
dCi 150	150/3,500	350/1,500	12.5	93

OWNERSHIP INFORMATION – NEW MASTER PASSENGER

Model	Mpg	CO2(g/km)
dCi 110	39.2	190
dCi 125 Quickshift	40.9	180
dCi  ENERGY135 6-seat	44.1	166
dCi 125 9-seat	38.2	195
dCi ENERGY 135 9-seat	43.5	170
dCi 150	34.9	212
dCi 150 Quickshift	37.2	199

PRICING – NEW MASTER PASSENGER

Model	Basic Price	VAT	Total Retail Price	OTR
SL30 dCi 110 Business 6-seat	22,100	4,420	26,520	£27,665
SL30 dCi 125 Quickshift Business 6-seat	23,700	4,740	28,440	£29,445
SL30 ENERGY dCi 135 Business 6-seat	23,850	4,770	28,620	£29,570
MM35 dCi 125 Business 9-seat	25,100	5,020	30,120	£31,265
MM35 ENERGY dCi 135 Business 9-seat	26,050	5,210	31,260	£32,210
LM39 dCi 150 Business Minibus	31,500	6,300	37,800	£38,625
LM39 dCi 150 Quickshift Business 9-seat	32,300	6,460	38,760	£39,585
MM39 dCi 150 Business Trabus MWB	25,960	5,192	31,152	£31,977
LM39 dCi 150 Business Trabus LWB	26,760	5,352	32,112	£32,937

Infiniti Q60, The exhileration of power concept.

Infiniti today gives an intriguing first look at the premium sports coupe concept to be displayed at the 2015 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. Muscular lines are revealed in the silhouette of the Q60 Concept: pure, well-defined contours, making the concept’s intentions easy to understand at first glance.

Overall proportions and full-sized wheels placed out at the corners of Q60 Concept make an unmistakable design statement and add to the exhilaration of the performance coupe. This latest concept builds upon the design language seen on recent Infiniti concept cars, foreshadowing the strong visual consistency to be a key ingredient of products in the future Infiniti line-up.

The new FIAT Doblò unveiled with bold new exterior style

• The new FIAT Doblò unveiled with bold new exterior style
• New Doblò retains outstanding versatility, practicality and dynamics of the current model but with improved refinement
• UK range completely revised to focus on key models and offer customers more value
• On sale in the UK in January 2015 priced from £13,480

The new FIAT Doblò has been unveiled, building on the strengths of the current model as it evolves to meet the ever-more diverse needs of its demanding and loyal customers.

The fourth generation of the FIAT Doblò, which has amassed 300,000 sales since it was first launched in 2000, features a restyled front end for 2015 with a sculpted bonnet; new front wings; distinctive new headlamps and a bold new grille, all of which bring an air of sophistication and elegance to the new FIAT Doblò’s design.

The sleek new front bumper, lower air intakes and fog light shrouds adopt a more car-like appearance while also exuding solidity and robustness, and at the rear there are new light clusters, with a sleeker shape and more sophisticated graphics and a new body-coloured moulding across the tailgate. A new dark grey exterior colour and new wheel cover / alloy wheel designs round out the exterior revisions.

The 2015 FIAT Doblò continues to offer one of the broadest and most comprehensive ranges in its segment, with three engine/transmission choices, three trim levels, two roof heights and a choice of five- or seven-seat versions. Twin sliding rear doors are standard, while a choice of tailgates and the option of a fold-flat front passenger seat give customers even more scope for choosing the perfect Doblò to suit their lifestyle.

Inside, the new FIAT Doblò retains its outstanding versatility and practicality – five seat models have a vast 790 litre boot (up to the parcel shelf) which can be boosted to a class-leading 3,200 litres when all the passenger seats are folded down, and even the parcel shelf does its bit: it can be positioned at different levels and can carry loads of up to 70kg! Other subtle improvements to the 2015 FIAT Doblò include lighter and more precise gear changes, a more responsive throttle pedal, new instrumentation and even better noise insulation.

The new FIAT Doblò continues to offer the best ride and handling in its class, mainly thanks to its segment-exclusive, bi-link, independent rear suspension, with dual-rate shock absorbers, high-performance springs and a rear anti-roll bar all tuned to provide the ideal combination of handling and damping performance on all roads.

The UK range has been completely revised for 2015, offering better value on key models and aligning it more closely to customer expectations in the segment. A new entry-level Pop trim joins the range for 2015, equipped with Start&Stop, remote central locking, electric front windows and a 60/40 split rear seat as standard. In terms of safety, every new FIAT Doblò is equipped with ESC (Electronic Stability Control); ASR (Anti Slip Regulation), HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assist), Hill Holder; ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution); front airbags (side bags are optional) and TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System). 

Available with a 95hp, 1.4-litre petrol engine, the new FIAT Doblò Pop starts at £13,480 OTR, reducing the entry-level price of the FIAT Doblò range by £1000 compared to the current range.

The “MyLife” trim level is replaced by the new “Easy” version and adds body-coloured bumpers front and rear, front fog lights, body-coloured electric door mirrors, steering wheel audio remote controls and a height adjustable driver’s seat compared to the Pop specification. 

Prices for the FIAT Doblò Easy start at £14,650 OTR for the 95hp 1.4-litre petrol engine, with the 1.6-litre MultiJet 2 105hp priced from £15,900 OTR. A new “Easy Air” special edition adds manual air conditioning to the Easy model for only £345 more (normally a £655 option) and the FIAT Doblò Easy 1.6-litre MultiJet 2 90hp Dualogic (equipped with FIAT’s automated-manual transmission) is priced at £16,700 OTR.

The new top-of-the-range Lounge trim replaces the Eleganza version and, compared to the Easy model, comes equipped with air conditioning; 16-inch alloy wheels; rear parking sensors; an audio system upgrade including Bluetooth and USB/Aux-in connectivity; rear electric windows; power folding door mirrors; a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob; dark tinted windows and cruise control all as standard. 

Pricing for the Lounge version starts at £17,980 OTR for the 1.6-litre MultiJet 2 105hp, while the 1.6-litre MultiJet 2 90hp Dualogic version (equipped with FIAT’s automated-manual transmission) is priced at £18,780 OTR.

Built at the Tofaş plant in Bursa, Turkey (a Gold Medal winner in the World Class Manufacturing assessment) the new FIAT Doblò goes on sale in the UK in January. 

Volkswagen plans to start assembling cars in Nigeria as early as next year

Volkswagen plans to start assembling cars in Nigeria as early as next year with Dubai-based conglomerate Stallion Group, according to people familiar with the matter.

PSA/Peugeot-Citroen and Nissan both build cars in Nigeria. Nissan partners with Stallion while PSA builds the Peugeot 301 sedan in 
small volumes at a plant operated by PAN Nigeria.

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation with about 170 million people and has the continent's largest economy. The country is emerging as a key growth driver for the entire continent.

VW has approved the project for small-scale final assembly because of tax rules that encourage local manufacturing, said the people, who asked not to be named before an official announcement.

A VW spokesman declined to comment. Stallion Group didn't respond to messages seeking comment.

Assembly in Nigeria would mark Volkswagen's first production on the continent outside South Africa. VW's only other African manufacturing facilities comprise a car factory in Uitenhage, outside Port Elizabeth, where it produces the Polo small car, while the MAN commercial-vehicle unit has production locations in Olifantsfontain, near Johannesburg, and Pinetown, outside Durban.

VW operates 107 factories globally.

REPORT HERE

WORLDWIDE RECALL - NISSAN - Potential risk of fire due to insufficiently tightened sensors.

Nissan Motor Co. is recalling about 470,000 SUVs and cars globally, including 143,000 in North America, for possible fuel leaks.

Nissan is recalling the vehicles from the 2012-15 model years because fuel pressure sensors may not have been sufficiently tightened during production. That could lead to a fuel leak over time due to heat and vibration, increasing the risk of a fire, according to documents posted online by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The affected models have direct-injection engines.

A Nissan spokesman said there have been no reports of accidents or injuries related to the issue.

In the U.S., the affected vehicles include certain 2012-14 Nissan Juke SUVs, 2012-13 Infiniti M56 cars and QX56 SUVs, and 2014-15 Infiniti Q70 sedans and QX80 SUVs, according to the NHTSA documents. In other markets, affected model names include the Nissan Serena, X-Trail, Patrol, Tiida and Pulsar, Nissan said.

In addition to the recalled vehicles in North America, about 233,000 of the affected vehicles are in Japan, 22,500 are in Europe and 71,500 are in in the Middle East, China, Latin America, Africa and other markets, Nissan said.

Dealers will replace the fuel sensors, if needed, at no cost. The spokesman said the automaker began notifying owners globally late last month.

TMW THOUGHTS 

Just one word describes this and all the other recalls

DISGUSTING

USA RECALL #3 - JAGUAR - F-Type gets recalled for possible air bag malfunction.

Jaguar Land Rover is recalling 7,079 Jaguar F-Type sports cars in the U.S. because potential incorrect wiring could lead to the front-passenger airbag not activating, according to documents filed with U.S. safety regulators.

Jaguar Land Rover is recalling the cars from the 2014 and 2015 model years because the seat belt harness connector may not have been wired correctly, possibly affecting sensors that read whether the front passenger air bag should be activated, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

A person of smaller stature sitting in the front passenger seat may not be sensed, and the airbag may not activate, increasing the risk of injury, according to the NHTSA documents.

Jaguar Land Rover has received three field reports related to the matter, but there have been no reports of accidents or injuries as a result, according to the NHTSA documents.

Dealers will correct the harness connector wire configuration at no cost, and the recall is expected to begin on or before Jan. 5, 2015, according to the NHTSA documents.

USA RECALL #1 - HYUNDAI - Potentially faulty brake lights.

Hyundai Motor Co. is recalling 42,925 sedans in the U.S. due to potentially faulty brake lights, according to documents filed with U.S. safety regulators.

Hyundai is recalling certain 2009-11 Genesis and 2011 Equus sedans because a circuit failure may lead to the brake lights not illuminating, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That could increase the risk of a rear-end crash as a following vehicle might not recognize the car ahead was slowing or stopping.

Hyundai said in the NHTSA documents that there were no reports of accidents or injuries related to the issue.

Dealers will replace the circuit at no cost, according to the NHTSA documents. The automaker will begin notifying owners during the first quarter of 2015, according to the NHTSA documents.

BMW group sales rise to all new record for November and year to date.

• Worldwide sales up 7.6% with 188,342 deliveries
• Year-to-date deliveries increase 7.1% to total 1,902,699
• MINI achieves new record for November, up 16.7% to 29,018
• Robertson: Confident of record high for the whole year

November saw global demand for BMW Group vehicles increase to a new record high. Worldwide, a total of 188,342 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce vehicles were delivered (prev. yr. 174,992 / +7.6%). In the first eleven months of the year, sales of BMW Group vehicles totalled 1,902,699, an increase of 7.1% on the same period last year (prev. yr. 1,777,012).

Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Sales and Marketing BMW said, “November continues the sales growth we have seen throughout the year. Our new models have made a very good start, while our core models continue to record a steady increase in sales. We can now be confident of achieving our target of selling over two million vehicles by the end of the year, a new record for the BMW Group.”

Deliveries of BMW brand vehicles increased 6.2% to total 158,953 vehicles in November, marking a new record for the month (prev. yr.149,659). Year-to-date sales for the brand also reached a new high with 1,633,722 vehicles delivered to customers, an increase of 9.0% on the same period last year (1,499,303).

After only two full months on sale, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer has been delivered to 6,918 customers. The BMW 4 Series models have achieved sales totalling 104,910 so far this year and 16,204 customers worldwide have taken delivery of the BMW X4 since it came onto the market in July. The brand’s longer-established core models also show steady growth in sales. The BMW 3 Series has increased sales by 2.8% in the year-to-date (432,064 / prev. yr. 

420,401). Sales of the BMW 5 Series are up 2.5% compared to the first 11 months of last year (340,423 / prev. yr. 332,274). Meanwhile deliveries of the BMW X5 continue to show strong double-digit growth, up 34.7% in the year-to-date (131,425 / prev. yr. 97,574).

Sales of the innovative BMW i vehicles this year total almost 15,000. Global deliveries of the BMW i3 stand at 13,849 while the BMW i8 has been handed over to 1,129 customers in total since it went on sale in the summer.

November saw the MINI brand reach a new high for the month. Global deliveries totalled 29,018, an increase of 16.7% compared to the same month last year (24,873). The all-new third-generation core MINI three-door model saw sales increase 26.3% compared to November last year (13,248 / prev. yr. 10,488) whilst the newly launched MINI five-door model achieved total sales of 4,033 in the month. The model change earlier this year continues to affect the brand’s year-to-date figures; deliveries total 265,404, down 3.3% on the first 11 months of last year (274,575).

BMW Motorrad sales continue to develop positively. A total of 7,411 motorcycles and maxi-scooters were delivered to customers in November (prev. yr. 7,342 / +0.9%). In the year-to-date, BMW Motorrad sales total 116,463, an increase of 7.0% on the same period last year (108,872).

In all regions, sales of BMW Group vehicles have increased compared to the first eleven months of last year.

BMW and MINI brand vehicle deliveries in Europe rose to a total of 80,550 in November, up 11.1% on the same month last year (72,473). Deliveries for the first eleven months of the year are up 4.8% in the region, totalling 822,050 (prev. yr. 784,393). Sales growth is spread across Europe with many markets showing sustained, steady development. 

For example, BMW and MINI registrations in the UK, the BMW Group’s fourth biggest market, total 182,922 for the year-to-date, an increase of 6.3% on the same period last year (prev. yr. 172,035), while sales in November are up 20.1% (16,998 / prev. yr. 14,151). Sales of BMW and MINI vehicles in France grew 6.1% in the first eleven months of the year to total 60,371 (prev. yr. 56,922).

Strong growth was also recorded in Asia in November; deliveries in the region increased 9.9% to total 57,825 (prev. yr. 52,636). Year-to-date sales in the region are up 14.0% with a total of 595,101 BMW and MINI brand vehicles delivered to customers (prev. yr. 522,070). In South Korea, sales for the year so far have increased 17.2% (42,430 / prev. yr. 36,193) and Mainland China reported a 17.2% rise in deliveries over the same period (415,209 / prev. yr. 354,153).

Sales in the Americas are on the same level as last November; 44,065 BMW and MINI brand vehicles were delivered to customers in the region (prev. yr. 44,353 / -0.6%). The first eleven months of the year have seen positive growth, with sales across the region totalling 425,031 (prev. yr. 411,014 / +3.4%). In the year-to-date, deliveries in the USA are up 4.8% (347,709 / prev. yr. 331,801) compared to the same period last year while Mexico recorded an increase in sales of 4.9% (13,268 / prev. yr. 12,648).

BMW Group sales in/up to November 2014 at a glance

	In November 2014	Comp. to previous year	Up to/incl. November 2014	Comp. to previous year
BMW Group Automobiles	188,342	+7.6%	1,902,699	+7.1%
BMW	158,953	+6.2%	1,633,722	+9.0%
MINI	29,018	+16.7%	265,404	-3.3%
BMW Motorrad	7,411	+0.9%	116,463	+7.0%