JEEP announces pricing and specs of UK bound Renegade SUV.

Pricing for the all-new Jeep Renegade small SUV has just been announced by Fiat Group Automobiles UK. Order books for this exciting new addition to the Jeep range will open on 6 January 2015, ahead of its arrival mid-February.

With a starting price of just £16,995 OTR for the front-wheel drive 1.6-litre eTorq Evo 110hp Sport, the new car, which goes on sale in the UK early next year, represents outstanding value for money.

At the top end of the exciting, all-new Renegade range, the highly specified 2.0-litre MJet 170hp 4WD Auto Low Trailhawk version costs £27,995 OTR, and features 17-inch aluminium wheels, dual zone climate control, transfer case, front suspension and fuel tank skid plates, heated front seats and steering wheel, leather upholstery and rear parking sensors.

A special ‘Opening Edition’ version, limited to just 200 units will also be available at launch in Alpine White or Omaha Orange, both incorporating a black painted roof and with a unique interior and 18-inch wheels.

The all-new Jeep Renegade is the first model in the brand's history to be built in Italy and the first vehicle from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to be jointly developed by Italian and American designers and engineers. It will be sold in more than 100 countries including the United States.

In the UK, the new Jeep will be available in a full-range comprising four different trim levels – Sport, Longitude, Limited and Trailhawk – equipped with efficient turbo-diesel and petrol engines and available in four-wheel drive or front-wheel drive configurations.

Packed with a strong style and personality, and the right size for both city and countryside, new Renegade has best-in-class interior roominess, excellent on-road driving dynamics and supreme off-road capabilities. It has also just been awarded a Euro NCAP five-star safety rating.

The car’s advanced 4x4 systems incorporate a category-exclusive rear axle disconnect that switches seamlessly between two- and four-wheel-drive for reduced energy loss when 4x4 capability isn’t needed, improving fuel efficiency in the process. And the first-in-segment nine-speed automatic transmission ensures benchmark performance both on- and off-road.

From any angle Renegade reveals the distinctive design cues of the brand's stylistic heritage, such as round headlamps, signature seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches. Two open-air roof systems will be available to provide customers with open-air freedom: a large electric sliding glass roof or the unique-to-segment 'My Sky' – its two panels can be removed and stowed in the boot.

The interior features a modern, refined look, in line with the brand's DNA. The cabin is characterised by attention to detail, innovative colour combinations, high-quality materials, advanced technological contents and clever and functional storage areas.

Standard equipment in the well-equipped entry-level Sport includes air conditioning, DAB radio with touchscreen and Bluetooth, electric parking brake, 16-inch alloy wheels, tyre pressure monitoring, and remote central locking. Longitude adds features including 17-inch aluminium wheels, six-speaker audio system, roof rails, body coloured door mirrors and handles, cruise control, and front fog lamps.

Limited version further adds 18-inch aluminium wheels, chromed exhaust tip, Forward Collision Mitigation, heated front seats and steering wheel, leather upholstery, privacy glass and rear parking sensors.

“We have all been eagerly awaiting Renegade – here at Jeep, our customers, dealers and the media – and its arrival is now just a few weeks away,” says Damien Dally, head of brand, Jeep UK.

“It’s exactly what the Jeep brand needs now and certainly, we have seen a huge interest in this exciting new car. Jeep is the original ‘Go Anywhere, Do Anything’ brand, and we are confident that we can offer great cars at exceptional value to keep Renegade at the front of all prospective buyers’ minds.”

On the road pricing (OTR) for the Jeep Renegade range is as follows:

1.6 eTorq Evo 110hp Sport    1.6 MJet 120hp E5+ Sport   1.6 eTorq Evo 110hp Longitude 1.4 TMair 2 140hp Longitude 1.4 TMair 2 140hp DDCT Longitude 1.6 MJet 120hp E5+ Longitude 2.0 MJet 140hp 4WD Longitude  2.0 MJet 170hp 4WD Auto Low Trailhawk 1.6 eTorq Evo 110hp Limited   1.4 TMair 2 140hp Limited      1.4 TMair 2 140hp DDCT Limited  1.6 MJet 120hp E5+ Limited   2.0 MJet 140hp 4WD Limited 1.4 TMair 2 170hp 4WD Auto Low Limited   2.0 MJet 140hp 4WD Limited  1.4 TMair 2 170hp 140hp Opening Edition   1.6 MJet 120hp E5+ Opening Edition 2.0 MJet 140hp 4WD Opening Edition

£16,995 £18,695   £18,595 £19,795 £21,195 £20,295    £22,795 £27,995      £21,195 £22,395 £23,795 £22,895 £27,195 £26,595   £25,395 £22,695 £23,195 £25,695

Fords performance division gears up for a busy few years.

• Ford bringing more global performance vehicles to customers worldwide; more than 12 new performance vehicles through 2020 – including Focus RS – to be available globally
• Ford uniting regional performance engineering and racing teams as one global team under Ford Performance, delivering more new vehicles and parts, more quickly

Ford will deliver more than 12 new performance vehicles for global enthusiasts through 2020, as the company announced today its new global Ford Performance team. The vehicles include an all-new Focus RS that will be available to customers in major markets around the world for the first time. It is part of Ford’s plan to deliver even more performance vehicles, parts and accessories for customers around the world more quickly.

“Ford remains committed to innovation through performance,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “Our new global Ford Performance team ties together racing, performance vehicles and parts. It will allow us to more quickly introduce products and accessories that meet the needs of customers around the world on-road and on the track.”

Focus RS, which builds on a pedigree of driving excellence dating to the first Ford RS in 1968, was last introduced in 2009.

“To earn the RS badge, the vehicle has to be a no-compromise driver’s car that can deliver exceptional performance on the track when required while providing excellent every day driving,” said Nair.

Focus RS will join Ford’s existing performance lineup, including Fiesta ST, Focus ST, Shelby GT350 Mustang and F-150 Raptor.

In addition to pleasing enthusiasts, these vehicles help deliver the company’s One Ford plan for profitable growth, product excellence and innovation in every part of its business. Performance vehicle sales are growing around the world – with sales up 70 percent in the United States and 14 percent in Europe since 2009.

Ford’s ST lineup, for example, is attracting younger buyers who love to drive. In the United States, more than 65 percent of ST customers come from outside the Ford brand, and more than 50 percent of Ford performance vehicle owners’ next vehicle purchase is a Ford. Millennials are purchasing ST vehicles at a rate twice that of other Ford-branded vehicles.

Powering performance vehicles, such as Fiesta ST and Focus ST, is Ford’s award-winning EcoBoost^®engine range. Since the introduction of the EcoBoost engine in 2009, Ford has produced more than 2 million EcoBoost engines globally.

“EcoBoost is a strong example of how we are migrating technology and engineering across our lineup, ensuring our vehicles are fun to drive – not just our Ford Performance lineup,” said Nair. “From our most nimble Fiesta to our hard-working full-size pickups and racing vehicles, our lineup benefits from the innovations we deliver at the track and at the limit.”

For instance, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine in the IMSA TUDOR Championship series powers a record-setting Daytona racing prototype sports car, as well as Ford cars, trucks and utility vehicles.

Another example of this technology transfer can be found in the recently revealed Shelby GT350 Mustang, which goes on sale next year in the United States and Canada. Aerodynamic innovations developed through Ford’s investment in racing were applied to the front end of the new Shelby GT350 Mustang, helping improve downforce in the car as well as cooling.

Ford considers racing an important proving ground for cultivating passionate engineers – allowing them to innovate in top-level competition as they face challenges that require successful solutions in very compressed time frames.

New global team

The new Ford Performance organization unifies Ford SVT, Team RS and Ford Racing globally, serving as an innovation laboratory and test bed to create unique performance vehicles, parts, accessories and experiences for customers.

This includes developing innovations and technologies in aerodynamics, light-weighting, electronics, powertrain performance and fuel efficiency that can be applied more broadly to Ford’s product portfolio.

In addition to using racetracks around the world, the team will develop new vehicles and technologies at Ford’s engineering centers globally and at the new technical center in Charlotte, North Carolina. This state-of-the-art facility will help the team deliver racing innovations, as well as advance tools for use in performance vehicles and daily drivers alike.

The Ford Performance organization is led by Dave Pericak, who has been appointed director, Global Ford Performance.

Heritage of performance innovation

Performance and racing are deeply embedded in Ford’s DNA, dating back 113 years when Henry Ford won the Sweepstakes Race against Alexander Winton, then America’s greatest racer.

Following Henry Ford’s remarkable upset victory in front of Detroit’s elite businessmen, some immediately came forward to back whatever automotive venture he had in mind. Ford Motor Company opened 18 months later.

“Ford still races for the same reasons Henry Ford did in 1901 – to prove out our products and technologies against the very best in the world,” said Nair. “The Ford Performance team will continue to pursue performance innovation, ensuring we can deliver even more coveted performance cars, utilities and trucks to customers around the world.”

USA - Ford launches third Generation SYNC® 3, faster, better and more intuitive.http://www.newspressusa.com/downloads/mediumQuality/271317/FordSYNC3_13.jpg

• SYNC^® 3 – Ford’s new communications and entertainment system – features faster performance, more conversational voice recognition, a more intuitive smartphone-like touch screen and easier-to-understand graphical interface to help Ford customers connect and control their smartphone on the road 
• Also new: seamless integration of AppLink^™ for a simple way to control smartphone apps, the addition of Siri Eyes-Free capability for iPhone users, over-the-air software updates using Wi-Fi, and enhanced 911 Assist^® that provides subscription-free emergency calling in the event of a significant accident

Ford today introduced SYNC^® 3, a new communications and entertainment system that is faster, more intuitive and easier to use with enhanced response to driver commands.

SYNC 3’s more conversational voice recognition technology, a more smartphone-like touch screen and easy-to-read graphics will help millions of drivers connect with their lives and control their smartphone while on the road.

The next-generation system builds on the capability of SYNC technology already in more than 10 million SYNC-equipped vehicles on the road globally. SYNC 3 begins arriving on new vehicles next year.

“Ford is delivering an easier way for customers to stay connected,” said Raj Nair, Ford chief technical officer and group vice president, Global Product Development. “SYNC 3 is another step forward in delivering connectivity features customers most want, and they tell us this kind of technology is an important part of their decision to buy our vehicles.”

Ford took a customer-centric approach in developing SYNC 3, drawing on 22,000 customer comments and suggestions, plus insights gleaned from research clinics, market surveys and tech industry benchmarking.

Intuitive interface

Although SYNC 3 is optimized for hands-free use, an all-new touch screen delivers an experience similar to a smartphone or tablet.

Quicker response to touch as well as voice commands and smartphone-like gestures including pinch-to-zoom and swipe are central to SYNC 3, along with crisp, modern graphics.

A bright background and large buttons with high-contrast fonts for daytime use help reduce screen washout in the sun. At night, the display automatically switches to a dark background to help reduce eye fatigue and minimize reflections on the windows.

“We considered all the modern smartphones and mobile operating systems and created something familiar but unique,” said Parrish Hanna, Ford global director of Human Machine Interface.

SYNC 3 reduces on-screen complexity and prioritizes the control options customers use most.

The home screen features three zone choices – Navigation, Audio and Phone. Tile-like icons dominate the screen, with a quick access function tray along the bottom making for a more straight-forward user experience.

Phone contacts are searchable via a simple swipe of the finger to scroll through the alphabet. With “One Box Search,” SYNC 3 users can look up points of interest or enter addresses in much the same way they use an Internet search engine.

“Simplicity has value,” said Hanna. “Reducing the number of things on-screen also makes control easier and is designed to limit the number of times a driver has to glance at the screen.”

Easy-to-use voice recognition

Ford SYNC – the industry’s first system to widely and most affordably offer voice-activated technology to control smartphones – becomes more capable with the next-generation system by minimizing the number of steps needed to carry out a command.

With SYNC 3, simply saying “play <song, artist, album or genre>” prompts the system to play the desired song, artist, playlist or album; there is no need to identify the desired category. To switch back to a radio station, the user just says the name of the SiriusXM station or terrestrial radio station number.

Voice search results are enhanced by a better understanding of how consumers refer to businesses and points of interest. Drivers don’t have to know an exact name. They can search for “Detroit Airport” rather than using the official name “Detroit Metropolitan Airport.” With addresses, they can say, “Eleven Twenty-Five Main Street” instead of “One One Two Five Main Street.”

When connected to an Apple iPhone, SYNC 3 offers seamless integration of Siri Eyes-Free control. Drivers can seek Siri’s help by holding down SYNC’s “Push to Talk” steering wheel button – much as they would hold down the button on an iPhone to initiate a Siri session.

Innovative features

Ford was first to bring voice control to in-vehicle apps with AppLink^™, and the experience is further improved with SYNC 3.

AppLink allows customers to connect their smartphone to their vehicle and control their compatible apps using voice commands or buttons on the vehicle display screen. AppLink now automatically discovers smartphone apps including Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher, NPR One, SiriusXM Radio and iHeartRadio Auto, and displays their unique graphics and branding. Music and news apps are automatically displayed along with other media sources, just like AM/FM or SiriusXM.

“Overall, AppLink is faster, more responsive and easier to find your apps,” said Julius Marchwicki, Ford global product manager, AppLink. “The overall design of SYNC 3 allows for better integration with smartphones – resulting in a more user-friendly experience.”

Developers easily can integrate branded apps into AppLink, providing Ford customers with an experience on the vehicle screen similar to what they see on smartphone screens.

SYNC 3 also features the new ability to update the software via Wi-Fi. Once a vehicle is set up with credentials for a home Wi-Fi network accessible in a customer’s driveway or garage, for example, it can automatically download updates.

SYNC 3, like earlier generations of the technology, provides subscription-free emergency service 911 Assist^®.

The customer’s Bluetooth-connected phone is used to dial 911 in the event of a significant accident, alerting first-responders with the vehicle’s location. With SYNC 3, the car relays additional information, including if airbags were deployed, the type of crash (front, side, rear or rollover) and the number of safety belts detected in use, in order to help emergency call takers dispatch the appropriate resources to the scene.

VW Group surpasses none million vehicles for the first time ever, and still we have one month to go.

• 9.08 million units handed over from Jan. to Nov. / +4.6 per cent*
• 834,800 vehicles delivered in November / +0.7 per cent*
• Group Board Member for Sales Christian Klingler: “Deliveries on track. Ten million mark within reach.”

The Volkswagen Group delivered over nine million vehicles from January to November for the first time ever this year. 9.08 (January- November 2013: 8.68; +4.6 per cent)* million vehicles were handed over to customers worldwide. 

The company delivered 834,800 (November 2013: 828,900; +0.7 per cent)* vehicles in November. “Deliveries by the Volkswagen Group remain on track during the last few weeks of the year. The ten million mark is within reach in spite of all the uncertainties in the global automotive sector,” Group Board Member for Sales Christian Klingler said in Wolfsburg on Friday.

Group brands delivered a total of 3.55 (3.36; +5.7 per cent) million vehicles to customers on the overall European market in the period to November, of which 1.83 (1.70; +7.7 per cent) million units were handed over in Western Europe (excluding Germany). 1.12 (1.07; +5.0 per cent) million customers took possession of a new vehicle in the home market of Germany, while the company delivered 590,900 (583,600; +1.3 per cent) vehicles in Central and Eastern Europe. 240,700 (276,200; -12.9 per cent) models were handed over to customers in Russia.

The Group delivered 807,700 (807,800) vehicles in the North America region from January to November, of which 542,600 (557,000; -2.6 per cent) were handed over to customers in the United States. The Volkswagen Group delivered 667,900 (831,600; -19.7 per cent) vehicles in the South America region during the same period, of which 522,000 (620,000; -15.8 per cent) were handed over to customers in Brazil.

The Group continued to record encouraging figures in the Asia-Pacific region, where 3.67 (3.29; +11.7 per cent) million vehicles were handed over to customers in the period to November, of which 3.34 (2.96; +12.9 per cent) million units were delivered in China, the Group’s largest single market.

Outline of developments at Group brands

The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand delivered 5.59 (5.48; +2.0 per cent) million vehicles to customers worldwide from January to November. The brand continued to develop well in the Asia-Pacific region,handing over 2.72 (2.46; +10.6 per cent) million units there. The brand grew deliveries on the overall European market to 1.54 (1.51; +2.4 per cent) million units.

Audi delivered 1.59 (1.44; +10.1 per cent) million vehicles to customers worldwide in the period to November. The premium brand developed well in the Asia-Pacific region, handing over 608,100 (522,400; +16.4 per cent) models to customers there. Audi delivered 196,800 (170,500) vehicles in the North America region during the same period, an increase of 15.5 per cent.

The sports car manufacturer Porsche delivered a total of 169,200 (147,300; +14.9 per cent) vehicles from January to November. Demand for models from the Stuttgart-based carmaker was particularly high in the Asia-Pacific region, where 54,400 (45,100; +20.5 per cent) vehicles were delivered, and on the overall European market, where 54,500 (46,000; +18.3 per cent) models were handed over to customers.

ŠKODA delivered 955,300 (850,700; +12.3 per cent) vehicles to customers in the eleven-month period. The Czech automaker handed over 634,900 (566,600) vehicles to customers on the overall European market, an increase of 12.1 per cent. ŠKODA also grew deliveries in the Asia-Pacific region, where 271,100 (244,000; +11.1 per cent) vehicles were handed over to customers.

SEAT delivered 359,400 (324,500; +10.7 per cent) vehicles worldwide in the period to November. Deliveries on the overall European market increased to 302,300 (265,500; +13.9 per cent) units. SEAT also grew deliveries in Germany, where the company handed over 78,500 (70,900; +10.8 per cent) models to customers, and in Central and Eastern Europe, where 22,700 (15,400; +47.1 per cent) units were delivered.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles handed over 401,400 (419,300;-4.3 per cent) vehicles to customers from January to November, of which 297,700 (284,500; +4.6 per cent) units were delivered on the overall European market. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles also recorded growth in the Asia-Pacific region, where the company handed over 20,300 (18,800; +7.7 per cent) vehicles to customers.