All-new Audi TT RS unveil spans 2 continents; global debut of Coupé with a UK preview of the Roadster sister car.

All-new Audi TT RS unveil spans two continents; global debut of 400PS Coupé synchronises with a UK preview of the Roadster ‘sister car’

• Audi City London plays host to the public and media launch of a brand new Audi model for the first time
• Most powerful TT ever to enter series production - five-cylinder 2.5 TFSI produces 400PS and 480Nm between 1,700 and 5,850rpm for 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds (Roadster 3.9 seconds) and a top speed of up to 174mph
• TT RS is the first series production Audi to be fitted with OLED rear lights
• RS multi-function steering wheel features two satellites for the first time in the RS range
• UK ordering expected to open this summer with first deliveries starting by the end of the year, pricing TBC

Audi UK has recently taken the wraps off one of the fastest TT models ever to enter series production in a special preview held at the Vorsprung durch Technik brand’s digital hub, Audi City London. 

The ultra-modern Mayfair showroom will play host to the live unveiling of the all-new TT RS Roadster, and members of the UK media will be among the very first to witness the performance spearhead ‘in the metal’ on the same day that the TT RS Coupé makes its global debut over 5,000 miles away on the Audi stand at the Beijing Motor Show. 

The TT RS Roadster is the first all-new model to have its premiere here in the UK, acknowledging the fact that this market is the largest worldwide in terms of overall TT sales, accounting for almost 50 per cent of all European orders.

Both new additions to the RS fold are powered by the multi-award winning Audi five-cylinder 2.5 TFSI engine, appearing here with the benefit of significant increases in power and torque to 400PS and 480Nm, which translate into supercar-rivalling performance – the 62mph sprint from rest can now be dispatched in as little as 3.7 seconds and top speed peaks at up to 174mph.

UK versions of the TT RS Coupé and TT RS Roadster will become available to order in Audi Centres during the summer in advance of first deliveries at the end of this year.

Another slightly less immediately evident debut is also being made as part of the concurrent launch events - OLED rear lights will be offered for the first time in Audi series production for the new TT RS. Like the Audi virtual cockpit and the comprehensive infotainment range, they are at the forefront of the Vorsprung durch Technik developments.

Lighter and more powerful than ever before: the new five-cylinder engine

“The newly developed turbo five-cylinder engine, with which we are continuing our great tradition from the 1980s, conveys pure emotion,” says Dr.-Ing. Stefan Knirsch, Audi Board Member for Technical Development. “The TT RS now provides 400PS and combines driving pleasure with efficiency through innovative technologies.”

A jury of international motor journalists has voted the 2.5 TFSI “Engine of the Year” six times in a row. 

Now Audi has further developed the five-cylinder engine in all areas – with lightweight construction measures, reduced internal friction and increased power delivery. As a result, the turbocharged engine gains a good 17 percent increase in performance at an unchanged capacity of 2,480 cc. At 400PS it is more powerful than ever before. 

The maximum torque of 480 Nm (354.0 lb-ft) is available between 1,700 and 5,850 rpm. It ensures fantastic pulling power, which accompanies the unmistakable sound. Cylinders positioned directly beside each other and far away from each other fire in alternation. This brings with it a very special rhythm. 

The TT RS Coupé accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds, the Roadster in 3.9 seconds – this corresponds to the level of a supercar. Audi regulates the top speed at 155mph, or 174mph upon request.

For the best traction and plenty of driving pleasure: S tronic and quattro drive

The might of the 2.5 TFSI engine is channeled via a seven-speed S tronic transmission. The dual-clutch transmission impresses with high efficiency and a large spread – its lower gears are short and the seventh gear has a long transmission ratio to reduce consumption. 

A plate heat exchanger controls the temperature of the transmission oil; a new angle drive to the propeller shaft reduces the weight by about two kilograms.

The driver controls the S tronic transmission with the selector lever and the standard shift paddles on the sport leather steering wheel. A launch control system can also be called upon to initiate maximum acceleration with minimum tyre slip.

The multi-plate clutch in the quattro all-wheel drive system distributes the power freely between the axles for incisive, high-grip handling. 

The wheel-selective torque control also works in favour of agility. Using the Audi drive select system, the driver can influence the quattro drive and other components such as the steering, S tronic shift points, engine characteristics and exhaust flaps. The four modes available for this are comfort, auto, dynamic, and individual.

Pure dynamics: the chassis

In addition to its light weight, the Audi TT RS has its taut chassis to thank for its outstanding handling. The new TT RS turns into corners with great balance and poise, and tackles them – guided by communicative steering – in a manner that is both controlled and relaxed. 

The progressive steering, whose ratio becomes ever more direct with increasing steering input, is RS-tuned.  

Targeted spring and damper modifications make the chassis with technically elaborate four-link rear suspension even more dynamic and precise. 

The body sits ten millimetres lower than the base model, and this also applies for the optional RS sport suspension plus with Audi magnetic ride where the damping characteristic can be changed electronically using Audi drive select.

The TT RS Coupé and the TT RS Roadster are fitted as standard with 19-inch cast wheels in a five-arm polygon design with size 245/35 tyres. As an option, Audi supplies 20-inch forged lightweight wheels in a 7-spoke rotor design and tyres of size 255/30. 

Both wheel types are available in silver, matt titanium look or gloss anthracite black. The recessed hubs of the 20-inch wheels are inspired by motorsport.

The braking system in the new TT RS packs a real punch. The internally ventilated, perforated steel discs on the front axle are 370 millimetres in diameter. Stainless steel pins join the friction ring to the aluminium brake disc chambers to dissipate the heat quickly. 

The eight-piston brake calipers with the RS logos are painted black (or optionally red). Alternatively, the front brake discs are available in carbon-fibre ceramic. They are particularly abrasion-resistant and light. In this case, the brake calipers are painted grey. At the rear, monoblock discs with 310 mm diagonals are used.

New feature: Matrix OLED lights

For the first time in a series-production Audi, Matrix OLED (organic light emitting diode) rear lights will be offered for the new TT RS. These emit an extremely homogeneous, high-contrast light. The light can be continuously dimmed, it does not cast any shadows and does not require any reflectors – this makes the OLEDs in 3D design efficient, light and visually impressive.

Each rear light contains four wafer-thin units which become smaller from the inside out. The biggest bears the TT logo and the four Audi rings. The TT RS has LED rear lights and LED headlights as standard. Alternatively, the latter are available as intelligently controlled Matrix LED units. 

Stocky but streamlined: the exterior design

The new TT RS Coupé and the new TT RS Roadster exude concentrated power, and standout features include the large air inlets, a Singleframe grille with a newly designed honeycomb grille and quattro logo. 

Along the flanks, aerodynamically-shaped side sills emphasise the dynamic design. At the rear of the new TT RS models, the fixed wing sitting on two thin double struts is a real eye-catcher. 

Alternatively, Audi can deliver the Coupé and the Roadster with an automatically extending spoiler. Under the striking bumper there is a strongly profiled diffuser insert with four vertical fins, leading to the two elliptical tailpipes of the RS exhaust system at its sides. 

The result: a lower c_d value of 0.32 for the Coupé and 0.33 for the Roadster. Both models measure 4.19 metres in length, 1.83 metres in width and 1.34 metres in height.

Audi delivers both models in nine colours, including the RS-specific tones of Nardo grey and Catalunya red, metallic. In addition to this, numerous customised paint finishes are available through the Audi exclusive package. 

The optional matt aluminium and gloss black styling packages set accents on the Singleframe, on the blade, on the RS rear wing, and on the diffuser insert.

Inspired by racing cars: the cockpit

Controls and display in the new TT RS are focused completely on the driver. All information is displayed as standard on the fully digital Audi virtual cockpit with 12.3-inch screen. 

The driver can choose from three views, including a special RS screen that highlights the rev counter and provides information on tyre pressure, torque, and g‑force, among other things. The Audi virtual cockpit also displays a shift light which informs the driver that the engine speed limit has been reached.

For the first time in the RS portfolio, the RS sport leather steering wheel with shift paddles has two operating satellite buttons for turning the engine on and off as well as the Audi drive select driving dynamics system, in addition to multifunction buttons. 

This means that the driver’s hands stay on the wheel at all times. The driver can influence the exhaust flap control via the sound button on the centre console.

Best entertainment: infotainment and Audi connect

Audi also offers a huge amount of high-end infotainment technology. The options include MMI navigation plus with MMI touch including free text search and natural voice control, as well as the Audi connect online module with Wi-Fi hotspot. Using Audi phone box, compatible mobile phones can be charged inductively and paired with the onboard antennae for optimal reception. 

The new Audi smartphone interface technology displays selected apps from the handset directly in the Audi virtual cockpit. The Bang & Olufsen sound system is a highlight for fans of excellent acoustics.

Porsche proudly unveils the new 718 Cayman. The 4th gen version of the mid-engined, two-seater sports coupé

Two-seater sports coupé gains four cylinder turbo 'boxer' engines with more power and efficiency

Porsche proudly unveils the new 718 Cayman. The latest and fourth generation of the mid-engined, two-seater sports coupé is distinguished by a distinctive athletic and purposeful appearance, with new flat-four turbocharged 'boxer' engines delivering upwards of 300 hp beating at its heart.

Since its debut in 2005, the Porsche Cayman has earned a particular reputation as a driver's car among owners and fans alike. Now, the new 718 Cayman aims to once more set the class benchmark for driving performance.

Like the 718 Boxster, the new 718 Cayman models continue the tradition of the Porsche 718 mid-engined sports cars that won numerous races in the 1950s and 1960s, powered by four-cylinder 'boxer' engines.

New four-cylinder turbocharged engines

The same new four-cylinder 'boxer' engines with turbocharging that first debuted in the 718 Boxster are shared with the 718 Cayman. As a result, coupé and roadster Porsche models offer identical engine outputs for the first time. 

The 718 Cayman derivative is powered by a 300 hp (220 kW) 2.0-litre engine. The 718 Cayman S features a 350 hp (257 kW) 2.5-litre engine. This represents 25 hp more power compared to the prior models, with NEDC fuel economy also increasing to 34.9 - 40.9 mpg Combined.

The tremendous thrust from the new engines promises rewarding levels of responsiveness even at low revs. The 2.0-litre engine of the 718 Cayman produces up to 380 Nm (plus 90 Nm) of torque, generated between 1,950 - 4,500 rpm. The 2.5-litre engine of the 718 Cayman S features a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry (VTG). This technology has been hitherto used exclusively in the 911 Turbo, and is unique to Porsche in petrol engine applications.

In the 718 Cayman S, the VTG turbocharger additionally has a wastegate. The engine delivers up to 420 Nm (an extra 50 Nm) between 1,900 and 4,500 rpm. For the driver, this means improved torque across all engine speeds. 

This translates into especially dynamic performance; the 718 Cayman with PDK and optional Sport Chrono Package sprints from zero to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds. The 718 Cayman S completes this sprint in 4.2 seconds. The top speed of the 718 Cayman is 170 mph, and the 718 Cayman S can reach a speed of 177 mph.

New chassis tuning for greater precision and more cornering stability

In terms of driving dynamics, the new 718 Cayman follows in the spirit of the classic 718 cars. Thanks to their outstanding agility, the historic mid-engine sports racers won numerous races in the 1950s and 1960s such as the Targa Florio and Le Mans.

The comprehensively retuned chassis of the 718 Cayman has increased dynamic responsiveness and cornering grip; springs and anti-roll bars have been designed to be firmer and the tuning of the shock absorbers has been revised. The steering, which has been configured to be ten per cent more direct, enhances agility and consequently increases driving pleasure further still. The rear wheels, which are half an inch wider, in combination with the re-developed tyres result in an increased lateral force potential and hence greater cornering grip.

Driving dynamics options such as the Sport Chrono Package and the Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) electronically-controlled rear limited slip differential allow the sporting character of the 718 Cayman to be further custom-tailored to suit individual preferences. Another available option is Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with -10 mm lower ride height. Additionally, in the S model, PASM sport suspension combined with a - 20 mm lower ride height is offered for the first time.

The Sport Chrono Package can be adjusted via the mode switch on the steering wheel. Supplementing the previous settings of 'Normal', 'Sport' and 'Sport Plus' is the 'Individual' programme, which is able to call up previously programmed individual settings for various systems.

On account of the new car's greater driving performance capabilities, stronger brake systems are now in use with 330 mm brake discs in front and 299 mm discs at the rear. The 718 Cayman features the brake system that was previously used in the Cayman S. The 718 Cayman S in turn uses the four-piston callipers of the 911 Carrera, combined with 6 mm thicker brake discs.

Distinctive design for a more muscular appearance

The new 718 Cayman has been further developed as comprehensively in its design as in its technology. The taut proportions, prominent air intakes at the front and sides and sweeping profile underscore the boost in dynamics. The nose has a much sharper profile, which gives the front end a wider and more purposeful appearance.

The ultra-slim front lights above the air intakes, which contain the parking lights and indicators, further reinforce this impression. Rounding off the front end of the 718 Cayman are the significantly larger cooling air intakes and Bi-Xenon headlights in a new design with integrated LED daytime running lights. LED headlights with four-point daytime running lights are available as a new option.

Viewed from the side, the new coupé reveals its striking sculptured wheel-arches and side sills. The re-designed rear also has a much wider appearance, emphasised by a high-gloss black strip with integrated Porsche badge between the tail lights. The tail lights themselves have been completely re-designed and are distinguished by their technological three-dimensional styling and four brake individual brake lights that appear to float freely.

Redesigned interior and PCM as standard

Behind the wheel, subtle revisions are apparent in both the 718 Cayman and the 718 Boxster. The upper part of the dash panel including air vents is new. The new sports steering wheel in '918 Spyder' design as well as the extensive connectivity options have now been added to the 718 cockpit, along with the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) as a standard feature. Mobile phone preparation, audio interfaces and the 150-watt Sound Package Plus are all part of this standard.

Options are available to extend the PCM. The Connect module, for example, includes special extensions for smartphones, such as the USB port, Apple CarPlay and Porsche Car Connect. Another option is the satellite navigation module with voice control, which makes it easy to input driving destinations. If the Connect Plus module is selected, this can be extended with real-time traffic information. Drivers can also make use of additional comprehensive services via their smartphone, which include the Porsche Connect App and Porsche Car Connect App.

The new 718 Cayman models are available to order today from Porsche Centres in the UK and Ireland. For the first time, the coupé is priced below the roadster - in a similar way to the 911 models. First deliveries begin in the autumn.

The 718 Cayman is priced from £39,878.00 RRP, and the 718 Cayman S costs from £48,834.00 RRP. (Irish market prices are €64,932.00 and €82,898.00 respectively).

Customers will also be invited to explore the potential of their new car, and further develop their own skills behind the wheel, by participating in a bespoke driving experience around the tracks at the recently-expanded Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone.

The Millionth landmark MX-5 will make its way to 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed as part of a world tour.

• The one-millionth Mazda MX-5 rolled off the assembly line in Hiroshima on the 22^nd April 2016.
• This landmark MX-5 will make its way to 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed as part of a world tour.
• Other MX-5 highlights at Goodwood include the Speedster and Spyder MX-5 concept cars.

Mazda has produced the one-millionth MX-5. This landmark car was built at Ujina Plant No.1 in Hiroshima on the 22^nd April.  The one millionth MX-5 rolled down the line 27 years after Mazda began manufacturing this iconic roadster, which still holds the Guinness World Record for the best-selling two-seater sports car of all time.

“From the first generation through to today’s fourth-generation model, the reason we have been able to continue selling the MX-5 all these years is due to the strong support of fans around the world,” said Mazda Motor Corporation Representative Director, President and CEO Masamichi Kogai. 

“Mazda was founded in Hiroshima 96 years ago, and as we move toward our centennial year we will continue offering customers the joy of driving with this model, which has become a symbol of our brand. Mazda aims to create a special bond with customers and become a ‘one-and-only’ brand they will choose again and again.”

To celebrate the history of the MX-5 and to thank fans and owners the world over, the one- millionth car will appear at fan events around the globe, including the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Joining the one-millionth MX-5 in Sussex this summer will be the Mazda MX-5 Speedster and Spyder concept cars. Having wowed sports car fans at the 2015 SEMA Tuning Show in Las Vegas, the Goodwood Festival of Speed will be the first time these unique MX-5 based concepts will be seen outside of North America.

Accentuating the MX-5’s lightweight fun-to-drive ethos, the Speedster and Spyder take this doctrine even further with their focus on open air driving and minimalist design. Inspired by vintage roadsters these design concepts each offer are a unique take on the award-winning all-new Mazda MX-5.  Pared back to the bare essentials, the Speedster has a wind deflector in place of a windscreen, and with carbon fibre doors and seats, tips the scales at just 943kg.

With custom 16-inch RAYS alloy wheels and 30mm lower suspension, this racy MX-5 concept will be taking to the famous Goodwood hill in the First Glance run. Featuring a clever bikini top roof, stunning Mercury Silver paint and a full-grain leather interior, the Spyder emphasises the joy and style of open-air motoring and will be on show for MX-5 fans at Goodwood to enjoy.

Even better, in addition to seeing this trio of special MX-5s, attendees at the Moving Motor Show will be able to experience the World Car of the Year winning all-new Mazda MX-5 on the legendary Goodwood hillclimb on Thursday 23^rd June.

Jeremy Thomson, Mazda Motors UK Managing Director “The MX-5 sits at the heart of Mazda’s brand and it embodies all that is great about our cars. Its fun to drive character has strengthened the bond between Mazda and its customers for more than a quarter of a century. The production of the one-millionth MX-5 is a landmark and it’s great that we can celebrate this with MX-5 owners and fans at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Bentley Mulsanne First Edition makes global debut at the Beijing Auto Show 2016.

• Mulsanne First Edition makes global debut in Beijing
• New Flying Spur V8 S makes China debut, bringing more power to world’s most refined performance sedan
• One-off Bentayga by Mulliner showcases Bentley’s skill with veneers

Bentley is enhancing its new Mulsanne range at the Beijing Auto Show with the global debut of the highly exclusive Mulsanne First Edition. Handcrafted in Crewe and featuring a suite of elegantly executed styling revisions, Bentley’s new pinnacle model range comprises the Mulsanne, the performance-focused Mulsanne Speed and ultra-luxurious Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase, with its enhanced rear passenger space and airline-style seats. 

Just 50 examples of the First Edition will be made available across the new three-model Mulsanne family.

A bespoke Mulliner sterling silver vanity kit inlaid into the rear picnic table is available on the Mulsanne First Edition. The luxuriously weighted set – created by Asprey of London – includes a vanity mirror, hair brush and comb, all of which fit perfectly into a unique Mulliner-designed picnic table for discreet stowage.

First Edition motifs are positioned throughout the cabin, including a unique diametric overlay on the rear seat picnic tables, special tread plates and Union Jack-inspired First Edition embroidery on the seats.

A true celebration of Bentley’s new flagship, each Mulsanne First Edition also features a specially engraved Bentley ‘Flying B’ bonnet ornament and can be specified with a champagne cooler.

On display at the Beijing show, the Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase First Edition features a ripple-patterned Fulbeck veneer sourced from a 350-year-old English walnut tree. This extremely rare and sought-after wood fetched an undisclosed record price at auction, with Bentley able to acquire enough to create veneer panels for a small number of cars. All other Mulsanne First Edition models are available with a unique Antique Ash veneer

The new Bentley Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase offers a first-class air-travel experience for the road and is designed for customers with a preference for being chauffeured. Benefitting from an additional 250 mm of rear legroom, this significant increase in interior space makes the Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase the most generously proportioned pinnacle luxury limousine in the world.

Further enhancing this pinnacle interior space are new airline-style reclining seats with extending footrests and a rear compartment sunroof. The ability to sleep in the rear is assured thanks to rear compartment curtains, which in the First Edition are specified in a new Ivory colour to match the interior. These features combine to create a uniquely relaxing automotive environment.

Rear-seat passengers also benefit from the introduction of the Bentley Entertainment Tablet – a pair of 10.2” Android devices (with 4G, WiFi and Bluetooth) seamlessly integrated into the backs of the front seats. With typically exquisite attention to detail, a single touch of a button engages a beautifully weighted mechanism, smoothly deploying the screens from their stowed positions.

The Android-powered tablets, which feature a Bentley-specific interface, have access to over a million Android Apps – such as Skype, Google Play and Spotify – and can be used away from the car, in the office and at home. Each tablet has 32 GB of on-board storage (expandable to 128 GB via a Micro-SDXC card), USB ports and a front-facing camera. Audio can also be streamed through the vehicle speakers, and new destinations can be sent from the tablets to the Mulsanne’s navigation system. Internet browsing is via the car’s 4G WiFi system, permitting access to internet radio and local or streamed video.

Wolfgang Dürheimer, chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors, said: “The Mulsanne is the epitome of Bentley’s DNA – exquisite, individual and powerful. It defines luxury in the automotive world and offers the unique Bentley blend of luxury and performance.”

Flying Spur V8 S – The Sporting Side of Luxury

Bentley will also unveil its new Flying Spur V8 S in China for the first time. Sitting between the current Flying Spur V8 and the family flagship W12 model, the performance-focused V8 S develops 528 PS and 680 Nm.

Complementing this impressive performance, a new responsive suspension tuning for the Flying Spur V8 S improves handling and body control, while the aluminium double-wishbone front and trapezoidal multi-link rear self-levelling air suspension with continuous damping control ensure that the Flying Spur’s legendary refinement is maintained.

The exterior of the Flying Spur V8 S features dark and sporting revisions. Bentley’s iconic matrix grille is black as standard with an exclusive front bumper design which, along with optional dark-tint lamps front and rear and a Beluga gloss rear diffuser, gives the Flying Spur V8 S a dramatic on-road presence.

Inside the cabin, styling is precisely matched to the sportier exterior aesthetic and includes piano-black veneer, knurled gear knob and gearshift paddles and three-spoke sports steering wheel as standard.

Tuned for power, Bentley’s renowned 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 S engine develops an additional 21 PS, developing 528 PS (521 bhp / 388 kW) compared to its V8 sibling’s 507 PS (500 bhp / 373 kW). A mighty 680 Nm (502 lb.ft) is on offer from 1,700 rpm. This powers the Flying Spur V8 S to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, 0.3 seconds faster than the V8’s already impressive sprint time.

The V8 S has a top speed of 190 mph (306 km/h) with power delivered to the road via all-wheel drive with a 40:60 rear-biased torque split for sure-footed, engaging driving in all road and weather conditions.

Bentayga by Mulliner – A Vision in Veneer

Also unveiled in Beijing is a one-of-a-kind version of the brand’s new, highly sought-after luxury SUV – the Bentayga by Mulliner, Bentley’s bespoke coachbuilding division.

This unique model features a remarkable veneer set depicting the mountain scenery that inspired the Bentayga’s name. More than 30 individual pieces made from 10 different veneers have been crafted and shaped to create a vivid, detailed mountainscape picture – a real showcase of the skill possessed by the Mulliner team in Crewe.

Combining unparalleled luxury with sporting ability, off-road performance and everyday usability, the new Bentayga offers a true Bentley driving experience.

New concept explores Infiniti’s vision for a mid-sized SUV, they unveil the QX Sport Inspiration to the world.

• New concept explores Infiniti’s vision for a premium mid-sized SUV
• Inspired by Infiniti’s ‘Powerful Elegance’ form language
• World debut at Beijing Auto Show (25 April)

Infiniti has revealed its daring new QX Sport Inspiration concept car at a design-themed media preview, two days before the car makes its public world premiere at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show.

The QX Sport Inspiration was unveiled at Infiniti’s Design studio in Beijing, one of the company’s four global design studios.

Infiniti President, Roland Krueger, said: “The QX Sport Inspiration Concept is a confident statement of intent from Infiniti, showcasing a daring design philosophy and a demonstration of our capabilities in the mid-size SUV segment”.

Inspired by Infiniti’s acclaimed ‘Powerful Elegance’ design philosophy – characterised by flowing sculptural lines and strong, muscular proportions – the QX Sport Inspiration lays down markers for the brand’s vision of a next-generation, mid-size premium SUV. Featuring the brand’s signature design cues and an array of innovative details, the concept boasts a powerful, purposeful exterior with an elegance that is uniquely Infiniti.

Sophisticated craftsmanship and flowing lines distinguish the concept’s spacious and beautifully appointed interior, which follows Infiniti’s ‘driver-centric, passenger-minded’ approach to advanced cabin architecture.

Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti Executive Design Director, added: “The QX Sport Inspiration expresses power and purpose through what we describe as its ‘proportional clarity’, with an elegance that is uniquely Infiniti. The exterior design will appeal to an artistic sensibility. It has a more flowing, natural aesthetic than that evident in traditional premium SUVs.”

The Infiniti QX Sport Inspiration concept – which explores the brand’s vision for the design, layout, and engineering of future Infiniti QX models – will make its public debut on 25 April at the first press day of the 2016 Beijing Auto Show.

The Infiniti Design Night, the second design-focused event from the brand ahead of a major Chinese motor show, took place at the Infiniti Design Studio, following a similar highly successful event in Shanghai in April 2015. 

A range of servicing plans, designed to make caring for your car simple has been introduced by MOPAR, a division of FCA UK.

A new range of servicing plans, designed to make caring for your car simple and trouble-free, have been introduced by MOPAR, the Service, Parts & Customer Care division of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles UK.

Called Easy Care, the new servicing plans are being offered to owners of all new models in the Fiat, Fiat Professional, Alfa Romeo, Jeep and Abarth ranges, and contain all the scheduled servicing requirements, for between one and five-year periods.

The new servicing plans are part of the growing number of service contracts available from the new ‘Mopar Vehicle Protection’ (MVP) team within MOPAR Service, Parts and Customer Care in FCA. 

This new area of the business is dedicated to offering customers the most cost effective solution for keeping their car in the best condition throughout the length of ownership, no matter how long this is.

The Easy Care servicing plan offers all of the scheduled maintenance required during the length of the term, in accordance with the manufacturer schedule. It even includes low mileage oil and filter changes. The benefits of this plan are described in a short online video.

The majority of the FCA range have an annual service schedule so each plan guarantees a trained technician will work on the car at least once every year.

Pricing for the plans depends on the term and mileage selected but a three year plan containing the first three scheduled services for all Fiat models is simplified at £399. For Alfa Romeo the three year plans range from £499 to £549, while Jeep pricing ranges from £399 to £599, and all Abarth models cost £499.

Each plan includes all the parts, labour and fluids required during each service, an authorised stamp and any product or software updates relevant to the car at each visit.

The best time to buy the plan is at the point of the car purchase but plans can also be bought at any time during the first year up to the first scheduled service interval.

“Buying a new car is an important matter so it’s important to consider the service options too,” says Richard Green, MVP marketing manager, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles UK. “This manufacturer-backed service plan has been carefully designed to ensure customers receive the best possible price to guarantee their car remains in the best condition.

“The flexible offer, excellent value pricing structure and the knowledge the plans are valid across the entire authorised network makes it an almost essential addition when purchasing their next car.”