Frankfurt to host the debut of the All-New Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer model.

• Sporty top-of-the-range Insignia with rugged looks and premium qualities
• All-wheel drive with torque vectoring and more ground clearance

The latest addition to the all-new Insignia range, Vauxhall’s all-wheel drive Insignia Country Tourer will debut at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show (September 14^th to 24^th).

The Country Tourer is more spacious and considerably lighter than its predecessor, thanks to an all-new architecture, and comes with a wide range of innovative technologies. With all-round black protective cladding and silver front and rear skid plates, the newcomer has a tough and rugged off-road appearance. 

Powertrain and Chassis

The New Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer comes with a broad powertrain portfolio, including a brand new top-of-the-range diesel engine. In addition, the newcomer will also be available with the new eight-speed automatic transmission and ground-breaking all-wheel drive technology. 

Additional ground clearance of 20mm, plus the innovative all-wheel drive with torque vectoring and new five-link rear suspension cater for those who want to leave the city and explore the countryside. Instead of a traditional rear differential, the Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer boasts two electrically controlled multi-plate clutches that enable a more individual and precise transmission of power to each wheel. 

To stabilise the vehicle and counteract understeer on tight corners taken at higher speeds, the system can send more torque to the outside rear wheel without further driver intervention. 

The improved FlexRide chassis provides the basis for changing road conditions and driving behaviour. It adapts the dampers, steering, throttle response and shift points (on automatic models) independently or based on the ‘Standard’, ‘Sport’ or ‘Tour’ modes, which can be selected by the driver. 

The new central ‘Drive Mode Control’ software is the heart and soul of the adaptive chassis, and continuously analyses the information provided by the sensors and settings, recognising the individual driving style. 

“The Country Tourer takes the Insignia story a step further. With its all-wheel-drive capability, raised ground clearance and rugged appearance, it adds another important dimension to the New Insignia range,” said Rory Harvey, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director. 

Design

From the very start of the development process, the designers – led by Brit Mark Adams – and team of engineers worked on a third distinct Insignia variant, meaning the Country Tourer perfectly complements the Grand Sport and Sports Tourer models. 

The prominent landscape grille and slim headlamps give the new Insignia Country Tourer a wide horizontal impression, while the skid plate helps to give the car a solid stance. 

Moulded black protective cladding in the lower fascia, wheel arches and along the lower body side emphasise the rugged appearance. The adventurous design cues continue at the rear too, with the silver-coloured skid plate and dual exhaust bezels reinforcing the lower, wider impression. 

“We wanted our new Insignia Country Tourer to be robust in every respect, while simultaneously displaying the typical elegant Vauxhall philosophy of sculptural artistry and technical precision,” said Mark Adams, Vice President Design. “It has the presence of a true flagship, combining a sophisticated athletic shape enhanced by rugged off road detailing.” 

The new Insignia Country Tourer, is above all, extremely practical. To make loading as easy as possible, the tailgate can be opened without touching the car. 

In combination with Keyless Open & Start, a simple kicking motion under the rear bumper is enough to open the tailgate (a vehicle silhouette projected onto the ground shows the correct area), with another kicking motion required to close it. 

To increase loading space to 1,665 litres, 135 litres more than the outgoing version, the new Insignia Country Tourer comes with optional 40/20/40 foldable rear seats, enabling even more flexible loading space configurations. The standard roof railing not only emphasises the adventurous look, but allows the Insignia Country Tourer to carry roof loads of up to 100kg. 

The wheelbase has been increased by 92mm, enabling a more spacious cabin. The new Insignia Country Tourer comes with AGR-certified premium ergonomic front seats and the heated outer rear seats, heated windscreen and the heated steering wheel like its Grand Sport and Sports Tourer siblings. 

Connectivity

As with its Grand Sport and Sports Tourer siblings, the Insignia Country Tourer comes with numerous technologies and assistance systems that enable a new level of safety and comfort. One of the highlights is the second generation of Vauxhall’s innovative and award-winning adaptive IntelliLux LED matrix light. 

The Vauxhall LED^® matrix light now has 16 LED segments integrated into each of the very slim headlamps, and comes with an innovative active curve lighting function and dedicated LED spotlight with a range of up to 400 metres. Further additions include the head up display, adaptive cruise control (ACC) with automatic emergency braking, Lane Keep Assist with automated steering correction and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

The latest Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible IntelliLink systems ensure outstanding entertainment and connectivity, while smartphones can be charged wirelessly and seamlessly integrated with the infotainment system. 

The ground-breaking personal connectivity and service assistant, Vauxhall OnStar, is also on board and offers an extensive service portfolio ranging from automatic crash response to stolen vehicle assistance. 

Two updates to the OnStar portfolio are the booking service, and parking search, both of which can request OnStar advisors to book hotel rooms and/or search for suitable carparks.

Renault announces it's latest offers, making now one of the best times to buy a French car !

• Complimentary three-year Service Plan with selected Renaults purchased with Renault Finance before 15 May, saving the customer £459.
• Three-year 0% APR Selections PCP finance packages with low monthly payments across selected models in the Renault range. Three- and four-year 3.9% APR PCP offers are also available on most models.
• Enhanced four year 0% APR Hire Purchase offers with £1,500 deposit contribution across most models in the Renault range. 

Renault is helping customers to save money this month with the gift of a complimentary three-year/30,000 mile Renault Service Plan* – saving up to £459 – as well as a three-year 0% APR Selections PCP offer.

The free Renault Service Plan is available to customers of the New Clio, Captur, Kadjar and All-New Mégane, All-New Mégane Sport Tourer, All-New Scénic and All-New Grand Scénic purchased using Renault Finance (HP and PCP) before 15 May 2017 at any of the French manufacturer’s official nationwide UK dealerships. 

Even better, the Service Plan offer is in addition to any of Renault’s latest finance customer offers, ensuring that customers enjoy even more value.

Just one of these latest offers is the three-year 0% APR Selections PCP finance package available on New Clio, Captur, Kadjar and All-New Mégane, All-New Mégane Sport Tourer, All-New Scénic and All-New Grand Scénic.

For example, the stylish New Clio with a refreshed exterior and enhanced interior and equipment can be driven away from only £129 per month on the three-year 0% APR PCP Selections package. The offer on the Play 1.2 16V 75 version also includes a manufacturer deposit contribution of £1,500.

In addition to this, Renault is offering insurance from just £99 for customers purchasing a New Clio or Captur using Renault Finance before 30 June this year**.

Cash buyers also benefit from the limited time offers. Notably, there are sizeable savings across the innovative, rear-engined, rear-wheel drive Renault Twingo range with prices starting from £8,325 for the Expression SCe 70 – representing a saving of £1,550 on the normal list price up to savings of £2,420 on the Dynamique S TCe 90 Auto, which is now available from £11,695.

Drivers in the market for a multiple-award winning, affordable electric vehicle need look no further than the Renault ZOE with a number of offers available. On top of a free*** 7kW Wall-Box home charger, WhatCar?’s Electric Vehicle of 2017 – the ZOE Dynamique R90 Z.E 40 – is available with a three year 3.9% APR Representative Selections PCP package. The ZOE – now with a 250 mile (NEDC) range – can be purchased with a deposit of £2,299 and monthly payments of £249 (including battery hire)¹.

The complimentary Renault Service Plan provides customers with the reassurance that their future routine servicing costs are taken care of and that their new car will only be worked on by Renault-trained technicians using genuine parts and lubricants. Customers will also benefit from the Renault 4+ warranty and Renault Assistance vehicle scheme, which comes as standard with every Renault and provides the ultimate peace of mind for four years or 100,000 miles.

EXAMPLE

1. ZOE Dynamique Nav R90 Z.E. 40 – representative example:

Monthly payments over terms of agreement	£180 (excl. battery hire)
Customer deposit	£2,299
Cash price	£18,170
Dealer deposit contribution	£5,904
Total amount of credit	£9,967
Finance facility fee	£99
Optional final payment	£4,098
Option to purchase fee	£149
Total amount payable	£19,029
Duration	37 months
Fixed interest rate p.a.	1.46%
3.99% APR representative

SEAT launches the FR trim level to the hugely popular Ateca Crossover.

• New FR trim level brings fun at the wheel, sportiness and dynamism to the Ateca range, without compromising luxury
• World premiere at Automobile Barcelona 11-21 May 2017
• Ateca FR is further step in SEAT’s largest ever product offensive
• New 2.0 TSI 190PS engine with 4Drive and seven-speed DSG-auto gearbox

Fun at the wheel, luxury and refinement, combined with a stylish and sporty character – SEAT has unveiled the Ateca FR. The latest addition to the brand’s high-selling SUV range will take to the stage at the Barcelona International Motor Show, AUTOMOBILE BARCELONA, from the 11th to 21st May 2017.

The Spanish manufacturer is in the midst of its largest ever product offensive, which has also seen the launch of the Ateca itself, New Leon and All-New Ibiza and soon, in the second half of the year, the new crossover, Arona.

The sporty FR trim has been added to the current UK Ateca range which consists of S, SE and SE Technology, and will sit just below the halo XCELLENCE versions. Since its launch, SEAT has sold more than 40,000 units of the smash-hit Ateca worldwide. 

This model, alongside the success of the Leon, Alhambra and Ibiza, contributed to SEAT achieving an operating profit of 143 million euros in 2016, the highest in the company’s history, and to finishing the year with its fourth consecutive annual sales increase. 

“The Ateca FR adds yet another level of excitement to our first SUV. The agile and precise handling of Ateca is reinforced with a touch of dynamism and fun at the wheel, with the FR trim adding for example Dynamic Chassis Control and progressive steering” commented Dr. Matthias Rabe, Vice-President of R&D at SEAT. “It’s a sportiness that adds to all the technology the Ateca has onboard.”

The Ateca FR stands out through exclusive 18-inch ‘Performance’ alloy wheels (19-inch machined optional), combined with body coloured wheel-arches and side skirts that come with an aluminium moulding running along the lower section of the doors. 

The rear window is framed by black spoilers, with the rear spoiler matching the car’s bodywork colour. The rear bumpers are also exclusively designed for the FR and also come in the same hue as the bodywork. 

Typical FR logos also appear front and rear, plus, roof rails and window frames in black. Up close, the grille comes in gloss black, while its LED front fog lights have also received an exclusive FR design treatment.

Inside, the aluminium door strips complete with FR logo are immediately noticeable as soon as the front doors are opened. The logo can also be found on the multi-function, leather sports steering wheel covered, with gloss black insert. 

Sporty cabin touches come by way of standard sports seats in Alcantara® (leather is optional) and the aluminium pedals. Red stitching on the steering wheel, seats and gear lever gaiter, enhance the sporty character of the SEAT Ateca FR still further. 

At the same time, there are elegant details in black that give a luxurious touch to the interior, such as the roof and interior door mouldings, which also come with an exclusive FR finish.

The FR trim level will comprise a range of EU6 petrol and diesel engines, ranging in power from 150PS to 190PS, including a new 2.0 TSI 190 unit. 

A range of manual and DSG-auto transmissions feature. Four-wheel-drive will be available on both 2.0 TDI engines, plus, the new 2.0 TSI. DCC (Dynamic Chassis Control) and progressive steering will also be available.

UK pricing and specification for the Ateca FR line-up will be confirmed closer to launch this summer.

The S-Class from Mercedes takes a leap forward in technology and automation.

• Driving assistance systems: the next step

With new and considerably extended driving assistance functions, the new S‑Class will this autumn be taking a further, major step towards autonomous driving. Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC and Active Steering Assist now support the driver even more conveniently in keeping a safe distance and steering, and the vehicle speed is now also automatically adjusted in bends and at road junctions. Also on board are Active Emergency Stop Assist and a considerably improved Active Lane Change Assist.

"The new S-Class raises Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive to the next level," says Dr Michael Hafner, Head of Automated Driving and Active Safety at Mercedes‑Benz. "We are approaching the goal of automated driving more purposefully and faster than many people suspect. From the autumn, the new S‑Class will be able to support its driver considerably better than all systems which have been available to date."

With the new driving assistance generation autonomous driving is becoming yet more tangible. The scope of automated driving functions has been expanded in line with practical needs and now provides further enhanced, tangible customer benefits on virtually all types of road.

Thanks to enhanced camera and radar systems, the new S‑Class has an even better view of the traffic situation: in addition, for the first time it makes use of map and navigation data to calculate driving behaviour.

The driver is also able to see at a glance which assistance functions have been selected, and to which situations the systems are reacting at present. Clearly understood icons – e.g. a steering wheel with hands on both sides – give information both on the screen and in the head-up display. All functions are now controlled from the steering wheel.

As a pioneer of automotive safety, Mercedes-Benz pursues research in this field with a rigour unmatched by any other car brand. Dr Michael Hafner: "We have always programmed the software for the assistance functions in-house. This means that we are able to implement new ideas very quickly."

The individual functions in detail:

Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC: The speed preset in DISTRONIC is predictively reduced according to the route ahead of bends, junctions, roundabouts or toll booths, then increased back up. If the route has been selected using the navigation system, the S‑Class also responds accordingly: if the car is in the slow lane, it is decelerated when approaching the desired motorway exit. The same applies to junctions where the navigation route prescribes a turn-off or ahead of which the driver activates the turn indicator.

The reduction in speed is in varying degrees, depending on the selected transmission mode (ECO, COMFORT or SPORT). In ECO mode, the cornering speed is configured to harmonise with Steering Assist. This means that automated driving for longer periods is also a reality on country roads. On highways and motorways, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC controls the distance from the vehicle ahead within a speed range from 0 to 210 km/h, and keeps the car on track.

Coasting characteristics, e.g. on downhill slopes, can now also be taken into account. In the interests of smooth and efficient driving, the speed is reduced in good time. If the vehicle is equipped with a drive system suitable for "gliding" (coasting with the engine off), this mode is automatically activated when the ECO transmission mode is active.

Active Lane Change Assist: When the driver wishes to change lanes on multi-lane roads (recognised by the navigation system) at speeds from 80 to 180 km/h, it is now sufficient to nudge the indicator stalk. Within the next ten seconds, the sensor system checks, together with the driver, whether the next lane is clear in front of, alongside and behind the vehicle, also taking into account the speed of any other vehicles. When there is no other vehicle within the relevant safety zone, the driver is supported in changing lane. The initiated lane change is indicated in the instrument cluster and on the head-up display.

Active Speed Limit Assist: In conjunction with COMAND Online, Active Speed Limit Assist – an engageable subfunction of Traffic Sign Assist – is also able to recognise sign gantries and road works signs. Known limits, such as 50 km/h in built-up areas or 100 km/h on country roads, are also adopted from the navigation system. Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC adapts the vehicle's speed to the recognised speed limits automatically. In certain cases, the speed can be adapted in anticipatory mode on the basis of map data. On roads without speed limits, such as stretches on German motorways, the recommended speed – in this case 130 km/h – is adopted as the set speed. This speed can be adjusted by the driver. The desired maximum speed is always adopted in the course of the journey when the speed limit is lifted. It remains preset until the vehicle leaves the motorway or until the engine is switched off.

Following vehicles in a tailback: In stop-and-go traffic on motorways and similar roads, stops of up to 30 seconds are now possible, within which the S‑Class automatically moves off and follows the traffic ahead.

Active Emergency Stop Assist: Active Emergency Stop Assist brakes the vehicle to a standstill in its lane if it detects that the driver is no longer actively driving the vehicle while it is on the move with Active Steering Assist switched on. If there is no steering wheel movement over a predefined period, the system gives the driver a visual and audible prompt to place his/her hands on the wheel. If the driver fails to respond after repeated visual and audible prompts by moving the steering wheel, accelerating, braking or pressing the Touch Control Button on the steering wheel, the car will be slowed down in the identified lane until it comes to a standstill. At speeds below approx. 60 km/h the following traffic is warned by means of hazard warning lamps. When the vehicle comes to a standstill, the parking brake is engaged automatically and the Mercedes-Benz emergency call system is activated. The vehicle is also unlocked, to allow first aiders access to the interior. The functions are aborted as soon as the driver takes control of the vehicle again.

Active Brake Assist: Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function is able to help the driver avoid impending collisions with vehicles ahead, stationary or crossing vehicles and with people if the driver fails to take any action to defuse the dangerous situation. This assistance takes the form of:

• a distance warning from a warning lamp in the instrument cluster, if the distance from a vehicle in front is inadequate
• an additional audible warning when a danger of collision is identified
• autonomous emergency braking to avoid a collision with moving stationary or crossing vehicles ahead
• autonomous emergency braking for pedestrians
• situation-related braking assistance as soon as the driver applies the brakes.

Evasive Steering Assist: Evasive Steering Assist can support the driver in taking evasive action when pedestrians are detected in the danger zone in front of the vehicle and the driver initiates such action. The system then applies additional steering torque in the direction in which the driver is performing an evasive manoeuvre. This helps the driver to evade the pedestrian in a controlled manner and to stabilise the vehicle on its evasive course.

Active Lane Keeping Assist: This system is able to warn the driver by means of pulsed vibrations on the steering wheel when the vehicle is unintentionally drifting out of its lane at speeds between 60 and 200 km/h. If the vehicle passes over a continuous line, it can pull the vehicle back into lane by applying the brakes on one side. In the case of a broken line, such intervention takes place only when there is a danger of collision with a vehicle in the next lane (including danger from oncoming traffic).

Active Blind Spot Assist: In the speed range from approx. 10 to 200 km/h, this system is able to provide the driver with a visual alert, plus an audible alarm when a turn indicator is actuated, to warn of a danger of side collisions with other vehicles, including bicycles, for example. At speeds above 30 km/h, automatic braking on one side of the vehicle can additionally be applied to help avoid a side collision at the last moment.

Traffic Sign Assist: Image recognition and information from the digital road map in the navigation system allow the permitted maximum speed and any restrictions on overtaking for the current route section and zebra crossings to be computed and shown in the instrument cluster. Additional restrictions such as speed limits in wet conditions (warning when the windscreen wipers are switched on) or speed limits for trucks only are also taken into account or ignored as appropriate in the individual case concerned. The road speed is compared with the maximum permissible speed. If set to do so by the driver, a visual/visual-acoustic warning is given if the speed limit is exceeded. No-entry signs are also recognised and the driver is prompted to check the vehicle's direction of travel. A warning additionally appears in the instrument cluster and on the head-up display when persons are detected in the area of zebra crossings.

Car-to-X Communication: Information concerning hazardous situations which a vehicle on the road has detected is made available to all other Car-to‑X users to give drivers an early warning. As with Live Traffic Information, reports transmitted by Car-to‑X are shown on the COMAND Online map display. Depending on the situation, a warning by voice output can be given when approaching a hazard.

Active Parking Assist: Active Parking Assist with Parking Assist PARKTRONIC supports the driver in searching for a parking space and when entering or leaving parallel or end-on parking spaces. In the case of end-on parking spaces it is active in both forward and reverse direction. It manoeuvres the vehicle automatically into the selected parking space. In conjunction with Blind Spot Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert can warn the driver of cross traffic when reversing out of end-on parking spaces and can also initiate automatic braking if necessary. In the case of Active Parking Assist with 360° camera, all-round vision is made possible by the reversing camera and three additional cameras. The information is presented clearly in full HD in a choice of different views on the central display.

Remote Parking Assist: Remote Parking Assist enables the driver to manoeuvre the vehicle into tight parking spaces or garages by smartphone, so as to facilitate entering and alighting from the vehicle. The vehicle can be manoeuvred into parallel and end-on parking spaces in both forward and reverse direction. Manoeuvring out of end-on parking spaces is also possible, e.g. if the driver returns to their vehicle to find that it has been blocked in. In Explore mode the vehicle can be manoeuvred straight forward or in reverse by up to fifteen metres, avoiding detected obstacles. In narrow passageways, following confirmation by the driver the vehicle is able to fold in the exterior mirrors so that it can approach the detected obstacle more closely (e.g. narrow garage entrance).