A GT Sport Nav+ model has been added to the revised Mazda CX-5 range of 2WD and AWD models with petrol or diesel engines. All models now come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto together with revised suspension but the new trim includes real wood and satin chrome fascia highlights, new interior lights and 19-inch bright alloys. Almost one-in-three new cars sold in Norway last year was pure … [Read more...]
SUV sales soar, but not for every manufacturer
Global SUV sales rose 6% last year to a hit a staggering 60% over five years. Toyota dominated the sector with 2.35M registrations, Nissan recorded 2.24M and they were well ahead of a shrinking Honda holding 1.84M and falling due to the run-out of the CR-V. Despite its expansion in the sector, Ford sold just under 1.6M some 3.5% down on the 2017 total. Hyundai recorded a near 19% … [Read more...]
Newslines 21 December
The VW Arteon five-seat coupe is now available to order with a new 272ps 2.0 TSi engine and seven speed automatic transmission. The flagship 4WD model comes in two trim levels from £39,065 and £39,850. Only four out of ten UK motorists (41%) would call the Police if they thought a car was being driven by a drunk driver. A quarter would ignore it completely if they saw a car meandering in … [Read more...]
Newslines 18 December
Car-parts entrepreneur Ian Warhust has stepped in to save the Bloodhound supersonic speed project after it went into administration in November. The 1,000mph Bloodhound team said it is being bought for an undisclosed amount by the Barnsley businessman and a future plan will be unveiled in January. As many as 20 million individual Christmas leisure trips will take place this week in the … [Read more...]
Tradelines 12 December
Wales Environmental Ltd is switching to an entirely Mercedes-Benz trucks fleet. The waste and drainage business established in 1980 has previously used a mixture of pre-owned vehicles but for reliability and over-night service decided to move into MB models based in north and south Wales as renewal programmes are rolled out. Over £2,000 was raised for BEN by guests at the Welsh Automotive … [Read more...]
Newslines 11 December
SEAT has now opened for ordering on its first large SUV and new flagship model, Tarraco, coming to Britain early 2019. The seven-seater, which sits above Arona and Ateca to complete the Spanish brand’s SUV line-up, is attracting attention with its high level of standard spec: metallic paint, 17” Alloys, DAB, alarm and Full Link for just £28,320. Alex Smith is to return to Volkswagen Group UK … [Read more...]
Newslines 10 December
Nissan has been dragged into the controversy of under-reported payments and benefits to former chairman Carlos Ghosn who was sacked after his arrest in Japan last month. Prosecutors who questioned him in a detention centre along with fellow director Greg Kelly have now indicated they will be seeking actions against Nissan as well for failures in its reporting system. After VW said it plans … [Read more...]
Newslines 8 December
A battery Corsa and PHEV Grandland X will be introduced next year, and they are likely to use technology developed for parent PSA Group models which will also be arriving. Vauxhall is planning a massive roll-out of ev models in its Mokka X and Vivaro van ranges in two years as well. An electric version of the MGZS compact crossover with a 208 miles range will go on UK sale inside seven … [Read more...]
Newslines 7 December
The new Volvo S60 sedan and V60 estate this week received the maximum five-star rating in their 2018 EuroNCAP safety tests, continuing a five-star streak for the Volvo line-up. The result underlines Volvo Cars' reputation for consistently putting some of the safest cars available on the road from the compact V40 hatchback to the large XC90 SUV, all tested Volvo models currently on sale offer … [Read more...]
Tradelines 21 November
Two new diesel engines have been added to the Mercedes-Benz A-Class range: the A 200 d Sport £28,805 and the A 220 d AMG Line £30,005. The clean and efficient OM654q engines have been tested to new RDE-2 standards, making Mercedes-Benz among the first to offer RDE-2-compliant diesel engines in the UK and they will also feature in the new B-Class. Volkswagen is underlining its commitment to … [Read more...]