New Renault Captur: UK prices and specs announced for 2020 crossover

Renault has revealed UK-specific pricing and specification detail for the new, second-generation Captur ahead of orders opening later this month. The Clio-based crossover, first shown to the public at September’s Frankfurt motor show, is priced from £17,595. That gets you a Play spec model with the base 1.0-litre three cylinder TCe 100 motor, which puts out 99bhp and 118lb ft of torque. Standard equipment for the entry-level model includes full LED headlights, climate control, cruise control, a seven-inch touchscreen with DAB, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration and keyless entry. Also included is safety kit such as lane departure warning, lane keep assist and active emergency braking. Stepping up to the TCe 130, which uses a 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, adds £2,800 – although in Play spec it’s auto-only, which explains the big price jump. Other engines include dCi 95 and dCi 115 diesel engines, (From £19,395 and 21,695 respectively) plus a range-topping TCe 155 petrol (from £22,895). Just three specification grades will be offered at launch, with Iconic (from £19,095) and S Edition (from £29,595) specs rounding the range off. The French maker claims to have sold more of the outgoing Captur last year than when it first launched in 2013. To continue that success, the new Seat Arona rival adopts an evolutionary approach to the exterior design that Renault describes as “more modern, more muscular and more expressive, with more SUV design cues”. The new crossover is significantly larger than its predecessor, with 100mm added to its length – with a 33mm longer wheelbase – and a 19mm increase in width. The result is claimed class-leading rear seat space, aided by a sliding bench that can be adjusted by up to 16cm, and a 536-litre boot that is 81 litres larger than the outgoing car. The Mk2 Captur sits on the same CMF-B platform first used for the latest Clio. It’s said to weigh “about the same” as the old car despite its increase in size and equipment levels, thanks to details such as an aluminium bonnet and plastic tailgate. The interior of the new car, like the Clio, has had a more substantial overhaul than the exterior. Renault claims it offers “a new dimension of quality and comfort rivalling models from the class above” with extensive use of higher-grade materials and newly designed seats. There’s also a new floating centre console, freeing up additional storage and space for wireless phone charging. The infotainment is a big upgrade, with an optional 9.3in central screen – larger than in the bigger Kadjar – combining with standard customisable 7in digital instruments (a 10in display is available on higher grades). A greater range of standard safety assist kit is offered, too. Renault is also going big on customisation: there’s a total of 90 exterior colour combinations and 18 interior configurations. From launch, the Captur will be offered with three turbocharged petrol engines and two diesels, all new to the car. The base 1.0-litre three-cylinder TCe unit puts out 99bhp and 118lb ft of torque, while a 1.3-litre four-cylinder makes 128bhp and 177lb ft in ‘130’ form, and 153bhp and 199lb ft in ‘155’ form. A 1.5-litre diesel comes in 94bhp and 113bhp form. Depending on the engine, five- or six-speed manual and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearboxes are offered. The Captur will gain a plug-in hybrid E-Tech model in the first quarter of 2020. The system, for which Renault has filed over 150 patents, blends a 1.6-litre petrol engine with a 9.8kWh battery and two electric motors, linked to a new ‘multimode’ continuously variable transmission, claimed to feel like a dual-clutch set-up. Renault says it can run for 28 miles on battery power alone at up to 83mph, while a braking system taken from the firm’s EV range allows strong brake regeneration for a ‘one pedal’ driving technique. Performance and efficiency figures have not yet been released, but engineers tell us it puts out around 150bhp and “substantially” more torque than the regular petrol
Origin: New Renault Captur: UK prices and specs announced for 2020 crossover

2019 Skoda Superb: plug-in hybrid pricing announced

Skoda has revealed its new Superb iV plug-in hybrid will start from £31,970 when it arrives Britain in January. The figure was revealed to journalists during the UK launch of the rest of the revised Superb range, and makes the new model £4,730 cheaper than its sibling, the Volkswagen Passat GTE. The hybrid will be launched as the Superb iV in recognition of Skoda’s new sub-brand that will be used for its bold electrification plans. The Superb iV features a 154bhp, 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine mated to a 114bhp electric motor, which sends drive to the front wheels through a six-speed DSG transmission. The peak system output is 220bhp, with 295lb ft of torque. The car will be capable of completing 34 miles of pure electric running, identical to the similar Volkswagen Passat GTE. Skoda has yet to release performance figues, but insiders suggest they will closely match the Passat, hinting at a 0-62mph time of around 7.4sec for the saloon. The brand also promises an official CO2 rating of under 40g/km. A battery pack is located under the floor and ahead of the rear axle, which means a slight reduction in boot capacity – 485 litres for the saloon and 510 litres for the estate, compared with 625 and 660 for the non-hybrid versions respectively. Beyond the well-hidden charging port integrated into the front grille, there will be little to give away the PHEV’s part-electric status. The infotainment system can display information on battery status and electric range and additional controls for the various powertrain modes. It will also be possible to programme the PHEV’s air-con to cool the cabin before the car is needed. Prices for the rest of the range, with traditional petrol and diesel engines, start from £24,655 for the saloon and £25,975 for the estate version. The updated model has launched with a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines, and in six trim levels. Entry-level S models, offered with a 1.6-litre petrol or diesel engine, feature LED front and rear lights, and a new infotainment system featuring voice control. SE trim adds features including 17in alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, parking sensors and adaptive cruise control. Above that, SE Technology features leather upholstery, heated seats and integrated wi-fi. SE L includes 18in alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, full matrix LED headlights and an electrically operated boot. SportLine Plus trim comes with 19in alloy wheels and black sports styling details, along with Alcantara upholstery and a three-spoke sport steering wheel. The range-topping Laurin Klement trim features all of the kit from SE L, and adds 18in alloy wheels, ventilated front seats, heated front and reat seats, LED interior lighting, three-zone climate control, an upgraded navigation system and a Canton sound system, along with Skoda’s Dynamic chassis control system. The existing Superb powertrains will be carried over for the facelifted model, with a new 2.0-litre 190bhp TSI unit added. The range-topper will be a 268bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged version – down around 8bhp from the outgoing on car due to the inclusion of a petrol paticulate filter and other emissions control systems. The redesigned Superb has gained a new-look grille, with added chrome trim between the LED rear lights. There is also a new front bumper, which stretches the length of the car by 8mm to 4869mm. The car is the first Skoda to gain full LED matrix headlights as an option, and new driver assistance features include predictive cruise control that makes use of data from road signs. Deliveries for the facelifted car begin in September. Skoda promises the PHEV will be highly competitive in its increasingly crowded part of the market, and is anticipated to constitute up to 20% of sales in the
Origin: 2019 Skoda Superb: plug-in hybrid pricing announced

New Renault Zoe details announced

New Renault Zoe details announced Pricing and specification details for the new Zoe EV available Renault has announced prices and specification details for its new Zoe, which features a 245 mile range on a single charge. The popular electric supermini is being launched in second-generation spec with a 52 kWh battery, more powerful R135 100 kW motor, and 50 kWh DC rapid charging capability via its CCS inlet. CCS charging is offered as an option, with the existing 22 kW Chameleon Charger fitted as standard to the new Zoe. Those opting for the CCS inlet will be able to charge at 7 kW on home and public AC units. The currently available R110 80 kW motor is also available to buyers. Performance for the R135-powered models – available on Iconic and GT Line trims – is indicated by a 9.5 seconds 0-62mph time. The R110-powered models – in Play or Iconic trim – see the same sprint completed in 11.4 seconds. New styling features inside and out add a freshness to the new Zoe, though it is clearly a case of evolution rather than revolution aesthetically. There are sharper lines, a new front end, and LED lights front and rear. The interior sees a new digital instrument panel and larger touchscreen infotainment system fitted. New materials are used – with 100% recycled seat trim on Iconic versions – and the centre console, including gear selector, has been given an overhaul. Equipment includes Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, wireless phone charging, the 10-inch instrument cluster, 9.3-inch Renault Easy Link system, a suite of safety systems, and a new B Mode regenerative braking system. This new B function is designed to allow ‘one-pedal’ driving much of the time, with a stronger braking set-up for better performance in heavy traffic or urban driving. Available in three trim levels – Play, Iconic, and GT Line – the new Zoe starts at £25,670 including Plug-in Car Grant with full purchase. That will see buyers get the R110 motor with Play specification – no CCS option is available on Play trim. Iconic and GT Line models can see the CCS charger included for £750 on top of their £27,170 (Iconic R110), £27,620 (Iconic R135), and £28,620 (GT Line R135) prices. Battery leasing remains an option, which sees the price of the new Zoe start at £18,670 (including PiCG) though mandatory battery leasing prices – depending on mileage – need to be factored in to costs.
Origin: New Renault Zoe details announced

New Renault Zoe: UK prices and specs announced

Renault has revealed UK pricing and spec details of the new Zoe, ahead of orders commencing in mid-September and first deliveries in January. The new Vauxhall Corsa-e rival is, like the old car, available with two purchasing options. It can be bought outright from £25,670, or £18,670 under Renault’s battery leasing scheme. The firm hasn’t quoted monthly battery lease costs yet, however. The base Play model comes with a 106bhp electric motor, alongside kit such as LED headlamps, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB, auto lights and wipers and a 7kWh fast charging wallbox, including installation. Step up to Iconic from £27,170 (or £20,170 under battery leasing) and you’ll also get sat-nav, climate control, wireless phone charging and a driver assistance package, among other features. Iconic also brings the option of the more powerful 132bhp motor, allowing 0-62mph in 9.5sec and a limited top speed of 87mph, for an extra £500. That’s standard on GT Line trim, which gets a larger 9.3in touchscreen, a rear-view camera, synthetic leather and recycled cloth upholstery and blind spot warning. Options include 50kW DC rapid charging with a CCS connector, costing £750. Designed for those who intend to do frequent long journeys, it can deliver 90 miles of range in around 30 minutes. Effectively a heavy redesign of the outgoing model, the new Zoe will go on sale in a dramatically different market from the one its predecessor entered in 2012, with a range of competitors including the new Peugeot e-208, Vauxhall Corsa-e, Honda e and Volkswagen ID 3. Sharing the same overall dimensions as the outgoing Zoe, the car’s design is updated with new grilles and bumpers, plus new, standard-fit LED headlights and tail-lights. There is a fresh colour palette inside and out, as well as new wheel designs. The intention has been to modernise the supermini’s looks. The interior is more heavily revamped, with a new dashboard design introducing a 10.0in customisable digital instrument display as standard across the range. Top-spec cars also receive a new curved 9.3in touchscreen infotainment display, similar to that found in the latest Clio, using the firm’s Easy Link connected technology. As well as being able to locate suitable charging points, it can tell if one isn’t functioning properly. A new smartphone app can also remotely pre-heat or cool the car. Higher-quality materials and new upholstery, including one made using 100% recycled fabric, aim to give the Zoe a more upmarket air. New details, such as an electronic gearlever and parking brake, free up extra storage space in the cabin, while wireless smartphone charging and an acoustic windscreen have been added. The Zoe’s biggest developments are in the powertrain department. The previous generation, which was upgraded throughout its life, made use of a 40kWh battery in its highest spec, but now an increase to 52kWh allows Renault to claim a WLTP-certified range of up to 245 miles. Renault has also adapted the car’s charging system to optionally allow a 50kW DC charge using a CCS plug, joining existing Type 2 and AC connections behind the enlarged front badge flap. An optional 7kW wallbox enables owners to charge the battery from empty to full in nine hours. The new Zoe is now available with a choice of two motors. A base 106bhp unit – carried over from the old car – is joined by a higher-spec 132bhp version. Renault claims this power unit, which makes 181lb ft of torque, allows the Zoe to achieve the 0-62mph sprint in less than 10 seconds and go from 50mph to 75mph in 7.1sec. Its top speed rises from 81mph to 87mph. Chassis changes are limited, but Renault claims the spring and damper rates have been tweaked and all-round disc brakes appear for the first time. QA Emmanuel Bouvier, director of sales and marketing and EVs, Renault This is effectively a heavy facelift of an older design. Why not an all-new platform? “We are in the unusual situation where we have a seven-year-old vehicle whose sales are growing significantly year on year. We are confident that this Zoe has plenty of life left in it, but we are considering using a common (Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi) Alliance platform in future.” You claim the new Zoe is part of a wider assault on the EV market. What is next? “Our objective is to cover A-, B- and C-segments, with multiple shapes of vehicles (ie standard cars and crossovers/SUVs). These will be focused on being passenger cars. I cannot tell you more at this stage.” Does the recently launched City K-ZE fit into these plans in Europe, or is it just for China? “We are currently investigating if the City K-ZE has international sales potential. No decision has been made
Origin: New Renault Zoe: UK prices and specs announced

Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 details announced

Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 details announced The new PHEV will have an electric range of 36 miles Peugeot has revealed details of its forthcoming plug-in hybrid – the 2008 GT Hybrid4 – which will feature a range of up to 36 miles on a single charge. The new SUV features a 13.2 kWh battery, powering two electric motors, which combine with a 200hp 1.6-litre petrol engine to produce 300hp (220kW). As such, the 0-60mph time is just 5.9 seconds, thanks in part to the all-wheel drive system and eight-speed EAT8 automatic transmission. Charging will take less than two hours from a 7kW charge point, via the Type 2 inlet on the car’s rear flank. Emissions are rated as 29 g/km CO2, which when combined with the electric-only range, gives the 3008 Hybrid4 a BIK rating of 10% from April next year. Peugeot has confirmed that a front-wheel drive version of the 3008 PHEV will come along at a later date, with a single 80 kW electric motor placed on the front axle, working with a lower-powered 180hp petrol engine, for a combined 225hp (165kW). The 3008 GT Hybrid4 will be joined by PHEV versions of the 508 Fastback and 508 SW estate, plus the new 208 and 2008 will both be offered with pure-electric powertrains, as Peugeot electrifies its line-up.
Origin: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 details announced

Seat Tarraco PHEV announced

Seat Tarraco PHEV announced The Tarraco is expected to have an electric range of more than 30 miles Seat has revealed a new version of its largest SUV – the Tarraco – with a plug-in hybrid powertrain fitted for the first time in the range. The new Tarraco FR PHEV has a 13 kWh battery pack, enabling an electric-only driving range of more than 31 miles on a single charge, and CO2 emissions below 50 g/km. Total power output is 245hp, from a 150hp 1.4 litre TSI petrol engine and 85 kW electric motor. Torque output is rated at 400 Nm, and the Tarraco PHEV will complete a 0-62mph time in just 7.4 seconds. Seat’s sporty FR trim will be applied to the PHEV, giving more aggressive styling and 19-inch wheels as standard. A new very paint scheme is added to the range, and Seat’s latest generation 9.2-inch infotainment system fitted inside. No charging information has been announced yet, but a Type 2 inlet is almost guaranteed, and charging is likely to be available at 3.6 kW from the on-board charger. These details could be revised though, and even the quoted performance and efficiency figures above are expected results rather than official WLTP calculated statistics. The new Tarraco PHEV will receive its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in early September, with orders and production starting in 2020.
Origin: Seat Tarraco PHEV announced

Peugeot e208 pricing announced

Peugeot e-208 pricing announced The new electric 208 has a range of 211 miles (WLTP) Peugeot has announced prices and specification details for its new 208 range – including the pure-electric e-208. The electric supermini will cost from £25,050, including UK Plug-in Car Grant. Powered by a 50 kWh motor and 100 kW (136 hp) electric motor, the e-208 will be available in one of four trim options – Active, Allure, GT Line, and GT. Allure sees a £1,200 premium over entry-level Allure spec, GT Line starts at £28,100, and the e-208 is the only powertrain available in GT trim, costing from £29,650. Electric models come with 16-inch alloys, leather-effect trim, and Peugeot’s new, configurable, 3D i-Cockpit. Allure adds Peugeot’s 3D real-light clusters, while GT-Line features front and rear parking sensors plus reversing camera, 17-inch alloys, Active Brake Assist with night function, and cyclist & pedestrian detection, eight colour ambient lighting, LED headlights, and sportier styling details. All e-208’s come with the same powertrain, which allows for a range of up to 211 miles on a single charge. Charging can be carried out at up to 100 kW on DC CCS rapid units, and at 11 kW from an AC point. Peugeot will provide a ‘Charging Pass’ to customers with free subscription for an introductory period, and the above prices are subject to model approval by OLEV. Since it meets all the criteria for the Category 1 Plug-in Car Grant, there are no problems expected in it being approved, with deliveries expected to start in early 2020.
Origin: Peugeot e208 pricing announced

New Vauxhall Corsa: UK pricing and spec details announced

A GM-based Corsa was all but finished by that point and it could have been launched, but the ‘toolbox’ of newly available PSA technology, including access to BEV hardware, plus licensing costs that would have been payable to GM, meant starting again was “a no brainer”, according to Adams. “We hand-picked our most experienced designers and engineers,” said Adams. “This is not a committee car.” He added that Opel’s design and engineering team had learnt new methods on the way but that the company couldn’t work within such a timeframe with every new model. “You’d kill people with the intensity of the work,” he said. PSA sees Vauxhall and Opel as a good fit with its French brands, noting that their respective British and German heritage means they’ll achieve sales volumes in their home markets that Peugeot, Citroën and DS won’t be able to match. PSA CEO Carlos Tavares has overseen a surprising turnaround of fortunes in an extremely short space of time. Opel-Vauxhall returned a £750m profit last year, its first in two decades. That has come from a mix of cost reduction, extra buying power and a reduction in discounting rather than a notable sales increase. Both Adams and new Vauxhall CEO Steve Norman say Opel-Vauxhall has much more autonomy within the PSA Group than under GM, where it made products that sold not only in Europe but also, with Chevrolet, Holden or Buick badging, in other regions. “You can’t micromanage success”, says Adams, who added he was pleased to find that PSA CEO Carlos Tavares was “extremely focused on brand values”. That approach has allowed Opel-Vauxhall to deviate from other PSA brands and inject its own DNA into the Corsa’s design. Deliveries of the new Corsa start at the end of this year in internal combustion form, with the Corsa-e electric variant arriving a few weeks later. The new Corsa-e can be ordered from this week and will cost £26,490 including the government grant. QA with Steve Norman, Vauxhall CEO Is the Corsa representative what of we should now expect from Vauxhall? “It’s what the brand has needed for some years now, and this will be the precursor for the new Mokka, which will be much more radical still in terms of design.” Is it correct that the small platform means a pure-electric option, while large platforms can have a plug-in hybrid powertrain? “For the moment, yes. What’s interesting in the Corsa-e is that there won’t be an option with less than 136bhp. One of the things that concerns people is that Vauxhalls have become a bit staid, and we need to inject something back into it. This will be quite a fast car.” Do you think there’s a shift in how the business runs day to day? “I wasn’t there in the GM days but the people who work for me were – they think the change is total. They are given freedom to act, that’s the big difference.” “When Carlos Tavares entered into this, he was convinced Opel was undersold in Germany and that Vauxhall was undersold in the UK, and on that I think he was right.” Lawrence Allan and Matt
Origin: New Vauxhall Corsa: UK pricing and spec details announced

New Mazda 3: UK prices for Skyactiv-X variants announced

Mazda has confirmed UK pricing and specifications for Skyactiv-X-powered variants of the new 3. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder powertrain, which uses the brand’s newly developed spark plug-controlled compression ignition technology, can be equipped from £23,555. This starting price applies to both the hatchback variant and the saloon, which will arrive in the UK in October. The unit will be offered with a manual or automatic gearbox, and is available on four trim lines: entry-level Sport, Sport Lux, GT Sport and range-topping GT Sport Tech, which tops the line-up at a starting price of £29,775 for the hatch and £27,575 for the saloon. Sport trim comes equipped as standard with rear privacy glass, chrome detailing and a frameless rear view mirror, while Sport Lux adds keyless entry, a reversing camera and heated front seats. Higher up the range, GT Sport is offered with electrically adjustable leather seats, a heated steering wheel and Bose sound system, and top-spec models receive a 360deg camera and additional driver safety aids. All Skyactiv-X models feature a 7in digital instrument display and Mazda’s new 8.8in infotainment central display, but 18 in alloy wheels, black badges and a wider exhaust tailpipe are added beyond Sport trim. The firm says the new engine combines the performance of a petrol engine with the fuel economy of a diesel. The unit has been confirmed to deliver 178bhp and 165lb ft of torque, while producing a fuel economy of up to 52.3mpg on the WLTP cycle, with CO2 emissions from 96g/km. The economy and CO2 figures depend on model, wheel size and choice of gearbox. The powertrain will also include Mazda’s M Hybrid system, a 24V mild-hybrid unit that can regain energy under braking. The new Skyactiv-X engine is the most marked feature of the new 3, given that it has the potential to breathe new life into petrol power amid stricter emissions and efficiency targets. It also promises “superior initial response, powerful torque, faithful linear response and free-revving performance”, says Mazda. Powertrain boss Ichiro Hirose confirmed to Autocar that the powertrain is scalable for petrol engines with more or less displacement. The Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus rival, unveiled at the Los Angeles motor show, features the Japanese car maker’s new design language seen on the Vision Coupé concept of 2018. The Skyactiv-X unit is the third to become available on the 3: the car was initially launched with a 120bhp 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G petrol featuring a 24V mild-hybrid system (starting from £20,595) and a 114bhp 1.8-litre Skyactiv-D diesel (starting at £22,395). The new Mazda 3 introduces the firm’s new Skyactiv Vehicle Architecture, an umbrella term for a number of new structures including seats that maintain the natural curve of the spine and a ring-structure bodyshell that increases rigidity, reduces transmission lag and improves noise, vibration and harshness levels. All of these features form part of Mazda Premium, a goal by the firm to position itself more in line with traditional premium car brands. The latest version of Mazda’s i-Activ AWD system, an option exclusively on hatchbacks in GT Sport Tech trim, works with the car’s torque vectoring to control torque distribution between the front and rear wheels. This makes the car respond better to driver input than previously, according to Mazda. It is the first four-wheel drive family hatch the company has offered since the 323 AWD. Inside the new 3, Mazda said it has focused on ergonomics and ensuring a good driving position and visibility. The infotainment system has been redesigned to be more intuitive to use, while speakers have been positioned, following research, to ensure excellent sound quality. Safety systems include a driver monitoring system that uses an infrared camera and LED to observe the driver and sounds an alert if the system considers the situation is
Origin: New Mazda 3: UK prices for Skyactiv-X variants announced

New Kia Xceed crossover: UK prices and specs announced

Kia has released UK pricing and spec details for its new Xceed crossover, revealed last month. The model, which is the fourth in the latest Ceed range, is available to order now priced from £20,795 – around £2000 more than the equivalent Ceed five-door hatchback. That gets you the 118bhp 1.0-litre turbo petrol T-GDi in 2 trim, which comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, LED headlights, keyless entry, cruise control, an 8.0in infotainment touchscreen and a rear-view camera. Also available are 1.4-litre turbo petrol and 1.6-litre diesel engines, while 3 and First Edition increase the amount of standard kit significantly. The priciest model is the 1.4 T-GDi First Edition with an automatic gearbox. First deliveries of the Xceed are expected in December. The front-wheel-drive Xceed is said to marry hatchback-style driving dynamics with the practicality of a small SUV, wrapped up in a sportily styled body with a bespoke design. The similarly conceived Ford Focus Active is lined up as its closest competitor. The technical base for the Xceed is the five-door hatchback, and it shares that car’s 2650mm wheelbase. Kia says only the front doors are carried over and rest of the body is new, including the windscreen and sloping roofline. The new body is 85mm longer and 26mm wider than the hatchback’s, thanks to extended front and rear overhangs that increase the length of the Xceed to 4395mm. Kia hopes these dimensions will put the Xceed in a different class from big-selling small SUVs such as the Nissan Juke and its larger sibling, the Qashqai. Kia, of course, has to position the Xceed between its £15k Stonic small SUV and the £19k Sportage family SUV. “There is growing desire for cars that offer more emotion and dynamism than an SUV, yet these customers don’t want to lose the practicality offered by a larger car,” said Kia Motors Europe chief operating officer Emilio Herrera. To give the Xceed a little more rough ground-covering ability and raise the driving position to improve visibility and in/out access for the driver, the ride height is pushed up by 42mm to create 174mm of ground clearance. This also raises the Xceed’s roofline to 1490mm – just a few millimetres lower than successful small SUVs such as the Fiat 500X and Audi Q2. With the higher ride height and the dynamic handling target, Kia has re-engineered the suspension using some unique components and a bespoke set-up. Kia said the target was to deliver “a mature ride and engaging handling character in all conditions”. The front axle features new hydraulic rebound stoppers, the front springs are softened by 7% and the rear springs by 4%. The steering is carried over from the hatchback, but it’s retuned to give quicker initial response and a slightly lighter feel. Kia claims the retuned steering, together with the chassis changes, endow the high-riding Xceed with similar handling dynamics and roll control as the Ceed hatchback. Refinement, meanwhile, is said to have been improved by a new dynamic damper for the rear crossmember. Kia says that the interior “carries over the cabin architecture of its Ceed stablemates” with an optional upgrade to a fully digital 12.3in instrument cluster – a first for Kia. Five engines will be on offer – three petrols and two diesels, all taken from the rest of the Ceed range. The range starts with a three-cylinder turbo 119bhp 1.0 petrol and moves up to a four-cylinder turbo 138bhp 1.4. A 201bhp 1.6 from the Ceed GT is available in other markets but Autocar understands this isn’t destined for the UK for the time being. The diesels are both 1.6 capacity in outputs of either 114bhp or 134bhp. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic optional on all engines except the 1.0. Plug-in hybrid and 48V mild hybrid versions will be launched in early
Origin: New Kia Xceed crossover: UK prices and specs announced