Ford has released UK-specific pricing and trim level details for the new, third-generation Kuga SUV. It’s priced from £23,995, with priority deliveries of the high-spec First Edition models early next year. The base price gets you in a Zetec model powered by a 118bhp 1.5-litre Ecoboost turbo petrol engine. The other trims are Titanium (from £27,245), ST-Line (from £29,345), ST-Line X (from £30,645) and Vignale (from £31,945). All Kugas come as standard with the Ford Pass Connect embedded modem, wireless smartphone charging and “advanced driver assistance and safety features”. First Edition variants of Titanium and ST-Line models bring a Bang Olufsen sound system and the Driver’s Assistance Pack. Further engine options include a 148bhp 1.5-litre turbo petrol and 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre diesels, the latter of which is also available in 187bhp form or 148bhp form with mild hybrid tech. A new plug-in hybrid option is also available from £33,095 in Titanium trim – the same price as the higher-powered 2.0-litre diesel. The Kuga has been redesigned from the ground up in a bid to attract more buyers in the still-booming family SUV sector, and the new model will be offered with petrol, diesel, mild hybrid, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. As Ford ramps up its European business restructuring, SUVs will play a crucial role. “One in three sales across Europe are SUVs, and for us it’s one in five. We want to change that,” Jorg Beyer, managing director of product development, told Autocar. The hybrid line-up in particular is expected to be key to attracting new customers. Ford has beaten many of its rivals to market with its plug-in hybrid option, which mates a 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine with an electric motor and 10.3kWh battery to deliver 222bhp. The model can travel up to 34 miles on electricity alone, giving it an official economy figure of 201mpg on the WLTP cycle in PHEV operating mode (or 43.5mpg WLTP with no charge in the battery). Official CO2 emissions are just 29g/km. Buyers will also able to choose a regular hybrid set-up, akin to that of the Toyota Prius, linking the 2.5-litre petrol engine to an electric motor and smaller battery to deliver 50.4mpg and 130g/km. A 48-volt mild hybrid setup is mated to a 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine to offer 56.5mpg and 132g/km. Conventional 1.5-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel variants are also available, mated to either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox. Front and four-wheel drive are both available. Also striking is the new, more sophisticated and less boxy look of the third-generation Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson rival. The styling moves Ford’s design language another step on from the more contoured lines of the latest Fiesta and Focus. The interior also follows those cars, delivering an uncluttered, sweeping look despite the raft of technological functions that are offered, the majority of which are controlled through the central touchscreen. The Kuga sits on the same C2 platform as the new Focus, being longer, wider and having a larger wheelbase – and therefore improved stability and dynamics – than the car it replaces. The platform is also said to be 10% torsionally stiffer than the outgoing car’s, as well as supporting the basis for a more aerodynamic design and allowing weight savings of up to 90kg over today’s model. In particular, the new Kuga is said to deliver more interior room than before, including what Ford says is class-leading space for rear-seat passengers thnks to an 89mm length increase. In the front, occupants get 43mm more shoulder room and 57mm more hip room than in the current model, while in the rear there is a 20mm increase in shoulder room and 36mm more hip room, while the seats, split 70:30, slide fore and aft as standard. This increased rear accommodation has been achieved in part by setting the dashboard closer to the engine bay bulkhead and positioned more upright than before, allowing front seat passengers to be seated farther forward. Despite sporting a dramatic, sloping roofline and an overall height that is lower by 20mm than that of the outgoing car, the new Kuga also offers 13mm more head room in the front and 35mm in the rear, thanks to clever interior packaging. New technology for the Kuga includes Ford Pass Connect, which can provide wi-fi connectivity for up to 10 devices, a head-up display, wireless charging for a phone, a system that automatically brakes the car if it drives forwards or backwards into crossing traffic and a self-parking system that can parallel park or drive into a space perpendicular to the car at the push of a button. A hands-free boot-opening system, which is operated by waving your foot under the rear bumper, is also available. A radar and camera-guided system that detects slower-moving and stationary vehicles, and which will automatically steer around them to avoid a collision if necessary, is also available,
Origin: New 2020 Ford Kuga: UK pricing and specs revealed
pricing
New 2020 Ford Kuga SUV: UK pricing and specs revealed
Ford has released UK-specific pricing and trim level details for the new, third-generation Kuga SUV. It’s priced from £23,995, with priority deliveries of the high-spec First Edition models early next year. The base price gets you in a Zetec model powered by a 118bhp 1.5-litre Ecoboost petrol motor. Further trims include Titanium (from £27,245), ST-Line (from £29,345), ST-Line X (from £30,645) and flagship Vignale (from £31,945). All Kugas come as standard with the FordPass Connect embedded modem, wireless phone charging and “advanced driver assistance and safety features”, but First Edition variants of Titanium and ST-Line models bring a BO sound system and the driver’s assistance pack. Further engine options include a more powerful 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol and 1.5 and 2.0-litre diesels, the latter of which is also available in 187bhp form or 148bhp form with a mild hybrid system. A new plug-in hybrid option is also available from £33,095 in Titanium form – the same price as the higher-powered 2.0-litre diesel. The new Kuga has been redesigned from the ground up in a bid to attract more buyers in the still-booming family SUV sector, and the new model will be offered with plug-in hybrid and mild-hybrid powertrains, along with conventional petrol and diesel offerings. As the firm ramps up its European business restructuring SUVs such as the Kuga will play a crucial role. “1 in 3 sales across Europe are SUVs, and for us it’s 1 in 5 – we want to change that.” Jorg Beyer, managing director of product development, told Autocar. The hybrid line-up in particular is expected to be key to attracting new customers. Ford has beaten many of its rivals to market with its plug-in option, which mates a 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine with an electric motor and 10.3kWh battery pack to deliver 222bhp. The model can travel up to 34 miles on electric range alone, giving it an official economy figure of 201mpg on the WLTP cycle in PHEV operating mode (or 43.5mpg WLTP with no charge in the battery), with CO2 emissions of 29g/km. Buyers will also able to choose a self-charging hybrid set-up, akin to the Prius’s hybrid system, which links the 2.5-litre petrol engine to an electric motor and smaller battery to deliver 50.4mpg and 130g/km. A 48V mild-hybrid set-up is mated to a 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel option to offer 56.5mpg and 132g/km. Conventional 1.5-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel variants are also available, mated to either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox. Two and all-wheel drive options feature. Also striking is the new, more sophisticated and less boxy look of the third-generation Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson rival. The styling moves Ford’s design language another step on from the more contoured lines of the latest Fiesta and Focus. The interior also follows those cars, delivering an uncluttered, sweeping look despite the raft of technological functions that are offered, the majority of which are controlled through the central touchscreen. The Kuga sits on the same C2 platform as the new Focus, being longer, wider and having a larger wheelbase – and therefore improved stability and dynamics – than the car it replaces. The platform is also said to be 10% torsionally stiffer than the outgoing car’s, as well as supporting the basis for a more aerodynamic design and allowing weight savings of up to 90kg over today’s model. In particular, the new Kuga is said to deliver more interior room than before, including what Ford says is class-leading space for rear-seat passengers thnks to an 89mm length increase. In the front, occupants get 43mm more shoulder room and 57mm more hip room than in the current model, while in the rear there is a 20mm increase in shoulder room and 36mm more hip room, while the seats, split 70:30, slide fore and aft as standard. This increased rear accommodation has been achieved in part by setting the dashboard closer to the engine bay bulkhead and positioned more upright than before, allowing front seat passengers to be seated farther forward. Despite sporting a dramatic, sloping roofline and an overall height that is lower by 20mm than that of the outgoing car, the new Kuga also offers 13mm more head room in the front and 35mm in the rear, thanks to clever interior packaging. New technology for the Kuga includes FordPass Connect, which can provide wi-fi connectivity for up to 10 devices, a head-up display, wireless charging for a phone, a system that automatically brakes the car if it drives forwards or backwards into crossing traffic and a self-parking system that can parallel park or drive into a space perpendicular to the car at the push of a button. A hands-free boot-opening system, which is operated by waving your foot under the rear bumper, is also available. A radar and camera-guided system that detects slower-moving and stationary vehicles, and which will automatically steer around them to avoid a
Origin: New 2020 Ford Kuga SUV: UK pricing and specs revealed
Aston Martin shows off DBX SUV’s interior, reveals pricing
Its early November and Aston Martin is teasing us, as it always does, with the upcoming reveal of its DBX SUV. Soon to be revealed in full, the brand decided to show off just a couple of features that make its first SUV so unique.While the exterior of the DBX remains a secret, this newest head-on photo does show some details. The front fascia looks like it was borrowed from the gorgeous DB11, slightly elongated to fill out the SUVs large stance.A large panoramic sunroof is also visible.The interior has been kept less of a secret, with the teaser image showing the view out of the front window from the back seat. In the distance we can see the banked curves of the Brooklands racetrack, the place where Aston Martin set a few speed records in the 1920s. The luxurious materials covering the interior are on full display, and theres no doubt theyre of the highest quality.According to Aston Martin, six months of development were devoted specifically to the driving position, taking into account visibility above all else, to the controls and to the space around the vehicle.The driving position also allows the driver to see the hood, which should make the relatively large vehicle easier to maneuver. Aston also consulted with children to determine the optimal ingress and egress experience, using a model at its design studio.The 2020 Aston Martin DBX will debut officially on November 20, which is also when orders will be taken. In Canada, if youre interested in getting one, youll want to know the DBXs starting price is
Origin: Aston Martin shows off DBX SUV’s interior, reveals pricing
Aston Martin DBX: pricing confirmed from £158,000
The upcoming Aston Martin DBX SUV will go on sale in the UK from £158,000, with the first official images of the car’s interior now revealed. The car, which is Aston’s first high-riding model and will arrive with the same 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 as the DB11 supercar, is set to make its debut in Beijing on the 20th November. Order books will then open, with a $189,900 asking price in the USA and €193,500 in Germany. In the UK, pricing is set to include three years of servicing as standard. A single image was released to coincide with the pricing announcement, giving a first official look at the DBX interior, with copious amounts of leather seeking to embody the firm’s characteristic blend of comfort and opulence. Visible details include perforated leather seats, an expansive panoramic glass roof, and wood-finished interior door handles. It confirms spy photos previously seen in September, which showed Aston would continue to use Mercedes-sourced switchgear and technology combined with its own bespoke trim. Previously only a single image teasing the interior had been officially released, showing a portion of the car not clad in its now-familiar prototype camouflage and revealing that a chunky black plastic rear bumper will be available. Bootspace was then confirmed as well, with the DBX’s 632-litre rear loadspace giving it a significant practicality advantage over its Bentley Bentayga rival. The new range of accessories, available from the model’s launch, includes a number of separate options packs to suit the owner’s hobbies and pastimes. The Snow Pack, for example, contains a boot warmer, ski bag, roof-mounted ski rack and set of snow chains. The Pet Pack, meanwhile, brings a bumper protector, a portable washer and a cabin divider, while the more conventional Touring Pack comprises a tailored luggage set with first aid kit and under-seat locker. Additional packages include the Essentials Pack, Event Pack, Interior Protection Pack and Expression Pack. Aston Martin says it has “worked with its trusted brand partners to ensure that it is offering the best solutions to customers, whatever the usage, journey or destination”. Ahead of launch the DBX was papped without any disguise during what looks like a promotional shoot by Spanish site Autopista. As expected, the design has significantly moved on from the concept, with a front-end inspired by the DB11 and details such as a tail-lights that curve up and across the tailgate. Although the car in these images appears to be pink, the DBX in these photos is most likely red, and the effect is simply due to low quality photography. First orders for the high-riding Aston were taken at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and it made its UK public dynamic debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. A video released on Twitter by Aston CEO Andy Palmer gives a very quick glimpse of the car’s front end without any camouflage. Aston Martin Lagonda’s most recent financial update revealed more details on the development timeline of the DBX, which is set to rival models such as the Bentley Bentayga Speed and Lamborghini Urus. Aston started building pre-production versions of the new model at its new St Athan plant earlier this year, ahead of it going on sale in the first half of 2020. The company said it remains on track to begin series production at St Athan in the second quarter of 2020, which suggests first customer deliveries will follow in the second half of next year. The new 90-acre factory in Wales, built on a former Ministry of Defence site, has been under development since 2016 and will be the sole production facility for the DBX. The electric models of the revived Lagonda brand will also be built there. Ahead of the machine’s official launch later this year, Aston Martin previously issued images of the DBX sporting a camouflage livery reflecting its new Welsh home. The machine is currently undergoing final testing using pre-production versions. A video published earlier in the year shows the DBX undergoing extreme weather testing in Sweden at Pirelli’s Flurheden proving ground, part of the two brands’ ongoing partnership. Speaking about that test, Aston Martin chief engineer Matt Becker said: “Testing these prototypes in cold climate conditions helps us to assess the car’s early dynamics and, crucially, ensure confidence-inspiring sure-footedness on low-grip surfaces. “This car propels Aston Martin into a new segment and our engineering team are enjoying the challenges of developing a quality luxury SUV experience through this robust testing schedule. Progress is on track and I am confident that we will deliver over and above what our customers would expect from an Aston Martin SUV.” The DBX is the first Aston Martin to go through a new dedicated test programme, to ensure it can produce the kind of dynamic on-road performance on which Aston has always made its name, allied to some credibility off
Origin: Aston Martin DBX: pricing confirmed from £158,000
Bollinger reveals US pricing for rugged electric SUVs
American start-up Bollinger Motors has revealed pricing for its electric off-road SUV and pick-up truck, ahead of the pair’s public debut at next month’s Los Angeles motor show. Both models will be available from $125,000 (£97,200) in the US, and can be secured now with a refundable deposit through the firm’s website. They have been engineered to be road-legal across the globe, suggesting pricing for other countries could be announced in due course. The B1 and B2 are both based on Bollinger’s in-house-developed Class 3 electric vehicle ‘skateboard’ platform. The chassis and body are made from aluminium, making it light and easy to manufacture, with simple-to-replace body panels. With a motor on each axle giving four-wheel drive, the rugged, boxy models produce a combined 614bhp and 668lb ft of torque for a claimed 0-60mph time of 4.5sec and a top speed of 100mph. Range hasn’t been confirmed, but Bollinger’s battery pack is an enormous 120kWh in capacity. The company previously proposed a range of 200 miles from a 100kWh battery. Drive is through a two-speed automatic gearbox with high and low ranges, while there are front and rear electronically locking differentials. Designed for extreme off-road use, the B1 and B2 have 50/50 weight distribution, 10-20in of variable ground clearance, 10in of wheel travel, all-round ventilated 11.75in disc brakes and geared axle hubs. Payload is a strong 2359kg, while towing capacity is 3402kg. For context, the Toyota Hilux pick-up manages up to 3500kg. The Bollinger models also have a unique ‘pass through hatch’ running their entire length. Electric rivals will include the R1T and R1S from well-funded compatriot firm Rivian and the best-selling Ford F-150. Bollinger was founded by industrial designer Robert Bollinger in 2015 to “reinvent trucks, not just electrify them” when he saw the shortcomings of traditional trucks on his farm. “It was time we did something new,” he said. “I just wanted to build the best truck without compromise.” Bollinger says it has received more than 30,000 expressions of interest in its vehicles and plans to begin production in
Origin: Bollinger reveals US pricing for rugged electric SUVs
Polestar 2 pricing confirmed
Polestar 2 pricing confirmed The forthcoming EV will challenge the Tesla Model 3 next year Pricing for the Polestar 2 has been announced, with the pure-electric fastback set to cost from £49,900. The new model from Volvo’s electrified performance brand will go into production early next year, with deliveries starting in June 2019. Polestar is packaging together a service plan within the cost of the car. Included are routine servicing and maintenance costs for the first three years, including pick-up and delivery. Specifications are high for initial production models, with the Pilot and Plus packages fitted. The former brings together a huge suite of driver safety and assistance systems – as found on Volvo models, including Pilot Assist and 360-degree parking sensors and camera. Plus pack includes a panoramic sunroof, pixel headlights with welcoming sequence, heated steering wheel and seats, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and wireless phone charging. Polestar is also launching the Android Automotive OS – a first for any vehicle. The Android-based operating system for the car’s infotainment set-up means that other features such as Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play Store should work seamlessly in the car. Technical specifications see the Polestar 2 provide 300 kW (408hp), with motors powered by a 78 kWh battery. Reservations are open now, with prospective buyers able to book their place in the queue with a fully-refundable deposit of £1,000. The list price above excludes the UK’s Plug-in Car Grant, as the model hasn’t yet been approved by OLEV. It meets all Category 1 criteria, so will qualify for the £3,500 grant should it remain at current levels when the car arrives next summer.
Origin: Polestar 2 pricing confirmed
New Ford Puma: pricing and spec details for SUV confirmed
Ford has confirmed UK pricing of its new Puma SUV ahead of the first examples being delivered to customers in January. The rebirth of the Puma name as a sporty high-riding model will see it start from £20,845 in Titanium trim, with Ford not initially looking to offer a lower-spec variant. It comes as standard with features not usually confined to ‘base’ models, such as lumbar massage front seats and wireless phone charging, plus lane-keep assist and pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection. However, Ford won’t be taking orders for this model until the start of next year. Instead, a number of First Edition variants are being offered first for January deliveries. The Puma Titanium First Edition starts from £22,295 and gets intelligent adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera, heated seats and a heated steering wheel. It’s powered by a 123bhp version of the 1.0-litre Ecoboost mild-hybrid three-cylinder petrol engine. Also offered is a Puma ST-Line X, which gets the option of a 153bhp version of the same engine alongside the above unit, adding an exterior bodykit and sporting cabin details, sports suspension, alloy pedals, a digital instrument cluster and LED headlamps. The initial First Edition adds 18in alloys, an electric tailgate and a 10 speaker BO audio system to that tally, and is priced from £25,195. Finally, a fully-loaded ST-Line X First Edition Plus, solely available with the 153bhp unit, adds 19in wheels and a panoramic roof from £27,345. The lower-powered unit comes with the mild-hybrid system in everything but the base Titanium trim, reducing its CO2 output from 103g/km to 96g/km. Both engines come with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. The model, which sees the small coupe of the late nineties morphing into a sporty compact crossover, is subtly but effectively different from its established SUV rivals. Officially, the company describes the Puma as an “SUV-inspired crossover”, with its three standout virtues claimed to be “seductive styling”, ingenious rear stowage and the new 48V mild-hybrid petrol drivetrain. The body’s flowing surfaces have been developed under what designer George Saridakis labels an “anti-wedge” policy. What he calls “separated” headlights and tail-lights are also a move against the current trends for “joining everything up”, Saridakis citing the industry fashion for full-width light bars across a vehicle’s tail. The new Puma is based on Ford’s existing B global small car architecture, the same as the Fiesta, but the platform’s inherent flexibility has allowed the Puma to be sized very specifically. It is just 30mm higher than the new Fiesta and the front seating position is raised by the same amount. This is still a compact vehicle, but it is usefully longer than the Fiesta as well as wider, with a wider track. And it squeezes a surprising amount of interior space out of a vehicle that’s smaller than the Focus. Saridakis says he and the project’s chief engineer, Norbert Steffens, worked in the styling studio with “cardboard and tape” trying to extract the maximum luggage space from the Puma structure. This crossover has a claimed 456 litres of boot space, whereas the Focus has just 370 litres. They achieved this by way of what Ford calls a “lower load box”. Cut through the boot floor, the box is a useful 80 litres in capacity and even has a removable plug in the bottom to allow it to be washed out. The Puma’s rigid boot floor can also be fitted in three different ways: low, on top of the load box; at a mid-height, which gives generous hidden storage; and clipped out of the way, by being attached to the backs of the rear seats. Steffens demonstrated that, with the boot floor clipped out of the way, it is possible to load items such as a golf club bag vertically in the back of the Puma thanks to the extra load height offered by the box. Even the parcel shelf has been rethought as a lightweight fabric cover attached to the tailgate itself, which avoids the need to stow an awkward load cover. From an engineering point of view, it’s the Puma’s new 48V mild-hybrid drivetrain that stands out. This is based around an updated version of Ford’s 1.0-litre Ecoboost petrol unit and replaces the conventional alternator with an 11.5kW integrated starter/ generator (called a BISG). It will come in 123bhp and 153bhp guises, with the more powerful version using a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The BISG is connected to the engine via a belt and works in two directions: it can be used when braking and coasting to recover energy (which is stored in a small lithium ion battery) and it can also assist the engine during acceleration. Ford says the hybrid assistance has allowed the engine’s compression ratio to be lowered and a larger turbocharger to be fitted, as the BISG can mitigate turbo lag and keep the engine turning faster. Performance at lower speeds is especially enhanced, says Steffens, with as much as 50% more torque on
Origin: New Ford Puma: pricing and spec details for SUV confirmed
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
Honda e pricing confirmed
Honda e pricing confirmed The electric supermini will rival the forthcoming Mini Electric Prices have been announced for the Honda e, with the eagerly-awaited electric supermini set to cost from £26,160. The Honda e will start at the above price for the 100 kW version, with prices rising to £28,660 for the Advance trim which includes additional equipment and a power increase to 113 kW. With the full production going on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show from today, Honda has confirmed its OTR price, which includes the £3,500 Plug-in Car Grant. This is subject to approval from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles, but is meets all criteria so the Honda is expected to be approved in due course. Order books for the Honda e Advance open today (Tuesday 10th September) from 12:30pm. Those customers that have previously made a reservation have priority spot in the queue. Orders for the Honda e (non-Advance version) will be taken in early 2020, and first deliveries of the Honda e Advance will arrive in the UK from early summer next year.
Origin: Honda e pricing confirmed
New Mitsubishi L200 pick-up: UK specs and pricing finalised
The revamped Mitsubishi L200 pick-up truck has gone on sale in the UK, with prices starting from £25,755 for private buyers. The firm says it has made more than 2400 changes from the previous version. The heavily facelifted update of the fifth-generation pick-up was launched in Thailand last year, and featured a revamped design including the latest version of the Japanese firm’s ‘Dynamic Shield’ grille. The four-wheel-drive machine is offered with a choice of manual and automatic six-speed gearboxes, and has a WLTP-certified fuel economy of between 29.1 and 32.1mpg. The entry-level 4Life Club Cab models, which start from £21,515 for commercial buyers, feature 16-inch steel wheels, keyless entry, air conditioning and Bluetooth connectivity. The 4Life trim is also available with a larger Double Cab, starting from £27,195 (£22,715 for commercial buyers). Higher-level trims are available with the Double Cab only. Warrior trim starts from £31,617 (£26,400 commercial) and adds 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and running lights, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, a reversing camera, infotainment touchscreen and land departure warning. Barbarian trim, costing from £35,097 (£29,300 commercial) includes hill descent control, an off-road mode, front heated seats, mood lighting and rear USB ports. The range-topping Barbarian X trim is only offered with an automatic box, and starts from £38,577 (£32,200). It adds a 360-degree camera, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, LED fog lamps, parking sensors, a heated steering wheel and Barbarian X decals. The revamped version of the L200 was unveiled just three years into its life cycle, to mark the 40th anniversary of the model. The L200 went on in Thailand and other Asian markets – where it is known as the Triton – last year, and is being rolled out to 150 countries worldwide. The revised L200 is one of 11 new or refreshed models Mitsubishi will launch by the end of 2020 as part of its ‘Drive for Growth’ strategy, which follows its acquisition by Nissan to become part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. Mitsubishi COO Trevor Mann said that the changes to the L200 were “significant” and far exceeded a regular midlife update, adding that they were designed to “reinforce what this car should be”. He added that the relatively early update “made sense” because the company could identify opportunities to improve it. The revisions include a new design that features the brand’s ‘Dynamic Shield’ grille concept at the front, along with revised headlights to give it more road presence. There are also extended wheel flares, new accents and revised bumpers and rear lights, and a revised interior. A quick (and wobbly) video tour of the new Mitsubishi L200 pick-up. Story here: https://t.co/jHYUCHzjE5 pic.twitter.com/Xfb2kCrUoM — Autocar (@autocar) November 9, 2018 The more angular styling has been designed to appeal to both business and private buyers, and is intended to reflect Mitsubishi’s ‘Engineered Beyond Tough’ slogan. The L200 features two different four-wheel-drive systems, and a number of new drive modes. These include new off-road drive modes for gravel, snow, sand and rock that help to regulate engine power, transmission and braking to reduce wheel slip. A hill descent control system has also been added. The five-speed manual gearbox has been replaced by a six-speed automatic. The pick-up includes a range of driver assistance features, including forward collision detection, blind spot warning and rear-cross traffic alert. Mitsubishi also cites a number of smaller ‘detail’ changes, including larger front brake discs and calipers, and larger rear dampers to smooth performance. The L200 is one of Mitsubishi’s bestselling vehicles in the UK, rivalling the Outlander PHEV, and is increasingly popular among private buyers. The L200 will continue to be produced exclusively at Mitsubishi Motor’s Thailand facility in Laem Chabang, south of
Origin: New Mitsubishi L200 pick-up: UK specs and pricing finalised
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