The Mazda 2 is being updated for 2020 to bring it into line with newer rivals, and it’s available to order now with the first examples landing in dealers. The entry level SE-L model will cost £15,795, and includes rear parking sensors, 15in alloy wheels and climate control. As well a more powerful engine, SE-L Nav models and above gain the Mazda Connect navigation system, which is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and driver assistance features including brake assist and lane-keeping assist. SE-L Nav models start from £16,610. For £17,310, Sport Nav models add 16in alloy wheels, a gloss black grille, rear privacy glass, chrome exhausts and keyless entry. The top-rung GT Sport Nav models feature a reversing camera, leather seats, a head-up display, and heated front seats and steering wheel. Such models start from £18,110 for manual models, and £19,370 with an automatic gearbox. The Japanese firm’s Ford Fiesta and Hyundai i20 rival will retain the 1.5-litre Skyactiv-G petrol engine, but is now boosted by a belt-integrated starter/generator on all manual models. It will be offered in two stages of tune, with a 74bhp version on entry level SE-L models, and a 89bhp powertrain for SE-L Nav, Sport Nav and GT Sport Nav trims. The manual versions produce 94-95g/km of CO2, depending on trim level, with a WLTP-certified combined fuel economy of 53.4mpg. Mazda cites a number of tweaks to improve the handling of its supermini, including a new urethane top mount in the rear dampers, revised power steering and the introduction of a G-Vectoring Control Plus system, which subtly uses the brakes to aid cornering stability and smoothen your chosen line. The design changes include a revised grille with a new design closer to the Mazda 3, a wider wing, new bumper and revised LED headlights. Inside, the dashboard trim, air vents and other features have been tweaked, with new-shape seats designed to offer more comfort. Mazda also claims the use of new damping materials and the reduction in the gap around the B-pillar reduce noise and improve refinement for those
Origin: New Mazda 2: prices and specs revealed for redesigned supermini
revealed
New 2020 Ford Kuga: 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 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
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
Lexus UX 300e revealed as firm’s first production EV
Lexus has revealed its first electric production car, the UX 300e, at the Guangzhou motor show in China, with the compact SUV due to go on sale in the UK in 2021. The electric version of the regular UX crossover, understood to be based on the electric Toyota C-HR offered in China, features a front-mounted motor that produces 201bhp and 221lb ft. Power comes from a 54.3kWh under-floor battery offering a claimed range of around 250 miles and fast charging at speeds of up to 50kW. The styling of the regular UX has been largely maintained, including the brand’s distinctive large front grille. It does gain new aerodynamic-influenced wheels, with the charging port located on the rear pillar where the fuel filler usually is. The UX 300e features a number of drive modes so that the performance of the electric motor can be better managed, along with paddle shifters to control the regenerative braking modes. Lexus says the UX 300e, built on Toyota’s GA-C platform, has been developed with a focus on on-road performance, and the goal of offering a quiet and refined driving experience. To balance the new powertrain, extra bracing has been added with the dampers reworked to maintain optimum weight distribution. According to Lexus, the UX 300e’s powertrain draws on learnings from the firm’s long-running hybrid system, and features a temperature management system that balances power at low and high temperatures. There has also been a focus on refinement, Lexus claiming it has added insulation to reduce wind and road noise, with an Active Sound Control system that “transmits natural, ambient sounds to communicate the driving conditions”. The UX 300e is due to go on sale in China next year, with UK sales following in 2021. Pricing has yet to be finalised. Lexus and parent firm Toyota will launch three EVs by the end of
Origin: Lexus UX 300e revealed as firm’s first production EV
Tesla Cybertruck revealed
Tesla Cybertruck revealed The Cybertruck has a range of more than 500 miles on a charge Tesla has launched the Cybertruck – a pure-electric pick-up with sportswear performance and a range of more than 500 miles on a charge. Set to rival Rivian’s R1T, the Cybertruck has been in the pipeline for a while, and takes a significantly different design direction to the current Model S, X, and 3, as well as the forthcoming Model Y and Roadster. The Cybertruck will come in three variants initially. There will be a single motor, rear-wheel drive version, a dual-motor all-wheel drive model, and a tri-motor all-wheel drive option. A 0-60mph time of 2.9 seconds is quoted. Seating for up to six adults is available in the cab, and the Cybertruck will tow more than six tonnes. Along with the large bed load space, there is the usual front load area found in Tesla models, and some other EVs. Charging is possible across the Tesla Supercharger network, including the soon to be rolled out V3 ultra-rapid set-up. Although UK specifications have not been announced, it is expected that the Cybertruck will be launched with a CCS inlet. Ranges are quoted on the US EPA test cycle, which tends to be tougher than the WLTP-derived figures used in the UK and Europe. As such, range figures may increase slightly when specifications are revealed for the EU market. The single-motor model has a range of 250+ miles and 0-60mph time of less than 6.5 seconds. As the entry level model, it’s towing capacity is a little less than 3.5 tonnes. The dual-motor model sees that capacity increase to 4.5 tonnes, and a range quoted of more than 300 miles on a charge. The acceleration time drops to a sub-4.5 second 0-60mph time. Top of the range tri-motor model has the 500+ mile quoted above, plus the headline sprint time and towing figures. Full self-driving technology is being sold as a pack, though this will depend on what regulations have come into force in each market once the Cybertruck arrives. The design has been influenced at least in part by the 1970’s Lotus Esprit. Fully-refundable deposits of £100 are being taken now, with configurations able to be fixed as production starts late in 2021. Tri-motor models are expected to enter production a year later. No pricing information is available for any market, and all above figures are quoted to US specifications. The main reason for the Cybertruck is that the US market is dominated by large pick-up models. The Tesla will be challenged by both the Rivian, and a pure-electric version of Ford’s best-selling F150. The former will come to the UK, though there has been no announcement yet as to whether the Ford will arrive – currently the largest pick-up Ford sells in the UK is the smaller Ranger. Pricing in the US will start at just under $40,000. By comparison, the Model 3 also starts at less than $40,000, and in the UK sees the figure of £39,490 translate 1:1 from the US dollar cost. Whether that would remain the same for the Cybertruck is complicated slightly by the fact that pick-ups are classed as commercial vehicles in the UK, and subject to different tax and government grants – but expect similar prices for the entry level model when launched. By extension, we can expect the dual-motor Cybertruck to cost from around £47,000.
Origin: Tesla Cybertruck revealed
Skoda Citigo iV details revealed
Skoda Citigo iV details revealed The compact Citigo iV is the first EV from Skoda Skoda has revealed pricing and specification details of its new Citigo iV pure-electric citycar. Featuring a range of up to 170 miles on a charge, the Citigo iV starts at £20,455 excluding £3,500 Plug-in Car Grant (PiCG). Sharing a platform, motor, and battery with the recently released Seat Mii Electric and forthcoming updated VW e-up!, the Skoda uses a 36.8 kWh battery to achieve its range. As standard, the Skoda’s battery is recharged by a 7.2 kW on-board charger for AC points. There’s an option for CCS rapid charging at up to 40 kW for higher specification models. Power comes from a 61 kW electric motor, good for a 0-62mph time of 12.5 seconds and a top speed of 81mph. There will be two trim levels available – SE and SE L. Entry level SE starts at £16,995 and SE L costs from £19,315. SE trim starts at the above price and includes climate control, leather steering wheel and handbrake, and DAB radio. SE L starts from £22,815, and adds 16-inch alloys, heated front seats, parking sensors, and the CCS charging capability. Orders open on 10th December, with deliveries expected early in 2020.
Origin: Skoda Citigo iV details revealed
BMW i4 details revealed
BMW i4 details revealed A range of more than 370 miles is likely from the new i4 BMW has announced details of its forthcoming i4 – a pure-electric four-door coupe due in 2021. It will feature the company’s next generation electric powertrain, enabling a range of around 370 miles on a charge. The fifth-generation systems are set to debut on next year’s iX3, and will then appear on the i4. BMW is pitching its next pure-electric models at the core range – the 3/4 Series for the i4, and the SUV equivalent in the iX3. Power from the electric motors in the i4 comes in at 390 kW (530 hp) which is equivalent to the current V8 available in the similar ranges. As such, performance will be more than brisk, with the 0-62mph time completed in around 4.0 seconds. The battery is roughly 80 kWh in capacity, promising an efficient set-up considering the Ford Mustang Mach-E launched recently achieves a similar range but from almost 100 kWh. Ultra-rapid charging will be possible at 150 kW, allowing a top-up to 80% in a bit over half an hour. All figures are approximates so far, as more precise technical specifications are yet to be confirmed. In terms of rivals, the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2 will be the closest of those models currently known about, both in terms of driving range and likely price.
Origin: BMW i4 details revealed
Tesla pick-up to be revealed on 21 November, Musk says
Tesla will unveil its long-awaited electric pick-up truck, dubbed Cybertruck, later this month, CEO Elon Musk has confirmed. Musk took to Twitter earlier today to post: “Cybertruck unveil on Nov 21 in LA near SpaceX Rocket factory”. He has linked the date to the original Blade Runner film, which lists the same date in the opening credits. The date also coincides with the Los Angeles motor show, which is likely to be intentional. Little is known about the pick-up beyond what Musk has alluded to in interviews and on Twitter. He’s claimed before that it will be similar in size to the class-leading Ford F-150, cost less than $50,000 (£38,900) and be more capable than any rival. Design-wise, everything seen so far has been purely speculative. Last month, Musk tweeted: “(The Cybertruck) doesn’t look like anything I’ve seen bouncing around the internet. It’s closer to an armoured personnel carrier from the future.” Pick-ups are still the biggest-selling vehicles in North America, so the move makes financial sense. Ford sold more than 900,000 F-Series trucks in 2018, making it the best-selling vehicle in the US. Ford plans to launch an electric version of the F-150 before 2022. Tesla’s expansion plans beyond the pick-up also include the Model Y crossover, which will be delivered to customers in the coming months, the new Roadster and the electric Semi
Origin: Tesla pick-up to be revealed on 21 November, Musk says
The new Ford Bronco will be revealed spring 2020
New Bronco Logo JPGFord In what has become the worlds longest automotive striptease, Ford this morning showed the new logo its using for the upcoming Bronco. Not the truck itself, mind you. Simply the logo.Well take this opportunity to remind our readers that Ford announced the development of this vehicle in January 2017, a full 32 months ago.Thats nearly 1,000 days, in case youre wondering, a period of time equivalent to how long itll take to get through all the leftover Halloween candy.The new Bronco logo will be immediately recognizable to anyone even tangentially aware of past versions of Fords SUV, with a kicking horse to the left of the trucks name. This time around, the script font was binned in favour of a heavy block type, which could be construed as an indicator of the Broncos toughness or some other sort of marketing dross.Eagle-eyed marketers will note that both front legs of the bucking horse are visible in the new logo, unlike the original badge. The animal is also jumping at a much steeper angle than any previous iteration, though none of these observations are of any use to gleaning details about the, yknow, actual vehicle.What we do know about the truck is mostly cobbled together from conjecture and speculation. A bevy of patent applications strongly suggest the new Bronco will have removable doors and roof in similar vein as the Jeep Wrangler.All signs point to a 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine under its flat hood, possibly backed by an optional manual transmission. The latter isnt completely out of the question, by the way, nor is a three-door model in addition to the five-door. Expect some trims to come equipped with tires sized to compete with a Wrangler Rubicon.At least we now have a firm(ish) date for the trucks reveal, suggesting we are now closer to its appearance than that 2017
Origin: The new Ford Bronco will be revealed spring 2020
Fisker Ocean details revealed
Fisker Ocean details revealed The new electric SUV will feature a solar roof Fisker has revealed details of its forthcoming production SUV, including the fact it will be called the Fisker Ocean. The Ocean will come with a range of between 250-300 miles on a charge, from a battery that will be around 80 kWh in capacity. It’s been designed to be one of the most sustainable vehicles on the road, with a number of efficiency and recycling systems built in. A solar roof will be included, good for around 1,000 free miles each year, and further updates to the car’s hardware is expected to see that figure increase further down the line. The carpets are made from recycled fishing nets, the interior will be vegan, and the cabin’s materials will be made from recycled polyester fibres from things such as t-shirts and plastic bottles. The Ocean will be available on a flexible leasing plan run through an app, with no long-term contracts. As well as the system becoming increasingly popular with customers, another reason behind the move is to help keep Fisker’s environmental responsibilities in-house. This way, the company is in greater control of recycling parts. Production is set to begin at the end of 2021, and a full launch will take place at the beginning of January next year. Reservations via the app will be available from 27th November 2019.
Origin: Fisker Ocean details revealed
All about car 