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Rolls-Royce mulling V16 roadster, SUV

Posted by Alex Bale Saturday, February 23, 2013

Rolls-Royce may be working on a new, mega-powerful roadster for 2017. CAR reports the convertible would conceivably boast a V16 engine. Of course, the report gets a little muddled here, with CAR saying the engine would be very similar to that of the one that powers the Bugatti Veyron – the French machine makes use of a W16 mill. Even so, the article says the Rolls-Royce version could put down around 700 horsepower. Design wise, we're told the creation will feature a suitably long nose with the passenger compartment pushed far to the rear.

Of course, 2017 is a long way off, and the thought of a 16-cylinder, naturally aspirated engine bowing under the crush of ever more stringent government fuel efficiency and emission regulations seems unlikely. We'll just put this one in the wait-and-see file for the time being. In the interim, you can hop over to CAR for a closer look at the magazine's rendering of the would-be roadster. If a V16 convertible does happen, look for a smug look on Rowan Atkinson's face.

Oh, and about that SUV? There's not much to report, though CAR does note that officials are keeping a close eye on rival Bentley and its plans for a luxury utility vehicle. Rolls brand boss Harald Krüger has even gone so far as to admit "we're regularly debating whether to take action."

Articles Source : Autoblog

Road Test: Volvo V40 XC T4 SE

Posted by Alex Bale Thursday, February 21, 2013

Price as tested: €37,303

+ Chunky styling, lovely cabin, smooth handling, engine, safety
– Too cramped inside to be a practical family car, too expensive compared to standard V40
= Surprisingly likeable, but ultimately standard car makes more sense

Any child of the eighties will remember the Matra Simca Rancho. It was a chunky 4x4-style vehicle, launched by a company that was teetering on the edge of being shut-down by its US masters at Chrysler (it eventually was and sold off to Peugeot). It had spot lamps, roof bars, a tall ride height and a big, spacious body. It also only came with front-wheel drive, something that puzzled car buyers of the time. Surely, we all said, a car that looks like a 4x4 should be able to tackle dirt, mud and rough ground?

Almost needless to say, the Rancho died a commercial death – yes, even the one fitted with a winch and a spare wheel on the roof to make it look even more butch. New owners Peugeot closed down production in 1984 and Matra went running off to rivals Renault with a new idea it had for something called the Espace... Fewer than half a dozen are apparently left in the wild.

What none of us realised at the time was that the Rancho was years, decades even, ahead of its time. Not only was it the first true 'soft roader' it even came with an optional third row of seats, making it one of the first seven seat MPVs. In the thirty years since the Rancho's demise, pretty much every major car maker has taken to heart the idea of a car that looks like it can tangle with sand dunes but actually is just for parking in Dunnes'. The compact crossover segment (faux-by-four if you like) is one of the precious few segments of the European car market that is on the up.

Which brings us rather neatly to this, the Volvo V40 XC, a car which may just be the pinnacle of shameless cosmetic engineering – but in a good way.

The recipe is as simple as one of Delia's. Take a standard (handsome, well-made, good to drive, safe) Volvo V40 hatchback. Increase the height of the suspension. Superglue on some rugged looking bumpers, foglights, Cross Country badges and roof rails. Sit back and watch the sales come rolling in.

You could, in a certain light, call it deeply cynical, but that would be to underestimate the charm of the V40. No, it won't off-road, at least not more so than any other mainstream, front-wheel-drive hatchback. There is not even the option of a four-wheel-drive model in the range. It is not any more spacious or practical than a standard, more affordable V40.

That should be enraging, but the fact is that the V40 XC is so handsome in its fake off-road get-up that anyone who craved a Swiss Army Knife after watching McGyver will be unable to resist. The better news is that it remains a lovely car to drive, regardless of the extra suspension height.
While most will probably crave diesel power in a car like this, Volvo provided us with a 1.6-litre 180bhp turbocharged petrol model, badged as a T4. Now, that sounds like a recipe for horrendous fuel consumption, but actually the XC averages an easy 7.4-litres per 100km (38mpg – pretty impressive really) and emits 129g/km of Co2, meaning your annual road tax bill will be a manageable €270 a year. Better yet, the engine is a peach to drive, with a rich seam of turbocharged power and a remarkable level of refinement, especially compared to is diesel rivals.

The XC is also good in the corners, eagerly punting along a twisty back road, while its longer travel suspension does mean that it's better at soaking up lumps and bumps, although the big alloys and low profile tyres do mean that it gives in to an occasional dose of the jiggles.

Inside is both the V40's trump card and its biggest failing. Up front, there are wonderfully comfortable seats, a gorgeous instrument and control layout and levels of quality that would put any Audi or BMW to the sword. The digital instruments can be configured in three different setups and the overall effect is one of a Swedish comfort and calmness that's so typical of Volvo. The problem is that there simply isn't enough space, especially for a growing family. The standard V40 suffers from the same problem, but the appellation of the XC badge just makes it worse; you mentally assume that a Cross Country Volvo is going to be big and practical.

That aside, it's hard not to like the V40 XC. Yes, it's silly, a bit pointless and very expensive compared to a standard V40 hatch, but the rugged looks and that gorgeous cabin lift it above its station and make it properly desirable. Time for a Rancho re-boot, perhaps?

Volvo V40 XC T4 SE 
Price as tested: €37,303 
Price range: €29,095 to €37,695 
Capacity: 1,596cc 
Power: 180bhp
 Torque: 240Nm
 Top speed: 215kmh
 0-100kmh: 7.7sec
 Economy: 5.5l-100km (51mpg) 
CO2 emissions: 129g/km 
Road Tax Band: B2. €270 
Euro NCAP rating: 5-star; 95% adult, 87% child, 74% pedestrian, 86% safety assist.

Road Test: Opel Mokka 1.7 CDTI SE

Posted by Alex Bale Thursday, February 7, 2013

Price as tested: €26,495

+ Styling, handling, quality
– Noisy & outdated engine, tight rear seats and boot
= Firmly underscores Opel's premium ambitions

Opel really needs a hit right now. The company has lost no less than €17-billion in the past decade and a half and while its paymasters at General Motors in Detroit have stuck with Opel through thick and (very) thin, patience is running low. So, with minimal surprise, Opel is having a crack at the fastest-growing segment in European motoring. At a time when the market for cars in Europe as a whole is either stalling or falling, SUVs, especially of the small and efficient variety, are charging ahead, taking buyers out of conventional hatchbacks and saloons. Score a hit here, and it will lift Opel as a whole.

No pressure then, but the Mokka gets of to a good start by looking really, really good. With the sporty bodykit fitted to our SE-spec test car, you could even accuse it of looking over-styled, but it succeeds where its key rival, the Nissan Juke, fails; it’s looks distinctive and exciting without being actively ugly.

Inside too, the styling is a success. Now, the brown, brown and beige colour scheme of our test car was, it must be admitted, a tad eye-watering and most conservative Irish customers will stick to plain old black, thanks very much. But if Opel is serious about its ambitions to break into the premium car market, then the Mokka’s cabin at least makes that ambition start to look realistic. Although it basically pinches existing parts and styling from the likes of the Astra and Insignia, it’s an especially successful casserole of parts, and the levels of quality seem to be very high. OK, so the fact that our car was an SE model, which came with leather seats and steering wheel (both of which were heated) and a bevvy of options such as Sat Nav, Bluetooth and more doubtless lifted the ambience, but the basic structure, design and quality are what really shone through.

It’s a shame then that as soon as you turn the key, some of that premium sheen is dispelled. Opel’s 1.7-litre CDTI diesel engine is both efficient (in terms of its economy and Co2 emissions) and powerful (130bhp and 300Nm of torque make the Mokka feel pretty peppy) but the noise and vibration are distinctly old-school. The engine’s basic design dates back to an early-nineties Isuzu unit and it shows, badly. It shakes the whole car on start-up, clatters noisily until you reach a steady cruising speed and has a bad habit of stalling on a light throttle around town. Opel is working on a brand-new 1.6-litre diesel to replace this engine (it makes its debut later this year in the facelifted Insignia saloon) and, frankly, it can’t come soon enough. Mind you, even given all that, the 1.7’s 65mpg potential and 120g/km Co2 rating (€200 a year road tax) are enough to make it still the engine of choice, and at least that punchy mid-range grunt is pleasing.

So too is the Mokka’s dynamic performance. This is an SUV that is actually fun and engaging to drive. The steering is nicely balanced and weighted and you can fling the Mokka through corners with enjoyable abandon. The only mark against the chassis is the fact that the sort of short, sharp, numerous bumps that so afflict our roads can make the Mokka feel a bit too bouncy and skippy, reminding you that underneath is a pretty simply-engineered Corsa chassis.

We do have some concerns over the practicality of the Mokka though. A 356-litre boot sounds pretty good on paper, but in reality it’s just never quite big enough. Many of these cars will be bought by growing families, and a big, three-wheeled buggy is almost enough to overwhelm to boot space. Likewise, space in the back seats is a touch too tight. It’s actually better for tall-ish adults, able to squeeze their knees into the cutouts in the backs of the front seats, but for younger children, perched up and forward in bulky child car seats, space is on the tight side and parents will find themselves cranking their seats forward, taxi-driver-style, to keep the younglings happy.

While all that makes the Mokka sound like a bit too much of a mixed bag, we actually came away from the car quite liking it. Its style and genuine premium-quality feel are very appealing, and it will eventually get the new, smoother diesel engine it deserves. If the likes of the Skoda Yeti has the Mokka beat for cabin and boot space, then at least the Opel can hit back with swaggering style, a quality not to be underestimated in this part of the market.

The €64-million question of whether it will be a hit, or a big enough hit, for Opel will remain unanswered for now, but what’s not in question is that Opel’s first foray into the compact SUV world is well-judged.

Facts & Figures
Opel Mokka 1.7 CDTI SE
Price as tested: €26,495
Range price: €19,995 to €29,495
Capacity: 1,686cc
Power: 130bhp
Torque: 300Nm
Top speed: 187kmh
0-100kmh: 10.5sec
Economy: 4.5l-100km (64mpg)
CO2 emissions: 120g/km
VRT Band: A4. €200 road tax
Euro NCAP rating: 5-star; 96% adult, 90% child, 67% pedestrian, 100% safety assist

News: Renault ditches Scenic, launches XMOD

Posted by Alex Bale Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Renault has decided to stop making the Scenic. That might sound like a bit of a shock, but hang on, the devil is in the detail. The seven-seat Grand Scenic will continue on as one of Europe's best-selling medium-sized MPVs, but the five-seat Scenic is now going to be dropped, and replaced by a new model called the Scenic XMOD.

What's an XMOD? Well, it's essentially Renault trying to glam the Scenic up as a bit of a rough and tumble SUV. The XMOD is based on the current Scenic body and chassis but gets sleeker, sportier styling, a higher ride height and stick on plastic off-roader-y bits.

It's not all tinsel and lights though, Renault is introducing a new traction control system called Grip Xtend, which can be adjusted by the driver to give the best possible traction and grip on difference surfaces, with Road, Loose Surface and Expert modes.

The Scenic XMOD and a facelifted version of the Grand Scenic will make their debuts at the Geneva Motor Show.

News: Updated Kia Sorento goes on sale

Posted by Alex Bale

The new 2013 Kia Sorento goes on sale in Ireland this week .Powered by an improved and more economical 2.2 197bhp diesel engine both trim levels available Ireland will be fitted with All Wheel Drive as standard. The Sorento is a 7-seater with the EX model priced at €37,990 and the Platinum model at € 41,790. Astonishingly, given the similar looks to the model that came out in 2010, it's all-new from the ground up.

The EX entry level model features AWD as standard and also comes with a generous level of comfort and safety equipment .Standard on the EX are 17” Alloys, roof rack, parking sensors, climate control front, manual heating/air con in the rear and Bluetooth .

The major spec differences on Platinum are Panoramic Sunroof, Leather Upholstery with Heated front seats, driver’s seat with 6 way power adjustment, rain sensor, rear privacy glass, reversing camera and HID headlights.

The upgraded Kia Sorento SUV incorporates significant changes, including a re-engineered body shell, an improved R2.2.diesel engine for better fuel economy with lower emissions, improved ride, handling and refinement, additional high-tech convenience and safety features, plus a fresh, new look for the exterior.

“During the last decade, Sorento has earned widespread regard with Irish and European drivers . Kia has listened to customers all over Europe and our engineering and design teams have responded in creating the upgraded Sorento, The result is a new Kia model which is not just a cosmetic exercise but represents a major step forwards for our popular SUV which is sure to bring back existing Sorento customers and competitive owners who are becoming increasingly aware of the design ,engineering and quality that Kia offers “ , commented James Brooks Managing Director of Kia Motors Ireland.

“On a more practical level we are delighted to be offering a D segment 7 seater SUV that comes with AWD drive as standard at a very competitive price, unlike our major competitor in this segment where AWD is only available on higher trim models “ added Mr.Brooks .

To give the upgraded Sorento a fresh look that reflected the new model’s stronger structure, premium quality and enhanced specification, Kia’s design team restyled the upgraded vehicle’s front and rear, creating larger areas of body-colour surface. Careful attention to surface detailing cut aerodynamic drag to Cd 0.34.

Kia’s designers developed new front and rear bumpers with unconventional upright fog lights, a new front grille and headlamps with LED positioning lights, and a new tailgate with reshaped LED combination lamps. Depending on model, the Sorento’s updated styling can be completed with 17-inch, 18-inch or new, optional 19-inch alloy wheels.

A new two-part glass panoramic sunroof with a single powered roller-blind shade will be available.

Inside the upgraded Sorento’s cabin, numerous enhancements create a refreshed ambience, with premium high-tech equipment available on some models and an extended choice of options

Access to the cabin is improved by the lower ride height (down by 10 mm), and the cabin floor has also been lowered, increasing legroom by 30 mm (second row) and 9 mm (third row).

Kia’s engineers have implemented a host of measures to reduce NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) to ensure that the upgraded Sorento boasts even greater refinement than the previous model, making it one of the quietest vehicles in its class.

In the upgraded Sorento, the 2.2-litre, 197bhp TCI (turbo charged inter-cooler) engine features a new exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system which reduces CO2 emissions by 14% – down to as little as 155 g/km. Maximum torque is 436 Nm (automatic models) and 421 Nm (manual). The reduction in CO2 emissions from 171 to 155 brings the new Sorento into the C band for Irish customers with road tax of just €390 per year .

Every upgraded Sorento model will feature a manual or automatic six-speed transmission carried over from the previous model

The 4WD drivetrain is an ‘on demand’ system that delivers 100% of engine torque to the front wheels during all routine city and highway driving. Whenever a front wheel loses grip a percentage of torque (up to 50%) is automatically transferred to the rear wheels. In severely slippery conditions the driver can select ‘Lock Mode’ which delivers 50% of torque to both the front and rear axles.

Kia chassis engineers worked hard to ensure that while the upgraded Sorento gives rewarding responses to driver inputs, it also delivers a sophisticated ride/handling balance to rival the best vehicles in its class.

While the basic specification of the suspension is unchanged – front MacPherson struts and a multi-link set up at the rear – the subframes which support the suspension are completely new, stronger designs. They give more precise location of the suspension components and have revised mounting bushes to dampen vibrations. Larger suspension bushes, longer trailing arms at the rear and HPD (High Performance Dampers) work together to improve ride comfort and stability.

For precise vehicle control and good ‘feel’ the upgraded Sorento’s steering is now more direct, with 2.95 turns of the wheel lock-to-lock. Kia’s new FlexSteer™ system is an option, providing Normal, Sport and Comfort modes with three different weights to match customer preference.

When it was introduced in 2009, the second-generation Sorento was awarded a 5-Star Euro NCAP safety rating. Today, official crash test standards in Europe are much tougher and Kia engineers re-visited the upgraded Sorento’s structure and safety equipment to ensure that the new model will also win the accolade of a top safety score in Europe’s Euro NCAP and the USA’s official NHTSA crash tests.

Extensive revisions to the body shell, which already incorporates a higher percentage (70.4%) of high-tensile strength steel than most vehicles in its class, have improved front, side and rear impact protection. Hot stamping is used to heat steel to 900º C and press immensely strong components for the front bumper, centre floor member and rear floor side members – improving crashworthiness.

A bracing bar between the top of the front suspension towers is fitted and the bodyshell’s torsional rigidity has been raised by 18%, enhancing refinement and creating a stronger foundation for the suspension and steering, which benefits ride comfort and directional stability.

Inside, the upgraded Sorento are fitted with up to six front, side and curtain airbags, while for maximum stopping power, all upgraded Sorento models are equipped with larger diameter (320 mm) ventilated front disc brakes.

All upgraded Sorentos will be fitted with an AHS (active hood system) which raises the trailing edge of the hood during a collision to reduce the severity of pedestrian injury. Also standard on the new Sorento are active safety technologies including ESC (electronic stability control), VSM (vehicle stability management), and HAC (hill-start assist control), which prevents slip-back during stop-start driving on inclines.

News: Is Kia going to do a Range Rover rival?

Posted by Alex Bale Thursday, January 31, 2013

Kia could be about to launch a new range-topping 4x4 that would rival the likes of the VW Touareg, Land Rover Discovery and even the mighty Range Rover. The Cross GT (pictured above) is a concept car for the moment, but it will be shown at the Chicago Motor Show and Kia has a habit of putting its concept cars into production.

According to Kia, the Cross GT is “Inspired by nature, driven by technology” and is designed to sit in the range above the recently-updated seven-seat Sorento SUV. Nothing is known yet about the car's powertrain or interior, but according to Kia insiders its a definite nod in the direction of Kia's planned upmarket push. Flushed with success, the Korean car maker believes it should be able to compete with Volkswagen and Ford with models such as the Rio and Cee'd and take on the likes of BMW and Mercedes with high-end models like this.

A workable plan? We'll find out more in the coming months.

News: Citroen's DS range to double

Posted by Alex Bale Sunday, January 27, 2013

We've already seen the DS3, DS4 and DS5 but now Citroen is about to embark on a doubling of the semi-premium DS range, and we'll see the first fruits at the Shanghai Motor Show in April.

That's when Citroen will debut concepts of three new DS models; a compact four-door saloon in the mould of the new Mercedes CLA, an SUV crossover to take on the likes of the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 and a large luxury car, a true successor to the original DS, drawing heavily on the well-received Numbero 9 concept (above).

The fact that the cars are being shown in Shanghai is no coincidence; the DS brand is seen as crucial to Citroen's success in the Chinese market, where the brand carries none of the baggage that it does in Europe.

DS has been a massive success for Citroen so far, with 300,000 models sold in just over two years, 200,000 of them the dinky little DS3 hatchback. Sales in Ireland have been pretty unspectacular so far though. In the UK, DS models account for 30% of Citroen's overall sales. Here, it's just 4% and the total sales figures barely break the 100 car barrier. Citroen Ireland is planning a nationwide series of events for the DS range later this year though, with the newly-launched DS3 Cabrio as the centrepiece, not so much to try and flog DS models en masse as to re-introduce Irish car buyers to the mainstream Citroen range.

News: Bentley's controversial SUV gets the green light

Posted by Alex Bale Tuesday, January 22, 2013

First presented at last year's Geneva Motor Show, the Bentley EXP-9-F concept SUV garnered more than a fair share of controversy for its styling. But, like it or loathe it, the big Bentley is now definitely heading for production.

Speaking at last week's Detroit Motor Show, Bentley boss Wolfgang Schrieber told reporters that, in spite of rumours that the SUV had been delayed because of the continuing global economic turmoil, it was in fact underway and due to be introduced in 2016.

"The main intention was not to show the final styling but to get feedback from the market," said Schrieber. "If you saw the styling, you would say, 'That is a real Bentley.'"

The big Bentley will share its structure with the next-generations of VW Touareg, Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne, and will go on sale initially with the new 4.0-litre turbo V8 from the Continental GT and later with the mighty 6.0-litre W12.

News: Renault's Captur wants to box the Juke

Posted by Alex Bale Friday, January 11, 2013

They may be part of the same group, and even share a chassis, but the new Renault Captur is most definitely muscling in on the Nissan Juke's compact SUV territory.

Teased earlier this week and now revealed here in full, the Captur takes both chassis and styling cues from the just-launched new Clio but bulks everything up into a much more muscular shape. Is it just us or are there hints of the old Avantime in the overall shape and stance? Maybe just us. Whatever, it's a handsome beast and that is just as true on the inside, where again Clio elements have been taken, put on a bit of muscle and are looking pretty darned good.

Renault is claiming best in class fuel economy and the two key engines will be the TCe three-cylinder petrol turbo and the long serving 1.5 dCi diesel, an engine which should see the Captur's emissions fall as low as 96g/km.

The Clio has already been much praised for its dynamic performance, so we can hope that the Captur will prove as invigorating to drive. Will the fact that it's shorter (slightly) the the Juke compromise interior space too much though? We'll find out when the Captur makes its public debut at the Geneva motor show.

Between this the and Peugeot 2008, it's looking like a good year for compact French SUVs...

News: Renault attmepts to, ahem, Captur our attention

Posted by Alex Bale Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Teasing is usually a very good way to get people's attention. Well, it works in the school playground anyway, and Renault is obviously keen on getting our attention with this teaser image of the new Captur compact crossover.

Renault hasn't dipped its toes in the SUV world since the pretty disastrous debut in 2008 of the Koleos, a car about which the less said, the better. This new Captur should be a beast of a very different feather though, and while the image above may be cropped and monkeyed with, you can easily see the influence of the handsome new Clio shining through.

Oddly, the Captur will share a chassis with one of its most important rivals, the Nissan Juke, and will come to the market with the familiar 1.5 and 1.6 dCi diesel engines and the new three-cylinder turbo 900cc petrol TCe units too.

We'll get more details, and images, of the Captur at the end of this week, and it will get its full public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

News: Peugeot's crucial crossover revealed

Posted by Alex Bale Sunday, January 6, 2013

Peugeot's crucial new 2008 crossover has broken cover for the first time and it it couldn't be coming at a more significant time for the beleaguered French car maker.

Peugeot's woes over the past 12 months have been well-publicised, and even it's much-anticipated (and critically well received) 208 supermini simply hasn't sold in the numbers Peugeot needs it to. Which makes the 208-based 2008 more important than ever, as compact SUVs are one of the few growth markets in Peugeot's traditional European heartland right now, and is just the right segment to be entering if it wants to break into Asian and American markets in the future.

The 2008's 4.1-metre length pitches it straight against the likes of the Skoda Yeti, Nissan Juke and Opel Mokka, and although the range-topping engine will be the 150bhp 1.6-litre petrol turbo, expect most to be sold with either 1.4 or 1.6-litre HDI diesels.

No official figures yet, but it's safe to assume that there will be at least one sub-120g/km model, and possibly, given the 208's frugal nature, even a sub-100g/km version. Production starts at Mulhouse in France later this year, and the 2008 will also be built in burgeoning markets like Brazil and China.

These photos were not due to be released until the 2008's official debut at the Geneva motor show in March, but French website L'Argus got hold of them and once something's on t'internet, it's leaks ahoy...

News: Subaru shows off new Forester

Posted by Alex Bale Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Subaru has released the first official photos of the all-new Forester SUV, which will go on sale in Ireland next summer. Subaru claims that it will come with competitive pricing, and improved fuel economy.

The fourth-generation Forester builds upon the outgoing model’s credentials as a go-anywhere, user-friendly SUV, with improved performance, safety and efficiency and a larger, more practical cabin. Subaru’s unique Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system remains at the heart of the vehicle, while a low centre of gravity and improved body rigidity contribute to improved refinement and a typically engaging drive on the road.

Confirming the of the Forester, Subaru has also announced outline details of the engine line-up, which will include the existing 150bhp 2.0-litre Boxer diesel and petrol units, as well as a new high-performance 2.0-litre direct injection turbocharged petrol engine, producing 280bhp. That model is rather unlikely to reach Irish shores, sadly.

All engines will feature a six-speed manual transmission as standard, while Subaru’s Lineartronic (CVT) transmission is available as an option on petrol models. The Lineartronic transmission has been modified to manage the increased power while also providing improved fuel efficiency, and ensures that both CVT-equipped petrol engines achieve the 2015 Japanese fuel economy standard.

Road Test: BMW X1 18d Sport

Posted by Alex Bale Sunday, November 25, 2012

Price as tested: €47,670

+ Sharp chassis, more welcoming interior, practical, plenty of poke from smaller engine
– Still looks a little awkward, pricey
= Really quite a sweet car
In just two and a half years, the BMW X1 has notched up sales of more than a quarter of a million units, and that it without it being sold in the massive US car market, a situation BMW is well on the way to rectifying. If you ever doubted the massive current global appetite for classy, compact SUVs, then doubt it no more.

There is a massive slice of my brain that rails against these cars though. Take the specific car we’re testing here; €47k’s worth of X1 18d Sport. Yes, it’s chunky, good looking (if you appreciate the current BMW design idiom) and both decently spacious and practical. But for the same money, you could be in a lower-slung, better looking, better-driving BMW 3 Series Touring, a car that I believe to be just about perfect. Yet people will continue to flock to the X1.

Which should be abhorrent to me (I just love estates) and yet, with a few days in the X1’s company it easily charmed its way into my affections.

The styling has been updated for this year, with a new bumper, front airdam, tweaked lights and some other small adjustments. Cleverly, the converging lines of the bonnet’s power bulge and the upsweep of the front bumper actually makes a subtle X-shape. Clever, that.

Inside, the quality of materials used and the fact that the centre console has been redesigned (it now faces more obviously towards the driver) is genuinely welcoming. The Sport spec helps here, with figure-hugging seats that, in spite of a distinctly offset driving position, mean long journeys are very comfy experiences. In spite of being an X1, it’s pretty close to the 3 Series in space terms, and the boot out the back is large (420-litres), deep and square. A shame that the X1 doesn’t get a separate opening glass window in the tailgate (as does the 3 Touring) but hey, you can’t have everything.

Having some cake and eating it is the very point of the newly-fitted 18d diesel engine though. In spite of the name, it’s actually a de-tuned 2.0-litre (1,995cc to be exact) and pumps out 143bhp and 320Nm of torque. Those aren’t exactly ground-shaking figures, but actually the X1 feels plenty brisk and only starts to struggle when you get into the upper reaches of the rev band. Happily, with that much low-down torque, you won’t need to do that very much, so progress is swift and relaxed.

Thanks to BMW’s clever EfficientDynamics systems (a battery of fuel-saving tech including stop-start, brake energy recovery, a low-drain air conditioning compressor and more) the X1 18d returns impressive official figures of 5.4-litres per 100km (that’s 52mpg) and 143g/km of Co2. Impressively, those figures are attained with the optional 8-speed automatic gearbox fitted, as it was to our test car. It costs a whopping €2,191 but it’s so smooth, unobtrusive and effective that it just might be worth it. An auto that genuinely calls the need for a manual into question.

BMW has also clearly been at work on its suspension setups. A few years ago, a large-wheeled (17” alloys), stiffly-sprung BMW SUV in Sport spec would have been a recipe for loosened fillings and shattered spines. This time around though, although Germanic firm-ness is still the name of the game, there is a subtle suppleness that makes everything much more relaxing. And yet the BMW traditions of sharp handling and a balanced chassis are still there in spades. Meanwhile, the X-Drive all-wheel-drive system gives you terrific confidence in changing conditions. Or just when it’s chucking it down with rain. You can get a cheaper S-Drive version with rear-wheel-drive, but if you’re buying an SUV, shouldn’t it be 4wd?

One caveat though; the steering, which although communicative and brilliant at speed just weights up too much around town and at lower speeds. It’s just too darned heavy and surely that’s not good for the likely target market for these cars.

Still, with that one small flaw in the diamond, I’ve come away from the X1 really rather liking it. No, it’s not perfect and yes, I’d still overall have a 3 Series Touring for similar money, but if you’re into the whole SUV thing (and many, many of you are) and you fancy the famed Blue and White flag of Munich on your driveway (again; many, many) then this is a good place to start.

BMW X1 X-Drive 18d Sport
Price as tested: €47,670
Price range: €35,160 to €49,010
Capacity: 1,995
Power: 143bhp
Torque: 320Nm
Top speed: 195kmh
0-100kmh: 10.1sec
Economy: 5.4l-100km (52.3mpg)
CO2 emissions: 143g/km
Road Tax Band: C. €330
Euro NCAP rating: 5-star; 87% adult, 86% child, 64% pedestrian, 71% safety assist

Road Test: Honda CR-V 2.2 iDTEC SE

Posted by Alex Bale Friday, October 26, 2012

Price as tested: €37,785

+ Space, quality, comfort, steering, off-road ability, styling
– Cabin too plain for this price level, some refinement issues
= A solid SUV from Honda, but will find life tough against sharp competition

It seems almost crazy to think of it now, but back when the original Honda CR-V was launched, the Japanese brand controlled one quarter of the Irish SUV market. Back in 1998, it seemed, we just couldn't get enough of one of the original soft-roaders.

Spool forward to 2012 and things have changed rather a lot, not least of which, the CR-V itself. The outgoing generation was larger than before, and centered around a Diesel engine rather than the petrol-focused original. High in quality and comfort, it was a rival to the likes of the BMW X3 and Audi Q5 as much as its more obvious sparring partners, the Toyota RAV 4 and Ford Kuga. But good car though it was, the outgoing CR-V had to content itself with a much smaller slice of the market, not least because instead of the mere handful of rivals the 1998 original had to contend with, now there is an army of them.

With this new generation model of CR-V, Honda will be trying to claw back some of that original sales dominance and it's going about that in three distinct ways.

For a start, the new CR-V carries over the previous models' two most successful features; its cabin space and its 2.2-litre 148bhp diesel engine. The spacious interior and cavernous boot mark the new CR-V out as one of the few SUVs that can actually boast proper Utility; you can really cram it full of people and cargo, not something you can say for all of its rivals.

Meanwhile, the still-excellent 2.2-litre iDTEC engine, while it lacks outright power compared to such rivals, is still smooth, punchy and impressively economical. It has even managed to drop a tax band, from Band D to Band C, saving owners a significant amount in annual motor tax.

The second strand to the CR-V's strategy is its styling, which looks much bluffer and more striking than it did before. The old CR-V always looked a touch apologetic. This new one is much more assertive, and all the better for it.

Finally, Honda has realised that it must compete on price, and the most affordable version of the new CR-V clocks in with a €37,795 price tag – within €1,000 of its most significant new rival, the new Hyundai Santa Fe.

The CR-V can even trade equipment and specification blows with the Hyundai, for while it lacks some toys as standard (such as Bluetooth phone connection, and it also lacks the Hyundai's seven seat layout) the CR-V comes with four wheel drive as standard.

And that all-wheel-drive is not just there for show. Honda was quite happy for us to take our test car off into the muddy outback, slipping and sliding over surprisingly tough terrain. Few owners, if any, will put it to the test, but the CR-V can certainly tackle the rough stuff.

On the smooth, it's as good as ever, retaining the old CR-V's combination of tidy handling, a comfortable ride quality and sharp, alert steering. Again, it's very close to the Hyundai in dynamic terms, and that's a good ball park to be in.

There are two let-downs to the CR-V though, and both of them are inside. We've already mentioned the excellent space, and the seats, both front and rear, are comfy and supportive. But there's a lack of flair to the cabin design and layout, a sense of plain-ness that disappoints, especially given Honda's premium-status aspirations.

That's not helped by a distinct, bassy boom that comes up from under the boot floor, and makes its presence known throughout the cabin from speeds as low as 70kmh. It's a black mark against the CR-V's refinement, which is a shame.

Those two issues apart, though, it's hard not to like the CR-V. The new styling is pleasingly distinctive, the engine and chassis as good as ever and the cabin and boot as spacious as you could hope. We can't think of a good reason why it wouldn't be close to the top of your SUV shopping list.

Well, actually, there is one good reason. It's that this 2.2-litre, 4WD CR-V might not be the best CR-V to buy. Later in 2013, there will be a front-wheel-drive CR-V, using Honda's all-new 1.6-litre Diesel engine, that will be more affordable again and will, apparently, boast astonishingly low 99g/km Co2 emissions, putting this large, spacious SUV on a tax band par with the likes of a Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus. So while we like this new generation of CR-V, it might be worth holding off on buying one for a while yet...

Honda CR-V 2.2 iDTEC SE
Price as tested: €37,795
Price range: €37,795 to €50,095
Capacity: 2,199cc
Power: 148bhp
Torque: 350Nm
Top speed: 190kmh
0-100kmh: 9.7sec
Economy: 5.6l-100km (51mpg)
CO2 emissions: 149g/km
Road Tax Band: C. €330
Euro NCAP rating: Not yet tested

News: VW introduces Taigun, but loses profit

Posted by Alex Bale Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Volkswagen adds Taigun but drops profit. Has the financapocalypse finally gotten its dirty fingers into VW?

This is the new Taigun, a concept compact crossover that Volkswagen has just shown at the Sao Paulo motor show in Brazil. Why there? Simply because Brazil's burgeoning economy is one of the boom markets for new cars at the moment, and VW is keen to capitalise on its already strong market position there.

We've been told in recent weeks that VW is working on a new range of crossovers and SUVs, but this is a bit smaller than we expected. Instead of being a Polo-based rival to the likes of the Nissan Juke and Mini Countryman, it's actually built on the same platform as the VW Up, and is smaller again than the Juke.

It is a big bigger than the Up mind, with a 50mm longer wheelbase and a much bigger boot.

It gets a turbocharged version of the Up's 1.0-litre 75bhp petrol engine, boosting power to 100bhp. And will it make production? Almost certainly, in spite of VW saying that it's just a concept for now, and you can expect Skoda, Seat and Audi versions too.

It't not all good news for VW though. The German car giant is due to announce third quarter earnings of around €2.3-billion this week, which sounds great, but is actually a whopping 21% down on the same period last year.

Of course, some of that can be attributed to the fact that the ever-popular Golf is on a run-out now while we await the start of sales for the new MkVII version, but there's no doubt that the European car sales crisis has finally reached the door of VW Towers.

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