Following its global reveal last month, Land Rover confirms the new Discovery is already leading the field with class-leading residual values as rated by industry body CAP.

According to CAP, the new Land Rover Discovery is expected to retain 59% of its value over three years or 36,000 miles resulting in compelling finance offers for customers. Thanks to its combination of seven full sized seats, class leading towing capability, reduced fuel consumption and reduced CO₂, the new Discovery has broad appeal.

Jaguar Land Rover UK Managing Director, Jeremy Hicks said: “The new Discovery is already proving to be immensely competitive against the established competition. High residuals and reduced running costs mean that Discovery customers can enjoy all the improved benefits over the outgoing Discovery and its peers for less.

“The new Discovery is Land Rover’s most versatile and capable vehicle to date. It’s a do anything, anywhere vehicle that will appeal to new and existing customers. We have seen a fantastic response with over 6000 people registering on our website in just two weeks to find out more as we launch in the UK.”

The new model is available to order now with deliveries commencing in the spring in the UK priced from £43,495 on the road. In the UK, 600 ‘First Editions’ will be available from the start of sales priced at £68,295 on the road.

Nissan has announced that Qashqai models specified with 18” alloy wheels will now benefit from factory-fitted low resistance tyres delivering improved efficiency and reduced cost of ownership across the range.

The special tyre design means CO₂ and fuel consumption figures now match those of the 17” alloy wheel size, saving £130 in VED payments on some models with lower BIK across the line-up.

The update presents an enhanced offer for fleet and business users with all Qashqais equipped with 18” alloys gaining a 1% BIK improvement. On selected models this means BIK is as low as 19%, with combined fuel economy of up to 74.3mpg.

The improved efficiency of the tyres means dCi 110 engines on Acenta with Premium Pack, N-Connecta and N-Vision grades now deliver CO₂ emissions of just 99g/km. DiG-T 115 and dCi 130 4WD versions now emit 129g/km, which means they’re exempt from VED in the first year, saving customers £130.

The model improvements are outlined below:

*DiG-T 163 engine available on N-Connecta and N-Vision grades

Kieran McMenamin, Category Manager for Qashqai at Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd said; ‘Qashqai has always offered a great balance of style, technology and affordability so we’re delighted we’re improving the model yet again with these wheel improvements that will reduce cost of ownership, improve environmental credentials and add presence with the slightly larger alloy size.’

UK prices and specifications for the all-new ŠKODA Kodiaq have been announced ahead of its showroom debut early next year. ŠKODA’s first ever seven-seater SUV will start from just £21,495 (OTR) when ordering starts in November, and will be available from launch in four trim levels, five engine options, two and four-wheel drive, and a choice of manual or DSG gearboxes.

The Kodiaq will be available in 24 different variants when order books open in November. The range comprises three familiar trims; S, SE and SE L along with a new Edition grade that celebrates the arrival of the brand’s first ever seven-seater SUV.

S

The range starts with the S model that despite its entry level status and price tag of just £21,495 (OTR), is brimming with standard equipment. The specification list includes LED daytime running lights, 17-inch Ratikon alloy wheels, leather multifunction steering wheel and manual air-conditioning. S models also feature Front Assist, KESSY Go, Swing touchscreen infotainment system, DAB digital radio and SmartLink for seamless smartphone connectivity. The S model is available with a 1.4 TSI 125PS engine only.

SE

SE models are priced from £22,945 (OTR) and are available with a broad range of engine and transmission options (see table for availability). Standard specification includes 18-inch Elbrus alloy wheels, sunset glass, cruise control and rear parking sensors. Customers also benefit from a Bolero touchscreen infotainment system with eight-inch display, dual-zone climate control, rain and light sensors and auto-dimming rear view mirrors. Seven seats are available as a £1,000 option in SE trim.

SE L

Further up the range, SE L models start from £28,595 (OTR) and feature a generous specification list. Among the equipment highlights are seven seats, which now become standard, powered tailgate, 19-inch Sirius alloy wheels, and Columbus navigation system with WiFi. Drive Mode Select, Alcantara upholstery, heated front seats and full LED headlights are also included as standard on all SE L models.

Edition

Topping the range from launch is a new Edition trim grade. Created to showcase the Kodiaq’s exceptional range of equipment, Edition models start from £30,695 (OTR). Standard equipment includes 19-inch Triglav alloy wheels, seven seats, leather upholstery, metallic paint and chrome roof rails. Technology features include Lane Assist, High Beam Assist, wireless charging and phone box, and Blind spot detection.

As we prepare to gain an hour of sleep the days are getting shorter as darkness is falling all over. Many of us will be off on the morning commute and it can be daunting driving in the dark for the first time in months. Here are some tips to prepare drivers and riders for driving in the twilight zone from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards Richard Gladman.

• Familiar routes can pose totally different challenges in the dark so make sure you are wide awake and looking out for pedestrians and cyclists in the gloom
• Check your car lights. They are there for your safety and those around you. Do a daily walk around to check all lights are working and use a wall or garage door to check the rear lights if you are on your own. Changing a bulb on a modern car is often a garage – only job so get it done before the police stop you and issue a ticket or repair notice
• As well as being seen you need to see so get an eyesight check-up. It is vital to have your sight checked regularly as this may heavily affect your night vision. With age your eyes take in less light, no matter how fit you may feel, so be aware of your limitations
• Don’t blind me! One of the biggest night-time hazards is the dazzle affect caused by the bright light from on-coming motors. Dip your headlight when you meet other vehicles
• Carry a basic emergency kit. Anything can happen at night and it is important to be prepared. Having a tool kit, torch, map and a first aid kit (if you don’t have one already) can make a real difference
• A fully charged mobile with the details of your breakdown cover is another must

Richard said: “Per mile driven the risk of a crash is actually higher at night despite the quieter roads. Getting used to night-time driving can take time so take it easy until the old skills come back and you can start to enjoy the new challenges.”

TomTom has researched the 25 best driving routes in Europe and you can now download them directly onto your sat nav device.

These stunning routes include the remote yet spectacular Atlantic Ocean Road in Norway – just 5.1 miles long, it runs across a series of tiny islands with the sea either side and mountains in the distance.

Portugal’s Estoril Ocean Drive and driving round Lake Como are also among the best, along with Greece’s The Peloponnesus.

You can search for these routes by the kind of experience you enjoy – such as best mountain roads, perfect coastal drives, top historic explorations and ultimate woodland routes.

Just select the ones you want at www.tomtom.com and download them for free onto your sat nav device.

The UK’s most amazing drive according to TomTom is the Inverness to Nairn Circular in Scotland.

Ireland’s Causeway Coastal Route is one of the best for seeing the sea, whilst the New Forest in Hampshire is a spectacular woodland drive.

SsangYong has announced the launch of the Musso one-tonne pick-up powered by a smooth and refined 2.2 litre Euro 6 turbo-diesel engine.

Designed to appeal to those who need a competitively priced work truck, the practicality of 4-wheel drive, the towing capability to haul up to 3 tonnes yet also the appointments of a family car, it’s ideal for towing a work trailer, boat trailer or horse box.

“Our commercial vehicles represent an intrinsic part of the SsangYong range,” says Paul Williams, CEO of SsangYong Motor UK, “and we decided to reintroduce the Musso name to differentiate this superb utility truck from our passenger cars.  Musso – which means rhinoceros in Korean – is a tough, robust proposition for any trade, and with a specification, price and warranty no others can compete with.”

The new Musso goes on sale in the UK this month, and will feature a newly developed Euro 6 turbo-diesel engine to meet the demand for a more powerful performance and lower CO2 emissions at the same time.  Maximum power is 178PS and torque 400Nm, with maximum torque delivered from a low of 1,400rpm and maintained through a wide range up to 2,800rpm for smooth, progressive driving from the start.

The new Musso is fitted with multi-link rear suspension and progressive rear coil springs – the only pick-up at this price to offer such a system – which gives a relaxed and comfortable car-like ride, while also carrying over a tonne weight on its load deck.

There are two models in the range.  The SE includes a new-look front grille and dashboard, as well as silver finish 18” alloy wheels and hard wearing ‘leather look’ TPU seat upholstery.  It is priced from £15,995 ex VAT.

The EX is distinguished by black 18” alloy wheels, roof rails, front LED daytime running lights, leather with heated front seats, power operated driver’s seat, automatic air conditioning, automatic headlights, rain sensing wipers, 7” touchscreen RDS radio with iPod and Bluetooth.  The EX with manual transmission is priced at £17,995 ex VAT, and with a six speed Aisin automatic £18,995 ex VAT.

Sales of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV have topped the 25,000 mark in the UK, accounting for approximately half of the total number of plug-in hybrids registered in the UK since the very first of such vehicles were registered in 2010.

By the time the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV was launched in May 2014, a total of just 2,770 plug-in hybrids had been registered for use on UK roads but by the end of 2014 that total had risen to just over 10,000 vehicles, with the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV accounting for 5,354 of those vehicles.

By the end of 2015 a total of 13 plug-in hybrid models had entered the market, bringing total segment registrations to 19,000 vehicles, yet despite the increased competition the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV continued to resonate with customers seeking an ecologically-sound vehicle that didn’t compromise their practical needs or their budgets. Of those 19,000 vehicles, 11,681 were Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV registrations, accounting for 61 percent of the burgeoning segment. So far in 2016 Mitsubishi Motors in the UK continues to lead the field, with almost 7,800 Outlander PHEV registrations in the first three quarters of the year.

Lance Bradley, Managing Director Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, commented, “We’re extremely proud of the role the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has played in building awareness and acceptance of electrically-powered vehicles in the UK and thanks to its unmatched combination of practicality, ease-of-use, elegant styling and low running costs, we are confident of maintaining our market-leading position well into the future.”

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is now even more affordable thanks to a new three years’ zero-percent finance and zero deposit* offer, as well as competitive PCP deals with a deposit contribution of £2,500*. In addition, all new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV customers are eligible to have a 3.6kW Chargemaster Homecharge unit, which is worth £279, supplied and installed at no cost to the customer. The Chargemaster Homecharge unit charges 60% faster than a standard 13A socket and is the quickest, safest and easiest way to charge the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV at home.

The Indian summer was fun while it lasted but make way for the hats, scarves and wellies because winter is on its way. The temperature is gradually dropping reminding us that we have to make sure we have our de-icers ready. Here are some tips to prepare motor users for the winter from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards Richard Gladman.

• No bobble heads. Keep the windscreen clear. Try to get scratches, abrasions and chips fixed as colder temperatures can worsen the damage. Keep the windscreen washer topped up with a more concentrated screen wash mix to ensure it doesn’t freeze in action. Lastly, search in the garage for last year’s de-icing spray or better still invest in a new one
• Check your tyres. 1.6mm may be the legal limit but anything under 3mm will see a potential fall off in grip and braking performance. If long-term cold weather is forecast, and you can afford it, invest in a set of winter tyres approved by your car manufacturer. Don’t follow urban driver myths of reducing the tyre pressure to get more grip –  it simply doesn’t work
• Set up a pre-winter check list. List things that need to be checked such as the car battery, bulbs, wiper blades and electrics. You don’t want to be stranded in a cold car in the middle of night waiting for the recovery team to get you up and running again
• Dress appropriately for the weather. It may be surprising but too many drivers dress based on a working car heater.  If it breaks or you are stranded you can easily be caught cold
• Start to plan for the really bad weather with a survival kit in the boot. Spare clothes, a torch, mobile phone charger, some emergency rations such as water and chocolate and a tow rope and shovel to help yourself and others.

Richard said: “winter is unpredictable but highway authorities are already planning for it by building up their salt stocks and getting the snow clearing equipment out of storage. If they are getting ready then why shouldn’t you? With a little bit of preparation you can avoid getting stuck and adding to the problems that bad weather can bring”

Mitsubishi Motors customers purchasing a new Outlander PHEV, the UK’s best-selling zero-emissions capable vehicle, can now have a Mitsubishi-approved Chargemaster Homecharge unit supplied and fully installed completely free of charge.

Private, business and fleet customers will save £279 on a 3.6kW Chargemaster Homecharge unit, which includes full standard domestic installation. The unit charges the Outlander 60% faster than a 13A socket and is the quickest, safest and easiest way to charge at home.

To keep drivers fully-charged when away from home, all new Outlander PHEVs also come with a free POLAR Plus membership card, which gives unlimited instant access to Chargemaster’s rapidly-expanding network of over 5,000 public charging points for a six month period. As the UK’s largest charging network, this means Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV drivers can access more than three times as many public charging points than those of any other network and makes recharging away from home easy and hassle-free.

Chargemaster is the exclusive official charging partner of Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, renowned for its customer service and satisfaction scores, as well as the quality and reliability of its units, which come with a three-year guarantee. Chargemaster’s dedicated Homecharge team makes the whole process as simple as possible. Its specialist engineers aim to complete a trouble-free installation for an Outlander PHEV customer within two weeks – available nationwide.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV drivers can apply for this offer online, at www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk/chargepoint or by calling the Chargemaster Homecharge team on 01582 399 412.

David Martell, Chargemaster CEO, said: “Customers buying a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV can make the best use of its range by charging it every day. Our free Homecharge offer now makes this even easier. Chargemaster is committed to making charging easy and accessible for every EV motorist, and the team can’t wait to get started on the campaign and future Homecharge installations to support Mitsubishi.”

This offer is open to new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV customers registered between 14 October and 28 December 2016, with an installation date of 31st January 2017 or earlier, who are also eligible for the OLEV Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme grant, requiring standard installation.

A total of 50 engineers and 40 cars are ready to cover 25,000 kilometres and perform 80 tests in the desert region of southern Spain where daytime temperatures soar to 45°C in the shade. This is extreme summer testing, one of the world’s most demanding performance exams for cars, a genuine boot camp that lasts three weeks.

It’s the SEAT Ateca’s turn, but what kind of extreme tests are a vehicle put through? Here are some examples.

• Traction and controlled descent test. This tests the traction control systems on declines of up to 35% and how the Hill Descent Control performs; this system guarantees a controlled descent without the driver having to activate the brake pedal as well as the automatic enabling of the ABS system where necessary.
• Towing control test. There is a greater risk of losing control of a vehicle when pulling a trailer. This test verifies the performance of the Trailer Stability Program, which is a system that helps the car remain stable when it has a hitched trailer.
• Klapper test. A typical car has over 3,000 parts. This test ensures that all the components work in perfect harmony and do not cause any irritating noises for the passengers, no matter the type or condition of the surface being driven on.
• Dust intake test. A lead car drives through the desert leaving a large dust cloud in its wake, immediately followed by the car being tested to determine the service life of the air filter.
• Gravel test. The vehicles are driven 3,000 kilometres on a specific gravel course to analyse the impacts made by gravel on the entire undercarriage, wheel arches and the exterior and under surface of the bumpers. The goal is to ensure all the parts will resist during the vehicle’s service life.