The luxury SUV was created in 1970 when Land Rover launched the original Range Rover. Almost half a century later that spirit of innovation continues with the introduction of the fourth member of the Range Rover family, to be unveiled on 1 March 2017.

Elegant simplicity, a visually reductive approach and pioneering consumer technology are the hallmarks of the new Range Rover Velar.

Land Rover Chief Design Officer, Gerry McGovern, said: “We call the Velar the avant garde Range Rover.  It brings a new dimension of glamour, modernity and elegance to the brand. The Range Rover Velar changes everything.”

Refined for every occasion, for every terrain, Velar uses unique sustainable materials and advanced engineering to continue Land Rover’s drive to go Above and Beyond.

The origin of the Velar name dates back to the first Range Rover prototypes of the Sixties: the pioneers of the luxury SUV landscape.

When development engineers needed to hide the true identity of the 26 pre-production Range Rovers, they chose the name Velar, derived from the Latin velare meaning to veil or cover.

Road safety and breakdown recovery organisation GEM Motoring Assist has assembled a selection of easy-to-follow seven tips that will save you fuel as well as reduce your risk on the road.

“Any driver can make good use of these tips, starting right now,” says GEM road safety officer Neil Worth. “The result should be not just better fuel economy, but also a reduction in risk through better anticipation of hazards.

“Fuel-efficient driving goes hand in hand with improving your driving skills and boosting road safety, as well as reducing emissions and pollution. As well as reduced risk, you should find the whole driving experience a lot less stressful.”

Here are GEM’s seven tips:

1. Choose an easy-on, easy-off style. Economical and environmental driving techniques focus on a relaxed approach to acceleration. Using brakes wastes fuel, so try to anticipate what’s happening as far ahead as possible. This means you’re making best use of your car’s energy, and ensuring an altogether safer, lower-risk style of driving.

2. Slow down. Most cars are at their most efficient around 50mph, and for every five miles an hour over 60 you drive, you will lose around six per cent of your fuel economy.

3. Use the gears. Aim to get into a high gear promptly (but not so quickly that you strain the engine). This helps reduce your car engine’s thirst.

4. Check your tyres. Keep them properly inflated and make regular checks on their condition. Even a slight reduction in pressure will lead to greater resistance on the road, meaning you will spend more on fuel and on tyres.

5. Switch it off. Don’t let your engine sit running on idle If you’re sitting in a queue for more than 30 seconds, or simply parked up waiting for someone, switch the engine off.

6. Look after your car.A properly maintained car stands a better chance of running economically.

7. Know where you’re going. Don’t waste fuel by being lost in your car. Journeys will take less time if you plan a route.

For a more detailed line-up of eco-driving tips, take a look at https://www.motoringassist.com/motoring-advice/general-motoring/money-and-environment/fuel-efficient-driving/

SsangYong Motor Company will unveil its XAVL SUV concept at the International Geneva Motor Show.

XAVL is a further iteration of the XAV concept which was presented at the Frankfurt motor show in 2015.  Inspired by the classic Korando model of the 1990s, XAVL – the eXciting Authentic Vehicle Long SUV – presents a tough and masculine looking SUV concept that blends advanced convenience and the practicality of a multi-purpose MPV.

XAVL accommodates seven passengers in comfort and provides wide inner space with a user-friendly interface, that includes connected car technology and digital display.

XAVL is also equipped with a suite of new safety aids for pedestrians as well as the driver and passengers, and is powered by both petrol and new clean-burning diesel engines.

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has named its all-new SUV “Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross”.

As befits its sharp, coupé-like contours, the Eclipse Cross name references the Eclipse sports car which amassed more than 1.4 million sales, mainly in North America between 1989 and 2012, while also referring to the cross-functional SUV nature of this new car.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross will line up alongside the Mitsubishi ASX and Mitsubishi Outlander to broaden the brand’s model range and introduce a whole new audience to Mitsubishi Motors, a name long associated with stylish, reliable and capable SUVs and 4X4s.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross will debut at the Geneva Motor Show (Hall 2, Stand 2130) on March 7 2017, finished in a deep gloss red metallic, a new colour specially developed for this new model using an innovative painting process.

Revised in 2014 the ŠKODA Yeti SUV’s new exterior design, upgraded interior and enhanced specification levels mean the Yeti continues to charm UK buyers with its on-road performance, family orientated practicality and rugged styling.

Building on the already generous specification of the Yeti SE, which includes dual-zone climate control, cruise control, rear parking sensors and Bluetooth telephone connectivity, SE Drive adds Amundsen satellite navigation with DAB radio, auto-dimming rear view mirror, heated windscreen, heated front seats and front parking sensors. SE Drive models are further distinguished by new seat upholstery and distinctive 17-inch Matterhorn alloy wheels.

Based on the SE L trim, SE L Drive models benefit from all of the above plus leather upholstery, LED rear lights, part silver roof rails, 17-inch Origami alloy wheels and Bi-Xenon headlights.

The Yeti SE Drive and SE L Drive are available with three engines; two diesels and one petrol. The 1.2 TSI petrol engine generates 110PS and buyers can choose from a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG automatic gearbox. The 2.0-litre TDI 110PS comes with a manual gearbox and the option of four-wheel drive. Those choosing the more powerful 2.0-litre TDI 150PS will benefit from four-wheel drive as standard.

Online used car dealership Carspring has found that the UK new car market is the second-quickest depreciating in the world. It’s good news for used car buyers here, who are able to pick up the average 34,700-mile car for around 51.90% less than its ‘new’ value. Only New Zealand provides better value for those looking to buy a used car, with Carspring calculating used cars will have lost 53.67% in value after 34,700 miles.

Measuring used cars for sale in the UK’s five biggest cities, both online and at bricks and mortar retailers, Carspring also found which brands are quickest to lose value and which are slowest. Taking the top five models from each brand, Carspring discovered that Toyota models lost the most value, at 74.59%, with Peugeot and Honda following behind with 70.19% and 65.94% respectively. The British-built MINI line-up, Audi and Volkswagen models all held their value best.

Carspring’s Co-founder Maximilian Vollenbroich said: “Our data shows that the United Kingdom is very much a second-hand-buyers’ market. There’s a huge amount of choice, driving down prices by more than 70% in some cases on cars that have covered just under 35,000 miles – with the reliability of modern cars, that’s almost good-as-new.”

Carspring also put together a Global Used Car Price Index, taking into account currency valuations, VAT and tariffs among others, in which the United Kingdom also finished second, just behind America. In contrast, Singapore – which levies huge taxes on new cars – is the most expensive country for buying a used car, closely followed by Denmark, Norway and Finland.

Land Rover’s new Discovery arrives in retailers this week giving customers the first opportunity to test the SUV on UK roads. Even before the fifth generation of the world-renowned and much loved Discovery reaches retailers, more than 4,000 have already been sold in the U.K. alone with more than 20,000 sold globally.

Jeremy Hicks, Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover UK said, “It’s a special moment when a new vehicle arrives in our retailers and after months of planning, that moment is finally upon us. As of this moment our customers can see the new Discovery at their local retailer in the metal. We are very proud of the new Discovery, it does everything its predecessor does and more. With increased efficiency, improved versatility and clever technology for the whole family we have seen over 4000 new and existing UK customers order the new model even before its arrival at the retailer.”

Since its reveal at Packington Hall, Solihull in September when the new Discovery was unveiled against a Guinness World Record-breaking lego backdrop, the new Discovery has been on display as part of a national tour. New and existing customers were invited to Land Rover’s Solihull manufacturing site where the Discovery is built; it then continued to visit all Land Rover retailers nationally. Discovery has also been making an impact at high-profile events and locations including ‘Big Game 9’ at Twickenham in December and the London Boat Show in January.

Outside of these activities, customers have only been able to experience the new Discovery though a Virtual Reality experience, but now, customers can see, touch and drive the SUV.

Retailers have been preparing for the new arrival for some time, undertaking rigorous training at Land Rover’s off-road facility at Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire. Driving new Discovery against a sample of competitor vehicles, the new Discovery was put through its paces on- and off-road with classroom-style sessions demonstrating the vehicle’s capability, versatility and connected technologies.

New research has uncovered widely varying levels of honesty from drivers around the country when it comes to owning up to their loved one about accidental damage they have caused to their partners car.

Drivers in London and the West Midlands were most open with their partners with nine out of ten admitting they had caused the damage. Meanwhile at the other end of the scale, only one in three of those surveyed in the North East confessed of the damage to their partner.

The survey which was carried out by alloy wheel protection specialists, AlloyGator, found that the average cost of repairing damage to a car caused by a partner totalled £779, and while some incidents were as serious as crashing the car the most common accidents were scraping doors, damaging bumpers, damaging alloys and cigarette burns to the interior.

Female drivers were most likely to cause accidental damage while behind the wheel of their other halves car, with 15 percent causing accidental damage, compared to 11 percent of males. Women were also more likely to think they could get away with it with 21 percent of females failing to own up to their partner, compared to 15 percent of men.

“Many drivers really love their cars, investing a lot of time and care into them so handing over the keys to their other half can be a true test of trust for couples. Nobody wants to find a scratch in their shiny paintwork or a gouge in their pristine alloy wheels, so when it happens it can frequently lead to arguments and bad feeling, not to mention expensive repair bills,” comments Curt Rathbone, managing director at AlloyGator.

“Interestingly, it turns out most people are tremendously afraid of damaging someone else’s car, but when you drive a car that you don’t regularly use it’s easy to misjudge the bonnet length, the car size or the wheel size, which can often lead to scraped doors, bumpers and alloy wheels. Fitting AlloyGators can protect your wheels and remove one potential hazard and one potential argument, giving you both more piece of mind.”

Made from super-tough nylon, AlloyGators fit between the cars tyre and wheel rim, protecting the wheel and reducing the risk of damage caused by scuffs from kerbs and potholes. With 15 colours to choose from, including, discrete black and silver, as well as pink, red, gold and glow in the dark, the only thing couples will have to argue over is what colour to get.

Drivers looking to find out more about protecting and customising their car with AlloyGators should visit www.alloygator.com to find out the location of their nearest approved fitter.

Winter prangs are costing motorists £150 million more compared to during the summer, with approximately 70,000* more accidents occurring according to the latest statistics.

Frosty roads and rainy weather have been causing havoc for British motorists, who see a 15%* rise in accidents during the winter months from January-March when compared to the equivalent June-August summertime figure.

The research by accident aftercare specialist, Accident Exchange, also found that the rush to get home in the evenings coincided with a 5-6pm peak in accidents. The traditional rush hour meant at its height, numbers were up by 30%** against the average of any given hour during the day, as lower visibility and high congestion takes its toll.

Higher fatigue toward the end of the week will have likely played a part in making Friday the worst day of the week for motorists with 19% more accidents happening than on average during the week.

More specifically, Accident Exchange also found that the heaviest spike in accidents fell on the last Friday before the May Day bank holiday, with 75% more accidents than the average.

In 2017, that day falls on the 28^th of April, which could see an increase in recorded accidents of approximately 10,500 versus 6,000 on a typical day.

Scott Hamilton-Cooper, operations director at Accident Exchange commented: “With a mixture of poor weather and visibility, additional congestion and inevitable fatigue toward the end of the week, it’s no surprise that the winter months experience this kind of surge in accidents.”

“With one of the coldest January’s on record already under our belts, motorists will have been even more prone to ice, slippery roads and fog which could easily see this number rise even further.”

The study examined 28,000 incidents recorded by Accident Exchange between January 2015 and December 2016.

* Data analysis of 28,000 accidents by Accident Exchange found 26.78% accidents occurred from January to March and 23.455% accidents from June to August, an increase of 14.18%. There are an estimated 2.2 million accidents annually across the UK. Total winter accidents can be worked out as 26.78% of 2.2 million equals 589,182, and the summertime equivalent is 23.455% of 2.2 million which equals 516,010.

The period from January to March therefore sees 73,172 more accidents annually than June to August. The average cost to repair a damaged vehicle is estimated at £2,050. Therefore, £2,050 x 73,172 equals £150,002,600 which is the additional cost of accidents during winter compared to summer.

**Compared to average accidents in any given hour between 10am – 6pm.

The new generation D-Max arrives in the UK this Spring, and customers can now register their interest in the new truck.

D-Max has been extensively overhauled with the biggest changes under the bonnet. A brand new 1.9 litre turbo diesel engine has been fitted, which produces 164 PS and 360Nm of torque. The engine builds upon D-Max’s workhorse character and retains the 3.5 tonne towing capacity and 1 tonne payload whilst providing a quieter, more refined and economical driving experience.  Another key benefit is that the new engine meets Euro 6 standards without the need for addition of AdBlue.

As per previous D-Max models, Shift-On-The-Fly 4×4 is a key feature of the 17MY truck. The rotary dial allows the driver to select four-wheel drive on the move as well as low range gears.

Finally, the D-Max comes with a five-year / 125,000-mile warranty, and was the first pick-up in the UK to be offered with such a comprehensive peace-of-mind package.  Running costs are kept down by 12,000-mile or 24-month service intervals, five years recovery and European cover, a three-year paint warranty, and a six-year anti-corrosion warranty.