At 4.70m long and with up to seven seats and the largest boot in its class, the ŠKODA Kodiaq is the brand’s first large SUV.

“With the ŠKODA Kodiaq, we are striking out in a new direction and opening up new markets,” says ŠKODA CEO Bernhard Maier. “With our first large SUV, we are conquering a new segment for the brand – and new customer groups. Our new addition to the ŠKODA model range is truly as strong as a bear: it makes the brand even more attractive thanks to its concept, striking design and as the first ŠKODA that has the option of always being online and thereby offering more comfort, safety and real-time information.The ŠKODA Kodiaq is at the forefront of ŠKODA’s extensive SUV campaign.”

ŠKODA Board Member for Technical Development, Christian Strube, added, “The ŠKODA Kodiaq offers all of our brand’s strengths: well-thought-out functionality, superior interior space and excellent value for money. The largest boot compared to the competition and the optional third row of seats alone make our new SUV the ideal companion for day-to-day demands. And when it comes to driver assistance systems, infotainment and connectivity, the ŠKODA Kodiaq proves ŠKODA’s innovative capabilities, offering the technology of higher classes and therefore putting itself at the top of its segment.”

Nissan has created the world’s largest sculpture using innovative 3Doodler 3D pen technology, drawing a full-sized replica of the new Qashqai Black Edition to celebrate the car’s launch.

The artwork was painstakingly hand-drawn by a talented team of 3D pen artists, using pens supplied by 3Doodler. They worked with true attention to detail to ensure their creation expressed the premium design and refined sophistication of the new crossover – which is on sale now.

The Nissan Qashqai is Europe’s most popular crossover. While Nissan produces 58 every hour at its plant in Sunderland, UK, this bespoke version took 800 man-hours to complete over a three-week period. The final sculpture is 4.4 metres long and 1.6 metres high – the same as the Nissan Qashqai Black Edition.

The real Nissan Qashqai Black Edition is limited to just 3,360 units across Europe to ensure its exclusivity. Based on flagship Tekna trim level, it has been enhanced further by a number of contemporary styling features. These include smart 19-inch ‘Ibiscus’ black alloy wheels, signature Black Edition door sills, plus front and rear silver styling plates. The car is also available with Qashqai’s panoramic glass roof, creating an even more stylish and sophisticated exterior and interior ambience.

With its latest finance offers, the brand is increasing its deposit contributions on its Dacia Dimensions finance scheme to £650 and £750 on the Sandero and Sandero Stepway respectively. The Logan MCV and the Duster also continue to be available with customer deposit contributions – £500 for the estate car and £750 for the Duster SUV.

In addition, customers who take advantage of the Dacia Dimensions PCP offers also enjoy five years’ care-free motoring with a five-year/60,000 mile warranty on their new Dacia – a free upgrade from three years/60,000 miles, worth £395 when bought separately.

The five-door Sandero Stepway crossover is available from £104 per month after a customer deposit of £1,451. Also a four-year PCP, this particular offer is available on the Ambiance TCe 90 version which includes integrated satellite-navigation, MP3-compatible CD player with Bluetooth^™ connectivity, electric windows, parking sensors and air conditioning.

Also on a four-year PCP offer, the Duster SUV is available from £154 per month with a deposit of £853. This Duster offer is on the Ambiance SCe version, which is powered by a 1.6 115 bhp engine, and as standard includes ESC with ASR (Traction Control), 16-inch wheels, height adjustable driver’s seat, front fog lights, 4x20w DAB/FM/AM tuner with steering column-mounted fingertip controls, remote central locking, electric front windows, Bluetooth^™ and USB connectivity.

Customers can upgrade from the complimentary five-year/60,000 mile warranty to a seven-year/100,000 mile warranty for a one-off fee of just £395.

www.dacia.co.uk/offers

To further celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of the Subaru Boxer engine, Subaru have announced the introduction of the Forester Special Edition.

On sale from the 1^st September, 100 units will be produced and will be priced at £29,995 for the petrol Lineartronic and £31,495 for the diesel Lineartronic. Based on the XC Premium model, the Special Edition model comes with £1,500 of additional equipment at no extra cost. Both models come with Subaru’s comprehensive five-year, 100,000-mile warranty.

Unique equipment for the Forester Special Edition includes Hunter Green Metallic Paint, front, side and rear under guards, wheel arch extensions and stainless steel cargo step panel as well as Special Edition brown leather seats with brown leather interior door grips, centre armrest and centre panel uprights.

Other equipment on the Forester Special Edition includes Subaru Starlink; a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment, connectivity and navigation system, Hill Descent Control (HDC), X-Mode system, which intelligently manages the car’s power and torque, brakes and drivetrain to maintain traction on even the most slippery surfaces.

“The SUV market has seen rapid growth and our new Tivoli launched last year is already the best-selling model launched by SsangYong,” said Paul Williams, CEO of SsangYong Motor UK.  “Some 100,000 have now been sold around the world.

“Tivoli has been praised universally for meeting a number of customer requirements, not least its ability to carry five adults in comfort, and for having one of the largest boot capacities in its class.

“Now SsangYong has gone a step further by launching an extended car to provide even more carrying capacity and practicality, and we believe that this will enable us to compete with SUVs such as the Nissan Qashqai, but also station wagon style cars like the MINI Clubman, Skoda Yeti & Roomster and other small estates.”

Prices start from just £18,250 for the Tivoli XLV 1.6 diesel manual 2WD – that’s just £1,000 more than for the equivalent Tivoli ELX – £19,250 with automatic transmission, £19,500 for the Tivoli XLV 1.6 diesel manual 4×4, and £20,500 for the 4×4 with automatic.

Sharing the same platform and 2,600mm wheelbase as the Tivoli, the XLV features a lengthened body from behind the C pillar, an increase of 238mm over the standard car, expanding the load capacity to a huge 720 cubic litres of space.  Meanwhile, the styling cues that distinguish Tivoli are retained, including its harmoniously fused SUV body design, sports coupé look and floating roofline.

Designed to offer a multi-role, multi-function solution to a wide range of customers, Tivoli XLV provides just the versatility needed to meet individual lifestyles: family car for lugging baby buggies and cots for small children, bikes and golf clubs for the sports-minded, and materials or business equipment during the working week.

Passenger safety has been a top priority for this car, and comes with seven airbags including front, side and curtain airbags plus a driver’s knee airbag, multi-function ESP (Electronic Stability Program), Active Rollover Protection, Brake Assist, Hill Start Assist and ESS (Emergency Stop Signal), a tyre pressure monitoring system and a warning reminder on all five seat belt positions.

Tivoli XLV is offered with a Euro 6 compliant 1.6 litre diesel engine, and matched with the option of a 6-speed manual transmission or 6-speed Aisin automatic, two-wheel drive or 4×4.

He may have retired from professional cycling, but Sir Chris Hoy has been spotted back on two wheels. The former-Olympian managed the tricky technique of two-wheel driving in a Nissan Juke, with just two days of instruction.

Under the guidance of world-record-breaking stuntman Terry Grant, Sir Chris spent one day at Silverstone Motor Circuit and another at Kendrew Barracks, learning to drive the specially modified Juke crossover.

To see a video of the stunt, click here: https://youtu.be/Uar4wDxGGUA

Driving on two wheels or ‘skiing’ is a stunt made famous over the years from James Bond films, Knight Rider and the Dukes of Hazzard amongst others. The activity requires precision, advanced handling techniques and a good deal of driver instinct.

On Sir Chris’ first day, a roll cage was fitted for cabin protection whilst a specially-engineered stabilizer wheel on the outside prevented the car flipping onto its roof. After Terry demonstrated the required techniques, Chris attempted the challenging stunt for the first time. After several attempts the former Olympian was beginning to get the hang of it, even achieving a few controlled drives of short distances with just two wheels on the ground.

At the second session, Hoy’s confidence and consistency improved to the point where Terry was comfortable removing the stabilizer wheel. Despite the added pressure of having nothing to stop the vehicle rolling over, he quickly rose to the challenge, taking the ramp at the correct angle and velocity, catching the Juke before it rolled over and then driving balanced on two wheels. In one of the following runs he even managed a 400 metre distance – an achievement that brought huge cheers from the watching team.

Terry Grant commented; “Chris nailed it two for two! Driving on two wheels in two days – most people would take two months to master that. I think it highlights his ability to soak up instruction and apply discipline to something that’s both mentally and physically challenging – of which he’s got plenty of experience. Operating under pressure and being in control at all times, they’re the skills you need for this stunt. To master it in such a short period of time though, I’m really impressed.”

Sir Chris added; “I loved it. I never thought it would be as much fun as it was, but I just wanted to keep going. On day one I felt like I was only getting a first foot on the ladder and it’d be weeks before I’d be driving without the safety net. Then today when they took the stabilizer wheel off and there was the risk of rolling the car, the pressure didn’t get to me. I remembered Terry’s instructions and it all came together. When I caught the roll and was suddenly driving on two wheels it was such a rush of adrenaline and relief in equal measure – an amazing experience. Thanks to Terry and Nissan for allowing me to add another string to my driving bow.”

Land Rover introduces its most efficient Range Rover Sport ever. For 2017, the latest Range Rover Sport features an efficient Ingenium powertrain, upgraded infotainment system with connectivity and wifi capability, innovative new semi-autonomous driving connected technologies and greater scope for personalisation.

At 2017 Model Year, Range Rover Sport will debut the new 2.0-litre four-cylinder Ingenium diesel engine, manufactured at Jaguar Land Rover’s own engine plant in Wolverhampton.  Already available on both Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque models, Ingenium is Jaguar Land Rover’s new breed of engine designed for effortless performance, refinement and efficiency. Its advanced technology and all-aluminium construction contribute to impressive fuel consumption (45.6mpg) and CO₂ emissions (164g/km) and a 0-60 time of 8.0 seconds (manufacturer’s estimated data).

UK customers will also have the option of specifying Jaguar Land Rover’s 3.0-litre V6 supercharged petrol engine from 2017 Model Year. The supercharged V6 achieves 340HP and 450Nm of torque combined with CO₂ emissions of 243g/km. Effortless acceleration and power delivery produces a 0-60 time of 7.1s.

In addition to new engine technology, Land Rover introduces a series of semi-autonomous driving technologies to Range Rover Sport. Advanced Tow Assist, Blind Spot Assist and Intelligent Speed Limiter work alongside existing features to elevate driver aids to an even greater level of convenience and safety.

Peerless all-terrain capability remains a cornerstone of the Range Rover family and the 2017 Model Year Range Rover Sport includes a selection of new features. Low Traction Launch makes it easier for drivers to pull away on low-grip surfaces while the updated 4x4i menu presents all the necessary vehicle information when tackling challenging terrain.

The enlarged dual-view touchscreen features a new 10-inch display for greater ease-of-use and clarity and features tablet-style pinch and zoom orientation. This is powered by Land Rover’s market-leading InControl Touch Pro technology, making this the most connected Range Rover Sport to date.

September is one of the busiest times of the year for buying a new car. Ahead of the forthcoming introduction of the “66” vehicle registration next month, Motor Codes, the leading provider of Codes of Practice and Alternative Dispute Resolution for the automotive industry, has the following advice for consumers during the purchase process.

Protect your rights

Buying a vehicle face-to-face or online through a dealership or independent garage offers you the most protection with the least risk. Also, by opting to purchase from a retailer, you are fully covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015 which came into force last October.

Take it for a test-drive

It’s all well and good reading reviews, and seeing what an expert thinks of a certain model. However, the only way to really find out if a car is right, is to get behind the wheel and to see how it performs. Taking it for a test-run also allows you to get a feel for how it will fit in with your lifestyle and daily commitments, and help determine the specification and the space that you and your family may need.

Non-dealer servicing does not cancel a warranty

A vehicle’s warranty can vary in length depending on the brand. There is the common misconception that the warranty policy can be invalidated if a car is serviced outside of the dealer network. If a garage follows the manufacturer’s prescribed servicing schedule and uses genuine parts during the work, this will not be the case thanks to existing European Block Exemption laws.

For added peace of mind, check to see whether the warranty provider is subscribed to a Code of Practice such as that offered by Motor Codes, and if the retailer is signed up to a recognised Service and Repair Code when it comes to doing any maintenance work. If you have purchased the car from a franchise dealership with a fixed price service plan, then you must take it back to one of the brand’s participating dealers for servicing throughout the duration of the agreement.

Stick to your budget

Choosing a car is often an exciting time, and it’s therefore easy to get carried away when seeing new models in the showroom. Remember, it’s not only about being able to buy the car, but equally significant are the longer term costs for running it. Look at the figures for fuel consumption, the insurance group, road tax (for cars emitting above 100g/km CO2), servicing and parts. Finance agreements are now the most popular way of buying a vehicle, and you should consider affordability both in the short and long term, as circumstances may change, and payments could harder to make.

How you pay (either outright or by installments) will affect your rights if there is a dispute. For example, if you settle all or part of the cost of your car by credit card, the card company and the trader may be jointly responsible for compensating you under the Consumer Credit Act 1974. For debit cards, you may be able to get a refund through a voluntary scheme known as ‘chargeback’.

The sticker price is rarely cast in stone

When you are ready to go ahead, the price on the car windscreen is often indicative. Sales staff frequently have some room for negotiation, so it is worth having a conversation to discuss a possible reduction. Before agreeing the final number, take into account any other costs such as delivery, and ask if this, as well as any options such as floor mats, can be included as part of the package. Once you have reached an agreement, inclusive of any extras and taxes, read the small print before signing any documentation, and never feel pressured into doing so.

It pays to shop around

The UK’s garage and dealer network is extensive, so it’s worth visiting a few sites operated by different car brands before deciding where and what to buy. The demos can also vary within a franchise group, and therefore, a call ahead will determine which location you should visit.

Value a part exchange

Trading in an existing car at a garage can be an effective way of reducing the overall cost of a new one. There are plenty of guides and resources that are widely available on the internet such as Parkers and Auto Trader that will allow you to get an idea of what constitutes a fair price based on criteria such as age, mileage and condition. This will help avoid handing your car over too cheaply.

Pick-up some breakdown and insurance cover

Some new car deals include breakdown assistance, as well as temporary “drive away insurance” to provide instant cover from the moment that you leave the forecourt. Nevertheless, it’s important to shop around for an annual breakdown and insurance policy that meets your needs and budget, and it may be cheaper to buy them separately.

Bill Fennell, Managing Director of Motor Codes, said: “For many, a car is often the second biggest purchase after a property. As with any big commitment, motorists should avoid rushing any decisions. They should instead take the time to read up and ensure that it meets their long-term requirements and finances, and make a concerted effort to examine the small print to avoid any repercussions at a later date.”

For more information on Motor Codes, visit www.motorcodes.co.uk.