Following its highly acclaimed world debut at the Geneva motor show a few weeks ago, SEAT has confirmed full UK pricing and specification for its first SUV, Ateca. Priced from £17,990, the Barcelona-based marque is looking to make quite an impact in the UK’s compact SUV market.

Which, judging by the initial signs for SEAT’s latest creation, staking its claim in the fast-growing segment shouldn’t be too difficult. For starters, in several key European markets, including France and Germany, where ordering has already opened, Ateca is already proving quite a hit, even before customers have got behind the wheel.

The entry-level S has all the essential kit which a growing family or young-at-heart couple might need. On the inside, the interior includes air conditioning, Media System Touch five-inch touchscreen with USB and SD connectivity, leather steering wheel and gearknob, plus split-folding rear seats with reclining function. On the outside, Ateca’s stylish lines are complemented by 16-inch ‘Design’ alloy wheels and LED daytime running lights.

Moving up to the expected UK best-selling trim level, SE, brings features including dual-zone climate control, cruise control, electrically adjustable, heated and folding door mirrors and rear parking sensors.

Rounding off the initial UK line-up, at least until the ‘First Edition’ version is confirmed in May, is XCELLENCE. The new flagship trim ushers in a plethora of enticing premium features, including four new innovations for SEAT. The first is a Connectivity Hub with Wireless Phone Charger which also boosts in-car phone signal, as well as multi-colour interior ambient lighting with LED interior illumination and a choice of  eight colours. Penultimately, comes an ‘Ateca’ welcome light silhouette which is projected onto the ground from the bottom of the door mirrors, and finally, SEAT Drive Profile with Driving Experience selector. This latest evolution of the brand’s tried and tested technology allows the driver to adjust Ateca’s set-up (steering, throttle response and gear change speeds – the latter on DSG-equipped versions) according to road and weather conditions or personal preferences, including Off-road and Snow modes on four-wheel-drive versions.

Unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show, the VisionS concept car gave the world a strong steer on ŠKODA’s new large SUV and was met with rave reviews, particularly for its “sleek, chiselled and elegant”* styling. The production version will be revealed later in 2016.

With SUVs now the biggest-selling model of car in Europe, ŠKODA’s next major line-up addition looks set to draw in even more customers.

Henry Williams, Head of Fleet for ŠKODA UK, commented: “We had a record year of fleet sales in 2015, with the all-new Superb proving a major hit for its outstanding design, technology, practicality and value for money. This complemented the existing popularity of our other models such as the Octavia.

“However, our new large SUV – which will take cues from the VisionS concept car – sees ŠKODA enter an entirely different vehicle segment. We can’t say much more about its pricing or specification, but I can promise that it will give fleet customers exactly what they’re looking for: a great product at a great price.”

* Taken from a review in Daily Express, 4 March 2016

Renault extended its range with the presentation in Moscow of the all-new Renault KAPTUR crossover which will be equipped with four-wheel drive transmission in Russia. The KAPTUR is one of the 10 new models that Groupe Renault’s President and CEO Carlos Ghosn announced for this year as Renault continues to expand outside of Europe, notably in Russia.

The launch of the KAPTUR in the popular, fast-growing SUV segment will help Renault to consolidate its foothold in the Russian and Eurasian Customs Union markets. The new model is the latest addition to Renault’s range in Russia where it rounds out the make’s crossover and SUV line-up alongside the Sandero Stepway, Duster and Koleos.

The specific needs of the Russian market were dialled into the new crossover from the very beginning of the design process. In addition to its name, which starts with an emphatic ‘K’, the KAPTUR’s dimensions are also specific, while its four-wheel drive transmission stands out as a major ally to cope with the country’s harsh climate.

The front end features Renault’s new styling cues, including a bold Renault logo set against a gloss black background. The wide upper section of the distinctive grille features a new honeycomb mesh pattern, while the broad lower part of the bumper visually widens the car. The sculpted forms of the bonnet and door inserts are other bold crossover cues that express strength.

As at the front, a key feature at the rear is the C-shaped lighting signature of the 3D-effect LED taillights.

The KAPTUR, which will go on sale this summer, is manufactured at Renault’s Moscow plant.

The Subaru Forester has been upgraded for 2016 to ensure the model maintains its status as one of the most capable and versatile SUVs in its class. The 2016 model-year upgrades to the Subaru Forester – the Japanese manufacturer’s bestselling model in the UK – result in improved safety, convenience, comfort and refinement.

The upgraded Subaru Forester will go on sale across the brand’s UK dealer network this month. Pricing remains unchanged for all trim levels in the updated Forester line-up, with the range starting from £25,495 (on-the-road) for the 2.0i XE model and £26,995 for best-selling 2.0D XC models.

Every Forester is equipped with two core Subaru technologies: Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive, affording surefootedness in all conditions; and the latest-generation four-cylinder ‘Boxer’ engines, contributing to the low centre of gravity beneficial to balance, road holding and handling.

The 2016 Subaru Forester has had an exterior and interior refresh. At the front of the car, the Forester’s distinctive hexagonal grille has been updated with a new ‘wing’ motif grille mesh, while the front bumper has been reshaped and now features new L-shaped chrome trim adding greater visual volume to the lower part of the Forester’s ‘face’. The change is designed to emphasise the car’s relatively low centre of gravity, wide stance and innate stability.

The wraparound headlamps – retaining Subaru’s signature ‘hawk-eye’ shape – feature a new black base paint finish for a sharper appearance. The 2016 model is also fitted with new LED combination lamps at the rear.

Inside the cabin, new materials and technologies have been introduced to further modernise the interior and introduce a higher-quality look and feel, while still retaining the functionality for which the Forester is renowned.

The interior is finished with a higher proportion of soft-touch materials, new piano black and metallic trim, higher-resolution TFT displays and new cloth and leather upholstery options – including a new brown leather option. Following the adoption of Subaru’s new 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment and navigation system in 2015, the changes to the 2016 Subaru Forester are designed to further improve the quality look and feel of the cabin.

Model line-up and pricing

There are a total of nine models in the 2016 Forester range, starting at £25,495 for the 2.0i XE and £26,995 for 2.0D XC models, and rising to £30,995 for high-powered 2.0 DIT XT versions of the car.

The upgraded Subaru Forester comes with the brand’s comprehensive five year, 100,000 mile warranty.

To find out more about the upgraded 2016 Subaru Forester, visit www.subaru.co.uk.

Spring has officially arrived and like us, our cars need to shake off the winter cold to be fit for the summer ahead. If you haven’t done so already, get your car ready for spring with our latest tips from the IAM’s standards and compliance manager, Richard Gladman.

• If you haven’t given your car a full spring clean yet now is a good time to wash off all the grime and road salt. Use a pressure washer to clean the underside, but take care with delicate areas and don’t spray directly onto oil seals or rubber areas. Better still, let a professional clean it.
• Give your windows a good clean on the inside too – dirty windows are more prone to misting up. Simply use washing up liquid in water to get them squeaky clean.
• If you’ve been using winter tyres replace them with summer tyres. Check the tyres thoroughly for damage and check the pressures before setting off.
• Ensure your wiper blades are in full working order after a winter of hard use and test all of your lights.
• Spring may well bring on hay fever so use the air conditioning and re-circulation settings on your ventilation system to help reduce the effects.

Richard said: “It’s easy to overlook when the temperatures aren’t in the high twenties, but make sure you keep a pair of sunglasses with you too – the sun tends to be very low at this time of year and these will come in handy when dealing with glare in the early morning and evening.

“In this light dirt and grime on the windscreen and mirrors can be even more distracting– keep them clean throughout.”

The new 252 PS Audi A4 allroad quattro 2.0 TFSI S tronic will be the first Audi to adopt the latest quattro ultra drivetrain. This advanced system predicts when front or all-wheel drive is most suitable, trimming CO2 and increasing overall MPG.

RHD versions of the first Audi to incorporate the brand’s latest advancement in all-wheel drive will soon be available in the UK.

The newly developed, permanently available quattro system with ultra technology will soon become available to order, initially in conjunction with the 252PS version of the 2.0-litre TFSI engine powering the latest A4 allroad. Three other TDI engine variants in the A4 allroad range will also open for order at the end of April, with first deliveries scheduled to begin in June.

Designed for Audi models with longitudinally installed engines, the new technology delivers tangible benefits in terms of both fuel efficiency and CO2 output during every journey. Fundamentally, the system deactivates all-wheel drive when it is not needed, but ensures that it is also permanently and instantaneously available, significantly reducing the potential fuel consumption difference between the two drive configurations.

By using a highly intelligent networked sensor system that communicates with a multi-plate clutch and integrated decoupler on the rear axle, the A4 allroad can switch between front- or all-wheel drive in a split-second depending on the driving conditions.

Yes, that’s right – if you fancy getting creative why not build your own engine coffee table. There’s even a book to help you!

Gergely Bajzáth has made a good number of engine coffee tables, and constantly enjoys positive feedback and comments about his work. Now, in ‘How to Build your own Engine Coffee Table’, he has decided to share his methods and tips with you, so that you can make one of your very own!

Whether in your living room, workshop, den, man cave, or girl shed, an engine coffee table is a great talking point, and is almost guaranteed to become the main topic of conversation when friends visit.

This book shows you everything you need to know to create your very own furniture centrepiece. From the best choice of engine base, to instructions on design and fabrication for appearance and safety. Hand painted finishes are covered, and a dedicated section shows how to safely plan, prepare, and fit a glass top for a serviceable, and safe, end result.

HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN ENGINE COFFEE TABLE by Gergely Bajzáth

ISBN: 9781845848842
UPC: 6-36847-04884-6

AVAILABLE NOW!

£9.99

Porsche is checking Cayenne models as a preventative measure

Porsche is recalling 409,477 Cayenne models worldwide from model years 2011 to 2016 to the workshop for a precautionary check, 14,600 thereof are in the UK. The reason for this is that a circlip could be loose on the bearing bracket for pedals. The correct assembly will be checked in the workshop.

The problem was found during internal inspections and remedied in the ongoing series. Vehicle owners will be contacted directly by the Porsche dealer responsible for them. A workshop appointment that will be free of charge will be arranged as quickly as possible and will take less than half an hour.

Cayenne model series: fuel consumption, combined: 11.5 – 6.6 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions 267 – 173 g/km; efficiency class (Germany): F – B

It seems you really can teach an old dog new tricks, as Vauxhall Motors put its all-new Vauxhall Corsa in the hands of a capable canine to test its latest Advanced Park Assist technology.

Step aside Jeremy Barkson and enter Gerty the Boxer, the star of Vauxhall’s new #ParallelBarking video. The minute-long clip features the daring dog execute the paw-fect parallel park, with no human assistance, leaving passers-by on Wimbledon High Street dumb-hounded.

Sitting in the driver’s seat of the red Vauxhall Corsa SE, Gerty shows off the advanced technology of the new easy parking feature – from how it detects a parking space to automatically computing the perfect manoeuvre into the slot – demonstrating that parallel parking can be a walk in the park.

Advanced Park Assist is now available as an optional extra in the all-new Vauxhall Corsa, available from £8,995.

To view #ParallelBarking, visit po.st/parallelbarking.

Traffic congestion in the UK’s biggest cities is 14% worse than it was just five years ago, according to a major new report.  Across the rest of Europe, average congestion is actually 3% down over the same period.

The annual Traffic Index from TomTom shows average UK journeys in 2015 took 29%* longer than they would in free-flowing conditions – up from a 25% delay in 2010.

The analysis of 14 trillion pieces of traffic data worldwide showed that the morning rush hour is almost 10% more congested than in 2010, with the evening peak nearly a fifth (19%) worse – suggesting that people return home in a narrower time period in the evenings .

The average commuter driving to and from work in the UK’s top 25 cities wasted 127 hours (more than 5 whole days) stuck in traffic during 2015.

Congestion has got 4% worse in the past year alone. It’s risen in 17 of the 25 UK cities in the report, with a further 4 remaining about the same.  Only Nottingham, Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Preston have shown slight decreases.

The TomTom Traffic Index analysed traffic patterns in 295 cities globally and found that Belfast was once again the most congested city in the UK – and 14th worst in the world.  Journey times in 2015 were 40% slower than free-flow traffic throughout the day – peaking at 86% longer in the evening rush hour.

London is the 20th most congested city worldwide – and second worst in the UK – with journey times 38% slower, rising to 66% in the evening peak.  The Northern Powerhouse of Manchester (37% slower) moves up into third place, overtaking Edinburgh (37%) and Brighton (34%).

The next five worst cities for congestion are Hull, Bournemouth, Newcastle, Bristol and Sheffield.

Globally, Istanbul has been knocked off the top spot by Mexico City.  Commuters in the Mexican capital can expect to spend 59% extra travel time stuck in traffic during the day, rising to 94% in the evening peak period – a total of 219 wasted hours a year.

The next most congested big cities worldwide are Bangkok (57%), Istanbul (50%), Rio de Janeiro (47%) and Moscow (44%).

*  An overall congestion level of 29% means that an average trip takes 29% longer than it would under uncongested conditions, for example at night.

Main Image: Shutterstock.com