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Sarah Kidd

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After three years of rumours, camo’d prototypes and being battered by the slogan Effortless, Everywhere, Rolls Royce have revealed their entrant into the SUV sector.

The Cullinan – named after the famous diamond, of course – comes with plenty of plush furnishing, pampering tech and tagline enforcing all-wheel drive.

As was clear from the first time we saw a prototype, the front end is unmistakably Roller. The grille, the lights and the bonnet ornament are textbook. The rear is unusual to see, as there’s no design language for a Rolls Royce of this shape, i.e. a wagon or an estate. The Cullinan incorporates the hips of it’s siblings and similar rectangular tail lights into a tidy rear end with a two-part tailgate entitled ‘The Clasp’.

When someone reaches for the door handle, the vehicle drops by 40mm to ensure they embark smoothly, and  it readjusts itself back to usual height upon ignition.

Needless to say the interior has wooden inserts, leather upholstery, champagne flute holders and everything else you’d expect in a Rolls Royce. Rear Pavilion seating, in both four and five seat variants, sits passengers in the back higher up to enjoy the views and make the most of the massive panoramic sunroof, and almost every surface of the interior is heated – seats, armrests, door sills and even the lower C-pillar. The infotainment is the first touch-screen system to be installed by the marque, and it isn’t the only new addition.

Unsurprisingly, the Cullinan is the first Rolls to feature an off-road mode and hill descent control, whilst the air suspension can be raised and lowered from the centre console. Presumably the development of these was when the vehicle was ‘tested to destruction’.

Powering the 2.6-tonne luxury SUV is a 6.75-litre, twin turbo V12 petrol unit, redeveloped to produce 563bhp and, most importantly, 627lbf.ft of torque at just 1,600rpm – making it easily accessible off-road. This gives a top speed of 155mph.

Electronic sensors adjust the shock absorbers, to push wheels short of traction into the ground, and the suspension set-up consists of a double-wishbone arrangement at the front and a five-link rear axle and the Cullinan has a wading depth of 540mm in the tallest suspension setting, plus four-wheel steering.

Possibly the least surprising stat here is that the Rolls Royce Cullinan is big. From nose to tail is 5.34m, it stands 1.83m tall and 2.16m wide, with a wheelbase marginally shy of 3.3m. This results in a 13-metre turning circle, so maybe nothing too technical. It won’t be cheap either, duh, with prices expected to rival the Bentley Bentayga at over £200,000.

The Cullinan certainly enters the luxury SUV sector with a dignified stroll, but whether it gets Rolls Royce customers down their local green lanes remains to be seen. Not that there are many in Mayfair…

Volvo began a partnership with Google last year, with the announcement that the next Sensus infotainment system would be the first to be run on the Android platform.

Now, news has been added that the next-gen Sensus will involve the voice-controlled Google Assistant. The system – the Android equivalent of Apple’s Siri – will be accompanied in the new suite by Google Maps and other apps from the Google Play Store along with features developed by the two companies in collaboration.

The inclusion of Google Assistant means you can simply tell your car what setting you want the air conditioning to be on, or you can dictate text messages and choose what music you want to listen to. Whilst the involvement of Google Maps will keep up to date with traffic levels and offer responsive alternative routes.

The system is due in 2020, and could make travelling much simpler and easier, but do you like the sound of it? Let us know in the comments section.

At the Electric Vehicle Expo, in Jeju, Korea, Kia has taken the covers off the all-electric version of its Niro crossover for the first time. Taking inspiration from the brand’s Niro EV Concept that appeared at the CES show in Las Vegas this year, the production vehicle will make it’s global debut at the Paris Motor Show in September.

The Niro EV will come with two lithium-polymer battery options – a 64kWh source with a claimed 380km and a smaller 39.2kWh system with a range of 240km.

Kia’s first electric vehicle will go on sale in Korea in the second half of 2018, with the Niro EV making it’s way to other markets after the global launch in September.

The Range Rover Velar arsenal has been broadened with the addition of a new engine and more safety tech.

A new 3.0-litre V6 D275 diesel unit joins the line-up, offering 271bhp and 461lbf.ft. Other additions see steering assist join the adaptive cruise control, culminating in lane-keeping abilities as standard equipment. More safety tech has been added to the stock list, with emergency braking, a rear camera, parking sensors and driver condition monitoring now fitted across the board.

Some of the petrol models have received slight changes too, with the P250 and P300 models boasting 82-litre fuel tanks – growth of 19-litres. Particulate filters will also feature in petrol Velars.

The model line tweaks will come into play on 2019 year models, with pricing for 19MY Velars starting at £44,735 and the new D275 available for £49,740.

Porsche are continuing their electrification charge with the latest Cayenne E-Hybrid.

The third-generation of the big Porsche comes with a 3.0-litre V6 paired with an electric motor – with a combined output of 456bhp and 516lbf.ft. That’s a 7bhp increase in petrol power and an extra 43% from the new battery over the predecessor. This give a top speed of 157mph and a 5 second run to 62mph.

A boost system from the 918 Spyder joins the influx of power and facilitates the electric motors functionality in all of the Cayenne’s driving modes. Economy figures have improved too, with new mpg stats of 69.2, and emissions of 72g/km.

With the increased power of the battery, there is also more overall performance. The capacity has increased from 10.8kWh to 14.1kWh. Stored beneath the floor, the fluid-cooled battery can be charged to full capacity from a 230 volt connection in 7.8 hours – aka 7hours and 48 minutes – but with the optional 7.2kW on-board charger it is possible to fully charge the battery in 2hours twenty minutes, sorry, 2.3 hours. Charging can be managed via the Porsche Connect app, as can the air conditioning and heating when the power is off.

Traction control system comes as standard as is active suspension management. Chassis control is optional, as is a trailer connection that comes with a load rating of 3.5-tonnes.

The model is the first Porsche to feature a heads-up display and also comes with adaptive cruise, massage seats and heated windscreen.

Pricing for the Cayenne E-Hybrid starts at £67,128 and the order books are open now.

It was on this day 70 years ago that the world first saw a Land Rover. On the 30th April 1948 at the Amsterdam Motor Show, the first pre-production Land Rover made it’s public debut – and having been relocated it is being restored by Land Rover’s Classics team.

To mark the exact date of the anniversary, World Land Rover Day will celebrate the vehicles that have taken the marque from their humble beginnings to the global brand that it is today.

A live broadcast on the Land Rover YouTube channel at 8pm will tell the story of the brand, and how it has enabled adventure, supported humanitarian aid and produced much-loved working vehicles. The film calls on figures behind the legendary vehicles, plus an insight into the future only available from inside the factory.

‘Land Rover is so much more than just the most capable all-terrain vehicles,’ said JLR CEO Prof. Dr Ralf Speth. ‘It connects people through a passion for adventure and making more from our world. From our employees to customers and enthusiasts, this is the family that makes Land Rover special.’

The year of celebrations has already brought us some exciting vehicles, with the 1948 prototype rebuild, the Works V8 Defender and the Range Rover SV Coupé released by Land Rover – plus news on the new Defender expected later in the year.

 

Not so long ago, we lived in a much simpler time. A phone was a phone, and an SUV was… an SUV.

These days, companies aren’t satisfied with just producing something fit for one purpose. And with that, I give you the new Jaguar E-Pace – the ‘compact performance SUV with sports car looks’.

So, what about those looks then? Well, the E-Pace is an attractive vehicle, especially when finished in the R-Dynamic trim, with the rear being a particular highlight and some F-Type mimicking clear to see.

It’s the same inside, too, most noticeably when you look at how the grab handle runs from the side of the transmission tunnel on the passenger side up to the dashboard. On the whole the cabin is a welcoming enough environment, although its design is far from ground breaking. The switchgear is fine, apart from the toggle you engage to hop between driving modes, which feels cheap, frankly.

It’s Evoque-like inside: functional style, but with a little added flair. And that’s an important comparison, because the two share more than an interior.

While the E-Pace may wear a Gucci tracksuit, it’s based upon the same platform as the Range Rover Evoque and Discovery Sport. No surprise to see it uses the same nine-speed ZF gearbox through much of its range then, and a list of engines that’re straight from the JLR stable.

There’s a front-wheel-drive 150bhp diesel available with a manual ‘box and no R-Dynamic pack for under £30K, but unsurprisingly, we’re not too interested in that.

Thankfully, you can also equip an E-Pace with either a 180bhp or 240bhp tune of the 2.0-litre four-pot diesel, or should you want to go for the full Jaguar growl, there’s 250bhp or 300bhp 2.0-litre petrol engines.

Does any of this equate to a sports car driving experience? Not really.

There’s no denying that for a vehicle with a raised ride height carrying four-wheel-drive technology, the E-Pace is a competent performer, with a nimbleness to its handling that makes it feel lighter than it is.

However, this isn’t some low-slung sports car that’ll power slide its way to Tesco and back. Still, the lack of weight transpiring through the steering wheel is a testament to JLR’s engineers, especially when you consider the E-Pace is actually heavier than the bigger F-Pace (only JLR’s big boys get the expensive aluminium architecture).

A quick word on the two petrol variants: they’re both lovely to drive, with lively motors and a real verve in the way they go about their business. But, I can’t help feel Jaguar has missed a trick by not bringing in a ‘sensible’ petrol option. 250PS is a lot of power in any vehicle, and one can’t help but feel the emergence of a P200 may just be the peach JLR is looking for.

Currently, the pick of the bunch has to be the R-Dynamic SE 180bhp diesel in all-wheel-drive and auto spec. Forget the news, modern-day diesels aren’t the work of Satan and the 180bhp diesel provides a solid compromise between performance and economy.

The nine-speed ‘box still revs longer than necessary, but in everyday situations you’ll be pleased you took this over the manual. It’s all down to driving style, of course. If you insist on having an E-Pace you want to thrash, go petrol. The diesel is much better for cruising, and seeing as you’re likely to buy this vehicle with the view to popping a couple of your kids in the back, it’s better for the school run.

Jag’s new E-Pace offers good driving attributes for a car that isn’t a sports car. It rides well, whatever the driving mode, has ample performance and doesn’t feel bloated as its kerb weight suggests. But importantly, it has more kerb appeal than just about any other SUV out there. Thankfully for Jaguar, the beauty is more than skin deep.

After the reveal of a mega-limited Arctic Trucks D-Max yesterday at the CV Show, Isuzu have today revealed a special edition D-Max of their own.

The Yukon Luxe Extended Cab receives a swathe of tweaks both internally and externally, adding both flair and comfort to the popular pick-up.

Eighteen-inch Black Shadow alloys apply edge to the look of the Luxe, whilst the power assisted tailgate adds functionality – and safety. Thanks to the Pro-Lift tailgate assist, the tailgate can feel 95% lighter.

The interior has received a red and black leather makeover, instilling style and comfort into the cab of the D-Max.

The Yukon Luxe Extended Cab prices up at £22,509 before VAT, only £1,000 up on standard D-Max Yukon models. Details on the new double-cab can be found on Isuzu’s website, or at your nearest dealership.

Arctic Trucks have been busy, not only have they worked their magic on an Isuzu D-Max and Toyota Hilux for the CV Show, they’ve also done work on a Nissan Navara.

It’s the first time that Nissan have developed a European pick-up with another brand, and the result is the Off-Roader AT32.

A bespoke suspension increases the Navara’s ride height by 20mm, resulting in 243mm of ground clearance. This also gives a new approach angle of 35˚ and a breakover of 24˚. The redesigned wheel arches were necessitated by the 32-inch tyres wrapped around the 17-inch alloys. Beneath the truck there is also underbody cladding for protection over rough terrain. Optional additions to the AT32’s off-road performance include a snorkel and a front differential locker plus bigger tyres present the option of reducing tyre pressure.

The AT32 is based on the Navara double cab, and as a result adopts the standard features of hill-start assist, hill descent control, emergency braking and a birds-eye-view parking camera. It also comes with Nissan’s five-year/100,000 mile warranty, plus a five year guarantee from Arctic Trucks on the new parts.

There’s no date announced yet for the Off-Roader AT32’s arrival on the UK market.

Arctic Trucks have taken the covers off a very limited run D-Max at the CV Show. The Stealth is based on the Isuzu D-Max AT35 double cab by Arctic Trucks, and the production run will consist of only ten examples.

The exterior has been de-chromed, with roof bars, side steps, radiator grille and all of the exterior features getting blackout treatment. Even the Isuzu badges have been changed, with a colour change up front, and on the D-Max Arctic Truck badges at the back, and the standard Isuzu decal on the tailgate has gone.

Black rear sports bar and mountain top roll over cover have been added to enhance the Stealth’s image. Un-stealthily, there are LED headlights and two Lazer lightbars mounted on the front bumper and the sports bar.

Predictably, the bespoke leather interior is black. The Arctic Trucks logo is embroidered into the headrests, and also features on the 9” touchscreen set into the dash. Nine speakers have been added, along with a subwoofer and a HDMI port.

The Stealth will cost £44,005 plus VAT, but it wasn’t the only Arctic Trucks project at the show.

The other Arctic Trucks vehicle at the show was the Arctic Trucks AT35 Hilux, sporting 10” alloys, 35” all-terrain tyres and a 25% increase in ground clearance. The AT35 Hilux is available to both commercial and private buyers, and comes with the same 5-year/100,000 mile warranty as Toyota Hilux models.

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