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The iconic Volkswagen California has been updated, with the home-from-home benefitting from newly digitised controls, a subtle facelift, an updated interior and new electro-mechanical power steering.

With these updates, the 6.1 California now has access to driver assistance in the form of Lane Assist, Park Assist and Trailer Assist. Also helping modernise the van is the optionally digital instruments, with the introduction of the VW Digital Cockpit now on the cards. Up to a 9.2-inch touchscreen is available for the infotainment system, which in cases includes Apple Music and Tidal streaming services.

It is still an option to upgrade to all-wheel drive, but the 2.0-litre TDi engines will all meet Euro 6d Temp Evap emissions standards.

Inside, the beds have been made more comfortable, as the high bed is now equipped with a sprung base, whilst the grey canvas sides of the pop-up roof have been darkened to let less light in. A new sunrise feature utilises selectable LEDs in the roof and living space to dim the lights to a set level over a chosen period of time, to ease occupants into the day ahead.

Details of the compact kitchen have been re-thought, with an additional double-USB socket, aluminium handles on every door have been installed, whilst the kitchen space is now opened with a simple push button.

The updated California will debut at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf later in August.

SsangYong have this morning announced the Rexton Ice special edition, offering high-equipment levels and a unique paint colour.

Based on the ELX specification Rexton, the Ice comes with a well-stocked interior, a comforting level of safety kit and, as with all SsangYong products, commendable value.

Inside you’ll be sat on new TPU leather-look seats which for the first and second row are heated and rear passengers will benefit from privacy glass. The driver will also have a heated steering wheel and will absorb the necessary driving information from a 7″ digital cluster and navigation is displayed on the 9.2″ touchscreen. This screen is also enabled by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with DAB radio and Bluetooth and Ipod connectivity. There’s also air conditioning and an auto defog system in place with air quality sensors.

Along with speed sensing steering to make life easier in car parks and more comfortable at speed, the Ice has automatic headlight control and rain sensing wipers and front and rear parking sensors. The Rexton Ice comes with a whole load of features that keep you safer whilst on board. It has Autonomous Emergency Braking, Active Rollover Protection, Hill Descent Control for off-road exploits, Lane Departure Warning, High beam Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition.

Other cool features include touch sensitive door handles, a detachable boot net between the tailgate and storage area and new 18″ alloy wheel designs.

The Rexton Ice is on sale now and will be available, on the road, for £34,995.

Nissan have detailed further the specifications of the soon-to-be-updated Navara, with more depth on the economy, infotainment tech and the specifications of different trim levels.

The engine available with the updates – the same 2.3-litre unit in either 163 or 190bhp – is more economical than before, with a 40.9mpg return attainable on a combined cycle(NEDC).

Suspension changes have been made to allow easier to handle steering, plus the five-link rear setup is standard across all models now, having been added for KingCab body styles.

A swathe of advanced connectivity also makes the Navara a sturdy workhorse at the same time as being a truly modern vehicle. There’s NissanConnect with Alliance in-Vehicle Connectivity, the system upgrade also allows users to mirror their smartphone on the upsized 8-inch screen that is more responsive and features a clearer display. The Nissan Connect Services app is also now fitted, with built in 4G, TomTom maps with real-time, over the air updates and both Google satellite and Street View. The app also offers remote control of the horn and lights, plus a vehicle locator to help in Navara-heavy car parks, I guess… The system is also compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Standard wheel size on lower spec models is now 17-inch (rather than 16) with new 17 and 18″ designs, whilst high-spec models also get LED headlamps with a gloss black inner shell.

The new Navara is on sale now across Europe, with pricing kicking off at £21,850 as a CV for the KingCab variant.

 

The D23 Nissan Navara is a good truck – which is just as well as the headlines of the new update are uniform suspension, a new manual gearbox, bigger brakes, engine upgrades and more tech as standard.

King Cab models will now feature the same multi-link suspension as used in the double cab models, which in turn has provided a 46kg increase in the payload of two-door trucks, with the rear also sitting 25mm higher.

The 163bhp engine is now fitted with two turbochargers, matching the tally of the 190bhp version, which has upped torque to 313lbf.ft, a digit increased by 16. An all-new six-speed transmission is joining the revised powertrain, with linger ratios and a shorter throw, meaning changes are less frequently required but more pleasant to enact.

Braking should be more assured in the updated Navara, with rear drums replaced for discs and callipers whilst the front discs are 4mm bigger. The results? a claimed 40% reduction in braking force.

Standard level equipment has increased with the update, N-Connecta models and above getting an eight-inch touchscreen to communicate the Nissan Connect entertainment system, with Apple CarPlay and mobile integration, whilst all models also get Trailer Sway Assist as standard.

Styling upgrades are limited on the new model, with new black bezel inlays for the LED headlights, plus new 17 and 18″ alloy designs.

Updated models go on sale from the 1st July, with the range kicking off with the manual King Chassis Cab Visia at £21,850 as a CV and topping out at £31,125 for the N-Guard double cab, again as a CV.

Land Rover have updated their fastest selling model ever, with the reviewed Discovery Sport model featuring a wholesome interior revamp, newfound hybrid power and sitting on the latest Green Oval platform.

Inside, the cabin retains the five-plus-two seating arrangement, with a folding middle row planted on runners and a pop-up third row meaning there are 24 different seating combinations offering great flexibility. Small item stowage now has a total tally of 48-litres with a larger than before cubby box and improved door bins. The central storage is flexible, too, with a removable tray, a pair of cupholders plus a net to keep any cables or the like from tangling themselves around anything and everything. It’s base is also a useful wireless charging pad – a first in Land Rover products. There will also be Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available, alongside a 3G Wi-Fi hotspot.

There’s room for 1,179-litres of luggage in the boot as a five-seater and folding the second row flat affords you an extra 307.5 bottles of carbonated drink in the back (615-litres). Standard fitment includes a cargo net to stop items rolling about when the boot isn’t full.

There is a quartet of Ingenium powertrains on offer from launch, with three petrol options and a diesel. The 150bhp diesel is the most economic, capable of up to 51.4mpg whilst driving the front axle through a manual six-speed, whilst the 250bhp petrol unit with 269lbf.ft paired with four-wheel drive is the zestiest, shooting to sixty in just 7.1 seconds. The 48-volt hybrid option available at launch harvests energy usually lost under braking and stores it in the underfloor battery, until needed to assist the engine in pulling away and acceleration. At speeds below 11mph the engine will also shut off to minimise emissions, with the unit able to reach 40.9mpg. Before the year is out there will be a plug-in hybrid option, using a new three-cylinder Ingenium engine, on the market, too. The other options are the D180 unit, producing 180bhp, 317lbf.ft and the 240bhp, 369lbf.ft D240 powertrain. The updated ZF nine-speed automatic gearbox has been tweaked to offer a two percent increase in economy.

A true Land Rover, the new Discovery Sport has a towing capacity of 2.5-tonnes and has superior off-road ability in its class thanks to 212mm ground clearance and approach, departure and breakover angles of 25,30 and 20 degrees respectively. Four-wheel drive models get Terrain Response 2 off-road system, offering Comfort, Sand, Grass-Gravel-Snow, Mud and Ruts modes to keep the Discovery Sport surefooted on all surfaces. It also features Hill Descent Control, All-Terrain Progress Control on four-wheel drive models and it can also be fitted with the ClearSight Ground View technology debuted in the all-new Evoque, which effectively makes the bonnet transparent.

For a safer time on the road, equipment includes Adaptive Cruise Control and Steering Assist, whilst there are three ISOFIX fittings. Other standard safety features include front and rear parking sensors, a rear camera, Autonomous Emergency Braking and Lane Keep Assist, Driver Condition Monitor.

There will be twelve exterior paint options for the newly sculpted bodywork, whilst the interior features fully redesigned seating and the dash now incorporates a 10.25-inch Touch Pro Infotainment touchscreen. There’s a mix of rotary dials and buttons, too, set into the gloss black interface. The three-spoke steering wheel features capacitive switches that integrate with the multimedia system and the driver has a clean and crisp digital instrument cluster. There are many responsible material options for the revolutionised interior, such as non-leather Luxtec – made from recycled polyester microfibre.

The extensively revised Discovery Sport is available to order now, with pricing starting at £31,575 on the road for the two-wheel drive model and rising to £50,000. Delieveries are expected in the late summer.

The second special edition for the Mercedes-Benz X-Class has been released, with the ELEMENT Edition X 250d 4MATIC.

Based on the Progressive model, the posh pick-up comes with an enhanced equipment list along with custom graphics along the rear quarter.

This means that the truck comes with painted bumpers, a simulated underguard in matte black, aluminium door sills with Mercedes-Benz inscription, a matte silver finish grille, chromed door handles and the useful load securing rail system in the bed and heated side mirrors. The added kit on the ELEMENT Edition includes a black roof-liner, the Comfort Pack that includes Artico leather upholstery, a set of 19″ multi-spoke alloys, LED lights all around which, along with roof rails, privacy glass and running boards come as part of the Style Pack, a bed liner and sports bar along with the aforementioned special edition livery.

Paint options include Chisana White, or a metallic finish in Diamond Silver or Kabara Black. As with all X-Class models, standard equipment includes Active Brake Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, Hill Start Assist, a reversing camera and stop/start function.

You can get your name down for an ELEMENT Edition at your local Mercedes-Benz Vans centre, with business users able to get behind the wheel for just £459 per month.

Hyundai have announced that their Tucson SUV has been spruced up and is the latest model in their lineup to get an N Line specification. The transformation sees it take styling cues from the marque’s high-performance N sub-brand models, plus receive chassis tweaks and will be available with two powertrain options – one fo which is brand new.

Hyundai have announced that their Tucson SUV has been spruced up and is the latest model in their lineup to get an N Line specification. The transformation sees it take styling cues from the marque’s high-performance N sub-brand models, plus receive chassis tweaks and will be available with two powertrain options – one fo which is brand new.

But, the changes to the Tucson haven’t been purely cosmetic – the chassis has seen some tweaks that will improve handling. The rear suspension has been tweaked so it is now 5% stiffer, whilst the front is firmer by 8%. Drivers will also reap the benefits of sharper steering, with the motor driven power steering software now giving more direct output.

From the Tucson range of engines, the 1.6-litre T-GDi model, with 177bhp driving the front wheels is the entry model, whilst the N Line sees the introduction of the 1.6-litre CRDi 48 Volt Hybrid unit worthy of 136bhp. This replaces the purely fossil fueled version of this powertrain, and combines diesel power with a 48-volt lithium-ion battery, a <ild Hybrid Starter Generator, a low voltage DC/DC converter and an inverter. Both powertrains are on offer with a six-notch manual or a seven-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox.

The N Line specification includes a vast array of standard equipment, including convenience and safety aids, DAB radio and smartphone mirroring. Safety equipment includes Lane Keeping Assist, an Active Bonnet System, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Downhill Brake Control, Hill Start Assist Control plus Speed Limit Information Function plus individual tyre pressure monitoring. Other standard features on all N Line models consists of heated and electrically adjusted seating, lumbar support for the driver, privacy glass and keyless entry and start. There’s also Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which, along with DAB Radio, is manned through the 8″ touchscreen display.

Pricing for the Tucson N Line kick off at £25,995 for the petrol T-GDi unit, with the hybrid model starting at £27,495.

It’s become ritual for Isuzu to reveal a new special edition D-Max at the Commercial Vehicle show each year. but this year we’ve been treated to two.

But where to start?

After flipping a coin, it’s with the XTR. This striking truck, which is currently a prototype, is aimed at serving clientele who use their truck both for work, but also as a recreational off-roader. But how have they done this?

The D-Max XTR sits on a bespoke suspension and braking setup from specialists Pedders. This includes a new front upper arm that works in conjunction with freshly designed dampers that allow longer articulation. This means that the XTR sits higher than a stock D-Max, with 250mm ground clearance, but the system doesn’t compromise the handling performance of the truck on the road.

The brake discs have been bolstered at the front to performance numbers that champion consistent brake feel and are made to survive hard wear and combat corrosion. They’re fully vented and slotted for better heat dissipation and outright braking performance. The pads they work with are Kevlar ceramics, so you know they’re properly tough.

Both the springs and shocks are set up to provide a consistent and comfortable ride on road, and have been tuned with the XTR’s new wheels in mind. The 17″ XTR alloys have been designed to a popular tyre size – 17×8.5″ – to give XTR drivers plenty of choice if they choose a new set of tyres. Engineered to be tough, the alloys don’t affect the D-Max’s 3.5-tonne towing capacity nor it’s 1.1-tonne payload. The XTR is also the first truck to take the Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tyres as standard.

No doubt you’ll have been taken aback by the styling of the XTR makeover, but let’s break it down. A dramatic front bumper guard, bonnet protection and headlight frames give the D-Max XTR a mean stare. Extended wheel arches add yet more attitude, finished in black with a vibrant green insert that matches the theme around the rest of the truck. Around the back, there are spoilers on both the tailgate and the rear bumper, whilst matching door mirror covers and door handles complete the look. Like the bodykit, the side-steps are Raptor-coated. The green highlights also appear on the brake calipers and selected suspension parts to add a flash of colour.

Inside, the XTR treatment continues, with the D-shaped suede and leather steering wheel featuring green stitching matches the grey leather, suede and durable carbon-fibre leather seating with the same accenting.

It’s not often that a truck with 35″ tyres is the subtler of a pair, but compared to the XTR, the Safir is just that. Based on the automatic D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 double cab, Safir is happy to let the XTR take the ooh’s and have the aah’s for itself.

Finished in the beautiful Sapphire Blue Mica paint, the Safir looks calm and collected with its silver sports bar, matching Mountain Top rollover cover and a Safir branded aluminium underguard.

It also has Lazer Lights set into the front bumper and on a roof-mounted light bar – which is brand new for the D-Max range. The 17″ alloys are AT numbers in a new Hyper Dark diamond cut finish.

Bespoke leather seating adorns the interior, with the headrest embroidered Arctic Trucks logo in a matching sapphire cotton that matches the overstitch about the rest of the interior. The Safir also features a D-shaped steering wheel and the infotainment system has been upgraded to a 9″ touchscreen with a nine-speaker sound system that includes a subwoofer. The upper glovebox contains a wireless mobile charging pad, and a bumper mounted front camera makes parking and manoeuvring a doddle.

The Safir, like the XTR, is covered by Isuzu’s 125,000 mile five year warranty, and also retains the towing and payload capacities of the work-happy D-Max.

Pricing for the special trucks begins at £33,999 for the D-Max XTR and £45,000 for the Safir as a Commercial Vehicle.

The XTR is expected in showrooms later this year, whilst to act on your interest in either truck you should contact your local Isuzu dealer.

A new, more powerful petrol engine has been added to the line-ups of Skoda’s current SUV contingent.

The 2.0-litre TSI unit produces 190bhp and has an output of 236lbf.ft between 1,400 and 4,100rpm. In all of its applications, it will work in conjunction with a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission with four-wheel drive.

In the Karoq range it is available in SportLine models, and will help the smaller SUV sprint to 62mph in seven seconds flat, whilst also achieving 33.1mpg. Prices start from £31,820 on the road.

There are more avenues for the powertrain with the Kodiaq nameplate as it’s offered with SE L, Scout, SportLine, Edition and L&K specifications. In the bigger car it takes 7.7 seconds and, in SE L form attains 30.1mpg.  In the Kodiaq range pricing starts at £34,120 for the SE L version and rises to £38,770 for the range-topping, seven-seat L&K version.

The new TSI unit is available to order with both models now.

Jaguar has announced two new special editions of the F-Pace SUV, increasing standard equipment and sporting appeal in the process.

The 300 Sport edition comes with two choices of engines, both with a neat 300bhp. Either a 2.0-litre Ingenium petrol with 295lbf.ft or a 3.0-litre V6 with 516lbf.ft. Both come with four-wheel drive, whilst the petrol gets to 60 in 5.8 seconds and carries on to 145mph, whilst the diesel takes 6.2 seconds and will peak at 150mph.

It sits on 22″ grey alloys and features dark satin grey exterior detailing, including the grille surround, side vents, mirror caps and the rear valance. 300 Sport badges adorn the grille and rear tailgate and the bodywork exclusively available in Yulong White, Indus Silver and Santorini Black.

The interior gets yellow contrast stitching across the instrument panel, centre console and the leather seating which adds a bit of zest to proceedings. The seats also happen to be heated and 14-way adjustable in the front, and the 300 Sport emblem is embossed onto the treadplates, floor mats, steering wheel and front headrests.

The infotainment comes in the form of Jaguar’s Touch Pro Navigation system, which now includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard on all F-Pace models. It also benefits from having a 12.3-inch driver information display, Meridian sound system and a panoramic roof.

The Chequered flag edition has a high spec as it comes based on the R-Sport model. The front bumper and black gloss exterior detailing give it a unique road presence. It comes with 20″ alloys as standard, but can be upgraded to 22s. The colours available are Yulong White, Santorini Black and the newly introduced Eiger Grey.

Leather and aluminium adorn the interior, which has all of the same gadgets as the 300 Sport. Where the Chequered Flag differs is under the bonnet, where there are three options. If it’s petrol’s your poison, then you can have a 250bhp 2.0-litre Ingenium unit, with a 6.6 second 0-60 time and a top speed of 135mph. If diesel is more your jam you can have a 2.0-litre unit with either 240 or 180bhp, with the latter achieving up to 41.9mpg.

The two special editions are on sale now, and are available from £53,980 for the 300 Sport and £46,995 for the Chequered Flag edition.

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